Posted in Hisctorical Places, History, Holidays/Visits, Reviews, Scotland by Emma

John Knox House: Edinburgh

Hunt for the devil hiding in The Oak Room ceiling and try your hand at our portrait puzzles that have stumped many visitors in the past. Try on costumes and just ‘feel’ the atmosphere.

John Knox House dates back to 1470, which makes it and Moubray House which is attached, the only original medieval building surviving on the Royal Mile. The house is associated with one of the most dramatic and turbulent times in Scottish History – The Scottish Reformation – which resulted in the outbreak of civil war and the abdication of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Although John Knox only stayed in this house for a short time before his death in 1572, it was his association with the house that saved it from demolition in the 1840s. During an excavation of the house, time-capsules were found buried in the gable wall of the house to commemorate the moment the building was saved. One of these time capsules is displayed in the window of our bookshop.
James Mosman – jeweller and goldsmith to Mary, Queen of Scots – lived in the house in the 1550s until his execution in 1573. He was extremely loyal to Queen Mary and was part of the ‘Queen’s Men’ who seized Edinburgh Castle in an attempt to restore Mary to the throne after her forced abdication in favour of her protestant son James VI.
You can get a guided tour and an audio tour but I’d phone in advance if that was your intention.

3Oct2015

Sneak Peeks from Highland Fairlings Book One: Ina

Posted in Available here, Sneeky Peeks by Emma

This is a peek from Chapter Two of Highland Fairlings Book One:Ina

The Book can be purchsed here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ina-Highland-Fairlings-Book-One-ebook/dp/B00M77WI4K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406714074&sr=8-1&keywords=emma+ruthven-stevenson

Alternatively, if you go to this page you’ll find the links for purchase from

Amazon.co.uk
Kobo
Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble

https://eruthvenstevenson.com/2014/07/18/ina-highland-fairlings-book-one-availability/

Word Twenty-One

30Sep2015

Liarn Farm Dog Friendly Holiday Cottages

Posted in History, Holidays/Visits, Reviews, Scotland by Emma

http://www.liarn-farm.co.uk/

Families and pets are welcome at Liarn Farm.
Your dogs will love staying at our pet friendly holiday cottages, there is 183 acres of natural woodland they can explore, Jazz certainly loved it!
Both Brian and Louise were very welcoming and informative. We saw Louise the most, she talked to us and answered questions about the animals they have on the farm, like the Jacob’s sheep.

We managed to lock ourselves out at about 9 at night and they didn’t mind being disturbed to unlock for us. Louise suggested loads of walks for our dog and even had our dog and hers have ‘play dates’.

The topsy turvy layout makes the most of the area with the living quarters upstairs and the bedrooms downstairs.
The views from your balcony are amazing. I promise you’ll never be tired of them. I spent a massive amount of time on the balcony, it was incredible.
Stunning vistas across Loch Rannoch to Glencoe to the west and Schiehallion to the east.
There is a pets corner where you can help feed the ducks and hens, collect the eggs, cuddle Daisy the rabbit. Geraldine and her friends the Jacob sheep love their digestive biscuits!
The horses are fun and friendly although Charlie (in the picture) can be a little nervous but he was a rescue who had been ill-treated.

It wasn’t easy to find. You go down some massively steep roads that are narrow and petrifying. You drive by the loch and if you’re anything like us then you’ll get lost. Not that getting lost was much of an issue when the views were so amazing.

DON’T follow your sat nav, it gets you in the rough area but not to the actual location. Take the phone number and give them a call for directions.

You pay for your electric when you check out but it wasn’t expensive.
The site has a shared BBQ area. There is also a shared room where the washing machine and tumble dryer are. In this room you can also make use of the DVD’s and books available to borrow.

This is a cottage I will visit again, and I’d highley reccomend it. Especially if you have a dog as some dog friendly places aren’t great. Liarn Farm is!