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On the night of March 24, 1944, scores of Allied POWs crept their way through a cramped tunnel ten metres underground in one of the most incredible escapes of World War II, the ‘Great Escape’ from Stalag Luft III, in Nazi-occupied Poland. Scottish RAF pilot Alistair Thompson McDonald was amongst the 76 escapees and one of the few to make it home. Six decades on Neil Drysdale remembers these brave men who were unlike any other Tom, Dick and Harry.

He was the Scot who survived one of the most famous prison break-outs of the Second World War.  Indeed, there can’t be many people who haven’t watched The Great Escape since it was released in 1963, not least to marvel at Steve McQueen’s motorbike stunts.

Yet, the real-life story of the 76 Allied PoWs, who devised a daring scheme to tunnel their way out of Stalag Luft 3, was every bit as nail-biting. And it had a tragic climax when the Nazis murdered 50 of the escapees after they had been recaptured and only three eluded their captives and gained their freedom.

Alistair Thompson McDonald

Alistair Thompson McDonald was among those in the escape bid and despite his liberation being short-lived, he used his wits to escape yet again and safely returned to Blighty. Yet mystery still surrounds this tough-as-teak character, born in Bishopmills near Elgin in 1907. There are precious few photographs of him, nor tributes to his heroism. And, when he was killed in a commercial air disaster in 1965, there was only one brief obituary which failed to mention that he had been part of the original Great Escape. So, who was this enigmatic Scot with a passion for flight? The youngest of three children – with an older brother and sister, Ian and Mildred – Alistair grew up in Moray and relished playing rugby and golf, but had a restless streak. At just 18 years old, he enlisted in the Tank Corps of the Territorial Army, to whom he gave his occupation as apprentice land surveyor.

However, three years later, he set off on a P&O steamship called the Naldera bound for Malaya. At this point, he listed his occupation as civil engineer and worked on a tea plantation. But, soon enough, Alistair was back in Britain and, continuing this tale of the unexpected, became the manager of the Regal Cinema in Southport in the mid-to-late 1930s. We would probably still be in the dark about his activities after he joined the RAF in 1940, but for the meticulous research carried out by Scottish history teacher, Bill Robertson, whose own great-grandfather, John Conway, was also in Stalag Luft 3. Bill was fascinated by how McDonald lied about his age – claiming he was born in 1913 – so that he would be eligible to take part in flying missions against the Luftwaffe.

Craggy little Scot

He was transferred to Coastal Command where he flew Spitfires on reconnaissance sorties and rapidly made a name for himself for two distinct reasons. Firstly, he was a “hell of a pilot”. Secondly, he had the reputation of being a “craggy little Scot” who wouldn’t take nonsense from anybody. In March 1942, McDonald’s fortunes changed in the space of a few hours. On his way back from a mission, his unarmed plane was intercepted by a Messerschmitt (German fighter aircraft). He bailed out successfully in the last minutes before the aircraft crashed, but was picked up near a farmhouse and taken prisoner by the Germans.

He was escorted to the Luftwaffe HQ in Amsterdam and met up with a few other RAF prisoners. Then, after being kept in solitary confinement for 18 days, he was interrogated three times and transferred to Stalag Luft 3. Mr Robertson said: “As a P0W, he took part in nine escape tunnels and what he described as ‘an abortive gate crash.’ He also attempted to get out by cutting through the wire along with a New Zealand pilot called Ernest Clow. McDonald was active on the escape committee. According to the camp history, he was one of the prisoners who was involved in receiving and sending coded letters back to the UK. Prisoners asked, in coded letters home, for particular items that would help them to escape such as maps, money, and clothes.”

Tom, Dick and Harry

There was no shortage of ingenuity as the mass escape initiative cranked into gear. Cigarette packets were deployed to carry vital information. Radios were manufactured from basic materials. In 1943, under the leadership of Squadron Leader Roger Bushell, known as Big X, the PoWs started digging three large tunnels known as Tom, Dick and Harry. These were 30ft deep in an attempt to avoid German detection and were designed to run more than 300ft into woods outside the camp. The prisoners begged, borrowed and stole equipment that enabled them to line the tunnels with wood and ventilate the tunnels with primitive air conditioning. They also made civilian clothes, maps, compasses and German passes to help them escape.

Everything went well for several months, but tunnel Tom was discovered by the Germans in September 1943 just as it had reached the woods. Dick was abandoned for storage, but the prisoners pushed on with Harry, which was ready in early 1944. And, on the night of March 24, 76 RAF personnel broke out of the camp. A few hours later, it was being discussed by Hitler and the German High Command. The Fuhrer demanded retribution. But what was McDonald doing amid this clamour?

In his testimony about the murders of the escapees, he subsequently confirmed he was one of the later men out of the tunnel which the prisoners codenamed Harry. Most of the PoWs headed to the nearest railway station, intending to catch trains from there, but several of their comrades resolved to see how far they could travel on foot. Unfortunately, the knee-deep, slushy snow forced the escapers onto the roads. Cold, hungry and disorientated, the majority were rounded up fairly quickly. McDonald said: “I was carrying false papers and wearing civilian clothes. I was recaptured by the Landwacht, who made a half-hearted attempt to beat me up.”

A sad postscript

These men were now in a desperate position. Hitler had been outraged on discovering the extent of the breakout and demanded swift retribution. It was obvious to many in the German ranks that their adversaries would never accept their incarceration and keep striving to escape: the latter was in the Allies’ DNA. Mr Robertson said: “The men were interrogated by the Gestapo and those who survived recalled the threats made against them. Other officers were told they would be made to disappear. For his part, McDonald said: ‘I was able to eat my false papers and sew RAF buttons onto my greatcoat (which meant he was regarded as a military prisoner); and this may have been the reason why I was not shot’.

After he was returned to the camp, McDonald was eventually evacuated along with the rest of the men to begin marching west ahead of the advancing Russians. After reaching Marlag Nord near Bremen, he managed to escape while disguised as a labourer, using clothes he had acquired from a French woman. She had supplied him with ‘a complete outfit of French worker’s clothing’. Suitably attired, he made his way to British lines where he was eventually picked up by a unit of King’s Own Scottish Borderers from the 52^nd Lowland Division in April 1945.”

He was able to return to Blighty to celebrate VE Day the following month and must have imagined life would never be as tumultuous again. But there was a sad postscript. For a while, he thrived on civvy street and rejoiced at being reunited with his sister and brother, the latter of whom had served with the RASC in the Middle East and Italy. McDonald married in 1947 and lived in Edinburgh, where he and his wife had three children and ran a self-service laundry business in Leith.

But, as Bill said: “In October 1965, he left Edinburgh to fly to London Heathrow aboard a Vickers Vanguard operated by BEA. There was reduced visibility due to fog at Heathrow. After two unsuccessful attempts to land, the pilot requested to circle the airport hoping for a break in the fog. At this point, the pilot and co-pilot made a series of errors, and the Vanguard hit the runway about 2,600 feet from the threshold. All 36 people on board were killed. McDonald’s participation in the Great Escape – which had recently become a big-budget success – barely merited a mention. The Coventry Evening Telegraph described him simply as a ‘Battle of Britain pilot’. He was shot down over Holland and helped organise a mass escape from a German prisoner-of-war camp.”

And that was it. Thankfully, 60 years after his death, this hero is finally being remembered.

National Librarian Amina Shah has announced plans to mark the National Library of Scotland’s 100^th birthday with a year-long programme of events and initiatives. The National Library was established by an Act of Parliament in 1925, and since then has amassed and cared for a collection of more than 50 million items spanning many centuries on behalf of the people of Scotland – all of whom are entitled to free access to the collections.

National Librarian Amina Shah said: “A century ago, we were established in the spirit of egalitarianism, where our founders – including Sir Alexander Grant – held the firm belief that the people of Scotland deserved a national library to call their own, one which anyone living here could access. The Act of Parliament states that we exist to collect and preserve the national collections, and make them accessible to the public through our reading rooms, exhibitions and other means of engaging people with Scotland’s culture and heritage. We increased our efforts to reach more and new people with the collections in recent years with great success, and our intention is to accelerate this during the year of our 100^th birthday by working in partnership with Scotland’s network of amazing libraries. And so, I’m delighted to announce our centenary programme – a nationwide libraries campaign, our major exhibition, our national tour – all of which have the potential to connect with every individual across the country. It is our ambition that the impact our centenary programme will have on communities throughout Scotland will continue far beyond 2025.”

When it was established, the National Library was endowed with the non-legal aspects of the Faculty of Advocates’ collections, ultimately making it the holder of the largest collection of antiquarian books north of Cambridge. The Library was also established as a ‘legal deposit’ library, meaning it has the right to claim a copy of everything published in the UK. This right remains today, and includes digital publications.

While the National Library was awaiting a home, it started life in the Faculty of Advocates building. Work began on the George IV Bridge site in the 1930s, but due to the Second World War, most of the building work took place in the 1950s. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the new National Library building in Edinburgh in July 1956.

A cornerstone of our nation’s cultural life for a century

Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, said: “The National Library of Scotland has been a cornerstone of our nation’s cultural life for a century, preserving and sharing Scotland’s remarkable and complex history. For 100 years, through successive Acts of Parliament and the continued support of the Scottish Government, it has safeguarded our written and recorded heritage, from ancient manuscripts to the digital content of today. With more than 50 million items in its expert care, freely accessible to everyone, the National Library is one of Scotland’s most precious national institutions. Supporting our languages, reflecting our communities, and protecting our past and present for all those who will come after us. As we mark this centenary, we celebrate not just a building or a collection, but a century of protecting our national library and sharing the knowledge, creativity, and memories of Scotland for generations to come.”

Now in its 100^th year, the National Library will use its centenary as a platform to celebrate and promote libraries of all kinds, beginning with a nationwide campaign encouraging people to support and champion their local libraries. Speaking about the importance of libraries, author and Centenary Champion Val McDermid, said: “My parents couldn’t afford books but they understood they were the passport to better life chances than they’d had. But it’s not just writers who have their doors opened to the wider world by libraries. Engineers, lawyers, builders, artists, geographers, mathematicians, musicians… the list is endless. Libraries open windows that let us all fly.”

Outwith: National Library around Scotland

The National Library will be hosting celebrations at its Edinburgh home on George IV Bridge, beginning on 28 March 2025 with a Curtain Raiser event. To mark the Library’s centenary with communities around the country, selected treasures from the collections will be leaving Edinburgh to go on display outside of the central belt. ‘Outwith: National Library around Scotland’ will begin in Aberdeen Art Gallery in September 2025 with a loan of an early edition of Scottish secular music, John Forbes’ Songs and Fancies, published in Aberdeen in 1682. This display will coincide with the 100^th  anniversary of the Art Gallery’s concert venue, the Cowdray Hall. Celebratory events for both cultural centenarians are due to be announced in the summer, along with an engagement programme taking place in and around Aberdeen Central Library with National Library colleagues and partners.

Then in January 2026, Mary Queen of Scots’ last letter will leave the National Library for the first time in a generation to go on display in the heart of the new Perth Museum, close to the Stone of Destiny. Written by Mary Queen of Scots the night before her execution on 8 February 1587 to her brother-in-law, Henri III of France, this nationally prized item was last publicly exhibited at the Library’s George IV Bridge building in 2017 where queues formed to see the item during its one-day display. Shetland Museum and Archives will also be taking part in the ‘Outwith’ programme, with island-related loans and other activities taking place from late March 2026.

To find out more about what’s on at The National Library of Scotland in its centenary year, please visit: www.nls.uk

Less than a year after launching the Robert Burns collection online, the National Trust for Scotland has revealed the five relics of the bard’s life that have most captured people’s attention. In Spring 2024, the conservation charity launched a new portal giving unprecedented access to more than 2,500 historic items in its Robert Burns collection, including manuscripts, archives and artefacts, which are held in store for their long-term preservation and protection.

The Trust cares for the largest collection of Burns artefacts, as well as the cottage he was born in, where the first Burns supper was held after his death.

The most interesting treasures in Burns’ life

After nine months of global access to some of the most interesting treasures in Burns’ life, the Trust has revealed the five most viewed items, which give a sense of the public’s fascination with Robert Burns the man and how he lived his life.

The top five items are:

• Wooden Box containing Jean Armour’s wedding ring, alongside two other rings: this box contains the wedding ring of Jean Armour, Burns’ wife, flanked on each side by two other rings, one containing a lock of Burns’ hair and a lock of Jean’s hair.
• Pair of Burns’ socks: a pair of blue woollen knitted socks with the initials ‘RB’ at the top, believed to have been worn by Burns. The size eight socks date to around 1770 to 1796.
• Auld Lang Syne: a fragment of the manuscript of one of Burns’ most famous songs, known and sung the world over, dating from around 1793. Only six manuscript copies of this song are known to still exist.
• Letter to George Sutherland: dated 31 December 1789, the letter to theatre-owner George Sutherland encloses a 34-line poem for Sutherland to use as a prologue at his New Year performance of the Dumfries theatre company in January 1790.
• Lock of Highland Mary’s hair: the lock of Mary Campbell’s hair was preserved in a Bible, tied to a piece of dark grey card.

The personal objects that resonate with people

Caroline Smith, the National Trust for Scotland’s Operations Manager at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, said: “This list features some of my personal favourites from our collection. It seems to be the personal objects that resonate with people, and that they help them form a connection with Burns the man, the ordinary guy who wore socks, just as much as the famous words he wrote. The box of rings is an amazing item as it was quite popular at the time to keep a lock of hair, but it’s very special that the rings have survived all these years. Jean’s wedding ring is a precious item symbolising Burns’ everlasting love, and it’s hard not to feel the sentiment behind this. I think the initialled socks are incredible – just imagine your socks being kept and displayed in a museum almost 230 years after your death! There’s something very humbling about them – they have clearly been worn and therefore mended a lot by someone, probably Jean, with a lot of care. It’s a simple object but when I see pictures of Burns amongst society in Edinburgh, I imagine him wearing these socks.

“Auld Lang Syne is probably Burns’ most famous song, and one of the collection’s hero objects. With only six manuscript copies of the song still known to exist, it is a significant piece of Scottish cultural heritage and one of great international importance too. The letter to Sutherland is most significant because of the bird doodles on the back, which I think shows Burns’ playful side. The Highland Mary story appeals to the romantic side of the poet. During a time when he had been banned by Jean’s father from seeing her, Burns forged a relationship with Highland Mary Campbell and had made plans to emigrate to Jamaica with her. However, the successful publication of the  Kilmarnock Edition changed his plans, and he stayed in Scotland and married Jean. Highland Mary’s lock of hair had been preserved in the Bible that she had given to Burns when they are reported to have exchanged Bibles on the banks of the River Ayr. It is said that Burns still thought very fondly of Mary, who inspired several poems. Thou Lingering Star was written around the third anniversary of Mary’s death.”

Preservation of Burns’ legacy

The Burns online collection was made possible thanks to the support of a member of the Trust’s Patrons’ Club and by donations from the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA. The Trust cares for other important sites in the life of Robert Burns, including the Bachelors’ Club and Souter Johnnie’s Cottage, where it is undertaking ongoing conservation projects to preserve these historic buildings. It will cost £330,000 to complete these works and the Trust requires £130,000 not currently covered by funding.

Donations from generous supporters will directly assist the vital preservation of Burns’ legacy at these iconic locations. The 18^th century Gregg Fiddle is also part of the Burns collection, which was recently heard by 7,000 music fans at Hoolie in the Hydro in Glasgow and will be played in front of thousands more in New York City this April as part of Tartan Week’s Hoolie in New York event.

For more information about these works, or to make a donation, please visit nts.org.uk/burnsappeal. The Robert Burns collection can be found online at https://www.nts.org.uk/collections/robert-burns-collection.

Main photo: Burns Cottage. All images courtesy of the National Trust for Scotland.

 

Recently unveiled in Adelaide on the first leg of an international tour, the first translation of a runic inscription on an arm ring from the Viking-age Galloway Hoard has cast fascinating new light on who might have owned the famous treasure.

Since its discovery in 2014, various theories and possibilities have been put forward, suggesting that the Galloway Hoard may have been buried by four owners based on four arm-rings inscribed with Anglo-Saxon runes. Three feature Old English name elements, but the fourth and longest had confounded experts and remained undeciphered as there was no recognisable direct translation.

Communally held

However, a new theory proposed by the team at National Museums Scotland who have been studying the hoard runs, in translation, “this is the community’s wealth/property”.  Martin Goldberg from National Museums Scotland said: “This is another really interesting and significant development in our understanding of the Galloway Hoard. The idea that the wealth this hoard represents would be communally held is fascinating. It does still leave us with unanswered questions around the circumstances in which a community’s wealth would come to be buried, and also which particular community. Some material within the hoard, such as the pectoral cross and the rock crystal jar made for a Bishop Hyguald, would support this being a religious community.”

Carved inside the curved half of the arm-ring the runes read: DIS IS ЇIGNA ˑFˑ. The main issue was the word ‘ ЇIGNAF’, which did not correspond to any language spoken in early medieval Britain or Ireland. The discovery that the final rune, F, was marked out with puncts, or dots, to either side, indicating it could be understood as the name of the F-rune itself ‘feoh’ [wealth or property] unlocked the new translation. ‘ ЇIGNA’ could then be interpreted as the Old English word ‘higna’ [community] with the first letter spelled in an unusual but comprehensible way.

The first word also seems to be misspelled if as seems likely it represents “this” – perhaps it was pronounced DIS, much as it would be in some parts of modern Ireland. Despite these apparent spelling (or pronunciation) mistakes, the full inscription can be translated as “this is the community’s wealth/property” with the word ‘higna’ often used elsewhere in Anglo-Saxon documents to indicate a religious community.

Quite compelling

Leading runologist Dr David Parsons (University of Wales) who has previously translated other runic inscriptions from the Galloway Hoard said:  “This is a difficult and unusual inscription, and the proposed translation is challenging. There are a number of things which are technically ‘wrong’ when we compare it with what we know about ‘correct’ runic writing. However, if we think about both spoken and written English today, there are a huge range of regional and idiomatic variations and, if we allow for this, then it becomes possible to accept this as a plausible reading. And in the context of what can deduce about the Galloway Hoard it becomes really quite compelling.”

The new finding comes at the conclusion of a three-year research project, Unwrapping the Galloway Hoard, which was supported by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), led by National Museums Scotland in partnership with the University of Glasgow.

AHRC executive chair Christopher Smith, said: “It has been fascinating to see the succession of significant discoveries over the life of the Unwrapping the Galloway Hoard project, from the exotic origins of some of its star pieces to the presence of named individuals and now this latest exciting discovery. We’re delighted to have supported this work and in particular welcome the volume of public interest and engagement it has so frequently generated. It serves as a prime example of how the power of arts and humanities research to shine a light on past cultures and the people who lived within them resonates in our own world.”

Ancient world

The arm ring will be on display at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide as part of a new international touring exhibition, Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard, which opened in February.  The exhibition shows how the Hoard was buried in four distinct parcels and as the visitor is drawn further into this ancient world each parcel becomes richer and more unusual.

The top layer was a parcel of silver bullion and a rare Anglo-Saxon cross, separated from a lower layer of three parts: firstly, another parcel of silver bullion wrapped in leather and twice as big as the one above; secondly, a cluster of four elaborately decorated silver ‘ribbon’ arm-rings bound together and concealing in their midst a small wooden box containing three items of gold; and thirdly, a lidded, silver gilt vessel wrapped in layers of textile and packed with carefully wrapped objects that appear to have been curated like relics or heirlooms. They include beads, pendants, brooches, bracelets, relics and other curios, often strung or wrapped with silk. It was recently revealed that the origins of the vessel itself could be traced to the Sassanian Empire and indeed to a specific mine in modern-day Iran.

