This is a village close to Inveraray in Scotland. It was once deserted but now has a brilliant open-air museum. This shows buildings and machinery in their original settings. There are 18th and 19th century tenants longhouses, or byre dwellings. They have period furniture. You can also see barns, cottar-houses,...
If you find yourself in this area on any tours of Ireland here are a few highlights to see. The first recommendation is the ruins of Nenagh Castle. The castle served as the main seat of the Butler family until 1391. After that they moved to Gowran ,...
This little village is a true hidden gem on any tours of Scotland. It sits above the River Stinchar about four miles from the estuary at Ballantrae. Check out the two kirks (churches) , and the ruined castles. One of them , Kirkhill , bears a date of...
This is a general guide to some sights if you find yourself in County Mayo on any tours of Ireland. Firstly take a look at Achill Island which is now connected by a bridge to the mainland. Rosserk Abbey is an Franciscan abbey which is worth visiting...
This is a very quiet hamlet on the south west side of Arran Island. It is worth considering a visit on any tours of Scotland. Blackwaterfoot is a true hidden gem. On Drumadoon Bay , it is on the more Lowland half , there is golf and fishing...
This is a town in Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is a good stopping point if passing through that area. A nice town with a few hidden gems to see. Strathaven was once a major weaving town and still retains some manufacture of knitwear. Strathaven Castle is believed to have been...
Any tours of Ireland may take you to County Donegal. The town of Donegal has a castle right in the centre of the town that is certainly worth visiting. The castle that gave the county its name towers above local houses and the River Eske. Its massive tower...
Eccles is a rural village in the South of Scotland, near the English border. It is a nice stop on any tours of Scotland. It was once of considerable importance as it contained Saint Marys Cistercian Convent. That convent was founded in 1155 by Gospatrick, Earl of Dunbar. There...
These are two islands situated in Lough Erne, Fermanagh, Northern Ireland They are well worth visiting on any tours of Ireland. These two islands are truly hidden gems. There is an abbey on White Island in whose walls eight small statues are mounted. They were only discovered in this...
Southeast of Slane there are the three most prominent barrow graves in Ireland. You may not want to miss these on any tours of Ireland. The most notable is the passage grave of Newgrange. The site is assumed to be roughly 4,500 years old. The hill of round stones...