72 George Street, Edinburgh Rowan House, 70 Buchanan Street, Glasgow
Here this month...
The Glaswegian pocket-rocket remembers a
to Scottish Field - the luxury issue
It’s that time of year when we once again get to unashamedly wallow in luxury. When we first published the Luxury Issue in 2017, some readers felt that we should not be lauding excess, but when we consulted more widely, our community felt that in trying times an annual festival of escapism is good for the soul.
Since then, the Luxury Issue has become such a feature of the publishing year that we are now inundated with ideas of products, people and experiences that we could cover (obviously in addition to our usual gamut of columnists, specialist reports and general coverage of life in the Scottish countryside).
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my boyhood heroes in what was a truly unforgettable period.
We also got to talk to some stunningly interesting people, such as Lulu, the current King’s former butler and artists Andy Goldsworthy and Michael Visocchi. We discovered what it is about Scotland that so entrances luminaries like Michel Roux, Kim Murray and Jenson Button. As you’ll see, we have once again showcased six of the greatest Scottish artisans you may never have heard of, while exploring quirky tales of the Scots trying to kickstart a sparkling wine sector in the Borders and cashmere making in Angus.
‘ e Luxury Issue is now a mainstay of the year in Scotland’ |
ere is so much that has given the sta at Scottish Field HQ pleasure in putting this issue together. As well as participating in the Glorious Nineteenth (no, that is not a typo), I got to make furniture and interview the son of one of
Along with our coverage of homes, gardens, schools and whisky, we hope we’ve covered all the bases. One thing is for sure, it’s been a blast.
Richard Bath, Editor
KIM MURRAY
The owner of Cromlix hotel and wife of tennis star Andy Murray reveals a passion for owers that sees her tend the gardens in the hotel and at home.
LULU
career in the music industry spanning six decades and reveals the secret to her success.
JENSON BU ON
The former Formula One World Drivers’ Champion chats to SF about his journey into whisky and what inspired him to create his very own blend.
PROPERTY
18 PROPERTY MARKET An East Lothian estate house, a family mansion in Perthshire, a former manse in the north-east and a castle in Fife
LIFE & STYLE
39 OBJECT OF DESIRE Nothing says luxury like this beautiful Laings platinum and yellow diamond ring
40 NATURAL SELECTION Stunning images from the 2025 British Wildlife Photography Awards
51 OBJECT OF DESIRE This platinum and gold accented set of golf clubs might just help improve your handicap
54 THRILL OF THE HUNT Former racing driver, polo player and model Freddie Hunt has swapped the fast lane for a smallholding in Bute
65 OBJECT OF DESIRE This elegant calfskin trunk is a tting home for a cigar connoisseur's collection
99 GO GO GADGETS The very best tech toys that money can buy
100 MY WALK ON THE WOODSIDE The editor gets creative at the Chippendale International School of Furniture in East Lothian
Subscribe and receive a free bottle of Angus Alchemy. See page 114.
163 WATCH OUT! As the trend for expensive watches continues unabated, do you have adequate insurance for your timepiece?
172 KNITTED TOGETHER The mother/daughter team behind Virtual Yarns create modern knitwear designs that uphold the craft's traditions
190 THE GOLDEN GOATS Paying a visit to the Lunan Bay goats which are producing Scotland's only cashmere yarn
250 STICKS AND STONES Celebrating 50 years of landscape sculptor Andy Goldsworthy
260 TALE OF A WHALE A new piece of art by Michael Visocchi commemorates Dundee's historic links to the whaling industry
301 SCOTTISH FIELD'S INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS GUIDE
HERE & NOW
67 THE UNPUBLISHABLES Alexander McCall Smith hails life's natural born authors, but there are also those who should never put pen to paper
68 SIX OF THE BEST We meet six of the country's most visionary artisan makers
82 CREDO Lulu celebrates an incredible six decades in the music industry in a chat with SF
94 SAVE OUR SOULS Guy Grieve laments the loss of allotments south of the border and hopes Scotland can retain these vital places of sanctuary
96 THE ROYAL BUTLER Airdrie-born etiquette expert and ex-Royal butler Grant Harrold on how he made his extraordinary dreams come true
338 BEWARE CREEP CRAWLIES Louise Gray shows some visitors why they should never underestimate Scotland's wildlife
TRAVEL & LEISURE
84 THE RIGHT TRACK Relive the glory days of rail with ten of the world's most luxurious train journeys
130 THE KEY TO A PERFECT HOTEL Michelin's new 'Key' designation has been awarded to some of Scotland's nest hotels, but what exactly does it mean?
280 HIGH DAYS AND HOLIDAYS SF's subscriber reviewers check out some of Scotland's most luxurious accommodation
WILDLIFE
110 EAGLE EYE Andy Dobson talks us through how to know your golden eagle from your buzzard
FOOD & DRINK
116 BORDERS BUBBLY A couple turned a patch of land on their St Boswells farm into a working vineyard
122 MICHEL MCROUX Michel Roux Jnr. chats to Morag Bootland about how Scotland has in uenced him as a chef and captured his heart
In this issue
istle close up
taken by Yevgeniy Pukhovskiy / Alamy Stock Photo
‘Luxury will always be around, no matter what happens in the world.’
Caroline Herrera
126 A SEAFOOD NIRVANA Ondine at Seaton House cements St Andrews' reputation as the home of great seafood restaurants
146 ME AND MY DRAM Former Formula One driver Jenson Button reveals his whisky journey
149 JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER Why we love luxury whisky packaging
153 SCOTTISH FIELD READERS' WHISKY CHALLENGE 2025 The blind-tasting challenge returns for its 25th year
FIELD SPORTS
138 THE GREAT PHEASANT RACE The editor heads Stateside to experience a new take on the glorious twelfth
HOMES & GARDENS
202 CROWNING GLORY The gardens at King Charles's Aberdeenshire residence, Birkhall are focused on sustainability and soil health
216 GREEN FINGERS Kim Murray's love of owers keeps the gardens at her home and at Cromlix looking blooming marvellous
226 A HIGHLAND DREAM Dun Aluinn has been transformed from a hotel and boarding house into a luxurious Perthshire retreat
236 BACK TO BASICS A derelict bothy on Lochnell Estate is brought back from the brink
NEWS, VIEWS & EVENTS
12 Letters 16 Monthly Musings 36 Up Front 108 Country News 128 Food & Drink News 214 Garden News 259 Antiques News 269 Culture 332 Cover to cover 334 Social Scene
COMPETITIONS
326 COMPETITIONS Win beautiful jewellery, luxurious overnight stays, gin or a tea tour
330 PUZZLES The crossword, sudoku and all the usual brain teasers
NUMBER FIVE
NUMBER FIVE
NUMBER FIVE
features leading Jewellery Designers & Goldsmiths
features leading Jewellery Designers & Goldsmiths
SCOTTISH FIELD
features leading Jewellery Designers & Goldsmiths
VOLUME 127 NUMBER 10 ESTABLISHED IN 1903 INCORPORATING SCOTTISH WORLD SCOTTISH FIELD
EDITORIAL AND DESIGN
STUNNING • CLEAR • BOLD
STUNNING • CLEAR • BOLD
STUNNING • CLEAR • BOLD
Editor: Richard Bath
Creative Editor: Heddy Forrest
Staff Writer: Morag Bootland
Web Editor: Ellie Forbes
Designer: Grant Dickie
Artworker: Andrew Balahura
Production Controller: Megan Amato
Intern: Frankie Reason, Betsy Allan
Email: editor@scottish eld.co.uk
SALES AND MARKETING
Advertising Team Leader: Tracey Faulds
Senior Sales: Stacey Richardson
Advertising Sales: Grant Philbin, Carol Greenshields
Marketing: Rachel Barne
Email: adverts@scottish eld.co.uk
EXQUISITE • ORGANIC • FLOWING
PUBLISHING
Tel: 0131 551 1000 Fax: 0131 551 7901
Publisher: Alister Bennett, Scottish Field, The North Quarter, 496 Ferry Road, Edinburgh EH5 2DL
London O ce: 1 Gunpowder Square, Fleet Street, London EC4A 3EP
OVERSEAS
(Send USA Address corrections to Warners Group Publications as per below details).
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SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
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Scottish Field is a Registered Trade Mark of Wyvex Media Ltd. While Scottish Field is prepared to consider unsolicited articles, transparencies and artwork, it only accepts such material on the strict understanding that it incurs no liability for its safe custody or return.
SCOTTISH FIELD
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NUMBER FIVE
The leading Contemporary Jewellers in Scotland
The leading Contemporary Jewellers in Scotland
Title Name Address
The leading Contemporary Jewellers in Scotland
Number Five offers a broad and diverse range of jewellery designers / makers using materials from silver and 18ct gold to platinum, stainless steel, titanium, acrylic and glass.
Number Five offers a broad and diverse range of jewellery designers / makers using materials from silver and 18ct gold to platinum, stainless steel, titanium, acrylic and glass.
Postcode
Tel Don’t miss your copy of
Number Five offers a broad and diverse range of jewellery designers / makers using materials from silver and 18ct gold to platinum, stainless steel, titanium, acrylic and glass.
Number Five, 56 Bonnygate, Cupar, Fife, KY15 4LD Tel / Fax 01334 657784
We at Scottish Field endeavour to ensure that all our reports are fair and accurate and comply with the Editors’ Code of Practice set by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). We realise, however, that mistakes happen from time to time. If you think we have made a signi cant mistake and you wish to discuss this with us, please let us know as soon as possible by either of the following two methods: emailing editor@scottish eld.co.uk; or writing to the Editor at Scottish Field, 496 Ferry Rd, Edinburgh EH5 2DL. We will attempt to resolve your issue in a timeous, reasonable and amicable manner. However, if you are unsatis ed with our response, you can contact IPSO, which will investigate the matter. You can either telephone IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or email inquiries@ipso.co.uk. IPSO is an independent body which deals with complaints from the public about the editorial content of newspapers and magazines. We will abide by the decision of IPSO.
DON’T WAIT FOR WINTER - WARM UP WITH BESPOKE
SECONDARY GLAZING TODAY
As the weather turns cooler and autumn leaves begin to fall, now is the perfect time to prepare your windows for the colder months ahead.
Storm’s handcrafted bespoke secondary glazing is designed especially for period, listed, and historic properties - helping you stay warm, reduce heat loss, and lower your energy bills all winter long.
OUR GLAZING
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IS VIRTUALLY INVISIBLE, PRESERVING THE CHARACTER OF YOUR HOME PROVIDES ACOUSTIC PROTECTION FROM EXTERNAL NOISE
Take advantage of our 0% finance option and enjoy a smooth, stress-free installation before the cold sets in.
The writer of the Star Letter will receive a bottle from the collection of unisex fragrances from Kingdom Scotland. Scotland’s First Luxury Fragrance House. www.kingdomscotland.com @kingdomscotland
WHALE OF A TIME
Letters Star Letter
The in uence of the Dundee whalers even to this day cannot be overstated when it comes to any history of the Arctic and Antarctic.
In particular, however, it is the story of Alex Ritchie, the Dundee whaler who in September 1908 rescued a complete Inuit community and the Dundonian crew of the whaler Snowdrop, which had been blown ashore during a hurricane on Ba n Island, that I nd of greatest interest.
Ritchie swam ashore with a rope, which he secured to a rock before returning to the stricken vessel. He then took every man, woman and child safely to shore.
Snowdrop was unique in the fact that she carried a crew of Inuit who hunted seals, walrus, narwhals and caribou as by the early 1900’s whales were almost extinct in the North Atlantic. The Inuit women and children prepared the skins and blubber.
When after three months no rescuers had appeared, Ritchie set off on a 500-mile walk across the frozen waste to Hudson Bay. Accompanied by two Inuit friends, one ri e, fty rounds of ammunition and a packet of biscuits, he succeeded in reaching Lake Harbour. In doing so he
WHERE ON EARTH
became the rst ‘white man’ to cross the massive Grinnell Glacier.
It is intriguing that whereas Ritchie’s story is almost unknown in his native Scotland the tale of his outstanding bravery and endurance is taught in Canadian schools and he has legendary status among the Inuit people in Canada and Greenland.
We have made heroes out of abject failures such as Robert Falcon Scott, who refused to take advice from W F Milne. Amundsen sought Milne out and took his advice which enabled him to reach the South Pole and return safely. Scott and his companions perished.
Why do we not celebrate real heroes like Alex Ritchie? Why is there not even a blue plaque at his birth place or a monument in Dundee?
I have tried to redress this oversight by including Alex Ritchie’s story – exactly as he told it to his nephew Neil – in my book The Two Arctics: Their People and Their Problems, as any history involving the story of Arctic whaling would be incomplete without some acknowledgement of the Dundonian's remarkable feats. Prof Eric McVicar, Strontian
A history of Scotland's libraries explored in Edinburgh [Field Culture, September 2025]. Where in Edinburgh? There is not much point highlighting an exhibition unless you give details. I looked it up and it is in the central library. Please don't assume all of your readers live in Edinburgh.
Mary Fyfe, Neilston, Glasgow
Tel: 01738 638822
Email: enquiries@callumwalker.com
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm Saturday: 10am - 4pm
SEAL OF APPROVAL
I wanted to share a recent experience that readers who care deeply about Scotland's wildlife may nd interesting. Over the past few months I have been volunteering with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), an organisation dedicated to the rescue and welfare of marine mammals around our coasts.
In Aberdeenshire, BDMLR volunteers are often called out to assist with stranded or injured seals, porpoises and whales. After a thorough day of training, I became quali ed to help with these rescues –learning how to handle animals safely, work as part of a team,
and ensure the best possible chance of recovery for them.
One particularly memorable moment was taking part in a 'seal relay', transporting a young grey seal from Stonehaven to Dundee in a dog crate in the back of my car after handing over the seal in the Asda car park in Dundee. There, it could continue its journey to a specialist rescue centre for rehabilitation before, hopefully, being released back into the wild. It was both humbling and inspiring to play a small role in giving this animal a second chance at life.
BDMLR relies on volunteers across Scotland, and it has been hugely rewarding to contribute to their work. I would encourage anyone interested in marine life to nd out more about the training – it's a unique way to get involved in conserving our rich coastal heritage.
Anna Nicol, Aberdeenshire
THE POWER OF CRAFT
I have just received your September issue, which features the ‘Power 100’. I was shocked and saddened that the list completely neglected Scottish crafters and makers. The industry, which includes textiles such as Harris tweed, is one of the most vibrant and in uential globally, and while many crafters and makers are small scale, the industry still contributes around £70m to the Scottish economy each year.
That does not include the economic value of craft tourism, which attracts visitors from all over the world. The industry is steeped in culture and tradition, and skills that are passed from one generation to the next. A feature of Scottish life that many Scots are inherently proud of, and would hope to retain. Crafting is also key to the farm diversi cation agenda, and may be a solution to retaining and supporting Scottish crofting and farming. It is a shame that a magazine promoting rural life focused on such a narrow view of what in uences the Scottish countryside.
Dr Sarah Morton, St Andrews
ABOVE: The Boss of the Glen Etive taken by Viktor Tregubov.
RIGHT: Loving Life! Irvine Bay Beach taken by Stephanie Jackman. FARRIGHT: A Celtic knot with an armillary is at the heart of the Garden of Contemplation at Threave NTS garden in Galloway taken by Roddy Riddell.
LEFT: Bishops Bay Ballachulish taken by Ronald Stokes. ABOVE: Dusk silhouette of the village hall in Gifford, East Lothian taken by Nigel Robson.
PICTURE PERFECT
No one loves a good photograph showing the variety of life in Scotland more than us. We also love seeing your photographs too, so lovely readers, upload your photos today and you might find your work appearing here
FAR LEFT: Checking in for lunch taken by Jo Brown. ABOVE: Sunset at Pennyghael, Isle of Mull taken by George Sprott. LEFT: Basset hound puppies out on Welbeck Estate taken by Sylvia Stewart.
LEFT: Loch Dunmore in Faskally Wood, Pitlochry taken by Cara Barber.
We love seeing your photographs of Scotland and picking our favourites each month. For your chance to appear on our Picture Perfect pages send your photographs to the team via gdickie@scottish eld.co.uk. Remember to include your full name and a title for your photograph.
Property of the month
Stevenson House, East Lothian, EH41 4PU
Selling Agent: Rettie & Co
Tel: 0131 624 4183
Offers over: £5,250,000
Stevenson House is a 16th century estate which sits within 21 acres of private grounds, including a tranquil stretch of the River Tyne. Surrounded by mature woodlands it’s a haven for wildlife, yet the eight bedroom home is within a short drive of the A1, providing quick access to Edinburgh and the airport. The house as seen today dates from 1560 and replaced an earlier house that is understood to have been burnt to the ground during the Earl of Hartford’s invasion of Scotland in 1544. This is a rare example of a ‘grange plan’ house, meaning it was built in a square shape around a central courtyard three storeys high with a turnpike staircase at each of the four corners. The home comes with two additional properties, Little Stevenson, a spacious family home, and The Coach House.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Stevenson House dates from 1560; living room; dining room; bedroom;
Family property of the month
West eld, The Moor, Auchterarder, PH7 3RB
Selling Agent: Halliday Homes Tel: 01764 911000
Offers over: £1,280,000
This incredible home sits on a 1.2 acre plot surrounded by panoramic mountain views. The ve-bedroom property has been nished to a high standard and the current owners have lovingly cultivated and developed the gardens. There is a beautiful summerhouse with vaulted ceiling which is positioned to take in the stunning views and there is also a pool house with a terri c outlook. The home is just two miles from the world-famous Gleneagles Hotel, which has four golf courses.
Period property of the month
Daluaine Manse, Aberdeenshire, AB54 4WA
Selling Agent: Peter Graham & Associates 01343 862969
Offers over: £790,000
This seven-bedroom stone-built former manse combines historical grandeur with rural tranquility. Dating from the mid-18th century the home retains a wealth of period features including high gables, coped chimneys and traditional stonework. The gardens have been lovingly developed by the previous owner since the 1970s, and include a 17th-century walled garden, arboretums and mature woodland.
Castle of the month
Couston Castle, Aberdour, Fife, KY3
Selling Agent: Knight Frank Tel: 0131 222 9608
Offers over: £2,650,000
The outstanding fairytale Couston Castle spans over more than ve acres with stunning views over Otterston Loch. The ve-bedroom property, which dates back to the 16th century, has a gym suite with sauna and wet room, a cinema room and oak-panelled drawing room. The grounds feature lawns, an orchard, outdoor kitchen, play area, dog kennels and gardener’s compound. In the 1980s, businessman Alastair Harper bought the ruins of the castle and, with architect Ian Begg, rebuilt it.
Blanerne House
Duns, Scottish Borders, TD11 3PZ Offers Over £2,000,000
3 Bedroom Family Home | 2 Cottages with Self Catering Potential
Idyllic three-bedroom family home and two detached cottages, set in a coastal location within an RSPB reserve on the ever-popular Isle of Coll with direct access to the stunning island coastline. The Isle of Coll enjoys official ‘Dark Sky’ status with no light pollution to speak of and is renowned for its tranquillity.
Contact Andrew Fuller Tel: 01631 566 122 | Email: andrew.fuller@bellingram.co.uk
DALUAINE MANSE & GARDENS
Rhynie, Aberdeenshire
Set in an idyllic position just outside the village of Rhynie, Aberdeenshire this exceptional stone-built former manse offers a rare opportunity to acquire a property of historical distinction and rural beauty. Dating from the mid-18th Century, the property is steeped in heritage and surrounded by approximately 6.34 hectares of beautifully landscaped grounds.
This seven-bedroom residence retains a wealth of original features, including high gables, coped chimneys, and traditional stonework. The interior is equally impressive, with generously proportioned rooms, a light-filled conservatory with views over the gardens and terrace, and an elegant drawing room featuring an open fireplace. The grounds have been lovingly developed since the 1970s and include a 17th century walled garden, formal south-facing lawn, mature woodland, and thoughtfully curated arboretums all contributing to the property’s unique sense of peace and privacy.
Combining timeless architecture with spectacular grounds, this unique home is a haven for garden lovers and nature enthusiasts looking to enjoy life in a scenic and historic countryside location.
Offers Over £790,000
Viewing strictly by appointment only. To arrange a viewing please contact Peter Graham & Associates LLP 01343 862969 mail@petergassoc.co.uk petergassoc.com
DIPPEN, ISLE OF ARRAN
A stunning refurbished coastal lodge and cottage with about 130 acres of land, including grazing, woodland and coastal frontage on the Isle of Arran with uninterrupted views over the Firth of Clyde.
7
tom.stewart-moore@knightfrank.com
HAS EXPANDED ACROSS AGENCIES SCOTLAND
Tenure: Freehold Council Tax: Band H EPC Rating: D ffers ver , , 4 22
or an dinburgh mar et appraisal contact or edinburgh fineandcountr com or a rest of Scotland mar et appraisal, contact or scotland fineandcountr com
Tenure: Freehold Council Tax: Band G EPC Rating: D
ver , , 8 74
Westfield by Auchterarder
Westfield by Auchterarder
5 Bedrooms | 4 Reception Rooms | 6 Bathrooms | Underfloor heating | South Facing Garden | Pool House | Summer House | Garaging | Approximately 1.2 acres.
5 Bedrooms | 4 Reception Rooms | 6 Bathrooms | Underfloor heating | South Facing Garden | Pool House | Summer House | Garaging | Approximately 1.2 acres.
Stunning, contemporary country home with magnificent views.
Stunning, contemporary country home with magnificent views.
5 miles from Auchterarder. 7 miles from the Internationally renowned Gleneagles Hotel Resort.
5 miles from Auchterarder. 7 miles from the Internationally renowned Gleneagles Hotel Resort.
Offers Over £1,280,000
Offers Over £1,280,000
Offers Over £1,280,000
Stephen Duncan/Debbie Mackison – 01764 91100 Email: Auchterarder@hallidayhomes.co.uk Hallidayhomes.co.uk
Stephen Duncan/Debbie Mackison – 01764 91100 Email: Auchterarder@hallidayhomes.co.uk Hallidayhomes.co.uk
Broomhill Cottage
Broomhill Cottage is a, truly delightful, detached 4 bedroom family home set in its own 22 acres of woodland and enviably located in a tranquil, yet highly convenient, setting of Bridge of Allan.
Offers Over £970,000
SOLD
Logie Aston
Halliday Home Collections are delighted to bring to the market, Logie Aston, this most impressive Victorian villa which sits within well maintained, walled garden grounds, with long driveway and gated entrance.
We have over 50 years experience of supplying bespoke timber frame components to a wide variety of projects.
From traditional to contemporary homes and commercial projects of all shapes and sizes. For the very best quality, value and service please contact us to discuss your project. 01764 670 424
BUYING WITHOUT COMPROMISE
Scottish property finders Garrington explore why acquiring exceptional homes in Scotland is more than a lifestyle decision
In today’s more considered market, buyers are once again able to take their time. The urgency of previous years has eased.
Sellers are more pragmatic, viewings are back on the rise, and agents are now guiding conversations around realistic offer levels rather than expecting every property to exceed valuation. But not all homes are created equal. While a growing number of ‘good-enough’ properties sit on the market, distinctive homes continue to stand out. These are properties in prime addresses, those that feature notable architectural details, high- uality finishes, and immediate liveability. Even in a more selective market, they often draw early interest and strong outcomes. Across Scotland, this pattern is becoming ever more evident.
Scarcity forced the hand, but at what cost?
Looking back to 2021, property stock was disappearing quickly. Competitive bidding over home valuation reports was commonplace, and urgency drove many buyers to settle for homes that fell short of expectations. Some had compromised plots or layouts, others dated interiors or less desirable locations. In many cases, the product was far from exceptional, but some buyers chose to pay
more to avoid prolonged searching or missing preferred options.
Today, with more choice available and pressure easing, some of those decisions are being revisited.
A tale of two postcodes
Now that buyers have more time and greater freedom to choose, the difference between properties has become more pronounced. Some homes are attracting multiple offers and creating closing dates within days. Others remain quietly on the market, waiting.
We are seeing tastefully renovated period ats in Edinburgh and lasgow and desirable stone-built homes in established rural and commuter locations attract strong interest within days, while larger but less sympathetically presented properties are taking significantly longer to sell. Presentation, positioning, and property history appear to be playing an increased role in buyer decisions.
The value behind the premium
It may feel counter-intuitive to pay more in a market where negotiation is expected. However, experienced buyers understand the value of the li uidity premium the benefit of
MEET THE TEAM
owning a home that remains in demand, even when conditions shift.
Paying a modest premium can lead to quicker resale and less exposure to discounting during market downturns. Value is not just about the purchase price; it is also about the ease of resale and long-term demand.
Planning for the exit from day one
Many experienced buyers now consider resale potential from their first viewing. Properties with lasting appeal tend to sell more quickly, whatever the market conditions. They attract a wider pool of buyers, often those who are emotionally led rather than purely price driven. Marketing tends to be more straightforward, and negotiations less fraught.
arrington work closely with clients to find and secure exceptional homes, including many that are never openly marketed. If you are considering your next move, they would be delighted to help.
Garrington Property Finders are leading experts in Scotland and often have access to properties that will never be visible on the open market. If you are looking for help, trust us, we know where to look.
LAND REFORM (SCOTLAND) BILL ADVANCES IN SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
Turcan Connell's Rona Macdonald gives a timely update on Land Reform
The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, aimed at reforming the law relating to 'Large Landholdings' and leases of rural land, has progressed to its final stage in the Scottish Parliament, following significant amendments during the Stage process.
Over amendments were submitted by SPs from both sides of the debate and considered by the Net Zero, Energy and Transport ommittee. he resulting Stage ill includes notable changes, particularly concerning Large Landholdings.
efining arge andholdings
A arge andholding was previously defined as an area of land under the same or connected ownership exceeding 3,000 hectares with special rules for islands (for land management plans) or exceeding 1,000 hectares for sale restrictions . he Stage ill makes this threshold consistent across the Bill so that it applies to an area of land within the same or connected ownership exceeding 1,000 hectares and removing any distinction for islands. An important change is made stating that when calculating total land si e, any land within metres of other land under the same or connected ownership is taken into account.
and management plans
nder the ill, Scottish inisters will be empowered to make regulations requiring Large Landholdings owners to produce and publicly share land management plans.
The list of those who can report alleged breaches of these regulations has been expanded in the Stage ill, and maximum fines for noncompliance raised from to . he Stage ill also gives the new Land and Communities Commissioner (who will be a member of the Scottish Land Commission) greater powers for investigation and enforcement.
ale restrictions
The Bill introduces two major restrictions on the sale of Large Landholdings:
1. Prohibition on Sales Without otification
Initially, the Bill proposed a ban on the sale of any part of a Large andholding without prior notification to Scottish inisters, regardless of the si e of the land parcel. his sparked criticism for potentially blocking small-scale sales. he Stage ill now permits partial land sales without inisterial notification, provided the area falls below a threshold to be set by the Ministers through further regulations.
.Prohibition on Sales Without a otting ecision
One of the more controversial parts of the Bill is the requirement for the owner of a Large Landholding to obtain a 'lotting decision' from Scottish Ministers before selling their land. Ministers must determine
whether the land should be divided into lots, based on a community sustainability test. Initially criticised for lacking a time limit, the Stage ill now re uires the inisters to make a decision within six months. However, it does not say what happens if that deadline is missed, potentially limiting its impact.
The Ministers will be required to publish guidance explaining how they will make lotting decisions and how these are expected to work in practice.
gricultural provisions and final stage
Few amendments were made at Stage to the part of the ill relating to agricultural tenancies and some (e.g. tenant improvements, right to buy process and resumption compensation) may be reviewed more closely at Stage 3.
he ill has now reached its third and final stage, where SPs can submit further amendments before the Scottish Parliament votes on the final version. he timetable for this final stage has not been announced at the time of writing.
Further changes are expected, and if the Bill is passed, secondary legislation will be required to implement several of its elements. Transitional provisions are also anticipated to ease the shift to the new framework.
CONTACT
Rona Macdonald is a Professional Support Lawyer at Turcan Connell. Tel: 0131 228 8111, www.turcanconnell.com
An exceptional, five bedroom, detached family home set within approximately 10 acres of land with magnificent views towards Ruberslaw and beyond. Presenting a unique opportunity to equestrian and countryside enthusiasts or to those simply looking to take advantage of a more peaceful way of life, Woodside is the ultimate lifestyle choice.
Around £825,000
front UP
SAVED FOR THE NATION
The dilapidated studio of renowned textile designer Bernat Klein has been saved by a coalition of leading Scottish heritage and design groups. The property near Selkirk was built for Klein in 1972 and is one of Scotland’s most important 20th century buildings. A last minute attempt to save the building saw it bought by the coalition for £279,000 – 15 times its guide price. www.nts.org.uk
SANDY WRECK IDENITIFED AS NAVY VESSEL
rchaeolo ists have identi ed a -year-old shipwreck discovered on the island of Sanday in Orkney. Evidence points to the wreck bein the Earl of hatham, a former Royal avy vessel called H S Hind which was renamed once it became a whalin ship. The timbers were discovered by the community of Sanday last year when unusual wind removed the sands which had hidden the wreck for centuries. www.wessexarch.co.uk
PINEWOOD PLIGHT
A painting of Scotland’s oldest wild Scots pine, which is on display in London, is helping highlight the plight of the surviving Caledonian pinewoods in the Highlands. The Glen Loyne Pine has been dated to at least 1458. Dan Llywelyn Hall’s painting of the 567-year-old tree helps draw attention to the fact the woods have been reduced to less than 2% of their original area. www.treesforlife.org.uk
A BBC Alba documentary will look at life on the Hebridean islands of Barra and Vatersay as they continue to buck the depopulation trend witnessed by others in Scotland. Na h-Eileanaich ( e Islanders) features stories from people who talk of what it is really like to live on the southernmost inhabited islands in the Western Isles and the ups and downs of island life. www.bbc.co.uk/alba
3%
The islands saw a 3% increase in the population in the 2022 cencus.
1,300
Barra and Vatersay have a population of around 1,300.
200
The islands are connected by a 200-metre causeway.
A round-up of what’s going on across
Scotland
SCHOOL SAVIOURS
Gordonstoun school has helped re-open a mountain adventure centre in the Cairngorms. Rothiemurchus Lodge was established in 1948 as a base for outdoor activities for Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force personnel. Its future was in doubt a er the MOD decided to close it last year, but Gordonstoun will now be involved in the running of the building which will be used by students for adventure learning. www.gordonstoun.org.uk
Fly-maker remembered
Arguably the world’s most famous salmon fly-dressers, e an Boyd, has been immortalised at the Old Clyne School herita e centre in Brora. ve metre high stainless steel sculpture of a fly by local sculptor on san a was unveiled at the centre s openin , in the presence of King Charles who used e an s flies and became a ood friend.
OUTLANDER DRESS ON SHOW
IN CULROSS
A dress worn by the character Geillis Duncan in the first series of hit TV show Outlander is going on display at Culross Palace. e Royal Burgh of Culross, along with many other places in Scotland, have been used as filming locations for the series. e character, played by Lotte Verbeek, wore the dress made of a felted wool bodice and a heavy wool weave skirt. Fans of the series will recognise Culross as the fictional village of Cranesmuir. www.nts.org.uk
MATCHMAKER
The National Trust for Scotland is playing matchmaker in a bid to help save a population of relict downy willow trees on Ben Lomond. The Trust hopes to enhance the population through a small patch of four female trees found in the highest crags of West Ptarmigan at Ben Lomond. They will pair up potential partners by planting male plants among the patch of relict females. www.nts.org.uk
NASA CALCULATOR
A calculator used by a Scottish scientist to help NASA achieve the rst manned moon landing has been donated to National Museums Scotland. The Facit Model LX calculator was used by Scots scientist Archie Roy, who was asked by Nasa to be a consultant on trajectory calculations for the Apollo 11 mission, which led to the rst humans landing on the moon on 20 July 1969. www.nms.ac.uk
WHERE SICILY MEETS SCOTLAND
Discover the new Irene Forte Spa at The Balmoral, Edinburgh
There's a moment, stepping through the doors of the new Irene Forte Spa at The Balmoral, when the city seems to disappear. The scent of orange blossom drifts through the air, and a calming palette of terracotta, sage, and soft neutrals evokes a relaxed, sun-warmed ambience.
It marks a new chapter for wellbeing not only in the Scottish capital, but for the UK as a whole, with the arrival of its first Irene Forte Spa. Inside The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel and beloved Edinburgh icon, this tranquil space is both a retreat and a reawakening, where science-led skincare meets the healing powers of nature.
Every element of the spa has been designed with the individual in mind. With five treatment rooms and a team of expert therapists, the experience here is personal rather than prescriptive. Bespoke rituals are enriched by Irene Forte Skincare, described as a ‘Mediterranean diet for your skin.’ Its products,
CONTACT
crafted from organic ingredients grown on Verdura Resort’s farm in Sicily, are backed by over 40 years of dermatological research.
Among the spa’s signature treatments, the customisable Forte Facial begins with an in-depth skin analysis and ends with products precisely tailored to your skin’s needs, whether you’re looking to hydrate, boost radiance, or address signs of ageing, while the highperformance Glow & Lift: The Lyma Pro Facial incorporates advanced laser technology to lift, sculpt and smooth. For a deeply grounding experience rooted in ancient Celtic wisdom, the 90-minute Scottish Cairngorm Quartz Healing Ritual harnesses the balancing energy of this Highland stone. Including a relaxing heather foot soak, gentle back exfoliation, and a nourishing rosehip scalp mask, before culminating in a restorative hot Cairngorm stone massage.
A curated massage menu ranges from deep tissue and lymphatic massage to more targeted therapeutic treatments. Meanwhile, for guests
who are short on time, the Forte Vita Bar offers fast facials, alongside nail services, for a swift yet restorative experience even on the busiest of days.
There’s also an exclusive membership programme, ideal for locals or regular visitors to the city. Alongside access to the indoor lap pool, echnogym-e uipped fitness studio, sauna, steam room and group classes, members also enjoy special savings on treatments and skincare, and a complimentary treatment on their birthday.
Tailored spa packages also invite guests to embrace a moment of reconnection or celebration, whether given as a thoughtful gift or as a gesture of self-care. From the Facial Spa Day package, including a personalised 90-minute facial, to Spa and Afternoon Tea, combining a 60-minute treatment followed by a decadent Afternoon Tea beneath the chandeliers of The Balmoral’s Palm Court.
In a city celebrated for its vibrant festivals and creative spirit, the new Irene Forte Spa offers a serene and unexpected sanctuary in the heart of this storied capital.
OBJECT OF DESIRE
Laings Platinum Yellow Diamond Ring with Hidden White Diamonds
Acelebration of artistry and expert cra smanship, Laings platinum (2.07ct) solitaire oval cut yellow diamond ring is an emblem of elegance. e intense colour of this yellow diamond is complemented with two hidden round brilliant cut diamonds and delicate millgrain detailing. Designed and made in house at Laings. laingsuk.com
Price £41,295
Scotland through a lens – Wildlife Photography Awards
NATURAL SELECTION
There are many incredible images of Scotland’s wildlife amongst the entries to the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2025. The small selection showcased here are just some of our favourites
PREVIOUS PAGES: Homeward Bound –Northern gannets above Noss, Shetland taken by Finley Dennison.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Ptarmigan Viewpoint – Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta), Loch Lomond by Jamie McDermaid; Crested Tit –taken in the Cairngorms by Danny Green; Running Through the Heather –Mountain hare taken in the Monadhliath Mountains by Karen Miller; Short-eared Owl – taken on North Uist by Ian Mason.
LEFT: Laser Focus, Silver Shimmer – Guillemot, St Abbs taken by Nur Tucker.
TOP: Beach Patrol – Pine Marten on Black Isle taken by Terry Whittaker.
ABOVE LEFT: Common Sandpiper with Dragon y – Common sandpiper taken in Perthshire by Ian Mason.
ABOVE RIGHT: Red Deer Stag Shaking Off Rain – Red deer in the Western Highlands taken by Neil McIntyre.
TOP: Grouse Lekking – Black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) in Perthshire taken by Saleel Tambe.
ABOVE: Eat, Sleep, Play, Repeat – Otters on the Isle of Mull taken by Alison Vaughan.
www.bwpawards.org
@bwpawards
TOP: Guillemot Kingdom – Guillemot, St Abbs taken by Mark Kirkland.
LEFT: Moon on a Sunny Day – Moon jelly sh in the waters of Shetland taken by Billy Arthur. ABOVE: British Stars and Stripes – Brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) at Loch Leven taken by Jenny Stock.
OBJECT OF DESIRE
Honma 5-Star Men’s Golf Club Set
This elegant set of golf clubs combines exceptional performance with impeccable style. High strength lightweight carbon empowers the average golfer with a superior stroke, and each club is adorned with exquisite 14-carat gold and platinum accents. e set includes a driver, two woods, eight irons and a hybrid club. Golf’s golden standard.
us.honmagolf.com
Price £46,396
DESIGNED & MADE IN ORKNEY, SCOTLAND
Or ney Spirit COLLECTION
A new collection by Jodie Brown, jeweller at Sheila Fleet Jewellery.
Inspired by Orkney’s world-famous Neolithic standing stones, Orkney Spirit is available in a choice of two enamel colourways, in oxidised sterling silver, and in 9ct gold.
Discover the collection at sheila eet.com/orkneyspirit
Visit sheila eet.com to see our rings in silver, gold and platinum, many hand set with diamonds.
THRILL OF
THE HUNT
How did James Hunt’s son Freddie end up living on a remote Bute smallholding, and why has the former polo playing racing driver and model rejected life in the fast lane and instead opted to live off the land in splendid rural isolation? Richard Bath we t to fi d out...
PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT PERRY
Freddie Hunt
The profile is unmistakeable. You could parachute this man anywhere into Britain and everyone over 40 would know he’s James Hunt’s son. He has that same lean physique, that same excitably high-pitched way of speaking, the same unruly mop of hair. And to judge by the way Freddie Hunt handles the sleek McLaren Spyder 750S
– which would probably give the McLaren in which his father won the Formula One world championship almost half a century ago a run for its money – he also has that same daredevil need for speed.
As with his father, there is more than a whi of glamour to the 38-year-old standing before me. A former professional polo player and talented racing driver, he also co-owns Elkay
Hunt, an exclusive fashion brand selling ornate hand-made silk and linen jackets for up to £10,000 a pop to the uberrich. He won’t tell you as much, but their clients are rumoured to include Brad Pitt, who has developed a healthy obsession with F1 since his recent starring role in a film dedicated to the sport.
So what the hell, I ask Freddie, is he doing living in a remote and decidedly rustic smallholding on the Isle of Bute that’s at the end of a ra edy track down which he could never drive the McLaren? And why has a man used to living life in the fast lane taken a fork in the road into the slow lane to the extent that he talks excitedly about one day setting up a nature reserve, and for now is determined to live o the land?
His father had a famously good
‘I can see that this existence might look a little strange if you don’t know me’
sense of humour and Freddie is clearly amused by the obvious incongruity of his parallel lives. ‘Ah, the glamour of it all,’ he laughed. ‘Yes, I can see that this existence might look a little strange if you don’t know me, but I’m a country boy through and through.
‘I grew up on farms a er we moved from Wimbledon to Sussex when I was
about four, and so we were there for 18 months before dad died. I took to the countryside like a duck to water and never looked back. I roamed around the countryside, went fishing, and rode horses – a lot.
‘I was raised on horses. Mum came from a racing background, and my grandmother was the first ever woman to have a racing licence – and a winner at Ascot – so I started hacking and eventing but when I got to the age of 13 I got a bit bored so I tried polo. We never really thought through the cost of polo, and although I le school at 16 to go and play professionally, at 18 I ran out of horses and a er a trip to the pub found myself racing at Goodwood. So I was out of horses and into racing in the same 24 hour period.’
Freddie talks as fast as he drove
PREVIOUS PAGES: With the McLaren Spyder 750S at Ettrick Bay, the stunning mile-long beach on Bute near Freddie’s cottage, with the Firth of Clyde in the background. LEFT: Modelling one of his Elkay Hunt jackets. ABOVE: The boss gets a warm welcome from one of his two sows.
when in Formula Ford, and sitting in a classic Bute farm cottage it’s tempting to let him carry on reminiscing, especially as he’s covering a vast amount of ground at warp speed, ending with the tale of how he would be super-fast behind the wheel in practice only to freeze on the big stage, a problematic top-two-inches issue that he thinks he has conquered.
But I eventually manage to bring him back on track and address the elephant in the room once again –so why did you move to Bute?
‘It was pretty spontaneous,’ he laughs. ‘During lockdown motor racing shut down and I’d always wanted to come to Scotland so I started working at an estate north of Campbeltown, not far from Tarbert.
‘When my sponsors pulled out thanks to Covid, it was game over for that career, but I’d been on Bute with the guy I was working for in Kintyre and spotted this house
when I was up on the hill. It was hidden away, so gave me the space and solitude I wanted.
‘It’s beautiful. I thought “that is my dream place, I’d give my le arm for that”, and, long story short, five months later this place come up for sale. I knew it needed so much work but I didn’t hesitate and just went for it.’
at was in February 2021, Freddie moving into a house that had no heating, no water, ‘no nothing’. He got professionals in from the big city of Rothesay to do the roof, and finds painting ‘so goddamned boring’ that he delegated that too. But everything else he did himself, including stud walls, insulation, the lot.
He loves the self-reliance of being o -grid; his water comes from his own spring and he has plans to put solar panels or small turbines on the hill behind his cottage.
LEFT: Feeding his ock of sheep by hand.
ABOVE: Freddie’s constant companion on his Bute smallholding is his devoted working cocker Monkey.
‘
is place is beautiful. When I first saw it, I thought “I’d give my le arm for that” ’
at sustainable ethos extends to his food, much of which comes from his five-acre smallholding and from a block of woodland where he manages roe and red deer. ‘I live almost completely o the farm, there’s very little that I buy from the supermarket, just dairy and spices. I have pigs, sheep, chickens, a big vegetable patch and bees. My breeding of peacocks has been quite unsuccessful, though, 16 e s laid and not one survived. ing is they eat little bits of plastic and find little bits of poison round the farm.’
If the peacocks are a danger to themselves, Freddie’s gargantuan boar Steve (named a er Steve McQueen for his propensity to escape) is an altogether di erent sort of hazardous. His two sows are sweet and will eat noisily from your hands, but the big boy is almost fi y stone of muscle and doesn’t know his own strength. Freddie loves him but keeps him caged given his eagerness to
re-enact e Great Escape, yet at our photographer’s urging he climbs into his pen and soon regrets it as the excitable mega-porker threatens to crush him, prompting Freddie to beat a hasty retreat. ‘I could get enough bacon o Steve to keep me going for a year,’ he jokes, with commendable sang-froid. T he boar is, however, more a beloved pet than a food source, and is going nowhere.
Although he’s made friends on the island, I’m surprised by how hard and solitary his life really is. Yet Freddie has no regrets about his decision to move to Bute. ‘I love the wide open spaces and the fact that it’s accessible to London if I ever have to,’ he says.
It is at this stage that Lee Keshav, the former racing rival who he literally ran into in the MF Challenge back in 2014 weighs in. Keshav, the bosom buddy who came up with the idea of Elkay Hunt and brought it to Freddie, regularly travels from London to Bute to spend time with
STITCH IN TIME: Freddie’s Elkay Hunt jacket was hand-embroidered in India by thirdgeneration artisans using silk from Japan. Each item is bespoke and retails for around £8,000.
Freddie. ‘Getting him to London is very di cult,’ he says with a shrug.
Freddie nods. ‘I like the peace and quiet, and only go to London when I have to. I can’t handle cities at all and only go to them for necessity not for pleasure,’ he says, pausing wistfully before adding a rejoinder worthy of his father: ‘Mind you, I do enjoy Bangkok it’s a bit of fun, but only for a few days.’
It’s classic Freddie: a down-toearth countryman talking about sustainability one minute, while in the next breath he lauds the old school power and acceleration of the petrol McLaren Spyder, wincing when I mention hybrid and electric cars.
Freddie has chosen the road less travelled, and when I question whether he might last the course, he almost recoils. ‘But go back south again? No thanks. What the human race is doing to the world is heartbreaking, and is one of the reasons for living here. Down south, you constantly see new buildings being put up, and the tra c getting heavier on a daily basis. It upsets me too much, but up here it’s out of sight, out of mind.’
For more information on Freddie’s fashion label, see www.elkay hunt.com
TOP: Freddie and business partner Lee Keshav, who is a regular visitor to his Bute farmhouse. BELOW: The calm before the storm as a nervous Freddie gets up close and personal with his bad-tempered boar.
BOTTOM: The daily grind.
