Culture
Scottish landscape architects win gold at Chelsea Flower Show with stunning garden
Scottish landscape architects Nicola Semple and Susan Begg have won gold at the Chelsea Flower Show after creating a stunning garden inspired by children’s art. The pair’s Elsewhere garden has been sponsored by Teapot Trust, a Scottish children’s charity that uses art therapy to help youngsters suffering from chronic or long-term health conditions. Their design…
Read MoreChef Nick Nairn on rising from the ashes ahead of his pop-up at the Scottish Game Fair
Chef Nick Nairn is a busy man. But the restaurateur, now 64, shows no signs of slowing down. ‘I always thought I would be retired by now but I think I am spinning more plates than ever before’, he said. In 2021 Nick had his annus horribilis. His cook school in Port of Menteith flooded…
Read MoreHistoric 16th century castle goes on the market – and could be yours for less than £1million
A 16th century castle has gone on the market for less than £1million. Towie Barclay Castle, in Auchterless, Aberdeenshire, sits on land which was given to Clan Barclay by Malcolm lll of Scotland in 1136. The castle has been a much-loved family home for more than 50 years after it was bought by the late…
Read MoreFive of Scotland’s best coastal dining spots to ‘drink in’ the summer views
Scotland has more than 11,000 miles of stunning coastline not to mention the 118 inhabited islands. So with the summer months fast approaching, there’s no shortage of places to enjoy a spot of coastal alfresco dining. Here is a selection of Scotland’s finest foodie hotspots. Plockton Inn, Wester Ross Affectionately known as ‘The Jewel…
Read MoreBest places to eat fish and chips in UK revealed as Plockton secures top spot
Plockton has been named the best UK seaside town for fish and chips – beating St Ives in Cornwall for the top spot. Situated on a sheltered bay with crystal-clear water, the Highland village was found to be the best place for a classic fish and chips. Plockton has four fish and chip shops with…
Read MoreRare desk seal belonging to Sir Walter Scott sold for £14,000
A rare desk seal belonging to Sir Walter Scott has sold for nearly £14,000. The finely carved hand seal, set in lapis lazuli, gold and amethyst stones, is believed to date from his knighthood in 1820 and bears the writer’s family armorial. It was sold for £13,860 by auctioneers Lyon & Turnbull. The figure achieved…
Read MoreTwo rare bottles of whisky signed by King Charles III go under the hammer
Two rare bottles of whisky signed by King Charles III could fetch up to £6,000 when they go under the hammer. Bottled in 2000, the 15-year-old Laphroaig single malt were drawn from a cask presented to the then Prince of Wales to mark his 50th Birthday. The Prince then donated the cask to the Erskine…
Read MoreQuirky cottage which was transformed using Boeing 737 goes on the market
A private chef who transformed a Boeing 737 galley into a working kitchen is now selling the home – for just £60,000. Andrew Mellon, 54, bought the old jetliner on Ebay for just £149 and converted his cottage kitchen in Banff, Aberdeenshire, with it. The galley can hold around 1,000 everyday kitchen items and includes…
Read MoreWhisky expert shares his top tips for investing
Whisky has been revealed as the most profitable luxury item to invest in, according to new research. Here, House of Bruar whisky expert Martin Homola shares his top tips to investing. Research from the Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index revealed rare whisky bottles get a 373% return on investment. It means a £59.95 bottle…
Read MoreProgramme announced for Clan MacLean International Gathering
The Clan MacLean International Gathering will take place on the Isle of Mull next month. Organisers have released the programme for the week’s event which will kick off on 19 June with a guided walk and a welcome to meet other attendees. The jampacked week will also include trips to Ardnamurchan, Ardgour and Iona. The…
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