Latest news with #CharlesII
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
153 km long Scottish hike with dramatic views crowned best in UK
It runs from Milngavie to Fort William One of Scotland's most iconic walking routes has been named the best multi-day hike in the UK, according to a new analysis by Blacks outdoor retailer. The West Highland Way topped the rankings with a score of 9.24 out of 10, based on a combination of Google search interest and average user ratings. The 153.5 km trail runs from Milngavie, just outside Glasgow, to Fort William, taking in some of the country's most dramatic and diverse scenery along the way. The route typically takes between five and seven days to complete and offers walkers views of Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Glen Nevis and The Trossachs National Park, with Ben Nevis looming near the finish. It has an average user rating of 4.5 out of 5, with reviewers praising its well-maintained paths and breathtaking landscapes. The trail begins in lowland farmland beneath the Campsie Fells, moving past the serene shores of Loch Lomond before heading into rugged Highland terrain. It then crosses the remote wilderness of Rannoch Moor, skirts the edge of Glencoe and continues past Loch Leven, finally reaching Fort William via Glen Nevis. For those wanting to extend their walk, the trail links up with the Great Glen Way or the unofficial East Highland Way. Although the West Highland Way is well marked and avoids any major mountain climbs, it still provides a rewarding challenge. One of the most demanding sections is the walk up the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, while other parts of the route can be exposed to the elements. A breakdown of the The West Highland Way: Milngavie to Drymen: 19km, 5–6 hours Drymen to Rowardennan: 24km, 6–7 hours Rowardennan to Inverarnan: 22km, 6–7 hours Inverarnan to Tyndrum: 19.5km, 5–6 hours Tyndrum to Inveroran: 14.5km, 4–5 hours Inveroran to Kings House: 16km, 4–5 hours Kings House to Kinlochleven: 14.5km, 4–5 hours Kinlochleven to Fort William: 24km, 6–7 hours Following closely behind in second place is Monarch's Way, which scored 8.48. This historic English trail traces the escape route of King Charles II after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Stretching over 600 miles, it is the country's longest inland waymarked trail and can take up to 60 days to complete. Scotland's Great Glen Way ranked fourth with a score of 8.10. Suitable for walkers of all levels, the route stretches from Fort William to Inverness and takes four to seven days to complete. While mostly following canal paths and forest tracks, the trail also offers options for more experienced hikers to tackle nearby Munros and Corbetts. The Rob Roy Way came in at number ten with a rating of 5.24. Spanning 79 miles between Drymen and Pitlochry, the trail follows in the footsteps of legendary Scottish outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor and passes through a mix of forest, lochs, aqueducts and ancient landmarks, including a 3600-year-old stone circle. 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. Commenting on the results, Calum Jones, author and hiking enthusiast at Blacks, said: 'The UK is home to some incredible multi-day hikes which offer a more challenging alternative to shorter routes. "With such a diverse range of landscapes across the UK, there is a perfect long-distance walk for all types of hikers, the best of which you can find in our list.' He added: 'Before setting out on a multi-day hike, preparation is crucial to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Take some time to thoroughly research the trail length and terrain to know what equipment will be best suited. "Walking poles can provide extra stability and reduce the strain on your joints, which is especially important for any steeper ascents or descents.' Below you'll find a full breakdown of the best UK hiking routes. Rank Hike name Country Length (km) Elevation gain (m) Estimated time taken to complete Average All Trails user rating (/5) Number of annual searches Multi-day hike score (/10) 1 The West Highland Way Scotland 153.5 4,852 44 hours 3 minutes 4.5 872,000 9.24 2 Monarch's Way England 931.8 22,167 241 hours 16 minutes 4.5 50,400 8.48 2 The Snowdonia Slate Trail Wales 146.8 5,205 44 hours 1 minute 4.6 10,540 8.48 4 Great Glen Way Scotland 119.3 3,685 33 hours 49 minutes 4.4 140,800 8.10 5 The Cumbria Way England 118.8 4,140 35 hours 23 minutes 4.4 67,800 8.00 6 The Coast to Coast England 295.2 10,136 87 hours 20 minutes 4.3 183,300 7.15 7 Anglesey Coastal Path Wales 207.8 3,155 47 hours 31 minutes 4.3 63,200 6.76 8 South Downs Way England 162.4 4,380 43 hours 49 minutes 4.2 178,200 5.91 9 Causeway Coast Way Northern Ireland 49.4 1,302 13 hours 17 minutes 4.3 5,800 5.53 10 Rob Roy Way Scotland 129.2 4,325 37 hours 46 minutes 4.2 41,300 5.24
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
King Charles' old country home hits market for £4.5m - and he can still visit
The Edwardian country home was once owned by King Charles II and is set within the heart of Dartmoor National Park, with the monarch still having the right to fish there A breathtaking country estate previously belonging to King Charles has hit the market for £4.5 million – and he retains visiting rights, as long as he provides 24 hours' notice. Tucked away in the heart of Dartmoor National Park lies Brimptsmead Estate, an Edwardian country home originally built as a private hunting lodge. Sold by the King in 1993, His Majesty still holds fishing rights on the property, requiring just 24 hours' advance warning – meaning the new proprietor might find themselves sharing these gorgeous surroundings with royalty. Encircled by land still mostly owned by the Duchy, estate agents have hailed the property as a "truly rare opportunity to own freehold land in one of the most protected and treasured landscapes in the UK". Spanning nine acres, the main residence has been "exquisitely restored" and features six bedrooms, five bathrooms, and numerous living spaces across 5,984sq ft, reports Devon Live. The estate also includes two cottages, a granite-built party barn and extensive