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Tuesday 31 July 2007

Do Scotsmen Drink ?


"Do you drink, Sandy ? "
" I hope you will excuse me asking a fair question Minister; but am I to take that question as an invitation ? "

On Tour With Thomas Telford


On Tour With Thomas Telford. Thomas Telford, an innovative and enterprising Scot, was the leading engineer of his generation. As the eighteenth century turned to the nineteenth his unprecedented use of iron produced two wonders of the world, Pont-cysyllte Aqueduct and the Menai Bridge. The great man spent his whole life travelling round his myriad projects: Chris Morris follows in his footsteps, celebrating the two hundred year old structures and frequently including a slice of modernity as a counterpoint. The strong graphic images in this book are presented with a conventional photographic quality. On Tour with Thomas Telford.

Thomas Telford, the son of a shepherd, was born in Westerkirk, Scotland in 1757. At the age of 14, he was apprenticed to a stonemason. He worked for a time in Edinburgh and in 1792, he moved to London where he was involved in building additions to Somerset House. Two years later, he found work at Portsmouth dockyard. In 1787, he became surveyor of public works for Shropshire. By this time, Telford had established a good reputation as an engineer and in 1790 was given the task of building a bridge over the River Severn at Montford. This was followed by a canal that linked the ironworks and collieries of Wrexham with Chester and Shrewsbury. This involved building an aqueduct over the River Dee. On the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Telford used a new method of construction consisting of troughs made from cast-iron plates and fixed in masonry. After the completion of the Ellesmere Canal Telford moved back to Scotland where he took control of the building of Caledonian Canal. Other works by Telford include the Menai Suspension Bridge (1819-1826) and the Katherine's Docks (1824-1828) in London. Telford was also an important road builder. He was responsible for rebuilding the Shrewsbury to Holyhead road and the North Wales coast road between Chester and Bangor. During his life, Telford built more than 1,000 miles of road, including the main road between London and Holyhead. Thomas Telford died in 1834. Thomas Telford.

In July 1802 Thomas Telford was requested by the Lords of the Treasury to make a survey of the interior of the Scottish Highlands the result of which he communicated in his report presented to Parliament in the following year. Thomas Telford and Dunkeld Bridge.

Best Scottish Caravan and Camping


Best Scottish Caravan and Camping. This work is arranged in alphabetical order within eight Scottish regions. It is now fully comprehensive as members of the Visit Scotland Quality Assurance scheme, more than three hundred and eighty,have their details listed in the guide. It provides information on inspected caravan holiday home accommodation, the best of which are issued with the Thistle Award. Each Scottish region has introductory pages, including details of events, Area Tourist Board offices and Tourist Information Centres. Caravan and camping parks are described, with details of room prices, credit cards, leisure and touring and pitching facilities. It covers listings of Thistle Award winners and places with facilities for visitors with mobility difficulties. Also has a six page full colour location atlas. It is indexed by location in Scotland. Scotland: Where to Stay Caravan and Camping (VisitScotland). Best Scottish Hotels and Best Scottish Tours.

Tartans


Tartans. Worn by everyone from rock stars to the Royal Family, tartan is an internationally recognised fabric and symbol of Scottishness. Now, in this comprehensive, fascinating and beautifully illustrated book, Brian Wilton traces tartan back to its roots, looking at how and where the various clan tartans began and showing how the material has spread across the world, to such an extent that 30 American states have their own tartan, and no major corporation can be without one. Arranged in geographical sections, from the Lowlands to Highlands and Islands, the book showcases 400+ tartans, explaining how they were created, what they signify and when and by whom they are worn. Alongside the classic Scottish tartans, each clearly depicted in full colour, are other examples of tartans across the world, from Argentina to the Detroit Police. Accompanying boxes discuss the wider history and role of tartans, with illustrations including eighteenth century oil paintings, Victorian engravings and modern celebrity photos. From Mary Queen of Scots to Alexander McQueen, this is the essential guide for anyone who has ever fancied sporting a sporran. Tartans.

Best Scottish Food


Best Scottish Food. Scottish cooking is enjoying a renaissance as restaurants and cookery writers look to the past and traditional recipes for inspiration. Catherine Brown's book is a resource for these recipes, with glimpses into traditional eating habits and Scottish seasonal festivities. Guided by the guardians of Scotland's culinary treasures, the farmers, fishermen, artisans and craftspeople in the food industry who follow the natural rhythm of the seasons as they grow, harvest, smoke, cure, preserve and cook food - she suggests a return to tracking down quality ingredients in season and their local suppliers. From the traditional Celtic New Year now celebrated as Halloween, she follows the year, rediscovering the Celtic festivals of Beltane and Lammas. Whether it's Caledonian Cream or strawberry eating-jam; roast grouse, Scotch beef, or seared salmon steaks; iced summer soup or Clapshot with Burnt Onions, Catherine Brown has sourced a working, tried and trusted recipe with the story behind it, and presents a recipe book for our time. Classic Scots Cookery. Best Scottish Cooking.

