Tag: gaelic
Brae
If you are planning a trip to the Shetland Islands at any time, you might think about visiting the peaceful settlement of Brae. In Gaelic the word ‘brae’ is usually translated as ‘hill’, but in the case of Brae, it is better interpreted as ‘a slope to the sea’. This is a very good description of the geographical position of this small but pretty little village.
Proverbs
Proverbs, as we all know, are sayings, advice given in short sentences or statements of the truth. Scottish proverbs are no different and some of the proverbs used in Scotland date back hundreds of years. Proverbs used by the Scottish can sometimes have a catchy rhyme to them or have a touch of humor, but no matter how they are spoken they are part and parcel of the Scottish ...
Fort William
On the beautiful untouched sands of Loch Eil and Loch Linnhe lies the town of Fort William, “The Garrison” on the Western Highlands in Scotland. Loch Eil and Loch Linnhe are just a few of the Lochs that you will find along the series of valleys known as the Great Glen or ‘Gleann Mor’ (in the Scottish Gaelic dialect). The Great Glen runs from Inverness for 100 kilometers on the Moray Firth to ...
Dunbar
Dunbar in Scotland lies on the southeast coast just 30 miles east of Edinburgh. The Gaelic pronunciation of the name is ‘Dun Barra’ and the town has a long and interesting history. In fact, it is presumed that the area was home to a fairly large settlement before our common era. The settlement was known as the Kingdom of Northumbria. Whether that is entirely true or not, what is known is ...
Loch Ness Exhibition Center
For centuries burly Scotsmen have been touting stories of a legendary monster that inhabited the Loch Ness. ‘Nessie’, as it has been affectionately called, has not only become synonymous with the loch but has in many instances become more famous than this beautiful body of water. However, in this day and age of science and technology, very few people would gladly admit that they are ...
Staffa National Nature Reserve
Standing out of the ocean, measuring just a half mile in length and a quarter mile in width, is the remarkable Staffa. This unique habitat has been declared the Staffa National Nature Reserve and is an important site for nesting seabirds, including the fascinating puffin. Indeed, Staffa has been an object of interest for many years with famous individuals such as Queen Victoria, Sir Walter ...
Ben Lui National Nature Reserve
Whether you are a naturalist or a walker, you will find that the Ben Lui National Nature Reserve in Scotland is just the sort of place you will like. With as many as four mountain peaks which reach higher than 3 000 ft, the moist rocky cliffs and outcrops support an abundance of mountain plants. The growth of these plants is further encouraged by the low acidity in the soil and so visitors ...
Auchentoshan
Auchentoshan Distillery has had many owners in its many decades of existence but its unique characteristic has remained unchanged. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it is the only distillery in Scotland that triple distills its alcohol. Furthermore, it is one of the few remaining Lowland Malt Whisky Distilleries that are still functioning and flourishing. Most whiskies are distilled twice ...
Cardhu Distillery
Cardhu Distillery was originally known as Cardow. The place where it is located has also been known by variations of the same name. It is now Cardhu but was known in the past as Cardow and Cardoor. It gets its name from the Gaelic word for 'black rock'. The hamlet and the distillery are located in the heart of whisky country – Speyside. The distillery is built along the Knockando River.
Laphroaig
Laphroaig, pronounced ‘la-froyg’, is Gaelic for “the beautiful hollow by the broad bay”. This town lends it name to the exceptional single malt from the tiny Island of Islay off the west coast of Scotland. The inimitable whisky is distilled and bottled by the original founders of the distillery, D. Johnston & Co. The distillery is located in a broad depression on the south coast of Islay, ...
