Unique Scotland
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John Harbour is your trusted, expert guide on the Unique Scotland podcast. These carefully crafted, impeccably researched programs connect you with this small but beautiful land. You'll be introduced to the land itself, the people, and discover what makes them tick. John then takes you on virtual tours of every part of Scotland, from the Borders to the Lowlands and then onto the Highlands..
Unique Scotland
6d ago
This Podcast is the 2nd in a 4 Part series on Edinburgh city. Ghosts, witches and skeletons all revealed while building Edinburgh’s New Town would have been the Newspaper Headlines in 1780. And it is strange that the people of Edinburgh still use the name, ‘the New Town’ when it was built so long ago!
This is a story which follows on from my previous Podcast on the Old Town which had become overcrowded, filthy and disease ridden and something had to give. Effectively, the rich moved out and many would have left Scotland altogether had it not been for the foresight of the City Fathers who ackno ..read more
Unique Scotland
3w ago
This Podcast is the first in a 4 Part series on Edinburgh City, the Capital of Scotland. It will look at Edinburgh from its early beginnings right up to today with stories of gentlemen by day and thieves by night. It will highlight some of the most prominent buildings on the Royal Mile and, when talking about St Giles Cathedral, you will hear a desperate story of some of the inhabitants who were buried in the old Graveyard.
Who was Deacon Brodie and why was Robert Louis Stevenson so intrigued by this man. Who was Rizzio, secretary to Mary Queen of Scots and who was Clarinda whose romanti ..read more
Unique Scotland
1M ago
LETTER FROM SCOTLAND is a light-hearted look at what makes the news in Scotland. It is an insight as to what makes this 'wee' country with a big heart tick. Some of the news is political commentary and other news is local gossip without taking it all too seriously.
In today's LETTER FROM SCOTLAND, you will discover how Scotland's national dish, the Haggis, could impact the forthcoming US Presidential elections. And what has TONG, a tiny Hebridean island, got to do with the ex-President Trump? Political chat is about the Covid enquiry and also reports on a slight disagreement (spat) betwe ..read more
Unique Scotland
2M ago
The final episode of our epic 516 miles journey along the famous North Coast 500 route from Inverness to the north of Scotland on the east coast and returning to Inverness down the fabulously scenic west coast. We visited the Corrishalloch gorge near Ullapool in episode 5 and stopped overnight at Dundonnell in a quaint B&B. This final route takes us from Dundonnell along another wonderfully scenic route through Poolewe, Gairloch, Sheildaig, Applecross, Achnasheen and Beauly to mention just a few of the beauty spots we pass through. We also travel down the Bealach na Ba, a treacherous windi ..read more
Unique Scotland
2M ago
In this Podcast, John Harbour from Exclusive Scottish Visits welcomes in the New Year with a preview of his forthcoming final episod of the North Coast 500 (Part 6). We also get a sneak preview of his new releases for this year. He was delighted to meet some visitors to Scotland who planned their visits on the back of his audio and there is an interview with Caroline Tucci and Bob her husband when they met in Edinburgh.
Most travellers arrive in Edinburgh, the Capital city of Scotland, on thier travels to this fine country. You will be delighted to know that John's next 3 episodes of 2024 will ..read more
Unique Scotland
3y ago
Scotland’s North Coast 500 was opened in 2015 and has been a great success. This, Part 1, of a virtual tour will take us from Inverness to Dornoch on the east coast of northern Scotland. We will cross the Kessock bridge and the Black Isle to Tain, the oldest Royal Burgh in Scotland. A visit to Glenmorangie distillery may tempt some before crossing the Cromarty Firth with its wonderful wildlife and superb views. On our way north there is another Firth to cross at Dornoch and we will be passing a fabulous Indian inspired monument built in the late 18th century before arriving at Invergordon. You ..read more
Unique Scotland
3y ago
Inverness dates back to the 6th Century and is chronicled in the Biography of St Columba by Adomnan his scribe. The first reference to the Loch Ness Monster is recorded here when St Columba was asked by the locals to rid the loch of a terrible monster that was terrorising the fishermen and those living by the lochside. But there is so much more to Inverness and its surrounds and you can hear all about it in this three part series from Inverness to Gairloch.
  ..read more
Unique Scotland
3y ago
If you love Scotland or are simply intrigued by this small independently minded, bagpipe blowing, haggis eating, caber tossing, tartan kilted nation then you will be interested in the news and views of it's people, the media and its politicians.
Letter from Scotland gives the thinking man and woman a local perspective of what makes this tiny country tick. Scotland, with its population of 5 1/2 million which is only a quarter the size of the New York City metro area, has an incredible impact on the world and has had from the late 17th and early 18th centuries. This monthly letter is open ..read more
Unique Scotland
3y ago
Stirling castle was an extremely important Royal residence for hundreds of years. Close by, in the small town of Doune, is an equally impressive castle, Doune castle, with its own bloody history. This castle has shot to fame recently because of the popular Outlander series where Jamie and Claire first met. Monty Python lovers will also enjoy the story of Doune where the filming took place. This Podcast journeys from the Trossachs, through Dunblane and talks of the Battle of Sheriffmuir. We also pass by the Wallace Monument and onto Stirling castle where Robert the Bruce's statue stands tall an ..read more
Unique Scotland
3y ago
The Trossachs is a naturally beautiful part of lowland Scotland and, to some extent, mirrors the beauty of the Highlands with it lochs, glens and mountains. But it is some of the stories connected with this part of the world that draw thousands of visitors each year. The stories of fairies and a book written by a clergyman who truly believed in their existence, and strange happenings just after the book was published. Hear about Rob Roy, Scotland's vagabond, and the famous Loch Katrine brought to life by the epic poem by Sir Walter Scott, Lady of the Lake ..read more