Scotland Country Dancing


Scotland Country Dancing at a Scottish Highland Games.

Scottish Country Dancing


Scottish Country Dancing. Hollin Bus, Veleta Pierrette, Circassian Circle, Boston Two Step, Highland Medley, Little Girl, Kelvingrove Two Step, Dunoon Barn Dance, Gay Gordons, Bluebell Polka, Achill Island, Shores Of Loch Alvie, Gaelic Waltz Selection, Eightsome Reel, Wind On Loch Fyne, Master Dylan's Hornpipe, Strip The Willow, Old Tyme Waltz, Dundee Eight Hundred. Scottish Country Dancing. Best Scottish Music.

Scottish Highland Games


Best Scottish Tours of Scottish Highland Games. Scottish Highland Games Putting The Stone. Traditionally the first event of the Heavyweight programme, this was originally a smooth stone from the river bed, sometimes shaped by a local mason. The stones used to vary greatly in shape and weight, particularly those used for tests of strength, where stones up to two hundred and sixty five pounds in weight were used. Now the stone is either sixteen pounds or twenty two pounds. The weight is putt, delivered, with one hand only from in front of the shoulders. A run not exceeding seven feet six inches from the trig is allowed. Best Scottish Hotels and Best Scottish Tours.

Best Scottish Tours of Glasgow


Best Scottish Tours of Glasgow. The Glasgow Visitor Guide. An invaluable guide to Scotland's largest city, covering an extensive range of attractions in and around Glasgow, including: galleries and museums, Charle Rennie Mackintosh, gardens, historic houses and other architecture, country parks and much more. Entries contain information on facilities, opening times, admission, directions, contact phone number and website. Each entry is numbered and linked to a colour map. Best Scottish Hotels and Best Scottish Tours.

Best Scottish Tours of Edinburgh


Best Scottish Tours of Edinburgh. Slim, stylish and pocketable, Edinburgh Directions is full of ideas for long weekends and flying visits to Einburgh, one of the most popular city break destinations, richly illustrated with hundreds of specially commissioned photos. The full colour introduction features twenty seven themed spreads, from Royal Edinburgh and Literary Edinburgh to galleries and museums and traditional pubs. The main section of the guide, Edinburgh Places, gives a district by district account of the sights, restaurants, shops, transport links and nightlife all generously illustrated. In addition there is comprehensive Festivals coverage. Every listing and review is pinpointed on accompanying user friendly maps. It's like having a local friend plan your trip. Best Scottish Hotels and Best Scottish Tours.

Monday 30 July 2007

Scottish Sword Dance


Scottish Sword Dance. One story is that this was a dance of victory, as the King danced over his bloody claymore, the two handed broadsword of Scotland, and the even bloodier head of his enemy. Some say that no severed head was used and that the King danced over his own sword crossed over the sword of his enemy. Another story is that the Sword Dance was danced prior to a battle. To kick the swords was considered a bad omen for the impending battle, and the soldier would expect to be wounded. If many of the soldiers kicked their swords the chieftain of the clan would expect to lose the battle. Best Scottish Hotels and Best Scottish Tours..

Best Tours of Scottish Borders


Best Tours of Scottish Borders. The Scottish Borders, one of the most architecturally enticing regions of Scotland, encompass rocky coastlines, rolling moors, and farmland. The early buildings reflect a history of conflict, as do the ruins of the numerous great Borders abbeys. The River Tweed provides a delightful setting for the burghs of Peebles, Galashiels, Melrose, and Kelso, where small weavers’ cottages and colossal nineteenth-century mills remain from the once-mighty textile industry.

The region boasts country houses of exceptional quality and importance, including Thirlestane Castle, Traquair, and Paxton as well as Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, which is world-renowned as the fount of nineteenth century Romanticism. Other highlights of this comprehensive guide are little-known shooting and fishing lodges, rural steadings, arts and crafts villas, Art Deco schools, and the extraordinary Sunderland House, a building of Miesian purity by Peter Womersley. Borders: Buildings of Scotland (Pevsner Buildings of Scotland).