Decoding the secrets of the Galloway Hoard has also been a multi-layered process. Decorations, inscriptions, and other details hidden for over a thousand years have been revealed through careful conservation, painstaking cleaning, and cutting-edge research by a team of experts led by National Museums Scotland.

Many of the objects are types that have never been seen before in Britain and Ireland. Some had travelled thousands of miles to reach Scotland. Some items are now too fragile to travel long distances, particularly those which still have rare traces of textiles that have survived for more than 1,000 years. The exhibition employs audio visual and 3D reconstructions to enable visitors to experience these objects and learn more about the detailed research that is being done.

Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard is now on at the South Australian Museum to 27 July 2025. For details see: www.samuseum.sa.gov.au

The exhibition will continue its international tour with further venues to be announced.

Main photo: The Galloway Hoard. Photo:  © National Museums Scotland.

 

 

 

 

She grew up surrounded by stories and poems, which fired her imagination and piqued her curiosity during her early years in the Western Isles. So, it’s hardly surprising that Sorcha Groundsell is thrilled to be a key figure in what she describes as a “watershed moment” with the creation of a new high-profile – and expensive at £1 million an episode – drama An t-Eilean (The Island).

The four-part crime thriller, which will be shown later this year in Australia, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland and the United States, has been shot mostly in Gaelic and the 26-year-old leads the cast as Kat Crichton, a young family liaison officer, who is assigned to look into the brutal killing of the wife of a local tycoon.

The murder investigation takes place on Lewis and Harris, from where Kat mysteriously fled 10 years previously. In that regard, there’s a sense of life imitating art, given how Sorcha’s early years were spent on Lewis, prior to her attending Glasgow Gaelic School and embracing drama classes at the Citizens Theatre and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. If you don’t know her name yet, the chances are you will have caught sight of her striking and subtle performances in a variety of different programmes.

She was the star of the Netflix series The Innocents; played Douglas Henshall’s daughter, Jane Muncie, in the ITV drama In Plain Sight about the horrific real-life crimes carried out by serial killer Peter Manuel; and subsequently made a memorable appearance, again with Henshall, as his character Jimmy Perez bowed out of Shetland. Her other credits include Grantchester, His Dark Materials and a recurring role in the BritBox adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s Crime, so she’s no stranger to the dark side.

Gaelic enterprise

But there was none of that when we spoke – or not until later – about her involvement in what has been hailed as a genuinely groundbreaking new venture. She said: “It’s fantastic to be involved in this and it feels like a really big opportunity for the Gaelic language – which I love – so it’s a privilege to be part of it. We filmed for nine weeks, five in Harris and four in Glasgow, so it was like a home from home for me. I was familiar with all the landscapes and, personally, it gave me a wonderful excuse to be back there, though it was strange to be in a working capacity. But all the cast and crew were so committed, and we all felt the same way, so it was very enjoyable with a great atmosphere on set and everybody really invested in the drama. Across the world, we are seeing indigenous languages step confidently out from the shadows to enjoy the recognition they deserve. And I see our show as part of that wider movement; a celebration of all that makes us unique.”

If there was once a time when it might have been difficult to attract audiences for a Gaelic enterprise, Sorcha believes the climate has changed. A major part of that was the success of Scandi thrillers in the mould of The Killing, Borgen and The Bridge, where viewers weren’t deterred by foreign language content. And if we can watch Danish and Norwegian conversations, why not those in Gaelic – even though there will be sections of An t-Eilean which are in English.

She told me: “If I had to estimate percentages, I’d say that it’s maybe 70% (Gaelic) to 30% (English), because we have two strands of the story. The one about the people from the mainland (including her boss DCI Ahmed Halim, played by Sagar Radia) is more English language, while the family drama is in Gaelic. There’s no reason why people can’t handle subtitles, and everybody involved in the production got a lot of inspiration from these Scandinavian dramas you’ve mentioned. They really forged a path, and I honestly believe that subtitles are no longer an obstacle to an audience enjoying a series and we are much more tolerant of them these days. That has created a little window for us to expand our viewership. I certainly hope that is the case, because I am so proud to have been part of a production that is pioneering these new horizons for Gaelic. One showcasing the beauty, creativity and depth our language brings to the world.”

The dark side of human experience

A few days before I chatted to Sorcha, I watched her in Shetland where her character, Bryd Fleming, met a terrible end in a scenario which is unforgettably grim. As the police reach the scene, the camera closes in on her dead body and stares directly into her eyes. And then it lingers a little and there’s nothing. A void, a shell, an abyss.

She said: “I think you’re describing the episode of TV which has traumatised my entire family. A few people texted me after it was broadcast and asked: ‘Are you OK?’ It was challenging because I’ve never had to play ‘dead’ in anything before, and this was really dramatic with my body wrapped in plastic in the back of a car. It was intense, but in the best way. As an actor, you very often don’t have a full story arc, but the more they showed me, the more scripts I saw, the more fascinating that character became, and she had such a vivid secret life. I had been trying to find a way to connect with Shetland for a long time, because I was such a fan of the show, and I had previously worked with Douglas. So much of the intensity of that scene was down to his performance. He is the master of subtle emotion and one of the reasons why that is so moving was down to him.”

Of course, one might argue there has been an excess of “women in peril” plotlines and females being gratuitously murdered in TV history, but the tide seems to be turning. So, we have Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell in charge of Shetland inquiries, Lauren Lyle meeting and beating the men in “Karen Pirie”… and now, this latest thriller, where a strong woman has no qualms about getting her hands dirty. But what is this obsession with crime dramas? Why do so many love them so much? Sorcha said: “I think they showcase something in human psychology and we are all interested in the dark side of human experience. Crime drama provides a platform for that investigation and makes us think: ‘What part of the dark side do we all have?’ But – and this matters – they also bring us a very satisfying, problem-solving structure where, usually, there is a resolution at the end.”

Text by: Neil Drysdale. Main photo: Photo: Black Camel Pictures/BBCAlba.

Mark your calendars for the 13^th annual Tartan Day South Celtic Festival featuring four days of events from Thursday, April 3^rd to Sunday, April 6^th, 2025, at locations in Lexington, Cayce and West Columbia, South Carolina. “We’re proud to present events and activities for all ages which honors the traditions, culture and heritage of the United Kingdom – Ireland, Scotland and England,” said John Banks, event coordinator. “The rain or shine festival will offer great Celtic music, Highland Games showcasing athletic prowess, a classic British car show, sheep dog herding, birds of prey exhibits, Irish and Highland dancing, a pub tent, wee games for children, and much more.”

To capture the flavor of the Celtic lifestyle, vendors will highlight food and drink native to Ireland, Scotland and England, along with woolen clothing in tartan plaids, custom home decor, pendants and jewelry, accessories, leather goods, metalworks, blankets and throws, among other items.  There is a large display of local history that will begin to celebrate our countries 250^th birthday.  A Welcome Ceremony will be held during the main event at 12:00 noon on Saturday with a bagpipe and drum corp parade.

More than 25 clans will be participating, along with a number of Scottish societies and organizations.  While the main event, held on Saturday at the Historic Columbia Speedway, requires admission, other events are free including the Tartan Day South Kick Off Party at Steel Hands Brewing in Cayce on Thursday evening.  Drumsmoke on Saturday evening at the speedway campground and the closing ceremony, and Kirkin’ of the Tartans, at the West Columbia Amphitheater on Sunday. The admission fee for Friday’s Celtic Concert at the Icehouse Amphitheater is nominal. Tickets for all events can be purchased online. Tickets for the main event can also be purchased onsite. Main event parking is plentiful at the speedway at $5.00 per car, cash only.

Tartan Day South’s title partner is Culpeper Wood Preservers.  We proudly say that Tartan Day South is built by Culpeper Wood.  The festival is blessed with event funding from the City of Cayce, City of West Columbia, the Town of Lexington and Lexington County Tartan Day South annually draws more than 10,000 people. In 2024, guests traveled from 28 states beyond South Carolina. Overall, the festival generated an economic impact of $1.25 million dollars to the local economy last year.

Tartan Day South is produced with and for The River Alliance (a 501c-3).  The driving force that develops projects that continue to improve the access to the incredible 90 miles of rivers that are the greatest natural resource in the heart of the Midlands of South Carolina.  The River Alliance is busy with great new projects that will totally change our access to the rivers and life along the waterfront.  The Second Phase of the Saluda Riverwalk is progressing. It will connect the Columbia Canal to Riverfront Park.  At that point you can walk or bike from the Zoo to the State Museum and Edventure at the Gervais Street Bridge.

For more details see: www.tartandaysouth.com

 

HMS Unicorn, one of the most historical ships in the world, has taken a major step towards securing her future thanks to a vital £796,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. As wider fundraising continues to raise a crucial additional £650,000 by April 2025 to unlock grants worth £10 million, the Heritage Fund grant will support urgent preservation work with a potential further £3.3 million later in 2025.

The initial award from The National Heritage Lottery Fund will go towards the total cost of moving and securing HMS Unicorn within Dundee’s repaired East Graving Dock, ensuring a stable environment for the long-term preservation of Scotland’s oldest ship. This move is an essential part of the Unicorn Preservation Society’s vision of Project Safe Haven, an ambitious plan to help transform Dundee’s historic docks with a purpose-built visitor centre that will enhance community engagement and celebrate HMS Unicorn’s maritime heritage.

Work has already begun to safeguard the future of the 200-year-old vessel, run as an accredited museum and popular visitor attraction, returning strength and robustness to HMS Unicorn’s hull. This will be achieved by cutting edge structural reinforcement, improving her resilience at her current berth and readying her for her move to the East Graving Dock.

A symbol of Dundee’s rich maritime history

To realise the pressing need to move HMS Unicorn to Dundee’s dry East Graving Dock, the Unicorn Preservation Society urgently need to match The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s investment by April 2025. This will unlock some £10 million of strategic grants required to finance this work, including from Tay Cities Region Deal. The necessary and vital work includes the emptying of the dock, repairing it with a new caisson and making it structurally sound and refilled to receive HMS Unicorn floating over a supportive cradle. The delivery of this work is expected to support further funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund of up to £3.3 million, ready for the next stage of Project Safe Haven.

Executive Director, Matthew Bellhouse Moran, said: “This incredible pledge from The National Lottery Heritage Fund is a massive boost to our fundraising efforts; finance is urgently required to secure the future of this 200-year-old ship for future generations to enjoy. This grant is both a recognition of HMS Unicorn’s immense historical significance and a vote of confidence in our vision to secure her future, namely Project Safe Haven. However, the clock is ticking. We urgently need the support of individuals, businesses, and organisations to raise the finance needed for the next stage of Project Safe Haven, moving HMS Unicorn into Dundee’s East Graving Dock, ensuring she doesn’t succumb to the wear and tear of time. £650,000 is required to unlock £10 million of strategic grants for the next stage of works to save this national treasure and create an inspiring legacy for future generations. Without support, HMS Unicorn, a symbol of Dundee’s rich maritime history, may not survive.”

Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland, said: “HMS Unicorn is a spectacular surviving relic of our maritime heritage. Holding nearly 200 years of history within its hull, it is not only the oldest ship in Scotland but one of the oldest in the world, and incredibly one of the last remaining warships from the age of sail, still afloat. We are extremely proud to support the Unicorn Preservation Society to take their ambition plans forward. Making vital progress to creating a permanent Safe Haven for this historic vessel and developing its potential as a major heritage attraction for Dundee and Scotland.”

Project Safe Haven is one of the most ambitious maritime conservation projects in Scotland. To donate to help the Unicorn Preservation Society raise the necessary £650,000 by April 2025 to unlock £10 million of critical funding, please visit: www.hmsunicorn.org.uk

Main photo: Project Safe Haven Visitor Centre Concept. Photo: LDN Architects.

 

 

Warwick Thistle Pipe Band, an inspired group of musicians from the Southern Downs, is preparing for the adventure of a lifetime—the most momentous journey in its illustrious 100-year history. Known for their impressive performances at events such as the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (REMT) in Sydney, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Parade, the Australian Celtic Festival in Glen Innes, and as a key partner and performer at CelticFest Warwick, the band is now ready to entertain audiences on the world stage.

In 2019, the Warwick Thistle Pipe Band transformed from a small band, struggling with numbers, into a proud ensemble of 50 musicians performing at the Sydney Olympic Stadium for the REMT Saturday main event. With members ranging in age from 10 to over 80, the band became the largest single group in the opening ceremony’s massed band—a truly inspiring display of passion, dedication, and community pride.

Now, the band is gearing up for its biggest performance yet. Pipe Major, Chris Donaldson, has announced that the band has been invited to take part in Piping Live! 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. He says it is the world’s premier piping festival, drawing over 30,000 attendees during a music filled, week-long celebration in August. But that’s not all. In addition to Piping Live!, Chris is excited to share that the band will perform at iconic Scottish venues such as Stirling Castle, the Crieff Highland Games and The Kelpies, showcasing the band’s talent.

Drum Sergeant, Alexander Manfield, said that this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity isn’t just about representing Warwick on an international stage, it’s also about honing the skills of our musicians, fostering a legacy of excellence, and sharing the vibrant culture of the Southern Downs with the world.

Part of the fabric of the Southern Downs

The band is quite special, as it is very much a family band where we have all ages and even several generations from a number of families represented, says Pipe Sergeant, Megan Mauch. However, turning this dream into reality comes with significant costs, shared Megan, with band members having tirelessly fundraised over the last couple of years. She said they shall continue to fundraise until the trip especially with the current state of the exchange rate. To shine on this global stage, the band requires additional uniforms and essential gear, including Inverness rain capes, moisture control systems for pipes, durable travel cases for instruments, drum skins, chanter reeds, and specialised equipment. On top of this, transport to airports and within Scotland adds to the financial challenge.

For a century, the Warwick Thistle Pipe Band has been a part of the fabric of the Southern Downs’ community, performing at cherished events like ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day commemorations, the Killarney Bonfire Night, Apple and Grape Festival Parade, Untamed Border Run, Allora Christmas festivities, and more. Now, the chance to represent Warwick in Scotland is a shining moment of pride for this community band punching above its weight.

Celebrating Marion Campbell, Lady Evelyn Stewart Murray, and Dorothy Marshall.

Popular depictions of archaeology would have you believe that it’s the quintessential man’s game – look no further than the archetype of Indiana Jones, or the renowned stories of the men who discovered the likes of the city of Troy, Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, or the Sutton Hoo burials.

However, right from the field’s inception women have been among the most influential and important contributors to it. Far too often these formative figures have been overlooked, and it was not until well into the 20^th century that many professional societies even permitted women to join as members.

Scottish archaeology, and the related field of ethnography, has benefitted from the grit and genius of pioneering women working at all levels since day one.  Three in particular have emerged again and again in my own research into Scotland’s past, and it is they I wish to celebrate here – Marion Campbell of Argyll, Lady Evelyn Murray of Perthshire, and Dorothy Marshall of Bute.

Marion Campbell (1919 – 2000)

Kilmartin Glen is among the most significant archaeological landscapes in northern Europe, and no one has done more to reveal and revel in its wonders than Marion Campbell. Marion’s own life is a history book in itself. She served in the Second World War and suffered an injury from the bombings of the Clydebank Blitz, which left her in often acute pain for the rest of her days. This did not stop her from carrying out tireless manual excavations of archaeological sites throughout Kilmartin Glen and Mid Argyll, often in very hard to access places. She served as a district councillor for the Scottish National Party for twenty years, and her donation of various discoveries established the invaluable collection now held at Kilmartin Museum.

Along with Mary Sandeman, with whom Marion lived at Kilberry Castle for forty years, she identified over 350 sites of interest in the first systematic survey of Kilmartin Glen. Their work together created a blueprint for future research in Mid Argyll, including investigations into key sites like the hillfort of Dunadd, the Nether Largie standing stones, and the extraordinary Neolithic rock art panel of Achnabreac. Marion possessed not only a gift for scholarship, but of lyrical writing.

Her description of the vast peat bog of the Mhòine Mhór as “…a quaking salt-bog barely above the tidemark” has stayed with me ever since reading it, as has the description that follows: “…the name has the sough of winds in it. Veils of sleet drive over withered grasses and hang in cold walls of glass around the highest rock.” She wrote several children’s books, a rare feat for someone so involved in academic research. Each morning, Marion woke early to feed the animals in her garden, who she referred to as “the friends”. If we all aspire to even half the talent, determination, and kindness which Marion embodied, the world would be a much better place, indeed.

Lady Evelyn Stewart Murray (1868 – 1940)

Lady Murray’s life on paper sounds a fairytale. Daughter of the 7^th Duke of Atholl based at Blair Castle, had she walked a conventional path for someone of that status she could have led a very charmed and untroubled life. However, her fierce will and intellect compelled her to completely eschew the social expectations of the time – marriage, childbearing, and the social graces – in favour of adventure and obsessive study.

In all seasons and weathers, the young Lady Murray could be found wandering Highland Perthshire in search of stories told in Gaelic, which was then fading from everyday use. She collected 241 tales told by native speakers, many of which had never been written down before. Her work is a veritable treasure trove of ethnology, folklore, and historical memory, some of it preserving a local dialect of Gaelic which does not survive anywhere else.

In her teens she suffered a severe illness, likely typhoid, whose symptoms followed her throughout her life, leading to periods of severe physical and mental distress including partial paralysis in her legs and arms. Still, Evelyn refused to limit the hours of her studies, often working late into the night at breakneck pace. She worked so assiduously that, fearing for her eyesight, her caretaker (for her parents had long since given up trying to reign her in) forbid her from reading and writing by gaslight – which she continued doing anyway.

My own lived experience has given me great admiration for Evelyn’s impassioned spirit. Chronic health issues have sometimes waylaid me, but despite this I have visited thousands of historic sites across Scotland and have put a few oral historians’ tales to writing for the first time. A calling is a calling, and whenever I need a little inspiration in the face of limitations, I think of Lady Murray and all that she achieved in spite of them.

Dorothy Marshall (1900 – 1992)

Dorothy Marshall is to archaeology in Bute what Marion Campbell is to it in Kilmartin Glen – definitive. Her parents, Jean Binnie and John Marshall, encouraged all their daughters to pursue higher learning in the sciences. Dorothy’s sisters, Margaret and Sheina, were awarded OBEs, and Dorothy was awarded an MBE in 1981. Dorothy served as a ‘Lumberjill’ in the Women’s Timber Corps during the First World War before studying archaeology in London and excavating in Cyprus, Jericho, Petra, and Jerusalem. She served as a multi-time President of the Buteshire Natural History Society, delivered Meals on Wheels well into her 80s, and participated in excavations in Bute right into her very final years.

Her most famous excavation was of the cist burial of a high-status woman on the island of Inchmarnock off Bute dated to around 2,000 BCE, whom Dorothy dubbed the ‘Queen of the Inch’. Her grave yielded a stunning jet necklace, a type of status symbol found in elite graves throughout Argyll. Other excavations include the Norse houses at the hillfort of Dunagoil in southwest Bute, the Neolithic cairn of Glenvoidean in rugged northwest Bute, and numerous finds of the ever-enigmatic prehistoric carved stone balls. The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, of which Dorothy was a Fellow, awards the Dorothy Marshall Medal every three years to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to Scottish archaeology.

