Discover Scotland Issue 63 by Discover Scotland

10 top beaches to explore Eddi Reader’s footballing granny Roo Irvine on the Tiffany trail Issue 63

The humble genius who played for Scotland Outlander return raises hopes for tourism Beware the legendary trickery of Trows 1

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View of the Firth of Tay from the summit of Norman Law, an Iron Age Hill Fort, near Newburgh, Fife Photo by VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

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24 Travel

History Scotland’s pioneering female

Scotland’s most Instagrammable

footballers

beaches revealed

46 Antiques

60 Adventure

Roo Irvine explores the other

Record breaking cyclists push the

Tiffany legacy

boundaries of adventure

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74 Travel

88 Bookmarker

Droughtlander is over as tv series

Scots language novel is a celebration

fuels hopes for tourist boom

of home grown literature

100 History

112 Travel

Auction surprise for Mary Queen

Boutique hotel’s historic charm in

of Scots’ letter

the heart of Edinburgh

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128 Food & Beverage

136 Folklore

Return of whisky festival raises

Graeme Johncock recounts a tale

spirits of Speyside

of trickery

146 Events

158 History

Humble world champion

The People’s Palace reopens its

remembered with new competition

doors to the public

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178 30

168 Romance

History

Portraits of love and marriage

Archaeological find of a lifetime

190 Arts

198 Property

Celebrated artist makes her

Lifestyle attractions of

debut solo exhibition in Glasgow

Aberdeenshire

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Discover Scotland is an independent magazine published by Discover Scotland Ltd. The monthly digital title provides an international audience of readers with comprehensive coverage of modern day Scotland, its people, achievements, culture, history and customs.

1/216 Cover/Back Photo Banff Bay, Macduff Photo by VisitScotland / North East 250 / Damian Shields

Every issue covers a variety of topics of interest to thousands of people every month, many of them visitors to Scotland or part of the great Scottish diaspora. The digital edition incorporates audio, video and text in a single platform designed for use on Apple, Android and Windows devices. The magazine is free to subscribe to and download. For more information on how to get a copy, subscribe or enquire about advertising please contact the relevant departments. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for any claim made by advertisements in Discover Scotland magazine or on the Discover Scotland website. All information should be checked with the advertisers.

General Enquiries info@discoverscotlandmagazine.com

The content of the magazine does not necessarily represent the views of the publishers or imply any endorsement. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior agreement in writing from Discover Scotland Ltd.

Photo by VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

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History

By Helen Lloyd

he little known double life of one of Scotland’s greatest singers has been uncovered by a new television documentary. Acclaimed Scottish singersongwriter Eddi Reader recently discovered her grandmother lived an incredible secret life as a footballer in the 1920s, at a time when the women’s game was not only frowned upon but actively discouraged by the male dominated Scottish Football Association.

In the years following the First World War one football team defied all attempts to stop women from playing the game and excelled. Rutherglen Ladies, managed by former miner James Hislop Kelly, toured extensively, playing to thousands of spectators while raising huge sums for charity. They were pioneers, trailblazers who broke down barriers by transgressing from the norm. They were women who were playing a sport perceived to be for men.

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Dr Fiona Skillen and Eddi Reader Photo PurpleTV

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Sadenia Evans Smith Photo: PurpleTV

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Among their ranks was star performer Sadie Smith who was nicknamed in the press ‘the female Alan Morton’. Her style was said to mirror the talented Glasgow born left-winger who won fame with Rangers and Scotland. Remarkably, Sadie Smith never discussed her celebrated football career with her family, a fact that shocked her granddaughter, the acclaimed singer-songwriter Eddi Reader. Born Sedania Smith in Glasgow in 1907, Sadie Smith joined Rutherglen Ladies in 1922. She

played with the team at the height of their dominance, touring throughout Scotland and Ireland, playing in Dublin to a crowd of 12,000 and in Dundee in front of 4,000. While on tour in Ireland a story emerged in the press that Sadie had signed for Linfield – a men’s team. She never played for the Belfast club but she was regularly in the news. Rutherglen Ladies were adept at grabbing headlines, declaring themselves ‘Champions of the World’ after beating the famous English Dick Kerr’s Ladies at Shawfield in 1923.

Watch as Eddi Reader finds out about her football playing granny

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In a period where women in football were ridiculed and even banned, Sadie was both a pioneer and an inspiration, answering critics the way she knew best, overcoming her opposition and striking hard on goal. Sadie Smith, superstar left winger, was a light on the horizon who helped pave the way for women in the future. Women’s football gained legitimacy and momentum during the First World War but after it ended women were expected to return to the home. In 1923 Rutherglen Ladies were banned from playing a highprofile match against Dick Kerr Ladies, one of the biggest British teams of the period, at their local park. They were able to play at Shawfield Stadium and won 2-0, a notable piece of history for them. Following the victory a civic reception was hosted for them in Rutherglen Town Hall, and by 1926 they were a very wellknown team in Scotland, touring around the country, getting media coverage. In 1927 and 1928 they toured in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. In a new tv documentary, produced and directed by RTS award-winning company purpleTV to be broadcast on BBC ALBA on April 9 and 11 and available on BBC iPlayer, Eddi Reader finds out more about her extraordinary granny from Dr Fiona Skillen of Glasgow Caledonian University.

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Eddi Reader at Rutherglen Ladies mural Photo: PurpleTV

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“Rutherglen ladies are the most important women’s football team in interwar Scotland and one of the most important teams in Scottish Women’s football history. They were touring..raising hundreds of pounds for charity and breaking down barriers, simply by just existing,” said Dr Skillen. “I’m sure many of them experienced discrimination or hostility even within their own families or communities because it would have been a controversial thing for women to do, to take up this “men’s sport.”

A formal ban was introduced in Scotland after World War Two but even before then the SFA discouraged their members from letting women play on their pitches. Looking back on her granny’s life and career, Eddi wonders if giving up football was a source of sadness for Sadie. Her uncle used to play football in Bilsland Drive, out the back court, and their mothers pals, mostly men, would come up and coach them.

Eddi Reader finds out about her football pioneering grandmother

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A young Sadie Smith Photo: PurpleTV

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“Some of them would say to him, aye you’re good son but you’re not as good as your mother. He didn’t pay much attention at the time but it all makes sense now,” said Eddi. “I’d have loved to have seen her play football. The fact that she kept it quiet from her own children is strange. “We come from a long line of people that push themselves forwards and she did. I’m really

proud of it and so proud to tell my sons, not only was she a footballer, she was like Jimmy Johnstone!” As well as Sadie’s individual legacy, Rutherglen Ladies have played a monumental role in Scottish women’s football. They did not lay down to the constraints imposed by the English FA in 1921; they played on and blazed a trail, contributing to a new rebellious understanding

Sadie Smith bottom row 3rd from right during team training Photo: PurpleTV

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of the game’s history in Scotland. They are pioneers, empowering women who created a pathway for future players.

Ladies, to a wider audience,” said Margot McCuaig, who has written, produced and directed the programme.

“Every now and then we are fortunate to be blessed with influential individuals who make an extraordinary mark in history and inspire, empower and excite future generations. Sadie Smith was one such role model and it is a great privilege to be able to share her story, and indeed that of J H Kelly’s trailblazing Rutherglen

“Sadie, as a footballer and a beloved granny to Eddi Reader, was an inspiration, a powerful pioneering woman who, along with her teammates, challenged the misogynistic narrative and pushed women forward.”

“Won them goals”

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Travel

beaches By Scott Aitken

ith over 10,000 miles of coastline, at least 800 islands and some 30,000 or more freshwater lochs it’s no surprise Scotland has more than its fair share of beautiful beaches. Some are little more than craggy coves or shingle covered shorelines but others are rich in golden or white sands that stretch for miles, and are very often bereft of any human imprint. Over the years there have been many attempts to list the best beaches Scotland has to offer but with so many to choose from it’s an almost impossible task. Everyone has their favourite and no two lists are ever entirely the same. However, new research in the age of social media has attempted to come up with a Top 10 of Scotland’s most sought-after seaside destinations for the digital age - based upon the number of hashtags per metre of beach.

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A study commissioned by LuxuryHotel.com, a website dedicated to showcasing the best luxury five star hotels from around the world, analysed Instagram hashtag data and the length of the country’ most popular beaches to come up with a list that’s a little different. At number 10 on the new inventory of popularity is Aberdeen Beach, with 11.63 hashtags per metre.

Stretching for more than three miles the beach is famous for its golden sands, recreational attractions and sports areas. Thousands of tourists join locals each year to sweep away the cobwebs with an enjoyable bracing walk in winter or to relax on sun trapped sandy beaches in the summer. The site offers numerous amenities, including cafes, restaurants, a funfair and the Beach Leisure Centre.

