Here are some interesting images of a classic tour of Scotland.

Firstly, here is Glasgow and the Clyde taken from atop the Science Centre Tower-a great view when the visibility is right.

Piper at Blair Castle, Perthshire
Blair Castle. Very well managed and conveniently situated on the main A9 tourist route. Here is based Britain's only private army, the Atholl Highlanders which owes allegiance to the Duke of Atholl.

Fishing on the River Tay in Perthshire.

Cawdor Castle near Inverness. This has loose connections with the Thane of Cawdor (Shakespeare's Macbeth).

Garden at Cawdor. Very vibrant in early summer.

Maze at Cawdor
Glenfarg community garden-small but perfectly formed!
This is Balmoral, a private home of the British royal family. Only the gardens are open to the public during April-July.



More colorful gardens at Balmoral
View of Balmoral

View of River Dee near Balmoral in the Highlands

East Coast fishing village-great for photos and artists.


Here is the famous Old Course at St. Andrews, home of golf

Here are some views of Stirling Castle. I think this is one of the best in Scotland. Lots of interesting architecture reflecting history as a royal palace.


View from Stirling Castle looking towards the Wallace Monument and the Ochills.

Scottish Parliament building. Very controversial design. Explore inside and out and make your own judgement.

National Gallery, Edinburgh. Designed by William Playfair 1845

View of Princes Street, Edinburgh with Calton Hill in the background.

Linlithgow Palace. Close connection s with Scottish royalty including Mary Queen of Scots.Now a ruin.

Here is the outer gate.


The Great Hall
Gallery with Great Hall to the right.


Glenkinchie Distillery. This is conveniently located to the south of Edinburgh. Tours take about 1 hour and are good value.

Labels: Scotland tour

posted by Nigel Cole @ 11:50 AM  0 comments

This evening I have gathered a few images of the famous Old Course at St. Andrews. This is the home of golf which has played in the locality since the 15th century.The building in the centre-left of the first image is the Royal & Ancient Golf Club.


Here is an image of play in progress on the Old Course. This is a public course and not owned by the club. Local residents enjoy rights to play.

View from the Royal & Ancient

Contact Catswhiskerstours for a golfing vacation

Labels: st andrews

posted by Nigel Cole @ 10:37 AM  0 comments

Here are a couple of images of a very pretty East Neuk fishing village which is very popular with artists and photographers. There is an historic harbour ringed by quaint cottages with red pantiled roofs. It remains a 'live' fishing village and it is possible to purchase lobster and fresh crab at the harbour. Well worth a visit-but don't forget the camera.

Contact Catswhiskerstours for a tour of East Neuk and St Andrews.

Labels: Easst Neuk

posted by Nigel Cole @ 10:21 AM  0 comments

This afternoon I am presenting images of a Glen Lyon tour. This drive is something of a 'hidden gem' being relatively quiet and tucked away in the Central Highlands. This route is at its best in springtime/early summer but can be slow going owing to narrow, single track road. A good tour is to commence at Fortingall and then drive through the Glen over Ben Lawers to Killin with its famous falls. Great for photos.





Contact Catswhiskerstours for a guided tour of Scotland

Labels: perthshire

posted by Nigel Cole @ 10:05 AM  0 comments

This evening I am marshalling some images of historic Paisley Abbey

Paisley Abbey was founded in 1163 by Walter Fitzalan who became High Steward of Scotland. The original priory subsequently became an abbey which was dedicated to St.Mary, St James, St.Martin and St.Milburga. William Wallace of 'Braveheart' fame may have been educated at Paisley Abbey in the 13th century.

Marjory Bruce, daughter of Robert the Bruce died in the Abbey infirmary in 1326 but her unborn son, Robert survived and became the first of the Stewart dynasty from which the British royal family is descended.

The Abbey sits in the center of the historic textile town and is well worth a visit.

Labels: Paisley

posted by Nigel Cole @ 10:13 AM  0 comments

Today, I am presenting an image of the Dupplin Cross which is located in St Serf's Church, Dunning.

The church dates to the 13th century but there is a suggestion of a much earlier church on the site.

The Cross once stood in an open field near to nearby Forteviot (itself once the ancient capital of Scotland) and is an incredibly well preserved condition considering its exposure to the elements for over 1000 years.

The Cross dates from the 9th century and is heavily ornamented. It is believed that the main figure represented to be that of King Constantine, a Pictish king ( c 789-820 AD).

St Serf's Church is now a museum in which the Dupplin Cross is located.





Contact catswhiskerstours to tour Scotland and explore it's heritage and history.

Labels: Dupplin Cross

posted by Nigel Cole @ 9:57 AM  0 comments

This afternoon I have collated some images of a previous re-enactment tour.

Housesteads (Vercovicium) was originally built to house a 1000 strong cohort, possibly Tungrians. The fort is substantial, covering 5 acres ( 2.02 ha) and measures 367 by 610ft (112 by 186 m). It was one of 12 permanent forts added to the new frontier by Hadrian in about AD 124.

Here are a couple of marchers with an eminent archaeologist who happened to be visiting at the same time.


Here is image of a local, Housesteads tour guide in full flow.


Hypocaust system (under floor heating)
General view of the fort which sits atop a hill/escarpment upon which Hadrian's Wall is built.

Here are images of some visiting re-enactment soldiers.


Housesteads is a must for visitors to Hadrian's Wall. Access is via an uphill walk which takes about 10 minutes.

Labels: Hadrian's wall

posted by Nigel Cole @ 7:09 AM  0 comments

Today, I have collated some images of Fortingall, Perthshire.

This is a fascinating (quaint?) village with a history as a Christian centre dating back to around the 7th century. The name is first recorded as Forterkil derived from fortair (a stronghold) and cill ( a cell or church). However the valley has probably been inhabited for some 5000 years.

This celtic cross marks the small burial ground set aside in 1902 for the family of Sir Donald Currie.



Here is an image of the Fortingall yew, reputedly one of the oldest living organisms in Europe, and now a shadow if its former self, but still alive! In the background is the church which was rebuilt 1901-2.


Here is a standing stone dating from around 2000BC

Here is an image of the village which is set in a beautiful Highland Perthshire location.

Contact Catswhiskerstours for more information on a range of tour possibilities in Scotland

Labels: perthshire

posted by Nigel Cole @ 4:03 AM  0 comments