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We’re a little later than usual with this week’s edition of Hidden Scotland Weekly — thank you for your patience. A family matter meant we had to hit pause for a few days, but we’re glad to be back and sharing this with you now.

We’re excited to let you know that Issue 10 is now available to order — and it’s being dispatched straight away. Click here to get your copy.

Each order is wrapped by hand and comes with a bookmark and a print, available for a limited time only.

Thanks again for bearing with us, and we hope this week’s edition brings you some inspiration for your next adventure.

Have a great weekend.

Issue 10 is now available!

We’re pleased to share that our tenth issue has arrived from the printers in Glasgow and is now available to order. All copies are being dispatched straight away.

It brings us enormous pleasure to welcome you to Issue 10 of Hidden Scotland Magazine, our Spring/Summer 2025 edition. As an independent publication, the fact that we’ve now reached a double-figure landmark is a source of huge pride – and as such, we wanted this issue to be a celebration.

Find out more and order your copy below.

Glenfinnan and The Raising of The Standard

Glenfinnan at the head of Loch Shiel will forever be associated with the Jacobite rising of 1745, one of the most romanticised and divisive periods of Scottish history.

Charles Edward Stuart, otherwise known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, arrived in Scotland from France with just seven companions and dreams of restoring the Stuart Monarchy. While Charles did have some support from the French, the ship carrying all the men, weapons and gold they provided had traded blows with the British Navy and been forced to return to port.

Scotland had gone through three failed Jacobite risings in the last 60 years, each one taking a heavy toll on any Clan Chiefs who had been involved. Charles had a hard time convincing the Scots that this would be any different. One MacDonald Chief simply told him to go home. Charles just replied that he finally was home and he knew that his loyal Highlanders would support him.

He travelled through the islands, using all of his charm and charisma to try and coerce some support from the Highland men. Charles knew as well as the British government that if the clansmen would unite then they had a force that would outnumber anything that could be pitched against them.

Glenfinnan was the perfect place to gather this Jacobite army. The surrounding land was controlled by powerful clans with hundreds of fighting men, none of whom were fans of the government. It was safe from a sea attack and surrounded by treacherous mountains. However, by the time the Prince arrived in August 1745, things were looking pretty bleak.

He had sent out letters to all of the clans, summoning them to muster their men here at 1pm but so far his army consisted of a grand total of 200 MacDonalds. It was now 3pm and his glorious restoration was looking a little embarrassing.

Just when it looked like the Prince was going to be marching south with no support and his dream in tatters, there came a faint sound from over the hill. As it got louder, it got clearer. It was the skirling of pipes that indicated the arrival of 1000 men from Clan Cameron and relief washed over Charles. Before long another 300 MacDonalds arrived having already fought the first skirmish with government troops on their way. It wasn’t the biggest army in the world but it was a good start.

Charles climbed a small hill by the loch to address the assembled men. His standard was raised and barrels of brandy were opened to reward the men’s loyalty. The campaign could really kick off now and the army grew as it marched numbering around 2500 men a month later at the Battle of Prestonpans.

8 months after the standard was raised, Charles would pass this way again as he escaped from defeat at Culloden. He must have stopped to think about that day in August when he was filled with hope and optimism. Now he was a fugitive with a £30,000 price on his head.

Written by Graeme Johncock

Travelling Scotland’s Great Glen - An Itinerary

For thousands of years, if you wanted to get through the Scottish Highlands from west coast to east, you would travel along the Great Glen. This natural fault line stretches around 75 miles between Fort William and Inverness and it’s a route I take dozens of times every year. With such a long history, the glen is packed with interesting things to see and do, turning an ordinary road into an incredible one-day journey.

Loch Ness

15 minute drive from Inverness

I’m starting this itinerary in Inverness and it’s not long after leaving the city that you reach a large layby with fantastic views across Loch Ness. While only the 2^nd deepest loch in Scotland, it holds by far the most water – more than all the lakes and rivers in England and Wales combined!

It’s hard to see the loch from most of the roadside as you drive, so it’s worth stopping here to see if you can spot the famous monster.

Loch Ness Centre

10 minute drive

If you’re interested in learning more about the legendary Loch Ness Monster, then there’s no better place than the Loch Ness Centre. Refurbished just a couple of years ago, the audio-visual displays tell you all about Nessie’s story and the hunts for her over the years.

