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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.

Culzean Castle & The Laird Of Co’s Rescue

Sitting elegantly on the Ayrshire coast, Culzean Castle doesn’t look like your typical Scottish fortress. The castle was designed in the 18th Century but it absorbed an older towerhouse full of history into its walls. While Culzean might be grand and luxurious above ground, the real stories come from the dark and mysterious and caves underneath.

These caverns give us an abundance of legends. They’re said to contain ghosts and demons as well as an entrance to the fairy kingdom. The caves were such animportant feature that the Kennedy family living in the castle above became known as the Lairds of Co’.

The wildest legend comes from the 16th century when a small boy, carrying a little wooden mug approached the castle gate. The Laird of Co’ himself happenedto be outside and the boy begged him for some ale to help his sick mother. The laird was a kind man and had no hesitation in sending the child to his chief servant for a full mug of ale out of his personal store.

There was a barrel already open, so the servant started to pour ale into the mug. The barrel got emptier and emptier, but the mug never seemed close to being full. When the barrel was dry, the boy insisted he was promised a full mug and it certainly wasn’t full yet. The servant knew about the fairies below the castle, and it was obvious some sort of magic was at play here. He was loathed to open a new barrel and lose that as well. However, the laird insisted that he must stick to his word even if it took all the ale in Culzean’s cellar. To the servant’s surprise, one drop from the new cask and the mug was full.

That would have been an interesting anecdote but luckily the story doesn’t end there. When the Laird of Co’ was fighting a war in Flanders he had the misfortune of being captured and sentenced to death. His prison was an impenetrable dungeon and the days passed slowly with no sign of rescue for the honourable man. The night before his execution, the laird was thinking of Culzean and his mind wandered to that peculiar day with the mysterious child who asked for his help.

At that very moment, the door to his cell swung open and in walked the little boy. It had been years since they met but the lad hadn’t aged a day. The laird knew then that this was one of the fairies who inhabited the caves below his home. His rescuer grinned and commanded, “Laird of Co’, rise and go.” He followed the fairy boy out of the dungeon, hopped onto his back as instructed and was quickly flown back to his home at Culzean.

Before the fairy boy disappeared back to his home in the caves, the laird asked him why he had travelled all the way to Flanders to rescue him. The fairy replied that every good turn deserves another and the noble laird had cared enough to help even his poor, old mother.

Words by Beth Reid and Photography by Simon Hird

Scotland’s Top Filming Locations

Scotland is, unsurprisingly, a popular place to use as a filming location, and you’ll likely have seen it featured in some of your favourite films and tv series over the years. Here are some of our favourites.

OUTLANDER

Outlander is the incredibly gripping story of Claire and Jamie Fraser, set in a Scotland that’s caught in the grip of Jacobite uprisings. Locations are found throughout Scotland, particularly around the Central Belt, where the fictional Lallybroch Castle, the Frasers’ ancestral home, is set at Midhope Castle on the Hopetoun Estate between South Queensferry and Linlithgow.

Locations around Scotland include lochs, glens and castles, including Glen Coe, Culross, Highland Folk Museum, Doune Castle (as Leoch Castle), Hopetoun House, Pollok Country Park, Stirling University, and many, many more.

SHETLAND

Shetland is a TV crime drama based on the gripping books by author Ann Cleeves. In the show, now in its seventh season, viewers follow Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez on a crime-solving journey as he tries to solve island murders. Much of the show is filmed in Shetland, and the filming locations are all over the island, including; Lerwick and the Lodberrie – home of Jimmy Perez; Hillswick and Eshaness, the beaches of the South Mainland and several buildings, including the Police Station, Ferry Terminal, Sumburgh Head Lighthouse, Shetland Catch factory, and many more.

HARRY POTTER

Who hasn’t been swept away by the magic of the Harry Potter series and the films based on the books by award-winning author J K Rowling. Much of the filming was done in Scotland, and some of the most iconic locations include the Glenfinnan Viaduct near Fort William, where we see the train to Hogwarts and the picturesque Glencoe, which acts as the backdrop to where Hagrid’s Hut is set. Other showstopping locations include Loch Shiel, Rannoch Moor and Loch Etive and Glen.

For those who want to enjoy the Hogwarts steam train experience, the Jacobite Express runs tours over the viaduct throughout the summer months.

BRAVEHEART

It would be negligent to omit the patriotic – if historically dubious – tribute to the famous William Wallace, starring Mel Gibson. Even though much of the film – based in Scotland – was actually filmed in Ireland, there are many familiar locations from Scotland in the hit 1995 film. Many scenic shots were filmed in and around the Highlands, including Glencoe and Loch Leven. Glen Nevis was used as the staging post for the town of ‘Lanark’ – all that remains is the ‘Braveheart Car Park’, perhaps not the most inspiring location, but the surrounding scenery certainly knows how to pack a punch.

THE DA VINCI CODE

Rosslyn Chapel in Edinburgh was the setting for the Chapel in the 2006 hit film The Da Vinci Code.

JAMES BOND’S SKYFALL

For Bond fans, Glencoe and the Lochaber area were used as the backdrop for Bond’s childhood home in the blockbuster film Skyfall. The house itself is in the iconic and much-photographed Glen Etive – one of Scotland’s most scenic roads, flanked by imposing mountains on each side of the impressive glen.

Written By Laurie Goodlad

Meet the Maker: Kirsty Campbell of RYVOAN

RYVOAN, born from a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of the Scottish Cairngorms, embodies the essence of the ever-shifting seasons and landscapes. Each piece of knitwear is crafted to endure the rugged terrain that inspired it, seamlessly blending form and function.

With a commitment to small-scale production and slow design, RYVOAN's founder Kirsty, a graduate of The Glasgow School of Art with a specialisation in Textile Design, launched the brand as a post-graduation endeavour. From an Edinburgh-based studio, every garment is meticulously handmade on a domestic knitting machine, employing traditional techniques and hand-powered skills at every stage of production.

Driven by a passion for trail running and the serene landscapes of Scotland, the maker infuses each creation with the vibrant colours and intricate textures found in nature. RYVOAN's knitwear serves not only as a cosy companion but also as a tangible connection to the wild and wonderful places that inspired it.

Committed to honouring Scotland's rich textile heritage, RYVOAN utilises the softest blends of 100% wool to ensure warmth and comfort in any adventure. With each stitch, RYVOAN weaves a story of craftsmanship, sustainability, and the enduring beauty of the Scottish landscape.

Experience the warmth, comfort and durability of wool with RYVOAN, where every piece is a testament to Kirstys dedication and the rugged landscapes that inspire her.

We’re so excited to announce that for the month of February and into March we’ll be hosting a RYVOAN pop-up at Hidden Scotland Shop where there’ll be a selection of Kirstys incredible pieces available for sale in store and online.

Coral Beach, Isle of Skye - Taken by Simon Hird

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