Scotland - Page 2 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

PagodaSwan · 11-12-2005, 05:38 PM

City of Stirling

Stirling is Scotland's youngest city gaining the status in the summer of 2002. This is Scotland's heritage capital, where the Wars of Independence were fought and won; where, for three centuries, monarchs ruled in regal splendour and where merchants and craftsmen plied their trade below the castle rock.

Nowadays you can literally touch and feel the sense of history and nationhood which is Stirling's trademark, as you meander through the Old Town, enter the spectacular cliff-top castle or sample the town's unique 'living history' events programme.

City of Inverness

Inverness, the capital and principal cross-roads of the Highlands of Scotland, has an enviable location at the head of the Great Glen and on the shores of the Moray Firth.

Bustling, cosmopolitan and attractive capital of the Highlands and Scotland's millennium city - Inverness makes an ideal base for exploring. Highlights include the beautiful River Ness, Eden Court Theatre and the superb Inverness Aquadome.

Granted city status in December 2000, Inverness made a bid to become European Capital of Culture 2008. The city boasts a fine range of facilities and services from night clubs to rail and air links, from car hire to post offices. And, of course, there is a superb selection of accommodation from major hotel chains and private guest houses to welcoming B&Bs, from backpacking hostels to self catering chalets.

You will find that everything you need is within easy walking distance of the city centre where pipers, jugglers and fiddlers provide a welcome distraction from the serious business of holiday shopping!

In and around Inverness, you can also choose from numerous places to visit and things to do. The city is dissected by the charming River Ness, where the Ness Islands demand to be explored, and overlooking the river is Inverness Castle.

Dating from the 1830s, the castle is the setting for the popular Castle Garrison Encounter - which offers you a chance to sign up as a mid-18th century soldier! On the slopes around the castle you will see some fine example of the city's superb floral displays, and nearby in Castle Wynd you will find Inverness Museum and Art Gallery , as well as the Tourist Information Centre.

Contemporary local art is on display in various galleries throughout Inverness, notably at art.tm, on the bank of the River Ness, Castle Gallery on Castle Street, and Riverside Gallery on Bank Street.

Further upstream, it is difficult to miss the angled-architecture of Eden Court Theatre, which is the focal point of cultural life in the Highlands. The theatre always has a fine programme of music, drama, dance and film - in a wide variety of styles and traditions. Traditional Scottish entertainment is on offer at the Spectrum Centre Theatre in the shape of Scottish Showtime, a blend of typical Highland ceilidh and Scottish variety show, with traditional Scottish dancing.

If you head out of town on the A82 (the Fort William road), you pass Bught Park just before you cross the Caledonian Canal. The park is the setting for the annual Highland Games, and other nearby attractions include the Floral Hall, Whin Adventure Park and the Inverness Sports Centre. However, the biggest draw is the Inverness Aquadome which combines numerous water rides and features with a 25 metre pool and various health and leisure facilities.

Other places of interest in and around Inverness include Highland Archive in Inverness Library, a popular facility with those visitors who like to research their family history. While, if you are interested in Scottish tartan and tweed, you might like to visit Hector Russell's Scottish Kiltmaker Visitor Centre, Duncan Chisholm Kiltmaker, or the James Pringle Weavers Woollen Mill. Across the Kessock Bridge, you'll find another very traditional craft on display at Targemaker, North Kessock.

MrPeteLI · 11-12-2005, 06:31 PM

http://community.webshots.com/album/230509604DAcwhc

PagodaSwan · 11-13-2005, 06:02 AM

Historic Buildings

Scotland's built heritage is a rich tapestry which illuminates the nation's history from the earliest times. The thread reaches from prehistoric standing stones to medieval castles and formal great gardens through to Georgian houses, Victorian factories and Second World War defences.

The built heritage is an integral part of the environment in which we live today. Public strength of feeling towards the care of the environment is growing and Historic Scotland will continue working through partnerships to safeguard the built heritage for future generations.

Promoting Understanding

Scotland's built heritage has an important role in promoting a wider understanding and appreciation of Scottish culture, and of the history of the nation. This is particularly important now, with the re-establishment of a Scottish Parliament for the first time in nearly 300 years. Historic Scotland will work with educationalists and others to encourage knowledge of Scotland's built heritage.

