Scottish castle visited by Robert Burns in line for £2 million restoration after being sold to new owner

A historic Scottish castle visited by Robert Burns could be in line for a major restoration after being sold to a new owner. Baltersan Castle is thought to have inspired architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh, was visited by poets Robert Burns and John Keats, and a restoration plan was even pitched to the multi-millionaire investors on…

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Robert Burns links to freemasonry explored in new project

The University of Glasgow’s Centre for Robert Burns Studies has appointed a dedicated scholar for a groundbreaking project examining the poet’s links to Freemasonry. The celebrated Scottish poet was not only a prolific writer but also a dedicated Freemason throughout his adult life, serving as Senior Warden of Lodge St Andrew, Dumfries, until his death…

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A wellness weekend in southwest Scotland

There’s something about being by water that makes my heart sing. As we rolled up to Trump Turnberry, which has enjoyed vast views of the Firth of Clyde and Ailsa Craig for well over 100 years, I couldn’t help but breathe a little deeper. Fresh sea air blew strongly, sending a Saltire flag high above…

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King confers Dunfermline’s city status

KING Charles III will visit Dunfermline today to confer city status on Scotland’s ancient capital. The ceremony will take place at Dunfermline City Chambers as part of the celebrations of the Queen’s platinum jubilee. The King and Queen Camilla will then visit the nearby Dunfermline Abbey, which is marking its 950th anniversary. Today’s visit to…

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Boo bags biggest fags haul in Scotland

SNIFFER dog Boo has set a record for the most illegal cigarettes seized by a trading standards team in Scotland. East Ayrshire Council teamed up with the police to raid three premises in Kilmarnock. Boo sniffed out 447,000 cigarettes, worth an estimated £134,000. Training for Boo, a three-year-old Labrador-German Wirehaired Pointer cross, was funded by…

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Juliet Robertson is top young soloist

PIANIST Juliet Robertson has won the inaugural “Scottish Young Musicians’ solo performer of the year” title. Juliet, 14, from Stirlingshire, won the competition in Glasgow yesterday by playing Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy. She received £1,000 to spend on furthering her musical career and the “Maid of Morven” trophy, which was made by the…

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Dunfermline named as Scotland’s 8th city

DUNFERMLINE, once the capital of Scotland, is to become our nation’s eighth city. The Fife town was granted the honour this morning as part of the celebrations to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee. It will be presented with its letters patent to mark its new status later in the year. Jim Leishman, provost of Fife,…

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