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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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Apparition of Arran

There was once a little, old lady called Mary Henderson who had lived her entire life on the Isle of Arran. She may have been small, but she was full of wits and courage. Mary was travelling home late one evening when she realised that the quickest route home was going to take her over a haunted bridge.

Even brave, logical Mary shivered when she thought about crossing in the moonlight. She was stubborn and tired though, so with a determined look the old lady strode towards the river. As she grew closer, an eerie blue light started to shine on the bridge and a cold sweat pricked the back of Mary's neck.

A spectral figure suddenly materialised in front of her. Naturally, Mary was frightened, but she wasn't the kind of person to run away. Taking a deep breath, she called out a greeting to the apparition, refusing to let it see she was afraid. To her surprise, the ghost replied in a friendly way.

As she got closer, it seemed to take a more human form until Mary could see it was a familiar young man. It was Finlay, a lad who had died in an accident a few years ago, during the prime of his life.

Finlay explained that every time he had appeared to somebody, they always ran away before he could speak. He had seen big, burly men crying at the sight of him. Mary was the first person to stand her ground and actually speak to him.

To his shame, just before Finlay had died, he had stolen a plough iron. His tormented soul was unable to rest until it had been returned to its rightful owner. He told Mary where to find it and asked her to leave it outside a certain house. In return, he had knowledge of a host of things yet to come that could benefit her and her family.

Mary would have helped this poor soul even without a reward. The next day, the plough iron was returned, Finlay was finally able to rest and the locals no longer had to worry about the Apparition of Arran. All because a little, old lady was brave enough to stand her ground and ask how she could help.

Words by Graeme Johncock, Photographs by Simon Hird

Tigh An Tobair

Find your peaceful corner of the world at @tigh_an_tobair where the Isle of Skye’s beauty becomes your home.

Tigh An Tobair hosts up to eight guests in a setting that marries contemporary design with spectacular Loch Dunvegan views. Unwind in the hot tub, cosy up by the wood burner, and embrace the natural beauty of Skye from this exceptional hideaway.

Follow them here

Other accommodation options worth a mention this week.

• Stormhouse (link)

• The Dundonald (link)

• Glen Tanar (link)

• Stonechat Bothy (link)

• Ainster House (link)

• Loch Venachar Lodges (link)

• Porteous' Studio (link)

• Eastside (link)

Escape with Alex Feechan

Explore some of Scotland’s most beautiful locations and hidden gems in our Escape With series where we ask people about their connection to a favourite place.

Based in the Scottish Borders and with a shop in Innerleithen, Alex Feechan is the founder of the premium e-commerce business FINDRA, a sustainable and award-winning active lifestyle and outdoor clothing brand for women. 

Taking inspiration from the stunning landscapes of the Borders, FINDRA clothing encapsulates a strong sense of place and is designed to help you find joy in the outdoors. Timeless design that follows the principles of slow fashion, and the use of ethical, natural, and recycled materials, is at the heart of all that FINDRA does.

Some of the best business ideas come when you realise that something is missing, and so it was for Alex. When she couldn’t find sustainable clothing she wanted to wear when out cycling the trails around her home, Alex realised there was a gap in the market and FINDRA was born in 2014 – literally from her kitchen table. Drawing on her twenty-plus years of experience as an international fashion knitwear designer, Alex uses high quality materials to offer women a better quality and more ethical choice of activewear clothing.

And the business continues to evolve: FINDRA recently introduced a coffee and cake cafe to the Innerleithen High Street shop – a revamped building that sits on the site of the town’s former police station - and a welcoming, inclusive event space that offers yoga and Pilates classes, as well as talks and community gatherings.

When asked to choose her favourite place, it’s perhaps no surprise that Alex opted for a beautiful Borders location.  

Tell us about your favourite place - where is it?

It’s the beautiful, tucked-away Loch Eddy in the Scottish Borders. A few years ago, I had seen a photograph of the boathouse at Loch Eddy on Instagram. It looked so peaceful; it really caught my imagination. I looked it up and realised it wasn’t too far from where I live in Innerleithen, so I decided to go on a little adventure and was rewarded with finding this stunning, secluded place.

Why does this place mean so much to you? Why are you always drawn back there?

It’s an unspoilt, hidden gem of a place – you have to know about it to find it. It’s incredibly peaceful and beautiful – it feels almost magical to me. I always feel close to nature, refreshed and revitalised when I go there.

Do you have a first memory of visiting this place? Or a favourite more recent memory perhaps?

Once I had looked up where the boathouse was, I planned a cycle route to Cardrona Forest then on to the Glen Estate. Cycling down the valley, the loch appears in front of you at the foot of the hills and then you spot the boathouse. The first time I saw the view unfolding before me, it took my breath away. And it still does. I try to go several times a year, and have taken small groups of friends and have led a group social bike ride there from the FINDRA shop in Innerleithen. My partner Roddy and my black Labrador Horace joined me on a very special 50th birthday ride there. It’s a lovely place to go with a small group as it feels so intimate and very special.

Has it changed over the time that you’ve visited?

I cycle there around five or six times a year, at different times of the year, and thankfully it remains unchanged and unspoilt. It’s beautiful to see the seasons change. The autumn colours are especially glorious.

How does this place inspire you?

I take inspiration for my designs from nature and the Scottish landscape, and I always feel in awe of nature when I am here. It’s a place where I feel I can forget everyday worries and stress. I forget about my very long to-do list and I can enjoy being in the moment. As a small business owner, balancing work and any other life around it can be tricky, even though it is vital for a healthy mind and body. Being here allows me a bit of mental space – room to breathe.

If someone was thinking of visiting this place, what’s the one thing they should know?

Loch Eddy is part of Glen House Estate; from the main house you have to walk or cycle to the loch. By foot this is a good hour's walk, by bike a little faster. It is possible to drive there, but it's not recommended as it's a very quiet location and not a place for a car. You also have to be aware that there may be fishermen out on the loch, or eating lunch in the boat house, which means you have to adapt to some company!

What’s the place you’d most like to explore in Scotland, that you haven’t yet?

I would love to explore the Scottish Islands, either on foot or as a bike touring trip. Skye, Harris, and Bute are all on my list.

Visit FINDRA shop & café at 83 High Street, Innerleithen EH44 6HD or browse online. Keep up to date on Instagram at @findraclothing.

All photography by Phil Wilkinson / on Instagram @philwilkinsonphoto

Interview By Fiona Reid

Our New 2024 Calendar is here!

We are delighted to be back with our wall calendar for 2024. Enjoy a selection of stunning photography that captures some of Scotland's best bits throughout the year.

The A3 landscape wall calendar is printed on a beautiful matt art paper stock that makes the images really stand out.

The landscape layout allows for an A4 image on one side, which can be utilised as a print afterwards. As well as a square for each day for you to add those all important events and special dates you have coming up in the new year. There is also a notes section for any additional information you need to jot down for that month.

What would you love to see more of in this email? Please rate the email and leave some comments to help us improve each week.

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