Posts by Kenny Smith
Legendary Scots castle to be sold after makeover
Seton Castle, a late architectural masterpiece designed by Robert Adam in 1789 and built using stone from Seton Palace (said to be Mary Queen of Scots’ favourite residence), has been launched onto the market. Presented by Savills and situated within 10 miles of Edinburgh in the lush East Lothian countryside close to the sandy coastline…
Read MoreNew Lanark to host its first book festival
New Lanark World Heritage Site is delighted to hold its inaugural Book Festival next month. As a historic hub of learning and leisure, on Saturday 14 September, visitors can meet and chat with award-winning children’s authors Chae Strathie and Keith Charters in interactive and engaging sessions. Chae Strathie is the author of many funny fabulous…
Read MoreRichard Fraser – Scotland’s king of the hill pony
Richard Fraser has been working hill ponies since starting out as a 16-year old trainee on Perthshire’s Atholl Estates. Now 39 and head stalker, Richard Fraser knows this renowned native breed of the Scottish Highlands better than most, so the only surprise when he was asked to judge this year’s prestigious show at the Scottish…
Read MoreTen of Scotland’s greatest train journeys
Some of the greatest and most scenic train journeys in the world are to be found in Scotland. Here, in no particular order, are our ten favourite railways lines. 1. Aviemore to Broomhill The Strathspey Steam Railway, a restored 20-mile line which goes from Aviemore, through the osprey country of Boat of Garten and Nethy…
Read MoreThe forgotten Scottish answer to Lord Nelson
Why is Fifer Sir Andrew Wood, the first Admiral of Scotland’s navy and a fearless figure whose naval prowess kept the nation safe from English raiders, a half-forgotten hero? Just past the Mercury Motorsports garage on the way to Lower Largo in Fife, look left. Up on the brow of the hill, like a sentinel…
Read MoreChef and gardener unite to restore walled gardens
A leading Scottish chef and a TV gardener have teamed up to restore one of Scotland’s most historic walled gardens. Derek Johnstone, head chef at Borthwick Castle, has announced a collaboration with garden designer and horticulturalist Pete Jackson to redevelop the Midlothian private-hire venue’s original walled garden. Expected to open in spring 2020, Borthwick Castle’s…
Read MoreWhich witch is which? A history of Scottish witchcraft
What would you do if the milk in your fridge soured a week early, or a seemingly healthy pot plant suddenly withered and died? Imagine blaming one of your neighbours, getting them arrested and then watching as they were strangled and burnt at the stake. This is pretty much what happened to almost four thousand…
Read MoreHopetoun was once part of a Victorian estate
An impressive home with a fascinating history is available to purchase. Hopetoun, in Blairhoyle, Port Of Menteith, Stirling, is brought to the market by Galbraith. Hopetoun once formed part of the Blairquhoille Estate which included a Victorian mansion house, built in 1852 by the Grahams which was served by Hopetoun and at that time was…
Read MoreArchie was a shining light in 66 years of service
During her 30 years of marriage to Archie, Anne MacEachern gathered notes of her late husband’s recollections from his 66 years of service with the Northern Lighthouse Board to write this wonderful book. The chronological story takes readers through the lighthouse keeper’s personal journey and provides an important record of a career, once essential to…
Read MoreMore to Rosslyn Chapel than The Da Vinci Code
For a brief moment in 2003, Rosslyn Chapel was one of the most famous places on Earth. A global audience was devouring Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, an intricately plotted novel that had the chapel at its heart. But despite the completion of a ÂŁ9 million restoration project in 2012, the iconic building is…
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