Some might think that an architect’s main tasks are to create something that a) serves a purpose, b) is not a sore to the eyes, and c) is wind resistant, at least (ideally, durable enough to resist larger disturbances, too). And while that’s not far from the truth, there is so much more that goes into these three goals.

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Once you step foot here, you might never leave. Here are 15 reasons why Scotland should be on your bucket list...

Late Night Randomness is a collection of photos we have found in searching the web that don't necessarily fit in with our other posts or is perhaps a little too edgy to present earlier in the day. The

This is one I got of the Castle from the Vennel (which runs from the Grassmarket up to Lauriston Place). I love this view of the Castle, one which never gets old to me! I got this one just after the lights came on one evening, while there was still plenty of light in the sky! ---- Please check out my photography website: www.tomfosterphotos.com

The most amazing wonders of Scotland are some of the best castles in the world, palaces, ancient settlements and megaliths.

Farmhouse, Langholm, Scotland

The Daily Mail's Hugo Brown visited Moray, an hour-and-a-half west of Aberdeen. He found pubs have menus of whisky longer than their wine lists and enjoyed a stay at Dalvey East Lodge.

Today, April 6th is National Tartan Day, a day for Scottish Americans to celebrate their history and contributions to the USA. D...

The Daily Mail's Hugo Brown visited Moray, an hour-and-a-half west of Aberdeen. He found pubs have menus of whisky longer than their wine lists and enjoyed a stay at Dalvey East Lodge.

It’s probably not a revelation to tell you that Pinterest skews heavily female. 70% in fact, according to a recent study. But what’s more interesting is that men and women use Pinterest for vastly dif

Marylebone is as lovely as central London neighborhoods get. If you're up for exploring, here's a quick guide to the area.

Scotland's Coolest Places to Stay – selected by Cool Places

Caerlaverock Castle, near Dumfries, Scotland

A Scottish Castle

Explore svensl's 555 photos on Flickr!

The summit area of Conachair is home to a colony of the largest, most powerful and predatory of seabirds in northern waters, Great Skuas (Cataracta skua), known in Scotland as "Bonxies". As soon as we approached they got airborne in preparation. They began a concerted series of low level attacks on us, normally at head height. These are big birds, muscular and with a wingspan of 1.5 metres. An attack, accompanied by a tearing rush of air as the bird passes, gets your full attention. We were most careful to avoid any area where there was a possibility of a nest, but it seems that the mere presence of a human (or anything else) in the area is enough to trigger an aggressive response... Everything about Bonxie behaviour and body language exudes menace, even when they are not attacking. Relatively recent arrivals on St Kilda, Bonxies are predatory pirates, they will attack and kill smaller birds, kill lambs and make a speciality of ganging up on Gannets, grabbing wings or tail and forcing the Gannet to disgorge its load of hard-earned fish. It's fair to say they don't mix well with others...... Amongst ornithologists, small and nondescript birds are known as LBJ's (Little Brown Jobs). We christened this group of Bonxies as BBB's, which needs no further explanation! In an attempt to get good pictures of an attack, Gordon and Douglas formed a team, Gordon standing as a target and Douglas taking the pictures. I was having my own personal issue with a Bonxie. One individual took great exception to the fact that I wasn't ducking under attack but standing my ground to take pictures. Clearly this was a grave insult to his Bonxie pride and he attacked with renewed menace. It became a battle of wills. In this post, Douglas has captured the attacks from about 25 metres away, including the moment just before...... The bird powered in and hit me a resounding slap on the forehead with its feet. Honour was restored, the Bonxie went off to perch on a cleit and I moved away. We were rather glad to move out of the combat zone!

I mentioned Greyfriars in my last post on the Covenanters, and how it was used in the 17th c. as a prison for the men captured at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge. I decided that I would do a post on the rich history of Greyfriars Kirkyard itself. Greyfriars is located in Edinburgh, Scotland. The kirk (church) opened in 1620. Greyfriars was witness to the Resurrectionsists (see entry on Mortsafes) that were roaming Scotland in the 18th and early 19th centuries. It resembles a zoo in some places, due to the tombs being barred up from precautions taken by the deceased's relatives in securing their graves from disturbance. Greyfriars was seen on a 2008 episode of the Sci-Fi Channel's 'Scariest Places on Earth'. There have been a number of deaths that have occured in the kirkyard, and it is reported to be extremely haunted. I found the yard to be serene and beautiful, but I suppose if you go looking for a scare, you'll find one. Of course, Greyfriars is most famous for a little Skye terrier named 'Bobby': "In 1858, a man named John Gray was buried in old Greyfriars Churchyard. His grave levelled by the hand of time, and unmarked by any stone, became scarcely discernible; but, although no human interest seemed to attach to it. The sacred spot was not wholly disregarded or forgotten. For fourteen years the dead man's faithful dog kept constant watch and guard over the grave until his own death in 1872. The famous Skye Terrier, Greyfriars Bobby was so devoted to his master John Gray, even in death, for fourteen years Bobby lay on the grave only leaving for food. It is reported that a daily occurance of people from all walks of life would stand at the entrance of the Kirkyard waiting for the one o'clock gun and the appearance of Bobby leaving the grave for his midday meal." - GreyfriarsBobby.co.uk Bobby is buried just inside the gates of Greyfriars. All pictures taken by myself on my last visit to Greyfriars in May.

Scottish clans (from Scottish Gaelic clann, "children"), give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs officially registered with the court of...

A trip to east Cork as Lulu continues her journeys around Ireland.