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Appreciating Cerro Torre - Los Glaciares National Park - Patagonia

2007-08-01T19:07:00.001Z

Appreciating Cerro Torre - Patagonia
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

I almost didn't make it here. There was no time on my initial schedule for a trip to Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre. But for whatever reason, I met this kiwi guy in Peru and chating about random things eventually we got to our itineraries and I mentioned that I'd be heading to Patagonia after the Inca Trail. I gave him information about the route I'd be doing, and I mentioned that I had 2 big priorities in Patagonia: 1-Complete the Torres Del Paine Circuit 2- See the Perito Moreno Glacier.

Having said that, he mentioned that his priority in Patagonia was Fitz Roy / Cerro Torre, and the next few words he said would become the trigger for a big and massive change on my initial plans. He said: "But, what a shame you are going to miss Fitz Roy" ... those words hit me baddly, and even not showing that I was felling a bit sad because of the idea of 'missing' these places, I just could not take my thoughts away from it.

Day after day, during the Inca Trail ... there was not a single day I didn't get myself wonddering, is there any way I can manage to go to Fitz Roy / Cerro Torre? I kind of knew the answer for it, but at that point I wasn't believing that it could be done, and trying hard to fight against my own thoughts eventually that issue went away for a while.

Once the Inca Trail was finished, on my way down to Patagonia, whilst on the plain I grabbed guides, maps and notes I had written months, weeks and even days before I set off to Peru. And started to re-do again my trip-plan for Torres Del Paine which was already audacious. By the time I got to Punta Arenas I had drawn a new plan which consisted of finishing the Torres Del Paine Circuit + Side Trips in nothing more than 5 days, 1 day less than the original plann.

With that extra day I would have the time I needed to go and see Fitz Roy / Cerro Torre. So I had to 'work hard' to stick to this new crazy schedule.

Something was making me believe that if nothing goes wrong i.e: get stucked on the John Garner Pass because of rough weather or whatever, I could do it. And all of the sudden just 5 days after having started one of the most amazing hikes on hearth I was again at the Hosteria Las Torres, where it all began.

From there, took the bus to Laguna Amarga and from there back to Puerto Natales, where the next day I would start my trip towards El Calafate in Argentina, and of course straight to El Chalten.

On the 6th of January at 5 in morning I started the last hike for this trip (Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre), where again I basically covered a 2 days hike in 1 (more or less 27kms). The path is very easy compared to what I faced in Torres Del Paine just a few days before. Not to mention I was just carrying my camera gear, all other stuff I had left behind at the hostel where I spent the night.

And this is the epic I went through to get to this place. I have to admit, I would have regret it so much if I haven't at least tried. Specially because I am so far from South America and I have no idea when I will be down there again.

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Sunrise at The Towers - Torres del Paine National Park - Patagonia

2007-06-25T03:11:00.001Z

Sunrise at The Towers - Torres del Paine National Park
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

I got to the National Park almost 9pm on the 30th Dec, the weather was SUPPERB, I saw the towers from the far away Laguna Amarga check point ... the sun was still high on the sky, it gets dark by 11pm at this time of the year.

Once I got to Hosteria De Las Torres, where I had planned to spend the first night on a camping site nearby something started to tick on my head ... 'go up to Campamento Las Torres', 'go up to Campamento Las Torres' ... I just could not stop thinking that if the weather stayed like it was ... I would have great chances to see the towers at sunrise next morning ...

So, I set off for a 9kms hike at 9pm ... my backpack was loaded with food for 7 days, and I think I don't need to tell you it was heavy, very heavy considering I was carrying all my camping gear as well.

But I just couldn't help it, I was so eager to see this spectacular show of Mother Nature. On my way up to the camping site I had many many short breaks to rest, my back was really felling the weight I was carrying.

After 2 hours I finally got to Campamento Las Torres, where I would be spending the night, I got there almost in the dark, but it was still fine and didn't need to use my flash light. I assembled my tent, prepared some food and went to sleep, God knows how tired I was at that point, I had began my trip down to Patagonia at 8:30 the day before in Lima, from where I flew down to Santiago and from there to Punta Arenas and I didn't have much sleep since then apart from a few naps on the plain ...

Next morning, I woke up by 4am to hike the last 1 KM up to the Base de Las Torres, to see one of the most spectacular sunsires in the world. The temperature was below zero, yeah, that is true, and believe it or not, it is mid summer in patagonia right now. To get things even 'worse' the wind which never stops blowing makes you fell it is even more colder than it actually was.

