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Scotland Magazine author Charles DouglasMagical MenziesCharles Douglas visits Castle Menzies in the Valley of the Tay. As you drive along the picturesque B846 from Aberfeldy heading towards Loch Tay, you cannot fail to notice Castle Menzies. It stands defiantly against a backdrop of dark hills close to the village of Weem, a striking symbol of a oncepowerful Highland clan. And it is certainly well worth turning into... Historic Houses from Issue 40 published on 15/08/2008 Exhibition for a changing nationCharles Douglas looks in on the museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. It is now 10 years since the Museum of Scotland, the core of the National Museums of Scotland, first opened its doors. Built in 1988 to complement its next door neighbour, the Royal Museum of Scotland which is currently closed for a major refurbishment, the Museum of Scotland on its corner site of ... Scotland Galleries from Issue 40 published on 15/08/2008 Leod and clearCharles Douglas visits Castle Leod, near Strathpeffer, headquarters of the Clan Mackenzie From its name you might imagine Castle Leod to be associated with Clan Macleod and you would not be wrong, although it is today the ancestral seat of the Mackenzie earls of Cromartie, and has been for almost four centuries. Occupying a magnificent setting below Ben Wyvis and overlooking the Cromart... Scotland Houses from Issue 39 published on 23/06/2008 Dundee contemporary artsCharles Douglas looks in on Dundee's thriving arts centre The concept for a multi-purpose visual arts centre in the City of Dundee was under discussion for almost a decade before it became a reality in 1999. At the time, Dundee’s city fathers were looking to regenerate a district that had been historically been in decline. Part of their thinking, of cours... Scotland Galleries from Issue 39 published on 23/06/2008 Bute's gothic palaceOf all of the early dynasties who dominated Scotland from the 12th century onwards, the Stewarts were the most successful and most resilient. Walter Fitz Alan was among the Norman noblemen who accompanied David I on his return from England to Scotland in 1124, whereupon he was appointed High Stewar... Scotland Houses from Issue 38 published on 11/04/2008 Scotland's showpieceCharles Douglas visits Castle Fraser, near Inveruie in Aberdeenshire Castle Fraser, in the Grampian Region, is one of Scotland’s showpiece castles, and yet another memorable treasure in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. Long ago the land here was acquired by the Frasers or “Frizels” of Muchal-in-Mar, more usually known as Muchalls, a great Norman/Scottish... Scotland Houses from Issue 37 published on 20/03/2008 The world loves a thaneCharles Douglas visits Cawdor Castle in Nairn, magnificent home of the Thanes of Cawdor. This castle has a pleasant seat; the air Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself Unto our gentle senses.” So wrote William Shakespeare in what has come to be known as The Scottish Play. And what better promotional source could one have for a visitor attraction? In some ways, however, the overtly drama... Scotland Houses from Issue 36 published on 14/12/2007 600 years of historyCharles Douglas visits Brodick Castle on the Isle of Arran, home of the Dukes of Hamilton The island of Arran is the most southerly of Scotland’s inhabited islands and sits in the Firth of Clyde between Ayrshire and Kintyre. So the first thing you have to do before planning a day visit to Brodick Castle is to check out the ferry times from Ardrossan. Better still, make it an overnight st... Scotland Houses from Issue 34 published on 30/08/2007 Fit for a queenCharles Douglas visits The Castle of Mey in Caithness, beloved holiday home of the late Queen Mother Although the Castle of Mey on Scotland’s northern coast will forever be associated with Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, its provenance reaches far back into the past. Built between 1566 and 1572, it was erected as a stronghold for George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness, one of a string of castles... Historic Houses from Issue 33 published on 22/06/2007 Bonnie on the Clyde (Kelburn