Hood June 2019 by hoodmagazine_

June 2019 Issue 8

hood STYLE AND LIVING SCOTLAND

OFF THE SIDELINES

Scotland’s female footballers on taking up space

SPINNING PLATES 10 top tips for surviving the school holiday juggle

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PRESTIGIOUS STYLE practical living Westpoint Homes latest development The Avenues, located off Sutherland Avenue is a collection of 24 exquisitely designed three-bedroom apartments in the very desirable area of Pollokshields, close to the beautiful Maxwell Park. These stunning apartments are spread over two contemporary styled blocks that seamlessly merge into this pleasant residential area creating the perfect retreat, the 24 apartments benefit from allocated parking and private outdoor space. Set within the sought-after conservation area of Pollokshields, Glasgow’s exceptional shopping and art scene is just minutes away, additionally within walking distance you will find a host of eating and drinking options. Its coveted location is served by three local railway stations as well as a subway which together provide unrivalled connectivity. Despite being just a few minutes away by train, Pollokshields feels a world away from the busy city centre. There are plenty of green spaces a short stroll south, choose from the manicured Maxwell Park or the vast Pollok Country Park home to The Burrell Collection and Pollok House. In close proximity the fairways of Haggs Castle, Pollok and Cowglen golf club provide great leisure options, not to mention skiing and snowboard facilities at Bellahouston Park. Pollokshields is the meeting point between country ideals and the buzz of the city.

Accessed via the peaceful tree lined Sutherland Avenue, the beautifully landscaped gardens lead to the allocated parking area creating a welcoming haven from the bustle of modern life. A pleasure to look at, The Avenues is a distinguished architectural design with sandstone and slate roof finishes, the development also boasts a high specification throughout and lifts to all levels. The Hamilton Collection comprises 14 apartments and with seven styles to choose from there is an option to suit every requirement. All apartments feature three double bedrooms, spacious openplan living areas and beautiful master ensuites, as well as outdoor space in the form of private balconies or terraces for the ground floor apartments providing options to bring the outside in. The Hamilton Collection combines the very best design features with practical living options, fit for today’s demands. With two glorious penthouse apartments, The Hamilton Collection is a luxurious option with the family at its heart. Alternatively the Sutherland Collection consists of 10 apartments in four styles to choose from, including a jawdropping penthouse apartment which spans the whole of the top floor.

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June 2019

CONTENTS 45

78 THIS MONTH IN THE ‘HOOD 9 This month’s must-do 10 The Hood to-do list 12 The style chart 14 Dial up your downtime 17 Sisters of Insta’

SISTERHOOD 19 Off the sideline Scotland’s female footballers on achieving first team status (at last) 24 The Watercooler Is bad body image making Scotland suicidal? 27 Doc ‘n Roll star Morven Masterton on bringing music’s film festival to Scotland

LIVELIHOOD

FOOD IN THE ‘HOOD

32 Spinning plates The working woman’s guide to nailing the school summer holiday juggle 37 Find your fire Coach Kirsty McWilliam on mastering mental calm amid a busy life

62 La bella vita Eusebi Deli’s summer menu has guests grinning in Glasgow 66 California dreaming Take your kitchen cues from the sunshine state

WOMANHOOD

NEIGHBOURHOOD

39 June’s must buy 41 Wear it three ways Style summer’s pastel trousers for work, rest and play 45 In bloom Mix florals with geometrics for modern summertime style 55 The beauty edit Beauty hall news you need to know now 57 The bronze age Fake it ‘til you make it with summer’s make-up must haves

72 Blooming bold Bring the outdoors in with new season floral prints 76 Highland fling Follow in celeb footsteps at Speyside’s Craigellachie Hotel 78 48 hours in… Munich Make the most of a weekend in the Bavarian capital

MANHOOD 82 Gordon Millar Says it’s never too late to follow a dream hood • 5

CONTRIBUTORS

Shaun Lavender creates the make-up look for our main fashion story, from page 47

Blogger Sarah Ferguson rocks this season’s pastel trouser for work, rest and play from page 43

This month you’ll find me… buying pre-collections for AW2020!

This month you’ll find me… catching up on my list of books while wearing my favourite Deep Hydration Mask by Tropic Skincare.

My favourite spot for a summer picnic… is Portobello Beach with the kids. I love grabbing something yummy from The Beach House.

My favourite spot for a summer picnic… is Queen Street Gardens in Edinburgh, for peace and quiet in the heart of the city.

My favourite spot for a summer picnic… is always on the beach, usually Troon or West Sands, with a canned G&T (of course).

I’m currently watching… The Bay, a gritty northern crime drama centred on a female family liaison officer.

I’m currently binge watching… Ru Paul’s Drag Race like a mad woman, trying to catch up with the latest season. I only got into it recently but I am OBSESSED.

I’m currently watching… Kingdom on Netflix. It’s a Korean drama with zombies that’s unlike anything I’ve seen before. Perfection.

Sarah Murray, owner of Jane Davidson boutique, lets us in on her wedding dressing tips on page 55

My favourite BBQ playlist song is… Hey Girl by Lady Gaga featuring Florence Welch

hood HoodMagazine

HoodMagazine_ HoodMagazine_

My favourite BBQ playlist song is… The Politics of Dancing by Reflex.

My favourite BBQ playlist song… would have to be The Strokes’ Last Night. It’s such a feelgood tune and just takes me right back to dancing and singing out the car windows in the summer with my best friends.

Lifestyle & digital editor: Gillian McDonald Editor: Jennifer Crichton-Gibson Designer: Paul Dickson Partnerships manager: Sarah Fraser Style editor: Laura Hudson Published by Miller Mitchell Media Limited, The Drying House, Eskmills, Station Road, Musselburgh, EH21 7PB Tel: 0131 273 5245. Email: accounts@hoodmagazine.co.uk Website: hoodmagazine.co.uk

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. All prices are correct at time of going to press but subject to change. Hood Magazine cannot be held responsible for unsolicited material. The views and opinions expressed by contributors to this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers. Hood Magazine takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisements in this publication. ©Miller Mitchell Media 2019

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EDITOR’S LETTER

OPTIMISM IS A TRICKY THING. While it’s all fine and good to say you’re a glass half full sort of human, in reality, it’s the sunny among us who get let down the most – and while they might be renowned for their joie de vivre much of the time, it would be totally understandable if Scotland’s football fans resorted to never get their hopes up again. But while a dejected tartan army might be something of a national emblem, Scotland has recently begun to show some serious prowess on the football field and, with the greatest of respect to our boys, it’s the women’s team that’s behind it. That 23 of our female players will head off to France this month, having qualified for the World Cup for the first time in Scottish female footballing history, is achievement enough in itself. But when you consider that, unlike their male counterparts, most of these women have made it to the first team while juggling full-time jobs and receiving no SPL pay cheques, it makes it all the more impressive. Turn to page 19 to meet three of the women looking to level the playing field in Scotland, for today’s footballing females as well as tomorrow’s. Please join us in cheering them on with gusto as they make Scottish sporting history. Elsewhere in this edition, we’ve been discussing our own juggling acts, and specifically, the long and looming school holidays and the impact they have on our schedules. If your head is already spinning heading into summer, fear not – we’ve crowd-sourced the greatest coping tips from Scottish working women who make it look easy. Simply turn to page 32. Meanwhile, another woman who is no stranger to spinning some plates, Doc’n Roll’s Morven Masterton, lets us in on the secrets of bringing music’s favourite film festival north of the border (while juggling not one, but two, day jobs as well, obviously) from page 27. Which brings me to my own juggling act, and the fact that this will be my last edition at the helm of

Hood. It’s been a hell of ride creating this title from scratch over the last year and I feel exceptionally privileged to have met, interviewed and befriended some truly tremendous women throughout the course of the project. Now, with new adventures beckoning, I’m passing the baton and, with a CV that spans some of the UK’s top fashion magazines and websites, I’m sure Scottish-returnee and new acting editor Maxine Eggenberger will grab it with both hands. Give her a follow on Insta @maxineeggenberger. Which only leaves me to say cheerio for now. It’s been a blast!

Jennifer Crichton-Gibson Editor

THIS MONTH I’LL BE

Celebrating my (redacted) birthday with my first ever trip to Wembley Arena. Fleetwood Mac, I’m ready for you! Trying, and most likely failing, to edit my bedside book pile to a manageable, suitcase-friendly size for summer. Realising I can’t delay the annual swimwear shopping nightmare any further

hood • 7

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This month in the

‘hood

IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE HARBOUR TODAY… Pack your picnic blanket and head to the East Neuk this month, where the Crail Food Festival, a free two-day celebration of the best produce Fife’s natural larder has to offer, returns for its ninth edition. This year’s festivities have a picnic theme, with visitors encouraged to eat, drink, share and enjoy local produce at scenic locations across the beautiful coastal village. As well as chef demonstrations and tasting sessions in the Community Hall, the nearby Beechwalk Park will be home to a street food marketplace featuring some of the country’s top vendors. Don’t miss the evening dinner event at Crail Kirk Hall on Saturday, June 8, where you can tuck into a six-course tasting menu (£50pp) curated by former Fifer, chef Euan Graham of Skye’s The Three Chimneys, with each course created by a different leading Scottish chef. June 8 to 9 Crail Community Hall, Crail, Fife, free. crailfoodfest.co.uk

hood • 9

The hood to do list

Our pick of the concerts, festivals, events and happenings you won’t want to miss this June

DANCE INTO THE DIGITAL AGE

TAKE IN A MUSICAL MOVIE

Photo by Nicola Selby

Scottish Ballet’s celebration of its 50th anniversary continues apace with its #SBDigital season. In a break from its physical theatre-based norm, the company has produced a series of films, including a trio by its first ever digital artist in residence, Zachary Eastwood-Bloom, designed to bring the ballet to a new smartphone and tablet-using audience. scottishballet.co.uk

Having recently launched its Scottish edition in Edinburgh, musical movie festival Doc’n Roll heads west to Glasgow this month, with a programme packed full of films that cover the creation of music from punk to gospel, indie to rock and roll. Turn to our interview with director Morven Masterton from page 27, then get booking… docnrollfestival.com

GET SOME THEATRICAL WEDDING INSPO Head to Gretna Green’s world-famous wedding venue, the Blacksmiths Shop Museum, for an exciting costume design exhibition which takes inspiration from the wedding feast scene in Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Performance costume students from the Edinburgh College of Art have created fifteen beautiful, ethereal bridal outfits – all with a theatrical twist. Highlighting both contemporary textile techniques and historical pattern cutting, the bespoke costume collection will be on show until the end of August. End of June to end of August. gretnagreen.com

BRIGHTEN YOUR HOME WITH ORLA KIELY She’s one of Britain’s most influential design names, and now Orla Kiely is returning to the capital to share her insights on bringing pattern into your pad. Hosted in association with John Lewis, the designer will take to the stage to share her top tips on making a bold style statement, while tickets also include entry to the A Life in Pattern exhibition. June 15, Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, 11am to noon, £15. dovecotstudios.com 10 • hood

THIS MONTH IN THE ‘HOOD

GEN UP ON JAZZ The Glasgow Jazz Festival returns this month with a host of the genre’s big names from across the globe. Hosted in venues across the city, join the likes of soul legend Ruby Turner, father of Ethio-jazz Mulatu Astatke and the Bill Laurence Trio for some brainmelting musical musings. June 19 to 23, various venues across Glasgow. jazzfest.co.uk

RAISE AWARENESS WITH A MOONWALK Breast cancer charity Walk the Walk will host the 2019 edition of its famed Moonwalk this month, with a special circus theme set to make the annual event extra special. Participants can choose from a quarter, half, full or double marathon length route this year, with all funds raised from the race going to improve treatment and support for women battling breast cancer across the country. June 8, Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, from £32.50 plus £100 sponsorship minimum. walkthewalk.org

AIM FOR EDEN We’re huge fans of a good music festival here at Hood Towers, so this month you’ll find us in a field at Dumfries & Galloway’s glorious Raehills Meadows for Eden Festival. Boasting 13 different music stages as well as a kids’ arena, circus tent, drive-in cinema, comedy, cabaret and workshops, there’s something for everyone. We’ll be pushing our way to the front for legendary author Irvine Welsh’s DJ set… June 6 to 9, Raehills Meadows, Dumfries & Galloway, from £99 to £135. edenfestival.co.uk

TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT DESIGN IN THE DON Covering everything from events on how to bid for art and design funding to exhibitions showcasing ambitious new works by artists, designers, photographers, architects and writers, Aberdeen’s Look Again Festival is a true treat for the eyes. It returns this month with a packed programme that will help you see the Granite City from a whole new viewpoint. June 7 to 16, various venues across Aberdeen. lookagainaberdeen.co.uk

hood • 11

THE

STYLE CHART Your must-have fashion, home and beauty buys, in store and online now

2 Hobbs Ferrier dress Stand out in style at any special occasions this summer with this burnt orange midi dress from Hobbs. We adore the rich colour, which will see you through to autumn, and the delicate button and loop detailing is exquisite too. Just the right side of floral and floaty, we think this chic midi packs a real sartorial punch. £229, Hobbs

