On a cold and frosty morning, 13th of November 1715 the supporters of the exiled Stuart king, known as Jacobites and led by the lacklustre Earl of Mar faced the regimented ranks of the Government Redcoats led by the Duke of Argyll across the frozen morass of Sheriffmuir near Stirling. Over the next few hours the two sides hacked away at each other, neither gaining much advantage nor making any headway; but their objectives were very different. Mar had to cross the River Forth if he was to take his army on to Edinburgh; Argyll had only to stop him. As the sun set over distant Ben Ledi, the two … [Read more...] about General Wade Military Roads in Scotland
Highlands
North Coast 500 Driving Tour
The title "Mother of all driving Routes" in the world probably goes to Route 66 in the United States. Almost everyone knows the name, the scenery and the accompanying song "Get your kicks on Route 66" which was sung by many, including the Stones. Folk from all over the world make the pilgrimage to the US to drive the 2,500 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica in California. The US 66, as the Highway is called, was of importance for those who migrated west and the road supported many communities and businesses it passed and it still does so today. A couple of years ago the North Highland … [Read more...] about North Coast 500 Driving Tour
The Highland Boundary Fault Line
At Garron Point, a little to the north of the town of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, a small band of yellowish rock juts out into cold waters of the North Sea: carbonated serpentine, a tough rock that millions of years ago when molten crystallised in a crack formed in the earth’s crust known as the Highland Boundary Fault Line. This is one of the few places in Scotland that you can physically see the geology of this most important of faults; but from the air or even space the division created by the fissure is striking; and its impact on Scottish history even more so. Around 430 million years … [Read more...] about The Highland Boundary Fault Line
The Majestic Southern Highlands of Scotland
The Southern Highlands of Scotland encompass the country south of a line drawn roughly from kyle of Lochalse on the west coast to Inverness on the east and down to follow the upper half of the Spey Valley west past Loch Laggan to Fort William and Glencoe. Inverness the Capital of the Highlands On the east coast Inverness is by far the biggest town in the Highlands, a good base for day trips and a jumping off point for the more remote parts of the region, To some extent, the area around the Moray Forth is a commuter belt for the region, but it also boasts a lively coastline and some of … [Read more...] about The Majestic Southern Highlands of Scotland
Red Deer In The Scottish Highlands
The Red Deer, that lives on the open mountains and moorlands of Scotland, is Britain’s largest wild animal, standing 4ft high at the shoulder. Red deer meat, or Venison, is becoming increasingly popular, the demand for which is being partly met by farmed Deer. Rutting Season The wild female deer, or hind, bears one calf in early summer, for which remains with its mother for at least 2 winters before joining a group, or herd, of its own sex. The sexes live separately except during rutting season which runs from mid September to late October, when the male deer, or stags, will attempt to … [Read more...] about Red Deer In The Scottish Highlands
When is the Best Time to Visit the Scottish Highlands
So when is the best time to visit the Scottish Highlands, my personal opinion is anytime as Scotland offers everything for all seasons, and the scenery changes with each season giving you a different aspect each time you visit. So what makes Scotland so appealing and why are some people put off visiting at certain times of the year. Related info Scottish Weather and Climate Daylight Hours - Annual Calendar of Sunsrise and Sunset Times Scottish Weather The changeable Scottish weather is probably one of the largest factors to deter you from visiting the Scottish Highlands, it’s not a … [Read more...] about When is the Best Time to Visit the Scottish Highlands
Recent Comments