A Scottish architect's Italian Renaissance dream is on sale for £2.7m
The Scottish architect John Kinross (1855-1931) was renowned for his spectacular restorations of older properties, including most famously the Falkland Palace, once the favourite retreat of Mary, Queen of Scots. Having toured Italy extensively during his lifetime, an Italian influence was obvious in much of his best work. Not least in the design of his own home, the bellissima 33 Mortonhall Road in the Grange area of southern Edinburgh.
The A listed six-bedroom villa, also known as Seven Gables, is the most prestigious of the so-called Mortonhall Road Quartet — four houses each designed by Kinross in 1898. Combining 17th-century Scottish baronial style features with a strong Italian Renaissance flourish, they were all broadly similar. But his was the pick of the bunch, with its
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Times
an hour 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
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The UK's most underrated seaside town revealed - and it has a funicular lift with incredible views
Looking for an under-the-radar staycation destination? Some of the UK's most underappreciated Northern towns have been put in the spotlight in a new survey to encourage Brits to travel off-the-beaten-track this summer. According to the research, carried out by Airbnb, Saltburn-by-the-Sea is the country's most underrated seaside town. Located in North Yorkshire, the seaside town offers the 'perfect blend of serenity and intrigue', says Airbnb. It's known for its pretty Victorian architecture including Saltburn Pier (1869) and the Saltburn Cliff Lift (1884). The funicular lift is still open today and offers incredible views of Saltburn's breathtaking coastline. Whitley Bay in Tyne & Wear also makes the Airbnb hotlist of underrated seaside towns. Visitors can admire St Mary's Lighthouse which was built in 1898 or enjoy the beach at Whitley Bay Links. The third and last seaside town to feature on the list is Whitehaven in Cumbria. A port town on the northwest coast, it's under five miles from the Lake District. Although it's a small town now, Whitehaven was once the UK's third-largest port. Tourists can discover its history at The Beacon Museum. If a UK beach break isn't your cup of tea, Airbnb has also selected four top picks for food tourism. Horbury in West Yorkshire takes the top spot and has been described as 'this summer's must visit destination'. Airbnb says: 'The town is quickly becoming a hotspot for its vibrant pub scene and small-scale breweries, including the Luddite Brewing Co. at the Calder Vale Hotel, Boons and The Bingley - a collaboration between two local breweries, Ossett Brewery & SALT.' The North's other foodie hotspots are Clitheroe in Lancashire, Penistone in South Yorkshire and Ramsbottom in Greater Manchester. And when it comes to culture, there are three more Northern towns that earn a recommendation from Airbnb. Saltaire in Bradford tops the list while Haworth in Bradford and Halifax in West Yorkshire round out the podium. Airbnb says: 'Saltaire is the ultimate destination for 2025. Home to the iconic Salts Mill, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is also a cultural haven that plays home to a collection of David Hockney's works and inspiring performances at the Victoria Hall.' Luke Impett, head of partnerships at Airbnb, says: 'Our research clearly shows a growing appetite among Brits to break away from the "Instagrammable" travel loop and discover unique, quieter and more meaningful travel experiences. 'By highlighting these 10 Northern towns and offering guests the opportunity to experience a weekend break themselves, we hope to encourage travellers to explore beyond their algorithm and uncover the rich tapestry of culture, history and natural beauty that areas like West Yorkshire offer. 'The UK is one of the best places to holiday in the world and we want to work together with destinations to encourage guests to explore lesser visited areas and spread the benefits of tourism.'
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
This pushchair is a genuine breakthrough for city-dwelling families
I didn't realise what a boon having swivelling back wheels would be until I started testing this buggy. I initially thought I'd find myself rolling all over the place along the Thames Path, and feared the buggy may end up swivelling sideways like an unruly shopping trolley. Thankfully, though, the designers at Nuna have incorporated an on/off button to activate the swivel when needed. You depress the button on the handlebar, and it smoothly allows the back wheels to unlock and rotate – simple, practical, genius. Beyond the swivel feature, it has all the bougie credentials I have come to expect from Nuna – a chic brand popular with influencers and celebrities alike. The buggy comes in a variety of classy neutral colourways and is complete with a range of extras (a cup holder, a rain cover, a carry bag, and an adjustable tilt post adapter, making it travel-system-ready). Meanwhile, a zip pocket on the back of the seat and a secret one in the storage basket (ideal for stashing valuables) add to the buggy's practicality. These extras are often a significant expense with other brands, so, as a package, the swiv offers excellent value. That said, there is also an array of add-ons you can buy to pair with it, including chic footmuffs and nappy bags. The design of the swiv is distinct. It's somewhat between a travel buggy and a travel system in size, meaning you could get away with not having a smaller buggy. At 9.5kg, it's also very light – so in many ways it reminded me of Silver Cross's tide (£895, but that lacks the swivelling back wheels. For a compact model, it performs very well on rougher terrain but really comes into its own in shops and on public transport – I was able to get onto a bus without the usual dread of having to cajole the buggy sideways into an awkward gap around other passengers. The smaller footprint also doesn't compromise on practicality. You don't feel like you are pushing the QE2, but there is still ample room, a sturdy wheelbase and a basket that carries up to 10kg. The distance between the basket and the seat allows for lots to be carried underneath, and you are able you unload it without potentially disturbing a sleeping child – another key difference between the swiv and a travel buggy or smaller compact. The fold is pretty straightforward and works in the same way as most buggies in this class – you push the seat over and twist the handle and it then folds down one-handed to a very tidy 54cm x 78cm x 30cm. It really has made navigating the city with a child in tow a lot easier.
