Garrique Cottage, Stirling

Winter Visitors: Fieldfares and Redwings

2012-02-10T04:23:00.000-08:00

Winter Visitors to Scotland from Scandinavia and Russia: Fieldfares and Redwings feeding on berries.

Goldeneye Duck

2012-01-23T02:58:00.000-08:00

Male Goldeneye displaying.

First day of the Scottish salmon season on the river Tay

2012-01-20T11:28:00.000-08:00

Fishermen mark the first day of the Scottish salmon season on the river Tay in Perthshire

Picture: David Cheskin/PA

Barnacle geese flying over Tantallon Castle, Scotland

2011-12-31T07:23:00.000-08:00

Scottish Barnacle geese over Tantallon Castle, Scotland

Picture: Christian Moullec

Red Squirrel in the snow

2011-12-21T04:33:00.000-08:00

Guardian of the Way - YouTube

2011-12-16T01:15:00.000-08:00

Poem of comfort whispered by the oak leaves, the acorns, the green man ay returning. Words of the poem available at www.artofeverydaywonder.com

Blue Tit in the snow

2011-12-08T04:04:00.000-08:00

A blue tit perches on branch in snow, at the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

Picture: Mark Hamblin / Barcroft Media

Red squirrel

2011-10-25T04:23:00.000-07:00

A red squirrel eats juniper berries in a Scottish forest

Scottish and Celtic Outdoor Sculpture - Stuart Murdoch

2011-10-24T04:53:00.000-07:00

Scottish and Celtic Outdoor Sculpture based in the Scottish Cairngorms - Stuart Murdoch.

Cock Pheasant on slate - See more in the Stuart Murdoch Sculpture gallery.

Scottish Capecaillie exams abandoned Osprey nest

2011-09-21T08:01:00.000-07:00

Scottish Sea Eagles: Young Eagles released into Wild

2011-09-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

Royal Highland cow

2011-09-16T11:53:00.000-07:00

Melissa Sinclair and Matt Auld prepare seven year old Maisie the Highland cow ahead of the International Highland Cattle Show being held at Pollock Country Park in Glasgow

Buying Scottish Whisky Online - Try this!

2011-09-13T06:40:00.000-07:00

NB: We do not endorse or recommend this site but put it here for information only.

As far as we know they are a professional and reputable company.

We do recommend that if you are buying goods online, you should take every precaution to protect your data and money accounts.

Scottish Highlands: Indigenous Wild Cat

2011-08-25T03:49:00.000-07:00

The elusive Highland Tiger, or Scottish Wildcat, is captured on camera in Cairngorms National Park, Scotland.

Nature photographer Peter Cairns, from Kingussie, has been documenting the decline of the Highland Tiger.

Unfortunately, he predicts that unless more people are made aware of this Scottish national icon, its future is decidedly uncertain.

"I think part of the problem is the fact that not many people realise the animal exists; its very rare and elusive," explained Peter, 48. "It's hard for people to relate and care for something that they dont know exists."

Picture: Peter Cairns / Barcroft Media

Scottish ospreys begin perilous journey

2011-08-23T08:37:00.000-07:00

A young, female Scottish osprey, which is being tracked by satellite, has embarked on a celebration zig-zag-tour of the remainder of the mainland UK and a flypast of a number of RSPB nature reserves before heading for Africa for the winter.

Last Wednesday morning (17 August) the three-month old bird, christened 'Tore', was still at its parents' nest at the RSPB Loch Garten reserve, in the Highlands of Scotland.

By Thursday afternoon, the bird completed a flypast of the RSPB's nature reserve at South Stack, on the Welsh island of Anglesey, after passing through Dumfries and Galloway and flying over the Isle of Man.

Perilous Journey across Wales and England
After roosting overnight in North Wales she headed across the industrial Midlands of England and rural East Anglia to the RSPB's Minsmere reserve on the Suffolk coast.

Staff at Minsmere saw an osprey with an attached aerial, proving beyond doubt that it was Tore. The latest update revealed that Tore had skirted around the worst of south-east London and the RSPB's Rainham nature reserve, en route for the British Channel coast near Portsmouth.

The journey of Bynack, Tore's brother, has also been followed using GPS satellite technology. Worryingly he headed from Scotland over the North Sea, heading towards Norway, sparking considerable alarm. However, he has since reappeared near Bruges, in Belgium.