Freddie Hunt
*Images are representative of refurbishments at other Barchester homes
OBJECT OF DESIRE
Pinel & Pinel Calfskin Cigar Trunk
Pinel & Pinel are renowned for their bespoke trunks, fine leather goods and exquisite cra smanship. is elegant calfskin trunk blends an art deco influence with contemporary French luxury. e interior of the trunk is in red cedar, and a glass door provides easy access to the cellar, which is illuminated by an LED system. Ideal for the cigar connoisseur who refuses to compromise on style.
pineletpinel.com
Price £39,432
Alexander McCall Smith
WRITER’S NOTES
e unpublishables
Some people should, of course, write books but others should be actively discouraged from putting pen to paper – and rewarded for abstaining via a negative Booker Prize...
Muriel Spark was one of our most entertaining and accomplished authors. e Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, her unsurpassed treatment of Edinburgh, lies at the heart of her reputation, but many of her other novels have stood the test of time. e Girls of Slender Means still has legions of fans, and was brilliantly staged at the Lyceum eatre in Edinburgh last year. For many readers, Miss Spark is simply without equal – each book being a carefully constructed fictional delight.
Which makes Frances Wilson’s recently published biography, Electric Spark, such fascinating reading. It is all there: the early days in Edinburgh, the spell at the scheming and reactionary Poetry Society, the sojourn in Africa, the ill-starred a airs. Wilson is extremely perceptive and waspishly amusing. It shows how a good biography can be as much of a pageturner as any well-paced thriller. It will certainly deserve any literary awards that come its way. at leads to a wider point regarding literary merit. We are all grateful Electric Spark was published, yet there are other books about whom people feel less positive. is raises the question of whether there should be awards for books that have not been published. ese awards could be in recognition of the author’s consideration in refraining from adding to the sea of titles published each year – a negative Booker Prize, perhaps, given to the most deserving authors who have refrained from publishing and have declined to appear at the usual book festivals. It might be helpful to have a list of people who should be actively discouraged from writing a book. is list might include: Footballers. eir time might best be spent in training rather than writing. I am surprised that anyone can find that much to say about football – rugby is a di erent matter – but obviously there are those who can. As Jean Brodie pointed
out, ‘ ose who like that sort of thing – well, that’s the sort of thing that they like.’
Chefs. It is kind of them to o er to write books, but there are hundreds of recipe books available, and the need for more is not apparent. An exception might be made for books by people who set up restaurants on small islands belonging to the National Trust for Scotland and anything by Prue Leith: such books are always welcome.
Autobiographies by anyone under 35. On the grounds that we don’t yet know the end.
Books by celebrities. An interest in gossip is always unbecoming. ese books, however, are all right if they consist only of photographs. at’s the negative list. Now for those who should be warmly encouraged to write a book. is list of such authors, and books, includes: Unsuccessful politicians. Political memoirs elicit little interest in the contemporary literary marketplace, but there is still a demand for books by politicians who have resigned in disgrace.
People who have lived with wild animals, and survived to tell the tale. Joy Adamson’s Born Free is an example: we all love reading about lionesses who live with people and show restraint by not eating them. Similarly, books about living with otters in the Highlands are at a premium.
Scottish country dance murders. e inventiveness of crime writers knows no bounds. Nobody, though, has written a Scottish country dance murder mystery, and the field is wide open.
Other books are waiting to be written which will replace books that should not have been written. But this will not always happen. Some books that should not be written will continue to be written, and it is possible that some will be read by members of the public. In the world of books, anything is possible; nobody knows where public taste will go. Scottish country dance murders might be the next big thing, but equally possibly, they are not. Nobody knows; I certainly don’t.
there be awards for books which have not been published?’
Sir Alexander McCall Smith
SIX OF THE BEST
Morag Bootland and Frankie Reason uncover six exceptional artisan makers
Nate Robinson – Blacksmith
Just o Manse road in ornhill sits an old schoolhouse a ectionately known as Nate’s Fork. It gets its name from the 24- -tall piece of silverware resting against the brickwork, cra ed by skilled blacksmith Nate Robinson.
Nate was introduced to blacksmithing at age 13 and fell in love with the skill. ‘I picked it up immediately and went and got my mum’s hairdryer and my dad’s potbelly barbecue, and then just made myself a forge and started hitting a bit of steel, practising, playing around.’
His experimentation eventually became a more sophisticated cra , and a er a time at Strathclyde University developing his design skills, Nate returned to Dumfriesshire to pursue blacksmithing full time. e 24- fork is just one of many projects dreamt up over a pint. Nate and his business partner, Aaron Wahab, will o en bounce half-serious ideas o one another and then feel compelled to see them through. He has recently added a 7 dragon to his portfolio, as well as a 10 feline climbing frame for his cats.
Alongside his creative pursuits, Nate works on commission and welcomes over 1,500 visitors to his forge every month. Many are attracted by his YouTube channel, which he launched in 2018 with the series e Wandering Blacksmith
‘I have this portable forge and an anvil, and I’ll take them up to Skye and we’ll go and forge at Dunvegan Castle, or we’ll go up a waterfall and forge there, just showing o Scotland’s landscape.’ www.natesforge.uk
‘I wouldn’t say I have a favourite. I love them all’
Angus Clyne – Woodturner
It was the work of renowned sculptor and furniture maker Tim Stead that inspired Angus Clyne to dedicate his career to working with wood. And 29 years later he’s no less passionate about the medium.
‘I mostly work with local hardwoods,’ he tells me. ‘I make the best I can with a piece of wood. I wouldn’t say I have a favourite. I love them all.’
Creating sculptural or functional bowls or vases which are turned and carved in his Perthshire workshop, using trees that are wind blown or have had to be cut down, the majority of Angus’s work is destined for galleries around Scotland, including his own at Ballinluig.
Angus works with green wood and changes his process depending on the type of wood he is working with. His burr elm bowls are particularly memorable, as are those bowls made from irregular or incomplete pieces of wood. He deifies the flawed, holey and lop-sided, and o en leaves wood for years to encourge the fungus and spalts that create interesting colours.
‘I taught myself how to work with di erent woods,’ he explains. ‘Whether that’s making vases or displaying the inside of a burnt bowl, it’s all about the beauty of wood.’
He starts by chainsawing a tree into pieces. As a single log can weigh 500kg he uses hoists to get it onto the lathe. en the wood is turned while it’s still wet and sometimes it will be finished wet.
As well as creating his own work, Angus, who is originally from Glenuig in Lochaber runs classes in woodturning for everyone from young people looking to start a career to retirees looking for a new hobby. ‘ ere’s been a resurgence in artistic woodturning, which is a really good thing,’ he tells me. ‘I love the fact that wood is a recycled product and I can always source enough of it locally.’
www.angusclyne.co.uk
ONE OF A KIND: Angus’s bowls and vases are incredibly distinctive and immediately identi able. FAR RIGHT: LAURA TILIMAN
‘I love that you can create anything, without a huge environmental impact’
Adam Innes – Stonemason
As a sixth generation stonemason, following in the footsteps of his forebears who founded James Innes & Son in Doune 175 years ago was pretty much a foregone conclusion for Adam Innes.
‘I’ve been on building sites since I could walk, helping my dad,’ he tells me. ‘I studied stonemasonry at Edinburgh College for two years and then did a degree in stone sculpture.’
Adam combines his stone carving skills with construction and restoration work, and spends much of his time working on Scotland’s castles.
‘I’m currently making urns for Arndilly House, we’re working on Old Leckie Castle, we’ve worked on Drummond Castle for the last 40 years, then there’s Menzies Castle and Moray Estates, which is probably our longest standing client.’
Some of the more unusual pieces that Adam has found himself creating over the years include a life-sized stone sculpture of a labrador commissioned by a client in Edinburgh in honour of her beloved pet dog, and an intricately carved chair for the new chief of the Clan Buchanan.
Before making a stone carving, Adam will create a clay model, which he uses to take sizes for the stone piece.
‘It’s a method that’s been used for centuries.
e Romans and the Greeks would have done it this way,’ says Adam. ‘ e tools are pretty much unchanged too, aside from a bit of tungsten in the chisels which means you need to sharpen them less.
‘I love the fact that you can create anything. You can dig a piece of stone out of the ground and make something without having a huge impact on the environment. And it will last forever if you look a er it.’
www.jiandson-stonemasons.com
SET IN STONE: Adam Innes carving a life-sized sculpture of a labrador.
ROBERT PERRY
‘It’s laborious and ostensibly really boring, but I loved it from the start’
Helen Miles – Mosaic Maker
From journalism to mosaic making, via an epiphany on a Greek beach is a unique career path that took even Helen by surprise. But sitting in her colourful Leith studio surrounded by her work there is no doubt it was a good move.
‘I moved to Greece because my husband had a job there. I didn’t know anyone, I didn’t speak the language and I was really lost,’ she remembers. ‘I was on the beach one day with my children, desperately bored, and I was playing with pebbles. I looked down at one and I just knew I was going to devote my life to making mosaics.’
Learning the cra in Greece, from a man who spoke no English, while using tiny pieces, upside down – a method that has been used for two and a half thousand years – did nothing to curb Helen’s enthusiasm. ‘It’s time intensive, laborious and ostensibly really boring, but I loved it from the start.’
Helen mainly works on commisioned pieces, like inserts for floors, which are all made in her studio. She sticks tiles, which she has cut to size, face down onto paper with water soluble glue, so she is always looking at the back of the tiles. e mosaic is then flipped onto a concrete base in situ and the paper is peeled o to reveal the design.
She also creates very modern mosaics, o en personalising them with items related to the recipient and teaches classes in the cra .
‘If I had all the money in the world I’d always work in smalti, a compressed glass from Venice which has been used since Byzantine times,’ she says. ‘But I also love using pebbles, shells, crockery and found things like beads and single-use plastics.’ www.helenmilesmosaics.org
OUT ON THE TILES: Helen Miles surrounded by her colourful creations in her Leith studio.
LEFT: ROBERT PERRY.
‘As humans we have a funny obsession with toy-like things’
Kenneth MacLeod – Theatre Designer
The journey starts with a script. It normally involves me sitting down with a director who wants to know how we are going to do a scene with a helicopter, or the bit when they all go under water. ose first meetings about a production are really exciting. I get into the nitty gritty and it’s a bit like therapy,’ laughs Kenneth MacLeod.
Kenneth has been a theatre designer for a decade, a career that followed training at e Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Today he works with theatres and companies around Scotland, including the National eatre of Scotland, Dundee Rep, Scottish Opera and many more.
From a script and brainstorming, Kenneth will start drawing what he imagines the stage set will look like before creating 3D scale models.
‘ e models are really important,’ he says. ‘I think as humans we have a funny obsession with toy-like things, so it really is the best way for people to see how the set will look in the space. It is also what the carpenters, painters and builders work from when they build the set.’
But Kenneth’s job doesn’t end there. He will oversee the build as it progresses. In fact, he won’t bow out until the set is fully installed and ready for opening night.
‘No two theatre spaces are the same,’ Kenneth tells me. ‘ e set has to fit, function and be taken up and down easily, as well as taking the audience there as best we can. It’s a bit like product design. ere are lots of limitations, but that’s what keeps it fun and exciting.’
And the best part? ‘Being in a room where everyone is focused on giving people the best experience. It’s a galvanising process. It’s all about people sitting down in a dark room, watching drama and sharing emotions and connection.’
www.kenneth-macleod.com
‘Making handmade ceramics that are used every day feels very special’
Summers spent with family on the Isle of Harris as a child have had a profound e ect on Belinda Glennon. e Borders-based artist captures memories of the people, coast, landscapes and connection she feels to the island in the sculptural and functional pieces she throws.
‘Making handmade ceramics that are used every day in the home feels very special,’ she tells me. Belinda’s pieces can be found on social media and at markets around Scotland, as well as alongside her sculptural work at large ceramics shows, but her route into pottery was far from straightforward. Despite always being a creative person, she was told that she wasn’t good enough to study art at school and instead followed a career in nursing. Taking evening classes at e Meadows Pottery in Edinburgh while training to be a nurse fired her love of working with clay and so followed a decade of learning to throw on the wheel at workshops, and then at Newcastle College, before she started her business ten years ago.
‘I have ideas going around in my head all the time, some will stick. It might come from a specific place in Harris. I sketch what I’m thinking or sometimes write my ideas down. en I’ll make small pieces and start testing glazes and firings. It’s a long process to take things from a bag of clay to a finished piece,’ says Belinda. ‘ ere’s a lot that can go wrong along the way, but it is such a satisfying medium to work in.’
Learning to speak Gaelic, her mother’s first language, is helping Belinda to forge even deeper connections with the island even when she isn’t able to be there in person.
www.belindaglennon.co.uk
OF FORTUNE: Belinda
WHEEL
Glennon at work in her studio in Stow in the Scottish Borders.
Belinda Glennon – Ceramicist
PHIL WILKINSON
REALLY WILD
Where British craftsmanship meets modern style
This autumn, British fashion brand Really Wild bring a celebration of rural elegance and natural fabrics with three new collections launching in September. From practical country attire to versatile transitional pieces and redefined city-wear. he collections celebrate a seamless blend of tradition, craftsmanship, and contemporary style.
For Really Wild, every garment begins with the fabric, and few fabrics tell a story like tweed. Steeped in history and rooted in the British landscape, tweed has clothed generations who lived and worked in the countryside. oday, Really Wild continues that legacy, working with Scotland’s most renowned mills to ensure the tradition of weaving remains alive and relevant. he brand proudly collaborates with he ovat ill in awick - the home of tweed, alongside ynoch, ochcarron, and inton. Each mill brings decades, in some cases centuries, of expertise, producing fabrics that capture the textures and tones of the land itself: the heather of the Highlands, the bracken of the moors, and vibrant winter berries.
ooted in cultural heritage, he ountry ollection pays tribute to ritish craftsmanship
and rural elegance. hink signature field coats, breeks, utility trousers, and practical detailing in knitwear such as Alcantara trims. Every piece is proudly made in the UK. Knitwear is crafted in Scotland and ondon using ritish yarns and recycled cashmere, further supporting the supply chain and sustaining skilled communities. Naturally insulating, breathable, and weather-resistant, tweed remains a fabric of function as much as of beauty.
Alongside traditional country attire sit two other collections - ybrid and ity. he ybrid ollection bridges the gap between town and country and is carefully constructed to move effortlessly from day to night. Designed for the contemporary woman, he ity ollection strikes a balance between classic luxury and modern air - perfect for dynamic city life. Really Wild believes clothes should last - in both uality and style. y championing artisan mills, UK manufacturers and traditional textiles, the brand proves that slow fashion is synonymous with luxury. Each garment is a piece of luxury heritage, designed not only for today but for seasons to come and an ode to fashion that is transparent, traceable, and truly sustainable.
ning modern elegance; Fabrics inspired
the textures and colours of the natural landscape.
Tel: 01491 352600, www.reallywildclothing.com
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Tonal, versatile and built for durability and warmth, from a day in the eld to lunch in the country; Rooted in tradition and re-de
by
Credo...
Latin. (n) ‘I believe’. A set of beliefs which influences the way you live.
Celebrating a six-decade career in music with a tour and book release, the Glaswegian national treasure chats to SF about what makes her tick
American culture is what I was fed and weaned on. My parents had a golden view of the place, which was instilled in me. It was the movies like West Side Story – you could relate to that coming from Glasgow. Everything was more romantic. I’d listen to crooners and soul singers. I felt a complete disconnection from English culture. At about 12 or 13 I became known as Scotland’s Brenda Lee.
I was 15 when I was thrust into this insane world. It was daunting but amazing to be at the centre of it. I developed an instinct growing up in Glasgow, and I was lucky to have that background.
Style is really important to people in Glasgow. It’s in your blood, it’s in your genes – and I don’t mean blue jeans.
Lulu
e Beatles were beyond cool. I mean, I wasn’t cool –there’s a picture of me with them, this 15-year-old lassie from Glasgow. When I met the Beatles, they just had the thing – dead gallus. eir background was similar to mine in Glasgow. ey listened to the same records, and, for me, they bridged that gap. Let’s be honest about it, my hormones were running wild – they were so cute. I also loved the music. It was pop music but with weight; you could hear the Motown, Stax and blues influences.
I learnt very quickly that if I wanted to keep doing this, I would have to look a er myself, and I wanted to be as healthy as possible. You’ve got to exercise the mind as much as the body. I could get out of bed and think negatively about the things that haven’t worked out or disappointed me, and I could want to shoot myself, but I don’t think like that. I think, ‘How can I learn from it, and how can I move on?’ It’s not a case of just stringing along and ‘Oh, look at her, isn’t she lucky?’ You make your own luck, and you take responsibility for mistakes.
‘You make your own luck, and take responsibility for your own mistakes’
e song that really meant something to me was written by a Glaswegian. Oh Me Oh My (I’m a Fool for You Baby) was written by Jim Doris, a former bandmate of Frankie Miller in e Stoics. He was so talented but died young – I think the circumstances were quite tragic.
My mother couldn’t get up in the morning because she was depressed She would stru le like crazy. People didn’t get diagnosed in those days, so I’d get the washing, change nappies and do what I had to. I had issues around it; I was sad and angry, but I had to cope. At the same time I loved my mother and father deeply; despite all the issues, they were good people.
I can be pessimistic, but I don’t present that If I’m going to work, I try to be light. It happens as you get older – there are times when you wake up in the night and start to worry. What if I get sick? Will my son have to look a er me? Will I be lonely on my own? I like being on my own, but things would get crazy in the middle of the night. I sleep better now. I live in the solution and not the problem. I’ve dealt with a lot of that stu .
I’m still here, and it’s not by default. I remember hearing people say when I was very young, ‘All she can do is shout.’ Well, that was like a red rag to a bull. I’d be like, ‘Yeah, just watch me.’ I’m very determined, disciplined and focused beyond focus. I try to keep true to myself; I am still here, and it’s still an interesting journey. I feel the same as when I was 15.
If Only You Knew by Lulu is released on 25 September. Scottish tour dates: 29 September, Aberdeen, Music Hall; 30 September, Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall; 1 October, Edinburgh, Usher Hall.www.luluofficial.com
THE RIGHT TRACK
Frankie Reason relives the glory days of rail travel with ten of the most luxurious train journeys in the world – a surprising number of which have a Scottish link
1. The Royal Scotsman Scotland’s first luxury train, the Royal Scotsman, embarked on its inaugural journey in 1985. It was originally composed of Mark 1 sleeper cars and three lacquer-finished dining coaches but has since been replaced with a rake
of modern, Pullman-inspired coaches. ese newer coaches are the height of luxury. e observation car – the social heart of the train – is furnished with green velvet sofas and tweed plaid armchairs, surrounded by fresh flowers and antique prints. Panoramic windows o er sweeping views of the countryside as it rushes past.
Overnight, single, double and twin cabins are available, and the train has recently introduced two Grand Suites, featuring a double bedroom, a separate lounge area and a large bathroom, plus exclusive perks such as private dining on request, a personal butler and even spa treatments.
Gourmet cuisine is central to the Royal Scotsman experience. Chefs source local Scottish ingredients from regions along the route and prepare elaborate meals designed to satisfy every appetite. O en the train will stop near west coast fishing villages and receive a crate of freshly-caught langoustines, oysters and prawns, which will promptly be served with either lunch or dinner – lavish, multicourse feasts. e train boasts two
beautiful dining cars, Raven and Swi , which date from the 1960s and have been lovingly restored, with polished mahogany panelling, intricate marquetry and plush armchairs. O ering a variety of multi-night journeys across Scotland, the Royal Scotsman will whisk you away in style. www.belmond.com/trains/europe/ scotland/belmond-royal-scotsman
2. Northern Belle
As the Northern Belle rolls in to the station, attendants make ready the red carpet. e obliging crew guide guests up the embossed red runner and on to the train, where a personal steward is waiting to escort them to their seats.
e arrival champagne reception is a fitting prelude to the train’s distinguished first-class service.
On a typical day trip, guests are treated to a quintessentially British a ernoon tea en route to their destination, before disembarking and exploring any one of a number of historical sites. e return journey features an indulgent six-course dinner accompanied by live music.
Excursions to and from Edinburgh are a mainstay and help to reinforce the train’s historic Scottish character. e Northern Belle takes its name from the 1930s LNER train, which once o ered a curated, multi-day touring experience through Edinburgh and the Highlands. e Duart and Glamis carriages pay tribute to the train’s Scottish heritage. Duart, which originally served on the Royal Train, features a ceiling mural of Scottish flora and fauna, and marquetry depicting Duart Castle and pink heather, while Glamis is adorned with Glamis Castle and inlaid with sycamore, madrona burr, yew, pear tree and boxwood. is beautiful panelling is complemented by white tablecloths, sparkling glassware and the so glow of a table lamp. Experience the elegance of travel steeped in Scottish tradition. www.northernbelle.co.uk
3. Royal Canadian Paci c e Royal Canadian Pacific o ers three exclusive luxury excursions: the Royal Canadian Rockies Experience, the Royal Pacific Express and the Royal Prairie Express.
ese last at least three nights and include deluxe hotel accommodation the night before departure, a private stateroom with ensuite bath aboard the train, gourmet meals and full bar service, as well as o -train activities, including food and beverage.
RCP’s signature observation car is named Mount Stephen a er Scottish-born financier George Stephen, who co-founded the Canadian Pacific Railway alongside fellow Scotsman, Donald Smith. e same car hosted Sir Winston Churchill during the 1943 Quebec Conference.
e train is renowned for its spectacular views of Western Canada’s mountains and wilderness, including snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes, dense pine forests and wild river canyons. O en the train will roll to a stop, allowing passengers to disembark and explore such sights as the turquoise waters of Lake Louise. e beauty of the train echoes the sheer splendour of its surroundings. www.royalcanadianpacific.com
‘ e beauty of the train echoes the sheer splendour of its surroundings’
4. Eastern & Oriental Express
Enjoy the finest Southeast Asian fusion cuisine onboard the Eastern & Oriental Express from Singapore, via Malaysia to Bangkok. Chef André Chiang, former head of the three-Michelin starred Jardin de Sens and founder of the two-Michelin starred Restaurant André in Singapore, has cra ed a menu that fuses Eastern and Western culinary traditions. A meal might begin with a ka r lime-infused consommé sipped, progress to French bouillabaisse enlivened with Malay laksa spices and conclude with a coconut pannacotta, crowned with Nyonya chendol.
is culinary journey unfolds in the comfort of one of the train’s two beautiful dining cars, where rosewood and elm panelling, accented with ai and Malay floral motifs, speak to the train’s Southeast Asian heritage. e Eastern and Oriental Express is operated by Belmond and so shares many characteristics of service and style with the Royal Scotsman, including a fine selection of Scottish whiskies. www.belmond.com/trains/asia/ eastern-and-oriental-express
5. The Ghan
In 1861, Scottish explorer John McDouall Stuart successfully traversed Australia from Adelaide to the Van Diemen Gulf. Seventy years later, the Ghan line followed in his footsteps, tracing his route all the way to Alice Springs. Stuart’s original gruelling expedition is a far cry from the luxury travellers enjoy today.
e Ghan’s Platinum Service is the train’s top-tier luxury class and includes a spacious private cabin, a dedicated cabin steward, exclusive Platinum Club lounge, bar and gourmet multi-course meals. Furthermore, in 2026 e Ghan will unveil the Australis and Aurora Suites, slated to ‘redefine luxury travel’. At three times the size of a Platinum cabin, the Australis suite will feature a queen-sized bed, separate lounge area, personal bar, and en suite with premium amenities, as well as a dedicated butler. www.journeybeyondrail.com.au/ your-train-experience
Luxury
6. British Pullman
ough its home is London Victoria Station, the British Pullman regularly travels to Scotland and owes a part of its make-up to historical Scottish rail. e carriages Ione and Lucille were originally built as First Class cars for the LNER Pullman train, the Queen of Scots, which later became a luxury touring train before it was retired in 1990. Both cars have since been restored for service and the Lucille car commonly plays host to the train’s popular immersive murder mystery lunch.
Original Art Deco fittings lend the train its characteristic twenties glamour, and each car has its own distinctive personality. Zena combines rich Liberty fabrics with exquisite marquetry, handcra ed by the same family of artisans who worked on Buckingham Palace and the Titanic, while Cygnus was recently reimagined by filmmaker Wes Anderson. Comfort meets impeccable style onboard this luxury train. www.belmond.com/trains/europe/uk/belmond-british-pullman
7. Blue Train
e Blue Train, dating back to 1946, is consistently ranked among the world’s most luxurious train journeys. Blending colonial-era charm with modern opulence, the Blue Train has played host to kings, presidents and celebrities, and has won many accolades over the years for its exceptional service. Luxury suites on board the train feature a double or twin bed, comfortable lounge area and a spacious en-suite adorned with marble and gold fittings. Amenities include goose-down duvet and pillows, monogrammed towels and scented bath salts. By day, large panoramic windows allow guests to watch the South African scenery dri past from the comfort of their lounge chair or bed, and by night a deep marble bath provides an indulgent way to unwind. e 1,600 kilometre trek from Pretoria to Cape Town typically spans two nights and treats passengers to a variety of landscapes. Midway through the journey the train makes a scheduled stop at Kimberley, renowned for its diamond mining history. Guests are taken by motorcoach to visit the Kimberly Open Mine Museum and the Big Hole – an enormous hand-dug mining pit, one of the largest of its kind. www.bluetrain.co.za
9. Rovos
e epic journey from Cape Town to Dar es Salaam wends its way through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania and lasts an incredible fi een nights. Surrounded by the luxury of a Rovos Royal Suite, this two-week journey will pass like a dream. e Royal Suites occupy half a carriage and feature a double bedroom, private lounge area and en suite with Victorian bath. A dedicated host is always available and the bar fully stocked. e suites combine the charm of the vintage carriage with modern convenience and comfort.
Several of Rovos Rail’s steam engines were built by the North British Locomotive Company of Glasgow. ey were once the workhorses of African rail and were rescued and transformed by Rovos. e oldest locomotive still occasionally used is a class 6 engine, built by the Glaswegian firm Dübs & Company in 1893. It is a ectionately named Ti any a er Rohan Vos’s daughter. www.rovos.com/the-train
8. Rocky Mountaineer
Travel aboard the Rocky Mountaineer is a once-in-alifetime experience. e GoldLeaf service onboard this unique train provides full glass dome windows with panoramic views and a large, exclusive outdoor viewing platform. e dome-shaped carriages flood the interior with natural light, and the space is designed to feel open and serene. e GoldLeaf coach hosts just 72 guests and the seating area is designed for socialising: plush leather seats rotate 180° to form convivial lounge areas and the champagne is free-flowing.
e lower deck of this bi-level car is dedicated to dining. is comfortable room is set with white tablecloths and fine china, while menus are tailored to every journey. Ingredients are o en sourced from regions just beyond the window of the speeding train – you can truly taste the landscape.
e Rocky Mountaineer’s inaugural route was between Vancouver and Ban via Kamloops on the historic Canadian Pacific Railway line. Canada’s first prime minister, John A. Macdonald of Glasgow, was the railway’s bi est advocate, and construction on the Canadian Pacific Railway o cially commenced in 1881 under his leadership. e Rocky Mountaineer travels those same tracks today.
www.rockymountaineer.com/goldleaf
10. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
is legendary train is the best way to travel Europe. London-Paris-Venice is the train’s signature route, but the Venice-Simplon Orient Express also regularly runs from Paris to Prague, Vienna and Budapest, and from Venice to Amsterdam, Brussels and Geneva.
e Grande Route between Paris and Istanbul is a six-day excursion that takes place just once or twice a year.
ese journeys are all rich with stunning scenery. En-route to Italy, the train will wind through the Swiss Alps via the historic Simplon Tunnel and skirt along crystal blue lakes. All the while, guests revel in luxury.
Many of the carriages date back to the 1920s and 30s and retain original details such as polished wood marquetry, antique fixtures and brass ba age racks. Lalique glass panels line the walls of the dining and lounge cars, while velvet upholstery, gleaming crystal and vintage light fixtures create a warm, opulent glow.
At one time, the train carried its own exclusive single-malt Scotch whisky, Venice Simplon, bottled by Beinn Bhuidhe in Inverary. ough this is no longer available, the bar car still o ers a wide array of fine Scottish malts.
Allotments are a life-saver for people like our columnist, so the Government’s current policy of allowing them to be used for building housing is both crazy and alarmingly short-termist
As a lifelong ve ie gardener, I’ve spent countless hours knee-deep in mud, coaxing life from the soil. My tiny allotment in Leith is a beacon of light. It isn’t much – but it’s my sanctuary where I indulge the simple joy of growing your own, the therapeutic rhythm of weeding, the quiet rebellion of nurturing something real in an increasingly digital world.
Which is why I find myself in the politically uncomfortable position of aligning with Jeremy Corbyn as he lambasts Labour’s decision to green light the sale of allotment lands. When he accused Angela Rayner of hammering a ‘nail in the co n’ for these community treasures, I found myself muttering, ‘Hear, hear’.
e row stems from Deputy Prime Minister Rayner approving the disposal of land at eight allotment sites across England, allowing cashstrapped councils to sell o plots to plug funding gaps. Critics like Corbyn – himself a proud allotment holder – argue that these aren’t just scraps of unused land; they’re lifelines.
While the sales are south of the border, the precedent worries me. Scottish councils face similar squeezes, and if flo ing o green assets is normalised, it could ripple north. In our crowded towns and cities, private gardens are a luxury for the few; for the rest of us, an allotment is a godsend – if you can get one, with councils reporting waiting lists of up to 20 years.
Selling o sites exacerbates this wait and prices out ordinary folk who crave a patch of earth. It’s not just about hobby gardening; it’s about equity. Allotments democratise access to nature, o ering a slice of the countryside to urban dwellers and their children.
Tending an allotment is cheaper than therapy and far more rewarding. On tough days, when the world feels overwhelming, I head to my plot, chat with some lovely people and lose
myself in weeding and devising anti-slug tactics. e whole thing is a meditation. e work eases anxiety, the sense of accomplishment that comes with growing a humble crop of broad beans or a cauliflower boosts self-esteem.
National Allotment Society research shows that plot holders report lower stress levels and improved mood. During the pandemic, allotments provided safe outdoor escapes when everything else shut down. For vulnerable groups – the elderly, the isolated, those battling depression –they o er routine, purpose and gentle exercise.
Allotments foster community in ways that social media never could. My site is a melting pot of characters: the retired teacher sharing seedling tips, the young family teaching their kids about bees, the immigrant neighbour introducing exotic herbs. We swap produce and chat about everything from weather woes to world events. is social glue is priceless, combating loneliness in an age of atomisation.
Environmentally, allotments punch above their weight. ese micro-farms promote biodiversity, reduce food miles, echo their wartime roots by improving food security, while composting and rainwater harvesting teach sustainable living. Selling them for quick cash trades long-term societal gains for short-term fiscal relief.
Once these lands are gone, they’re gone forever. Councils are desperate but should instead ring-fence green spaces and boost allotment funding through community grants, while building on brownfield sites. Scotland led the way with the Community Empowerment Act, empowering locals to take over neglected land, but we must go further and protect waiting lists by expanding sites, not shrinking them.
Allotments aren’t relics; they’re essential for a healthier, happier society. Let’s not uproot what sustains us. A er all, in the garden of life, patience yields the best harvest.
‘My allotment in Leith is a beacon of light – it’s my sanctuary’
XXXXX: Xxxxxxx.
THE ROYAL BUTLER
An abiding childhood fascination with castles and the Royal Family saw Aidrie-born Grant Harrold dance with the Queen and become butler to Charles and Camilla
PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL BRADSHAW
When I was 12 years old I asked my dad how you might become a member of the royal family. When he told me that you either had to marry a royal, or work for them, I asked if I could marry a corgi. When he said ‘no’ I told him that in that case one day I wanted to dance with Queen Elizabeth. He said, ‘that will never happen’, but twelve years later I was in the ballroom at Balmoral dancing with the Queen.
I was working as a butler for His Royal Highness King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove at the time. I did that job, which I loved, until 2011. ese were the golden years, looking a er William and Harry and
the King, who had just got married. It really was great fun. e lifestyle was amazing. You got to experience things like going to the Royal Box at Wimbledon and the Royal Albert Hall, getting police escorts, access to go behind the scenes and meet celebrities and going to parties. But the best part was looking a er a family and a house, serving dinner and looking a er guests.
I grew up in Airdrie. I had a nice upbringing there, but what inspired me when I was a boy was my parents taking me to castles, palaces and stately homes like Glamis, Scone and Traquair. From around the age of seven I always thought I’d like to own a castle. en, when I was 13, I wrote to the Countess of Strathmore to tell her that I’d like to buy her castle. She wrote back to me explaining that I could not as it had been in her family for how ever many hundreds of years. We continued to write to each other for the rest of her life and she was my referee when I applied for the royal butler job. She became a very important figure in my life, because she was an aunt of King Charles through marriage.
It was watching the film e Remains of the Day that made me want to be a butler. I just thought it seemed an amazing job, and of course you get to live in castles and palaces. I also really wanted to be on TV, which also happened when I went to Woburn Abbey, which is where I did my butler training, and I was part of the BBC2
reality television series Country House
When I first met His Royal Highness King Charles luckily he liked my crazy stories about castles and I told him that working for him would be a dream come true. I seem to have made all of my dreams a reality and that’s what I thanked Queen Elizabeth for on the day of her funeral, for allowing my dreams to come true. I don’t own a castle yet, that’s the last thing I need to manifest.
Now I teach etiquette and how to be a butler, I’ve done classes on Britannia, at Scone Palace, at Broomhall, Borthwick Castle and at Gilmore House in Scotland, but I do them everywhere. My mum and dad were always very strict about dining etiquette and I do think it is important. If you go to a business dinner and someone doesn’t o er the cup the correct way, or belches and spits food across the table, or doesn’t o er the lady first, it gives an impression and you don’t want to have dinner with that person again.
One of the bi est things, and we’ve all done it, is not keeping mobile phones out of sight. ese devices buzz, vibrate and ping – they are designed to get your attention – but if you are having a meal or a conversation with someone you must try to give them your undivided attention. It’s really di cult, but you wouldn’t pick a newspaper, or a book while someone is talking to you.
e Royal Butler by Grant Harrold, published by Orion Books, is out now
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C Seed N1 165 & 137 TV
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st othi o sts o e o the fi est u itu e ki schools i the wo ld ut could the tu Richard Bath o o ho e to who c u isi l he ec e st e ed co e t
Shamefully, I’ve o en been the sort of soul who delegates changing plugs and hanging pictures to my uber-practical better half or, in extremis, gets in a man who can to do the honours. If something substantial needs to be hit with a sledgehammer or anything treeshaped needs chainsawing into oblivion, then I’m ready and willing. But something creative that calls for so er skills? Not me guv. So it was with some trepidation that I signed
up for a short five-day course at the Chippendale International School of Furniture in East Lothian. e idea was to finally see if there was any shard, scintilla or scrap of practicality lurking within me. Could the man who as a schoolboy saw the grandmother who usually doted on him surreptitiously hide the horrific chess board he’d made her for Christmas at the very back of a cupboard when she thought he wasn’t looking, make something worthwhile? It’s not as if Chippendale generally cater for
My walk on
OPPOSITE: Myreside Grange was a semi-derelict farm when Anselm Fraser bought it, but is now home to the Chippendale International School of Furniture. ABOVE:
the wood side
Tom and Sarah Fraser.
‘It’s a form of therapy. It’s good to see people who turned up looking rather grey leave at the end of the course full of life’ |
out from a set of sprawling farm buildings near Gi ord, you only need to go to their annual exhibition. is is where the extraordinary creations produced by the students from around the world, who each year spend thirty weeks and a large amount of cash learning how to make furniture of exquisite quality, are sold. By the end of the evening, most of the cuttingedge tables, desks, chairs and cocktail cabinets have little red stickers.
But then, this is what the students who come to East Lothian from every corner of the world want: there is undoubtedly some vanity in the creative process, but ultimately validation and sanity come from being able to sell the fruits of your labour and make a living.
Since October 2019, the school – which is named a er the world’s most famous cabinetmaker, omas Chippendale – has been run by Tom. He had always presumed his older brother Jamie, who is also a furniture maker, would take over from their father, but instead he started up his own business. Stuck in a desk job in London and having enjoyed teaching in Lyon as part of his degree, Tom jumped at the chance to come home to teach the course he did himself ten years ago.
the terminally malcoordinated. is institution, which was set up by the eccentric visionary carpenter Anselm Fraser back in 1985, when he and a 15-year-old apprentice o ered short courses in antique restoration from the family garage in East Linton, has gradually evolved to be a world-renowned school f furniture design and making under the aegis of his son Tom Fraser, ably assisted by Tom’s wife Sarah.
To appreciate the remarkable quality of the work turned
‘My passion was always making furniture,’ he said. ‘Our house was attached to the school so my brother and I had the great privilege of being able to wander into the workshop and dad would give us little projects, which I absolutely loved. It was a very creative upbringing and we were very well bonded as a family because we spent a lot of time together.
‘I was working in London at deskbased jobs and realised how much I didn’t want that, so I moved back home just in time for lockdown.
‘What I love about the course is seeing people who are at a turning point in their life. Most of our students are career movers who may have been doing
TOP LEFT: Short course tutor Grant Anderson in educational mode. LEFT: The writer concentrates while using a bandsaw. ABOVE: The fruit of a week of labour – a table, bowl and jewellery box, all in ash.
Chippendale
something totally di erent before they came on this course. It’s o en a form of therapy, so to see people who turned up looking rather grey leave at the end of the course full of life and enthusiasm is immensely rewarding.’
e status of career changer, I have to confess, didn’t apply to me, but then I was only there to do the five-day course rather than the fourweek version or the 30-week course which costs £27,000 and gives students the skills to set up as a professional furniture maker. e school’s visa conditions mean that at least 20 of the 30 students on the long course, who this year range in age from 18 to 65, have to be from overseas, with lots
LEFT: Making an all-wood hinge for a jewellery box. BELOW: Some light reading. BOTTOM LEFT: Woodturning on a lathe is both easy and rewarding. BOTTOM RIGHT: Cutting it too ne.
of Americans and others from the Anglosphere, but also from Ghana, Chile and Singapore, on the most recent course. is is, says Tom, sensible: if they trained 30 Scottish cabinetmakers a year, there would be an almost immediate oversupply.
My course was slightly di erent, in that all six of us were from Scotland. Two were doing it as a taster to see if they wanted to go on and do the full course, the rest of us were hobbyists, retired, bored or in receipt of a present from other halves fed up with being the handyman. My interest stemmed from a renovation project I was having trouble finishing; here was a way to see if I could gain the skills to turn myself into a Man Who Can.
toOrkney and Shetland
Your holiday in the beautiful Northern Isles begins as you set sail with NorthLink Ferries.
The comfortable and reliable service offers sailings from Aberdeen to Lerwick, Shetland, with regular calls into Orkney’s capital of Kirkwall.
Alternatively travel from Caithness to Orkney’s port of Stromness. This 90 minute journey on MV Hamnavoe is the only sailing to Orkney which passes the iconic sea stack, the Old Man of Hoy.
Shetland Orkney
Skara Brae, Orkney – A settlement of houses which were occupied 5,000 years ago.
St Ninian’s Isle, Shetland – A lovely island joined to the Shetland mainland by a thin strip of sand.
BELOW:
e answer turned out to be an emphatic yes. Over the course of five gloriously relaxed days, all six of us produced three pieces: a bowl which we turned on a lathe, a jewellery box and a small table to sit alongside a sofa.
As part of the process we learned how to sharpen and then use a variety of planes, how to use vices and bandsaws and lathes, when and how to glue wood using biscuits (the small wooden connectors used when fusing pieces of wood together), how to select wood and how to make hinges. And we did sanding. Lots and lots of sanding.
If all of that sounds borderline mundane, it’s anything but. e classes
Chippendale
were so relaxed that my ancient pointer was invited to snooze in the corner while my tutor, a laconic Zimbabwean called Grant Anderson, guided my e orts with great skill, gentle humour and more than a little patience.
But most of all, in an age when we’re constantly stimulated by phones and social media and all the paraphernalia of modern life, I found an unexpected peace in a creative process that requires total focus. In my career, I’ve been lucky enough to do everything from interviewing sporting superstars to doing the Royal Marines sniper course, but nothing has been more enjoyable than the week spent making stu in East Lothian.
And, of course, I have a constant reminder of my walk on the wood side thanks to that stu . Not in skills acquired – I’ve barely picked up a screwdriver since – but in three lovely ash momentoes: one which I now put my keys in, another which holds pens and a third which has a lamp on it.
I’m fairly sure my grandmother would have been su ciently proud to have put them on display, but, more to the point, in the most unexpected way imaginable, their presence gi ed me an enduring sense of pride.
The Chippendale International School of Furniture, Myreside Grange, Gifford, Haddington East Lothian, EH41 4JA Tel: 01620 810680 www.
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USEFUL FOR: Crossing mixed and rough terrains - rock, bog, burn, peat, scree etc
HIGH POINT: These boots come with a clever lace system, utilising small ball bearings in the lower eyelets and a lace lock in the eyelet above to avoid the need to retighten no matter how many miles covered. Waterproof and breathable with a full rubber skirt to prevent heather brash wear and a rubber ex at the back of the heel to ensure rear ex. Comfy from their initial demanding outing. Ideal for everything Scotland has to throw at them.
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USEFUL FOR: This light, soft-shell bag still ts in 71 litres so it is perfect for both short breaks and holidays.
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MUIRBURN WARNING
Scotland’s young gamekeepers say they won’t continue to put their lives at risk if they are not going to be listened to on muirburn by the Scottish Government. Nearly amekeepers helped with the airn orms wild res this year the bi est ever in Scotland. But their goodwill now hangs in the balance as they demand a meeting with ministers over ‘unworkable’ new licensing restrictions and codes on muirburn which they claim will cause more wild res. www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk
FARMING LEGACY
An Orkney farmer has le a £470,000 legacy from his estate to Scottish agricultural charity RSABI. Charles Gorn, who farmed at Weddell, near Holm, died aged 82 in November 2023. He le around half of his estate to the charity which provides emotional, financial, and practical support to people in farming and cro ing in Scotland. Charlie ventured away from Orkney as a youngster but bought the farm when he returned in the 1970s. www.rsabi.org.uk
Special status
n a - rst, a enetically uni ue juniper forest at Trees for Life’s Dundreggan rewilding estate in the Highlands has been awarded a special European designation to protect it. Key parts of both the juniper and silver birch woodlands at Dundreggan have received the presti ious classi cation. www.treesforlife.org.uk
A round-up of what’s happening in Scotland’s countryside
A census of the northern gannet population at St Kilda has revealed it is now home to the world’s largest colony, taking over the title from Bass Rock. e advanced drone census, which took around six hours to complete, was carried out on the archipelago’s island of Boreray and its two satellite sea stacks, Stac Li and Stac an Armin, in 2023. e impact of avian flu at St Kilda has been less severe than at other colonies across the UK, with its population declining by 2% since the last census in 2013. www.nts.org.uk
ST KILDA’S GANNETS The facts & gures to
1 million
St Kilda is home to nearly 1 million seabirds.
2 metres
Adults are distinguished by their white feathers and two-metre wingspan.
59,000
Tried & Tested
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HIGHLAND ESTATE REGENERATION
St Kilda is now home to the world’s largest colony with 59,000 breeding pairs.
ousands of acres of new native woodland are to be created on a Highlands estate following a 30-year deal to revitalise the area. e Assynt Foundation has partnered with Woodland Trust Scotland to deliver regeneration across its Glencanisp and Drumrunie estates. e project aims to create 2,000 to 2,500 acres of new native woodland in the first ten years. Existing ancient woodlands, including remnants of Scotland’s rainforest, will also be restored. It is being funded by Aviva, as part of a £10m donation to the Woodland Trust. www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
HIGH POINT: These lightweight walking trousers feature Keela’s stretch-tec fabric, which is designed for quick drying and comfort, and they also have built-in odour control technology, which is useful for longer trips. They are water/wind resistent and have three zipped pockets.
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LOW POINT: In a dark tent/bothy, I prefer a contrast colour for the inner and outer.
Were I a member of some kind of Wildlife Writers’ society (God forbid), I’d be obliged – morally, if not perhaps contractually – to use the word ‘majestic’ at least once during this piece. Other crassly unoriginal adjectives that would doubtless be encouraged include ‘noble’, ‘iconic’, and ‘regal’. ere should certainly be an assertion somewhere that the golden eagle is the king of birds.
Having thus politely do ed my cap at the clichés, I may now return to the business at hand, which is to describe the golden eagle whilst sticking to objective facts.
Everyone knows the basics; it’s a very large, mostly brown bird of prey that lives in upland areas. e nuances begin shortly therea er. For starters, the golden eagle is not the largest bird in Britain – that would be the whooper swan (or the great bustard, if we are
including so recent a reintroduction) – nor is it even the largest bird of prey. White-tailed eagles are heavier, and take up more space in the binocular lens; if you see a barn door alo on Scotland’s west coast, it’s probably one of these, and not a golden eagle.
