Scotland - Blogs - Tripatini2024-03-28T08:25:30Zhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/ScotlandCastles, Countryside and History Greet Visitors to Scotlandhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/castles-countryside-and-history-greet-visitors-to-scotland2023-10-23T00:45:36.000Z2023-10-23T00:45:36.000ZVictor Blockhttps://tripatini.com/members/VictorBlock<div><p><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12263646685,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="12263646685?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></p><p><em>The natural beauty is the first thing that delights visitors to Scotland. Photo by Victor Block</em></p><p>The first thing that impressed my wife Fyllis and me about the areas of Scotland we were visiting was its natural beauty. </p><p>Both the Highlands and Central Scotland are home to craggy mountains, rolling farmlands dotted by grazing sheep and the still waters of lochs (lakes). We agreed with a poll conducted by <em>Rough Travel Guides</em> which included Scotland among the “Most beautiful countries in the world.”</p><p>Contrasting with that tranquility is a history that is replete with battles against a parade of invaders and tyrants. And during pauses among those clashes, high-spirited Scottish warriors at times took to fighting among themselves.</p><p><strong>Castles in Scotland Were Built Before Columbus Sailed</strong></p><p>Some chapters of that history come alive at the countless castles that dot the landscape, some of which were built well before Columbus set sail for the New World, and charming towns, each with its own unique stories to relate.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12263733457,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12263733457,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="12263733457?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p><p><em>Castles in Scotland have many stories to tell. Photo by Victor Block</em></p><p>Stirling Castle is located in a city of the same name that’s known as the “Gateway to the Highlands.” Its oldest structures date back to the 14<sup>th</sup> century, and the Royal Palace looks much as it did when completed in the 16<sup>th</sup> century. One ceiling is adorned with original wood-carved medallions that depict images of kings, queens and other notables.</p><p>Doune (pronounced Dune) Castle dates back to the 13<sup>th</sup> century. Its quintessential fortress-like façade appeared in the film <em>Monty Python and the Holy Grail</em> and, more recently, in the <em>Outlander</em> TV series. </p><p><strong>Small Scottish Towns with Big Appeal</strong></p><p>The past also lives in cities and towns, including even the tiniest hamlets that make up in allure what they lack in size. </p><p>Inverness sits astride the Ness River, whose source is the loch where the famous fabled monster resides. This is a welcoming, walking town with numerous inviting cozy restaurants and small shops.</p><p>A personal favorite was the Victorian Market, which retains much of its original ornate splendor from 1891. Historic photographs line the walls and independent purveyors – a butcher, fishmonger, watchmaker and some 30 others – add to the ambience.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12263733865,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12263733865,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="12263733865?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p><p><em>The Victorian Market in Inverness is over 130 years old. Photo by Victor Block</em></p><p>Dunblane stands on the banks of the Allan Water (River Allan), which in the past powered factories and mills. Exhibits at the compact but outstanding Dunblane Museum trace the area’s history. I found especially fascinating the collection of beggars’ badges which, in the 15<sup>th</sup> century, identified indigent people who had permission to plead for money.</p><p>The pleasant Darn Walk trail alongside the river links Dunblane with the Bridge of Allan, a 19<sup>th</sup>-century spa town which traces its history back to a hillside fortress built during the Iron Age.</p><p><strong>The Heart of Scotland’s Capital in Edinburgh</strong></p><p>Contrasting with towns that are small in size but large in appeal is Edinburgh [pronounced Edin-borough], a magnificent city which in many ways is much more than just a pretty face. The Old Town area earns its accolade as “the heart of Scotland’s capital.”</p><p>Stretching a mile through the city center, its stunning architecture serves as backdrop to an active street life. Entertainers attract crowds of passers-by and street musicians add a background of music to the setting.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12263733692,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12263733692,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="12263733692?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p><p><em>Street musicians provide background music for visitors to Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo by Victor Block</em></p><p>Edinburgh Castle overlooks the Royal Mile, as it’s known, from a hilltop which has served as a defensive fortress since ancient Roman times. At the opposite end of the road is the Palace of Holyrood, the official residence of the English monarch in Scotland. King Charles III spends one week in residence each summer but was not there when we were, so we couldn’t drop by for tea.</p><p><strong>Edinburgh, Scotland’s Collection of Colorful “Closes”</strong></p><p>Another favorite site for us was Real Mary King’s Close, a narrow underground thoroughfare which provides a realistic immersion in the past. In the mid-17th century, Edinburg was confined primarily within its security walls, and housing was built in small thoroughfares called Closes, a Scottish word for alley. </p><p>These often were named for an occupant or the business or trade of residents, which accounts for signs identifying the Advocates, Bake House and Old Fish Market Closes.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12263734268,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12263734268,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="12263734268?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p><p><em>Sign to Old Fish Market Close, one of a number of such thoroughfares in Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo by Victor Block</em></p><p>Real Mary King’s Close is named for a merchant who lived there for a decade (1635-1645) along with about 600 other people. The tour delved into Mary’s life, those of people from all social classes and horror tales about Edinburgh’s most deadly plaque.