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We’re back!! And we are so ready for a brand new year, sharing the best that Scotland has to offer, alongside our latest discoveries, stories, interviews, titbits and of course the weekly quiz!

We hope you enjoy the first ‘weekly’ of 2024, we have a very exciting announcement coming soon, so watch out for this coming up next week.

✨SOMETHING EXCITING✨ IS COMING!

We have a very special announcement to make next week. Keep an eye on your inbox - you won't want to miss this!

The Brownie of Bodesbeck Farm

Bodesbeck Farm just outside of Moffat used to be home to a hard working Brownie. This little creature wanted nothing more than to work at his chores and take a small meal in return. The Brownie rarely showed himself and his only signs were the chores that were mysteriously completed overnight.

Over the years, with the Brownie’s help Bodesbeck became one of the richest farms in Southern Scotland. One night, the farmer decided to leave his little helper a much fancier meal than he would normally take. It was his way of saying thanks.

The farmer had completely misunderstood his Brownie though. To him, it seemed like the farmer was trying to decide what he should or shouldn’t eat. The Brownie didn’t need anybody’s permission to eat a finer meal, he took whatever he wanted. He worked because he was proud of his abilities and not for any kind of payment.

When the farmer woke in the morning, the food hadn’t been touched and the usual chores hadn’t been completed. The days went on and it was obvious that the Brownie had disappeared for good. Without his nightly activities, Bodesbeck Farm began to struggle and the farmer had learned the hard way that you should never try and reward a Brownie.

Words by Graeme Johncock and Illustration by Jo Mclaren

Sutherland Special

The most Northerly part of mainland Britain, Sutherland has over one million acres of Europe’s best natural scenery. An area that was one of the most populous fishing spots in the country, Sutherland’s rugged coastline is very sparsely populated. However, its quaint coastal towns are well worth a visit to truly disconnect from the hustle of the city. Sutherland has also established itself as a haven for some well-known faces and a feature of many cultural works. It was frequently visited by Beatle John Lennon, as well as being the birthplace of the ‘Orkney Bard’ George Mackay Brown. In literature, novels by Rosamunde Pilcher and M.C Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth series are all set in Sutherland, as well as the short story ‘Monarch of the Glen’ by Neil Gaiman.

Polin Beach

Sutherland

Beautiful white sand, calm blue waters – you’d be forgiven for thinking this beach was somewhere far warmer! Surrounded by green cliffs, Polin Beach is a stone’s throw away from a campsite and accessible to others via a short, scenic footpath. It’s most popular in the summer when swimmers take to the clear water.

More info

Forsinard Flows

Sutherland

Forsinard Flows, a vast expanse of blanket bog in the heart of the Flow Country in Northern Scotland, is one of Europe’s last remaining wildernesses. The area, spanning over 200,000 hectares, encompasses a unique and fragile ecosystem that supports a diverse array of wildlife, including nesting birds such as the golden plover and greenshank, as well as red deer and otters.

More info

Ardvreck Castle

Sutherland

Built in the 15th century to replace Castle Assynt, this now ruined pointed castle sits on its own headland, pointing out to Loch Assynt. Though only some of this simple structure now remains, it’s a great spot for history buffs as it marks the location where James Graham, a notable royalist, was handed over to the Covenanters during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

More info

Stonechat Bothy, Isle of Skye

A one-bedroom, architecturally designed home amongst indigenous trees, the Stonechat Bothy is a secluded spot for anyone truly looking to escape into Skye’s rural idyll. Best enjoyed during the winter when the skies deliver millions of stars, the bothy is surrounded by local wildlife, including a significant number of birds.

Interested in appearing here? email [email protected]

Issue 07 Article Spotlight - Recipe: Cast Iron Cullen Skink with Trout & Wild Herbs

“A rustic, fire-based version on a classic Scottish dish. Cullen skink is a speciality from the north-east corner of Scotland, originating in Cullen, just up the coast in Moray…”

Last chance to grab your 2024 Hidden Scotland Calendar - 20% off today with code SUNDAY (while stocks last)

Rogie Falls - Taken by Simon Hird

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