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We’re delighted to be back with a new and improved ‘Hidden Scotland Weekly’. We really hope that you enjoy reading.

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Dun Beag Broch

Isle of Skye

Perched atop a rocky hill in Skye, Dun Beag broch—a striking relic of Scotland's Iron Age—unfurls its tale of an ancient past. This impressively preserved broch tower, with its high, undulating dry-stone walls, evokes an aura of grandeur and defense. Tucked within are relics of past lives— a narrow passage leading to a possible guardroom, a stone stair bearing silent testimony to vanished upper floors, and an enigmatic guard cell. Traces of a lengthy occupation extend even into the Middle Ages, offering intriguing clues of continuous interaction with the site. Dun Beag broch— a uniquely Scottish architectural marvel— stands as a fascinating testament to the social hierarchy of a bygone era.

Clootie Well

Black Isle

Tucked away in the serene woodland of Munlochy, the enigmatic Clootie Well exudes an air of ancient mysticism. This unique site, a vestige of Celtic healing traditions found across Cornwall, Ireland, and Scotland, beckons visitors seeking solace from ailments. Adornments of biodegradable cloots—small pieces of fabric—flutter from nearby trees, each imbued with a wish for wellness as they decay. While the practice is steeped in pagan origins, it seamlessly adapted into the Christian era. Today, despite historical fluctuations in acceptance, this age-old tradition of holistic healing continues to captivate visitors, making the Clootie Well a uniquely intriguing Scottish landmark.

Historic Kilbride

Oban

Situated in tranquil Lerags, Historic Kilbride marks a place of Christian worship dating back to the 6th century. This significant site houses the Church of Saint Bride the Virgin and the graves of Clan MacDougall's Chiefs, interwoven with major Scottish historical events. The non-profit organisation, Friends of Kilbride, maintains and promotes this treasured heritage site, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in a uniquely preserved slice of Scotland's spiritual and cultural past.

The Church Built By A Kelpie

St Vigeans is a small settlement on the edge of Arbroath, believed to have once been an important Pictish centre. The church sits dramatically on top of a small mound, surrounded by graves packed onto the sloping hillside. Even more dramatic, is the story of the church’s construction.

Local folklore claims that the hill is entirely artificial, built on top of thick iron bars that prevent it falling into a loch deep below. The builder of St Vigeans church had captured the bridle of a terrifying Kelpie who lived in that loch. This powerful, shape shifting water-horse would be under his control for as long as he held that bridle.

With the strength of 10 regular horses, the Kelpie was forced to drag heavy blocks of stone into position. Then he built the mound and the church, all against his will. Kelpies are proud creatures though and once finally released, he put a curse on the church. One day a minister would kill himself and on the very next communion, the church would tumble into the loch below.

The story was passed down through the ages, with local people taking pride in their unique legend. Then one day in the late 17^th century, tragedy struck and a minister did tragically kill himself. The congregation of St Vigeans then refused to take communion there for the next 37 years.

Eventually in 1736, somebody was brave enough to take the risk. Just before communion, the entire congregation ran outside to watch from a safe distance, terrified that the church would collapse into a hidden loch.

Fortunately for St Vigeans, nothing out of the ordinary happened and the church still stands well above the ground.

Words by Graeme Johncock, Illustration by Joe Mclaren

Cliffs and Castles in East Lothian

By David Weinczok

Ding doon Tantalloun, Ding doon Tantalloun,

mak a brig to the Bass!

So chanted the soldiers of King James V in 1527 as they battered the walls of Tantallon Castle with every gun and war machine they could muster. Though they pocked the walls with cannon shot and damaged sections of the castle’s vast curtain wall, they ultimately failed. It seemed the rhyme rang true – building a bridge to Bass Rock would be easier than getting in the castle uninvited.

The promontory fortress of Tantallon is a well-known East Lothian landmark, towering upon the cliffs looking upon to the broad mouth of the Firth of Forth. It was one of the mightiest castles in Scotland, a single wall standing 50ft high (though it feels at least twice that from the ramparts) guarding a bustling courtyard filled with the soldiers and servants of the Red Douglases.

The open courtyard, and indeed the top of the castle’s wall, are ideal lookout points for Bass Rock, a vast volcanic plug used as a medieval prison and in modern times by the world’s largest colony Northern gannets some 150,000-strong. Sailings around it and landings on it can be arranged at the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick. Approaching it by boat is an exhilaratingly primal experience that is the closest I have ever felt to being in Jurassic Park.

