Scotland Correspondent Issue 33

Bridging the culture gap

Making amends for the past

Celebrating Scotland’s spirits

Creating appetites for adventure

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inside this issue 12 Making

amends

University addresses historic links to slavery.

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20 Culture

club

The theatre group

breaking down barriers.

30 Bardowie

Castle

History and modernity blended together in one castle.

38 Clan

News

A brief round-up of clan related news.

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Actor’s life for me…

Scott Kyle’s life in the spotlight.

60 Time

explore

to

Top accolade for Scottish visitor attractions.

56 Eastern

promise

Scotland Correspondent goes to China.

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70 Whisky

for a king

fit

Annandale distillery’s dram with dramatic links.

80 Speyside

spirit

Time to give your tastebuds another treat.

86 Back

from the dead Resurrecting faces from the past. p6

92 Stone

Destiny

of

New home proposed for ancient relic.

100 Run

for your life

114 Clocking

on

Take to the hills at new improved outdoor event.

118 Bookmarker Winners of Scotland’s

New exhibition on the history of clocks.

oldest literary prize.

104 Gintelligence Fiona Holland reviews a new Orkney gin.

122 Discovering Aberdeen University 110 Antiques Roo Irvine on the advantages of antiques.

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Walter Scott

opens the books on literary genius.

130 Enlightenment 136 Life

2.0

Celebrating 200 years of James Watt.

148 Wild

festival

in the fast lane

Sandy Mitchell, the teenage driver on track for success.

160 Destination

Date 4 Your Diary

food

Celebrating nature’s larder.

Scotland

Where to go and stay in Scotland.

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What’s on in Scotland and abroad this month.

Cover Photo

Photo by Stewart Cunningham.

China’s No Name Theatre Group at Winton Castle

152 Supernatural

Scotland

Witches and the dark side of history

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Anniversary Vaults 166

What’s worth celebrating and commemorating this September.

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Historic commitment to making amends

University of Glasgow’s Gilbert Scott Building

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by Helen Lloyd

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he University of Glasgow is to spend ÂŁ20million over the next 20 years in an attempt make amends for benefitting financially from the slave trade.

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A historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with The University of the West Indies which will see the foundation of a Glasgow-Caribbean Centre for Development Research.

Photo by University of Glasgow Professor Sir Hilary Beckles (left), Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) and Dr. David Duncan, Chief Operating Officer & University Secretary, University of Glasgow, shake hands following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding at The UWI Regional Headquarters, Kingston, Jamaica to partner in a reparations strategy including the establishment of the Glasgow-Caribbean Centre for Development Research.

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The Centre, which will be co-located in Glasgow and the Caribbean, will host events and activities, sponsor research work, coordinate academic collaborations with other universities, and help to stimulate public awareness about the history of slavery and its impact around the world.

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Photo by University of Glasgow

The MoU, which was signed in two very public events - the first in Kingston, Jamaica and the second in Glasgow - delivers one of a series of recommendations that emerged contained in a report based on comprehensive research conducted by the University into its links with historical slavery.

That report, called Slavery, Abolition and the University of Glasgow, is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK. It acknowledged that while the University of Glasgow played a leading role in the abolitionist movement in the 18th and 19th centuries, the institution also received significant financial support from people whose wealth was derived, in part, from slavery.

As part of the MoU event in Glasgow, a plaque was unveiled to mark the fact that the Gilmorehill base of the University of Glasgow was built on the site of a house called Gilmorehill House, owned by a notorious 18th century slaveowner who traded in

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tobacco brought to Glasgow from plantations in the West Indies and America. The workforce on their plantations were enslaved peoples who had in turn been traded in West Africa for Scottish products like cloth.

The Scottish Makar, Scotland’s poet laureate, Jackie Kay recited a poem specifically commissioned for the day, and an exhibition “Call and response: The University of Glasgow and slavery” was unveiled in the University chapel. It invites the public to react and respond to the histories of enslaved people and their role in the University’s story featured in the exhibition.

The exhibition features photographs and stories of a selection of objects to explore the often unknown and unexpected ways in which some items within the University’s collections are related to the history of slavery and the abolitionist movement. A range of people connected to the University were asked to give their response to an

object and its history.

“Talking about any institution’s or country’s historical links to slavery can be a difficult conversation but we felt it was a necessary one for our university to have,” said Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow.

“I am reminded of the words of Professor Sir Geoff Palmer, one of our report’s external advisers, who often says while you can’t change the past, you can change their consequences. This is the story of our journey to do this to further enhance awareness and understanding of our history and the University’s connections to both historical slavery and the abolitionist movement.”

Among those who took part in the exhibition were Graham Campbell, a Glasgow City Council councillor and an activist for African Caribbean issues in Scotland, as well as

Photo by University of Glasgow Professor Sir Hilary Beckles and Dr. David Duncan sign the Memorandum of Understanding witnessed by C. William Iton (left), University Registrar, The UWI, Laleta Davis-Mattis, University Counsel, The UWI, and Peter Aitchison, Director of Communications & Public Affairs, University of Glasgow.

Professor Sir Geoff Palmer, Jamaica’s first Honorary Consul in Scotland.

Cllr Graham Campbell responded to a rare “Slave Bible” – only three first edition copies are left in the world. Any passage that might incite rebellion was removed – gone, for example, were references to the exodus of enslaved Israelites from Egypt.

The ‘special edition’ of the Holy Bible for the use of the Negro Slaves in the British West-Indian Islands was first printed in London in 1807 on behalf of the Society for the Conversion of Negro Slaves. It is believed only three copies of the first edition are held in public collections at Glasgow, Oxford, and Cambridge universities.

Two further copies of the 1808 edition are held at Fisk University in the USA and Lambeth Palace Library in London.

“As Glasgow’s first councillor of African Caribbean Jamaican descent, I am very proud to have played

Photo by Dun Deagh CC BY-SA 2.0 Glasgow University

a small part in the campaign for reparative justice linking Scottish and Jamaican institutions as part of Flag Up Scotland Jamaica. As someone who has studied at both institutions, I am delighted at the steps that the University of Glasgow and the University of the West Indies are taking today to recognise the legacy of slavery and the need for its practical acknowledgment,” said

Councillor Campbell.

“Our mutual recognition of the appalling consequences of that past - an indictment of Scottish inhumanity over centuries towards enslaved Africans – are the justifications which are at the root of the modern-day racism that we fight now. This action is a necessary first step in the fight

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against institutionalised racism and discrimination in Scotland and the UK and for the international fight for Reparative Justice.”

The “Call and response: the University of Glasgow and slavery” exhibition is free and open to the public Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm in the Memorial Chapel of the University of Glasgow.

Among the exhibits visitors can learn more about former students such as Adam Smith, renowned as the father of modern economics. His 1776 book, The Wealth of Nations, argued that slavery was highly inefficient, implying that freeing slavery would make production more efficient and that both slaves and their masters could be made better off without slavery.

It also tells the tale of James McCune Smith who graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1837 to became the first African American to receive a medical degree.

A new building at the University of Glasgow dedicated to him is currently under construction while a scholarship in his name has been created to make 30 undergraduate scholarships available for students of African/African-Caribbean descent.

His story featured in Scotland Correspondent issue 5

Adam Smith (PD)

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Following the signing of the MoU,Scott Kirby, President of the University of Glasgow Students’ Representative Council, said: “We can’t shy away from the past. We need to face up to the flaws in our history. I am proud that the University has openly and honestly owned its history and reported on its links to historical slavery. It is sending out such a strong message to our students – past and present – that while the University can’t change the past, it can now repair and rebuild through active reparations, which includes through the development of our new partnership with The University of the West Indies and other initiatives.”

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Actions speak louder than words

Photos by Stewart Cunningham Members of the No Name Theatre Group at Winton Castle

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t is a performance that would surely have made Scotland’s most celebrated poet, Robert Burns, very proud, if he’d still be around to see it.

Sharing sentiments similar to those expressed in one of his greatest works, A Man’s A Man for A’ That, China’s first and only interpretive improvisation performance troupe,

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based on the law of Yin and Yang, is travelling the world and breaking down barriers.

More than 220 years after Burns wrote the famous song much of the sentiment expressed in his words is being conveyed to a world audience in an altogether different medium.

Using traditional and modern interpretive dance and movement, members of the internationally renowned ‘No Name Theatre Group� celebrated their debut performance in Scotland with a special launch event at Winton Castle, ahead of a successful two-week run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

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Situated on the outskirts of Scotland’s capital the impressive mansion house, which has a history stretching back more than 500 years, is the family home of Sir Francis Ogilvy and his wife, Lady Dorothy.

The castle was specifically chosen as a magical place to showcase a meeting of minds and culture between China and Scotland.

Lady Dorothy Ogilvy and Mrs Hong

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“Scotland is an ancient, traditional country and so is China. We are very similar in many ways.” said Mrs Hong, founder and benefactor of the group which includes amateur

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performers from across China.

“There is no border between cultures.

We want to communicate with other countries and show we are all part

of the same family, no matter what colour our skin is.�

Dressed in traditional and highly colourful costumes the 30-strong

group, whose ages ranged from 5 to 82 years, put on a number of brief impromptu performances for special guests, including Consul Zeng Wei from the Consulate General of China

Members of the No Name Theatre Group with Mrs Hong and Consul Zeng Wei

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in Edinburgh and Lindsay Neilson of VisitScotland.

Emotionally charged and at times highly energetic the actors used a combination of performance techniques to passionately portray a common desire shared by all people around the world - the search for personal happiness and fulfilment.

Lady Dorothy, who welcomed the group to the castle, said that as a musician she could appreciate the power of the arts to transcend language and break down cultural barriers. She described the performances as “beautiful” and “absolutely inspirational” Lindsay Neilson said: “It was amazing!”

Despite the language barrier and the natural introverted personality of many Scots Mrs Hong said they had found a way to encourage audiences to open up and embrace the message they were trying to convey.

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“People in Scotland are more naturally introverted compared to some other countries but when they come to the show they soon become involved. The improvisation encourages them to open up.

“Art is a good way to communicate.

It removes the need for languages and breaks down barriers. It doesn’t matter where you go in the world we are all the same,” said Mrs Hong, who has taken that message to more than 30 countries in the last 20 years.

“Art should not just entertain but inspire, arouse and encourage people to explore life whether we are in China, Scotland or elsewhere.

“We share a similar philosophy to Robert Burns. When I first heard a translation of Robert Burns’ work I was moved. He has spoken what we are thinking. We are all brothers and sisters. We are united not by blood but through similar emotions, hopes and dreams.”

In the words of Scotland’s national bard: Then let us pray that come it may, (As come it will for a’ that,) That Sense and Worth, o’er a’ the earth, Shall bear the gree, an’ a’ that.

For a’ that, an’ a’ that, It’s coming yet for a’ that, That Man to Man, the world o’er, Shall brothers be for a’ that.

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A home with history

Photos by Clyde Property (www.clydeporoperty.co.uk) Bardowie Castle

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by Scott Aitken

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historic castle dating back more than 500 years with links to a number of Scotland’s clans and iconic legends is up for sale.

Bardowie Castle in the Milngavie suburb of Glasgow has all the luxury and trappings of modern living but is steeped in history with ties to some of the country’s most prominent

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lairds, including the infamous Rob Roy MacGregor.

Situated among 10 acres of majestic grounds overlooking Bardowie loch the impressive ‘A’ listed castle has gone on the market for offers over £3million.

Although the castle boasts Scotland’s oldest original Stone Keep, dating from the mid 16th century, it has been meticulously restored and refurbished to provide all the comforts of 21st century luxury living.

Originally the land on which the castle now stands belonged to Clan Galbraith in the 13th century before passing, through marriage, into the hands of John Hamilton of Cadzow a nobleman and reputed soldier in the late 1300s. In the mid 18th century the property was acquired by members of the Buchanan Clan.

The stone keep was built around 1566 and modified several times over the following 300 years while the rest of the current castle can be dated back to the early 1700s.

Today, the castle enjoys an idyllic setting on the northern shores

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of Bardowie Loch with its own private jetty, surrounded by rolling countryside at the end of the oldest lime, tree lined driveway in Scotland.

According to the selling agents, Clyde Property, the six-ensuitebedroom mansion comes with extensive grounds which include a former orchard, a recently resurfaced tennis court, and a beautiful walled garden which borders the patio sitting adjacent to the water’s edge.

A selection of outhouses are formed around the enclosed rear courtyard with security gates and include two separate sizeable garages and further parking for several vehicles.

