Scotsman.com News - Sir Walter Scott joins Da Vinci Code trail

Today the film "The Da Vinci Code" opens, and in this connection the Scotsman newspaper published this item telling us that the home of the famous Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott, Abbotsford (Galashiels, near Melrose and Selkirk in the Borders region of Southern Scotland) has now joined the trail of Da Vinci Code fans and conspirational theorists - because the library ceiling there is a copy of (relatively) nearby Rosslyn Chapel, in which the story culminates.

Because of the library design, and references in his works to the Knights Templar and "caskets" (two of the clues in Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code book and the film with Tom Hanks), many fans are convinced of the link between the creator of the historical novel genre and the Holy Grail. The administrators of Abbotsford have examined the idea, but they conclude that there is no evidence to justify the speculation.

Nevertheless, as the the great writer's home has been in danger of being closed owing to low visitor numbers and a corresponding lack of funding (a donation of £10 million has apparently been sought), they are perfectly happy to welcome fans of the Da Vinci Code who make the short trip from Rosslyn on their pilgrimage through France, England and Scotland to all things connected - however tenuously - with the theory it contains and the locations where the film was made. By the way, at the Scotsman website you can watch a series of five video podcasts about Rosslyn Chapel.
Scotsman.com News - Sir Walter Scott joins Da Vinci Code trail

Galloway Garden Festival

If you are within driving distance of Southwest Scotland this coming weekend, and are into gardens and gardening, you might want to check out the annual Galloway Garden Festival at Lochinch Castle (home of the Earl of Stair) near Stranraer. It runs from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday (20th) and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday (21st). Check out the calendar at Dumfries and Galloway Info for more details and a link to the festival website (under "More Information").
Galloway Garden Festival

Scotsman.com News - Scotland's holiday industry - Boom for online tourism as bookings soar by 76%

Online is obviously the way to go in Scottish tourism!

Tourism in Scotland is increasingly profiting from the internet, as the article below in The Scotsman shows. Nevertheless, not all operators in Scotland are happy with the set up of the private booking company working on behalf of and under the name of Visit Scotland. For example ADGAP, the Association of Dumfries and Galloway Accommodation Providers has set up its own website because its members feel the "official" site does not serve either the providers nor the visitors nearly as well as it could, but mainly serves its own bottom line!
Scotsman.com News - Scotland's holiday industry - Boom for online tourism as bookings soar by 76%

Hello and Welcome to Scotland Secrets

Welcome to the Scotland Secrets blog. Every few days or so we'll be updating the content here, so check back often.

Best wishes,
Paul D. Chilvers-Grierson
Scotand Secrets