Scottish Field October 2023 – The Luxury Issue

THE LUXURY ISSUE

From Holby City to Shakespeare, seasoned Scottish actor John Michie knows that when it comes to playing parts variety is the spice of life

WELCOME

to Scottish Field - the luxury issue

LUCINDA RUSSELL

The double-Grand National winning racehorse trainer proves that hard work and determination are the keys to success.

Luxury is in short supply for those mere mortals among us with a mortgage – or who fancy eating or filling up their car from time to time. But in the same way that many of us enjoy looking at the particulars of impossibly grand houses we cannot a ord just in case we ever win the Lottery (even though the vast majority of people don’t play it), so it is a wonderful diversion from the challenges of everyday life to see what we may be able to a ord once the cost of living crisis abates.

is, I believe, is why our Luxury Issue is so popular each year. I hope this year is no exception, and we’ve certainly worked hard to bring you the finer things in life.

I have personally played golf on some stellar links courses and consorted with the country’s finest racehorse trainer for the greater good, while my colleague Rosie has sipped Champagne overlooking the 18th green of the Old Course and

learned to arrange flowers. Morag has taken her dog to a training weekend at a lovely country house hotel and travelled to investigate Scotland’s gold mines. It’s been hell, I tell you.

But as well as enjoying ourselves we’ve also met some amazing people for whom luxury isn’t about expense, but about longevity and quality.

e work of our six stunning artisan makers really stands out in this regard, as does our art writer Mary Miers’ interview with heraldic artist Andrew Jamieson.

Luxury is, a er all, simply another word for excellence, and we’ve tried to find it in its many forms. We had a blast putting together this issue and hope reading it is every bit as enjoyable as compiling it.

Richard Bath, Editor

One of Scotland’s leading Champagne experts tells how just one sip of 1988 Pol Roger changed his career path and his life forever.

this month...

JOHN MICHIE

PETER CRAWFORD

‘Luxury is, a er all, simply another word for excellence’

PROPERTY

18 ON THE MARKET An A-listed 15th-century castle estate; a modernised farmhouse in Ayrshire; an equestrian property with over 13 acres; and a gorgeous country property in Dumfriesshire

LIFE & STYLE

35 OBJECT OF DESIRE A limited edition Montblanc Fountain Pen pays homage to a literary giant

45 OBJECT OF DESIRE Fancy a Fabergé egg to add to your jewellery collection? Look no further than this Laings x Fabergé collaboration

55 OBJECT OF DESIRE Only 250 Linn Sondek

LP12-50s turntable speakers will ever be made, and it's sure to get the party well and truly started

105 GO GO GADGET It's time to get your geek on with these high-end gadgets

146 ALL THAT GLITTERS The luxurious dream of wearing gold that has come from our very own Scottish hills is nally within reach

156 IT'S A BLING THING Seeking out ne antique gems and designing bespoke jewellery is all in a day's work for Claire Blatherwick

166 CASTLES ON A CLOUD Money man Peter Ranscombe goes castle shopping only to nd that supply and demand play a role even in top-end real estate

259 INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS GUIDE

HERE & NOW

36 LET THE GAMES BEGIN This year was the centenary of the Mull Highland Games and Euan Cherry was there to capture it

46 LURE OF THE LINKS American investment into Scottish golf is at an all-time high meaning our top courses are becoming ever more luxurious

57 HOPELESS CAUSES Persistence very often prevails, but Alexander McCall Smith also maintains that some things are lost causes

58 SIX OF THE BEST Rosie Morton meets some of the country's most visionary artisan makers

70 CREDO From Holby City to Shakespeare, this month's Credo – actor John Michie – really has done it all

74 THE MIDAS TOUCH Richard Bath speaks with double-Grand National winning racehorse trainer Lucinda Russell

80 THE CHART OF LIFE Sometimes the simple life is the sweetest, which is why countryman Guy Grieve aspires to own a small plot of land in the hills

84 ISLES OF LUXURY It doesn't get more luxurious than a private island, so here's a list of the top island retreats that money can buy

94 LORD OF CEREMONIES No two days are ever the same for the Lord Lyon, the heraldic authority for Scotland

96 DOGGY DAY CARE Morag Bootland takes her beloved pooch Wanda to Trigony House for an intensive dog training course

121 THIS VERTICAL LIFE Agricultural columnist

Claire Taylor looks at the vertical farming trend

190 COMING UP ROSES It's time to head to Wild Gorse Studio, a Highland ower school, to learn how to hand-tie a beautiful, seasonal bouquet

228 MAN OF ARMS Andrew Jamieson's heraldic art was always in demand, but things have rocketed since he designed the King's Coronation invitations

290 SEARCHING FOR NUANCE Louise Gray tackles the deer stalking debate which has become horribly polarising of late

FIELD SPORTS

109 A GAME CHANGER An innovative charity is delivering game meat to those in need

WILDLIFE

110 THE STILL-WATER SHAPE-SHIFTER When it comes to identi cation, Arctic charr give even top naturalists a headache

In this issue

istle: Lantica / Shutterstock.

Background pattern: Lisla / Shutterstock.

FOOD & DRINK

116 FALLING FOR FIZZ How Peter Crawford became Scotland's top Champagne expert

123 CASTLE CUISINE The Mystery Diner sits in the lap of luxury at Crossbasket Castle

125 HISTORIC HOWFFS If only the walls could speak in these six historic eateries

133 DRAMS OF YOUR DREAMS The One of One auction plays host to some stellar whisky

HOMES & GARDENS

176 HEART OF GOLD The array of colours at Portmore Garden make an impression

187 GARDENER'S Q&A

196 A HOUSE OF MANY FACES Sir James Hutchison has breathed new life into his beautiful Broich House

212 A BRILLIANT FIND Torty Cocks and Kurt Larson landed on their feet when Ardoch in Wester Ross came on the market

TRAVEL & LEISURE

244 LIVING THE HIGH LIFE Our SF reviewers take a break in four sensationally luxurious retreats

NEWS, VIEWS & EVENTS

10 Letters 14 Monthly Musings 32 Up Front 106 Country News 126 Food & Drink News 189

Garden

News 235 Field Culture 282 Cover to cover 287

Social Scene

280 PUZZLES The crossword, sudoku and all the usual brain teasers

46 58 212 36

To

‘The best things in life are free. The second best things are very, very expensive.’

NUMBER

NUMBER FIVE

FIVE

NUMBER FIVE

features leading Jewellery Designers & Goldsmiths

features leading Jewellery Designers & Goldsmiths

SCOTTISH FIELD

VOLUME 125 NUMBER 10 ESTABLISHED IN 1903

features leading Jewellery Designers & Goldsmiths

INCORPORATING SCOTTISH WORLD SCOTTISH FIELD

EDITORIAL AND DESIGN

Editor: Richard Bath

STUNNING

STUNNING • CLEAR

STUNNING

• CLEAR

• CLEAR

• BOLD

• BOLD

• BOLD

Creative Editor: Heddy Forrest

Chief Sub-Editor: Rosie Morton

Staff Writer: Morag Bootland

Web Editor: Ellie Forbes

Editorial Interns: Scarlett Donald, Madeleine Sutton

Designer: Grant Dickie

Artworker: Andrew Balahura

Production Controller: Megan Amato

Email: editor@scottish eld.co.uk

SALES AND MARKETING

Advertising Team Leader: Tracey Faulds

Senior Sales: Stacey Richardson

Advertising Sales: Grant Philbin, Carol Greenshields

Head of Drinks Division: John Boyle

Senior Marketing Executive: Heather Smith

Email: adverts@scottish eld.co.uk

PUBLISHING

Tel: 0131 551 1000 Fax: 0131 551 7901

Publisher: Alister Bennett, Scottish Field, The North Quarter, 496 Ferry Road, Edinburgh EH5 2DL

London O ce: 1 Gunpowder Square, Fleet Street, London EC4A 3EP

OVERSEAS

(Send USA Address corrections to Warners Group Publications as per below details).

US Postmaster: Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville, PA. US Mailing agent: Scottish Field (ISSN No: 0036-9309) is published monthly by Wyvex Media Ltd, PO Box 1, Oban PA34 4HB and is distributed in the USA by SPP, 95 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville PA 17318.

EXQUISITE • ORGANIC • FLOWING

EXQUISITE • ORGANIC • FLOWING

EXQUISITE • ORGANIC • FLOWING

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: £53.00 Worldwide: £75.00

If you experience any di culties in obtaining Scottish Field, contact 01631 568000

Published

MISSDON’TOUT RESERVE ATYOUR NEWSAGENT

Don’t miss your copy of

SCOTTISH FIELD

To avoid any di culties 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 ll 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).

The leading Contemporary Jewellers in Scotland

The leading Contemporary Jewellers in Scotland

Number Five offers a broad and diverse range of jewellery designers / makers using materials from silver and 18ct gold to platinum, stainless steel, titanium, acrylic and glass.

NUMBER FIVE www.numberfivegoldsmiths.co.uk www.clairedonald.com

Title Name Address

The leading Contemporary Jewellers in Scotland

Number Five offers a broad and diverse range of jewellery designers / makers using materials from silver and 18ct gold to platinum, stainless steel, titanium, acrylic and glass.

Postcode Tel

Number Five offers a broad and diverse range of jewellery designers / makers using materials from silver and 18ct gold to platinum, stainless steel, titanium, acrylic and glass.

Number Five, 56 Bonnygate, Cupar, Fife, KY15 4LD Tel / Fax 01334 657784 www.clairedonald.com

17 High Street, Perth, PH1 5JS Tel: 01738 634196 / 07910 658953

NUMBER FIVE www.numberfivegoldsmiths.co.uk www.clairedonald.com

Number Five, 56 Bonnygate, Cupar, Fife, KY15 4LD Tel / Fax 01334 657784 www.clairedonald.com

NUMBER FIVE www.numberfivegoldsmiths.co.uk www.clairedonald.com

Number Five, 56 Bonnygate, Cupar, Fife, KY15 4LD Tel / Fax 01334 657784 www.clairedonald.com

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 signi cant 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@scottish eld.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 unsatis ed 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.

REDUCE YOUR ENERGY BILLS WITH BESPOKE SECONDARY GLAZING

HANDCRAFTED BESPOKE SECONDARY GLAZING FOR HISTORIC, PERIOD AND LISTED PROPERTIES

BENEFITS OF OUR GLAZING INCLUDE:

Elimination of draughts and improved thermal efficiency

Acoustic protection from outside noise

Virtually invisible preserving the character of your home

ASK US ABOUT OUR AFFORDABLE FINANCE OPTION!

Mozolowski & Murray

Garden Rooms

Your letters is sponsored by Silversea in partnership with Indulgent Cruises. Tel: 01698 425 444, www.indulgentcruises.com

SCOTLAND ON THE SILVER SCREEN

I very much enjoyed your 'Scotland in Film' articles [September 2023].

Excluding from your list the wonderful Craignish peninsula, here in the heart of Argyll, is understandable – we’ve perhaps already had our fair share of accolades of late, including Ardfern being designated one of 'The UK’s 7 Quirkiest Seaside Villages' [The Times, 30.05.23], a feature in National Geographic ’s 'A Culinary Guide to Argyll' [Nov 2022] and 'Britain’s Most Romantic Villages' (Fine & Country, 2017).

First-time visitors to our beautiful community, may nd it already feels familiar, if they too are 007 fans – iconic scenes, including the speed boat chase in From Russia With Love, featuring Sean Connery (1963) were shot here in Lunga Bay (before the islands were linked by breakwater to form the marina at Craobh Haven).

TALK ABOUT TREES

More recently, you could spot Jodie Comer and Benedict Cumberbatch at Craignish Point while lming the adaptation of Megan Hunter’s novel The End We Start From (2023).

Craignish has a longstanding reputation for excellence across the arts, straddling many decades, and the arts continue to thrive today. Film appearances are just part of our creative identity – we can also celebrate the many and varied artists and creatives resident here, and who visit, and contribute so much to the rich tapestry of life, that is the essence of Craignish.

We cherish our unique community, and celebrate our reputation as an exciting and vibrant destination, which strives to always offer the warmest welcome to all.

Mandy Hampton Ardfern, Craignish

I enjoyed the article ‘Can't See the Wood for the Trees’ by Dr Cameron in your September 2023 edition. The analysis of Scottish woodlands, their role in respect of carbon and embedded energy and the complications of sourcing wood for commercial purposes is very interesting. I also note the observations about re-wilding as opposed to sustainable commercial forestry.

In particular, I was charmed by the following comment: 'It is also interesting to re ect on the illogicality of conservationists who criticise non-native tree species growing in Scottish forests that cover less than one fth of the land area when most of the agricultural sector – covering 70% of the land area – is based on farming non-native plants and animals.'

Willy Russell, Banchory, Kincardineshire

The writer of the Star Letter will receive a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé

Ultimate Living Spaces

Ruthvenfield Road, Inveralmond, Perth PH1 3EE Tel: 01738 638822 Email: enquiries@callumwalker.com www.callumwalker.com

Opening Hours

Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm Saturday: 10am - 4pm

FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ROYALTY FOR THE EVENT OF A LIFETIME

royalyachtbritannia.co.uk

UNLIKELY LOVE LETTERS

Letter One

Miss Shanks,

The great love I have hitherto expressed for you is false and I nd my indifference towards you increases daily. The more I see of you the more you appear in my eyes an object of contempt. I feel myself every way disposed and determined to hate you. Believe me I never had an intention to offer you my hand – our last conversation has left a tedious insipidity which has by no means given me the most exalted idea of your character. Your temper would make me extremely unhappy and if we are united I shall experience nothing but the hatred of my parents – added to everlasting displeasure in living with you. I have indeed a heart to bestow but I do not desire you to imagine it at your service – I could not give it to any one more inconsistent and capricious than yourself and less capable to do honour to my choice and family. Yes Miss I hope you will be persuaded that I speak sincerely and you will do me a favour to avoid me – I shall excuse you taking the trouble to try and answer this – your letters are always full of impertinence and you have not a shadow of wit and good sense. Adieu, adieu – believe me so averse to you but it is impossible for me even to be your most affectionate friend and humble servant.

(Pass time)

Letter Two

Miss Shanks,

After perusing the above ingenious little letter will you please read it again, commencing on the rst line and then the third, the fth and so continue, reading each alternate line to the end. I have signed myself (Pass Time) but it will be more of a pass time for you for although you live for the next 600 years I don’t think you will know who sent it. But I will give you a chance to try. I have only spoken to you twice, rst about a month and a week ago. I have seen you after since but could not get speaking, but hope to make your acquaintance. I know your brother pretty well. Have not seen your mother that I know of – if you speak to me about this I will appear as innocent as a child – you can’t come to it by the writing as I have made it as school boy like as possible. I must bid you a very good day and wish you success.

I remain your admirer, till better acquainted, (Pass Time) Sent in by Janet McArthur, Glasgow (Miss Shanks' grand-daughter)

Readers’ photos

ABOVE: Isle of May pu ns taken by Andy Lafferty. RIGHT: Country road taken by GH Clark. FAR RIGHT: Thomson’s House Inverkeithing taken by David Knowles.

LEFT: Windswept working cocker spaniel, Nell, at the Mull of Kintyre taken by Susan Cameron.

ABOVE: Left to rot on Loch Alsh taken by Hugh Munro.

PICTURE PERFECT

No one loves a good photograph showing the variety of life in Scotland more than us. We love seeing your photographs too, so lovely readers, upload your photos today and you might find your work appearing here.

FAR LEFT: St Magnus Cathedral, Orkney taken by Malcolm Brown. ABOVE: Ruthven Barracks taken by David Laidlaw. LEFT: My son’s family lives inside a Thomas Kincade painting taken by Preston MacDougall.

LEFT: Three Bumblebees enjoying the nectar from a sea holly ower taken by Hazel Thomson.

We love seeing your photographs of Scotland and picking our favourites each month. For your chance to appear on our Picture Perfect pages send your photographs to the team via gdickie@scottish eld.co.uk. Remember to include your full name and a title for your photograph.

Scottish Gold

MINED, DESIGNED, AND MADE IN SCOTLAND

Now is your chance to own and cherish your favourite Sheila Fleet design in exclusive 18ct yellow, white, or rose Scottish Gold.

Sheila Fleet OBE is honoured to be one of only two jewellers in the world authorised to make and sell exclusive Scottish Gold from Cononish, Scotland's only commercial gold mine.

Tucked away in remote hills in the west of Scotland, near the village of Tyndrum, Cononish Gold Mine is in a stunning and mountainous landscape. The gold mine is named after the valley where the mine sits and the river it overlooks—Cononish meaning 'where the waters meet' in Scottish Gaelic.

Great care has been taken to protect the origin and provenance of Scottish Gold. From the moment the precious metal leaves the mine to the final stage when it becomes a piece of jewellery in our workshop, strict ‘chain of custody’ control is used to track the process.

All Scottish Gold jewellery made by Sheila Fleet is certified and hallmarked with the special Sheila Fleet Scottish Gold Mark by the Edinburgh Assay Office. Each piece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a unique serial number.

The supply of jewellery-grade gold from Cononish Gold Mine is limited. Consequently, rings and jewellery made in this luxurious metal are rare and exceptional items.

Find out more at sheilafleet.com/scottishgold

Sheila and Martin visiting the gold mine

Certi cate of authenticity

Unique Cononish Gold

Reef Knot

This elegant collection is inspired by the reef knot, a knot popular with generations of sailors and symbolising unity.

Shown in 18ct yellow and white Scottish Gold, hand-set with diamonds in our Orkney workshop.

Property of the month

Kilravock Castle Estate, Croy, Inverness IV2 7PJ

Selling Agent: Galbraith

Tel: 01463 224343

Offers over: £4 million

Centered around a category ‘A’ listed 15th-century castle, this estate in the Nairn Valley is on the market along with a let farm, nine estate cottages, a former hostel, a games hall and a mix of woodland. The land extends to just over 481 acres and includes trout shing rights on the River Nairn. Kilravock Castle was the original seat of the Clan Rose and now houses four main reception rooms, 13 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, as well as two adjoining four bedroom wings. As you would expect from such a historic building there are period features aplenty with a stone vaulted chapel, a spiral staircase, turreted tower and a banqueting hall with a secret dungeon. Despite its rural and private setting, the estate is within 10 miles of Inverness airport.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The castle overlooks the River Nairn; drawing room; one of 13 large bedrooms; the grand

Coastal property of the month

Drumbain, Fisherton, South Ayrshire KA7 4LG

Selling Agent: Knight Frank

Tel: 0131 322 2469

Offers over: £2.3 million

A beautifully extended and modernised farmhouse with views across the Firth of Clyde to Arran, the Kintyre Peninsula and Ailsa Craig. The full height, glazed extension makes the most of these views. With six bedrooms, ve reception rooms, a gym with spa, multiple garages and over 400 yards of shore frontage within 53 acres of land which includes woodland and grazing this house is the height of luxury. A courtyard of outbuildings also provide conversion potential.

Equestrian property of the month

Hawksland Hall, Greenrig Road, Lanark, South Lanarkshire ML11 9QB

Selling Agent: DM Hall

Tel: 01786 833800

Offers over: £765,000

A lovely rural home with seven bedrooms, sitting in approximately 13.4 acres of pasture land with excellent transport links to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Set over three oors, the accommodation is spacious and exible. The large open-plan kitchen/living/dining room gives access to a secluded decking area at the back of the house. Outside, the range of modern outbuildings include eleven secure stables, a variety of stores and a horse walker.

Rural property of the month

Dunskellyrigg Hall, Kirkpatrick Fleming, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire DG11 3AU

Selling Agent: Strutt & Parker

Tel: 0131 516 7096

Offers over: £950,000

A substantial country property in a private position with all round views. Dunskellyrigg Hall is on the market along with a separate two-bedroom cottage, over ten acres of land with outbuildings suitable for livestock or equestrain use. The main house was converted from a farm building in 2006 and offers spacious and exible accommodation with ve bedrooms, a large dressing room and three reception rooms.

LAWERS ESTATE COMRIE, CRIEFF

Lawers Estate provides an enviable package comprising the magnificent Lawers House, a stable complex with adjoining paddocks, beautiful and secluded walled garden, fishings on the River Earn and arable quality agricultural land. Extending to approximately 644.90 Acres (260.98 Ha) in all.

Enquiries Ross Low

01738 630666

Highlights

• Beautiful principal house with over 75 rooms, 16 bedrooms, 7 of which are en-suite, 7 reception rooms including a billiards room, large office wing and exceptional ballroom with stunning restored ceiling mural

• Swimming pool, tennis court, private pond with boathouse, multi car garaging, integral stable block and courtyard with clocktower

• Extensive garden and policy grounds including paddocks, parkland grazings and mixed woodland extending to approximately 50.94 Acres (20.62 Ha)

For Sale

• Approximately 575.75 Acres (233.02 Ha) of primarily Grade 3.2 arable farmland

• Enchanting Victorian walled garden with multiple ‘rooms’ and heated glasshouse with ancillary equipment stores

• Attractive equestrian yard with approximately 12.08 Acres (4.88 Ha) grazings and 14 stables with Dutch barn and generous general-purpose store

• An additional eight residential properties

• Highland Fringe location while still a commutable distance of major urban hubs

Available as a whole or in 7 Lots

Offers Over £6,750,000 for the Whole

Further information available at www.bidwells.co.uk

WITH A VIEW FROM EVERY WINDOW, PROPERTIES AT THIS EXCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF 4 LUXURY HOMES ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO RESERVE.

| PRICE FROM £1,200,000

In a very special rural setting, beyond the famed Stirlingshire beauty spot of The Whangie and Queens View, is this superb development of four highly contemporary, and sizeable, Detached Homes. Each property benefits from delightful rural vistas, some dramatically eastwards to the slopes of The Campsie Fells, summit of Dumgoyne and Ben Lomond. The properties are set around a central garden, with pond, with a sweeping approach looping around. It makes for a rather wonderful location.

Discover more or reserve, contact Rettie & Co Bearsden Tel 0141 943 3150 or Email bearsden@rettie.co.uk

Also building at East Millichen Farm View - Last 3 remaining

|

www.rettie.co.uk

Which ESTATE AGENT should you choose? 37 Years earning my reputation as an Estate Agent that Clients can TRUST ...a hard won accolade, however my clients reap the rewards of my decades of property experience.

Our Estate Agency Team at BLACK HAY are involved throughout the sales process ...however each property sold is personally negotiated by me as our Clients have entrusted me with the sale of their homes.

If you are looking to engage a real Estate Agent for your Special Home contact me, Graeme Lumsden, Director/Valuer at BLACK HAY ESTATE AGENTS - We market Special Homes across Scotland. blackhay.co.uk

Come along and enjoy a wander around the stunning grounds and fabulous show home. With only a few properties available for sale, don’t miss out on securing your beautiful apartment at Five South.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated sales consultant. Berryhill Road, Giffnock, G46 6UU

Open: Thursday to Monday 11am to 5:30pm

Prices from £424,000

0800 587 9992

westpointhomes. net

LAST FEW REMAINING

MAINS OF TAYMOUTH VILLAGE, THE HOME OF LUXURY LODGES

With the recent release of the last 21 plots, the Cairn Lodge development has generated a lot of interest already. These new plots are being snapped up quickly as once they are gone, they are gone

The stunning Cairn Lodge development which overlooks the picturesque nine-hole golf course on the Estate, beautiful Kenmore Hill and beyond is fast becoming a sought after location to have your own bolt hole in Kenmore, Highland Perthshire.

ith high specifications the arious styles of lodges at the airn development complement each other and come fully decorated and furnished throughout with lots of features such as either two or three bedrooms en-suite bathrooms dressing rooms spacious fitted kitchens with built-in appliances, utility rooms, and generous, lightfilled li ing spaces he airn odges each come ith a -month licence and the security of a 50 year tenure. A Cairn Lodge plot can be secured now by those looking to have a private holiday home in Highland Perthshire to enjoy year-round.

n the established ains of aymouth illage there are se eral other lodge opportunities available for immediate occupancy, each

ith a -month licence and depending on your choice of lodge style either a - or -year tenure

c uired in by ure eisure roup ains of aymouth illage is continuing to grow from strength to strength with other holiday home options a ailable ithin the already established aymouth illage and finance options are no a ailable to ma e your dream a reality. It’s a multiple rated, dog-friendly holiday estate located in the heart of Scotland which is easily accessible from many major cities. Just across the bridge is the charming conservation village of Kenmore boasting a natural stone beach and breathtaking views of och ay one of cotland s finest landscapes

n oy being part of the fi e-star ains of aymouth ountry state olf ourse ith its many amenities holiday here in an idyllic en ironment riced from n-site facilities include -hole golf course, putting green, bar & brasserie, and a deli & gift shop.

Call 01887 830 226, or visit www.taymouthvillage.co.uk

GUIDANCE AND ASSURANCE WHEN IT IS NEEDED MOST

Scottish property finders Garrington discuss why now, more than ever, a knowledgeable local expert would be a valuable asset when searching for and securing a home

In all aspects of life, it is extremely rare that the stars align and the ‘perfect time’ to do anything presents itself. Those who make changes at the most optimum time are called lucky, but it’s often also the case that they were well-advised.

Moving home cannot always be timed to fit in ith the ebbs and o s of the property mar et he timing is often in uenced by factors dictating that ‘now’ is the time that you need to find a property to buy his doesn’t necessarily mean there’s an urgency to act, or a need for compromise, but in a changing market there is more risk of a misstep that could prove costly.

How can buyers make well-informed decisions at this time?

A CHANGING MARKET PLACE

The Scottish property market has been on somewhat of a rollercoaster in recent years and, as with any changing market, there will undoubtedly be winners and losers.

Some areas are seeing a readjustment of prices after the recent rapid rises, but there is a disconnect between the price sellers believe

they can still achieve, and buyers think they need to pay. Many prime markets across the UK continue to suffer from an acute lack of stock meaning prices are robust and, in some areas, competition remains strong, which can put buyers under pressure to make rash decisions.

rofessional property finders not only find you the right house to buy but they also ascertain the seller’s motivation to sell, carry out due diligence on current values, negotiate the terms and price, and overall formulate the best strategy to secure the property.

SETTING YOUR PRIORITIES

The key to buying a property in any market, but particularly in a more challenging climate, is to set your priorities in place. Understand what is absolutely essential and what is a ‘like to have’; where you might compromise or at least be open to options you hadn’t previously considered. With many of the most exclusive areas in the country continuing to suffer a lac of homes for sale buyers might find their dream home is in fact just a mile down the road.

A BUYER’S ADVANTAGE

ome areas are e periencing ustified premium price tags due to scarcity and desirability but other areas might be in ated without foundation; buyers should be wary of this when securing a property.

A buying agent will have a deeper understanding of the local property market and will be able to analyse value as part of their due diligence when proposing the best strategy to secure a home.

And, if necessary, they’ll also advise when it is simply time to walk away. It is this pragmatic approach, without emotion, that can prove invaluable.

If you are considering your property-buying options and would like more information about how to better navigate your local property market, contact Garrington to arrange a no-obligation discussion. CONTACT

Tel: 0131 564 1156

E-mail: info@garrington.co.uk

www.garringtonscotland.co.uk

MARIE WOOD

The Highlands & West Coast

DAVINA RASELLI Perthshire & Central

MEET THE TEAM

PETER STRANG STEEL Edinburgh, Lothians & Scottish Borders

BUILD YOUR DREAM OAK FRAME HOME WITH OAKWRIGHTS

From concept to completion, working with clients to capture their vision of the perfect oak frame home is all in a day's work for the team at Oakwrights

Building a home is a truly personal experience; one which encourages you to consider not only the present, but where you see yourself in years to come…

For nearly 25 years, Oakwrights has been designing and building beautifully bespoke oak frame homes, along with extensions, outbuildings and garages. Many of their clients choose to build with oak not only because of its natural beauty and character; but because their oak frame home represents a lifetime of structural stability and fills them ith an immense sense of comfort and security.

Oakwrights’ Scottish team, managed by Iain Hendry, is based in Ayrshire and operates nationwide. They offer a full service to self-builders in Scotland, taking their clients through the early stages of design to the submission of planning applications. Once consent is achieved, the team work closely with Oakwrights’ frame designers to assist in developing technical drawings for the purposes of obtaining a building warrant and fabrication of the oak frame itself.

CONTACT

MEET THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM

Having supported self-builders in Scotland since 2014, Oakwrights’ architectural design team work alongside Iain and have a wide range of experience, including over 16 years designing bespoke oak frame buildings across the country.

With a history of award-winning architecture achieved through strength of design and approachable attitude, the architectural design team has always taken the view that the most important part of architecture is to listen to the clients’ wishes and go above and beyond these to achieve a design that truly captures their vision.

BOOK YOUR COMPLIMENTARY DESIGN APPOINTMENT

If you would like to discuss plans for your future home, extension, outbuilding or garage with Oakwrights’ team in Scotland, you can arrange a design consultation to begin bringing your ideas to life.

For more information and to book your appointment, please call 0141 309 9237 or email enquiries@oakwrights.co.uk. oakwrights.co.uk

Photo © Naomi Gabrielle Photography

Scotland’s wildlife, habitats and scenery is to be shown by BBC Scotland this autumn. The threepart series Scotland The New Wild will feature special wildlife and rare species. Each episode explores a different part of the country, including the Islands, the Lowlands and the Highlands. The series will show rare glimpses into Scottish wildlife. www.bbc.co.uk/scotland

front UP

SHIP SHAPE FOR WORLD'S THIRD OLDEST VESSEL

Scotland's oldest ship, HMS Unicorn, has received more than £1 million in funding towards its ongoing restoration. The donation comes from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and will go towards work to strengthen the ship’s hull ahead of a move to a nearby dry dock. The ship, which was moved to Dundee in 1873, will be the centrepiece of a new maritime heritage centre. www.hmsunicorn.org.uk

THE OUTLANDER EFFECT The facts & gures

Outlander author Diana Gabaldon has revealed how the fantasy fiction series was almost never published. Diana was in Scotland to open the first international Outlander conference at the University of Glasgow. Diana, who was given an honorary doctorate last year, said her career as an author nearly finished before it began. She told how her first book was almost cancelled due to the difficulty in how to categorise it. www.gla.ac.uk

42

1743

THE BIG HOOF

A riding instructor has completed a 200-mile horse ride from St Andrews to Iona for charity. Louis Hall took two weeks to complete the journey which involved four horses. The 27-year-old began long-distance horse rides in 2020 and has journeyed across the UK and Europe for charity. The trek raised £6,500 for Glasgow-based Venture Trust. www.thebighoof.com

1.75m

The year Outlander is set in when it begins.

The number of visits to Outlander attractions in 2020.

The number of Scottish places in the TV series.

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

ROWING ADVENTURE

A Fife businessman is set to embark on a solo adventure which will see him row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic. Henry Cheape, from Balgove Larder in St Andrews, plans to take on the challenge to raise £250,000 for conservation and environment charities. Known as the World’s Toughest Row, the challenge starts in December and could take ten weeks. Henry will make the trip aboard the PollyAnne. www.pollyanne.co.uk

The Enchanted Forest generated £10 million for the Perthshire economy last year. The show welcomed more than 83,000 visitors from all over the UK and beyond. The 2023 show ‘From the Deep’ will transform Faskally Wood into an underwater adventure. It runs from 5 October.

www.enchantedforest.org.uk

A GOOD FIT

Editor Richard Bath tried out American Golf’s superstore at The Braids, in Edinburgh, to get tted for the perfect set of clubs. During a two-hour session with an expert club tter Trackman technology was used to analyse Richard's swing and work out which clubs were best suited. Read the full review on our website to nd out how he got on.

www.scottish eld.co.uk

YOUNG WALTER SCOTT

PRIZE UP FOR GRABS

e prestigious Young Walter Scott Prize is open for entries for the 2023 award. e UKwide historical writing prize for 11 to 19 year olds is now in its ninth year. It challenges young people to write a piece of short fiction, between 800-2,000 words, set in a time before they were born. Entries are judged in two age groups, 11 to 15 years and 16 to 19 years, and welcomes any form of fiction e closing date is 31 October. www.walterscottprize.co.uk

PROTECTED ISLANDS

The National Trust for Scotland has announced the Treshnish Isles are now under its protection. Eight small uninhabited islands make up the remote archipelago in the Inner Hebrides west of Mull. It is a Site of Special Scienti c Interest and the islands are known as a nesting site for many seabird species including guillemots, razorbills, pu ns, kittiwakes, fulmars, shags and skuas. www.nts.org.uk

Enchanted visitors help bring in £10m

OBJECT OF DESIRE

Montblanc Writers Edition 94 Fountain Pen

This intricate fountain pen pays homage to Edinburgh’s great novelist and poet, Robert Louis Stevenson. e cap and barrel are made from sterling silver surrounded by a solid yellow gold grid. e cap tube features hand engravings of pirate tale symbols such as a treasure chest, revolver and pipe alongside an inlay of Long John Silver. On the barrel are engravings of the Treasure Island map and an inlay of Long John Silver’s parrot, Captain Flint. montblanc.com/en-gb

Priced at £37,000

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

This year, the Mull Highland Games celebrated its centenary in the colourful town of Tobermory, and snapper Euan Cherry was there to capture it

Scotland through a lens – Mull Highland Games

PREVIOUS PAGE: Adult sword dance with

CLOCKWISE FROM

piper David Bruce.

TOP LEFT: Oban High School Pipe Band; march from the town clock with hereditary Games Chieftain Sir Lachlan Maclean of Duart & Morvern (front row, centre) and Sir Lachlan’s son and heir Malcolm Maclean (front row, right); James Campbell from Craignure, Mull in the heavies competition; Highland dancers putting their best foot forward.

Scotland through a lens – Mull Highland Games

ABOVE: View of the games eld with the hills of Morvern in the distance. The eld is in fact Tobermory Golf Course, also known as Erray Park. LEFT: A small group from the Oban High School Pipe Band with the tenor drummer holding the beat. RIGHT: Five-year-old Lucy Clark from Inveraray, who swept the board in the competitions for her age group (and won the hearts of the spectators).

Scotland through a lens – Mull Highland Games

Scotland through a lens – Mull Highland Games

TO SEE MORE OF EUAN’S WORK GO TO

euancherry.co.uk @euancherry

TOP: Competition time at the long jump with Aidan Quinn from Glasgow. He ranked number one in Scotland in the triple jump this year. ABOVE LEFT: Karina Benesh was the only woman competing in the Heavy Events. She hails from the USA but now lives in Tobermory.

ABOVE RIGHT: Games Chieftain, Sir Lachlan Maclean and his son Malcolm.

escape your everyday on board Fingal Edinburgh’s luxury floating hotel

Restaurant & Bar

Gift VouchersSumptuous Cabins

OBJECT OF DESIRE

Fabergé Thistle Pendant

Laings collaborated with luxury Maison, Fabergé, on a pendant design which pays tribute to Laings family jewellers’ Scottish roots. is exclusive 18ct rose gold pendant opens to reveal a bull thistle. It was designed to be in keeping with the ‘Fabergé In Bloom’ theme that honoured the Maison’s 180th year in 2022. e e pendant features 13 round brilliant cut white diamonds. Green and purple lacquer form the thistle surprise set inside the locket.

laingsuk.com

Priced at £6,840

LURE OF THE LINKS

American investment into Scottish golf is at an all-time high, leading to a rash of swanky new links courses while our top clubs are becoming

The Saudis may have staged an audacious putsch of professional golf, but on Scotland’s links it’s the Americans who are taking over.

Fuelled by a strong dollar and the fact that the US market is used to paying handsomely for golfing excellence and luxury, American golfers and entrepreneurs are revolutionising the Scottish o -course golf experience. e opportunity to play the best and most storied courses in the world – iconic places like St Andrews’ Old Course, Muirfield, Royal Dornoch and North Berwick – has always attracted large numbers of golfers from across the pond, and that remains the case. But there’s now a drive to build the sort of luxury facilities and accommodation that is standard issue at the top American courses, and to repackage venerable old Scottish courses so that they appeal to golf tourists demanding a luxury experience.

‘ e new American golfing tourist is more wealthy, and more selective in their quest for links golf,’ says Todd

Warnock, the American owner of Links House in Dornoch, arguably Scotland’s most luxurious boutique golf hotel. ‘ ey still want to experience the history of golf in Scotland but they seek more full experiences beyond golf such as castle and whisky distillery tours. ey want a higher level of comfort and luxury, and they are prepared to pay for excellence.’

A good example of the market’s response to an influx of high-end golf tourists is the partnership between Dundonald and the expensively remodelled e Machrie on Islay. e two courses are o ering the chance to play three historic Ayrshire links courses (Dundonald, Western Gailes and Prestwick, where the first Open Championship was held in 1860) before being flown to Islay by private jet to play e Machrie and visit Lagavulin Distillery, and then finally flown back to Ayrshire. e cost for four for the week starts from £24,540.

If they have especially deep pockets, they could take the

‘ e opportunity to play the best courses in the world has always attracted golfers from across the pond’

ABOVE: Getting into the swing of things at Trump Turnberry. LEFT: Private jet is the transport of choice for rich American golfers.

fi een-minute ferry north from Islay to Jura or cover the short crossing by helicopter. Once on Jura, they could play Ardfin, a beautiful private golf course on a pristine 12,000-acre estate that epitomises the direction of travel for luxury golf tourism in Scotland.

Billionaire Greg Co ey is rumoured to have spent £50m building this flight of fancy which was completed in 2015. It’s a project where no expense was spared, to the point where sand was flown onto the island for its bunkers.

Playing there is not for the fainthearted. ose lucky enough to have played Ardfin have either hired the estate’s ten-bedroomed Jura House at a cost of £24,000 per night (for a minimum of three nights) or stayed at Jura Hotel for £1,540 per night (breakfast and dinner are extra, and there’s a two-night minimum), plus £500 per round for the golf. Nevertheless, its inaccessibility and limited tee times produce an exclusivity which has ensured its cachet verges on cult status with high-flying Americans.

‘We have to be careful though,’ says Drumgolf’s Gordon Adam, one of Scottish golf tourism’s longestestablished operators. ‘Over the past five years there has been unprecedented inflation in green fees for visitors at the top courses in the belief that the Americans will always pay, but my experience is that there’s a limit, and I think we’ve reached it.’

ere have, of course, been Scottish golf courses which have been aimed squarely at rich American visitors for years. e first and the most prominent was Tom Weiskopf’s Loch Lomond, which was built around the beautiful palladian mansion of Rossdhu House in 1993. It was the first course built in Scotland for two decades and in

2008 had membership fees of £75,000 and an annual sub of £3,250, which is sta eringly high by Scottish standards but on the cheap side for a top-quality course in America (when sold in 2019 its joining fee was £125,000 plus membership of up to £25,000 a year).

Since then the number of courses built in Scotland by Americans has gathered pace relentlessly. Designed by American Tom Doak and owned by his compatriot Jerry Savardi, the exclusive Renaissance Club next to Muirfield has a country club feel, a large number of American members, a membership bond (joining fee) of £75,000 and annual fees of £6,000.

ere are also a growing number of American-financed and owned links courses which have eschewed the traditional membership model and operate on a pay-per-play basis, with locals getting preferential rates but Americans stumping up full fat green fees. e pioneer of this model was Kingsbarns in Fife (£418 per round

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Sand for the bunkers at Ard n, which cost £50m to build, was own onto the island of Jura; Dundonald in Ayrshire is consciously chasing the luxury golf market; on tour and dressed to impress.

‘Ardfin’s cachet verges on cult status with high-flying Americans’

in 2024), Cabot Highlands (formerly Castle Stuart) near Inverness (£295 per round in 2024), and Dumbarnie Links in Fife (currently £286).

None of those courses have members or accommodation, but a di erent approach was taken by Donald Trump when he built the stunning but controversial Trump International outside Aberdeen, with an on-site hotel called Macleod House & Lodge named a er his mother. Again, the price is high by domestic standards (currently £305 per round, which

is dwarfed by £475 for the Ailsa course at Trump Turnberry), but again those green fees are unexceptional Stateside. Another American company dipping its toe into Scottish golf is Southworth Development from Massachussetts, who built Machrihanish Dunes near Campbeltown and bought the Ugadale Hotel next to the legendary Machrihanish course. ey are also building a hotel and new course, which will provide a concentration of four courses in Machrihanish. e nearby airstrip is big enough to accommodate transatlantic flights and is a 20-minute helicopter ride from Royal Portrush in Ulster, e Machrie, Ardfin and Ayrshire courses like the three Open Championship venues of Royal Troon, Turnberry and Prestwick. It’s yet another golfing honeypot.

e American money coursing into the top end of Scottish golf shows no sign of abating. A key ambition of the Arizona-based Discovery Land Company’s £300m renovation of Taymouth Castle is to bring its once famous James Braid-designed course

Princess

and his partner Mike Keiser remain hopeful the local group Communities4Coul will gain planning permission for Coul Links north of Royal Dornoch (interestingly, the local community sees the benefits of American golf tourism, with 70% of local residents voting in favour of the project in a referendum).

