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Daily Record
13-07-2025
- Daily Record
Walk to stunning Scottish castle that inspired a Disney film named among UK's best
A coastal walk in northeast Scotland was ranked among the UK's best for its beauty, based on five-star reviews A scenic coastal walk in northeast Scotland has been ranked among the UK's best, thanks to its dramatic cliffs, medieval fortress and striking natural beauty. The route from Stonehaven Harbour to the iconic Dunnottar Castle was named the third most beautiful walk in the UK in a new study by photo printing company CEWE, which analysed Google reviews to find the country's most-loved walking trails, Express reports. Each location was assessed on the number of five-star ratings and how often words like 'beautiful', 'stunning', 'amazing', and 'lovely' appeared in the reviews. The Stonehaven to Dunnottar walk scored highly, with 254 reviewers describing it as beautiful and an overall 4.8-star rating. The 3.5-mile circular route takes between 90 minutes and two hours to complete and leads walkers south from the town's picturesque harbour to the imposing ruins of Dunnottar Castle. Along the way, the trail passes through Black Hill, Strathlethan Bay, Dunnicaer Pictish Fort, and Castle Haven. Stonehaven, a former fishing town with around 11,000 residents, is known not only for its coastal charm but also for its ancient Hogmanay fireballs ceremony, during which locals parade through the streets swinging flaming balls above their heads to banish evil spirits and welcome the new year. But the real showstopper is Dunnottar Castle itself. A ruined medieval fortress perched dramatically on a rocky headland, it sits about two miles south of Stonehaven and boasts a commanding position on the northeast coast. While most of the existing buildings date to the 15th and 16th centuries, the site has been fortified since the Early Middle Ages. Dunnottar has played a central role in Scottish history, most famously as the hiding place of the Honours of Scotland, the nation's crown jewels, during Oliver Cromwell's invasion in the 17th century. Once the seat of the powerful Earls Marischal and home to the Keith family from the 14th century, the castle declined after the final Earl forfeited his titles for supporting the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. It was later restored in the 20th century and is now open to the public. The castle has also featured on the silver screen, appearing in the 1990 film adaptation of Hamlet and inspiring Merida's family home in Disney's Brave. A few miles further south, nature lovers can continue to RSPB Fowlsheugh, a clifftop reserve teeming with life. In spring and summer, the reserve becomes a noisy haven for more than 130,000 breeding seabirds, including puffins, kittiwakes and razorbills. 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. Topping CEWE's list of beautiful walks was Mount Stewart in Northern Ireland, a grand 19th-century estate nestled on the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down. The estate features landscaped gardens, a stately mansion with an impressive art collection, and 10 miles of trails winding through farmland and woodland. It received 259 'beautiful' mentions and a 4.7-star average rating. Powis Castle and Garden in Welshpool, Wales, took second place. Originally built as a fortress in the 13th century, the castle boasts sweeping views across the Severn Valley and is surrounded by elegant gardens. It earned 255 'beautiful' reviews and also maintained a 4.7-star rating.