In general, though, the business of knowing whether one has actually seen a golden eagle or not is surprisingly slippery for the uninitiated. Up close, things are easy. A brown bird of prey about the size of a cocker spaniel, with legs feathered down to the feet, and a splendid nape of golden hackles can only be a golden eagle (unless you are in eastern Europe, in which case you might be looking at an imperial eagle or a greater spotted eagle; I’ll assume that you are not).
A far more typical view is of a soaring bird in the distance, and here things are more di cult. e trick is to know what the possible alternatives are, then to systematically dismiss
EAGLE EYE
Do you know your birds of prey? If not, then Andy Dobson can help make sure you know your golden eagle from your buzzard without ever employing the word majestic
THE EAGLE HAS LANDED: Golden eagle, or Aquila chrysaetos .
them. ose alternatives are the aforementioned white-tailed eagle and the common buzzard. e name of the latter is instructive; in purely statistical terms, for every golden eagle you are ever likely to see, you can expect to see at least 50 buzzards – and this is assuming that you are only looking in places where golden eagles are apt to be found. In Scotland, this is the remote uplands and the western isles; they certainly move around, particularly as juveniles, but a large bird of prey in places like the Pentland Hills, the Lammermuirs or Fife is unlikely to be a golden eagle.
Let us imagine you are somewhere more sensible – Ardnamurchan, perhaps – and a promising silhouette hoves into view. At this remove, a buzzard seems compact; the wingtips narrow a little, the tail is relatively short and o en slightly fanned, and the head seems pulled back into the shoulders, more like a bump in the front edge of the outline than a real
‘For every golden eagle you are ever likely to see, you can expect to see at least fi y buzzards’
protrusion. Golden eagle tails are much longer, and the head is especially prominent. If you have some familiarity with buzzards already, an eagle will also seem to be describing much wider, more ponderous circles as it soars.
Telling the two eagles apart requires a little knowledge of plumage, though the overall shapes are still reasonably distinct. White-tailed eagles have the same prominent head, but a muchreduced tail – it barely extends a few inches beyond the legs. e wings are also much more rectangular, with very blunt ends (albeit dissected by the narrow, finger-like primary feathers).
Frustratingly, white-tailed eagles don’t have white tails until they are about four years old. Prior to that, there is some white in the tail, but only in the centre of each feather, which means that it can look like anything from white-ish to fully brown, depending on the light. Golden eagle tails also change over time, but in the other direction; for the first three years, the tail has a distinct, pure-white base, and it becomes wholly brown only in the fourth year.
Luckily, if a golden eagle is young enough to have a largely white tail, it will also have a pair of white patches in the middle of the wing, and this may be your best bet for ID if you are unfamiliar with the wing shapes. ( e buzzard’s underwing is variable, but the most obvious feature is usually a dark patch around the ‘wrist’).
Golden eagles are admirably catholic in their diet. e dominant items in most studies are rabbits and hares, but they will happily dine on seabirds, waders, other birds of prey, corvids, fox cubs, rodents, hedgehogs and more-orless anything else of manageable size. In the Mediterranean, they will prey on tortoises, killing and breaking them apart by li ing them into the air and dropping them onto rocks. In a study
in southern Spain, tortoises were – somewhat improbably – the most frequent prey item for one of the eagle pairs monitored. It is even reputed that the Greek playwright Aeschylus was killed by just such a temporarily airborne tortoise. (He probably wasn’t).
Golden eagles will also eat gamebirds, and herein has lain a perennial source of conflict in the British uplands over the last few centuries. Golden eagles never went extinct in Scotland (unlike white-tailed eagles, goshawks, red kites and various others), but their numbers were severely limited, and they thrived only in the most remote and mountainous areas. More enlightened attitudes now prevail, but the odd eagle still shows up from time to time, poisoned or otherwise killed, on or near a shooting estate.
Such regrettable events notwithstanding, there probably hasn’t been a better time for golden eagles in Scotland since the early eighteenth century. Populations began to recover in the 1950s and 60s, reaching 424 breeding pairs by the time of the first o cial census in 1983, and numbers have been more-or-less stable since then, estimated at 510 at the time of the most recent survey in 2015.
In the last few years, e orts have been made to reinforce the population of eagles in Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders. e South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project (SSGEP) began a five-year translocation program in 2018, and there are now approximately fi y individuals in a region that formerly held no more than five pairs.
e best place to see golden eagles remains the western Highlands and the Hebrides, and it’s undoubtedly worth spending a few quiet hours with binoculars in these regions in the hope of catching a glimpse. It is sure to be a sight worth telling your friends about; just don’t say it was majestic.
The SSGEP is still actively promoting golden eagle conservation in the region, and accepting donations at www.golden eaglessouth ofscotland.co.uk
TOP LEFT: Talons at the ready. TOP RIGHT: Golden eagle chicks. BOTTOM: Showing off its white juvenile patches during a winter meal.
BORDERS BUBBLY
A Borders couple have turned their hobby into a business, producing cotl d s fi st h e st le wi e e o ts Eilidh Tuckett
PHOTOGRAPHY PHIL WILKINSON
How many times have you been on holiday and returned with the absolute resolve that you’re going to change your life in some way or another, inspired by something you’ve seen or done abroad? Maybe you’ve vowed to take up outdoor swimming, cook newly discovered cuisines or perhaps embark on something even grander.
Trevor and Lorna Jackson of Charlesfield Farm have certainly taken that holiday dreaming one step further, to the point that now, among the grain bins and remnants of a former World War II munitions factory in rural St Boswells, lies one of Scotland’s only vineyards. What inspired the venture?
‘We like wine,’ they say, candidly. e idea for their own vineyard took root a er a particularly inspiring vineyard tour in Jersey when Trevor was looking into the potential for solar energy at Charlesfield. ‘We have these oddly shaped southern-facing plots that are
partially sheltered by buildings, which makes it di cult to get machinery in,’ he explains. ‘Solar panels just made great sense to me.’
In Jersey, however, a di erent penny dropped for Lorna, who realised that the climate in the Borders is similar to the upper Loire Valley. Trevor gestures to the balmy summer day beyond their farmhouse window. ‘So we thought we would give grapes a try first – the idea of a vineyard was slightly more romantic,’ he concedes.
It could have stayed a scrubby little field, consigned to tattie growing, or indeed lined with solar panels if Trevor had his way. But instead this little patch of land in the shadow of the Eildon hills is home to two boozy grape varieties –and counting. Lorna bought the first thousand vines in 2016 with her NHS pension and enrolled on a specialist viniculture course at Plumpton College in East Sussex, at the heart of the rapidly expanding English wine industry. ‘I certainly never saw myself
ABOVE RIGHT: The vineyard planted on a 1.5 acre former potato eld yielded 32lbs of Solaris and Pinot Noir grapes from the 2023 harvest. FAR RIGHT: Trevor and Lorna Jackson at their Templars Oak vineyard at Charles eld Farm in the Borders, with two bottles of Borders Bubbly.
‘Our first batch was nice and fizzy, appley almost, and so bubbly’
as a vineyard manager, but here I am, making Borders Bubbly,’ she laughs. e vineyard itself is known as Templars Oak, a reference to the grand old oak tree that crowns the field, and to Lorna’s abiding fascination with the Knights Templar.
It was a humble start for a vineyard with such a grand name. Family helped plant the vines, using string instead of wires and posts, and hoping for the best. ‘It was all we could a ord, so we just made it work, di ing holes and planting together,’ says Lorna. ‘It’s why the vines aren’t in straight rows.’
In the past few years, the Jacksons have steadily improved their wee corner of Eden. Real posts and wires have been added, and the forbidden fruit has flourished under their careful attention. White Solaris, a hardy hybrid, nestles by its more sensitive cousin, Pinot Noir, the classic champagne variety, also known as ‘the heartbreak grape’ for its thin skin and fickle temperament. It
requires meticulous care, which Lorna and Trevor have no issue in providing.
‘I don’t come from a farming background, but I’m out there every day, pruning the leaves to make sure the grapes get enough sunlight,’ Lorna says.
Unlike vineyards in many marginal growing environments, Borders Bubbly is produced on open farmland with no polytunnels or artificial growing environments. Clearly, Lorna’s work is paying o : great juicy globes, heavy with the promise of a good harvest, wink in the late-a ernoon sun. It’s a balmy day in south-eastern Scotland, and the Charlesfield grapes are sunning themselves happily.
‘It’s been ideal grape-growing weather this year,’ says Lorna, with a tone of almost maternal fondness that feels warranted, given how much time and e ort she puts into cultivating her crop. e last great grape-growing year was 2023, when the Jacksons harvested 32lbs of grapes or just enough to make
their first bottles – all eight of them.
‘We trampled the grapes ourselves with our feet,’ Lorna says, grinning. I laugh, thinking she’s joking. ‘No, really,’ she assures me, serious now, every bit the vintner. ‘We tried a few di erent methods... but the best one is to put the grapes in a trug, sterilise your feet and stomp on them.’ And your family drank it? I venture, disbelievingly. Apparently, it provided the perfect toast to their granddaughter’s first birthday.
‘Our first batch was nice and fizzy, appley, almost, and so bubbly,’ says Trevor. ‘When we popped it, the cork went for miles!’ adds Lorna. What the Jacksons are attempting should not be under-estimated. ere has been huge growth in wine-making south of the border, where there are over a thousand vineyards turning out almost 22 million bottles of wine a year (of which more than three quarters is sparkling wine) and the industry has not only won grudging acclaim across the Channel but grown by 75% in the past five years. But despite the increasingly warm and dry summers experienced in Scotland, they are basically the first people to make a serious e ort to develop a Scotland-based business producing wine. Granted, Fife-based chef, food and wine
writer Christopher Trotter planted 100 acres of Solaris and Siegerrebe vines in 2010 and produced ten bottles of ‘undrinkable’ Chateau Largo wine in 2015 from his Momentum vineyard, while another landowner is currently planting vines in Moray in a serious attempt to produce the first commercial (and drinkable) non-sparkling Scottish wines. ere’s also a tiny research vineyard at Dalrossach (dale of roses) in the River Don valley of west Aberdeenshire where short-season Baltic varieties are grown in polytunnels and greenhouses to cope with severe Spring frosts. Arguably the closest thing to the Jacksons in Scotland is German former wine maker Christian Stolte, who makes beautifully yellow, honeyed and award-winning Seidar cider in Aberdeenshire using the same Methode Champenoise used to make Champagne. But these remain the tiniest of green shoots. e Jacksons are hoping to take the production of Scottish wine – or, in their case, fizz – to a more large-scale, commercial level, with the success of their first go convincing the couple that winemaking could be more than just a hobby. ‘We’re already a heavily diversified business,’ says Trevor, so it wasn’t too much of a leap. eir farm already boasts a sizeable anaerobic digestion plant, and there’s planning permission for a major distillery, powered by further renewable energy projects.
TOP LEFT: The vineyard was christened Templars Oak because of the large oak and Lorna’s fascination with the Templars. LEFT: The budding vintners survey their policies.
BELOW: The vineyard is sheltered by the Cheviots and Carter Bar one way and the Lammermuirs and Soutra the other, so has a warm microclimate.
Stay
Charles eld Farm, St Boswells, Melrose TD6 0HH Tel: 01835 823260 www.
charles eld farms.co.uk
A TASTE OF SCOTLAND
Setting those taste buds tingling...
QUIRKY CHOCOLATE COMPANY
The Scottish Tartan Collection is inspired by the flavours of Scotland. Delightfully packaged and deliciously tasty, they make wonderful gifts. www.quirkychocolate.com
GERALDO'S
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LUSSA GIN
EVIEDALE BAKEHOUSE
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Lussa Gin was started in 2015 by three women on the Isle of Jura who distill fifteen botanicals grown or gathered from the island’s hills, coast, woods and gardens to create an award-winning, aromatic gin. 70cl / £42. Tel: 01496 820196, www.lussagin.com
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CHOCOLATE TREE
Chocolate Tree’s 70% whisky nibs – rich dark chocolate, smooth Islay whisky warmth, and pure Scottish craftsmanship in every bite. www.choctree.co.uk
MICHEL MCROUX
From childhood holidays in the Highlands to a raft of partnerships with Scottish hotels, celebrated chef Michel Roux Jnr tells Morag Bootland why a love of spending time north of the border is a constant in his life
Chef Michel Roux Jr. may not remember the first time he visited Scotland, but family photographs of that trip captured for posterity the genesis of a deep love for the country that was passed down from his parents and which would continue to grow throughout his life.
‘I was only five or six years old. It was the summer holidays and we drove all the way from Kent to the Highlands in an old Morris Minor,’ says Michel. ‘I remember it through the old black and white photos in my family album.
Mum and Dad loved Scotland; they always loved the outdoors and the sheer beauty of the country means there really isn’t anywhere else on earth like it.’
Michel’s father, Albert Roux, was one of the world’s most celebrated chefs. During his time in the kitchen he trained a list of young chefs that reads like a who’s who of cooking, including Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White, Sat Bains and Pierre Ko mann. Albert Roux wore his heart on his sleeve when it came to his passion for Scotland, just as his son does today. As a keen fisherman he
TOP LEFT: Michel Roux Jnr. outside Crossbaskets Castle. his latest Scottish partnership. TOP RIGHT: Michel Roux Jnr and Kevin Barron, Executive Head Chef at Crossbasket Castle. putting the nishing touches to the menu.
Food – Michel Roux
described the Highlands as ‘paradise’ and championed the cause to ensure some of the incredible fish and seafood found here remained to serve up locally at a time when much of Scotland’s best produce was being shipped o overseas.
‘I love fishing; that comes from dad,’ sayds Michel. ‘We used to go fishing together. Sadly I’m a little bit too busy to go fishing these days, but my love of the outdoors certainly came from my father and my grandfather, who taught me to fish in France. at’s partly because when I was a child I was foisted o to my grandfather during the school holidays, like all grandkids are. In fact, now I’m the one getting the grandkids!
‘I’ve had the chance to bring my own daughter Emily up to Scotland and like us all she’s been blown away by the sheer beauty of it and the passion of the Scottish people.’
at first childhood visit was to be one of many trips north of the border for Michel, who until early last year ran Michelin-starred restaurant Le Gavroche in London. e restaurant was opened by
his father Albert Roux and uncle Michel Roux Snr in 1967 and was the first in the UK to gain three-Michelin stars.
And it was Michel’s father’s a nity with Scotland that helped to create an incredible culinary legacy that has lived on beyond his passing in 2021. Working alongside Albert, Michel helped to establish Chez Roux restaurants in some of Scotland finest hotels, starting with Chez Roux at Rocpool Reserve in Inverness and adding Inverlochy
‘I brought my daughter Emily up to Scotland and, like us, she was blown away by the sheer beauty of it and the passion of the Scots’ |
Castle in Fort William, Cromlix in Dunblane, Greywalls in East Lothian and Crossbasket Castle near Glasgow.
And it is Crossbasket Castle that is one of the reasons Michel is spending even more time than usual north of the border. ‘I’m mainly in Scotland for work, but it’s hard to see it as work because it really is always a pleasure visiting,’ he tells me. e chef oversees Trocadero’s, the new entertainment-led dining experience at the historic castle which opened its doors in March this year.
‘ ere’s so much to say about Trocadero’s. It’s very unique with its live music, dancing, great cocktails and wines, excellent service and a bit of good food as well, of course,’ says Michel. ‘I’ve had a big input into the menu because I wanted it to be a real celebration of Scottish ingredients.’
And there’s little doubt that Michel is just as passionate about Scottish produce as his father was before him.
‘Scotland’s larder has influenced my cooking over the years, in as much as the produce is so great that we don’t
really want to change it too much or detract from the original beauty of it. It is an influence and an inspiration. When you’ve got great ingredients such as the fish, lobsters, scallops and langoustines, you don’t need to embellish it too much. You just need to showcase it. en there’s the fabulous beef that you produce in Scotland. e grass is lush and that means the cows and sheep produce wonderful meat and dairy products too.’
Michel has also been impressed by the talent and passion of the chefs and front of house sta he’s found in Scotland. Unsurprisingly for a man whose French roots stem from his father and influence his cooking, he is always delighted when young chefs seek out ways to learn classical French techniques.
‘It’s going back to the old alliance between Scotland and France. ere’s so much talent here in the young chefs who have gone o and trained in the French classics and then come back to Scotland and are using that skill to create their own style and embellish these home-grown ingredients. I find that really interesting. Scottish chefs are so so passionate, and rightly so, about what is on their doorstep.
‘It’s so important that young chefs have that training. It is the classical training that teaches you the foundations of great cooking. You need to learn these techniques and then use them to be your own chef and find your style.’
Michel knew that he wanted to be a chef from a very young age, but never felt forced to follow in the footsteps of his father, uncle and grandfather before him. He believes that just being around great food and in the kitchen, both at home and in restaurants, was the key to his desire to carry on the family culinary traditions, just as his daughter Emily has chosen to do so too.
‘I always knew I would have a career in food,’ he says. ‘I really can’t imagine doing anything else. I cooked from such a young age, as an infant really. I mainly helped my mother in the kitchen at home as dad was cooking professionally. Some of my favourite childhood memories are of her food. I’m no di erent to anyone else in loving good home cooking and her shepherd’s pie was legendary. But she also made lots of French food like beef bourgignon and tarte tatin.
‘It is extraordinary to see how much the food scene in Scotland has evolved and it now very much has its own identity, which is fabulous. I see it very much in the same vein as Scandi food was ten or twenty years ago when it really took o . ey showcased their identity, their wonderful produce and their style of cooking. I can see that happening in Scotland and it is fabulous to watch. ere’s so much home-grown talent.
e chefs who have garnered their own Michelin stars are now passing on their knowledge and inspiration to the next generation of Scottish chefs.’
ere’s no doubt that the incredible culinary legacy that Albert, and now Michel Roux Jnr, has created has played a part in that evolution. Scotland has much to celebrate in the Rouxs’ love for its land, food and people.
TOP LEFT: The Roux Dynasty of (l-r) Michel Jnr, daughter Emily and father Albert. TOP: Order up at Trocadero. ABOVE: Gordon Ramsay presents Michel Roux Jr with the French Restaurant Of The Year award.
A SEAFOOD NIRVANA
The Home of Golf now also plays host to some outstanding seafood restaurants, with a prestigious new arrival cementing its status. The Mystery Diner went to try Ondine at Seaton House and to investigate the changes afoot in this corner of Fife
Ifirst heard about Roy Brett in the early 2000s. Back then he was an ambitious young Scottish chef who had made his name with Mark Hix before moving to Cornwall to keep Rick Stein’s seafood restaurant empire on an even keel while the emperor was busy filling our television screens.
But the first time I tried his food was when I went to the Dakota Hotel near South Queensferry, unaware that Brett was in residence. I had expected mediocrity but was overwhelmed by a
meal of almost transcendental quality.
Since then, he’s been an ever-present on the Edinburgh hospitality scene as chef-patron of Ondine restaurant, just o the Royal Mile. Sadly, though, a sixth year of sca olding from the hotel next door saw Brett shut up shop a er Hogmanay 2024 (although I’m told plans are in the pipline for an opening in Edinburgh over the coming year).
So it was a pleasant surprise when Seaton House, the swanky new 42-bedroomed hotel on e Scores in St Andrews, announced that Ondine
would be migrating there ahead of the hotel’s opening in April this year.
Seaton House is the latest Americanowned hotel in St Andrews, set up to cater for the significant influx of American golfers and US students in this town of 17,000 souls. It’s an ownership model shared with Rusacks, e Old Course Hotel and Fairmont.
A seafood operation was not the obvious fine dining option for the new hotel, although given the rich fishing heritage of Fife, it is one of welcome authenticity. Indeed, it is a model
that has shown it can work, with Dean Banks’ Dune, which has a Bib Gourmand, and e Seafood Ristorante, Stefano Pieraccini’s futuristic glass box overhanging the West Sands. Other more easy-dining St Andrews restaurants, such as Dean Banks’ Haar, Rogue, e Adamson and Forgans, also major on seafood. Yet Ondine remains the only hotel-based fine-dining seafood experience.
Given the suceess of Dune and e Seafood Ristorante, it appears there’s enough local demand to sustain Ondine.
e visiting American golfers, who are famously conservative diners, are also likely to adjust well to the classic seafood fare on o er at Brett’s new billet, a comfortable 37-seater restaurant with wonderful views down the length of the West Sands and beyond. ere are certainly no issues around the restaurant itself, with the main features of the decor being clean lines that manifest in white panelled walls, parquet floor and white marble tables. e layout is also designed to maximise the views and has nine bar seats from where you can watch Brett and his team prepare your meal. at meal is likely to be pretty decent; ours certainly was. It started with a deep fried, minced Cumbrae oyster each, which came with a toasty bu alo hot sauce that certainly gained our attention. A er some excellent home-made foccacia, our starters arrived. ere were six options, three of them fishy, one salad, a chicken liver parfait and a burrata
heritage tomato tart. We started with the lemon sole goujons, which came with a nicely picante Vietnamese dipping sauce, and a deep, percussive fish and shellfish soup which was so rich that it was like a punch to the palate, although my pescatarian companion’s only comment was that it was too salty.
All of the six main courses except the steak were fishy, so we opted for deep fried cod with minted pea puree and a lemon sole meunière with brown butter, shrimps and capers which fell o the bone. ese were the sort of classic, unfussy dishes of which you instinctively know that Gallic gastronomic purists like Esco er and Elizabeth David would heartily approve.
Pudding consisted of a huge, flawless pavlova which we wolfed down, and a rather heavy chocolate and praline ganache, although if I’m honest by then we were full to overflowing. e wine was a bottle of Txakoli de Getaria Ameztoi from Spain’s Basque country, that had a lovely minerality which was a nice counterpoint to the seafish. Service from longtime Brett confrère Craig Grierson was suitably slick.
Ondine is quintessential Brett: clean culinary lines, classic combinations and well worth exploring.
Field Facts
PRICE
Starters £19-23; Mains £25-65; Puddings: £14.
Wine £54
RATING
Tel: 01334 796700
Ondine, Seaton House, 76 The Scores, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9BB www.seaton house.com
FROM LEFT: The frontage of Seaton House; Diners can eat watching Roy Brett and his team prepare their dishes; All of the tables have views out over the West Sands.
drink FOOD &
BAKED GOOD
The House of Bruar has launched a new bakery offering sourdough loaves, baguettes, focaccia, crusty rolls, bagels and pretzels. Baked each day, Bruar’s own provisions are supplemented by items from top Scottish bakery suppliers, including croissants and pastries from Dundee’s The Newport Bakery and cupcakes and tray bakes from Edinburgh’s Mimi’s Bakehouse. www.houseofbruar.com
R RE PORT E E T RE E SED TER E RS
A rare bottle of whisky from Port Ellen Distillery, which re-opened last year a er 40 years, has been released to celebrate their 200th anniversary. Distilled in 1978 and the oldest ever release from the distillery, e Port Ellen Prism, a 46-Year-Old Single Malt, could fetch £300,000 at auction later this year. e rare whisky was matured over nearly five decades in refill hogshead casks before being married in a refill American Oak puncheon for over ten years.
www.malts.com/en/port-ellen
SCOTLAND’S BEST
Innis & Gunn has claimed double gold on the global stage, winning best in Scotland for the second year running at the World Beer Awards. The win marks another accolade for The Original, which has been winning awards for the past 22 years, and this year secured gold in the Wood Aged category. Lager Beer also retained its crown as gold winner in the Classic Pilsner category. www.innisandgunn.com
NEW DRAM
Glenmorangie has unveiled a 25-yearold single malt, e Altus, a new core range single malt matured in bourbon and Madeira casks. Harrison Ford, who starred in the brand’s latest campaign, was among the first to try the new dram. www.glenmorangie.com
COMMUNITY TAPROOM
A couple has launched a communityled taproom in Balmalcolm Den near Cupar. Howe Beer Project founders Kevin Kelly and Julia McCarthy secured a £25,000 loan to purchase a specialist carbonator to produce high quality beer. www.howebeerproject.co.uk
BERRY GOOD
Scientists are celebrating after sucessfully breedin Scotland s rst blueberry. t comes after ten years of research at the ames Hutton nstitute durin which more than blueberry crosses were made to nd the ri ht combination. The result, Highland Charm, has been made from a selection bred from the native north American species (Vaccinium corymbosum that can flourish in the Scottish climate. www.hutton.ac.uk
A marketplace for culinary news and delicious gourmet goodies
BIG SCOOP
Hamilton-born ice cream brand Equi’s Ice Cream has scooped up 11 stars across seven of its products at the 2025 Great Taste Awards. e Scottish favourite also received a coveted 3-star award for its Hazelnut Brittle, its first three star triumph since 2017. e award qualifies the gelato for the Golden Fork Awards, which celebrate the very best food and drink in the UK and Ireland. www.equisicecream.com
Lannan Pantry
annan Pantry, a new retail space from the team behind annan bakery, will open in Stockbrid e, Edinbur h. t will offer uality, seasonal produce, much of which is used in the bakes at annan bakery next door, as well as homemade products includin pasta, dips, bread, sausa es, pork pies and terrines, annan-branded homewares and natural wines. www.lannanbakery.com
SCO ISH FEMALE
BREWERS LEAD THE WAY
idl has launched the rst ever ender-balanced beer aisle, with half of its Scottish craft beer ran e now brewed by women or female-owned breweries. Scottish brewers leadin the char e include Glas ow s EST, Dundee s Brewin and Edinbur h s Stewart Brewin . Each purchase helps support a new idl Scholarship at Heriot- att niversity to train the next eneration of women brewers. www.lidl.co.uk
Welcome to producer' s corner
ANONA GOW, PITSCANDLY FARM
When Anona Gow began her career as a lawyer, she never imagined that one day she’d swap the courtroom for running a deer farm in Angus.
But after meeting husband Jeremy, a third-generation deer farmer at Pitscandly Farm near Forfar, life took an unexpected turn. For Anona, venison, whether wild or farmed, is one of the most delicious, healthy and sustainable meats we can eat and she is passionate about encouraging everyone to enjoy more.
The growing interest in Anona’s venison recipes, shared on their deer farm’s website, inspired her to write a venison cookbook. Whether slow-cooked, barbecued, or used in family meals, venison deserves a more regular place on our plates, Anona says. The Venison Kitchen includes more than 100 recipes, from everyday dishes such as casseroles, to more adventurous options like Thai venison.
Pitscandly is a true haven for their herd of 250 deer. Nestled in the rolling countryside, the farm closely mirrors natural life wih minimal human interference. Anona has seen a growing appetite for their venison, not just locally but across the UK. To read the full story go to www.scottish eld.co.uk
e Key to a perfect hotel
Michelin has launched a system of ‘Keys’ designed to do for hotels what its stars have done for restaurants. But what does the accolade mean for the 15 Scottish hotels dee ed su ficie tl de lu e to have been awarded one, two or three Keys? asks Frankie Reason
The French tyre manufacturer, Michelin, has long been famous for its star rating system, a globally recognised distinction that has shaped the standards of fine dining for over a century. e system is both a highly aspirational accolade and a guide for restaurant-goers in search of the best local cuisine. ough sometimes viewed as elitist and unforgiving, it remains the gold standard for achievement in the culinary world
Last year, Michelin breached its traditional boundaries and launched the Michelin Keys, a new accolade for hotels that it hopes will earn a similar prestige to its stars. At the time of their introduction in France in 2024, Michelin described the Keys
TEE TIME: Step out of the front door onto the rst tee at Links House.
Michelin Key Hotels
1 Key Hotels
100 PRINCES STREET
This address has been associated with hospitality for over 150 years. Its most recent incarnation is an elegant testament to its storied legacy.
CROMLIX HOTEL
An extraordinary Victorian mansion, located in the Stirlingshire countryside, near Dunblane.
DUMFRIES HOUSE LODGE
Located on the grounds of a historic stately home, Dumfries House Lodge blends the estate’s elegant interiors with up-to-date modern facilities.
FOYERS LODGE LOCH NESS
Perched above Loch Ness, the Lodge blends Victorian charactacer with contemporary comfort, offering adults a peaceful, Highland retreat.
GLENAPP CASTLE
A gothic-baronial castle on Ayrshire’s coast, offering oak-panelled rooms, sweeping sea views and private gardens.
GLENEAGLES TOWNHOUSE
Historic architectural grandeur, rooftop terrace, ne dining, wellness amenities and intimate members’-club charm.
GLENMORANGIE HOUSE
This boutique Highlands house offers creative interiors and coastal hospitality.
THE GRANDTULLY HOTEL BY BALLINTAGGART
Set beside the River Tay, this reimagined Victorian inn unites modern design and local Scottish avours.
KINLOCH LODGE
This family-run lodge on Skye used to boast a star and is de ned by comfort, warmth, hospitality and seasonal cuisine.
LINKS HOUSE AT ROYAL DORNOCH
A mainstay for seasonal golfers. This historic sandstone manse on the North Coast 500 is just steps from the rst tee.
NEWHALL MAINS DINGWALL
A lovingly restored former farmstead on the Black Isle. Boutique cottages.
PRESTONFIELD HOUSE
A lavish 17th-century country-house retreat amid 20 acres of gardens, offering opulent interiors, re ned dining and serene seclusion near the city.
‘Many hotel owners were unaware Michelin’s Keys even existed when the list was unveiled last year’
as a ‘new benchmark for travellers, qualifying the experience in broad terms rather than focusing solely on amenities’. Adhering to the convention of the stars, one, two or three Keys are awarded to a hotel depending on the level of service, character and the distinctiveness of the experience.
Interestingly, Michelin has framed its new contribution to the hotel rating industry as a trusted reference point in hotel selection, where previously this was lacking. Gwendal Poullenac, International Director of the Michelin Guide, noted that while a century ago travellers lacked information, now ‘they face too much’ – turning trip planning into an ‘obstacle course’. e Michelin Key is designed to cut through this clutter by fla ing exceptional hotels with Michelin’s seal of approval. us, even in their infancy, the Keys are being billed as the definitive touchstone for accommodation excellence, building
on Michelin’s global brand as the foremost authority in hospitality. ough the Keys have largely generated positive press, this will likely set a few noses out of joint in the hospitality industry. Forbes, for example, has built its reputation as the international gold standard in luxury hotel ratings, with its annual Five Star list. Michelin entering the same ‘prestige badge’ space – with the enormous cachet of the star system behind it –immediately creates competition.
Outside the travel industry, Forbes Stars aren’t nearly as widely recognised as Michelin Stars, and if the Keys gain traction, they could quickly leapfrog Forbes and associations such as Relais & Chateaux in consumer awareness. Moreover, Michelin has positioned its Keys as a unique accolade that rewards a certain ine able holistic experience as opposed to Forbes’ service-led criteria or the AA’s facilities checkbox. is has already made a favourable
impression on many independent businesses, who see the Key as a recognition of their authentic hard work rather than the result of courting regulatory bodies.
In Scotland, where the AA and VisitScotland star systems have traditionally been used as a measure of hotel excellence, 15 hotels have been awarded the lo y Key designation, including Gleneagles, which boasts three Keys. Two Scottish properties – e Balmoral in Edinburgh and e Fife Arms in Braemar – received two Keys, while a single Key was awarded to twelve hotels.
When the Michelin Key selection was announced for Great Britain and Ireland in October last year, many of the hotel owners were caught unawares. Michelin doesn’t operate a ‘pay to play’ system but rather sends two or three anonymous inspectors to each property completely unbeknownst to the businesses. Once these properties have been awarded a Key, they may choose to be listed on Michelin’s booking platform, which takes a 10-15% commission for every reservation it facilitates, but the hotels are not compelled to join the platform in order to receive a Key. Given the nascent nature of the Keys, many hotel owners were unaware they even existed when the list was unveiled.
‘I literally was in the car and the Lodge got ta ed in an Instagram post about the Keys, and that was the first I knew about it,’ said Anna Low, co-owner of Foyers Lodge. For days a erwards, she and Phil Crowe, her husband and co-owner, racked their brains to identify which guests might have been inspectors, but could think of no one.
Foyers Lodge is a small, seven bedroom property overlooking Loch Ness where Anna and Phil commonly host a loyal set of repeat guests. Vanessa Royle, their chef,
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SCOTCH whisky bar at Balmoral; views are unparalleled at Foyers Lodge; Picking herbs from the garden at Links House for use in Mara; the Drawing Room at The Fife Arms.
2 Key Hotels
THE BALMORAL
Situated in the heart of Edinburgh, this historic hotel delivers elegant interiors, award-winning dining, and attentive service. The Balmoral is a testament to the city’s timelessness.
THE FIFE ARMS
Experience the outdoors from this beautiful, 19th-century hunting lodge in the Highlands. Many of the suites are characterised by rich, antique furnishings, styled after the historic notable gures that once visited the property.
3 Key Hotels
GLENEAGLES
A timeless gem of Scottish elegance tucked into the hills. From its graceful facade to its meticulously manicured lawns, every detail evokes serenity, re nement, and historic grandeur.
‘The Michelin Key inspectors seem to be looking for an overarching authenticity’ |
has been with them since the Lodge’s inception, and delivers a consistently exceptional, ’unfussy’ menu sourced from local ingredients. Anna su ests that much of the Lodge’s success is down to its dependability.
‘Because Vanessa has been with us the whole time, people love what she o ers and are confident that they’ll get the same or better when they come back,’ says Anna. ‘We’re just trying to give everybody the same experience, so I think it’s actually very nice not to be aware of [Michelin-style accolades].
‘When you read the criteria you think, “oh yeah, we could fit into that”, but we didn’t know them. We’re not really accredited by anyone, we just kind of do our own thing.’
at Foyers Lodge is largely unaccredited su ests that Michelin have departed from hotel guide conventions. e Keys’ five publicised criteria are excellence in architecture
and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for money and a significant contribution to the neighbourhood or setting.
Because Michelin don’t reveal how Key-holding properties have fulfilled the criteria – even to the owners – it gives the impression that the inspectors are looking for an overarching authenticity, a nebulous measure which allows Michelin to reward independent businesses that don’t necessarily fulfil luxury conventions such as bedside tables on either side of the bed.
Phil remarks that the AA checkboxes are a ‘part of the business model that Anna and I have always actively steered away from,’ and Michelin appear to have capitalised on this disinclination to conform to the guidelines of established agencies. Instead, they’ve rewarded hotels which draw on their surrounding environment, o er
TOP: Enjoy the eclectic decor at Glenmorangie House. RIGHT: Horseriding is one of the many activities available to guests at Gleneagles.
Second
Last
ABOVE LEFT: The Spence at Gleneagles Townhouse. ABOVE RIGHT: Toasting in Link’s House’s Anteroom. BELOW: The JK Rowling Suite at The Balmoral
memorable, personalised stays and deliver service that feels warm and genuine.
Neither Anna nor Phil have observed a particular uptake in occupancy since their inclusion in the Michelin Guide. ‘We only have seven bedrooms and so we’re mostly full for the season,’ she says. ‘I would say it hasn’t changed operations at all.’
However, as part of their booking process, guests are invited to share how they came across the Lodge, and Anna has noticed that some have cited Michelin. ‘But we’re also in the Top 50 Boutique Hotels and broadsheets such as e Telegraph or e Times. Guests that are looking in the Michelin Guide are looking in other, similar places as well.’
ough Anna and Phil are thrilled at the recognition and intend to ‘continue striving to achieve the high bar that [Michelin] set,’ the designation doesn’t appear to have had a significant impact on their business.
Phil Scott, managing director of Links House in Royal
Dornoch, concurs. ‘ e thing about accolades and levels such as this, a lot of people say just do what you’re doing,’ he says. ‘You know a lot of properties up here – I think there were five in the Highlands alone – were just delivering what we do on a regular basis. I don’t think anybody’s chasing it.’
He admits that Links House would love to retain the Key but emphasises that it has merely encouraged them to maintain their already high standards, rather than having spurred change.
‘We’re conscious of it, but like I say, being awarded it was like a massive pat on the back for doing what we do on a daily basis.’
e Keys appear to be aspiring to the same character as Michelin’s stars, though whether they will achieve the same status remains to be seen. Even in the industry predictions vary and Phil Scott is sceptical that hotel guests belong to the same category of people as ‘foodies’.
‘People seek out Michelin restaurants. I think the guests that would travel to luxury properties will still travel to luxury properties’ and, implicitly, those that wouldn’t, won’t. For most hotels, it’s business as usual.
Perhaps as the Keys’ longevity and credibility grow, they will become more sought a er, but for now receiving the recognition remains a happy surprise for those hotel proprietors who are just doing what they’re doing.
e Great Pheasant Race
Ever inventive, the Americans have inaugurated a Great Grouse Race with a difference, creating the Glorious Nineteenth. Richard Bath went Stateside to investigate
Imitation, they say, is the sincerest form of flattery. And there have certainly been a few customs from Scotland which have made their way across the Atlantic. e USA has, a er all, taken golf to its heart, elected 35 presidents of Scottish descent, based its Constitution on the Declaration of Arbroath, and stages 350 Highland Games a year (the largest, at Grandfather Mountain, draws 30,000 tartan-clad visitors each summer).
Even so, it came as something of a surprise when I heard of the latest link between the two countries, with the pending American adoption and adaptation of a more recent Scottish tradition: the Great Grouse Race.
If eccentricity is taking the absurd seriously, the ritual of the Great Grouse Race, which dates from the 1920s, is its apogee. On the Glorious Twel h, the day that marks the start of the grouse season in the UK, the race in question is to see which grouse moor can
READY & WILLING: The only other European on the shoot at The Preserve in Rhode Island was Danish shooter Torben Moller-Nielsen.
be the first to deliver birds to the top London restaurants for that evening’s dinner service, with the Savoy traditionally going to great lengths to win the race, although restaurants like Ranald Macdonald’s Boisdale’s have now joined the fray. For decades the birds travelled by express steam trains from places like Gleneagles, but now it’s a case of trains, planes and automobiles - I’ve even seen a bird-laden helicopter dispatched from a Perthshire moor.
It’s a tradition which caught the attention of Rhode Island shooting enthusiast Paul Mihailides, who has been determined to stage his very own version of the Great Grouse Race. ‘When I was told about it, my reaction was “I just love this idea”,’ he said to me. ‘So we set about seeing if we could do something similar and this is how we ended up here.’
‘Here’ is Mihailides’ swanky country club called e Preserve, which is in Rhode Island. A 90-minute chau eur-driven ride south from Boston Logan airport in one of the fleet of
Bentley Bentaygas, it’s a 3,500 acre oasis that has all the things you need for an exceptionally good life: extensive equestrian facilities and hacking trails, a small golf course, fishing, spas aplenty, 4x4 o -roading, decent restaurants and a stylish bar. ere’s great accommodation and pretty much everything you can think of - there’s even a climbing wall.
But mostly there’s shooting, because Mihailides is a self-confessed shooting nut. at’s why there are several clay pigeon ranges, with a huge collection of platforms hidden up in the trees and in butts. And, at 150 metres there’s the longest non-military indoor shooting range in the country, where a former Navy Seal instructor put me through my paces during two blissfully memorable, if noisy, hours. ere’s also the bi est gun store in the State, with a whopping 30,000 firearms – including an amazing fourbarrelled shotgun costing $300,000 – which was an eye-opening sweetie store for a shooter from a more gun-wary culture.
Field sports – The Glorious Nineteenth
If all of this makes Mihailides sound like some gun-obsessed redneck, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact the businessman has a particularly so spot for European shotguns and has such a reverence for the way shoots are conducted in the UK that e Preserve stages British-style pheasant shoots, a concept which is vanishingly rare in the States. Almost 100,000 birds are raised on the fenced 3,500 acres and there are regular shoots for members, who shoot from butts in stunning New England woodlands.
Which brings us to e Preserve’s inaugural staging of an event called e Glorious Nineteenth, which Mihailides intends to be an annual event. It was an idea he cooked up – pun intended – with his friend and celebrity restaurateur David Burke, who has a chain of eleven restaurants in New York and New Jersey. eir plan was to li the format of the Great Grouse Race by being the first restaurant to serve that season’s pheasant in Burke’s flagship restaurant David Burke Tavern on the Upper East Side in New York on the first day of the pheasant season in North America on 19 September.
Which was how, a er breakfast and a briefing, sixteen guns – all in breeks and traditional shooting attire – plus a squadron of picker-uppers and their labradors trooped
TOP LEFT: A picker-upper’s labrador brings back one of the 350 or so birds shot. TOP RIGHT: New England in the Fall is famously picturesque. ABOVE: Two of the American guns in action.
Field sports – The Glorious Nineteenth
‘It was as convivial and cheery as the Christmas shoot held by our ramshackle Perthshire syndicate’
through up to eight large butts set along the base of a small incline whose brow was lined with trees. With the temperature at twenty degrees and the trees and bracken beginning to turn a beautiful shade of fiery auburn, this corner of New England was in its Sunday best.
It was as convivial and cheery as the Christmas shoot on my little Perthshire syndicate, with everyone from the local police chief to captains of industry present. I’d been paired with Doug, an a able local who was clearly smitten with the idea of being in at the beginning of e Glorious Nineteenth. We chatted, swapped shooting stories and compared guns – most of the Americans had Browning ’12 gauge’ over-and-unders, so he seemed highly dubious about the Rizzini side-by-side that Mihailides had personally chosen for me a er interrogating me about
which shotgun I shoot with at home (a Beretta 12-bore side-by-side). As we found out once the birds started flying, he was wrong to be sceptical. at moment arrived soon enough. Within moments a bird crossed in 60-70 yards in front of us from le to right, just above the treeline at around 90 feet but pretty much unmissable (although it seems like some of the other butts didn’t get the memo). en there was another, then another, with all of the birds arriving in three really distinct arcs (le to right, right to le , and straight overhead) and at very regular timings.
Fi een minutes a er the first bird had appeared, the conveyor belt stopped abruptly and a whistle sounded. We’d shot a little over 50 birds, and as the dogs went to work Doug and I chewed the fat. I asked about the beaters and how they had
TOP: Chef David Burke and Paul Mihailides, a shooting enthusiast who designed The Preserve to be a shooting Mecca, jointly conceived the Glorious Nineteenth.
ABOVE: The Editor, wearing Scottish Field tweed from head to toe.
ONE WITH NATURE
ABOVE: Loud and proud. BELOW: Double gunning, but not as we know it.
managed to make the birds come so regularly and was surprised to find that the birds were being released from boxes ahead of us, which explained the clockwork regularity of their arrival.
A er the birds had been hoovered up, we ambled 30 or 40 yards to the next butt, where we rinsed and repeated. Bird a er bird tumbled, and by the time we’d shot from all eight butts, roughly 90% of the 400 or so birds put over us had been shot and picked. e remainder, we were told, would be the focus of the next day’s shoot, when a walked-up day of pheasant over pointers would bring
‘By the time we’d shot from all eight butts, roughly 90% of the 400 birds that had been put over us had been shot and picked |
another variation of the classic Scottish shooting pastime of woodcock over pointers. e season would end with what was known as the ‘clock shoot’, where birds would be released at 250 feet from a tower atop a hill, to be shot by guns on the 12 butts that surrounded the hill, with an expected bag for the morning of 2,500 birds.
Like so much of America, it was bi er, brasher and fundamentally di erent to the experience to which it was loosely aligned, even if the similarities were obvious and the enjoyment factor huge.
I reflected on that recently when I was lucky enough to shoot on the Glorious Twel h. I contrasted last year’s memorably luxurious and user-friendly Glorious Nineteenth to our musclesapping yomp across a Moorfoot moor – which yielded 14 brace and le the five guns ruined until late the next day – and that old George Bernard Shaw line about two peoples separated by a common language sprang to mind.
Both days were glorious, and both resulted in birds being delivered still warm to diners at the country’s finest restaurants, but there the similarities ended. As my French friends say: vive le di erence.
ME & MY DRAM
e perfect blend
For former Formula One world champion Jenson Button, the beauty of a well-cra ed dram is akin to world-class motorsport engineering
When did you first try whisky?
Let’s not talk about the early days of me being silly – as everyone was, I think, growing up. But the first time I really got into whisky was when I was 30. A er I won the World Championship, I started racing for McLaren, who were sponsored by Johnnie Walker. I did a lot of sponsorship events for them and tasted a lot of whisky. Johnnie Walker Blue Label was what I liked most because it’s a tiny bit peaty. I then had the opportunity to blend a whisky with their master blender in Shanghai – but I wasn’t allowed to drink it, I had to blend it by smell, which was interesting. at was when I first came to understand that blending really is an art.
What’s your favourite dram?
If I’m with friends, I like Japanese whisky. It’s not peaty but I like Yamazaki. If I was going to just have a dram that doesn’t cost $1,000 a bottle it would be Lagavulin. For me, I have to have a bit of a mix. I couldn’t drink peaty Islay whiskies all the time – they are too intense – but I don’t drink that much, so it works quite well. A dram or two is great. Lagavulin works for that.
What’s the most unusual dram you own?
ere’s nothing massively unusual, to be honest. I spent a lot of time in Japan when I raced for Honda from 2003-2008 and from 2014-2019, so I drank a lot of di erent types of whiskies, including Japanese whiskies, out there. I love mixing it up.
Tell me about Coachbuilt, your own blended whisky... I’m involved with a car company called Radford, which I’m part-owner of. It’s a coachbuilding company which is bespoke to customers – they design their dream car and we bring in very skilled engineers from around the world to build these wonderful cars. And that’s the whole idea with blended whisky – you’re bringing in whisky from di erent parts of Scotland and blending it together. Again, it’s about high quality. It all depends on what you’re working with. With racing cars it would
be carbon fibre and magnesium, and with Coachbuilt it’s high quality whisky.
What was the blending process like?
It has been a really fun journey. For me the most important thing was that it’s a good liquid, otherwise there’s no point. So, I made sure that I was very involved in the tasting. I live in LA while George [Koutsakis, co-founder of Coachbuilt] was in Taiwan, and the rest of the Coachbuilt crew were in the UK, so when we were doing tastings a couple of years ago it was six in the morning for me. My wife would come down at 7am with the kids and be like, ‘Oh okay, I guess I’m taking the kids to school then!’
Best way to enjoy a nip of whisky?
I love cocktails, but if I’m drinking in the evening it would normally be neat or an Old Fashioned. Obviously that’s normally bourbon, but with Coachbuilt it really works because you can still taste that you’re drinking Coachbuilt in a cocktail like an Old Fashioned, which is so important to us. George likes a Highball, which is great as well because you keep all the flavours. I never have ice in it.
Best place to have a dram? At the Monaco GP? Beneath the stars?
e good thing here in California is that in the evening, it’s nice – it’s not too hot. So, around a firepit would be pretty awesome, post-dinner. But then a Highball during the day is great. We had a house in Palm Springs which we’ve just sold, but during the day, round the pool, a Highball was great.
Who would you most like to share a dram with?
My dad – he passed away ten years ago. He was more of a red wine drinker, but he also liked whisky. He had no idea what he was drinking, but if he liked something, he liked it. ere’s so much to tell him from the last ten years – my kids never got to meet him. So I’d definitely want to share that dram with my dad.
‘When we were doing tastings, it was six in the morning for me’
LUXURY WHISKY
Judge a book by its cover
When it comes to outrageously decadent packaging Scotch whisky is at the top of its game, but our columnist argues that old and rare whisky deserves prestige in its presentation
There have been a few moments in recent years when whisky stopped being treated like a generic product, viewed in export terms purely through the lens of tari s, almost as if it were a commodity.
For me, the shi began in 2010 when Dalmore sold the 64-year-old Dalmore Trinitas, the first whisky to break the six-figure barrier. Only three bottles were produced. At the time, £100,000 for one bottle felt mind-bo ling. Would it really sell or was it just a headline grabber?
ose three bottles came in mouthblown crystal decanters with sterling silver embellishments, housed in a bespoke lacquered wooden cabinet that took over 100 man-hours to make. Many thought the presentation was superfluous. I didn’t then, and I don’t now. When done with care and consideration, presentation that is commensurate with the prestige of the whisky makes absolute sense.
I’ve always found the word ‘luxury’ a bit crass, and too ubiquitous to be useful. In the simplest sense, whisky is the ultimate luxury – it isn’t essential to life; it is, by definition, non-essential. If you are fortunate enough to appreciate a luxury like whisky, why wouldn’t you want the full experience, thoughtfully presented and enjoyed?
I could make the same argument for art. It is a luxury, and yet we know that music, painting or photography can be evocative and genuinely move us to tears (Stendhal syndrome is real, google it). Believe it or not, I’ve seen guests become tearful at tastings I’ve hosted around the world, not from boredom I hasten to add, but from a sense of connection and being fully
present. Mindfulness, which is something I o en incorporate, can do that, but I digress.
My point is this: visit a museum to see an old master and the work will be presented with great care. It may sit within an ornate gilded frame that complements the piece. It wouldn’t be given a basic IKEA frame, because that would make no sense. Rare, old and exceptional whisky deserves the same treatment. e whisky is the most important part, of course, but the other ‘dry goods’ (in whisky industry parlance) contribute to the sum of the parts.
Which is why I get more excited each time the Distillers’ One of One auction comes around. It has become a chance for the industry to flex its creative muscles in precisely this way. Distillers’ One of One returns on 10 October at Hopetoun House with forty one-o lots donated by thirty-six distilleries and whisky brands. Since 2021 it has raised £4.3 million, with one hundred per cent of the hammer price going to charity.
e charitable purpose, mixed with a little goodnatured rivalry and one-upmanship, is enabling commissions in glass, wood, metal and silver that amount to genuine artistry and cra smanship. ese bottles verge on sculpture, o en worthy of a gallery. Unlike old-master paintings, which you experience only with sight, these whiskies engage all five senses, culminating in the
‘Presentation that is commensurate with the prestige of the whisky makes absolute sense’ | natured
to genuine artistry and cra smanship. ese bottles
Blair Bowman
The 5 Steps to Appreciate your Whisky
The Official Whisky Glass
Decadent drams
BOWMORE ARC -52, 42.3%, £67,500: Billed as a marriage of futuristic design and aged spirit, this single malt was aged in sherry and ex-bourbon casks for 52 years.
THE MACALLAN, THE RED COLLECTION, 78-YEAR-OLD, 42.2%, £90,000: Bottled in 2020, on its release this was the oldest whisky Macallan had ever produced. Its presentation box is made from European oak and upholstered in leather.
GLENFIDDICH 1937
64-YEAR-OLD, 44%, £145,000: Bottled from cask 843 in October 2001 having been laid down in 1937 and seen ten consecutive warehouse masters watch over its maturation.
‘The best pieces do not hide the whisky, they frame it’ |
finite, never-to-be-repeated liquid history inside.
This year’s first revealed headline lots set the tone. Laphroaig offers a 40-yearold ‘Capsule’ magnum decanter in flawless Laphroaig-green crystal with a platinum finish. Old Pulteney ‘Polaris’, a rare 47-year-old magnum, is presented in hand-blown blue glass set within Caithness slate, with a piece of copper from a Pulteney still hidden in the base like a secret. The GlenDronach ‘Arias in Time’ marries four sherry casks with a bronze work by Osanna Visconti. The Glenlivet ‘SPIRA’, a 60-year-old distilled in 1965, sits in a decanter that echoes vapour rising through tall stills. Aberlour’s ‘Mouth of the Chattering Burn’ is a 53-year-old magnum crafted by Swedish glass masters, the decanter presented on the very wooden mould that formed it. The Glen Grant ‘Eternal’, a 77-year-old in a hand-blown magnum, looks botanical and alive, as if the whisky had grown through the glass.
I hear the familiar cynicism: ‘It’s only packaging.’ Sometimes that is true. But you can tell when the object honours the liquid. The best pieces do not hide the whisky, they frame it. The design has a point of view. Materials are chosen because they speak to place and process.
Which brings me to the release that I suspect will define the year: Gordon & MacPhail’s forthcoming 85-yearold Glenlivet. I’ve said it before in a recent column and make no apology for saying it again, this is what multigenerational thinking looks like. Decade after decade of quiet checks and hard choices, never bottling for an arbitrary reason but only when the cask is ready. The decanter, designed by the internationally acclaimed architect
Jeanne Gang, will elegantly house what is set to be the world’s oldest single malt Scotch whisky ever bottled.
What excites me most about this moment in whisky is the collaboration. Distilleries and independent houses are inviting artists, architects and artisans into the process. Glass is not merely a container. Bronze, silver and metalwork are there to converse with the whisky, not to overshadow it. In time, it will be fascinating to look back on this period and see how these snapshots of whisky at the very pinnacle of luxury compare. And yes, prices can make eyes water. They should, sometimes. Scarcity and excellence have never been cheap. But there is a meaningful difference between expense and excess. When generosity is built in, when the liquid is extraordinary and when the design choices teach us something about how whisky is made and matured, the whole exercise earns its place in my mind and warrants a premium price.
Many of the whiskies mentioned have estimates in six figures and may go higher on the day if a bidding war kicks off. At the inaugural Distillers’ One of One auction in 2021, a 30 minute bidding battle for a four-bottle set of Glenfiddich from the 1950s drove the final price to £1,037,500. Pricing is, of course, subjective, but my comparison with world-class art still stands. Add another zero or two to some of these bottles and they would still look modest beside fine art.
We are living through an age of liquid and artistic creativity. The good news is that I do not believe it is a fad. It is the natural outcome of patient people doing brave work, and of an industry willing to present its very best. Long may that continue.
SCOTCH AT THE BALMORAL
A sanctuary for whisky lovers
Step into SCOTCH, The Balmoral’s signature whisky bar, and enter a warm, intimate space devoted to Scotland’s most iconic spirit. Located at 1 Princes Street – Edinburgh’s most prestigious address – SCOTCH offers one of the country’s most extensive whisky collections, with around 500 bottles lining its oak and tweed-accented shelves. are finds like Tomatin 36-Year-Old and Bunnahabhain 40-Year-Old sit alongside single-cask and private bottlings from every major whisky region.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a first-time explorer, S O welcomes all levels of interest. Guests are guided by the hotel’s kilted Whisky Ambassadors, passionate experts who tailor each experience with warmth, insight, and storytelling. Their knowledge spans everything from cask finishes to distillery lore, helping guests uncover the depth and diversity of Scotch whisky.
A range of curated tastings invite guests to explore the collection in more depth. The Exploration Tasting introduces four distinctive drams for a foundational experience, while the Ambassadors Selection and Fine are ights highlight premium and hard-to-find favourites. For those seeking something exceptional, The Ultimate Collection features rare, aged, and limited-edition whiskies.
he setting is as refined as the spirit. Soft lighting, tweed furnishings, and an understated small plate menu create an atmosphere of relaxed luxury. SCOTCH also hosts private events, bespoke tastings, and regular collaborations with independent bottlers.
Led by Bar Manager Ross Barr, a respected figure in the whisky world, S O has earned a reputation as one of Edinburgh s finest whisky destinations. Open daily from 4pm to 12:30am and welcoming both residents and non-residents, this is a place to linger, sip, and discover the stories behind every bottle.
The exclusive Scotch Club
For those seeking a deeper connection to Scotland’s whisky heritage, The Balmoral offers a rare privilege: membership to its exclusive Scotch Club, limited to just 35 individuals worldwide. Far more than a name on a bottle,
it’s an invitation to a world of rare drams, personalised tastings, and unforgettable, bespoke experiences.
Members enjoy access to ultra-rare whiskies, private events, and intimate masterclasses with leading figures in the whisky world. Each member is honoured with a named keep in the SCOTCH lobby, a lasting legacy at one of Edinburgh’s most revered whisky destinations. Milestones are marked with signature pours, while preferential suite rates and early access to exclusive releases ensure every stay is exceptional.
But membership is not just about access, it’s about belonging. A sense of community, craftsmanship, and celebration in a setting where stories are shared as generously as the whisky itself.
Scotch whisky represents more than avour it embodies time, tradition, and place. Nowhere is this more beautifully expressed than at SCOTCH, The Balmoral’s iconic whisky bar.
Step inside and begin your journey into a world where every bottle holds a story, and every dram is poured with purpose. CONTACT
The Balmoral, 1 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2EQ. For membership enquiries, call 0131 556 2414 or email scotchclub@roccofortehotels.com www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/the-balmoral-hotel/dining/scotch/
THE READERS’ WHISKY CHALLENGE 2025
We invited eight lucky Scottish Field readers to blind taste 33 of the fi est cottish whiskies. he to th ee will e e te ed i to Scottish Field’s Grand Final
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
Sometimes, for our readers, it can be a daunting task tasting dozens of whisky. However, we weren’t short of volunteers to judge the 25th annual Scottish Field Readers’ Whisky Challenge. is year, eight of our lovely readers were invited to Hotel Indigo on Edinburgh’s Princes Street to blind taste 33 di erent drams from distilleries and bottlers across the country.
now a highly sought-a er writer, whisky consultant and broker, and founder of World Whisky Day.
Two judges from last year’s panel returned, and therefore were able to pass along knowledge to new judges, including a former whisky shop salesperson, furniture maker, and retiree who now has time to enjoy more of life’s finer things. We also had a father and daughter duo, the latter who was unsure if she even liked whisky and le with a newfound taste for it and a list of favourites. Our readers went home with some fantastic gi s thanks to Ardnahoe, Benromach, Bladnoch and La distilleries, and Whisky Me.
As the beating heart of Scotland’s food and drink industry and a world-renowned product, Scotch whisky is truly iconic and worth celebrating. is challenge gains its impeccable credibility through its acutely egalitarian blind-tasting process. Quality alone determines the winners as our judges select not by label, name, or price, but by taste alone.
As always, the top three whiskies go through to our Grand Final with a chance of being crowned Whisky of the Year. We would like to thank everyone for taking part and for helping us celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Field Whisky Challenge.
e Scottish Field Readers’ Whisky Challenge has established itself as an important landmark on the Scotch whisky calendar. It has even helped launch careers in the drinks industry.
The top three WHISKIES go through to the GRAND FINAL with a chance of being crowned
‘Whisky of the Year’
HOW THE READERS’ WHISKY CHALLENGE WORKS
With very best wishes from the SF team.
Sláinte!
‘I was in the Readers’ Challenge years ago, it launched my whisky career,’ says Scottish Field whisky writer Blair Bowman, who is
We open the competition to all the whisky distilleries in Scotland, inviting them to send in any new expressions or old favourites to ta e part in the challenge hen we fi nd eight Scottish Field readers and one expert who knows their drams to form a panel of judges.
Become a judge
If you would like to be on the Scottish Field Readers’ Whisky Challenge panel in 2026, email editor@scottishfi eld.co.uk
More from the Scottish Field Whisky Challenge: Keep your eyes peeled for the Scottish Field Whisky Challenge Grand Final in our December 2025 issue.
We decant the bottles into sample bottles adorned with only a number before handing them out to our judges. This year’s challenge included bottles ranging from £32 to £245. But without the ceremony of opening the fancy box, there was no telling which was which.
he fi rst round is a noc out round and our panel whittled the list of 33 whiskies down to 20. The top 20 were taken forward for the scoring round in the afternoon. Each whis y was scored out of fi ve for nose palate and fi nish e then too away the highest and lowest scores and used the remaining marks to produce an overall score for each expression.
2025 Judges
COLIN MACKIE
Owner of Eskwood Furniture, Colin spends most of his time cra ing fine furniture. Having explored whisky for 25 years, he has a particular a nity with Islay – the whisky and the place.
OLGA VARVAROVA
THE JUDGES’ TOP TEN
A writer, blo er, and content creator from Ukraine. She shares her whisky adventures as ‘Olga Tastes Whisky’ and has made contributions to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s Unfiltered
DAN PATTON
Of the 33 whiskies blind tasted by Scottish Field Readers, 10 drams stood head and shoulders above the rest
NO.1 OVERALL
Originally hailing from Belfast, Dan’s first job upon arriving in Edinburgh was in a whisky shop, where he developed a lasting love of single malts and whisky tastings!
MELISA WOO
A marketing strategist who enjoys exploring the world of whisky. Outside of work and whisky, you’ll find her anywhere with dogs.
CLIVE ASHBY
Clive Ashby is a retired road safety engineering consultant. He has taken an advanced course with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. Nowadays he tends to be a Malt whisky enthusiast.
JIM RHEAD
A retired aircra maintenance instructor, now restoring a 200-year-old home. Enjoys fly fishing, exploring Scotland’s scenery and cuisine. He is a whisky novice and learning more on this journey.
STEPHANIE STEVENSON
A born and bred Scottish, English Literature graduate, whose usual pastime includes reviewing theatre. Reviewing whisky is a new world to her, but one she was happy to put to the test.
JOHN STEVENSON
Father of Stephanie, has many more years of experience and enjoyment from whisky tasting. A keen connoisseur of sampling the best of what life has to o er, including whisky!
345
4 5 8
2 6789 10
Top 10 whiskies from the challenge
1. Loch Fyne 10 yo Aberfeldy Loch Fyne Whiskies
2. SPEY Chairman’s Choice PX Speyside Distillery
3. Doocot Kingsbarns Distillery
4. Cask Masters Teaninich 9 yo
Brave New Spirits
5. Bladnoch 8yo Bladnoch Distillery
7. AnCnoc 12yo Knockdhu Distillery
8. Cask Masters Glenglassaugh 11yo
Brave New Spirits
9. Loch Fyne 11yo Bunnahabhain
Loch Fyne Whiskies
10. Murray McDavid – Mystery
Malt: Speyside’s Finest 15yo
Oloroso Sherry Butt – UK
Exclusive
6. Arran Single Malt Signature Series 3 – Duero Discovery Lochranza Distillery
Murray McDavid
Category winners
The judges revealed their scores and tasting notes on the best whiskies of the day
UNDER £50 WINNERS
Doocot Kingsbarns distillery
JUDGES SCORES:
3.6, 3.6, 3.8, 4.3, 2, 4.3, 3.5, 4.2
OVERALL SCORE: 23
TASTING NOTES FROM MELISA: NOSE: Bananas, almost citrussy, caramel.
TASTING NOTES FROM JIM: NOSE: Hint of the berry elds with a strawberry undertone.
PALATE: Very excitable, vanilla but sharp spirit that lingers.
Distillery Labels from Glenburgie Distillery 25 Years Old gordon & macphail
JUDGES SCORES:
3.2, 3.6, 3.9, 3.3, 3.5, 4, 3, 2
OVERALL SCORE: 20.5
TASTING NOTES FROM OLGA: NOSE: Expensive perfume.
PALATE: Boozy pears with lemon zest on top.
‘We open the competition to all the whisky distilleries in Scotland’
BRONZE GOLD
SILVER
The first bottling in Scottish Field’s new Whisky Series
A NEW NAME IN HIGHLAND WHISKY
In the rolling farmland of North East Scotland, a new chapter in Scotch whisky is quietly taking shape. Balmaud Distillery, a Highland Single Estate operation with ambition on a grand scale, filled its very first casks earlier this year – a milestone years in the making.
The distillery stands on land farmed by the Strachan family for generations, where premium malted barley has long been supplied to some of the country’s most respected whisky producers. Now, that heritage is being channelled into their own spirit, crafted entirely on-site.
Every element of production has been designed with precision and quality in mind, from the extended fermentation time to careful cask selection. Premium ex-bourbon barrels bring depth and smoothness, while sought-after Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks add indulgent richness. Each cask is securely stored on-site in Balmaud’s bonded warehouses, where it will rest undisturbed throughout maturation.
As the distillery grows, the focus is clear - to establish a strong, consistent core range that showcases Balmaud’s quality and character, complemented by the occasional limited release for collectors and enthusiasts. he first whisky release is still some years away, but the earliest casks already carry the promise of excellence.
With an annual capacity of 1.2 million litres and the ability to store 10,000 casks on-site, Balmaud is built for both scale and staying power. For now, a limited number of these inaugural casks are available for private ownership - a rare opportunity to be part of the foundation of a distillery designed to stand among Scotland’s great names.
CONTACT
Tel: 01888 531100
www.balmauddistillery.com
Balmaud Distillery’s first casks
ASK THE EXPERTS
ANSWER: Entering a marriage or civil partnership imposes signi cant legal consequences. The law de nes matrimonial property and directs how this should be divided upon separation. To avoid the potential implications of this, intended spouses or civil partners can enter into a pre-marriage/pre-partnership agreement. A carefully constructed pre-marriage contract can:
1. Protect pre-marital assets
While assets accrued before marriage are generally excluded from matrimonial property, if changes are made to the nature of the asset during the marriage, it may be converted into matrimonial property. To avoid this, a pre-marriage contract can state which assets will never be considered matrimonial property regardless of changes. This allows the asset owner to dispose of or invest it as they wish.
2. Protect wealth inherited or gifted during the marriage
Assets gifted by third parties or inherited during the marriage are excluded from matrimonial property. However, if the gifted or inherited assets are changed in nature during the marriage, then they could be converted into matrimonial property. A pre-marriage contract can expressly state that this will not happen.
3. Protect business interests
The contract can specify how business interests will be dealt with on separation, for example how share ownership or pro ts are treated.
4. Protect against debts
If one person enters the marriage or civil partnership with signi cant debts, a pre-marriage contract can ensure the other partner is not held responsible for those debts if they separate.
5. Protect future income
A pre-marriage contract can specify how future income is to be treated upon separation, i.e. bonuses, interest and rental income.
6. Provide certainty
Individuals can relax, knowing their assets are protected, with some certainty about their nancial position after separation. Reaching agreement while both partners are still on good terms could prevent lengthy disputes or costly litigation later. Remember that to be robust to challenge, any agreement must be fair and reasonable, drafted with legal advice and without pressure to sign.
WATCHES
Watch out!
More and more watches are being stolen, both in public and from people’s homes, but some owners seem reluctant to buy insurance to protect their luxury timepieces
Nomatter whether it’s Andy Murray’s team fumbling around in his sports bag to find his lost Rado a er winning the US Open or Daniel Craig’s James Bond sporting an Omega, few accessories ooze ‘luxury’ like a fancy watch.
‘Although the luxury watch market may be cooling, the number of the s continues to rise,’ points out Preet Jolly, an underwriter at insurance firm Hiscox. ‘Watches can be very high value, but are small, portable and easier to steal than a painting, for example.
‘Many high-value watch owners now have imitations or dummies, which they’ll wear out to restaurants or parties, as that’s where a lot of the targeted and o en violent the s are occurring. London is a major hotspot, as well as Paris and Los Angeles.’
Stanhope Insurance highlights a string of high-profile watch the s in public places in recent years, including boxer Amir Khan in East London and Formula One racing driver Charles Leclerc at Viare io in Italy. at’s even before owners consider the threat from housebreaking or burglary – depending on which side of the Border they live – such as when footballer Raheem Sterling was robbed at gunpoint in his own home.
When it comes to protecting a luxury watch, experts advise against owners showing o their latest purchase on Instagram or TikTok.
‘Once a watch has been stolen, it can easily be traded on the second-hand market so, while it’s tempting to showcase a new purchase on social media, it’s sensible to avoid public posts or sharing real-time photos in a recognisable public place,’ advises Jolly.
Almost one third of luxury watch owners don’t insure their expensive timepieces, despite a rise in the s, according to a survey by e Watch Register, which traces stolen watches. More than 100,000 lost or stolen accessories are registered
on its database, and it helped reunite around 600 items with their owners in a single year.
‘Insurance provides peace of mind through cover for the current market value of the watch, which is why up-to-date valuations are so important,’ adds Jolly. ‘For those that have them, ensuring that home safes and protections are suitable for the value of the contents is also something to watch out for.’
While 32% of owners have no insurance for their luxury watch, a further 35% have increased their home insurance premiums to cover watches, while only 30% have taken out specific insurance policies for their luxury timepieces, according to e Watch Register’s figures. A quarter of owners said their policy only covered their watch at home, with almost a fi h saying the insurance only kicked-in when they were travelling.
More than one third of men took out a separate policy for their watches, compared with 20% of women. Some 60% of 18 to 24-year-old owners bought a separate insurance policy, in contrast to just 8% of those aged 65 and over.
Will the market for stolen watches decline as Generation Z embraces smartwatches? Possibly not, according to a survey by second-hand website Watchfinder & Co. e online retailer found that 41% of Gen Z in the United States had bought a luxury watch, driven by ‘influencers’ and so-called ‘social media’ – or advertising platforms as they’re more accurately described. Some watchmakers even argue that the durability of luxury watches appeals to Gen Z’s interest in sustainability.
Perhaps the reality is a wee bit more nuanced: while 40% of Gen Z told a separate poll by Deloitte that they’re likely to buy a luxury watch to diversify their investments, 63% told Watchfinder they regard a watch as a fashion accessory and 62% make a purchase depending on how ‘cool’ a watch looks. It appears the influence of celebrities will never go out of style.
one third of luxury watch owners don’t insure their expensive timepieces’
Peter Ranscombe
LEAVE A LEGACY
Make a difference by leaving a gift in your will
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN EDINBURGH
Sow the seeds of our future by remembering the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in your Will. Your legacy will support vital work to protect plants, combat the climate crisis, and inspire a deeper connection with nature for generations to come. Contact RGBE at legacy@rbge.org.uk. Tel: 0131 248 2929, www.rbge.org.uk
SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION FOR MARINE SCIENCE
Gifts in Wills to Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) fuel bold new discovery and fearless science – unlocking solutions to the world’s most urgent environmental challenges. Your legacy supports the independent marine research that protects, restores and revitalises our ocean, safeguarding what matters most: our seas, our planet, and the generations still to come. Tel: 01631 559000, www.sams.ac.uk
RSABI
RSABI provides financial, practical and emotional support to people in Scottish agriculture. Loneliness and isolation are challenges for farmers and crofters, along with illness or injury. The freephone helpline - 0808 1234 555 – is open 24/7. By leaving a gift to RSABI in your Will, you will help continue this lifeline work. Tel:0131 364 4205, www.rsabi.org.uk
WORLD HORSE WELFARE
The only charity working to help all horses, ponies, donkeys and mules across the world. Horses like Seamus, who was found starving to death. World Horse Welfare moved Seamus to the safety of one of their rescue centres. After months of care, Seamus recovered and has now found a loving home. World Horse Welfare depends on gifts in Wills to fund six in ten of their rescues. Tel: 01953 497239, www.worldhorsewelfare.org
ERSKINE
As Scotland’s leading provider of care for Veterans and their spouses, Erskine supports over 1,200 Veterans in Scotland.
SHELTER SCOTLAND
homes, supported accommodation, two activity centres with safe space for Veterans to come together, and a Home Support service to help Veterans thrive. Donations and Legacy gifts are vital to ensure Erskine continues to provide the best possible future for our Veterans. Tel: 0141 812 1100, www.erskine.org.uk
HEALTH IN MIND
We’re in a housing emergency.We need real change. We need the kind of change that will define a new era – one where thousands of people can find a safe place to call home. You can help make real change happen – with a gift in your Will to Shelter Scotland. Tel: 0344 515 1617, www.shelterscotland.org/legacy
One in four of us experience mental health problems. The right support at the right time makes all the difference, not just to the individual, but to their whole community. Investing in mental health can change lives - and even save them. For more information, contant Lynne: fundraising@health-in-mind.org.uk. Tel: 0131 226 8508, www.health-in-mind.org.uk
WORLDWIDE CANCER RESEARCH
You can be the reason no life is cut short by cancer. Worldwide Cancer Research is the only UK-based charity focused solely on funding discovery research into any type of cancer, anywhere in the world. A gift in your Will could give families more time together. Request a free guide to find out more.
As the House of Bruar celebrates 30 years, we delve a little deeper into the attention to detail that lies behind its pursuit of country clothing perfection
Whether we’re fortunate enough to invest in a full autumn wardrobe from t he House of Bruar or simply select a standout piece, like a British tweed jacket or a cosy pure cashmere knit, there’s little doubt that Bruar’s contemporary country clothing has a quality that is distinctly out of the ordinary, whether it’s the mixture of colours, the handle, the texture or the finish.
As we found when we interviewed the team on the eve of their new Autumn/Winter Collection release, that Bruar quality hallmark is no happy accident, but the result of an all-consuming year-long project that touches almost every part of the Scottish company, as it sets itself the challenge of bettering last year s collection at all costs.
In the beginning: Discussions on new collections begin long before the current one is released. The Creative Director brings together key members of the team to review previous collections and identify opportunities within the range — selecting successful pieces that could be reworked in different fabrics, considering which contemporary themes and new styles Bruar should embrace, and deciding which designs from Bruar’s three-decade-long archives deserve a return to the spotlight.
Cut from a different cloth: A great design begins with a superb fabric, and tweeds and tartans for the collections are sourced entirely in the UK, with names like Lochcarron and Harris Tweed supplying their best hand-woven fabrics for key pieces. Bruar also collaborates on private commissions with British weaving partners, enlivening Bruar-exclusive pure wool Shetland tweeds with marled yarns giving unexpected ashes of crimson, blue, and rose. Close relationships include personal visits to its British mill partners during the design process, but other fabrics are sourced overseas, with Italy providing the soft wool-mohair fabric for its dramatic winter coats.
Putting pen to paper: Once fabulous fabrics have been selected, attention turns to honing the design. This often begins with a sketch that is then developed on CAD software into a ‘tech pack’ before being sent off to a trusted manufacturer to be crafted into a sample. Other pieces may branch off from an established formula, as with sporting jackets, adding details like heritage patch pockets and meticulous AMF stitching to lapels and pockets. Every lace
panel, pin-tuck and button detail is pored over endlessly, resulting in garments that have the ideal look and shape. Once the sample is returned, models and Bruar staff volunteers take part in careful fittings, refining each detail until the garment truly embodies Bruar standards.
Model behaviour: The beautiful pages of Bruar’s celebrated catalogue are actually the second edition. The first, sometimes called he ook ook, is shot entirely in a studio, allowing every outfit to be styled to perfection in advance of location shoots. Never seen by the public, it also serves as a working draft of the final catalogue, providing an opportunity to refine design details and, with suppliers still in close contact with the in-house production team, adjust orders in response to how the spreads look and the level of excitement they inspire.
On location: Following an exhaustive scouting process to identify some of Scotland s finest locations, the creative team heads out for four weeks of gruelling shooting. Though planned precisely, they are subject to the vagaries of light, wind and weather, with bright sunshine as much of a challenge as heavy rain! The team is particularly proud of the relationships that it has established with some of Scotland’s most breathtaking castles, hotels and sporting estates, with this year’s locations at Kildermorie, Delnabo, and the West Coast’s The Torridon Hotel providing a dramatic Highland atmosphere.
‘The Kildermorie and Delnabo Estates, and the West Coast’s Torridon Hotel provide a dramatic Highland atmosphere’
Roll the presses: Capturing imagery is just the beginning, as back at their Perthshire ead Office an intense process of selecting images, colour matching, creating design layouts of high-end maga ine uality, then finally approving the colour on press to ensure page-turning perfection, now swings into action. ruar s head graphic designer virtually lodges at the printers during this final process, with the resulting catalogue a real labour of love.
Over to you: After all the efforts of the team, the ruar Autumn Winter ollection has ust been launched. erves are high, and success is never guaranteed, but the fact that early pre-release press forced ruar to make some items available early due to demand has the team excited.
he best way to discover the new catalogue pieces and, of course, try them on is to plan a visit to ruar in its celebratory year. Alongside the ountry lothing and nitwear halls, visitors can also explore the ural Art allery, which showcases an inspiring array of original works from leading artists. Add to that ruar s hand-crafted gifts, and no visit would be complete without time in the award-winning Food all home to the celebrated utchery, a new artisan bakery producing fresh bread daily, and a lobster, fish and chip shop providing a haven for A travellers to relax and refuel.
If you re unable to visit in person, the collection is available at ouseof ruar.com, along with constantly updated country clothing collections, or call for your free copy of the new catalogue.
HIM: Harris Tweed® Jacket; Waistcoat;Trousers.
HER: Scottish Wool & Mohair Tweed Charlotte Coat
Knitted together
Combining traditional knitting skills with modern textile design, the mother and daughter team behind Virtual Yarns fi d e dless i s i tio i thei e ide ho e says Maggie Ritchie
PHOTOGRAPHY JADE STARMORE
OUT OF THE BLUE: The Lapwing Collar, Elizabeth I pullover, Mountain Hare Hat and Maidenhair Wrap designs. Modelled by Emma Macrae.
Artist and textile designer Alice Starmore learned to knit at her mother’s knee on her family’s Hebridean cro when she was four-years-old.
‘My traditional knitting roots are firmly established in the art of Scottish fisher gansey knitting,’ she says. ‘ ree of my aunts were herring lassies and I absorbed the technical, mathematical and design skills in much the same way as I learned to walk and talk.’
e fishermen’s sweaters with their complex, textured patterns show the skill involved in knitting, too o en dismissed as a mere hobby – an outdated misconception that Alice is very keen to lay to rest.
‘ ere has always been a strong thread of antipathy towards hand knitting in terms of creativity,’ she says. ‘It is still o en regarded as a dull, practical skill containing no element of intelligence and an absolute minimum of artistry.’
Observing that the time-consuming, sophisticated art that was passed orally
from one generation to another with no instructions written down was at risk of dying o by the mid-twentieth century, Alice made it her mission to design ganseys with full written instructions to preserve the skills of the women that came before her – and to push the creative boundaries of knitting.
She became a professional textile designer in 1975 and three years later was awarded the Winston Churchill Fellowship, which enabled her to travel to Norway, Sweden and Finland to study their textile traditions.
Alice went on to establish an international reputation as a leading expert on knitting design and technique, publishing 20 books on knitting. She also devised classes on how to knit and design garments, which she taught throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Her workshops were incredibly popular, particularly in the USA, where she was at the forefront of a huge resurgence in knitting. ‘I saw there was a tremendous thirst for what I had to o er and I made it my mission to deliver,’ she o ers. anks to the internet, she can now stay at
LEFT: The Polaris Cardigan, Briodag gloves and Persian Tiles Wrap designs. ABOVE LEFT: Alice arranges a model’s hair during a photoshoot. ABOVE RIGHT: Jade (left) behind the scenes on a photoshoot.
home on her cro on the Isle of Lewis and share her skills and techniques through online classes devised in her studio, and her designs and yarn through Virtual Yarns, the company she founded with her daughter, Jade.
Growing up watching her mother knit with such skill and designing her own creations, it was only natural that Jade would be intrigued, and she first picked up a pair of needles when she was seven. ‘As a young girl, I wanted to learn to knit the amazing garments that I had grown up watching my mother create,’ says Jade.
Alice was only too happy to pass on her skills and encourage her daughter’s creativity. ‘ ere is a magic about knitting. It’s just two sticks and this endless length of yarn that you can go in any direction with and turn into something that entirely depends on your imagination,’ Alice says.
Today, mother and daughter work together on designs and yarns inspired by the wild beauty of the Isle of Lewis, a place that they both call home.
Alice has worked with Jade since 1998, designing and selling patterns and yarns through Virtual Yarns.
‘My work has been hugely enhanced by my collaboration with my daughter, who as well as designing knitwear writes stories, designs fabrics and garments for styling and she photographs all of the work at Virtual Yarns,’ she says.
‘We bounce ideas o each other
constantly and I find our collaboration has provided the most exhilarating chapters in my design career.’
Jade, who was born and brought up on the Isle of Lewis, graduated from Glasgow School of Art with a first-class honours degree in Communication Design and an MDes in Fashion & Textiles and is a professional photographer and textile designer. She is also a graphic designer involved in book and website design and is co-founder and creative director of Virtual Yarns, which features her photography, styling and knitwear designs.
Mother and daughter collaborate creatively, with Alice’s fantastical
designs featuring ravens, sea anemones and mountain hares inspired by Jade’s stories told in the style of fairytales.
‘ e costumes are explorations of construction and form and are creatively liberating,’ Alice says. ‘And from these costumes I’ve taken elements to design garments with written instructions for knitters.’
Alice lives on a cro in a village on the Isle of Lewis where she tends her fold of Highland Cattle and goes out onto the coast and moorlands every day, immersing herself in the Hebridean landscape.
‘I think the world that we live in is so beautiful. It astonishes me every day of my life, even in bad weather –
TOP LEFT: The Jane Seymour Jacket, Eagle Collar, Hirta Gloves, Dùn Cuff and Persian Tiles Wrap. Modelled by Eve Madeley with hair & make-up by Suzanne Christie. TOP RIGHT: The Oregon Autumn Waistcoat and Henry VIII Hat Set. Modelled by Nataliia Matsola with hair & makeup by Suzanne Christie. BOTTOM RIGHT: The Linne Belt, Ruabhal Gloves, Oiseabhal wrap and Eagle Collar designs.
‘Alice
lives on a cro and goes out onto the coast and moorland every day, immersing herself in the Hebridean landscape’
the colours, the turning light, and how it changes season by season, day by day, minute by minute,’ she says.
‘I designed my Hebridean yarn range to work in harmony with the landscape of my home island. e colours are inspired by the shoreline, moorland, flora and fauna in all seasons.
‘I created complex colour blends to reflect the land and seascape and all the light, shade and life within so that it is all present at the heart of everything I create in textiles.’
Alice never tires of living on an island 30 miles o the north-west coast of Scotland separated by an unpredictable stretch of water known as the Minch on one side, with the Atlantic on the other. ‘From my studio I look onto a beach and a large part of my cro is machair land covered in wildflowers,’ she says.
Jade who grew up in the middle of the moor in the village of Achmore, now lives in Glasgow, but mother and daughter send each other pictures of their designs and the garments they are working
ABOVE: The Raven Costume. Modelled by Jade Adamson with hair & makeup by June Long.
RIGHT: The Sea Anemone Costume. Modelled by Rachel Forbes with hair & makeup by Suzanne Christie.
on – they always have something on their needles as they make samples of all their designs for shoots.
Jade also makes regular trips back to the island and travels the length and breadth of Scotland for the shoots she styles and photographs. ‘I’m used to being somewhere quite wild so I make sure we go to places like Glencoe or the Fife coast or Fingask Castle in Perth and Kinross,’ she says.
While Alice’s designs reflect the landscape of the Hebrides, inspiration from the richly intricate clothing worn by the Tudors, the forest of Oregon and her love of birds also find their way into her work – the latter seen most clearly in her raven fantasy costume collection and her wearable designs for feather collars.
‘Ravens have nested on the cli s of my cro for years and I have observed them daily, their form, postures and habits and their spectacular aerobatic antics,’ says Alice, who spent five months creating the costume with its layered feathers.
‘My home island is a constant source of inspiration in my work and has been throughout my career.’
For more information, visit www.virtual yarns.com and www.alice starmore.com
TOP LEFT: Alice using a knitting belt on the Hebridean shoreline. TOP RIGHT: The Mountain Hare Costume. Modelled by Rachel Forbes with hair & makeup by Suzanne Christie. ABOVE: The Cassiopeia vest, Sporran Bag, Hirta Gloves, Dùn Cuff, Oiseabhal wrap and Persian Tiles wrap.
TIMELESS TAILORING
Walker Slater pays homage to its Highland roots and Scotland’s rich textile history
Founded in 1989 in the Highland village of Laggan, Walker Slater has, since its inception, drawn inspiration from Scotland’s rugged landscapes and rich textile history. Rustic villages, rugged hills, and verdant valleys provide boundless inspiration for the design team. The collection was launched with a range of knitwear and tweeds inspired by the colours and textures of the Highland landscape. The brand’s now renowned tweed tailoring originating from a desire to highlight the work of Scotland’s heritage weaving industry.
Woven by hand in Scotland’s western most isles, The Hebrides. Harris Tweed is a cornerstone of the Walker Slater collection. Made on traditional pedal looms powered by nothing but the weaver’s own energy, wool shorn from British sheep is transformed into the historical, hard-wearing cloth. A longstanding partnership between Walker Slater and Harris Tweed has led to the creation of countless one-of-a-kind designs, all inspired by Scotland’s natural beauty and all exclusive to Walker Slater and partners.
Garments are designed to celebrate history and tradition while remaining contemporary and carelessly elegant. The brand’s signature tailoring is designed to look at home in many environments. From the unstructured to the structured, whilst always trying to feel soft and comfortable. he fit has been refined for a comfortable but tailored look, showcasing the brand’s tailoring expertise. Sustainability is paramount to the brand not just in its materials and manufacture, both carefully chosen and monitored, but through design as well. Timeless understated styles made from high quality materials stand the test of time and remain stylish, even as fashions ebb and ow.
From its home in the Highlands the brand has opened a design studio in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town. Walker Slater has also since opened shops in Edinburgh, London, and Glasgow. In a digital age, the retail experience is as important as ever to Walker Slater. Serving as an introduction to the brand’s world, each shop is charmingly decorated and curated with antique furniture and quirky treasures, testament to the brand’s love for old-world charm, counterbalanced with modern design. Combined with their passionate and knowledgeable staff, the brand’s world comes alive, providing customers with expert advice and an experience to remember.
Oscar trouser Shetland Donegal in tobacco, £165; Edward waistcoat Shetland Donegal in tobacco, £105; Harry shirt cotton stripe in sky, £92;
ABOVE: Mellissa T-Shirt cashmere wool plain in turquoise, £84; Dorothy coat Harris Tweed Glenurqhart check in tan, £595; Jura kilt Harris Tweed Prince of Wales check in brown, £225. RIGHT: Her: Cheltenham tie in navy, £75; Diana jacket cashmere wool windowpane in green, £375; Dionne short cashmere wool windowpane in green, £215; Ella shirt cotton poplin stripe in navy, £92. Him: Edward jacket Shetland Donegal in tobacco, £295;
Braid tie in navy £45.
Advertorial – Walker Slater
ABOVE: Him: Edward jacket Shetland wool plain in chestnut, £295; Edward trouser Shetland wool plain in chestnut, £145; Edward waistcoat Shetland wool plain in chestnut, £105; Harry shirt cotton poplin stripe in sky, £86; Ormeston tie in burgundy, £48. Her: Dolly cardigan cashmere wool plain in turquoise, £115; Ella shirt cotton poplin stripe in navy, £92. Carla trouser worsted wool twill in rust, £225.
TOP: Him: Dyce coat Harris Tweed glen check in tan, £625; Fox tie in navy, £62; Braid zip cashmere wool plain in vanilla, £175; Edward trouser Shetland Donegal in grey £145. Her: Iona waistcoat Shetland Donegal, in grey £105; Charli trouser Shetland Donegal in grey £175; Virginia coat Shetland Donegal in grey, £485; Braid tie in navy, £45. LEFT: Alford trouser Cotton Twill, Putty, £165; Hamish Jacket Borders Tweed Windowpane, Navy, £345; Harry Shirt Cotton Twill, Pink, £86.
Advertorial – Walker Slater
Tweed Windowpane, Navy, £345; Harry Shirt Cotton Twill, Pink,
RIGHT: Iona jacket Harris Tweed herringbone in shale, £325; Ella shirt cotton Oxford stripe in pink, £86. Carla trouser cotton twill in putty, £165; Freya roll neck cashmere wool plain in beige, £95. FAR RIGHT: Edward jacket Borders Tweed Prince of Wales check in tan £375; Edward trouser Borders Tweed Prince of Wales check in tan,
Walker Slater
Walker Slater Menswear, 16-20 Victoria Street, EH1 2HG, Edinburgh
Walker Slater Ladieswear, 46 Victoria Street, EH1 2JP, Edinburgh
£185; Harold roll neck in linen, £145; Harry shirt cotton poplin stripe in sky £86.
PAUL SMITH MENSWEAR
PFilippo
aul Smith Menswear in Bearsden is in its 40th year of trading and is one of Scotland's leading independent menswear shops. Run by the husband-and-wife team Paul and Susie Smith, they carry collections from Italy and Scandinavia, representing the best of classic European fashion. Personal service and superb merchandise have been their bywords for four decades and their continual pursuit of fresh new brands has kept the boutique at the forefront of the industry. You'll find an intriguing mix of formal and casual wear, with suits from SA through to an extensive eans collection.
For over 230 years, Knockando Woolmill has been weaving luxury into the fabric of Scotland. Here, contemporary designs are created on modern and Victorian looms alongside heritage tweeds and classic woollen blankets — timeless craftsmanship past and present in perfect harmony.
Discover the mill at the heart of Speyside, experience the sights and sounds, enjoy its historic buildings, watch master weavers at work, and explore the visitor centre and gift shop of exquisite throws, scarves, and accessories. Pause for coffee, take in the setting, rich history and leave with a piece of Scotland’s living heritage.
Tuesday – Saturday, 10am–4pm
www.kwc.co.uk | 01340 810345
OUTDOOR & COUNTRY CLOTHING
Stay warm, stay stylish
1. HOUSE OF BRUAR: Lambswool graphic crew-neck. Whether it’s a stag in his prime or a trio of grouse mid-flight, these soft intarsia knit lambswool jumpers from the new House of Bruar collection combine a breathable, soft handle with Scottish countryside inspiration. Drop large hints around Christmas or birthdays, but if they fall on deaf ears, ensure that you secure one yourself!Stag or Grouse, £65, www.houseofbruar.com
2. HAWICO: 100% cashmere v-neck ladies style wisteria. Relaxed fit with side splits, now in shell pink. Styled with the camber cable hat. Available onlineor in the Edinburgh store. Tel: 0131 225 8634, www.hawico.com 3. JOYCE YOUNG: Launching for autumn alongside the Callanish Wedding Collection is a selection of accessories. This cosy faux fur collar and cuff set in Callanish Tartan comes in a choice of olive, ruby, mink and ivory fur. Ideal Christmas presents which are easy to send overseas. Tel: 0141 942 8900 / 020 7224 7888, www.joyceyoungcollections.co.uk
4. REALLY WILD: Made from 100% wool, this coat is crafted in the UK by British artisans and is both practical and stylish. Tel: 01491 352600, www.reallywildclothing.com 5. CHAPMAN MADE: The rambler. Made for modern-day explorers. From countryside walks to weekend escapes, it's ready to move with you – wherever the path leads. Available in four signature colours. Tel: 01228 514 514, www.chapmanmade.uk 6. ERIBÉ: Stobo Fairisle sweater in navy reflection. Fully reversible Fairisle sweater in soft 100% merino lambswool. Two joyful looks in one – a thoughtful gift of Scottish heritage and vibrant style. £181. Tel: 01896 755540, www.eribe.com 7. MANDARINA SHOES: Long live the Chelsea boot! The best all-year-round style you can invest in. Never out of fashion and always useful. The Navy Chelsea from Mandarina Shoes is a top pick - and great value for money too. Take a look at their exclusive range online. Tel: 01307 819488, www.mandarinashoes.co.uk 8. PERILLA: Luxurious, thick alpaca walking socks available in a wide range of colours, an ideal gift for every season, £22.50. Tel: 01905 948843, perilla.co.uk 9. OUTWEAR: Crispi Futura PWR, RRP £330. Just landed in the UK for the hunter who doesn’t want compromise. The NEW Crispi Futura PWR is the ultimate choice for hunting in the toughest terrain. Tel: 01576 490100, www.crispi-sport.co.uk
THE GOLDEN GOATS
An ambitious plan by two Lunan Bay farmers to raise cashmere goats has seen them embraced by the Scottish fashion industry, discovers Eilidh Tuckett
PHOTOGRAPHY LAURA TILIMAN
FOLLOW THE LEADER: Jillian McEwan’s day starts with a tour of her Lunan Bay farm to make sure her goats are happy.
