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Scotland’s Haunted Castles
Day 1 Arrival Arrive Edinburgh Airport and pick up your rental car. Drive to Airth Castle where the staff may take you on a ghostly tour of the castle. Watch out for rooms No 3, No 9 and No 23 as they are all haunted by a small group of playing children. Even their ghostly nanny is still around and she sometimes looks after children whose parents have gone to dinner in the hotel restaurant! Do remember – rooms that are haunted by ghosts will feel chillier… Overnight at Airth Castle.
Day 2 Stirling Castle & Linlithgow Palace Today you have the opportunity to tour two historic castles associated with Mary Queen of Scots. Stirling Castle stands on volcanic rock overlooking the town of Stirling. The Pink Lady, a beautiful woman in a pink silk gown, has been seen many times at the castle. Some say it is Mary Queen of Scots who was crowned in the old chapel in 1533, and others that it is the ghost of a woman searching for her husband who had been killed when Edward I captured the castle in 1304. A Grey Lady has also been known to appear and it is assumed that she was an attendant to Mary Stuart and saved her from certain death when the draperies on the royal bed caught fire. Unfortunately, every appearance of the Grey Lady heralds a disaster to befall the Castle! Last but not least, listen out for the mysterious footsteps that have been heard all over the Castle…Just down the road at Linlithgow Palace, where Mary Queen of Scots was born in 1542, Queen Margaret’s Bower is said to be haunted by Margaret Tudor, waiting for the return of her husband, James IV, who was battling against the army of his brother-in-law, Henry VIII. James died on the battlefield and Margaret waited in vain –but not for too long, as she then proceeded to marry her husband arch enemy, the Earl of Douglas. So may be it’s a late regret that makes her appear in the Bower. Overnight at Airth Castle.
Day 3 Glamis Castle Today make the trip through Fife to Glamis Castle, one of Scotland’s most beautiful and most haunted castles. It was the home of the Queen Mother in her youth and the birthplace of her daughter Princess Margaret. However, its history dates back to the mist of time and Glamis was once the hunting lodge of that most infamous of Scottish kings, Macbeth! The castle plays host to a plethora of ghosts, one of which is Lady Janet Glamis, who was accused of witchcraft by King James V and burnt at the stake at Castle Hill in Edinburgh in 1537. According to eyewitness reports, a mist arose from her funeral pyre and descended over all of Scotland. You may see her above the clock tower or sometimes in the chapel, where no one ever sits on the seat in the corner out of respect for Lady Glamis. There is also the spectral appearance of a small servant boy, who had frozen to death, a serving girl turned vampire and a tongue-less woman running through the grounds, but the most amazing mystery is the Missing Room. The window to the room can be clearly seen from the outside of the castle, but no entrance can be found and the window is bricked up. It is said that the Earl of Glamis played cards with his friends and did not want to stop when the clock announced the coming of Sunday. A black-clothed stranger entered the room and joined their game and when next a servant looked into the room he found his master and friends playing cards with the devil surrounded by a wall of fire. The room has been bricked up ever since, but on a quiet night you can still hear the men playing cards. Overnight at Airth Castle.
Day 4 Cawdor Castle Today we journey north into the Highlands. You will have the opportunity to stop in one of the many picturesque villages on the way, but make sure you leave enough time to take in a different kind of spirit, Uisge Beatha. Take a tour of one of the many whisky distilleries in Speyside, learn about the Angel’s Share and get a taste of the Water of Life. Take a tour of Cawdor Castle, a superb fairy-tale castle romantically linked with Shakespeare’s Macbeth. There are reports of 3 ghosts at Cawdor – a mysterious appearance dressed in blue velvet and the ghost of John Campbell of Cawdor, but the saddest appearance is that of a young lady without hands. It is said that she was the daughter of one the Earls of Cawdor who had been in love with a man her father did not approve of. As a punishment her father had her hands cut off so that she “could never embrace her lover again”. Overnight in Tulloch Castle.
