Homes & Gardens
Gardening Column, Hamish Martin: ‘Mullein isn’t just amazing for us but it serves as a valuable resource for wildlife’
The sheer structure and standing of the truly beautiful Mullein flower means it stands head and shoulders above all the other plants – not unlike how The Eiffel tower must look surrounded by all the other buildings in Paris. It has a wide base, with large soft, velvety leaves, with a long spire growing up…
Read MoreAberdeenshire home inspired by Californian mid-century architecture crowned winner Scotland’s Home of the Year
An Aberdeenshire home inspired by Californian mid-century architecture has been crowned winner of Scotland’s Home of the Year. Hilltop House near Pitmedden, Aberdeenshire – a bright, contemporary home built on the natural footprint of the surrounding farm steading – scooped the top prize. It is home to Jessica Zanoni and husband Chris Labrooy, who live…
Read MoreFormer lighthouse with panoramic views over the Pentland Firth and out to Orkney hits the market
A remote former lighthouse with panoramic views over the Pentland Firth and out to Orkney has been put up for sale. Holborn Head Lighthouse, a renovated B-listed Stevenson lighthouse, sits near Scrabster, Caithness. Constructed in 1862, the light was permanently discontinued in 2003 and the building purchased by the current owners in 2006. The former…
Read MoreGeorgian house set within 60 acres of grounds goes on sale
An elegant Georgian house with 60 acres of grounds has gone on sale. Quarter Estate, a B-listed country house set in acres of beautiful parkland and woodland in Denny, dates back to around 1776. The property has all the charm of the Georgian period, including a pillared entrance and beautiful symmetrical windows in the front…
Read MoreDown’s Syndrome Scotland Garden wins at Chelsea Flower Show
This incredible garden inspired by a young boy from Dumfries and Galloway has won the RHS People’s Choice Award medal at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. Scottish-based designers Duncan Hall and Nick Burton said they were ‘delighted’ to be presented with the award for the Down’s Syndrome Scotland Garden, which was inspired by Duncan’s eight-year-old…
Read MoreGrade II listed manor built by a lovestruck Baronet to impress his mistress hits the market
This stunning Grade II listed manor built by a lovestruck Baronet to impress his mistress sits at the heart of a working farm now on the market. After decades of ownership with one family, West Ord Farm, located on the banks of the River Tweed, has been brought to market. The historic working farm extends…
Read MoreFancy living here? Underground water tank in Scotland’s most sought-after seaside town hits the market
A B-listed water tank almost entirely underground in Scotland’s most sought-after seaside town has hit the market. Dating back to 1905, The Heugh Water Tank, was once a working reservoir but it now stands as an architecturally distinctive circular brick-and-concrete structure, topped with a twelve-sided slated roof. With planning permission now in place, it’s a…
Read MoreGardening Column, Hamish Martin: ‘St John’s Wort is magical in every sense’
There is no other plant that signifies the Summer Solstice like St John’s Wort. It is magical in every sense of the word, ancient, filled with tradition and healing. I always harvest the flowers on 21 June as its energies represent the sun in Celtic traditions. I harvest the flowers and fill a jar with…
Read MoreBest places to live in Scotland revealed – did your area make the list?
Ever wondered where the best place to live in Scotland is? Well, Garrington Property Finders has unveiled their list of the best places to live in Scotland. Bridge of Allan has been crowned as this year’s best place to live, it has been revealed. Garrington Property Finders ranked more than 160 communities across Scotland…
Read MoreMethven Castle: Medieval castle once home Queen of Scotland Margaret Tudor hits the market
Methven Castle – once home to Margaret Tudor, the Queen of Scotland – is on the market. Set in rural Perthshire, the medieval property is one of Scotland’s foremost royal castles and comes with a wealth of history. From 1100 the castle was owned by the De-Mowbray Family who later sided with the English in…
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