Kirsty Bartholomew 
If you’ve ever longed to stroll through a sweeping estate like Elizabeth Bennet, take tea in a Georgian drawing room, or gaze out to sea like Anne Elliot on the Cobb at Lyme Regis – you’re in the right place. Jane Austen’s world isn’t just confined to the pages of her novels or the dreamy … Read more
and why people travel from all over the world just to touch down on the sand in Barra There are many reasons people come to the remote Scottish island of Barra – for some it’s the wild beauty, the peaceful pace of life or even the Gaelic culture. But one of the quirkiest and most … Read more
If you were lucky enough to grow up with a Scottish grandmother, or even just visit one now and then, you’ll know they came with a unique mix of love, sharp wit, and absolutely no time for nonsense! These women didn’t need life coaches or mindfulness apps – they handed out wisdom with a side of shortbread … Read more
A true legend of Scottish wildlife has passed. Frisa, the UK’s oldest known wild White-tailed Eagle, has died at the impressive age of 32. Hatched on the Isle of Mull in 1992, Frisa became one of the most well-known eagles in the country, raising 25 chicks with her lifelong mate, Skye, and charming viewers on … Read more
Big news from Stratford-upon-Avon this year. This summer, the Royal Shakespeare Company is welcoming some exciting talent to The Other Place stage. Daniel Raggett, known for his powerful, critically acclaimed take on Edward II, is back to direct a bold new production of Macbeth. This time, he’s joined by Outlander star Sam Heughan, stepping into the iconic title role … Read more
If you’re a fan of whisky, or just starting to dip your toe (or nose) into it, you’ve probably heard about Scotland’s famous whisky regions. But did you know there are five official whisky regions, each with their own personality, history, and signature flavor? From the rugged coastline of Islay to the gentle hills of the … Read more
80 years ago today, celebrations erupted across Europe as Nazi Germany surrendered, ending World War II on the continent. Victory in Europe – or VE Day – is still marked each year on May 8th, and Scotland played a unique role in both the original celebrations and how the day is remembered today. If you’re curious about Scottish history – or you have ancestors who might have been there when the war ended – the story of VE Day offers a powerful look at resilience, community, and hope. What was VE Day like in Scotland in 1945? Scotland’s role in World War II was crucial. From the shipyards of the Clyde to the remote airfields of the Highlands, the country’s contribution was significant. And when the war in Europe officially ended on May 8th, 1945, the sense of relief was overwhelming. In cities like Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen, street parties broke out almost instantly. Bunting was hung from tenement windows, and people spilled onto the streets to sing, dance, and share in the joy. In rural villages, too, celebrations were heartfelt – even if quieter. Yet it was also a bittersweet day. Almost every Scottish community had lost someone. Churches were full of people giving thanks, but also remembering loved ones who never came home. How is VE Day marked in Scotland today? Today, VE Day in Scotland is more reflective. You won’t find massive street parties, but you will see memorial services, poppy wreaths laid at war memorials, and events in schools and communities to mark the date. Because 2025 is the 80th anniversary, some locations are going further with re-enactments, special exhibitions, and talks from historians or surviving veterans. Places like the National War Museum at Edinburgh Castle, or the Imperial War Museum North (just south in Manchester) often mark anniversaries with exhibitions that include Scottish perspectives. Local councils often publish their own remembrance events – and if you have Scottish ancestry, it’s worth checking to see if the region your family came from is holding anything special. Want to explore your own family’s connection to VE Day? If your ancestors were in Scotland during the war, there’s a good chance they experienced VE Day firsthand. You can: A moment to remember VE Day is a day for celebration – but also reflection. For Scotland, it’s a day to remember the resilience of its people, the sacrifices made, and the hope that followed the end of a brutal conflict. Whether you’re visiting Scotland, exploring your family tree, or just learning more from afar, May 8th is a day well worth marking.
The Isle of Staffa, with its haunting sea cave and geometric rock formations, seems like a place pulled from myth, and in a way, it is. While science tells us the dramatic basalt columns were formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, legend offers a different, far more enchanting explanation. In the ancient folklore shared by both Ireland and Scotland, a giant named Finn McCool (or Fionn mac Cumhaill) may have been responsible! Fionn mac Cumhaill is one of the great figures in Irish mythology, a warrior, hunter, and leader of the legendary Fianna. But he’s not just part of Irish stories—his tales ripple across the Irish Sea, washing up on the shores of Scotland, where the strange geology of places like Staffa gave rise to local legends. According to the most famous version of the story, Finn was challenged by a rival giant, Benandonner, who lived in Scotland. Rather than swim across the treacherous sea, Finn did what any self-respecting giant might do—he began building a stone pathway across the water, using massive chunks of rock hurled into the sea. That path, as the story goes, became what we know today as the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. But if you’ve ever seen Staffa, you’ll have noticed something striking—the same type of hexagonal basalt columns appear here, rising from the sea in tall, neat formations, as if laid by hand. In the legend, this is where the path ended—the other side of the giant’s road. Of course, the tale doesn’t stop with the building of the causeway. In one version of the story, when Finn saw just how large Benandonner really was, he turned and fled back to Ireland. His clever wife disguised him as a baby, tucking him into a cradle. When Benandonner saw the “baby,” he imagined how enormous the father must be and fled back to Scotland, tearing up the causeway behind him. The result? Two sites—one in Ireland, one in Scotland—linked by myth, broken by fear, and shaped by the footprints of giants. Today, you can still see the legacy of that tale. On Staffa, the most famous feature is Fingal’s Cave, named after the giant himself (Fingal being the poetic version of Finn). The cave’s cathedral-like acoustics once inspired composer Felix Mendelssohn to write his Hebrides Overture after visiting in 1829. Artists, writers, and royals have followed ever since, drawn by the cave’s mystery and the wild, rugged beauty of the island. If you’re planning a trip to the Isle of Staffa, the legend makes every step feel more magical. It’s not just a visit to a beautiful, remote Scottish island—it’s a journey into one of the great Celtic stories. Look closely at those rock formations. Could they really be the remains of a giant’s road?
You might not have heard of Scapa Flow before your trip to Orkney. It doesn’t always make the top ten lists or tourist brochures. But beneath the quiet waters of this sheltered bay lies one of the most fascinating, and dramatic, naval stories in the world. A natural harbour with a powerful history Located between … Read more
They’re dramatic, beautiful, and a little bit mysterious… Nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, the Three Sisters of Glencoe are one of the most iconic and photographed sights in Scotland. Towering above the valley floor, these majestic ridges offer not just stunning views, but centuries of stories. But did you know? Despite the name, the … Read more