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We’re excited to bring you another edition of ‘Hidden Scotland Weekly’. As always, we hope you enjoy reading and find inspiration for your next adventure.

Enjoy this week’s edition, and have a fantastic Sunday!

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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.

The Grumpy Glaistig of Dunollie Castle

There has been a fortress guarding the crossing towards Kerrera where Dunollie Castle now stands for at least 1300 years. Long before Oban became a modern gateway to the isles, the old Kings ruled over Lorne from here.

Clan MacDougall would go on to control much of Argyll from Dunollie Castle until their conflict with Robert the Bruce serious reduced their power. They would eventually abandon the old tower to ruin for a comfortable mansion nearby. The MacDougalls weren’t the only inhabitants of this castle though, it was also home to a Glaistig.

These supernatural creatures could be dangerously vicious or incredibly useful, a blessing or a curse for your family. Fortunately, this Glaistig wasn’t badly affected by the violence that Dunollie had experienced in the past, it was usually a quiet, hard-working presence. She arrived every evening at dusk and spent the night sweeping and cleaning the castle.

The Glaistig of Dunollie Castle could be a grumpy and fickle being though. To make sure everybody knew she wasn't happy about something, she would sprinkle dust in the family meal. She had a good sense of humour, since the only person she always left alone was the castle's fool.

When the MacDougall's left the castle for their more modern abode in the 18th century, sightings appear to have stopped. It seems like it was one decision too far for the moody Glaistig and she disappeared for good.

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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.

February is usually a quiet time in Scotland. The festivities of Hogmanay and Burns Night are a distant memory, now it’s time to coorie in and hide away from the bad weather. However, my month couldn’t have been more different!

The first big trip of the month took me to Angus, a region that’s tragically overlooked by many visitors to Scotland. It stretches right from the Cairngorms to the coast, with plenty of castles, waterfalls, history and beauty throughout.

I began in the mountains, heading up Glen Esk with a stop at the incredible wee folk museum there. It’s packed with stories of real people from the glen and there’s always something new that jumps out at me.

The goal of the journey was at the very end of the road, where a short walk leads past the towering Invermark Castle to the ruins of St Drostan’s on Loch Lee. There’s something very special about that spot, it’s one of my favourite quiet places where history seems to envelop you.

I spent three days in Angus in total, with peaceful walks alongside the Rocks of Solitude followed by the roar of the crashing Reekie Linn waterfall. Arbroath was the final destination, home to a medieval abbey of extreme national significance. This was where the Declaration of Arbroath was written in 1320.

That was a letter from the Barons of Scotland to the Pope, strongly declaring their nation’s independence and demanding help to end the war with England. It’s often called the greatest piece of medieval prose and it had the desired effect. Of course, I had to feast on the traditional smoked haddock known as the Arbroath Smokie while I was there!

My other big trip of February saw me on the opposite side of the country, taking on four islands in four days!

Just a five minute drive from Oban, then a five minute ferry, took me to Kerrera. This tiny island is in full view of the busy west coast town, but few people make the effort to visit. It’s a world away from the hustle and bustle and with no visitor cars allowed, it’s a great place to walk.

The next day took me to Lismore, a longer ferry ride but almost equally overlooked. It was once one of the most important religious sites in Scotland, established by St Moluag and at the heart of busy shipping lanes. In one day I managed to hike to an Iron Age broch, explore the Cathedral of Argyll, climb into a ruined castle on the coast and visit the Gaelic heritage centre.

I was heading to more familiar territory next with a journey to Mull. It’s the second largest of the Inner Hebrides, with a lot to offer, but I was going castle hunting! Duart and Aros are both a short trip from the ferry terminal, but Moy Castle took me way down to the south of the island.

The last day of this epic trip took me to the holy island of Iona. I’d been to the abbey lots before, so I put my walking boots on and trekked past the Bay At The Back Of The Ocean and out to St Columba’s Bay. This is where the saint first landed on island in 563AD and I can’t believe it took so long to see it for myself.

After around 17km of walking around the island, I was glad there was no more adventuring to do the next day! If that’s how busy the “quiet” month has been, I’m almost scared to see what March brings!

Written by Graeme Johncock Greame has recently written a book called ‘Scotland's Stories by Graeme Johncock’ Grab a copy here.

Spotlight: Scott Monument, Edinburgh

It’s almost impossible to imagine a modern-day equivalent to this totemic tribute to Sir Walter Scott. The great novelist was so revered by the Edinburgh luminaries of the 1830s that they gathered the necessary funds to erect a 200-foot-high monument in his honour, its decorative pinnacle spearing into the sky above Princes Street Gardens. Is there a writer alive today who could expect a similar shrine? The thought’s a faintly ludicrous one, but it says much about the solemnity and ambition that makes this Victorian Gothic memorial so fascinating. And don’t forget that the monument sits just a couple of minutes from Waverley Station, named after one of Scott’s most famous works.    

The centrepiece of the structure is a vast statue of the man himself, carved from a single piece of Carrara marble weighing 30 tons and showing the writer seated next to his favourite dog, a crossbreed deerhound named Maida. Elsewhere on the monument, more than 60 characters from his novels are also portrayed in statue form. The overall design took inspiration from the medieval might of Melrose Abbey and was one of more than 50 plans submitted for consideration. Tragically, the winning architect – self-taught gothic maestro George Meikle Kemp – died before seeing his project reach completion. His 10-year-old son Thomas is said to have laid the topmost stone when the memorial was finished in the autumn of 1844.   

When it’s open to visitors, the monument affords spectacular views over Edinburgh from its third-floor viewing platform, and also shares enlightening information about the life and works of Scott himself. And although the monument remains the world’s second largest memorial to a writer – after a Havana tower dedicated to Cuba’s Jose Marti – Scott is actually buried in Dryburgh Abbey, in the Borders.

For more amazing things to see in Edinburgh check out our Best of Edinburgh Guidebook, available now.

March Events

Glasgow Short Film Festival
When - 19th - 23rd March
Where - Glasgow Film Theatre, Centre For Contemporary Arts & Civic House
Price - £3 - £12

Uncover Scotland’s emerging filmmaking talent at Glasgow Short Film Festival. The competition comprises of international and national categories to emphasise current movements in cinema and significant works. A special curated programme comprised of parties and live performances alongside screenings and learning events seeks to boast fun and a multitude of creative voices.

More info

StAnza: Scotland’s International Poetry Festival
When - 14th - 16th March
Where - Various Venues, St. Andrews
Price - Free - £20, booking required

Set in the historic town of St. Andrews, this year’s StAnza festival explores sensory and emotional feeling as it’s point of departure encouraging you to “make, to touch and to see poems in new ways”. This stacked programme of events includes writing workshops, visual poetry, zine making, multi sensory exhibitions, intimate one-to-one performances and much more.

More info

A Sky Full Of Kites - Thomas Bowser
When - 12th March, 7.30pm
Where - University of Stirling
Price - £10

Thomas Bowser, author of the book published in 2021 titled A Sky Full Of Kites, will deliver a talk at the University of Stirling produced by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Bowser will be discussing the rewilding successes the Agarty Red Kite Project, his family’s efforts in making their farm in Perthshire a safe haven for the reintroduced birds.

More info

Braemar Mountain Festival
When - 6th - 9th March
Where - Various Venues, Braemar
Price - Free - £90

Adventure awaits you at Braemar Mountain Festival! All new events for 2025 include mountain weather forecasting, wild swimming, mountain biking and stargazing. A series of events from guided walks to guest speakers to ceilidhs invites you to celebrate life in mountains this spring. The mountains are calling!

More info

Isle of Canna - By Simon Hird

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