A unique holy place | A neolithic ceremonial site | Bronze-Age burials

A unique holy place Cairnpapple Hill is one of the most important prehistoric sites in mainland Scotland. When Professor Piggo of Edinburgh University excavated there in 1947–8, he discovered the summit of the hill crowned with ceremonial and burial monuments. They had been the focus of communal ac vity for over 200 genera ons of local farmers, from the 4th millennium BC through to the Chris an era. The site was subsequently taken into State care and laid out for visitors to view this remarkable legacy from our remote past.

A neolithic ceremonial site The earliest traces of ac vity dated from around 5,500 years ago. They comprised six hearths, in which pot‐sherds were found and, more significantly, two stone‐axe fragments – from axe‐factories in Wales and Cumbria. Clearly the early‐neolithic farmers of West Lothian did not live isolated lives. None of the hearths is visible anymore, because they were covered over in the later neolithic period by a great oval enclosure known as a ‘henge monument’. (The best henge monument in Scotland can be seen at the Ring of Brodgar, on Orkney.) The henge comprised a bank 60m across, with a broad ditch on its outside and a ring of 24 upright mber posts within. There were two entrances, almost opposite each other. We know nothing of the nature of any ceremonies that surely took place there.

Bronze-Age burials Around 4,000 years ago, during the early Bronze Age, the henge ceased to be used for ceremonial purposes. However, the local peo‐ple s ll clearly revered it, for they buried an important member of their community there. This first burial was lined by an oval se ng of stones. A single monolith, about 2.4m tall, stood at the head. The body had long since decomposed, but evidence showed that it had been buried full‐length, with the face covered by a wooden mask. The two Beaker pots had probably been le full of food and drink to sustain the dead person on their journey to the a erlife. Later, two burial cists were added. These comprised stone‐lined pits with a single massive capstone on top. A food vessel was found in one, and a single human crema on in the other. One cist bore three cup‐marks pecked into a surface. These burials were covered by a stone cairn, 15m across and neatly edged with 21 kerb stones. Finally, a much larger burial cairn was built. With a diameter of 30m, it completely covered the two earlier cairns. But it had no burial at its centre, just two crema on burials, in upturned, collared cinerary urns, placed in pits cut into the cairn.

There is no doubt that Cairnpapple is a magical mys cal place that holds its own secrets it is reckoned that all the ley lines (hidden energy fields) in Great Britain run into Cairnpapple and enthusiasts have shown how the energy fields are strong enough to turn a compass around mysteriously reading South when it is actually poin ng North.

Cairnpapple is well worthy of a visit even if it is for the superb panoramic views and the possibility of alien sigh ngs on a clear even‐ing. Make sure you pay it a visit and the surrounding places of interest such as Linlithgow birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots or Bathgate home to the beginnings of the oil industry.

CAIRNPAPPLE HILL

THE KITCHIN in Edinburgh 

Tom Kitchin, head chef at The Kitchin restaurant, is one of Scotland's most talented young chefs. 

Tom began his career at the pres gious Gleneagles Hotel, near his childhood home in Kinross. He went on to train and work alongside some of the world's most respected chefs, including Pierre Koffmann at La Tante Claire, Guy Savoy at Restaurant Guy Savoy in Paris and Alain Ducasse at the Louis XV in Monte Carlo.

He opened The Kitchin on the waterfront in Leith in June 2006, with the aim of showcasing seasonal Sco sh produce prepared using the techniques of classic French cookery. The restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in January 2007.

Tom Kitchin has a profound apprecia on of the best ingredients that Scotland has to offer making full use of Scotland’s excellent natural larder he has a unique ability to intro‐duce the fresh wild herbs that are in season into his cuisine. He has a passion for ensuring that only the

finest quality Sco sh ingredients are sourced with fish delivered di‐rectly to the restaurant from the boats every morning and the meat delivered whole and butchered within the restaurant. It is important to Tom Kitchin that produce used is always of the highest quality and in season and all his menus reflect this.