</p><p>Another, very different site that I suggest should be on a visitor’s wish list is the Trossachs, an area of heavily wooded hills, yawning valleys and rocky peaks. This landscape in many ways represents a microcosm of Highlands scenery.</p><p>While our visit was limited to a self-driving tour and hike, other activities included animal and bird watching, fishing and enjoying a boat ride on a loch. History lovers may check out prehistoric sites including rock markings, burnt mounds and artificial islands once occupied by lake dwellings.</p><p>Reliving periods of history is but one of many attractions that invite visitors to Scotland. In an area about equal to that of South Carolina, its treasures include ancient history and architecture, some of Mother Nature’s most splendid handiworks, and friendly people eager to share their proud heritage with guests from abroad.</p><p>My wife and I visited Scotland with Untours, whose “Live like the locals” motto describes its unique approach. Untours offers the advantages of independent travel along with planning, on-site support similar to a tour and other assistance.</p><p>Accommodations are never in hotels. We spent one week in a comfortable flat (apartment) in Inverness, in a building that had been a church dating to 1837, and another in a former woolen mill overlooking the small river that had powered it.</p><p>We received a wealth of helpful pre-trip information, use of a rental car, and a first-day briefing and mini-tour at each location from the on-site Untours representative, who was available to provide help and information throughout our stay, along with other perks.</p><p>We could save money by cooking meals in the kitchen of our flat, which we enjoyed, or going to nearby restaurants. </p><p>To learn more about Untours, go to <a href="http://untours.com" target="_blank">untours.com</a> or call 888-868-6871. For more information about Scotland, log onto <a href="http://visitscotland.com" target="_blank">visitscotland.com</a>.</p></div>What Is a Single Malt Whisky? Plus Some Prime Exampleshttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/single-malt-scotch-whisky2023-09-15T11:20:00.000Z2023-09-15T11:20:00.000ZBottle Barnhttps://tripatini.com/members/BottleBarn<div><p><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12216544095,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12216544095,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12216544095?profile=RESIZE_930x" width="750" /></a><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/pe9T4ROjpzQ" target="_blank">Dylan de Jonge</a></em></span><br /> <br /> <br /> Few spirits have captured the hearts and palates of spirits enthusiasts quite like whisky, a sophisticated elixir born from the perfect blend of time-honored tradition, premium ingredients, and meticulous craftsmanship. Distilled in <strong>Scotland</strong> and <strong>Ireland</strong> since at least the 15th century, single malt is now also produced in more than two dozen other countries, even including the likes of <strong>Brazil</strong>, <strong>Lebanon</strong>, <strong>Pakistan</strong>, <strong>South Africa</strong>, and <strong>Taiwan</strong>. Whisky is also widely <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/whiskey" target="_blank">available online</a>, and you´ll see that there are many different types, but one of the most popular and revered varieties is single malt which connoisseurs consider to be the pinnacle of the spirit, as it is crafted using only the most superior ingredients and traditional techniques, typically in small batches. And due to its higher quality and more limited production, it is generally more expensive than blended whiskies.</p>
<h2><strong>How Is Single Malt Whiskey Made?</strong></h2>
<p>According to Scottish whisky regulations, the term ¨single malt¨ is a specific type of whisky distilled at a single distillery.using only malted barley, yeast, and water. First the barley is mashed, then fermented to create a liquid known as wort, which is then in turn distilled in pot stills to produce a more concentrated liquid called wash, with a higher alcohol content. The distillation process involves heating the wash in a still to produce steam, which is then condensed back into a liquid. The newly distilled liquid, often referred to as the new-make spirit, is then carefully matured in an oak barrel for at least three years - and often for much longer, up to 18 - allowing its unique flavor and aroma to develop. The oak barrels used for aging single malt whiskey are often made of American white oak or European oak, which impart different flavors and characteristics to the whiskey.<br /> <br /> And let´s have a wee peek at five of the most outstanding single malt Scotches (meaning from Scotland) you can buy online.</p>
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<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}11140027681,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}11140027681,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="11140027681?profile=RESIZE_400x" width="350" /></a></p>
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<h3><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/products/macallan-double-cask-18yr-scotch-750ml" target="_blank">Macallan 18 Year Double Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky</a></h3>
<p>The Macallan is a well-known and highly respected brand of single malt whiskey, from <a href="https://www.themacallan.com/" target="_blank">a distillery</a> in the northeastern <strong>Speyside</strong> region (which boasts the greatest concentration of distilleries anywhere in Scotland) licensed for 200 years now. Its 18-year-old expression is a rich and complex whiskey with notes of dried fruit, spice, and oak.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}11140028462,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}11140028462,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="11140028462?profile=RESIZE_400x" width="350" /></a></p>
<h3><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/products/lagavulin-16-year-single-malt" target="_blank">Lagavulin 16-Year Single Malt Scotch</a></h3>
<p>Crafted by the <a href="https://www.malts.com/en-us/brands/lagavulin" target="_blank">eponymous, 207-year-old distillery</a> on the <strong>Isle of Islay</strong> single malt whiskey known for its smoky and peaty flavor. This 16-year-old expression is bold and intense, with notes of smoke, peat, and seaweed.</p>