Warnock, who owns Links House, is not the only American to have invested in high-end golf-related hotel accommodation. American sanitaryware magnate Herb Kohler, who already owns the Old Course Hotel, has turned what was once a St Andrews University student halls next to the Old Course 18th green into Hamilton Hall, a development of luxury condos (at the time of writing a two-bedroomed flat is for sale at o ers-over £2.3m). Indeed, many of the most famous golf hotels in the country have recently been bought by American venture capital companies. Rusacks by the 18th at St Andrews, the Marine in North Berwick and the Marine in Troon are famous golf hotels recently bought and upgraded by Americans, while other golf hotels (such as the Royal Golf Hotel in Dornoch and the Royal Marine Hotel in Brora) have been upgraded to appeal to Transatlantic visitors. American money, it seems, is slowly but surely changing the face of Scottish golf.

FROM TOP: The remodelled Machrie on Islay; The Machrie hotel; dine in luxury at Dundonald with spectacular views of the course.

THE WORLD IS CLOSER TO HOME THAN YOU THINK

Thanks to Dutch airline KLM, travellers have a choice of airports to depart from in Scotland including Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness Airport.

And in a post-pandemic world where travelling abroad is more meaningful than ever, KLM are working hard to make it easier to travel. Flying from where you live means less time and cost commuting to airports further afield so you ll ha e more time to relax (or work) on your well-earned holiday, family visit or business trip.

ith con enient ight departures from across cotland and connections to the world via Amsterdam, KLM is making international travel as seamless as possible for travellers.

With KLM you can easily reach a wide range of destinations –like Dubai, the city that mixes modernity, luxury, and tradition all in one sunny destination.

r y to ang o hailand s capital that ne er sleeps here

you can stroll among centuries-old temples and browse traditional street markets. Prefer an even slower pace? Pamper yourself at one of the many spas and leave the bustle of the city behind with a soothing hai massage offer ights to ape o n too a charming pictures ue city nestled at the foot of able ountain a e a day trip to the city s ama ing nature reser es or ineyards n oy the rela ed ibe of the other ity and spend time on the beach at amps ay hese unmissable destinations are among many a ailable to disco er right from your local airport ransfers at msterdam Airport Schiphol are easy due to its single terminal design with a ide array of shops restaurants uir y attractions to eep you and the kids entertained and rest areas to make your transfer e en more en oyable ha e multiple daily departures to msterdam irport chiphol rom msterdam you can y to o er 160 worldwide destinations.

It's never been easier to fly from your local airport thanks to the network of flights offered by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines from Scotland

If you are travelling primarily for business s range of ights allo you to comfortably fit a business trip into a busy schedule ou can build international relationships and net or s that ill directly benefit trade and your company as ell as helping the local economy prosper hat s more offer a range of cabins to suit your budget and needs including conomy remium omfort and orld usiness lass ith complimentary snac s and drin s on the short connecting ights as ell as meals bar ser ices and i i plus a chance to charge your phone on long-haul ights

ou can tra el in the ne ly introduced remium omfort cabin offered to select long-haul destinations hen ying in remium omfort you can ele ate your comfort to en oy a separate cabin ith more space a ide selection of meals and drin s and a large in ight entertainment screen

r tra el in style and ta e to the s ies in s lu urious orld usiness lass ith full- at seats on intercontinental ights ou ll ha e e tra pri acy comfort high- uality food and drin s and full attention from s e perienced cabin cre

ma e it possible to ta e off from closer to home to see and e perience more of the big beautiful orld and return ith memories and opportunities hen you y bac

ou can purchase i i during chec -in or once you e boarded your ight nformation correct at time of print

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To find out more about KLM’s full range of exciting destinations, visit klm.co.uk

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Dubai; Bangkok; Cape Town.

Cashmere made in Scotland since 1874 www.hawico.com

Edinburgh - Kelso - Stow-on-the-Wold - Turnberry - Zurich - Geneva - St Moritz - Milan - Sylt

OBJECT OF DESIRE

Linn

Sondek LP12-50

Alimited edition turntable speaker that was created to mark the Scottish audio firm Linn’s fi ieth year. It came to fruition when ex-Apple designer Sir Jony Ive approached Gilad Tiefenbrun (CEO of Linn) in the hope of collaborating. Only 250 of these will ever be produced. ey will each be handmade, numbered, and will bear the name of the builder who assembles, tests and packs it at the factory HQ near Glasgow. linn.co.uk

Prices from £50,000

What are your hopes for the future of Scotland’s magnificent landscapes, gardens, buildings and wildlife?

For over 90 years, the National Trust for Scotland has protected and cared for Scotland’s irreplaceable heritage.

Please consider supporting our charity with a gi in your Will, and help us to continue our work for generations to come.

Get in touch legacy@nts.org.uk

0131 458 0342

nts.org.uk/future-gi

Charity name: National Trust for Scotland

Charity number: SC007410

Charity address: Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh EH11 4DF

Hopeless causes

It is important to believe that persistence prevails, but while some things in life are worth fighting for, others are irretrievably lost causes

There is a certain pleasure in going through life with a cause. To believe in something is probably better for you than to believe in nothing – those who have a belief that inspires them, are more likely to have a reason to carry on, and probably do so to a greater extent than those who have no beliefs.

It is likely that there are studies somewhere of the diminished life expectancy of extreme sceptics. e results are certainly in from studies that show that those who laugh more than average have stronger immune systems. ese jovial types have, we are told, a twenty-five per cent lower chance of dying prematurely than their gloomier counterparts.

Comparative mortality, fascinating subject though it may be, is a digression: the real issue is causes and, in particular, lost causes. Some causes have a reasonable chance of success. Years ago, I paid my dues to an organisation that fought for the right to enjoy clean air in public places. It made the entirely defensible claim that when you travelled in a plane, for instance, you were entitled not to be subject to hours of breathing in other people’s noxious smoke. At the beginning of the campaign there was a real sense of having a mountain to scale. Today, it is hard to find anybody who would seek to justify inflicting passive smoking on others. ere are other causes, though, that are patently and irretrievably lost. Believers in these causes adhere to their claims even in the face of evidence that there is little or no possibility of the cause succeeding. ey would argue that even the slightest glimmer of hope may make persistence worthwhile. Sometimes they are right. Take the case of Scottish independence. Early members of the Scottish National Party were viewed back in the mid-twentieth century as hopeless romantics. How could they break the hold of the Labour Party in the Central Belt? at happened.

And there were many other examples. I remember discussing Eastern Europe with a great-uncle of mine, a redoubtable doctor of Highland origin. My uncle had been physiciansuperintendant of the Victoria Infirmary in Glasgow, in which role he used to do all his rounds of the hospital accompanied by his dog, Charlie. e patients loved that and probably felt much better as a result. e only place the dog was not allowed to go was into theatre.

We talked about everything. He said to me: ‘ e countries of Eastern Europe will throw o the Soviet yoke – there is absolutely no doubt about that.’ I smiled indulgently. Impossible. e USSR come to an end? Now, in the uncertain times in which we live, I think of examples such as these as being a warning not to imagine that the unthinkable will not happen. It does.

Which raises the question of Jacobites. I have known several Jacobites over the years and have been struck by their attachment to what seems today to be an archetypical lost cause. One of them, a man of considerable intellectual ability, had pronounced views on the Stuart cause. If you asked him who the rightful monarch of the UK was, he would reply, without hesitation, that it was Francis II, the current Duke of Bavaria.

e Duke has never pursued the claim, although he is an echt Stuart. Yet Scotland’s Jacobites have kept the faith. Many of them, of course, might do so discreetly, only giving the game away as they pass their wine glasses over the water when the loyal toast is proposed. Do contemporary Jacobites seriously believe that the Stuarts should be reinstated? at raises interesting questions of the nature of belief. Did the ancient Greeks believe their myths?

e answer, it would seem, is yes and no. ere are di erent levels of belief, one of which is aspirational belief. We believe what we hope to be true. Does that sound familiar?

‘The slightest glimmer of hope may make persistence worthwhile’

Alexander McCall Smith

EKATERINA KONIUKHOVA/ ZAO4NIK/ SHUTTERSTOCK. IMAGE: KIRSTY ANDERSON.

Alexander McCall Smith

SIX OF THE BEST

Rosie Morton meets six visionary artisan makers who are masters of their chosen craft

Iseabal Hendry – Designer & Maker

Passing your formative years surrounded by traditional cra s is bound to set the creative juices flowing. For Iseabal Hendry, living alongside master thatchers, boatbuilders and basketweavers in the West Coast village of Balnacra inspired her to forge her own artistic career. Today, she combines age-old techniques with a modern aesthetic, weaving together strips of leather with cotton to create works that are both striking and functional.

Whether steam-bending wood to make sculptural art, or stitching and hand-weaving leather for baskets, bags and pots, Iseabal’s Highland business originated from a desire for zero-waste. While studying textile design at the Glasgow School of Art – where she learned the art of clinkerboat building and later specialised in embroidery – she set herself the challenge of creating practical pieces using o -cuts of leather that would otherwise have been discarded.

‘I just loved that feeling of working with my hands – plaiting, weaving, stitching and using thread to make all of these di erent pieces come alive,’ says Iseabal, explaining that each of her pieces can take weeks, if not months, to complete. ‘It’s exceptionally time-consuming, but I think that’s what is so meditative about it.’

Just as the landscape around her shi s, Iseabal enjoys the unique patinas of tanned leather which continually change over time. ‘I feel so moved and inspired by the landscape. All my ideas come when I’m walking up hills or running.’ iseabalhendry.com

ANGUS BLACKBURN

MEET THE MAKER: Iseabal nds inspiration all around her on the West Coast.

Bruce Sansom – Willow Weaver

Life as a Royal Ballet Principal Dancer took Bruce Sansom across the world. During his first tour with the company he travelled to New York, China, Hong Kong and Korea – a two-month trip that marked the beginning of an exceptional career that would see him cast in leading roles in Romeo & Juliet, Swan Lake and Ondine

‘I was at the top of my game and that was a good moment to retire,’ says Bruce, who stepped away from professional dancing in 2000 and is now based near Hawick in the Borders. A er completing an Arts Management programme in America then running his own ballet school in Central London, Bruce found a new passion in basket-weaving a er attending a course in Northumberland.

ere are, of course, structural rules to follow in basket-making, but the novelty of exploring his own creativity is something that Bruce particularly enjoys. ‘I find so many points of contact between basket-weaving and dance –repetition, movement, memory and practice –yet in a completely di erent field,’ he tells me.

‘I’m very comfortable making mistakes and learning from them. at’s something you do as a dancer all the time. But the joy now is that I get to make things instead of interpret other people’s creations.’

Bruce is fascinated by the strength and ingenious design of willow baskets, and relishes the challenge of mastering new weaves. ‘You’re working with your hands, your eyes, your brain and creating things,’ says Bruce. ‘ ere’s an intense sense of involvement in the process which has its own rewards.’

thewillowman.co.uk

A MASTER AT WORK: Bruce grows a patch of his own willow and sources the rest from UK-based growers.

PHIL WILKINSON

‘I find so many points of contact between basket-weaving and dance’

David Robinson’s woodwork portfolio is nothing short of extraordinary. A er setting eyes on his ‘Rockpool’ table, it came as no surprise to me that he had been commissioned to create a piece for the late Queen Elizabeth, which she received shortly before her death.

From his East Lothian workshop, David carves highly intricate pieces of furniture made from native hardwoods, most of which depict the natural world. ough David started out as a landscape architect, he later taught himself to carve while building bespoke kitchens and furniture. He has now exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy; was a finalist in Heritage Cra s’ 2022 ‘Woodworker of the Year’ award; and is one of only 40 members in the Association of Mastercarvers in the UK. His list of illustrious clients has included e Macallan, Gleneagles Hotel and Hamilton & Inches.

‘To start with a little lump of wood and create a living thing out of it – it’s a remarkable privilege to be able to do that,’ says David, telling me that he works predominantly with tools that he has fashioned from broken penknives, nail scissors, and even old Land Rover springs.

Carving the table top for his ‘Round e World’ piece – which documents the journey made by a lady during the Clipper Yacht Race – took 400 hours. Many more days were spent painstakingly mapping out the client’s adventure in chronological order and carving the legs. Another lady, who received one of David’s famed ‘Otter’ tables as a gi , was equally thrilled.

‘I took the cover o it and she just burst into tears with delight. at’s what it’s all for, isn’t it?’ says David. ‘It’s the coolest thing to know that you’re making stu that’s going to last forever.’

davidrobinsondesign.com

David Robinson – Master Carver & Furniture Maker

‘To start with a little lump of wood and create a living thing out of it –it’s a remarkable privilege to do that’

‘ROUND THE WORLD’ TABLE: It tells the story of a woman’s personal experiences in the Clipper Yacht Race.

DUNCAN ELLIOTT

Jessica Hartwell – Sheepskin Tanner

What began as a cro ing diversification project has developed into an esteemed sheepskin tannery. Skyeskyns – which is based in Waternish, the Isle of Skye – was launched by Jessica Hartwell’s parents in 1983 and is now the only commercially producing sheepskin tanner in Scotland.

‘My dad was really interested in cro ing and he had sheep on the cro and working dogs,’ explains Jessica, who studied French and Business Management at the University of St Andrews before learning to tan leather at Northampton University. ‘He realised that the skins from the sheep that were being raised for meat on the island were just being dumped at landfill.’

On a mission to reduce waste, Jessica and the Skyeskyns team now source skins from the nearest abattoir in Dingwall, as well as from selected cro ers across the UK. It is highly skilled, physical work involving salting, washing, bu ng, fleshing, tanning and tumbling the skins to create so , durable products.

‘It’s great seeing something that comes in in a raw, not particularly attractive state, going out looking and feeling beautiful,’ says Jessica, explaining that some of Skyeskyn’s very first customers still have pristine Cheviot, Shetland and Hebridean sheepskins 30-40 years on.

Jessica is intent on treading as so ly as possible on the environment. As such, the business has moved away from mineral tanning in favour of a more sustainable tanning agent: mimosa bark.

‘Keeping these skills alive in a community is important to us. It’s a real passion for the family to be doing our bit and flying the flag for this as a cra , but as a small industry as well.’ skyeskyns.co.uk

‘It’s a real passion for the family to be doing our bit and flying the flag for this as a cra ’

CLEAN AND GREEN: Skyeskyns installed reed beds to clean up the natural e uents from their tanning baths.

ANGUS BLACKBURN

Rory Dowling – Instrument Maker

Rory Dowling has long been fascinated by wood and its seemingly infinite capabilities. A er being gi ed a Swiss Army Knife as a youngster, he made bows and arrows, exploring a discipline that he would later use to set up his own business: Taran Guitars.

Rory – who was brought up in Alford and is now based in Pittenweem – trained in furniture-making in High Wycombe, a Mecca for wood-based furniture design. But there was something about the inherent qualities of musical instruments, as well as their power to move and inspire, that drew Rory in. Today, he makes guitars, mandolins and bousoukis for musicians across the world, using ethically sourced materials. Mahogany, for instance, is o en reclaimed from beds, tables or (in the case of his current project) stairs from a Clydesdale Bank.

Speaking of a commission which was inspired by Nan Shepherd’s book e Living Mountain, Rory says: ‘We reclaimed wood from e Fife Arms in Braemar. We used an old bar shelf that was Scots Pine; the neck was made of Scottish walnut and oak; and we used heather and lichen from around Braemar for all of the detailing.’

An instrument’s sound can be altered by wood type, but even more important to Rory is understanding how to showcase the materials at their best – something that isn’t replicable in mass-manufacturing processes. ‘It’s about pushing the materials that you’re working with to the absolute nth degree,’ he says, explaining that tone is also a ected by the decisions of the makers themselves. ‘No two instruments will ever be the same.’ taranguitars.co.uk

‘We used heather and lichen from around Braemar for all of the detailing’

GUITAR HERO: Each of Rory’s instruments are named after Hebridean hills and mountains.

MAIN IMAGE: JENNY ANDERSON

Clare Campbell – Tartan Designer & Textile Maker

Every tartan tells a story. Whether it’s a tale of clan battles or the Scottish diaspora, this iconic cloth is woven into our DNA. For Clare Campbell, founder of Evanton-based mill Prickly istle, tartan also deserves a new future.

Leaving behind her job as a chartered accountant, the self-confessed ‘tartan rebel’ began weaving fresh, innovative designs that reflect the lives of modern-day Scots. She has now created scores of bespoke tartans including actor Sam Heughan’s ‘Sassenach’, Dennis e Menace’s 70th anniversary celebration tartan, and Alan Cumming and Miriam Margolyes’ ‘Aliam’.

‘ ey’ve all got their own sound,’ says Clare, speaking of the beautiful 100-year-old looms that she uses in the mill. ‘Every tartan has its own song because the shuttles make a di erent arrangement depending on the design.’

Clare is also waging war against fast-fashion by promoting ‘conscious consumerism’. She ethically sources natural products from the likes of Jamiesons of Shetland and Kinross-based Todd & Duncan, she aims for zero-waste and is returning to slow manufacturing processes that encourage people to ‘buy less and use more’.

‘Anything we can find in Scotland, we use,’ says Clare of her supply chain. ‘If it’s missing, we start a project.’ With sustainability at the top of the global agenda, Clare has been working with the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre and the University of Edinburgh to explore ways of making Scottish wool so er (and therefore more comfortable to wear), reducing the wider industry demand for imported merino and cashmere. ‘It’s all about going back to basic instincts.’ pricklythistlescotland.com

‘Anything we can find in Scotland, we use. If it’s missing, we start a project’

THREADS OF PURPOSE: Clare is passionate about ethically designing tartans that tell unique stories.

ANGUS BLACKBURN

Credo...

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

Famous for parts in everything from Holby City and Corrie to Shakespeare, the versatile and talented Scottish actor chats with SF

I have a friend who has a wee hill farm on the shores of Loch Fyne. I stay whenever I can. It is so relaxing going for a swim in the loch. Such a change from North London where I live. I love that I get the chance to come back to Scotland.

My father was a banker and we travelled around a lot. I was born in Burma, my sister in Pakistan, my other sister in Edinburgh and my brother in Kenya. I lived in Kenya until I was 13, when we moved to Edinburgh.

I went back to Kenya to work in Nairobi. It was one of my first theatre jobs. en around 20 years ago I did a film with Richard Harris called To Walk with Lions in Kenya. When I was a child we used to go to the coast and we’d need to stop frequently to let herds of elephants cross the road. But now you don’t see that.

I can never remember not being interested in acting. ere was no reason for it in my family. I started as a stage hand at the Traverse in Edinburgh when I dropped out of college. I was doing English and Law, but I just knew it wasn’t for me. As a teenager I went to London to see Glenda Jackson play Hedda Gabler in the Ibsen play, Hedda. Her authority, power, voice and sensuality on stage blew me away. I knew this was what I had to do. Perhaps it was because it was the opposite of what my dad did and I saw him work so hard and get so stressed.

If I had to choose my favourite actor of all time it would be Jack Nicholson. I believe every character he plays. Some of the best scenes I’ve ever seen on film are between him and Louise Fletcher, who plays Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Her stillness and power are the perfect foil for Nicholson’s McMurphy. I also love Richard Harris, he was the funniest, craziest man I ever worked with.

John Michie

As a young man I wanted to play Hamlet. But I was young a long time ago so that’s gone out the window! ere’s not really a role I’ve always wanted to play because I like the fact I can play di erent roles all the time, whether it be a soap or Shakespeare.

If I wasn’t an actor I’d be an architect. As a child I was always building makeshi houses in trees or in the sitting room.

I love going to the pub for a beer. I’ve just moved house in North London and I’m discovering all the local pubs. But one of my favourites is the Ben Nevis in Glasgow. It’s not old-fashioned, but it has that feeling. Dogs are welcome, there’s a fire in winter. I find it really comforting.

Watching First Dates is my guilty pleasure. ere’s obviously some acting for the cameras but I think people genuinely get caught up in fancying this wonderful person who has been hand-picked for them. When you see that spark it is terribly exciting.

ere is only one time and that is now. at’s the best advice I’ve ever been given. It’s so simple that it is hard, but I think I’m beginning to comprehend it. If you think about right now, this very moment, and ask yourself if you have a problem, invariably the answer is no. So, just enjoy walking in the park, or cleaning your teeth.

I don’t have a hero. I don’t want to look up to anyone or anyone to look up to me. I admire people when they do great things, but we are all one humanity.

John Michie is in Group Portrait in a Summer Landscape at Pitlochry Festival eatre until 25 September and the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh from 4-14 October.

|

‘It is so relaxing going for a swim in Loch Fyne’ |

A WARM WINTER WELCOME TO THE CAPITAL

You're sure of a warm welcome whenever you choose to visit Edinburgh, but in winter a stay in the capital is truly an experience like no other. If you want to ensure that you are right at the heart of the winter magic then there's nowhere that does welcomes quite like The Balmoral.

This iconic hotel with the city's most coveted address is a stone's throw from the action. Whether it be browsing the stalls at Edinburgh's Christmas Market for gifts for your loved ones while warming your hands on a cup of aromatic mulled wine, or paying a visit to the Royal Mile, home to The Nutcracker Christmas Shop, where you're sure to feel festive all year round.

Or, if you'd prefer to sample some of the city's famous culture then Scottish Ballet's spectacular Cinders! at the Festival Theatre is a very special treat for all the family and the magical light-trail at the Royal Botanic Garden returns this year with an unforgettable show, as well as some of the most delicious hot chocolate and the chance to catch a glimpse of Father Christmas.

Back in the warmth of The Balmoral you can treat yourself to a stay fit for royalty in the beautiful Bowes-Lyon Suite. Named for, and inspired by, former patron of the hotel, The Queen Mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon this spacious suite has been designed to provide the perfect blend of heritage and modern style. The large round windows, reminiscent

As the nights get longer and the seasons change there's nothing quite like a luxurious winter stay at The Balmoral in the heart of Edinburgh

LEFT: VISIT SCOTLAND/KENNY LAM

of the portholes of the nearby Royal Yacht Britannia, offer up views of the hustle and bustle of Princes Street, which can be enjoyed while relaxing in the cosy comfort of the velvet wingback armchairs.

Tones of heather and verdant green create a real sense of calm and with its own dining area, the Bowes-Lyon Suite is the perfect place for a romantic, leisurely breakfast, or for exquisite pre-dinner canapés and cocktails.

Suite guests at The Balmoral can enjoy in-suite check-in, a personalised concierge service, an in-room bar and the opportunity to enjoy a very special capital experience during their stay.

Choose from a whisky tasting journey in Scotch, the Balmoral's cosy whisky bar, where the oak-panelled cabinets hold over 500 different Scotch whiskies, fast-track tickets to Edinburgh Castle to learn about the history of this iconic buidling, or a private tour of the silversmith workshop at Hamilton & Inches, the iconic Edinburgh jewellers on George Street. Here you will learn about some of the famous rugby trophies and cups they have created over the years, marvel at the luxurious jewellery created by skilled artisans and see why they are one of only two jewellers in the world who work with Scottish gold.

Great food is essential to any luxury winter stay and you needn t enture far to find some of the capital s finest t he almoral there

are culinary treats to be discovered at every turn. From the complimentary whisky fudge a aiting your arri al in e ery room to fine dining in the exquisite and exclusive private dining room at restaurant Number One.

Seating up to ten guests this newly-opened intimate dining space is the perfect place to enjoy private celebrations and special occasions with loved ones. Head Chef Mathew Sherry and his team can create a bespoke menu to be enjoyed in the beautiful woodpanelled room, or you can delight in Number One's seven-course tasting menu while choosing a bottle of your favourite vintage through the glass doors of the opulent wine cellar. For a truly special treat, you can start your evening in style with a sommelier-hosted Champagne and caviar tasting in the luxurious surroundings of the cellar.

umber ne is he almoral s four rosette restaurant. Here, the seven-course

tasting menu combines classic favours with cottish air and has been designed to showcase the very best seasonal ingredients. ll of this comes paired ith he almoral s renowned world-class service to create a dining experience that is sure to live long in the memory.

If you're ready to discover what Edinburgh has to offer this winter then there are many more memories waiting to be made in the warmth and comfort of The Balmoral.

CONTACT

The Balmoral, 1 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ

Tel: 0131 556 2414

Email: reservations.balmoral@ roccofortehotels.com

roccofortehotels.com/ hotels-and-resorts/the-balmoral-hotel/

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The iconic façade of The Balmoral in the heart of Edinburgh; the beautiful Bowes-Lyon Suite; the luxurious private dining room and sumptuous wine cellar; ne dining at Number One; a warm welcome and the nest food await

e Midas touch

Striving for victory is a way of life for double Grand National-winning racehorse trainer Lucinda Russell, discovers Richard Bath

PHOTOGRAPHY: PHIL WILKINSON

Lucinda Russell is in her happy place, the lodge which serves as the nerve centre of her successful racehorse yard just outside Kinross, north of Edinburgh. As a teenager it’s where she fell in love with horses and was introduced to the world of professional horse racing through her family’s annual pilgrimage to the Fife point-to-point at Balcormo. Four decades later, as one of the country’s most successful trainers, it’s where she’s plotted two Grand National wins.

‘Growing up I was a pony club and eventing monster, I just loved it,’ she laughs. ‘I spent my teenage years in this house, and my parents would drive me to school in Edinburgh every day, and although it was an incredible school I hated it. I just wanted to be here, around horses, riding horses.

‘I’m very competitive, very driven, and was very singleminded about wanting to pursue a career with horses, but it became clear that it wouldn’t be as a jockey. I did ride a bit and raced three times – I won, fell o and finished fi h, and thought “I’m not good enough” so I just stopped. I’m good at making snap decisions. I’ve never regretted it because I absolutely love what I do. I still get to ride out every day, and still get the buzz of winning.’

Despite the mop of unruly curly hair and the frequent quips, there is a palpable intensity to Lucinda. Her ferocious

THE HORSE WHISPERER: Lucinda with Grand National winner Corach Rambler.

Lucinda Russell

work ethic means she’s at the yard feeding the horses at five each morning, and she gives o the unmistakeable air of a woman who doesn’t su er fools gladly. at hard edge has been essential because succeeding as a female trainer in what remains a very male world, and doing so while overcoming the geographical downsides of operating from Scotland, was always going to be a tough road.

But now in her late fi ies, she has succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations, including her own. In the past six years she and her partner, the former eight times Champion Jockey

Peter Scudamore (universally known as ‘Scu’), have trained two Grand National winners – One for Arthur in 2017 and Corach Rambler this April – and they are now training around 85 horses, a number she expects to rise next year on the back of her success with Corach Rambler. She is rightly fiercely proud of her achievements.

‘We’re now the sixth bi est yard in Britain on the back of winning e National but also because we’ve had some fantastic prize money as well,’ she says. ‘ e trainers table is done on prize money so that’s one and a half million quid’s worth of prize money for our owners last year.’

Both Lucinda and Scu are clearly results driven. ‘ e reason we’ve had our success is because we have an intensity and a drive and a desire to keep going forward every day,’ she says. ‘If someone tells me that we’ve had 71 winners, I think “no I want 75”. And then it’s “now I want 100”. So we won one National,

RIGHT: Lucinda and Peter celebrate Apple Away’s victory at Aintree with jockey Stephen Mulqueen and Peter’s granddaughter.

FAR RIGHT: Grand National winner One For Arthur pictured with Lucinda at her yard in Kinross.

BELOW: Lucinda grew up in Arlary House where she still lives and works.

‘She has succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations, including her own’

but I wanted to win it again, so we won it again. Now I want to win it again and again.’

ere is, though, a downside to the relentless quest to achieve. As a youngster, Lucinda studied psychology in Canada and a key part of her success came from her ability to apply it to horses. She neglected, however, to apply it to herself until one day she came face to face with the boundaries of maintaining peak performance.

‘Peak to peak is when you achieve something very great and you don’t want to go down into the trough to achieve again, you just want to go straight to the next peak and won’t accept a down time,’ she says. ‘We were operating at such high intensity that first time I won e National I got double vision three months later because of the stress. It made me really quite scared and completely freaked me out to know that something mental can a ect you physically, so this time we had a nice long weekend o only to find that a er four days I couldn’t sleep because I need the stress and adrenalin.’

But not all of Lucinda’s achievements are simply down to working harder, some of it comes from working smarter. An innovative new model of financing racehorse ownership is key to the recent burgeoning of her yard and to an expansion in the number of people invested (in every sense) in horse racing north of the border.

Until fairly recently, most racehorse owners were rich men with deep pockets. But in an e ort to compete on a more even playing field, an increasing number of Lucinda’s horse are owned by more than one person. One For Arthur was unusual at the time in that he was owned by two golf widows who split the £60,000 it cost to buy him, but Corach Rambler was bought for a bargain £17,000 at a sparsely attended

sale in Wales at the end of Covid, and is owned by a syndicate of seven people who didn’t know each other but wanted to own a part of a horse capable of winning big races.

If the golf widows was a good yarn for the newspapers, the presence of Cameron Sword, who developed an interest in horseracing during lockdown, was catnip for the tabloids.

e 21-year-old student invested £3,700 in Corach Rambler and had cleared around £60,000 by the time the nine-yearold won the world’s greatest steeplechase at Aintree.

‘Six years ago in 2017 it was unusual to have two people owning a horse and we were competing against very rich single owners,’ she says. ‘But if One For Arthur was out of the ordinary, Corach Rambler was even more unusual because he is a syndicate story. He was our first real syndicate horse when we bought him in 2021, but now we run 20 syndicates of eight people and a lot of the people will have shares in one or two of the horses so they’re paying between six and twelve grand a horse.’

If that system has been successful, another more radical system of fractional ownership has widened the appeal of

Lucinda Russell

MASERATI GRECALE EVERYDAY EXCEPTIONAL

BREATHE BEAUTY. EMBRACE INNOVATION. FEEL THE POWER OF NETTUNO ENGINE. THE ALL- NEWMASERATI GRECALEHAS COME TO MAKE YOUREVERYDAY EXCEPTIONAL.

Fort Kinnaird, Edinburgh, EH15 3HR – 0131 274 2300

www.sytner.co.uk/maserati/graypaul-edinburgh

Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Maserati Grecale Trofeo in mpg (l/100km) combined: 25.2 (11.2). CO2 emissions: 254 g/km. Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 gures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These gures may not re ect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories ed (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load.

GRAYPAUL MASERATI EDINBURGH

WINNING WAYS:

racing like never before. Lucinda got involved when she was approached by Old Gold Racing, a company run by Hannah Walker whose proposal was that they would sell micro-shares costing just £60 each, with each horse having up to three thousand owners.

‘I thought it was a disaster and would totally ruin single ownership, and I thought it would also ruin syndicate ownership because it was so cheap,’ says Lucinda. ‘But actually I’ve been proved wrong because a lot of people who start with a £60 share in a horse quickly scale up and may own a share of multiple horses. And I’ve seen the joy that it brings owners. For them it’s not necessarily about the prizemoney – although, amazingly, one

of our fractionally owned horse won a Grade One race – it’s about feeling involved by, for instance, getting the regular video updates I do for each horse.

‘We live in an increasingly urbanised world and I think it’s been great having a mechanism which allows people to buy into horseracing for relatively small sums of money. About half of my horses are syndicate horses of one kind or another and it’s a model that has really underpinned our success.’

And with that she was o . e horses needed exercising, the stablegirls needed her help, and Scu had important matters of state to discuss. Success, it seems, is a beast that constantly needs to be fed.

Lucinda proudly remembers one of her greatest wins.

Lucinda Russell

e chart of life

One of the most essential things in life is to have a vision. Now I’m not referring to an image of the Virgin Mary floating at the foot of the bed or the sight of a burning bush here. e point I’m making is that I have learnt that one of the most useful things one can do in life is to visualise where you want to be, how you want to live, who you want to live with and where you want to land up.

It’s like navigation on an ocean chart. Without a course to steer one’s ship simply bobs about aimlessly and more than likely will start to dri towards some unpleasant rock or shoal. at mark on the chart of life is vital and helps us to keep our bearings no matter what tricks wind, weather and tide come up with.

In 1976 John Seymour wrote a wonderful book, Self Sufficiency. I dusted o a copy recently and the content once more sung o the pages to me. It is about doing something now and not waiting for something to turn up. It’s an old guide to help us to escape from being prisoners of perfection and to just get on and do it. Recently I was driving through some good rough hill country in Scotland and looking about. And, really, there is nothing more beguiling than dawdling about in countryside that is seldom visited and is only bisected by single track roads. I pulled over beside a burn which meandered its way sweetly between verdant banks of alder, willow, hazel and thickly clothed swathes of meadow sweet.

I walked across a field (God bless the Outdoor Access code) and found a perfect spot. A deep clear pool and a river washed pebble beach. e day was bright and there was the gentlest of breezes playing through the leaves of a venerable old ash tree which had started to hollow out inside. Across from me heather and honeysuckle hung over flood washed rocks and above this a perfect oak tree

created a cloud of rich green against the blue sky. I picked some yarrow and plucked the tops of some bright river mint from the verdant bank and gathered bone dry twigs from the ash. I scraped a little ‘Y’ shape in the pebbly ground and sparked a little twig fire up, then filled my old tea tin with river water and got it up into a rolling boil before dropping the fragrant leaves in. With the tiny cinders of my fire easily and completely buried with just a few shoves from my boot I settled back to sip the clarifying tea and to just watch what came by once I was still.

A kingfisher darted past in a blur of iridescence, further downstream a dipper seemed to wet his white front in the stream looking like a customer waiting impatiently to be served, serviette tucked in across a broad chest and hungry for service. A buzzard called in the clear sky and glided across the valley.

I started to think about what my next course to steer might be regarding how I wanted to live. Seymour’s book came to mind and with it an old intoxication returned. I’d like to find a patch of good wild hilly country somewhere less travelled by in Scotland. Well appointed with woods and water. A cabin built in the Appalachian style, o grid, a tin roof painted red, a porch and chairs sighted in spots best suited for dreaming.

Inside a good stove. A wide open room and a little kitchen and a cosy nook for my bed. Nothing more except most walls shelved floor to ceiling with books. e most significant ‘room’ would be what surrounds the cabin. A rich vegetable garden. Bees, hens maybe even a few ducks or geese if I’ve got enough water.

is is my destination on the chart of my life and I have a few tricks up my sleeve which might make it happen. On my wanderings around this sublime country I’ll always keep a weather eye out in the hope that fate might give me a few breaks before I’m too old to make it happen.

Guy Grieve

Beguiling landscapes have our countryman dreaming of a small plot of land where life is simple but ever so sweet

‘The chart of life is vital and helps us to keep our bearings’

GREAT REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE

• Pay just £1.00 an issue (shop price £4.95)

• Save up to 80% on the shop price via direct debit

• Entertaining and authoritative writing from Scotland’s nest writers

• Guaranteed lowest price direct from the publisher

• Free UK delivery direct to your door

• Never miss an issue of your favourite magazine

EASY WAYS TO

SUBSCRIBE

• SCAN the QR code

• VISIT www.scottish eld.co.uk/oct23

• CALL 01778 392014 quoting OCT23

• POST Complete the order form opposite

SCAN HERE TO SUBSCRIBE

SCOTTISH FIELD SUBSCRIPTION FORM

YES, I would like to subscribe to Scottish Field for (tick relevant box):

BEST DEAL 3 issues for only £3 then £11.50 per quarter thereafter (UK) by direct debit*

1 year for £53 (UK) by Credit/Debit card

1 year for £75 (Overseas) by Credit/Debit card

Wyvex Media Ltd would like to contact you about products and offers we think may be of interest to you. If you’d like to hear from us by email, please tick here

DELIVERY

be passed electronically to my Bank or Building Society.

Please

ISLES OF LUXURY

11. Eilean Shona

It should be enticement enough that Vanessa Branson, Eilean Shona’s owner, annually o ers one artist the opportunity to live on this private island for a month and be inspired by its beauty. Fortunately, being an artist isn’t a prerequisite for getting the chance to visit this magical location in Loch Moidart. e island has the choice of eight gorgeous cottages, which range from a converted schoolhouse to a bright Moroccan inspired retreat (you should check out Branson’s riad in Marrakech for another occasion). Alternatively, you can experience quirky grandeur in the nine-bedroomed main house where you will be fully catered for by professional chefs. Spend your days wild swimming in the shimmery waters of Shoe Bay and your evenings feasting in the colourful Fred Pollock-painted dining room. We advise following this up with a little lounging in the library whilst you sip on some Eilean Shona whisky or house gin. Allegedly, JM Barrie’s Neverland was inspired by this whimsical place and we certainly wouldn’t mind being lost boys on this private island forever. eileanshona.com

Madeleine Sutton explores ten of the best Scottish private island retreats that money can buy

ABOVE: JAMES BEDFORD. RIGHT: LDEVEREUX.

2. Rona

On this wonderful private island you can choose between two fabulous self-catered cottages for your Swallows and Amazons adventure. If you are looking to quite literally escape, you can do so at the aptly named ‘Escape’ cottage which was once a manse and enjoys a superb shoreside location with stunning sea views. Alternatively, base yourself at the ‘Mission House’, which is a spectacular conversion of two adjoining cottages built in 1878 as an alternative place of worship to the Island’s ‘church cave’. Spend your stay tucking into freshly caught mackerel, pollack and mussels, while marvelling at the magnificent views that stretch from the tidal bay of Dry Harbour over the sea to Skye

isleofrona.com

3. Little Cumbrae

A rough and rocky tidal island that might look more at home in the Hebrides than in the Firth of Clyde, Little Cumbrae is a peaceful retreat where visitors can stay in a house on the eastern shore, bring their own tent or enjoy glamping e island can only be accessed by private charter, ensuring it remains a quiet and exclusive place to stay with an array of walks, wildlife and outdoor adventures. For history bu s there is much to explore on this little gem. Little Cumbrae house was enlarged by Evelyn Stuart Parker, who bought the island in 1913. He also had a red and gold garden created by famed designer Gertrude Jekyll. Sadly the garden is no more, but Jekyll’s work can still be seen at Greywalls in East Lothian. ere’s also a 14th century keep and two magnificent lighthouses to discover. is privayely owned island recently provided the backdrop for a Bear Grylls survival course and regularly hosts retreats. facebook.com/weecumbrae

4. Dry Island

Having featured on the BBC and Channel 5, Dry Island is somewhat of a celebrity on this list and it is not hard to understand why. For accommodation, choose from the ‘old curing station’ which is a refurbished and refined class B-listed building dating back to 1841, or either of the more modern gorgeous cabins. All options are selfcatered and sleep two people, so select one or all and enjoy all the quirks and charm that Dry Island has to o er. Embrace adventure by going on a shellfish safari with the island’s charismatic owner Ian and enjoy your day’s findings for a delicious dinner. e seafood is so good that whatever you don’t manage to eat is sent to Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants across the UK. If you are brave enough you can wild swim in the gorgeous west coast waters. If not, watch as others dip while you sit in the hot tub with a gin and tonic from the nearby Badachro gin distillery dryisland.co.uk

5. Eilean Sionnach

e owners of Eilean Sionnach require two things from you: a sense of adventure and the ability to get on and o the motorboat that will take you across from Isleornsay to your private island. But don’t worry, you’ll be briefed about this at the traditional Am Praban Bar before you go. On this Sandi Toksvig-approved island (catch it on Extraordinary Escapes) there are just two buildings, the Eilean Sionnach lighthouse and the cottage, which is self-catered with four en-suite bedrooms that can sleep up to eight. We could fill a thousand Scottish Field magazines with things to do on nearby Skye, but ultimately, the tides will have the final say on your itinerary as your path to Ornsay, where you can catch the ferry, will only appear when the tides are low. But with the option of having a private chef, mountain guide and even a sports masseuse brought over to Eilean Sionnach, we wouldn’t blame you for wanting to simply stay put on your own private island with a wee dram of Talisker whisky from nearby Skye eileansionnach.com

e word Torsa roughly translates to ‘ or’s island’, and with its untouched beauty, unparalleled views and abundance of nature, this private island is even more beautiful than the Norse Avenger with whom it shares its name. e three-bedroomed selfcatered Torsa farmhouse is the only house on the island, so if complete privacy is what you are looking for, then look no further. Upon arrival you will receive unlimited use of the motor boat which will allow you to discover areas of unimaginable beauty. Alternatively, as the island has its own mooring and sheltered anchorage it is possible to bring your own sailboat and head further afield on the west coast waters. So spend your days exploring the stunning area of Loch Melfort or lunching at the Tigh an Truish restaurant on the nearby Isle of Seil, before returning to the calmness and comfort of your own private island. torsa-island.co.uk

Join a visitors list which includes the likes of Beatrix Potter and Boswell & Johnson by becoming a guest on the island of Ulva, which lies 500 yards o the west coast of Mull. Despite having only four options, the island’s accommodation o ers an exceptional range. Base yourself at either of the refurbished bothies, the newly re-opened Ardalum House which can host up to 14 guests, or the rather random yet magnificent Mongolian pu n yurt. Yes, you read that right. On this idyllic island you can meander among the Mesolithic sites, from the Livingstone caves to the standing stones and marvel at pairs of whitetailed sea eagles who choose to nest here. In the summer months, you can devour locally sourced prawns and crab at the island’s only restaurant, e Boathouse, before witnessing a sunset which is sure to be sublime.

ulva.scot

6. Torsa

7. Ulva

The first bottling in the new Scottish Field Whisky Series of exclusive cask bottlings

Exclusively selected single cask of Dailuaine 12 YO PX Sherry Finished 46.9%

LESS THAN 100 HAND-NUMBERED BOTTLES LEFT

8. Shuna

Although only three miles long by one and a half miles wide, the island of Shuna manages to be a microcosm of magic. With no cars, telephones, roads nor power lines, it really is what Shuna lacks that makes it so special. For your stay you can choose from six self-catered holiday cottages ranging from a glorious green oakwood retreat, to a modern build boathouse. Adventure is everything on Shuna and your ‘17 assault cra or similar’ which is

included in each rental, will be your method for moving around the island and hopefully discovering hidden coves. Spend your stay marvelling at the ruins of a Victorian neo-gothic castle, journeying to the natural wonder of the Corryvreckan Whirlpool or simply taking in the abundance of nature from your kayak. Small but mighty, Shuna is stunning, sustainable and superb. islandofshuna.co.uk

9. Scarba

Come find peace and quiet on the exquisite island of Scarba, where you, your guests, sea otters and ospreys among other animals will be the only inhabitants. e island’s only accommodation, Kilmory Lodge, is a six-bedroomed 19th-century amazing abode. In the summertime your days will be filled with beaches, boats and brilliant trout fishing on the two estate lochans, while autumn allows for stalking to be arranged. e whole experience is fully catered which means that your mornings will be kickstarted by a much needed hearty cooked breakfast before you pass your time swimming, rock pooling or even ascending the 1,500 Cruach Scarba.

e three-course dinners are made with an emphasis on local produce and while menus and dietary requirements can be discussed with the chef, we wouldn’t judge if you choose to finish each and every evening by feasting on langoustine and lobster. is is a truly perfect place to have a wonderful west coast experience.

georgegoldsmith.com

10. Carna

Nestled between the Morvern and Ardnamurchan peninsulas, the isle of Carna will gi you with a sense of calmness that is nearly impossible to find in the bustle and busyness of everyday life. ere are only three houses on the entire privately-owned island, two of which are available to rent, either for a short break or a longer stay. So cosy up in the two-bedroomed modernised cottage which was once the original farmer’s blackhouse, or bring guests and enjoy the larger five-bedroomed 1920s Carna house which can sleep up to eight. e island has a strong emphasis on sustainability and the dedicated Carna Conservation team make it possible for you to see seals, dolphins, artic terns and potentially porpoises during your stay. It is a true private island paradise. isleofcarna.co.uk

A MAN OF DESTINY:

The Lord Lyon is instrumental in state ceremonials.

