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This week’s Hidden Scotland Weekly features one Highland stay that readers keep going back to and a love story set among the trees in Glencoe.

We start at Eagle Brae, where handcrafted log cabins are spaced across a quiet hillside near Glen Strathfarrar. Then on to Glencoe, where Graeme Johncock shares the story behind a small lochan planted with Canadian trees. You’ll also find this week’s quiz.

Elsewhere on the site, we’ve published a wide range of new features for Hidden Scotland Members—articles on the Honours of Scotland and how they were hidden, a new Skye beach Itinerary that leads to whisky and waterfalls, and ten modern places to stay that do things differently.

If you’ve been enjoying Hidden Scotland Weekly, membership gives you access to much more—including every past magazine, our full library of guidebooks, detailed itineraries, new stories added through the week, and a daily quiz. It starts from £3.33 per month and you can join today to explore everything.

And if you’re looking for a Scottish gift, the online shop includes handpicked items from across the country. You can browse some of the most popular ones here:

Thanks again for reading and being part of the Hidden Scotland community.

Jack

What’s in this week’s email.

Now Online: Our Guidebooks to Skye and Edinburgh

Our two most detailed guidebooks—covering the Isle of Skye and Edinburgh—are now available to read online with a Hidden Scotland Membership.

The Isle of Skye Guide is a practical companion to the island’s rugged edges and quiet corners. It covers where to stay, what to see, and how to explore beyond the usual stops. From the sea cliffs of Duirinish to the cafés of Portree and the trails on Raasay, we’ve packed in recommendations for both the well-known and the often-missed.

The Edinburgh Guide offers a hand‑picked route through Scotland’s capital. It includes walking trails, historic sites, independent shops, and places to eat and stay across the city, plus tips for getting out of town when the festival crowds arrive. Alongside the main highlights, we’ve included background, context, and a few quirks that help explain why the city holds its appeal.

Hidden Scotland Members get full digital access to this guide, along with our Edinburgh Guide, every issue of Hidden Scotland Magazine, and all itineraries and new features. Membership starts from £3.33 per month. Join today to read it all.

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Inside Eagle Brae: The Quiet Highland Stay That Keeps Drawing People Back

Set on a hillside above Glen Strathfarrar, Eagle Brae is a collection of handcrafted log cabins where deer wander freely and silence stretches long into the evening. In May, I spent a few days there, surrounded by stillness, wildlife, and a feeling I’ve carried since, wondering when I’ll be back.

I arrived at Eagle Brae in May, as the Highlands started tipping into summer. The hills were full of colour—bracken pushing through, gorse still bright yellow, and barely a cloud in sight. The drive from Inverness was easy enough, the road quiet and gradually more remote as forest and glen took over. After the turn near Struy, the final stretch climbed gently through the trees. Cabins began to appear one by one—broad-roofed, low-slung, built from thick cedar logs that looked like they’d always been there.

I unpacked quickly. Inside, the cabin felt grounding. Long beams stretched across the ceiling, bannisters carved with quiet intricacy, furniture solid enough to lean into. It wasn’t just well made—it felt steady. I walked through slowly, noticing how much had been shaped by hand. When I came back down the stairs, a red deer was standing on the porch. It was close enough to touch, watching me through the glass. My phone was upstairs. After a few minutes, it turned and wandered off towards the pond.

The pond sits beside the reception lodge and, over the next few days, became its own small world. That first afternoon was warm—T-shirt weather, rare for May—and a group of deer had stepped right into the water. They stood chest-deep in the shallows, cooling off, unbothered. Later that evening, well past ten, I saw a pine marten slip along the edge of the path. It was the first I’d ever seen in the wild. They keep to themselves. You don’t often see them. But this felt like the kind of place where you might.

There’s something about Eagle Brae that makes these moments feel expected. The cabins are spaced across the hillside, each tucked between trees and angled towards different views. But the estate feels shaped by more than design. The wildlife doesn’t pass through—it shares the space.

Mike Spencer-Nairn, who built the place with his wife Pawana, was around while I was there. We spoke in the reception bothy. He told me how the logs were brought from British Columbia, and how each cabin had been assembled by hand, locked into place with no nails, just time and precision. He talked about building something that would last—not just physically, but in how it worked with the land. A place that would sit quietly in its surroundings, where the natural setting wouldn’t need to be altered to make it feel like home. He mentioned the short trail up to the hydro weir, where they generate electricity from the burn above the cabins. I followed it the next morning—through larch and birch, past a bench overlooking the glen, then back down the same way. For a moment, the trees thinned just enough to see how far I’d come from the main road.

