Find Your Scotland Photography Tours

30/06/2025

Ceres Highland Games 2025.

Held at the end of June since 1314 to celebrate the safe return of the male villagers who fought in the Battle of Bannockburn.

It is the oldest free Games in Scotland. A brilliant mix of dancing, pipe music, wrestling, cycling and running races, as well as the heavy events, including everyone's favourite tossing the caber. There's a street market filled with local Scottish (mostly Fife) products and food vendors.

Will you be planning to take in a Highland Gathering this summer?

Always a great day.

15/06/2025

Did you know there is a castle on an island in Loch Leven, Kinross?

Today, a dramatic ruin which can only be accessed by boat but it was once a medieval stronghold.

Built sometime in the 13th century, it's history includes an English takeover during the first Scottish War of Independence. Played host to King Robert the Bruce and most famously where in 1567, Mary Queen of Scots was held prisoner.

After several attempts to escape, she finally succeeded in May 1568. Shortly after this she was excited to England and would never see her bonnie Scotland again.

For visitors today, you'll take the same short boat trip as Mary. With the exception that promise to bring you back the same day!

During your visit you'll be free to explore the tower house where Mary, Queen of Scots was held. It is one of Scotland's oldest dating back to the 1300's.

It's been a while since we ventured over to Lochleven castle but it felt like a real adventure with the boat trip too.

For those wanting to explore the loch further there is an accessible path all the way around (about 13 miles). There's the RSPB bird reserve on the opposite side. A great place to see red squirrels and try some lovely cake.

It's advised to buy your tickets for the castle in advance to avoid disappointment. Not far from Edinburgh or Perth and just off the M90, the perfect place to break up your journey.

17/05/2025

Good old Facebook memories have reminded me it's been 16 years since my first ever trip to Scotland! If someone would have told me that just 6 years later we would be living here I'm not sure I would believe them.

Much like the weather we've been treated to recently, we were blessed with incredible blue sky and lots of sunshine back then too. So good we decided to walk up Ben Nevis.

Starting at sea level walkers tread every inch of the 1345 metres (4413 feet) elevation. And it is a slog. My wee legs took me up and down and eight and a half hours (including about 30 minutes at the top for lunch, photos and to admire the view).

These photos show that even in May there can still be snow on top of the hills.

I've been totally obsessed with Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ever since this first trip. Long May it continue.

Have you been up Ben Nevis?

29/04/2025

Are you a golf widow? Me too...

If you are planning your next trip to Scotland and the itinerary is based around golf, I got you.

It's definitely been said that golf ruins a good walk. I disagree but I know it's a very Marmite game (you either love it or hate it).

So what do you do whilst your partner or pal are on the course for four-ish hours?

Let me help you with this... If they are playing the Old Course, St Andrews, we could explore the quaint, picturesque fishing villages of the East Neuk. Or do a walking tour of St Andrews for hidden photo opportunities and still be back in time to see the family golfer tee off on the historic 18th hole of the world's most famous golf course.

09/04/2025

Happy National Unicorn Day 🦄

Yes, you read that correctly. Did you know it's the National animal of Scotland?

Can you keep a secret?

You may have been lead to believe that they are mythical creatures. However, I want to share a secret with you... When you are on your next adventure here in Scotland, look out in the fields. The white horse like animals you see grazing are actually unicorns on their days off! 🤯

No sign of their magnificent alicorn on their forehead - that's because they are only seen by those with magical powers.

I promise promise promise that is the truth but if you do want to see a unicorn in all its glory you'll spot them adorning flags, buildings, carvings and statues. Keep your eyes peeled for them.

08/04/2025

EDINBURGH

Aka Auld Reekie. It means "old smokey" in Scots. This was due to the thick smoke from coal fires in the Old Town during the 16th & 17th centuries.

Chances are if you plan to visit Scotland's capital you'll want to take a wander along it's cobbled streets, lined with tall tenament buildings.

You'll probably find yourself at Greyfriars Kirk and learn the story of a cute wee Skye Terrier named Bobby.

In 1850, John Gray and his family moved to Edinburgh. Struggling to find work in his trade as a gardner John found employment as a Night Watchman for the Edinburgh Police Force.

I've worked plenty of night shifts and I can understand why John would want company. This came in the form of a wee dug called Bobby. 🐾

John died in February 1858 from tuberculosis but Bobby continued to stay by his masters side, refusing to leave the cemetery.

In 1867 Edinburgh Council made it mandatory for all doggos to have a licence and collar. The Lord Provost at the time paid for Bobby's licence and collar.

Bobby stayed close to John's grave for 14 years and is buried close by.

Today, if you visit the Kirk yard you can leave a stick in Bobby's grave. His collar and drinking bowl can be seen at the Museum of Edinburgh.

A statue of Bobby was commissioned in 1872 and is situated just outside Greyfriars Kirk.

For some reason, these days it's seen as good luck to give his wee nose a rub. This is obviously a load of absolute pish! Sadly all this does is damage his cute face. If you do visit, please take your photo and leave him a stick instead. Rubbing his nose won't mean you'll win the lottery.

21/02/2025

Here's just a few reasons we love living and working in Perthshire:

Researching for your next trip can sometimes fill you with horror and be quite overwhelming. With that in mind I thought I would share some...

20/02/2025

Birthday girl here... 🥳

It's my birthday this week and I wanted to give a gift to you.

Without giving away my age at all, I'm offering a £48pp discount on any full day tour booked with me before 31st March 2025.

You'll receive exactly the same bespoke experience as if you were paying full price. We'll visit stone circles, castles, lochs and look for unicorns and wildlife. I promise there'll even be time for a hot drink and sweet treats too.

Get in touch and mention Birthday Treat to get your discount.

https://findyourscotland.co.uk

16/01/2025

How on earth is it FIVE years since we travelled up to Shetland for Up Helly Aa! 🔥

Taking the 14 hour ferry trip from Aberdeen up to Mainland, Shetland in January is not for the faint of heart. I will be straight with you, I was so ill. 🤢

Lets be honest, if someone tried to get this winter fire festival started in 2025 health and safety would absolutely not allow this.

There are 12 festivals across the islands that bring communities together in deepest, darkest winter. The largest, most well known is held on the last Tuesday of January in Lerwick. The final one is held in March. A way of waving goodbye to the darkness of winter and embracing the longer days and also as a celebration of their Nordic heritage

The day starts with a small parade where everyone gets a first look at the Yarl Squad and their long boat. They then read out their proclamation before visiting local schools and care homes, making sure everyone is involved in the day.

In the evening thousands of people line streets of Lerwick to see the torch procession that culminates in the replica long boat being set on fire in a childrens play park.

This was my second experience of Up Helly Aa and each time I leave a piece of my heart up there. The landscape, the history, the wildlife, it's all incredible. But the thing that strikes me more than anything is how passionate Shetlanders are about their wee piece of heaven in the North Sea.

I've only ever been in winter and it really left it's mark on me. Maybe it's time we made plans to see those long summer days?

Hands up who wants to visit Shetland? 🙋‍♀️

01/01/2025

Well I didn't have this on my 2025, 1st January bingo card!

The Aurora Borealis from our driveway at home at just before 18:00 this evening.

Considering it was pouring with rain and blowing a hooley out this morning, I didn't imagine it would be ending with me stood in the dark in my comfies, my swimming change robe on and walking boots with no socks on! 🤣

How to make an entrance. 🥰

05/11/2024

I've had this wee wander on my list for quite some time. Today, with a pal I finally got to explore this part of the glen.

Glen Lyon was home to legendary hero Fionn Mac Cumhaill and his 9000 warriors.

Fionn's rock (also known as Praying hands of Mary). Legend has it that the stone was split in two by an arrow fired by Fingal, or Fiona mac Cumhaill.

If you're thinking this name rings a bell, you'd (probably) be right in making the same connection with Fingal's cave and the Giant's Causeway on the north coast of Northern Ireland.

A peaceful, atmospheric walk, just shy of 5km. Bonnie views with a soundtrack of bellowing red deer and the calls of ravens.

I can't tell you just how stunning days like this are. A brilliant start to the week.

04/11/2024

Easy like Sunday morning.

It took me 2 hours to walk just 5km yesterday morning. Stopping to look for wee beasties, to listen to skylark song and to watch deer grazing.

We then planted out 5 wee silver birch saplings that I've had in pots for a couple of years now. Excited to see some lovely big fat worms within the compost too.