Home to The Kelpies, an innovative wheel, and place of refuge for Mary, Queen of Scots, here’s why Falkirk deserves not to be bypassed Words by Sally Coffey What are The Kelpies? The Kelpies at night. Credit: Mark McNeill When Andy Scott unveiled his giant horsehead structures, The Kelpies, in 2014, they became a beacon to Scotland’s ingenuity placed strategically in Scotland’s Forth Valley – a region too often passed through by travellers on their way elsewhere. It’s not the first time Scott has enlivened Scotland’s landscapes – his artworks, which include Arria in Cumbernauld, are renowned f ..read more

Our writer goes in search of beavers in Scotland: returning Scottish residents who have been missing from our waterways for centuries Words by Stephen Deal The reintroduction of beavers in Scotland We had been perched almost silently by the edge of a pond for nearly an hour now, binoculars focused, hoping to see a sight that hadn’t been possible for hundreds of years: beavers in Scotland. Light was fading fast on this late autumnal night in Stirlingshire when landowner, Tom Bowser, suddenly gave me a nudge and gestured to a spot just a few feet directly in front of me.  There, swimming ha ..read more

Spending a large portion of her life in France, rightly or wrongly Mary, Queen of Scots is our most romanticised monarch Words by Kirsten Henton Mary, Queen of Scots’ colourful life was, as biographer Lady Antonia Fraser wrote, a tale of “murder, sex, scandal and imprisonment”, with more drama than you could shake a well-written script at. She’s often seen as a victim of circumstance, a tragic figure vilified for her sexuality and suggested involvement in devious plots. Portrait of Mary Queen of Scots by Francois Clouet (1510-1572). Credit: Photo 12 / Alamy Yet, this overly simplistic view und ..read more

We’re offering you the chance to win a stay and a dining experience at the award-winning Edinbane Lodge on the Isle of Skye Chef patron Calum Montgomery’s Edinbane Lodge is a much-lauded restaurant with rooms in central Skye, whose four AA-Rosette restaurant and five-star accommodation have attracted a string of plaudits. Accolades include being elevated to ‘exceptional’ in the Good Food Guide 2023; making the internationally renowned ‘La Liste’ of top restaurants; being named ‘Best Dining Experience in Scotland’ at the Scottish Thistle Awards; and being named ‘Restaurant of the Year’ at the 2 ..read more

When it opened 100 years ago, Gleneagles was the epitome of 1920s decadence. Here we take a look back at the history of this legendary hotel… The grand opening of the Gleneagles Hotel and Golf Resort in Perthshire on 7 June 1924 was a momentous occasion. Its centenary this year celebrates more than a hotel, and more than bricks and mortar; Gleneagles is a Scottish institution with a rich history.  Glamorous interiors at Gleneagles On the day itself, a warm Saturday in early summer, band leader Henry Hall and his impeccably dressed Gleneagles Hotel Dance Band, performed at the opening Gala ..read more

A century after his Olympic Games win, we look back at the life of Eric Liddell Words by Stephen Roberts Who was Eric Liddell? Sprinting to victory at the Paris Olympics 100 years ago on 11 July 1924, the same year a locomotive numbered ‘4472’ took on the name Flying Scotsman, Eric Liddell was one of Scotland’s finest. An Olympic champion, international rugby player, and a Christian missionary who was immortalised in the 1981 Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire, it seemed there was little Eric Liddell couldn’t achieve if he put his mind to it. Born in China to Scottish parents, James Dunlop Li ..read more

We speak to Lord Bruce, descendent of King Robert the Bruce, to hear about some of the extraordinary artefacts relating to the legendary king in his anniversary year Words by Siân Ellis King Robert the Bruce’s legacy Charles, Lord Bruce tells a tale of how many years ago, his mother was dusting in the Library. Finding an oak box with a hinged lid, she opened it, unsuspectingly, and “got the fright of her life!” Inside was a skull. In fact, it was the cast of a skull of King Robert I, aka Robert the Bruce, and these days, instead of tucking away such a treasure, the Bruces have it on display in ..read more

Discover the origins of Scottish Highland games, and find the best events to attend in Scotland this summer Highland games have been a traditional part of Scotland’s culture for hundreds of years, though their modern-day popularity is owed to the Victorians, when they were formally reintroduced as part of the revival of Tartan and Highland Culture encouraged by Sir Walter Scott and then given a royal seal of approval by Queen Victoria. However, the roots of Highland games date back to the 11th century when King Malcolm III called a foot race to the summit of Craig Choinnich to find the fastest ..read more

Escape to Annfield House in Callander, the perfect cosy base for exploring all that the Highlands have to offer Sponsored post With the past few years behind us, the idea of getting away from it all expresses the longing we all feel to be able to escape and let go of the stress of modern life. The concept of travelling back in time has great appeal –  to an era when life had a slower pace, a more gentle rhythm and we could just ‘switch off.’ If this appeals to you, or you’re looking for a special place to celebrate and relax with family and friends, Annfield House in Callander is your ans ..read more

Best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith tells us about his new Edinburgh-based series, and why he thinks Scotland’s romance and intimacy appeals to readers from all over the world Words by Henrietta Easton An interview with Alexander McCall Smith My new novel is called The Perfect Passion Company, and it is the first in a series accounting life in an old fashioned marriage bureau in Edinburgh. The story is based on a woman who has been working in London and who comes back to Edinburgh to take over her father’s cousin’s business. These old fashioned bureaus do still exist, and I think they g ..read more