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Daily Record
The Scottish seaside town with pretty beach hosting music festival this weekend
The Daily Record is back with our latest Town of the Week, and once again we are headed to the seaside. With hot temperatures forecast in Scotland this week, there is nowhere better to celebrate the weather than surrounded by coastal views and good music. Stonehaven is a picturesque town nestled on Scotland's northeast coast, around 15 miles out of Aberdeen. A great spot for a quick getaway for families, couples, or friends, it is famous for its lovely harbour and delicious seafood. This week marks the return of the annual Stonehaven Folk Festival. Between July 10 and 13, some of the top traditional and contemporary folk musicians across the country will perform at the seaside town. The Stonehaven Folk Festival is a celebration of Scotland's rich folk music heritage. In addition to concerts, there will be ceilidhs, workshops, singing sessions, and more for visitors of all ages. Even if you aren't a fan of folk music, there is plenty to keep you occupied around Stonehaven. Whether the sun is shining or not, there won't be a shortage of things to do. One of the top destinations in the area is Stonehaven Beach, which is a sand and shingle beach that is more than a kilometre in length. The south of the beach is more sandy and a great spot for sandcastle building or sunbathing. If you want to go for a swim, but the sea is a bit too cold for your liking, then you can visit the Stonehaven Open Air Swimming Pool. The Olympic-sized pool is heated, while there is also a kids' paddling pool and a water slide. Among the other top beauty spots in the area is Dunnottar Castle, which sits in a dramatic position on a 160-foot cliff overlooking the North Sea. The ruined medieval fortress is perhaps most famous for being where the Scottish crown jewels were hidden from Oliver Cromwell's invading army in the 17th century. Those interested in learning more about the history of the area should head to the Stonehaven Tolbooth Museum. The attraction, which is among the oldest buildings in the region, is home to a number of fascinating artefacts associated with Stonehaven's heritage. Continue reading for a selection of photos showing why Stonehaven is worth visiting this week. For further travel inspiration, find some of the Daily Record's previous Towns and Villages of the Week below:
Telegraph
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
In search of Britain's most important – and elusive
Naseby does not look ready for a fight. On a warm Saturday morning, this genteel Northamptonshire village is a picture of rural calm. The tower of the Grade II*-listed All Saints' Church is casting an angular shadow in the early light, and the Royal Oak pub is yet to open its door to those who would sharpen their weekend with a pint of English ale. The atmosphere would have been rather different 380 years ago. Then, in the mists of the mid-17th century, there would have been red-coated men massing on the north side of the village, a clank of weapons being checked, a stamping and snorting of horses under rein. And, perhaps too, a sense of being on the precipice of history. On June 14 1645, Naseby witnessed one of the most important battles in British history. You might even stretch this superlative to wider European and global history. In the dawn hours of that crisp summer day, Charles I was still – relatively – ensconced on the English throne. By the afternoon, he was halfway to the executioner's block, Oliver Cromwell was well on his way to power, and the country had taken a colossal leap towards fully fledged parliamentary democracy. Back in the tranquility of 2025, down at Naseby Village Hall, Richard Brinkman is more than happy to shatter the rustic peace by talking of war. So is the tour group – some 15 of us – gathered in an upper room overlooking the football pitch. Maps are spread out, diagrams of troop manoeuvres are pinned to the walls – and the small audience is all ears. 'The English Civil War was, well, very uncivil,' Brinkman says, pithily. 'It killed seven per cent of the population. To put that into context, the equivalent figure for the First World War was three per cent.' A fair few of those who went to their graves did so at Naseby. There were over 1,000 Royalist casualties on June 14 1645. And around 400 men from Parliament's freshly assembled New Model Army – which operated under the leadership of Cromwell and the experienced military campaigner Sir Thomas Fairfax – also met their maker. But the butchery was most damaging to the king's cause. By the battle's end, Charles's ability to field a proper fighting force – and any realistic chance of triumph in a conflict that had erupted from the collapse of the relationship between the crown and the Commons – had vanished. It was quite the collision; a clash of ideals, beliefs and principles, as well as swords. And it is well worth further investigation in the present. Richard Brinkman is one of several guides who devote time to the Naseby Battlefield Project (NBP) – the historical society, set up in 2007, whose tours are the best way to gain an understanding of what happened. Over the course of the morning, in a short convoy of cars (the entire theatre of action is almost five miles in breadth), we head out to chart the events of that destructive day at four key hotspots. Fairfax's View, directly north-east of Naseby, occupies