Clik here to view.
History by the roadside: Duncan Cameron’s Cairn
Just to the west of Glenfinnan on the road to Mallaig, under a grove of oak trees by the side of Loch Eilt, stands a cairn with a bronze memorial plaque which is dedicated to the memory of Duncan...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Wenlock Priory: hauntingly beautiful
Wandering around the ruins of Wenlock Priory on a drowsy summer afternoon, you can easily convince yourself that you can hear a faint echo of pious chanting, and voices uplifted in song. But that’s...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Castle Stalker: plenty to brood on
The name ‘Stalker’ in this instance is pronounced ‘stal-ker’ (in other words the letter ‘l’ is sounded), and it comes from the Gaelic ‘stalcaire’, meaning ‘hunter’ or ‘falconer’. James IV of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Richard of York gave battle…
Rainbow over Arisaig This summer has been a season of rainbows after torrential downpours… we photographed some really stunning ones in March, on our way across the Sound of Mull. Looking through these...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Dunnottar: the last bastion
Surrounded on three sides by vertical cliffs that drop 160 feet to the sea below, and accessible from the landward side only by a narrow gateway that was bristling with gun batteries, Dunnottar Castle...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Aberlemno: riddles in stone
If you’re travelling along the country road that winds its way around farmland between the Scottish towns of Brechin and Forfar, you might be forgiven for missing three upright stones that are standing...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Dun Carloway: strong and silent
Some time around 50 BC, a group of hardy individuals got together on a wind-scoured promontory near Carloway (in Gaelic, Carlabhagh) on the Isle of Lewis, and started to build a broch. The stone...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Inchbuie: an island of dreams
The A827, which winds its way down the entire northern shore of Loch Tay, crosses the River Dochart at Killin. The bridge was built in 1760, and has four main arches; from it, you can enjoy great...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Much Wenlock’s mystery object
Thank you to everyone who entered my short quiz, asking what this intriguing structure was used for: It is a ‘lavabo’ or bath, which was used by the monks who lived in Much Wenlock Priory. Built around...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The mystery of the Kilchoan Cross
Of all the ancient sites and monuments I’ve featured on The Hazel Tree, perhaps none has a more remote or spectacular setting than the Kilchoan Cross at Inverie. Inverie is the only ‘village’ on...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Fountains Abbey: from simplicity to splendour
I should warn you in advance that this is quite a long article. Now is a good time to put the kettle on! As you gaze up at the spectacular remains of Fountains Abbey, in its heyday one of the richest...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A bridge to the past
The Lurg Burn tumbles under a stone bridge as it makes its way down to the Sma’ Glen just north of Gilmerton in Perthshire. Larches extend their branches almost to the water, while emerald green...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Dun Beag: hilltop fortress
When the Picts chose to build a broch on this windswept hilltop in central Skye, they wanted it to be impregnable - and for good reasons.
View ArticleClik here to view.
Little Emily’s Bridge, Wharfedale
I've never seen a bridge like this before... just what are those upright boulders all about? Stonehenge-in-Wharfedale?
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Battle of Dunnichen
Dunnichen, Dun Nechtain, Nechtansmere - take your pick (or should that be Pict?) We don't know where this battle took place, but we know one thing: the Picts were delighted with the outcome!
View ArticleClik here to view.
Kilmore – a quiet chapter
An atmosphere of complete peace surrounds this lovely little ruined church in Argyll.
View ArticleClik here to view.
Castle Sween: still watching for the sails
Dreaming of times gone by, this wonderful 12th-century castle looks out over Loch Sween and the Sound of Jura.
View ArticleClik here to view.
Kilmory Knap Chapel – part one
This tiny little chapel on Loch Sween has some pretty big secrets - I can't wait to show you what's inside!
View ArticleClik here to view.
Kilmory Knap Chapel – part two
Continuing the excitement at Kilmory Knap Chapel with the magnificent MacMillan's Cross and a tantalising story...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Winchester’s Round Table: inspired by a legend
The Great Hall at Winchester Castle houses a tribute to King Arthur, Britain's 'once and future king'. Prepare to be amazed...
View Article