Tour the Borders of Scotland. Abbey St. Bathans, Allanton, Ancrum, Ashkirk, Ayton, Bassendean, Bedrule, Birgham, Blainslie, Bonchester Bridge, Bowden, Briery Yards, Broadmeadows, Broughton, Buccleuch, Burnmouth, Cardrona Mains, Carlops, Castleton, Chapelhope, Chesters, Chirnside, Clovenfords, Cockburnspath, Cocklawfoot, Coldingham, Coldstream, Crailing, Cranshaws, Crookston, Darnick, Denholm, Drumelzier, Dunglass, Duns, Duns, Earlston, East Gordon, Eccles, Eckford, Eddleston, Ednam, Edrom, Ellemford, Ettrick Bridge, Eyemouth, Fogo, Foulden, Fountainhall, Frogden, Galashiels, Gattonside, Glenbreck, Gordon, Grantshouse, Greenlaw, Harrietfield, Hawick, Heriot, Hobkirk, Horndean, Houndwood, Hownam, Hume, Hutton, Innerleithen, Jedburgh, Kelso, Kirk Yetholm, Kirkhope, Kirkton, Kirkton Manor, Ladykirk, Lanton, Lauder, Lauderdale, Legerwood, Leitholm, Lilliesleaf, Lindean, Lintalee, Linton, Longformacus, Longnewton, Maxton, Melrose, Midlem, Minto, Mordington Holdings, Morebattle, Nenthorn, Nether Monynut, New Channelkirk, Newcastleton, Newtown St Boswells, Nisbet, Oxnam, Oxton, Paxton, Peebles, Polmood, Polwarth, Priesthaugh, Renton, Reston, Roberton, Romannobridge, Roxburgh, Saughtree, Selkirk, Skirling, Smailholm, Southdean, Sprouston, St. Abbs, St. Agnes, St. Boswells, Stichill, Stobo, Stow, Swinton, Teviothead, Town Yetholm, Traquair, Tweedsmuir, Walkerburn, Wark, Wedderlie, West Linton, Westruther, Whitsome, Whitton, Wilton, Wolfelee, Yarrow. Best Scottish Hotels and Best Scottish Tours.

Sunday 29 July 2007

Best Scottish Pubs


Best Scottish Pubs. An invaluable guide to one hundred and fifteen of the country's most unspoilt pubs and their unique interiors, many of which have altered little in the past 40 years or so. Some of these pubs contain historic fittings of real national significance and are collected together for the first time in this book. More than 140 colour photographs reveal the distinct style of the traditional Scottish pub. Scotland's True Heritage Pubs: Pub Interiors of Special Historic Interest (Camra). Best Scottish Hotels and Best Scottish Tours.

Best Scottish Guides


Best Scottish Guides. Scotland Top 10, Eyewitness Top Ten Travel Guides. Whatever you plan to do in Scotland, whether you are travelling first class or on a limited budget, make sure you experience the best. With this easy to use, quick reference guide that slips into your bag, you can instantly find the top ten leading Scottish attractions. Discover the best sights in Edinburgh and Glasgow, great fishing spots, outstanding golf courses, ancient castles, gardens and lochs, most fun places for kids, top malt whiskies and where to enjoy them, best hotels, inns and Bed and Breakfasts for every budget and much more. Scotland Top 10 (Eyewitness Top Ten Travel Guides). Best Scottish Hotels and Best Scottish Tours.

Best Scottish Travel Writing


Best Scottish Travel Writing. This book has been a long time in the writing. While Mike Cawthorne's life over the last two decades has been mostly involved in climbing and journalism, he has managed to stow away a large memory bank of experiences of his times spent deep within the wilderness areas of Scotland. These eight extended essays begin with a canoe trip down the River Dee in 2002, Tale of Two Rivers, and his epic round of the Munros in the company of his friend Dave Hughes in 1986, Paupers and Kings. Terra Ingognita deals with the Monadliath mountains, one of the last places left on these crowded islands where you can experience genuine solitude. Crofting on the Edge deals with people Mike has encountered who have chosen to live in the most remote and inaccessible areas of Scotland as does, The Hermit's Story, which describes the life that James McRory-Smith chose to lead in Strathailleach, a shepherd's cottage near Cape Wrath. A Last Wild Place describes the ruination of many of these wilderness areas and the efforts made by large energy companies to exploit these special places. In Dying for Trees, he spends a day on Creag Meagaidh with a deer-stalking party where a minor bio-diversity miracle has taken place by carefully controlling deer numbers to allow the spread of broadleaf woodland. Scotland's Alaska is the final essay on Sutherland's flow country, the best and worst of wild Britain. Wilderness Dreams: The Call of Scotland's Last Wild Places.

Best Scottish Lighthouses


Best Scottish Lighthouses. Scotland boasts a landscape of stunning coastlines and awe inspiring islands. With some of the most dangerous coastal waters in the world, however, such breathtaking scenery comes at a price. Lighthouses have, therefore, played a significant part in the history of this country, which is so heavily dependent on the sea for its livelihood. Scottish Lighthouses is a beautifully illustrated and insightful tour of thirty one magnificent lights, built over the last two centuries to protect ships from the perilous coastline. Because Scotland has led the way in maintaining lighthouse stations, most of the buildings described here are, happily, still both functional and in excellent condition. Scottish Lighthouses.

History of the Traditional and Classical Music of Scotland


Best Scottish Music. History of the Traditional and Classical Music of Scotland. John Purser's major work encompasses the whole of Scotland's music, from the third millennium BC to the present day. Describing both classical and traditional music, Scotland's Music pursues the fascinating relationship between them through the centuries and shows how they illuminate Scottish history and culture. This book is generously illustrated and, with over 200 music examples, provides a unique resource. Early Celtic plainchant, ballads in Scots and Gaelic, Renaissance masterpieces by Carver and others, rare music for lutes and virginals, and many under-appreciated and beautiful works by composers such as John Clerk of Penicuik, James Oswald, the Earl of Kellie and John Thomson are all discussed. Scotland's Music range is wide, and it concludes with a survey of the diverse contemporary music of today, from operatic and symphonic to Gaelic, folk and pop. Scotland's Music is a tremendously entertaining and stimulating book. This new edition builds on its award winning predecessor, substantially updated and taking account of new discoveries and research. It has both a general and a scholarly appeal, not only in Scotland but worldwide. Scotland's Music: A History of the Traditional and Classical Music of Scotland from Early Times to the Present Day. Download Scottish Music.