Aberdeen beach Photo by VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

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Ninth on the list is Camusdarach Beach, Mallaig with 11.84 hashtags per metre. This arc of white, glistening sand and clear water close to the

estuary of River Morar enjoys spectacular views to the Cuillin mountains on Skye, the rugged peaks of the island of Rum and the sea cliffs of the isle of Eigg.

Camusdarach Beach Photo by VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

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Used as a location for the filming of the iconic feel good Scottish movie Local Hero the beach attracts thousands of people each year. It is particularly popular

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with families as there is plenty of space for swimming, rock pooling, building sand castles, playing sports and walking.

Number eight on the table is Coldingham Bay, Eyemouth with 15.76 hashtags per metre. This sheltered sandy beach sits at the mouth of the Buskin Burn and stretches for almost a mile, sandwiched between a rocky

shore at either end. Located within the St Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve the beach is full of wondrous wildlife, including hermit crabs, starfish and other rock pool residents.

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Coldingham Bay in the Scottish Borders Photo by VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

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The seventh most popular beach on the listicle is White Sands, Dunbar with 17.27 hashtags per metre.

secluded stretch of beach curves gently around the east facing bay, soaking up lots of early morning sunshine.

This stretch of soft, golden sand lies just over two miles from the historic town of Dunbar. Sheltered by low-rise cliffs at either end this

In sixth place is Portobello Beach, Edinburgh with 18.04 hashtags per metre.

Portobello Beach which is just a few miles from Edinburgh city centre Photo by VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

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It lies just a few miles from the city centre and is popular with sailors and kayakers all year round. This charming seaside suburb of the city has plenty of attractions, including a promenade full of shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and more.

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Two miles of sand make up the award-winning beach which draws large crowds in fine weather, especially during the annual Big Beach Busk, international volleyball competitions and triathlon events.

More than nine points ahead of its nearest rival, Cramond Beach, Edinburgh takes fifth spot with 27.33 hashtags per metre. This sandy beach is a popular choice with Edinburgh residents

as well as tourists who head here to walk and cycle on the beachside paths. It’s ideal for a family day out, or simply for a relaxing stroll, and offers splendid views of the Firth of Forth.

Cramond beach Photo by VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

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The old fishing village, complete with quaint whitewashed cottages provides a beautiful backdrop to the beach from where it is possible to walk over a causeway at low tide to the island.

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Above Cramond on the table of top spots at number four is Elie Beach, Leven with 31.95 hashtags per metre.

Situated next to Elie Harbour, the beach stretches for almost a mile of uninterrupted sand and is popular among water-sports enthusiasts.

Elie Earlsferry Beach which links the joined villages of Elie and Earlsferry in the Kingdom of Fife Photo VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

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There is an active sailing club and a water-sports facility, where you can hire equipment or head out on an inflatable adventure trip.

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Seacliff Beach in North Berwick takes third place with 41.84 hashtags per metre. With a length of just over 600

metres the private beach is good for anyone wanting to avoid crowds and is excellent for surfing, walking, picnicking, and water sports all year round.

Sea kayakers pass a sea angler at Seacliff beach with a view beyond to Tantallon Castle; near North Berwick, East Lothian Photo by VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

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Seacliff’s sandstone harbour, hewn out of the rock in the 19th century, is reputed to be the smallest in the UK.

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The beach enjoys great views of Bass Rock and the ruins of Tantallon Castle.

In second place with 52.48 hashtags per metre is Achmelvich Bay, Lair. Just 143 metres long this stunning, sandy shore is a

particularly popular spot for water sports. The beach gets very busy in the summer months and has a selection of camping and caravanning spots. Additionally, the beach offers a small variety

Achmelvich Beach, west coast of Sutherland near Lochinver Photo by VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

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of amenities, including shops, a takeaway, and a youth hostel.

from black and red-throated divers to porpoises, dolphins, and the occasional minke whale.

It lies just three miles north west of Lochinver and is a great place to spot an abundance of wildlife

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At the top of the table, with more than five times the ratio of the beach at the bottom, is Loch Morlich Beach, Aviemore. Having recorded a staggering 65.64 hashtags per metre it deserves the title as Scotland’s most Instagrammable Beach.

With a length of just over 500 metres this award winning fresh water loch beach - the only one of its kind in Scotland - is located at the foot of the Cairngorm mountains. The area offers facilities for kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and

Freshwater Loch Morlich near Aviemore is best known for watersports Photo by VisitScotland / Airborne Lens

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other sports as well as several walking trails around the Loch itself. In addition to its beautiful golden sands there is a sailing school, watersports centre and campsite

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to attract thousands of visitors each year. In 2009 it became the first loch beach to receive a Seaside Award from the Keep Scotland Beautiful campaign.

“What this study shows is that it’s not always the most popular beaches that are the best for photography, and Scotland offers lots of hidden gems for those that need a seaside getaway this summer,” said a spokesperson for LuxuryHotel.

“Locations like Portobello Beach ensure that those looking for a city break in likes of Edinburgh can also enjoy a beach day if the weather permits it, with the close vicinity to the city centre.”

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Antiques

Antique Hunting with… Roo Irvine

tale of two Tiffanys T

he Tiffany name is world renowned for design, quality, luxury and craftsmanship… but which Tiffany am I referring to? When I mention Tiffany some of you envision jewellery, the blue box, Audrey Hepburn and a dream proposal. Others may conjure up images of Art Deco lamps, dragonflies and stained glass, rich with colour and

imagination. Not many will think of Tiffany the artist. Charles Lewis Tiffany was the esteemed founder of Tiffany & Co, the luxury store that ultimately became the American home of silver and jewellery after opening its doors in New York in 1837. He believed large diamonds of extraordinarily quality had a seductive hypnotic effect on people. He may have been right!

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Charles Lewis Tiffany

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His son, however, wasn’t as enamoured by diamonds. Louis Comfort Tiffany, born 11 years after the birth of Tiffany & Co. was a creative artist with an exceptional talent for producing items of sheer beauty, regardless of the media. He excelled at fine art, stained glass, ceramics, jewellery, metalwork and enamels. His biggest success is surely the iconic Tiffany Lamp, which has inspired reproduction after reproduction, making an original extremely rare. Louis Comfort Tiffany started as a painter until he discovered a love for glassmaking in 1875, working in various glasshouses. When he opened his own glass factory in New York his talent and business skills, combined with his fathers’ money and connections, helped him thrive.

Louis Comfort Tiffany by Pach Bros

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American glass chandelier Photo Metropolitan Museum of Art CC0 1.0

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Sly kitten, Tiffany glass mosaic Photo by Abedel CC BY-SA 4.0

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In 1882 Tiffany was commissioned to redecorate the White House for president Chester Alan Arthur. The White House was suddenly infused with rich colour through his glass screens and stained glass windows. In 1889 he met Emile Galle and Alphonse Mucha, big leaders in the Art Noveau movement, perhaps inspiring him to become one of the greatest names in Art Nouveau design, although his influences weren’t purely American. Daniel Cottier, the Scottish Stained Glass artist and designer born in Glasgow also inspired him and was believed to have brought the Aesthetic movement to America.

Louis Comfort Tiffany 1908

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Tiffany lamp from the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Orlando Florida Photo Jonathan Alonso CC BY-SA 4.0

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Early examples of his lamps were exhibited at Chicago’s 1893 World Fair. His lamps became a threedimensional representation of his stained glasswork. Like many Art Noveau artists he was inspired by the beauty of nature and its many guises, from dragonflies to mushrooms and blossoming trees, rich with colour. The finest artists were hired to make his visions come to life. If you look carefully at a Tiffany lamp even the smallest pieces of glass are subtly toned and not just a block colour. These were painstakingly chosen from thousands of sheets of glass available to the cutting departments. Piece by piece the leaded glass formed a canopy of colour and brought the shade to life. Although the star of the show appears to be the shade the base is just as integral to the design of the lamp. Made from bronze the base may have represented a tree trunk or dragonfly wings. The finished product was a complete design statement that adorned many elegant American homes.

Tiffany Co lamp, Museum of American Art Photo Jonathan Alonso CC BY-SA 4.0

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Tiffany didn’t wash his hands of the family business altogether. In 1902 he became the first design director for Tiffany & Co. His lamps didn’t just provide light. They were a work of art in their own right, becoming a centrepiece of any room, as much as a painting or sculpture. However, be warned! An infinite number of fakes exist in today’s market and even at the time Tiffany’s contemporary rivals brought out similar designs. Reproductions really started to take off around the 1970’s and seeing the mark ‘Tiffany Studios’ isn’t enough to guarantee originality.

