Contents
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One of the greatest challenges facing the Scottish hospitality industry is getting the balance right between all those quaint and traditional things that the overseas tourist visits the country for, and the demands of the modern traveller.
One of the greatest challenges facing the Scottish hospitality industry is getting the balance right between all those quaint and traditional things that the overseas tourist visits the country for, a...
By Dominic Roskrow in the section
From the Editor
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Back in 1975, when I was editor of a Scottish business journal, I interviewed Stephen Salter of the department of mechanical engineering at Edinburgh University.
Back in 1975, when I was editor of a Scottish business journal, I interviewed Stephen Salter of the department of mechanical engineering at Edinburgh University.
Professor Salter had recently develop...
By Roddy Martine in the section
Roddy Martine's World
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New York’s glitterati are set to turn out in force for April’s Icons of Scotland Award, staged by Scotland Magazine.
New York’s glitterati are set to turn out in force for April’s Icons of Scotland Award, staged by Scotland Magazine.
The Icons of Scotland Awards, to be held at the Starlight Roof, Waldorf Astoria on...
By Dominic Roskrow in the section
Scottish Events
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Sally Toms takes a look at this issues book revies.
The Scots Kitchen
This is much more than a collection of recipes, it is a book that celebrates the craft and tradition of Scottish cooking. First published in 1929 (don’t be fooled by the modern cover...
By Sally Toms in the section
Scotland Reviews
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IN OUR LAST ISSUE WE DEFENDED SCOTS HOTEL STAFF AGAINST THE CHARGE OF BEING DOUR AND RUDE. WE GOT A RECORD MAILBOX. HERE’S PART OF IT
After reading your comments in the March 2005 issue I felt I had to comment. You are absolutely correct. Scottish hoteliers are the kindest people in the business. As Americans, we spent a wonderful t...
By Dominic Roskrow in the section
Letters to the Editor
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Charles 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 “peopl...
By Charles Douglas in the section
Historic Houses
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This issue theatre great Sir Cameron Mackintosh chooses his favourite place. Main text and pictures by Andy Hall
I had the privilege of meeting Sir Cameron in Edinburgh for the last night of his production of Miss Saigon and it was then that I fully appreciated the strength of his affinity and affection for the ...
By Andy Hall in the section
Scenic Scotland
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When is a castle not a castle? John Hannavy looks at some buildings that don’t qualify as castles but aren’t far off.
For this, the last, of my journeys around the castles of Scotland, I have been much further north than before – the most northerly location this time is Kirkwall, capital of Orkney, while the most sou...
By John Hannavy in the section
Scottish Castles
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Cattle droving was a core part of Highland life and drovers lived a tough and hardy lifestyle. James Irvine Robertson reports
For centuries cattle were the only product of the Highlands that anybody wanted and the only product that generated cash.
The animals were the ancestors of today’s Highland cattle, but much smaller. ...
By James Irvine Robertson in the section
Scottish History
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The chequered skipper butterfly is very rare. But your chances of seeing one improve in the Fort William area. Graham Holliday reports
The small chequered skipper butterfly is one of Britain’s rarer butterflies.
Numbers took a steep dive in the 1960s and the species finally became extinct from the damp woodlands of the English Midla...
By Graham Holiday in the section
Scottish Wildlife
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The link between Scotland and Ireland is a strong one, never more so than with Ulster. David Gordan looks at the association and its implications worldwide.
The Scots-Irish or Ulster Scots. Whatever name you choose, more than 27 million Americans claim their roots lie in the borders and south west of Scotland, and the townlands of Ulster.
They arrived to...
By David Gordon in the section
Scottish Ancestry
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We all know about the Edinburgh festival, but what else has Scotland got to offer over the
summer months? Andrew Ross reports
How many reasons can you think of for visiting Scotland this summer?
There’s the scenery and all that history, of course. Then there’s the sport: if you’re into golf, fishing, shooting, hiking and mo...
By Andrew Ross in the section
Scottish Events
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What are the most important events in Scotland’s history? And where can you find out more about them? Ian Sclater makes his selection
We Scots like to think that we know our history. Stop any local on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and ask them about our nation’s most important events, and they are likely to bend your ear about inventions b...
