The mountains of the Highlands may still be snow-covered, and it doesn't entirely feel that spring has sprung; but with lambs in the fields and leaves returning to the trees, the colours of Scotland are changing again as the seasonal clogs turn once more through their eternal motion. Through the winter the only green is the rather geometric patchwork of conifer forestry peppering the countryside; and as April rolls into May it all starts to get lost in summer’s Kaleidoscope of colour. It wasn't always this way. Our sea of planted woodland is a relatively recent addition to our landscape, and … [Read more...] about The Ghost of David Douglas
History
The Landing and Departing of Bonnie Prince Charlie
Charles Edward Stuart better known as Bonnie Prince Charlie Landed in mainland Scotland in 1745 at Loch nan Uamh on the Western coast not to far from Glenfinnan where he was about to start his adventures as part of the Jacobite rebellion. Loch nan Uamh today is viewed from the road to the isles that travels from Fort William to Mallaig winding and twisting between magnificent scenery and glorious white sand beaches. Along this road is also the Glenfinnan monument that marks the place where Bonnie Prince Charlie waited for a number of days to gather his support for the rebellion to start … [Read more...] about The Landing and Departing of Bonnie Prince Charlie
St. Clements Church Isle of Harris
MacLeod clan chiefs of Dunvegan and Harris built the beautiful St Clement's church as their burial place in about 1520. Although many of their tombstones survive, the exact location of the MacLeod graves is uncertain. St. Clement's fell into ruin after the Protestant Reformation of 1560. It was rebuilt just over two centuries later by Captain Alexander MacLeod, but within three years substantial repairs were required after the church was damaged by fire. In 1873 the building was restored by the Countess of Dunmore. St Clements Church can be found in Rodel, at the southernmost tip of the … [Read more...] about St. Clements Church Isle of Harris
Arctic Convoys in Edinburgh Exhibition
I'm always keen to read about the Arctic Convoys that sailed from the North of Scotland to Russia to deliver supplies to the Soviet Union during WWII, from August 1941 to May 1945 to be precise. My fascination has grown over the years due to the many times I've visited the very area and loch where they sailed from, Loch Ewe in Wester Ross. It's hard to overlook the many, mostly ruined, remains of the gun emplacements and other structures of this dark period when you are travelling around Loch Ewe. And if it's not for the structures, this period is still very much in the hearts and souls of the … [Read more...] about Arctic Convoys in Edinburgh Exhibition
The Story of Emigration from Berneray, Harris
Peter Kerr, a historical researcher with a particular interest in the Isle of Harris has worked on the Berneray Historical Society’s most recent project, ‘A’ tilleadh ar n-eachdraidh dhachaigh’ (Bringing Our History Home) which has run for the last 18 months. Mr Kerr has written an account of the worldwide emigration of local people from the island, mainly in the mid-19th century. Berneray is a small island in the Sound of Harris, between Harris to the north and North Uist to the south of the Western Isles. The island is joined to North Uist by a man-made causeway built in 1999, and also … [Read more...] about The Story of Emigration from Berneray, Harris
Marquis of Montrose – Scotland’s greatest warrior
The ancient struggle between Campbells and MacDonalds to control Islay and Kintyre features heavily in BBC Scotland’s offering for St Andrew’s Day The film, Scotland’s Greatest Warrior (Friday November 30th on BBC2) reveals how the Marquis of Montrose, a military genius, led an outnumbered army to victory in six successive battles during the civil wars of the 17th century. Some call him the greatest general that Scotland has ever produced and General Montgomery, commander of the D-Day land forces in 1944, quoted Montrose’s poetry to his men on the eve of the Normandy landings: He either … [Read more...] about Marquis of Montrose – Scotland’s greatest warrior
Recent Comments