Place of interest Archive

Skipness Castle – the eastern border of the Lords of the Isles

A menacing castle overlooks the strait between Kintyre and the Isle of Arran. Skipness Castle guarded the eastern border of the Lords of the Isles. What a view! From Skipness Point, a small headland, it’s just five and a half kilometres to the coast of the Isle of Arran. The mountains of the island sometimes […]

North Ronaldsay – Sheep, Lighthouses and Birdlife at the Edge of Orkney

Black-and-white striped North Ronaldsay lighthouse in warm evening light

Seaweed-eating sheep, two lighthouses and rare migrant birds: the best things to do on North Ronaldsay, plus walking and travel tips.

Oronsay Priory – a visit to the monks’ tidal island

This island can only be visited at low tide. Then a window opens onto the life of the monks of the old Oronsay Priory. Along with that comes some wonderful natural scenery. John the Good, the first Lord of the Isles, had a curious sense of fairness. Rather than committing to just one monastic order, […]

Balquhidder Graveyard – where Rob Roy MacGregor is buried

In the graveyard of Balquhidder lies a hero of the Highlands: Rob Roy MacGregor. At his grave, we get to know the outlaw. It’s hard to shake the impression that there are actually two Rob Roys. One is the hero of films and novels – a Robin Hood type, a freedom fighter embodying all the […]

Puck’s Glen – here even the stones are green

A long, narrow valley between high rock walls. The walk through Puck’s Glen is one of the most beautiful on the Cowal Peninsula. Unfortunately, Puck’s Glen was badly damaged by Storm Eowyn in early 2025. As of late 2025, it was still not passable again. Puck is what the British call a goblin-like sprite who’s […]

Holyrood Distillery – Edinburgh’s single malt distillery

Holyrood Distillery only began operating in 2019. It can’t yet offer its own whisky, but it does offer gin and a tour of the building. It’s all about the nose: up to 90 percent of flavour comes from the sense of smell rather than the tongue. That’s why the tour of Holyrood Distillery begins in […]

St Blane’s Church – a little-known centre of early Christianity

Around St Blane’s Church lies the site of an early medieval monastery. This article explains why the ruins are still worth a visit today. On the little-visited Isle of Bute, near the village of Kingarth, remote and reachable only on foot, lie the ruins of St Blane’s Church. Odd stone steps, long stretches of wall, […]

St John’s Church – a heavenly vaulted ceiling

It’s huge, yet it doesn’t stand out. It sits on a busy junction, yet nobody goes inside: St John’s Church is Edinburgh’s underrated sight. No wonder: unlike St Giles’ Cathedral, St John’s Episcopal Church doesn’t sit directly on the Royal Mile. And even though Princes Street is no bad address either, most visitors turn off […]

Crinan Canal – old waterway through enchanting scenery

The Crinan Canal is regarded as Scotland’s most beautiful shortcut. And indeed, this 14-kilometre waterway runs through a wonderful landscape. The Crinan Canal passes historic sites such as the coronation stone of Dunadd and the Moine Mhòr Nature Reserve. Shortly before the Crinan Canal flows into Loch Crinan, the River Add meets it at its […]

Glen Shiel – The Glen Where Europe’s Powers Once Duelled

Glen Shiel is a quiet glen where, once, a mighty clash took place. What lay behind the battle there, and what makes Glen Shiel so beautiful. Many visitors to Scotland only know Glen Shiel from driving through it. Because the A87 runs through this high glen, the connecting road to Eilean Donan Castle and the […]