the hilltop from which the wily Parliamentarian general appraised his enemy, concealing some of his much larger force behind the ridge line so as to disguise a numerical advantage that might have dissuaded the Royalists from fighting By contrast, Prince Rupert's Viewpoint lurks at the opposite end of the battlefield, gazing south-west from a position some four miles away, in the direction of Market Harborough. Rupert of the Rhine was both Charles's nephew and his foremost asset; 'the fighter jet of his era,' Brinkman says of an immensely gifted young commander (Rupert was 25 in June 1645) who had learnt his craft amid the cut and thrust of the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), which was still raging across continental Europe. But he was also hot-headed; a character flaw that would see him charge headlong into the fray that morning – and then charge right out of it again, leading his cavalry on a mission towards the Parliamentarian rear in search of familiar foes espied, and scores he wished to settle. His impetuosity would have big consequences – leaving the royal infantry badly exposed. These poor souls would meet their fate on the slope below modern-day Naseby's postcard landmark – the Cromwell Monument, an obelisk that was unveiled at the top of the field in 1936. Here, slaughter occurred; slaughter so vicious that the war might have ended that day. Watching the carnage unfold from the other side of the field, Charles readied himself to sally forth – only to be stopped by Scottish nobleman the Earl of Carnwath, who seized the royal bridle and asked: 'Would you go upon your death, sire?'. The king escaped, and would fight on for nearly two years – but the initiative lost at Naseby was never regained. These three key locations are all signposted, and open to the public. A fourth, hidden at the back of a farm, is all but inaccessible without a tour. But when we arrive at Sulby Hedges, we are hailed, from afar, by Alan Larsen – a professional re-enactor, who blasts a pistol as he rounds the corner of the field, dressed as a Parliamentarian dragoon (mounted infantry). 'I trust I have your attention?' he enquires, as the smoke dissipates – before launching into a treatise on this out-of-the-way location's relevance. Sulby Hedges, he explains, was the spot where the two armies first engaged; a sudden exchange of fire which triggered the battle. In further demonstration, Larsen proceeds to load and shoot a musket (while maintaining his balance in the saddle). For all its significance, the Battle of Naseby can be difficult to trace in the fields where so many came to grief. A good deal of the problem is that much of the battle-site is fenced off as private land. When I meet him for a coffee, local historian Peter Burton expresses his frustration that there is not more for tourists to see. Unlike Bannockburn or Hastings, Naseby does not have a dedicated visitor centre. A suitable plot was purchased as long ago as 2009, and planning permission was granted in 2011, but the funding (roughly £300,000) could not be raised. A fall-back plan to install a museum at All Saints' Church also came to nothing. The latest suggestion is to give the area a higher profile by denoting it as a country park. Nonetheless, the sphere of action was so vast – with the remains of the royal army fleeing north towards Market Harborough, its baggage train scattering and the king's private papers seized – that it is strangely easy to trip over somewhere (or something) pertinent. The neighbouring village of Sibbertoft, three miles north of Naseby, is a case in point. Its fields were in harm's way as the New Model Army took aim at the fleeing royalists' backs. So much so that musket balls have been an ongoing threat to the machinery at Brook Meadow farm for over a century. Owner Jasper Hart proudly shows me his collection of 17th-century shrapnel and lead shot, all unearthed on his land, or prised from the tyres of his tractor. His daughter Claire, meanwhile, manages the farm's accommodation – a trio of luxury chalets built overlooking a lake where, when I check in, Northamptonshire anglers are passing the afternoon in studious contemplation. Woodpecker, the newest chalet, is a splendid place to spend a night; a viewpoint every bit as illustrative as Fairfax's or Rupert's – albeit onto the beauty of the English countryside rather than the movements of an ideological foe. When I wake the next day, a haze is hanging over the lake. Somewhere beyond the farm, I hear the crack of a rifle, and a shout. Clay-pigeon shooting it may be, but in the uneasy light, I can half believe it might be Oliver Cromwell himself, back to stride the scene of his greatest hour. Visiting there The Naseby Battlefield Project offers regular guided tours of the battle-site. Eleven tours are still in the diary for 2025 (the next on June 22, the last on December 7), priced at £25 per person. Participants require access to a car. The NBP is also hosting a 380th anniversary event today (June 14) – including a battle re-enactment (free; cars £10). Staying there
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Antiques Roadshow guest wide-eyed as expert gasps 'I need time to come down from this', floored by 'trickiest item she's ever had to value' - before giving eye-watering verdict
