Scotland
Five great places to take your dog for a walk
In Scotland, there’s few things we love more than going for a walk in the fresh air, and seeing our dogs enjoying a romp in the hills. In the north-east of Scotland we are lucky to have some extraordinarily beautiful places to stretch those energetic legs. Here, we present five of your favourite dog walking…
Read MoreDNA is showing the bloodlines of clans and chiefs
The emergence of DNA profiling has had a huge impact upon fields as diverse as criminology, medicine and insurance, but it also has implications for clans and those whose historic titles depend upon paternity. Three recent cases have provided dramatic proof of the potential of DNA to intrude in these areas. The first has a…
Read More10 of the best Scottish cartoon characters
Children and grown-ups all over the world are familiar with Scots accents thanks to the power of cartoons. Some are still drawn frames in comics, newspapers and magazine, and many are animated (with varying degrees of being convincingly Scots!), and here we highlight the Scottish influence on our top ten iconic cartoon creations. 1. Groundskeeper Willie,…
Read MoreRise and tragic fall of the magnificent Hamilton Palace
Hamilton Palace was said to have been the largest non-royal residence in Britain – and 100 years ago, it stood proud. But a century later, there’s not a trace of this once-fine building, the home to the Dukes of Hamilton, the premier peer of Scotland. But how could a building, which was the principal resident…
Read MoreThe Firth of Clyde presents Scotland in miniature
An air of mystery seems to shroud the firth of Clyde, now for the most part laying eerily still, this stretch of water has seen battles rage, mysteries conjured, and myths born. Towering over this stretch of black water stands the Isle of Arran, or should we say Emhain Abhlac: sea fortress of the ancient…
Read MoreGamekeepers call for more tag accountability
Scotland’s gamekeepers are calling for accountability regarding satellite tags fitted to wildlife. The call comes after the Scottish Gamekeepers Association learned that a tagged hen harrier, reported as disappearing ‘suspiciously’ in Angus last May, was re-sighted in Perthshire afterwards, according to investigators. Anti-grouse moor campaigners who owned the tag’s data publicly blamed the grouse industry,…
Read MoreExclusive chance to preview the new Raasay whisky
Attendees at the National Whisky Festival in Glasgow will be among the first in the world to preview the Isle of Raasay Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Head distiller Iain Robertson’s whisky masterclass will take place on Saturday, 26 January. Festival-goers will also be given an exclusive opportunity to reserve one of the first bottles of Isle of…
Read MoreSpeyburn is raising a glass to Rabbie Burns
The only distillery to use the pure, fresh water from the Granty Burn stream, a major tributary of the River Spey, is raising its glass to the Bard. Speyburn Single Malt Scotch Whisky is crafted deep in the heart of Speyside, Speyburn is the only distillery to use the pure, fresh water from the Granty…
Read MoreScotland to welcome Indian symphony orchestra
India’s first professional symphony orchestra is coming to Edinburgh next month. Music lovers will be able to experience the finesse, the power and the iridescent colours of one of the world’s newest and most exciting orchestras at Edinburgh’s iconic Usher Hall. Founded in 2006, the Symphony Orchestra of India brings together exceptional players from across the Subcontinent…
Read MorePlans unveiled for the first whisky distillery on Barra
A community shares offer has been launched to raise £1.5m to build the first whisky distillery on the Scottish island of Barra. Barra is an island of 1200 population and some eight miles by five miles, dependent on tourism, fishing and fish processing. But now plans have been unveiled to create something new and different…
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