Scotland Magazine Issue 29

I have the haggis to prove it

Sally Toms introduces herself as the new Editor of Scotland Magazine

Scotland is a place that easily captures the imagination of children. And like so many people, my love for the country began on childhood holidays. On one such holiday I was bought a little toy ‘hagg...

By Sally Toms in the section From the Editor

Up Helly Aa

January 30, 2007 Lerwick One of Europe’s largest fire festivals. For 24 hours on the last Tuesday in Janurary, the people of Shetland celebrate the influence of the Vikings, who arrived there more tha...

By in the section Scottish Events

The castle in the cow pasture

This 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...

By Charles Douglas in the section Historic Houses

Enticing isles

John Hannavy visits the west coast islands of Islay and Jura

Islay and Jura are more directly reached from the mainland by the short sailing from Kennacraig on Kintyre, but they came into our itinerary as part of a round trip island-hopping voyage from Oban via...

By John Hannavy in the section Scottish Islands

Under the great dictator

This issue James Irvine Robertson looks at a dark chapter of Scotland’s history

Indomitable Scotland. For century after century it fought off its vastly more powerful neighbour to the south. In 1603, her Stuart kings took the throne of Great Britain, uniting the four nations of ...

By James Irvine Robertson in the section Scottish History

Speed kings

There is no faster animal than the Peregrine Falcon. Graham Holliday looks at where you can find them in Scotland

The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest creature on the planet. With its one metre wide wings swept back, this slate grey blue bird of prey can stoop from very high, dropping like a stone reaching speeds ...

By Graham Holliday in the section Scottish Wildlife

Great Scot!

There’s enough happening in Scotland to keep even the most demanding child amused on a family holiday. Cora Lydon reports

FOR CULTURE VULTURES Rumour has it that the ghost known as the Green Lady still appears in Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire – so why not take the kids on a ghost hunting tour? Crathes Castle is a 16t...

By Cora Lydon in the section Scottish Activities

Colin & Justin

The first of a new series in which Christopher Fisher will interview a different Scottish celebrity. This issue, he talks to television design duo Colin McAllister & Justin Ryan

Tell us about your five favourite places in Scotland. Colin: “My favourite place was located in St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, but has recently relocated to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Mu...

By Christopher Fisher in the section Celebrity Scotland

Skye and the Western Isles

Skye and the Western Isles take some reaching, but the journey is worth it. Dominic Roskrow explores the region

There’s something otherworldly about the road that takes you west and north towards Skye. It’s a deceptively long and challenging drive for starters, though a stunningly picturesque and stimulating o...

By Dominic Roskrow in the section Regional Focus

Skye and the Western Isles

Where to visit Skye The Cuillins Impressive mountain range in the south of the island which should be respected. World class climbing for the expert, challenging walking for the fit. Great views...

By in the section Regional Focus

Send and deliver

Thanks to mail order, Scotland is never very far away. Kate Patrick stamps approval on some of the players

The essence of Scotland is only a click away, although it’s fair to say that if you picked up the phone you would enjoy the banter that comes with ordering almost anything by mail from a specialist Sc...

By Kate Patrick in the section Scottish Shopping

Wild island paradise

Glengorm Castle is a luxurious retreat on the Isle of Mull. Rob Allanson visited it

There are several elements that go in to making a memorable stay at an island retreat – and Glengorm Castle has them by the sack full. Whether it is the romantic, windswept landscape, the dramatic ca...

By Rob Allanson in the section Best of Scotland

Beyond your wildest dreams

For the right money Dream Escape will provide your dream Scottish holiday.

What would constitute your ultimate Scottish short break? Perhaps it entails being met at the airport by a chauffeur-driven vintage car, and being driven to the Balmoral Hotel for dinner and an overni...

By Dominic Roskrow in the section Best of Scotland

A hole in one

Vivien Devlin visits Archerfield, an exclusive use mansion and golf course in East Lothian

St. Andrews may be well established as Scotland’s royal and ancient ‘Home of Golf,’ but East Lothian, stretching along the white sandy beach coastline east of Edinburgh, is equally a world class golfi...

By Vivien Devlin in the section Best of Scotland

Christmas & Hogmanay Hotels

New Lanark Mill Hotel Clyde Valley, Lanarkshire Tel: +44 (0)1555 66 7200 There’s something more than a little magical about the hidden-in-avalley UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s New Lanark village....

By in the section Best of Scotland

A bit on the side

This issue, Scotland Magazine’s resident chef Sue Lawrence breathes new life in to the humble salad

Cold meat and salad. Pork pie and salad. Scotch egg and salad. These uninspiring words bring back memories of the bad old days when a salad meant an accompaniment to some sort of cold meat – invariab...

By Sue Lawrence in the section Scottish Food

Virtue mine honour (Clan Maclean)

This issue James Irvine Robertson considers the Clan Maclean

Although the usual fanciful pedigrees locates the clan originally 150 miles north east at Glen Urquhart in Moray, the Macleans are from the west coast island of Mull. Gillean of the Battle-Axe, the f...

By James Irvine Robertson in the section Scottish Clans

Scotland's adventure playground

The area around Fort William and Lochaber is promoting itself as the Outdoor Capital of the UK. Sally Toms looks at what’s on offer

Scotland’s Western Highlands have always been an outdoory sort of place. Ben Nevis has attracted hill climbers and mountaineers for centuries, and more recently several major outdoor events have use...

By Sally Toms in the section Scottish Activities

The pedalling pilgrim

Paul Kirkwood traces the origins of the bicycle in Dumfriesshire

The principal defies logic but is the basis of my favourite invention: it’s easier to balance on two wheels if you’re moving along than it is standing still. I no more believed it to be so when I was ...

By Paul Kirkwood in the section Scottish Cycling

Getting out and about

In the third part of our series looking at how you can get around Scotland by train, Mark Nicholls uses Glasgow as a base

As a vibrant cultural city, Glasgow has much to detain the visitor. The reopened Kelvingrove Museum, the architectural fascinations of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, a transport museum, the Hunterian Ga...

By Mark Nicholls in the section Scotland by Train

Scott in the Hebrides

This issue, Ian Mitchell looks at Sir Walter Scott’s experiences on the islands of Harris and Eigg on Scotland’s west coast

In 1814, the poet and novelist Walter Scott accepted an invitation from the engineer Robert Stevenson, to accompany him on a ship of the Northern Lighthouse Commissioners which was circumnavigating Sc...

By Ian Mitchell in the section Scott's Islands

Child of the Mist (Rob Roy MacGregor)

In the latest part of our series looking at Scottish characters, Mark Nicholls sets off on the trail of Rob Roy MacGregor

Rob Roy MacGregor emerges from the pages of history – and of popular literature – as a vivid Scottish character. His name, and reputation, has been embellished by the attentions of authors such as Sir...

By Mark Nicholls in the section Scottish Legends

Whisky galore

Some of Scotland’s best whisky is found in the Lowlands and the islands. Dominic Roskrow acts as tour guide

You’re going to have to have a great deal of energy and a considerable amount of time if you’re planning to visit the distilleries in the Lowlands of Scotland and the islands: with the exception of on...

By Dominic Roskrow in the section Scottish Whisky

Everything you need to know about...wearing the kilt

In the first of a new series, Roddy Martine reveals how to look good in a kilt

The original form of Highland dress was a simple blanket, otherwise known as a plaid. A belt was placed on the ground and the plaid laid on top and folded lengthwise into pleats. The wearer would then...

By Roddy Martine in the section Scottish Clothing