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<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}11140028855,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}11140028855,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="11140028855?profile=RESIZE_400x" width="350" /></a></p>
<h3><a target="_blank">Glenmorangie 14-Year 'Quinta Ruban'</a></h3>
<p>Founded in 1843, <a href="https://www.glenmorangie.com/" target="_blank">this <strong>Highlands</strong> distillery</a> is known for its innovative approach, and this unique expression is made using a unique combination of aged whisky. It has a rich and chocolatey flavor with notes of coffee and spice.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}11140028284,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}11140028284,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="11140028284?profile=RESIZE_400x" width="350" /></a></p>
<h3><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/scotch-whisky/products/dalmore-14-year-single-malt-scotch-whisky-750ml" target="_blank">The Dalmore 14-Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky</a></h3>
<p>Also in the Highlands, <a href="https://www.thedalmore.com/en-gb/" target="_blank">this distinguished distillery</a> has been producing single malts since 1839. Its 14-year expression is aged in American oak barrels before being finished in sherry casks for a minimum of three years, giving it a rich and complex flavor profile.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}11140028679,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}11140028679,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="11140028679?profile=RESIZE_400x" width="350" /></a></p>
<h3><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/all/products/talisker-distillers-edition-amoroso-cask-single-malt-scotch-whisky-750ml" target="_blank">Talisker Distillers Edition Amoroso Cask Single-Malt Scotch Whisky</a></h3>
<p>Founded in 1830, <a href="https://www.malts.com/en-us/distilleries/talisker" target="_blank">this distillery</a> out on the <strong>Isle of Skye</strong> in the <strong>Hebrides</strong> is known for producing rich and peaty single malt whiskies, and this special expression is aged in American oak barrels before being finished in casks which previously held amoroso sherry.</p>
<p> <br /> If you're interested in further exploring the world of single malts and buying whisky online, we invite you to check out <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/whiskey" target="_blank">our Bottle Barn online store</a> and browse our selection of premium bottles from some of the world's top distilleries. And if you happen to be in <strong>California</strong>, we'd love to see you at our liquor store in <strong>Santa Rosa</strong>, where our knowledgeable staff can help you find the perfect bottle to suit your tastes.</p>
<p>Finally, don't forget to our <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/blogs/news" target="_blank">blog</a>, where we regularly share articles and resources for whiskey enthusiasts of all levels. We're here to help you discover and savor the many pleasures of this timeless spirit. <br /> <br /> Cheers!</p>
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<p> </p></div>Scotland, Where Old Traditions Are Alive and Well Todayhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/inverness-scotland-great-britain-united-kingdom2023-08-28T17:32:05.000Z2023-08-28T17:32:05.000ZFyllis Hockmanhttps://tripatini.com/members/FyllisHockman<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12213085663,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12213085663,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="750" alt="12213085663?profile=RESIZE_930x" /></a></p>
<p><em>Inverness, Scotland is but one of the Highlands’ Treasures. Photo by Victor Block</em></p>
<p>Ask anyone what they think of when they think of Scotland and you’ll probably hear bagpipes, kilts, tartans – maybe Scottish Brogue and haggis (but more on that later). If the year were 1746, you would have heard the same thing. But it was in that year, after the Battle of Culloden when the British decimated the Scots, that the British set about to systematically rid the country and its people of their identity and traditions. It didn’t work, which makes it all the more remarkable that everything that defines the Scottish people today is the same as it was centuries ago – and it was my mission to explore them all: kilts, bagpipes, whisky. Even the Gaelic language. Well almost all – not so much haggis….</p>
<p>And it was on a trip to the Scottish Highlands with UNTOURS, a company with its own unique traditions, that I got to relish in all of it. UNTOURS puts you up in unusual accommodations in multiple cities in more than a dozen European countries – perhaps a castle, a vineyard, or a delightful old church like ours. It provides a car, inundates you with information, connects you with a local contact to answer questions, and sets you off to see what you want to see when you want to see it, unencumbered by anyone else’s set schedule or preferences.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12213086080,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12213086080,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12213086080?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="533" height="518" /></a></p>
<p><em>The front of our UNTOURS apartment in an old 1837 church in Inverness, Scotland. Photo by Victor Block</em></p>
<p>UNTOURS TRAVEL PHILOSOPHY – TO LIVE LIKE A LOCAL – MAKES FOR AN INCOMPARABLE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE</p>
<p>Should we sleep in – or get an early start? Have dinner out – or eat in. Spend the day exploring our home town – or visit some of the towns within an easy hour car ride? Enjoy a sampling of a variety of Scottish single malts – or revel in other less-indulgent sightseeing options? Such are the many decisions with which we had to cope on our Scottish Highlands UNTOUR, an unrivaled way of traveling that encourages you to live like a local. Which means one decision you never have to make is whether or not to unpack.</p>
<p>We were spending the week in our own apartment, part of an 1837 church in a former life, near our home base of Inverness – and it indeed felt like home. Although a street sign on the corner with arrows pointing to a museum, the bus station, a market, and “Castle and Toilet” warranted a double-take. As did all the neighborhood signs where the Gaelic translation appears below the English ID. Dead language? Not close – they still teach it in school. Very hard to understand though. But then again so is the language they speak, which they claim is English…</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12213086283,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12213086283,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12213086283?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="592" height="347" /></a></p>
