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Visit Stirling Castle, Scotland.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
This evening, I am posting information and images on Stirling Castle, formerly home of the Stewart Court and one of Scotland's premier visitor attractions.
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It was said that "He who holds Stirling, holds Scotland" and many different people have held it in the last 900 years.
Stirling Castle was once home of the Stewart Kings and Queens of Scotland. Places to visit at the Castle include the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal, the impressive Outer Defences and the cannons on the Grand Battery. Discover how kings, armies and leaders defended their lives and their country in bygone days.
After the royal court departed, Stirling Castle become a military garrison and later an army depot and training facility.
Today you can visit the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders' Regimental Museum to explore more than two hundred years of regiment's history.
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It was said that "He who holds Stirling, holds Scotland" and many different people have held it in the last 900 years.
Stirling Castle was once home of the Stewart Kings and Queens of Scotland. Places to visit at the Castle include the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal, the impressive Outer Defences and the cannons on the Grand Battery. Discover how kings, armies and leaders defended their lives and their country in bygone days.
After the royal court departed, Stirling Castle become a military garrison and later an army depot and training facility.
Today you can visit the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders' Regimental Museum to explore more than two hundred years of regiment's history.
Another aspect of Stirling Castle is its proximity to two famous battle sites, namely Bannockburn (1314) and Stirling Bridge (1297). These were decisive battles in Scotland's fight for independence.
Apart from the history aspect, the castle is located on a high elevation and affords superb views across the surrounding countryside, especially when the sun is shining!
Well worth a visit.
Labels: Scotland.
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Inverness, Scotland.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Today, I am posting a video clip of central Inverness, a city which is styled as Capital of the(Scottish) Highlands. Inverness is one of the oldest and famous towns in Scotland, dating from about AD585 although few buildings of real age or hsitorical significance have survived. The impressive castle dates from 1834 and is used by the Local Authority.
Current population of the city is 44,000.
The word Inverness comes from the Gaelic meaning "Mouth of the River Ness". A walk around the riverside will afford beautiful mountain views and wildlife in the heart of the city. Inverness offers a peaceful and historic setting and possibly best suited as base for touring the local area which includes Loch Ness, Cawdor Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Brodie Castle, Fort George and much more.
Well worth a visit in context of a Highlands tour.
Labels: Scotland.
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View of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Today, I am posting a video clip of Edinburgh, was taken from the vantage point of Edinburgh Castle and shows: The New Town (18th century) Firth of Forth ( Bay where River Forth enters the North Sea), Calton Hill ("Athens of the North"). It was a nice day and the weather was good.
For the video clip click here.
For the video clip click here.
Labels: Scotland.
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Pollok House, Glasgow, Scotland.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Today, I am posting information on Pollok House. Pollok House is a Palladian mansion built for John Maxwell. It was begin in 1747 by William Adam and finished under the direction of his son,John Maxwell. The Pollok House is situated above White Cart Water in the 458-hectare grounds of the Pollok Estate. Moreover, Pollok Park extends to 146 hectares.
Sir John Stirling Maxwell, is a founder member of the National Trust for Scotland, he placed the estate under the protection of the first Conservation Agreement of the National Trust of Scotland. Mrs Anne Maxwell MacDonald gave the house and its collections of paintings, furniture and ceramics to the City of Glasgow in 1966.
The largest area is open to the public with paths to the mill and the riverside, Pollok House, and the Burrell Collection.
Labels: Scotland.
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Greenbank Garden, Glasgow, Scotland.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Today, we visited Greenbank Garden, Clarkston, Glasgow. This garden contains thirty different areas to visit, and also more than 3,600 plants. The Greenbank Garden shows a design and refined work; it gives new ideas and techniques for domestic gardens. You can view flowers of all colors as well as important collections of Narcussus and Bergenia.
Very pleasant and peaceful in the late afternoon sunshine!
Below are a couple of still images a short video.
Labels: Scotland.
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Culzean's Caves, Ayrshire, Scotland.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Today, I am posting a video of our visit to Culzean's Caves, Ayrshire. It was a good experience. The caves are very dark but the visit was supervised by National Trust of Scotland.
You can see in the caves, the remains of bones probably animals and also drawings on the walls of the cave. Culzean's Caves have a lot of history and are occasionnally open to the public. It was really great. Well worth a visit.