Castle)Charles Douglas visits Kelburn Castle in Fairlie, Ayrshire, the seat of the Earl of Glasgow In common with most of Scotland’s great families of Norman origin, the de Boyvilles, having been part of William the Conqueror’s invasion of England in 1066, came to Scotland in the 12th century to serve that most enlightened of Scottish kings, David I, whose sister was married to Henry I of England... Historic Houses from Issue 32 published on 13/04/2007 A private palaceCharles Douglas visits Falkland Palace in Fife, former home to the Stuart kings as well as a peculiar form of tennis The Royal House of Stuart took possession of the estate of Falkland and its earldom in 1371, when the last Countess of Fife made it over to her brother-in-law Robert Stuart, Duke of Albany, brother of Robert III. In 1402, David, Duke of Rothesay, heir to Robert III, died mysteriously while staying ... Historic Houses from Issue 31 published on 16/02/2007 The Broughton GalleryIn the latest of our series on Scotland’s galleries and museums, Charles Douglas visits a very special art gallery in the Borders Visitors to Scotland have a habit of by-passing some of the great treasures of the Lowlands, such as the small and picturesque village of Broughton, close to the source of the great River Tweed in the hills of Upper Tweeddale, south of Peeblesshire. A quiet place, it seems to me, the ideal spot to ... Scotland Museums from Issue 31 published on 16/02/2007 Banchory’s hidden gem (Crathes Castle)Crathes Castle is a 16th century castle in Scotland’s Grampian region. Charles Douglas visited it Situated 14 miles south of Aberdeen is Crathes Castle, the oldest part dating from 1583. Now within the portfolio of the National Trust for Scotland, it ranks as one the five so-called Castles of Mar – Craigievar, Drum, Fraser, Fyvie and Crathes – each a unique reminder of the ancient feudal life of... Historic Houses from Issue 30 published on 01/12/2006 The castle in the cow pastureThis issue Charles Douglas visits Ballindalloch Castle in Banffshire Ballindalloch Castle in the fertile Spey Valley west of Aberdeen has, during the centuries, earned itself the title of the “Pearl of the North.” But it was not always so. The original tower house was built in the 16th century for defence. The exact date is unknown, but the date 1546 is carved into ... Historic Houses from Issue 29 published on 25/10/2006 A beautifully preserved family seatCharles Douglas travels to Mellerstain, near Kelso, home to the Earl of Haddington It is widely acknowledged that the library at Mellerstain House, at Gordon in Roxburghshire, is the finest surviving example of the work of that great Scottish architect Robert Adam. It contains one of the best of his decorated ceilings in the original colours from the 18th century – mauves, greens... Historic Houses from Issue 28 published on 20/09/2006 Break for the BordersCharles Douglas investigates Scotland’s historic Border country The definition Scottish Borders is misleading since not all of the counties encompassed within its boundaries ajoin England. With its headquarters at Newtown St Boswell, the region today incorporates the former districts of Berwickshire, Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale and Tweedale, thereby encomp... Regional Focus from Issue 28 published on 20/09/2006 The Borders - What to do, Where to Stay, Where to EatThe definition Scottish Borders is misleading since not all of the counties encompassed within its boundaries a join England. How to get there BY AIR There are a wide range of national and international flights to and from Edinburgh Airport which is no more than an hours drive from the Borders heartland www.edinburghairport.com BY CAR A number of reputable car hire firms are available from the airport and major railwa... Regional Focus from Issue 28 published on 20/09/2006 Royalty's sporting headquartersCharles Douglas visits Traquair House which, it is sometimes claimed, is the oldest inhabited house in Scotland The lands of Traquair were once part of a royal hunting forest and, over the centuries, Traquair House has played host to 27 kings on sporting excursions into the rich forests of Ettrick and Lauderdale. Long ago, there were bears, wild