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By Terry Rose Elixir Brightening CC Powder When make-up is almost too pretty to use, we just can’t get enough. By Terry’s rose-embossed pink powder illuminates washed-out complexions, to give you a fresh rosy glow that’s perfect for summer. Simply sweep over the face for all-over radiance, or build up on your cheeks for a light flush of colour. £52, byterry.com

L’Occitane Herbae hand cream Who said hand cream wasn’t glamorous? It’s an essential part of our deskside regime, and for summer we’re upgrading to L’Occitane’s luxe new Herbae hand cream, inspired by the wild flower fields of Provence. Not only does it smell incredible, but the floral packaging gives us all the heart-eyes too. £8, loccitane.co.uk

Winky Lux Pink Flower Balm Incorporate flower power into your make-up bag with this quirky and oh-so Instagrammable clear lipstick, featuring a real chrysanthemum suspended inside. The jelly texture glides on clear and gradually changes to your perfect shade of pink, every time. £13, Harvey Nichols

Bloom & Wild Camille bouquet Make the most of peony season while it lasts, and send a friend (or yourself, we’re not here to judge) a bold bouquet of them to brighten up any day. Coral peonies are blended with ‘miss piggy’ ombre roses and soft ruscus stems, hand-arranged by Bloom & Wild’s team of florists and packaged to be popped directly through the letterbox – who wouldn’t want to come home to that? £39, bloomandwild.com

THIS MONTH IN THE ‘HOOD

6 Floral printed dress If your calendar is crammed with dressy occasions, this elegant hanky-hem halterneck has you covered. Simply pair with a great pair of heels, a chic clutch in a matching shade of blush and a fabulous fascinator to see you through any special occasion in serious style. £80, Monsoon

H&M Conscious Collection blouse Florals don’t need to be in-your-face to be effective – the painterly flowers and Victoriana colour palette make this breezy blouse look far more expensive than it really is. We love the backless style and the loose bow, so chic and almost fresh off the runway. £17.99, H&M

Jo Malone Orange Blossom Hair Mist Of course, you’ll have your signature summer scent, but have you ever considered a perfume for your hair? Jo Malone’s luxe hair mist wraps your locks in a haze of uplifting scent that lasts and lasts, and the orange blossom fragrance is a wonderfully romantic option for summer. £44, jomalone.co.uk

Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb & Ginger Gin Fans of the original rhubarb and ginger liqueur, rejoice – Edinburgh Gin has announced a new full-strength gin in the same flavour, just in time for summer. And if you just can’t decide on which cocktail to make with it, for a limited time you can get your hands on an exclusive fortune-telling ‘gin ball’ too, to make the decision for you. £28, John Lewis and Sainsbury’s

Dorothy Perkins slingbacks We love wearing a print with a co-ordinating block-colour shoe, and the rich yellow of these slingbacks would look wonderful with so many pieces on our Style Chart! You could wear these to a wedding, or pair with jeans and a wicker bag to take you from bar to barbecue with ease. £25, Dorothy Perkins

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Dial up your downtime Don’t waste your precious free hours. These are the TV shows and movies worth dropping everything for this June…

SOMEONE GREAT A hilarious and heartfelt story of friendship, love and heartbreak, Someone Great centres around three friends who are coming to terms with saying goodbye to their twenties. After landing her dream job on the other side of the country and breaking up with her boyfriend of nine years, Jenny calls up her best friends for one last blow-out adventure around New York City before they all go their separate ways into adulthood. Streaming on Netflix now

LATE NIGHT CHANGE THE GAME: FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP As part of this summer’s Change The Game season of female-led sport, the BBC will be showing coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. With top female commentators and presenters, including Gabby Logan and Eilidh Barbour, it promises to be an exciting season showcasing women’s football to a wider audience than ever before. Don’t miss Scotland v England as the home nations battle it out on the pitch on June 9. Live on BBC1 and BBC2 from June 7 14 • hood

When pioneering late-night talk show host Katherine Newbury, played by the formidable Emma Thompson, fears she’s at risk of losing her long-running slot, she has to take action. Seen as a “woman who hates women”, Katherine hires Molly, now the sole woman in an all-male writers’ room. Bringing her usual brand of charming, sweet and sharp comedy to the role, Mindy Kaling’s Molly is determined to prove she’s not just a diversity hire and sets about revitalising the outdated show. In cinemas from June 7

THIS MONTH IN THE ‘HOOD

THE BOLD TYPE Set in the offices of the fictional Scarlet Magazine in NYC, The Bold Type is a thoroughly millennial dramedy. Three friends – writer Jane, social media manager Kat and fashion assistant Sutton – attempt to find their feet in the worlds of work, life and love whilst dealing with the strains of modern life. It might not be the most realistic show we’ve ever watched, but the bubbly, likeable characters and topical plotlines make it an easy Sex in the City-style watch for when you’re in need of a bit of glossy escapism. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video now

DEAD TO ME Despite their polar-opposite personalities, when two women meet at a grief support group they form an unlikely friendship, bonding over more than a few bottles of wine. Cynical, strait-laced Jen, played by Christina Applegate, is determined to solve her husband's recent hit-and-run murder, as free-spirited Judy (Linda Cardellini) desperately tries to shield Jen from a shocking secret that could destroy her life as she knows it. This is one dark comedy you won't want to miss. Streaming on Netflix now

STREET FOOD For some mouth-watering food and travel inspiration, tuck in to Street Food on Netflix, a culinary adventure from the creators of Chef’s Table, exploring the rich culture of marketplace meals all over the globe. The first season of the show focuses on Asia, exploring the vibrant gastronomic scenes in nine different countries, from the street hawker stalls of Singapore to the travelling food carts in India’s bustling cities. Streaming on Netflix now, with new episodes of season three launching weekly

LINE OF DUTY If, like us, you overlooked Line of Duty when it first aired in 2012 (sorry, we’ve seen the error of our ways now!), you’ll be glad to hear the whole box set is now available to binge on both BBC iPlayer and Netflix. The gripping drama follows the investigations of a controversial police anti-corruption unit, and every tensionfilled episode will keep you guessing… who can really be trusted? Streaming on BBC iPlayer and Netflix now

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FEATURES

16 â&#x20AC;¢ hood

THIS MONTH IN THE ‘HOOD

G IS FOR GEORGINA

‘Country mouse living in the city’ is how Edinburgh resident Georgina Lamrock describes herself, and it’s true that her rural upbringing has helped lend a sense of the whimsical to her beautiful photography. Her Instagram page is filled with snapshots of Edinburgh at its finest, from the fairytale-esque banks of the Dean Village, to dramatic shots of the castle, which will make you want to book a trip to the capital immediately. Follow for: Edinburgh inspiration that goes way beyond the Fringe gisforgeorgina.com @gisforgeorgina

LA RETOUR

If you’ve always fancied getting back to nature and exploring the beautiful world we have right on our doorsteps, then La Retour is the perfect follow for you. Laura, who runs the blog, focuses on the slow travel movement and enjoying what natural glory we’re lucky enough to have right here in Scotland, from quirky side-streets in the capital to tranquil woodlands on the west coast and picturesque coast-side cottages in Fife. Follow for: a tranquil look at the best Scotland has to offer laretour.com @laretour

KK LAND

KK Land-Boyd admits that she doesn’t like to stay in one place too long, which makes her blog and Instagram even more delightful for her followers – you just never know where she’ll be headed next. Whether it’s at home in Edinburgh or across the world in Estonia, Arizona or even Aspen, KK’s shots are always dreamlike, giving you a glimpse into the prettiest corners of the globe. Follow her: picture-perfect spots all around the world kkland.co.uk @kkland

SISTERS OF INSTA’ Our pick of the Instagrammers showing us how to make the most of the great outdoors as summer hits

ADVENTURES AROUND SCOTLAND

Orkney-based travel blogger Susanne Arbuckle doesn’t just highlight the best places to visit in Scotland; she creates itineraries around them too. Passionate about promoting the lesser-known gems the country has to offer, and taking readers off the tourist trail, Susanne’s blog exposes travel treasures across the country that you might not have considered. Follow for: the most beautiful places in Scotland that you might not have explored before adventuresaroundscotland.com @adventuresaroundscotland

EILIDH CAMERON

Eilidh’s day job is as a photographer, so it comes as no surprise that her Instagram is full of incredible photos. Originally hailing from Argyll, Eilidh grew up fascinated by the beauty and geology of the Scottish landscape, and that’s what led her to become a photographer. She strives to capture the soul of the Scottish landscape in her beautiful, dramatic photographs – and we think she does an incredible job. eilidhcameronphotography.com @eilidh__cameron

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SISTERHOOD

Off the

SIDELINES For too long, women’s sport has languished behind men’s in terms of funding, support and public attention. But with the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicking off this month, and the Scottish women’s squad making its tournament debut amid more optimism than their male counterparts have enjoyed of late (sorry boys!), things could be about to change. Writer Dayna McAlpine meets three stars of the Scottish women’s football scene ahead of all the action in France…

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VIVIENNE MACLAREN is the chair of Scottish Women’s Football and, with 23 years in the marketing industry in Scotland and London under her belt, now works to encourage more girls into the sport. She also sits on the government’s Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Advisory Board, looking at ways to boost sporting take-up and retainment rates among the country’s girls and young women… When did you start working in women’s football and how did your career lead you to your current position? I was asked to join the restructured board of Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) in 2014 as media and communications director to lead the transformation of the domestic game as a brand and as a commercial entity, as well as putting in place a team to drive forward women’s and girls’ football in Scotland. I was appointed chairperson in 2016 and am extremely proud to be part of a thriving sport and a hugely talented organisation. We currently manage 40 competitions across Scotland What key barriers to women trying to progress in the sport remain to this day? For me, in Scotland, the key barriers are cultural ones – as a wee girl, I was brought up to believe that I could achieve anything, could play whatever sports I wanted and never think I couldn’t do something. And to this day, I have never, ever felt like I couldn’t achieve something because of my gender. Sadly, there are still those that think girls should stay away from sport and outdoor activity and only do ‘girly’ things. That isn’t helpful in my opinion – boys and girls should be able to do whatever they want to. If a wee boy wants to go to ballet or a wee girl wants to play rugby, let them – don’t pre-determine what we think they want to do. Are the female players supported to pursue sport full-time? What is the funding like? Players in Scotland at the elite end are not all full-time professionals – in fact, most aren’t. Many clubs conduct themselves as professional set ups in terms of training, conduct and attitude, but the 20 • hood

players just don’t get that full-time financial reward. A few clubs are now looking to implement that in the coming months and years though and, for me, an environment in which women can be paid to play is key to raising standards even further. We are not at the levels of the FA Women’s Superior League (England’s highest league of women’s football) but, as we are largely funded by commercial income, I believe we can attract a significant investor to take our game to the next level. We will not accept sponsorship from alcohol or gambling organisations, however, as we strongly believe that sends out the wrong message to our players, many of whom are under 18 years of age. We want to encourage healthy bodies, minds and attitudes as much as we can. How do you feel the women’s game differs to the men’s? Women’s football is often compared to men’s football, but it is not trying to be men’s football – it’s a different game in many respects in terms of pace and technical ability. One day we will refer to it just as football I hope, being played by those who want to play it, boys or girls. The rise and rise of our national team has been a key driver in the increased attention the game has been getting and has had a really positive effect, not only on player numbers – we have over 8,000 active registered players right now which is a record – but also on media and coverage. Our games tend to attract a much more family- focussed crowd and it has a different feel to it than many men’s fixtures. We want our games to be more of a family day out, rather than maybe just something some of the family do.

SISTERHOOD

RHONDA JONES is a standout star in the Scottish football hall of fame. Having accumulated 117 caps during 16 years playing for the national team, she’s now a firefighter for the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and chair of You Are My Sunshine (YAMS), a mental health hub.

Safe to say that there’s a huge gap in funding – what about public perception? There is still a huge gap in all aspects – the women’s team has always over-achieved, despite the disparity, but many people have only taken notice of women’s football recently because the current squad have qualified for the World Cup. If the Scottish Football Association wants to give women’s football a real chance of success, it has to follow in the footsteps of the English FA and financially support its women’s team to make football their full-time job. It is clear that the England women’s team only started find success after the establishment of a professional league in 2011 – before that, they were barely making a mark on the world stage. Now, they’re sitting third in the FIFA world rankings. This perception of women as secondary in sport begins early, doesn’t it? There just isn’t the same expectation on girls to succeed in sports as there is for boys. Then, when girls reach puberty, their bodies start to change and many become self-conscious about being in

Photo by Andrew Buist

What challenges did you face playing on the national women’s team, and do you think they were different to those faced by the men? When I played on the national team, I found the biggest barrier was trying to hold down a full-time job whilst training four times a week and playing on a Sunday for my club. I was fortunate that I had an understanding employer, as I needed a lot of time off work for international duty, but that also had a financial implication for many of us because we were having to take unpaid holidays from work. Although the situation is better now, with the Scottish Football Association subsidising salaries during big competitions, there is still a major pay disparity between men and women, and still no professional women’s league in Scotland. sports clothing and taking part in physical exercise. Sports can still be looked upon as masculine, and high school can be a difficult place for kids to have the strength to be confident enough to stand out from the crowd and step outside their comfort zone. Without opportunities and encouragement, teen girls will continue to fall away from sport. What’s being done at a grassroots level to fix this? The role models project, which saw national team players visiting local girls’ teams, talking and doing trophy presentations, definitely helped put our female players in the spotlight and allowed young girls the chance to know, and look up to, their national players. More young girls are becoming involved in football now because there’s less of a stigma involved, and the old, antiquated, sexist attitudes are slowly dissipating. This change in attitude has helped to give girls more opportunities to play alongside boys, for clubs to grow girls’ teams within their system and for girls to play without the fear of discrimination.