My day begins with a quick check of the fields to make sure all our goats are happy and healthy, and maybe I’ll do a bit of hoof trimming,’ says Jillian McEwan of Lunan Bay Farm. It’s a humble enough morning routine for the woman currently leading the Scottish Cashmere Project, an ambitious initiative proving that Scottish-grown cashmere fi bre is possible.
discovered, ‘Scotland never really produced the cashmere we’re known for – not from fi bre, anyway. It came from Kashmir, Mongolia, and China, and still does for the most part. at realisation really spurred me on.’
Scotland has long been celebrated for its textiles. From the ru ed tweeds of the Highlands and Islands to the prized cashmeres of the Borders, this small nation has earned a big reputation for quality cra smanship, punching far above its weight on a global scale. But as Jillian
Since 2020, Jillian and her husband Neil have been painstakingly producing the first cashmere yarn fully homegrown and processed in Scotland for thirty years. At Lunan Bay, the picture box perfect two-mile white beach on the idyllic Angus coast, they turn what is essentially tummy flu from their 250 goats, the only remaining commercial cashmere herd in the country, into exceedingly rare, exceptionally precious yarn.
‘Each goat only produces about 100 grams of cashmere every year,’ says Jillian. ‘In garment terms, it would takeat
‘It takes at least four adult goats to produce just one cashmere jumper’
least four adult goats to produce just one jumper.
‘From the birth of the kid to the finished item, you’re looking at roughly 24 months of production time, and it takes more than thirty skilled people to turn that fibre into cashmere. I had a visitor at the farm recently who said she’ll never again complain about the price of a cashmere jumper a er seeing the amount of work that goes into making one.’
e McEwans are picking up the baton on a longabandoned cause. In the late 1980s, the absence of a domestic fibre industry inspired an EU and Scottish government-backed initiative to encourage cashmere goat farming in Scotland. e now defunct Scottish Cashmere Producers Association (SCPA) imported goats from as far afield as Iceland, Tasmania and Siberia in an e ort to create the ideal breeding herd.
Wild Scottish goats had their place in the mix too, of course, and at its height the project produced around a metric tonne of fibre annually. Most of that yield was sold to Johnstons of Elgin,
longstanding champions of Scottish cashmere and one of the country’s foremost retailers of the wool. Despite promising early returns, the venture faced challenges, including price instability, the lack of a goat meat market and insu cient subsidies.
Now, though, Jillian is hopeful for a di erent outcome. With climate change becoming increasingly visible, global demand for sustainable production further legitimises the McEwans’ e orts.
International cashmere suppliers are stru ling, with an exponential increase in rainfall in Mongolia leading to major herd loss, while in China cashmere production has become industrialised, raising concerns about environmental degradation and human welfare at a time when consumers are increasingly focused on provenance.
‘ e SCPA project was ahead of its time,’ says Jillian. ‘Today, one in ten shoppers are willing to pay 50% more for a sustainable, welfare-driven product.
e timing is right for us.’
Her confidence is bolstered by the knowledge
FROM LEFT: The McEwans have 250 goats; Their unique approach involves brushing by hand; The McEwans own Scotland’s only remaining commercial cashmere herd
that they are producing a top-class product. e McEwan goats are direct descendants of the finetuned SCPA herd and clearly thrive in the Angus climate. When tested by experts at e Border Mill, the fibre they produce scores between 14 and 15 microns, which is Grade A in cashmere terms and is up to eight times warmer than pure wool.
e McEwans’ regenerative approach includes rotational grazing – which boosts both soil and goat gut health – and hand-combing the herd during their natural spring moult. ere are even plans for the coarser guard hairs, which make up 50% of the fibre and would otherwise be discarded. ‘Scottish brands like Ava Innes are producing gorgeous luxury bedding, turning what would be wasted into something useful and luxurious,’ says Jillian. is waste-not, want-not approach seems to define modern luxury. With trends like ‘quiet luxury’ experiencing a boom, consumers are focusing more on provenance, cra smanship and low waste rather
than just price or flashy labels. is mindful ethos resonates with industry leaders who have been putting quality at the forefront for generations.
‘Scottish cashmere is like gold dust,’ says Chris Ga ney, the boss of Johnstons of Elgin, which supplies luxury houses such as Burberry, Chanel and Hermès. ‘We buy hundreds of tons of cashmere a year, so a few kilograms from Lunan Bay might seem tiny, but it’s hugely symbolic. It shows that farming cashmere can be done here. We’re really excited about our partnership with Lunan Bay.’
Ga ney is coy about their plans for the McEwans’ cashmere, but he assures me that something special is in the works. Will we see Lunan Bay cashmere on the runway, I ask. ‘We certainly wouldn’t turn it down,’ Jillian laughs. With other independent and upmarket Scottish fashion brands like Cloimh and Kestin gathering attention, not to mention a huge rise in the number of Scottish alpaca farmers supplying wool for top-end fashion brands like Araminta Campbell, it
doesn’t seem out of the question.
But it’s not just cashmere production - Jillian is eager to get as many farmers as possible to embrace goats as grazers. ‘ ey are incredible for biodiversity,’ she enthuses.
e proof is in the reports. Jillian is working closely with e James Hutton Institute to measure these benefits. A cooperative is also in development, designed to pool fibre from multiple herds to create a resilient Scottishgrown cashmere supply chain – so you might say there’s an ulterior motive.
If you thought the cashmere project was enough for one farm – think again. Lunan Bay Farm is also Scotland’s hottest destination for keen agritourists. Visitors come to meet the goats and stay to learn about Scotland’s incredible textile heritage. e couple o er tours and also host the much-loved ‘Goats in Coats’ festival each Easter.
What began as a playful knitting competition now attracts thousands of visitors, with knitters from across the country contributing tiny coats for premature members of the herd. I daren’t ask whether they’re cashmere.
While government support has been limited so far, promising partnerships with powerhouse mills like Johnstons of Elgin prove that the future is decidedly bright for Scottish cashmere. Gold dust, indeed.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The yarn is essentially the goats’ tummy uff; Spinning wheel; Each goat produces 250g of cashmere; Traditional patterns.
Stay up to date
You can book farm tours and nd more information at www.lunanbay farm.com.
SHEER INDULGENCE
1. HEAVEN SKINCARE: Royal Warrantawarded Heaven Skincare introduces Prism Protection, a daily use, lightweight moisturiser with SPF. £73 for 50ml. www.heavenskincare.com
2. THE CLEAN BEAUTY CLUB: A Scottish skincare brand dedicated to creating joyful experiences with their curated range of 100% natural products. www.thecleanbeautyclub.co.uk
3. HIGHLAND SOAP CO: Handmade in the Scottish Highlands, this organic raspberry soap is fruity and sweet and shows their commitment to natural ingredients and eco-conscious skincare. £6.75. www.highlandsoaps.com
4. AROMACHOLOGY STUDIOS: Indulge your senses with luxuriously decadent handcrafted candles. Explore the range of plant-based home and body products specifically designed to elevate your senses and alter your mindset. www.aromachologystudios.com
5. SPIRITED SOAPS: Handcrafting a wide range of products, including their signature whisky soaps. Beautifully scented, artisanal soaps that reflect the character and charm of Islay. www.spiritedsoaps.com
6. CASTLE APOTHECARY: Multi-award winning eco skincare. Botanical blends including Gardener’s aromatherapy and Wee Bairns ranges. Locally sourced ingredients, handcrafted in Scotland. www.castleapothecaryscotland.com
7. MACDONALD SPEY VALLEY SHOP: The best of gifting, food, drink, homewares and fashion is available in the heart of Aviemore. Located on the Macdonald Aviemore Resort. www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk
8. KINGDOM SCOTLAND: Metamorphic – a complex, mesmerising fragrance. Made in Scotland. A perfume for the curious. Smouldering, spicy, warming woods. Celebrating the geology of Scotland, with a nod to the world of whisky. www.kingdomscotland.com
9. HOLLAND COOPER: Signature No.1. Create an inviting home ambience, this scent will elegantly fill a room transforming your home into a haven of comfort and style. www.hollandcooper.com
10. MELLA: Gentle and beautifully scented, MELLA Lavender & Geranium Soap is made by Melanie in Shetland using natural ingredients. An everyday indulgence for hands, face and body. www.mellasoap.co.uk
11. SCOTTISH FINE SOAPS: The new Oakmoss Collection is infused with Scots pine and rowan tree extract, with a woody, mossy fragrance that is 100% natural. www.scottishfinesoaps.com
Scottish Field Hand Picked
Scottish Field Hand Picked
FASHION, HOMES AND INTERIORS
ETERNAL OPULENCE
Precious stones, precious artistry
1. HAMILTON & INCHES: Crafted from SMO gold, the Diamond Sunburst Beaded Pendant is designed to complement any outfit and take a look from day to night. Starting from £2,650. Tel: 0131 225 4898, www.hamiltonandinches.com 2. JAMIESON & CARRY: An exquisite 18ct white gold cluster pendant, set with ninety-seven graduated round brilliant cut diamonds. Total carat weight: 1.86ct. £10,900 from Jamieson & Carry. Tel: 01224 641219, www.jamieson-carry.com 3. LAINGS: Inspired by Princess Diana’s iconic engagement ring, this floral motif sapphire and diamond ring exudes elegance. Featuring a 1.86ct sapphire, this ring is complete with a halo of diamonds in 18ct yellow gold. RRP: £12,800. Tel: 0141 221 0121, www.laingsuk.com 4. SHEILA FLEET: This stunning Cosmos Galaxy ring in elegant 9ct white gold features three sparkling sapphires surrounded by six smaller diamonds, hand-set in their Orkney workshop. £2,545. Tel: 01856 861203, www.sheilafleet.com 5. JOANNA THOMPSON: Let Joanna turn your old diamond jewellery into a stunning new piece. Maybe add a sumptuous tanzanite, a colour change sapphire and an aquamarine and enjoy the metamorphosis! This ring is a recent commission in 18ct white gold. Tel: 07773 578341, www.jewelleryscotland.com 6. CELINA RUPP JEWELLERY: Sea Pinks Long Pendant, from £145. Hand finished in their workshop in Orkney by our family run business. Tel: 01856 600897, www.celinaruppjewellery.co.uk 7. NUMBER FIVE GOLDSMITHS: Set yourself apart for that special occasion with a beautiful sparkling Swing ‘Pure’ Diamond Pendant and Chain. Focus on the 360 degree freely moveable diamond as it shimmers in the highly polished bowl of the 18ct gold pendant giving that added sparkle. Prices from £2,272. Number Five, 17 High Street, Perth, PH1 5JS. Tel: 01738 634196, www.numberfivegoldsmiths.co.uk
HOMES & GARDENS
72 pages of outstanding interiors, gardens and arts
Crowning
Birkhall has been owned by the royal family for generations, but today the gardens are as much about biodiversity and soil health as e uti ul owe s s s Antoinette Galbraith
PHOTOGRAPHY RAY COX
glory
‘Birkhall was acquired in 1852 by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’
PREVIOUS:
If I were to stand anywhere on the Balmoral estate and push a stick in the ground to mark where a house should be built it would be here,’ says Allan Beedie, Head Gardener at Birkhall, King Charles’s Aberdeenshire residence. ‘It’s sunny and south facing, there is the view down Loch Muick towards Ballater and looking south to the hills,’ he continues, standing on the terrace in front of the cream harled house.
Sitting at 600 the garden is partly sheltered by the magnificent trees that give it a secluded feel, with the River Muick running through the lower part of the garden.
It was here, in 2002, a er the death of the Queen Mother, that the then Duke of Rothesay took over the reins, adding his unique stamp to a garden shaped by a long list of family members. It was acquired in 1852 by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert for their son Edward, Prince of Wales, who eschewed the modest Georgian house in favour of grander accommodation provided by the Gordon family at nearby Abergeldie.
Birkhall (the name evolved from the Scots Birk Hauch, meaning Birch River meadow) was used by Queen Victoria for wider family members and sta , with Prince Albert reported to have planted the lime tree, Tilia cordata, east of the house. Here in the shade, the Queen is reputed to have discussed Florence Nightingale’s proposals for the reform of the military hospital system a er the Crimean War.
In the 1930s the then Duke and Duchess of York spent holidays at Birkhall with their young daughters, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, a trend that continued when Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip used the house for their own family holidays. In 1952, a er Queen Elizabeth’s ascension and move to Balmoral, the Queen Mother took over Birkhall, enlarging the L-shaped house and developing the garden.
Birkhall’s raised position allows a spectacular view over the Bell Garden below. LEFT: On the bank below the house the lines of the thistle-topped yew hedges and buttresses are softened by red roses. RIGHT: Curved box hedges and plantings of roses, astilbe, inula and campanula bring romance to the Bell Garden.
e King’s vision is to build on his grandmother’s original layout for the sloping garden, which falls away from the top terrace to the Bell, the bell-shaped garden at the foot of the hill, while adding touches of his own. ‘ e King introduced lots of yew topiary with box and beech hedging to add structure to the garden, which is of interest year round,’ Allan says, alluding to the striking yew topiary spirals that bring height and shape to the layout divided by beech hedges. e resulting microclimates are especially valuable in winter when the Bell is a frost pocket.
On either side of the central steps leading to the main garden the past is linked to the present by the clipped box initials on the grass slope: ‘ER’ for Elizabeth Regina and ‘CP’ for Charles Princeps. Scattered on the steps are a handful of discarded nut shells le by red squirrels.
e King’s emphasis, Allan points out, is firmly on the environment. Healthy soil leads to healthy plants and thus a healthy garden. ‘So there is a big emphasis on making our own compost and getting as much farmyard manure from the farm as we can. We also cultivate the soil as little as possible so no more rotavating, just a bit of shallow di ing if that.’
‘We also try and encourage as much diversity in the garden as possible by planting trees, shrubs, and flowers, which are beneficial to bees and butterflies along with a range of other flying insects. All play a part in the food chain.’ Plants, such as
Top tips
FOR NATURE & SOIL FROM THE TEAM AT BIRKHALL
• At Birkhall, where the pH is pretty neutral, compost is made on site.
• Adding nutrients to the soil not only feeds plants but has the potential to capture carbon.
• If we run out of compost we use leaf mould, which breaks down fast.
• When planting, a lot of organic matter is added.
• We are not entirely ‘no dig’ but we do not use machinery as there is no access; everything has to be wheelbarrowed in.
• We do not rotivate as this can be pretty damaging because it prevents the air from getting in.
• Managing a garden for insects requires a careful balance between a tidy and an untidy garden. Any long grass is generally cut as late as possible, even in the main garden where the grass on the slope below the house is left uncut until June.
• Everything we do is pretty small scale when it comes to the planet, but if all gardeners did a bit for the environment it would have a major impact.
• Shed doors are left open and box nests are hung on walls. It takes a bit of getting used to as you always want to shut a shed door.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP
LEFT: Herbaceous border featuring Inula, campanula and the Rosebay Willowherb cultivar Chamaenerion
angustifolium; The upper path in the Bell garden runs between box and yew topiary; Winding paths run through the Woodland garden.
the Buddleja grown up against the house and covered in butterflies in late summer, are chosen with care. ‘When we choose a plant it has to be multifunctional. ey must add something. To me that sums up the ethos of Birkhall, which we all buy into.’
e King’s keen interest in traditional cra s is illustrated by the thatched, Arts and Cra s style wall west of the front door. Built to replace a leylandii hedge, the wall leads to a Gazebo sitting above a shed used for garden equipment. Shed doors are le open to allow swallows and swi s to nest in the boxes fitted to the wall.
A wooden door in the wall opens up onto the main terrace where the walk is edged with froths of yellow flowering Alchemilla mollis. Like many other plants alchemilla is given a pre-Chelsea chop to ensure flowering in late summer when the King and Queen are in residence. e low hedge of white flowering Erica vagans ‘Lyonesse’ named a er the Bowes-Lyon family of Glamis Castle, the Queen Mother’s childhood home,
‘Many plants are given a pre-Chelsea chop to ensure flowering when the King and Queen are in residence’
ABOVE: An ornate timber seat in the formal garden. carved with HRH King Charles’ initials. LEFT: The characteristic yew topiary hedge in the Bell Garden was added by King Charles.
is filled with bees from early spring. In autumn a ribbon of purple autumn flowering crocus, Colchicum, lines the lower edge of the terrace.
e theme continues in the Bell garden where a triangle of Sedum spectabile and the sedum edging in the Bell buzzes with insects, as does the pink and white salvia lining the central path. Blocks of cut flowers, such as cosmos, gladioli, lime green and yellow flowering Bupleurum rotundifolium ‘Gri thii,’ are used for the house alongside tall wands of Actaea racemosa and the glorious flower heads of Hydrangea paniculata and H. arborescens.
e garden is managed by a team of three: Allan, Sue Cain and Zuza Torrance. ‘We work closely as a team and all have a big input into the garden and contribute ideas. Timing is part of the ethos of Birkhall. Getting the timing right for various visits,’ Allan explains. Sue agrees. ‘It’s all about timing. You have to work out when the visit will take place and count back. It’s 100 days for peas, then there is broccoli, carrots, cabbages, beans and cauliflowers – we grow champion cauliflowers.’
Here, too, soil health is key. Wheelbarrowed in in late autumn, the ‘muck’ is spread out and le to break down. ‘We turn it once and then plant straight into it,’ explains Sue. ere are few pests at Birkhall. ‘Integrated pest management starts with good soil. We
| ‘We work closely as a team and all have a big input into the garden’
TOP: The house opens up onto a lawn with a border.
BELOW: The formal garden.
BOTTOM: Variegated holly lollipops ank the front steps to the house, alongside box topiary and the thatched entrance to the garden.
don’t get greenfly. Our plants are nice and strong.’ Crop rotation has been found to be the answer to the build up of disease in the soil typically found in old gardens.
If a reminder was needed that this is a family garden it is found in the Stumpery, a woodland area west of the house where a shallow water course is lined with stone copes to stop flooding.
‘We’ve found one or two children’s toys in the water,’ Allan remarks, leading the way along a winding hosta, fern, Gunnera manicata lined path to the pink, clay and straw Pavilion secluded among the trees. Evidence of the King’s attention to detail is found in a
miniature wooden door in the clay wall, which opens to reveal the straw lining.
Twelve years ago, the five acre Arboretum, reached via a narrow suspension bridge across the river, was ‘a low grade farm field’. Named for Prince George, in whose year of birth it was first planted, the Arboretum is a fine example of the King’s welldocumented passion for trees and tree planting. Featuring birch, sorbus and acer – among other varieties, including aspen and malus – this area, Allan says, is very important to the King. ‘ e planting is ongoing and the emphasis is on keeping the succession going.’
Besides autumn colour the trees are also selected for berries and spring blossom. Aronia melanocarpa, Black Chokeberry, with nutritious berries are special favourites. As in the Stumpery, the entire space is underplanted with bulbs, culminating in the fragrant Pheasant’s Eye Narcissus, Narcissus poeticus.
As at Highgrove, Dumfries House and the other royal gardens, the King is fully engaged in every aspect of the garden, with regular, informal chats and updates. It is a passion he shares with the Queen, whose deep, abiding interest in gardens is reflected in her Presidency of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, which has been ongoing since 2006.
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The Secret Seat (theCuillin). This seating feature, built in drystone with an oak seat, sits nicely in the corner of the garden. It uses four to five tons of stone and takes two or three days to construct but should last a lifetime.Built in weathered sandstone lifted from fields after ploughing.Different designs/ sizes available. Tel: 01764 670505, www.drystonedesigns.co.uk
news GARDEN
response, with people grabbing their pitchforks to cut down the plant over fears ‘it’s poisonous and kill horses’.
But let’s get a few facts straight about ragwort: it is toxic, as are most plants in the plant kingdom, but it is very bitter and horses and other livestock won’t touch it when it is growing fresh. The only real problem is if a eld that has ragwort is cut, dried and then used as haylage and fed to livestock, that way they can’t sense it and will eat it.
EDINBURGH BOTANICS HELP REBUILD BIODIVERSITY
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is partnering with humanitarian charity The Halo Trust, to help rebuild biodiversity in conflict-affected areas. The Dumfriesbased organisation clears landmines in war torn countries, and is currently working in Puntland and southwest Somalia to clear explosives and other remnants of war from the area. Once the area is clear, the RBGE will be able to work to rebuild essential biodiversity on the land. www.rbge.org.uk
So, if we can stop fear mongering over plants, which fuels the disconnection for most people from nature herself, and rather endeavour to encourage a deep respect based on love and understanding of the facts, then we would live in balance with the very earth we walk on.
Ragwort plays a signi cant role in supporting biodiversity, is a valuable food source for various insects and a food plant for thirty invertebrate species that are entirely reliant on it.
So next time you see ragwort, look at it as the beautiful supportive plant it is.
HAMISH MARTIN
To read the full article go to www. scottishield.co.uk
IMAGES ON OAK
Dumfries & Galloway photographer Roger Lever is hosting an exhibition at Logan Botanic Garden. A er a fabulous reception in 2024 Roger’s exhibition is back with new images. e photographer’s unique work merges his stunning snaps onto recycled whisky barrel staves. Roger Lever’s Images on Oak runs until 30 September. www.rbge.org.uk/visit/logan-botanic-garden
Castle gardens
e gardens at Aldourie Castle near Inverness, which is owned by billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen, will be open for one day this year through Scotland’s Garden Scheme. e exclusive garden has been designed by Tom Stuart-Smith and will be open on 14 September following a restoration project. e grounds include a walled garden, formal castle garden, arboretum and parkland. www.scotlandsgardens.org
The latest green- ngered news from around Scotland
LANDSCAPE AWARD FOR SCOTTISH
DESIGNERS
GUIDED TOUR
Semple Be , the Scottish garden and landscape design studio commissioned by Dior to transform Drummond Castle gardens ahead of their Cruise 2025 show last year, have had their work recognised by the Perennial Plant Association of the USA. Studio founders, Nicola Semple and Susan Be , received the prestigious Landscape Design Award of Excellence at a ceremony in Iowa. www.semplebe .com
Drumlanrig Castle is hosting guided tours of the impressive gardens with head gardener Robbie Black, who has been at the Dumfriesshire castle for more than 25 years. Keen gardeners will be shown the showstopping seasonal plants blooming right now, get top tips for their own garden and have an opportunity to ask questions of the castle’s resident gardening expert. www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk
A public garden at the end of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh is celebrating its fi h anniversary, having welcomed thousands of visitors since it opened. e Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse is a free-to-visit garden that can be enjoyed year-round. It was opened to recreate some of the earliest recorded gardens in the Palace grounds, with three distinct sections each representing di erent periods in the Palace’s 900-year history. www.rct.uk
in educational sessions.
AUTUMN FORAGING
The Physic Garden was opened in 2020.
The st garden was created there 350 years ago by Sir Robert Sibbald and Sir Andrew Balfour.
Blair Castle is hosting a foraging event this September to give people the chance to learn about the edible and medicinal autumnal plants found in the grounds of the castle. Visitors will learn how to identify more than 20 plants, fungi and trees during the two and a half hour walk through woodland, meadow, hedgerow and gardens, as well as receiving recipe ideas. www.discoverscottishgardens.org
360 pupils have taken part
It took Kim Murray a while to discover her passion for plants but now her gardens, home and hotel in u l e e filled with owe s she tells Rosie Morton
PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT PERRY
GREEN
FINGERS
Everywhere I looked at Cromlix Hotel, Kim Murray had made her distinctly green-fingered mark.
Freshly cut flowers perched delicately on tables; pink petals stretched from the stairwell to the reception; botanical wallpaper lined the bar; and overflowing vases of purples, lemons and greens bloomed in the Glasshouse restaurant. By the door, umbrellas and wellies awaited guests, all of whom were encouraged to explore the grounds and even pick a few flowers from the kitchen garden for their bedrooms.
is is Kim’s passion project, and has been since she and her husband, British tennis star Sir Andy Murray, took over the Dunblane-based mansion in 2013. Her love for seasonal flowers began with sweetpeas, which her grandmother used to grow, but it was when she and Andy were creating their own family home that Kim truly caught the gardening bug.
‘Andy loves tulips, but he does not know what’s going on in most gardens at any one time,’ Kim laughed, as we took shelter in the study from the biblical rain outside. ‘He o en says, “Why are there so many flowers in our house, can you just chill out?” Because I’ll fill sinks with them and I’ll be cutting them all the time. He’s not as green-fingered, but there’s always room to grow – pun intended.’
Kim is, of course, best known for her game face on the side of a tennis court. rough the whirlwind of Andy’s professional tennis career we have seen her stand alongside him through Wimbledon titles, Grand Slam wins, challenging injuries, a knighthood and an emotional, well-earned retirement. Four children later, the sporting power couple are far from taking life in the slow lane, but it is a rather gentler pace that Kim revels in when she has time of her own. As well as being responsible for creating a beautiful garden at their Surrey home for their
PREVIOUS: Kim arranging owers from the garden at Cromlix to display in the hotel. LEFT: The gardens at Cromlix are lled with owers, as well as produce to serve up to guests.
ABOVE: Andy and Kim Murray at Cromlix.
children Sophia, Edie, Teddy and Lola (and, most recently, their flat-coated retriever Bonnie) to romp around in, she has breathed new life into Cromlix’s beautiful 34-acre grounds.
But for Kim, it’s not all about whimsical, freeform flower arrangements being strewn throughout the hotel. Both Kim and Andy also realise that they’re custodians of an historical green space.
‘Being outside brings me such joy, particularly in Scotland, and so I want to protect that and be able to pass that on to the next generation,’ she said, adding that the hotel has long served as a go-to for Murray celebrations, including Andy’s grandparents’ silver wedding anniversary in 1982 and Andy and Kim’s wedding reception in 2015.
‘ e hotel is such an important part
of the local community and because of that I feel we have a duty to operate the house and the gardens in a responsible way. For me that means living side by side with nature, minimising our impact where we can, reducing our energy usage, taking a more measured approach to change and trying to encourage a love of the great outdoors in other people.’
Kim Murray
‘Kim visits as much as possible to pull weeds, check on the chickens or plan the next big gardening project’
A large part of that focus has landed on the ‘Gourmet Garden’ which is used to grow produce for the hotel’s kitchen. It is a place which showcases Kim’s commitment to move from ‘food miles’ to ‘food footsteps’ at Cromlix. It’s here that Kim, with help from the hotel’s dedicated gardening team, has adopted permaculture principles which support soil structure, and improve soil and plant health.
Stroll around the kitchen garden and you’ll see companion planting, mixed cropping, and the no-dig method in motion. ‘Waste’ materials like cardboard and sheep’s wool are used underneath compost to enrich the soil and improve moisture
retention, branches and windfall from the estate are used as base materials for hügelkultur beds (which, upon decomposition, return water and nutrients to the soil) and ‘hot bed’ composting systems in the polytunnel give o heat, allowing seed trays to be sat on top for earlier germination. It’s a well-oiled machine and Kim visits as much as possible, whether to pull weeds, check on the chickens or plan the next big gardening project:
‘I’m here maybe once a month or once every two months. I don’t like to leave my kids so it’s normally up and down in a day, unless I’m really exhausted and I’ll pull the excuse that “I have to stay because they need me for
TOP: Kim gets creative with fresh and dried cut owers. ABOVE: From the upholstery to the fresh orals, from the artwork to the lettering on the menu, each detail has been carefully, personally, curated by Kim.
two days”, and I’ll spend the night here. en we try to come up as a family around twice a year just as a break to see all the family.’
‘It’s clear that in another life she might have been a florist’
Kim was brought up in an outdoorsy family and she and her brother were given a lot of freedom to explore the countryside as youngsters. She went on to read English at the University of Sussex and mused that she once considered becoming a journalist, then a vet or an artist. But it’s clear that in another life she might have been a florist.
‘I’d say the garden is like another room – it’s an extension of our home. Weather permitting, in our home I love the doors to be open, and I love the kids to be in and out.
It’s an immersive thing as well – you need to be in it to enjoy it. I don’t want a garden that you just observe. While it hurts me when my children are out there cutting things, it’s a positive that they’re interacting with it. I want them to engage with it, but it’s a fine line,’ she smiled.
‘In the same way that in our home we’ve got the slightly more formal areas where I hope they don’t go and put sticky fingerprints on everything, and the bits where I’m like, “You know what, you can trash that and it’s fine”, in the garden they’ve got the sandpit and I’ll allow them to cut things, and then there are the areas that I hope they don’t quite venture to and are a bit more formal. But at the end of the day, everyone wants something di erent from their garden, so as long as it’s bringing you joy, that’s brilliant.’
Kim may not have any formal training in floristry, gardening or interior design, but she has a keen, creative eye. at much was clear when we ventured through to Cromlix’s billiards room, another cosy nook adorned with botanicalinspired wallpaper.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Nasturtiums and sweet peas brighten up raised beds; A host of golden daffodils at Cromlix in spring; The botanical in uence continues in Kim’s choice of wallpaper and soft furnishings.
Kim Murray
‘When I looked at how the hotel was before we put our own stamp on it, it felt quite closed when you stepped inside. ey always used to laugh at me because I used to come in and be like, “Ahh, open the windows! It’s so hot!”
All of a sudden that became a metaphor during the whole design process – “let’s open the windows and bring it in”.
‘I love gardening and I love the outside, so I just felt like we could use that a lot more, not only in terms of inspiration for the interiors but actually just for the guest journey. You want the whole thing to be like a semi-permeable membrane. It’s not so easy to do that when it’s pouring outside though!’ at said, we all know that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes, so we pulled on our boots and headed for another of Kim’s favourite spots – the potting shed.
Umbrellas in hand, I asked her what she loved most about her work.
‘I think the fact that I’m a mum and I’ve got this as a passion project at the same time. I’ve taken my time to find it and I love it because I can pour as much of myself into it that I have available at any moment. It’s the creative outlet that I was always looking for. To be able to do that here, in a place that we genuinely have such a connection to, is a huge privilege.’
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Cromlix Hotel, Kinbuk, nr Dunblane FK15 9JT www.cromlix. com
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Kim in the ‘Gourmet Garden’ at Cromlix; Tubs lled with Andy Murray’s favourite tulips brighten the garden in springtime; Wellies of all shapes and sizes encourage guests at Cromlix to enjoy the garden whatever the weather.
TOP RIGHT: CROMLIX.
TIMELESS STYLING: Original features such
A Highland
as the pine window shutters tone with the orange Tufty-too sofa by Patricia Urquiola from B&B Italia. Tables from Oasiq.
dream
Architectural designer Susie Whyte and her husband John Burke transformed Dun Aluinn manor and lodge into a laid-back luxury retreat in Highland Perthshire, says Emma Leask
PHOTOGRAPHY RUTH MARIA & FRAN MART
‘ e design concept came from initial feelings of upli ing ener ’
LEFT: Let out as an exclusive use home, the manor house’s contemporary-meets-scullery style kitchen has commercial grade equipment and a fulltime private chef.
When the chance to buy Dun Aluinn estate, a Victorian country manor with a 1950s caretaker’s cottage in Highland Perthshire, came up, architectural designer Susie Whyte and husband John Burke, a pharmaceutical executive, leapt at the opportunity to create a unique holiday home.
Serial renovators John and Susie bought the estate while living part-time in Scotland to spend time with John’s son, Ruairi.
A former hotel and then a boys’ boarding house for Breadalbane Academy, the 604 square metre pile had sat empty for several years and needed a lot of work. ‘ e exterior had baby pink painted drainpipes, gutters and fascias – it looked like a fairy cake,’ recalls Susie. ‘Inside was a mish-mash of
colours, the period features had taken a battering and there were urinals everywhere.’
Original pine wall panels in the living room were painted gloss white, with layers of multi-coloured paint underneath, which the couple carefully stripped back to bare wood. In order to preserve the original living room floor, it had to be patched up by local joiners.
‘It’s not perfect but it’s of its time and I like the patina,’ says Susie, who insisted the wrecked pine panelled doors also be repaired and restored.
Susie had free rein on the design.
‘When I first walked into Dun Aluinn’s entrance hall, the grand Victorian architecture, atrium and sweeping staircase felt impressive with an almost eerie haunted Highland feel.’
Susie played on this feeling, painting the hall in Farrow & Ball O Black
RIGHT: Dun Aluinn manor and lodge are let on an exclusive use basis for a few weeks each year.
to accentuate the natural pine panelling. ‘ e main living/dining room then opens up to amazing views of the landscape and has upli ing energy – so the design concept came from these initial feelings.’
Pared-back Victorian architecture meets global design pieces such as the low-slung orange corner sofa by Patricia Urquiola in the living room and a mirrored 1940s drinks cabinet, snapped up on a trip to Barcelona. ‘It’s restrained and minimal, although simplicity does not necessarily mean simple,’ says Susie.
Having previously been rented out, the couple are now o ering Dun Aluinn as an exclusive use
private hotel with butler, daily housekeeping and full-time chef John Christie, who has worked at Michelin-star Restaurant Andrew Fairlie in Gleneagles. A guest experience manager, Charlotte Wimberly, can organise tailormade Highland experiences such as private hire of local castle Clan Menzies with ghost storytelling by candlelight and private dinner in the great hall. Nine luxurious bedrooms have eclectic decor, some with freestanding bathtubs, including a Japanese soaking tub and a steam room. Outside, a grand terrace with a firepit overlooks the treetops and river and, tucked away in the five-acre garden, is a ‘wilderness’ hot tub.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The expansive views of the Tay valley are best enjoyed with a dram by the terrace repit. Outdoor chairs by Oasiq, Kadai re bowl; Susie designed the 5.5-metre oak and bronze dining table, made by Black Isle Bronze in Nairn, which seats twenty and had to be craned into place. The understated dining chairs are from Boila, the pendant light was designed by Susie and made by Kreon in London; Inspired by a Japanese soaking tub, the teak bath was handmade by William Garvey Furniture; Contemporary walnut veneer cabinetry supplied by local kitchen company Braco Designs along with Silestone worktops; The hall is painted in Farrow & Ball Off Black to allow the warmth of the pine panelling and oorboards to stand out. The original oak staircase was sanded and sealed.
All the
have
‘We love nature and deliberately kept the garden quite wild’
Within Dun Aluinn’s grounds was a caretaker’s bungalow, which the couple planned to take their time to renovate. ‘ e lodge was a post-war prefab bungalow in poor condition,’ says John. ‘During lockdown it was broken into and bashed up a bit so we had to renovate quickly.’
Susie, who had spent 15 years working in architectural practices in San Francisco and New York, had a clear vision. ‘I wanted to create a cedar-clad rustic homestead with a large covered deck that connected to nature and the incredible views of the hills and Tay valley,’ she says. ‘ e idea was that the deck would anchor the building in the landscape and connect it to its surroundings. We love nature and deliberately kept the garden quite wild by planting a wildflower meadow around the house – it’s a kaleidoscope of colour in summer.’
e interior is calm, contemporary and uncluttered, with so tones. Walls are painted pure white throughout, with few pictures or artworks. ‘I didn’t want the key interior elements to compete with the landscape so I chose a pared-back aesthetic with muted colours such as lichen and so coral.’
Carefully curated furniture and textiles were brought back from the couple’s travels, including chairs and throws from Portugal and Ibiza. ‘ e idea was to create a feeling of calm but cosy,’ says Susie, whose laid-back style includes sheepskin rugs and sha y throws slung across chairs for texture.
designs; a throw from Johnstons
ABOVE: The oak front door is over a hundred years old. The original tiled oor and hand-crocheted Glück pendant light by London-based designer Naomi Paul creates an impressive entrance.
TOP:
bedrooms
bespoke
of Elgin adds vibrant colour. LEFT: Susie and John had the mirrored Art Deco drinks cabinet shipped from Fins de Siecles in Barcelona.
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e 170 square metre lodge’s four en-suite bathrooms are inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s iconic film 2001: A Space Odyssey, to help reference the era of the original bungalow. Deceptively simple, yet carefully detailed, all bathrooms feature minimalist, stark white walls, white tiles and white taps with high-impact designer sinks providing a bold pop of colour.
‘We wanted some unique pieces that would not be seen anywhere else,’ says John, who lets out the lodge, along with the manor house, to sleep a combined total of 26. Susie’s work as an
architectural designer sees the couple regularly travelling to architecture and design shows across Europe, meeting unique suppliers. At a Paris show, they met Dutch designer Marike Andeweg and fell in love with a striking bespoke peach and pink bathroom sink. ‘Marike wanted to keep the basin for herself, but we managed to persuade her to part with it,’ says Susie.
e renovation had a slow start due to Covid restrictions, then a dramatic finish. ‘We had a hard deadline to finish, ready for our first guest who happened to be Sir Chris Hoy and a group of cyclists,’ says John. ‘I was working on site every day for the last three weeks, Susie was screwing beds together at the last minute trying to get it ready on time. It was quite stressful.’
Now the work is done, it’s all about enjoying everything the area has to o er. ‘When we’re at Dun Aluinn, we love the fresh air and relaxed feeling of being surrounded by mountains,’ says Susie, who installed low-level darksky-friendly lighting and rewilded the garden perimeter to support wildlife.
‘We love to sit at the firepit or on the deck,’ adds John, ‘wildlife watching amidst the meadow flowers and mountain backdrop – it’s heavenly on a summer’s evening’.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:
Dun Aluinn lodge sits in two hectares of land, with its own wild ower meadow, surrounded by hills and ancient trees. The lodge has a traditional tin roof; The sitting room textiles and furniture have been curated with an emphasis on laid-back luxury.
The soft Flexform sofa is from Italy and the Spartherm wood burner allows panoramic views of the re; In the kitchen a white and natural wood palette allows views of the wild ower garden, hills and Tay valley to stand out. Aluminum sliding doors allow access to a covered larch deck. The 100-yearold teak ooring used throughout the lodge is reclaimed from an old church in nearby Crieff.
BACK TO
When a storm almost destroyed a derelict bothy on the family farm, Archie Cochrane was determined to bring it back to life, says Emma Leask
PHOTOGRAPHY BEN SUNDERLAND OF FORSS CREATIVE
Set in 1,600 acres of ancient Atlantic rainforest, native woodland and its own secluded sandy beach, it’s easy to see why stone cro er’s cottage, Fuarachadh (F-Ure-A-Key), is one of Archie Cochrane’s favourite childhood memories.
Situated on its own spectacular peninsula a few miles north of Oban, Lochnell Estate (where Archie grew up with his siblings) is surrounded by the sea on three sides with views of the Isles of Lismore, Mull and Kerrera.
e bothy was originally attached to cro ed land, farmed by old Babs, who lived there with her sister and kept a vegetable patch, a few sheep and cows. A er Babs passed away, the bothy fell into disrepair. Archie remembers as a boy he would camp up there, enjoying being away from grownups, surrounded by nature, exploring the woods and swimming in the nearby bays.
Although the bothy had been derelict for some time, Archie was keen to preserve it and pay homage to its history. His vision was to restore it but keep it o -grid.
‘Back then the bothy was just about habitable, but there was no running water and the appliances were makeshi to say the least. It had been leased by a family in the 80s and 90s who used to stay during the summer months. ey had done some repairs to make it more comfortable, but it was very much a basic camping situation, with army beds upstairs for the kids. Heating came from an old wood burning stove, which still worked and was cosy in the evenings.
‘ ere was no electricity or lighting, so they used para n lamps and candles. ey brought in drinking water, although there would have been a water well there originally for the cro ers.’
A er the family le in the 2000s, Archie, his siblings and friends used to camp out at the bothy for a week at a time during the holidays. ‘It was the most wonderful place and although it wasn’t that far from the main house, it felt like another world,’ he recalls. ‘We would collect branches in the forest for firewood and swim at the nearby beaches. In the evenings we would make campfires as the sun set and at night we would retreat inside
BASICS
and get the log burner going. In our teenage years, we mostly spent our time sitting around, smoking roll-up cigarettes, drinking beer and being boys. Mum would bring up supplies for us to stay fed every few days.’
Fast forward to the winter of 2019 when a storm tore o a section of the roof. It was crunch time for the bothy. A decision had to be made whether to save the cottage and invest in it… or let it fall into disrepair.
‘It was an easy decision to save it,’ says Archie. ‘However, we didn’t have the budget to do a major renovation. So, we decided to try and keep it like it was but with a few home comforts.’
PREVIOUS: The bothy, formerly a crofter’s cottage, stands on a peninsula with views over the Lynne of Lorne. TOP LEFT: With no mains electricity, the bothy’s ground oor open-plan room is heated by a woodburning stove and lit by hurricane lamps. TOP RIGHT: The attic bedroom’s timber-clad walls and oorboards are painted in a simple white. LEFT: A wood- red outdoor bath tub is perfect for soaking up the views.
‘It was an easy decision to save it’
Archie project managed the job along with the estate manager, employing local tradesmen to renovate the bothy in a sympathetic way. e roof had to be entirely replaced and insulated and new windows and doors installed. Archie wanted to keep the interior modest and simple. e ground floor is one open-plan room with white-washed stone walls, a polished concrete floor and a wood-clad ceiling. A woodburning stove stands at one end and a hand-cra ed kitchen with
open shelving and a Belfast sink at the other. Local cra smen were employed to make the kitchen worktop from wood grown on the estate.
Like days of old, an outhouse (rebuilt) houses a flushing toilet that connects to the septic tank. One concession to luxury was installing a gas-fired burnished copper rain shower.
In keeping with tradition, the bothy is lit by hurricane lanterns. A simple ladder leads up to a bedroom tucked into the eaves of the roof,
with white-painted floorboards and timberpanelled walls.
Echoing his childhood experience, the bothy is not connected to mains electricity. ‘We kept the bothy o grid,’ says Archie. ‘I wanted to keep the feeling of isolation and simplicity. When it gets dark, we light hurricane lanterns and candles.’
With no heating, the bothy is kept warm, as it was back then, by a wood-burning stove. Hot water, a fridge and cooker are powered by bottled gas and water comes from a private source on the estate.
Having no mains electricity means there is no wifi – instead, the emphasis is on getting outdoors and enjoying nature. A er all, the bothy is all about the spectacular location, with far reaching views over the Lynne of Lorne.
Partly inspired by boyhood bothy bonfires and partly by his travels, Archie installed a Patagonianstyle outside fire pit for alfresco cooking.
e outdoor copper bath tub was inspired by memories of a trip to Texas, where Archie tried a ‘cowboy bath tub’ used on cattle ranches. e bothy’s outside bath is heated by lighting a fire underneath the tub and is perfect for enjoying a sundowner, soaking up the sea views or star gazing.
Nestled in perfect seclusion on its own peninsula, walks from the bothy meander
TOP LEFT: The kitchen is intentionally modest, with a traditional Belfast sink and worktop handcrafted from wood grown on the estate.
ABOVE: Walks from the bothy pass through rare Atlantic rainforest and several beaches.
TOP RIGHT & RIGHT: The renovation included replacing and insulating the roof and installing new windows and doors.
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through a rare example of surviving Atlantic Rainforest, largely untouched for hundreds of years. e estate has spent forty years planting native woodland which is now well-established and three beautiful beaches can be reached by foot or adventuring in the bothy’s kayak.
For Archie, with such breathtaking views, an absolute must was a hammock, hung below the old sycamore tree, which he used to climb as a boy. It’s ideal for lazy days reading a book, snoozing or wildlife watching. ‘It’s not unusual to see red deer, oyster catchers, otters, seals and sea eagles. It’s incredible how much wildlife activity you can see if you just sit in the hammock and observe your surroundings for a few hours.’
‘One of the best things about the project for me is being able to share this special place with others and reading their entries in the visitors’ book has been a real joy. Everyone has been so appreciative for some quiet time away from their busy lives. I have so many happy memories of this place from my childhood and I’m so pleased the bothy will live on for others to enjoy.’
