Posts Tagged ‘Sir Walter Scott’
A history of money in Scotland’s capital
In truth, I’ve never previously considered the history behind money; my main focus tends to be on how to make more of the stuff. With this in mind I was surprised by how quickly I was drawn into the story of Edinburgh’s journey of wealth. Bookended by the two biggest financial catastrophes of our time…
Read MoreWhat’s in a name – the history of the Cadell family
What links the first navigation of the River Murray, 19th century photo negatives hidden under the floorboards of a grand mansion, and the TV programme, Hi-De-Hi? No idea? The answer lies with the Cadell family, the family who occupied Cockenzie House in East Lothian for over 200 years. They bought the house in the late…
Read MoreMarking 160 years of an important landmark
The 160th anniversary of the Katrine Aqueduct, one of Scotland’s most important pieces of infrastructure, was marked this week with a special re-enactment of its official inauguration by Queen Victoria. Actors donned Victorian attire and a modern-day lookalike ‘Queen Victoria’ followed in the footsteps of the monarch and repeated her words close to the very…
Read MoreTwins’ fuse nature and art for some projected glory
A stunning fusion of nature, art and technology in Glencoe have made illuminating subject matter for Edinburgh-based projectionists Double Take. It may not be unusual for youngsters to quit their jobs in the vain hope of entrepreneurial world domination, but Double Take Projections was born of just such a bold move. Steven and David McConnachie…
Read MoreOur top ten Scottish doomed love affairs
‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all’ according to Alfred Lord Tennyson. Although we’re not sure that all of these couples would agree, romance certainly can be a difficult path to navigate. Here’s 10 of our favourites. 1. Madonna and Guy Ritchie The Queen of Pop married director…
Read MoreA handy guide to Scotland’s spiritual background
The Traveller’s Guide to Sacred Scotland is a user-friendly guide to early Scottish settlements: from the Neolithic Age of cupmarked stones to the tired remains of the 16th century, when religious institutions fell victim to the violent throes of the Reformation. Marianna Lines also examines Scotland’s geographical idiosyncrasies in the context of inherited folk tales…
Read MoreMore to Rosslyn Chapel than The Da Vinci Code
For a brief moment in 2003, Rosslyn Chapel was one of the most famous places on Earth. A global audience was devouring Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, an intricately plotted novel that had the chapel at its heart. But despite the completion of a £9 million restoration project in 2012, the iconic building is…
Read MoreTen fantastic places to visit in… the Borders
If you’re in the Scottish Borders, you are in an area that’s packed full of historic homes and places to visit. Whether you love music, books, or large classical buildings, there’s definitely something for you. We round up 10 great things to see, do and visit. ROBERT SMAIL’S PRINTING WORKS This fascinating museum in Innerleithen…
Read More10 fantastic places to visit on… Skye
The Isle of Skye has a romantic mysticism about it, being covered in fog, with stunning imagery. Skye has a history that it is rightly proud of, but it boasts a number of attractions – natural, historical and new – that make it worth a visit. Here’s our round-up. DUNTULM CASTLE Perched on a cliff…
Read MoreTen fantastic places to visit in… Stirlingshire
Callander, Aberfoyle and Port of Menteith in Stirlingshire offer some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. But there’s far more to them than just the scenery, as we present the latest in our series of ten places to visit. ARDGATY RED KITES The red kite feeding station near Doune offers extraordinary views of…
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