Compote by Louis Comfort Tiffany 1906-16 in the Dayton Art Institute Photo by Wm Pearl CC0 1.0

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Richly combed woman of profile and decoration art deco in the style of Alphonse Mucha Photo by Abedel CC BY-SA 4.0

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Louis C. Tiffany, paesaggio d’autunno, 1923-24 Photo Sailko CC BY-SA 3.0

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Condition is obviously important but as original Tiffany lamps are in such high demand a good price will always be paid. One exChristie’s specialist tells the tale of a Tiffany lamp sold from a private members club in Cleveland. The owner practiced his golf there. He hit the lamp on so many occasions it had quite a few indentations on the shade but, despite that, the stunning base saved it and the lamp still sold for $400,000, despite its battered and bruised demeanour.

While more common basic models of the Tiffany lamp can sell from $5,000 upwards the rare “Pond Lily” is one of only 14 in existence and was one of the costliest lamps made by Tiffany. An example sold for over $3.3 million at auction in 2018 - proof indeed, if any was needed, that the real deal always pays off! Tiffany’s breath-taking designs are timeless and although we may not be able to own a piece of Tiffany his influence lives on in our homes today.

The Dream Garden by Louis Comfort Tiffany and Maxfield Parrish located at the The Curtis Building Photo by Bruce Andersen CC BY-SA 2.5

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Explore Boundaries

new documentary by two world record breaking cyclists aims to open up regions of Scotland often overlooked by visitors and encourage more people to get on their bikes to explore. Mark Beaumont and Markus Stitz have recorded their adventures investigating a number of spectacularly beautiful gravel routes following the council boundaries of Clackmannanshire, East Lothian, Falkirk and Glasgow According to the athletes behind the project Explore Your Boundaries was inspired by the desire to create adventures close to home, a way of seeing the familiar in unfamiliar ways.

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Photo by Markus Stitz

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Mark Beaumont, Guinness World Record holder for the fastest circumnavigation by bike, and Markus Stitz, singlespeed round the world cyclist and filmmaker, mapped 24 Scottish council

boundary routes to encourage people to stay active, whether cycling or walking, and to inspire adventures that started and finished at their front door.

Blackness Castle Photo by Markus Stitz

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To create the routes, they uploaded the council boundaries GPX files onto the mapping

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platform Komoot and matched them with the closest existing pathways.

The resulting Explore Your Boundaries documentary captures their four adventures in Clackmannanshire, East Lothian and Falkirk, undertaken from June to September 2021, and Glasgow, undertaken during COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, in November 2021. “The thing I love about the Explore your Boundaries concept is that it forced us to find routes which we never would have looked for,” said Mark Beaumont.

Photo by Markus Stitz

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“Often it felt like you were in the middle of absolutely nowhere, and yet if I stopped and thought about it, I was only 25 miles from home. It’s really interesting when you have a project, a journey, which is defined by a route which is not necessarily a

trail. Straightlining expeditions have always fascinated me, and in a weird way Explore Your Boundaries is like a straightlining expedition, albeit most of them are big circle routes. Because you’re following this predefined line.”

Photo by Markus Stitz

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The routes along the boundaries of Clackmannanshire (79km/49mi), East Lothian (169km/105mi), Falkirk (133km/83mi) and Glasgow (119km/74mi) allowed both

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cyclists not only to experience the varied landscapes, but also offered them an insight into the historic places they experienced along the way.

“The idea of Explore Your Boundaries was born in the second lockdown of 2020, when we jointly turned a limitation, having to start any exercise within

or close to the boundary of our local council area Edinburgh, into an opportunity,” said Markus Stitz, filmmaker.

Photo by Markus Stitz

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“We used the council boundaries to map 24 different gravel routes throughout Scotland. From the feedback on social media those

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routes inspired people to ride their bikes. And they motivated us to get this film project off the ground.

Photo by Markus Stitz

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“The film highlights regions in Scotland which are not normally in the tourist spotlight. Responsible and sustainable tourism by bike can bring new income streams and visitors to those communities, and I hope the film will inspire more people to visit in 2022 and beyond.’ Explore Your Boundaries is available to watch for free here, with subtitles available in English and German.

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Travel

utlander effect spearheading tourism revival

Blackness Castle which has featured in the television series Photo by VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

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s the phenomena that is the Outlander tv series returns to UK screens Scotland’s national tourism body has revealed that it continues to attract millions of visitors each year to the country. Despite tourism being severely decimated by restrictions imposed by the global Covid-19 outbreak the popularity of

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the show, and the books that spawned it, continued to fuel the so called Outlander Effect. As Season Six begins on on Starz, and the Droughtlander – the nickname for the period between Outlander seasons – comes to an end tourism bosses are hoping for a revival in fortunes.

The TV series, based on the books by Diana Gabaldon, is primarily filmed in Scotland and has been a boon to screen tourism in the country since its first broadcast in 2014, particularly from US and Canadian visitors. Now, VisitScotland hopes interest in the latest season, combined with the return of international travel, will help support Scotland’s tourism recovery. New figures, compiled by the Moffat Centre for Travel and Tourism Business Development, show that despite restrictions and temporary closures during 2020, Outlander-related attractions, such as historic, cultural, and filming locations,saw more than 1.7 million visitors. Visitor numbers at Outlander-related attractions peaked at 3.2 million in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Glasgow Cathedral Photo by Paul Trafford CC BY 2.0

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There was a 64 per cent drop in total visits to all attractions in Scotland between 2019 and 2020, as monitored by the Moffat Centre. Outlander-related

attractions fared better, falling by 45 per cent over the same period. Attraction figures for 2021 have yet to be released.

Hopetoun House, another Outlander location. Photo by George Gastin CC0 1.0

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VisitScotland is sponsoring the airing of Outlander on the W Network in Canada. A short clip of its Scotland is Calling global marketing video will be screened

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directly before and after each episode. The sponsorship deal is expected to reach 5.6 million viewers.

New data from VisitScotland’s consumer website, visitscotland. com, shows that Outlanderrelated content generated 352,000 page views in 2021 and was the most popular film/

TV content on the website, accounting for 56 per cent of visits, followed by Harry Potter (18 per cent) and James Bond (16 per cent).

Drummond Castle gardens Photo by VisitScotland

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“Outlander has had a huge impact on Scottish tourism for many years, especially by visitors from the USA and Canada,”

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said Jenni Steele, Film and Creative Industries Manager at VisitScotland.

Woodland in Muiravonside Photo by Mike Smith CC BY 2.0

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“Despite the devastation to the tourism industry caused by the pandemic, it’s been really encouraging that fans have continued to be drawn to Scotland and our many historic and cultural attractions. “With season six on our screens and international travel routes returning, we hope this inspires UK, US and Canadian viewers to plan a trip to the home of Outlander.”

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Outlander follows the adventures of World War II time-travelling nurse Claire Randall and her relationship with 18th century Highlander Jamie Fraser.

Among some of the most popular Outlander-related attractions in Scotland are Muiravonside Country Park which doubled as the site for the Battle of

Glen Coe Photo by Gil Cavalcanti CC BY-SA 3.0

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Prestonpans; Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre; Glen Coe and Glencoe Visitor Centre; Glasgow Cathedral, which stood in for L’Hospital Des Anges in Paris;

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Hopetoun House; Blackness Castle; and Drummond Castle Gardens among many others.

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Bookmarker

ebut novel provides a lesson for all By Nicole Kelbie

e guid tae yer Mammy, a debut novel by up and coming Scottish writer Emma Grae, is a gritty, humorous, and heartfelt Scottish family drama which emphasises the importance of loving your own while you have the chance. What the Brennan family don’t know about their matriarch is when God-fearing Granny Jean was a young girl she dreamt of trading the streets of Glasgow for the hills of Hollywood. When her silver screen dreams came crashing down she settled for an unfulfilling marriage and multiple children. The events of the novel explore the fallout from this broken dream; the “whatifs” that sour Granny Jean’s life, and the underlying resentment that threatens to poison her relationship with her family irrevocably. Granddaughter Kate aspires to become a screenwriter, but can she overcome the obstacles her granny could not?

Author Emma Grae

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“The use of the Scots language makes this novel a wonderful celebration of Scottish literature” We witness this dysfunctional family’s drama from the perspective of three generations of women, allowing readers an all-access view of events. Each and every narrator is a wellrounded, complex character with hopes, fears, and flaws they must overcome. You quickly fall for them due to their unflinching humanity. Moreover, having working-class female voices front-and-centre is refreshing and important.

Whether you’re a dreamer, a black sheep, or someone just doing the best they can, everyone can find something to identify with in this delightful story. A wonderful first novel with plenty of laughs and heartache, Be guid tae yer Mammy is a must read for those who celebrate up-andcoming Scottish voices. Emma Grae’s is certainly one to look out for.

