Scotland correspondent issue 12

Eilean Donan - King of castles Ceud Mìle Fàilte to all Celebrating the Prime of Dame Muriel Spark Why Dingwall’s bottling community spirit

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Keeping Scottish traditions in Alberta From Bollywood to Holyrood

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inside this issue

24 Prime

time

Celebrating the life and

work of Dame Muriel Spark

8 Home

for the holidays

TThe land where “Ceud Mìle Fàilte” (a hundred thousand welcomes) 32 Slàinte means exactly that

mhath

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First community owned distillery opens its doors

42 Still

game for any occasion

From moorland to table, grouse is firmly back on the menu

50 Between

the lines and the streets Edinburgh’s literary landmarks

70 Castle

icon

Top award for Eilean Donan

78 Picture

perfect

Cinematic history preserved for future generations

56 Up

frills

town

Forres named overall winner in town centre beauty parade

64 Kilted

Cousins

Keeping Scottish traditions alive in Alberta

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84 Blockbusting

Bollywood

India’s enduring love affair with Scotland on film

94 Salt

malt

and

Back to basics for a true taste of craft vinegar

104 Toy story

The small town shop playing with the big boys

Date for your diary 108

Quick guide to what’s on this month

Cover Photo Eilean Donan by VisitScotland

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Welcome home for the holidays Photo by Kenny Lam/Visit Scotland Ben A’an in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park with views over Loch Katrine.

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T

here’s always a welcome in the Highlands, Lowlands and every bit of Scotland in between - and it’s not just the Scots who say so.

In the wake of Scotland being named by globally acclaimed travel experts Rough Guides as the most beautiful in the world the country has now also been voted as the most welcoming.

The leading publisher of travel and reference guides asked its customers to pick their favourite destination to visit in 2017 and Scotland came out on top, ahead of second place Iceland.

Indeed, the nation polled strongly with travellers in three separate categories. In addition to being named ‘favourite destination’ Scotland was also chosen as the ‘most welcoming country’ and as one of the best places on the planet to view the Northern Lights, which Rough Guide placed at the ‘top of

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the bucket list’ category.

“Scotland, a perennial favourite of Rough Guides readers, is your number one destination for 2017,” said the Guide in announcing the results of its survey to readers.

“Previously, you named it the most beautiful country in the world – but it’s not all about appearances. This year the Edinburgh Fringe Festival celebrated its 70th year and Glasgow emerged as a foodie destination to watch.

“Whether you’re exploring the capital or discovering Scotland’s littlevisited corners, you’re guaranteed a memorable trip,” promised the Guide.

Photo by Phillip Thornton Views to Skye from Raasay

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Commenting on the results of the Rough Guides Reader Awards 2017 Malcolm Roughead, VisitScotland Chief Executive, said: “It’s fantastic to see that Scotland’s charm has cast its spell once again, with the country topping the polls twice to be named Most Welcoming Country and the Favourite Destination of 2017.

“This is an extraordinary honour and a pat on the back for each and every person in Scotland who has demonstrated that famous welcome to our visitors. We believe Scotland to be an inclusive destination – one that is open to all - which is why accolades like this are so important and help strengthen our global reputation as a welcoming nation.

The warmth of the Scottish people was a key part of our successful

Spirit of Scotland campaign.”

But it’s not just overseas travellers with an affection for Scotland. Newly released figures from one of the country’s top holiday letting agencies has shown the trend for staycations continues to rise.

Cottages & Castles has announced record-breaking bookings for 2017 following an increase of 19 per cent compared to 2016. In the last two years alone the company has seen bookings increase by almost half.

“There are a number of factors that have boosted our bookings this year.

Families are increasingly holidaying at home, perhaps partly due to concerns over safety in some foreign destinations and partly due to the

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weak pound,” said Sue Bourne, managing director of Cottages & Castles.

“Many families are taking more than one holiday per year these days – perhaps favouring several short breaks in different parts of Scotland, with the added advantage of not having to take an exhausting longhaul flight with small children.

“I think there has been a resurgence of interest in beautiful rural areas of Scotland, particularly the islands.

We’ve seen the boom in visitors to Skye this year, partly fuelled by celebrities including Harry Styles and Kanye West making music videos there and films such as The BFG and Danny MacAskill’s mountain biking films showcasing its beauty.

Uiginish lodge, Isle of Skye

Islands such as Arran are a perennial favourite – Arran is beautiful and it is easily accessible from Glasgow and the west coast.�

Properties such as Uiginish Lodge on the Isle of Skye, which sleeps 12, are proving particularly popular.

This beautiful 18th century house, the former dower house of Dunvegan Castle, has been stylishly refurbished to create a wonderfully spacious, light holiday house. In a truly spectacular location, just across the paddock to the seashore with wonderful views of Dunvegan Castle.

This property is ideal for beach and clifftop walks. The famous Three Chimneys restaurant is just two miles away.

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Airlie Castle Angus

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Photo by Scott Mooney Casks in the warehouse, Raasay

Taigh na coille, Roshven, Lochaber

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Looking out over the sea, Taigh na Coille at Roshven, Lochailort, which also sleeps 12, captures the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands, with mesmerising views from all angles.

The beautifully presented interiors combined with the inspirational views across Lochailort to the Hebridean

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islands of Eigg and Rum make it easy to truly relax into holiday mode.

The luxurious master bedroom not only has its own decked balcony but also boasts a log-burner. Other luxury features inside and out include a fire-pit, Bose Bluetooth iPod dock, DVD player and Xbox 360.

For those seeking something a little smaller Lower Burnside, Moray, which sleeps eight, stands on the Ballindalloch Castle beat of the River Spey in the heart of Speyside whisky country.

The house has luxurious interior design and high-spec fixtures and fittings. There is an extensive and fully enclosed garden with direct access to the banks of the majestic

Photo by Scott Mooney Distillery Rooftop view, Raasay

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River Spey; the spiritual home of many a fisherman.

Customers staying at Cottages & Castles properties this year were primarily from within Scotland (55 per cent), with 5 per cent from overseas and 40 per cent from the rest of the UK. This remains unchanged from previous years. “Over the past year we have

focused on offering high-quality houses. We have developed a great range of properties, large and small, in stunning locations. Given the affordability and flexibility of a self-catering holiday at home, coupled with Scotland’s unrivalled and diverse scenery, we predict a continuing increase in bookings for 2018,” said Ms Bourne.

“In fact we have already taken a

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good number of bookings for next summer, which is very unusual.”

However, the boom in holiday rentals isn’t just a summer sensation as festive season bookings this year have also proved popular. Christmas and Hogmanay have both proved to be a major draw for families and groups of friends looking for a getaway get-together.

Uiginish lodge, Isle of Skye

Even now it’s not too late to find that ideal Hogmanay holiday home.

