Scottish Blog

Glenfiddich is a single malt Scotch Whisky.

Although to the average Scot, Glenfiddich isn't the symbol they associate themselves and their country with, any other person will readily as readily link Glenfiddich with Scotland as they would the clan symbol on your Scottish Heirloom Jewelry.

Glenfiddich is unique in terms of its production method in the Highlands and Speyside, because it is the only Whisky which is distilled, bottled and matured all at one location. It is also the only Whisky which sources its water from one single spring, called the Robbie Dhu springs. Glenfiddich is matured in oak barrels, predominantly these are rum barrels from Cuba and Burbon barrels from America. The Glenfiddich is aged in the barrels and then bottled. The age of the Glenfiddich is determined by the time it has spent in the barrel, once it is bottled its age does not change. Currently, there are 12,15,18, 21, 30 year aged types of Glenfiddich.

The Glenfiddich distillery was formed in 1886 by William Grant. The first lot of Glenfiddich was released form the stills of the distillary on the Christmas day of 1887. In the 1960's the Glenfiddich began to expand its business by introducing gift packages, a distinctive bottle design and a visitor center in the distillery. The Glenfiddich name has survived to this day unlike its competitors of the time.

The Highland Boundary is the name given to a major fault line that crosses the Scottish Highlands.

Technically called the Highland Boundary Fault, the Highland Boundary represents itself as a topographical change across Scotland. Although it is not as strong a symbol of Scotland as the symbols on your Scottish Clan Jewelry, the Highland Boundary is still an important part of the image of Scotland.

For most casual observers, the Highland Boundary will appear as nothing more than a sudden change in topography on a map. But to those who are more interested or study this field will regard the Highland Boundary as exactly what it's name implies it to be, the Boundary of the Scottish Highlands. In more specifics, the Highland Boundary separates the Highlands from the Midland valley. Researchers will also be interested in the fact that the Highland Boundary separates two various rock formations, the North side has hard Pre-Cambrian and Cambrian rocks while the South has softer rocks, generally considered to be of the Devonian group.

The Highland Boundary runs from Arran in North Ayrshire to Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire. This location comparative to the next closest major fault line, Southern Upland Fault, has created what is known as the Midland Valley, which at points sinks 4400 meters below the Highland Boundary.

The Southern Crossbil is the only bird which is native to the British Aisles.

The Scottish Crossbil is a passerine bird, or more commonly referred to as a song or perching bird. It can be spotted in the Caledonian forest in mid-Scotland. To the surprise of some observers, the Scottish Crossbil can now often be seen in forestry plantation of exotic trees, namely conifers. They do not migrate with seasons and as such are a unique sight for the Scotland, considered by ornithologists to be something of a national Scottish symbol. In total, the population of the Scottish Crossbil is thought to be under two thousand in number.

The Scottish Crossbil was first classified as its own species of Crossbil in the 1980’s. The status of whether the Scottish Crossbil is a separate species or a sub breed, has been under dispute since then.
In the August of 2006, the Scottish Crossbil was conclusively classified as a separate species of bird, mostly due to its distinct bird call, said to have a certain “Scottish Accent”. The Scottish Crossbil also has a distinct panic and flying pattern than that of other Crossbils.

Typically the Scottish Crossbil is a small bird, both similar in shape and stature to a common sparrow. Although the color of the Scottish Crossbil is more typically brighter. They have a unique intermediate sized beak, which is perfectly shaped to help extract nuts from inside conifers.

Soutra Aisles is the remains in Scotland of what used to at one point be a hospital and friary.

Today, Soutra Aisles stands near the A86 highway, roughly 3 kilometers from the town of Fala and just North West of the wind farm in Dun Law. It still holds similarities to its past but in an obvious state of ruin. In its original form Soutra Aisle consisted of an above and below ground hospital and friary. It was enclosed by a wall, with an area measuring 700 square meters. It is believed that the hospital was founded around 1160 by Augustine monks. It was originally called the House of the Holy Trinity.

