Sarah Scotland

Sarah Scotland Exploring Scotland’s lesser-known spots, local stories, and places worth visiting.

If you’re into travel, history, or just seeing a different side of Scotland, my videos can help as a guide to finding new things to do and see.

18/06/2026

📍 Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye - You know I love an old castle story, so it was wonderful to talk to the team at the castle for this one.

The Fairy Flag of Dunvegan is one of the most famous clan heirlooms in Scotland, and its origins remain the subject of both legend and historical debate. Which story do you believe?

According to MacLeod tradition, the flag was left behind by fairies. Over time, the flag became associated with protective powers and was said to be capable of helping the clan in times of great need.

But there are other theories about how it arrived on Skye.

One story links the flag to Harald Hardrada, the 11th-century Norse king who served with the Varangian Guard of the Byzantine Empire before his death at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066.

According to this story, a treasured banner eventually passed through the rulers of the Norse-Gaelic Kingdom of Man - where it was given to Leod (son of King Olaf the Black), who Clan MacLeod takes its name from.

The flag has attracted academic interest. In the early 1930s, it was examined by A. J. B. Wace of London's Victoria and Albert Museum at the invitation of Sir Reginald MacLeod.

Wace concluded that the fabric was silk originating from either Syria or the island of Rhodes, both places associated with Harald Hardrada's travels during his time with the Varangians, and dated it to at least the 11th century - going against the original, earlier date.

11/06/2026

It's only 10 nights until the summer solstice in Scotland, and this evening the sunset in Portree, Skye, was at 10:19 PM.

Given the high northerly latitude, you'll experience very long summer days (nearly 18 hours of daylight) with twilight lasting well past 11:30 PM.

What it looks like to stay in an 1800s monastery and abbey on the southern banks of Loch Ness.(PR invite The Highland Cl...
10/06/2026

What it looks like to stay in an 1800s monastery and abbey on the southern banks of Loch Ness.
(PR invite The Highland Club)

The Highland Club has a collection of self-catering apartments and cottages, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to larger family properties, many featuring original architectural details alongside modern kitchens and living spaces.

Room: The Linse, Abbey Church 15 - Sleeps 4.
2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

Facilities: Access to the estate's indoor swimming pool, sauna, gym, sports simulator, tennis court and large grounds. Within walking distance of the village of Fort Augustus.

Did you know that the Scottish Lush Spa stores offer a hot stone massage inspired by the Highlands?I first went to try i...
09/06/2026

Did you know that the Scottish Lush Spa stores offer a hot stone massage inspired by the Highlands?

I first went to try it as part of an invite to their Edinburgh store last year. Lasting 60 minutes, it starts with a one-to-one consultation and stone reading that dictate how your massage is delivered.

The treatment draws inspiration from Scotland's landscapes, geology and cultural traditions, and is accompanied by music from Highland artists and Gaelic musicians.

Drop me a DM if you'd like the direct treatment link 😊

One of the best waterfall visits in Scotland (in my opinion) - Plodda Falls. We headed there as part of our trip to Loch...
08/06/2026

One of the best waterfall visits in Scotland (in my opinion) - Plodda Falls. We headed there as part of our trip to Loch Ness and the surrounding areas.

Drive time from Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness is around 45 minutes.

It's one of the tallest waterfalls in the Scottish Highlands at around 46 metres (150 feet). Reached by a short woodland walk through Douglas firs and Scots pines, the falls are known for their dramatic viewing platform, which extends out over the gorge and offers a spectacular perspective of the cascading water below.

Be ready for a bump and uneven track foe the last part of road up to the parking stop.

07/06/2026

The VIP lounge at Palma Mallorca, flying back to Edinburgh - this airport has multiple lounge areas, but this was the only one past passport control for our flight.

At the time of filming the walk-in rate (without a card) was €48.00 for adults (11+) and €22.20 for children aged 6 to 10.

Sala VIP Lounge Mediterraneo in Module C - the largest section of the airport, specifically handling most flights to European destinations (though please don't assume your flight will be from here)

One of the best things about this airport lounge is that everything was labelled for dietary requirements. Loads of cold salad options, but also a good number of vegan/vegetarian hot dishes.

06/06/2026

Location Carnasserie Castle, under 2miles north of Kilmartin on the A816 in Argyll and Bute, Western Scotland. It takes around 3.5 hours from Edinburgh and 2.5 from Glasgow.

Just this month I met an 80-yr-old man named David. David was completely reliant on his mobility walker to get around after he'd had an episode where the connection between his brain and balance permanently failed.

Despite this, David was on his 3rd vacation of 2026, and told me that admitting defeat and putting a halt to the things you enjoy the most will eventually be the end of you.

And while you've sometimes just got to listen to your body's physical limitations, I'm definitely going to try and be more like David when it comes to mental motivation.

These clips were taken before my second surgery (and physio - which ultimately made things a lot worse), but gives an idea of what this castle trip might look like on crutches.

Built in the 1560s by John Carswell, the first Protestant Bishop of the Isles, Carnasserie Castle was once one of the most impressive residences in Argyll. It was heavily damaged in 1685 during Argyll's Rebellion and has remained a ruin ever since.

26/05/2026

One of the coolest underground tour experiences in Edinburgh ☢️
[invite]

Have you ever seen the Walking Dead? Walking through this site makes you feel like you're in that other world! Built in 1944 as an RAF operations command centre, the underground 'city' was later heavily expanded into an enormous 3-storey nuclear bunker.

After a devastating fire in the late 1990s that burned for days, major restoration began in 2011, headed by an incredible team of volunteers and site owners. This huge undertaking has transformed the abandoned Cold War site into a museum and educational center.

25/05/2026

The cutest coffee in Edinburgh 🧸 - from Fourdish UK in Morningside
(Not an ad, I just really wanted a teddy bear coffee!)

This weekend I went up to grab myself an iced coffee with its own little bear. These are normally topped with cream and can also be served with their matcha.

A huge shout out to lovely Reshma and Kelvin, who couldn't have been more accommodating with their menu for plant-based foodies, and we're just so friendly.

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Castle Douglas

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