A day in the life – The Lord Lyon

LORD OF CEREMONIES

No

two days are ever the same for the heraldic authority for Scotland, the Lord Lyon, as Madeleine Sutton discovers

The Rt Hon the Lord Lyon, King of Arms candidly confesses that he is ‘a wee bit behind on things at the moment’. But with major roles in the late Queen’s funeral, the King’s Coronation and the Royal Procession of Arms at St Giles, you can’t blame him for putting some things on hold. It has certainly been his busiest year on the job since he started in 2014.

But now it is back to normal for Dr Joseph Morrow, although ‘normal’ is still a ju ling act. ‘It is very di cult to quantify what I actually do,’ he tells me, explaining that it isn’t your typical nine-to-five job. e duties of the Lord Lyon are unsurprisingly extensive: he is responsible for state ceremonials, granting new arms to Scots, and judging contests in court regarding claims to a coat of arms.

While these responsibilities date back to the 13th century, the Lord Lyon is a modern man doing a traditional job. e role recently took him from New York for the 25th anniversary of Tartan Week, to post-Eid dinners in Glasgow, and to the Aboyne Highland Games where a 700-year-old kinship between two clans was celebrated. Although Morrow ‘enjoys his fair share of nice dinners’, the best part of the job is meeting people who are enthusiastic about heraldry and ceremonial Scottish culture.

His devotion to the role was clear during the procession of the Royal Honours at St Giles in July –an event over which he had considerable control. ‘ e crown was escorted in by the hereditary crown bearer of Scotland, but his escorts were the head boy and head girl of two state schools,’ he says. ‘I have spent my life committed to diversity in its broadest sense. I have been very forceful about trying to engage people from all parts of Scottish society.’

e Lord Lyon carries this modern mindset throughout his work, even when creating coats of

arms. He won’t allow a computer mouse on arms (a genuine request), nor ‘topless mermaids’ because they are ‘not within the value system of today’.

Morrow’s own coat of arms reflects his varied and interesting career, something which he believes got him the gig on his third attempt. Within his arms are nods to Brechin (where he was first ordained).

‘I also reflected my two professions at the time – a cleric (with the crosses) and a lawyer (with the sleeve).

e da er came from an historic link of arms to my family name. And the motto deo volente was what I used when I was a notary public, so I didn’t want to lose that.’

Having formerly been a clergyman, lawyer, councillor in Dundee, and head of the mental health tribunal, the Lord Lyon’s career has been hugely varied. While he thrives on being busy, he emphasises the ‘key component of balance’ and stresses the importance of having a support system.

‘I personally always make sure that I’ve got a good group of folk around about me that I can share with. I’m not somebody who su ers a lot from stress because I do things in an incremental and modular way. So, if I am doing the removal of the Queen’s co n from St Giles to the hearse, that is all I am doing,’ he says. ‘Also, I’m a great lover of ABBA,’ he says with a smile. ‘I will listen to ABBA anywhere. What I love about their music is that it gets everyone out on the dance floor.’

e Lord Lyon clearly has many strings to his bow. But whether ju ling coats of arms or courts of law, princes or paperwork, what matters most to him is Scotland in all its shapes and sizes. I wonder if he has a favourite heraldic symbol and his reply embodies his whole ethos: ‘I am passionate about the Scottish lion rampant because I think it is a really strong symbol of nationhood and identity. I think it stands for a long tradition of equality and diversity.’

HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND.

Do y day care

Dog training courses at smart hotels are all the rage for owners of wayward pooches, so we sent Morag Bootland and her excitable hound Wanda to Trigony House to see if the lessons work

PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAN MCCREDIE

When the invitation to a residential dog-training course popped through the letterbox at SF towers there was never much doubt about whose desk it would land on. Because, unlike my colleagues’ well-trained, polite and gentle mutts, my favourite furry friend is somewhat less refined.

e dog in question is the lovely Wanda, a two-yearold Sta y-cross. e cross bit is a matter of debate for anyone who meets this big ball of energy and enthusiasm. Answers on a postcard are welcome from anybody who’d like to hazard a guess at her possible parentage.

e course in question is somewhat unique in that as well as o ering an intensive two days of one-to-one dog training with a highly-trained professional, it also o ers some seriously high-end digs and food for both human and canine guests. is is a far cry from the sticky floors and plastic chairs of your typical local community centre dog training class.

Trigony House Hotel is a beautiful old country house set in glorious gardens surrounded by lush countryside near the village of Closeburn in Dumfries and Galloway. It also turned out to be hands-down, the

THE LAP OF LUXURY: Morag (left) and Briony take a break from training Wanda in the glorious gardens atTrigony House Hotel.

Trigony House Dog Training

most dog-friendly hotel that we’ve ever stayed in.

We arrive having driven over the Dalveen Pass, which snakes through the Lowther Hills reaching high points with stunning views down into the valley, to meet Trigony’s resident dog-trainer Briony Lazarides. She has worked with dogs for 33 years and also breeds beautiful St Bernards and Bernese Mountain dogs.

I’ve been in touch with Briony for a few weeks prior to coming to Trigony and have already giving her as much information about Wanda and her quirks as I can, so she was able to make a plan in order to get as much out of out two days as possible.

For anyone who is old enough to remember Barbara Woodhouse’s choke chains and the powerhouse inflection of her catchphrase, ‘Siiiiiiit’, or the famously alpha-obsessed pack leader that is e Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, you’ll be please to know that Briony only ever uses positive reinforcement and force-free methods of training. So I know that this is going to be a positive experience for Wanda and for me.

We start with an introduction, which goes as it always does, with Wanda jumping up in excitement and scratching Briony’s leg as I hopelessly yell ‘SIT!’ at the top of my lungs. Not the best start, but Briony is completely unfazed and reminds me that although Wanda is a big strong dog, I am stronger – so if I think she’s too excited to greet someone then I can just not let her. Like much of what Briony was to teach me over the next two days, it seems fairly obvious in hindsight.

We work on loose lead walking and I’m surprised and delighted to see how much Wanda remembers from her puppy training classes. We head out on a walk and try a variety of harnesses and leads to help find one that will be comfortable for the dog and enable me to walk her without the constantly looming fear of shoulder dislocation. Bumping into the hotel’s owner walking his beloved doberman, it’s easy to see why Trigony does do y breaks quite so well. We also chat about Wanda’s diet and how just like in humans, it can e ect behaviour in dogs. Briony o ers lots of great advice about nutrition, without insisting that I should put Wanda

‘A er lots of good girl behaviour from us both it’s time for my reward’

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Trigony House has beautiful, gardens for dogs and their owners to explore; time for a treat for two very good girls; practicing recall on the long line.

onto an obscure diet that will cost me more each month than my burgeoning mortgage payments.

I’m chatting about family life and explaining how I o en have children with me while walking Wanda, so it’s not always possible to give her my full attention. Briony is amazingly understanding of this and gives me lots of strategies to make walking her easier when the children are there, as well as showing me how to practice loose lead walking when they are not.

I’d always been concerned about giving Wanda too many treats while training, but Briony is a great believer in ‘paying the dog’. She also su ests using kibble as training treats. at way I can weigh it out and give Wanda slightly less at mealtimes to balance things out. But a er a morning of treats for Wanda and lots of good girl behaviour from us both it’s time for my reward.

Trigony House does a fabulous a ernoon tea, and as the sun is shining, Wanda and I decide to take tea on the terrace overlooking the beautiful

gardens. Had it rained, then Trigony has its very own dog-friendly dining room and dogs are very welcome in the bar. ere’s also a dog-free dining room for anyone who’d rather not dine with their pup. We’re treated to freshly baked scones and delicious cakes and sip tea from delicate china cups while we plan for an a ernoon of further training and watch the other guests and their four-le ed friends enjoy wandering around the flower beds.

Another of Wanda’s aforementioned quirks is that her manners leave a lot to be desired and she has no respect for personal space, be that canine or human.

So, in order to see how she reacts to other dogs Briony brought along one of her own gentle giants to act as a ‘stooge dog’. e two never actually met face to face, but with Wanda and I practising our loose lead walking at one end of the paddock and Briony and Toytoy, or Alchazandis e Toymaker to give him his full moniker, at the other, we walk closer and closer. Wanda is interested in the St Bernard but never so much so that I can’t regain her focus on me and

Trigony House Dog Training

the haloed treats. We rest sitting on the grass just a few metres apart and both dogs seem happy and relaxed. It feels like a win!

Lots of work on hand signals and commands, as well as introducing a whistle and a clicker as training aids have my head buzzing with information, but Briony assures me that she will email over a variety of training guides especially tailored to Wanda so that I can refresh my memory whenever I need to.

We take a short drive into the village of ornhill and Wanda copes well walking around amongst people and other dogs. She’s still able to focus on me enough to sit on command despite having had a long and exciting day.

Our room at Trigony House is spacious and we’re delighted to find dog bowls, treats and even poo bags waiting for us. A quick freshen up for me, and food for Wanda, who is more than ready for a nap, and I pop down for dinner.

Sitting by the window overlooking the garden it is peaceful in the non-do y dining room, in fact, I soon realise that the vast majority of the guests staying at Trigony are enjoying dinner in the dog-friendly dining room with their furry friends. With a little more training perhaps Wanda and I will be able to join them when we return, without

fear of tables being turned over and the lovely waiting sta being licked to death. For tonight though, I enjoy the peace along with my deliciously creamy baked goats cheese and fillet of Scottish sea bass with roast asparagus. I love that each dish on the menu has a wine pairing that can be ordered by the glass, perfect for anyone travelling solo.

A sunset wander through lush farmland is followed by lots of bedtime reading in the form of Briony’s training guides, which she has already emailed to me. Propped up in the huge comfy bed I’m stru ling to stay awake and resolve to rise early to revise ahead of our recap session.

Breakfast brings the best home-made granola for me and a bowl of chopped carrots and berries from the do y breakfast menu for Wanda. Today’s session is all about recapping and giving me the chance to ask lots of questions. Briony is also keen to point out how much more confident Wanda and I are in each other following just one day of training. And she’s right. I’m impressed, perhaps even amazed, by how well she can listen, focus and behave. Together we are growing in confidence and this session is only the beginning. We also have Briony on hand for any follow up advice we might need when we get home.

Lots of hotels claim to be dog-friendly, but very o en a visit proves them to be rather more dog-tolerant. is is certainly not the case at Trigony, where the do y dining room, menus, room treats, washing station, and of course this very special training package, make this the perfect place to really enjoy the company of your furry family.

The top dog

Trigony House Hotel, Closeburn, Dumfries & Galloway DG3 5EZ Tel: 01848 331211

trigonyhotel.co.uk

For more information on Briony’s dog training visit: trainmypuppy dumfries.com/ behaviouralsolutions  or call 07975 913105.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Luxurious bedrooms at Trigony House; Wanda is driven by food, so treats help her focus on the task at hand; if you’re driven by food you’re sure to enjoy the menu at Trigony House.

Trigony House Dog Training

Request our

Be the spark that ignites new cures for cancer

Worldwide Cancer Research funds the boldest, brightest ideas all around the world. A gift in your Will could be the spark that ignites new cures - become a Curestarter today and download our free Will guide using the QR code.

Irene Perkins, cancer survivor and Curestarter

Basil Smith, cancer survivor and Curestarter

they gave me the all clear. Very lucky really, I’m very fortunate.'

Be the spark that ignites new cures for cancer

He told us about how he felt on receiving the diagnosis: 'You feel that you’re no good for anybody. The will to want to live goes out through an open window. It’s a big problem for your family, your friends.'

Basil has left a gift in his Will to Worldwide Cancer Research, and urges others to consider doing the same. 'I hope they eradicate it completely. That there won’t be any cancer patients in the world.'

Stories like Basil’s underline the real impact of cancer research across the world. The only way we can cure cancer is by working together to start the cures of tomorrow. Survival rates in the UK have doubled in the past 40 years. To ensure this trajectory continues, Worldwide Cancer Research needs supporters to raise vital funds for pioneering discoveries to stop cancer for future generations – so that one day, no life will be cut short by cancer.

Worldwide Cancer Research start cures for cancer, but they can’t do it without you.

Basil Smith, cancer survivor and Curestarter

One in two of us will be affected by cancer in our lifetime. Even so, Worldwide Cancer Research did not expect to receive such a huge response when they put out an open call for stories from people who had been affected by cancer. Worldwide Cancer Research is an Edinburghbased charity, investing in invaluable research to save and enrich the lives of thousands. The stories gathered have been a huge inspiration for the researchers at the heart of Worldwide Cancer Research.

Gift in Wills Manager, Mark Docherty, said, 'We were blown away by the response. Every story of cancer, whether of hope or sadly of loss, motivates our researchers to think boldly and work towards the breakthroughs we’ve all been waiting for.'

One such story came from Basil Smith – Basil is 102, and lives independently. Basil plays tennis on a weekly basis and has published two books, with all proceeds going to Ty Hafan, the Welsh Children's Charity. Basil owes his exciting and busy life to research, after being diagnosed with melanoma in 2013. 'It must be about six or seven years now, since my last appointment and

The charity has put together a free guide full of practical tips on everything you need to know about leaving a gift in your Will. The guide also includes information on their service which can help you make or update a Will for free. They can put you in touch with a local solicitor who can help you write a simple Will or update your current one – without it costing you a penny.

n some circumstances there can e en be a financial benefit to lea ing a gift to charity in your ill too as it can help reduce the burden of inheritance tax on your estate. A solicitor can advise on this.

Every legacy gift takes scientists working with Worldwide Cancer Research closer to the next milestone. Will you help spark the new research that makes more lifesaving cancer cures possible and gives more people the promise of a brighter future?

Irene Perkins, cancer survivor and Curestarter

CONTACT

If you’d like to help start new cures with a gift in your Will, request a FREE Will guide from Worldwide Cancer Research. Visit: worldwidecancerresearch.org/freewillguide

Worldwide Cancer Research funds the boldest, brightest ideas all around the world. A gift in your Will could be the spark that ignites new cures - become a Curestarter today and download our free Will guide using the QR code.

JOURNEY ACROSS CANADA & ALASKA CRUISE

May - September 2024 | 17 Nights

Your journey will begin with a stay in the dynamic city of Toronto where we have included a day trip to one of the world’s natural wonders – Niagara Falls. You will then y from Toronto to Calgary and have time to spend in the beautiful mountain town of Ban in the heart of the Rockies. Follow this with a rail journey on board the luxurious award-winning Rocky Mountaineer travelling from Ban to Vancouver where the views outside your window are always changing. With time to explore the beautiful paci c coastal city of Vancouver, you will then set sail on your 7-night Celebrity Solstice® Alaska Cruise.

EXCLUSIVE UPGRADE OFFER

For a limited time book a balcony on your cruise and upgrade your rail from SilverLeaf to GoldLeaf Service for £499pp

GOLDLEAF SERVICE INCLUDES

• Bi-level glass-dome coach with seating above and dining below

• Reclining comfortable seating with ample leg room

• Gourmet a la carte meals served in the lower level dining room of your glass-dome coach. You will be attended by 4 hosts and a full culinary team

• Complimentary alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages

• Exclusive outdoor viewing platform

• Engaging on board hosts keeping you informed about historic sites, scenery and wildlife

LOOK WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Return ights from the UK

• 3-night hotel stay in Toronto

• Direct ight from Toronto to Calgary

• Transfer to Ban

• 3-night hotel stay in Ban

• 2-day rail journey on board the award-winning Rocky Mountaineer travelling from Ban to Vancouver in SilverLeaf Service. Includes breakfast and lunch each day plus overnight hotel stay in Kamloops

• 3-night hotel stay in Vancouver

• 7-night luxurious Vancouver Alaska Cruise on board Celebrity Solstice®

• Cruise itinerary sailing from Vancouver includes: Inside Passage, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Ketchikan

ADDED VALUE WORTH £1500 PER COUPLE INCLUDED

• Full day tour to Niagara Falls includes lunch, boat trip and entry to Skylon Tower

• Ban gondola admission

• Full day Ice elds Parkway tour including Lake Louise & Athabasca Glacier with Ice Explorer

• Vancouver tours including Grouse Mountain and gondola admission

• Pre paid tips on board your cruise

• Drinks package on board your cruise

• Wi-Fi package for your instagrammable moments on board your cruise

9

16

13 June 2024 £6435pp £6635pp £6910pp

4 July 2024 £6530pp £6730pp £7055pp

29 August 2024 £6390pp £6595pp £6855pp

5 September 2024 £6295pp £6495pp £6760pp

JB11 Jetpack

Nordictrack Vault Fitness Mirror

Whether you are looking to sweat with an intense HIIT workout or nd peace through yoga, the Nordictrack Fitness Mirror and its virtual trainer will guide you. Immediate visual feedback on your form and posture is made possible by the re ective surface. The 61.5” touch screen will set you back £3,499, but includes premium equipment (like dumbbells and kettlebells) and workouts at the touch of a button. nordictrack.co.uk

Orb X Multi-Purpose

Station recline,

Buben&Zorweg x Bugatti Hyper Safe

remote control and

virtual life and reality.

Whether you are gaming, working or enjoying some entertainment, the Orb X allows you to recline, relax and immerse yourself in a meeting of technology and comfort. It includes surround sound, wireless charging, remote control and more. For a friendly $15k (approx. £11.8k) you can blur the lines between virtual life and reality. coolermaster.com

When two illustrious brands come together, you know it’s going to be good. The design of this mini vault (the door of which is made from high-strength steel and carbon bre) was inspired by Bugatti’s hyper-sports cars. Choose from three colour-ways, but don’t take too long deciding as each model is limited to 25 pieces. Prices have not been revealed. buben-zorweg.com

If you want to conquer the skies, then Jetpack Aviation might be your genie. The six-turbo jet engines of the JB11 launch you at up to 120mph for a thrilling 10 minutes. In the unlikely case of engine failure, the advanced technology allows you to maintain control and land. POA (the rst packs were $400,000 or £317k in 2021). jetpackaviation.com

Go go gadgets

Geek out in style with some of the most expensive, high-tech and downright decadent gadgets on the market

Tried & Tested

WHAT IS IT?

I WANT IT BECAUSE: I spend most of my time in the countryside, which means that any style items have to tick the practicality box too.

USEFUL FOR: Highland Show days, dog walks, traipsing through wet grass, smart/casual out ts, or heading into town.

HIGH POINT: They come in four beautiful colour-ways, are waterproof, and are made from top quality full-grain leather. They also require no break-in period – I could stomp about in these all day from the get-go.

LOW POINT: is generous. Thick socks to the rescue!

WHAT IS IT?

I WANT IT BECAUSE: I like to get out and about and needed something that would keep me dry without the warmth of a thicker waterproof.

USEFUL FOR: It’s now my go-to jacket for rainy days, keeping me perfectly dry on the hills or simply walking to the o ce or shop. It can be folded up and stored in a backpack without taking up much room.

HIGH POINT: The light, breathable material works perfectly to keep me cool. I love the Morning Fog colour, while the larger three-way adjustable hood allows me to wear it over my headphones.

LOW POINT: None, this is a great jacket.

POSITIVE SIGNS FOR ENDANGERED CAPERCAILLIES

umbers of critically endangered capercaillies increased for the first time in eight years. The birds are on the verge of extinction in Scotland with numbers having decreased by more than in the last fi e years. The latest national sur ey (2021/2022) estimated there are only 542 left in Scotland. But the latest lek count this spring found 19 more males than last year. www.cairngormscapercaillie.scot

SPECIES SAVING

Species on the Edge has kicked o in the Inner Hebrides and Argyll. e conservation programme is dedicated to improving the fortunes of 37 threatened and vulnerable species found along Scotland’s coast and islands. Over the course of four years, the project will be active in Shetland, the North Coast, the East Coast, the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, Solway, the Inner Hebrides and Argyll.

www.nature.scot

Algae is sustainable alternative

Lab-grown algae could offer a sustainable boost for the aquaculture and agriculture sectors by providing alternative protein sources for feeds. Animal nutrition experts are exploring the optimum conditions required for growing algae as a novel feed ingredient.

www.ibioic.com

BOTTOM LEFT: PIETER HARINGSMA.

Ariat Wexford Waterproof Chelsea Boot, RRP £170, ariat.com/gb/en

Keela Saxon Jacket, RRP £109.95, keelaoutdoors.com

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

GUARDIAN DOGS

Specially-trained guardian dogs from the Alps could be used to help protect newborn lambs from sea eagles. Falconers in the Highlands are training two Maremma sheep dogs to look out for the birds of prey. e breed originates from northern Italy. Puppies Luigi, six months old, and Peaches, eight months old, are already spending time living with their practice flock at the Rothiemurchus Falconry Centre in the Cairngorms. www.rothiemurchus.net

The facts & gures

12

Tried & Tested

WHAT IS IT? Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station, RRP £1,999. jackery.com

I WANT IT BECAUSE: I go camping a lot and although it’s nice to unplug, teenagers without charged phones are a scary bunch.

40kg

USEFUL FOR: Camping, powercuts and garden parties. It can be charged from the mains, your car or solar panels. This version has a power capacity of 2160Wh (which would boil a kettle for around two hours).

1924

Maremma Sheepdogs live to about 12 years of age on average. An adult male can weigh up to 40kg while females grow to around 30kg. The year the rst standard for the breed was drawn up.

CIVTECH HELP FUND DEER MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is working with CivTech to develop new ways to improve deer management. e collaboration involves two projects, each worth up to £650,000, part funded by CivTech. FLS hopes to develop new technological approaches to wildlife tracking and look at better ways of transporting deer carcasses. FLS seeks to develop a way of letting rangers identify the location of every animal larger than 5kg in a specified area. e second project would help find a better way of moving the deer carcasses. www.forestryandland.gov.scot

HIGH POINT: You can power lots of devices at the same time and top it up with solar power when the sun shines.

LOW POINT: The Jackery is heavy, but it does have a retractable handle and wheels to pull it along.

WHAT IS IT? The Quarter Cut golf three-quarter zip jumper, RRP £65. www.thecutcompany.co.uk

I WANT IT BECAUSE: It hasn’t been a great summer, but while playing golf the weather will get even chillier.

USEFUL FOR: The Cut is a company founded by fanatical golfers, and that’s what it’s designed for.

HIGH POINT: It’s warm, made of up-cycled polyester plus 3% elastane so you can swing freely. It has a four-way stretch, and moisturewicking properties, plus antimicrobial properties and UPF 50+ sun protection. And, to be honest, it looks pretty good. Machine washable.

honest, it looks pretty good.

LOW POINT: None really (unless you don’t like golf).

A game changer

An innovative charity delivering fur and feather-based protein to those su ering from food insecurity is helping to demonstrate how nutritious ‘wild’ food can be successfully incorporated into our everyday diet

The old adage that the best ideas are invariably the simplest ideas is something which rings true with one of my favourite causes, e Country Food Trust. is charity, which was set up in 2015 and has been increasingly active in Scotland, has a very straightforward purpose: to combat food insecurity amongst our most vulnerable citizens by providing them with free, nutritious, protein-rich food.

is food is delivered to those in need via a variety of means, including food banks, community kitchens (aka soup kitchens) and a er-school groups. e recipients include senior citizens, underprivileged schoolchildren, the homeless and those who find themselves unable to feed themselves or their families.

e food comes in two forms, either raw meat for cooking or, increasingly, delicious ready-made microwaveable meals that come in pouches. ‘We focus on protein because that’s the most important food group,’ says SJ Hunt, the charity’s chief executive. ‘But it’s also the most expensive food group, so in the cost of living crisis it’s the first to be dropped by people su ering from food insecurity.’

e kicker here is that the vast majority of the protein being distributed is donated by estates and shoots, and processed gratis by game dealers. In this way, pheasant, venison, partridge, duck and even rabbit are becoming a part of the diet of tens of thousands of the 460,000 Scots currently living below the poverty line. So far the charity has delivered 300,000 meals to Scots in need, and plans to distribute another 50-75,000 meals next year.

Once the meat has been donated by estates, it is then collected by game dealers, who in turn process the birds or deer before the meat is sent to the Trust’s factory in Yorkshire. It is either then packaged as meat ready to be cooked,

or turned into meals such as pheasant curry, partridge casserole or venison bolognese (with turkey casserole and a vegetarian lentil curry due to be added next year).

‘Initially we mainly distributed raw meat,’ says Hunt, ‘but now it’s largely pouches of readymade meals. Many people in need may not have a cooker, but they usually have a microwave so they can heat up our meals. If they can’t a ord to buy or cook rice or potatoes, bread can provide the carbs to go with our protein.’

If the profile of the food their customers are eating is changing, so too is the the geographical spread of need in Scotland. ‘It used to be the big five cities, and there’s still great need there,’ says Hunt. ‘But we’re also seeing an enormous increase in demand in rural areas. We deliver to Skye and to the Kyle of Sutherland for instance.’

Localism and keeping food miles as low as possible are key objectives, so food is distributed as near to where it was donated as possible.

Surprisingly, the charity does not have a view on field sports. ‘We’re agnostic on shooting,’ says Hunt, who grew up in a rural community. ‘What we’re interested in is distributing as much protein as we can so we are able to alleviate as much food poverty as possible.’

Yet e Country Food Trust is doing an invaluable service for the shooting and stalking communities. Not only is the organisation showing that pheasant and partridge is every bit as tasty as chicken, and venison is on a par with beef and lamb, they are also removing one of the key arguments of those who seek to ban shooting. Now, there is no excuse for waste, no birds which can’t be disposed of, no rabbits or deer which can’t be used.

And, most importantly, genuine good is being done. is is a rare win-win for everyone.

www.thecountryfoodtrust.org. Silent auction: ww2.emma-live.com/CFTScotland/?list_lots

FROM FIELD TO FOODBANK

‘We’re agnostic on shooting. What we care about is distributing protein’

Richard Bath

MIS VECTOR/SHUTTERSTOCK.

THE STILL-WATER SHAPE-SHIFTER

he it co es to ide tific tio the ctic ch is likel to i e e e the ost k owled e le tu list he d che s s Andy Dobson

The Arctic charr appears, on first impressions, to be a fairly standardissue salmonid, no more remarkable than a common-or-garden rainbow trout. It has the usual torpedo body, glittering flanks and lugubrious, resigned expression on its face. Like the rest of its kin, it o en migrates upstream to spawn, it changes colour through its lifecycle, and it tastes excellent (so I’m told) lightly grilled with a squeeze of lemon

Appearances can be deceptive, however, not least because, in the case of this particular species, those appearances vary to a perplexing degree.

First things first, though. What is a charr? at’s a good question, but the answer might be a trifle unsatisfying. All charr belong to the genus Salvelinus, which is in the family Salmonidae alongside salmon, trout, grayling and the more obscure taimen and whitefish, but some charr are known colloquially as trout (such as the brook trout, S. fontinalis, and the lake trout, S. namaycush).

As if to wilfully make matters less clear, all Salvelinus species are more closely related to all Salmo species than either are to the genus Onchorynchus. (And if you prefer your fish without extra Latin, this is to say that brown trout and Arctic charr are more closely related to one another than either is to the rainbow trout). e word ‘trout’, then, doesn’t reflect real-world relationships, which means that it actually makes no sense to ask what distinguishes a charr from a trout.

But I’m being unhelpful, and I know it. Let me tell you instead, then, about Arctic charr specifically, and what makes them interesting. is proves rather more straightforward, because this is a genuinely fascinating fish. For starters (and they probably do make quite good starters – mmmm…), Arctic charr are the most northerly of all freshwater fish. For example, you can find them – and no other fish – in Lake Hazen on Ellesmere Island, which is less than 600 miles from the North Pole.

You can also find them in Britain – and most commonly in Scotland –though they are very rare this far south. Here they inhabit inland lochs, and are necessarily prevented from migrating to the sea, as they will frequently do elsewhere. Instead, they either head into upland streams to spawn, or do so in the still-water shallows.

SEEING RED: Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) males showing breeding colours, in a river where they have come to spawn.

Fishy facts

Arctic charr may live for 30 years and reach lengths of over a metre; ‘dwarf’ adults rarely exceed 10cm.

They tend to prefer shallows (<3m), but lakeliving charr will seek the colder depths in summer.

Land-based commercial Arctic charr sheries are considered among the most environmentally sustainable

What’s most remarkable about Arctic charr, however, is their variability. As many readers will know, salmonids o en display profound deviation in size and form between individuals, but this species indisputably takes the crown. Indeed, the Norwegian biologist Anders Klemetsen has dubbed it ‘the most variable vertebrate on Earth’, and the stats are persuasive. Recorded weight at maturity ranges from 3 grams to nearly 16 kilos; that’s a 5,300-fold variation, equivalent to finding some adult humans weighing 10 kilos and others weighing more than 50 tons.

More striking than this discrepancy in weight is the existence of distinct ‘morphs’ that occupy di erent parts of the waterbody, eat di erent foods, and have divergent body shapes that reflect these behaviours. ose morphs can occur in the same place; there are three in Loch Rannoch, for instance –one eating mainly plankton, one mainly other fish, and one mainly bottomdwelling crustaceans – and each with a head and jaw morphology altered to suit its diet. ey look completely, utterly di erent from one another.

Nor is this unusual; a lake in Iceland contains four distinct morphs, and one in Greenland has six. At this point the Arctic charr fairly demands an argument about what actually constitutes a species. Scotland contains roughly 200 populations of Arctic charr, each in a separate inland loch, and it hopefully goes without saying that members of di erent populations cannot interbreed (at least not without the help of a particularly clumsy osprey). Over time, these isolated populations will inevitably come to be di erent from one another, with distinct appearances and genetic signatures, given that any random mutations can spread within, but not

between, populations. e point at which they become a constellation of species, as opposed to a set of morphs within a single species, is hard to say (and surprising as it may seem, you couldn’t put any two biologists in a room and expect them to agree on what a species actually is; there’s certainly no definition that works in all cases).

Enough of the nitty-gritty though. ere is plenty at the surface level to be getting on with, not least the capricious beauty of these fish. Given the range of forms that Arctic charr exhibit, there aren’t very many reliable distinguishing features to help you to separate them from any other salmonid encountered in Scottish waters, but a good place to start is the pale stripe on the leading edge of the lower fins, which gives them an air of sartorial dash and refinement. Failing that, a very broad rule of thumb is that brown trout and Atlantic salmon are pale with dark spots, whilst Arctic

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The four nominal eld-assigned Arctic charr morphs observed within Lake Tinnsjøen in Norway ( sh scaled to the same length); fresh caught Arctic Charr; white-striped ns.

Planktivore morph

Piscivore morph

Dwarf morph Abyssal morph

‘Salmonids o en display profound deviation between individuals, but this species indisputably takes the crown’

charr are dark with pale spots, but this is admittedly more subjective.

As in many salmonids, spawning adult males develop a rich, reddened belly, and their bodies become adapted for fighting with rivals, developing a humped back and hooked lower jaw.

Somewhat surprisingly, Arctic charr in Scotland tend not to be at the top of their food chain – at least, not when so-called ‘ferox’ trout are present. ese large and voracious forms of brown trout (which, as readers may by now expect, probably don’t conform to any single genetic grouping) seem to specialise in catching charr, and the

latter will comprise the majority of their diets where the two species coexist.

Ferox trout or no ferox trout, Arctic charr face an uncertain future in Scotland. Unimaginative though it may be for a wildlife piece to sound a gloomy tone, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge that a fish at its southerly range margin is at real risk of disappearing as the climate warms. e main pinch-point is spawning, which occurs in late autumn and winter. According to Dr Seán Kelly and colleagues, writing in the journal Climatic Change, spawning adults and embryonic e stages have the lowest thermal tolerance, and are thus most vulnerable to warming temperatures.

In theory, this could be avoided by the fish moving deeper, but the necessary gravel substrate is o en restricted to limited depth zones within any given water body.

Perhaps it is not all bleak, however. If there’s any lesson we can take from the Arctic charr’s phenomenal variety of form, it’s that this species excels at adapting rapidly to new conditions. Let us hope that the slow simmering of its northerly haunts is merely one more change it will take in its mercurial stride.

AUTHORS. EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS

JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD. TOP: JOHNER IMAGES / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO. RIGHT: OKNEMADA1 / SHUTTERSTOCK.

Wildlife

Peatland ACTION

Restoring Scotland’s peatlands for the many benefits to people and to nature.

Climate change is the most serious threat to Scotland’s environment. Early action is central to overcoming these impacts.

Peatland restoration o ers a solution.

Helping us to reduce the e ects of climate change by storing carbon.

Regulating water flow and quality, improving flood management, fisheries and source water supplies.

Benefiting farming and sporting practices e.g. the abundance of invertebrates on which grouse feed.

Internationally important habitats, home to rare and often unique plants, invertebrates and birds.

We provide bespoke advice on restoration management and funding.

Contact us: peatlandaction@nature.scot Follow us: @PeatlandACTION

PEATLAND RESTORATION DELIVERS MULTIPLE BENEFITS

The restoration of Scotland’s peatlands is beneficial to reducing carbon emissions and improving river catchments

Peatlands in Scotland are estimated to hold the equivalent of 185 years’ worth of the country’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions. But 80% of the UK’s peatlands – the majority of which are in Scotland – are estimated to be damaged and in need of restoration. Many of us now know that healthy peatlands are crucial for storing carbon and richly diverse landscapes. But what is now becoming clear is that peatland restoration can also bring en ironmental benefits to cotland s ri ers

Peatland restoration on Wemyss & March Estates

Peatland restoration at Megget Estate – part of Wemyss & March Estates – in the Scottish Borders started with a trial project on just 42 hectares in 2017. Its success was the trigger for a further three phases of work in everincreasing ambition, delivering a total of over 500 hectares of restoration work by early 2023. The restoration work – funded by NatureScot Peatland ACTION – focused on combined re-profiling and re- egetating bare peat haggs and gullies, and blocking man-made hill drains. All the work was done using peat and peatland vegetation from the site itself, minimising the carbon footprint of the work by removing the need to move additional materials onto this remote site.

Wider benefits of peatland restoration

As well as keeping the carbon-stock in the ground ater uality and ater o regulation were high priorities for the estate, as the peatland sits in the catchment for the Yarrow River.

The work should help to reduce incidences of ooding do nstream holding ater bac for longer and reducing the speed of runoff as well as reducing the amount of peat erosion. This should increase the resilience of the fish populations in the eed catchment With support from the Tweed Forum’s Peatland ACTION team, the Estate continues to look at the best ways to improve and protect the peatland landscape with two more phases of restoration planned for 2023-2024.

Asked if he had a message for other land managers thinking about applying for Peatland ACTION funding, Martin Andrews, Factor at Wemyss and March Estates said: 'We’ve been really pleased with the project. We’ve had very good support from NatureScot

GET IN TOUCH

and Peatland ACTION. The fact that the Scottish Government are supporting peatland restoration, and there are 100% grants to do the work at the moment, mean that you’d be daft not to do it in my view.'

Peatland ACTION

The NatureScot Peatland ACTION team delivered over 65% of the Scottish Government-funded Peatland ACTION programme between 2022 to 2023, as part of its partnership with Cairngorms National Park Authority, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority, Scottish Water, and Forestry and Land Scotland. To read more visit www.nature.scot/PeatlandACTIONCaseStudies

NatureScot Peatland ACTION offer funding for suitable restoration projects across Scotland. They have officers who can help develop your project and complete applications. They fund up to 100% of capital costs for work and much of the pre-application work, for example, peat depth surveys and feasibility studies. Visit: www.nature.scot/peatlandaction

To contact the Peatland ACTION team with details of any potential projects, please email: peatlandaction@nature.scot

ABOVE: View of machine operators re-pro ling and re-vegetating a gully at Wemyss & March Estates BELOW: Martin Andrews, Factor at Wemyss & March Estates

Scan the QR code to watch case study interviews.

FALLING FOR FIZZ

One sip of 1988 Pol Roger was all it took for Peter Crawford to develop a taste for bubbly, and he is now one of Scotland’s leading Champagne experts, says Rosie Morton

PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAN MCCREDIE

In victory, you deserve Champagne; in defeat, you need it.’ at’s right. Such is its repute that even Napoléon Bonaparte was known for his predilection for Champagne.

And he’s not alone. Coco Chanel, Oscar Wilde and F. Scott Fitzgerald are among the countless A-listers to have held bubbly in high regard. Even Sir Winston Churchill was known to have reached for a glass of vintage Pol Roger in good times and in bad, and famously rallied his troops by reminding them that they fought not just for France, but for Champagne too.

It was this very same brand of Champers that got Fife-born Peter Crawford hooked on the finer things. ‘I remember sitting at the back of Oddbins just completely blown away,’ recalls Peter, who sampled a 1988 Pol Roger while working in the bottle shop as a student in St Andrews. ‘I had never experienced those secondary biscuit and mushroom notes. I completely fell in love with it.’

Of course, we can all appreciate the bubbles of Moët or Veuve Clicquot as they dance over our palates, but few will ever match Peter’s storied passion for France’s finest fizz. As we sit overlooking his old stomping

ground from ‘18’ – Rusacks St Andrews’ beautiful roo op bar – I realise that Peter’s former careers as a professional polo player and physiotherapist were mere sideshows to the main event: his business, Sip Champagnes.

Sip – which exclusively sources products direct from farmers in Champagne – was co-founded by Peter and his business partner Daniel Blatchford in 2020. Since then, Peter has sampled some 25,000 Champagnes, added around 4,000 to his personal

RIGHT: Peter visits rooftop bar ‘18’ at Rusacks St Andrews, and drinks in the views of the Old Course with a glass in hand. BELOW: Fine cheeses deserve even ner champers, selected by Peter for the winter months.

collection, and become one of the UK’s leading Champagne experts.

‘I didn’t want to go through any formal education in wine, mainly because I always wanted it to be a hobby,’ laughs Peter, as he twists open a bottle of Famille Delouvin’s Meunier perpétuel with a satisfying pop. ‘ e joy of Champagne for me is just getting people together, drinking and having fun. at’s the point of Sip for me, and that’s the point of Champagne to me.’

ere is, however, more to Sip than just bringing together kindred spirits in the name of a good time.

e business was in fact born from a desire to counterbalance the dominance of big wine houses and supermarket Champagnes by helping artisans with small-batch, hand-cra ed Champagne to gain a foothold in the market.

‘ ere is a whole swathe of new producers coming to the fore, which we are championing with Sip, that are really interesting,’ says Peter, explaining

that small producers are frequently overlooked by high-end restaurants, bars and hotels which require large pallets to be shipped to them in one go. ‘From Champagne – a relatively small region – there are over 2,500 independent producers making their own wine from their own grapes.’

