St. Moritz - Switzerland

St. Moritz - Switzerland
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St. Moritz (German: Sankt Moritz, Romansh: Sogn Murezzi) is a popular resort town in the Engadine valley in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. Popular pastimes include skiing and hiking, and nearby there is also the world famous Cresta Run toboggan course.

The year round population is 5,600 with some 3,000 seasonal employees. This population supports hotels and rental units with a total of 13,000 beds.

St. Moritz has been the host city for the 1928 and 1948 Winter Olympics. It also hosted the 1934, 1974 and 2003 Alpine Skiing World Championships. It is one of three cities, the others being Innsbruck, Austria and Lake Placid, New York in the United States, that have hosted the Winter Olympic Games twice.

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Eilean Donan Castle - Scotland/UK

Eilean Donan Castle - Scotland/UK
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Pt: O nome Eilean Donan vem do Gaelic (lingua originalmente falada na Escocia) e significa "Ilha de Donan", um santo do seculo 7 que segundo a estoria, viveu aqui como um heremita religioso.

En: Eilean Donan (Scottish Gaelic for Island of Donan), is a small island in Loch Duich in the western Highlands of Scotland. It is connected to the mainland by a footbridge and lies about half a mile from the village of Dornie.

Eilean Donan castle is the famous castle situated on the island. The original castle was built in 1220 for Alexander II as a defence against the Vikings. By the late 13th century it had become a stronghold of the Mackenzies of Kintail (later the Earls of Seaforth). In 1511, the MacRaes, as protectors of the MacKenzies, became the hereditary Constables of the Castle.

In 1539 Iain Dubh Matheson, chief of the Clan Matheson died whilst defending the Castle on Eilean Donan island against the Clan MacDonald of Sleat on behalf of the Clan MacRae and Clan MacKenzie.

In April 1719 the castle was occupied by Spanish troops attempting to start another Jacobite Rising. The castle was recaptured, and then demolished, by three Royal Navy frigates on 10–13 May 1719. The Spanish troops were defeated a month later at the Battle of Glen Shiel.

The castle was restored in the years between 1912 and 1932 by Lt. Col. John MacRae-Gilstrap. The restoration included the construction of an arched bridge to give easier access to the castle. In 1983 The Conchra Charitable Trust was formed by the MacRae family to care for the Castle.

It is now one of the most photographed monuments in Scotland and a popular venue for weddings and film locations. It has appeared in such films as Highlander (1985), Loch Ness (1995) and The World is not Enough (1999).

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Loch Carron - Scotland/UK

Loch Carron - Scotland/UK
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Loch Carron is an arm of the sea on the west coast of Ross and Cromarty in Scottish Highlands.

Chanonry Point Lighthouse - Scotland/UK

Chanonry Point Lighthouse
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Pt: O farol foi inaugurado em 1846, descubra mais sobre este lugar acessando este site

En: The lighthouse, first lit in 1846, more information can be found here

Chanonry Point lies at the end of Chanonry Ness, a spit of land extending into the Moray Firth between Fortrose and Rosemarkie on the Black Isle, Scotland.

Chanonry Point is reputed to be one of the best spots in the UK to view Bottlenose dolphin from the land [1] . The dolphins are often visible off Chanonry point, particularly at high tide when they play and fish in the turbulence created by converging currents. Other wildlife, including porpoise and grey seals can also regularly be spotted.

Chanonry Point is home to two camping and caravan sites towards the north whilst much of the land towards the extremity of point is taken up by Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club. A lighthouse situated at the tip of the point was designed by Alan Stevenson and was first lit in 1846[2]. The lighthouse has been fully automated since 1984 and is now privately owned.

The death of Coinneach Odhar, more commonly known as the Brahan Seer, is commemorated by a memorial stone on the spot where he is reputed to have been brutally executed.

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Inverness Castle - Inverness - Scotland/UK

Inverness Castle - Inverness - Scotland/UK
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A succession of castles have stood on this site since 1057.

The first Inverness Castle was partially destroyed by King Robert I and a replacement castle was sacked in the 15th century.

In 1548 another castle with tower was completed by George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly (1514-1562). He was constable of the castle until 1562. The castle was later taken by the Clan Munro and Clan Fraser who supported Mary Queen of Scotts in 1562.

