Scottish Field November 2019 by Scottish Field

NOVEMBER 2019 . £4.75

Sailing to Staffa

A memorable trip to Fingal’s Cave

pages of fashion & interiors Top 4x4s of 2019: The year’s best off-roaders

PRICELESS PTARMIGAN RUGBY LEGEND STUART HOGG THE WHISKY CHALLENGE

NORTHERN EXPOSURE Special focus on Moray, Speyside & the Cairngorms Country news

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Interiors

Antiques

Motoring

Gardens

Wildlife

Interviews

Whisky

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WELCOME

Welcome T

he eagerly-anticipated new Land Rover Defender has finally been unveiled – sadly, not to universal acclaim, but that’s a story for another day. In the circumstances, it seems entirely fitting that our esteemed motoring correspondent Neil Lyndon should use this issue to unveil his pick of the year’s best 4x4s. As someone who lives down a steep hill in a quiet rural area that gets deluged with snow every year, no-one is more aware of the need for a car with passable 4x4 capabilities than Neil. As such, he’s become something of an expert on the various styles and levels of 4x4 on offer, and provides characteristically pithy and spot-on advice on which model has most impressed him in each of the classes.

As ever, we’d love to hear your views on his choices – and let us know if you’ve got a stonker of an off-roader that you think we’ve missed. I’d also like to introduce a new contributor. Joanna Blythman is an award-winning investigative journalist who writes fearlessly about a subject that is close to all our hearts: food. In her first column for Scottish Field, Joanna examines the increasingly topical subject of the headlong charge towards a vegetarian and vegan diet, asking whether this is desirable. Her thoughts on this lifestyle and its suitability for Scotland makes for thought-provoking reading. It’s time to start a debate on this important subject rather than be browbeaten into submission on a false prospectus.

Richard Bath, Editor

Contributors this month... JOANNA BLYTHMAN The Glaswegian is a five-time winner of the Glenfiddich Award for food writing and author of seven books on food, including the ground-breaking The Food We Eat.

SAMUEL HESS

STUART HOGG

Sharing holiday snaps like you’ve never seen, the Swiss photographer reveals his breathtaking and dramatic images of his stormy trip to the Isle of Staffa.

The Borderer is at the Rugby World Cup representing his country, but talks Hawick, horses, hog roasts and his plan to drive off into the sunset in his new Winnebago.

The Editor, Scottish Field, Fettes Park, 496 Ferry Road, Edinburgh EH5 2DL Tel: 0131 551 1000 editor@scottishfield.co.uk

www.scottishfield.co.uk

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CONTENTS

Cover stories

Cover

'Staffa Main Harbour' by Samuel Hess.

32 ROCK OF AGES The Isle of Staffa's magnificent geological beauty acted as the perfect muse for photographer Samuel Hess 40 CREDO Scottish Rugby legend Stuart Hogg talks all things horses, Hawick and high hopes 50 WOMAN MOUNTAIN Nan Shepherd's adventures in the Cairngorms inspired years of poetic writing 54 REGAL RAMBLING Pretty walks and picnic spots in Moray, Speyside and the Cairngorms 56 A FLIPPIN' GOOD TIME Morag Bootland visits the Scottish Dolphin Centre in Moray to find out about these much-loved creatures 88 THE MASTER OF DISGUISE Wildlife expert Cal Flyn uncovers the elusive ptarmigan 109 CHALLENGE ACCEPTED The results of Scottish Field's Readers' Whisky Challenge 120 SHIFTING UP A GEAR Scottish Field's favourite 4x4s are unveiled

Here & now

All photographs, unless otherwise stated, are by Angus Blackburn

12 READERS' PHOTOS A gallery of your best snaps from around Scotland 22 UP FRONT Keeping you bang up-to-date with the latest Scottish happenings 28 BACK TO BASICS Joanna Blythman sets us straight on vegan and vegetarian diets 30 MEMORY LANE Alexander McCall Smith explains why some things are best forgotten 42 THE HISTORY BOY Historian Niall Ferguson's views on the world have earned him a controversial reputation 49 TROUBLE IN RURAL PARADISE Alan Cochrane worries that rural crime is set to rise

59 DRY DOCK DESPERATION Though it pains Guy Grieve to bring his boat in for repair, he is pleasantly surprised by what he finds on land 226 LIFE LESSONS Fiona Armstrong on the struggles of imparting wisdom on others

Property

14 PROPERTY MARKET A stately home in Fochabers, an extraordinary castle, a north east farmhouse and a Georgian home

Homes & gardens

60 ORIGINAL CROFT The splendid restoration of a cosy Braemar cottage 74 GARDENER'S INSTINCT Glenwhan Gardens in Stranraer is a green-fingered triumph

Field sports

95 ANGLE OF ATTACK Michael Wigan loves nothing more than a classic fishing tale, but recent fungal infestations threaten to ruin the fun

Food & drink

96 QUACKING CLASSICS Serving up some tasty inspiration with duck recipes to try at home 102 FOOD & DRINK NEWS All the latest epicurean news from around the country 105 COASTAL QUANDARY Our mystery diner heads to St Andrews' Haar Restaurant and leaves with mixed emotions 107 DOWNWARD SPIRAL Blair Bowman ponders the effects of low alcohol drinks

Travel & leisure

146 A STEP BACK IN TIME Our subscribers review hotels that are steeped in history

In this issue 4

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IN THIS ISSUE

Life & style

129 CLEAN AND GREEN Our financial guru Bill Jamieson comments on the almighty rise in ethical investments 132 HOUSE OF BRUAR HAND KNITS The new pure wool knitwear range from House of Bruar 140 COUNTRY CLASSICS Get your wardrobe ready for winter with the new Schรถffel Country collection at A Hume

To order more copies of this issue or subscribe scan this QR code with your phone

120 32

News, views & events

08 Letters 83 Antiques News 86 Field Culture 92 Country News 216 Scene Around 224 Cover to cover

Offers & competitions

213 COMPETITIONS Win a bird feeding and care bundle from CJ Wildlife 222 PUZZLE PAGES The crossword, spot the difference, Sudoku and all the usual puzzles

Subscribe to Scottish Field for the special discounted rate of ยฃ39.96. See page 214.

42 www.scottishfield.co.uk

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SCOTTISH FIELD VOLUME 121 NUMBER 11 ESTABLISHED IN 1903 INCORPORATING SCOTTISH WORLD SCOTTISH FIELD EDITORIAL AND DESIGN Editor: Richard Bath Creative Editor: Heddy Forrest Senior Designer: Damian McGee Senior Photographer: Angus Blackburn Staff Writer: Morag Bootland Editorial Assistants: Stephanie Abbot, Rosie Morton Web Editor: Kenny Smith Designer: Grant Dickie Artworker: Andrew Balahura Production Controller: Rachel Morrell Email: editor@scottishfield.co.uk SALES AND MARKETING Sales Director: Brian Cameron Advertising Team Leader: Tracey Faulds Special Projects Manager: Janice Johnston Senior Sales: Alison Thompson Advertising Sales: Stacey Richardson, John Boyle Marketing Manager: Claire Daly Email: adverts@scottishfield.co.uk PUBLISHING Tel: 0131 551 1000 Fax: 0131 551 7901 Publisher: Alister Bennett, Scottish Field Magazine, Fettes Park, 496 Ferry Road, Edinburgh EH5 2DL London Office: 1 Gunpowder Square, Fleet Street, London EC4A 3EP OVERSEAS USA Address: Scottish Field, PO Box 32510 Fridley, MN 55432 USA (Send USA Address corrections to above address). US Postmaster: Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville, PA. US Mailing agent: Scottish Field (ISSN No: 0036-9309) is published monthly for £43 per year by Wyvex Media Ltd, PO Box 1, Oban PA34 4HB and is distributed in the USA by SPP, 95 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville PA 17318. SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DISTRIBUTION Address: Warners Group Publications plc, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 9PH. Tel: 01778 392014 Email: subscriptions@warnersgroup.co.uk Subscriptions for one year. UK: £51.00 Worldwide: £62.00 If you experience any difficulties in obtaining Scottish Field, contact 01631 568000

Published monthly by Scottish Field ©Scottish Field UK Scottish Field is a Registered Trade Mark of Wyvex Media Ltd. While Scottish Field is prepared to consider unsolicited articles, transparencies and artwork, it only accepts such material on the strict understanding that it incurs no liability for its safe custody or return.

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To avoid any difficulties in obtaining your magazine, ask your newsagent to place a regular order for you. It will then be delivered to you or be ready for collection in the shop. Simply fill in your details and hand this form to your newsagent. Please reserve/deliver* my copy of Scottish Field starting from the . . . . . . . issue (*delete as appropriate). Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..........................................................................

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We at Scottish Field endeavour to ensure that all our reports are fair and accurate and comply with the Editors’ Code of Practice set by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). We realise, however, that mistakes happen from time to time. If you think we have made a significant mistake and you wish to discuss this with us, please let us know as soon as possible by either of the following two methods: emailing editor@scottishfield.co.uk; or writing to the Editor at Scottish Field, 496 Ferry Rd, Edinburgh EH5 2DL. We will attempt to resolve your issue in a timeous, reasonable and amicable manner. However, if you are unsatisfied with our response, you can contact IPSO, which will investigate the matter. You can either telephone IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or email inquiries@ipso.co.uk. IPSO is an independent body which deals with complaints from the public about the editorial content of newspapers and magazines. We will abide by the decision of IPSO.

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LETTERS

Letters

Your letters is sponsored by Spey Valley and Keith Breweries, brewers of award-winning craft beers, nurtured in the heart of the whisky distilling region of Speyside to the same exacting standards. www.keithbrewery.co.uk and www.speyvalleybrewery.co.uk

A trip down memory lane

DMITRY NAUMOV / SHUTTERSTOCK

DALVEY HOUSE S C O T L A N D

Georgian Splendour at its best, set within mature woodlands, on the Moray Firth. Only 30 minutes from Inverness Airport. Luxurious accommodation for up to 18, ensuite bedrooms, and beautiful public rooms. In an area renowned for it’s golf courses, beaches and the whisky trail. The recently refurbished 2 bedroom Dalvey East Lodge, sleeping up to 6, is newly available for short-breaks.

Peace and quiet: Crinan Canal.

Two of the articles in the October issue of Scottish Field recalled distant memories. Alan Cochrane’s article on ‘Le mot juste’ reminded me of a similar experience in a café in Paris. I ordered a ‘café avec lait’ in my best schoolboy French and received a coffee with a bowl of milk. I too have been on ‘a passage to Crinan’ on a yacht. And like Alexander McCall Smith experienced the usual hiccups, but we did admire the views in the countryside and the peacefulness until a teenage member of the crew cried out, ‘Who on earth would want to live here. I can’t get a signal on my phone’. Anthony Yarham, Mouswald, Dumfriesshire

SEAGULL SAGA Your printing of my letter about Mrs Bellingham’s Mr Seagull has caused many folk to get in touch and ask if Mr Seagull has gone or if he is still with me. At the moment, he arrives every morning and it makes me sad. He has never over the years been this late to take off and migrate. I will feed him every day

01309 673 940 www.dalveyhouse.com 8

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but if he stays I don’t think he will survive our winter. Maggie BurnsBellingham, Kinnoull

SEND YOUR LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, SCOTTISH FIELD, FETTES PARK, 496 FERRY ROAD, EDINBURGH EH5 2DL EMAIL EDITOR@SCOTTISHFIELD.CO.UK WEBSITE WWW.SCOTTISHFIELD.CO.UK

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(BETTER where it MATTERS)

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SUBARU FORESTER e-BOXER fuel economy (WLTP) and CO2 results (NEDC Correlated): Combined 35.7mpg, CO2 emissions 149g/km. Fuel consumption figures are determined according to the WLTP test cycle. Mpg figures are official EU test figures for comparative purposes & may not reflect real driving results. CO2 figure shown is based on the outgoing NEDC test cycle & will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration. Only compare fuel consumption & CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical standard. Fuel consumption achieved in real life conditions & CO2 produced depends on a number of factors including accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles & vehicle load. †Every vehicle marketed by Subaru (UK) Ltd, excluding WRX STI, is covered by a 5 Year/100,000 mile (whichever comes sooner) Limited Warranty which comprises of a standard 3 Year/60,000 mile (whichever is sooner) Manufacturer’s Warranty (bumper to bumper, excluding clutch driven plate) and an Extended Warranty (applies to powertrain only) provided by the importer. Vehicle shown is an Forester 2.0i e-BOXER XE Premium Lineartronic, OTR price of £37,545.00. Price includes optional special paint finish at £550. OTR price incl. VAT, delivery, number plates, 12 months road fund licence and first registration fee. Prices correct at time of going to print.

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13/09/2019 12:47 24/09/2019 15:52:08

Our residents have a better outlook

In more ways than one. Malin Court Care Home is beautifully situated at Turnberry, on the Ayrshire coast, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s renowned for high standards. Bright, modern and spacious with an atmosphere of optimism this is a very pleasant place to live. The food is excellent and the hotel, which is integral, is perfect for family members visiting. If you are considering the care home option or perhaps thinking of taking a care break, treat yourself to a look round Malin Court. A great place, with views to match.

Care Home Mrs Heather Leck, Care Manager Malin Court, Turnberry, Ayrshire KA26 9PB. T 01655 331457. E info@malincourt.co.uk.

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Letters LIFE OF LUXURY

I can hardly wait for my Scottish Field to arrive each month and by the time my October issue arrived, a good few days late, I was really champing at the bit. However, once it arrived and I saw the sheer size of it, all 388 pages, I reckoned the extra few days must have been needed to get this mammoth book off the press. Ordinarily, when my latest edition arrives, I settle myself into our most comfortable armchair and remain there for a good four hours or more as I read the book from cover to cover. Everyone knows there’s no point trying to interrupt me as I am simply not interested in anything other than my favourite magazine. I’ve had my October issue for more than a week and I’ve more or less made my way right through it now. Richard Bath makes no exaggeration when he calls it a luxury edition, it’s filled from cover to cover with unbridled extravagance, most of which I can only dream of, but what a dream! The staff at Scottish Field must have worked their socks off to bring this edition together, and they must have had such fun doing so. However, as exhilarating as it must have been for all involved in the making of this issue of loveliness, it was good to notice that Richard Bath hadn’t completely lost touch with reality when visiting the truly breathtaking Fife Arms; when realising that he really would not like to be faced with doing the dusting. Confirmation that despite having a taste of all these fine and splendid things, the team at Scottish Field still keep their feet firmly on the ground. Christine Walker, Cumbria

LETTERS

Graham Stewart

ON TO THE NEXT ADVENTURE I've always been one of those folk who, as soon as they return from one holiday, is researching where to go next. This tends to irritate my husband right up until the point where we're sitting with drinks in hand on a lovely beach or in the midst

of a vibrant and bustling city. Reading your article 'Passport to Paradise' in the October issue I felt even more inspired to book our next adventure, leaning particularly towards Chicago, even if it's only for the deep dish pizza. Sophie Gourlay, Inverness The Writer of the star letter will receive a gift box of six beers from the award-winning Spey Valley and Keith Breweries. www.keithbrewery.co.uk and www.speyvalleybrewery .co.uk

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DESIGNER GOLDSMITH AND SILVERSMITH 91-95 HIGH STREET DUNBLANE FK15 0ER TEL: 01786 825244

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Readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; photos

Above: River run by taken by Gordon Clark. Far right: Taywatch taken by Marion McM. Right: Guillemot on Isle of May taken by Elaine Fergusson.

Left: Last resting place taken by The Jacobite. Above. Spooky beeches taken by James Dewar.

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SNAP HAPPY No one loves a good photograph showing the variety of life in Scotland more than us. We also love seeing your photographs too, so lovely readers, upload your photos today and you might find your work appearing here Left: Jumping red squirrel taken by Marijke Leith.

Far left: Kinnoull Tower taken by Ronnie Fleming. Above: Piping in Persia taken by Keith Wellings. Left: Luskentyre Beach taken by Mark Hughes.

To upload your photographs to our online gallery go to www. scottishfield.co.uk into our ‘Living’ section where you will find Readers’ Photos. To appear on these pages your images must be downloadable. We choose our favourites every month. Phone pics are fine and the group is easy to use so why not upload some today?

ADD YOUR IMAGES

ONLINE

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PROPERTY market

Property of the month Cairnty House, Orton, Fochabers, Moray Selling Agent: Strutt & Parker Tel: 0131 226 2500 Offers Over: Offers over ÂŁ2.65 million Extending to about 586 acres in total, Cairnty is a residential and sporting estate with a spectacular setting in the lower Spey valley. It combines a 21stcentury home, built in a classical Georgian design, with a range of outbuildings, a three-bedroom cottage, three further uninhabited dwellings, a pheasant shoot, a let farm and c.265 acres of woodland and forestry. Cairnty House was commissioned by the owners and built to their own design and specification, combining the needs of both a family home and sporting lodge for entertaining house parties of shooting and fishing guests, with accommodation, services, fittings and finishes of an exceptional standard.

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Clockwise from top: Cairnty House in Speyside; the welcoming entrance hall; the kitchen facilities; a dining room; a warm reception room.

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PROPERTY

Castle of the month Seton Castle, Longniddry, East Lothian Selling Agent: Savills Tel: 0131 247 3738 Guide price: Offers over £8 million Seton Castle is a late architectural masterpiece designed by Robert Adam in 1789. In the last decade, it has been updated to a superb standard for modern living. The restoration project has used original French oak flooring from the same period, painstakingly renewed ironwork, staircase and ceilings, along with a major upgrade of all services and the rebuilding of turrets, chimneys and parapets. There is a 15th-century carriage bridge, lawns, grazing paddocks, parkland and wildflower meadows.

Equestrian property of the month Upper Kinnadie, Auchnagatt, Ellon, Aberdeenshire Selling Agent: Galbraith Tel: 01224 860710 Guide price: Offers over £395,000 Upper Kinnadie is a superb country property enjoying a quiet position in the beautiful Buchan countryside. The farmhouse is an immaculate detached property dating back to the 1850s and over recent years has undergone full refurbishment. To the side is a detached barn, which could be adapted for equestrian facilities. The property sits in around eight acres of which around seven lie immediately to the front of the barn and are divided into two fenced fields and two fenced paddocks.

Country house of the month House of Craigie, Craigie, Ayr, South Ayrshire Selling Agent: Bell Ingram Tel: 01292 886544 Guide price: Offers over £1.95 million House of Craigie is an exquisite B-listed eight-bedroom Georgian country house with views to the Firth of Clyde. The first individual owner of House of Craigie was the Duke of Portland, and the cornerstone of the House bears the date ‘Apryle 8 1746’ just eight days before the Battle of Culloden. It later passed to Lady Sara Elena Collins of the publishing family. Grounds of eight acres surround the house, which has an indoor swimming pool, tennis court and five cottages.

www.scottishfield.co.uk

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Scottish Field full pages 12-9-19.qxp_Layout 1 copy 18/09/2019 14:53 Page 1

Scottis

a member of

North Cassingray House, By Largoward, Fife

Clatto Broomside, Blebocraigs, Cupar, Fife

Exceptional property close to St. Andrews with superb coastal views.

Outstanding country property close to St Andrews.

St. Andrews 7 miles. Edinburgh 42 miles | About 1.4 acres (0.5 ha) in all. 3 reception rooms. 5 bedrooms (2 en-suite). Kitchen/dining room. Family room. Study. 2 bathrooms. Utility room. Lovely garden. Double garage with loft room above. Garden stores. EPC=C.

St Andrews 5 miles | About 3.1 acres (1.2 ha) in all. 3 reception rooms. 4 bedrooms (2 en-suite). Study/bedroom 5. Beautiful family accommodation in a delightful rural setting. Wonderful mature gardens and grounds. Double garage and garden store. Views to St Andrews and the Lomond Hills. EPC=E.

Offers Over £795,000

Offers Over £645,000

George Lorimer | 01334 659980 | cupar@galbraithgroup.com

Remilton, By Cupar, Fife

Coylebrae House, By Coylton, East Ayrshire

A substantial country property of the highest calibre.

An attractive modern country house with fine views.

Dundee 16 miles. Edinburgh 41 miles.

Ayr 5 miles. Glasgow 30 miles | About 2 acres (0.8 ha) in all.

Open plan kitchen/family room/breakfast room. Sitting room. Dining hall. Study/sitting room. 5 bedrooms (1 en-suite). Bathroom. 2 shower rooms. Utility room. 2 balconies. Substantial garage with workshop, WC and loft with studio. Landscaped grounds with lovely terraced areas. EPC=D.

4 reception rooms. 5 bedrooms (master en-suite). Kitchen/dining/living area. Office. Generous and flexible living space. Double garage. Sheltered terrace. EPC=C.

Offers Over £595,000

Offers Over £550,000

Dominic Wedderburn | 01334 659980 | cupar@galbraithgroup.com

Fiona Fulton | 01292 268 181 | ayr@galbraithgroup.com

Offices across Scotland & Northern England | Local knowledge | International reach | galbraithgroup.com

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Scottish Field full pages 12-9-19.qxp_Layout 1 copy 18/09/2019 14:53 Page 2

a member of

Swallows’ Rest, 4 Dales Steading, Dunfermline, Fife

Colzey House, Dunbog, By Cupar, Fife

Outstanding country property with excellent accessibility for commuters.

Impressive family house in a delightful rural setting.

Edinburgh 10 miles | About 0.94 acres (0.38 ha) in all.

4 reception rooms. 5 bedrooms (1 en-suite). Spacious contemporary accommodation. Bright, southerly outlook. Extensive garden. Double garage, driveway parking. Convenient for Cupar, Dundee and Perth. EPC=C.

Open plan sitting room/dining room. Kitchen/breakfast room. 5 bedrooms (1 en-suite). Study/office. Spacious family accommodation. Quiet setting with wonderful open outlook and generous garden. Integral garage, summerhouse and shed. EPC=E.

Perth 15 miles. St Andrews 16 miles.

Offers Over £495,000

Offers Over £480,000

George Lorimer | 01334 659980 | cupar@galbraithgroup.com

Blacketyside House, By Leven, Fife

The Green, Foodieash, By Cupar, Fife

Substantial country house set in lovely private grounds. Cupar 9 miles | About 2 acres (0.8 ha) in all.

A bespoke development of nine quality homes to be built around a village green in a lovely hamlet close to Cupar.

3 reception rooms. 5 bedrooms. Kitchen/breakfast room. Stores. Attic room. Double garage with garden store. Lovely mature grounds with lawns and orchard. Long private drive. EPC=F.

St Andrews 11 miles. Dundee 12 miles. Plot 1 – 3 bedroom detached house. Early entry available. Plot 2 – Fixed price £410,000. SOLD.

Offers Over £410,000

Plot 1 – Fixed Price £325,000

Dominic Wedderburn | 01334 659980 | cupar@galbraithgroup.com

Offices across Scotland & Northern England | Local knowledge | International reach | galbraithgroup.com

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PROPERTY

a member of

Balgreen, By Hollybush, East Ayrshire

Braeview, Chance Inn, Cupar, Fife

A superb development of individually designed new homes situated in unspoilt countryside with fabulous views.

Charming refurbished home situated on the edge of a lovely hamlet.

Ayr 7 miles. Glasgow 41 miles.

Living room. Kitchen. Shower room. 2 bedrooms. Garage / workshop / utility room. Landscaped front garden and back yard. Generous parking. Fully refurbished high quality accommodation. EPC=D.

5 exceptional houses in an impressive Victorian farm courtyard. 4 remaining luxury detached new builds. Energy efficient. Traditional craftsmanship with contemporary interiors.

Dundee 18 miles. St Andrews 10 miles.

Prices From ÂŁ310,000

Offers Over ÂŁ225,000

Fiona Fulton | 01292 268 181 | ayr@galbraithgroup.com

Dominic Wedderburn | 01334 659980 | cupar@galbraithgroup.com

Offices across Scotland & Northern England | Local knowledge | International reach | galbraithgroup.com

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24/09/2019 16:42:48

PROPERTY

Mains Of Tilliefoure, Monymusk, Aberdeenshire Outstanding residential estate with striking views and sportings, 4 bedroom house, 3 bedroom annex and separate cottage, about 135.5 acres with 53 acres farmland, 76 acres woodland and 625 yards single bank fishing on the Don, as a whole or in two lots, EPC = D & E

Offers over £975,000 Ruaraidh Ogilvie Savills Brechin 01356 628628 rogilvie@savills.com

Rory Galloway Savills Aberdeen 01224 971111 rgalloway@savills.com

savills.co.uk savills.co.uk | Follow us on what can we do for you?

WANTED

North West Edinburgh • Barnton, Blackhall, Inverleith, Murrayfield, Ravelston, Trinity • House site or area of garden with potential for good family house • No commission required • Funds immediately available • Please respond in confidence to Mark Atkinson

PURCHASING SERVICE

40 years experience in helping clients buy residential properties • Edinburgh Family Houses • Investment Flats • Pieds-à-terre • Country Houses and Cottages • London Flats

MARK ATKINSON mark@kinsonproperty.co.uk 07977 182108 www.markatkinsonproperty.co.uk www.scottishfield.co.uk

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19 24/09/2019 16:56:21

0141 225 3880 sales@robbresidential.com

Newton Farm, Strathaven, South Lanarkshire A well presented former farmhouseArgyll with attached refurbished steadings on a quiet country lane Kennels Cottage, Glendaruel, close to Strathaven.

EPC E

Enterkin, Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire A stunning detached 1950â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family home set in beautiful, well-maintained private gardens in the heart of EPC the D East Lodge, Asknish, Lochgair, Argyll conservation area of Kilmacolm. A very pretty family home set in an ideal sylvan and coastal situation with beautifully maintained gardens. Bedrooms || 33 Receptions Receptions || Conservatory Conservatory || Secondary Gated Entrance | Character & Charm | Perfect for Families acres 54 Bedrooms Accommodation | Impressive Countryside Views| 0.79 | 6 acres 150 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5NE Robb Residential - Nov 19.indd 20

Sales | Property Management | Lettings 25/09/2019 08:52:18

SCOTTISH FIELD

PROPERTY

PROPERTY market

Cottage of the month

Scottish Field full pages 2-7-19.qxp_Layout 1 copy 17/07/2019 15:21 Page 3

PROPERTY rettie.co.uk

ston House, Ravelston, Edinburgh

Pitlowie Cottage, Pitroddie, Perthshire Selling Agent: Bell Ingram Tel: 01738 621121 Offers Over: £625,000 Sitting in a superb elevated position in the foothills of the Sidlaws, and commanding breathtaking views south over the Carse of Gowrie, the River Tay and the hills beyond, Pitlowie Cottage lies in a highly accessible but secluded setting midway between Perth and Dundee. The cottage has a unique mix of beautiful timber features throughout including bespoke fitted furniture, exposed timbers and vaulted ceilings with exposed beams. The choice of public rooms and bedrooms allows for the cottage to be used in a variety of ways. Includes 9.77 acres of gardens, hill land & paddocks.

Country house of the month Membland, Gifford, East Lothian Selling Agent: Rettie & Co Tel: 0131 624 9087 Offers over: £1,325,000 Membland is a stunning, light, airy and beautifully decorated country house in a prime location with southerly views to the Lammermuir Hills. Situated approximately 21 miles from Edinburgh City, it offers spacious family accommodation and is set in about 2.47 acres of landscaped gardens , including a tennis court and a Wendy House with viewing platform. Adjoining the southern façade of the house is a stone terrace, perfect for al fresco dining.

Property of the month Kilchoan Estate, Knoydart, Inverness-shire Selling Agent: Bidwells Tel: 01738 630666 Price: On application Kilchoan Estate provides the perfect secluded getaway with spectacular inland and coastal views to Skye, Rum and the other small Isles beyond. Along with exceptional established stalking the Estate boasts salmon, brown and sea trout fishing, as well as sea fishing and netting rights. There is also a manageable portfolio of well maintained residential properties, six of which form part of the self-catering holiday letting business, while the other is used for staff accommodation. A small in-hand farming operation runs approximately 20 Highland Cattle on the lower ground. The main residence is a two storey farmhouse offering exceptional views over the coast and Inverie Bay.

Clockwise from top: Kilchoan Estate; Rifles walking; coos on the hill; Inverie River; stags in front of farmhouse.

a member of

Project of the month

Boleskine House, Foyers, Inverness

Selling Agent: Galbraith Tel: 01463 224343 Offers over: £510,000 Boleskine House, on the shores of Loch Ness, was predominantly destroyed by fire in 2015. The house now offers a unique renovation project. For sale as a whole or four lots: Lot 1 Boleskine House, Lot 2 a coach house with conversion potential, Lot 3 the gate lodge and Lot 4 grazing land. The area is peaceful and unspoilt, its beautiful wooded shoreline and dramatic inland landscape providing a haven for many rare species of plants and wildlife.

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23/08/2019 16:21:05

PROPERTY

PROPERTY market

Small holding of the month The Howe, Auchtermuchty, Cupar, Fife

Property of the month

Savills Brechin

01356 628 628

Selling Agent: Galbraith Tel: 01334 659 980 Offers over: £465,000 The Howe is a lovely rural property situated in mature grounds in a secluded elevated position adjacent to Pitmedden Forrest, yet just a 10 minute drive from Cupar. The accommodation includes kitchen/dining room, sun room, four bedrooms, bathroom, shower room and sauna. To the north side of the house is a paddock which benefits from an agricultural shed, beyond is an area of woodland. The grounds which extend in total to 8.5 acres also include orchards, a burn and a wildlife pond, making it the ideal small holding.

Savills Edinburgh

0131 247 3700 Country property of the month

Harperrig House, Kirknewton West Lothian Selling Agent: Savills Tel: 0131 247 3738 Offers over: £775,000 Harperrig House is a classic stone-built farmhouse in a spectacular setting on the northern edge of the Pentland Hills with an outlook to Harperrig Reservoir. Offering superb living space it comes complete with an income producing self catering cottage, good outbuildings and a paddock. The property boasts its very own wind turbine which provides an average income of £9,000 per annum. This really is a fantastic property with strong eco credentials.

Property of the month Stenton House, Dunkeld, Perthshire Selling Agent: Rettie & Co Tel: 0131 220 4160 Offers Over: £4,350,000 Stenton House is an exceptional country house enjoying a wonderful position overlooking its spacious lawns that extend to the banks of the River Tay. For sale as a whole or in three lots, the property features immaculate accommodation, a beat of salmon fishings on the River Tay, two additional cottages, a range of outbuildings and outstanding amenities. The gardens and grounds have been carefully designed and laid out to give privacy and a magnificent setting for Stenton House. To the east of the house, the drive is flanked by immaculate lawns and impressive topiarised cypress trees. A children’s play area and a recently resurfaced tennis court sit at the far end of the garden protected by a beech hedge.

Clockwise from top: Stenton House and grounds aerial view; entrance hall; principal drive; fishing on the River Tay; Stenton House at night.

Wreck of the month Dalquharran Estate, Dailly, Girvan, Ayrshire Selling Agent: Rettie & Co Tel: 0131 220 4160 Guide price: £800,000 For sale as a whole, the Dalquharran Estate is an amenity estate with significant heritage appeal and offering huge potential. Comprising the medieval ruins of Dalquharran Castle which stands on the north bank of the Water of Girvan and the later 18th century castellated mansion, also called Dalquharran Castle, designed by Robert Adam. The estate includes productive farmland, mature woodland and a number of smaller development opportunities, extending to 261 acres in all.

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23/08/2019 16:19:36

PROPERTY

PROPERTY market

Country house of the month Linden Park, Auchterarder, Perthshire Selling Agent: Strutt & Parker Tel: 01738 567892 Guide price: £720,000 Linden Park is a stunning Georgian House set in two and a half acres of lovely private garden grounds. The accommodation is spacious and flexible with a drawing room, dining room, six bedrooms, and a lovely modern kitchen/family room. Linden Park is well placed for a number of independent schools and some of the wonderful leisure activities Perthshire has to offer, from field sports to golf, riding and mountain biking to name just a few.

St John’s Cottage, Maybole, South Ayrshire

The Mill, By Cupar, Fife

An elegant Georgian country house in lovely mature grounds.

Outstanding former water mill on the River Eden. Cottage of the month

St Andrews 13 miles. Edinburgh 40 miles.

Ayr 8½ miles. Glasgow 45 miles | About 7.47 acres (3.02 ha) in all.

Hope Cottage, Strathtay, Pitlochry, Perthshire

Property of the month

4 reception rooms. 4 bedrooms (all en suite). Garden room. Grade A listed. A wealth of period features. Outbuildings. Countryside views. EPC=F.

Beechwood, Melrose, Roxburghshire

To advertise your property contact Alison on 0131 551 7928 Offers over £640,000 eld.co.uk or email athompson@scottishfi Fiona Fulton | 01292 268181 | ayr@galbraithgroup.com

Selling Agent: Savills Tel: 0131 247 3738 Offers Over: £1,500,000 Sitting in about 1.37 acres of landscaped garden grounds, Beechwood offers beautifully presented, light and airy accommodation in the lovely Borders town of Melrose, approximately 34 miles from Edinburgh. It is a spacious family home with nine bedrooms, a billiard room and artist’s studio. Extended in recent years, the property includes a stunning conservatory and a 14m indoor swimming pool with sauna, spa pool and changing room. This is a truly lovely property offering the modern family the opportunity to experience the peace and tranquillity of the lovely Borders town of Melrose, while being within comfortable striking distance of the city.

Selling Agent: Galbraith Tel: 01738 451111 Guide price: £475,000 An attractive detached property sitting in a delightful position within the village of Strathtay – on the banks of the River Tay – in an area of outstanding beauty. Hope Cottage offers generous accommodation and is presented in walk in condition. The kitchen is particularly impressive, handmade and created by deVOL. The colourful pretty gardens offer privacy and back on to the golf course for those golfing enthusiasts. An existing stone outbuilding would make an ideal conversion into a cottage or annexe subject to the necessary planning permissions and consents.

3 reception rooms. 4/5 bedrooms (1 en suite). 2 bathrooms. Large attic room. Detached double garage with sizeable loft r Greenhouse. Wood store. Lovely garden & terraces. EPC=D. Clockwise from top: Beechwood’s splendid exterior, the spacious conservatory, kitchen into the dining room, 14m indoor swimming pool, tasteful drawing room.

Wreck of the month Chesterhill House, Newport-on-Tay, Fife Selling Agent: Bell Ingram Tel: 01738 621 121 Guide price: £500,000 Chesterhill House, has been uninhabited for some years, and as such is in need of complete renovation. Built in 1870 and added to between 1873 and 1912, the house has a number of distinctive architectural features. With accommodation over three floors, the property comes with planning permission to extend. A detached two bedroom gate lodge (currently let), a coach house in some disrepair and a finely constructed oval walled garden also form part of this property which offers great potential.

Offers Over £595,000

Dominic Wedderburn | 01334 659980 | cupar@galbraithgroup.c www.scottishfield.co.uk

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23/08/2019 16:17:32

Brechin Castle, Angus Commanding position above the banks of the River South Esk with potential for commercial use, 8 reception rooms, 16 bedrooms, renowned walled garden, estate courtyard with exciting conversion possibilities, 5 estate cottages, magnificent policies & fishing on River South Esk, further 197 acres and cottages available by separate negotiation, EPC = D - G

Offers over £3 million

About 70 acres

Talk to us today Evelyn Channing Savills Edinburgh 0131 247 3720 echanning@savills.com

Ruaraidh Ogilvie Savills Brechin 01356 628 628 rogilvie@savills.com

savills.co.uk | savills.co.uk Follow us on

Spittal Hill

Offers over £695,000

what can we do for you?

Savills FP.indd 1

n House is one of Edinburgh’s finest private family homes. This outstanding an mansion house is in a prestigious, secluded setting on the edge of n Golf Course.

derfully discreet yet superbly central property benefits from almost 7,000 terior accommodation and over two acres of private landscaped garden which provides a unique opportunity for country style living just minutes m the city centre’s excellent amenities and a number of highly regarded

17/07/2019 14:23:56

OFFERS OVER £3,750,000 Max Mills: max.mills@rettie.co.uk

8A Montague Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee

Flat D, Park House, Culross, Dunfermline, Fife Spittal of Glenshee | Cairngorms Spacious 2 floor apartment with outstanding views and beautiful National Parkshared grounds. Dundee 4 miles. Perth 22 miles. Edinburgh 22 miles. Glasgow 29 miles. 3 reception rooms. 5 bedrooms. Spacious well-presented 366.20 Hectares / 904.91 accommodation. Arts and Crafts feel. Sought-after secluded 2 reception rooms. 3Acres bedrooms. Dining room/bedroom 4.

Rettie & Co Edinburgh | 0131 624 9045

Delightful family house in a prime location.

setting. Charming garden, 2 garages, driveway parking.

Sales & Acquisitions | Lettings, Management & Investment Services | DevelopmentRiver & Consultancy views. Early entry available. EPC=D.

Delightful and impressive period accommodation. Versatile well-presented living space. Garage. Wonderful shared ground Category B Listed. EPC=C.

An extremely rare opportunityOffers to acquire extensive area of Overan£325,000 fertile upland farmland, partGeorge of which has |received a formal Lorimer 01334 659980 | cupar@galbraithgroup.com offer from Scottish Forestry for an extensive new planting Forestry Grant Scheme. Offices across Scotland & Northern England | Local knowledge | International reach | galbraithgroup.c Offers Over £525,000 19/07/2019 15:11:36

George Lorimer | 01334 659980 | cupar@galbraithgroup.com

John Clegg & Co is the forestry division of Strutt & Parker, a trading style of BNP Paribas Real Estate.

76 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 3BU +44 (0) 131 229 8800 | edinburgh@johnclegg.co.uk | www.johnclegg.co.uk

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21 25/09/2019 08:56:11

NEWS

UP FRONT A round-up of what’s going on across Scotland

TITBITS

GOING GREEN

Dunvegan Castle takes pride of place The 2019 Historic Houses Restoration Award has gone to Dunvegan Castle and Gardens on Skye. They were presented with the prize at sponsors Sotheby’s in London. Annually the estate contributes around £900,000 through a combination of employment and purchase of local goods and services. Since 2008, it has contributed £8.3m to the Skye economy and over £12m nationally. It has been adapted from being a medieval fortress designed to keep people out, to a place focused on welcoming people in. www.dunvegancastle.com

An explosive finish A Scots artist who works in gunpowder

Kieran Bruce, an apprentice gardener from Craigie in Perth, has been awarded a gardening apprenticeship place at Scone Palace Estate. Kieran follows in the footsteps of Scotland’s most famous plant hunter, David Douglas, best known for his namesake the Douglas Fir. www.scone-palace. co.uk

and explosives is to show his work at the 138th annual exhibition of the Royal Ulster Academy of Arts. Running from 18 October until 5 January 2020, Frank To works with IM Swedish Development Partner and their humanium metal initiative –

IN THE FRAME

taking illegal deactivated firearms from countries affected by gun violence and melting them down. Frank works with the fine powder made from the destroyed guns, combing them into oil paints. Fire Starter (left) will be one of his works on show at the exhibition. www. franktofineart.com

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Best feet forward Scottish walkers gathered to celebrate the completion of a major upgrade to the Speyside Way Spur path linking Glenlivet and Tomintoul. The Accessing the Landscape Project has made extensive improvements to the 15-mile route, at a cost of £236,000. The work included upgrading and repairing wet and muddy sections, improving path drainage and surfaces, the installation of new signage and replacing stiles and gates. www.speysideway.org

Aberdeen Art Gallery is offering people the chance to Adopt an Artwork for a period of two years for £500, £250 or £100 to support their redevelopment project and protect the art for the future. For details call 01224 523719. www.aagm.co.uk

www.scottishfield.co.uk

25/09/2019 15:56:27

UP FRONT

TRENDING The five most popular stories from our website this month 1. THE BEST PARK IN SCOTLAND IS REVEALED Posted on 2 September Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline was voted by the public as the Best Park in Scotland in Fields in Trust’s UK’s Best Park 2019, beating off 41 other contenders. Ten other parks and green spaces in Scotland achieved ‘Much Loved’ status, including Belleisle Park in Ayr.

GRADUATION DAY A graduation ceremony attended by HRH The Prince of Wales at Dumfries House in Ayrshire highlighted a diverse range of subject areas and age ranges of learners. Adults from around the world graduated from the Prince’s Foundation’s programmes in building crafts, Islamic and traditional arts and fashion and textiles. They were joined by local primary school pupils being recognised for their participation in workshops relating to farming, provenance of food and cookery. Participants of programmes run by the Cumnock-based charity also include nursery children. www.dumfries-house.org.uk

Cheers and beers The Belhaven Brewery has celebrated 300 years of brewing beautiful beers in style when it held a birthday party in Dunbar. The festival, coupling the very best in Scottish music and beer, was a sell out with thousands of revellers enjoying the festivities. It featured Scottish traditional music acts and top talent from the folk scene over the last three decades, including Capercaillie, Elephant Sessions, Assynt and Talisk, as well as the one and only Dougie MacLean. Attendees enjoyed fantastic food and Belhaven Brewery’s award-winning beers from tap bars around the brewery grounds. www.belhaven.co.uk

Oor Wullie’s auction Charity sales of the Oor Wullie Bucket Trail sculptures have raised over £1.29million for Scottish children’s charities, having been displayed in Dundee, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness before going to auction. The Dundee auction raised £239,000 for the Archie Foundation, Archie Grampian’s auction raised £316,700, the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity auction raised £318,000, and £419,500 went to the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. The 11-week event encouraged people to visit as many of them as possible. www.oorwullie.com

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2. 10 HOTELS FOR CHRISTMAS IN SCOTLAND Posted on 5 December 2018 Scottish Field’s readers are obviously planning ahead for the festive season, as our feature from last year, in association with the Good Hotel Guide, highlighting 10 great places to stay for Christmas, has been hugely popular with readers all over the world. 3. WHITE HOUSE IS SCOTLAND’S HOME OF THE YEAR Posted on 29 May Retired academic Lesley Smith’s house in Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, was chosen as Scotland’s Home of the Year by a team on a BBC Scotland show. Our story and pictures showing the property have been a big hit this month. 4. A HIGHLAND ESTATE WITH LOCH NESS AND MOUNTAINS Posted on 6 September Our online property section is always very popular, but our feature on the Bunloit Estate near Loch Ness and the Monadhliath Mountains really caught the attention with its panoramic views. 5. TRIBUTES PAID TO THE 10TH DUKE OF ROXBURGHE Posted on 29 August Guy Innes-Ker died peacefully at his family’s ancestral home, Floors Castle, after a long battle with cancer. His eldest son, Charles, is the 11th Duke of Roxburghe.

120,329

No. times you viewed our web pages (27 Aug-22 Sept)

@ScottishField @scottishfield @scottishfieldmag Check out our new and improved website at www.scottishfield.co.uk.

