Scottish Journeys

06/10/2025

The Old Town Cemetery in Stirling is a historically significant burial ground located between Stirling Castle and the Church of the Holy Rude. Known for its remarkable monuments and scenic views, it has been a prominent landmark in the city for centuries.

The cemetery occupies a prominent position in Stirling's historic landscape, having expanded from the original Holy Rude Kirkyard starting in the 1850s. Before becoming a formal burial ground, the area was used for royal tournaments and markets.

The Old Town Cemetery is a landscape designed to celebrate the establishment of Presbyterianism in Scotland and features several important landmarks and monuments.

• The Martyrs' Monument: Erected in 1859, this is a tribute to the Covenanters Margaret Wilson, Agnes Wilson, and Margaret McLachlan, who were sentenced to death for their religious beliefs. Though Agnes was spared, Margaret Wilson and Margaret McLachlan were drowned in the Solway Firth.

• The Star Pyramid: Dedicated to those who suffered for religious liberty, this monument was commissioned in the 1860s by local nurseryman and evangelist William Drummond. It contains a sealed Bible and Confession of Faith.

• Reformer Statues: The cemetery features statues of important figures from the Presbyterian Church, including reformer John Knox.

05/10/2025

Early morning in Portree…

📍Isle of Skye, Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
📆 12•10•2015

Portree is the largest town on the Isle of Skye, located in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. It is known for its picturesque harbor lined with brightly painted houses and serves as a hub for tourists exploring the island.

03/10/2025

Loch Shiel… a long, freshwater loch in the Highlands of Scotland, known for its dramatic scenery, historical significance, and diverse wildlife. Located west of Fort William, it is most famous for its association with the Glenfinnan Viaduct and its role as a film location in the Harry Potter series.

It is the fourth-longest loch in Scotland, stretching approximately 17.5 miles (28 km). It was formed by glacial action during the last Ice Age.

Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745 raised his standard at Glenfinnan, at the head of the loch. This event marked the beginning of the second Jacobite rising. The Glenfinnan Monument now stands there to commemorate the occasion. The loch and surrounding area have a deep historical association with the Macdonald clan.

The loch was used as a filming location in several of the Harry Potter movies. It is most famously known as the location of the "Black Lake" near Hogwarts, particularly for the Triwizard Tournament scenes in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct, which carries the "Hogwarts Express," overlooks Loch Shiel. The loch was also a filming location for the 1986 movie Highlander.

02/10/2025

THROWBACK THURSDAYS - Linlithgow Marches 2024 | The Start of the 11AM Parade with The Royal Regiment of Scotland. 📺 WATCH HERE: youtu.be/rL3g8341E44

History of the Marches:
As early as the 1200s, communities needed to ensure their boundaries were secure. Within these defined areas, the settlement's rules and privileges were enforced. A well-marked territory allowed a town to collect taxes and customs duties, create its own laws, host weekly markets, lease mills, and maintain standards of behaviour and craftsmanship.
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Like many other royal burghs in Scotland, Linlithgow fiercely protected the land that provided its wealth and advantages. Unlike most other Scottish communities, Linlithgow still conducts an annual patrol of its boundaries, known as the Marches. On this special day, the entire community gathers to celebrate and reinforce the values that unite them: camaraderie, fellowship, loyalty, fraternity, and a shared sense of history and local pride.

22/09/2025

The Edinburgh 900 People's Procession was on Sunday, September 14, 2025, celebrating Edinburgh's 900th anniversary. The procession was led by Scottish broadcaster and actor Grant Stott. It was the culmination of the Edinburgh 900 celebrations, marking 900 years since King David I established Edinburgh as a royal burgh.

The procession was part of the annual Edinburgh Riding of the Marches event and showcased the city's diverse population and rich history.

Local citizens representing Edinburgh's past, present, and future. It featured music, dancing, and performers. Participants came from a wide range of Edinburgh's community groups, including local organizations, charities, volunteers, and schools.

22/09/2025

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

19/09/2025

Winding Paths Through Glencoe's Dramatic Highlands.

The glen was formed by volcanic eruptions around 420 million years ago and was later carved by glaciers.

Glencoe is known as the "home of Scottish mountaineering," with routes for all abilities, from easy woodland walks to challenging climbs.

