The Clan Courier

CLAN COURIER

Highland hotels, coach tours and a retort to the notorious Sutherland Clearances

[SHOPPING] RARE ROB ROY

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott, The Folio Society has released a limited edition of his historic novel Rob Roy, with special illustrations by renowned artist June Carey.

Featuring a foreword by Outlander author Diana Gabaldon, just 750 copies of the leather-bound, hand-numbered edition have been made and each is signed by both Carey and Gabaldon.

Price £250. foliosociety.com

[EXHIBITION] THE PRINCE AT THE PALACE

As an additional treat for visitors to the Palace of Holyroodhouse this year, there is a special exhibition on the life and legacy of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Starting with his early life and naval career, the exhibition includes items from his marriage to Her Majesty The Queen in 1947, including the invitation, order of service and wedding breakfast menu, leading on to an appreciation of his remarkable 70 years as Royal Consort. Among the exhibits is a casket (pictured) holding the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh, known in the Royal Navy as ‘The Burg,’ which he received in 1947.

Prince Philip was Colonel-in-Chief of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders from 1953-1961 and his informal kilt in the Balmoral tartan is also on display. There is a particularly striking triptych portrait painted on his 90th birthday by David Poole. The Duke was both an art collector and painter himself, and in addition to the beautiful wedding gift of an oil painting by Edward Atkinson Hornel, there is a selection of works personally chosen by him by distinguished Scottish artists such as John Houston and Elizabeth Blackadder. Prince Philip: A Celebration runs until 31 October 2021 and access is included in palace tickets. rct.uk RODDY MARTINE

[TRAVEL] WHERE MOUNTAINS MEET MOORS

For people travelling on the West Highland Line, one of the world’s most awe-inspiring rail journeys (see page 14), the Bridge of Orchy Hotel is an ideal place to stop and take it all in before re-joining the route.

Located just to the north of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, with the vast wilderness of Rannoch Moor spreading out to the east and the mountains of Glen Coe looming to the northwest, it’s a place of unparalleled landscapes that deserves to be appreciated. There are 32 rooms in the hotel – 10 in the main building – many of which have beautiful views. There’s a roaring fi re in the lively bar, and a separate dining room and a library. Plus, the sense of history is palpable here: the hotel takes its name from the nearby 18th-century bridge built to pacify the Highland clans following the Battle of Culloden. www.bridgeoforchy.co.uk

[PODCAST] LISTEN UP

Want to immerse yourself in Scottishstorytelling, visit parts of Scotland that you’ve never been to before without leaving home, or just pick up some tips for your next trip? Kathi Kamleitner, who has travelled Scotland extensively over the past seven years, is getting ready to launch the new series of her podcast Wild for Scotland, which aims to highlight lesser-known road trips in Scotland and encourage visitors to slow down when they come.

Wild for Scotland includes fi rst-person travel stories, complete with detailed descriptions and sound e ects that will help transport you to Scotland, even when you are stuck far away.

You can listen to the new series of the Wild for Scotland podcast from mid-September on our website at scotlandmag.com/wildforscotland.

[TOURS] DRIVING AMBITION

D&E Coaches has provided bus services to some of the most remote corners of the Highlands over the past couple of decades.

Now, the company is branching out to o er scenic tours, providing new links with some of the region’s most popular attractions, such as Loch Ness. It has taken over operations of the hop-on, hop-o Inverness City Sightseeing bus service, too.

Donald Mathieson, owner of D&E Coaches, said: “The Highlands has long been a popular tourist destination and, as people are starting to feel optimistic about travelling again in the summer, we are delighted to be launching D&E Tours to allow them the chance to explore the Highlands in comfort.

“The Highlands is home to some of the country’s most stunning scenery and world-renowned attractions, and it is our aim to make these as easily accessible to visitors as possible.” decoaches.co.uk/tours