Exploring Britain's High Places


Scottish Bestseller. Exploring Britain's High Places. With names like Snowdon, Ben Nevis or Scarfell Pike, Britain 's high places are at once romantic and rooted in the nation's sense of identity. In "Mountains", Griff Rhys Jones brings their stories to life. Travelling the length of the UK by journeying across the rooftops of Britain, Griff Rhys Jones will be exploring some of the most arduous and roughest mountain landscapes. It is a journey that will take him from the remotest areas of Northern Scotland to wilds of Dartmoor in the South West, and to some of the countries most beautiful, rugged and fascinating locations. While he experiences the flora, fauna, dramatic landscape and stunning seasonal shifts, Griff will be meeting the undiscovered mountain communities and the real people who inhabit Britain's highlands: shepherds, mountain rescue teams, scientists, farmers and artists, the people who can deliver a real understanding and passion for the raw, natural beauty that has fascinated for centuries. He will also be bringing to life the history of epic battles, communities long gone and heroic struggles for survival. A lavish, fully illustrated book full of stunning imagery - drawn from the magic BBC series of the same name, this is a labour of love, a personal journey of discovery and a lasting testament to some of the most exciting, unique and treasured parts of Britain. Mountain: Exploring Britain's High Places.

Best Scottish Panoramas


Best Scottish Panoramas. From the Lowlands to the Highlands and the Borders to the Islands, the Kingdom of Scotland is a beautiful and historic land full of astonishing timeless features - both natural and man-made. This book presents a stunning selection of views by a professional photographer which celebrate Scotland's majesty: mountains and lochs are the backdrop for standing stones, ruined castles and abbeys; modern cityscapes graced by Georgian and Victorian architecture; and panoramic views of verdant farmland and high moors. The book is split into the principal regions of Scotland: Borders; Dumfries and Galloway; Glasgow and Strathclyde; Edinburgh; Lothian; Central Scotland; Fife and Tayside; Grampian; Highlands; Western Isles; Orkneys; and Shetlands. This is the first title in Compendium's new "Panoramic" series - huge coffee-table sized books which use 16-inch wide pages to present the most beautiful panoramic views of our heritage and countryside. Scotland: A Panoramic Vision (Panoramic): A Panoramic Vision (Panoramic). Best Scottish Hotels and Best Scottish Tours.

Best Scottish Hotels 2007


Best Scottish Hotels 2007. This book features the VisitScotland star classification scheme for quality of facilities. It is now fully comprehensive as all VisitScotland's Quality Assurance members - more than 2,000 - have their details listed in the guide. It is arranged alphabetically in 8 colour-coded regions. Each region has introductory pages, including details of events, Area Tourist Board offices and Tourist Information Centres. Hotels are described, with details of prices, payment methods, leisure and business facilities. It features listings of places with facilities for visitors with mobility difficulties. It covers 6 pages full colour location atlas. It is indexed by location. Scotland: Where to Stay Hotels and Guest Houses (VisitScotland). Best Scottish Hotels and Best Scottish Tours.

Best Scottish History Swords For Hire


Best Scottish History Swords For Hire. In 1612, George Sinclair, an illegitimate son of a Caithness laird, became a Norwegian national hero. Along with almost 300 of his followers, Sinclair was killed in an ambush in Norway while marching to join the king of Sweden's army. Sinclair has legendary status in Norway but has been almost totally forgotten at home, just as the memory of thousands of other Scots who served as mercenaries in the armies of Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries has faded into obscurity. In this book, James Miller tells how a considerable proportion of the able-bodied male population of Scotland at one time sought service on behalf of almost every dynasty and monarch on the continent. Some were fleeing from justice, others went to seek fame and fortune, and found it. Swords for Hire: The Scottish Mercenary.

Best Scottish Heritage Food and Cooking


Best Scottish Heritage Food and Cooking. This beautiful celebration of Scotland and Scottish food presents a fascinating guide to the culinary heritage of an ancient country and an authentic collection of over 150 best-loved recipes.

Over 750 wonderful colour photographs include evocative images that capture the dramatic scenery and cultural life of Scotland, a superb picture of every recipe and easy-to-follow photographic step-by-step instructions.

