Other activities in Scotland
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Duddington Village
Nestling under the southeastern slopes of Arthur’s Seat, the picturesque village of Duddingston is one of the oldest parts of the city, dating from the 12th century, though all that remains of that era are parts of the parish church. At the western end of the village stands an 18th-century pub, the Sheep Heid, and at the eastern end is Prince Charlie’s Cottage, where the Young Pretender held a council of war before the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745.
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Davy the Ghost Tours
Davy the Ghost Tours offers 1¼-hour tours led by an ‘18th-century ghost’ in period costume. Expect tales of the city’s horrific past, including ghosts, witches, murders and hangings. Tours depart at 7pm from the blackboard outside the tourist office.
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Isle of Skye Brewery
Distinctive Hebridean Gold ale, brewed with porridge oats.
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Scotland’s People Centre
This collaboration between the General Register Office, the National Archives and the Court of the Lord Lyon brings together millions of useful records in one place. The main records used in Scottish genealogical research – the Statutory Registers of births, marriages and deaths (1855 to the present), the Old Parish Registers (1533−1854) and the 10-yearly census returns from 1841 to 1901 – are held here. The registration of births, marriages and deaths became compulsory in Scotland on 1 January 1855; before that date, the ministers of the Church of Scotland kept registers of baptisms and marriages. The oldest surviving parish registers date back to 1553, but these records…
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Sir Walter Scott Steamship
There’s an excellent 20-mile circular cycle route that links up with the Sir Walter Scott Steamship along Loch Katrine. Following the southern shore of Loch Achray, you reach the pier on Loch Katrine; departures are at 10.30am daily April to October, as well as afternoon departures at 2.30pm on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. The ferry should drop you at Stronachlachar (adult/child one way £6/4.50) at the western end. From Stronachlachar, follow the B829 via Loch Ard to Aberfoyle.
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Orchill Loch Trout Fishery
If you want to throw a line in and have a good chance of being rewarded for your efforts, drop by Orchill Loch Trout Fishery. The main loch (fly fishing) is regularly stocked with rainbow trout and there’s bait fishing too in a separate pond, particularly good for the kids. A four-hour ticket allows three fish and costs £13.50; a full day allows five fish and is only £22. Orchill is on the backroad between Gleneagles and Braco; access is off the A822 or A823.
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Capercaillie Cruisers
The Millennium Link project (completed in 2002) restored the 35-mile Forth and Clyde Canal (running between Grangemouth in the east and Bowling near Dumbarton in the west) and the 31-mile Union Canal (joining central Edinburgh with Falkirk) to full working order, and linked the two by means of the mighty Falkirk Wheel. The Linlithgow Canal Centre rents out day boats on the Union Canal. Holiday narrow boats can be hired by the week from Capercaillie Cruisers.
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City Sightseeing
From April to October City Sightseeing runs tourist buses every 15 minutes (9.30am to 5pm) along the main sight-seeing routes, starting at George Sq. You get on and off as you wish. A day ticket per adult/child costs £9/3; if you buy a day ticket you get the next day’s travel for free (buy from the driver or the tourist office). All buses have wheelchair access.
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Caley Cruisers
The 60-mile Caledonian Canal, which slices through the Great Glen from Fort William to Inverness, has a mixture of canal reaches, open lochs and stunning scenery, making it fully geared to boating holidays. The main operator here is Caley Cruisers, which has a fleet of 40 motor cruisers ranging from two to eight berths available for hire from March to October.
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Bowman’s Tours
The main operator on Mull, connecting the ferry ports and the island’s main villages. The routes useful for visitors are bus 495 from Craignure to Tobermory (£7 return, one hour, six daily Monday to Friday, four or five Saturday and Sunday) and bus 496 from Craignure to Fionnphort (£11 return, 1¼ hours, three or four daily Monday to Saturday, one Sunday).
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Scotch Malt Whisky Society
If you’re serious about spirits, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society has branches all round the world. Membership of the society costs from £100 for the first year (£52 a year thereafter) and includes use of members’ rooms in Edinburgh and London.
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Islay Marine Charters
Based at Port Askaig, offering wildlife cruises through the Sound of Islay (adult/child £16/9) to Ardmore Island to see seals and seabirds, and to Loch Tarbert on Jura (£26/15) where you can spot red deer, wild goats, seals and possibly otters.
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Dunalastair Activity Centre
Dunalastair Activity Centre has a plethora of activities on offer, such as fishing, kayaking (£15), canyoning (£35) and white-water rafting (£35). You can also hire bikes for £15 a day.
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Mapes
Rural parts of the island are pleasant for cycling; the narrow Inner Circle Rd is a particularly good cycle route. There are several bike-hire places in Millport, including Mapes.
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Old Surgery
It’s worth paying the extra few pounds to bag rooms 1 or 2 (£70), which have big bay windows with super water vistas, tables to sit at and contemplate them from, extra berths for kids and a shared balcony.
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Ancestry
One of the best guides is Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry by Kathleen B Cory, and there are many useful websites; GenUKI is a good starting point. Ancestry is another.
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Genuki
One of the best guides is Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry by Kathleen B Cory, and there are many useful websites; GenUKI is a good starting point. Ancestry is another.
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Grierson & Graham
Bikes are available for hire from Grierson & Graham near Dumfries and close to mountain-biking terrain, but don’t forget to bring photo ID and cash for your deposit.
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Snowsport Scotland
VisitScotland’s Ski Scotland brochure is useful and includes a list of accommodation options. General information can be obtained from Snowsport Scotland.
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Cothrom Na Fèinne
Residential language courses take place during the first week of the month, year-round. Individually tailored weekends are £100; courses start at £250.
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Ayrshire Coastal Path
The best way to appreciate the Ayrshire coastline is on foot: the Ayrshire Coastal Path is 100 miles of spectacular waterside walking.
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Spa 19
Spa 19 is an excellent gay health centre, with a small gym, sauna and Jacuzzi, TV lounge, café and cyber centre for firing off emails.
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National Archives of Scotland
You will need to ask for a reader’s ticket (free) – bring some form of ID. Use of the Historical Search Room is free and is first come, first served.
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Arran Folk Festival
The week-long Arran Folk Festival takes place in early June. There are also local village festivals from June to September.
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Granary Bakery
Most of Portree seems to congregate at the Granary’s cosy coffee shop to snack on tasty sandwiches, filled rolls, pies, cakes and pastries.
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