Many in Bute today fondly remember Dorothy, for she was no ivory tower-bound researcher but an active and beloved member of the community. This was illustrated to me most vividly while conducting research at Bute Museum in Rothesay. I asked curator Anne Spiers, who knew Dorothy personally and worked closely with her, to describe her legacy. “The spirit of Dorothy is very much with us here”, she said. “She loved the idea of what future technologies would make possible, excavating a site without laying a finger on it. Any time something is found here in Bute, I wonder what Dorothy would make of it.” When I asked Anne what Dorothy’s favourite archaeological site in Bute was, she gave an answer which will ring true for anyone who finds inherent joy and meaning in their vocation: “Whichever one she was at, at the time!”

Text by David C. Weinczok.

Main photo: Glenvoidean Cairn in Bute excavated by Dorothy Marshall.

This January the National Galleries of Scotland kicked off the 250^th birthday of much-loved artist, Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775- 1851), with a special celebration.  Visitors to the treasured Turner in January exhibition marvelled at a new selection of over 30 watercolours that had never been seen before in Scotland, in an exchange with the National Gallery of Ireland. The most famous British artist of the 19^th century, Turner’s career spanned over 50 years and the Turner in January exhibition is popular annual tradition that has been taking place since 1901, as David McVey explains.

The Scottish National Gallery occupies an imposing and complex building rising out of Princes Street Gardens, with the castle soaring nearby and trains rattling past from Waverley Station. The building dates from 1859 but has frequently been modernised and freshened up. As recently as 2023, several bright new galleries for displaying Scottish art were opened. The Gallery works closely with the adjacent Royal Scottish Academy, the impressive classical building that opens out onto Princes Street.

In the National you can marvel at paintings by Titian, Rembrandt, Constable, Gainsborough, Monet and van Gogh alongside local lads like Raeburn and Allan Ramsay. For the pleasure of viewing these works that are of quite incalculable monetary value, you won’t pay a penny. This is the National Gallery. It belongs to us, and so do the works of art. And the same is true of the satellite galleries; the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in nearby Queen Street and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, a short bus journey away.

The Vaughan Bequest

Of course, charges sometimes apply when special exhibitions are held that bring in works of art from other places and cost a great deal to put on. However, there’s one annual show that you can view at no additional cost; the Vaughan Bequest, featuring watercolours by the great English artist Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851). At the beginning of January these 38 works are put on display and then at the end of the month put in storage again. Why?

To find out we need to know a little more about the man behind the Vaughan Bequest. Henry Vaughan was born in the London borough of Southwark in 1809. He came from a wealthy philanthropic Quaker family: his father was a manufacturer of hats – in an era when everybody wore hats. Vaughan inherited a huge fortune from his father and never needed to work. When he died in 1899 he left £237,000; unimaginable wealth for the time, even though, for much of his life, he had tried to give away as much as he could.

Vaughan also spent considerable sums of money assembling a breathtaking collection of art. He acquired and displayed (in his home at Cumberland Terrace near Regent’s Park) works by Rembrandt and Michelangelo and Rubens, and was particularly known for his holdings of works by Constable and Gainsborough. But he also collected contemporary art – and he was a contemporary of Turner. In particular, he accumulated a large number of Turner’s watercolours, buying them from art dealers.

It’s likely that he never actually met Turner. Much of his collection he bequeathed to public galleries. Of his Turner watercolours, six went to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, 23 to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square (although they are now displayed in Tate Britain), 31 to the National Gallery of Ireland, and the biggest hoard, 38, to the National Gallery of Scotland. Turner visited Scotland several times and found a great deal of inspiration here.

Turner watercolours should be treated especially carefully

Vaughan looked after his art and his bequests stipulated that the Turner watercolours should be treated especially carefully. Yes, they should be freely accessible to the public, but they should only be exhibited in the dark, gloomy month of January to protect them from the harsher lights of spring, summer and autumn. And that’s why his bequest is displayed in the Scottish National Gallery for only a month at the gloomiest time of year.

The examples bequeathed to Edinburgh cover a wide geographical range of subjects from Italian lakes to English rivers. There are views of historic cities such as Durham, Venice and Heidelberg and also harbour and seafaring scenes, as you’d expect from the artist of The Fighting Temeraire. Among the Alpine scenes are three views of the Falls of Rhine at Schaffhausen, but there is also an affecting view of the humble Falls of Clyde and two scenes from near Sir Walter Scott’s home of Abbotsford. Perhaps the most striking and Turneresque of the Scottish watercolours is Loch Coruisk, Skye which communicates the wild grandeur of the scene with characteristic drama and colour. Oddly, there are no views of Edinburgh in the SNG’s bequest.

In January 2025, the Edinburgh Vaughan Bequest exhibition was different. To mark the 250^th anniversary of Turner’s birth, items from the Edinburgh bequest were displayed in the Irish National Gallery in Dublin, while examples from the Irish collection (which includes a watercolour of Edinburgh from 1801 that has never been displayed in the city before) appeared in the Edinburgh exhibition. The Edinburgh show took place in one of the rooms of the Royal Scottish Academy building. The Dublin collection actually includes a view of Edinburgh, so it seemed a rather fitting exchange.

So popular was the 2025 Edinburgh exhibition that the waiting time to even get into the room was sometimes ninety minutes or more! Obviously, the appeal of seeing a different selection from the usual had brought out the crowds. I tried to visit on two occasions but I had meetings to attend and couldn’t spare the waiting time. Disappointing, perhaps, but it was also encouraging to see so many people excited about seeing art.

Next January, the Scottish National Gallery’s own Turner watercolours from the Vaughan Bequest will all be back on display. If you’re in Edinburgh then, they will provide a great escape from the bleak January streets. But I recommend that you get there early…

Main photo: Scottish National Gallery. Photo: Eoin Carey.

Clan MacLennan Australia are proud to announce Clan MacLennan has been nominated as Honoured Clan at the Melbourne Highland Games and Celtic Festival on 23^rd March at Eastfield Park, 119 Eastfield Road, Croydon, Victoria. Carol Davis, Clan MacLennan Australasia’s Chief’s Commissioner has been appointed Chieftain of the Day. Calling all MacLennans/McLennans to gather at the Melbourne Highland Games & Celtic Festival on Sunday 23^rd March and show their Clan pride!

Visit the Clan tent and meet Clan Genealogist, Bruce McLennan, who’ll be there to answer your family history questions.  Clan MacLennan Australia will also have a special offer for new members who join our Clan association on the day.  Wear your MacLennan tartan with pride as you to participate in the Parade of Clans as the Honoured Clan.  Dum Spiro Spero!

For full details on this month’s Melbourne Highland Games and Celtic Festival, the Chieftain of the Day and Honoured Clan please visit:  www.melbournehighlandgames.org.au

For more information on Clan MacLenna Australia visit: www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com/aust

 

 

The Scottish Banner speaks to Skerryvore’s Alec Dalglish

Scotland’s Skerryvore are bringing their reinvented traditional Scottish sounds and high energy performances to audiences across the world. Lead singer Alec Dalglish took time to speak to the Scottish Banner about the bands 20^th anniversary celebrations, the importance of live performance and Scottish traditional music.

For those that do not know can we begin by you telling us what Skerryvore means?

AD:  Skerryvore is a famous lighthouse, which is a few miles off the coast of the Isle of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Tiree is where two of our band members are from, the brothers Daniel and Martin Gillespie. The band started with the four of us, the two Gillespie brothers, me and Fraser West the drummer. And that is kind of what we’re known as, two of us are from Livingston in West Lothian and two from Tiree. Tiree is a very beautiful and interesting place to be from, and Livingston’s not quite as interesting a place to be from, so we are kind of known as being a Tiree band.

To be honest we had been a band kind of casually, and doing it for fun for a while and then we started to get a bit more serious and we were getting ready to release our first album We literally needed to call ourselves something because we were going to have an album and we really honestly couldn’t think of anything until another friend of ours suggested, why not Skerryvore?  It is a really majestic and interesting name that really links us to Tiree. So, we went ahead and chose Skerryvore, and that has worked well for us. However few people really know what we’re saying when we say it, which is part of the mystic of the name.

Skerryvore has won 3 times Scotland’s Live Act of the Year award. For those who have yet to see the band live what can they expect at your shows?

AD:  Our music’s kind of a fusion of a few things. We obviously have the traditional Scottish element that’s kind of there in the sense that we do some sets which are completely instrumental with bagpipes, fiddles, accordions and whistles and stuff like that, which is fused with a more contemporary pop/rock sound.

At the same time, our songs are essentially a kind of pop or rock sound which incorporate an element of the Scottish sound through them as well. These are the kinds of things we try to fuse together in a sort of stylistic sense and our live shows certainly showcase that.

Skerryvore have grown from their early, four-piece, ceilidh band origins and now perform as an eight-piece outfit. Can you tell us how traditional Scottish music has played a part in the Skerryvore story?

AD: That’s how we started. We were a ceilidh band to begin with, so we played all music from the repertoire of traditional music. We didn’t even write our own tunes at that point and that definitely sort of forged what we’re like as a band.

We always said that we as a band would keep our roots and we might do things that are more pop sounding because we like pop music, but we will always have that West Coast of Scotland ceilidh band as part of our DNA. That’s what we really are and how we started, and that traditional sound is definitely really important to us.

The band’s song Take My Hand was featured during the finale of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2024, how did that make you feel to have your music incorporated into one of Scotland’s most iconic live events?

AD: We were incredibly proud and as the songwriter, I was just chuffed to bits that our music was being put on such a huge platform. It’s a really big deal, people all over the world that know something about Scotland seem to know that there’s this big thing called the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. It is

such an event and such a spectacle, and it attracts people from all over the world. So, we were really proud to have our music featured and be a part of such a incredible Scottish global production.

Trad music is incredibly popular today around the world. What is it about incorporating traditional instruments and rhythms to your modern sound that you feel has found so much appeal?

AD: I kind of wonder that sometimes myself, because it does seem to be true that our Scottish traditional music and Irish traditional music, really does capture people. I think if someone brought certain types of other native music it just wouldn’t be quite as popular. Like English folk music, for example, is not necessarily anywhere near as popular as the Irish and Scottish stuff is. I think partly it is the rhythmic sound about Celtic music because it was all originally to be danced to. It’s literally in the rhythm of the tune for you to be able to dance to it, which is always appealing to humans, I suppose.

And on a really specific musical sense, it’s almost always pentatonic the scale made-up with five notes, and really that that sort of scale is ingrained into people. It is a really primal sort of scale and most of our tunes are made up of that, so it is really easily musically accessible to most people’s ears. Traditional songs also tell a great story and there’s loads of songs that tell a really interesting history about Scotland and Ireland. All the horrible things that have happened to people, people can understand the heartache through the music.

2025 is the bands 20^th anniversary and you have a special concert lined up at Floors Castle in the Scottish Borders. This will be your biggest show to date, can you tell us more about this milestone performance?

AD: We are really excited for it. We did a similar thing, a special a one-off event for our 10^th anniversary and that really sort of shocked us as to how big it gets and it kind of grew arms and legs. We thought we were going to manage to get a couple of thousand people there and ended up with five or six thousand. We are really excited to do something like that again and make it even bigger. We have grown through the years and to be able to make this happen is special for us. I think we are also just kind of shocked that the time has gone by so quickly and I can’t believe that we’re all old enough to have been in a band for 20 years as adults-it doesn’t seem quite right!  We are incredibly grateful to have fans that have supported us for that long and kept the whole thing going. And it’s an exciting prospect to do our own show to that scale and on home ground.

The early days of Skerryvore had the band working out whether the west coast ferries could actually deliver them from one island to another in time for the next gig. Today the band travel across the UK and Europe and are regular visitors to North America and are now returning to Australia. How important is touring for the band and how much do you enjoy connecting with your international fans?

AD: The touring part is a major part of us as a band.  We have made albums, but we really are mostly a touring band. That is where we feel like we can get things across the best, we have always really struggled, especially stylistically, with what we do to capture that energy on an album. So, I think it’s really important for us to be a touring band and get to connect with Scottish communities all over the world and it is amazing just how homesick Scottish people get abroad and how proud they are to be a part of our shows.

Our congratulations to you Alec as you won Composer of the Year at the recent MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. What does it mean to you to be recognised at Scotland’s most prestigious night of traditional music calendar?

AD: I was delighted and surprised, to be honest. I am so used to being part of the band, and that’s usually where all the success is, it’s all about Skerryvore. It’s not usually about individuals, so it was nice to have something that was in my own name that I’d been given an award for. The Scots Trad Music Awards is a really special night that is important to the Scottish music community. It’s not really just like a wee token, it’s kind of a big deal for those who are part of it, I have always written our music by myself, and I am chuffed to have been recognised in this way.

Skerryvore are touring Australia now and the US in March & April. For full details see: www.skerryvore.com/tour

Main photo: Skerryvore at Floors Castle. Photo: Kevin Kerr.

Scottish Canals have launched Scotland’s newest visitor attraction – The Kelpies Experience.  The canal custodians have partnered with Zone Events to bring participants a unique opportunity to climb safely to the top of the inside of The Kelpies.  The Kelpies – the world’s largest equine sculptures who stand 98 feet tall against the Falkirk skyline, are ready to share their secrets.

The Kelpies Experience will challenge participants, of all ages to tackle a 25 metre aerial climb, taking them straight to the horse’s mouth.  The inspiring experience will also tell the fascinating story of the Clydesdale – the horse that powered the industrial revolution around the world.

As well as testing visitors on the specially-designed climb expert guides will share the history of Scotland’s canals, the vital role played by the Clydesdale Horse and how this inspired internationally renowned sculptor Andy Scott.  The Kelpies Experience is a premium, aerial visitor attraction while immersing participants in Scotland’s fascinating industrial history, awe-insuring art and world class engineering.

The experience involves ascending 25 metres to the mouth of Baron (the head up Kelpie in Falkirk) using a series of ladders, cable crossings, suspended platforms and nets before descending, by abseil, or quick flight, a thrilling option that gives the feeling of free falling before gently lowering you to the ground.  The highlight of the climb is reaching the Kelpie’s mouth and being rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the Forth & Clyde Canal, the nearby Helix parklands and on a clear day you might even catch a glimpse of the distant hills and the town of Falkirk.

A triumph of design and engineering

Since their launch, Helix Park has welcomed over seven million visitors from all over the world; The Kelpies play a huge role in contributing to a £85 million tourism spend in the Falkirk region annually. Scottish Canals’ Chief Executive Officer John Paterson said: “We are incredibly excited to create this unique challenge. This is a truly amazing experience and will allow visitors from across the world to step inside our magnificent Kelpies and discover the secrets that lie inside all while experiencing a 25-metre aerial journey straight to the horse’s mouth. Those who enjoy this epic experience will undoubtedly leave with a memory of a lifetime.”

Scottish Canals commissioned internationally renowned artist and sculptor Andy Scott to create the awe-inspiring Kelpies and he says he is looking forward to others getting to see his artwork from a different perspective. He said: “I believe the experience will give an even greater understanding of just what an incredible achievement these structures represent both as artworks and as iconic landmarks.”

The Kelpies are a triumph of design and engineering. Each Kelpie weighs a massive 300 tonnes (the same weight as 350 Clydesdale Horses) and is constructed from more than 18,000 individual components.

For more details on how to book the experience log onto: www.Kelpies.co.uk  

All images courtesy of Peter Sandground.

Read our 2024 interview with the creator of The Kelpies, Andy Scott, at: www.scottishbanner.com/2024/08/24/celebrating-10-years-of-the-kelpies

From the 1830s to the early 1900s, railways were built across Scotland at an astonishing rate. Some served industry, others carried commuters or long-distance travellers while others were specifically aimed at tourists. Many survive while many others have gone. However, some of those aimed at tourists still attract them, even where trains no longer run.

The Blane Valley Railway and its extension, the Aberfoyle Branch, were designed to provide scenic journeys from Glasgow to the southern edge of The Trossachs, countryside that appealed especially to readers of Sir Walter Scott’s novels. As early as 1848, a branch line came off at Lenzie on the main Glasgow – Edinburgh route, and pushed through Kirkintilloch to Lennoxtown on the southern slopes of the Campsie Fells. It was extended as the Blane Valley Railway through Strathblane to Killearn in 1867.

Eventually, in 1882, the route was complete through to Aberfoyle. Aberfoyle remains a tourist honeypot, though, sadly, few visitors today have read any Scott. Both Waverley and, especially, Rob Roy had links to the Aberfoyle area. Visitors used to flock to the Baillie Nicol Jarvie Hotel in the village, named after a character in Rob Roy. It’s now been converted to flats, but a caricature of Jarvie can still be seen on the gable end.

Changing onto a branch line

Motor road transport was the death knell of the railway. Beyond Kirkintilloch, all passenger services stopped in 1951. By 1966 the whole system had gone. Slowly, however, the potential for gentler forms of travel began to be recognised. Paths for walkers, cyclists and horse riders were developed on the former trackbed. Today you can walk, ride or cycle from Aberfoyle to Buchlyvie, crossing the famous Flanders Moss, using the former railway. The West Highland Way long distance footpath runs along another stretch of the route, in the scenic valley of Strath Blane. And then, running from Strathblane village to Lenzie, there is the Strathkelvin Railway Walkway. Lenzie Station remains open, so that when you alight from a train there, intent on walking or cycling to Strathblane, there’s still a sense of changing onto a branch line.

Old railways make great paths. The gradients are easy and even on the urban stretch through Kirkintilloch there are trees and greenery. Two miles on, at Milton of Campsie, local volunteers have transformed the platforms of the former station into an attractive public space with seating and sculptures and floral displays. The route continues roughly westward, following the Glazert Water upstream, with the Campsie Fells occasionally seen through trees to the north.

Beyond Lennoxtown the route runs through the grounds of the former Lennox Castle estate. Lennox Castle, actually an 1840s mansion, is now a ruin but Celtic Football Club’s main training facility occupies part of the grounds. A branch track runs off right along the banks of the Glazert to Campsie Glen, where the burn tumbles out of the hills in a series of wooded waterfalls. It was a real holiday spot in days gone by and hundreds of people would disgorge from Campsie Glen Station (actually nearly a mile’s walk from the glen) on summer Saturdays.

The main route continues through the Lennox Forest, but when it emerges from the trees the views become breathtaking. At last, the Campsie Fells are seen at their most spectacular. As a local resident I often cycle out this way and I still have to stop here and look and marvel. I like to think it’s the equal of any view in the Highlands or Lake District. And I can never stop myself from wondering what it must have been like to travel here by train. Of course, we shouldn’t romanticise rail travel in the steam era. A choking cloud of smoke would have accompanied every train, and passengers would emerge under a fine coat of dust!

Very much still there

A highlight on the final run to Strathblane is a stone bridge that carries the access road to Craigend Farm over a small burn as well as the railway, with a separate arch for each. It’s a beautiful structure, still doing its job 65 years after the last train ran underneath it. The obvious wooded gorge visible to the north on the Campsie slopes is the Ballagan Glen, which is a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve for the window it opens on the geology of the Campsies.

To the south of the railway is the curious little lump of Dunglass, a volcanic plug (for the Campsies were volcanos back in geological time!). Notice that some of its crags are formed of columnar basalt, like Fingal’s Cave or the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.

As you enter Strathblane the line has been built over, so a path takes you up to the A891 near Strathblane Kirk. The Kirkhouse Inn, at the junction of the A891 and A81 will welcome you as will Milne and Byrne’s Coffee House further along the A81; but there’s plenty more to do here. The Campsie Fells beckon, and there are other paths to try – the John Muir Way, which follows the Strathkelvin Walkway from Kirkintilloch, continues west while the Pipe Track leads you along the western flank of the Campsies.

