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!

CAILLEACH and the HUNTER from GLEN NEVIS

Those who travel along the majestic Glen Nevis, through the rocky Nevis Gorge, are rewarded with breathtaking scenery. There are tumbling waterfalls, soaring mountains and maybe even a majestic stag or two. Anybody lucky enough to spot wild deer in the glen should also keep their ears open for strange noises. Glen Nevis is known to be a haunt of the Cailleach.

Read more within issue 08, find out more here.

Battle of Summerdale

After Orkney became part of the Kingdom of Scotland, men from the mainland began to interfere in a crude and ruthless fashion. Things were only ever going to end badly and the Sinclairs were right in the thick of it. The family were split between those based in Caithness, loyal to the King and those in Orkney, loyal to each other.

Eventually, it all came to a head with a large group of Orcadians refusing to pay their taxes and choosing to follow James Sinclair, born and bred in Orkney over the rightful Lord William Sinclair. They stormed the castle in Kirkwall, chasing William across the Pentland Firth to Caithness where he begged for help.

In 1529, an army of 500 men led by the Earl of Caithness sailed to Orkney to put down the rebellion. Shortly after landing, they came across a witch who agreed to give some insight into what lay in store for them. Unravelling two balls of wool, one blue and one red, she let them roll out in front of them. When the red ran out first, the witch declared that whichever side had their blood spilt first would lose the approaching battle.

The Earl had great respect for the supernatural and vowed to kill the first Orcadian they came across. Spotting a teenage boy tending some cattle, the troops rushed to execute him and secure the prophecy. Unfortunately for the Earl, after the murder, one of his men recognised the victim as a Caithness boy who had recently taken refuge in Orkney.

It was a terrible omen and when the Earl’s force finally clashed with the rebels at Summerdale, the witch’s words rang in every man’s ears. The Orcadians annihilated the invaders and killed the Earl, while only a single rebel lost their life and that was after the battle. He had looted one of the richly dressed Caithness men, but when he arrived home his mother thought they were being robbed. She struck him on the head with a rock in a stocking, killing him instantly.

A tragic end to the last battle ever fought on Orcadian soil.

Words by Graeme Johncock

Mel, the founder of WILDHOOD Children's Festival, tells us about the festival's creation, activities, and unique experiences for families in this weeks interview. Located at Tullibole Castle, WILDHOOD offers over 90 activities, emphasising a safe, fun environment for children under 12. This year's carnival theme promises vibrant workshops and live samba bands, making it an event you’ll never forget.

Hi Mel, please introduce yourself and ‘WILDHOOD - A Children’s Festival’ to our readers.

Hello! My name is Mel and WILDHOOD is my baby! I started the festival in 2018. but I’ve actually been running events for 25 years...

Living in Edinburgh in my 20s and 30s, I had a business called The Silver Card, an online membership for young professionals, so organised a lot of member events through this - fashion shows, film previews, speed dating amongst others! I also ran markets (Funk Fair and Urban Market) and wedding shows (Vintage Wedding Show and VEIL) so event organising is very much a passion!

WILDHOOD is a children’s festival, created for families with children aged 12 and under. Based at Tullibole Castle in the heart of Perthshire, our incredible venue is only 45 minutes from Glasgow and Edinburgh, but you’ll feel like you’re miles away from the everyday! With all-inclusive tickets, our mini festival go-ers take the lead and anything they see, they can do! There’s a lot on offer with over 90 activities and adventures- everything from graffiti to stone-carving, circus skills to bushcraft, pedalos (on our very own moat) to archery. This is a really special chance to try brand new experiences, make exciting discoveries, and embrace 'the WILDHOOD way'...

WILDHOOD is a super relaxed and friendly festival - complete family escapism away from screens! It’s all about spending quality time together and creating ever-lasting (if not slightly bonkers) family memories!

We’ve had children say it’s better than Christmas AND better than Disneyland!

You can join us for a day (Sat OR Sun), choose a weekend ticket (Sat AND Sun), or opt for camping to benefit from early arrival on Friday and exclusive evening entertainment, too! No need to worry about FOMO!

What was it that sparked the idea of creating a festival with children and families in mind?

Parenthood! As soon as I became a mum, I realised there wasn’t an awful lot out there festival-wise that really focused on young children. I used to love going to festivals and wanted my son to have a full-on festival experience but lacked confidence to take him as there were too many unknowns! I had worries about crowds, the facilities and the campsites which eventually became daydreams about finding a better way…

All this and then I found Tullibole Castle! It’s a fairytale castle set in Perthshire and it just screamed children’s festival! It’s magical, truly! It has its own moat, maze, ancient woodlands and incredible parkland which doubles up as the loveliest pop-up campsite ever! And so WILDHOOD was born…

It was important to create a safe but fun environment and provide parents with as much information pre-festival as possible so there are no surprises!

Also, I wanted to think of the family-friendly details; healthy, varied feasting options from our street food trucks (or BYO picnic/camping stove) and we’ve even got barrowloads of free bananas for little ones! We also wanted to include thoughtful additions like quiet spaces, posh clean loos, steps up to the facilities so little people can wash their hands. Importantly, we also carefully consider accessibility and work with organisations like PAMIS (promoting a more inclusive society) to ensure WILDHOOD can be truly welcoming for all.

Can you give us a rundown of this year's theme and lineup, is there anything new that you have on offer this year?

This year the theme is Carnival so think an abundance of colour, music and dancing, and we’re very excited about the LIVE samba bands joining us across the weekend! We’ll have flamboyant accessory-making workshops, too. Oh and our resident peacocks are already providing lots of feathered head dress inspiration! We always encourage families to dress up (ideally with upcycled materials) so this year, knowing our big WILDHOOD Family, the creativity will be off the charts!