Research shows that the tourism industry benefits from the quality of Scotland's natural environment and built heritage. Historic Scotland will conserve properties in its care, encourage increasing numbers of visitors and ensure that they enjoy and benefit from their visit.

Non-renewable Resource

Scotland's built heritage is a non-renewable resource. Development pressures on the built heritage, in both rural and urban areas, are expected to increase and Historic Scotland will give legal protection to monuments of national importance and buildings of special architectural and historic interest.

PagodaSwan · 11-13-2005, 06:04 AM

PagodaSwan · 11-13-2005, 06:06 AM

History of the Tartan

The word 'tartan' is derived from the French 'tiretaine' which described a type of material, not a specific colour or pattern. It is not, as some have tried to claim, of Gaelic derivation; the Gaelic for tartan is, and has always been, 'breacan'.

The earliest tartans were of undyed wool from the indigenous Soay sheep: light brown, dark brown and white. The oldest preserved Scottish tartan is a fragment in these colours known as 'the Falkirk tartan'. It was found buried by the Antonine wall near Falkirk and was used as a stopper in a bottle holding coins dating from the third century AD. The first definitive written reference to tartan is found in the Royal Household accounts for 1538, when three ells of 'Heland tertane' were purchased to be made into trousers for James V.

The most fascinating aspect of the history of tartan is the fact that on several occasions it became a banned substance. In 1746 as part of the suppression following the Jacobite rebellion, tartan was prohibited for nearly 40 years; no males, excepting officers and soldiers, were allowed to wear highland dress or tartan. The penalty for a first offence was six months imprisonment, for a second, the offender could face transportation for a period of seven years.

However, this was not the first time that tartan had been banned. Centuries before the Jacobites women had been forbidden from wearing their traditional 'arisaid' (a tartan plaid covering the head and extending to the ankles). Kirk ministers were concerned that women might be sleeping during the sermon under cover of their plaid. Some towns, such as Aberdeen, banned women from wearing the arisaid in public, lest they be mistaken for "loose women or suspected persons".

The great controversy in the history of tartan is the question of 'clan' tartans. There is no evidence of specific clan tartans prior to the late eighteenth century. People certainly wore tartan, but chose the colour and/or pattern from purely personal preference. Considering the continual clan feuds a clansman would have put himself in some danger moving outside his own territory clad head to foot in an instantly recognisable clan tartan. No contemporary reports of the Battle of Culloden make mention of clan tartans. The normal identifying mark that clans used was the sprig of a plant in their hat. For instance at Culloden the rebels wore white cockades while the loyalists wore red or yellow crosses.

Despite the eighteenth century prohibition, tartan never lost its popularity; indeed many clan chiefs and their families were painted resplendent in tartan attire throughout the prohibition period. It became a symbol of patriotism. In 1822 when George IV visited Edinburgh, Sir Walter Scott persuaded the King, his entourage and all the clan chiefs and their followers to dress in tartan. It fitted perfectly with the romantic movement and exemplified the 'otherness' of the Scots.

The popularity of tartan has never been higher than it is today; and in answer to the vexed question of 'what tartan am I entitled to wear?' - take a tip from our pre-eighteenth century ancestors - whichever one you like best.

PagodaSwan · 11-13-2005, 06:08 AM

Traditional Scottish Dance

Dance is common to all cultures and creatures but the people of Scotland take their dancing up a little more seriously. Dancing in Scotland dates far back and thus has taken on many variations. Each dance, as you'll now learn, has its own background. Whilst there are many diverse dances in Scotland, you'll find four main types of traditional dancing, namely:

Ceilidh
The ceilidh dances are easy to learn and often looks much more difficult than it is. Learning it is no problem because the bands and the fellow dancers are always happy to help beginners to their groups. The Ceilidh dances are very sociable, easy-going and good exercise when the pace gets going. Scottish country dancing is similar to the ceilidh dances but it is often a little more formal, complexed and more well-organized. Once you know the ceilidh dance steps, you can join in anywhere in the world.

Cape Breton Step Dancing
This dance is mainly done solo and is done for pure performance and is done in sessions with Scottish music. Cape Breton step dancing was almost lost in Scotland but it was preserved in Nova Scotia by the Scottish emigrants and has recently started making a comeback in Scotland. It is very similar to the Irish hardshoe dances and they also use the same type of shoes for this dance form.

