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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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We are delighted to say that issue 09 of Hidden Scotland magazine is in the very final stages of production. It's almost time for us to hand wrap and begin dispatching these to our subscribers and those who have already pre-ordered. Incase you didn't know already, all of our pre-orders come with a free gift - an A5 print of the front cover image and a bookmark with photography of the beautiful ponies on the Isle of Rum by Simon Hird.

If you would like to order and receive the free gift then don't worry there is still time. We will be taking pre-orders until 11am on Monday 30th of September (BST). If you are a subscriber to the magazine then you will always automatically get the free gift. If you would like to become a subscriber then you can click here and follow the steps.

You can also now shop our 2025 calendar, which includes a collection of stunning photographs taken across Scotland. We can't wait for you to see our latest Autumn/Winter edition.

Neolithic sites of Scotland

Step back 6,000 years in time. Scotland, or at least what we know today as Scotland, is a land in revolution. The Neolithic period is ushering in a new way of life, with the people of the day shifting from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a less nomadic existence. Trees are being felled to make space for settlements. Land is being tilled. Livestock is being farmed. And monuments – often truly epic, and even in the 21^st century still bound up in mystery – are being fixed into the earth.

Today, many of the stirring remnants of this age remain. They tend to be clustered in coastal spots – most notably the islands of Orkney, which became a hugely important crossroads for seafarers across northern Europe – and while there’s much we’ll never know about the way these sites were used, or even how they were constructed, they stand today precisely where they have done for millennia, oozing intrigue and atmosphere.

From stone circles and burial tombs to ancient monuments and half-buried hamlets, these are places which once rang with life, which witnessed sunsets and sunrises, which gathered families and bound together communities, back in an era that was impossibly remote yet, somehow, still feels within reach. To visit them today is a privilege.

Here are 5 neolithic sites to visiting

Callanish Standing Stones, Lewis

Remaining rooted in the Neolithic, the Callanish Standing Stones are another of Scotland’s impressive prehistoric structures. Dominating the area from their hilltop position, it has been suggested that these were associated with astrological observations some 5,000 years ago. Archaeologists still ponder over how these massive stones were moved. One suggestion is that seaweed from the shoreline was used to slide them into position …

Mousa Broch, Shetland

Recent winner of the World Cup of Brochs, Mousa Broch on the small uninhabited island off Shetland’s east coast, is the best-preserved and most complete example of a broch from anywhere in the world.

Brochs, unique to the north and west of Scotland, were built during the mid-Iron Age, some 2,000 years ago. Archaeologists still debate what they were used for – were they defensive or offensive? Were they homes for high-status chieftains or large agricultural grain stores? Were they roofed or roofless? – nobody knows, and all we can do is guess at their purpose.

Mousa is nonetheless an impressive sight, standing at over 13 metres tall and dominating the narrow confines of Mousa Sound.

Jarlshof, Shetland

A fascinating site encompassing some 5,000 years of human habitation in Shetland, Jarlshof is a complex and awe-inspiring multi-period site at the southernmost tip of Mainland Shetland.

Visitors to the site are guided through each era of human occupation, from the small, individual Neolithic farmstead, through the Iron Age where communities formed and came together under a changing climate, into the Broch era and the later Wheelhouse period. From here, there’s a wholescale change, most visible in the architecture that dramatically departs from the roundhouses of pre-Viking times, with the arrival of Viking and Norse settlers to Scotland’s shores.

Jarlshof offers an almost uninterrupted pattern of habitation and remains one of the best multi- period sites in Europe.

Skara Brae, Orkney

We’re heading back to Neolithic Orkney and the prehistoric village of Skara Brae, which provides a unique glimpse into the daily lives of the first farmers who tilled the earth and set down their roots in the Northern Isles. Like many throughout Scotland’s islands – including Jarlshof – the site was uncovered by a violent storm in the 19th century. This Unesco World Heritage site, set on the picturesque shores of the Bay of Skaill, includes eight stone-built dwellings dating back 5,000 years.

Kilmartin Glen, Argyll

Situated on the west coast of Scotland, between Lochgilphead and Oban, picturesque Kilmartin Glen has a scattering of prehistoric cairns, standing stones, carved rocks, stone circles, forts and castles. The density of sites historically important sites – mostly Neolithic and Bronze Age – is impressive; 350 ancient monuments are found within a six-mile radius of Kilmartin village (150 of which are prehistoric).

Interested in more? We feature an article on Neolithic sites of Scotland in issue 03 of the Hidden Scotland Magazine

Writing by Laurie Goodlad and Ben Lerwill

Mallie & The Trow

Mallie and her children were in trouble. Like many families in Orkney, her husband had been a sailor but this year he had been lost at sea and now they were short on money and food. Forced to beg from her closest neighbours, few had anything to spare apart from the little old lady who lived up the hill. Her cupboards were full, but she still slammed the door in Mallie’s face.

Her oldest son couldn’t understand how somebody could be so cruel! Mallie explained that’s just how some people are, but no matter what happened, they were better than that. They would always help anybody in need.

That evening, a strange-looking little man arrived at Mallie’s door asking for food and shelter. Of course, she had nothing to eat, but there was a warm room and a comfortable chair, so she welcomed him inside. Their guest was insistent though, there must be a few crumbs lying around!

