http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scotland-blog.html What's New offers you a chance to read updated pages on my website plus unbiased reports on places we visit and comment on issues and news in the tourism industry in Scotland. en-us Scotland Wed, 16 May 2012 15:20:48 GMT Wed, 16 May 2012 15:20:48 GMT scotlandinaweek.com http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scottish-questions.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scottish-questions.html Scottish questions on travel answered here, including Scottish itinerary information, best time to visit Scotland and lots of recommendations. Wed, 16 May 2012 15:20:46 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scrabster-to-Stromness.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scrabster-to-Stromness.html The Scrabster to Stromness in Orkney ferry is probably the most exciting sea voyage in Scotland and a great introduction to these northern islands Thu, 10 May 2012 17:06:36 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scottish-music.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scottish-music.html Scottish music in its traditional form includes both a Gaelic and a Lowland Scots heritage, and a diversity of folk song still current in Scotland today (if you know where to go to hear it) Thu, 10 May 2012 17:02:35 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scottish-highlands-weather.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scottish-highlands-weather.html Don’t worry about Scottish Highlands weather. Just enjoy the drama of it all. In summer, pack suntan cream and waterproofs. Or hope for a settled spell. Thu, 10 May 2012 16:57:34 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scottish-high-tea.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scottish-high-tea.html Scottish high tea - the carbohydrate Olympics. First the big plate of meat pie, fish, chicken, with chips or tatties, then the knock-out blow - an irresistible selection of home-baked fancy pieces. Thu, 10 May 2012 16:56:28 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scottish-food.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scottish-food.html Been talked into serving Scottish food at a Burns Supper or a St Andrew’s Night event? Here are a few suggestions for authentic traditional menus. Thu, 10 May 2012 16:55:00 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scottish-cooking.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scottish-cooking.html Scottish cooking has been influenced by its old European trading links, as well as by its poor, no, I mean, equable climate. And we really do still eat oatmeal and haggis. Sometimes. Thu, 10 May 2012 16:53:59 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-tours-from-Edinburgh.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-tours-from-Edinburgh.html Really worthwhile day trips and Scotland tours from Edinburgh to East Lothian, the Trossachs and Midlothian Thu, 10 May 2012 16:47:38 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scotland-tours-from-Edinburgh-stirling-trossachs.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scotland-tours-from-Edinburgh-stirling-trossachs.html Scotland tours from Edinburgh - Stirling and the Trossachs. A fascinating day out, visiting Stirling Castle and discovering the Trossachs of the Romantics and Sir Walter Scott Thu, 10 May 2012 16:46:36 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-tours-from-Edinburgh-StAndrews.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-tours-from-Edinburgh-StAndrews.html Scotland tours from Edinburgh have to include St Andrews for golf, shopping, heritage - especially the dramatic tale of the siege of St Andrews Castle. Thu, 10 May 2012 16:43:24 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-tours-from-Edinburgh-east-lothian.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-tours-from-Edinburgh-east-lothian.html Scotland tours from Edinburgh - East Lothian. It's easy to reach the sunny shores of East Lothian from Edinburgh. There are castles, beaches, and even an airfield museum with a real Concorde. Thu, 10 May 2012 16:38:45 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-tourism.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-tourism.html Scotland tourism started after things became peaceful and it was mostly in the Trossachs that the Cult of the Picturesque took root. A block-buster poem helped. Thu, 10 May 2012 16:37:21 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scotland-in-The-Fall.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scotland-in-The-Fall.html Scotland in the Fall, or Scotland in autumn as we call it, is worth considering for a visit. But when will the colors or colours will be at their peak? Ah, well, that’s another matter….. Thu, 10 May 2012 16:30:37 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-history.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-history.html The Picts, Scots, Britons, Vikings, Angles sorted themselves out and the Scottish Border was fixed and Scotland history could really start. King David I created burghs - he needed the money Thu, 10 May 2012 16:29:11 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/romantic-hotels.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/romantic-hotels.html Romantic hotels in Scotland are easy to find. We’ve brainstormed a short off-the- top-of-our-heads list. But a romantic destination like Scotland really has a lot of options. Thu, 10 May 2012 16:26:39 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-flag.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-flag.html The Scotland flag or saltire is steeped in legend and is said to have inspired a Pictish leader to victory in battle. Thu, 10 May 2012 14:46:39 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-facts.