Unique Scotland

Scotland's North Coast 500 was opened in 2015 and this 516 mile route has become a popular travel destination. This, Part 2, of our tour will take us from Dornoch to Wick on the east coast of northern Scotland. You will cross Loch Fleet and see an old Thomas Telford bridge (early 1800s) which has an incredible sluice gate system to allow the river to exit but stops the sea water from entering the river Fleet. You will visit the attractive seaside town of Golspie and, as lovely as it is, the Golspie Inn was witness to the iniquities of the Highland Clearances. Soon after Golspie you will see the 'Mannie', a monument to the 1st Duke of Sutherland and why some would like to see it knocked down. The Mannie stands on a hill overlooking the fabulous caste Dunrobin which we will visit on our travels.

We will pass through Brora with its wonderful sandy beach and links golf course before going on to see a 2000 year old Broch at Ousdale. Soon afterwards we will visit Dunbeath which holds the secrets of King George VI's younger brother, the Duke of Kent, who died in mysterious circumstances when his plane crashed into a hill some 3 miles from the town. Of course, George VI was the king who replaced Edward VII when he abdicated to marry Wallace Simpson. We'll retire for the evening in the Wick area and enjoy a sumptuous dinner in an exquisite Victorian Villa. So exciting…..

Scotland's North Coast 500 was opened in 2015 and is one of Britain's best coastal touring routes. Just over 500 miles long, this route provides some stunning scenery from Inverness (Capitol of the Highlandsd) up to John 'O Groats in the far north, along the north coast of Scotland and down the west coast returning to Inverness. You will enjoy stunning coastal scenery, towering mountains and deep blue watered lochs. We will visit castles, palaces and neolithic sites along the way. You will hear about the history of the area and clan battles that raged in the 16 and 17th centuries.

This, Part 1 (of 6 parts) is a virtual tour that will take us from Inverness to Dornoch on the east coast of northern Scotland. We will cross the Kessock bridge and the Black Isle to Tain, the oldest Royal Burgh in Scotland. A visit to Glenmorangie distillery may tempt some before crossing the Cromarty Firth with its wonderful wildlife and superb views. On our way north there is another Firth to cross at Dornoch and we will be passing a fabulous Indian inspired monument built in the late 18th century before arriving at Invergordon. You will be told the extraordinary tale of a Royal Naval mutiny that still reverberates down the decades. Dornoch is a lovely village with a castle and a famous Cathedral at its centre. Why were witches being burned here in the 18th Century and what was Madonna doing here in 2000? Join me on this wonderful tour to find out.

It is a mixed bag this week and this newsletter starts off with reports on the COVID situation in the UK and Scotland in particular, including the political ramifications on the different priorities of the Devolved Governments that make up the UK. Exciting news as this Newsletter was being recorded that a working Vaccine has been found with 90% efficacy. Fantastic news for the travel industry and for those who have been locked down for too long. This Newsletter also mentions the Outlander series and the possibility of fans to work alongside Sam Heughan and Catriona Balfe (Jamie and Claire). Shock, Horror! Could it be possible that Meghan Markle could become the next President of the United States of America (after Biden or Trump – Mr Trump hasn't conceded as this goes online) and that her Royal husband Harry becomes the First Gentleman? All this and a few other stories from the Scottish Media.

In this episode, you will travel from Gruinard House and Gardens and follow the coastal road hugging the sea loch Ewe and loch Gairloch before returning to Inverness, via Loch Maree, on this last leg of our journey. The Island of Gruinard on Loch Ewe has a dark secret to unlock while the loch itself has an amazing past connection with the ill fated PQ Russian convoys. The glorious INVEREWE Gardens returns some semblance of peace and normality to the area.

As you arrive in Altbea, there is a hidden scandal to discover and a local girl tells of the shenanigans of an absentee hotelier.

You will stroll along the wonderful Gairloch beach, miles of golden sand with views to die for. The return to Inverness also has much to offer and you will be returned to your starting point of 3 Podcasts before. Enjoy!

Touring from Inverness to the Gairloch on Scotland's rugged west coast is an absolute delight. This is the third part of Inverness tours. In this Podcast, we leave the city and head north over the Kessock Bridge onto the Black Isle then west towards Loch Ewe, passing amazing sights such as the Corrieshalloch Gorge. We pass a man made lake, now part of a hydro scheme and hear how a lost world has re-appeared due to the dry weather in the Highlands. We will walk the white sandy beach of Gruinard Bay and hear about Gruidard House and Gardens. And why was Gruinard island so dangerous and is it really safe today?

Inverness part 1 gave you an overview of the area and history of the town. In this Podcast Inverness part 2, you will walk the streets of Inverness to hear about the prominent historic buildings and be told of some of the stories behind these iconic structures. From St Columba in the 6th Century to Lord Lovat (Simon Fraser) executed after the Battle of Culloden in the 18th Century – as they say if the walls could talk. There is, however, enough historical evidence to give you a real feel for what went on within the walls of these fascinating buildings and, as you walk down the old medieval streets, you will get a real sense of what it would have been like to live in those times.

Today Inverness is a thriving city but you never get a feeling of being overwhelmed. It is charming in itself with the river Ness flowing right through the middle and it is a delight to walk around and take in the sights - come an join me on this meandering podcast.

Inverness dates back to the 6th Century and is chronicled in the Biography of St Columba by Adomnan his scribe. The first reference to the Loch Ness Monster is recorded here when St Columba was asked by the locals to rid the loch of a terrible monster that was terrorising the fishermen and those living by the lochside. But there is so much more to Inverness and its surrounds and you can hear all about it in this three part series from Inverness to Gairloch.

If you love Scotland or are simply intrigued by this small independently minded, bagpipe blowing, haggis eating, caber tossing, tartan kilted nation then you will be interested in the news and views of it's people, the media and its politicians.

Letter from Scotland gives the thinking man and woman a local perspective of what makes this tiny country tick. Scotland, with its population of 5 1/2 million which is only a quarter the size of the New York City metro area, has an incredible impact on the world and has had from the late 17th and early 18th centuries. This monthly letter is open to all people with even the slightest connection to Scotland and, to those with no connection, enjoy it too

Stirling castle was an extremely important Royal residence for hundreds of years. Close by, in the small town of Doune, is an equally impressive castle, Doune castle, with its own bloody history. This castle has shot to fame recently because of the popular Outlander series where Jamie and Claire first met. Monty Python lovers will also enjoy the story of Doune where the filming took place. This Podcast journeys from the Trossachs, through Dunblane and talks of the Battle of Sheriffmuir. We also pass by the Wallace Monument and onto Stirling castle where Robert the Bruce's statue stands tall and proud looking south to his own famous battleground, Bannockburn

The Trossachs is a naturally beautiful part of lowland Scotland and, to some extent, mirrors the beauty of the Highlands with it lochs, glens and mountains. But it is some of the stories connected with this part of the world that draw thousands of visitors each year. The stories of fairies and a book written by a clergyman who truly believed in their existence, and strange happenings just after the book was published. Hear about Rob Roy, Scotland's vagabond, and the famous Loch Katrine brought to life by the epic poem by Sir Walter Scott, Lady of the Lake.