The Journal of The Scots Heritage Society 

Published November 2005.

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REGULARS

4       Susan Cromarty's Editorial

6       Letters to the Editor

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

96     SCOTS Gardens - Falkland Palace

100   SCOTS Genealogy - Two useful books are reviewed

102   SCOTS Fare – Jamie Thewes.

108   SCOTS Music – Eddi Reader 

112   SCOTS Music Reviews - Pete Clark 

114   SCOTS Book Reviews - Seumas MacLeod  

116   Caledonian Calendar

117   Clans and Societies

122   SCOTS SHOWCASE

FEATURES

10  MINGULAY

The island of Mingulay at the southern tip of the Western Isles once supported a thriving community of crofters and fisherman, proud of their Gaelic culture and of their history of survival in one of Scotland's most isolated environments.  Today, the people are gone and the tumbled ruins of deserted cottages are all that remain.  Text and photography of Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor.

22 BRUICHLADDICH

Bruichladdich (pronounced Brook-laddie) is one of the great single malt whiskies of Scotland.  The successful revival of the 19th century distillery and the creation of its distinctive, delicate and subtle spirit, is a tribute to the skill and perserverence of many fine craftsmen, not the least of whom is the renowned distiller, James MacEwan.  Iann Gunn spoke with him on the Isle of Islay (eye-luh).

32 FIFE OF FAIRLIE

Fife is a name synonymous with the design and construction of the world's most beautiful classic yachts.  At Fairlie on the coast of Ayrshire three generations of Fifes created their lines while the finest craftsmen in Scotland built them.  They were so well constructed that many have survived the ravages to time and today they are being restored to immaculate originality by Fairlie Restorations.  Bruce Stannard spoke with the yard's visionary owner Albert Obrist and its manager Duncan Walker. 

42  CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH

The brilliant originality of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his artist wife and collaborator Margaret Macdonald is to be enshrined at last in an impressive new gallery within the refurbished Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which is to reopen to the public in 2006.  Catriona Stuart spoke with the gallery's curator, Alison Brown.

50 SCOTLAND’S CASTLES

The distinguished historian Christopher Tabraham continues his series on Scotland's castles with the story of the 12th century strongholds built for kings, barons and knights.

58  HIGHLAND WILDERNESS

Panoramic photographer Colin Prior and writer Magnus Linklater explore Scotland's magnificent north western Highlands.

62 HIGHLAND WILDERNESS

Panoramic photographer Colin Prior and writer Magnus Linklater continue their exploration of Scotland’s Highland Wilderness with a journey through the Eastern Highlands.

66 THE ART OF ALMA WOLFSON

Alma Wolfson is one of Scotland's best known and most sought after painters.  Fiona MacGillivray caught up with the artist at the old stationmaster's cottage in the village of Thorntonhall just south of Glasgow.

74  SCOTLAND'S WILDLIFE

Niall Benvie continues his series on Scotland’s wildlife with a look at the Grey Seal.

78 PRECIOUS METAL

Orkney silversmith Peter Rowland has established a well-deserved reputation for the refreshing originality and the outstanding quality of his craftsmanship.  Susan Cromarty met the master silversmith at his home at Orphir on the shores of Scapa Flow.

84  ST KILDA

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the evacuation of St Kilda, Scotland's western-most island, which had supported its own indigenous people for over 2,000 years.  Donald Cameron sailed out to St Kilda to report on the wild haunting beauty of "the island at the edge of the world".

92  AN IMAGINATIVE LIFE

Dr Henry Marsh teaches English and Philosophy at The Edinburgh Academy.  He is also a distinguished poet.  His first book of poetry has just been published to critical acclaim.  He discussed his work with Bruce MacWilliam.