Scottish Memories

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Elegant Tranquility

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Situated close to Grantown on Spey, Tigh na Sgiath Country House Hotel (gaelic for house on the wing/edge) was originally built in 1902 for the MacKenzie family, founders of the MacKinnon MacKenzie shipping line. The house was later sold to Sir Thomas Lipton of the Lipton tea and grocery family and then to Major Scott and Lady Scott Hartley, famous for their jam making and grocery business.

In succession, the families used the house as their country retreat here in the heart of the beautiful Scottish Highlands, taking advantage of the exceptional shooting and fishing in the surrounding area.

Tigh na Sgiath is set in 2.5 acres of mature wooded grounds in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park, there are views of the Cairngorm Mountains and Cromdale hills from the front of the hotel, where breathtaking sunsets and the ever changing vista of the day make it an almost spiritual experience to sit, view and relax in the tranquillity that is Speyside.

The hotel has retained many original features such as the open log fires and the rich wood panelling. Each room has been individually designed to express its own individuality and now offers an exceptional level of comfort and luxury throughout the hotel.

TIGH NA SGIATH COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL

nr Grantown on Spey, Inverness-shire

Spring Breaks From £75 per person, per night, including dinner,

bed and breakfast

The Five Course Dinner menu offers a varied choice making creative use of local produce – the finest local game, lamb and seafood are utilised, the style of cuisine is modern Scottish. The menu incorporates vegetarian/gluten free and vegan dietary requirements. Great emphasis is also placed on the use of fresh organic vegetables, which are cooked imaginatively. To compliment your dining experience, the hotel boasts an alluring range of wines from around the world. Being in the heart of Speyside there is also an extensive malt whisky collection – around 140 different malts are on offer.

Becoming a popular feature at Tigh na Sgiath is the Traditional Afternoon Full Cream Tea. The hotel offers an interesting array of over 30 different types of Tea served up in fine bone China, exquisite selection of sandwiches, traditional scones with clotted cream, a wide variety of home made tarts and cream cakes, biscuits and home made preserves. For those with less of an appetite, half cream teas are available also.

Reservations for Afternoon Tea are essential. The hotel is owned and run personally by Iain and Elaine MacDonald-Coulter, who after many years in the hotel business on the West Coast of Scotland, have made Tigh na Sgiath their home. Warm, unobtrusive and professional service has earned them a fine reputation for their hospitality over the years.

Featured in Country Living's Best Rural Escapes this elegant, Romantic Country House Hotel is set in 2.5 acres of mature wooded grounds and gardens in the heart of Speyside. Excellent Scottish Cuisine using local and organic produce. Seafood and Highland Game feature daily. Vegetarian/gluten free diets catered for. Warm, unobtrusive, professional service. Romantic open log fires, all bedrooms individually appointed with many extras. “Traditional Full Afternoon Cream Teas” – Booking essential. Pets Welcome. Free Wifi.

For further details Tel: 01479 851 345

Email: iain@tigh-na-sgiath.co.uk www.tigh-na-sgiath.co.uk

Resident Proprietors: Iain & ElaineMacDonald-Coulter

The hotel is open from February until the middle of November, then closes for annual refurbishment. Further information on Special Breaks/Offers are available to view on the website www.tigh-na-sgiath.co.uk or by requesting a colour brochure – Tel: 01479 851 345.

Inverness Airport - 40 mins • Aviemore Rail Station - 15 mins

• A9 Trunk Road - 10 mins • Central Belt 2hrs drive

Scottish Memories • April 2011 Our View of the Month, in the centre pages, shows the beautiful Findochty harbour and village in Morayshire. Photograph by Dennis Hardley, see his ad on page 54

SCOTTISH

M m i is published by Warners Group Publications plc, 5th Floor, 31-32 Park Row, Leeds, LS1 5JD, UK website: www.scottish-memories.co.uk

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BACK ISSUES Back issues are available from the Scottish Memories subscriptions department, tel: 01778 392030. ISSN 0968-7874 DISCLAIMER The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every care is taken to ensure that the contents of the magazine are accurate, but the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any resulting unsatisfactory transactions, but will immediately investigate any written complaints.

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SCOTTISH

W lc m t This month’s feature on exciting days out, coupled with our cover image of a sun-drenched Brodie Castle, reminds us that spring is in the air. At long last!

M m i the seasons is more of an event than the actual season itself, with the beautiful colours all

I admit to being a summer person (aren’t we all?) and can’t wait for the dark mornings and evenings to fade away. I often think that the changing of the seasons is more of an event than the actual season itself, with the beautiful colours all around us. But of course the longer days and nicer weather means we can get out and about much more when summer finally does come, whether it is in our own garden (don’t miss our great green-fingered recollections on page 44) or further afield at some of the country’s many attractions. Our guide on page 16 provides plenty of inspiration, with the reopening attractions giving us the chance to appreciate history, recall memories and make a few new ones. If you’re heading out why not take advantage of our great subscription offer on page 23 and claim a free tartan rug and drinks flask to take along on your next day trip or holiday?

Of course, down in London a certain Royal couple will be enjoying their own special spring day when they tie the knot amidst thousands of well-wishers, and we have some lovely stories of similar occasions from the past in this month’s reader memories. Whether you’re having a street party for the event, planning to watch it on television, or will be doing something else to avoid all the fuss, here’s hoping it’s one of many memorable days to enjoy in the warmer months ahead!

Matt Hill, Editor

C t ts 5 Then and Now Costumed performers arrive at Stirling Palace, and lifetime achievement award for climber. Plus, reader of the month, reasons to be cheerful and much more

PS: Don’t miss the forthcoming Scottish Memories e-Newsletter, for more news, views and memories. Sign up by e-mailing me at: matthewh@warnersgroup.co.uk

34 The flying phantom Spooky tales attached to the story of a wronged airman at Montrose Airfield

13 Tullibardine Chapel A little-known medieval chapel which has survived almost untouched for 500 years

14 Memories Mailbox Readers’ letters. Plus, George Forbes’ popular Writing to Remember column 16 Out and about 2011 Celebrate Spring with our guide to a new season at Scotland’s top tourist attractions

36 Don’t shoot the pianist! The memories of a talented pianist who once entertained the Glasgow public

38 Days of the dividend In our fun fiction series set in a 1950s Co-op, disaster strikes in the DIY department

39 Reader memories Readers share their memories of Royal celebrations, lamplighters, and life in a railway community

20 Fifty years of farming An Isle of Lewis farmer reflects on changes during five decades of farming

44 Blooming hard work Aileen Torrance recalls her green-fingered gardening job

22 Scotland in miniature A look at the tiny wafers used to seal letters in the Victorian age, when using an envelope was seen as an extravagance

24 Year to remember: 1971 A nostalgic look at the films, music and news headlines of 1971

27 Destination Moray Firth We explore fascinating places to visit on the beautiful Moray Firth

46 Gentle giants The fascinating story of the Clydesdale horse, used on farms and on the battlefield

48 Sights and sounds of Scotland We give you the lowdown on the latest books and CDs with a Scottish flavour

51 Scottish Memories Book Club Don’t miss this month’s range of wonderful books, at fantastic prices!

52 Puzzles WIN! Put the kettle on, sit back and relax with our page of puzzles and competitions

S sc today n v FREE t r t u n s ! S ag 23 r d s…