The rather impressive bit of ‘bling’ above is the insignia of the Order of the Thistle. This is a Scottish order of Chivalry that has among its order the Earl of Elgin (the direct descendant of Robert the Bruce) and a very impressive line up of other lords and ladies and among its officers the […]
A short ferry trip from Gourock to the west of Glasgow takes you to the town of Dunoon. This seaside town was once a favoured destination as families from the polluted tenements of Glasgow would seek a respite from the foul air. The Cowal peninsula is a gateway to the highlands and one of the […]
News has just reached us of the sudden death of Charles Kennedy, the 8th Marquis of Ailsa and Chief of Clan Kennedy. Lord Charles passed away suddenly while over in Florida attending Central Florida Highland Games. He was 58. As well as being Marquis he was also 19th Earl of Cassilis, 21st Lord Kennedy, 8th […]
What now Scotland?….. Last Thursday evening I set my alarm for 2am and took to bed early, the fridge was stocked with snacks and beer and a bottle of wine sat in the kitchen, champagne seemed too much like tempting fate. I checked my phone just before 2.00 to find a message from a friend, Clackmannanshire […]
There is something about the North West coast of Scotland. Maybe it’s the ancient weather beaten rocks of the shoreline or the near perfect sandy beaches with their scattering of tiny tidal islands. Perhaps its the light or the remote locations. Whatever it is I always feel like I’ve ventured into another world, as if […]
A few months ago we received an email from Sue McIntosh president of COSCA (the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations) The email contained an invitation to join them over at Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in North Carolina. We considered the invitation for about half a second before jumping at the chance; Grandfather Mountain must […]
In the last instalment of this blog I had reached the campsite at Inveroran, the final three stages of my walk would take me across the infamous Rannoch Moor to Glencoe, then on to Kinlochleven and through the Lairig Mhor to Fort William. Day 6 Inveroran to Glencoe Today was one of the days that […]
Having completed what is regarded as the hardest section of the West Highland Way. would I be able to continue?…. After a welcome pub meal I crawled back to my tent and called home. That evening I had wrestled with the dilemma of what to do now; my feet were in a sorry state and […]
In part one of this series of blogs on my West Highland Way walk I had reached the first stop at Drymen. Still ahead of me would be 7 days of walking and some of the most challenging sections of Scotland’s most popular long distance path. Day 2: Drymen to Rowardrennan My first night under […]
For several years I’ve been planning to walk the West Highland Way, one of Scotland’s best known long distance walks that runs for 96 miles from Milgavie just north of Glasgow all the way to Fort William in the North West Highlands. I have just returned from finally managing to complete this incredible and iconic […]