It takes around an hour, presenting both the facts and the fiction from the first mention of a monster in Loch Ness by St Columba in 563AD, right up to the most recent sightings!

Urquhart Castle

5 minute drive

One of the biggest attractions in the Great Glen and one of the most important castles in Scottish history, Urquhart Castle is an incredible place. This ruined fortress dates back over 1500 years, jutting out into Loch Ness and guarding this passage through the Highlands when the easiest mode of transport was boat.

Fought over in the Wars of Independence, Urquhart was later given to Clan Grant who found themselves continuously fighting the west coast clans. Things came to a head in 1545 where the MacDonalds made off with around 8000 livestock along with anything else that would fit in their ships!

Invermoriston Falls

15 minute drive

Further along Loch Ness, Invermoriston Falls mark where Glen Moriston joins the Great Glen. Take a short walk from the car park to the old Summer House giving a stunning view across the tumbling waterfalls to the Old Bridge peeking out beneath the modern road crossing.

Lunch at The Glen Rowan Café

5 minute walk

Take a short walk to the Glen Rowan café, a fantastic wee place to grab a soup and sandwich followed by one of their delicious baked treats. If you’ve got a bigger appetite, then I can highly recommend the burgers!

Fort Augustus

10 minute drive

After a packed morning, you’ll finally reach the end of Loch Ness! Fort Augustus is named after one of the large military fortifications built in the first half of the 18^th century as the British government struggled to control the Highlands.

There’s only one tiny corner of that fort left, built into the Highland Club hotel, but the village is still a lovely place for a wander. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a boat travelling the Caledonian Canal as it navigates the series of locks to descend from Loch Oich into Loch Ness!

Well of The Seven Heads

15 minute drive

On the banks of loch Oich, a striking obelisk stands as a reminder of a bloody episode of local history. In the 17^th century, the chief of the MacDonalds of Keppoch was murdered by a group of seven men, but Lord MacDonnell of Glengarry refused to do anything about it.

The chief’s kinsman Iain Lom MacDonald refused to let the matter lie, eventually being granted permission from the government to get revenge with the help of MacDonalds from Skye. After chopping the murderer’s heads off, he stopped to wash them in a spring here before presenting them to Glengarry.

Today it’s known as the Well of the Seven Heads, with a carving atop the obelisk showing the heads, hand and knife. Head down some stone steps and you can even go under the road to see the well up close!

Clan Cameron Museum

30 minute drive

Of all the clan museums in Scotland, Clan Cameron’s might be my favourite. Sitting beside the Chief’s ancestral home at Achnacarry, it’s small but packed with stories and artefacts from one of the most important clans in the Highlands. There’s a special focus on the crucial role the Camerons played in the Jacobite Risings, but also lots more to keep you busy.

Commando Memorial

15 minute drive

One of the other important stories around Achnacarry was the site of the Commando Basic Training Centre after their inception in World War II. The harsh surroundings and rugged terrain in this part of the Highlands was perfect for putting these elite soldiers through their paces.

The memorial of three Commandos gazes out towards the Ben Nevis Range of mountains where 25,000 men trained during the war. It’s a spectacular view and the perfect way to end your day before driving the short distance to Fort William.

This itineary was written by Graeme Johncock 
Greame has recently written a book called ‘Scotland's Stories by Graeme Johncock’ Grab a copy here.

Are you in Aberdeenshire this weekend?

Join us for a Spring Celebration at The Milton of Crathes!

We’re thrilled to invite you to our Spring Celebration at The Milton of Crathes in Aberdeenshire on Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th April (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM). This special weekend marks not only the return of spring but also a major milestone for Hidden Scotland magazine—our 10th issue!

As an independent publication, reaching this achievement is a moment we’re incredibly proud of, and we’d love to share it with you. Expect a vibrant gathering filled with local charm, community spirit, and plenty of surprises.

Click through to discover all the exciting activities in store!

2 Tickets left - Hidden Scotland Presents: A Folklore Inspired Papercutting Workshop with Emily Hogarth

If you’re a fan of Hidden Scotland magazine, you’ll likely know our beloved Folklore, Myths & Legends feature, where writer and Scottish storyteller Graeme Johncock brings to life some of Scotland’s most fascinating tales. Each story is beautifully illustrated by Emily Hogarth, a renowned Scottish artist celebrated for her intricate papercut designs.

