Latest news with #Dunblane
Forbes
13-07-2025
- Forbes
Inside Kim Murray's Approach To Calm At Cromlix Hotel
Cromlix Hotel, Dunblane cromlix Just north of Stirling, Scotland, surrounded by open greenery, sits Cromlix, an estate that Kim and Andy Murray have transformed into a five-star hotel. Full of Victorian charm, it was once a private home and still carries that warmth, something Kim, the creative force behind the project, was determined to preserve. Cromlix Hotel, Dunblane cromlix Cromlix also holds personal significance and memories for the couple; they may have acquired it in 2013 and took over the full running of it in 2023, but their connection goes back much further — Andy grew up nearby, his grandparents celebrated their silver wedding anniversary there in 1982, and its where Kim and Andy tied the knot in 2015 — so the estate has been a constant backdrop to celebratory times for the family. Cromlix Hotel, Dunblane Cromlix Now, it its iteration as a luxury hotel, Kim oversees every detail of the guest experience, from the fabrics and florals to the artwork and menus. At the heart of her vision is a commitment to local artisans and makers, championing the best of Scottish craft and character. Cromlix Hotel, Dunblane Cromlix The hotel brings in local experts too, who host workshops, from floral design and watercolor painting, to wellbeing days, and this all comes together to offer a special escape that balances elegance with ease — a place to settle in, slow down, and feel at home. Kim Murray at Cromlix cromlix To celebrate its upcoming wellbeing days, Kim shares her guide to personal calm at Cromlix. Spend Time In Nature I'm a big believer in the restorative power of nature. It's something I've appreciated more and more as I've got older, and had a family. I see how important it is for all of us to just get outdoors in whatever form that takes – going for a walk, chasing a ball, spotting wildlife. At Cromlix we are lucky to have 34 acres of private grounds and woodland so there is lots of space to explore, reap the benefits of the beautiful Scottish countryside and just breathe. Cromlix Hotel, Dunblane cromlix Take Time To Enjoy Simple Pleasures There is something luxurious about running your own bath, shutting the bathroom door and relaxing for an hour or so. Cromlix has recently introduced a whole bath time ritual which includes having your bath drawn for you, laden with heavenly essential oils, a relaxing playlist pumped into the expansive bathrooms and LED candles softly lighting the room. Cromlix Hotel, Dunblane Cromlix I'll definitely be trying that out when I next visit as I rarely get the chance to have a bath at home, and when I do, I'm usually sharing it with a child or three. Other simple pleasures I enjoy at Cromlix are sitting down for a cup of loose leaf tea, listening to the birds, appreciating the art on the walls and if I'm really lucky, reading a book. Cromlix Hotel, Dunblane Cromlix Bring Your Dog We have recently got a new puppy; a flatcoated retriever who is into everything and full of energy. At 10 weeks old, I'm not finding her very calming at the moment. Cromlix Hotel, Dunblane Cromlix However, there is lots of research to say that holidaying with your dog is beneficial, and can help reduce stress. We have not taken her with us yet to Cromlix, but she's already excited about the doggie hamper and sleeping in our room. Cromlix Hotel, Dunblane Cromlix Flower Arranging When we took over the running of the hotel ourselves, in 2023, I wanted there to be fresh flowers in every room. We are lucky to have a fantastic Kitchen Garden at the hotel and our Head Gardener, Kathy, is doing an amazing job at keeping it stocked throughout the seasons. I started flower arranging myself a few years ago and love the mindfulness it provides. I always visit the Kitchen Garden when I go to Cromlix (Kathy is very generous with her time and happy to give guests a guided tour) and if I have time will pick some blooms for the house too. Cromlix Hotel, Dunblane cromlix Go Phone Free During term time with four children I become a bit of a slave to my phone, to stay on top of all of the Whatsapp groups and school updates. But when I go away on holiday I try to go screen-free. Andy and I are trying to keep our children off devices for as long as possible, so it's important they learn that behaviour from us. It's quite hard at the beginning to switch off but by day two, the absence of messages pinging into your inbox is pure bliss. Do Nothing One of our most popular packages at Cromlix is the Do-Nothing Cation, which does exactly what it says on the tin: encourages our guests to just be. For me there is huge appeal in not booking up every minute of our holiday and rushing from one activity to the next. It will allow us to be a bit more spontaneous and enjoy just spending time together. Cromlix Hotel, Dunblane cromlix Address: Cromlix, Kinbuck, Stirling FK15 9JT. Book into the Embracing Change - Yoga and Wellbeing Day on Monday 22nd of September, 2025.