<p><em>Many of the signs throughout the Scottish Highlands are in both English and Gaelic. Photo by Victor Block</em></p>
<p>Kilts, tartans, whisky – not your everyday window-shopping options. If there were a singular symbol for Scotland, it might be tartan: from hotel interiors and tabletop items to cookie tins and everyday clothing. And then there are the wings of planes at the airport sporting bright plaid colors. Scottish tradition in inescapable.</p>
<p>Case in point -- the Highland Games. A throwback to ancient Scotland, it is a unifying rite of passage for any Scot. Amidst the vast ocean of tartan, bagpipes and clans sits a cultural event steeped in skill, tradition and community going back more than a thousand years. Now, the games are held in several cities throughout the summer – and we found ourselves at one on the only day of our week that was dry and drenched in sunshine.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12213086675,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12213086675,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12213086675?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="438" height="420" /></a></p>
<p><em>Among the many unusual skills exhibited at Scotland’s Highland Games is the hammer toss. Photo by Victor Block</em></p>
<p>Similar in style to the Renaissance Faires in the states, only here the men are wearing kilts rather than English robes. The music, of course, the incredibly distinctive bagpipes emanating from competing bands, never leave your ears. And, of course, every pipe band sports its own tartan -- all of which I wanted a sweater made of -- so the multitudes of plaids create a fashion visual that is hard to forge from your eyes. And I can’t tell you how many times I heard the words bonny, aye and laddie. To say, the Highland games are an assault on all the senses is a wee understatement.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12213087267,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12213087267,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12213087267?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="618" height="377" /></a></p>
<p><em>So many bands, so many colors, so many bagpipes highlight the summer Highland Games throughout the Scottish Highlands. Photo by Victor Block</em></p>
<p>A VISIT TO THE HIGHLAND GAMES IN SCOTLAND TRANSPORTS OLD-WORLD TRADITION INTO MODERN-DAY ENTERTAINMENT</p>
<p>And although some of the games such as track and cycling may be recognizable, the chanter, caber tossing, hammer throw and tug ‘o war are not. Men throwing heavy sticks, balls, hammers – and probably their arms out! The Highland dancers, from age six to seniors all decked out in colorful costumes, their intricate steps, toe-tapping music and enthusiasm galore enchant, whatever the age. At one point, I noticed that silence had descended upon the arena and I realized it was the first time a bagpipe couldn’t be heard somewhere off in the distance. It didn’t last long.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12213087664,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12213087664,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12213087664?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="513" height="329" /></a></p>
<p><em>The costumes and intricate steps of Scottish dancers are a big drawer to Scotland’s Highland Games. Photo by Victor Block</em></p>
<p>So kilts, bagpipes, Highland games all attesting to Scottish heritage. That still leaves whisky. And, oh yes, the damn haggis.</p>
<p>Scottish single malts – celebrated locally as whisky (no e) – are known all over the world for their richness and smoothness – and cost. With a history dating back as far as the 11th century, Scottish whisky is an important part of the country's identify, with most of the 140-plus distilleries in the Highlands. Being more of a pedestrian imbiber of alcohol, I was not the ideal candidate for a whisky distillery tour and tasting. But I soldiered on.</p>
<p>At the Glen Ord Distillery, serving up its single malts for almost two centuries, I sampled a flight of their 3 brands of whisky – a dram each which I learned was 25 ml. At 12 years of age, they were just kids. Three very different flavors, or so I was told, but I was useless as a connoisseur. They all tasted the same to me. I’m not proud. Then, as instructed, I added three drops of water to each dram to “separate the flavors.” And yes, I noticed they were more potent – but still tasted the same. I slinked out of the distillery.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12213087498,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12213087498,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12213087498?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="496" height="447" /></a></p>
<p><em>The author did not do justice to appreciating the richness of Scotland’s famed whisky at a tasting. Photo by Victor Block</em></p>
<p>But I was braver there than with one of Scotland’s most traditional dishes – the inevitable haggis, a lovely concoction of a sheep’s liver, lungs and heart which I chose not to pursue. I opted for another single malt which should tell you how much I didn’t want haggis.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12213088657,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12213088657,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12213088657?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="567" height="350" /></a></p>
<p><em>Scotland’s famous haggis should be tasted before actually identified – sheep’s lungs, heart and liver…. Photo by photocreations/Dreamstime.com</em></p>
<p>COLORFUL SCOTTISH TARTANS DECORATE EVERYTHING IN SCOTLAND FROM CLOTHES TO AIRPLANE WING TIPS</p>
<p>A visit to The Highland House of Fraser reinforces the uniqueness that is Scotland because there, for a mere $750, you can have your own personalized kilt made. And should you not have your own family tartan, you can choose from 750 different plaids from other clans. And you can even watch a kiltmaker weave your threads while, of course, listening to some bagpipe music.</p>
<p>Colorful tartans brighten up the entire country of Scotland. Photo by Victor Block</p>
