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Showing posts from December, 2019

Plockton, a popular village in the western Highlands of Scotland which is close to Isle of Skye

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Loch Carron from Plockton This evening, I am focusing on the pleasant village of Plockton which sits on the banks of Loch Carron in the West of Scotland near Kyle of Lochalsh and the Skye Bridge. This area falls within the Highlands of Scotland. The name is derived from the Gaelic Am Ploc (the lump) with ton added later. Mountains, cloud and boats at Plockton Here is a video clip: One access route is a slow but scenic, single track road which is accessed after passing through Kyle of Lochalsh travelling east. This follows the coast around the edge of Loch Carron and affords views of the Isle of Skye and the Cuillin Mountains. Most of the landscape here is owned by Scotland’s National Trust and is thus preserved as a heritage site. Duncraig Castle, Plockton Commercial fishing at Plockton Harbour Highland Cows near Plockton Plockton gives the appearance of prosperity, with shops, schools and many hospitality establishments w

Crookston Castle, ultimately dates from 12th century and one of the few castles within range of Glasgow.

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This evening, I am reporting on Crookston Castle, a medieval edifice which now sits, somewhat incongruously, in a medium-density residential housing area in the Pollok area of S.W. Glasgow in S.W. Scotland, close to the Levern Water (river).                                    (Above image is a capture of Crookston Castle in winter.) A summary chronology of this castle is as follows: Around 1190 a wooden Motte and Bailey structure surrounded by a dry moat was built by a Norman named Robert de Croc whose surname was corrupted to Crookston . Transformed in 14th century from wood to stone by Sir John Stewart with funds raised by ransoms obtained from a successful military adventure in France. Subjected to a siege in 1489 by King James IV in context of a dispute with the holder, Earl of Lennox. Siege lasted one day. Subjected to another siege in 1544 when Regent Arran successfully sought and obtained surrender from the troublesome Lennoxes. In hands of Darnley’s by 1565 w

Newark Castle, a fortification dating back 600 years near Glasgow, Scotland

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                            (Above image is a capture of Newark Castle, Port Glasgow, Scotland.) This afternoon, I am posting information on Newark Castle which is located in Port Glasgow on the southern bank of the River Clyde , about 20 miles west of Glasgow in S.W. Scotland. In common with most medieval castles, Newark was located for ‘command and control’ purposes. In Newark’s case the location allowed control of the point on the River Clyde where ships were forced to berth due to shallowness of the water. However, dredging of the river in the 1600s rendered the castle’s control function obsolete and it now sits, somewhat incongruously, next to a ship-building facility. Video clip of Newark Castle More information on Newark Castle: Evolved from a single tower house built in the 1400s. A mansion-house was added in the 1590s. Between 1493 and 1495 was used as an assembly point for military expeditions led by King James III to gain control over the Clan MacDon

Clan Colquhoun has a long history and is based on the banks of Loch Lomond.

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   (Above image is a capture of Clan Colquhoun members taken at Luss Highland Games.) This evening, I am posting information on Clan Colquhoun which is based on lands in and near Luss on the western bank of Loch Lomond , about 31 miles north of Glasgow in the west of Scotland. The Colquhouns acquired extensive lands in the region during the 13th and 14th centuries via a combination of grants and marriage. In the early 15th century the Colquhouns filled a local power vacuum by acquiring control of Dumbarton Castle. Subsequent significant events are summarised below. Ian of Luss (Clan Chief) was murdered by Macleans of Duart. In the 15th century the 11th chief built the castle of Rossdhu on the banks of Loch Lomond, the ruins of which still exist.This chief achieved high political office while his son became Bishop of Argyll. In 1603 a force of 400 MacGregors defeated a force of Colquhouns an event which resulted in outlawing of Clan Gregor. At the end of the eighteenth cent

The Picts and Scotland's linguistic heritage

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(Above image is a capture of a Pictish carved stone from Aberlemno, eastern Scotland. This one of a collection dating from AD500-AD 800) This evening, my blog has been prompted by a media report to effect that an academic has proposed an overwhelming argument that the Picts (indigenous people of what is now Scotland) spoke a language that was closely related to an ancient form of Welsh. As a long-term student of Scottish place names the new development comes as no surprise. In fact, I was under the impression that the Picts connection with the Brittonic/Welsh language had already been settled. By way of background, the Picts were a loose, tribal based, confederation of native peoples who dominated the northern and eastern parts of what is now Scotland during the late iron-age and early medieval periods, i.e for about 1000 years up to around the mid -ninth century AD  when their culture was subsumed within that of the incoming Gaels (Scots) who emanated from Ireland around A

Clan Macrae, an ancient Scottish clan closely associated with Eilean Donan Castle

