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Daily Record
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Outlander's Sam Heughan says 'undiscovered' part of Scotland 'should be talked about'
The Outlander star, who was born in a small hillside village in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, has gushed about the area he believes is the 'undiscovered Scotland' Outlander star Sam Heughan has spoken passionately about a "undiscovered" part of Scotland which he feels deserves more recognition. Originally hailing from Balmaclellan, a quaint hillside village located in the stunning Dumfries and Galloway area, Sam, aged 45, cherishes his Scottish roots. Aged just five, his family moved from the picturesque village and moved to the nearby New Galloway, situated on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park. There the youngster lived in a converted stable on the grounds of the 17th-centuryKenmure Castle. Sam's childhood home was so remote that his primary school contained just 20 pupils. And while he decided to relocate to Edinburgh for a more metropolitan lifestyle as a teenager, he believes more people should be talking about Dumfries and Galloway. Speaking on the Travel Diaries podcast, Sam said: I was born and brought up in the South West of Scotland, in a place called Dumfries and Galloway and it's the undiscovered Scotland, I think. It's the part that's not really talked about, but it should be, because it has so much. "It's kind of remote but wild. It has great scenery, great history, and growing up I was very lucky to grow up in the grounds of an old castle. "Being alone a lot, because there's not many people that live there. There were only like four children in my class at school, so being alone, creating your own games and environment and playing make believe, that I did a lot, perhaps definitely did influence my career in being an actor. He added: "It was an amazing, kind of idyllic upbringing, and as a teenager I moved to the bright lights of Edinburgh, which was like, to me, moving to Las Vegas." Visit Scotland praises Dumfries and Galloway for being a "beautiful" slice of Scotland with an "undulating coastline of rocky shoreline and sandy beaches", offering a wide array of outdoor pursuits, cultural spots, and tempting cuisine. The region is a hit among cycling enthusiasts and wildlife buffs alike. It's also the setting for the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO biosphere. Spanning 9,700km² across southwest Scotland, this varied terrain is the backdrop for roughly 100,000 residents. The biosphere officials aim to foster a "balanced relationship between people and the natural environment". In 2012, the area earned recognition for its world-class harmonisation of human and natural existence. At its heart lie the Merrick hills and moors, shaped by ancient glaciers. The biosphere has been home to a host of communities throughout history, with Stone Age people, Roman soldiers, Viking settlers, and the earliest Christians in Scotland all said to have called the area home. It isn't the only part of Dumfries and Galloway brimming with history however. But there's more historic allure in Dumfries and Galloway beyond the biosphere. For instance, Caerlaverock Castle stands out as one of Scotland's most distinguished medieval strongholds, with its twin-towered gatehouse still commanding presence despite its ruinous state. It is said to have regularly featured in the brutal cross-border conflicts between Scotland and England. Although less popular than some of the regions in Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway is still thought to welcome around 490,000 overnight visitors each year. According to Visit Scotland, tourists bring around £133 million into the local economy. The average overnight visitor spent around £270 each trip in 2023.
Muscat Daily
31-05-2025
- Muscat Daily
Rising temperatures in Oman shape Eid travel plans
Muscat – As the Eid al Adha break begins on Thursday, residents across Oman are making the most of the extended holiday with travel plans ranging from international getaways to quiet family time at home. The five-day break is proving to be a welcome pause in the summer calendar. Among international destinations, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Turkey and Sri Lanka are seeing a surge in interest. These countries are popular for their pleasant weather, affordability and accessibility. 'I'm travelling to Georgia with my cousins,' said Sanjeev Menon, an Indian marketing professional based in Muscat. 'It's budget-friendly, visa-on-arrival, and the mountains are a perfect break from the heat. I booked tickets for three almost 10 days ago and saved on last-minute expenses. I really want to escape the heat.' Turkey continues to attract families seeking a mix of shopping, food and history, while Sri Lanka's beaches and tea plantations appeal to travellers looking for a quieter experience. 'We've seen an incredible response from families this Eid — with most group departures already fully booked, especially following the announcement of school vacations,' said Sreedhu Nair, Director at Travel Diaries. 'To meet the growing demand, we are now offering tailor-made packages to trending destinations like Tashkent in Uzbekistan; Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan; Moscow in Russia and the Schengen countries.' For those staying within Oman, destinations like Jabal Akhdar, Jebel Sifah and Sur remain popular. These locations offer a scenic escape with a couple of hours' drive from Muscat. 'Jabal Akhdar is where we go every Eid,' said Mohammed al Habsi, an Omani civil engineer. 'It's peaceful, and the temperature is always pleasant.' Not everyone is packing their bags. Some residents are choosing to celebrate Eid quietly in Muscat. Beachside barbecues, rooftop dinners and movie nights are among the activities planned. 'This time, I'm staying in Muscat,' said Fatma al Riyami, an Omani university student. 'We're planning a get-together at home with friends and lots of Omani sweets.' Neha Kapoor, a homemaker, echoed the sentiment. 'Sometimes, home is the best holiday. My children enjoy the beach, and we avoid the crowds. Also, my husband's friends are visiting from Dubai, so we'll have some fun times with them.'
