Crossbasket Castle review: where the 17th century meets the Roaring Twenties
'Well, I wasn't expecting that,' I say to my friend as we retire to bed, ears ringing. Behind its crenellated classic appearance, Crossbasket Castle, which reopened in March after a £20 million facelift, hides a big surprise.
Midway between Hamilton and East Kilbride, the building began life as a 15th-century tower, expanding to full baronial-style castle status in the 17th century. A litany of wealthy 18th and 19th-century owners includes Charles Macintosh of raincoat fame.
On first inspection, it's exactly as you'd expect a £195-a-night castle hotel to be: think afternoon tea with three types of Taittinger champagne, polished off on floral fireside sofas in grand drawing rooms. Dramatic oil paintings hang above mighty fireplaces; bedrooms in the main house are styled with claw-footed bath
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Times
9 hours ago
- Times
All flipper, no flop — the best places to see whales in Scotland
With humpbacks and orcas, minkes and even sperm whales, Scotland is one of the best places to see these majestic creatures this side of a flight to southern California — with basking sharks, porpoises and the world's largest bottlenose dolphins a spectacular bonus. Lisa Drewe, the author of Islandeering, picks out five of her favourite places to see them from land. At the tip of the Eye peninsula, near Stornoway, Tiumpan Head Lighthouse offers front-row views across the Minch. Below it, the strait's deep waters attract whales, dolphins and porpoises, making it one of the UK's best land-based locations for spotting them. Look out for distinctive grey-and-white Risso's dolphins and fin whales, or join the Whale and Dolphin Conservation's Shorewatch team for expert-led sightings. Coll's wild waters are a summer hotspot for basking sharks, the world's second-largest fish; they're often spotted gliding through the shallows with gaping mouths. From the ferry port at Arinagour you can enjoy stunning views over Mull and the Treshnish Isles, while coastal walks reveal harbour porpoises and bottlenose dolphins. Keep watch from the shore or ferry — minke whales and common dolphins thrive around this quiet, wildlife-rich island. On Mull's rugged north coast, the Glengorm estate enjoys sweeping views across the Hebridean Sea, where minke whales, bottlenose dolphins and basking sharks ply the waters. The castle at the estate's heart watches over wonderfully wild landscapes, while the shoreline is a prime spot for marine life. Join the Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust rangers every Thursday for a guided whale watch before warming up in the café, or exploring the coastal trails. • Never mind the Med, I'm longing to be back on Mull Shetland's southernmost point is a prime spot for orca-watching, thanks to the semi-resident orca pods. From the towering cliffs here are panoramic views over seas where minke whales and porpoises also hunt. The lighthouse above has a welcome café, and a base to explore one of the most accessible seabird and puffin colonies in Britain. Expert advice is available from the on-site Whale and Dolphin Conservation Shorewatch team, or check the Shetland Orca & Cetacean Sightings Facebook page. • Sumburgh Head lighthouse review — like stepping into Springwatch The Deerness peninsula, on mainland Orkney's wild eastern edge, is a prime spot to watch dolphins and porpoises. Harbour porpoises are often seen gliding through the waves, while white-beaked, white-sided and Risso's dolphins also patrol these rich waters. Dramatic cliffs offer sweeping views of the North Sea, and there is a fabulous coast walk to the Brough of Deerness, a rocky outcrop that was once home to a Viking settlement. Taken from Islandeering by Lisa Drewe ( £16.99). To order a copy go to Free UK standard P&P on orders over £25. Special discount available for Times+ members
Scotsman
14 hours ago
- Scotsman
Scotland seek answers in Liechtenstein: Steve Clarke's changes, 'shouldn't be panic' and chance-taker