Inside the main house a stone staircase leads to the original Great Hall within the Stone Keep and there are two self-contained, two bedroom apartments, both with interconnecting door to the main property, as well as several reception rooms, a games room and a fully fitted gymnasium.

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Clan News

March of the Highlanders

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esplendent in their Highland regalia, and shouldering their traditional eight-foot long pikes, the Lonach Highlanders were once again the star attraction at the 178th Lonach Highland Gathering and Games.

Following in the footsteps of their forefathers, the Lonach Highlanders set out at 7:50am from Bellabeg on their historic six-mile march through Strathdon.

With the strains of the pipes and drums of the Lonach Pipe Band piercing the morning air the highlanders continued a tradition that stretches back nearly 200 years as they visited six local properties, toasting the health of each of the owners.

The iconic procession, which this year featured 169 of the society’s 220-strong membership, was a spectacular sight as it wound its way through the Aberdeenshire area of Strathdon. Among the ranks were three youngsters taking part for the first time alongside 79-yearold marshalling sergeant George Thomson, the eldest marcher.

Organised by the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society, which was founded in 1823, the Lonach Highland Gathering and Games is a highlight of the summer events calendar in north-east Scotland.

More than 7,500 people attended this year, including visitors from across Britain and as far away as Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

The gathering also welcomed a group of 14 students and four adults from the Japanese city of Nagasaki, who are currently on a visit to the UK. During their visit to the Lonach Gathering, which was arranged by Ronnie Watt of Milltimber, the group were presented with commemorative caps by the Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh, Mr Nozomu Takaoka.

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Lonach Highlanders

Joining the Lonach Pipe Band to play for spectators throughout the day were the pipe bands of Ballater and District, Huntly and District, Towie and District and Robert Gordon’s College.

“Each year, the march never disappoints. Seeing the Lonach Highlanders wend their way through Strathdon in their kilts, shouldering their pikes in step to the strains of

the pipes and drums and following in the footsteps of their forebears is stunning. The history, heritage and traditions associated with Lonach continue to appeal to visitors from around the world. It was great to hear so many different languages around the games field,” said Jennifer Stewart, secretary and chief executive of the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society.

Some like it Monroe

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esults of new DNA research has revealed what many people have believed for years - Marilyn Monroe was Scottish.

Marilyn Monroe (PD)

The iconic Hollywood actress, who died aged 36 in August 1962, was a descendant of the Munro Clan and her ancestors can be traced back to the Moray village of Edinkillie, near Forres in northeast Scotland.

Previous doubts as to the origins of the star, who was born Norma Jeane Mortenson in 1926 to Gladys Monroe, can now be put to rest.

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Excavating MacDonald history

Photo by Gil Cavalcanti CC BY-SA 3.0 Glencoe

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rchaeologists excavating the site of one of the most infamous events in Scottish history have discovered a ‘lost village’ in Glen Coe. The discovery is close to the scene of the notorious 1692 massacre of the MacDonalds of Glencoe, which was carried out under the pretext of retribution for their chief’s failure

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to meet a crucial deadline to swear allegiance to King William III. The discovery is believed to be of the remains of a small ‘clachan’ called Achtriochtan which was one of three tiny townships which used to line the glen.

Residents of the village were among those ‘put to the sword’ on

13 February 1692 as government soldiers launched a surprise attack on their hosts, the MacDonalds, who had provided food and shelter from the winter weather to the troops.

At least 38 of the MacDonald men were killed in the bloodbath while many others, including women and children, who escaped the slaughter died from exposure in the hills.

Twin town Alabama

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delegation of American visitors from Athens, Alabama have signed a partnership agreement to twin their town with Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire.

Athens’ Mayor Ronnie Marks flew to

Photo by Carol M Highsmith (PD) Athens, Alabama

Scotland to finalise the arrangement which was partly organised by Professor Debra Baird of Athens State University and president of The Clan Baird Society Worldwide.

Nominated Clan Chief Richard Holman-Baird, of Rickarton Estate, is

a leading member of the Stonehaven twinning group.

The aim is to encourage closer links between the two communities, increase tourism and establish student exchange programmes.

Photo by Onderwijsgek CC BY-SA 2.5 NL Stonehaven harbour

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An actor’s life for me…by Scott Kyle

Never forget

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Scene from the movie Kajaki, Kilo Two Bravo

eptember is always a bit of an emotional month for me as it marks the anniversary of the events depicted in the

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movie Kajaki, Kilo Two Bravo.

Every year on the 6th I try to screen the film for an audience, or just

watch it at home by myself. I don’t do it because I am in it but to salute the brave men who lived through the events of 2006 for real.

As an actor I get to play lots of characters, most of them fictional, but there’s something very special about being given the opportunity and trust to portray a living person with an extraordinary story.

I won’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t yet seen it but Kajaki is no ordinary war movie. It tells the true story of a group of British soldiers seriously injured after straying into a mine field in Afghanistan. It’s a tense drama focussing on the camaraderie

and courage shown by these men trapped in a terrifyingly dangerous situation that most of us will, thankfully, never have to endure.

When we were preparing to make the movie each of the actors got to meet the people being portrayed.

I was given the challenging task of portraying Sergeant Stuart Pearson.

It was suggested at the time that we would have to fill ‘big shoes’ to recreate what these men did,

especially the actions of Corporal Mark Wright who was awarded the George Cross for his bravery.

Since its release in 2014 Kajaki has won numerous accolades and last month it was included in a list of the top seven movies on Netflix. None of the actors could ever hope to get anywhere near to filling the ‘big shoes’ of those brave men. I just hope our telling of their story helps award them a fraction of the respect they deserve.

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Tattoo much fun

“Look Ma, I’m top of the world!” Me at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo

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here’s something about the skirl of the pipes that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and when they are being played as part of the massed bands at the Edinburgh Military tattoo the effect is electrifying.

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Karen and me

My wife Karen and I had a great time as guests of the Tattoo this year.

Sitting in the audience high above the arena, with the backdrop of the castle illuminated against the night sky, was a memory we’ll never forget.

I was amazed to find out that every year around 200,000 people attend this annual event, and over 100 million more watch it on television.

Over the years performers from at least 50 countries have taken part and a large proportion of the profits raised go to charity.

here is a saying among actors that you “should never work with children and animals” - usually because you risk being upstaged, but sometimes it’s hard to resist.

Just before starting the run of ‘A War of Two Halves’ at the Edinburgh Festival, (which, by the way, went

extremely well playing to packed houses and received rave reviews) I went to Edinburgh for a costume fitting. While walking along the Royal Mile I saw two young girls trying to grab the attention of passers-by to promote a show called “The Spirit of Scotland” at The Jam House.

Getting up on stage or appearing

It’s incredible to think the Tattoo has been going for 69 years. Next year will be the 70th anniversary and it promises to be better than ever, so book soon if you want to go as tickets are always sold out months in

advance.

One other bit of trivia I learned is that the name Tattoo is derived from a Dutch word of the 1600s and means ‘last call’. Pub landlords would call last orders at the bar with the words “doe den tap toe”. Every day’s a school day!.

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before a camera is just the tip of the show business iceberg. For every person in front of an audience there’s often numerous others behind the scenes. For every hour spent in the spotlight there’s a lot of hard work, persistence and good old fashioned graft needed to produce and promote a show long before the curtain ever goes up on the first

performance.

I know from personal experience just how hard it is to hand out flyers

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to strangers in the street and when young Ava Simion approached me I felt I had to help a little. So, thank you to the 56,000 plus people who

viewed our little Twitter video, and congratulations again to Ava for being such a little star.

Feline famous

s for that other old adage about animals - it’s too late for that too. Most of my social media followers know about Jess, the neighbour’s cat. She doesn’t live with us but regularly pops in for a fuss.

Jess the cat

Jess has become so popular I often get sent fantastic drawings of her from people all round the world, and when I post a photo on Twitter she usually gets more likes and shares than Sam Heughan, who plays the main character Jamie Fraser in Outlander.

I was invited on to a local radio show recently to talk about …Jess! She must be one of the most famous cats in the world by now and the funniest thing is her real family (my neighbours) don’t even know it.

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Canada surprise

With the gang at the Canada Fling

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hanks to everyone who attended the Canadian Fling, it was incredible.

We managed to smuggle Stephen Walters, who played Angus Mhor in Outlander, into Canada as a surprise guest - much to the delight of fans.

Karen, Stephen and myself were well looked after by the Fling team who put us up in the beautiful Confederation Palace Hotel on the waterfront at Kingston, Ontario and took us on a guided tour of Fort Henry, where aspiring actors recreated the changing of the guard and various drills.

The Royal Military College of Canada made everyone very welcome and The Fiddleheads (a high powered Celtic/East Coast band based in Belleville Ontario) kept us entertained. Stephen performing his Outlander ditties was icing on the cake!

Karen and I even got to spend a day at Niagara Falls and look forward to going back next year for the next

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Me and Stephen Walters

Canadian Fling, which is scheduled to take place a little earlier in June 2020 (tickets are already on sale via

my website and selling well www.scottkyle.co.uk.

Karen and me enjoying a day off in Canada

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Put ‘em up for Ken

Boxing legends with John Conteh and Barry McGuigan with Scott Murray

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ow I’m back in Glasgow I’m looking forward to a great night out on September 29 to raise funds for the Ken Buchanan Foundation, which is looking to build a statue of Scotland’s boxing hero in Edinburgh.

The legendary ‘Marvelous Marvin’ Hagler, the greatest middleweight of his generation, is coming to tell his story. This is Marvin’s first ever event in Scotland and is bound to

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be a fascinating opportunity to hear from the undisputed Middleweight Champion of the World during one of the best eras in boxing history.

Ken Buchanan, from Leith, was one of the greatest boxers ever to come out of Scotland. During the late 1960s and early 1970s he really was at the top of his game yet his achievements are often forgotten.

I love the story that in the 1970s Ken

was appearing at Madison Square Garden in New York. He was told he would have to share a dressing room so he took some white tape and divided the room in half, with a warning to his roommate not to cross the line.

The other boxer was Muhammad Ali! Anybody with Ken’s talent and that kind of chutzpah deserves to be honoured with a statue.

Scott Murray and me at last year’s dinner for Ken Buchanan

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Photo by Guy Phillips

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Photos by Stewart Cunningham

Golden opportunity to build links with China p56

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cotland Correspondent, the world’s only free, multimedia digital magazine promoting all things Scottish to a global audience, is to launch a Chinese language edition.

The magazine already reaches thousands of people in more than 60 countries highlighting the best of Scotland and uniting lovers of the country’s scenery, history, culture and products.

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More than 40 per cent of the magazine’s regular readers are from North America but it also has followers across Europe and as far a field as India, Russia, Australia and New Zealand, as well as the rest of the UK. Now, in a pioneering move, it is to add to its growing circulation with a quarterly bumper edition created specifically for a Chinese audience.

Scotland Correspondent is the first

and only magazine of its kind to do this.

The first edition of 苏格兰通讯 will be launched in time for Golden Week, beginning on October 1, one of the most popular times of the year for Chinese people to take or plan holidays, and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The digital magazine, enjoyed by readers around the world for its photographic spreads and eyecatching features, will be promoted in China through numerous travel operators, and to Chinese visitors and residents in the UK via QR codes circulated throughout the country.

The number of Chinese visitors has grown dramatically in the last few years and is predicted to increase much more over the next decade.

China is already in the top five growth markets for tourism in Scotland.

Digital content shared on mobile devices is hugely influential among

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Chinese visitors. More than 75 per cent of tourists say they rely on reviews and word of mouth via Chinese blogs, websites and social media platforms to decide on where to go, where to stay and what to do on holiday.

businesses to attract potential Chinese customers.

As with other tourists Chinese visitors like to research places, brands and products before booking a holiday - but they don’t have access to most western channels such as Google, Youtube, Twitter or Facebook. Instead they have their own social media sites such as Weibo and WeChat, often making it more complicated for Scottish

Now, these operators have a quality, eye-catching magazine they can use to promote Scotland as an ideal primary destination to their clients.

It also gives Scottish businesses a unique platform to reach potential new customers as the content is shared on Chinese social media.

The majority of Chinese visitors come to Scotland as part of organised groups and rely heavily on the advice and guidance of travel operators.

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Timeless accolade

Photos from VisitScotland The V&A Dundee

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by Helen Lloyd

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wo of Scotland’s premier visitor attractions have been named as must-see destinations for international travellers to visit.

