SCOTLAND: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland: A Hidden Gems Travel Guide

Hidden Gems Guides

by Christy Nicholas

Yearning to delve into the mysteries of the Highlands? Skip the tourist traps and unearth new ways to delight in its legendary landscape.
Have you dreamed of visiting Scotland but hate canned tours? Overwhelmed by which marvels to choose when short on time? Struggling with planning but don’t want to be beholden to a guide? Author and seasoned traveler Christy Nicholas has turned her passion for the nooks and crannies of the country’s beautiful lonely moors into a deep knowledge of a country bursting with history and beauty. And now she’s here to share a treasure trove of tips for relishing the wonders of this stunning destination so you can ditch the stress and soak in the culture.

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret is the ultimate companion to uncovering little-known gems that will transport you to a place and time that birthed legends and captivated millions. Nicholas’s veteran advice helps you explore every county and avoid the crowds, while immersing in the author’s favorite locales and savoring the breathtaking grandeur of the land of whisky and tartans. See mesmerizing sites missed by the hordes and return home reinvigorated after an experience you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

In Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret, you’ll discover:
Expert guidance for engaging in a journey that reveals a rarely seen world
Geographic phenomena like the spectacular Orkney Islands to add unique touches to a memorable adventure
Stories and myths leading to stone circles and Pictish art for a spellbinding encounter of the ages
Practical information for budgeting so you can make that seemingly impossible dream a reality
Detailed plans to help you maximize your precious hours, suggestions for choosing locations from an abundance of options, and much, much more!
Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland is an eye-opening travel guidebook. If you like escaping the beaten path, a conversational approach, and creating lasting memories, then you’ll love Christy Nicholas’s invaluable resource.

Buy Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret to take the road less traveled today!

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Scotland

Kindle Edition

First published November 8, 2014

About the author

Celtic Fairies, Fables, and Folklore!

Christy Nicholas loves all things historical, especially if it has anything to do with Ireland, Scotland, England, or Iceland, and she writes historical fantasy, travel guides, and a book on writing craft. Her tales tend to the gritty, with bittersweet endings, and she's never afraid to torture her characters. But there is beauty in all darkness, and she loves showing that, as well.

- If you are in the mood for something more scifi, check out her C. N. Jackson book, Time Tourist Outfitters, Ltd.

- If you are looking for some urban fantasy, magical adventure in modern ireland, see her Rowan Dillon series, Guardians of the PHAE.

- If you prefer some timeslip romance in Iceland, or a women's fiction based on her parents' true story, go look at her Emeline Rhys books, Past Storm and Fire or Better To Have Loved.

Homepage: http://www.greendragonartist.com

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Reviews

[Apriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book but it’s my own fault. I’m not sure I read the whole long ass title before I bought it. I just saw Scotland: stunning, strange, and secret and said sign me up. It wasn’t until I started reading the book that I realized it’s a tips, tricks, and pointers guide to a Scottish vacation. And that’s not what I wanted to read as I’m not going back to Scotland any time soon. What I wanted was a history book and while there are some bits and pieces of history sprinkled throughout the book it wasn’t enough. To be fair though it seems like a solid travel guide and I did appreciate the last section about all the places to visit, both typical and off the beaten path. And it is extensive y’all. This section, broken up geographically, takes up the majority of the book. I did learn about some interesting ruins and whatnot that I would like to investigate further so reading this book wasn’t a complete waste of time.

[Christy Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my own book, so of course I think it's fantastic!

[Tara Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland is Book Two in The Hidden Gems Series. It is your definitive guide to all that Scotland has to offer written by a well traveled author. The author has expertly used her love of travel to discuss in-depth the hidden gems that Scotland offers for exploration that go beyond the usual tourist destinations. She describes both popular and little-known places as well as their history. I know at the top of my list of places to not miss out on would be the numerous haunted castles. The author discusses the history of Scotland, its myths, gods, beliefs, and superstitions which offer invaluable insight into its rich and varied culture. One of the myths that intrigued me was Bean-Nighe, AKA the “washer woman” in Scottish Gaelic who is seen as the omen of death. It is said that she can be seen near streams and pools washing the clothes of those that are doomed to death, turning the river red with their blood. Another one that I found interesting was about Brahan Seer, whose name was Coinneach Odhar, who was thought to be a prophet or seer with second sight. It was said that his visions were thought to come true. The author briefly discusses the origins of music beyond the well-known bagpipes that also started in Scotland. Artists and bands that originated from Scotland such as Annie Lennox, The Bay City Rollers, Sheena Easton, Simple Minds, and many members of the band AC/DC were born in Scotland. The author discusses how to plan your trip, the best time to go, travel expenses, extra costs that may be associated with the trip, travel insurance, passports and visas, travellers’ checks, places to visit, accommodations, transportation, and food. The book contains stunning photographs throughout that were taken by the author during her various trips to Scotland and she gives advice on how to get the best photos during your visit. She gives advice on camera and equipment, as well as things to consider such as scale, weather, perspective, lines, the rule of thirds, and lighting. I could go on and on about all the information this book contains because it truly covers ever aspect one could possibly think of from start to finish and is the only guide one would need when planning a trip to Scotland. I will be going back and reading the author’s book on England next because many of my ancestors originate from there.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting and informative guide to ‘Hidden Scotland’ which I found to be an enjoyable read. I enjoyed discovering about a country bursting with history and beauty, the ‘land of whisky and tartans’. The author is an obvious seasoned traveler who not only knows about Scotland’s legendary landscapes but is also knowledgeable about the many stories and myths surrounding it. I particularly enjoyed the information on Scotland’s geographic phenomena and the many historical sites to visit. This was a fascinating guide with a difference, and it definitely gave me greater knowledge about both the hidden places, and the more well known ones.
The guide also includes practical information including budgeting advice and detailed plans of places to visit, and how to explore whilst avoiding the crowds. The narrative is written in a knowledgeable, friendly, conversational style which is easy to read, understand and navigate. I would have liked a few more maps to have been included as I feel these would have been helpful when planning itinerary’s. This really is an invaluable resource for anyone visiting Scotland and those just interested in learning more about this magical place.