These towers are known world wide, and have the fame of being one of the most difficult climbs in the world, due to the rough weather conditions in the area. This climb can't be done in one day, the Torre Central has almost 1800 meters from the base ... yeah, is a hell of a wall to climb.

My effort has been paid off. The beautiful redish / goldish colors painting the towers is something unique and unforgetable!! Not even the freezing winds which blow down the glacier and the valleys and make you feel like a penguin is capable of take away a fraction of the emotion you feel standing in from of these gigantic granite rocks with almost 3000 meters in height.

The Group of Las Torres: This is the geological formation that has given its name to the National Park. It comprises 3 golden-colored granite towers of appreciable size and grandeur, with clear lines and well polished by ice which has been working for millions of years and still continues. Perpetually in the direct line of the prevailing winds from the ocean, they remain impassive, challenging the perception of conventional mountains with much smoother, undulating faces. The group comprises the Northen or Agostini Tower, the Southern or Monzino Tower and the biggest of the 3, the Central Tower.

These natural wonders are always inviting the best climbers in the world.

Location: 50°59′S 72°58′W

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Fitz Roy - El Chalten - Patagonia - Argentina

2007-06-25T01:55:00.001Z

Me - Fitz Roy - El Chalten - Patagonia - Argentina
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

This was quite early in the morning, I was feeling like I won the jackpot on the lottery because of such a incredible weather, in fact I think I did actually, because this place is known for having incredible bad weather, and the locals say that there are really only about 20 clear / sunny days a year - I think I just got one of them :) . I talked to some guys in Torres Del Paine, they were in El Chalten before they headed to Chile, and they waited over one week for the weather get clear enough to see Fitz Roy.

And in my case, having only 1 day to spare in El Chalten, it was a Hit or Miss, luckely enough I Hit it ;) ... I just could not believe how lucky I was, because as I mentioned before I almost didn't make it here.

Fitz Roy Mountain (Cerro Fitz Roy) is located in Parque National Los Glaciares that covers an area of 6,000.000 sq km of mountains, glaciers and lakes in the Santa Cruz Province in the south of Argentina.

The park is situated in the part of the land known as Patagonia. Most of the park is inaccessible for visitors, except for 2 areas - the Fitz Roy area near the twon of Chalten, and the Perito Moreno Glacier which is close to El Calafate.

The national park was declared in 1981 as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Fitz Roy Trek is a walk into the Los Glaciares reserve. The Trek passes through huge granite masifs, blue glaciers and magical lakes. The most notable mountains in the area are the Fitz Roy Mountain - a huge granite masif, at 3405 meters above sea level and the Cerro Torre Mountain, at 3102 meters above sea level.

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St. Moritz - Switzerland

2006-11-25T12:39:00.001Z

St. Moritz - Switzerland
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

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.

See the whole article here

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Eilean Donan Castle - Scotland/UK

2006-11-19T02:01:00.001Z

Eilean Donan Castle - Scotland/UK
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

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).

You can see the whole article here

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Loch Carron - Scotland/UK

2006-11-19T01:53:00.001Z

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

2006-11-19T01:29:00.001Z

Chanonry Point Lighthouse
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

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.

See the whole article here

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Inverness Castle - Inverness - Scotland/UK

2006-11-16T19:46:00.001Z

Inverness Castle - Inverness - Scotland/UK
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

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.

See the whole article here

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Inverness City - Capital of the Highlands - Scotland/UK

2006-11-16T19:38:00.001Z

Inverness City - Capital of the Highlands - Scotland/UK
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

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.

See the whole article here

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

2006-11-16T01:41:00.001Z

The Loch Ness - Waiting for "Nessie" - Scotland/UK
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

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.

See the whole article here

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The Clansman Centre - Highlands - Scotland/UK

2006-11-16T01:30:00.001Z

The Clansman Centre - Highlands - Scotland/UK
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

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.

Find out more here

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Urquhart Castle - Scotland/UK

2006-11-16T01:20:00.001Z

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.

See the whole article here

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Glen Affric - Highlands - Scotland/UK

2006-11-16T01:03:00.001Z

Glen Affric - Highlands - Scotland/UK
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

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.

See the whole article here

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The Culloden Batle Field - Culloden - Scotland/UK

2006-11-15T02:56:00.001Z

The Culloden Batle Field - Culloden - Scotland/UK
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

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.

See the whole article here

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Dunkeld Cathedral - Dunkeld - Scotland/UK

2006-11-15T02:24:00.001Z

Dunkeld Cathedral - Dunkeld - Scotland/UK
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

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.