25/09/2019 15:56:53

Final lodge in phase one represents fantastic buy to let opportunity

ue to strong demand, Balloch Park, Mains of Taymouth’s residential, holiday & buy to let development has only one final luxury timber lodge left for sale in its current phase. Priced from £179,900, the eco friendly lodge, which offers reduced running costs, will be built to order by the estate’s award winning local builders, Blairish Restorations. Including an extremely high ‘as standard’ specification, the lodge has a master bedroom with en-suite and dressing room, a fully fitted kitchen with stainless steel appliances, and a main bathroom with his and her sinks. Subject to build schedule and time of reservation, buyers of this final lodge can customise layout to suit, and even choose the colour of paint on the walls. Extras such as a log burning stove, or a hot tub, can easily be added if required. The lodge is constructed from sustainable timber using the very finest materials. Bought as a buy to let property, this lodge offers a very lucrative opportunity, with full access to Highland Perthshire’s vibrant lettings market. The Mains of Taymouth estate is well equipped with amenities for the holiday maker, including its own equestrian centre, nine hole golf course, known locally as Perthshire’s finest nine holes, plus a gift shop, restaurant, and deli.

CONTACT For further details, and to arrange a viewing of the final lodge, development please call Balloch Park on 01887 830733. ballochpark.co.uk

•

The investor can have complete confidence in the lettings service at Mains of Taymouth, with all changeover, maintenance and bookings handled in house by the experienced team. A lucrative second income can easily be obtained through ownership here at his five star development. The lodge can also be bought purely as a holiday home, or a buyer could choose to downsize or retire permanently to this most idyllic location, as the development enjoys full residential status. Superbly situated by the River Tay, Balloch Park is quiet and picturesque, but also offers a real community feeling..

Residential •

Private Holiday Home •

Investment Property

This stunning development offers permanent retirement living, private holiday use or buy-to-holiday-let investment opportunities in a bespoke luxury lodge overlooking the beautiful River Tay at Kenmore.

Enjoy

the security of being part of the exclusive 5 star Mains of Taymouth Country Estate & Golf Course with its many amenities, live here in an idyllic environment! Prices from just £179,900.

Call 01887 830733 for more details www.ballochpark.co.uk

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25/09/2019 14:18:49

UP FRONT

TITBITS

WAR TIME A worthy cause This year’s Buccleuch Property Challenge raised over £12,000 for children’s charity, Seamab. Having taken place at Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfriesshire, the six-hour corporate adventure challenge saw 75 teams from across the property industry compete. This year’s mixed category was won by CDA Architects, the women’s trophy by Buccleuch Belles, and the men’s by Burness Paull. Seamab helps children who have experienced significant trauma in their lives. www.seamab.org.uk

In the bag This year’s Lunch with an Old Bag charity event raised £760,000 to help change the lives of more than 760 young people, supported by The Prince’s Trust Scotland.

A comic telling of the impact of the Great War on Dundee has been released. Produced with the help of the Scottish Centre for Comic Studies at the University of Dundee, it features a story by legendary comics creator Pat Mills. The creators are all graduates of the university’s comic course.

More than 300 ladies – affectionately nicknamed ‘Old Bags’ – attended Prestonfield House in Edinburgh where the money was raised through an auction of luxury prizes. A sale of designer handbags raised £50,000 for the Trust in the quick-fire round alone. The ladies were joined by performers from the world-famous Moulin Rouge. www.lunchwithanoldbag.com

THE PAR-FECT BOOST The Solheim Cup has driven a surge in the number of people taking up golf in Perth and Kinross. The competition, held at Gleneagles, saw Team Europe, captained by Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, defeat the USA. Perth & Kinross Council has been running golf coaching sessions aimed at women, girls and families, and also provided funding to many other local golf clubs so they can hold introductory coaching sessions. www.solheimcup2019.com

90,000

Record crowds attended the three days of competition

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5,000

A large number of those who watched the play were junior admissions

sets of junior golf clubs can be hired free of charge at each Perthshire golf club

ART ARRIVAL ATLAS Arts on Skye has appointed Ainslie Roddick as its new artistic director/CEO. Ainslie, who will take up her position at the end of November, joins ATLAS from CCA in Glasgow. Ainslie’s programme for next summer will be announced in early 2020. ATLAS Arts is an awardwinning producer and commissioner of contemporary art. www.atlasarts.org.uk

25/09/2019 16:12:41

A Breath of Fresh Arran

Tour the award winning Lochranza Distillery on the Isle of Arran and discover the new range of Arran Single Malts. For the full range of different tours available, including Tutored Tastings and Whisky & Chocolate pairings please visit: arranwhisky.com @arranwhisky

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12/09/2019 13:03 25/09/2019 09:06:41

UP FRONT

TITBITS

HOUSE ABOUT THAT? WELL CONNECTED Two of the UK’s most westerly island communities are now the best connected too, with full fibre broadband networks in the Outer Hebrides. Grimsay (pictured above) is a tiny island roughly three miles long and half again in width, joined to North Uist and Benbecula by a causeway. Now, every one of the 113 households on Grimsay (including that of Hazel Smith, above right) is able to access reliable, ultrafast broadband, while 100 miles north on Great Bernera – off the north-west coast of Lewis and linked to the main island by a road bridge – all 220 households can connect. It’s thanks to engineers from Openreach, through the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband project, led in the area by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

For the love of literature

A Scottish salmon farmer has been granted approval to build six new ecofriendly homes on the remote island of Eday in Orkney. Costing £750,000, the new development will create four new homes for employees of the nearby Scottish Sea Farms.

Ten Scottish schools are receiving fully-funded author residencies this school year to inspire a lifelong love of reading and writing. The residencies will also give professional writers the opportunity to build relationships with the school and work together on a creative project. The Live Literature School Residencies Programme, now in its fourth year, is funded by the Walter Scott Giving Group and delivered by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing. The schools range from the Borders to the Highands. Authors taking part include Alex Nye (right). www.scottishbooktrust.com

Remembering the fallen Representatives from the Army, Royal Navy and RAF attended a ceremony to dedicate a war memorial to the fallen in an Inverness-shire community. The local community and family members looked into the history of their wooden war memorial during a research project at Dochgarroch Hall. They were joined by the armed forces to honour the sacrifice of the fallen, on the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War. A new bronze plaque was created bearing the names of the eight men and one woman who lost their lives during the war.

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SEA SCARES Visitors to the Sea Life Centre in Loch Lomond will see it transformed from an aquarium into an ascarium this Halloween. Follow the immersive trail to find missing potion ingredients hidden throughout displays, and deliver the list directly to the site’s sea witch, who will reward brave guests for their help. 12 October - 3 November. www. visitsealife.com/lochlomond

25/09/2019 16:13:09

VIEWPOINT

Back to basics

ou must have been asleep if you missed the Groundhog Day narrative that has been playing on loop all year. ‘Experts’ have concluded that we should turn vegan, or at least vegetarian. In other words, we must all reject omnivorism – that’s eating from every food group – the diet that has sustained human populations around the globe for millennia. To the uncritical eye, the plant-based lobby is simply articulating a global scientific consensus. So if you weren’t already concerned about what eating red meat and dairy products might be doing to your health, thanks to misguided government low-fat ‘healthy eating’ guidelines, a dose of guilt-tripping ‘go vegan to save the planet’ evangelism has been added to the mix. Mainstream media have adopted it enthusiastically as a source of eye-grabbing headlines, a lazy generator of reader engagement. But steady on. Do we really want to put ourselves in a situation where we turn our backs on the time-honoured, supremely nutritious foods that our land is best at producing? In the UK as a whole, two-thirds of land is grass unsuitable for growing any arable or horticultural crop, and an awful lot of such land is in Scotland. We really don’t have a climate for growing quinoa, jackfruit or other trendy staples of the plantbased diet, on any commercial scale. I’ve yet to see an avocado tree grow here. But red meat and dairy? Scotland is brilliant at producing those. The beauty of the traditional livestock agriculture

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Homegrown: Red meat and dairy farming are among the most important industries in Scotland.

we practice in Scotland, just like our ancestors before us, is that it is appropriate to the ecology and climatic conditions of our land. Ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats and deer) can graze pastures that could support no other sort of food production and turn that natural asset into nutritious food for us humans. I’m not a fan of jingoistic flag-waving or tartan bragging – along the lines of ‘our country has the best X in the world’ – but Scotland’s international reputation for its fine beef and lamb, based on breeds like Aberdeen Angus and Highland, Soay and Blackface, is a reflection of just how well livestock production suits our hilly green country. I’m right behind animal welfare activists who want to end factory farming and stop the nonsensical feeding of cereals to livestock that might instead feed people. I fully support the initiative by the Pasture Fed Livestock Association to see that the term ‘grass-fed’ can only legally be used for animals fed solely on grass for 100% of their lives. But even

LUKASSEK / SHUTTERSTOCK

Veganism and vegetarianism are on the rise, but Scotland’s land isn’t made for plant-based diets – it is far better suited to traditional red meat and dairy farming, says Joanna Blythman

www.scottishfield.co.uk

25/09/2019 16:01:15

FOOD PRODUCTION

66%

The percentage of grass unsuitable for arable or horticultural crop in the UK

350k

The number of vegans in Scotland last year

14%

The percentage of Scots who are considering going vegan

2/3

The Vegan Society claim greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by twothirds by 2050 if the world went vegan

here there’s room for nuance. In Scotland, I understand that much of the cereals fed to cattle to finish them for sale are byproducts of other activities, such as spent grain from the whisky industry, and quite inedible for humans. And is there any harm in feeding a few turnips to sheep to keep them going when grazing is poor? Let’s not split hairs here, largely grassfed seems a reasonable position to me. When animal rights activists argue, and they do, that using animals for food is as bad as the heinous crime of the human slave trade, you realise that this debate has become silly. What we need to do is distinguish between the type of animal production that is part of the problemindustrialised factory farming, and the sort that is part of the solution – regenerative agriculture. In terms of climate effects, any methane produced by livestock reared in the latter circumstances is short-lived, and offset by the benefit of the carbon that is sequestered in the permanent pastures they graze. I’d love to see a bunch of earnest vegans attempting to plough Scottish grassland to grow plant foods for humans. Left to these evangelists, few – if any – of whom appear to have any

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We really don’t have the climate for growing quinoa or jackfruit

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practical food-growing experience, I suspect we’d all be very hungry, and Scotland’s food security and self-reliance would plummet. There’s the odd acre or two currently grazed by livestock that might be bullied and teased into plant-based food production, through the liberal application of environmentally ruinous fossil fuel-derived pesticides, and fertilisers made from synthetic nitrogen that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and soil erosion, but the ploughing required would release into the atmosphere all the carbon locked in these once permanent pastures. Let vegan-gelists rant and rail, the key point here is that each nation must align its diet to the productive capacity of its land. Will that penny drop? The latest International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on land use and food security was widely misreported as a blueprint for veganism. The Guardian for instance reported that the IPCC advocated ‘a major shift towards vegetarianism and vegan diets’, and quoted it as saying a diet ‘based on coarse grained, pulses and vegetables, and nuts and seeds’, omitting the words ‘and animal-sourced produce’ that followed. Actually, the IPCC noted that ‘ruminants can have positive ecological effects (species diversity, soil carbon) if they are fed extensively on existing grasslands’, and concluded that balanced diets should include animal-sourced food produced in resilient, sustainable and low greenhouse gas-emissions systems. If ever a country fitted that bill, it’s Scotland.

25/09/2019 16:01:35

ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH

ILLUSTRATION - ALEXANDER JACKSON

ne way of recollecting the pattern of our lives is by remembering the big events. It can become something of a parlour game. Where were you when you heard the news of the attack on the Twin Towers? Where were you when you heard that the Challenger Space Shuttle had exploded? Now that I think of it, I was at a committee meeting in Paris, and we were all lining up for coffee when one of the UNESCO staff members told us that New York had been attacked. I was standing next to the Israeli delegate to this meeting and he turned and said, ‘Now you know what it’s like to live with terrorism’. I was taken aback. I thought that I should say, ‘You may have forgotten about the Provisional IRA’, but I did not. The situation was not quite the same, but I felt that he was wrong to assume that others could not understand. Afterwards, we went back to our hotel where the Saudi Arabian delegate, a charming, urbane doctor, sat in a corner looking miserable. He obviously thought the world was about to change for the worse – and indeed, for many, it did. In the case of the Challenger disaster, we were in the Film House in Edinburgh, waiting for a film to start, when a friend leaned over from the row behind and said, ‘The Space Shuttle exploded, by the way’. These memories are milestones, and tell us something about how human memory works: we remember the really important things and tend to forget much of the rest. Most of us, of course, are dissatisfied with the capacity of our memory. We all have a friend whose memory we envy. I have one who seems to recall everything he has ever read – and he is widely read. When it comes to friends, he remembers everything about them, including their second names. My wife was taught pathology by a professor who remembered all his students’ names, even those from twenty years previously. He even remembered whom they married and where they ended up working. That sort of thing doesn’t work both ways. Many of us do not remember the names of our school teachers or university lecturers unless they stood out in some way. I was lucky – everybody who sat at the feet of the late Professor T.B. Smith remembers him – and with great affection. He had a walrus moustache and a magnificent technique of delivery, speaking in resonant sentences that people have, unfortunately, long abandoned. I remember him referring to the Second World War as ‘the recent hostilities between the Government of this country and the Government of the late Mr Adolf Hitler’. Some circumlocutions are tedious – this one soared. He was also a man of great generosity. When he moved from Edinburgh to a smaller house in East Lothian, he offered me part of his library. I visited his study in India Street, where he identified the books he would like to pass on. He then pointed to the mahogany bookshelves and said, ‘If you would like the bookshelves, you may have them too’. Memories of the kindness of others are worth cultivating. The justification for that is obvious enough: to recall the good

we encounter in life will have some effect on the way in which we view the world. We may feel more optimistic. We might also feel less tempted by cynicism or despair. Yet there are memories that we should perhaps make an effort to consign to the past. These can clutter our lives and impede forgiveness not only in the immediate personal context, but at a national level. Holding on to petty memories can seem funny. I know someone, a talented, exceptional person, who once lent someone Remember else a tent. The borrower of the the thrill of singing tent returned it after a weekend that as a child, camping trip to the Highlands in a wet condition. Damp is not conscious of the good for tents, and in due course this tent became mouldy. Mouldy sacrilege tents are not good for people. And so was born an issue that lasted for years, if not for decades. Those who have tents will understand, but surely in the case of these little wrongs, these small slights or thoughtless acts, one should forgive. That might mean burying a memory and not talking about it. Of course memories may return unbidden, but forgetting about something can be assisted by the conscious relegation of an incident to the category of those things we don’t think about. Therein lies the power of those short, comforting words that have ended so many quarrels: Forget about it. But we shouldn’t forget too much. History is full of warnings that should be borne in mind as we traipse through hard times. But at the same time we must avoid reminding ourselves of things that make us take uncharitable views of others or keep alive enmities that are best forgotten. There is a verse of Flower of Scotland that runs, ‘Those days are past now, and in the past they must remain’. I’m not sure everybody who sings that stirring song entirely subscribes to that sentiment. I think some would probably prefer to sing: ‘Those days are past now, and in the past they must remain, But we can still rise now, and remember them now and again.’ That actually fits the metre. An iconoclastic thought. But popular songs always invite rewriting. ‘While shepherds washed their socks one night, all seated on the ground.’ Remember the thrill of singing that as a child, conscious of the sacrilege. A delightful memory. Worth retaining.

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Memory lane While precious moments of kindness must always be treasured, Alexander McCall Smith believes that for the sake of sanity, some things are best forgotten 30

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25/09/2019 16:12:12

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SCOTLAND THROUGH A LENS

ages ROCK OF

The extraordinary hexagonal pillars and abyssal caves of the Isle of Staffa proved a rugged and beautiful muse for photographer Samuel Hess, finds Morag Bootland

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www.scottishfield.co.uk

25/09/2019 16:15:04

SAMUEL HESS ON STAFFA

Rock nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; roll: Hess and his fellow travellers were drenched despite their colourful waterproofs.

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25/09/2019 16:15:21

SCOTLAND THROUGH A LENS

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

The geological beauty of the imposing basalt columns have made the island famous

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25/09/2019 16:15:44

SAMUEL HESS ON STAFFA

he Isle of Staffa is on many a traveller’s bucket list and it’s a place that Swiss photographer Samual Hess had long wished to visit. The geological beauty of the imposing basalt columns and deep caves that have made the island famous called out to be captured on camera; just as the acoustics created by the waves crashing against the pillars in Fingal’s Cave on the island inspired Felix Mendelssohn to compose his The Hebrides overture following a visit almost 200 years before. Staffa is the Old Norse word for pillar and it is said that the hexagonal, volcanic rock formations – which can also be seen in the Giant’s Causeway and Rathlin

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island in Northern Ireland – reminded the Vikings of their houses, which were built from vertically-placed tree trunks. Hess’ visit to Staffa to capture these dramatic and impressive images of the island and some of its most colourful inhabitants came on a day when the weather was kicking up a storm. Despite doubts that the boat he was scheduled to catch from Fionnphort on the Isle of Mull would sail, the crew and a small group of tourists braved the swell and got a thorough soaking in the process. I’m sure you’ll agree that the resulting images are well worth any discomfort the weather may have caused. The clouds and sea spray only adding to the drama of the fascinating geology of Staffa.

Above left: Staffa main harbour. Top right: Dramatic skies meet sea swell on route to Staffa. Above right: Puffins nest on Staffa in the spring and summer. Left: Togged up for the weather and surviving the swell.

25/09/2019 16:16:07

SCOTLAND THROUGH A LENS

Above left: Picking their way around the columns. Above right: The power of the sea. Right: Hess captures Tobermory on the Isle of Mull before braving the journey to Staffa. Left: Meeting some of Staffa’s puffins.

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Hess’ visit to Staffa to capture these dramatic and impressive images of the island came on a day when the weather was kicking up a storm

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www.scottishfield.co.uk

25/09/2019 16:16:31

SAMUEL HESS ON STAFFA

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25/09/2019 16:16:53

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25/09/2019 09:20:39

SAMUEL HESS ON STAFFA

Above: Exploring Staffa and its craggy cliffs. Left: Incredible basalt columns line the waters edge.

FIELD FACTS You can see more of Samuel Hessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; photography at foto.hess.sh

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25/09/2019 16:17:14

CREDO

Credo...

Latin. (n) ‘I believe’. A set of beliefs which influences the way you live.

Better kept out of the kitchen, Scottish rugby star Stuart Hogg talks Hawick, horses and high hopes

I love to spend time exploring Scotland, and I have a soft spot for Loch Lomond. We often go up there to play golf, and it’s beautiful yet only 20 minutes from the centre of Glasgow – where else in the world do you get that? The North Coast 500 is next on my bucket list. I want to get a Winnebago and go camping with the kids.

When I go to Exeter I’m going to miss family, friends and Hawick. One person I really admire, who has made a massive difference to my life, is Sean Lamont. In 2012 he signed for Glasgow Warriors and took me under his wing because he said he saw the potential in me and wanted to make me the best I could be. He really showed me what it was like to be a professional rugby player. The worst moment of my life was being involved in the car crash which killed my best mate in 2009. It was a horrendous time, the toughest moment of my life so far. The best time was getting married to Gill in 2016 and the birth of all three kids.

PHIL WILKINSON

My kids make me laugh, they’re hilarious. Every single day they put a smile on my face, and make me chuckle. Gill and I are broad Hawick, so they don’t sound like Weegies – Archie has a funny accent, almost English; Olivia is straight outta Hawick, like her mum. They’ll sound like bumpkins after a few years in Exeter.

Stuart Hogg

‘This time we’ve got a squad that could really do something’

My last meal as a condemned man would be a Sunday roast. Gill makes a great roast, so does my mum, but I’m not allowed anywhere near the kitchen. I’ll give it a bash one day, but when I get in from training I’m absolutely knackered. Maybe down in Exeter, where we’ve got a nice big kitchen.

This year’s Calcutta Cup was class. It was Olivia’s second birthday so Gill and the kids were in one room, the boys were in the other. At half-time I was devastated for the boys, it was tough to watch. But in the second half I couldn’t have been prouder. I just couldn’t believe at the end that we couldn’t grind it out and get the win.

My perfect weekend away from rugby is to get down to the stables in the sunshine. There’s no better sight than watching a horse in full motion. I often bring the kids up here and a few of my pals come up too.

I love golf. I play off 12 or 13, but it’s the most frustrating game of all time. My best mate Euan Reilly is a great golfer but a terrible winner. The best player at Glasgow is Brandon Thompson. The worst is Matt Fagerson – he has all the kit but is terrible.

I’m part-owner of a horse called Corked. I own it with a couple of mates from Hawick and three Glasgow Warriors pals – Alex Dunbar, Finn Russell and Ali Price. Alex is from Annan so he knows about horses, but Finn and Ali know nothing, it’s hilarious.

My first World Cup was when I was just 22, so I was a bit inexperienced and overawed, but I still enjoyed the experience of the build-up and of everyone pulling in the same direction. This time we’ve got a squad that could really do something, so I couldn’t be more excited.

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www.scottishfield.co.uk

25/09/2019 16:18:14

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25/09/2019 11:55:38 15:21:43 17/09/2019

PROFILE Illustration: Alexander Jackson

The history boy Tough-talking historian Niall Ferguson’s strident views on everything from Thatcher to empire have made him a subject of controversy in his native Glasgow and beyond, finds Alex Massie

t was JM Barrie, the pride of Kirriemuir and author of Peter Pan, who suggested that in life ‘there are few more impressive sights than a Scotsman on the make’. Barrie recognised the thrusting ambition, combined with a relentless work ethic and a certain measure of ruthlessness, that many of his compatriots possessed; and if he admired these qualities, then he was also, perhaps, just a little bit in awe of them. In any case, Barrie’s quip has applied to plenty of Scots in the past but few, in the contemporary world, more so than Niall Ferguson. The historian, named in 2004 as one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world, has come a long way since his childhood in Glasgow. Now based at the Hoover Institute at Stanford University in California, Ferguson is arguably Scotland’s most prominent historian and almost certainly its most controversial.

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He may have left Scotland more than 30 years ago – he is now 55 – but he insists that the west of Scotland has never left him. To him, Glasgow remains crucial. It is where he was born and made and where his rhetorical style was formed. This is a style unconcerned with the business of taking prisoners. He says that he ‘grew up in an atmosphere of enjoyably unfettered argument’, and that it took him ‘a long time to realise that Glasgow sarcasm was insulting to people who hadn’t grown up with it’. The son of a doctor and a teacher, Ferguson enjoyed an agreeably middle-class childhood. Work and the importance of hard work was ingrained early; at Glasgow Academy he was headstrong, gifted and ambitious; a member of an elite academic set wholly aware of their intellectual advantages. ‘It was an intense experience’, one contemporary recalls, in which quarters were neither sought nor granted. ‘It could be pretty rough stuff, intellectually and we were definitely an elite.’

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25/09/2019 16:20:01

NIALL FERGUSON

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25/09/2019 16:20:19

PROFILE

TOM BARNES

History buff: Niall Ferguson is easily one of the most controversial Scottish historians of his time.

At the time Ferguson’s politics were on the left. ‘He wasn’t universally liked but, although he was quite arrogant, there was an element of the tall poppy syndrome at work too,’ says one of his fellow academics. His political evolution came at Oxford where he came under the influence of right-wing historians such as Norman Stone and Jeremy Catto. Ferguson developed a keen admiration for Margaret Thatcher – an enthusiasm which at an early age marked him out from other young Scottish historians of his generation. He admired her guts and her desire to transform Britain; if that transformation came with significant collateral damage then so be it. As a young fellow at Cambridge University, and then back at Oxford, Ferguson began writing editorials for the Daily Telegraph, as well as trenchant opinion pieces under a pseudonym for the Daily Mail. Outing yourself as a Thatcherite historian would have been a bold move too far; it was safer to operate in the shadows. Even so, he once said that as an Oxford

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student ‘it was obvious that the most intelligent people were drawn towards Thatcherism and the stupidest people were public-school lefties’. Still, Ferguson’s ascent was both swift and dizzying. Having begun his career as a specialist in financial history – his PhD focused on inflation in post-WW1 Hamburg – he soon broadened his ambition to encompass larger, more accessible themes. Most notably, Ferguson became a historian of empire. This, in the age of George W Bush and the post-9/11 world, was a lucrative and timely business. Ferguson, a keen supporter of the invasion of Iraq, despaired that the United States lacked the ability to accept its imperial status and, as a result, had neither the energy nor the patience to see its imperial project – and the promotion of democracy and other notionally ‘western’ values – through to its logical and necessary conclusion. The problem was not American empire but America’s disinclination to accept both the logic and burden of empire.

www.scottishfield.co.uk

25/09/2019 16:20:37

NIALL FERGUSON

Above: From L-R; Niall Ferguson, William Dalrymple, Alexander McCall Smith and Andrew O’ Hagan at Jaipur Literature Festival, 2010. Above right: Ferguson with his wife, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, at the Time 100 Gala in New York, 2009.

This, it is not unreasonable to say, was a position not always welcomed in either the United States or Great Britain. To his critics, Ferguson is an apologist for empire, and one who whitewashes its record. Britain’s ‘imperial guilt’ he argues has led to ‘self-flagellation’ and, worse, a series of ‘simplistic’ judgements. As he puts it, in typically trenchant style, ‘the rulers of western Africa prior to the European empires were not running some kind of scout camp. They were engaged in the slave trade. They showed zero sign of developing the country’s economic resources. Did Senegal ultimately benefit from French rule? Yes, it’s clear. And the counterfactual idea that somehow the indigenous rulers would have been more successful in economic development doesn’t have any credibility at all.’ Warming to his theme, he told one interviewer Ferguson is that ‘it’s all very well for us to sit here in the west an apologist for with our high incomes empire, and one and cushy lives and say who whitewashes it’s immoral to violate the sovereignty of another its record state [Iraq in this instance]. But if the effect of that is to bring people in that country economic and political freedom, to raise their standard of living, to increase their life expectancy, then don’t rule it out.’ One journalist once suggested that, like ‘other outsize British characters’ such as Rory Stewart, William Dalrymple and the late Christopher Hitchens, Ferguson is one of ‘the last children of an imperial class denuded of its global domain, but still carrying a grand vision of their place in the world’. If so, there are occasional shades of Harold Macmillan’s grandiose – and complacent – suggestion that Britain would be Greece to America’s Rome. The pull of the west certainly proved irresistible to Ferguson. New York University offered him a chair, luring him with the suggestion that as a historian of money and power he should really go to where money and power were located. He

ROGER PARKES / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO JEMAL COUNTESS / WIREIMAGE.COM

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immediately felt at home there. Even so, NYU proved too small a stage for Ferguson or, at any rate, an offer to teach and lecture at Harvard University was too tempting – and too prestigious – to be declined. At the time Ferguson was leading a transatlantic life; his first wife, the former newspaper executive Sue Douglas whom he married in 1994 and their three children remained in Oxfordshire. Return visits to Britain were not always happy ones. Ferguson contrasted the dynamism of the United States with a tired and even paralysed Britain. In 2011, he told the Daily Telegraph that rioting in London ‘confirms my belief that the process of social and cultural decay, the decline of civilisation, is pretty advanced in Western Europe’. Ferguson and Douglas divorced in 2011 after Ferguson had begun a relationship with Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the Dutch-Somali human rights activist and campaigner who has become one of the world’s most prominent critics of Islam. They married soon after Ferguson’s divorce was confirmed. Despite protesting that he’s unconcerned by the criticism he has received, Ferguson chafes at some of it. The transition from research historian to television historian is rarely seamless and the latter are not always held in high esteem by the former. Critics noted that the amount of archival research in Ferguson’s books was in steady decline. Perhaps so, though he could counter that reaching a wider, non-specialist, audience was a greater and more valuable reward. Nevertheless, one of the characters in Alan Bennett’s The History Boys is based on Ferguson and the character of Irwin, a contraption telly don, is not drawn altogether kindly. Still, there was never any escaping the sense Ferguson has a healthy conceit of himself. ‘Through pure accident of birth I’ve managed to stay relatively youthful,’ he told one interviewer, further conceding that his television ratings might be lower if he ‘looked hideous’. He continued though, ‘The real point of me isn’t that I’m good looking. It’s that I am clever. I’ve got a brain!’ Not every historian, even those on television frequently, feels the need to defend themselves in this fashion.

25/09/2019 16:20:58

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25/09/2019 09:26:38

NIALL FERGUSON

JEFF MORGAN 10 / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Left: Niall Ferguson (right) discusses the Treaty of Versailles 1919 alongside Eric Hobsbawm (left) and Philippe Sands (centre) at Hay Festival in 2009.

‘I work, therefore I am. I have no hobbies,’ Ferguson says. He is, he likes to say, the embodiment of the protestant work ethic. Though not religious himself, some vestigial trace of the old Scots Calvinism remains embedded in his DNA. The claim he has no pastimes, however, is only nearly true; he can enjoy skiing or surfing and he’s played the double bass in a jazz quintet. Nevertheless, work comes first. Ferguson has published nearly 20 books ranging from a history of the Rothschilds banking dynasty to The Pity of War, a bracingly revisionist account of the First World War. In addition to Empire – in which he concluded that for all its shortcomings the British empire had, on balance, contributed more good than bad – Ferguson published in 2011 his Civilisation: the West and the Rest, a book that sought to explain why global development was led by Western Europe before the baton of pre-eminence was passed to the United States. That, like much of Ferguson’s work, enraged his left-wing critics. This does not displease him. ‘They love being provoked by me,’ he has said. ‘Honestly, it makes them feel so much better about their lives to think that I’m a reactionary; it’s a substitute for thought. “Imperialist scumbag”, and all that. Oh dear, we’re back in a 1980s student union debate.’ He once told The Guardian that ‘excessive vehemence is probably my greatest weakness’, suggesting that this is what ‘the English’ hate about him. The Americans, by contrast, loved it. There, he has said, ‘I don’t have to put up with any of the crap I have to put up with here’. In the United States, there is no sneering at a ‘cocky, pushy Scotsman’ who is ‘too clever by half’. He is however ‘a vendetta person’ who never forgets a slight. When the Daily Mail ran a story about the break-up of his marriage to Douglas he vowed he would never write for the paper again. ‘I’m just a very implacable person’, he said, adding that ‘nobody should ever imagine that they can do that kind of thing to me with impunity. Life is long, and revenge is a dish that tastes best cold. I’m very unforgiving’. Above all, Ferguson’s work has sweep. He writes large books on big subjects, the better to explain the inner workings of the

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world. Promoting his latest book The Square and the Tower: Networks, Hierarchies and the Struggle for Global Power, he warned two years ago that ‘this networked world is not going to be a harmonious one. It will be characterised by polarisation and, frankly, by conflict’. Ferguson’s work can be read as a response to the suggestion, made most prominently by the New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, that the networked, globalised, planet is ‘flat’. Difference has been ironed out and we are all connected. Ferguson often cites the old saw of a conservative being a liberal who has been mugged by reality; ‘if you don’t want the world to be in a state of perpetual conflict, then there needs to be some sort of hierarchical order’. Power and the exercise of power is, in reality, Ferguson’s true subject. Perhaps that explains why he was Life is long, and drawn to the subject of Henry Kissinger; the first revenge is a dish volume of a monumental that tastes best authorised biography cold – I’m very of America’s most controversial statesman unforgiving was published, to considerable praise, in 2015. That project, and being granted access to Kissinger’s papers confirmed Ferguson’s transatlantic passage, a situation formalised by becoming a naturalised American citizen. Even if he still claims to be in large part a ‘classic Scottish enlightenment liberal’, he has travelled a long way from his Glaswegian childhood. In many respects, however, the United States is a more comfortable home for a worldview that sometimes seems infused with a certain nineteenth-century sensibility. ‘We take freedom for granted’, he complains, ‘and because of this we don’t understand how incredibly vulnerable it is.’ As John Buchan – another Scot on the make – once observed, the divide between civilisation and barbarism is no wider than a pane of glass. That too is a sentiment with which Ferguson would agree.

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25/09/2019 16:21:26

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25/09/2019 09:31:14

ALAN COCHRANE

ILLUSTRATION - ALEXANDER JACKSON

here are two words currently being brandished about Scottish Parliament, and they’ve really got the juices flowing again – ‘wildlife crime’. This may seem comparatively mundane when pitched against the great constitutional issues of independence and Brexit, and it would be a gross exaggeration to call it a dominant issue in a time of administrative turmoil, but it is nevertheless a matter that has shot to the top of the political agenda. Why? Well, we have no doubt to thank the RSPB and the likes of Chris Packham for their hugely successful campaigns against the illegal killing of birds of prey, alleviating some of the depredation threatening much of our native wildlife. But there is another form of burgeoning crime going on in the depths of rural Scotland that is every bit as concerning – and it is frequently going unchecked. I am of course referring to the rise in criminal activity including theft, arson and vandalism – to name but a few heinous offences. Though more commonly associated with city life, you needn’t look far to find tales of misdeeds in the countryside. A recent visit to a glen – which outwardly appears a sleepy, law-abiding corner of the world – has recently seen not one, but two thefts. The loot? Two prized quad bikes. For one of the thefts, the property had clearly been exhaustively ‘cased’ so as to ensure a clean, quiet getaway. For the other, it was remarkable that the owners didn’t hear the quad roaring away up their very steep driveway. In both instances, the offenders knew exactly what they were after, but in a place where newcomers are often viewed with suspicion it is puzzling that none of the locals noticed them. Perhaps powerful binoculars or telescopes had been used to monitor the properties from afar? Whatever their modus operandi, the crooks have sullied the peace of rural life and have set the community on tenterhooks. It was only in August that the true cost of rural crime in the UK was revealed – the damage amounted

to £50m in 2018, which is 12% more than the previous year, making it the highest cost in seven years. Think that’s alarming? Well, Scotland saw the biggest increase with a 62% rise in rural crime, and though the total monetary value of these was less than the UK average, it is highvalue equipment like tractors, The crooks have quad bikes, farm vehicles and sullied the peace of chainsaws that have been the rural life and have set prime targets. That’s to say nothing of the damage and distress the community on caused by sheep rustling, hare coursing, fuel theft and fly-tipping, tenterhooks or indeed by assaults on farmers who have challenged offenders when caught in the act. What is doubly worrying is that there is widespread evidence of this being an international affair, with many of the stolen goods being shipped abroad. With this gathering significant momentum, it could easily become an even bigger-scale problem, and that is quite frankly a terrifying prospect. The scale of Scottish rural crime urgently needs to be checked and brought to the attention of our devolved politicians. Rural communities are doing their best to tackle the situation through the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC), which includes bodies like the National Farmers Union, Scottish Land and Estates and Police Scotland. SPARC is encouraging – exhorting, perhaps – all of us to take responsibility for our rural communities, and to safeguard its tranquillity from those intent on destroying it. By keeping our eyes open, watching for suspicious behaviour and taking down the numbers of vehicles, we might have a hope of shifting lackadaisical attitudes of both the public and politicians, and in turn enable future generations to enjoy the great outdoors, in the same way we have.

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Trouble in rural paradise With rural crime hitting an all-time high, Alan Cochrane warns us not to underestimate the financial and emotional havoc that has ensued

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25/09/2019 16:24:22

AREA FOCUS – MORAY, SPEYSIDE & THE CAIRNGORMS

Below: Nan Shepherd. Right: The Devil’s Point from the River Dee, Cairngorms National Park.

W Woman mountain Writing of her undying love for the Cairngorms, Nan Shepherd’s expeditions inspired an age of mindful thinking, finds Morag Bootland

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hat do mountains mean to us? To many they represent a challenge, a battle of wills and physical strength igniting a burning desire to reach the summit, for some at any cost. Certainly in the first half of the 20th century, following the publication in the Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal of Sir Hugh Munro’s list of Scottish mountains over 3,000 feet high, the desire of men to climb them all had never been as strong. But for one woman her time spent in the mountains of the Cairngorms was less about pitting herself against the rocky terrain and more about an exploration of an enduring relationship with the place that was to be the love of her life.

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25/09/2019 16:28:11

Nan Shepherd was born in Peterculter, Aberdeen, on 11 February 1893. Her family soon moved to a house in Cults, which would be her home for most of her life. She was educated at Aberdeen High School for Girls before graduating from the University of Aberdeen in 1915 and subsequently working as a lecturer at Aberdeen College. Shepherd Shepherd wrote three novels in the 1920s and described the 1930s set in the harsh Cairngorms as if landscapes of the Northwriting a love letter East. These were followed by a book of poems, some in Scots, called Into the Cairngorms and it was in this work that we got a glimpse of Shepherd’s passion for hillwalking. And it was to be her poetic writing on the Cairngorms that would really capture the imagination. Shepherd wrote The Living Mountain during the 1940s. At that time it would have been rare to meet a woman in the mountains, yet here she was

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wandering for days on end, exploring them alone with her thoughts. After sending the manuscript of the book to a friend who felt it was unlikely to be published, The Living Mountain didn’t see the light of day until 1977, just four years before her death, when it finally appeared in print. The Living Mountain is a million miles away from most records of exploration and expedition into the wilds that were written at this time. In its pages you will find no tales of derring do, no dramatic adventures recounted in grizzly detail. Instead Shepherd describes the Cairngorms with their glorious landscapes and nature as if she were writing a love letter to the mountains. Describing each corrie and crevice, stream and lochan of the landscape, she revelled in their beauty and the joy of spending time with them. ‘The whole skin has this delightful sensitivity; it feels the sun, it feels the wind running inside one’s garment, it feels water closing on it as one slips under – the catch in the breath, like a wave held back, the glow that releases one’s entire cosmos, running to the ends of the body as the spent wave

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25/09/2019 16:29:05

MORAY, SPEYSIDE & THE CAIRNGORMS

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25/09/2019 09:40:29

NAN SHEPHERD

Above: Nan’s The Living Mountain – A Celebration of the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland. Right: Nan taking part in the BBC show The Living Mountain: A Cairngorms Journey.

runs out upon the sand. This plunge into the cold water of a mountain pool seems for a brief moment to disintegrate the very self; it is not to be borne: one is lost: stricken: annihilated. Then life pours back.’ Encouraging her readers to immerse themselves in the experience of the Cairngorms, Shepherd practices what we would now most likely refer to as mindfulness as she catalogues her observations. ‘How can I number the worlds to which the eye gives me entry? – the world of light, of colour, of shape, of shadow: of mathematical precision in the snowflake, the ice formation, the quartz Shepherd crystal, the patterns practices what we of stamen and petal: of would now refer to rhythm in the fluid curve and plunging line of the as mindfulness mountain faces. Why some blocks of stone, hacked into violent and tortured shapes, should so profoundly tranquillise the mind I do not know. Perhaps the eye imposes its own rhythm on what is only a confusion: one has to look creatively to see this mass of rock as more than jag and pinnacle – as beauty. Else why did men for so many centuries think mountains repulsive? A certain kind of consciousness interacts with the mountain-forms to create this sense of beauty. Yet the forms must be there for the eye to see.’ She wrote often on her motivation for spending time in the mountains, reminding her readers that there is more to hillwalking than reaching the summit. ‘Yet often the mountain gives itself most completely when

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I have no destination, when I reach nowhere in particular, but have gone out merely to be with the mountain as one visits a friend with no intention but to be with him.’ Shepherd was fascinated by how she flourished at altitude and wrote about her surprise in finding that not everyone felt the same ‘lightness of body’ that she experienced when ascending. ‘I began to see that our devotions have more to do with our physiological peculiarities than we admit. I am a mountain lover because my body is at its best in the rarer air of the heights and communicates its elation to the mind.’ The Living Mountain was reissued by Canongate as part of its Scottish Canons series in 2008 and has since sold more than 90,000 copies. It is also now available as an audio book, voiced by actor Tilda Swinton. Such is the impact of this book that Nan Shepherd became the first woman to feature on a Royal Bank of Scotland note in 2016, when her image appeared on the back of its £5 note. And now she is also the inspiration behind How the Earth Must See Itself, a short film produced by the National Theatre of Scotland and Scottish Sculpture Workshop. The film is an homage to the Cairngorm Mountains based on The Living Mountain and artist Simone Kenyon’s Into the Mountain project. Kenyon’s fascination with the writing of Nan Shepherd saw her spend six years collaborating with women who lived and worked in the Cairngorms which culminated in a live performance in Glenfeshie earlier this year. Nan Shepherd’s writing on the Cairngorms was born of a love of mountains, but she never took for granted the opportunity to explore them. We would do well to remember her sage words on taking the chance to do the things that we love. ‘It’s a grand thing, to get leave to live.’

25/09/2019 16:29:26

AREA FOCUS

REGAL RAMBLING

Whether you’re hoping to find the perfect picnic spot, seek out native wildlife or follow in the Queen’s own footsteps, there is little that Moray, Speyside and the Cairngorms can’t offer, finds Jamie Dey

hat a fantastic range of countryside there is in this region. The sandy beaches and rugged coastline of Moray give way to the bucolic pastures and rounded hills of Speyside, backed by the open spaces of the Cairngorms where the terrain changes from secluded lochs and glens to some of the highest mountains in Scotland. For starters, Moray’s coast is world class. If the temperature was ten degrees higher in summer it would be attracting the sort of numbers the Mediterranean has. Advocating a rise in global temperatures is definitely not a good thing though, so let’s hope halting climate change will keep this corner of Scotland in the tranquil state it currently enjoys. Nairn’s sandy beaches are said to have restorative properties and first began welcoming visitors in the Victorian era. A traditional day of ice creams and sandcastles can be interspersed with a good stroll in these parts. Further east, the birdlife of Findhorn Bay can be enjoyed before Burghead, while along the coast the mighty River Spey pours into the Moray Firth; another good place for twitchers. For more rugged coastline, Cullen is a place to head with walks towards Portknockie. To the east of Cullen, a wild walk to the last remaining ruins of Findlater Castle is sure to excite the senses. Inland, the Dava Way links Forres to Grantown-on-Spey. This 24-mile route is too much for one day but can be enjoyed in sections, and as it follows the old Highland Railway line it is not too strenuous. Above Fochabers are several family trails

in Winding Woods – with the incentive of a bowl of Baxters soup in town afterwards. Meanwhile Meikle Balloch is a great little hill above Keith with superb views across Moray and Aberdeenshire. Speyside has a different feel – lush countryside with endless distilleries that define the region. Ben Rinnes, near Dufftown, has its own distillery as well as superb views over to the Cairngorms. Another hill walk from Dufftown takes you up Little Conval and Meikle Conval but for a more genteel stroll head to Craigellachie, and afterwards the Copper Dog bar at Craigellachie Hotel. Upriver is the smart town of Grantown-on-Spey, a great base for walking whether it be looking for capercaillie in Anagach Woods or heading over to Loch Garten and trying to spot osprey. The Cromdale Hills are nearby and offer a more remote, quieter feel than the summits of the Cairngorms. The majesty of the Cairngorms cannot be underestimated though, with its soaring summits and long glens, dotted with lochs and lochans. Aviemore is a hub for walkers, and the Old Bridge Inn is one of the best post-walk destinations in Scotland. Just up the road to Glenmore is Loch Morlich which has become a successful centre for watersports. It also has a good range of marked trails around it, below the Northern Corries, standing like ramparts to some magical kingdom. Loch an Eilein in the Rothiemurchus Forest is another beautiful stretch of water – a great spot for a picnic.

