Did you know that the first sighting of Nessie was in the 6th century?
Hotel Getaways in Aberdeenshire
Hotel Getaways in Aberdeenshire
240 acres of park and woodland are host to Meldrum House, a completely refurbished 13th-century manor house in rural Aberdeenshire. No bedroom in the house is the same, each uniquely furnished with luxurious furniture, and allows you to choose from rooms in the Manor House, the Estate or even the Stables. Beyond that, Meldrum House is home to one of Scotland’s Top 100 golf courses and features glass domes in its exquisite gardens to allow you to enjoy dinner under the stars. You’ll also enjoy award-winning food at one of their two restaurants – Pineapple Grill and Seafood, and The Cave Bar, which is over 800 years old.
Given four stars by the AA Guide, The Lodge on the Loch is a haven of tranquillity and calm that welcomes visitors into the heart of Royal Deeside. It gets its name from its enviable spot on the banks of Loch Aboyne, offering excellent spa and golf facilities on-site. With the woodland of Cairngorm National Park providing your background, you can test out your skills on their two golf courses, or head to the spa to enjoy a sauna, a Japanese deep soak tub and holistic therapies and treatments. If you’re visiting in the summer, the Lodge also offers al fresco dining with an unparalleled view over the Cairngorm National Park and the mountains – perfect for enjoying one of their signature local dishes.
One of the most historic hotels in the county, Maryculter House offers forty unique rooms on the banks of the River Dee. The hotel has been welcoming visitors from all walks of life since the 13th century and offers an unparalleled retreat into the countryside. The bedrooms are each uniquely decorated with contemporary and comfortable furniture, with uniquely Scottish touches in each. Your stay wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Maryculter House’s restaurant, including the Poachers Brasserie and their famous Sunday roast dinners, both of which use local produce from both the sea and the mountains.
If you like your hotel getaways to be both boutique and unique, look no further than The Fife Arms. A Category B Listed property, its proximity to the Queen’s Residence of Balmoral makes it a hugely popular location in the area of Braemar. Forty-six suites and guestrooms have been decorated to be both luxurious and unique, inspired by many different aspects of the house – from the nobility who often passed through the house to the hotel’s 19th-century status as a coaching inn. You can even stay in an artist’s studio. Also worth visiting? Their two seasonal restaurants and complimentary bars – one of which features 365 different varieties of whisky.
Found with the grounds of the MacRobert Estate, a charming country house awaits you in Royal Deeside. The house offers thirteen bedrooms decorated with contemporary flourishes, complete with antiques and artwork carefully curated by their expert team. Originally purchased in the late 19th century, Douneside House features both traditional guest rooms as well as four renovated holiday cottages and apartments set a little way from the main house. Designed to be a place of tranquillity and joy, as it once was for the MacRobert family, the hotel offers inspired dining options made by an award-winning team of chefs – including a romantic and intimate restaurant in the former house library. Or you can visit the nearby Health Club and take full advantage of top-notch gyms, spa facilities and a swimming pool.
A place so relaxing you may never want to leave, the beautiful Banchory Lodge is a contemporary slice of Scottish paradise in the very heart of Royal Deeside. Perfect for reconnecting with nature, this idyllic spot overlooks the River Dee and offers twenty-eight bedrooms to its guests who want comfort and style in both their bedrooms – and the landscape around them. Whether you’re a golfer, avid walker or even a sport shooter, the area has plenty to offer you. And if you’re looking for more – Aberdeen is just a twenty-five-minute drive from the lodge. Even at dinner, you’ll be able to support local Scottish fishers and farmers, with menus curated to showcase the best produce Aberdeenshire has to offer.
Family-run for over sixty years, Darroch Learg has an enviable position in the gorgeous Cairngorm National Park. Woodland stretches for acres beyond the hotel, looking out around Glen Muick and the River Dee. Their ten comfortable bedrooms look out over a golf course and are available in either double or twin sizes. From your bedroom, you’ll be able to look out over the expansive Dee Valley, taking in the beautiful rolling hillside and rivers. It’s a perfect spot for walking, biking and even skiing if you visit in the colder months. You’ll also want to spend some time in the adjoining restaurant, where local produce is transformed into delicious, seasonal menus.