The renowned American news magazine, Time, has included the V&A Dundee and The Macallan Distillery on their prestigious list of the top 100 of of ‘The World’s Greatest Places 2019’.

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Ranked alongside the likes of Zakouma National Park in Chad, the Red Sea Mountain Trail in Egypt, the Geosea Geothermal Sea Baths in Iceland and the Isaac Hale Beach Park in Hawaii, Scotland accounts for two of just three locations from the UK to make the chart.

“The Macallan Distillery and V&A Dundee’s inclusion in this prestigious list of the top 100 places to see in the world this year is testament to both attractions’ stature in the UK. I don’t think anyone could go to either location and not stand back in awe at these amazing feats of architecture, bringing their surroundings to life, as well as be drawn in to the experiences they offer visitors,” said Malcolm Roughead, VisitScotland Chief Executive.

The Macallan Distillery

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“Both attractions have been groundbreaking for their respective city and region. They have forged reputations for innovation, creativity, learning, community engagement and unforgettable experiences, helping to elevate the unique characters of both Dundee and Moray Speyside, and of Scotland, and put them in the map as a must-see places to visit.”

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V&A Dundee, an international centre for design for Scotland, was opened in September 2018, and has already attracted more than 750,000 people.

Around a quarter of these visitors were reported to have come from the rest of the UK or overseas.

The first ever design museum to be built in the UK outside London, it was designed by internationally acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and stands at the centre of a £1 billion transformation of Dundee’s waterfront.

V&A Dundee has been credited with driving visitor numbers and spend to the city according the figures released by Dundee City Council earlier this year.Â

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Opened in 2018, The Macallan Distillery Experience in Speyside, is the first distillery developed by internationally renowned architects, Rogers, Stirk, Harbour + Partners and has already received a number of accolades for its innovative design.

Speyside - a region with the highest concentration of whisky distilleries in the world and home to the worldfamous Malt Whisky Trail - to further capture the global interest in whisky, a sector worth £3.3 billion to the UK economy.

of the world class V&A museum.

Since it opened, the museum has attracted more than half a million visitors from all over the UK and throughout the world, and has been part of the rejuvenation of the waterfront in Dundee.

Echoing the beautiful countryside setting, the building’s rolling roof serves to conceal its ingenious fusion of architecture, whisky technology and an engaging experience that encapsulates the heritage and innovation of The Macallan.

“This is a fantastic achievement for both the V&A Dundee and The Macallan Distillery. Both attractions represent the very best of Scotland’s tourism experience,” said Fiona Hyslop, Scotland’s Tourism Secretary.

Welcoming visitors from all across the globe, The Macallan has helped

“The city of Dundee has seen enormous benefit from the opening

“Whisky tourism continues to grow and last year visitor numbers to distilleries hit 2 million for the first time ever. The Macallan Distillery is an architectural wonder and in its innovative telling of the story of whisky is helping to lead whisky tourism.”

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Legendary blend of whisky and history A

new blended whisky from the homeland of Robert the Bruce has been crowned the official dram of Netflix’s epic take on the life of the Scottish legend.

Outlaw King, named after the film, has been created by Annandale

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Distillery in Dumfries & Galloway to celebrate the 14th century monarch, the 7th Lord of Annandale who grew up in the region and became one of Scotland’s greatest historical figures.

Annandale distillery reopened in 2014 following an extensive restoration project to bring whisky production

back to Dumfries & Galloway after almost 100 years.

The new whisky, which was unveiled at an exclusive one-off event at Annandale Distillery, is a premium blend of Single Malt and Single Grain Scotch Whiskies, prominent among which is Annandale’s peaty/smoky

Photo by Annandale Distillery/Bryan Armstrong Tony Curran and James Cosmo at Annandale Distillery

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Photo by Annandale Distillery/Bryan Armstrong Tony Curran, Stephen McMillan, James Cosmo and Gilly Gilchrist

Single Malt, ‘Man O’Sword’, distilled and matured in the very heart of Bruce’s Annandale homelands.

“Annandale Distillery is located at the very heart of Bruce’s lands in Annan.

It is therefore only fitting that our Man O’Sword peated Single Malt should be at the very heart of Outlaw King Blended Scotch Whisky, giving it an edge that’s as keen as the blade of Bruce’s great sword,” said David

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Thomson, co-owner of Annandale Distillery.

delightful fresh tropical notes of pineapple, nectarine and mango.

According to the experts the new dram is “initially, very fresh on the nose, with a burst of green Bramley apple and freshly baked apple pie.

This subsides, giving way to creamy notes of honey, toffee and vanilla.

“Outlaw King’s finish is satisfyingly long, with hints of orange peel and pine resin, infused with the beguiling peaty/smoky character which connoisseurs have come to recognise in Annandale’s ‘Man O’Sword’.”

“On the palate, it has soft wood smoke tones that ease back to reveal

The launch event was attended by

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Outlaw King stars James Cosmo and Tony Curran, director David Mackenzie and producer Gillian Berrie, and co-producers Danny McGrath and Brian Coffey, along with entertainment from members of Clanranald Trust for Scotland, who feature heavily in the film.

Photo by Annandale Distillery/Bryan Armstrong Stephen McMillan, Director David Mackenzie, Gilly Gilchrist, James Cosmo and Tony Curran

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Photo by Annandale Distillery/Bryan Armstrong Tony Curran and James Cosmo at Annandale Distillery

The film charts the story of Robert the Bruce, played by Chris Pine, from defeated nobleman in 1304 to victorious King of Scots at the Battle

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of Loudoun Hill in 1307.

“The launch of this new whisky brings together two of Scotland’s

biggest industries,” said Paula Ward, VisitScotland Regional Leadership Director.

“Film tourism is booming in Scotland, with Netflix’s Outlaw King one of the most recent films to feature the country on-screen. Whisky tourism

also plays an important role in the visitor experience, particularly for our international visitors, with one in five visiting a distillery as part of their trip

and many more sampling it in our bars and restaurants.�

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Sense of Speyside

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estled in the North-East between Aberdeen and Inverness, the Speyside region boasts some of the best-selling single malts in the world.

It is a place of rugged glens and the famous River Spey that gives way to the abundance of the water of life. But that’s not all Speyside is renowned for.

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Artisan gins, locally brewed beers and ales and foods such as Walkers Shortbread are also made in Speyside.

This September, the food and drink producers of the region will come under one roof in Elgin Town Hall for the fourth year running on Friday 6th & Saturday 7th September. ‘Spirit of Speyside: Distilled’ features bestknown brands standing side-byside with smaller, up-and-coming producers.

“Distilled is a melting pot of fantastic flavours and wonderful personalities sharing their enthusiasm for fine food and drink. It offers the chance to enjoy so many different tastes, as well as broadening knowledge of food and drink through our menu of masterclasses. Distilled brings producers and the public together under one roof in celebration of the Speyside larder,” said James Campbell, Festival Chairman.

Distilled draws gastronomes from all over Scotland as well as visitors from overseas. This year, the Spirit of Speyside has partnered with the Oakwood Cookery School to offer guests Afternoon Tea during the Opening Event, which features a specially concocted cocktail and delicious bakes.

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Faces from the past

Photos from University of Dundee Karen Fleming with the face of Hilda

by Scott Aitken

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hey may have been dead for years but of two of Scotland’s early residents have been resurrected by modern science and technology.

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Students recreated the faces of the departed as part of the Masters Show at the University of Dundee, a celebration of the work of seven of the UK’s most innovative and exciting postgraduate courses – MSc Animation & VFX, MFA Art & Humanities, MDes Comics &

Graphic Novels, MSc Design for Business, MSc Forensic Art & Facial Identification, MSc Medical Art and MSc Product Design.

Karen Fleming, an MSc Forensic Art & Facial Identification student revealed the likeness of one of

Scotland’s oldest druids, believed to have been more than 60 years old when she died during the Iron Age.

nicknamed ‘Hilda’ and displays many physical attributes that remain recognisable today.

the Hebrides’ skulls presented to the Phrenological Society of Edinburgh in 1833.

The 3D wax reconstruction of the woman, believed to have been from Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, depicts a toothless female,

Hilda was recreated from an ancient skull held at The University of Edinburgh’s Anatomical Museum and is described as one of six ‘Druids of

“Hilda was a fascinating character to recreate. It’s clear from the skull she was toothless before she died, which isn’t too surprising considering

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“Hilda” - a 3D wax reconstruction of the face of one of Scotland’s oldest druids.

the diet of folk back then but it was impressive how long she lived,” said Karen, from Edinburgh.

“A female’s life expectancy at this

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time was roughly 31 years but it is now thought that living longer during the Iron Age is indicative of a privileged background.

“It’s impossible to know for sure when she died as we were unable to carbon date the skull, but assuming the information in the journal from 1833 is correct, Hilda passed away

Rachel McGarvey with the reconstructed face of Archie Flockhart

anytime between 55BC to 400AD and was of Celtic origin. I think she looks like many older women I’ve met in my life and I’m proud of that.”

Another face on show was that of a well-known character on the streets of 19th century Dunfermline.

Archie Flockhart, born in 1801, was one of Dunfermline’s best known faces and was regularly seen attending sermons at churches or strolling through the local streets with his best friend, Bobby Gow. Living until the age of 75, an impressive achievement for the time, Archie endured a tough life and is described in the book ‘Reminiscences of Dunfermline’ as

a ‘poor half-witted creature’ who was routinely mocked and even physically assaulted by members of the public. He eventually ended up in Dunfermline Poorhouse having lived most of his life with his mother.

Using his skull as a foundation Rachel McGarvey, an MSc Forensic Art student at the University of Dundee’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, painstakingly recreated Archie’s face.

He was notable for a distinctive growth on the right side of his upper jaw, which is widely believed to be the reason his skull was preserved for further research at Edinburgh University.

“I have to admit that even I didn’t expect him to look so realistic, but now that he’s complete it feels as though you can even chat to him,” said Rachel.

Following his death in 1877 Archie’s skull was studied by phrenologists who were keen to learn more about the abnormality, with some believing he may have lived with developmental disabilities.

As well as a wax reconstruction of his face, Rachel’s exhibit at Masters Show 2019 included an ‘Archie’s Anthropology’ section, outlining some of the metric and morphological forensic anthropology methods carried out on the original skull.

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Returning the Stone

Photo by HES The Stone of Destiny

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or some it is a symbol of national pride and others just a lump of rock but the Stone of Destiny, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, could soon be moving from Edinburgh Castle to a new home.

Perth & Kinross Council have made a formal request to house the Stone in a spectacular new museum at the former Perth City Hall and it is being seriously considered.

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For centuries the Stone of Destiny has been a symbol of nationhood.

Kings have feared it and men have died for it but its true origins remain a riddle, shrouded in mystery and wrapped in legend.

It is said to be the rock used as a pillow by the biblical Patriarch Jacob when he dreamed of a ladder to heaven, as described in the Book of Genesis, how it got to Scotland nobody knows. One story claims the original stone arrived via Ireland with an Egyptian princess who fell in love with a Celtic prince.

Little more than two feet long and weighing 336 pounds the oblong red sandstone artefact was used to anoint Scotland’s monarchs for centuries, until it was stolen by England’s Edward I in 1296 as a spoil of war and transported to London.

He believed if he sat on the stone he could claim to be Scotland’s king. He had the rock built into his throne and it has been used in the coronation ceremonies of every monarch of England and then Great Britain since.

For more than 650 years it sat secure in Westminster Abbey until Christmas

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Day when 1950 four Scottish students - Ian Hamilton, Gavin Vernon, Kay Matheson, and Alan Stuart - broke in with the intention of stealing it back for Scotland.

The escapade, which was turned into a movie in 2009, resulted in a frantic nationwide police hunt. Despite the best efforts of the authorities the Stone was not discovered until four months later, in April 1951, when it was left on the alter of Arbroath Abbey, the location of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320.

The stone was quickly taken back to London where it remained until 1996 when it was symbolically transported to Scotland, on condition it is returned to Westminster Abbey for the next and all future coronations of monarchs of Great Britain.

On St Andrews Day 1996 thousands of people lined the streets of Edinburgh to see the Stone complete a 400 mile journey, under armed police escort, from Westminster Abbey in London of Scone to Edinburgh Castle.

Months of highly detailed, secretive planning went into the repatriation, following an announcement in

Parliament on 3 July 1996 by the then UK Prime Minister John Major.

Records reveal the centuries old Stone of Destiny was winched out of the Coronation Chair inch by inch, taking collection and conservation specialists more than six hours in total to complete the operation.