<p>And lest you think the kilt is itself a throwback to history, not so. They are often worn at every celebratory gathering from birthday parties to weddings to funerals – and sometimes just because. As our local UNTOURS rep told us, he takes his kilt and bagpipes with him wherever he goes – apparently both wrap up well for traveling -- which conveys how very much a part of everyday living the old traditions are today.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12213088871,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12213088871,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12213088871?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="520" height="474" /></a><em>Kilts are often a part of everyday dress – only accompanied by a wee dram…. Photo by Victor Block</em></p>
<p>So despite Britain’s efforts to destroy the language, the clothing, the traditions and the lifestyle of the Scottish people, it all remains alive and well today. And UNTOURS encourages its own traditions. Picking up a roasted chicken and another bottle of wine at a local shop in our home town, we headed back to our cozy apartment to think about what other historic/modern Scottish traditions we would next explore. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.untours.com/scottish-highlands">www.untours.com/scottish-highlands</a>.</p>
<p>P.S. I actually wish I HAD tasted haggis – if only for the sake of this article.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p></div>Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh: 400 Years of Buried History Brought to Lifehttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/mary-kings-close-edinburgh-scotland-great-britain-united-kingdom2022-06-24T05:35:00.000Z2022-06-24T05:35:00.000ZFyllis Hockmanhttps://tripatini.com/members/FyllisHockman<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10564684871,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" style="padding:20px;" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10564684871,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="10564684871?profile=RESIZE_930x" width="750" /></a><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>Photos courtesy of TheRealMaryKing'sClose.com</em></span></p>
<p><br /> <br /> The year is 1645. The most virulent strain of the bubonic plague - the "Black Death" - has immobilized <strong>Edinburgh</strong>, <strong>Scotland</strong>, claiming the lives of more than half the city’s population. The area hardest hit: <strong>Mary King’s Close</strong> off <strong>High Street</strong>, a lively, busy thoroughfare of pubs, shops, and residences. Cries of suffering have replaced the friendly chatter, and the stench of death the aroma of tea and scones.</p>
<p>The place, the time, the horror have been resurrected as one of Edinburgh's most unusual attractions. Archaeologically and historically accurate, the alleys you walk upon, the rooms you visit, the stories you hear are real. This is not a re-creation; it is a resurrection of what already existed so many centuries ago.<br /><br /></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Beneath the City Chambers on Edinburgh’s Famous Royal Mile Lies Mary King’s Close</strong></span></p>
<p>It is a series of narrow, winding side streets with multi-level apartment houses looming on either side, which has been hidden for many years. In 1753, the houses at the top of the buildings were knocked down to make way for the new building. Parts of the lower sections were used as the foundation, leaving below a number of dark and mysterious underground alleyways steeped in mystery -- and misery.</p>
<p>Launched in 2003, <strong><a href="https://www.realmarykingsclose.com/" target="_blank">The Real Mary King’s Close</a></strong> breathes new life into this underground world dominated by death. Reconstructed as it was then - though of course without any contagious aspects - the provides amazing insight into a period of history with which many are totally unfamiliar, and it’s been preserved in an authentic environment and the historically accurate depiction that defies most “commercial” historical reproductions<strong>.</strong></p>
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<div class="captioned-image-container"><a href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F57dc4663-2520-4626-b922-de23d5d6df26_640x427.jpeg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" style="padding:20px;" src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F57dc4663-2520-4626-b922-de23d5d6df26_640x427.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_930x" alt="https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F57dc4663-2520-4626-b922-de23d5d6df26_640x427.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_930x" width="750" /></a><em><em><br /> </em></em>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Meander up and down Dark, Circuitous, Unpaved Passageways</strong></span></p>
<p>Walk on beaten-down earth floors (good walking shoes are a must; wheelchair accessible it is not) past room after room, each with its own story to tell - a projection of people who lived in the Close from the mid-16th century through the beginning of the 20th. I almost feel an intruder, the subtle lighting enhancing the effects of a shadowy past.</p>
The inhabitants - ranging from those gracing a grand 16th-century townhouse to plague victims of the 17th century to the third-generation saw makers who departed in 1902 when the last section was finally interred - are not composites of might-have-been; the lives recounted are based on real people gleaned from primary documentation (written at the time) and preserved in the <strong>Scottish Office of Records</strong> and its archives.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F89e3e475-a1b2-46ac-b359-67a57c708cd8_640x480.jpeg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" style="padding:20px;" src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F89e3e475-a1b2-46ac-b359-67a57c708cd8_640x480.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_930x" alt="https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F89e3e475-a1b2-46ac-b359-67a57c708cd8_640x480.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_930x" width="750" /></a></div>
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<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Lighting Heightens the Spooky Feel as Much as Does the Narrative</strong></span></p>
<p>Only “practicals” –- original methods of lighting the dwellings –- are used, re-creating the actual lighting conditions of the 17th and 18th centuries. Candlelight illuminates one room, while the glow of firelight casts its spell in another. A single low-watt light bulb brings others into hazy focus.</p>