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SISTERHOOD

AMY MCDONALD Having previously played in the Women’s Premier League, Amy McDonald is the head coach of Rangers Ladies. As well as boosting the team’s performance, she hopes to persuade the Glasgow-based club’s first team fanbase to follow the women’s team too. How did you become women’s head coach at Rangers? I originally played for a number of clubs in Scotland, as well as at international level representing the country, and I also started coaching when I was 16 and couldn’t get a full-time job. I ended up working for Quarriers whilst continuing to play but, unfortunately, I had to retire early due to injury and that’s when I was asked to volunteer at Glasgow City FC Youth Academy. After four years of volunteering, I was offered the role on a full-time basis, making me the first full-time female head of youth in the UK. Unfortunately, funding struggles meant the role ceased to exist and, at that point, I was approached by Rangers FC to be the head coach. I worked part time for a year (alongside consultancy work) before taking on the women’s and girls’ academy manager role on a full-time basis. Funding seems to be a real issue when it comes to women’s football? It is, and I think that infrastructure is key too. Improving that would require significant loss before becoming sustainable, but it would create a better future for anyone involved in sport. At the moment, many sporting organisations with female arms are having to make difficult decisions due to lack of financial backing, and are being expected to have a larger output with much less input. What other key barriers are there for women trying to progress in the sport? Having belief and self-confidence is key whilst working in a male dominated environment –I’ve had to ensure that everywhere I go I leave a lasting impression as a professional who is knowledgeable. How do you feel the women’s game differs to the men’s? Although it’s starting to move in the right direction, there’s still a significant difference in

public perception when it comes to women’s football. The combination of a lack of acknowledgment of womens’ past sporting achievements with a lack of recognition for this side of football itself is a real issue. A shift has come though with Scotland’s National Team qualifying for the Euros last year and the World Cup final this year.   Is it a cultural issue within clubs? Many women and girls are put off by having negative experiences when first entering a club environment. We have all been there, walking in, feeling like a fish out of water, lacking in confidence and then feeling excluded if it’s a clique environment. What is being done at grassroots level to get more girls involved in football? There are a number of different initiatives, but mainly it’s about there being opportunities everywhere for young girls and women to participate recreationally or at elite level now. The Scottish Football Association has branded soccer centres across the country, and more community clubs have female arms along with female recreational sessions available. The SFA has recently launched 20 for 20, which will see 20 females aged between 16 and 20 supported in coach education in a bid to increase the visibility of female role models across the game. What would you tell someone who wanted to get involved with women’s football in Scotland? Don’t give up. If your first experience isn’t good, know that the next club you go to could be the perfect fit. The road to success is often long and arduous, but if you believe you can, you will. Give yourself time to learn and master new skills and, once established, remember what it took and try to be that warm and welcoming face for new members coming behind you. scotwomensfootball.com

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The bad body image epidemic Millions of adults have had suicidal thoughts and emotions related to their body image, according to a new study by the Mental Health Foundation. But what’s causing our self-hatred, and what can be done to tackle it?

illions of adults have had such negative thoughts about their body image that they have experienced mental health problems, according to a study carried out by the Mental Health Foundation. A staggering one in eight adults in the UK say they have even experienced suicidal thoughts as a result of negativity relating to their own physicality, according to one of the biggest surveys ever conducted on the issue. The Mental Health Foundation says that its findings, unveiled to coincide with Mental Health Awareness 24 • hood

Week, confirm that while widely-reported body image concerns among children and women exist, the issue actually transcends age and gender, with a quarter of men and a fifth of over-55s confirming they had felt anxious or depressed due to negative self-image. The survey, published as part of a report, Body Image: How we think and feel about our bodies, found just over a third of UK adults have felt anxious or depressed because of concerns about their body image. Almost one in five respondents said they had felt “disgusted” or experienced

“shame” because of their body image in the last year, while ten per cent of women said they had self-harmed or deliberately hurt themselves as a result of body image. And the charity, which says much of the issue is being driven by an increasing reliance on social media and exposure to round-the-clock advertising, is now calling for greater social media regulation and new powers for advertising regulators. Mental Health Foundation chief executive Mark Rowland said: “Our survey underscores how commercial, social media and advertising pressures on body

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FEELING LOW? The Mental Health Foundation offers the following advice to those experiencing difficulties, or caring for someone struggling with their self-image. 1. Be aware of how the apps you use make you feel and, if you find them stressful in relation to your body image, consider uninstalling them. 2. Look at the people in the accounts you’re following on social media and be mindful of how you feel about your own body and appearance when you look at them. 3. Complain to the Advertising Standards Authority if you see an advert that you think presents an unhealthy body image as aspirational. 4. Lead by example by modelling positive behaviour around body image for your children, eating healthily and staying active. 5. Speak to a friend or health professional if your body image is a significant cause of stress.

image are contributing to mental health problems for millions of people. “This social harm has been allowed to develop largely unchecked. While there have been some positive initiatives, social media companies have frequently been unwilling to take the necessary steps to protect their users from harmful content. “New codes of practice should include an expectation that social media companies must take practical steps to ensure that the content they promote does not exacerbate body image concerns.” THE SCOTTISH APPROACH While the charity used its findings to call for regulatory action from the UK Government, it was Scotland that was first to respond, with Holyrood immediately unveiling plans to create a new Scottish

Government Advisory Group on Healthy Body Image. The working group, which will include members from youth, third sector and equality groups, will aim its work primarily at tackling negative self-image among Scotland’s children and young people, and will be tasked with identifying ways the country can improve support for youngsters who are struggling with negative self-image. Unveiling the plans at the start of Mental Health Awareness Week with a visit to Girlguiding Scotland, Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey said: “We are striving for a society where people do not suffer because of concerns about body image, and where they do not feel pressured to live up to a false sense of perfection.” She said the new advisory group would “build on our package of measures

to improve the mental health of young people, and directly target the impact of social media and body image on mental wellbeing.” A funding package worth £90,000 to produce advice on the healthy use of social media and screen time was also unveiled, while the government said a review of evidence on the effects of screen use on sleep and the implications of this for mental health would also be conducted. If you are struggling with your mental health, Samaritans are available on 116 123 for free, 24/7, to talk to and listen without judgement. Those seeking professional support can find out about services in their local area by visiting their GP or contacting the Mind infoline on 0300 123 3393. Information is also available at scot.nhs.uk

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Morven Masterton, photo by Bruna Amaral

Doc’n roll star It’s been running for five years down south, but when Fife-born Morven Masterton joined the team at music film festival Doc’n Roll, she knew she wanted to one day bring it home. Now, with her first Edinburgh and Dundee weekenders under her hat and a major programme of movies coming to Glasgow this month, she sits down with Hood to talk day jobs, passion projects and the work ethics of busy women… hood • 27

How did you first become involved with Doc’n Roll? I got involved about four and a half years ago following the first festival, which was held in Hackney, East London. My primary job is in the not-for-profit sector, and I think I got to the point in my life where I wanted to expand a little bit and do a few more things outwith that field that I was passionate about. Film and music have always been there, even though I have no formal training, and when I came across Doc’n Roll, it just felt like it was made for me, because it bridged my two favourite things. I wrote to them and said ‘hey, if you need a hand I’d love to get involved.’ Then I met them, discovered they were slightly crazy as well, and now, four and a half years on, I’m still involved in the annual London festival but here I am, launching the Scottish edition too. Where are you based now? I’m still based partly in London for work – I work for Marie Curie three days a week – but I’m an east coaster, my family are still in Fife and I’m up every month. And I also do contract work for the Edinburgh International Film Festival so I’m very much between the two at the moment. I love that I get to work in both fields, and I’m not sure that I could focus all of my attention on one or the other anymore. How do you find the time to fit all that in? I don’t! It’s just non-stop, to be honest, but the good thing about the film and music festival work is that it’s very social. I love meeting new people and the number of fascinating folk I’ve met through Doc’n Roll is just incredible. I love that element of it. We had a Q&A in Edinburgh with two of the directors and musicians of a film called Stories from the She Punks, which was a sold-out screening, and I drank in the bar with them afterwards. One of the directors, who was in a band called The Raincoats, was telling me about when she decided not to take forward a film career because she got invited on tour as the support act for Nirvana. That’s amazing, and it’s fabulous to be able to mix with people who have those sorts of incredible stories. That was one of a number of movies on the Edinburgh programme that was made by women. Is that a deliberate approach? Well, the UK team that runs Doc’n Roll is very female-heavy – there’s a core team of six and five of us are women – so we’re very keen to promote more films either about women or made by women, and to try to get more young women at screenings and joining the audience. It very much depends on the films that come in though. We have an open process online so people can submit both feature-length and short films for consideration throughout the year and, over the course of the five years we’ve been going in the UK so far, we’ve become quite well recognised as a leading production festival team in this area. So, we now get a lot of people coming to us to introduce us to new films, which is great. It's unusual to have such a dramatically female-heavy team behind a film festival. Is that by design or default? I don’t think it’s by design as such, but we certainly have shared principles and values, and I think we’re all very passionate about the project. I think we also started out very DIY – there’s no real 28 • hood

I THINK WHEN IT COMES TO PASSION PROJECTS, WOMEN ARE OFTEN THE ONES WHO JUST ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES AND GET STUCK IN

money in this yet, it’s about trying to do something we love – and while I don’t want to stereotype, I think when it comes to projects like that women are often the ones who just roll up their sleeves and get stuck in. Saying that, the two founders are a male/female couple, so it’s not that there are no men involved, it’s just the four of us who joined later are all female! How have you gone about selecting your programmes for the first Scottish festivals? Well, this year we’d already had festivals in London, Brighton and Liverpool, so we had an idea of what has sold best there, and then it’s about trying to get a sense of what people are most interested in in any particular area. So, for instance, we held the only Scottish screening of a film called About a Badly Drawn Boy in Dundee, because the director was born and brought up there, so we wanted to build on that local connection to draw interest. Also, to be honest, I’m hoping taking that approach will encourage people to think that maybe they could have a career in film and music. Because certainly, when I was growing up in Dunfermline, I was never encouraged to think about those things as an option for my future, I always just thought I’d have a nine-to-five job. So I’d love to introduce that to young people as an option.

SISTERHOOD

Morven Masterton, and Anne-Marie McGregor, Producer, Doc’n Roll Film Festival, photo by Aleksandra Janiak

Cameo Cinema, Edinburgh, photo by Aleksandra Janiak

How far off do you think we are from making Scottish young people think that they can have creative careers without having to go to London or further afield? It’s a really difficult question, because I’ve been in London for about 15 years. But for me, my intention is that I do want to come back home, so establishing this is in part giving me a grounding back here and something that I can feel is giving something back. But it’s hard to know if I would have had the exposure to the scene and the opportunity to do this if I hadn’t left. What’s drawing you home? There are a number of factors, including family circumstances and political events, and it seems like the right time. I think I now have a much better understanding of what we’re about, and I think I’m better able to talk to people about Doc’n Roll. And I’ve been really delighted with how supportive people have been. I’ve been trying to get a few more people involved in the Glasgow edition and I’ve sent emails to people who, frankly, shouldn’t have a clue who I am but have loved what we’re doing and been really open to it. That’s been lovely, and I think it could be really good for the industry as it’s something that hasn’t really existed here until now.