THREE FAMILY WALKS FOR MORAY, SPEYSIDE AND THE CAIRNGORMS

Loch an Eilein, Rothiemurchus A magical loch with a ruined castle in the middle, surrounded by pine forest and towered over by huge mountains – is there any better setting for a walk? Take your time and plenty of photographs. A picnic is also a good idea, or you may prefer retiring to the Old Bridge Inn on the edge of Aviemore.

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Cullen to Portknockie This stretch of coast is stunning. The sandy bay at Cullen gives way to cliffs and rocky outcrops as you make your way to Portknockie. During the summer a picnic on the beach followed by an ice cream is an absolute must, as is having a warming bowl of Cullen skink in Cullen at the Rockpool Café.

Linn of Quoich This quiet corner of Upper Deeside is as beautiful as it gets in Caledonian pine forest, complete with a gushing burn. This was one of Queen Victoria’s favourite spots for a picnic with the family and it retains that charm today. Or, you could rest up at the swish Fife Arms in Braemar – restored to its former glory with a modern twist.

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25/09/2019 16:32:08

MORAY, SPEYSIDE & THE CAIRNGORMS

Left: Path around Loch Muick in the Cairngorms National Park. Above: Copper Dog bar at Craigellachie Hotel. Below: A hiker and their dog descending Ben Rinnes.

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The majesty of the Cairngorms cannot be underestimated

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Above it all is a range of high mountains. Summits like Braeriach are pretty strenuous, but others are more easily achievable. The obvious one is Cairn Gorm which, because of the start high up at the Coire Cas car park, is manageable by most moderately fit people. A good viewpoint in this part is Meall a’ Bhuachaille, reached by passing the Ryvoan Bothy. Here, walkers are rewarded with the sight of the northern edge of the Cairngorms on a clear day. To the south is Upper Deeside – the Munros near the Glenshee ski centre have the advantage of being easily reached because of a high starting point. But for a hill which lets you gaze across the beautiful region, look no further than Morrone which rises above the birch woods near Braemar. Lower down you can also explore the Linn of Dee and Linn of Quoich, places where mountains meet the ancient Caledonian pine forests. You may miss the Queen, but it is always worth exploring the lower reaches of the Dee, east of Balmoral. There are places such as the Burn o’ Vat at the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve where you can clamber through a narrow crack in a huge rock. Lochnagar is the popular ‘big mountain’ and makes a great day out. For a gentle walk, you can go around Loch Muick. This is Royal country and to call the scenery regal would be an appropriate description.

25/09/2019 16:32:26

AREA FOCUS – MORAY, SPEYSIDE & THE CAIRNGORMS

A FLIPPIN’ GOOD TIME

heir intelligence, personality and perhaps even their apparent ability to ‘smile’ has long made bottlenose dolphins endearing and fascinating to human beings. There are many places around the world that offer us the opportunity to see these marine mammals from the sea in their natural habitat, but very few where you can keep your feet on terra firma and still witness the spectacle of dolphins breaching, feeding and hunting. In the north east of Scotland, on the Moray Firth, where the mighty River Spey meets the North Sea is one of the best land-based dolphin spotting areas in the world. And perhaps unsurprisingly this is home to the Scottish Dolphin Centre. Housed in a 250-year-old former salmon fishing station, the centre welcomes close to 100,000 visitors every year, making it one of the biggest tourist attractions in Moray. With a surge in the popularity of wildlife tourism, the centre has never been more popular and sees travellers from across Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the USA take tours, along with locals who visit regularly.

‘Our ultimate aim is to light the spark of conservation,’ says Lisa Farley the Scottish Dolphin Centre Officer. ‘Everything we do is focused on public engagement, interpretation and education; our aim is to amaze our visitors with the world of whales and dolphins and how we work to protect them. We want to inspire them so that they will be encouraged to support the charity either through our adoption and membership schemes, or by doing a beach clean or simply by committing to reducing their plastic waste. Enabling visitors to watch the east coast population of bottlenose dolphins from land is certainly one way to encourage them to think more about conservation. But free tours of the centre, including audio visual experiences of life above and below the water of the Moray Firth, cameras trained out across the bay and the opportunity to learn about the history of fishing and the heritage of the Spey ensure that the centre is a great day out that won’t break the bank. There are many other species that

Above: Lisa Farley wants to encourage people to think more about conservation.

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can be seen around the north coast of Scotland, including white beaked common dolphins, short beaked common dolphins and Risso’s dolphins, as well as harbour porpoises, pilot whales, minke whales, humpback whales, killer whales and basking sharks. ‘In fact, out of the 80 species of cetacean, you can see 20 of them right here in the north of Scotland,’ says Lisa. ‘The area is really rich.’ The east coast population has been studied by the Aberdeen Lighthouse Field Research Team for the past 30 years. The animals aren’t tagged but instead can be identified by distinct markings on their dorsal fins. ‘Dolphins are very social creatures with a very complex culture,’ says Lisa. ‘They tend to mark each other when they have little scraps or just by rubbing up against one another. Their dorsal fins can end up looking very different if they’ve sustained an injury. There’s one bottlenose dolphin named jigsaw, because her fin looks like a jigsaw.’ Some of the dolphins who live off the north coast have been seen this summer as far afield as the Kerry coast and even in Dutch waters. But in Spey Bay, especially in the summer months, bottlenose dolphins are spotted pretty much on a daily basis and that makes it a great place for Whale and Dolphin Conservation, who run the centre, to run Shorewatch, a citizen science programme that sees around 500 watchers providing data to help the centre better understand the habits of dolphins and whales that have been sighted. ‘The data is used to lobby government or energy companies, or anyone else who might want to develop around the north of Scotland,’ says Lisa. The centre is open from mid-February until mid-December. See dolphincentre. whales.org

WDC/CHARLIE PHILLIPS

With the opportunity to spot a whole host of cool cetaceans, the Scottish Dolphin Centre in Moray is welcoming visitors by the thousands, discovers Morag Bootland

www.scottishfield.co.uk

25/09/2019 16:34:07

DOLPHIN CENTRE

Clockwise from top: Adults breaching; the centre is run by Whale and Dolphin Conservation; all smiles for the camera; land watchers get the perfect shot; the centre is housed in a 250-year-old salmon fishing station.

www.scottishfield.co.uk

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25/09/2019 16:34:33

AREA FOCUS – MORAY, SPEYSIDE & THE CAIRNGORMS

Destination Moray, Speyside & The Cairngorms BENROMACH DISTILLERY Speyside Tel: 01309 675968 benromach.com

THE STATION HOTEL

Discover what’s behind the Red Door at the Benromach Distillery in Forres, meet their copper pot still, ‘Peggy’ and learn more at Speyside’s only distillery to offer a single site gin and whisky visitor experience.

GLENALLACHIE DISTILLERY

Speyside Tel: 01340 832200, stationhotelspeyside.com

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Dating back to 1901, and renovated in 2016, the Station Hotel is the perfect blend of classic and modern. With 15 luxury bedrooms, a whisky wall with over 500 blends and malts, it is perfect for food or an overnight stay.

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THE GLENFIDDICH DISTILLERY Dufftown Banffshire, Tel: 01340 820373 glenfiddich.com

Built by hand in 1886 by William Grant and his family, The distillery offers a range of tours, masterclass tastings and the delights of the Malt Barn Cafe and Bar. The full range of Glenfiddich whiskies and a selection of luxury gifts are on sale in the Glenfiddich gift shop. Open 7 days.

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At Glenfarclas, in the hands of the Grants for 154 years, they pride themselves in the quality of our single casks. Their distillery exclusives are some of their most sought after bottlings, and are only available in person from the visitor centre.

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Try the Discovery Balbair 12 YO balanced flavours of crisp green apple wrapped in salted dark chocolate, accompanied by hints of peaches and cream and gentle menthol nuances. The retail shop in Elgin is also a quality delicatessen with the largest selection of the finest cheeses.

www.scottishfield.co.uk

25/09/2019 16:42:41

THE COUNTRYMAN

ILLUSTRATION - ALEXANDER JACKSON

s a fisherman I can say – with bitter authority – that there is little more depressing than having to lift one’s boat onto the hard for a refit. Aside from the pain of seeing the pitiful state of your pride and joy, it is a time during which money swiftly flies out, and nothing comes in. In such instances, one can but dream of matching the luxuries of Jacques Cousteau. During his own desolate boatyard periods, he famously locked himself in darkened hotel rooms. Instead I have found myself sleeping in the cramped, damp forward cabin, quietly panicking about costs and my complete lack of manual skills, which might have alleviated some of the sizeable bills I have had to foot. Annoyingly, some of my dear friends working at sea around me are insanely competent, with a few who are actually qualified chief engineers as well as fishers. I console myself that I at least have a knack for diving scallops, but this morale boosting tid-bit means nothing when you’re on the hard and out of your depth. The west coast of Scotland is dotted with boatyards which all sit like spider’s webs waiting to catch fat summer visitors. And when they’ve caught them, they suck them dry. Now the yachties can generally afford it, but hapless small-scale fishers like me really suffer. Recently I was casting about to find an operating base off Mull for our old boat Helanda and decided to give Oban Marina a shot. The marina is based on the north eastern tip of the tiny island of Kerrera in an incredibly sheltered bay named Ardentrive. It is run by Sam and Robin who have managed to create a friendly, easy-going atmosphere, combining it with a positive and proactive boatyard operation. Examples of their big-heartedness are myriad. During a dark night last November for example my two divers, who happen to be brothers, had the most almighty fight. Drunk, they were creating an immense nuisance of themselves. Anywhere else,

the police would have been called in, but instead Sam bravely intervened, separating the tight ball of fraternal aggression that rolled about the pontoon. Further diffusing the situation, she placed one of the hooligans in a berth My two divers, on an empty boat belonging to the yard. who happen I was called at 3am, and made my way over relieved that no one had been killed. to be brothers, Of course I’m sure the place has had the most seen a few red-blooded types in its past when it was the base for RAF Oban, almighty fight supplying flying boat protection for convoys and submarine detection. In fact much of the old base infrastructure can still be seen. I often look out over the place and imagine what an incredible sight it must have been to see the Short Sunderland Mark I flying boats taking off and coming alongside in the bay. As an aside, a dear friend of mine – David Stinson – was once involved in the salvage of a Sunderland off the west coast of Kerrera. Tragically it had been a fatal accident. During the diving the pilot came out to see the spot and not long after David had surfaced he made his way over and asked what could be seen. After listening patiently he asked, ‘You didn’t by any chance find my pipe down there did you?’ What a tough generation that was. Anyway, I digress – the point of this piece is to tell anyone who has a boat, working or not, that they should dodge the professional web spinners and ‘no cash, no splash’ brigade and instead head for Oban Marina for the simple reason that here they will encounter humour, humanity, good food and a genuinely eccentric managing couple whose way of doing business belongs to another gentler age rather than this present po-faced grubby time.

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Dry dock desperation Disappointed to find that his boat needed repaired, Guy Grieve headed for Oban Marina, and was pleasantly surprised by the humour of those he encountered

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DOWNIE’S COTTAGE, BRAEMAR

When Calum and Jackie Innes stumbled across a Braemar croft house that was frozen in time, they were determined to breathe new life into it, says Nichola Hunter

Left: Furniture had to be chosen carefully to fit the cottage’s cosy proportions. Above: Enjoy the stunning views on colder days wrapped in furs in front of the fire pit.

ackie and Calum Innes put their plans on hold for a new home when they happened across an original but and ben, and what a piece of history they’ve preserved. The couple came across Downie’s Cottage in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park in 2006. Located high on the shoulder of Morrone overlooking the village of Braemar and the Dee valley, it’s thought to have been the highest working farm in Scotland. The cottage and adjacent steading came with planning permission to build a fourbedroom house, which is essentially what the couple wanted to do until they saw inside the cottage. ‘It was unbelievable,’ Jackie recalls. ‘It hadn’t been touched. Box beds, furniture, beads and buttons, old boots and Victorian Christmas cards, all just left. It was built in 1840 and the last occupants were the three Downie siblings who died in the 1930s. One of their sons used it for storage and when he died in the 60s it lay empty. Kids had parties here, but nobody had touched it.’

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INTERIORS

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We had to build a road to get access for construction, but because it’s in a national park it involved all sorts of extra permissions

DANIEL WILCOX PHOTOGRAPHY

The longer Jackie and Calum looked at the cottage, the more they realised it was too special to knock down. ‘We contacted Historic Scotland and they agreed, but we still wanted a fourbedroom house, we didn’t want a but and ben. We negotiated that if we agreed to it being listed and committed to its restoration, we would be granted planning permission to build another house elsewhere on the plot. We agreed; and found ourselves with a Category A listed building and the responsibility for its restoration.’ While Calum is a surveyor and the couple had experience with listed buildings, this was an entirely different ball game. ‘Of course, we had no idea what we were up against. We weren’t allowed to replace anything. Everything had to be restored, so no matter how rotten it was, it had to be taken out, restored and put back in.’ Aside from this, there was no road to the cottage and utilities were non-existent. ‘We had to build a road to get access for construction, but because it’s in a national park it involved all sorts of extra permissions. Water and electricity had to be brought in and everyday necessities such as the internet.’ Heating was an issue because the experts were insistent that the building had to breathe and no modern insulation or dampproof membrane was permitted. The solution was to install a ground source heat pump to provide constant warmth via underfloor heating. ‘We had to dig down two feet and discovered there were no foundations. The entire building had to be underpinned and when we were finished the flagstones had to be re-laid in their original position. We didn’t know what to expect and everything threw up some sort of problem. ‘It laboured on for a few years. It’s not easy to get tradesmen and there were a lot of specialist trades required. We have a wooden chimney for example. I think there are about two left in the country! It was tricky.’ Historic Scotland guided the couple through the process, but for such a small property they needed a large team which included a conservation architect, a project architect, a quantity surveyor and a brilliant builder.

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DOWNIEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S COTTAGE, BRAEMAR

Clockwise from above: Calum and Jackie with their dog Flora; the woodfired hot tub is the perfect place in which to watch the Northern Lights; the master bedroom; entrance; the newspapers and magazines plastering the stairwell are original and were used as insulation; the window recesses show the true thickness of the original walls; the box bed is now a sitting area.

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DOWNIE’S COTTAGE, BRAEMAR

Above: Once a rather grim area, the box bed is now a desirable place to sit covered with traditional tweeds and cashmere. Below: Original features and ornaments were carefully sourced to remain in keeping with the period of the property.

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‘I’ll admit when we first went into the property and we were digging up the floors with water pouring in one side and out the other, it did take a lot of imagination to see that this could ever be a space that anyone would want to spend time in. But as it progressed it came back to life and we started to look at ways we could make it into a comfortable, if unusual, home and holiday let. The temptation was to make it into a museum and create a hovel with a hard chair, but that’s not what anyone wants nowadays.’ While Jackie didn’t want a 50-inch television screen dominating this historical space, she does live in the 21st century, so the telly is tucked away on an arm in a cupboard. The shower is behind a cupboard too. ‘Of course, when the cottage was built there was no bathroom and washing was probably a very occasional affair. We created space for a shower, but it’s hidden behind a set of double doors. We thought the pine bath was in keeping. It was made by a chap on the Black Isle. I think we’d seen one at the Highland Show or a game fair and I’d kept it in mind. I’d toyed with the idea of a copper bath but when we saw this, it looked so

TOP TIPS Jackie’s tips for cottage restoration 1. Surround yourselves with a top team with as much passion and enthusiasm for the project as yourself; it helps when the energy levels flag. 2. Be patient and take the time to search out the right bit of furniture, fixture or accessory. It is out there just waiting for you to find it. 3. For an historic property use local traditional crafts and trades where possible as it’s in keeping with the ethos of the building. 4. Do not compromise on comfort. Allocate an adequate portion of the budget to get the best mattress, comfiest chairs, a great shower and deep bath etc. This is what makes a home a real joy to be in. 5. Be fearless in your choices of fixtures and fittings. You get one chance to fit the property out so go for what you love and regret nothing.

25/09/2019 16:39:29

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DOWNIE’S COTTAGE, BRAEMAR

comfortable and so warm. It’s just right.’ Another problem was the scale of the cottage, as Jackie explains: ‘It was difficult to find things that were small enough. Your average arm chair is a metre by a metre and we didn’t have a metre by a metre. We’ve tried to source pieces that look traditional while making it as comfortable as possible.’ The handcrafted oak kitchen is a stunning piece of craftmanship and Jackie got around the storage issue by making good use of the steading. ‘We put a larder, fridge/freezer, washing machine and tumble dryer in the steading and made a plant room for the ground source heat pump and added a little bit of luxury with a sauna too.’ Downie’s finally made its debut in September 2017 although Jackie and Calum are still waiting for their fourbed new build. ‘We’re hoping to win the lottery! It’s taken a lot of energy, money and time to do this. However, I’m so pleased at the way we’ve managed to completely restore Downie’s. We’ve replaced nothing, and we’ve brought it into the 21st century.’ Definitely a project to be proud of.

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Above left: A stunning pine bath sits pride of place in the bathroom. Above right: The shower is fitted behind double doors to minimise its impact on the room. Left: Made to measure oak kitchen. Bottom left: The cottage sits in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

FIELD FACTS Downie’s Cottage, Braemar, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5XX. www. downiescottage. co.uk, Tel: 07780 681955

25/09/2019 16:40:03

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RUSTIC LIVING

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The great green and beyond: View from the top of the garden.

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GARDENS

arly every morning Tessa Knott and her four black Labradors leave their house and take one of the mown paths up the south-facing hill where she has spent the past 45 years creating a garden out of wild, wet moorland. The winding path leads up and around the two lochans where she herself did much of the digging, over some of the connecting water courses she opened up and shaped. Perhaps most exciting of all to someone ‘who just can’t stop planting’, Tessa walks past the hundreds and thousands of different plants she raised herself, interspersed with original sculptures. A herd of Autumn is a special time; the cattle and a flock trees, chosen for their dramatic of pigeons were foliage transform to scarlet and gold and sorbus drip with pink, occupying the white and scarlet berries. Acer farmhouse foliage is on fire, prunus foliage is claret-coloured and birch leaves are golden, their effect magnified by their reflection in the lochans; now the heart of the garden. This is the time when Tessa’s well-chosen companion planting, flowering shrubs such as hydrangeas and delicate red-tinged azaleas stand out. But the biggest reward of all comes at the top of the hill: here, on a crisp clear autumn day the panoramic view extends over Luce Bay to the Isle of Man and the Mull of Galloway. It is a view that Tessa never tires of. This is Glenwhan, near Stranraer in Wigtownshire, the hillside garden Tessa and her husband Bill bought in 1974, ‘unseen over the telephone’, and soon moved up full time from Herefordshire with their two young children, Richard and Louise. Described as suitable for forestry the windswept, waterlogged 103-acre plot boasted ‘two ruins and a threebedroom cottage’, says Tessa. Worse, a herd of cattle and a flock of pigeons were occupying the farmhouse, omitted from the particulars. ‘We wondered if we owned it,’ she muses. Inspired by visits to nearby Logan Botanic Garden, which like Glenwhan benefits from the warming effects of the Gulf Stream, 12-acres were fenced off and a mixed shelter belt of trees planted around the perimeter. Meanwhile, Tessa set to work, expanding the garden up the hill from the house. Describing herself as ‘an instinctive gardener’, she started on the major task of clearing brambles, bracken and perennial

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Clockwise from top left: Eucryphia; Tessa Knott by the loch; Tessa’s collection of sculptures punctuate the garden; blue hydrangeas; stipa gigantea; upper loch with banks of shrubs and acers; oriental lily.

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GLENWHAN GARDENS, STRANRAER

TOP TIPS Tessa’s pearls of wisdom Hydrangeas: Hydrangeas are very good companion plants and thrive on a good helping of farmyard manure. Some of Tessa’s favourite hydrangeas include Lacecap Hydrangea Tellers Blue, purple tinted H. Sargentiana and H. Villosa, creamy H paniculata ‘tardiva’ and the dramatic American native, Hydrangea quercifolia, ‘unique with its hollylike berries’. They are not fussy about soil but change their colour accordingly going vivid blue on acid ground and pink on alkaline. Plant on a slope away from frost pockets.

Rhododendrons and azaleas: These thrive on acid soil with good rainfall. Do not let them dry out and keep well-watered if grown in pots. If you have a supply of bracken, lay around the roots as mulch to help shelter from the frost. This can be removed in spring. Her favourite, tender varieties, chosen for fragrance and soft early white flowers are suitable for mild climates – if not they must be grown under cover. They include: Rose blushed Rhododendron ‘Fragrantissimum’, pale pink softening to white Lady Alice Fitzwilliam and ‘Countess of Haddington.’

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GLENWHAN GARDENS, STRANRAER

weeds. Gorse was also cleared with some bits left as shelter and boosted by fast-growing willow cuttings. The main problem at Glenwhan, she soon found, was ‘the wind that comes from all quarters and the destructive winter gales’. After a few years there was enough shelter to allow the planting of young trees that now form part of a microclimate capable of supporting tender plants sourced worldwide. From this point she bought car loads of plants, propagated from cuttings and gratefully accepted plants from friends. ‘I just couldn’t stop planting,’ says Tessa. ‘In my head I used to plant all night, I couldn’t switch off.’ Tessa is especially proud of the rare creambarked Betula albosinensis ‘Hergest’ and the rare Chinese native Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Emerald Feathers’ from Hanio Province and endangered in the wild The Nikko maple Acer maximowiczianum is another favourite the sight of its red-tinged foliage is a highlight of the morning walk. She is also looking forward to seeing Sorbus insignis’ red berries, ‘before the

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I just couldn’t stop planting. In my head I used to plant all night, I couldn’t switch off birds get them’, and explains that it was covered in flowers this year. Stewartia pseudocamellia also promises good colour. A recent acquisition is Schefflera arboricola a Taiwan native sought after for its autumn flowers. In late summer all varieties of fragrant Eucryphia with their white flowers are a highlight. Her passion for rhododendrons was sparked by an early purchase of 100 young rhododendrons and azaleas for 90 pence, then allowed to mature in a nursery bed. Tessa recently added to the collection with another lot of rare varieties following a visit to Alan Clarke’s specialist nursery near Carlisle. ‘We must have about 300 different varieties and are now concentrating on the species now thriving in the shelter the garden offers.’ The collection has become so renowned that the Scottish

Top: Lochside hut. Centre left: Agapanthus. Centre right: Turk’s-cap lily. Bottom: Wild boar sculpture.

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GARDENS

Above: Trees and clouds are reflected in the loch. Right: Eagle sculpture overlooking the loch.

FIELD FACTS Glenwhan Gardens, Arboretum & Tearoom, Dunragit, near Stranraer, Wigtownshire, DG9 8PH. glenwhan gardens.co.uk The gardens are open all winter with an honesty box. The tearoom closes on 1 October.

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Rhododendron Society recently began a database of rhododendrons and azaleas at Glenwhan as part of a wider survey of the plants. Often the morning walk extends to the 17-acre moorland north of the garden, where a wild flower walk and well-marked tree trail is home to red squirrels. Here, the bluebells that flourish in the spring are, Tessa explains, a sign that Glenwhan was once the site of an ancient woodland. ‘The bluebells all appeared when the gorse was clear and now grow in carpets around the rhododendrons and azaleas.’ Sadly Tessa’s husband Bill died last year but the garden thrives with the loyal help of James Smith, known as Spider, who this year celebrates 15 years at Glenwhan, and Marion Richardson. ‘They are both very hardworking and we are very much a team,’ Tessa says. The next generation is also involved. While Louise is interested in all ongoing activities, Richard redesigned the ornamental potager, the only semiformal part of the garden. He recently encouraged planting an extra 20 acres of moorland with native species outside the garden to boost the shelter belt and help protect against gales.

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25/09/2019 18:30:34

Upcoming auctions: Scotland’s Watch Auctioneers

5 November | 17 December

Scotland’s only dedicated auction of luxury watches Every six weeks For free, no obligation auction advice, please contact Sarah Fergusson, Head of Watches, on 0141 810 2880 or sarah@mctears.co.uk. Glasgow: 31 Meiklewood Road G51 4GB | 0141 810 2880 Edinburgh (by appoinment only) : 7 Hopetoun Cresent EH7 4AY | 0131 357 1235

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ARTS & ANTIQUES

ANTIQUES Scottish Field’s round-up of the salerooms, interesting lots and prices

NOVEMBER SALES DATES

Gem of an auction HILL HOUSE DESK RETURNS

A desk owned by the man who commissioned The Hill House, Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s ‘domestic masterpiece’ in Helensburgh, has returned to the property for the first time in over 60 years. When the Mackintosh-designed house was completed in 1904, the desk was placed at the heart of the property’s library by owner, publisher Walter Blackie. It has now been donated to the National Trust for Scotland property by Walter Blackie’s granddaughter, Ruth Currie.

A graduated amethyst rivière necklace dating from the late-19th century, and a step-cut diamond ring are going to auction at Bonhams in Edinburgh. Their jewellery sale takes place on 28 November, with the necklace expected to fetch £3,0005,000, and the ring £8,000-12,000. Bonhams is also holding an Asian Art sale on 14 November, with the large famille rose bowl (below) expected to reach £600-800.

NORTH Frasers Auction Rooms, Dingwall: 1, 8: Sale of antique and modern furniture; 29: Whisky, spirits and wine. John Milne, Aberdeen: 6, 13, 20, 27: General. SOUTH Thomson Roddick, Dumfries: 5, 19: Home furnishings and interiors. EDINBURGH Lyon & Turnbull: 6: Fine jewellery; 14,17: Stars and Stripes Collection of Dr Peter J Keim. Bonhams: 10: Whisky; 14: Asian art; 28: Jewellery. Ramsay Cornish: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: General interiors. GLASGOW McTear's: 1, 15: Antiques and interiors; 3, 20: Jewellery; 5: Coins and banknotes; 8: Rare and fine whisky; 10: Scottish contemporary art; 22: Art, medals, militaria and furniture.

Over the asking FRUIT FOR SALE Lyon & Turnbull's forthcoming Decorative Arts: Design since 1860 auction, on 23 October in Edinburgh, encompasses the major design movements from English Aestheticism and Arts & Crafts of the late-19th century through Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Modernism in the 20th century. Featuring in this sale will be a beautiful embroidered portière by May Morris. The Fruit Garden portières are recognised as some of the most exceptional products of art embroidery and illustrate May at the peak of her career. It has a guide price of £10,000-15,000.

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A kiwi which was stuffed in the early-20th century went under the hammer at McTear's Auctioneers in Glasgow and sold for £2,800, having had a pre-sale estimate of £1,000-1,500. There were several bidders in the room for the work of taxidermy, which was mounted on a wooden base, with others on the telephone and online. One bidder was based in New Zealand. 83

25/09/2019 16:48:54

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25/09/2019 14:30:31

ARTS & ANTIQUES

Scottish Field Collection Our monthly arts round-up

GREENS AND BLUES

HOLROYD GALLERY

HOUSE OF BRUAR ART GALLERY

TENNANTS AUCTIONEERS

THE SCOTTISH GALLERY

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A wide selection of art and crafts by gallery favourites Mark I’Anson, Peter King, Helen Turner, Tom Watt, Connie Simmers and artists new to the gallery. Open 7 days. Autumn exhibition opening soon. Tel: 01620 890666 greensandblues.co.uk

The Modern and Contemporary Art Sale on 12 October includes a selection of Scottish 20th Century paintings by Fyffe Christie, Nael Hanna and Robert Henderson Blythe. Tel: 01969 623780 tennants.co.uk

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Holroyd Gallery exhibits a large selection of original paintings with a Scottish theme, whether it be landscape or wildlife. The art gallery in North Ballachulish has a large selection of oils, watercolours and pastels. The gallery also displays bronze wildlife sculptures and hand turned wooden bowls. Tel: 01855 821277 holroydgallery.co.uk

The gallery is thrilled to present Notes from the West, Hannah Mooney’s first solo show; a beautiful collection of plein air landscapes and seascapes from the west coast of Ireland. 2- 26 October. Tel: 0131 558 1200 scottish-gallery.co.uk

With work from leading wildlife artists, The House of Bruar Art Gallery is home to a carefully-curated selection of Scottish landscape paintings and animal sculptures. Featuring Showing ‘Em Who’s’ Boss by Justin Prigmore. Tel: 01796 483236 houseofbruar.com/gallery

Frames Gallery’s exhibition from October – November is by the well-known wildlife artist Jonathan Sainsbury. Jonathan has been painting nature for over 40 years and his intimate knowledge is revealed in this wonderful collection of beautiful yet accurate watercolours, oils and drawings. The show runs from 26 October – 16 November. Tel: 01738 631085 framesgallery.co.uk

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FIELD CULTURE

FIELD CULTURE A guide to Scotland’s arts and entertainment

Da Vinci show The Queen’s Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse is marking the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci. Eighty of the Renaissance master’s greatest drawings will go on display in the largest exhibition of the artist’s work ever seen in Scotland, from 22 November – 15 March 2020. Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing explores the full range of da Vinci’s interests – painting, sculpture, architecture, anatomy, engineering, cartography, geology and botany – providing a comprehensive survey of his life and a unique insight into his mind. Visit www.rct.uk

Don’t miss:

LONG MAY HER LEGACY LIVE Edinburgh’s Dovecot Studios is staging an exhibition exploring the life and work of May Morris, daughter of William Morris. She was one the most significant artists of the British Arts and Crafts movement in the early 20th century. Bringing together over 80 original textiles and drawings from collections around the UK, May Morris Art & Life will explore her extraordinary body of work, and why she deserves recognition outside her familial namesake. May Morris Art and Life will run from 28 November 2019 – 14 March 2020. www.dovecotstudios.com

The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club is holding Contrast, a group exhibition. From 12 October to 19 November they will be showing works by Max Angus, Paul Bartlett, John Foker and John Hatton. It will highlight contrasting approaches to the subject of nature and wildlife. Paul Bartlett and John Foker’s work sees their subjects emerge fleetingly from the background. By contrast, Max Angus and John Hatton, both printmakers, favour pared-down compositions and muted colours. The exhibition is being held at the SOC HQ at Waterston House, East Lothian. www. the-soc.org.uk

The write stuff Several 100-year-old illustrated manuscripts are on display at Edinburgh’s Writers’ Museum. Talks and Tales: The Childhood Writing of Christine Orr, runs until 22 March 2020. Born in 1899, Orr was an important contributor to Edinburgh’s cultural landscape and was a founding member of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, publishing poems, plays and 18 novels during her lifetime, despite her name being little known today. A contemporary of Neil Gunn and Lewis Grassic Gibbon, her first novel – The Glorious Thing (1919), set in Edinburgh during WWI – was published when she was only 20. www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk

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FIELD CULTURE

Don’t miss: Terrific Tosca Scottish Opera’s 2019/20 season begins in October with Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca, a revival of the much-loved 1980 production by director Anthony Besch and designer Peter Rice. Last performed by the company in 2012, Tosca opens at Theatre Royal Glasgow on 16 October, and tours to Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh. Conducted by Scottish Opera music director Stuart Stratford, Besch’s production is set in Rome in the 1940s, in the shadow of Mussolini’s tyrannical rule. It tells the story of a passionate and ill-fated love, played out against a backdrop of political corruption and intrigue. www.scottishopera.org.uk

Beneath the Dust is a Halloween event coming to Dumfries. Presented by Bunbury Banter Theatre Company, it will be an immersive production to put the scares back into Halloween. Strictly for over 18s, Beneath the Dust takes places at various times from 30 October to 2 November. The venue is to be confirmed. www.bit. ly/beneaththedust

LUCKY NUMBERS A major redevelopment of the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh is to take place, after securing an award of £174,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The King’s Theatre is one of Scotland’s oldest theatre venues, and one of the most complete and important surviving Edwardian theatres in the UK, having operated continuously since its opening in 1906. The Grade A-listed theatre is now in urgent need of upgrading. Visit www.capitaltheatres. com/kings-future for further details.

BOOK AND EXHIBITION

The hero’s return The 1922 silent film version of Rob Roy is to tour six venues in Scotland, including Stirling Castle where it was originally filmed. Supported by Film Hub Scotland, the tour will run until February next year. Accompanied by a newly commissioned score, Rob Roy was first presented at the Hippodrome Silent Film Festival in Bo’ness in March. Other destinations include Dumfries, Dunoon and Dundee. See www.hippfest.co.uk for further details.

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Artist Peter Jones will be exhibiting his work at a new exhibition, ahead of the launch of his latest book. Jones works in pen and watercolour and his subject matter is the houses, shops and public buildings that are known and loved in small localities. Falkland: A Book of Paintings, will be released at the end of the exhibition at the Stables Gallery, Falkland Estate, Falkland, Fife, from 2 November-14 December.

25/09/2019 16:52:17

WILDLIFE

Winter whites: Ptarmigans grow pearly white plumage during winter to blend in with their surroundings.

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PTARMIGAN

THE MASTER OF DISGUISE Fiercely protective and tremendously hardy, the elusive ptarmigan is an expert at flying under the radar, says Cal Flyn

DAVID HAYLOCK / SHUTTERSTOCK

s the cold weather begins to close in around us once more, the skies are crowded with flights of migrant birds heading south. But high in the hills, in some of Scotland’s most exposed environments, the ptarmigan is settling in for a long winter. The hardy ptarmigan, a type of small grouse, lives year-round on the Cairngorm plateau and in the remoter regions of the Highlands, and is perhaps best known for its biannual wardrobe change: switching during the autumn months from its cryptic summer plumage of barred tawny (and a flick of red eyeliner), to its winter costume of pill-white. In the right conditions, this clever tactic renders ptarmigans near-invisible, and many unsuspecting hikers pass within a few feet of these stealthy little birds without ever knowing it. Upon the approach of human feet (or foxes, or stoats), the ptarmigan presses its breast into the mud and crouches low, waiting for the danger to pass. Perfectly toned to the heather and the moss in summer; its brilliant, almost lucent winter down camouflages it perfectly against the glare of sunlit snow. But step too close, and they burst from cover in a desperate bid for escape with a rush of

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wingbeats – which is my most common mode of encountering them: flushed into a flurry of shock and delight. For this reason it can be a little tricky to engineer an encounter with a ptarmigan. But it can be done if you know what you’re looking for. Its call, for one thing, is extremely distinctive: a hard, percussive rasp (probably the source of its name, a corruption of the Gaelic tàrmachan, likely descending from torm, meaning to murmur or croak). And in winter, one might hone in on areas where ptarmigan are lurking by looking out for their winter roosting spots: small hollows they claw in the snow drifts. Ptarmigans dig down for shelter, sometimes very deep if the snow is powder, and sit atop their own fibrous droppings which they use as a sort of bedstraw. It is not their most appealing habit, but it is a recognisable one – and one of their many clever adaptations to the extreme climate of their favoured habitat. In the sub-Arctic Cairngorms, winter temperatures may drop well below minus 20˚C, and winds of 100mph or more regularly batter in over the mountain ridges. Few other species in Britain cope with such gelid conditions – though they co-exist with mountain hares, snow buntings,

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WILDLIFE

Right: Ptarmigans can take to the skies when they are just a week old. Below: The birds can be very difficult to spot against the winter snow.

doctorate-holder who died in January this year. As an expert on snow patches and on grouse, he preferred to address the Cairngorms by their original title – Am Monadh Ruadh, the Red Mountains – and called the ptarmigan ‘the most beautiful bird in the world’. His behavioural studies of ptarmigans, which drew from many years spent in observation in the mountains, offer delightful first-hand accounts of the secret life of ptarmigans. They ‘often sunbathe’, he wrote. They lie ‘with feathers ruffled, eyes closed and wings partly spread, and often on

PAUL A CARPENTER / SHUTTERSTOCK MARK MEDCALF / SHUTTERSTOCK

red deer and golden eagles. Further adaptations include their plump, even dumpy appearance – they are well-feathered for heat-retention, and wear thick, fur-like feathers on their feet and even on their eyelids. But, as Nan Shepherd wrote in The Living Mountain, ‘the creatures that dress like the snow to be inconspicuous against it – the ptarmigan, the snow bunting, the mountain hare – are sometimes cheated’. Fast-changing mountain conditions like those commonly seen in the Cairngorms – where a foot or more of glittering snow might descend suddenly and then melt away overnight as if it had never been – can render their plumage out of step with their surroundings, highlighted in silverwhite against a peat-dark background. ‘Few things are more ludicrous in Nature than a white hare “concealing” itself, erect and patient beside a boulder, while all round it stretches a grey-brown world against which it stands vividly out,’ she added. So too we might find the ptarmigan, white and waddling through mud and meltwater. Warm winter days, therefore, might offer the best opportunities for the determined spotter. We know as much as we do about the ptarmigan thanks in large part to the late, great Dr Adam Watson, the Scottish naturalist and triple

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PTARMIGAN

one side with the opposite leg stretched out’. They do this in winter too, he added, ‘sometimes in below-freezing winds up to Beaufort force 4’. He wrote a little of domestic life among the ptarmigans too, noting how ‘family parties roost close together (nearly touching each other) until the young are almost fully grown’, and that the chicks, which can run almost as soon as they hatch and make short flights at a week old – are nearly as hardy as their parents. ‘I have seen them blown by gales against rocks or rolling like balls down a 50 degree slope, without injury,’ he recalled. Ptarmigans are monogamous, and the male (the ‘cock’) will stick around while its mate incubates their eggs, often running to divert a predator from the nest. They will feign The hens themselves injury so as to draw will sit tight, even when threatened, reportedly attention away going so far as to allow from their young a person to touch them rather than leave their eggs. (Although, please don’t try this.) After hatching, mothers too take to diversionary tactics; while their chicks scatter into the undergrowth they will flap around and feign injury so as to draw attention away from their young – a tactic that can fool even highly-trained gun dogs and wily foxes. Shepherd wrote of repeat encounters of this kind, confiding that she had learned to stop dead upon the appearance of just such an ‘injured’ bird: the chicks must surely be close at hand – once within two inches of the toe of her boot. So the regular mountaineer might slowly learn to interpret the signs left upon the hillside, or in the behaviour of the birds, and begin to see what is right under her nose – quite literally.

SANDRA STANDBRIDGE / SHUTTERSTOCK CARL DAY / SHUTTERSTOCK

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FIELD FACTS HOW TO SPOT PTARMIGANS

Red hot highlights: A male ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) in the Highlands, showing off his red eyeliner.

Ptarmigans live in mountainous regions, up to elevations of 4,000ft. They can be seen year-round but are easier to find when their white winter plumage stands out against the heather in early winter or during periods of thaw. They are largely confined to the Cairngorms and the north-west Highlands. They are also spotted irregularly at Ben Lawers, on Ben Lomond and as far south as Arran, where a tiny population is thought to be clinging on. (If you see ptarmigans on Arran, please report your sighting to info@arranbirding.co.uk.) Rasping calls of cocks staking territorial claims can be heard during April and May; if you hear one, stop and look for a him perched on a lookout rock. If you hear them, accidentally flush them or spot signs that they have roosted overnight in nearby snow patches, then stop and wait quietly. Others may be hiding and will slowly return to their normal activities if you stay still. They may be closer than you think!

25/09/2019 16:56:29

COUNTRY NEWS

COUNTRY NEWS A round-up of what’s happening in Scotland’s countryside

Wheel good

SEAL THE DEAL Scottish Natural Heritage has teamed up with a community to help people enjoy one of the nation’s best wildlife spectacles responsibly. Up to 2,000 grey seals haul out on the sand banks of the Ythan at Forvie National Nature Reserve to rest, creating a wonderful opportunity for wildlife watching. However, past incidents have seen people walking towards them, resulting in hundreds of seals rushing into the water. SNH is working with the Newburgh and Ythan Community Trust and other partners to improve the car park, paths and viewing points, so wildlife lovers have the best view of the seals across the river while ensuring they are not scared off the beach. www.nature.scot

A tree-mendous celebration Some of Scotland’s most beautiful and unusual trees are being celebrated as the Scottish Tree Festival returns for its second year. Organised by national garden tourism group Discover Scottish Gardens and supported by VisitScotland, the festival runs until 1 December and aims to inspire local people and tourists to take a trip outdoors and enjoy Scotland’s spectacular array of woodlands and gardens. More than 70 venues, ranging from Attadale Gardens in the Highlands to Kailzie Gardens in the Borders, are taking part in the 2019 event. Locations also include the National Trust for Scotland’s Fyvie Castle (left). www. discoverscottishgardens.org 92

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Cycling UK has launched a new ready-to-ride long distance trail linking Scotland’s most northerly mainland points to the Peak District for the first time. The Great North Trail, which runs for a whopping 800 miles, takes in some of Scotland’s most iconic spots of natural beauty, including the Corrieyairack Pass, Cape Wrath and home of Nessie, Loch Ness. www.cyclinguk.org

RARE BIRD An extremely rare seabird has raised its chick on the Isle of May this year. An adult roseate tern joined common, sandwich and Arctic tern colonies on the Scottish Natural Heritage reserve and paired with a common tern. The unlikely couple produced a single chick which fledged in August. Roseate terns are on the Red Data list as a species of high conservation concern. No other roseate terns currently breed in Scotland. www.nature.scot

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25/09/2019 16:58:18

COUNTRY NEWS

TRIED AND TESTED WHAT IS IT? Oboz Sapphire Low B-Dry Walking Shoes. £120 www. obozfootwear.com I WANT IT BECAUSE: These are specialist walking shoes but in lovely Nubuck leather they look good enough to wear in everyday life. Specially designed for the female foot.

FORESTRY DIVERSITY Forestry businesses are being urged to follow Forestry and Land Scotland’s lead by encouraging young women into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related roles in the sector. Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon has called on the industry to tap into a pool of talent after hearing of the experience of four women whose summer placements with FLS allowed them to gain experience and develop their skills to supplement and complement their academic studies. www.forestryandland.gov.scot

USEFUL FOR: Hiking. Completely waterproof yet breathable and with great grip, these durable shoes have great stability and ease of access. HIGH POINT: Outstanding arch support specially designed for women walkers. Thanks to cushioned soles, these low-cut boots are extremely comfortable. LOW POINT: They were a bit stiff around the ankle until well worn in.

THE NEST QUEST Cairngorms Nature Ambassador and Young Nature Champion Xander Johnston now has a hat-trick of titles as he was announced UK National Parks’ New Horizons award winner at their ‘Platinum Awards’, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The award recognises a young person who has made a significant contribution to a National Park. He attended a ‘Nest Quest’ to look for wood ants as part of a Cairngorms Nature Big Weekend, which has sparked a love of ants and invertebrates. www.cairngorms.co.uk

WHAT IS IT? Tin Cloth Field Coat from Filson. £475. www.filson.com I WANT IT BECAUSE: This is the classic American ‘field coat’ for rough shooting.

