How Knox’s bravery contributed to his winning Victoria Cross?

The Victoria Cross is the highest award for valour in the British army. The medal was first given to a British soldier in 1857 when Scottish soldier John Simpson Knox was recognised for his bravery in the Crimea. Since then many Scottish soldiers have been awarded the Victoria Cross but the early Scottish VC recipients set an example to the British Army for the next 150 years.

Knox joined the army as an underage soldier of 14 but as tall boy he was promoted to Corporal before he was even 18, and by the time he had been deployed to the Crimea in 1854 he had gained the rank of Sergeant in the Scottish Fusiliers. The battle of Alma was one of the first near suicidal advances by the British and French forces during the campaign. Faced with crossing a river and climbing a hill with well dug in Russian Artillery opposing the allied forces were unlikely to succeed. The young Glaswegian, Knox, was in the reserve of the main attack but the impossibility of the mission meant he was soon trying take his men forward through the retreating men of the first attack.

Scotland’s Blair Atholl- A Holiday Destination with Rich History

Blair Atholl is a part of Scotland that offers so much that once you arrive for a Scottish holiday there is no need to get in the car for a day out until it is time to go home again. The area has everything apart from queues; there is history galore, walking and outdoor sports, wonderful food and drink all with the back drop of Scotland’s very best countryside.

The battle of Killiecrankie was fought in 1689 between the James VII loyal clans and William of Orange. It is remembered for more than just its funny name as this was a rare defeat for Jacobites against the new king of England. As a strange twist to the story James then fled Scotland and, in doing so, it was decided that he had abdicated and the throne passed to William and Mary. The battle site, where Viscount Dundee faced General Hugh Mackay of Scourie, is 2 miles south east of Blair Atholl. The result may have been a convincing victory for the Jacobites but it left Dundee dead and the Jacobites in disarray forcing James to flee his land. Read More...

Experience Sea Fishing In The Fishing Villages of East Neuk

Neuk is the Scots’ word for corner or nook and this serene corner of Scotland is well worth a visit. Jutting out into the North Sea on the Firth of Forth East Neuk has some of the prettiest fishing villages in Scotland. The sea is all-important to the area; it has shaped the coastline, the villages and the people of East Neuk all deserve to be experienced.

Crail is an old fishing village. Founded by the Picts the village has been inhabited for well over a thousand years. Its mid 16th century breakwater was built to afford protection from the storms off the Forth and was enhanced by Robert Stevenson’s pier in 1826. The history of the places comes out when you visit Marketgate. This was once the biggest market in Europe but the busy days of the medieval times have long passed and peace has reached the village.

Home to one of the most beautiful ancient churches in Scotland Crail has a wealth of architecture to enjoy. The National Trust has restored many around the harbour dating back to the 18th century but as you stroll through the village you may stumble upon a sixteenth century tollbooth or a historic dovecote.

Travelling around the coast of East Neuk from Crail you reach Anstruther. It was only a few decades ago that Anstruther’s harbour was so full of fishing trawlers you struggled to see the water. Now however the main link with fishing is through the Scottish Fishing Museum that is in the small town. The boats are as likely to take holiday makers on trips to see the puffins than in search of herring but sea wildlife tours are an excellent way to find out just how closely linked this part of Scotland is to the sea. Continue reading .......

How to Use cottage Reviews

When looking for a self-catering holiday cottage for your next holiday it is always useful to read reviews of previous guests to find out what they enjoyed and what they recommend. They may also tell you that what looks like the dream holiday location might have certain drawbacks. Mackays’s website offers two ways to find out what previous visitors thought about its large range of Scottish cottages. Both reviews submitted to a major independent holiday review site, TripAdvisor, and those sent directly to Mackays are shown on the site.

Any cottage that has been reviewed on TripAdvisor even shows the average score for that cottage based on its reviews. This may encourage you to only select a cottage with a near perfect rating but this might mean you miss out on your ideal holiday cottage. Quite often external factors influence a holidaymaker’s review – if the weather was not perfect or you were unwell this may well have had an effect of the rating for the cottage. I know I have stayed in Scottish cottages with little in the way of modern conveniences; a long way from anywhere but still had the best holiday. It is key to try to read the facts in the reviews and decide whether the cottage fits your needs.

A great example of this was one review a property received when the chalet was cold in a particularly cold November. Though the heating had been on before they got to the property the wooden chalet was always going to be a little chilly when it was minus five outside. Interestingly everyone else who had reviewed it gave the chalet at least four out of five! The review also helped Mackays so they can now warn customers at that cottage that it may be cold at certain times of year and to turn the heating up before guests arrive.

Read More: Role Of Website Reviews in Lead Generation

A Scottish New Year - 2012

There is nothing quite like New Year in Scotland. Whether you are in a local pub, on the streets of Edinburgh or enjoying a party with friends and family Scotland seems to be in its element at Hogmanay.

Scotland’s flagship Hogmanay event is in Edinburgh. With leading music events and DJs this is an all ticket affair. The concert is part of the larger street party in Princes Street. You can still have a great time in Edinburgh without buying a ticket– there are lots of great pubs in Edinburgh and many will be having parties to bring in the New Year. Alternatively there will be a torchlight procession from Parliament Square to Calton Hill with a fireworks display.