The characters’ no-holds-barred approach to conflict provides plenty of draw dropping moments. The undercurrent of humour grounds the outlandish action firmly on Scottish soil, making for a light yet fully engrossing read. The use of the Scots language makes this novel a wonderful celebration of Scottish literature. There is no need for those less experienced in reading Scots to feel discouraged as, when you’re too engrossed in the action, reading it becomes second nature. The Scots is watered down along the generations of women, showing not only how the language has changed over the decades but also amplifying the individuality of each character’s voice.

The paperback version of Be Guid Tae Yer Mammy is available from Amazon priced £8.54 and on Kindle at £3.99

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Bookmarker

By Helen Lloyd

ew research has revealed the immense contribution Scotland’s book festivals make to the wellbeing, education and economy of the country. A survey covering nearly half the country’s 60 plus book festivals shows that in 2019 they attracted audiences of almost 780,000 visitors, featured 2,800 authors and invested almost £6.7 million into the economy, with a wider knock on impact estimated at over £11.3 million. In 2020 the total audience dropped to 344,000, with 91 per cent being online or digital, as the festivals worked to find new ways to reach audiences, or were forced to cancel due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Sunny afternoon at the Edinburgh International Book Festival Photo by Robin Mair

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“Scotland’s book festivals are a cultural treasure. Their growth has been extraordinary and they are a powerfully positive and much-loved part of our lives,” said Adrian Turpin, Artistic Director of Wigtown Book Festival and Steering Committee member of the SBFN. “During the pandemic many were able to pivot and deliver great events digitally and online – and they achieved a huge amount at a time when people were facing tremendous challenges. But it has been a struggle for the festivals and they have endured a serious battering, not least through the huge loss in revenues. “It’s clear from our survey that they have an immense impact on Scotland’s culture and society, bringing hundreds of thousands of people of all ages, backgrounds and interests in contact with writers of every imaginable kind – firing imaginations, provoking discussion and strengthening the nation’s love of literature.“

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Adrian Turpin, Wigtown Book Festival Artistic Director

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The research also revealed that in 2019, the last pre-COVID year, some 70 per cent of festivals delivered events for families and young people. An average of 64 per cent of people attending were local, with 33 per cent from other parts of Scotland, 10 per cent from elsewhere in the UK and the rest from overseas. Many authors and poets have spoken about the importance of book festivals to their careers, to writing and to literary culture. “Each festival has its own character which reflects the area and the stories from and of there. I can honestly say I’ve never had a bad time at a Scottish book fest as author or reader,” said Damian Barr FRSL, author of Maggie and Me and You Will Be Safe Here as well as presenter of The Big Scottish Book Club.

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A fan gets a hug from writer Denise Mina at the Tidelines Book Festival

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Authors Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Denise Mina and others take part in the Bloody Scotland TorchLight procession Photo by Paul Reich

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Jackie Kay Photo by Mary McCartney

Many of the festivals attract repeat visitors year after year, many of whom buy local accommodation, frequent local cafes, restaurants and shops bringing much needed revenue into the host communities. Author, playwright and poet Jackie Kay CBE said: “From Colonsay Book Festival to Ullapool to St. Andrews to Edinburgh to Melrose to Wigtown, Scotland excels at providing readers unique literary festivals, each with their very own personality and charm. At a book festival in Scotland you’re as likely to make friends with a new book as to make a whole bunch of new friends.”

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History

letter written by Mary Queen of Scots to the French ambassador in England, asking for the safe passage of a Scottish nobleman travelling to France, sold for more than twice its estimated value at auction. The rare document written in May 1568 was part of a number of lots from the library of the late William St Clair and was expected to fetch at least £14,000 when it went up for sale Edinburgh auctioneer’s

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Lyon & Turnbull. However, interest in the letter exceeded all expectations and it was eventually acquired by an anonymous buyer for £32,500. The letter is known to have been written in Carlisle Castle, where Mary was being hosted by Queen Elizabeth of England, following her daring escape from Lochleven Castle in Perthshire just two months earlier.

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The Queen, who had been held prisoner for almost a year and forced to abdicate in favour of her infant son James, had hoped that George Douglas could intercede on her behalf with the King of France and secure her freedom once and for all.

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The letter, which contained 12 lines written by her secretary and six lines in the Queen’s own hand, asked the French Ambassador to the court of Queen Elizabeth I to negotiate safe passage for her representative to France, as well as to lend him 300 gold coins for the journey.

George Douglas, along with his cousin William, had been instrumental in helping Mary to escape Lochleven. Unfortunately when Mary crossed the border to England in the hopes of getting help from her cousin, Queen Elizabeth, she was immediately detained.

Loch Leven Castle Photo by Tormentor4555 CC BY-SA 3.0

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Carlisle Castle Photo Mark Harkin CC BY 2.0

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Richard Lowther, the deputy governor of Cumberland, escorted Mary under armed guard to Carlisle Castle and the beginning of 19 years as a prisoner of Elizabeth, before being beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in February 1587. The letter was described by antiques experts as a rare direct link to Mary Queen of Scots and there was little surprise that it exceeded sale room expectations. Dated 26th June 1568 the letter from Carlel (sic) was addressed to Monsieur de la Forest “ambassadeur pour le roy [sic.] en angleterre” and signed by the Queen “Votre bien bonne amye, Marie” (Your very good friend, Mary).

Mary, Queen of Scots Photo PD Art

Photo Lyon & Turnbull

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Mary’s letter was not the only historic document related to Scottish royalty which sold at the same auction. A letter from James VI to the Earl Marischal, commissioner in the North, requesting his signature on a contract for the development of certain mines and minerals, sold for £2,250. Dated Falkland 28th August 1583 the document, comprising 14 lines on one leaf in a formal or secretarial hand, was signed by the King ‘James R.’ A second letter signed by James VI to the Earl Marischal, commissioner in the North, referred to the “mischievous practices of Satan” against the King and the recent accusation and imprisonment of the Earl of Bothwell. It is thought the “mischievous practices of Satan” referred to the storms of 1589 which prevented Anne of Denmark sailing to meet her husband, James VI, in Scotland.

King James VI by John de Critz c.1606

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King James letter Photo Lyon & Turnbull

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Satan letter Photo Lyon & Turnbull

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The storms drowned Anne’s intended lady in waiting, Jane Kennedy, and were blamed on witchcraft by the Danish admiral, Peder Munk.

Dated 27th March 1603 and sent from Holyrood House in Edinburgh the letter comprised of 19 lines written by a secretary and was signed by the King ‘James R.’

King James became obsessed with witchcraft and an ensuing witch hunt led to the arrest of over 100 suspected witches in North Berwick. Under torture, many confessed to meeting with the Devil in the church on Halloween and attempting to sink the King’s ship, alongside other anti-monarchy activities. Francis Stewart, the 5th Earl of Bothwell, was also implicated in the witchcraft accusations.

It said: “Having be our command laitlie gevin your advertisement of the news of ye death of our umquhile dearest sister the quene of England And desirit you prepair your selff for our seruice…”. It sold for £3,000.

The document requested that Marischall, and others, attend Edinburgh in May for discussions and was dated Edinburgh 24th April 1592.It was signed by the King ‘James R.’ and despite some some damp stains and two holes the slightly tattered document sold for £2,750. Finally, a third letter from James VI to the Earl Marischal, commissioner in the North, informing him of the death of Queen Elizabeth I of England was also included in the auction.

Letter announcing death of Queen Elizabeth I Photo Lyon & Turnbull

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Travel

istory and sophistication in the heart of Edinburgh

By Scott Aitken

illed as Edinburgh’s newest neighbourhood hotel the Bruntsfield is a boutique townhouse full of Scottish charm. The 72-bedroom venue - with a secret garden, restaurant and bar - is situated within easy walking

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distance of Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile and Princes Street Gardens. It is located in an area of the city renowned for charming cafes and specialist food retailers, making it one of the most fashionable and in-demand places to live.

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Victorian villas and impressive tenement buildings abound in this historic part of Edinburgh which gets its name from Richard Broun, one time royal rent collector and King’s Sergeant of the Borough Muir to Robert Bruce II.

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The land, initially known as Broun’s Field, later passed to the de Lawdre family in the late 14th century and stayed in the possession of their descendants for centuries.

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Bruntsfield Links, which the hotel and many guest rooms overlook, consists of 35 acres of open parkland which adjoins Bruntsfield Meadows. It offers a green place for a relaxing stroll or a free game on the short golf course, famous

Bruntsfield Meadows

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for being one of the oldest of its kind in the world. Bruntsfield was one of the first places in the city and surroundings where the sport was played. Historic records of people playing golf on the links date back to the 15th century.

