Latest news with #GeorgeBruce
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Lucina Prestige obituary
My sister Lucina Prestige, who has died aged 80, was a founder of Renaissance Press, which published the work of such poets as George Bruce and Alan Spence, with illustrations by Elizabeth Blackadder and John Bellany. Bruce was significant in Lucina's life. The first publication they made together – Lucina as editor – was Pursuit: Poems by George Bruce 1986-98 (1999), winner of the Saltire Society Scottish book of the year. This led to Polygon commissioning Lucina to edit Today Tomorrow: The Collected Poems of George Bruce 1933-2000 (2001), with a preface by Edwin Morgan and illustrated by Bellany. Two limited edition portfolios of Bruce's poems and Bellany's etchings followed: Woman of the North Sea and The Sacred Sea. Born in London, Lucina was the daughter of Frederica Grundy, a radiographer, and Brian Hackett, a landscape architect who played a significant part in the development of the discipline. Her secondary schooling included a spell at Urbana high school, Illinois, when our father was on a two-year sabbatical at the University of Illinois. She studied for a diploma in education at Kenton Lodge College of Education, Newcastle, which was converted into an honours degree by the University of Newcastle. Her first editorial post was at Oriel Press, Newcastle, in 1967, after which she moved to Edinburgh for a senior editorial post at Holmes McDougall in 1970. There she met Martin Prestige, a neuroscientist at Edinburgh University. They married in 1972. While editing Today Tomorrow, Lucina discovered short poems in Bruce's wastepaper basket. She recognised them as haikus. Her instinct as an editor was that they should be published, and she rescued them; further haikus were posted through her letterbox. The resulting publication, Through the Letterbox: Haikus by George Bruce, illustrated by Blackadder (a mutual friend) became the first publication of Renaissance Press in 2003, which Lucina developed into a significant poet- and artist-led publisher. Following Bruce's death in 2002, Lucina and Spence made Thirteen Ways of Looking at Tulips: Haikus, with illustrations by Blackadder (2022). For this last of Lucina's publications, she was also the designer, working closely with the poet and the artist. Renaissance Press's website credits Lucina as a collector and editor, but she was much more than that. Scotland has lost a gifted member of its publishing community; one whose passion was to make beautiful books. Martin died in 1979. Of Lucina's immediate family, I am her only survivor.
Daily Record
27-07-2025
- Daily Record
I love visiting quiet Scottish village that's regularly named one of UK's prettiest
The Scottish village is often dubbed one of the UK's prettiest thanks to its cobbled streets, ochre-hued houses, and stunning views of the Firth of Forth - and yet remains under the radar for tourists. Nestled along the northern coastline of the Firth of Forth, the charming village of Culross (pronounced "Coo-riss") is frequently hailed as amongst Britain's most beautiful - and rightly so. Boasting cobblestone streets, golden-coloured cottages, and terracotta rooftops, this immaculately maintained Scottish settlement transports visitors straight into a 17th-century masterpiece. Whilst destinations such as the Cotswolds or Cornwall capture most headlines for picturesque domestic breaks, Culross flies beneath the tourist radar. During a bright June afternoon, my mother, sister, and I embarked on a day trip to this tiny seaside community after hearing that Culross was worth a visit. That proved to be quite the understatement. The destination became amongst the most delightful locations we'd ever discovered - a genuine treasure that warrants significantly greater recognition. The village maintained a peaceful atmosphere, though not in any dull or abandoned manner. Given its remarkable photogenic qualities, you'd anticipate crowds of sightseers overwhelming the area. Yet that wasn't the case. Perhaps visitors gravitate towards more renowned locations like Cornwall, Devon, the Cotswolds or the Lake District for their summer escapes. Even Edinburgh, located less than an hour away, draws the majority of Scotland's holidaymakers. Our day began with a leisurely stroll through the winding, cobbled streets nestled between mustard-yellow homes, whitewashed cottages, and quirky chimneys. It felt as though we had travelled back in time, particularly when we arrived at the Mercat Cross and ambled uphill towards