Irish Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Crying in public was once seen as a strength. Why would a few perfectly rational tears cause such discomfort?
As the arguments raged, defending or lacerating UK chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves 's tears in the House of Commons , an image of another tearful woman came to mind. It was a newspaper photograph taken nearly 30 years ago outside the gates of a Dunblane primary school in Scotland where 16 five-year-olds and their teacher were shot dead hours earlier and it was captioned, 'a grieving parent'. The indisputably tearful woman in the black coat was not a tragic Dunblane parent. It was me. As a journalist, it was mortifying. Reporters are supposed to remain impassive. But as a mother of small children and a human being in that moment tears seemed by far the sanest response. So who decides what is normal or rational? With due respect to the (mostly) women rushing to declare they never cried in public and would have stayed away if unable to compose themselves, their facial expressions were never important enough to move the bond markets. Whether 'something' had happened at home and/or she felt terminally frustrated by her boss's latest U-turn, Reeves had no choice but to show up in the Commons. If she hadn't, the speculation and the bond movements would have been even more demented. So, went the narrative, it was Reeves the crybaby versus the cold judgment of the markets. Yet such is the emotional volatility of the markets, there is a Fear and Greed index to gauge their mood swings. It was only when it was clear that Reeves was remaining in her job that they composed themselves. The point often missed was that pre-tears Reeves had already earned her reputation as a serious-minded chancellor. It clearly wasn't she who had executed the U-turns. So why would a few perfectly rational tears cause such discomfort? READ MORE Crying in public was once seen as a strength. It wasn't until the mid-20th century that tears were used to suggest that 'candidates for public office were not manly or stable enough' to be there, according to Tom Lutz, author of a history of tears . Which might explain why little boys and girls cry equally when they're young, and why men tend to cry less than women as adults – and far less than women at work. [ Fears for tears: why do we tell boys not to cry? Opens in new window ] Research suggests women cry five times as often as men and on average about five times a month. Women's tear ducts are also shallower, which causes spillover and makes their crying more obvious unfortunately. But men cry too. Winston Churchill cried copiously in mourning and celebration. Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W Bush, Barack Obama, Joe Biden all mopped their tears as presidents. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has cried publicly dozens of times. Vladimir Putin also appeared to cry at a 2013 concert during a band's performance of You Know, I Really Want to Live. [ From the archive: No crying please, we're Irish Opens in new window ] Iron women cried. Margaret Thatcher had tears rolling down her face on at least four separate occasions. Hillary Clinton choked up in a coffee shop during the 2008 New Hampshire Democratic primary. Jacinda Ardern teared up in her final interview as New Zealand prime minister when asked how she felt about her portrait in parliament. 'One day, I will be finished and the only thing that will remain is that picture and how I made people feel,' she said, sounding perfectly rational and real. The fact is that reaction to a public crying episode depends largely on what judgment people have already formed of the person doing the crying. Anyone who interpreted Reeves's tears as a signal of female helplessness lacks basic understanding of how the sexes react to persistent undermining, provocation or incompetence. Generally speaking, men act out in anger, possibly with a profanity or a punch or getting smashed down the pub; women internalise it and weep with frustration privately, mostly in an effort not to let the side down. And it was that side, interestingly, that tended to show its anti-Reeves teeth last week. Reeves was facing the cameras after a year of titanic efforts to balance the books of the world's sixth largest economy, only to be isolated and betrayed at the last minute by her own side – and in the full public glare. Not many people, however senior in their jobs, can intuit what that actually feels like. [ Do we like it when our political and business leaders appear human or cry in public? Opens in new window ] Way back in 1987 former US congresswoman Patricia Schroeder famously broke into tears while giving up her presidential bid. She was still getting hate mail about her 'breakdown' decades later, she told The New York Times. 