Scottish Country Dancing
Scottish Country Dancing is mostly a very sociable get-together, although it is often performed, and there are even occasional competitions. This dance form is done in sets, normally of 3, 4 or 5 couples, that arrange either in two lines (men facing ladies) or in a square, and it involves the dancers dancing a series of set formations enough times to bring them back to their opening positions.

Highland Dancing
Highland dancing is usually performed solo by young people, and is a very colorful and lively theme. Many Scots quote that there is no better scenery in Scotland than seeing a young kilted dancer, swaying and turning to the sounds of the traditional Scottish bagpipes. This form of dancing has become a very competitive one, and the levels of standard had gone up immensely.

PagodaSwan · 11-13-2005, 06:12 AM

Castles, Lochs & Whisky

For centuries the inhabitants of Scotland have been building fortifications and strongholds of one kind or another. It wasn't long before magnificent castles sprung up, their glorious towers reaching for the heavens. It seems that anyone who could afford this sort of protection for their families and forces made sure that they had it. It has been estimated that there were once about 3 000 castles Scotland.

Due to its long coastline, plentiful rivers and large inland lakes, the people of Scotland have long been involved in fishing and ship building. Today there are still quite a few fishing hamlets as well as many large cities which have evolved from their prominent positions by strategically important waterways.
Loch Fyne is the longest Loch in Scotland - penetrating over 40 miles inland. There are several fresh-water lochs such as the Loch Ness and Loch Eriboll. Many of the Lochs offer amazing natural beauty and are appreciated for this by tourists and locals alike. Several of the Lochs - such as Loch Lomond have small 'islands' in them which are sometimes inhabited. Truly, the eerie calm waters of Scotland are a sight for the eyes.

Scotland is famous for its whisky and if you've ever tasted it, you'll know why. Taking a Scottish Whisky Trail while you visit Scotland is a definite must see. It is while on these trails that you will learn the truth about using barley, water, yeast and peat to create the distinctive taste, texture, colour and smell of whisky. You will also be treated to some different whiskies and learn all about the different kinds available. Many of them can only be visited by booking in advance and you can do an organized trail or create your own.

Delightful Scottish Whisky Trails

Scotland is famous for its whisky and if you've ever tasted it, you'll know why. Taking a Scottish Whisky Trail while you visit Scotland is a definite must see. It is while on these trails that you will learn the truth about using barley, water, yeast and peat to create the distinctive taste, texture, colour and smell of whisky. You will also be treated toq some different whiskies and learn all about the different kinds available. Many of them can only be visited by booking in advance and you can do an organized trail or create your own. Below is a list of whisky trails & working distilleries in Scotland.

Aberdeen & the Grampian Highlands

There is a long tradition of Scottish Whisky making in the Grampian Highlands - especially in the Spayside area. Here you will find a fabulous Malt Whisky Trail which includes eight different distilleries each with their own special feature as well as a cooperage. The names of the distilleries are as follows:

The Benromach Distillery
The Cardhu Distillery
The Dallas Dhu Distillery
The Glenfiddich Distillery
The Glen Grant Distillery
The Glenlivet Distillery
The Glen Moray Distillery
The Strathisla Distillery

Other Distillaries in the area include:

The Cragganmore Distillery
The Glenfarclas Distillery
The Marcallan Distillery
The Tomintoul-Speyside Distillery
The Tomore Distillery
The Glendronach Distillery
The Tomatin Distillery

Edinburgh and Lothian

In the city of Edinburgh, you can learn all about whisky and see how it is made at the Scottish Whisky Heritage Centre. The centre provides fun and entertainment for the whole family by means of an interactive and informative display. If you'd rather get to the real thing, you will find the Glenkinchie Distillary in the West Lothian.

Lock Lomond

In Loch Lomond you'll only find two distilleries, but both are beautiful and produce many different types of whisky. Inchmurrin and Old Rosdhu were both established in 1965 and are worth a quick visit.

