Posts by Kenny Smith
A handy guide to buying your first caravan
Owning a caravan or motorhome offers the ultimate in freedom and spontaneity. It’s great value for money and allows you to travel around the UK and further when you want and in your own comfort and style. Whether you’re looking for a family home from home to start holiday traditions or hoping to discover the…
Read MoreThe sky’s the limit for interior designer Margot
Margot Paton’s home definitely doesn’t look like a work in progress, but if it wasn’t she wouldn’t still be there. As the owner of Glasgow interior design company Chelsea McLaine, Margot is a serial mover and renovator. Interiors are not just her passion and her work, they are also her hobby. Her current home, in…
Read MoreThe Scottish Samurai who modernised Japan
A hero, a founding father of modern Japan, and the Scottish Samurai. These are just a few of the titles bestowed upon the merchant Thomas Blake Glover. While Glover is held in the highest regard by his adopted home of Japan, few Scots know about the man who helped overthrow the tyrannical reign of the…
Read MoreThere’s nothing fishy about the quality of his work
There can be no better place for a sculptor whose muse is all things piscatorial than Eyemouth.  It’s been almost 20 years since Jason Sweeney moved to the small Berwickshire fishing town from his home in the north of England. He found a place where he was able to begin his career in metal work,…
Read MoreBeautiful detached listed home dating from 1841
A detached, C listed, period house with an independent cottage is now on the property market. Viewlands House, in Rattray, near Blairgowrie, dates from about 1841 and extended to the rear around 1950.  Presented for sale by Bell Ingram, it is positioned in grounds extending to about 0.78 acres. There is an independent detached one-bedroom cottage which originally formed…
Read MoreMeet the man who’s on the hunt for Nessie
Every morning Steve Feltham wakes up and stares out over Loch Ness, watching and waiting for ripples from the deep. His remarkable quest began 25 years ago, when he quit the rat race and moved to the Highlands in search of the Loch Ness monster. He always has one eye on the water as the…
Read MoreCraftsman Angus has reached the turning point
Angus Clyne, originally from Glenuig in Lochaber, is a man of many talents. Past professions have included fisherman, chef, DJ and busker, but now Angus’ focus is on artistic woodturning from his studio near Pitlochry. Using a lathe to spin the wood, a roughly chainsawed block of wet wood is mounted and spun at a…
Read MoreTaking the military tattoo to the Chinese
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo successfully concluded its first venture into China this week. This was an early step forward for the event since announcing its international growth plans, and a clear demonstration of its bold commitment to reach an audience of 1 billion and double turn-over to ÂŁ20million by 2025. Chinese audiences were given…
Read MoreTen famous places from books set in Scotland
Scotland has inspired countless authors from JK Rowling to Arthur Conan Doyle. With our fantastic architecture and natural wonders, it’s no wonder it has been so inspiring to the literary greats. Here are just a few places recounted in our favourite Scottish novels. 1. The Oxford Bar, Edinburgh Famous for its literary connections, The Oxford…
Read MoreGaeGael working with the turn of the tide
Gehan Macleod’s charity GalGael uses boatbuilding and woodwork to help distressed Glaswegians rebuild their confidence and their lives. GalGael offers activities that help people reclaim skills, agency and sense of worth. Without their crew of dedicated volunteers these activities wouldn’t happen nor would the many other adventures they have. How did GalGael start? My late husband…
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