Scotland Magazine Issue 3

Notes from a small island

Editor Marcin Miller travels to the Hebrides

Call me selfish, but there are some things in life that I want to keep to myself. Nothing unwholesome, you understand. It’s simply a matter of secrecy. Something so good that I just don’t want to shar...

By Marcin Miller in the section From the Editor

Border patrol

In Scotland it is never possible to escape the past. At every turn it confronts you and although some of our more progressive politicians would happily wipe the slate clean and start again, the lesson...

By Roddy Martine in the section Roddy Martine's World

Transatlantic celebration

Roddy Martine attended the festivities of tartan week in the US, as thousands of Americans celebrated their Scottish links

Given that in centuries past Ellis Island was the first sight most Scottish immigrants had of their new American homeland, it was entirely appropriate for New York to host USA National Tartan Day’s mo...

By Roddy Martine in the section Scottish Events

Letters to the Editor

WORDS OF PRAISE Your magazine is fantastic! I look forward to future copies. Regards, GARRET JANNEY, WASHINGTON, USA Got our first issue and really loved it. This already has helped us plan some of t...

By Marcin Miller in the section Letters to the Editor

The palace of Holyroodhouse

Through 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 s...

By Charles Douglas in the section Historic Houses

Sale: McTear’s record-breaking whisky sale

On 17th April 2002, a bottle of The Macallan 60-year-old broke world records by fetching a massive £20,100 (US$29,350) at the McTear’s Fine and Rare Whisky auction in Glasgow. One of only 40 bottles o...

By Brigid James in the section Art and Antiques

Scotland’s largest art and antiques fair

An estimated £20 ($30) million of art and antiques is for sale at this year’s Antiques for Everyone – Scotland, at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow. The event includes over 100 S...

By Brigid James in the section Art and Antiques

The Fleming Collection: Scots Abroad

The Fleming Collection, with works by Scottish artists of various eras and movements, and Scottish scenes by non-Scottish artists, is recognised as one of the best private collections of Scottish art ...

By Brigid James in the section Art and Antiques

Property News

Scottish property market highlights for buying and renting

To rent Immerse yourself in historic Edinburgh How, asks Aileen Little, would you like to holiday in a property which dates from a 17th century Royal Charter? Situated in the heart of medieval Edin...

By Brigid James in the section Scottish Property

Off-road trip

You're used to enjoying the stability and safety of your own 4x4 on tarmac, but have you ever considered its ability off-road? Jon Walsh headed up hill and down valley to find out...Photography: Peter Burn

We took a slow drive along the tarmac lane then turned right onto a rough rockstrewn gravel track. “So this is off-roading,” we thought, slipping the Mitsubishi L200 pick-up truck into low-ratio four-...

By Jon Walsh in the section Scottish Off-Roading

Monarchs of the Glen

The 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 Gr...

By Charles Douglas in the section Royal History

Highlands and lowlifes

The widespread eviction of tenant crofters in the Scottish highlands in the late 18th and 19th centuries transformed the landscape. James Irvine Robertson examines the consequences

From the peak of Ben Bragghie in the far north of Scotland, a mighty 100-foot statue stares majestically out across the North Sea. Largely paid for by his sorrowing tenants, it is a memorial raised in...

By James Irvine Robertson in the section Scottish Shopping

Jenners of Edinburgh winds of change

The oldest independent department store in the world says it's been contemporary since 1838. Kate Patrick went to Jenners to find out how

Apersonal recollection, to begin. I spent much of the 1980s working at Vogue magazine, during the era when models became supermodels, labels were designer labels and you didn’t just dress: you power-d...

By Kate Patrick in the section Scottish Shopping

Speyside: Castles and whisky

Gavin D Smith explores the history and wonder of one of Scotland's most popular tourist destinations

Famed throughout the world for its malt whiskies, Speyside comprises vast expanses of rich, fertile farmland and bleak, dramatic areas of moorland, punctuated by the pagoda roofs of distilleries and t...

By Gavin D. Smith in the section Regional Focus

Tony Archer's Speyside

This issue's Q&A features Tony Archer, Manager of the Moray Firth wildlife centre. Also the centre's founder, he has been running the project for five years.

Q: How long have you lived/worked in the area? A: I have lived in Moray for 10 years now, having moved here from the north-west Sutherland coast, where we lived for 10 years after moving up to Scotla...

By Marcin Miller in the section Questions and Answers

A golden triangle (Speyside)

Speyside is a magical mix of the very best of Scotland - and on top of that, it's the sunniest part of the country.

Speyside is particularly famous for its huge number of distilleries. People travel from all over the world to take the tours, sample the wares and walk the grounds of some of the world’s best-known di...

By Dominic Roskrow in the section Regional Focus

To that dark inn The Grave

The village churchyard is an accurate map of the common man from years gone by in danger of disappearing. Words and pictures by John Hannavy

The village churchyard seems a quintessentially British creation. It figures strongly in literature, the frequently chosen setting for a variety of liaisons far removed from those which necessarily t...

By John Hannavy in the section Scottish Churchyards

The Lyon King

Robin Blair, controversial new Lord Lyon King of Arms talks to Scotland Magazine. Words and pictures by James Carney

With a pedigree dating back to Robert the Bruce, the post of Lord Lyon King of Arms is more than just a job, it’s an institution and arguably one of Scotland’s most venerable. The nation’s supreme aut...

By James Carney in the section Scottish Heraldry

Harris Tweed looming large

Elizabeth Walton pays a visit to the outer Hebrides to see the home off Harris Tweed, an icon that rigidly sticks with traditional values

Harris Tweed is a powerful symbol of the remote Outer Hebrides where it is woven. An explosion of colour in every design reflects the landscape’s luminous beauty, and the million metres of cloth woven...

By Elizabeth Walton in the section Scottish Clothing

Picnic and mix

Sue Lawrence packs up a hamper with traditional Scottish goodiies- and slips in a few surprises for good measure...

Picnics are synonymous with sunshine. They suggest long hazy days easing into warm, balmy evenings. So why on earth do we even contemplate picnics in Scotland? Well, because whatever the weather (and ...

By Sue Lawrence in the section Scottish Food

See it, tough it, hear it, smell it, taste it

Vivien Devlin appraises Scotland's massive contribution to the World economy - and while whisky, tartan and haggis play a part, there's much more

The new VisitScotland campaign is a particularly evocative phrase to woo people to experience Scotland. It also encapsulates the fine Scottish cuisine, drink and quality products which are exported to...

By Vivien Devlin in the section Scottish Business

Shortbread Tastings

SUE LAWRENCE AND A PANEL OF TASTERS GET THEIR TEETH INTO SOME SHORTBREAD

Shortbread (‘short’ describes the crisp, crumbling texture) was originally a yeast-leavened mixture, but by the 1850’s the yeast had been abandoned and it was more or less as it is now – a rich blend ...

By Sue Lawrence in the section Scottish Food

Paint it black

David Hunter discovers a Scottish pioneer that's touched the heart of the modern world - literally: Sir James Whyte Black

To paraphrase the Rolling Stones: Although he’s not really / There’s a little orange pill / And he goes running for the shelter / Of an actor’s little helper This orange pill, although some come in w...

By David Hunter in the section Scottish Innovators