Sip now has the UK’s largest collection, with 60 Champagne producers and over 150 individual cuvées from across 25 villages in its range. is includes everything from 100% Chardonnays, to pure meuniers from Vallée de la Marne, to rich pinot noirs from Montagne de Reims. e question begs to be asked, though: what is the true hallmark of a good bottle of fizz? Peter de ly pours the peach-coloured fizz (without tilting the glass, I note) and brings it to his nose. ‘I think good wines are always balanced wines,’ he says. ‘It’s a balance between the sugar, the acids and some sort of fruit profile. But it doesn’t matter what it is. As long as everybody’s involved, and as long as everybody can have some. at’s the important thing.’

Peter, reminiscing about a big birthday celebration where a Jeroboam was opened, continues with a smile. ‘My cousin, who’s a beast of a guy, was walking around pouring it with one hand. It was a non-vintage Pol Roger but it was so special because everyone could have a glass.’

Peter was awarded the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne in 2014 at the Palais du Tau in Reims, and Sip was crowned the UK’s Champagne Retailer of the Year last year at the Decanter World Wine Awards. is year, they also won Sparkling Retailer of the Year at the International Wine Challenge Awards. With this in mind, I wonder

‘ e business was born from a desire to counterbalance the dominance of big wine houses and supermarket Champagnes’

where Peter thinks the Champagne industry is heading.

‘Champagne is in a really interesting place right now because climate change is creating a di erence,’ he says. ‘It is massively a ecting the way that Champagne comes across, quite literally on the palate.’

Peter tells me that the changing environment – which has shortened ripening times for grapes from 100 days to 90 days and below – alters the acidity and alcohol levels of the drink. e year 1988 was, as far as Peter is concerned, the last ‘true pre-climate change vintage’. In a bid to o -set their carbon footprint, Sip plants a tree for every order placed and uses packaging that is made from recycled materials.

Not even Champagne experts can avoid 9.30am meetings, but there are still plenty of perks to the job. e best time for tastings (and for your palate, I’m told) is between 10 and 11 in the morning. As such, Peter pops the

first Champagne cork of the day at around 10.30am, hosting tastings with restaurants, bars and consumers. He also visits Champagne every month or two to visit his ever-growing list of producers.

‘It’s not about a flash bottle,’ he says. ‘It’s so much deeper than that. ere is so much passion, and so much love for what they’re trying to achieve. I just think it’s beautiful.’ ere is hope for artisans whose homegrown Champagnes are now being enjoyed from California to Edinburgh and beyond, thanks to Peter and his Champagne revolution. I’m almost certain that Napoléon would have approved.

The sound of happiness; Peter’s palate is nely honed after trying around 25,000 Champagnes; Sip Champagnes source small-batch, handcrafted and ethically sourced bubbly;

Find out more at sipchampagnes. com

BOTTOM LEFT: SIP CHAMPAGNES. BOTTOM RIGHT: KAREPASTOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

Peter (left) with his business partner Daniel Blatchford.

Sip Champagnes

is vertical life

Vertical farming is gaining momentum, not just because of its green credentials but due to its success rate in growing seedlings that blossom into thriving trees

Scotland’s forests are valuable tools in mitigating climate change and a focal point for government, with planting targets growing more ambitious by the minute. But hitting targets is only one part of the puzzle. Success is measured on establishment rates and onward management of these trees. e key lies in the early germination stages, with developments in vertical farming technology o ering an exciting opportunity.

Vertical farms aren’t a new concept. e idea is that crops like herbs, leafy greens and veg can be grown in vertically stacked trays, in a controlled environment which eliminates climate-related pressures like disease or drought, without using soil and using LED lights to mimic sunlight and stimulate plant growth.

What is new is growing tree seedlings indoors. Agritech specialists Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS) are part of an exciting new trial working with Forestry Land Scotland (FLS) over the past year, looking at growing conifers and broadleaf trees indoors. e results have been extraordinary: they have found that tree seedlings grow six times faster in a vertical farm compared to traditional outdoor sowing. Added benefits include increased germination success and better long-term establishment when seedlings are transferred to outdoor nurseries.

Traditionally, trees begin their lives in nursery greenhouses, where seeds are scattered by a machine (broadcast sowing). Around 50% of those seeds fail to produce saplings, but in vertical growing towers the survival rate is 95%.

Scotland aims to plant 18,000 hectares of new woodland every year by 2025, so I visited IGS’ demonstration facility in Invergowrie to see the huge potential vertical farms o er in meeting these ambitious targets. e tower – one of six on site – is nine metres high and has two vertical racking stacks containing 52 trays which

can be individually monitored and controlled remotely through so ware that automatically delivers the optimal growing conditions.

Tree growth requires a lot of water, with much lost through transpiration, but IGS’ towers automatically irrigate them with harvested rainwater. All water lost via transpiration is captured, condensed and recycled, meaning that seedlings grown in the vertical tower reach 50cm in 90 days (that would take up to 18 months outdoors), allowing for three cycles of seedlings a year. If each of the trays in a 12-metre-high tower were dedicated to growing tree seedlings, 2,751,600 seedlings would be produced in nine months.

e seedlings are also hardy as, while growing inside, they are stressed using wind, LED lights and irrigation management to prepare them for the rigours of a Scottish climate. Over the last year seedlings have been planted outside at FLS’s Newton Nursery near Elgin and have successfully acclimatised to the outdoor environment.

e species that have successfully grown at the facility include conifers like sitka spruce, Douglas fir and Scots pine, plus broadleaf trees like oak, alder, aspen, rowan, hazel and birch.

Trials were expanded this year, with IGS looking at varieties from outwith the UK, such as Pacific silver fir, Macedonian pine, and giant redwood. ey have had strong interest from the USA where giant redwoods are endangered, with less than 5% of the original forest remaining.

Vertical growing has proven to grow many more trees, faster, more e ciently and with far less water. If the Scottish Government chooses to invest in these units, they would become the first country in the world where the state forester uses hydroponics for its tree stocks. is would mark a serious commitment to both nurturing new technology and striving towards ambitious climate change targets.

Claire Taylor

‘Seedlings grow six times faster in a vertical farm compared to outdoor sowing’

CASTLE CUISINE

The Mystery Diner headed west to the once derelict Crossbasket Castle which since being totally restored is now one of the West’s go-to destinations

Ten years ago, Crossbasket Castle was a basket case. Almost derelict, with water running down the main staircase, this grand old castle south of Glasgow was on borrowed time.

But in 2015, as it approached the point of no return, this storied building once owned by Charles Macintosh (of raincoat fame) was rescued by two local entrepreneurs.

e restoration of the castle is stunning, almost on a par with the peerless Mingary Castle. However, the wider and impeccably manicured site is in the process of turning into a 50-a-year wedding factory, with the castle’s 200-seater extension for wedding banquets being joined by a separate large building which from July next year will house 50 bedrooms and o er dedicated nuptial-themed dining facilities.

For the moment, though, Crossbasket remains a gem, a sympathetically restored ninesuite riverside castle whose restaurant is part of Michel Roux Jnr’s empire (along with Inverlochy Castle, Greywalls, Isle of Eriska and Rocpool Reserve). at brings a uniformity of approach, and hopefully of quality, and the environment is certainly similarly luxurious to its Roux stablemates. We started with drinks and canapés in a bar lined with bookshelves and woodenpanels, and were then shown through to the

Vital statistics

e Baillie Room, with its elaborate gold-leafed cornicing, high ceilings and austere portraits of bygone owners.

In the restaurant we kicked o with a simple amuse-bouche of serrano ham with peach as a prelude to dinner. Our starters consisted of cloyingly rich beef cheek croquettes while my pescatarian companion’s heritage tomatoes with goat chard and goat’s milk sorbet was excellent.

Our main courses were solid country house fare. e pescatarian’s halibut was nicely cooked and came with scallops, spiced sweet baba ganoush and a Vermouth sauce. My three discs of slightly overcooked venison arrived with pomme dauphine, braised carrots, roast beetroot and a pathetically small amount of red wine jus.

In something of a rarity, the best course was arguably the last one: pudding. e small slice of Valrhona 70% chocolate ganache exploded like a taste bomb on the palate, and was accompanied by a flavour-packed raspberry mousse. Even better was the flawless passionfruit sou é with a slightly subtle lychee sorbet and vanilla custard, which rounded the meal o beautifully.

If the meal seemed to stru le manfully to live up to the opulence and formality of the surroundings, the sta were commendably chatty, engaging and always willing to answer all queries.

e wine list was also extensive and decent, with several wines by the glass and the cheapest bottle starting at £35.

Historic how s

These restaurants have a pretty story to tell – if only their walls could speak...

Scotland’s rich history means that there are a huge number of gastropubs, restaurants and hotels occupying historically significant sites.

In Edinburgh, some of the capital’s oldest buildings are also some of its best eateries (the Kings Wark in Leith dates back to the 1400s while the Sheep Heid in Duddingston dates back to 1360 and is named a er an ornate ram’s head snu box, given to the innkeeper by King James VI in 1580). In Glasgow, the provenance is more modern, with e Buttery claiming to have started life as a pub in 1856 before morphing into a restaurant by 1870. And the city has mourned the loss of celebrity art deco hangout Rogano, which closed its doors during the pandemic and has not re-opened. It had endured on the dining scene since 1935, the same year as the great Cunard liner ‘Queen Mary’ took shape on the Clyde. ere are, of course, a whole host of other eateries housed in historic buildings. Many are in ancient castles or grand houses, with notable examples including Mingary Castle on Arnamurchan, Inverlochy Castle near Fort William and the Dornoch Castle Hotel. But others are more prosaic, such as the Tolbooth in Stonehaven, the Continis’ Scottish Cafe & Restaurant in Edinburgh’s National Gallery, East Pier Smokehouse at St Monans, an ancient smokehouse which became the village loos and is now a thriving seafood restaurant, or the Ji er Inn, which used to be the stationmaster’s house in St Andrews. In every town and city across Scotland, it seems as if the best and oldest buildings have been requisitioned for epicurean purposes.

However, as this column is about restaurants we love, I’m going to su est an electic selection of six places with truly quirky back stories. e first is the excellent 1610 restaurant at the 17th century Globe Inn in Dumfries (www. globeinndumfries.co.uk), which is famous as the main how frequented by that celebrated bon viveur Robert Burns, but which recently gained an entry into the Michelin guide.

Reader’s recommendation

GRANDTULLY HOTEL, PERTHSHIRE

Next up is Douneside House (www.dounesidehouse.co.uk) on Deeside, a mansion owned by the MacRobert family but donated to a Trust to support the military a er they lost all three sons in WWII. It’s now a superb fine dining restaurant.

Our third recommendation is Culloden House Hotel (www.cullodenhouse.co.uk), the elegant Palladian Mansion renovated by Robert Adam and famous as the place where Bonnie Prince Charlie spent his last three night before the disaster for the Jacobites on 16 April 1746. e Guardian named it as one of their top 60 UK independent restaurants.

Arguably the best restaurant in Scotland is the Michelinstarred Glenturret Lalique (www.theglenturretrestaurant. com) which is set inside Scotland’s oldest working distillery. Less high falutin’, but still a huge favourite, is Teuchter’s Landing gastropub (www.teuchtersbar.co.uk) in Leith, which is in the former waiting room for the Leith to Aberdeen steamboat ferry, which is adorned with farflung destinations. Finally, lovers of the Knights Templar need look no further than the wonderful old hall in 13th-century Deeside hotel Maryculter House (www.maryculterhouse.com).

e Grandtully is a fabulous gastropub in Perthshire with a traditional but exciting menu. I’m something of an asparagus enthusiast so the Denhead asparagus with crispy e and focaccia was a big hit for me. e selection of Scottish produce is great, from the Isle of Skye lobster to the Atholl estate steak. If you’re eating here make sure you have all three courses. ey also have Côtes du Rhône on tap which is a big plus. www.ballinta art.com/grandtully-hotel, Recommended by Lucy Ewing from Edinburgh

RABBIE BURNS’ DEN: The Globe Inn is home to a feted restaurant.

Restaurants – Historic howffs

drink FOOD &

FEELING HOT

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has created a new chilli-infused drink. They added 100 sliced chillies to a cask of 10-year-old single malt, which was left to mature for 17 years, and then bottled in hot-sauce sized miniatures. At 55.6% ABV, Exp.01 packs a peppery punch with hints of sweet paprika. Experts said it can be used in cocktails, cooking or sipped neat. www.smws.com

RETAIL OUTLET PLANS TO SHOWCASE SCOTTISH PRODUCE

A city centre store bringing together some of Scotland’s best independent food producers under the one roof has been launched. Foodies will provide retail space for more than 60 independent producers in Buchanan Galleries, Glasgow. Traders include producers of co ee and specialist teas, honey, jams and chutneys, relishes and pickles, sauces, marinades and glazes. If successful, the plan is to open more stores across Scotland. www.scottishdesignexchange.com

WHISKY WAR CODE

e UK’s Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said he used a secret whisky code to ship weapons to Ukraine. Anti-tank weapon missiles were referred to as ‘Glenfiddich’ while Harpoon anti-ship missiles were ‘Islay’, he told e Times.

ISLAND MARKET

Bute Yard has announced its autumn market dates. The dogfriendly market is open from 10am to 4pm on the rst Sunday of every month. It is free to attend and visitors can expect the best local food, small batch drinks, art and crafts. Producers based permanently at Bute Yard include Isle of Bute Smokehouse, Isle of Bute Distillery, Coffee and Chocolate and Bute Brew Co. www.buteyard.com

PUBLIC OPENING

Speyburn Distillery will open to the public permanently a er 126 years of making award-winning single malt whiskies behind closed doors. Speyburn has been distilling single malt whisky since its opening in 1897.

www.speyburn.com

THE SNOW QUEEN

A unique cask of Highland Park whisky has been laid down to be sold in 25 years’ time, around the time of the 75-year anniversary of Scottish Ballet. The gift comes from the former chairman Norman Murray CBE and his wife Pam. Called The Snow Queen, it was inspired by the success of The Sleeping Beauty cask of Royal Lochnagar whisky which was laid down in 1994 and raised £210,000 when it was sold 26 years later.

www.scottishballet.co.uk

A marketplace for culinary news and delicious gourmet goodies

Kinneuchar wins good food gong

The best local restaurants in the ha e been named in the ood Food uide . The inneuchar nn in Fife was named the best neighbourhood oint in cotland. The th century pub and restaurant has a daily changing menu based on locally sourced ingredients from the alcaskie Estate. www.kinneucharinn.com

DRAM COME TRUE

Caledonian Sleeper has donated profits from the sale of its limitededition anniversary whisky to support vulnerable young people using Glasgow’s rail network. Charity Railway Children welcomed a £5,000 donation from Caledonian Sleeper. In April, Caledonian Sleeper launched a limited-edition single cask single malt whisky with Annandale Distillery to celebrate 150 years of the sleeper services. www.railwaychildren.org.uk

Welcome to

PRODUCTION BEGINS AT MOTHBALLED DISTILLERY

roduction at osebank Distillery has restarted after years, with the first cask filled and now maturing. The Falkirk distillery was mothballed in after more than years of distilling whisky. The new spirit is maturing in a refill bourbon barrel. ork to reopen the site started in with hopes it will open in and be able to welcome , isitors a year. www.rosebank.com

She honed her pastry skills at The Palmerston in Edinburgh where she quickly gained a cult following for her creative pastries. But now selftaught baker Darcie Maher is branching out on a solo venture, opening a plush new bakery in one of Edinburgh’s busiest neighbourhoods. Called Lannan, which derives from the Scottish Gaelic for ‘house’, the bakery in Stockbridge will feature signature bakes, from custard slices, yum yums and iced buns to inventive creations like dauphinoise pastries and crème brûlée danishes. On the savoury side, there will be hand pies, pala romana sandwiches and coffee from local roasters. Raised in the Scottish Borders, Darcie has been baking since she was nine years old and learned her trade by reading about pastry. Both her maternal and paternal grandmothers were keen bakers and Darcie quickly caught the baking bug. She perfected her craft at bakeries and restaurants throughout the UK and in 2021 joined the bakery team at The Palmerston. At only 25 years old she has an impressive repertoire of creative bakes. To read the full interview go to our website.

www.scottish eld.co.uk

The 5 Steps to Appreciate your Whisky

The Official Whisky Glass

A taste of Scotland

A TASTE OF SCOTLAND

Setting those taste buds tingling...

WILD HEARTH BAKERY

Wild Hearth bake award-winning artisan breads and pastries from organic flour, wild ‘starter’ and local Scottish produce. They are a small bakery with a big reputation. Their fresh bakes can be found in shops, cafés and restaurants across Scotland. Find stockists online. Tel: 0333 015 1304 wildhearthbakery.com

BAKKAFROST SCOTLAND

Native Hebridean Scottish Smoked Salmon. Originally descending from the wild salmon of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides, their award-winning Native Hebridean Salmon offer a distinctive succulent and sea fresh taste of the Hebridean Islands. Tel: 0131 718 8500 bakkafrostscotland.com

LOCH LEVEN'S LARDER

Pong on the nose; pure pleasure on the palate, decadently pungent and runny when ripe. A Minger should ming!

Tel: 01592 841000 lochlevenslarder.com

ISLE OF MULL COFFEE

Creative coffee produced on the Isle of Mull providing a range of artisan roasts.

E: info@isleofmullcoffee.co.uk

isleofmullcoffee.co.uk

ISLE OF COLL DISTILLERY

Award-winning gin, vodka and spiced botanical rum made from locally foraged botanicals on the Hebridean Isle of Coll. A place of natural beauty with stunning beaches, blankets of wild flowers, whitewashed cottages, and endless skies.

Tel: 07789 023493

isleofcolldistillery.com

THE ORKNEY DAIRY

The Orkney Dairy is a family-run dairy farm in the West Mainland, making yogurt, milkshakes, butter and cheese from their unique Fleckvieh cattle’s creamy flavoursome milk.

Tel: 07745 957080

theorkneydairy.com

NICK’S AT PORT OF MENTEITH An experience like no other...

Nick’s at Port of Menteith offers a dining experience like no other, in the heart of the Trossachs National Park but only a short drive from from Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh. We offer all the Nick Nairn classics - fresh North Sea langoustines, Nick’s own original cured smoked salmon, the famous Paul’s pizzas and much more...

RUMP OF ROE VENISON WITH GARDEN VEGETABLES AND GAME GRAVY

by Nick Nairn

Serves 2

I think the seam boned roe haunch is the best compromise bet een a our and te ture it can be hard to get hold if you can’t get it you can use young red saddle. We are lucky to have our own garden greens, I tend to use whatever is available, you could just use a bag of spinach. The key to successful cooking is in the preparation and the more time and thought you put into the dish the more successful it will be.

INGREDIENTS

For the venison

Salt and pepper

2 tbsp rapeseed oil

20g butter

1 clove garlic crushed

Sprig of thyme

350g piece of roe venison haunch or red loin

For the greens

20g cold butter

200g of seasonal garden greens, I’ve used cavalo

Nero, chard and spring onions

For the sauce

100ml good chicken stock

1 tbsp red currant jelly

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

50 ml port

25g butter

Salt and pepper

Heat a frying pan to medium hot, season the venison well, add oil, and fry venison until well coloured, turning every 2-3 minutes. Add butter, garlic and thyme, and use a spoon to baste the meat with the fragrant butter. Cook until the core temp reaches 40°C then remove to a cold plate and rest for at least 10 minutes.

For the greens, add the butter and vegetables to the frying pan and reduce to a medium heat. Toss well, season with salt and pepper then add 3 tbsp water. Cook the greens until tender (approx. 6 minutes).

For the sauce, put all the ingredients (except butter) into a saucepan and reduce over a high heat until 75ml is left. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter. Keep warm.

To serve

our any enison uices into the sauce f the enison is a bit cool ash through a hot oven for 90 seconds. Place on a board and thickly carve.

Divide the vegetables between two warmed plates, place half the carved roe onto each plate, spoon round the sauce and serve with some buttered potatoes.

LOOKING FOR SECONDS?

Find out more about Nick’s restaurants and cookschool online at www.nairns.co.uk. Tel: Nick’s at Port of Menteith, 01877 389900; Nairns, Bridge of Allan, 01786 831616.

Crafted at Scotland’s Oldest Working Distillery since 1763 by hand & heart in exclusive small batches, The Glenturret Single Malt is defined by its outstanding quality and exquisite taste.

Located in the ‘Hosh’, Crieff, surrounded by beautiful Perthshire countryside, The Glenturret offers daily distillery tours, whisky flights at the Lalique Bar, a retail store including the only Lalique Boutique in Scotland, and The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant, the distillery’s Michelin Star unique dining experience.

Drams of your dreams

From inaugural releases to unique bottlings from closed distilleries, the whiskies on o er at the upcoming One Of One Auction are some of the best – and most expensive – drams ever made

The world of luxury whisky is constantly evolving, with new and exciting releases hitting the market all the time. As I’ve written before, we are living in a golden age of whisky. A confluence of factors has led to a situation where whisky brands are now able to spoil even the most discerning of clientele.

One of these is the desirability of whisky that has been produced in now closed distilleries. Excellent cask management has played as part, ensuring that casks have been able to maintain their ABV and liquid volume, even a er many years of ageing. Finally, there is now a growing understanding and appreciation in the market for the rarity and value of exceptional old and rare whiskies.

As a result of these factors, we are now seeing a wave of incredible whisky releases. ese whiskies are not only rare and valuable, but they are also of exceptional quality. A true treat for whisky lovers.

We are in a sweet spot right now as many of the aforementioned casks which are now pushing on 30, 40 or 50 years old (or even older) have safely reached these milestone ages, while still yielding a decent number of bottles and healthy ABVs. But as well as this, whisky aficionados and collectors in some markets now appreciate the true scarcity of these whiskies and are willing to pay handsome prices for them. Looking back just five to ten years, the market certainly wouldn’t have appreciated the value and rarity of these gems in the same way.

Adding to the excitement, e Distillers’ Charity and Sotheby’s have announced some of the exceptional lots that will be auctioned at the second Distillers One of One auction

of ultra-rare and unique Scotch whiskies and experiences. e auction will take place on 5 October at Hopetoun House, near Edinburgh. With 40 lots up for auction, current estimates for the lots range from £5,000 to upwards of £500,000.

e proceeds from this remarkable auction, which is set to be the largest-ever charity auction of Scotch whisky, will be donated to e Distillers’ Charity’s Youth Action Fund, which is dedicated to transforming the lives of young people in Scotland.

One of the stand out lots set to go under the hammer is from House of Hazelwood, who have created a unique architectural advent calendar containing 24 x 50ml measures of their whiskies.

e calendar includes the first drops from

Blair Bowman

‘These whiskies are not only rare and valuable, but they are also of exceptional quality’

Whisky

Decadent drams

PRIVATE COLLECTION FROM GLEN GRANT 1948. 48%, £17,600: From Gordon & Macphail, this Speyside single malt is sweet on the nose with sherried fruits, orange and cardamon avours.

THE MACALLAN M COPPER 2023, 42%, £7,600: With 100% natural colour, this single malt has avours of pear, peach and toasted oak.

GLEN SCOTIA 48YO, 40.8%, £11,000: This Campbeltown single malt has aromas of orange, pineapple and the sea, with fruit and cinnamon on the palate.

DALMORE 50-YO, 52%, £85,000: Limited edition. Leather and coffee on the nose and palate, which has fruit, toffee and liquorice too.

Girvan distillery, and some of the last existing drops from closed distilleries, as well as some lost styles of whisky. It is estimated to sell for £14,000-£24,000. e calendar is hand-cra ed in sycamore, walnut, and brass by Linley Design. It also includes a 51-year-old sherry cask whisky, which is to be opened and shared on Christmas Day. is makes it one of the most expensive whisky advent calendars ever created. However, for whisky lovers who appreciate the rarest and most exclusive whiskies, it is a unique and special o ering.

Another special lot comes from Holyrood Distillery. Established in Edinburgh in 2019, Holyrood is launching its first ever bottle of whisky at the auction. e whisky, called ‘Arrival’, is estimated to sell for £5,000 - £10,000. Owning the inaugural whisky from any distillery is a piece of liquid history that will appeal to many collectors.

Elsewhere, Livingstone Rare, a new luxury independent bottler, has released its inaugural collection of whiskies inspired by Macbeth e collection, inspired by the 42 characters

of Macbeth, will be released in five acts. Each bottle (or character) comes with notes by Dave Broom and illustrations by Sir Quentin Blake. Prices range from £95 for the Bloody Sergeant, a 10-year-old Blair Athol, to £10,000 for King Duncan, a 56-year-old Glen Grant.

e latest trio of releases from e Last Drop Distillers have also impressed me, yet again. As regular readers know I am a huge fan, and in the May edition of Scottish Field wrote about toasting a dram of e Last Drop 50-Year-Old Signature blend in memory of a close friend. ey kept back a single cask of this fantastic blend and decided to finish it in the freshly emptied cask of their overproof 1976 Jamaican rum for 18 months and priced it at £3,500. is has dialed up the rich, dried, tropical notes while retaining its depth and fragrance. As well as this, there is now also a new edition of their delicious Japanese Blended Malt (£4,300) and an absolutely exceptional 50-year-old Blended Grain (£2,550) which is a hugely underappreciated category in my opinion.

Last, but not least, Gordon and Macphail, who never fail to surprise and delight, have released the second edition of their ‘Recollection’ series, a range of bottlings from closed distilleries. is year’s release is made up of 18 single casks from 15 di erent closed distilleries. e range is wide and varied, from a 1998 Imperial (£360) to a 1981 Port Ellen (£10,000). I was lucky enough to be able to sample a few of these and can report that the 1981 Port Ellen has a delicious salty lemon flavour with fragrant incense spice and an incredibly long finish thanks to the high ABV of 52.5%, while the 1976 Ban (£4,300) o ered delicious baked orchard fruits galore and toasty nutty spice. Another to look out for is the 1973 Glen Mhor (£6,000) which had a lovely rich marmalade and methyl note.

15 di erent closed distilleries. e range is wide

For those who are looking for the ultimate in luxury whisky, 2023 has already been a stellar year for old and rare releases and I’m sure you are as excited as I am to see what hidden gems are released in the years to come.

‘Owning the inaugural whisky from any distillery is a piece of liquid history that will appeal to many collectors’

Whisky

VISIT THE WORLD’S OLDEST PRIVATELY OWNED SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERY

TOURS, TASTINGS, GIFT SHOP & CAFE

Bladnoch, Galloway DG8 9AB

Open Tuesday to Saturday

SPIRIT OF THE LOWLANDS

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.

GOLDEN SPIRIT

A round-up of delightful drams, experiences and gifts

GORDON & MACPHAIL

Introducing two new exclusive single casks from G&M Retail: Clynelish 2008 and Inchgower 2009. Both bottlings are available in limited quantities online and in their Elgin Store.

Tel: 01343 545110

www.gordonandmacphail.com

BORDERS DISTILLERY

WS:01 Borders Malt & Rye is the first whisky blend to leave The Borders Distillery. Every bottle is individually numbered, with only 5,998 released for sale in the UK.

Tel: 01450 374330

www.thebordersdistillery.com

THE GLENTURRET PROWESS

Lalique's second release in The Trinity Series, only 320 decanters available. Crystal decanter, designed by Lalique's Artistic Director Marc Larminaux, holds the 33-year-old whisky crafted by Master Blender Bob Dalgarno from 1987 and 1988 casks, bottled in December 2022. www.theglenturret.com

CASK 88 - THE BOTHY

An exquisite single cask expression. In a bothy in the Cairngorms, artist Jonathan Freemantle harnessed the elements, grinding rock into pigments and blending with stream water. His artworks embody Scottish terroir, as does the liquid within.

Tel: 0131 608 0995

www.cask88.com

WOODROW'S OF EDINBURGH

Woodrow's of Edinburgh 15-year-old Pulteney Distillery Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Botted at cask strength from a single Hogshead, natural colour and nonchill filtered.

www.woodrowswhisky.com

GLENFARCLAS

Glenfarclas has been in the hands of the Grant Family since 1865, and five generations later, this special 50-year-old was bottled at 50% ABV to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the chairman, John Grant, starting in the whisky industry .

Tel: 01807 500257

www.glenfarclas.com

The Borders Distillery in Hawick is the first Scotch Whisky distillery in the Scottish Borders since 1837.

The Directors have released 1,837 casks of Single Malt for private ownership. Filled on a date of the owner’s choosing, each individually numbered cask is stored under bond and bottled when the owner wishes.

The Borders Distillery Company Limited

THE BORDERS DISTILLERY

When the last whisky distillery in the Scottish Borders closed its doors in Kelso in 1837, the south-east of Scotland was forced into a whisky drought. However, the opening of the Borders istillery in a ic in finally brought that woeful era to an end.

KEEPING THINGS LOCAL

he orders istillery is the first to bring his y distilling bac to this beautiful and bountiful area of cotland or the distillery itself, the company chose to renovate a former engineering firm transforming it into a spectacular home for the water of life. Guided tours – which take you through mashing, fermentation and distillation halls – are the perfect way to sample this unique amber nectar

The award-winning riverside distillery guarantees the finest uality of products through its ‘Growers & Distillers’ programme. Working with Simpsons Malt they e clusi ely use malted barley from 12 farms that are within a 35-mile radius of Hawick. The whole journey – from ‘Seed to Spirit’ – is local and eco-friendly.

The Borders Distillery is committed to creating products that cater to the country’s historic lo e of his y hile also bringing something ne to the table nd it is this that has inspired the 1837 cask collection, hich creates a uni ue collaboration bet een distillers and buyers

BORDERS DISTILLERY’S 1837 OFFER

s part of orders istillery s aptly named 1837 offer, for £2,400 you can purchase one of their 1,837 casks. But that is just the start. With guidance from expert distillers, you are able to choose your type of cas hich typically holds around litres filling day strength and e en a personalised label for your bottles

anaging director ohn ordyce hopes that your chosen bottling day ill become the culmination of hat should ha e been quite a fun process’. You can also follow the maturation of your cask on an interactive app that the company have created to ‘keep things lively and exciting’. You will also have access to free tours and exclusive 1837 discounts both online and in store

CASK COMMUNITY or ordyce he hopes that purchases of the cas s ill lead to li e finding li e e encourage teaming up with other people to

form little syndicates as it is a full pleasure product, not an investment product. The more you share the more you gain.’

So, whether you are purchasing this product for pleasure, as a gift to mark the birth of a child or anni ersary or simply for the sheer oy of his y you become part of a special community that has the chance to ta e home personalised bottles of cotch from the first distillery in the cottish Borders since 1837.

CONTACT

Visitor Centre open Mon-Sat, 10am-4.30pm. Tours run until 28 October. 01450 374330. www.thebordersdistillery.com

AUTUMNAL ELEGANCE

Embracing the rich tapestry of its global design inspiration, Sahara meticulously creates pieces that lend themselves to a cohesi e capsule ardrobe e ecting on the full life of a wardrobe and imagining it as a canvas upon which stories are woven.

ith outfit-building in mind you ll find many choices that promise effortless elegance and artful air ntricate weaves and textures combine with a plethora of exclusive prints, lending depth and dimension to each design. Sahara believes in merging style with functionality, blending timeless patterns with modern cuts. Often echoing the craft and pattern work of years gone by, you ll see one-of-a- ind patterns from an antique kimono collected abroad alongside intage orals in rein ented palettes and textile techniques that have endured from centuries past ommitted to sourcing natural fibres and ma ing conscious choices Sahara continues to create the luxurious textures and quality for which it is known whilst supporting sustainability and our planet s future o hether you re dra n to the allure of prints, the charm of hand embroidery, or the sophistication of chec s ahara s utumn collection has something extraordinary waiting just for you.

hop the collection online at saharalondon.com.

Prints are the vibrant heartbeat of Sahara’s Autumn collection…

LEFT: Denim Pocket Shirt Dress, £185. ABOVE: Cashmere Merino Jumper, £159.

TOP: Cable Knit Jumper, £175.

FAR LEFT: Ombre Wool Coat, £395.

LEFT: Ikat Twill Print Dress, £185.

RIGHT: Midnight Garden Jersey Dress, £169.

Private shopping appointments available on request. www.saharalondon.com

82 West Bow, Edinburgh, EH1 2HH Tel: 0131 226 2009

TOP LEFT: Crinkle Check Shirt Dress, £185. TOP RIGHT: Mythical Print Silk Kimono, £289.

BOTTOM LEFT: Miniature Floral Garden Shirt, £135.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Textured Viscose Pleat Shirt, £139.

ALL THAT GLI ERS

For centuries people have searched for gold in Scotland’s hills, but now wearing a piece made from pure Scottish gold is a luxury we can all aspire to, says Morag

Bootland

Splashing through puddles on a rainy hillside near Tyndrum, my oversized wellies feel clumsy as I heave myself up the hill and into the mist. Adjusting the sizing of my hard hat to stop it falling over my eyes, I listen to senior geologist Rachel Paul, who is explaining the di erence between the pyrite (or fool’s gold) that gives the stones on the steep path their golden glow and the truly precious metal that is buried deep within the ancient rocks below our feet.

Because a er centuries of disappointment it is now safe to say that there is, ‘gold in them thar hills’. But, as with so many of the finest things in life, getting your hands on it is no mean feat.

e Cononish gold mine sits within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, so sustainability needs to be the top priority for Scotgold Resources who run the project. is means ensuring the rivers and burns around the mine remain clean and clear, so the gold must be separated from the rock without

the use of chemicals. e tailings, or the waste stacks from the extraction, are built up to follow the contours of the landscape and turfed so that they quickly become indistinguishable on the hillside and no cyanide is used in the production of the gold.

Cononish is Scotland’s first commercial gold mine and is extracting precious metals from the Dalradian Belt, which stretches for 450 miles through Argyll and the southern Highlands.

CLOCKWISE FROM

Rachael is from Edinburgh and studied at the University of St Andrews before taking up her role at the mine. She explains how the rocks that hold this buried treasure have remained undisturbed for anything from 470 million to 800 million years and how as well as further exploration here ScotGold are carrying out investigations at several other areas in the Grampians in the hope of finding further seams of precious metal.

e majority of the gold extracted at Cononish is concentrate, which is sold o and used by other gold producers like a ‘Scottish spice’ to improve the quality of their gold. But the purest gold dore which is found at Cononish is an extremely rare commodity (last year just 317g of this pure gold was mined here) and as such is authorised for use by just two of Scotland’s jewellers.

One is Orkney based jeweller Sheila Fleet who have now produced around 120 pieces using Scottish gold. And for the owner of the company it’s still a dream come true to be creating jewellery using a raw material from the very fabric of Scotland.

Martin Fleet’s mother Sheila and late father Rick were involved in the mine at Cononish since 2006 and witnessed its transformation from a small enterprise employing around three members of sta to the operation it is today, which provides jobs for over 100 people. But he’s also very aware of the fragility of the supply here in Scotland and the landscape from which it is drawn.

LEFT: Gold pieces; the mine at Cononish; Sheila Fleet ring.

Historic gold

In 1502, a nugget was found at Crawford Muir in South Lanarkshire. Mining began and it is thought that gold worth around £100,000 (over £15 million today) was extracted.

In the late 1500s Cornelius Devosses found 3.6kgs of gold near Crawfordjohn in South Lanarkshire.

In 1604 George Bowes started to work a mine at Wanlockhead but died before signi cant nds were made.

In 1852 thousands of prospectors rushed to the hills by Auchtermuchty and Kinnesswood in Fife but most of what was found was pyrite, or fool’s gold.

In 1868 Robert Gilchrist found gold in Kildonan Burn, Sutherland sparking a gold rush. It is estimated that around 400kg of gold was found.

‘Scottish gold has gone from something that was just a romantic idea, to a reality, although it’s still tiny in terms of world gold mining. But its rarity is also one of its attractions,’ says Martin. ‘It is especially popular for wedding rings. We o en make rings based on our existing designs, but tweak them a little bit for each couple.

‘When you stand outside the mine and look down the glen it is so beautiful and you realise what a big responsibility it is not to damage it.’

Sheila Fleet make pieces in Scottish yellow gold, but also o er white and rose gold. is sets them apart from Hamilton & Inches, the only other jeweller which is authorised to use Scottish gold, and who work purely in yellow gold. e two jewellers have worked closely with each other and with the mine to ensure that Scottish gold is a success story.

And just like Sheila Fleet, Hamilton & Inches is delighted to have access to exceptional raw materials so close to its premises in the capital.

‘Working with Scottish gold allows us to reflect our nation’s cultural heritage,’ says CEO Victoria Houghton. ‘Beloved by Mary, Queen of Scots and Robert the Bruce, Scottish gold has a long and rich history of symbolism and we are proud to be custodians of this treasured material.’

Hamilton & Inches’ current Scottish gold collection launched in May this year. is latest o ering follows the 22ct Scottish gold collection in 2021. All gold is mined at 24ct, and becomes stronger as alloys are added. Hamilton & Inches’ Fleur-de-lys collection, made from 18ct gold, is designed to include pieces like engagement rings that are strong enough to be worn every day.

It has been entirely conceived, designed and handcra ed in-house. On

the top floor of its workshop, which sits above the shop on Edinburgh’s George Street, pieces are created at a dedicated station to ensure that the gold remains entirely pure.

Victoria is delighted to have the opportunity to launch another collection of Scottish gold jewellery. ‘We are conscious of the growing importance customers are placing on the origin and provenance of the items that they are buying, which is why we are proud to showcase this new collection which boasts a single mine origin status from Scotgold’s Cononish gold mine, emphasising our dedication to sustainable making.’

Scottish gold has a unique colour, which some say resembles the amber glow of whisky, and watching a pair of earrings being cra ed at Hamilton & Inches it certainly seems to have beautifully rosy tones.

e Edinburgh Assay O ce on Broughton Street has been hallmarking jewellery for 550 years and plays a massive part in ensuring the provenance

and security of Scottish gold. Every piece of jewellery made from Scottish gold is guaranteed by them and stamped with a unique stag hallmark. Because Scottish gold is still such a rarity, it is also very valuable, so to ensure pieces of jewellery can be sold as pure Scottish gold, the mine at Cononish, along with the Assay O ce are using a technique that is unique to Scottish gold and may well make it the most traceable precious metal in the world.

e mine adds traces of a unique and top secret alloy before the gold dore is allowed to leave Cononish. Only the mine and the Assay O ce know what this alloy is, so when jewellery is tested by the Assay O ce before hallmarking its provenance is never in doubt. is also ensures that in centuries-time when Scottish gold jewellery has been passed down through generations as family heirlooms its provenance can still be verified.

e earliest known use of Scottish gold dates back as far as the Bronze Age. In more recent history, panning for gold in riverbeds in the 1800s small discoveries, like the nu et found in Kildonan, Sutherland in 1869, led to a short-lived and mostly fruitless gold rush. But Scotland’s latest foray into gold feels far more sustainable. With some of the country’s top jewellers, a mine with a focus on ethics and the environment and the experience and expertise of the Assay O ce all working together towards a common goal, the industry’s future looks golden.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Pendant by Sheila Fleet;smelting at Cononish; Hamilton & Inches’ Fleurde-lys pendants; Star Fleur-de-Lys earrings by Hamilton & Inches; fool’s gold.

‘Because Scottish gold is such a rarity, it is also very valuable’

TIMELESS TWEEDS

Walker Slater’s focus on Scottish heritage design and tailoring excellence ensures a lifetime of effortless elegance

Walker Slater’s enduring mission has been to champion the beauty and sustainable merits of tweed and woollen fabrics through timeless and understated garments.

Their range of contemporary tailoring is the culmination of decades of experience, care, and craftsmanship. The in-house design team meticulously consider the cut and fit of their signature pieces and work closely with mills and suppliers season-on-season to create adaptable and effortlessly elegant garments.

This vital pairing of fabric and cut is what makes a Walker Slater garment unique. Each suit, jacket, or coat is crafted from a carefully curated selection of tweeds, with colour palettes inspired by the rugged charm of the Scottish landscape and a durability able to combat its harshest elements.

RIGHT: Edward Lambswool Tan Puppytooth suit, £545 paired with navy fox tie, £62 and mustard wool handkerchief, £35. FAR RIGHT (L-R): Iona Harris Tweed Herringbone brown jacket, £325; Cara Herringbone Harris Tweed green trouser, £155; Elle roll neck moss sweater £125. Edward Harris Tweed Herringbone brown jacket, £325; Edward Harris Tweed Herringbone green trouser, £145; Harold roll neck moss sweater, £145.

LEFT: Harris Tweed Sherlock coat, £425 and Pendle Tweed Deborah skirt, £185 both paired with complementing Williamsburg baker caps, £58.

TOP: Plain Grey Harris Tweed Marta Coat, £395 paired with green Kintyre at cap £48. ABOVE LEFT: Brown Plain Harris Tweed Ethel coat, £395 paired with high-waisted tan Pendle Tweed Deborah skirt, £185. ABOVE RIGHT: Brown Conrad great coat, £475 paired with Edward lambswool tan puppytooth 3-piece suit, £545.

Advertorial – Walker Slater

Walker Slater www.walkerslater.com

Menswear: 0131 220 9750

Ladieswear: 0131 225 4257

ABOVE (L-R): Harris Tweed Lovat Sherlock coat, £425 paired with Edward Shetland Tobacco Donegal trousers, £145. Diana Harris Tweed plain fawn jacket, £325 with matching Sheila skirt, £135. RIGHT: Borders Tweed Imogen coat in a brown and orange Shepherd’s check, £485.