GROWING PLANS Scotland’s Forestry Strategy is being aided by a group, consisting of a range of forestry interests, which draws on expertise in the economic, environmental and social drivers and benefits identified in the strategy. It will provide input to help formulate key delivery milestones, progress indicators and a reporting schedule for the plan, to be implemented by Scottish Forestry.

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The additional funding provided by the Scottish Govt for the programme

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12,000 50 years

The number of hectares to be planted over the next year

The length of time planned ahead for the strategy

USEFUL FOR: Being outside. It’s incredibly durable and should last a lifetime. HIGH POINT: Incredible attention to detail that includes hefty brass zip, tons of pockets (including ‘game pocket’ with nylon lining), reinforced shoulder patch, adjustable cuffs plus drawcord on waist and hem, storm flap, pleated back. Not insulated but you can buy a wool liner. LOW POINT: It’s quite starchy until worn in, which takes a while. Needs to be waxed to be waterproof. Expensive.

25/09/2019 16:58:40

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FISHING

ILLUSTRATION - ALEXANDER JACKSON

ngling is often perceived as a sort of intense combat activity; as a pastime that takes place in dangerous territories, involving risk and requiring superhuman performance. Rugged pioneers in obscure countries are oft pictured cradling vast fanged fish from dark, nightmarish waters, setting a formidable precedent for all those who follow in their wake. But not all anglers fit this mould, and I know someone who bucks the trend. He is a retired professional who resides in an English new-town. To moderate that fact he spends a month each year in the wilderness, quietly fishing for wild brown trout. Let’s call him Old Jim. Flicking tiny flies at tiny trout, Old Jim whiles away hours on tranquil waters. Size, to him, is immaterial – the sheer bliss of solitude is enough to fulfil his mission. Upon seeing any distant shadows – an inquisitive passer-by or fellow wanderer – he pretends not to notice, addressing once more the miniature riffles where his Lilliputian quarry is nestled. Old Jim wouldn’t kill a single trout for all the world. He instead returns them lovingly to their beautifully peaty home. When he talks of these restful days, he enters a dream world, mistily describing subsections of pools as hallowed zones, drifting into the realms of a personal Shangri-La. Then in 2018, the year of the late-season floods, the peace was somewhat sullied. There was Old Jim, protecting his tiny dry flies (some of which are pink as he believes fly shape, not colour, is what counts) when an almighty lunge grabbed hold – a much larger fish suddenly attached to the end of his line. First sea trout, then fully grown salmon began assaulting his gossamer tackle. He was rattled, but he adapted, accepting that gross intruders had invaded his fairy tale territory, and in due course landed five salmon in a single week on a river no one fishes. He started taking an interest in them, but the fascination was fleeting. Old Jim is back with his microgear, twiddling away hours on hidden pools. Big salmon may be occasional spoilers, but they darn well aren’t going to wreck the whole show. A story in a different vein occurred this summer. A keen salmon man fished a decent river for a week. He

saw nothing; not a scale, not a single salmon salute. On the Saturday he attached a size 10 fly, a ‘Willie Gunn/Cascade mix’, and plugged on. A fish took it which he initially mistook for two fish in one. Havoc ensued. He felt, as he described it, ‘real weight and the eruption of power’. Having crashed around the confines of the river, the salmon – in his view weighing Instead of an in at over 30lb – bust off. But for emissary from a this angler, as for Old Jim, his account was that of a textbook beautiful other world, fishing adventure. it became a dark It is because game angling portent has this sense of exploration, pitted against unseen adversaries in an alien sub-aqua environment, that this year’s fungus infestation of wild salmon was so disturbing. The dream fish was injured and hurting badly. Its instincts were harmed, its balance and equilibrium damaged. Instead of an emissary from a beautiful other world, it became a dark portent. As the laboratory results from diseased salmon rolled in I realised something else. Most tested salmon showed signs of bacteria or virus. They had traces of several diseases, all known and recognised. The normal good health of the fish held them in check. None was identifiable as the primary cause behind the fungal attacks, in which a metabolic change, familiar in spent salmon, had got an early foothold, supposedly because the fish had lowered immunity. In this sense, salmon are like all living creatures. They can look pristine and immaculate. But behind this outward majesty, organisms are grappling desperately for control. When an animal or bird dies outdoors, decomposition begins from within. The seeds of putrefaction are imbedded even in the most healthy bodies. We do not need to be reminded of this, but it remains a background fact.

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Angle of attack There is immense beauty to be found in a simple angling trip, but when a tranquil stretch of water is sullied by fungal infestations, it hits the heart of fishing enthusiasts, says Michael Wigan www.scottishfield.co.uk

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SEASONAL RECIPES

Quacking classics From juicy roast duck to crispy bon bons, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got some scrumptious recipes to see you through those chilly autumn days

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ANDREI IAKHNIUK / SHUTTERSTOCK

DUCK

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SEASONAL RECIPES

Duck rillette

Salad of duck bon bons, black pudding & duck eggs

Makes enough to fill a kilner jar

Serves 4

Ingredients 2 duck legs (I get mine from Gartmorn Farm) Large handful of course sea salt 1 tbsp dark brown muscovado sugar 2 star anise 2 cloves garlic, smashed 1 sprig thyme A few juniper berries 250ml duck fat 50g unsalted clarified butter A splash of cold-pressed rapeseed oil Armagnac – or flavouring of choice

Ingredients 1 large male duck leg 500g duck fat, melted Salt and pepper, to season 2 cloves garlic, whole 200g fresh breadcrumbs, or the chunky Japanese mix (Panko) 1 egg, beaten 2 tbsp plain flour 2 duck eggs, boiled for 9 minutes, peeled and cut 2 grilled pieces of black pudding, cut into bite-sized pieces 100g Tomme de Savoie cheese, cut into small batons Mixed salad leaves

Method Firstly, mix together the course salt, garlic, sugar, star anise, thyme and juniper berries. Rub this into the duck legs and leave in the fridge overnight to cure and take on the flavours. The next day, rinse the duck legs under a tap and pat dry. Heat the duck fat in a saucepan to 150°C, then submerge the legs and gently confit for 3 to 4 hours. Next, carefully remove the legs from the fat – you can retain this fat for roasting potatoes, or wilting veg. Once they are cool, remove the skin and the bones from each leg. The skin makes a tasty snack if crisped-up under a grill. Flake the duck meat into a clean bowl and add some flavouring. I like Armagnac, but you can use anything you fancy. Herbs are good too. Give a really good beat with a spoon or whisk until it’s quite smooth, then spoon into a dish or kilner jar. Smooth over the top and pour a mix of melted clarified butter and rapeseed oil on the top to prevent oxidisation. Allow to set in the fridge until firm. Serve with pickles, warm toast and chutney.

Method Season the duck leg and place into an ovenproof pot with the melted duck fat and garlic. Warm slowly, then cover with greaseproof paper and place in the oven at 140°C for around 3-4 hours, until the meat falls from the bone easily. Allow this to cool and then pick all the meat from the bones and place in a bowl. Squeeze in the garlic pulp. Taste for seasoning. Roll the meat into small balls and place on a tray in the fridge to set for a few hours. Breadcrumb the bon bons by rolling them in flour, then the beaten egg, then the breadcrumbs. We put them through the egg and breadcrumbs a second time. Allow them to set in the fridge again for a couple of hours. Deepfry them at 170°C until light golden brown and serve in the salad. To assemble, dress the salad leaves in a light vinaigrette and divide between four bowls. Arrange with duck eggs, black pudding and cheese on top.

Recipe from Neil Forbes, head chef of Cafe St Honoré, Edinburgh

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Recipe from Craig Wood, chef patron of The Wee Restaurant, Edinburgh

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DUCK Add the duck stock and reduce by one third, then add the redcurrants and turn the heat down to a simmer. Cook for five minutes, then add the seabuckthorn juice. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter. Season and keep warm. For the nasturtium oil Heat the oil to 70°C, then add 120g of the nasturtium leaves. Blend and pass through a sieve. Chill and keep in the fridge.

Roast duck with redcurrants, nasturtium & radicchio

For the duck Preheat the oven to 210°C. Trim the duck breasts and place them into a cold frying pan, skin side down. Put the pan on a medium-high heat and allow the duck fat to render, then continue to cook for about six minutes until the skin is crisp and the meat is coloured on one side. Turn the breast over and place the pan in the oven for six to eight minutes, depending on the size. Remove from the pan and allow to rest for at least 12 minutes. Drain the fat into a bowl. Cut the radicchio into strips. Dress it with the cider vinegar, a little salt and a tablespoon of the reserved duck fat. To serve, carve the duck and place a slice on each plate. Sauce the meat and the centre of the plate, being generous with the redcurrants. Place the radicchio and the remaining nasturtium on and around the duck, and finish with the nasturtium oil.

Serves 4

Recipe from Scott Smith, chef patron of Fhior, Edinburgh

2 large duck breasts (300g approx) 1 radicchio 2 tbsp cider vinegar 150g nasturtium leaves 200g redcurrants 200ml red wine 150g caster sugar 150g butter 25ml seabuckthorn juice 300ml reduced duck stock 150ml rapeseed oil (not cold pressed) Salt, to season Method For the sauce Put the wine and sugar into a saucepan and bring to the boil.

DUCK FACTS • Mallards live five to ten years • Duck eggs stay fresher for in the wild and can survive for longer than chicken eggs because they have a thicker over eight years in captivity. shell. • Ducks are a good source of protein, iron and zinc. • China has the most ducks with over 650 million of them.

WINE TO DINE

Scottish Field wine columnist and drinks blogger Peter Ranscombe matches five bottles for duck... JEAN CORNELIUS PINOT NOIR, 2018 Lidl £7.49 This is part of Lidl’s latest Wine Tour promotion, which kicked off on 26 September this year, and is a classic pairing for duck salad.

CAP ROYAL BORDEAUX SUPERIEUR, 2016 Tesco £8 from 19 November to 9 December, then £10 Few matches go as perfectly as Bordeaux and duck rillette – what grows together goes together.

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DOMAINE JONES FITOU, 2016 The Wine Society £15.50 An Englishwoman in the south of France is producing this smooth and elegant Fitou in the villages of Tuchan and Paziols in the Languedoc region.

TE MATA GAMAY NOIR, 2018 Wine Direct £17.95 As Beaujolais’ signature grape, it has spread its wings to find a new home at Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand, from where this duck salad match hails.

PAXTON THOMAS BLOCK GRENACHE, 2017 Cellar Door Wines £21.45 Treating grenache more gently, like pinot noir, produces a wine with a real freshness as well as duck-friendly red fruit flavours.

WINE ONLINE

For the full reviews, read Peter’s drinks blog at scottishfield.co.uk/ grapegrain

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Be Creative

For the widest range of authentic natural baking ingredients instore and online

www.realfoods.co.uk Free UK delivery for orders over £39

organic

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•

plant based

•

vegan

•

vegetarian

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25/09/2019 10:35:19

For the love of food All things Scottish! Take a look at some of our favourite produce from across the country

2. SCARABUS SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

1. GREAT GLEN CHARCUTERIE Great Glen Charcuterie, based in the Scottish Highlands, use locally sourced wild venison for their range of charcuterie. The delicious charcuterie is perfect for entertaining and makes great gifts. Tel: 01397 712121, greatglencharcuterie.com

As winter is upon us, Hunter Laing’s Scarabus is perfect for those dreich evenings. An Islay single malt, redolent of smoke and sea salt, with warming leather and vanilla. A real winter warmer. Tel: 0141 353 0297. hunterlaing.com

3 5 3. LUVIANS Luvians in St Andrews and Cupar stock local and European cheeses, charcuteries, biscuits and hampers. Award-winning luxury dairy ice cream, made daily in store, and fine wines, beers and whiskies to pair with any meal! Tel: 01334 654820. luvians.com

4. SIMON HOWIE Who says burgers are just for summer? Grill up Simon Howie’s Premium Steak Burgers and top with your favourite flavours to make the whole family’s day. Tel: 01764 684 332. thescottishbutcher.com

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5. THE SCRIB TREE Find an abundance of local food and drink in this quaint coffee shop in the heart of the Lanarkshire village of Douglas. Open seven days from 10am. Tel. 01555 851262. thescribtree.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK NEWS

FOOD & DRINK The latest happenings on Scotland’s food and drink scene

GOOD NEWS, GOOD BREWS

CRUMBS

The brewing and pub scene across Scotland is booming, according to the Good Beer Guide 2020, CAMRA’s premier publication featuring the very best pubs to find a great pint in the UK. The Campaign for Real Ale reports that across Scotland,18 new breweries have opened. In addition, the Bridge Inn in Peebles has been named one of the best pubs in the UK, making its way to the next stage of the competition in the nationwide search for CAMRA’s Pub of the Year. It will now compete in the next round of the competition, hoping to be named one of four finalists. The Good Beer Guide can be ordered at shop1.camra.org.uk

CHOCS AWAY

The Chocolatarium has opened in Edinburgh and is the only visitor experience of its kind in Scotland, dedicated to telling the story of chocolate. It takes visitors on a fascinating journey; covering the history of chocolate, how it’s made (with the opportunity to make and take away your own chocolate bar) and a tasting session. Vegan and milk-free options are available. Book online at www.chocolatarium. co.uk.

CLASS ACT

Dollar Academy teacher Jilly McCord will be one of the big draws for the Foodies Festival Christmas event in Edinburgh. The 2019 MasterChef finalist, as well as winner Irini Tzortzoglou, will be cooking festive recipes at the EICC from 22-24 November. Top chefs and Great British Bake Off finalists will also attend. www.foodiesfestival.com

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The magnificent seven Seven Scottish restaurants are included in the Good Food Guide’s top 50 eateries in the UK. The top-scoring restaurant in Scotland was Restaurant Andrew Fairlie in Perthshire, which came 14th. Sadly, Andrew died earlier this year. Others on the list were The Peat Inn, Fife (23), The Kitchin, Leith (25), Inver, Strachur, Argyll & Bute (33), Cail Bruich, Glasgow (43), Restaurant Martin Wishart, Edinburgh (46) and Castle Terrace, Edinburgh (50). For the full list visit www.thegoodfoodguide.co.uk/awards

That’s the way tea do it Independent whole leaf tea company Eteaket, based in Edinburgh, is bringing back its pumpkin tea for the autumn. Available until mid-November, limited edition Pumpkin Chai tea features real pumpkin pieces and pumpkin seeds, giving this black tea a silky smooth finish. Combined with a liberal sprinkling of spices, the tea evokes sensations of crisp autumnal days. It’s available from www.eteaket.co.uk

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25/09/2019 17:08:55

FOOD & DRINK NEWS

MUSIC TO THE EARS The Rhythm and Booze Project, two musicians who love whisky, have built the world’s first bass drum made from an entire Scotch whisky cask. They worked with Islay’s Lagavulin Distillery and vintage drum specialist Majetone Industries to create a bass drum from a barrel originally used to mature Lagavulin single malt Scotch whisky. Felipe Schrieberg (vocals/dobro) and Paul Archibald (drums/percussion) founded the Rhythm and Booze Project in 2018 to fuse their passion for music, performance and whisky. Watch them play with the whisky cask drum at youtu.be/2NP3AcTSzTg

Permission Granted Dornoch Castle Hotel has named its new restaurant after head chef, Grant Macnicol, who returned to the business last year. Having quickly put his stamp on the menu, with inventive seasonal dishes after working in two and three rosette kitchens throughout Scotland, the Halkirk-born chef now has his name above the door at the 55-seater restaurant at the Hotel, now named Grant Macnicol at The Castle. Grant has also developed dishes showcasing the hotel’s own label organic gin produced in its on-site distillery. www.dornochcastlehotel.com

CRUMBS

CLICK HERE NeighbourFood Balfron, a new click and collect farmers’ market, has opened in West Stirlingshire. Shoppers are able to order from local food makers and farms for collection at Balfron High School. Pick up points are also planned for Drymen and Aberfoyle. It has been launched by Drymenbased social enterprise The Hub G63. Visit www.neighbourfood. ie/markets/balfron/24

The best fest The 2019 Stranraer Oyster Festival was hailed a ‘phenomenal success’ by organisers, as it returned for its third year. Around 18,000 people attended the three-day event, up 25% on last year. The festival takes place next to Loch Ryan, which contains Scotland’s last remaining wild, native oyster fishery. The event celebrates the town’s native oyster heritage alongside a programme of entertainment and activities. Tristan Hugh-Jones, of Loch Ryan Oysters, shucked his way back to the top spot at this year’s Scottish Oyster Shucking Championships, while celebrity chef Tony Singh appeared. www.stranraeroysterfestival.com

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BUBBLY BUSINESS

Edinburgh’s fourth Fizz Feast is taking place on 16 November. Scotland’s only sparkling wine festival brings together 12 diverse producers, offering up to 100 wines from all over the world to try as well as buy, including Champagne, Cava, Prosecco and one of the fastest-growing trends, English Sparkling Wine. It takes place at The Edinburgh Academy. Tickets from www.wine eventsscotland.co.uk

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Nominations are now open for the

Scottish Rural Awards 2020 Nominate a friend, family member or your own business! Which award will you win? The all-new award titles for SRA 2020 are…

◆ Best Scottish Artisan Food Award ◆ Best Scottish Artisan Drink Award ◆ Rural Business Diversification Award ◆ Best Rural Business Start-Up Award ◆ Best Farming Business Award ◆ Best Rural Employer Award ◆ Rural Hospitality Award

◆ Best Rural Innovation Award ◆ Best Rural Skills Educator Award ◆ Most Sustainable Rural Business Award ◆ Best Rural Tourism Initiative Award ◆ Rural Hero Award ◆ Lifetime Achievement Award ◆ NEW FOR 2020: Best Countryside Digital Innovator Award

It only takes a few minutes to make a nomination on our website.

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RESTAURANT REVIEW - HAAR

COASTAL QUANDARY Haar, Masterchef finalist Dean Banks’ new restaurant in St Andrews, presents a conundrum for the Mystery Diner

ILLUSTRATION - THE EDINBURGH SKETCHER

hat price celebrity? Readers, I’m genuinely conflicted. I relish the ambition in the nation’s chefs which has seen standards rise exponentially in Scotland during the two decades in which I’ve been reviewing restaurants on a regular basis. And I believe in the market – chefs can charge what they want and customers can choose whether to come, and whether to return. Nevertheless, St Andrews is John Knox country and it does offend my poor old calvinist heart to spend almost £170 on a midweek meal for two. Sure that did include three courses, a couple of oysters each, a bottle of the least expensive wine on offer, bread, several glasses of tap water and service, but that was without tea or coffee. The collateral damage would have been even more severe had I plumped for the seven-course taster menu which, with paired wines and cheese, would have cost £134 per person, plus coffee and service. It may be that Haar, Masterchef finalist Dean Banks’ first restaurant, will – like the nearby Peat Inn and The Cellar in Anstruther, probably my favourite high falutin’ restaurant in Scotland – one day win a coveted Michelin star, and it’s certainly set up with both eyes on achieving that end. Indeed, it’s already priced accordingly. Thanks to a constant dripfeed of rich golfers, the town’s status as a burgeoning tourist destination, and the arrival of squadrons of super-rich students and their parents from around the globe, the fine dining scene in the honeypot that is St Andrews is getting a little crowded. As well as the distinctive glass cube of the Seafood Ristorante on West Sands, there’s also the Road Hole Grill at the Old Course Hotel, Seasons restaurant at Rufflets Hotel, and Surf & Turf at Rusacks Hotel.

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FIELD FACTS PRICE £170 for two, including wine & service (but not coffee) RATING  Harr, 127 North Street, St Andrews, KY16 9AG. Tel: 01334 473387 www.haar restaurant.com

Yet since opening in April this year, Haar – named after the sea fog that rolls along the East Coast, including Banks’ home town of Arbroath – has been regularly stowed out. Rightly so, because it offers a contemporary culinary experience that varies hugely from any that those other town centre restaurants are offering. And, most importantly, because, at its best, Banks’ food is very good indeed. Sure, there are issues. The interior is so spartan that sounds ping off its hard surfaces and intrude forcibly into conversation, especially as the place was almost empty when we visited. And the quality of the dishes can be variable: while the sea buckthorn twist was a work of genius the oysters lacked the velveteen creaminess of those at, for example, The Honours. The parsimonious starter of octopus suffered by comparison to the same, far less costly dish in Edinburgh’s superb White Horse. The beef rump had the tenderness of beef skirt and was part of a dish that was significantly overseasoned, while the gorgeously rich, nuanced Goan curry simply overpowered the cod fillet which had the misfortune to accompany it. But when Banks gets it right his food can be transcendent. The pea and shellfish veloute was condemned-man’s-last-meal good, the berries with custard a simple dessert of extraordinary virtuosity. Even the bread was worth the trip alone. Yet good though Banks can be, this debutant chef has yet to weather the dark winter months, a sensible rite of passage for a restaurant charging top dollar. There were enough red flags at Haar to marvel at the 30-year-old’s plans for imminent launches in Dundee, Edinburgh and London. I’m a big fan of carpe diem, but when it comes to such rapid expansion it doesn’t always have a happy ending.

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25/09/2019 10:39:33 12/04/2018 12:18:39

WHISKY

ILLUSTRATION - ALEXANDER JACKSON

f you were to ask me my predictions for the whisky industry, I’d put my money on one thing – and it’s not exactly filling everyone with unreserved joy. I reckon that we can expect a surge in low alcohol drinks, or low ABV (alcohol by volume) drinks, and I presented these thoughts to the head office of Whyte & Mackay in Glasgow back in January 2017. This emerging trend, which has taken off in the last few years, has without doubt been championed by our health-conscious, tech savvy 18-25-year-olds. Needless to say, this has set the hearts of all drinks connoisseurs racing, and the alarming stats released a couple of years ago were enough to make a grown whisky-loving man cry. One survey showed that 65% of 16-24-year-olds considered alcohol unimportant to their social lives. In the same survey, 19% of respondents said they never drank alcohol, while 21% claimed they never drank in social settings. Those that did partake in the odd tipple tended to prefer lower ABV drinks. Why? While some of the answers lie in their desire to be fit and healthy, the power of social media – in particular Instagram – is the biggest driving force, with youngsters deeming it a form of social suicide to be seen drunk or intoxicated online. And rightly so; but to what effect? Today, whisky companies are broadening their horizons, and Whyte & Mackay have just announced the release of a new low alcohol product called Whyte & Mackay Light. Legally, the minimum strength for Scotch whisky is 40% ABV, meaning the company’s new release – bottled at 21.5% ABV – has instead been labelled a ‘spirit drink’. This may seem a peculiar move for an historic brand that dates back to 1882, but it does show they are amenable to innovation. To be honest though, I’m suitably dumbfounded that their Whyte & Mackay Light was approved by the Scotch Whisky Association in the first place. In 2013 Dewar’s released Dewar’s Highlander Honey – a whisky infused with local honey. They labelled it as a spirit drink, but it was bottled at 40% ABV. Though the SWA initially approved the product, they later did a U-turn and declared the product misleading, claiming it could be confused for true Scotch whisky. The main argument was that the words ‘spirit drink’ appeared too small on the label, thus wasn’t distinguished clearly enough from Scotch whisky. Whyte & Mackay did learn from this, deciding to print the words ‘spirit drink’ not once, but twice on their label – though pretty conspicuously, I might add.

Much to my surprise though, it has passed muster, demonstrating that the SWA are also demonstrating a willingness for change. Whyte & Mackay Light is described by the Association as ‘a lighter spirit drinker from Scotland, made from Scotch whisky married with Sherry. Crafted by the expert distillers at Whyte & Mackay, this spirit drink The emerging has been enriched by sweet Sherry trend of low ABV casks and freshly emptied Bourbon barrels.’ It is noted as being ‘smooth drinks has been with a subtle hint of smoke’, and is championed by 18 ‘perfect straight, over ice, or with your favourite mixer’. to 25-year-olds I have yet to taste this interesting concoction, and I look forward to seeing how it stands up against Scotch whisky. That said, I do fear the worst as dilution to below 40% ABV often results in flavour and mouthfeel falling off a cliff face. I would gladly be proven wrong in this instance though. Part of me wants to love this new product, but it really has put a spanner in the works. On one hand, a lower strength whisky could be the perfect stepping stone for new consumers to try flavours of whisky without being hit in the face by a full 40% ABV. It makes perfect commercial sense to cater for the masses, supplying those who more often than not reach for lower strength beers, wines, or mixed drinks like gins, to unwind. I’m a huge advocate for mixed drinks – whisky and soda or whisky and ginger ale are particular favourites of mine – as it brings down the ABV and still allows the base whisky to shine through. Whyte & Mackay Light may work well when mixed, perhaps as a means of fortifying a cocktail. On the other hand, its flavour may be so weak that its inclusion is totally worthless. One of my greatest concerns is that the emergence of low ABV drinks could open the floodgates for lesser products to appear on the scene. Ultimately, I worry consumers may confuse the incredible world of whisky with this new hybrid whisky-spirit drink. I won’t take any credit for planting the seed with Whyte & Mackay, at least not until I’ve tasted it. But who knows, this could be the beginning of a whole new world for the whisky industry.

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Downward spiral With Millennials driving sales for low alcohol drinks, Blair Bowman worries it may be the beginning of the end for true Scotch whisky

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25/09/2019 17:12:49

UNCONVENTIONAL WHISKY TASTINGS

SHOW ADVER THIS VENUE T IN THE A A SOCIEND RECEIVE TY GIF T*

Visit one of Edinburgh’s best Whisky Bars for an unconventional and fun tasting. Drop-in Tastings are held daily at our stunning Georgian venue at 28 Queen Street. Choose from; Burger and Whisky, The Last Drop, Steak and Whisky, Whisky & Cheese and more. Go to www.smws.com/events for more information. *1 gift per booking

M A K E OU R W H I S K Y YOU R OW N personalised whisky straight from the cask.

THE MITSUBISHI

SHOGUN SPORT TOW UP TO 3.1 TONNES

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A LW AY S D R I N K R E S P O N S I B LY

Book a test drive Tweedbank Industrial Estate, Tweedbank, Galashiels TD1 3RS 01896 759121 www.adampurves-mitsubishi.co.uk

Shogun Sport fuel consumption in mpg (ltrs/100km): Urban 27.2 (10.4), Extra Urban 37.2 (7.6), Combined 32.8 (8.6), CO₂ emissions 227 g/km.

Shogun Sport air conditioning system contains fluorinated greenhouse gases. Chemical name: HFC-134a. Pre-chased weight: 0.79kg. Global-warming potential ratio: 1430. Converted CO₂ weight: 1.13t. Fuel figures shown are official EU test figures, to be used as a guide for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results.

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25/09/2019 10:57:01

SCOTTISH FIELD WHISKY CHALLENGE

SCOTTISH FIELD

Whisky Challenge

THE READERS’ WHISKY CHALLENGE 2019 We invited ten lucky Scottish Field readers to blind taste 54 of the ﬁnest Scottish whiskies. The top three will be entered into Scottish Field’s Grand Final

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SCOTTISH FIELD WHISKY CHALLENGE

Challenge accepted Scottish Field welcomes a brand new panel of readers to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Leith WORDS CLAIRE DALY IMAGES ANGUS BLACKBURN

Above: This year’s readers’ panel from back row left, Lucinda Allen, Andrew Jack, Damon Simmonds, Felix Haslimeier, Mathew Thorburn, Kirsten Webb, front row: Gillian Ferriday, Jim Gillies, Kirstin Uhlenbrock, Angie Vera Sanchez. Top right: Jim Gillies has a nose for a good whisky.

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n Monday 5 August a team of whisky connoisseurs of the finest quality, our very own Scottish Field readers, assembled before hundreds of mini bottles of gold and amber, each one of them lined up to surprise and delight. And how did our ten reader judges feel when tasked with tasting 54 whiskies in one day? ‘I’ve never seen so many glasses assembled before myself,’ said Kirstin Uhlenbrock, a tour operator who lives in Fife. ‘I am German by birth and acquired a taste for whisky relatively late in life when a Scottish friend of mine insisted I could not live for 17 years in Scotland not

knowing anything about the water of life. He fully converted me.’ For Mathew Thorburn, tasting this number of whiskies was a breeze. He’s a member of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and goes to whisky festivals. ‘But I’ve not tasted so many at such a high quality,’ he said. Our very own whisky columnist and founder of World Whisky Day, Blair Bowman, and Annabel Meikle, Director of the Keepers of the Quaich, were there to give tasting advice to our panel. ‘Use your instinct. The first thing that comes into your head is the right thing. Ask yourself, “is it a big bruiser or a dainty dancer?”’ advised

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25/09/2019 17:17:45

READERS’ CHALLENGE

in New Zealand but I didn’t discover it until I came here.’ For some of our panel writing tasting notes was no problem. ‘I do tastings as part of my work in the shop Good Spirits,’ said Angie Vera Sanchez. ‘I like it because I can guide people through the taste. I base it on the eight principles of taste and narrow it down.’ Andy Jack also works in the whisky business, looking after the Bowmore brand. ‘I’ve always been fascinated by whisky. It’s going to be hard to choose the top ones, there are so many nice ones. This one smells like fresh laundry, but in a good way.’ Lucy Allen works for an independent bottler, Mr Alba International. ‘We bottle for the Chinese market. The Chinese love cherry cask whiskies, number 20 would be their favourite, with rose and red wine fruits.’ It’s quite instinctive Kirsten Webb works for Kingsbarns Distillery. for the knock out ‘I was travelling in round. Would you Australia and people kept saying, “you must love date this person, or whisky”. I eventually would you not started drinking it because it reminded me of home. I began drinking it in Old Fashioned cocktails. Then by themselves. When I got home I had to get into the industry.’ The Scottish Field Readers’ Whisky Challenge has launched whisky careers too. ‘I was in the Readers Challenge years ago, it launched my whisky career,’ said Blair Bowman. ‘This is the most authentic whisky competition there is because it’s completely blind. I’ve been very impressed by the calibre of everyone selected. They’ve taken on the challenge brilliantly and done exceptionally well with compiling their scores and tasting notes.’ Blair said. ‘This has been one of the best days of my life,’ said Jim Gillies. ‘I was worried we would be thrown in at the deep end but I’ll go away with so much new knowledge from Annabel and Blair.’ As we depart, Jim pops his head around the corner and says, ‘You’d think we’d be immune by now but I can still taste whisky in the bar.’ Our Readers’ Panel all went home with smiles and clinking goodie bags. Even the glasses made merry music as we tidied up. If you would like to be on the Scottish Field Readers’ Panel in 2020, email whisky@scottishfield.co.uk

“ Annabel. ‘Would you date this person or would you not? It’s quite instinctive for the knock out round.’ She told us her favourite quote by famous French epicure, Brillat-Savarin who said, ‘Smell and taste form a single sense of which the mouth is the lab and the nose is the chimney.’ Blair revealed how he writes his tasting notes. ‘I start with one word, such as citrus, then I zoom in to grapefruit, is it yellow, pink? Is it juice, peel, caramelised, until I get to caramelised pink grapefruit peel. It’s like a game of Guess Who?’ Our panel members teamed up to taste their whiskies at the same time and to compare notes. There were some arguments – Jim could taste sulphur but Kirsten couldn’t. ‘And I cover my ponies fly bites with sulphur so I know what it smells like.’ Tasting so many whiskies on a Monday was completely new for some of our panel. ‘After a while your mouth starts to feel aflame,’ commented Damon Simmonds. ‘I got into whisky through my dad,’ said Gillian Ferriday. ‘I’m a teacher but whisky is a real personal interest. It’s really good tasting whisky with no preconceived ideas and letting your taste buds guide you.’ Felix Haslimeier explained how he got into whisky after someone bought him a bottle of Laphroaig when he moved to Scotland from New Zealand. ‘There’s a huge interest in whisky

www.scottishfield.co.uk

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J & G GRANT, GLENFARCLAS DISTILLERY, BALLINDALLOCH, BANFFSHIRE, SCOTLAND AB37 9BD TEL +44 (0)1807 500257 INFO@GLENFARCLAS.COM WWW.GLENFARCLAS.COM Glenfarclas encourages responsible drinking.

DISTILLERY & VISITOR CENTRE

Nestled at the foot of Ben Rinnes lies Speyside’s hidden gem: GlenAllachie Distillery. Our gates are now open for visitors - come and uncover what’s been hidden away for over 50 years. With a range of tours on offer, you’ll be taken on a journey of discovery, with a unique opportunity to hand-fill your own bottle straight from a cask.

Visit Us

Opening Times

The GlenAllachie Distillery Aberlour AB38 9LR

visitors@glenallachie.com +44(0)1340 872547

Monday - Friday: 10am - 4pm Tours: 10am & 1.30pm

For information and to book a tour, visit www.theglenallachie.com Advance booking recommended

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25/09/2019 10:59:18

SCOTTISH FIELD WHISKY CHALLENGE

HOW THE READERS’ WHISKY CHALLENGE WORKS We open the competition to all the whisky distilleries in Scotland, inviting them to send in any new expressions or old favourites to take part in the Challenge. Then we find ten Scottish Field readers who know their drams to form an incomparable panel of whisky knowledge. We decant the bottles into sample bottles with only a number. On the day of the Challenge, our ten readers assemble at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Leith for a day of blind tasting. This year’s Challenge included bottles that retail for between £15 and £550. But without the ceremony of opening the fancy box, there was no telling which was which. The first round is a knock-out round and our panel whittled the list of 54 whiskies down to 25. The top 25 were taken forward for the scoring round in the afternoon. Each whisky was tasted for nose, palate and finish and given a decimal score out of 5. We then took away the highest and lowest scores and used the remaining marks to produce an overall score for each expression.

GOLD

The results 1

Rare Find – Gleann Mor Spirits Scores 4.78, 3.8, 4.75, 4.48, 4.3, 3.1, 3.6, 4.1, 4.55, 4.9 Total score 34.36 Tasting notes from Gillian: ‘Bourbon, baked apples and sultanas, smooth and creamy, delicate but strong, lovely long ﬁnish.’ Tasting notes from Lucy: ‘Manuka honey, orange rind, hint of chilli, lovely and creamy, fresh orange tang ﬁnish.’

“

Bourbon, baked apples and sultanas, smooth and creamy

www.scottishfield.co.uk

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Scarabus

@scarabus_whisky @scarabus_whisky

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READERS’ CHALLENGE

“

Fruitcake and ginger spice that develops into a mouth-watering cream

The top three

WHISKI ES go throu gh

GRAND to the FINAL with a ch anc being cro e of wned

‘Wh of the iYseky ar’

SILVER BRONZE

Glenfarclas 2008 Distillery Exclusive – J & G Grant, Glenfarclas Distillery Scores 4.7, 4.7, 3.25, 3.95, 3.95, 3.95, 4.6, 4, 4.12, 4.8 Total score 33.97 Tasting notes from Kirsten: ‘Fruitcake and ginger spice that develops into a mouth-watering cream, butter toast.’ Tasting notes from Felix: ‘Heavy-lifting sherry bomb, deep, long ﬁnish, a warming winter dram.’

www.scottishfield.co.uk

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Aberfeldy 20 Year Old ‘Exceptional Cask’ – Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery Scores 4.4, 5, 4.55, 2.1, 4.85, 2.85, 2.9, 4.5, 3.93, 5 Total score 32.98 Tasting notes from Jim: ‘Sherry, rosehip, caramel, complex, very well balanced. Must buy this!’ Tasting notes from Mathew: ‘Sherry, sweet cherries, blood orange, watermelon, salty spicy.’

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discover more

Benromach.com

Opening times

Come and visit us to discover how we handcraft our single malt scotch whisky, the time-honoured way. For more information please visit benromach.com/distillery or call us on +44 1309 675 968 Invererne Road, Forres, Moray IV36 3EB 01309 675 968 please enjoy benromach responsibly.

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25/09/2019 15:44:27

READERS’ CHALLENGE

The rest of the top ten

4 Whisky Row – Smoke and Peaty – Gleann Mor Spirits Scores 3.4, 4.7, 4.9, 3.7, 4.6, 3.8, 3.5, 3.8, 3.6, 4.6

6 Dalaruan, Classic Selection, Master Blender Scott Watson – The Lost Distillery Company Scores 3.78, 4.9, 4.2, 3.4, 4.05, 3.3, 3.3, 4.3, 3.6, 4.7

Total score 32.3 Tasting notes from Angie: ‘Light gold, a sweet and smoky taste, hints of vanilla and oak, forest, caramel and honey.’

Total score 31.33 Tasting notes from Kirstin: ‘Smoky, ﬁre on the beach, maritime saltiness, Cullen skink, windy day on the beach burning barrels.’

5 Islay Journey – Hunter Laing & Co Ltd Scores 4.5, 5, 4.15, 4.3, 4.05, 3.2, 3.4, 3.8, 1.8, 4.2

Total score 31.6 Tasting notes from Kirsten: ‘Sweet berries, tropical fruit salad, coastal ﬁnish.’

www.scottishfield.co.uk

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25/09/2019 14:39:37

SCOTTISH FIELD WHISKY CHALLENGE

7 Spica 20 Year Old – North Star Spirits Scores 3.9, 3.5, 3.95, 3.1, 4.6, 2.8, 3.3, 4.3, 4.6, 4.1

Total score 30.75 Tasting notes from Andrew: ‘Caramelised demerara sugar, Manzanilla sherry and a touch of marmalade.’ 8 Benromach 15 Year Old – Benromach Distillery Scores 3.5, 1.5, 4.7, 4.1, 4.21, 3.5, 4.4, 3.5, 4.75, 2.7

Total score 30.61 Tasting notes from Gillian: ‘Barley on the nose, dried fruits – sticky toffee pudding, sweet but dry ﬁnish. Hidden depths.’ 9 Spica 29 Year Old – North Star Spirits Scores 3.7, 4.8, 4.8, 1.5, 4.55, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2, 3.3, 4.4

Total score 30.35 Tasting notes from Andrew: ‘Natural honey with a hint of lime and peach. Summer in a glass.’

10 A Wee Beauty – Gleann Mor Spirits Scores 3, 4.5, 4.65, 3.4, 3.6, 3.35, 3.15, 3, 4.15, 4.9 Total score 29.8 Tasting notes from Damon: ‘Good, syrupy ﬁnish, with a hint of caramel.’

“

Natural honey with a hint of lime and peach. Summer in a glass

www.scottishfield.co.uk

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MOTORING

Shifting up

VITAL STATISTICS  Emissions 143g/km  Gears 6-9  Seats 5  Towing Capacity 1,600kg  Engine 2.0  MPG 42.1-44.9

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25/09/2019 17:26:25

4x4S OF THE YEAR

a gear

Taking to the high roads and putting the pedal to the metal, Neil Lyndon rounds up his favourite 4x4s currently on the market

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE BEST 4x4

Range Rover’s fastest-ever selling car may look as if it has only been marginally adjusted from its smash-hit predecessor but the new Evoque is in fact 99% new: only the door handles are carried over from the previous model. In preparation for the electric hybrid versions which will appear next year and to accommodate their batteries, the axles have been moved further apart and the body stiffened. The result is a transformation in driving dynamics on the road while the Evoque continues to wipe the bogs and mountainsides with its rivals off-road.

Prices £31,615 - £50,425

www.scottishfield.co.uk

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THE RANGE ROVER PHEV

NO NEED TO COMPROMISE.

When you combine our lightweight Ingenium engine with a powerful motor and a large capacity battery, you get ultra-low emissions and sky-high refinement, while maintaining all the key characteristics that make a Range Rover feel so special. It’s a plug-in hybrid for those seeking the most formidable of all-rounders. From effortless overtaking to effortless off-road ability, it seamlessly blends performance and efficiency unlike anything else. Book a test drive today.

Pentland Land Rover East Newcraighall, Edinburgh, EH15 3HR Tel: 0131 341 4837

Pentland Land Rover West Newbridge, Edinburgh, EH28 8TH Tel: 0131 341 5828

Locations also at: Cupar, Dundee, Elgin, Perth and Stirling

Official WLTP Fuel Consumption for the Range Rover PHEV in mpg (l/100km): Combined TEH – TEL^ 85.1-74.7 (3.3-3.8). Official NEDC Equivalent (NEDCeq) CO 2 Emissions 72g/km. The CO2 figures provided are NEDCeq calculated from official manufacturer’s WLTP tests in accordance with EU legislation. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. CO2 and fuel economy figures will vary according to wheel fitment, seat configuration, and optional extras fitted. NEDCeq are figures calculated using a Government formula from WLTP figures equivalent to what they would have been under the old NEDC test. The correct tax treatment can then be applied. ^TEH (Test Energy High) and TEL (Test Energy Low) fi gures are shown as a range under WLTP testing measures. TEH refers to the highest/least economical figures (with the heaviest set of options). TEL refers to the lowest/most economical figures (with the lightest set of options). WLTP legislation dictates that where there is <5g CO2 variance between TEL and TEH, only the TEH is declared.

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25/09/2019 11:11:43

4x4S OF THE YEAR

4x4 UNDER £20K

SUZUKI SWIFT HYBRID ALLGRIP This Suzuki is a delightful bundle of surprise in the same league as Fiat’s knockout Panda 4x4. With economical engines, high levels of specification and unbeatable reliability, the Swift in standard form is already one of the best small hatchbacks on the market. Fitted with AllGrip four-wheel drive and a mild-hybrid version of Suzuki’s 1.2 litre Dualjet engine, it becomes an astonishing little piece of kit, bursting with enough vim and vigour to stand up to the Beast from the East.

Price: from £16,999 for the 4x4 version

VITAL STATISTICS  Emissions 106g/km  Gears 5  Seats 5  Towing Capacity 1,000kg  Engine 1.2  MPG 55.4

VITAL STATISTICS  Emissions 162-197g/km  Gears 8  Seats 5  Towing Capacity 2,700kg  Engine 3.0  MPG 32-47

BMW X5 4x4 UNDER £60K

With basic prices ranging from £57,640 to £75,365, the fourth generation of X5 in 20 years narrowly squeaks under the wire into this category; but it firmly belongs in any review of the best 4x4s of the year. Luxurious to the nth degree and equipped with such a wealth of high tech that it might take a week to learn it all, this X5 takes BMW’s original concept of the premium SUV to unparalleled heights of refinement.

Prices £57,640 – £75,365 www.scottishfield.co.uk

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Fuel economy and CO2 results for the BMW 3 Series range, including the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid (weighted): mpg (l/100 km) (combined): Official WLTP Fuel Consumption for the BMW X5 xDrive 30d in mpg (l/100km): Combined TEH – TEL^ 34-37.2. Official NEDC Equivalent (NEDCeq) CO2 Emissions 165-159 g/km. 34.0 (8.3) to 201.8 (1.4). CO2 emissions: 162–37g/km.