In the beautiful village of Banchory, you’ll find Tor-Na-Coille Hotel, a Victorian country house that has been transformed into a luxurious retreat. With panoramic views over the nearby landscape and rolling hillside, it was awarded four stars by VisitScotland and has twenty-five bedrooms, each uniquely designed to impart its own charm. The hotel is ideally located for avid fishers; the River Dee is famous for its salmon fly fishing and can be arranged by the hotel’s knowledgeable staff for those wishing to catch the famous Atlantic salmon.
A former retreat for nature seeking Victorians, the Craigendarroch Suites are surrounded by the walks of the Cairngorm National Park and just seven miles from the grounds of Balmoral Castle. The hotel offers guest rooms and suites that are both comfortable and contemporary, as well as multiple dining options for its guests. The Keiller Lounge and Brasserie offer relaxed and more formal dining using the local produce of the area. In the summer, active visitors will love local horse riding, hiking and quad biking trails. For those visiting in the winter months, the Lecht ski area is nearby to try out your skills on the slopes.
120 newly renovated and contemporary bedrooms are available at Ardoe House Hotel and Spa, a uniquely Highland getaway. Luxurious and modern, the grand castle-like appearance only adds to the majesty of the hotel as you approach it. It’s home to Blair’s, considered one of the finest restaurants in Aberdeenshire, as well as light bites in The Drawing Room, a whisky bar and a brasserie. If you’re truly looking to unwind, the hotel’s spa is a must-visit, with a variety of package options for visitors wishing to spend the day relaxing. Be sure to also make use of the Ardoe Health Club, which includes a sauna, heated swimming pool and full gym.
Transformed from a grand family manor home into a charming, luxury hotel, Thainstone House dates back to the 18th century and blends period detailing with modern touches and creature comforts. Dog-friendly and perfectly situated for golf lovers and avid walkers, each room at the hotel has been designed to have its own personality and charm about it – meaning those who stay more than once will always have something new to experience. One of the stand-out features of the hotel is the Inverurie Restaurant, which was awarded an AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence. It uses local produce to create seasonal menus and present a more formal dining option to guests. There’s also a bar, club rooms and lounges for those looking for an informal place to eat and relax.
An authentic Scottish inn brings you sixteen gorgeous rooms in Royal Deeside, alongside a welcoming for pets, people – and muddy boots. Having stood on its remarkable location on the River Dee for almost three centuries, it was once the prime location for merchants to stop for a drink and dinner as they escorted their animals to market. Simply furnished but remarkably elegant, the ensuite bedrooms are comfortable and charming – perfect for spending a weekend relaxing in the countryside. Of course, the pub down below is well worth visiting – and their menu of authentic pub food will warm up even the coldest nights.
Paid Partnership with Scotland Starts Here
When those unfamiliar with the country are asked to picture Scotland, the wild Highlands as depicted in shows like Outlander are often the first images to come to mind. No matter how beautiful the north of the country is, Scotland’s beauty extends to all four corners of its borders. Caledonia’s southern areas hold just as many hidden treasures and explorable spaces as the heathered moors to the north.
Enclosed by the rocky cliffs and harbour towns of the coast, Scotland’s topography varies even more wildly from place to place the further one travels inland. No two areas are the same, as each takes a vastly different form from its neighbour – rolling hills flow into stretching forests, and deep valleys connect with swirling rivers. This article highlights some of the stunning locations tucked away in Scotland’s south that visitors should never miss the opportunity to see.
The vivid imagination that brought the world seminal novels like Waverly and Rob Roy also begot one of the most picturesque houses in Britain. Every inch of Abbotsford House – from the baronial, neogothic brickwork of its exterior to the intricate floral arrangements in the gardens – came from Sir Walter Scott, one of the foundational writers of Scotland’s body corpus. Scott was a prolific novelist and poet who fortunately found success during his lifetime, allowing him to design the house to his exact specifications.
Abbotsford House now belongs to the Abbotsford Trust, which formed after the death of Scott’s final descendant. The charity began the arduous process of fundraising and restoration in 2007 and have now amassed the money needed to completely preserve the house and its contents. Thanks to the trust, Abbotsford is now an accessible educational resource as well as a fantastic visitors’ attraction.
Ghosts from all eras of Scotland’s past haunt the ruined halls of Melrose Abbey. From the body of Alexander II to the heart of Robert the Bruce, the remains of many heroes found this monastery to be their resting place. The appeal of Melrose Abbey lies in more than macabre fascination, however, as visitors flock to the intricate carvings ornamental details adorning various aspects of the building.