There are many other events at the theatres and concert venues that Edinburgh such a great city for a party. The Usher Hall has Scottish Fiddle Orchestra – hive you ever heard; Auld Lang Syne played by a fiddle orchestra? The Queenshall will do things in a traditional Scottish way with a Ceilidh hosted by the band Heeliegoleerie and piper to bring in the New Year.

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Out of the Way Scottish Cottages and Lodges

A holiday in Scotland is wonderful way to escape the rat race and get back to nature. This does not have to mean nights under canvas or foraging for food – you can still get close to nature by a well chosen cottages in Scotland or even a lodge. Many of these come with modern luxuries but their location let you get away from it all.

An excellent example is not a Scottish cottage but a loch side lodge. Bracken Lodge at Kilfinnan, five miles from Invergary, sits on a five acre lochside setting. In the heart of the Great Glen, this small group of south-facing Scandinavian pine log lodges all have superb panoramic views of Loch Lochy and the mountain range beyond. The location is designed to be out of door. Mountains ideal for climbing and walking lie on your doorstep. The Great Glen long distance trail passes the entrance to the chalet park and is very popular with walkers, cyclists and mountaineers. Free fishing is available on Loch Lochy and the use of a boat with ghillie can be arranged at extra cost. There are water sports at the centre 3 miles and in the winter months, skiing and snow-boarding can be enjoyed at Nevis Range. For those interested in natural history, the area abounds with wildlife – deer, osprey, pine martens, golden eagles and buzzards, to name a few. The pine martens resident near the lodges regularly visit the verandas to be fed their favourite titbits of a jam or peanut butter piece. In fact the whole area is like a giant out of doors theme park.

Poolewe is a Scottish cottage stone built it is situated in a quiet position surrounded by croft land and open countryside, just a few minutes’ walk from the shoreline of Loch Ewe, by a quiet minor road. Poolewe is an ideal base for touring the scenic West Coast, the world famous Inverewe Gardens are within a short walk and there are some lovely unspoilt sandy beaches within easy reach. This is a very good bird-watching area and other activities include fishing, walking, sailing and boat hire. This is a long way north but the scenery make up for the drive.

Carrbridge is easier to reach but is in a quiet wooded residential lane on the edge of the village, this charming timber lodge is the ideal base for touring the Central Highlands and Speyside. Carrbridge lies within the Cairngorm National Park which offers a wealth of outdoor activities including walking, climbing, bird-watching, winter sports, water sports, golf, off road driving and horse riding. The village is home to the famous Landmark Heritage Centre, which offers entertainment for all ages all year round. Carrbridge also has a shop, cafe and pub while Inverness is a half hour drive with all the facilities of a major city. This is another excellent chance to get away from it all.

Mackays has a wide range of cottages in Scotland. To see all the Scottish cottages visit www.mackays-self-catering.co.uk

Article Source: Out of the Way Scottish Cottages and Lodges

New properties in and around Edinburgh for Mackays Self catering Scotland

Holiday cottages in a range of locations have been added to Mackays Self Catering Scotland in the last few months and amongst them there are several eye catching holiday cottages in and around Edinburgh. Edinburgh is a great location for a holiday at any time of the year but seems to come alive in summer with arts and the festival to fore not forgetting the nightlife and shops that make it a top holiday destination.

For luxury self catering holidays in Scotland you have to go a long way to beat fashionable New Town in central Edinburgh. New Town is one of the most prestigious addresses in Scotland and Mackays offer a charming lower-level apartment in part of an original town house, dating back to 1830. The apartment is beautifully presented and the contemporary interior features original period features. The holiday apartment sleeps four in two bedrooms and is in an easy stroll of some of the best shops, bars and restaurants Scotland has to offer.

For more contemporary living with a different perspective on Scotland’s capital Mackays self catering Scotland have added a sixth floor apartment set in the city's fashionable Waterfront area, this luxurious apartment enjoys spectacular 3-dimensional views across the Firth of Forth to the Forth Bridges, over the city skyline to Edinburgh Castle and Arthurs Seat and beyond the Royal Yacht Britannia to the Port of Leith.

The port of Leith gives you all the advantages of city life with a superb choice of cafes, bars, entertainment, shops and supermarkets. The area is extremely well served with public transport into town (directly across from the apartment) with day and night services. Visitors to the area will experience a dynamic fusion of traditional Scottish enterprise and cutting edge style.

Perhaps offering the best of both worlds Dunsyre is just 25 miles from Edinburgh so still within easy reach. The rural hamlet of Dunsyre is associated with an ancient barony and Parish Church and this 17th Century house was originally the Manse for the Church. The location is idyllic with delightful views and scenery, the house sits in its own large grounds and is beautifully overlooked by the historic Church. The Scottish cottage is located next to the South Medwin Water with its lovely walks that can be enjoyed into the surrounding hills and day trips to Edinburgh are just a drive away.

Mackays have added many other wonderful holiday cottages in Scotland to the portfolio. From Sutherland to the Black Isle and from East Neuk to the Summer Isles there is a Scottish cottage for everyone’s perfect Scottish Holiday. To see the full range visit: www.mackays-self-catering.co.uk

Article Source: New properties in and around Edinburgh for Mackays Self catering Scotland