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Today the course is expertly cared for by Edinburgh City Council’s local green keeper. Equipment to play on the links can be hired from The Golf Tavern overlooking the course. Dating back to 1456 the Golf Tavern is one of the oldest pubs in Scotland,

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By comparison The Bruntsfield, despite being housed in a building constructed over 160 years ago, only recently opened its doors as a newly independent boutique townhouse hotel. Following a complete refurbishment by its new owners, inspired by its neighbourhood surroundings and townhouse heritage, the look and feel of the new guest rooms are bright and welcoming with personal touches.

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“Our boutique townhouse hotel was built in 1861 when the doctors who resided within the three adjacent Baronial double villas, including the well know botanist and surgeon, William Craig played a pivotal role in Edinburgh life,” said Alistair Bruce, The Brunstfield’s General Manager “The Bruntsfield is rooted in this community spirit, and we continue that tradition today, welcoming and guiding new friends and visitors to all the treasures Edinburgh has to offer.”

Alistair Bruce, General Manager

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The new bar and restaurant offers guests the chance to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere reminiscent of an elegant home. Guests can start a busy day of exploring the city with something from the menu curated with specialities such as The Neighbourhood’s renowned Scottish breakfast. The Neighbourhood’s new lunch and evening menus include a range of seasonal food and dishes also inspired by Scottish and local ingredients.

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Signature dishes include seared scallops served with smoked cauliflower puree and Stornoway black pudding and haggis ravioli with crushed neeps, crispy potato, and whisky cream sauce. Plenty of vegan and gluten free alternatives are available, as is a dedicated healthy and educational menu for children. Pre or post dinner, guests can also take advantage of The Neighbourhood’s bar and enjoy botanical cocktails such as the Scottish Garden made with Edinburgh Gin. Meanwhile the ‘secret’ garden, hidden beyond a foliage archway, leads to secluded, heated booths where guests can enjoy the fresh air while keeping warm.

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Food & Beverage

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ne of the biggest whisky festivals in the world is back for 2022 with a fantastic lineup of more than 500 events, covering everything from behind the scenes distillery tours to some highly unusual experiences. The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival runs from 27 April to 2 May and tickets for the much anticipated celebration of Scotland’s national drink are on sale now. Ticket holders will get exclusive access to some of the most world famous distilleries, the chance to meet the craftspeople behind the ‘water of life’ and immerse

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themselves in the heart of malt whisky country. Programme highlights include ‘History of the Highball’ with whisky legend Sarah Burgess, an evening with Glen Moray’s Iain Allan at Elgin Cathedral and one of a kind experiences at a number of distilleries not usually open to the public. “We have an impressive range of events on offer, with some stellar new additions to the 2022 programme including an eclectic amalgamation of Star Wars and whisky tasting,” said George McNeil, chairman of festival.

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“The last few years have been difficult for everyone and as we begin to return to normality I know that the many partners and people who help to bring the Festival to life are gearing up to welcome people from all over the globe to Speyside. “I hope to see people from far and wide joining us to celebrate

the world’s largest producing whisky region, from whisky novices, budding master blenders and everyone in between. I look forward to welcoming people once again to an area I am lucky enough to call home.” Among some of the highlights for this year is a new event called “Star Wars and Whisky”.

George McNeil, chairman of the festival

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Held at the Dowans Hotel, Aberlour this tasting session with a difference attempts to pair selected whiskies to a location around the Star Wars universe. Devised in honour of whisky fan Brett Ferencz, whose Scotch Trooper alter ego always raised a smile, 25 per cent of all ticket sales will go to Cancer Research in his memory. Also new for 22 is an evening with Glen Moray’s Iain Allan in Elgin Cathedral’s Chapter House. Along with members of Historic Scotland

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participants will be regaled with tales while some of Glen Moray’s finest drams are available to taste. For those with a something of a sweet tooth there is always the Ballindalloch Whisky and Chocolate Immersive Sensory Experience. This interactive tasting experiment aims to teach ticket holders about the wonders of pairing different age statement whiskies with some of the highest quality craft chocolate in the world.

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From a new make to a whisky that is nearly 30-years-old, matured in a range of traditional casks, you will have the unique opportunity to do this tasting alongside the McPherson-Grant family and the Ballindalloch whisky creation team.

Ambassador Caris Simpson and the team in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the iconic Aberlour liquid. The evening includes a tasting combined with a dining experience and each guest will take away an engraved bottle of the latest A’Bunadh batch.

More traditional whisky lovers might appreciate the Celebrating 25 Years of A’bunadh event.

This year’s festival includes the chance to visit several Speyside distilleries which are normally not open to the public, including Roseisle, Linkwood, Dufftown, Mortlach, Tamdhu and Tamnavulin.

Join Master Distiller Graeme Cruickshank in conversation with archivist Chris Brousseau, Brand

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There is also the History of the HighBall. Held at the oldest Whisky Hotel in Speyside, The Craigellachie Hotel, Sarah Burgess, Creative Director of The Craigellachie Collection and a special guest will take participants on a journey and demonstration into the history of the HighBall. With more than 500 events to chose from, suitable for both devoted whisky connoisseurs and curious novices alike there’s plenty going on at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival to entertain everyone. More details of the events can be found on the festival website at www.spiritofspeyside.com

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“We are delighted to support the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival through our International Events Funding Programme. Its 2022 line-up of tastings, ceilidhs, distillery tours and more looks set to deliver another fantastic celebration of Scotland’s national

drink. Uniquely Scottish events such as the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival can only serve to further strengthen the country’s reputation as a world-leading events destination,” said Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events.

Video Summary of the Festival

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Folklore

Folklore Scotland with… Graeme Johncock

he Fiddler and the Trows T

he northern islands of Orkney and Shetland have a fascinating blend of Scottish and Scandinavian culture. This means their folklore is unique, with stories of supernatural creatures not found anywhere else in Scotland. Many are connected with the sea, but one strange example are the Trows. These small, stumpy figures are almost a cross between Scottish Fairies and Scandinavian Trolls. They live underground, love music and see themselves as entirely above the plight of

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the poor mortals living around them. To a Trow, human lives are something for them to toy with as entertainment. One dark evening in the Shetland Isles, a fisherman was heading home with a basket full to the brim. He made this journey almost every day but as he passed an infamous Trow hill, something didn’t seem right. The most fantastic music seemed to be coming from somewhere in the darkness. He was exhausted but as a fiddler himself, curiosity took over.

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Bressay Broch - often confused as Trow Hills Photo by Graeme Johncock

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Shetland pony Photo by Graeme Johncock

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The fisherman crept around the edge of some rocks and there it was. Light shining through a crack in the hill. Even more incredibly, he could see a host of Trows dancing inside! Captivated by the sight, the man forgot all about heading home to feed his hungry family. Instead, he clambered inside the Trow Hill and picked up a fiddle. His music was incredible and the faster he played, the faster the Trows danced. After what seemed like a couple hours of fun, the celebration finally came to an end. As the fisherman climbed back into the open air, he considered himself lucky to have danced with the Trows and live to tell the tale. He had even gained a fiddle to prove to everybody what had happened.

Shetland sea stacks Photo by Graeme Johncock

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The path that he took home every day seemed strange though. It was well packed gravel now, but it had only been a dirt track that morning. The closer he looked at everything on his walk home, the more he noticed was out of place. Maybe it was just his tired mind playing tricks. All thoughts of a tired mind disappeared when the fisherman opened his front door. It wasn’t his family inside but a group of people he had never seen before! The people sitting around the fire stared back, equally surprised. This strange man had just burst into their home, waving a fiddle and screaming questions about his family.

Culswick Broch Photo by Graeme Johncock

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Shetland’s powerful sea Photo by Graeme Johncock

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Norwick Beach, Unst Photo by Graeme Johncock

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The oldest member of the group calmed the situation down and asked the intruder what his name was. When the reply came, he nodded and explained: “There was a man by that name who lived in this house, but he vanished without a trace 100 years ago.” Realisation dawned on the fisherman. The Trows had tricked him into playing music for decades rather than hours. Distraught at the idea of living in a world without his family, he walked outside, lifted his fiddle and played a slow lament. Just as he finished the final note, the fisherman’s body crumbled into dust.

Sumburgh Head cliffs Photo by Graeme Johncock

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Sunshine on Shetland Photo by Graeme Johncock

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Events

ew competition in memory of a Scottish World Champion

By Scott Aitken

resh from winning gold in the Winter Olympics for curling there are high hopes that Scotland can once again produce a world champion in another sport - draughts. Believe it or not but Scotland was once home to a world champion who held the title for his country for more than a decade. Unfortunately the sporting glory of former Kelty miner Robert Stewart

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has largely been forgotten, until now. A celebration of his life and achievements is to be held this summer with a new event - the Scottish Draughts Championship to be played, fittingly, in his home town. Stewart reportedly lost only two out of 8,000 games and was otherwise unbeaten at draughts for 21 years, holding the title of World Draughts Champion from 1922 to 1933.