Cottages & Castles has at least three of its stunning large holiday houses with availability for the coming New Year celebrations.

Downie Park, Airlie Castle and Glamis House are amazing iconic Scottish properties capable of hosting large groups in comfort and creating an unforgettable celebratory New Year.

Members accommodation, Raasay

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Downie Park is a beautiful building in a stunning location at the foot of the Angus Glens, surrounded by hills. The house, which sleeps 18, has been newly refurbished in an eclectic and unusual style and offers a deliciously quirky presentation with fine fabrics and traditional antiques combined with more industrial and modern pieces.

Airlie Castle enjoys a dramatic position with tumbling rivers below on three sides. While perfectly secluded, the castle sleeps 18 and

Glamis House, Forfar

is a mere 20 minutes from the coast.

Inside, this house has a real charm with vaulted ceilings and numerous original features, yet it retains a warmth and welcome not often found in big castles.

There is a cottage adjoining the main castle that can sleep four and would be ideal for extra capacity. This is a “proper” castle – full of heritage and history and ideal for celebrating New Year.

Glamis House is an important historic property built in the early 19th century and can certainly be described as fit for a Queen. Lady Glamis (Charlotte Grimstead) was the great-grandmother of HM the Queen Mother. In addition, HM The Queen, and Princess Margaret have also been regular visitors to Glamis House over the years. It has recently been renovated and has a games room and heated swimming pool.

In keeping with the spirit of staycations one of Scotland’s newest

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Photo by Phillip Thornton Raasay Island

distilleries is to open its doors to residential guests keen to see first hand whisky making in action.

Raasay Distillery, now producing the island’s first legal spirit since opening this year, has turned the island’s former hotel, Borodale House, from a derelict Victorian building into luxurious accommodation to give

whisky-lovers a rare chance to stay within a working distillery.

Nestled into the foothills of Dun Caan, the accommodation boasts some of the finest views from any Scottish distillery with a stunning panorama of the Cuillin mountains on Skye shimmering across the sound.

Photo by Scott Mooney View through the stills

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Photo by Scott Mooney Outside the distillery

Five double, ensuite bedrooms have been decorated in a Scandinavianchic style with fantastic in-room facilities will be available from January 8, 2018.

Although usually only available as

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part of a 10-year membership to Raasay Distillery’s Na Tùsairean Club members, there is now a unique opportunity to enjoy an overnight stay at the distillery for just £250.

As part of the room price, guests

will enjoy a complimentary one-year membership, which comes with a bottle of Raasay ‘While We Wait’ single malt whisky and all the perks of membership, such as special offers and use of the members lounge during their stay.

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“Creme de la creme” of writer’s amazing archive goes on show

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he manuscript of one of Scotland’s most famous novels that was made into an Oscar-winning film has returned home to take pride of place in a free exhibition at the National Library of Scotland celebrating the life of Dame Muriel Spark.

The handwritten pages in four plain exercise jotters bought from James Thin’s bookshop in Edinburgh gave birth to one of the great characters of modern literature – Miss Jean Brodie in her prime.

It was written in Edinburgh in just four weeks in late 1960 and its publication the following year was to propel Spark to international success. Such is its significance that the manuscript is now owned by the University of Tulsa but it has been loaned to the National Library for the exhibition along with the manuscript of Spark’s own favourite novel, The Driver’s Seat.

Spark was born Muriel Camberg on 1 February 1918. She was a poet, writer of fiction, criticism and literary biography. Best-known as the author of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,

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Photo by kind permission of © London Evening Standard Muriel in 1957

Dr Colin McIlroy, the National Library’s Muriel Spark Project curator

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The four jotters that gave birth to Jean Brodie

she was at the top of her profession, internationally, for more than half a century and went on to win many literary awards. She received a number of honorary degrees, and was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1993.

Never out of print she wrote many well-known novels including The Driver’s Seat, The Girls of Slender Means and Momento Mori. Her work found critical approval, and her novels, where the supernatural and the surreal come into collision – and collusion – with the everyday, helped to change the face of fiction in the English language.

In the 1940s, she decided to keep a record of her professional and personal activities, beginning an archive that is now one of the largest and most comprehensive held by the National Library of Scotland. It is this which has helped lay the foundation for the exhibition ‘The International Style of Muriel Spark’ featuring items never previously seen by the public.

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Among the exhibits are correspondence with some of the biggest names in 20th century literature including Graham Greene, Evelyn Waugh, Iris Murdoch, Doris Lessing, John Updike and Gore Vidal; a handwritten note from one of the world’s most famous women – Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis – offering to buy the worldwide rights to Spark’s auto-biography; and handbags and evening dresses worn

by Spark along with invitations to glamorous events sent by presidents, royalty and leading socialites.

There are even some betting slips and correspondence relating to the racehorse she bought from the Queen along with the portable typewriter she used for her poetry and reviews in the 1950s.

A note signed by film star Elizabeth Taylor telling Spark that Taylor and her husband Richard Burton are “great fans” shows just how much the author was revered while original examples of some of her earliest writing penned as a teenager in

Edinburgh reveal the origins of her talent.

Other items include a press release written by Spark, promoting the idea of a film being made of her early life; the ration book from her penniless days in post war London when she struggled to make her way as a writer; dozens of covers of foreign translations of her books; and even her mother’s brass plaque advertising piano lessons that hung outside the family flat in Bruntsfield in Edinburgh.

Spark is regarded by many to be the most important Scottish writer since Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Although she lived the bulk of her life abroad she always said it was Scotland that formed her and she carried an unmistakable trace of her homeland in her speech all her days.

The exhibition looks at her life through the places she lived – Edinburgh, Rhodesia, London, New York, Rome and Tuscany. It charts her struggle to establish herself as

NLS exhibition poster

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a writer through to the international success that attracted the interest of Hollywood and saw her books published around the world.

Spark admitted to being a hoarder of two things – documents and trusted friends. She threw away very little and her archive, as well as containing literary riches, is full of evidence of her everyday life – shopping receipts, old passports, used airline tickets and much more. No other author so deliberately and carefully preserved a record of their life. She even kept her science jotter from secondary school which can be seen in the exhibition.

One of Scotland’s most successful modern day novelists, Ian Rankin, whose own writing got in the way of him completing a PhD on Spark’s work, formally opened the exhibition.

“An exhibition on Muriel Spark’s life and work is long overdue and it is time she was rightly recognised as one of our greatest ever writers, constantly inspired by Scotland and her upbringing in Edinburgh,” he said.

The exhibition has been put together

by Dr Colin McIlroy, the Library’s Muriel Spark Project Curator, who has spent the past two years immersed in the detail of the archive.

Through that he has come to know the real Muriel Spark.

“What comes through strongly from correspondence in the archive is a picture of a generous, fun loving individual which is not how she has always been portrayed,” said Dr McIlroy.