Add warmth and character to your home. Expertly installed fires and stoves. Visit Scottish Stove Centre – quality craftsmanship since the 1940s. Tel: 01360 660111, www.scottishstovecentre.co.uk
LAURENCE MCINTOSH
Principal contractors, architectural joiners, and interior designers delivering over 70 years of exceptional craftsmanship, bespoke joinery and timeless design. Tel: 0131 652 8100, www.laurencemcintosh.co.uk
MOZOLOWSKI & MURRAY
Mozolowski & Murray design, manufacture and install beautiful, bespoke glass and timber conservatories, orangeries, extensions, garden rooms, windows and doors. Enjoy warmth through winter with thoughtful design, expert craftsmanship, and dedication to quality and service. Tel: 0131 447 8651, www.mozmurray.co.uk
DAVID L DOUGLAS
Each piece is meticulously handmade in their Scottish factory, combining traditional craftsmanship with your unique vision. Experienced designers ensure every detail reflects your style, resulting in timeless furniture. Tel: 01383 882222, www.davidldouglas.com
BAIGALI DESIGNS
Luxury Scottish cushions from Baigali Designs are individually handmade in Edinburgh, they will add a burst of Scottish autumn colour to your home. Tel: 07941 306878, www.baigalidesigns.com
THE PAINTED KITCHEN
The Painted Kitchen design, make and install beautiful, timeless bespoke kitchens and furniture from their workshop in Fife. A dedicated team with a wealth of knowledge and expertise to guide you. Tel: 01334 753750, www.thepaintedkitchencupar.com
LAURENCE MCINTOSH
A curved library, designed by architects GLM and crafted by Laurence McIntosh, seamlessly integrates into a historic Scottish home. Tel: 0131 652 8100, www.laurencemcintosh.co.uk
FISK DESIGNS
The luxurious, woolly embrace of the Brodick Bed is the perfect place to relax. Part of the exclusive range of furniture lovingly designed and manufactured in Scotland to reflect its beautiful urban and rural heritage. Tel: 020 7349 7288, www.fisklife.co.uk
SKYESKYNS
EDINBURGH TILE STUDIO
Hacienda is a versatile Mediterraneaninspired collection with a range of formats and shades giving endless opportunities for mixed patterns and colour blends, with a natural rustic aesthetic. Tel: 0131 629 3780, www.edinburghtilestudio.co.uk
Choose sumptuous sheepskin rugs that imbue warmth and tactile comfort into your home, providing the perfect contrast to colourful accessories and interior schemes. Tel: 01470 592237, www.skyeskyns.co.uk/collections/ norse-sheepskins
STORM WINDOWS
Reduce your energy bills. Storm Windows’ secondary glazing eliminates draughts, improves thermal efficiency and is virtually invisible. Tel: 01384 636365, www.stormwindows.co.uk
CALLUM WALKER INTERIORS
Rich tones to the timber evoke a feeling of warmth as Autumn passes into Winter. Bespoke reading nook by Charles Yorke available from Callum Walker Interiors, Perth. Tel: 01738 638822, www.callumwalker.com
THE BATHROOM COMPANY
Discover bespoke designs and premium products that match your style. Visit the Edinburgh and Perth showrooms for inspiration to start your bathroom, kitchen, and complete home renovation. Tel: 01738 440333 / 0131 337 3355, www.thebathroomcompany.co.uk
JEFFREYS DUNKELD
Autumn evenings are here and Jeffreys have a fabulous selection of table lamps, from large oversized statement pieces to cute small bedside lights.
Tel: 01350 697222, www.jeffreys-dunkeld.co.uk
SELAN DESIGN
The walnut panelled doors of Kyoto provide an inviting warmth and elegance.
Tel: 01382 480321, www.selandesign.com
EDINBURGH WARDROBES
Edinburgh Wardrobes use traditional cabinetmaking skills to custom-make beautiful fitted furniture that will enhance your home for years to come.
Tel: 0131 466 0258, www.edinburghwardrobes.com
BELLTREES FORGE
Belltrees Forge have a beautiful and eclectic range of lighting including table lamps and matching standard lamps. Made in Scotland. Tel: 01505 681060, www.belltrees.co.uk
BLACKHOUSE
A range of seventeen luxurious hand woven Harris Tweeds ensure your choice and combinations are endless. Each bespoke Blackhouse piece is lovingly crafted here in Scotland and designed with your comfort in mind.
Studio LBI is a full service residential and architectural practice specialising in large scale residential and hospitality interiors. The team follows a rigorous seven-step process designed specifically to engage clients and trades throughout, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery. We are proud that most of our business comes via referrals and repeat commissions from satisfied clients. We partner only with makers who deliver exceptional quality as we recognise that you are entrusting us with that most important space – your home. www.studiolbi.com
FISK DESIGNS
Fisk’s designs are inspired by their personal experiences of Scotland’s beautiful urban and rural heritage. They are proud of the authentic backstory to every piece, and are equally obsessed that each perfectly serves its primary purpose. Their cabinetry, seating and rugs are handmade to order, and they consciously strive for a personal experience in engaging with Fisk to accompany the distinctive character of their designs. Tel: 020 7349 7288, www.fisklife.co.uk
EDINBURGH WARDROBES
Edinburgh Wardrobes creates custom fitted wardrobes and bookcases to enhance any room in your home. Their furniture has a classic Shaker design that fits particularly well in period properties, or to add character to a more modern home. All their furniture is custom made to fit your space in their Edinburgh workshop using traditional joinery techniques, and can be supplied throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK. Tel: 0131 466 0258, www.edinburghwardrobes.com
BLACKHOUSE
Within our current throw away culture Blackhouse are proud to embrace a different ethos. They combine the tradition of uniquely characteristic and distinctive patterns of Harris Tweed fabrics, with adventurous and contemporary design, to create a timeless, durable, warm and stylish luxury living range. Extoling all the qualities and virtues of a truly unique 21st century fabric, their Harris tweed designs are lovingly woven with a deep sense of Scottish heritage and pride, a pride felt in every single piece by their artisan craftsmen. Tel: 01577 898010, www.blackhouse.co.uk
STRATHEARN STONE & TIMBER
Strathearn Stone & Timber is a proud family-run business based in Perthshire. They have been supplying and installing Scotland’s finest oak flooring, natural stone and porcelain tiles for over 20 years. Visit their inspiring showrooms and let their passionate and knowledgeable team guide you every step of the way. Strathearn Stone & Timber firmly believe that working with them should be just as much of a pleasure as the exceptional end results.
Tel: 01764 684836, www.stoneandtimber.co.uk
BAIGALI DESIGNS
Lesley’s Scottish cushions and throws can be found in many beautiful homes in Scotland and around the world. Her range of individually designed cushions and throws are handmade in her Edinburgh studio. Scottish tweeds and pure wool can bring the colours of Scotland into your home and will add a touch of Scottish luxury and a burst of colour. Lesley sources her large stock of fabric from weavers all over Scotland from the Scottish Borders to the Isles of Skye, Mull and Bute. She welcomes individual commissions.
Tel: 07941 306878, www.baigalidesigns.com
JEFFREYS DUNKELD
The Old Church in bustling Dunkeld overlooking the River Tay, houses a wonderful furniture and accessories shop. Offering an array of stunning pieces, perfect for every room in your home. With an in-house studio, the team is happy to help bring your vision to life. They offer bespoke sofas, ottomans, cushions and window treatments. Together they’ll help you shape a home that’s both practical and personal.
Tel: 01350 697222, www.jeffreys-dunkeld.co.uk
GARDENS GALORE
An award-winning and customer-focused family run team of garden landscaping specialists based in Perthshire, covering all aspects of landscaping and design. Their polite, friendly and knowledgeable team work to create bespoke outdoor spaces to suit every lifestyle and they will help and advise you throughout. They aim to deliver the best client experience possible with excellent communication, high standard of workmanship, quality materials and a 5-year guarantee on their work. Tel: 01738 553014, www.gardensgalorescotland.co.uk
AMPERSAND
With over 35 years of experience,Jackie Fiskenheads up an inspiring and professional, award-winning team skilled in all aspects of interior design and interior architecture. A belief in the individuality of projects and design rooted in the personality and lifestyle of clients ensures a commission is as enjoyable as it is productive and results in distinctive properties that feel truly wonderful to spend time in. Tel: 0131 557 6634, www.ampersandinteriors.co.uk
JML GARDEN ROOMS
JML Garden Rooms is an award-winning, long established family run business based in Perthshire. Their modern, traditional and bespoke luxury garden rooms are well insulated and built to last using energy efficient structural insulated panels (SIPs). They are built using the finest materials, quick to erect with minimal running costs and perfect for year-round use. They also offer luxury bothies, fully equipped and designed to your specific requirements. Tel: 01764 663668, www.jmlgardenrooms.co.uk
STORM WINDOWS
Reap the rewards of modern glazing with a warmer, quieter and more energy efficient home. Storm Windows are trusted by conservationists, architects and homeowners across the UK to create and install custom-made secondary glazing for historic houses, period and listed properties. Their glazing eliminates draughts and improves thermal efficiency, provides acoustic protection and is virtually invisible. Tel: 01384 636365, www.stormwindows.co.uk
THE PAINTED KITCHEN
The Painted Kitchen design, make and install beautiful, timeless bespoke kitchens and furniture from their workshop located in the heart of Fife. A dedicated, multi-disciplined team with a wealth of knowledge and expertise will help guide you through the whole process. With your cabinetry installed by their own expert fitting team, you can rest assured that you will receive a beautifully finished product that will last a lifetime. Tel: 01334 753750, www.thepaintedkitchencupar.com
DAVID L DOUGLAS
For over 40 years, David L. Douglas has been a family-run business dedicated to creating bespoke, high-quality fitted furniture. Each piece is meticulously handmade in their Scottish factory, combining traditional craftsmanship with your unique vision. Their experienced designers work closely with you to ensure every detail reflects your style and needs, resulting in timeless furniture that enhances your space. Visit their showroom to begin your bespoke furniture journey. Tel: 01383 882222, www.davidldouglas.com
LAURENCE MCINTOSH
As principal contractors with over 75 years of experience, Laurence McIntosh balance traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Based in Edinburgh and working across the UK, they offer a fully integrated service – combining architectural joinery, interior design, and the creation of bespoke furniture. Whether restoring period properties or shaping modern interiors, their in-house team works closely with clients, architects and designers, shaping spaces with precision, care and a deep respect for material and form. Tel: 0131 652 8100, www.laurencemcintosh.co.uk
JANE PERFECT
Jane Perfect Interiors offer timeless, elegant, and bespoke residential interior design that leaves a lasting impression and stands the test of time. As a small but skilled and highly professional team, they are passionate about creating beautiful, functional, and harmonious spaces. From full renovation projects to individual rooms, all projects are tailored to the personality, style and budget of each individual. Tel: 07718 916553, www.janeperfectinteriors.com
CALLUM WALKER INTERIORS
Callum Walker Interiors is a family business established for over 50 years and working throughout Scotland and the North of England. Their speciality is the design, supply and installation of bespoke fitted furniture including kitchens, boot rooms, home cinemas, dressing rooms – any fitted space within the home. ‘The starting point to our design work is practicality, thereafter, we aim for every space to be a pleasure to be in and look beautiful.’
Tel: 01738 638822, www.callumwalker.com
STICKS AND STONES
Andy Goldsworthy’s lifelong fascination with the intersection between the natural world and the man-made is the basis for his extraordinary Fifty Years exhibition at the RSA, writes Mary Miers
It may seem incongruous to find a major exhibition by a leading landscape sculptor installed in the heart of Edinburgh, in a Greek-Doric temple to civic pride. Yet Andy Goldsworthy responds to buildings as he does to the landscape, in profound and imaginative ways. And he is used to working in cities. In William Playfair’s Royal Scottish Academy, he finds the connection between man and earth that is a preoccupying focus of his work.
Five years in the planning, the exhibition is conceived in unity with the 200-year-old building,
whose massive columns are carved from Craigleith stone, whose roofs are covered with Scottish slate and floors planked in oak. He treats the enfilade as he might a vista in the landscape and, where possible, his installations are modulated by natural light.
In the Sculpture Court at the top of the grand staircase, direct access into the exhibition is barred by what at first glance might be a screen of woven grasses. Close-to, the we reveals itself to be tensioned barbed wire in shades of grey and rust, the detritus of land dividers knitted into a fence that is at once beautiful and disquieting.
Art - Andy Goldsworthy
‘I mainly work on other people’s land, so access issues, whether in the countryside, the city or a building, are very much part of my practice,’ Goldsworthy explains. ‘ ere are resistances in all of those places and I’ve been asked to leave and move on many a time. e more I contemplate this work, the more I think it’s a portrait of my life. It’s not about the obstacles per se, but finding a solution, a way through.’
He describes his negotiations with landowners, farmers and authorities as ‘the lifeblood of my art’. As the curator Patrick Elliott observes, there’s a deceptive simplicity and lightness of touch about his work; ‘it looks like art that Nature has made, but much of it is born of painstaking preparation, back-breaking work, agonising meetings, frustrating phone calls and, o en, physical pain’.
A seemingly impenetrable hedge of windblown branches, collected over several years, cut and then laid to form two waves parting to reveal a narrow way, is about ‘finding a way through…not just in the landscape but in everything’. Goldsworthy hopes that visitors will enter Oak Passage and walk the metaphorical path through the thicket. Conceived as one with the gallery floor, the installation is also a reminder that buildings, as well as people, are connected to the land.
As somebody who’s used to working outdoors in all weathers with materials such as salvaged wire, timber, stones, reeds, leaves, wool and ice, Goldsworthy naturally feels an a nity with the farming communities of Dumfriesshire, where he has lived for 40 years. Many farmers have been ‘extraordinarily open-minded and cooperative,’
TOP: Andy Goldsworthy’s Oak Passage and Dock Drawing, both 2025, are key components of his long-awaited 50 Years exhibition in Edinburgh. LEFT: Andy Goldsworthy in front of Red Wall, which reminds us that we, like the RSA building, are bound to the earth
‘In the room are drawings made with dripping hare’s blood and films of Goldsworthy grinding ironstones onto river rocks that appear to bleed into the water’
he says, but he’s noticed a growing intolerance of people on the land, partly out of concern for livestock.
‘Sheep are once more restricting people’s access,’ says the creator of a series of sheepfolds and sheep paintings, who has a deep connection to hill farming. Visitors to his Edinburgh exhibition are greeted by a fleece stair runner marbled with the bubblegum hues of modern flock markings.
As a boy, helping out on farms in Yorkshire, Goldsworthy learnt the skills that would underpin his art— repetitive tasks such as di ing, stacking and cutting that give his work its energy and flow. ‘I think through my hands, I get ideas through my hands and the world makes sense through my hands,’ he says.
In the early 1970s, when he was a teenager into motorbikes and rock ‘n’
roll, he designed tattoos for friends and knew he’d become an artist: ‘it was the only thing I was able to do’. Having been introduced to American land art during his foundation course, he started making and filming ephemeral works at Morecombe Bay. He was doing his BA, inspired by several key books that featured the art of Robert Smithson, Joseph Beuys and Dennis Oppenheim, and by lectures from David Nash and Richard Long.
Nash helped him to get his first solo show and, in the early 1980s, Goldsworthy’s career took o . Since then, he’s notched up a prodigious annual tally of commissions and exhibitions and worked extensively in the US, as well as further afield.
Photography plays a crucial role, helping him to understand and communicate his creative process, while also providing a lasting record of his
FROM LEFT: Elm leaves held with water to fractured bough of fallen elm, Dumfriesshire, 29 October 2010; Cracked Line through Leaves, 1986, was presented by the Scottish Arts Council in 1997; Wool. Hung from fallen elm, Dumfriesshire, 6 August 2015.
transitory works, many of which are reproduced in books such as Passage and Hand to Earth
Goldsworthy describes his ephemeral art as ‘a working out of ideas, but also an end in itself. Most of the time I don’t know what I’m going to make ... it’s really to do with intuition, instinct and chance.’
Nothing in Nature escapes his imagination. Again and again, his wondrous reconfiguring of raw materials opens our eyes to the infinite possibilities of colour, texture and pattern: wet feathers wrapped around a stone in a pool; leaves, stitched together with grass stalks, floating downstream in lines and spirals; a rock in a grey hillside outcrop, picked out with a covering of dark peat; a wheel of dock stalks and a snake of ferns pinned with blackthorn onto facing walls in the RSA.
Typically, the moment such works are finished marks the end of their life, a er which they decay, shrivel, collapse, are blown or washed away. Yet change, Goldsworthy says, is ‘an integral part of a work’s purpose so that, if anything, it becomes stronger and more complete as it falls apart and disappears’. Although his ephemeral creations have included hazel sticks thrown
into the air, rain or frost shadows formed by lying on the ground, and giant snowballs melting over Midsummer around the City of London, he regards them as personal works not performance art.
In 2002, Goldsworthy worked on an elm project between Scotland and California, weaving elmwood into a stone wall, laying branches wrapped in golden, green and russet leaves in lines on the mast. en, in 2009, an elm tree fell across a stream near
TOP LEFT: Sheep Painting, 2025, featuring the activity of muddy hooves around a mineral cake, has literally been lifted off the land. TOP RIGHT: Goldsworthy making a Rain Shadow at the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, 10 June 2024. LEFT: Hazel stick throws. Banks, Cumbria, 10 July. 1980. ABOVE: Wool Runner, 2025.
his home and became an inexhaustible canvas.
‘It’s di cult to describe the tree as being dead because it has generated so much life as it has decayed,’ Goldsworthy says, describing how he ‘started working with the cracks, all these violent fissures and splinters. And I used the yellow elm leaves almost like a bandage’.
e exhibition includes archival prints of the fallen limbs fringed with wool, illuminated with powdery snow, flashed with torn or folded leaves. He marvels at the intense yellow of elm leaves in Autumn; how they appear luminous and glowing on a wet, overcast day, yet drained of colour under a blue sky. Weather, seasons, time of day or night are as important as the photography and the materials themselves.
Several projects explore Goldsworthy’s preoccupation with red, the colour of iron that connects body and earth, humans with the land.
In North Yorkshire’s Rosedale valley – cradle of the Industrial Revolution where his bi est project, Hanging Stones, will be completed next year – he painted a dead hawthorn tree with the iron-rich soil, transforming its branches into
Artist’s corner
1956: Born on 25 July in Sale, Cheshire.
1967-74: Schooled in Harrogate at Wheatlands
Secondary Modern and Harrogate High School.
1974-78: Does foundation course at Bradford College of Art and Fine Art BA at Preston Polytechnic.
1979: Moves to High Bentham, North Yorkshire.
1980: First solo exhibition, at the LYC Museum & Art Gallery, Cumbria.
1982: Marries Judith Gregson.
1984: Creates Seven Spires at Grizedale Forest, his rst site-speci c work outdoors.
1985: Moves to Dumfriesshire.
1986: Settles at Penpont. Exhibits at Henry Moore Institute, Leeds, his rst major exhibition.
1989: Makes a monumental snow sculpture at the North Pole.
1990: Hand to Earth exhibition at Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh.
1991: Works in Australia and the USA.
1996: Begins Sheepfolds, a county-wide project across Cumbria.
1998: Creates major group of permanent sculptures at the National Museums Scotland.
2000: Receives OBE. Installs 13 huge snowballs across the City of London.
2001: Release of documentary lm Rivers and Tides.
2015: Begins developing the Hanging Stones project, North Yorkshire.
2020: Makes Red Flags at Rockefeller Center, New York, for Frieze Sculpture.
2025: Andy Goldsworthy; Fifty Years exhibition in Edinburgh.
Lewis Mackenzie ‘ Three Part Harmony’
Elizabeth Gilbey ‘Autumn Layers’
TOP: Skylight, 2025, a curtain of 10,000 interlocking bullrushes (reed mace) raining down from the ceiling to enclose an inner sanctum.
BOTTOM: Sheep Painting in process: a stretched canvas on a eld, with mineral block removed after a few days of sheep eating it, 1997.
red veins and watching for several days as the changing light ‘brought the tree in and out of life’.
In the RSA, one wall has become a red-brown mosaic made from earth collected in the Lowther Hills, dried, crushed and sieved. e clay was worked in the gallery and then plastered onto the surface, where it randomly cracked and crazed. ‘For me, it’s saying this building is earth,’ explains Goldsworthy.
In the same room are drawings made with dripping hare’s blood and films of himself grinding ironstones against river rocks that appear to be bleeding into the water. Red Flags, commissioned for the Rockefeller Center in New York, involved creating 50 blank banners, each dyed with a state’s reddest soil, from sa ron and ochre to orange and red-brown (Iowa’s the darkest). Hung in alphabetical order from Alabama to Wyoming, Goldsworthy’s ‘anti-flags’ transcend borders to ‘speak of the things that connect people rather than divide them’.
Andy Goldsworthy: Fifty Years is at the National Galleries of Scotland, RSA Building, Edinburgh until Sunday 2 November 2025. www.national galleries.org
Stay up to date TOP LEFT: STUART ARMITT.
Stone has always played a crucial role, producing walls, sheepfolds and cairns worked into landscapes layered with human activity. Next year, Goldsworthy will complete a hilltop enclosure filled with boulders, inspired by visiting graveyards.
A trial for this large project has become a moving work in its own right – a room of the RSA filled with excavations gathered from 108 burial grounds across Dumfries and Galloway. e stones, representing the bodies that have displaced them, have become ‘charged with a kind of human energy through this process of exchange’.
Again, we are reminded of our deep connection to the earth; that death and decay are as much part of the natural order as the beauty and continuity of Nature that Goldsworthy extols.
news ANTIQUE
Scottish Field’s round-up
of the salerooms, interesting lots and prices
October sale dates
EDINBURGH
Lyon & Turnbull:
2: Books & Manuscripts. 15, 16: Design since 1860.
PERTH
Lindsay Burns & Co.
29, 30: Antiques & Interiors.
GLASGOW
McTear's
9: Scottish Contemporary Art Auction. 16, 30: Antiques & Interiors.
22: Scottish Pictures Auction, 19th & 20th Century Design.
31: Glasgow Children's Hospital Art Auction.
DUMFRIES
Thomson
Roddick
23: Home Furnishings & Interiors.
A JACOBITE CONNECTION
ROALD DAHL COLLECTION
A stunning gown worn by 18th century Scottish noblewoman Lady Margaret Ogilvy sold for £20,160 at a Lyon & Turnbull auction. Lady Ogilvy, who was closely allied to the Jacobite cause, wore the dress to a ball hosted by Bonnie Prince Charlie at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 1745. www.lyonandturnbull.com
It's a dog's life
A painting once owned by e Rolling Stones drummer, the late Charlie Watts, has sold at a Bonhams auction in Edinburgh.
A Proud Mother by Robert Alexander, which was once held in the collection of Watts, fetched £8,320 when it went under the hammer. e painting shows a collie dutifully watching over her new puppies as they play with each other. Watts owned nine collies. www.bonhams.com
Glasgow Girl
A painting by Glasgow Girl Margaret De Courcy Lewthwaite Dewar sold for £3,500 at Great Western Auctions in Glasgow. e Baby St. Mungo Lands at Culross pays tribute to the patron saint of Glasgow, who was credited with founding the city. Born in Kandy, Sri Lanka, and the daughter of a tea planter, Dewar studied at the Glasgow School of Art where she was known for her metalwork designs. www.greatwesternauctions.com
A collection of original drawings by Roald Dahl fetched £23,940 when it went under the hammer. The sketches were produced by Dahl in black ballpoint pen for his memoir, Boy (1984), in which he describes his experience of growing up. The drawings were found in an envelope marked 'Dahl’s drawings & odds and sods', which belonged to Ian Craig, art director at the author’s publishing rm, Jonathan Cape, in London. www.lyonandturnbull.com
TIFFANY LAMP
A Tiffany lamp once owned by muscian Sir Elton John sold for £18,000 at a McTear's auction. The hemispherical glass shade has a stunning oral decoration and sits on a bulbous bronze base cast with overlapping leaves, which bears the marking 'Tiffany Studios New York'. It was previously purchased at Sotheby's Elton John Volume III Art Nouveau and Art Deco sale in London in September 1988. www.mctears.co.uk
THE TALE OF THE WHALE
Dundee is commemorating its historic links with the whaling industry through a stunning new piece of art by Michael Visocchi that’s heading to the South Atlantic, writes Peter Ranscombe
Art - Michael Visocchi
Take a wander along the £1 billion waterfront redevelopment in Dundee and the modern face of the city is there for all to see, from the geometric lines of the Victoria & Albert Museum’s northern outpost through to the bright colours of Social Security Scotland’s head o ce. And that’s even before the £130m Eden Project sails into the city.
Yet wind the clock back to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and the Firth of Tay had a very di erent appearance. Ships were not only built in Dundee but also sailed and then steamed from the port to locations throughout the world, turning the waterfront into a hive of activity.
Dundee is famous for its three Js – jute, jam, and journalism – and gains its ‘City of Discovery’ monicker from Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s research ship Discovery, which was built on the Tay and returned in 1986 to become the centrepiece of the local heritage trust’s conservation work. Yet Dundee’s polar connections also have a darker side.
From the mid eighteenth century through to the dawn of the twentieth century, Dundee played an important role in Britain’s whaling industry, first hunting whales in territorial waters before expanding into the Arctic and then the Antarctic. By no means the only Scottish harbour involved – Aberdeen, Anstruther, Ban , Bo’ness, Dunbar, Glasgow, Greenock, Kirkcaldy, Kirkwall, Leith, Montrose and Peterhead were all home to whalers – Dundee was eventually Britain’s last whaling port. ose deep links to the industry are already remembered through ‘ e Tay Whale’, a seven-metre-tall canopy sculpture formed from nearly 2,500 hollow, stainless-steel tubes by London-based artist Lee Simmons. e artwork – which also commemorates ‘ e Monster’, a humpback whale hunted and slaughtered in the Tay in 1883, before being
TOP LEFT: Artist’s impresson of how the Whale Memorial, Commensalis will look in situ. TOP RIGHT: Michael Visocchi in damaged oil tank at Grytviken whaling station on South Georgia in 2023. LEFT: Humpback whale and glacier, taken by the South Georgia Whale Team in 2019.
‘Commensalis remembers the 175,000 whales slaughtered on South Georgia’
immortalised in verse by hapless poet William Topaz McGonagall – sailed up the firth on a barge in 2021 to its home next to the urban beach near the V&A.
Now, Angus-based artist Michael Visocchi is marking a lesser-known chapter in the port’s whaling story. Visocchi was commissioned in 2020 by the Dundee-based charity South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT) to create an art installation that remembers the 175,000 whales slaughtered on the South Atlantic island between 1905 and 1965.
‘ e title of the new Whale Memorial is Commensalis, which is a word derived from the biological term commensal, defining a biological relationship where two species benefit from one another and where neither species su er,’ Visocchi explains. ‘My artwork focuses on the commensal relationship between whales and the whale barnacle but on a deeper level, I hope, the need for humans to live side by side with nature.’
e first section of the sculpture – ‘ e Key Table’ – was unveiled in Dundee during the ‘Whale of a Weekend’ festival in June, before journeying to the southern hemisphere, where it’s due to arrive in November. Each of the six sections commemorates one of the whale species hunted and processed at the Grytviken station on South Georgia: blue, fin, humpback, sei, southern right and sperm.
‘Since I began working on the Whale Memorial commission in 2020, I’ve made two site visits to South Georgia, in part to address unique geographical engineering challenges, but also to shape the story of the artwork,’ Visocchi says.
‘Seeing a huge pod of whales on my first visit couldn’t have been more powerful, and being involved in workshops with former whalers who were based there and hearing their stories has been a life-changing experience for me and really helped me shape my original concept for the memorial.’
Each rivet embedded in the sculpture’s circular platform represents 50 whales killed around South Georgia. e rivets were recovered from the Grytviken station with the permission of
TOP: Whale on South Georgia . ABOVE: Blue whale hauled up on its ventral surface 1928-1929. RIGHT: Part of the new Whale Memorial by artist Michael Visocchi and commissioned by the South Georgia Heritage Trust, photographed in Dundee.
Art - Michael Visocchi
the island’s government. ‘More than 15,000 people visit the former whaling station at Grytviken every year with many not understanding what took place on the site they are standing in,’ adds Visocchi. ‘Using art as a touchpoint for telling the scale of what took place there but also the hope and resurgence that is now South Georgia’s story has been a privilege to be part of.’
A er the decline of the domestic whaling industry a er World War I, many Scots travelled to South Georgia, working at whaling stations or on factory ships in the South Atlantic and Southern Ocean. eir stories are now recorded in the Whalers’ Memory Bank, a digital archive unveiled at the festival in Dundee by television historian Dan Snow, which captures stories from the modern whaling era between 1904 and 1965. eirs are the final voices in a tale stretching back centuries.
Records reveal Scottish kings granted licences to hunt whales, with David I, Alexander II and Malcolm IV providing whale fat for altar candles at Holyrood and Dunfermline abbeys. Yet whaling exploded during the mid-eighteenth century when the British government introduced a ‘bounty’ in 1733, which was designed to ensure a supply of able deep-sea sailors for the Royal Navy, with ships required to be fitted to exacting standards, sail on certain dates and return with detailed logs of their journeys. e bounty was doubled in 1749 to 40 shillings per ton, paid on the weight of the vessel, regardless of its success as a whaler, sparking a major expansion of the industry, with former merchant ships converted into whalers. e incentive remained until 1824.
Another step change came in the mid-nineteenth century, when it was discovered that whale oil could so en jute fibres, allowing them to be spun. Dundee’s flax industry switched to jute, sending demand for whale oil soaring.
Whale numbers in the Artic dwindled as hunting surged, sending
TOP: Michael Visocchi with The Key Table. BOTTOM: Sample of rivet for Commensalis on South Georgia, with Mount Sugartop in background.
Art - Michael Visocchi
Art - Michael Visocchi
‘ e Tay Whale Fishing Company sent four boats south at the end of 1892’
steamers south in search of prey. Dundee’s whaling industry shi ed its focus to Antarctica during the late nineteenth century, leading to a wee bit of the white continent being named a er Scotland. e Tay Whale Fishing Company sent four boats south at the end of 1892, with one of them, the Active, becoming the first to chart an island – christened ‘Dundee Island’ –along with an inlet called ‘Active Sound’ and an estuary named ‘Firth of Tay’.
Dundee’s expertise in constructing whalers also led to the Royal Geographical Society selecting the port to build Discovery for the 1901 British National Antarctic Expedition. Plans for the ship were based on the classic whaler design but were modified heavily.
Later in her career – a er being sold to the Hudson Bay Company and seeing service supplying the icebound Russian port of Archangel during the First World War, before being bought by the British government – Discovery was used for a 1925 oceanographic expedition back to the Southern Ocean. Hailed as the world’s first conservation mission, the expedition studied whale numbers and habits, as part of early e orts to regulate the whaling industry.
While Dundee’s history may be intertwined with the hunting of whales, its most-famous vessel was involved in work that eventually underpinned their conservation. at switch ‘from whaling to whales’ is ultimately at the heart of Visocchi’s artwork as it makes its way to South Georgia.
TOP: Michael Visocchi (left) and Project Engineer Stewart Garden (right) and a seal, on South Georgia. CENTRE: Grytviken. ABOVE: Original rivets from Grytviken that will be used in the Whale Memorial.
FOLLOWING A CHANGING LIGHT
Helen Glassford RSW at the Strathearn Gallery
The Strathearn Gallery is proud to present Following a Changing Light, a solo exhibition of 40 new paintings by acclaimed Scottish landscape artist Helen Glassford RSW.
Renowned for her evocative, immersive works, Helen captures the raw beauty of Scotland’s wild, untamed landscapes. Her richly layered paintings explore the eeting interplay of memory, atmosphere and light, inviting viewers into a deeply felt experience of place.
Based in Newport-on-Tay, Helen has developed a distinctive style reaching beyond traditional representation. Through subtle shifts in tone, texture, and form, conjuring the elemental energy of land, sea and sky.
'My paintings draw on memory, experience and observations of the remote areas of Northern Scotland… From the intimate to the vast, they are a re ection upon the raw human experience of nature,' Helen explains. he exhibition title re ects elen s enduring fascination with the eeting, transformative nature of light –especially during the months when days shorten and every glimmer becomes more poignant.
'I follow the changing light, not wanting to lose it. I try to hold onto it… It reminds me of words from a poem:
‘Words after speech, reach into the silence. The memory stays.'
Working in oil, Helen’s creative process is one of intuition and discovery. Layers of paint are poured, dripped, blended and scraped back, allowing shapes, tones, and colours to slowly emerge. She seeks what she calls 'the atmosphere of both the seen and the unseen,' capturing the emotional resonance of shifting light and landscape.
'There is a silence, a presence,' she notes, 'a moment when everything changes.'
Each painting evokes a sense of place that is both familiar and elusive. Mist drifts, rain whispers and distant landforms icker between presence and memory.
'I paint the essence of each landscape sensed… In northern landscapes I become acutely aware of the passing of time – a place where light becomes sacred.'
Following a Changing Light is a contemplative, atmospheric collection that invites viewers to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the natural world. Experiencing Helen Glassford’s work in person is to step into a quiet, powerful moment.
CONTACT
Helen Glassford: Following a Changing Light 6 September – 5 October 2025
Strathearn Gallery, 32 West High Street, Crieff PH7 4DL www.strathearn-gallery.com
A guide to Scotland’s arts and entertainment
SHOW GROUND
Art Walk Porty celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, with artistic events planned throughout Portobello and Joppa. The festival provides the chance to view work by some of Scotland’s nest artists from the area, and was established by a group of artists a decade ago. This year’s theme, ShowGround, celebrates the beach entertainment era of Portobello. It runs from 4-14 September. www.artwalkporty.co.uk
RETURN TO VENICE
Glasgow based artists Bugarin + Castle (Davide Bugarin and Angel Cohn Castle) will represent Scotland at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2026. Mount Stuart Trust, based on the Isle of Bute, will curate the project. The festival in Venice celebrates visual art, architecture, cinema, dance, music and theatre around the globe. www.scotlandandvenice.com
THE GOLDEN SPURTLE
A documentary about a world famous porridge making competition in the Highlands, which premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, will be released this month. For the last three decades contenders from around the globe have descended on Carrbridge to compete for the coveted title of World Porridge Champion, with The Golden Spurtle following some of the competitors from around the world as they compete for the title. The lm will be released on 12 September. www.dogwoof.com
Opera on tour
Scottish Opera’s production of Giacomo Puccini’s heartbreaking classic, La bohème, will go on tour this autumn. Opening at Theatre Royal Glasgow, it will tour Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh. he production moves etween the ea markets of 1920s Paris and the modernday French capital, taking inspiration from the Jazz Age of Josephine Baker. www.scottishopera.org.uk
MUSIC TO MY EARS
A ute belonging to the family of Robert Burns has been restored and played for the rst time in 150 years. The rare four-keyed German ute was owned by Burns’s son, James Glencairn Burns, a talented musician. The instrument has been on display at Ellisland Museum and Farm since the 1930s but had fallen into disrepair and was previously unplayable. But thanks to a grant the ute, which is made of boxwood, has been restored. www.ellislandfarm.co.uk
ALISON MCWHIRTER ‘COLOURS OF LOVE’
6TH TO 28TH SEPTEMBER
“The only Solo Exhibition of 2025 from one of Scotland’s most gifted contemporary painters. Discover the captivating new work of Alison McWhirter as she returns to the Annan Gallery in Glasgow with her most personal and expressive collection yet.
Bold florals and striking, lyrical abstracts radiate vitality, depth, and emotion making this a true must-see exhibition.”
RECORD BREAKING
A record breaking audience attended this year’s Borders Book Festival, with ticket sales up by 11% on 2024. Crowds flocked to see the likes of Michael Palin and Iain Rankin. www.bordersbookfestival.org
RARE ARTWORKS
A private collection of rarely-seen artworks of celebrated Victorian painter John Everett Millais and his Perth-born wife Effie Gray have gone on display at Perth Art Gallery. Millais and Gray’s greatgrandson, Sir Geoffroy Millais, has lent his collection of more than 300 objects, which has remained unseen for 30 years, to the gallery. The collection offers an intimate look at the personal lives of one of Britain’s most culturally significant couples. www.culturepk.org.uk
MAGICAL PATTERNS
An exhibition of IKEA patterns has opened in Edinburgh. A total of 180 iconic patterns spanning 60 years of design are on display at Edinburgh’s Dovecot Studios. It runs until January. www.dovecotstudios.com
Nicola Sturgeon and Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie are among the headliners of this year’s Wigtown Book Festival. Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and stand-ups Helen Lederer and Robin Ince will also be heading to Galloway, as will Scots language sensation Len Pennie. The festival will be closed by Still Game star Greg Hemphill and his wife, Julie Wilson Nimmo, who is famous for playing Miss Hoolie in Balamory. The festival runs from 26 September to 5 October. www.wigtownbookfestival.com
SOLO SHOW
One of the most accomplished of the New Scottish Colourists, Alison McWhirter, is hosting a solo exhibition in Glasgow this month. The show at Annan Gallery comprises an imposing landscape painting, a group of large abstracts and a sequence of works devoted to the portrayal of speci c garden owers. The largest painting of them all is Alison’s sublime Sea View: Solway Coastline The exhibitions runs from 6-28 September. www.alisonmcwhirter.com
GRAY ON DISPLAY
Art works by the artist and writer Alasdair Gray are on display in Glasgow for the rst time. The works were given to Glasgow Life Museums a decade ago in memory of his wife, and are on show at Kelvingrove. Works on display include the original design artwork for Poor Things (his novel published in 1992), the wrap-around jacket for Old Negatives and artwork in progress for the jacket design of Agnes Owens’ People Like That. www.glasgowlife.org.uk
HAMISH MACKIE SCULPTURE
SCOTTISH FIELD COLLECTION
A round-up of this month's fine arts
THE GLASGOW GALLERY
This September, The Unlikely Clan: 'Modern Myths’ brings together five Glasgow artists exploring storytelling through contemporary myth and fresh takes on modern folklore. Featuring Cherylene Dyer, Jane Gardiner, Todd Garner, Frank McNab, and Nichol Wheatley, this bold new group exhibition opens Saturday 13 September and runs until 11 October. Tel: 0141 333 1991, www.glasgowgallery.com
SCOTLAND'S WEST COAST PAINTINGS
On the very north of the Isle of Skye looking towards Harris from Duntulm Castle on a late summer’s evening with the sea a glassy calm. Image: Skye Westwards, oil on canvas, 75 x 100cm. Tel: 07860 521634, www.charlesrandak-art.com
GEORGE PIRIE ANTIQUES
Good selection of Scottish jewellery in stock and lots of other stylish items. Follow them on Instagram for regular stock updates or drop into the Edinburgh shop for a browse. Tel: 0131 226 4800, www.georgepirieantiques.co.uk
RESIPOLE STUDIOS
Set amidst ancient oakwoods on the edge of Loch Sunart, Resipole Studios displays an incredible selection of contemporary fine art inspired by the west coast of Scotland. View artwork in the gallery and online via their website. Image: Shelducks, Portuairk by Alan B Hayman, acrylic on board, 86 x 121cm. Tel: 01967 431506, www.resipolestudios.co.uk
PENTLAND ROSS ART
Capture Scotland’s soul through majestic equine art. Where timeless Highland heritage meets contemporary passion –each brushstroke tells the untold stories of our noble companions. Authentically crafted, emotionally powerful pieces that celebrate the deep bond between horse and rider. Transform your space with artwork that speaks to the heart. Tel: 07903 843176, www.pentlandrossart.com
EION STEWART
Step into a compelling new exhibition celebrating the human figure through the eyes of Scotland's most distinctive contemporary artists, including Francis Boag, Celie Byrne, Victoria Broxton, Stuart Buchanan, Jackie Henderson and Jennifer Mackie. The Space Between Us brings together vibrant, diverse visions of presence, identity and connection. Opens 20 September. Image: Grand Canal II, by Francis Boag, 30cm x 40cm Acrylic on board. Tel: 01569 785606, www.eionstewartfineart.com
SPROSON GALLERY
A Change in the Weather. As leaves begin to turn, days shorten and seawaters become cooler, one begins to appreciate the tender warmth of the sun. Artists depict how its light scintillates. Featured artists include Bruce Graham, Elena Guillaumin, Ken Roberts and Margaret Evans, among others. Image: A Change in the Weather, by Ken Roberts, acrylic on canvas. Tel: 01334 474331, www.sprosongallery.com
AT THE SIGN OF THE PELICAN
Specialising in beautiful and historic antique Scottish furniture such as this George III mahogany linen press by Young, Trotter & Hamilton of Edinburgh. The showroom is located in an historic building in the centre of Cupar in east Fife and is open by appointment. Tel: 07487 738963, www.atthesignofthepelican.co.uk
GREENS AND BLUES
Independent fine art gallery celebrating 25 years of exhibiting art and welcoming customers. You’ll find them on the High Street in the lovely seaside town of North Berwick. Full of original oil paintings, ceramics and glassware from Scotland and beyond. A stunning and varied collection. Professional in-house framing service. Gift vouchers and mailing service available. Open seven days. Image: Cherry Blossom by Marleen Van Duyse. Tel: 01620 890666, www.greensandblues.co.uk
HOLROYD GALLERY
Featuring new work by Cara McKinnon Crawford alongside other gallery artists. Holroyd exhibits original paintings with a Scottish theme, whether it be landscape or wildlife. The gallery in North Ballachulish has a large selection of oils, watercolours and pastels.
Tel: 01855 821277, www.holroydgallery.co.uk
DOUNE PARK GALLERY
A Grand Day Out… At the Scottish Antique & Arts Centre Doune. Cafe Circa offers quality restaurant food with art on their wall space. Doune Park Gallery and picture framing workshop has a new home in a newly refurbished barn on site. They offer a professional framing and restoration service and have extended their gallery space. Tel: 01786 235855, www.douneparkgallery.co.uk www.scottish-antiques.com
GARDNERS ANTIQUES
A family-run business which has been trading from Kilbarchan (10 minutes from Glasgow Airport) since 1950. A traditional, general dealer with antiques of all kinds up to around 1940. They buy mainly privately and sell their large, single owner stock to both trade and retail. Tel: 01505 702292, www.gardnersantiques.co.uk
SPEY BANK STUDIO
High Street gallery in the centre of historic Grantown-on-Spey, showcasing paintings, photography and ceramics by artists in the Cairngorms and beyond. Collection includes work from contemporary landscape painters including Campbell Bryson, Rona Kant and Penny Godlington. Image: Lost Keys Damp Knees by Kyle Noble. Tel: 07919 091324, www.speybankstudio.co.uk
THE SCOTTISH GALLERY
We are delighted to present 60° North, the first solo exhibition by Shetlandbased artist Ruth Brownlee at The Scottish Gallery. Her work is shaped by Shetland’s ever-changing skies, tidal moods, and raw light, offering not a literal depiction but an immersive emotional response to the northernmost edge of the British Isles. Runs until 27 September. Tel: 0131 558 1200, www.scottish-gallery.co.uk
THE HOUSE OF BRUAR
Old Ruff (Grey Partridge) by Jasper Leadbeater. Dimensions: H69cm x W59cm xD7cm. A self-taught artist, Jasper Leadbeater specialises in lifelike depictions of country game, using spent shotgun cartridges. These provide a beguiling three-dimensional canvas for his work, whilst also protecting the rural environment. Tel: 01796 483236, www.houseofbruar.com
THE PERTHSHIRE GALLERY
October highlights at The Perthshire Gallery include colourful Scottish landscapes by Sarah Anderson, Rona Kant and Margaret Evans. The Perthshire Gallery opened in October 2024 and is a bright new addition to the bustling centre of Pitlochry. The gallery exhibits a carefully curated selection of paintings, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, textiles and printmaking. Tel: 01796 635044, www.perthshiregallery.com
WHITEHOUSE GALLERY
This autumn, the Whitehouse Gallery in Kirkcudbright presents two captivating exhibitions across both floors. The ground floor features striking new work by Ewan McClure, Lewis Mackenzie, and James Russell Cowper, while upstairs hosts a mixed group exhibition featuring a wealth of talented artists and makers. Discover the full line-up online. Tel: 01557 330223, www.whitehousegallery.co.uk
STRATHEARN GALLERY
Opening Saturday 11 October, Strathearn Gallery presents a major solo exhibition of new works byClaire Harkess, one of the UK’s most accomplished wildlife painters. Renowned for her innovative approach to watercolour and her profound sensitivity to wildlife and the natural world, Claire’s paintings capture nature with delicacy and detail. The full exhibition will be available to view online from Saturday 4 October. Tel: 01764 656100, www.strathearn-gallery.com
RAMSAY CORNISH
Following the recent success of the Country Sportsman, a timed auction of fishing and shooting equipment, Ramsay Cornish is now collecting for a future Sporting auction. Please contact them if you would like to consign. Valuers throughout Scotland. Tel: 0131 553 7000, www.ramsaycornish.com
MILTON ART GALLERY
Milton Art Gallery welcome ELEMENTS, an exhibition by members of the Aberdeen Artist Society Exhibition 2025, 27Sept – 26 Oct 2025. They also exhibit regular Scottish painters and contemporary makers all year. Tues –Sun, 10am – 4pm. Tel: 01330 844664, www.miltonart.com
ANNAN GALLERY
Colours of Love by Alison McWhirter opens in Annan Gallery, Glasgow from 6 to 28 September. In her only solo exhibition of 2025, this collection unveils Alison’s most personal body of work to date – a vibrant collection of bold florals and lyrical abstracts that confirm her place among the country’s most compelling painters. Image: Peonies Against Yellow Lake Deep, oil, canvas, 40x40cm, 64 Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LL. Tel: 0141 332 0028, www.annanart.com
DEFYING THE ODDS TO DEVELOP A NEW CANCER CURE
Thanks to support from Worldwide Cancer Research, Dr Laura Soucek’s groundbreaking cancer drug is now treating patients in clinical trials
When r aura Soucek first learnt about the gene during her studies, she knew that targeting it could transform cancer treatments. Over of cancer cases involve a faulty gene, so a therapy to target it has the potential to help millions of people worldwide.