garaging, according to Luxury Property News. The unnamed seller has waxed lyrical about the historic abode, calling it a "beauty and deep tranquillity" haven. They were drawn to an interview in London after showing interest in buying the property back in the 90s. The restoration was a labour of love, with "every decision made with authenticity in mind". Upgrades include bespoke leaded windows, bronze door handles, rejuvenated original oak and satinwood panelling, newly installed cast iron radiators, and subtly integrated underfloor heating. The current owners have cherished nine functional fireplaces and describe the house as their family's "sanctuary", sharing: "From evening gatherings in the panelled drawing room, to quiet mornings in the turret, to watching the sun set from the Shed's balcony, Brimptsmead has been a place to live, to love, and to remember." Tucked away from the main residence are two cottages – Bentley and Herb – providing self-contained living spaces for visitors, extended kin or domestic help. Brimptsmead boasts a secluded, south-facing position within Dartmoor National Park, elevated and undisturbed by public footpaths. The grounds are a tapestry of lawns, age-old woods, a grassy meadow, and a sloping field leading to open Duchy farmland. This exquisite property is up for grabs through By Design, with an asking price of £4.5 million.
New York Times
7 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Why Does Anyone Think Trump Will Uphold His End of a Bargain With Columbia?
In 1672, Charles II unilaterally suspended repayment of 1.2 million pounds to London's private bankers. Having run up this debt, and unable to finance a flotilla of ships to fight the Dutch, Charles became neither the first nor the last absolute monarch to break his word. James II, his sibling successor, went further, claiming royal prerogative to bypass laws and purge Protestant judges, generals and functionaries. The solemn oaths he made at his coronation, to respect Parliament and the Church of England, wound up being worth not very much. James ruled for less than four years, deserting after the Glorious Revolution began the era of parliamentary supremacy. Parliament would approve only those loans it would be willing to pay back with taxes, enabling deals with creditors now willing to lend. By restraining the monarch's power, it enabled the crown to make deals it couldn't otherwise get. In economic history, we teach the 1688 creation of parliamentary supremacy as a solution to what economists call 'commitment problems.' In the absence of a third party sufficiently strong to make sure all sides stick to their promises, the powerful can renege on the powerless. The powerless, seeing this, wisely choose to not contract with the powerful. Absolutist rulers are victims of their own lack of restraints; a sovereign who is too powerful cannot get inexpensive credit, because nothing stops the ruler from defaulting on any bond. President Trump, by smashing checks on his authority, has wound up undermining his own ability to make credible deals, including the one just reached with Columbia University, where I teach. The entities that have been striking deals with Mr. Trump, my own employer included, have not learned the lessons of the Glorious Revolution. Trade negotiators from longtime partner countries, government contractors, law firms, federal employees, permanent residents, the Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, even the Transportation Security Administration labor union are all experiencing contractual vertigo, finding out that the administration will not honor previous agreements. The first Trump administration renegotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement to get the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, but Mr. Trump has imposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada in violation of even that agreement. Parties thinking they can wheedle their way into a bargain with a capricious administration are bringing intuitions from the world of private deals, backstopped by the rule of law, into the very different realm of political bargains with absolutism-adjacent executive branches. I understand the desire for a deal. My colleagues and I have eagerly clicked on every news story hinting that Columbia's leaders might have secured the hundreds of millions of dollars the Trump administration has frozen or cut. Our community has borne devastating cuts, with researchers and administrative staff members laid off and participants in medical research losing access to treatment midcourse. On top of that, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has detained a number of our students, and there have been endless leaks, doxxing attacks, campus lockdowns and computer hacks. All of this manifests as a never-ending stream of anxiety — financial, physical, moral — that narrows whatever intellectual horizons the research university is supposed to foster. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Time Business News
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Time Business News
The History and Evolution of Turf Horse Racing
Horse racing is one of the oldest sports in human history, celebrated for its speed, strategy, and thrilling spectacle. While modern horse racing takes place on a variety of surfaces, turf racing, conducted on natural grass tracks, holds a special place in the tradition of the sport. Revered for its elegance and global prestige, turf racing has evolved dramatically over centuries from ancient chariot competitions to today's multimillion-dollar races on lush green tracks. In this article, we explore the history and evolution of turf horse racing, tracing its roots, transformation, and significance in the world of equine sport. Horse racing dates back to ancient civilizations, long before the idea of a turf surface ever existed. Evidence of organized horse competitions can be found in: Ancient Greece, where chariot races were a central part of the Olympic Games. Ancient Rome, which saw competitive horse races in large arenas like the Circus Maximus. Central Asia and the Middle East, where mounted horsemen raced across open desert plains. These early