Posts by Ellie Forbes
Former lighthouse with panoramic views over the Pentland Firth and out to Orkney hits the market
A remote former lighthouse with panoramic views over the Pentland Firth and out to Orkney has been put up for sale. Holborn Head Lighthouse, a renovated B-listed Stevenson lighthouse, sits near Scrabster, Caithness. Constructed in 1862, the light was permanently discontinued in 2003 and the building purchased by the current owners in 2006. The former…
Read MoreGeorgian house set within 60 acres of grounds goes on sale
An elegant Georgian house with 60 acres of grounds has gone on sale. Quarter Estate, a B-listed country house set in acres of beautiful parkland and woodland in Denny, dates back to around 1776. The property has all the charm of the Georgian period, including a pillared entrance and beautiful symmetrical windows in the front…
Read MoreDown’s Syndrome Scotland Garden wins at Chelsea Flower Show
This incredible garden inspired by a young boy from Dumfries and Galloway has won the RHS People’s Choice Award medal at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. Scottish-based designers Duncan Hall and Nick Burton said they were ‘delighted’ to be presented with the award for the Down’s Syndrome Scotland Garden, which was inspired by Duncan’s eight-year-old…
Read MorePainting by Scottish Colourist Samuel John Peploe sells for more than £381,000 at auction
A painting by Scottish Colourist Samuel John Peploe which once hung in his patron’s drawing room has sold for more than £381,000 at auction. Roses In A Green Jug went under the hammer in the Scottish art sale at Bonhams in Edinburgh. It sold for £381,400 including buyer’s premium, above the estimate of £250,000-£350,000. ‘Peploe’s…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Heather Darwent: ‘I will never tire of Donna Tartt, she’s my favourite writer’
Heather Darwent on her favourite book of the year, the novels she always recommends and reading to her son. The first book I remember reading: The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin. I loved the whole series – I couldn’t wait to be a babysitter. This was followed quickly by Sweet Valley High… A…
Read MoreFirst osprey chick of the season hatches at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest in Lochaber
The first osprey chick of the season has hatched at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest in Lochaber. Osprey Dad Louis has been in residence every summer since 2017, with his first mate Aila until 2020 and his second mate, Dorcha since then. The first breach in the eggshell, known as a pip, appeared at 5:20am on…
Read MoreIn A Nutshell, Neil Paterson: ‘I ate fermented shark meat in Iceland once – I can’t possibly comprehend how anyone could enjoy it’
Born in the Scottish Highlands, Neil Paterson’s career in hospitality began by accident as he took a second job as a kitchen porter while working as a snowboard instructor in the Alps. After opening a restaurant in Berlin he moved back to Scotland and in 2024 co-founded Arete, a culinary service specialising in bespoke dining…
Read MoreGrade II listed manor built by a lovestruck Baronet to impress his mistress hits the market
This stunning Grade II listed manor built by a lovestruck Baronet to impress his mistress sits at the heart of a working farm now on the market. After decades of ownership with one family, West Ord Farm, located on the banks of the River Tweed, has been brought to market. The historic working farm extends…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Andrew Meehan: ‘I don’t think I go a day without thinking about Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout’
Andrew Meehan on the influence of Elizabeth Strout, the book he’s most looking forward to this year, and how love in later life is complicated. The first book I remember reading: I’ll swerve Enid Blyton to tell the story of the time one of my older brothers, Niall, now a designer, bought one of the…
Read MoreLife With Jonny & the Baptists: ‘Scotland is just a very wonderful place all round’
Musical comedy duo, Jonny & the Baptists (Jonny Donahoe and Paddy Gervers) on their love of Scotland, their new show The Happiness Index and their guilty pleasures. Where did you grow up? Jonny: I grew up in Reading, where many people have changed trains. Queen Victoria hated Reading so much she insisted her statue…
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