An Antiques Roadshow guest was left wide-eyed as an expert gasped 'I need time to come down from this' in response to the 'trickiest item she's ever had to value'. A repeat episode of the BBC show, which sees specialist appraisers value heirlooms and heritage items, went to Belton House near the town of Grantham, Lincolnshire. Expert Hilary Kay met with a woman who had brought in a very unique item - the funeral standard of 17th-century English statesman Oliver Cromwell. He led parliamentary forces in the English Civil Wars in the mid-1600s against King Charles I, helping to overthrow him before his execution in 1649. The soldier and politician then led the Commonwealth of England that was quickly established, serving as Lord Protector from 1653 until his death in 1658. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Hilary began the segment: 'Sheltering from a passing shower and sheltering with an object which is, I feel, almost radioactive with power. 'It's a very interesting phenomenon to be this close to something that is really quite important. 'I'm recognising, immediately, the personal standard of Oliver Cromwell. 'It's a name we all know but let's just put him into his place in history. 'He was one of the signatories to the death warrant for instance to Charles I. 'Very much involved with the regicide, killing of the King, and then he became in 1653 what was known as the Lord Protector of England. 'It was after the Civil War and he ran the country essentially from 1653 to 1658 and that is his importance in English history and why this object has such resonance.' The woman explained how such an incredible object came into her possession: 'It was in a collection about seven years ago. My father actually bought the collection of militaria. 'We now own it as a family. It's actually kept in one of our spare rooms and as you say, it's one of those objects that make you tingle.' The antiques expert agreed: 'It does make you tingle because this is the standard that was part of the funeral procession of Cromwell's on November 23, 1658, and this was extraordinary.' Pointing to all the regal imagery on the object, she continued: 'Here was the non-King being revered really as a King with a royal crown. 'It is an extraordinary image that we have here which was totally against everything that he stood for.' The pair discussed how the standard had been stolen by a young boy in the crowd during the funeral procession, with Hilary saying: 'It's just brilliant.' The guest added: 'My whole family's been into history for generations and my maternal grandparents are actually founding members of The Sealed Knot, the re-enactment society for the Civil War.' Hilary was delighted to hear this further detail: 'Which is amazing, what a coincidence! It was meant to end up with you.' In a heart-warming, sincere moment, the woman replied: 'Absolutely, I believe so. The pair discussed how the standard had been stolen by a young boy in the crowd during the funeral procession, with Hilary saying: 'It's just brilliant' 'Because we're the kind of people who really want to look after it and preserve it and make sure it's seen by everyone it should be seen by for generations, I guess. 'It's a real treasure, it's a pleasure to own.' Incredibly complimentary about the historic item, Hilary said it had been 'beautifully restored' - and will continue to need good looking after. She added: 'However great your spare room is - and I'm sure it has almost museum-like qualities - I do think, even if it went on loan somewhere, I think it deserves to be looked after.' With all this anticipation built up, about an item with such historical value, the valuation could not come sooner - and it did not disappoint. Hilary said: 'This is about the trickiest thing I've ever had to value. 'It is certain to fetch £25,000 but how much more would it go for?' The wide-eyed guest was rendered absolutely speechless, with Hilary saying: 'It's going to take me a little while to come down from this. 'It'll take a couple of bars of chocolate and a cup of tea but this has been a really special moment with a really extraordinary object, don't you agree?' It comes after another repeat episode saw a guest gasp 'I can't believe that!' as he learned the staggering value of a watch bought for £300 - while the crowd erupted into applause. The instalment of the BBC show, which sees specialist appraisers value heirlooms and heritage items, went to Brodie Castle in the Moray area of Scotland. In the episode that reran on Sunday, expert Richard Price was asked to assess a 1960s Rolex GMT-Master watch. The guest said he had owned the timepiece for 32 years, having inherited it from his uncle, who he thought most likely received it as a gift in the sixties. Inspecting it further, Richard was delighted to find it unaltered - a rare outcome, as watches are often modified when their owners take them in for servicing. The appraiser told the guest how watch repairs normally go: 'They would've changed the bezel and they would've changed the dial with an upgrade. 'You would've had it back thinking, "Oh, it looks new." Collectors hate that.' As to this particular timepiece, by contrast, Richard noted: 'It's absolutely original - spot on.' The expert estimated the watch would have cost around £300 to £350 when the guest's uncle bought it back in the sixties. The guest simply replied: 'Wish [my uncle] bought more.' But even the single watch proved a good investment - as Richard valued it as now being worth £12,000 to £15,000. The owner was left in utter shock, as the crowd broke into applause. He exclaimed: 'I can't believe that, can't believe that.'