Loch Garten, one of the best Breeding Sites of Scottish Ospreys
The Scottish Osprey's prefer to nest in the tall Scot's Pines, which are found in the more remote and mountainous regions of Scotland. The habitat is not only one of the most picturesque areas in Scotland but it is also home for many other rare creatures and threatened bird life e.g. Pine Martin, Capercaillie, Red Squirrel, Crested Tits, Red deer, Crossbills, etc.

GPS Satellite tracking
Caroline Rance, an osprey information officer at Loch Garten, in Scotland, has been following the reserve's osprey stories. She said: 'Ever since they hatched Tore and Bynack have become stars of the reserve. Visitors to the reserve and the website have been following their fortunes.

'The satellite technology is fantastic, allowing us to follow their travels in detail, but it can cause our hearts to leap into our mouths when these birds do something unexpected like taking a wrong turn.'

The Ospreys are not expected to return to Scotland from Africa until late Spring or early Summer next year (2012). Until that time, and in association with all our migratory birds, they face an uncertain future from predation, habitat loss, human destruction and conflict.

Edinburgh: Jungle City unveiled in Royal Botanic Gardens

2011-08-16T06:33:00.000-07:00

Today saw the launch of Jungle City in Edinburgh’s Royal Botanical Gardens. There’s around 130 life sized animals dotted around the gardens, with some special ones on show in Harvey Nichols at St Andrew Square and inside The Dome on George Street.

The Elephant Family exists to save the endangered Asian elephant from extinction in the wild, along with tigers, orang-utans and all the other animals who share their habitat.

The Botanics are free to enter and the Jungle City is situated around the main paths and trees and easy to spot.

For those that want to learn more about the animals, there is an audio guide available and the £4.50 cost to hire the guide goes direct to the charity. One audio guide is fine per family as it is speaker-based and not through headphones.

The sculptures will remain in the Botanical Gardens for the next few weeks and will then be relocated on the streets of Edinburgh on 6th September. They will then regroup for one final gathering at the National Museum of Scotland, before being sold at auction in aid of the preservation of Asian elephants.

There are 130 sculptures of mother and baby elephants, tigers, hornbills, crocodiles, orangutans and tigers. All have been creatively decorated by artists and celebrities.

Fifty of the sculptures can ‘talk’ and feature voiceovers by a number of celebrities including Andrea Corr, Dame Rula Lenska and Geri Halliwell. You will have the opportunity to use the audio guides to listen to the voices.

The Jungle City concept is the brainchild of Elephant Family founder and conservationist Mark Shand.

The online auction will go live on 22^nd September – please visit www.jungle-city.org for further details
The auction will take place 29^th September at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.

We’ll be bringing you more pictures of our favourites and a full review in due course. When the animals move to the Edinburgh Streets, there will be a map available to track them all down.

Elephant merchandise is available to purchase at the Botanics and Harvey Nichols, with all the profit going direct to the cause.

You can find the Elephant Family and Jungle City on Facebook and follow them on twitter.

Piping Live! & The World Pipe Band Championships, Glasgow - YouTube

2011-08-14T02:47:00.000-07:00

The National Museums of Scotland: Newly Refurbished

2011-07-29T11:55:00.000-07:00

Opening celebrations for National Museum of Scotland from National Museums Scotland on Vimeo.

National Museums of Scotland - Edinburgh

2011-07-29T11:50:00.001-07:00

The opening of the National Museum of Scotland from National Museums Scotland on Vimeo.

Video of Rumbling Bridge Falls - Perthshire

2011-07-09T05:01:00.000-07:00

The Charismatic and endangered Barn Owl

2011-06-17T11:12:00.001-07:00

A male capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) displaying in snow

2011-06-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

A male capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) displaying in snow, Cairngorms National Park.

An increasing rare sight in the Scottish mountains as habitat changes reduce the Capercaillie's.

Scottish Pine marten (Martes martes)

2011-06-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

Pine marten (Martes martes) climbing tree, Cairngorms National Park

Scottish Mountain hare (Lepus timidus)

2011-06-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

Mountain hare (Lepus timidus) in winter pelage, in the snow in the Cairngorms National Park

Scottish wildcat (Felis sylvestris)

2011-06-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

Scottish wildcat (Felis sylvestris) climbing fallen tree in pine forest, Cairngorms National Park.

