Posts by Kenny Smith
Égalité, Fraternité, Liberté – for Scotland’s trees
When she’s not helping to clear 100 hectares of Wester Ross from the invasive species rhododendron ponticum, Isabelle Kerjose is a community councillor in Applecross and a teacher of yoga. How did you learn to be a chainsaw cutter? I am originally from France and came to live in Applecross with my partner. I was…
Read MoreThe Scot who has been forgotten in his homeland
Despite having earned a remarkable reputation as ‘the peacemaker’ in Ghana, Banffshire’s George Maclean has long been forgotten in his native land. There are names in history that have been lost in the folds of time, and while George Maclean may be remembered in foreign lands, the same cannot be said for him back in…
Read MoreDame Evelyn Glennie shares her love of music
Dame Evelyn Glennie, multi-percussionist who has been profoundly deaf since the age of 12, believes listening and music is a whole body experience. I was brought up on a farm in Aberdeenshire. I went to Ellon Academy and a tiny country primary school called Cairnorrie. It only had about 37 to 42 pupils. In such…
Read MoreThe final part of our wildlife spotting guide
We highlight where to find Scotland’s beautiful wildlife in the final part of our feature. We’ve brought you 50 great places to see the nation’s top creatures, from the fast and the furry, to the beautiful and sleek. Click HERE to see part four, HERE to look at part three, HERE to read part two,…
Read MoreRobert the Bruce’s spider link to historic hotel
A historical hotel reputed to be sited near where Robert the Bruce was inspired by a spider is on the market. Dunvalanree, a hotel on the stunning West Highland beach where Robert the Bruce landed while fleeing the English following an early setback, is being offered for sale. Located in the tiny Kintyre hamlet of…
Read MoreThe ideal book for the fisherman in your life
Reflections on the Loch is a wonderful hardback book, to warm the heart of any trout angler, and a perfect Christmas present. The widely-travelled Orcadian writes with passion, knowledge and experience, and is highly informative yet never dull. Not afraid to tackle issues, he is also very specific, giving tips on how to fish specific…
Read MoreThere’s more to the cuckoo than its famous call
Towards the end of April every year, I, like millions of other country people, have my ears cocked listening out for spring’s first cuckoo. It is one of nature’s finest sounds and never fails to send a frisson of excitement through me. But in recent years it has become more difficult to witness that celebrated…
Read MoreJohn Stephens-Orr – the snapper to the stars
In the 1950s and 60s, having your portrait taken by dapper snapper John Stephens-Orr bestowed real social cachet. David McNeil shares his experiences of working with the Scottish society photographer. In 1963 I was a 17-year-old trainee commercial artist with an advertising agency in Glasgow. The boss called me in one day and told me…
Read MoreJohn Hunter left a body of work behind him
Self-taught John Hunter was the most famous surgeon of his age – but the man who was the inspiration for Jekyll and Hyde had no qualms about acquiring stolen corpses on which to perfect his skills. Everyone knows the story of Jekyll and Hyde. But few realise that the setting for the gothic tale of…
Read MoreA Scottish top ten of world records
When it comes to world-beating feats we Scots have consistently punched above our ‘small country’ weight . Here we look at some of the brilliant, brave and often bonkers records set and challenged by Scots over the years. 1. Winning the international toss As caber-tossing is one of the most iconic aspects of Scotland, it…
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