What's in store for 2024 – EXCITING NEW PODCASTS FROM UNIQUE SCOTLAND. The New Year message lets you in on the secret of what Podcasts will be coming this year.

This Podcast is the first in a 4 Part series on Edinburgh City, the Capital of Scotland. It will look at Edinburgh from its early beginnings right up to today with stories of gentlemen  by day and thieves by night. It will highlight some of the most prominent buildings on the Royal Mile and, when talking about St Giles Cathedral, you will hear a desperate story of some of the inhabitants who were buried in the old Graveyard.

Who was Deacon Brodie and why was Robert Louis Stevenson so intrigued by this man. Who was Rizzio, secretary to Mary Queen of Scots and who was Clarinda whose romantic, yet mournful song is still so well known today.

Would you walk down an alleyway with the possibility of the contents of a chamber pot (toilet) being emptied on your head? It happened in the Old Town - find out why!

LETTER FROM SCOTLAND  is a light-hearted look at what makes the news in Scotland. It is an insight as to what makes this 'wee' country with a big heart tick. Some of the news is political commentary and other news is local gossip without taking it all too seriously.

In today's LETTER FROM SCOTLAND, you will discover how Scotland's national dish, the Haggis, could impact the forthcoming US Presidential elections. And what has TONG, a tiny Hebridean island, got to do with the ex-President Trump? Political chat is about the Covid enquiry and also reports on a slight disagreement (spat) between Mr Trump and Ms Sturgeon, Scotland's First Minister 2014 - 2023. Everyone loves a good juicy scandal and, if you read between the lines, you might just find one here! You'll hear about an escaped Japanese Macaque monkey who brightened up the lives of some Highlanders (and the Paprazzi) and can you believe that a 2 year old Scottish boy climbed to Everest BAsgte Camp? And, what is making the people of Mull tremble? You will also learn about the word 'Shenanigans' where this Podcast will bring it into use.

It's all here, in this tongue-in-cheek look at Scotland today. Sit down with a cup of tea for half an hour and listen to what is bothering us Scots and see if it helps you not take yourself too seriously.

The final episode of our epic 516 miles journey along the famous North Coast 500 route from Inverness to the north of Scotland on the east coast and returning to Inverness down the fabulously scenic west coast. We visited the Corrishalloch gorge near Ullapool in episode 5 and stopped overnight at Dundonnell in a quaint B&B. This final route takes us from Dundonnell along another wonderfully scenic route through Poolewe, Gairloch, Sheildaig, Applecross, Achnasheen and Beauly to mention just a few of the beauty spots we pass through. We also travel down the Bealach na Ba, a treacherous winding mountain road with hairpin bends and steep descents. The views, however, are amazing and this experience follows us all the way.

There are amazing stories on our journey from 2nd World War collection points for the Russian convoys to amazing tropical planted gardens in a most inhospitable part of the world in winter. There's scenery, fabulous beaches, towering mountains and deep lochs. There is so much to cover and we will just scratch the surface sufficiently for you, perhaps, to come and see it for yourself.

Let me, John Harbour, transport you on a wonderful journey and, hopefully, you will be able to experience it yourself one day. If you cannot come to Scotland, for whatever reason, then sit back, relax and let your imagination wander on this, the final leg, of the North Coast 500.

In this Podcast, John Harbour from Exclusive Scottish Visits welcomes in the New Year with a preview of his forthcoming final episod of the North Coast 500 (Part 6). We also get a sneak preview of his new releases for this year. He was delighted to meet some visitors to Scotland who planned their visits on the back of his audio and there is an interview with Caroline Tucci and Bob her husband when they met in Edinburgh.

Most travellers arrive in Edinburgh, the Capital city of Scotland, on thier travels to this fine country. You will be delighted to know that John's next 3 episodes of 2024 will be on Edinburgh. With much more to come, this will be an exciting year to be following John. Please Subscribe now on his Podcast Website page - www.exclusivescottishvisits.co.uk Look forward to you joining me on my wonderful adventures around Scotland.

Scotland’s North Coast 500 was opened in 2015 and this 516 mile route has become a very popular travel destination. This, Part 5, of our tour will take us from Durness in North West Sutherland down through an extraordinary Geopark where geologists from all over the world come to visit. We will drive on to Laxford bridge and onto a ‘destitution’ road. We’ll cross the incredible Kylesku bridge before heading to the Assynt and Coigach are.

We will pass through the town of Scourie and hear about General Mackay and his part in the Jacobite uprising. At Kylesku bridge you will hear of the wonderful memorial to the midget submariners who trained in this area during the war. We will drive around the northern part of the Assynt and Coigach area taking in the amazing mountains of Quinag, Suilven and Canisp. The ‘Cnoc and Lochan’ landscape (mountain and small lochs) is breath-taking. From there we will visit the 16^th Century Ardrek castle and Calda House that was mysteriously burned down 10 years after its construction.

We will drive on to Ullapool, the gateway to the Outer Hebrides before dropping down to see two superb 19th century tropical gardens and then visit the Corrishalloch Gorge which is an outstanding natural 1 mile gorge with crashing waterfalls.