In , r Soucek published a gamechanging paper showing that she d discovered a way to attack the gene. ut many scientists thought it far too complex to target. hey said the gene was undruggable and that she was wasting her time.
r Soucek trusted her gut and persevered with her mission. She moved to arcelona and opened her own cancer laboratory, becoming the first woman to lead a lab at the all d ebron Institute of Oncology.
Hope for the future
espite her determination, r Soucek was running out of money to continue her discovery research into a drug that could successfully attack the gene. She didn t want to give up and, thanks to funding from Worldwide ancer esearch in , she didn t have to.
Worldwide ancer esearch believed in this pro ect when nobody else did and supported us when we really needed it, says r Soucek. As a result of that initial funding, she s on the verge of making the impossible possible. er innovative drug, O O- , is now
so far indicate that it can successfully shrink tumours, and even halt cancer in its tracks. Promisingly, for one patient who oined the trial with a short life expectancy, their cancer was stabilised for more than two years.
hanks to Worldwide ancer esearch, and funding from gifts in Wills, r Soucek s pioneering research has the potential to save and prolong many lives in the future. And it s already giving vital hope to cancer patients and their loved ones.
The gift of time ancer survivor Irene has felt the life-changing impact of discovery research first-hand. At the age of , she received a shock breast cancer diagnosis. After urgent surgery and a course of radiotherapy, she started taking an innovative drug called tamoxifen.
Irene stayed on this treatment for five years and has remained cancer-free ever since. years on from her diagnosis, she has greatgrandchildren and is making the most of every
moment with her family.
Without pioneering research, innovative treatments like the one that saved Irene s life wouldn t exist. hat s why Irene is passionate about supporting pro ects like r Soucek s to give families more precious time together.
Worldwide Cancer Research is the only UK-based charity solely focused on funding discovery research into any type of cancer, anywhere in the world. Gifts in Wills fund a third of our vital research projects. Your gift could start a new cure, so no one has to say goodbye too soon.
Tel: 0300 777 7910
worldwidecancerresearch.org/wills
To learn more about leaving a gift in your Will:
Download your free guide at worldwidecancerresearch.org/wills Call us on 0300 777 7910
Email enquiries@worldwidecancerresearch.org
Scan the QR code
We all have our own personal reasons for supporting research into new cancer cures. For cancer survivor Irene, it’s to give families like hers more time together. With a gift in your Will to Worldwide Cancer Research, you can be the reason no life is cut short by cancer. Scan the QR code to download the guide
High days and holidays
By Morag Bootland from Roslin
Crossbasket Castle is gleaming in the sushine as I park my humble MG between a Range Rover and a Bentley at the 400-year-old fairytale castle that is now a five-star hotel. The castle was refurbished in 2016, but has recently undergone a £20 million expansion in the form of a new 40-bedroom hotel and Trocadero’s restaurant, overseen by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux, situated just a short hop from the beautiful old castle.
And it is here that I find myself in a spacious room with a distinctly art deco vibe. There’s an air of bygone glamour, which sits nicely alongside the comfort and modernity of the new hotel. This 1920s styling carries on through the reception areas and into the restaurant – think rich velvet upholstery, dark wood panelling and carefully curated lighting.
Dinner is a lively affair at Trocadero’s with live music and dancing to keep you entertained. We kick off with a glass of champers, well the restaurant’s tag line is ‘Where Champagne Flows and Anything Goes’, so it would have been rude not to. We dine on Scottish oysters, Shetland crab and perfectly pink Speyside beef. My advice is to save space for the dessert trolley (sadly we didn’t). There are also a wide array of cocktails to choose from and the helpful, friendly bar staff were great fun. At the risk of sounding overfed, we also enjoyed a fabulous afternoon tea in the old castle. It really is a grand and glorious old building and the 14 acres of grounds provide ample opportunity for wandering. Try the delectable omlette Arnold Bennett at breakfast if you have the space. A night at Crossbasket is a real treat and the perfect place for a stay filled with luxury and good old-fashioned fun.
By Donald & Liz Muir from Newburgh, Fife
After a short journey from home, we arrived at the Penthouse Apartment at Righ Residences in Edinburgh for our luxurious two night self-catering stay. We found the location to be just perfect for exploring, being located in George Street.
We loved the opulent décor but also the spaciousness of the apartment, comprising of an open-plan lounge, kitchen and dining area with two double en-suite bedrooms, plus a total of four balconies on which to sit out and enjoy the views – we particularly enjoyed the iconic view of Edinburgh Castle.
The apartment was contemporary in style with an abundance of glass, drenching the interior in sunlight. Comfortable seating in the lounge with a large flat screen TV over a log effect fire made for a great place to relax in the evening.
The kitchen provided everything for a self-catering stay, although we chose to eat out. We did enjoy our complimentary shortbread and Irn Bru – a truly Scottish touch. Tea and coffee were also provided, as well as a ‘bean to cup’ coffee machine which was a great addition to a well stocked kitchen. We also made use of the first floor lounge which provided complimentary teas and coffees while the morning pastries were just delicious.
The ‘floating’ king size bed was extremely comfortable and ensured a restful sleep. The deep bath tub in the bedroom was also a luxury that was made use of, while the fluffy towels, bathrobes, slippers and lovely scented toiletries just added to the sense of luxury.
After our stay we were both recharged and relaxed. It was just wonderful – we would definitely consider returning for another stay.
www.righ
From £628 a night
The
Church Tower The Leddie
By Gail & Adrian Clarkson from Kelso
We were welcomed by Emilia, who showed us around and provided information on places to visit during our stay, as well as the history of the church which has been converted into12 apartments, with a mix of residential and holiday rentals.
The exterior has been lovingly preserved, with no clue as to the magnificent creation that lies within. Particular attention has been paid to design and style, creating an ultra-modern contemporary interior which blends old and new. If you are looking for a unique place to stay, you won’t be disappointed.
The apartment is located on the second floor without a lift, so those with limited mobility may find access an issue. Each of the three en-suite double bedrooms has been superbly designed and finished, with feature high arched windows. We had an excellent sleep as the bed was super-comfy, with luxurious bedlinen. Each bathroom is high spec, with a walk-in shower and underfloor heating.
The second floor, which is accessed by a steel staircase, leads to an open-plan dining area, cosy sofa area and a small private balcony with amazing views. There is a snug TV area with a large sofa, where we enjoyed relaxing after a day spent exploring.
The elegant and modern Bulthaup kitchen, with high quality appliances and a luxury welcome hamper of local produce, provided us with everything we needed. You can access the Clock Tower by another steel staircase and admire the superb views.
The property is within easy walking distance of Crieff town centre, and we would recommend the Italian restaurant Delivino’s. The property is ideally situated to explore many beautiful places, and we would love to return.
Arriving in the picturesque village of Aberlady we were made to feel most welcome when checking in for our one-night stay at The Leddie. This boutique hotel has been tastefully designed with great attention to detail throughout. A comfortable lounge area with fire and large open-plan bar and dining room made for a relaxing atmosphere with the outside patio a welcome addition for warm days.
The complimentary scone and Champagne on arrival were much enjoyed especially after our walk up Byres Hill to reach the Hopetoun Monument with its further 132 steps leading us to enjoy the panoramic views of East Lothian from the top.
A spacious room with large comfortable super-king bed made for a great night’s sleep. The sofa and coffee table with latest magazine editions made it feel more like a suite than just a room and the coffee machine and homemade shortbread were a very welcome extra. The bathroom with walk-in waterfall shower and luxurious toiletries, fluffy towels, bath robe and slippers finished it off nicely.
We were treated to a delicious dinner and table served breakfast with both menus full of locally sourced ingredients and options to tempt everyone.
The friendly staff ensured our stay felt very special. It just goes to show we did not need to go far from home to find a great place to stay and one we could recommend to friends and family. East Lothian has more than just wonderful golf on offer, with an amazing coastline and beaches to walk, sightseeing, lovely towns and villages, it really is a great area to explore.
W MAIN STREET, ABERLADY, EAST LOTHIAN EH32 0RE www.theleddie. com
From £175 per night, B&B
If you are planning a short trip or getaway in Scotland you can fi d o e t el el ted co te t est u t d e e t e iews t scottishfield.co.uk
LUXURY STAYS & DAYS
Relax in style and live the high life
ATHOLL PALACE LODGES
Atholl Palace Lodges in Pitlochry offer a perfect blend of luxury and independence. Set within 50 acres of tranquil woodland, this self-catering accommodation provides modern comforts with access to the hotel’s spa, dining, and leisure facilities. Ideal for families, groups, and pet owners seeking a memorable Scottish getaway. Tel: 01796 472400,
COILLABUS
Unwind together in a lodge at Coillabus on Islay. Choose to walk for miles, visit an iconic distillery or just stay by the log burner and savour the inspiring views. Ridiculously comfortable beds, sauna, outdoor stargazing tub and a chef service all add to the luxury of your special place. You won’t want to leave. Tel: 07824 567435, www.coillabus.com
DUNGALLAN COUNTRY HOUSE
This historical 5-star boutique house overlooks Oban Bay towards Kerrera and Mull, with 11 luxury bedrooms individually designed for indulgence and relaxation. Treat yourself to the new ‘Autumn and Winter’ package. As the days get shorter and the nights get longer enjoy a two-night stay. Tel: 01631 563799, www.dungallancountryhouse.co.uk
SPEAN LODGE
More than just landscapes. Photo retreats at Spean Lodge blend immersive photography, Scottish culture, and storytelling. Learn from award-winning photojournalists, enjoy fine food, and capture unforgettable images. Relax in luxury and connect with like-minded creatives. Tel: 07779 340110, www.highlandretreats.uk
SCONE PALACE
Experience Scotland like never before with a luxury stay at Scone Palace. Located within the Palace, the Balvaird Wing blends historic grandeur with modern comfort, featuring three beautiful ensuite bedrooms, and breathtaking views over the Parklands. Perfect for a weekend getaway, sporting holiday or special occasion. Tel: 01738 552300, www.scone-palace.co.uk/stay
KIRKDALE ESTATE
A stunning coastal estate in south west Scotland with breathtaking views across the Solway. South-facing sea view holiday lodges with access to the shore are available for sale. Two beautifully situated cottages are also offered for holiday let. Tel: 07786 916596, www.kirkdaleestate.co.uk
HIGH TRODIGAL
Discover Kintyre while enjoying a luxurious stay in your own earth sheltered cottage. Light and airy with high curved ceilings, open-plan living and panoramic windows to see amazing skies and island views. Log burner, underfloor heating, spa bath, sauna, fluffy towels and dressing gowns add to your comfort. Walk on beautiful empty beaches and forest trails, head for the hills and spot Golden Eagles or visit the local bird observatory to see seals and otters. Visit a local whisky or gin distillery for a taste of Kintyre. The welcome hamper of local goodies and Champagne add the finishing touch to an unforgettable break. Tel: 01586 810305, www.hightrodigal.co.uk
LARGO LEISURE PARKS
Introducing a range of prestige holiday homes. Nestled in the stunning Largo Leisure Parksportfolio, featuring Scotland's most sought-after waterside locations, including the serene shores of Loch Tay in Perthshire and the charming coastal village of Crail in Fife. These limited-availability properties offer more than just a retreat – they promise a rare lifestyle opportunity. With prices starting from £198,451, each holiday home is thoughtfully positioned, from coveted seafront plots to tranquil lochside settings, delivering uninterrupted views and a profound connection to nature. Ownership within Largo Leisure Parks unlocks a world of refined holiday home living. From championship golf courses and scenic walking trails to private marina access and delicious local dining. Tel: 01567 820323, www.largoleisure.co.uk
FINGAL
Fingal is a luxury floating hotel permanently berthed on Edinburgh’s vibrant waterfront. A former Northern Lighthouse Board ship which has been transformed into an exquisite 22-cabin boutique hotel with all the glamour and style of a superyacht but with an old-world elegance that is completely unique. Tucked away on the top deck is The Lighthouse Restaurant – a beacon of culinary excellence with 2 AA Rosettes. From afternoon tea to dinner, each dish on the menu is meticulously prepared, bursting with flavour, created by the passionate Galley Team. Step aboard, stay awhile. Tel: 0131 555 8800, www.fingal.co.uk, www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
THE BALMORAL
The Balmoral, 1 Princes Street, where Old Town meets New, is a legendary hotel crowned by its iconic clock tower. Guests are greeted in bespoke Balmoral tartan, with Hebridean blues, heather hues, and classic Scottish art. Whisky ambassadors offer over 500 malts, making The Balmoral a heartfelt tribute to Scotland. Overlooking Edinburgh Castle, it invites indulgence in 4 AA Rosette dining, French-Scottish bistro delights, and award-winning afternoon tea. A serene spa completes the experience, all set in the city’s most majestic location, where tradition, luxury, and warm Scottish hospitality meet. Tel: 0131 556 2414 , www.roccofortehotels. com/hotels-and-resorts/the-balmoral-hotel
HILTON GLASGOW
This Glaswegian icon features stylish bedrooms, a restaurant and bar, the first Dilmah Tea lounge in the UK and a state-of-theart gym, indoor pool, sauna and experience shower. Unwind at Hilton Glasgow and create new memories. They say, ‘Paradise is anywhere you want it to be’ and there’s never been a better time to make the most of what is on your own doorstep and finally book that staycation you’ve always dreamed about. Tel: 0141 204 5555, www.hilton.com/glasgow
KNIPOCH HOUSE HOTEL
Escape to the West Coast for a luxurious two-night gourmet break at Knipoch House Hotel by Oban, available every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Relax in stylish, sea-view rooms, soak in the outdoor hot tub, and enjoy long lies followed by hearty, complimentary breakfasts each morning. On one evening, indulge in a spectacular seven-course tasting menu at 1635 – a new dining experience where Highland heritage meets contemporary cuisine. Available now until 31 March 2026 (excluding Christmas and New Year). Book your escape today. Part of the Sonas Hotels Collection. Tel: 01470 373737, www.sonascollection.com/offer/gourmet-escape-oban/
MATFEN HALL
Wild, unspoilt and alive with magic – Northumberland is the place for adventurers. And nestled in the heart of the region, historic Matfen Hall is the ideal base for the perfect family break. With tree-top adventures, family pool times and relaxed restaurants, this 300-acre estate is a 5-star haven for all ages. Northumberland National Park is on the doorstep, inviting you to explore. Walk Hadrian’s Wall, discover Hogwarts at Alnwick and storm coastal castles before returning to relax in a bespoke suite, tailor-made for your family. Tel: 01661 886500, www.matfenhall.com/family-overview
ARCHERFIELD
Surrounded by 550 beautiful acres, near North Berwick, every place to stay at Archerfield offers exceptional levels of comfort and style, from luxury self catering lodges and a cosy coastal cottage to an elegant cliff top villa. Book a single night or a week’s holiday for ten – whatever kind of stay you’re looking for, Archerfield estate offers a fabulous range of accommodation. Add a spa experience to create the perfect short break in East Lothian. Because there’s nowhere quite like Archerfield. Tel: 01620 897050, www.archerfieldhouse.com
The Lighthouse Restaurant
WELCOME ABOARD
The Lighthouse Restaurant on the top deck of Fingal is a hidden treasure on Leith’s vibrant waterfront. Afternoon Tea, sunset cocktails, seasonal menus and a first class crew. Step aboard, stay awhile.
FINGAL.CO.UK
LOCH GORM HOUSE
Loch Gorm House is a luxury five-star Gold B&B with spectacular sea views of Jura and across Loch Indaal. Recently refurbished, the guesthouse offers well-appointed accommodation that is close to all of the island’s main attractions. This peaceful and tranquil place is a perfect destination for a short or long break and an ideal location from which to explore the beautiful island of Islay. Here you can simply be. Tel: 07775 666850, www.lochgormhouse.com
THE MAJESTIC LINE PRIVATE CRUISE CHARTER
A private cruise for up to 12 people includes the boat, four crew, all meals, wine with dinner, shore trips, and a flexible itinerary – the perfect way to experience Scotland’s stunning west coast with your favourite people for a unique celebration.. Tel: 01369 707951, www.themajesticline.co.uk/private-charter
AURORA SELF CATERING
Welcome to this modern three-bedroom self-catering property in the heart of Kirkwall, Orkney. Spacious, stylish, and fully equipped with all the comforts of home, it’s the perfect base for families, couples or friends. Relax in the private hot tub after a day of exploring Orkney’s rich history, dramatic coastlines, and stunning wildlife. Inside, you’ll find contemporary furnishings, a fully fitted kitchen, and all essential amenities for a comfortable stay. Just a short walk from Kirkwall’s shops, restaurants, and harbour, this home offers convenience and comfort in equal measure. Discover Orkney your way – from a warm, welcoming place to call home. Tel: 01856 875135, www.auroraselfcateringorkney.co.uk
menus, full of bold, elegant flavours. The atmosphere is relaxed yet warm, with tasteful interiors that reflect the natural beauty outside. Just a handful of stylishly designed rooms provide peaceful stays, with plush bedding, thoughtful touches, and views across fields and woodland. Whether for a weekend escape or a memorable meal, this is a place where Fife’s quiet magic meets culinary excellence. Tel: 01337 829659, www.theboarsheadfife.co.uk
Join us for joyful Festive or Christmas day lunches and sparkling Hogmanay celebrations.
Stay in comfort at one of our hotels and turn your festive day into a magical getaway. Whether you' re here for a cosy lunch or ringing in the New Year, our hotels are the perfect place to make lasting Christmas memories.
EXPLORE SCOTLAND
Treat yourself to a wonderful day out in Scotland
R&A World Golf Museum
The R&A World Golf Museum brings golf’s past, present, and future to life with immersive displays, fascinating objects, and interactive activities for all.
To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the Museum invites you to explore Bunker Shots: Stories of Golf and Conflict . This powerful new exhibition features fascinating yet littleknown collections and inspiring testimonies around golf and conflict.
After exploring the museum, take in the stunning panoramic views from The Niblick, the rooftop restaurant and bar overlooking The Old Course, West Sands, and The R&A Clubhouse. A perfect spot to relax and reflect.
Tel: 01334 460046, www.worldgolfmuseum.com
Lose yourself in a world of wonder this autumn at The Enchanted Forest, Scotland’s multi award-winning sound and light show. A spectacular immersive art experience like no other, this family friendly event is set beneath the canopy of the beautiful Faskally Wood, near Pitlochry, in all its autumn glory.
With dazzling visuals, evocative music, storytelling, and a dreamlike atmosphere, it is the perfect centrepiece for an autumn break to Highland Perthshire. This year’s Enchanted Forest organisers are inviting visitors to explore the ethereal world of Luminara, a celebration of the unseen connections between nature and technology. www.enchantedforest.org.uk
Discover inspiring stories of Antarctic exploration and bravery as you walk in the footsteps of Captain Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton aboard the Royal Research Ship Discovery; built in 1901, designed for adventure.
Explore life above and below deck, and get up close to this historic ship as you’ve never seen it before, to see traditional ship repairs in action. What stories from the ship’s timbers will you uncover?
In Discovery Point, see over 100 unique Polar artefacts - including the Shackleton Hope Cross - in 10 galleries, and be transported to 1901 Dundee in the Discovery Dome. Adventure awaits in Dundee!
Tel: 01382 309060, www.dundeeheritagetrust.co.uk
e Enchanted Forest
Discovery Point
Whether it’s business or pleasure that takes you to Orkney, Aurora will feel like a home from home.
Located within walking distance of Kirkwall’s main attractions.
Beautiful, modern 3 bedroom house with luxury Hot Tub in Kirkwall.
SHETLAND TOURS & HOLIDAYS
The house has been recently restored to a very high standard and commands stunning views across the bay towards Bowmore. All of the rooms are finished to an extremely high standard. This peaceful and tranquil place is a perfect destination for a short or long break and an ideal location from which to explore the beautiful island of Islay. Evening meals are available by special arrangement. Drying facilities are available. Wellies, coats and beach towels are available for free.
Enjoy light and airy rooms with high beamed ceilings, open plan living and panoramic windows to see stunning skies and island views. Log burner, underfloor heating, spa bath, sauna, fluffy towels and dressing gowns. Walk (or swim) on beautiful beaches, head for the hills and spot Golden Eagles or call in to the local bird observatory to spot seals and otters. Visit a local whisky/gin distillery for a taste of Kintyre. Explore nearby Campbeltown with its fantastic independent shops. The welcome hamper of local goodies and Champagne add the finishing touch to an unforgettable break.
Contact Mike and Linda Peacock on 01586 810305 www.hightrodigal.co.uk
Dungallan Country House
LUXURY COUNTRY GUEST HOUSE AT THE GATEWAY TO THE ISLES
There are places that whisper to your soul before you even arrive. Places where the view slows your breath, the air carries centuries of stories, and every detail invites you to simply exhale.
Dungallan Country House, perched gracefully above the tranquil waters of Oban Bay, is a retreat of rare beauty and stillness, where time seems to gently pause.
Explore the ancestral home of the Earls of Strathmore & Kinghorne, where Queen Elizabeth e Queen Mother spent her childhood and HRH e Princess Margaret was born.
Explore the ancestral home of the Earls of Strathmore & Kinghorne, where Queen Elizabeth e Queen Mother spent her childhood and HRH e Princess Margaret was born.
Explore the ancestral home of the Earls of Strathmore & Kinghorne, where Queen Elizabeth e Queen Mother spent her childhood and HRH e Princess Margaret was born.
Explore the ancestral home of the Earls of Strathmore & Kinghorne, where Queen Elizabeth e Queen Mother spent her childhood and HRH e Princess Margaret was born. E: Enquiries@glamis-castle.co.uk T:
Enquiries@glamis-castle.co.uk
HSPEAN LODGE
ighland Retreats believe a photography workshop in the Highlands is about more than stunning landscapes. It’s about immersing you (and your camera) in vibrant Scottish culture, set against magical backdrops. If you want to create images worthy of your walls, enjoy real-time tuition in the field and lounge, indulge in ex uisite food, and listen to spellbinding tales from two award-winning photojournalists, then look no further. elax, laugh, and connect with like-minded creatives in a luxurious, historic setting. Your perfect escape awaits.
GLASGOW
BALVAIRD WING AT SCONE PALACE
Enjoy a luxurious retreat where timeless elegance, rich history, and Scottish charm come together for an unforgettable stay.
Luxury cedar three bedroom holiday lodges offered for sale. Final two out of eight plots remaining on exclusive coastal development. Each lodge benefits from outstanding uninterrupted sea views, glass fronted balconies and fibre wi-fi. Kirkdale Estate is superbly located in the area of Galloway designated a UNESCO Biosphere, meaning it is internationally recognised as a world class environment for people and nature. The majestic Galloway Forest Park is also on the doorstep offering world class biking, walking, Gold Tier dark skies and beautiful scenery. For further information or to request a brochure please visit www.kirkdaleestate.co.uk or call 07786 916 596
Exceptional 5-Star Self-Catering Retreats
Whether you’re a couple or a group of twelve, you’ll find homes with luxurious touches like private hot tubs, saunas, gardens, and games rooms. Plus, many are pet-friendly!
OF TAYMOUTH
SThe home of luxury lodges Visit us at www.taymouth.co.uk, E-mail us at info@taymouth.co.uk or
Mains of Taymouth, Kenmore, near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, PH15 2HN
MAINS OF TAYMOUTH COUNTRY ESTATE & GOLF COURSE
et on the Eastern end of Loch Tay, just a stones throw from the charming village of Kenmore, Mains of Taymouth Country Estate is a hidden gem offering the ultimate in Scottish luxury. Set within a private estate, this 5-star retreat blends breathtaking Highland scenery with impeccable comfort and elegance.
Perfect for those seeking a romantic hideaway, a family gathering or a serene escape with friends, Mains of Taymouth offers a stunning selection of award-winning self-catering accommodation. From chic apartments and cosy cottages to grand houses with hot tubs. Each property is thoughtfully designed to the highest standards, combining traditional character with contemporary air.
The estate also features an excellent restaurant and delicatessen, gift shop and 9-hole golf course, making it a destination in its own right. For those who crave outdoor adventure, Loch Tay and the surrounding hills offer a wealth of activities, from paddleboarding and fishing to walking and cycling trails.
Whether you are looking to bask in the beauty of the Loch, en oy a wee dram by a log fire, or indulge in delicious food and fine wine after a day exploring the Highlands, Mains of Taymouth is the perfect place for a truly luxurious break in Scotland.
To book your next luxury escape, or to enquire about owning your own slice of paradise, call 01887 830226 or visit www.taymouth.co.uk
RARE OPPORTUNITY
Waterside Holiday Living in Scotland
Discover exceptional holiday homes in Scotland’s prime waterside locations, such as Loch Tay and Crail.
Starting from £198,451, these limited-availability properties offer stunning views and a deep connection to nature.
Ownership at Largo Leisure Parks provides access to luxury living. It’s more than just a holiday home, it’s a unique lifestyle opportunity.
Bed Luxury Lodge at Loch Tay Highland Lodges
Coastal views at Sauchope Links Holiday Park
Kilcamb Lodge
The Ship Inn
Overlooking the Harbour, The Ship Inn offers a great variety of quality food and drink.
With eleven bedrooms, most with views of the harbour, The Ship Inn is an excellent choice for your stay in Stonehaven.
Only 20 minutes from Aberdeen, Stonehaven is the gateway to Royal Deeside.
Built in 1771, this historical and award winning hotel has so much to offer.
Scotland's Most Romantic Country House Hotel
If you’re after a Highland holiday to eclipse all others, then the Glencoe to Mallaig road is the stuff of legends at any time of year. After a dramatic drive through Glencoe, Kilcamb Lodge makes the perfect stopping point. Here you can stay in luxury, enjoying fine dining in our 3 AA Rosette restaurant or take a walk along the shoreline of Loch Sunart. We might even suggest staying another night or two here or more,
as by doing so you can also fit in a dramatic drive across a vast volcano basin to Sanna Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland, or perhaps visit the most westerly point in UK mainland Britain, the Ardnamurchan Lighthouse. You might also get a chance to explore atmospheric ruins of Castle Tioram. Kilcamb Lodge is a multi-award winning country house hotel surrounded by 18 acres of natural private meadow, mountains and
woodland. With luxurious en-suite accommodation, it’s undoubtedly one of the finest places to stay on the West Coast of Scotland. This unspoiled location in the Scottish Highlands is a real hidden gem you’ll want to return to time after time. Kilcamb Lodge is as special as the area - think exquisite food, a relaxed ambience, great service and a chance to chill out in style with a magical backdrop to look out on. .. then onto Mallaig, Skye or Mull for the next leg of your adventure!
The Polchar - idyllic country retreat just outside Aviemore in the Rothiemurchus Estate. This 5 bedroom Gamekeepers cottage is perfect for relaxing with your family.
Web: polchar-aviemore.com
Email: team@amore-property.com
Tel: Seonaid on (07557 192885)
Quote ScotField10 for a 10% discount
Georgian Gem in the New Town - Immaculate double upper combines original Georgian splendor with a luxurious modern living feel. Tastefully renovated to offer the amenities of modern luxury, set in the refines of Georgian Edinburgh at its best.
Web: amore-stay.com
Email: team@amore-property.com
Tel: Seonaid on (07557 192885)
EDINBURGH
Quote ScotField10 for a 10% discount
Rock House is a historic gem in the heart of Edinburgh. From its secluded position at the foot of Calton Hill, it has an elevated terrace which has wonderful panoramic views over the sites of the City.
Web: rockhouse-edinburgh.com
Email: team@amore-property.com
Tel: Seonaid on (07557 192885)
Quote ScotField10 for a 10% discount
For bookings contact Boat of Garten Holiday Park on 01479 831652 or info@boatofgartenholidaypark.com and ask Kyloe Holiday Lodges Facebook or
Super Central Double Upper with Castle Views - Beautifully presented 2-floor apartment combines original Georgian splendor with all the comforts of a modern home. Built in 1792 for Lord Cranstoun, an accomplished Royal Navy officer, this spacious 3 bedroom property is the perfect base from which to explore Edinburgh.
Web: amore-stay.com
Email: team@amore-property.com
Tel: Seonaid on (07557 192885)
Quote ScotField10 for a 10% discount
St Andrews townhouses to romantic coastal retreats Fife Cottages have something to suit everyone.
us at fifecottages.co.uk or call Davidor Emma on 01334 208330
cottages which renovated, with all comforts. from Skara Brae sandy Bay of Skaill.
Year stays available.
378917
info@orkney-accommodation.co.uk
Adding to our two existing self catering properties, our newest cottage “Hooveth” is now ready for booking. Great location just over a mile from Skara Brae and the Bay of Skaill.
mob: 07753 378 917
info@orkney-accommodation.co.uk
www.orkney-accommodation.co.uk
www.orkney-accommodation.co.uk renovated, with all comforts. from Skara Brae sandy Bay of Skaill. Year stays available. 378917
is now ready for booking. Great location just over a mile from Skara Brae and the Bay of Skaill. 378917 info@orkney-accommodation.co.uk
Aurora Self Catering Upper Crantit Road Kirkwall, Orkney Isles KW15 1RW www.auroraorkney.co.uk info@auroraorkney.co.uk 07749 941 679 Beautiful, modern 3 bedroom house with luxury Hot Tub in Kirkwall www.presenttents.co.uk info@presenttents.co.uk
T have been totally renovated, with all modern comforts.
Two traditional Orkney cottages which have been totally renovated, with all modern comforts.
T have been totally renovated, with all modern comforts.
Two traditional Orkney cottages which have been totally renovated, with all modern comforts.
Situated just over a mile from Skara Brae and the beautiful sandy Bay of Skaill.
Situated just over a mile from Skara Brae and the beautiful sandy Bay of Skaill. Christmas and New Year stays available.
Situated just over a mile from Skara Brae and the beautiful sandy Bay of Skaill. Christmas and New Year stays available.
Situated just over a mile from Skara Brae and the beautiful sandy Bay of Skaill.
Christmas and New Year stays available. Tel: 07753 378917
Christmas and New Year stays available. Tel: 07753 378917
The Persistent Imagination Garden, recently developed, is an eclectic mixture of natural stone structures and
in the 1960’s by Percy Cane, slopes down past mixed borders towards the river Teviot.
Open 1st April - 31st October 12noon to 5pm (closed 4pm) www.monteviot.com
Photo:
Neville
Family comes first, and having a Will in place provides invaluable peace of mind for you and your family.
Many ABF supporters feel an enormous sense of pride in leaving a lasting legacy for those who have served their country.
We are the Army’s national charity. Since 1944 we have been here to support soldiers, former soldiers and their families in times of need.
With no government funding, we rely on the gifts we receive from Wills to support more than a third of our work.
armybenevolentfund.org/gifts-in-wills
Alternatively please contact Emma Hamilton, Gifts in Wills Manager, on 020 7901 8909 or ehamilton@armybenevolentfund.org
Independent Schools
SCOTLAND’S INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
With over 90 independent schools located all over Scotland's diverse landscape, there is bound to be a place to suit every child's indivdual needs, to cultivate good learning practices that they can take with them into the future and to turn their passions into well-rounded hobbies and skills for the future.
With the privilege of designing their own curriculums, each independent school has their own objectives and follows their own trajectory with the common goal of encouraging their pupils to grow into responsible, dynamic and successful members of society.
here is little doubt that finding the right environment for your child, in a place where they can truly ourish and develop their talents and interests can help open doors to their future. In these supportive, diverse and constructive environments, pupils of all abilities are given the reinforcement and confidence to
succeed both in their academic and extra-curricular achievements.
In this ever-growing digital age, it’s fundamental that children are given the tools to keep up with evolving technology while also being given access to creative opportunities. Empowering your child with the capability to embrace the future is a skillset on its own, but many of Scotland's independent schools have the added bonus of nurturing these interests and aptitudes and growing them into a talent.
Whether your child is an adventurer, artist, science enthusiast, mathematician, thespian, aspiring athlete, technophile or is just on the road of self-discovery, each school takes a holistic approach to education, ensuring that their pupils are not only encouraged to excel academically but also grow their individuality and foster personal interests.
Not every child learns in the same way or has the same interests, but each child can be given the privilege of a curriculum and school that best suits their current skills and goals while nurturing new ones as they continue to grow and learn. Individualised care, as well as teaching, is of great import across the board and is vital in order that all children are known and heard.
In the modern world resilience has become somewhat of a buzzword, but this is a skill that cannot be underestimated and its importance has become more and more valued. Scotland's independent schools recognise this and for many it has become a cornerstone of their ethos.
With the abudance of Scotland s independent schools, finding the right one will help ensure that your child is ready to embrace an enriching school career for a rewarding future.
SARDVRECK SCHOOL
et in the stunning Perthshire hills, Ardvreck School offers a magical blend of academic ambition, outdoor adventure and individualised care for children aged 3-13. Recently named Tatler ’s Best Prep School 2025 and shortlisted for Best Small Independent School 2025 by Independent School Parent, Ardvreck continues to shine as a school where children thrive in every sense. From eography lessons by the river to rama on stage, their pupils develop confidence, curiosity and character in e ual measure. Whether boarding or day, every child is known, nurtured and celebrated. Discover a school where childhood is truly cherished.
Tel: 01764 653112, www.ardvreckschool.co.uk
AYSGARTH SCHOOL
The Aysgarth boarding advantage
At Aysgarth, they believe in extending childhood. At Aysgarth, children have the freedom to be themselves – outdoors, unplugged, and unhurried.
Boarding is at the heart of the school and the foundation of an extended childhood. With 85% of Aysgarth pupils boarding and over 100 staying most weekends, this vibrant community is a place where children grow in independence, character, and confidence. Skills that prepare them for leading senior schools and life beyond.
Aysgarth’s approach to boarding is traditional in its values but thoroughly modern in its pastoral care. They offer a structured yet nurturing environment, where staff become house parents after the school day ends, and ‘free time’ is genuinely
restorative. Classrooms are for learning, boarding houses are for living. This clear rhythm builds security and belonging, and it is this warm familiarity that allows children to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.
The school’s ‘Boarding Life = Life Skills’ approach makes boarding synonymous with personal development. Pupils build time management, independent learning habits, and self-motivation, which are the skills expected at top senior schools. Whether it’s making a bed, solving a social dilemma, or learning to plan their evening, Aysgarth boarders become resourceful, articulate, and confident in the world around them.
Aysgarth’s girls’ boarding is growing into a thriving community, one where friendships are forged over movie nights, creative activities, and shared experiences. Parents have responded warmly to the boarding experience that the school now offers their daughters, confident that Aysgarth provides an immersive, nature-rich environment far from the stressors of social media.
For boys and girls, boarding continues to shape habits of success one evening at a time. With over 60 evening activities, as well as unstructured time to explore interests,
children are given the time and opportunity to find their passions.
In a sector where junior boarding is facing real challenges, Aysgarth is not just bucking the trend; they’re thriving. Why? Because their boarders leave confident, grounded, and independent. Visit any top senior school in the and you ll find an Old Aysgarthian holding a position of responsibility.
It’s no surprise, then, that Rugby School invited them to join the Rugby School Group. his partnership not only affirms the strength of what they ve built but also brings significant financial security and long-term strategic benefits. With ugby School s support, Aysgarth’s boarding provision, already a cornerstone of their success, can only go from strength to strength.
At Aysgarth, boarding is not just a place to sleep, it’s a place to grow. And those who board leave not only ready for the next step, but thoroughly prepared.
With an outstanding record of success, including a clear pathway to Rugby School, Aysgarth provide the foundation for confident, capable futures.
CONTACT
Arrange an individual visit or attend an Open Day: Prep - Saturday 11 October, Pre-Prep - Friday 7 November. Tel: 01677 451021, WhatsApp: 07512 317842, Email: admissions@aysgarthschool.co.uk www.aysgarthschool.com
BELHAVEN HILL SCHOOL
Founded in 1923, Belhaven Hill School, known simply as ‘Belhaven’, is currently in its 102nd year. Belhaven is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school for children aged 4–13 set in an idyllic location on the East Lothian coastline, overlooking the breathtaking Belhaven Bay and iconic Bass Rock
With its core values of Courage, Creativity and Courtesy, Belhaven aims to instil in its children the confidence to have a go , to think outside the box and to contribute to the world around them with an attitude of humility and empathy. In a school set up for boarding and day pupils, they have the enormous twin benefi ts of time and pastoral
expertise. When these combine with enthusiastic children in a beautiful setting, there is no limit to what can be achieved.
By bringing together the very best aspects of over a century of experience with a progressive attitude towards the opportunities presented by technological progress, the School aims to develop a mindset and a skillset that foster a love of learning and encourage children to embrace the challenges of the 21st century.
Belhaven continues to develop accordingly, with a Reception class launched in April 2025, a state-of-the-art Digital Makerspace set to open in September 2025 and planning permission for an environmentally-friendly pool enclosure, to enable year-round swimming, recently granted.
The School looks forward to welcoming their highest ever intake on 4 September 2025 and would like to invite you to Open Mornings on Saturday 27 September 2025 and 28 February 2026.
CONTACT
You can visit the school anytime by appointment. Please contact Registrar, Olivia Reynolds on: admissions@ belhavenhill.com or Tel: 01368 658510. www.belhavenhill.com
WE DON’T JUST MEET EXPECTATIONS. WE SET THEM.
At Cargilfield, we’ve been inspiring young minds for over a century and a half — and we’re just ge ing started.
Recognised nationally and rated Outstanding in our latest inspection, Cargilfield continues to lead the way in junior education.
As Scotland’s leading prep school, we offer more than just an education: we offer a launchpad for life.
Contact: Registrar, Fiona Craig on 0131-336 2207 or email registrar@cargilfield.com
www.cargilfield.com
CARGILFIELD
Discover Cargilfield – perhaps the happiest school you’ll ever visit!
As Scotland s first prep school, argilfield has proudly delivered years of educational excellence. oday, they remain one of the country s most dynamic and successful unior schools, where children thrive in a vibrant, nurturing environment.
What makes Cargilfield truly exceptional? ated Outstanding for Achievement in their latest inspection, they re nationally recognised for academic excellence. hey offer specialist teaching, daily sports sessions, and a packed co-curricular programme. Pupils en oy unrivalled opportunities on the stunning campus in arnton, Edinburgh.
Unrivalled energy and opportunity argilfield know every child. hey champion every talent. Whether it s debating or drama, skiing or science, hockey, or y-tying, they nurture confidence, creativity, and curiosity in everything they do.
Wraparound c are argilfield offers wraparound care for ages to , as well as a longer day for all children aged to . Pupils can choose to take part in extra-curricular clubs and activities up until . pm each day or even
oin up for exi or weekly boarding. School bus services are available from across Edinburgh, idlothian, Perth, inross and Fife.
Ready to discover what makes Cargilfield so special?
ook a visit, meet the inspiring staff and pupils, and experience the energy, warmth, and excellence that define argilfield.
CONTACT
Visit www.cargilfield.com call 0131 336 2207 or email registrar@cargilfield.com to arrange your personal tour.
Craigclowan School & Nursery
Craigclowan provides an outstanding day school education to boys and girls aged 3 13. During their vital, formative years we are determined that their educational journey be one of discovery and joy.
To arrange a tour on a date to suit you, please contact admissions: 01738 230 555 or registrar@craigclowan-school.co.uk
Craigclowan is a special place for boys and girls aged to learn, grow and be happy. Set in stunning grounds with magnificent views over the Fair ity and iver ay, the school has a distinguished history and a reputation for the highest standards and expectations.
raigclowan offers a rich and varied experience for every pupil and the staff know the vital importance of fostering outstanding relationships with the children. It is these relationships which will help them interpret their experience and make the incremental steps re uired to develop into interested, resilient and kind young people. he school aims to make the most of the world outside the classroom through a wide range of outdoor activities that build confidence and resilience, encourage creativity and problem solving and ensure rosy cheeks and muddy boots. Welly boots and waterproofs are a must raigclowan s children stay children for longer but, when it comes to moving on to senior school, pupils go on to attend a wide variety of top schools, both north and south of the border, many with scholarships under their belts.
School is a hive of activity from - , with a familyfriendly wraparound care programme before and after lessons. he school minibus eet collects children from across the region and raigclowan s ever-popular holiday camps operate throughout the year. rant funding is available for nursery pupils setting out on their raigclowan adventure.
Why not visit and find out what a raigclowan education has to offer to your family ou will be assured of a very warm welcome and will find a school in a stunning location with tremendous spirit.
CONTACT
Craigclowan School, Edinburgh Road, Perth PH2 8PS
To arrange a tour call 01738 230555 or email: registrar@ craigclowan-school.co.uk. www.craigclowan-school.co.uk
DOLLAR ACADEMY
Dollar Academy is a multi-award winning school, with a strong record of sending pupils to top universities in the UK and the US (Harvard, Stanford, Columbia and NYU since 2022). The school offers the widest range of academic subjects in Scotland, complimented by over 120 co-curricular activities. It has an excellent reputation for sport, music and art in particular, and partners with Gleneagles to offer an exceptional Golf Programme at their PGA Academy. A Triathlon Programme is the latest sports offering – led by one of the UK’s leading long-distance triathletes and adventure racers, the programme makes the most of the beautiful landscape surrounding the school.
Around 100 boys and girls live in three small family-style boarding houses located on Dollar’s stunning 70-acre campus at the foot of the Ochil Hills. Tutors help with homework and excellent social, sport and leisure facilities are available for pupils to use. One great advantage of boarding at Dollar is that there are several hundred day pupils living locally, so boarders have a wide circle of friends, both in and out of the boarding house.
The Care Inspectorate has described the school as having a sector-leading standard of care - this is a successful school filled with happy and very active children.
‘All boarding houses were relaxed, warm and homely…there was an inspiring, supportive, and empowering culture within the school.’The Care Inspectorate, 2023
To
visit
Discover an IB Education at Fairview International School, Bridge of Allan
We’re proud to be Scotland’s first authorised International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum School, offering an uninterrupted passage through a comprehensive educational programme for students aged 5 -18 years.
To arrange a taster day or a personal tour, contact the admissions team at 01786231952 or admissions@fairviewinternational.uk
52 Kenilworth Road, Bridge of Allan, FK9 4RY fairviewinternational.uk
STUDENTS ACHIEVED ABOVE GLOBAL AVERAGE IN 9 OF 14 SUBJECTS
INTEGRATED HUMANITIES
100% PASS RATE, 8 STUDENTS SCORING 6+
SCIENCE
100% PASS RATE ACROSS 3 SUBJECTS; WITH MOST CHEMISTRY STUDENTS SCORING 6 (2 points above global average)
MATHS TWO STUDENTS SCORED 7; FOUR SCORED 6 (vs world average of 4)
FAIRVIEW INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Discover IB education at Fairview International School, Bridge of Allan
Fairview International School based in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire is the first school in Scotland to offer an uninterrupted International Baccalaureate (IB) education. The school offers a holistic educational experience for students aged 5-18 delivered through its Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes
As the school proudly celebrates the graduation of its first-ever International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) cohort this summer, its 2024-2025 Middle Years Programme (MYP) students have also delivered an exceptional set of results.
This standout year group outperformed global averages in 9 out of 14 subjects, showcasing the strength of the school’s IB teaching approach. In Integrated Humanities, half the class scored two points above the worldwide average, highlighting both academic ability and critical thinking.
Success continued across the sciences, with every student passing all three science subjects. In chemistry, the majority earned a grade 6, two points above the global average. Mathematics also saw impressive outcomes, with two students achieving the top grade of 7 and four scoring 6s, compared to the global average of just 4.
Fairview is passionate about offering a world class education to its students, with those who study in the IB more likely to go on and study at the UK’s top universities.
Fairview International School is inviting prospective students and their families to attend its next Open Day taking place on Saturday 20 September between 10am and 1pm.
