Scotland4me.net Out and About

	Scotland4me.net	'Out and About'
'Scotland'
	History - Oban is a small harbour town, whith its' skyline dominated by the forty foot walls of McCaig’s Folly. Built in 1897 by the wealthy banker Jon S McCaig, the folly is now a public garden. Saint Columba’s Cathedral was designed in neo-gothic style by Giles Gilbert Scott and built using pink granite, it sits proudly on Corran Esplanade. The castles of Dunstaffnage and Dunollie offer visitors a glimpse into Scottish history. Oban bustles in the summer and its tourist information office is said to be the second busiest in Scotland. Car ferries operating from the south pier ship visitors to Mull, Coll, Tiree, Barra, South Uist, Colonsay, Lismore and Islay. These windswept and interesting islands stud a rugged coastline defiant in the face of the frequent wild weather. There is plenty to see and do in Oban, and if it rains, where better to seek shelter than the town’s distillery? The perfect excuse for a wee dram.
	History - Isle of Bute. Man has occupied the Isle of Bute for over 5,500 years. When you explore the island you will find standing stones, cists and a vitrified fort at Dunagoil Bay. It is also the ancestral home of the Stuart Kings of Scotland whom stayed at Rothesay Castle. Bute is the home of the acclaimed film director and actor Lord Attenborough. However, one of Bute's most colourful 19th century characters was Shakespearean actor Edmund Kean. He came from a humble background. Amazingly he rose to become one of the most famous and wealthiest actors of his time. In the 20th century Rothesay was the birthplace of a child star Lena Zavaroni. Lena's career was catapulted on to the world stage before the age of ten, after winning a TV talent contest. Sadly fame and an eating disorder took its toll and she died tragically in 1999.
	History - Shetland Isles - Not many people realise just eactly where the archipelago of 100 islands and islets lies. It also comes as a huge surprise to people to discover that Shetland is nearer Bergen than Aberdeen, it is further north than Moscow and the main town of Lerwick is as far from London and as Milan is from London. The population of Shetland is around 23,000. Shetland was Norse until 8 September 1468, when the islands were mortgaged to Scotland for 8,000 florins as part of the marriage agreement between the future James III and Princess Margrethe of Denmark. In 1472 the Scots annexed both Shetland and Orkney. The whole area measures about 70 miles from Sumburgh Head in the south to Muckle Flugga off the coast of Unst in the north. It is no surprise that the sea dominates life on Shetland today, as it has throughout history. Fishing is vital to the economy.
	Brief history - Caithness became a local government county, with its own county council, in 1890, under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889. Officially within the county the burghs of Wick and Thurso retained their status as autonomous local government areas. County and burgh councils were later abolished in 1975 as a result of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and Caithness then became one of eight districts each with its own district council. In 1996 the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994 trasnsformed the region to a unitary local government area and the district councils were abolished. As registration county, lieutenancy area and historic local government area Caithness has a land boundary with the equally historic local government area of Sutherland. Otherwise it is bounded by sea. The land boundary follows a watershed and is crossed by two roads, the A9 and the A836, and one railway the Far North Line. Ferries link Caithness with Orkney and Caithness has also an airport at Wick. The Pentland Firth island of Stroma is within Caithness. In 2001 Caithness had a resident population of 23,866.
	Brief history - The Isles of Lewis and Harris are situated at the north west corner of the group of Islands known as the Hebrides, or Western Isles. Lewis is soaked in history and culture dating from thousands of years ago. Ancient stone circles stand on the same land as modern Stornoway. Gaelic is spoken alongside English, and Otters live alongside Eagles and humans. During the summer months local people can be seen cutting the peats and in the winter the distinctive dry smell of the peat fires drifts in the wind. The name of MacLeod is prominently seen in the area. Sundays are still a very special day with many people observing strict compliance to the "Free Church" traditional values.
	Brief history - Clackmannanshire is Scotland in miniature it has magnificent scenery, a varied history and welcoming people. Set in the very heart of Scotland, with the stunning Ochil Hills in the background, it has a lot to offer visitors and residents alike. The town of Clackmannan was known for its weaving and glassmaking industries it also has a long associated history with the brewing industry. Other towns in the area are Alloa, Alva, Dollar, Stirling and Tillicoutry. In Tillicoultry you can find the old Harviestoun estate were Robert Burns visited in the summer of 1787, this is were during his stay he wrote 'The Banks of the Devon' and 'Fairest Maid on Devon Banks'. Today the town is best known for its large retail outlet, Sterling Furniture, based in the former Devonvale paper mill complex, as well as for the adjacent Sterling Mills shopping centre. Rolling hills, fast flowing rivers, busy towns and pretty villages together with towers and castles straight out of a Disney movie will gives you one of Scotland's best kept secrets, Clackmannanshire.
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