See the whole article here

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7 Days Tour Through the Scotish Highlands

2006-11-15T02:04:00.001Z

7 Days Tour Through the Scotish Highlands
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

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

2006-11-15T01:08:00.001Z

High Street - Pitlochry - Scotland/UK
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

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.

See the whole article here

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Edradour Distillery - Pitlochry - Scotland/UK

2006-11-14T23:29:00.001Z

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.

See the whole article here

Check out Edradour Distillery's web site

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Water of Leith Walkway - Edinburgh - UK

2006-11-14T23:10:00.001Z

Water of Leith Walkway - Edinburgh - UK
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

The Water of Leith Walkway is a public footpath and cycleway that runs alongside the small river of the same name through Edinburgh, Scotland, from Balerno to Leith.

This is probably one of best of the many walks you can take in this amazing city, another great call is the Royal Mile which ends close enough to the great Arthur's Seat, it's guaranteed that you won't regret walk up there to see the stunning sun set and of course the great views you get of the city.

See the whole article here

Scottish Parliament Building - Edinburgh - UK

2006-11-14T01:33:00.001Z

Scottish Parliament Building - Edinburgh - UK
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Since September 2004 the official home of the Scottish Parliament has been a new Scottish Parliament Building, in the Holyrood area of Edinburgh. Designed by Catalan architect Enric Miralles, some of the principal features of the complex include leaf-shaped buildings and a grass-roofed branch merging into adjacent parkland and gabion walls formed from the stones of previous buildings. Throughout the building there are many repeated motifs such as shapes based on Raeburn's Skating Minister.[6] Stepped gables, and the upturned boat skylights of the Garden Lobby complete the unique[7] architecture. The Queen opened the new building on 9 October 2004.

The Scottish Parliament (Scottish Gaelic: Pàrlamaid na h-Alba; Scots: Scots Pairlament) is the national unicameral legislature of Scotland, in the Holyrood area of the capital Edinburgh. The Parliament, which is sometimes informally referred to as "Holyrood" (cf. "Westminster"), is a democratically elected body comprised of 129 members who are known as Members of the Scottish Parliament or MSPs. Members are elected for 4 year terms under the proportional representation system. As a result, 73 MSPs represent individual geographical constituencies elected by the plurality (first past the post) system, with a further 56 returned from eight additional member regions, each electing seven MSPs.

The original Parliament of Scotland (or "Estates of Scotland") was the national legislature of the independent Kingdom of Scotland and existed from the early thirteenth century until the Kingdom of Scotland merged with the Kingdom of England under the Acts of Union 1707 to form the Kingdom of Great Britain. As a consequence, the Parliament of Scotland merged with Parliament of England, to form the Parliament of Great Britain, which sat at Westminster in London.

Following a referendum in 1997 where the Scottish people gave their consent, the current parliament was established by the Scotland Act 1998 which sets out its powers as a devolved legislature. The Act delineated the legislative competence of the Parliament — the areas in which it can make laws — by explicitly specifying powers that are "reserved" to the Parliament of the United Kingdom: all matters that are not explicitly reserved are automatically the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament. The UK Parliament retains the ability to amend the terms of reference of the Scottish Parliament, and can extend or reduce the areas in which it can make laws.[1] The first meeting of the new Parliament took place on 12 May 1999.[2]

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Royal Mile - Edinburgh - UK

2006-11-14T01:18:00.001Z

Pt: A Royal Mile eh a mais antiga rua de Edinburgo.

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En: The Royal Mile is the popular name for the succession of streets which form the main thoroughfare of Edinburgh's Old Town. As the name suggests, it was equivalent to a Scottish mile between the two foci of royal history in Scotland, from Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Castle Rock down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Although it is often said to be properly referred to as the "High Street" by locals, along the way, the actual name of the street changes from Castle Esplanade to Castlehill, to Lawnmarket, to High Street, to Canongate, and finally to Abbey Strand. The Royal Mile is Edinburgh's busiest tourist street, rivalled only by Princes Street in the New Town.

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Arthur's Seat - Edinburgh - UK

2006-11-14T00:22:00.001Z

Arthur's Seat is the main peak of the group of hills which form most of Holyrood Park, a remarkably wild piece of highland landscape in the centre of the city of Edinburgh, about a mile to the east of Edinburgh Castle. The hill rises above the city to a height of 251 m (823 feet), provides excellent panoramic views of the city, is quite easy to climb, and is a popular walk. Though it can be climbed from almost any direction, the easiest and simplest ascent is from the East, where a grassy slope rises above Dunsapie Loch.

