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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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Have a great Sunday!

LAST CHANCE…

Pre-order today and receive the Old Town Walking Map and Edinburgh Post Card Set…

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. Every Pre-Order comes with a Old Town Walking map and Edinburgh Postcard Set - To secure your free gifts pre-order from the link below.

The following is an extract from our latest book - The Best of Edinburgh - to pre-order click here

Greyfriars Bobby - The Most Faithful Dog In The World

The story of Greyfriars Bobby is one of the most loved from Edinburgh’s long history. It’s a heartwarming tale of the most faithful dog in the world.

Bobby was a Skye Terrier that belonged to a local night watchman called John Gray. The pair were inseparable, and the wee dog kept his owner company through all kinds of weather while patrolling the city streets. Even after old John died in 1856 and was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, that close bond continued.

Legend says that Bobby lay down on the grass and refused to leave his master's grave. No matter how many times he was chased out by the caretaker, the faithful dog sneaked back in to take up his post. As the story of Greyfriars Bobby spread, the terrier became a local celebrity.

Crowds began to gather every day to see Bobby and when the 1 O’Clock Gun fired from Edinburgh Castle, he would trot round to a nearby coffee house for lunch. One tradition states this was where he ate with John before his death, while another claims the owner trained the dog to listen out for the gun since it was so good for business!

A new law could have been the end of Greyfriars Bobby when all dogs in Edinburgh were required to be licensed by an owner or destroyed. The Lord Provost himself took care of the paperwork and presented the dog with a collar in 1867.

Bobby remained by his master’s grave for 14 years, well cared for by the people of Edinburgh, until his own time was up. He was buried nearby and even has his own gravestone at the entrance to Greyfriars Kirkyard inscribed with: “Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all.”

Shortly after Bobby died, Lady Burdett-Coutts paid to have the famous drinking fountain built outside the graveyard. It’s become a popular attraction for those who are moved by the story, although the rubbing of Bobby’s nose is inadvertently destroying the monument. Much better just to admire his likeness and ensure it’s around for many more generations to be inspired by the most faithful dog in the world.

Words by Graeme Johncock and Photography by Simon Hird

Aberdeenshire’s Lesser Known Attractions

The Aberdeenshire map is a busy one, dotted with craggy castles, coastal villages, hulking hills, and a whole host of places worthy of your time. Here are 5 lesser known places we recommend visiting.

THE LINN OF QUOICH

The Linn of Quoich ravine plays home to a remarkable natural feature in the form of a large, bowl-shaped cavity next to a narrow waterfall. The Quoich itself is a tributary of the Dee, and the Punchbowl can be incorporated into a rewarding river walk (not to be undertaken in spate).

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BULLERS OF BUCHAN

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.

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BALMORAL CAIRNS

Hike through the Queen’s garden – well, sort of – on a six-mile loop walk from the village of Crathie into the Balmoral Estate. The route passes various cairns erected as memorials to past members of the Royal Family, and the views across the Deeside region are special.

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CORGARFF CASTLE

Standing behind a whitewashed, star-shaped perimeter wall in the Cairngorms National Park is this dramatically isolated medieval towerhouse. Its story is a layered one: originally a private residence, it later became an army base tasked with finding Jacobite supporters and whisky contrabandists.  

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TOMNAVERIE STONE CIRCLE

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.

Learn more

Win a 3 Night Escape to Skye

Located amidst the breathtaking landscape of Scotland’s Isle of Skye, Black h offers a unique blend of modern luxury and natural beauty. Situated against the backdrop of Loch Bracadale and the majestic Cuillin mountains, this architectural masterpiece by Skye and Glasgow based architects Dualchas captures the essence of the island’s rugged charm.

As the winner of our exclusive competition, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy three nights of unparalleled tranquility in this intimate sanctuary for two. Black h is more than just a place to stay; it’s an immersive experience that allows you to disconnect from the chaos of everyday life and reconnect with the simplicity of nature.

Follow @harlosh.co for updates

Pennan - Taken by Simon Hird

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