Back in the cabin, everything felt carefully thought through. There was a basket waiting—soft bread, oatcakes, jam, and a bottle of beer from a nearby brewery. I recognised some of Pawana’s cooking too. She makes the preserves by hand. One morning I poured her elderflower cordial over ice and sat out on the deck, watching deer step between the trees. The air didn’t move. Now and then, I caught the smell of warm cedar or heard the trickle from the burn above. No traffic. No hum. Just the woods.

I didn’t make a plan. Just read. Wrote. Sat outside. Let the day drift.

No single detail stood out. It was the feeling of the place. The steadiness of the cabins, the care in how they were made, the sense that nothing had been rushed.

On my final morning, I walked past the pond again. The ducks had taken it over. The deer had moved further into the trees. I packed slowly, finished the elderflower, and stepped onto the porch where that red deer had stood days before. It already felt distant. I drove out the way I came, past the same trees and that small wooden sign, thinking about when I might return.

To find out more about Eagle Brae, including availability, cabin details, and optional extras, click here.

Words and Photography by Jack Cairney.

Glencoe Lochan – A Canadian Love Letter

Many people view Glencoe as only a place to stop briefly and marvel at the iconic Three Sisters while passing through. They might think that walking here is only for those adventurous hikers heading up to Bidean nam Bian or the Pap of Glencoe. Fortunately, there’s another option. A gentle stroll for all abilities and with a tender love story behind it.

Amidst the landscape of soaring mountains and heather, the serene Glencoe Lochan is a welcome change. If the woodland walk feels a little out of place in this area of the Highlands, then that’s because it is. This entire area was created as a little slice of Canada by Lord Strathcona in the 1890s. 

Born in Forres, Donald Alexander Smith didn’t start off life with a silver spoon in his mouth. His father worked as a saddler, but Donald was lucky enough to benefit from a school education. After being offered an apprenticeship as a lawyer, the young man looked set for an ordinary, respectful life. That was until his uncle, the explorer John Stuart, returned to Scotland from Canada and filled the boy’s head with wild stories of adventure. 

Aged 18, Donald set off across the ocean to make his fortune with the Hudson’s Bay Company. There he met the beautiful, free-spirited Isabella Hardisty. The pair were immediately drawn to each other but there was a problem. Isabella already had a son with another man and Donald wasn’t somebody who would welcome a scandal. In the end, even this figure of respectability couldn’t ignore his heart.

Donald took in Isabella’s son as his own and the couple were soon married with another child of their own. Over the years, he rose through the ranks in the company, becoming incredibly wealthy in the process. He even made a name in politics and from his humble beginnings, Donald was created Baron Strathcona and owner of Glencoe Estate. 

Donald built Glencoe House and moved back to Scotland with his family. The couple loved each other dearly but the new Lady Strathcona loved one thing above all others, her Canadian homeland. Even amongst the majestic beauty of Glencoe, with her husband at her side, she longed to see the trees and lakes of Canada again. 

Donald was crushed to see the love of his life so unhappy in Scotland. Instead of simply moving his family back to Canada, he tried his best to bring Canada to them. In a grand romantic gesture, Lord Strathcona created the beautiful scenery around Glencoe Lochan, planting the area with trees shipped over from British Columbia. 

Sadly, Donald’s efforts were in vain. Even this picturesque landscape wasn’t enough to cure Isabella’s homesickness. Before long the couple left Glencoe, heading back to the Canadian mountains. It may not have been enough to convince Lady Strathcona to stay but today this Canadian love letter is a perfect alternative to the more strenuous routes in the area.

Walkers can take their pick from three routes either around Glencoe Lochan, through the soaring woodland or a steeper path up the hillside.

This story was written by Graeme Johncock, to read more of Graeme’s Articles, stories and itineraries click here.

Interesting news this week in Scotland

Scotland's Hottest Day of 2025 Recorded in Aviemore

Scotland hit its warmest day of 2025 on July 12, reaching 32.2C in Aviemore—the first over 30C since June 2023. This Highland heatwave offered perfect conditions for exploring secluded trails and lochs, showcasing Scotland's variable landscapes and inviting adventures in sunny, untamed wilderness.

Antigonish Highland Games Celebrate 160th Anniversary

The 160th Antigonish Highland Games in Nova Scotia, July 6-13, 2025, featured pipe bands, dances, and athletics like the Keppoch Gathering with free entry. It honors Celtic roots through music and folklore, revealing diaspora ties for a vibrant glimpse into Highland spirit abroad.

