Posts by Kenny Smith
When Scotland offered the world the waters of life
A happy coincidence of tourism and therapy made Scotland’s hydropathic hotels a Victorian sensation, but their popularity just couldn’t last. The stereotypical view of 19th-century Scottish industry is not the most romantic of pictures: coal-mining across the Central Belt to fuel the Empire; shipbuilding on Clydeside to defend the Empire and to extend its commercial…
Read MoreDucking and diving – the tale of the eider duck
The much-loved eider duck is a conservation success story, but its insatiable appetite for Scotland’s finest shellfish has made it a raft of new enemies. Scouring the beach at Tentsmuir in Fife, as I walk, I’m constantly scanning the horizon with my binoculars, searching for waders and watching large seals haul themselves out of the…
Read MoreIn excess – 10 ways to treat your hangover
Many of us enjoy a wee drink at the weekend – a dram, a lager, or a wee vodka. Banish the pain and nausea of a heavy night on the lash with these good, not so good and downright weird hangover cures! 1. The older the better For the ancient Greeks it was sheep lungs,…
Read MorePremium Speyside whisky collection is launched
An independent bottler specialising in premium single cask Scotch whisky has unveiled what it believes to be an industry first with the launch of the Solaria Series. Whisky Illuminati is launching a three-part bottling of five Speyside single malt whiskies, the Solaria Series, follows the inaugural Candlelight Series launched in 2018. The Solaria Series will…
Read MoreConverted mill for sale on a whisky estate
A delightful former mill located close to a picturesque village has been brought to the market. Galbraith present Lagavullin Mill, which is situated in a quiet hamlet on the banks of Grassfield Burn which flows gently past the property into West Loch Tarbert, at the head of the Kintyre Peninsula. The property presents a rare…
Read MoreCelebrating of the life of a special woman
Miss Cranston follows the life of this remarkable Glasgow businesswoman, the success of her Victorian Glasgow tea rooms and her collaboration with renowned designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Perilla Kinchen reveals Miss Cranston’s ‘successful formula’ and eccentric characteristics in an engaging style which entices readers to continue. This revised edition of the 1999 publication includes over…
Read MoreTen fantastic places to visit in… Edinburgh
Edinburgh is full of the hustle and bustle of the Edinburgh festivals just now. There’s shows to be seen throughout the city, but there’s far more to the Scottish capital than there. Here’s 10 suggestions. SCOTT MONUMENT Dedicated to the memory of Sir Walter Scott, the Victorian gothic monument is a little over 60m high.…
Read MoreOrkney Distillery achieves five stars – in a year
An Orkney gin company which opened its premises to visitors just over a year ago is celebrating after having achieved its Five Star Quality Assurance award at its first grading visit. The Orkney Distillery and Visitor Centre, situated on Kirkwall’s harbour front, is the home of Kirkjuvagr Orcadian gin and received the award from VisitScotland.…
Read MoreCall for bigger fines and jail terms for wildlife crime
People convicted of wildlife crimes should receive bigger fines and longer prison sentences than currently available says Scottish Land & Estates, the organisation which represents landowners and rural businesses. The Scottish Government recently launched its consultation on wildlife crime, such as deer poaching, hare coursing and bird of prey persecution, and SLE says that those…
Read MoreBringing the tattoo to the streets of Glasgow
Pipers from The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s house band, the Pipers Trail, wowed the crowds on Glasgow’s Buchanan Street with a flavour of the Tattoo as part of the Piping Live! Festival. The band was developed by the Tattoo in 2014 to establish a worldwide network of Scottish piping and drumming performers to play traditional…
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