Need help from the Scottish members...

[pteron]

Hi all,

my wife is Canadian but of Scottish decent (Hugenots -> Nugent, clearances, clan MacKay)

I'd like to surprise her with a weekend visit to the Highlands, preferably to an area associated with her ancesters. I need help finding the right place - ideally a small family run, secluded, romantic hotel near stunning scenery, mountains, lochs etc, if it has horse riding available even better.

Can anyone recommend such a place?

Andy

 

[sandbender]

Not sure about a specific area link to Clan Mackay but I'd recommend the Airds Hotel at Port Appin.

http://www.airds-hotel.com/

And horse riding is available...

For a map, go here...

http://maps.google.co.uk/

And type

PA38 4DF

into the search box.

 

[george]

I'd recommend here http://www.applecross.uk.com/inn/but then I always do 'cos I live here.

George

 

[ilovemybed]

I believe the MacKays are from Caithness - the main town there is Wick. It's really far north though so expect a trek to get there. I expect your best bet is to fly to Inverness and drive the rest, depending on where you're coming from. I think you can get flights into Wick or Thurso but they won't be cheap.

There's plenty on the web about the MacKays - there will probably be a society website and everything.

Hope that helps,

Neil

 

[pteron]

Many thanks guys, I shall take a look at the suggestions.

 

[outdoorgirl]

Hi! I can't help you with references for the Highlands, but thought I would give a loud 'halloo' to a long distance cousin - I was born a 'Nugent'!

Funny though, for some reason I recall being told something about the Farquarson (sp?) clan, not the Mackay...?

 

[pteron]

I'll say hi for you!

Can't comment on the Farquharson/Mackay stuff, I'm just going by what she told me

 

[ilovemybed]

Can someone please cure my ignorance?
What does this mean?

(Hugenots -> Nugent, clearances, clan MacKay)

I know about the clearances (well, a wee bit...) but what's the significance of Nugent/Hugenots? Is it something to do with Calvinism?

Cheers,
Neil

 

[Angus Og]

Have look at the link below.

http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/m/mackay.html

A map of Scottish clans. This is a big map nearly 6MB

http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/geog/clanmap_150.jpg

 

[pteron]

Can someone please cure my ignorance?
What does this mean?

I know about the clearances (well, a wee bit...) but what's the significance of Nugent/Hugenots? Is it something to do with Calvinism?

Cheers,
Neil

Neil, the Hugenots were effectively driven out of mainland Europe and many of them fled to Scotland. The surname became Nugent.

 

[ilovemybed]

Neil, the Hugenots were effectively driven out of mainland Europe and many of them fled to Scotland. The surname became Nugent.

Oh, I see. Thanks!

 

[Beer Monster]

Have look at the link below.

http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/m/mackay.html

A map of Scottish clans. This is a big map nearly 6MB

http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/geog/clanmap_150.jpg

Having had a look at that map I see that Sandwood Bay is covered by the Mackay Clan. Sandwood Bay was recently voted Britain’s most romantic beach!

It's a bit of a walk (4/5 miles) into it but it's worth it and the distance puts most people off so they don't bother ........ which means you may have the place to yourself! Kinlochbervie is the nearest village but I don't know of any Hotels or B&Bs (I've always camped). I think Durness is within striking distance (can someone confirm?) so you could even stay at the Mackays Hotel (4 star)!!