Posts by Kenny Smith
Tea set made to welcome Queen Victoria goes to auction
An extensive porcelain breakfast service made to welcome Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on their first visit to Scotland in 1842 comes for sale at auction house Lyon & Turnbull this week. The historic Worcester service of more than 280 pieces, each painted with sprigs of heather and the family coronet, is among 43 lots…
Read MoreOffers over £1.6 million to buy this Scottish estate
A compact residential estate with outstanding views over the River Tay to the hills beyond is for sale – with a closing date on May 19 2021. With a principal house in Highland Perthshire, two detached cottages, grazing land, salmon fishing rights and woodland, it is available as a whole or in lots. Presented by…
Read MoreNotable places in Scotland put in the picture
A look around some of Scotland’s most beautiful places continues this weekend. In BBC ALBA series Dealbh is Slighe (Picture Trail), Calum Maclean combines his love of exploring notable places with that of taking photos. Featuring stunning settings from around Scotland – from the northern Highlands to the Borders, the Aberdeenshire coast to the islands…
Read MoreCelebrate Islay’s festival of music and malt with a bottle
When it comes to whisky, few celebrations are as eagerly anticipated as Islay’s festival of music and malt – Fèis Ìle. Established almost 30 years ago, the festival draws visitors from across the globe to the thriving shores of the island each year to experience its community, culture, and its world-renowned whisky. Now, the most…
Read MoreThe incredible life of Scottish icon Stanley Baxter
This authorised biography has generated headlines because in it 95-year-old Stanley Baxter comes out as gay, yet there is so much more to this account of the actor’s life than that revelation. This jauntily-written book is a veritable treasure trove of anecdotes that shine a light on one of Scotland’s most beloved, yet most enigmatic,…
Read MoreIt’s a dog’s life with internet sensation Labradors
The moment this book, Olive, Mabel & Me: Life and Adventures with Two Very Good Dogs landed on the desk, there were gasps of excitement. Written by one of the most recognisable voices in sports broadcasting, Andrew Cotter tells of his adventures with his two faithful Labradors, Olive and Mabel, who became internet sensations during…
Read MoreAt-home festival with Lagavulin and Caol Ila whisky
Islay’s famous festival of music and whisky, Fèis Ìle is back for 2021 with all events being held digitally, bringing those at home up close to some of the best of what Islay has to offer. As part of the festival, two of the island’s most famous single malts, Lagavulin and Caol Ila will be…
Read MoreFestival filming begins in the Fair City of Perth
Filming for one of Scotland’s leading independent arts festivals, Perth Festival of the Arts, began this week from the magnificent setting of Perth Museum and Art Gallery. Like many spring festivals, Perth has worked creatively to bring artists and audiences together ‘online’ and is ready to showcase the city’s cultural venues to audiences around the world…
Read MoreOpen-access online learning encouraging youngsters
This sees the launch of FIDA (Futures Institute at Dollar Academy) – an open-access online learning platform that empowers young people to learn in new ways. They do this through innovative projects rooted in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). It has been created to address three fundamental challenges – sustainability, equitable access…
Read MoreColourful cottages kick off a vibrant lettings season
As the self catering sector reopens after its long layoff, ahead of what it hopes will be a very vibrant ‘fully booked’ summer, a Highland Perthshire country estate is using colour to say that it’s glad to be back. Multi award winning Mains of Taymouth country estate and golf course at Kenmore is known for…
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