Scotland is to welcome Pope Benedict XVI for his first visit to Britain on 16 September, which is St Ninian’s Day. The Pope begins his visit in Edinburgh, where a St Ninian’s Day parade will welcome him to the city. But who exactly was Saint Ninian, and what was his historical significance? The precise details […]
During a seminar at the National Museum of Scotland claims were made that the iconic Lewis Chessmen could have been made in Iceland by a priest’s wife. These chessmen have fascinated historians and scholars since they were found in Uig in Lewis in 1831. But fresh claims challenge some long-held beliefs about the pieces. The […]
There has been a remarkable breakthrough in discovering Scotland’s origins. The ancient mound known as the Moot Hill in the ground of Scone Palace was once the site of the “lost” abbey of Scone, founded in 1114 by Alexander I, where Scottish kings are believed to have assumed the mantle of power on the Stone […]
The discovery of the unpublished poem and letters by one of Scotland’s greatest writers, Sir Walter Scott was made in Cambusmore House near Callander where Sir Walter spent many holidays at the house as a young lawyer. They have laid hidden here for over 200 years in the care of the Baillie–Hamilton family The poem, […]
On Sunday (01/08) Castle Sinclair Girnigoe will open to the public after a ten-year long restoration. The £700,000 facelift will try to help preserve the castle’s archeological and historical importance, and there are a further two phases planned, making the restoration a multi-million pound project which intends to turn Castle Sinclair Girnigoe into a major […]
Tuesday saw the sad loss of Iain MacNeil, chief of The MacNeils of Barra. He was 80. A popular Chief he will be missed greatly, especially by the people of Barra. He was a remarkable man who led one of the oldest Clans in Scotland. Born in New York, Iain was also educated in the […]
The 25th of January, 2010 is the 251st anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland’s Bard. On this day all around the world, there will be people celebrating his life and work with a Burns supper. At these suppers poetry by Burns is recitied and people will enjoy the traditional Scottish dish of haggis, […]
With temperatures plumetting, a low of -22°C is expected, with some saying that parts of Scotland will be as cold as the South Pole. However, it is currently mid-summer for the southern hemisphere, and -22°C is probably considered as balmy by the penguins. The coldest temperature ever recorded in the UK was -27.2°C on the […]
A portrait thought to be of Bonnie Prince Charlie, purchased by the Scottish National Portrait Gallery back in 1994 for £22,000, is in actual fact ‘probably his brother’, Prince Henry, the museum has conceded. After a two-year debate with London art dealer, Bendor Grosvenor, the National Galleries of Scotland have back down from its initial […]
As part of the Homecoming Scotland celebrations, a poll was held by STV to see who the public believes the greatest ever Scot is. Thousands of people were said to have voted from the list of 35 nominees, with Robert Burns, perhaps aptly, generating the most popularity. Homecoming Scotland 2009 has Burns as its focus, […]