Come and join me on another Unique Scotland adventure and see some super photos on my website at www.exclusivescottishvisit.co.uk 

Scotland’s North Coast 500 was opened in 2015 and this 516 mile route has become a popular travel destination. This, Part 4, of our tour will take us from Bettyhill in Caithness to Durness on the north western corner of Scotland. This is Mackay Country. At Bettyhill we will hear of the renovation of the Strathnaver Museum and the Clan Mackay artefacts held within.
We will pass through the town of Tongue and take a walk up to the old Castle Varich, the Mackay stronghold for hundreds of years. We will cross the Kyle of Tongue and drive around loch Eriboll which, for centuries, has been used as a safe anchorage from the often stormy seas of the North Atlantic Ocean. Tales of Viking massacres and German U-Boats will be told.
We then head west to Durness, dropping into Smoo Cave on the way, a wonder to behold. At Durness we will find out why there is a memorial garden to John Lennon, one of the famous Beatles and why is one of his songs dedicated to this area? The north coast is a really beautiful rugged coastline with fabulous sandy beaches and spectacular views to the far north.
Come and join me on another Unique Scotland adventure!

Scotland’s North Coast 500 was opened in 2015 and this 516 mile route has become a popular travel destination. This, Part 3, of our tour will take us from Wick on the east coast of northern Scotland to Bettyhill in Caithness. We will pass through the ancient Viking town of Wick and onto John ‘O Groats, one end of the longest distances between two inhabited points on the mainland of Britain. Enjoy the view over the Pentland Firth to the Orkney islands beyond.

We will then head West along the top of Scotland and call in to see the fabulous Castle of Mey, the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother’s home. We will stop for a picnic at Dunnett Head, the most northerly point on the British Mainland and walk the 300 feet cliffs to see the nesting birdlife among the rocks. We then pass through the town of Thurso whilst also enjoying the fabulous white sandy beaches of the North Coast before arriving at Bettyhill where we find the old Strathnaver church now housing a super Museum and is also home to the Mackay Clan display.

Scotland’s North Coast 500 was opened in 2015 and this 516 mile route has become a popular travel destination. This, Part 2, of our tour will take us from Dornoch to Wick on the east coast of northern Scotland. You will cross Loch Fleet and see an old Thomas Telford bridge (early 1800s) which has an incredible sluice gate system to allow the river to exit but stops the sea water from entering the river Fleet. You will visit the attractive seaside town of Golspie and, as lovely as it is, the Golspie Inn was witness to the iniquities of the Highland Clearances. Soon after Golspie you will see the ‘Mannie’, a monument to the 1st Duke of Sutherland and why some would like to see it knocked down. The Mannie stands on a hill overlooking the fabulous caste Dunrobin which we will visit on our travels.

We will pass through Brora with its wonderful sandy beach and links golf course before going on to see a 2000 year old Broch at Ousdale. Soon afterwards we will visit Dunbeath which holds the secrets of King George VI’s younger brother, the Duke of Kent, who died in mysterious circumstances when his plane crashed into a hill some 3 miles from the town. Of course, George VI was the king who replaced Edward VII when he abdicated to marry Wallace Simpson. We’ll retire for the evening in the Wick area and enjoy a sumptuous dinner in an exquisite Victorian Villa. So exciting…..

Scotland’s North Coast 500 was opened in 2015 and is one of Britain's best coastal touring routes. Just over 500 miles long, this route provides some stunning scenery from Inverness (Capitol of the Highlandsd) up to John 'O Groats in the far north, along the north coast of Scotland and down the west coast returning to Inverness. You will enjoy stunning coastal scenery, towering mountains and deep blue watered lochs. We will visit castles, palaces and neolithic sites along the way. You will hear about the history of the area and clan battles that raged in the 16 and 17th centuries.

This, Part 1 (of 6 parts) is a virtual tour that will take us from Inverness to Dornoch on the east coast of northern Scotland. We will cross the Kessock bridge and the Black Isle to Tain, the oldest Royal Burgh in Scotland. A visit to Glenmorangie distillery may tempt some before crossing the Cromarty Firth with its wonderful wildlife and superb views. On our way north there is another Firth to cross at Dornoch and we will be passing a fabulous Indian inspired monument built in the late 18th century before arriving at Invergordon. You will be told the extraordinary tale of a Royal Naval mutiny that still reverberates down the decades. Dornoch is a lovely village with a castle and a famous Cathedral at its centre. Why were witches being burned here in the 18th Century and what was Madonna doing here in 2000? Join me on this wonderful tour to find out.

It is a mixed bag this week and this newsletter starts off with reports on the COVID situation in the UK and Scotland in particular, including the political ramifications on the different priorities of the Devolved Governments that make up the UK. Exciting news as this Newsletter was being recorded that a working Vaccine has been found with 90% efficacy. Fantastic news for the travel industry and for those who have been locked down for too long. This Newsletter also mentions the Outlander series and the possibility of fans to work alongside Sam Heughan and Catriona Balfe (Jamie and Claire). Shock, Horror! Could it be possible that Meghan Markle could become the next President of the United States of America (after Biden or Trump – Mr Trump hasn’t conceded as this goes online) and  that her Royal husband Harry becomes the First Gentleman? All this and a few other stories from the Scottish Media.