Glencoe's natural beauty is famously contrasted with its dark and tragic history, particularly the Glencoe Massacre. On February 13, 1692, government soldiers, who had been hosted by the MacDonald clan, turned on their hosts and killed 38 men, women, and children. The soldiers acted under official orders because the MacDonald chief had been late in swearing allegiance to the new monarchs, William and Mary. This act of treachery against Highland hospitality remains a poignant and emotional part of Scottish history.

18/09/2025

The 2025 Edinburgh Riding of the Marches…

HRH The Princess Royal was among nearly 300 riders taking part in a centuries-old ride through Edinburgh last Sunday (14 September) as part of celebrations to mark the city’s 900th anniversary.

Princess Anne took part in the Edinburgh Riding of the Marches, which originated in the 16th century as a vital inspection of the city’s boundaries and has become a public event that attracts thousands of spectators as it “celebrates civic pride, heritage and horsemanship”.

The cavalcade of horses arrived at Horse Wynd Roundabout within Holyrood Park, where they fell in behind George Watsons Pipe Band and began the journey past Scottish Parliament, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and onward up the Royal Mile.

The cavalcade was led by the Edinburgh Principal Riders, Edinburgh Captain Adam Geehan who carried the City of Edinburgh Banner (white flag with a castle on) and to his left, Edinburgh Lass Kirsten Lees.

They were mounted on 'grey' horses and followed by further riders, including mounted officers of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and her Lady in Waiting, Robert Aldridge, Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Colin Cunningham, Lord Provost Consort and Norma Cuthbertson, Executive Assistant to the Lord Provost and Clerk to the Lieutenancy, riders from the 29 Riding Towns of Scotland (identified by their different coloured Town sashes or coloured regalia) and some visiting international riders.

The Edinburgh 900 People's Procession was also celebrating Edinburgh's 900th anniversary. The procession was led by Scottish broadcaster and actor Grant Stott. It was the culmination of the Edinburgh 900 celebrations, marking 900 years since King David I established Edinburgh as a royal burgh.

Local citizens representing Edinburgh's past, present, and future. It featured music, dancing, and performers. Participants came from a wide range of Edinburgh's community groups, including local organizations, charities, volunteers, and schools.

17/09/2025

The wonderfully energetic and vibrant Lou Marshall “Scotland’s National Piper” 💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 marching with the Edinburgh 900 People’s Procession up the Royal Mile on Sunday, as part of the 2025 Riding of the Marches.









Tartan Parade Scotland

13/09/2025

Stockbridge Pipe Band Marches Down Princes St Gardens.

Stockbridge Pipe Band Edinburgh performing at this year’s inaugural Tartan Parade Scotland back in May 2025.

11/09/2025

Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Stirling Bridge. On September 11, 1297, the Battle of Stirling Bridge saw William Wallace and Andrew Moray lead a Scottish force to a decisive victory over the English, a pivotal moment in the First War of Scottish Independence. The Scots used the narrow bridge to their advantage, outmaneuvering the larger English army and boosting national morale. Today, we honor their courage and strategic brilliance in the fight for freedom.

11/09/2025

THROWBACK THURSDAYS - Stirling's 2024 Walking of the Marches | Celebrating the 900th Anniversary of Stirling in Scotland

youtu.be/auUjmCTN5fk

The Walking of the Marches 2024 - Celebrating 900 years of The Royal Burgh of Stirling. Walking of the Marches is an ancient tradition in Stirling that checks the burgh boundaries to ensure they are intact and to mark them. The oldest mention of the tradition is from a Burgh record from 1611 however, earlier Charters also talk about the walk dating as back as the 12 century. The walk was done every year and attended by some of the most important and influential people in the Burgh.

Founded by King David I in 1124, the Royal Burgh of Stirling is one of the oldest burghs in Scotland. 2024 marks its 900th anniversary.

Stirling was one of the first Royal Burghs created in Scotland meaning King David I granted his Burgesses or Freemen privileges: to hold their land and property directly from him, to elect a Council, to hold markets, to levy local taxes and many more. This allowed Stirling to prosper and created a special connection between the King and his subjects.

It is believed that King David I pronounced Stirling as a Burgh by giving verbal instruction and therefore no written charter exists for the original granting of burgh status. The earliest charter that Stirling Archives have which mentions the burgh status is from 1360 issued by David II (1329-1371). The charter references an earlier charter of King Alexander II from 1226 granting the Burgesses of Stirling the right to hold a weekly market.

Stirling: Alive with Scotland

The Walking of the Marches 2024 - Celebrating 900 years of The Royal Burgh of Stirling. Walking of the Marches is an ancient tradition in Stirling that check...