Not many know of the second castle tucked away just around the corner from Tantallon, Auldhame Castle. An overgrown ruin with tumbledown fragments and a freestanding arch dotted like a trail through the trees and nettles, Auldhame dates from the 16th century. Prolific Scottish historical fiction author and castle expert Nigel Tranter aspired to restore Auldhame and make it his family home, but alas, it did not come to pass. You can learn more about Tranter at the Flag Heritage Centre not too far away in Athelstaneford

Continuing down the track from Auldhame brings you to Seacliff Harbour. A broad sandy beach is a mecca for surfers, but it’s the genuinely epic view across the bay to Tantallon Castle and the sheer, beguiling oddity of the smallest harbour in Britain that make this place worth visiting over and over again.

Cut straight down into the red rocks is a miniscule harbour carved out by Andrew Laidlay in 1890 with just a steam engine and compressed air. It has room for one small boat, and the rare occasion when you catch the boat entering or leaving it makes for incredibly tense viewing as the crew use poles to avoid bumping the sides of the narrow channel. Sit on its edge with your feet dangling over, listen to the waves lap the shore, and cast your eye across the bay to the storybook ruins of Tantallon Castle beyond. This is hidden Scotland at its best.

Tantallon Castle, managed by Historic Environment Scotland, is 3.5 miles east of North Berwick. There is a regular bus service that stops out front of it as well as nearer Seacliff Harbour, and it’s a 15 to 20-minute walk along the road between the two. Conditions are easy-going, though climbing Tantallon’s walls involves many narrow steps. Be careful with the tides at Seacliff as some parts exposed at low tide get cut off as the tide rushes back in.

Barley Bothy

Aberdeenshire

Welcome to Barley Bothy, a unique, upcycled Scottish cabin offering a quirky blend of rustic charm and luxury. This countryside retreat invites you to soak in a hot tub under starry skies, craft pizzas in a wood pellet oven, and snuggle in king-sized box beds with stargazing windows. Experience idyllic bothy life, with unforgettable memories awaiting.

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Loch Venachar Lodges

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs

Nestled on the shores of Loch Venachar in the heart of the Trossachs, Loch Venachar Lodges offer unrivalled, award-winning luxury. Perfect for families, couples, or dog-lovers, these self-catering retreats provide a serene base to explore Scotland's nature, engage in myriad sports, or simply unwind with hot tub views over the magnificent loch.

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ARAN Bakery

Dunkeld

ARAN is an artisan bakery nestled in the heart of Dunkeld, Highland Perthshire. Reviving a 200-year-old previously derelict building, ARAN has transformed this historical site into a vibrant hub. Once a lemonade factory, a dentist's office, and a newsagent, it now serves as a bakery, infusing the high street with inviting aromas. Opening in October 2017, ARAN has consistently met high demand, even expanding into a new production kitchen in 2018 to double its output. Visitors can still observe the baking process in the open kitchen, and enjoy a range of delectable offerings, from breakfast and lunch menus to celebration cakes and patisseries.

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Some more worth a mention

• Killiecrankie House (link)

• Grandtully Hotel (link)

• The Taybank (link)

• Drift (link)

Escape with: Tommy Fitchet

Explore some of Scotland’s most beautiful locations and hidden gems in our Escape With series where we ask people about their connection to a favourite place.

Edinburgh-based landscape artist and Saorsa Art Gallery owner Tommy Fitchet is constantly inspired by the landscapes and seascapes of Scotland in his work, and he is particularly drawn to the west coast and the islands of Arran, Lewis and Skye. As he says: “The weather can change so quickly around the islands and even when it’s kicking up a storm, it can be incredibly and powerfully beautiful.”

Tommy’s abstract paintings capture the dynamic energy of these ever-shifting skies and landscapes. When asked about his favourite place, as he says: “There are many choices!” But, as for most of us, there’s one place that Tommy is always drawn back to; a place that inspires his creativity and one that’s filled with memories of past trips to this dramatic stretch of coastline.

Tell us about your favourite place - where is it?

The one that stays with me and has the warmest memories is on the island of Arran: a stretch of beach and hills between Machrie beach and the series of caves including King’s Cave on the west coast of Arran.

