Stretching all the way from Dundee to Aberdeen the Angus Coastal Route is a beautifully scenic route which follows Scotland’s east coast through glittering beaches and by many historic sites. Covering a distance of 68 miles (103km) there are very many places of interest, too many to cover adequately here. Nevertheless, I have selected an assortment of better known, and …
Scotland
From Fortress to Flame: The Tale of Kinnaird Head
Upon the exposed promontory of Fraserburgh, a domineering symbol of grandeur and status was transformed into a beacon of hope for those traversing the dangerous waters of the North Sea. This is the story of a late medieval castle which became home to Scotland’s legacy of light keeping and way finding. Kinnaird Head Castle was begun in the spring of …
Wales
Tresaith Beach: “The Place of Seven”
The gorgeous seaside village of Tresaith is a gem on the Ceredigion coast of Wales, with something to offer for everyone and only eight miles from the bustling markets of Cardigan. Tresaith boasts a blue flag beach, the wonderful Ceredigion Coastal Path which winds through the village and it hosts summer sailing events too! All this makes it a very …
Wales
Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Tywyn: A Historical Journey Through Wales’s Coastal Gem
The seaside resort of Tywyn is more than the perfect place for a spot of surfing, or a relaxing walk along the promenade ice cream in hand. No, the town of Tywyn holds within it a fascinating tapestry of Welsh history which can still be explored today. From the earliest days of Christianity, the history of the Welsh language, the …
Wales
The Miner, The Farmer and The Poet … The Stories of Tal-y-bont
The village of Tal-y-bont can be found about halfway between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth on the Ceredigion coast. With a population of under 1,000, Tal-y-bont is a small but cosy place surrounded by lush green farmland and is but a stone’s throw from the picturesque Dyfi estuary. Yet, its natural beauty is not the only worthy reason for exploring this little …
Scotland
Secret Tunnels: The Siege of St Andrews Castle
St Andrews Castle was one of the most significant medieval castles in Scotland. It was the home of the Archbishop of St Andrews, and adjacent to the cathedral which served as the ecclesiastical centre of the whole Scottish Kingdom. As such it was destroyed and rebuilt many times during the Wars of Independence as it changed hands between the English …
Wales
The Coastal Village of Llangrannog and its Connections with the Mythical and Legendary
The Tale of Saint Carannog The village of Llangrannog takes its name from the medieval Celtic saint, Carannog. The prefix ‘Llan’ which can be found in several place names across Wales means ‘the church of’. Thus, Llangrannog is the Church of Carannog. Saint Carannog was the son of Corun, an early medieval Celtic Prince and the grandson of the famous …
Wales
The Story of a TOP-SECRET Research Facility at Ynyslas
Ynyslas, Welsh for ‘the green island’, is a small coastal village north of Aberystwyth. It can be found wedged between the stretch of beach along Cardigan Bay and the shores of the Dyfi estuary. This spot is a part of the Ynyslas Sand Dunes, themselves a part of the Dyfi National Nature Reserve. As such the area is one of …
Wales
Cardigan Bay: A Coastal Pilgrimage for the Medieval Church Lover
St Hywyn’s Church The most northerly church on this route and the first stop on our ‘pilgrimage’ is St Hywyn’s Church, Aberdaron. This beautiful little church stands above the beach overlooking the Irish Sea, the sound of its waves audible from within the stillness of the medieval chapel. For a thousand years the Llyn Peninsula has attracted pilgrims for there …
England
Bamburgh: The coastal fortress and seat of power in Anglo-Saxon Northumbria
In the early medieval period, the principal location in Northumberland was the coastal town of Bamburgh. In fact, from the time of the Celtic Britons this region was home to some form of early fortification. The current incarnation of Bamburgh Castle is built on a northeast facing outcrop of the Great whin Sill, an intrusion of volcanic rock covering around …