Day 5 Dunrobin Castle Today you will visit Dunrobin Castle, the most northerly of Scotland’s great castles and home of the Earls of Sutherland. The upper floor of the castle is said to be haunted by the daughter of the 14th Earl. She had been imprisoned in the attic by her father for falling in love with the wrong man. When she tried to flee the Castle and elope with her lover, she fell to her death from a window. This castle also holds Falconry demonstrations in the afternoons. Overnight in Tulloch Castle. Day 6 Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle Travelling south along the banks of Loch Ness, keep your eyes pealed for its famous inhabitant, the loch Ness Monster. Your best vantage point is at Urquhart Castle, the ruins of one of the largest castles in Scotland which fell into decay after 1689 and was blown up in 1692 to prevent it being occupied by the Jacobites. Continue south through one of the most picturesque and haunting sites in Scotland, the valley of Glencoe, scene of the 1692 massacre of the MacDonald Clan by the soldiers of King William. Overnight in Airth Castle.
Day 6 Edinburgh Castle It’s almost time to depart. Spend your remaining time in Edinburgh, doing some last minute shopping or, if you haven’t seen enough ghosts yet, tour the Castle which has many, including a headless drummer who only appears when the Castle is about to be attacked and a piper who disappeared in the tunnels between the Castle and the High Street. Recently, builders undertaking renovating works have been disturbed by ghosts said to be French prisoners of war, who were held captives in the Vaults underneath the Castle.
Highland Games The precise origins of Highland Games is unknown but in all probability they derived from the trials of strength, speed, agility and skill which were commonplace at the various religious fairs, military musters and cattle fairs of medieval and early modern Scotland. The clans' warriors used these events to test their physical prowess in much the same way as modern soldiers engage in physical training. Yet these original competitions did not call simply for feats of strength since poets, bards and musicians also performed and competed. Happily, the more specialized pursuit of 'twisting the four legs off a cow for which a fat sheep is offered as a prize' does not feature in the modern games. This usually comprises running and jumping, throwing stones or hammers, tugs-of-war, tossing the caber, as well as a variety of piping and dancing competitions There is a full programme of Highland Games across Scotland throughout the summer season. One of the most famous is held in the late summer at the Braemar Gathering, traditionally attended by the Royal Family. Most Highland Games are on a far smaller scale, but featuring world Highland dancing championships, pipe band championships with over 150 bands, solo piping, track and heavy athletics, shinty championships, trade stands and children's activities.
WHISKY TRAIL You explore the Whisky Trail, where Scotland's distilleries are located. This weaving road though the hills along the River Spey is the setting for Glenfiddich, Glenlivet and other distilleries. You stop at the Glenfiddich Distillery, where the Grant family has produced fine whisky since 1887. Glenfiddich is the only distillery in Scotland where malt whisky is bottled on the premises, so you can see the whole process for yourself. Then try a dram and discover the unique taste of traditional whisky. In ancient Gaelic "Uisge Beatha (pronounced ish-ge ba-ha) has become the modern Whisky. The Highland toast is "Slainte" (pronounced slawn-cha) or "to your health".
Celtic Sites in Scotland The highest concentration of ancient Celtic sites in Scotland is near Aberdeen and one the east coast of Scotland. Here are just a few: Arbroath is a large town on the east coast of Angus. It is home to the famous Arbroath Abbey where in 1320, Scotland's nobles swore their independence from England in the famous 'Declaration of Arbroath'. Arbroath is a large town on the east coast of Angus. It is home to the famous Arbroath Abbey where in 1320, Scotland's nobles swore their independence from England in the famous 'Declaration of Arbroath'. This the basis of the American version. Stones: Several very impressive single standing stones survive in striking locations, possibly covering burials or marking access points to significant areas of landscape. They appear to date from the Bronze Age (second millennium BC). Meigle If you have any interest at all in this little understood era of Scotland's history then a visit to Meigle is highly recommended. The collection is remarkable, We know most about the Picts from the carvings they left from the period between their conversion in about 650 to their eventual assimilation into Alba. These can be seen dotted spectacularly across much of the eastern side of Scotland north of the River Forth. And the largest single collection of Pictish Carved Stones in Scotland is gathered together in the Museum in the old schoolhouse in the village of Meigle, Perthshire. This can be found between Forfar and Coupar Angus on the A94.