forms of racing were more about competition and warfare than formal sport. Turf racing, as we know it today, began to take shape much later. The use of grassy fields and pastures for racing horses began in medieval England and Ireland. Wealthy landowners and nobles organized informal races to test the speed and stamina of their horses. These early turf races were typically: Run on open fields without structured tracks. Viewed by small, local crowds. Linked to breeding and military training purposes. The lush green landscapes of the British Isles made turf the natural surface of choice, giving birth to a tradition that would soon become organized and institutionalized. By the 17th and 18th centuries, turf horse racing began to resemble the structured sport we recognize today. Key developments included: The first official racecourse was Newmarket in England, established in the early 1600s. Turf tracks were groomed and marked for organized events. Royal patronage, particularly from King Charles II, helped boost racing's popularity. The Jockey Club was formed to regulate horse racing in England. It set the rules, ensured fair play, and maintained track standards. Turf became the standard surface for most elite races. Breeding programs focused on creating fast, strong racehorses suitable for turf. The Thoroughbred breed, originating from Arabian and Barb horses, became central to the sport. With the expansion of the British Empire, turf horse racing was exported around the world. Countries like Australia, Ireland, India, Hong Kong, and South Africa adopted the sport and built their own turf tracks. Turf racing took root in the 19th century. Iconic races like the Melbourne Cup elevated turf racing in the Southern Hemisphere. Horse racing boomed in the 20th century. Tracks like Tokyo Racecourse began attracting international attention for their lush turf conditions. Initially dominated by dirt racing, turf tracks gained popularity in the mid 20th century. Today, major venues like Belmont Park and Santa Anita include dedicated turf courses. As turf racing grew in popularity, racetracks evolved in design and maintenance: Turfgrass species are carefully selected for durability and performance. Drainage systems are installed beneath the surface to handle rain and reduce cancellations. High-tech tools monitor soil moisture, grass health, and footing consistency. Turf tracks vary by geography some are tight and fast (e.g., Hong Kong), while others are wide and galloping (e.g., Ireland). Many venues now have inner and outer turf tracks, offering versatility for race conditions. Today, turf racing hosts some of the most prestigious and lucrative horse races in the world: Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (France) Known as the world's top turf race. Known as the world's top turf race. Royal Ascot (UK) A tradition-rich meet attended by royalty. A tradition-rich meet attended by royalty. Japan Cup (Japan) A turf race drawing global competitors. A turf race drawing global competitors. Dubai Turf (UAE) Part of the glitzy Dubai World Cup Carnival. Part of the glitzy Dubai World Cup Carnival. Breeders' Cup Turf (USA) A major championship event for turf runners. These events not only draw millions in prize money but also define the careers of horses, jockeys, and trainers. Turf horse racing has managed to preserve its traditions while embracing innovation. Key trends shaping its future include: More international runners are competing across borders. Horses regularly ship between continents for major turf events. GPS tracking, video analysis, and AI powered training tools are helping teams optimize turf performance. Digital and live streaming are bringing turf racing to global audiences. Turf tracks are seen as more environmentally friendly than synthetic or dirt surfaces. Courses are investing in eco conscious maintenance, like water recycling and organic turf care. The history and evolution of turf horse racing is a fascinating journey from the open pastures of medieval Europe to the high-tech turf tracks of today. Revered for its natural beauty, challenging conditions, and global appeal, turf racing remains a pillar of the horse racing world. As fans continue to flock to lush green tracks and cheer for their favorites, turf racing shows no signs of slowing down. It's a sport where history and modernity gallop side by side on the finest grass the world has to offer. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Time Out
08-07-2025
- Science
- Time Out
Greenwich's legendary observatory is getting a massive £77 million makeover
It was first built in 1675, after King Charles II ordered a warrant for the construction of the Royal Observatory. Now, 350 years later, the Christopher Wren-designed observatory overlooking Greenwich Park is getting a major £77 million renovation. Jamie Fobert Architects will be heading up the major glow-up, after the firm won a public competition to take ownership of the project in 20222. The project, called 'First Light' will add a new entry pavilion and garden walk, accessible routes to the Great Equatorial Telescope and Planetarium (including a lift tower), refreshed galleries with interactive displays, and new space with shops and cafés called 'Astronomers Court'. Work will begin in September 2025, with the gardens and the accessible routes getting an overhaul which will mean they reach the telescope for the first time. Of the £77 million budget, £50.5 million has been secured so far. The project is due to be complete by spring 2028. Paddy Rodgers, chief executive of Royal Museums Greenwich, said: 'Founded 350 years ago, the Royal Observatory Greenwich is Britain's oldest purpose-built scientific institution. It is the birthplace of modern astronomy and the home of the Prime Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time. 'Through this project we aim to inspire new audiences and advance our remit as a place for the public understanding of astronomy as decreed by our Royal Warrant. The Royal Observatory has long been a place of curiosity, meticulous observation and creative thinking. This encapsulates the spirit of this project.' The London beer that was just crowned the best in Britain for 2025.