The first page

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“She did fall out with people and she knew how to stand up for herself but she comes across as a much warmer and caring person than perhaps I was expecting. She kept friends for decades and she was fiercely loyal.

I hope this exhibition helps people to get a better understanding of the person behind the books.”

The International Style of Muriel Spark runs from 8 December - 13 May at the National Library of Scotland. The free exhibition is one of the main events in Muriel Spark 100, a year-long programme of activity to celebrate the centenary. It is organised jointly by the Library and Creative Scotland.

Events already planned include the publication of new editions of all 22 of Spark’s novels; an international academic conference; a walking tour of the places that inspired her in Edinburgh; and an evening of readings, performances and storytelling featuring leading Scottish writers in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall in January organised by the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

“The centenary of Dame Muriel Spark’s birth is both a landmark moment and an unparalleled opportunity to permanently influence the way in which this leading figure of Scotland’s cultural history features in the public imagination,” said Jenny Niven, Muriel Spark 100 chair and Creative Scotland head of Literature, Publishing and Languages.

“There is so much to explore in Ms Spark’s work, from her incisive commentary, to her startling poetry, to her ability to effortlessly weave

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Swedish translation

The Comforters - Spanish translation

Title page of manuscript showing later addition of Miss to Jean Brodie.

folk tradition with biting satire. It’s a particularly interesting time too to consider her legacy, as a Scottish writer who was fiercely international in her approach and who broke through a great many barriers in her career.

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“It’s testament to her range and relevance that so many Scottish organisations will engage with her work and legacy throughout 2018 and we are looking forward enormously to this varied and unusual programme.

“Creating space for contemporary writers and artists to reflect on Muriel Spark’s influence on them is also very important to this project and we hope to see some really exciting and ambitious proposals through the small grants fund in her name.”

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Investing in community spirit

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he world’s first 100 per cent community-owned whisky distillery is now officially open.

Glenwyvis distillery in the historic town of Dingwall in the Scottish Highlands has been made possible thanks to a highly-successful crowdfunding campaign which has attracted more than 3,000 investors to date.

The official opening of the distillery was the culmination of a two-year push to create a whisky plants that is not only community-owned but also 100 per cent powered by renewable

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energy.

The new project aims re-instate the iconic craft of whisky distilling back into the area, some 90 years after the last local distillery closed.

The journey began with the GlenWyvis launching a highly successful community share offer in 2016 – raising £2.6 million to support its vision for the future. The project has since developed well beyond the greenfield site, to a fully built distillery with its first master distiller and support staff all set for the first run of spirit.

With whisky production beginning, the GlenWyvis team worked around the clock to prepare for the official opening on St Andrew’s Day and to bring the distillation of GlenWyvis gin home to Dingwall in early 2018.

This will mark the next exciting phase and establish GlenWyvis as one of a select number of dual whisky and gin distilleries in Scotland.

Glen Wyvis Distilllery opening.

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“From the outset, we have envisaged the project as much more than a distillery. We recognised this was an opportunity for all social investors to help reinvigorate the town of Dingwall and build on our whisky heritage through community-ownership,” said John McKenzie, GlenWyvis managing director and founder.

“We have undertaken a massive outreach programme to build interest and investment in the project both locally and further afield. Our aim has always been to produce both highquality Scottish whisky and craft gin – and to attract more visitors to the area.

“We are exploring options for distillery tours and a proposed GlenWyvis visitor experience that will help to benefit the community and develop Dingwall into a leading craft distillery town in Scotland, and a quality destination on the North Coast 500 tourist route.”

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Dingwall has been a centre for whisky distilling for centuries. The original Ferintosh Distillery was

established just east of Dingwall by the Forbes of Culloden family in 1690.

Ferintosh is one of the oldest recorded distilleries and produced a whisky much loved throughout Scotland. Indeed, it was a favourite of Scotland’s great bard Rabbie Burns, who lamented: “Thee, Ferintosh! O sadly lost! Scotland lament free coast to coast!” … on its closure in 1784.

Two other local distilleries, Ben Wyvis in Dingwall and Glenskiach in nearby Evanton, both closed in 1926.

In addition to the the 2,600 members who invested £2.6 million in the original share offer in 2016 a second open share offer has brought that total to over 3,150 members – with almost 600 new members investing some £340,000 in less than four months. The open share issue was launched to capitalise on continued interest from locals and visitors alike.

The minimum investment is £250 for all investors.

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“This is a remarkable community project and the support has been overwhelming. With our second open share offer still ongoing, we have now raised over £3 million in a very short time and I believe that is a testament to the enduring appeal of Scottish whisky,” said David O’Connor, GlenWyvis, chairman.

“Over 60 per cent of our members come from the local Highland area, and we’re using barley sourced from the local farmers’ co-op, Highland Grain. I’m immensely proud of the entire GlenWyvis team and we are all thrilled to be officially opening the distillery on St Andrew’s Day.”

The newly-appointed master distiller, Duncan Tait, will oversee final commissioning and the first the run of new make spirit in and is inspired by the unique possibilities this creates.

“To join a brand-new distillery and shape the flavour profiles of a new single malt from the start is a dream come true. The opening event marks the start of the next stage of this truly inspirational project. Now, we get down to the hard work of distilling a whisky that will put GlenWyvis and Dingwall on the international spirit map,” said Duncan.

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Photo by Guy Phillips

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Growing taste for grouse puts game bird top of the menu

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nce thought of as food only for the privileged few, grouse has grown in popularity on the back of Scotland’s top chefs championing the use of it on menus throughout the season.

The Gift of Grouse, together with Scotland’s regional moorland groups have launched a new campaign to highlight the ‘hill-to-plate’ credentials of grouse.

As well as shooting parties having the option of taking away birds plucked and ready for the oven, there are many outlets now stocking ‘ovenready’ grouse making it an affordable and popular game meat alternative for household kitchens, including farm shops and online game dealers selling direct to the public during the grouse season.

Gosford Bothy Farm Shop in East Lothian which, for the first time

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Gosford Bothy Farm Shop

The Balmoral - Number One - Grouse Dish

this year, has started selling ‘ovenready’ grouse sourced locally from estates in the Lammermuirs have seen a huge increase in interest from customers.

The shop sells ready-to-cook portions of grouse at their butcher’s counter and their option of grouse breasts wrapped in smoked streaky bacon have proved a real hit.

“You still hear people asking how to go about cooking grouse and if it comes with feathers still on,” said Bob Webster, owner of the Gosford Bothy Farm Shop.

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“It’s the same as selling chicken fillets and whole birds, we pluck and present grouse as a consumerfriendly produce ready-to-cook. This is the first year we have stocked grouse and we have been delighted with its popularity. Consumers are now eating far more consciously by choosing produce in season and there seems to be a greater appreciation for this meat.”

