This Christmas, Buccleuch is celebrating the season with a programme of events and experiences at all four of its historic estates: Bowhill House in the Borders; Dalkeith Country Park in Midlothian; Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries and Galloway; and Boughton in Northamptonshire. Each estate will offer its own distinctive take on Christmas, combining centuries of history with family entertainment, festive shopping and seasonal food and drink. Drumlanrig, Bowhill and Boughton are

A Glasgow jeweller, inspired by the city's colours and architecture, will join 70 other independent designers at a design market next week. Rebecca Devine, who runs Smith and Gibb from a home studio in Glasgow’s south side, will showcase and sell her work at the Tea Green Events market at The Burrell Collection on Saturday 7 (10am-5pm) and Sunday 8 November 2026 (11am-5pm). After exploring a range of jewellery-making techniques at Cardonald College in Glasgow, Rebecca studi

SOBR Bar, billed as Scotland’s first and only entirely alcohol-free cocktail bar and events space, is raising a glass to celebrate its first year in business. The 22-seater bar in Aberdeen has already attracted accolades. Most recently, the venue took home the top prize at the DRAM magazine Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2026, where it won the ‘Jump Ship Brewing Best Lo and No Destination’ award. It was also shortlisted in the Great British Pub Awards 2026 and is a finalist at

Abbotsford, the historic home of Sir Walter Scott, near Melrose, in the Borders, has been named Best Visitor Attraction at the 2026 South of Scotland Thistle Awards, recognising its contribution to Scotland’s tourism offering and its role in preserving one of the country’s most distinctive literary heritage sites. The award celebrates Abbotsford’s enduring appeal as a place where visitors can explore the life, imagination and legacy of the novelist, poet and historical storyt

The National Trust for Scotland has unveiled plans for a new visitor centre at The Hill House in Helensburgh, as part of its plans to secure the long-term future of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's internationally significant masterpiece. The proposals are part of Mackintosh Illuminated, the conservation charity’s project to conserve, celebrate and share the legacy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh. The programme brings together major conservation work

Dhoom restaurant and bar in Dunfermline has announced that it has donated more than £50,000 to charities and community groups, since it opened in 2018, with £16,500 donated to local charities and community groups over the past 12 months alone. Its monthly community-gifting initiative is funded through a combination of regular restaurant and customer contributions. Over the years, the initiative has supported vital local causes, youth sports teams and community associations a

Loch Leven’s Larder in Kinross-shire has announced that it’s set to transform into a little corner of The Alps this Christmas, bringing the warmth, romance and indulgence of an Alpine winter to Scotland. From Friday 13 November through to Christmas Eve, guests at the popular destination farm shop, deli, gift shop and café, will be invited to step into a festive Alpine world of mountain-inspired food, drink and entertainment, offering different experiences by day and by night.

Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfriesshire is bringing its past to life this Hallowe’en, as its family-friendly Hallowe’en experience returns, with a new outdoor trail inspired by the real people, peculiar events and ghostly stories found in its own history. Named ‘The Spectral Salon of Drumlanrig’, this year’s Hallowe’en trail draws on documented historical figures and real events, giving families the chance to discover some of the stranger chapters of the castle’s past while explor

The weekend is coming up. Edinburgh is heaving with tourists, stag and hen dos and Festival visitors, and you’re longing for some peace and quiet. But you’ve had your summer holiday – so where do you go for a quick escape? You head for the Borders, where the sheep outnumber the 116,840 people living here, all spread across 4732 km², compared with more than half a million (531,370) people in Edinburgh (and that’s just the permanent residents) – all crammed into 264 km². So,

One of the UK's best-loved actresses, Caroline Quentin, will be appearing in person at Loch Leven’s Larder in Kinross-shire, on Sunday 13 September, between 10am-noon. Best known for her roles in Men Behaving Badly and Jonathan Creek, Caroline will be signing copies of her new book, Drawn to Nature – a follow up to her first book, the Sunday Times best-seller, Drawn to the Garden, which was shortlisted in the Book of the Year - Non-Fiction: Lifestyle & Illustrated category of

