Many of our guests have been coming to Scotland for many years and some are at an age when more sedate activities are appealing to them while on holiday. There will still be a few adrenalin junkies within the older age group but for those looking for gentler activities and days out, we have selected…
Hogmanay While the rest of the world celebrates New Year’s Eve, in Scotland we celebrate “Hogmanay”. But what does it mean? Etymologists have debated the derivation of the word and there is no one accepted source. The word first appears in a 1443 Latin source as “hagnonayse”, with the first appearance in English being…
There’s nothing better than coming in from the cold, curling up in front of a log-fire and opening a good book this winter. And with Christmas fast approaching you might be on the lookout for those last-minute presents for friends and relatives. Well, there are plenty of great places to pick up some fantastic reads.…
Scotland is well-known for its stunning vistas, with majestic mountains and lochs alive with fish and folktales; waterfalls crashing from the heights of the glens, forests and fairy pools, rugged highland landscapes and fertile farmland. The night brings a spectacle above to rival that of the picturesque colours and contours below, with constellations unfolding across…
The 2018 Netflix movie “Outlaw King”, stars Chris Pine as Robert the Bruce in his quest for the crown of Scotland. The film was shot on location in Scotland giving it a sense of authenticity. The film also had an overwhelming response to a call for local extras to play footsoldiers in Robert the Bruce’s…
Samhain is usually celebrated at sunset on the 31st of October. It is the traditional Celtic festival marking the coming of winter and the “darker half” of the year. Many rituals associated with Samhain have been carried down the years and co-opted by other religions or events. Samhain was believed to be a “liminal” time…
With dark nights and the cold in the air, there’s no better time to share ghost stories. The Green Lady of Stirling Castle A former servant of Mary Queen of Scots this woman has been wandering the corridors of Stirling Castle since her untimely death centuries ago. One night the curtains of Mary’s four-poster bed…
The Engine Shed is Scotland’s dedicated building conservation centre, based in Stirling. Run by Historic Environment Scotland, it serves as a central hub for building and conservation professionals and the general public. Scotland’s historic built environment is a finite and unique resource, yet its care calls for conservation skills that are in short supply. This…
Callander Jazz and Blues Festival took place this year over the weekend of 28th – 30th September. This is the 13th annual festival with live gigs staged in various venues across Callander and featuring the best sounds in local, national and international Jazz alongside the best of the UK’s Blues scene. Friday saw the start…
Across the river from Perth City Centre is the Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park. A haven for walkers and cyclists. In 1991 Kinnoull Hill became the first dedicated Woodland Park in Scotland. There are four marked walking trails in the Woodland Park taking you up through the woods to the summit. The climb from the Corsie…