The Journal of The Scots Heritage Society 

Published August 2006.

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REGULARS

4       Editorial

6       Letters to the Editor

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

104   SCOTS Fare – Jamie Thewes

108   SCOTS Music – Meeting of Champions 

112   SCOTS Music Reviews - Pete Clark  

114   SCOTS Book Reviews - Seumas MacLeod  

116   Caledonian Calendar

117   Clans and Societies

123   SCOTS SHOWCASE

FEATURES

10 ISLAND ENTERPRISE

In an unprecedented community buyout, crofting families in the Outer Hebrides are about to gain ownership of their ancient ancestral lands on the islands of South Uist, Benbecula and Eriskay.  Isla Macdonald reports.  Please note the correct web address is www.storasuibhist.com.

22 GYLEN

Medieval Gylen Castle, once a stronghold of the powerful MacDougalls of Lorne, has stood as a gaunt grey ruin on the island of Kerrara since it was sacked and burned by Covenanting forces in 1645.  Bruce Stannard reports.  

32  LIFESAVER

In one of the world's most significant scientific breakthroughs, the distinguished immunologist, Professor Ian Frazer, has developed a vaccine which is expected to eradicate cervical cancer, the deadly disease which each year kills more than 250,000 women.  Iain Gunn reports. 

36  THE TROSSACHS 

There are those who claim that The Trossachs, the glorious Perthshire countryside between Callander and Loch Lomond, is the most beautiful part of Scotland.  You may judge for yourself as Rennie McCowan takes us on a tour.  Photography by Allan Wright.  

46  SCOTLAND'S CASTLES

Christopher Tabraham continues his features series on the Castles of Scotland.

53  HIGHLAND HERITAGE APPEAL

The Regimental Museum of the Highlanders at Fort George is the home of a priceless collection of military memorabilia commemorating over two centuries of distinguished service in the British Army.  Angus Urquhart reports.

60  VIKINGS IN SCOTLAND

In a little over 250 years, from the late eighth to the mid eleventh centuries, the Vikings transformed Europe.  In Edinburgh, where the National Museums of Scotland house some of the richest finds from the Viking era, Fiona MacGillivray spoke with curator Dr Andrew Heald.

66  ARDNAMURCHAN

The wild wooded Ardnamurchan peninsula juts defiantly out into the grey Atlantic and it is not only the most westerly spot on the British mainland, but also one of the most remote and most beautiful.  The distinguished Scottish landscape painter, Gordon Bryce, has spent much of his life capturing Ardnamurchan's moods and he spoke with Catriona Stuart.

74  GLOBAL WARNING

Professor Stephen Blackmore, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, sounds a timely warning over the dangers of global warming and climate change.

80  THE BRUCE

This year marks the 700th anniversary of the enthronement of Scotland's King Robert the Bruce.  Bruce MacWilliam spoke with Lord Elgin, the 37th Chief of the Name and Arms of Bruce. 

102  RED SQUIRRELS

Scotland's native red squirrels are again poised on the brink of extinction.  In Edinburgh Donald Cameron spoke with Simon Milne, chief executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust.