scotland Archives - Books And Travel

Lochs And Legends. Scotland With Andy The Highlander

Subscribe: Spotify | Email | TuneIn | RSS

Experience the rugged beauty, ancient legends, and captivating history of Scotland with Andy the Highlander. From standing stones and whirlpools to myths and famous battles, Andy shares stories that bring the Scottish landscape alive. Discover why Scotland is more than tartans and bagpipes in this fascinating discussion about culture, heritage, and a passion for storytelling.

In the introduction, I talk about my personal connection to Scotland (I am a quarter Scottish!), and how it inspired my monster horror, Catacomb, as well as featuring in Day of the Vikings, and the anatomical connection to Desecration.

Andy the Highlander is the bestselling author of Lochs and Legends, A Scotland Man’s Guide to the Heart of Scotland, as well as an actor and tour guide.

Show notes:

Andy’s journey to becoming “Andy the Highlander” and his experiences on the TV series Outlander
The allure of ancient standing stones, including Clava Cairns and Callanish
Historical intrigue from Culloden to the Body Snatchers of Edinburgh
Eerie encounters in places like Culross and Scotland’s many haunted sites
Rugged islands, beautiful lochs, and the distinct regional flavors of Scottish whisky
The rivalry of Scottish clans and football teams, and the “Outlander Effect” on tourism
Recommendations for books, films, and practical tips for traveling in the Highlands

You can find Andy at Highlander Tours and Lochs and Legends in all the usual places, or here on Amazon.

Walking The St Cuthbert’s Way. 5 Days From Melrose To Lindisfarne, Holy Island

Religious, Walking

I walked the St Cuthbert’s Way from Melrose, Scotland, to Lindisfarne, Holy Island, on the Northumberland Coast in early October 2021. It was a secular pilgrimage to an area of the UK that I have always wanted to visit and since the pandemic restrictions prevented travel overseas, I decided to take the opportunity to finally go.

This article covers the 5-day walk, including the final crossing to Lindisfarne, Holy Island. There were challenging elements every day in terms of distance, weather, and terrain — but it really was a worthwhile trip and I highly recommend it. I share day-by-day pictures from the walk and some practical information if you’re considering the route.

Cicerone Guide to St Cuthbert's Way and paper OS Maps — Cicerone Guide to St Cuthbert’s Way and paper OS Maps

I organized the trip independently, walked solo, and carried my own pack. I used the Cicerone Guide to Walking St Oswald’s Way & St Cuthbert’s Way and also took physical OS Maps with the route highlighted. I also used the Komoot app and I have the OS Maps app on my phone. Although there is a phone signal most of the time on the way, there were notable occasions with no service, especially in the valleys in the more rural section of the Cheviots.

My book, Pilgrimage, Lessons Learned from Solo Walking Three Ancient Ways, is out now.

Pilgrimage Kickstarter Banner4 — My book, Pilgrimage, Lessons Learned from Solo Walking Three Ancient Ways, is out now

Wanderland. A Search For Magic In The Landscape With Jini Reddy

Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | Email | TuneIn | RSS

There are places where the ‘veil is thin,’ where we can connect with the Other in the landscape — if only we learn how to listen. In this interview, Jini Reddy talks about how to find magic in the natural world.

Jini Reddy is an award-winning author and journalist. Her latest book is Wanderland: A Search for Magic in the Landscape.

Show notes

How can we connect with the ‘Other’ in the landscape?
The attraction of islands
Aspects of pilgrimage
The archetypal attraction of labyrinths
Seeing our local area with new eyes
Can a traveler ever find home?
Travel book recommendations

You can find Jini Reddy at JiniReddy.co.uk

5 Cool Things For Book Lovers To Do In Edinburgh

Unusual Places

Most cities are good destinations for book lovers. Take a novel to your nearest cafe and enjoy! But what if you’d rather soak in the sights while doing something literary? Edinburgh offers an array of things for bibliophiles to do.

It’s not surprising. In 2004, Edinburgh became the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature. The city also plays host to the Edinburgh International Book Festival. That’s before you even consider the creativity on display in the annual Fringe.

Interior of St Giles church, Edinburgh. Licensed from BigStockPhoto

Some fantastic characters also call Edinburgh home. Look at Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus or the cast of Trainspotting and Outlander. You’ll spot plenty of locations from your favorite novels or cinema adaptations.

Let’s look at five cool things for book lovers to do in Edinburgh!

scotland

Follow Jo Frances Penn