Hi 👋

We’re delighted to be back with a new and improved ‘Hidden Scotland Weekly’. We really hope that you enjoy reading.

As always we welcome you to provide feedback, you can find this at the bottom of the email.

Have a great Sunday!

Birnam Oak

Perthshire

Nestled in the village of Birnam, near the tranquil River Tay, the Birnam Oak stands as a symbol of ancient splendor. Visitors meander along the "Oak Road," passing misidentified trees with amusing signs, until the true Birnam Oak reveals itself. Its vast spread and supported lower branches command attention. With a circumference of 24 feet, the hollow trunk bears witness to the tree's resilience, having weathered both time and fire. Legend whispers that it is the last survivor of Shakespeare's "Birnam Wood." Nearby, the Birnam Sycamore, an impressive 25 feet in circumference, invites contemplation of nature's enduring grandeur in this enchanted realm.

Royal Castle of Tarbert

Argyll

Tarbert Castle, a weathered relic from the 13th century, stands as a testament to bygone royalty. Originally enclosing a regal stronghold, the castle's 14th-century expansion introduced an outer bailey adorned with majestic towers. Among the ruins, the best-preserved section—a four-storey tower house with a corbelled-out parapet—speaks of its former grandeur. Time, however, has taken its toll, with a partial collapse in the 19th century. Throughout history, Tarbert Castle witnessed the struggles of power, from Magnus Barelegs' symbolic ship crossing to Robert the Bruce's fortification efforts. Today, its remains serve as a captivating reminder of a turbulent past, guarded by adders, midges, and a flock of endearing sheep.

The Bone Caves

Assynt

Nestled amidst the rugged and untamed landscape of Inchnadamph, a hidden gem awaits adventurous souls - the enigmatic Bone Caves. Carved into the ancient limestone cliffs, these cavernous chambers offer a tantalizing glimpse into the secrets of the past. As you venture into their depths, a sense of awe permeates the air, accompanied by a whisper of mystery. Over millennia, these natural catacombs have become the final resting place for a myriad of creatures, including bears, wolves, and lynxes. Amidst the rocky walls, the remains of these long-extinct beasts serve as a haunting reminder of the ancient ecosystems that once thrived here. Exploring the Bone Caves is an enthralling journey back in time, where the echoes of nature's past reverberate through every stalactite and fossilized bone, leaving visitors spellbound by the majesty of Earth's rich history.

The Dundee Dragon

Amongst the playful statues of comic book characters on Dundee’s shopping streets stands a much more menacing figure. A ferocious dragon that once cast a dark shadow over the Angus countryside.

Its presence wasn’t obvious at first, but locals could tell something had changed. They could feel it in the air. Livestock started going missing at an alarming rate and locals reported strange, distant noises in the night.

Unaware of any danger, a farmer from Pitempton sent one of his nine daughters to fetch water from a nearby well. Time passed and the farmer assumed she had been distracted somehow, so sent her sister to finish the task. Still neither had returned but being a busy man, he didn’t have time to go looking himself. One by one, his nine daughters all disappeared while searching for their sisters.

Eventually the farmer realised something was wrong and he went to the well himself, looking for his family. There he witnessed a horrific sight. The girls had all been killed by a terrifying dragon and the farmer was lucky to escape with his own life. He ran to the centre of Dundee, shouting and screaming about what had happened.

Martin, the town's blacksmith heard the commotion and was heartbroken at the news. He had been betrothed to the farmer's eldest daughter, but he wasn’t going to waste any time grieving. Somebody had to teach this monster a lesson. The blacksmith picked up a freshly forged sword and strode off towards the dragon's lair.

Martin fought the beast with all his fury and the dragon had met its match. Realising it couldn’t win, the creature tried to flee across the hills, but the blacksmith chased close behind. A crowd had gathered to watch the spectacle and as he clashed with the monster, they shouted "Strike Martin!" With a great thrust of his sword, Martin pierced the dragon's heart. It staggered around before laying its head on a rock to die.

The legend claims that rock is now the carved Martin’s Stone while Strathmartine derives from the shouts of Strike Martin. Other place names hint towards the story, such as Pitempton Road and Baldragon Wood but it’s the prominent statue of the Dundee Dragon that ensures the story will live on.

Words by Graeme Johncock, Illustration by Joe Mclaren

Battle of Culloden

By Graeme Johncock

By April 1746, a Jacobite army led by Bonnie Prince Charlie had marched from Glenfinnan down to Derby and all the way back north to Inverness. They were yet to lose a battle, but supplies were running low and hundreds of their soldiers were scattered around the country. In their disorganised state, retreat would have been the sensible option in the face of a large government army, but the Prince couldn’t afford to abandon the city.

Morale in the government camp was high, the soldiers were well-fed, rested and on the 15^th of April, they even held a celebration for their commander the Duke of Cumberland’s birthday. That gave the Jacobite commanders an idea. The plan was to surprise the merry, drunken troops in the darkness, defeating them before they had a chance to react.

Unfortunately for the Jacobites, they were so concerned about being spotted by the Royal Navy waiting in the Moray Firth, that they left far too late. Stumbling across difficult terrain in total darkness, the ambushers were slow to arrive at the government lines. In the end, they turned back without making any contact and hundreds of exhausted, starving Jacobites would miss the upcoming battle as they searched for food or caught up on sleep.

