Homecoming Scotland 2014 Braemar, Aberdeenshire local information snippets

Homecoming Scotland 2014 Braemar, Aberdeenshire local information snippets

Braemar is well known nationally and internationally for the annual Highland Gathering.

The Highland Gathering in September is one of the most fashionable events of the Scottish season, which is usually well attended by members of the Royal family.

Visitors to Braemar will note some of the most beautiful and picturesque  route's in Scotland, notably the Lairig Ghru route to Aviemore and the Glen Tilt route to Blair Athol. Not forgetting the various route's into the Cairngorms, or the ascent of the 3,788 feet of Lochnagar.

14 miles east north east of Braemar sits Ballater.

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Homecoming Scotland 2014 Iona, Argyllshire local information snippets

Homecoming Scotland 2014 Iona, Argyllshire local information snippets

Iona, Argyllshire situated off the west coast of Mull. Iona is three and a quarter miles  by one mile in size.
 Scottish kings and chiefs were buried on Iona for five centuries.

Iona is famed for the beauty of its white sands which in turn makes the colours in the sea much more intense than elsewhere.

Iona has lots of sheltered bays and although small offers a superb variety of scenery.

Iona was the early centre of Christianity in Scotland.
St Columba landed on Iona in 563 and built a monastry which became the centre for missionary activity throughout the highlands. The island remained a centre of religion and culture until, after repeated sackings by the Norsemen in the 9th and 10th ceturies, it lapsed into obscurity.

There remains on Iona lots of archaeological interest including the famous decorated Celtic standing crosses. The cathedral was built about A.D. 1200 and restored in the 19th century.

Excursion day trips in summer to the island are run from Oban.

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Homecoming Scotland 2014 Lewis and Harris,/ Outer Hebrides - north-west coast of Scotland local information snippets

Homecoming Scotland 2014 Lewis and Harris,/ Outer Hebrides - north-west coast of Scotland  local information snippets



Lewis and Harris are joined by a narrow neck of land and a road runs from the Butt of Lewis in the north to Rennish Point in the south.

To reach Lewis and Harris, it can be done by air, sea, car, rail, coach.

Well known World wide is the superb Harris Tweed clothing which when bought will last many years if properly looked after.

The chief town in Lewis is Stornoway which has a very busy fishing harbour.

Near the exposed west coast is Callernish, with a very fine stone circle and you will find the National Trust for Scotland are active in preserving history by looking after the ancient and amazing "black houses".

If you love stepping into the past then how about living for a few nights at the Gearrannan black house village on the Isle of Lewis, well known and well reported by all who stay there.

South of Stornoway is the Macaulay Trust interests, which started life as the Macaulay Experimental Centre for the reclamation of peatlands.

Lewis and Harris, well worth a visit armed with a good camera and plenty of battery power.

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Homecoming Scotland 2014 Staffa off Mull of Kintyre local information snippets

Graphic courtesy of VisitScotland / Scottish Viewpoint

Homecoming Scotland 2014 Staffa off Mull of Kintyre local information snippets


Mull of KIntyre is situated on Scotland's southwest and just off Mull amongst the small islands is Staffa which this snippet is highlighting.

Staffa is connected geologically with the Giant's Causeway in Ireland. Staffa has lots of caves and probably the most famous being Fingal's Cave. Fingal's Cave can be entered by boat when the waters are calm.

Staffa, discovered by Sir Joseph Banks made famous during the eighteenth century as a phenomenon in which nature mirrored art, inspiring writers, painters and composers, among distinguished names of Scott, Wordsworth, Turner and Mendelssohn. Tobermoray is approx. sixteen miles north west of Staffa.

When visiting this area, remember your camera for both wildlife and stunning scenery.

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Homecoming Scotland 2014 The Royal Borough of Cullen, Morayshire local information snippets

 

Homecoming Scotland 2014 The Royal Borough of Cullen, Morayshire local information snippets

Cullen which sits on Scotlands north east morayshire coastline is one of the most picturesque towns in Scotland.

Cullen retains the old world charm of yesterday with a photographers dream situation and a golfers unbelievable and unique course. The old world harbour and the viaducts still remain centrally within the town itself and gives the visitor a distinct memory to remember.

The golf course uses the natural formation of the land to prove that links courses are difficult to play and so easy on the eye, visitors today can play a round for the amazing price of £18. Founded in 1870 Cullen golf links is worth any golfers notebook listing for playing while in the Morayshire area.

Visitors to Cullen can also consider that traveling around forty five minutes to the west will take you to Elgin and if the visitor to Cullen travels approx. forty five minutes to the east this will take them to Peterhead.

Scotlands north east coastline has some quaint and unique villages well worth a visit and of course visitors must try the local, "Cullen Skink", a marvellous, rich and tasty delicacy.


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Homecoming Scotland 2014 Ullapool, Ross and Cromarty local information snippets

Homecoming Scotland 2014 Ullapool, Ross and Cromarty local information snippets


Ullapool grew up round the original herring fishery trade where a point of high land jutts into the north-eastern shores of Loch Broom.

Popular for boating bathing and fishing with a local ferry Ullapool has become one of the well known picturesque hotspots not to be missed in the highlands.

Beautiful scenery can be snapped up if you head for Lochinver which is approx. 17 miles  north of Ullapool. Remember to have your camera prepared for the Summer Isles which is approx. 12 miles north-west.

Be surprised to know that although in the Highlands of Scotland, Ullapool is in the gulf stream which means the region hardly ever gets snow and you may even see the odd palm tree.

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Homecoming Scotland 2014 Aberfoil, Perthshire local information snippets

Homecoming Scotland 2014 Aberfoil, Perthshire local information snippets

Aberfoil; only twenty six (26 ) miles north of Glagow - picturesque Aberfoil is well known as being the Highland - Lowland border gateway to the Trossachs where it's possible to be amazed with the beautiful Duke's Pass. Well documented and written about in Sir Walter Scott's book, Rob Roy which was adapted into a blockbuster film in 1995.


Aberfoil itself has a very old church which dates back to around 1740. From the 1800's Aberfoil was well known up until the mid 1900's as one of Scotland's roof slate sources.

Any visitor who visits the upper Forth valley will go away with memories of some stunning vista's and hopefully a full camera roll.


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