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Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Offer made on historic Perthshire castle with royal connections
Estate agents confirm that an offer has been made for Methven Castle which was recently put on the market. An offer has been made on a Perthshire castle which was once a royal residence. Methven Castle, five miles west of Perth, was put on the market earlier this year at offers over £1million. Queen Dowager of Scotland Margaret Tudor (1489-1541) had lived in the castle and died there. The sale of the A-listed property, within 1.16 acres of grounds, is being conducted by estate agents Rettie. A Rettie spokesperson said this week: 'I can confirm that Methven Castle is under offer. We cannot release the price.' Margaret Tudor had been Queen of Scotland from 1503 until 1513 by marriage to James IV. She received Methven Castle as part of a marriage gift. Following the death of James IV at the Battle of Flodden in 1513 she became Queen Dowager. She lived at Methven Castle after her third marriage to the first Lord Methven Henry Stewart and she died there in October 1541. The current building, which has distinctive turreted towers, dates from 1664 and was built by John Mylne. Rettie said earlier this year: 'The ancestral home of Margaret Tudor, Methven Castle is an A-Listed and sympathetically restored former royal castle, presenting a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of Scotland's late medieval history, wherein a wealth of atmospheric accommodation allows for most comfortable modern living, in a dramatic period setting.' The castle, which has four floors, includes a James IV Hall and a Minstrel's Gallery as well as a dining room, drawing room, wine cellar, games room and five bedrooms. Methven Castle also has associations with William Wallace and Robert the Bruce who fought skirmishes in nearby Methven Wood during the Wars of Independence. Historic Environment Scotland's listed buildings portal states that the castle set within a mainly wooded and parkland designed landscape has 'an outstanding history and [is] reputed to contain one of the oldest pinetums (an arboretum of coniferous trees) in Scotland'. HES also point out: 'Despite the many changes of ownership at Methven, historical accounts go back to the 14th century and its association with several historic personalities including Wallace, Queen Margaret and Lord Methven gives it outstanding historical value.'
Daily Record
30-06-2025
- Daily Record
Scottish pub with mysterious 17th century love story sold for new development plans
The Stag Inn in Falkland, Fife, near Falkland Palace, features a rare lintel carved with the initials IL and EF and a heart. At one time, newlyweds across the British Isles marked their marriage by carving their initials and wedding date into stones placed above the doorways of their first homes. These 'marriage lintels' are usually found on stately homes and historic buildings, making it rare to spot one in a pub. But drinkers at The Stag Inn in Falkland, Fife, are in for a unique treat. This historic pub, located just a stone's throw from Falkland Palace, boasts a lintel carved with the initials IL and EF, a heart, and the date 1680, Scottish Daily Express reports. Though the story of the lovers behind these markings remains a mystery, their legacy endures as visitors raise a glass in their honour. Falkland Palace itself is a stunning example of Scottish Renaissance architecture, commissioned between 1501 and 1541 by King James IV and his son, James V. Built as a 'pleasure palace' for falconry and hunting, it was frequently used by the Stuart kings. Mary, Queen of Scots, once remarked that the palace reminded her of the chateaux of the French Royal Court where she was raised. With its magnificent turrets and grand archway, the palace's entrance looks as if it has stepped out of a fairytale. Inside, visitors can explore exquisite features such as the detailed panelling in the drawing room, the beautiful Chapel Royal where mass is still held every Sunday, the fascinating painted walls of the library, and re-created royal apartments. The tranquil grounds offer even more to discover, including Britain's oldest real tennis court, built for King James V, and an ancient orchard with a wildflower meadow. The extensive formal garden was designed by Percy Cane, and visitors can also enjoy a physic garden filled with Renaissance-era herbal remedies. The village of Falkland itself sits picturesque on the banks of the River Eden just north of Glenrothes. Home to just over 1,000 people, it is also famous as the ancestral home of American country music legend Johnny Cash. Recently, the freehold of The Stag Inn was sold by business property specialists Christie & Co. The pub, formerly owned by Bruce Taverns, has been purchased by a local family with ambitious plans for its development. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Scott Piatkowski of Bruce Taverns said: 'We are delighted to achieve this freehold sale, after what started out as the sale of a new lease. We would like to thank Simon Watson for his perseverance in finding the right buyer to take the pub forward.' Simon Watson, Business Agent for Pubs and Restaurants at Christie & Co, added: 'This sale demonstrates that appetite is still strong for traditional pubs in rural parts of Scotland, despite trade-related headwinds. "If you are considering selling, I would encourage you to get in touch with us to discuss your exit plans.' The Stag Inn's freehold was sold for an undisclosed sum.
