Posts by Ellie Forbes
Picnic spot enjoyed by Queen Victoria at Balmoral saved from ruin
A picnic spot enjoyed by Queen Victoria on her visits to Balmoral has been saved from ruin by the National Trust for Scotland. The picnic cottage in woodlands near Linn of Quoich on Mar Lodge Estate, Scotland’s largest national nature reserve, close to Braemar, has been restored to its former glory with contractors completing the…
Read MoreScotland’s oldest cello made in 18th century to be played again
The oldest surviving Scottish cello has been brought to life and will be played again. The instrument made by Aberdeen luthier Robert Duncan in 1756 was donated to the he University of Aberdeen as part of a bequest by former student and later professor of Philosophy James Beattie. Born in Laurencekirk, Beattie won a scholarship…
Read MoreHamish Martin: ‘There is nothing more spiritually uplifting than walking within a Scots Pine wood in December’
This month we are delighted to welcome Scottish Field’s newest columnist, Perthshire-based herbologist Hamish Martin. A lecturer on herbs at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, forager and nature lover Hamish will be sharing his knowledge and love of plants in a new monthly column. This month he shines the spotlight on Scots Pine. …
Read MoreProducer’s Corner: Ross Main, Main’s Apiaries
As a child Ross Main loved helping his gamekeeper grandfather tend to his beehives. With no protective gear, it was often a daunting experience, but Ross was happy to be outside, enjoying the bees’ golden nectar. In 2015, years after his grandfather had died and Ross became a father for the first time, he began…
Read MoreScotland Through A Lens: A touch of frost with Mark McColl
From the tranquil snow capped hills of Glencoe to the mist over Loch Morlich, Scotland’s sugar coated landscapes make for the perfect winter wonderland, says Mark McColl. I bought my first camera back in the early 1980’s, when I was in my mid-teens. It was a Zenith SLR – fairly cheap, built like a…
Read MoreCenter Parcs plans first Scottish holiday village
Center Parcs has unveiled plans for its first site in Scotland. The new resort near Hawick in the Scottish Borders would represent a £350m investment and could create up to 1,200 jobs. Proposals are at an early stage and Center Parcs intends to submit a planning application in 2025. It will offer a range of…
Read MoreSail into Christmas with new Festive Afternoon Tea aboard Scotland’s luxury floating hotel
Scotland’s only five-star luxury floating hotel will be adding some festive magic to one of Edinburgh’s ultimate afternoon tea experiences. Permanently berthed in Edinburgh’s historic Port of Leith, Fingal will provide a classic setting for friends, family and colleagues to indulge in the ship’s new five-course Festive Afternoon Tea. Available daily in the Lighthouse Restaurant…
Read MoreA Weather Eye: Scotland’s enduring relationship with our changing weather
Whether it’s blowin’ a hoolie or the sun is crackin’ the pavey, Scotland, its people and its language have long had an enduring relationship with our changing weather. And our unpredictable weather is also reflected in our Scots language and dialects – Scots boasts 421 different words for snow. Now an exhibition at The McManus:…
Read MoreHistoric Lewis chessmen redisplayed to allow visitors to see their backs for the first time
The historic Lewis chessmen have been redisplayed in a case which allows visitors to see their backs for the first time. Made from walrus ivory and sperm whale teeth, the pieces range from the wide-eyed ‘Berserker’ who gnaws frantically on his shield, to a Queen who rests her chin in her hand, a rather fed-up…
Read MoreNumber of endangered Corncrakes soar on Canna thanks to farmers
The number of endangered corncrakes on Canna has soared after years of low populations, and experts say it’s all thanks to farmers. At least 12-14 calling males were recorded on Canna this year, which is the first time the National Trust for Scotland has conducted formalised corncrake monitoring on the island for many years. Data…
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