Wonders of Scotland
Wonders of Scotland
A singular passion
WHILE I feel that I wrote quite a compelling piece brimming with sound logic exalting single malt whisky as clearly being Scotland's greatest wonder, I did feel that whisky would have come in the top seven, whether or not I (or anyone else) had written a single word. Some truths are indeed self-evident, and the tally of votes has steadfastly confirmed this assertion.
The night Glencoe was all mine
MARCH 1, 1971, was a bright, sparkling morning at John o' Groats, the tip-top of Britain. At the time I thought it was a good idea to walk from there to Land's End. The shortest distance from End to End (as it's called) is about 800 miles. My route was 937 miles. The prospect of walking right down Loch Ness, the Great Glen of Lochaber, Glencoe, Rannoch Moor and Loch Lomond was well worth the detour.
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Scottish skylines
AS I WRITE, the light is beginning its comeback. For a lengthening time each day now, it surmounts the hill and shines the river a palest blue or even orange. For the next four months, it will journey northwards through the western sky until June, when the days will be almost too long, and the sky will retain an inky blue through the short nights. Then we will forget about the stars, just as every year at Christmas we forget about the gloaming.
The special places in our hearts
THE DEBATE over the last ten weeks as to which of Scotland's many wonders we value most has served as an intriguing and important reminder of just what Scotland has to offer, not only to those of us who live here but to those who choose Scotland as their holiday destination or their place of study.
The Seven Wonders of Scotland revealed
Seven Wonders of Scotland - TV advert
Our MSPs love whisky and golf, but not the parliament
MEMBERS of the Scottish Parliament asked to nominate their Seven Wonders of Scotland chose whisky and golf as their favourite national icons.
Our hearts are in the Highlands
WHAT IS MOST striking about this project is the remarkable interest that it has stimulated among Scotsman readers. Thousands of them have taken the trouble to follow the series and then place votes for their favourites.
Blood-red wonder of a golden age
A FEW YEARS back, AG Barr ran an advertising campaign of even more genius than that of Guinness.
Under the bridge and back
A walk from North Queensferry, under the bridge to a bay and then back with great views of the structure.
Edinburgh Old & New
A walk from the Old Town down into the New and back again with views of the city's skyline all around.
Something old, something new
IF ONE were to pick seven places in the Edinburgh Old Town and New Town that demonstrate the claims of this extraordinary city to be a wonder of Scotland, a good list might be:
The Lost Valley
A WALK in the heart of one of the world's great mountain areas to a hidden valley which legend says has been used in times past as a place to hide people and livestock.
Skara Brae/Row Head
A WALK to the best-preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe and up to a headland with fine views of the rugged coastline along the islands.
Chamber of Secrets
BEING voted one of the Seven Wonders of Scotland is an amazing feat for the finest but remotest architectural treasures of prehistoric Europe. The 5,000-year-old Maes Howe chamber is not one of Scotland's biggest visitor attractions, although 35,000 visitors a year is a hefty footfall for Orkney and means ticketed tours are the only way to see inside during summer months.
In for the kilt
AS LONG as I can remember I've been around people in kilts. I've always known it is a wondrous piece of clothing. I guess there is no major surprise I've ended up wearing one every day. My father, Geoffrey (the Tailor) still thinks I'm mad. I understand this, as he is of the mind that kilts are formal wear. I truly believe a kilt can be an everyday functional piece of clothing for men.
Glenfinnan
A WALK up the glen which saw the raising of the Prince's Standard in August 1745, signalling the last, ultimately doomed push to restore a Stewart monarchy. Less than a year later, in April 1746, the Jacobites and Bonnie Prince Charlie lost on the field of Culloden. Following this, the clans were banned from wearing the kilt, a ban only overturned after a campaign by the Highland Society of London later in the century.
Port Logan, Galloway
A WALK along a beach where BBC's Two Thousand Acres of Sky was filmed with views across to the Irish coast.
75 years of Trust
ONE OF the founders of The National Trust for Scotland explained its importance to Scotland, describing it as "a cabinet into which it can put some of its valuable things, where they will be perfectly safe for all time and where they are open to be seen and enjoyed by everyone."
Dufftown
A SHORT walk around the town known as Scotland's whisky capital because of its phenomenal production. Just driving there takes you past a veritable who's who of malt whisky distilleries, the names of which even teetotallers would recognise.
Small Wonders
THE youngest participants in our Seven Wonders of Scotland vote made a wide range of selections - including single malt whisky! That was the choice of Dara Brennan of Glasgow Gaelic Primary School, one of the winners in our schools' contest.
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Weather for Edinburgh
Thursday 16 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South west