The West Highland Way and Mugdock Country Park aren’t far away either. If you’ve had enough, there are buses back to Glasgow from here. They stop at Milngavie Station, and after experiencing the work of Victorian railway builders, you may want to alight there and continue your journey to Glasgow on a surviving railway.

The Blane Valley Railway has long gone, yet for locals and visitors alike it’s very much still there.

Main photo: Walkers and a cyclist where the walkway emerges from Lennox Forest.

The President and Committee of the Bundanoon Highland Gathering are delighted to announce that Lord Strathspey has accepted their offer to be the Chieftain of the Day in 2025. Sir Michael Grant of Grant, Lord Strathspey, 34^th Chief of Clan Grant was born in Edinburgh in 1953.  A Chartered Surveyor by profession, Sir Michael has enjoyed a career in Project Development, Asset Management, Sales and Lettings. He has travelled extensively, working on projects throughout Europe, the USA, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Now retired, Sir Michael’s interests span a wide range of subjects including property, design, architecture and art. As a person who likes to travel and connect with people, Sir Michael’s vision is to “Think Global” when it comes to building and growing the Clan Grant community. His wish is to promote the Clan traditions throughout the world, strengthening bonds and preserving the Clan Grant history – for this generation and the next.  As the Chief of Clan Grant, Sir Michael takes particular pride in the Clan Grant history.

The Grant 1714 tartan

Inspired by two 18^th century paintings of the Grant Champion and Piper by the artist Richard Waitt, he has reintroduced the Grant 1714 tartan, one of the earliest tartans on record. The Grant 1714 is one of the earliest tartans on record and has recently been reintroduced and authorised by Sir Michael Grant of Grant. In July 1704, Alexander Grant, the eldest son of Ludovick, Chief of Grant, instructed his tenants and clansmen to be prepared to muster in Heighland Coates trewes and short hose of tartaine of red and Greine sett broad springed.” This directive was recorded in the Court Book of the Regality of Grant. Whilst there is no surviving remnant of this Strathspey red and green tartan, there are strong clues as to the specific sett (pattern) of the time.

In 1714, Richard Waitt–an artist who travelled the highlands, accepted a commission from the Laird of Grant to paint life-sized portraits of William Cumming, the Laird’s Piper, and Alister Mohr Grant, the Laird’s Champion.  Both portraits depict highlanders in ceremonial tartans of red and green, which were almost certainly woven by the same weaver. Described by Waitt on his invoice as advivum pinxit (Latin for “painted to life”), they were large scale and presented exactly as he saw them. The new tartan has been registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans and Design Registry in the name of the present Chief, Lord Strathspey, 34^th Chief of Grant.

Bundanoon Highland Gathering takes place in the NSW Southern Highlands, Saturday April 5^th. For details see: www.brigadoon.org.au.

The division between ‘Highlands’ and ‘Lowlands’ is so essential to most peoples’ understanding of Scotland that we rarely dwell on what those terms really mean. It is tempting to focus on the cultural differences – the exuberance of Highland hospitality versus the alleged, relative coldness of Lowland city-dwellers; accusations from medieval Lowland scribes about the misdeeds of “wyld, wikked Heilan’ men” versus the derisive insults of Highlanders against “soft Southrons”; and the predominance of Gaelic in the Highlands and of Scots and English in the Lowlands.

Yet, what fundamentally makes the Highlands the Highlands and the Lowlands the Lowlands is far more primordial and elemental than all that. What really defines them, both in their own right and relative to the other, lay in the very land itself. A closer look leads to plenty of assumption-shattering surprises.

One of the best ways to understand the Highlands and Lowlands is to look at a map of Scotland which shows terrain features, such as an Ordnance Survey map or Google Maps on your phone or computer with terrain enabled. At first glance, what you see appears to confirm expectations: the Highlands are the hilly regions in the north, and the Lowlands are the flatter regions in the south. Simple, right? Not so fast. Look as far north as you can go on the Scottish mainland and you’ll arrive in Caithness, where flat peatlands and fertile fields have nary a hill in sight. Now, look as far south as you can go to the Borders, where the Lammermuir and Cheviot Hills rise up as rugged and daunting to the traveller as most any Highland glen. Look to the west coast and then to the east. On the same latitude as the iconically-mountainous Isle of Skye are the mellow breadbaskets of Moray and Buchan, where – purely in terms of the landscape – you’d be forgiven for thinking you had somehow stumbled several hundred miles south into England.

The Highland Boundary Fault

From a geological standpoint, there is a dividing line – the Highland Boundary Fault. This tectonic fault line runs from the Isle of Arran in the southwest to just shy of Stonehaven in the northeast. It’s stunningly obvious on a map. Look north of Glasgow, Stirling, Perth, and Dundee, and the land to the north of those cities quickly rises up and crinkles with contour lines.  But, as we’ve seen with the above examples, it’s not as simple as everything north of that line being the Highlands and everything south of it being the Lowlands. There are Lowland-style landscapes within the Highlands and Highland-style landscapes within the Lowlands. Geologically, Highlands are generally in the north and the west, and Lowlands are generally in the south and the east. Just look at how the Cairngorms extend almost all the way to the sea in the east, only to cut back north and west leaving a Lowland-style fertile strip all along the coast.

Highlands and Lowlands are not just defined by where a parcel of land is located. Even more crucial is how that land is used, and what types of historical communities it fosters. Huge swathes of the Highlands have elevations higher than 1,000ft above sea level, the point at which crops are less capable of growing even in optimal conditions. Highland soils tend to be more acidic and thinner than Lowland soils, often barely covering the underlying stone which, in some areas, is the oldest exposed stone in the world, exposed by millennia of wind, rain, and glaciation. Wind and rain especially scour the higher grounds, creating conditions wholly unfavourable to most crops and even to many trees.

The nature of the soil

This, in turn, means that fewer intensive crops can be cultivated in Highland areas, which reduces the likelihood of abundance and therefore of stable surpluses and population growth. The nature of the soil is why Highland societies from the Neolithic right up to today are more reliant on pastoralism – mostly with cattle, and in more recent centuries with sheep – than on agriculture, though there are of course localised exceptions.

Pastoral societies rarely develop large, concentrated population centres, and instead tend to have more spread-out, low-density settlements. The population of the Highlands was in fact equivalent to that of the Lowlands until the 18^th century, but rather than clustering in towns and cities the Highlanders were in countless small farmsteads scattered all around the glen floors and lower slopes. The lone city in the Highlands, Inverness, is immediately next to the incredibly fertile region of Moray and could not have grown beyond a township without it. Otherwise, the Highlands have no cities and very few towns anything like even a mid-sized town in the Lowlands.  The kin-based clan system is a natural unit of social organisation in such conditions. Equivalents can be found among historical tribal groups in Scandinavia, indigenous America, and Afghanistan. In the Lowlands, by contrast, there is much more scope for interactions with people not from your immediate community and outwith your kin group. Such places tend to develop more complicated social hierarchies and relationships, with many strangers wittingly or unwittingly involved in the production of goods and development of institutions. In the Highlands, by contrast, a stranger was known as one on sight, such was the tightness of the pastoral societies in the days before mass transport and globalisation.

Contrast this with the Lowlands, where pastoralism existed alongside widespread intensive agriculture capable of producing, in the good times at least, enough of a surplus to support specialist trades and urban growth. The relative predictability of agricultural yields and resultant capacity for growth could sustain booming populations (to a point) and serve as the basis for more decentralised forms of social power. This is part of the reason why feudalism became entrenched in the Lowlands while it largely failed to take root in the same way in the Highlands.

Understanding the Highlands and Lowlands

All these factors determining what the land is capable of supporting are far more important to understanding the Highlands and Lowlands than simply how far north, south, east, or west the land is. They are certainly more important for understanding the types of communities that grow within them.  For the vast majority of history, a farmer in Aberdeenshire, for example, had much more in common with a fellow farmer in Midlothian or Ayrshire many miles to the south than with a Highlander much closer to home in the Cairngorms or Highland Perthshire. Someone from the Isle of Lewis would have instantly recognised the basic flow of life for a drover or crofter in Argyll or even the hillier regions of Dumfries & Galloway, while the ways of town-dwellers in Stirling or Peebles would have been quite alien.

So, what makes the Highlands and the Lowlands? Of course it’s the people, the history, and the culture – but none of things would be what they are if the land beneath them all were different. In many ways, the stories of the Highlands and Lowlands were written many years before there were people to tell them.

Text by: David C. Weinczok

Main photo: Kilmartin Glen, Argyll, where a fertile valley floor gives way to thin, peated upland soils which defined settlement patterns since the Mesolithic period.

The Melbourne Highland Games and Celtic Festival (MHGCF) has been hosting this event in Maroondah for over 57 years and is a highlight of the Scottish Australian calendar.  This day-long celebration showcases the best of Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage that echoes the original games that took place centuries ago in Scotland.

International Heavy Games Championships

This year’s event on Sunday, 23^rd of March 2025, will be MHGCF first truly international Games as they will be hosting the International Heavy Games Championships. The competition will be held in partnership with Events Victoria and the International Highland Games Federation (IHGF) with the support of Highland Muscle in Australia. The Games will have up to sixty athletes and officials from Australia, North America, United Kingdom, Europe and Japan to compete in a traditional Scottish Heavy Games Competition.

With the international competition there will be a film crew filming this event live for their overseas audiences. The film crew will be here for the week leading up to the Games filming Maroondah and the surrounding districts and places of interest.

Another addition to this multicultural event will be a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri Elder Wandin followed by the Smoking Ceremony drawing strength from the Land for our Scots Warriors, spectators and indigenous peoples in attendance.

Scottish and Celtic traditions

There will also be all the other expected attractions such as dancing, pipe bands, clan tents, community organisations, displays, food stalls and retail vendors. There is something for everyone at this family-friendly (and dog-friendly) event. With an expected 7,000 attendees expected this year, the festival plays a pivotal role in preserving Scottish and Celtic traditions among the Victorian diaspora and fostering connections to ancestral roots for younger generations.

After nearly 60 consecutive years, the Games have demonstrated resilience against economic challenges, including a successful transition to an online format during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Games Committee are very grateful for the support of our Patron, The Right Honourable Simon Abney-Hastings, 15^th Earl of Loudoun, and our Ambassador, The Honourable Mr Ted Baillieu AO. The Committee is pleased to welcome our Chieftain of the Day, Carol Davis, Chief’s Commissioner and President of Clan MacLennan Australia, to preside over the event.

This event is made possible through the many sponsors, stallholders and supporters. The Games would especially like to thank Maroondah City Council and Bendigo Bank in Croydon and Ringwood East for their ongoing support to our Games. The committee hope to welcome you at this upcoming international event. Please come and join in for a wonderful day of celebration, culture, and friendship. Slàinte Mhath!

Tickets are available on the day or by pre-purchase through TryBooking:  www.trybooking.com/CYEUA . For further information please visit the official website at: https://melbournehighlandgames.org.au/whats-on. 

All images courtesy of the Melbourne Highland Games and Celtic Festival.

Is your surname Murray? Born a Murray? Married to a Murray? Is there a Murray in your family tree? All those people bearing the name Murray, or one of the surnames (septs) associated with the Murray Clan, are invited to join the Murray Clan Society in Scotland and the UK.

The Murray Clan septs include Balneaves, Dinsmore, Dunbar, Dunsmore, Fleming, Moray, Murrie, Neaves, Piper, Pyper, Smail, Smale, Small, Smeal, and Spalding, and variations of these surnames.

One of the great families of Scotland

The Murrays are one of the great families of Scotland. As soldiers and statesmen, ambassadors and lawmakers, they have been close to the heart of Scottish affairs for centuries. The progenitor (ancestor) of the Murrays, Freskin de Moravia, or Freskyn, was a 12^th century Flemish nobleman who was granted land in the area east of what is now Inverness. This region came to be known as Moray (Murray). The Dukes of Atholl at Blair Castle in Perthshire and the Earls of Mansfield at Scone Palace in Perth are both descended from Freskin. The Murray Clan has the exceptional honour of counting among its number a real live saint. Saint Gilbert de Moravia, Bishop of Caithness from 1223 to 1245 and the founder of Dornoch Cathedral, came from the Freskyn family.

St. Gilbert of Dornoch was recognised as ‘one of the noblest and wisest ecclesiastics the medieval church produced’ and the last Scotsman canonised by the Roman Catholic Church. Gilbert died in his palace at Scrabster on 1^st April 1245, his feast day. “Clan Societies have existed since the seventeenth century. They provide invaluable machinery for a clan-fund, repository for records and treasures, and virtually form the Civil Service of the clan” – Agnes Mure Mackenzie – 1949.

The Murray Clan Society was instituted by the 13^th Lord Elibank, Alastair Erskine-Murray, at the inaugural meeting which took place on the night of Wednesday 17^th January 1962 at the Royal Overseas League, 100 Princes Street in Edinburgh, to promote social links among people bearing the name Murray and to stimulate interest in the history, culture, and traditions of the Murray Clan and in the work of those who have borne the name Murray. The Murray Clan Society has now been revived as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) by Keith Murray-Hetherington FSA Scot, in whose own veins runs the blood of the Murrays.

The Head Trustee (Chairman) belongs to a family that has intermarried with the Murrays for many years, and he is a Murray through his mother, who first sparked his deep interest in the Murray Clan and his long-standing connection with the Murray Clan Society. In October 1981, he became a life member of the Murray Clan Society during the International Gathering of the Clans in Edinburgh at the young age of 17 years and served as Convenor between 1987-1990. He designed and matriculated the Society’s Coat of Arms with Lord Lyon King of Arms.

Forward With Fortune

Two of the main charitable objects of the rejuvenated Murray Clan Society are (1) to further the education of members of the clan and septs who show promise, and (2) to provide financial assistance to those of the clan and the septs recognised by the Society who are in need. Students who are Murrays (or with mothers who were Murrays), who are pursuing particular interests or studies in Scotland and the UK, may be able to take advantage of the Society’s scholarship which will each year award a bursary (educational grant).

Keith told the Scottish Banner: “I decided to revive the Murray Clan Society, after it lay dormant for so long during many years of inactivity, for future generations to enjoy and learn about the Murray Clan’s rich history. My vision is to attract family groups – young and old – to join a modernised, dynamic society, and to provide a focal point for all members of the Clan from all walks of life – wherever they may be and whatever their background. I simply want to ensure the survival of the Society by attracting younger Murrays to carry forward to a new era the legacy of the most excellent men and women who laid the foundation, thus fulfilling the official motto which adorns the Murray Clan Society’s coat of arms: “Forward With Fortune”.

Associate Membership and Life Membership of the Murray Clan Society is available for anyone with an interest in the history, culture, and traditions of the Murray Clan or who simply wants to stay in touch helping them feel closer to their ancestors. Student Membership is available for those studying and registered on an academic course; and Family Membership for a family including spouse and children under 18 years. The modernised Murray Clan Society has already recruited Murrays from Scotland, England, Wales, and South Africa. Keith explained: “Thriving transatlantic clan societies have set a wonderful example to their overseas cousins and they are understandably disappointed that for some years they have had no counterpart or point of reference in their spiritual homeland. They see the Murray Clan Society in Scotland as the trunk of the tree from which the branches spring. Members in other parts of the world look to the “Home Society” as the centre of our worldwide clan. We also maintain a very cordial relationship with our sister society Murray Clan Societies in North America; New Zealand; and Australia”.

The people serving on the board – the charity trustees – bring a wide range of skills and experience and there is a good balance of ages. The 15^th Lord Elibank, Robert Francis Alan Erskine-Murray, is patron of the Murray Clan Society, thus continuing his family’s long-established association with the Society since his ancestor, the 13^th Lord Elibank, founded the Society.

For more information, contact themurrayclansociety@hotmail.com or go to the Society’s website www.clanmurray.spanglefish.org which has a great deal of information about the history of the Murrays and other items linked to Murray families.

Main photo: Blair Castle.

Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with laughter, history, and cheeky insights as Bruce Fummey brings his critically acclaimed show, Scotland Made the World, to Australia and New Zealand. This is your chance to experience more jokes (and blush-worthy moments) than you’ve seen on his YouTube channel, all while learning how Scotland shaped the globe.

Bruce’s comedic genius and quirky storytelling will have you laughing, blushing, and leaving the show with a newfound appreciation for Scotland’s influence. Catch him in Perth, Melbourne, Hobart, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.

A tour born from an accidental adventure

What started as a father-son trip Down Under turned into an unexpected comedic triumph. In 2022, Bruce planned a journey to reconnect with his son and explore Australia and New Zealand. Along the way, his love for history and comedy merged, leading to a series of shows that captivated audiences across four countries and three continents.

Pre-COVID, Bruce was both a tour guide and a stand-up comedian. During the pandemic, he launched a YouTube channel that brought Scottish history to life for thousands of fans worldwide. Inspired by their enthusiasm, Bruce decided to take his stories on the road—and the response was overwhelming.

Why You Can’t Miss This Show

• A Unique Blend of Comedy and History: Learn fascinating stories about Scotland’s global influence while laughing until your sides hurt.
• Incredible Venues: From comedy clubs to unique spaces like a Thai restaurant in Sydney, each performance promises a memorable experience.
• Unmatched Energy: Bruce’s passion for storytelling and quick wit make this more than a comedy show—it’s an event.

Special Sydney Event – A Laugh and a Feast

Join Bruce for a one-of-a-kind standup comedy afternoon show in Sydney for only

$95 a ticket, featuring:

• A 5-course banquet at the Thai Rock Wetherill Park, Sunday afternoon 23rd February 1pm – 4pm.
• Your first house beer, wine or soft drink is included.
• An afternoon of pure Scottish humour, less history-based and focused on laughs! Suggested for those over 18’s

Book a ticket to Wetherill Park Thai Rock here: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1324582

Tour dates and locations

Bruce kicked off the tour in Perth in Januaryand continues to Melbourne, Hobart, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and then Adelaide. Don’t miss out tickets are selling fast—secure yours today and get ready for a night of laughs, learning, and Scottish charm. Let Bruce Fummey show you why Scotland Made the World!

For more information and to book tickets to Bruce’s shows, visit www.brucefummey.co.uk

A trio of world record-breaking brothers from Edinburgh are targeting more than £1m for charity and two more world records as they attempt to become the first team to row the entire Pacific Ocean non-stop and unsupported.  This year, the Maclean brothers will look to break the record for the fastest human-powered crossing of the full Pacific Ocean when they set off on a 14,000km journey from Lima in Peru to Sydney in Australia.

The epic journey is expected to take around four months.  What’s more, Ewan, Lachlan and Jamie Maclean are hoping to take on the challenge, named the Rare Whisky 101 Pacific Row, in a boat they’ve helped to build themselves.

Intrepid rowers

The musical trio, who will each bring an instrument on board, broke three world records in January 2020 when they became the first three brothers to row any ocean, and the youngest and fastest trio to row across the Atlantic Ocean, doing so in just 35 days.  The intrepid rowers expect to face some of the same issues that plagued their Atlantic crossing, including storms, sickness, technical challenges, sleep deprivation and sheer exhaustion, but on a bigger scale.

The primary purpose of the adventure is to raise money to provide clean water to developing countries through the charity they set up last year with their famous father, Charlie Maclean MBE, one of the world’s leading whisky experts.  The Maclean Foundation, which was devised during long days and nights rowing the Atlantic Ocean,  has already helped build four clean water bore holes serving 800 people in rural Madagascar.

All in all, through the brothers’ charity efforts, including the more than £200,000 raised during their last row, they’ve helped to provide clean water to 3,800 people in need.   And there’s potential for so many more people to be helped; with the boys’ fundraising target set at £1m for this expedition, the effort could transform the lives of tens of thousands of people.