Transportation of the Stone within the Abbey required a specially designed hand barrow based on the type used by medieval stonemasons. It was measured and built to allow two men to carry the 152kg Stone by hand over the narrow footbridge leading from St Edward the Confessor’s Chapel.

The whole operation was carried out at night under the watchful eye of an armed police guard out of sight of the public.

After the Stone was removed from the Coronation Chair it was inspected and cleaned, revealing a hidden message dating from the 1970s. Inside a small lead tube, sealed into a crack, was part of an official authentication document put there to prove the Stone’s authenticity if it was ever taken again.

However, many people still have

Stone of Destiny Pavilion Perth City Hall

doubts the stone is authentic. Faced with an invading English army in 1296 the abbot of Scone buried the real stone and switched it with a fake to fool King Edward.

Whatever the true origins of The Stone of Destiny it remains a truly unique symbol of power and history which continues to captivate and intrigue visitors to Edinburgh Castle in equal measure.

Now, following an investment of

ÂŁ23million and the creation of the new museum in Perth to open in 2022, an engagement exercise to gauge public opinion on the location of the Stone is being hosted by the Commissioners for the Safeguarding of the Regalia and the Scottish Government.

If it is moved the Stone would be free to visit in an accessible city centre public building two miles from its original home at Scone.

Visitors would enter the centrepiece display, the Stone Pavilion, to be introduced to the Stone through a short film sweeping through time to witness how Scotland was born from the Perthshire landscape.

The film will also tell the life story of the Stone from its mythic origins to its role in early kingship ceremonies, and its creation as a powerful symbol of nationhood and monarchy which remains today.

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After the film, visitors will see the Stone of Destiny. Displayed in a custom-designed secure case, the Stone will be animated with light and sound, recreating the 13th century crowning of Alexander III.

Artistic impression of the Stone of Destiny Pavilion interior, Perth City Hall

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“The Stone of Destiny is one of the UK’s most important cultural objects.

Here in Perth we can display it in a context as close to its original home at Scone as possible and within reach of millions of Scottish

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people who live outside the central belt – meeting the aspiration of Scotland’s national heritage strategy to make our cultural heritage open to everyone,” said Murray Lyle, Council Leader.

Anyone with an opinion on the location of the Stone have until 19 September to register their views online at https://consult.gov.scot/ commissioners-for-the-safeguardingof-the-regalia/the-stone-of-destiny/

Artist impression of an aerial view of Perth City Hall

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Born to run free

Photo ©No Limits Photography/Skyline Scotland

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by Paul Watson

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unning for pleasure is undoubtedly on the increase. Throughout the UK and beyond entries for big city marathons have reached record levels. But, why pound the pavements and polluted streets of concrete conurbations when the

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Photo ©Skyline Scotland Skyline Scotland trail race map

fresh air and spectacular scenery of Scotland awaits.

Growing numbers of amateur athletes are venturing out of the built up areas into the forests, moors and mountains of Scotland in search of a more breathtaking kind of exercise.

This year the organisers behind one of the country’s favourite events, Skyline Scotland, have added three new trails to their increasingly popular race weekend on 20th to 22nd September.

The new 5k Grey Mare’s Trail Race; the 10k Loch Eilde Mòr Trail Race and the 18k Three Mealls Trail Race brings the total number of events over the weekend to a magnificent seven.

Starting and finishing in the same place as the existing races at

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Kinlochleven the new races promise to be every bit as tough and enjoyable as the already established four events.

According to the organisers there “really is something for every runner now at Salomon Skyline Scotland”.

As well as the new trail races it’s business as usual for the other races, which include the Glen Coe Skyline, a 52k trail with 4,750m of ascent; the Mamores VK, the UK’s only vertical kilometre over the course of 5km; the Ben Nevis Ultra, 51k with 3787m of ascent; and the Ring of Steall Skyrace, 29k with 2,500m of ascent with some exposed scrambling.

Skyline Scotland attracts some of the top runners in the world. Previous winners include Kilian Jornet, Stian Angermund-Vik, Hillary Gerardi, Jasmin Paris, Tove Alexandersson

and Jonathon Albon.

New for this year the super-steep ascents and zig-zagging rocky trails of the Grey Mare’s Trail Race might just be Britain’s toughest 5km although the fantastic views of Loch Leven and surrounding Munros offer a welcome mental distraction to the physical demands.

Alternatively the 10 km Loch Eilde Mór Trail Race will take runners through gorgeous woodland to more remote territory and the lovely Loch Eilde Mór via some steep climbing.

The third new race this year is the 18km Three Mealls Trail Race offering a chance to enjoy the biggest hills, the widest views and the most memorable single-track running.

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Gintelligence

- with Fiona Holland F iona Holland is a journalist and long-time gin lover, collecting and sampling unusual and uncommon gins for more than

20 years. Recently, her job amassing the juniper-laced spirit has become significantly easier with the explosion of craft distilleries in Scotland. It’s

difficult to keep up with them all, but you can be assured she’ll try her best…

while actually still being the above cocktail, has got itself a new cloak.

allow the drink to call itself a gin and ride within this enormously booming sector, rather than because the juniper is really bringing anything particularly noticeable to the party.

Orkney’s in the pink and you’d better bee-lieve it Kirkjuvagr Beyla Gin Kirkjuvagr Beyla Gin Orkney Distilling 40 per cent ABV £32.99 for 50cl

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here’s a song which goes something like, “You’re nobody ‘til somebody loves you”, while here in Ginland, it really should be “You’re nobody ‘til you’ve launched a pink gin”.

It seems to be the colour of the moment.

Actually, it’s not really that new – hop back to the 19th century and it was the very height of sophistication with a shot of gin and a dash of Angostura; fast forward to more modern moments and a pink gin,

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The biggest brand to initially break this mould was Pinkster six years ago, but just recently the world and his distilling wife have gone pink mad.

Personally, as a bit of a gin purist, I’m not entirely sure how I feel about all these rosy concoctions – their blush hues effectively being achieved by the addition of all manner of fruity or floral bits and pieces.

That’s not to say I don’t like them – at least some of them. I just wonder whether they really, really, really are gin. And, yes, I know they’ve got juniper in them, but, certainly in some cases, I think it’s almost purely to

Anyway, it’s not going to change on my account, so I’ll move on.

This month’s offering is, you’ll never guess… pink.

All the way from Orkney Distilling and launched in June this year, we have the latest addition to the Kirkjuvagr stable – Beyla; the Norse goddess of bees.

And doesn’t she look really rather pretty.

Despite my earlier grumbles, I was

Orkney Distilling’s Beyla gin

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really very keen to try this Old Tom gin promising Orkney honey and Scottish raspberries – seduced by great bottle-appeal and the clean, delicate colour; it almost felt like uncorking a big bottle of perfume.

From the moment you take the stopper out, there is absolutely no denying their raspberries and honey claim; it smelt absolutely lovely, like a summer afternoon lazing in the garden.

Neat in the glass, the nose does pick up a hint of juniper, but it is far from the prominent scent. The bees have waved their magic wand and the sweet smell of honey is what initially grabbed me, followed by berry freshness – it feels light and enticing.

Tasting it neat was a further treat – if you are lucky enough to have a bottle of Beyla, please, please, please try it neat. Even if you are sure you won’t like it, I can pretty much guarantee you will. At its heart, Old Tom is a sweeter type of gin and this very much sticks to that. The raspberries are now the prominent note and the syrupy honey makes this actually feel like you’re tucking in to a liquid dessert. In fact, I could imagine it being delicious poured over some vanilla ice cream.

It’s not too strong, at 40 per cent ABV, and feels fresh and cleansing; I also felt I detected the smallest hint of violet and thyme overtones.

And a little bit more magic happens when you add tonic – Walter Gregor’s in this instance. Just one part tonic to one part gin and it unexpectedly gets even pinker than it was in the bottle.

Once again the honey is the top note, followed by the fruity raspberries.

Honestly, this was very easy to drink – indeed, it was easy to forget there was any alcohol in it, it tasted more like a soft drink.

In summary, this is a gin that gin haters would love – basically because it tastes so little of gin and more like a summer fruit cup. That said, I did enjoy it and would certainly add it to my selection of summery picks for a lovely sunny day.

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Ginteresting snippets

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jumped at the chance to incorporate it into our latest gin,” said managing director Stephen Kemp. “We believe customers appreciate the authentic provenance and quality of our ingredients.”

“When we learned that one of our friends was producing honey from bees flying a path over, and frequenting, our botanical crops, we

Meanwhile, Orkney Distilling, adding to various other awards it has achieved, has just been granted five stars by VisitScotland as a visitor attraction.

he honey for Kirkjuvagr’s Beyla gin is sourced from a local beekeeper, whose apiarian friends produce their sweet liquid from the flowers and plants grown in Orkney Distilling’s own botanicals garden in Kirkwall.

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Antique hunting with Roo Irvine Going, going…green!

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n the current climate of acute selfawareness and greater empathy towards the planet the tide is turning in favour of antiques.

The idea of decorating a home with gothic, neo-classical or Art Deco designs has found favour among a new generation of the socially conscious and environmentally aware. Ready made furniture and decorative items from the past

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are the ultimate in recyclable chic, making the auction house, antique shop or online portal more trendy than ever.

Living, as I do, in a Victorian enclave on the west coast of Scotland - with more than its fair share of exquisitely designed mansions and seaside properties built by numerous 19th wealthy shipping merchants from nearby Glasgow - antique furniture

makes for a natural fit.

‘Brown’ furniture goes hand in hand with such an environment and is often far more economical than modern pieces. A lot of people often expect a 200yr old Georgian chest of drawers to be far more expensive than a set of flat-pack DIY drawers, but I have bought solid wood, hand crafted chests for as little as £30.

Even international chain stores such

Photo by Leon Brooks (PD) Antique chest of drawers and octagonal table

individual stamp. This growing trend among younger buyers has been noted by auction houses around the world.

as Ikea can’t compete with that.

It is possible to furnish an entire Victorian house from auction for much less than the price of buying new - I know because I’ve done it!

Design, style, convenience and price are all great inducements to buy antiques but they are not the only reasons.

Antiques are the greenest option by far when it comes to home furnishing. A modern chest of drawers is estimated to have a carbon footprint 16 times higher than an antique piece of furniture.

The lifespan of an antique piece can comfortably stretch into treble figures, compared to the average modern item. Add to that the harvesting of raw materials, cost of shipping, industrial manufacturing processes, use of chemicals, toxic emissions from factories and vehicles and eventually the landfill space needed for disposal within

Photo by Bengt Oberger CC BY-SA 4.0 Modern chest of drawers

a few years and most modern furniture suddenly appears a lot less attractive.

It may be a bit of a cliche but an antique truly is the gift that keeps on giving.

Traditionally, antiques have been bought by the older, middle-classes but that has been changing over recent years with the rise of antiques shows on tv appealing to a younger audience. Social media is wonderful for raising awareness of global issues and the up and coming generation is craving sustainable yet fashionable pieces to mark their homes with an

There has never been a time with a better reason to buy Antiques. In an age when social responsibility means recycling our rubbish, cutting down on food waste, eating more of a sustainable diet, considering the environmental impact of our actions it appears antiques could be part of the solution. Can you think of a more stylish and elegant way of being good to the world?

Finally, if I still need to convince anyone of the green attributes of antiques, there is the element of longevity. So called ‘brown’ furniture is more hardwearing and long-lasting due to the craftsmanship involved in previous centuries. That means these pieces will still be here long after we are not. They become heirlooms, part of our story to be passed to future generations - like a baton in a relay race to protect the planet.

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Time to learn the history of clockmaking

by Paul Watson

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special display of rare and significant historical timepieces telling the story of a golden age of innovation in British watch and clockmaking is go on show at the National Museum of Scotland next month.

The Luxury of Time: Clocks from 1550-1750 features objects from the private collection of Dr John C Taylor OBE, an engineer, entrepreneur and one of the UK’s most prolific inventors. The 25 objects on display demonstrate the golden age of British clock and watch-making and illustrate the delicate workmanship and incredible technical skills involved.

Exquisitely made and decorated in precious metals, they were labour intensive, luxury items that were at the cutting edge of technology. Many early examples were seen as the ultimate status symbols of their day and were only affordable for the very rich.

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Photos by National Museum of Scotland Ahasuerus Fromanteel & Edward East Cubic Full Grande Sonnerie Gilt Table Clock 1640

David Ramsay Astronomical Silver and Gilt Oval Watch with Portrait of King James, 1619

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Objects to be displayed include two beautiful watches by David Ramsay, a Scot living in London who was the Royal Clockmaker to King James VI & I and the first master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers founded in 1631.

