A New Beginning

Editor Marcin Miller welcomes you.

What does Scotland mean to you? Countryside and castles? History and heritage? Golf and fishing? Or even whisky and haggis? Of course, Scotland is all these things. But it is also a country which, through its cultural reach, has a global significance that far exceeds its geographical size. That a nation of some five million has made, and continues to make such an impression on the world stage is remarkable. To put it into perspective, that's about half the population of Belgium and, as the popular bar game has it, can you name 10 famous Belgians?

Equally remarkable is the breadth of achievement: from engineering to literature via medicine to, the true zeitgeist of modern culture, Hollywood, Scotland has exerted considerable influence. Scotland Magazine intends to reflect and celebrate all these aspects with the objectivity that is only possible by being published outside Scotland.

Perhaps the best way to illustrate the objectives of the magazine is to tell you what you will find in this issue. Scotland Magazine's Contributing Editor, Roddy Martine, will write a regular column and starts off with a piece on genealogy and the ambitious www.ancestralscotland.com initiative. We will feature a regular news section and pages highlighting antiques and property. This issue has an article by Elizabeth Walton on hawking, accompanied by some stunning photography from Glyn Satterley, and begins a series of features on outdoor Scotland. We will profile a famous Scot, either a historical or a contemporary figure, in every issue and we begin with Charles Rennie Mackintosh, whose influence on Glasgow and design is clearly visible today.

Mackintosh left his mark on Glasgow and it is the second city of the (Victorian) Empire that is the subject of our first regional focus. These supplements are intended to give an unbiased and up-to-date report of what to do, where to go and what to see in the cities or regions we explore. Scotland Magazine will do the legwork for you. Tom Bruce-Gardyne gives an account of the city's fascinating history which is followed by our guide to the best of Glasgow. We have also spoken to Glasgow's two chef-patrons of international repute, Nick Nairn and Gordon Ramsay, to find out why the city means so much to them.

We go behind the scenes at Dunvegan Castle on the beautiful Isle of Skye, look at the joys of game fishing in Scotland and the best places to swing a club. James Irvine Robertson, noted historian and novelist, takes us back to the Scotland of the Roman Empire. Kate Patrick looks at Edinburgh's best-known jewellers, Hamilton &Inches and we find out just what it is that makes Macsween's haggis so special.

The Scots have been responsible for the invention and discovery of many everyday items. Each issue will try to inform, entertain or even surprise you with one of these.

Finally, the tastings will act as a buying guide when purchasing Scottish goods or products: this issue a panel of 11 tasters work their way through 10 smoked salmon. If Scotland Magazine encourages you to visit Scotland or to buy something Scottish-made it will have fulfilled its objectives. Whether you are Scottish, of Scottish descent or simply love Scotland, this magazine is for you: it will develop and grow. Let us know what you think.

By Marcin Miller

Section : From the Editor

Page number : 3