cats, wolves and boars in large quantities to be found. Althoug... Historic Houses from Issue 27 published on 09/06/2006 Worth exploringThis issue Charles Douglas visits Newbattle Abbey, in Midlothian Some years ago, I visited the late 12th Marquess of Lothian at Ferniehirst Castle, his home at Jedburgh, close to the Scottish border. On the walls of this ancient family keep, which he and his wife were in the process of restoring, I noticed some paintings and was told that they had originated fro... Historic Houses from Issue 26 published on 21/04/2006 Magic on MullCharles Douglas visits Torosay Castle on the Island of Mull It provides an absorbing day-trip by ferry from the Argyllshire coastal town of Oban and back, but the attractions of the West Coast island of Mull deserve more time, if you can spare it. Caledonian MacBrayne runs a 40 minute service from Oban to Craignure on Mull’s northern shore, and from here roa... Historic Houses from Issue 25 published on 17/02/2006 House on the hillCharles Douglas visits Hill Houser, Helensburgh, a house purpose-built for a lover of ‘the plain style’ IT sits on a hill enjoying views of the Firth of Clyde and the west coast town of Helensburgh, hence its name ‘The Hill House.’ The site is situated north west of Glasgow, and it was here that the prosperous publisher Walter Blackie purchased the plot in 1902 and commissioned the controversial 33-ye... Historic Houses from Issue 24 published on 05/01/2006 Protecting historyCharles Douglas visits Bowhill, near Selkirk, the Scottish Borders home of the Duke of Buccleuch & Queensberry. AS the owner of no less than four spectacular and historic houses, the 9th Duke of Buccleuch and 11th Duke of Queensberry, must, on occasion, become confused as to where he is. Each year he divides his time between Boughton, known as ‘the English Versailles,’ in Northamptonshire; Drumlanrig Castle,... Historic Houses from Issue 23 published on 14/10/2005 Home of the famous ThaneCharles Douglas visits Glamis Castle, home of the earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne The other day I met this year’s winner of the Man Booker International Prize, an Albanian of the name of Ismail Kadare, who informed me that he had come to Scotland to visit Macbeth’s castle. I scratched my head, wondering if he met Cawdor Castle, on the Moray Firth, but he said no. He was on his wa... Historic Houses from Issue 22 published on 10/08/2005 Treasure troveCharles Douglas visits Dalmeny House near South Queensferry Some may consider it an unlikely surname for Scotland, but the family name of Primrose originates from the lands of Primrose in Dunfermline, in the Kingdom of Fife, occurring first in a mid-12th century charter. An early ancestor was Jonne Prymros, a stone mason, who in 1387 was contracted to work ... Historic Houses from Issue 21 published on 10/07/2005 Black pearlDuart Castle on the Isle of Mull is well sited as a defensive fortress. Charles Douglas reports The fortress looms, dark and formidable, a sentinel guarding the waterways between the Hebridean island of Mull, mainland Scotland, and the neck of the Firth of Lorne. Long, long ago, Norse and Viking longships relentlessly raided this coastline, taking no captives. The location for Duart Castle wa... Historic Houses from Issue 20 published on 10/04/2005 Brodie’s prime siteCharles Douglas visits the seat of the Brodie family, Brodie Castle at Forres in Moray The Brodies of Moray are believed to have been one of the original Celtic tribes rewarded with lands by King Malcolm IV of Scotland in the 12th century. The name, originally “Brothie”, meaning “people of the ditch or mire,” became “Brodie” in the 16th century, and it is thought that the ditch which... Historic Houses from Issue 19 published on 20/3/2005 Queensbury's jewelsCharles Douglas visits Drumlanrig, in Dumfriesshire The view from the hill is of rolling Dumfriesshire hills surrounding a plateau upon which sits a magnificent, quadrangular castle built of pink sandstone. Steeped in romance, this is Drumlanrig, home of the ninth Duke of Buccleuch and 11th Duke of Queensberry. Surrounded by the 120,000 acre Buccleu... Historic Houses from Issue 18 published on 8/1/2005 Reminder of a golden