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Robert Stewart, a humble champion

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A century on from his first Championship win, this exceptional feat of skill and strategy is to be acknowledged in an annually held tournament to find a new Scottish Coal Draughts Champion as part of the Scottish Coal Carrying Championship, another forgotten sport covered in issue 57. Commencing in parallel with the 2022 programme, these events together will celebrate the history of the town of Kelty with the aim of increasing the profile of the game of draughts in Scotland.

Statue of Hatshepsut Photo MET CC0 1.0

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Draughts, or checkers as the Americans call it, has been played in various forms for thousands of years. There is evidence of games resembling the board and pieces we know today being found in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome dating back more than 3,000 years. It was played by the Pharaoh Hatshepsut (1507–1458 BC); the Greek philosopher Plato (circa 423 - 348 BC); the writer and poet Homer in the 8th century BC; and diarist Samuel Johnson wrote about it in 1756, in the earliest book printed in English about the game.

Homer in the the British Museum Photo JW1805 PD

Plato Photo by Marie-Lan Nguyen CC-BY 2.5

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Samuel Johnson by Joshua Reynolds Photo: PD-Art

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Now, the Robert Stewart Tournament for adult elite players of the game is to be held between 25 to 27 August with the final being played on Coal Race Day on Saturday 27 August.. To encourage wider interest in the sport, especially for new participants of all ages and skill level, there will also be an opportunity to take part in an ‘all comers open competition’ which will be run in parallel with the main tournament and will consist of both a Junior Competition and a Senior Competition. “A century on from Robert Stewart claiming the World Draughts Title in 1922, the Scottish Draughts Association is delighted to partner with the Coal Carrying Championship organisers to increase the profile of the game in 2022, said Donald Oliphant of the Scottish Draughts Association.

The Checker Players by George Caleb Bingham

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Two men in medieval clothing sit with a draughts board balance

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“This will allow the community and the rest of Scotland to see for themselves the high level of skill required to play the game at its highest level. Nearly everyone has played at draughts but very few move to the next level and begin to realise the vast depth of skill and knowledge required to become a master player. This competition gives an opportunity to the people of Fife to see world class draughts on their doorstep.” Robert Stewart was born in Kelty, Fife on 31 August 1873. His father, a keen draughts player, encouraged him to take up the

game for which he had a natural ability. But the time he was 20-years-old he was being feted as something of a genius, winning the Scottish Championship five times between 1894 and 1902. When Stewart died in 1941, aged 68, his obituary in the Montreal Gazette recalled how he had won the United States championship in 1922 by defeating Newell Banks (and winning £500 prize money - around £30,000 today). It also reported that he had won the British championship so often he retired for want of competition.

Checkers players of Cape Cod circa 1940

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Despite his great talent Stewart, who represented his country numerous times, was a modest man. After his 1922 victory over Newell Banks, he returned home to a hero’s welcome. But, after discovering he was to be met at the station by a jubilant crowd and marching band he got off the train one stop early and walked home to avoid the attention. This year’s new draughts events created in his memory will be sponsored and supported by the Scottish Coal Carrying Championships, the Scottish Draughts Association and head sponsor National Pride UK. Founded in 1995, the annual Scottish Coal Carrying

Championships was created by Michael Boyle whose aim was to create an enduring link between the modern-day village and its rich coal mining heritage. The men’s race requires participants to carry a 50-kilo bag of coal and the ladies’ race requires a 25-kilo bag of coal to be carried over 1000 metres through the village of Kelty. There are races for children too carrying a 15-kilo bag of coal. “The Robert Stewart Tournament not only celebrates his incredible achievement, but we are sure it will inspire all generations to participate in a new annual community event and have fun,” said Irene Bissett of sponsors National Pride UK.

Palais Royal Interieur d’un café

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Checkered by John William Haynes PD-Art

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History

reopens its doors G

lasgow Life, the charity which delivers culture and sport in the city, has reopened The People’s Palace. Set in historic Glasgow Green, the iconic People’s Palace is home to collections documenting Glasgow’s social history from 1750 to the present day. In March 2020, like all public buildings, The People’s Palace was forced to close in response to the Covid 19 pandemic. Although it reopened on Wednesday 30 June 2021 it was only for two days a week until Wednesday 8 September, when essential repairs to damaged plasterwork on the top floor of the museum temporarily closed the building.

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People’s Palace, Glasgow

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Bill Connolly’s Banana Boots Photo by Mark Harkin CC BY 2.0

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Now, once again the museum is open full-time, seven days a week, for the first time in the wake of the pandemic. Through a wealth of historic artefacts, objects, photographs, prints and film The People’s Palace provides a record of how Glaswegians lived, worked and played in years gone by; hosting the stories and memories of the people of our great city. Among the items on show comedian Billy Connolly’s Banana Boots will once again be on display and visitors will be able to take a trip down memory lane to the much-loved Steamie and Buttercup Dairy shop. A limited programme of workshops will also be available for education establishments to enjoy.

TV exhibit at the People’s Palace Photo by dalbera from Paris, France CC BY 2.0

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People’s Palace, Glasgow Photo by August Schwerdfeger CC BY 4.0

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While remedial works were undertaken to repair the section of damaged plasterwork last year, the collections on the top floor, which look at the history of housing and living in Glasgow and different visions of the city, and include Ken Currie paintings and trade union banners, were removed for safekeeping. Having been on display at The People’s Palace for 20 years, these important items are currently being cleaned and made secure for display once again by the expert conservation staff at Glasgow Museums Resource Centre. They will be re-instated to The People’s Palace as soon as possible, and the top floor of the museum will remain closed while the conservation work is concluded. The café and shop will also remain closed at this time.

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The People’s Palace opened in 1898 as a centre for culture and entertainment that would build community spirit and promote the health and wellbeing of Glasgow’s citizens. The People’s Palace is an historic building which will require substantial capital works in the future. “The People’s Palace is one of Glasgow’s most cherished places. For over 120 years it has been the home of the city’s social history, our collective memory, and a place that fosters a strong sense of belonging,” said Councillor David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life and Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council. “The museum is home to many wonderful exhibitions, collections and artefacts that appeal to people of all ages, including Doon the Watter and The Buttercup Dairy.”

People’s Palace Photo by dalbera from Paris, France CC BY 2.0

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An exhibit at the People’s Palace Photo by dalbera from Paris, France CC BY 2.0

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Romance

dinburgh has long been considered as one of the most romantic cities in the world. Its impressive historic architecture and exhilarating atmosphere attracts millions of people. It is therefore no surprise Scotland’s capital hosts a lot of weddings each year and, among the many available venues, the InterContinental Edinburgh The George is one of the most popular. Situated in the heart of Edinburgh’s 250-year-old Georgian New Town The George claims to be one of Scotland’s most romantic hotels. And, to prove it they recently commissioned a series of art works by The Edinburgh Sketcher to celebrate the love of couples who have married there.

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InterContinental Edinburgh The George

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Chloe & Bruce McIntyre who married at InterContinental Edinburgh The George in 2019 Image by The Edinburgh Sketcher

The Latent Love campaign invited couples who tied the knot at the hotel to share their fondest memories and pictures of their wedding day via social media. In exchange, winners got a oncein-a-lifetime memento recreating their favourite wedding picture from the Edinburgh-based artist depicting their special day.

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More than 70 happily wedded couples submitted their best moments at The George, which has welcomed loved-up couples since 1881. Since then, the hotel has hosted over 4,000 weddings, poured over 2 million glasses of reception drinks and served around 600,000 meals.

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A total of 10 couples received a specially commissioned sketch from Mark Kirkham, the artist behind The Edinburgh Sketcher, to mark their most romantic day. The winning response came from Megan Maxwell from Kirkliston, who fell in love with the breathtaking chandelier in the Kings Hall. The renowned hanging chandelier has been the centrepiece for centuries and has even been the backdrop to an owl delivering wedding rings up the aisle. Megan’s story involved her beloved Grandmother sharing her opinion on Megan’s search for the perfect venue for her big day. “We looked at many venues and I kept coming back to the Kings Hall and how beautiful the big chandelier is. All I thought of and spoke about was the chandelier. My elderly Grandma said ‘for goodness sake you’re not marrying a chandelier’ but the truth is that choosing the right venue is a love story in itself. You need to fall in love with it, we did and we had the best day,” said Megan Maxwell.