'People used to say 'We don't want somebody's finger on the nuclear button who cries.' I would say 'Well, I don't want somebody with their finger on it who doesn't'.' Her point is even more relevant now, in the age of blind certainty, retribution and performative cruelty. 'When I see a man cry I view it as a weakness … The last time I cried was when I was a baby,' Donald Trump told People magazine in 2015. Westminster opposition leader Kemi Badenoch, a fiercely articulate woman with a front-row view of Reeves's distress, chose to respond with malevolent gloating. If a politician lacks all compassion, empathy and decency towards their political peers, how can they be trusted to represent ordinary people? Ordinary voters get it. Six in 10 said seeing a politician cry would make no difference to their opinion of them, and 12 per cent said it would even improve it, according to a Sunday Times poll. Just 17 per cent of voters said seeing a politician cry would make them think less of them. The state of the world calls for more weeping, not less. That would be the sane choice.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- BBC News
Teacher killed in Dunblane massacre among Scots to receive Elizabeth Emblem
A primary school teacher who was killed while trying to protect her class in the Dunblane shooting in 1996 has been recognised with a new Mayor is one of eight Scots being honoured with the Elizabeth Emblem, which was introduced last year for public servants who died in the line of is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or a terrorist husband, Rodney Mayor, said her family were "extremely proud and honoured" to receive the award on her behalf. He said: "We always believed her actions that day deserved more recognition.""You would have to have known Gwen to know that she would have done whatever trying to protect the children in her care."She paid the ultimate price for that commitment. Finally, we now feel that she has been honoured for what happened that day." On 13 March 1996, Thomas Hamilton entered Dunblane Primary School with four handguns and 743 rounds of opened fire on children who had been skipping round the gym hall, killing 16 pupils as well as Mrs Mayor, before turning the gun on attack took between three and four remains the deadliest firearms atrocity ever committed in the affected spoke of their determination not to be defined by the events in a BBC documentary 20 years Secretary Ian Murray said he was "particularly pleased" to see the honour go to Mrs said: "No-one will ever forget the horror of the shooting at Dunblane Primary School in 1996, when Mrs Mayor was killed trying to protect her pupils."I hope that the families of all those recognised will take some comfort in knowing that their loved ones, and their service, has not been forgotten." Another recipient of the Elizabeth Emblem is Rod Moore, from Falkirk, who had retired as a paramedic after 40 years with the Scottish Ambulance of a sense of duty and a love for the job, he went back to work during the Covid pandemic at the age of contracted the virus and became seriously ill very quickly. He died in November wife Clare told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme that Rod worked very hard, loved his patients and would be "really chuffed" about the award. "He was the funniest man in the world," she said. "He made me laugh every day. He was a great dad to Craig and we both miss him so much."Because of the pandemic, he knew that he had to be there to help."Within a week of testing positive for Covid, Rod was taken into intensive care where he stayed for about four and son Craig could not visit due to restrictions and had not received phone calls from doctors - so Rod, matter of factly, kept them up to date with his condition."He kind of took control," said Clare. "He had phoned me on the Tuesday to say I would need to prepare myself. As naïve as I was then, I thought I had weeks yet."It wasn't until the Friday night that we got the phone call from one of the consultants to say we could go and see him, that he was very sick. "I asked that we would be there at the end, I didn't want him on his own. He died at 01:20. That was the last time I seen him."Clare and Craig are now preparing to receive the award on Rod's behalf."I wish he was here, I'd rather have him here," she added. "I've got all my memories, and I just keep them." Sacrifice remembered Two Scottish police officers and two