The building of Soutra Aisle was requested by King Malcolm IV and built during the reign of King David I. At the time it was it was believed to be the largest hospital in Scotland and it maintained a position as one of the top three most important hospitals in the country for a time afterwards.

Soutra Aisle was intended as a hospital primarily for the poor, as opposed to the rich. It was also a frequent stop for pilgrims to holy sites. Its position close to the Scottish-English border led it to be an important rest stop for civilians and wounded.

The decline of Soutra Aisle came in 1460 when the Master of the Hospital came into disrepute. The crown confiscated much of the estates of the Hospital. Before this point Soutra Aisle had earned its money from rich patrons, donations from the crown and richer churches. After the scandal, Soutra Aisles lost all its sources of income and fell into poverty. No longer was Soutra Aisle of any major importance in a large scale, although it did still operate locally.

The Battle of Dunnichen was an important battle to the development of Scotland as a nation.

The Battle of Dunnichen is said to be one of the best documented battles from the Dark Ages. It was fought between the Picts and the Northumbrians, on Saturday the 2nd of March 685, at three p.m. Although there is some controversy as t the location of the site, due to the way place names evolve with time and language. Some believe that the site could have been located in the proximity of Angus, near Forfar, others have contested that the site of the battle was actually Dunachton in Badenoch.

The Battle of Dunnichen came as a result of the Northumbrian tribes, lead by Ecgfrith, attempting to expand their territory and power North, into the kingdom of the Picts. The Picts, lead by Bridei III, naturally retaliated.

The Battle of Dunnichen came to head with the Picts being outnumbered. To even the advantage, the Pictish leader came up with a plan. The Pictish army was split in two, the weaker division were meant to meet the approaching Northumbrins at the bottom of a hill, while the stronger half would lie in hiding at the top of the hill. During the battle the Pictish feigned fear and retreated, their enemies followed. At the top of the hill they were met by the waiting forces, who forced the Northumbrians to the other side of the hill, which featured a swamp. The majority of the Northumbrians were killed or captured, the rest drowned in the swamp.

It is said that the Battle of Dunnichen was one of the major events that led to Scotland being formed into the country that it is today. Scholars claim that a loss in this battle would have seen the Northumbrians extend their power North past the Firth line. Which theoretically, could have stopped further rulers coming into power the way they did.

St Andrew’s House is the building which houses some parts of the Scottish Executive.

Since as early as 1939, when the building was completed, the St Andrew’s House has held parts of the Scottish Executive. Originally these were limited to the Scottish Office and the office of the Secretary of State for Scotland. These were moved out of their home in the British Parliament in London in a limited transfer of devolved power after World War I. This power was increased after the passing of the Scotland Act 1998, and was subsequently also moved into St Andrew’s House. It now houses both the First and Deputy-First Ministers of Scotland, along with the Scottish Executive Justice Department and the Scottish Executive Health Department.

St Andrew’s House is located in Edinburgh on the side of Calton Hill. The building was designed by Thomas S. Tait, who won an architectural competition for the right to design this building. St Andrew’s House is built in an “Art Deco” style, with influences from buildings like the “RIBA headquarters” in London. The North (and main) face of the St Andrew’s building is very symmetrical and relatively restrained compared to the more random and flared design of the rear of the building. Because of its importance as a building in the history of Scotland and its design, St Andrew’s House is a listed building in Scotland, with an “A” rating. This means that it is officially recognized as a building of national significance, and is subsequently afforded the appropriate protection. In fact it received significant refurbishment in 2001.

The Scottish Funding Council is the body which governs the funding of Scotland’s colleges and universities.

The Scottish Funding Council, or the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council as it is formerly called, is a subset of the Scottish Executive. It was established on the 3rd of October, 2005 as a product of the “Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005”. It is an amalgamation of the old “Scottish Further Education Funding Council” and the “Scottish Higher Education Funding Council”.

