The Galloping Gardener (Free subscription) | 09/11/2009
In my ongoing alphabetical posts, I'm looking today at some of the best gardens I've visited beginning with the letter "B". And we start with Bateman's in East Sussex (below), one-time home of Rudyard Kipling - an enchanting place to visit, with its formal lawns, working mill and riverside position. Kipling was a keen gardener and the property retains much of his original planting, including...
Musings and Marketeerings (Free subscription) | 01/11/2009
When you’ve been called mad by Iain Banks, you know you’re in for an interesting holiday. And after a week of – well, weather – on the Isle of Mull, I’m beginning to think Banksy had the right of it. Mull is beautiful – glacier-carved rocky severity shrugging its way out of blankets of rich autumnal colour. Cloud lifts in wisps from the mountaintops – they...
The Galloping Gardener (Free subscription) | 10/10/2009
Crarae - one of the best woodland gardens A day out in Argyll and Bute in the autumn, with the mists rising over the lochs, the patchwork hills emerging behind and the gardens soaked with rain, is one you'll never forget. There's something about these deserted properties that sticks in your mind and even though we have magnificent autumn gardens in other parts of the UK, it is the Scottish gardens...
Southern Hebrides Blog (Free subscription) | 30/09/2009
Tobermory Distillery late 1800s Alfred Barnard made an epic journey with some friends in the late 1800s and visited working whisky distilleries in Scotland, Ireland and England. About his journey and distillery visits he wrote a book called ’The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom’, describing in great detail and wonderful style the distilleries of that era. It’s a fascinating...
Cottages Scotland (Free subscription) | 24/09/2009
Ascending Ben More Coigach, North West Scotland. Another great day in September climbing the seven peaks of Coigach including the Grahams of Ben More Coigach and Sgurr an Fhidhleir. We started from Culnacraig and after a short distance on the coastal path, climbed steeply to the top of Garbh Choireachan. From there a delightful ridge walk led us to the summit of Ben More Coigach. The short hop over...
electrichalibut.co.uk (Free subscription) | 16/09/2009
And finally a few random Scotland-related loose ends, in no particular order. The Caledonian Sleeper is a very civilised way to travel - meet up in London, go out for some food and a few drinks, then get on the train, dump your bags in your cosy berth, adjourn to the lounge car (which has proper comfy chairs) for a few more drinks, take some stupid self-timer photos (see right) and then retire to bed...
Cottages Scotland (Free subscription) | 17/08/2009
Fox Terrier looking towards Ben More, Isle of Mull. After a hard climb, Mouser enjoys a rest at the summit of Creach Bheinn on the Isle of Mull. Although only a humble graham, it is a steep ascent from Loch Spelve. She is seen here, looking towards Ben More, the highest mountain on Mull, for her next expedition! For Self Catering Cottages on the Isle of Mull, please click here . cottages in scotland,...
The Lost Fort (Free subscription) | 13/08/2009
I managed to take some photos from the bus though it was tricky. The best chances were when the bus had to stop to let a car pass on the single track road. The bus tour takes about an hour and goes through some of the most scenic parts of Mull. Glen More In the morning, the weather was pretty bad - typical Scottish, people say, though my experiences included a lot of sunshine both times I went to Scotland....
Tour Scotland (Free subscription) | 13/08/2009
Tour Scotland Serendipity Kirn Dunnon Argyll Holiday Cottage . Situated in Kirn, a quiet residential area in Dunoon , is this comfortable holiday apartment. A stones throw away from the Cowal Golf Course and bowling green, midway between the Caledonian MacBrayne and Western Ferries Terminal. Dunoon with its Victorian pier and promenade, is on the edge of the Argyll Forest Park, a hill walkers paradise....
Tour Scotland (Free subscription) | 12/08/2009
Tour Scotland Kevington Coach House Dunoon Argyll Holiday Cottage . This lovely holiday cottage sits close to the banks of the Firth of Clyde at Hunters Quay 2 miles north of Dunoon in a quiet residential location. Set on the edge of Lomond and Trossachs National Park amid stunning mountain scenery. The large conservatory overlooks the ever changing aspects of yacht, ship and ferry movements on the...
Tour Scotland (Free subscription) | 06/08/2009
Tour Scotland Kirn Dunoon Oban and Argyll Holiday Cottage . Situated in Kirn, a quiet residential area in Dunoon , is this comfortable holiday apartment. A stones throw away from the Cowal Golf Course and bowling green, midway between the Caledonian MacBrayne and Western Ferries Terminal. Dunoon with its Victorian pier and promenade, is on the edge of the Argyll Forest Park, a hill walkers paradise....
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