Welcome to My Homeland
I have lived in Scotland all my life and have been fortunate enough to have travelled fairly extensively within it. As much of this travelling has been down to my great love of sea fishing, the vast majority of the remote destinations I have visited have been coastal. I hope upon this page to share some of my first hand knowledge and many experiences of Scotland with you - and perhaps even encourage you to pay us a visit!
Contents
A list of what you will find on this site
- Scotland the Brave
- Souvenirs of Scotland at Affordable Prices
- Fancy a Different Design?
- The City of Edinburgh
- The American Perception of Scotland?
- Fancy a "wee dram" of Scotland's most famous produce?
- Want to know more?
- The Edinburgh Military Tattoo
- Why not come and see Edinburgh and Scotland for yourself?
- The Royal Burgh of Inveraray
- Scottish Features on Hub Pages
- The Isle of Islay
- Prominent Scots Down Through the Ages
- Inverness
- Beecraigs Country Park, West Lothian
- More Squidoo Pages featuring Scotland or the Scots
- What do you think?
- Gordon Hamilton on Lijit
Scotland the Brave
Hampden Park, Glasgow - Home of Scottish Football
To play the video, click on the large arrow in the centre of the screen...
scotland the brave-scotland v georgia
pipe band playing scotland the brave at hampden
Souvenirs of Scotland at Affordable Prices
Why be ripped off by unscrupulous traders?
There are of course a virtually infinite number of souvenirs available to buy throughout Scotland and at all of its famous tourist attractions. Unfortunately - as is the way with such things - a great many of them are hugely over-priced and/or of very poor quality. Why not, therefore, consider purchasing them - VAT free! - by mail order. Click here to visit the fantastic "Lion Rampant" store where this superb sweatshirt is just one of the many items available at rock bottom prices! Fancy a Different Design?
What about one of these?
The City of Edinburgh
Scotland's Capital and Cultural Heartland
Edinburgh is very much a divided city - there is the New Town and the Old Town. The New Town, incorporating Princes Street, George Street and Queen Street, to name but a few, sits to the North of Princes Street Gardens and is where those with traditional shopping in mind may venture. The Old Town includes Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile and The Grassmarket, among many other wondrous tourist attractions, and is where one finds the history and culture of Scotland at its best.
Take a look at some photos of Edinburgh. Simply click on any of the images to view them full size and read the accompanying notes.
The American Perception of Scotland?
Is this true?
- The Real Scotland?
- A look at what is allegedly the average American's opinion of Scotland, based upon a survey conducted by the British Government.
Fancy a "wee dram" of Scotland's most famous produce?
Visit a historical Edinburgh Old Town pub!
The pubs, bars and clubs of Edinburgh offer a huge variety of experiences to suit all tastes. There are the modern venues with the loud music and giant TV screens that can be found in any Western city, the basic pubs and bars which offer perhaps a quieter time and perhaps a bar lunch and there are my favourite type: the pubs which offer excellent food and refreshment but also a glimpse into Edinburgh's past.One such pub is The Last Drop, on The Grassmarket in the Old Town. It is so named due to its proximity to the former site of public hangings and offers the visitor a rich view of the cultural past of both Edinburgh and Scotland. Click here to see more of and find out more about this fantastic pub.
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Discovering Scotland: The City of Edinburgh
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Edinburgh has been the capital city of Scotland since the year 1437. In that time, it has naturally been expanded and developed in the extreme; yet the original layout and structure can still very much be discerned, much more so than in most other ci...
Want to know more?
Have a look at these great publications about Edinburgh available on Amazon.com
(Not in the USA? Don't worry! When the Amazon windoe opens, you will be offered the opportunity to divert to your local Amazon page for availability and prices in your own currency.)
Pocket Map and Guide Edinburgh (EYEWITNESS POCKET MAP & GUIDE)
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price: $6.99
The Edinburgh Visitor Guide
Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price: $12.95
The Town Below the Ground: Edinburgh's Legendary Underground City
Amazon Price: $13.50 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price: $18.00
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo
A Musical and Cultural Extravaganza
To get the general idea, click on the large arrow in the centre of the screen below, followed by the small one to the bottom left:
Why not come and see Edinburgh and Scotland for yourself?
Check out the flight deals right here!
Edinburgh International Airport is but a few miles outside the city and ideal for flying in to Scotland. Base yourself in Edinburgh, see the sights of the city and wander farther afield on the many day trips available. You'll have the time of your life!
The Royal Burgh of Inveraray
A different side of Scotland
If you prefer the quieter, scenic parts of Scotland to the hustle and bustle of the cities, you have to visit the county of Argyll and the jewel in its crown, Inveraray. Take a look at some of the photos below by clicking on any image to enlarge it.
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Discovering Scotland: Inveraray
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Inveraray is a small, picture-postcard town on the shores of Loch Shira and Loch Fyne, in Argyll on the West Coast of Scotland. It is no more than two hours' drive from the centre of Glasgow, yet creates the impression - surrounded by the l...
Scottish Features on Hub Pages
A similar hosting site to Squidoo with lots of Scottish pages
- Highlands, islands and festival frolics: summer in Scotland
- Whilst much of England and Wales has been battered by torrential rains causing wave upon wave of flooding, Scotland - not normally renowned for great weather - has completely escaped the severe downpours and...
- Haven Holiday Parks Scotland
- There are 34 Haven Holiday parks Scattered all over the United Kingdom,in Scotland there are 4: Craig Tara in Ayrshire, Seton Sands near Edinburgh, Berwick Northumberland and Haggerston Castle also in...
- M & D's, Strathclyde Country Park
- A magnificent theme park for all the family, conveniently located in Central Scotland.