Ardgay Game, a game dealer in Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands, supplies grouse to outlets all over Scotland as well as London, and provides oven-ready birds and fillets to butchers, hotels and restaurant as

The Balmoral - Number One - Head Chef Brian Grigor.

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well as offering an online purchasing service.

Grouse is sourced from the best sporting estates within the Tomatin Moorland Group and Loch Ness Rural Communities Group, plucked and packaged ready-to-cook.

“Grouse is known in the industry as ‘small’ game and we generally box them in batches of 10, which can be delivered fresh or frozen for the convenience of the consumer,” said Ruaridh Waugh, technical director of Ardgay Game.

“There is also an international demand for Scottish grouse, with dynamic markets in Scandinavia and mainland Europe. Foreign customers want produce with provenance and quality at heart and Scottish game has exactly that.

“We have noticed a marked increase in the demand for grouse from all sources but in particular the general public who are becoming more aware of the availability of Scotland’s natural game larder.”

Also using grouse from estates in the Lammermuirs is Brian Grigor, head chef of Michelin starred Number One at The Balmoral Hotel, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this month at the top of Scotland’s culinary scene.

Brian is passionate about cooking with grouse having grown up with both his father and grandfather being gamekeepers on grouse estates in the Lammermuirs. Brian became the UK’s first Game Chef of the Year in 2012 and each year he heads back to the moors on the 12th August to get the first grouse of the season to cook in his kitchen that evening.

“I look forward to the start of the grouse season each year. Not only is it an occasion for me to engage in an activity that has been a way of life for my family for generations, but grouse is so popular that the restaurant is fully booked weeks in advance by customers coming to enjoy our grouse dish,” said Brian.

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Brian Grigor.

Number One at The Balmoral

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The Balmoral Smoked Salmon

“This dish hasn’t changed in four years as I feel it is perfect and obviously so do the customers as it sells out every time it’s on the menu.

“Grouse is a low-fat healthy meat offering a rich flavour and it is fantastic to hear that more consumers are cooking with grouse at home.”

Grouse has long since been a culinary favourite on the menu at The Balmoral’s Michelin-starred restaurant Number One, alongside an innovative menu of contemporary dishes which showcase everything from The Balmoral’s Smoked Salmon to world-famous West Coast scallops and even Scottish tea.

This month the hotel, which was the first property to join Sir Rocco Forte’s distinguished portfolio when it was established in 1997, will celebrate its two decades at the top as one of Scotland’s key foodie destinations.

To celebrate its continued success, Executive Chef, Jeff Bland, is

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bringing together current Head Chef, Brian Grigor, and his predecessors - Craig Sandle and Billy Boyter – for one night only to create a commemorative dinner on Monday 4th December.

Craig Sandle is currently sector chef at Marks and Spencer’s whilst Billy Boyter now holds his own Michelin star at The Cellar in Anstruther, Fife.

Each chef will be serving a dish that reflects their time at The Balmoral, with Brian putting his skill with game in the spotlight by cooking Roe Deer with pumpkin and chorizo.

To extend the celebrations, a special 20th anniversary menu has also been created. The menu will include The Balmoral’s Smoked Salmon, a dish that current Head Chef, Brian Grigor, spent years perfecting.

Uniting two of Scotland’s most iconic products – whisky and smoked salmon – Brian has put his own twist on this traditional Scottish dish by smoking the Shetland sourced salmon over whisky barrel chips as

part of a secret smoking process conducted in Scotland.

The salmon will be followed by Keltic Langoustine, Maccheroncini pasta, shellfish bisque and almonds, a dish that Chef Bland and Restaurant Director Gary Quinn enjoyed together in a Parisian restaurant in 2003.

They loved the simplicity of the dish and their patrons did too with the dish quickly became a favourite on Number One’s menu.

Sir Rocco’s favourite dish from the early 2000s comes next: Veal Osso Buco and Risotto Milanese, a signature dish for the restaurant shortly after its opening.

The celebratory meal will come to an end with Banana Soufflé and bourbon vanilla ice-cream, Chef Bland’s signature dessert. This soufflé has been served at Number One for 20 years and is the recipe that each Head Chef remembers being taught by Chef Bland during their tenure at the restaurant.

Ingredients for young grouse with salt baked celeriac, brambles, girolle mushrooms and roasted nuts.

Brian Grigor has shared one of his appetising grouse recipes for those keen to cook ‘oven-ready’ grouse at home.

‘Young Grouse with Salt Baked Celeriac, Brambles And Roasted Nuts’

Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • •

2x young grouse 2x heads of celeriac 110grms of egg whites 700grms of salt Juniper berries, thyme and rosemary 12xbrambles 12xGirolle mushrooms 1x head of rainbow chard 10grms pistachios 10grms of hazelnuts

Cooking instructions: 1 To make the salt dough whisk the egg whites until foamy, add the salt and herbs until it forms a dough.

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2 Wrap the whole celeriac in the dough making sure there are no holes. Glaze with egg wash and place on a bed of salt on a tray.

Cook in the oven at 170 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour. You can use a cooking needle to check if it is cooked.

3 Remove the head legs and wings from the grouse and take out the wish bone. Confit the legs slowly in rapeseed oil with aromats until tender. Flake the meat when cooled.

4 Roast the crown of grouse in a hot pan until evenly coloured, place on its back and roast in the oven for around 8-10 mins or until cooked.

Leave to rest for 10 mins.

5 Remove the celeriac from the salt crust and slice 1cm thick. Cut out a square from the slice.

6 To make the celeriac puree, peel and dice the other celeriac and cook slowly in milk until soft. Drain and blitz with some of the cooking milk until smooth.

7 Serve the grouse breasts on top of the celeriac, rainbow chard and the confit meat. Garnish with sautéed Scottish Girolle mushrooms, celeriac puree and the chopped nuts.

8 In the restaurant we serve the dish with a grouse sauce made with red wine and finished with grated dark chocolate and Scottish brambles.

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Putting Edinburgh’s literary highlights on the map

Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland Edinburgh

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A

free interactive app has been launched so that people worldwide can explore Edinburgh's literary history.

For more than a century thousands of visitors have flocked to Edinburgh to walk in the footsteps of Robert Burns or other historical greats such as Sir Walter Scott and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

But now, many of today’s tourists are just as likely to seek out locations

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Photo by Sylvia Stanley JK Rowling plaque outside the former Nicolson Cafe, Edinburgh

Photo by Kim Traynor Alexander Stoddart’s ‘Kidnapped’ statue at Corstorphine, Edinburgh, depicting the characters David Balfour and Alan Breck Stewart.

made famous by the likes of Ian Rankin, creator of the world-weary Inspector Rebus books, Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh and Harry Potter writer JK Rowling.

hand, and home to the largest monument to a writer in the world - the Sir Walter Scott Monument in Princes Street, literature has been a keystone of the city’s culture.