Like the castle rock on which Edinburgh Castle is built, it was formed by an extinct volcano system of Carboniferous/Mississippian age (approximately 350 million years old), which was eroded by a glacier moving from west to east during the Quaternary, exposing rocky crags to the west and leaving a tail of material swept to the east [1]. This is how the Salisbury Crags formed and became basalt cliffs between Arthur's Seat and the city centre. From some angles, Arthur's Seat resembles a sleeping lion.

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Edinburgh's view from Calton Hill

2006-11-14T00:17:00.001Z

Edinburgh' (pronounced [ˈɛdɪnb(ə)rə]; Dùn Èideann ([tuːn ˈeːtʃən]) in Scottish Gaelic) is the capital of Scotland and its second-largest city and the 7th largest in the United Kingdom.

It is situated on the east coast of Scotland's central lowlands on the south shore of the Firth of Forth on the North sea and forms the City of Edinburgh council area. (The city council area includes urban Edinburgh and more rural areas.) It has been the capital of Scotland since 1437 and is the seat of the country's devolved government. The city was one of the major centres of the enlightenment (see Scottish Enlightenment), led by the University of Edinburgh. The Old Town and New Town districts of Edinburgh were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. In the census of 2001, Edinburgh had a total resident population of approximately 440,000.

Edinburgh is well-known for the annual Edinburgh Festival, actually a collection of independent festivals held annually over about four weeks from early August, when the population of the city doubles. The most famous of these events are the Edinburgh Fringe (the largest performing arts festival in the world), the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Another famous event is the Hogmanay street party.

The city is one of Europe's major tourist destinations, attracting roughly 13 million visitors a year, and is the second most visited tourist destination in the United Kingdom, after London.

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Scottish National Monument - Edinburgh - UK

2006-11-14T00:12:00.001Z

Pt: O National Monument foi construido no inicio do seculo 19, para comemorar a morte de soldados escossezes em batalhas contra Napoleao. O plano inicial era fazer o mesmo se parecer ao maximo com o Acropolis em Athenas, mas a grana acabou e o monumento acabou ficando com sua construcao pela metade.

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En: The National Monument is probably the most well-known. Built at the beginning of the 19th century to commemorate the Scottish soldiers killed in the Napoleonic Wars, the original plan was to make it appear as the Acropolis in Athens did 2500 years ago. But funds quickly ran out, leaving only a few columns and half the foundation complete

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Palace of Holyroodhouse - Edinburgh - UK

2006-11-13T23:59:00.001Z

Pt: Palacio de Holyroodhouse visto do Halton Hill.

En: Palace of Holyroodhouse seen from Halton Hill

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, or informally Holyrood Palace, founded as a monastery by David I of Scotland in 1128, has served as the principal residence of the Kings and Queens of Scotland since the 15th century. The Palace stands in Edinburgh at the bottom of the Royal Mile.

Holyrood is an anglicisation of the Scots Haly Ruid (Holy Cross).

Queen Elizabeth II's 80th birthday celebrations in 2006 from 25th-28th August included the Big Royal Dig. This was the first time that the Queen had allowed the Palace of Holyroodhouse to be excavated. The dig identified the cloisters of the Abbey and also found the stair tower of the lost palace of James IV. These discoveries and other finds are described at the Big Royal Dig section below.

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Bridge of Sighs - Oxford - UK

2006-11-13T23:50:00.001Z

Hertford Bridge in New College Lane, Oxford, England is often referred to as the "Bridge of Sighs" because of its supposed similarity to the famous bridge of the same name in Venice. However, Hertford Bridge was never intended to be a replica of the Venetian bridge and many believe it looks more similar to the Rialto Bridge in the same city. The bridge links together the Old and New Quadrangles of Hertford College. (The bridge does not link Hertford College to New College, as is stated by some inaccurate city tourguides.)

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Edinburgh Castle's prototype - Scotland

2006-11-13T23:25:00.001Z

Edinburgh Castle is an ancient fortress which from its lofty position dominates views of the city of Edinburgh, and is Scotland's most famous landmark.

Scotish Culture - Typical Bagpiper

2006-11-13T23:23:00.001Z

Bagpipes are a class of musical instrument, aerophones using enclosed reeds. The term is equally correct in the singular or plural, although pipers most commonly talk of "pipes" and "the bagpipe."

This photo has been taken in Edinburh's Castle. There was a weading going on whilist I was visiting the castle on the 17th of September, 2005. Was my first day travelling through Scotish lands.

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