Jewellery inspired by Orkney’s landscape and rich heritage

From her workshop on the island of Burray, Orkney, Karen creates stunning jewellery designs which reflect her local roots.

Karen Duncan Jewellery

made@karenduncanjewellery.com

www. karenduncanjewellery .com

IT’S A BLING THING

eeki out the fi est ti ue e s d desi i es oke ewelle is ll i d s wo k o l e l the wick fi ds Morag Bootland

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, or so they say. So if you’re in the market for an introduction to your next BFF, then Clare Blatherwick might just be your woman.

Clare is a jeweller who o ers a uniquely personal and private service to anyone who would like to source a special piece of jewellery, design a bespoke item or get an insurance valuation. Based in East Lothian, Clare works all over Scotland and beyond and without the constraints of a retail outlet she is able to visit clients in their homes, o ces or banks.

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Clare started out her career when she was still at school, working as a Saturday girl in a local jewellers. She’s worked in high-end retail, for an international gemstone dealer and before setting up her own business in 2017 was head of jewellery for Bonhams auctioneers in Scotland.

And with a faithful cohort of clients in Scotland to look a er she also travels widely to lecture and talk about jewellery to insurance brokers, investment house banks and arts societies across the world.

‘ e best part of the job is building relationships with people’, explains Clare. ‘You might find me walking dogs on the beach with my clients. I know their families. It is very special when you receive photos of clients wearing something you’ve made for them.’

Clare works with an in-house designer who specialises in remodelling and redesigning old pieces of jewellery

into something more to the client’s taste, and so is well placed to provide guidance ahead of transforming a piece.

‘Over the years, I’ve seen people who have taken a beautiful art deco Cartier bracelet to a jeweller and they’ve ripped it apart to make something new,’ says Clare. ‘For me, that’s a bit criminal, because the piece is really important. It is worth so much more than the sum of its parts. So, in those circumstances I’d help the client sell it so that the piece survives and they can have something made using the funds.’

Clare’s top tip is that if there is age to a piece, and it carries a signature, it will be desirable in the marketplace. ‘ ere are times that something will have reached the end of its life and we need to reuse it, but I’d always want to help the client understand what they have.’

FAR LEFT: Clare Blatherwick is a jeweller with a difference. BELOW: A bespoke, handmade tanzanite, diamond and sapphire ring.

LEFT: AMANDA FARNESE HEATH.

‘If there is age to a piece and it carries a signature, it will be desirable in the marketplace’

Over the years, Clare has handled and sourced some pretty amazing diamonds, coloured diamonds and gemstones, but is all too aware that the value in a piece isn’t always monetary.

‘When I was at Bonhams we broke world records for a blue diamond. at looked pretty good on my hand! It’s great fun trying these things on and it’s not uncommon for me to help people with six-figure pieces of jewellery. But it’s also not uncommon to help people with not very valuable, but hugely sentimental pieces of jewellery. And to me that’s as important as the big ticket items. Because without a doubt, in this business, sentiment is key.’

And when it comes to choosing a diamond, Clare’s training in gemstones and years of experience allow her to source the best quality stones. Her advice is never to buy online, even if

the diamond comes with a lab report to verify its clarity and colour.

‘You’ve got to see the cut of the diamond. You can have two stones that are the same weight, both G colour and vvs clarity, but if one is better cut they will look a heck of a lot di erent.

‘Another thing that we’re seeing a lot of in the trade right now is lab-grown diamonds. In the last couple of years the value of lab-grown diamonds has dropped massively. As the technology is improving they can pump out large numbers of stones. ey’re called lab-grown, but frankly they are grown in factories and that doesn’t feel like a luxury product that is going to stand the test of time.

‘My view is that these will eventually be used in low end costume jewellery. Because at the point when they can

produce thousands of carats a day it becomes a volume product. For me, it’s important that things are natural and have provenance.’

Clare is happy to focus her business and expertise on quality and is proud that everything she does is handmade. ‘I think it’s so important, because Britishmade jewellery is fantastic. It’s a real skill that we have in this country.’

And for anyone who might worry about the ethics of wearing diamonds Clare is quick to point out that with antique pieces and remodelling what she does is essentially ‘luxury recycling’.

‘When we’re making pieces we encourage clients to reuse their own metal, as well as the stones. And we’re using cra speople in the UK to do the work. So, I think we’re doing pretty well on that score.’

Field facts

For more information on Clare Blatherwick visit clareblatherwick.co.uk or follow her on social media.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A rare Victorian natural pearl necklace; Examining a pair of diamond earstuds; South Seas cultured pearls with handmade gold clasp and bead accents; Measuring a Victorian pearl and diamond pendant.

‘Without a doubt, in this business, sentiment is key’

ETERNAL OPULENCE

Precious stones, precious artistry

1. NUMBER FIVE GOLDSMITHS: The Eternal Opulence of an array of sparkling diamonds set in 18ct gold is always pleasurable. Here, that pleasure is enhanced with these stunning gold bracelets with interchangeable clasps. Tel: 01738 634196 www.numberfivegoldsmiths.co.uk 2. JAMIESON & CARRY: Discover the Fabergé Essence Heart Surprise Locket set in rose gold which opens to reveal a heart-shaped diamond surprise inside. The Essence collection celebrates Fabergé’s love for surprise and wit and each piece is inspired by the iconic Imperial Eggs, with a modern take.Price £8,160, available from Jamieson & Carry. Tel: 01224 641219 www.jamieson-carry.com 3. LAINGS: This pair of earrings see two pear cut diamonds in graduating sizes set in 18ct white gold. The style will remain forever timeless. £15,150. Tel: 0141 221 0121 www.laingsuk.com/18ct-white-gold2-09ct-pear-cut-diamond-drop-earrings 4. JOANNA THOMSON: Joanna Thomson likes to add colour to her jewellery and what better than a sumptuous opal doublet teamed with a lively pink tourmaline and lustrous culture pearl in a classic design in 9ct gold. £730. Tel: 0777 357 8341 / 01721 728443 www.jewellery-scotland.com

18ct white gold Flora pendant with a marquise-cut diamond and round brilliant-cut diamonds, set on an open leaf. Tel: 0131 225 4898 www.hamiltonandinches.com

HAMILTON &

18ct white gold fine emerald and diamond drop earrings £2,950. Tel: 01738 624836 www.jewellers-perth.co.uk

6.

Inspired by the ripples found on sandy shorelines, this ring set combines two of Sheila’s River Ripples diamond rings in 18ct yellow gold, hand-set with diamonds. This stunning set is also available in luxurious 18ct Scottish gold. Tel: 1856 861 203 www.sheilafleet.com

7.

8. KAREN DUNCAN: On the island of Burray, Orkney, Karen creates stunning jewellery designs. Her understanding of materials and attention to detail result in jewellery made with passion, care and precision. Email: made@karenduncanjewellery.com www.karenduncanjewellery.com

5.

INCHES:

WT GRAHAM:

SHEILA FLEET:

OUTDOOR & COUNTRY CLOTHING

Stay

1. GAMMIES: The Harley of Scotland Fairisle jumper in Uist shade, 100% pure new wool. Find a varied selection of Scottish Knitwear online or visit our showroom in Forfar, Angus DD8 3BT. Tel: 01307 466416 gammiescountryclothing.co.uk

2. HAWICO: Since 1874, a family business crafting luxury cashmere garments of uncompromised quality, drawing on over a century of traditional skills whilst embracing technological advancement. Always made in Hawick. Flagship Store Edinburgh: 71 Grassmarket, EH1 2HJ. Kelso: 20 Bridge Street, TD5 7JD. Turnberry: Turnberry Resort, KA26 9LT. Tel: 01450 372510 hawico.com

3. LOCHCARRON: Lochcarron of Scotland is the world's leading manufacturer of authentic tartans. Based in Selkirk in the heart of the Scottish Borders. Waverley Mill, Rogers Road, Selkirk TD7 5DX. Tel: 01750 726000 lochcarron.com

4. MANDARINA SHOES: Re-boot your wardrobe for autumn/ winter with a pair of Mandarina’s brilliant tassel boots. Very comfortable, in soft nubuck suede and available in the three key colours for the season: navy, black and taupe. View the full Mandarina collection online. Tel: 01307 819488 mandarinashoes.co.uk

5. THE HOUSE OF BRUAR: British Tweed Raglan Sleeve Coat, £275. Made from traditional British tweed and woven to create a striking shacket material, the high quality pure new wool adds comfort and warmth to this beautifully shaped coat, complete with raglan sleeves and buttoned cuff straps. Tel: 0345 1360111 houseofbruar.com

6. PERILLA: Very comfortable 75% alpaca three-quarter socks with cushioned sole; perfect socks for festivals, riding and house socks. £22. Tel: 01886 853615 perilla.co.uk

ENCHANTING ESCAPES

Oban, a picturesque Scottish town nestled along the rugged western coastline, offers a unique and captivating experience for tourists seeking an offseason adventure. While spring and summer may boast vibrant blooms and bustling streets, the autumn and winter months unveil a different kind of enchantment that draws visitors to this hidden gem. From the mystic allure of the Highland landscapes to the cosy warmth of its charming town, here’s why Oban is a mustvisit destination during the colder months.

1. Tranquil natural beauty:

Autumn and winter transform Oban’s natural surroundings into a breathtaking tapestry of colours. The rolling hills and dense woodlands are adorned with rich hues of red, orange, and gold, creating a picturesque scene that’s a haven for photographers and nature enthusiasts. The weather may be cooler, but the crisp air makes the scenic trails all the more invigorating.

2. Unveiling serenity:

The autumn and winter seasons bring a sense of peacefulness to Oban, as the crowds of summer tourists disperse. This is the time

to truly immerse yourself in the local culture, converse with friendly locals, and savour the unhurried pace of life. Oban’s attractions, such as McCaig’s Tower, become more intimate and personal, allowing you to explore without the hustle and bustle that accompanies peak seasons.

3. Gastronomic delights:

Oban’s culinary scene thrives in the colder months, serving up hearty dishes that warm both the body and soul. Cosy up in the town’s traditional pubs and restaurants, where you can relish in hearty stews, fresh seafood chowders, and locally-sourced game. Pair your meal with a fine his y from ban s reno ned distillery for an unforgettable taste of Scotland’s rich heritage.

4. Wildlife encounters:

Autumn and winter bring unique opportunities to witness Scotland’s diverse wildlife. Seal colonies dot the coastline, and you might even spot otters playing by the shores. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the presence of migrating species and resident seabirds that thrive in these colder months. Oban offers boat tours that take you close to these natural wonders, allowing you to connect with the wild side of Scotland.

5. Festive traditions:

As the holiday season approaches, Oban comes alive with festive spirit. The town’s streets are adorned with twinkling lights and decorations, creating a magical atmosphere. Experience traditional Scottish celebrations, such as St Andrew’s Day and Hogmanay, complete with lively ceilidh dances, music, and warm camaraderie that embodies the true essence of Scottish hospitality. The Oban Winter Festival is a two-week celebration of Oban’s unique culture ith parades street performances mar ets fire or s and more

7. Whisky tasting adventures:

Oban is renowned for its whisky heritage, and the autumn and winter months provide the perfect opportunity to delve into its distilling traditions. Take a guided tour of the local distillery, where you can itness the his y-ma ing process up close and sa our the refined a ours of this re ered cottish spirit here are plenty of other outlets in hich to sample the finest of cottish his ies and learn more about Uisge Beatha – the water of life.

Oban’s autumn and winter offer a serene and captivating escape for tourists seeking a different kind of Scottish adventure. The tranquil natural landscapes, intimate local experiences, festive traditions, and cosy retreats make this charming town an ideal destination during the colder months. Whether you’re drawn by the allure of Highland beauty, gastronomic delights, or the warmth of its people, Oban in autumn and winter promises an enchanting journey that lingers in the heart and memory.

Are you already planning for 2024? Then Oban has that covered too. With multiple large and small scale events to cater for the whole family, Oban has something for everyone – and you should start planning your vacation or staycation now. The Clipper Round The orld ace ill be coming to ban ne t summer hich is also the first time the race has ever come to Scotland. The town is already bustling with excitement.

For Gaelic and culture lovers, the 2024 Royal National Mòd will be held in Oban for 10 days of piping, dancing, instrumental, singing, choral competitions as well as a lively fringe festival full of toe-tapping events. Don’t forget to book your accommodation well ahead of the festival opening in October.

Keep up with everything Oban by downloading the new Love Oban app. The digital hub for the town includes all events and offers information as well as business listings so that you can enjoy everything Oban has to offer. Get alerts and keep up with all the news as you plan your next trip to the West Coast. Available on all platforms, just search LOVE OBAN in the apple or android stores, or use the QR codes below.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Make sure you keep an eye on @LoveOban social media channels as well as www.oban.org.uk for all your trip inspiration and tips for touring Oban and wider Argyll.

Once you get here? Don’t forget to tag @LoveOban use #LoveOban and #MyArgyll in your Argyll adventures.

Google Play Store Apple Store

Castles on a cloud

Peter Ranscombe adjusts his monocle and cravat to go castle shopping – and discovers that supply and demand still have a role to play even at the top end of the property market

There’s a rhythm to the release of economic data each month –regular figures about inflation and interest rates, unemployment and gross domestic product (GDP), give structure

to the news bulletins we see on our go leboxes or hear on our wirelesses. Newspapers and websites chart the ebb and flow of our economies in Scotland and the wider UK.

en there are the monthly ups and downs of the house price figures,

KING OF CASTLES: Seton Castle sold for £8m by Savills.

reported almost like football scores: Morningside 1, the Grange 2; Newton Mearns 3, Milngavie 2; Highland Perthshire 1, East Neuk 0. But what happens at the very top end of the housing market? Do the prices of castles, country houses, and other mansions fluctuate in the same way?

‘If the market’s going up then they go up, and if the market’s going down then they go down – but the changes can be more dramatic,’ explains Cameron Ewer, estate agency Savills’ head of residential sales in Scotland. ‘More o en than not, that happens when the market is going up.

‘ ere have been a couple of good examples recently, with Seton Castle in

East Lothian and Duncraig Castle in Plockton, both of which sold last year, and which represented the two highest prices paid for residential property (as opposed to estates) in Scotland ever, both occurring at the same time.

‘Seton Castle sold for £8 million, and Duncraig Castle sold for £6m. But while Seton was advertised at £8m, Duncraig was advertised at o ers over £2.75m.

‘Nothing on the west coast had ever cleared £3m but, because Duncraig was such a good example of a property of its type, when it went to market it really caught people’s attention.

‘We had 80 enquiries within the first couple of days, 70 of which came from overseas – when you attract a di erent audience, it immediately opens up the possibility of somebody doing something surprising.’

Paddy Paton, founder of bespoke estate agency Paton & Co, points out: ‘Whether it’s political or economic, uncertainty a ects all levels of the market, but I think we see di erent timings of those e ects. For example, at the moment, there’s no doubt that people are being more cautious when it comes to houses priced between £300,000 and £650,000.

‘But the upper end of the market, in excess of £1m, is still transacting incredibly well. We’re accepting o ers of 10% to 20% over and above home report valuations for big country houses and all the buyers we’re dealing with are paying cash, so they’re not as a ected as anyone in that core market requiring finance.’

While we mere mortals worry about mortgage availability and interest

rates, it seems that such trivialities are of less concern when potential buyers go castle shopping. While the Bank of England was hiking interest rates and the Financial Conduct Authority was reprimanding high street lenders over the disparities between mortgage and saving rates, Savills set an all-time record over the summer for the value of sales agreed in a single month.

‘People buying in the £500,000 to £750,000 bracket are probably taking on a bi er mortgage than they had before and so are feeling the pinch,’ agrees Ewer. ‘But when you get to £1m-plus then there are other sources of finance that become available, such as releasing money from other investments.

‘It’s that age-old mantra, “If it’s the right house then it’s the right time”, regardless of what the market is doing. If you’re in it for long enough then you’ll see it go up, down, le , right, and sideways.’

On the west coast, Savills has also seen its ratio of new buyers to available houses double since April, despite putting more houses on sale. ‘To me, that’s the barometer of how good a market we’re in,’ Ewer says.

‘ at’s a really good endorsement of how popular Scottish country houses are at this point in time during the post-pandemic era. It’s supply and demand – they’re not building any more of these top-end houses.

‘You then factor in the weak pound, making Scotland very appealing to overseas buyers. at’s where your castles become particularly interesting because overseas buyers love that idea of owning a piece of Scottish heritage

‘Overseas buyers love that idea of owning a piece of Scottish heritage and playing monarch of the glen’

YourAutumnEscape.

UnveiltheTreasuresofTurnberrywitha Daily£100ResortCredit.

TIMESTO TREASURE

TeeoffonourChampionshipcourses,embarkoncaptivatingoutdoor pursuits,gallopdownTurnberryBeachonhorseback,ordineondelicious localfare.Lingerforlongerinthespawithour12pmcheckout,andenjoya complimentaryupgradewhenyoubookbeforetheendofSeptember.

TUMPHOTELS.COM/TURNBERRY TRUMPTURNBERRY,AYRSHIRE,KA269LT.

TIMESTOTREASURE

Cotswolds or down in Surrey – if you go to St George’s Hill or Wentworth and buy yourself a modern country house then it could be £15m or £20m or even £30m.

‘Scotland isn’t unique in terms of that a ordability because you can get that in Wales or Ireland. But, when people think of castles, people lean towards Scotland as default – that’s what makes it exciting.’

Emma Chalmers, head of property firm Galbraith’s estate sales division, agrees that demand for castles, country houses, and mansions remains ‘buoyant’, with buyers coming from both the UK and abroad. She points out that the higher value of such properties makes potential buyers ‘very clear and

history of period houses can also very much capture the interest in buyers and generate a keenness due to particular connections,’ Chalmers adds.

Ewer has also noticed di erences in the way castle shoppers operate. ‘When you get to the top end of the market, people make o ers with the full intent of securing,’ he says. ‘ ere’s less negotiation – if you want something then you get your chequebook out.

‘It comes back to supply and demand – if you want a Scots baronial house or you want a coastal castle then there is only a finite number of them. So, when they do come up, if someone’s at the o ering stage then they’re very committed to it, and you rarely see things coming unstuck.’

‘It comes back to supply and demand – if you want a Scots baronial house or coastal castle, there is a finite supply’

OVER THE ASKING: Duncraig Castle, Plockton on the banks of Loch Carron sold for £6m last year.

LEAVE A LEGACY

Make a difference by leaving a gift in your will

WHALE AND DOLPHIN CONSERVATION

Imagine a world without whales and dolphins. These amazing creatures face many threats such as whaling, captivity and accidental death in fi shing nets. But a gift in your will can help to restore whale and dolphin populations and create healthy, thriving seas. Imagine what a gift in your Will could do.

Tel: 01249 449 500 whales.org/giftsinwills

ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is committed to doing all it can to meet the needs of serving soldiers and veterans of the British Army, as well as their families. It offers support in six key areas: independent living, elderly care, education and employability, mental fitness, families and housing.

Tel: 020 7901 8912 soldierscharity.org/legacies

RSABI

RSABI provides financial, practical and emotional support to people in Scottish agriculture. Loneliness and isolation are challenges for farmers and crofters, along with illness or injury. The freephone helpline – 0808 1234 555 – is open 24/7. By leaving a gift to RSABI in your will, you will help to continue this lifeline work.

Tel: 0131 364 4205

rsabi.org.uk

QUARRIERS

Quarriers believe in a Scotland where people can access support, find kindness, and thrive. They work with anyone affected by inequality, disability, ill health or who have additional support needs. A gift in your will means practical support that can help people across Scotland to live full and purposeful lives, thank you.

Tel: 01505 612224/616000 quarriers.org.uk/about-us

SSAFA, THE ARMED FORCES CHARITY

Will you support the future of the Armed Forces family? SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity has been providing practical, emotional and financial support to Forces personnel, veterans and their families since 1885. By leaving a gift in your will to SSAFA, you will build a future where everyone in the Armed Forces and their families gets the respect, support and fair treatment that they need. To help transform the future lives of those in the Armed Forces family, please request a legacy pack.

Tel: 020 4570 0351

ssafa.org.uk/gifts-in-wills

REDWINGS

Will you remember the horses at Redwings Horse Sanctuary? Redwings Horse Sanctuary cares for over 1,500 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules at its centres across the UK every day, including over 90 residents at Redwings Mountains in Forfar. Remembering Redwings in your will is a wonderful way to support the charity’s work and leave a lasting legacy that will help them to help for generations to come. To remember Redwings in your will, email legacies@redwings.co.uk or call.

Tel: 01508 481030

redwings.org.uk

WORLDWIDE CANCER RESEARCH

1 in 2 people will be affected by cancer in their lifetime. But there is hope. Worldwide Cancer Research, thanks to the generosity of their supporters, fund research projects all over the world. In the last 40 years survival rates in the UK have doubled – but there are over 200 types of cancer, each needing different cures. Download the free Will guide, full of supporter stories, information on how to make a gift in your Will and their free Will-writing offer.

Tel: 0300 777 7910 worldwidecancerresearch.org/freewillguide

THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND

The Trust cares for and conserves 76,000 hectares of countryside, 46 Munros, 38 gardens, 27 castles and houses, 300,000 precious artefacts and 8 National Nature Reserves. One way to ensure that their work can continue is by supporting with a gift in your will. We all want to make a lasting and beneficial impact on this world. By including a gift in your will, you will be helping to ensure that the places across Scotland that you treasure most are protected for generations to come. Tel: 0131 458 0342 nts.org.uk/future-gift

MADE IN SCOTLAND

A nostalgic reflection on timeless traditions and modern changes from Aysgarth School's Headmaster, Jonathon Anderson...

We embark on a journey of reminiscence through the boarding experiences in Scotland, exploring the timeless traditions that shaped lives while also acknowledging the changes in modern boarding. From breathtaking landscapes and sportsmanship to cherished memories and life lessons, the journey takes us from the rugged terrain of Perthshire to the picturesque grounds of Aysgarth.

While the beds may have become more comfortable and technology reshapes our lives, the essence of boarding remains steadfast – forging bonds, fostering growth, and preparing young minds for the future.

During the early stages of the recruitment process that saw me move to become Headmaster of Aysgarth, I was encouraged to consult my wife before committing to living in North Yorkshire, the implication being that the open spaces free- o ing rain and need for a coat on all but the sunniest of days might have been cause for marital concern. ‘Don’t worry’, I said, ‘I grew up in Perthshire and we now spend most of our free time on Dartmoor.’ I could hear the shoulders relax on the other end of the phone.

Our arrival in Yorkshire as Spring has turned to Summer has obviously been a gentle introduction but I have enjoyed walking the boundary ropes of Aysgarth with parents who assure me that warmer clothing will be required when we meet again to support an egg-shaped ball being hurled around. That said, the migration north has

been a great pleasure and there are many parallels between our new home and the home I knew in Scotland. For a start, it is so green and lush, river valleys covered by verdant woodland giving way to open, moody moorland, occasionally punctuated by grouse butts or a passing keeper’s quadbike. It is also an area with a little less ‘fuss’ and that is no bad thing either.

In the September of 1992, after eight years at a wonderful Buckinghamshire prep school, I arrived at Glenalmond College. The decision had been taken to head to Scotland for senior school as my parents were an

hour up the A9 in Killiecrankie. Our new drive to school would take us down the rugged yet beautiful Sma’ Glen until we reached the banks of the River Almond. Beneath the rolling Perthshire hills, the enticing metropolis of arrietfield sat ith the prospect of a sneaky beer at the Drumtochty Tavern if you were really lucky.

As we headed down Front Ave for my first day still recall the senior rugby teams being gi en a beasting a fitness session on the front slopes. Knowing no-one else in my year group made this a day full of nerves but, having boarded for some time, I was

happy to set up home and get busy. It soon became apparent that rugby was a priority and as onlookers in the packed stand, we were expected to make some serious noise. I watched the 1st XV take on the OG team that season and, although I was amazed that boys took on men, I knew I wanted a crack at it. In the years to come, I realised that dream with players such as David Sole and Rob Wainwright on the opposition although I was never brave enough to risk my scrawny frame and tackle them.

Rugby aside, my recollections of a Perthshire education are fond and varied. I know that we will have been taught well but I am rather ashamed that the majority of my memories involve being outside. That said, J.D Wright’s Latin lessons were a definite highlight interspersed ith updates on the fortunes of St Johnstone FC. Equally, English with Paddy Watson was a therapeutic experience with classical music playing gently in the background as his model train chuffed around the perimeter of the classroom.

Elsewhere and at other times of year, I was privileged to play cricket on the one of the most spectacular pitches in the country with its slightly curved pavilion and far reaching views. We sailed with our housemaster, the late Charlie Shiffner (one of the most patient of men), on the west coast and in January and February, ‘ski days’ would see the whole school head for Glenshee. I could not believe the school stopped to ski! Saturday afternoons without

matches involved cycling around the lanes with a few tins of beans to cook and a few refreshments to enjoy in the local woods and, come rain or shine, the lilting sound of the bagpipes would drift across the quad. er the course of my fi e years at oll I feel I enjoyed a childhood of a special kind. These were, of course, the days before mobiles and social media but teenagers have always had a certain ‘something’ about them and the non-stop nature of school life left only small pockets of time for us to be a pest. In the years when reliance on parents gives way to reliance on friends and social circle, we were glued together in a tight-knit community, bound by a common spirit and collective energy. We also enjoyed a varied experience, something that rings true today

both in prep and senior schools. Academic challenge and curiosity are vitally important for a successful future but lessons learned on expeditions, tours and trips develop a wider appreciation of what the world is all about, what it has to offer and where young people might find their opportunity to ma e a difference in the future. In this sense, many things haven’t changed.

We still gather in Aysgarth chapel every day to renew the sense of community that we value so much before we set off on another round of learning, success and failure, thought and action. It was no different at Glenalmond, the simply stunning chapel providing both moments of rare peace and spine tingling hymn singing to raise the roof. Our communities develop in us the skills required to live and work together, to know the strengths and weaknesses of others and to celebrate the former and choose not to exploit the latter.

They teach us to embrace being busy, to be interested and to care. They encourage us to rise to challenges and to seek both individual and collective success. All lessons that stand the test of time, even if the beds are more comfortable, the dorms slightly less draughty and, sadly, last orders has been called at The Drum.

For further information visit www.aysgarthschool.com or email admissions@aysgarthschool.co.uk

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Glenalmond College; Glenalmond College Pipe Band; Mr Anderson celebrating a small success with a pupil at Aysgarth; 10% of the boys at Aysgarth School have Bagpipe lessons

HOMES & GARDENS

The best of interiors, gardens and arts

Heart of gold

The impressive array of colours at Portmore Gardens in the Scottish Borders as summer fades to autumn make an impression on Antoinette Galbraith

PHOTOGRAPHY RAY COX

RED, GOLD AND GREEN: The water garden planting at Portmore is a masterclass of colour, texture and form.

Gardens – Portmore House

Striking at any time of the year, Portmore, David and Chrissie Reid’s Peeblesshire home, takes on a new dimension in autumn when the trees, hedges and shrubs planted over the past four decades glow scarlet, yellow and gold. Acer foliage turns orange, sorbus are laden with scarlet, pink and berries and ruby coloured hips hang like jewels on rose branches

Such a scene would have been impossible to imagine forty-odd years ago when the Reids moved to Portmore and Chrissie threw herself into creating what at that time was to be a ‘high summer garden’. e setting was magnificent; the 800 high site identified by the architect David Bryce in the mid-1800s boasts commanding views over the Peebleshire countryside and as far as the Eildon Hills to the east.

ABOVE: Attention to detail is key. Here, ferns, primula seed heads and scarlet euonymus foliage combine happily.

RIGHT: The formal parterre tucked into a corner of the house offers a contrast to the exuberant autumn colour found elsewhere.

It was these remarkable views that Chrissie determined to set at the heart of her plans for the garden, which was to merge seamlessly into the surrounding rural estate while taking account of the climate. Trees planted over 200 years ago by Colin Mackenzie, son of the original owners, filter strong winds but there was need for more.

Work first started in the one and a half acre walled garden, ‘the only rabbit and deer free zone’, where the trees had long since pushed through the glasshouse roof, the grass was ‘waisthigh’ and the walls were crumbling. Repairs done, she designed a formal layout of generous summer borders which are backed with yew hedges punctuated by yew and box topiary combined with variegated holly, Ilex aquifolium ‘Golden van Tol’ and ‘JC

van Tol’. e latter grows in shrub and topiary form.

Next Chrissie, working in partnership with long term headgardener Ken Kennedy, introduced a Victorian-style walk which starts at the front of the house. e first stop is at the area where ‘Victorian ladies drank tea, while looking down into the walled garden’ and where, in a reminder that this garden is always at the heart of family life, she recently set up swings and a climbing frame for her grandchildren.

e Walk leads to the water garden, sited on the west-facing slope above the walled garden. It is a rich autumnal tapestry of clarets, yellows and reds. Stone-edged burns tumble down the hill filling three pools and paths wind around the hill.

Top tips

FOR A YEAR-ROUND GARDEN

• ‘The point of Portmore is the view,’ Chrissie says. Consider shelter but choose trees that won’t block the view in 50 years’ time.

• ‘Study your conditions and choose appropriate plants. This is the only practical option. Once I understood that we had far few deaths than at the start.’

• Winter is long at Portmore but the introduction of painted woodwork in the in the Walled Garden adds a blast of year round colour.

• Some of the obelisks in the ‘Pick and Eat’ potager corner are painted oxblood red, a colour well suited to the soft Scottish light. On the opposite side of the garden a row of elegant, 18thcentury style fruit cages with cupola-shaped roofs are also painted oxblood red.

• There are blue painted wooden obelisks and pergolas.

• Some box shapes damaged by blight have been replaced by Sarcococca.

• In autumn daffodils are planted in their thousands at Portmore below the trees on the drive as it winds up the hill and in open, grassy spaces.

• Bulk purchases from Peter Nyssen have worked well. Pale, soft creamy Narcissus ‘Ice Follies’ is a special favourite. Just 40cm tall it is relatively wind resistant.

‘ e water garden is a rich autumnal tapestry of clarets, yellows and reds’

OLD AND THE NEW: The majestic canopy of mature trees soar above Chrissie Reid’s recent plantings. BELOW: Pergolas in the walled garden.

Winner of Best of Houzz Award for Client Satisfaction 2015 – 2023

FROM TOP: The stone-edged burn is softened with a clever palate of naturalistic plantings; Portmore House in a blaze of warm autumn colour.

Colin Mackenzie’s majestic, nearly 200-year-old Douglas firs, western hemlock and beech form a magnificent backdrop for Chrissie’s introductions of amelanchier, silver birch, acers, scarlet hamamelis, and creamy hydrangeas. Amelanchier is a particular favourite, Chrissie explains: ‘You get two bites of the cherry, spring blossom and autumn foliage.’ Azaleas also work hard, o ering up flowers in spring and coloured foliage in autumn: her favourites are fragrant azalea ‘luteum’ and creamy ‘Persil.’ ree years ago Chrissie and Ken Kennedy ‘got to grips with replanting a final new area’ with azaleas, species rhododendrons and acers connecting the water garden to the back of the house. e walk takes you across an open lawn, past a magnificent cercidiphyllum japonicum towards the birch plantation, which is golden in autumn, completing the tour with a

‘You get two bites of the cherry, spring blossom and autumn foliage’

Gardens – Portmore House

view down onto the back of the house with its a formal, rectangular pond. A final surprise is the box parterre tucked into a corner of the house, the green box a fresh contrast with the stone house walls.

Pointing out that she had no gardening experience at the outset and did not get fully immersed into gardening until her children were teenagers, Chrissie says: ‘All I had done was grow plants in pots in Hong Kong. I learned the hard way. Most books and magazines target a more southern readership recommending plants which do not always thrive in this particular part of Scotland, especially not at a height of 800 metres.

‘Peeblesshire has a rather unique climate. Once I fully understood this and planted accordingly there were far fewer deaths in the garden. You have to put one plant in and let it flourish before adding more.’

Field facts

Portmore House. Eddleston, Peebles, EH45 8QU

Portmore Gardens opens under Scotland’s Gardens in July and August on Wednesday afternoons or for private visits June to August. Please check the website. scotlandsgardens.org or portmoregardens. co.uk

FROM TOP: Dramatic view lifts your eye over the pond to the distant golden-leaved acer; claret-coloured deciduous azalea foliage strikes a glorious note.

Award-winning studio based in Edinburgh. Passionate about creating beautiful, timeless interiors, we exceed expectations with bespoke designs that reflect your style and personality, creating interiors that stand the test of time.

07718 916 553 info@janeperfectinteriors.com www.janeperfectinteriors.com

Readers’ gardens

With SF’s readers’ gardens under attack from aphids, leaf-cutting bees, voles, slugs and disease, Fiona Leith has her work cut out to keep the pests at bay this month

We inherited a large Acer when we moved last year. We’ve had scale insects and aphids, which we’ve blasted with water. We’ve also encouraged birds with a feeder, and have mulched a metre round the trunk. ere was a large branch which was dead and we removed it to avoid sap leakage. Is there anything else we could do? It was magnificent.

Karen Vaughan, Kingussie

If I was your Acer, I’d be feeling pretty hard done by, yet triumphant that I had made it to this end of the year. Scale insects and aphids are all-too-common pests for Japanese maple trees, and if we’re going to save this soldier, it’s now time for you to activate ‘Project Vigour’. Make sure that your beloved tree is growing in moist but well-drained soil. You don’t say what species you have, but Acers love humus-rich soil and are majoritively deciduous, therefore they provide their own source of humus in the leaves they shed every autumn. is year’s fallen leaves are not this year’s leaf mould however, so collect them into their own cage bins for the years to come.

I was given a rose last year and it doesn’t seem to be doing well. I have fed it and I pruned it in spring, but its leaves are being eaten by something.

Mary Waugh, Dumfriesshire

e pursuit of the perfect rose is sent to try us humble gardeners, Mary, but it is a truly worthy one. ank you for including a photo of your rose, as it has helped me easily identify the issue. What your rose leaves have lost, the nests of leaf-cutting bees have gained. ese pollinators are harmless to your plant and an asset to the richness of any garden, so my advice is to see their cut-out-and-keep behaviour as a compliment rather than a curse.

I have had two healthy wisterias chewed through at ground level. I also have a young apple tree stripped of bark from within its tube. Could this be voles and what would deter them? John Cassie, Stirling

Without setting up a wildlife cam worthy of Chris Packham, it can be tricky to identify the

gnashers behind the nibbling of our plants, but a vole could certainly be the culprit here. For the winter prune, you might want to be methodical but sti -lipped about a more drastic reduction in a ected branches. As for your apple tree, if the pest has come through a tube then it’s time to get your apothecarist’s hat on and consider crushing any of the following into a water spray for the trunk – cayenne powder, garlic or chilli pepper.

Some of our older rhododendrons are really under the weather and seem to have some disease. ey were challenged by the hot weather in early summer. How can I bring them back and stave o any disease?

Micky Findlay, Carnell Estate, South Ayrshire e clear evidence of climate change was impossible to miss in our gardens this year, and it sounds as though heat and drought have perhaps resulted in failing buds and small flowers in your plants. It may do so again next year if there was a chronic water shortage for a long period. Show your rhododendrons some mulch love this winter by adding plenty of compost and organic material to their soil –you’ll help the plant retain a water reserve for its roots come summer. A healthy, well watered plant is a disease resistant one.

What is a good organic (non-chemical) slug repellent – do e shells really work? Bill Smith, Johnshaven I’ve had success with e shells, yes, but they are a short-lived option on the ground. Alternatives include getting yourself a duck, installing beer traps at the edge of your borders or – my personal favourite – a slug and snail patrol round the garden at dusk, with an optional glass of wine for equilibrium.

Fiona Leith is a qualified horticulturalist, writer and communications officer at NatureScot. Please email your gardening-related questions, including your name and the area where you live, to editor@scottishfield.co.uk

Fiona Leith

The latest green- ngered news from around Scotland

japonicum, native to the cooler streamside forests in Japan and western China. The heart-shaped leaves can turn yellow, or in the more acidic soils found in Scotland, spectacular oranges or reds. Its common name refers to a type of sweet sold in the mountains of rural Japan where the tree grows and re ects the wonderful ephemeral aroma of burnt sugar or candy oss that surrounds the tree just before and as the leaves begin to fall. In cultivation in Scotland, it prefers a moist well-drained location, preferably sheltered from the early morning sun. It’s hardy in all parts of Scotland, but the new bronze tinted leaves can be susceptible to late spring frosts. Plant your Cercidiphyllum japonicum while it is dormant, if possible, and ideally in autumn so it can start to establish well before the growing season. During the rst year, keep the tree watered during dry spells until it has established. Thereafter, little care is needed.

DAVID KNOTT Curator of the Living Collection, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

HORTICULTURAL HEROES TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION

The next generation of heritage gardeners are being trained at one of the only schools in Scotland teaching the skills. The School of Heritage Gardening at Threave Garden in Dumfries and Galloway, which is owned by National Trust for Scotland, was ust a field when it opened in . ut o er the last years it has been de eloped into a stunning garden. Fi e trainees a year are accepted onto the year-long course. www.nts.org.uk

Roses in bloom

TOM’S HIDDEN GARDEN

Tucked away behind a 1950s semi-detached house in Bonnybridge lies Tom Williamson’s hidden garden. Over the last 12 years Tom has transformed the space around his home into a garden, packed with 600 plants across three ‘rooms’.  e garden is made up of non-native plants to attract wildlife and Tom opens it to the public to raise money for charity. www.facebook.com/groups/737513943419203

A new rose garden at Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire, has been opened a er more than a decade of planning, reconstruction work and planting. It has been described as a ‘renaissance’ of the rose garden, one of eight ‘rooms’ in the castle’s internationally known walled garden. roughout the new garden are elements from the history of Crathes Castle, which dates back to the sixteenth century. www.nts.org.uk

COMING UP ROSES

Looking to add another string to her bow, Rosie Morton meets uli i k ou de o i hl d owe school ild o se tudio to le the art of hand-tied bouquets

y flower arranging experience is somewhat limited – and that is putting it politely.

It largely extends to plonking a bunch of da s on the windowsill, or (if I’m feeling adventurous) throwing eucalyptus haphazardly into a vase with peonies. She may not have known it, but Julia Kirk – founder of Highland flower school Wild Gorse Studio – had her work cut out when I arrived on her doorstep.

Mthan 25 years’ experience – was keen to guide me. As I stood ogling the blooms like a child in a sweet shop, Julia cherry-picked some timeless favourites:

‘We’ve got beautiful peonies, because May is peonie season; tulips which have all been grown from our cutting garden; as have the bluebells; and aquilegia, otherwise known as granny’s bonnet,’ begins Julia, floating across the room to pluck stems from their baths.

ABOVE: May-time owers waiting to be arranged, including three peonies, ve bellapoke tulips, three white tulips, seven bluebells, veaqualligia, sevenalchemilla mollis, sevengypsophila and seven nigella.

Back in May, I walked into her heavenly flower design studio on Belladrum Estate with my floristry ‘L’-plates firmly in place. Adorning an entire bench table, which stood against an exposed brick wall, were buckets full of pale pinks, lemons, violets and lime greens – smiling, seasonal flowers waiting to be arranged into a hand-tied bouquet by yours truly.

ankfully, Julia – who is a professional floristry teacher with more

‘ en there’s alchemilla mollis which I love it for its fresh acidic greens; pink gypsophila which gives you a lovely airy, garden feel; and nigella, otherwise known as love in a mist.’

e blooms already seemed to fall artistically in her hands, but she quickly separated them onto the worktop in front of us. ‘First, it’s very important that we strip the stems,’ she says, taking away any leaves that would sit below the waterline. ‘ at’s eliminating any resistance as we are building the spiral in our hands, but also on a practical level we don’t want to have any nooks and crannies where bacteria can breed.’

TOP RIGHT: Julia and Rosie show off their handiwork. BOTTOM RIGHT: As well as regular community classes, Julia runs a six-month professional oristry course.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANGUS BLACKBURN

|

‘As I stood ogling the blooms like a child in a sweet shop, Julia cherry-picked some timeless favourites |

Cairdean House, Colinton

Lauder Lodge, Portobello

Murrayside, Corstophine

is ‘spiral’ of stems in a bouquet is a top floristry hack not only because it makes it easy to adjust each stem as you build the bouquet, but also because it is pleasing to the eye. ‘It’s to do with the Fibonacci Sequence,’ says Julia, explaining that the idea is to replicate what you see occurring naturally in the wild.

Next, Julia taught me the ‘tap’ technique – a useful trick for rookies like me. Holding one flower in your dominant hand, take the next stem in your other hand and ‘tap’ it on your shoulder at a 45° angle. en, bring it down to the bouquet and twist the stems together. ‘It’s positioning the flower in the direction that it needs to go,’ explains Julia. ‘You continue to build this up until you get a consistent, strong spiral, with every addition being added at the same point.’ e seasonal bouquet began to take shape. Essentially, the aim was to first add the small filler flowers (like gypsophila) to create height, then radiate down and around with the larger woody-stemmed florals which add support. As my grip tightened around the ever-growing bouquet, Julia assured me that trusting your intuition is key in the artistic process.