<p>The dark hallways are lit by lantern-like “bowats,” providing only as much light as was necessary to light the streets at night. The lighting levels in each room are just enough to highlight its architectural features, furniture or inhabitants –- no more or less than was available to the tenants at the time. The concept of atmospheric lighting takes on a whole new dimension. </p>
<p> <a href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff9a06f35-eb0d-43c3-8632-619a617abeba_2758x1872.jpeg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" style="padding:20px;" src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff9a06f35-eb0d-43c3-8632-619a617abeba_2758x1872.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_930x" alt="https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff9a06f35-eb0d-43c3-8632-619a617abeba_2758x1872.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_930x" width="750" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>The Tragedy of the Plague<br /> </strong></span></p>
<p>Amid this atmospheric backdrop, costumed actors (above) portray some of the Close's historically documented residents. Rounding one curve reveals a large window, lit by a gloomy, sickly ,greenish light. A doctor emerges, tending to bedridden figures covered with sores, boils, and diseased skin. It’s the home of <strong>John Craig</strong>, a grave-digger who has already succumbed to the “visitation of the pestilence,” his body awaiting “collection.”</p>
<p>His wife Janet and three sons suffer from varying stages of the deadly malady. The doctor is lancing a boil on the eldest son, <strong>Johnnie</strong>, with a hot iron to seal and disinfect the wound. Repellant odors arising from the family chamber pot of vomit provide a little more “real” than even today’s cable TV has prepared me for. By the door, there is bread, ale, and coal delivered to the quarantined family. The townspeople want to ensure the afflicted stay in their homes, so the healthy have good reason to give generously.</p>
<p>And therein lies the tragedy of Mary King’s Close -– much of its history parallels that of the plague. The epidemic struck its residents fiercely; as the deaths rose, the bodies accumulated outside to be carried away by those designated to perform the loathsome task. Mary King’s Close was a pariah in the neighborhood –- and ultimately fell victim to its own diseased fate: It disappeared. With more than two dozen stops along the tour path -- each accompanied by an intriguing bit of personal history –- I became intimately acquainted with the residents who lived there.</p>
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<div class="captioned-image-container"><em><a href="https://www.realmarykingsclose.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Mary-King-Blog-Header.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://www.realmarykingsclose.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Mary-King-Blog-Header.jpg?profile=RESIZE_930x" alt="Mary-King-Blog-Header.jpg?profile=RESIZE_930x" width="750" /></a></em></div>
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<p><strong><span style="font-size:14pt;">Mary King Has some Spooky Stories to Tell</span></strong></p>
<p>Mary King herself (depicted above), of course, moved here in 1635 with her four children after her husband passed away; and died herself in 1644 before the plague struck; a half century later, the city council named the Close after her due to her stature as a respected merchant as well as council member (very unusual for a woman at that time). You’ll get to meet her personally and boy, does she have some good stories to tell! Similar stories, some enthralling, others bizarre –- all authenticated by original documentation –- abound as we wend our way around the windy, up-and-down corridors. Shifts in lighting reflect the various circumstances.</p>
<p>Edinburgh native <strong>Jennifer West</strong> is awed by this backyard discovery. “This really brings to life all the stories I’ve heard over the years about this part of the city’s history. It’s hard to grasp that these underground chambers were once bustling street-side shops.</p>
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<div class="captioned-image-container"><a href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff88ef73-1585-4265-b357-8f852b5f4513_427x640.jpeg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" style="padding:20px;" src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff88ef73-1585-4265-b357-8f852b5f4513_427x640.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_930x" alt="https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff88ef73-1585-4265-b357-8f852b5f4513_427x640.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_930x" width="750" /></a></div>
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<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Rooms Reeking of Sadness</strong></span></p>
<p>One of the most important - and saddest - among a multitude of rooms that witnessed much sadness is one in which eight-year-old Annie died of the plague in 1645. A Japanese psychic, visiting in 1992, could barely enter the room because of all the misery she felt there. As she turned away, she claimed to feel a tug at her leg. Annie, in rags with long dirty hair, was standing by the window, crying because she had lost her family, her dog and her doll. The psychic brought Annie a doll to comfort her and people from around the world have been leaving trinkets and toys ever since, at a spot known as <strong>Annie's Shrine</strong> (above), where key chains, jewelry, dolls, stuffed animals, and other items line the walls as a shrine to the forlorn little child who has long since passed away. ”What a sad story,” laments 10-year-old Harriet Peterson, visiting from London. She slowly adds the small stuffed teddy bear she is hugging to the other offerings.</p>
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<p>There was a lot of life lived within these buildings – and a lot of lives lost.</p>
<p><br /> As one of the most fascinating and unique walks through history I’ve yet to tread, the unsettling stories, the ethereal lighting, and serpentine alleyways remained with me afterward even as I explored the many other, more traditional sites of historic Edinburgh. The Real Mary King’s Close is open daily, with tours at 15-minute intervals. For more information, contact <strong>Visit Britain</strong> at 877/899-8391 or visit <a href="http://www.realmarykingsclose.com/" target="_blank">www.RealMaryKingsClose.com</a>.</p>
