A collection of the supernatural in Scotland

Assorted strange phenomena abound in Scotland – witches, wizards, fairies, sea monsters, yeti-type creatures, UFOs and a plethora of female spirits called glastigs and caoineags who appear in various forms.  A collection of ghostly hauntings, blood-chilling tales and strange phenomena abound in Scotland are gathered together in a new book, Paranormal Scotland, by Gilly Pickup.…

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New forestry business launches with familiar faces

Well-known forestry specialists have launched a new business, Goldcrest Land & Forestry Group. Surveyors Jon Lambert, Fenning Welstead and Jock Galbraith, who previously worked for John Clegg & Co, have formed a new partnership operating throughout the UK. Based in Edinburgh’s Charlotte Square, Goldcrest’s services include buying and selling forestry and land on behalf of…

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Offers over £1.5 million for a private residential estate

A stunning nine-bedroom property with an indoor swimming pool has been brought to the market for offers over £1.5 million. Presented by Knight Frank, Camusericht Lodge sits in a wonderfully private position facing south with impressive views towards Loch Rannoch with the distant peaks of Glen Lyon. The traditional sporting lodge has been refurbished to…

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Lanzarote: The grapes that grow in lava

Peter Ranscombe pens a very personal reflection on wines from the Canaries’ most unusual island. LET me start with a confession – I’m biased horrendously when it comes to Lanzarote. In fact, I promised myself I would never write an article about the island and its wines in this blog. Selfishly, I wanted to keep…

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Classics and discoveries with The Wine Society

Spring’s online wine tastings continue with bottles from a very special wine club, writes Peter Ranscombe. THERE are two things for which The Wine Society is known – classic wines at classic prices, and exciting oddities that will make even the most seasoned wine geek sit up and take notice. Both ends of the spectrum…

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Huge demand to buy in rural Scotland despite pandemic

Brexit and Covid-19 are proving no barrier to people wanting to purchase rural property in Scotland. In the face of Brexit negotiations and the global pandemic, 2020 was an extraordinary year for the Scottish estate market: it has entered a new era, where newly perceived attributes are enhancing its appeal and subsequent value. Analysis of…

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Five reasons why Sir Walter Scott still matters today

This year marks 250 years since the birth of Sir Walter Scott. Born in Edinburgh in 1771, Sir Walter Scott is regarded as one of the most influential Scots in history. As a child he was sent to the countryside to help him recover from a bout of polio, and it was during his time…

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A working organic croft on a Scots island for sale

A rare and unique lifestyle opportunity to acquire a 70 acre organic working croft set on the fringe of the coastal village of Bunessan on the ever-popular Isle of Mull has arisen. Presented by Bell Ingram, and originally constructed in 1911, the cottage at High Lee is a beautifully presented one and a half storey…

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Horses must be given more attention on the roads

An estimated three million horse riders in the UK use public roads, so it is inevitable that accidents will happen. But is enough being done to prevent them? Recent figures reveal an alarming trend. The British Horse Society (BHS) has received more than 2,000 reports of road traffic incidents involving horses in the last five…

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Chardonnay showdown: Australia v New Zealand

Peter Ranscombe had a ring-side seat for this afternoon’s virtual clash between two chardonnay giants. IN THE red corner: all the way from the southern hemisphere, the undefeated heavyweight champion of chardonnay, it’s Australia. And in the blue corner, from the other side of the Tasman Sea, the upstart challenger looking to land a knock-out…

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