Gordon Castle – a wedding like in the middle ages.

 

Gordon Castle is characterised by several historical and architectural details. Somebody who isn’t familiar with Scotland is more likely to think of the fabled Loch Ness and the Loch Ness Monster as Scotland’s main tourist attractions. However, many Scottish castles and bridges are also frequently visited by tourists. Among these is Gordon Castle.



Gordon Castle is located in Gight, which in turn is located in the immediate vicinity of Fochabers in Moray. Historically, Gight is best known by its swamps, and the entire region was greatly feared in early times. While the swamps were indeed a source of life, they also brought unexpected death for humans and other animals because they often were, and still are, quite unpredictable. Gordon Castle was the primary residence of the Dukes of Gordon.

The history of the impressive castle

As early as 1470, the first plans for the castle were laid. In the same century, construction began, and the impressive castle was completed. This is the original Gordon Castle. Today, the castle looks somewhat altered. The builder of the first version was called George Gordon. He was the 2nd Earl of Huntly. He expanded the castle and later handed it over to his grandson. In the 1760s, on behalf of the 4th Duke of Gordon, John Baxter expended the castle once again. Further demolitions and renovations took place. In the 18th Century, it was considered to be one of the largest country houses ever to be built in Scotland. From this perspective, it is especially impressive and has left its mark on the architectural era.

In the centre of the castle, there is a four-storey building, which is connected to a six-story tower. These date from the middle ages. The construction is called Bog-of-Gight and was completed by two two-storey wings on either side. The former façade of the main building had a length of 173 meters. Unfortunately, a very large part of the castle fell victim to demolition and so only the Bog-of-Gight and one of the wings remain. Today, the castle exists as a detached country house.



Because of its proximity to water, this is a very fertile area for salmon. The area extends for more than eight miles. Today, it is a world-class region for salmon fishing. The River Spey has fish of particularly high quality. These can currently be enjoyed in the form of various dishes on a visit to Gordon Castle.

The current Gordon Castle

Today, the castle is a luxury inn. Here, high-class weddings often take place. Because of the incomparable charm, one can experience what it must have felt like to be a count or a princess. Guest can decide between an overnight stay in the premises of the castle or in one of the adjacent, well-furnished cottages. These cottages are particularly ideal for those who enjoy a lot of free space, who like to cater for themselves, and who prefer their “own four walls”.



Visitors and guests of Gordon Castle can select suitable activities in the extensive sports and leisure facilities. Furthermore, the castle is one of the best places for weddings, anniversaries, and corporate events.

 

Pictures: Jim Simpson

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Kellie Castle, Fife

Kellie Castle, near Pittenweem, Fife, dates from the 14^th Century, although it is possible an earlier building stood on the site. The Oliphant family took over the site in 1360, and it is not clear whether the original tower house was standing at that time or whether the Oliphants built it. During the following centuries, the castle was extended and modified to the T-shaped structure it is today, probably formed by connecting two existing detached towers in the original defensive wall to the main castle structure.



The castle was sold to Sir Thomas Erskine in 1613 and was made the 1^st Earl of Kellie. His descendants lived there until 1797 when the 7^th Earl died with no direct descendants. The castle passed into the ownership of distant relatives, none of whom actually lived there, until 1829 when the contents of the castle were sold and the building was abandoned. John Erskine, the 9th Earl of Mar, eventually claimed the estate, but the castle was allowed to continue to deteriorate.

In 1878, James Lorimer, who was the Professor of Law at Edinburgh University, took occupation of the castle, which by then was effectively a ruin, after agreeing to a lease with the Earl of Mar; a joint restoration then commenced to bring the castle back to its former glory. Other than a short period between 1936 and 1937, the Lorimer family continued to lease the property until 1957 when they purchased it from the widow of the Earl of Mar. It remained in the ownership of the Lorimer family until 1970 when it was purchase by the National Trust for Scotland and opened as a visitor centre.

The castle is reported to be haunted by two spirits. James Lorimer is said to haunt one of the castle corridors where he is seen in a seated position. Anne Erskine, who it is said fell to her death from one of the castle windows, is claimed to haunt one of the spiral staircases. Her spirit is rarely seen, but footsteps are heard on the staircase, while reports of a pair of red shoes being seen running up the stairs have been made.

 

Written by Greg Stewart. More stories of haunted locations in Scotland are available in the e-book Scotland’s Hidden Hauntings and the paperback Scotland’s Haunted Places, both available on Amazon. Visit Greg’s Author page for more details: http://www.amazon.co.uk/G-Stewart/e/B00924LCYI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

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Boyne Castle – Scotland and its castle ruins

At first mention, Boyne Castle sounds like just another Scottish castle. Unless one knows this castle. It is regarded as a highly impressive work of architecture. However, the castle has a minor flaw. Up to the 18th century, this Scottish castle had been cherished. But then, it began to decay. The maintenance of the building has been greatly neglected. Therefore, the once beautiful and magnificent castle is now in ruins. But even this crumbling ruin shows how glorious the castle must have once been. Do ghosts reside here? Some legends say that the castle has fallen into ruin rather quickly since the 18th Century. Comparable structures have required a significantly longer time to fall into the same degree of ruin. Perhaps magic or a curse has something to do with this?