The Kitchin is at Commercial Quay within Edinburgh’s stylish water‐front an area renowned for quality ea ng establishments more infor‐ma on on the Kitchin can be found at www.thekitchin.com where sample menus can be found and booking details. If food is your pas‐sion then a visit to The Kitchin is a must when you visit Edinburgh the capital city of Scotland.

Sample Set lunch Menu STARTER Ar choke & Rico a Ar choke barigoule served with rico a gnocchi, olives and basil Lamb Crispy lamb’s tongue from Dornoch served with sweetbread fri ers, confit of leek and sauce gribiche Asparagus First of the season asparagus from the Wye Valley served with a so  boiled hen’s egg and crispy bacon MAIN Hake Seared fillet of North Sea hake with a herb crust, served with crushed poatoes and a langous ne sauce Rabbit & Peas Riso o of English peas served with sauteed rabbit kidneys, lardons and a mustard sauce Pork A selec on of pork cuts from Clash Farm served with spiced aubergine caviar and apple DESSERT Rhubarb & Crowdie Baked crowdie cheesecake served with poached Yorkshire rhubarb and a rhubarb sorbet Lemon Lemon souffle served with lemon poppy seed frozen yoghurt  from Loch Arthur  Cheese A selec on of Bri sh and French cheese served from the trolley  

THE WARRIOR SPEAKS 

Angel's Share

I reckon I would be worth an absolute fortune if I had the Angels Share for the past ten years,

that’s providing I didn’t indulge in my favourite pas me whisky tas ng. Angels Share is the dis ll‐

ers' term for matura on losses. In Scotland, some

two per cent of all maturing whisky evaporates

through the porous oak casks each year.

If ever there is a be er way to explore Scotland I

think nothing can surpass finding your way

around the whisky trails back‐packing with no

agenda and freedom of me. As well as whisky

tas ng at the various dis lleries along the way. It

is inevitable that you will find yourself seeking out

the na ves in their most hospitable of establish‐

ments, where you will be overwhelmed by their

friendliness and eagerness to have you involved in

the fun they are having.

However, be warned last me I was fully awake

for two days partying non‐stop that could easily

have con nued for another few days. That’s why

it’s important for you not to set a me limit on

reaching all the dis lleries. You can always come back and have another go you will learn more

about Scotland if you get involved with the people. That leads me on to one of my other passions.

There is no be er way to seek out the na ves and get involved than to find out where all the live

music venues are in the area. Scotland has a wealth of talented musicians and whatever your pas‐

sion in music there is sure to be somewhere that will provide you with a venue worth visi ng. As

well as new bands emerging the already famous have been known to turn up unannounced for a

good old jamming or acous c session at venues across Scotland.

OVER THE SEA TO SKYE 

The  her i tage  of  Skye  &  Locha l sh  sur rounds  us i n t h e l a n d s c a p e , f r o m t h e d i n o sa u r f o o t p r i n t s i n

t h e r o c k s a t S t affin B a y i n N o r t h S k y e , t o t h e N e o l i t h i c c h a m b e r e d c a i r n s a n d s t o n e c i rc l e s

s c a e r e d i n t h e c o u n t ry s i d e , a n d u p t o t h e

p r e s e n t d a y p e a t b a n k s , s l l u l i s e d b y t h e

c o m m u n i t y .

T h e a r e a c a n b e s e e n a s a m i c r o c o s m o f H i g h ‐

l a n d l i f e . S h a p e d b y n a o n a l e v e n t s s u c h a s

t h e b a l e s a t C u l l o d e n a n d t h e r e s u l t a n t d e ‐

m i s e o f t h e c l a n s y s t e m , t h e p e o p l e h e r e a l s o

affe c t e d t h e w i d e r c o m m u n i t y t h r o u g h l o c a l

r e b e l l i o n a n d a g i t a o n , l e a d i n g t o a n A c t o f

P a r l i a m e n t i n 1 8 8 6 g a i n i n g s e c u r i t y o f t e n u re

f o r c r o e r s . T h e n e x t c e n t u ry b r o u g h t d r a ‐

m a c c h a n g e s w i t h f e w f a m i l i e s u n affe c t e d b y

e m i g r a o n , w a r s a n d u r b a n i s a o n , t h o u g h t h e

w a y o f l i f e a n d in t e g r i t y o f t r a d i o n a l v a l u e s

i n t h e c o mm u n i t y r e m a i n e d s t r o n g .