- The Thistle, Scotlands National Flower
- Why on earth would a proud nation like Scotland choose a weed for a national emblem. I mean, we have beautiful flowers in Scotland; roses, daffodils, tulips, bluebells to name but a few, so why did we choose...
- St Andrew's Day
- A look at how St Andrew came to be the patron saint of Scotland.
The Isle of Islay
Often touted as the Malt Whisky Capital of Scotland
The Isle of Islay is located off the West Coast of Scotland, reached generally by ferry from the terminal at Kennacraig. It is not only a place of considerable beauty and home to some of the friendliest people on Earth, but also the place that any conoissuers of single malt whisky absolutely have to visit. Whether your taste be for the peatier malts of the south of the island such as Ardbeg or Laphroaig, or the smoother flavours of Bowmore or Bruichladdich, why not come and see for yourself how these delectable spirits are produced.Click here for more information on this island paradise.
Prominent Scots Down Through the Ages
World famous names - all of them hailed from Scotland
Click on the links for more information.-
Prominent Scots: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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There can be little doubt that the name of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle will forever be synonymous with the resident of 221B Baker Street, a certain Mr Sherlock Holmes. This, while understandable given the popularity of the character and his adventures, is...
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Prominent Scots: Rabbie Burns
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Robert "Rabbie" Burns was born on 25th January, 1759 in Alloway, Ayrshire, in a small cottage which has since been established as an official museum. The occasion of his birthday continues to be celebrated around the globe, but most particularly here...
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Prominent Scots: Alexander Graham Bell
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The telephone is unquestionably one of the most significant and radical inventions and human developments of all time. It changed the field of global communications forever and of course the Internet we are presently using could never have existed wi...
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Prominent Scots: Robert Louis Stevenson
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I vividly recall reading two of Robert Louis Stevenson's most famous novels as a young schoolboy but cannot remember whether I read "Kidnapped" or "Treasure Island" first. I cannot deny that I found them both somewhat disturbing at the tender age of...
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Prominent Scots: John Logie Baird
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Would it make a difference to your day to day existence? Could you survive without your soap operas, your live sports' coverage, your news broadcasts, or indeed any one of an all but infinite number of televisual productions? If the answer is "no" to...
Inverness
The Capital of Scotland's Highlands
Inverness is in the far north of Scotland and is probably most famous for its proximity to Loch Ness and the alleged inhabitant of same. It is by no means a large city but there are some nice sights to see, including the centrally placed castle and cathedral. -
Discovering Scotland: Inverness
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The City of Inverness sits at the mouth of the River Ness - only a few miles from Loch Ness - where it flows into the Moray Firth. It has long since been referred to as the capital of the Scottish Highlands, though it only actually received formal ci...
Beecraigs Country Park, West Lothian
Leisure in the most spectacular of surroundings
Beecraigs is situated close to the historical town of Linlithgow, the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots. It offers a huge range of attractions and activities to the visitor all year round. Whether your passion is for walking, fishing, canoeing or a whole host of other pastimes, you will find something to interest you at this location. -
Discovering Scotland: Beecraigs Country Park
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Beecraigs Country Park is located close to the historic town of Linlithgow in West Lothian, Central Scotland. It offers the visitor some stunning scenery as well as a range of outdoor pursuits, such as walking, fishing, archery, canoeing and much mor...
More Squidoo Pages featuring Scotland or the Scots
There is a lot of information to share
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Where to stay in Edinburgh
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Edinburgh offers an extensive choice of hotels. Some of the city's hotels can even claim to be landmarks in their own right. Choose from some of the most famous and best-loved hotels in our list below. Welcome to Edinburgh!
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Scottish Landscape Photography
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This lens is dedicated to the work of a little known yet widely viewed photographer based in a small fishing village called Lossiemouth in the North East of Scotland. The photographer in question is me - Steve Hodgson. I have lived...
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River Spey
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The River Spey (Scottish Gaelic: Uisge Spè) is a river in the north-east of Scotland, the second longest and the fastest flowing river in Scotland. It is important for salmon fishing and whisky production. Rising at over 1000 feet (300 m) at Lo...
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Single Malt Scotch Whisky - A Buyers Guide
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Single Malt Whisky is the purest form of scotch whisky, distilled in traditional ways for centuries in Scotland. There are many varities of Malt Whisky, yet the purist will avoid the blended malts and the cheaper end of the market often found on the...
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Portobello : A Little Slice Of East Coast Heaven
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Portobello is a quiet beach resort situated about three miles from Edinburgh City Centre. It has been a beach resort since the 18th Century and remains a fantastic place to visit even today. Below you'll find pictures, useful links, clips and informa...
What do you think?
Have you visited - or would you now like to visit - Scotland?
I hope this brief look at what Scotland has to offer has whetted your appetitie for more. I will be updating the site as often as I can so I hope to see you here again soon. If you liked this page, when not e-mail a link to your friends and let them, too, see just what Scotland has to offer?
Thanks for your visit and your time.
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Squidster
I've only skimmed Scotland briefly while driving to Stranraer to catch the ferry to Northern Ireland. Hopefully one day I will be able to return and explore more of Scotland. I see you have a lot of interesting lenses I shall explore in the meantime. Posted September 11, 2008 |
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EverythingMouse
I am sad to say that I have only every visited Scotland once. I would love to go back and take my children there too. A beautiful country. Posted July 22, 2008 |
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KimGiancaterino
I plan to get to Scotland someday. Our family is part of the Gunn Clan. Great lens. Congratulations on attaining Giant Squid Status. Posted July 04, 2008 |
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The_Book_Garden
What a great series! Your Discover Scotland lenses are great, well done! I'm going to roll a few to my Whisky Guide ;) Posted June 03, 2008 |
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NancyOram
My ancestors are from Paisley and I hope to see it myself some day. Posted May 12, 2008 |
