The Belchentunnel is 3.2 Km long and was built in the 1960’s for the N2 motorway to pass beneath the high ground between Eptingen in Basel-Country and Hägendorf in Solothurn.  Read More »

Three miles from Devil’s Bridge is the 19th century Ysbyty Cynfyn Church, which stands in the remains of a stone circle. Two of the stones now act as posts for the gate leading into the churchyard. Another two are set into the church wall itself. The tallest of the stones is in the North of the churchyard and stands 3.4m high.  Read More »

Another important historical building standing in Stirling’s old town is the Church of the Holy Rood. Its name has the same derivative as Holyrood in Edinburgh: Rood means cross, and in this case derives from an altar founded by Robert II in the late 14th century.  Read More »

In the village of Whixley is a large house that once belonged to the Tancred family. The last heir to this family stated in his Will that he was not to be buried underground and instead that he was to be interred in the family home, which he was. His coffin became a point of local interest and speculation arose that his ghost must haunt the house, though there is no evidence of this.  Read More »

Mysterious Britain & Ireland is happy to feature work from a number of talented contributors. When we were contacted by Andy Paciorek, a graphic artist who draws much of his inspiration from folklore and myths we were thrilled to hear that he wanted to contribute some of his fantastic pieces of work.  Read More »

Stirling’s Old Town is situated on high ground that leads up to the castle, in an area that has been inhabited from prehistoric times. This small locale is packed with sites of historical interest and intrigue. A good base is the Youth Hostel right next to the jail which incorporates part of a historical church in its façade.  Read More »

Between Uniondale and Willowmore, in the semi-desert area of the Karoo there is a very well known story about a phantom hitchhiking girl called Maria. On 12th April 1968 there was a car accident on the N9 road to Willowmore, near the town of Uniondale. The car, a Volkswagen Beetle, was occupied by a young off duty Air Force Lieutenant and his fiancé who was asleep on the back seat.  Read More »

Neidpath Castle is one of the stronger positioned Peel Towers or fortified Tower Houses that are dotted around the border lands, testimony to the troublesome period of Border skirmishing and lawlessness in the 14th-17th Century. The castle sits on a firm defensive position surmounting a rocky crag overlooking the River Tweed.  Read More »