Scotland Archive

Feature Articles –   The sacred island of the Moon Loch Maree, in Wester Ross, is one of the most beautiful locations in Scotland – if not the world. The eastern approach has been filmed numerous times, including the movie “Loch Ness”. This freshwater lake is named after St Maelrubha, the Irish saint from Bangor who introduced Christianity in the region in 671-673 AD. Whereas his …

A little known Pictish stone in a small museum in the Scottish village of Meigle is a most rare Loki Stone. If confirmed, the history of the Picts might have to be radically rewritten. by Philip Coppens One of the largest collections of Pictish Carved Stones in Scotland is on display in the Museum in the old schoolhouse in the village of Meigle. Inside is …

Feature Articles –   Prehistoric Lakeland The Lake District became a popular tourist attraction in Victorian times. The Industrial Revolution had revitalised the area, making it into a tourist destination that continues to offer sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But what is little known, is that the area is one of the oldest and most important prehistoric/megalithic territories of the British Isles. …

Feature Articles –   Kilmartin: the original Scottish capital Kilmartin Valley is remote, even by Scottish standards, but may have been a forgotten centre of prehistoric activity. Archaeology is slowly uncovering that this tranquil valley may have been, in the past, one of the most important centres – and the true heart of Scotland. by Philip Coppens Kilmartin Valley may not be in the same tourist …

Feature Articles –   The fairies of Doon Hill Doon Hill and the Old Kirk in Aberfoyle, will forever be associated with the Reverend Robert Kirk, a priest who is more notorious for his belief in fairies than his Christian preachings. by Philip Coppens Robert Kirk wrote the Secret Commonwealth in 1691. The book is an essay on the nature and social structure of supernatural beings …

Feature Articles –   Iona, the sacred island Iona, a small island off the west coast of Scotland, is considered to be one of the most holy places in the world. But is this due to the pioneering Christianisation efforts of the early Irish missionary St Columba, or the island’s sanctity itself? by Philip Coppens Iona is one of the most venerated places in Scotland. It …

Feature Articles –   Glen Lyon: the valley of the Sun God Glen Lyon, in Pertshire, is one of the most remote locations in Scotland, but also one of the few places where Scotland’s Celtic past was kept alive, particularly a veneration of the old Celtic deities, from the Sun God Lugh, to the Creator Goddess the Cailleach. by Philip Coppens Fortingall The small village of …

Feature Articles –   Dracula in Britain Just over a century ago, the novel Dracula was published, written by the Irish author Bram Stoker. It created a widespread interest in vampirism and depicted Eastern Europe as a rather macabre country. But was Stoker inspired by Eastern Europe, or instead legends and sites of the British Isles? by Philip Coppens On June 24, 1897, Midsummer’s day, the …

Unknown Masters    John Duncan: Painting the Fairy Realm The Scottish painter John Duncan brought the Celtic legends onto the canvas, in efforts to reacquaint the Scottish people with their origins. It was apparently a mission that he had received directly from the fairy realm itself. by Philip Coppens John Duncan was born in Dundee, Scotland, on July 17, 1866. As a child, he found …

Feature Articles –   Hell on Earth The Bay of Naples was seen as Hell on Earth, an entrance into the Underworld, but also the site of one of the most famous oracles: that of Cumae, a mystery that is still surrendering – slowly – some of its mysteries. by Philip Coppens The Bay of Naples and Vesuvius were originally not seen as an idyllic holiday …