Contents
p3
Sally Toms goes exploring in Scotland’s far north west
As Editor of two magazines, it isn’t always easy watching your writers whizzing about over the length and breadth of Scotland to bring me, and you, the best stories. Oh boo hoo, Iknow. There are worse...
By Sally Toms in the section
From the Editor
p7
It was extremely dark and unnaturally cold. I could hear a dog barking and the clatter of horses hooves on the cobbled street in front of me. On all sides were shadows cast by the flicker of lamplight...
By Roddy Martine in the section
Roddy Martine's World
p12
Hydro Connect
29th-31st August 2008
Inveraray Castle, Argyll
Aboutique festival situated in one of the most beautiful locations
in the whole of the UK, playing host to 20,000 music fans over
three day...
By Sally Toms in the section
Scotland Events
p14
Charles Douglas visits Castle Leod, near Strathpeffer, headquarters of the Clan Mackenzie
From its name you might imagine Castle Leod to be associated with Clan Macleod and you would not be wrong, although it is today the ancestral seat of the Mackenzie earls of Cromartie, and has been for...
By Charles Douglas in the section
Scotland Houses
p18
John Hannavy explores historic churches, abbeys and cathedrals between the
Forth and the Tay.
If, in your clamour to see Scotland’s medieval churches, you can only spare the time to visit one area – visit the Kingdom of Fife. And if you can only spare the time to visit one town, then make that...
By John Hannavy in the section
Scotland Churches
p21
Ian Buxton discovers a Japanese garden in north Edinburgh.
Lauriston Castle, in Edinburgh’s leafy Cramond suburb, is one of the city’s unsung gems and home to a delightful surprise.
The castle was left in trust to the nation by its last private owners, Mr an...
By Ian Buxton in the section
Best of Scotland
p22
Do as the rich and famous do and enjoy your big day in stunning surroundings in Scotland. Natasha Reed provides a guide to the perfect Scottish wedding.
What do Madonna, Catherine Zeta Jones, Stella McCartney, JK Rowling and Ashley Judd all have in common? They all chose the beautiful wilds of Scotland to say ‘I do’.
Scotland has attracted lovers si...
By Natasha Reed in the section
Scotland Weddings
p26
This September hundreds of hidden architectural gems and exciting new buildings will open their doors to the public for free. David Black gives us a taste of what to expect in the capital.
Edinburgh Doors Open Day, first organised in 1991 by the Cockburn Association (Edinburgh’s Civic Trust), has a special significance for the Scottish capital’s community of the curious. Each year aroun...
By David Black in the section
Scotland Events
p28
Gary Hayden visits Hermitage Castle in the Scottish Borders.
There are few castles as grim and forbidding as Hermitage.
Built in the 13th century, on the disputed borderlands between England and Scotland, it changed hands many times. For four centuries, it pre...
By Gary Hayden in the section
Haunted Scotland
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Edinburgh is world famous for its festivals and its history. But it has a comtemporary artistic side too. Dominic Roskrow reports.
Followers of the British version of The Apprentice will be well aware that in the latest series Sir Alan Sugar’s two assistants have come in to their own.
Margaret and Nick have come out of their she...
By Dominic Roskrow in the section
Regional Focus
p34
National Galleries of Scotland
The Mound
Tel: +44 (0)131 624 6200
www.nationalgalleries.org
The Collective Gallery
Cockburn Street
Tel: +44 (0)131 220 1260
www.collectivegallery.net
Royal Scottish A...
By Dominic Roskrow in the section
Regional Focus
p35
Swallow Albany
Albany Street
Georgian townhouse in a quiet
location but close to the city centre.
Its restaurant is highly regarded, its
luxury rooms impressive. Twentyone
tastefully decorated rooms
T...
By Dominic Roskrow in the section
Regional Focus
p36
9 Cellars Restaurant
& Bar
York Place
The head chef won the
international Indian chef of
the year last year. Excellent
and unconventional Indian
food. The Goan fish is
particularly recommended
Tel: +4...
By Dominic Roskrow in the section
Regional Focus
p38
James Irvine Robertson brings to light the story of a little girl and Scotland's very own witch trials
In 1692 they hanged 19 witches in Salem, United States of America, on the evidence of nine ‘afflicted children.’ Scotland had its own very similar experience a few years later. This time only one chil...