Youngest brother Lachlan (26) said: “Clean water is the most basic human necessity on the planet, yet 10% of people worldwide don’t have access to it. We’re doing something to change that.  I have visited Madagascar and had not only seen but experienced the horrible impact waterborne diseases can have. The more we talked uninterrupted with the clarity of being on the ocean, the more we realised this is what we wanted to do.”

Lightest and strongest ocean rowing boat ever made

The brothers have been back and forth to Amsterdam in recent months supporting fellow ocean rower Mark Slatts, who has also broken world records crossing the Atlantic, in building what they have described as the “lightest and strongest ocean rowing boat ever made”.  At just 280 kg, it’s only slightly heavier than the three brothers themselves and a quarter of the weight of the boat they spent 35 days in from December 2019.

“It’s made from carbon fibre and a true first of its kind”, said Ewan, a 32-year-old design engineer who lives in Bristol and works at Dyson.  “We believe it’s the lightest and strongest ocean rowing boat ever made. Being involved in that process — from design through to construction, sanding and painting — was an incredible experience.  So much can go wrong when you’re at sea, so it was important for us to understand every single inch of the boat. We already feel like we’re at one with the boat, and we’ll have plenty more time to get to know it.

Jamie (30) who builds outdoor saunas when he’s not rowing across oceans, added: “We’ve been thinking about doing this since we were on the ocean during our Atlantic crossing, but it’s been over the last year that we’ve committed and fully immersed ourselves in this challenge, planning every detail. There’s no going back now.  Spending 120 days at sea was unthinkable before our first row, but making it through 35 days made it achievable. We knew we had some more in us once we arrived in Antigua. It’s just taken us a little while to get going again. Ocean rowing is a growing sport, but it’s a relatively new one so a lot of what we’ll face is hard to predict. Unlike our last row, this will be completely unsupported, so of course there are different challenges. What if one of us goes overboard? All three of us have a history of sleepwalking so we’ll all be on high alert. We might need to install seat belts!  But we’re more excited than we are scared. We have the opportunity to do something nobody has ever done before while helping the many people who are in a position nobody should be in. And we get to do that.”

Bagpipes

The brothers expect to spend at least 2,880 hours with only each other for company, rowing shifts of two hours on, one hour off (with six hours each off in the evening).  Last time, they had to spend more than 20 days without music for motivation as salt water corroded their iPhone charging cables.  Jamie, who’ll bring his bagpipes on board, added: “While losing use of our phones gave us the headspace to think bigger and create plans for both this challenge and The Maclean Foundation, this time, we’ll bring 25 charging cables with us just in case.”

The trio are now looking for sponsors to support their charity efforts. To find out more about the charity, visit: www.themacleanfoundation.org. Also visit: www.themacleanbrothers.com.

Saturday March 1, 2025, at Plantation Heritage Park.

Join the Scottish American Society of South Florida for a day of celebrating Scottish culture and heritage.  Highlights include massed bagpipe bands, bagpiping and drumming competition, Scottish heavy athletics competition, Scottish country dancing, Highland dancing competition, Scottish clan (family) presentations, Celtic rock and traditional music, children’s games, living history demos, sheepherding, Scottish food, drink, and merchandise.  Live music performances feature Seven Nations, The Mudmen from Canada, Scottish folksinger Ed Miller, the Sean Heely Celtic Band and Clovers Revenge.

Hours are 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, rain or shine, no refunds. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. Children 6-14, $5. Under 6 free.  Ticket price includes Park entry fee and parking. Heritage Park is located west of Ft. Lauderdale at: 1100 S. Fig Tree Lane (W 63rd Ave)  (North of the I595 on Peters Rd. between SR441 and University Drive).

For further information and advance tickets please go to www.SASSF.org or call 954-460-5000.

One of the most important histories of Scotland, which sheds new light on William Wallace and the Stone of Destiny, has found its permanent home at the University of St Andrews. It’s being made available to the public for the first time in its 500-year history and has been given a new name.

A startling manuscript

The St Andrews Chronicles is a startling manuscript.  It is largely a handwritten copy of John Mair’s History of Greater Britain – one of the most influential and innovative histories of Scotland and England of the sixteenth century. It also contains an earlier hand-copied pamphlet, chronicling Scotland’s earlier history, including new information about William Wallace, the nation’s time under Guardianship, and even the Stone of Destiny.

Elizabeth Henderson, Rare Books Librarian at the University, said: “It’s really important that a manuscript like this is held in a public institution like St Andrews where it can be cared for in perpetuity and also where it can be made accessible for research. It’s a Scottish manuscript about the history of and origins of Scotland and it’s been through a succession of Scottish owners since the 16th century, so there’s a real resonance having it back in a Scottish institution. The first name listed as owner describes himself as a ‘chaplain of Edinburgh’.

However, some of the names listed as owners of the book potentially correlate to students in St Andrews who were studying in the early sixteenth century – indicating an even greater correlation with St Andrews than previously thought.” The St Andrews Chronicles was acquired at auction by the University. Much of its journey is a mystery, but it was at Balcarres in the East Neuk of Fife near St Andrews in the 16^th century. The book is the size of an iPad and joins the archive and rare book collection at the University of St Andrews. Built up over 600 years, the collection contains over 200,000 rare books and many medieval and early modern manuscripts. The collection supports teaching and research at the University and elsewhere.

Scotland’s chronicle history

Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the manuscript has come back to Scotland and particularly to a place with which it has real associations. John Mair taught at our University in the 1520s. The manuscript was also owned during the later sixteenth century by John Lindsay of Balcarres, a notable Fife noble and secretary of state. The University continues to value its links with Balcarres. The manuscript is back in Scotland, where it can be readily displayed, and readily studied by a range of scholars and students. Its subject matter, of Scotland’s chronicle history and the history of ideas, is also very much within my own research area, so I do hope to contribute to that. We understand our present so much better if we engage with, cherish, and interrogate our past. This manuscript really helps us to do that.”

The small book is bound in stamped leather over wooden boards and originally would have been fastened with a clasp. The stamps include an unidentified beast and a hound chasing a hare. The text inside is neatly handwritten Latin script, with capitals and decorations added in red.

Notable scholar of the work, Professor Dauvit Broun from the University of Glasgow, said: “The contents of this home-made pamphlet include a chronicle for the years 1286 to 1327 which has a few bits of new information  (for example, seven—not six—guardians were elected to rule Scotland after Alexander III’s tragic death in 1286, as well as Wallace co-leading the attack on the sheriff of Lanark, rather than leading on his own: it also gives us the exact date—3 May 1297—of when this happened).  It also has a copy of what is likely to be the earliest version of the legend about the Stone of Destiny.”

Now the St Andrews Chronicles is digitised and made available online for the first time, it will be on display at the Wardlaw Museum in 2025.

There’s nothing like getting cosy in front of a fireplace with a good book (or maybe even a dram of whisky) after bracing the elements in Scotland’s spectacular nature. This warm, fuzzy feeling is such a key part of Scottish life in the colder months of autumn and winter that the Scots even have their own word for it – Coorie. Luckily, there are plenty of ways for visitors to Scotland during winter to join in – from enjoying a bowl of Cullen Skink (a hearty Scottish fish soup) after a walk in the hills to feeling the heat in one of Scotland’s many wild saunas after taking an icy dip in the sea.

Night time wonders in Scotland’s First Dark Sky Sanctuary

When the sun goes down in Scotland the show is far from over, as the country boasts many places with little to no light pollution, making it one of the best destinations for stargazing and even a chance to spot the Northern Lights.   The Isle of Rum, a small island off the west coast with only 40 full-time residents, has been named Scotland’s first Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International Dark-Sky Association,  alongside only one other location in Europe and 20 worldwide. The locals’ commitment to preserving the dark skies on their island not only means that visitors can enjoy some of the most spectacular views of the cosmos, but also helps to protect many nocturnal species of wildlife on Rum, including the Manx shearwater, a rare seabird which thrives in the dark.

Stargazers are spoilt for choice in Scotland – from the Galloway Forest Park in the South to Shetland in the far North.

The healing power of nature

Forest bathing – mindfully engaging with the sights, sounds and sensations of the natural environment, helps instil a sense of calm and relaxation. For visitors looking for a wellbeing experience like no other, Scotland’s magical forests and woodlands provide the perfect setting for an immersive ‘bath’ to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul. Scotland has an abundance of serene locations to choose from, where visitors have an opportunity to wrap up warm, be at one with nature and embrace the restorative benefits.

Dell Woods, Abernethy Nature Reserve – Cairngorms National Park

Dell Woods is part of Abernethy Forest, the largest remnant of the ancient native pinewoods that once covered the foothills of the Cairngorms. Alive with the chatter of birds and with a fresh hint of Scots pine resin in the air, it is a perfect location for nature lovers to unwind. Nearby, RSPB Loch Garten’s Nature Centre is a must-visit. At dusk, the arrival of Wild Greylag and Pink-footed Geese on the loch is an exhilarating display in autumn and winter.

The Pass of Killiecrankie, Perthshire

Perthshire, known as ‘Scotland’s Big Tree Country’, is home to acres of the country’s most spectacular trees and woodlands. Three miles north of Pitlochry, The Pass of Killiecrankie is a wooded gorge where the river Garry flows beneath a beautiful array of tree-lined slopes. The site has a Visitor Centre, and a 1.5 km path leading to a picturesque green footbridge, offering visitors a tranquil and scenic experience, particularly in autumn.

Glentrool, Galloway Forest Park

At the heart of Galloway Forest Park, Glentrool is an ideal spot to breathe and just “be” in nature. The rushing waters of Buchan Burn and the Waters of Minnoch lead mindful visitors through the woods to some stunning views of the Galloway Hills. Guided forest bathing experiences and other activities to help visitors reconnect with nature can be booked with Way of the Wild. For anyone seeking a few more thrills in order to switch off, Glentrool is also one of the world-famous 7stanes mountain bike centres, with a range of trails for novice and experienced riders.

Cosy corners in Scotland’s cities

From quaint tearooms with garden views to browsing books around an open log fire, visitors in any of Scotland’s eight cities never need to look far for a place to coorie in.

Edinburgh – The Beach House, located on the promenade at Portobello beach, offers stunning sea views and simple, delicious, where possible organic, locally sourced food. It’s the perfect place to stop for a cuppa after a walk along the sandy beach or some cold water therapy.

Glasgow –  Òran Mór (Gaelic for “Big Song”), a welcoming pub housed in a former church, right next to the beautiful Glasgow Botanic Gardens, makes a great pit stop on a chilly day. Visitors can grab a drink or bite in this charming space, take in the Robert Burns-inspired paintings by Scottish artist Nichol Wheatley and enjoy the live music sets (on offer six nights a week).

Aberdeen – Foodstory Café in the centre of Aberdeen is an independent cafe, built out of recycled materials, serving veggie/plant-based food – from delicious bowls of porridge to hearty soups and a mouth-watering cake selection. For maximum cosiness they have introduced weekly knitting nights.

Inverness – Leakey’s, Scotland’s largest second-hand bookshop, is a booklover’s dream. It’s located in a former Gaelic church – the pulpit and stained-glass windows can still be seen– and houses thousands of books on a huge range of subjects, all stacked and piled around a log-burning hearth.

Dundee – Just a stone’s throw from the V&A Dundee and the city’s waterfront, Blend Coffee Lounge awaits with great coffee and pastries, twinkling fairy lights and comfy couches to sink into. On the last Wednesday of every month , the café is hosting a community cinema night.

Perth – Branklyn Garden is a haven of peace and tranquillity within walking distance of Perth City Centre. The tearoom is situated in the part of the main house that was once the library and overlooks the garden. For top cosiness levels, the freshly baked scones paired with a fine tea or the freshly ground National Trust for Scotland coffee blend, all served from their collection of beautiful china, are the perfect choice. Bonus points: the teapots are kept warm by patterned tea cosies handcrafted by one of their very talented team members.

Stirling – Visitors curious enough to search the winding back streets at the base of the castle hill in Stirling’s historic Old Town will be rewarded with excellent coffee and sweet treats at Unorthodox Roasters. And afterwards, next door, Europa Music, Scotland’s largest vinyl record store, will beckon them in for a browse.

Dunfermline – Prost Coffee is all about taking the time to slow down and celebrate the little things. It is located in the beautiful ground floor of 16^th century Abbot House, fondly known as the ‘pink hoose’, and within its walled garden. Visitors will be in for a treat with coffee from Scottish roasting company Gatehouse Coffee Roasters, homemade cakes, wholesome toasties and tasty soup.

More events to look forward to in the coming months:  www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/events 

Main photo: The cosy Clachaig Inn, Glencoe. Photo: David N Anderson.

 

This St Patrick’s Day, ditch the crowded bars—the Melbourne Celtic Festival is where the real action is. Set at the iconic Mission to Seafarers in Flinders Street, this festival is your gateway to an invigorating world of Celtic music, culture, and good vibes. Whether you’re into high-energy tunes or just want to experience something fresh, this is the event for you.

And it doesn’t stop there, in March, the festival hits the road for a national tour, bringing a dynamic lineup to venues across Victoria, NSW, and Queensland. Presented by individual arts venues and Promac Productions Australia, the tour is spreading Celtic music far and wide.

A lineup you can’t miss

The Melbourne Celtic Festival lineup is stacked with talent. Here’s a glimpse of who’s taking the stage:

• Skerryvore – These guys are legends. Three-time winners of Scotland’s ‘Live Act of the Year’ award, they’re bringing their high-octane sound straight to Melbourne.
• Austral – Melbourne’s own folk powerhouse. AFMA ‘Folk Band of the Year’ blend genres and deliver high-energy performances that get everyone on their feet.
• Chloe Matharu – Think ethereal vibes with a touch of storytelling genius. A harpist and singer-songwriter, Chloe’s music is inspired by her time as a Merchant Navy officer. Her newly released second album, Sailors and Rolling Stones has just won Celtic Music Radio’s Album of the Year 2024!
• Apolline – Representing the next generation of Celtic music, this female trio adds a modern twist to traditional sounds. They’ve already snagged AFMA’s ‘Youth Artist of the Year.’

Can’t make it to Melbourne? No stress. The festival’s national tour is hitting regional hubs, so you can catch the buzz in your own backyard. Whether you’re a die-hard Celtic fan or just looking for something new, these shows will blow your mind.

Tickets are on sale now, and they’re going fast. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the action.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the action. Head to www.melbournecelticfestival.com.au and lock in your plans now.

Main photo: Chloe Matharu.

 

Scotland’s Live Act of the Year – Skerryvore Australian Tour 2025

Three-time winners of Scotland’s “Live Act of the Year” award, Skerryvore, will embark on an Australian tour in February and March 2025, presented by Port Fairy Folk Festival. In addition to their eagerly anticipated performances at the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Skerryvore will bring their high-energy live show to fans across Australia, making this tour a must-see event.

 The best in contemporary Scottish traditional music

This exclusive partnership with Port Fairy Folk Festival marks a unique opportunity for audiences to experience Skerryvore in both festival and standalone concert settings. Skerryvore are one of their country’s leading forces in a thriving live music scene, having reinvented and reignited Scottish roots music with a modern alt-pop flavour that has connected with an ever-expanding multicultural global audience. They’re like no-one else. Epic of melody, intimate of feeling and plugged into the roots of Scotland but blasting out to the world.

Folk Radio UK described the band claimed: “Skerryvore have crafted a world beating fusion, which takes pride in their heritage and above all else is a pure joy to listen to.” At the forefront of a movement that has reinvented and reignited a traditional Scottish scene for a modern, multicultural audience, the band have brought their high energy performances to audiences across the globe. With a mix of bagpipes, fiddles, accordions, and whistles, alongside guitar and vocals, underpinned by driving bass, drums and keys, Skerryvore represent the best in contemporary Scottish traditional music.

For full Australian dates and venues see: https://skerryvore.com/tour

 

Just imagine this, Mother Earth now has her very own tartan. Yes, I did say Mother Earth. And soon she’ll own a kilt too! Tailored for a Scottish Eco-School dancer it won’t fit Mother Earth’s ample proportions, but it’s hoped that her kilt could ‘circle the world’ delivering her tartan’s vital messages inherent in every pleat. In one glorious swirl, to the skirl of Scottish Eco-School pipers it messages ‘SOS’:  Save my Biodiversity!  One Earth for All.  Stop killing me!

The Blue Marble

 

Keep Scotland Beautiful, the Scottish Government’s environmental charity has administered Scottish Eco-Schools for 30 years using the international programme owned by the Foundation for Environmental Education.  On its 30^th anniversary a live streamed assembly from Stirling High School launched a series of challenges to children and young people right across Scotland and those attending also witnessed the launch of the Scottish International Eco-Schools Planet Earth Tartan. A six-metre length woven by D.C. Dalgliesh of Selkirk came with the warp ends of the tartan for a special reason – because Planet Earth Tartan, and its threads, will soon be spread all around the world.

The tartan symbolises the physical features of Earth as seen from Space. Planet Earth is a sphere of dense rock 12756 kilometres in diameter surrounded by layers of atmospheric gases up to 97 kilometres thick. Oceans cover 70.8% of its crust and reflect deep blue. Land mass covers 29.2%, of which half reflects green vegetation, one third reflects white ice, and one sixth golden sand. The lowest layer of the pale blue atmosphere, the troposphere, is where water vapour forms clouds and moves in lines, or swirls, as weather systems.

NASA Apollo 17 astronauts, looking from the blackness of space, called Earth ‘The Blue Marble’. The design uses Earth’s colours in proportion, squaring spherical Earth into a tartan sett but with one important exception. The pale blue representing our thin atmosphere also forms a delicate cross, descending from pole to pole with slim arms reaching east and west across the equator. Not to scale, black represents Space where Earth alone is the only living planet. The Planet Earth Tartan is to be a visual reminder to us all to cut our own emissions and to protect our world from the extremes of Climate Change and Wildlife Extinctions. It is designed to raise awareness about the plight of our planet and to generate a caring and sharing attitude for Earth, nature, and each other, globally. As an innovative map of Earth, it is iconic.

Tartan code

Scottish tartans, like bar and QR codes, have always delivered important messages. Historically tartans declared membership of a clan. Today they can represent a club, country, or corporation. The Scottish and International Eco Schools Planet Earth tartan delivers a very important message. In tartan code it says… This is where we ALL live. Animals, plants, humanity, our children and grandchildren. The pale blue cross is a stark warning. It symbolises the protection life on Earth has from our fragile atmosphere, corrupted by human emissions of carbon from industrial and domestic activity, and now generating extreme weather, rising temperatures, melting ice sheets and glaciers, raising fires, raining floods, giving rise to famines.

Boldly, the Planet Earth Tartan, aims to be a wake-up call. To remind each of us to cut carbon emissions to ensure survival of Earth’s atmosphere and biodiversity, and to safeguard the futures of our descendants. A total of sixty-nine setts from this unique length will be presented to International Environmental organisations and special individuals in recognition of their pioneering work.

Sir David Attenborough was awarded the first sett. Keep Scotland Beautiful and The Foundation for Environmental Education the second and third. Others will follow and all will be invited to contribute a short account of their work, plus their web details. The warp threads will be shared between hundreds of Eco Schools established in 73 countries throughout the world. Planet Earth tartan of a smaller sett size will be made into kilts for Scottish Eco School children to dance, sing, and broadcast ‘Eco News’. Remaining setts will be framed and send to environmental writers, innovators, film makers, inventors, and other individuals already responding to Earth’s desperate SOS.

