The beautiful town of Portsoy is located on the Moray Firth Coast of North East Scotland between Inverness and Aberdeen. The original name may come from Port Saoithe, meaning ‘saithe harbour’. The Old Harbour dates to the 17th century and is the oldest on the Moray Firth. As a result, it is one of the…
Continue ReadingCome and join us for the longer 42 minute drive through one of the Highland’s most beautiful glens. The River Farrar runs through this Scottish paradise, which is dotted with pinewood remnants of the ancient ‘Forest of Caledon.’ This magnificent 14 mile glen is spacious and majestic, and it was once Fraser country. During our…
Continue ReadingBannockburn House is a rather special and historic place. It was built in the late 17th Century, with alterations made in the 19th Century. The original part of the house was completed around 1675 by Sir Hugh Paterson, although it’s thought to be built on an earlier building called Drummonds’ Hall. Sir John Drummond was…
Continue ReadingJoin Andy and Di on a circular walk around Culloden Battlefield from 6am on a misty September morning. We had the place to ourselves. Beginning and ending at Leanach Cottage, the walk takes in the Hanovarian line first, which is marked with red flags. From there we turn towards the Well of the Dead where…
Continue ReadingJoin Andy and Di for a 13 minute walk along the shores of Loch Ness at dawn. The peace and tranquility was tangible. The feeling of serenity overwhelming. Listen to the gentle lapping of the peaty Highland Loch, the crunch of the stones underfoot, and the call of the early morning birds… Bliss. Some of…
Continue ReadingThis is such a special place. It’s difficult to explain the feeling you get when walking this ground. It’s alive with strong vibrant energy that fills you with a deep sense of peacefulness. St Barevan’s Church dates to the mid 13th century. It is situated near Cawdor Castle, and served as the Cawdor parish church…
Continue ReadingHave you ever wondered whether Craigh na Dun really exists?… Hi there, I’m Di Nicholson. I’ve lived here in Culloden, Scotland, since 1990. I’m passionate about this beautiful part of the world, this incredible country and its history. Something astounding came to my attention a couple of years ago after a visit to Highland Archive…
Continue ReadingPour yourself a cuppa and make yourself comfortable as we take you on a journey back through time… If you’re an Outlander fan you’ll know that Diana Gabaldon mentions Balnain in her book and it’s also in the TV Series. “Bean Tighearna Bhail’ ‘n Athain” or “The Woman of Balnain” is a Scottish Gaelic song…
Continue ReadingCome and join us for a drive through one of the Highland’s most beautiful glens. The River Farrar runs through this Scottish paradise, which is dotted with pinewood remnants of the ancient ‘Forest of Caledon.’ This magnificent 14 mile glen is spacious and majestic, and it was once Fraser country. During our visit the pink…
Continue ReadingThere is no feeling in the world like holding history in your hands. A piece that is centuries old… an item that has been held in the hands of a man well known in history, who bravely led his Clan into battle many times. When my 50th birthday was approaching, my husband asked me what…
Continue ReadingJoin us on a journey through some of the most beautiful, wild, untamed parts of Scotland. The video features locations around the Highlands, Isle of Skye and the Lowlands… Photography by Andrew Nicholson. Video by Diane Nicholson
Continue ReadingAndy’s Photobook of the Scottish Highlands. Best watched full screen, and with the music on. Ensure that you have adjusted the settings (the little wheel cog) to the highest quality HD setting on Youtube. We hope you enjoy it…
Continue ReadingHello friends… Come and join us for a 20 minute dawn walk through the 4000 year old Clava Cairns and Standing Stones, near Culloden Battlefield. We rose at the crack of dawn this morning and went down to this beautiful and sacred site to watch the sun rising… It was a beautiful and moving experience….
Continue ReadingHi, I’m Di. Culloden is very close to my heart. If you’ve read my past life story you’ll understand why. I’ve lived here for the greater part of my life, in a little spot by the woods between Culloden House and Culloden Battlefield. I visit the Battlefield often. It’s not only somewhere I visit regularly…
Continue ReadingAndy Nicholson’s been a keen photographer for many years, and it’s been an amazing journey to witness his photography becoming more and more stunning with each passing year. As his partner in life and work, I’ve witnessed how his perception has changed and adapted to allow him to capture the best shot possible. If you’d…
Continue ReadingIt was about a year ago that a lady I know mentioned to me in passing the gravestones believed to be hidden in deep undergrowth in Culloden Woods. She’d been told about them by a historian. I’ve walked those woods for years and had never come across them, but then Culloden Woods does cover a…
Continue ReadingHave you ever spent a night in a haunted hotel?… Andy and I were exploring the west coast of Scotland on a mini-break in November 2014. We’d booked three nights away in three different hotels en-route, and we were having the best time. Our journey took us off the main roads and onto the single…
Continue ReadingI am frequently asked this. People can experience them in different ways, but for me personally, this is how I experience them… You know those moments when you step into total present awareness? It’s those times when you step into the right here, right now, and become so focused on what’s happening around you that…
Continue ReadingIn April 2007, when I set my intention to connect with my Soulmate, I had no idea that during that same month, a man called Andy was on the top of a mountain in Austria putting the same wish out there. We had both come through failed marriages and we both wanted things to be…
Continue ReadingMy Mum passed away at home on 26th May 2015. She had a peaceful passing, my brother and I by her side. I held her hand for the last few hours until she drifted away. It was just as she wanted; to be at home, both of us with her. A few minutes before she…
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