James V
  • History , Scottish castles

Blackness Castle

July 22, 2017
There's nothing romantic about this castle on the Firth of Forth: armed to the teeth, with walls 18 feet …
  • Churches, abbeys and chapels , History

Holyrood Abbey

January 24, 2016
Following on from my feature on the Palace of Holyroodhouse, I'm taking a wander around the Abbey, where the story …
  • History , Scottish castles

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

January 20, 2016
At one end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile is this sumptuous palace, with a jaw-dropping list of royal occupants and a …
  • Churches, abbeys and chapels , History

St Michael’s Church, Linlithgow

February 04, 2015
Sitting right next to Linlithgow Palace, for centuries St Michael's Church has welcomed Scotland's kings to worship under its roof.
  • History

Tantallon – a ring of truth?

February 01, 2015
While I was writing about Tantallon Castle, I got sidetracked by an alluring story...
  • History , Scottish castles

Tantallon Castle: symbol of strength

January 27, 2015
The ancient seat of the Douglas Earls of Angus, Tantallon Castle tells a story of power, violence and treason. …
  • History

A sport for kings at Falkland Palace

June 07, 2014
What was the exciting sport enjoyed by Mary Queen of Scots? And just how did I end up playing …
  • History , Scottish castles

Falkland Palace: power and glory

June 05, 2014
Sitting on the quiet main street of Falkland in Fife is one of the most remarkable Scottish castles, brainchild of …
  • History

In a nutshell: the Linlithgow Palace fountain

May 14, 2014
This ornate fountain welcomed Mary of Guise, bride of James V, to her new home; and in 1745 it flowed …
  • History , Scottish castles

Linlithgow Palace

October 14, 2011
Birthplace of Scotland's monarchs, this imposing shell of a palace holds some joyful and tragic memories.
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New book - 'Britain's Trees'
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I'm honoured to be Writer in Residence at the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. This book celebrates the lives of 50 great explorers......
BRITISH TREES
  • The fragrance of juniper
  • The fire of the ash
  • Wild cherry: the last snow of spring
  • The enchantment of the rowan
SCOTTISH CASTLES
  • The value of Stirling
  • Castle Stalker: plenty to brood on
  • Duart Castle, Isle of Mull
  • Dunnottar: the last bastion
MEGALITHIC
  • Nether Largie: secrets in stone
  • A folk tale, a battlefield, and a witch’s leap
  • A walk to Rí Cruin Cairn
  • Clava Cairns
CHURCHES, CHAPELS & ABBEYS
  • Muthill Old Church and Tower
  • Torphichen Preceptory – stone-cold but compelling
  • The Garvellachs: just below the surface
  • The island of Gigha
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