New Exhibition: Monkeys - Our Primate Family Opens in Edinburgh

Opened in late June 2025 at the National Museum of Scotland, 'Monkeys: Our Primate Family' features lifelike taxidermy and interactives on endangered primates like gorillas and lemurs. It explores evolution and conservation, linking global history to Edinburgh's cultural heart.

Andy Goldsworthy: Fifty Years Exhibition Set for National Galleries

Opening July 26, 2025, at National Galleries of Scotland, 'Andy Goldsworthy: Fifty Years' displays over 200 works, including natural sculptures and installations. It reflects on time and environment, revealing ephemeral art inspired by Scottish landscapes for profound nature insights.

Monsters of the Deep Exhibition Explores Maritime Myths in Aberdeen

Since May 2025 at Aberdeen Art Gallery, 'Monsters of the Deep' blends sea legends with science via artifacts and interactives, timed for Tall Ships Races. From krakens to deep-sea truths, it unveils coastal heritage and maritime mysteries in historic venues.

Look Out: Perseid Meteor Shower Event Lights Up Cairngorms Next Month

Join the Perseid Meteor Shower celebration August 18, 2025, at Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre in Cairngorms Dark Sky Park. Enjoy a 2-hour guided stargazing session at Skyhide Pavilion with astronomer Sam, spotting up to 100 meteors/hour. Bring blankets/snacks; indoor option available. Donations support the park's astronomy and community vibes.

For more interesting news from across Scotland, visit hiddenscotland.com/news and sign up to the Hidden Scotland Membership to receive news updates from your local area or the regions and topics you're most interested in.

🔒 New Member Articles On the Site

Visiting the Lochbuie Stone Circle on the Isle of Mull
An unmarked prehistoric ring, a rain-soaked glen, and no interpretation boards—just standing stones, wet grass, and the sense that something happened here long ago. Read the full feature now on Hidden Scotland.

How Dunnottar Castle Hid the Honours of Scotland
In 1651, Scotland’s Crown Jewels were smuggled out of Dunnottar Castle under siege. This article follows the route they took—and the quiet acts that helped them survive. Read the full story now.

Barra, Vatersay and a Climb Through Culross
From landing on a beach in the Outer Hebrides to uncovering a lifelike tomb in Fife, this month’s dispatch from Graeme covers big journeys and small details. Read the full update now on Hidden Scotland.

From Angus to Iona: A Busy Month on Both Coasts
Glen Esk, Arbroath, Mull, Iona—Graeme visits two very different sides of Scotland in one month, crossing from the east coast to the Inner Hebrides. Read the full feature now.

Modern Stays, Wild Places: Ten Design-Led Escapes in Scotland
Ten places to stay that do things differently—architect-designed cabins, remote boltholes, and quiet modern homes that pay attention to their setting. Browse the full collection now on Hidden Scotland.

An Evening at The Lovat
On the edge of Loch Ness, The Lovat offers more than a place to stay—thoughtful food, calm rooms, and a slower rhythm. This new feature follows a full visit, from check-in to dessert. Read it now on Hidden Scotland.

Travelling Around Loch Fyne – A 10-Stop Itinerary from Inveraray to Crarae
Graeme’s route around Loch Fyne covers castle ruins, hidden memorials, seafood stops, and quiet museums—reminding us that lochs are best explored slowly, and often away from the main road. Read the full trail now.

This 7‑Mile Skye Beach Trail Leads to Whisky and Waterfalls
Begin at Talisker Bay, end with a dram in Carbost. This new Skye itinerary links sea cliffs, a little-known waterfall, fresh shellfish, and one of Scotland’s most atmospheric distilleries. Explore the full route now.

Whisky, Castles & Pyramids – A 35‑Mile Trail Through Aberdeenshire’s Royal Heartland
From sea cliffs at Dunnottar to a hillside cairn above Balmoral, this new trail weaves together whisky, history, and quiet views. Featuring Crathes Castle, Royal Lochnagar, Ballater, and the Hidden Scotland Shop. Read the full itinerary now.

A Perfect Rainy Day in Edinburgh – A Trail of Books, Whisky & Warmth
From breakfast at Dishoom to a dram at The White Hart Inn, this walking route is built for the kind of day Edinburgh wears best—when the city glows indoors and invites you to slow down. Read the trail now on Hidden Scotland.

For lots more articles, guides, and itineraries like these, we update the site every day for Hidden Scotland Members.

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