Skye  and  Locha l sh  was  a  busy  and   tu rbu lent  p lace i n m e s g o n e b y . W i t h t h e s e a a s t h e a n c i e n t

h i g h w a y i t w a s v i t a l t h a t t h e s e a la n e s w e r e g u a rd e d . C a s t l e s , b r o c h s a n d d u n s c a n b e f o u n d a l l

o v e r t h e a re a a n d a r e a t e s t a m e n t t o t h e c l a n r i v a l r y o f t h e p a s t .

M o s t f a m o u s a m o n g s t t h e c l a n s w e r e t h e M a c L e o d s a n d M a c D o n a ld s w i t h t h e l e s s e r c l a n s a n d

s e p t s o f M a c K i n n o n , N ic o l s o n , M a c A s k i l l , M a c c r i m m o n , B e a t o n , M a c Q u e e n , M a r n a n d M a c ‐

I n n e s . M a c L e o d s a n d M a c D o n a ld s v i s i t f r o m a l l o v e r t h e w o r l d o n a r e g u l a r b a s i s w i t h h u g e

n u m b e r s o f f a m i l i e s s l l b e a r i n g t h e n a m e o n t h e i s l a n d t o d a y . D u n v e g a n C a s t l e a n d G a r d e n s ,

t h e s e a t o f t h e C l a n M a c L e o d , h o l d s a C l a n M a c L e o d P a r l i a m e n t e v e r y f o u r y e a r s t o w h i c h M a c ‐

L e o d ’ s f r o m a l l o v e r t h e w o r l d r e t u r n t o t h e i r a n c e s t r a l h o m e f o r t h i s s p e c i a l f a m i l y g a t h e r i n g .

A r m a d a l e a n d t h e M u se u m o f t h e I s l e s i s a s i m i l a r m a g n e t f o r M a c D o n a l d s .

Fo lk lo re  prov ided  exp lana on   fo r  events b e y o n d r e a s o n , o r t h o s e s i m p l y f e a r e d . P a r c u l a r l y

r e n o w n e d f o r t h e i r s u p e r s o n we r e s e a f a r e r s , h o p e f u l o f a r a c n g g o o d lu c k o r a v o i d i n g b a d .

E v e r y t e l l i n g o n d a rk s t o r m y n ig ht s a t a c e i l i d h , w o u l d e n h a n c e t h e f e r o c i t y o f t h e c r e a t u r e , t h e

p e r i l o f t h e m y t h , o r t h e w i s d o m i n t h e s u p e r s o n .

R e v e l l i n g i n t h e t u r b u l e n t w h i t e w a t e r s o f a s t o r m , ' t h e b l u e m e n o f t h e m in c h ' , a e m p t t o l u r e

s a i l o r s t o d i s a s t e r ‐ a m y t h i c a l c h a l l e n g e s l l f a c i n g s a i lo r s t o d a y . A s h a rp t o n g u e , s k i l l w i t h r i d ‐

d l e s a n d a b i l i t y i n h a v in g t h e l a s t w o r d i s c o n s i d e r e d a sa i l o r s o n l y e s c a p e .

S o m e w h a t g e n t l e r , a re t a l e s o f t h e r o m a n c s e l k i e s w h o m u s t t a k e c a r e i f t h e y s h e d t h e i r s e a l ‐

s k i n a s h o r e , p r e v e n n g t h e m f r o m r e t u r n i n g t o t h e s e a . M e r ‐

m a i d s a r e b e l i e v e d t o le a v e g i s a s h o r e , a M e r m a i d s p u r s e

( d o gfi s h e g g s a c k ) a n d t o e n a i l s ( t h e p a in t e d t o p s h e l l ) , t o offe r

i n s p i r a o n t o t h e i s l a n d s c r a s p e o p l e .