Getting out of town for a luxurious and peaceful Scottish break doesn’t necessarily involve a long journey. Just a short trip from Edinburgh, award-winning Gilmerton House, in East Lothian, could be the perfect place to relax and recharge. The house, which was built in the 1600s, has been in the Kinloch family for 13 generations. It sits on six landscaped acres, featuring a croquet lawn and a sunken botanic garden with rare, centuries-old trees and rose beds. Inside, the

For fans of cycling, who also love France as a holiday destination, Domaine de la Vène could be the ideal accommodation, this July. Located near Carcassonne, in the picturesque Languedoc-Roussillon region, Domaine de la Vène offers a blend of tranquillity, comfort and accessibility, making it an ideal retreat for spectators following one of the world’s most iconic sporting events – stage four of the Tour de France, from Carcassonne to Foix, takes place on 7 July. The estate

Finding a venue that offers elegant, historic accommodation in the Scottish countryside for a large group, might feel like a daunting task – but there’s a country house in Fife that could hit the spot. The Erskine family’s home since 1670, Cambo House, on the Cambo Estate is set in ancient woodlands, close to a two-mile stretch of sandy beach. A distillery and golf course are nearby too. The house is available to hire, for up to 37 guests, across 18 bedrooms, comprising fiv

Dabton House, in Dumfries and Galloway, has announced the completion of the renovation of Dabton Lodge, a beautifully restored, one-bedroom, self-catering property, designed as the perfect cosy retreat and base for exploring the area. Located at the main entrance gateway of Dabton House, formerly the family home of the 10th Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, the Lodge has been thoughtfully renovated to reflect the refined interior style of the main house, which itself underwent a

Scotland’s leading distilleries will gather on the Angus coast on Saturday 6 June, when award-winning Arbikie Highland Estate Distillery hosts ‘A Dram Good Whisky Festival’. Whisky enthusiasts, trade professionals and other visitors will be welcomed to the Arbikie Estate for a day of tastings, masterclasses and distillery experiences. Distilleries already confirmed for the festival include Bladnoch Distillery, Glencadam Distillery, InchDairnie Distillery, Kingsbarns Distille

Ferniehirst Castle, which sits among the ancient woodland above the Jed Water, near Jedburgh, in the Scottish Borders, has announced it will be open to visitors throughout July. They will have a rare chance to step inside this beautifully restored 16th-century stronghold, for guided tours. The Castle, which has been the ancestral seat of the Kerr family for over 500 years, is usually only available for exclusive-use accommodation, wedding and events. Behind its formidable w

The history, mystery and sheer beauty of Scottish castles places them at the top of the sightseeing list for many travellers. Scotland is home to a few thousand or so, spread across the country – and while some offer the chance of a guided tour – other provide a picturesque and unforgettable setting for a holiday or celebratory occasion – including one in the far northeast of the country. Around four hours’ drive from Edinburgh, 17th century Innes House, in the beautiful Mora

Acclaimed international pastry chef, Maxine Scheckter, is joining Sam Heeney-Governo, owner and chef at cookery school and bakery, Love to Cook, in Crieff, for an evening devoted to the artistry of modern pâtisserie. The event, which takes place on Saturday 16 May from 5-7pm, will include demonstrations of two of Maxine’s creations – her strawberry shortcake and Speculoos caramel petits gâteaux. With a career spanning some of the world’s most celebrated kitchens, including Th

El Santo bar and restaurant in Glasgow’s Merchant City has launched a new summer menu, with Brazilian head chef, Juliana Kipper, digging deep into her family-heritage cookbook to create more authentic South American dishes, with a modern twist. With Scotland playing Brazil in Miami, in the FIFA World Cup, on 24 June, Juliana is confident that there will be even more interest than normal in the vibrant cuisine of her homeland. She is planning a special dish and cocktail to be

Dumfries and Galloway may be one of Scotland’s less-visited areas, but it has much to offer, with over 200 miles of coastline, rolling hills, ancient woodlands and the biggest forest park in the UK – a major draw for stargazers. Visitors will find plenty of choice for accommodation, from guest houses and hotels, through to camping sites, to name a few options. But if you’re looking for something special, how about a holiday in the grounds of a 17th-century castle? Drumlanrig