Wednesday, 11 February 2009

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY GHOSTS.

Scotland's Ghosts re-visited.
Annan
In April 1962, on the A75 between Dumfries and Annan two brothers were traveling along the road in a car when a hen flew towards them and then disappeared just as they were about to hit it. Then followed an old woman, and then great cats, wild-looking dogs, goats, strange creatures and men. All disappeared into thin air when about to make contact with the car.

Story by kind permission of EventScotland , the EventScotland Tourist information
and help number can be found at the top of this blog. For tourists wishing to plan routes etc..
Please find the transport timetable schedules at the foot of the blog.

Tuesday, 3 February 2009

SCOTTISH SEA BIRDS WEBSITE - HOMECOMING MUST SEE.

SCOTTISH SEA BIRDS WEBSITE - HOMECOMING MUST SEE!

http://www.seabird.org/johnmuirhomecoming.asp

The John Muir Odyssey 2009

From his birthplace in East Lothian, with an exciting itinerary, by land and sea, this event promises dramatic scenery, spectacular coastline and the amazing wildlife that inspired John Muir. With a programme including: “Muir’s World by Land and Sea”, the "Great Scots Walking Festival" and “Our Wee Planet”, a festival featuring art, music, film, walks, talks and boat trips, it promises to be one of the highlights of Scotland’s Year of Homecoming in 2009.

Set in the heart of John Muir country, in Dunbar and North Berwick, visitors will have the opportunity to experience at first hand what inspired John Muir’s passion for wild places, a legacy that continues across the world today. Visitors will be able to walk on the beaches and in the countryside he loved, visit his home and find out about the influences, as a boy, that would endure throughout his life.

THE PROGRAMME

The events which will take place at John Muir’s Birthplace, Dunbar and the Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick are listed below:

14^th January to 17^th June 2009

Wherever a Scotsman goes… Robert Burns and John Muir This exhibition will reflect the culture and heritage of two of Scotland’s great sons, from background and childhood to their love of sharing stories with others and similarities in writing style. See http://www.jmbt.org.uk/ for John Muir’s Birthplace opening hours. Admission free.

21^st April

The official launch of the John Muir Odyssey will begin with 'The Big Picnic' on 21^st April to celebrate John Muir's birthday, when children will be encouraged to get out and about on a 'Get Back to Nature' Treasure Trail.

24-26^th April

The 'Great Scots Walking Festival' will take place from 24-26^th April across East Lothian, following in the footsteps of some of our great Scots, such as Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Walter Scott and John Muir, crossing sections of the mainly coastal John Muir Way, through wild flower woodlands, past historic landmarks and villages, and into the Lammermuir Hills. Numbers are limited and pre-booking is essential to secure a place. Tickets are on sale at The Brunton Theatre Box office based in Musselburgh at £5 each, telephone +44 (0) 131 665 2240 http://www.bruntontheatre.co.uk/

24^th April- 26^th July Creative Visions of Nature at the Seabird Centre

This exhibition featuring works of art and sculpture on the theme of the natural world takes place in the Seabird Centre from 24^th April to 26^th July. Entry is included with admission to the Seabird Centre. Please call +44 (0)1620 890202, email info@seabird.org or visit for more information.

1^st May

'The Shindig' – real Scottish Ceilidh at the Harbour

On Friday night 1^st May, visitors will enjoy a real Scottish Ceilidh, 'The Shindig' featuring live Ceilidh Band, at North Berwick Harbour. Tickets which must be booked in advance cost £10 and include traditional Scottish canapés and a whisky tasting. Please call +44 (0) 1620 890202, email info@seabird.org or visit for more information and to book.

The VIP Launch Reception will also take place at the Harbour, in the Seabird Centre on Friday night 1^st May.

2^nd-4^th May

'Our Wee Planet' at the Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick from 2^nd-4^th May

'Our Wee Planet' is a 3-day festival at the sea, celebrating the wonderful natural world that inspired John Muir. The festival runs from Saturday 2^nd to Monday 4^th May and will feature Scottish music and dance, guided beach walks, boat trips and talks, live shows and entertainment, “Creative Visions of Nature” art exhibition, displays and demonstrations of traditional Scottish crafts and skills, children’s workshops and storytelling and films. The event is being supported by the World Wildlife Federation (WWF), Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), RSPB Scotland, the Marine Conservation Society and many more. Entry to the festival is free – individual events, such as the Shindig Scottish Ceilidh are ticketed and places are limited. Please call +44 (0) 1620 890202, email info@seabird.org or visit for more information.