May 2011: Beautiful Rhododendron Time at the Garrique

2011-05-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

Sheepdog Show with a difference, Aberfoyle

2011-05-18T00:55:00.000-07:00

The Sheepdog Trial with a difference, at Aberfoyle

First the rather elderly star of the show. Don't be decieved by his appearance this is one smart dog.

What has these ducks in such a stramash?

Oh! Now I see!

He and his lovely assistant are herding the ducks and puting them over and through the obstacles

Now the last obstacle. Through the tunnel and heading for the finish line

Carefully! Don't let them split up!

With the final result that all the ducks are contained

White Water Canoeing down the River Etive Scotland

2011-04-06T10:08:00.000-07:00

Redpoll on a frosty morning

2011-03-04T11:48:00.000-08:00

Loch Scridain, Isle of Mull

2011-02-23T09:35:00.000-08:00

Kinnoull Hill, Perth

2011-02-13T10:49:00.000-08:00

Pheasant

2011-02-03T03:46:00.000-08:00

Male Pheasant

Female Pheasant

Scone Palace in Winter

2011-01-27T01:56:00.000-08:00

Whiskey and the Loch Lomond Distillery

2011-01-25T08:15:00.000-08:00

"If you mean whiskey, the devil's brew, the poison scourge, the bloody monster that defiles innocence, dethrones reason, destroys the home, creates misery and poverty, yea, literally takes the bread from the mouths of little children; if you mean that evil drink that topples Christian men and women from the pinnacles of righteous and gracious living into the bottomless pits of degradation, shame, despair, helplessness, and hopelessness, then, my friend, I am opposed to it with every fiber of my being.

However, if by whiskey you mean the oil of conversation, the philosophic wine, the elixir of life, the ale that is consumed when good fellows get together, that puts a song in their hearts and the warm glow of contentment in their eyes; if you mean Christmas cheer, the stimulating sip that puts a little spring in the step of an elderly gentleman on a frosty morning; if you mean that drink that enables man to magnify his joy, and to forget life's great tragedies and heartbreaks and sorrow; if you mean that drink the sale of which pours into our treasuries untold millions of dollars each year, that provides tender care for our little crippled children, our blind, our deaf, our dumb, our pitifully aged and infirm, to build the finest highways, hospitals, universities, and community colleges in this nation, then my friend, I am absolutely, unequivocally in favour of it.

This is my position, and as always, I refuse to be compromised on matters of principle.

(Address to the legislature by a Mississippi state senator, 1958, "Whiskey Speech")

Loch Lomond Distillery Company Limited

Winged Messenger - Feed the Birds

2011-01-25T05:26:00.000-08:00

Hedghog visitor

2011-01-25T05:20:00.000-08:00

Tartan Sheep, ......but is it art

2011-01-20T23:47:00.000-08:00

Stirling Castle: Palace Project Video

2011-01-20T03:13:00.001-08:00

Renaissance heads of Caesar and Henry VIII to return to Stirling Castle

2011-01-20T03:11:00.000-08:00

Painted carvings showing the heads of Henry VIII, Caesar and King James V which were lost when a Scottish castle ceiling was torn down more than 200 years ago have been restored as part of a six-year, £12 million project by the Scottish government’s Historic Scotland campaign.

The oak Stirling Heads, which measure a metre wide each and decorated the ceiling in the Royal Palace of James V at Stirling Castle with the faces of Royalty, ancient heroes and members of the Scottish nobility, were destroyed and scattered across the UK after being removed in 1777.

Thirty-four of the “magnificent” medallions have now been created by Livingston-based master craftsman John Donaldson.

“Carving new versions of the Stirling Heads was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the new ceiling looks absolutely stunning,” he said.

“It’s quite a feeling to have your work included in a project of this scale and importance and which will hopefully be enjoyed by millions of visitors for many decades to come.”

Leith expert Graciela Ainsworth led a specialist art conservation and restoration team in restoring the original colourful look of the heads, painting them after they had been attached to the ceiling.

“There’s nothing quite like the Stirling Heads anywhere in the world, so it is fantastic to be involved,” she said.

“I really love Scottish Renaissance styles, they have a distinctive boldness, strength and raw energy – what Historic Scotland is doing really recaptures the character of the art of the time.”

