At the end of every May, Blair Castle in Highland Perthshire plays host to a truly unique event; when the regiment of the Atholl Highlanders parades and is reviewed by their colonel, the Duke of Atholl. This is no ordinary regiment however, as it has the distinction of being the only private regiment in Europe. Bedecked in kilts and plaid of the Murray of Atholl tartan and bearing Lee-Metford rifles, the officers, rank and pipe band gather in front of the 700 year old castle and take the salute from the duke. It is a simple gesture, but one that takes us back hundreds of years and a … [Read more...] about Europes Last Private Army, The Atholl Highlanders
Archives for May 2015
Great Glens to Visit, When on Holiday in Scotland
Glen Affric One of the most beautiful glens in the whole of Scotland, this stunning and dramatic gorge tears its way west into Scotland's stunning scenery. The glen spans for some 30 miles from nearby Cannich to Kintail in the west, it boasts scenery that has attracted photographers and artists from all over the world, and the very famous painting 'Monarch of the Glen' was painted in Glen Affric by landseer, and is an icon image of Scotland to this day. The glen is a Caledonian Forest Reserve and is one of the few places you can see Scotch Pine today, in 2001 Glen Affric was given … [Read more...] about Great Glens to Visit, When on Holiday in Scotland
Loch Coruisk and The Black Cuillin Mountains
A Trip to the magnificent Loch Coruisk, that is home to some of Scotland's best scenery and wildlife, including many common seals and other sea life, and is a great location to view the best the Cuillin Mountain range has to offer. The Cuillin Ridge The Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye can been accessed by many routes but the best has to be the journey to Loch Coruisk by boat. You can sail from Elgol crossing Loch Scavaig and into the magnificent opening to Loch Coruisk, from here you will find the dramatic view of the Cuillin Ridge and the dramatic skyline of the Cuillin Mountains, not … [Read more...] about Loch Coruisk and The Black Cuillin Mountains
The Massacre of Glencoe
At five o’clock in the morning on the 13th of February 1692, as a blizzard howled down from the rugged peaks of the Aonach Eagach, redcoat soldiers from the Duke of Argyll’s regiment awoke, dressed and began an indiscriminate slaughter of their hosts, the MacDonalds of Glencoe . Up and down the glen shots rang out in the darkness; some where killed in their beds, others while fleeing from the carnage, while others still would be lost among the mountains and die of exposure. It was sudden, unexpected and swift. In the morning 38 men, women and children lay dead in the snow; among them the … [Read more...] about The Massacre of Glencoe
Where is Signal Rock Glencoe
Signal Rock is located within the woodlands of An Torr a National Trust site of beauty, there are many stories linked to Signal Rock but it is most famous for its connection to the Glencoe Massacre. This rock is said to be the place where the signal was given for the attack on the MacDonalds of Glencoe. The story claims this is where a fire was started at 5am to give the signal to the soldiers to begin the vicious attack on the village, but local experts claim this is not correct and the rock was used for other purposes. The rocks original title is “Tom a Ghrianain” meaning the knoll of the … [Read more...] about Where is Signal Rock Glencoe
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