firefighters killed in the line of duty are among the other Scots being Paul North, who was known by his second name of Richard, of Tayside Police died when the police car he was in was involved in a collision with another vehicle whose driver was under the influence of drink and drugs in Perth in March Joseph Stewart Drake, of Stirling and Clackmannan Constabulary, was killed when a stolen lorry being pursued by officers intentionally struck his car as he tried to intercept it at Dennyloanhead near Falkirk in August Roderick Nicolson died in December 1995 after becoming trapped in five tonnes of sodium carbonate ash while attempting to rescue two workmen from a silo of chemical dust at Perth firefighter Ewan Williamson died while responding to a fire at the Balmoral Bar in Edinburgh in July emblem is also being given to the family of Alastair Soutar, who worked for HM Customs & Excise and was crushed between a customs boat and a smugglers' vessel while taking part in an operation to catch drug smugglers off the Caithness coast in July Oliver of the Glasgow Salvage Corps died at the Cheapside Street whisky bond fire on 28 March 1960. He was instantly killed alongside 18 others when some casks ruptured causing a massive boiling liquid expanding vapour Minister John Swinney welcomed the award going to the eight Scots, saying: "This recognition enables us to remember their sacrifice and their lives dedicated to public service. They made Scotland a better place for us all and we continue to honour their memory."
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Wimbledon to honour Andy Murray with new statue at All England Club
Wimbledon plan to honour Sir Andy Murray with a statue at the All England Club, with the two-time champion set to be involved in the design. Plans are afoot at Wimbledon to commemorate Dunblane tennis icon Andy Murray's glittering tennis career with a statue in his honour at the All England Club. Sir Andy, the men's singles champion at SW19 in 2013 and 2016, retired from the sport last year and looks set to have a hand in the sculpture's creation. The organisers at Wimbledon are aiming to unveil the statue in 2027 to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the championships. Speaking on the ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast, All England club chair Debbie Jevans revealed: "We're looking to have a statue of Andy Murray here and we're working closely with him and his team. "The ambition is that we would unveil that at the 150th anniversary of our first Championship, which was 1877." She emphasised Sir Andy's personal involvement in the project, adding that "He's got to rightly be very involved in that and him and his team will be." Tennis legends including John McEnroe and Billie Jean King have previously voiced their support for Murray's recognition with a tribute at Wimbledon. Marking the end of a 77-year hiatus for a Briton clinching the Wimbledon singles title, Andy finally hung up his racquet following the Paris Olympics last August. Jevans reminisced about his final Wimbledon match, saying: "We had a great celebration for Andy when he played his last match at Wimbledon, which was on Centre Court." "All the old players came and they greeted him and Sue Barker interviewed him." Reflecting on Rafa Nadal's own accolade at Roland Garros, Jevans explained the unique considerations for Murray's tribute, adding: "We looked at Rafa Nadal having that sort of plaque unveiled to him at Roland Garros which was all very special. But we thought, what do we want for Andy?" A bronze statue of Fred Perry, the last British men's champion before Murray, was put up at Wimbledon in 1984 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his first singles championship. Last week, we told how the former Olympic champ could be in a spot of bother with his own gran – after he was named as brand ambassador for a shortbread firm, despite her own famous version of the biscuits. Murray was announced as the first-ever brand ambassador for Walker's Shortbread. But the Wimbledon champ's own gran, Shirley Erskine, has often hit the headlines herself with her legendary shortbread. Her recipe has even featured in a special's Mother's Day recipe book created in support of Scottish charity Mary's Meals. The sweet treat was also a big hit with fellow contestants, pro dancers and judges when Shirley's daughter – Andy's mum Judy Murray – took part in 'Strictly Come Dancing'. Shirley even took along a tin when invited on to Mrs Brown's Saturday night chat show and made a tin which went all the way to Wimbledon in exchange for a £100 donation to the local Dunblane Centre.