The original heads were commissioned by James V while the castle was being built, celebrating his marriage to Mary of Guise. Historians believe the building was still under construction when he died at the age of 30 in 1542, leaving the decadent home to his widow and the infant Mary, Queen of Scots.

A special gallery on the upper floor of the palace will show the new heads, ranking the King and his ancestors alongside other European rules of the time and leading historical and mythological figures such as Hercules.

“We’ve been looking forward to this moment for a long time,” said project leader Peter Buchanan.

“The new versions of the heads took five years to carve and since then a great deal of work has been done to create the ceiling and get the painting just right.

“The original ceiling was a masterpiece of Scottish Renaissance art and craftsmanship and our recreation is designed to be just as impressive.
“When people see it for the first time they sometimes just stand and say ‘wow’.”

The building is expected to open in June 2011.

Eddi Reader sings 'Aye Fond Kiss'

2011-01-20T03:07:00.001-08:00

Mhairi Campbell sings 'Auld lang Syne'

2011-01-20T02:57:00.000-08:00

Eva Cassidy Signs 'My Love is like a Red, Red Rose'

2011-01-20T02:49:00.000-08:00

Looking forward to Spring 2011

2011-01-07T05:48:00.000-08:00

A Spring Hare

2011-01-06T10:29:00.001-08:00

Scottish Stags in Winter

2010-12-22T03:52:00.000-08:00

Winter Solstice Eclipse - Stirling

2010-12-21T13:43:00.000-08:00

Views of Ben Ledi in winter

2010-12-21T13:40:00.001-08:00

The Elusive Scottish Wild Cat

2010-12-14T02:14:00.000-08:00

The elusive Scottish Wild Cat is a tough character and one that has endured the worse weather and conditions thrown at it.

Peter Cairns has managed to photograph this shy creature and has a very interesting website called the Highland Tiger which informs the reader about the difficult task of tracking and monitoring this endagered animal.

The wildcat is of great significance to all members of Clan Macpherson, since it is has for centuries been the Crest of the Chief and the emblem used to mark membership of our Macpherson heritage and Clan.

The family motto warns; not to touch the cat without a glove!

Sir William Macpherson of Cluny - 27th Chief of Clan Macpherson

Beautiful Pied Wagtail

2010-12-09T05:19:00.001-08:00

Pied Woodpecker

2010-11-30T00:42:00.000-08:00

The beautiful and inspiring Pied Woodpecker also known as the 'Spotted', for some reason.

A very shy bird and a joy to see at any time but rare to catch sight of it on the ground.

More information about woodpeckers at the RSPB website

A little poem on St Andrew's Day

2010-11-30T00:31:00.000-08:00

A small poem from Scotland's national bard Rabbie Burns - Epistle to J Lapraik, an Old Scottish Bard.

I am nae poet, in a sense;
But just a rhymer like by chance,
An’ hae to learning nae pretence;
Yet, what the matter?
Whene’er my muse does on me glance,
I jingle at her.
…….
Gie me ae spark o’ nature’s fire,
That’s a’ the learning I desire;
Then tho’ I drudge thro’ dub an’ mire
At pleugh or cart,
My muse, tho’ hamely in attire,
May touch the heart.
~~~
If you’re not familiar with the auld Scot's words, here’s a wee bit of help.

This isn’t a translation as such but an explanation of some of the words, and an attempt at a plainer version to help you read it:
nae = no
hae = have
whene’er = whenever
gie = give
ae = one, a single
o’ = of
a’ = all
dub = puddle
hamely = homely

I am no poet, in a sense
But just a rhymer almost by chance
And I have no pretence to learning
Yet, what does that matter?
Whenever my muse glances at me
I jingle at her

Give me one spark of nature’s fire
That’s all the learning I desire
Then though I trudge through mud and puddles
At the plough or cart
My muse, though dressed in a homely, old fashioned style,
May touch the heart.
~~~

Enjoy St Andrew’s Day!

A Black labrador in the snow

2010-11-29T07:24:00.000-08:00

Do labradors like the snnow? I think we can safely say, Yes!