There are already several highly popular tours dedicated to Rankin, Rowling, Welsh and others appealing to visitors from across the UK and the US, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and even further afield.

Now it’s hoped that this free app will increase interest even further as it guides users to a choice of 1,600 locations in the city made famous by writers from Robert Louis Stevenson to Irvine Welsh – and highlights what they wrote.

The resource, called LitLong, contains around 50,000 excerpts from classic and contemporary – and even forgotten – texts so users can experience the UNESCO City of Literature's attractions.

It includes extracts from celebrated authors such as Walter Scott, and Muriel Spark as well as presentday fiction writers such as James Robertson and Alexander McCall Smith.

Literary experts and computer scientists at the University of

Edinburgh has been a hotbed of literature ever since the first printing press in Scotland was set up by Androw Myla and Walter Chepman in Edinburgh in 1508. There is even a ‘Literature Quarter’ area of Edinburgh which contains the Scottish Poetry Library, Scottish Storytelling Centre, Scottish Book Trust, Canongate Books, The Writers Museum, Makars Court and the National Library if Scotland.

For a city with more than 50 bookshops, ranging from chains to independents, antiquarian to second

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Edinburgh and Napier University used text mining technology to source references to the city and pin them to an interactive map.

Project Director Professor James Loxley says LitLong is a resource that could readily be adopted by other cities with a rich literary heritage.

It is supported by The Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust and the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Literary experts worked with software developers, designers and publishers. They accessed digital collections from all over the world for the project – including works held by the British Library, the National Library of Scotland, and Project Gutenberg – an archive of digital and cultural works.

Edinburgh is the ideal birthplace for the new app as the city’s popularity as a dedicated destination for literary tourism really exploded after it was named by the United Nations

Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland The Scott Monument

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Photo by Duncan from Nottingham, UK The Oxford Bar, Reebus’ favourite.

Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation as the world's first City of Literature in 2004.

"Edinburgh has a unique literary heritage. Its streets echo with the voices of countless authors and their characters,” said Professor Loxley, of the University of Edinburgh's School of Literatures, Languages, and Cultures.

Cables Wynd aka BananaFlats

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“This exploration of the possibilities offered by Big Data for digital literary research means writers' references to locations throughout the city can be found at the tap of a screen, or the click of a mouse.”

The app 'LitLong' is available on Google Play or in the App Store while the online resource can be accessed at: https://litlong.org/welcome.

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Keeping Scotland’s towns beautiful

Photo by Paul Tomkins/VisitScotland Forres High Street

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F

orres High Street has been crowned the most beautiful high street in Scotland.

The Highland town took the top spot in the competition run by Scotland’s Towns Partnership and Keep Scotland Beautiful, receiving 23 per cent of the total votes cast.

Representatives of the Forres Area Forum and Forres in Bloom, who submitted the winning application, received a prize certificate from Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Local Government and Housing.

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Photo by Paul Tomkins/VisitScotland Moffat

Second-place finisher Moffat, and third-place Troon, also received certificates and congratulations during Scotland’s Towns Conference, in Paisley Town Hall.

The Most Beautiful High Street Competition was organised to celebrate the contribution of Scotland’s High Streets and recognise the efforts made to make these spaces clean, attractive, accessible, vibrant and inclusive for all to enjoy.

The competition was launched in the Sunday Herald, and encouraged local authorities, business improvement districts, development trusts, community councils and any other local organisation to get involved.

The Forres entry boasted of the colourful floral displays, distinctive architecture and the people of the town as being great assets.

“We have it all – green spaces, infrastructure, heritage, architecture

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Photo by Ann Harrison High Street, Forres

Photo by Paul Tomkins/VisitScotland Troon

Leader of Moray Council, Cllr George Alexander, said the accolades were testament to the hard work put in by the respective communities, including community groups, volunteers, shopkeepers and Moray Council.

“I’m absolutely delighted to see that two Moray towns have featured in the top ten most beautiful high streets in the country.

“As a Forres councillor, I’m ecstatic that Forres won; it’s a tribute to the efforts of the volunteers involved and particularly those who are responsible for the fantastic floral displays on the high street.

Photo by J. Thomas Forres

– all kept to a high standard of care and cleanliness, reflecting the pride of place cherished by our people. We love where we live.”

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“Thanks also to the shopkeepers on both high streets who create and maintain attractive window displays which we all enjoy.”

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.

Photo by Palickap Alloa

Photo by Paul Tomkins/VisitScotland Elgin

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Photo by J.Thomas High Shore, Banff

Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.

Minister for Local Government and Housing, Kevin Stewart MSP, praised the success of the first ‘Scotland’s Most Beautiful High Street’ competition.

Photo by John Lord.

Falkirk

“We want our town centres to thrive as attractive, vibrant assets and it is encouraging that communities across Scotland are working hard to ensure good quality environments which are attractive to people and businesses,” he said.

“The 10 shortlisted entries were of a high standard and a big congratulations must go to Forres on winning the title through the public vote.”

The other shortlisted towns included Alloa, Banff, Elgin, Falkirk, Fort William, Haddington, Lanark, Moffat and Troon.

“According to Rough Guide, Scotland is officially the most beautiful country in the world, second only to London on global bucket lists,” said Phil Prentice, Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership.

Photo by Jonathan Oldenbuck Haddington

“However, when you ask someone what is the biggest problem with their town, they will often mention dirtiness or litter. Therefore we teamed up with Keep Scotland Beautiful to launch the inaugural Most Beautiful High Street competition, an award to recognise those who see the importance of getting the basics right. Clean and tidy, then beautification, followed by investment.

“An attractive environment is important for social and community wellbeing, in addition to the potential economic benefits.”

Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland Fort William

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Keeping Scottish heritage alive in Alberta

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n the settlement of Western Canada Scottish pioneers left their names and the names of their motherland scattered throughout southern Alberta.

The principal city of Calgary is the home of the St. Andrew-Caledonian Society of Calgary. The society has been promoting Scottish culture and all things Scottish since 1884.

To the west, just before entering the Banff National Park, lies the mountain town of Canmore which has its own Scottish background and also hosts its own Highland games (http://canmorehighlandgames.ca/).

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The Games draws more than 5,000 visitors to Canmore each year as it celebrates the unique Scottish Heritage of the Town, making them an an integral part of the community’s identity over the years.

The Games even has its own tartans, the Canmore Highland Games tartan and the Canmore Highland Games Dress Tartan. The colours of each were chosen to represent the green forests, blue sky and waters of the Bow River. A touch of black represents the coal underground, while a dash of white is for the snow-capped mountains, the fuschia mountain wildflowers and yellow for sunny Alberta.

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The tartans were designed by local weaver Dorothy Garen and are registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans.

The St. Andrew-Caledonian Society has been a supporter of these games for some time, and with the support of RSCDS Calgary Branch (http://www.rscdscalgary.org/), has chosen to hold their annual ‘SCOTS GATHERING’ in Canmore.