An engrossing introduction introduces the natural landscape of Scotland, from the remote, windswept highlands and islands to the freshwater lochs and lowland pastures. The lives of the clans, fishermen and crofters are described, and the vast game parks, smoke houses and distilleries which are popular destinations for all visitors to the country. A comprehensive visual guide to the Scottish kitchen follows, focusing on local ingredients and delicacies, regional staples, and the methods of preparation and cooking. The main part of the book features over 150 recipes from every corner of the country, including a traditional seafood supper from the picturesque fishing village of Cullen, the Cullen Skink, and a game dish originally created as a celebratory feast for the clans of Loch Lomond, Venison Auld Reekie. Divided into chapters covering first courses, meat, poultry and game, fish and seafood, vegetables and desserts, the book also has special chapters on the Scottish breakfast, breads and bakes, preserves, and beverages. Both an evocative tour of a timeless and dramatic country, and a definitive guide to a unique culinary heritage, this cookbook is a classic reference and recipe resource. Scottish Heritage Food and Cooking. Best Scottish Cooking.

Best Scottish Tours of Argyll and Bute


Best Scottish Tours of Argyll and Bute. An authoritative and enlightening survey of this dramatic region of Scotland stretching from the Atlantic islands and sea-lochs of Argyll to the softer landscape of Bute and the banks of the Clyde. The comprehensive gazetteer introduces readers and visitors to an enticing range of buildings. Ruinous brochs, stone circles and lone Celtic crosses contrast with evocative castles like Sween and Dunstaffnage and the magnificent Victorian Gothic mansion of Mount Stuart. Settlements rich in townscape include Inverary, with its elegant white-walled streets, and the genuinely urban Campbeltown, Oban, Rothesay and Helensburgh which boast splendid tenements and salubrious villas by some of Scotland's greatest architects. Industry too makes an appearance, with iron furnaces, mills and distilleries, and so too does recent architecture, with St Peter's College, Cardross, as the most dramatic and tragic legacy of the twentieth century. The introduction provides an enlightening chronological overview of this great variety of buildings, with special sections on the rich prehistoric and Ealy Christian remains, and on the geology and building materials that make the region so distinctive. Illustrated with over 140 photographs and numerous maps and plans, and with comprehensive indexes and an illustrated glossary which includes many Scottish architectural terms, this is an invaluable reference work as well as a guide book, and an essential tool for understanding and exploring this rewarding part of Scotland. Argyll and Bute (Pevsner Buildings of Scotland).

Acha, Achahoish, Achallader, Achallader Castle, Achamore Gardens, Acharosson, Achnaba, Achnacloich, Ardbeg, Ardchattan Priory Garden, Ardchonnell, Ardencraig Gardens, Ardkinglas Woodland Garden, Ardentinny, Ardfenaig, Ardfern, Ardfin, Ardlui, Ardlussa, Ardmaddy, Ardmaleish, Ardmenish, Ardnave, Ardno, Ardrishaig, Ardmaddy Castle Garden, Ardtalla, Ardtarig, Ardtornish, Arduaine Garden, Arnabost, Arnicle, Arrochar, Ascog, Ascog Hall Fernery and Garden, Auchenbreck, Auchnacraig, Auchnagoul, Balaruminmore, Balephuil, Ballimore, Ballimore, Ballochroy, Ballure, Ballygown, Ballygrant, Barr, Barrnacarry, Bellanoch, Benderloch, Benmore, Benmore Botanic Garden, Blairmore, Bonawe, Bowmore, Braevallich, Bridge of Orchy, Bridgend, Bruichladdich, Bunessan, Cadderlie, Cairnbaan, Cairndow, Campbeltown, Cardross, Carnassarie, Carnasserie Castle, Carradale, Carrick, Castle Stalker, Castle Sween, Castleton, Castle Toward, Charsaig, Clabhach, Clachaig, Clachan, Clachan of Glendaruel, Clachan-Seil, Cladich, Claig Castle, Claonaig, Claonairi, Cleongart, Clydebank, Clynder, Coeffin Castle, Coirantee, Colintraive, Colonsay, Colonsay House Garden, Connel, Coulport, Cove, Craighouse, Craignure, Crarae, Crarae Garden, Creagan, Cretshengan, Crinan, Croggan, Croig, Crossaig, Crossapol, Cullipool, Dalmally, Dervaig, Drimfern, Drumlemble, Duart Castle, Dunans Castle, Dunans, Dunaverty Castle, Dunollie, Dunoon, Dunstaffnage Castle, Duntrune Castle, Dunyvaig Castle, Ellary, Ellenabeich, Eredine, Erines, Fearnoch, Feolin Ferry, Fidden, Ford, Furnace, Garelochhead, Gartnagrenach, Geilston Garden, Glenarn, Glenbarr, Glenmallan, Glenrisdell, Gortinanane, Grogport, Gruinart, Gylen Castle, Hayfield, Helensburgh, Holy Loch, Hunters Quay, Innellan, Inveraray, Inveraray Castle, Inverarnan, Inverchaolain, Inverchapel, Inverinan, Invernoaden, Islay, Jura, Jura House Garden, Kames, Kames Castle, Keillmore, Kerrycroy, Kilbrandon, Kilbride, Kilchattan, Kilchenzie, Kilcheran, Kilchiaran, Kilchoman, Kilchrenan, Kilchurn Castle, Kilcreggan, Kildalloig, Kilfinan, Kilkenneth, Killean, Killichronan, Killinallan, Killunaig, Kilmahew Castle, Kilmartin, Kilmelford, Kilmichael Glassary, Kilmichael of Inverlussa, Kilmoluag, Kilmore, Kilmory, Kilmory Woodland Park, Kilmun, Kilninver, Kilpatrick, Kingarth, Kinlochlaich House Gardens, Kintour, Kintra, Kintraw, Kinuachdrachd, Kirn, Knapdale, Knock, Lagavulin, Lagg, Lagganulva, Lephinmore, Lerags, Linn Botanic Gardens, Lochbuie, Lochdon, Lochead, Lochgair, Lochgilphead, Lochgoilhead, Lower Kilchattan, Lunga, Luss, Machrihanish, Middle Kames, Middleton, Minard, Mountstuart, Newton, North Crossaig, North Tullich, Oban, Oragaig, Otter Ferry, Pennygown, Pennymore, Polloch, Poltalloch, Port Appin, Port Askaig, Port Bannatyne, Port Ellen, Portavadie, Portincaple, Portinnisherrich, Portnacroish, Portnahaven, Rhu, Rhunahaorine, Ronachan, Rosneath, Rothesay, Rothesay Castle, Saddell, Salen, Sanaigmore, Sandbank, Scalasaig, Shandon, Skipness, Skipness Castle, South Crossaig, Southend, St. Catherines, Stonefield, Strachur, Strathan, Strone, Stronmilchan, Sunadale, Sunipol, Tarbert, Tayinloan, Taynish, Taynuilt, Tayvallich, Tighnabruaich, Tiree, Tobermory, Toberonochy, Torastan, Torosay Castle and Gardens, Tullich, Tullichewan Castle, Tyndrum, Upper Kilchattan, West Kames, West Tarbert, Whitehouse. Best Scottish Hotels and Best Scottish Tours.