Daily Record
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Edinburgh Castle crowned best UK castle for fairytale proposals
A new study has ranked the top places for a perfect proposal, with three Scottish castle making the top 10 in the UK A legendary Scottish castle has been ranked as the the most perfect castle across the UK for a dreamy proposal. Edinburgh Castle has been crowned the most picturesque spot to pop the question. The capital landmark has been dubbed the ultimate castle setting for a fairytale proposal in new research by OBJKTS Jewelry. Analysing hashtag data from Instagram and TikTok, the study ranked 100 of the UK's most beloved castles by popularity across social media. Edinburgh Castle claimed the top spot with over 804,000 hashtags, praised for its dramatic skyline views and centuries-old charm. and blowing its rivals out of the water. Perched on a volcanic plug and dominating the skyline of the Scottish capital, the castle has long held a special place in the hearts of visitors. The historic site features the 12th-century St Margaret's Chapel, the grand Great Hall built by James IV, the imposing Half Moon Battery added in the 16th century, and the Scottish National War Memorial, built after the First World War. Today, it houses the Honours of Scotland, the Crown Jewels, as well as the iconic 15th-century Mons Meg cannon - the daily One O'Clock Gun - and the National War Museum of Scotland. Unsurprisingly, its popularity as a proposal spot continues to soar. Last year, an engagement filmed in front of the castle went viral on social media, drawing thousands of likes and heartfelt congratulations from viewers. Two more Scottish castles secured places in the top ten. Eilean Donan Castle came seventh, with 118,973 hashtags, while Stirling Castle ranked ninth, gathering 103,246. Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most photographed landmarks in Scotland, sits on its own tiny island at the meeting point of three sea lochs, with the mountains of Kintail rising around it. It's a Highland icon, immortalised on calendars and shortbread tins, and remains a firm favourite with visitors. While marriage proposals on site require prior permission, the castle offers an exclusive package allowing private access to the grounds before public opening hours, giving couples a secluded and magical backdrop to pop the question. Stirling Castle, meanwhile, is an essential piece of Scotland's royal heritage. Though its volcanic crag has been fortified since ancient times, the site reached its peak in the 1500s. Lavishly renovated by James V, the Royal Palace, where Mary Queen of Scots spent her early years, reflects European Renaissance influences that once declared royal power and sophistication. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Visitors can explore its grand halls and fortified enclosures, steeped in the stories of generations of Scottish monarchs. Other romantic locations featured in the ranking include Windsor Castle in second place with 516,100 hashtags, praised for its regal elegance, and Cardiff Castle in fifth, which blends medieval walls with lush parkland and racked up 127,875 hashtags. OBJKTS Jewelry described these top-ranking spots as "the most magical backdrops to pop the question," offering couples timeless and enchanting settings to mark one of life's most memorable moments.
Times
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Times
What was the worst moment in Scottish history?