The unspoilt beaches and the smooth, light sandstone rocks here are so beautiful, and this adds to the beautiful light that can make this place so surreal with the sound of the waves and the crystal clear water. It’s what makes this stretch of coast one of my favourites.

Why does this place mean so much to you? And why are you always drawn back there?

I am inspired but the light around the islands and Arran just blew me away with its constantly changing light and stunning sunsets. I love to sit on Machrie beach and sketch and paint, trying to catch the light kissing the sea and the landscape. The whole island is wonderfully beautiful but I am drawn to Machrie as the light is so pure, and there aren’t many buildings on this part of the island so you really feel like you have escaped to somewhere magical.

Do you have a first memory of visiting this place? Or a favourite more recent memory perhaps?

Machrie is one of the first places where I parked my car, took my coffee flask and sandwiches, and just sat on the beach watching the sunset over the island over a couple of hours.

It took me back to my childhood days and the wonderful memories of summer, freedom, embracing nature, and how wonderful and beautiful Scotland is.

Has Machrie changed over the time that you’ve visited?

It has never changed. I am pleased about that and I hope that it stays this way for generations to come. It’s one of the things that I love about places like this in Scotland; these wonders have probably been this way for hundreds, thousands of years, and they will hopefully be like this for thousands of years from now.

How does this place inspire your work?

I remember the light, the sun on my face, the cooling, salty breeze from the sea, and this felt like home to me; something familiar to me. This is what I try to convey in my paintings. I paint from my memories and they appear to me like Polaroids so I can remember the feeling, the light, the ambience of that particular moment, and this part of the island just feels so familiar and a part of me that will never leave. I hope that viewers of my paintings get to experience some of this when they experience my art.

If someone was thinking of visiting Machrie, what’s the one thing they should know?

Take your time, slow down, take a blanket and some food and drink. Let time slow down and take it all in.

What’s the place you’d most like to explore in Scotland, that you haven’t yet?

I have been looking at the Shetland Islands for some time now and in particular Unst. The remoteness of these islands, and the beauty and powerful weather climate and the stunning light, really interests me as an artist.

Tommy Fitchet will be exhibiting work at the Graystone Gallery in Edinburgh’s Leith from Friday 5th May to Saturday 27th May.

Follow Saorsa Art Gallery on Instagram and discover more of Tommy’s work here.

Interviewed by Fiona Reid / Photography by Simon Hird

Bouncing Back in Time: Falkland Palace's Royal Tennis Court

Falkland Palace in Scotland houses the oldest real tennis court in Britain, originally commissioned by King James V in 1538. This unique, open-air court, once favored by Scottish royalty, reflects influences from the French Court, where the sport, originally known as 'paume,' was prevalent. Despite falling out of fashion in Scotland in the mid-1600s and descending into disrepair, the court was revitalized in the 1890s and is now preserved by the National Trust for Scotland. Today, the Falkland Palace Royal Tennis Club keeps the ancient sport alive, hosting games that utilize the court's historical features and remind players of the sport's storied past.

Potfest Scotland: 9, 10 & 11 June 2023 - Potfest Scotland, celebrating its 26th year, invites you to Scone Palace, Perth to meet 90 ceramic artists in large marquees, explore the stunning grounds, interact with the creators, and purchase unique pottery, fostering a vibrant blend of community, artistry, and history.

Sandbanks Brasserie, Broughty Ferry - MasterChef champion Jamie Scott and his wife Kelly launch Sandbanks Brasserie in Broughty Ferry, offering a casual dining experience filled with flavourful dishes made from local produce and the fresh baked goods supplied by their own bakeries, thereby adding a unique, relaxed venue to their successful culinary portfolio.

Campletown Malts Festival: 23-24 May 2023 - Glen Scotia Distillery joyfully hosts the return of the Campbeltown Malts Festival in 2023, offering an abundance of whisky chats, tastings, live music, and local cuisine, all set within a lively courtyard atmosphere, promising conviviality and the finest malts, come rain or shine.

The Tall Ships Races Lerwick 26-29 Jul 2023 11am: Europe’s largest free family festival, will see an impressive fleet of traditional sailing ships crewed by young trainees, traverse from Holland to the UK and Norway before arriving in Shetland on 26th July for a vibrant harbourside event, culminating in a parade of sail on 29th July.

Got an event or newsworthy story? email [email protected]

What’s new on the website

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