Officially, the primary role of the Scottish Funding Council is to distribute government higher education funding to the colleges and universities of Scotland (in 2005-06 year, they distributed £1.3 billion). Along with this task, the Scottish Funding Council is also charged with the following tasks: advising the Scottish ministries to the future needs of higher education providers, it advises as to policy making to attain self sustainability for education providers, it monitors the financial running of universities and also it is charged with the maintaining and overlooking assessment of qualifications.

Because the Scottish Funding Council is meant to operate at an “arms length” from the government it is able and expected to provide impartial advice to the Scottish Ministries. It is also required that the Scottish Funding Council looks after it stakeholders, these include Association of Scottish Colleges, Scottish Trades Union Congress, the Office of Science and Technology and the Universities of Scotland.

Scottish Citylink is the operator which handles Scotland’s coach services.

Scottish Citylink was formed in 1985, when the Scottish Bus Group was reconstructed. The different regional aspects of previous bus routes were combined into the Scottish Citylink name. This amalgamation became the largest long distance coach operator in Scotland, with business stretching into Ireland and England.

Scottish Citylink operates 19 main bus routes, these service over two hundred destinations, both main centers and smaller rural destinations. There are also a number of small shuttle services, most important of these is the link between Glasgow and the Glasgow International Airport. In recent years, the Scottish Citylink service transports over 3 million passengers annually.

Scottish Citylink does not operate any of its own buses or coaches. Instead, the buses are run and maintained by local authorities or companies. But they are still painted in Scottish Citylink colors and logos. Although to satisfy certain legal licensing conditions, there is one bus owned by the Westcoast Motors Branch of Scottish Citylink. The various branches of Scottish Citylink are all organized and run from the main headquarters in Glasgow, from the Buchanan Bus Station.

Transport Scotland is a branch of the Scottish Executive, which deals with transport throughout Scotland.

As with any modern country, transport is an important factor of society. To deal with this, on the 1st of January 2006, the Scottish Executive (or more specifically the Transport and Lifelong learning department), established the Transport Scotland branch. This established branch now directly answers to the Scottish ministries. Further, the head of the Transport Scotland department is directly accountable to the Transport Minister of Scotland.

Currently Transport Scotland is split into five operating divisions, these are: Rail Delivery, Strategy & Investment, Trunk Roads Infrastructure & Professional Services, Trunk Road Network Management, Finance & Corporate Services. These departments also work with local authorities, the government and also private transport companies. Of these local authorities, Transport Scotland recognizes five different areas, West and South-West, South-East, Central and Tay, Highlands and the Islands and lastly the North-East region.

Of the aspects related to transport, Transport Scotland list these as its prerogative : Liaison with regional transport partnerships, local roads policy and casework, Aviation, bus, freight and taxi policy Ferries, ports and harbors. Transport Scotland is also charged with managing Traffic Scotland. This is a website which provides people with real time analysis of Scottish traffic conditions in various Scottish regions

Scotland Wha Hae was for a long time considered to be Scotland’s main unofficial anthem.

Scotland has no official anthem, instead there are a number of songs that are sung in its place. Though none of these are official government backed anthems, they still hold a place of honor at special occasions. Scots Wha Hae is one such song. In recent times though, the use of Scots Wha Hae has been surpassed by that of “Scotland the Brave” and “Flower of Scotland”.

The origin of Scots Wha Hae goes back to 1793, when it was written by Robert Burns. It was originally written to a tune that is said to have been played by the army of Robert the Bruce in the Battle of Bannockburn. The lyrics of Scots Wha Hae are also written in the style of the speech given by Robert the Bruce to his troops before the battle.

The original lyrics to Scots Wha Hae in the Scots language are:

'Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome tae your gory bed,
Or tae Victorie!
'Now's the day, and now's the hour:
See the front o' battle lour,
See approach proud Edward's power -
Chains and Slaverie!
'Wha will be a traitor knave?
Wha will fill a coward's grave?
Wha sae base as be a slave?
Let him turn and flee!
'Wha, for Scotland's king and law,
Freedom's sword will strongly draw,
Freeman stand, or Freeman fa',
Let him on wi' me!
'By Oppression's woes and pains!
By your sons in servile chains!
We will drain our dearest veins,
But they shall be free!
'Lay the proud usurpers low!
Tyrants fall in every foe!
Liberty's in every blow! -
Let us do or dee!'

