Blog - Scottish Highland Trails

Mary Somerville, the First Scientist

To celebrate Women’s History Month, this March we take a look at some of Scotland’s most influential historical women. We’re kicking things off with Mary Fairfax Somerville, often referred to as the world’s first scientist. Mary Fairfax Somerville (1780 – 1872) Born at...

Jill McKean 2 min read

Guided tours: The Art of Scotland

As a Blue Badge guide I love being asked to do an art themed tour, so I thought I would take an occasional look here on the Highland Trails blog at some of the fabulous works of art you can see in Scotland. The National...

Jill McKean 2 min read

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Elsie Inglis: Suffragist, doctor, surgeon & founder of the Scottish Women’s Hospitals

As part of International Women’s Day 2022 we take a look at the extraordinary life of Dr Elsie Inglis Elsie Inglis was born in 1864 in Naini Tal, a hill station located in the foothills of the Himalayas in northwest India. Her family were of...

Jill McKean 5 min read

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Motoring Around Scotland

We were delighted to have recently been asked to collaborate with Zoom Motorhome Hire, and have created some great touring routes around Scotland for their new website. Zoom are based in Peebles in the Scottish Borders and have a variety of motorhomes available for rent. ...

Jill McKean 1 min read

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Against the tide we multiply

A walk through my hometown this week took me along the High Street and past the County Inn, a local pub and former coaching inn for the stage coaches to Edinburgh. The façade of the building is 18th century but part of the interior is...

Jill McKean 7 min read

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A ghostly tale of Neidpath Castle

The dry weather is holding so we had another great walk today from the house. From Haylodge Park we continued west, heading away from Peebles. The footpath follows the banks of the River Tweed and after a mile or so you come to Neidpath Castle,...

Jill McKean 4 min read

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Not exactly a walk in the park: Scotland’s links to the slave trade

A stroll closer to home today for my four legged friend! We walked to Haylodge Park, five minutes from our house and a beautiful green space with the River Tweed running through it. I have been coming to this park my whole life, and spent...

Jill McKean 4 min read

St Mary’s Loch to Megget

Another glorious day here in the Scottish Borders so we headed west towards St Mary’s Loch. The loch is the largest natural body of freshwater in the Borders at about 3 miles (5km) long by about half a mile (1km) wide. It is named for...

Jill McKean 3 min read

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A Walk In Cademuir Forest

It’s a gorgeous day here in the Tweed Valley, cold and frosty first thing but sunshine and blue skies! So in order to get some fresh air and shake off thoughts of the impending apocalypse, my four-legged friend and I set out for a walk...

Jill McKean 4 min read

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Covid-19: Updated terms for cancellation and postponement of tours

In these uncertain times due to the coronavirus outbreak and the resulting travel restrictions, we have updated our tour operator terms & conditions. We would like to reassure all clients with existing bookings that we will do all possible to facilitate date changes or postponement...

Jill McKean 1 min read

2020 Declaration of Arbroath 700th Anniversary

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Freedom! Scotland gears up to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath

The Declaration of Arbroath is widely considered to be the most important document in Scottish history. It is a letter, drafted in 1320 by Bernard, Abbot of Arbroath, signed by the noblemen of Scotland with their wax seals attached, and addressed to the Pope. It...

Jill McKean 3 min read

Outlander, Tailor Made

Explore Outlander Scotland

EXPLORE OUTLANDER SCOTLAND “I am come home” Obsessed with Claire and Jamie? Let’s be honest, who isn’t?! Take a private tour around Scotland with Scottish Highland Trails and delve into the wonderful world of Outlander, visiting a mix of filming locations as well as historic...

Jill McKean 5 min read