The abbey’s original iteration finished construction in 1136 under the reign of King David I as a space of strict contemplation for Cistercian monks. Over the centuries, more and more buildings were added to the ever-growing estate, with the structurally intact hall dating from around the 1500s. Following an assault from Henry VII, Melrose Abbey fell into disrepair after this period, gradually decaying over the centuries until its improvement by Sir Walter Scott. The rich history of the abbey is now preserved by Historic Scotland, whose tireless efforts keep the incredible building open for public exploration.
Overlooking the northern bank of Jed Water stands the mighty ruins of Jedburgh Abbey, a building whose collapsed stonework still holds remarkable power. The features that remain intact are testament to the masonic skills of 13th century Scotsmen, especially given the frequent assaults suffered at the hands of both Scottish and English forces throughout several centuries of its lifetime. The monks inhabiting Jedburgh were continually harangued and driven from their homes for a variety of reasons, although the final death knell sounded with the coming of the Scottish Reformation in 1560.
The construction of Jedburgh Abbey spanned seventy years, and the intricacies of its design highlight the important role the Kirk played in Scottish history. Visitors can examine the various artefacts surviving on display – from the beautifully carved fractures of a shrine to the immensely valuable combs of walrus ivory – when exploring the sprawling ruins by the Borders.
Just as the writings of Walter Scott captured the essence of Scotland, the view now bearing his name is a distillation of everything that makes the south so beautiful. According to legend, the author visited the overlook so often that his horses learned to halt there without him giving command. Gazing out onto the snaking flows of the River Tweed, it is easy to see how the view resonated so deeply with Scott and helped form the basis of his monumental works.
Seated on the singular bench atop Scott’s View, passers-by can lookout all the way to the towering Eildon Hills. Stretching before those volcanic mounds is an expansive patch of lowland that held the original Melrose Abbey, though no remnants of its creation can be seen.
Countless historical figures – from Mary Queen of Scots to William Wordsworth – have passed through the walls of Neidpath Castle. Much of the splendour that enchanted those visitors has fallen into ruin, but that which remains gives insight into the original 15th-century majesty. The sturdy tower house stands just west of Peebles and looks out over the River Tweed, making it an equally strategic and scenic location. This enviable spot made Neidpath a prime target for assault, the most severe of which came at the hands of Oliver Cromwell during his invasion of Scotland.
A cycle of demolitions and subsequent restorations followed. In its current state, the castle is owned by the Earl of Wemyss, who operates the castle as a historical venue for weddings and other events. Although not enterable by the public, the grounds of Neidpath Castle are more than worthy of a visit during your trip to the south.
Another of the spots frequented by Sir Walter Scott when in search of inspiration, the banks of St Mary’s Loch kiss the stunning shore of Ettrick Forest. At 5 kilometres long and 1 kilometre wide, the water forms the largest loch anywhere in the Borders. St Mary’s is surrounded by looming hilltops that frame the glittering surface perfectly while shielding onlookers from typically rugged Scottish winds. Nearby businesses offer visitors the chance to partake in all sorts of water-based activities during their time there, such as fishing or sailing, although the mild climate makes it an idyllic space for gentle walking.
Like much of Scotland, St Mary’s Loch is as historically important as it is beautiful. Ruins of towers used to shield civilians from assaults from south of the border are scattered throughout the landscape, while the Kirkyard is famed for being the location where William Wallace was proclaimed the Guardian of Scotland.
Given the Celtic mythology surrounding beasts such as kelpies and the reverence given to the goddess Epona, equine names occur very frequently throughout Scottish geography. One such feature is Grey Mare’s Tail, the waterfall which has become synonymous with its entire surrounding area. Plummeting 60m from the mouth of Loch Skeen, the name Grey Mare’s Tail refers to its frothing white and remarkably slender, taillike formation.
However, the park surrounding Grey Mare’s Tail is just as deserving of exploration. Hills such as White Coomb loom high above the fall and give climbers unbeatable views of northern England beyond. The wildlife inhabiting the park is also memorable, with vibrant populations of wild goats and a host of majestic birds.
Scotland’s tenured tradition of science merges with her artistic culture at Crawick Multiverse, the utterly unique landscape art installation created by cultural theorist and designer Charles Jencks. The piece brings the cosmos down onto our level and represents it in intricately arranged natural elements. Thousands of boulders and fifty-five acres of land are just some of the tools used to mimic cosmological entities such as andromeda, the Milky Way, and even the multiverse.