Friday 27 July 2007

Best Scottish Food


Best Scottish Food. Ranging from Oban to Tarbert, Scotland's Seafood Trail encompasses some of Britain's most glorious coastline. Here the cold, clear Atlantic waters caress the sea lochs and inlets of Argyll and Kintyre creating the perfect environment for seafood in all its variety. This relatively unexplored coastline has been undergoing something of a culinary revolution over the past decade and is now a showcase for all that is best in Scottish seafood. The 9 establishments featured in this beautifully illustrated book all serve simple food, simply served. Langoustines, crab, scallops, oysters and mussels all have such wonderful flavours that they require only the minimum of additional ingredients. And behind each place, there's a story and some interesting characters who have put their heart, soul, and wallet, into it! Featured in From Crab Shack to Oyster Bar are: The Seafood Cabin, or crab shack, to the locals, Skipness; The Anchor Hotel, Tarbert; The Hunting Lodge Hotel, Bellochontuy; The Tayvallich Inn; Dunvalanree House, by Carradale; Ee'usk, Oban; Cairnbaan Hotel; The Royal Hotel at Tighnabruaich; and the The Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, Cairndow. Recipes include Whole salmon, 'Aga-baked' in wet newspaper, Seafood Cabin; Scallops grilled with Crabbies Green Ginger, Anchor; Grilled sardines with spinach and tomato salsa, Hunting Lodge; Loch Fyne oysters pan-fried in butter with chervil and cream, Tayvallich Inn; Roast gigot of monkfish with garlic and rosemary, Dunvalanree; Clam chowder, Ee'usk; Goan spiced mussels, Cairnbaan; Smoked cod roe on toast, Laroch Foods; Scallops, monkfish, tagliatelle, pea and parsley veloute, Royal Hotel; and Loch Fyne bradan rost with whisky sauce, Loch Fyne Oyster Bar. From Crab Shack to Oyster Bar: Exploring Scotland's Seafood Trail. Best Scottish Cooking. Best Scottish Tours. Best Scottish Hotels.

Thursday 26 July 2007

Best Scottish Attractions


Best Scottish Attractions. "It is quite amazing the things you can see in Scotland.

Best Scottish Views ?


Best Scottish Views ? Best Scottish Humour.

Wednesday 25 July 2007

Best Scottish Genealogy Tours


Best Scottish Genealogy Tours. Tracing your ancestors in Scotland. The Scottish family tree detective is a practical, user friendly guide to research in family history, in locating the ancestors and exploring their background. Its aim is to provide signposts to the past and to solve problems. It shows how to make the most of new opportunities of internet access to information, research resources and catalogues of collections held in archives and libraries, online and on paper. This freedom to roam enjoyed by researchers world-wide makes strategy planning necessary. The emphasis is on locating, selecting, evaluating and using sources, on finding out what is locally available and what is kept in central Scottish archives. The book is designed to help those who are starting out on the ancestral trail and also to point the way to new roads of research for those who have already gone some way, including students on genealogical courses.