A winter woodland scene

2010-11-29T06:56:00.000-08:00

Edinburgh: A Snow Scene

2010-11-29T06:53:00.001-08:00

A Scottish Snow Scene

2010-11-29T06:49:00.001-08:00

First Snow in Scottish Highlands

2010-11-25T04:11:00.000-08:00

Lest we forget: The War Memorial, Inverary

2010-11-22T12:50:00.000-08:00

The First Winter Robin

2010-11-22T12:47:00.000-08:00

A Kestrel Quietly cruising

2010-11-22T07:45:00.000-08:00

A White Tailed Sea Eagle

2010-11-22T07:42:00.003-08:00

Glencoe lochan: Lord Strathcona

2010-11-10T05:08:00.000-08:00

Autumn trees reflected in Glencoe Lochan, Glencoe, Scotland.

The trees were planted by absentee landlord, Sir Donald Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal

He had the trees planted in 1895 as a gesture for his Canadian wife Isabella, a native North American Indian, so that she would feel at home and not be homesick for her Pacific West Coast homeland

Glen Clova from Ben Tirran

2010-11-08T10:26:00.000-08:00

Glen Clova and surrounding hills covered in early snows

Red Squirrel at rural garden feeder

A Sketch of Edinburgh - David Galletly

2010-11-08T08:17:00.001-08:00

David Galletly

Sketch of Glasgow - David Galletly

2010-11-08T08:16:00.000-08:00

David Galletly

Finches at the Feeder

2010-10-30T07:16:00.000-07:00

Goldfinch

Greenfinch

The Stonechat sitting on a Bramble

2010-10-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

Stonechats are robin sized birds. Males have striking black heads with white around the side of their neck, orange-red breasts and a mottled brown back.

This one is lacking the striking colours and is likely a Female or a yearling. The females lack the male's black head, but have brown backs and an orange tinge to their chests.

Birds are frequently seen flicking their wings while perched, often doing so on the tops of low bushes.

As its name suggests, birds utter a sharp loud call that sound like two stones being tapped together. You can often attract a response from territorial males by tapping 2 stones together to imitate their cry.

They breed in western and southern parts of the UK, but disperse more widely in winter. They eat bugs, invertebrates, seeds and fruit, particularly blackberries as seen from the photograph.

Border Collie Bringing the Sheep Home

2010-10-25T07:46:00.001-07:00

Osprey Fishing on Loch Garten

2010-10-22T09:48:00.000-07:00

Bluebird of Happiness: The Blue Tit

2010-10-15T08:53:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to feed the birds this winter!

Fallow Deer in Autumn

2010-10-12T03:22:00.000-07:00

Autumn colours

2010-10-11T08:12:00.000-07:00

Sun on the burn

2010-10-10T10:32:00.000-07:00

Pictures from the Top of Ben Nevis

2010-09-27T02:52:00.000-07:00

A Victory handstand at the top of Ben Nevis. Well done Derek!

The derelict bothy at the top of Ben Nevis, with many walkers and scramblers picking their way across the ankle-wrecking boulders.

The long and winding road back to base camp in Fort william.

Beautiful day with great visibility and stunning views. It's not always as bright and always check the weather forecast before you start out.

Most of the trail is well maintained but it is still a mountain with precipitous sides and a reputation for catching out the unwary and unprepared.

The Majestic Golden Eagle

2010-09-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

The View from atop Ben Vorlich

2010-09-24T06:13:00.000-07:00

Karen Matheson: Amazing Grace

2010-09-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

Fear a' Bhàta video: Capercaillie sings

2010-09-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

The hauntingly beautiful voice of Karen Matheson singing the song, composed in the late 18th Century by Jane Finlayson of Tong, Isle of Lewis, for a young Isle of Skye fisherman, from Uig, named Donald MacRae.

Fear a' Bhàta , The Boatman.

Oh, my boatman, o hòro éile
Oh, my boatman, o hòro éile
Oh, my boatman, o hòro éile
My farewell and health to you, wherever you go.

Often I gaze from the highest hill
Striving to see the boatman:
Will you come today, or will you come tomorrow?
And if you don't come at all it is wretched that I'll be.

Oh, my boatman ...

My heart is bruised and broken;
Often the tears run from my eyes.
Will you come tonight - or should I even expect you?
Or will I just close the door with a melancholy sigh?

Oh, my boatman ...

It is often that I ask of mariners around
Whether they saw you; are you unharmed?
But every one of them says to me
How foolish I am to have given my love to you.

