Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Castle Urquhart, Loch Ness, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on one of Scotland’s  most popular visitor attractions, namely Castle Urquhart in the Scottish Highlands near Inverness on Loch Ness. Of course, the main reason for the huge number of visitors each year is that this is the best site from which to view Loch Ness  and seek out it’s legendary monster.

Monster legends apart this is a quality site with much to offer including a short, introductory film, refreshment facilities, gift shop and stunning views over the Loch.

From a history perspective, there has been a fortification on the site for about 1500 years, dating back to Pictish  times. Like the vast majority of surviving stones castles in the British Isles, Urquhart has its genesis in the 13th century under Alan Durward and was extended by the powerful Comyns after 1275. Subsequent milestones:

• Oscillated between English and Scottish control during the 14th century Wars of Independence.
• Post 1390, the threat came from the Macdonald Lord of the Isles in the West of Scotland.
• Captured by the Macdonalds in 1452 but regained by the Scottish Crown four years later.
• Plundered by Clansmen in 1544-5
• Partly blown up by defenders at time of Jacobite uprising in 1689 to prevent opponents gaining advantage.
• Subsequently a deteriorating and romantic ruin.

The facities of this once great castle were extensive and included:

• Ditch and drawbridge.
• Gatehouse
• Guard Room
• Constable’s Lodging
• Water Gate
• Outer Close
• Chapel
• Great Hall
• Inner Close
• Grant Tower, as shown below. This is the most prominent feature and named after the Grant family who held the castle in the early 16th century.

The Grant Tower below attracts many visitors who climb the narrow stairs to the top to benefit from the stunning views over the loch.

Tower at Castle Urquhart, Loch Ness

Here is a view taken from a tour boat.

Castle Urquhart viewed from Loch Ness, Scotland

In summer time a piper can be spotted.

Piper at Castle Urquhart, Loch Ness

This is a trebruchet, a form of giant, medieval catapult which bombarded castles before gunpowder and cannon came into use.

Trebruchet at Castle Urquhart, Loch Ness

Whenever travelling along the Great Glen  I invariably include a visit to this site.

Glen Ord Distillery, Highlands, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on Glen Ord distillery which lies in the village of Muir of Ord, between Beauly and Dingwall. This location is actually within about one hour’s drive of Inverness, Capital of the Highlands and hence is conveniently situated for the tourist routes.

Glen Ord was established in 1837 but its early life was ‘chequered’ having experienced three bankruptcies during its first 100 years. However, in 1923 it became part of a major drinks group which secured the distillery’s future ever since (now part of Diageo). In the past a number of brand names have been applied to proudct from ‘Muir of Ord’ to ‘Glenordie’ but clearly now settled with ‘Glen Ord’.

Glen Ord has six stills and, unusually, has a large malting plant adjacent. Latter is operated on an industrial scale and supplies seven northern distilleries in the Diageo group.

The principal product is a 12 year old 40pct which is described as a ‘malty spirit’  produced from maturation in ex-bourbon or ex-sherry casks and is lightly peated.

There is a Visitor Centre and regular distillery tours.

Glen Ord Distillery, Highlands, Scotland

Tour Group at Glencoe, Scotland

This morning our tour group were colelcted at Edinburgh and Glasgow following which we drove north to Dunkeld in central Scotland. Here we availed of a short, 30 minute break for refreshments and photos at this pretty village  on the banks of the river Tay.

Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland

River Tay- Scotland’s longest river system.

River Tay, Dunkeld, Scotland

Metal Scotsman in Dunkeld.

Metal Scotsman, Dunkeld, Scotland

Next we headed north past Dalwhinnie and the Cairngorms to Inverness, capital of the Highlands. Here we stopped for a brief lunch and refuel and then started south again tracking the bank of Loch Ness. Along Loch Ness we stopped for some photo opportunities in the pleasant sunshine. 

Loch Ness, Highlands, Scotland

Here is Castle Urqhart respendent in the sunshine on the edge of Loch Ness.

Castle Urquhart, Loch Ness, Scotland

Group photo at Loch Ness.

Group Photo, Loch Ness, Scotland

Next e continud south in an endeavour to reach Glencoe before the daylight faded. We just achieved our objective and were able to obtain some pictures before the onset of darkness.

Glencoe, Highlands, Scotland

After Glencoe we drove across the desolate Rannoch Moor and then a 45 minute break at the Green Welly refreshment stop. After this darkeness set in and we drove on down to Glasgow via Loch Lomond with final drop off at Edinburgh.

Overall, a good day.