Inverness Castle 1562, Robert Mor Munro 15th chief of the Clan Munro was a staunch supporter of Mary Queen of Scots and he consequently was treated favourably by her son James VI. Robert Mor Munro was also a faithful friend of Mary Queen of Scots. Buchanan states, that when the unfortunate princess went to Inverness in 1562; "as soon as they heard of their sovereign's danger, a great number of the most eminent Scots poured in around her, especially the Clan Fraser and Clan Munro, who were esteemed the most "valiant of the clans inhabiting those countries in the north". These two clans took Inverness Castle for the Queen, which had refused her admission. The Queen later hanged the governor, a Gordon who had refused her admission.[1]

During the Civil War later occupiers of the castle had held out against a siege by James Graham the 1st Marquess of Montrose in 1645.

Inverness Castle 1649, Later during the Civil War the Clan Munro and Clan Fraser again took Inverness Castle. This time they were also joined by Clan Urquhart and Clan MacKenzie who they had recently made peace with. They were all opposed to the authority of the current parliament. They assaulted the town and took the castle. They then expelled the garrison and raised the fortifications. However on the approach of the parlimentry forces led by General David Leslie all of the clans retreated back into Ross-shire. During that year several skirmishes took place between these parties.

In 1715 the Clan MacKay took the side of King George I and defend Inverness Castle against the Jacobites.

In 1725 the Castle was extended and reinforced by General George Wade after the initial early Jacobite Uprisings.

Invernes Castle 1745, In 1745 when the second major Jacobite Uprisings began Inverness Castle was held by General Sir John Cope however it fell to the Jacobite rebel leader bonnie Prince Charlie who levelled it using explosive charges.

The castle features on the reverse of the Royal Bank of Scotland £50 note introduced in 2005.

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Inverness City - Capital of the Highlands - Scotland/UK

Inverness City - Capital of the Highlands - Scotland/UK
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Inverness was granted city status by the Queen in December 2000, and celebrated its new status officially in March 2001. This city status was granted, however, without definition of either boundaries or representative corporate body. The right to speak for the city is assumed by the Highland Council, in association with a local enterprise company[2].

In 2001, the population of the city, or the urban area centred on the former burgh, was 51,832, and is expected to double over the next 30 years. Recently, Inverness was named the fastest growing city in Western Europe, with many new housing estates being built around the city. A large number of Polish immigrants have recently caused a considerable increase to the Invernesian population and helped contribute to the local economy. Tourism is important to the city's economy, as are administration and healthcare.

The city is the self-proclaimed "Capital of the Highlands". It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area and for the Inverness committee area of the Highland Council. Between 1975 and 1996, as a town without even the status of a local government burgh, it was the administrative centre of the Highland region and the Inverness district of the region.

The district was created, under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, by combining the royal burgh and the district of the county with the Aird district of the county. The rest of the county was divided between other districts of the Highland region and the Western Isles islands council area.

The area of the district became the Inverness committee area of the Highland Council, which was created as a unitary council when districts were abolished under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.

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The Loch Ness - Waiting for "Nessie" - Scotland/UK

The Loch Ness - Waiting for "Nessie" - Scotland/UK
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Loch Ness (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Nis) is a large, deep freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands (57°18′N 4°27′W) extending for approximately 37 km (23 miles) southwest of Inverness. The Loch's surface is 15.8 metres above sea level.

Loch Ness is best known for the alleged sightings of the legendary Loch Ness Monster ("Nessie"), although it is scenic in its own right. Boat cruises operate from various locations along its shores giving tourists the chance to look for the monster.

Loch Ness is the largest body of water on the geologic fault known as the Great Glen, which runs from Inverness in the north to Fort William in the south. The Caledonian Canal, which links the sea at either end of the Great Glen, uses Loch Ness for part of its route.

The loch is one of a series of interconnected, murky bodies of water in Scotland. Quite large, Loch Ness has exceptionally low water visibility due to a high peat content in the surrounding soil. It is the second deepest loch in Scotland, and the UK.
Loch Ness, with Urquhart Castle in the foreground.
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Loch Ness, with Urquhart Castle in the foreground.