1st-4^th May

Muir's World by Land and Sea

Visitors will be able to experience, on land and sea, the breathtaking spectacles of coast and countryside that inspired John Muir. Boat excursions, with a knowledgeable and experienced guide, will take visitors from North Berwick and Dunbar harbours around the islands of the Firth of Forth, viewing the stunning coastline of East Lothian and the spectacular seabirds and wildlife, including the famous Bass Rock gannets and the puffin islands, Fidra and Craigleith. Then it's onto land for a guided walking tour of Dunbar, including a visit to John Muir's Birthplace. The walking tours will take place with a guide. Walking tours are free of charge. Boat trips will be charged. Places on both boat and walking tours are limited and must be pre-booked. Please call +44 (0)1620 890202, email info@seabird.org or visit for more information.

25^th June-13^th December

A Scotchman Comes Home John Muir’s Homecoming exhibition links directly to Scottish ancestry and the desire of the Scottish diaspora to revisit its roots. John Muir’s Birthplace, Dunbar takes you back in time to Muir’s only return visit to Scotland in 1893. Find out about Muir’s journey through Scotland as a tourist and the memories that he shared with the friends and relatives that visited. See http://www.jmbt.org.uk/ for opening hours. Admission free.

Look out for the John Muir Homecoming booklet A Scotsman Comes Home on sale at John Muir’s Birthplace, the Scottish Seabird Centre and other local retailers.

All year

Explore John Muir’s Dunbar either as a self guided walk with the John Muir’s Dunbar a Town Trail booklet on sale at John Muir’s Birthplace, the Scottish Seabird Centre and other local retailers priced £3.50 or book a place on a John Muir’s Dunbar Guided Walk with a volunteer or member of staff from John Muir’s Birthplace. More information from http://www.jmbt.org.uk/ or call +44 (0)1368 865899.

Wilderness Scotland – Journeys in the footsteps of John Muir

Leading Scottish tour operator, Wilderness Scotland, has created an imaginative walking and hiking tour, following in the footsteps of John Muir on his homecoming journey through Scotland in 1893. The tour, which features accommodation in charming country inns and hotels, is available at any time of year for 2 or more travellers and may be customised to suit individual interests and hiking abilities.

The tour is available on a self-guided basis, with detailed hiking route notes written by Wilderness Scotland’s head guide, or on a fully guided basis accompanied by an experienced nature and hiking guide. The tour includes the Cairngorms National Park, the North-West Highlands, the Isle of Skye, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, the historic cities of Stirling and Edinburgh and ends in the beautiful region of East Lothian including Muir’s home town of Dunbar. The price includes a contribution to the work of wilderness conservation charity the John Muir Trust and to the John Muir Birthplace Museum located in Muir’s original family home in Dunbar.

For further details:

www.wildernessscotland.com/johnmuir

info@wildernessscotland.com

+44 (0)131 625 6635

A truly comprehensive and beautiful website educating us about Scotlands sea birds;

http://www.seabird.org/johnmuirhomecoming.asp

SCOTLAND - HOMECOMING 2009.

Scotland's Wildlife.

Experience the best of Scotland's Wildlife Homecoming! Sea eagles, ospreys and red kites have come home to Scotland after years of absence. Thousands of seabirds return to Scottish cliffs each summer and as many swans and geese to lochs in winter. Visit www.rspb.org.uk or call 0131 3116500 for more information!

Osprey Events
Loch Garten Osprey Centre, Inverness-shire
April - August

White Tailed Sea Eagle Events
Mull Eagle Watch Partnership, Loch Frisa, Mull, Argyll and Bute
April to August

Skye White Tailed Sea Eagles, Aros Centre, Isle of Skye IV51 9EU
April to August

Seabird Events
Firth of Forth Puffin Cruises, South Queensferry
Puffins, gannets, razorbills, guillemots
May - July

Mull of Galloway nature reserve, Lighthouse, Stranraer, DG9 9HP
Gannets, razorbills, guillemots, kittiwakes
April - October

Sumburgh Head nature reserve, East House, Shetland ZE3 9JN
Puffins, guillemots, fulmars
April - August for best views

Troup Head nature reserve, Northfield, Nr Pennan, Aberdeenshire
Scotland's only mainland gannet colony
April - September for best views

Red Kite events
Argaty Red Kite Feeding Station, Stirlingshire FK16 6EJ
Open all year.