David Ramsay astronomical silver and gilt oval watch with King James’ portrait with dial case open, 1619

“This stunning display tells a fascinating story of the development of mechanical timekeepers from clocks and watches of great beauty, but imprecise timekeeping, to accurate and still luxurious technical devices,” said Dr Tacye Phillipson, Senior Curator of Science, National Museums Scotland “The wonderful clocks and watches show the incredible technical and artistic skills of their pioneering makers and the significance of this period of great innovation.”

The Ramsay watches on show include a beautiful silver gilt-metal astronomical watch featuring an engraving of King James VI & I and an intricately-engraved oval watch featuring a backplate bearing the words David Ramsay Scotus me fecit reflecting the maker’s pride in his Scottish heritage.

Prior to the 17th century, clock and watchmaking was primarily the domain of mainland European makers. As many fled to Britain to escape religious persecution, they passed on the skills of their trade and pioneering British clock and watchmakers soon made London one of the dominant centres of clockmaking.

The Luxury of Time: Clocks from 1550-1750 provides a unique insight into how the industry developed. The four display cases tell a fascinating story of scientific and technical advancement during periods of extreme turmoil, from early clocks made by blacksmiths and which kept time to around a quarter of an hour a day, to the invention of the pendulum clock and the balance spring which enabled much more accurate timekeeping to within a few seconds a day.

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Royal patronage and collaborations between important makers are explored, including an example from c1650 of the only known collaboration between 17th century pioneers of clock mechanism design, Edward East and Ahasuerus Fromanteel. Both could create everything from a tiny watch to an elaborate clock.

In the 16th – 17th century, clock maker Thomas Tompion was the first to apply mass production methods to high quality watches, subcontracting the manufacture of parts and whole movements to other makers before a team of apprentices finished the timepieces in his workshop.

Watches were sometimes referred to as Tompions as he made so many. A beautiful quarter chiming repeating watch included in the display

features a secret latch system to protect its intricate mechanism from being copied by rivals.

“Clocks and watches were the first manufactured mechanical objects and it’s great to show some early examples in the National Museum of Scotland,” said Dr Taylor.

“The innovation produced by these wonderful articles initiated the necessity to protect the intellectual property behind their development – something that we take for granted today.”

Most of the timepieces included are in working order and some will be shown in operation at selected periods during the exhibition which runs from 4 October 2019 to 26 January 2020.

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Literary prize for tales of love and war

Photo ITN Channel 4 News L Hilsum

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biography of a distinguished war correspondent and a novel about personal relationships amid political turmoil, have won the centenary awards of Britain’s oldest literary prizes.

Award-winning journalist Lindsey Hilsum and best-selling author Olivia Laing join the illustrious list of winners of the James Tait Black Prizes, awarded annually by the University of Edinburgh.

The winners of the £10,000 prizes were announced by broadcaster Sally Magnusson at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Lindsey Hilsum’s winning book, in the biography prize, presents a poignant account of Marie Colvin, an American war journalist.

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In Extremis The Life of War Correspondent Marie Colvin, published by Chatto and Windus, draws on the life of the war journalist who reported on some of the world’s most devastating conflicts from 1985 until her death in Syria in 2012.

Lindsey Hilsum – the International Editor of Channel 4 News – is a leading foreign correspondent, having reported from every continent in the past 20 years.

Olivia Laing’s winning book, in the fiction prize, charts the personal transformation and love affair of a female protagonist during the political turbulence of the summer of 2017.

The acclaimed writer and critic Olivia Laing has already won praise for her three non-fiction books. Crudo, published by Picador, is her first fiction book.

The James Tait Black Prizes have

been presented every year since 1919 – surviving the Second World War, changing technology and evolving reading habits.

The Prizes are distinctive in the way that they are judged. Each year the books are considered by senior staff from English Literature at the University of Edinburgh, assisted by a reading panel of Edinburgh postgraduate students.

Two prizes are awarded annually for books published during the previous year – one for the best work of fiction and the other for the best biography.

Lindsey Hilsum’s book was chosen for the £10,000 biography prize from a shortlist that also featured: Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire by Akala (Two Roads); The Catalogue of Shipwrecked Books: Young Columbus and the Quest for a Universal Library by Edward WilsonLee (William Collins) and The Life of Stuff: A Memoir about the Mess We Leave Behind by Susannah Walker (Doubleday).

Olivia Laing’s book topped a shortlist for the £10,000 fiction prize that included: Murmur by Will Eaves (Canongate); Sight by Jessie Greengrass (John Murray) and Heads of the Colored People by Nafissa Thompson-Spires (Chatto & Windus).

Biography judge Dr Simon Cooke, of the University of Edinburgh, said of the winning entry: “This is a uniquely informed, passionate and balanced testament to the legendary war reporter Marie Colvin in all her human complexity, and a searching inquiry into her extraordinary dedication to bearing witness to the stories of those living in extremis.”

Fiction Judge of the James Tait Black Prize Dr Alex Lawrie, of the University of Edinburgh, said of the winning book: “This is fiction at its finest: a bold and reactive political novel that captures a raw slice of contemporary history with pace, charm, and wit.”

In 1918, Janet Tait Black, née Coats, part of the renowned threadmaking

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Photo Liz Seabrook Olivia Laing

family J & P Coats, made provision in her will for the creation of two book prizes in the name of her husband.

This legacy launched what have become the UK’s longest running book prizes.

To mark the centenary of the prizes, and to honour the founder, this year the University presented an additional prize – a creative writing award for short story writing.

The Janet Coats Black Prize has been awarded to Julie Galante, a Creative Writing student, for the best short story by a postgraduate student at the University of Edinburgh.

The winning student was awarded £1500 and a mentoring opportunity with last year’s James Tait Black Prize fiction winner, Eley Williams.

Judge of the prize, author Claire Askew, writer-in-residence at the

University, said: “Thanks to Janet Coats Black, the James Tait Black Prizes were created in 1919. This student prize honours Janet Coat Black and her support for literature and the written word.”

This year’s book prize winners will join the illustrious roll call of award winners. The awards have recognised landmark works and propelled the careers of many authors.

Four winners of the Nobel Prize in Literature have been awarded a

James Tait Black Prize.

Earlier in their career William Golding, Nadine Gordimer and J. M. Coetzee each collected a fiction prize and Doris Lessing was awarded a prize for biography.

The inaugural fiction winner was Hugh Walpole for The Secret City, his seminal work about the Russian Revolution. Henry Festing Jones won the inaugural biography prize for his book about the writer and artist Samuel Butler.

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The life and legacy of Sir Walter Scott

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tudents from around the world are being encouraged to sign up for a new online course to explore the life, works and legacy of one of Scotland’s greatest literary figures.

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‘Walter Scott: The Man Behind the Monument, is a four-week Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) offered by the University of Aberdeen and hosted by digital education platform FutureLearn.

The programme, in partnership with the Abbotsford Trust, is led

by Professor Ali Lumsden, Director of the University’s Walter Scott Research Centre and Honorary Librarian at Abbotsford, Scott’s home

Portrait of Sir Walter Scott by Sir Henry Raeburn (PD)

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Photo by Paul Tomkins / VisitScotland Sir Walter Scott’s view looking west over the river tweed towards Melrose

in the Scottish Borders that is home to the historic collections that helped inspire his writing.

and his literary legacy which has endured almost 200 years since his death in 1832.

Professor Lumsden will help deliver a series of video-based modules along with Kirsty Archer-Thompson, Collections and Interpretation Manager for the Abbotsford Trust.

There are no entry requirements as the free online course is open to anyone with an interest in Scottish history, Scottish and Romantic literature, the history of the novel and literary heritage, as well as tourism.

Almost 200 years after his death Scott remains one of Scotland’s most significant figures and is famous around the world.

The course is designed to help students get to know the man behind the monuments and books. They will be encouraged to explore and discuss selections of Scott’s work, and reflect upon his cultural impact

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As part of the two-hours a week study programme participants will examine Scott’s significance as a poet and novelist, explore some of his best-loved work, including Waverley and The Heart of Mid-Lothian, and gain an understanding of how and why he was inspired to write. They will also learn how literature has the power to

shape heritage and national identity.

Professor Lumsden said the aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of Scott’s work and legacy, while challenging misconceptions.

“Many people think of Scott as the man who invented the ‘shortbread tin’ image of Scotland, but what this course aims to do is move people beyond this simple and sometimes negative reputation,” she explained.

“While it is true that Scott presented a romantic image of Scotland, his writing also dealt with many of the complex social issues of the day.

“In Rob Roy for example, he writes about the deprived circumstances of

Portrait of Sir Walter Scott and his dogs by Sir Henry Raeburn (PD)

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Highland society and how that leads to the Jacobite Rising – making clear the link between deprivation and social upheaval, as opposed to any love for the Jacobite cause.

“It’s an interesting analogy because you can ask yourself what motivates someone to become rebellious now, and why people become politically discontented – because you will often find that economic reality lies behind heartfelt political sentiment.

Photo by Kenny Lam / VisitScotland The Gardens at Abbotsford

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“Scott realised you don’t have to write about the moment you’re living in to write about the issues that are relevant to your own time, and that is why his work endures in the modern age.”

The programme officially gets underway on October 7 and registration for the course is now open at https://on.abdn.ac.uk/ courses/walter-scott-the-manbehind-the-monument/

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Enlightenment 2.0 -

Discovery, Development and Innovation

Watt an honourÂ

Photo by University of Glasgow Debbie Beales

by Scott Aitken

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wo hundred years to the day after his death, the University of Glasgow commemorated the passing of James Watt by officially renaming its School of Engineering after him.

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News that the University will now be home to the James Watt School of Engineering was welcomed by Debbie Beales, a direct descendant of the famous engineer and member of the University’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Unit.

Greenock-born Watt was working as

an instrument-maker at the University of Glasgow when, in 1765, he made improvements to a Newcomen steam engine, adding a separate condenser which made it vastly more efficient.

His insight helped kickstart the industrial revolution and create the modern world. He died on August 25, 1819 in Birmingham.

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James Watt’s son James had a son named John in 1832. John’s son, Alexander, was born in 1851. His son, also named Alexander, was born in 1890. His daughter, Jean, married Michael Beales, and together they had a son named Robert – Debbie’s father.

“I had no idea of my family’s connection to James Watt until a cousin recently decided to research the Beales family tree and uncovered this link. While dad passed away a couple of years ago, my gran Jean is still alive and I know that she is as proud as I am of the family’s link to a pioneering figure like Watt, and pleased to know that the School of Engineering is marking the 200thanniversary of his death with this renaming,” said Debbie.

“It came as quite a shock but the more we thought about it the more we realised that there were odd connections between generations – my dad worked as a shipwright, as Watt’s own father did, and although my dad was camera-shy he definitely bore a resemblance to Watt. I’ve worked at the University myself for 15 years, and in a previous role I regularly visited the print unit in the James Watt South building, never realising that I had a deeper connection to the man it was named after.

“I’ve always been proud to work for the University, and I was always impressed by the School of Engineering’s efforts to make engineering more diverse and creative when I visited the James Watt South.”

The decision to rename the former School of Engineering is the latest in the University’s yearlong celebration of the life and work of Watt, which has included an international symposium held on the University campus in June, a series of events during the Glasgow Science Festival and an exhibition in the University library which is still ongoing. On display at the exhibition is a 3d-printed scale model of one of Watt’s engines, which was designed,

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Debbie Beales and Prof David Cumming at the University of Glasgow’s James Watt exhibition with 3d-printed Watt engine model

3D-printed and built by members of Jet-X, one of the School’s student engineering societies.

Professor David Cumming, head of the University’s James Watt School of Engineering, said: “The importance of Watt’s contribution to the field of engineering can’t really be overstated, and we’re very proud to

be associated with the improvements he made to the Newcomen steam engine. The world has come a long way in 200 years, and much of that distance was covered using technology derived from the principles he established.”

“While we’ve long had a building and two Chairs in electrical and

mechanical engineering named after Watt, it seemed fitting to mark the start of the third century of a postWatt world with the renaming of the School, not least because we’ll eventually be moving to a state-ofthe-art new facility on the site of the old Western Infirmary as part of the University’s billion-pound campus improvement programme.”

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On track to be a world champion

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A

t an age when most youngsters his age are just learning to drive Sandy Mitchell is already breaking the speed limit on a regular basis - in a Lamborghini.

