Josef Tornick: The Hebrides

Photo © Josef Tornick-All Rights Reserved

"I am deeply happy to have found my place, camera in hand, in this world."

I normally do not feature much at all of European subjects, however Josef Tornick's beautiful black & white photographs of the Outer Hebrides and of the Aran Islands (a widespread and diverse archipelago off the west coast of Scotland and a group of islands on the west coast of Ireland respectively) are so well composed, that I thought I'd redress this failing.

Josef describes himself as project-oriented humanist documentary photographer. After years of deep inward study and reflection, he tells is of an effortless flow of images from his camera, reflecting a long sought integration.

Having followed my blog's posts relating to the new Fujifilm cameras, Josef tells me he just bought a Fujifilm FinePix X100 and is amazed by its image quality, which he thinks is much better than his former Panasonic G1.

Lord Cochrane, Scotland

Let me start 2012 wishing you all a happy new year, filled with health and joy! After that how about something a little different from the usual travel related posts? Abhishek decided to share with us a bit of Scotland history, more precisely the story Lord Cochrane, a Scotland Naval Hero - not forgetting of course a suggestion on places to stay near Lord Cochrane's city, Culross :)

It is a little known fact that Scotland produced one of the great naval heroes of the nineteenth century. Lord Cochrane achieved hero status in a remarkable career that encompassed daring do’s for the Royal Navy, crusading on behalf of the under privileged as an MP then leading the nascent Chilean Navy in rebelling against the Spanish.


Cochrane’s early life contained much of the of the toughness that so often breeds radical genius. Born at the Dundonald at Annsfield near Hamilton in South Lanarkshire he then spent much of his early life at the family seat of Culross Fife. His father was a frustrated scientific inventor who through the necessity of limited finances having inherited the ancestral pile turned to inventing, partly as an escape partly as a hope making a fortune. His invention of coal tar was later used to seal the hulls of ships but symptomatic of the family relationship with the Royal Navy, they refused to use it until after the patent had lapsed.

Short of cash the young heir was sent to the sea. Here he found a calling and a skill. Unlike most young midshipmen Cochrane was taught of the life of the real Royal Navy through his early mentor Lieutenant Larmour. This gave him both an essential insight into the mind of the British sailor but also invaluable ability as a seaman. It was this grounding allied with a cunning rebellious streak that were to serve him so well through a glittering career.


It is when you read of his exploits as a captain that realise just how remarkable a figure he was. In fact read the works by CS Forester and Patrick O’Brian and is clear both Horatio Hornblower and Jack Aubrey borrowed a great deal from Cochrane’s life. Cochrane’s appeal was his ability to achieve the apparently impossible. In fact very often – such as when he took the major Spanish base of Valdivia in Chile with its surrounding forts. It seemed such an impregnable fortress any attempt to take it was so unlikely to succeed by the time the Spanish knew what was happening Cochrane had already succeeded.

It was this ability to achieve the impossible that meant the Napoleonic French called Cochrane the wolf of the sea. He was never content with simple ship to ship action. Very often he looked to use land action and explosives to achieve his objectives. This could have seen him re-write the book on naval and coastal warfare but Cochrane’s dislike of tory high minded authority meant frequent clashes with the admiralty. This was added to by his years as much loved MP for Westminster where he regularly clashed with the administration. All this added to the Admiralty’s antipathy to Cochrane’s that eventually led to dismissal from the navy and his career abroad as an adventuring, if principled, admiral for hire.


In later life and with a change of administration at home led to his reinstatement and he died as Admiral of the Red; one of the most remarkable military characters of the 19th century.

Mackays Self catering has a two bedroom Scottish cottages in Culross where Cochrane spent his early life.

10 of the most beautiful golf courses around the world

Just in time for Christmas another one of David's lists, this time a list of ten spectacular Golf Courses here and there around the globe. Hope you like it and Merry Christmas to you all!! :)

When it comes to sportsmen and women, golfers must be up there with the most fortunate sports people. Not only are they lucky enough to play the sport they love day in and day out, competing for vast fortunes watched by huge numbers of people; they also get to travel around the world and see some amazing countries and places. You may think that the spectacular sights are to be found away from the course but there are certain courses around the world that are beautiful sights in their own right. Below, TravelSupermarket looks at 10 of the most beautiful golf courses around the world:


St Andrew’s, Scotland - Scotland is the home of golf and the courses at St Andrew's on the Fife coast are a place where almost anyone who has ever swung a club wants to play at some stage in their life. Golf has been played here since the 15th Century and the real challenge is coping with the demands the coastal location places on a player, amidst the sand dunes and wind of Scotland's beautifully rugged east coast.


