In praise of quality

Editor MARCIN MILLER rejoices in the best of Scotland

The temptation is to always revel in the glorious history and heritage of Scotland. This, of course, can result in the contemporary not receiving the attention and the plaudits it deserves. For all of us to enjoy the history and heritage of Scotland, we need to embrace the contemporary. So before setting off to explore St Andrews and the East Neuk in early August, I spent some time looking at more modern aspects of Scotland. And where better to start than Glasgow? Langs Hotel is precisely what well-designed modern European, urban hotels should be about. From the light-filled foyer to the inviting bar area Langs makes you feel welcome. The level of service was also such that it puts many ‘fancier' hotels to shame. I stayed but one night and was made to feel as if I were the most important guest the hotel had ever had.

Of course, hotels like Langs would probably seem a little out of place in St Andrews and the fishing villages of the East Neuk which belong to a simpler, more genteel age. I hope that all the young Americans studying at St Andrews make the most of their stay and visit the town's mediæval ruins as well as heading for some of the stunning National Trust for Scotland properties in the area. Falkland Palace is the best-known Trust property in Fife, but the relatively new exhibition celebrating the life and sculpture of Hew Lorimer (second son of noted architect, Sir Robert Lorimer) at Kellie Castle in Pittenweem creates a fascinating, personal portrait of a trul...

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• By : Marcin Miller
• In : Editor's View
• Issue : 5
• Page : 3
• Words : 702