The CO2 figures provided are NEDCeq calculated from official manufacturer’s WLTP tests in accordance with EU legislation. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may

differ. are CO2 fuel economy figures vary according to wheel seat configuration, and optional NEDCeq are figures calculated using a Government formula Figures for and comparison purposes and may notwill reflect real-life driving results, whichfitment, depend on a number of factors including the startingextras charge fitted. of the battery, accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. Forfigures plug-in hybrid vehicles to they were they obtained usinghave a combination of battery and fuel. test. Plug-in hybrid vehiclestax require mains electricity for charging. All figures were determined according to a new test (WLTP). The CO2 from WLTP equivalent what would been under thepower old NEDC The correct treatment can then be applied. figures were translated back to the outgoing test (NEDC) and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration. Only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedure. Model shown: 330i M Sport with optional equipment. *Test drive subject to status and Retailer availability (excl. 330e). Participating Retailers only.

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4x4S OF THE YEAR

COMPACT 4x4

VITAL STATISTICS  Emissions 138-154g/km  Gears 6  Seats 5  Towing Capacity 1,650-2,000kg  Engine 1.7  MPG 40.9 - 46.5

NISSAN QASHQAI Surprise, surprise: the blandest SUV on the block acquires some street-strutting cred. Edgy Transformer-like angles on the body and an aggressive, chippy stance have made the Qashqai a pleasure to look at as well as to own. Always engineered and built to Bismarck standards, the Qashqai has now also gained some stonking new engines (notably the 1.3 litre DIG-T 140 bhp petrol unit) and fully deserves to continue as the most popular car at the school gates.

Prices £32,055 for the 4x4 version

PICK-UP OF THE YEAR

FORD RANGER RAPTOR In the hope of extending their customer base, all major manufacturers are trying to produce a pick-up that drives more like a car than a horse-drawn hay cart. In 2019, Mitsubishi’s latest LS200 would have swanned off with first prize if Ford had not come out with the Raptor. Based on the Ranger pick-up, the Raptor’s complex, sophisticated independent rear suspension eliminates the bumps and jiggles that bedevil the pick-up breed. It is also pimped-up on the outside like a Miami mobster and furnished inside like a Madam’s boudoir. What’s not to love?

Price: £48,474 www.scottishfield.co.uk

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VITAL STATISTICS  Emissions 233g/km  Gears 10  Seats 5  Towing Capacity 2,500kg  Engine 2.0  MPG 26.6-35.3

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Cosy Lounge at Duisdale Duisdale House Hotel, Isle of Skye

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Book online at www.skyehotel.co.uk and join us at Duisdale House Hotel - Sleat (IV43 8QW), Skeabost House Hotel - Skeabost Bridge (IV51 9NR), Toravaig House Hotel - Sleat (Iv43 8RE) Duisdale House Hotel.indd 126

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SCOTTISH 4x4 FIELD’S TOPYEAR 4X4S S OF THE

VITAL STATISTICS  Emissions 162-191g/km  Gears 9  Seats 7  Towing Capacity 3,500kg  Engine 2.0-3.0  MPG 33.6-46.3

MERCEDES-BENZ GLE LUXURY 4x4

The best-selling 4x4 SUV in the Mercedes range gets a complete rethink in this, its fourth generation. Larger, roomier, faster, better to drive, more economical and with lower emissions than ever, this GLE includes technology that even surpasses the present S-Class luxobarge. A new infotainment operating system with touch screen, conversational speech and gesture control functions – complimenting small touchpad controllers within the horizontal spokes of the steering wheel – feels like having your own personal Jeeves in the car.

Prices £54,140 - £73,015

HYBRID ELECTRIC 4x4

HONDA CR-V In 2019, the most stalwart of all family SUVs also became one of the most appealing of all hybrid-powered cars. The new self-charging power system in Honda’s latest CR-V makes it technically one of the most advanced cars on the road and also provides it with a hatful of desirable qualities (0-60mph acceleration in nine seconds, fuel economy well over 50mpg and CO2 emissions at 126g/km).

Price: £37,255 for the all-wheel drive EX version www.scottishfield.co.uk

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VITAL STATISTICS  Emissions 126g/km  Gears 1  Seats 5  Towing Capacity 750kg  Engine 2.0  MPG 55.4

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25/09/2019 14:42:05

ETHICAL INVESTMENT

Clean and green R

The future is green: Investing in renewable energy is a top consideration for modern business.

esponsible investing is on fire. Not that long ago, concern over ethical and environmental investment was regarded as an abstruse fad, found only in the outer fringes of fund manager offerings and boutique advisory services. Customers who sought such products were thought unlikely to extend further than vicars and vegetarians. But today it is a burgeoning growth concern across the financial services sector and the corporate world. Here in Scotland two conferences set out to address Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues: the Church of Scotland’s ‘Your Money Changing the World’ on 5 October in Edinburgh, and Ethical Finance 2019 in Gogarburn on 8 and 9 October. Speakers include Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Susan Rice, RBS board member Dr Lena Wilson and chief economist and investment guru David Pitt Watson. How big has this become? Precise definition eludes it. Applying ESG factors in investment selection is no exact science, but it is becoming universal. It encompasses how companies deal with climate change, water usage, forestation and crop management and extends into recycling technology, electric cars, construction materials and zero carbon homes. Then there is ‘good conduct’ in employment behaviour – from health and safety policies to mitigate accidents, to human rights issues within companies and throughout the supply chain. The list is extensive – and growing.

www.scottishfield.co.uk

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The Global Sustainable Investment Alliance this year calculated the total of sustainable investing assets in the world’s five major markets to be $30.7 trillion (£24.8 trillion) – a figure that has leapt by 34% in two years. ESG screening is now thought to cover $17.5 trillion of global assets, up by more than two thirds over the same period. The world’s leading proponent for responsible investment, the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), claims to have more than 2,300 government, corporate and official signatories, with environmental, social and governance screening covering some $86 trillion of assets. Impressive figures – but there is deep ambiguity over what exactly constitutes good ESG practice, how it is measured and whether such screening effects positive change. Pressure for socially responsible investing is by no means confined to government bodies and lobby groups. Consumer demand for green financial products is on the rise, currently 55% of investors believe their money should support firms generating positive environmental and societal impact and 56% of investors aged 18-34 are motivated by social finance through publicity on climate-change. According to the website Good with Money, almost three in five individuals with ISAs say they’d prefer an account that financed ethical enterprises. The investment of ‘green bonds’ (fixed income debt instruments promising to finance projects such as clean public transport pollution control and green buildings) is also expected to hit $1 trillion next year. Here in the UK, the London Stock Exchange has listed 90 green bonds that have raised over $25 billion. There are also 13 renewable infrastructure funds with a value of $7 billion, along with 23 Exchange Traded Funds tracking sustainability indices. And more ESG products are becoming available for retail customers. Barclays Bank, for example, set up a mortgage lending scheme last year that promotes green mortgages. A key issue for investors is whether ESG investing helps or hinders performance. Supporters claim that funds adopting ESG practices tend to enjoy a lower cost of capital, lower volatility and fewer instances of fraud, bribery and corruption. But the evidence of ESG adding value is inconclusive due to the complex nature of the many factors involved. And there is a fundamental concern that restricting investment selection in this way could narrow risk diversification and increase portfolio risk.

SMALLCREATIVE / SHUTTERSTOCK

Ethical investment is on the up with businesses looking to offer sustainable, responsible options, says Bill Jamieson

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A Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland research project monitored Rob’s heart for two weeks. It stopped 4 times - once for 24 seconds. Within 24hrs of results, he was ﬁtted with a pacemaker. “I have been given my life back. I now have a future with my family, can go back to work, lead a normal life and most importantly, see my children grow up.” If you’d like to talk about leaving a legacy through a Gift in your Will, call Hayley on 0131 220 9592 or ﬁnd out more by visiting chss.org.uk/legacies

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25/09/2019 11:30:11

ETHICAL INVESTMENT a diversified portfolio of UK equity assets that meet our strict ethical criteria’, agreed with the parent group’s Ethical Committee. The screening process excludes companies that cause environmental damage, animal testing, genetic engineering, intensive farming, alcohol, gambling, pornography, tobacco and weapons. Among positive inclusions are environmental technology and pollution control organisations, and companies that donate to charities. Other funds worth considering are BMO Responsible Global Equity, one of the leading players in the field of Socially Responsible Investing; and the Rathbone Ethical Bond fund which ‘targets high yield with a strong ethical overlay’, and the Kames Ethical Fund. This invests in UK shares, but two thirds of the UK’s biggest companies are excluded on ethical grounds, including tobacco manufacturers, gambling companies, Two thirds of the or those that UK’s biggest companies excessively damage the environment. are excluded on ethical My personal grounds, including tobacco favourite is Impax and gambling companies Environmental Markets Investment Trust. Launched more than 17 that some are open to the charge years ago, the trust invests in of ‘green-washing’: commitment markets that target the cleaner to environmental protection and and more efficient delivery of improvement in rhetoric only. But the scope for growth is huge. basic services of energy, water and waste. Renewable energy features Just to match commitments and strongly, as does recycling. required improvements through And a great performer it the Committee on Climate Change has proved. Shares in the trust (CCC), the investment needed to meet the UK’s fifth carbon budget is have risen by 111% over the past £22 billion a year. To ‘green’ the UK’s five years, way ahead of the environmental trust average of infrastructure, the Infrastructure 31%. and Projects Authority (IPA) have ESG investing can come down a spending plan to set out more to personal beliefs and values. than £500 billion of investment Some investors may avoid funds into economic and social that invest in pharmaceutical infrastructure up to 2021. companies that test products on So what investment trusts and funds might ESG-minded investors animals; others that the greater good is served by tested and safe consider? There’s Standard Life manufacture. But whichever side Investments £329 million UK you are on, ‘responsible investing’ Ethical Fund managed by Lesley is now a mighty force – and it is Duncan. This ‘aims to provide growing at some pace. long-term growth by investing in Set against that is the increasing adoption of ESG standards by major international companies. And many institutional investors, particularly those looking after pension funds, have an obligation to fulfil their fiduciary duties and be seen to align underlying investors’ interests with the broader good of society as a whole. BlackRock, the world’s largest fund manager, now makes public the extent to which their exchange traded funds score on ESG principles. And the hedge fund Man Group has begun its process of developing a grade scale of its funds, according to their priority on responsible investment. However, investors would like to see more ‘proof of the pudding’ before eating. Measuring improvement in real term results remains complex and disputatious. Such is the earnest ESG virtuesignalling on many corporate and fund management websites

“

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ASK THE EXPERTS RATHBONE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LTD’S TONY SMITH JOINS US TO OFFER SOME MUCH NEEDED CLARITY ON CAPITALISM

HAS CAPITALISM LOST ITS WAY? ANSWER: Markets have been on one of the longest bull runs in history, but large swathes of people are feeling left out of this success story and losing trust in capitalism itself. It may be delivering returns for shareholders, but not in a sustainable way if the other stakeholders aren’t sharing in the benefits or, worse, if they’re paying a cost for delivering those returns. Yet we hold firmly to the belief that capitalism is not the problem, it’s the solution — when pursued responsibly. In essence we see true capitalism, what we’re calling ‘responsible capitalism’, as a social contract between businesses, the state and consumers, working together for the maximum long-term benefit of all. That’s certainly where it started. The 18th-century invention of limited-liability companies suddenly protected businessmen from risking everything. This released innovation and with it, great strides in transport, electrification, increasing life expectancy, and many other areas. These are the roots of capitalism that it needs to return to. Why care? There are compelling reasons for every long-term investor to care about responsible capitalism, regardless of whether they care about the societal benefits. Ignoring them, and paying heed only to short-term profit metrics, will inevitably have immediate negative consequences for the socioeconomic system, but it will also jeopardise longer-term profit opportunities for investors. We recognised the importance of responsible investing years ahead of most of our peers and were one of the early private wealth managers to sign up to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) ten years ago. Today we see responsible capitalism as essential in providing the solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges – such as resource depletion, climate change and income inequality – and also a huge area of opportunity for long-term investors. We’ve achieved a lot over the past ten years, and look forward to doing more to embed principles of responsible capitalism into our investment processes. TONY SMITH FCSI, INVESTMENT DIRECTOR. RATHBONE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LTD. TEL. 0141 248 4311, GEORGE HOUSE, 50 GEORGE SQUARE, GLASGOW, G2 1EH WWW.RATHBONES.COM

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LIFE & STYLE ADVERTORIAL

House of Bruar Hand Knits This beautiful range of pure wool knitwear encapsulates the essence of The House of Bruar’s new Handmade Gift and Clothing catalogues – highest quality textiles and products with that extra special something that elevates them far above the ordinary

s The Home of Country Clothing, The House of Bruar strives to bring the very best in quality and value to its customers. This new handmade knitwear collection is a perfect example of what they do best: sourcing exquisitely handcrafted artisan items with their own unique character and style. There’s something for all the family in this new collection, starting with playful children’s designs created in Ireland on hand flat knitting machines in traditional Kilcarra wool. Colourful sheep frolic over cute little cardigans and waistcoats, bringing superior comfort and warmth to your little one’s winter wardrobes. From authentic Aran cablework designs handcrafted in Ireland to vibrant hand-finished South American inspired pieces bursting with colour and personality, The House of Bruar’s commitment to luxury natural fibres brings you sublime knitwear that’s as comfortable as it is eye-catching. In addition to knitwear, they also have an impressive selection of pure new wool tweeds and plaids, with both authentic traditional designs and brand new original creations providing everything needed for the complete country wardrobe.

Left: Aran Baggy Beanie (TW90580) £19.95, Aran Handwarmer (GW01306) £16.95, Aran Socks (TH01327) £17.95. Opposite page: Ladies’ Aran Beanie (GW01307) £19.95, Ladies’ Aran Gilet (GW01314) £79.95, Men’s Fairisle T-Zip (GW01471) £89.95.

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HOUSE OF BRUAR

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LIFE & STYLE ADVERTORIAL

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HOUSE OF BRUAR

The House of Bruar also sends their buying team across Europe and beyond to find up and coming brands that capture the latest trends in country clothing, as well as stocking the latest creations from much-loved favourites including Dubarry, Schoffel, Levi’s and Gant, not to mention the largest range of Barbour products in the UK. Situated at the gateway to the Highlands just outside Blair Atholl off the A9, their store welcomes over two million visitors each year, and is continually expanding to better serve the needs of their customers. As well as expansive mens and ladies clothing halls they also boast an Art Gallery, Country Living Department & Present Shop (where you can tailor-make you very own wedding list), Restaurant, Fishing Shop and Homeware Department – even a Fish and Chip Shop where lobster and chips tops the menu! This year they have added a bakery which serves everything from freshly made sugar ring doughnuts to Scottish ice cream, and the all-new Jewel in the Crown jewellery shop, which houses a huge variety of stunning creations in gold, silver, pearl and amber. Over and above this unique shopping experience, The House of Bruar also takes its special brand of the best of Scottish style and design to a wider audience through its mail order catalogues. The recently released textile catalogue features specially selected highlights from the 2019 Autumn/Winter collection, while the upcoming gift catalogue showcases a wealth of handmade and handcrafted gift ideas just in time for Christmas. Left: Flock of Sheep Bobble Beanie (GW19214) £19.95, Flock of Sheep Long Socks (GW19215) £24.95. Top right: Ardara Headband (GW19219) £14.95, Ardara Handwarmer (GW19220) £16.95. Bottom right: Child’s Merino Sheep Waistcoat (TT17891) £54.95, Child’s Merino Sheep Cardigan (TT17890) £59.95.

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LIFE & STYLE ADVERTORIAL Both catalogues are supported by the company’s everexpanding website, which makes a vast selection of items – including a choice collection of gourmet delights from their Food Hall, which houses the very best of Scotland’s natural larder – available to browse and buy at your convenience. The House of Bruar’s commitment to excellence has seen the store steadily build into not just Scotland’s premier shopping destination but also a well known and highly respected brand in its own right. Whether online or in-store, their focus on exceptional service, premium materials and classic style is sure to see them gain more loyal customers and further expand in the future.

Left: Bloomsbury Bobble Beanie (GW19205) £19.95, Bloomsbury Jacket (GW19203) £89.95. Bottom: Little Hampton Headband (GW191990 £14.95, Little Hampton Jacket (GW19200) £99.95, Little Hampton Bobble Beanie (GW19202) £19.95, Classic Bodywarmer (GW01302) £59.95, Little Hampton Wristwarmer (GW19201) £16.95

The House of Bruar www.houseofbruar.com Tel: 0345 136 0111

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YEARS 1987-2019

The watch and jewellery repair company

OF OFCUSTOMER CUSTOMERCARE CAREININ THE WEST OFAND SCOTLAND SCOTLAND BEYOND!

Our team can repair and service most popular makes of watches, including Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Longine, Cartier, Jaeger, IWC and many others. Fully accredited and usually with savings on ‘high street’ prices. We alsowatch have an enviable The and reputation for servicing older jewellery repair and vintage watches, including antique pocket watches. company + Repair, restoration and

Our team can repair and service most popular makes of watches, including Rolex, Breitling, remodelling of jewellery inc. Omega, Longine, Cartier, Jaeger, IWC and many pearl restringing others. Fully accredited and usually with savings on ‘high street’ prices. also have an enviable + Engraving andWe hand-engraving reputation for servicing older and vintage service watches, including antique pocket watches. + Repair, restoration and remodelling +ofRepair and restoration jewellery inc. pearl restringing

of Barographs, Mercury + Engraving and hand-engraving service

barometers, and Barometer + Repair and restoration of Barographs, barometers, glass. silver and plate

Martin’s of

Glasgow

1158 Maryhill Road, Glasgow G20 9TA Tel: 0141 946 6333

www.martinsjewellers.co.uk

Member of The British Watch & Clockmakers’ Guild All major credit cards accepted including Amex.

GIVE THE GIFT OF RELAXATION DISPERSING BATH OILS - BODY OILS FACIAL O ILS – CANDLES – LUXURY GIFT SETS

10% OFF YOUR FIRST ONLINE ORDER USE ONLINE CODE – SFDEC19 (valid until 30.11.19) Tel: 0131-618-7450

Email: info@beatitudeproducts.com

www.beatitudeproducts.com

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M A N DA R I NA S H O E S.COM

RE-BOOT FOR AUTUMN

WWW.MANDARINASHOES.COM

Tel: UK 01307 819488

DUBARRY

SCHÖFFEL

RM WILLIAMS

BARBOUR

FA I R FA X A N D FAVO R

4 6 T H E S Q U A R E & 2 2 H O R S E M A R K E T, K E L S O , S C O T T I S H B O R D E R S T: 0 1 5 7 3 2 2 4 6 2 0 W : A H U M E . C O . U K 138

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FASHION IN THE FIELD

Fashion in the Field Look and feel great this season

A. Hume: The Harley of Scotland Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater is a beautiful, traditional piece from our new collection. Made from 100 % Cashmere we guarantee you will not want to take this sweater off. Tel: 01573 224 620 ahume.co.uk

ScotlandShop: Made to measure men’s tartan three piece suit in the tartan of your choice. A truly original addition to your wardrobe whether you choose a subtle tartan, or something a little bolder. Tel: 01890860770, scotlandshop.com

The House of Bruar: Made with characteristic Spanish flair, this traditional riding boot offers impeccable quality. Crafted from durable and attractive waxy leather, this eye-catching boot features a buckled strap alongside a decorative tassel and details. Tel: 01796 483236, houseofbruar.com

Malcolm Appleby: Whatever the occasion, Malcolm Appleby creates masterpieces! A remarkable range of objects and jewellery includes ginkgo leaf necklace new from 2019. Instagram: @malcolm_ appleby_engraving. Tel: 01887 840484, swapp@dircon.co.uk

Graham Stewart Silversmith: Rowan Leaf Brooch. Silver with rose gold and rubies. Tel: 01786 825244, grahamstewartsilversmith.co.uk

Cashmere at Lochleven: Where you will find beautiful cashmere knitwear & accessories as well as branded clothing, gifts and Coffee Shop. Tel: 01577 867570, cashmereatlochleven. com

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Perilla: Luxury alpaca country socks in a host of gorgeous jewel and natural colours. Bespoke gift boxed options for all the family are available. Made in Britain. Tel: 01886 853 615. perilla.co.uk

Gamefish: The Musto Montrose BR1 Jacket. The two layer showerproof fabric will keep you protected from the elements whilst the polysuede front panels help with gun mount and adds durability. Tel: 0131 2206465 gamefishltd.co.uk

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LIFE & STYLE ADVERTORIAL

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A. HUME

Country classics The new Autumn and Winter Collection by Schöffel Country A. Hume Country Clothing is a premium stockist of specialist outdoor brand Schöffel Country, a stalwart of the shooting world. The brand uses pioneering technical fabrics to produce superb clothing which is lightweight, stylish, comfortable and specifically designed with the discerning country customer in mind. Schöffel Country’s Autumn and Winter collection brings some exciting additions to complement the current favourites including a Lambswool Aerobloc collection and the introduction of new shades of the iconic Oakham and Lyndon fleece gilets. Schöffel Country understands that being out and about in the Scottish countryside means you need clothing which is durable and warm, without compromising your style. The new collection offers pieces which are technically brilliant as well as looking the part, to ensure both comfort and style. The ladies Norfolk shirt collection has seen the launch of two new prints this season, fig pheasant and thistle (inspired by the national flower of Scotland), the shirts offer a modern twist on the classic white shirt. The cotton, elastane mix allows for ease of movement and comfortable wear throughout the day. New additions have also been made to the down collection including the Twickenham men’s coat and down gilet. The ladies Mayfair, Kensington and Chelsea down coats and gilets,

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available in beautiful autumnal hues, will keep you cosy for the season ahead. Schöffel Country recognise the heritage, traditions and culture of the country way of life. The brand is well-known for their technical performance wear, with styles also available in traditional tweed. Inspiration is taken from the surroundings of Lovat Mill in the Scottish Borders where the tweeds are created, the garments are perfectly suited to a day on the Scottish grouse moors. To wear Schöffel Country is to wear the fabric of the countryside. The new collection offers coats, fleeces, shirts, trousers and accessories which create the perfect country look for family dog walks or pints in the pub with friends.

Left: Reversible Merino and Cashmere Gilet in Navy & Grey| £249.95 Norfolk Shirt in Thistle | £69.95 Opposite: Brancaster Shirt in Purple Check Wide | £69.95 Canterbury Jean in Camel | £89.95

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A. HUME

Above: Mayfair Down Coat in Navy | £379.95. Cheltenham Jean in Navy | £79.95 Below left: Merino ¼ Zip Jumper with contrast Elbows/Collar in Charcoal/Fig Trim | £139.95 Burnsall Shirt in Navy/Fig Micro | £69.95 Below right: Ptarmigan Tweed Jacket in Buckingham Tweed | £649.95

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LIFE & STYLE ADVERTORIAL

A HUME www.ahume.co.uk 46 The Square, Kelso, TD5 7HL 22 Horsemarket, Kelso TD5 7HD Tel: 01573 224 620 144

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ADVERTORIAL

High Season for Country Clobber Archie Hume of A Hume Country Clothing breathes a sigh of relief as he packs away his shorts and slips back into his tweeds.

arly autumn is a great time for seasonal produce. Home growers are still reaping the rewards from their veg patches, enjoying beans, courgettes, the last of the tomatoes and the first of the squash and pumpkins. The weeds aren’t growing with quite the same ferocity and the bulk of the chores are over in the garden for the year. The worst of the hard graft is almost over on the arable farms too, where there’s an end in sight to the annual harvest endurance test. Combine engines have fallen silent for another year as farmers all over the land take their first opportunity in months to go out for a pint - then immediately fall asleep in it. No wonder it’s called the mellow season. The early months of autumn are amongst the driest of the year and there’s still a little warmth to be squeezed out of the sun. Country gents can, with a sigh of relief, pack away their shorts and polo shirts before easing back into their tweed jackets, experiencing the same sense of comfort and homecoming that comes with sinking into a favourite armchair after a hard day. If ever there was a season for country clobber, then this is it. Down our way in the Scottish Borders there will be plenty of tweed on the Tweed as fishing folk flock to the river for what’s said to be the most prolific autumn salmon run in the

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Scottish rivers. Most likely there’ll be lots of waders too, technical waistcoats, gilets and a smattering of baseball caps and sunglasses for the less traditional fishermen and women. We welcome lots of men and ladies who come to fish on beats of the Tweed. Some return year after year for their annual autumn fishing trip. The game season is also well underway triggering a very welcome influx of visitors to Scottish Estates, as well as good sport for the locals, even more so when the pheasant season kicks off. Speaking of sport, there’s a different atmosphere to the early autumn mornings this year. Japan may be the land of the rising sun but we’re the ones getting up early to tune into the Rugby World Cup action. Pubs have been opening early to show the matches and friends and fans have been gathering to enjoy a spot of bacon buttie breakfast rugby. I’m no exception… though I’m deeply envious of those who’ve followed Scotland to Nagasaki. I do love the summer, but an autumn of rugby softens the blow of letting go. Of giving up on the hope that the weather will be stunning, that every year will be summer 2018 and instead rising to watch the latest rugby clash, then getting out there to enjoy what’s often the best season of the year in our glorious countryside. Now that doesn’t sound bad does it?

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HOTEL REVIEWS

A step back in time Taking a trip to historic haunts around the country, our subscribers uncovered some charming holiday destinations to add to your bucket list

Perle Oban Hotel REVIEWED BY IAN & ELMA CONN FROM LANARK

The Perle is a grand old building at the head of the Ferry Terminal and has been recently restored to former glory commanding wonderful views out across the bay. There is no dedicated parking for guests and while there is metered on-street parking this is limited. If you come by train however, you’re only 100 meters from the station. Reception staff were very pleasant, helpful and checked us in and confirmed our booking for dinner in the hotel’s Eastern Mediterranean-themed restaurant. Our room was on the 1st floor facing the sea. The rooms have been upgraded to a high standard and are well appointed and equipped. Hotel beds can be a disappointment but we couldn’t find fault here. It has been some years since we have been to Oban. Gone are the majority of the tartan tourist traps to be replaced by a wide range of independent shops showcasing the quality of Scottish produce. As well as the BAAB Meze & Grill, the adjoining Brew & Co Bar and Café provides cakes and pastries together with a wide range of cocktails and more traditional tipples. Breakfast is served in the main dining room with a selection of fruits, cereals, cold meats, fruit juices, bread (self-toasted) and preserves. A full cooked breakfast is also available. It can be said that Oban is a long way from everywhere but, with accommodation of this standard, the trip is well worth the effort. STATION SQUARE, Oban, PA34 5RT www.perleoban. com Prices from £119 per room B&B.

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Allan Ramsay Hotel REVIEWED BY LIZ & LYNSAY CARGILL FROM EDINBURGH

Leaving the busy Edinburgh city bypass, we were soon travelling along the edge of the Pentlands to the historic borders village of Carlops (Carlin’s Lowp or ‘witches leap’). The Allan Ramsay Hotel, built in 1792, is a welcoming traditional coaching inn named in honour of Allan Ramsay (1684-1758), celebrated Scottish poet and author of The Gentle Shepherd. This Scots pastoral comedy is set around the village of Carlops and Newhall Estate. His son, also called Allan, was a famous artist, whose works included portraits of George III, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora McDonald. On arrival, we were welcomed by the friendly and attentive staff. After being shown to our room we quickly settled into the cosy dining room with its inviting menu offering a good range of fresh locally supplied Scottish food. The fine selection of Scottish works in the library area and the abundance of Allan Ramsay’s poetry on the walls, adds to the ambience. Unfortunately we were too tired to chose an after dinner drink at the only surviving Penny Bar. After a very comfortable night we enjoyed a freshly cooked breakfast. The Allan Ramsay is a perfect stop to explore some of the Heritage Trails which allow walkers to discover the scenery of The Gentle Shepherd. This would be an ideal centre to explore the many routes through the Pentland Regional Park, or as some guests were – starting their Outlander Trail! The hotel hosts an annual festival to celebrate the culture and history of Allan Ramsay and the village of Carlops. CARLOPS, Penicuik, EH26 9NF www.allanramsay hotel.com Prices from £99 for a double room with breakfast.

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25/09/2019 17:46:11

HISTORIC HOTELS

Macdonald Marine Hotel REVIEWED BY JOYCE & JOHN WATSON FROM ALFORD

As we walked into the foyer of the Macdonald Marine Hotel & Spa in North Berwick, we were greeted by the skirl of pipes; not for us, but for a wedding about to start. It was, however, a stirring introduction to our weekend break. This Category B-listed Victorian building is renowned for its architecture and coastal scenery. As we settled into the Jack Nicklaus Suite, the first thing that struck us was the astounding view from the wide bay window: overlooking the championship golf course to the Fife coast, Craigleith Island, the Bass Rock and beyond. Once known as the ‘Biarritz of the North’, tourists flocked to North Berwick attracted by the ease of travel on the new railway and the plethora of golf courses in the region. Two trains left London each week exclusively for the rich and famous to travel to North Berwick. The Marine Hotel was the leading seaside golf hotel in Scotland. Some of the guests included Winston Churchill and a host of golfers like Henry Cotton, Nick Faldo and Ernie Els. While retaining its Victorian charm and character, the newest part of the hotel offers its award-winning thermal spa, outdoor hot tub and swimming pool. We were happy to indulge in this, followed by morning coffee in the beautiful gardens overlooking the coast. The hotel boasts the Craigleith restaurant, where we enjoyed a fine evening meal featuring the best of local produce. The staff throughout were attentive and efficient. For relaxation in beautiful surroundings, with a touch of history thrown in, this place has it all.

Busta House REVIEWED BY FIONA & TONY DOWSON FROM PITLOCHRY

Visiting Shetland has long been on my bucket list, and the opportunity to stay at Busta House was just the impetus we needed to book the trip. A former laird’s house, the earliest part of the building dates back to 1588. The fortunes of previous owners have been somewhat mixed – family feuds, financial ruin, death, tragedy – so much so that a ghost is said to haunt the hotel. Busta House is situated just outside the town of Brae, 23 miles from Lerwick and has magnificent views over Busta Voe. Painted white, with stepped gables and set in mature gardens, it makes quite an impact on arrival. As do the gargoyles which flank the path to the hotel. Sir Basil Spence, owner of the house in the 50s, was Lord Lieutenant of Shetland and an MP. When the House of Commons, damaged by wartime bombing, was being renovated, Sir Basil ‘rescued’ the gargoyles which were about to be thrown away and brought them back to Shetland. The hotel has 22 individually styled rooms named after some of the surrounding islands. We stayed in Lamba which was bright, airy and tastefully decorated in soothing creams and golds. We ate in the restaurant, choosing from a menu showcasing local produce – fish and mussels being among the highlights. The bar also offers meals and is extremely popular with locals and guests. The night we were there it was packed and had a great atmosphere. We opted to have drinks and coffee in the more tranquil surroundings of the Long Bar, the oldest part of the house, watching twilight settle over the bay. It’s a long way, but definitely worth the trip.

CROMWELL ROAD, North Berwick, EH39 4LZ www.macdonald hotels.co.uk Prices from £150 B&B.

BUSTA, Shetland, ZE2 9QN www.bustahouse. com Prices from £99 per night for a single room or £115 for a double.

Location 4

1 Perle Oban Hotel Tel: 01631 700301

Allan Ramsay Hotel Tel: 01968 660258 3 Macdonald Marine Hotel Tel: 0344 879 9130 2

1 2

4 Busta House Hotel Tel: 01806 522506

fancy yourself

If you are a subscriber and would like to spend a free night away in one of our chosen establishments and send us your review, then please email us on editor@scottishfield.co.uk and include your subscriber number. Terms and conditions apply.

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TRAVEL & LEISURE

ARGYLL

ARGYLL DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS

FESTIVE BREAKS | BOOK NOW KINGSHOUSEHOTEL.CO.UK | 01855 851 259 Live music, guided walks, ceilidhs, whisky & cocktail tastings and New Year’s black-tie gala dinner

Christmas from just £447 per person

New Year from just £654 per person

SEASONAL, STYLISH & SIMPLY DELICIOUS FROM AFTERNOON TEA TO ROMANTIC CANDLE LIT DINNERS. SPECIAL OFFER 3 COURSE SUPPER, BED & FULL SCOTTISH BREAKFAST ONLY £68.25 PP BASED ON 2 SHARING. AVAILABLE 1ST NOV - 5TH DEC AND 2ND JAN – 27TH MARCH

01383 621 067 SALES@GARVOCK.CO.UK WWW.GARVOCK.CO.UK

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Blairmore Farm near Crieff in Perthshire has 6 luxury cottages located on a working farm specialising in rare breeds. 5* cottages sleeping from 2-10 people Fully En-suite Exclusive use available for large gatherings Catering available Onsite licensed bar From £70 per cottage per night

reservations@blairmorefarm.com 01764 683 789 www.blairmorefarm.com

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25/09/2019 12:00:25

HOTELS & BREAKS

Sebay Mill ORKNEY ISLANDS Luxurious five star self-catering accommodation in the beautiful islands of Orkney. Situated just 10 minutes drive from Kirkwall.

The Ship Inn Overlooking the Harbour, The Ship Inn offers a great variety of quality food and drink. With eleven bedrooms, most with views of the harbour, The Ship Inn is an excellent choice for your stay in Stonehaven. Only 20 minutes from Aberdeen, Stonehaven is the gateway to Royal Deeside. Built in 1771, this historical and award winning hotel has so much to offer. 01569 762617 www.shipinnstonehaven.com

www.sebaymill.co.uk

E: office@sebaymill.co.uk

Tel: 01856 877782

ON BOARD with

The Royal Scottish Shipping Line

Discover a stunning Victorian Highland retreat hidden amid 20 acres of wonderful woodlands in the North Highlands near Thurso. Forss House Hotel & Restaurant Forss, Near Thurso KW14 7XY 01847 861201 anne@forsshousehotel.co.uk www.scottishfield.co.uk

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Spirit of Fortitude cuts an impressive sight sailing in the tranquil Scottish west coast waters. With 6 large, en-suite cabins available, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perfect for own cabin or private charter. Bookings available for 2019 and 2020. Accommodation which includes a grand saloon, a library and an upper deck Whisky Viewing Room, is already proving popular with guests from home and abroad, and it is easy to see why, with their own on-board personal chef and stewardess looking after their requirements. Tel: 01577 861 121 www.theroyalscottish.com

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MAINS

of T A Y M O U T H

COUNTRY ESTATE & GOLF COURSE

KENMORE

LOCH TAY

PERTHSHIRE

Luxury award winning 4 & 5 star pet friendly self-catering holiday properties sleeping 2â&#x20AC;&#x201D;12 Hot Tubs ~ Saunas ~ Games Rooms

Hogmanay House Party www.rufflets.co.uk

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01334 472 594

T: 01887 830226 E: info@taymouth.co.uk W: taymouth.co.uk Real Freedom, Real Luxury, Real Scotland

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25/09/2019 12:12:36

TRAVEL & LEISURE

Unique Holidays

Mix up your holiday by staying somewhere a little bit different COW PADS CRAIL Crail Tel: 01333 824121 The Cow Pads Crail offers modern style in a stunning country setting. With two beautifully upcycled shipping containers, guests can enjoy accommodation for two in a double bed, with ensuite shower room. The Cow Pads are fully insulated, 90% powered by green energy, and offer incredible countryside views from a delightful decking area. They are located next to The Cow Shed Crail which is often used for weddings. If you would like to escape the hustle and bustle, visit any night of the week. There is so much to see and do: beautiful beaches, a 15 minute walk to Crail, with its picturesque harbour, nearby historical St Andrews and even the V&A in Dundee. cowpadscrail.co.uk

Catchpenny Safari Lodges Elie, East Neuk of Fife Tel: 07495 047 169 Few places can genuinely claim that you can sit on your front deck while enjoying a glass of wine and watch a pod of dolphins go by. Well, this is part of the magic that awaits guests at Catchpenny Safari Lodges. Having only opened last year, the family-run Catchpenny is a collection of eight luxury canvas safari lodges with panoramic views over the Firth of Forth, located between the popular seaside villages of Elie and St Monans in the East Neuk of Fife. The self catered lodges each sleep up to six people in two double and two single beds, with a private bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, open-plan living dining area with log burning stove and of course an expansive covered front deck for soaking up the views. Dog friendly Catchpenny is completely offgrid with all power generated using micro wind turbines and solar panels and stored in batteries within each lodge. Unplug, relax and revive - Catchpenny provides the perfect base for exploring the historic fishing villages of the East Neuk and miles of deserted beaches along the Fife Coastal Path. catchpennyelie.co.uk

VENTURESAIL HOLIDAYS Oban Tel: 01872 487288 Explore the Inner and Outer Hebrides under sail with VentureSail Holidays. A fleet of classic boats and adventure vessels will take you to beautiful anchorages, hidden island coves and out to the remote St Kilda. Enjoy up close wildlife encounters and explore ashore with visits to heritage sites and local distilleries. With the unspoilt views from the deck, a sailing holiday is the best way to discover these stunning Scottish Isles. Sailing from Oban, VentureSail voyages are great for solo travellers, nautical newbies and seasoned sailors. No experience need to climb aboard and all food and drink is included in the ticket price. venturesailholidays.com

www.scottishfield.co.uk

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TRAVEL & TOURISM

Cosy Stays

Relax and recharge at one of these snug retreats THE SHIP INN

Stonehaven Tel: 01569 762617 shipinnstonehaven.com Built in 1771, The Ship Inn is a historic inn that is beautifully situated at the edge of Stonehaven’s picturesque harbour. Excellent home-cooked food is served in the panoramic airconditioned restaurant, while real ales and over 100 malt whiskies can be tasted at the inn’s newly refurbished bar or open terrace.

FORSS HOUSE

BLAIMORE FARM

Thurso Tel: 01847 861201, forsshousehotel.co.uk

Crieff Tel: 01764 683789 blairmorefarm.com

Forss House is a 19th-century Highland retreat nestled amid 20 acres of wonderful woodlands below a waterfall next to the River Forss in the North Highlands in Thurso. Discover the breathtaking natural beauty of the Highlands in the beautiful county of Caithness at Forss House Hotel.

Located in the Perthshire countryside,, a perfect base for exploring central Scotland. With 6 cosy cottages with log burning stoves and a warm and welcoming onsite bar, Blairmore is the perfect location for a romantic break or family get together.

FAIRMONT ST ANDREWS St Andrews

Tel: 01334 837000 fairmont.com

CRIEFF HYDRO

Crieff Tel: 01855 851 259 kingshousehotel.co.uk Boasting culinary delights, cosy rooms and the most breathtaking views, Glencoe’s Kingshouse Hotel is the ideal spot to while away the hours this winter. Priding itself on offering a warm welcome and outstanding Scottish hospitality, encouraging you to envelop yourself in the hotel’s abundant cosiness, drink in hand beside the roaring open fire.

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Set on 520-acres of the beautiful Scottish countryside, Fairmont St Andrews encompasses the finest in local culture with luxury and elegance. Two links-level golf courses, a tranquil spa & fitness suite, diverse dining experience options, and activities for the whole family make it the premier destination for your Festive holiday.

GARVOCK HOUSE HOTEL Dunfermline Tel: 01383 621 067 garvock.co.uk

Garvock House Hotel stands handsomely in an elevated position overlooking historic Dunfermline. Unwind in restaurants where Garvock’s chefs serve seasonal, stylish & simply delicious cuisine, from afternoon tea to romantic candle lit dinners. The perfect place to drift off & dream surrounded by peaceful gardens.

www.scottishfield.co.uk

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TRAVEL & TOURISM

TRUMP INTERNATIONAL Aberdeen Tel: 01358 74 33 00 trumpgolfscotland.com

Get away from it all as the seasons change with a fabulous Autumnal break at Trump MacLeod House & Lodge. Enjoy a sumptuous two-course dinner at The Dunes Restaurant & Bar before indulging in a five-star overnight stay and full or continental breakfast. £175 per room, staying September & October 2019.

LUXURY APARTMENTS SHETLAND

SEABAY MILLS Orkney Tel: 01856 877782 sebaymill.co.uk

Lerwick Tel: 01595 690260 luxuryapartmentsshetland.com

Situated just ten minutes from the main town of Kirkwall, Sebay Mill is the ideal base for visitors seeking a true sense of Orkney. Five-star self-catering apartments which have been beautifully designed and luxuriously finished. Creating a ‘home from home’ for guests is the main priority here – from the local maps available to browse to the welcome pack full of local produce.

For the warmest of welcomes, Luxury Apartments Shetland offers beautiful one, two and four bedroom self catering properties in Lerwick. The Watchmakers cottage is perfect for enjoying a romantic stay, while ‘The Captains’ offers dog friendly accommodation in the snuggest surroundings. For a little more space, The Bakers boasts four en suite bedrooms.

DUISDALE HOUSE HOTEL Isle of Skye Tel: 01471 833202 duisdale.com

MAINS OF TAYMOUTH Kenmore Tel: 01887 830226 taymouth.co.uk

There is nowhere cosier in a Scottish winter than the indulgent properties at Mains of Taymouth, Kenmore! These cottages and contemporary holiday houses offer a relaxing haven, many with hot tubs, saunas, and log burning stoves. Enjoy the Mains of Taymouth estate, equipped with Equestrian Centre, Golf Course, Shop, Restaurant and Deli or you can just “coorie in” in front of the fire in your winter bolthole!

www.scottishfield.co.uk

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Enjoy a unique highland getaway at the chic and elegant Duisdale House Hotel on the Isle of Skye. Situated on the Sleat peninsula at the South tip of Skye, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views and peaceful, picturesque gardens at this luxurious, contemporary retreat. Duisdale House offers 18 bedrooms, which are beautifully furnished and offer a touch of luxury.

KILCAMB LODGE HOTEL Argyll Tel: 01967 402257, kilcamblodge.co.uk One of the finest places to stay in Scotland, Kilcamb Lodge is the only 4 Star Hotel & 3 AA Rosette Restaurant on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. Winner of Best Loved Hotels, Hotel of the Year and The Best Pet Friendly Hotel. It holds a special place in the hearts of all who visit, especially for weddings, exclusive use and romantic gourmet breaks.