Oh, my boatman ...

My darling promised me a silken gown;
He promised me that and a tartan plaid of beauty:
A gold ring in which I could see his image,
But I fear that he has now forgotten.

Oh, my boatman ...

Although they said you had no substance
That did not diminish my love for you.
You will be in my dreams at night
And in the morning I will search for you.

Oh, my boatman ...

I dearly loved you, I do not deny,
Not a year's love nor for just a season;
But a love that began when I was a child
And will not wither until death consumes me.

Oh, my boatman ...

My friends and kinfolk often say
That I must spurn my memories of you,
But their advice to me means no more
Than the ebbing and flowing of the sea.

Oh, my boatman ...

I will be forever tearful and dejected
Like a wild swan wounded and broken
Wailing its song of death on some weedy pond -
Left by the others, alone and abandoned.

The Inverinian burn runs under the Trees through Glen Lyon

2010-08-11T10:56:00.000-07:00

A river flowing in Glen Lyon

The Inverinian burn curving round from under a bridge, over rocks.

Stac Pollaidh: A Photo Blog of Scotland

2010-08-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

The views were magnificent, with distant views to the peaks of the very north glistening white in the sun.

The blue of the lochans that were interspersed between peaks like Suilven and Cul Mor, stood out against the barren summer green of the wilderness.

We spotted a small group of stags close by on the hillside, and they seemed happy to graze as we walked by.

It was a great day to be in the hills.

See more marvellous photos of this venture at this site: Photo Blog of Scotland

Views of Glen Lyon and Glen Lochay

2010-08-10T08:24:00.000-07:00

Click on the picture to see more beautiful images taken by Tim Haynes

A Clydesdale Horse at the Stirling Agricultural show

2010-08-08T02:15:00.000-07:00

Wearing a Kilt at the beach

2010-08-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

McGill was a prolific artist, designing more than 12,000 cards over six decades, and selling more than 200 million cards in British seaside towns.

Artist Paul Bartlett - Natural Selection Gallery

2010-08-01T07:54:00.000-07:00

"Contemporary wildlife art by Paul Bartlett. Paul uses ripped pieces of paper and magazine to build intriguing mixed media works depicting the animals and landscapes from his travels at home in Scotland and around the world."

I have been a great fan of Paul's work since first I saw it.

My first sight of Paul's picture collage of a Gannet in profile, was a momentous one and I have loved his work ever since.

I encourage you to browse through the online picture gallery but having done that then seek out his gallery in Fife. You will discover that viewing the pictures in their true setting is even more remarkable.

Translocation - George Logan's Photography

2010-07-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

The Book Cover of George Logan's Translocation, a new photography book that fuses Logan's shots of African wildlife into his dramatic takes of the Scottish countryside. Here we see a Lowland Gorilla set against a bckdrop of Loch Scridain.

The book is on sale to raise funds for endangered species throughout the world and is sponsored by the Born Free Foundation, inspired by the film that told the true story of George and Joy Adamson’s fight to return Elsa the lioness to the wild.

NB: These pictures are an imaginative work of fantasy and none of these animals roam free on the Scottish countryside, unfortunately.

However, I can recommend a visit to the Kincraig Wildlife park near Kingussie, where you will find some wonderful captive wildlife, including Amur or Siberian tiger cubs.

Elephants lumber behind stone Scottish cottages. London-based photographer George Logan has brought the impossible to life in Translocation.

A cheetah races along the shores of a Scottish loch.

In another picture a herd of water buffalo graze among Celtic crosses in a hilltop cemetery in Ardnamurchan.

Two Rhinos looking tentatively through a dry stone dyke, well camoflagued against the stones.

A Lioness lies peacefully sleeping outside a Scottish kirk, beside a sign that indicates "No Dogs allowed"

Flamingos congregate and feed in an outdoor swimming pool. Perhaps the only ones brave enough to do so!

Doune the Rabbit Hole - Festival time

2010-07-30T02:28:00.000-07:00

Doune the rabbit hole is a two day tea party situated in the beautiful countryside surrounding Doune Castle, Stirlingshire. Come sit at our table and let me tell you what treats we have in store.

Expect the tea to be strong; a blend of the finest psychedelic music complimented with a dash of folk brewed to perfection in a big pot of sunshine.