In Scotland, there are many myths and legends that, although largely fictional, still hold some degree of truth. To this day, it still hasn't been established whether the Loch Ness Monster really existed or exists. Loch Ness is probably one of the main attractions of Scotland because it is shrouded with many tales and stories of the monster.



Those who would like to visit Boyne Castle should wear sturdy shoes because this ruin with a touch of magic is hidden within a forest of trees. It can be assumed that there was once a magnificent park with an adjacent forest. Today, only small, grass-covered glades as well as a forest with various types of trees remain. Here and there, bits of green protrude from the ruins, and some places are covered with moss. This calm and picturesque silhouette shows visitors how exciting the life in the castle must have been. Today's ruin and former castle were once considered an architectural masterpiece. That which remains also gives an idea of how Boyne Castle was built. As the castle only lies five kilometres from the city of Banff, there would have been a small road leading there.



The round towers, as well as the walls, can also be recognized. Altogether, the entire building stands, and it can also be entered. A round arch leads into the interior of the once grandiose building. No inner walls remain, and guests are greeted by a carpet of grass.



The roof of the castle also no longer exists, but you can recognise where windows and doors once were as well as the rear entrance. Today, the ruins give the impression of a layout that was never brought to completion. Compared to other ruins, these are still accessible and still show their full size today.



Boyne Castle was built at the end of the 13th Century by the Lords of Boyen. Why nobody cared for the preservation of the castle after the 18th century is not completely known. However, upon observation, it appears that many happy centuries had been spent in the castle until it had been left peacefully. While it almost appears as though the castle quickly decayed, the rest of the buildings refuse to do so.

 

Photos: Jim Simpson

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Speaking a Foreign Language

How clumsy on the tongue, these acquired idioms,
after the innuendos of our own. How far
we are from foreigners, what faith
we rest in one sentence, hoping a smile will follow
on the appropriate face, always wallowing
between what we long to say and what we can,
trusting the phrase is suitable to the occasion,
the accent passable, the smile real,
always asking the traveller's fearful question--
what is being lost in translation?

Something, to be sure. And yet, to hear
the stumbling of foreign friends, how little we care
for the wreckage of word or tense. How endearing they are,
and how our speech reaches out, like a helping hand,
or limps in sympathy. Easy to understand,
through the tangle of language, the heart behind
groping towards us, to make the translation of
syntax into love.

Alastair Reid

From "WEATHERING Poems and Translations", Canongate

Alastair Reid (b. 1926, Whithorn) is a Scottish poet and essayist, also renowned as a translator of Latin American poetry and fiction, especially of the works of Borges and Neruda.

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A Red, Red Rose

1794

O my Luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June:
O my Luve's like the melodie,
That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare-thee-weel, my only Luve!
And fare-thee-weel, a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' 'twere ten thousand mile!

Robert Burns (1759-1796 / Ayrshire / Scotland)

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The Great Glen Way

Walking through nature can be one of the most relaxing things you'll ever do. I find inspiration there, often coming up with unique ideas that I would never even imagine when back at home with the noise, traffic and trials of everyday life.

Across the world there are a number of great walking trails. The John Muir trail in California and the Great Ocean Walk in Australia are something to behold. Spain has the Camino De Santiago and England offers the Cotswolds Way. But way up north in Scotland there is another amazing walk, it is spectacular, and one that very few people know about.

The Great Glen Way is a magic Journey through the highlands of Scotland. It’s a fairly long hike, a not for the meek. At about 120 kilometers, you wind your way between Fort William and Inverness. The walk itself follows a major geological fault that runs southwest-northeast across the entire width of Northern Scotland.

Personally, I would suggest that you start at Fort William and end in Inverness, that way the sun is at your back the entire way, not to mention the breezes that continually blow across the highlands. You can easily get to Fort William from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, London and many other major British towns by train and bus. If you re coming from London, the trip to Fort William takes all day.



Source [http://www.flickr.com]

The Great Glen walk passes through some amazing towns. Gairlochy, Loch Lochy, Laggan, Fort Augustus, Invermoriston and Drumnadrochit. It is easy enough to find accommodation in any of these places, and it is easy to break the walk into many days. There are several guides you can get for this walk, but it is really possible to walk the route without a map. There are route markers at all key intervals. You probably don’t even need to book accommodation in advance. It’s best to just take this walk at your own speed. The final length of the hike is along the shore of Loch Ness, so keep your eyes open for Nessie.

Make sure that you stock up on supplies before you leave Fort William. There are not a lot of big supermarkets in the towns in between. Of course you can find food, lodging and a pub in each place but the little things, you need to bring with you. Invermoriston has a small convenience store and Fort Augustus has some good cafes and supermarkets but apart from that you have to stock up in either Inverness or Fort William.

