Train of thought inspires new range of whiskies

The railway routes and locomotives that fuelled Scotland’s great proliferation of whisky distilleries in the late 19th century have inspired some new drams. The railway is the subject championed in the latest whisky collection released by award winning independent bottler Cask 88. The Glasgow & South-Western Railway, represented by a 10 year old single malt…

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A fascinating look at the churches of Glasgow

Anyone who walks around Glasgow can’t fail to be impressed with its architecture. Despite being someone who has lived in the west of Scotland for the vast majority of his life, there are times when I forget to look around me and appreciate the beautiful buildings which are there. Some of the most impressive of…

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Lochlea Distillery shows it has lots of bottle

Lochlea Distillery has showcased the first-look at the design for their inaugural expression, Lochlea Single Malt First Release. Staying true to Lochlea Distillery and its working farm, the bespoke glass design features embossed tyre tracks which can be seen around the Ayrshire site, a clean and uncluttered label in a premium decanter style bottle. The…

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When two historic figures met 275 years ago

This month, October 2021, marks the 275th anniversary of the only meeting between two of the most enigmatic and charismatic personalities of the 18th-century, Madame de Pompadour and Prince Charles Edward Stuart. On Sunday October 23 1746, the Marquise de Pompadour invited the Prince and his entourage to a soirée at her residence in Fontainebleau.…

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Ben Fogle returns to Scotland’s Castaway islands

Award winning broadcaster Ben Fogle returns to Scotland for a new TV series which starts this week on BBC Scotland and BBC One. In Scotland’s Sacred Islands the adventurer embarks on a personal pilgrimage, travelling across some of Scotland’s islands, meeting the people whose spirituality connects them deeply to where they live. Over four episodes,…

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On the case after a man is wrongly executed for a murder

A Rattle of Bones is a murder mystery rooted in history. In 1752 James of the Glen was executed for the murder of government man Colin Campbell. So, when publicity comes to light claiming he was innocent and that his namesake James Stewart – who has been incarcerated for the last ten years for murder…

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A fascinating insight into the history of Lewis

Lewis: The Story of an Island is a delve into the history of a great island in the Hebrides. This book explores the history of Lewis and its people as well as the mythologies, maps, architecture and of course the Gaelic language. Despite personal roots on the island, I have sadly never had the chance…

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A fascinating look at the castles of Lewis and beyond

Peter Cunningham casts an eye over the pivotal moments, people and places that moulded the island’s history in The Castles of the Lews. He uses the castles of the Island of Lewis as a focal point, including Stornoway, Seaforth and Lews Castle. With wonderful illustrations and images to accompany his analysis, those with an intimate…

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The essential guide to the Outer Hebrides

We really are paging the oracle on north-west Outer Hebridean life here. Frank Rennie, professor of Sustainable Rural Development who lives in South Galson and has been instrumental in developing the region for four decades, writes of the area’s great personal, natural and cultural significance. From his formative experiences of the region to its resident…

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Only remaining set of Prima and Ultima in charity auction

The registration for the highly oversubscribed second release of the collectable series, Prima & Ultima, has now closed. The only remaining set is to go for auction at Sotheby’s next week, as this elusive set #1 will go under the hammer in Hong Kong from September 15-24 at an online auction, with all proceeds going…

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