In last match before World Cup qualifiers, Clarke and co require a response Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The tranquil setting of Vaduz on the banks of the Rhine should not be a place where further pressure is put on a football manager. Flanked by mountains, visitors usually return refreshed and happy. The small nation of Liechtenstein is currently ranked 202 in the FIFA World rankings. Only Hong Kong have suffered defeat to them in the past five years. Their 'golden' era of most-capped keeper Peter Jehle and star striker Mario Frick are long gone. Konrad Fünfstück's are usually deemed as easy prey for opponents of any meaningful repute. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland fall into that category as they arrive at the Rheinpark Stadion on the Swiss border. This is down as an away win, with odds of 1/12 from most bookmakers. San Marino scored three times when they rocked up here in November. It was an evening of anguish for Scotland against Iceland last time out. | SNS Group History with Liechtenstein won't ease any queasiness, mind you. On Scotland's only previous sojourn to Vaduz in 2011, they narrowly prevailed 1-0 thanks to a goal from Craig Mackail-Smith. That came a year on from an almost catastrophic first meeting with Liechtenstein, when Stephen McManus' 97th-minute header earned a 2-1 win at Hampden. The last match of a long season, many in the Scotland squad are entitled to feel jaded. There have been title wins, cup successes and long European runs. This probably isn't their idea of an Alpine retreat. Nevertheless, Scotland need to tool up for one final job ahead of the holidays. A meek 3-1 defeat by Iceland on Friday night and the lacklustre nature of the performance requires a response. This is the last time head coach Steve Clarke will have his squad together before the World Cup qualification campaign kicks off in September against Denmark. The Parken Stadion will be a world away from the docile 7,584 arena they play in on Monday evening. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland 'need to win their next game' Scotland will want to bounce into the autumn matches, of that there is no doubt. Their recent record in friendlies is poor and Clarke wanted to address that in this double-header. Iceland has come and gone, now it's about doing a number on Liechtenstein. "We need to win our next game on Monday night," was the blunt assessment of midfielder Lewis Ferguson after Iceland. "We need to go and put on a good performance and win the game. Winning games is what breeds confidence. We need to get back to that." Clarke himself admits he is not the most adventurous when it comes to mixing it up with team selection. The manager may have been wrestling with whether to give his main men a chance to atone for Friday and get a much-needed triumph under their belt in Scotland colours, or blood some of the uncapped players in his current group. As it is, injury and fatigue may play a part, with Clarke accepting he may make more alterations than usual. The likes of Josh Doig, Andy Irving and Kieron Bowie will be desperate for game-time and their international debuts. A maiden appearance may come between the sticks after Cieran Slicker was unceremoniously thrown in at the deep end for his first senior appearance for club or country against Iceland after Angus Gunn's second-minute injury and was at fault for all three goals. Celtic-bound keeper Ross Doohan has been summoned from his holidays to join the squad. Doohan has made 20 appearances for Aberdeen this season and seems likely to make his debut, having been solid at Pittodrie all season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One may ask why he wasn't in the squad ahead of others. One may also ask why Clarke reverted back to a back-three against Iceland when the back-four had been a reasonable success in the Nations League A campaign against more glamourous opposition. Kieran Tierney's injury may force a formation change. Scott McTominay, the poster boy after Serie A success with Napoli, will also be absent due to a niggle. That means Clarke doesn't need to find the best way to shoe-horn all of his top-level midfielders into one team. It is hard to get Ferguson, John McGinn, Billy Gilmour and McTominay effectively on the pitch at the same time. Craig Mackail-Smith scores the winner against Liechtenstein for Scotland back in 2011. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 And then there are the strikers. Che Adams has not scored for Scotland in a year, and the Torino hitman must sense an opportunity against Liechtenstein. They are rarely scudded, but Adams will surely get chances if selected ahead of George Hirst as Clarke's No 9. He needs to take them. Within the squad, there is awareness of the talent at Scotland's disposal. "There shouldn't be any panic," Ferguson advised. "We've good strong squad, with plenty of quality and experience. But we do recognise that we need to get back to winning ways and get back to performing at the levels we know we're capable of." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Telegraph
15 hours ago
- Telegraph