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                   (Above image is a capture of Eilean Donan Castle in the Scotrtish Highlands.) This evening, I am focusing on Clan MacRae who have long been associated with famous  Eilean Donan Castle in Kintail, Scottish Highlands. The castle is located at Dornie which is just 9 miles east of Kyle of Lochalsh and gateway to the Isle of Skye . In the early days, Eilean Donan was held by the MacRaes on behalf of Clan Mackenzie with the former benefiting from expansion of the latter’s territory at expense of the MacLeods . Post Reformation in 1560, senior MacRaes established reputations in the fields of religion and culture, including the Gaelic language and poetry. Unfortunately, the MacRaes did suffer discrimination in the 17th century due to their adherence to Episcopalianism at a time when Calvinism was gaining ascendancy. Athough Clan MacRae does not currently have a Clan Chief, Eilean Donan is recognised as the premier MacRae site in Scotland and servers as

Dunvegan Castle on Isle of Skye, a destination for persons wishing to connect with Clan MacLeod

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                                     (Above image is a capture of Dunvegan Castle from the west.) This evening, I am focusing on MacLeod of MacLeod the chiefs of which have occupied Dunvegan Castle ( above and below) on Isle of Skye for twenty generations. Over this long period of occupation the MacLeods have hemorrhaged some of their extensive lands due to inadequate (or non-existent) legal titles. The MacLeods adhered to the Roman Catholic faith during turbulent times in the 17th and 18th centuries. They fought for the Royalist cause in the Civil War of the 17th century and suffered huge losses at the Battle of Worcester (England\) in 1651. However, the MacLeods are perhaps best known for their cultural achievements, viz: 8th Chief, Alasdair Crotach, rebuilt the church of Rodel on Harris, built the Fairy Tower at Dunvegan and encouraged piping. 15th Chief, Sir Roderick MacLeod encouraged pibroch (musical compositions), famous Gaelic harpist Roderick Morrison and p

The Fairy Pools, a popular visitor attraction on the Isle of Skye, Scotland

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Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye, Scotland, with Black Cuillins (mountains) in background. This evening, I am posting information on the famous Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye, which lies off the west coast of Scotland. Summary facts: Located near Carbost and Talisker Distillery on the west of the island, about 20 miles south of Portree. Access entails a 1.5 mile return trip hike over rough ground and across streams. Parking can be difficult due to volume of visitors. Some brave visitors engage in ‘wild swimming’ although low water temperatures normally require use of wet suits. The pools form part of the River Brittle which in turn flows through Glen Brittle. (Glen means valley.) Backdrop to the pools is the Black Cuillin Hills which are of volcanic origin. Warning : Although the pools appear benign they deserve respect. Recently, an able and fit police officer (who was properly attired in a wetsuit and wearing goggles and swimming shoes) became caught in a strong current wh

Clan MacDougall and associated castles near Oban, Scotland

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(Above image is a capture of Dunollie Castle taken from ferry in Oban harbour.) This evening, I am posting information on Clan MacDougall. The MacDougalls are long associated with the Lorne region of West Scotland, now part of Argyll. There exist two tangible connections with the MacDougalls in the form of two castles: Dunstaffnage (below) and Dunollie (above). These ruins are in relatively close proximity to each other, on the mainland shore of Loch Linnhe , near Oban, about 100 miles N.W. of Glasgow. Dunollie remains under MacDougall ownership today. Dunstaffnage Bay, Loch Linnhe The MacDougall clan dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries and to Dougall, the son of Somerled who became the senior king in old Dalriada in 1164. This line is ultimately of Gaelic-Norwegian descent. During medieval times the MacDougalls were embroiled in various power struggles. Having sided with the Comyns against Robert the Bruce they lost their island power base in the

Typical itinerary for one day tour of Edinburgh, Scotland's capital

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Holyrood Park, Edinburgh. This image encompasses Canongate Kirk (church), Dynamic Earth visitor attraction, Salisbury Crags and Arthur's Seat. This evening, I am posting a schedule for a typical within-the day tour of Edinburgh and environs.   First to the Port of Leith to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia which retired from service in 1997 and is now a major visitor attraction. This is a mini-cruise liner. formerly used for State and other occasions from 1954 through to decommissioning. The vessel is a very well presented example of 1950s marine engineering and is a popular visitor attraction. Image below shows the Royal Yacht. Next, to the Palace of Holyroodhouse at foot of the Royal Mile. This is the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh. The Palace evolved out of  a guest suite at the former abbey on the same site. However, the Palace grew and evolved while the abbey fell into disrepair and is now a romantic ruin. Most of the Palace which is eviden

Doune, a popular village in central Scotland

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(Above image is a capture of Doune Village from atop Doune Castle.) This evening, I am posting information about the central Scotland village of Doune, Perthshire. Doune is a corruption of dun , the Galeic word for hill or fort. There is evidence of occupation here from the Bronze Age (1800 BC) through Roman times (1st century AD fort) and medieval to the modern-day.  Doune is perhaps best known for the famous castle which dates from the 14th century and has been used as a film location ( Monty Python and Outlander ). Key information: Population is about 1650. Close to the city of Stirling, which is about 15 minutes by car. Here can be found Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s top visitor sites. Has a Mercat Cross ( see image immediately below). This dates from  medieval times and served as a meeting point and place for public announcements. In the village can be found hostelries, lodgings, various shops and cafes. The local area is popular with walkers and hikers.