Rudeboy: The Story of Trojan Records screening at Glasgow Film Theatre

So, you’ve found the creative atmosphere to be welcoming in Scotland? It is. I think you definitely need some sort of track record to bring with you – we’ve been bringing more than 5,000 people through the doors in London and I think that makes it a much easier sell when I want to book in at the Cameo, for example, even though I’m doing this essentially on my own in Scotland. That helps. But it’s definitely an encouraging environment. What do you think the key challenges are to building something like Doc’n Roll here compared to in London? I’ve not done enough yet to identify what all of the challenges in Scotland are, though funding is definitely one of them. We went for public funding here and, unfortunately, we didn’t get it this time, so I’m actually using British Film Institute funding for touring the festival to support us this time. And that’s really disappointing as there is a national film fund in Scotland, and what I don’t want to do with Doc’n Roll is make it just an Edinburgh and Glasgow thing. I’m really excited about getting involved with the DCA in Dundee, we had a standalone screening at the Mac Arts Centre in Galashiels about a year and a half ago, I’d like to hit Aberdeen, and I’ve had real interest in Inverness too. But without

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Scottish funding, it’s hard to take that risk. So, it’s going to come down to getting more funding to expand further. Funding seems to be a real barrier for a lot of people in the creative arts in Scotland at the moment… It is, and it’s a real concern. Look at what’s happened with Electric Fields, and the fact they’ve had to move that into Glasgow. I’d love to put something on in Dunfermline, where I grew up, but again, I can’t manage to do that without funding to enable it. These things are so good for local economies, as well as culturally, so hopefully we’ll see that side of things get easier. We’ll apply again and I hope, by that time, the numbers from our first round of weekenders will speak for themselves. So, what can we expect from Glasgow this month? Glasgow has been really great to programme, as I guess it’s got two musical reputations. One is the dance scene, so we’ve programmed two films relating to house and techno, one from France and one about the Detroit scene, and we’re looking to link up with the club scene for events around those. And then we’ve got that indie scene – Mogwai, Idlewild, Teenage Fan Club – and we’ve got a movie about a band called Slow Club, a beautiful black and white film all about how the band broke up and the end of their friendship that will hopefully fit the Glasgow audience perfectly. The highlight for me in Edinburgh was the gospel choir we had ahead of the Gospel Quartets documentary, so I’m hoping to do something similar in Glasgow too. How about going forward – what are your key ambitions for the festival north of the border? I’d like to do more locations and bigger programmes, but along with that, I’d really like to be able to have more sideline events. It would be great to be able to put on gigs around the screenings, and to be able to bring more directors in from further afield. I think if you can make it more than a film, it’s a bit more inspiring for people, and really, when I look at where I want us to be a few years from now, I’d like us to be inspiring more people to think that they can make films as well, so we’re trying to get in touch with colleges and production companies to see if we can do an event for young people . I want to show that the doors are open, that there are opportunities for people and they don’t necessarily have to move away to get involved in the industry. And I want to bring more women in too. Never Stop: A Music That Resists at CCA-Glasgow

Morven Masterton, photo by Henrique Maia

The Phoenix Gospel Choir at Doc’n Roll in Edinburgh, photo by Aleksandra Janiak

How do you target women specifically? I think it’s partly to do with programming, making sure the films we’re screening are attractive to a female audience, and it’s also about ensuring the panel discussions include women too. Hilary Morrison, the co-founder of Fast Product, one of the biggest record labels in Scotland with a huge history leading the post-punk movement, came to Edinburgh, and it was brilliant to have her there. She spoke quite powerfully about how she’s perceived as a woman in the music industry, which is the sort of thing I’d like to see more of. So, it’s partly the films and partly how we construct the events around them, and I think we’d like to do more industry talks and events in future too to help build connections, confidence and knowledge. So there’s a lot to do, but it’s exciting. I think there are so many people moving back and bringing lots of ideas and experience with them at the moment that there’s a whole new opportunity to do great things. It’s all about the energy, isn’t it? Time and energy. Doc’n Roll’s first Glasgow weekender takes place from June 27 to 30. For more information, or to book, visit docnrollfestival.com/scotland

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Spinning plates With the school summer holidays fast approaching, working motherhood is, for many, about to go from busy to bedlam. But with a bit of planning, it is possible to juggle without dropping (too many) balls. Read on for ten top tips, crowd-sourced from busy working women, on how best to make your routine tenable this summerâ&#x20AC;Ś

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LIVELIHOOD

Plan, plan and plan some more Sure, it sounds boring, but there’s no question that planning ahead can reap rewards. Get your annual leave request in as soon as possible (as in, have you thought about 2020 yet?), coordinate leave with your partner to ensure everyone’s needs are as close to being met as can feasibly be achieved, and then work out where your childcare gaps are and start filling them. Is there a particular activity that your child loves? Start searching for summer camp options that will enable them to develop that hobby, and get a place confirmed as soon as possible as the best camps get booked up well in advance. “My teenager is fashion obsessed,” says Edinburgh-based mum-of-one, Laura, “so I searched around for a camp that could help encourage that love during the summer holidays last year, and found an art course that was covering some design teaching. She absolutely loved it and spent all day dreaming up designs with the help of her teachers. She got to be creative, I got to work, and I could relax knowing that she was happy while I got on with what I had to do,” she says. Which is not only a win-win but leads us to number two…

Drop the guilt If there is a feeling worse than mum-guilt, we’re yet to find it. The idea that working mothers spend their time at the office worrying about their kids, and their time with the kids worrying about their inbox, is a cliché precisely because it so often rings true. But have you noticed that how your kids remember your parenting fails and how you remember them is often at odds? Sure, you parked them in front of the TV to take a conference call with shame, but they simply took great joy in an unexpected cartoon session. Cutting yourself some slack is key. “When I was on deadline last summer, I sent my then four-year-old son to football camp and I felt dreadful about prioritising my work over spending time with him,” admits our editor, Jen. “But he loved every minute of it. It gave him confidence, he met new friends and he got to run off far more energy than he would have at home. I’ve since sent him back to the same camp twice and I don’t feel a jot of guilt about it anymore. He has an amazing time, and it means the hours I actually do spend with him during the holidays are quality ones where I can shut down from working and just focus on us.”

Ask for flexibility Flexible working is the holy grail and, in these increasingly digitised days, it’s becoming more feasible for many. After all, when so much of our work can be completed remotely, what’s to say we need to be in the office every day? “I was a bit concerned that my boss would think I was slacking off when I asked to work from home a couple of days a week last summer,” admits Sarah, a mum-of-two from Fife. “But he was open to giving it a shot and the fact he trusted me meant

that I ensured I was extra productive, both during my days in the office and when I was at home. A couple of times, I did find that I was getting less work done during the day than I’d hoped, but I made up for it in the evening after my girls had gone to bed and my husband was home. So, in the end, my productivity didn’t suffer, I kept my childcare costs down and I felt really quite proud of myself that I had asked for what I needed – something I haven’t always had the courage to do professionally. That was a real lesson for me, that sometimes it pays to have the confidence to just ask for what you need.”

Manage expectations Lucky enough to have secured flexible hours during the holidays? It’s worth remembering that while you might not be following a 9-to-5 routine, many of your colleagues and work contacts will be continuing to do so – which means the relentless email correspondence will continue apace too. “When I started working flexibly last year, I initially struggled with guilt about leaving emails unanswered for hours at a time,” Sarah admits, “and I also felt bad emailing colleagues at 10pm at night in case they felt they had to respond.” Her solution? A simple disclaimer. “You know where it says ‘sent from iPhone’ automatically at the bottom of your smartphone emails? I put a little note there saying that I was working flexibly and that I did not expect a reply to my emails until the recipient was within their working hours,” Sarah explains. “It just headed off that issue at the pass and meant everyone knew where they stood. A lot of people commented on it, which shows that while it was a very simple fix, it was effective too.”

Make use of your network Asking for help is something many of us struggle with, but it is worth remembering that if you’re struggling with the juggling, the likelihood is that many of your friends, family members and neighbours are too. Grandparents are often all too keen to get some quality grandparent/child time booked in, while our friends may well be happy to help too. To take it a step further, why not sit down over coffee and see if there is a way you and your network can help each other by creating a babysitting exchange or summer childcare rota? “I have four friends that I schedule play days with during the holidays,” says Emma, a mum-of-three from Bearsden who works part-time. “I work three days, and on my two days off I’ll take some of the other kids so that their mums can work, then they do the same for me on some of my working days. It means all of us can keep our childcare costs to a minimum and the kids all love spending time together. To be honest, it’s often easier to have more kids around, as they’ll entertain each other and I just have to supervise. It saves me having to provide all of the entertainment myself, and I don’t have to spend a fortune on expensive activities to avoid another day being roped into playing football in the garden.”

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Get your house organised Even with camps and childcare sorted, the chances are your children will be at home more often during summer, and that means more snacks, more meals and more food prep. While there’s no getting around the ‘children need fed’ fact, you can lighten the load with a bit of preparation and this is where the web comes into its own. Save yourself dragging the kids around the supermarket and order your groceries online, plan meals in advance, make sure you always have more snacks in than you think you’ll need to allow for unexpected visitors/impromptu playdates/ growth spurts, and try and go easy on yourself on fruit roll-up guilt too. “I try to look at my kids’ diet over the course of a week, rather than a day,” says GP and mum-of-two Ashley, from Aberdeen. “It balances out better that way, and I feel less shame when they have a day out and seem to eat endless snacks in lieu of proper meals, because I know I can make up for it the next day.” 34 • hood

It’s worth giving a shout out to recipe kit services here too. Companies such as Gousto, Hello Fresh and Mindful Chef will deliver exactly the ingredients you need for a set number of family meals, taking the labour out of grocery shopping and helping you cut back on food waste – which can prove invaluable during busy weeks.

Balance the load With all this talk over the juggle working mothers face, it’s all too easy to forget that our kids (mostly) have a second parent too. Has your partner considered condensing his or her hours during the holidays? Have you sat down together and discussed whether you can share the load more effectively during the summer months, by changing working hours or creating a new pick-up and drop-off schedule? “I always took the lion’s share of childcare on as my duty, but when I sat down to discuss it

LIVELIHOOD

with my husband after a particularly trying day during the Easter holidays, he admitted that he would like to spend more time with our boys during the holidays and just hadn’t really considered following through with that,” says Nicola, a mum-of-two from Paisley. “He spoke to his bosses and managed to negotiate a couple of working from home days for the second week of the holidays, where he did all of the drop-offs and pick-ups and handled the after-camp hours, so that I could put in a couple of long days at the office. His employers were totally amenable to it, he and the boys loved having a bit of extra time together and, frankly, in the end we both felt a bit daft that we hadn’t thought to ask before.”

Find your survival mode There’s little question that at some point this summer, you’re going to drop the ball. But what if you could actually reduce the number of balls in the air in the first place? Or, to put it another way, is there one area of your life where you’re willing to reach for merely acceptable rather than perfect for the duration of the holidays? While basic cleanliness isn’t negotiable, trying to keep your house like a show home might be heaping on additional pressure that simply isn’t necessary. “I have an emergency basket,” laughs Inverness-based mum-of-three Linda. “On days where the house is in chaos and I’m exhausted, I do a quick sweep and throw anything that’s on the floor into the basket and I stash it away in the hall cupboard. Then, when I’ve got time and energy later in the week, I tidy all the contents away. It’s a temporary sticking plaster, but I can go to bed knowing I’m not going to get up to mess, and sometimes that’s good enough.”

Start planning for the start of term NOW We know, we know – thinking about the next term before this one is even over gives us palpitations too. But when it comes to the new school year, a bit of preparation can go a long way to keeping us sane. Start taking stock as the end of term approaches – how many school sweatshirts are only fit for the bin, and how many will still work after summer? Are school bags and lunch boxes still in one piece, or holding on by a thread? What new supplies are going to be needed? “We have to order our school uniforms for next year by the end of May, which always forces me to start thinking ahead,” says Jane, a mum-of-three from North Berwick. “I try, when I’m sorting uniforms, to make a bigger list of what else the kids will need when they go back, and then I keep it in my wallet and check it whenever I’m shopping during the summer. It means I can tick things off in dribs and drabs as I see them, rather than having to do a big panic shop trying to find stuff at the end of the holidays when everyone is doing the same thing, and it spreads the cost a bit too. It feels boring as hell, as I’m not naturally organised, but I always feel a little proud when it gets to the end of the holidays and I’m not in full panic mode.”

When all else fails, know when to laugh Disasters will happen. It’s how we deal with them that makes the real difference to how much we enjoy the summer. So, when your routine is falling apart around your ears, try to remember that no child’s life has ever been ruined by an extra hour’s screen time, a tantrum-saving bag of Haribo or an unscheduled late night. Strive for balance but know when to throw caution to the wind too. Your kids, and your sanity, will thank you…

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In association with Coaching Direct

Finding your fire Whether you’re looking to turbo-charge your career or find a better work-life balance, our coach and columnist Kirsty McWilliam can help. This month, she shares her advice on how to manage life when you’re busy. Really, really busy…

am so busy being busy, time is flying away. After all, as the saying goes, ‘time flies when you’re having fun’. But while that is very cool if you are an eight-year-old and out playing with your friends, it’s not so great if you are a mother of two boys, juggling life and work and remembering to feed everyone. Never mind trying to find ‘me’ time – you become happy just keeping everyone alive. The fact is, I am busy, and I can’t remember the last time I was not busy. During 2017, I was in New Zealand and a friend, having shared how overwhelmed she was, told me she’d found a book by a local author, nutritional biochemist Dr Libby Weaver, called Rushing Woman’s Syndrome which resonated with her. I was intrigued. Dr Libby says that our generation has new challenges – as we struggle to juggle families, career and the chaos of life, it can leave us and, more importantly, our stress hormones, in a state of turmoil. When I first read Dr Libby’s book, I instantly dismissed her claim that if you checked your email while on the toilet, you were an acute sufferer of rushing woman syndrome, or RWS. Surely, I thought, that’s just good time management? Apparently not. She goes even further to say that if our standard reply when asked how we are is

