Scotland

The United Kingdom of Great Britain is an extremely popular vacation destination. The kingdoms are England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland with each having unique differences in architecture, culture, language, accents and much much more. The citizens of each country are both proud of their own country but also very proud to be British so a person from Scotland can declare himself both Scottish and British with the vast majority placing “Scottish” first and foremost. Scotland was a fiercely independent nation until the Act of Union in 1707 brought it into union with England. Even today there is a strong movement for independence. Even though Scotland has a devolved government with some important and influential powers, the nationalists feel that the Scottish peoples will be better served by a free and independent government with total power over the country’s destiny... Read More

Fly fishing is a popular and exhilarating sport enjoyed around the world. Popular fly fishing destinations exist across the vast expanse of America with Alaska being one of the most favored by the discerning fly fisherman.  One thing, besides the excellent fishing, that many of these wonderful places share is breathtaking scenery. Fly fishermen appreciate the unspoiled and natural beauty of the surroundings they enjoy while fly fishing and many are very keen conservationists... Read More

On an island far far away, right at the very periphery of Europe, there exists an historic group of islands known as the Hebrides. Having been inhabited by man since well before 3,500 BC there is much evidence of his existence and none more spectacular than the Standing Stones of Calanais on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. These incredible stones stand tall against the harsh winds and horizontal rain that makes up most of the Hebridean weather. Often admired for their shear beauty but more often for their uniqueness (there are four avenues creating a crucifix shape with a circle at the crossing point) the Calanais Standing Stones are among the most important in Europe... Read More

Holidays in The Outer Hebrides are really something to remember. Rarely, if ever, these days are you likely to find such a pleasant place where your children can play freely while unattended. In today’s, often hostile, environment it is indeed rare to meet one nice person after the other but in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland you will find that the vast majority of folk are the type of people that would be a ‘Good Samaritan’, the type of person who would stop to help if your groceries fell to the floor (rather than walk on by like so many do now)... Read More

The Outer Hebrides/Western Isles are a group of distant isles situated off the West of Scotland. In years gone by the Hebrides were ruled by the Norse empire and during another period they were ruled by the Manx empire, only becoming part of Scotland a few centuries ago. More recently, during a period of time referred to as the ‘clearances’, a ridiculous number of folk, including complete families and even complete villages were viciously expelled from their cottages and transported to countries far away where the indigenous people used vastly different languages. Many people found themselves in places such as Canada and North America and even in places as far away as New Zealand, Australia and Tasmania... Read More

A great many people bring to mind remoteness and wilderness when asked what they know of the Outer Hebrides. Some even think the place rather backward, rather like a third world country, without electricity and many of the basics of western society. It is surprising how few people realise that the Outer Hebrides are a group of islands off the west coast of Scotland and, as well as having electricity and all the modern comforts they also have broadband connections and even, in the main town of Stornoway, a fibre optics network. Although remote and certain areas, such as the large open moors on the Isle of Lewis, the wilderness that is the Outer Hebrides consists of a diverse, and always breathtaking, countryside... Read More

Have you ever pictured yourself relaxing on a idyllic coast on a distant islet musing upon the meaning of life? As the rest of mankind barrel along their every day jobs you will simply recline backwards and rest. The Outer Hebrides of Scotland are a group of such islands & islets with fantastic scenery and idyllic beaches. Maybe the most spectacular of regions is the Isle of Harris... Read More