Posts by Kenny Smith
Beautiful scenic views are on offer with The Torrs
A quality country house of elegance and comfort offering stunning views over the Solway Firth and beyond to the Lake District coastline is now for sale. The Torrs, in Portling, Dalbeattie, is presented to the market by Galbraith. The Torrs is the former residence of Sir Thomas McAlpine, the house was converted from a cottage…
Read MoreWriter returned to his roots for a pilgrimage
On a twelve day pilgrimage, Alastair McIntosh returns to the islands of his childhood to explore the history and culture of the Outer Hebrides. Walking from St Clement’s church in the southern end of the Isle of Harris to the most northerly Butt of Lewis, the tough terrain and physical endurance aids McIntosh’s feelings of…
Read MoreSeven bedrooms by the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond
A striking seven-bedroom property on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond is now on the market. Presented by Savills, Gartochraggan dates back to around 1800, the property has been formed though extensions and refurbishments following the acquisition of neighbouring properties to create the superb family home that stands today. Constructed of white harled stone under…
Read MoreThe names the Scots have taken all over the world
Scots have travelled to every corner of the globe and, with an estimated Scottish diaspora of up to 40 million today, it is hardly surprising that these places all have one thing in common – they are named by or after Scots. From the barren lands of Antarctica to the Highlands of Northern Kenya, Abbotsford…
Read MoreTime’s running out for these beautiful cottages
A property with links to a John Buchan thriller, located in a spectacular setting, is now on the market – and you’ve got till Thursday to make an offer. Set at the head of Manor Valley and surrounded by the magnificent hills around Peebles, in an area steeped in history, lies Glenrath Hope, an original…
Read MoreScotland’s small islands are very big on history
The Inner Hebridean archipelago comprising of Rum, Eigg, Canna and Muck, collectively known as the Small Isles, have been inhabited for millennia. Traces of flint, animal bone and man made heaps of sea shells prove the island’s inhabitance since the end of the last Ice Age. Farm Fields, an archaeological site on the Isle of…
Read MoreMerlin’s magic could entice you to this home
A stunning Peeblesshire coach house occupying a majestic woodland setting has come to the market. Bellspool Coach House, a striking conversion near Stobo, is now on the market through Strutt & Parker – in an area rich in Arthurian legend. Originally built as stabling and carriage quarters for Dawyck House around 1863 and then developed…
Read MoreOne pot has the lot for delicious recipes
This book, One-Pot Cuisine, by Le Creuset contains 100 recipes for slow-cooked meaty casseroles, tagines and other simple one-pot dishes as well as divine desserts. They are all designed to be used with the company’s famous iron pots, grill pans and tagine dishes. The instructions given are clear and the book is filled with inspiring pictures…
Read MoreChocolate and ginger – a perfect partnership
Our series of recipes with a difference from Scot Jill Colonna in Paris conclude today in the best possible way – chocolate! Jill, who runs the MadAboutMacarons.com website, lives with her husband and family in France, having moved across the channel in 1992. Today, she presents her recipe for Chocolate Ginger Fondant. She said: ‘It’s such a…
Read MoreScottish clan is like a phoenix from the flames
Over the centuries Clan Oliphant, as much as any Scottish clan, has seen its fortunes rise and fall against the backdrop of turbulent historical events. Richard Eric Laurence Oliphant of that Ilk, who was recognised as the 34th Clan Chief in 2003, is now on a mission to raise the profile of what was once…
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