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-facts.html Some Scotland facts about where it is and how big it is and also the Scottish language. Will you be understood? Thu, 10 May 2012 10:44:28 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-culture.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-culture.html Is there really a Scotland culture? Or is it all just the same from the English Channel to the far north? Yes, the Scots are different, but it’s going to take more than a page to explain it all. Thu, 10 May 2012 10:42:26 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scenery-of-scotland.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scenery-of-scotland.html The scenery of Scotland isn't all 'bens and glens'. There are some beautiful, austere or otherwise different views. And not a bagpiper in sight. Thu, 10 May 2012 10:40:48 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scenery-around-Crianlarich.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scenery-around-Crianlarich.html The scenery around Crianlarich is typical of the Southern Highlands, with lots of big hills all around. Crianlarich itself is a good touring centre. Thu, 10 May 2012 10:27:34 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/romantic-break.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/romantic-break.html Thinking about a romantic break in Scotland? Here are a few suggestions of how to fill your day. No, seriously, there is plenty to see – even the bones of St Valentine are here. Thu, 10 May 2012 10:23:03 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/robert-louis-stevenson.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/robert-louis-stevenson.html Robert Louis Stevenson followed his calling, in spite of family misgivings. Though abroad for much of his adult life, Stevenson's love for his native Scotland shines through in all his writing. Thu, 10 May 2012 10:19:00 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/robert-burns.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/robert-burns.html Amongst poets, Robert Burns holds a unique place in the affection of the Scots. The wonder is that, given the struggle of farming in 18th-century Scotland, he had the energy to write anything at all. Thu, 10 May 2012 10:14:22 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Robert-Burns-Museum.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Robert-Burns-Museum.html The Robert Burns Museum in Alloway, Ayr, makes it on to any list of Scotland must sees because of the insight it gives into the poet’s life. Not only worthwhile, it serves really good haggis as well. Thu, 10 May 2012 10:13:15 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/rob-roy.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/rob-roy.html Rob Roy - the last of his kind in a changing world - the clansman who lived beyond Lowland law, surviving through daring, skill, resourcefulness - and a bit of thieving and racketeering too. Tue, 08 May 2012 20:57:28 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/recipes-from-Scotland.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/recipes-from-Scotland.html Recipes from Scotland usually include Cullen skink, skirlie shortbread, scones - a kind of refined-carb festival. Oh, and hairy tatties as well. As made by my granny. Yes, really. Tue, 08 May 2012 20:54:31 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/places-to-visit-in-Scotland.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/places-to-visit-in-Scotland.html Some suggestions for 'must see' places to visit in Scotland. You'll need more than a week to do all of them! Tue, 08 May 2012 20:46:45 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/parking-in-Edinburgh.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/parking-in-Edinburgh.html Parking in Edinburgh with its punitive parking regime can really take the pleasure out of a visit to Scotland's capital, where the motorist is a cash-cow. Tue, 08 May 2012 20:45:14 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/old-forge-inverie.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/old-forge-inverie.html Sitting outside the Old Forge at Inverie, Knoydart, one summer day, the bay suddenly seemed to fill with dolphins. An unforgettable moment. Tue, 08 May 2012 20:43:57 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/must-sees-in-Edinburgh.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/must-sees-in-Edinburgh.html A first-time visitor with a couple of days for Edinburgh? Here are some must sees in Edinburgh. What else you do depends on your budget and how much history you can take. Tue, 08 May 2012 20:39:17 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/more-castles-of-scotland.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/more-castles-of-scotland.html More Castles of Scotland certainly manage the picturesque and the romantic. Here’s a selection that demands a fully charged battery in your digital camera. Tue, 08 May 2012 07:03:46 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/moray-firth-dolphins.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/moray-firth-dolphins.html (Blog post.) The Moray Firth dolphins are Scotland's most famous dolphin colony. They're also the world's largest bottle-nosed dolphins, thanks to their insulating layer of blubber. They need it here! Tue, 08 May 2012 06:52:07 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/midges-in-scotland.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/midges-in-scotland.html Will midges in Scotland affect your experience of Scotland? Well, possibly, but it's not really a big deal. Nobody ever died from a midge bite. It's a minor nuisance at most.. Tue, 08 May 2012 06:50:56 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/mary-queen-of-scots.