And we mustn’t forget the cakes; indulge yourself in a delicious array of freshly baked delights comprising of poetry, dancing, philosophy, forests, stories, lights, trees, cows, theatre, comedy, dressing up boxes, whisky, games, face-painting, giant mushrooms, rainbows (but no rain), local ale and cider, lovely organic food, and many more surprises to come.

Kelburn Castle and the Graffiti Project: Love it or Hate it?

2010-07-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

If you like Scottish Castles and Graffiti, you will love this gallery. It just shows how sometimes the most unusual combinations can create some stunning results. Welcome to Kelburn Castle in Scotland.

The Idea was simple……To take the vibrant and often transient art form of Brazilian graffiti out of its predominantly urban context and apply it to the ancient and permanent walls of an historic rural castle in Scotland.

The project involved four leading Brazilian graffiti artists from Sao Paulo being employed to cover the entire south façade of the two oldest towers (1200 and 1580) with 1000 cans of spray paint.

It was intended to be controversial and to challenge the established art world and it was successful beyond all expectations. The project involved the artists and organisers living together in the Castle for approximately one month.

It was a project of contrasts and collaboration, that bridged between cultures, rural and urban realms and united two proud and very different countries.

Love it or Hate it? Let us know, leave a comment. To read more about Kelburn castle click on the link - Kelburn Castle

Wild Glencoe - video

2010-07-06T00:47:00.000-07:00

Dream Angus - Barbara Dickson sings

2010-07-04T03:31:00.000-07:00

The Life of a Mute Swan Mother and cygnets

2010-06-25T07:49:00.001-07:00

The Majestic Lady of the Lowes

2010-06-25T05:12:00.000-07:00

Ackergill Tower Castle

2010-06-21T07:08:00.000-07:00

Want to stay in an original Scottish Castle - There are many to choose from. Click on this link to see the choice.

Below you will find a link to Ackergill castle near John o' Groats. It is only a short hop to the Queen Mother's favourite castle, and summer residence, the Castle of Mey.

Ackergill Tower Castle Gallery

Ackergill Tower is a magnificent 15th century Scottish castle with accommodation situated on the very edge of the sea.

Yours exclusively, one of the world's most exclusive retreats in one of the Scotland's most unspoilt locations. A Scottish castle with accommodation offering unrivalled peace and seclusion, a home beyond 5 stars to spend time with the people that matter to you.

No bar, no restaurant, no reception, not an hotel, not a club, just a glorious home for exclusive use. This Scottish castle has 25 luxurious bedrooms to offer, each with its own personality, but all to the same exacting standards.

Some of Scotland's finest fresh seasonal produce from the garden and estate, local scallops, home caught lobster and crab, the tenderest of spring lamb and the northern beef makes the kitchen an exceptional experience.

Click here to download a Brochure in PDF format

Harvest Mouse shelter

2010-06-21T03:55:00.000-07:00

A harvest mouse finds a home in a tennis ball. Conservationists hope the old balls will make perfect houses to boost numbers

Scottish Thistles

2010-06-20T09:22:00.001-07:00

Nessie the Loch Ness monster spotted again!

2010-06-19T10:13:00.000-07:00

....or maybe not!

Clan Gathering Scotland - Panalba: Scotland's World Community

2010-06-13T09:16:00.000-07:00

If you would like to keep up to date on Scottish Heritage and Events check out Panalba

Eilean Donan Castle

2010-06-09T09:01:00.000-07:00

Allan Gourlay from Bothwell took this picture of Eilean Donan Castle, which sits at the meeting point of three sea lochs, in the early evening just before the heavens opened and the rain came down.

Scotish Red Deer Stags

2010-06-03T09:57:00.001-07:00

Lews Castle stornoway

2010-06-01T07:54:00.000-07:00

Lews Castle is reflected at dusk in the harbour at Stornaway on the Hebridian Isle of Lewis.

Long Tailed Tit Family

2010-05-28T03:36:00.000-07:00

Feeding time at Fairburn Ings nature reserve in West Yorkshire. A long-tailed tit feeds her chicks

Panalba - The Magazine for Scottish Patrons at Home and Abroad

2010-05-26T02:38:00.000-07:00

Panalba - The Magazine for Scottish Patrons at Home and Abroad