ageCharles Douglas visits the lavish Paxton House in Berwickshire The latter part of the 18th century was a golden age for many people living in the south of Scotland. Money for some was plentiful, and there were those prepared to spend it. This period saw the building of Edinburgh’s glorious New Town, and a number of families of wealth and position (north and so... Historic Houses from Issue 17 published on 29/11/2004 A border castle packed with surprisesCharles Douglas visits Thirlestane in the Scottish Borders The Maitland Family has been established in the Scottish Borders for centuries. William Maitland was secretary to Mary Queen of Scots, and his brother became Lord Chancellor of Scotland and 1st Baron Thirlestane. It was the Lord Chancellor in the 1580s who built his castle on the old Lauder Fort whi... Historic Houses from Issue 16 published on 15/9/2004 A special house of hope and gloryCharles Douglas visits the oft-ignored Hopetoun House, just north of Edinburgh As the most spectacular William Adam mansion in Scotland, Hopetoun House has set the pace for Scottish stately homes since it first opened to the public more than 45 years ago. Located near Edinburgh, at South Queensferry, within view of the great rail and road bridges of the Firth of Forth, this m... Historic Houses from Issue 15 published on 18/7/2004 A touch of madnessCharles Douglas visits Haddo House, home to some colourful people Haddo House is a magnificent 18th century palladian mansion designed in the north east of Scotland by the architect William Adam for William Gordon, 2nd Earl of Aberdeen. It was built on the site of the Gordon family’s former tower house, Kellie Castle, and was the marvel of its time, although in th... Historic Houses from Issue 14 published on 2/5/2004 At the heart of Scottish historyScone Palace has a long link to Scottish monarchy. Charles Douglas reports The name of Scone resonates in Scotland’s history, associated as it is with the Stone of Destiny upon which monarchs in Scotland and England have been crowned for more than 1000 years. It was to Scone that the stone was brought in the ninth century by King Kenneth McAlpin, who had conquered the Pic... Historic Houses from Issue 13 published on 25/3/2004 Floors CastleFloors Castle is dramatic and spectacular. Charles Douglas explains why and takes us on a tour Floors Castle is one of the wildly dramatic flights of fancy which consolidated the reputation of William Playfair, architect of so many of Scotland’s more spectacular 18th century buildings. In fact, when the house was begun in 1721, that other great Scottish architect William Adam had drawn up pl... Historic Houses from Issue 11 published on 17/11/2003 A rocky road to romanceCHARLES DOUGLAS LOOKS AT HOW LENNOXLOVE SURVIVED TURBULENT The very name resounds with romance, but it was not always so. Historians know this place as Lethington, the tower house allegedly built as long ago as the 12th century and acquired in 1345 by the Maitland family of Thirlestane Castle, near Lauder. But before John Maitland, 1st Earl of Lauderdale, ... Historic Houses from Issue 10 published on 5/9/2003 Fairytale SplendourCHARLES DOUGLAS EXPLORES THE SPLENDID AND BEAUTIFUL RESIDENCE Since the 18th century, the Sutherlands of Dunrobin Castle, near Golspie, have had a bad press. But that does not mean to say that they have largely deserved it. Unfortunately, memories in the Highlands are long, and the spectre of the Land Clearances of the 19th century, when tenant crofters were f... Historic Houses from Issue 9 published on 20/7/2003 Modern masterpieceCHARLES DOUGLAS VISITS SCOTLAND’S CLASSIC EDWARDIAN COUNTRY HOUSE: MANDERSTON Manderston’s appearance in Hollywood films (The House of Mirth) and on television (The Edwardian Country House/Manor House in the USA) has brought it celebrity exposure, but being located in the Scottish borders county of Berwickshire, off the direct tourist routes, it is often passed by. This is a ... Historic Houses from Issue 8 published on 17/5/2003 A Rich HeritageCHARLES DOUGLAS ADMIRES THE ECLECTIC ELEGANCE OF INVERARAY CASTLE, HOME TO THE CAMPBELLS OF ARGYLL FOR 600 YEARS The name of Campbell inspires many emotions in the Scottish psyche, but much of this