My Favourites

Places to visit

  1. Glasgow – Reaching for Gold with the 2014 Commonwealth Games

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    Scotland’s largest city has come a long way since the 1980s when this then decaying post-industrial giant did not even have a tourist office. I’ve watched proudly as Glasgow has picked herself up and transformed herself into a genuine city break destination complete with all the restaurants and hotels you’d expect of a global city that is about to host…

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  2. The Tweed Valley – The Star of the Borders

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    The Tweed Valley has always been a bit under the radar for many Scots. One of the area’s greatest sons, the great writer Sir Walter Scott, may have waxed lyrical about its bucolic charms, but it is all too often ignored by Scots and tourists rushing to get to Edinburgh. I’ve been a big fan of the Tweed Valley for…

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  3. The New Face of Scotland’s Ancient Capital of Edinburgh

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    When I’ve not been travelling around the globe as a writer I’ve been lucky enough to spend the best part of four decades living in or around Edinburgh. I say lucky as Edinburgh is one of the world’s truly great cities. This UNESCO World Heritage listed gem is a deeply historic oasis that boasts stunning architecture and swirls in rich cultural…

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  4. Forget New England and Enjoy Autumnal Scotland

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    It always amazes me when I hear some Scots wax lyrical about the Fall Colors Stateside. Forget New England and Vermont if you are looking to savour a dazzling burst of fiery reds, burning oranges and radiant yellows. Scotland for me is a brilliant place to check out the changing Autumnal colours. The most obvious place to start is Big…

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  5. Scotland’s Ultimate Foodie Island

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    The food and drink on some Scottish islands is not always the best, but there is one island that has really emerged lately as a foodie hub. With a whisky distillery, brewery, three cheese producers, a chocolatier, baker famous for its oatcakes and its own smokehouse Arran is a wonderland of fine food and drink as I found out even…

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  6. Autumn in Big Tree Country

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    Waking up under the cosy canvas of my animal skin lined kata tipi the only sounds are the birds singing high in the trees above. I eke out of the tipi and am surrounded by the famously big trees of this Highland world, which are turning Autumnal glowing oranges and fiery reds. I light a campfire, cook some local bacon…

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  7. Bute – Scotland’s Most Surreal Wee Isle

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    For generations Glaswegians used to head ‘doon the watter’ to the Firth of Clyde isles. Nowadays most jet off to warmer climes instead, leaving one of Scotland’s most charming wee islands pleasantly quiet for those looking for a chilled break away from it all. Recently I took my own trip doon the watter to discover the more than slightly strange…

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  8. Barra: The Outer Hebrides in Miniature

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    There is no landing in the world quite like Barra, but then there is no island in the world quite like Barra. Flying in low over the Atlantic in the vintage Flybe Twin Otter there was nothing but cobalt blue water below. Then suddenly a gaggle of rocks appeared. Then a blindingly white sand beach, followed by a rugged a…

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