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‘busy’, if we don’t sleep enough and make poor food choices, or perhaps warm up in the morning with coffee and wind down at night with wine, then we are full on rushing women. Add to this the fact most of us struggle to say no, and try to fit so much into our day (Chair of the Parent Council? Oh, go on then…) and it starts to look all too familiar. Perhaps I could no longer deny my rushing tendencies? We live in a different world to our mothers. We don’t have an off switch – no more relaxing after the 6 o’clock news for the evening, with work done and the house tidy. Our emails are pinging, we catch up on work whilst trying to make dinner and oversee homework. Our phone is both our social connection, and our work chain, which can easily coax us into a downward spiral. The busyness phenomenon crept in unnoticed while we were all too busy trying to have it all, and now we’re left wondering, when do we get to switch off? Let’s start by working out what is going on for us. I actually experienced a feeling of ‘rushing’ as soon as I looked out for it – like a fluttering in my chest. How long had I had this? Some simple yoga belly breaths slow it down, so I just need to remember to be aware of it – and I’m not just talking about in moments of high stress. Rushing

can occur when I am hanging up the washing with only two minutes left before I need to leave the house, or while simply remembering the list in my head for the day ahead. So what is causing us to rush? Are our expectations too high, of both others and ourselves? Do we act as the CEO of our own homes? We might share the physical load, but who does the mental work? What stops us asking for help? Are we worried it looks like we really can’t do it all? Perhaps we are the victims of our own success. After all, if you want a job done quickly, ask a busy person… If this is you, perhaps next time you’re asked to take something on, stop before you say yes. Because every time you say yes to something, you are saying no to something else – most likely your chance to switch off and stop rushing. And next time you ask me how I am, I am going to try my very best to say ‘very well, thanks’ and then take a big deep breath. Because hanging up the washing is only a 100m sprint if I make it one... Kirsty is the founder of Coaching Direct, an Edinburgh-based centre for emotional intelligence, coaching and training. facebook.com/coachingdirect

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Woman hood

GOING DOTTY We’re not sure about you, but every summer, we find ourselves on a high street hunt for that elusive perfect summer dress. This year, however, the search is over in record time, with the launch of this stunning spotty maxi from Warehouse. Full-length and fabulous, with floaty sleeves and flirty flamenco vibes, this is a wardrobe-must have for SS19, taking you from barbecue to beach bar in style. Team it with oversized sunnies, a chic little straw bag and a flash of red lipstick for a sophisticated, sexy summer look with more than dash of European flavour. Red polka-dot tiered maxi dress, £75 Warehouse

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made in scotland

SILK SCARVES

FOR RISK TAKERS shop online at mimihammill.com

Photo by: Susan Castillo

WOMANHOOD

Wear it three ways Real women need versatile pieces that work for real life, no matter what their day holds. This month, we show you how to style this season’s pastel trousers for every occasion

Work

Sarah Ferguson is a 30-year-old blogger and mum-of-two from Lauder in the Scottish Borders. Find her at brassbuttonsandconfidence.com

Trousers (worn throughout), £15, and blazer, £20, Primark. Shoes, £19.50, Marks & Spencer. Scarf and shirt, Sarah’s own. hood • 41

Rest

Trousers, as before. Tee, £8.50, Marks & Spencer. Trainers, £115, Veja at Office. Bag, Sarah’s own. 42 • hood

Photographer: Aleksandra Modrzejewska

WOMANHOOD

Play

Trousers, as before, camisole, £4.50, and shoes, £10, Primark. Bag, Sarah’s own. hood • 43

WWW.TEAMBEACHWEAR.CO.UK

M A D E

I N

G R E A T

B R I T A I N

UNIQUE MATCHING BEACHWEAR FOR YOUR TEAM

FEATURES

bloom

Sure, florals for summer aren’t groundbreaking – but clash this year’s crop with bold brights and geometric prints and you’ve got a look that’s very modern indeed. Petals just got promoted… Photography: Aleksandra Modrzejewska • Flowers: Narcissus Flowers & Plants, Edinburgh Dress, £69.99, Zara.

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Knitted tee, £25, Marks & Spencer. Culottes, £13, Primark.

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SISTERHOOD

Jacket, £170, Anthropologie. Scarf, £4, trousers, £13, and bag, £8, Primark.

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FEATURES

Dress, £198, Anthropologie. Bag, £8, Primark. 48 • hood

SISTERHOOD

Camisole, £24, and trousers, £35, Topshop. Bag, £8, Primark.

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SISTERHOOD

Shirt, £39, and trousers, £42, Warehouse. Shoes, Primark, £6.

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Model: Hanna Szczypka • Make-up: Shaun Lavender

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In association with Jane Davidson

The style insider Got a burning fashion question? Unsure of the style etiquette for your next event? Owner of Edinburgh’s Jane Davidson boutique, Sarah Murray, is on hand to help. This month, she lets us in on her secrets to wedding guest dressing…

hen it comes to wedding guest dressing, there’s a fine line that it’s considered poor etiquette to cross. Turn up in something too extravagant, and you run the risk of upstaging the bride. Not fancy enough? Well, nobody wants to be that person. And let’s not get started on the colours – everybody knows it’s bad form to wear white or cream to a wedding, but have you ever considered what the bridesmaids or the mothers are wearing too? On the flip side, the rules of wedding guest outfits have relaxed somewhat; with many couples now opting for a more laidback affair, there might not be a need to don full hat, jacket and pearls. Many couples supply a dress code that can guide your sartorial choices, and if you’re particularly close to them, you might also be able to glean some insider information that will help you to avoid clashing with the bridal party or VIP guests. But even without the insider info, it’s simpler than you might think to find the perfect wedding guest outfit, something that will Addison dress, £360, Diane Von Furstenburg, Lotta dress, £255, Cecilie Copenhagen Carine dress, £195, Cecilie Copenhagen

make you feel fabulous and confident, without competing with the bride for the ‘best dressed’ award. It’s all about picking excellent shapes, classic styles and versatile pieces, so that you can change them up however many weddings you’ve got in the calendar. Consider a long-sleeved maxi dress, which would work as well in a church setting as it would for an outdoorsy do. The Lotta dress by Cecilie Copenhagen is a masterclass in bohemian glamour, with the rich emerald green shade taking you through summer into autumn with ease, and the flowy style and long sleeves making it incredibly easy to wear. Simply throw on a pair of fabulously retro stacked heels, a statement clutch and some excellent jewellery, and you’re all set. Florals might seem an obvious choice, but you can wear them in a contemporary way. The bold blue and pretty poppy print of Cecilie Copenhagen’s Carine dress strikes the right side of drama, and ensures you’ll stand out in the photos! This dress would look so chic with some raffia wedges and a wicker bag, so fresh and summery (and you can dress it down for other occasions too – a true multitasker). For a more traditional affair, a classic shift dress is a perfect choice. I love the cornflower blue Addison dress by DVF, which strikes the balance beautifully between timeless and contemporary, with an elegant shape and pretty ruffled detailing. I’d pair this one with chic metallic heels and a white clutch, to tie back into the front draping detail, and take along a soft pashmina in case it’s chilly outside. You can never really plan for the weather after all! So, when that next invitations falls through your letterbox, don’t panic about what to wear – simply pop into our store where our team will be delighted to help you find a fabulous outfit that you can wear time and time again. Jane Davidson, Thistle Street, Edinburgh. Tel: (0131) 225 3280. janedavidson.co.uk

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C A R I N G D E E P LY F O R YO U R S K I N TO C R E AT E E N D U R I N G R E S U LT S F I N D O UT H OW WE CA N H E L P YO U AT: I N F O @ T H E S O U R C E C L I N I C . C O M | 0 1 3 1 4 47 4 3 6 9 20 MORNINGSIDE ROAD, EDINBURGH, EH10 4DA W W W.T H E S O U R C EC L I N I C .CO M

WOMANHOOD

Q&A WITH GAIL BRYDEN OF JUSTBE BOTANICALS

GOLDEN GLOW

Aromatherapist, holistic massage therapist, life coach and founder of Scottish aromatherapy company JustBe Botanicals, Gail Bryden, gives us an insight into aromatherapy

The Scottish sunshine won’t give you a tropical tan but tanner to the stars, James Read, says you can fake a glow that is more Maldives than Millport

What exactly is aromatherapy, and how does it work? Aromatherapy is the therapeutic effect that essential oils have on our emotions and wellbeing. It works in two ways, through our sense of smell and being absorbed by the skin, helping us to almost instantly change the way we feel. Aromatherapy oils are essential oils that are diluted with a carrier oil, to make them safe for use on the skin, and alongside smelling good, they’re also antibacterial, antiinflammatory and can help with emotional and physical conditions ranging from depression to eczema. Can you give us your top tips for bringing aromatherapy into our daily routine? I like to use aromatherapy oils within my skincare. JustBe’s Cleansing Gel has uplifting pink grapefruit and mandarin to start your day right, while the Cleansing Balm includes soothing scents of petitgrain and geranium for use in the evenings. I also like scenting the air to create a sense of calm in the home – burn a pure aromatherapy candle or add some drops of essential oil to an air diffuser.

“A beautiful tan is all in the prep and the products – remember to exfoliate and wax at least 24 hours before you plan to tan, and then leave skin to settle. Just before applying the tan, go over the body with a face wipe, then apply moisturiser to any dry areas – I’m talking hands, feet, elbows and knees in particular, to avoid any patchy areas. Start by tanning the face, using a product that’s specifically designed for facial tanning, like my Sleep Mask Tan Face, which will ensure a slightly lighter colour than the body for a natural look. To apply tan to your body, a mitt is a must! Start at the ankles, sweeping up the body in long motions and buffing in the tan as you go to avoid creases, then use any leftover tan on the mitt to apply to the hands and feet, so the colour looks natural. I recommend my Sleep Mask Tan Body for effortless overnight tanning – it’s my hero product and produces an extremely natural, beautiful result that will have everyone wondering where you’ve been!” instagram.com/jamesreadtan

THE

BEAUTY EDIT The skincare, hair and make-up news you need to know now…

Which aromatherapy products do you swear by? JustBe Happy Body Butter is one of my favourites – it smooths my skin and has such an uplifting scent. I also love a cup of aromatherapeutic herbal tea – our Loved blend has hibiscus, rose and jasmine and is so soothing, like a hug in a mug. What are the main benefits of aromatherapy? It can be used for so many different things. If you’re feeling stressed, try geranium oil for a calming effect. Rosemary is very good for memory, while bergamot and mandarin are good at reducing anxiety, stress and depression. I’d advise using lavender sparingly though, as it can actually be a stimulant if over-used. @justbebotanicals

THREE OF THE BEST… aromatherapy products Calendula & Lemongrass Aromatherapy Bath Salts, £16, naturalbeautypot.co.uk Japanese Camellia Oil Blend, £38.50, elemis.com JustBe Happy Body Butter, £19.95, justbebotanicals.co.uk

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WOMANHOOD

Golden glow-up

Create your radiant base, using a rich shade of liquid illuminator for a deeper effect, and apply bronzer to the cheekbones, forehead and under the chin, sculpting your face and adding colour and depth. Blend golden highlighter onto the cheekbones, brow bones and the bridge of the nose for a sun-kissed effect, and finish with a creamy nude lip. Scottish make-up artist Alicia Avezzano says: “This is a suits-all look that can be easily adapted to work for any skin tone. Simply choose slightly bolder, deeper shades than usual to create a noticeably bronzed glow that hints at a week in the sun and can be worn for work or play.”

The bronze age Summer skin may be burnished, bronzed and beautiful, but you needn’t spend hours baking in the sun to achieve a golden glow. Make-up artist Alicia Avezzano shows us how to fake it ‘til we make it… hood • 57

FEATURES

Soft and subtle

This natural vibe blends golden tones with your usual make-up, for a warmer update on your daily look. Use a correcting concealer to even out the skin, before applying a mix of creamy foundation and illuminating golden liquid highlighter to create a radiant base. Sweep a golden-hued highlighter along the cheekbones, and finish the look with a soft lip stain, for a just-bitten effect. Alicia says: “This is great for fairer skintones, to create a healthy glow without overdosing on the bronzer. Opt for soft golden tones to lift your look, and apply with a light hand for a fresh finish.”

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WOMANHOOD

Senorita style

Burnished bronze skin is paired with a bold red lip for a Mediterranean feel, wherever you are in the world – think old-school Dolce & Gabbana and you’re on the right track. Try an overnight fake tan for a natural golden glow all over the face and body, and use a rich bronzer and golden highlighter to shape the face and add a radiant shimmer. Finish this look with a rich red matte lip for a look that’s the epitome of effortless chic. Alicia says: “This look is perfect for a balmy summer evening, and feels very elegant. You can be a bit bolder with this, pairing the make-up with an all-over tan for a real holiday glow – prepare to bask in the compliments about how healthy and glamorous you look!”