Sandy Mitchell

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The 19-year-old protege from Forfar, Angus is taking the motor racing world by storm after making his American motorsport debut at the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North

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America Championship.

This is a high speed six round championship fought out on some of America’s most iconic race tracks

including Road America and Laguna Seca.

The teen, who has been sponsored

by Huntly based Black Bull Whisky

since he was 15, has so far this year completed races at Barber Motorsports Park in April, Watkins Glen International in upstate New York in June, and both the Road

America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin and Alton, Va.’s Virginia International Raceway in August.

His next race will be the WeatherTech

Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey California, on September 13-15 and the 2019 world final in southern Spain at the Circuito de Jerez on October 24-27.

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Mitchell, a race winner in both Blancpain and British GT championships, is part of the Lamborghini Squadra Corse GT3 Junior Program and a member of the prestigious British Racing Drivers’ Club Rising Star scheme.

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He drives the No. 1 Prestige Performance Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo (Pro), in partnership with 26-year-old Italian, Andrea Amici.

The teenage racer started out on four wheels at the age of just four when he was lucky enough to get his hands on a Honda powered off road AK 10 buggy.

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After a few visits to the Lets Go Karting at Knockhill in 2008 Sandy passed his ARKS test and started Karting at the age of nine the following year at The North of Scotland Kart Club.

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Within a decade he has graduated to the coveted Lamborghini Squadra Corse junior squad and up to the international series, collecting a host of trophies along the way. “We’ve sponsored Sandy since long before he could legally drive on the road in the UK. Aged 15, we

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saw Sandy’s potential and we have backed his racing career since then,” said Euan Shand, chairman of main sponsors Black Bull Whisky.

“We think he has the potential to reach the ultimate prize, which is the Le Mans 24 Hours. The European and American platforms prepares him beautifully for that opportunity.”

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Call of the wild

Photos by Chris Watt (www.chriswatt.com)

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by Helen Lloyd

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he first ever festival focusing on foraging the abundance of wild food available throughout Scotland’s rich and diverse countryside takes place this month.

The appropriately named Scottish Wild Food Festival promises to provide experienced and novice participants alike with an adventure like no other that’s guaranteed to whet the appetite.

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The relaxed and informative family friendly day is being hosted by the historic and impressive Cardross estate in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park on 14 September.

Corders estate dates back hundred of years and stretches over 4,500 acres of park, wood and farmland with a rich variety of foraging habitats.

Perched above the River Forth with spectacular views in every direction, the estate is within easy reach of three of Scotland’s major cities Stirling, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Visitors to the event will be given expert tuition and encouragement to take part in an extensive range of free and paid-for events and activities.

The aim is to teach participants the necessary skills to responsibly and safely gather a wild harvest to cook with a wide range of plants and fungi.

Included in the line-up for the inaugural festival is a wild food and

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chocolate pairing challenge from award-winning chocolatier, Charlotte Flowers and a jam and curd making demonstration from expert Kate Thornhill of Perthshire Preserves.

There will also be a Taste Wild, Taste Local Picnic offering the chance to sample tasty nibbles at a picnic of locally produced foods intertwined with wild ingredients, along with lessons in building and lighting fires safely for wild food cookery.

Also on offer is a chance to sample a range of wild teas infused from foraged ingredients and lessons on identifying medicinal plants and how to make herbal remedies at home.

“The Scottish Wild Food Festival is a ground-breaking project that encourages people to learn more about foraging and understand its benefits,” said Douglas Johnston, Chair of Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER, the organisation funding the event to encourage rural enterprise.

“This area is rich in wild food, making it a perfect location for the festival with an abundance of ingredients for people to explore. I’m delighted to launch the first festival of its kind in Scotland at Cardross Estate”.

The Scottish Wild Food Festival will be repeated in May 2020 with dates yet to be announced.

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Witch hunt with a difference

Photo by Dave Conner CC BY 2.0 Ben Wyvis supposedly created by an “old one-eyed witch with a blue-black face and hair like frosted twigs�

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by Scott Aitken

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n international search has been launched to find the remains of an 18th century woman accused of witchcraft whose bones were stolen by souvenir hunters more than a century ago.

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Depiction of the Salem Witch trials (PD)

Lilias Adie died in prison before she could be burned to death in 1704 after confessing, probably under torture, to sleeping with Satan and practising witchcraft.

What was left of her grave was rediscovered on the shore at Torryburn in 2014 by Fife Council archaeologist Douglas Spiers.

Now, more than 300 years after her death the spirit of Lilias has been resurrected as the focus of a new campaign to commemorate the persecution of those, mostly women, who were accused and executed for witchcraft during one of the darkest periods of Scottish history.

Supporters are calling for a permanent memorial along the west Fife coast at Torryburn dedicated to Lilias and other victims of the notorious 18th century witch hunts.

Lilias, who is believed to have been in her 60s when she died, became famous in the 19th century through

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Photo by Michel CC BY 2.0 Edinburgh Castle memorial to witch hunt victims

the re-telling of stories about her life, both imagined and real.

Her grave was plundered in 1852 and much of the remains, including her skull, ribs and femur were removed.

Now, supporters have launched an appeal to locate the bones and return them for proper burial.

Scotland has long had a fascination and fear of witches. While places like Salem, Massachusetts may be known globally as the home of the notorious witch trials of the 17th century Scotland’s past is just as dark, so much so it has the unenviable reputation of once being Europe’s biggest persecutor of witches.

According to the Survey of Scottish Witchcraft, more than 3,800 people, both men and women, were accused of witchcraft in Scotland during the period 1563 to 1736. It is believed that two-thirds of those accused were executed.

Many of Scotland’s regions have links to this time with fascinating stories and places to explore which are linked to witchcraft.

In Edinburgh there is Castlehill and the Witches’ Well. In the 16th Century there were reputedly more witch burnings carried out at Castlehill in Edinburgh than anywhere else in the country. A cast iron wall fountain commemorates over 300 women executed for witchcraft. Many of the victims often suffered brutal torture, including being ‘douked’ in the Nor Loch, which used to be where Princes Street Gardens are now.

Photo by Enchufla Con Clave CC BY-SA 4.0 The Witchery by the Castle

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The Witchery by the Castle hotel, takes its name from the hundreds of women burned as witches on Castlehill. A cast iron wall fountain, or Witches’ Well, at Edinburgh Castle commemorates this.

As difficult as it is to believe now the peaceful seaside town of North Berwick was once the setting for Scotland’s first mass witch trial, on 31 October 1590.

Photo by Shadowgate from Novara, Italy CC BY 2.0 The Witchery Sign

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Illustration fro James VI’s book (PD)

Accused witches from across Edinburgh and the Lothians were implicated in preventing James VI bringing his prospective new bride across the seas from Denmark.

Almost all of the accused were tortured into confessing witchcraft, with the ‘Devil’s mark’ found on their necks. Macabre rituals were relayed in confessions given to the King, including meetings where a cat had been thrown out to sea in order to prevent the King’s ship’s safe arrival.

On the outskirts of Dunning in Perthshire there is a mysterious monument to a witch named Maggie Well. It is said to mark the spot where she was burnt alive in 1657. Even today it is sometimes adorned with offerings of pennies, feathers and other trinkets, with a wreath said to be laid for Maggie on occasion.

Natural features such as big rocks were often explained through witchcraft. On the side of the Croy pool on the River Ardle near Kirkmichael, Perthshire lies a huge stone said to have been dropped by a Glen Shee witch.

Photo: Richard Webb CC BY-SA 2.0 Little Wyvis

An old witch, described as “oneeyed, with a blue-black face and hair like frosted twigs”, was said to be responsible for the tumbled mountains of Ross-shire. Ben Wyvis and Little Wyvis are said to have been formed when the rocks were accidentally dropped from overhead.

James VI

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Helen Duncan

In the middle of a busy intersection in Paisley there sits a largely unremarkable circle of cobblestones surrounding a steel horseshoe centred within a modest circular bronze plaque. This unassuming memorial marks the final resting place of seven people convicted and put to death on charges of witchcraft.

In Edinburgh Agnes Finnie was reportedly one of Edinburgh’s most infamous witches. She is believed to have lived in the Potterrow Port area of the city and was convicted of

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Witchcraft in 1644 with a total of 20 charges made against her.

But not all tales of witchcraft in Scotland belong in the distant past.

The last woman to be tried for witchcraft was within living memory.

Helen Duncan was the last person in Britain to be prosecuted as a witch as recently as 1944. Her story can be read in Scotland Correspondent issue 2.

Born in Callander in 1897, Helen

used to travel throughout Britain holding regular séances during which spirits were said to appear, talking and actually touching their relatives.

On the night of 19 January 1944 one of Helen’s séances in Portsmouth was raided by police. Officers attempted to stop the ectoplasm issuing from Helen’s mouth, but failed. After some order had been restored, Helen was formally arrested. Duncan was eventually brought to trial at the Old Bailey in London and jailed for nine months.

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Destination Scotland P

lan your trip to the most beautiful country in the world with our directory of places to stay, eat, visit and enjoy.

Rokeby Manor

Invergarry, Highlands Situated on the edge of the Highland Village of Invergarry Rokeby Manor is the epitome of a late Georgian-early Victorian country house.

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This former country house, as featured in issue 32 of Scotland Correspondent, has been turned into a romantic retreat surrounded by landscaped gardens and natural woodland.

Royal Scots Club

Meldrum House

More personal than a hotel the Royal Scots Club offers a rare combination of all the charm of a country house with the added cosy atmosphere of a private members’ club in the heart of Scotland’s historic capital of Edinburgh.

More than 800 years of history are wrapped up in this unique boutique country house hotel nestled in the heart of Aberdeenshire’s tranquil countryside. Complete with its own golf course the 240-acre estate and 13th century baronial mansion is the epitome of luxury. As featured in issue 27 of Scotland Correspondent. Meldrum House provides a truly exceptional experience and is an ideal base from which to explore the rich and colourful north east corner of Scotland.

Edinburgh

Founded in 1919 as a living memorial to those who fell in The Great War the club is situated in one of Edinburgh’s finest Georgian streets and is open for bed and breakfast, meetings and events, functions and private dining.

Featured in issue 22 of Scotland Correspondent.

Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire

Chester Residence

Embo House

A luxurious bolthole in central Edinburgh with an expanse of space and all the perks of a grand hotel as featured in issue 21 of Scotland Correspondent.

Luxury exclusive self-catering accommodation in a Grad-A listed Georgian mansion overlooking the Dornoch Firth. As featured in issue 24 of Scotland Correspondent.

Embo House is steeped in history. This former ancestral castle of Clan Gordon with its 8-spacious bedrooms provides contemporary and luxurious accommodation for large family groups, golfers or even weddings.

Edinburgh

Behind the facades of gracious, listed Georgian townhouses in Edinburgh’s New Town these 5-star apartments are spacious and packed with luxury features, including a top of the range kitchen, a heavenly bathroom or two and sumptuously grand living rooms.

9 Rothesay Place (Main Reception), Edinburgh, EH3 7SL. Tel: +44 (0) 131 226 2075 enquiries@chester-residence.com www.chester-residence.com

Sutherland

Embo House, Dornoch, Sutherland. IV25 3PP Tel: 01738 451610 https://www.cottages-and-castles.co.uk

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Gleddoch Hotel

Carnoustie Golf Hotel

An independently owned hotel resort overlooking the Clyde Estuary with 75 bedrooms, an 18 hole championship golf course, an elegant banqueting room and a luxury Imperia Spa.

Carnoustie Golf Hotel offers an extensive collection of facilities, including 75 luxury en-suite bedrooms and 10 suites with amazing views over the Championship course, the sea and the local town of Carnoustie.

Featured in issue 16 of Scotland Correspondent.

Glasgow

One of the most prestigious, luxury hotels in the Glasgow area just 10 minutes from the airport featured in issue 13 of Scotland Correspondent.

Carnoustie

Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa & Island

Mercure Hotel inverness

Located on the west coast of Scotland on a private 300 acre island with gorgeous views overlooking Loch Linnhe and the dramatic Morvern mountains beyond.

Featured in issue 15 of Scotland Correspondent. This stylish Inverness hotel has been refurbished throughout, blending traditional Highland hospitality with supreme comfort in the finest waterside hotel Inverness has to offer.

Benderloch, Oban

Featured in issue 3 of Scotland Correspondent. The hotel offers a variety of accommodation with 16 bedrooms in the main house, five spa suites in the gardens with private hot tub, two garden cottages with two bedrooms each which are ideal for families and six hilltop reserves overlooking Loch Linnhe with private hot tub and balconies.

