Scotland Magazine Issue 32

Keeping in touch

Sally Toms learns a thing or two from Scotland Magazine’s readers

One of the things I like best about Scotland is it’s ability to surprise you. After several years of visiting the country, writing about it and talking about it, there’s always something new to discov...

By Sally Toms in the section From the Editor

Family ties

VisitScotland, the Scottish government agency which promotes Scotland as a tourist destination throughout the world has, in recent years, launched a series of genealogy initiatives aimed at expatriate...

By Roddy Martine in the section Roddy Martine's World

Scotland Events

T in the Park 7-8 July, 2007 Balado, Perthshire Now in its second decade, T in the Park has become one of the most important and critically acclaimed music events on the UK and European festival circ...

By Sally Toms in the section Scottish Events

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 se...

By Charles Douglas in the section Historic Houses

An island of contrasts (Isle of Mull)

The Isle of Mull in Scotland's Inner Hebrides is more than just a coach ride to Iona. John Hannavy reports

Iona is the day-trip centre of the Hebrides. The CalMac ferry MV Isle of Mull leaves Oban mid-morning, every morning, packed with visitors bound for the tiny island. They arrive at Craignure on Mull a...

By John Hannavy in the section Scottish Islands

Icons of Scotland

Sally Toms introduces the winners of the fifth annual Icons of Scotland awards

It’s that time of year again. The time where Scotland Magazine recognises the very best of all things Scottish with our prestigious Icons of Scotland awards. This is the fifth year of the annual awar...

By Sally Toms in the section Icons of Scotland

The wild north (Caithness)

Neil Gunn explores the wonders of Scotland's most northerly region, Caithness

For me the chance to explore Caithness was a chance to ‘come home,’ to walk the cliff-top paths, tramp across the peat bogs and try to imagine how it might have looked when the Vikings first dragged t...

By Neil Gunn in the section Regional Focus

Whisky island paradise (Jura)

A new luxury lodge on the Isle of Jura is the perfect place to relax and discover the island's whisky made just next door, as Kate Ennis discovers

One of the joys of visiting Jura is in how difficult it is just to get there in the first place. From Glasgow, the journey equates to a three-hour drive and two-hour ferry ride to Islay, or taking a g...

By Kate Ennis in the section Best of Scotland

Walk this way (Isle of Arran)

The Isle of Arran is best experienced on foot. Dominic Roskrow reports

Of all Scotland’s islands the Isle of Arran is the most clement, the most varied, and arguably the most interesting. But to fully appreciate it you need to get around it on foot. The description of A...

By Dominic Roskrow in the section Regional Focus

Ayrshire & Arran

Where to stay Arran Argentine House Whiting Bay Seaside home in a pleasant setting and rated for its food including a good range of vegetarian options. Tel: +44 (0)1770 700 662 www.argentinearran.co.u...

By Dominic Roskrow in the section Regional Focus

Lord George and the last siege in Britain

James Irvine Robertson looks at one of Scotland’s greatest military leaders

In September 1745, Prince Charles Edward Stuart made Lord George Murray a Lieutenant General. The second Jacobite Rising was a couple of months old, and the little rebel army had entered Perth. Lord ...

By James Irvine Robertson in the section Scottish History

Making the journey

In the last issue we looked at how to about researching your family tree. But how do you go about actually visiting the home of your ancestors? Dominic Roskrow reports

If you‘ve been bitten by the genealogy bug and decide that you want to take your enthusiasm to its logical conclusion and actually travel to the land of your forefathers, then you should heed three pi...

By Dominic Roskrow in the section Scotland Genealogy

Granite city of culture (Aberdeen)

Roddy Martine looks at the art galleries and museums to be found in Aberdeen

Avisit to Aberdeen, the ‘Granite City’ on Scotland’s north east coast is always an adventure, but when it comes to exploring their heritage or simply keeping pace with popular culture, Aberdonians and...

By Roddy Martine in the section Scotland Galleries

The car's the star (Trossachs)

Join Jeremy Head for a tour of the Trossachs at the wheel of a classic British motor car

There is something about the light among the lochs and glens of the Trossachs. Under the partially cloudy skies of spring, the muted greens, browns and blues burst into life as a shaft of sunlight hit...

By Jeremy Head in the section Scottish Travel

More tea, vicar?

Sue Lawrence provides some more mouthwatering recipes. This time, afternoon tea

There is good news for those whose favourite part of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest is the garden scene where Gwendolene and Cicely have a refined slanging match over the tea table. For ...

By Sue Lawrence in the section Scottish Food

Colin McCredie

Christopher Fisher meets Scottish actor Colin McCredie, best known for his role as Stuart Fraser in the ITV drama, Taggart

Tell us about your five favourite Scottish places. “First, Perth, especially Perth Theatre; that was where I got my first feeling for the stage and my first job as a teenager. I did a play there las...

By Christopher Fisher in the section Celebrity Scotland

When the saints came marching in

Gilly Pickup looks at a few places connected with Scotland’s saints

Saint Columba, Iona Of all the Dark Age Scottish saints, Columba is the most famous A-lister. In 563AD he left Ireland with 12 companions to cross the wild sea in a hide-covered wickerwork currach to...

By Gilly Pickup in the section Scotland Towns

A clan of impeccable pedigree (Clan Macpherson)

James Irvine Robertson looks at the history of the Clan Macpherson

Are there national characteristics? Certainly Sassenachs (English or Lowland Scots) used to think that Highlanders were different from themselves and one of those differences was that the Teuchter (H...

By James Irvine Robertson in the section Scottish Clans

Bonnie Galloway

Cally Palace Hotel Kirkcudbrightshire Tel: +44 (0)1557 814 341 A sylvan patchwork quilt of rolling, wooded hills and ‘dry stane’ dyke-framed fields is the glorious Galloway setting for one of the mor...

By in the section Best of Scotland

The Scottish King (Macbeth)

Mark Nicholls sets off on the trail of the ancient Scottish king, Macbeth, to discover his true character

Macbeth is one of the greatest and most mysterious characters in Scottish history; his reign shrouded in myth, folklore and misinformation. As an 11th century Scottish king, his reign was relatively ...

By Mark Nicholls in the section Scottish Legends

Smuggling

It’s been called the national vice of Scotland, and smuggling is ingrained in the country’s history. Dominic Roskrow seeks out some smuggling hotspots

You feel it most acutely on the hills close to The Glenlivet Distillery in Speyside. Climb up here on a spring day, when the sun is up and casting watery light over the glimmering crags and bullish g...

By Dominic Roskrow in the section Scotland History

Everything you need to know about Scottish bagpipes

Roddy Martine reveals the history of the humble bagpipe

Among the carvings within Rosslyn Chapel on the outskirts of Edinburgh is the image of an angel playing a set bagpipes. The carving dates from the late 15th century, and at Melrose Abbey, in the Scott...

By Roddy Martine in the section Scotland Life