A result of its sprawling nature, Crawick Multiverse is an incredibly fluid installation, taking on entirely new forms when viewed from different perspectives or under different weather conditions. This flows well with the erratic Scottish climate, as no one will experience the piece in the same way twice. It is a truly wonderous system of design that should not be missed.
Should the celestial design of Crawick Multiverse pique your interest in outer space, then Galloway Forest Park provides one of the most sublime views of the night sky anywhere on Earth. With 300 miles of forest cordoned off and protected from light pollution, visitors can choose a private spot to gaze at the inky black canvas with the ethereal Milky Way spread across it. By covering such a large area, Galloway Forest Park ensures that guests have limitless ways to enjoy their time there without disturbing others. Cycling, swimming, dog walking, or simply stargazing are all catered for perfectly in different spaces, with three separated visitors’ centres guaranteeing safety throughout.
Galloway Forest Park was the first night sky park in the United Kingdom and only the fourth globally. Although there are now over 100 throughout the world, this space in the south of Scotland is one of the few pedestalled as a Gold Tier park, an accolade that celebrates the awe-inspiring views on offer.
A space truly ripped from the pages of a fantasy novel; the breath-taking Drumlanrig Castle is one of the most idyllic locations anywhere in the south of Scotland. Twin curved staircases guide visitors up to the entrance, deep in the intertwining shadows of the castle’s many towers and wings. The stunning pink sandstone exterior contains 120 separate rooms, a testament to the opulence of the 17th century Renaissance styling. Inside these rooms is an incredible collection of art and artefacts, including original works by Rembrandt and da Vinci, the majority of which come from the amassing of the Duke of Buccleuch.
However, the majesty of the Queensberry Estate stretches behind those immense walls – Drumlanrig itself is in fact the centrepiece of a staggering 90,000 acres of landscape. Snaking streams and high-peaked hills run side-by-side throughout this land, while countless fish, birds, and other creatures call the estate their home.
Following his crowning as king, the early months of Robert the Bruce’s reign over Scotland were characterised by defeats and fugitivity. This changed, however, when he reappeared with an army on the shores of Carrick and began preparations to meet the English at the nearby Glen Trool. It was here that the Bruce delivered his first blow against the enemy, scoring a decisive, albeit minor, victory and forcing a retreat.
While this was not a catastrophic defeat for the English, it allowed Robert to push forward onto the weightier victory at Loudon Hill. As such, Bruce’s Stone commemorates what can be called a turning point in the Scottish Wars of Independence. The immense boulder was hauled atop the hill in 1929, 600 years after Robert’s death from illness, and has stood proudly ever since. For visitors, the stone also indicates the foot of the looming mountain Merrick, which makes for an incredibly difficult walk even for the most seasoned of climbers.
The expansive Galloway Forest Park contains a multitude of hidden nooks and crannies to explore, and the Raiders’ Road is one such feature. While the park may be more closely associated with walking and cycling, it welcomes drivers between the months of April and October to take one of the two forest vehicle routes. The Raiders’ Route, in particular, shows visitors the countless enchanting aspects of Galloway Forest Park without any strenuous walking, making it a wonderfully accessible way of enjoying the area.
The route runs for 10 miles and takes visitors through many unique stop-off points. From the beautiful Otter Park overflowing with aquatic critters to Stroan Loch for a wonderful shoreside relaxation spot. The Raiders’ Road Forest Drive is open for non-drivers all year round, however, it is unique as one of the few routes in the park that welcomes drivers.
The expansive Galloway Forest Park contains a multitude of hidden nooks and crannies to explore, and the Raiders’ Road is one such feature. While the park may be more closely associated with walking and cycling, it welcomes drivers between the months of April and October to take one of the two forest vehicle routes. The Raiders’ Route, in particular, shows visitors the countless enchanting aspects of Galloway Forest Park without any strenuous walking, making it a wonderfully accessible way of enjoying the area.
The route runs for 10 miles and takes visitors through many unique stop-off points. From the beautiful Otter Park overflowing with aquatic critters to Stroan Loch for a wonderful shoreside relaxation spot. The Raiders’ Road Forest Drive is open for non-drivers all year round, however, it is unique as one of the few routes in the park that welcomes drivers.