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Inverness

Portavadie Lodge on Loch Lomond Luss, Loch Lomond

The Lodge on Loch Lomond Hotel, on the beachfront at Luss near Glasgow, is the perfect place to relax overlooking Scotland’s favourite loch.

Loch Fyne, Argyll Sitting on the shores of Loch Fyne on Scotland’s west coast, Portavadie is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and unwind amid glorious scenery.

As featured in issue 5 of Scotland Correspondent. The 48-bedroom hotel, complete with a range of conference and banqueting facilities for up to 200 guests and leisure facilities, enjoys an intimate, warm and charming atmosphere. The award-winning Colquhoun’s Restaurant and Lounge are the perfect place to relax and unwind and watch the changing landscape of the loch.

As featured in issue 2 of Scotland Correspondent. The resort offers world-class marina facilities, a range of holiday accommodation, restaurants and bars, beauty and wellbeing treatments, shopping and event spaces.

The spa and leisure experience provides an exceptional way to enjoy the views over Loch Fyne at any time of year, making Portavadie the destination of choice for all occasions.

Trump Turnberry

Dundas Castle

Trump Turnberry is an iconic landmark on the spectacular Ayrshire coast providing warm Scottish hospitality.

Dundas Castle is a most spectacular venue for any event.

This authentic Scottish Castle has been transformed into a 5-star ‘Exclusive Use’ venue with 17 bedrooms.

As featured in issue 13 of Scotland Correspondent. Parts of the castle date back to 1416 and has belonged to the Stewart-Clark family since the late 1800s.

Turnberry, Ayrshire

As featured in issue 7 of Scotland Correspondent. It offers a range of exceptional venues ideal for meetings, events and weddings. Enjoy the fresh Scottish air while enjoying the wonderful scenery, exceptional dining options, indulgent spa treatments, outdoor activities and championship golf.

Edinburgh

Enjoy all the amenities of the finest hotels but with the exclusivity of staying in your own castle.

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George Hotel

Inveraray, Argyll Imagine relaxing by an open peat fire, sipping a singlemalt whisky after a sumptuous meal before retiring to a luxury bed in a 247-year-old hotel by the side of a spectacular Scottish loch.

As featured in issue 11 of Scotland Correspondent.

Each of the George’s 17 rooms have been beautifully decorated and many boast a super king-size bed, jacuzzi bath and even a real open log and coal fire to add an extra layer of romantic cosiness.

Glamis House Glamis, Angus

Built in 1798 Glamis House is a stunning, traditional home with an impressive history, as featured in issue 19 of Scotland Correspondent. The house is situated in the grounds of Glamis Castle. With room for up to 13 people to sleep the house is situated in a stunningly beautiful part of the country boasting superb beaches, great walking trails and renowned golf courses close by, including Carnoustie.

Glamis House, Forfar, Angus Tel: 01738 451610 https://www.cottages-and-castles.co.uk

The Station Hotel

Glen Nevis Hostel

Situated in the heart of Scotland’s world renowned whisky country the Station Hotel in Rothes, as featured in issue 30 of Scotland Correspondent, provides the perfect blend of of history, tradition and modern luxury.

Visitors on a budget looking to spend time in one of the most spectacular areas of the Scottish Highlands can do so Glen Nevis Youth Hostel in Fort William, Lochaber.

Speyside

With 14 bedrooms, including five luxury suites, the fourstar hotel is ideally placed to serve as a base for visitors interested in exploring the well-signposted nearby whisky, golf and castle trails of Speyside.

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Fort William

As featured in issue 20 of Scotland Correspondent this jewell in the crown of Hostelling Scotland has recently been refurbished to provide a mix of private en-suite rooms and shared accommodation with all the comforts and modern conveniences of a home from home.

The Chester Hotel Aberdeen

Trump International

Balmedie, Aberdeenshire MacLeod House & Lodge is a five-star luxury hotel located near Balmedie, Aberdeenshire at Trump International Championship Links Golf Course and award-winning five-star resort.

As featured in issue 20 of Scotland Correspondent.

This historic Scottish mansion and lodge, set amid mature woodland, provides sumptuous accommodation, exquisite dining and an intimate bar. Available for exclusive use, corporate events and weddings it has all the facilities and amenities to suit the modern, traveller.

Situated in the heart of Aberdeen’s historic west end The Chester Hotel, with its 50 luxurious bedrooms and suites, renowned restaurant and stylish lounge bar, is ideally placed for accessing some of the most exciting and challenging golf courses Scotland has to offer.

As featured in issue 19 of Scotland Correspondent. It provides a perfect base to explore the north-east with its abundance of castles, whisky distilleries and breathtaking scenery.

59-63 Queen’s Road Aberdeen, AB15 4YP. T: 01224 327777 Reservations@chester-hotel.com www.chester-hotel.com

Fingal

Edinburgh The former Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) tender, MV Fingal, is Scotland’s first floating hotel, complete with Presidential suit - as featured in issue 31 of Scotland Correspondent Now berthed permanently at the Prince of Wales Dock in the historic Port of Leith, it is a unique addition to Edinburgh’s booming hotel scene.

Developed by The Royal Yacht Britannia each of Fingal’s 23 luxury cabins are each named after Stevenson lighthouses, inspired by her rich maritime heritage.

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This month in history

S

cotland has much to celebrate and commemorate from the births and deaths of worthy persons to notable events in history. Here’s a brief guide to some of the events and dates worth remembering this June.

Births

1756 September 21 Engineer John McAdam, inventor of modern road building techniques, was born in Ayr. Originally his family name had been MacGregor but was changed for political reasons during the reign of King James VI.

1700 September 11 James Thomson, Scots author of the British patriotic song “Rule, Britannia” was born in Roxburghshire. He is one of the 16 poets and writers appearing on the Scott Monument on Princes Street, Edinburgh.

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1722 September 21 Minister, historian, playwright and tutor to the Prince of Wales, John Home was born in Ancrum, Roxburghshire. His play “Douglas” was compared to the works of Shakespeare. It used to be taught in Scottish schools up until the late 1930s but he is now largely forgotten.

1750 September 5 Poet Robert Ferguson born in Edinburgh.

1758 September 9 Birth of celebrated portrait painter Alexander Naysmyth in Edinburgh.

Green Street, Arbroath. He emigrated to the USA with his parents at the age of two. Although he founded the Buick Manufacturing Company which later became General Motors, it was William C. Durant who grew the company.

1306 September 7 Sir Simon Fraser was a Scottish Knight who flip-flopped between fighting for England’s King Edward and alongside Wallace and Bruce. He was hanged, drawn and quartered in London on this day after finally switching to the Scottish side. His head was put on a spike alongside that of Wallace.

1771 September 10 Explorer Mungo Park, who charted the course of the River Niger, was born at Foulshiels, near Selkirk.

1813 September 30 John Rae, explorer and surveyor of Canada’s northern coastline. was born in Orkney.

Deborah Kerr Photo Allan warren CC BY-SA 3.0

1921 September 30 Hollywood film star Deborah Kerr, best know for movies such as “The King and I”, “From Here to Eternity” and “Heaven Knows, Mr Allison” was born in Helensburgh, near Glasgow.

1832 September 21 Arguably Scotland’s most famous novelist Sir Walter Scott died aged 61 at Abbotsford, his borders home.

1948 September 27 Multi-million selling recording artist and award-wing actor Barbara Dickson OBE was born in Dunfermline.

1842 September 20 Inventor of the vacuum flask Sir James Dewar was born in Kincardine-on-Forth.

1954 September 27 Singer and songwriter Dougie MacLean OBE, who wrote the song “Caledonia” was born in Perthshire.

Deaths

1834 September 2 Celebrated Dumfriesshire engineer, road, bridge and canal builder Thomas Telford died in London and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

St Giles Photo Carlos Delgado CC BY-SA 3.0

1854 September 17 David Dunbar Buick was born at 26

714 September 1 Death of St Giles, patron saint of Edinburgh and Elgin.

1848 September 12 Death of horticulturist William McNab, who was born at Knockcavish in the parish of Dailly, Ayrshire. After a flourishing career in

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charge of the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, London he was attracted by Scotland in 1810 and is credited with making the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh world class.

1929 September 13 Architect and resigner Sir Robert Lorimer, famous for his sensitive restorations of historic houses, castles and design of WWI memorials died in Edinburgh aged 64.

1978 September 9 Poet Christopher Murray Grieve, aka Hugh MacDiarmid, died in his home town of Langholm, Dumfriesshire.

Notable events

1621 September 29 Charter granted to Sir William Alexander of Menstrie to colonise the “Baronetcy of Nova Scotia”.

1650 September 3 Cromwell defeated a Scottish army at the Battle of Dunbar. Some 6,000 Scots were captured but about half died of starvation, illness or exhaustion during a forced march to captivity at Durham. Eventually around 1,400 survivors were transported as forced labour to English colonies in New England, Virginia and the caribbean.

1297 September 11 Sir William Wallace defeats larger English army of Edward I at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

1543 September 9 Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned at Stirling Castle.

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1715 September 12 A Jacobite army defeated government troops at the Battle of Sheriffmuir.

1745 September 21 A Jacobite army routed government troops at the Battle of Prestonpans.

1746 September 20 Bonnie Prince Charlie escaped capture by sailing to France aboard the French frigate “L’Heureux.”

1773 September 15 The Hector from Loch Broom, near Ullapool arrived at Pictou, Nova Scotia, carrying almost 200 emigrants escaping from the “Highland Clearances”.

1715 September 6 The Earl of Mar raised the standard of the “Old Pretender” at Braemar to start the Jacobite uprising of 1715.

1779 September 23 Scots-Born hero and founder of the US Navy fought the British Navy at the Battle of Flamborough Head His

ship, the USS Bonhomme Richard was sunk but he managed to capture HMS Serapis.

Sir Alexander Fleming Wellcome Collection CC-BY-4.0

1928 September 30 Sir Alexander Fleming’s worldchanging discovery of penicillin is announced.

Forth Road Bridge Photo Alex Liivet

1842 September 1 Queen Victoria made her first visit to Edinburgh.

1859 September 16 Scottish explorer David Livingstone discovered Lake Nyasa.

1964 September 4 Forth Road Bridge opened. At 6,156 feet long and a centre span of 3300 feet, it was the longest in Europe at that time.

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Date 4 ur diary

Scotland

31 August - 8 September Largs Viking Festival 30 Main Street, Largs, Ayrshire, KA30 8AB This Annual Festival, now in its 40th year, marks the 1263 Battle of Largs, the last mainland battle between the Scots and Norse.

Each year the living history Viking Village is open to the public so that they can get a glimpse of what life would have been like in a 13th Century Viking Village. https://largsvikingfestival.org 1 September Tour o’the Borders Peebles, EH45 9HB A cracking ride in the Scottish Borders. Welcome to the Tour O The Borders, a top class, closed road event which takes you through stunning scenery on beautiful Borders roads. http://tourotheborders.com 7 September Dalmally Show Mart Park, Dalmally, Argyll PA33 1AP Dalmally proudly presents its annual agricultural show, a celebration of our rural community. This is a well-attended show where you can enjoy a variety of attractions, view exceptional exhibits, and sample wonderful Highland produce in a spectacular setting. http://www.dalmally-show.co.uk 7-15 September Perthshire Open Studies Wester Lix, Killin, Perthshire, Fk21 8RD From professional artists and makers opening their workspaces, to art clubs and groups getting together to exhibit, this annual event offers the opportunity to see a huge range of work and meet creators throughout Perthshire and Kinross-Shire. https://www.perthshireopenstudios.com 7 September Braemar Gathering The Princess Royal and duke of Fife Memorial Park Braemar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK While there have been Gatherings of one sort or another at Braemar since the days of King Malcolm Canmore, nine hundred years ago, the Gathering has been run in its present form since 1832.

