Hi 👋

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!

NEW - Gift your loved ones a Hidden Scotland Magazine Year Subscription

The Hidden Scotland Magazine gift subscription is now available. We have two options available to purchase. We have also launched our Hidden Scotland Shop gift cards, which can be redeemed via our online shop or our physical shop in Aberdeenshire.

Monday is the last chance to order in time for Christmas (UK only) here are a few suggestions..

• Our Gift Subscription

• Gift Wrapped Hidden Scotland Magazine

• Our A3 Hidden Scotland Calendar

• Hidden Scotland Shop Gift Card

• 50 Shades of Scotland A3 Print

• Caledonian Forest Candle

• Our Book Selection

The Ominous Cu Sith of Tiree

There are few supernatural creatures from Scottish Folklore that can strike instant fear quite like the Cu Sith. These are fairy dogs, the size of a small cow with a dark green, shaggy coat. They silently stalk the Highlands and Islands in the dead of night and their appearance is thought to be a terrible omen.

Thankfully, while the Cu Sith are dangerous beasts, stories of them are rare unless you happen to live on Tiree. If a large, shaggy figure is spotted along the beach towards dusk then the best course of action is always to return home immediately. In the morning, all that usually remains are pawprints the size of dinner plates in the sand.

One old woman gathering driftwood on one of Tiree’s pristine white beaches wasn’t aware of the stories. She heard an unnaturally loud bark in the distance but shaking off the uneasy feeling, continued to fill her basket. On her slow walk home, she passed a neighbour and began to tell her about the strange noise when a second bark, even louder than before, boomed over the island.

Without a thought, the woman’s friend grabbed her arm and dragged her home as fast as possible. Once they were safely inside with the door barred, the flustered woman began to explain. The bark of the Cu Sith was the worst sign of all, a signal that it was coming for you. If you didn’t make it home by the third time you heard the sound, then it was already upon you and there was no means of escape.

Words by Graeme Johncock and Illustration by Jo Mclaren

Bullers of Buchan

Aberdeenshire

Each spring, the cliffs of this collapsed sea cave draw nesting colonies of razorbills, guillemots and – cue squeals of childlike delight – puffins. For walkers, however, it’s a fine place to head at any time of year, with the coves and crags of the coast a joy to explore on foot.

More info

Pennan

Aberdeenshire

Looking out across the wide seas of the Moray Firth, and reached via a narrow road that worms its way down the cliffside, is the seaside village of Pennan. It found fame after appearing on screen in the 1980s BAFTA-winning comedy classic Local Hero, directed by Bill Forsyth.

More info

Tomnaverie Stone Circle

Aberdeenshire

Another recumbent stone circle shrouded in speculation, this sacred spot is set in deep scenery, its stones arranged in a ring around a 4,500-year-old burial cairn. Intriguingly, despite its age, there’s evidence the site was used for burnings as recently as the 1600s.

More info

Bonus Aberdeenshire Facts….

Thomson’s tyres

Travelling on pneumatic tyres – that is, inflated rubber tyres providing a smooth cushion of air – is now taken for granted. But it was only thanks to Stonehaven-born inventor Robert William Thomson, who patented the idea in 1846, that the concept was first trialled. Sadly, the necessary materials weren’t able to be mass-produced, so his invention was largely overlooked until the 1880s, decades after his death.       

Sir David Gill and the Moon

In 1869, Aberdeenshire astronomer David Gill was in his mid-20s, and photography was still at an experimental stage. So when, in that year, the young enthusiast managed to take a close-up photo of the Moon, it set his career and reputation spinning off into the cosmos. These days he’s remembered as a pioneer of astrophotography, and one of Scotland’s greatest astronomers.

Buchan Ness Lighthouse

The red-and-white tower of Buchan Ness Lighthouse, designed by Robert Stevenson in 1827, is more than just a local landmark. It also marks the most easterly point in mainland Scotland (although some claim the title for the nearby former island of Keith Inch – let the debate rage).  

Elvis – Son of Aberdeenshire?

 Hold onto your blue suede shoes. Scottish author Allan Morrison has traced all-American icon Elvis Presley’s family roots back across the Atlantic – to the small Aberdeenshire village of Lonmay.   

Strathy Bay Pods

Enjoy a luxury glamping experience overlooking the beautiful Orkney Islands at Strathy Bay Pods. Ideally located on the NC500 route, each pod is a cosy, Hygge-inspired spot for relaxing after a day of adventure and a great place to spot the dolphin shoals who swim in the nearby sea from the comfort of your room.

Interested in appearing here? email [email protected]

Issue 07 Article Spotlight - Experiencing Scottish traditions through local events

“Scotland might be famous for its spectacular scenery and dramatic history, but there’s much more to enjoy here if you look a little deeper. A rich cultural heritage can be found that goes far beyond haggis and bagpipes, especially for those willing to head off the beaten path…”

Isle of Rum - Taken by Simon Hird

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