Published 6 times a year every issue of Scotland Magazine delves in to the history of Scotland; from the mysterious clans to the great leaders, from the spirited creative individuals to the historical life of Scotland’s greatest castles and houses. Filled with the wonderful hidden secrets of the country, Scotland Magazine captures the spirit of this great nation, explores its history and heritage and recommends great places to visit.
Scotland Magazine
Editor’s letter
CLAN COURIER • Scotland’s most beloved train has an accident, and a crucial community hub is saved
EDITOR’S DIARY • This issue, our editor is planning some late-autumn and winter walks, so wrap up warm and follow in her footsteps
Notes from the Isles • A final farewell to a family member gives our friend time to appreciate the many wonders of Skye
WE’VE GOT MAIL • A selection of messages from our readers across the globe
Truly Awe-inspiring
The Red Duchess • A hundred years after becoming Scotland’s first female MP, we tell the remarkable life story of Kitty, Duchess of Atholl, one of the past residents of Blair Castle, Perthshire
THE BERE NECESSITIES • A unique form of barley still milled in the Orkney Islands is a link to the islands’ ancient past, as our photojournalist discovers
A POWERFUL PLACE • Our writer reports back on the reopening of a museum in one of Scotland’s most sacred landscapes: Kilmartin Glen
Win a luxurious stay in Edinburgh • A two-night break plus a decadent dinner at Edinburgh’s iconic Prestonfield House could be yours
TELLING TALL TALES • In his new book, Graeme Johncock brings together some of Scotland’s most intriguing stories, such as the Lady Ghosts of Crathes Castle, as told below…
WINTER WINNERS • From the Northern Lights to festive traditions and fireside drams, here are five reasons to visit Scotland out of season
TRAVELS WITH TOM • Our travel guide extols the virtues of Scotland’s most populous city: Glasgow
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BALLIOL VS BRUCE • In the latest instalment of our series charting Scotland’s monarchy, we enter a period of intense power struggles, largely between two families
A Highland SECRET • Characterised by abundant farmland and the water that encloses it, Easter Ross is a region rich in history that rewards time and exploration
Mac Duffs of Fife • A name mostly associated with the Thane of Fife in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the real MacDuff story aligns only slightly with the fiction
THE NOTORIOUS GENERAL • An unpopular figure with many Scots, General Wade’s legacy is in the roads and bridges that still cross Scotland today
Have a hearty Hogmanay • In this extract from his new book, Scotland’s National Chef, Gary Maclean, shares two of his favourite festive recipes
HIGHLAND FLINGS • The best Scottish-themed events and clan celebrations taking place across the world – start planning now
THE STORY BEHIND… • In his new book, Life in Lethinnis: a croft in the Highlands, Rory Putman describes the realities of upping sticks and moving deep into rural Scotland