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TOUR ONE
Castles, Clans, Culture & Crafts
an example of a full day excursion
| Balnagowan Castle, near Tain, is an ancient seat of the Ross family. They take their title and surname from the County where their forbears held lands even before their Chief brought his men to fight for Alexander II in 1215. and whose idea of showing loyalty was to present the king with the heads of his enemies! Currently owned by Mohamed al Fayed the restored castle is a private residence. Visitors are not allowed but we can see a glimpse of it from the roadside. Learn of some interesting facts about the previous owners of this Castle. |
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Mermaid of the North....Scotlands answer to Copenhagen's 'Little Mermaid' Set upon a rock on the shores at Balintore, the mermaid is one of five images forming the recently developed Seaboard Sculpture Park. The park celebrates the culture of this part of the Tarbat peninsula and is the latest in a number of community projects established in the last 10 years and was officially opened in May 2007. Photo opportunity provided at this, and the other scuptures. |
ANTA Craft Works See how stoneware is made and hand-painted, visit the craft shop for traditional Scottish fabrics, carpets and furniture, as well as the finished Stoneware.This site boasts a great Coffee Shop. ANTA is a family-run Scottish design and architecture firm, founded in the early 1980s by Annie and Lachlan Stewart. All ANTA products are made in Scotland from the finest natural materials, with colours inspired by the Scottish landscape. |
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Fearn Abbey In the 13th century the Abbey was moved from Edderton to New Fearn., lock, stock and barrel. Various reasons were given for the move, but it was probable that the Canons were interested in agriculture and that the lands around Fearn were more fertile, and also because it was still within 5 miles of St. Duthac's chapel in Tain. On Sunday, 10th October, 1742 lightning struck the Abbey during morning Worship and the roof, made of Caithness slabs, fell killing 38 people. They were buried in a communal grave as the separate identities could not be established. As luck would have it, the gentry, having seats in the niches, were saved from the crash as was the minister who "was bowing down under the sounding boards" This accident was apparently predicted by the Brahan Seer who later said that he had seen a mermaid in the morning of that very day washing bloodstains from more than thirty shirts at nearby Loch Slin (now renamed Loch Eye). |
Royal Burgh of Dornoch Once the spiritual and administrative capital of Sutherland, Dornoch
remains a thriving community today. Small in population (under 2500 live
in the Parish) but large in hospitality, Dornoch offers visitors and residents
a wide range of shops and businesses, five hotels, two golf courses, two
schools, a further and higher education college and 2 award-winning sandy
beaches. Its fine buildings include the 13th Century cathedral, a bishop's
palace (now a hotel), courthouse and old town jail. Sandstone cottages
and town houses line its peaceful streets and lanes. |
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Loch Fleet Loch Fleet reserve covers 1147 hectares. It includes a large tidal
basin, sand-dunes, coastal heath, pinewoods and rich plantlife. It supports
common seals, terns, waders and wildfowl. |
Rogart Crofting Community One of the most prominent characteristics of this remote Highland village is the peace and tranquility. Many people who come to visit (and even live) say it is the perfect place to get away from it all. Rogart is a beautiful area to explore with lots of sheltered glens, forests, burns, and spectacular hill-top views. You are welcome to share it with those fortunate enough to live here, and to walk in most places. See how the crofters of old used to live.
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Falls of Shin and Harrods outlet. The River Shin is one of the great salmon rivers in Scotland and is
one of the rivers, including that of the Cassley and Carron that run
into the River Oykel. The surrounding area consists of many hills and
a large number of streams and burns bring water down to form the river.
The water in the River Shin is fresh water and is superbly clean, the
perfect conditions for the Atlantic salmon and other fish such as trout
that require a constant flow of fresh water. Visitors can watch Atlantic Salmon battle to return to their place of birth to spawn the next salmon generation.
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Carbisdale Castle The castle was built between 1905 and 1917 for the Duchess of Sutherland. Mary Caroline Mitchell's second marriage in 1889 to George Granville William Sutherland Levenson-Gower, 3rd Duke and 18th Earl of Sutherland, made her the Duchess. She is better known as "Duchess Blair" because of her first marriage to Captain Arthur Kindersely Blair of the 71st Highland Light Infantry, who died in a hunting accident in 1883 near Pitlochry. The marriage was not well liked in the Sutherland family. When the Duke died in 1892 his will, well in favour of the Duchess, was contested by his son and heir. In a court process that followed, the Duchess was found guilty of destroying documents and was imprisoned for six weeks in London. Learn why it is affectionitely called "The Castle of Spite" |
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Glenmorangie Distillery
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This tour is guided throughout by a fully qualified HOSTGA tour guide. Most of the above attractions will not be visited by the larger coaches. Your tour will therefore be exclusive and relaxed. Please allow 6-8 hours to complete.
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