Scotland Things to Do Tips by scotlandscotour Top 5 Page for this destination

Puffin Watching - Coastal Cliffs Scotland

Cute!

This was taken on Handa Island, North West Scotland, in July. You can also see Puffins other places, such as the Orkney Islands.

Handa Island is a bird sanctuary, privately owned and accessed by a small boat, costing £10 (pounds). conservation Volunteers look after the site, and give information, etc but you are left to you own to wonder the cliff tops and get dive bombed by skuas.

The island is no longer populated, though you walk through the remains of the village, abandoned after crops failed during the potato famines. Sad. the community had their own parliament and elected "queen" - seemingly a fine example.

Now there are only a few seasonal volunteers and you cannot stay over night. The last ferry back is at about 5.30pm. the are no facilities on the island other than a hut with basic info - which could provide shelter. SNH volunteers have a bothy, and radio.

The island is managed by SNH

Loch Ness Monster - The Mystery Deepens

News updated August 2004

The Loch Ness Monster - A New Twist

For a detailed Tip about Loch Ness and Web links to interesting sites Click here for Loch Ness and scroll down.

Directions: The Great Glen - Scottish Highlands

Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/70ef2/f8/8/

Orkney Islands - A Million Reasons - Just Go!!!

Stone circles at 3am, and all to yourself.

Contrast with Stonehenge (Wiltshire, England).
- No fence, no security, no roped off area - because here you are trusted to respect and not damage these ancient monuments!

Seriously - My best tip ever, would be to go visit Orkney before you go to Edinburgh or anywhere else. Orkney is that special. Start at the top and work you way south, slowly.

See my Orkney Pages - July 2004 - just taken hundreds of pictures!

Address: Orkney Islands - North of Scotland - Heaven.

Directions: Main Town is Kirkwall. Second town and nicer is Stromness. Both are wonderful.

Other Contact: www.multimap.co.uk

Website: http://www.visitorkney.com/

Highlands of Scotland in Spring

See the Highlands in Spring when the new growth brings a lushness and prosperity that reminds you - these lands could and did support families, farms and whole communities, before a mass depopulation in the 18th & 19th centuries (Highland Clearances).

The lichen on this old fencepost reflects the cleanliness of the air, away from car fumes and factories. A plus side to non-development!

I took this shot to demonstrate the typical colours of spring, in the Highlands.

The scene is the Sma' Glen, in Highland Perthshire, just over an hour from Edinburgh, so no excuses - you really must see this!

Address: Sma' Glen, A822 north of Crieff, Perthshire

Directions: Crieff, by Perth, Perthshire

Other Contact: www.multimap.co.uk

Website: http://www.perthshire.co.uk

Highland Cows - Hairy Ginger Beasts!

The cuddly "Hairy Coo" - to be found all over Scotland, and beyond, because it provides such high quality beef.

Originally black, they have been selectively bred throughout Victorian times to produce the now standard 'ginger' cattle, with long woolly coat, like a mammoth.

The origins of the word "blackmail" come from the protection rackets by cattle rustlers (like Rob Roy) and cattle drovers.

I see the activities of Clans and Cattle Rustling being the precurser of football matches in its tribal rivalry ... which the Scottish football fans clearly excel at!! (See Glasgow Celtic & Rangers for example).

Warning:
Though generally mild animals and gentle they do have sharp horns and can be dangerous if provoked - such as when protecting calfs. Treat them with respect - and respct the farmer too!

Snow Capped Beaks

The rare sight of a snow-capped beak - in its natural environment - beside the River Tay!

Scotland has many snowy peaks but it rarely snows down at sea level - and rarely stays longer than one day when it does.

To see snow close up in Scotland - come January - April ... this is the best time for snow.

The good thing is the snow is normally quite wet - good for making balls out of ... ideal for playing in and making snow sculptures!!!

Fun Fun Fun !!!

Address: Scotland

Directions: Anywhere - but rare.

Winter in Scotland 2004

Sigh ... just look!

Scottish Crannog Centre - Loch Tay - Perth

Fascinating and Fun

Underwater Archaeologists have a research project, where they have reconstructed a Crannog (one of about twenty identified on Loch Tay) to study how they were built and lived in. This, "experiental" type of Archaeology is uncovering much about how and why people lived during the Iron Age, in these houses built on man made islands.

These huts were likely occupied by wealthy people of their time, and are presumed to have security and status by being moated on an 'island'. Later Crannogs were bullt on the remnants of old collapsing ones so over many generations a sort of island of debris built up. Added to by stones, some have become significant islands, with castles on, occupied until 19th century!!!

This Crannog is open to the public, and is fascinating - well run and full of interesting stuff - so be prepared to stop a while, maybe live here!!! (Scotland I mean, not the Crannog!)

Address: Crannog Centre, Kenmore, Loch Tay, Perthshire, Sco

Directions: Near Aberfeldy - a small town 40 km north west of Perth, easily reached by local bus

Other Contact: www.perthshire.co.uk

Website: http://www.crannog.co.uk

Abandoned Villages - The Highland Clearances

Where once there were literally thousands of people farming the landscape, weaving and writing, inventing and improving, there now stands fields of rough grass, waterlogged acidic soils and stone remnants of houses.

This picture shows the small village of Lawers, on the north bank of Loch Tay, once an important ferry terminal and thriving community, with church, mill, pub, school and farms. Count the old houses, amongst the trees (photo in winter so you can see without leaves obscuring).

Everybody who comes to Scotland should not only see such remains - complete villages abandoned - but they should also read about the Highland Clearances, and the Emigration to New Lands of USA, Canada and Australia.

It is man who has made the wild landscape of Scotland, created this wilderness, that everyone longs to see. Remember, it is not natural, it is a product of social and economic conditions - and should be acknowledged as such. Please show your respects.

Clear Sandy Beaches on The North West Coast

The beach pictured is just north of the harbour town of Ullapool, on the north west coast of Scotland.

Most people drive past here without a second glance but I was stunned by the colours, even if the wind was blowing a gale at the time. If it was hot and tropical it'd be expensive and crawling with people - so look on the bright side!

The Scottish coastline has many of these small, beautiful beaches tucked away, and you can camp or whatever - it'll be your own personal beach.

Get a good map (like the Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Landranger scale, pink cover) - beaches are marked as yellow.

For an on-line map search of the Scottish coastline, to choose your own little hide away beach, try:

www.streetmap.co.uk
www.multimap.co.uk
www.getamap.co.uk

Directions: West Coast of Scotland, just north of Ullapool.

Other Contact: www.multimap.co.uk

Website: http://www.ullapool.co.uk/beaches.html