This year the event was held from the 6th to 9th of October and offered 73 classes in 53 subjects. Classes included Highland dancing, piping, Scottish Country dancing (three levels), Bodhran playing, Scottish cookery, Scottish Country Dance Musicians (Reels, Strathspeys, and Jigs), Gaelic Language, Cape Breton Step dancing, Scottish Cultural Lectures, Scottish Singing, and Whisky tasting. There were 21 instructors drawn from the public, Society membership and The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Calgary Branch.

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The Canmore Coast Hotel was the centre of activities with other picturesque venues utilised in addition. Saturday evening ís Three Sisters Ceilidh featured a buffet dinner with entertainment by the

instructors, members of the Society, and members of the Alberta Scottish Dance Orchestra. The Sunday Wild Rose Ball was the formal event with a Thanksgiving Buffer Dinner and Scottish Ball.

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Tribute to iconic castle Photo by Visit/Scotland Eilean Donan Castle

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Highland castle which has welcomed over half a million visitors and is famous worldwide has been awarded Five Star status by the country’s national tourism organisation.

Eilean Donan Castle, situated at Dornie, by Kyle of Lochalsh, received the accolade from VisitScotland under its Quality Assurance scheme.

The castle, which is one of the most visited and recognised in the Highlands, attracted 540,000 visitors in 2017 – a rise of 12 per cent on last year. To meet this increased demand, the castle now operates as an allyear-round visitor attraction.

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Although first inhabited around the sixth century, the first fortified castle was built in the mid-13th century and stood guard over the lands of Kintail.

Since then, at least four different versions of the castle have been built and re-built as the feudal history of Scotland unfolded through the centuries.

“Castle tourism is very important to Scotland,’ said Chris Taylor,

Photo by Mimihitam

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Regional Partnerships Director at VisitScotland.

“Five-star status shows visitors that they can expect a fantastic and enjoyable experience, while learning all about the history of this beautiful building and it seems fitting that they have achieved this accolade in 2017, Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.

“It is evident that continual investment is being made in the castle and visitor centre to ensure that they deliver an excellent visitor experience.”

Eilean Donan is recognised all around the world. Situated on an island at the point where three great sea lochs meet, and surrounded by majestic scenery, it is little wonder that the castle is now one of the most visited

and important attractions in the Highlands.

The name Eilean Donan, or island of Donan, is believed to derive from the 6th century Irish Saint, Bishop Donan who arrived in Scotland sometime around 580 AD. Several churches dedicated to to his memory are dotted throughout the surrounding area. It’s thought he may have founded a small community on the

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island during the late 7th century.

The island didn’t become a fortified stronghold until the 13th century when the first castle was built on the land to help protect the area of Kintail against the Viking raiders.

Over the centuries the castle expanded and contracted in keeping with the needs of the times. During the medieval period the castle took

up almost the entire island but by the 14th century it had reduced to about a fifth of its original size.

In the 18th century the castle played a vital role in the Jacobite risings.

In 1719 it was home to a garrison of 46 Jacobite supporting Spanish soldiers and a considerable supply of gunpowder. Unfortunately the British government found out and despatched three heavily armed

frigates to capture the fortress. For three days the ships bombarded the castle before launching a full attack.

After securing the surrender of the Spanish the British troops discovered 343 barrels of gunpowder which they used to destroy what was left of the castle.

Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland

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For the best part of the next 200 years Eilean Donan remained a ruin until Lt Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap bought the island in 1911. Over the following 20 years he painstakingly rebuilt the castle according to ancient plans and it was completed in 1932.

Since the then Eileen Donan has

been one of the most photographed, painted and filmed castles in the world.

It has featured in many films, including Bonnie Prince Charlie, starring David Niven (1948); The Master of Ballantrae starring Errol Flynn (1953), The New Avengers

(1976); Highlander (1986); Loch Ness (1996) and James Bond – The World is Not Enough (1999).

“The entire team at Eilean Donan are truly delighted to learn of the acquisition of our fifth Star in the VisitScotland Quality Assurance scheme,” said David Win, General

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Manager at Eilean Donan Castle.

“The fact that this comes at such a buoyant time for Scottish tourism is also hugely satisfying. In the last five years we have increased our own annual visitor numbers to the site by over 200,000; placing significant pressures on our 65 employees.

I’d like to thank each and every one of them for their incredible contribution in achieving our goals and aspirations.”

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Historic film archive to join national treasures

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T

he historic archive from Campbeltown Picture House – one of the first purpose built cinemas in Britain which opened in 1913 - is being donated to the safe keeping of the National Library of Scotland.

The Grade-A listed Campbeltown Picture House is to re-open soon after a ÂŁ3.5 million restoration project that will confirm its place at the heart of the cultural, entertainment and social life of Campbeltown and Kintyre.

The charity that runs the cinema has carried out an extensive project in cataloguing and digitising its paper records and has agreed that their long term preservation is best secured as part of the National Library’s Moving Image Archive.

The Glasgow-school building with its art nouveau exterior was designed as a cinema and is the oldest in Scotland that has been continually used for that purpose. Set on the banks of Campbeltown loch, it is of major architectural and historical significance.

Campbeltown Picture House

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Picture House programme

The paper archive tells the story of how cinema became established in Scotland, detailing the roles played by some of the early pioneers and the local people who backed them by becoming shareholders in the Picture House venture.

The Campbeltown Picture House may never have existed had it not been for its first managing director, Frederick Rendell Burnette. Born in Dorset, he started life as a performer being variously described as a wizard, mind-reader and conjurer.

Spotting an opportunity with the advent of moving pictures, he visited the United States to discover more and, on returning to Scotland, set up a chain of cinemas including the Campbeltown Picture House. Not content with only showing films, he commissioned them as well and in 1914 local people were treated to a showing of a film featuring the 6th, 7th, and 9th battalions of Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders marching

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house. Nothing but the best pictures selected for this theatre.”

The collection also features detailed architectural drawings for the construction of the Picture House, early advertisements for cinema showings, a receipt for the sale of the cinema piano in 1933 as the silent films it used to accompany gave way to “the talkies” and ledgers detailing the contributions of the original 40 shareholders. through the town from the Old Quay.

Other items in the archive include newspaper cuttings announcing the opening of the new cinema on Monday May 26, 1913 “as a first class picture house.”

One cutting continued: “This house has been specially designed for comfort and safety and will compare favourably with any first class, upto-date London or Glasgow picture

Other fascinating artefacts detail all the financial information involved in running the cinema, including the wages paid to the various members of staff, as well as details of a plane crash in 1938 which was carrying film reels to the Picture House. The plane came down in gale force winds near Largs but, fortunately, the two crew survived. The Picture House had to be closed that night as the reels containing the main picture, an American gangster movie “Bullets or Ballots” starring Humphrey Bogart

and Edward G Robinson, were stuck on the wrecked plane on an Ayrshire hillside.

