Category: Scotland
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Ruins on the Promontory: Borve Castle
Borve Castle, a relic of medieval intrigue, draws attention today with its storied past. Tradition holds that it was built by Torquill, a Norwegian, and later became the residence of the MacKays of Farr. The castle met its fate in 1544, 1565, or 1655—dates vary—when it was besieged and demolished by the Earl of Sutherland.…
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Kirtomy Bay
In a stretch of coast with no natural ports of refuge, this harbour, the most quaint imaginable, is accessible by a zigzag path descending the steep cliffs from the landside, and from the sea through a narrow channel in the rocky reefs, which looks easily navigable at low tide and in calm seas. In 1910,…
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Caisteal a’ Bharraich
Castle Varrich is steeped in enigma. Was it the ‘Beruvik‘ where Thorfinn waged a sea battle in the eleventh century; a residence of medieval bishops; an early stronghold of the Mackays; or a reconstruction on much older foundations? This area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and the imposing wooded rock on which Varrich stands…
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Caisteal a’ Bharraich
Castle Varrich is steeped in enigma. Was it the ‘Beruvik‘ where Thorfinn waged a sea battle in the eleventh century; a residence of medieval bishops; an early stronghold of the Mackays; or a reconstruction on much older foundations? This area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and the imposing wooded rock on which Varrich stands…
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Dubh-Sgeir Mhor — The Black Rock
Breathe in that salty air! This view is across the narrow channel separating Eilean a’Chaoll from the Talmine mainland. The rugged foreshore displays vibrant yellow lichen and delicate pink thrift clinging to the rocks. Beyond, the Atlantic Ocean extends towards the distant Eilean nan Gaill, or Rabbit Islands. But in between, there lies the foreboding…
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Kyle of Tongue
The Kyle of Tongue, with the granite peak of Ben Loyal, a hill which apparently distorts compass readings due to its iron ore. Tongue itself was home to a Dr. Farquhar, who gained his healing powers from a boiled white snake’s juice.
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Hope springs eternal
Yesterday’s adventure took us up the stunning Ben Hope, seen here rising majestically across the serene Loch Hope. Our ascent was clear until the final 40 metres when we climbed into a thick duvet of cloud. This stifled any views but added a sense of drama to our climb. Despite the mist, the persistent song…
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Dun Dornaigil
In the heart of Strathmore lies Dun Dornaigil, a broch of ancient origin, dating from around 400 to 200 BC. These brochs, or stone roundhouses, are unique to Scotland, and predominantly found in the northern and western regions. Dun Dornaigil, at its heyday would have been a formidable structure, and may have been the stronghold…
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The Ruins of a Colby Camp
For the second morning, we stirred from slumber to the majestic sight of Ben Klibreck presiding over the loch, its reflection a perfect mimicry under a regal Elizabethan ruff of cloud. As the forecast suggested a cloudier day, it seemed a propitious day for ascending its heights. Yet, as the day unfolded, any fleeting clouds…
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Rosal—Echoes of Highland Clearances
In Strath Naver, Rosal’s historic community fell victim to ruthless evictions in 1814 by one Patrick Sellar, driven by profit from sheep farming, displacing families and destroying homes, leaving a haunting legacy of Highland suffering and exploitation.