Tag Archives: Scotland

Glen Coe

2016 By in Sightseeing Tags: , ,

Glen is a synonym for a narrow valley is Scotland and Ireland. Glen Coe is considered the most beautiful part of the Scottish Highlands. Glen Coe is situated in the western part of the Scottish Highlands, specifically in the Lochaber area of the Highland council area. It lies between the towns of Fort William to the north and Tyndrum to the south. The glen is formed by a volcanic eruption and subsequent ice erosion, resulting in deep valleys, steep-sided mountains, and stunning geological features.

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Glen Coe’s breathtaking scenery has made it a favored filming location for movies and television shows. It has been featured in films such as “Skyfall” and “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” among others. The glen’s dramatic landscape and rugged beauty lend themselves well to cinematic storytelling.

GLEN OF WEEPING

The alternative name of this valley is Glen of Weeping. The weeping refers to a massacre of one of the Scottish clans in 1692.

In 1692, during a period of political unrest and tension in Scotland, members of the Campbell clan, who were loyal to the British Crown, were billeted with the MacDonald clan in the Glen Coe area. The MacDonalds, who were part of the Jacobite movement supporting the exiled King James VII, had been slow in pledging their allegiance to the new king, William III. Under orders from the British government, Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon and his men were instructed to carry out a military action against the MacDonalds as a form of punishment and to assert control. Despite being extended hospitality by the MacDonalds, the Campbell soldiers turned on their hosts. In the early morning hours of February 13, 1692, the Campbell soldiers launched a surprise attack on the MacDonalds. The massacre resulted in the deaths of about 38 members of the clan, with several others perishing due to exposure and starvation while fleeing into the mountains. The event became infamous due to the treachery involved in attacking guests who had offered hospitality.

The Glen of Weeping is a term sometimes used to describe the glen or the area of Glencoe as it mourns the loss of those who died during the massacre.

A82 SCENIC VIEWS

If you visit Scotland not solely for hiking purposes, you can visit this place by taking the A82 road. You cannot stop just at its shoulder in the valley. There are, however, a couple of car parks you can stop, admire the view and take photos. The A82 is a road in Scotland that runs from Glasgow to Inverness further to the North of Scotland. It is altogether 270 km. To get to Inverness you will also drive alongside the famous Lochness lake (you have to cross Fort Augustus). Because of the landscapes, it is an overwhelming driving experience. The hostel and hotel base is well-developed in the region, so you can split the ride into two days. Below a couple of pictures I took as we were on the way,

Below some other photos taken through a window while on the A82.

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Glen Coe

EdFringe

2016 By in Local Culture Tags: ,

Fringe (or EdFringe) is a three-week event that takes place in August in the Scottish town of Edinburgh. It is a celebration of creativity, bringing together talented performers from all over the world. With its day performances on the Royal Mile (the main street of Edinburgh historic city) and a plethora of other events, the Fringe offers an unparalleled experience for both locals and visitors alike. During the festival, the bustling streets and vibrant venues of Edinburgh come alive with a whirlwind of artistic expression. Everywhere you turn, you’ll find performances and captivating shows. Street performers dazzle spectators with their acts, while theaters and pop-up venues showcase a diverse range of productions in various genres, including comedy, drama, dance, music, and more.

One of the unique aspects of the Fringe is the way in which attendees are actively invited to participate. Performers and their colleagues can be seen throughout the city, distributing leaflets and spreading the word about their shows. This grassroots approach adds an exciting element to the festival, allowing you to discover hidden gems and uncover thrilling performances by chance.

Ed Fringe Festival 2015, Edinburgh, Scotland

Our stay in Edinburgh was truly a memorable experience that exceeded our expectations. Despite initially planning to visit the historical town of Edinburgh and continue our journey, we found ourselves completely captivated by the atmosphere of the city’s renowned festival. Although we had limited time, we managed to spend around five hours exploring the vibrant Royal Mile.

The Royal Mile, a historic street that stretches between the Edinburgh Castle and the Holyrood Palace, is a hub of activity during the festival. During the day, the street comes alive with a myriad of events and performances, most of which occur in its upper part. As we ventured along the bustling Royal Mile, we discovered that the performers and their acts were constantly changing, ensuring that there was always something new and exciting awaiting us at every turn.

From small stages with a strict timetable, where performers displayed their talents for a brief period of 20 minutes before stepping aside for the next act, to impromptu performances by artists who simply found a spot and mesmerized passersby with their skills, the Royal Mile truly offered a captivating showcase of talent and creativity. As we walked along, we were enthralled by the diverse range of acts we encountered. Musicians played traditional Scottish melodies. Street performers showcased their extraordinary acrobatic skills and entertained the crowds with their daring tricks. And poets and storytellers held the attention of all who gathered.

While our original plans were to simply pass through Edinburgh and continue on our journey, the indescribable allure of the Royal Mile and its festival pulled us in and allowed us to experience a truly remarkable day of excitement and creativity.

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Kilts. Somewhere in Scotland

2016 By in Local Culture Tags:

The Scottish kilt, a garment deeply embedded in Scottish culture, is a knee-length skirt with pleats that originated in the Highlands of Scotland. It is not just a piece of clothing but a symbol of Scottish heritage and identity.

The tradition of wearing kilts dates back to the 16th century and has evolved over time. The kilt is typically made from wool and features tartan patterns, which are associated with specific Scottish clans or regions. Each tartan design carries a unique set of colors and patterns, serving as a visual representation of one’s Scottish heritage. Modern kilts are also made in various materials, and people may choose to wear a kilt with a tartan that has personal significance, even if they do not belong to a specific clan.

The process of putting on a kilt involves precise folding and fastening, and it is worn with accessories such as a sporran (a pouch worn around the waist), a kilt pin, a sgian-dubh (a small knife traditionally tucked into the sock), and knee-high socks known as hose.

Scotland kilts

As a continental European, I will not pretend to know much of Scottish kilts. I saw Braveheart, and once or twice only saw males in kilts on my way back home from work. The latter meant: a sports event involving the Scottish team takes place at our stadium. Ok, it is understandable that Scottish males wear kilts to underline their nationality at sports events. But … do they wear kilts in Scotland?

Our 2015 trip to Scotland was only a four-day journey, the vast majority of which was appreciating green highlands, visiting castles and enjoying Fringe performances in Edinburgh. However, on a Saturday afternoon/evening, we took a walk in Glasgow. In the city center, we felt the party time. We saw girls wearing evening dresses, elegant and colorful (to be expected in southern and eastern Europe, but in western Europe was a bit unexpected). Males accompanying them wore either just European clothing or … kilts. Wow! We spent the night at a hotel near the Stirling castle (Scotland of course). The hotel restaurant was hosting a wedding party. An elegant one. Half of the male community was wearing kilts. Exquisite and posh ones.

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So yes. Definitely Scotts wear kilts in Scotland. It does not probably happen daily. Like in many other countries or regions, the traditional dress (here: kilts) is considered to be a kind of elegant garment worn on special occasions. Wearing kilts is associated with various Scottish traditions and events, including weddings, funerals, Highland games, and other formal occasions. The kilt is often considered formal or semi-formal attire and is worn with pride during special events.No one, besides tourists on their first days in Scotland cares to turn around. It is merely nothing unusual.

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Kilts. Somewhere in Scotland