This article is produced in Partnership withScotland Start Here
Guardswell Farm
Guardswell Farm
When searching for a relaxing getaway, many look for poolside cocktails and minimal movement. However, for those in search of an experience that harkens back to a time before either, then Guardswell Farm presents the perfect opportunity. Guardswell sprawls over 150-acres between the towns of Abernyte and Kinnaird, primarily located upon a southern turned hillside. This elevated position gives visitors amazing views during their stay, from the snaking flows of the River Tay to the rugged expanses of the Perthshire landscape.
Guardswell has received universal acclaim for its genuine approach to off-the-grid relaxation. It is an operational farm that works under an ethos of communal efforts and regenerative growing. Visitors staying on the farm have a wide choice of accommodation options which, although each is unique, are all bound under that same community-guided ethos.
How to get there
Guardswell is off-the-grid in more than name, meaning that SatNav directions will not take you there. Instead, drivers should aim for the village of Kinnaird (without entering it) and find the farm on their right, up on the south side of the hill.
Scotland’s Best Coffee Roasters
How to get there
Guardswell is off-the-grid in more than name, meaning that SatNav directions will not take you there. Instead, drivers should aim for the village of Kinnaird (without entering it) and find the farm on their right, up on the south side of the hill.
National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland
Photographs by Simon Hird
A treasure trove of Caledonian and global history, the National Museum of Scotland is the relatively recent merging of two adjacent museums in Edinburgh’s city centre. Its first iteration came much earlier, however, when physician Robert Sibbald’s collection of natural history was permanently exhibited by the University of Edinburgh in 1697. Gradually, more and more individuals contributed to the quickly overflowing collection – even Charles Darwin and Prince Albert have lain their own touches onto the museum. By uniting the separate institutions, the collections also became one.
Throughout the labyrinthine walls capped by sky-high ceilings are curios from every field of human knowledge: ancient Egyptian artefacts rest under the same roof as the body of Dolly the Sheep; a famed set of 12th-century chess pieces face off in one room while a titanic sperm whale skull sits in the next. The range of items on display is simply staggering.
The Grey Mare’s Tail Covenanters
Words by Graeme Johncock, photographs by Simon Hird
The Grey Mare’s Tail is an elegant, tumbling waterfall on the edge of Dumfries and Galloway. Cascading down 60 metres of rockface from Loch Skeen above, the water splits the landscape in two. This breathtaking area of Southern Scotland proves that there’s no need to head north to experience Scotland’s wilderness.
During the 17th century, this wilderness was put to good use. The isolation of the Grey Mare’s Tail made it the perfect hiding place for Covenanters.
These people had rebelled against attempts by the King to dictate affairs within the Scottish church. Ministers carried on preaching against the orders of the crown while events escalated around them. Eventually, all unauthorised church services were considered treason and to be shut down violently. Rather than discourage the Covenanters, they just headed out into the wild to worship there instead.
James Graham of Claverhouse was tasked with hunting down the Covenanters in Southern Scotland. Mounted soldiers combed the landscape looking to surprise the rebels. No trial was needed, the worshippers were to be executed on the spot and the countryside is peppered with remote graves of those victims. The Killing Time had begun, and James Graham became known as Bluidy Clavers.
The Grey Mare’s Tail was perfect for the Covenanters. Boggy ground around Loch Skeen was difficult for mounted soldiers and the steep ravine below, full of hidden crevices was dangerous to those who didn’t know the path. Lookouts were posted high up on Watch Knowe to give their companions plenty of warning if government troops were approaching.
Alongside this very real connection between the Grey Mare’s Tail and the Covenanters, the waterfall picked up a devilishly strange legend. This area is famous for its wild goats and one day two men hiding out in the ravine heard the faint sound of hooves over the noise of the waterfall. Keen to secure some supper, they quietly followed the sound, creeping closer and closer until they could peek over a ledge.
It wasn’t a goat they had found. It was the terrifying figure of the devil and the noise of his cloven feet. Their worst nightmare was busy roasting human flesh on a spit and both the sight and smell disgusted the pair. It’s no easy feat to sneak up on the devil and they watched in horror as he spun around and stared deep into their souls.
The Covenanters’ only hope was to rely on their strength of faith. Instead of cowering in fear, they recited bible passages at the monstrous figure. It was all too much for the devil to take but he had one last trick up his sleeve.