Loch Ness is the second largest Scottish loch by surface area at 56.4 km2 (21.8 sq mi) but due to its extreme depth is the largest by volume. The loch contains more fresh water than all that in England and Wales combined. At its deepest part, 226 m (740 feet), London's BT Tower at 189 m (620 feet) would be completely submerged.

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The Clansman Centre - Highlands - Scotland/UK

The Clansman Centre - Highlands - Scotland/UK
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In Fort Augustus right next to the Caledonian Canal you will find the Clansman Centre, little on the outside prepares you for what to expect when you get inside.

As you enter the doorway there is a grand wee gift shop with many hand made items and tasteful reproductions of traditional items and jewellery, and some fine reproduction weaponry, which begins to give you an idea of what is to come.

It’s when you stoop under the low lintel into the back room that you realise this is no normal gift shop. Met by your kilted clansman, your eyes slowly adjust to the gloom and what you have before you is a 17th century turf house, the typical abode of the local population 400 years ago.

This is no museum though, and it doesn’t take long before you are finding out all you wanted to know about highland life at the height of the clan times, (and a great deal you didn’t). There is a lot to learn about the domestic life, diet, dress and custom of these proud warrior people.

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Urquhart Castle - Scotland/UK

Urquhart Castle - Scotland/UK
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Pt: Foi construido principalmente como um posto de controle, e atualmente serve como base para aqueles que buscam pelo famoso Monstro do Lago Ness, pois a vista deste ponto permite enchergar desde Inverness ate Forte Augustus

En: It was built principally as an observation post, and is now a haunt of would-be spotters of the famous Loch Ness Monster as it commands a view almost from Inverness to Fort Augustus

The earliest history of the castle goes back to the time of St. Columba, when the castle may have been mentioned in Adamnan's Life of Columba: it is probably the site called Airchartdan, visited by Columba in the latter half of the sixth century during one of his visits to King Brude son of Maelchon of the northern Picts. Columba took the opportunity to convert his host Emchath and his son Virolec to Christianity. Unfortunately, Adamnan’s text gives no specific link to the castle and the location of the episode is described as being the agrum of Airchartdan. This probably means the estate and certainly does not refer to the settlement in which Columba stayed. In view of the use of the term agrum, it would be as easy to see Drumnadrochit as the location of Emchath's residence as there is no mention of a fortified structure. However, one of the radiocarbon dates obtained by the late Professor Leslie Alcock in his 1983 excavations within the castle was in the range 460-660 AD. It is thus probable that there was a fortified settlement on Strone Point during the time that Columba visited the area, and it is reasonable to assume that this would have been the home of Emchath. No other noble is mentioned in this episode, so it is probable that Columba stayed at Urquhart Castle on his way to visit Brude at Craig Phadraig, Inverness.

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Glen Affric - Highlands - Scotland/UK

Glen Affric - Highlands - Scotland/UK
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Pt: Pessoal na trilha em meio ao glen

En: Our group walking through the Glen

Glen Affric (Scottish Gaelic: Gleann Afaraig) is a glen south-west of the village of Cannich in the Highland region of Scotland, some 15 miles to the west of Loch Ness. The River Affric runs along its length, passing through Loch Affric and Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin (Loch Benevean).

It used to be part of the lands of the clan Chisholm.

The area is a Caledonian Forest Reserve, a National Scenic Area and a National Nature Reserve. Often described as the most beautiful glen in Scotland, it contains one of the largest ancient Caledonian pinewoods in Scotland as well as lochs, moorland and mountains.

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The Culloden Batle Field - Culloden - Scotland/UK

The Culloden Batle Field - Culloden - Scotland/UK
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Pt: Memorial Cairn

En: The Memorial Cairn

The Battle of Culloden (April 16, 1746), was the final clash between the Jacobites and the Hanoverians in the 1745 Jacobite Rising. It was the last battle to be fought on mainland Britain, and brought the Jacobite cause—to restore the House of Stuart to the throne of Great Britain—to a decisive defeat from which it never recovered.

The Jacobites—most of them Highland Scots—supported the claim of Charles Edward Stuart (aka "Bonnie Prince Charlie" or "The Young Pretender") to the throne; the British army, under the Duke of Cumberland, younger son of the Hanoverian sovereign, King George II, supported his father's cause.