“Campbeltown Picture House occupies a very special place in the history of cinema in Scotland which makes its archive all the more important,” said Ruth Washbrook the National Library’s Moving Image and Sound Collections Manager.

“The Campbeltown archive will enrich our collections and add to the knowledge we hold about cinema in Scotland. We are delighted it is coming to us.”

Jane Mayo, who chairs Campbeltown Community Business Ltd., the charity which runs the cinema and has carried out the restoration, said: “We are delighted our precious archive will become part of the national collection so that future generations can be inspired by the details of the story of an isolated community determined to bring the latest technologies to their town.”

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Frederick Rendell Burnette

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Hooray for Bollywood on 20th anniversary of iconic movie

Photo by VisitScotland/James Glossop

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wo decades after the iconic Bollywood blockbuster Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was made in Scotland fans of the film are being given a chance to celebrate the anniversary and follow in the footsteps of their on-screen heroes.

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VisitScotland has produced a new online guide to all the major locations used in the movie, including Eilean Donan Castle; Blackrock Cottage, Glen Coe; Bass Rock and Tantallon Castle; Loch Tulla; Inchmahome Priory and Crossraguel Abbey.

Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland Blackrock Cottage, situated on the access road to the Glencoe mountain ski area with Buachaille Etive Mor seen beyond.

Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland Glencoe

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The 1998 film, the title of which translates as ‘Something Happens in My Heart’ tells the story of two love triangles set several years apart. It was the highest grossing Indian film of that year and also the first Bollywood film to enter the UK cinema top 10.

Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland Bass Rock

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Photo by VisitScotland Loch Tulla with a view of Stob Ghabhar.

Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland Tantallon Castle seen from Seacliff Beach in East Lothian

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Now, 20 years on it remains a firm favourite and, along with numerous other Bollywood movies subsequently shot in Scotland, continues to drive visitors to Scotland keen to see the real-life locations.

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A number of Bollywood movies have since been made in Scotland as many of the country’s iconic locations provide stunning backdrops for the industry’s trademark iconic musical sequences.

Photo by VisitScotland/James Glossop

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A host of megastars, including former Miss World Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, have shot scenes in Scotland with Stirling Castle, Linlithgow Palace, Culzean Castle and Traquair House among many locations to have appeared on the big screen in both India and around the world.

Set-jetting – where visitors travel to locations used in film and television – is a popular pastime for international visitors. According to research, 40 per cent of visitors are influenced to travel to the UK after seeing footage in film or television.

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Photo by Paul Tomkins/VisitScotland Inchmahome

“Bollywood has an enduring love affair with Scotland’s cities, castles, lochs and glens with more than 20 filmmakers using our wonderful landscapes as a backdrop since 1998,” said Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland.

“With Scotland’s continued appeal to set-jetting film fans, the 20th anniversary of the Bollywood classic Kuch Kuch Hota Hai presents the ideal opportunity for the Scottish tourism industry and tour operators to engage with India, which continues to be an important growth market.”

Bollywood, the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai, is one of the biggest film industries of the world. And, with the population of India and the economic growth currently being experienced in the country – it is currently the fastest growing economy of the G20 countries – the number of people able to travel abroad looks set to increase.

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Crossraguel ruins

India is now Scotland’s 17th largest source of tourists, 16th in terms of the number of nights spent here and 22nd in the table of average visitor spend.

Last year some 34,000 people

visited Scotland from India, 77 per cent of them on holiday or family reasons. Between them they stayed an average of 13.1 nights each and contributed over £17million to the Scottish economy.

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Shaking up chip

Grimble’s syrup range

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shop cuisine I

t’s a culinary conundrum that has divided a nation and baffled visitors to these shores for generations - what’s the proper condiment to go with chips?

For legions of Edinburgh gourmets no fish supper is complete without salt ’n’ sauce while most

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Glaswegians prefer salt and vinegar or even a dollop of ketchup.

But now there’s a new contender on the scene to challenge the tangy brown liquid so beloved in the east and the cocktail of water and flavouring so favoured in the west - a good old-fashioned Scottish malt with a difference.

What is thought to be the first traditional craft malt vinegar produced in Scotland since the 1980s was launched on St Andrew’s Day at the BBC Good Food Show in Birmingham.

Grimble’s Vinegar has been designed

by Chris Harrison of Waulkmill Cider as a sister brand to his Scottish craft cider business and it tastes like real vinegar should.

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Chris Harrison of Waulkmill Cider

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Waulkmill Cider Tour

Launch display at NEC

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New Traditional Scottish Malt Vinegar

“Most people are surprised to hear that the ‘vinegar’ splashed on their chips in the chip shop isn’t vinegar at all. Instead it’s non-brewed condiment, a vinegar substitute made from water and acetic acid powder. By going back to basics, working with some skilled craft brewers, we have developed a traditional malt vinegar that has a rich, authentic flavour that speaks of its craft ale origin,” said Chris.

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“There has been such a revival in craft ale in recent years that we thought it was time to revive craft vinegar production in Scotland.

“We’ve been making traditional apple cider, balsamic and wine vinegar for a number of years, and now have a good selection of matured speciality cask aged vinegars that are ready for sale. So we decided it was time to reinvent the traditional malt vinegar too.

The new vinegar range has has won a number of plaudits, including being named a New Producer Champion by the New Producer Awards run

by Speciality Food Magazine, and shortlisted as one of four of the best New Concept food businesses in the UK. Chef Scott Smith of Norn, the Leith restaurant renowned for championing Scottish producers, has been using Grimble’s cider and cask aged

speciality vinegars for some time. He praised the authentic flavours across the range that are the result of slow maturation and traditional production techniques, saying: “We’ve been using Chris’s ciders and his vinegars since we opened

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the doors at Norn. You can always depend on his vinegars being consistently well crafted. They’ve had the proper skill, technique and time put into them to make them head and shoulders above any other vinegars I have tried in a long time,” said Scott.

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Small town toy shop among best in Britain A

small town toyshop on the west coast of Scotland has been named one of the best in Britain, alongside Harrods, Hamley’s, The Disney Store and The lego Store in London.

Grasshopper Toys in Helensburgh was awarded the accolade by the family travel blog youneedtovisit. co.uk. The influential website is aimed at parents and offers independent reviews of visitor attractions and family friendly venues.

“While the majority of shoppers now go online to buy their presents, nothing beats the magic of visiting a toy shop during the run-up to Christmas,” said website founder and mother-of-two Lauren Vaughan.

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“Grasshopper Toys is one of the biggest and best loved independent toy shops in Scotland. Featuring a wonderful range of toys including Brio, Playmobil, Lego, Meccano, Sylvanian Families, K’nex, Melissa & Doug, Le Toy Van and many other brands,” she said.

