Ruins
St Martin’s Kirk, Haddington
Very, very few 12th-century parish churches survive in Scotland today. Through wars, Reformation, and general neglect, most such buildings have sadly been lost to us. So, when I spotted an old ruin in Haddington – and realised its age – I was delighted! A Gift From Countess Ada Ada de Warenne was…
Read MoreUrquhart Castle, Scotland
In the Great Glen of the Scottish Highlands, you will find the magnificent Loch Ness – the second largest lake in Scotland. And on the rocky western bank of the loch, stands the ruins of Urquhart Castle – a place with a long and violent history. Early History of Urquhart Castle, Scotland …
Read MoreSt Andrews’s Castle, Scotland
Once the residence of bishops and archbishops, St Andrew’s Castle stands majestically overlooking St Andrew’s Bay, on the East coast of Scotland. Within these walls, Scottish kings held elaborate feasts, high-ranking prisoners were kept, and the bloody murder of a cardinal took place. During its long history, St Andrew’s Castle have accumulated a great…
Read MoreBeauly Priory, Scottish Highlands
They came from Dijon in France – the Valliscaulians – and settled here at Beauly Priory in the Scottish Highlands. The monks belonging to the Valliscaulian Order, were quite different from the monks of other religious orders. For them, it was all about their personal salvation and less about the world at large. For…
Read MoreClava Cairns, Scottish Highlands
Stepping into the sacred landscape of Clava Cairns left me utterly awestruck. In this place, prehistoric farmers gathered to lay their own to rest. It is a place of peace, of tranquillity and of incredible history. And I felt honoured to walk among their spirits. Building Clava Cairns The farmers of the…
Read MoreFinchale Priory, Northern England
Finchale Priory in County Durham, Northern England has a long and interesting history – and it is incredibly beautiful to explore. What started out as a tiny hermitage, turned into a magnificent priory and even a holiday home for monks. It is here, in the crook of the River Wear, amongst leafy trees and…
Read MoreOld St Mungo’s Church, Penicuik
Almost hidden behind the current St Mungo’s Church stands the ruins of the old, original church of the same name. It is surrounded by the most tranquil churchyard I have ever had the pleasure to explore – and I spotted a little deer on the other side of the fence too! 🥰 History…
Read MoreUttershill Castle, Scotland
With spectacular views over the little town of Penicuik and the Pentland Hills to the North and West, Uttershill Castle stands atop a rocky hill beside the B6372. It was pretty easy to find – Castle ruins tend to stand out against the landscape, even from a distance. Parking our vehicle was less…
Read MoreRosyth Castle, Scotland
It is strange to think that, where I am standing looking up at Rosyth Castle, would have been under water not too long ago. You see, Rosyth Castle used to be on a tiny island in the Firth of Forth – reached only at low tide. Today, the landscape looks very different. The Rosyth…
Read MoreRoslin Castle, Scotland
The hill is terribly steep and slippery after two days of solid rain. Squishing my way through the mud and wet leaves, I finally reach the midway point, and to my right are the beautiful ruins of Roslin Castle. And the slog was so worth it! A stone bridge takes me across a…
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