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We’re delighted to be back with a new ‘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!

Limited-time offer: Free Christmas gift wrapping! Hurry, this offer is available for one week only.

We are now taking pre-orders for this years Christmas gift wrapping service for the latest issue of Hidden Scotland magazine. As these are individually hand wrapped by our small in house team, we are taking pre-orders to get a head start before dispatching in one weeks time.

With this service you can place your order and we will send it direct to the recipient, just don't forget to add a note at the checkout so they know who its from. Or just have it sent to yourself.

The A5 print and bookmark is back just for this service so if you missed out first time around, now is your chance to get the free gift. The magazine will be gift wrapped by hand in burgundy tissue paper, sealed with gold foil stickers, closed with a reindeer gift card and finished with twine.

This service will be free for the pre-order only (one week) and after this, the gift wrapping option will still be available at the check out but will cost £2.00.

Legends From The Old Man of Storr

The Old Man of Storr is one of Skye's most iconic landmarks and most popular hikes. It’s no surprise that more than one folk story has grown around this uniquely shaped pinnacle of rock.

The most popular legend tells us that Skye was once a land of Giants. These enormous figures roamed the island from the Cuillins to the Quiraing, the sound of their constant fighting filling the air. During one of these regular battles, a particularly large giant was slain on the Trotternish Peninsula.

Abandoned where he fell, the land eventually swallowed up all but this one point, left poking above ground. Some say the Old Man of Storr was the giant’s thumb, while others know it as a slightly more intimate part of his body.

Another folk story attributes the landscape to Skye's mischievous fairies. A local couple once climbed to the top of these hills every single day of their long and happy marriage. As the years passed and the couple grew older, the wife began to struggle with their daily hike.

Her husband refused to break the tradition and when she just couldn’t climb any longer, he carried her on his back. It wasn’t long before the old man wasn’t strong enough anymore, but he still didn’t want to leave his love behind.

The fairies had taken an interest in the strange sight of the couple plodding up the hill daily. When they heard the man wish that his wife was able to go everywhere that he went, they decided to pay him a visit. The fairies agreed to grant his request, all he had to do was carry his partner up the hill one more time on his back.

Once they had reached the top, the devious creatures turned the couple into this huge stone pillar. As promised, the husband would no longer go anywhere without his wife, joined together forever.

The last story relates to a much friendlier creature from Skye. A farmer who lived at the foot of the slope had once saved the life of a kind and honourable Brownie. These small creatures were well sought after, usually helping with chores around the house at night. This farmer didn’t want free labour though and instead, the two became close friends.

Years later, the farmer's wife fell ill and tragically passed away. With a broken heart, the farmer died the very next day leaving the brownie all alone. Devastated at the loss, he decided to honour his friend in a lasting memorial. The brownie carved a rock above their home into the shape of his good friend, creating the Old Man of Storr.

The appearance of this landmark has changed greatly since these stories were first told. So much of the pillar’s rockface has crumbled away that it takes a good imagination to see the shapes that made the legends. Not as many people believe in giants, fairies or brownies anymore, but you can’t deny that there’s something very special about the Old Man of Storr.

Words by Graeme Johncock and Illustration by Jo Mclaren

Narture Sourdough Bakery

Ayr

Settling its artisanal café in Ayr’s Historic Quarter, Narture Sourdough Bakery has always got bread on the brain. Beginning life as an artist collective, their café is now the only place to buy their delicious sourdough, alongside a range of artisanal coffees and loose-leaf teas.

More info

Aeble Cider Shop

Anstruther

Aeble, located in Anstruther, East Neuk of Fife, is Scotland's first cider shop. They offer a diverse range of over 100 ciders from the UK, Europe, and America, along with local beer, natural wines, and provisions. Their knowledgeable staff are eager to assist with cider selection and recommendations.

More info

Braemar Chocolate Shop

Braemar

Very much doing what it says on the tin – and gaining a whole legion of admirers in the process – this award-winning store began life in Shetland and Orkney, before moving to Braemar in 2020. All its chocolates are handmade on the premises: highlights include Speyside whisky truffles, salted caramel pralines, and blueberry and vanilla truffles.

More info

Strathspey Lodge

Strathspey Lodge is a stylish and cosy luxury self catering retreat, located in a peaceful setting within the hamlet of Duthil; near to Aviemore in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. The beautiful detached lodge offers four double bedrooms and a nursery, making it ideal for larger families. Bespoke furniture and artwork adorn the interiors, with stunning views over the Cairngorms the perfect backdrop for a theatrical view while relaxing in the open plan living space, while the wood-burning stove provides gentle heat to create a cosy ambience.

Interested in appearing here? email [email protected]

Issue 07 Article Spotlight - Signs of the Times - Meet traditional signwriter Thomas Payne

“Walk down any typical high street in Scotland today and you will no doubt notice the overwhelming number of signs vying for your attention with their gaudy colours and eye-catching fonts. It wasn’t always this way, however. Photographs of town centres that pre-date the availability of cheaply printed signage depict beautifully painted shops decorated by skilled signwriters who used a limited number of lettering styles and traditional techniques to present basic information about a a building’s occupants…”

The Isle of Rùm - Taken by Simon Hird

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