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WOMANHOOD

Get the look

SOFT & SUBTLE Bobbi Brown Corrector in Bisque, £19.50, bobbibrown.co.uk Bobbi Brown Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm in Golden Glow, £45, bobbibrown.co.uk Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip in Cherry Crush, £19, bobbibrown.co.uk Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Golden Mosaic, £33, John Lewis

GOLDEN GLOW-UP Revolution Mega bronzer in Warm, £4, Superdrug Fenty Beauty Body Lava in Who Needs Clothes, £46, Harvey Nichols PS Nudes Lip Souffle in Salmon, £2, Primark Glow Powder highlighter in Sunbeam, £15, Topshop

SENORITA STYLE James Read Foolproof bronzing mousse, £18, jamesreadtan.com Iconic London Illuminator Drops in Glow, £30, iconiclondoninc.com Ultra-Matte Lip Crayon in Brigade, £10, Topshop Benefit Hoola Caramel bronzer, £26, benefitcosmetics.com

Photography: Aleksandra Modrzejewska • Make-up: Alicia Avezzano • Model: Trisha Maier

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LA BELLA VITA

It might be unassuming, but underestimate Eusebi Deli at your peril – this family-focussed, female-led Italian delivers the good life in spades.

arrots. They’ve got plenty going for them, sure. They’re easy to grow in Scotland, cheap and plentiful, a simple staple. But exciting? Not so much. If I were to say, then, that I spend a good deal of my time at Glasgow’s Eusebi Deli waxing lyrical about carrots, you might well think I’d lost the plot. I don’t care. For here, roasted with spicy nduja and topped with crisp chickpeas and crumbled pistachios, they are a thing of beauty. It is only decorum that stops me licking the bowl clean and asking for another portion (or ten) to take home. But I’m getting ahead of myself. What can I say? When a carrot is exciting, it’s really quite thrilling. Let’s start over with a look around the room, a gaze at the customers surrounding us, shall we? On first name terms with owner Giovanna, her team, and most dishes on the menu, this rainy Saturday evening in April has certainly brought out the 62 • hood

regulars. Chatter flows, not just across tables but between them. Neighbours converse over the merits of tagliatelle versus tagliata. They reminisce over previous favourite dishes, removed from the new menu as the seasons change, and debate new options with the boundless enthusiasm of people who take their menu descriptions, if little else, very seriously indeed. Waiters bustle, glasses clatter and a Stevie Wonder soundtrack serves to merely add to the jovial, friendly, happy atmosphere. The message is clear. At Eusebi, eating is for enjoyment. And enjoy it, we do. Fresh, warm focaccia (£6) is a masterclass in the power of flour and a firm hand, while a sea bream crudo with charred pineapple (£9.50) is startling in its simplicity. Pineapple, with fish, you say? Oh yes. One taste leaves us wondering why we ever questioned it. A generous dollop of housemade ricotta (£8.50) comes with smashed broad beans, mint, pistachios and crisp crostini, perfect

FOOD IN THE ‘HOOD

Three more to try OTRO Run by couple Matthew and Carol, this modern European spot in the capital is renowned for its stellar Sunday roast, though the team has recently branched out into hosting regular, ingredient-focussed pop-up events perfect for discerning foodies. otrorestaurant.co.uk

for dunking, while the huge, fat juicy scallops (£11) are served with a moreish muddle of oregano, chickpeas, orange, yoghurt and Eusebi’s own extra virgin olive oil (£11). Another glance around the room confirms this is somewhere one can mop their plate clean (with bread, with fingers, who cares?) so we set about it with gusto. We are the dishwasher’s new best friends. The delicacy on show in this kitchen is in direct contrast to the size of the portions – a light touch with ingredients, a stereotypically Italian approach to filling your plate – and nowhere is this more apparent than in a main course of panroasted hake with broccoli, spinach puree and lemon caper butter (£18). Fresh, deceptively light and full of spring flavour, it is a joy to behold, and one can only marvel at the size of the wedge of fish glistening in the middle of all this goodness. He lived a good life, this hake. Altogether less subtle, but no worse for it, a steaming bowl of

rigatoni with spicy lamb sausage ragu and mint panagrattato (£16), meanwhile, is everything comfort food should be. The pasta itself is made by hand on site daily, though it comes with little fanfare. Attention to detail is just what they do. Is it clear yet that I love it here? I want to give you at least one constructive criticism, one negative, one little glitch, but all I can think of is that I can’t possibly manage to finish my cannoli. Even that complaint is ruined though, when the staff thoughtfully box it up without asking, ready for breakfast the next morning. I’m not the first person to be defeated by Eusebi Deli, it seems, and I won’t be the last, though I’m still disappointed in myself. I’ll just have to keep trying. After all, those carrots won’t sing their own praises…

LIME TREE AN EALDHAIN This acclaimed familyrun restaurant and arts venue in Fort William focusses on the very best of local produce – expect the freshest of seafood, highland game and upmarket upgrades on classics such as haggis, neeps and tatties. limetreefortwilliam.co.uk

YATAI IZAKAYA Aberdeen might not be the first place you think of heading for authentic Japanese food, but this independent eatery gets the laidback Japanese pub concept just right – expect sharing plates such as skewers and sushi, with tremendous tipples to boot. yatai.co.uk

Eusebi Deli, 152 Park Road, Glasgow. Tel: (0141) 648 9999. eusebideli.com

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This isn’t any summer… this is an M&S summer Summer’s here and with thoughts turning to al fresco dining, M&S has everything you need to celebrate in style. The retailer’s new range of BBQ and picnic favourites is perfect for family-style sharing, and delicious to boot… Fire up the barbie

Nothing says BBQ like a burger, and M&S has gone the extra mile to make sure your buns are graced with the very best. The Best Ever Burger was one of M&S’ biggest successes of 2018, selling an astonishing 33 packs per minute during summer’s hottest months. Now, the food development team has gone one better, unveiling a new and improved ultimate Best Ever Burger, complete with cheesy melt – a mix of cheese, gherkin, mustard and tomato sauce to make things extra special. Priced at £4 for a pack of two chunky burgers, the patties are crafted from specially selected cuts of British beef, with a hint of bone marrow for that extra special flavour. “With the temperamental British weather there’s always a risk that your first BBQ could be your last, so you have to make sure it counts!” jokes M&S meat product developer Sarah Loxton. “Last summer customers were beating down the doors to get hold of Our Best Ever Burger – the ultimate BBQ staple. We wanted to go even bigger and better this year so have ‘pimped’ the burger with a cheesy melt which gives a gooey, golden topping. It’s not just any cheese topping, we’ve added gherkins, mustard and tomato sauce for a real flavour punch that’ll have everyone shouting that we have the best ever burger!” Those looking to impress a crowd need look no further than the ‘Daddy of all Burgers’ (£10), a 1kg

A taste of spring

patty filled with pulled BBQ beef, cream cheese and wrapped in streaky bacon rashers for the ultimate sharing plate. Don’t forget the daddy sized burger buns… Of course, a burger alone does not a BBQ make, and M&S has gone the whole hotdog. The brand’s acclaimed Posh Dogs have had a 2019 makeover with the launch of Chilli Cheese Posh Puppies (£4 for 12) – a smaller version of the famed sausage, it’s seasoned with red jalapeños and mature cheddar cheese for a deliciously piquant mouthful – while vegetarians and vegans will love Plant Kitchen’s no pork Sausoyages (£6 for 12), made from soya seasoned with cracked black pepper. Elsewhere, two new flat iron sharing steaks (£10 for 520g) will bring some serious flavour to the table – choose from garlic and herb or Korean BBQ – while for those looking to bring out their inner caveman over the flames, the 800g Tomahawk steak is a huge and impressive plateful that outweighs its £15 price tag. With a range that also includes meatball kebabs and buffalo chicken wings, there’s truly something for everyone. The only question that remains is who actually tends to the flames… 64 • hood

In association with Marks & Spencer

PIMP YOUR BURGER

Vegan versions

Those eschewing meat or looking to adopt a more plant-based diet needn’t miss out this summer, thanks to the M&S Plant Kitchen range, which serves up vegan meal alternatives that are every bit as tasty as their carnivorous counterparts. From Hoisin No Duck wraps (£3.50) to Not-zzarella Sticks (£3), which taste just like the real thing, through to naughty Mac Bites (£3) and No Pork Sausage Rolls (£2), the al fresco snack options are plentiful, while desserts, ranging from Mango, Passionfruit and Coconut or Chocolate Pots (£1.75 each) will likely prove popular with the whole crowd.

Mac Bites Not-zzarella Sticks

Mango & Passionfruit Coco Pot

Something sparkling

It wouldn’t be a celebration without bubbles and, when it comes to summer sparkle, it just has to be rosé – so opt for La Dame en Rose, which comes in both still and sparkling form, priced at £6 and £9 respectively. Crisp, fruity and fresh, with flavours of red fruits and white flowers, this deceptively complex wine has been expertly crafted exclusively for M&S to match with a vast range of foods, from summer BBQs and salads to desserts and cheeses. Easy drinking, delicious and exceptionally good value, we’d suggest stocking up now…

Special Burger Sauce Always wondered what it is that makes a fast food burger so moreish? It’s all about the sauce – and M&S has worked tirelessly to improve upon the classic. Don’t tuck in until you’ve slathered your burger bun in this American-inspired mild mustard and gherkin sauce.

Food to order When the sun’s out, there’s nothing lovelier than gathering friends for a delicious al fresco feast. But who wants to spend the time in the kitchen when there’s fun to be had? That’s where the M&S Food to Order service comes in. Every occasion is covered in the online range, and it’ as simple as logging in and checking out. This is not just any summer... This is an M&S summer. marksandspencer.com/food-to-order

M&S Food is available at branches across Scotland, and to order at marksandspencer.com

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California dreaming As the weather (hopefully) hots up, take your gourmet cues from the sunshine state. These simple but sensational seafood plates from chef Eleanor Maidment’s coffee table-worthy cookbook California: Living + Eating make the most of the freshest of fish, whether your catch comes from San Francisco or Sutherland…

Salmon noodle bowls with chilli relish and pickled radish Serves 2

Yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit, with a flavour somewhere between a mandarin and a lime. They’re not easy to find fresh, but in Asian supermarkets you can often find it sold concentrated in bottles.

“I make this kind of dish at least once a week. Once you get used to assembling all the separate components, it’s something that can be thrown together very quickly. It is also adaptable to whatever leftover vegetables you have lingering in the refrigerator: often I’ll pickle carrot or cucumber instead of radish and add a pile of steamed broccoli or edamame. The chilli-yuzu relish (also known as yuzu kosho), is not strictly necessary, but it does add a lovely extra flourish that I think is worth the trouble. This recipe serves two, but you can easily scale it up to serve more.” • • • • • • •

125g dried fine egg noodles 2 tsp toasted sesame oil 2 salmon fillets, skin removed ½ tbsp soy sauce 1 avocado, peeled, halved and stoned 1 tsp black sesame seeds 1 spring onion, finely shredded

Quick pickled radish • 2 tbsp Japanese rice vinegar • 2 tsp runny honey • 150g watermelon radish, peeled and thinly sliced Soy dressing • 2 tbsp soy sauce • 1 tbsp Japanese rice vinegar • 1 tsp runny honey • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated Chilli-yuzu relish • 1 large or 2 small jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped • A pinch of flaky sea salt • ¼ tsp yuzu, mandarin or lime juice • A pinch of caster sugar (optional) 66 • hood

1. First, toss all of the pickled radish ingredients in a bowl. Set aside while you prepare everything else, but keep tossing from time to time to coat. 2. To make the soy dressing, mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside. 3. To make the chilli-yuzu relish, place the chopped chilli and a little sea salt in a pestle and mortar or small food processor and pound or blitz. Transfer to a bowl and mix in the yuzu juice, then sweeten with the sugar if required. 4. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil and drop in the egg noodles. Simmer for three minutes (or according to the packet instructions), then drain and rinse under the cold tap. Shake to drain, then toss with the sesame oil and spread out on paper towel to soak up any more excess water. 5. Preheat the grill to medium-high and line a baking sheet with kitchen foil. Place the salmon fillets on the lined tray, brush the tops with the soy sauce and grill for seven or eight minutes, or until cooked through. 6. Divide the noodles between two bowls and spoon over a little soy dressing. Arrange half an avocado and a good heap of pickled radish on each, then add a salmon fillet and top with the chilli-yuzu relish. Spoon over the remaining dressing and scatter with sesame seeds and spring onion to serve.

FOOD IN THE ‘HOOD

Cioppino, AKA fisherman’s stew Serves 4 Apparently, this fish stew was originally made by Italian immigrants who settled in San Francisco. After work, they would stop by the fishing boats on the wharf and collect any leftovers from the day’s catch to cook up at home. In San Francisco you’ll often find crab and scallops in the mix, but prawns, white fish and mussels are a more economical option. Along with fresh tomatoes, caramelised fennel and white wine they create a delicate and subtle fish stew. Serve with a few dollops of aioli or mayonnaise, and plenty of crusty bread to mop up the juices. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp unsalted butter 2 onions, diced 1 fennel bulb, diced (fronds reserved and core discarded) 2 garlic cloves, sliced 2 fresh bay leaves ½ tsp sweet smoked paprika, plus extra to serve 100ml white wine 250g ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped 250ml fresh fish stock 4 × 100g fresh hake fillets (or any other firm white fish) 8 raw tiger prawns 150g mussels, cleaned and any open shells discarded Lemon juice, to taste (optional), plus wedges A handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Heat the oil and butter in a large pan or casserole dish over a mediumlow heat. Add the onions and fennel with a good pinch of salt and sweat for five minutes. 2. Add the garlic and bay and sweat gently for another 15 to 20 minutes, stirring regularly, until everything is soft, translucent and turning golden. 3. Add the paprika and fry for one more minute, then add the wine and simmer for two to four minutes to bubble off the alcohol. Add the tomatoes, fry for another two or three minutes, then add the fish stock and bring to a gentle simmer. You can set the dish aside at this stage, then reheat when you’re ready to continue. 4. Nestle the fish, prawns and mussels into the gently simmering sauce, grind over some black pepper and cover the pan with a lid. Uncover after six minutes and check everything is cooked through. If not, recover and check after another two minutes. 5. To serve, remove the lid and discard any unopened mussels. Check the seasoning: it may benefit from a little salt and a firm squeeze of lemon juice. Serve scattered with the parsley, the reserved chopped fennel fronds and some lemon wedges.