Scotland's stormy past, with its roll call of battles and assassinations, revolutions and revolts, can sometimes read like a masterclass in shooting ourselves in the foot. History, by definition, is a series of dramas stitched together by a running narrative in which those responsible for life-changing decisions, whether triumphant or disastrous, are held accountable: lauded, lambasted or simply airbrushed from the record. If asked to nominate the worst decision in Scottish history, most of us would have little problem coming up with a list, with several contenders jockeying for the dubious honour of first place. Some might say, of course, that even to ask this question is to indulge in a national stereotype, the bittersweet compulsion to pick at old scabs. Can you blame us? It feels as if for every brilliant innovation or intellectual breakthrough there has been an event, often avoidable, that has left the country reeling. Take the Battle of Flodden in 1513, which remains one of the frontrunners for the most reckless and needless decision ever made. When James IV marched into England and confronted Henry VIII's troops near the border, he had a larger army and a strong strategic advantage. Shortly before battle commenced, however, he switched position, rendering his cannons useless as they shot far beyond range. Even worse, when his men charged down the hillside they were trapped in mud, allowing the English to pick them off. Around 10,000 Scots died, including the king and many of the country's aristocracy. Since then, Flodden has become a byword for self-inflicted disaster, as when in 1961, one of the best Scottish football teams ever fielded lost 9-3 to England. The goalkeeper Frank Haffey was so vilified he emigrated to Australia. A rather worse calamity was the Darien Scheme of 1695. The idea of setting up a colony in Panama to trade with the Pacific and Atlantic was not, in theory, a bad one. But climate, geography and politics turned a potentially money-spinning venture into a nightmare, bringing the country close to bankruptcy. This debacle led almost directly to the Union of Parliaments, with whose consequences, good and ill, we're still grappling. 1707 remains a sour date for those who, despite the economic benefits the Union brought, say we threw away our independence for the enrichment of a handful of self-serving toffs. Dozens of dates vie for attention once, like fossil hunters, you start looking for footprints from the past. You could point to the Jacobites turning back at Derby in 1745 rather than marching on London, as planned. Who knows what might have happened had they taken the English capital. Yet I would argue that the entire Jacobite crusade was a mistake, given what followed: harsh reprisals and ill-feeling against the Highlands and Islands, an entrenching of anti-Catholic sentiment, and the start of an era of mass-emigration from the region, whose reverberations endure. The same, of course, could be said for the Clearances. Although the emptying of glens and straths to make way for sheep in counties such as Sutherland and Caithness was the work of more than one individual, the nation was brutalised by this barbaric process. Not only was it immeasurably cruel to those who were displaced but its environmentally baleful legacy lives on. There are countless other low points, among them the near collapse of the Royal Bank of Scotland in 2008 under Fred Goodwin's pugnaciously acquisitive regime. Overnight, the country's centuries-old pride for fiscal prudence evaporated. I'd also suggest that, for those keen to end the Union, holding the independence referendum in 2014 was, in retrospect, a mistake. Had it come a few years later, after the Brexit referendum — and when 56 of 59 Scottish MPs at Westminster were SNP — a majority might well have voted yes. For me, however, the most momentous date of all is 16 May, 1568. On that day, Mary, Queen of Scots stepped into a boat and sailed across the Solway Firth to England. Despite the protestations of her closest advisers, she was determined to seek help from Elizabeth I, confident that with her cousin's support she could regain the throne that had been forcibly taken from her. It was a stupendous miscalculation, one so ill-advised that before departing she was obliged to sign a statement, produced by her inner circle, saying she was acting against their advice. How Mary could have thought she would be safe in England is inexplicable, given the threat she posed. Within days she recognised she was a prisoner. Increasingly isolated and unwell, during the next 19 or so years she was drawn into conspiracies against her cousin. Nevertheless, it was a forged postscript to one of Mary's coded letters, by an agent acting for Elizabeth's spy master Sir Francis Walsingham, that led to her execution. Had Mary not fled to England, things might have gone very differently. Although at the time of her abdication she was reviled for allegedly colluding in her husband Darnley's murder, support for her had since grown. It was entirely possible that she could have raised an army, overthrown her enemies, and lived to reign for many more years. How different Scotland might then have looked. And how much more vulnerable England would have been, with a potential ally of European Catholic powers as a neighbour. Indeed, a Catholic invasion could have reshaped the entire British isles. You can also wonder what sort of man her son, the future James VI and I, would have been if raised by his mother rather than by fanatical Protestants. Might the shameful witchhunts he set in motion have been averted? But there's another lingering legacy of Mary's fatal error. Since her beheading at Fotheringhay Castle she has been cast as a tragic figure, either a heroine or a weak and foolish woman, depending on your view. In an era of profound misogyny, promoted by the likes of John Knox, her story became a cautionary tale about the fallibility of women and their inability to be leaders. An echo of that narrative remains to this day. One bad decision; so many consequences. Exile: The Captive Years of Mary, Queen of Scots by Rosemary Goring is published on 3 July by Birlinn.
