Posts by Ellie Forbes
Charles Rennie Mackintosh writing desk returns home to the Hill House
A writing desk designed at the turn of the 20th century by Charles Rennie Mackintosh has returned to the Hill House, its original home. The elegant drawing room writing desk was commissioned by publisher Walter Blackie, the first owner of the Mackintosh-designed and built Hill House in Helensburgh. Like much of the furniture in the…
Read MoreIn a Nutshell, Ewan McAllister: ‘I cooked for Andrew Fairlie once, it was a tense couple of hours in the kitchen’
Ewan McAllister, executive head chef at hospitality hospitality group SimpsInns on cooking for Andrew Fairlie, the music he listens to in the kitchen and his go-to recipe book. Describe your style of cuisine in ten words: The freshest local produce and seafood well-seasoned, and tasty. Best and/or most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten: That…
Read MoreSurviving piece of Iron Age fabric buried in Loch Tay for 2,500 years goes on display
This surviving piece of Iron Age fabric, which lay buried in the bottom of Loch Tay in Perthshire for nearly 2,500 years, is going on display for the first time. Believed to be one of the oldest of its kind in Britain and dating back to the early to middle part of the Iron Age,…
Read MoreEvidence of earliest human populations to have lived in Scotland discovered on Isle of Skye
Evidence of one of the earliest human populations known to have lived in Scotland has been discovered on the Isle of Skye. Stone tools found on the island are believed to be between 11,000 and 11,500 years old and date from a period known as the Late Upper Palaeolithic. The find means the west coast…
Read MoreEwan McVicar’s Pavilion Festival back in Ayr for a third year
Scottish DJ Ewan McVicar is bringing his Pavilion Festival back to Ayr this weekend, with sets from the likes of James and Annie Mac. Spanning four stages and welcoming more than 120 artists, selectors and DJs, the festival was co-founded by Ewan and STREETrave pioneer Ricky Magowan. Making its grand debut for 2025 is the…
Read MoreIn a Nutshell, Andrew Spence: ‘I’d love to cook for Mark Wahlberg I hear he enjoys his food’
Andrew Spence has been influenced by some exceptional chefs in his career from stages at Michelin Star restaurants to influences from travelling. Andrew is always finding new ideas and inspiration, now being back in Scotland he is making a small difference in the culinary scene with modern dishes taken from classic flavours. Andrew will be…
Read MoreFrom Scrums to squats: How Peter Eccles Found New Purpose on the Farm
Peter Eccles saw himself as a dedicated and conscientious farm manager and hardworking rugby teammate. But when both came to an end, he found himself having something of an identity crisis. Now, after opening his own on-farm fitness business and getting involved in supporting the wellbeing organisation Farmstrong Scotland, he opens up about finding his…
Read MoreVictorian Crossley engine discovered in attic of former courthouse and jail in Edinburgh
A rare Victorian Crossley engine has been discovered in the attic of a former courthouse and jail in Edinburgh. The engine is one of only three in the world and has remained hidden at the building on the Royal Mile for decades. Built in 1878, this marvel of Victorian engineering, it was far ahead of…
Read MoreRare silver cutlery designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh sells for nearly £180,000 at auction
An extremely rare suite of silver cutlery designed by renowned Scottish artist and architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, has sold for nearly £180,000 at auction. The soup spoon, dessert spoon, dinner fork and dessert fork formed part of a set commissioned in 1902 by the Scottish artist and embroiderer Jessie Newbury, and her husband Francis (Fra)…
Read MoreLife With Maria MacDonell: ‘Acting was always my first love’
Scottish actress Maria MacDonell on getting older, the best advice she has ever been given and working as an artist’s model at 60. I grew up in the Highlands on the Black Isle. I remember the days of the Kessock Ferry before the bridge was built. I studied hard at school, played music and…
Read More