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

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Bow Fiddle Rock

Portknockie

Dramatically rising from Scotland's wild waters, the Bow Fiddle Rock is a sight that imbues every journey to Portknockie with a cinematic grandeur. Its silhouette, curiously echoing the arc of a violin bow, is a testament to the creative prowess of nature's forces. As an ever-busy aviary, it's an ornithologist’s dream come true, the rocky stage for a spectacle of wings and songs. Immerse yourself in the stories woven by locals, of folklore and moonlit nights, enhancing its allure. Undeniably, Bow Fiddle Rock is not just a geological anomaly but an intoxicatingly beautiful symphony of nature, folklore, and history.

Clachan Bridge

Argyll

Stepping onto Clachan Bridge is akin to crossing into a Scottish fable, where ancient stones speak and the whispers of history linger in the air. Famed as the "Bridge Over the Atlantic", it arches gracefully over the Clachan Sound, connecting the Isle of Seil to mainland Scotland. Crafted by master masons in the 18th century, its stoic structure bears testament to man’s quest to conquer nature's divide. The verdant landscapes it overlooks and the cerulean waters it straddles imbue the journey across with a surreal charm. Clachan Bridge is not just a structure of stone, but a portal into Scotland's fascinating past.

The Innerpeffray Library

Perthshire

Tucked away in the tranquil landscape of rural Perthshire, the Innerpeffray Library is a hidden treasure trove of wisdom and history. As Scotland's first free public lending library, its time-worn shelves hold more than books; they cradle centuries of knowledge, of shared narratives and silent revolutions. Walking its venerable halls, you feel the whisper of countless stories that have passed through the hands of avid learners and scholars. Amidst the scent of aged parchment and the gentle rustle of turning pages, the Innerpeffray Library stands as a living testament to the power of the written word, a beacon of enlightenment in the heartland of Scotland.

The Fairies of Skye

Hundreds of years ago, when Christianity hadn't long spread to Scotland, a priest travelled to Skye to preach and convert the islanders. Skye isn't a small island so after miles of walking, the priest had to stop and sit down for a rest. Driving his walking cane into the soft ground next to him like a fence post, he had some lunch and closed his eyes for a quick nap.

When he opened them again, he was shocked to find himself surrounded by dozens of tiny people! One of them explained that they were the fairy folk of Skye and were delighted there was finally a priest on the island. They had come to repent their sins and ask for forgiveness.

As kind as the priest was, he knew that the fairies had been cast out of heaven by God himself. On top of that, the Bible only referred to salvation for the children of Adam, so this was above his level of expertise. He apologised but it wasn't in his power to forgive them.

Another, older fairy then tried to plead with the priest. Was it not true that one repented sinner was worth more in heaven than a hundred righteous men? Still, the priest refused and exclaimed that there was more chance of his walking cane transforming into a tree than God allowing the fairies back into heaven.

The fairies began to cry and wail as the priest stood up, the sound so terrible that he had to quickly plug fingers in both his ears and ran off with his cane still planted in the ground. He travelled around the island, preaching to the people who lived there before eventually passing back the way he had come.

When he arrived at the spot where he had been greeted by the fairies, he could still hear them crying. That wasn’t nearly as strange as the sight of his cane though. It had grown into a beautiful ash tree.

The priest knew a sign from God when he saw one. He decided there and then that he should dedicate the rest of his life to helping the fairy folk. Setting himself up as a hermit near this miraculous tree, he asked God every day to forgive the fairies. Each day he prayed, he heard the fairies sobbing a little less until eventually, the whole island was silent.

Words by Graeme Johncock, Photographs by Simon Hird

Strathy Bay Pods

Thurso

Perched on the edge of the rugged Scottish coastline, Strathy Bay Pods offer an elevated glamping experience, marrying luxury with the unspoilt beauty of nature. With sweeping views of Strathy Bay and the distant Orkney Isles, each handcrafted pod, built from sustainably-sourced Windermere larch, seamlessly melds into the surrounding landscape. Their robust steel base, cavity wall and rock wool insulation, along with electric heating, ensure a warm haven even in the heart of winter. It's more than a place to stay - it's an invitation to truly immerse in Scotland's wild coastal splendour.

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Mayen Estate

Banffshire

Rooted in the scenic expanse of Banffshire's Rothiemay, Mayen Estate embodies the untouched allure of Scotland. Offering an array of uniquely enchanting holiday experiences, this family-run estate delivers the quintessential Scottish escape, complete with historic self-catering cottages, exhilarating fishing adventures, and 700 acres of captivating landscapes to wander. Seize the day in the flourishing Deveron Valley or find tranquility beneath a blanket of stars — at Mayen Estate, Scotland's natural splendour is yours to discover.

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Some more worth a mention

• Foyers Lodge (link)

• The Dundonald (link)

• An Airigh (link)

• Sweet Donside Cabins (link)

Pillars Of Hercules Organic Farm Shop & Cafe

Fife

An organic café and farm shop, Pillars of Hercules is found just a mile outside of Falkland. Their aim is to create dishes and treats that are grown and harvested organically, without any nasty chemicals or pesticides. Enjoy a coffee in their outdoor café or peruse the variety of items available in the farm shop.

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Some more worth a mention

• Brae at Chapelton (link)

• Mount Cafe (link)

• Made in the Glen (link)

• Five West Café (link)

BAM Glasgow

Bringing vintage charm to Glasgow's South Side, BAM delights with its two-fold delight of artisanal coffee and handpicked vintage treasures. This brainchild of twin sisters offers a relaxed vibe, a hint of nostalgia, and a commitment to sustainability. For the java enthusiast or vintage hunter, it's the ultimate destination.

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Some more worth a mention

• Treen (link)

• Hoos (link)

• Tor Workshop (link)

• Rosemount Market (link)

The Drystone Company: Meet the Drystone Wallers from Perthshire who are Transforming Outdoor Spaces with Traditional Expertise and Contemporary Design

In the serene landscape of Perthshire, Kristie and Luke, the dynamic duo behind The Drystone Company, breathe new life into the age-old craft of drystone walling. Fusing traditional techniques with modern aesthetics, they shape rural landscapes into resilient, sustainable, and visually stunning spaces, all while narrating captivating tales of each project. Here is their story—of not just building walls, but crafting testaments to timeless passion and commitment to the environment.

Hello. Thanks for chatting with us! Take us back to where it all began, tell us a bit about yourselves the company.

Hello, we’re Kristie and Luke, an ex-husband and wife team of drystone wallers working out of Perthshire, Scotland. The Drystone Company began after we moved from Edinburgh in 2018. We both quickly threw ourselves into the outdoors and rural life, and we learned drystone because, very simply, we had a fascination with the structures we saw around us every day. I don’t think either of us planned for it to become a career, but working outdoors and spending time on the land suited us very well, and we have loved building our small business over the last few years.

As a traditional craft, what original techniques are you still using and what is new?

Drystone is what was used to build some of the earliest structures on our planet. North, South, East, West, if there was stone, there was drystone. At its core, it’s a craft that’s all about doing what you can with what you have, and any structure can still be built using only traditional techniques, the very same that were used thousands of years ago. These days, we have access to tools that really help speed up the building process. Big tools, like diggers to clear earth or move stones that weigh many, many tonnes, and small tools like carbide chisels or hammers that make shaping stone quick and precise. No matter the tools that are used, every stone still goes into the wall by hand, each piece of hearting is placed with intent, stones into the wall length ways, one over two and two over one. Just like our ancestors did.

How would you describe your drystone walling style and where do you take inspiration from?

We are keen travellers within Scotland, and have visited so many incredible drystone structures over the years. We have found inspiration in the snecks of a 2000 year old broch, and in the lintel stones of a clearance village, and in the many still standing souterrains around us. There are also many wallers working across the world that are creating incredible drystone, and we are inspired by their work all the time. Our friend Iori in Japan is building beautiful structures, many inspired by Japan’s own wonderful drystone traditions. Our style is informed by the project’s requirements, the stone we’re working with, and the environment in which we are building, but we want a strong wall with great visual balance and flow, and that’s what we are always aiming for.

Talk us through the durability and sustainability of drystone as an outdoor design feature.

Working on the land, and with the land, sustainability has become increasingly important to us. When built properly, drystone can last hundreds of years and that sort of time scale really puts things into perspective in terms of the climate emergency we are facing. We are proud to work within a craft that has unbeatable sustainability credentials. The carbon footprint of drystone is a fraction of that for other building techniques. Our building materials were made

by geological forces millions of years ago and by building without mortar, the large carbon footprint of cement is avoided. The only footprint our work incurs is our travel and, if needed, the transport of stone to site, but to keep our impact to a minimum, we use local stone whenever possible. Dry stone structures also create habitats in their interiors for plants, insects and animals. One small wall in a garden or field, can contain a diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna. Drystone is a sound investment for our clients, but it is an even greater investment in our global future.

To read the rest of the interview click here

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