Historic Scotland is a branch of the Scottish Executive, which is charged with the protection of historic Scottish sites.

Scotland is a country rich in heritage and the monuments that symbolise it. Unlike the symbols passed along the lines of your Scottish clan, the physical monuments scattered through Scotland do not necessarily pass through generations as easily.

Historic Scotland was established in 1991, and from the beginning was charged with the restoration, promotion and protection of built historical sites throughout Scotland.

Typically a site that comes under the protection of Historic Scotland will either be restored to something resembling its original state or left as it is, to keep it as a historic ruin. These sites are then often turned into attractions and admission is charged to see them, this is in turn is then used to pay for the sites upkeep. This decision is often faced by opposition due to the nature of the fact that people are not always in agreement over something that relates to their past.

In regards to this, Historic Scotland is also often accused of being out of touch with the needs of rural Scotland. But with this in mind, Historic Scotland has a large number of sites in its care.

The following sites are in the care of Historic Scotland:

Arbroath Abbey
Ballymeanoch
Bishop's Palace, Kirkwall
Blackness Castle
Bothwell Castle
Burleigh Castle
Cadzow Castle
Caerlaverock Castle
Cairnpapple Hill
Cambuskenneth Abbey
Cardoness Castle
Carnasserie Castle
Carsluith Castle
Castle Campbell
Craignethan Castle
Crichton Castle
Crookston Castle
Crossraguel Abbey
Doune Castle
Dryburgh Abbey
Duffus Castle
Dumbarton Castle
Dunblane Cathedral
Dundrennan Abbey
Dunstaffnage Castle
Dùn Èistean
Edin's Hall Broch
Edinburgh Castle
Elgin Cathedral
Fort George, Highland
Glenluce Abbey
Greenknowe Tower
Hermitage Castle
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Holyrood Abbey
Holyrood Park
Huntly Castle
Iona Abbey
Jarlshof
Jedburgh Abbey
Kilchurn Castle
Kisimul Castle
Linlithgow Palace
Loch Leven Castle
Lochmaben Stone
MacLellan's Castle
Melrose Abbey
Morton Castle
Newark Castle, Port Glasgow
Orchardton Tower
Rothesay Castle
Royal Parks Constabulary
Royal Public Dispensary of Edinburgh
Ruthwell Cross
Scalloway Castle
Smailholm Tower
Sorbie Tower
Spynie Palace
St Andrews Castle
St Clements, Harris
St. Mungo's Cathedral, Glasgow
Stirling Castle
Stones of Scotland
Sweetheart Abbey
Temple Wood
Threave Castle
Thurgartstone
Urquhart Castle

The Storr is a unique group hills and rock formations in the Isle of Skye.

In English, “The Storr” translates to “old man”. This is probably derived from a rock formation in the hill which is said to strike a strong resemblance to an old man. Aside from this, there are a number of other volcanic plug formations that from interesting spires. Although none of these are thought to resemble anything in particular, they are still a popular spot for tourists and sightseers.

The Storr can be accessed via a well established path that branches of A855 highway. The track is over one and a half kilometers long. But due to its high foot traffic and use, it is kept well maintained. Similarly, there is a looked after, yet natural collection of path which lead to the summit of The Storr, this path also follows the entire landslip which forms the Storr.

Because of the unique location and scenery of The Storr it was chosen as the site of an outdoor art exhibition hosted by a Scottish environmental arts company. The exhibition also featured a number of Scottish musician and poets.

The Storr is located in the Trottenish peninsula area of the Isle of Skye in Scotland. The hill is a total of 719 meters high. It objective height, or prominence is 674 meters, meaning it would seem to be a height of 674 meters to an observer from a distance