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Scotland, or Iceland. Getting to Orkneys Air There are direct flights to Kirkwall airport daily except Sun from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Shetland, with connections to London Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester and Belfast. All these flights are operated by Loganair/British Regional Airlines and can be booked through British Airways, Tel. 0845-7222111. Boat There are several ferry routes to Orkney from the mainland. P&O Scottish Ferries, Tel. 01856-850655, sail from Aberdeen to Stromness (8 hrs) twice weekly (Tue and Sat) in 'standard season' (Jun-Aug), and once a week (Sat) the rest of the year. P&O also sail from Scrabster to Stromness (2 hrs) twice a day (Mon-Sat; once on Sun) from Apr-Oct, and twice a day (Mon-Fri; once on Sat) from Nov-Mar. A shuttle bus links Scrabster with the nearby town of Thurso, on the north coast. There are regular bus and train services to Thurso from Inverness. P&O sail from Lerwick (Shetland) to Stromness (8 hrs) on Fri (all year) and Wed (Jun-Aug), returning on Sun (all year) and Tue (Jun-Aug). John o'Groats Ferries, Tel. 01955-611353, John O'Groats Ferries operate a passenger-only (and bicycles) ferry service from John o' Groats to Burwick (2-4 times per day; 45 mins) on South Ronaldsay, from May to Sep. A free bus meets the afternoon train from Thurso at 1430 and connects with the 1600 or 1800 ferry to Orkney. There are bus connections between Burwick and Kirkwall (45 mins) for all ferry sailings. They also operate the Orkney Bus, a daily direct bus/ferry/bus service between Inverness and Kirkwall, via John o' Groats. It leaves Inverness at 0730 and 1420 from Jun-Sep (at 1420 only in May). . Journey time 5 hrs. Advance booking is essential.
Getting around Air There are inter-island flights which are operated by Loganair, Tel. 01856-872494. Eight-seater aircraft fly from Kirkwall daily except Sun to Stronsay, Sanday, North Ronaldsay, Westray and Papa Westray, and on Wed to Eday. There are sightseeing flights in Jul and Aug which fly over all these islands. There's also an Orkney Adventure ticket which allows you to fly to 3 islands. Bus Buses on the Orkney islands are very limited. Apart from the daily service between Burwick and Kirkwall, which connects with the ferry, there are buses from Kirkwall to Stromness, Evie/Tingwall, Dounby, St Margaret's Hope, Deerness and East Holm. There's also a bus to Houton (Hoy) which connects with the ferry. Boat Orkney Ferries, Tel. 01856-872044, operates daily car and passenger ferries to Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre from Tingwall; to Shapinsay, Eday, Stronsay, Sanday, Westray and Papa Westray from Kirkwall; to Graemsay and Hoy from Stromness; and to Hoy and Flotta from Houton. There's a ferry on Fri to North Ronaldsay from Kirkwall. There are also additional Sun sailings in summer (May-Sep); contact Orkney Ferries or the tourist board for the latest schedules. Those travelling by car should book all ferry journeys in advance.
Car Only the main population centres on Mainland are served by public transport, and having a car is essential to visit many of the most interesting sights. Bringing a car to Orkney is expensive, but there are several car hire firms on the Mainland and on the other islands. Car hire firms are listed under each particular town.
Tourist information The Orkney Tourist Board The Orkney Tourist Board has tourist offices in Kirkwall and Stromness. They will book accommodation for you, or provide a list of what's available, though many B&Bs are not included in the tourist board scheme. They can also provide information on various sights, walks and the islands' wildlife. Those wishing to leave Mainland and visit the smaller islands should pick up a free copy of the tourist board's excellent information and travel guide, The Islands of Orkney. Many of Orkney's monuments are managed by Historic Scotland. They include the Bishop and Earl's Palaces, Broch of Gurness Maes Howe, Skara Brae and Skaill House, Brough of Birsay and Noltland Castle.
The Isle of Skye (An t-Eilean Sgitheanach), the most scenically spectacular of all the Scottish islands, gets its name from the Norse word for cloud (skuy) and is commonly known as Eilean a Cheo (the Misty Isle), so it obviously rains a lot here. But when the rain and mist clear, the views make the heart soar. Despite the unpredictable weather, tourism is an important part of the island's economy, and has been since Victorian times when climbers returned home extolling its beauty. The most popular destination is the Cuillins, the greatest concentration of peaks in Britain. They provide Scotland's best climbing and have become a mecca for all serious and experienced walkers. Equally spectacular are the bizarre rock formations of the Trotternish Peninsula in the north. Trotternish is also inextricably linked with one of the most significant characters from the island's colourful past, Flora MacDonald, who is buried at Kilmuir. More of the island's fascinating history can be discovered at Dunvegan Castle, ancient seat of the Macleods, Armadale Castle (the Clan MacDonald), with the Museum of the Isles and also The Skye Museum of Island Life.