<p> </p></div>7 Offbeat Tips to Get the Most Out of Edinburgh, Scotlandhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/edinburgh-scotland-britain-united-kingdom-offbeat-tips2019-04-17T17:59:00.000Z2019-04-17T17:59:00.000ZEric Wilsonhttps://tripatini.com/members/EricWilson<div><p></p><p><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009336075,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009336075,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009336075?profile=original" /></a><a href="https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/festival-street-performer-on-edinburghs-royal-mile-gm458653727-17353768" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:8pt;">georgeclerk</span></a></em><br /> <br /> <br /> Edinburgh is Scotland's most sophisticated city, filled with quirky, come-hither nooks and activities that will fascinate you. And here are seven places and things that will make your visit here even cooler!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Come in Summer for the Edinburgh Festivals</strong></p><p><br /> Over six weeks in August and September, the city is given over to the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe, with their all-day/all-night cavalcade of hundreds of daily performances in all genres, as well as lots of parties and other events. It's all great fun, of course, but it also means lots of crowds, higher prices, difficulties finding hotels (unless you book well ahead) and cabs, and so forth. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Visit a Mosque Restaurant</strong></p><p><br /> Well, this eatery is actually next to the Edinburgh Central Mosque rather than part of it. But the <a href="http://www.mosquekitchen.com/" target="_blank">Mosque Kitchen</a> did start out as a canteen for the mosque, and today is open to all as a tasty and inexpensive option for mostly Indian fare - curries and the like (perhaps the city's best value, with dishes starting at £6.50). <br /> <br /> <strong>Never Say No to Salt and Sauce</strong></p><p><br /> This vinegar- spiked brown sauce is the beloved of all Scots, and used to accompany chips or any meal from a local "chippy" eatery. Delicious!<br /> <br /> <strong>Drink with Manners</strong></p><p><br /> Scots are enthusiastic drinkers, and there is a pub etiquette of sorts. First off, don’t have your whole group stand at the bar to order. Second, pay for each round separately. And third, don't cut in line! <br /> <br /> <strong>Learn a Bit of the Local Lingo</strong></p><p><br /> Learning a few words and phrases will help endear you to the locals. Examples include "a wee dram" (a measure of whisky), "scran" (food), "wynd" (a small street), "loch" (lake or a pond), "burn" (stream), "kirk" (a church), "numpty" (silly billy), "bairn" (child), "awrite" (hi), and "guid cheerio the nou" (good night). <br /> <br /> <strong>It's Haar, Not Fog</strong></p><p><br /> Formed when warm air moves over cold water, the kind of coastal fog which drifts in from the North Sea especially in the spring and summertime is referred to as haar. So if you see it, call it that, too!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Give Haggis a Try</strong></p><p><br /> Scotland’s national dish that is softball- sized mass of sheep’s pluck (heart, lungs and liver), mixed with spices, onion and oatmeal, then cooked. in a sheeps stomach. It has a nutty texture and is flavorful like sausage. The dish is quite a savory one, even though British offal- based specialties may not appeal to many visitors, but the Scots are very proud of haggis, and I'd urge you to have a bit (hint: it helps to have a wee dram alongside, lol).</p><p><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.elitetravels.co.uk/flight-to-scotland" target="_blank">Check out our deals to Scotland here</a>.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p></div>‘One of the Glories of Wild Scotland’ - Active Green Breaks in the Highlandshttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/one-of-the-glories-of-wild2013-09-17T16:06:46.000Z2013-09-17T16:06:46.000ZEmma Kate Hendersonhttps://tripatini.com/members/EmmaKateHenderson<div><p><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008592692,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008592692,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9008592692?profile=original" /></a><br /></strong> <strong style="font-size:13px;">Are you bored of lounging on sun-beds or bruising your bum on the slopes? Do you want a break that can give you a genuine sense of well-being and achievement? An active break in Aviemore and the Cairngorms National Park can tick all these boxes. </strong><strong><br /> <br /></strong> <span style="font-size:13px;">Nestled in the rugged and handsome heart of the Scottish Highlands. Wild and untamed in its majority, the setting invokes a passion in you from the moment you step off the plane at the bijou Inverness Airport. The cool clear mountainous air brushes your face as your eyes savor the seductive setting surrounding you. Aviemore and the Cairngorms is a forty-five minute drive from Inverness airport, or two and a half hours from Edinburgh. </span><span style="font-size:13px;"> <br /> <br /></span> <strong style="font-size:13px;">What to do: </strong><span style="font-size:13px;">Rothiemurchus, Aviemore</span><strong style="font-size:13px;"> </strong><span style="font-size:13px;">is a Highland estate set in the hub of the Cairngorms National Park. It is the largest natural forest in the UK. An all-year round attraction, the estate is regarded as one of the best outdoor recreation centres in Scotland. Sir David Attenborough has referred to the estate as "one of the glories of wild Scotland." </span><span style="font-size:13px;"> <br /> <br /></span> <span style="font-size:13px;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008593057,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="250" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008593057,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-right" alt="9008593057?profile=original" /></a>As a visitor and customer of the Rothiemurchus estate you're helping the Laird family to care for this extraordinary place, for which they have been the guardians for centuries. Your visit really makes a difference. This break can satisfy all you eco-warriors, whilst setting the bar for exciting new challenges. <br /> <br /></span> <span style="font-size:13px;">The park offers over thirty different types of activities, for groups, families, couples or individuals. The activities cater for all, the youngest adventurer, the keen wildlife watcher, and even the adrenaline junkie. </span><span style="font-size:13px;"> <br /> <br /></span> <span style="font-size:13px;">Set in the truly awe inspiring setting, amid lochs, rivers, moorland and ancient forest, visitors can enjoy a range of activities, including; clay shooting, 4x4 off road driving, hand-feeding deer, canoeing, quad bike trekking, aerial adventuring, safaris on foot or by Land Rover, and indoor climbing, all with fully qualified instructors. You can book all these activities at the Rothiemurchus Centre. <br /> <br /></span> <strong style="font-size:13px;">Land Rover Safari: </strong><span style="font-size:13px;">When you hear safari, visions of Africa's Serengeti may spring to mind.