We’re delighted to announce that Emily will be joining us on Saturday, 12th April, to host a papercutting workshop in The Old Sawmill & Bothy at the Milton of Crathes in Aberdeenshire, during the Milton of Crathes Spring Celebration weekend. During this 2-hour workshop, Emily will introduce you to the art of papercutting, share insights into her work, and discuss her collaborations with Hidden Scotland magazine.

She’ll guide you step-by-step as you create your own papercut masterpiece, with a Scottish theme to inspire you—though you’re free to let your creativity run wild!

Daily Bread by Lucy Gillmore

Scotland’s artisan bakery scene is thriving with craft, pop-up and back garden-micro-bakeries springing up from the Borders to the north-coast. In Edinburgh, sourdough pioneer, Twelve Triangles, founded by Emily Cuddeford and Rachel Morgan, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year - and the launch of its first cookbook, Kitchen Table. What began as a small ‘scratch’ bakery – cold proving, slow fermentation, no additives or improvers - down in Leith has sprouted into a mini empire with seven neighbourhood outlets across the city and a branch down in Melrose in the Borders. The sourdough craze shows no signs of slowing down.

What still needs a bit of help, however, is Scottish grain-growing, milling and distribution, something Common Grains, the Scottish grains network, is trying to remedy, Niall Furlong of Cereal Bakery up in Tongue explains. When he and his partner, baker Wing Mon Cheung, moved up from Bath at the end of last summer to open a craft bakery in the reimagined Burr’s Store - now a Scandinavian-style clapboard community café and bakery on the NC500 - they knew the score.

While in England a number of bakeries have begun setting up their own mills and some farmers now mill on site, it’s a movement that’s still to make its way north of the border. Currently Wing Mon and Niall source their flour from Fife-based Scotland the Bread and Lapwings Community Mill in Aberdeenshire.

“It’s fairly easy to get Scotland the Bread’s flour,” Wing Mon explains but for the first two orders of Lapwings’ it was a roadtrip south for Niall to meet the miller in inverness. Their long-term goal is to start growing grain and milling their own flour. “It makes sense for there to be more localised mills,” Wing Mon explains.

The cultural heritage of milling and growing grains in the Highlands is on the verge of being lost Niall adds. They want to be part of a resurgence. Until then they’ll continue juggling with the logistics.

‘Daily Bread’, Wing Mon’s signature sourdough, is 100 per cent wholemeal, made with a mix of Balcaskie Landrace heritage grains and the Lapwings’ sturdier modern bread flour and baked in a tin for sandwich-shaped convenience. And the café’s doorstop sandwiches are worth a pitstop, packed with crumbly Cromal cheese, apple, onion and date chutney – and washed down with a creamy chai latte.

Other sourdough stars worth a shout out - and a detour - include Susan Wallace aka @thepeatbogbaker, who has a micro-bakery in her garden shed and a pop-up bakery in Thurso on Saturdays at Socially Growing.

And Aran Bakery in Dunkeld. Great British Bake Off semi-finalist Flora Shedden’s stripped back, Scandi-chic little bakery (get there early for a spelt and sesame sourdough loaf) serves the best flat white in Perthshire and don’t miss the streaky bacon rolls with beetroot ketchup. Aran is Scots Gaelic for bread - aran lathail, daily bread.

Written By Lucy Gillmore

Lucy Gillmore is a freelance journalist who left a newspaper travel desk for the Highland hills. Dipping into Scotland’s ever-evolving food scene she will be bringing us the latest news stories, dates for the diary and shining a light on local food heroes in a regular column. You can follow her on @lucygillmore

Just Launched - Hidden Scotland Magazine - The Full Set

Purchase the complete set of Hidden Scotland Magazine today. Spanning from Issue 01 to Issue 09, with our new issue 10 thrown in for free.

This set includes

• Issue 01

• Issue 02

• Issue 03

• Issue 04

• Issue 05

• Issue 06

• Issue 07

• Issue 08

• Issue 09

• Issue 10

Please note, we have a very limited supply of these sets and issue 01 is currently not available for single purchase. We hope to have more available at some point this year.

Issue 10 Sponsors

It is with great pleasure that we introduce you to the sponsors of Issue 10.
We invite you to learn more about them by clicking their logo.

If you would like to email us about any suggestions or feedback please email hello@hiddenscotland.co with the subject feedback. Thanks!