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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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OUR FIRST EVER GUIDE BOOK HAS ARRIVED 🎉 PRE-ORDER TODAY FOR A FREE GIFT

A guide book like no other, we showcase our curation of the best that Edinburgh has to offer to help you plan your break to the capital. Inside you will find our hand picked list of places to explore, eat, drink, shop and stay as well as enjoy stories, tips and recommendations from none other than the residents and business owners that call Edinburgh home. We also have designed a pull out walking map of the old town that you can follow, where we also highlight the best places to eat and shop along the way.

Dive into this selective compilation for a unique exploration of Scotland's capital. To ensure you receive your free gift, place your pre-order before February 18th at 6pm. Click the link below to secure your copy today.

Tantallon Castle and the 1st Earl of Douglas

Perched high on the cliffs with commanding views over the Firth of Forth is the mighty Tantallon Castle. With its twelve-foot-thick curtain wall and six storey height, this was a castle built to impress and intimidate. Tantallon’s very existence is symbolic of its formidable founder – William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas.

William Douglas was the nephew of Sir James ‘the Black’ Douglas, one of Robert the Bruce’s iconic commanders. His early life was spent in France while the second stage of the Scottish Wars of Independence raged on in his homeland. As a result, much of his Douglas inheritance from his father and illustrious uncle were assumed under the control of his fiery kinsman, William Douglas, the Knight of Liddesdale. Returning to Scotland as a young man in 1348, William quickly set about taking back control of his inheritance and winning the support of traditional Douglas allies. This eventually culminated in William murdering the Knight of Liddesdale in a chance encounter in the Ettrick Forest in 1353.

The Black Douglases were famed for their military prowess, and William was no exception. A skilled warrior and leader in battle, William was committed to driving out the English occupation of Scotland and was a key player in the border warfare that tore the Scottish and English marches apart in the fourteenth century. Beyond Scotland, William’s military services took him to France where he fought in 1356 at the Battle of Poitiers for King John II of France, managing a lucky escape from the French defeat.

In January 1358, William was created Earl of Douglas, an elevation in status that demonstrated his importance and influence within Scotland. In celebration of his new title, he began construction on Tantallon Castle – an impressive residence fit for an earl with the defensive features worthy of a great warrior. This castle was a reflection of Williams’s consistent ambition and capabilities, somewhat squaring up to King David II who resided at nearby Edinburgh Castle. William and David had quite the tumultuous relationship, ranging from William rebelling against the king to supporting him in political ploys against the Stewarts. Tantallon ultimately made William’s presence known in close proximity to the royal heartlands.

Tantallon Castle was the scene of more medieval drama when it became home to William’s sister-in-law in the late 1370s – Margaret Stewart, Countess of Angus. What started as a business arrangement to give William a level of control over Margaret’s inheritance, quickly transpired into something far more interesting when Margaret gave birth to William’s son in 1380. This was a hugely controversial affair – not only was William committing adultery as a married man, but he and Margaret’s relationship was viewed as incestuous through their relation by marriage, even if not by blood. Furthermore, Margaret’s position as a wealthy and widowed heiress placed her high on the Scottish marriage market – she and William’s unconventional relationship can’t have made them popular.

William Douglas died in May 1384. He lived a life of drama and power, dominating Scottish politics and playing an integral role in the warfare that shaped medieval Scotland, England, and France. It is fitting that his impressive career and life can be remembered by his prized home – Tantallon Castle.

Words by Beth Reid and Photography by Simon Hird

Edinburgh Special

To celebrate the launch of our guidebook this weeks weekly wonders are taking straight from the guidebook.

History hangs on Edinburgh like a cloak. Even on a gloomy day, Scotland’s national capital can feel like something from a gilt-edged storybook. It’s a city of taverns and tenements, of steep cobbled streets and ancient hills, of grand townhouses and age-old churches. The whole destination is at once real and unreal: tour guides patrol the pavements just as ghosts flitter in the shadows. That the whole urban scene is topped by a mighty, cliff-perched castle – complete with endless tales of its own – seems only fitting.

Burke and Hare Murder Dolls

Edinburgh

The National Museum of Scotland has no shortage of remarkable exhibits, but few are as strange as this set of tiny dolls in coffins, reportedly found in parkland by two young boys in the 1830s. The overriding theory is that they were created a decade earlier by notorious murderers Burke and Hare, to represent their real-life victims.

The Gardener’s Lodge

Edinburgh

The pretty red-brick cottage in Princes Street Gardens was originally home to the head gardener. Today it remains an unlikely sight in the heart of the city, a bucolic little house ringed by rosebushes. It also featured in the CBeebies series Teacup Travels, as the cottage of Great Aunt Lizzie.

Wojtek the Soldier Bear Memorial

Edinburgh

The unlikely story of a bear named Wojtek – who began his life being purchased as a cub by the roadside in Iran, went on to serve in the Polish army (yes, really), and spent his dotage in Edinburgh Zoo – has been immortalised by a statue in Princes Street Gardens.

SCHLOSS Roxburghe

Originally a country house on the Duke of Roxburghe's estate, the hotel has transitioned into part of the exclusive Destination by Hyatt collection, recently augmenting its historic charm with a 58-room contemporary wing and collection of modern self-catering cottages. Situated near the market town of Kelso and Floors Castle, this hotel serves as an idyllic base for guests eager to explore the rich cultural landmarks and engage in outdoor activities such as cycling and fishing in the surrounding region.

The hotel seamlessly blends traditional Scottish design elements, like tartan carpets and wood-carved mantelpieces in its historical sections, with the modern aesthetics of the new wing, characterised by open spaces and ample natural light. Despite its expansive size and the variety of amenities available—including a top-tier inland golf course and a state-of-the-art spa—the hotel offers numerous tranquil corners for guests seeking relaxation.

At Charlie's restaurant, the culinary experience is elevated with an estate-to-plate ethos, showcasing Scottish bistronomy that emphasises the finest local ingredients and produce from the Scottish Borders. The dining experience is enhanced by contemporary design and panoramic views of the estate's splendid gardens and grounds, ensuring guests enjoy both the flavours and sights of Scotland.

Last few calendars remaining - 20% off today with code SUNDAY (while stocks last)

Kilchurn Castle - Taken by Simon Hird

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