By James Irvine Robertson in the section
Scotland History
p41
We look at the exciting life of America’s James Bond – Allan Pinkerton
Talk about right place at the right time. This Glasgow-born immigrant to the United States in the mid-1800s not only laid the foundations for the modern secret service but also foiled an attempted ass...
By Allan Pinkerton in the section
Scotland Legends
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Ian R.Mitchell looks at the tale of Ewan Macphee, Scotland's last true outlaw
Scotland’s most famous outlaw is undoubtedly Rob Roy MacGregor.
Rob has inspired countless books since Walter Scott’s novel Rob Roy and, a decade ago, was the subject of a successful Hollywood film. ...
By Ian R Mitchell in the section
Scotland Characters
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Scotland offers all manner of accommodation for visitors. Richard Goslan finds some with historical interest.
We’re never going to be able to market ourselves for our sunny days or beach holidays. But if there’s one thing we really can do well in Scotland, it’s history.
From the 5,000 year old Neolithic stru...
By Richard Goslan in the section
Scotland Accommodation
p49
Sue Lawrence turns to that most famous of Scottish fishes, the Arbroath smokie.
The Arbroath smokie was first recorded historically in Arbroath Abbey’s land register in 1178, as a gift from King William to the monks. Because the village where they were originally made – Auchmithi...
By Sue Lawrence in the section
Scotland Food
p52
James Irvine Robertson turns his attention to another of Scotland's family lines.
Like most clans in Scotland, the origin of Clan Grant is obscure.
One of the defining characteristics of Highland families is ancestral pride and arrogance. This has often driven them to embrace exot...
By James Irvine Robertson in the section
Scotland Clans
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With so many annual festivals happening around Scotland, it’s hard to know which ones to choose. Here
are some of our favourites.
Burns an’ a’ That May annually, Ayrshire The festivities for Burns an’ a’ That take place in a variety of venues around Burns’ birthplace in Ayrshire.
For authentic Burns-related activities, attend a...
By Sally Toms in the section
Scotland Festivals
p58
Charles Douglas looks in on Dundee's thriving arts centre
The concept for a multi-purpose visual arts centre in the City of Dundee was under discussion for almost a decade before it became a reality in 1999. At the time, Dundee’s city fathers were looking to...
By Charles Douglas in the section
Scotland Galleries
p60
David Fleetwood examines one of Scotland's most traditional ocupations.
The sign by the track warns passers-by to beware of the animals, and, looking up towards the long low house set amidst a collection of machinery, goats, sheep and chickens, it is easy to see why.
Wha...
By David Fleetwood in the section
Scotland Traditions
p63
Comedian Ronnie Corbett loves Scotland and has stayed close to his Scottish roots
It should come as no great surprise to learn that Ronnie Corbett, now a muchloved British institution, should be toying with the idea of presenting a new television series about malt whisky.
Although...
By Sally Toms in the section
Scotland Genealogy
p64
Old Course Hotel St. Andrews, Fife Tel: +44 (0)1334 474 371 Some restaurants just ‘have it’ and The Grill Room on the top floor of St. Andrew’s highest-rated hotel is one of them. All the ingredients...
By Sally Toms in the section
Best of Scotland
p66
Former golf caddy and author Ross visits the best Scottish golf courses you've never heard of in an unforgettable week on the road.
A week in Scotland ahead and blue skies as far as the eye can see. What could be better? How about Cindy Crawford in the passenger seat and my transport being a Bentley and not a battered old Volvo? O...
By Andrew Ross in the section
Scotland Golf
p66
BRORA GOLF CLUB 5872 yards, par 69 Green fees: £37 (weekdays) / £42 (weekend) After taking the overnight Caledonian Sleeper service from London to Inverness I pick up a car and head further north. Af...
By Andrew Ross in the section
Scotland Golf
p74
In an age when governments are doing their best to clamp down on the carrying of knives, it is perhaps apposite to reflect on the lawless times of long ago when individuals were obliged to carry some ...
By Sally Toms in the section
Scotland Life