Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Archway at Armadale Castle, Isle of Skye

This evening, I am focusing on Armadale on the Isle of Skye, Scotland.

Many times each year I pass through Armadale either arriving or departing Skye via the ferry crossing.

This part of Skye is called Sleat and is traditionally home to Clan Donald. In fact, in times past, this was the location for mansion house residence of the MacDonalds of Sleat. As is evident from images immediately above and below is now a romantic ruin. However, on the same site there is the Clan Donald Visitor Centre with extensive library, archives and a museum which combine to provide a good quality visitor experience and an excellent facilty for researching local ancestry. There are also immaculately kept gardens in the grounds of the ruined castle which are particularly colourful in Springtime as a function of a well endowed population of azaleas and rhododendrons.

Ruins of Armadale Castle, Isle of Skye, Scotland

At the ferry terminal at the harbour there is small collection of art, craft  and textile shops which are of interest to ferry passengers whilst waiting for departures.

Armadale Harbour, Skye, Scotland

The ferry crossing to/from Armadale offers wonderful scenic views of Knoydart  and sometimes dolphins  can be spotted.

Blarney Castle, Home of Blarney Stone, Ireland

This afternoon, my focus is on Blarney Castle  which lies very close to the pretty village of Blarney in the south of Ireland, just 8km from the city of Cork. This site attracts high volumes of visitors each year whose prime objective is to visit and kiss the famous Blarney Stone which is located at roof level with access entailing a climb up some 127 steps.

Today, the castle remains extend to just the keep which essentially comprises a 15th century tower house inside which the vaulted first floor was once the Great Hall. 

Key aspects of the facility:

• Kissing the Blarney Stone entails being suspended backwards under the parapet as per image no four in this post. This act is believed to confer a magical eloquence on the participant.
• In addition to the castle, there are 60 acres of parkland, gardens, avenues and arboretums.
• Rock Close, a supposed mustical place on the site of an ancient druidic settlement.
• 19th century Blarney House (open in Spring only) which is accessed via a walk through flower and fern gardens and a herbaceous boder.

View of castle.

Blarney Castle, Home of Blarney Stone, Ireland

Looking up at the Blarney Stone.

Ground View of Blarney Stone, Ireland

Kissing the Blarney Stone

Kissing the Blarney Stone, Blarney Castle, Ireland

This is usually a ‘must see’ site in course of an Ireland tour  but be wary of crowds in the peak summer time.

Ossian's Hall, River Braan, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on the Falls of Braan at Ossian’s Hall near Dunkeld in Central Scotland.

This site attracts about 200,000 visitors each year no doubt influenced by scenic attraction and proximity to the A9 main north-south tourist route.

Key facts:

• Site is known as the Hermitage but most visitors rarely get beyond Ossian’s Hall and the Falls of Braan
• Was part of an 18th century designed landscape under ownership of the Duke of Atholl who owned (and whose descendants still own) vast tracts of central Scotland.
• To access the site entails a pleasant walk of about half a mile along the wooded banks of the River Braan, one of Scotland’s shortest rivers with a length of about 80 miles. The path navigates through the tallest grove of Douglas Firs in the U.K. These were planted in 1920 and may well last for another 300-400 years.
• One of the trees near the Falls has a height of about 200ft and ranks as one of the tallest trees in the U.K.
• During the season salmon can be be viewed trying to jump the falls, an endeavour which always ends in failure.
• Ossian’s Hall ( see image above) was built as a summer house in 1758. Nearby, a stone bridge was built over the river in 1770, ostensibly to enhance the natural attractions of the site.
• Ossian is a character from Irish mythology. In 1760 one James McPherson, a local tutor, gathered local legends and dedicated (attributed?) same to Ossian. The Duke of Atholl duly dedicated the building next to the falls to Ossian.
• The Hall has recently been re-built to incorporate the original series of experiences which mirrors and skylights would have afforded visitors in the 18th century. However, the hall is essentially a viewing platform for the spectacular falls.

Here is a clip  of the falls in full spate.

Falls of Braan, Ossian's Hall, Scotland

Whenever possible  include a visit to the falls in my tours  of the area.