The message of the Planet Earth Tartan (and Mother Earth’s) is that we must all be aware of what is happening to our beautiful, unique, but finite planet.  And that we must care, be fair, and share. Protected by Intellectual Property Office Registration certification and The Scottish Register of Tartans it is hoped that this unique tartan will raise awareness about our Earth and atmosphere.

By: Rosalind F.B. Jones

The Washington Tattoo returns in 2025 with a spectacular showcase of music, culture, and tradition set to captivate audiences from around the globe. This annual event, rooted in a mission to honor military service and unite communities through the arts, promises an unforgettable experience for all.

World-class performances

Scheduled for March 29^th, the 2025 Washington Tattoo will take place at Lisner Auditorium, in the heart of the nation’s capital, kicking off a weekend of world-class performances. This year’s lineup includes an extraordinary array of talent, featuring some of the most distinguished military and civilian performers from around the world. Among the highlights are the United States Army “Old Guard” Fife and Drum Corps, the Army’s Official Ceremonial Unit and Escort to the President, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard Drill Team, the Naval Academy Pipes and Drums, and the “Commandant’s Own” U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps. Adding a touch of Scottish flair, audiences will be treated to performances by the “Rollin Drones” Bagpipe Rock Band from Glasgow, Scotland, U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion Sean Heely, and the dynamic OzScot Highland Dancers from Australia.

In a highly anticipated special appearance, performers from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will take the stage, bringing their signature blend of precision, pageantry, and passion to Washington, DC. Known for their breathtaking performances set against the historic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, this collaboration marks a unique cultural exchange, strengthening the enduring bond between Scotland and the United States.

Highland Fling

For the first time ever, the Washington Tattoo will feature a massed Highland Fling, uniting dancers from the Alexandria School of Highland Dance and others from all across the United States in a stunning display of synchronization, heritage, and tradition. The Tattoo’s Lone Piper, Lorne Cousin, will also deliver a soul-stirring solo performance, honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The show will also include Grammy Award winner Anne Ray and the Annandale High School Orchestra, the Washington Opera Society, and the Culkin Academy of Irish Dance.

Tickets are expected to sell quickly for this one-of-a-kind event. Don’t miss your chance to witness the music, heritage, and camaraderie that make The Washington Tattoo a hallmark of cultural celebration. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.thewashingtontattoo.com/the-2025-tattoo.

Mark your calendars and for a weekend that promises to inspire, entertain, and honor the legacies of those who serve. The 2025 Washington Tattoo awaits—we’ll see you there!

A history-making Scots dad diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND) at just 30 years old wants to become the first snowsport athlete with the condition ever to compete at the Paralympic Games.  Davy Zyw, now 37, a former competitive snowboarder, has set his sights on the Winter Paralympic Games in Milan in 2026, and cleared a major hurdle this month when medics gave him the green light to compete – provided he qualifies through a tightly contested Parasport World Cup series.

If successful in qualifying, Zyw would become the first Paralympian with MND ever to compete in snowsports – and the first Paralympic athlete with the disease from the UK in any sport. Rower Nick Scandone competed in the Paralympics in 2008 with MND, while curler Cathy Cummins, who was diagnosed in 2005, was an alternate on the US team in Sochi 2014. However, nobody has competed in the Winter Olympics with MND.

The first person with MND ever to compete at international level

Zyw – who harboured ambitions of becoming a full-time professional – was sponsored by major snowsports brands in his teens and early twenties, competing at international age group level before a serious knee injury forced him to focus on a career outside of sport.  In October, wine buyer Zyw made history by becoming the first person with MND ever to compete at international level parasport snowsports when won two silver medals in the banked slalom at the FIS Para Snowboard event in Dubai. His best times were just 0.3 seconds behind experienced para snowboarders, including Slovakia’s Adam Kropka – a clear sign Zyw is good enough to compete at the top level.

The Edinburgh-man followed that up with 12^th place at the second event in Holland recently, competing against the previous Paralympic champions from Beijing 2022. He still must earn enough points over the coming season to reach the FIS Para Snowboard World Cup series. From there, he needs a top 15 to qualify for Milan.  Davy, who will be cheered on by his wife Yvette and three-year-old son, Aleksander, said: “It’d be unbelievable to make it – I get goosebumps thinking about it. At this stage, it’s almost impossible to imagine myself there. The standard of competition is incredibly high, many of my fellow para athletes are full time snowboarders so I’m taking nothing for granted, but to be able to compete at this level is really encouraging. I need to get faster and tighten my technique for the next races, but feel I’m making progress every time I step in.”

Truly inspiring group of athletes

The Edinburgh dad was diagnosed with MND in 2018, and has since dedicated huge amounts of time and effort to raising more than £1m for MND causes including My Name’5 Doddie Foundation through gruelling endurance challenges – including cycling 264 miles across the notorious ‘High Five’ route in the Scottish Highlands in 2022, and riding from Edinburgh to Rome earlier this year.  Zyw will compete in the Upper Limb category, against para athletes with a range of disabilities affecting their limbs, including amputees. Zyw’s MND predominantly impacts his hands and arms at present, but will eventually move to other parts of his body. Despite all his fundraising, he believes qualifying for the Winter Paralympics could be his toughest challenge yet, but is determined to give it his all, not only for himself, but to raise further awareness of MND and help the cause and community.

He said: “To qualify for the Winter Paralympics would be phenomenal – it feels a long way off despite the hurdles I’ve already cleared. I thought I was going to be dead within two years when I was diagnosed in 2018, and here I am gearing up for a winter of snowboard racing – I feel incredibly lucky. I am dreaming big and taking the opportunities in front of me, and hope I’m good enough to qualify. Above all I’m going to enjoy the journey and hope to raise awareness along the way. Perhaps, unusually for a para athletes, I’m thrilled that I’m eligible. At one point, I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to compete as there wasn’t a category for MND, or neurological conditions. When they told me I’d at least be able to try was an incredible feeling.  The nature of MND means I’m only going to get weaker and more adversely affected as the disease progresses. I have full range of movement in some areas, some muscles are totally gone, and others are in the grey zone. It puts me in a position where I know that even if I get there, I’ll be performing at a lower level versus some other athletes, and yet I’m more able bodied than others – but that doesn’t deter me. Everyone competing in parasport has had huge challenges to overcome by just being on their snowboards, it is a truly inspiring group of athletes to compete with.”

Defied all the odds

The next steps are six competitions across Europe, with rounds in Finland, Austria, and Germany. Another challenge will be funding the bid, as until Zyw qualifies for the World Cup series, it is entirely self-funded. So far his efforts are supported by his twin brother Tommy,  but  believes it will cost at least £15,000 to attend the races he needs. He has set up a Just Giving page to help him get to the events required to qualify.  He added: “Tommy has been an incredible support, as he always has been, and we’re looking for potential sponsors to help achieve this goal. I’ll give it my all to make it to Milan. It’s ironic that having MND may now offer a route to fulfill my childhood dream, to compete at snowboarding on the world stage. It’s hard not to get emotional about that. I can’t believe this cruel disease has taken me back to my roots and love of the mountain. But this is a chance to put MND in the global spotlight at one of the biggest sporting events in the world. I have to do it for everybody living with MND.”

Paul Thompson, Director of Fundraising at My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “Davy has defied all the odds to achieve what he has in support of the Foundation and the wider MND community. It would not surprise me one bit if he was to go the whole way to the Winter Paralympics – nobody has greater determination.  He has already made history in competing in global parasports with MND, and the whole MND community and beyond will be behind him as he seeks to make more in qualifying for Milan 2026. Best of luck Davy, you can do it!”

You can support Davy by donating on his Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/davyzyw. To help raise funds for MND research, take part in My Name’s Doddie Foundation’s biggest annual fundraiser, Doddie Aid, which began on January 1^st 2025 at: www.doddieaid.com.

For the first time since before the pandemic the Dressed to Kilt (DTK) charity fashion show is returning to its New York City roots. Co-Founded by Sir Sean Connery and Dr. Geoffrey Scott Carroll in 2003, it is now the most prestigious, largest and exciting Scottish fashion show in the world. It is also one of the largest fashion shows in the world in terms of press and media generation and it is the highest profile Scottish event of New York City Tartan Day.

Country Couture – From the Scottish Highlands to Fifth Avenue

The show theme for 2025 will be “Country Couture – From the Scottish Highlands to Fifth Avenue”. This will be a tribute to the fashion of the countryside and the great outdoors. The DTK runway becomes a stage for outdoor lifestyle fashion that encompasses hunting, hiking, riding, skiing, climbing, boating, etc. There is a ‘Country Chic’ look that is emerging, and this movement is bringing nature back into urban environments. This influence of the countryside in urban style (tweeds, tailoring, plaid, cashmere, leather and suede) is adding warmth and softness to the city silhouettes and attitudes.

Though the fashion runways of New York City are the home of Dressed to Kilt, this annual celebrity show has recently performed to sold-out standing room only audiences in a castle, a cathedral, Washington DC, an airplane hangar in Houston and most recently in Toronto, Canada. This years show will take place at the Church of Heavenly Rest, a beautiful cathedral on Fifth Avenue and 90^th Street in front of Central Park. DTK has raised significant sums for Veteran’s causes throughout the years, earning acclaim and extensive recognition. Their partnership with the Navy SEAL Foundation has drawn renewed attention and admiration for their endeavors.

Dressed To Kilt takes place on Saturday April 5th. Tickets on sale,  for more details visit: www.dressedtokilt.com.

New analysis of ancient bones and fossils found in a Highland cave has revealed them to be ‘fishier than the average bear’ and could even suggest polar bears once roamed Scotland. Advancements in the chemical study of bones and teeth have enabled experts at the University of Aberdeen and National Museums Scotland to reevaluate fossils collected at the Inchnadamph ‘Bone Caves’ in Sutherland. Analysis of samples uncovered evidence of fish in the diet of animals that, until now, had been identified as brown bears.

Working with University of Edinburgh Master’s student Holland Taekema, and as part of a larger review on the history of bears in Scotland, the researchers compiled new stable isotope data –  a technique for the reconstruction of human and animal diets in past populations. They found that for three samples belonging to bears which dated to around 30,000 to 50,000 years old, well before humans occupied the land, the diet was made up almost entirely of marine fish or other seafoods. This finding, say the researchers, who published their results in Annales Zoologici Fennici, is markedly different to the meat and plant-based diet typical of modern brown bears, or those found in the British Isles prior to their extinction in the last 1,000 years, and may even point to the presence of polar bears living in Scotland during the Last Ice Age.

Interesting questions about the ancestry of bears

Professor Kate Britton, from the University of Aberdeen, said: “We have identified several samples which stick out like a sore thumb both from the diets of other bears living in Scotland thousands of years ago and from what we’d expect of today’s brown bears. Instead of consuming the meat of land-based animals, plants, or even a little salmon, like contemporary brown bears, these bears appear to have lived almost exclusively on seafood. This is at odds with what we know about brown bear diets today, but also across the ages. Even modern grizzly bears, known to gorge seasonally on salmon in some places, don’t show anything close to this level of seafood consumption in their diet. The diet is so unusual that we now need to either reevaluate what we know about brown bear feeding ecology or question whether these fossils are brown bears at all. Given they are fishier than the average bear, we now have work to do to understand why and to answer the question as to whether these are brown bears with a unique diet, or a different species or subspecies of brown bear, maybe even polar bears.”

While polar bears are found today only in the circumpolar north, researchers say that as the climate cooled into the Last Glacial Maximum, the seasonal sea ice limit in the North Atlantic would have moved south, potentially enabling polar bears – which are also great swimmers – to spread into more southerly areas than they are found in today. A similar theory was mooted back in the 1990s following the discovery of a bear’s skull with some polar bear-like features, although no further evidence for polar bears in prehistoric Scotland has been found, and more modern archaeological techniques have since called the radiocarbon dating of that particular skull into question.

Dr Andrew Kitchener, Principal Curator of Vertebrates at National Museums Scotland, where the fossil bears are held, added: “When experiencing this habitat expansion, the polar bears may well have encountered the brown bears which inhabited Scotland at this time. As we know that polar bears and brown bears can successfully interbreed today where their ranges overlap, it presents interesting questions about the ancestry of bears that later roamed our islands.”

Main photo: Arktos male polar bear from Highland Wildlife Park – the only place polar bears can be seen in Scotland today. Photo: RZSS.

 

The University of Glasgow’s Centre for Robert Burns Studies (CRBS) has appointed a PhD scholar for a groundbreaking research project examining Robert Burns’s connections with Freemasonry. The celebrated Scottish poet was not only a prolific writer but also a dedicated Freemason throughout his adult life, serving as Senior Warden of Lodge St Andrew, Dumfries, until his death in 1796, with earlier powerful masonic connections also in Edinburgh and Ayrshire. His Masonic affiliations even influenced his work, including one of his most famous poems, A Man’s a Man for a’ That, which was notably performed at the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.

This pioneering PhD research, funded by The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland, marks the first in-depth academic study of its kind, with unprecedented access to the Grand Lodge’s archives. The doctorate will be supervised within the Centre for Robert Burns, the world-leading research unit at the University of Glasgow. Patrick Jamieson, the new Burns and Freemasonry scholar, said: “It is an honour to have been awarded the Scottish Masonic Scholarship by the University of Glasgow, and to have been given the chance to undertake such necessary research. I am grateful to the Grand Lodge of Scotland for providing unprecedented access to masonic records across the country, most of which date back to Enlightenment Scotland. Already, study of these records has provided information about a number of Burns’s patrons which begins to corroborate previous theories about the role a masonic network might have played in facilitating his ascension to the status of ‘Caledonia’s Bard’. I look forward to delving deeper into the archives over the coming years and discovering new insights into this fascinating and understudied part of Burns’s life and career.”

Caledonia’s bard

Professor Gerard Carruthers, Chair of Scottish Literature,  said: “Robert Burns’s career was often boosted by his Masonic networks. There is nothing sinister about this: Burns to begin with did not have a lot of power. Indeed, he did not even have a vote and Masonry provided the poet with access to an intelligent, highly cultured grouping that was objectively interested in him. This new scholarship will give us time for a deep and controlled dive into what Freemasonry brought to Burns.”

Evidence of Burns’s Masonic life is preserved at the Grand Lodge of Scotland in Edinburgh, where his original Masonic apron is displayed in the museum. The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland, founded in 1736 and headquartered in Edinburgh, with a global presence, has provided full funding for this three-year scholarship, demonstrating their commitment to advancing understanding of Scotland’s cultural heritage. The research will be conducted within the prestigious Centre for Robert Burns Studies, recipient of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2023, the highest national Honour awarded in UK further and higher education. The project aims to explore how Freemasonry’s principles of liberty, fraternity, and equality influenced Burns’s writing and his contribution to Scottish cultural nationalism.

Burns’s Masonic journey began on July 4, 1781, when he was initiated as an Entered Apprentice in Lodge St David, Tarbolton at the age of 23. His rapid rise within the organisation saw him elected as Depute Master of Lodge St James at just 25, demonstrating the high regard in which he was held by his fellow Masons. The celebrated poet’s Masonic life flourished alongside his literary career. It also provided Burns with crucial support and patronage. When his first Kilmarnock edition was published in 1786, 350 members of St John’s Lodge, Kilmarnock subscribed to copies, providing crucial early support for his work. His prominence in Masonic circles grew when the then Grand Master of Scotland, Francis Chateris, famously toasted him as ‘Caledonia’s bard’ at an Edinburgh gathering in 1787.

Main photo: Patrick Jamieson at the museum in The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland in Edinburgh. Photo: Martin Shields.

Would you take travel advice from Scotland’s best loved poet, Rabbie Burns? If so, read on as we follow in his illustrious footsteps! Robert Burns is Scotland’s most celebrated poet. Also known as Rabbie Burns, or The Bard, he was born in 1759, the son of a farmer. During his lifetime, he penned hundreds of songs and poems, and the anniversary of his birth is celebrated on 25 January.

Much like today’s travel bloggers or enthusiastic Trip Advisor reviewers, Burns spent a fair bit of his time travelling and writing about bonnie Scotland. Burns’ exceptional talent meant that he became a celebrity within his short life. He also gained a reputation as a bit of a tear-away. It’s not hard to see why from some of these stories. He got up to all sorts of antics with his travelling companions – some of which would definitely be frowned upon today.

Let’s take a peek at some of Rabbie’s top destinations…

Linlithgow Palace

The birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, Linlithgow Palace is regarded as one of the most spectacular ruins in Scotland. Burns visited the palace on Saturday 25 August 1787 and wrote: “Linlithgow, the appearance of rude, decayed idle grandeur – charmingly rural, retired situation — the old rough royal palace a tolerably fine, but melancholy ruin – sweetly situated on a small elevation on the brink of a Loch – shown the room where the beautiful injured Mary Queen of Scots was born – a pretty good old Gothic Church – the infamous stool of repentance standing, in the old Romish way, in a lofty situation.”

Dunfermline Abbey and Palace

Founded as a priory in about 1080, Dunfermline Abbey is famous for being a mausoleum to some of Scotland’s greatest monarchs. Robert the Bruce and the abbey’s founder, Queen Margaret, are buried here.

Burns visited the abbey in 1787 with John Adair, who wrote: “Here I mounted the cutting stool, or stool of repentance; while Burns from the pulpit addressed to me a ludicrous reproof and exhortation, parodied from that which had been delivered to himself in Ayrshire when he had mounted the seat of shame.”

It is reputed that Burns also kissed the tomb of Robert the Bruce.

Stirling Castle

Unsurprisingly, Stirling Castle was also a stop off point for Robert Burns. In 1787 he visited Stirling on his way to Inverness. It seems the visit stirred Burns’ Jacobite sympathies as he penned a poem known as the Stirling Lines.

Here Stuarts once in glory reigned,

And laws for Scotland’s weal ordained;

But now unroofed their palace stands,

Their sceptre’s swayed by other hands;

Fallen, indeed, and to the earth

Whence grovelling reptiles take their birth,

The injured Stuart line is gone.

A race outlandish fills their throne; An idiot race, to honour lost;

Who knows them best despise them most.

The words were etched into the window of a local inn with a diamond pen. The pen had been gifted to him by the Earl of Glencairn, and there are quite a few examples of Burns using it to make his mark on the places he visited. There are several stories around the Stirling Lines.

Some suggest that the lines had been written by his friend William Nicol and that Burns took responsibility for the controversial lines which criticised the Hanovarian rulers. It is also said that Burns returned a couple of months later to smash the window with a riding crop and destroy the contentious poem, but the lines had already been copied down and circulated. The palace has now been reroofed and its Renaissance splendour lavishly restored – you can see it on a visit to Stirling Castle.

Crookston Castle

This castle, dating from the 1400s commands sweeping views of Glasgow. One of its most famous inhabitants was Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley – Mary Queen of Scots second husband. Legend has it that the couple were betrothed under a yew tree in the castle grounds. Burns is said to have carved his name onto a piece of wood from the very same yew tree.

Clackmannan Tower

Did you know that Robert Burns was ‘knighted’ once? The reason he isn’t called Sir Robert today is that it wasn’t the king who knighted him, but Catherine Bruce, a descendent of Robert the Bruce. A staunch Jacobite, she claimed to have a much greater right to bestow a knighthood than ‘some people’. By that she meant the Hanoverian monarch. Lady Catherine knighted Burns at Clackmannan Tower in August 1787 with the sword of her illustrious ancestor.

Edinburgh Castle

Home to royalty, stronghold of the Scottish crown jewels, and military fortress, Edinburgh Castle has been at the hub of the city for centuries. The Bard lived in Edinburgh for a spell in the 1780s, partly in the Lawnmarket, near the castle.