Guidance is given on how to start out, on keeping records and making a research plan. In the second section, the topics are birth, marriage and death, looking at the core sources of statutory registers, census returns and parish registers and showing how important information can also be found in other records relating to these facts of life. Profiling the ancestors views the family from three aspects; Where did they live?, When did they live?, and What did they do? Answers to these questions provide leads into a wide range of sources which can be used in tracking down the forebears, give clues for further research and put flesh on the ancestral bones. The final section gives help in the often daunting task of understanding Scottish legal documents. The Scottish Family Tree Detective: Tracing Your Ancestors in Scotland (Family Tree Detective): Tracing Your Ancestors in Scotland (Family Tree Detective): ... in Scotland (Family Tree Detective).

Best Scottish Tours of Dunblane Cathedral


Best Scottish Tours of Dunblane Cathedral, Scotland. Dunblane Cathedral, Scotland, is an impressive Cathedral building of great antiquity which was once a leading ecclesiastical centre. Mainly thirteenth century, with earlier tower. Nave unroofed after the Reformation, but replaced in 1892-95.

Best Scottish Tours Of Castle Campbell


Best Scottish Tours Of Castle Campbell, Dollar, Scotland. Castle Campbell, Scotland, was originally a property of the Clan Stuart, but passed by marriage to Colin Campbell, 1st Earl of Argyll, and Chancellor of Scotland. He had the name of the castle changed by an act of Parliament to Castle Campbell in 1489. The tower house was built in the late fifteenth century and was called Castle Gloom until 1489 when it was renamed Castle Campbell.

Tuesday 24 July 2007

Best Scottish Tours of St Giles Cathedral


Best Scottish Tours of St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland. When you walk through the door of St Giles Cathedral, on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland, you are entering one of the most historic and romantic buildings in Scotland. Founded in the 1100s, this famous Scottish church has witnessed executions, riots and celebrations. Small Group Tours of Scotland.

Best Scottish Tours Of Kilchurn Castle


Best Scottish Tours Of Kilchurn Castle. In the years after 1500 Clan Campbell held much of western Scotland in a tight grip. Kilchurn Castle was a key link in the chain of strongholds that sustained Campbell power. Sitting at the head of Loch Awe, Kilchurn Castle blocked access from the east through the narrow Pass of Brander and to the lands of Lorn beyond. Although today the castle sits on a thin peninsula, in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries it sat on a small island linked to the shore by a secret causeway hidden below the surface of the water.

Originally a five storey tower house, Kilchurn was also protected by a curtain wall that enclosed most of its island base, and by three comer towers added in the late seventeenth century. The tower house at Kilchurn was begun around 1440 when the captain of Kilchurn was Sir Colin Campbell of Glenorchy whose crusading exploits earned him the nickname of the Black Knight of Rhodes. According to tradition, his wife Margaret busied herself overseeing much of the construction of the tower during his absence overseas. The MacGregors of Glenstrae acted as keepers of Kilchurn Castle until falling out with the Campbells in a violent feud in the early seventeenth century. The castle was besieged by Royalists under General Middleton for two days in 1654 until relieved by Cromwellian forces sent in haste by Monck. It was besieged again in the troubled year of 1685 when the Protestant Earl of Argyll rebelled against the Catholic James VII. Kilchurn was garrisoned with Hanoverian redcoats as soon as news of the 1715 and 1745 Risings reached the ears of the government in Edinburgh. Sir John Campbell, who became 1st Earl of Breadalbane in 1681, was aware that Kilchurn's strategic position in the turbulent western Highlands was worth good money. Around 1690 he built a barracks block at Kilchurn capable of holding over two hundred troops and then tried to sell the castle to the government as a ready-made fortress. His plans were only thwarted by the government's decision to expand its base at Fort William at the head of Loch Linnhe, which was more easily supplied by sea. In the eighteenth century, the Campbells of Breadalbane paid more attention to their more fertile estates in Perthshire and they moved in 1740 to Balloch Castle, later known as Taymouth Castle near Kenmore. Kilchurn was abandoned and badly damaged by lightning in 1769. The sad loss of its roof the following year encouraged local builders to use Kilchurn as a convenient quarry. In 1817 drainage work on the outflow from Loch Awe lowered the waters and attached the castle more securely to the surrounding land.

Best Scottish Tours of Edinburgh


Best Scottish Tours of Edinburgh, Scotland. A young, female Piper on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Best Scottish Tours Leuchars Church


Best Scottish Tours of Leuchars Church, Fife, Scotland. The Church is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Britain and proudly stands on a grassy knoll overlooking the village.

Sunday 22 July 2007

The Pier Dunoon


Search for your Scottish Roots. Tour Dunoon on a small group tour of Scotland.

Summer Weather in Scotland 2007


It is has been rather chilly, dull and damp here in Scotland, and it is the middle of Summer. This Summer of 2007 has, thus far, seen low temperatures and a distinct lack of regular sunshine. So if you are coming to Scotland soon, bring warm clothes, some good rainwear, and a sense of humour. Tour Scotland on the Best Scottish Tours.

