Scotland
Discover the dark skies of Dumfries in style
THERE’S got to be some advantages to short days and a surfeit of darkness, right? Taking full advantage of Scotland’s long winter nights feels a wee bit like the old adage, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. With this in mind, a trip to Dumfries and Galloway, home to the UK’s only Dark Sky…
Read MoreAutumn gold at Perthshire’s Fonab Castle
IT doesn’t take a genius to work out that a place with a nickname like ‘Big Tree Country’ is likely to be a great place to visit in the autumn. So, the opportunity to travel to Perthshire before winter’s icy fingers put paid to the fiery reds, glowing oranges and acidic yellows for another year…
Read MoreMore than 300 individual minke whales identified in the Hebrides since 1990
More than 300 individual minke whales have been identified in the Hebrides since 1990, with one visiting the region for nearly 30 years. A minke whale named Snowy has travelled to the area over an astonishing 27-year period – the longest known history of sightings for this species in Europe. Another, known as Knobble, holds…
Read MoreCheck out these hidden haunted hotspots around Scotland
The spooky season is upon us and what better place to experience than Scotland with eerie castles, misty landscapes and ghostly tales. Check out VisitScotland’s list of Scotland’s top hidden haunted hotspots. Edinburgh In Edinburgh, the Paranormal Activity Database documents an astounding 106 instances of supernatural occurrences since records began. Established in the 1560s,…
Read MoreA heady blend of wildlife and luxury with Hebrides Cruises
It’s not every day that I’m mistaken for a Russian Oligarch, but it happened on more than one occasion in less than a week. For full disclosure, this has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with Lucy Mary. You see, Lucy Mary is the latest addition to Hebrides Cruises’ fleet of vessels…
Read MoreHotel review: Ness Walk, Inverness
With food this creative, rosettes or bibs should be beckoning, writes Peter Ranscombe. It’s the wee things that make a big difference: being offered a cup of tea – or a glass of Champagne – on arrival; being offered a choice of Scottish craft beers on draught – not just a token bottle hidden in…
Read MoreFive ways to explore the North Coast 500 this autumn
From the UK’s most northerly reindeer to the North West Highlands UNESCO Global Geopark, folklore, storytelling walks and the UK’s most northerly mainland whisky distillery, here are five alternative ways to explore the world-famous North Coast 500 (NC500) at this quieter time of year. UK’s most northerly reindeer – Lichen Caithness, Harpsdale, Caithness Meet…
Read MoreBook review: As the Women Lay Dreaming
Sammi Minion reviews As the Women Lay Dreaming by Donald Murray. Donald S. Murray’s 2020 novel, ‘As the Women Lay Dreaming,’ is now available in paperback for those unfortunate enough to have not yet had the chance to pick up a copy. Set predominantly on the Isle of Lewis, Murray’s beautiful prose invites a new generation to ponder…
Read MoreTop five sailing trips around the Isle of Skye
Sailing around the Isle of Skye is one of the best ways to discover the West Coast of Scotland’s coastline, with more than 44 uninhabited islands, diverse wildlife, sheltered coves and peaceful anchorages. And to help you make the most of your trip, experienced Coastal Skipper Anne Gracie Gunn has shared her top five top…
Read MoreDalmahoy, Double Delight
Just seven miles to the south of Edinburgh city centre, the two courses at Dalmahoy Golf & Country Club are a welcome escape from the city, found Richard Bath. Virtually everyone I know who has played golf at Dalmahoy has said the same thing: it’s not just long, but really long. They mean the East…
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