Tay Bridge Disaster still haunts the Firth of Tay in more ways than one. On the anniversary of the collapse, locals and travellers have reported seeing a phantom steam train crossing the modern bridge. According to accounts, it appears out of the darkness, carriage...
The Flannan Islands Mystery is one of Scotland's most enduring maritime mysteries. It was Boxing Day 1900 when the Hesperus was finally able to reach Eilean Mor on the Flannan Islands. Storms had delayed their arrival. Imagine the crew's horror when they discovered...
The Stone of Destiny was at the centre of a daring heist that took place on Christmas Day 1950. It was later found on 11th April 1951, on the High Altar of Arbroath Abbey. The Stone had been missing for months. Some would argue that the Stone had not really been...
Did you know that once upon a time, Christmas was banned in Scotland- by the Kirk? And that Christmas has only recently become a public holiday? However, from before the dawn of time, this time of year has been important to the inhabitants of Scotland. Stone Age...
The Yules was the old festive celebration in Orkney and Shetland. It is derived from the old Norse Celebrations of the Viking Settlers who once inhabited Scotland’s Northern Isles. However, long before the Norsemen arrived, the prehistoric peoples of Orkney had built...
The Cailleach Nollich or the Yeel Carlin is Scotland’s version of the Yule Log. This centuries old tradition, the burning of the ‘Old Woman of Winter’, is now dying and is only followed by a few who still practise the old ways. Like all festivals, Christmas in...