The Journal of The Scots Heritage Society 

Published February 2005.

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REGULARS

4     Editorial

6     Letters

8     SCOTS Q & A - find the answers to those elusive questions.

56  SCOTS Gardens – The Queen Mother's Memorial Garden, Edinburgh.

94   SCOTS Gaelic - Ruairidh MacIlleathain

96   SCOTS Genealogy - Image Libraries.

100  SCOTS Fare – Jamie Thewes

106 SCOTS Music – Pete Clark - Robert Mackintosh

108 SCOTS Music Reviews -Pete Clark  

110 SCOTS Book Reviews - Seumas MacLeod 

DIRECTORY

114 Caledonian Calendar

115 Clans and Societies

120 SCOTS Business Directory

FEATURES

10 DUART CASTLE

Of all the castles on Scotland’s west coast, Duart, the ancient home of the Clan Maclean, best conveys the sense of absolute power the Lords of the Isles once used to rule their Hebridean stronghold. Bruce MacWilliam stayed at the 13^th century castle as the guest of Sir Lachlan Maclean , 28^th Chief of the Clan Maclean.

20 THE CRUISE OF THE CORRYVRECKAN

Undaunted by gale force winds and high seas, Angus Urquhart donned his foul weather gear and enjoyed a week long cruise aboard the ketch Corryvreckan, sailing the waters of the Inner Hebrides. Photography by Eric Ellington.

34 SUBLIME SCOTLAND

The great Scottish landscape painter, James Morrison, is an artist of undoubted genius. The brooding intensity of his mountains, and his bleak windswept moors allow us to catch a glimpse of the sublime spiritual essence of Scotland. It can be a profoundly moving experience as Bruce Stannard found out when he met Dr Morrison at his home at Montrose.

44 MACGREGOR of MACGREGOR

Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor is the 24^th Chief of the Clan Gregor. He spoke with Iain Gunn about the joys and responsibilities of his role as head of the ancient Highland clan.

46 NORTH WEST HIGHLANDS

Sir Malcolm MacGregor journeyed through the wild and beautiful landscape of the North West Highlands to photograph one of the most remote and magnificent parts of Scotland. Text by Tom Atkinson.

60 PINE MARTEN 

In the first of a series on Scotland’s wildlife, Niall Benvie looks at the reclusive pine marten. 

62 DRYSTANE DYKER

Hugh Drysdale is one of the best drystane dyker’s in Scotland. He has spent most of his adult life building and repairing traditional stone walls in the hills and glens of his native Dumfriesshire.At his home in Thornhill he explained the intricacies of the craft to Catriona Stewart.

66 CROMARTY FIRTH

In our final report on Scotland’s firths, Douglas Willis describes the great natural beauty of the Cromarty Firth on the Black Isle.

BLUEWATER BUSHMEN

In the 19^th century a flood tide of immigrant Scots brought many fine marine craftsmen to Australia: boat-builders, riggers and sail-makers. They had all been brought up in the strongest of competitive sailing traditions in Scotland and on Sydney’s magnificent natural harbour they were to distinguish themselves as fearless sail-carriers in the cut-throat professional racing among the vastly over-canvassed open boats. Bluewater Bushmen, Bruce Stannard’s award winning history of those colourful years is available at www.bluewaterbushmen.com.

78  IN SALUTEM OMNIUM

The Mull of Galloway Lighthouse stands at the southern-most tip of Scotland, its powerful beam warning mariners of the presence of one of Britain’s most turbulent coasts. The noble white tower also serves as a beacon for one of the least known but most beautiful parts of the country. Heather Ross reports on her stay at the lighthouse keeper’s cottage, now in the care of The National Trust for Scotland.

86  HIGHLAND WILDERNESS

Colin Prior, one of the world’s leading panoramic photographers and the distinguished writer, Magnus Linklater, have combined their talents in a superb new book which celebrates the majestic beauty of Scotland’s Highland wilderness. In this, the first of a series of features, they focus on the Southern Highlands.