The precinct of Desert O’Dea consists of the stump of a round tower. It also has a very interesting church ruin dating from the 13th century. Desert O’Dea is a great and historic stop on any tours of Ireland. The church ruin is possibly most notable for its...
Duleek is a small town in County Meath, Ireland. It is a good stop on any tours of Ireland. The town began as an early Christian monastic settlement. Saint Patrick established a bishopric here around 450 AD, and placed it in the care of Saint Cianán. When the High...
This is a great hidden gem for any tours of Scotland. It has the ruins of two Iron Age forts. Caterthun at Menmuir is an oval fort 500 feet by 220 feet in size. It is within the most imposing ruined wall in all of Britain. The wall may...
This is a little-known island off the coast of Connemara. It is an interesting place to visit on any tours of Ireland, and is a true hidden gem. You will need to get a boat from Carna to get to the island though. The island is in fact...
This is the longest enclosed glen in Scotland at over 34 miles. There are a few things that make it an interesting place to visit on any tours of Scotland. The Gaelic name for the glen translates to “the crooked glen of the stones” Gaelic mythology says that...
This is a pretty village with great history. It is located in Inverness-shire and is a good stop on any tours of Scotland. The Castle of the Comyns is especially interesting. The unusual form of the motte suggests its origins may pre-date the 11th century date when a...
While this town is known mainly for its crystal, there are a number of other sites to visit. It is worth a stop on any tours of Ireland, even if you do not want crystal! The first settlers were the Danes, under the leadership of Sitric. They founded...
Tulliallan was an estate and is worth a visit on any tours of Scotland. It is close to Kincardine. There are the ruins of a castle that was the seat of the Blackadder family. It is an early fourteenth century hall-house. There is a splendid under-croft, rib-vaulted ceiling spanning...
This is a small island off the coast at Sligo. It is a true hidden gem on any tours of Ireland. Though there is a boat journey, which can be rough, to get to the island. The island has a well-preserved monastery. The monastery is said to have been...
This is a bit of a hidden gem on any tours of Scotland. It is a town in Berwickshire. There is a picturesque coast with a beach and the Hurcars Rocks. The original harbour was built in 1768, and was extended at the end of the 19th Century. This...