Perthshire

Perthsire has both the smallest and oldest distilleries in Scotland. The trail includes the distilleries in Aberfeldy, Crieff and Pitlochry. As you get a taste for their malts, you will also discover the stories behind the well known Dewar's, Grouse, Bell's and Edradour whiskies. The names of the distilleries to be found in Perth are:

The Glenturret Distillery - the oldest
The Edradour Distillery - the smallest
The Dalwhinnie Distillery
The Blair Athol Distillery
The Dewars or Aberfeldy Distillery

Angus and Dundee

The beautiful amber colour of whisky may well remind you of the calm glens, rolling hills and beautiful beaches of Angus and Dundee. The two go hand in hand quite nicely in this region so if you are in the area, you might well enjoy a visit to one or more of the following distilleries:

The Fettercairn Distillery
The Glencadam Distillery
The Royal Lochnagar Distillery

Highlands

Despite the relative sparseness of the settlements in the highlands, there are a few great distilleries that are accessible to visitors. Here you will find a warm drink in a traditional Scottish setting. Some of the distilleries worth viewing in the highlands are:

The Clynelish Distillery
The Dalmore Distillery
The Glenmorangie Distillery
The Glen Ord Distillery

PagodaSwan · 11-13-2005, 06:12 AM

Isle of Skye

Situated on the Isle of Skye in Carbost, just above the highlands, you'll find the Talisker Distillery. Talisker is open most of the day most days of the week but tours of the distillery planned for the period of December to February should be made in advance by appointment.

Isle of Mull

In Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, you'll find the Tobermory Distillery. This charming old distillery was established in 1798 and is still housed in its original buildings on the edge of the waterfront. The distillery has been somewhat unproductive for short periods of time during its history but was reopened in 1990 and has since been producing both a malt whisky and a blend. The Tobermory Distillery is also sometimes called the Lediag Whisky Distillery and both names are sometimes given to their products.

Argyll

There are two main whisky producing areas in Argyll - Oban and Cambeltown. Cambeltown was at one point in it's history given the label of 'the Whisky Capital of the World' when it had 34 distilleries in operation. Since then, however, things have changed. Today only two distilleries remain in cabeltown - Springbank and Glen Scotia. Cambeltown whisky has a distinctive taste due to the use of peat in it. The Oban distillery is situated in the small fishing hamlet of Oban, directly below McCaig's Tower. It has had a difficult history, but survived all the turmoils with a fine whisky worth tasting.

Glasgow and Clyde Valley

Not too far from Glasgow, you'll find the Glengoyne Distillery. Producing whiskies of a more subtle taste that newcomers find easier to appreciate, the Glengoyne distillery is a great choice for first timers. Nearly 200 years old, this grand distillery is situated in a wooded valley close to a river. These surroundings provide a picturesque setting for the building creating a beautiful environment in which to sample the local whisky.

Orkney

The Highland Park Distillary in Orkney was founded by a smuggler and is one of six Scottish disitillaries which malts is own barley. Visitors to the centre will have the pleasure of learning about and viewing this process. Not too far away, the Scapa Distillary also welcomes visitors.

The Isles of Islay and Jura

The whiskies from this region have a very distinctive taste that does not appeal to all taste buds. This difference comes about as a result of the using of peat in the malt kilns which occurs on a larger scale here than anywhere else. Some love the taste, other hate it while still others learn to love it. Why not find out which category you fit into by sampling some? There is only one distillery in Jura - quite simply named 'The Isle of Jura Distillary'. The Island of Islay has the following distilleries:

The Bowmore Distillery
The Bunnahabhain Distillery
The Caol Ila Distillery
The Lagavulin Distillery
The Laphroaig Distillery

Isle of Arran

The Isle of Arran Distillery is open through most of the day throughout the year though in winter, their opening times may vary. A visit to this little distillery can be somewhat inspirational and afterwards you can enjoy some more of their distinctive flavor at the bar or enjoy a hearty meal at the restaurant. Book in advance if you plan to bring a group.

PagodaSwan · 11-13-2005, 06:14 AM

Fascinating Scottish Castles

For centuries the inhabitants of Scotland have been building fortifications and strongholds of one kind or another. It wasn't long before magnificent castles sprung up, their glorious towers reaching for the heavens. It seems that anyone who could afford this sort of protection for their families and forces made sure that they had it. It has been estimated that there were once about 3 000 castles Scotland.

Of course, these buildings differed in size, condition and purpose, yet they all served a very real purpose. Many of these have disappeared over time and others have become crumbling ruins, but whatever their condition they stand as a silent witness to times gone by. Below is a list of some of the more notable castles that can be seen in Scotland.

Aberdeen