CONTACT
Those interested in attending are asked to register their interest by emailing admissions@fairviewinternational.uk www.fairviewinternational.uk
Source: 2024-2025 Middle Years Programme (MYP) results
INCRED INCRED IB IB LE LE OPPORTUNTIES OPPORTUNTIES
AWAIT YOUR AWAIT YOUR CHILD CHILD
We offer two International Baccalaureate (IB) qualifications; globally recognised and world-class preparation for university, careers and life.
Included in Sunday Times’ 'Top 30 Independent Schools for the IB in the UK.'
Our boarding house received an "outstanding" evaluation from the Care Inspectorate www.lomondschool.com/boardingatlomond
LOMOND SCHOOL
Lomond School prepares pupils for their future by ensuring that they learn the skills necessary to be successful in the 21st century, whilst developing the traditional values and qualities they require to be responsible and active global citizens. Situated in Helensburgh, on the edge of Loch Lomond, Lomond School provides a perfect setting to deliver a rounded education which inspires both academic and personal achievement.
The superb location and facilities at their co-educational boarding house, urnbrae, provide plenty of opportunities for adventure. omond School recently received an excellent rating from the are Inspectorate, establishing them as a sector leader.
CONTACT
Tel: 01436 672476, www.lomondschool.com
Courage to succeed Freedom to flourish
At St George’s, we get your daughter. Really get her. We see her spark, fuel her fire then back her all the way.
Intimate class sizes
Full and flexible curriculum
Nursery to Sixth Form
OPEN DAYS
4 & 7 OCTOBER stge.org.uk
Empowering all-girls experience
Register here
ST GEORGE’S SCHOOL
Edinburgh’s only all-through independent school for girls aged 3 to 18
St George’s offers an empowering all-girls education. They nurture independently minded, fearless young women ready to step boldly into their future.
St George’s girls discover their passions, develop unshakeable confidence and ourish as individuals. Their community thrives on compassion, respect and strong relationships between pupils and teachers. Intimate class sizes guarantee every girl is known, heard and supported. The wideranging curriculum prioritises choice and exibility, including extensive S E opportunities. onsistently excellent academic outcomes are complemented by rich opportunities in sport, arts, leadership and co-curricular life, preparing all girls to succeed.
In , secured first-choice universities. oarding, including ad-hoc and exi, provides a home from home for up to girls aged 10-18. Scholarships: academics, art, music and sport from S1 (12+).
CONTACT
Join St George’s Open Days: 4 & 7 October 2025. Book online at www.stge.org.uk
Come and see how we can be a perfect fit for all your family
Search for Lomond School on Facebook to see what we’re doing today
FETTES COLLEGE
Aim high and give back
Winning the Youth Class in the prestigious 2025 Scottish Islands Peak Race (SIPR) –and reaching an impressive 15th place overall – was a highlight of a busy and successful summer term for students and staff at Fettes.
he SIP , first held in , combines offshore sailing with mountain running, and draws competitors from around the world. The Youth Class offers a unique opportunity for young people to push themselves in one of the UK’s most challenging adventure races. In a test of resilience, stamina and teamwork, and led by skipper Roger Pim aboard the yacht Luskentyre, Team Fettes sailed over 160 nautical miles from Oban then ran up
and down mountains on the islands of Mull, Jura and Arran, totalling almost 60 miles, before crossing the finish line in roon.
Taking part in the SIPR is one of the many opportunities offered to students as part of the Fettes holistic education and extensive co-curricular programme of societies, activities and events. From fashion design upcycling to astronomy there is something for every student to participate in, to explore their potential, to develop their skills and talents, or to simply try something new and help others.
As well as winning SIPR, Fettes also celebrates national/global recognition of student achievements including a range of sporting successes, winning 15 national titles in the last two years. Other opportunities include the Fettes Pipe Band, showcasing Scottish heritage on a global stage.
Following a spectacular Beating Retreat at Edinburgh Castle when one student gave a solo performance on the iconic ramparts, the Fettes College Pipe Band again took centre stage at the Palace of Holyrood House, where a student performed solo from the roof of the Palace – a once in a lifetime opportunity! All this followed the Pipe Band’s participation in this year’s Tartan Day Parade in New York.
A world-class co-educational full boarding and day school - yrs , Fettes
is housed in a stunning turreted building on a 100-acre woodland campus close to the heart of the cultural city of Edinburgh, offering all the advantages of a city school with the privacy and space of a rural setting.
Holder of The Sunday Times School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2025 (GCSE/A Level) and the Top IB School in Scotland and a Top Ten IB school in the UK, Fettes follows the GCSE curriculum and offers the dual pathway of A Level and the International Baccalaureate (IB) in Sixth Form.
The Fettes journey now commences from fi ve years old, with the launch of the Pre-Prep within the Prep School, described by The Sunday Times as ‘The school that puts kindness at the core of its curriculum.’ One of the inaugural class joining Pre-Prep is Ottilie. eing the first at Fettes runs in her family, as Otti’s Grandma was the first girl to attend Fettes when it became co-educational over 50 years ago.
Curiosity, creativity, and kindness - Fettes’ values and opportunities ensure students aim high whilst understanding what it means to be a good person and give back.
CONTACT
Email: admissions@fettes.com
Tel: 0131 311 6744, www.fettes.com
GLENALMOND COLLEGE
Tradition, innovation and ambition in the heart of Perthshire
Nestled in the rolling hills of Perthshire, Glenalmond College is a prestigious co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 12 to 18. Just an hour from both Edinburgh and Glasgow, its glorious 300-acre campus is surrounded by a breathtaking landscape of mountains, glens, lochs and rivers, creating an inspirational and safe setting in which young people can learn, grow and thrive.
The College’s six boarding houses each offer a warm, family atmosphere, a true home from home, each with their own unique identity and strong sense of community. These houses are central to the Glenalmond experience, fostering friendships, camaraderie and a spirit of belonging that lasts a lifetime.
Outdoor learning and adventure are woven into the fabric of school life. From Munro climbs and wild camping to kayaking and orienteering, pupils are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones and embrace experiences that build resilience, independence and a love of the natural world. Glenalmond’s outdoor education programme is one of the most comprehensive in the sector, led by a team of specialists who inspire pupils to discover their potential.
Academically, Glenalmond offers a broad and challenging curriculum, preparing pupils for success at leading universities worldwide, including Oxford, Edinburgh, St Andrews,
Durham and Exeter. The College’s extensive co-curricular programme ensures that learning extends far beyond the classroom, with opportunities in sport, music, art, drama, and a remarkable range of clubs and societies from mountain-biking and archery, to debating and engineering.
For more than 175 years, Glenalmond has held true to its founding purpose: to develop fine human beings and responsible citi ens ready to make a positive impact in the world. his commitment is re ected in the ollege s ethos of high expectations, mutual respect, and strong community spirit.
The College recently welcomed its new Warden, Mrs Lucy Elphinstone, an experienced Headmistress with a deep commitment to nurturing both academic excellence and personal character. Mrs Elphinstone’s vision for Glenalmond is
rooted in the school’s proud heritage while embracing innovation and opportunity for every pupil.
One of the most exciting developments in Glenalmond’s recent history is its new partnership with 35 Education, an international education group with a shared ambition for academic excellence and personal growth. This collaboration will open up fresh opportunities for pupils, expand global connections, and strengthen the College’s position as one of the UK’s leading independent schools.
The blend of tradition and innovation, community and ambition, is what makes Glenalmond truly distinctive. Whether in the classroom, on the sports field, on stage, or in the great outdoors, pupils are encouraged to aim high, embrace challenges, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
CONTACT
Discover everything Glenalmond has to offer by visiting. The next Open Day is on Saturday 20 September 2025. For further information, contact the Admissions Team at registrar@glenalmondcollege.co.uk, call 01738 842000 or visit www.glenalmondcollege.co.uk
Loretto’s commitment is to support your child to create their exceptional life, whatever that means for them. As Scotland’s oldest boarding school, they deliver a rounded curriculum in all of the ways you might expect – through their diverse curriculum, expansive extracurricular programme, and outstanding facilities.
However, what sets Loretto apart is the close-knit community. Loretto is a place where relationships between staff, pupils, and parents ourish, where every child is known and nurtured, and where your child will find both the inspiration and encouragement they need to discover their unique talents and passions.
The British examination system of GCSEs, A Levels, and BTECs is followed, with cohorts consistently achieving excellent results. Small class sizes ensure the delivery of an exceptional education, enabling truly personalised learning and support. The foundations for a lifetime of success are laid at Loretto, with each individual moving on to exciting and varied pathways after school.
Beyond the classroom, an extracurricular programme of over 70 activities – ranging from astrophysics to psychopathology – enables pupils to expand their horizons, develop and discover talents, and enhance their skills for life.
orettonians also benefi t from a comprehensive sports programme, which includes access to the first olf Academy established within an independent school. The Loretto Golf Academy continues to set the standard for excellence in golf education, offering three distinct training programmes, catering to enthusiastic beginners to aspiring professionals. Expert P A coaches deliver firstclass instruction within outstanding on-campus facilities. Loretto’s prime location on Scotland’s Golf Coast provides pupils with regular match play on some of the country s finest courses, as well as opportunities to compete internationally.
Whether a day pupil or boarder, all pupils are allocated to one of fi ve houses a place to socialise, study, and call home whilst at school. Dedicated staff foster a warm and supportive environment, ensuring each child receives the care required to thrive.
At Loretto, pupils are happy, safe, and able to achieve their potential. We encourage pupils to develop curious and creative minds, meaning Lorettonians leave school ready to take on an ever-changing world.
Ultimately, to really understand what makes Loretto so special, you have to experience the school in person.
CONTACT
To register for an upcoming September Open Event, or to arrange a visit at an alternative time, contact the Admissions Team on 0131 653 4455 or admissions@loretto. com, www.loretto.com
Junior School Open Afternoon: Friday 19 September
Senior School Open Morning: Saturday 27 September
JSat 4 October 2025
merchiston.co.uk | admissions@merchiston.co.uk
MERCHISTON CASTLE SCHOOL & THE FOREST AT MERCHISTON
Inspiring potential from the very start
ust a stone’s throw from the heart of Edinburgh, set within 100 acres of serene parkland, Merchiston Castle School offers more than just academic excellence—it’s a place where wellbeing is at the heart of everything they do
They believe that young people thrive when they feel known, valued, and supported. Their smaller, close-knit community allows them to truly understand each student—not just their academic goals, but their personalities, passions, and challenges. Through meaningful relationships and daily connection, they ensure that every child has the confidence and resilience to reach their full potential.
A year after opening its doors, The Forest at Merchiston, a coeducational Nursery and Junior School for boys and girls aged 3 to 9, continues to grow and thrive. Designed to spark imagination and nurture curiosity, The Forest encourages children to explore, question and grow in a joyful, nature-connected environment. Rolling admissions and expansion to Primary 7 by 2028 mean even more children can benefit from this uni ue, values-led start.
In the Middle and Senior School, Merchiston continues its tradition of excellence as a boys-only environment. Here, boys ourish whether academically, athletically, or creatively supported
by dedicated staff and world-class facilities. Elite Tennis and Golf Academies allow young athletes to pursue excellence on the court or course, while keeping their studies firmly on track.
CONTACT
Come and experience a school where your child is truly known. Contact admissions@merchiston.co.uk to arrange your visit. Merchiston Castle School, 294 Colinton Road, Edinburgh EH13 0PU. www.merchiston.co.uk
ST. MARY’S PREP SCHOOL
St. Mary’s Prep School is located in the heart of the beautiful Scottish Borders town of Melrose. Its proximity to the Borders Railway, the A68 and the A7 makes it an attractive option for families from the Borders, the central belt of Scotland and Northern England. The school is co-educational and offers boarding on a day, exi or weekly basis
St. Mary’s prides itself on the highest possible standards in all areas – rigorously pursuing quality in academics, sports, expressive arts, outdoor learning and a wide variety of clubs. The school is blessed with a wide variety of dedicated facilities,
including a new, state-of-the-art STEAM room. he veranda garden provides a firstclass outdoor learning and mindfulness space, while a recent extension to the school gymnasium has provided an excellent indoor space for physical activities.
he exi-weekly boarding on offer is immensely popular due to a non-compulsory element to the provision. Pupils board because they want to, not because they have to, though weekly boarding is strongly encouraged in Form 8 to help prepare pupils for full boarding beyond St. Mary’s. The mix of experience, energy and youthfulness among the boarding staff in the progressive boarding facilities is second-to-none.
Common Entrance in Form 8 is the culmination of pupils’ time at the school, with many of them having been with St. Mary’s since their first days in indergarten aged two. Pupils have an excellent record of winning awards and scholarships to top senior schools both north and south of the Border, such as Eton, Fettes, Oundle and Winchester, among
others. Irrespective of which school they go on to, leavers head off as independent learners, with the dedication, knowledge and resilience to face the new challenges ahead with confidence and an enthusiastic curiosity.
The Borders community is hugely important to St. Mary’s, and the school is an integral part of why this beautiful part of Scotland is so attractive to many relocating from all over the nited ingdom and further afield.
CONTACT
Tel: 01896 822517, www.stmarysmelrose.org.uk
MORRISON’S ACADEMY
Record results in 2025: Morrison’s Academy leads the region at National 5 and Higher
As golden leaves begin to turn in Crieff, Morrison’s Academy is marking the start of the academic year with a reason to celebrate: the school has achieved the best National 5 and Higher results in Perthshire for 2025.
Nestled in the heart of rural Perthshire, Morrison’s Academy has long been known for its academic rigour and personalised approach. his year s Scottish ualifications Authority S A results once again confirm the school s reputation for excellence, with remarkable outcomes across all levels.
At National 5, 96% of pupils achieved A-C grades, with an impressive 67% securing an A. Higher results were equally strong, with a 95% pass rate and 61% of all grades at A and over a quarter of the year group attaining fi ve As. Advanced igher results followed suit, with 88% of pupils passing and 50% achieving an A. These achievements place Morrison’s Academy comfortably above national averages S A figures ational - . , igher - . , Advanced igher - . and set a high bar not only locally, but across the independent sector in Scotland.
However, at Morrison’s Academy, success is measured by more than grades. ector Andrew c arva re ects hese results are a credit to the talent, commitment and hard work of our pupils, supported by dedicated staff and families. We are proud of the academic achievements but equally proud of the kind, curious and resilient young people our pupils are becoming. These are qualities that will serve them for life.’
With a school ethos rooted in eveloping the Whole hild, Morrison’s Academy offers a thoughtful blend of academic excellence and personal growth. Pupils benefi t from a dynamic curriculum that blends the best of Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence with the school s own forward-thinking educational philosophy. From early years right through to S , pupils benefi t from small class sizes, individualised support and a team of dedicated specialist teachers.The school motto, Ad Summa TendendumStrive for the Highest - is more than a phrase; it’s a daily aspiration.
Beyond the statistics, the school remains focused on helping each and every child reach their full potential - whether that means straight As, discovering a passion for science, mastering a musical instrument or growing in confidence.
The school was delighted to welcome over 60 new pupils at the beginning of the new school year across its nursery, primary and secondary schools. With a vibrant, busy campus and a full calendar of academic, cultural and sporting events ahead, it s an exciting time to be a Morrisonian.
In a world where families are seeking schools that offer both excellence and balance, orrison s Academy continues to shineoffering young people not only the tools to succeed, but the space to become their best selves.
SST LEONARDS
ituated in the heart of the prestigious university town of St Andrews, St Leonards offers a unique blend of educational rigour and community warmth. As a friendly and forward-thinking independent, coeducational boarding and day school, it provides an exceptional education for pupils aged 4 to 18. With historic sites, sandy beaches, and access to the world-class St Andrews Links golf courses, the school enjoys a unique location that enriches the educational experience with cultural and recreational opportunities right on its doorstep.
St Leonards is one of only two schools in the UK to deliver all four inspiring, globallyrecognised International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum programmes from Kindergarten
to ear . It was the first school in Scotland to be accredited as an all-through IB school. Inquiry-based teaching and concept-based learning help pupils to become critical thinkers and independent learners, ensuring that year-on-year leavers secure places at top UK and international universities, including Oxford, Harvard, University College London, Edinburgh, Brown, Durham, Berlin, Maastricht and St Andrews.
The curriculum is complemented by a thriving programme of extra-curricular activities, equipping pupils with the skills and interests to succeed in today’s everchanging world. With over 50 activities offered, there is something for everyone – be that aviation, riding, climbing, Model United Nations, coding, hockey, roller skating or yoga.
The world-class eight-tier Golf Academy is delivered in partnership with the St Andrews Links, catering for every stage of golfer, from the complete beginner to the elite player. Those enrolled in the Golf Academy enjoy unrivalled access to state-of-the-art facilities, expert instruction, and access to seven Links courses, including the Old Course, in the Home of Golf.
Boarding at St Leonards is available from
age 10, while day buses run throughout Fife, Tayside and Perthshire. The boarding houses are contemporary and spacious, having recently undergone an extensive £5 million redevelopment. They provide a comfortable and stylish home-from-home for all who live and learn there, with family at the heart of each house and sea views from the windows. Globally-minded yet with a focus on each and every child, St Leonards is a leading independent school that truly prepares pupils, Ad Vitam, for life.
CONTACT
St Leonards School, St Andrews Fife KY16 9QJ Tel: 0131 311 6744 or email: admissions@fettes.com www.stleonards-fife.org
STRATHALLAN SCHOOL
Imagine learning like this
Not confined to the four walls of a classroom, but hands-on in the workshop, composing brand new music in the recording studio, or breathing in the wild Perthshire air.
Imagine lessons led by world-class coaches and awardwinning teachers, where inspiration sparks as brightly outside the classroom as it does within.
At Strathallan School, this all-in approach to education is at the heart of everything we do. Our pupils achieve record-breaking exam results, but their learning goes far deeper than grades. We believe the best education develops character, creativity and confidence alongside academic excellence.
From the performance-standard theatre and swimming pool to the golf course, climbing wall, science labs, e-sports studio and acres of playing fields, opportunities are everywhere. Pupils are encouraged to follow their passions, try something new, and uncover strengths they never knew they had. Everything they need, all in one place, all at Strathallan.
Pastoral care underpins our approach to education. Whether day or boarding, every pupil is known, supported and encouraged. Wraparound care, a nurturing community and a focus on wellbeing give families the reassurance that their children are thriving, both in and out of the classroom.
Strathallan is more than a school. It is a place where futures take shape, where resilience is built, and where friendships last a lifetime.
CONTACT
Come and experience it for yourself at the open morning on Saturday 4 October 2025. Find out more at www.strathallan.co.uk
OFFERS & COMPETITIONS
To enter, send entries with your name, address, telephone number and email address to Scottish Field Competitions, The North Quarter, 496 Ferry Road, Edinburgh EH5 2DL or enter online at www.scottishfield.co.uk. Closing date, unless otherwise stated, is Friday 31 October 2025.
WIN
DOWER & HALL JEWELLERY CELEBRATING GLASGOW
As the city of Glasgow marks a remarkable 850 years since being granted its burgh charter in 1175, Dower & Hall reflect on a legacy rich in culture, resilience, and innovation. Once a small ecclesiastical settlement built around St Mungo’s cathedral, Glasgow has grown into one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities, known for its architecture, music, and warm spirit. From medieval trade routes to Mackintosh, Glasgow continues to flourish as a proud and prosperous city with its own unique artistic spirit.
To commemorate this milestone anniversary, they are delighted to launch a special Glasgow 850 Celebration Giveaway, offering a sparkling tribute to the city’s enduring charm and heritage. Three prizes will be awarded, each reflecting the unique creativity of Glaswegian craftsmanship.
FIRST PRIZE: £850 worth of Dower & Hall jewellery, chosen by you in their Glasgow store.
SECOND PRIZE: The iconic Glasgow Flourish pendant, a symbol of the city’s indomitable spirit.
THIRD PRIZE: The new Bewbee pendant, celebrating local artistry and design.
This giveaway is Dower & Hall's way of saying thank you to the people who make Glasgow shine – past, present, and future. Whether you’re a proud Glaswegian or simply love the city’s unique character, this is your chance to take home a piece of its sparkling legacy.
How many years ago was Glasgow granted its Burgh Charter?
WIN
AN OVERNIGHT STAY FOR TWO WITH DINNER AND BREAKFAST AT MACDONALD INCHYRA HOTEL & SPA
Experience the four-star Macdonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa near Falkirk this autumn, with a luxurious getaway for two, complete with dinner and breakfast.
Scottish Field has teamed up with Macdonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa to offer the chance to win an overnight stay at this extraordinary hotel, part of the Macdonald Hotels & Resorts group.
Located within easy reach of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling, Macdonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa makes the perfect base for relaxing, sightseeing and staycationing.
The hotel’s peaceful ambiance and secluded parkland setting offers the perfect balance of convenience and escape. Each of the 102 bedrooms offers a luxurious space where you can start the day in style and fully unwind on your return. The tranquil spa provides the perfect atmosphere in which to relax and unwind during your stay, complete with a stateof-the-art gym, a 20-metre indoor pool and an invigorating thermal suite.
Macdonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa’s on-site Scottish Steakhouse restaurant has been awarded an AA rosette for exceptional food and service. With its rich colours, soft wood hues and leather banquette seating, the Scottish Steakhouse’s welcoming dining room is the perfect environment for enjoying a fabulous evening meal.
What you’ll win: One lucky winner will receive an overnight stay for two with breakfast and dinner at Macdonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa.
How many bedrooms are there at Macdonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa?
Kinrara Distillery is a Scottish craft gin producer perched below the Monadhliath Mountains, just outside Aviemore.
Here the team make award-winning small-batch craft gins inspired by their amazing location. And it is the animals that make their home on Kinrara Estate that have inspired these artist edition bottles featuring 'Ginny' the Highland cow, 'Struan' the stag, 'Freya' the fox and most recently 'Caper' the Capercaillie. For your chance to win all four artist edition Kinrara gins just answer the question below.
WIN
A COLLECTION OF KINRARA ARTIST EDITION GINS
What is the name of the Highland cow on Kinrara's artist edition bottle?
A TEA TOUR FOR TWO AT THE SCOTTISH TEA HOUSE
Nestled in the peaceful Lanarkshire countryside, the Scottish Tea House is a family-run tea garden dedicated to producing rare, single-estate Scottish tea. Every leaf is carefully nurtured, hand-picked, and crafted on-site, offering visitors the chance to experience Scotland’s unique tea story from field to cup. Surrounded by biodiversity and tranquillity, the Tea House is a place to slow down, reconnect with nature, and savour something truly special.
We are delighted to offer Scottish Field readers the chance to win a Tea Tour for Two at the Scottish Tea House. This unforgettable experience begins with a guided tour of the tea garden, where guests learn how tea is grown in Scotland’s distinctive climate and discover the natural world that supports each plant.
The tour continues with a delicious Traditional Afternoon Tea, served with homemade sweet and savoury treats. The experience concludes with a guided tasting of three rare teas, giving you the opportunity to explore their unique flavours, aromas, and characters.
This prize offers a true taste of Scotland’s tea journey, a chance to enjoy an inspiring experience that blends nature, flavour, and discovery in every cup.
T&Cs: Terms & Conditions apply. You must be 18 years of age, or older to enter this competition. There is no cash prize alternative.
A YORKSHIRE ESCAPE FOR TWO AT THE CONISTON HOTEL COUNTRY ESTATE & SPA
Set within a stunning 1,400-acre estate near the Yorkshire Dales, The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa invites you to enjoy an unforgettable escape. They are offering you and a guest the chance to win an overnight stay in one of their beautiful Dales Rooms, complete with breathtaking views, countryside charm, and modern comforts.
Begin your retreat with a warm Yorkshire welcome before settling into your elegant Dales Room. These rooms are thoughtfully designed to take full advantage of the views over the estate and lake, offering a peaceful and stylish place to unwind.
Your prize includes access to the award-winning Nàdarra Spa. Surrounded by rolling hills and a dramatic lake, this is a space to relax and reconnect. Enjoy the outdoor infinity pools, thermal experiences, and tranquil treatment areas. Whether you’re taking in the views or letting your worries melt away, the spa is a true escape from the everyday.
In the evening, savour a three-course dinner for two at The View. Menus celebrate seasonal produce and Yorkshire roots, bringing you hearty favourites and fine flavours. The following morning, enjoy a full Yorkshire breakfast featuring the best of local ingredients.
The Coniston Estate is more than just a place to stay. It’s home to one of the UK’s best shooting grounds, the Land Rover Experience, and a range of experiences that cater to every kind of guest. Whether you're looking for adventure, great food, or peaceful surroundings, this break has it all.
This is your chance to experience a stay where comfort, relaxation, and unforgettable memories come together in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. www.eleganthotelcollection.com/the-coniston-hotel
Put your feet up, grab a cup of coffee and pit your wits against our puzzles and quizzes
Scottish Field Crossword
WE HOPE YOU ENJOY OUR CROSSWORD. CLUES MARKED (S) FEATURE SCOTTISH WORDS AND PHRASES, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT DIFFERENT PARTS OF SCOTLAND USE DIFFERENT WORDS, I’M SURE DURING THE MONTHS TO COME, WE WILL COVER ALL THE DIFFERENT DIALECTS FROM ALL OVER SCOTLAND!
ACROSS
Across
7 Eight Scottish rugby players were named in May 2025 as part of this team (5)
8 Vaccinium myrtillus (Sc) (9)
7 Eight Scottish rugby players were named in May 2025 as part of this team (5)
DOWN
1 Member of a guild (Sc) (9)
10 Village which is home to Royal Deeside's oldest 18 hole golf course (6)
2 Peninsula in Lochaber (8)
3 Mud (Sc) (7)
8 Vaccinium myrtillus (Sc) (9)
11 Puffing a pipe (Sc) (8)
10 Village which is home to Royal Deeside’s oldest 18 hole golf course (6)
12 Unlucky (Sc) (2-6)
4 What did Scotland qualify for in 2024 after Hampden Park was one of the venues in 2020 (4,4)
5 A Scottish football team (6)
11 Puffing a pipe (Sc) (8)
13 Unfamiliar person (Sc) (4)
12 Unlucky (Sc) (2-6)
13 Unfamiliar person (Sc) (4)
15 Belt in Scotland of highest population density (7)
6 Fairly and squarely (Sc) (5)
9 Wild cherry (Sc) (4)
15 Belt in Scotland of highest population density (7)
17 Cabbage (Sc) (3-4)
14 What to use to get into the beans! (3,6)
17 Cabbage (Sc) (3-4)
16 Port city in the northeast of Scotland (8)
20 Woman of rank (4)
20 Woman of rank (4)
22 Village and port in the county of Ross and Cromarty (8)
25 Paul Hourston’s name on social media (5-3)
18 Lead singer of Franz Ferdinand (8)
19 A frog (Sc) (7)
21 Off the mark (6)
22 Village and port in the county of Ross and Cromarty (8)
23 Lake in Scotland (4)
24 A buttery roll (Sc) (5)
26 Gossip (Sc) (6)
27 Glasgow born academic born in 1954 awarded OBE in 2016 (4,5)
25 Paul Hourston's name on social media (53)
28 Lantern (Sc) (5)
26 Gossip (Sc) (6)
ANSWERS TO AUGUST CROSSWORD (NO 08)
27 Glasgow born academic born in 1954 awarded OBE in 2016 (4,5)
4 What did Scotland qualify for in after Hampden Park was one of the venues in 2020 (4,4)
5 A Scottish football team (6)
6 Fairly and squarely (Sc) (5)
9 Wild cherry (Sc) (4)
THERE ARE FIVE DIFFERENCES TO BE FOUND IN THESE TWO PHOTOGRAPHS OF THIS JEWELLERY DISPLAY –CAN YOU SPOT THEM ALL?
CROSSWORD NO 10
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Postcode Tel
TO ENTER: Send your completed crossword to Scottish Field, Crossword No 10, The North Quarter, 496 Ferry Road, Edinburgh EH5 2DL, to reach us no later than 31 October 2025
WIN A GIFT BOX FROM HOUSE OF CHEVIOT
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14 What to use to get into the beans! (3,6)
16 Port city in the northeast of Scotland (8)
18 Lead singer of Franz Ferdinand (8)
19 A frog (Sc) (7)
21 Off the mark (6)
23 Lake in Scotland (4)
24 A buttery roll (Sc) (5)
What year is it?
1. St. Andrew’s Catholic Cathedral in Dumfries is destroyed by fire.
2. Rangers F.C. become the first British team to reach a European final but lose the first leg at Ibrox.
3. Border and Grampian Television first go on air.
4. Muriel Spark’s novel The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is published.
5. Scottish actor Robert Carlyle is born.
WORD SEARCH: JUXTAPOSITION
How many English words can you make from the word above? We can find 282. Try to find as many as possible. Words must be at least three letters long. 150-199 WORDS: GOOD, 200-241 WORDS: EXCELLENT, 242 WORDS OR MORE: YOU ARE A GENIUS
Where are we?
A small village on the western shore of Loch Ness. The village is home to the Nessieland centre that celebrates the Loch Ness monster with exhibits and loch cruises. Just east of the village centre is ruined Urquhart Castle. It’s name means ‘Ridge of the Bridge’ as the village supposedly grew around the River Enrick after the bridge over it was built.
1. Top Gun is released in cinemas.
1. Top Gun is released in cinemas.
2. Argentina beat West Germany 3-2 to win World Cup.
2. Argentina beat West Germany 3-2 to win World Cup.
1. What year did the Spanish Galleon sink in Tobermory Bay?
3. In response to a Libyan-sponsored terrorist attack against Americans in West Germany, American planes attacked various targets in Libya.
2. Which two Scottish international rugby captains went to Glenlamond College?
3. In response to a Libyan-sponsored terrorist attack against Americans in West Germany, American planes attacked various targets in Libya.
3. Where is the Tomb of the Eagles?
4. In which castle were the Honours of Scotland hidden during the War of the Three Kingdoms?
5. On which Scottish island did George Orwell write his novel 1984?
6. What is the name of the canal that runs from Falkirk to Edinburgh?
4. A catastrophic nuclear accident occurs on 26 April at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.
4. A catastrophic nuclear accident occurs on 26 April at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.
7. What is the name of the Scottish town where Rugby sevens was invented?
8. Scotch whisky must be matured in a cask in Scotland for a minimum of how many years to earn the name?
5. Space Shuttle Challenger explodes in midair. 04
5. Space Shuttle Challenger explodes in midair. 04
9. Scotland is home to one of Europe’s oldest living things – what is its name?
10. What is the name of the oldest medieval house in Glasgow?
SUDOKU DIFFICULTY: HARD
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ENTER DIGITS FROM 1 TO 9 INTO THE BLANK SPACES. EVERY ROW MUST CONTAIN ONE OF EACH DIGIT. SO MUST EVERY COLUMN, AS MUST EVERY 3X3 SQUARE. LAST MONTH’S SOLUTION IS SHOWN RIGHT.
SUDOKU DIFFICULTY: HARD ENTER DIGITS FROM 1 TO 9 INTO THE BLANK SPACES. EVERY ROW MUST CONTAIN ONE OF EACH DIGIT. SO MUST EVERY COLUMN, AS MUST EVERY 3X3 SQUARE. LAST MONTH’S SOLUTION IS SHOWN RIGHT.
SUDOKU DIFFICULTY: HARD ENTER DIGITS FROM 1 TO 9 INTO THE BLANK SPACES. EVERY ROW MUST CONTAIN ONE OF EACH DIGIT. SO MUST EVERY COLUMN, AS MUST EVERY 3X3 SQUARE. LAST MONTH’S SOLUTION IS SHOWN RIGHT.
1961 WHERE ARE WE? Drumnadrochit
COVER TO COVER
are mercifully short and pithy.
e Story of Whisky
BY CHARLES MACLEAN & GAVIN D SMITH
PAVILION BOOKS £45
I’ve read countless books about whisky, and this 320-page doorstopper of a hardback is one of the best and most accessible. It’s well-written and broken down into bitesize pieces that cover everything from the impact of the railways, Prohibition or the phylloxera vastatrix bug which devastated vineyards, to more technical advances such as the iconic pagoda-shaped Doig Ventilator.
There are small sections that summarise key aspects of whisky making – barley, malting, peat, mashing, fermenting, distilling, casks and maturing – but they
Instead, every attempt is taken to humanise the story of whisky and to bring to life some of the many characters who have played a key role in its development since the Abbot of Lindores famously ordered some barrels of aqua vitae in 1494.
Thankfully, there are no signs of the endless tasting notes and distillery tours which pad out so many whisky books and which so often make them quickly obsolete. Maclean and Smith impart that sort of information obliquely, often by osmosis as you read chapters explaining how smuggling or advertising affected the growth and popularity of Scotch whisky, or about how it spread throughout the Empire and then the world. This is a thoroughly engaging and readable book that contains information and anecdotes that are new even for a dyed-in-thewool whisky lover like me. (RB)
Drayton & Mackenzie
BY ALEXANDER
STARRITT
SWIFT PRESS
£16.99
Alexander
Starrit’s latest work is deeply interested in the doings of a pair of privileged management consultants. But don’t let that dissuade you. Starrit’s prose is perceptive and persuasive enough that though the crux of the narrative doesn’t arrive until midway through the novel, one immediately becomes happily ensconced in the lives of these two men - one brilliant and awkward and the other charming, though lazy. There are shades of climate stuff going on here, but mostly this is a moving, funny, intelligent portrait of male friendship. (FR)
White Raven
BY MAGGIE RITCHIE
SCOTLAND
STREET PRESS
£16.99
When former
World War II
Bletchley Park
Decoder Rosie Anderson travels to Crail to nd artistic inspiration, she is instead met with intrigue, duplicity and a whirlwind romance that reminds readers to be wary of instant love.
It felt refreshing to be immersed in the grey world of espionage from a woman’s perspective as there was a believable balance between the emotional arc and suspenseful plot.
Full of atmospheric details that paint this Cold War setting, Maggie Ritchie shows us the complexity of love and grief even in the face of betrayal. (MA)
A Rock & A Hard Place
BY JD KIRK
CANELO CRIME
£16.99
Fort William-based Barry Hutchison has quietly become something of a publishing phenomenon under his pen name of JD Kirk. This 21st book in the DCI Jack Logan series shows just why.
With the North Coast 500 as the evocative backdrop, Logan investigates the seemingly innocent death of washedup 80s rock legend Johnny Freestone, who has been found dead in a cave. But Logan – a secret Freestone fan – is convinced the crooner was murdered, and sets about proving it.
Along the way he uncovers bitter rivalries, broken promises and a comeback tour that wasn’t what it seemed. This is yet another bravura whodunnit from a wonderfully surefooted writer. (RB)
A look at a new crop
of Scottish books by Richard Bath, Megan Amato, Frankie Reason, Ellie Forbes and Robert Outram
rowing Feathers In e Wind
BY RICHARD GORDODECKY
MEDLAR PRESS
£21
This collection of shing anecdotes and ruminations is largely Irish, but such is the charm and universality of Gorodecky’s musings that they will appeal to anglers everywhere. Beautifully written, these often meandering yarns epitomise all that is good in shing. (RB)
Agricola In Scotland
BY SIMON ELLIOTT PEN & SWORD
£25
ere Will Be Headwinds
BY MARK AGNEW ICON BOOKS
£20
Edinburgher Agnew was part of the rst team to kayak the north west Passage, spending 103 days in the Arctic. This is an account of that feat, but also charts his mental struggles to cope with the enormity of the challenge and the spectre of failure once again. A great read. (RB)
Agricola was the renowned Flavian warrior who was given the task of conquering the remaining parts of Britain. After campaigning in Wales and the north of England, at the end of the AD 70s he led an army of up to 30,000 men (plus the Classis Britannia, the Roman eet in Britain) in a series of bloody assaults on Scotland. In all, he launched ve campaigns north of the line between the Solway Firth and the Tyne, pushing further north each time.
Agricola is best known as the Roman general who defeated the northern tribes in AD83 at the Battle of Mons Graupius, leading him to prematurely declare his successful conquest of the whole island (he had asked to be allowed to invade Ireland, but permission was denied by the Emperor). Elliott writes engagingly, and while there are no new revelations in this book, as a history resource it is excellent for newcomers as the author is very effective at putting Agricola’s Scottish campaigns in their proper historical context. (RB)
Fight Not For Glory
BY EMMA FELLING TROUBADOR
£14.99
It’s 1324, and young ingenue Sorcha is about to be whisked away from her quiet life to the court of Robert the Bruce by two Highland warriors in the Bruce’s service. But who is she, really, and why is the king so interested in her? If you like historical adventure with a dash of mystery and a wealth of period detail, this is an entertaining read. (RO).
Windows
BY ANNI HOLLIDAY TROUBADOR
£9.99
Inspired by the author’s own hometown of Linlithgow, this colourful book is a celebration of small-town life and the people who strive to keep it going in the face of the usual petty disputes and grievances. This apparent idyll is, however, in danger from a shadowy person secretly bent on revenge who is threatening the inhabitants’ lives and livelihoods. (EF)
Red Duchess
BY AMY GRAY
THE HISTORY PRESS
£22
As anyone who read our recent list of the 50 Greatest Scotswomen knows, Katharine Stewart-Murray, the Duchess of Atholl (AKA Kitty Atholl), was a remarkable woman. The subtitle to this biography is ‘A Rebel In Westminster’, and she was certainly that. The rst Scottish female MP, and the rst woman to be a Conservative minister, she was also a rare early opponent of appeasement. Her principled stands were legion: she fought Soviet and Nazi tyranny but opposed Indian Home Rule; she broke the gender bar and social convention by standing for election yet opposed female suffrage; she was a Tory who fundraised for Spanish refugees. Gray also skilfully teases out a portrait of the private woman. She was a talented pianist from an aristocratic family who found herself married to a penniless philanderer and responded by a life of service as a war nurse and through her charity work. Above all, she put her devotion to safeguarding children above her own personal ambitions. (RB)
scene SOCIAL
MIDSUMMER MORRISONIAN NIGHT’S DREAM BALL
MORRISON’S ACADEMY, CRIEFF 01 Jim McGregor, Carol McGregor 02 David Johnston, Ros Johnston 03 Nicola Mosgrove, Jackie McConville, Gillian Kidd, Laura Chapman, Ellie Adair, Kirsten Brown 04 Alexander Herries, Terry Newton, Jonny Kier, Rory Kelso, Luke Smith 05 Bruce Burnett, Lynsey Burnett, Jennifer Walker, Alastair Walker 06 Fiona Herries, Nicola Kier, Lois Newton, Hilary Smith, Joy Kelso 07 Donald Macdonald, Hazel Henderson, David Glen, Helen Glen, Andrew McGarva, Barbara McGarva 08 Noel Wicks, Rebecca Wicks, Lesley Johnston, James Johnston 09 Mike Embrey, Liz Embrey 10 Kirstine Cook, Miranda Powell, Lynsey Burnett 11 Hamish Dingwall, Pauline Dingwall, Ian Campbell, Nim Campbell, Dina Weir, Paul Weir
ORDER OF MALTA SCOTTISH BALL
PRESTONFIELD HOUSE, EDINBURGH
01 Richard Gratwick, Clare Castell, Ben Atkinson, Victoria Velasco Sanchez, Alice Mumby, Mary Bradley, Giles Macnair 02 John Miers, Louise Gardiner, Judy Sutherland, Mary-Louise Miers, Ian Gardiner 03 Noémie Valéry, Shiqi Cai 04 Simba Mamboinga, Jennifer Richards, Alan Simpson 05 John Ford, Lynn Drysdale 06 Molly Arbuthnott, Felicity Sasada, Blair Sasada 07 Carlos Gabriel Ramaglia Mota, Bruna da Silva Navarro Lins, Betina Bahr 08 Liam Devlin, Father Christopher Morris, Jamie Kerr 09 Kirsty Lukas, Harry Lukas 10 Rachel Penman, James McGovern 11 Cormack Levinthal, Fraser Grey, Grant Mackin 12 Jamie Bogle, Dagmar Gillespie 13 Duncan Hearsum, Alexis Hearsam 14 Mary Beidler Gearan, Benedict Morillo, Mollie Gearen
scene SOCIAL
SCOTTISH MILITARY BALL
THE ROYAL SCOTS CLUB, EDINBURGH
Terry McDermott-Moses, Morag Anderson, Steven McDonald, Babar Akhbar, Palwasha Akhbar Sally Thompson, Gabriel Ricardo, David Scott 03 Eleanor BrindleyEwan, Hannah Knowles, Ross Ewing 04 Andy Beautyman, Ja eet Juneja
Gillian Moore, John Chambers 06 James Hawkins-Dady, Hannah
Miller, Alan De’Ath, Ian Fleming 07 Chris Miller, Victoria Miller, Sarah Landsdown, Adam Landsdown 08 Jonny Gray, Kylie Gray, Sarah
Radford, Ray Olive 09 Fabia and Roger Flint 10 Scott Smith, Jamie
Mitchell 11 Mags Miller, Dave Miller, Chloe O’Brien 12 Simon Gall, Venetia Price
SSAFA
CHARITY CLAY SHOOT
BISLEY AT BRAIDWOOD, SELKIRK
01 Ivan Havranek, Caroline Madden, Charlie Johnston, Iain MacGregor 02 Alan Ness, Grant Horsburgh, John Coooper, Stuart Buchanan 03 Stuart Dunn, Callum Seale, Andrew Jordan, Adam Dove 04 Gavin Findlay, Neale Campbell, Grant Buchanan, John Archibald 05 Gregor Murray, Richard Barron, Steven Donald, Jarrod Partridge 06 Bruce Russell, Bear Macaulay, Guy Macaulay, Mungo Strachan 07 Graham Adam, Norman Fidden, Kenny MacRalid 08 Andy Gach, Sean Hall, James McCreath, Jack Smith 09 Marcelo Rodrigues, Dean Calder, Neil Hall, Tino Nombro 10 Dougie Brown, Neil Colin, Derek Cartriege, Ewen Patterson 11 Tracy Ferguson, Chui 12 Matthew Hollingworth, Oliver Levy, Drew Forrest, Douglas Hamilton 13 Dean Devine, Robert Eldon, Samuel Parker, Robert Weir
THE LAST WORD
Beware creepy crawlies
Our columnist hosted natural scientists studying the regenerating woodlands on her Highland estate, but it was their encounters with natives which bite which really alarmed her visitors
Natural scientists love the Highlands. e changing landscape provides many opportunities to study issues such as the impact of global warming on salmon migration or the shi in land management away from livestock to planting trees.
Human beings meddling in nature raises so many questions. Is climate change causing the increase in wildfires? What impact does reintroducing species like the sea eagle or beavers have on the existing eco-system?
Importantly for people whose job consists of poking around in the undergrowth it is also a relatively safe environment compared to, say, the middle of the jungle. Or is it?
charming but with rather eccentric views. By this point I was expecting the scientists to turn tail and go back to Switzerland…
To their credit they stayed, three women on rotation over the summer and into autumn.
ey have been an asset to village life. It’s great to have international young people living and working in a remote area.
is summer we’ve hosted a group of scientists on Ben Damph Estate from the University of Zurich Department of Environmental Systems Science. We were thrilled that at last we had been chosen as the site to study. O en scientists go next door to study the ancient Caledonian pinewood at Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, where decades of data has shown that Beinn Eighe pines have their own unique genetic code, separate to other Scots pine. I’d love to know if any of the granny pines clinging to the gullies of Ben Damph also have a unique code or share the genetics of Beinn Eighe or nearby Shieldaig Caledonian pinewoods.
On the day the scientists arrived I’d gone swimming in Loch Damph and hadn’t got around to cleaning their cottage. We sent them away while we manically hoovered and removed traces of the mice that also like to visit the cottage. e scientists went to explore and promptly came o the dirt track in their little car. Luckily a passing local rescued them and then they were given a tour of the estate by my father Duncan and uncle Kenneth – both very
ey are measuring the level of greenhouse gases released from the soil where trees have been planted or regenerated by fencing out deer. At the moment we know how much carbon is stored in trees, but what about the carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide stored in the soil around the trees? If we know what happens in the soil, it will help us to decide how and where to plant trees to minimise climate change.
Gathering data is hard work. I joined research assistant Valeria Renna as she trudged through the woodland one morning. Monitoring greenhouse gases at each site requires carrying a heavy backpack of equipment and waiting while machines measure the gases and the midges eat you alive, not to mention the ticks. Valeria came prepared with a midge net, sunscreen and waterproof – and her trousers tucked into her socks. ‘Well at least there are no snakes!’ she said, before a passing dog walker warned us that their collie had just disturbed an adder.
I explained that adders are shy creatures that will not bite humans unless provoked and although dangerous, are not deadly to adults. But suddenly Scotland, with its biting insects and venomous reptiles, was feeling a bit closer to the jungles where scientists o en study. Fortunately, Valeria was wearing wellies and felt brave enough to continue her work. e Highlands remain interesting to natural scientists, despite –or perhaps because of – our creepy crawlies.
‘The young Swiss scientists have been a great asset to village life’