As ide   f rom   the  magn ificent  mounta ins , t u m ‐

b l i n g r i v e r s , c o l o u r f u l r u g g e d m o o r l a n d , r i c h

s e a ‐ l o c h s , in t r i c a t e c o a s t , a n d b o u n f u l w i l d ‐

l i f e , t h e e l e m e n t s t h a t m a k e s u c h a u n iq u e

o u t d o o r e xp e r i e n c e a re , i t s c l i m a t e , l i g h t ,

w e a t h e r a n d e v e n i n g sk i e s . T h a t t h e s e e v e r ‐

c h a n g i n g e le m e n t s a r e a n e n d l e s s s o u r c e o f

c o n v e r s a o n i s u n s u r p r i s i n g .

S k y e & L o c h a l s h l i e s o n t h e l a t u d e 5 7 d e ‐

g r e e s n o r t h , a l o n g w i t h M o sc o w a n d H u d s o n

B a y , p l a c e s i c e ‐b o u n d f o r m u c h o f t h e y e a r .

F o r t u n a t e l y , t h e G u l f s t r e a m t e m p e r s o u r c l i ‐

m a t e b r i n g i n g c h a n g in g w e a t h e r l i g h t , a n d

d r a m a t h ro u g h o u t t h e s e a s o n s . A n e n d l e s s

t o p i c o f c o m m e n t , t h e w e a t h e r ' s v a r i e t y w i l l

n e v e r d i s a p p o i n t . O n e s h o r t d a y c a n w i t n e s s a t r a n q u i l m o r n i n g su n r i s e b u r s t o v e r t h e mo u n t a in s ,

s h o r t l y l a t e r b r i n g in g w i l d s o u t h w e s t e r l y w i n d t o b l o w w a t e r f a l l s u p h i l l c a p t u r i n g m i s t y r a i n b o w s

i n t h e i r fl i g h t . W e a t h e r a b a n g b y e v e n i n g s e e s t h e s l i d in g o f a n e n o r m o u s r e d fie r y s u n in t o a n

o i l y c a l m p u r p l e s e a o n t h e n o r t h w e s t e r l y h o r i z o n . T h e l o c a l s s a y , " i f y o u d o n ' t l i k e t h e we a t h e r ,

w a i t 5 m i n u t e s " .

As ide   f rom   the  magn ificent  mounta ins , t u mb l i n g r i v e r s , c o l o u r f u l r u g g e d m o o r l a n d , r i c h s e a ‐

l o c h s , in t r i c a t e c o a s t , a n d b o u n f u l w i l d l i f e , t h e e l e m e n t s t h a t m a k e s u c h a u n i q u e o u t d o o r e x p e ‐

r i e n c e a r e , i t s c l i m a t e , l i g h t , w e a t h e r a n d e v e n i n g s k i e s . T h a t t h e s e e v e r ‐c h a n g in g e l e m e n t s a r e

a n e n d l e s s s o u r c e o f c o n v e r s a o n i s u n s u rp r i s i n g .

S k y e & L o c h a l s h l i e s o n t h e l a t u d e 5 7 d e g r e e s n o r t h , a lo n g w i t h M o s c o w a n d H u d s o n B a y , p l a c e s

i c e ‐b o u n d f o r m u c h o f t h e y e a r . F o r t u n a t e ly , t h e Gu l f s t r e a m t e m p e r s o u r c l i ma t e b r i n g i n g c h a n g ‐

i n g w e a t h e r l i g h t , a n d d r a m a t h r o u g h o u t t h e s e a s o n s . A n e n d l e s s t o p i c o f c o mm e n t , t h e w e a t h e r ' s

v a r i e t y w i l l n e v e r d i s a p p o i n t . O n e s h o r t d a y c a n w i t n e ss a t r a n q u i l m o r n i n g s u n r i s e b u r s t o v e r t h e

m o u n t a i n s , s h o r t l y l a t e r b r i n g in g w i l d s o u t h w e s t e r l y w i n d t o b l o w w a t e r f a l l s u p h i l l c a p t u r i n g

m i s t y r a i n b o w s i n t h e i r fl i g h t . W e a t h e r a b a n g b y e v e n in g s e e s t h e s l i d i n g o f a n e n o r m o u s r e d

fie r y s u n i n t o a n o i l y c a l m p u r p l e s e a o n t h e n o r t h w e s t e r l y h o r i z o n . T h e l o c a l s s a y , " i f y o u d o n ' t

l i k e t h e w e a t h e r , w a i t 5 m i n u t e s " .