Best Scottish Butterscotch Recipe


Best Scottish Butterscotch Recipe. Real butterscotch is a Scottish treat, made from the simplest ingredients, but has no equal for rich, smooth flavour.

Makes about one pound.
One pound of Light Brown sugar.
A quarter pint of Water.
Two ounces of Unsalted butter.

Method.
1.Put the sugar and water in a large heavy-based saucepan, with a sugar thermometer attached, and heat gently until dissolved. 2.Bring to the boil, then boil until the temperature reaches the soft crack stage 270 °F, when a little of the syrup dropped into cold water separates into hard but not brittle threads. Brush down the sides of the pan occasionally with a pastry brush dipped in cold water. 3.Add the butter a little at a time, stirring until dissolved before adding any more. Pour into a greased 7 inch square tin. Mark into squares when almost set. When set, break along the marked lines. Store in an airtight container. Best Scottish Cooking.

Saturday 21 July 2007

Best Scottish Tours Lochearnhead


Best Scottish Tours of Lochearnhead, Scotland. It was dull and dry until late afternoon here in Scotland. My small group tour of Scotland attended the Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre Highland Games. As always, the traditional highland games at Lochearnhead provided all the spectacle and excitement you would expect to find at a Scottish Highland Games. There was lots to see; including track and field events, heavy events like the caber and weight throwing, piping and pipe bands and of course the ever popular highland dancing competitions.

Friday 20 July 2007

Best Scottish Soup


Best Scottish Recipes, Best Scottish Soup.

Scotish Cock-a-Leekie Soup.
One small fowl, two quarts of water, two tablespoons of whole rice, one piece of turnip, six leeks, one carrot, salt, and if desired, add a bunch of herbs, parsley, two cloves and six peppercorns tied in a muslin bag. If fowl is old, boil for one hour or more before adding vegetables. Have vegetables washed in cold water and rice washed. Add carrot and turnip whole, leeks cut small, rice. Simmer for about one hour. Remove whole vegetables and the bag of herbs. Serve hot. If desired, part of the fowl may be diced and served in the soup.

Scottish Barley Soup.
One teacup of barley. One pint of water. One pint of milk. Walnut-sized piece of butter. Salt and pepper. One dozen spring onions chopped. Parsley. Wash barley and put on with water to boil slowly one hour. Make up quantity if it boils away. Add spring onions and boil fifteen minutes more. Add milk, butter and seasoning, and bring to boil again. Add chopped parsley and serve.

Scottish Bawd Bree. Scottish Hare Soup.
Hare. Carrot. Turnip. Onions. Salt and Pepper. Oatmeal. Skin and empty hare. Slit the membrane at end of breast-bone and allow blood to drain into bowl. Cut hare into pieces and wash well. Remove fleshy pieces from legs and back and set aside. Put remainder into pot and cover with cold water. Add salt, carrot and turnip and onion, and boil for one and a half hours if hare is young, longer if hare is old. Pour the blood through a hair sieve, add enough cold water to double the quantity and a handful of oatmeal. Add to soup and stir only one way to prevent curdling. Remove bones and vegetables. Cut flesh left on the bones into small pieces and return to soup. Season with pepper and salt and reheat. The fleshy parts may be made into jugged hare.

Fife Broth.
Ribs of pork. One cup of barley. Two pounds of potatoes. One teaspoon of dried mixed herbs. Seasoning. Cover ribs with water, add barley, herbs and seasoning, and simmer for three hours. For last half-hour, remove ribs, cut off any pieces of pork and return to pot, and add two pounds of peeled and sliced potatoes.

Scottish Fish Soup.
One quart of fish stock. Half a pint of milk. One and half ounces of butter. One and half ounces of flour. One tablespoonful of chopped parsley. Pepper and salt. To make the stock: Fish trimmings, or a haddock's or a cod's head. Cleanse and put in one quart of cold water and salt, bring slowly to the boil and skim thoroughly. Add one onion, one stick of celery, six white peppercorns and one blade of mace, simmer for forty minutes, then strain. To make the soup: Melt the butter, add the flour and fry for two or three seconds. Add the stock and boil well. Add milk, parsley and seasonings. Boil up and serve. If a richer soup is wanted, mix one yolk of egg with two tablespoonfuls of cream and strain into soup at the last.

Scottish Green Pea Soup.
Two pounds of green peas, in pod. Two pints water or white stock. Sprigs of mint and parsley. One teaspoon of sugar. Salt and pepper and a tablespoon of potato flour or cornflour. Shell the peas and put the washed pods in a saucepan. Add the measured stock or water and simmer for about twenty minutes, adding salt to taste. Strain the stock and return to the pan. Add the peas, but not the pods, along with mint, parsley, sugar and seasoning. Simmer till the peas are tender, taste for seasoning and then squash the soup through a sieve. Return all to the pan and bring to boil. Blend the cornflour with a little milk and stir into the soup. Simmer for five minutes, diluting with milk or stock if too thick. Sprinkle in a little chopped parsley and mint just before serving.

Best Scottish Recipes on the Best Scottish Tours.