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
GBBO's Prue Leith issues blunt response to husband's fear of being outlived
Great British Bake Off judge Dame Prue Leith has been married to John Playfair since 2016, following the death of her first husband Rayne Kruger Dame Prue Leith, the culinary legend from Great British Bake Off, has shared her husband's fears of adopting a new dog that might outlive him. The restaurateur and baking sensation has become a familiar face on our screens through her various TV stints. The 85-year-old is perhaps best known for her stint as a judge on Channel 4's Great British Bake Off, where she joins Paul Hollywood at the judging table. In her personal life, Dame Prue is married to John Playfair, whom she met at a dinner party in Yorkshire, following the death of her first husband Rayne Kruger. The couple tied the knot in 2016, and while they share a loving home with their two Cavalier King Charles spaniels, they're in discussions about whether or not they should add another furry friend to the mix. John voiced his concern that any new pet might outlive him, but Dame Prue has been having none of it, reportedly dismissing his apprehension with a firm: "What nonsense", when she spoke to the Times. In addition to this, the expert baker has been frank about her own age, expressing on the Travel Diaries podcast: "I haven't got much longer, I'm 85, I want to spend as much time as I can with him." The Bake Off judge has also discussed the dynamics of her relationship, praising her husband's down-to-earth nature. She said: "One of the wonderful things about him is that he is totally without ego, he doesn't feel threatened by the fact that I have a higher profile than he does, when I introduce him (to people) he always just says, 'I'm the handbag carrier, I'm her chauffeur'." Her journey in the culinary world began at the age of just 20 when she trained at the Cordon Bleu Cookery School. This led to an impressive career that includes launching her own restaurant. Dame Prue later joined The Great British Bake Off in 2017, when she replaced Dame Mary Berry. Eight years on, and she's started to talk about life after the popular baking programme. Speaking to the Mail On Sunday earlier this year, she admitted that she would take part in the 2025 edition, but didn't know if she would be around in future seasons. She explained: "I'm doing this year's Bake Off, and I don't know if this will be my last. I've got to stop some time, so I might stop next year. I thought I'd just see how I go this year, because I definitely feel a bit older this year than I did last year. "Things like getting out of a chair takes me longer than it used to. I don't like big steps without a handrail. None of these things worried me two years ago – I could run upstairs – and so I'm very keen to leave Bake Off before I'm asked to leave." Dame Prue has also graced screens on some of the nation's most cherished shows, including The Great British Menu and Prue's Cotswold Kitchen.
Wales Online
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Prue Leith's defiant two-word reply to husband's heartbreaking fear about dog 'outliving him'
Prue Leith's defiant two-word reply to husband's heartbreaking fear about dog 'outliving him' Great British Bake Off star Dame Prue Leith has opened up on a recent disagreement at home with her husband John Playfair, as he shared his fears at not living longer than a new dog Dame Prue Leith gave a defiant two-word reply to John Playfair's fear about a dog outliving him (Image: Emporium Productions ) Great British Bake Off star Dame Prue Leith has issued a defiant two-word reply in response to her husband's fear that a new dog may outlive him. The renowned restaurant owner and baking aficionado has been a household name for years now thanks to her countless TV appearances. She is perhaps most well-known for her on-screen partnership alongside Paul Hollywood on Channel 4's Great British Bake Off, after filling the shoes of Dame Mary Berry following her departure in 2016. But, away from demonstrating her baking knowledge on some of the nation's favourite shows, Dame Prue found love again after meeting John Playfair whilst attending a friend's dinner party in Yorkshire, over a decade since her first husband Rayne Kruger sadly passed away. Dame Prue and John have been married since 2016 (Image: Getty Images ) Going on to exchange vows with the retired clothes designer back in 2016, Dame Prue has revealed how they have struggled to see eye to eye over one thing recently. Currently caring for two dogs together, Tattie, six and Teasel, three, Dame Prue has revealed to the Times how she remains at loggerheads with her husband about the possibility of adding another canine to their family, as John confessed his fears that he thinks a new dog may outlive him. Article continues below Dame Prue claimed how they are at loggerheads about buying another dog (Image:) However, with Dame Prue in total disagreement and presumably eager to give her Cavalier King Charles spaniels another friend, she came back to her husband with a simple yet