Text by: Samuel Wilson. Text and images courtesy of Historic Environment Scotland. Historic Environment Scotland is the lead public body established to investigate, care for and promote Scotland’s historic environment. For more details see: www.historicenvironment.scot or to read more unique content see their blog at: https://blog.historicenvironment.scot

Main photo: © Dumfries and Galloway Museums Service.

It’s not only Hogmanay (December 31^st) that gives Scots an excuse for a party; Burns Night (January 25^th) is traditionally the time each year when Scotland’s Bard, Robert Burns, is celebrated on the anniversary of his birth.  Scotland is host to many events to mark the occasion, from music as well as a traditional ceilidh.  Revellers can top the night off with a plate of haggis, neeps and tatties and a dram of whisky.

After enjoying the food, Scotland fans can then follow in the Bard’s footsteps across Scotland, including his birthplace, Alloway in Ayrshire – home to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum – and Dumfries, which is home to places such as Ellisland Farm (built by Robert Burns as his home in 1788) and the Globe Inn pub (established in 1610 and regularly frequented by Burns and home to some fascinating memorabilia).

Burns travels 

Locations with a Burns connection are fascinating and certainly worth visiting on a trip to Scotland, including the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, South Ayrshire.  There is also an opportunity to visit the home of Souter Johnnie, who was immortalised in a famous Burns poem, in Kirkoswald.  Other Burns attractions in Ayrshire include the Bachelors’ Club in Tarbolton, the 17th century thatched cottage where Burns established his debating club, and the Burns House Museum in Mauchline where Robert Burns lived and worked between 1784 and 1788.  Burns enthusiasts, or anyone simply interested in seeing a beautiful corner of Scotland, can take a trip to Dumfries & Galloway. Burns’ former home Ellisland Farm is now a museum where some of his original writings and possessions are on display.

A welcome sight for those in search of warmth and comfort (and perhaps a whisky), the Globe Inn in Dumfries is notable in that it is one of the country’s oldest hostelries and used to be frequented by Burns himself.  It is rumoured that anyone who dares sit in Burns’ old chair (which is still at the bar) is challenged to recite a line of his poetry and buy everyone a drink at the bar.  Whilst in Dumfries, visitors can also spend an afternoon at Burns’ final home, Robert Burns House, on the aptly named Burns Street. Discover the famous Kilmarnock and Edinburgh editions of Burns’ work and take a look around the study where he wrote some of his best-loved poems.   The Burns Mausoleum, the final resting place for Burns, his widow Jean, and five of their children, is also only a short walk away in St Michael’s Kirkyard.

Robert Burns’ connections with Scotland’s capital have long been celebrated.  On 28 November 1786 when Robert Burns arrived in Edinburgh its gates were flung open to him. He stayed on Baxter’s Close in a house which has been demolished and is now Deacon Brodie’s Tavern on the Royal Mile.  Also based on the city’s Royal Mile, the Writers’ Museum has a permanent Robert Burns collection which is recognised to have national significance.  Displayed in the museum is a collection of portraits of Burns along with the writing desk from his Dumfries home at which he wrote some of his best-known work.  Whilst in Edinburgh, fans of Burns will be able to see one of the most famous portraits at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery – Alexander Nasmyth’s portrait of Robert Burns.

Hosting a Burns Supper

Along with haggis, neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes), here are the instructions for a perfect gathering on 25 January.  To start – everyone gathers, the host says a few words, everyone sits and the Selkirk Grace is said.  The meal – the starter is served, the haggis is piped in (by a piper in a kilt naturally), the host performs Address to a Haggis, everyone toasts the haggis and the main meal is served, followed by dessert (cranachan is a great option.)

After the meal, the first Burns recital is performed, the Immortal Memory (the main tribute speech to Burns) is given, the second Burns recital is performed, and then there’s a Toast to the Lassies, followed by a Reply to the Toast to the Lassies, before the final Burns recital is performed.  To end the night – the host gives a vote of thanks, everyone stands and sings Auld Lang Syne, crossing their arms and joining hands at the line ‘And there’s a hand, my trusty fere!’.

See our events page for a list of Burns Suppers taking place in both January and February. Ever wanted to host a Burns supper but not sure how?  For VisitScotland’s full Burns Night guide check out www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/events/burns-night/events-guide. For access to the Burns works indicated, see www.robertburns.org. 

Main photo: Haggis, neep and tatties. Photo: VisitScotland.

Annie Lennox has never been interested in sticking to bland platitudes or ignoring injustice. Ever since the teenager left Aberdeen High School for Girls in the 1960s and ventured to London with ambitions of orchestrating a successful music career, she has developed into one of Scotland’s greatest pop stars and a tireless activist for multiple causes. The myriad hits speak to her versatility: the androgynous video which propelled her to global stardom as one half of Eurythmics with Sweet Dreams; and the powerful voice which joined forces with Aretha Franklin in Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves.

 The Granite City

On her own, the title of her solo album, Diva, amplified the message that she was the mistress of her own destiny, whether rocking the charts with Walking on Broken Glass and Why or following it up with Medusa and No More ‘I Love You’s’. Annie has not enjoyed a comfortable relationship with Aberdeen, despite being its most famous musical daughter. On the contrary, the woman who was brought up in a two-room tenement in Hutcheon Street, has spoken out on many different issues. It hasn’t always made her friends or provided cosy conversations. But the woman who celebrated her 70^th birthday on Christmas Day remains one of life’s rugged individualists.

In 1988, at the height of her success, Annie agreed to become a patron for Haddo House Hall Arts Trust. This should have been an ideal opportunity for her to indulge in a few upbeat statements about nurturing young people’s potential. Yet, while there were positive noises about her new role, there was plenty of other stuff which testified to Annie’s belief that the Granite City hadn’t done itself any favours. As she said: “I feel very distressed about the kind of ravaging that has gone on in the centre of Aberdeen and I’m very upset about it.” Even as Eurythmics were preparing for global acclaim in the early 1980s, Annie found herself in her home city battling with depression and afraid to leave her own home. Which means that anybody who listens to Sweet Dreams and regards it as an uplifting anthem is wide off the mark. On the contrary, it was a cry for help with a catchy hook.

Agoraphobia

Eurythmics bandmate Dave Stewart was forced to spend time in hospital with a collapsed lung and Annie, seeking refuge from disappointing sales of the first Eurythmics album, travelled back to her roots and began to contemplate whether she could continue with her music career. She said: “I spent a great deal of time crying. I hit rock bottom. My self-esteem dropped to an all-time low and I was suffering from agoraphobia. I couldn’t go outside the door. Whenever I did, I started having panic attacks, I would get palpitations and come out in cold sweats. It was horrible. In the end, you realise that you are devastatingly alone in the world. And no matter how much you want to get out of that sort of thing, it’s hard to crack. It has to come entirely from within yourself and eventually you have to start thinking about your own self-preservation. (As for Sweet Dreams) It’s basically me saying ‘Look at the state of us. How can it get any worse?’ It’s about surviving. It’s not a normal song so much as a weird mantra that goes round and round, but somehow it became our theme song.”

That ambivalence has embodied Annie’s career, but nobody can deny the creative vim and vigour and boundless energy which she has brought to her life on and off stage. She appeared at Nelson Mandela’s 70^th birthday concert in 1988; became a public supporter of Amnesty International and Greenpeace; recorded music to increase Aids awareness; and was fiercely critical of the war in Iraq in 2003. Five years later, she founded The Circle of Women, a private charitable organisation to raise funds for projects and backed the principle of an independent Scotland. Archbishop Desmond Tutu said of her: “She is one of those exemplary human beings who chose to put her success in her chosen career to work in order to benefit others.” There were similar glowing words when she sang in front of Barack Obama. And when she pushed her horizons into boosting the lives of women in Malawi.  She has cared passionately about equality and enhancing women’s rights in countries where they were too often abused or disregarded.

And yet, her involvement in campaigning hasn’t been merely reserved for international matters. When oil tycoon, Sir Ian Wood, proposed a “transformational” scheme in Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Gardens in 2009, Annie wasn’t impressed by the plans. And that’s putting it mildly. Casting her gaze over what was being advocated, she described it as “architectural vandalism.” And she wasn’t finished there. As she later wrote: “The heart of my home city of Aberdeen was simply torn down. It makes my heart sick and still does. What went in its place were these vile, concrete monstrosities. Don’t get me wrong – I love modern architecture, but not when the historical is replaced by the goddam awful. Go to Florence, Paris or Rome. They don’t have a problem living with antiquity.”

Thrawn

In many respects, Annie is a contradictory character. A private person with a desire to fight for her beliefs in public; a Scot with an internationalist streak who often seems happier abroad; and somebody whose charismatic performances mask a deep shyness.So, it was hardly surprising she was stunned when she delved into her family background in the BBC programme Who Do You Think You Are? In 2012. It emerged that her great-grandmother, Isabella McHardy, was hauled before the Kirk Session in 1852 after giving birth to an illegitimate child – Annie’s great-grandfather, George Ferguson – which was regarded as scandalous behaviour in the Victorian era. Her maternal grandparents, William Ferguson and Dora Paton, were a gamekeeper and a dairymaid; two different sides of the coin which flicked between Balmoral and Torry.

Ultimately, there’s no definitive description which applies to Annie Lennox. As she once told the Press & Journal, she was grateful for the music tuition she received at school. But….”I had to leave Aberdeen in order to develop musically. Yet, if I hadn’t had the chance to have the musical experiences I had as a child here, I don’t think I would have gone on to be in Eurythmics in the first place.”

There’s a grand Scottish word for people such as her: thrawn. If the term is applied to a man, it’s usually done admiringly. If it’s a woman, then she must be difficult. Just don’t use these words in Annie Lennox’s company!

By: Neil Drysdale

A new winter light show experience will be bringing a festive glow to the award-winning Landmark Forest Adventure Park at Carrbridge near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands (on now until 19^th February 2025).  The ‘Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS’ experience will allow visitors to follow a one kilometre woodland trail and immerse themselves in the enchanting ancient pinewood forest, illuminated by over 50,000 lights and effects.

Special features include a UV light tunnel and a ‘Red Squirrel Trail’, a treetop journey that takes visitors eight meters up into the forest canopy for stunning views of the illuminated woodland below.

A festive glow

Landmark Forest Adventure Park is part of the new Visit Cairngorms winter campaign, which is promoting the UK’s largest National Park as the ultimate winter travel destination for 2024. Lisa Anderson, Marketing and Sales Manager at Landmark Forest Adventure Park, said:  “We’re thrilled to announce our new ‘Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS’ experience for 2024/5. Over 50,000 lights will illuminate the pinewood forest, bringing a festive glow and creating a truly magical atmosphere. Our ‘Red Squirrel Trail’ will take visitors up into the treetops for a unique view of the stunning illuminated forest. With nearly 10,000 visitors expected, we’re excited to welcome people of all ages from across Scotland and the rest of the UK to this unforgettable experience”.

Lisa added: “Winter is a truly special time to visit the Cairngorms National Park. Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventure or a peaceful walk-through frost-covered forests, this season offers something unique for everyone. During the winter months, Landmark Forest Adventure Park offers a variety of both indoor and outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy.”

The ultimate winter travel destination

The event incorporates the original Treetop Trail, built nearly 30 years ago and now expanded for improved accessibility, including buggy and wheelchair access. Landmark Forest Adventure Park was named ‘Best Visitor Attraction’ 2024 at the Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards (HITA) in 2024. Landmark Forest Adventure Park is part of the Visit Cairngorms winter campaign, which is promoting the UK’s largest National Park as the ultimate winter travel destination. Led by Cairngorms Business Partnership (CBP), over 370 tourism firms are now coming together to promote the Cairngorms National Park as the UK’s ‘original winter destination’.

The Cairngorms National Park ‘Where Winter Comes to Life!’ campaign is showcasing over 1,700 square miles of Highland winter wonderland filled with seasonal magic, including Landmark Forest Adventure Park at Carrbridge. The CBP is working with tourism businesses across the region to help extend the season and bring business to local visitor economies over the quieter winter months, with a focus on outdoor adventure, wildlife and nature, health and wellbeing, food and drink, culture and heritage.

For more information on ‘Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS’ at Landmark Forest Adventure Park, go to www.landmarkpark.co.uk/attraction/ancient-forest-twilights

One of Europe’s most important archaeological finds of the century will be showcased in a landmark exhibition at the South Australian Museum in early February 2025.

In an international coup, Adelaide is the first stop on a world tour of the exhibition, Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard, and it will be the very first time this precious collection of objects has ever travelled outside the United Kingdom. The Galloway Hoard is the richest find of rare and unique Viking-age objects ever made in Britain or Ireland. Buried around AD 900 and only discovered in 2014 in southwest Scotland, the Hoard contains a stunning variety of objects and materials buried together at one time.

Dr. Martin Goldberg, Principal Curator, Medieval Archaeology & History, National Museums Scotland, said: “The Galloway Hoard has repeatedly drawn international attention since its discovery and acquisition by National Museums Scotland. But this hoard was in many respects a journey into the unknown, and the exhibition presents all the amazing discoveries we have made through our research. We’re delighted the exhibition can now be seen by audiences outside the UK, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience these exceptional objects in person.”

Significant Viking-age artifacts

Dr. David Gaimster, CEO, South Australian Museum, said: “The Galloway Hoard is a rich collection in every sense, from rare and unique examples of gold and silverwork that shows the artistry of the period to items of hacked bullion that show the intensity of trade and exchange. Taken together, this hoard challenges popular understandings of this period in world history. Indeed, the Hoard reveals the extensive networks of trade and exchange that stretched from Scandinavia and the Atlantic across to Central Asia and the Silk Routes. We are delighted to partner with National Museums Scotland to bring the Galloway Hoard halfway across the globe for Australian audiences to experience up close – a turn of events the Hoard’s original owners could scarcely have imagined.”

Minister for Tourism, the Hon Zoe Bettison MP said: “We are thrilled to welcome the Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard exhibition to South Australia. This world-first showcase of such significant Viking-age artifacts outside the UK is a testament to our state’s growing reputation as a premier cultural destination. The exhibition will not only offer South Australians a unique opportunity to experience this extraordinary collection but will also attract visitors from across Australia and internationally, boosting our tourism sector and local economy. This is exactly the kind of world-class event that puts Adelaide on the global stage and reinforces our position as a vibrant, culturally rich city.”

Ancient world

The exhibition shows how the Hoard was buried in four distinct parcels and as the visitor is drawn further into this ancient world each parcel becomes richer and more unusual. The top layer was a parcel of silver bullion and a rare Anglo-Saxon cross, separated from a lower layer of three parts: firstly, another parcel of silver bullion wrapped in leather and twice as big as the one above; secondly, a cluster of four elaborately decorated silver ‘ribbon’ arm-rings bound together and concealing in their midst a small wooden box containing three items of gold; and thirdly, a lidded, silver gilt vessel wrapped in layers of textile and packed with carefully wrapped objects that appear to have been curated like relics or heirlooms. They include beads, pendants, brooches, bracelets, relics and other curios, often strung or wrapped with silk.

Decoding the secrets of the Galloway Hoard has also been a multi-layered process. Decorations, inscriptions, and other details hidden for over a thousand years have been revealed through careful conservation, painstaking cleaning, and cutting-edge research by a team of experts led by National Museums Scotland. Conservation of metal objects has revealed decorations, inscriptions, and other details that were not previously visible.

Never been seen before

Many of the objects are types that have never been seen before in Britain and Ireland. Some had travelled thousands of miles to reach Scotland. Some items are too fragile to travel long distances, particularly those which still have rare traces of textiles that have survived for more than 1,000 years. The exhibition will employ audio visual and 3D reconstructions to enable visitors to experience these objects and learn more about the detailed research that is being done.

In a surprising twist, the South Australian Museum has also uncovered two Viking Age pieces in its own collection of world cultures material, and they will also go on display for the first time to coincide with the exhibition. A private collector from Sweden, Bertil Gunnarsson-Hagman, donated two brooches from Gotland to the Museum after settling in Adelaide during the 1940s. The Swedish Island of Gotland occupied a strategic position in Viking Age trade networks. The bronze women’s brooches would have originally been flashy fashion accessories, gilt in gold and silver to highlight the intricate metalwork. Authentic Viking Age items like this are rarely found in Australian museum collections.

The Galloway Hoard was acquired by National Museums Scotland in 2017 with the support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, and the Scottish Government, as well as a major public fundraising campaign. Since then, it has been undergoing extensive conservation and research at the National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh.

Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard will be on show at the South Australian Museum from 8 February to 27 July 2025.  Tickets to this landmark exhibition will go on sale next month, and the exhibition will be accompanied by a huge program of events for all ages including regular Friday night openings and a two-day Vikingfest in late June, with support from the Adelaide Economic Development Agency. For details see: www.samuseum.sa.gov.au  

Main photo: Pectoral Cross.

Are you looking to travel to Scotland in 2025? Here you will find a list from VisitScotland of new attractions, events, and celebrations for the year ahead!

From unveiling a reimagined landmark castle, to Scotland’s largest city celebrating a historic anniversary, to endless epic waves and adventure awaiting at Scotland’s first surfing resort…2025 looks to be another standout year. Offering awe-inspiring landscapes, a vibrant culinary scene, soul-stirring experiences, and a warm, welcoming spirit, Scotland is the ultimate destination to reinvigorate the soul.

Whether a nature enthusiast, lover of luxury, foodie or music aficionado, Scotland offers year-round allure and should be at the top of everybody’s travel list. The selection below is just a handful of Scotland’s brand-new range of visitor attractions, distilleries, events, and anniversaries to look forward to in the year ahead.

Key 2025 events and attractions

The Inverness Castle Experience, Inverness, opening in 2025-The Inverness Castle Experience will be a new visitor attraction in the centre of Inverness, celebrating the ‘spirit of the Highlands’ through its stories of past, present and future. The existing castle buildings and esplanade gardens are being transformed from their original use as the home of Inverness’ prison and courts into a celebration of what makes the Highlands of Scotland a special place to live, work and visit. Visitors will be able to take a journey through the gardens, the two towers and new restaurant, bars and shop to experience stories about the Highlands and its landscape, culture, heritage, and people.  The visitor journey will be guided by a seanchaidh – storyteller – who will help to reveal stories which celebrate the spirit of the Highlands.

Celebrate Glasgow’s 850^th anniversary-Glasgow, UNESCO City of Music, celebrates its 850^th anniversary in 2025, making it an ideal time to explore this dynamic city. With a range of events and activities to come to mark the occasion and as a city renowned for its rich culture, delicious food and drink, striking architecture, world-class events, exciting visitor attractions and welcoming atmosphere, Glasgow guarantees a memorable visit. Find out more in the Glasgow spotlight section below.

Paisley Museum, Renfrewshire, opening in 2025-Paisley Museum was founded as a place of learning at the heart of the town, and the building and collections have a remarkable history.  After a significant £45-million-pound investment, the museum is being transformed to become one of the main offerings in Paisley alongside wider heritage products such as, Paisley Art Centre, Paisley Library and Paisley Townhall.  The museum will showcase Paisley’s world-changing stories to new audiences and will sit at the heart of the community – a place for everyone to learn, discover, create, and connect.

Lost Shore Surf Resort, Edinburgh-The Lost Shore Surf Resort arrived in Scotland in autumn 2024, when it proudly became Europe’s largest inland surfing destination. Based in Edinburgh, this world-class facility brings an iconic sport to a new inland home. Capable of generating up to 1,000 waves per hour, the state-of-the-art surf lake is set within a 60-acre country park, offering luxury accommodation, a food market, shopping, and a wellness spa.

