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Thursday, 16 November 2006

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.

See the whole article here

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The Clansman Centre - Highlands - Scotland/UK

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

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

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

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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Wednesday, 15 November 2006

The Culloden Batle Field - Culloden - Scotland/UK

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

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

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

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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Tuesday, 14 November 2006

Edradour Distillery - Pitlochry - Scotland/UK

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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Edradour Distillery - Pitlochry - Scotland/UK

Water of Leith Walkway - Edinburgh - UK

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

Scottish Parliament Building - Edinburgh - UK
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

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]

See the whole article here

Royal Mile - Edinburgh - UK

Royal Mile - Edinburgh - UK
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Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.

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

Veja o artigo completo aqui (escrito em ingles)

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.

See the whole article here

Arthur's Seat - Edinburgh - UK

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.

See the whole article here

Edinburgh's view from Calton Hill

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.

See the whole article here

Scottish National Monument - Edinburgh - UK

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.

Veja o artigo completo na Wikipedia (escrito em ingles)

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

See the whole article here

Monday, 13 November 2006

Palace of Holyroodhouse - Edinburgh - UK

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.

See the whole article here

Bridge of Sighs - Oxford - UK

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.)

See the whole article here

Edinburgh Castle's prototype - Scotland

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

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.

Find out more on Wiki

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