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TRAVEL & TOURISM

Magnificent Marinas

Check out the best marinas to visit for a range of activities

KIP MARINA

If you’ve always had a hankering to take to the water, then Scotland’s premier marina is the place to begin. Whether you want a great day out with family or friends or you’re an expert sailor looking for a full-service facility with 24-hour access to keep your beloved boat, then Kip is for you. Open to the public 7 days a week, with over 600 boats and spectacular views across the Firth of Clyde, a visit to Kip is a great way to experience the marina lifestyle for the first time. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely walk around the marina promenade, step inside Scotland’s largest Outdoor Clothing Store & Chandlery for the latest in fashion and sailing clothing, or relax at our waterside family restaurant The Chartroom, serving food, coffees and drinks all day. For boat owners, Kip Marina offers unrivalled on-water manoeuvring

space making it ideal for sailors of all experience levels. The on-site service experts can maintain all types of boats, and friendly and knowledgeable staff can offer advice and tips on everything - from how to get on the water for the first time to finding the best watering holes to visit by boat from Kip. Kip Marina, Inverkip, Inverclyde, PA16 0AW 01475 521485 kipmarina.co.uk

CRAOBH MARINA

If you’ve ever visualised a ‘Scottish’ marina then Craobh is it – think crystal waters, beautiful coastlines and islands with towering mountains as a backdrop and you’re there. Craobh (pronounced Kroov), is the sister marina to Kip, and situated in a naturally formed sheltered harbour just south of Oban. With easy access by road and rail, it’s the gateway to some of the most scenic sailing waters in the world or just a wonderful place to enjoy a short break in one of our refurbished holiday cottages. For boat owners, the 250 deep water berths, 24-hour access, unrivalled manoeuvring space, together with our friendly experienced staff, make Craobh the perfect marina to enjoy the best of Scotland’s west coast. Craobh Marina, Craobh Haven, By Lochgilphead, Argyll, PA31 8UA 01852 500222 info@craobhmarina.co.uk

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Clockwise from top: Kip Marina; Kip Marina from above; Craobh Marina; Chartroom Restaurant, Kip Marina

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TRAVEL & TOURISM

Magnificent Marinas

Check out the best marinas to visit for a range of activities

Port Edgar Marina Queensferry Tel: 0131 331 3330 Sitting between the iconic Forth Road and Rail Bridges and the Queensferry Crossing, Port Edgar Marina is one of the east coast’s largest marinas with berths for more than 300. Home to Scotland’s largest watersports centre, as well as Port Edgar Yacht Club, the Marina is less than 30-minutes from Edinburgh, on the southern banks of the Firth of Forth, boasting stunning views of the three bridges and the Kingdom of Fife beyond. Shoppers can peruse an extensive range of country, marine and casual clothing at the Marina’s shop, Beacon, while diners have the choice of eating at Scotts spectacular 200-capacity restaurant or the popular café Down the Hatch. portedgar.co.uk

ARDORAN MARINE Loch Feochan Tel: 01631 566123 Ardoran Marine is situated five miles south of Oban on the beautiful and rugged west coast of Scotland, on the shores of Loch Feochan. Sailing is ideal from Ardoran with access to the sea visiting the Western Isles, Mull, Iona and further beyond. The three chalets overlook the loch with spectacular views of the yachts on moorings with sunsets beyond imagination. Each chalet is equipped with everything required for family holidays and pets are welcome. Seals, otters, herons, buzzards and sea eagles can be seen frequently with deer occasionally passing the chalets into the woodland, Highland cattle grazing farmland nearby. ardoran.co.uk

Taymouth Marina Loch Tay Tel: 01887830216 Taymouth Marina is one of Scotland’s hidden gems, situated right on the banks of Loch Tay. It is surrounded by the most magnificent landscape. This luxury holiday resort welcomes both holiday makers and day trippers, who are all free to take advantage of the fabulous facilities consisting of the award Winning Hot Box Spa, the Lochside Bar-Café and Grill, Water sports hire and Marina Boat berths. TWo-night short breaks are available from £350. Spa membership or drop in is available from £25. Water sports hire is available from £15 per person. Marina berthing has seasonal spaces available from £1500 and wedding venue hire is also available. taymouthmarina.com

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TRAVEL & LEISURE

Destinations ABERDEENSHIRE

ARGYLL

LUXURY 4 BED LODGES IN OWN PRIVATE GROUNDS OVERLOOKING ROLLING COUNTRYSIDE Hot Tub “HOME FROM HOME” Reunite, Reconnect & Re-energise Self-catering with a twist “PAMPER DINE AND PLAY” Perfect for large parties, celebrations, anniversaries, parties. In the area - Castles, distillery’s and golf courses.

Bracken Cottage, Kilmore Delightful, luxury cottage accommodates 4 in 2 en-suite rooms. Just 3 miles from Oban in a secluded woodland setting. Fully fenced garden. Dogs welcome. – Quote Scottish Field –

info@clovenstonelodges.co.uk 0787 805 7374 www.clovenstonelodges.co.uk

01631 770283 info@holidaycottageoban.co.uk www.holidaycottageoban.co.uk

ARGYLL

KINTYRE’S ONLY 5 STAR VISITSCOTLAND GUEST HOUSE A warm welcome awaits you Call 01583 431119 www.carradales.com

A fabulous place to stay on Islay for 2-4 guests. Sauna, chef service and unashamed luxury. www.coillabus.com

ARGYLL

LAGNAKEIL

AYRSHIRE

Noddsdale Estate

HIGHLAND LODGES

Luxury self catering holidays in Ayrshire

3 miles from Oban

A wonderful place to relax in and base from which to explore Ayrshire and beyond.

Pet friendly self catering lodges Superb walks with country pub nearby

Bell Loft – sleeps up to 5; children 10 years and over East Wing – sleeps up to 4; children 10 years and over Willow Cottage – sleeps 5. Dog Friendly

T: 01631 562 746 info@lagnakeil.co.uk www.lagnakeil.co.uk

T: 01475 673757/672382 www.ayrshirecountryholiday.co.uk

BORDERS

Hearthstanes Steading

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

WINTER DEAL 1st October 2019 - 31st March 2020

Five beautiful self-catering cottages located in a picturesque farm steading, all set in the rural yet centrally-located Borders region. Hiking, biking, stalking, 9-pin bowling and 4x4 tours on the Estate. Tweedsmuir, Scottish Borders Tel: 01899 225119 www.hearthstanes.com

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

TWO NIGHT DEAL at £59.00 per person B&B FOUR NIGHT DEAL at £99.00 per person B&B. Terms and Conditions Apply

MABIE HOUSE HOTEL, MABIE FOREST, DUMFRIES DG2 8HB 01387 263188

www.mabiehousehotel.co.uk reception@mabiehousehotel.co.uk

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

PORTPATRICK Luxury Bed and Breakfast, set in 11 acres of mature woodland. A stunning Scottish hideaway - full of history and tales of bygone eras - a real retreat from everyday life. ROCKHALL TOWER, COLLIN, DUMFRIES DG1 4JW SCOTLAND 01387 750751 www.rockhalltower.com

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Two, 4 STAR holiday housesThe Port House sleeps 8 and The Port Cottage sleeps 4. Situated in the heart of Portpatrick village. Rod & Sally Baxter 07786262082

www.portpatrickholidaycottages.co.uk

www.scottishfield.co.uk

25/09/2019 13:05:23

HOTELS & BREAKS

Destinations EAST LOTHIAN

FIFE

BELLE HAVEN CHALET

fife cottages

We hope you will consider visiting us here in East Lothian and relax into the peace and tranquillity of this contemporary holiday chalet. It’s a perfect place to escape the busy days and hustle and bustle of everyday life, or to jump in to the great outdoors and explore this outstanding area of natural beauty! If you love the sea and the beach and contemporary living… YOU WILL LOVE IT HERE!

belhavenchalet.co.uk

FIFE

From stunning St Andrews townhouses to romantic coastal retreats Fife Cottages have something to suit everyone.

Opening Times

Bridgend Hotel

Tea/Coffee and Homebaking from 11.00am

Isle of Islay

Lunch from 12.30 - 2.30pm

PA44 7PB

Dinner from 6.00 - 8.45pm

+44 (0) 1496 810212

Visit us at fifecottages.co.uk or call David,Gillian or Emma on 01334 208330

ISLAY

Evening Menu in Katie’s Bar 6.00 - 8.45pm

info@bridgend-hotel.com

+44 (0) 1496 810212 info@bridgend-hotel.com

BRIDGEND HOTEL LOCATED IN THE HEART OF ISLAY ‘Island hospitality at its best’ www.bridgend-hotel.com

LOCATION

Located in the Idyllic Village of Bridgend the Three Star Bridgend Hotels offers the Perfect Base to Explore the Island or Simply to Sample Seasonal Local Produce at it’s best!

ROOMS Each of our eleven ensuite bedrooms is individually decorated to a high standard to ensure your comfort and relaxation.

ORKNEY

FOOD We are passionate about promoting our amazing seasonal Local and Area produce on all of our Menus.

PERTHSHIRE

BARS Each of our Bars offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere to sample the Whisky of Islay and Jura along with Local Ales and Our Famous Botansit Gin

Two traditional Orkney cottages which have been totally renovated, with all modern comforts. Situated just over a mile from Skara Brae and the beautiful sandy Bay of Skaill.

PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.bridgend-hotel.com

Tel: 07753 378 917 info@orkney-accommodation.co.uk www.orkney-accommodation.co.uk

PERTHSHIRE

Atholl Estates Blair Castle and Garden

Blair Castle and Garden

Atholl Estates

Enjoy a self-guided tour around 30 of our beautiful rooms at your own pace a self-guided tour around 30 of our beautiful rooms at with plenty ofEnjoy kids activities to keep your own pace with plenty of kids activities to keep the whole the whole family entertained. family entertained. T: 01796 481207 E: office@blair-castle.co.uk www.blair-castle.co.uk Head out to the gardens to enjoy our deer park, adventure Kinnaird 4x2.pdf 1 13/12/2017 16:03:28 playground and discover some of the tallest trees in Britain.

PERTHSHIRE

Perched on a hill overlooking Tay Valley, we offer the perfect Highland Getaway. With beautiful B&B rooms within Errichel House and three self-catering cottages boasting spectacular views. Errichel House and Thyme Restaurant offer the best of both dining and accommodation, a unique destination of indulgent serenity. www.errichel.co.uk | 01887 820 850

SHETLAND Enjoy lunch, speciality tea & coffee and home baked cakes in our Tullibardine Restaurant. Group discounts and speciality tours available. For more details visit the website www.blair-castle.co.uk

Self Catering Cottages & Fishing Our attractive cottages are the perfect getaway to fish or relax amid dramatic Highland Perthshire scenery.

www.kinnairdestate.com cottages@kinnairdestate.com

01796 482831

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TRAVEL & LEISURE

Destinations SPEYSIDE

SPEYSIDE

Weiroch Lodge, Speyside 5-Star 18th-century mill conversion, sleeps 6-8. Discounts for 2-4. Field, forest & riverside walks. Salmon fishing, castles, Cairngorms, whisky. Idyllic peace. Good dogs welcome.

FESTIVE B BREAKS REAKS Full details on our website

www.knockomie.co.uk Email stay@knockomie.co.uk

www.weiroch.co.uk

01807 500797

Knockomie Inn, Grantown Road, Forres, Moray IV36 2SG T: +44 (0) 1309 673146

Days Out ARGYLL

ISLE OF GIGHA

Seafood Capital Seafood Capital of of Scotland Scotland

The Isle of Gigha.... a true island experience.

All you need for: things All you need to and for:see things to do, places to see and do,and drink! stay, eat places to stay, eatVisit and drink! us

TAKE THE 20 MINUTE FERRY JOURNEY FROM KINTYRE TO THE BEAUTIFUL AND WELCOMING ISLE OF GIGHA.

at oban.org.uk

www.gigha.org.uk

Visit us at oban.org.uk

ORKNEY

ISLE OF LEWIS

SAMPLE LIFE AS A HEBRIDEAN CROFTER ON THE ISLE OF LEWIS Learn about this unique way of life and traditional activities such as peat-cutting and sheep-shearing Email: info@airanlot.com www.airanlot.com AirAnLot @airanlot

PERTHSHIRE

A HIDDEN TREASURE IN PERTHSHIRE Give yourself a treat with one of our High Teas or something off our Sunday special menu served from 12-6pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; We think you deserve it! Join us this festive season. Our Christmas menu is available from 1 - 24th December and our Hogmanay party is now open for bookings!

21 - 25 High Street, Kinross

www.courthousekinross.com

01577 351020

Pitcrocknie Restaurant Alyth, Blairgowrie PH11 8JJ

01828 629141

TO ADVERTISE IN THE DESTINATIONS SECTION, CALL 0131 551 1000 158

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25/09/2019 16:08:34

HOTELS & BREAKS

Days Out PERTHSHIRE

96-98 High St Aberlour AB38 9QA 01340 871 243 info@speylarder.com www.speylarder.com

Enjoy the in the

COMING NEXT MONTH

Scottish Scottish and and international international fine fine cheeses cheeses Scottish and international fine cheeses Scottish and international fine cheeses Quality cold meats and antipasti Quality cold meats and antipasti Quality cold meats and antipasti Quality cold meats and antipasti Preserves and pickles Preserves and pickles Preserves and pickles Preserves and pickles Wines, and Wines, whiskies whiskies and Scottish Scottish beers beers Wines, whiskies and Scottish beers • Stirlingshire & Trossachs • Our huge Wines, whiskies and Scottish beers Picnic lunches provided Picnic lunches provided Picnic lunches provided Picnic lunches Christmas Gift Guide (promote vouchers for Cookery Books, Quality Cookery Books,provided Quality Gifts, Gifts, Household Household Cookery Books, Quality Gifts, Household Linens Cookery Books, Quality Gifts, Household Linens Accommodation, Dining, Spas + Afternoon Teas) Linens Linens Gift Hampers Hampers available all year year Gift available all best of Scottish Food & Drink Gift Hampers available all year • Relaxing Retreats • Cruise Scotland 2020 Gift Hampers available all year Heart of Whisky Country

The Spey Larder The Spey Larder The 96-98Spey HighLarder St, Aberlour 96-98 High 96-98 High St, St, Aberlour Aberlour AB38 9QA AB38 9QA AB38 9QA 01340 871 243 01340 871 01340 871 243 243 info@speylarder.com info@speylarder.com info@speylarder.com www.speylarder.com www.speylarder.com www.speylarder.com

Wedding Venues

Enjoy the Enjoy the Enjoy the best of Scottish Enjoy the best of Scottish best of Scottish Food Drink best of& Scottish Food & Drink Food & Drink in the Food &Heart Drink in the Heart in the Heart of Whisky in the Heart of Whisky of Whisky Country of Whisky Country Country Country

• • Scottish Scottish and and Continental Continental Fine Fine Foods Foods • Scottish Fine Foods • Scottish and and Continental International Cheeses • Scottish and Continental Foods InternationalFine Cheeses • Scottish and International Cheeses • Quality Salami Cold • Scottish and International Quality Hams, Hams, Salami and and Cheeses Cold Meats Meats • Quality Hams, Salami and Cold Meats • Fine Malt Whiskies and • Quality Hams, Salami and Cold Meats Fine Wines, Wines, Malt Whiskies and Beers Beers • Fine Wines, Malt Whiskies and Beers • Picnic Lunches and Gourmet Sandwiches • Fine Wines, Maltand Whiskies andSandwiches Beers Picnic Lunches Gourmet • Picnic Lunches and Gourmet Sandwiches • Books, Exciting Gifts and • Cookery Picnic Lunches Gourmet Cookery Books,and Exciting GiftsSandwiches and Quality Quality • Cookery Books, Exciting Gifts and Quality • Linens • Household Cookery Books, Household LinensExciting Gifts and Quality • Household Linens • Household Linens The The Spey Spey Larder Larder .. 96-98 96-98 High High St St .. Aberlour Aberlour .. AB38 AB38 9QA 9QA The Spey Larder . 96-98 High St243 . Aberlour . AB38 9QA 01340 871 01340 871 The Spey Larder . 96-98 High St243 . Aberlour . AB38 9QA 01340 871 243 info@speylarder.com . www.speylarder.com info@speylarder.com . www.speylarder.com 01340 871 243 info@speylarder.com . www.speylarder.com info@speylarder.com . www.speylarder.com

BORDERS

PERTHSHIRE

WEDDINGS AT MURTHLY CASTLE One of the most enchanting wedding venues in the Scottish Borders

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For information about wedding packages and availability, please email us on weddings@floorscastle.com www.floorscastle.com

The richly-decorated chapel seats up to 220 people, and receptions can be held either in the music room and ball room or in the 17th century walled garden. 01738 630 666 weddings@murthly-estate.com www.murthly-estate.com

01738 630 666 weddings@murthly-estate.com www.murthly-estate.com

The perfect venues for Christmas Party’s

CHECK OUT OUR NEW FEATURE ON THE

SCOTTISH FIELD WEBSITE

CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHTS

www.scottishfield.co.uk

TERMS & CONDITIONS Your attention is drawn to the following terms and conditions which relate to the placing of advertisements in all publications owned by Wyvex Media Ltd. Parties to this agreement are the Publisher, Wyvex Media Ltd. on the one part and the Advertiser on the other part. The Publisher publishes newspapers, magazines, books and provides advertising space therein or provides for the delivery of advertising materials to the public within these publications. 01 Advertising copy shall be legal, decent, honest and truthful and comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice and all other codes. 02 The Publisher does not guarantee the insertion of any particular advertisement. 03 The Publisher reserves the right to cancel or alter the advertisement by giving reasonable notice. 04 An order for an advertisement shall be deemed to be made on acceptance of the advertisers’ order by the Publisher whether placed by telephone, mail, fax, email or in person. 05 Cancellations or postponements of orders must be notified in writing and cannot be accepted later than 30 days prior to the scheduled publication date. Cancellations not in accordance with these terms will be subject to payment of the full cost of the advert. Advertisments that are part of an agreed discounted campaign or series and have appeared prior to cancellation will be re-charged at full rate. 6 The parties submit to the jurisdiction of the Scottish Courts and Scots Law. In the event of any dispute or action by the Publisher to recover payment from an advertiser, it is agreed that matters will be settled in the Oban, Argyll Sheriff Court or such other Court as the Publisher may choose. 07 The Publisher shall not be liable for any loss or damage occasioned by any total or partial failure (however caused) of publication or distribution of any newspaper or edition in which any advertisement is scheduled to appear. In the event of any error, misprint or omission in the printing of an advertisement or part of an advertisement, the Publisher will either re-insert the advertisement or relevant part of the advertisement,

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as the case may be, or make reasonable refund or adjustment to the cost. No re-insertion, refund or adjustment will be made where the error, misprint or omission does not materially detract from the advertisement. 08 Errors must be notified to the Publisher in writing within fourteen days of publication. In no circumstances shall the total liability of the Publisher for any error, misprint or omission exceed the amount of a full refund of any price paid to the Publisher for the particular advertisement in connection with which liability arose or the cost of a further or corrective advertisement of a type and standard reasonably comparable to that in connection with which liability arose. 09 The Advertiser/ Advertising Agency agrees to indemnify the Publisher in respect of all costs, damages or other charges falling upon the publication as the result of legal actions or threatened legal actions arising from the publication of the advertisement in any one or more of a series of advertisements published in accordance with copy instructions supplied to the publication in pursuance of the Advertiser/ Advertising Agency order. 10 Adverts under the value of £75 must be paid on acceptance of order by the Publisher. All advertising on a credit basis must be agreed with the Publisher in advance. 11 Payment of any invoice raised by the Publisher will be due 15 days from the date of invoice or as otherwise directed on the invoice. In the event of non-payment the Publisher may charge late payment interest at a rate of 2% and this is chargeable on a daily basis from the due date until the bill is paid. In addition the Publisher may charge a late payment levy of £10 as an administration fee. In the event of late payment the Publisher reserves the right to disallow any discounts given and to raise an additional invoice for the discount which will be treated as though it has been raised with the original invoice. 12 A request to insert an advertisement assumes acceptance of our conditions. Photographs etc. must be accompanied by a SAE. Although every care will be taken, Scottish Field is not responsible for loss, damage or any other injury as to material provided.

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CHARITY CHRISTMAS CARDS

Charity Christmas Cards Choose a great cause this festive season ERSKINE

Erskine has been proud to support ex-Service personnel since 1916, caring for over 1000 Veterans and their spouses each year. Erskine cares for Veterans of all ages, uniquely offering a very special blend of dedicated care and compassion in the companionship of like-minded people. Erskine’s Christmas card and gift range offers a selection for everyone while supporting Veterans in Erskine’s care. Tel: 01418121100, erskine.org.uk

BRITISH DEER SOCIETY

Help to champion Britain’s magnificent wild deer by supporting The British Deer Society. BDS promotes deer education, research and management best practice to ensure a healthy and sustainable deer population. Christmas cards with two seasonal images by Scottish Highlands wildlife photographer Neil McIntyre, a stunning new 2020 calendar and selection of stocking fillers are all available now online. Tel: 01425 655434, bds.org.uk

GLASGOW CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity raises funds to support the 173,000 babies, children and young people treated at Scotland’s busiest children’s hospital. When you buy your Christmas cards from their wonderful selection, all profits come to the charity to ensure young patients and their families receive the extra special care they deserve while in hospital - including brave young patients like Skye who drew one of the charity’s cards this year. Tel: 0141 212 8750, glasgowchildrenshospitalcharity.org/shop

REDWINGS HORSE SANCTUARY

Merry Christmas! 160

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Support over 1,500 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules in the care of Redwings Horse Sanctuary this Christmas by shopping from their great range of Christmas cards. Redwings rescues abandoned, mistreated and neglected equines by providing essential veterinary treatment, rehabilitation and lifelong care. Help to protect horses across the UK from infectious disease. Find out more and show your support at Tel: 01508 481000, redwings.org.uk/shop

www.scottishfield.co.uk

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Abode

ABODE

self-build & renovation in Scotland

Planning permission made easy

Why you need an architect Focus on

RENEWABLES

Your new guide 2019

Cosy stoves for winter

Get the VAT back

From finance to furnishing - step by step 3

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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF BUSINESS 1999-2019

SCOPE BATHROOMS Scope is an award-winning bathroom supplier, who specialise in one-off bespoke bathrooms, as well as large residential and commercial projects. We work with the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading brands, ensuring design-led, quality products. Our highly trained sales and design team are on-hand, to help you create the bathroom of your dreams.

www.scope-bathrooms.co.uk info@scope-bathrooms.co.uk 40 Colquhoun Avenue, Hillington Park, Glasgow, G52 4BN 0141 882 8282

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ABODE

Now is the time to be confident about plans for your home

hile our politicians fight like the proverbial ferrets in a sack we still need to keep a roof over our heads and live our lives with all that entails. We need to upsize, downsize, plan for new babies, grandparents moving in, children moving out and then back home again. To work from home, to have the space to enjoy ourselves, relax and entertain, and not fight over who is next in the bathroom. We are living in times of uncertainty which are going to have a huge impact on family decisions – and housing our families involves the biggest set of decisions we ever make. It would take a brave or foolish person to predict what on earth is going to happen with Brexit in the time between this edition of Abode being prepared and appearing in print. The impact of this uncertainty is being reflected across the entire housing market, from new build to buying the final scatter cushion for the sofa. ‘Subdued consumer confidence’, said John Lewis, was one of the reasons for its halfyear figures showing a loss of £25.9m from a profit last year of £0.8m and also ‘soft demand’ for home items. Across the market, analysts are pointing to people factoring in ‘Brexit uncertainty’ before making big spending decisions or committing to loans and financing. But we cannot stand still; life goes on. So we better start building for it. Yes there is uncertainty but that just means we have to be excellent when it comes to our decision making be it choice of design, materials, energy efficiency, trades people and finance; and not forgetting that final scatter cushion. We hope this latest edition of Abode is thought-provoking and that it inspires you to build or renovate with confidence in these unsettled times. Enjoy your homes. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors, or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Wyvex Media does not officially endorse any advertising material included in this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher.

A Wyvex Media Publication

I N D E X Finding land ....................................... 4 Planning permission ......................... 6 Finance ................................................ 8 Grants ................................................ 11 VAT .................................................... 11 Architects ......................................... 12 Timber frames ................................. 14 SIPs .................................................... 15 Design ................................................ 16 Roofing .............................................. 22 Logistics ............................................ 24 Energy ............................................... 28 Air-source heating .......................... 30 Wood burners .................................. 32 Utilities ............................................. 35 Lofts ................................................... 36 Décor ................................................. 39 Carpets .............................................. 43 Kitchens ...................................... 44-46 Bathrooms .................................. 47-48 Gardens ............................................. 50 Front cover image: The Briongos Mackinnon house at Strathaven Airfield by Richard Murphy Architects. Advertising director: Nicky Murphy Design: Grant Dickie Editorial: Joanne Simms

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LAND ABODE

CHOOSE WELL & CHOOSE WISELY The best thing about building your own home is the choice and the chance to get what YOU want and how you decide to spend your money

ou might start out thinking that you want a fourbedroom home but suddenly you have the chance to own an incredible plot of land with stunning views but exceeds your original budget. So one of the bedrooms is sacrificed; the design you were so sure of, and set your heart on, is being traded off for something you did not know that you wanted when the search began. It has never been easier to find a plot of land: that is the good news. In this highly-connected age of ours, traditional estate agents and Scottish solicitors with property sales all have web pages and

there is a plethora of online businesses dedicated to selling plots. Some websites are free while others charge a fee to join or see the full details of the land for sale. The bad news is that it has never been easier. Far more people will know about the plot of land you are after and so you could end up in a bidding war or losing out if you don’t act quickly enough. Many building companies or private developers have ‘land banks’ of plots they have in mind for future development and these could yield single plots if they are willing to sell. Planning laws were in their infancy pre Second World War and you often found industrial, commercial and residential all in the same street. So, when looking in towns, you will be pleasantly surprised at how easily an old yard or factory or business site can obtain planning permission for a change of use to residential. Some small to medium-sized businesses might have plots of land now lying empty. This can be a fruitful avenue to investigate as many older companies can have land that has been held for years; perhaps an old yard where housing grew round it. Prepare to be flexible; your chosen plot may face a direction which prompts an about-face of the design you worked so hard to perfect. The view is so stunning that the living room and dining room find themselves transposed; a huge window or balcony needs to be ‘right there’ to capture the view. Perhaps the best sight-lines mean planners insist that the site entrance can only go in one place and nowhere else, so the front door and garage location must shift to accommodate this. Or you fall in love with a plot because it contains a magnificent old tree. The landscape or street scene might scream out for building materials you never considered before you found your plot. How your new home sits within the landscape can transform your ideas from a nice-looking house into something unique. You and your architect can make your new home, and the land on which this will happen, into something very special. Old, locally-based charities, or community trusts can also be land holders as can churches and do not rule out Councils, the Forestry Commission, Scottish Water or the companies now running what were once nationalised industries like coal, electricity or the railway, also look at health authorities, the police, fire and military. They all evolved over time, absorbing smaller organisations or being reorganised along the way.

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ABODE

Right first time Not to put any pressure on you but if, at the start of your home building journey, you get the land purchase wrong then unexpected expense and delay will haunt the entire project. First and foremost is planning permission. If the land does not have planning permission it will be cheaper to buy but then comes the big question: will it get approval? If the plot has full planning permission, you build what the permission tells you or apply for amendments, with the cost and time this involves. All local authorities in Scotland have a pre application service and finding out what the land can and cannot contain, buildingwise, is far easier now than in the past. A safe bet is to negotiate with the seller and agree to a price, subject to planning permission, and if approval is not given, walk away from the deal. Do not get bogged down at this stage no matter how wonderful the land is. An appraisal of the site is also essential. The appraisal should also include the quality of the actual ground; was it once a quarry, now filled in or contaminated by previous industry or waste? Will it be capable of supporting a property without expensive ground works and piling? And talking of additional expense is the site already serviced or will the cost of getting electricity and mains water to the site make it unviable. These are all surmountable with private water supply and waste water systems but they come at a price. Communications are now an essential part of life and it is worth checking the price of bringing landlines and superfast broadband to the site. Here you might be pleasantly surprised; government investment gives broadband speeds in remote spots that equal or exceed some towns. Remember to wander around the site with your mobile phone. Mobile phone and satellite television reception can vanish in the shadow of a mountain or a high-rise block.

development plan outlining the area’s future needs. Land is zoned for different uses and even if it is zoned for industrial, commercial or quarrying it might never happen – but then again it just might. And if you are looking to build in or within commuting distance of: Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow or in Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Fife, Inverclyde, Midlothian, North Lanarkshire, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, Scottish Borders, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire or West Lothian there will also be a strategic development plan covering all or part of the area, including large wind farms, areas to be zoned for housing or industry and commerce, be it an out of town shopping centre or distribution warehouses. That is the future, but remember to have a quick look back at the past; many people forget that Scotland once mined a massive amount of coal. A quick check online reveals the extent of this; maps show that the central belt of Scotland is thick with the sites of old mines. Fife, Ayrshire and Lanarkshire were massive coal fields but mining also took place on the Isle of Arran, Kintyre Peninsula and as far north as Brora. Mining subsidence is no respecter of property or aspirations to build but the good news is the amount of information readily available about the locations of old coal mines which makes the whole search so much easier

Opposite: Councils are a good source of land with plots of all sizes. Victoria Kesson, of Tweetiepie Media, was working on behalf of Inverclyde Council at the Home Building and Renovating Show at SEC Glasgow this year, promoting serviced plots on Leperstone Avenue, Kilmacolm, being sold by the Council. Below: Finding the right land for your dream house.

Land - the past and the present You have found a piece of land that you love; the location is stunning, the traffic is light and it is going to be the wonderful setting for your new home. Of course it will be - because you knew to carry out an incredibly thorough check to make sure there were no nasty surprises lurking. Do you know what the future holds for the piece of land you want to buy? The view is stunning but is it going to have a bypass or housing development nearby within a decade? It is on a nice quiet road – but for how long, is this going to be used by a new school, hospital or industrial estate, or warehousing. Warehousing and logistics are in the midst of a massive boom, thanks to our addiction to online shopping and massive supermarkets selling flowers from Kenya, asparagus from Peru and strawberries in the middle of January. Such a depot can work a 24-hour day. Right now the world is short of good quality aggregate – the high speed trains in the south of France are running on a track bed that was shipped all the way from Scotland. Even if a new quarry is not on your doorstep will your road be on the route for lorries or down wind from the dust? Each council in Scotland has to have, and keep updating, its

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ABODE

PLAN FOR

success

The eplanning system in Scotland has made planning easier than ever

O THE BEST ADVICE IS ALWAYS TALK TO YOUR COUNCIL FIRST

nce upon a time people got nervous around planning permission, but forget about all the voodoo and misconceptions generated in the past. The journey to approval is much smoother today. There is now available, online, a wealth of information about the subject. Time was you would have had to sit in a library or visit a council office and swot up on the subject and the decisions of planning officers and planning committees could seem somewhat arcane. But now that most of the research work can be done online this makes information much more easily accessed. We can all agree that Scotland has some magnificent scenery, flora and fauna. Its cities and towns are steeped in history and we would like it to stay that way. It’s important that any structure built should meet criteria to make it safe for people to live in and that includes not just its design but its setting. Planning approval makes these things happen. At its most basic, you need permission for a new building, or to make a major physical change to an existing one, like a change of use from industrial, commercial or agricultural into domestic or a large alteration to an existing property. This

DIGITAL PUBLIC SERVICE Homepage of Scotland-wide system for making applications online; with links to your local council plus reassuring downloadable user guide and technical support desk.

could be a complete renovation of a run-down home, a large extension, an extra storey, or significant outbuildings. ‘Permitted development’ allows small alterations and extensions. It cannot be stressed enough that you need to make sure that what you are doing falls under permitted development rights. Nothing is more costly or heartbreaking than being issued with an enforcement notice and being ordered to demolish. Even if the work falls under the category of permitted development it pays to get a Certificate of Lawfulness. This says the work has been carried out lawfully and is a significant help when you come to sell the property. A lack of this certificate can cause big headaches when it comes to mortgages and insurance. If you are buying a property which has had permitted development work carried out, always check to make sure this certificate is there. To protect Scotland’s countryside there are some strict criteria to be met; there are 40 National Scenic Areas, plus Sights of Special Scientific Interest and the Scottish Environmental Agency to make sure that lochs, rivers and the sea are protected.You will need their approval or permission for certain builds. If you want to build new, extend or convert a listed building, in or out of a conservation area, you will also need extra consent. In some cases this applies to the interior as well; anything that affects the fabric of a historic property. Planning permission in principle (formerly known as outline planning permission) does what it says – it establishes that yes, in principle, what you are proposing to build is acceptable. Approval of matters specified in conditions then goes on to be approved; work should begin only when this approval is in place. Pre-application advice offered by planning officers is available through your local council. The best advice is always talk to your council first.

PAY ON LINE Send warrant applications, additional or amended drawings, completion certificates and online payments directly to your local council; pay online with either portal.

NO NEED TO PRINT OR POST The portal for planning permission, designed to be used by professionals and the public alike. Create an account and log in.

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ABODE

BUILDING WARRANTS

NEED PERMISSION? THE ANSWER LIES ONLINE

If you have moved to Scotland to build your dream home always remember that planning and building legislation here is unique to Scotland. Building Warrants apply here; the nearest that England and Wales have is building control approval. This is where people moving to Scotland can come unstuck, because work cannot start on site until warrants are approved, thus showing compliance with regulations on new builds, alterations or any demolition work. Just as with permitted development there are exemptions within the schedules of building warrants.

Around 90 per cent of all planning applications are now handled by eDevelopment.scot, the online service run by the Scottish Government working with all the nation’s local authorities and planning authorities. It is used by professionals within the industry, agents, home owners and self-builders. You can also use it to make payments and submit extra information and amended and updated plans as and when required. and also to apply for building warrants. The choice is yours, leave planning and building warrant applications to your agent or architect, or go online yourself.

eDevelopment.scot is an online service that enables anyone to prepare and submit applications for planning permission and building warrants to their local authority It is a 24/7 service that caters to both industry professionals and members of the public, be they agents, home owners or self-builders. It is a fast, efﬁcient and convenient way of submitting applications, and payments can be made directly to your authority online at the time of submission. The service servi is run by the Scottish Government in partnership with all Scottish local and planning authorities, and has become an increasingly popular way of making applications and appeals – taking over 4,000 applications each week, making up around 90% of applications for planning permission and 60% of building warrant applications in Scotland. Getting started is easy – just go to eDevelopment.scot to open an account, create a proposal, and you’re ready to start an application. You can submit additional documents to your application using the service such as updated plans, new drawings or reports, and building certiﬁcates to your authority.

To ﬁnd out more please contact us

  

0131 244 1450 eDevelopment@gov.scot @eDevelopmentSG

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ABODE

BUILDING YOUR MONEY Ever felt that building up your finances is a lot more difficult than building your new home? There are comparisons, but fear not. There is plenty of help if you know where to look or who to look for you

o build a house you need plans for what the finished building will look like and a location to build it... and money, lots of it. Raising the finance is eerily similar to building. You need detailed plans for creating that final amount of cash and part of the success is finding the right location to save and to find the finance. So many people become overwhelmed by the thought of financing that they put aside their dreams of building their own homes. Don’t be one of them. Not only will your architect and builder become your new best friends on a self-build project, but also an independent financial advisor should be included on your new list of BFFs. Getting the right help is invaluable. Not all lenders deal in self-build mortgages and you will benefit from having someone who knows how to hunt down those who do, and those offering the best deals for your circumstances and ambitions. The good news about building your own home is that you almost certainly get more house for your money. The bad news is that you need more money for the house to begin. Buy an existing property and the mortgage arrives in a lump sum; build and the money will come in stages as work on the property progresses. A house buyer’s deposit is far smaller when compared with the initial lump sum a self-builder needs to buy the land and get the first stage completed on site before the mortgage kicks in and cash arrives to fund the next stage. That is why so many people sell their homes and live on-site in static caravans; their old home is helping build their new one. The self-build home buyer is always ‘in arrears’ though some ‘advance’ mortgages can be found where the cash arrives at the start of each stage of construction.

The self-build mortgage traditionally has six stages: • Land purchase • Preliminary costs and foundations • Wall plate level (brick and block) timber frame kit erected • Wind and watertight • First fix and plastering • Second fix and completion Some building societies might loan up to 80 per cent of the total cost of the land and construction costs or valuation, whichever is the lower, making the whole build process more flexible. Also check out building societies and ‘ethical finance’ where good deals are offered to people who are building very eco-friendly properties. All that insulation will not only save money on heating bills; it could save you money on your financial package. Also keep in mind that a self-build mortgage may also be suitable if you are taking on a renovation, conversion or extending your existing property. Many lenders, be they banks or building societies, will often only loan money on a fixed-price contract, or on an all-trades basis under the direction of a suitably-qualified project manager. Do not forget that with ‘package deals’ where you buy a kit house and building services from an existing company – and perhaps even the land – they often offer, or source, financial packages. This can save a lot of leg work and grief.

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The mortgage for a house that isn’t even there?! Building your dream home stays a dream for some but for others, it’s a reality. . . But at what stage do you think about financing – and do you know what type of mortgage you need?

ore people are choosing self-build to design their home for the look, environmental credentials and perfect fit for their circumstances. Affordability and availability are key factors. Families are gifting land to children; older generations are opting for back garden downsizing builds and first-time buyers are creating their dream home because of a lack of housing. A mortgage to help build a home is different from any mortgage you may have had before. With a traditional residential mortgage, a lender offers a mortgage for a completed house and right now yours is only on paper. A self-build mortgage helps you stay financially stable and money is released differently, and, in most circumstances, offered on a staged-payment basis – arrears or advanced (dependent on your lender). These payments are arranged in accordance with your costings, which may differ throughout the build – you may need a higher amount to begin, for the footings, so the remaining staged payments will be smaller. Some lenders allow self-build mortgages on interest-only

terms whilst your house is being built, keeping monthly mortgage payments as low as possible which improves your cashflow. Our best advice, from our own experience and that of our clients, is that a professional project manager gives peace of mind and saves money. Extra costs do creep in, so have a contingency of between 10 and 15 percent built into your project. It is never too soon to speak to us.

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Make your dream home a reality With a specialist Self-Build Mortgage from the Scottish Building your dream home can be incredibly rewarding. But it takes plenty of hard work too. That’s why it’s important to choose a mortgage provider who’ll support you every step of the way. With a Self-Build Mortgage from the Scottish, funds are released in stages as the work progresses. And, we can help you with your plans, budgeting, and offer advice on many aspects of the process.

Flexible staged release mortgage Borrow up to 80% of the total land and construction costs or valuation (whichever is lower) Expert assistance and underwriting

To find out more, call us today on 0345 600 4085 or visit scottishbs.co.uk

Rewarding Membership Branches in Edinburgh • Glasgow • Inverness • Troon • Galashiels • Aberdeen Plus local agents across Scotland Scottish Building Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Register No. 206034). Member of the Building Societies Association and UK Finance. Scottish Building Society, SBS House, 193 Dalry Rd, Edinburgh EH11 2EF.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.

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FINDING EXTRA FINANCE Grants and loans to help your budget are readily available for new build and renovation – you just have to know where to look

here are times when sourcing finance for a self-build scheme can assume nightmare proportions. But a new fund was launched last year by the Scottish Government to help solve this, and breathe life back into the selfbuild mortgage market. Simply, there are loans available to help build during the construction period only. Once the project is complete the property receives a traditional mortgage and this pays back the government loan. The self-build loan includes fees and interest on the sum borrowed. The Scotland Self-Build Loan Fund was launched last year and will run for three years and offer loans of up to £175,000 to help with construction fees for self-build projects in both urban and rural areas. This is for the house building project only. The fund cannot be used to cover the cost of buying land. Furthermore, all applicants must own the land for the building before applying. The fund is administered by Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust and follows on from a successful pilot scheme in the Highlands and islands. To apply for a loan it has to be proved that you could not get self-build finance

‘We launched a £4m self-build loan fund offering financial assistance to self builders in September 2018. This was developed to address market failure in terms of self-build finance and to encourage the market to reintroduce appropriate self-build funding. This is a national fund and is available in both urban and rural areas.’ – Kevin Stewart MSP,

Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning

from the mainstream mortgage market place. Self-builders must be able to prove they are ‘ready to go’ with planning permission in place. Visit www.hscht. co.uk for more information.

VAT will do nicely Remember that VAT can be claimed back. Those lovely people at HMRC can’t wait to give it back to you, as long as you ask nicely – by filling in the forms correctly and having all the paperwork in order. You might want to hire a specialist to help. You qualify for a zero-rated build IF...

•

you build a new dwelling or purchase a shell and bring the new build to completion.

•

You or a family member intends to live there.

•

The building has no planning restrictions with regards to disposal later on; or used in connection with another existing property and may not be used as a business, sold, rented out or leased.

•

You convert a previously nonresidential property into a dwelling or a dwelling that has been empty for 10 years or more (you would need a paper trail to prove this).

•

Reduced VAT rate at source – if any VAT registered business should supply labour, or labour and materials, to the job you should pay the reduced rate of five per cent VAT.

•

VAT reclaim – on completion of the build, VAT paid on qualifying materials purchased at 20% VAT can be reclaimed along with any 5% invoices.

Other sources of grants and loans When planning your finances do not forget that other bodies offer grants for aspects of the project. For new-build and renovations it is worth remembering that Home Energy Scotland has interest-free loans and grants, in some circumstances, for installing renewable energy in homes and upgrading existing heating. There are a variety of options on offer and a thorough study of their webpage could prove rewarding. There is a Scottish Government nonmeans tested grant of £800 per property available for improving private water supplies; this is administered by local councils. The Crofters Commission gives grants for crofters to improve and maintain croft houses to attract and retain more young people to crofting in the Highlands, Western Isles, Arran and Argyll.

If you pay the wrong rate of VAT to a contractor for supplying fitting or labouring this cannot be reclaimed from HMRC, irrespective of the fact HMRC has already received the VAT from the contractor. You will achieve zero rating VAT in two ways, or a combination of both.

•

Zero rating at source: if any VAT registered business comes and supplies labour or labour and materials to the job, you should not pay that company any VAT at all.

•

VAT reclaim: on completion of the build, VAT can be reclaimed from HMRC.

Remember that organisation is the key: spreadsheets are your friends and make sure all paperwork is kept safely for when the time comes to fill in the dreaded form 431NB to claim a VAT refund on a new build, or 431C to claim for a conversion. You must claim within three months of the building work being completed and you must include all the documents listed in the claim form as part of your application. If an invoice is in your business’ name, you’ll need proof that you’ve refunded the amount from your personal bank – for example, a bank statement. VAT invoices must be valid and show the correct rate of VAT or they will not be accepted.

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DESIGNING ‘QUALITY & RESILIENCE’ Your architect is not just designing your dream home; in doing so they are helping fight climate change

cparchitects Sustainable design across all types of projects Extensive experience in rural, coastal and remote environments

Residential • Commercial • Community

110 George Street, Oban, Argyll, PA34 5NT Tel: 01631 563177 Email: mail@cparchitects.net www.cparchitects.co.uk

he Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) is putting the climate emergency at the heart of its new five-year strategy. RIAS president Robin Webster told a meeting of members, the ‘RIAS Inspiring’ strategy comes in the wake of a refresh at the architectural body. Details of the new strategy are being unveiled at the RIAS ‘Climate of Opinion’ convention in October in Edinburgh together with the announcement of the Student Awards and Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award. ‘This has given us the opportunity to review our priorities and agendas,’ the RIAS said. The organisation added: ‘RIAS trustees were able to confirm that they have also given their support to further discussions with partners and stakeholders about the delivery of public development with concerns about procurement to achieve quality and resilience in Scotland’s built environment. ‘This work will also ensure that our architects and members are at the forefront of discussions about sustainable futures for people in their Scottish urban and rural environments.’ With so many energy-saving and efficient materials and systems available now, an architect can help you design the best and most cost efficient home for your needs and less energy used means good news. Designs can also help properties withstand the increasing extremes in weather. Professor John Cole CBE Hon FRIAS, who chaired this year’s judges said: ‘The journey to view the 19 shortlisted projects, which, within a hectic but rewarding three-day period, took my fellow judges and myself through the intriguing Scottish borders, the self-confident central belt, and the glorious landscapes of the highlands and islands, was for all of us a reaffirmation of the fundamental importance of the ability of architecture at its best to positively influence the lives of individuals and communities.’ The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) each year bestows awards for the best work including one of the world’s most significant prizes, the RIAS Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture to celebrate the best buildings in Scotland. The winning architects will receive £25,000, making this the largest architectural prize in the UK.

