Rosslyn Chapel

You can find the Rosslyn Chapel in the Roslin visit. It is a chapel that is 500 years old and rumored to house many spirits. It was said that artifacts were available in the crypt, including the Holy Grail, Jesus Christ’s mummified heart and the first Scotland crown jewels.

What is interesting is that many of the people that visited the castle and know nothing about its haunted nature did report meeting a black knight that was riding a horse. Historians claim one of these died in 1303 in a battle against English soldiers. There are also some stories about a lady in white that has the castle as home.

Cawdor Castle

There is a long history of weird paranormal occurrences reported at Cawdor Castle. If you love William Shakespeare’s work, with plays like Macbeth and Romeo And Juliet, so many are connected with this location. It is considered that Juliet’s inspiration was the Earl of Cawdor’s daughter as she had a relationship with someone in a rival family. The story says that she was killed by her father when she found out about the relationship. Ever since then you may see a young woman without hands that roams the structure in a dress made out of blue velvet.

Dryburgh Abbey Hotel

Countless sightings and unexplained paranormal activity are connected with the hotel. Originally, this was the site of a monks order in the Roman Catholic Church, with Lord of Lauderdale being the founder. Sources say that the original building that the abbey was built on was of a young woman that ended up in a relationship with a monk. As the monk was executed, the woman killed herself. Dryburgh Abbey hotel visitors report that they see a woman around the grounds. She is locally referred to as The Grey Lady. Sometimes ghosts of monks are also reported.

Stirling Castle

So many Scotland castles are said to be haunted, with this one being among the most interesting. Various spirits are reported but the one that is the most frequent is known as the Highland Ghost. What is interesting is that visitors actually say that they thought the ghost was a guide. They approached the ghost and it disappeared. The Green Lady is another reported ghost. She is believed to be a servant of Queen of Scots, Mary. She is said to have died while trying to save the queen from a fire.

Niddry Street Vaults

This location was actually featured in “Joe Swash Believes in Ghosts” and in “Most Haunted”. The vaults were home to various merchants, taverns and basically countless outlaws, including Burke and Hare, well-known serial killers. It was reported that the Niddry Street Vaults were actually used to hide bodies as they were on their murderous streaks. Not many records exist but ever since the vaults were rediscovered, various ghost sighting reports appeared. This site is filled with paranormal stories like killings, suicides and rituals.

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East Kent

There are a number of places in the south-eastern corner of England which are well worth a visit, the most familiar of which is the town of Dover. The famous white cliffs are truly spectacular, and the seaside resorts of Ramsgate and Folkestone are both within easy reach. If you are a fan of historic buildings, be sure to visit Canterbury, because the cathedral is one of the most spectacular religious buildings in the whole world.

Somerset Coast

If you mention the West Country to most Britons, and indeed most tourists, they will invariably think of the counties of Devon and Cornwall, but Somerset should also be on the must-visit list. The coastline is home to some beautiful beaches, many of which are exceptionally peaceful even in the summer months. If you like to be among the crowds, head to the resorts of Weston-Super-Mare and Minehead.

Gower Peninsula

Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower peninsular of South Wales.  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are some wonderful holiday destinations in Wales, but those who know the Gower Peninsula rarely go anywhere else. It’s located in the south of the principality, close to Swansea, and it offers some of the finest seascape vistas anywhere in Britain. As well as a succession of impressive beaches, there are also some spectacular castles, including Pennard and Bovehill.

Glasgow

A famous city such as Glasgow could never truly be described as hidden, of course, but it’s certainly not on the usual tourist schedule for most people. City breaks are exceptionally popular in London and Edinburgh, but Scotland’s largest and busiest city is home to a number of fascinating museums and art galleries, as well as a whole host of historic buildings.

A view over Glasgow from Queen’s Park in the city’s south side. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Norfolk Broads

The Norfolk Broads are exceptionally popular with visitors from the UK, but not too many overseas visitors make their way to this collection of attractive waterways and chocolate-box villages. There are plenty of exceptional accommodation options to be found in the area, but many people choose to hire a boat and stay on the water for a few days instead. Though busy in the summer, there is always enough room for everyone.

Author: David Showell lives in England and is a regular traveller. Follow him on Google+.

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 1 Eigg

Among the many attractions of Eigg are the famous ‘Singing Sands’ of Largs Bay, so called because they make a squeaking sound when you walk on them.  The skyline is dominated by An Sgurr, one of the tallest ridges in Britain. It takes about two hours to climb, and at the top you are rewarded with breathtaking views of the highlands and islands, mountains, lochs and seas stretching into the distance for miles around.  On top of this ridge there are several small lochs, called lochans by the Scots. One of these, Nam Ban Mora is a favourite with outdoor swimmers. After your dip, you can sit on the hand carved wooden bench bearing the name ‘honesty’. Beside this bench there’s a bottle of whisky which will not be empty, as long as the last passersby were honest!

In 2010 the 86 inhabitants of Eigg won the National NESTA Big green Challenge in 2010 when they became the first island in the World powered entirely with renewable energy. Accommodation ranges from camping or yurts, cottages and guest houses.

2 Rum

One of the earliest settlement sites of Britain (tools have been found dating back to 7000BC), Rum was for a many years privately owned and known to the locals as the ‘Forbidden Island’. It boasts Kinloch Castle, a wonderful example of ludicrous extravagance in a remote setting. It cost what would today be worth £15 million to build back in 1891, and boasted a conservatory full of exotic fruit, a palm house with humming birds, and highly elaborate Georgian plumbing. Now open to the public, it provides an insight into a sumptuous way of life which disappeared completely after World War I.  The owners eventually sold the island to the Government Nature Conservancy, and it has grown into a globally important nature reserve. A red deer study is currently being conducted there.

Rum also has its own mountain range, The Cullins of Rum, a series of dramatic jagged peaks formed by an ancient volcano.  It is considered one of the best mountain walks in the islands.

Staying on Rum is easy with a campsite, hostel  and guesthouse facilities. There are two free Bothys, with very basic amenities (take your own sleeping and cooking gear). Bothys are a Scottish tradition, providing shelter from the elements and a workable fireplace.

3 Muck

With a population of about 38 and only one road, Muck is attractive to a growing number of families seeking a better way of life. Two and a half miles long, it contains more seals than people! Still it offers a range of hotel, Bed and breakfast and self catering accommodation. There is a craft shop, tea room and restaurant and very year the islanders run a series of craft courses for visitors, from basket weaving to rug making.  Though it is the smallest of the small islands it is the most fertile, with a healthy farming tradition. Muck lamb and other local produce is one sale to visitors.

4 Canna

Linked at low tide to its tiny neighbour Sanday, this picturesque and fertile land is littered with Neolithic and Viking historical artefacts, and boasts nine important archaeological sites attesting to 9000 years of occupation. Canna was originally owned by John Lorne Campbell, a well known historian and folklore scholar. He bequeathed his island, including Canna House, to Scotland. The House is now a museum with an extensive Gaelic library.

All of the islands welcome visitors. In summer ferries also run from the fishing port of Arisaig further down the coast. For nature lovers, walkers, or just those who want to escape the fast lane, the small islands offer enchantment and peace.

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