You can see in the caves, the remains of bones probably animals and also drawings on the walls of the cave. Culzean's Caves have a lot of history and are occasionnally open to the public. It was really great. Well worth a visit.
Labels: Scotland.
posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:38 PM 0 comments
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Culzean Castle, Ayrshire, Scotland.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Today, our group visited Culzean Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland. Prime reason for the visit was to participate in a guided tour of the caves which are located at foot of the castle and which are officially classified as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and normally closed to the public.Exploring the caves proved quite exciting and verged on potholing at one stage.We all emerged covered in mud but very satisfied with this unusual experience. Will post video of the caving tomorrow.
This evening, I am concentrating on the castle proper which has evolved from a Tower House to a grand house which mainly dates form the 18th century from a design by master architect, Robert Adam. Construction of the building bankrupted the 10th Earl of Cassilis who died of stress in 1796, just one year after Robert Adam's death.
Catalyst for the design was a 'Grand Tour' visit to Rome by Sir Thomas Kennedy which resulted in a neo-classical building which ranks as one of the best examples of Enlightenment architecture in Europe.
The Castle also benefits from a superb cliff top location with views across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran and Mull of Kintyre, aspects of which can be seen in the video clip.
Inside, the castle boasts a spectacular Oval Staircase, impressive armoury and the Circular Saloon with panoramic views.
Culzean is managed by the National Trust of Scotland ( a heritage organisation). One of the apartment's was gifted to General Dwight Eisenhower in 1945.
Apart from the caves and grand house the grounds have much to offer including a deer park, swan pond and a wide choice of gardens.
Labels: Scotland.
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Dunkeld on River Tay, Scotland.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Today, I am posting a video clip of Dunkeld, it is a nice town in Perthshire, Scotland. Dunkeld boasts considerable history and a medieval cathedral. The town was badly damaged during the battle of Dunkeld in 1689 but subsequently recovered.
The River Tay crosses the town of Dunkeld. It is the longest river in Scotland and largest volume river in the United Kingdom. The River Tay emerges at Loch Tay, Kenmore, and it is famous for salmon fishing. The river can be divided in three sections: the upper Tay, middle Tay and the lower Tay. The river Tay stretches 120 miles, it is really beautiful.
Labels: Scotland.
posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:37 PM 0 comments
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Isle of Skye, Sotland.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Today, I am posting information on the Isle of Skye. The Isle of Skye is the most scenically spectacular of the Scottish islands, it takes its name from the old Norse sky-a meaning "cloud island". Despite the unpredictable weather, tourism is an important part of island's economy and, in the summer months, the island is busy with tourists.
Isle of Skye it is one of the most tourist destinations and it offers a lot of things to see and to do. The Quiraing is a spectacular landslip on the eastern face of Meall na Suiramach, The northern summit of the Trotternish Ridge on the Isle of Skye.
Dunvegan Castle is home of the chiefs MacLeod for 800 years. It is possible to trace the history of the family and the clan from the days of their Norse ancestry through generations to the present day.
The Kilt Rock is the top rock composed of columnar basalt, giving the impression of the pleats in the kilt. There is a beautiful waterfall nearby.
Overall, a great palce to visit.
Isle of Skye it is one of the most tourist destinations and it offers a lot of things to see and to do. The Quiraing is a spectacular landslip on the eastern face of Meall na Suiramach, The northern summit of the Trotternish Ridge on the Isle of Skye.
Dunvegan Castle is home of the chiefs MacLeod for 800 years. It is possible to trace the history of the family and the clan from the days of their Norse ancestry through generations to the present day.
The Kilt Rock is the top rock composed of columnar basalt, giving the impression of the pleats in the kilt. There is a beautiful waterfall nearby.
Overall, a great palce to visit.
Labels: Scotland.
posted by Catswhiskers @ 1:17 PM 0 comments
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Hunting with hawks, Scotland.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
This evening, I am posting a collection of videos covering a recent hunting with hawks exercise near Braco, Perthshire. This is a very ancient sport which utilises the birds' hunting skills to catch prey ultimately intended for human consumption. Historically, the birds were allowed a small portion of then kill as a reward with the rest used for human consumption.
For the video click here , here and here.
For the video click here , here and here.
Labels: Scotland.
posted by Catswhiskers @ 1:07 PM 0 comments
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