[Christie72 (Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great little guide to Scotland and all the treasure she beholds!!!

I’m not much of a travel guide reader, but this one is different than the ones I have seen in the past. Nicholas includes so many things to help travelers. She discusses the food, drinks, music, people, tricks to save money, and hidden gems that aren’t full of tourists. What I enjoyed the most were her chapters on history and myths that make Scotland the special place that it is!!! I learned some things about Scotland that I didn't know about. A bonus was her chapter on photography…how to take pictures and even ideas, such as cottages, stones, and flowers, that you wouldn’t necessarily think about.

She made the book very interesting to read, and I could truly tell she has such a love of Scotland. It’s a book I could go back and learn something new, and the photos are beautiful. It’s also great that she includes websites for every bit of information she shares with her readers. If you haven’t visited Scotland, you will definitely want to after reading this book.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland is the second book in the Hidden Gems series by Christy Nicholas. This is a great travel guide with a lot of information on the different historical sites to visit ‘off the beaten path’ around the stunning Scottish countryside.
Ms. Nichol’s has a keen eye for detail, and passion for history, which when combined- makes for a comprehensive and detailed travel guide. She has incorporated the mythical, mystical, and historical sites and information with plenty of tips and insights to help you find some truly intriguing hidden gems.
If you are looking at travelling to Scotland and want to visit some of the more interesting places that you might not find in other travel guides, then this is definitely the book for you.
Happy Reading, and Happy Travels…

Thank you, Christy Nicholas!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret is part of a three book guide set that aims to educate potential tourists on the ins and outs of the country. Where should you go? What should you see? Suggestions on local cuisine? You will find all of that and more! You will also get some tidbits of history, culture, and lore in this all in one travel guide. The format and layout of the book was a little off to me, as it seems out of order or thrown together in some areas. I do not know the accuracy of the lore or history, but I did find that to be engaging and entertaining for a guide book. This book does hold potential and gives the untraveled tourist a glimpse into what Scotland has to offer. I think this book would be useful if I were to ever head over and would still recommend it for travel purposes.

[Shannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scotland is one place at the top of my bucket list, so when I saw this book, I knew I had to pick it up. I was completely immersed once I opened the first page! The photographs are absolutely gorgeous and make me want to visit even more now. I truly enjoyed the author sharing less touristy spots because those are some of the best gems anywhere in the world you go. The chapter on superstitions and beliefs was incredibly interesting, and I hadn’t heard of many of them. There is also a great chapter that will assist in planning your trip to wonderful Scotland. If you travel often then some of these tips are probably already in your repertoire, but for someone like me who doesn’t have the opportunity to journey often, that chapter is SO appreciated! I highly recommend picking this up if you’re planning travel, or if you just want to know more about Scotland!

[Kerry Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the book this author had written about England, and having just booked a family trip to Scotland, I knew I had to read this book too. As with the other book, I found this one to be detailed and descriptive. The view point offered had such a refreshing feel to it and it felt like I was looking at Scotland from a locals eyes. I learnt about so many places from this book and it has really made me want to visit it.
This author really has found their niche in terms of their writing style. For this book, I found it so easy to imagine the places being described and it has made me excited to visit some of them this summer. This was a great travel guide that I am sure I will revisit in the future.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book by Christy Nicholas, "Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland," is an enchanting journey through the lesser-known treasures of Scotland. With a focus on uncovering the magic and mystery beyond the typical tourist spots, readers are invited to immerse themselves in the rich history, legends, and myths that have shaped the heart of this captivating country. The inclusion of practical information on trip planning, budgeting, and locating hidden gems adds a valuable dimension to the exploration, making it both informative and engaging. For those seeking a deeper understanding and appreciation of Scotland's secrets, this guide is a great companion for a memorable and magical holiday experience.

[Gabrielle Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is full of bite size nuggets of information of places and history of Scotland. The history is an easy and interesting read and the list of places to see and visit will have you eager to start your journey. The author talks to you in a comfortable and friendly tone. It would be nice to see more pictures included though. There is a little something for everyone in the list of places to visit. The appendix and website resources were a nice addition. The author shows us that there is so much to do and see in and around Scotland. This is a book you should add to your list if you are planning a trip to Scotland.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland (The Hidden Gems Series), my seventh read from author Christy Nicholas. As good of a fiction writer as she is these Hidden Gem Guides are even better. Perhaps not for everyone but I found it to be a well-written, enjoyable, 362-page read on the wonders of Scotland. “I received a Kindle copy of this book and after reading it want to read the rest of the series as well. We're traveling to Scotland next year and this is a must-read for planning that trip! (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Amber Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The photos in the book are stunning. I wish there were more. The myths and history that I learned was quite interesting. Scotland wasn’t on my list of countries places to visit but now it is. The superstitions and hidden gems was the best part. If you plan on visiting this is a great book to read before your trip.

[Brandy L Vaughn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dive into the mysterious Highlands of Scotland and hidden places. There are interesting facts about Scotland and hidden gems out of the tourist trap areas. This would be a great travel companion guide to take on a trip.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun - there are so many things I would love to see in Scotland!! Some of these are pretty vague and kind of weird but I did make some notes

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

My family came from Scotland so this was fascinating to read. I enjoyed every minute of it. History, myths, locations, pictures, etc. were so delightful. This book is a treat to read even though I will never get to see Scotland. Thank you so much for sharing this.