Indholdsfortegnelse for July - August - 2025 i Scotland Magazine

This issue, we have taken not one but two journeys to the isles to bring you some very compelling reasons to leave the mainland every once in a while. First up, in The Hebridean Way (p18), Rosie Conroy takes a trip up through the Western Isles from Barra to Lewis, highlighting some of the best food and drink producers you can find along the way. Then, in Mull-ing it over (p56), I visit one of the largest of all the isles, Mull, with the intention of not trying to do it all for once, but instead looking for a sense of calm amid the lovely landscapes, quiet settlements and long, empty beaches. Of course, the Scottish isles are not just renowned for their natural beauty and bountiful larders but for…

An ambitious project is underway to turn an uninhabited island in the Outer Hebrides into a regeneration success story. Ronay Island, located off the east coast of Uist, was once settled by families working within Scotland’s thriving seaweed industry but the last significant human settlement was abandoned 200 years ago. Now the island’s new owners, Carlowrie Group, are hoping a programme of nature restoration will help improve the island’s biodiversity and eventually lead to local seaweed being harvested once again. Andrew Marshall, co-owner of Ronay Island and founder of Carlowrie Group, said: "We know this isn't a matter of 'winding back the clock', but is an opportunity to create a resilient, species-rich island that will benefit all, long past our own lifetimes." ronayisland.co.uk…

Cronie and I joined the family in our Hebridean home for Easter and, as usual, it was a great joy. The weather wasn’t spectacular but – as I’ve said before – you don’t go to South Uist for the weather, you go for the beautiful scenery and wonderful community. Most of my family swam every day, despite a chilly wind and not much sun, but I managed to suppress my hubris and resist the urge to be hailed as an intrepid old biddy, and instead stood meekly on the shore, applauding. We went to the uplifting Good Friday service and then, of course, to Easter Sunday Mass, which was mostly in Gaelic; afterwards, we were able to catch up with lots of old friends outside the church. The sun did…

The Atholl Highlanders, Europe’s only private regiment, may be best known for its association with Queen Victoria, who granted them Colours with the right to bear arms in 1845, but their story began way before the queen set eyes on them. The Atholl Highlanders were first raised as a regular regiment in 1777 by the 4th Duke of Atholl, Chief of Clan Murray, to provide relief to British regiments during the American Revolutionary War (though they were redeployed and spent most of their time in Ireland). Disbanded in 1783, it was more than 50 years later that Lord Glenlyon (the future 6th Duke of Atholl) recalled the regiment to act as his bodyguard during the Eglington Tournament in Ayrshire. It was this iteration that impressed Queen Victoria so much when…

Tales of strange creatures emerging from the depths have captivated human imagination for centuries [and still do, see page 14 – Ed]. Ancient maps often depicted sea monsters prowling the oceans, with superstitious sailors bringing home tales of mysterious beasts lurking beneath the waves. Scotland is full of water-based folklore, from shape-shifting Selkies to the Blue Men of the Minch. Of course, the Loch Ness Monster is our most famous legend, but long before Nessie became a global phenomenon in the 1930s, there was another fascinating mystery of the deep – the Stronsay Beast. On 25 September 1808, after a violent storm, a strange carcass washed up on the shores of the Orcadian island of Stronsay. Word quickly spread that this was no ordinary sea creature and locals stormed the…

Strawback chair-making is a centuries-old craft and an integral part of Scotland’s rich heritage, rooted in the Scottish isles, particularly in the Orkney Islands and on the tiny island of Fair Isle – though there are some differences between the regions. Thought to have originated in the mid-19th century, these types of chairs were once made throughout Fair Isle commercially and creatively by men, where the industry was equally as important to them as the famous knitting industry was to the women of the island. Strawback chairs are vernacular furniture, often handmade by the islanders along with side chairs and armchairs, displaying heart motifs for everyday use and to celebrate marriage. With few trees and minimal materials on the island, Fair Isle chairs were made using timber salvaged from shipwrecks…

When the idea for this book came to me, I really wanted to centre it in the medieval period but was struggling to find the right backdrop for the plot to unfold against. Like most people educated in England, I had a limited knowledge of Scottish history. However, once I started to research the country’s turbulent medieval ages, I discovered that the concept of my story would align perfectly with the later years of Robert the Bruce’s reign. Information on King Robert tends to get scant after Bannockburn – in his latter reign he became very paranoid like Edward I, who he’s rumoured to have encountered during his youth in the English court. This shadowy time full of political unrest and intrigue was ideal for setting Fight Not for Glory’s…

[PROPERTY] DREAM BIG Have you ever dreamed of packing it all in and moving to the Scottish islands? If so, and you’re looking to make that fantasy a reality, then why stop at a simple home when you can buy a whole island estate with tourism potential? A rare opportunity has arisen to purchase an incredible 72-acre estate on the Isle of Coll, which encompasses the former volunteer centre of Ballyhaugh (complete with its own cèilidh hall), a four-bed croft house and a pair of traditional thatched cottages. Those who can afford the £1.6m asking price can enjoy a tranquil lifestyle in this wildlife haven, home to corncrakes and hen harriers, with basking sharks and minke whales often spotted around its coast. Known for having some of the highest number…

