Our top 10 of Scotland’s mad, bad and dangerous

From cannibals to grave robbers, Scotland has had its fair share of diabolical criminals. Here’s a rogues’ gallery of some of the most notorious. 1. Invasion of the Bodysnatchers Brendan Burke and William Hare were Irish immigrants in 1820s Edinburgh who robbed graves for Dr Robert Knox, who needed bodies to dissect in his anatomy…

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Hamish Macbeth’s 30th case is another success

Hamish Macbeth has an iPad and an espresso machine . But don’t worry, he still doesn’t have a girlfriend. On his 30th outing, we find the laconic Highland detective happy as ever with his pet cat and dog in his beloved Lochdubh. But like Midsomer Murders, it is not long before the bodies begin to pile…

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The Graffiti Project led to a funky artistic Scotland

In 2007 Alice Boyle managed to persuade Brazilian street artists to paint a phantasmagoria on the ancient walls of her family home, Kelburn Castle, in Ayrshire. The Graffiti Project became a global sensation and a symbol of a new, funkier Scotland. Yet when it came to her own hopes of becoming an artist, she was…

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Our top 10 of Scotland’s very own jurassic parks

From mammoth tusks to reptilian remains, Scotland is home to a surprisingly large number of fossil finds. Over the years, many prehistoric discoveries have been made, and here we round up 10 of our favourites. 1. Giant scorpion In 2010, while walking in north east Fife, Dr Martin Whyte from the University of Sheffield stumbled…

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An interesting guide to Scotland and the Scots

This entry in Winn’s ‘I never knew that’ series sees the author take a tour around Scotland detailing the people that have made this great land what it is. Various luminaries are detailed alongside their achievements and legacies. He also focuses on various well-known families and we learn of notable members of these clans and…

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Changing face of life at the turn of 20th century

From Land to Rail is the memoirs of Andrew Ramage, who worked as a farm servant, dock worker, lorry driver and railwayman during the period 1854 -1917. This fascinating diary-style account of life in the Lothians and Berwickshire sheds light on the trials faced by those working and living in a rural setting. Ramage was…

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New Scottish health food hits the shelves

A new health food with a difference has been produced in Scotland. Podberry is pea snack which has just secured its first national listing and is on sale from Morrisons stores across Scotland. The UK’s first freeze-dried seasoned snack, created on the fourth generation family farm in Perthshire, initially began its journey to development in…

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NC500’s new partnership with adventure tour firm

The North Coast 500 has announced a new partnership with award-winning adventure tour operator Wilderness Scotland. The iconic touring route has teamed up with Aviemore-based Wilderness Scotland to create three new guided and supported road cycling tours which provide travellers with the chance to see and explore the wildlife and natural landscape of the North…

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London Cat Extravaganza coming to Scotland

The London Cats Cat Extravaganza is touring the UK and their next stop is Arbroath. The felines will be in town with a mission to stage, reward, and celebrate our purr-fect companions. For the first time in Scotland, LondonCats will be taking over Arbroath Community Centre for an intimate event on 28 and 29 September,…

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No Brexit effect in Fife as property sales continue

Property consultancy Galbraith says uncertainty surrounding the UK over the issue of Brexit isn’t affecting the housing market in Fife. It reports strong demand and sustained activity in the Fife property market despite the tumultuous political situation on a national level. The firm’s sales analysis for its most recent quarter shows an increase in sales…

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