Muirfield, Scotland - Another great venue in Scotland is Muirfield, located in Gullane, East Lothian, just a decent approach shot away from Edinburgh. The storied greens here are viewed as particularly testing and are where Jack Nicklaus won his first British Open. There are usually two visitor days a week and tee availability should be checked with the course itself; a round usually costs around £200, depending on local factors.


Celtic Manor, Wales - Wales is home to some of the UK's most stunning vistas of mountain and ocean and the Celtic Manor resort in Gwent has emerged as a highly-rated golfing venue in recent years. Its courses include The Montgomerie, designed by legendary Scottish Ryder Cup star Colin Montgomerie, who captained Europe to victory in the Cup in 2010. The modern facilities here are superb, with a golf academy and a floodlit driving range amongst its attractions.


Royal County Down, Ireland - Moving away from Scotland and Wales and across the Irish Sea, Ireland's green hills and attractive coastlines are home to some special golfing locations. In Northern Ireland, the Royal County Down Golf Club is a very fine venue. Over a century old, this course enjoys a setting between the Irish Sea and the Mountains of Mourne and is some 30 miles south of Belfast and within 100 miles of Dublin. With wind from the sea as well as the heather and gorse bushes to deal with, this venue can challenge as well as stimulate the senses.


Ballybunion, Ireland - Also in Ireland, although right down in the south west, is the Ballybunion Golf Club. Again, the course makes the most of its setting on the Kerry coast, with its fairways and greens placed amongst the sand dunes which overlook the Atlantic Ocean. The course has a wild feel to it thanks to the native plants and the sea views give a real feeling of freedom.


Royal Melbourne, Australia - Away from Britain and Ireland, visitors to Australia can experience the superb facilities at the Royal Melbourne Golf club, in the south east of the country. There are two 18-hole courses at the site, an East and a West, with competition events being held on a composite course with 12 holes from the West and six from the East.


Mid Ocean, Bermuda - For golfers who are rich enough, the island of Bermuda has an exclusive venue known as The Mid Ocean Golf Club. With spectacular sea views and a course designed by Charles Blair Macdonald. It can often feel like golfers are actually playing in the middle of the ocean itself on this course's cleverly laid-out fairways. As well as hosting some major golf tournaments in recent years, the course was also the site of meetings between American President Eisenhower and British Prime Ministers in the 1950s.


Pebble Beach, USA - The United States itself is blessed with some the finest golf courses in the world, not the least of which is Pebble Beach in California, a five-time host venue of the US Open. The resort contains five different courses which present different challenges, with a Scottish-style links course sitting alongside the Pebble Beach Golf Links, in use since 1919 and the Spyglass Hill Course. An exclusive venue where it is unlikely to come across casual golfers, there is also the oldest course in continuous use west of the Mississippi, the Del Monte, which has seen over a century's service. Exclusivity means that playing here can be an expensive experience.


Pinehurst Country Club, USA - Over on the eastern seaboard of the US, the Pinehurst Country Club in North Carolina enjoys eight picturesque courses, with more holes on offer to the golfing visitor than any other course in the USA. The fairways are lined with trees and there are plenty of bunkers to break things up a little and it is also noteworthy as being the place where Payne Stewart won his last tournament before his tragic death in a plane crash in 1998.


Augusta, USA - Also in the southern states of the USA is the Augusta National Golf Club, the venue at which the Masters is held each year. One feature of the course which frequently attracts attention from gardeners as well as golfers is the amount of pink azaleas that decorate the championship 18-hole and nine-hole courses. The 11th, 12th and 13th holes are collectively known as 'Amen Corner', viewed as one of the sport's most challenging trios of holes.

Very few earn the right to wear the Green Blazer of a Masters champion, one of the most iconic titles in sport and the kind of gravitas associated with the jacket informs the ethos of the venue, known as a place of conservative decorum and respect for tradition. Golf is a sport that crosses geographical and cultural boundaries, allowing players who travel to soak up some of the world's most picturesque locations as well as taking part in one of the world's most widespread and enjoyable activities.