With 13 new distilleries planned across Argyll, tourism experts are predicting a revival of Scotland’s once famous ‘Whisky Coast’ in west Scotland. Campbeltown was once the beating heart of Argyll’s whisky scene and considered the ‘whisky capital of the world’. If all the new planned distilleries go ahead, Argyll could soon match its 19th-century peak when there were more than 30 distilleries across the region. Cathy Craig, CEO of the Argyll and Isles Tourism Cooperative, said: “Whisky, or uisge beatha, has shaped communities and culture throughout Argyll and the Isles for centuries, so it’s incredibly exciting to hear it could continue to do so in the future, with so many planned new developments offering a world-class whisky experience across the region and existing businesses diversifying to offer new visitor experiences.”…

FIVE OF THE BEST… GARDENS IN SCOTLAND 1 Drummond Castle Gardens, Perthshire For a gentle stroll through gardens that look as though they’ve been created for a period drama TV set, try these castle gardens just outside Crieff. They are considered the best formal gardens in Scotland and though you can’t set foot inside the castle itself, it provides a magnificent backdrop for photos. 2 Inverewe Garden, Wester Ross This garden on Scotland’s wild west coast is not only a thing of beauty but also a major feat of horticultural design. In this exposed setting where once only barren land lay, a determined father and daughter set about creating an oasis of plants in the 19th century that simply shouldn’t be able to survive here and yet somehow they do.…

When you think of Aberdeen, Europe’s oil and gas capital, a luxury cruise might not be the first thing that springs to mind. But there’s a reason for the Granite City’s recent tourism boom, and it’s floating in the harbour – a harbour that has been transformed to the tune of £420m to allow for larger cruise ships to dock here. The arrival of large cruise ships in Aberdeen has undoubtedly had an impact on the city’s popular attractions, as visitor numbers to Duthie Park, Aberdeen Art Gallery and the city’s historic fishing village of Footdee, known locally as ‘Fittie’, continue to soar, and it’s no surprise when you look at the numbers. Recent figures reveal there were 22 cruise calls in Aberdeen in 2022 with a total of 3,000…

A local shop that served the Strathspey community for almost 80 years before closing in the 1970s has been given a new home within the Highland Folk Museum. McLean’s shop was opened by Jessie McLean at Balnain, near Dulnain Bridge, in the late 1800s. Though it was little more than a shed attached to the side of the family’s home, it provided a vital local service for decades before the arrival of supermarkets, which eventually spelled its demise. Speaking at the launch of the shop’s opening at the museum, Jessie’s great granddaughter, Ruth Black, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled the shop has been brought back to life at the museum. The whole idea originally came from my Auntie Elsa and my dad’s friend Alasdair MacKay, who first got in touch with…

Sitting like drops of iridescent oil on water, the Outer Hebrides are strung across the far west coast of Scotland in a shimmering cluster of turquoise seas and white-sand beaches. While the archipelago might count more than 70 islands among its fold, only 15 of those are inhabited. It’s this wilderness that possesses such pulling power, with travellers crossing land, sea and sky to experience the restorative quality of wind-whipped open spaces that stretch out to the expanse of the north Atlantic Ocean. The Hebridean Way is a 184-mile route that officially starts at the tip of Vatersay in the south (just below Barra) and snakes its way up to its finish point on the northernmost island of Lewis, though in practice, most people use Barra as their starting point.…

Last summer, Edinburgh began celebrating its 900th anniversary, which seems too young for a highly contested region so rich in history, from battles between the Angles and Picts through to Edgar the Peaceful’s granting of Lothian to Kenneth II King of Scots in AD973. The date that Edinburgh’s citizens mark as its true beginning? That would be 1124, when King David I established it as one of his royal burghs, with his regal seat on Castle Rock (the eventual site of Edinburgh Castle) as its protective fortress. This was also the year that construction began on St Giles’ Cathedral, which still presides over the Royal Mile after several additions and renovations, its distinctive crown tower being the defining silhouette of the city’s skyline. The city then replaced Scone as the…

SCOTLAND 12-14 September 2025 BLOODY SCOTLAND, STIRLING Fans of Tartan Noir take note – this international literary festival showcases the best established and new talent in crime-fiction. Acclaimed authors are at the helm of proceedings, and bestselling novelist Linwood Barclay is set to make an appearance. bloodyscotland.com 13 September 2025 PITLOCHRY HIGHLAND GAMES, PERTHSHIRE Commencing with a pipe band parade down Atholl Road to the town’s recreation ground, expect an array of events, from Highland dancing and the tug o’ war to track events. Stalls will sell craft pieces and hearty local fare. pitlochryhighlandgames.co.uk 14 September 2025 3BOWHILL HIGHLAND GAMES, FIFE Traditional dancing, heavy events, piping and track and cycle races will bring together four villages (Cardenden, Auchterderran, Dondonald and Bowhill) for a day of sports, culture and heritage.  bowhillhighlandgames.org…