Unique Scotland

Scotland’s North Coast 500 was opened in 2015 and this 516 mile route has become a very popular travel destination. This, Part 5, of our tour will take us from Durness in North West Sutherland down through an extraordinary Geopark where geologists from all over the world come to visit. We will drive on to Laxford bridge and onto a ‘destitution’ road. We’ll cross the incredible Kylesku bridge before heading to the Assynt and Coigach are. We will pass through the town of Scourie and hear about General Mackay and his part in the Jacobite uprising. At Kylesku bridge you will hear of the wonderful memorial to the midget submariners who trained in this area during the war. We will drive around the northern part of the Assynt and Coigach area taking in the amazing mountains of Quinag, Suilven and Canisp. The ‘Cnoc and Lochan’ landscape (mountain and small lochs) is breath-taking. From there we will visit the 16 Century Ardrek castle and Calda House that was mysteriously burned down 10 years after its construction. We will drive on to Ullapool, the gateway to the Outer Hebrides before dropping down to see two superb 19th century tropical gardens and then visit the Corrishalloch Gorge which is an outstanding natural 1 mile gorge with crashing waterfalls. Come and join me on another Unique Scotland adventure!

Scotland’s North Coast 500 was opened in 2015 and this 516 mile route has become a popular travel destination. This, Part 4, of our tour will take us from Bettyhill in Caithness to Durness on the north western corner of Scotland. This is Mackay Country. At Bettyhill we will hear of the renovation of the Strathnaver Museum and the Clan Mackay artefacts held within. We will pass through the town of Tongue and take a walk up to the old Castle Varich, the Mackay stronghold for hundreds of years. We will cross the Kyle of Tongue and drive around loch Eriboll which, for centuries, has been used as a safe anchorage from the often stormy seas of the North Atlantic Ocean. Tales of Viking massacres and German U-Boats will be told. We then head west to Durness, dropping into Smoo Cave on the way, a wonder to behold. At Durness we will find out why there is a memorial garden to John Lennon, one of the famous Beatles and why is one of his songs dedicated to this area? The north coast is a really beautiful rugged coastline with fabulous sandy beaches and spectacular views to the far north. Come and join me on another Unique Scotland adventure!

Scotland’s North Coast 500 was opened in 2015 and this 516 mile route has become a popular travel destination. This, Part 3, of our tour will take us from Wick on the east coast of northern Scotland to Bettyhill in Caithness. We will pass through the ancient Viking town of Wick and onto John ‘O Groats, one end of the longest distances between two inhabited points on the mainland of Britain. Enjoy the view over the Pentland Firth to the Orkney islands beyond. We will then head West along the top of Scotland and call in to see the fabulous Castle of Mey, the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother’s home. We will stop for a picnic at Dunnett Head, the most northerly point on the British Mainland and walk the 300 feet cliffs to see the nesting birdlife among the rocks. We then pass through the town of Thurso whilst also enjoying the fabulous white sandy beaches of the North Coast before arriving at Bettyhill where we find the Strathnaver Museum and home to the Mackay Clan display.

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 has been a great success. This, Part 1, of a virtual tour 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!

In this Part 3 of Inverness to the Gairloch, 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.

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.

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.

This Podcast takes us from the Isle of Skye to the mainland where we land at Mallaig, a small fishing port. The port is home to the Mallaig train station and became famous for the filming of the Harry Potter train, the Hogwarts Express, and you can travel on the very same steam train that travels between Mallaig and Fort William. I will be dropping my guests at the train station and making my way along the parallel road to meet them at their destination. They will cross the famous Glenfinnan viaduct, the very same place that Bonnie Prince Charlie landed in 1745. He escaped from a spot not far from their after his disastrous defeat at Culloden. So much to see and do on the way!

When a Scottish Politician calls a world leader a delusional bully with dangerous conspiracy theories, who could he be talking about. Just one of the topics to listen to on this roundup of what is affecting Scotland today - from Covid to Politics to the Royal Family and much more with a tale of human kindness to end with a special plea to Mr Turmp!

Master of the Quaich and entry to the Whisky Hall of Fame is bestowed upon only the best of the best and Charles Maclean fits that category. With 18 books under his belt, founding member of the Whisky magazine, Whisky correspondent for Scottish Field and host of a Whisky TV channel, it was a delight to interview this true whisky connoisseur who did not hold back during our discussion. As a prelude to the interview, I look at different whiskies around the world and also the whisky regions of Scotland that Charles comments upon later. But the gem of the Podcast is the full and frank discussion on the whisky industry today and Charles' take on where the industry is heading.

To find that some distilleries are producing No Age Statement (NAS) bottles of whisky is rather disturbing especially after years of being told that one must "look out for the number - know your age - know your Whisky". This will be discussed after a look at how cool spring water is turned into the amber nectar known as the Single Malt whisky. You will also learn to read a label and come to understand the difference between a Single Malt and a Blended whisky. There is also a story of one man's conversion to a whisky that he thought was awful. It is a fun tour of today's Scottish whisky industry - enjoy!

This is the first of a three Part Series, walking you through the magical world of Whisky. This episode will focus on the history of the Amber Nectar, from where it originated, to the fabulous distilleries all over Scotland. In addition we have the great pleasure of a Whisky expert and Keeper of the Quaich, Ronnie Berry joining us on this Podcast. Ronnie is a well known Whisky ambassador who has conducted Whisky tastings all over the world. Ronnie's business can be found on his website SCOTTISH WHISKY TOURS.

From Loch Snizort you will travel up to the Waternish Ridge and stop by a Fairy Bridge with tales of a Macleod Clan Chief who married a fairy. The trip up Waternish will bring you to Trumpan Church, an eerie place reflecting a terrible tragedy and, nearby, the site of the Battle of the Spoiling Dyke. From there you will drive on to Dunvegan and take in the splendid Dunvegan Castle before taking time to visit Talisker distillery. On the tour you will visit the magical Fairy Pools with the Cullin mountains as a backdrop. Much to see and hear so enjoy this final part 3 tour of the Isle of Skye

Letter from Scotland is a no holds barred commentary on topical news items affecting Scotland . It you an insight into what is going on in Scotland and around the rest of the UK in the Media. It brings you up to date with the issues of the day, both local and national including the more controversial issues affecting Scotland's Politics. It is short and sharp and will give you a good taste for the items making the news