Don’t forget that this is real wilderness backpacking. Of course, since you will spend your nights in hostels or BnB’s along the way, it’s not like you need to carry full gear. You won’t need a tent or sleeping bag, and you won’t need to cook along the way. And it’s not like you are leaving civilization completely either. But having a decent supply of water for the hike in between towns is essential. Also, carry enough ready to eat food for at least a day. You never know the weather up here in the highlands, and it is best to be prepared. You should carry a good map, warm and waterproof clothes, a travel guide and a it’s a really good idea to have a compass. It is fine to bring your mobile phone too, but don’t rely on it 100%. In remote areas there might be no coverage at all, so be warned, your iPhone compass won’t work out here. Midges and mosquitos can be a real pain during summer, so use a good insect repellent and also bring sunscreen. This isn’t like a walk to the corner shop, it has some fairly strenuous parts while you are walking into or out of the valleys, but the trip can be easily be broken into 11 mile parts. It should take 4 to 6 days to complete if going full on. Personally I would say 6 or 7 is better. More time to relax and enjoy the Highlands.



 

It may sound like a lot of work, but actually, it’s not. The views are fantastic and
the solitude is amazing. You will sometimes meet other walkers, but for the most part, you’ll have the trail to yourself. I never actually do this walk alone. Partly because I would probably get really bored, but also because there is an element of safety when you are with someone else. Plus, it is nice to have someone to share the views with. There is something magic about this walk, traveling along Loch Ness and then ending your journey at the Inverness castle. I highly recommend late spring or early September.

Remember, if you call ahead to book accommodation for the night, be sure to cancel the booking if you don't plan to stay there anymore. Because if you don't show up it is very likely that they will call the local rescue service thinking you are lost somewhere out there on the trail, even if you are just sleeping at a BnB across the street. The locals on this route are very friendly, and will go out of their way to engage you and inquire where you are from. They are very proud of being Scottish, of the Highlands and the wild nature. Please remember to show respect for it. What ever you carry in, bring it out with you. Any trash, cigarette butts or empty wine bottles. Oh yes. I always bring wine along the way. There is nothing like having a glass of Merlot while looking out over the wilds of the Highlands.

 

Pan Martinez

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Fort George, Highlands

Fort George is situated a few miles North East of Inverness on a narrow strip of land which projects out into the mouth of the Moray Firth, overlooking the North Sea. It would be easy to imagine that such a dominant, heavily fortified building in a prominent defensive position would have a dark and bloody past however, the fort has never been involved in direct active duty.

After the British Army defeated the Jacobites at nearby Culloden in 1746, King George II ordered defences to be built to protect against and defeat any future Jacobite uprising and Fort George was the result. The scale of the defences is impressive with it being considered to have been the most heavily fortified building in the country, if not the whole of Europe. The fort was designed to accommodate a large army of around 2000, consisting of officers, artillery detachment and up to 1600 infantry. The fort also houses large gunpowder stores, estimated at around 2500 barrels, and an impressive supply of firearms and canons. The scale of the fort is massive compared to other defensive buildings from the same era, with the site being over 40 acres and the external walls almost a mile round. There is little doubt that the fort would have created a formidable opposition to any further Jacobite unrest, however, by the time construction on the fort was completed in 1769, the Highlands had been and remained peaceful and although the fort was maintained for defensive purposes, the feared future Jacobite rising never came.

[caption id="attachment_446" align="alignnone" width="559"] Outer works showing the principle of defence in depth.[/caption]

Because the fort never faced an attack, it has remained undamaged and much as it was originally constructed, offering an almost unique insight into military life in the 18th century. Although the fort is run as a tourist attraction by Historic Scotland, it is still an active military base, creating the unusual situation where tourists walk around while army personnel go about their day to day duties and training.

Despite not having been involved in battle, the fort is still reported to be haunted due to the military life of those who have, and still do stay there. It is said that a soldier haunts the jail that is within the complex. The jail was often referred to as ‘the black hole’ not because it is a pit, but the room has no windows and becomes pitch black when the door is shut. The ghost that is seen is this area is sometimes called ‘Abernethy’ after a prisoner, David Abernethy who carved message on the prison wall, which is still visible. The message tells that he was imprisoned for sixty days for being drunk on guard duty! A seeming severe punishment for the level of the offence, but no doubt considered necessary at the time to maintain order in the remote fort. There is no evidence as to whether this spirit is actually that of David Abernethy or why he would choose to stay there and the use of the name seems to be solely to connect the ghost to the prison area he is witnessed in. A ghostly soldier has also been witnessed in the guardroom, however as the guardroom is beside the jail, it is entirely possible this is the same spirit.

The fort is also reported to be haunted by a piper who walks along the walls at night. It does however appear that a large number of buildings in Scotland lay claim to having a phantom piper.

Fort George is a fascinating place to visit, and when witnessing the scale of the building and its defences it is entirely possible that the sight of the fort being constructed was enough to have prevented any further Jacobite uprisings. And while the spirits of the fort have remained elusive whenever I have visited, the dolphins in the Moray Firth have always made a welcome appearance.

 

Written by Greg Stewart. More stories of haunted locations in Scotland are available in the e-book Scotland’s Hidden Hauntings and the paperback Scotland’s Haunted Places, both available on Amazon. Visit Greg’s Author page for more details: http://www.amazon.co.uk/G-Stewart/e/B00924LCYI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

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