X marks the spot as textile weaving edges closer

An innovative textiles enterprise is about to take shape at its new home in Ross-shire. Textile design, manufacturing and product creator business Prickly Thistle has built an international clientele since 2015 and is now set to start work on the conversation of a Black Isle farm steading to create The Black House Mill, what will…

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Discovering the darker side of her family tree

Cal Flyn was holidaying at her childhood home in the Highlands of Scotland when she stumbled upon a little-known, dark family secret. The journalist discovered that her great-great-great uncle, Angus McMillan, who had been mythologised as a great explorer and pioneer of early Australia, had in fact been the leader of a number of gruesome…

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Spectacular bay views from converted cottage

A beautifully positioned home in a quite outstanding location with spectacular views over Diabaig Bay, Loch Torridon and the hills of Applecross is now for sale. Grace Cottage, at 7 Diabaig, Torridon, Achnasheen, Ross-shire, is presented to the market by Strutt and Parker. Grace Cottage is a charming converted ‘Old black house’ cottage which has…

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A family home offering comfort and great views

Oranjemond House is a beautifully appointed detached property with far reaching views over the Cromarty Firth and beyond. Strutt and Parker present to the market this home in Northfield, Invergordon. Oranjemond House is a fantastic family home finished to an exacting standard and brimming with features. The property enjoys an elevated position with superb open aspects…

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A crime thriller that ticks all the right boxes

Brooke Magnanti’s first stab at a crime thriller hits all the must-haves of the genre – secrets, lies… and dead bodies. Protagonist Erykah Macdonald had little to call her own growing up, but she turned things around and has a ‘nice’ life now – the kind of life you’re meant to want; pleasant house, good…

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Flavours lend two new whiskies their names

Wemyss Malts have released two additional bottlings into its Family Collection range of blended Scotch malt whiskies. The duo take their names, Blooming Gorse and Flaming Feast, after the flavours found in each whisky. Both malt whiskies have been crafted from the family’s private collection of maturing whisky casks which were sourced by Isabella Wemyss…

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Look to the skies in a striking art collection

Scott Naismith believes that the primary purpose of an artist is to encourage others to look at the world differently. This is something he certainly achieves with Scottish Skies, a striking collection of work which depicts the colourful, atmospheric and ever-changing skies over Scotland’s coastlines, lowlands, highlands and islands. With notes divulging the thought process…

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More than £300,000 to be spent on Orkney’s future

An ambitious new partnership to shape the future direction for Orkney’s World Heritage Site has been unveiled. The partnership brings together Historic Environment Scotland, Orkney Islands Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to conserve the Heart of Neolithic Orkney site and enhance the visitor experience for tourists…

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Rockets galore at commercial space port on North Uist

North Uist is set to enter the space age as a project to create the UK’s first ever vertical launch commercial space port is unveiled today. The consortium behind the Spaceport 1 project, which includes major players in the UK and international space sector and is led by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council),…

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Forget Crocodile Hunter – meet the otter spotter!

Wildlife photographer Laurie Campbell has spent two decades on the trail of Scotland’s much loved but extraordinarily elusive creature, and has published a book of superb images documenting his quest. One still May evening back in 1993, there was a ripple on the surface of the River Tweed. A sleek shape was moving upstream, slipping…

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