By Dominic Roskrow in the section
Scottish Events
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You don’t have to go to the Hebrides for a Scottish ferry-hopping holiday, as Ian R Mitchell explains. Cowal and Bute have castles, stately homes, churches and grand walks nearer to hand
As the crow flies the Cowal peninsula and its neighbouring island of Bute are the closest parts of the Southern Highlands to the central belt of Scotland.
Yet, probably since it is a long, circuitous...
By Ian Mitchell in the section
Regional Focus
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Sally Toms picks a few of the best hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions in the area
Where to Visit - Cowal
Benmore Botanic Gardens
Dunoon
150 acres of the tallest trees in Britain, including a spectacular Avenue of Giant Redwoods, some of which soar over 40 metres high.
Tel: +44 (0)...
By Sally Toms in the section
Regional Focus
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Venison is becoming an increasingly common sight on British dinner tables. Sue Lawrence looks at why it is such a good meat product, and offers some recipes
The aroma of the juniper berries evoked thoughts of tonic, ice and lemon. The Arctic temperatures outside sharpened my appetite. But it was above all the taste of the reindeer stew itself which made m...
By Sue Lawrence in the section
Scottish Food
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James Irvine Robertson looks at the history of the clan Murray
King David I (1084-1155) was sent to the English court when he was 11 (his sister, Princess Matilda of Scotland, had married the English King Henry I in 1100). When David inherited the throne of Scotl...
By James Irvine Robertson in the section
Scottish Clans
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The Royal Scotsman is renowned across the world for class and style. And as Kate Patrick found out, it’s well justified
For the Royal Scotsman’s three-day swing around the West Highlands, I took along my 75-year-old father-in-law.
As a small boy coming from the north of Ireland to his school in Wales, he regularly mad...
By Kate Patrick in the section
Best of Scotland
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Glen Affric in the Highlands is an outdoor enthusiast’s delight. Our not so outdoorey Editor Dominic Roskrow went for a look
About 60 seconds. That’s how long it took us to realise that we’d made a terrible mistake.
All the clues were there: the children were rolling down the mud bank in front of us laughing manically as t...
By Dominic Roskrow in the section
Best of Scotland
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In exclusive association with HotelReviewScotland.com
Three Chimneys & House Over-By
By Dunvegan, Isle of Skye
Tel: +44 (0)1470 511 258
The dramatic Isle of Skye is a perennialfavourite: but where to eat and stay? Well a witty cast-iron lobster weather v...
By Dominic Roskrow in the section
Best of Scotland
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Tullibardine distillery’s new shop, 1488, is named after a key historical date. But with heads set in the future, it’s part of Scotland’s newest shopping experience. Kate Patrick reports
The first distillery to be built in the 20th century was the work of the engineer William Delme Evans, who sited his new baby where a brewery had been, on the other side of Auchterarder from Tullibard...
By Kate Patrick in the section
Scottish Shopping
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Scotland’s historic infantry regiments are to undergo a major re-organisation. As part of our ongoing series looking at Scotland’s regiments, Mark Nicholls examines the proposal and its impact on their ancient traditions.
Over the centuries, soldiers from the famous Scottish regiments have fought in numerous conflicts across the globe.
They have been present at the great battles of the 18th and 19th century, fought in...
By Mark Nicholls in the section
Scottish Regiments
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Feeling adventurous and fancy trying your hand on some lesser known but highly stimulating golf courses? Sports writer Andrew Ross takes a tour
Okay, St. Andrews is the home of golf. There’s no denying it. The majestic East coast course and its imposing clubhouse is a mecca for golf fans who revel in its formality and history. In fact, you’ve...
By Andrew Ross in the section
Scottish Golf
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Fancy a golf break while staying at a quality hotel? Here’s a rough guide to some of the best
The famous and great golf hotels of Scotland need no introduction of course: The Old Course at St Andrews, Turnberry on the West Coast, Gleneagles, The Carnegie Club at Skibo…and the newer St Andrews ...
By Dominic Roskrow in the section
Scottish Golf
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Art and antiques news by Sally Toms
Glasgow gets in to the groove
The annual United Kingdom art prize Beck’s Futures has been described by Vogue as ‘the groovy alternative to the Turner Prize’ and this summer it is set to take up resid...
By Sally Toms in the section
Scottish Antiques