Scotland Magazine

It’s been a long time coming but finally, the highly anticipated Perth Museum is open, and having visited while work was underway, I can’t wait to make the journey north again to see the Stone of Scone in situ in the heart of this new cultural centre

As Scotland emerges from her winter slumber to find spring in full swing, as well as looking forward to summer and a long line of big anniversaries, this issue feels very much like one of reflection. First up, we reflect on the fortunes of the city o

A new exhibition at The King’s Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, shines a spotlight on Georgian style and fashion, with key pieces telling the story of King George IV’s historic visit to Scotland in 1822. Visitors to the exhibition

‘He who holds Stirling, holds Scotland’, so the maxim goes. A quote that should be attributed to a historic figure, or a pithy statement made by a historian that has caught on? Who knows? What we do know, is that one must only look at the number of b

The rich tapestry of Scottish tartans, with their distinct chequered patterns, have woven their way into Scottish culture to such an extent that the word ‘tartan’ is now a byword for all things Scottish. One company that has seen this firsthand is Lo

I’m a subscriber to Scotland magazine and I love it. My question is this: is there a Clan Stewart club or society? My grandmother was a Stewart and I’ve been able to trace my Scottish heritage back to the 1400s. Also, is there a place to buy Mrs Till

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 tragi

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 h

“Maggie Wall burnt here 1657 as a witch”. So reads the white, hand-painted declaration on a crude, cross-topped cairn just outside the village of Dunning in Perthshire. Maggie Wall’s Memorial is a sober reminder of a dark chapter in Scottish history,

If ever there was a country that lends itself well to outdoor pursuits, Scotland is it. Old hunting lodges dotted throughout the landscape (many of which have been converted into luxury hotels) tell of a centuries-old love of country sports. For a lo

SAVE UP TO 33*% The perfect companion for anyone interested in the rich history and culture of Scotland – full of fascinating stories and inspiration in every issue Order an annual subscription to Scotland magazine for yourself or as a gift: UK £21.9

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 C

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 in Scotland for hundreds of years. Light was fading fast on this late autumnal night in Stirlingshir

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’ i

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 sk

After you’ve walked the length and breadth of Edinburgh above ground, a trip underground to The Real Mary King’s Close, is a unique way to experience the city’s gritty hidden history. In the heart of the Old Town, right under the bustling Royal Mile,

My new novel, Queen Macbeth, is the newest instalment in the Darkland Tales series, published by Birlinn. These are a series of novellas reimagining elements of Scottish history or myth; the defining myths of the nation, if you like. One of those big

LUSS HIGHLAND GATHERING, LOCH LOMOND Boasting probably the prettiest setting for any games in Scotland, the Luss Gathering has been held annually since 1875. Although sock-knitting and shepherd’s crook-making competitions have been dropped since then