Scotland4me.net Out and About

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	Kirkwall, derived from the Norse name Kirkjuvagr (Church Bay) is the capital of The Orkney Islands. Kirkwall is part of the main island (known locally as the Mainland) and has a population of 7,600. Orkney covers an area of 974 square kilometres and is located off the northern tip of Scotland. There are many attractions in Kirkwall. These include St Magnus Cathedral and two museums. That is Tankerness House Museum and Orkney Wireless Museum. All are well worth a visit. Kirkwall acts as a centre of attraction with links to four of the southern islands Lamb Holm, Burray, Glimps Holm and South Ronaldsay. These are commonly known as the causeways. From Kirkwall the outer islands are worth a visit too. Each has its own unique character. To the North there is Shapinsay, Rousay, Egilsay, Wyre, Westray, Eday, Sanday, Stronsay, Papa Westray, North Ronaldsay and to the South/Southwest of the “Mainland” and its linked island you will find Hoy, Graemsay and Flotta.
	Helensburgh dates back to about 1600 when Ardencaple Castle was built on the west side of the town. In 1776 a spa was built over it by Sir Ian Colquhoun of Luss who also built a planned town named after his wife Helen. Its success was closely linked to the ferry service which he organised linking Helensburgh to Greenock. This allowed those who could afford it to earn their living on the south side of the Clyde while living on the more attractive north bank. On Helensburgh's waterfront is an obelisk dedicated in 1872 to the second big name to feature in the town's history. This was Henry Bell, who built the first commercial steamboat the Comet to bring customers from Glasgow to his wife's hotel and a pier to land them at. Not far away is a statue commemorating another famous son of Helensburgh, John Logie Baird, one of the fathers of television.
	Kinloch Rannoch lies twenty miles west of Pitlochry and twenty miles north west of Aberfeldy. It can be found in a remote area at the eastern point of Loch Rannoch. A road passes through the area from the west for just eighteen miles to Rannoch Station and ends there. Centuries ago the route across the central Highlands ran along tracks across Rannoch Moor and through Glen Coe to Lochaber and beyond. Mid AD500s, St Blane arrived from Iona and started the conversion of the local Celts to Christianity. He was followed by other missionaries and their memory remains in the naming of burial grounds in the area. Seven different clans have links with the area which includes the Robertsons, Camerons, MacDougalls and Menzies. Perhaps most famous, for the worst of reasons were the MacGregors who played an enthusiastic role in several centuries of sporadic clan warfare usually caused by disputes about ownership of land or cattle.
	Known to the Romans as Bertha from the Celtic 'Aber The' meaning mouth of the Tay. The cityof Perth has been a 'Royal Burgh' since the 13th Century and was a 'Royal' residence throughout the middle ages. The City is often referred to as the 'Ancient Capital of Scotland'. In 1396 the Battle of the Clans took place on the North Inch of Perth. It was a gladiatorial fight to the death to settle a long running feud between the powerful Chattan and Mackay clans. Rumour has it that the Chattans were a man short so a local saddler was paid to take the place. He survived, having joined the winning side! The city is a bustling market town with much to offer the tourist. Shops, galleries and theatre in the town centre. Scenery, castles, history, walks and attractions in the country around. Nearby is historic Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.
	St Andrews - the first people to inhabit the area of Scotland around St Andrews came some 8,000 years ago. They more than likely travelled across country from the south and across the North Sea. When the Romans came to Fife around 82 AD they built camps near St Andrews Cupar, and Newburgh on the south banks of the Tay. There is no evidence about St Andrews being a walled city, but in the earlier times around the 16th century the outer boundaries of all streets and wynds were closed by ports or gates. The rear walls of gardens formed the only defence. The only remaining port today is the West Port on South Street which, however, was remodelled in 1843. The ill-fated Mary Queen of Scots visited St Andrews five times between 1561 and 1565, accompanied wherever she went by crowds of people. It is believed that she stayed in St Andrews in 1562 in a house on the southern side of South Street, now used as a library by St Leonard's School. Queen Mary's House is a fine example of a 16th century Scottish town house.
	Aberdour a village of Fife, Scotland. Pleasantly situated on the shore of the Firth of Forth, 17.5 miles North West of Edinburgh. You can get to Aberdour by Scot Rail and if you travel back in time to 1911 it was a mere 7 miles North West of Leith. That assumes you travel by steamer of course. Sadly the steamer is now long gone and although access is still available by train, the Forth Road Bridge has made transport by car much easier and this is now by far the most popular way of travelling to Aberdour. The village is well known for its excellent sea-bathing and in particular the Silver Sands Beach that has been given the prestigious European Beach award. Should your interest be in architecture there are ruins of a castle. These contain some fine interesting Norman work as does St.Fillan’s Church. The church (restored in 1926) is still very much in use by the Church of Scotland today and is well worth a visit. However, doors do close at about 4pm each day. The Island of Inchcolm, or Island of Columba, 0.75 miles. from the shore and is in the parish of Aberdour. As its name implies, the island dates back to the time of Columba.
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