Galloway Kite Trail including Red Kite Feeding Station, Dumfries and Galloway DG7
Open all year.

Goosewatching and Swanwatching events
January 2009 - April 2009, October 2009 - December 2009

Mersehead Nature Reserve, Southwick, Dumfries DG2 8AH
Open all year.

Vane Farm Nature Reserve, Perth and Kinross KY13 9LX
Open all year.

Loch of Strathbeg Nature Reserve - Starnafin Farmhouse, Fraserburgh, AB43 8QN
Open all year.

Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve, Renfrewshire PA12 4JF
Open all year.

Loch Gruinart Nature Reserve, Isle of Islay, Argyll PA44 7PR
Open all year.

Where and When

Start Date: Thursday, January 01, 2009
End Date: Thursday, December 31, 2009
Address: Across Scotland
Region: Throughout Scotland

Contact Details

Official Event Website:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/scotland
Phone: 0131 311 6500

Homecoming Scotland 2014 - ALL ROADS LEAD TO HOME

ALL ROADS LEAD TO HOME First Minister, Alex Salmond celebrates Scotland at launch of ‘exceptional’ Homecoming 2014 programme An all-star concert to herald the opening of the Ryder Cup, a huge flotilla to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Forth Road Bridge, Europe’s biggest brass band festival and a thrilling re-enactment of the Battle of Bannockburn are just some of the spectacular events that will form Scotland’s 2014 Year of Homecoming, it was announced today. Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond officially unveiled the first phase of the year-long programme of events at Hopetoun House, near South Queensferry, alongside Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland. VisitScotland and EventScotland are working in partnership with the Scottish Government to deliver Homecoming 2014 - an opportunity for communities nationally and internationally to explore Scotland and celebrate the very best of Scottish culture. Around 100 events were unveiled at the launch, with hundreds more expected to be unveiled over the next few months. This includes many new events, established events which will have a new homecoming element for 2014 and those that have joined through the partner programme to benefit from in-kind marketing. The five themes for Homecoming 2014 - active, food and drink, creative, natural and ancestry are all represented. Brand new events include the John Muir Festival in East Lothian to herald the opening of the John Muir coast to coast route, the Forth Bridges Festival to mark its 50th anniversary, a spectacular Ryder Cup Opening Concert, the Findhorn Bay Arts Festival in Moray, the World Sheepdog Trials in Tain and the European Festival of Brass based in Perthshire. Many existing events, including Hogmanay, Edinburgh Festivals, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, the Edinburgh Mela Festival, the Royal National MOD, the Turriff Show, the East Neuk Festival, the Outdoor Orkney Festival and Tweedlove Bike Festival will receive funding for new and exciting Homecoming additions to their planned programmes for 2014. With around 50 million people around the world claiming Scottish heritage, diaspora and clan-related events form a key part of Homecoming. These include around 30 events, including the celebrations to mark the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, the Aboyne Highland Games, the Inverness Highland Meeting 2014, the 10th Clan Munro International Gathering, the Dunfermline Bruce Festival and Piping Live!. An events fund of £3m will provide a stunning all-year-round programme of activity to complement the Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games and it will be backed by a £1.75m marketing campaign by VisitScotland which will promote Homecoming 2014 at home and abroad.

HOMECOMING SCOTLAND - VISIT SCOTLAND OFFICIAL ACCOMODATION TELEPHONE BOOKING NUMBERS.

Visit Scotland Contact Centre have set up two "Hotline", telephone numbers for booking accommodation for overseas visitors and U.K. based residents.
The Visit Scotland Contact Centre telephone numbers have been set-up especially for Homecoming Scotland 2009 overseas visitors and U.K. residents. These numbers are also for every day tourists to our beautiful Scotland wishing to find the best holiday accommodation guided by the Visit Scotland reputation.
The telephone numbers will inform the enquirer about all types of accommodation including costs, and can give general information on all aspects of anything Scottish.
Overseas visitors please telephone;
0044 1506 832121 which is a direct line.
U.K. residents please telephone local rate;
0845 2255121
http://www.visitscotland.com
For more general information to Homecoming Scotland events;
http://www.homecomingscotland2009blog.com/HOMECOMING_SCOTLAND_2009_EVENTS_PROGRAMME.htm
PLEASE NOTE THERE IS A TRAVEL PLANNER FOR LOCAL SCOTTISH TRANSPORT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.