There aren’t many places more mysterious and awe-inspiring than the Calanais Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis. This is far more than your average stone circle. It sprawls out in a cruciform shape, larger than almost any other group of standing stones in Scotland. Almost fifty stones, some towering at almost 5 metres tall, have been quietly keeping watch for around 5000 years. The sheer scale of these monoliths combined with their dramatic location on a beautiful Hebridean island makes them one of the most popular stone circles in Scotland! Somewhere as iconic as this is always going to at ..read more

If you enjoy sandy beaches, ancient history and tranquil outdoor spaces, then you’ll find plenty of things to do in Levenmouth to keep you happy! That’s without mentioning the amazing local food on offer from both land and sea. With the new rail link to Leven opening in June 2024, it’s time to start planning your own trip to Levenmouth! It’s a coastal corner of Fife that doesn’t get nearly enough attention, but it’s perfect for family days out or special weekends away. While the seaside charm might make you nostalgic for childhood holidays, this area is no time capsule. There are plenty of mo ..read more

If there’s one area of Scotland that’s too often overlooked, it’s the wee county of Clackmannanshire. Wedged between Stirling, Fife and Perthshire, it’s Scotland’s smallest region, but it has one big highlight. If you like castles, then the Clackmannanshire Tower Trail might be right up your street! Aberdeenshire might be known as “castle country” and Argyll have dramatic, rocky fortresses but those are all spread out. In the Wee County of Clacks, you’re never very far away from anything. You can easily visit all five compact castles of the Clackmannanshire Tower Trail in just one day or even ..read more

When people visit Scotland from abroad, they’re usually surprised by how dog friendly Edinburgh is! Having lived in Scotland’s capital city for almost 10 years with Molly the Labrador by my side, I know more about that than most. I think it’s about time that I shared my complete dog friendly Edinburgh guide! With Edinburgh being one of the greenest cities in the world, it’s no surprise there are lots of parks to visit, but that’s barely scratching the surface. There are so many other things to do with your dog in Edinburgh, some that might surprise you like St Giles Cathedral! With this guide ..read more

If there’s one place I get asked to take guests on a Scotland’s Stories driving tour more than any other, it’s Glencoe. Easily one of Scotland’s most beautiful locations, it’s simple enough to reach that it’s rarely quiet! Fortunately, most visitors rarely leave the roadside so just head off on any of the beautiful walks in Glencoe to leave them all behind. This is a landscape full of soaring mountains, so you might not think there’s anything you can manage. Thankfully, you can find plenty of small walks in Glencoe with big views, alongside the huge day-long treks. There really is something f ..read more

When Netflix declared it had commissioned a film based on the rise of Robert the Bruce, I was worried. If Braveheart had got the story of William Wallace so badly wrong, were we about to see Robert the Bruce go the same way? I have to put my hands up and admit that Bruce is a bit of a hero of mine. His story is a fascinating one, seemingly made for the movies and if you haven’t read Nigel Tranter’s Bruce Trilogy yet, you can thank me later! First, it’s time to put Outlaw King under the same historical microscope and see how true to life the film really is. Please leave this field empty Never ..read more

Scotland has a wide range of fascinating water-based folk creatures. Many of them are unique but one group of tales that people might be more familiar with are Scottish Mermaid stories. However, I’ll warn you that these legends are usually a little darker than your average children’s Disney film. Found right around the Scottish coast, let’s dive in and explore some Scottish Mermaid stories! Please leave this field empty Never miss a story! Sign up to the Scotland’s Stories Newsletter here. Email Address * Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. What Is A Scottish Merm ..read more

I find it incredibly difficult to drive north from Perth without stopping in at Dunkeld. There’s something about this perfect, wee town that draws me in time and time again. It’s not just that there are so many things to do in Dunkeld, most of the time my visit is only to grab a sandwich or have a stroll! As one of the most popular places to visit in Perthshire, there are thousands of people who clearly agree with me. From walks in nature to historical sites, delicious local food to adventure activities, you’re bound to find something that will draw you into Dunkeld as well! Please leave this ..read more

There’s something incredibly mysterious about the Picts, the word itself immediately grabs the imagination. Precious little was written about them, they wrote nothing at all as far as we know, but they did leave us behind something special. One of the most alluring things about this “lost people” are the amazing, carved Pictish Stones found across Scotland. They come in all shapes and sizes, some carved into small boulders and others on enormous, carefully sculpted monoliths. The best Pictish Stones are found in the east of Scotland, from Angus through Aberdeenshire and Moray. We might not kn ..read more

It’s the start of a new year and time to begin planning your perfect trip to Scotland! There’s so much choice though, once you start to look a little deeper it can all get a little overwhelming. You’re going to need help narrowing down the best places to visit in Scotland for 2024. Most people travel the same route – from Edinburgh to Inverness to Skye and back via Glencoe. There’s nothing wrong with that at all, there’s a lot of amazing places to visit along that route and it’s a popular choice for Scotland’s Stories tours! (Always happy to give myself a shameless plug…) However, if you want ..read more