With 90+ activities and workshops on offer, where do you recommend starting with families who are experiencing the festival for the very first time?

Although a programme is produced, my recommendation is to have no plan! Just rock uo and see where your little ones take you! The festival site is large and there’s always something on around the corner so if a certain activity is busy, just keep on going and you’ll find something else! You can always come back later…

The festival takes place at Tullibole Castle in Kinross, what makes this location so special for such an event?

I’ve touched on this earlier but honestly, this place is so, so special! I first came across Tullibole in 2013 when I helped with marketing the venue for weddings. It was an instant love at first sight moment for me but what makes it even more out of the ordinary are the owners, Rhoderick and Alison (Lord & Lady Moncreiff). They are the most incredibly welcoming, open people and they truly love people enjoying Tullibole and the beautiful grounds. 

There are so many nooks and crannies and at WILDHOOD, a surprise around every one of them! It’s an enormous outdoor playground for the children!

The Camping village sounds like so much fun, what can festival goers expect if they choose to camp?

Posh loos and hot showers - a real standout for a lot of people!! There’s heaps of space too including a playing field for the children to run around in and a communal cooking area (if wanted). It’s a no-car zone for the majority of the weekend so everyone can breathe easy and watch their little people run wild!

For daytrippers do you have any recommendations on where they can stay nearby that are family & dog friendly?

There are so many great places to stay close by and to suit every budget. We’re 5 minutes off the M90 so very centrally located - there’s a lot of accommodation available in Kinross and the surrounding area, all within 5 miles of the festival.

Questions to David, age 9

What is your favourite thing about the Wildhood Festival?

It’s fun, it’s exciting, something to look forward to in the year! Camping with friends is the best and the campfire songs are fun in the wood!

Which activity & workshop are you looking forward to the most?

Pond dipping - I like that. You get a net and you catch water creatures and put them in a little tub and you can see what they are and it’s fun! We found four fish last time!

To find out more click here

Win a Magical Night at the Witchery by the Castle

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, The Witchery by the Castle offers a one-of-a-kind experience that blends 16th-century grandeur with contemporary luxury. To celebrate the launch of the Best of Edinburgh – A Hidden Scotland Guide, we are thrilled to offer a special competition. One lucky winner will receive a one-night stay for two, complete with a dinner that promises to be as memorable as the setting.

Dining at The Witchery is an event in itself. Nestled under the imposing Edinburgh Castle, the restaurant features opulent decor with red leather banquettes, ornate wood paneling, and candlelit ambiance, reminiscent of a gothic romance novel. The menu, a celebration of Scottish produce with a French twist, includes exquisite dishes such as lobster thermidor, sole meuniere, and the signature beef tartare.

Beyond the restaurant, the Witchery’s nine suites exude an air of antique luxury with lavish furnishings and state-of-the-art amenities, ensuring a stay that is both indulgent and comfortable. Noteworthy is the Library Suite, where a hidden bathroom behind a bookcase adds an element of mystery and charm.

How to Enter:

1. Visit https://hiddenscotland.co/win-a-magical-night-at-the-witchery-by-the-castle

2. Share your unique referral URL which will be given to you on social media or e-mail. Each person who signs up using your link will earn you an additional entry and more chance of winning. Please tag @thewitcheryedin and @hiddenscotland on any Instagram stories post so we can view and share.

3. All participants who purchase, or have already purchased our book will receive 10 additional entries. Simply send us your receipt or a photo of the book to [email protected] or our Instagram and we will confirm your bonus entries. To buy the book and discover more click here. The book is also available at Waterstones.

4. Be sure to follow  The Witchery and Hidden Scotland to keep up to date.

Good Luck!

Eilean Shona

Sometimes, the important thing is the calm. To slow down and let your mind rest, to feel your shoulders unknot, to be in a place where all that matters is NOW and THIS and the touch and sound of the outdoors: the clink of lochside pebbles, the scent of the pine forest, the great breath of the wild. Farewell WiFi, farewell emails, farewell electricity. You’re in this world now, not that other world, and the important thing is the calm.

We’ve come to the island of Eilean Shona to be somewhere special. There are plenty of special places in Scotland, but there aren’t many quite like this. On the map, trace your finger into the Highlands until you find Fort William. Then go west for 30 miles – not west as the car drives, but west as the eagle flies, over the peaks of Lochaber, over shimmering Loch Shiel, until you reach the mighty inlets of the coast. Then focus in on the fjord-like channel of Loch Moidart, where amid the sky-high slopes and the wooded foreshore there lies an island. This is the calm. This is Eilean Shona.

It's removed from the rest of the world, and not just by a body of water. There are no cars, no roads, and no pubs. The entire island – two and a half miles long and one and a half miles wide, comprising 600 acres of woodland and 1,500 acres of hill country – holds one house and a scattering of nine self-catering cottages. The idea of coming here to go back to basics isn’t so much encouraged as inevitable. If you’re looking for bright lights and high-rise hotels, look elsewhere. If you’re looking for the kind of getaway where red deer roam the trees and grey herons stalk the shallows – and hang on, was that a pine marten? – you’re in the right place.

Extract from an article in issue 05 of the Hidden Scotland Magazine

To find out more about Eilean Shona and to book click here.

Cullen, Morayshire - Taken by Simon Hird

Did you know we published our first book this year?

Our first ever guidebook is still available from our online shop here, and also some shops including, Toppings and co, Waterstones, WHSmith, Lifestory, Tartan Blanket Co, The Blue Magpie, Typewronger Books, Meander, Royal Botanic Gardens, Beech & Birch and from our shop at Milton of Crathes in Banchory.