http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scotland-blog.html My Scotland blog offers unbiased reports on places I visit and comment on issues and news in the tourism industry in Scotland. en-us Scotland Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:43:17 GMT Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:43:17 GMT scotlandinaweek.com http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Nessie.html Nessie was born in 1933, on a quiet week for the Inverness Courier. Since then the fame of the Loch Ness Monster has gone round the world. It's only a legend though. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:43:17 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-travel-guide.html Here's a summary Scotland Travel Guide. Getting to Scotland is easy - as is getting around. The natives are friendly. This page will start you off. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:28:33 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scottish-questions.html Lots of useful answers to your Scottish questions Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:02:30 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/questions-about-Scotland.html If you need some information on Scotland, ask us your questions about Scotland here. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:09:50 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotland-food.html Scotland food is about some traditional aspects of Scotland’s cuisine, including the inevitable haggis, oatmeal and also kale. Well, I’m sorry, but I like kale,or kail.. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:31:17 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/index.html Advice for your Scotland visit - lots on heritage, famous icons (and scones) plus your chances of seeing the Loch Ness Monster! Probably nil, to be honest. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:02:25 GMT 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. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:54:34 GMT 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. Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:14:59 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/make-porridge.html Make porridge and you have so many options with so few ingredients, small wonder you make toast instead. Persevere though, for that well-filled and slightly self-righteous wholesome glow....... Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:46:43 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Hogmanay.html Hogmanay in Scotland used to be the embodiment of that insecure feeling that the best party is happening somewhere else, if only you could find it.. But now we do Hogmanay better than ever. Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:28:46 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scottish-steam.html Real Scottish steam – though rather awful pictures! Still, uhmm, hard core steam train enthusiasts will find it interesting. The rest of you should look away now. Sat, 07 Jan 2012 11:57:36 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Ladhar-Bheinn.html Ladhar Bheinn is the most westerly Munro on the Scottish mainland. It’s a very big walk in and the midges and clegs (horse flies) are terrifying in summer. You’ll love it. Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:54:51 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/birds-in-scotland.html Birds in Scotland are usually pretty high-profile. There are lots of good birdy places and nature reserves with knowledgeable rangers. They’re the ones who use ‘bins’ and ‘scopes’. Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:08:19 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/winter-tour.html A winter tour in Scotland is not only weather dependent, the short daylight hours mean ideally you should be beside a crackling log fire by late afternoon. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:35:42 GMT 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. Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:32:17 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/where-is-Galloway.html Where is Galloway is an easy question to answer. It’s that bit on the bottom left of Scotland that a lot of visitors miss. They ought to study their maps a bit more. Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:30:41 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/seven-day-tour-scotland.html A seven day tour Scotland with some upmarket accommodation suggestions. Don’t let this bit put you off. The rest makes a good checklist of things to see in Scotland. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:35:01 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scottish-wildlife.html Scottish wildlife could be part of your Scottish holiday experience; it depends on how you feel about squirrels. Or cute dolphins. And you could probably manage a seal or two, perhaps? Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:13:52 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/wild-Scotland.html Wild Scotland means encounters with roaring red deer, fierce wild cats and shy pine martens, doesn’t it? Well, sometimes. Just don’t expect them to be posing round waiting to be photographed. Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:01:45 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Isle-of-Eriskay.html The Isle of Eriskay is a brilliant Hebridean excursion. Amazing colours when the sun shines. And the Eriskay Love Lilt really was collected here. ‘Sad am I without thee…’ Romantic or what? Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:04:06 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/how-to-drink-whisky.html How to drink whisky? Any way you like within reason, though single malts need respect. I like whisky with sparkling water and call it ‘Drampagne’. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:56:28 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/malt-whiskies.html Malt whiskies are made only in Scotland. Single malts are the thoroughbreds of the whisky world. But let’s not be too serious. They’re made to enjoy. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:45:21 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Highland-Clearances.html Were the Highland Clearances ethnic cleansing or was it all done for the good of the locals? Yes, it’s controversial. To be honest, I’ve never really liked Dunrobin Castle anyway Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:27:14 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Burns-poetry.html Burns poetry is encountered by most Scots folk during a Burns Supper. This page gives the format for this celebration. Just be careful when you stab the haggis. Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:33:08 GMT 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) Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:17:27 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Scottish-cattle-droving.html Scottish cattle-droving was once important in our economy, especially in the days of the 'tryst' at Crieff. Nowadays, we just use credit cards, instead of cattle. Sun, 02 Oct 2011 15:43:47 GMT 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? Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:42:57 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/ski-scotland.html If you’d like to ski Scotland, then there are a few points to bear in mind about the nature of the experience. Just don't ask about global warming. Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:57:22 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/flowers-of-scotland.html From Scots bluebells to bog myrtle, heather to the iconic thistle, the thriving flowers of Scotland appreciate rainfall more than the visitors do. Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:41:03 GMT 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? Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:52:30 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Glasgow-must-sees.html Glasgow must sees have always given me some uncertainty, as this conversation suggests. It isn’t easy speaking text links either but we’ve ended up with a check list of sorts. Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:08:23 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/weatherinscotland.html Weather in Scotland is very varied yet without extremes. The waterproof coat or mackintosh was invented by a Scot, naturally. Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:35:02 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/what-are-neeps.html What are neeps is a question mostly asked by newbie guests at a Burns Supper. Usually they’re chappit (the neeps, I mean, not the guests). This page explains more than enough….. Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:53:31 GMT 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. Sun, 25 Sep 2011 19:24:42 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/Barries-Birthplace.html Barrie's Birthplace is just one of many properties in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. One day, a volunteer there had a strange ghostly encounter. Wooo-oooo Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:07:25 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/haunted-locations.html You want haunted locations? Scotland does ghosts and bogles rather well. It’s a paranormal-investigator theme-park really. Even I once saw something spooky Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:12:31 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/haunted-Scotland.html The image of haunted Scotland is definitely a part of the Scottish brand. I blame all those old castles, misty glens and shifty old Highland servants. Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:25:22 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/climb-Stac-Pollaidh.html You'd like to climb Stac Pollaidh? It’s a very odd hill. Get there before it erodes completely. You'll need a head for heights. And extra chocolate. Well, any excuse. Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:31:10 GMT 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. Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:26:06 GMT 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. Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:47:23 GMT 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. Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:48:46 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/traditional-Scottish-food.html Traditional Scottish food wasn’t all about oatmeal – if you were wealthy. Here’s an over-the-top menu from two centuries ago. Sheep’s head, anyone? Sun, 04 Sep 2011 18:02:50 GMT 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. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 17:56:43 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/What-is-Tartan.html What is tartan is a complex question. It was once the rough homespun cloth of the people who lived in the Scottish Highlands. Now it’s iconic and Scotland is lucky to have such brilliant packaging. Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:12:28 GMT 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….. Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:57:00 GMT 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. Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:28:21 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/where-is-scotland.html Ask the question Where is Scotland ? – really, where is the essence of Scotland - and I would take you on a tour north and east. I’d probably take you down to the shore. Sun, 29 May 2011 18:36:08 GMT 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 Wed, 25 May 2011 20:01:35 GMT http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/scotlandinaweek-information-search-results.html Scotlandinaweek information search results delivers facts, tour suggestions, heritage of Scotland Tue, 17 May 2011 10:15:17 GMT 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. Sun, 15 May 2011 20:01:05 GMT