The aftermath of the battle was brutal and earned the victorious general the name "Butcher" Cumberland. Charles Edward Stuart eventually left Britain and went to Rome, never to attempt to take the throne again. Civil penalties were also severe. New laws dismantled the Highlanders' feudal clan system, and even highland dress was outlawed.

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Dunkeld Cathedral - Dunkeld - Scotland/UK

Dunkeld Cathedral - Dunkeld - Scotland/UK
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Pt: Foto tirada de dentro das ruinas da catedral

En: Picture taken from inside the catedral's ruins

Dunkeld Cathedral stands on the north bank of the River Tay in Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. Built in square-stone style of predominantly gray sandstone, the cathedral proper was begun in 1260 and completed in 1501. It stands on the site of the former Culdee Monastery of Dunkeld, stones from which can be seen as an irregular reddish streak in the eastern gable.

Because of the long construction period, the cathedral shows mixed architecture. Gothic and Norman elements are intermingled throughout the structure. Although partly in ruins, the cathedral is in regular use today and is open to the public. A small but delightful museum offers a collection of relics from monastic and Medieval times.

Relics of Saint Columba, including his bones, were said to have been kept at Dunkeld until the Reformation, at which time they were removed to Ireland. Some believe there are still undiscovered Columban relics buried within the cathedral grounds.

The original monastery at Dunkeld dated from the sixth or early seventh century, founded after an expedition of Saint Columba to the Land of Alba. It was at first a simple collection of wattle huts. During the ninth century Caustantín mac Fergusa constructed a more substantial monastery of reddish sandstone and declared Dunkeld the Primacy (center) of the faith in Alba.

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7 Days Tour Through the Scotish Highlands

7 Days Tour Through the Scotish Highlands
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Pt: Saindo do hostel, prestes a comecar o tour de 7 dias pelas Highlands

En: Leaving the hostel, just about to start the 7 days tour through the Scotish Highlands

This is an amazing tour, I do recommend it. It is great value for your money. Amazing tour-guides, who know just all about the history of the great places you will visit, it is a unique experience. They will take you to places, I doubt anyone could get on his own.

It was far ahead of my expectations, honestly it is without any doubts the best tour available. And I am not even receiving dividends.

For more information, check out their website

High Street - Pitlochry - Scotland/UK

High Street - Pitlochry - Scotland/UK
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Pt: Predios com a cara de Pitlochry, com cafes, restaurantes, lojas de souvenirs

En: Pitlocry's stylish buildings with cafes, restaurants, souvenir stores

Pitlochry (Baile Chloichridh in Gaelic), estimated population 2,564, is a burgh in the council area of Perth and Kinross, Scotland, lying on the River Tummel.

It is largely a Victorian town, whose success as a tourist resort was due to Queen Victoria visiting the area in 1842 and the arrival of the railway in 1863. It remains a popular tourist resort today and is particularly known as a centre for hillwalking, surrounded by mountains such as Ben Y Vrackie. The town has retained many stone-built Victorian buildings.

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Edradour Distillery - Pitlochry - Scotland/UK

Edradour Distillery - Pitlochry - Scotland/UK© All rights reserved Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

Pt: Edradour, a menor destilaria de uisque da escocia, nao faz uso de meios artificiais para producao da bebida, processo totalmente manual. Confira o web site para maiores informacoes

En: Edradour Distillery, the smallest distillery in Scotland, they don't use automated processes to produce the beverage.

Edradour is a Highland single malt whisky made in Pitlochry, Perthshire.

Reputed to be from the smallest distillery in Scotland of the same name. Established in 1825, the distillery is entirely run by three men, and always has been. Only twelve casks are produced each week. They have a free tour which includes a dram.

The stills are the smallest in use of any distillery in Scotland. Were they any smaller, they would be deemed by HM Customs and Excise to be portable, with the implicit capacity for illegal production.

There are a variety of whiskies available inculding an unchillfiltered 12 year old. Most whiskies are chillfiltered whereby the esters and oils are removed producing a cleaner look to the whisky, which when chilled or ice included does not produce a cloudyness which is prefered by those who indulge in such things. The unchillfiltered whisky has a more complex nose and and flavours. Other whisky manufactures are now also providing this distinct type.

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