From top: The Briongos Mackinnon house at Strathaven Airfield by Richard Murphy and Peter Hunt of Richard Murphy Architects; Raining’s Stairs, Inverness, designed by Trail Architects for Ark Estates.

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ABODE

Why you need

AN ARCHITECT Freedom from worry and value for money

sing a building consultant or designer to simply draw up plans might be suggested as a way to save on costs but hiring a chartered architect means you are tapping into the services of a professional who has studied for seven years, by far the longest training period within the building industry. Only when qualified can they be listed with the Architects Registration Board and apply to the profession’s chartered bodies to use the initials RIAS or FRIAS, the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, and RIBA, Royal Institute of British Architects. Members must carry professional indemnity insurance and uphold the reputation of the profession. RIAS says its members provide ‘freedom from worry and value for money’ as they steer your project through the labyrinths of planning and building legislation. A good architect listens to what you need the property to do for you and how you want it to look. Their expertise, experience

and attention to detail interprets dreams into a reality which will extract as much home as possible from a plot, materials and construction costs, saving money in the long run. You cannot put a price on the quality of imagination an architect brings to a project.

ARCHITECTURAL

CALCULATING DESIGN Architects’ fees are part of the overall cost of any project and usually calculated in three ways. • Percentage is based on the total construction costs in the building contract including site works; agreement is needed on the services provided, nature of the work and an approximate construction budget.

Looking to extend your house? Convert a barn? Or build a new property?

Experts in rural affairs, our team will guide you through each stage of the design and planning process taking the stress out of building your future.

• Lump sum fees work best when the project can be clearly defined right from the start and there are no surprises for either side. • Time charged is the flip-side of that coin and best where the amount of work cannot ‘reasonably’ be seen; an agreed upper limit is needed and fees are often staged. REMEMBER you need to reach an agreement with your architect whether expenses will be included within the agreed fee or charged separately.

T: 01576 205 905 sales@rbscotland.com Contact us for free, no obligation expert advice!

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TIMBER FRAME TAKES OVER The proof of the house is in the building – and three-quarters of Scotland’s new home builders can’t be wrong

hen it comes to building with wood, we know what we are doing, after all we have been doing it forever. Even Neanderthals had stone axes – an excellent example was found in a cave in Wales last year. The only thing that has ever limited us has been our technology. Where our ancient ancestors and their cousins had flint as the cutting edge technology, we have laser-guided and computerised sawmills. We can design timber frames of great complexity to create the homes of our dreams. But we have also always been in love with stone, brick and mortar - perhaps that is why so many people still choose brick for the exterior walls of their timber frame property. A quarter of new houses in the UK are timber frame, but 75 per cent of all new houses in Scotland are timber frame and the figure is rising. Out of all the regions in Scotland construction numbers are highest in the Highlands and islands. They don’t call us canny Scots for nothing. A kit home can be completed faster than brick. There is no need to wait for mortar to dry or worry about bad weather stopping work through rain or frost. A timber frame home keeps cost down; it is built off sight and easily loaded onto transport. Is wind and water-tight

within days and all trades can then work inside finishing. With the weather risk reduced, there are fewer uncertainties about timings; the precision of the construction means less waste on site and less landfill. It is easier and more economical to add extensions at later dates and with an engineered precision product like a timber frame installing premade items like staircases, fitted wardrobes and kitchens is a quicker job. When it comes to cost, timber frames are more expense upfront, balanced by shorter length of overall project. The NHBC says that choosing a timber frame can be up-to-three-months shorter building time, but the waiting time from order to delivery can be longer because demand has increased so much. But, wages in the construction industry for skilled bricklayers and blocklayers have risen over recent years and this can counter balance the extra cost of timber frames. One advantage with brick is that it can be paid for as the building grows, helping ease any potential cash flow. Where a timber frame home can cost you extra money is when you want to change your mind. Decide to move or change the size of a window and you are back to the drawing board and the factory for construction with a timber frame; with brick you will just have to take down part of a wall.

With timber frame properties the groundworks have to be spot on with the foundations and floor slab perfectly square and level within the tolerances demanded by the frame manufacturer. Get it right first time or they won’t put up the shell and delays and remedial work will prove very costly.

Ian Parsons Architect

Specialists in the supply of high quality timber frame houses to your own design and specification Contact us to discuss your own building project Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for up to date news Rob Roy Homes, Dalchonzie, Comrie, Perthshire, PH6 2LB Tel: 01764 670424 www.robroyhomes.co.uk

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Scotland warming to SIP homes Light and spacious but with impressive insulation, the method has become popular in Europe, especially Scandinavia

ithin the home-building industry SIPs Structural Insulated Panel - technology has some zealous converts here in Scotland. Even though it has been popular â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and proven - in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, SIPs are only now moving into the mainstream here in Scotland. SIPs are most commonly used for domestic and light commercial construction. It is a method of building that offers exceptional insulation which can exceed building standards without excessively thick walls. The pre-insulated panels, usually made from engineered wood sheets, are sandwiched together with a core of high quality rigid insulation to form the walls and roofs. The panel can be fabricated to fit nearly any building design, giving a building system that is extremely strong, energy-efficient and cost effective. It is a system which does not require roof trusses, meaning upstairs rooms and features like double-height hallways can be built with vaulted ceilings, making them light and spacious. It lends itself to creating these high ceilings, glazed gables and openplan rooms. That feeling flows throughout the entire house, as the system also means larger windows are easier to incorporate into the design and this in turns means massive passive solar gain from large south-facing windows. SIPS also lends itself to designs which have scope for expansion in the future, enabling a family to build within its budget and then extend as finances allow. The SIPs house is highly-insulated with an excellent airtight level. Add under-floor heating, a wood burning stove and solar and bills are kept to a minimum; it is considered a very simple way to build to Passivhaus principles. An airtight SIP building uses less energy, and has noticeably better control over the indoor environment. SIPs can be more expensive than the usual timber frame property but these levels of insulation save on the size of heating system needed and running costs afterwards. Like traditional timber frame, the SIPS kit is precision engineered and manufactured in the factory. The panels are then constructed on site. SIPs panels are larger and where a traditional timber frame can arrive as trusses and frames, you need to be able to get the panels onto your site, along with a telescopic handler to move them around. A crane is required to lift the heavier and longer roof panels. This can make a tight site, narrow country lanes leading to it, or confined space in an urban setting all things which have to be considered.

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HOME DESIGN: TEN TOP IDEAS Designing your Thermohaus® home could not be simpler, but to set you off in the right direction we offer our top 10 tips:

finishes, minimise maintenance liabilities. This will ensure your home remains good to look at and reduce lifecycle costs.

1. Before attempting to design your new home, you must have a site. It is extremely unlikely your house design can be simply plonked on the site when you get it. Probably, it will just end up being a bad design, based on unnecessary compromises.

4. ‘Keep It Simple’ - complex layouts, curves, angles and unconventional roof configurations all add to the build cost. And, avoid small projections such as porches, bay windows and dormer windows. They may add aesthetic appeal but are disproportionately expensive for the practical benefits derived.

2. Before buying undertake a full site assessment to establish it is suitable and determine the ideal position and form of your new home. Avoid steeply sloping sites which might increase foundation costs; have a negative impact on appearance and make the whole build more challenging. Also, consult the local development plan and speak to the planners to make sure they are happy with your proposals. 3. It is important to bear in mind the available budget when designing your new home. Just remember the greater the floor area, the greater the cost. And, when deciding on external

thermohaus F U T U RE - P RO OF

HOM E S

A unique modular design concept for contemporary, value engineered and highly energy efficient timber frame kit homes designed specifically for the self-builder.

5. Avoid wasting space. How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? Do you really need to accommodate family and friends who only stay a few days, a couple of times of year? A hotel is cheaper and you won’t need to heat, clean or pay council tax on the rooms! Do you really need big bedrooms and bathrooms -what are you going to be doing in them? A poor layout may create long corridors. 6. Try to keep the plumbing in one area. If this is not possible keep the number of areas to a minimum. Keeping kitchens, utility rooms, bathrooms and en-suites close together, both horizontally and vertically, will reduce internal pipework and external drainage, further reducing cost. 7. Ideally your new home will maximise the benefits of natural light and solar gain. Remember the sun rises in the east, passes through south and sets in the west! All dayrooms (kitchen, dining, sitting) should face south west. The only exception might be a view you wish to capture, in which case rooms should be double or triple aspect to have at least one window facing south. If you want early morning sunshine to enter bedrooms they need to face east. Utility rooms, bathrooms, en-suites and stores, which do not need much natural light, can face north. 8. Consider windows and doors carefully; a lot of money can be wasted here. Even the best windows on the market are poor insulators in relationship to the walls. Keep window numbers and sizes to the minimum to conserve energy. Any large areas of glazing should face between south east and south west, to maximise solar gain. In our view triple glazing rarely offers significant benefits.

keep it simple... ...make it better thermohaus.co.uk

9. Adopt a ‘Fabric First’ approach. The more you invest in insulating and making the structure of your home airtight the better. It will save you money for the lifetime of your home. 10. If working to a tight budget don’t spend money on expensive sanitaryware, kitchen units / equipment and internal doors. It is relatively straightforward to upgrade these items, when funds permit.

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A cottage full of compliments The Wee House Company is winning fans with its characterful and well-thought out range of homes

wners, visitors and neighbours alike have been showering compliments on a new cottage that arrived in a day in the village of Barcaldine - one of the latest of The Wee House Company projects completed in Argyll and the islands. Like people across the UK they have all fallen for the charms of the characterful small house with the big personality. Gabriella MacKenzie and husband George decided on a twobedroom version of a Wee House after thinking long and hard and studying the market. With her work involving a lot of travelling, Gabriella kept spotting Wee House Company properties and was intrigued ‘We could have gone for a modern look with glass walls but the Wee House looked right for the plot we had and the old trees around it,’ said Gabriella. ‘Its neighbours and people who live in Barcaldine all say that the cottage looks as though it has always been there. It looks right in that landscape.’ The Ayrshire-based company designs its homes to be built in the workshop and assembled and finished on site. Its inhouse team arrives and works their magic. ‘It was an amazing experience. The house arrived on three lorries; the crane arrived and the team started at 8am and by 8pm it was up, weather and watertight. Within 10 days it was finished.’ From start to finish The Wee House Company can take as little time as eight weeks to complete; they also take care of everything in-house in more ways than one, from planning consent and the necessary building warrants plus construction and ground works. Gabriella added: ‘They are an excellent company to work with, I couldn’t recommend them highly enough.’ There is not an inch of wasted space in the houses which include fitted kitchen and bathrooms and are decorated inside and out. The houses are built to the highest specifications of safety, sustainability and insulation making them incredibly energy efficient. The Wee House Company properties are mortgage eligible and are becoming a very popular choice with downsizers, garden-plot builders, first-time buyers and holiday lettings. The Wee House Company has designs which can be amended to suit your needs and taste.

‘We worked really closely with them,’ said Gabriella. ‘We kept the outside shape but chopped and changed the interior and they could not have been more helpful.’ For the moment Sutherland’s Lodge is part of the family’s Highland Holidays Cottages portfolio but the MacKenzie’s have their eye on it for their own retirement. ‘People who have hired it have given us very good feedback said Gabriella. ‘They are very complimentary and are amazed that a property which looks so traditional on the outside is so modern, comfortable and cosy on the inside.’ The Wee House at Barcaldine is also proving popular with try-it-before-you-buy-it customers coming for a holiday while researching their property purchase. Above: Location is never a problem; The Wee House sets sail regularly to the islands. Below from left: The neighbours all approve of Sutherland’s Lodge; Gabriella MacKenzie was impressed with how she could work with the company to change the interior layout; the traditional look belies the comfort inside and modern fitted kitchen, bathroom, and state of the art materials, including insulation.

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A HIGHLYPOLISHED ACT: Achnaba Stone® is putting Argyll on the map The unique grey-green stone from Scotland is becoming a favourite with designers - as seen at Wimbledon and the Natural History Museum

chnaba Stone® from Argyll has been used to enhance the glamour of Wimbledon and the gravitas of the Natural History Museum in London. It is a green schist, a grey-green coarse grained stone quarried near Lochgilphead but a dry, factual description fails to convey the unique beauty of the stone which can be used for everything from driveways to tiles and fireplaces. The quarry is owned by MacLeod Construction Ltd, a major construction company in the west of Scotland, famed for its pioneering work with timber framed homes. CED Stone Group in London used the full beauty of the Achnaba Stone® when tasked with finding a suitable material for Wimbledon to use in a redesign and refurbishment of a public area near to Number One court. ‘IT TAKES A This is a very busy part of the WONDERFUL famous club site, a meeting point POLISH’ for people coming to and from the different courts and there is a bar area nearby. What impressed the Wimbledon members was the way the green complemented its famous purple and green club colours. ‘CED told us there is no green stone similar to it in the UK,’ said Greig MacLeod, business manager of MacLeods. The firm started quarrying in the early 1990s for aggregate and building stone, for drives and drainage, and as a filling material; this type of stone has been used for years as a walling stone as can be seen in Inveraray Castle. Now the Achnaba Stone® is used as a dimension stone, where it is cut and prepared using modern processing equipment. Tradstocks in Stirling cut and prepare the stone and it is through this company that CED sourced the stone. For Wimbledon, a considerable amount of Achnaba Stone® was used; MacLeod’s quarry team selected the

parts of the raw seam to be extracted and these were cut to size and prepared by Tradstock. Wimbledon also commissioned a huge slab to be carved with the club crest and this sits in pride of place in the centre of the development. Greig MacLeod said: ‘Achnaba Stone® takes a wonderful polish, it really comes to life.’ This quality makes it a stone to use in many areas of the home not just for landscaping and driveways. ‘Because it polishes so beautifully, it makes a superb slab, for floor tiles; we have seen it used for a tabletop and it looks excellent in fireplaces and hearths. We are seeing a lot of inferior foreign stone being imported into the UK market from China and elsewhere at the present and it just does not compare to the quality of Achnaba Stone®. This truly is a quality local product.’ The interest now being shown by ‘THERE IS NO the design world in Achnaba Stone® GREEN STONE will, McLeods hope, be translated SIMILAR TO IT into extra jobs at the quarry; they are already looking at better IN THE UK’ extraction methods to quarry the seams of the beautiful grey-green stone. ‘It is early stages yet, the market has just been tested but what we are seeing and hearing is very exciting,’ said Greig MacLeod. The feedback from CED Stone Group and Tradstocks is excellent. The stone can also be seen at the Natural History Museum in London where part of the access ramp in front of the building was upgraded using Achnaba Stone® as perimeter slabs. Once again they chose the stone through CED for its unique colour which complements the materials used in the facade of the world-famous museum. To meet the growing demand and interest in this unique stone, random building stone and aggregate will be sold, as it always has been, through the MacLeods quarry and the supply of stone for dimension stone production will be exclusive to Tradstocks with sales of paving, flags or setts through CED Ltd.

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Clockwise from top: Achnaba Quarry at work; Kenny MacLeod Snr at Wimbledon; Grace MacLeod outside the Natural History Museum where the Achnaba StoneÂŽ complements the famous building; The work at Wimbledon demonstrates all the different qualities of the Achnaba StoneÂŽ.

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The roof, the whole roof and nothing but the roof Your new homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crowning glory is one of the biggest parts of a renovation. Do you know your large format from your low pitch, double Roman from interlocking? The choice comes in natural products, manufactured materials, composites, and different shapes and sizes which means there is the perfect choice out there. This is where cost and design combine to inform your decision

1. Slate A group of small islands off the coast of Argyll are known as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the islands that roofed the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Today new slate is imported, mainly from Spain. There is talk of Scottish quarries reopening.

3. Metal Lead flashings are commonplace for chimneys and roof junctions and for ornamental work on older buildings such as temperaments. Zinc and copper are becoming popular and so is steel. They are especially suitable for windy sites.

2. Pantiles

4. Green

Pantiles can be traced back as far as the 1660s in Scotland with the claim they were imported as ballast in boats from the Netherlands making the crossing to Fife for coal, salt and wool. Like slate, pantiles are much in demand for renovating properties in conservation areas or for listed buildings.

Turf roofs have been used in Scotland and Scandinavia for centuries. Modern versions are built up in layers keeping them waterproof. More often seen on commercial or community buildings, domestic green roofs are becoming more popular.

5. Thatch Most people think of black houses in the Western Isles but thatch was once the most common roofing material across Scotland. A survey in 2016 for Historic Scotland reported more than 300 remain nationwide.

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2 1 Synthetic and composite roofing is taking up a growing segment of the roofing market. Some of the most attractive yet durable and long lasting premium quality materials for roofing include composites available in the market today, with slate and shingle lookalikes.

3 4

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SPEAKING Whether you decide to projectmanage yourself or go for a turn-key project remember that it is vital that you have an excellent system to store all paperwork and emails.

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LOGISTICALLY To project manage or not project manage? That is a big question. It can all boil down to how well you can manage logistics

T The WeeHouse Company transports materials to islands on a ferry.

he decision to project manage yourself is often based purely on financial circumstances, with selfbuilders choosing to take on the job themselves in an effort to save money. You have to ask yourself how good am I at logistics? This is the fine art of having the right people, materials and plant where you need them at the right time, because this will help keep your costs down. This can apply equally to an urban self-build as it can to a remote rural site. It pays to be on the ball in remote and island locations and be right first time, or face a day-and-a-half ferry journey, or an 80-mile round trip on single-track roads to return a wrong part or pick up extra materials. Remember ferries are not just for islands; peninsula routes also cut journey times. Summer timetables have more sailings, earlier and later in the day, but remember to book in advance during the tourist season and when major events like Highland games and agricultural shows and music festivals take place. People have lived off the beaten track for centuries; Scottish hauliers are experts at getting very large loads to the remotest places. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had plenty of practice. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even let the lack of a ferry service worry you; transport companies here have boats and vehicles that can get anywhere. Logistics are just as important in the middle of a city when facing a tight site entrance off a road full of parked cars or a crawl along congested roads to reach suppliers. You can sail from Oban to the Isle of Mull in 50 minutes. How long can it take to get from one side of Glasgow to the other and find parking places? More importantly in a busy urban environment good tradesmen and services are always in demand and delivery drivers and couriers are on tight-schedules. Mistake or miss a delivery slot and you could have a long wait and time costs money if you have tradesmen on site waiting for materials. This is a big decision to make at the start of your project. Get this wrong and the dreaded combination of delay and rising costs can spiral. That is why many people choose a turnkey project with everything from finding the land through to planning permission to garden landscaping. Or you could decide to appoint a main contractor on a design and build basis.

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ThInkIng about ThInkIng ThInkIng about about a self-buIld a self-buIld a self-buIld project? project? project?

Working with your plans, we Your self-build plans need approval by your Working Working with with your your Working plans, plans, with we’ll we’ll your provide provide plans, bespoke bespoke we’ll provide bespoke our our self-build self-build plans plans Your self-build need need approval approval plans by need by your your approval by your modelling and compare the local authority planning department and modelling modelling and andScotland’s compare compare modellingthe the and running running compare cost cost the of ofrunning costtechnologies. of ocal cal authority authority planning planning local authority department department planning and and department and different Our a will need to meet energy efficiency different different technologies. different Our technologies. advice covers Ouraaadvice lot lot more covers lot will ill need need to to meet meet willScotland’s Scotland’s need to meet energy energy Scotland’s effi efficiency ciency energy effi ciencytechnologies. too: amaintenance cost requirements. For many thisOur willadvice mean covers more more too: too: maintenance maintenance more too:costs, costs, maintenance getting getting the the costs, best bestgetting the best Feed-in Tarif equirements. quirements. For For requirements. many many this this will will Formean mean many this willhome mean out of systems, renewables. out out of of systems, systems, out Feed-in Feed-in of systems, Tariffs, Tariffs, the Feed-in the Renewable Renewable Tariffs, the Renewable ome ome renewables. renewables. home renewables. Heat Incentive and accredite Home Energy Scotland’s specialists are Heat Heat Incentive Incentive and Heat and accredited accredited Incentive and installers. installers. accredited installers. Home ome Energy Energy Scotland’s Scotland’s Home Energy specialists specialists Scotland’s are are specialists We also provide ongoing su readyare to give you tailored and impartial

We Weon also also provide provide We ongoing ongoing also provide support support ongoing to to help helpsupport tothrough help the installation p eady ady to to give give you you ready tailored tailored to give and andyou impartial impartial tailored and impartial you advice suitable renewable technologies, you you through through the theyou installation installation through process, the process, installation applying applying process, applying dvice dvice on on suitable suitable advice renewable renewable on suitable technologies, technologies, renewable technologies, for funding and giving advice typical running costs and available for for funding funding and andfor giving giving funding advice advice andonce once giving your your advice once your ypical pical running running costs typical costs and and running available available costs and available renewables system is comm financial support. renewables renewables system system renewables isis commissioned. commissioned. system is commissioned. nancial nancial support. support. financial support. To find out more call us free

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Top tips for making your home GREENER

hat’s top of the list for your project? Homeowners are increasingly focusing on energy efficiency and sustainability when making home improvements or choosing

a new property. So, how do you make sure choosing green technology is a sound investment?

Get impartial advice Before beginning a project – whether it’s a new build, renovation or a smaller project, getting unbiased, clear information is essential. The Scottish Government funds free specialist advice, over the phone or in your home. Advisors assess your home and provide a report to help you weigh up your options – from deciding which tech to use, to financial support and even planning considerations.

Call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282.

Do your sums While you’re getting advice, check out what financial support is available. Households in Scotland can apply for a Governmentbacked interest free loan for a range of energy saving home improvements, and in some cases grant funding is available. You should also factor in income from incentives like the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive. Choosing energy efficient technology can mean paying more up front, but could work out better long term – and you could save on your energy bills.

Speak to someone who has done it before Before you take the plunge, check out what real householders say about living with green technology using the Green Homes Network. The Energy Saving Trust hosts a searchable network of properties that you can read about or visit in person, to chat with the homeowner about their experiences. To search, visit

www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/green-homes-network

Choose the best company for the job If you’re getting a home renewables system, Energy Saving Trust recommends sticking to companies certified through the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). You can search for, and read reviews of, MCS companies using the Renewables Installer Finder. Visit: rif.est.org.uk It’s good to get at least three quotes – and remember cheaper isn’t always better.

For free impartial advice call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282.

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RENEWABLE ENERGY:

The best things in life are free Wind, water, sunshine, heat in the air and the ground are there for the taking – you just have to pay to harness them

upport your kids to make it worthwhile missing school to protest about the destruction of the planet; make your new build as energy efficient as possible. A new house or complete renovation is the best time to create a unique system for harnessing renewable power; you can pick the best combination for your design and site. If you are not carrying out such a major project it still makes sense to take a long hard look at your heating and insulation methods. One big advantage that Scottish home owners and self-builders have is Home Energy Scotland. Funded by the Scottish Government and managed by the Energy Saving Trust, this network of local advice centres covers the entire country, offering free and impartial advice. What is even better is the system of grants and loans available from the trust for self-build schemes and existing properties as the trust works to help people in Scotland create warmer homes, reduce their bills and help tackle climate change. How much you can borrow depends on what type of improvement or installation you want. The work is in two categories, energy efficient improvements and renewable systems such as energy storage.

PASSIVHAUS Passivhaus uses a heat recovery ventilation system, using very little energy for heating and cooling, and giving a high level of comfort, including humidity levels. Draft-free and well insulated, the brainchild of Bo Adamson of Lund University, Sweden, and Wolfgang Feist of the Institute for Housing and the Environment, Darmstadt, Germany in 1988. Since then new materials and computer systems have improved the system. Passivhaus design takes into account the amount of natural light thanks to ‘active daylighting’ and ‘daylight harvesting’. The UK Passivhaus Trust says that the buildings ‘achieve a 75 per cent reduction in space heating requirements, compared to standard practice for UK new build’.

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‘BY 2030, IT IS EXPECTED THAT 50 PER CENT OF ALL SCOTLAND’S ENERGY WILL COME FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES’

WHICH WILL WORK BEST FOR YOU?

YOUR LOCAL SOLAR PV INSTALLER

Wind turbines Unrealistic for an urban setting but domestic wind turbines can generate useful amounts of electricity for rural self-builders if their site is suitable. Location is everything – not just for your house but for the turbine too.

Hydro turbines The force of flowing water can be converted into kinetic energy in a turbine to drive a generator. If you have the river or stream it is a reliable, predictable and timeproven method of generating energy right back to the water mill.

Solar photovoltaic Converts sunlight into direct current electricity by using semiconductors; even in Scotland a south-facing roof can produce impressive results.

INTRODUCING THE QUANTUM HEATING SYSTEM. •SOLAR PV (GENERATE YOUR OWN ELECTRICITY) •INSPECTION & TESTING •EV CHARGING •REWIRING & MAINTENANCE •ALL TYPES OF ELECTRIC HEATING •ENERGY EFFICIENT MEASUREMENTS •NEW BUILD INSTALLATIONS •DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL

Morar House, Connel, Argyll PA37 1PA Tel: 01631 710862 Mobile: 07917 167477 Web: fergusonelectrical.co.uk

Solar water heating Expect to use extra heating in the winter but a useful way to reduce costs. Flat plate collectors can be fixed on the roof tiles or even integrated into the roof.

Hybrid PV-solar water heating systems Solar thermal collectors and solar PV in one; the panels create electricity and produce hot water – two for the price of one.

Energy storage systems Heat or electric batteries reduce your bills by storing the energy your renewables generate as heat and hot water. Home battery storage is the next big thing with lots of innovations taking place.

Heat pumps Air source to water, ground source to water, water source to water, or hybrid air source to water. It all depends on the size of home, grounds, location and available water sources. Each system is as unique as the property it serves.

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Pay for your heating with fresh air

repare for a bit of mind-boggling when it comes to air source heat pumps.

Renewable generation is now equivalent to approximately 68 per cent of Scotland’s electricity consumption. This means that the target for 50 per cent renewable electricity has been met and exceeded. There are now more than 16,000 full-time equivalent employees in renewable energy in Scotland. Turnover from renewable energy activity was £5,458 million*; it continues to be an important driver of investment at a time of slow economic growth.

ever worked in professional catering will tell you how much heat a bank of fridges and freezers can throw out).

These amazing bits of kit extract heat from the outside air, even here in Scotland where the climate can be a wee bit chilly, to say the least.

The heat extracted is constantly being renewed naturally and can be used to heat radiators, under floor systems, convector heaters and hot water in the home.

For those who didn’t pay attention in science classes: the pump extracts the heat from the outside air in the same way that a fridge extracts heat from its inside. (Anyone who has

An air-source heat pump can get heat out of air even when the temperature is as low as -15°c, which is way within the Scottish climate. *Latest UK Government figures

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25/09/2019 17:14:47

The reasons you CAN install a Morsø stove in any UK town or city

• • • • •

EcoDesign 2022 Compliant Defra - Smoke Exempt A+ Energy Rated HETAS and SIA Listed CE Marked, BS EN 13240

With over 50 designs of stove that exceed UK and European standards, you can fit a Morsø stove in harmony with the Government’s Clean Air Strategy. morsoe.com

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19/09/2019 09:28 25/09/2019 17:16:12

ABODE

The wonder of wood burners If wood burners didn’t exist, Scotland would have had to invent them

s there anything more glorious than a log burner going full pelt indoors while the Scottish weather hurls the worst it can offer at us outdoors. Yes your radiators are controlled by an app on your iPhone; the under floor heating is a model of efficiency and the air source heating a wonder of science, but none of them appeal straight to heart and the senses as much as a real fire can. Some may argue that the kitchen is the heart of the home, others the fireplace. If your log burner is in your open plan kitchen-living space then you have won, hands down. Get this right and a well-installed log burner will give years of low cost and trouble free heating. A wood burning stove sounds far cosier than biomass heating but that is what it is. Biomass is any biological fuel from plant or animal matter – wood whether it is in logs, wood chips or pellet – the latter being used mainly for heating systems. You can also use chicken litter, straw and waste – but these, mercifully, end up in larger heating plants, but from the smallest wood burner in a bothy through to a power station feeding in to the nation’s grid, it is all biomass. They all form part of the nation’s low carbon emissions strategy for buildings

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25/09/2019 17:43:13

ABODE

Is it the flu or the flue?

Keeping store

Think you have flu? Suffering from tiredness, drowsiness, headaches, nausea and chest pains? Carbon monoxide poisoning mimics these symptoms. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors are compulsory; to not install them is unthinkable. They come as standard in new builds and renovating a property gives the opportunity to wire them in as well. Even if you are currently relying on battery systems getting these wired in as soon as possible is always a good idea. Building regulations cover adequate ventilation, correct installation of flue liner and chimney and that the draught in the flue meets manufacturersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; recommendations, regular maintenance, including sweeping chimney and the all-important carbon monoxide detector.

You have calculated the perfect size of log burner for the space it needs to heat, the fire place has been designed and built to meet all the regulations and the design and colour of your stove looks stunning but have you missed one important piece to design and build? The log store; it is recommended that logs are seasoned for at least two years. Where possible, buy the wood by volume rather than weight, as this removes the influence of moisture content; you are buying wood, not water. You might want to buy wood ready to use or some to season or a mixture of both but a good log store should be factored into the design of your garden. Calculating the storage volume for logs is slightly problematic as the sizes are not always consistent so work on the theory that you are going to build more space than you think is needed. When it comes to a biomass central heating system it makes even more sense to make sure you have enough storage space. Due to the cost of delivery, Government advice says it is prudent to order a minimum of three tonnes of wood chips at a time.

Opposite: Stoves come in a range of colours and sizes to suit your home. Left: Choose from traditional or modern styling.

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25/09/2019 17:43:42

ABODE

KISHORN

cotland has magnificent period buildings, many crying out for renovation and conversion and each a delight – until it comes to heating them. Originally built when coal cost pennies a ton, as did employing two men and a boy to stoke the furnace, bringing them up to modern standards without compromising original features is a challenge. That’s where Kishorn Insulations comes in, bringing a wealth of experience and product knowledge. The company is a leading specialist in new and retrofit insulation technology. With The House of Daviot in Aberdeenshire, a former 1800s hospital, the brief was to increase energy efficiency without damaging the lath and plaster walls, floor boards, skirting, cornice work, or wood panelling in a building with a complex apex and mono-pitched roof. Kishorn Insulations endorses Icynene insulation which is sprayed and injected. First came under floor insulation, sprayed on with no need to remove the original floor. In the roof the team spray-applied Icynene insulation to the complex shapes and structures without problem because this organic method creates insulation at source, rather than importing and fitting pre-made boards and sheets. The walls were the real challenge; small entry holes were created to allow Icynene insulation to be carefully injected into every available cavity. Kishorn Insulations’ expert team worked

Above: The House of Daviot is now a family home with efficient modern insulation.

sensitively, controlling the insulation properties, allowing the Icynene to flow down, and expand upwards, completely filling the cavity. It takes skill, experience and a thorough knowledge of products to achieve work like this. The firm decided to endorse Icynene because of its unique sustainable properties and excellent thermal performance, due to its airtight finished state, and its ability to insulate older period property with minimal disruption. It is approved by The British Board of Agreement (BBA) and the European Technical Approval Board (ETA). To find out more please visit www.kishornltd.co.uk or phone 01520 733216. The team operates Scotland-wide, and looks forward to helping you with your next project.

A Company Well Connected

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12a Carden Place

Wester Ross IV54 8XA

Aberdeen AB10 1UR

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All files available as Vector EPS files with all fonts converted to Al The CMYK/RGB/Black Logo available as a hi resolution JPEG. Th For all other formats please contact hughr@hfelec.co.uk Fo

25/09/2019 17:45:05

ABODE

NO MAINS? for your location NO PROBLEM! COMMUNICATION

tilities no longer mean just water, waste and power; communications are considered necessary to support life – ask anyone under the age of 25. Your family will hate you if you buy a site with poor mobile coverage, it is that simple. The good news is the broadband speed has every chance of being excellent with the provision of superfast broadband across Scotland, thanks to government backing in remote rural areas, while commercial suppliers are taking care of the majority of the urban landscape. It is all part of the government’s aim for every home and business in Scotland to have access to superfast broadband of 30 Megabits per second, and building ‘future-proofed infrastructure’. Contracts are expected to start being awarded by the end of this year. As far back as 2017, an investment of £600m was announced, described as: ‘the biggest public investment ever made in a single UK broadband project; which will help deliver the first universal superfast programme in the UK’.

o not let a lack of mains water or the prohibitive cost of bringing in a supply deter you from buying a site or renovating an isolated property. Once you know there is water there, it should be no problem - but you might find that The Water Intended for Human Consumption (Private Supplies) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 become your favourite bedtime reading. Scotland has about 200,000 people who rely on private water supplies. The main risk to health comes from microorganisms; disinfection systems often use ultra-violet light, which is simple to install and maintain, but may require filtration to remove iron, manganese and natural colour. The secret is getting a specialist in to discuss and design a system and always, always keeping on top of maintenance. The day-to-day testing is done by local authorities which also administer the Scottish Government non-means tested grant of £800 per property available for improving private water supplies.

Watch out for signal strength

Be a sceptic about septics

cottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) says that people are getting confused or have been misinformed about legislation south of the border. ‘In England, there’s a requirement to upgrade septic tanks by January 1 2020. This doesn’t apply in Scotland,’ it announced. Full information about how the law applies to your nonmains systems like septic tanks can be found on the SEPA web page. sepa.org.uk

Hard to believe with a climate as wet as ours but private water supplies were hit by the very dry weather in 2018; owners of more than 500 supplies needed emergency assistance when their supplies ran dry.

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25/09/2019 17:46:31

ABODE

EXTEND+

A bit on the side

single-storey extension is the time-honoured way of extending a home when more space is needed. It remains one of the most efficient ways of adding value and space to a property. The kitchen extension is one of the most favoured methods creating an open-plan downstairs, with doors leading into the garden giving a massive, and useful, family space. Different styles of flooring, walls and complementary textures on the kitchen units all help to break up that space to meet separate needs – cooking, eating, media, entertaining and a quiet spot. It creates a space that can be restyled or reconfigured as family circumstances change. It all comes down to looking at what the family wants and your budget dictates to find the right balance. When it comes to cost, those of you living in Edinburgh and the more remote, rural mainland and island locations should sit down and pour a stiff drink now. It is going to cost you more than the rest of us. Current prices are running at anything up to £1,900 per square metre for an ordinary work-a-day extension and more then £2,400 for high end. That does not include professional fees, VAT and fitting out the interior. A second-storey will be a huge hike in price but if you look at it as cost per square metre the price is more value for money. This is a working average; remember city, island and remote rural alters prices. Minimal frame glass sliding door units were installed onto this extension to create an open plan kitchen and allow seamless access into the garden (IQ Glass UK).

A roof light extension is the cheapest and easiest way to transform a loft (blinds-2go.co.uk).

Lofts: the four-what conversion What loft have you got? Trusses or rafters; extra structural support might be needed if removing trusses, adding more to the cost. What conversion do you want? Roof light: the cheapest and easiest. Dormer: most popular, good space/cost ratio. Hip-to-gable: replaces sloping, hipped roof bringing the gable end to the same height as the ridge. Mansard: often added to the rear, runs the whole roof-length, changing the slope to near vertical. A massive amount of space but very expensive; often needs planning permission. What permission is needed? Most homes have permitted rights but listed buildings and conservation areas need planning permission. Always check.

Beware bats – and other things Certificate of Lawfulness: if permission isn’t needed, this says the work has been carried out lawfully when you come to sell. Building regulations: if your conversion does not have the necessary compliance it cannot be marketed as a bedroom; a lack of building regs can be a major mortgage problem for buyers. The higher the house the more the cost: a top-floor tenement loft will need major fire safety work, such as water sprinklers. Bats: this protected species is not just in the belfry. A colony in your attic will need a survey and a mitigation licence to carry out the work.

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25/09/2019 17:47:58

RENOVATE ABODE

The hard-working house Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s by bringing in a lodger or the movie cameras, make your home work for you by utilising or even adding some extra space

he purchase of our homes, equipping, decorating and maintaining them is the largest area of expenditure in a family budget but it is possible to make your home pay for some of this. Property is an investment; while the post-war baby boomers have probably had the best return on house purchases there is no reason why everyone else cannot benefit financially as well, thanks to their homes. Growth in property value will always remain the easiest way to make your house work financially; the big skill here is finding something that is undervalued, in an area on the way up or a keenly-budgeted renovation project. Invest in the property by adding value with extensions, bathrooms, kitchens, garages and a whole host of other improvements. Ask yourself - have we now reached peak Air bnb? Big cities and tourist destinations are starting to grumble at how this sucks property out of the local housing stock; nightmare stories from either side of the bargain are becoming more prevalent. Sometimes old-fashioned ways are best: a lodger, renting a room in your house, is a tried and tested way of raising cash. What is more, you can earn up to ÂŁ7,500 per year tax-free and the government offers free advice. Check out https://www.gov.uk/ rent-room-in-your-home The bank of mum and dad: there are more options than simply giving money to your children to get them on the property ladder.

Build for them. A small property in grounds or garden can be a rent-free home while they save for a deposit and parents still have a valuable asset that could be rented out for holidays or short, or long-term and the income can be used to help towards said mortgage. Does a granny flat have to be an extension to your home? A bit of extra space and each of you having your own front door can work wonders. Why pay for an office when you can own one in your own garden? Parking, garage space and storage can often be at a premium in some neighbourhoods; if you are not using yours then someone else will pay to. Is your home a movie star in the making? You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to own a castle or luxury pad; lots of dramas are filmed in very un-dramatic locations. A period house from any recent decade, original features intact internally or externally is often needed. Check out the growing number of location agencies on line. Not only do they pay by the day but most agencies charge half of the normal day rate for set-up and take-down days either side of the filming. And the easiest way for your home to lose money is? By not researching these ideas fully with regard to planning permission, permitted development rights and insurance; these can all take time, due care and diligence but the end result can be very rewarding.

From left: Renting a room in your house for a tax-free income; a twostorey extension is far more expensive to build but represents a lower cost per square metre of floor space.

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25/09/2019 17:48:24

ABODE

Why you’ll love a lodge

xtra space can help a home add value, earn income and help solve any number of family needs. It doesn’t have to be in the form of an extension or loft conversion; sometimes an extra property within the garden or grounds is the answer and a lodge is an excellent solution. But why would you buy one off-the-peg, if you could buy bespoke? You wouldn’t if you were buying a pair of shoes or a suit, so why settle for less when making a major purchase like this. Each family’s reasons for buying is unique and the finished lodge should reflect that; this is the philosophy which has built the reputation of TFM Luxury Lodges for more than 10 years and seen the Gargrave, Yorkshire, based company gain an impressive customer base by word of mouth and finished product. One thing that comes as standard throughout is the quality of materials, workmanship and service; the rest is your vision, as interpreted by the TFM team for you. The family firm’s credentials include BS3632..2015 compliance and membership of the NCC, the industry’s trade body. Outside is cedar cladding, galvanised steel guttering and the option of decking with wood imported from Louisiana. Inside is state-of-the-art insulation and fittings from industry leaders like Magnet and Howden, Farrow and Ball paint colours and Teknos paint; oak skirting and doors. You decide the number of bedrooms, layout, number and size of windows, kitchen equipment, bathroom fittings, lighting and colour scheme. The options can be almost overwhelming but do not worry about that; the TFM team are skilled in translating your vision into a beautifully designed, high-functioning reality. Planning advice, ground works and a turn key service are all options and many people love to go along to see their lodge being built. That includes holiday or residential park owners as TFM pride themselves on building quality lodges for the commercial sector too. When the team at TFM Luxury Lodges says bespoke, they mean it. They want their customers to enjoy the whole building process just as much as they will enjoy using the finished lodge.

Cawood House, Asquith Business Park, Gargrave, North Yorkshire BD23 3SE

T: 01756 699 055 | E: info@tfmluxurylodges.co.uk www.tfmluxurylodges.co.uk

SPECIAL OFFER! Mention this feature in Abode/Scottish Field to receive all white goods FREE OF CHARGE when you choose to purchase a TFM Lodge.

Our skilled craftsmen have over 10 years’ experience manufacturing bespoke timber frame lodges.

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25/09/2019 17:50:33

ABODE

An infestation of

DECORATION You would have conniptions if your house was over run with real, live rodents and insects but when they are glamorous, quirky or cute bring them on, we say. Anything to stop this plague of deer and Heilan’ coos in our homes Top: The mice have been in the candle box again (redcandy.co.uk). Left: Bees and bugs handpainted lampshade, its darker background and distressed brass makes the lamp sing (besselink.com).

Above: Rats, snakes, snails and skeletons. Perhaps not in the nursery but stunning on a single wall (Mineheart at limelace.co.uk).

Right: A golden beetle, over a foot long, in distressed gold, a stunning touch on a gallery wall (audenza. com).

Above: Pest control by Jasper the cat cushion (athomeinthecountry.co.uk). Left: Glasgow’s very own Timorous Beasties’ bell moth cushion (timorousbeasties.co.uk.)

Above: For the love of cheese (athomeinthecountry.co.uk). Right: Only Steiff could make vermin this adorable (steiff.com).

Right: Convex metamorphosis mirror (bocadolobo.com). Below far left: Jewel-coloured beetles on a mottled-grey background (woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk). Below left: Fine art rat on fine bone china (siscottstore.com). Argyll Tapestry The home of highland embroidery. Beautiful tapestry designs by Lizzie Campbell Preston, alongside other top designers including Elizabeth Bradley. Tapestry kits and a beautiful range of unique soft furnishings and gifts to compliment every home. Mixing modern design with stunning traditional pieces. 28 Corran Esplanade, Oban, Argyll, PA34 5PS. Tel: 07975 816400 to discuss bespoke designs with Lizzie.

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25/09/2019 17:52:06

THE SEASON FOR

SHARING

MILANO DINING TABLE, FROM FROM £1,189 I ADELAIDE CHAIR, FROM £559

Make your holiday season even more memorable with prizes of Danish design. Simply share your seasonal moments throughout November and December, using #BoConceptSharing, for chances to win high-value vouchers.* So, what is a seasonal moment? A festive dinner party perhaps. Your stylishly decorated Christmas tree. Coffee and a novel in your ‘hideaway’ armchair. Essentially, anything that encapsulates the season for you. Find inspiration now in your local store and boconcept.com. *See terms and conditions at boconcept.com.