Founded in 2010 by owner Dr Wendy Hamilton the business has expanded rapidly to become a thriving online retail shop and wholesale supplier.

The accolade has been made all the more special as it was based on recommendations from ordinary mums.

"We chose Grasshopper Toys from mum recommendations because of the wide range of toys available many of which you are unlikely to

Grasshopper Toys

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Dr Wendy Hamilton of Grasshopper Toys

find in the major chain toy stores.

There are very few great independent toy shops left in the UK and Grasshopper toys is one of the very best,” said Lauren.

Grasshopper Toys was the only Scottish shop included in the list.

The other nine toy shops in the top 10 were Hamley's of London, The Disney Store, London, The Lego Store, London, Sylvanian Families Store, London, Toy Kingdom Harrods, London, Little Citizens Boutique, County Down, Crocodile Toy Shop, Cirencester, Toyville, Bristol and Eve’s Toy Shop, Llandeilo “What a thrill it was to get the news that @youmustvisit have named Grasshopper Toys Shop as one of the top ten toy shops in the UK

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to take your children to visit,” said Wendy.

“We’re delighted. We work very hard to make our shop a magical

and exciting destination for all our customers, young and less young.

It's fabulous to be recognised for our efforts in this way.”

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Date 4 ur diary

Scotland

1 - 3 December Girl’s Day Out Glasgow, G3 8YW Girl’s Day Out Show is the perfect day out! With fashion, beauty, hunky dancers, fashion shows & lots more! http://www.girlsdayoutshow.co.uk/ 25 December The Ba’ Laing Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, DW15 1NW Historical street ball game contested between the ‘Uppies’ and ‘Doonies’. Their names are derived from Upthe-Gates or Doon-the-Gates, from Old Norse ‘gata’ for a road. The Ba’ is thrown up to the crowd at the Mercat Cross in Kirkwall and battle begins. http://www.orkney.com/about/history/the-ba 26 December Nippy Dipper Boxing Day Dip Aberdeen, AB24 5NR Nippy Dipper Boxing Day Dip, Aberdeen Beach, organised by Aberdeen Lions Club. Brush off the Xmas cobwebs with a refreshing dip in the chilly North Sea. Raise funds for your own charity or the Lord Provost’s Charitable Trust. https://www.facebook.com/nippydipper/ 27 - 30 December Edinburgh International Magic Festival- Christmas Special 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2ED The second annual MagicFest Christmas show Featuring stars of magic from around the UK and special guests from Spain. http://www.magicfest.co.uk

If you have a future event you would like included in our diary please email details to news@scotlandcorrespondent.com 31 December Bogmanay Bogbain Farm, Inshes, Inverness, IV2 5BD Bring in the Bells with BLAZIN FIDDLES, Ceilidh dance with the Bogbain All-Stars, Three bars, food and craic in one of Scotland’s most unique venues https://www.bogbainfarm.com 31 December - 1 January Stonehaven Fireball Festival Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK The Fireball Ceremony is Stonehaven’s unique way to welcome in the New Year and greet friends and neighbours. As the midnight chimes ring out on December 31st, approximately 40 men and women parade up and down the High Street swinging fiercely flaming balls around their heads. http://stonehavenfireballs.co.uk 31 December Candlelit Concert Edinburgh, EH1 1RE A festive candlelit concert, set in the atmospheric and historic St Giles Cathedral. https://www.edinburghshogmanay.com/whats-on/ candlelit-concert 31 December - 1 January Edinburgh Street Party Edinburgh, EH2 2HG Say to the world... I WAS THERE. At the BEST. PARTY. EVER! Join people from around the world to bring in the New Year at one of the world’s biggest and best outdoor parties with live music, DJs, street entertainment and the ultimate fireworks display from Edinburgh Castle. https://www.edinburghshogmanay.com/whats-on/streetparty

30 December Edinburgh Torchlight Procession Edinburgh, EH1 1EG A spectacular sea of light illuminates the winter night, to mark the opening of Edinburgh’s New Year celebrations. https://www.edinburghshogmanay.com/whats-on/ torchlight-procession

31 December - 1 January Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens Edinburgh, Scotland, UK See in the New Year with the ultimate festival ticket for our headline music act, Rag’n’Bone Man, and the best view of the midnight fireworks. https://www.edinburghshogmanay.com/whats-on/ concert-in-the-gardens

30 December - 1 January The Red Hot Highland Fling Ardross Street, Inverness, IV3 5NN Join in with the Highlands biggest Hogmanay Party!

Scotland’s biggest and most spectacular FREE Hogmanay party regularly features in the list of top 10 places in the United Kingdom to welcome in the New Year. http://www.invernessfestivals.com/index.php

31 December - 1 January Stirling’s Hogmanay Viewforth, Stirling, FK8 2ET With a traditional family ceilidh and spectacular firework displays, this is an event you will want to be a part of. A time to meet with family and old friends and be part of the hogmanay celebrations bringing in the bells in Stirling style. http://www.stirlingwinterfestival.com

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31 December - 1 January Ceilidh under the castle Edinburgh Dance the night away at a traditional Scottish ceilidh, under the stunning backdrop of the iconic Edinburgh Castle. https://www.edinburghshogmanay.com/whats-on/ceilidhunder-the-castle

Australia

2 December Daylesford Highland Gathering Daylesford, VIC Australia Come along and enjoy a wee bit of Scotland in the picturesque tourist town of Daylesford, Victoria.

Enjoy a captivating Street March in the Main Street of Daylesford and then a full days Drumming, Piping and Dancing at the picturesque Victoria Park. www.daylesfordhighland.com

Canada

1 December 2017 St. Andrew’s Ball Montreal, QC Canada Join our Guests of Honour Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor and Lady Fiona MacGregor of MacGregor for an Evening of dining, dancing and pageantry celebrating one hundred and eighty-two years of Scottish heritage in Montreal at The Marriott Château Champlain Hotel, 1 Place du Canada. www.standrewsball.com

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New Zealand

9 December 38th Jenny Mair Highland Square Day Palmerston North , New Zealand The Jenny Mair Highland Square Day is set again to showcase a raft of talent from across the country and overseas.

Upwards of 20 highland pipe bands - including all five New Zealand Grade One bands - and scores of contestant solo bagpipers, solo drummers and highland dancers will converge on The Square for a magnificent day out for all ages. https://www.facebook.com/ManawatuScottishSociety/

USA

31 December Olde Towne Scottish Walk Portsmouth, VA United States Modelled on Scotland’s Hogmanay Festival, the walk is a day when townspeople honour their community and merchants, wishing good luck and prosperity in the coming year. Join the procession of families, friends and visitors led by bagpipe-and-drums. Begin at the corner of Queen and Washington Streets continue to High Street Landing for a flag ceremony that honours George Washington’s raising of the first flag, the Grand Union. www.portsvaevents.com

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