‘With any of my students, I can walk into a room and pick

out who did what,’ she says. ‘ at’s what I’m trying to get people to learn – to develop their signature style. ey’re not coming here to become another Julia, they’re coming here to explore their own voice through flowers.’

With that, I forged ahead with my chosen ‘signature style’ – unruly and most definitely imperfect. Noting the concentration etched on my face, Julia o ered me another top tip. ‘We will start to do a lot of shoulder rolling, relaxing and breathing as we work because we want our hand to remain light, loose and fluid. e amount of

FROM TOP: Julia shows Rosie the ‘tap’ technique (where you take a stem to your shoulder, then bring it down to the bouquet at a 45° angle) which helps with the placement of each stem and creates a spiral effect; trimming the stems.

‘ e idea is to replicate what you see occurring naturally in the wild’

Gardens – Wild Gorse Flower School

tension we have in our hand will be reflected in our finished design.’

Julia took the reins from here and started to ‘edit’ my bouquet, pulling a few stems higher or lower, as well as pulling out some of the alchemilla mollis to keep the bouquet from feeling congested. She trimmed the stems at an angle (to maximise the surface area for water to be carried up the stem), and set about tying them together with hessian twine.

‘When I was training in the 90s, it was considered bouji to say, “ ese are imported orchids – it’s the height of luxury”. But at Wild Gorse Studio we’re really trying to say that a locally grown, seasonal flower – that should be the height of luxury.’

As well as using flowers from Wild Gorse Studio’s cutting garden in Muir of Ord (which is just a 15-minute drive from the studio), Julia uses blooms from carefully selected growers who place sustainability and seasonality at the fore. She also avoids using any products that are damaging to the environment, including single-use plastics and floral foam.

On top of running a six-month professional floristry course and ‘community courses’ throughout the year (which range from hand-tied bouquets and harvest arrangements to meadow boxes and flower crowns), Julia and her team work on bespoke commissions for weddings and events. ey have even worked for high-net worth individuals and a few famous faces.

‘I’ve shot flowers out of a Russian Red Army tank,’ laughs Julia, speaking of her most unusual flower installation which she made for a local music festival. ‘I just thought, let’s take a large item of violence and war and spew love and flowers out from it. I think that was one of my favourite projects.’

Julia handed me the finished bouquet, wrapped in brown paper and placed in a beautiful glass jar. ‘ ey are absolutely stunning. I always love all one type of flower in a vase, but this is a perfect seasonal gi bouquet.’ Julia may have been too polite to tell me otherwise, but I hoped this meant I had finally upgraded my floristry skills to ‘P’-plate status.

Flower School

wild-gorse.co.uk

Unearth your creativity and embrace the wild in the beautiful surroundings of the Wild Gorse ower studio on Belladrum Estate. Upcoming courses include a ‘Harvest Arrangement’ class (5 October) & a ‘Botanical Bell Jar’ class (9 November).

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Chloe joined the Wild Gorse Studio team after graduating from Julia’s professional oristry course in 2021; the Wild Gorse team installing a beautiful display; the ultimate seasonal bouquet.

TOP RIGHT: ROSIE WOODHOUSE.

A HOUSE OF

MANY FACES

Sir James Hutchison breathed new life into his family home, Broich House, with a tot l keo e fi ds Nichola Hunter

PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT PERRY

Broich House near Kippen has been chopped and changed several times since it was built, but its latest reconfiguration looks to be its most impressive one yet.

e current owner of Broich House is the third baronet of Rossie, Sir James Hutchison. e house has been lived in by his family for over a hundred years, and it had grand beginnings. Archibald Colville, James’ maternal great-grandfather, ran David Colville & Sons, which was the largest steelworks in Scotland in the 1900s, and his wife Jean was said to be the first person to host ‘cocktail parties’ in Scotland. She commissioned Fortnum & Mason to entertain her guests and the Fortnum & Mason carriage would be delivered from the overnight train from London to Stirling Station where a horsedrawn carriage would bring the supplies to the big house.

Despite its glamorous beginnings, by the time James took the house over in 2019 it was beginning to show its age. ‘It was my parent’s family home,’ he explains. ‘And while it was still functioning, it was typical of a home that had been lived in for 30 years by a couple who were now elderly. It was tired.’

For James it posed a huge dilemma. While he didn’t want to live at Broich on

PREVIOUS PAGE: The drawing room has gently been brought into the 21st century while still retaining original features.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Sir James Hutchison with his dog, Tuffet; the kitchen has been relocated closer to the dining room; beautiful views over the grounds provide inspiration for letter writers; the original kitchen has been transformed into a snug and library.

‘A horse-drawn carriage would bring supplies to the big house’

a permanent basis, he didn’t want to let it go either. ‘I didn’t want to sell it for several reasons, mainly around the family history. My father was a keen gardener, I’m a garden designer and he’d planted many unusual plants. ere was also the issue that the house sits in the middle of agricultural land which I own and if I sold the house, I’d have a circle in the middle that was no longer mine which could pose access issues.’

By 2020 James had come to a decision that he hoped would allow him to spend some time at Broich House himself and keep and maintain it. ‘I decided letting the property for exclusive use was the most risk-free

solution, but it was going to need a lot of work to get to that stage.’

James looked at getting the basics right first, fitting double glazed windows and installing a biomass boiler that is heated with wood managed and felled on the estate. en he enlisted the help of the house manager Debby McGregor and two interior designers, Sally Homan from Robertson Lindsay and Rebecca de Courcy-Ireland from Studio RHD.

‘We gutted the place. We li ed all the floors and found there had been subsidence in the principal bedroom and then we looked at the layout which was insane. When it was built it was a

LEFT: The principle bedroom has been tastefully redecorated.

BELOW: The impressive exterior of the house.

BOTTOM: There’s plenty of room for the Christmas tree in the split level entrance hall thanks to the addition of a rise and fall chandelier.

‘We li ed all the floors and found there had been subsidence in the principal bedroom’

Pat Renson Interiors specialises in creating functional and timeless interiors, putting clients’ unique requirements and project specifics first.

Our expertise ranges from furnishing show homes to restoring Grade II listed buildings and providing complete interior design services for large residential and commercial projects. Through years of experience, we have refined our process to deliver an efficient yet thorough design experience. e: info@patrenson.com t: 01312851085 www.patrenson.com

classic symmetrical Georgian house, but it was extended in Victorian times and the entrance relocated. en part of it was knocked down so it has been chopped and changed a lot.

‘Two of the bedrooms could only be accessed by walking through another bedroom. e bathroom was beyond the second bedroom so people in the first bedroom had to go through the second bedroom to get to the bathroom. And the dining room was too far away from the kitchen as you had to go through the sitting room and a hallway – if you forgot the salt, it was a five-minute walk.’

As James knew he was going to have the expense of knocking down walls and would have to completely recarpet and redecorate anyway, his only decision was to what level did he take the house? ‘ e cost of making it high-end luxury rather than nice wasn’t that big of a reach. e bulk of the cost was in joinery work and pressurising the water system because previously there were no bathrooms in the attic.’

Today, the 1980s pine veneer kitchen with its sky-blue lino

Top tips...

THINKING OF REFURBISHING?

• In a house like this you must consider things like the wooden replaces and staircases, so it’s worth researching re regulations and speaking to building control before you do any of the cosmetic stuff.

• Do all the practical things, like deciding where you’re going to put light ttings, switches and sockets, before you start refurbishing.

• Get the experts in. I say this from my experience as a garden designer; everyone thinks they’re an expert. Unless you’re actually an interior designer, get help. They know all the pitfalls to look out for. They’re not cheap but they help avoid expensive mistakes and they’re worth it.

floor, bright blue B&Q wallpaper and yellow curtains has been transformed into a stylish, traditional snug complete with distressed oak panelling. ere are now two, incredibly well-equipped kitchens with easy access to the 14-seater dining room and six of the seven double bedrooms now have en suites.

e Orangery has been given a new lease of life as a second dining area with a stunning table which James sourced from Morocco and there have been a few mod cons added to make the house function better for guests.

A li has been installed to take guests from their parking space at the back door to the first floor and a small laundry room has been added on the first floor as well. Taking even the smallest detail into account, James purchased a remote controlled, rise and fall chandelier for the entrance hallway to ensure that the house always has room for a very impressive Christmas tree during the festive season.

Carrying on his father’s legacy, James has paid more than due diligence

ABOVE: The aptly named ‘copper bathroom’. BELOW: Quirky wallpaper brightens up the cloakroom WC on the ground oor.

to the grounds and garden and his new additions give Broich House a unique selling point. ‘ e walled garden is a beautiful place in which to relax and we’ve brought in everything one needs to be able to spend an entire day up there without returning to the house.

‘Along with plenty of comfortable seating in and out of the sun, we’ve added a fully equipped kitchen, hot tub, toilet and shower. By building a pump house, we can use water from the river which we’ve filtered, sterilised and pressurised. You really can live up there all day in the summer.’

e renovations have taken almost two years and the house opened to guests last autumn. ‘I took a gamble on doing this, but I stay here o en and when I invite friends to visit, I ask them not to bring me a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates. e best favour they can do me is sleep in the bedrooms, use the bathrooms and tell me anything that’s wrong. I want everything to be exactly right.’

ABOVE: The dining table in the orangery was sourced from Morocco and it’s a wonderful room in which to dine in the summer. LEFT: With the addition of a kitchen, WC, hot tub and shower, guests can now spend an entire day in the walled garden without having to return to the house.

Exclusively yours...

To book a stay at Broich House visit broichhouse.co.uk

‘ e walled garden is a beautiful place in which to relax’

Interiors – Broich House

LIFESTYLE

Casting an eye over the latest news from luxury interiors, wardrobes, and travel

SUSTAINABLE FASHION BRAND OPENS SHOP IN EDINBURGH

Fashion brand Scamp & Dude is launching its second UK store. Opening in the St James Quarter, Edinburgh in September it will showcase the brand’s collection of sustainable womenswear, charity items and kids’ collection. Scamp & Dude’s charitable e orts will continue within the store, including for every scarf sold, another being donated to a woman with cancer. So far, the brand has donated more than 22,000 scarves. www.scampanddude.com

THE CRUSOE ON TOP

The Crusoe in Lower Largo, Fife, has been awarded AA Guest Accommodation of the Year for Scotland. Lower Largo is the birthplace of Alexander Selkirk, the real-life pirate and desert island explorer who was the inspiration for Daniel Defoe to pen Robinson Crusoe in 1719. Rachel and Graham Bucknall took over the hotel, which has seven bedrooms, in 2021. www.thecrusoe.com

the shortlisted houses for the 2023 Saltire Housing Design Award. e award encourages a ordable and environmentally sustainable housing. www.saltiresociety.org.uk

Campbell transformed an ex-council house into his dream home. He bought the Kirkintilloch flat for £80,000 but it’s now worth £130,000 a er renovations. www.hokodesign.com

GLASGOW TALISMAN

Dower & Hall jewellers have launched the new Glasgow Flourish Talisman, which celebrates the brand’s connection to the city. The sterling silver talisman necklace features the iconic symbols of the Glasgow coat of arms – a tree, a bird, a bell and a fish with a ring in its mouth. The tree element of the necklace can be engraved on the reverse. Each element relates to one of the famous miracles performed by St. Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow whose stories have been told since the 13th century. www.dowerandhall.com

SET SAIL IN LUXURY

Barrhead Travel has climbed on board with Virgin Voyages to bring customers a range of luxury cruises. With four state of the art ships, Virgin Voyages offers adultonly holidays from Barcelona, to Ibiza, to Santorini. On board there is sunrise yoga, boxing, a cycling studio and bungee workouts while food lovers can indulge in more than 20 eateries with menus curated by Michelin star chefs.

www.barrheadtravel.co.uk

DESIGNER INSIGHT

Scottish designers share their ideas

JEFFREYS DUNKELD

Located in an old church, Jeffreys in Dunkeld is the perfect mix of quirky, vintage and vibrant. The small and friendly team pride themselves on providing the best customer service, offering you their expertise in a unique emporium of home furnishings and accessories, where you will find everything from classic staples to those pieces you never knew you needed.

Tel: 01350 697222

jeffreys-dunkeld.co.uk

JML GARDEN ROOMS

JML Garden Rooms is an award-winning, long established family run business based in Perthshire. Their modern, traditional and bespoke luxury garden rooms are well insulated and built to last using energy efficient structural insulated panels (SIPs). They are built using the finest materials, quick to erect with minimal running costs and perfect for year-round use.

Tel: 01764 663668

jmlgardenrooms.co.uk

VIDACO: INTERIOR SPECIALIST

It’s important to recognise and respect that every project is an individual. Whilst their dedicated team will guide you through the myriad of possibilities, Vidaco think it’s pivotal to the success of any creation that the clients own style is allowed to shine through. By showcasing a seamless balance between personality and function, you can pinpoint what is truly needing to be achieved; emphasising features that will be naturally adored for decades.

Tel: 01592 774474

vidaco.co.uk

JANE PERFECT INTERIORS

Experience the epitome of timeless elegance with their bespoke residential interior design services. Their small team of skilled professionals excels in creating spaces that reflect your unique style and personality. From full renovations to refining several rooms, each project is a tailored masterpiece, harmonising beauty and functionality. Their 5-star reviews attest to their commitment to exceeding expectations and their ability to craft stunning, functional, and seamlessly balanced spaces which stand the test of time.

Tel: 07718 916553

janeperfectinteriors.com

BAIGALI

Scottish fabrics are at the heart of Baigali Designs. Lesley brings her passion for quality, texture, and vibrant colour fusions into her designs. Be brave and choose bright colours that pop on cold winter days. A well-designed cushion should make you smile. Don’t underestimate the importance of texture and that lovely feel of soft, natural wool. Scottish tweeds can bring the colours of Scotland into your home and last a lifetime. Lesley sources her fabrics from Scottish weavers and welcomes commissions.

Tel: 07941 306878

baigalidesigns.com

JULIA GRANT INTERIORS

Julia Grant Interiors is an award-winning Scotland-based design studio specialising in luxury interiors throughout the UK and overseas for private clients and developers. Led by Julia Grant with over two decades in the industry their experienced team of talented interior architectural designers provide a personalised service creating luxury interiors with great attention to detail and to suit their context. Whether its is a traditional Victorian property or a new build contemporary build their designs suit the clients needs and stand the test of time

Tel: 07583 049556

juliagrantinteriors.co.uk

PAT RENSON INTERIORS

Established in 2005 and situated in Edinburgh, Pat Renson Interiors boasts a small yet dedicated team who specialise in catering to the needs of both residential and commercial clients, nationally and internationally. With a keen eye for detail and vast experience of delivering contemporary and traditional styles, the team is dedicated to creating truly beautiful and functional spaces that stand the test of time and exceed their clients’ expectations.

Tel: 0131 285 1085

patrenson.com

THE ORIGINAL CHAIR COMPANY

The Original Chair Company specialises in fine upholstery and interior decorating. Operating from a large, inspiring showroom and fabric studio, they craft custom upholstered furniture to create elegant, lived-in homes that reflect the client’s individual style and personality. Their interior design services and fully customisable signature pieces help clients weave a story into every room, making a unique home that is functional and beautiful. Each project is personal, and they aim to turn your passions and personal history into beautiful, stylish rooms that sit comfortably in your home for many years to come.

Tel: 01738 551600

theoriginalchaircompany.co.uk

CALLUM WALKER INTERIORS

The key to good design for fitted interiors such as kitchens, dressing rooms, etc. always starts with functionality. It has to work for the owner and be an enjoyable space to use when carrying out dayto-day tasks. This is the starting point at Callum Walker Interiors. Thereafter, they have the pleasure of working with some truly beautiful products from furniture to accessories and lighting.

Tel: 01738 638822

callumwalker.com

SPECTRAGLASS

Spectraglass has continued to invest in the latest glass processing technology in order to remain at the forefront of manufactured precision glass products. Their cleverly engineered water jetting system allows them to perform complex profiles and cutting operations on a large range of materials both quickly and accurately. Pictured is a glass wall designed by Spectraglass Ltd. Used instead of steel sheeting it provides a better look and natural light into an otherwise boring fire escape and also blends in well with glass balustrading.

Tel: 01738 638358

spectraglass.com

EMMA CROSS

Emma Cross is an interior designer based in East Lothian. She has recently opened a new design studio in Gullane. Emma’s work is a combination of residential and commercial projects across Scotland – she specialises in whole house renovations where she works closely with the whole team from concept to completion.

Tel: 01620 849005

emmacrossinteriors.com

EDINBURGH TABLE COMPANY

The Quair Table by Edinburgh Table Company. Handmade in the Borders using locally sourced timber. The Edinburgh Table Company are fortunate enough to be able to source all of their oak, ash, sycamore, pine and beech from a tree surgeon just a few miles from them in the Yarrow Valley. The handmade steel pedestal base is ideal for both built in seating and to maximise place settings.

From £995. Tel: 01750 725870 edinburghtablecompany.co.uk

SKYESKYNS

A great tip to introduce texture to a minimalist interior is to work with tone on tone. The pale-coloured sheepskin throw immediately injects a different feel into a space such as this stunning seating area without detracting from the overall design scheme or feeling too seasonal. Sheepskin can make a very soft and classic style statement in a contemporary interior. Add natural matching sheepskin accessories, such as pouffes or cushions for complete the look. Take a look at their website for some inspiration

Tel: 01470 592237

skyeskyns.co.uk

BLACKHOUSE

With today’s throw away culture, Blackhouse are proud to present their own ethos. They combine the tradition of uniquely characteristic and distinctive patterns of Harris Tweed fabrics, with adventurous and contemporary design, to create a timeless, durable, warm and stylish luxury living range. Extoling all the qualities and virtues of a unique 21st-century fabric, their Harris Tweed designs are lovingly woven with a deep sense of Scottish heritage and pride, a pride felt in every single piece by their artisan craftsmen

Tel: 01577 898010

blackhouse.co.uk

TWO’S COMPANY

With an extensive background in hospitality, marketing and property development the leap into interior design was one that Sarah tackled with professionalism and ease. Her hotel experience brings a confidence to know what furniture and colour will work well in big or awkward spaces and her qualifications and love for interior design ensures your property will always have the wow factor, whether traditional or contemporary.

Tel: 07449 814667

twoscompanyinteriors.co.uk

STORM WINDOWS

Reap the rewards of modern glazing with a warmer, quieter and more energy efficient home whilst preserving the character of your original feature windows. Storm Windows craftsmen are trusted by conservationists, architects and homeowners across the UK to create and install custom-made secondary glazing for historic houses, period and listed properties. Their glazing eliminates draughts and improves thermal efficiency, provides acoustic protection from outside noise and is virtually invisible.

Tel: 01384 636365

stormwindows.co.uk

A BRILLIANT FIND

It was a stroke of luck for Torty Cocks and Kurt Larson when Ardoch i este oss c e o the ket s it llowed the to ulfil thei Highland dream at last, says Richard Bath

PHOTOGRAPHY ANGUS BLACKBURN

When in 2013 Torty Cocks and Kurt Larson got a call from Torty’s mother, Carol, telling them that she and her partner Alastair Baxter had decided to sell their house in the picturesque Wester Ross village of Achintraid, it was all systems go. Torty and Kurt just knew that this was a one-time-only stroke of good fortune that would allow them to buy Ardoch, which had been a home-from-home for much of Torty’s adult life.

‘We were renting a lovely little garden house outside Edinburgh at the time, but Kurt had just spent 26 years living in the Highlands and was stru ling to come to terms with being around so many people and so little woodland,’ laughs Torty. ‘We were actively talking about buying a property together, and while Kurt was dreaming of moving back to the West Highlands, I was pretty happy with life in the Lothians but hadn’t ruled out moving north.

‘So when the chance to buy Ardoch came up, we jumped at it. e house is such a special place to me, there’s

a magic to it – it sounds silly but it felt like my soul was here. My mother is an artist and chose it because the light is amazing and the views are stunning.

‘For the twenty years that my mother and Alastair owned it, I thought it was heaven on earth, so the chance to buy it was more than I’d ever dared hope for. Kurt was also incredibly keen, not least because the house came with 200 acres of woodland. My mother and Alastair were also building a house next door to Ardoch, so there was the added incentive of being near to them as they got older.’

It was as if the stars had aligned, with Torty and Kurt continuing to rent in Midlothian so that Carol and Alastair were able to stay at Ardoch until the build on their new house next door had been completed. at was a really useful hiatus in which to consider what they were going to do with the six-bedroomed Victorian house when they eventually got the keys in 2015.

LEFT: The bright exterior of Ardoch. RIGHT: Ardoch had been a home-fromhome for Torty throughout her adult life.

‘I knew Ardoch and loved the house, but even though I’d stayed there for weeks, and sometimes months at a time, it’s never quite the same as owning it and having to deal with all its little foibles,’ says Torty. ‘ ere was a huge amount of potential but I also wanted to preserve some sense of continuity so we decided that when we moved in we’d restore the skirting boards and paint the place – we chose Farrow & Ball o -white for the whole interior – but that we would give ourselves a year’s grace before we started to make any huge changes. In any case, there are so few builders in this part of the world that if you want to do anything you

‘ e house was designed so that almost every room has views straight out to sea’

need to book them in at least a year in advance.

‘ e two exceptions to that slowlyslowly approach were the windows – we had all 36 sash windows replaced so that they opened – and the heating. Kurt insulated everything that he could, especially the exterior walls and the roof, and he also installed a whole range of heating options. is included new wood burning stoves in the sitting room and the drawing room, air source heat pumps, underfloor heating, and a huge biomass boiler we call Big Bertha which we power from our own woodland.’

Torty also got to grips with the exterior of the property, painting the

outside with specialist mineral paint to withstand the extreme West Coast weather. She also turned her attention to the beautiful walled garden her mother had built from scratch from a tangle of overgrown weeds. Carol was a dedicated plantswoman, and it soon became clear just how much work it would take to maintain her creation. Kurt, ever practical, built some raised beds to make a kitchen garden where he grows vegetables and herbs for the house.

Inside Ardoch the good sense of a wait-and-see strategy became increasingly apparent. For a start, there were the views. e house was designed

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Torty and Kurt with their dog Twig; the kitchen boasts the best views; every room was painted in Farrow & Ball’s off-white.

so that almost every room has views straight out to sea and across to the Cuillins on Skye, but as they got used to which rooms were light at what time of the day, their plans evolved. Torty also found that when they weren’t working they virtually lived in the kitchen, which has the best light and the best views of all, plus an Aga for those cold winter days.

It took a year to develop a plan, and a further year before work was due to start in 2019. Inside Ardoch, there were numerous small changes, all designed to make life easier and modernise the interior. ‘Anything melamine was junked and we had all the door handles remade by a carpenter,’ says Torty. ‘We

turned a downstairs room that’s hidden away near the front door into a bedroom for my son Jack and turned Alastair’s wine cupboard, which was next to Jack’s bedroom, into an ensuite bathroom. Because Jack’s bedroom is hidden away, he can play his music in there as loudly as he likes and no-one else is disturbed.

‘ ere was a whole rabbit-warren of cupboards and little rooms at the back of the house so we knocked down walls and reconfigured the space to create a huge larder space for me because you need to stock up when you’re so remote. We also constructed a back kitchen for Kurt where he can make jam and cook venison without crowding me in the main kitchen. We put in a whole load of space-saving ideas and cupboards throughout the house, including a cupboard specifically designed for me to keep wrapping paper in. Kurt remains a little bemused but I love it!’

Life during the build was frenetic but it had its lighthearted moments. In amongst all the renovations,

‘Anything melamine was junked and we had all the door handles remade by a carpenter’

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

Torty and Kurt’s plans evolved after they had seen where the light moved throughout the day; the perfect utility room; time for a cuppa; touches of home.

ABOVE: The Aga keeps the house cosy throughout the wilder winter months. LEFT: The entrance to the cottage and the main letting accommodation, A Beautiful Find. BELOW: A spare bedroom.

Interiors – A Brilliant Find

Torty and Kurt got married in Carol’s Boatshed on Kishorn beach. e builders couldn’t believe it when one morning, they interrupted their work in all their finery and told them ‘we are just o to get married, back in a couple of hours’.

If the renovations inside Ardoch took some time, it was as nothing to what happened outside. Kurt, a mining engineer from Michigan who founded the Glensanda quarry in Morvern and then ran it for 26 years, created a two-floor o ce in an outhouse, complete with deer antlers and pictures of himself and his daughters skiing in deep powder. He also turned the other half of the building into a small cottage for visiting friends, family and for letting. Another building has been converted into a huge wet room in which to store and dry gear like bikes, canoes, walking gear and wetsuits.

But it was the five-bedroom cottage siuated within yards of Ardoch that was the main project. It had formerly been a holiday let for Carol and Alastair but had been empty since

being gutted by fire in 2002. As Ardoch is on the North Coast 500 just two miles from the foot of the famously twisty Bealach Na Ba road, Kurt and Torty, who worked in marketing for Scottish Field before moving to the Highlands, saw the potential for an upscale B&B and seized the moment to create A Brilliant Find.

Using the same footprint, but raising the roof with a steel subframe, the end result is a remarkable property with five en suite bedrooms and in which the huge openplan dining and sitting room has views out to Loch Kishorn and beyond via a gable end that is almost entirely glass. e idea is that people who like the outdoors –whether it’s walking, cycling, kayaking or stalking – or even those touring the NC500, can come and spend a couple of days with like-minded souls in one of the most beautiful spots in Wester Ross.

‘I wanted something that was luxurious but accessible, the sort of place that I’d love to go and stay in myself,’ says Torty. ‘So far A Brilliant Find has worked wonderfully. We’ve had some really amazing people here, from Argentines touring the West Coast to bankers who de-stress by cycling and want to do so with their friends in breathtaking scenery. In the evening we get in a cook and everyone eats together. It’s been more of a success than we could ever have hoped for.’

TOP: Trinkets that make a house a home. BOTTOM: The garden bathed in sunlight.

WINTER WARMTH

Add those cosy touches to your living spaces

SKYESKYNS

Achieve maximum cosy with Skyeskyns' sheepskin cushions. Double-sided and available in a range of colours, cushions are handcrafted and filled with sheepskin offcuts making them soft, sustainable, durable, warm and ever so cute! Add a matching throw for extra comfort.

Tel: 01470 592237 skyeskyns.co.uk

JANE PERFECT INTERIORS

Award-winning studio based in Edinburgh. Passionate about creating beautiful, timeless interiors, they exceed expectations with bespoke designs that reflect your style and personality, creating interiors that stand the test of time.

Tel: 07718 916553 janeperfectinteriors.com

EDINBURGH TILE STUDIO

Welcoming a new collaboration with Bert & May, who offer a selection of artisanal handmade encaustic/cement tiles, with a beautiful collection of glazed ceramics to compliment, Moorish Zellige tiles, terrazzo, porcelain and natural terracotta.

Image: B&M Monsaraz Tile. Tel: 0131 629 3780 edinburghtilestudio.co.uk

SPECTRAGLASS

Frameless glass balustrade with colour changing LED for that amazing finishing touch.

Tel: 01738 638358 spectraglass.com

THE NOMADS TENT

A magnificent Baktiari garden carpet. The quality of the hand spun wool and intensity of the natural dyes is superb. Woven circa 1930s, it is in mint condition.

Size: 396 x 254cms. The Nomads Tent, 21 St Leonard’s Lane, Edinburgh, EH8 9SH.

Tel: 0131 662 1612 nomadstent.co.uk

THE BATHROOM COMPANY

Venetian oak cabinets with a unique and extraordinary appearance from the natural embellishments produced by shipworm.

Tel: 01738 440333 / 0131 337 3355 thebathroomcompany.co.uk

CALLUM WALKER INTERIORS

The key to good design for fitted interiors always starts with functionality. It has to work for the owner and be an enjoyable space to use when carrying out day-today tasks.

Tel: 01738 638822 callumwalker.com

JEFFREYS DUNKELD

This winter, create your own winter escape with luxury bed linen, fur throws and a mix of materials to suit all styles.

Tel: 01350 697222 jeffreys-dunkeld.co.uk

MOZOLOWSKI & MURRAY

Enjoy life-enhancing spaces uniquely designed for comfort and style, throughout every season and for every occasion.

Tel: 0345 050 5440 mozmurray.co.uk

THE ORIGINAL CHAIR COMPANY

The Flora Sofa from The Original Chair Company invites you in for some winter warmth. A sumptuous velvet in warm tones is perfect for creating a contemporary yet cosy feel. If you’d like help with designing your lounge, please get in touch with the team of experts at the design studio and showroom in Perth. Appointments necessary.

Tel: 01738 551600 theoriginalchaircompany.co.uk

WILLIAM WILSON

Myson Floortec underfloor heating works by heating your home from the floor upwards and it’s perfect for human comfort. Available throughout Scotland from William Wilson. Visit the website to find a store near you. Tel: 0800 021 3038 www.williamwilson.co.uk

TWO'S COMPANY INTERIORS

With a background in hospitality, marketing and property, Sarah's experience brings a confidence to know what will work well in big or awkward spaces. Her qualifications and love for interior design ensure your property will always have the wow factor.

Tel: 07449 814667 twoscompanyinteriors.co.uk

STORM WINDOWS

Reduce your energy bills. Storm Windows'secondary glazing eliminates draughts, improves thermal efficiency and is virtually invisible. Book a FREE survey today.

Tel: 01384 636365 stormwindows.co.uk

BAIGALI

Luxury Scottish throws from Baigali Designs are individually handmade in Edinburgh for snuggling under during the cold winter months.

Tel: 07941 306878 baigalidesigns.com

NORDIC LIVING BY BIEHL

Good lighting transforms homes, elevates moods, and enhances functionality, creating inviting spaces. Come into Nordic Living in Edinburgh to curate your ideal design.

Tel: 0131 609 3200 mynordicliving.co.uk

BLACKHOUSE

A range of seventeen luxurious handwoven Harris Tweeds ensure your choice and combinations are endless. Each bespoke Blackhouse piece is lovingly crafted in Scotland and designed with your comfort in mind.

Tel: 01577 898010 blackhouse.co.uk

LOCH LEVEN'S LARDER

Organic Merino wool felt hot water bottles. Cosy and cute with credible credentials, these make wonderful gifts and are machine washable.

Tel: 01592 841000

lochlevenslarder.com

GRACE & FAVOURS

The best of gifting is available all year around in one of Perthshire’s leading gift and interior shops. 119 High Street, Auchterarder. Find them on social media.

Tel: 01764 663369

www.facebook.com/ graceandfavoursauchterarder

VIDACO: INTERIOR SPECIALISTS

Hand-finished genuine wood veneers bring warmth and depth to any space; available in oak, walnut, and black oak editions.

Tel: 01592 774474

vidaco.co.uk

SOLO EXHIBITION & BOOK LAUNCH

Morningside Gallery is delighted to welcome Jack Morrocco back to the gallery in September 2023 for his third solo exhibition, In Good Company. The exhibition runs from Saturday the 9th of September to Sunday the 24th of September. Alongside the exhibition, the gallery will launch a new book that tells the story of Jack and his artistic journey so far. Beautifully illustrated and featuring chapters on each of Jack’s subject matter, In Good Company offers a fascinating insight into the life and work of one of Scotland’s most collectable artists. You can read more about the exhibition and book via the QR code.

| 0131

news ANTIQUE

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

October sale dates

AYR Thomson

Roddick:

5: Household Furnishing.

19: Antique Sale.

EDINBURGH

Lyon & Turnbull:

11: Design Since 1860.

Bonhams:

11: Scottish Art.

GLASGOW

McTear's:

5&19: Antiques & Interiors.

11: Militaria, Maps & Ethnographica, British & International Pictures.

12: Clocks & Instruments, Fine Furniture & Works of Art, Toys, Models & Pop Culture.

13: Jewellery, Sporting Medals & Trophies.

RARE WHISKIES GO UNDER THE HAMMER

The Distillers One of One auction is back on 5 October. It will feature some of the finest whiskies in the world, with the proceeds going The Distillers’ Charity’s Youth Action Fund, helping young people. The auction will take place at Hopetoun House near Edinburgh. www.distillersoneofone.com

Potty about Potter

A copy of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child signed by JK Rowling sold for £970. e special rehearsal edition was also signed by director John Tiffany, and playwright Jack orne. It was sold at McTear’s auction in Glasgow as part of the Steam & Screen: Toys, Models & Pop Culture auction. It also featured autographs from Neil Armstrong, Alfred Hitchcock and Billy Connolly. www.mctears.co.uk

Charity auction

A Lyon & Turnbull auction raised £63,000 for e Brain Tumour Charity. Prizes at the charity fundraiser included Paolo Nutini gig tickets and a signed guitar. e auction came a er auction specialist and star of Antiques Roadshow, eo Burrell, was diagnosed with an a ressive grade 4 glioblastoma last summer.

www.lyonandturnbull.com

Auctioneer Spotlight

Most Expensive: A Chinese blue and white porcelain bottle vase, bearing a six-character mark of Yongzheng, but probably Daoguang. This vase is decorated in the 'heap and pile' effect characteristic of earlier Ming Dynasty period pieces. The effect is achieved by hand-painted 'dots' which result in a higher concentration of cobalt pigment. This vase clearly shows these almost 'black' spots, particularly noticeable on the edges of the owers and leaves. Sold for £2,600,000 (plus buyer’s premium).

Most Unusual: A wide brass dog collar which once belonged to Lord Byron’s favourite Newfoundland dog, Boatswain, who died in 1808. The collar has a jagged toothed edge; several of the teeth are missing and according to accompanying provenance the damage was done by a bear which Lord Byron kept at Newstead Abbey, and with which Boatswain had many encounters. Boatswain died of rabies. The griefstricken Byron erected a monument at Newstead Abbey and composed the famous ‘Epitaph to a Dog’. Sold for £14,000 (plus buyer’s premium). tennants.co.uk

JANE TENNANT Director & Auctioneer at Tennants Auctioneers

MAN OF ARMS

Even before he was commissioned to design King Charles’ Coronation invitation, Andrew Jamieson’s illuminated and heraldic works were much in demand, as Mary Miers discovers on a visit to his Fife studio

For 40 years, Andrew Jamieson has been painting coats of arms and intricate scenes and motifs onto calf’s skin vellum, using jewel-like pigments and burnished golds applied with feather quills. Catapulted into the limelight when his design for the Coronation invitation went global, the medievalist has documented innumerable colourful lives and legends, but his own story, featuring heroic love, royal patronage and triumph over adversity, is surely worthy of an illuminated manuscript.

Now in his early sixties, he was born in Bermondsey, grew up on a council estate in Dagenham and has come by way of Dorset, Tennessee and Cornwall to a quiet flat in Crail, where he lives with his wife Angie. When I visited them there in June, he told me how ‘as a child, all I ever wanted for Christmas was sketchbooks’; while his friends were playing football, Andrew was dreaming of ships, knights in armour, castles, dragons and damsels. He acknowledges a debt to his creative mother and his father, a former bus conductor and factory worker who put himself through college to become a teacher. ‘He was an amateur artist who had a chance to train with a Royal Academician, but then he met my Mum and fell in love.’

When Andrew was 15, the family moved to Memphis, where he attended high school and met Angie, but his father concluded that America wasn’t for him and they returned to England. For several years, Andrew sent Angie letters with paintings of Shakespearean flowers, but they lost touch, only to reconnect through Facebook 40 years later. ‘One day in 2018,

MYTHS AND MAGIC: The Unicorn, from a 1987 illustrated manuscript.

I heard a knock at the door and there was Angie. She just said “hi” and walked in.’ Years earlier, Andrew had painted Allegorical Coat of Arms of the Captive Heart. ‘It encapsulated the romance, so I asked a patron in Louisiana if I could buy it back and he sent it as a present for our wedding in 2019.’

e story of how Andrew became a leading heraldic artist is equally serendipitous. In 1978, he did a summer job for his upholsterer grandfather, whose big commission at the time was the seats at the Royal Opera House. ‘My job was to unscrew them so that he and Dad could strip and re-cover them, and then I screwed them all back in. I got to see all the rehearsals, which was fantastic.

‘ en one day, walking home to Hoxton, I passed the College of Arms. I looked like a street urchin, covered in dust from the foam rubber seating, and I was staring through the heraldic gates when somebody tapped me on the shoulder and said: “are you interested in heraldry young man?”. He turned out to be Sedley Andrus, Lancaster Herald of Arms, an eccentric chap who reminded me of Col. Pickering in My Fair Lady

‘He invited me in and introduced me to Norman Mainwaring, the chief

TH E LEMOND G AL LERY

BELOW:

heraldic artist, who told me that I could train in this kind of work at Reigate School of Art. So I turned up there with my portfolio and this tweedy gent took one look at the 3D plastic flowers and other trendy stu I’d been making at Salisbury College of Art and turned me down’.

Undeterred, Andrew took a job cleaning in a mental hospital, rented a studio and put together a new portfolio. He then reapplied and was accepted. ‘Reigate was like a medieval apprenticeship. We learnt how to prepare vellum, cut quills and lay gold leaf; we also became well versed in the language of heraldry.’ A er graduating in 1983 with an honours diploma in heraldry, calligraphy and manuscript illumination, Andrew worked freelance for the College of Arms until 1995.

‘Almost anybody in the UK is entitled to petition to be assigned and granted a coat of arms and, subject to controls by the heraldic authority, they can choose their own design. HM College of Arms and the Court of the Lord Lyon employ the same blazons, but they have di erent laws and in Scotland, where heraldry is treated as property, the rules are stricter.’ Andrew’s 1997

Coats of Arms provides a well illustrated introduction to the subject.

Since 1995, 95% of his work has been designing for Americans, who are free to assume any coat of arms they like.

‘I did a Canadian commission for a diver featuring a shark biting the top of the helmet, but usually they’re fairly conservative,’ Andrew tells me. ‘You have to be careful though. When an American called Howard asks me to do a coat of arms and sends me the Duke of Norfolk’s to copy, I’ll go “no, sorry, I’m afraid you can’t have that”.’

Other jobs have included working with a British team on the first Bible to be handmade since medieval times, commissioned by St John’s University, Minnesota, and designing the cover for Jethro Tull’s album Crest of a Knave And then, of course, there are the royal commissions – they will certainly merit

an elaborately decorated spread in the Jamieson manuscript.

In 2011, the Crown O ce rang and asked if he’d like to do some work. ‘ ey couldn’t tell me what – it was either yes or no – so of course I accepted and they said they’d write’. e job was for the royal letters patent issued under the Great Seal of the Realm to create Prince

‘

e royal commissions will certainly merit an elaborately decorated spread in the manuscript

RIGHT: Painted design for a tapestry depicting Richard III on a royal progress, soon to be available as a jacquard woven tapestry.

Andrew Jamieson painting a coat of arms for an American client with Russian ancestry.

YOU ARE INVITED:

The design for the Coronation invitation, featuring the coats of arms of The King (left) and The Queen (right) in a border representing a wild ower meadow. The central motif is a green man, symbolising spring and rebirth. The face is fringed with oak and ivy leaves and crowned with hawthorn blossoms and the emblematic owers of the United Kingdom. The invitation was printed on recycled card with gold foil detailing.

William Duke of Cambridge. ‘It was all very secret, but there was no show about the finished artefact – it’s just stored in an archive. But it did make me think “Wow! Scribes have been doing this for 1,000 years and now you’re doing it”.’

Subsequent princely and ducal promotions led to further royal commissions. en, this year, he was one of eight Brothers of the Art Workers Guild invited to submit a design on a floral theme for the Coronation invitation. ‘ e secretary phoned up one day and said “are you sitting down? His Majesty has chosen your proposal”. And I went “OK, I need a cup of co ee” and sat down.’

His design, bordered by a wildflower meadow full of creatures evocative of a medieval tapestry or book of hours, was inspired by the King’s love of nature. ‘It occurred to me that he’s kind of a “green” king – hence the inclusion of a green man crowned with emblematic leaves and flowers. For me, it’s a medieval emblem representing rebirth, but people have read so much into it: is he a secret pagan?; is he a symbol of the anti-Christ? – all kinds of weird and whacky stu , it has just gone insane’.

e commission was top secret – he couldn’t even tell his family – but when it was unveiled on 4 April, he was inundated by the media. ‘I had requests for TV interviews from Taiwan, from film crews asking to come to my home, from a French company wanting me to drive round London in a taxi on Coronation Day talking about the design.’ Modestly, he turned them all down – except for Windsor & Newton, whose art materials he has been using for 40 years, and the Richard III Society.

Following his designs for the royal invitation and the cover of the Daily Mail’s Coronation issue, Andrew is now

much in demand for coats of arms and other works incorporating flowers. His scriptorium is a room in his flat lined with books, religious gi s and his own watercolours, including an exquisite pastoral landscape that conveys his passion for Samuel Palmer.

On the table are ground inks, pots of shell gold, tubes of gouache (he uses e tempera only for special jobs) and jars of quills, which he cuts to size from goose and swan feathers. Vials of gold powder testify to his current experiments. ‘I’m playing at being an alchemist, attempting to achieve the finest gold diapering you see applied over pigments on medieval manuscripts. I use crow’s quills and sable brushes and have been trying out di erent quantities of ingredients, but I haven’t mastered it yet.’