has been brought about by a deliberate misinterpretation of historic fact. It is certainly hard to forgive Clan Campbell for what they did to the unfortunate Lamonts of Toward Castle and Ascog Castle during the 17th... Historic Houses from Issue 7 published on 7/3/2003 Having it allCHARLES DOUGLAS LOOKS INTO THE RECENT HISTORY OF SKIBO CASTLE AND THE EXCLUSIVE CARNEGIE CLUB WITH ITS RENOWNED GOLF LINKS It is the classic rags to riches story of all time. The Dunfermline weaver’s son returning triumphant to Scotland from America, where at the age of 13 he had started as a bobbin boy in a cotton factory in Pittsburgh. He was now a steel magnate and the richest man in the world, and he wanted to buy ... Scottish Luxury from Issue 6 published on 6/2/2003 The Edinburgh Military TattooFIND OUT WHAT MAKES THE ANNUAL TATTOO SUCH AN EXCITING, VIBRANT AND For fifty-two years the Edinburgh Tattoo has thrilled and dazzled visitors to Scotland’s capital, not to mention the Scots who loyally turn out every August with their families to watch the spectacle. Yet this extraordinary event, which this year sold out before it had even started, all began with... Scottish Events from Issue 5 published on 4/11/2002 The Great EscapeCharles Douglas gets away from it all For those in search of an escape from the big city pressures of modern life, the Scottish countryside beckons. The climate, often featuring four seasons in a day, may not always be what you had hoped for, but this is off-set by spectacular scenery, open skies and the opportunity to do exactly as y... Scottish Hotels from Issue 4 published on 9/9/2002 The palace of HolyroodhouseThrough the years, so many turbulent events have taken place within its walls... Charles Douglas visits Scotland's very own royal residence There are many fine and romantic castles in Scotland, but there is nowhere quite like the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It may not be the grandest of Europe’s Royal residences, but what makes Holyrood so special is that very same atmosphere of gloominess which confronted the 19-year-old Mary Stuart when... Historic Houses from Issue 3 published on 5/7/2002 Monarchs of the GlenThe British monarchy is whee it isbecause of its Scottish roots. A look back in time by Charles Douglas What is so often forgotten amid all the myths and misinformation that surrounds the British Monarchy is that the Royal House of Windsor, which currently occupies the throne of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, is there because of its Scottish credentials. This came about chi... Royal History from Issue 3 published on 5/7/2002 Jewel in the crown - Culzean CastleOne of Robert Adam's finest creations, Culzean is a historic monument with much more up its sleeve than a pretty face and nice gardens Magnificent and spectacular, the great castle of Culzean presides in clifftop majesty over the waters of the Firth of Clyde on the south-west coast of Scotland. Built in the late 18th century by the architect Robert Adam for the 10th Earl of Cassilis, this most splendid of Scottish dwellings occupie... Historic Houses from Issue 2 published on 5/6/2002 Great Scottish castlesScotland has the most romantic landscapes, a feature heightened by some of Europe's finest castles. Here are 21 impressive examples Edinburgh Castle Midlothian Perched high above the capital, there has been a castle on a rock here for over 1,000 years. It was King Malcolm Canmore’s widow, Saint Margaret, who built the stone chapel here in the 11th century. Every occupant has made changes and additions culminating in today’s mi... Scottish Castles from Issue 2 published on 5/6/2002 Dunvegan Castle, Isle of SkyeCharles Douglas takes a trip to picturesque Skye to take in 800 years of history at the MacLeod ancestral home - Dunvegan. Skye is perhaps best known for the fleeting visit of Prince Charles Edward Stuart in 1746, but it is also an island of contrasts with a busy infrastructure and a thriving tourist industry. And foremost among its visitor attractions is Dunvegan Castle, the ancient stronghold of the Chiefs of Clan Mac... Historic Houses from Issue 1 published on 5/3/2002 |  | ||||||||||||
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