Talking whisky: Harrison Ford's Highland reflections with Glenmorangie
Legendary for his countless iconic movie roles, the Hollywood actor brings his trademark wry humor to the fore in a series of films directed by actor and film-maker Joel Edgerton. Once Upon a Time in Scotland takes us behind-the-scenes as Harrison Ford journeys to Glenmorangie's Highland home to discover the skill and craftmanship that goes into making each bottle of its complex and elegant whisky. It sees the actor enjoy the authentic Scottish experience – from getting to grips with the nuances of Scottish pronunciation to bonding with locals over a dram of single malt – all shot in an unconventional, deliberately off-script style. Filmed in the picturesque north-east Highlands of Scotland, the campaign captures the natural beauty of the local area: from the historic distillery in Tain where Glenmorangie has been created for over 180 years, to the storied 19th century Ardross Castle and the dramatic landscapes surrounding Loch Glass. Appearing alongside Ford are the real Glenmorangie distillery team, who embraced their first experience of acting under the guidance of a global cinematic legend while the brand's flagship whiskies, Glenmorangie Original 12 Years Old and Glenmorangie Infinita 18 Years Old, also take on a starring role. Edgerton's 12 episodes and hero film are complemented by still images shot by acclaimed fashion photographer Lachlan Bailey. Caspar MacRae, president and chief executive of The Glenmorangie Company, said: "Harrison Ford is the real deal: a true global icon and a genuine whisky lover. It was a dream come true to collaborate on this campaign and welcome him to our home in the Highlands to discover more about Glenmorangie. He is someone who has honed his craft over decades, which gives him a real appreciation for the dedication and skill of our distillery team. Like us, he's not afraid to laugh at himself – and I think Joel has perfectly captured his authentic warmth, alongside his roguish sense of humour. "We hope whisky lovers around the world will enjoy exploring the episodes and learning more about the real people and places behind our whiskies through Harrison's eyes.' Harrison Ford, star of Once Upon a Time in Scotland, said: "I loved working with the team at the distillery – they were all great. The whole process of filming was full of unanticipated joys: little unexpected moments. It's a tribute to Glenmorangie's sensibilities that they let us be less than totally serious. I think what Joel has produced has a certain charm to it, because it's unpretentious and just amusing." Glenmorangie: the perfect whisky for every Scotch lover Although Harrison Ford was able to visit Glenmorangie and discover the full range the distillery has to offer, we have pulled an easy-to-understand guide on which Glenmorangie whisky is right for you. Whether you're buying for yourself, a new whisky fan, a classic malt lover or an explorative drinker, Glenmorangie has a whisky for everyone. For the new whisky fan: Glenmorangie Triple Cask Reserve (£33) A rich, slightly spiced bottle that is new to the distillery's core range. A blend of liquid aged in bourbon casks, rye whisky casks, and new charred oak casks, this unique scotch is carefully balanced and offers an education in the benefits of cask blending. For the classic malt lover: Glenmorangie Original 12 Years Old (£40.50) Upgraded from a 10-Year-Old, the additional two years of age elevate the liquid to silkier, creamier heights. With bursts of citrus and floral notes tempered by mellow vanilla, this is a classic, easy-drinking scotch. For the explorative drinker: Glenmorangie Infinita 18 Years Old (£130) Created to highlight the quintessential Glenmorangie whisky, this liquid starts as the distillery's silky, fruity spirit before being aged in hand-selected American oak bourbon casks for 15 years. A portion is then transferred to Oloroso sherry casks for a further three years, resulting in a complex and ever-changing whisky. To watch all 12 episodes of Once Upon a Time in Scotland and discover the full range of whiskies, visit This content is provided by an advertiser, and while every care is taken in ensuring the content complies with the Advertising Standards Authority and the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code), Telegraph Media Group assumes no responsibility in the effect rising therefrom, and readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting on any information. The Daily Telegraph/TMG does not accept any liability for views expressed, pictures used or claims made by advertisers.