By the middle of that day, roughly 9000 government soldiers lined up at Culloden opposite 5000 Jacobites. It wasn’t an ideal battlefield for Prince Charles’ side, far too open and flat, where simple strength in numbers could easily come out on top. The first action of the battle was a short artillery exchange, but the boggy moorland soaked up much of the damage, without either side making a serious impact.

Soon, the Jacobites surged forward with their fearsome Highland Charge. They raced towards their opponents, firing a single volley before charging into the confusion with sword and dirk swinging. It had won them every battle so far, but the government lines were expecting it this time. Their artillery switched to canister shot and hundreds of balls spread out from the cannon’s barrels, shredding anything in front of it.

Clan chiefs charging at the front of their men were some of the first to fall, destroying both morale and leadership. Even under the barrage, the Jacobite right wing still managed to cause carnage, however, the left was slowed by the poor ground and came to a standstill. Unable to move forwards, they fled backwards, leaving those who had already engaged isolated and quickly defeated.

The Battle of Culloden had been lost, but Charles was still determined to rally his soldiers and charge to death or glory. Wiser heads prevailed and his generals dragged the Prince away from the battlefield as Irish and French regiments covered the retreat. Around 1500-2000 Jacobites were killed or wounded on that day as opposed to roughly 300 government soldiers.

While some were determined to keep the fight alive, the now infamous battle marked the end of the Jacobite risings. It’s said that Culloden is such a place of sadness that no birds sing around its moors and that every year on the anniversary of the battle, those who died are doomed to rise and fight once again.

Places to stay with spectacular views

The Bracken Hide Hotel

The Isle of Skye

The Bracken Hide, an eagerly awaited addition to Scotland's hospitality landscape in 2023, overlooks the quaint town of Portree from its serene location on Skye's east coast. This unique destination features 45 cosy glamping pods and an impressive central hub, seamlessly blending traditional Skye architecture with modern design. From this elevated vantage point, guests enjoy unforgettable panoramas of the bustling port town and the expansive sea, harmonizing the allure of luxury with the enchanting beauty of the Scottish Highlands.

Follow them

Airship 2

Morvern peninsula

Perched on a picturesque hillside in Drimnin, Scotland, AirShip 2 is a uniquely designed cabin offering a truly immersive experience of the rugged Scottish landscape. With its innovative design and panoramic windows, guests are treated to a breath-taking 180-degree view of the Sound of Mull, bestowing a serene, restorative stay.

Find out more

Some more worth a mention

• Treshnish Holiday Cottages (link)

• The Net Store (link)

• Harlosh (link)

• The Torridon (link)

Cladach Beach House

Isle of Arran

Nestled by the beach at Cladach, the enchanting Cladach Beach House stands as the vivacious heart of Arran Botanical Drinks. This is where Stuart Fraser, the mastermind behind the brand, painstakingly transforms locally foraged botanicals into a dazzling array of craft beverages. An alchemist's dream, the botanical kitchen distills, brews, and shakes nature’s bounty into extraordinary cocktails. The Beach House, a former Nature Centre, now seamlessly marries drink production and a beach bar, maintaining its deep-rooted connections to the land and the history of the island. As Scotland’s only beach cocktail bar, it offers visitors a unique, immersive experience, filled with the symphony of flavours, the nostalgia of music, and panoramic beach views. A toast here, to the magic of nature, is an unforgettable chapter in the vibrant story of Arran.

Read our interview with Arran Botanical Drinks founder Stuart Fraser here

Some more worth a mention

• Ride Coffee House (link)

• Aberfeldy Watermill Bookshop & Cafe (link)

• Bramble Cafe Southside (link)

• Three Hills Coffee (link)

Rosslyn Chapel: Where History, Mystery, and Legend Collide

Did you know that the mysterious Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland whispers a secret so deep, it could change the way we see history? Nestled within rolling hills, this 15th-century structure appears serene, but its intricate carvings hold whispers of the Holy Grail, a legendary Christian relic. Allegedly guarded by the enigmatic Knights Templar, the chapel's symbols, like the 'Apprentice Pillar' adorned with spiralling plants, have long been perceived as a Templar code. What truly lies beneath the chapel’s stone foundations? Rumours of subterranean vaults persist. Treasure seekers and historians alike have speculated about a hidden crypt safeguarding the Holy Grail, Templar treasures, or even lost scriptures. Despite modern explorations, the secrets of Rosslyn remain tantalizingly out of reach, a centuries-old riddle etched in stone, a silent testament to the enduring allure of Scotland's historical mysteries.

What’s new on the website

• Heather McDermott Jewellery (link)

• Beech & Birch (link)

• Brae at Chapelton (link)

• Sandwick Bay Candles (link)

• Scotland's Most Scenic Cocktail Bar (link)

Win a Lifetime Subscription to the Hidden Scotland Magazine

Share our competition below to receive 10 extra entries and a free Scotland wallpaper set.

Would your business like to sponsor the Hidden Scotland Weekly? e-mail [email protected]