D ANISH DESIGN SIN C E 1952 | BO CO NCE P T. C O M R OSE STR E E T, E DI NB U RGH . 0131 226 6367 B UCHANAN G AL L E R I ES AN D PRIN C ES SQU ARE, GLASGOW. 0141 341 4920 I NGR AM STR E E T ST ORE C OM IN G SOON

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25/09/2019 17:53:25

ABODE

15 brand new colours added to seaweed infused paint range Isle of Skye paint Company on-trend for autumn

his autumn, Isle of Skye Paint Company are extending their range with the addition of 15 new colours. Having had their official UK launch just 12 months ago, the new seaweed-infused premium paint brand now has a palette of 45 shades of Skye. Inspired by the dramatic and awe-inspiring landscape, seasons, weather and landmarks of Skye, the new and existing colours reflect many of this season’s big trends. Developed and tested on this rugged and exposed island, Isle of Skye Paint promises to bring the beautiful and resilient Spirit of Skye into your home.

Reflecting the autumn trend for sophisticated bold colours…

Isle of Skye paint Company has a variety of strong shades that can be combined in endless variations, reflecting this season’s big trends; from the deep blue hues of Sgurr Alasdair and the vivid lilac of Trotternish Heather, to the punchy red tones of Bracadale Berry and Red Cuillin and the beautiful warm yellow of Waternish Sunset, the palette exudes confidence. The neutral colours, which can be used alone or as a contrast to the stronger shades are well represented in the range too, with soft snug tones like the timeless beiges of Camasunary Pebble and Coral Beach.

Why seaweed?

So, why seaweed? It’s a brilliant natural thickening agent – common in marine paints but not household ranges – making Isle of Skye Paints easy to apply, and providing excellent, even coverage. A decorator with over 20 years’ experience, Alasdair Campbell, created the paint to stand up to Skye’s wild climate, commenting that ‘knowing our paint works here, we know it will work anywhere’.

All products are water-based and come in tester pots, 750ml, 2.5 & 5-litre tins from isleofskyepaintcompany.co.uk. See website for stockists across Scotland. 41

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25/09/2019 17:55:45

Get designing... create your own rug online at:

www.alternativeflooring.com

t: 01264 335111

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25/09/2019 17:56:48

ABODE

The art of

carpeting Take an alternative look at your stairs

hen it comes to colour and style, stairs have been a little neglected, until now. At Focus/19 the leading international design show that neglect is being put right by Alternative Flooring’s new Stair Art, with expressive patterns created in collaboration with some our best British designers. Alternative Flooring also showcase the new quirky patterned carpet designs alongside the original Stair Art wool runners bringing vibrancy and creativity to Focus/19. The company champions design, craft and UK manufacturing. A series of creative collaborations with iconic figures and brands in the world of interiors has brought more stunning pattern into the Quirky collection. Taking part are Divine Savages, Ella Doran and Margo Selby with archive carpet designs by Lucienne Day, one of Britain’s best-loved 20th-century designers. The nine quirky patterns are each stamped with the personality of the maker – crafty, witty, ambitious and great fun. On the technical side, each is 69cm wide and expertly woven in British wool by Alternative Flooring on Axminster looms in Wilton, uniting traditional techniques and contemporary design.

on her loom in her Whitstable studio and recreated and blown up to make beautifully crafted stair art.

Camo and Waterlake, by Ella Doran Camo and Waterlake by Ella Doran take nature as their muse. Camo is inspired by the bark markings of Plane. Waterlake reimagines the flow of water in lakes.

Octagon and Squares and Diamonds by Lucienne Day Octagon and Squares and Diamonds by Lucienne Day are true works of art. Lucienne Day designs from the sixties in their original vibrant colourways are back in production and are woven in the same factory as they were in 1960s. From top: Camo by Ella Doran; Deco by Divine Savages; Waterlake by Ella Doran; Patch by Margo Selby.

Engineered Flooring Specialist

Deco by Divine Savages Flamboyant prints take to the floor with a design inspired by the roaring twenties. Divine Savages’ Jamie Watkins and Tom Kennedy said: ‘We’re so excited to be joining forces with Alternative Flooring who share our love of bold colour and print. We have reworked our iconic ‘Deco Martini’, one of our very first designs, for this eye-catching carpet runner, inspired by the Jazz Age.’

Patch, by Margo Selby Patch and Fair Isle by Margo Selby are vibrant graphic patterns inspired by handwoven textiles developed by Margo Selby

Exclusive range of 100% Waterproof Flooring now in store.

Glasgow 413 Hillington Road, Hillington G52 4BL

Paisley 11 Scott’s Road, Paisley PA2 7AN

Edinburgh 110 Salamander Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 7LA

Falkirk Etna Road, Falkirk FK2 9HE

Stores also in Belfast, Lisburn, London, Reading, Peterborough and Manchester. thewoodenfloorstore.com

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25/09/2019 17:54:42

ABODE

THE JOYS OF FITTED KITCHENS

hoever you are, wherever you live and whatever style of home you are planning to build, there is a fitted kitchen for you. Over the decades the industry has flourished as we have become a nation of homeowners and our lifestyles have changed. The kitchen is no longer to be hidden away, it has moved into our main living space and is predominantly open-plan. This has meant the return of the scullery or utility room as the engine rooms of the kitchen where all the grunt work is done away from sight. There is also another phenomenon on the rise: a second kitchen. Where large and luxury homes are being built a small kitchen is appearing on the first or second floors; a space for a sink, fridge, perhaps a coffee machine and a wine cooler. What might have been some extra cupboard space or part of a larger bedroom is now taking care of early morning coffee, a glass of wine before bed and babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s middle of the night feed. Today the choice is breathtaking. The only thing limiting your kitchen is your imagination as you choose between basic budgetfriendly to baroque and chandeliered, by way of rustic or the deck of a star ship. Whether you want to download an app, get your tape measure out, build the kitchen yourself, or indeed have a bespoke kitchen made by skilled craftsmen and award-winning designers, anything is possible. The number of small, high-quality bespoke kitchen companies in Scotland is impressive and so is their work, and what is even better is that their services are more affordable than you think. Above: Pronorm offer sleak, bespoke kitchens (pronorm. de). Below: Tetbury design in natural oak (burbidge.co.uk).

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UK KITCHEN RETAILER OF THE YEAR 2019 UK KITCHEN SHOWROOM OF THE YEAR 2019 ABERDEEN BROXBURN EDINBURGH GLASGOW TILLICOULTRY

www.kitchensinternational.co.uk 205_sf11.indd 1

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ABODE

YOU CAN TAKE IT WITH YOU Left: Larder unit in oak (made.com). Below: Cream wall-mounted cupboard with hooks. (melodymaison. co.uk). Right: Vegetable store (gardentrading.co.uk).

Above: Oval hanging ceiling rack (made.com). Below: Freestanding empire Belfast sink cupboard (scumblegoosie.com).

Left: Industrial mesh cupboard (vincentandbarn.co.uk). Right: Greywash rattan dog basket (charleychau.com). Left: Chelwood reclaimed wood dresser (modishliving.co.uk). Below: Bumpkin bench and country mile table. (Loaf.com).

We love our fitted kitchens – and who wouldn’t, but we don’t have to be slaves to the idea. Kitchens are now so gorgeous that we include them in the living area of our homes, so plan some of the design as freestanding and complementary to the fitted element.

GOOD

BESPOKE INTERIORS 17 Cloberfield, Milngavie G62 7LN T: 0141 237 6478 M: 07900 553969 E: carol@carolyatesdesign.co.uk www.carolyatesdesign.co.uk

If you fall in love with a piece it can go into the back of the furniture van when you leave.

BAD

VAT can be claimed back on fitted kitchens in a new build, not on moveable furniture.

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25/09/2019 18:01:16

ABODE

Time for a bath Ah, but what kind of bath? Are we talking slipper, roll top, contemporary, back-to-the-wall, free-standing, sunken, corner, shower, oval, straight-sided or square?

he bathroom has to be all things to all people – a tranquil spa, a good invigorating blast after a workout, a place where you wrestle wriggling kids into cleanliness. Instead of adapting the one bathroom to this role families have decided the answer is: more bathrooms. Or rather bathroom and an en-suite or two, or an extra shower room, a wet room, a loo and wash hand basin downstairs, a shower by the back door - even a dog shower in the utility room. The bathroom has become the new place for the ‘wow factor’. The choice of size and shape of bathroom fittings has never been better and so too the quality and range of tiling and other finishing touches like bath panels, taps and heating. Never forget that to do this you need a lot of technical back up, especially when the water pressure does not oblige. The majority of homes have gravity feed water systems. Booster pumps and pump attachments are going to be necessary in many cases. Thanks to advances in waste management with macerators and pumps a lavatory can be added almost anywhere in a property. What guests will see is a perfectly-planned bathroom with piles of neatly folded towels and what you’ll know is the amount of plumbing and electrical engineering it took to achieve this. Powerful extractor fans, sophisticated lighting systems and built in wi-fi and Bluetooth or television are now commonplace.

Think The trend for neutral tiles and white fittings makes sense; today’s bathroom is a big-spend item so it must last. Update your space with different colours, textiles and accessories. Storage is essential. Rooms this good-looking do not want your dental floss, sinus spray and a bottle of loo cleaner killing the mood. A plastic toothbrush beaker is not going to cut it; the accessories are going to have to up their game. With all these tiles on the floor and wall and the shower screens, a steam cleaner or window vac is a wise investment.

From top: A free-standing roll top bath with claw feet is timeless (claybrookstudio.co.uk); A wet room that is both stunning and practical (duravit.co.uk); Heated mirror with Bluetooth to never miss a selfie opportunity (purebathroomcollection.co.uk); A swan night light bath float (sunnylife.com).

Inspiration starts at The Bathroom Showroom. There’s choice for any project at any budget. From top quality luxury bathroom brands to quality bathrooms on a budget. Visit one of our showrooms today. City Plumbing Supplies, Glengallan Road, Oban 01631 567640. www.the-bathroom-showroom.co.uk

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25/09/2019 18:03:18

ABODE

Bathed in glory ‘Alexa, turn on the shower . . .’ Kids towel: Cuddledry

TV: Frontline Bathrooms

Tiles: Walls and Floors LtD

good bathroom is like a swan, all beautiful-to-look at while underneath and out of sight two big, strong, boring-coloured webbed feet work furiously.

What we don’t see is the vast array of plumbing and electrical technology tucked away, making today’s magnificent bathrooms possible, even harnessing Wi-Fi. All we see are the elegant lines of the bath and basin, the dazzling high-tech looks of the shower system and the clever shape of the heated towel rail and radiator. Wonderful wall and floor coverings play with textures and

finishes while programmable lighting systems dazzle us awake in the mornings, or soothe away the cares of the day. Built-in sound systems are becoming common place; in-wall waterproof TVs are now here, with heated screens to prevent misting-up, as are wireless remote controls for showers and bath fill systems that remember your preferred temperature and water flow, all controlled from an app. Accordingly, bathrooms are now a bigger spend within a new build or renovation budget. Keep the investment looking contemporary with updates of textiles and accessories.

Mira Mode – Smart, Simple Showering Discover precise control at the push of a button, its digital temperature control with luxurious minimalist styling. For the ultimate luxury, indulge in Mira Mode Dual or Mira Mode Shower & Bath Fill options. POA. Available at William Wilson Bathroom Showrooms throughout Scotland. www.williamwilson.co.uk

Neil–Henderson Carpets and Floorcoverings: Mira Mode service throughout the Highlands, beautiful Smart, professional Simple Showering finishes in a range of patterns, designs and textures. Discover precise control From bathrooms to bedrooms and everything in between. at the push of a button, its also undertaken. Commercial flooring digital temperature control on 07887 770193 or Tel: Neil Henderson with luxurious minimalist 01397 701018. www.carpetsbyneilhenderson.co.uk styling. For the ultimate luxury, indulge in Mira Mode Dual or Mira Mode Shower & Bath Fill options. POA. Available at William Wilson Bathroom Showrooms throughout Scotland. www.williamwilson.co.uk

01631 567640. www.the-bathroom-showroom.co.uk

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25/09/2019 18:04:13

illiam Wilson are one of the largest suppliers of plumbing, heating and bathroom materials in Scotland. With 21 trading locations throughout Scotland they are uniquely placed to help the Scottish self-build community. William Wilson have many unique services ideal to help you turn your self-build dream into a reality including: • Free of charge heating system design and technical advice. • Free of charge bathroom design service.* • Free delivery to most areas of mainland Scotland.

PLUMBING William Wilson have 21** trading locations in Scotland, stocking a comprehensive range of plumbing fittings and products from brass fittings

to renewable heating systems. The company aim is to provide an excellent service to customers as well as having the right products in the right place at the right time.

HEATING William Wilson can provide a free of charge heating system design and technical advice service. The company has invested in fully training heating design engineers in new heating technologies and energy awareness. Whatever the technology and whatever the consumer requirements William Wilson can provide the right solution. Fully trained heating design engineers have the expertise to design and supply any of the renewable energy systems currently available in the marketplace and can incorporate underfloor heating into most designs.

find the bathroom of your dreams...

BATHROOMS William Wilson have 14** bathroom showrooms throughout Scotland, each with eye-catching displays filled with ideas to inspire you. Room set displays in each showroom feature both contemporary and traditional bathroom suites from manufacturers such as Ideal Standard and Roca. William Wilson also have a comprehensive range of bathroom accessories, furniture and tiles. Building your own house can be made easier with William Wilson. Visit www.williamwilson.co.uk to find a location near you. Ask about our Self-Build Credit Account facility. *Does not include a site visit. **Bathroom showrooms only at Aberdeen, Aviemore, Dundee, Edinburgh, Elgin, Fraserburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Inverurie, Kirkcaldy, Kirkwall, Perth, Portree & Stornoway. Opening in Ayr winter 2018.

FREE DESIGN * SERVICE

• bathroom suites • showers & enclosures • wet rooms • tiles & accessories • fitted furniture • experienced staff

ABERDEEN 01224 335335

INVERNESS 01463 245502

AVIEMORE NEW! 01479 811567

INVERURIE 01467 629853

AYR NEW! 01292 286381

KIRKCALDY 01592 653295

DUNDEE 01382 883555

KIRKWALL 01856 871282

EDINBURGH NEW! 0131 657 7703

PERTH 01738 638323

ELGIN 01343 543181

PORTREE NEW! 01478 612577

FRASERBURGH 01346 514474

STORNOWAY 01851 704046

GLASGOW NEW! 0141 418 2611

www.williamwilson.co.uk * Free design service does not include a home visit.

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25/09/2019 18:04:39

ABODE

Mother Nature knows best

When the time comes to create your garden, turn to the real expert

ou are not the only one who has a say in how your finished garden will look - Mother Nature will have the last word. Because letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face it: location, micro-climate, soil, drainage, topography and geology will all let you know what will and will not work in your garden. Scotland is a land of incredible variety; a garden by the seashore will need plants that can withstand salt; a bog garden calls for plants that like to get wet, frost-pocket glens will need far hardier plants than an urban terrace surrounded by the reflected warmth of the built environment. Then there are wee pockets of magic like the west coast which is blessed by the Gulf Stream or a south facing wall that can make all the difference. It all makes visiting gardens around Scotland and its islands so fascinating.

Graham Sandals Timber Buildings

Huts, Bothies & Outbuildings in Scottish grown Larch

Tel 01786 841788 07773 809345

www.grahamsandals.co.uk info@grahamsandals.co.uk

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You can use all these things to your advantage to create your perfect garden or you can dig drainage, plant wind-breaking stands of trees, use earthworks to build protective mounds, excavate a wee pond or an impressive lochan. You can give Mother Nature a hand but get it wrong and she will remind you who is boss. Look at how your house sits within the plot, within the streetscape or landscape to inform your design and have a look at neighbouring gardens to see whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thriving there before you start to choose plants. Then there is climate change: plants that your grandparents would never have thought of growing in that particular spot might well be happy there now; others have given up the ghost. We also want to garden with more respect for the environment with well-sourced plants and products, encourage birds, bees and biodiversity while at the same time discouraging deer and rabbits. Who hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t walked outside and seen the devastation of a devoured garden and started thinking of the ingredients for a good stew . . .

Clockwise from top left: Rustic fire pit brazier with natural sandblasted finish that will age if left outside (thefarthing.co.uk); Heritage gardening gauntlets (annabeljames.co.uk); PKS bronze phoenix hoe with two tool ends (farrar-tanner.co.uk); Heatsail dome patio heater pendant light, rustproof and weatherproof (cuckooland.com).

25/09/2019 18:06:20

ABODE

SHARE YOUR GARDEN

bode is all about how to get YOUR dream home, raise the money you need and create something special for you and your family. Once the work is done and your garden in place, how about helping someone else’s dream, and raising money for charities by joining the Scotland’s Gardens Scheme. You don’t have to own a castle or a stately home to take part.

‘When Scotland’s Gardens Scheme first opened gardens in 1931 to raise money for Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland, no one could have predicted the ripple effect this would cause. Now, 89 years later, not only do we support over 250 charities each year through hundreds of openings, we have also built a strong community of fantastic volunteers and garden openers. We are delighted to welcome new gardens of all shapes and sizes, from castles and villages to allotments and community gardens. And being 98 per cent volunteer-led, we are also always looking for volunteers. Does it sound like something you would enjoy doing? Please get in touch!’ – Terrill Dobson, director

info@scotlandsgardens.org

Spectraglass specialist glass solutions

Spectraglass is a leading Scottish supplier of architectural glass. Our innovative product range offers a solution to suit all homes and styles. We offer UK wide installation.

• Glass Balustrades • Glass Splashbacks • Juliet Balconies • Shower Screens & Doors T: +44 (0)1738 638358 info@spectraglass.com www.spectraglass.co.uk 51

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25/09/2019 18:08:05

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To enter, send separate entries (in the same envelope) with your name, address, telephone number and email address to Scottish Field Competitions, Fettes Park, 496 Ferry Road, Edinburgh, EH5 2DL or enter at www.scottishfield.co.uk. Closing date, unless otherwise stated, is 30 November 2019. Winners drawn from all competitions also enter a prize draw to win a bottle of Whitetail Gin.

WIN

A CJ WILDLIFE GARDEN BIRD FEEDING AND CARE BUNDLE

INSPIRED BY NATURE AND SOURCED IN MULL

Attract more birds to your garden and give them the best of care with this fabulous bundle of products from CJ Wildlife. Hanging bird feeders are an excellent way to feed seeds, peanuts and specialist seed mixes to the more agile species such as blue tits, greenfinches and house sparrows whilst bird tables also attract ground feeding birds including the nation’s favourite, robins. CJ Wildlife feeders offer the very best in design, suitability and safety for bird feeding. Their range of bird foods have been created by ornithologists to provide nutrition and high energy when birds need it most. Plus adding a nest box will encourage birds to breed near your home and increase the success rate of future populations. The prize, which is worth over £300, includes an impressive Queens Bird Table at 1.75m tall, innovative Apollo Click & Go Seed Feeder, 10kg of best-selling Hi-Energy No Mess Seed Mix, a selection of stylish feeders and compatible foods, wooden nest boxes and more. Made from high quality materials for you and your birds to enjoy for many years to come.

Inspired by Europe’s largest bird of prey; the White-tailed Eagle. Whitetail Gin combines strength & power at 47% abv with a smooth and delicate finish; it’s all in the detail!

If you’d like a chance to win this amazing prize, answer the following question. What species of bird is the nation’s favourite? Entrants must be 18 or over. Employees of Scottish Field, the competition promoters, and their direct families are ineligible to enter. No purchase necessary. The winner will be first correct entry drawn after closing date. No cash alternative is available. The winner will be informed by telephone. Usual Scottish Field rules apply. We will protect your personal data. We only gather what we need for the requirements of this competition – your name, address, telephone number and email address. If you wish to receive news and offers from the third party running the competition, then please mark the words “OPT IN” on your postcard entry. If you enter various competitions on one card, you will be opting in for every competition running. Unless you opt in to receive further marketing information we will only contact you if you win a prize in the competition. Scottish Field (Wyvex Media) will retain your information for a maximum of 3 months after the competition closes and then it will be deleted. If you have opted in to receive third party information, the data you have supplied will be passed to the third party company running the competition. This may be used for the purposes of the third party contacting you regarding new products and services for a period of 3 months, unless you agree to an extension with the third party company at a later date.

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25/09/2019 13:50:03

SOCIALscene 01

BUMBLE BEE BALL, IN AID OF THE UK SEPSIS TRUST PRESTONFIELD HOUSE, EDINBURGH 01 Mike Williams, John Donnelley, Kirsty Nicholson, Ronnie Urquhart, Ruth Walker, Alan Walker, Vicki Urquhart, Paul Calder 02 Alana Jane, Paul Sale, Dillon Bottomley, Graham Williams 03 Sarah Law, Pam Heslop 04 Vicki Urquhart, Paul Calder 05 Ron Daniels, Alan O’Connor 06 Susie Verden-Anderson, Debbie Northam, Elliot Ross, Louisa Greatrex 07 Alan O’Connor, Fi Harvie-Liddel IMAGES ADAM URQUHART & CALUM MCKINNON

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HEALTH IN MIND CHARITY BALL ROYAL SCOTS CLUB, EDINBURGH 01 Liz Brown, Roseanna Keith, Eleanor Pearce, Greta ScottLarsen 02 James Williams, Robbie Scott-Larsen, Jenny Brunton, Hazel Barker, Anna Ramsay, Ross McDade, Harris Cameron 03 Alice Clarkson, George Simpson, Ruth Warren 04 Bex Robertson, Kirsty Henderson, Hannah Green, Emily Watson 05 Edith Chan, Lucy Kay, Hannah Porter 06 Katrina O’Shea, Ed Monroe, Kash Ali, Liz Brown 07 Seumas O’Duffin, Megan Hurden, Alan MacInnes, Nikoli Tollis 08 Angel Sedgwick, Britta Baynes, Fiona Martin 09 Harris Jones, Deannah Gill, Michael Lyle 10 Kirsten Oakes, Tristan Johnston IMAGES ANGUS BLACKBURN

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ROX FRINGE EXTRAVAGANZA ROX, EDINBURGH 01 Chloe Milligan, Susan Murray 02 Lois White, Adam Stobbart, Olivia Sim 03 Katy Devlin, Ruth Walker 04 Abbie Draper, Paul Macdonald 05 Chelsea McWilliams, Alexandra Kennedy 06 Scott McGlashan, Feraz Ahmed 07 Alan Dowie, Martin Robertson, Grant Mitchell, Scott Kennedy 08 Steven Cusick, Jen Cusick 09 Aoife Malone, Daniel Benjamin 10 Laura Duncan, Jessica Fassler IMAGES GERARDO JACONELLI

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THE REALLY USEFUL GROUP & ROBERT BERRY’S FESTIVAL FIZZ

GEORGE HERIOT’S SCHOOL, EDINBURGH 01 Alison Pendlowski, Gordon Smith, Liz Smith, Mike Pendlowski 02 Liz Gibbon, Emily Granozio, Steven Horrobin, Tiba O’Day 03 Thom Dibdin, James Seabright 04 Kenny Thomson, Jennifer Moncrieff, Dominic Hill 05 Richard Elder, David Inns 06 Richard Elder, Cat Berry, Robert Berry 07 Stuart McCue-Dick, Robert McCue-Dick, Elizabeth Woodford, Dorothy Johnstone, Elizabeth Donald 08 James Seabright, Theresa Seabright IMAGES ANGUS BLACKBURN

These images were mistakenly included in the Ayrshire Cancer Support Charity Shoot event in our October issue. We extend our apologies to the organisers.

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PROPERTY | SALES | LETTINGS | MANAGEMENT 25/09/2019 18:02:17

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15 Caroline Tessa Currie & James Raeside Dunkeld Cathedral, Dunkeld & Ballathie House Hotel, Perth. rankinephotography.com

Wedding bells

GILLESPIE FINANCIAL GARDEN PARTY JAPANESE GARDEN, COWDEN, DOLLAR 01 Nicola Gillespie Syme, Yumi Takaoka, Consul General Nozomu Takaoka, Becca Logan 02 Ian MacGregor, Anita MacGregor, Jim MacGregor 03 George Carr, Anne Carr 04 Carolyn Fagan, Janice Kirkhope 05 Laura Currie, Lucy Currie, Mandy Ross 06 Akiko Gibb, Jeremy Gibb 07 Moira McCulloch, David McCulloch, Martine Atkinson 08 Hayley Robertson, Noel Harte, Wendy Harte, Claire Scott 09 Clive Twiggins, Tema Twiggins 10 Woody Speirs, Lynn Speirs 11 Donald Boyd, Ann Boyd, Margaret Farrell, John Farrell 12 Jason Syme, Nicola Gillespie Syme, Susan Roberts, Mike Roberts 13 David McNiven, Aileen McNiven 14 Fred MacAulay, Rebecca Shirlaw, Debbie Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnell, Carol Gillespie, Nicola Gillespie Syme, Lesley Steven, Kathleen Blenkharn-McBride, Tim Knight 15 Melodie Crumlin, Kris Soutar 16 Fiona Johnstone, Sharon Rooney, Kirsty Pender, Fiona Marshall, Carol Kirkpatrick, Karen Watson, Agnes Ramsay, Elaine Butchart, Laura Currie 17 Paul Dearden, Emma Dearden IMAGES GRANT DICKIE

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Michelle Burbridge & Martin Cooper Chester Hotel, Aberdeen. chrishenderson.co

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PUZZLEpages WIN A HAMPER FROM Across INVERAWE SMOKEHOUSES

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19 Cheat care struggle (7) DOWN

21 The thrower in a polo period? (7)

Lively closure maybe (5) 1 Broken vegetable soup (5-3) Ideal nun chose to change (8) spills 2 Representation of megabite in 23 Connection a gel ink (7) Post here (7) drowsy old computer (6) 25orOne core jet (7) nude was Speaking art a torywho room casts (7) 3 out Surprising except Inclination I’m a drummer (7) changed (10) 26 Lodgings have4 oblong shelves (8) First officer to sit by you and Aware of position (4) take over (7) 5 Teach about many fish 27 Painter is austere when moved (5) (6) Inducible topiaries or variety 6 Give the undead a drink (6) (1,10) 8 Head cleaner (7) Down Cheat care struggle (7) 9 Kentucky shortly too in Japan The thrower in a polo period? 1 Broken vegetable(5)soup (5-3) (7) 13 Succeed her in food (4,6) Connection 2 spills a gel ink (7) 15of Market type, mistype re piano Representation megabite in drowsy old One who casts computer out core jet (7) (6) (4-3) Lodgings have oblong shelves 16 Upright writing fluid (8) 3 Surprising except nudecold was changed (8) 17 Blanch in as diesel (5) (10) Painter is austere when moved 18 Plant disease that will bring 4 Aware of position (4) (5) the house down (3-3) 20 Skimmed and skinny (6) 5 Teach about many fish (6) 22 Odd variable (6) 6 Give the undead a drink (6) 24 Unfinished fruit per person (4)

8 Head cleaner (7) 9 Kentucky shortly too in Japan (5) 13 Succeed her in food (4,6) 15 Market type, mistype re piano (4-3)

CROSSWORD NO 11 Mr/Mrs/Miss ___________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Postcode ______________________________________________ Tel ________________________________________ To enter: Send your completed crossword to Scottish Field, Crossword No 11, Fettes Park, 496 Ferry Road, Edinburgh EH5 2DL, to reach us no later than 23rd October 2019.

ANSWERS TO SEPTEMBER CROSSWORD (NO 9)

Across: 6 Diorama, 7 Jog trot, 9 Times, 10 Great Bear, 11 Regular, 13 Stolid, 15 Hard-boiled egg, 19 Fluffy, 20 Mimetic, 23 Entertain, 24 Dingo, 26 Stupefy, 27 Unequal. Down: 1 Poem, 2 Tassel, 3 Hangers-on, 4 Agitated, 5 Green light, 6 Dotard, 7 Jeer, 8 Tirade, 12 Gratuitous, 14 Aluminium, 16 Deformed, 17 Afters, 18 Scroll, 21 Madder, 22 Racy, 25 Nous.

16 Upright writing fluid (8) SEPTEMBER CROSSWORD WINNERS

1ST: MR JAMES DENNETT, ALLOA 2ND MRS CHRISTINE MITCHELL, FIFE 3RD: MRS JANE THOMSON, GLOUCESTER

17 Blanch cold in as diesel (5)

Spot the difference 18 Plant disease that will bring the house down (3-3) 20 Skimmed and skinny (6)

Odd variable (6) THERE ARE22 FIVE DIFFERENCES BE 24 TO Unfinished fruit per FOUND IN THESE TWO PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE FIGUREHEAD OF THE HMS UNICORN, DUNDEE – CAN YOU SPOT THEM ALL?

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person (4)

Tel: 0131 271 5000 www.benproperty.co.uk 25/09/2019 18:05:07

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Put your feet up, grab a cup of coffee and pit your wits against our puzzles and quizzes

What year is it?

General knowledge

USE THE CLUES AND PICTURES TO HELP GUESS THE YEAR.

1. Ruth Davidson was made leader of the Scottish Conservatives.

1. The movie Whisky Galore was based on the sinking of which

vessel in 1941?

2. How many children did Robert Burns have? 3. In what city was Ewan McGregor born?

2. Prescription charges were

4. What is the name of the Scottish athlete whose life was

abolished in Scotland.

profiled in the movie Chariots of Fire?

3. The University of the Highlands and Islands was granted full university status.

5. What was the name of Britain’s Got Talent winner Susan

Boyle’s debut album? 6. What did Scottish watchmaker Alexander Cummings invent?

4. Two giant pandas arrived

7. What is the Scots word used to describe a large snowflake?

at Edinburgh Zoo having been flown over from China.

9. Which famous landmark is visible from the M9 when passing

Stirling?

04 ANSWER: 2011 Puzzle 1 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.64)

SUDOKU DIFFICULTY: HARD ENTER DIGITS FROM 1 TO 9 INTO THE BLANK SPACES. EVERY ROW MUST CONTAIN ONE OF EACH DIGIT. SO MUST EVERY COLUMN, AS MUST EVERY 3X3 SQUARE. OCTOBER’S SOLUTION IS SHOWN RIGHT.

WORD SEARCH: TRADITIONALIST

How many English words can you make from the word above? We can find 469. Try to find as many as possible. Words must be at least three letters long.

9 6

9 1

4 7

6 5

10. On what island is Fingal’s Cave?

ANSWERS 1. SS Politician 2. 12 3. Perth 4. Eric Liddell 5. I Dreamed a Dream 6. The flushing toilet 7. Skelf 8. Above Loch Trool, Galloway 9. The Wallace Monument 10. Staffa

5. A technical hitch at the annual Oban bonfire night display set off thousands of pounds worth of fireworks in one minute.

8. Where in Scotland would you find Bruce’s Stone?

2 4

200-250 WORDS: GOOD, 250-350 WORDS: EXCELLENT, 350 WORDS OR MORE: YOU ARE A GENIUS

Where are we?

During WWII, a German Messerschmitt crash landed here and prominent Nazi Rudolf Hess had to parachute into one of the village’s farms, Bonnyton Moor. In the 1960s it was declared Scotland’s first conservation village. Nowadays, it is home to Europe’s largest onshore wind facility, Whitelee Wind Farm.

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Thu Jul 25 15:48:55 2019 GMT. Enjoy!

Let the experts take care of your property 223-224_sf11.indd 223

EAGLESHAM

We will protect your personal data. We only gather what we need for the requirements of this competition – your name, address and telephone number. Should you be selected as the winner, Scottish Field will contact you by post and your personal data will be passed to the crossword sponsor (Inverawe Smokehouses) for the purposes of verification. Scottish Field (Wyvex Media) will retain your information for a maximum of 3 months after the crossword competition closes and then it will be deleted.

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COVER TO COVER

Cover to cover

A look at the latest Scottish books by Stephanie Abbot

The Summer Isles BY PHILIP MARSDEN GRANTA

£20.00

 Caught between a physical journey in reality and a world of folklore and legend, this book takes the reader on a voyage that goes much deeper than most travel books. Years after the untimely death of his beloved aunt, Marsden is determined to complete a solo sail from his home in Cornwall, around the west coast of Ireland and the Inner Hebrides, to reach his final destination of the Summer Isles in the Scottish Highlands. Marsden explores mankind’s relationship with the seas through real and imagined tales, with mention of sirens, demons and mythical islands. However, it’s at this point of the book I came The incredible across a passage that troubled power of nature me somewhat. ‘They [the islands] become an earthly fulfilment of is a message that all mainland fantasy: perpetual remains prevalent health, unending youth, perfect from start to finish society, constant happiness, wise men and obliging women.’ I would hope a ‘perfect society’, even a fantasy one, would include wise women and men capable of accepting them. It appears Marsden’s concept of the mainland fantasy requires dragging into 2019. As the journey begins, we get both a sense of how demanding the physical aspect of the voyage will be and the strength of mind required to complete it. As he meets different people and passes through various checkpoints, Marsden uncovers a variety of tales which allow him to build up a haunting picture of these shores along the way. Through his descriptive and emotive language, the reader can almost feel the adrenaline as Marsden pushes us to view the sea as a force that demands great respect and a necessary sense of fear. The incredible power of nature is a message that remains prevalent from start to finish, whether it’s Marsden’s aunt’s own inspirational love of exploring the outdoors or the transformative potential of the weather to change a sailor’s mood with the sight of a blue sky. The jump between the telling of myths, historical anecdotes and the resulting philosophical ponderings, to the actual sailing expedition, can get a little tiresome. However, I did feel inspired to don my waterproofs and get out on the water.

“

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Scotland The Worst BY CHARLES MACIEJEWSKI LUATH PRESS £7.99



It’s been a long time since a book has made me genuinely laugh out loud but thanks to Maciejewski, my funny bone was well and truly tickled. By compiling an alphabetical list of the best of the worst observations as told by visitors to Scotland from the 17th to 19th century, this is a read that offers a humorous step back in time. A highlight was when one disgruntled tourist suggested ‘Aberfeldy would be better named Aberfilthy’. This alternative guide to Scotland is a refreshing tonic to the myriad guide books on offer which sing our high praises so very loudly. Maciejewski and his wife have spent years touring Scotland and by researching the places he visits through old books and journals, he drew inspiration for this book. It offers us a chance to laugh at ourselves and one would hope visitors today enjoy Aberfeldy filth-free.

Bring Furrit The Tartan

BY ALASTAIR CAMPBELL OF AIRDS POOLEY SWORD LTD £20.00



This extensive catalogue of Scottish military units raised throughout the world is sure to satisfy both military and tartan enthusiasts alike. The result of a labour of love, Alastair Campbell has put together an incredibly detailed resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the Scots’ global military might and impeccable style. Units include the Black Watch of Canada, Queensland Cameron Highlanders and The Hong Kong Scottish. Illustrations help the reader to hop through time and see the range of uniforms a Scottish unit would have worn throughout history. More than this, details such as the unit’s motto, march, awards and casualties are recorded, demonstrating an impressive level of committment from Campbell.

www.scottishfield.co.uk

25/09/2019 18:07:43

BOOK REVIEWS

The World of Whisky



The Crown Agent

BY NEIL RIDLEY, GAVIN D. SMITH, DAVID WISHART PAVILION £30.00

If you’ve ever had a question about whisky, this book is sure to answer it. Written by three chaps who are leading experts in all things boozy, the book strips things back to the very beginning and attempts to uncover how the world’s obsession with the ‘water of life’ began. Including stunning images and recipes, you’re transported around the world to discover how different countries put their own stamp on the amber nectar.

BY STEPHEN O’ROURKE SANDSTONE PRESS £14.99



An intriguing murder mystery set against the dramatic backdrop of eery harbours, grand stately homes and a Scottish landscape which almost acts as a character in its own right. Dr Mungo Lyon, a surgeon in 1829 Edinburgh, is shunned professionally after the horrifying scandal of Burke & Hare is revealed. The story is fast paced and gripping, although the characters seem to lack any real depth. An adrenaline-filled adventure.

Aspects of Edinburgh

The World of Fly Fishers and Collecting

BY STEWART CONN & JOHN KNIGHT SCOTLAND STREET PRESS £9.99

BY STEVE WOIT PRIVATELY PUBLISHED



This book of poems is seamlessly punctuated with delicate drawings by John Knight. Through Conn’s words and Knight’s images, they manage to translate the feeling of Edinburgh onto paper. Having spent two decades living in Glasgow, Conn observes the folk of Edinburgh with fresh eyes and notices things in a way locals may not. Knight’s drawings, in both black and white and colour, give real life to this charming collection of poems.

The Summer Stance

BY LORN MACINTYRE THUNDERPOINT £7.99



Shrouded in negative stereotypes and widely misunderstood, the Scottish travelling community are at the forefront of this novel. Macintyre has created characters with real depth, who draw empathy from the reader throughout their journey and remind us to withhold hasty judgements. Set in the Scottish landscape, the book draws on the power of nature while being juxtaposed with an ever-changing modern world and the struggles of a community fighting to survive.

www.scottishfield.co.uk

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£60.00

 While I’m yet to develop any kind of interest in fly fishing and its paraphernalia, if the notion should arrive, Steve Woit’s book would probably be my first port of call. Filled with interviews from the worldwide community of collectors and enthusiasts along with photographs and posters spanning hundreds of years, it’s both informative and engaging.

Next to Wellington: General Sir George Murray BY JOHN HARDINGEDGAR HELION & COMPANY LTD £35.00

 

A long overdue account of a man who played a crucial role in Scotland’s military alongside Lord Wellington, Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in 1827. George Murray’s life was one of intelligence, loyalty and unexpected scandal. Harding-Edgar carefully documents Murray’s life while depicting in great detail the complex historical tapestry which acts as the backdrop to his tale.

A Taste of Scotland’s Islands

BY SUE LAWRENCE BIRLINN £20.00



One thing that matches the richness of Scotland’s produce is its spectacular landscapes. When these two things are combined with a gentle peppering of history, it makes for perfectly balanced reading. This book sees food writer and journalist Sue Lawrence travel around some of our country’s many islands, speaking to producers and cooks, gleaning delicious recipes along the way. Some of the recipes are traditional and others have been given a contemporary twist. The stories behind the recipes are what make this book really special, confirming the food is made with love and care. The book is also filled with stunning photographs illustrating the beauty of each island and the amazing views they afford. Her tour takes her to the likes of Shetland, Harris and Skye. My personal favourites are the Scalloway hotel lobster with garlic butter and potato salad from Shetland and the gin and tonic cake from Colonsay.

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THE LAST WORD

n these muddled political times, it is confusing for folk. This comes to light clearer than ever before when the chief and I are in Edinburgh. I am there as back-up as he is about to address a roomful of American ladies. This gregarious group of dames is over here on a needlework-cum-fabric course. They are interested in all things Scottish embroidery, tapestry and textiles, All seems to and as part of that The MacGregor is go swimmingly – preparing to tell them all about the nay, the ladies are fascinating history of tartan. First to be dropped into the equahanging on his tion are clans. Then Queen Victoria. every word Next, there is the chief’s favourite subject – the military. Because as we all know, it was the Scottish regiments that helped popularise this iconic Scottish cloth. All seems to go swimmingly. Nay, the ladies are hanging on his every word. It is a veritable triumph. That is, until we get to the questions. With a real buzz in the room, one of the ladies shoots up her hand. ‘Can you tell me, Sir Malcolm – are we in Scotland, or are we in Britain here?’ Then another woman chimes in on the chorus. She wants to know the difference between a Highlander and a Lowlander. The thing is, the chief has given rather an erudite talk. But you cannot assume that everyone understands the ins and outs of our country’s long and winding history.

“

We all know that Edinburgh is in Scotland, and that Scotland is in Britain. How mystifying this must be for those from a faraway land. When I entered into journalism, the first thing I was taught to do was to learn how to ‘kiss’. Keep It Simple Stupid. Because sometimes – actually most of the time – you just have to spell it out. Explain everything. And even then, they may not get it. My father was a university lecturer. A brilliant orator, he once gave a talk to an auditorium full of international students. Up and down the stage he went, imparting facts, offering insights, pointing at the white board, holding his audience in the palm of his hand. After all, it was a mesmerising topic. The subject, I believe was the great movement of people across continents, for his field was sociology and anthropology. Anyhow, after an hour or so of serious debate, the lecture was complete and my papa stopped speaking. He was thoroughly spent by his efforts, but happy to know that he had been able to share some of his expert knowledge with the great minds of the future. To round off the morning he asked for questions, and a single hand went up – that of a young man. He simply said: ‘Thank you, Mr Armstrong. That was interesting, but can you tell us how we claim our expenses for coming to this talk?’ You have to laugh, don’t you? Although I think he felt more like crying… On the topic of Scottish Greats, and on a more sombre note, I read that the Duke of Roxburghe has died. Which is untimely as the man was only about my age. Anyhow, many moons ago I had the good fortune of casting a line with His Grace. We were filming a series called Fiona on Fishing, which involved us going out on the River Tweed, which runs at the bottom of his Floors Castle garden. Well, if that’s the right word for a 60,000-acre estate. His Grace showed how he could fish with finesse, with both left and right hands. Quite a feat as angling readers will testify to. He, too, was a plain-speaking man. But he was also immensely popular – and good on camera – and he will be much missed on his estate.

Life lessons Imparting wisdom on others isn’t as easy as one might have hoped, says Fiona Armstrong Illustration Bob Dewar

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25/09/2019 18:08:58

VISIT THE

GLENFIDDICH DISTILLERY SPEYSIDE

DISTILLERY TOURS • MASTERCLASS TASTINGS • GIFT SHOP RESTAURANT & BAR • WHISKY FLIGHTS • PICNIC AREA

OPEN 7 DAYS Built by hand in 1886 by William Grant, his wife and children, The Glenfiddich Distillery is still family owned and run. The first spirit ran from the stills on Christmas Day 1887, making Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky the ultimate festive dram

Discover the Glenfiddich story at its Dufftown home. Learn how this special whisky is created. Enjoy tours and tutored tastings and see beautiful contemporary art by Glenfiddich Artists in Residence. Sample delicious lunches, cakes and coffees at the Malt Barn Café or a dram at the Malt Barn Bar. Visit the gift shop with its luxury gift selection and full range of Glenfiddich whiskies including the new Glenfiddich Grand Cru 23 Year Old Single Malt plus a special bottling that celebrates this year’s 50th anniversary of The Glenfiddich Visitor Centre.

Visit www.glenfiddich.com for tour details, times and prices THE GLENFIDDICH DISTILLERY Dufftown, Banffshire, AB55 4DH Tel: 01340 820373 glenfiddichbookings@wgrant.com

DIRECTIONS The Glenfiddich Distillery lies on the A941, half a mile north of Dufftown. SKILFULLY CRAFTED, ENJOY RESPONSIBLY Glenfiddich® Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a registered trademark of William Grant & Sons Ltd.

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