Tall Ships, Aberdeen-Aberdeen has a rich history with the Tall Ships Races, hosting the incredible fleet in 1991 and 1997, and will be welcoming back The Tall Ships Races July 19-22^nd 2025. Hundreds of thousands of people will descend on the city for four days of celebrating, sharing culture, and international friendships at Europe’s largest free family event.

Orkney 2025 Island Games-The Orkney 2025 International Island Games will take place from 12 – 18 July 2025.  Orkney will have the privilege of hosting the Games in its landmark 40th year since it all began.  This week-long event will see athletes from up to 24 island groups from across the world compete in 13 exciting sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, cycling, football, golf, gymnastics, swimming, and triathlon.

The Royal Yacht Britannia, Leith-The Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh will be opening a new Visitor Centre and Shop in 2025. The Visitor Centre will incorporate never seen before images and films, setting the scene for the Royal Yacht’s rich history. The Gift Shop will be a cornucopia of Royal and heritage gifts, as well as unique treasures inspired by Britannia. Discover luxury homewares, jewellery, chinaware and stunning accessories.

Outer Hebrides Voted Best in the World-Each year, National Geographic releases its Best of the World list, celebrating destinations and travel experiences that illuminate our beautiful world and the diversity of communities and people within it. The Outer Hebrides has been named as the only UK destination on the 2025 list with recognition given to its breathtaking landscapes and unique heritage. For decades, the Outer Hebrides has attracted visitors from every corner of the globe, who are drawn to its beautiful beaches and coastline. Offering breathtaking scenery, crystal-clear waters, unique Hebridean culture and Gaelic language, history and wildlife, welcoming locals, delicious local food and drink and its wide variety of outdoor pursuits.

Distillery News

There are nearly 150 active distilleries spread across Scotland, which are split into five whisky producing regions: Campbeltown, Highlands, Islay, Lowlands, and Speyside.  Each region boasts their own unique flavours in their whiskies, all of which reflect the landscape and surrounding area, and many distilleries are making moves to conduct new and innovative sustainable practices.  In 2025, visitors can look forward to a variety of new distilleries and visitor centres opening their doors, including the first whisky distillery in Shetland, making the following well-known proverb a reality…today’s rain is tomorrow’s whisky.

The Lerwick Distillery, Shetland-Introducing Shetland’s first whisky distillery! The Lerwick Distillery opened its gift shop on Market Street in autumn 2024, offering a variety of items and local products. Full distillery operations are planned to follow, with single malt whisky production set to begin next year. While the single malt matures—a process that takes a minimum of three years and one day—the distillery will produce a unique Shetland blended whisky using select casks sourced from the Scottish mainland. The team at Lerwick Distillery aims to complete the full distillery space by 2025, with tours and tastings anticipated to launch alongside the single malt release in future years.

Highland Park Distillery, Orkney-The Orkney based 200-year-old distillery, Highland Park, crafts whisky with heathered peat for a subtly smoky flavour that’s as unique as the place it’s made.  The distillery has been closed for the past year as a major programme of environmental upgrades, aimed at reducing the distillery’s carbon emissions by 20%, is carried out.  The ambitious project will see a series of significant developments, including a new heat recovery system which will save more than 1000 tonnes of CO₂ every year.  Visitors will be welcomed back to this innovative distillery in 2025.

Edinburgh Gin Distillery, Edinburgh-The Arches on East Market Street, in the heart of Scotland’s capital city, will soon be home to the highly anticipated Edinburgh Gin state-of-the-art Distillery and Visitor Experience. The opening will mark the relocation of their existing distilleries from Rutland Street and Leith, uniting the essence of the brand under one roof. The meticulously designed brand home promises immersive experiences that will transport visitors on a journey filled with wonder.

Arbikie Distillery Sustainable Experience, Angus-As Arbikie continues its journey to be one of the world’s most sustainable distilleries, this new experience tells the story of Arbikie’s origins as a 400-year-old farming business. Visitors will learn about the growing of all ingredients on-site, the creation of the world’s first carbon-negative gin and vodka, Nadar, and Arbikie’s progress to becoming the world’s first green hydrogen-powered distillery.

Eden Mill Distillery, St Andrews-After lying still for over 150 years, Eden Mill brings the art of distilling back to this historical area in the form of a new distillery experience and a range of premium single malt whiskies and gins. The front wall of the building will feature large glass windows providing beautiful views out over the estuary and the iconic St Andrews skyline. All their electricity will be 100% renewable, coming from either the solar farm belonging to the University of St Andrews or other renewable energy sources. Additionally, the CO₂ produced during the fermentation process will be captured for the University to use.

Glencadam Distillery Visitor Centre, Angus-Glencadam Distillery is developing a new visitor centre and VIP suite at its site in Brechin, Angus.  As one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries, dating back to 1825, the new visitor centre will pay homage to its rich heritage with a dedicated exhibition space showcasing the history of the East Highland distillery and its surroundings. The visitor centre will also house a retail space and tasting rooms, as well as a whisky lounge, café and function suite for corporate hospitality and private hire. It is expected the new visitor centre will open its doors to visitors and locals alike in summer 2025.

Ardgowan Distillery Inverclyde-A new state-of-the-art distillery and visitor centre on the Ardgowan Estate, just a 45-minute drive from Glasgow city centre, is nearing completion with whisky production set to begin in 2025. Using extensive heat recovery at each stage of the production process as well as CO₂ capture from fermentation, the distillery will eventually become carbon negative.

Biggar Gin Distillery Tours, South Lanarkshire-The Stillhouse, home of the range of Biggar Spirits, located at the foot of the Tinto Hills in the Southern Uplands will be offering behind the scenes tours to showcase how the distillery still uses traditional distilling techniques that stretch back hundreds of years to handcraft their award-winning spirits. Tours last approximately 90 minutes, and guests will receive a perfect serve of one of the Biggar Spirits on arrival.

Spotlight on… Glasgow

2025 will be a big year for Glasgow as the city celebrates its 850^th birthday, the perfect excuse to make 2025 the year to visit.  For 850 years, Glasgow has continued to shine with its never-ending cultural programmes, stunning architecture, and friendly residents, evolving into the vibrant city known and loved around the world today.  The city entices visitors through its many museums and visitor attractions, countless concerts each week, street markets and lively events.  People travel from all over the world to visit the likes of the Gallery of Modern Art, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and The Burrell Collection. Glasgow is made even more colourful by the ever-growing presence of greenery, such as Glasgow Green, Pollok Country Park, Glasgow Botanic Gardens and more.  Visitors can have the best of both worlds; a lively and bustling city break and an escape into nature, all in one trip to Glasgow.

Looking for an innovative, varied, and award-winning food scene?  Glasgow has it covered.  From offering Michelin star experiences to maintaining its place as one of the world’s most vegan and vegetarian friendly locations, Glasgow is well known as a city for foodies.  In fact, Michelin has announced that its world-famous guide to Britain’s best restaurants is to be unveiled in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery in 2025. Glasgow is also famous for being a creative and cultural city, with art galleries galore, famous architecture, and history as a UNESCO City of Music.

So, it is only natural for the arts to bleed into the food scene.  Restaurant and bar, The Last Bookstore, has recently opened to provide a book lover’s paradise in the centre of Glasgow.  The bar’s walls are lined with over 8,000 books and a stunning book arch for the perfect photo op, and the cocktail menu is inspired by literary heroes, such as Ernest Hemingway, Dorothy Parker, and Jack Kerouac.  Music lovers should run, not walk, to Glasgow’s newest jazz cafe, Basement Jazz Cafe, to enjoy the city’s lively nightlife to the soundtrack of live music, showcasing the best up-and-coming jazz musicians from Glasgow and beyond.

Events, Exhibitions & Experiences

With atmospheric crowds, iconic venues and picture-perfect backdrops, Scotland plays host to world leading sporting events as well as music and cultural festivals.  Edinburgh is the world’s leading festival city with amazing events taking place year-round, including the world-renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In 2025, visitors can choose from small local events to large international crowds, see below to find out what’s in store.

Big Burns Supper, Dumfries-For those with a thirst for adventure and an appetite for the extraordinary, Big Burns Supper 2025 is offering one of the most unique and immersive celebrations of Scottish tradition ever seen: the Underwater Burns Supper. This bold and playful reinterpretation of the classic Burns Supper will take place at the depths of Dumfries, bringing together professional performers to deliver a dining experience that promises to be like no other.

But the creativity doesn’t stop there. This year’s line-up offers a variety of quirky twists on the Burns Supper tradition, including the Burns Supper on a Bus, a roving feast where attendees can enjoy haggis, neeps, and tatties while touring the streets of Dumfries on a vintage red bus. For families, the Family Burns Supper presents a more relaxed, kid-friendly version of the event, allowing everyone to enjoy a slice of Scottish culture.

Celtic Connections, Glasgow-Glasgow’s annual folk, roots and world music festival, Celtic Connections, celebrates its connections to cultures across the globe.  From 16 January to 2 February 2025, over 2,100 musicians from around the world bring the city to life for eighteen days.  During this time, there are concerts, ceilidhs, talks, art exhibitions, workshops and free events for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.

Granite City Festival Weekender-Aberdeen is gearing up for an unforgettable weekend as the very first Granite City Festival Weekender 2025 takes over Hazlehead Park for three days of music, entertainment, and family fun. From Friday, June 27, to Sunday, June 29, the festival will deliver a diverse lineup catering to fans of house and techno, dance music, and family-friendly activities. With three unique stages and a dedicated VIP area, the event is poised to become the ultimate music experience in the northeast of Scotland, with an estimated 10,000 attendees expected over the weekend.

FyneFest, Cairndow, Argyll-The first FyneFest took place in 2010, with around 300 people joining the Fyne Ales team in the Brewery Tap courtyard for a wee party to kick-off the Summer.  Over the following years, FyneFest evolved and grew, expanding to three days and into the fields of Glen Fyne, welcoming more people, offering more diverse beers, showcasing more live music, and sharing more outstanding food. But at its core, the spirit of FyneFest never changed.  Tickets for the 2025 festival are available now: FyneFest 2025 | 30 May – 1 June 2025.

Midlothian Snowsports Centre – New Alpine Coaster, Edinburgh-Scotland’s first Alpine Coaster, opened in September 2024 at Midlothian Snowsports Centre, offers a thrilling winter experience. As the longest in the UK, it reaches speeds of up to 28 mph, promising adrenaline-filled fun for all ages. With stunning views and year-round access, it’s the ultimate family-friendly attraction this winter.

The Wee Waddle, Edinburgh Zoo, Edinburgh-Edinburgh Zoo is set to bring back a reimagined version of the penguin parade after the event was postponed for more than four years. The world-famous parade, which first began as an accident in 1950 when some of the penguins escaped their enclosure, was initially brought to an end during the Covid-19 pandemic, before being postponed again due to the rise of avian flu. Now visitors can once again watch the gentoo, rockhopper and king penguin colony take a stroll along the walkway next to Penguins Rock as they explore a new area outside of their usual habitat. The Wee Waddle is included in Edinburgh Zoo tickets and will take place Thursdays to Sundays at 2:15pm.

Tours and workshops

In 2025, Scotland welcomes brand new tours and workshops, spanning from culinary masterclasses to sport and wellness tours, explorations of clans and heritage, historical immersion, and more.  Each activity provides visitors with the chance to experience authentic Scotland and all it has to offer.

The Hickory Golf Workshop, The Kingdom of Fife-Scotland is the home of golf, and this workshop celebrates this rich history through the creation and restoration of hickory golf clubs, just as they were crafted in the early days of the sport. Participants can learn how these clubs were made and gain an appreciation for the timeless skills involved. Attendees not only witness the creation of hickory golf clubs but also get hands-on experience in restoring and finishing their own club, which they can take home as a memento of their time spent in Scotland.

Brora Heritage Centre, Highlands-Brora Heritage Centre offers a quality introduction to the unique, rich and fascinating industrial heritage, in the parish of Clyne. Brora is home to the most northerly and remote coal mine in the UK. In Summer 2025, Brora Heritage Centre will transform into a £5million heritage centre and museum thanks to the redevelopment of a derelict C-listed building which was gifted to the organisation in 2018, safeguarding the future of heritage in the village for residents and visitors for years to come. Sustainability, community involvement and the promotion of responsible tourism are all key elements of this redevelopment.

Canna House, Isle of Canna, Inner Hebrides-Canna House was built in 1863 and offers visitors a glimpse into the house and the island’s history.   Within the sturdy Victorian walls is a substantial cultural archive of Gaelic folk songs and tales, Celtic and Norse Studies, philology, music, literature and Scottish history, as well as the furnishings, artworks and personal belongings of previous owners.  The house has been closed to the public for some time due to the need for building conservation. The current project activity is focusing on the conservation of Canna House, collections management, and collections review, and aims to reopen to the public in spring 2025.

Scotland The Big Picture: Wild Perthshire-Scotland The Big Picture aims to champion rewilding in Scotland and allow others to discover rewilding on their immersive and guided Rewilding Journeys.  In 2025, visitors can participate in the Wild Perthshire trip, to explore Perthshire’s beautiful wild places, where increasingly, rewilding is creating a more dynamic and ecologically rich environment.  Along the way, meet the inspiring people behind pioneering rewilding projects, witness landscapes of hope and seek out enriching encounters with wild animals.

Anniversaries  

75^th Anniversary of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, celebrating with their milestone show, The Heroes Who Made Us, 1 – 23 August 2025.

30^th anniversary of the famous movie, Rob Roy (1995), based on the 18^th century Scottish Highlander. Film fans can celebrate by walking the famous Rob Roy Way which opened in May 2002, and takes walkers from Drymen, a village which was once a popular stopping place for cattle drovers, to Pitlochry, deemed to be situated in one of the most beautiful valleys in Central Scotland.

45^th anniversary of the release of Gregory’s Girl (1980), an award-winning Scottish coming-of-age movie that celebrates all the awkwardness and joy of first love.

50^th anniversary of the release of Monty Python & the Holy Grail (1975), a comedy based on King Arthur’s legendary hunt for the Holy Grail. Fans of the movie can visit Doune Castle on a visit to Scotland in 2025, a striking gatehouse in Stirlingshire that was used in the filming of the movie.

200^th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway, a development that changed Britain and the world forever. Railway 200 celebrates the past, present and future of rail.

Old Petty at Cabot Highlands, Inverness- Cabot Collection has announced that Old Petty, the much-anticipated Tom Doak designed golf course at Cabot Highlands in Inverness, will officially open for preview play from 1 August – 30 September 2025. Old Petty joins Cabot Highlands’ renowned Castle Stuart golf course, ranked among The Top 100 Courses in the World by Golf Magazine. The grand opening of Old Petty will be in Spring 2026, with bookings to be announced in 2025.

Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2026: It has been announced that the 23^rd edition of the Commonwealth Games will take place in Glasgow from Thursday 23 July to Sunday 2 August 2026. Scotland has proven experience in hosting major events and looks forward to delivering the Commonwealth Games as well as co-hosting the 2028 European Football Championship at Hampden Park.

The Scottish Crannog Centre New Crannog, Perthshire- The Scottish Crannog Centre re-opened in spring 2024 in Perthshire to showcase Iron Age Scotland. In 2025/26, the museum aims to complete their over-water Crannog on Loch Tay.

For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com

Did you know?

-The traditional Burning of the Clavie takes place in Burghead, Moray.

-The festival dates back to 400AD, when the village was the capital of the ancient Pictish kingdom

-The event takes place annually, as the townspeople of Burghead celebrate New Year twice – on January 1 and then again 10 days later.

-The Burning of the Clavie is a celebration of the ancient Scots Hogmanay, which fell on January 11 before the Gregorian calendar was introduced in Britain in the 18^th century.

-The event involves lighting a 100kg barrel of tar which is then carried around the town. Tradition dictates that members of the ‘Clavie Crew’ must be natives of the town.

-The Clavie is then taken up Dorie Hill before being allowed to burn out and tumble down the hill.

-Locals then gather around the smoking remains as it is supposed to bring good luck for the year ahead.

-The Burning of the Clavie is held on 11 January each year, except when the 11^th is a Sunday, in which case it takes place on the 10^th.

Main photo: VisitScotland.

Work is underway to re-thatch the roof of the historic Bachelors’ Club, the site of Robert Burns’ social club where in the late 1700s, he learned to dance, became a freemason, and created a debating society. The Grade A-listed building, cared for by the National Trust for Scotland, stands in the village of Tarbolton, South Ayrshire. While it plays an important role in telling the story of Robert Burns’ life, it is also an excellent example of 17^th century vernacular architecture. And as one of approximately 220 thatched buildings remaining in Scotland, it’s vital that its history is respected and preserved in the conservation process.

The Trust’s project is the first phase of work at the Bachelors’ Club and involves re-thatching the entire building; reforming the ridge of the thatch in a more traditional timber board finish; rebuilding a brick chimney head in traditional stone; repairs to roof timbers; replacement of lead valleys and flashings with neighbouring properties; and repairs to stone skews. A second phase planned for early 2025 will look at the external elevations and internal finishes of the building. These major works are being carried out by a team of thatchers travelling from Yorkshire due to the skills shortage in this traditional trade across the UK. They will be supported by local joiners, stonemasons, and roof workers, and an archaeologist will have a watching brief during the works to record any findings of interest or importance.

Traditional trades

The conservation works were made possible by the Historic Environment Scotland Partnership Fund Grant, an ongoing partnership that enables the charity to not only carry out vital work but to support the continuation of traditional crafts and skills. To make the project as sustainable as possible, the reed for the thatching has been acquired from a Tayside RSPB reserve. Due to space challenges, it was originally stored at Culzean Castle and Country Park, another of the Trust’s properties in the southwest, before it was moved to a farm near Tarbolton for the thatchers to collect each day. The spent reed will be taken back to the farm where it will be used for mulch, minimising any waste.

Laura Baillie, Building Conservation Surveyor at the National Trust for Scotland, said: “This is a really special project that has taken a huge amount of logistical coordination. From appointing skilled tradespeople, which is a challenge in itself with traditional trades like thatching, to sourcing the reed and appropriate materials, we have worked hard to ensure we are preserving this 300-year-old building in a way that is both sustainable and true to its heritage. We’ve also included our Trust network and local communities by appointing local tradespeople where possible, and hopefully providing an element of upskilling as they observe the thatchers at work. And the local farm storing the reed and taking the spent reed for mulch belongs to a former stonemason apprentice at Culzean, so we owe a lot to the people around us who support projects like this.”

An important site in the history of Burns

Caroline Smith, Operations Manager at Bachelors’ Club, said: “This is such an important site in the history of Burns’ life and an important 17^th century building in its own right. With so few thatched buildings remaining in Scotland, this is vital conservation work for the Trust. This is the first phase of a larger project, with the next phase including repairs to the external and internal walls of the building, as well as carrying out thatch maintenance at Souter Johnnie’s Cottage in Ayrshire, another historical link to Burns. We are dedicated to preserving these important buildings for everyone to enjoy for many years to come.”

The ongoing works at both the Bachelors’ Club and Souter Johnnie’s Cottage require additional funding and support. This spring, the team will peel back the paint and plaster, repair the brick and stone below, and then the exterior of the buildings will be covered with harling, a mixture of lime and aggregate to protect them. It will cost £330,000 to complete these works and the Trust requires £130,000 not currently covered by funding. Donations from generous supporters will directly assist the vital preservation of Burns’ legacy at these iconic locations.

The Bachelors’ Club is closed to the public while these works take place, with plans to reopen in 2025. People interested in learning more about Burns can visit the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, Ayr, which is open all year round.

For more information about the project, or to make a donation to these works, please visit: www.nts.org.uk/burnsappeal.