Edinburgh Live
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
BBC Antiques Roadshow guest left speechless as 'treasure' kept in spare bedroom given top value
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Antiques Roadshow expert couldn't hide her exhilaration after examining an "extraordinary" item that's kept in her family's spare bedroom. Kay was initially taken aback by the historical significance of the item, revealing: "Sheltering from a passing shower, and sheltering with an object which is, I feel almost radioactive with power. "It's a very interesting phenomenon to be this close to something that is really quite important. I'm recognising, immediately, the personal standard of Oliver Cromwell. "It's a name we all know but let's just put him into his place in history, he was one of the signatories to the death warrant for instance to Charles I. Very much involved with the regicide, killing of the king and then he became in 1653 what was known as the Lord Protector of England. "It was after the Civil War and he ran the country essentially from 1653 to 1658 and that is his importance in English history and why this object has such resonance." The owner of the historical piece then shared its background: "It was in a collection about seven years ago. My father actually bought the collection of militaria. (Image: BBC) "We now own it as a family, it's actually kept in one of our spare rooms and, as you say, it's one of those objects that make you tingle." Kay agreed: "It does make you tingle, because this is the standard that was part of the funeral procession of Cromwell's on November 23, 1658, and this was extraordinary. "Here was the non king being revered really as a king with a royal crown. It is an extraordinary image that we have here which was totally against everything that he stood for." She revealed the item's dramatic history, explaining it had been "stolen from the hearse by a young boy that was in the funeral crowd", with its inscription corroborating the tale. "Snatched from the funeral hearse! At that moment too, it's just brilliant," Kay enthused. The guest proudly mentioned: "My whole family's been into history for generations and my maternal grandparents are actually founding members of The Sealed Knot, the re-enactment society for the Civil War." To which Kay responded: "Which is amazing, what a coincidence! It was meant to end up with you." (Image: BBC) The guest then expressed a deep connection to the artefact: "Absolutely, I believe so. Because we're the kind of people who really want to look after it and preserve it and make sure it's seen by everyone it should be seen by for generations, I guess. "It's a real treasure, it's a pleasure to own." Kay praised the item's condition, noting it had been "beautifully restored" but emphasised the importance of proper care. The expert humorously suggested: "It does and however great your spare room is and I'm sure it has almost museum like qualities, I do think, even if it went on loan somewhere, I think it deserves to be looked after." The expert was visibly challenged by a unique item's worth, noting: "And as far as value's concerned, this is about the trickiest thing I've ever had to value. "It is certain to fetch £25,000 but how much more would it go?" Overwhelmed by the valuation, the guest stood there astonished, while the valuer Kay expressed her elation: "It's going to take me a little while to come down from this. "It'll take a couple of bars of chocolate and a cup of tea but this has been a really special moment with a really extraordinary object, don't you agree?" Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
