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CASTLES
TOWNS
ABBEYS
VILLAGES
INVASIONS
CATHEDRALS
PALACES
BATTLES
WHISKY
CITIES
CHURCHES
REBELLIONS
GOLF
CLUBS
STATELY HOMES |
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With more than 900 entries in alphabetical order,
The Historical Handbook To Scotland provides a factual overview of the country's
historical landscape from the Roman occupation to the present
day. Integrated among its largest cities and smallest
villages, that number more than 260
locations, are some 500
historical buildings. These range from the most
strategically defended castles to the more venerable ruined
abbeys that stand as testaments to the struggles and strife of
the nation, during which many of the structures were designed
and doctrines upheld. Between these are the 90 battles and periods of
conflict. The comparatively modern history of more than
100 distilleries and golf
clubs serves to reflect the industrialisation and
urbanisation of 19th and 20th century Scotland, and like most
of the other entries, start with the subject name, region,
location and earliest history, eventually ending with a modern day summary that the reader
can experience first-hand. |
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ABERDEENSHIRE
Built on a rock 1 mile S of Stonehaven, probably
on the site of an earlier Pictish settlement which was followed by a
fort. The land and castle were obtained by Sir William Keith, the
Earl Marischal, from Lord Lindsay by 1392 prior to the original L
plan tower being built on sacred ground. The Earl's subsequent
excommunication by the Bishop of St Andrews was revoked by a Papal
Bull of 1394 on condition a church was built nearby, and the
Marischal stronghold then settled into a period of calm. The keep
had an east range with stables, servants' quarters and a smithy
added followed by a priests' house and enlarged visitor
accommodation in the late 16th century. Besieged by Montrose in
1644. The Earl entertained Charles II here in 1650 and in 1651 it
was selected as the safest place in Scotland for the Scottish
Regalia, which during Cromwell's siege in 1652 was skillfully
extricated by the Rev Granger's wife and hidden in Kinneff Church.
An additional quadrangle of buildings to the north, added in the
17th century, comprised a chapel and brewery, bakehouse and
storehouse. Used as a prison for Covenanters who were housed in the
notorious Wigs Vault. It was finally destroyed by the Duke of Argyll
in 1716 due to the Earl's Jacobite sympathies and sold to the York
Building Co in 1720. Although repurchased, it finally passed out of
the Keiths' hands in the 19th century and is now a ruin.
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PERTH & KINROSS
Built on a rock near the River Tay 5 miles NE of Perth.The site of
an earlier castle which Blind Harry referred to as 'A place of retreat
for William Wallace in the 13th century'. It was developed from a
16th century keep with |
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square and round towers, and
like many castles of this period it was built for residential and
defensive purposes. Elcho was for a long time the home of the Wemyss
family, for whom it was a barony in 1628, but it had in the 19th
century begun to decline before it was re--roofed in
1830.
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ORKNEY
The most northerly Scotch whisky distillery in the world is located
in the town of Kirkwall. It was founded in 1798 on the site of
a smuggler's bothy by Magnus Eunson, a church Elder by day and
a smuggler by night who hid the contraband under the pulpit, safe
from excisemen. It takes its water from the pool at Cattie Maggies
Well at Greenvale and Crantit Spring. Located amidst the green
fertile islands battered by majestic Atlantic waves, its thought
that Highland Park's character comes from peat beds that have
absorbed the salt spray of centuries, giving a heather honey quality
to the whisky that distinguishes it from all other malts. Bought
by the Grant family in 1908 it continued to be run throughout
World War I (1914-18), during the presence of the Grand Fleet
at Scapaflow, but was sold by the family to Highland Distilleries
in 1937. Like its exterior which typifies a distillery of its
period the production methods are in keeping with tradition, as
it is one of the few remaining distilleries where barley is still
malted on the malting floor.
OWNERS
Edrington Group Ltd, The ?
REGION
Highland
PRODUCT
Highland Park 12, 18 and 25 year old single malt 40% 43% and 53.5%
vol
NOTES
A heather honey, balanced smokiness with a rounded smoky sweetness
and a rich, full taste.
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SCOTTISH BORDERS
Located in the vales of the River Tweed in the town.
The original foundation which stood up river was begun by a disciple
of St Aidan in the 7th century, but today's extensive ruins are the
legacy of David I, who ordered its building and
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