Place of interest Archive

Tobermory – a Picture-Perfect Harbour Town on Mull

A colourful row of houses nestles against a stunning sea bay – this is Tobermory, the capital of Mull. The word “picturesque” really does fit here, since the buildings gleam in a range of colours that’s rather unusual for Scotland. Strolling along the harbour front is well worth it, though it won’t fill a whole […]

Ullapool – Harbour Town and Gateway to the Wilderness

A row of white houses along the shore of Loch Broom – Ullapool has all the romantic charm of a fishing harbour, but offers plenty more besides. It’s the last sizeable settlement before you head into the solitude of the North Highlands, and it’s also the ferry port for the crossing to Stornoway on the […]

Kildalton Cross – a Historic Celtic Cross on Islay

A masterpiece among Celtic crosses. Kildalton Cross dates from the 9th century, and for hundreds of years it kept a grisly secret. They hadn’t bargained for a discovery like this: mutilated skeletons beneath this beautiful cross? What on earth had happened here? John Ramsay was a wealthy man: a Member of Parliament, owner of the […]

Earl’s Palace – a Beautiful Lesson in Decadence

The former splendour is still easy to picture: Earl’s Palace in Kirkwall on Orkney is a thing of beauty, and at the same time a cautionary tale about the abuse of power, decadence and decline. The story behind today’s ruin is bound up with Patrick Stewart, a greedy and cruel ruler of the island who […]

Bishop’s Palace – the Moosie Toor Still Stands

An impressive round tower stands in the centre of Kirkwall on Orkney. It’s the Moosie Toor, part of the old Bishop’s Palace. The palace’s history stretches back to the days when the Norwegians still ruled over Scotland’s western isles. At first glance, the Bishop’s Palace is less impressive than Earl’s Palace right next door. Only […]

Cape Wrath – the End of the British Mainland

This is where the British mainland ends – and it does so impressively! The “Clo Mor” cliff drops 190 metres, sheer. If that’s not an ending with a bang, what is? Cape Wrath isn’t just about the cliff, though – there’s more to it. A beautiful white lighthouse stands here, built in 1828 by Robert […]

Jarlshof – 4,000 Years of History in One Place

Blick vom großen Gebäude über die Ausgrabungen am Jarlshof

Es ist die Top-Sehenswürdigkeit auf Shetland. Und das zu Recht. Denn der Jarlshof ist ein faszinierendes Stück Geschichte vor beeindruckender Kulisse.

Abhainn Dearg Distillery – Whiskey on the Western Isles

It is the first legal distillery in the Outer Hebrides: Abhainn Dearg. Here, everything is still done by hand. Only one thing is missing… Because anyone looking for over-the-top romance in and around the Abhainn Dearg Distillery won’t find it here. There’s no visitor center with a coffee shop, no colorfully painted doors on whitewashed […]

Pollock House and Gardens – Spanish Art and Lush Landscapes

To the southwest of downtown Glasgow, a large green patch stands out on the map: Pollock House and its park. A destination for nature and art lovers. PLEASE NOTE: Pollock House and its café are closed for renovations from spring 2024 through 2026—according to the plan, they should have reopened by now. As of July […]

Caithness Glass – A Visit to the Scottish Glassmakers

Artistic glass is created from molten glass. At Caithness Glass, visitors can experience this craft up close. It glows, steams, and sizzles. When the tension briefly eases between moments of intense concentration, the workers call out jokes to one another with laughter – all drowned out by the constant rock music blaring from the radio. […]