</span><strong style="font-size:13px;"> </strong><span style="font-size:13px;">You may think there will be no comparison, you will be pleasantly surprised. A safari though this mountainous place of infinite wildlife and exceptional beauty can be just as enthralling and adventurous.</span><strong style="font-size:13px;"> <br /> <br /></strong> <strong style="font-size:13px;">TreeZone aerial adventure course:</strong><span style="font-size:13px;"> A squirrel's-eye view of Rothiemurchus. Zip-wires, balance beams, hanging platforms, tightropes, scramble nets, white-knuckle bridges and gap jumps are set high up in the ancient Caledonian Pines of the Cairngorm Mountains.<br /> <br /></span> <span style="font-size:13px;">A heady mix of nail biting fear and an injection of adrenaline to the heart. Not a natural adrenaline junkie, why? You may ask would I put myself through such a trial. The truth, the finale to the whole experience was one of utter relief, combined with an overwhelming sense of achievement and consciousness of feeling alive. I wanted to immediately go again. A popular retort of first time sky divers, or so I'm told. </span><strong style="font-size:13px;"> <br /> <br /></strong> <strong style="font-size:13px;">Speyside Wildlife Watching: </strong><span style="font-size:13px;">Encounter real wildlife with an enchanting walk through the glens and lochs at Speyside. You can see the wonders of nature through your own eyes, or rose tint of the camera lens. Perfect for both enthusiasts and those who are simply curious. For a photographer, amateur or professional it is a dream. <br /> <br /></span> <span style="font-size:13px;">You may see Golden Eagles soaring in secluded glens. Illusive Osprey fishing over picturesque lochs. Crested Tits and Crossbills flitting amongst Caledonian pines. Dippers bobbing on rocks in crystal-clear rivers. Rare Red Squirrels swinging in the trees or nibbling on pine cones. With an experienced local nature watcher, you're guaranteed to catch a glimpse of a wide range of wildlife. <br /> <br /></span> <strong style="font-size:13px;">Where to stay:</strong><span style="font-size:13px;"> Hilton Coylumbridge is a large hotel situated in a 65-acre estate. It is on the doorstep of a little town called Aviemore. Here you will a small high street, peppered with boutique shops and cafes, as well as a convenient supermarket. The hotel is a perfect base camp, ideally placed to explore the beautiful Cairngorm National Park. The Hotel is situated a short walk or drive away from both Rothiemurchus and Speyside.</span></p><p> </p><p>After a day of activity, this hotel invites you to sit by the cozy log fires in the Foyer Lounge & Bar, stocked to the hilt with warming malt whiskeys. There is also a spa and swimming pool, perfect for a spot of post activity pampering. </p><p> </p><p>The rooms are simple, comfortable and modern. There are two restaurants the Grant Room, and the Woodshed Bar, a cosy cabin in the woods, serving hearty Scottish cuisine. Breakfast is every conceivable thing you could ever wish to have for breakfast. To name but a few, freshly made waffles, a full Scottish breakfast with bacon, black pudding and haggis, to steaming porridge laced with optional, Glenfiddich single malt. </p><p> </p><p><strong>Where to Eat. The Old Bridge Inn: </strong>On the banks of the Spey, visitors are greeted by crackling log fires and low ceilings covered in ancient black beams. There is a relaxed and genial atmosphere. The bar offers a fine selection of cask ales, premium lagers and malt whiskies. You will find this haunt populated by outdoorsy types and locals who welcome you in. The ingredients are sourced largely from the estate. </p><p> </p><p>The seasonal menu offers such delectable delights as twice cooked pork belly, black pudding, local carrots and Arrn mustard sauce, or Geddes Farm Chicken with braised red cabbage, puy lentils and parsnip sauce. The ingredients were wonderful and cooked beautifully. Mid-range options like these are around £15.00. Most people will want to order some additional sides to accompany the main course. For lunch this is maybe a little on the expensive side. </p><p> </p><p><strong>Inshriach Nursery and Potting Shed: </strong>So magical and enchanting it could be written into a Harry Potter book. Everyone who visits this corner of the world should visit the Potting Shed. So popular with ramblers and visitors to the estate, this tea time treasure was recently nominated one of Britain's top ten cake shops. </p><p> </p><p>The potting shed is a cheerfully twee tearoom, with an observing gallery to the multitude of birds and squirrels attending the midair feedings. The homemade cakes are heavenly, more Gatto than sponge cake. The strawberry cake was four layers high, laced with lashings of cream, sponge and pilled high with fresh strawberries. This is all washed down with English tea served in giant theatrical tea pots. </p><p> </p><p><strong>Rothiemurchus Estate Farm Shop & Deli:</strong> All the flavors and smells you can possibly imagine, straight off the Cairngorms National Park. Get into a pickle savoring all jams, biscuits, cheeses, whiskeys, meats, pies and ice cream on offer. It has the appeal of a big kids sweet shop. </p><p> </p><p>Visitors to the Cairngorms National Park will gain a real ‘switch off' from the everyday. There will be a part of you that wants to shout about this place, but another that will want to keep it a secret. By visiting this park you continue the cycle of its care, with the benefit of gaining a real sense of well-being and adventure, in some the most beautiful scenery in the world.<br /> <br /> <br /> <span class="font-size-1"><em>images: Nick Bramhall, Office of National Statistics Geography</em></span></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div>