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Glasgowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest hotel that everybody already knows.

11 BLYTHSWOOD SQUARE, GLASGOW G2 4AD 0141 248 8888 | KIMPTONBLYTHSWOODSQUARE.COM

FOOD IN THE ‘HOOD

Baja fish tacos with lime and cumin crema and avocado pico de gallo Serves 4 Baja California is a state of Mexico, sitting on the peninsula that stretches down from San Diego through the Pacific Ocean. It is said to be the birthplace of the fish taco, where traditionally the fish is battered and served with a creamy sauce and pico de gallo, a red, white and green salsa said to evoke the Mexican flag. • 400g fresh hake (or any other firm white fish) • 100g plain flour • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper • ¼ tsp ground cumin • ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda • ½ tsp fine sea salt • 200ml beer or sparkling water • About 250ml sunflower oil, for frying • 8 corn tortillas, toasted • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Lime and cumin crema • 3 tbsp mayonnaise • 3 tbsp natural yoghurt • ¼ tsp ground cumin • Grated zest of ½ lime and a squeeze of juice Avocado pico de gallo • 2 tomatoes, halved widthways and seeds discarded • 1 avocado, peeled, halved and diced • 1 green chilli, seeded and diced • ½ small sweet white onion, diced • Juice of ½ to 1 lime • A handful of coriander, roughly chopped

California: Living + Eating by Eleanor Maidment is published by Hardie Grant, priced at £22. Photography by Nassima Rothacker.

1. Start by making the accompaniments. Mix together the ingredients for the lime and cumin crema in a bowl, season with salt and chill until ready to serve. 2. For the pico de gallo, finely dice the tomato halves and toss with the avocado, chilli, onion and lime juice in a bowl. Season with salt and chill until ready to serve, stirring through the coriander at the last minute. 3. Cut the fish into eight pieces, roughly 2x6cm – don’t worry about them being too even. 4. For the batter, combine all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Lightly whisk in the beer or sparkling water until just combined – it doesn’t matter if it’s not completely smooth. 5. Heat the oil in a large, non-stick pan to about 200˚C, bearing in mind that the temperature will drop as you add the fish, so you may need to adjust the heat a little when you start frying. Line a large plate with a double layer of paper towel, and make sure you have a slotted spoon or some tongs to hand. 6. Dredge the fish, two or three pieces at a time, in the batter, then drop into the hot oil. You need to cook them in batches or you’ll overcrowd the pan. Cook for about two minutes on one side, until golden, then carefully turn and cook on the other side for another two minutes. Lift out and drain the fish on the paper towel-lined plate. 7. Sprinkle the fish with a little salt, then serve on toasted corn tortillas with the pico de gallo and lime and cumin crema.

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Elderflower elixirs As the world bursts into bloom this month, why not add some floral cocktails to your repertoire for al fresco sipping? St˜Germain, an elderflower liqueur made from fresh blossoms hand-picked in the French countryside, is the perfect drink for your summer cocktail cabinet. Sweet and delicate with a refreshing twist, these cocktail recipes will see you through a whole summer of garden parties and barbecues…

St~Germain Spritz Ingredients: • 40ml St~Germain • 60ml dry sparkling wine • 60ml sparkling water Method: 1. Add all the ingredients in a tumbler or Collins glass, over ice. 2. Stir gently to combine the ingredients. 3. Garnish with a slice of lemon peel.

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In partnership with St˜Germain

Parisian Daiquiri Ingredients: • 20ml lime juice • 1 tsp sugar • 40ml Bacardi Carta Blanca • 20ml St~Germain Method: 1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add all the ingredients 2. Shake well until cold. 3. Strain into a coupette glass.

Traditional Elderfashioned Ingredients: • 20ml St~Germain • 60ml Dewars 12 • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters Method: • Pour all ingredients into a tumbler or rocks glass. • Add large ice cubes and stir until chilled. • Garnish with a twist of orange peel.

St~Germain is an elderflower liqueur, with subtle yet sublime floral flavours. www.stgermain.fr

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Homes4Media/Wildflower Living

Blooming bold Florals, greenery and beautiful blooms are creeping into our homes – but this season, it’s more about brash, bright buds than classic chintz. Here’s how to bring the meadow into your manor… 72 • hood

NEIGHBOURHOOD

he word floral comes with certain connotations and, whether it’s perfume or pattern under discussion, it’s safe to say they’re rarely modern. But with florals emerging as one of this summer’s key interiors trends, it seems their associations with the elderly are fading as fast as a badly arranged bouquet. In fact, 2019’s florals come with a lot more edge than granny’s Laura Ashley curtains did back in the day, and whether you favour dark and dangerous or Scandi-chic style, there’s a bloom to suit your mood. “Floral prints are set to replace the tribal and global travel-inspired designs we’ve seen dominate in recent years as the go-to design within homes,” says Lorna McAleer, interiors expert at stylestudio.co.uk. “This year’s florals certainly have impact, whether dark and decadent, painterly and abstract or oversized and blousy. And they’re not saved for spring/ summer updates either – bold use of colour gives floral prints a perennial feel in the home.” First up, brights. Purple and blue are both emerging as key colours for the season, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the floral offerings of the industry’s key pattern players. Daniel Prendergast, Design Director at The Rug Seller, says: “Flowers in serene blue shades offer the perfect pick-me-up after a long cold winter. Blue is a revitalising colour for the home and even in its bolder forms is beneficial to the mind and body. Teal and cornflower blue mixed with pretty buds and spring bouquets offer a fresh and uplifting interior update.” It’s a perfect introduction to summer’s other big floral trend – maximalism. While the word chintz may be more commonly associated with country house hotels, this season, floral prints which look classic from a distance are getting an in-your-face makeover, with traditional wallpaper and curtain patterns getting a modern upgrade via the addition of acid brights or the upsizing of repeating floral patterns. “Sense of humour is at the crux of any maximalist scheme, where a riot of colour and surprising décor choices make for homes bursting with personality,” says Prendergast.

Homes4Media/Bluebellgray

Homes4Media

“Maximalist interiors put smiles on faces and the best thing is that literally anything and everything goes! “The look is very reminiscent of the modern art movement and, within the maximalist trend, wild and clashing colours can be juxtaposed with playful, abstract pattern bringing an almost childlike quality to interior design.” Nowhere is this ethos clearer than in designer Courtney Brims’ new Back to Nature wallpaper collection for web-based interiors firm Mineheart (£298 per roll at mineheart.com), where classic ogeestyle floral patterns have been given a “half daydream, half nightmare” twist with pencil-drawn snakes, rats, snails, skeletons and moths all hidden among a tangled base of flowing vines and flowers in various stages of incompletion. ‘Initially I took inspiration from William Morris’ beautifully intricate wallpaper designs. I wanted the design to appear to be a pretty cottage garden with tulips, camellias and bluebells but with a subtle sinister feel to it, incorporating rats, snakes and fragments or hair and bones,” says Brims. “We created a wallpaper design that’s a little bit whimsical with hints of darkness, showing the beauty and brutality of the natural world.” Whimsical from a distance, slightly sinister up close, the range brings an edgy update to a classic interiors trope that is distinctly 2019.

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NEIGHBOURHOOD

Floral bedding set, £24.99, H&M

Mind the Gap Aquafleur wallpaper, £150, mindtheg.com

Artificial flower arrangement, £18, Next Day Birger et Mikkelsen rug, £53, Amara.com

GET THE LOOK

Bring the outdoors in this summer, and fill your home with some floral fancies to help every area feel fresh, light and bright for the warmer days ahead. Penelope floral velvet sofa, £699, DFS ‘Love Grows Here’ doormat, £44, Anthropologie

Peggy Daylight cushion, £58, bluebellgray.com

Ada etched champagne saucers, £34, Oliver Bonas

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Highland fling With exceptional food, a range of whisky fit for a connoisseur and a former guest list any A-list event would be proud of, The Craigellachie in Speyside is not your average Highland hotel.

he Highlands are known for many things – beautiful scenery, escapism, distilleries and wildlife – but celeb spotting doesn’t come high on the list. That was until 2015, when Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Noel Gallagher descended on the sleepy village of Craigellachie for the reopening of the eponymous hotel. The models and musicians may have left but the style and charm has not, making this iconic hotel a hot spot for visitors. With just 26 rooms, the distinctive mustard-coloured building has become a familiar site for those touring the increasing popular malt whisky trail. Owned by London-based businessman Piers Adams (best known for his stint as Guy Ritchie’s best man, but who also owns 76 • hood

clubs such as Mahiki and Whisky Mist) and re-opened after a reported £3 million revamp, the hotel is also home to the lively Copper Dog pub and the quirky Quaich Bar, which boasts over 900 single malt whiskies, and wouldn't look out of place in a Wes Anderson film thanks to its other-worldly interior. With famous faces still occasionally taking a break from the bustle of London the hotel is still firmly on the map for those seeking a warm welcome, good food and a dram or two, which is why we jumped at the chance to stay during the recent Spirit of Speyside festival, a five-day event at which the hotel takes centre stage for evening entertainment.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

After a long drive we arrived to find a busy pub and roaring fires, and keen to settle in and try to find out where Kate Moss stayed. Billed as oozing Victorian charm, the hotel’s ethos is to make guests feel at home, and it’s easy to see why – despite the odd celebrity visit or two, this isn’t a pretentious establishment. Inside, while Copper Dog has a rustic vibe, upstairs is anything but, thanks mainly to warm blankets and eye-catching cushions from nearby Johnstons of Elgin. The spacious sitting room is a bit like a posh aunt’s good living room with a pastel colour palette, snuggly cashmere throws and a range of comfortable sofas and tweed armchairs. The antlers on the walls and hints of tartan may be present and correct, but there's nothing twee here. The rooms, dotted along a winding corridor, follow the same theme. Our comfort room had a king bed complete with Johnstons of Elgin throw and plaid cushions. Simple drawings of dogs by British artist Hugo Guinness abound – a nod to the hotel’s extremely canine-friendly policy which sees fourlegged friends welcomed everywhere apart from breakfast. The large, traditional-style en suite, meanwhile, is home to a spacious tub with rainfall shower and White Company toiletries.

While we were here to sample a few whiskies, anyone who isn’t a fan of our national drink won’t be disappointed. The Copper Dog serves up an impressive posh pub-grub menu of seasonal fare, and the bar is well stocked with Scottish gins, beers and juices. And, if you want to try the bar’s namesake whisky but can’t stomach it neat, the Apple Dog cocktail – fresh apple juice and Copper Dog blend – is far too easy to drink and we’re hoping counts as one of your five a day. Our dinner of whisky-smoked salmon followed by a ribeye steak and hand-cut chips was enjoyed alongside some live music – a weekly occurrence even without the party-vibe of the whisky festival. The Craigellachie sits in the heart of malt whisky country – on the banks of the rivers Fiddich and Spey – and offers guests a stylish, boutique country retreat. And while it is ideally located for exploring the malt whisky trail, the hotel’s Victorian charm, brilliant local food and relaxed atmosphere make it easy to see why, once visited, a return stay would be on the cards. See you at the bar. craigellachiehotel.co.uk

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FEATURES Neuschwanstein Castle!

