The Journal of The Scots Heritage Society 

Published August 2000.

To take a subscription to SCOTS, or to take advantage of our 30-day trial offer, please use the links at left.  New Subscription Rates are:

£18.00   A$44.00  C$37.00  US$29.00  NZ$50.00 (4 issues), or 

£36.00  A$88.00  C$74.00   US$58.00  NZ$100.00 (9 issues).

To order this issue please use the appropriate currency link:   

                  £4     A$9      C$10      US$8      NZ$12 

4    Editorial - Welcome to The Scots Heritage Society.

8   Colin Gordon's Letter from Scotland - The Cocky Wee Gordon.

10    Mountains of Money : SCOTS' senior staff writer Angus Urquhart listens carefully to both sides of the argument regarding the dilemma facing Chief John MacLeod of MacLeod.

16    Iona : Dr Anna Ritchie takes us on a guided tour of the ancient buildings of Iona now in the hands of Historic Scotland.

22    Edinburgh Castle : Christopher Tabraham, Historic Scotland's Principal Inspector of Ancient Monuments continues his guided tour of Edinburgh Castle.

28    Legacies of a Wilder Scotland :  Ruairidh MacIlleathain continues his unique series of articles on the Gaelic.

30    Restoring the Royal Scottish Academy : Victoria Dickie reports from Edinburgh on the restoration of one of the great icons of Scottish architecture.

36    Celebrating Scotland's Crafts : Heather MacIlwraith reports on this unusual tribute to the craftspeople of Scotland. 

42   Wild Harvest with Nick Nairn :  The popularity of television programmes like Wild Harvest and Island Harvest has given gourmet chef Nick Nairn a powerful public profile.  From Glasgow he spoke with Iain Gunn. 

49    Border Country :   In this, the first in a series of features on the Borders, David and Judy Steel share their passion for the beauty of Ettrick and Yarrow, their ghome for over 40 years.

55    Traquair :  - Tucked away in the wooded tranquillity of the beautiful Tweed Valley, Traquair, the quintessential Scottish country house, has for eight centuries weathered the storms of Scottish political and domestic history.  Catriona Stuart savours the charming, timeless atmosphere of the oldest, most romantic house in Scotland.

60    Lochiel : Sir Donald Cameron of Lochiel, Knight of the Thistle, former Lord Lieutenant of Inverness-shire and 26th Chief of the Clan Cameron, ranks among the most senior of all the Highland Chiefs.  

66   Tartan's Royal Assent : Hugh Cheape concludes his history of tartan by examining the impact of Queen Victoria's unbridled enthusiasm for all aspects of Highland life.

67    Ticonderoga:    At Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York, the valour of The Black Watch is commemorated by the simple eloquence of a stone cairn, sacred to the memory of The Royal highland regiment, half of whom were cut down by French fire 242 years ago. Carole Harper recalls 'le courage extraordinaire des montagnards Ecossais'

70    The Clans : Stewart.

72   A Life in the Hills :  In his 40 years as a deer stalker, warden and naturalist, Lea MacNally developed an unrivalled familiarity and understanding of Scottish wildlife.  Here he writes of the joys and hazards of his life in the hills.

76    Scottish Death and Burial Records.  Kathleen Cory continues her series on tracing your ancestors.

78    Claire Macdonald : A Cook for all Seasons.  Lady Claire Macdonald of Macdonald  offers us some of her favourite dishes. 

86   SCOTS Gardens : Harmony and Priorwood :  In the heart of the historic Borders town of Melrose lie two charming gardens in the care of The National Trust for Scotland. Susan Cromarty enjoyed them both on a lazy Summer's day.

90    SCOTS Dogs : The Scottish Terrier.   Susan Cromarty explores the appeal of this unique little Scot.

92  SCOTS Sports : Equestrian Ian Stark.

98    SCOTS Style : Susan Cromarty celebrates the classic style of tartan, both for ourselves and for our homes.

100    SCOTS Music : Jean Redpath .  A native of Leven in the Kingdom of fife, Jean Redpath is the world's foremost interpreter of Scotland's traditional music.  

104    SCOTS Book Reviews: Scottish Country, Encyclopaedia of the Viking Age, The Scottish nation : A History 1700-2000, From the Alleghenies to the Hebrides, Highland Year, Scottish Art and The Thistle at War 

108 SCOTS on the Net : A Guide to some of the best Scottish sites.