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/mary-queen-of-scots.html Mary Queen of Scots still fascinates visitors. Here is some background on the power struggle between Scotland, England and and France into which she was born. Tue, 08 May 2012 06:46:42 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/mary-queen-of-scots-in-scotland.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/mary-queen-of-scots-in-scotland.html Mary Queen of Scots returns from France widowed, eighteen, beautiful and a whole heap of trouble Tue, 08 May 2012 06:42:55 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/kerrera.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/kerrera.html (Blog post) Kerrera seemed like a good idea but was a disappointment. Tue, 08 May 2012 06:40:19 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/How-deep-is-Loch-Lomond.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/How-deep-is-Loch-Lomond.html How deep is Loch Lomond? A question visitors often ask. Not that it really matters, if you were to fall in. It’s the third-deepest loch in Scotland. And it hasn’t got a monster. Tue, 08 May 2012 06:32:23 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/historyofscotland.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/historyofscotland.html There are plenty of accounts of the history of Scotland. I’ve only got a page. Let’s do it by snapshots - Stone Age to Highland Clearances. Plus Bonnie Prince Charlie - who should have stayed away Tue, 08 May 2012 06:30:18 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/cateran-trail.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/cateran-trail.html Scotland's only circular long-distance footpath, the Cateran Trail offers great walking in Perthshire in the footsteps of the cattle raiders of old Tue, 08 May 2012 06:24:02 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/castlesofscotland.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/castlesofscotland.html The castles of Scotland range from scanty ruins to sumptuous stately homes and they tell the story of Scotland’s warlike past. And I’m sorry that sounds like I’m writing a brochure. Thu, 03 May 2012 15:17:17 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/battle-of-bannockburn.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/battle-of-bannockburn.html The 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn isn't all that far away. But why didn't King Robert choose a more scenic battle site? Thu, 03 May 2012 15:04:09 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Balquhidder-and-Kirkton-Glen.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Balquhidder-and-Kirkton-Glen.html Balquhidder and Kirkton Glen offer a fine afternoon's hike and possibly a glimpse of the local ghost - a Highlander and his dog! Thu, 03 May 2012 08:37:17 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/bonnie-prince-charlie.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/bonnie-prince-charlie.html Bonnie Prince Charlie, the ‘Young Pretender’, was basically fitted out by France to create trouble up north. Brought up to believe in the justice of his cause, Charles was happy to oblige. Thu, 03 May 2012 08:33:41 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/country-cottage-in-Scotland.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/country-cottage-in-Scotland.html Be assured; if you’re looking for that romantic country cottage in Scotland for a self-catering break, then such places really exist. Just remember to check if they have a dishwasher. Thu, 03 May 2012 08:32:39 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Galloway-touring.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Galloway-touring.html Galloway touring is like how car touring used to be. Just tootling about on back roads; a Scottish serendipity. Pass the thermos flask, dear, I feel a roadside picnic coming on. Tue, 01 May 2012 18:50:27 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/facts-about-scotland.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/facts-about-scotland.html Some of these facts about Scotland are well known, others are a little obscure. And one is made up - just to keep you on your toes! Tue, 01 May 2012 18:46:12 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Dogskin-Boy.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Dogskin-Boy.html Dogskin Boy is a Scottish novel - but is also what happens when a Scotish guidebook writer turns to writing fiction. A great companion to a Scottish visit Tue, 01 May 2012 18:38:25 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/culloden-battlefield.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/culloden-battlefield.html Culloden Battlefield saw the last battle on Scottish soil. The visitor centre today avoids sentimentality and offers plenty of interpretation and interest. A must see for a wet afternoon or a dry one. Tue, 01 May 2012 18:32:52 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Crieff.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Crieff.html Crieff is a traditional resort town that has attracted visitors for generations. My old guidebook says ‘it’s been much resorted to...because of the salubrity of its climate.’ What? Tue, 01 May 2012 18:30:40 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/cities-in-scotland.html http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/cities-in-scotland.html Which cities in Scotland are ‘must sees’ and which can you miss out of you have limited time? And what is the definition of a city? Tue, 01 May 2012 18:26:16 GMT