Getting there All main routes to Skye come through some of the most stunning scenery in Scotland, which is why most visitors choose to arrive and depart using different routes - Skye Bridge on and a ferry off, is probably the most common combination! The most direct route to Skye is across the Skye Bridge (tolls were abolished December 2004), from Kyle of Lochalsh to the roundabout at the top end of Kyleakin. Coach services run to Skye from Glasgow and Inverness, with connections to all main cities in the UK (Citylink, Tel. 08705-5505050; National Express, Tel. 08705-808080). There is also a train service from Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness - the Kyle Line, which was made famous as one of Michael Palin's Greatest Railway Journeys. To some, a more romantic approach to Skye, is by car ferry from Mallaig to Armadale, on the southern Sleat Peninsula. The car and passenger ferry makes the 30-min crossing 7 times daily each way (first one leaves Mallaig at 0840, Armadale at 0925; the last one at 1845 and 1920) Mon-Sat from Mar to Oct, and Sun end of May to mid-Sep. The ferry runs twice daily & not at weekends during the winter months; for details contact Mallaig, Tel. 01687-462403, or Armadale, Tel. 01471-844248. Booking is recommended during the summer months, Tel. 08705- 650000. Visit www.calmac.co.uk for current prices and timetables.
Trains to and from Fort William and Glasgow Queen St connect with some of the ferries. Romantic visitors can also make the journey to/from Skye using the Original Skye Ferry which operates between Glenelg (follow signposts from Shiel Bridge on the mainland) and Kylerhea (south of Kyleakin on Skye). The tiny private car ferry makes the 5 min crossing frequently, for a maximum of 6 cars. The ferry does not operate during the winter period (normally starts Easter or 1st April, whichever is first and does not operate on Sundays until the main summer season!) - for up to date prices and times visit www.skyeferry.co.uk Ferries leave from Uig, in the north of Skye, to Lochmaddy on North Uist (1 3/4 hrs) and to Tarbert on Harris (1? hrs). To Lochmaddy on Mon, Wed and Fri at 0945 and 1855, Tue, Thu and Sat at 1400 and Sun at 0940 and 1400. To Tarbert on Mon, Wed and Fri at 0515 and 1400, Tue, Thu and Sat at 0940 and 1800 (no service on Sun). The return trip costs the same as for Lochmaddy. For more details, contact Uig, Tel. 01470-542219 or again visit www.calmac.co.uk
Getting around Skye is the largest of the Hebridean islands, at almost 50 miles long and between 7 and 25 miles wide. It is possible to run up a hefty mileage as the extensive road system penetrates to all but the most remote corners of its many peninsulas. It is possible to get around by public transport midweek, with postbuses supplementing the normal services, but, as everywhere in the Highlands and Islands, buses are few and far between at weekends, especially Sun, and during the winter months. Buses run between Portree, Broadford, Uig (for ferries to the Western Isles), Kyleakin, Armadale (for ferries to Mallaig), Dunvegan and Carbost, and a more limited service runs from Broadford to Elgol and Portree to Glen Brittle. Getting around by public transport is virtually impossible in winter (Oct-Mar) as bus and postbus services are severely limited
Getting around Island Hopscotch Tickets Island Hopscotch Tickets are a cheaper way to get around the islands with a car. There are various route options, and tickets give you 30 days' unlimited travel on each route. See the CalMac guide or call the numbers above for full details of the Island Hopscotch Tickets, and the Island Rover Ticket, which gives unlimited travel on most CalMac routes for 8 or 15 days.
Tourist information There are Tourist Information Centres in Oban, Craignure and Tobermory (Mull), Bowmore (Islay), and Mallaig. Oban tourist office has information on all the islands, with the exception of the Small Isles, information on which can be got from Mallaig tourist office.
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