Hidden Holiday Locations, UK

As Maria says, London isn't for sure the only place worthy of a visit on the UK. As you may be guessing the thanks of today goes to Maria for her insights on several cool UK places ;)

Don't be fooled into thinking that London is the only place worth visiting in the UK. Sure, the sprawling metropolis of the capital has all the glitz and the glamor of a dazzling west end theater district, centuries of culture engrained in every street and more shopping, museums, sightseeing tours and sporting activities than you could ever get bored of. But London is not even half the story of the great British Isles.


The UK houses a population over 62 million people and is one of the leading economic and political countries on the world stage. It didn't get this way through accident and a trip to the country will illustrate the thousands of years that have contributed to its success.

With the combined force of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland alongside England, the United Kingdom has a rich and diverse history. The sandy shores of the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales and the Cornish coast in southwest England have for many years been popular holiday spots amongst British holidaymakers. The height of summer can see these tiny coastal retreats turn into hives of activity, with families flocking to the seaside for locally caught seafood, respectable surfing conditions and the chance to indulge in the great British past time of building sandcastles.


England's Lake District and Peak District are vast national parks in the north of the country with glorious panoramas of the British countryside. Sweeping mountains and serene lakes are coupled with some of the greatest country houses in the land. Places such as Chatsworth House and Howard Castle offer an insight into the historical gentry and aristocracy that helped build the country.

Thriving metropolises such as Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle are great for indulging in retail therapy, café culture and nightlife. On the fringes of all these big cities are some real gems of hidden holiday locations. The Warwickshire countryside surrounding Birmingham extends down into chocolate-box style villages.


With quintessentially English stone cottages and old world charm, the villages around Stratford-Upon-Avon and extending down into the Cotswold's hark back to a country that Shakespeare would be familiar with. The Cheshire countryside outside Manchester offers pockets of affluent small towns that still exist around the hub of the medieval parish churches.

The contours of majestic Scotland are often overlooked due to its cold climate near to the top of the northern hemisphere. However, an adventure north of the English border is certainly worthwhile to discover some beautiful scenery and cosmopolitan cities. The beautiful mountains, glorious lochs and natural wildlife are breathtaking and inspirational.


Scottish cities such as Glasgow, Dundee, Edinburgh and Aberdeen are thriving hubs of business, culture and economy. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival during August draws artisans, actors, film and TV professionals and authors to the various facets of the festival around Edinburgh Castle in the middle of the city. During this excitingly busy month, self catered Edinburgh apartments are often a great option for accommodation, giving guests to the city the freedom and independence to explore the delights of the festival and the city at their own leisure.

Great Family Holidays in Scotland

With a big thanks to Ovie let's round the family and head to the Highlands! In this guest post Ovie shares with us Scotland's main attractions and sometimes "hidden" quality destinations.

Scotland is one of the most underrated holiday destinations in Europe. All who get to visit this scenic country are blown-away by its history, culture and breath-taking topography. There’s something for everyone. Scotland has great campsites and mountains for adventure holidays, cottages which are great for short-breaks and family holidays and fantastic family entertainment to keep children and adults captivated.


Scotland is such a hidden gem that very few people are aware of the fact that this beautiful country which shares borders with Great Britain has 790 islands (such as the Northern Isles and the Hebrides). Most of these are connected to the mainland by car and passenger ferries, or bridges, so while public transport in Scotland is limited, it’s easy (as well as breath-taking) to take your car or hire a car at Glasgow or Edinburgh Airport.

Scotland has remained one of Europe’s top destinations for family holidays and deservedly so. Whether you're looking for golden sandy beaches, wonderful woodlands or majestic mountain scenery, Scotland has it all. Some of the popular family attractions Scotland has to offer include:


The Edinburgh Festival Fringe - ‘Edinburgh’ is the largest art festival in the world and takes places every August for three weeks, although even a few days can be a memorable part of any family holiday in Scotland. As the name suggests, it is held in Edinburgh and thousands of performers take to a multitude of stages all over the capital city to present a wide variety of shows. Theatre, opera, musicals, exhibitions, music, dance, comedy and other kinds of events ensure that there is something to everyone entertained regardless of your artistic preference. There are also loads of kids’ events, including theatre, storytelling and magic shows, plus hundreds of jugglers, stilt-walkers and buskers that we challenge your kids not to be intrigued by (and they’re free). Staying true to the history of the festival, anyone who wants to perform and can find a venue to host them is included in the festival’s programme. So should you feel like putting on a performance of your own, you are welcomed to sign-up. Find out more about the festival and get tickets at www.edfringe.com.

Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park/Edinburgh Zoo - Located in Stirling, this is one of the most fun and exciting family days out in Scotland. Witness the wildlife reserves and adventure playgrounds. Take a boat trip around the chimp island and experience the wonderful sea lion show. It doesn’t get more exciting than witnessing nature’s great creatures. Bears, lions, tigers, bison, elephants, rhinos, zebras, giraffes and camels are just a few of the interesting and exotic animals which are sure to make this a memorable holiday experience for every member of the family. If the Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park leaves you yearning for more, with over 1,000 rare and endangered animals, the Edinburgh Zoo has much more to offer. Find out more at www.blairdrummond.com.

Durness beach/Pease Bay - One of the main attractions often overlooked when thinking of Scotland as a family holiday destination are its wonderful beaches. Admittedly, you should not expect warm waters, but there are beautiful sandy stretches and wildlife to entertain kids on short walks and picnics. Of these, Durness beach, popularly referred to by locals as the ‘Secret Beach’ was bestowed as Britain’s most beautiful beach by The Guardian in 2009. Despite that, it remains a beach that few know about and even fewer are willing to tell you about. To get to there, head due east from Smoo Cave Hotel in eastern Durness until you reach the cliffs, and then follow them south to the beach. It's less than a mile. With toffee-coloured rocks and smooth desert-like sand, this beach provides a private beach experience (perfect for families) due to the secrecy surrounding its location. For those who prefer a more active beach experience, Pease Bay one of the most popular beaches. Its long sandy beach is ideal for chilling out and the people and atmosphere is usually top-notch.



Chanonry Point/Fort George - Chanonry Point is one of the most popular on-shore locations in Scotland for viewing Dolphins. No camera or binoculars are necessary as the dolphins can be seen from close quarters as they fish and play just off Chanonry Point. Visitors also have the opportunity to visit Chanonry Point and Fort George (an 18th century Fortress with one of the mightiest artillery fortifications in Europe which open to visitors and remains unaltered and in continuous use).

The People’s Palace - The People’s Palace is a historic palace which tells the story of Glasgow through a vast collection of historic artefacts, paintings, prints, photographs, films and interactive computer displays, providing an educational as well as an interesting and engaging experience for the whole family. This attraction will provide everyone with great insight into how Glaswegian society has evolved over the years. Visitors are also welcomes to wader among the exotic winter gardens.


Castles - Scotland is famous for its many castles, scattered across the country, and they remain some of the country’s main family attractions. Adults can enjoy the architecture and the insightful guided tours, while kids enjoy the high walkways, passages and the fantasy of knights in shining armours and princesses. There are quite a few to choose from, some of the best including Stirling Castle, Dunrobin Castle, Kelburn Castle and Cawdor Castle.

Most visitors to Scotland arrive in one of its four international airport; Edinburgh, Glasgow, Glasgow Prestwick and Aberdeen. Unless you are staying in one or two of the main cities, public transport is limited and limiting. Visitors can pre-book car hire from their destination airport for the duration of their holiday (try major car hire brands like www.budget.co.uk, for example). Even if the kids require more engaging forms of entertainment, the opportunity to spend some time driving through beautiful landscapes is an opportunity not to be missed.

As usual thanks to wikiMedia for the photos.

The world’s top 10 most beautiful beaches

A guest post brought to you by David from the team at travelsupermarket.com, a price comparison site which compares prices on hotels, flights, holidays and car hire.



Oludeniz Beach, Turkey



The beautiful Oludeniz Beach is undoubtedly one of the most photographed beaches on the Mediterranean and it’s clear to see why. Known as the Turquoise Coast due to the stunning blue and aquamarine shades of water, the crystal clear sea is perfect for swimming in. Many water sports activities take place on the beach including scuba diving, water skiing, canoeing and banana boating. The most popular activity however is paragliding with many visitors taking to the skies to take in the spectacular views from 2,000 metres above the sea and beach.







Whitehaven Beach, Australia



There were plenty of Australian beaches that were candidates to make this list but due to its sheer beauty it’s Whitehaven Beach that has to be included. This picture-postcard beach is very special and not just for obvious reasons like the gorgeous fine, white sand which is 98% pure silica giving it its bright white colour or the warm, clear, azure waters which are perfect for swimming in. What really makes this beach stand out is the surrounding tropical forest and various islands dotted around in the distance.







Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles



Anse Source d’Argent in the Seychelles is without a doubt one of the most stunning beaches in the world. The perfect exotic beach is the ideal tropical escape and the beautiful coastline is a series of soft pink sand beaches, turquoise lagoons and colourful corals. Other stand out features of the beach are the rounded granite boulders and palm trees which make the beach feel even more tropical. The water is invitingly warm and makes the Anse Source d’Argent a popular destination with couples and families alike.







Fernando De Noronha, Brazil



Some 200 miles plus off Natal on Brazil’s north-eastern coast is Fernando De Noronha, an archipelago of 21 islands and islets in the Atlantic Ocean. Despite the fact that Fernando De Noronha isn’t a single beach, it had to be included on the list because of its natural beauty and stunning surroundings. What makes this area so special is that there are so few tourists on these islands,

meaning that those that do visit Fernando De Noronha are often left alone in paradise. The clarity and warmth of the water and the abundant underwater life means that these islands are also popular with divers and snorkelers. As well as fish, dolphins, sea turtles and sharks there is a Brazilian warship, which sank in 1987 and is lying in pristine condition at around 60 metres deep.







Matira Beach, Bora Bora



Widely recognised as the most beautiful lagoon in the world, Matira Beach is one of the few accessible beaches in Bora Bora. Perfect for activities like swimming and snorkelling, the water is warm, crystal clear and extremely calm. The beach is free from large groups of tourists but should anyone be looking for even more peace there are even more isolated beaches nearby. From the white sand beach you’ll likely see dolphins out in the ocean which is a spectacular sight.







Maroma Beach, Mexico



A beautifully romantic beach which is situated on the Yucatan Peninsula coastline in Mexico, Maroma beach is blissfully peaceful despite being only 30 miles away from the hustle and bustle of Cancun. The pristine white sands, crystal-clear waters and warm tropical breezes have helped establish Maroma Beach’s reputation as somewhat of a paradise. Regularly nominated as one of the top 10 beaches in the world, the amazing landscape, vast expanse of uninterrupted pure white sandy beaches and the attractive green tropical foliage has helped Maroma Beach establish itself as one of the finest beaches on the planet. On top off all this there’s the Cozumel reef which is the world’s second largest barrier. Located just off the Maroma beach, it is a famous deep sea diving spot which also allows visitors to swim with dolphins.







Pink Sands, Harbour Island, Bahamas



Pink Sands Beach ticks all the boxes required to be considered a fantastic beach. It certainly has the beautiful soft sand, the warm clear water and the fantastic weather. There’s another unique feature however which helps this beach stand out from the crowd. The clue as to what this might be is in the name of the beach. Pinks Sands beach is known as such because it has, as you’ve probably guessed, pink sand! Attracting tourists from all over the world, the colour of Pink Sands Beach comes

from the reddish shells of microscopic coral insects called Foraminifera. When these insects die, they leave behind their shells which are then crushed by the waves and brought to the shore to mix in with the sand. The result of this is the pink sand which covers the Pink Sands Beach.







Kondoi Beach, Japan



Taketomi Island is an island just off the coast of Ishigaki Island and is home to one of the world’s best beaches. With its emerald green water, white sand and warm water that is ideal for swimming in, Kondoi beach is undoubtedly one of the finest beaches in not just Asia but the world. Nearby are grassy, shaded picnic areas which are great if you want to get out of the sun for a bit.







Sinclair’s Bay, Scotland



When you think of beautiful beaches you probably don’t think of Scotland. However, when the sun comes out on Sinclair’s Bay it has the look of a Caribbean beach with a very Scottish twist! At either end of the four mile arc of white sand are the ruins of 16th Century castles. Home to a spectacular array of wildlife including plovers, dunlins, porpoises and orca, there’s plenty to take in when you visit and the best way to see all of the beach is on horseback.







Lanikai Beach, Hawaii



Like Australia, there were plenty of candidates from Hawaii but Lanikai Beach is probably the best of the Hawaiian contenders. The name Lanikai means ‘heavenly sea’ in the Hawaiian language and it’s certainly a fitting name for this beach. With warm clear water and a fine white sand beach, the beach is popular with locals and tourists alike. Located on Oahu's Windward coast, anyone in the area should be sure to check out this stunning beach and its beautiful surrounding areas.







Once more a big thank you David and hope to have you writing here again soon!