Posts by Morag Bootland
Nature meets luxury at Rufflets in St Andrews
Morag Bootland gets back to nature with a relaxing stay at Rufflets Hotel, St Andrews. SCOTLAND is experiencing the little known phenomenon that I’m told is known as ‘summer’. So, when the opportunity to head to St Andrews arose I was over the Queensferry Crossing before you could say ‘seaside’. The reason for my visit…
Read MoreTours and tastings at the secret garden distillery
THERE’s no need to keep it under your hat, because the secret is well and truly out, writes Morag Bootland. Sitting at the base of the Pentland hills, just a stone’s throw from Edinburgh, the Secret Garden Distillery first opened its gates in 2017. Having visited the distillery and its beautiful gardens many times over…
Read MoreUnbridled luxury at Hostal de La Gavina on Spain’s Costa Brava
I’VE seldom been in as good company as we graze on a seemingly infinite selection of tapas and gaze across the tiled courtyard garden at Hostal de La Gavina. Framed prints of Spanish royalty and a host of Hollywood’s finest including Elizabeth Taylor, Sean Connery and Jack Nicholson reveal just some of the guests who…
Read MoreNoss Nature Reserve reopened following avian flu outbreak
Noss National Nature Reserve has reopened to the public following the island’s closure last year due to avian flu. The Noss ferry has resumed service this season and NatureScot staff are looking forward to welcoming visitors back to the island, which is home to thousands of seabirds each summer. Last summer both Noss and the…
Read MoreTributes after charity air ambulance founder John Bullough dies suddenly
Tributes have been paid to one of the founders of Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance after he died suddenly. Chairman of SCAA John Bullough died in London last week aged 54. The former army officer founded the rescue service which has seen thousands of callouts since it was founded 10 years ago. In 2020 was awarded…
Read MoreLuxury floating hotel Fingal helps to raise awareness of bees
Scotland’s luxury floating hotel Fingal is helping to raise awareness of bees as part of a global bid to protect them. Fingal, in Edinburgh, will be serving up Scottish honey and honeycomb on its menus, as well as a new cocktail using honey syrup. The hotel at Alexandra Dock has teamed up with the Edinburgh…
Read More17th-century mirror featuring King Charles II sells for £65k
A 17th-century mirror featuring King Charles II has been sold for a record-breaking amount at auction. The stumpwork and lacquer mirror, which dates back to 1652, was estimated to fetch up to £2,000 when it went under the hammer. But auctioneers were stunned when the rectangular mirror sold for a whopping £65,000 at Lindsay Burns…
Read MoreStudent wins Savile Row tailor competition
A STUDENT will have her textile designs made into a sports jacket by a prestigious Savile Row tailor which inspired the Kingsman movies. University student Lois Cowie, 22, won the design challenge set by Savile Row tailor Huntsman and Huddersfield Fine Worsteds, based in West Yorkshire, whose customers include the royal family. The companies challenged students…
Read MoreChandon Garden Spritz hits Edinburgh this summer
CHANDON Garden Spritz, the innovative new sparkling wine and proud scion of champagne leader Moët & Chandon, will be celebrating its arrival in Scotland with spritz premieres in Edinburgh this summer. Promising a delicious new spritz experience, Chandon Garden Spritz will make its inaugural tour across destinations in Edinburgh between May and July 2023. The…
Read MoreThe Nail Yard opens at Archerfield’s Fletcher’s Cottage Spa
THE most recent addition to the luxurious Fletcher’s Cottage Spa at Archerfield has opened its doors. The Nail Yard Edinburgh is already established as a capital favourite in Morningside and now the eco-friendly nail bar has opened a branch in the award-winning East Lothian spa. Offering luxurious hand and feet treatments that protect the environment…
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