O u r n o r t h e r n l a t u d e a l s o b r i n g s d r a m a c a l l y c h a n g i n g d a y l i g h t h o u r s t h r o u g h t h e s e a s o n s . A l t ‐

h o u g h w i n t e r e v e n i n g d a r k n e s s i s n o t s o d r a m a c a l l y d iffe r e n t f r o m t h e r e s t o f B r i t a i n , t h e e n d ‐

l e s s s u m m e r l i g h t i s ma g i c a l . S u mm e r e v e n i n g s s t r e t c h in t o t h e w e e h o u r s o f t h e m o r n i n g , e n c o u r ‐

a g i n g y o u t o s i t i n t h e t w i l i g h t a n d s i m p l y e n j o y i t . V i s i t o r s a r e a m a z e d b y t h e t r u t h in t h e f a c t

t h a t y o u c a n r e a d o u t s i d e a t m i d n i g h t i n J u n e !

G a z e s k y w a r d s w h e n s t e p p i n g i n t o t h e c o o l e ve n i n g a i r a e r a c e i l i d h , t o fin d t h e c a n o p y o f

g l i e r i n g s t a r s i n t h e i r i nfin i t e d a rk h o r i z o n u e r l y c a p v a n g .

T h o s e l u c k y t o w i t n e s s t h e a u r o r a b o r e a l i s o r

' n o r t h e rn l i g h t s ' w i l l q u i t e s i m p l y b e m e s m e r ‐

i s e d . G r e a t s w a t h e s o f l i g h t e m b l a z o n t h e s k y

a s s h i m m e r i n g l u m i n e sc e n c e r i p p l e s f r o m o n e

h o r i z o n , t h r o u g h 1 8 0 d e g r e e s t o t h e o t h e r ,

w h i l e v i b r a n t s t a b b i n g b e a m s l i k e s e a r c h ‐

l i g h t s w i n g t h r o u g h t h e d a r k n e s s . A b r e a t h ‐

t a k i n g g i y o u w i l l t r e a s u r e f o r e ve r .

S k y e a n d L o c h a l s h i s a p l a c e wh o se p a c e a n d

a m b i e n c e e n a b l e s y o u t o c r e a t e a d y n a m i c

m e m o r y , f r o m m o m e n t s a n d o e n i n t a n g i b l e

e l e m e n t s f o u n d n o wh e r e e l s e , ma k i n g a n y

t r i p a s i m p ly m a g ic a l e x p e r i e n c e …… . .

u n f o rg e a b l e

SCOTLAND CELEBRATES in 2014

2014 is certainly a year to consider a visit to Scot‐

land for several reasons. It is the year that Scot‐

land hosts the Commonwealth Games and The

Ryder Cup has the worlds best golfers a ending

Gleneagles.

Now if that is insufficient reason to book that

holiday to Scotland wait for it 2014 sees the

700th anniversary of The Ba le of Bannockburn

where Robert the Bruce defeated the English on

the 24th June 1314. There are many celebra ons

lined up for the week 23rd to 29th June 2014 in

and around Bannockburn that is situated on the

outskirts of S rling. Re‐enactments of the ba le

and the official opening of a new Visitor Centre by

The Na onal Trust for Scotland will take place.

Plans for Clans 2014, an interna onal gathering of

the clans (11‐13 July 2014) are taking shape, to include a Clans Village, a cavalcade procession between Bannockburn and S rling Cas‐

tle, and entertainment on the spectacular Castle Esplanade. There will also be a programme of musical and other cultural events in

venues across the city of S rling. Clans 2014 will run alongside the Sekonda S rling Highland Games. There will be a link‐up with the

Bannockburn Ba lefield site to give visitors another opportunity to commemorate the special 700th anniversary.

But the most important ac vity taking place in 2014 is the people Of Scotland will decide in a referendum whether to claim independ‐

ence from the Westminster Parliament and English rule. The big debate on independence is already underway and everyone is en‐

couraged to take part so get blogging ,open up or take part in a debate.