Munich 48 hours in…

Make no mistake, there’s so much more to Germany’s Bavarian capital than its annual Oktoberfest and beer gardens. It’s a forever-charming city with heaps of restaurants and bars boasting schniztels of cool-factor, fun things to do and arresting sights around every corner. Plus it’s brilliantly manageable to explore in 48 hours! The creators of the slickest digital travel guides, Story Unheard, have compiled a list of can’t-miss bites and sights for the ultimate wanderlusty city break… 78 • hood

NEIGHBOURHOOD

DAY ONE

Frauenkirche, Marienplatz

9am If you’re not breakfasting at your hotel, then gorge your heart out at Mary’s Coffee Club in Maxvorstadt – order the coconut yoghurt with granola and Mary’s veggie masala bowl washed down with an iced latte ‘paradise’. maryscoffeeclub.de 10am First stop, Nymphenburg Palace – the jewel of the Baroque – which was the summer residence to the birth of the longawaited heir to the throne, Max Emanuel. While the palace is absolutely exquisite, it’s the 200-hectare green oasis that we loved so much, which is full of magical fountains and statues. schloss-nymphenburg.de 12.30pm For a fantastic hearty lunch, stroll over to the creative potato stand at Viktualienmarkt, Caspar Plautz. This dapper duo has put the star back into starch by revolutionising the humble tattie. Not taking this ingredient lightly, depending what potato vibe you’re after they will pair it with the right meat, seafood or another vegetable. Everything is unforgettably tasty and ridiculously pretty. casparplautz.de 2pm Make your way on foot past St. Peter’s Church – Munich’s oldest – to the city’s main square, Marienplatz, which transforms into a sparkling Christmas market come winter. It is home to the New Town Hall and just around the corner is Munich’s most famous landmark – the towering Gothic cathedral, Frauenkirche. 3pm Historians head to the largest palace in all of Germany’s cities, the Residenz. The once upon a time residence of Bavarian dukes and kings, from 1508 to 1918, it boasts an incredible mix of styles including Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassicism. Don’t miss the Antiquarium (an opulent hall covered in frescoes), Nibelungen Halls and the Imperial Hall. Art aficionados while away hours at the Alte Pinakothek (sadly the Neue Pinakothek is closed for renovation until 2025) gazing at works of art by 14th to 18th century European masters in one of the oldest art galleries in the world. residenz-muenchen.de pinakothek.de

The Siegestor

4.30pm Swoop into the boutique Bean Store tucked away in Maxvorstadt for some of the best fashion finds in the city! For sizzling summer swimsuits and warmweather holiday essentials, visit Nicole Mohrmann at Fünf Höfen. Don’t miss out on browsing through the latest collection of Germany’s most famous fashion brand, Talbot Runhof, at its flagship store. bean-store.de nicolemohrmann.com talbotrunhof.com 7pm Housed within the Cortiina Hotel, Grapes Bar is a treat for pre-dinner drinks. Sample your way through its unrivalled wine list of over 400 wines – don’t worry, a friendly face is never too far if you’re unsure of what to choose – or opt for one of their well-crafted cocktails. Prost! If a cold lager, basket of pretzels and weisswurst (white sausages) sounds just up your street then head straight to the Munich institution, Augustiner-Keller – it won’t disappoint. grapes-weinbar.de augustinerkeller.de

8.30pm You may miss the unassuming entrance of the charming Parisian-style bistro, Buffet Kull, nestled in Old Town along the quiet Marienstrasse. Oozing savoir-vivre, this cosy hideaway has been enriching Munich’s culinary scene with its delectable dishes served atop red-chequered tablecloths surrounded by flickering candlelight. buffet-kull.de 11pm Stroll over to the uber-trendy Curtain Call for a trendy nightcap. The main attraction is the epic gin cocktails, like the Rosemary Fizz and No.16, however, the talented mixologists make a mean bourbon concoction. Order the Arctic mule frozen cocktail as you munch away on moreish choripan and wasabi caviar blinis. Not a bad way to call it a day! curtaincall.bar

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DAY TWO 7:52am Next stop, Neuschwanstein Castle! Ready for your very own fairytale? Appearing out of the mountaintops like a mirage, it’s no surprise it was the model for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty and inspired the Walt Disney castle! Zip over to the Munich Hauptbahnhof (Munich Hbf) – the central train station – and take the train to Füssen, which leaves every hour. The average journey time is two hours and 14 minutes. The two regional day-trip tickets you’re after are called ‘Regio-Ticket Allgäu-Schwaben’ (costing €23 for the first passenger and €7 for each additional passenger) or ‘Bayern’ (costing €25 for the first passenger and €7 for each additional passenger). You can use them after 9am on weekdays and anytime on weekends. Tickets can be bought at the station or online to save time. If you’re not an early bird, aim for one of the trains departing before 10am. If you don’t want to take the train you can always rent a car for the day. bahn.de 10am Upon arrival, take bus 73 or 78 from Füssen (right next to the station) to Hohenschwangau, which leave about twice an hour. The average journey time is eight minutes, you can pay the driver when you board and the timetable is available online. When you get into Hohenschwangau, head to the ticket office where you can buy or collect your ticket (ticket costs €13, plus €2.50 service fee to Neuschwanstein Castle, you can pre-book them at least two days in advance). Neuschwanstein Castle is open daily in the summer from 7:30am to 5pm. It’s a breath-taking (in both senses!) walk uphill to the castle, 20-minutes by horse-drawn carriage (uphill €7 and downhill €3.50) or a 10-minute ride by shuttle bus (uphill €2.50, downhill €1.50 and round-trip €3). Built for Ludwig II, King of Bavaria, the work on this otherworldly castle commenced in 1869 and today it receives around 1.4 million visitors a year – summer being the most popular time (so go early if you want to avoid the crowds!). Keen explorers can also visit the sun-yellow Schloss Hohenschwangau where King Ludwig II grew up and spent his summers! rvo-bus.de hohenschwangau.de neuschwanstein.de 80 • hood

Schloss Linderhof

12.30pm After an afternoon of walking, you’ll want a little reboot! The stylish Hirsch restaurant in Füssen serves excellent Bavarian cuisine paired with a fairytale atmosphere. Bag yourself one of the window seats in the white room. You’re about a five-minute walk from the station, so take your time. hotelfuessen.de

Barcelona to the heart of Munich, come for a glass (or three!) of sparkling wine and terrific tapas. Another favourite of ours would have to be guzzling delicious white wine and gorging on charcuterie boards at Garçon. Oh, and a cheeky rhubarb Renaissance cocktail for the road! palau-grill.bar bar-garcon.de

2:05pm Take the train back to Munich. If you’re travelling by car, drive along the Romantic Road to Schloss Linderhof and stroll through its fantasy landscape of French gardens and fountains. This pocket-sized trove of treasures was Ludwig II’s smallest but most extravagant palace, inspired by Versailles.

8:30pm There’s nowhere smarter than Werneckhof by Geisels for your last dinner in Munich. A short walk from Englischen Garten, this two Michelinstar Art-Nouveau culinary haven serves us lip-smacking fare inspired by Japan. East of the river Isar, a more relaxed atmosphere can be found at Ambar Bistro where you can expect craft beer and traditional Neapolitan cuisine – order the polpette, they’re to die for. geisels-werneckhof.de ambar-bistro.de

4:30pm Grab a quick pick-me-up at Man Versus Machine in Old Town, or shlump into one of the snug sofas in Lost Weekend at 25Hours Hotel Royal Bavarian – we know many an influencer who has succumbed to its Instagrammable charm. mvsm.coffee lostweekend.de 7pm You can’t go wrong with a predinner tipple at the buzzy Palau. Bringing

Story Unheard’s digital city guides recommend all the best hotels, restaurants and bars, experiences and shops so you can explore the city the right way without any disappointments for just £11.50. storyunheard.com

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Bold Hotel München Zentrum

WHERE TO STAY LOUIS HOTEL Perched on the bustling Viktualienmarkt in Alstadt (the Old Town), this wellappointed boutique bolthole is the perfect retreat after a jam-packed day of exploring. It’s quite possibly the best-located hotel in the city as it’s walking distance from many of Munich’s iconic sights including the nearby Marienplatz – the most famous square! The hotel is tastefully modern (and, may we add, pretty damn cool – no fomo here!) with a fantastic façade of French balconies. The rooms are light with oil oak floors and filled with custom-made furniture. For the best views, book a room looking out across the local food market Viktualienmarkt. Enjoy summer sundowners from the rooftop bar as you gaze upon a sparkling cityscape. Oh, and they make a mean breakfast! louis-hotel.com ROOMERS A design-lover’s dream nestled on the busy Landsberger Strasse and a 10-minute tram ride from the vibrant Marienplatz! It oozes sexy sophistication, making it the ideal home away from home for couples and creatives…and basically all the cool kids of the world. Minimalist in design, the space is furnished with dark woods and leathers balanced out with splashes of marble and copper. When it comes to choosing where you’ll lay your head, we’d recommend the superior premium suite and deluxe premium suite, while the executive suite

25Hours The Royal Bavarian

is pretty special too! Don’t be fooled by the rooms with a tub at the end of the bed – while it screams cool, you just end up making a wet mess everywhere! Izakaya is a trendy little space for lunchtime bentos and where Roomers’ breakfast is served, while The Lobby Lounge & Bar is forever buzzy and has a cute outdoor terrace for summertime sips. Relax and revitalise at the uber stylish Roomers Spa by Shan Rahimkhan that has an infinity jacuzzi with a cinema screen. roomers-munich.com BOLD HOTEL MÜNCHEN ZENTRUM A hip base in central Munich for young vagabonds which is friendly on your pocket – think jazzy geometric textiles and slick wood furnishings paired with edgy cool dark tiled bathrooms. The standard room is an easy pleaser and it’s the same size as the room category above, just cheaper – though it doesn’t come with a kitchenette. If you want to go bigger and bolder, opt for the Bold Cosmo apartment. There’s a lively lobby serving fresh breakfasts and delicious coffees which you can enjoy at a window-side table or at the inner courtyard. It’s a hop, skip, and a jump from the Poccistrasse metro station, making it a pretty jammy spot for fun hunting! bold-hotels.com 25HOURS THE ROYAL BAVARIAN A quirky dwelling just outside of the Old Town that doesn’t cost the world! You can rent one of the hotel’s ridiculously

handsome Schindelhauer’s bikes; otherwise someone from the hotel is on standby to whizz you off on a bike tour around the city. While the wood-panelled Box Room may be on the snug side, it makes a groovy stay for young wanderlusters. For space, ask for the Swan Suite. Solo travellers, it’s got to be the Single Box Room for you! Kick back in the sauna and relaxation room on the fourth floor that has a cute little terrace leading outside. The funky restaurant Neni comes with a cosy café for an afternoon pick me-up! They even offer test drives of the Mini so you can explore the area on four wheels. 25hours-hotels.com MARIAS PLATZL With more of a boutique vibe, Platz Hotel’s little sister is just irresistibly dreamy. Traditional at heart, you get a sense of Bavaria but with all the modern comforts at the same time. Each room is adorned with carpenter-built wood panels and calming cream and blue walls that go in harmony with cosy bed throws and crisp white sheets that are winking at you to curl right up inside them after a day of adventure. The three Hermine rooms would have to be our favourite, with the Gundi rooms not falling far behind. Don’t miss a cold beer at their in-house brewery Ayinger in der Au, which also serves up hearty local dishes. Situated in Au-Haidhausen, aka the ‘French Quarter’ and one of Munich’s prettiest districts, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the Old Town with a scenic stroll across Isar River. mariasplatzl.de

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MANHOOD

G OR DON M IL L A R finds it’s never too late to pursue a dream

82 • hood

Have you guessed which production yet? Here’s another clue. Dressed as a nobleman, lording it up in medieval bling around a market mock-up, we were aware of some commotion around the Mercat Cross. Panic and screams spread through the crowd like wildfire as we witnessed the remains of our hero, William Wallace. I stood, horrified, in front of the extremely realistic prosthetic, and felt a firm hand grip my right shoulder, moving me to the side. That hand belonged to Robert the Bruce, aka Hollywood star Chris Pine. Yes, the film was Outlaw King and, during that specific scene, I had an epiphany. I realised I’d acted for the first time, and I loved it. Unable to quell my burning desire to explore, learn and study the craft, I jumped into a beginners’ course, and have never looked back. By the time you’ve read this, I will have finished my acting diploma, and will be on my way to apply for my Equity card. With hard work, dedication and perseverance, you really can make your dreams come true. Onward! Gx Gordon is the founder of Scot Street Style, and can be found on Instagram @scotstreetstyle

Photo by Jeff Gilmour

guess we’ve all dreamed about being in a movie. A sweeping romance perhaps. A superhero or sci-fi blockbuster, or a gritty drama, pulling De Niro faces in front of the bathroom mirror. Or maybe that’s just me. I’ve been a massive movie fan since my first trip to La Scala in Inverness back in the ‘70s, a passion that’s grown over the years and the decades. As an art student in 1990, I did get to see the set of Batman at Pinewood, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves at Shepperton, as I swept floors and did odd jobs, hoping to get a break in the industry. It just wasn’t my time. But fast forward 27 years, and when a casting call for a David vs Goliath Scottish historic epic, with the tag line ‘beards are a bonus’ appeared on my Facebook feed, I stroked my hirsute chin and thought, ‘hmm, why not?’ I signed up at an open casting, and kept an open mind, fully aware that the supply of beardies vastly outnumbered the demand. And then it happened. I’d been selected for Foot Soldier Boot Camp. The good people of Glasgow must’ve wondered what the hell was going on, as 200 of us assembled at 6 o’clock in the morning in a city centre car park, looking like a Vietnam vet convention. We were shipped out to a secret location and met by our Chief, Mr Charlie ‘Chick’ Allan, a colossal Scot and a giant of cinema. You will have seen him as the Germanic leader, opposite Russell Crowe, in Gladiator, and in many other features since. We were taught some basic fighting techniques with swords and shields, up to our knees in mud, which proved to be good preparation for the epic finale battle scene, in the real outdoors of Scotland in the late autumn of 2017. My first day on location in full costume – chain mail and armour – involved marching by Portencross Castle on the west coast. I was on cloud nine, and the traditional Scottish weather, choppy seas and sunny rays dramatically bursting through the tumultuous skies, enhanced the authenticity of the whole experience. The 3am calls soon became part of our daily routine, along with attending hair and make-up (read mud and blood) before sunrise.

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