He shows me his ‘royal roughs’ –lion details, samples of text – sheets of vellum and illustrations inspired by medieval manuscripts. Some are printed onto textiles, or reproduced as cards or prints. Drawing on his love of Arthurian legends and chivalry, he also designs tapestries, which he has commercially woven for sale. ‘I’ve seen my Legend of King Arthur reproduced in a book as a 15th-century tapestry.’

ere’s no doubt that recent royal events have introduced a wider audience to the arcane language and traditions of heraldry. ‘ e problem now is that anybody can fiddle about with motifs on a computer and call it heraldic art,’ says Andrew, who last year formed the White Shield, an a liation of the world’s best practitioners in the field. Meanwhile, ever inspired by the quest for the Holy Grail, he continues to search ‘for that elusive goal of perfection, armed not with a sword, but with a brush and quill’.

Field facts

www.andrewstewartjamieson.co.uk

Artwork and roughs for Andrew’s Coronation invitation design are included in the Royal Collection Trust’s Coronation Display, an exhibition on show at Buckingham Palace until 24 September. www.rct.uk

culture FIELD

A guide to Scotland’s arts and entertainment

RISING TIDES

Ocean-themed artwork made from recycled plastic will be on show at the National Museum of Scotland. Rising Tide: Art and Environment in Oceania was created by the artist George Nuku with the help of around 400 other people. The artwork will address humanity’s unsustainable relationship with plastic and its impact on the environment. It runs until April 2024. www.nms.ac.uk

ARTIST GRAYSON PERRY OPENS RETROSPECTIVE IN EDINBURGH

Artist Grayson Perry has launched the bi est exhibition of his career in Edinburgh, with a look back on his entire body of work. e retrospective Grayson Perry: Smash Hits o ers visitors a chance to embark on a journey through the celebrated artist’s remarkable 40-year career. Staged by the National Galleries of Scotland at the Royal Scottish Academy, it features more than 80 works. It will be on display until 12 November. www.nationalgalleries.org

NEW BEGINNINGS

SHERLOCK RETURNS

Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s production of Sherlock Holmes: A Study in Lipstick, Ketchup and Blood has been brought back by popular demand. Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1887 classic Sherlock Holmes adventure A Study in Scarlet is being brought to the stage by acclaimed writer Lesley Hart at the theatre’s amphitheatre. It will run until 22 September. www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com

Burrell collection named best in the UK

The Burrell Collection in Glasgow has been named as the 2023 museum of the year. t to ed a shortlist of five museums around the UK to secure the £120,000 award, the largest museum prize in the world. Judges described it as a world-class treasure trove of o ects. The collection was re-opened last year. www.glasgowlife.org.uk

e Kilmartin Museum in Argyll has reopened a er a major £7 million refurbishment. It is known as the custodian of the archaeological and natural heritage of Kilmartin Glen, one of Scotland’s richest prehistoric landscapes with over 800 historic monuments, cairns, standing stones, stone circles and rock art dating back more than 5,000 years. It will now o er visitors a much larger exhibition space. www.kilmartin.org

knockvologan, mull by charles simpson

WOMEN’S FICTION FESTIVAL

Scottish author Jenny Colgan is headlining the inaugural Edinburgh Women’s Fiction Festival. e festival celebrates writing for, by, and about women. It runs on 6 and 7 October. www.edwomensficfest.co.uk

NEW AND IMPROVED

The National Galleries of Scotland has revealed the opening date for new art spaces as part of a major £38m refurbishment. Scotland’s national gallery will unveil ten new, light-filled rooms on 30 September which will be home to key works from the nation’s historic art collection. The galleries will be home to more than 130 works of art plus two additional Scottish displays, offering over 460 artworks to discover. www.nationalgalleries.org

NEW APPOINTMENT

e Scottish Chamber Orchestra has appointed Joanna Baker CBE as chairwoman. Joanna has served on the SCO for the past three years and was managing director of the Edinburgh International Festival. www.sco.org.uk

PAISLEY ARTWORK BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE

A painting by William Barr has been painstakingly restored after 225 hours of work by experts. In 1910, Barr, from Glasgow, completed pastel portraits of more than 100 of Paisley’s ‘great and good’ standing in front of the Town Hall. But since it was first shown the painting’s condition deteriorated. As part of the £45 million refurbishment of Paisley Museum, it has been restored by specialists. www.renfrewshire.gov.uk

AUTUMN SHOWS

Tramway, the international arts venue managed by Glasgow Life has announced its autumn season featuring Scottish and international world premieres. It features the return of the Take Me Somewhere Festival (13-28 October), as well as a packed exhibitions programme and a festive children’s show. Tramway will also present Billie Zangewa’s A Quiet Fire (from 29 September) – the Malawian artist’s rst solo exhibition in a Scottish institution. The programme will run until December. www.tramway.org

EXHIBITION ON TOUR

Fife Contemporary have announced a new exhibition touring in Scotland this autumn and throughout 2024. Crafted Selves: The Un nished Conversation opens at St Andrews Museum on 14 October and runs until 29 February. There are 13 artists taking part in the exhibition including Alberta Whittle, Sekai Machache, Ashanti Harris and more. It will feature works in sculpture, paint, ceramics, textiles, installation, moving image lms and creative writing. www.fcac.co.uk

LEFT: ARON WATSON. FAR RIGHT: ANTANAS BUDVYTIS. TOP RIGHT: MONIKA SMEKOT.

SCOTTISH FIELD COLLECTION

A round-up of this month's fine arts

GALLERYIA SCOTLAND

Whisky Festival Exhibition featuring paintings by Lynda Luck, unique woodturning by Adrian Cammack and whisky stave vintage oak furniture by Sandy’s Cask Crafts. Gifts, jewellery, tweed handbags, fly fishing accessories and hire.

79 High Street, Aberlour, AB38 9QB. Tel: 07766704910 / 01340 871457, thegalleryinaberlour.com

FRAMES GALLERY

The September exhibition is by the artist Jackie Stevenson RSW. This will be her first solo show in the gallery, featuring her wonderful mixed media paintings of the remote parts of Northumberland, Cumbria, and Scotland. She is particularly interested in the effects of light and weather on this landscape. From 19 Aug-16 Sept. Tel: 01738 631085 framesgallery.co.uk

HOLROYD GALLERY

Featuring new work by Stuart Herd alongside other gallery artists. Holroyd Gallery exhibits a large section 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. Image: Light on the Ocean, by Katherine Sutherland. Tel: 01855 821277 holroydgallery.co.uk

SCOTLAND'S WEST COAST PAINTINGS

In Glasgow's city centre, the Stag Gallery features original ‘statement pieces’ from Charles Randak capturing the beauty ofthe West Coast – also available as giclée prints, framed to suit. Image: Sunset from Mallaig towards Rhum and Eigg, oil on canvas, 30 x 40”, 76 x 102cm Tel: 0141 237 4881 charlesrandak-art.com

POWDERHALL BRONZE EDITIONS

Featuring a selection of large-scale cast bronze garden sculptures from Powderhall Bronze fine art foundry in Edinburgh, contemporary hand-crafted furniture by local craftspeople and selected artwork by Scottish artists.

Image: Splash Bowl, Kerry Hammond, cast bronze, highly polished, 5,870mm diameter. Tel: 0131 629 1840 powderhallbronzeeditions.co.uk

THE HOUSE OF BRUAR

Image: Red Grouse Portrait by Richard Whittlestone. Painted in oil with an intricate eye for detail, Richard Whittlestone is best known for his focus on minutely observed bird portraits. Exclusively available in The House of Bruar's Rural Art Gallery. Tel: 01796 483236 houseofbruar.com

MOY MACKAY GALLERY

Nestled in the Northgate in Peebles you will find this delightful jewel of a gallery run by artist/owner Moy Mackay. Renowned for her pioneering art form worldwide, this gallery is not only a showcase for her work but also for many other contemporary UK artists and makers. Image: Westerly sundown 20 x 20, 31 x 31, £420 Tel: 01721 722 116 moymackaygallery.com

RESIPOLE STUDIOS

One of more than 40 expressive landscape paintings by Debbie Loane currently on display at Resipole Studios Fine Art Gallery. Featured works are inspired by time spent as artist in residence at the Rahoy Hills nature reserve on the Morvern peninsula. Image: Ardtornish Bay, mixed media on board, 30 x 30 cm.

Tel: 01967 431506

resipolestudios.co.uk

THE GLASGOW GALLERY

Flowers et Nature Morte, a solo exhibition by Lex McFadyen. Image: A Little Posie. This is just one of 40 paintings that Lex McFayden will be exhibiting at The Glasgow Gallery. Inspired by his ongoing floral paintings and still life compositions this new body of work is a must see. Exhibition runs from 6 Oct-4 Nov.

182 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HG

Tel: 0141 333 1991

glasgowgallery.co.uk

RAMSAY CORNISH AUCTIONEERS

Overlooked as paste jewellery by the seller, this 1920s jade set realised £12,700 (including fees) in their July specialist sale. Please contact them to arrange a free valuation.

Tel: 0131 553 7000

Email: info@ramsaycornish.com ramsaycornish.com

SPROSON GALLERY

Image: Silver Loch by Yvonne Hair, 122x92cm, oil on canvas. Sproson Gallery is proud to celebrate the inimitable Scottish landscape and its weather’s idiosyncratic light effects. This exhibition will feature works by contemporary artists such as Carina Prigmore and Penelope Anstice, Yvonne Hair and more. Tel: 01334 474331 sprosongallery.com

TORRANCE GALLERY

An exciting autumn programme is underway at The Torrance Gallery, starting withRuth Corbett and Daniel Roy Sharples (see image), who are the featured artists from 16 Sept-8Oct, followed by Lucy Jones and Morag Stevenson from 14-28 Oct. To receive Online Private View invitations, join the e-mailing list online. Tel: 0131 556 6366 torrancegallery.co.uk

MILTON ART GALLERY

Raku Puffins by Carol Hynes. The Milton Art Gallery is situated in a steading complex on the banks of the River Dee. Offering a wide range of contemporary paintings, ceramics, jewellery and much more, from some of Scotland’s leading makers. See their website for details of their 2023 exhibition programme and online shopping. Member of Own Art. Tel: 01330 844664 miltonart.com

GREENS AND BLUES

Independent fine art gallery in the seaside town of North Berwick.Their autumn exhibition is now on. Full of original oil paintings, ceramics and glassware from Scotland and beyond. A varied collection with something for everyone. Bespoke framing, gift vouchers and mailing service. Image: Vina 25 by Jose Miguel Reyes.Open seven days. Tel: 01620 890666 greensandblues.co.uk

ARTERIES

ARTeries Gallery mixed exhibition featuring some of Scotland's finest contemporary artists including Dyer, Bird, Wilson,Cardiff, Gardner, Smith, Barr and more. Image: Tracing shadows by Cherylene Dyer. 425 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G4 9JA

Tel: 0141 333 0999 arteriesgalleryglasgow.co.uk

HATTON HOUSE ART & DESIGN

An exciting contemporary fine art gallery in the heart of Dunkeld. The gallery is home to an array of exceptional artistry, proudly supporting established and emerging artists from all over the UK and worldwide. Exhibitions and collections are based on the beauty of the human form and natural world. Image: The Key to Love. Tel: 07513 648442 hattonhouseart.com

THE LEMOND GALLERY

This month they are delighted to bring you two power shows featuring a Solo Show with Georgina McMaster and a Solo Show with Scott Naismith. These shows are spread over September and October 2023. The timings are listed on their new website. If you have any questions, please phone the gallery. Tel: 0141 942 4683 lemondgallery.com

THE HARBOUR GALLERY TARBERT, ULLAPOOL & INVERARAY

The ‘Home Galleries’ of the artist Stuart Herd. Showing original paintings and a large collection of prints.

Image: Sundown Berths - Tarbert, 70cm sq, TAR4676, £1250. All galleries are open daily. Tel: (T) 01880 821170, (U) 01854 612282, (INV) 01499 302999, theharbourgallery.com, rugbyartworks.com

Celebrating RSW Artists

Opening 16th September until 15th October

A celebration of works by Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour (RSW) accredited artists

www.strathearn-gallery.com

Established in 1876, only a select number of artists become society members and are entitled to use the RSW designation after their name. Elected solely by peer nomination and review, this is a recognition of the skill and talent of each artist and their valuable contribution to the Scottish art movement. Whilst RSW accredited artists are elected based on their watercolour submissions, many also choose to work in other mediums in their day to day practice. This is a celebration of their work.

BALLATER GALLERY

The popular Meet the Artist series of videos produced by the Ballater Gallery will feature David Smith in September. Fans of the artist will get the inside track on David and his much sought-after work in the 15-minute video filmed in the artist’s studio. This will be the seventh in the series. Can be viewed by clicking the video section on the gallery website. Tel: 01339 755444 ballatergallery.co.uk

GARDNER’S THE ANTIQUE SHOP

Gardner’s The Antique Shop is a family run business trading from Kilbarchan (10 minutes from Glasgow Airport) since 1950. A traditional general dealer with antiques of all kinds up to around 1940. They buy mainly privately and sell their large single owner stock to both trade and retail. Plenty of parking is available.

Tel: 01505 702292 gardnersantiques.co.uk

EION STEWART

Situated in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, Eion Stewart is a delightful destination contemporary art gallery, bringing both established and emerging artists to the area through a curated programme of exhibitions. They also have 30+ years of frame-making experience. Image: The Thin Red Line by Andrea Elles, mixed media on wood 25.5 x 25.5cm, £400.

Tel: 01569 785606 eionstewartfineart.com

ARRAN ART GALLERY

Situated on the beautiful Isle of Arran, with two artists in residence and a wide collection of established and upand-coming artists, the gallery offers something for every taste and budget, capturing the very essence of Arran and the west coast. For opening hours, please visit their website.

Tel: 01770 700250 arranartgallery.com

HERIOT GALLERY

View outstanding work from Rory Macdonald’s second solo show, Heaven & Earth, running from 2-30 Sept. Dot Walker who beautifully captures the Highland weather will be at the opening of her first solo show, Lightfall, running from 7 Oct-5 Nov 2023. E: art@ heriotgallery.com For enquiries and private viewings call 0131 557 6436. heriotgallery.com

THE GLENTURRET

In 1927, René Lalique’s boundless imagination led to the creation of the Bacchantes vase. The iconic design features the young priestesses of Bacchus with their voluptuous beauty and curves. Visit the Lalique Boutique to discover more.

Open seven days, 10am-6pm. Tel: 01764 656565, theglenturret.com

Living the high life

By Joan & Douglas Fraser from Edinburgh

Links House is located next to the Royal Dornoch Golf Club, within easy reach of the A9 and the now famous NC500. The hotel has three buildings: Glencairn, Links House and The Mews. We had the Master Suite in Glencairn. Car parking allowed for the size of modern cars, with electric vehicle charging available.

The room was spacious, tastefully adapted from the original, with the right balance between older luxury and modern functionality, including a huge bed with welcoming pillows, a large bathroom with walk-in shower, yet traditional style furniture and vintage paintings on the bedroom wall. A welcome Old-Fashioned whisky cocktail was discretely placed on a bureau for us to enjoy before we unpacked. Hot drinks were available at a special ‘station’ containing a range of teas and coffees.

We dined in MARA restaurant with views across the golf course. My husband selected oysters from Shetland served in a whisky mousse, followed by lamb along with girolle mushrooms picked in the local woods. I started with watercress velouté followed by venison prepared medium-rare as requested. A couple of French diners commented favourably on the paired wines available with each course.

Together we explored the other facilities: a small putting green; a garden with flowers in bloom; plus a relaxing library with a choice of malt whiskies. A quiet night engulfed in white sheets, golf not unsurprisingly on the TV. Breakfast at Mara included a blended fruit juice, berries on porridge plus a choice of cooked options. This is an exceptional hotel, indeed a golfer’s paradise. We will be tempted to return to enjoy the outstanding luxury.

GOLF ROAD, DORNOCH, IV25 3LW linkshouse dornoch.com

From £250 for B&B.

By Becky Saunders from Port

of Menteith

We stayed in a wonderfully appointed two-bedroomed selfcatering Cameron Lodge in the grounds of Cameron House on the western shore of Loch Lomond. Just twenty minutes from central Glasgow, the hotel itself is famous as one of the West Coast’s premier destinations, and virtually everything that is available in the mothership is also on hand for its satellite lodges. So you have a huge gym and spa, five bars, fine dining at the Tamburrini and Wishart restaurant, more casual dining at the Cameron Grill, Boat House or Club House, the cinema, the Carrick Championship golf course and beginner’s Wee Demon nine-hole course, a range of activities to do on the loch (jet skiing, paddle boarding and kayaking), mountain biking and 4x4 driving,

Our lodge itself was fantastic, with a huge living room leading out onto a large balcony which overlooked the Wee Demon golf course. As well as having two en suite bedrooms (complete with king size beds and lovely toiletries in the bathrooms), there was also an unobtrusive pull-down bed in the main room which would have allowed us to have another two people to stay. The bedrooms were also huge, and everything had been taken into account: as well as good WiFi, a DVD player and large flatscreen television, there was a washing machine and tumble dryer –which are necessities if you plan to spend much time outside in this part of the world.

We were also pleased to find that the kitchen was really user friendly and well stocked. In fact, everything had been really well thought out and formed part of a very enjoyable stay.

From £254 per night.

If you’ve a special ocassion to celebrate, or you’re just in need of a fabulous night away, SF’s subscribers can recommend a break in the lap of luxury

Cameron Lodges Links House

By Robert & Carol Kirkwood from Fife

Auchterarder is known as ‘The Lang Toon’ due to its distance from one end of town to the other, so we enjoyed a lovely walk along this route where there are several points of interest as part of Auchterarder Heritage Trail. Cairn Lodge Hotel is situated next to the jubilee cairn built for Queen Victoria’s jubilee in 1887. The hotel itself is very impressive, originally a baronial hunting lodge and now a very comfortable luxury hotel.

On the doorstep of the hotel is an 18-hole golf course, with Auchterarder High Street a five-minute walk away. Back at the hotel we were shown to our room. Our deluxe room was spacious and luxurious, adorned with rich warm colours with a superking-size bed, comfortable sitting area, tea and coffee making facilities, fresh berries and freshly made macarons.

All staff were exceptionally kind, approachable and very helpful, always smiling and making our stay all the more relaxing Dinner was served in the garden room restaurant, a lovely bright room with views over the garden and terrace. Dinner was delicious, well done to the chef and team. We enjoyed scallops for starters, sea bass and steak for mains and then the cheese board and the chef’s special sticky toffee soufflé. A delectable bottle of wine was also chosen from the extensive wine list. We finished off our evening in the stylish lounge/bar where there was an array of specialist malt whiskies and cocktails.

We ended our stay with a hearty breakfast in the garden room. It was so nice to have table service. We also enjoyed the antics of the resident red squirrels in the garden, a lovely end to our stay. We would highly recommend a stay at Cairn Lodge.

ORCHIL ROAD, AUCHTERARDER, PH3 1LX cairnlodge.co.uk From £180 (bed and full Scottish breakfast).

1 Links House at Royal Dornoch

Tel: 01862 810279

2 Cameron Lodges at Cameron House Tel: 01389 312210

3 Cairn Lodge Hotel Tel: 01764 661095

4 Cromlix Hotel Tel: 01786 820310

By Stewart & Shelagh Lightbody from Troon

Cromlix sits within 34 acres close to Dunblane. It has been owned by Andy Murray and family since 2013 and has undergone a significant refurbishment under the watchful eye of Andy’s wife Kim. After checking-in, we were offered the opportunity of a conducted tour of the public rooms. Each has been redecorated in a vibrant manner. In addition to a comfortable lounge and bar there is a beautiful billiard room and a small chapel which would be ideal for an intimate wedding.

We were then shown to our room overlooking the drive. The room had the dimensions one would expect within a country house but the en-suite bathroom could have easily hosted a table tennis tournament. To supplement this were towels, toiletries, bathrobes and slippers. A sizeable array of teas and coffees were provided, but most appropriately shortbread baked to the recipe of Andy’s Granny Erskine. An impressive selection of amenities is available and, on site, there are two first-class tennis courts decked out in the green and purple of Wimbledon.

We enjoyed a pre-dinner drink in the bar while scanning the dinner menu. Dinner was served in the Glasshouse Restaurant where there is an extensive set of options based on local produce. Quality of the food is superb. The staff at the hotel are young, smart and intelligent. They have been well versed in customer service with the serving staff being knowledgeable regarding the dishes and extremely attentive throughout.

Following a very comfortable night’s sleep we were back in the Glasshouse for breakfast. Again, the quality and choice had to be noted. Cromlix sets the standards for quality. We shall return!

KINBUCK, BY DUNBLANE, STIRLINGSHIRE, FK15 9JT cromlix.com

From £370 (Sept) / £310 per night (Oct), B&B.

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 edito scottishfield.co.uk d i clude ou su sc i e u e . e s d co ditio s l .

Cairn Lodge

Cromlix

Hotel reviews – Luxury retreats

LUXURY STAYS & DAYS

Relax in style and live the high life

THE BALMORAL

A luxury getaway in the heart of Edinburgh, with breath-taking views. The Balmoral offers beautiful rooms, opulent suites and acclaimed culinary and bar experiences. Dine at restaurant Number One and enjoy a dram at prestigious whisky bar, SCOTCH. Tel: 0131 556 2414 roccofortehotels.com

MATFEN HALL

Matfen Hall is a country house hotel in the heart of Northumberland. A place to stay, dine and unwind, the magnificent estate is home to a range of restaurants, a harmonious spa and golf courses, while a dedicated team can personalise your stay with a range of experiences. www.matfenhall.com

DEVERON VALLEY

Five comfortable and cosy properties in the Deveron Valley in Aberdeenshire. Set next to the river Deveron, between the Cairngorms and the beautiful Moray Firth coast, it is perfect for a family holiday, fishing trip or relaxing stay in beautiful countryside.

Tel: 07983 770561

www.deveronvalleycottages.co.uk

HILTON GLASGOW

Book your next escape at Hilton Glasgow, featuring 320 stylish bedrooms, a restaurant and bar, the first Dilmah Tea lounge in the UK and a state-of-the-art gym, indoor pool and spa treatments by PURE Spa.

Tel: 0141 204 5555 www.hilton.com/glasgow

MAINS OF TAYMOUTH

In the very heart of Scotland, these luxury self-catering houses have sumptuous furnishings, four-poster beds, private saunas and hot tubs. Pet-friendly with great on-site facilities for all the family. Always open and ready to welcome you.

Tel: 01887 830226

www.taymouth.co.uk

SCONE PALACE

Stay at Scone Palace and enjoy a unique experience. The beautiful Balvaird Wing provides five-star, luxury accommodation for up to six guests. Scone Palace is an ideal base for golfing or country sports breaks, weddings or weekends away.

Tel: 01738 552300

www.scone-palace.co.uk

FINGAL

Fingal is a luxury floating hotel permanently berthed on Edinburgh’s vibrant waterfront. A former Northern Lighthouse Board ship which has been transformed into an exquisite 22 cabin boutique hotel and exclusive use venue by the awardwinning team at The Royal Yacht Britannia. A hotel with all the glamour and style of a superyacht but with an old-world elegance that is completely unique. The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar serves beautifully prepared dishes bursting with fl avour, created with passion by the galley team. Your ship awaits! www.fingal.co.uk

Luxury

stays & days

THE ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA

Escape to this cosy coastal retreat this autumn and unveil the treasures of Turnberry at your own pace with a generous daily resort credit of £100. Embark on captivating outdoor adventures, enjoy rejuvenating spa treatments, savour exquisite dining, and relish world-class golf when booking the Autumn Escape at Turnberry Resort.

Tel: 01655 331000 www.turnberry.co.uk

RESIPOLE

Enjoy outstanding scenery at a stunning location for self-catering and owning a holiday home in the West Highlands of Scotland.

Tel: 01967 431235

www.resipole.co.uk

ELLISLAND

In the grounds of the farm built by Robert Burns, this riverside house offers tranquillity in scenic surroundings. Recently refurbished, Auld Acquaintance Cottage is pet friendly and ideally located for exploring southern Scotland.

Tel: 01387 740426

www.ellislandfarm.co.uk

CAMERON HOUSE

The five-star resort, nestled on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, provides a memorable setting for your Scottish escape. Enjoy an award-winning spa with rooftop pool, championship golf, activities and an exceptional choice of dining.

Tel: 01389 312210

www.cameronhouse.co.uk

HOGMANAY PARTY

The world’s most famous contemporary pipe band THE RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS return to Hilton Glasgow this Hogmanay.

Get ready for an unforgettable evening with a modern Scottish twist!

Enjoy a break in the Scottish Highlands

ABOUT THE KILCAMB

The Kilcamb Lodge Hotel is a multiaward winning country house hotel surrounded by 22 acres of natural private meadow, mountains and woodland and set on the shores of Loch Sunart. With a 3AA Rosette restaurant and recently refurbished, luxurious en-suite accommodation, it’s undoubtedly one of the finest places to stay in Scotland, and in particular on the beautiful Ardnamurchan Peninsula.

TREAT SOMEONE SPECIAL

This unspoiled corner of the Scottish Highlands is the perfect place for a mini-break to get away and recharge your body and mind, or the perfect treat for someone special. Book a 4 night stay and enjoy 10% discount on standard rates for all rooms up to 7 days duration (valid until the end of November). Bookings are also now being taken for Christmas, Twixmas and

Hogmanay breaks – please see our website or ask for details. We look forward to seeing you!

SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Are you planning a wedding, birthday or anniversary celebration? We can host all sizes of gatherings, from celebrations for two guests to larger events for up to 120 guests, adding a multitude of special touches to make the day truly memorable.

Bridgend Hotel e

Nestled at the foot of the Scottish Highlands, we do home deliveries to much of the central belt of Scotland, we sell at farmers’ markets and we supply wholesale to shops, restaurants, cafes and caterers.

Nestled at the foot of the Scottish Highlands, we do home deliveries to much of the central belt of Scotland, we sell at farmers’ markets and we supply wholesale to shops, restaurants, cafes and caterers.

Nestled at the foot of the Scottish Highlands, we do home deliveries

much of the central belt of Scotland, we sell at farmers’ markets and we supply wholesale to shops, restaurants, cafes and caterers.

Nestled at the foot of the Scottish Highlands, we do home deliveries to much of the central belt of Scotland, we sell at farmers’ markets and we supply wholesale to shops, restaurants, cafes and caterers.

CHECK OUT OUR WEB SHOP OR GET IN TOUCH TO TALK TO US ABOUT SUPPLYING YOUR BUSINESS.

CHECK OUT OUR WEB SHOP OR GET IN TOUCH TO TALK TO US ABOUT SUPPLYING YOUR BUSINESS.

CHECK OUT OUR WEB SHOP OR GET IN TOUCH TO TALK TO US ABOUT SUPPLYING YOUR BUSINESS.

YOUR

T. 03330 151304

T. 03330 151304

T. 03330 151304

T. 03330 151304

E. info@wildhearthbakery.com

E. info@wildhearthbakery.com

E. info@wildhearthbakery.com

E. info@wildhearthbakery.com

www.wildhearthbakery.com

www.wildhearthbakery.com

www.wildhearthbakery.com

www.wildhearthbakery.com

Welcome to your next holiday

des�na�on...

Situated on the banks of river Deveron, our e elf catering co�ages now include the arnoch odge shing beat.

almon and trout shing are a ailable to book through us. r for an ideal family holiday we are ust twenty minutes from the beau ful oray irth oastline follow the hisky and astle Trails with spectacular iews and stunning coastal illages.

Use code SCOTGAZ23 for 10% off

T: 07983770561

E: info de eron alleyco�ages.co.uk ook direct through our website www.deveronvalleyco�ages.co.uk

Destinations

Gorgeous, well equipped holiday cottages with loch views, all in glorious Argyll. The perfect, comfortable, relaxing base for exploring all this wonderful area has to offer. Our cottages are in Strachur, St Catherines and Newton sleeping 4 - 10 people.

www.holidaycottageswestcoast.co.uk Tel: 07585709992   email: amanda@holidaycottageswestcoast.co.uk

DUMFRIES

Fully refurbished riverside cottage in the grounds of Robert Burns’ Ellisland Farm. Sleeps 3-4. Pet friendly. Now available for booking: info@ellislandfarm.co.uk 01387 740426 www.ellislandfarm.co.uk

Enjoy a luxurious autumn break in this unique 5* eco house in unspoiled Kintyre. A perfect hideaway for couples. Fabulous sea views and big skies. Fantastic sandy beaches, forest walks, whisky/gin tours and excellent local produce. The welcome hamper of local goodies and Champagne will add the finishing touch to an unforgettable break. Website: hightrodigal.co.uk email: stay@hightrodigal.co.uk Call Linda and Mike01586810305

Experience

The Journey of the soul is so good for your mind. Kings of Scotland chose this bonnie bountiful location and named it their Kingsbarns. They stored their grains here because of its beautiful rolling farmland, forests and invigorating beaches where they built a harbour. Refresh your Soul and Mind, call us 01334-880-778

HIGHLANDS

Web: polchar-aviemore.com

Email: team@amore-property.com Tel: Marco on (07596 486 958)

holiday home

fife cottages

From stunning St Andrews townhouses to romantic coastal retreats Fife Cottages have something to suit everyone. Visit us at fifecottages.co.uk or call David,Gillian or Emma on 01334 208330

Explore history, castles, traditions & culture.

Meet the locals and sample Scotland’s finest food and whisky!

Nurture in nature and add a mindfulness experience if you wish

Bespoke individual adventures & tours made for you. Get in touch www.starfishtravel.scot

HIGHLANDS

Luxury holiday homes in the Highlands

Each lodge sleeps 8, hot tub, sauna, dog friendly, stunning views. Ideal for enjoying your outdoor pursuits or just to simply chill and enjoy the tranquility. bookings@highlandlodgeescapes.co.uk

The Polchar - idyllic country retreat just outside Aviemore in the Rothiemurchus Estate. This 5 bedroom Gamekeepers co�age is perfect for relaxing with your family.

Two traditional Orkney cottages which have been totally renovated, with all modern comforts.

Two traditional Orkney cottages which have been totally renovated, with all modern comforts.

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. Christmas and New Year stays available.

Situated just over a mile from Skara Brae and the beautiful sandy Bay of Skaill. Christmas and New Year stays available.

Situated just over a mile from Skara Brae and the beautiful sandy Bay of Skaill.

Tel: 07753 378917

Tel: 07753 378917 info@orkney-accommodation.co.uk

info@orkney-accommodation.co.uk

www.orkney-accommodation.co.uk

Tel: 07753 378917 info@orkney-accommodation.co.uk

www.orkney-accommodation.co.uk

www.orkney-accommodation.co.uk

A Scottish themed wedding barn, ten minutes away from the heart of Glasgow. We offer you, exclusive use of the whole venue on the day of your hire. There is a variety of locations for you to host your day, with space for up to 80 day guests and further 60 evening guests. We will help you through every step to make sure your day is stress free.

Contact details: 0141 779 4913 thegatheringscotland.uk

Independent Schools

COULD YOUR IDEAL SCHOOL BE INDEPENDENT?

We know all parents look for and expect the best for their children. You want your child to grow, learn and thrive, to be exposed to great teaching and learning opportunities, and to reach their potential in all areas of school life; academic, extra-curricular and social development.

Independent schools meet the highest educational standards from high-quality teaching and emphasis on wellbeing, to the sheer choice of extra-curriculars on offer, not to mention the freedom of curriculum they can e ercise

Read on to find out the reasons hy you should consider an independent education for your child...

Outstanding quality

Every SCIS member school has its own unique ethos and values, and will provide a first-rate education for your child

Whether co-ed or single-sex, day school or boarding, they will all encourage your child to be the ery best they can be

Independent schools have the freedom to decide their own curriculums, enabling pupils to tap into their passions and promote innovation in future generations.

A niche for every pupil

Independent schools offer an unparalleled level of support, with teachers allowed the time to get to know

each pupil on an individual level. They will discover each child’s needs and interests, supporting them to develop their skills and confidence along the ay

Academic choice for all

Independent schools are in the unique position of having the freedom to choose not only a broad range of subjects for their pupils, but also which exam ualification best suits their student body

The result? A huge range of choices for your child and a wealth of internationally recognised ualifications

Teaching to the highest standards

Independent schools offer a rich and rewarding experience for their staff, attracting talented, passionate teachers. They go the extra mile to discover how their pupils learn best, what motivates them and what they truly enjoy so that their classroom experience will be an enjoyable and productive one.

A diverse school community

An independent school cultivates an environment in which children from diverse backgrounds, cultures and countries can come together to learn, while feeling comfortable and being themselves. This ensures that everyone feels valued, maximises their full potential and learns the value that difference pro ides

The vibrant mix of abilities and backgrounds in schools are as varied as the personalities of pupils themselves. Altogether, this makes for a dynamic and modern community that mirrors the real world and will serve your child well for the future.

Excellent extra-curriculars

Schools know that extra-curricular activities are vital for the health and wellbeing of their students. That is why theyoffer a huge range of activities spanning all kinds of sports, outdoor education and the performing arts. Specialist teaching staff are employed to help your child grow – physically, socially and in confidence through these co-curricular acti ities

21st-century learning

ery independent school significantly in ests in the latest technology to open up new avenues for learning. They know it is essential that children are digital natives and comfortable with navigating the digital landscape, while developing their innovation, creative problem solving, transferable skills and a global mindset, all of which are essential to tomorrow’s workforce.

Actively involved parents

Parents play a vital role in their child’s education, and schools recognise this contribution. Engagement from family improves the learning experience and leads to student success and to a real sense of community within the school.

Post-school success

cotland s independent schools boast impressi e figures for postschool success, with over 90% of students going on to university. Using the solid learning foundation and soft skills they have de eloped at school independent school graduates ill de elop into global citizens with the resilience to thrive in the 21st-century professional world.

Prioritising wellbeing

Pupils cannot succeed academically if their wellbeing and happiness is not prioritised. Schools know that happy pupils are successful learners, and they go to great lengths to support the mental wellbeing of students and foster happiness in their classrooms

Schools do this through a strong support network of specialised staff and by nurturing a strong community spirit, giving pupils a sense of belonging and enabling them to make friends for life.

CONTACT

For more information, advice and guidance on choosing an independent school in Scotland visit the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) website at www.scis.org.uk Tel: 0131 556 2316

Merchiston is a remarkable school where boys gain a world-class, outward-looking education. Wellbeing underpins everything they do and their smaller school community makes for meaningful and connected conversations, means they get to know your son really well and ensures they can support and motivate him in just the right way.

When your son leaves Merchiston, he will have achieved the highest level of personal academic success, made lifelong friendships and developed a true sense of self. He will have learnt what it means to have true integrity and character, to think of how he can help others, to understand the great privilege it was to be educated at Merchiston and strive for happiness and success in all he does.

Situated in a peaceful, wooded 100-acre campus 4 miles southwest of Edinburgh’s city centre on the edge of Colinton, a picturesque riverside village, their location provides unrivalled opportunities to explore the surrounding countryside for mountain biking, walking and hill running. The cultural highlights of Edinburgh are just a short bus ride away and Edinburgh Airport only 15 minutes away for ease of international travel.

Your son will thrive at Merchiston because he is known, understood, valued, and supported in everything he does.

CONTACT

Colinton Road, Edinburgh EH13 0PU

For more information email admissions@merchiston.co.uk, phone 0131 312 2200, or visit their website. www.merchiston.co.uk

DOLLAR ACADEMY

As the world’s oldest co-educational day and boarding school, Dollar Academy has been developing its pupils for over 200 years. The Care Inspectorate has described the school as having a ‘sector-leading’ standard of care. Dollar offers the widest range of academic subjects in Scotland, complimented by around 120 co-curricular activities, ensuring that e ery child finds something to interest them

Around 100 boys and girls live in three small, family-style boarding houses located on Dollar’s stunning 70-acre campus at the foot of the Ochil Hills. Tutors help with homework and excellent social, sport and leisure facilities are available. One great advantage of boarding at Dollar is that several hundred day pupils live locally, so boarders have a wide circle of friends both in and out of the boarding house.

Pupils at Dollar consistently achieve some of the best academic results in the country. The top three leavers’ destinations in recent years have been the universities of Edinburgh, St Andrews and

Glasgow. One-third of 2022 leavers went on to study at English universities –including Cambridge, Kings College and UCL – as well as international universities including Harvard and Stanford.

Co-curricular is a big part of Dollar life. The school regularly wins national rugby and hockey competitions, and passionately encourages participation at every level. Dollar has recently launched a Golf Programme in partnership with Gleneagles and has a growing reputation for cricket, football, tennis, and even ultimate frisbee! Music is very popular, with 14 different choirs and orchestras and a World Championship-winning Pipe Band. The Combined Cadet Force is one of the largest of its kind, consistently inning national military s ills shooting and first aid competitions and hundreds of pupils take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme each year.

his is a successful school filled ith happy and ery acti e children.

CONTACT

To learn more, please visit www.dollaracademy.org.uk or contact their Registrar, Katharine Hall, via 01259 742511 or registrar@dollaracademy.org.uk. Dollar Academy hopes to welcome you in the near future.

GORDONSTOUN

Gordonstoun is set between the mountains and the sea in a stunning 200-acre woodland campus in Moray, Scotland – a unique location that delivers a world leading outdoor education programme.

Realising full potential

Ensuring every child aged 4-18 reaches their full potential is fundamental at Gordonstoun and the school motto, Plus Est en Vous – there is more in you – underpins school life, inspiring young people to achie e more than they e er thought possible his is re ected in strong GCSE, BTEC and A-Level results and the personal progress that students make during their time at the school.

Preparation for exams - and for life

As the original provider of ‘character education’, Gordonstoun boasts a unique curriculum, delivering academic success whilst facilitating individual growth through exposure to a broad range of experiences. here s s iing in the nearby airngorms firefighting in the school s own Fire Service, countless drama productions, and crewing the school’s 80-foot cutter, Ocean Spirit of Moray.

Pastoral excellence

With Gordonstoun’s pastoral care described as ‘sector leading’ during recent inspections, the Gordonstoun community welcomes

students from over 40 different nations creating a genuinely international learning environment. A unique place of education, its ability to balance a broad, academic, personal and challenging curriculum whilst maintaining a warm, close-knit community is unmatched.

‘The best part of a Gordonstoun education, I think it’s really education in the round, the opportunity to think about both the in-classroom learning and the out of classroom learning, and put it all together into an amazing package in a beautiful, beautiful part of the world.’ - Mr Stewart, Gordonstoun parent

CONTACT

Gordonstoun, Elgin, Moray, IV30 5RF

Arrange a personal visit: admissions@gordonstoun.org.uk

Tel: 01343 837829 www.gordonstoun.org.uk

It’s a beacon of responsibility. It’s facing life’s challenges head-on. And it’s putting others before yourself.

At Gordonstoun, our students’ experience of learning goes way beyond the classroom.

Being of service to the community has been part of our unique curriculum from day one (1934 if you like your history).

Students provide real assistance to local Coastguard, Community and Fire Services and are currently involved in projects around the world.

It’s not your average school uniform. But then, there’s nothing average about Gordonstoun.

GORDONSTOUN

Broader experiences, broader minds.

It’s not just a fire helmet.

HIGH SCHOOL OF DUNDEE

High School of Dundee’s location in the heart of the city helps their pupils feel connected to the real world, creating fully rounded and grounded young people.

With the help of a curriculum in which timetables are built around individual choices, a vast co-curriculum and extensive pastoral support, the school helps their pupils disco er ho they are find their confidence and strengths and begin the journey to where they want to be.

In the primary years, every day the children spend time working on the crucial building blocks of literacy and numeracy, but the focus is also on making learning fun, engaging and wide-ranging. Children receive teaching from their secondary school subject teachers in multiple areas of study.

It’s an environment in which learning is cool. In their secondary school they have Enterprise Skills courses which allow pupils the chance to work on real-world projects with local businesses. They have a unique Sports Development programme, providing talented sports stars with the expert coaching and all-round guidance they need to reach the next level. There’s a commitment to STEM, with specialist staff, state of the art labs, equipment, and a focus on digital skills.

Their exam results are consistently among the top ten in the country, but their belief is that nothing is more important than enabling their pupils’ individual strengths and talents to shine through.

They welcome new pupils throughout the year and applications for entry in session 2023-24 can still be made. Join them for their Open Morning on 16 September or book in for a tour or taster day.

CONTACT

For more information email admissions@highschoolofdundee. org.uk or call 01382 202921 www.highschoolofdundee.org.uk

What do an Emmy award-winner, an Olympic swimmer and a Lions Rugby player have in common?

They all chose Strathallan for their education.

Situated in 153 acres of beautiful Scottish countryside, Strathallan School has been providing game-changing education for over 100 years.

They believe in tailor-made education backed by stellar academic results. In 2021, 67% of their A Level students achieved straight A*/A grades and of their school lea ers ere accepted into their first choice of university.

They have a long history of success when it comes to sport. There are currently 11 former Strathallan students playing professional rugby across the globe, two Olympians racing for Great Britain in the pool and skiing on the slopes and over 20 current pupils representing Scotland and the UK in sports ranging from fencing to canoe slalom.