He dived into the water, transforming himself into bundles of expensive, leather hides. Lesser men would have been tempted by the sight of all that wealth tumbling down the Grey Mare’s Tail and followed it to their doom. Fortunately, these Covenanters weren’t motivated by greed and lived to tell the tale.
Written by Graeme Johncock
Graeme is the writer and storyteller behind Scotland’s Stories, sharing the traditional folklore and legends that make Scotland truly incredible.
Did you know that the first sighting of Nessie was in the 6th century?
The Loch Ness Monster is one of the most famous Scottish myths and there have been numerous reports of the beast in the last 100 years from detailed descriptions to blurry photographs. Nessie sightings are anything but a new phenomenon however with the first recorded sighting attributed to St Columba around 565AD.
Columba was travelling Scotland, preaching and converting the local Picts when he came across a group of men burying their friend by the banks of the river Ness. He discovered that the man had been swimming in the river when a monster attacked and drowned him. Columba convinced one of his own followers to swim across the river as bait.
When the monster appeared next to the swimmer, Columba made the sign of the cross and commanded the beast to go no further and not to touch the man. It stopped in its tracks as if pulled back by ropes and fled towards the Loch.
Photograph by @simonhird
National Museum of Scotland Wallpaper
National Museum of Scotland Wallpaper
Taken by @simonhird
A treasure trove of Caledonian and global history, the National Museum of Scotland is the relatively recent merging of two adjacent museums in Edinburgh’s city centre. Its first iteration came much earlier, however, when physician Robert Sibbald’s collection of natural history was permanently exhibited by the University of Edinburgh in 1697. Gradually, more and more individuals contributed to the quickly overflowing collection – even Charles Darwin and Prince Albert have lain their own touches onto the museum. By uniting the separate institutions, the collections also became one.
Hidden Scotland Magazine Issue 3 – Pre-order Now
It gives us great pleasure to be sharing with you the third edition of Hidden Scotland magazine. Welcome to our Autumn Winter 2021/22 issue.
We’ll start with four potent words: the past is alive. Scotland is a land sculpted by its history, a place moulded by the passage of time, and over the following pages, the days of yore are a recurrent theme. Stepping back into the mists of prehistory, we explore the Jurassic beginnings of the Isle of Skye, where dinosaurs once roamed. We enter the towering canopy of the great Caledonian Forest, crunching the underbrush of the temperate rainforest that once blanketed almost the entire country. No less stirringly, we also take a wander among the extraordinary Neolithic sites that make Scotland one of the world’s most important repositories of Stone Age architecture.
Striding forward to more recent centuries, we visit the historic towns and age-old places of worship that mark the Borders Abbeys Way, learn more about the 17th century witches of Shetland, and discover the layered past (not to mention the vibrant culture and open countryside) of Dumfries & Galloway. Keeping the theme going, we also hear the ancient tale of Thomas the Rhymer, and take a winding drive along the fabled Highlands road that is Bealach na Bà.
But there’s more to these pages, of course, than the past. As regular readers will have come to expect, we also meet some of Scotland’s most inspirational modern-day inhabitants, from the sustainably minded food and drink producers of Glenelg, and the determined founders of the Isle of Skye Sea Salt Company, to acclaimed jewellery-maker Róis Clark.
And that’s not all. Among other things, there’s also a journey through Cape Wrath in the company of writer and photographer Richard Gaston, a spotlight on one of the country’s enigmatic mountain hares, and advice on how to make the most of the Scottish winter with your canine companion.
As ever, enjoy the journey. Slàinte mhath
Butt of Lewis Lighthouse
There are very few lighthouses in Scotland that do not credit a member of the Stevenson family as their designer. The family have become synonymous with the towers over three separate generations of builders, and their legacy can be seen in all corners of the country. The Butt of Lewis Lighthouse is one of the most impressive of its kind – a grand, red-brick obelisk standing 121 feet above the Outer Hebrides.
The Butt of Lewis Lighthouse became automated in 1998, making it one of the last in the country to have three keepers looking after it. Along with their families, these keepers spent their days enduring lashing rain and harsh winds – so harsh, in fact, that the Guinness Book of Records previously named it the windiest location in the United Kingdom.
How to get there
On a calm day, visiting the Butt of Lewis is relatively easy, as it is within walking distance of most parts of the island. A bus service also circuits Lewis every day which may be more convenient – whichever method you choose, however, ensure you are careful when visiting, as the cliffs themselves can be treacherous.
Photo by @calcomacleod.photography
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