SAM HEUGHAN
Outlander star’s favourite places
Double-crossing life of a famous author A spy in our midst
Islay’s irresistible charms
Discover the clan strongholds of the
ENTER THE HIGHLANDS
Inverness’s incredible new visitor experience
MacDonalds The mighty
This issue, we follow the trail of the clan who dominated the west coast for centuries and once held almost a third of Scotland
Words by GRAEME JOHNCOCK
Words by JANICE HOPPER
HIGHLANDS IN HIGH-DEFINITION
Following major investment, Inverness Castle invites visitors on an immersive journey through local culture
LEFT: The sandstone turrets and towers of 19th-century Inverness Castle
For years Inverness Castle cut a proud gure on a craggy hilltop, overlooking the capital of the Highlands from its commandeering vantage point. Over the centuries many castles have existed on this site, moving with the times and demands of the ruler of the day, creating a colourful history lesson of re, beheadings and siege.
The rst castle built here was crafted of earth and timber for King Malcolm III in the 11th century, then reconstructed with sturdier materials by his son David I. Robert the Bruce captured the castle in the early 1300s, with the MacDonald Lords of the Isles setting it alight on more than one occasion, and in 1562 Mary, Queen of Scots was refused entry resulting in a successful three-day siege and the execution of the Keeper of the Castle, Alexander Gordon.
After housing government troops in the early 18th century, the castle was nally destroyed by Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) in the run up to the Battle of Culloden in 1746 to prevent it from being occupied by government forces once more.
Almost a century later, the ‘castle’ we recognise today took shape. The sandstone edi ce, with its turrets and towers – a handsome part of the Inverness skyline – was built in two stages between the 1830s and 1840s to create an ostentatious courthouse, a jail, and local police station.
Throughout this era, Inverness Castle played a civic and judicial role and was funded by the public purse until the courts
AGENT of the ESTATE
We talk to Alexandra Crichton, who looks after Monzie Castle in Perthshire with her husband, about the realities of rural laird life
Words and photos JEREMY FLINT
Islay’s QUIET ALLURE
Away from the distilleries, the Queen of the Hebrides will enchant you with her natural beauty, nonchalant attitude and calming ambience
Words by SALLY COFFEY
THIS PICTURE: Another Place, The Machrie sits above a sevenmile beach
PHOTO
© KEVIN MURRAY GOLF PHOTOGRAPHY. ILLUSTRATION
© MICHAEL A HILL
A MATTER OF COURSES
Foodies keen to make the most of Scotland’s rich, natural larder should take a regional culinary tour
Words by LAURA SUTHERLAND
