This month’s cover image shows a beautiful winter view of Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Perthshire. For more information on this region turn to our Destination feature on page 27.

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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Consultant Editor: George Forbes Contributors: Myra Douglas, Bobby Harvey, G Barclay Robertson, Aileen Torrance, Frank Bruce, Sine Threlfall, Gary Robertson, Jean Brittain. Landscape photography: Dennis Hardley (details on page 54)

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SCOTTISH

M m i

W lc m t There are few times of the year that evoke such heartwarming memories as Christmas. Whether it’s the switching on of the Christmas lights in town, the excitement of attending a pantomime (see our feature on page 10), or the celebrations themselves, we all have fond recollections of this extra special time of year.

Of course, these days the festivities seem to start as soon as the clocks go back and by lunchtime on Boxing Day many folk are back in the shops scrambling for bargains in what we used to call the ‘January’ sales. But perhaps this year, with money matters on everyone’s minds, we will see a return to a more traditional Christmas, with the onus on good will and being merry, oh and we shouldn’t forget the glorious food too, a vital and very tasty part of the proceedings!

If you fancy something different from the usual festive fare, or need a new dish to warm you up on these chilly winter nights, then don’t miss the two lovely recipes on page 23, as part of our Taste Ye Back feature. On the same pages are some wonderful childhood memories of food, from three of our most well known celebrities, a reminder of just how important food can be in our lives, whatever the time of year. Why not send in your own memories of the delicacies you enjoyed – or loathed – as a child? We’d love to read them.

All this talk of food is making me hungry, so before I search the office for mince pies, I will wish you all a very Merry Christmas on behalf of everyone at Scottish Memories.

C t ts 5 Then and Now New visitor centre for Bannockburn, Heritage Lottery funding for historic theatres and new Drovers’ Tryst tartan

10 A perfect pantomime tradition Celebrating the history of Scotland’s ‘real national theatre’, with its corny jokes, sumptuous stage sets and well-loved stars 15 Melrose Abbey Myra Douglas explores the exciting history of the medieval borders abbey

16 Memories Mailbox Readers’ letters. Plus, George Forbes’ popular Writing to Remember column

18 Bringing our castles back to life The artists whose paintings show our medieval castles in their heyday

20 Taste Ye Back! Celebrities recall their childhood food memories. Plus, two recipes to try 24 Christmas to remember A nostalgic look at the films, music and TV of Christmas down the decades

Matt Hill, Editor

34 Open all hours Aileen Torrance recalls the variety of goods to be found in a high street ironmonger’s

36 Sharing our shale oil heritage The historic shale oil collection about to reach a wider audience

39 The Bruce Kilties Recalling the eventful life of Highland dancer Gladys Sharp Bruce 40 Reader memories Evacuee memories, a brush with Santa, and days out in Dundee. Plus, Looking Back with Aileen Torrance

44 Seasonal Seventies… Gary Robertson recalls the fun and festivities of Yuletide in the 1970s 47 Days of the dividend In our fun fiction series set in a 1950s Co-op, Stan Sutherland gets to know some of his eccentric customers

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

27 Destination Perthshire Plan a wonderful winter break to scenic Perthshire. Plus: View of the Month

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

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