HOSTGA Highlands Of Scotland Tour Guides Association

09/06/2024

08/06/2024

Today was the unveiling of the memorial cairn commemorating 100 years since the arrival of 68 families, mainly from Harris and Lewis, to start a new life on crofts on the North Talisker estate, acquired from Macleod estates by the board of agriculture in 1920.

From this event the communities of Portnalong, Fiscavaig, Fernilea and Satran emerged on the Minginish peninsula.

The crofts were granted in recognition of the service and sacrifice made by the people of the western isles in the Great War and the scheme became known as the land for heroes. My grandfather and great grandfather were amongst the recipients and my then two year old father amongst the emigrants.

It was a pleasure and a privilege to be amongst those marking the occasion, hearing the stories of the settlement and developing of the communities, meeting friends and relatives and remembering those no longer with us but whose toil gave birth to these thriving communities.

03/06/2024

A really useful post from the NTS. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem!

28/04/2024

Today we moved from east to west. These were taken between the showers.

28/04/2024

Congratulations to Natalie Munro. The fastest woman to complete the Etape Loch Ness
and a massive well done to all other cyclists competing in the event.

Athlete claims title at third attempt.

21/04/2024

What a lovely day out in the sun today. Craigellachie walk in Aviemore in the wonderful Cairngorms national park if for all abilities.the first part of the walk takes you round two lochs with frogs and all sorts of insects then for the most daring the steep walk up the viewpoint which will reward you to an amazing view over the mountain and the famous Lairig Guru, a valley carved by ice thousands of years ago, overlooking the Spey and some forestry and moorland.
Compulsory t shirt selfie for the occasion !

20/04/2024

It’s not that long since a tripod, neutral density filter, an SLR camera with manual controls, and a patient photographer were required to get shots like this. Now a quick click with the phone on live view is all that’s needed. Lower falls, Glen Nevis.

17/04/2024

What a wonderful opportunity to explore what the Black Isle has to offer! Hugh Miller's Birthplace in Cromarty and Groam House Museum in Rosemarkie. Some of HOSTGA's guides will be there so we hope to meet a lot of people.

15/04/2024

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12/04/2024

Good news for Lochaber

West Coast Railways have confirmed that the Jacobite steam train will resume from the 15th April.

04/04/2024

AIDA Cruises’ arrival of the AIDAdiva in port of Invergordon today (April 3) marks the beginning of the highly-anticipated cruise liner season.

04/04/2024

Hands up 🙌 if you are looking for new adventures in 2024, maybe you want to do new things and find new places...maybe add Cullen to your bucket list! 🌳👣

Lets make this year's family adventure a bit different and discover one of the Moray Speyside's most iconic destinations where you can golf an Old Tom Morris Golf Course, Swim the stunning coast, walk to Bow Fiddle Rock, find a peaceful and beautiful Pet Cemetary and find some of the most unique charity and antique shops in the world.... ✨

Make Moray Speyside your next holiday destination...
https://morayspeyside.com/

📌 - Cullen, Moray Speyside
📷 - the.hungry.lassie (IG)

04/04/2024

Come and help us celebrate ARCH Highland. We are 15 years old this year and to celebrate this milestone we are hosting a series of celebration events.

The first of these will be on Saturday 13th April 2024 from 11am-1pm at The Goods Shed, The Old Station, Strathpeffer, IV14 9DH.

You will have the chance to hear from our co-founder, Susan Kruse MBE and meet people who have been involved in our past community projects. There will be tea/coffee and cake and a chance to chat and share your experiences of ARCH. We can't wait to see you there.

28/03/2024

ARCH Highland is delighted to be partnering up with Lairg & District Learning Centre to deliver a FREE Historical Maps Workshop on Tuesday 16th April 2024 from 10.30am - 12.30pm at the Lairg Community Centre. To book your place visit the Eventbrite booking page here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/865371418207?aff=oddtdtcreator

24/03/2024

Hostga Adventures in Lochaber. Many thanks to Hugh Allison of Inverness Tours for looking after us so well!

I had an excellent day yesterday, driving 6 of my colleagues on a familiarisation tour of my home country of Lochaber, on St Patrick's Day.Our lunch at the Glenuig Inn was served by a giant leprechaun! We're pictured here at Banavie, which is very appropriate, as it is one of two places which claim to be the birthplace of St Patrick.

24/03/2024

Some of our guides went on a familiarisation trip to Skye. Unfazed by the wind and the rain, we opted to visit distilleries and cafés.
But we did defy the weather for a visit to Armadale Castle and Gardens, who very kindly showed us around the grounds.
We also managed to find St Columba's Isle with the remains of an early cathedral.

https://www.armadalecastle.com/

20/03/2024

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2024/03/west-coast-railways-suspends-jacobite-steam-train.html

West Coast Railways has suspended its world-famous Jacobite steam train with immediate effect.

13/03/2024

13/03/2024

A nice alternative to falls of shin Rosehall has lots of walks to offer and more out of the beaten track .the hub in Neighbour Ardgay m is also a good food/coffee stop (with a wonderful charity shop inside)

23/11/2023

 Alexander Ross was one of the greatest architect in Scotland. Designer of St Andrews Cathedral in Inverness, and many castles, hotels, schools and churches throughout the Highlands, his story is being told for the first time in this wonderful new book.

17/11/2023

Good news for the Northern meeting park

The renovation of a "hidden jewel" in Inverness will begin in the New Year with the contract being awarded to Morrison Construction.

04/07/2023

The Butt of Lewis lighthouse today

23/04/2023

We are so pleased to finally announce this year’s exhibition its a big one!!

Landseer: A Highland Romance

We are borrowing paintings and drawings by the famous Victorian artist Sir Edwin Landseer and telling the story of his time in the Cairngorms and how that influenced the way we view Highlanders and Highland Life. Its been a lot of work so far and we are very happy to be bringing rarely seen works of art to show you and lots of activity in a programme of events connecting with Landseer.



Art Fund Royal Collection Trust Museums and Heritage Highland

25/01/2023

At last!!

The Cairngorm Mountain Railway will re-open during the winter season in early 2023.

30/08/2022

05/08/2022

Happy anniversary Kessock Bridge! Still looking good

Today marks 40 years since The Kessock Bridge was officially opened by The Queen Mother! Linking Inverness & The Black Isle 👍