EdinburghSt AndrewsIsland HoppingScottish Cot Death Trust

National Maritime Museum - revamped site with loads of interesting material.
 

Edinburgh - Scotland's Capital City - this site provides much useful information of the tourist - where to stay, what to see, weather, how to get there etc. 

Go-Edinburgh - guide to Edinburgh's Festivals - although deservedly known for one of the best music festivals in the world (plus its 'Fringe'), there are other festivals that take place in Edinburgh throughout the year. This site is a guide to the dates and events taking place.

Although I'm originally from Hawick (see the town flag here), in the Scottish Borders, I went to school, University, lived and worked in St Andrews for a total of 17 years!  Although this town is known as the Home of Golf, it has a lot more than just 5½ golf courses in it (one's only 9 holes), and is a wonderful place to visit if you get the chance:

St Andrews Site - information for the tourist, businessman, sportsman and a link to a history of the town too. You either love it or just want to get out - I stayed!

St Leonards School - My old school and where I also worked for three years!

University of St Andrews - This ancient University, founded in 1411, is the oldest University in Scotland, and survived my presence for far too many years!

For general information about Scotland, you are probably best to go to the Scotland.org site.  This is a search engine that specifically lists sites to do with Scotland - wherever they may be in the world!  It is by no means complete, but it does provide a starting point, and lots of helpful listings of tourist information sites, council sites and the such like.

Skye (no link) - I've usually been rained on when on Skye, but it is well worth seeing for the scenery - if you can avoid the sheep who wander around on the roads.  Good distillery at Talisker to visit too.

Shetland, including Harray, Mousa, Yell & Unst - Full of history and wonderful scenery - one of the best preserved brochs to visit on Mousa, but mind the dive-bombing Skuas as you walk around the island.  Visit the most northerly point of the British Isles at Muckle Flugga just north of Unst.  Helen and I managed to drive over 600 miles in 4½ days! Good silversmiths at Shetland Jewellery, much of their designs are based on Norse history and mythology which had such a great influence on the islands.

Orkney- My favourite Scottish island group.  You can't move for tripping over history, and the people are nice too!  The Ring of Brodgar (see photo above), a prehistoric stone circle, has to be visited to be believed.  Also home to my favourite silversmith, Sheila Fleet. (Other silversmiths on the island include Ortak and Ola Gorie) One of the nicest malt whiskies, Highland Park, is produced just outside Kirkwall.

As you can see, we have lots of islands left to visit, and I'm addicted to insular silver jewellery, which can make these holidays very expensive.

Whilst I was unemployed, rather than sit around doing nothing, I became involved in charity work for a local charity - the Scottish Cot Death Trust (SCDT). This charity funds research into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), aims to improve and extend the support given to bereaved families, educates the public about SIDS through leaflets, media and meetings, via various fund raising efforts. Very little is known about SIDS, and what causes it, so research is vital for families where the tragedy of a cot death has occurred, and a baby has barely had a chance to live. 

If you would like to make a contribution to this worthwhile cause, please contact the trust at: 

Further information on the latest research and best current methods of prevention of Cot Death is also available at this address. If you live in Scotland and would like to volunteer to help the fund raising effort, any help is gratefully received - please contact us at the above address. The Support Group, which raises money for the Trust through selling items at fairs etc. is based in Edinburgh and is also in need of further assistance - please contact the Glasgow address and your details will be passed along. 
Further information on the web can be gained through visiting the Foundation for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome - the English based equivalent of the SCDT.

Thank you for reading this section, and for your support.