Trying to be as hospitable as possible, Mallie came back with the only food she could offer. The scrapings of flour and sawdust from her meal chest, mixed into a paste with salty water from the empty herring barrel. Her visitor gave it a sniff with a horrified look on his face, but he saw how Mallie and her children ravenously wolfed it down.

In the morning, the strange man said to Mallie “It takes a special kind of person to share the last food you have with a total stranger. I give you my blessing.”

As he disappeared down the road, Mallie realised that had been no ordinary traveller, but one of Orkney’s magical Trows. A blessing was always welcome, but what they really needed was some food in their bellies. Worrying about what to do, she began to gather chunks of peat for the fire, splitting one in half to burn better. All of a sudden, something heavy fell out.

It was a gold coin! She split another, then another and every single block of peat had a coin buried inside. With tears in her eyes and silently thanking the Trow, Mallie rushed to the store and filled up their cupboards with food.

However, the little old lady who had turned them away wasn’t so pleased. Just days ago, Mallie had been begging and now she seemed to be the richest woman in Orkney. Creeping outside the window late that night, the jealous woman discovered where the coins were coming from and decided that she deserved some of that gold.

In an act of spite, she stole all of Mallie’s peat, carting it to her own home and tearing it all open. Instead of gold coins, dozens of hungry mice fell out instead until the old lady’s home was overrun. They descended on her pantry, devouring every bit of food that she had hoarded. Now it was her turn to go begging.

Ashamed, she confessed her actions to Mallie, expecting to be turned away as a fitting revenge. To her surprise, she was welcomed instead. No matter who it was or what they had done, Mallie kept that promise to her son, refusing to ignore somebody in need.

Words by Graeme Johncock

Around Scotland with Graeme Johncock

Graeme Johncock, the travel blogger and storyteller behind Scotland's Stories, is now bringing his adventures to us in a weekly column. He will journal about his explorations around Scotland, sharing fascinating stories and highlighting unique places to visit. Accompanied by his dog Molly, Graeme continues to uncover and share the rich history and beauty of Scotland.

After last week’s trip to Angus, my next adventure took me north into Aberdeenshire, otherwise known as Castle Country. Every time I make that journey, I try to avoid the main coastal road and instead, head over the Cairn o Mount.

This route through the mountains has been used for centuries by armies, kings and everyday travellers. Aside from the history, the views over the countryside on a clear day are outstanding!

There were a lot of castles on our list to tick off and the first we came to was the beautiful Crathes Castle. Built in the late 1500s by the Burnetts, it stayed in the same family for almost 400 years! Like most Scottish castles, Crathes has a resident ghost – The Green Lady.

Always spotted in the same room, she would walk silently across the floorboards, carrying a baby, before disappearing into the fireplace. I worked at Crathes while at university and while I never saw the ghost, I fully believed the older guides who all had their own spooky encounter to tell.

Of course, no trip to Crathes is complete without heading across the road to the Hidden Scotland shop to pick up a souvenir or two. Then, we skirted quickly around the outside of nearby Drum Castle, admiring the gargantuan 700-year-old tower. Home to the chief of Clan Irvine for centuries, it was gifted to the National Trust for Scotland in the 20th century.

Travelling through the picturesque Aberdeenshire countryside can be like navigating a rabbit warren of narrow roads with historical monuments around every corner. Not all of them are castles though and my favourite is the Maiden Stone.

This 1300-year-old carved Pictish Stone is said to be a girl tricked into making a deal with the Devil. When a handsome stranger wagered that he could build a road to the top of nearby Bennachie before she finished baking her bannocks, it seemed like an easy win.

When the stranger’s identity and imminent victory became clear, the girl prayed to God that she would rather be turned to stone than taken to Hell. She got her wish, just as the Devil grabbed her shoulder, which explains the chunk missing from the stone!

After navigating our way through another maze of roads, we arrived at our last stop of the day - Castle Fraser. This is one of the most impressive tower houses in this packed region. Dating back to the 1400s, the castle is packed with stories of the Fraser lairds who lived here and since it was only gifted to the National Trust in 1976, still has the feeling of a comfortable home. I’d be more than happy to move right in!

Written by Graeme Johncock

The Treehouses at Lanrick

The Treehouses at Lanrick offer an eco-friendly retreat on the banks of the River Teith in Perthshire. These five luxury treehouses, built with locally sourced timber, provide a peaceful escape within private woodland just a short drive from the Trossachs National Park. Each treehouse is uniquely designed and fully equipped for self-catering, with features such as wood-burning stoves, outdoor baths, and treetop terraces. Guests can explore nearby hiking and biking trails, enjoy fishing, or unwind in the woodland sauna, available free of charge and featuring a cool plunge pool for cold water immersion.

The Vennel Steps by Simon Hird

Have you got your 2025 calendar yet?
^{Pre-order today - Dispatch early October.}

We are delighted to be back with our wall calendar for 2025. Enjoy a selection of stunning photography that captures some of Scotland's best bits throughout the year.

The A3 landscape wall calendar is printed on a beautiful matt art paper stock that makes the images really stand out. The landscape layout allows for an A4 image on one side, which can be utilised as a print afterwards.

As well as a square for each day for you to add those all important events and special dates you have coming up in the new year. There is also a notes section for any additional information you need to jot down for that month. Pre-Order Now

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