Did you know these 10 Scots actors have met Doctor Who?

November 23 marks Doctor Who’s birthday – and over the years, a large number of well-known Scots actors have appeared in the cult BBC show. Three Scots have played the title role – Sylvester McCoy was the Seventh Doctor, David Tennant the Tenth and Peter Capaldi the Twelfth – but they’ve not been the only…

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A handy guide to Scotland’s monsters and creatures

From unicorns and dragons to the Ghillie Dhu and Morag of Morhobhar, The Book of Beasties: A Scottish Bestiary of Old is a beautifully illustrated gift book certain to inspire innocently belief-filled questions from children. Posing as the long-lost sketchbook of The Great Clan Chief seems inauthentic but despite this the book maintains a certain…

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When gambling debts lead to a kidnapping

Middle-class parents Victoria and Nicholas Foulkes are distraught when their children are kidnapped against Nicholas’ gambling debts. Penniless and desperate, the couple turn to crime as a way to raise the ransom. Can they save their children before time runs out? New talent Smith delivers a fast-paced page turner in this brilliant and believable debut…

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The joy of six in the Marquess Collection

Tullibardine has unveiled the sixth addition to its award-winning Marquess Collection – The Murray (2007). Distilled in 2007 and bottled this year at 56.6 per cent volume, The Murray (2007) is the highly anticipated addition to the range of exceptional whiskies in the Marquess Collection, crafted with expert care at Tullibardine’s Highland distillery in Blackford,…

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Industrial heritage marked in new exhibition

An exhibition showcasing the visual impact, drama and power of Scotland as an industrial nation has gone on display. It is being held at the York Arcade Shopping Centre in Grangemouth and will run until Saturday 11 January. Industry + Aesthetics features survey photography of industrial sites which forms part of the National Record of…

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A property with potential and wonderful views

A well-positioned family home with wonderful views has been brought to the property market. Presented for sale by Savills, Achnacloich, near Helensburgh, is a spacious and well positioned property with tremendous potential to extend and develop (subject to acquiring the necessary consents). Externally the stone and slate give a traditional appearance while internally the spacious…

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Macallan Millennium Decanter could go for £25,000

A dram that’s regularly voted as one of the world’s most sought-after and desirable whiskies is going to auction next month. The Macallan Millennium Decanter-50 year old-1949 is to be offered at Bonhams Christmas Whisky Sale in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 10 December carries a pre-sale estimate of £23,000-25,000. The whisky was distilled in January 1949,…

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Whisky for hair loss: does it really work?

As surprising as this may see, whisky has more uses than giving you some of the most horrific hangovers known to man. In fact, it has many benefits related to beauty; such as dealing with particularly oily skin, or hair loss. Remember – whisky is a drink primarily based on grain, generally containing corn, wheat…

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The Scots who hunted for seabirds to eat

At one stage the sea-bird was commonplace on the Scottish dinner plate; from the puffin to the cormorant. Every year, ten men from Ness on the northern tip of Lewis sail the perilous voyage to Sula Sgeir, and for a fortnight they live and hunt baby gannets on this remote rock. Murray tells their story,…

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What is The Ideal Scotsman in the 21st century?

A new documentary is to look at what makes The Ideal Scotsman. In this new documentary, writer and cook Rachel McCormack takes a trip into the psyche of the Scottish male and poses the question ‘what makes the ideal Scotsman these days?’ Along the way, she explores the changing face of Scottish masculinity, as the…

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