During much of that time large crowds have come each year to acclaim their Monarch as Chieftain of the Braemar Gathering. https://www.braemargathering.org

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If you have a future event you would like included in our diary please email details to news@scotlandcorrespondent.com 7 September Ben Nevis Range Fort William, Inverness-shire, PH33 9AE In 1895 when William Swan, a Fort William barber, set off on the first recorded timed ascent and descent of Britain’s tallest mountain he could not have envisaged the modern day Ben Nevis Race which now has a field of 600 runners accepting a challenge which is not for the unfit or faint-hearted. http://www.bennevisrace.co.uk 7-8 September Perth Festival of Yarn Dewars Centre, Glover St, Perth, Scotland PH2 0TH Established in 2016, Perth Festival of Yarn is Scotland’s contemporary yarn and fibre festival. https://perthfestivalofyarn.uk 8 September Blairgowrie & Rattray Highland Games Bogles Field, Essendy Road, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, PH10 6QU The annual Games, a blend of spectacle and fun, take place on the first Sunday after the first Saturday in September in beautiful Perthshire. http://www.blairgowriehighlandgames.co.uk 8 September Farming Yesteryear Vintage Rally Scone Palace, Perth, PH2 6BD Vintage tractors, stationary engines, steam engines and agricultural machinery will be on display together with vintage cars, lorries and other vehicles. Working demonstrations of vintage agricultural machinery including ploughing, combining and threshing, plus trade stands and auto jumble. https://scone-palace.co.uk/whats-on/farming-yesteryearvintage-rally 10-15 September Nairn Book and Arts Festival Nairn, IV12 4BQ A six day celebration of literature and the arts in the Highlands, set in the historic seaside town of Nairn.

Now in its 16th year, it presents a packed programme of events in indoor and outdoor venues across the town. https://nairnfestival.co.uk 11-15 September Linlithgow Folk Festival West Lothian, Scotland, UK Friendly festival featuring live music concerts, a ceilidh, street entertainers and a craft fair. http://www.linlithgowfolk.com

12-14 September Hebrides International Film Festival Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2LD The theme for this year’s annual film festival is Islands, Environments and remote communities.

The festival will run across venues in Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra including the award winning An Lanntair Arts Centre with pop up cinemas in Stornoway town centre and in Uist. http://www.hebfilmfestival.org/hebrides-internationalfilm-festival 12-15 September Ceol Cholasa Colonsay Isle of Colonsay, PA61 7YW Ceòl Cholasa is not a big outdoor camping festival, full of mud and boozed up punters. It’s a small, intimate festival. You will be one of a maximum of only 250 people seeing these amazing bands up close. A festival to enjoy an unspoilt jewel of the Hebrides as well as first class traditional music. It’s a festival to catch up with old friends, make lots of new ones and hang out with the artists themselves. Everyone is here for the weekend and everyone is here for a good time. http://ceolcholasa.co.uk 13-15 September Live@Troon Troon, KA10 6EF Now in its 10th year 2019 will see the biggest and best lineup to date with music running throughout the weekend in the Concert Hall, Pubs, Restaurant and Shops of Troon. This is a very special weekend that will well and truly put our town on the map and it’s important the whole community is involved and benefiting. https://www.liveattroon.com 13-15 September Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Scotland, UK The Festival is promoted by Jazz Scotland and the Islay Arts Association and is sponsored by Lagavulin. http://www.islayjazzfestival.co.uk 13-15 September The Scottish Adventure Travel Film Festival Poolewe, Achnasheen, IV22 2LG The Scottish Adventure Travel Film Festival is a celebration of great adventure travel films in a unique destination at the end of one of the best road journeys in the world, at Inverewe in Wester Ross. http://www.adventuretravelfilmfestival.com/scotlandfestival/ 13-22 September The Lammermuir Festival Elizabeth Hamilton Buildings, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 4DA The Lammermuir Festival was born of a conviction that historic architecture and beautiful landscape can be an

ideal environment in which to experience great music and music-making. This year is the 10th anniversary. https://www.lammermuirfestival.co.uk 14 September Pitlochry Highland Games Ferry Road, Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland, UK The Pitlochry Highland Games were one of the first reestablished in Scotland, in 1852. https://www.pitlochryhighlandgames.co.uk 16-22 September Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival Glasgow, Scotland, UK Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival is an annual event celebrating the city’s architecture, culture & heritage through a free programme of open buildings and events.

Join us to explore some of the city’s iconic historic buildings and architectural gems, and to go behind the scenes of theatres, working factories, distilleries and more! http://www.glasgowdoorsopendays.org.uk 20-22 September Bloody Scotland Stirling, FK8 2QL Scotland’s international crime writing festival - is shaping up to be ‘a weekend to die for’. https://bloodyscotland.com 27 September - 6 October Wigtown Book Festival County Buildings, Wigtown, Dumfries & Galloway, DG8 9JH Words flourish in few places as they do in Scotland’s National Book Town. So much of the culture and history of this beautiful part of south-west Scotland is written in its landscape, a central theme of 2019. http://www.wigtownbookfestival.com 27-28 September Loopallu Festival The Pier, Ullapool, IV26 2UH On paper they said it wouldn’t work, a festival in late September in a remote village on the West Coast of Scotland 60 miles from the nearest town, but that years ago. Expect another year of fun regardless of what the weather has to say about it. Another year making new friends, and catching up with old ones. http://www.loopallu.co.uk 29 September World Stone Skimming Championships c/o 9 Easdale Island, by Oban, Argyll, PA34 4TB The tiny Hebridean island of Easdale gears up to host the World Stone Skimming championships. http://www.stoneskimming.com 28 September - 6 October Shetland Wool Week

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Hay’s Dock, Lerwick, ZE1 0WP Shetland Wool Week is a world renowned celebration of Britain’s most northerly native sheep, the Shetland textile industry and the rural farming community on these islands. http://www.shetlandwoolweek.com 28 September - 18 October 2018 Highland Archaeology Festival Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX The festival is provided by the Highland Council and runs over two weeks each October to celebrate the heritage of the Highlands from earliest settlers to modern times, below ground and above. Whether you are a seasoned archaeologist or a complete beginner, the festival will let you explore an amazing range of places and collections. http://www.highlandarchaeologyfestival.org

Australia

21 September Clans on the Coast Celtic Festival Nelson Bay, New South Wales, Australia We have everything from Scottish Pipe Bands, Celtic band, Variety and Celtic Stalls, Food Stalls, Caber Toss, Tug-Of-War, Celtic Dancers, Highland Dancers, Irish Dancers, Dog Parade, Rusty Harper Irish Folk Band www.clansonthecoast.com.au

Canada

6-8 September Quebec City Celtic Festival Quebec City, Canada The biggest francophone Celtic festival in North America www.festivalceltique.com 7 September Colchester Highland Games & Gathering Jennifer Dr, Ballfields, Bible Hill, Colchester County, Nova Scotia Come and celebrate your history and culture. It’s so much more than a sporting event with all the traditional highland games as there is music, dancing, food, crafts, re-enactors, workshops and much more. www.colchesterhighlandgames.com 7 September Trenton Scottish Irish Festival Quinte West, Ontario, Canada The Trenton Scottish Irish Festival (TSIF) this year is going back to our roots! We are back to a one day event promoting and celebrating Celtic culture and heritage. www.trentonscottishirish.com 21-22 September Nova Scotia Harp Festival 2019 Halifax Central Library BMO Room Spring Garden Rd, Halifax, Nova Scotia

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This year we’re shining a light on our Nova Scotian harpists. We have talent from the trad. side, the classically oriented, a jazz harpist, a wizard at regulating & fixing, singers, dancers, eclectric electric, arrangers, composers, and fun www.nsharp.ca

New Zealand

15 September Shetland Society of Wellington AGM & Anniversary Lunch Wellington, New Zealand We are a group of people with an interest in Shetland – some of us were born there, some have a family connection, and others are just “interested”. One thing we all have in common is an enthusiasm for these unique, far-flung islands, their culture, music and heritage. Through the Society and its activities we can celebrate all things “Shetland” and the New ZealandShetland connection. www.shetlandwellington.org.nz

USA

31 August - 1 September Virginia Scottish Games Great Meadow, 5089 Old Tavern Road, The Plains, Virginia 20198 Scottish and Celtic heritage is the reason for the celebration, but there is something for everyone at this dog-friendly, family-friendly 2-day event. www.vascottishgames.org 31 August - 1 September Capital District Scottish Games Altamont Fairgrounds, 129 Grand Street, Altamont NY, 12009 Do you want to talk Genealogy, Tartans, Family Crests, or just listen to some “old world” Gaelic? Then plan a visit to the Clans & Societies area at the Capital District Scottish Games. Athletics, piping, fiddle, and harp contests began in the 11th century when chiefs and kings met to choose the most talented men for their courts, body guards and amusement. www.scotgames.com 5-8 September Long’s Peak Scottish/Irish Highland Festival Downtown Estes Park, Colorado, USA The best in Celtic music and a fun-packed few days for all the family www.scotfest.com 5-8 September 26th Annual Edinboro Highland Games & Scottish Festival Edinboro University, 219 Meadville Street, Edinboro, Pennsylvania 16444

Scotland has proud traditions of independent and innovative thinking, and the Edinboro Highland Games and Scottish Festival celebrates that heritage.

Please join us for the 26th Annual Edinboro Highland Games & Scottish Festival September 5-8, featuring exceptional music, dance, athletics, art, food, and family gatherings! From beer tastings by local brewers to kids’ games and student competitions, the festival offers fun for all ages. www.edinboro.edu/events/highland-games 6-7 September 17th Annual Southwest Missouri Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games E Park St, Buffalo, MO 65622 The Southwest Missouri Celtic Festival & Highland Games celebrates the heritage of the Buffalo Head Prairie by the immigrants that settled in the area and created Buffalo Missouri.

Every year Clans represented will provide a living history of their Clan from Scotland to their influence in the creation of America. They will also provide information for Genealogical study and resources for those wishing to further their ties to the people from the Celtic areas in history. www.buffaloareachamber.org/celticfestival 7-8 September Middle Tennessee Highland Games and Celtic Festival Percy Warner Park, Nashville Tennessee, United States Where families come together every year to learn, appreciate, preserve and celebrate Scottish and Celtic traditions for charitable, educational, social, and athletic purposes.

Enjoy athletic events, children’s activities, demonstrations, a beer tent, unique vendors, Celtic music, and so much more! www.midtenngames.com 13-14 September Big Stone Celtic 2019 Big Stoen Gap Virginia, United States A celebration of the traditions of the Celtic Nations - music, song, stories, food, crafts and dance. www.bigstoneceltic.com 13-15 September ScotFest Broken Arrow Events Park | 21101 E 101st St, Broken Arrow, Tulsa, OK 74014 Oklahoma’s Premier Celtic Music Festival and Highland Games, where over 25,000 attendees come to ‘BAGROCK’ their sporrans off to some of the best of Celtic rock and folk music from around the globe. www.okscotfest.com 14-15 September Columbus Scottish Festival Columbus, Indiana, USA A weekend of Scottish entertainment, competition,

history and much more… www.scottishfestival.org 14-15 September 60th Ligonier Highland Games Idlewild Park, Ligonier, Pennsylvania 15658 Saturday will be our traditional highland games event while Sunday will be our celtic music and amateur athletic event! We are featuring an extended line up of performers, and competitive events for audience members! Check our schedule for more information and updates as they are added! www.ligonierhighlandgames.org 20-22 September New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival Loon Mtn Resort, Lincoln, New Hampshire The Games are a spectacle like no other, set against the scenic Loon Mountain. Don your tartans and enjoy how we transform the Loon Mountain Resort into the impressive mix of sights and sounds of a Scottish Highland Games & Festival www.nhscot.org 27-29 September Celtic Classic Highland Games and Festival Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA The Celtic Classic Highland Games is an internationally known celebration of all things Celtic promoting the Celtic spirit, history and culture. www.celticfest.org 27-29 September KVMR Celtic Festival Grass Valley California, United States Founded in 1996, the KVMR Celtic Festival includes eleven performance areas including five musical and six demonstration stages and a weekend-long youth arts instruction that has included Celtic music, magic, dance and songwriting. www.kvmrcelticfestival.org 28-29 September Prescott Highland Games & Celtic Faire Watson Lake, 3101 Watson Lake RD, Prescott, AZ 86301 The Prescott Area Celtic Society is proud to be able to host the Prescott Highland Games & Celtic Faire and welcome all the Celtic Nations to join us in helping to share our heritage with the world. www.prescottareacelticsociety.com 28 September Dixon Scottish Highland Games & Gathering Dixon, California, United States Scottish athletic competitions, Scottish Highland and Irish-step dancing performances, find your Scottish ancestry at the many clan information tents, children’s games, Scotch whisky tasting, rugby tournament, sheepdog trials, Scottish living history displays, Scottish animals, after-games Ceilidh music party and

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barbecue and a wee bit more! www.scotsindixon.org 28 September Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival

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E. Main Street Dandridge, TN 37725 A celebration of Celtic culture with music, dance and friendship making it as fund day out for all the family. www.scotsirishfestival.com

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