The Sun
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Andy Murray to be given incredible honour at Wimbledon that's only been achieved once before
WIMBLEDON has commissioned a statue of two-time singles champion Sir Andy Murray that will be unveiled in 2027. For the first time, the All England Club has confirmed that a sculpture is in the works of legendary Murray, 38, who retired last year from playing. 3 3 The Scotsman won the title in 2013 – he beat rival Novak Djokovic in the Centre Court final – and it ended a 77-year wait for a homegrown male winner. Three years later, the Dunblane star repeated the incredible feat, this time beating Canadian Milos Raonic for a second Championship. To honour his illustrious achievements, a statue will be a permanent part of the SW19 grounds and is set to go public in 2027, which is the 150th anniversary of the first Championships Current chair Debbie Jevans revealed the information on the ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast, which is hosted by former Sky Sports news presenter Georgie Ainslie. Jevans said: 'We are looking to have a statue of Andy Murray here and we're working closely with him and his team. 'And the ambition is that we would unveil that on the 150th anniversary of our first Championships, which was 1877, so would be in 2027. 'It will be (lovely). He's rightly got to be very involved in that and him and his team will be.' Fred Perry was a three-time singles champion before the Second World War and was the last British man to lift the famous trophy before Murray. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS There is a ¾ life-sized statue of the Stockport-born player – he died in February 1995 aged 85 – which is situated outside the Debenture Holders' Entrance. There are also five head-and-shoulder busts of British ladies conquerors Kitty Godfree, Dorothy Round, Angela Mortimer, Ann Jones and Virginia Wade. Murray, who had career-saving hip surgery in January 2019, quit the sport last summer after he lost in the doubles competition of the Paris Olympics. His final match at Wimbledon was a year ago when he lost in the first round of the men's doubles tournament alongside elder brother Jamie Murray. Tears flowed as Murray spoke to Sue Barker on court about his career and memories of the Championships as his former rivals came out to pay their respects. Jevans said: 'You always wanted and you always hoped for a British winner. Of course, you do. We are all patriotic. 'Andy had won the 2012 Olympics before here and had that experience on Centre Court. 'And we were hoping that maybe that could help him with winning the Wimbledon title (in 2013). 'When he won it was so special. So special for him, so special for us, as a club. 'Now he has retired we are very much looking to how we can embrace him to be part of the club in the long term. 'We had a great celebration for Andy when he played his last match, which was on Centre Court. 'All the old players came and they greeted him and Sue Barker interviewed him.' Andy Murray's career timeline SIR Andy Murray is Great Britain's most successful tennis player of the Open era. After breaking through in 2005 to reach the Wimbledon third round at 18, the Scot was British No1 by the following year. In 2008 he reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open, only to fall to Roger Federer in straight sets. Two more final defeats at the Australian Open to Federer and Novak Djokovic followed in 2010 and 2011 before heartbreak at Wimbledon in 2012. Despite taking the first set against Federer, he fell 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 in front of a home crowd before breaking into tears on Centre Court. But a month later on the same court he beat the Swiss legend to earn Team GB a gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics. And weeks after that he broke his Grand Slam duck at the fifth attempt, beating Djokovic in five sets in the US Open final. In 2013, following another Australian Open final loss, Murray beat Djokovic in straight sets to become the first British man in 77 years to win the Wimbledon title. Three more losing Grand Slam finals followed, at the 2015 and 2016 Australian Opens and the 2016 French Open. But in his third Grand Slam final of 2016, Murray won Wimbledon again with a straight sets victory over Canadian Milos Raonic. He followed it up with his second Olympic gold medal, beating Juan Martin del Potro in a four-hour epic in the final in Rio de Janeiro. Later in 2016 Murray became world No1 - the first British man to do so in history. Over his career Murray reached 11 Grand Slam finals, winning three. He won two Olympic golds and a silver (in the mixed doubles alongside Laura Robson). He finishes his career with 46 titles and over £50million in earnings, making him the fourth all-time leader in earnings. His final match was at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he lost in the quarter-final of the men's doubles at Roland Garros to USA pair Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz.