But Strathallan isn’t just about its athletic accolades – there’s plenty of room for students to take centre stage, add another string to their bo and put their passions first ith four ipe ands numerous jazz and rock ensembles and two major stage productions every year, there have never been so many opportunities for pupils to gro in confidence and character

A Strathallan education has the power to change the future for every one of their pupils.

CONTACT

To learn more about a school where opportunities are open to those who grasp them, register for their next in-person

Open Morning on 7 October or get in touch today

Tel: 01738 812 546, www.strathallan.co.uk/visit-us

THE HIGH SCHOOL OF GLASGOW

The joy of learning instils a love of learning that goes beyond national exams and is vital to all aspects of life. It teaches children how to be curious, how to be innovative and how to be resilient.

Every day, the High School creates memorable moments because it believes that if you make a lesson memorable, it will stick with you. This approach to learning gets results and sets pupils up for success.

Children aged 3 to 18 are learning in an environment that doesn’t just prepare them for the world around them, it gives them the confidence and the s ills to help them shape the orld around them

Extracurricular activities are as much a part of the curriculum as English or Maths, and with 120 clubs and societies on offer, there is something for everyone.

The High School celebrates every type of learning and finds a path ay for e ery child. School years are some of the most important years in

life and these should be full of joyful learning opportunities where children are encouraged to try everything and discover who they really are and what they really like. And with almost 900 years of existence, the school knows a thing or two about nurturing happy and successful children.

Come and see for yourself.

CONTACT

Tours of the Junior School and Senior School are available year-round, simply contact Admissions on admissions@hsog.co.uk, Tel: 0141 954 9628. www.highschoolofglasgow.co.uk

ST LEONARDS

Situated in the heart of St Andrews, St Leonards is a for ard-thin ing boarding and day school hich offers an outstanding education for pupils aged to St Leonards is one of just two schools in the UK to deli er the inspiring and globally-recognised nternational accalaureate curriculum from ear to ear n uiry-based teaching and concept-based learning helps pupils to become critical thin ers and independent learners ensuring that year-onyear leavers secure places at top UK and international universities, including Oxford, University College London, Edinburgh, Durham and St Andrews.

The curriculum is complemented by a thriving programme of activities, equipping pupils with the skills and interests to succeed in today s e er-changing orld ith o er acti ities offered there is something for everyone – be that creative writing, debating, dance, coding, lacrosse, rugby or yoga.

leading si -tier olf rogramme is also deli ered in partnership with the St Andrews Links, catering for every stage of golfer, from the complete beginner to the elite player. Those enrolled on the olf rogramme en oy unri alled access to state-of-the-art facilities e pert instruction and access to se en in s courses in the ome of olf

Boarding at St Leonards is available from age 10, while day buses run throughout ife ayside and erthshire he boarding houses are stylish and spacious ha ing recently undergone an e tensi e million rede elopment hey pro ide a comfortable stylish homefrom-home for all ho li e and learn there ith family at the heart of each house and sea views from the windows.

lobally-minded yet ith a focus on each and every child, St Leonards is a leading independent school that truly prepares pupils, Ad Vitam, for life.

CONTACT

For more information email registrar@stleonards-fife.org or call 01334 427126. stleonards-fife.org

MORRISON’S ACADEMY

Nestled in the heart of Perthshire, Morrison’s Academy is a vibrant independent day school which offers every pupil a personalised education. Whether it’s in their beautiful purpose built Nursery or the Sixth Year common room, e ery child is no n and guided to find their passions and develop their strengths.

Their Primary classes have a dedicated form teacher and are deliberately capped in size to ensure that pupils get the very most from their learning experience. Teachers get to know and understand each and every pupil, supporting them in their formative stages of literacy and numeracy learning which lays the foundations for success in all other areas of the curriculum. With fewer pupils per class, individuals can connect more closely with their peers and become more confident and comfortable hen it comes to sharing ideas and perspectives.

At Morrison’s Academy, teachers focus on the developmental milestones of specific year groups deli ering an education that is the perfect fi t for e ery indi idual s pupils mo e through their Secondary School, their dedicated staff continue to share information a child s preferences for learning here they need support, where they need to be challenged and this transfer of

information helps to build a strong picture of their pupils.

Morrison’s Academy follows a contemporary Scottish curriculum programme of independent, childcentred learning. Pupils enjoy their golden thread subjects of Outdoor Adventures, STEM, Learning for Life, Enterprise, Art, Music and Sports which are intertwined through the Morrisonian curriculum from Nursery to S6.

They celebrate their pupils’ academic achievements but believe that these results only re ect a small part of their educational journey. It is the many and varied personal successes along the way that help to build a pupil’s personal sense of pride, character and confidence

At Morrison’s Academy they strive to build emotional intelligence, creativity and life skills, and prepare children for the future.

CONTACT

Ferntower Road, Crieff, Perthshire PH7 3AN

For more information email enquiries@morrisons academy.org, phone 01764 653 885 or visit the website. www.morrisonsacademy.org

The Governors of Morrison’s Academy, known as Morrison’s Academy, is an independent school for boys and girls, founded in 1860. The School’s Scottish Charity Number is: SC000458.

WELLINGTON SCHOOL

Wellington S chool in Ayr is an independent day school which welcomes both girls and boys from age 3 to 18, at any stage in their educational journey. Consisting of three impressive turreted buildings overlooking the sea, Wellington offers children the best possible start in life through excellent teaching, high quality pastoral care and a rich choice of extra-curricular activities.

Academically, pupils at Wellington choose 8 National 5 courses to study throughout S3 and S4, before going on to study 5 Higher courses in S5. They then have access to a full range of 17 Advanced Highers and almost all pupils go on to a university or college of their choice. The school is proud to maintain consistently excellent academic records at all levels.

Advertorial – Independent Schools

A particular strength of the school is the smooth transition between the Junior and Senior stages. Special arrangements in Primary 7 allow pupils to spend a percentage of their academic week with specialist Senior School teachers, extending learning at an earlier age and providing an easier integration into Senior School life.

At Wellington, the importance of extracurricular activities is never underestimated, especially by the dedicated staff members who provide an array of opportunities to pupils in both the Junior and Senior schools. From choral singing to netball, debating to drama –there is something exciting for everyone.

Pupils also have access to a wide range of opportunities to broaden their horizons and forge meaningful links with other countries. In July 2023, a group of 20 seniors pupils visited Wellington’s partner school in Jaipur, India, where they took part in a range of activities. In November 2022, Primary 7 pupils travelled to Dortmund in Germany to visit their partner school and take part in festive workshops. Their pupils gro in confidence from these e periences and se eral former pupils have gone on to study or work overseas.

Wellington pupils throw themselves into school life and simply ‘get involved’. A new adventure beckons, and Wellington look forward to sharing that journey with you.

CONTACT

You can start your Wellington Journey at any stage, for enquiries or to arrange a visit, please contact Marian Dunlop on 01292 269321 or via email: admissions@ wellingtonschool.org

www.wellingtonschool.org

Wellington can unlock the full potential of your child. Why not start the journey now?

Arrange a visit and see us in action!

JOIN THE WELLINGTON FAMILY

www.wellingtonschool.org

Founded in and celebrating its centenary this year elha en ill is one of cotland s leading co-ed boarding and day prep schools for to -yearolds ts acres of par land campus o erloo s the ide sandy beach of elha en ay in unbar ast othian

elha en attracts boarders from across cotland the orth of ngland and urope as ell as local day children

he school offers a creati e academic curriculum ith a progressi e digital programme outdoor education and outstanding learning support n the last t o years nearly of lea ers ha e on scholarships and a ards to their first-choice senior schools

eam sports and acti ities feature daily the children surf s im ride s i and play tennis and golf alongside coding robotics sustainability art music drama reeling and piping

ou are armly in ited to their pen ee end oarding aster on at un ctober

CONTACT

For all enquiries please contact their Registrar, Olivia Reynolds, on +44 (0)1368 862785 or admissions@ belhavenhill.com and, of course, visit www.belhavenhill.com

As dinburgh s only - girls school t eorge s is a place of possibilities he courage of the school s founding mothers ho pioneered omen s education in ictorian cotland still echoes defiantly through the corridors hat s hy amplifying the oice of e ery girl remains part of t eorge s today as a loyal school community ith a uni ue spirit of pride eryone here is respected appreciated and treated ith genuine compassion than s to e ceptional pastoral care hich nurtures close- nit pupil-teacher relationships ituated in dinburgh on a spacious par land campus t eorge s has a ide-ranging curriculum a uni ue mi of s at follo ed by ighers and d anced ighers in and t eorge s tailor curriculums for indi idual needs offering choice and e ibility across academic and co-curricular options guided by familiar teachers oday ne head arol handler- hompson ho too the helm last autumn is determined to ensure t eorge s remains centrestage ithin cotland s elite educational sector

CONTACT

Find out more at their forthcoming October Open Days. Book online www.stge.org.uk or contact Admissions

T: 0131 311 8008, E: admissions@stge.org.uk

As Aberdeenshire’s only boarding school, Lathallan elcomes families from around the orld to en oy a firstclass education on the edge of the stunning North East coastline.

he school s th-century castle boarding house and facilities are located within 60 acres of leafy grounds, providing unrivalled outdoor learning opportunities for nursery, junior and senior pupils between the ages of 6 months and 18 years.

The great outdoors offers an unbeatable learning canvas to explore, develop and grow eadmaster ichard oley highlights the school s commitment to creating an inclusive educational experience that brings out the best in every student.

Lathallan pupils throw themselves into school life and simply ‘get in ol ed hether it be in class on the sports field or performing on stage, pupils embrace the opportunities and support one another. With small class sizes and a focus on individualised attention, students are given the tools they need to succeed and exceed their own expectations.

An environmental consciousness permeates the school

The farm plays a pivotal role in Lathallan’s sustainability drive. Pupils learn aluable farm-to-for lessons through rearing pigs loo ing after the chic ens har esting potatoes and gro ing a ide range of fruit and egetables that are used for freshly-coo ed school meals

Attending Lathallan is more than a child’s education. Pupils and their families are elcomed into a onderful close- nit school community.

CONTACT

Join one of their Open Days in October or visit for a private tour, they welcome families year-round. Simply contact their Admissions Officer, Nicola Harrison - admissions@lathallan.org.uk or 01561 362220. www.lathallan.org.uk

ABOVE: School Consul Amelie Smith received straight As in her Advanced Highers.

Craigclowan provides a warm and nurturing environment for boys and girls aged 3 – 13 to learn, grow and be happy et in stunning grounds ith magnificent ie s over Perthshire, the school has a distinguished history and a reputation for the highest standards and expectations.

With a dedicated, caring and supportive ethos, the staff are very close to the children, and the families, in their care. As teachers who are entirely focussed on teaching primary aged children, they encourage pupils to achieve their all-round potential, in the classroom on the sports fields on the stage and in the music and art departments.

The school aims to make the most of the world outside the classroom through a wide range of outdoor activities that build confidence and resilience encourage creati ity and problem solving and ensure rosy cheeks and muddy boots. Welly boots and waterproofs are a must! Craigclowan’s children stay children for longer but, when it comes to moving on to senior school, pupils go on to attend a wide variety of top UK schools, both north and south of the border, many with scholarships under their belts. The values that are instilled in children during their journey through Craigclowan, are the qualities that allow them to thrive after they leave.

School is a hive of activity from 0730 until 1800, with a family-

friendly wraparound care programme before and after lessons. The school minibus eet collects children from across the region and Craigclowan’s ever-popular holiday camps operate throughout the year. Grant funding is available for nursery pupils setting out on their Craigclowan adventure.

hy not go along and find out hat a raigclo an education has to offer to your family? You will be assured of a very warm welcome and ill find a school in a stunning location ith tremendous spirit

CONTACT

For more information call 01738 626 310 or visit www.craigclowan-school.co.uk

Fair ie nternational chool ridge of llan is see ing fi e e ceptional students ith a passion for learning to oin its cholarship programme

pen to students aged -plus loo ing to complete their final t o years at school th and th ear ear and under the orld-reno ned nternational accalaureate curriculum the cholarship positions are a ailable for cademic cellence or ll- ound chie ement and ill co er of the successful students school fees

he iploma programme is a uni ersally recognised curriculum designed to de elop ell-rounded and open-minded indi iduals through the application of student-centred learning and is a ualification highly sought after by top uni ersities across the globe

a id ic s eadteacher at air ie nternational chool ridge of llan says ur iploma rogramme cholarship positions ill be offered to students ith outstanding academic achie ements ho sho an aptitude for commitment

y bringing in these additional scholarships e hope to support a number of talented students through their final years at school to engage in their passions hile preparing for their ne t steps in life or senior students considering oining the school at this stage in their education one of the greater benefi ts of enrolling in the

is the desirability of that ualification from uni ersities and further education institutions dditionally those ho are a arded a scholarship ill ha e access to the school s onderful resources including international educators global connections and e ceptional uni ersal learning opportunities

CONTACT

Applications are now open. For full terms and conditions visit www.fairviewinternational.uk/admissions/ fees-scholarships

ST MARY’S SCHOOL

St. Mary’s School is an independent, co-educational, day and e i-boarding preparatory school offering an outstanding educational e perience to boys and girls from to years ts pro imity to the

and the orders ail ay ma e it an attracti e option for families throughout the orders the cottish central belt and orthern ngland

lacing their pupils at the heart of all that they do their e pert understanding of the children imbues them ith the ability to ensure your son or daughter ill reach his or her true potential academically, creatively, socially, emotionally and ethically.

he broad curriculum at t ary s is taught by highly e perienced sub ect professionals cademic rigour aims to prepare all pupils for ommon ntrance and some for senior school scholarship path ays o best manage and support pupils along their appropriately demanding

academic ourney core sub ect class si es a erage around ith in-class assistance pro iding a ratio of adult to pupils in most sub ects t Mary’s has a proud reputation amongst the senior schools north and south of the border to hom our pupils transition.

uperb opportunities are on offer in rt and esign usic rama Games and Environmental Studies, and through a ide ariety of optional clubs

le i-boarding is e tremely popular in their homely boarding houses. Freshly prepared home coo ing and dynamic staff combine to create a elcoming and fun en ironment both during and beyond the school day

CONTACT

lease isit their ebsite and indeed pay a isit to them in person to gain a better sense of hat they can offer your child

For more information visit www.stmarysmelrose.org.uk or call 01896 822517.

Laying strong educational foundations

ISA is a very special place.

The encouraging, supportive, and caring environment inspires children to build a passion for learning from a very young age.

From its excellent preschool and elementary school facilities and outdoor space, ISA is leading the way with an educational philosophy fit for ever-changing future lifestyles.

Learn more about our student-centred approach at our next Open Day, Friday 6th October.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ABERDEEN

its sector leading approach to teaching and learning. The report praises its ‘consistently very high standards of learning and teaching across the school’.

The school was judged on four standards, receiving two ‘excellent’ scores (6 out of 6) which is ‘extremely rare’ and occurs in very few inspections. ISA was furthermore awarded two ‘very good’ scores meaning the inspectors had no recommendations for improvement.

The report abounds with positive statements of the school’s inclusive environment where every child is supported to thrive and succeed.

‘To receive this exceptionally good report with largely unparalleled results in Scotland is wonderful for our entire school community,’ continues Mr Little.

Children’s education in their early years cements their passion for learning and fundamentally shapes their lives.

By offering playful pathways for children from the age of 3 onwards, International School Aberdeen (ISA) supports young learners to build self-confidence by encouraging creativity and exploration in a fun and caring learning environment.

As a stepping stone into an educational setting, preschool years provide the foundation for important life skills such as teamwork and building friendships as well as regulating emotions and understanding the emotions of others.

‘The gradual transition between playbased activities and more formal approaches to education is essentially important in encouraging younger children to be inspired to learn and to immediately become learners for life,’ explains Nick Little, Head of School, ISA.

‘ISA is a very special place; we have a wonderful staff and parent community, and

our remarkable children and young people inspire us every day.

‘We have a true passion to empower and support the next generation, not only with academic success, but with the power that compassion and respect for all holds.’

With a student population of around 550, ISA promotes a sense of belonging for every child with wellbeing sitting at the heart of the school’s approach. Children are given the opportunity to embrace a different kind of learning driven by a school-wide culture that focuses on children for who they are as individuals.

ISA offers the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, allowing students to go one step further than core academic skills. Statistics show IB students are more likely to complete university, to get a better grade and graduate better equipped for the workplace.

Following an inspection earlier this year by Education Scotland, ISA received an ‘exceptionally positive’ report in which it is described as ‘outstanding’, demonstrating

From its excellent preschool and elementary school facilities and outdoor space offering children purposeful, encouraging environments that support their learning, to the middle and upper school where children are empowered to learn in their own way, ISA is leading the way in promoting an educational philosophy fi t for ever-changing future lifestyles and a shifting global landscape.

Visiting ISA’s impressive 21st-century campus is the best way to explore the school and all it has to offer your child.

To find out more and to book your tour, visit: www.isa.aberdeen.sch.uk

Put your feet up, grab a cup of coffee and pit your wits against our puzzles and quizzes

Scottish Field Crossword

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY OUR ALL SCOTTISH WORDS AND PHRASES CROSSWORD. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT DIFFERENT PARTS OF SCOTLAND USE DIFFERENT WORDS, I’M SURE DURING THE MONTHS TO COME, WE WILL COVER ALL THE DIFFERENT DIALECTS FROM ALL OVER SCOTLAND!

ACROSS

1 Head over heels (8,6)

4 Wash out (4)

DOWN

1 Look after oneself (4,3,6)

Head over heels (8,6)

6 Strike (3)

8 Reside (4)

Wash out (4)

Strike (3)

Reside (4)

cat (5)

9 A cat (5)

11 Moon, long period of time (4)

12 At an angle (7)

14 Shoe tongue (3)

16 Good health (7-5)

19 Shawl pin (12)

20 Without (6)

Moon, long period of time (4)

22 There (3)

At an angle (7)

23 Referring to a woman (3)

24 No (3)

Shoe tongue (3)

25 Female shop owner (5-1-6)

2 Two (3)

3 Small (3)

4 Sulky person (5)

5 Narrow valley (3)

6 Disapproving look (4,6)

7 Far side of the path (4,3)

9 Heavy pole (5) 10 Mased potatoes (7-7)

15 Rowdy drinking (6)

Good health (7-5)

29 Before (3)

31 Unknown (4)

Shawl pin (12)

32 Linnet (6)

33 Own (3)

Without (6)

There (3)

35 ntoxicated, crazy (11)

36 Young salmon (5)

37 One in charge (4-11)

38 Furious (5)

Referring to a woman (3)

No (3)

40 Chopping block (6,5)

42 Intend to do (5)

44 Impudent talk (4)

CROSSWORD NO 10

46 Animal teat (3)

Female shop owner (5-1-6)

Before (3)

Unknown (4)

Linnet (6)

Own (3)

50 Thimble (7) 53 Distorted (11) 55 To do something vigorously, giving it... (6) 56 An ant (6) 57 Cow (3)

58 Female fortune teller (8)

59 That over there (3)

Intoxicated, crazy (11)

Young salmon (5)

One in charge (4-11)

Furious (5)

Chopping block (6,5)

Intend to do (5)

AUGUST CROSSWORD WINNERS

Mr/Mrs/Miss

7 Far side of the path (4,3)

Address

9 Heavy pole (5)

Postcode Tel

10 Mased potatoes (7-7)

13 Not one thing or the other (7,6,3,5)

TO ENTER: Send your completed crossword to Scottish Field, Crossword No 10, The North Quarter, 496 Ferry Road, Edinburgh EH5 2DL, to reach us no later than 31 October 2023

15 Rowdy drinking (6)

16 Thin person or animal (14)

17 Chest for storing grain (3)

ANSWERS TO AUGUST CROSSWORD (NO 08)

Across: 1 Bubbly-jock, 5 Wee, 6 Cairn, 8 Nae, 10 Ned, 11 Ain, 12 Malky, 13 Yin, 14 Affgo, 17 Strath, 18 Ower, 21 Crivvens, 22 Hoatching, 24 Gang, 26 Stey, 27 Nyaff, 29 Awfy, 30 Yestreen, 31 Pinkie.

18 Desease in cattle or where one lives (5)

Down: 1 Bap, 2 Jenny-a-things, 3 Cundy, 4 Meiny, 5 Wean, 7 Ill-trickit, 9 Twa, 12 Moss, 15 Foo, 16

Messan, 18 Owergyaan, 19 Doo, 20 Fit, 22 Hingy, 23 Aways, 25 Gey, 28 Gin.

1ST: KEVIN BREWER, MALVERN 2ND: IAN HYND, ROSYTH 3RD: NICHOLAS GROGAN, SURREY

Impudent talk (4)

WIN A HAMPER FROM INVERAWE SMOKEHOUSES

Animal teat (3)

Thimble (7)

Welcome to our Scottish Field crossword, which will really test your brain power and general knowledge. So set pen to paper, fill in the blanks and be in with a chance of winning a fabulous ‘Taste of the Smokery’ to the value of £50 for 1st prize, £30 for 2nd prize and £20 for 3rd prize

Distorted (11)

To do something vigorously, giving it..... (6)

An ant (6)

What year is it?

USE THE CLUES AND PICTURES TO HELP GUESS THE YEAR.

2.

3.

5. After signing with Bell Records The Bay City Rollers reached no.9 in the charts with Keep on Dancing

WORD SEARCH: GELATINOUS

How many English words can you make from the word above? We can find 591. Try to find as many as possible. Words must be at least three letters long.

300-399 WORDS: GOOD, 400-499 WORDS: EXCELLENT, 500 WORDS OR MORE: YOU ARE A GENIUS

Where are we?

Situated at the Northern tip of Loch Shiel, it is home to an 18 metre monument erected in 1814 dedicated to the Highlanders who fought in support of the Jacobite Rising. It is where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised the royal standard claiming the throne in 1745 and it lies on the West Highland Railway. Its concrete viaduct has appeared in Harry Potter films.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

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.

1. Which east coast Scottish town is known for its traditional method of smoking haddock?

2. Which part of a set of bagpipes is responsible for the melody?

3. Where is HMS Britannia, the former royal yacht now permanently docked?

4. What is the most northerly point on the Scottish mainland?

5. Which Scottish scientist is widely accredited with inventing the first working television?

6. How many operating lighthouses are there in Scotland?

7. The Sheep Game is a YouTube channel run by which BBC presenter?

8. What engineering marvel connects The Forth and Clyde Canal to The Union Canal?

9. Which is the smallest of The Small Isles?

10. Claiming to date from 1360 what is the oldest pub in Scotland?

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. SEPTEMBER’S SOLUTION IS SHOWN RIGHT.

WHERE ARE WE? nnanGlenfi

1971

WHAT YEAR IS IT?

1. The Erskine Bridge opened for the first time.

Actor Ewan McGregor was born.

The last residents of the Isle of Scarp moved to the Isle of Harris.

4. Sir Tom Farmer opened the first Kwik Fit car servicing and repair company in Edinburgh.

ANSWERS: GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 1. Arbroath (Arbroath Smokie) 2. The chanter

3. The Port of Leith 4. Dunnet head (approximately 10 miles west of John O’ Groats)

5. John Logie Baird 6. 206 (operated by the Northern Lighthouse Board) 7. Cammy Wilson 8. The Falkirk Wheel 9. Muck (559 hectares) 10. The Sheep Heid, Duddingston

COVER TO COVER

Windswept

BY ANNIE WORSLEY WILLIAM COLLINS

£16.99



Annie Worsley’s wonderful account of ‘life, nature and deep time in the Scottish Highlands’ is already rightly being seen as a modern classic of the nature-writing genre. Lyrical, exhilarating, and sculpted from taut, sinuous prose, this is a gem of a book.

Worsley, a professor of environmental change with a particular interest in the spatial and temporal relationships between people and nature, grew up on Merseyside before escaping to a croft near Shieldaig in Wester Ross with her husband. What follows is an extraordinary paean to the remarkable landscape of north west Scotland from a woman

A Country of Eternal Light

BY PAUL DALGARNO POLYGON

£9.99



This is a di cult novel to pin down. It’s certainly moving in a bittersweet way, but its curious, determinedly original form also means as a reader it’s di cult to feel in control of the narrative as the book (deliberately) jumps around the place. This is partly because the narrator and central character, Margaret Bryce, is dead and we’re seeing her past life through snapshots. So we take a tour through her Aberdonian childhood and Thatcher’s Scotland, see the birth of her twin girls and everything from the beheading of Mary, Queen of Scots to Princess Diana’s death. Interesting.

e Wisest Fool: e Lavish Life of James VI & I

BY STEVEN VEERAPEN BIRLINN

The Union of the crowns in 1603 presaged the Union between England and Scotland, while James also settled Ireland and the USA and paci ed the Borderlands. Few people have had such a profound impact upon the history of the world, or been so misunderstood. Opponents sullied him as a gay tyrant who rarely washed, burned witches for fun and foisted an unwanted bible on his people. But with considerable skill, Veerapen peels back the layers to reveal a very human man doing his best to ful l his Godgiven role. I enjoyed this very much.

who can scarcely believe her luck. Worsley is immediately captivated by the rugged, awe-inspiring place in which she has chosen to make her home.

Worsley has managed to produce a captivating read by combining a precision with language and a childlike joy at her surroundings. She is a devotee of Robert Macfarlane’s writing, and incorporates his reverence for wilderness and respect for the forces of nature.

Indeed, in this memorable almanac of her year immersed in the rhythms of nature, she transports readers to the outer edge of these isles. Her descriptions of the weather and the fauna that she nds there is so perceptive that it will live long in the mind.

If you love the great outdoors, buy this book – you won’t regret it.

Under e Radiant Hill: Life and the Land in the Remotest Highlands

BY ROBIN NOBLE BIRLINN £10.99



Environmentalist Robin Noble writes beautifully, and in Under The Radiant Hill he paints a vivid picture of life in Assynt, in the remote north west of the country and an area he has been intimately involved with since he was nine years old. Noble talks lovingly and eloquently about the land use and the rich variety of wildlife that he has experienced, which includes everything from golden eagles and pine martens to otters and badgers. But it is his relationships with stalkers, shepherds and crofters which underpin this lovely exposition of place.

I ink of You

BY ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH POLYGON BOOKS

£12.99



The much-loved McCall Smith has always come across as kind and thoughtful, two attributes which infuse this joyously accessible collection of pithy poems interspersed with entertainingly eclectic musings. A devotee of Auden, his verse is similarly assured as he ranges across the human condition. An utterly charming collection.

ree Fires

BY DENISE MINA POLYGON BOOKS £10



After the huge success of her novella Rizzio, Mina has returned to the format, with this re-imagining of The Bon re of the Vanities set in 15th-century Florence. At its heart is fanatical friar Girolamo Savonarola, who starts as an anti-corruption campaigner and ends up being burnt at the stake. You can read this in an evening, and it will be time well spent.

War Paths: Walking in the Shadows of the Clans

A look at a particularly impressive crop of Scottish books by Richard Bath e Art of Elizabeth Blackadder

BY ALISTAIR MOFFAT BIRLINN

£18.99



Like McCall Smith and Mina, Moffat is beloved of these pages. His knack of delivering hugely readable histories of Scotland has illuminated the nation’s complicated history in a way schiltrons of academics have failed to master.

He’s at it again with the excellently evocative and thoughtprovoking War Paths, in which he examines and reconstructs ten 17th- and 18th-century battles which saw the power of the clans broken forever (most are in the Highlands, with only Prestonpans and Falkirk south of the Highland Fault). But this is no dry, dispassionate rendering of these formative armed con icts, instead Moffat – a Borderer who learned Gaelic and clearly has a love of Highland culture – examines the battle elds on foot, and gets inside the heads of the combatants and their generals. Much is revealed, particularly about Culloden Sheriffmuir and Montrose. If you love Scottish history, make sure you buy this.

Celtic Cuisine

BY VARIOUS GRAFFEG £9.99

This little book is a collection of recipes from around the Celtic world of Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Brittany, Isle of Man, Cornwall and Galicia. The half a dozen recipes from Scotland are the usual suspects – cullen skink, mince ‘n tatties with skirlie, venison casserole, haggis, shortbread and cranachan. However, it’s well laid out and very user-friendly.

e Wild Coast

BY LIN ANDERSON MACMILLAN £18.99

The seventeenth Rhona MacLeod thriller could be the best so far. The forensic scientist is in her Skye bolthole when she’s called to Arisaig to investigate a murder. Another camper is killed soon afterwards, with the trail then moving to Glasgow. The plot has Anderson’s trademark twists and turns, and is a genuine page-turner.

BY DUNCAN MACMILLAN LUND HUMPHRIES

£25 

Updated to include new imagery, this is a revised edition of the lively and authoritative book which Duncan Macmillan rst published in 1999.

When Elizabeth Blackadder died two years ago, it marked the passing of one of Scotland’s most in uential women artists. The rst woman to be elected to both the Royal Academy and the Royal Scottish Academy, her work – whether still life, landscapes, owers, portraits or cats – was sure-footed and incorporated an array of mediums including oil paints, watercolours, drawing, and printmaking.

Although lavishly illustrated, there is also a signi cant amount of detail about Blackadder’s career, art and personality, including essays by Philip Long and John Leighton, but with Macmillan, Professor Emeritus of the History of Scottish Art at the University of Edinburgh, doing most of the heavy lifting.

OFFERS & COMPETITIONS

To enter, send entries with your name, address, telephone number and email address to Scottish Field Competitions, The North Quarter, 496 Ferry Road, Edinburgh EH5 2DL or enter online at www.scottishfield.co.uk. Closing date, unless otherwise stated, is Tuesday 31 October 2023.

A COPY OF THE MAIDEN BY

KATE FOSTER

Scottish Field have once again teamed up with Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival to give you the chance to win books shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize.

This month we have 10 copies of The Maiden by Kate Foster, who has been shortlisted for the 2023 prize, to give away:

This debut crime novel set in the 17th-century is a reimagining of true historical events in which Lady Christian Nimmo is charged with the murder of her lover James Forrester.

Kate Foster won Pitch Perfect at Bloody Scotland in 2020 with her outline for the book which is published by Mantle. She lives in Edinburgh.

What is the name of the Lady charged with the murder of her lover?

A STAY AT CAMERON HOUSE ON LOCH LOMOND WITH DINNER AND A LOCH CRUISE

In the monumental year of the 200th anniversary of Cameron House Hotel, Scottish Field is giving you the chance to celebrate and stay in style this winter on the banks of Loch Lomond. Be in with the chance to win an indulgent overnight stay for two with a hearty Scottish breakfast at 5-star resort, Cameron House on Loch Lomond. This sumptuous getaway includes your pick of resort restaurants for a delectable three-course dinner (excludes Tamburrini & Wishart) and the chance to experience breathtaking scenery

a trip

Which anniversary is Cameron House celebrating in 2023?

with

on luxury loch cruiser, The Celtic Warrior.

The winner of the 2023 Debut Prize will be revealed on the opening night of The Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival which will take place in Stirling from 15-17 September 2023. To find out more join the Bloody Scotland Facebook page or sign up for the newsletter at www.bloodyscotland.com

T&Cs: Prize valid for 2 adults sharing a Suite with breakfast. Includes dinner in any resort restaurant (excludes Tamburrini & Wishart Restaurant) on one night, and a trip for two on the Celtic Warrior. Available to book 7 days a week. Stay must be booked by March 31 2024, excludes 24-26 Dec and 29-31 Dec, 14 Feb, 29March-1 April. Prizes are subject to availability, non-refundable, non-transferable and there is no cash alternative.

Competitions

WIN

A LUXURIOUS STAY AT MATFEN HALL COUNTRY HOTEL IN NORTHUMBERLAND

Nestled in the heart of Northumberland, Matfen Hall Country Hotel, Spa and Golf Estate is a true escape to a luxurious world. Rich in heritage and atmosphere and set amongst 300 acres of Northumbrian parkland, Matfen Hall provides a 5-star unequalled paradisefor couples to relax, families to explore and friends to enjoy. Boasting five dining spaces on site, from steak and seafood classics in Cloisters Restaurant and Bar to a sublime six-course tasting menu in Emerald Restaurant, as well as 27 holes of championship-level golf and a harmonious spa featuring treatments fromGermaine de Capuccini andNatura Bissé trained therapists, you will be able to indulge each of your senses during your time with us. This fabulous prize includes an overnight stay for two people in a Luxury Suite with dinner in Emerald Restaurant. A bottle of Laurent-Perrier will be in your room on arrival and a chauffeur transfer can be arranged from and to NCL Airport or NCL Central Station if required.

Where can you enjoy the six-course tasting menu at Matfen Hall?

T&Cs: Valid for two guests only. Breakfast included. Prize cannot be redeemed to coincide with a wedding. Prize may not be exchanged for cash and is non-transferable or refundable. Subject to availability. Must be taken Sunday-Thursday. Valid until 31 November 2024

Care Crew are here to provide a quality care service in our clients’ own homes

 We only provide full day, full night or 24 hours care.

 We can offer assistance in obtaining direct payment from the Scottish Government for your personal care.

 We can liaise with the Social Work Department to obtain equipment to make our clients’ lives more comfortable at home.

 We provide either live in or live out care and can travel throughout Scotland to our clients’ homes.

 We have even been known to undertake foreign travel with our clients.

 We keep costs down by being self-employed; the client pays their carer direct. There are no hidden charges.

 We can cover the whole of Scotland

Care Crew is managed and founded by Helen McDonald. Helen liaises with families to better understand the individual’s requirements before assigning the most suitable members of Care Crew to the particular client. Helen introduces each client to their carer after the initial consultation. We aim to provide continuity of care and try to match clients with like-minded carers. Each carer is registered as self-employed, insured and holds an enhanced disclosure (PVG). In addition Moving and Handling certificates are constantly updated in accordance with legislation. Most of the carers have completed their SVQ 2 or SVQ 3. We are also experienced in palliative care, spinal care, dementia and we are familiar with the medical protocol associated with care at home.

If you want to know more about tailored packages please call 07738 625 021 www.carecrew.co.uk

THE RSNO’S MIDSUMMER GALA BALL

GRAND CENTRAL, GLASGOW

01 Katherine Bryan, Mike Gregson 02 Professor Richard Whitecross, Alan Masson, Alasdair Morton, Professor Andrew Farrall 03 Alison Gregson, John Bruce, Sue Bruce 04 Clarke Tait, Steven McIntosh, Steven Duncan, Jimmy Sinclair MBE 05 Ciara

Harvie, Thomas Søndergård 06 Ellen Burns, Gerard Burns 07 Lady Eileen McDonald, Sir James McDonald 08 Andy Stevenson, Angela

Moreland, Jane Donald, Alistair Mackie 09 Fiona

Donaldson, Chris Grace Hartness 10 Andreas Landin, Jill Dykes, Peter Dykes

IMAGES ROBERT PERRY

CASTLE LADIES’ DAY MUSSELBURGH RACECOURSE, MUSSELBURGH

Paul Jamie, Rachel Blyth 02 Ellie Dalrymple, Chloe Gilchrist, Jenna Scott 03 Abbie Davidson, Lauren Clark, Kerry Edmond, Becky Somers 04 Alix Burns, Melissa Quinn, Aimee Campbell 05 Catherine Grace Kelly, Roberta Boyer 06 Lewis Jeffrey, Gary Mair 07 Sara Mansouri, Nicole Kerr, Melissa Kerr 08 Wiki Borele, Erin Potter 09 Janet Mitscavitch, Alex Walkingshaw 10 Carol Keith, Heather Burnside, Hannah Smith

THE GWCT SCOTTISH GAME FAIR

Searching for nuance

e deer stalking debate has become horribly polarised and o en crosses the line into unpleasantness, but it really need not be that way, believes our columnist

People think I’m a cold-blooded killer. I had it coming I guess. I wrote a book about my year only eating animals I killed myself, including the experience of stalking on Ben Damph. People think that come October I can’t wait to get out there and kill red deer.

Er, no. I enjoy a day out on the hill, watching the direction of the wind by noticing the way the grass blows, smelling the musky stags as you tramp through wallows, crawling down burns and lying in the heather for hours. It is a great privilege to partake in this intense, very human, atavistic experience, but I don’t love the kill. I do it because it’s a necessary part of a orestation, I trust my weapon and myself to execute a clean kill, and I want to eat and share the venison.

What people fail to understand is that I, like many who go stalking, love the deer. Take my friend Callum. He tends to hang around the Beinn Eighe car park, a main thoroughfare of the NC500, his majestic antlers glinting in the autumn sunshine. Callum is Torridon’s answer to Kim Kardashian. He is our local social media star. Search #Callumstag on Instagram and he will come up. Locals love him (and have been known to feed him carrots), tourists love him (and have been known to feed him pork pies and Fruit Pastilles). Callum is a very unusual old stag who learnt, once his teeth started to fall out, to accept food from humans. anks to his tameness and celebrity, Callum is safe from the stalkers, though more deer will not be encouraged to follow his lead.

A photo of Callum will get plenty of likes on Facebook as an image of the ‘wild’ animals roaming the Highlands, but the real story is much more complex. Callum is the sentimental side of the ‘Monarch of the Glen’ that we admire and

are rightly proud of. e other side is an animal at the heart of a ferocious debate over the future of this precious ‘wilderness’.

A recent report by Scottish Environment LINK put deer numbers at an historic high. Meanwhile Government is under pressure to plant trees to tackle climate change and restore biodiversity, especially the west coast temperate rainforest. e trouble is deer like to eat trees, so areas of the Highlands must be fenced o and deer culled in unprecedented numbers. is has led to conflict where estates retain deer numbers for stalking income and tradition.

On social media, many assume that if you stalk you’re a cold-blooded killer who wants to perpetuate deer numbers for ‘sport’. I’ve endured vile vitriol (o en focusing on my gender) for years because I dare to talk deer stalking. It’s as if social media cannot handle people having more than one motivation at the same time. is is too complex and important a debate to get stuck in such silos. I can go stalking and still be concerned for deer welfare and the environment.

e LINK report complaining of deer numbers ultimately wants bi er ‘rainforest deer’ returning to the Highlands a er regenerating woodland in which they can live. Guess who feeds Callum? Both the people who believe stalking should be part of a traditional approach to deer management and those who want stalking only as part of reforestation. Most people’s opinion is not binary, but somewhere in between.

As Callum shows, we all love the deer, even if we cannot agree on the best way to manage this keystone species. So, if you’re in Glen Torridon please don’t feed Callum ultra-processed food or take selfies with him. Admire Callum, and take a photo from a safe distance if you must. But do him the honour of understanding who he really is, a wild animal who must nevertheless be managed as part of our shared landscape. @loubgray

Louise Gray

‘Locals feed Callum the stag carrots, while tourists have been known to feed him pork pies and Fruit Pastilles’

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE ALL THE TIME

AVAILABLE WITH £1,500 DEPOSIT CONTRIBUTION* AND 5.9% APR REPRESENTATIVE†

We think safety, grip, handling and capability should always be full time jobs. That’s why every Subaru SUV is engineered with permanent, always on, all-wheel drive as standard.

CARS AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY

Award-winning features. Fitted as standard.

• Permanent All-Wheel Drive

• Advanced Safety Technology

• 5-Star Euro NCAP

• Dual Function X-MODE with Hill Descent Control

• Dual-Zone Automatic A/C

• Keyless Entry and Push Button Start System

• High Beam Assist

• Apple CarPlay™ & Android Auto™

BOOK A TEST DRIVE AT YOUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP TODAY

A F Noble & Son

Penicuik 01968 678002

Aird Motors Subaru

Beauly 01463 782266

Autosales of Kirriemuir

Kirriemuir 01575 572404

C & M McDonald

Kintore 01467 634890

DS Dalgleish

Galashiels 01896 754767

Eaglesham Garage

Eaglesham 01355 302685

Fife Subaru Cupar 01334 657400

Ian Grieve

Falkirk 01324 605100

M. R. Gair Ltd

Shetland 01595 693246

S & S Services

Ayr 01292 880080

Tweedmouth Subaru Berwick-upon-Tweed 01289 306664

SUBARU XV e-BOXER 2.0i fuel economy and CO2 results (WLTP): Combined 35.7mpg, CO2 emissions 180g/km. SUBARU FORESTER e-BOXER 2.0i fuel economy and CO2 results (WLTP): Combined 34.7mpg, CO2 emissions 185g/km. SUBARU OUTBACK fuel economy and CO2 results (WLTP): Combined 33.0mpg, CO2 emissions 193g/km.

SUBARU SOLTERRA WLTP Pure Electric Energy Consumption and Driving Range: Combined 180Wh/km, 257 mile range in Solterra Touring. Figures shown are combined WLTP (indicative) and can vary significantly depending on factors such as selected grade, accessories fitted, driving style, weather conditions, speed or vehicle load. These figures may not reflect your real-life driving results. *Saving of £1,500 (incl. VAT) when you buy a new Forester e-BOXER, XV e-BOXER, Outback or Solterra. †Credit available subject to status.

Subaru dealers and is not available in conjunction with any other offers unless specified. This credit offer is

by International Motors Finance Limited, St. William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff CF10 5BH. OTR price includes VAT, delivery, number plates,