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Runners up Simon and Jamie Le Grice, originally from Reading and Edinburgh also shared a fond memory. “The moment the first course of dinner was served, jaws dropped at the way the waiting staff circled the table before laying the plates all at once. People loved the theatre of it,” said Simon. InterContinental Edinburgh The George, a former collection of five fine Georgian townhouses, is a magnificent example of local architecture dating back to the 18th century, combining luxury hotel accommodation with elegant wedding venue spaces that pull on the heart strings. The hotels’ Georgian façade makes it one of the most iconic buildings in the West End of the city. Packed with character and charm the hotel is home to two spaces: the majestic King’s Hall with space for up to 180 guests and The Forth View Suite with capacity for 18 for those who wish for a more intimate celebration. In a celebration of love The George have crafted a Timeless Love package for all couples in love, and to welcome back couples and guests who have been married or attended a wedding at The George over the years.

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Image by The Edinburgh Sketcher

“The George is beloved by many happy couples, both locally and further afield. It has been brilliant to hear the memories created with us and to celebrate their attachment with the hotel,” said said Kieran Quinn the Hotel General Manager. The InterContinental Edinburgh The George is a multi-award winning hotel first established in

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1881. Over the past 200 years it been enjoyed by many rich and famous visitors to the city. When the Ferrier Family lived at number 25 their daughter Susan, who is widely referred to as Scotland’s answer to Jane Austin, entertained the iconic Scottish poet Robert Burns and author Sir Walter Scott.

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Image by The Edinburgh Sketcher

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In addition to its spectacular history all 240 rooms and suites at InterContinental Edinburgh The George have been elegantly inspired by the colour palette of Scotland’s highland glens, forest ferns and mountain heathers. Cool in tone but materially rich, the rooms provide homely comfort with luxurious treats. The hotel is also home to a variety of dining options including The Printing Press, an all-day restaurant and late-night bar that offers a modern take on Scotland’s impressive larder and stylish cocktails. Burr & Co a cosy yet lively coffee shop nestled within the historic hotel, inspired by Victorian coffeehouses with a 21st century twist, is a popular meeting place to enjoy beer, wine or the wet is claimed to be best coffee the city has to offer. Mark Kirkman, The Edinburgh Sketcher, who created the romantic art works for the winning couples said: “I loved the idea and immediately wanted to be a part of recreating these memories for the lucky happy couples. “The George is a favourite of mine, and it was a delight to create artwork from past weddings, seeing how the place and fashions changed over the years.”

Image by The Edinburgh Sketcher

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History

istory set in stone

rchaeologists have uncovered a Pictish symbol stone close to the location of one of the most significant carved stone monuments ever uncovered in Scotland.

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The team from the University of Aberdeen hit upon the 1.7metrelong stone in a farmer’s field while conducting geophysical surveys to try and build a greater understanding of the important Pictish landscape of Aberlemno, near Forfar

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Aberlemno is already well known for its Pictish heritage thanks to its collection of unique Pictish standing stones, the most famous of which is a cross-slab thought to depict scenes from a battle of vital importance to the creation of what would become Scotland the Battle of Nechtansmere.

The archaeologists were conducting geophysics surveys of the ground in an effort to better understand the history of the existing stones as part of the Leverhulme Trust funded Comparative Kingship project.

Dig site at Aberlemno Photo: University of Aberdeen

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Carved Pictish symbol stone at Aberlemno Photo: University of Aberdeen

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Taking imaging equipment over the ground, they found anomalies which looked like evidence of a settlement. A small test pit was dug to try and establish whether the remains of any buildings might be present but to their surprise, the archaeologists came straight down onto a carved Pictish symbol stone, one of only around 200 known. The team think the stone dates to around the fifth or sixth century and they have painstakingly excavated part of the settlement and removed it from its resting place - finding out more about the stone and its setting. Professor Gordon Noble who leads the project said stumbling upon a stone as part of an archaeological dig is very unusual.

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“Here at the University of Aberdeen we’ve been leading Pictish research for the last decade but none of us have ever found a symbol stone before,” he said. “There are only around 200 of these monuments known. They are occasionally dug up by farmers ploughing fields or during the course of road building but by the time we get to analyse them, much of what surrounds them has already been disturbed. “To come across something like this while digging one small test pit is absolutely remarkable and none of us could quite believe our luck. “The benefits of making a find in this way are that we can do much more detailed work in regard to the context. We can examine and date the layers underneath it and extract much more detailed information without losing vital evidence.”

Pictish symbols seen on the stone as it was uncovered Photo: University of Aberdeen

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Carefully lifting the stone Photo: University of Aberdeen

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Close up of mirror symbol Photo: University of Aberdeen

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Like the other stones at Aberlemno, the new discovery appears to be intricately carved with evidence of classic abstract Pictish symbols including triple ovals, a comb and mirror, a crescent and V rod and double discs. Unusually the stone appears to show different periods of carving with symbols overlying one another. “We thought we’d just uncover a little bit more before we headed off for the day. We suddenly saw a symbol. There was lots of screaming. Then we found more symbols and there was more screaming and a little bit of crying,” said Dr James O’Driscoll, who initially discovered the stone. “It’s a feeling that I’ll probably never have again on an archaeological site. It’s a find of that scale.” The stone has now been moved to Graciela Ainsworth conservation lab in Edinburgh where more detailed analysis will take place.

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Professor Noble hopes that it could make a significant contribution to understanding the significance of Aberlemno to the Picts. “The stone was found built into the paving of a huge building

from the 11th or 12th century. The paving included the Pictish stones and examples of Bronze Age rock art. Excitingly the 11th to 12th century building appears to be built directly on top of settlement layers extending back to the Pictish period” he said.

University of Aberdeen dig site at Aberlemno Photo: University of Aberdeen

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“The cross-slab that stands in the nearby church at Aberlemno has long been thought to depict King Bridei Mac Bili’s defeat of the Anglo Saxon King Ecgfrith in 685, which halted the expansion of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms to the north. “The settlement of Dunnichen,

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from which the battle is thought to have taken its name, is just a few miles from Aberlemno. In recent years scholars have suggested another potential battle site in Strathspey, but the sheer number of Pictish stones from Aberlemno certainly suggests the Aberlemno environs was a hugely important landscape to the Picts.

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“The discovery of this new Pictish symbol stone and evidence that this site was occupied over such a long period will offer new insights into this significant period in the history of Scotland as well as helping us to better understand how and why this part of Angus became a key Pictish landscape and latterly an integral part of the kingdoms of Alba and Scotland.” The project has had help from Aberdeenshire Council Archaeology Service and the Pictish Arts Society to get the stone lifted and to the conservation lab, with radiocarbon dating funded by Historic Environment Scotland.

“We have been providing a service to Angus Council for many years and I can say this is one of the most important discoveries made in the area in the last 30 years. To find prehistoric rock art re-used in the floor of this building would be exciting in its own right, but to have the Pictish symbol stone as well is just amazing,” said Bruce Mann, Aberdeenshire Council Archaeologist. Researchers will now be working with the Pictish Arts Society to develop a fundraising campaign for the conservation and display of the stone.

Rare Pictish symbol stone found near site of famous ancient battle

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Close up of carvings Photo: University of Aberdeen

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Arts

solo exhibition by Edinburgh trained artist Sandra Collins, that was planned long before the global Covid pandemic raised its ugly head, opened to the public to great acclaim. Collins’ debut solo exhibition, Show me everything, was on at the Compass Gallery in Glasgow It was the artists’s first solo exhibition at the Compass Gallery and although arranged long ago it had to be postponed due to the lockdowns caused by Covid-19.

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A bird in the hand

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Always wanted to be a weather vane

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Organisers of the show made the decision that the works were too subtle and important to be presented solely as a virtual experience so made the choice to wait until people could view the art in person. An additional benefit to the delay had been that it allowed the artist to take time to make additional work, explore her themes and reflect on the experience of the past two years. The organisers believe the wait was worth it as they claim the exhibition was stronger as a result. Collins, who graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2002, is described as being deeply thoughtful and highly skilled; superb draughtsmanship, delicately coloured with watercolours, she has embroidered into the page, drawing with the threads.

Rearranging the deckchairs

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This subtle introduction of other mediums blends well with her delicate pencil drawings. The figures are both mythical and real as Collins has delved into her past memories, and at the same time explored and responded to the constant state of flux in the world. “The space between reality, myth and dreams, metaphors and contradictions is at the base of this new work,” said Sandra Collins.

Impatient for the wind

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“While not representing anyone in particular, these characters could be everywoman (man) dipping into shared experiences and letting these thoughts (and actions) take the work on a journey of exploration…carrying possessions, hens, flashlights, plants and tools, small cities of thought balancing precariously on heads or bursting out of rucksack like boxes.

