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Posts with tags: Edinburgh Castle

Magnificent Castles – Must See in Scotland

19.09.2011, Author: highlander

Scotland is full of castles. Some of them are old, some are young, big or small – every one of them deserves attention. While staying in Scotland, one definitely shouldn’t miss any opportunity to visit some of local magnificent fortresses. Below I’d like to present few of most beautiful Scottish castles.

Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan Castle

[Jon Mountjoy]

This castle is widely recognized all over the world. First castle was built on this site in 13th century. After that it was rebuilt few times. Situated on the route to the Isle of Sky it can be easily reached by tourists. Destroyed partially in 18th century, the castle remained ruined for over 200 years. In 1911 Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap started its restoration. Nowadays it looks stunningly beautiful. Czytaj całość »

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Post published in: About Scotland, Places in Scotland, Travel | Comment »

Saint Andrew’s Day Customs

23.11.2010, Author: highlander
Flag of Scotland
Image via Wikipedia

St Andrew’s Day is one of the most meaningful days for Scots. Since 2007 it is a bank holiday and is widely celebrated, not only in Scotland but throughout the world, especially by Scottish emigrants.

St Andrew’s Day, November the 30th, is celebrating the patron of Scotland, who was one of the Twelve Apostoles. He was a Galilean fisherman, who had been crucified on a diagonally transversed cross, that is now the flag of Scotland, also known as Saltire. He was said to help Agnus II and his army to win against the Angles. Ever since his relics were brought to Scotland from Caledonia in the 10th century, St Andrew had become the patron of this beautiful country.

It used to be the tradition for Scottish farmers that their workers go out St Andra’ing where they would catch rabbits and hares and have a feast on a singed sheep’s head, though they would have called it a heid. There would have been much drinking to celebrate the day.  Now there are many concerts, festivals and dance shows called ceilidh. Since the 30th is the opening day of Christmas Markets, it is a joyful time full of bagpipe music, traditional cuisine and beverages. Scots, being very proud of their tradition, make it a point to show the best of it during this time. Czytaj całość »

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Post published in: Culture in Scotland, Customs, General informations | Comment »

Scottish Legends

1.08.2010, Author: highlander
Eilean Donan en, fr
Image via Wikipedia

Whether you are planning an adventure to travel to Scotland or you are interested in studying the history of the country, you will be fascinated by the legends and lore of Scotland. When researching Scottish legends, the first thing that most people think of is the Loch Ness Monster or William Wallace but the history of Scotland has produced some of the more interesting legends that people are not aware of.

The history of Halloween can be traced back to Scotland where it began as a religious celebration of the end of summer, called Samhain. Samhain is a Druid festival that marked the time of the year when the days grew shorter and darkness started earlier.

The Shellycoat is condidered the Scottish boogeyman, Boobrie is a legendary water bird that haunts Scottish lakes, Fachan is a creature who dwells in the western highlands of Scotland, Red Cap is an evil creature who lives in a castle on Scotland’s border. Czytaj całość »

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Post published in: About Scotland, Culture in Scotland, Places in Scotland, Travel | Comment »

Edinburgh – city with great history

19.06.2009, Author: highlander
The Royal Mile
Image via Wikipedia

Edinburgh, against the appearance, is not the biggest city of Scotland. But it’s still its capital. Although Glasgow is the biggest Scottish town it’s typical  industrial town, that’s why it wouldn’t be a best place to represent Scotland on the world.

Edinburgh has become a capital of Scotland in 1437 year, and since 1999 it is also a base of Scottish Parliament. Due to its closeness to England Edinburgh was during hundreds of years attacked by English army. Scottish people who wanted to feel safer had built defensive walls. They were functioning till XVIII-century when Scotland united with England as a supreme country. Political life has stopped, London was major town those days. But cultural life was in its best.

In late XVIII-century town was divided into two parts – old and new. Those part were splitt by Princess Street Gardens. In XIX century the old town was devastated by a huge fire. Nowadays its a heart of medieval part of Edinburgh where most important monuments of Scotland are situated like in example Holyrood Palace, St Giles Cathedral and John Knox’s house. The main street of this part of Edinburgh is Royal Mile that connects Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. It’s a main point of tourists trips. Czytaj całość »

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Post published in: About Scotland | Comment »

Enjoy A Scotland Vacation In The Scottish Highlands

1.04.2009, Author: highlander
Loch Ness
Image via Wikipedia

“You tak’ the high Road an’ I’ll tak’ the low road” and we will enjoy a Scottish vacation together, in the Scottish highlands and in the lowlands of Bonnie Scotland. Most people visit Edinburgh and then claim they have “done Scotland”. Others head straight for the Isle of Skye or for Gleneagles Hotel or St. Andrews for a round of golf and then claim the same thing.

You don’t “do Scotland” in a day, or even a few days. Ten days to two weeks is what it takes to experience what Scotland has to offer, and even that is nothing more than a taste of more to come should you wish to return – and most do. So what is needed for you to see Scotland in all her glory? This proud country that has withstood the ravages of invading English, sometimes with great success and sometimes not? Czytaj całość »

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Post published in: Places in Scotland | Comment »
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