passionate retort as she told the 77-year-old "what nonsense". While Dame Prue has revealed that her husband has aired concerns about his own longevity, she too has been open about fears regarding her age. Speaking on a recent episode of the Travel Diaries podcast, she said: "I haven't got much longer, I'm 85, I want to spend as much time as I can with him." Elaborating further on wanting to make the most of the time she has left, she added: "One of the wonderful things about him is that he is totally without ego, he doesn't feel threatened by the fact that I have a higher profile than he does, when I introduce him (to people) he always just says 'I'm the handbag carrier, I'm her chauffeur'." Dame Prue is best-known for judging alongside Paul Hollywood on the Great British Bake Off (Image: Getty Images ) Article continues below Meanwhile away from sharing an insight into her marriage with John, Dame Prue's hugely successful culinary career spans decades, after her first steps into the industry came back when she attended the Cordon Bleu Cookery School when she was 20-years-old. Since then she has gone on to open her own restaurant and appear in some of the country's most well-loved TV shows including The Great British Menu, Prue's Cotswold Kitchen and The Great British Bake Off. The accomplished baker returns to our screens later today (May 10) in her Prue Leith's Cotswold Kitchen at 11.40 am on ITV.
Wales Online
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Great British Bake Off's Prue Leith opens up about 'terrifying' fear and admits 'I'm very frightened'
Great British Bake Off's Prue Leith opens up about 'terrifying' fear and admits 'I'm very frightened' Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith opened up about her childhood in South Africa and one thing she found particularly scary living in Western Cape Prue Leith has opened up about something that 'terrifies' her (Image: ITV ) Dame Prue Leith has shared that she's "very frightened" of the sea, citing a "terrifying experience" in her youth as the cause. The Great British Bake Off judge grew up in Cape Town, Western Cape in South Africa. She says it was at university that she developed a fear of the sea. Prue made the revelation while discussing a time she found herself driving along a 22-mile stretch of beach in Western Australia. Speaking on the Travel Diaries podcast, Prue explained she "liked" driving along the beach due to her fear of the water. Article continues below Prue, 85, said: "I'm very frightened of the sea. In the Cape the sea is really rough and I can remember in the sea when I was a university student, you try and bodysurf and if you get tumbled by the sea, you just get your head banged on the floor, on sand, which is hard and compact underneath the water. "You're just tossed over and over again, you can't breathe and your head is getting banged. It's terrifying, but in Western Australia, the waves aren't really big and it's very shallow." Prue Leith grew up in Cape Town (Image: PA ) After leaving South Africa, Prue moved to Paris upon completing her education, initially working as an au pair before kindling her passion for cooking—a journey she revisited while speaking on Desert Island Discs, reminiscing about her time in France flitting between various patisseries for their specialty baked goods, reports Gloucestershire Live. She remarked: "Food was just taken seriously, and it was like the scales falling from my eyes: 'What am I doing? Thinking I can be an actress or an artist or academic or... What I need to be is a cook.'". In her twenties, Prue moved to a flat in London and attended a Cordon Bleu cookery course. It was after that she began her high-end catering company, based from her fourth-floor bedsit. Speaking to the BBC, Prue explained: "On the landing where the bathroom was, I'd wash the lettuces in the bath and I'd keep the lobsters there, because they couldn't climb out. Then when I had done a tray of beautiful petit-fours or little sandwiches or canapes for a cocktail party I'd line them all up on the top of my bed." Prue joined Bake Off in 2017 (Image: Channel 4/Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon ) The star said she would deliver food in an Isetta three-wheel car or on the tube. She once recalled leaving a basket of lobsters on the Piccadilly line. In 1975, Prue established Leith's School of Food and Wine, which became renowned for training professional chefs and some of the best cooks in the industry. Not long after building this successful venture, she sold it and opened another cookery school in South Africa. Prue was a judge on The Great British Menu between 2005 and 2016. But she left the show to replace Mary Berry as Paul Hollywood's fellow Bake Off judge. However, more recently, Prue decided to take a step back from the celebrity version of Bake Off, highlighting the intense filming schedule: "These things are filmed back-to-back all the way through summer from April to August so you don't get any time off. Article continues below "I'm getting quite old and there's places I want to see. So I'm not doing this year's."