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“This is part of an ongoing body of work broadly focusing on internal perceptions of the outside world and how one makes sense of that. It started with a return to the basics, pencil on paper and paint and quickly it seemed natural to introduce thread which had previously been used for drawing on clothes no surprises in a way, evolution has been a constant in the work. “Inviting curiosity and [the viewer] to lean into these works and, for want of a better expression, to take a journey of discovery where one might come across the embroidery rather than meet with it straight on. “Subtle stitching at times like the pencil line, embroidered text cross-stitch style heavily influenced by traditional samplers and touching on the history of women’s work. “A figure knitting away, looks out nonchalantly, while a hen sits on the table or stands comfortably at the fireplace, equally self engrossed, plumage and thoughts in unison; the deadpan attitude with a humour remembered from childhood. The common chicken, the ginger puff pillow, pecking orders and Scottish euphemisms are all there.”

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Property

By Scott Aitken

rise in home working, a desire for more space and a better quality of life has provided a boost for rural properties as more people look for a change of pace and greater value for money. An increase in buyers moving up from south of the border to make the most of lower house prices in Scotland, compared to the southeast of England, has also seen a boost in demand for good-quality family homes, especially in the North East of Scotland. Often overlooked by investors Aberdeenshire is now attracting interest from people across the UK. A number of property experts claim there has been increased activity in the Aberdeenshire property market in the last few

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months which shows no sign of slowing down. According to real estate experts Galbraith growing demand and strong competition between buyers saw a rise in sales of 26 per cent in 2021, with some properties selling for up to 18 per cent above the asking price. The average selling price of properties sold by Galbraith in Aberdeenshire last year was £438,266. “A combination of working from home and the desire for outdoor space, privacy and a quieter lifestyle, has meant property buyers are looking further afield than they would have previously,” said Hannah Christiansen, head of the estate agency team in Aberdeen.

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“Aberdeenshire has UK-wide appeal and we have seen some people relocating from as far south as Devon and Cornwall, with Aberdeenshire being far less populated and offering more space and privacy.” According to Galbraith some 39 per cent of buyers in the Aberdeenshire market last

year were new to the region, highlighting the draw of the area and the value for money on offer. Rural properties, especially detached homes with a sizable garden, have been in high demand and have attracted premiums way above the asking price.

Craigievar Castle, said to be the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle, is just one of the many attractions for visitors to Aberdeenshire. Photo by VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

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Stewart & Watson website

Change of lifestyle opportunity One such property, new to the market, that could appeal to families and investors alike is Wayfarers on the edge of the historic town of Turriff, just 42 minutes from Aberdeen International Airport. On the market with Stewart & Watson, at offers over £350,000, this detached dwelling benefits from double glazing, gas central heating and a sizeable garden that slopes down to the edge of the Burn of Turriff. It also has a double garage and a driveway big enough to accommodate several vehicles.

360 tour of Wayfarers

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Wayfarers, a spacious family home in the heart of historic Aberdeenshire

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Part of the garden at Wayfarers

The large master bedroom comes complete with an ensuite and walk in dressing room

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One of the double sized guest rooms which, like all the

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Inside, the property comprises of a vestibule, hallway, lounge, dining kitchen with family area, a dining room/ bedroom five, home office, four double-sized bedrooms - all with with an ensuite - and a family bathroom. It could make a comfortable family home, or potentially a lifestyle bed and breakfast business or even a holiday let. Located in a quiet residential area of the town the house enjoys views of the historic Haughs of Turriff, home to Scotland’s largest two-day agricultural show. Held every August since 1864 the show attracts thousands of people from around the country, swelling the population of Turriff by more than four times during the two day event.

bedrooms, has its own ensuite

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The large central hallway

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Turriff is one of the most thriving towns in Aberdeenshire with a population of around 5,500. It has both primary and secondary schools, a good range of shops and restaurants as well as numerous leisure facilities, including a swimming pool, bowling stadium, boating pond, library, community centre, golf course and fishing on the River Deveron.

The historic St Congan’s Church in Turriff from where the first shots of the Wars of Three Kingdoms are said to have been fired. Photo by Stuart Reid CC BY-SA 2.0

Historically the town - which gets its name from the Gaelic Torraibh, meaning place of round hills - was founded more than nine centuries ago. Its red-sandstone mercat cross and octagonal pillar dates back over five centuries and the ruined St Congan’s Church has links with King Robert The Bruce. Once a base for the Knights Templar Turriff has several other claims to fame. It was here, in 1639, that the first shots were fired in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms - a series of intertwined conflicts that took place across Scotland, Ireland and England between 1639 and 1653, the most notorious being the English Civil War.

The gate to St Congan’s Kirkyard Photo by Anne Burgess CC BY-SA 2.0

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The large dining kitchen at Wayfarers is large enough for a family area at one end

The spacious lounge with a large bay window enjoys views of Turriff

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In 1746 the Duke of Cumberland’s Hanoverian Troops passed through Turriff on their way to fight the Jacobites at Culloden, some 70 miles from the town. Clan Hay, whose ancestral home Delgattie Castle is about two miles from Turriff and open to the public, were Jacobite supporters in both the 1715 and 1745 rebellions. Indeed, there are numerous castles and stately homes around Turriff, including the likes of Fyvie Castle (10 miles away), Duff House (11 miles) and Craigievar Castle ( 35 minutes away) - said to be the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle. It’s not surprising really, when you

consider Aberdeenshire has 263 such properties - a greater concentration than any other area of the country! More recently, in 1913, Turriff was the scene of a protest that made headlines around the world. When a local farmer refused to pay National Insurance tax levied by Lloyd George’s government Sheriff’s officers seized a cow to pay the debt. However, local people sympathised with the farmer and a near riot broke out which prevented the sale of the animal, which eventually escaped. Today, a statue of the ‘Turra coo’, can be seen in the High Street and is regarded as a proud emblem of the town.

Delgatie Castle, an ancestral home of Clan Hay lies just two miles from Turriff. Photo by by August Schwerdfeger CC BY 4.0

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Plenty to see and do Turriff is ideally located to take advantage of the varied activities available throughout Aberdeenshire - from salmon fishing, grouse shooting, walking, wild swimming, sailing, beach activities, mountain biking, kite surfing, skiing and much more. Although an agricultural town surrounded by beautiful rolling hills Turriff is just 15 minutes from the seaside and the Banffshire coastline with its myriad of wildlife attractions, including dolphins, porpoises and even minke whales which can often be spotted from the shore. Turriff is also within 15 miles of Pennan - where the film Local hero was made; 14 miles from Crovie - the best preserved 18th century fishing village of its size anywhere in Europe; and 16 miles from Portsoy - recently used as the location for both the television series Peaky Blinders and the 2016 movie remake of Whisky Galore.

Crovie, the best preserved 18th century fishing village of its size in Europe, is just 14 miles from Turriff

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The picturesque harbour of Portsoy, recently featured in Peaky Blinders and Whisky Galore, is less than 30 minutes from Turriff

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As well as its magnificent coastline and countryside Aberdeenshire is also renowned for its golf - there are more than 55 courses in the region, including two of the oldest in the world. Turriff has its own parkland golf course with panoramic views of

the Deveron Valley. More than 100 years old it provides a challenge to golfers of all abilities. However, for those who love to play a round further afield there are plenty of other courses within easy travelling distance.

Aberdeenshire has more than 55 golf courses including this one at Cruden Bay, a picturesque coastal community where Bram Stoker wrote much of his novel Dracula

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Fraserburgh Golf Club, the seventh oldest course in the world (founded in 1777) and the oldest north of St Andrews is just 30 minutes away. Cruden Bay, next to the ruins

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of Slains castle that inspired Bram Stoker to create Dracula, is only 50 minutes by car. Trump International Aberdeen is 43 minutes from Turriff while Duff House Royal, a James Braid course, is only 16 minutes away.

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As for whisky lovers Turriff is just 16 miles from Glen Garioch (pronounced Geery), one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland, and 45 minutes from Dufftown in the heart of Speyside whisky country. Over the last few years Aberdeenshire has become a magnet for people from across the UK. Attracted by the quality of life, mild climate and beautiful scenery many come to stay while numerous others visit for a holiday, often returning year after year. Edinburgh is just two hours from Aberdeen by train while an hourly service to King’s Cross brings visitors from London in around seven hours, with great views all the way. For those who prefer to fly Aberdeen airport serves over 20 UK domestic destinations and 23 European airports. Several flights a day to London mean it’s possible to swap the bustle of the Big Smoke for the fresh air and relaxation of Aberdeenshire in less than 90 minutes.

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Duff House at nearby Banff has a fascinating history and is now a country house gallery displaying collections from the National Galleries of Scotland Photo by Photo by Markus Trienke CC BY-SA 2.0

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