Culross Abbey. It's hardly surprising that Culross is a popular filming location for Outlander – parts of the village double as Cranesmuir in the series. In fact, it's not just Outlander – several films and shows have capitalised on Culross's 17th-century charm, including Captain America and The Little Vampire. We paused for lunch at a quaint tearoom called Bessie's Cafe, where we enjoyed soup and a sandwich. The tearoom itself was housed in one of the iconic ochre-yellow buildings, complete with a lovely outdoor area. After our meal, we popped into the small shops and galleries before making our way to the highlight of our trip: Culross Palace. The National Trust for Scotland maintains the palace, and I must admit, I wasn't prepared for its stunning beauty. The ochre-coloured merchant's house, which dates back to the 17th century, was constructed for Sir George Bruce, the Laird of Carnock. However, it was the garden that truly stole my breath away. It boasted rows of herbs, vegetables, and wildflowers, but the rose garden was the real star of the show - possibly the most beautiful I've ever seen. While Culross may be a coastal town, it's not your typical seaside destination. The waterfront is ideal for a leisurely walk, although the view across the Forth includes the industrial silhouette of Grangemouth's power station. There's a pebbled beach nearby - we didn't get to it, but I've heard it's perfect for a stroll at low tide. However, the charm of the village itself made up for missing out on it. There were more activities than we had time for. You can visit Culross Abbey, established in the 13th century, or follow the Fife Coastal Path, which offers stunning views over the water. The village also boasts a selection of inviting cafés and tearooms. The Mercat is a newly-opened café and homeware shop, while The Biscuit Café is renowned for its cakes and traybakes. If you're after something more substantial, The Red Lion Inn serves traditional pub grub. If you fancy a bit of shopping, The Biscuit Tin gift shop and The Biscuit Factory art gallery are delightful places to peruse. For accommodation, the elegantly stylish The Dundonald guesthouse and cottages were listed among The Times' best British hotels.
Daily Mirror
27-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
I visited one of UK's prettiest villages that tourists often skip for Cornwall or the Cotswolds
The village is often described as one of the prettiest villages in the UK - and with good reason. Just one look at its cobbled lanes and ochre-hued houses, and you'll feel like you've stepped into a 17th-century painting. Nestled on the northern banks of the Firth of Forth, the village of Culross (pronounced "Coo-riss") is often hailed as one of the UK's prettiest villages – and it's easy to see why. With its quaint cobbled streets, warm ochre-hued buildings, and distinctive red-tiled roofs, this immaculately preserved Scottish burgh transports you straight into a scene from the 17th century. While popular spots like the Cotswolds or Cornwall usually steal the limelight for idyllic countryside retreats, Culross remains somewhat of a secret amongst British holidaymakers. On a bright June day, my mum, sister, and I embarked on a day trip to this small coastal gem after hearing that Culross was a place not to be missed. That recommendation turned out to be quite the understatement. The visit revealed one of the most enchanting vilages we've ever come across - an undiscovered treasure that surely warrants more recognition than it currently receives. The village exuded a peaceful atmosphere, yet it was anything but dull or deserted. Considering its picture-postcard appeal, you would anticipate a throng of visitors. Surprisingly, that wasn't the case. Perhaps it's overshadowed by the draw of more renowned destinations such as Cornwall, Devon, the Cotswolds, or the Lake District for summer getaways. Even Edinburgh, less than an hour's drive away, seems to capture the bulk of Scotland's tourism. Our day began with a leisurely stroll through the winding cobbled streets, nestled between mustard-yellow homes, whitewashed cottages and quirky chimneys. It felt as though we'd travelled back in time, particularly as we approached the Mercat Cross and ambled uphill past Culross Abbey. It's hardly surprising that Culross serves as a filming location for Outlander – parts of the village double up as Cranesmuir in the series. In fact, it's not just Outlander – several films and shows have capitalised on Culross's 17th-century charm, including Captain America and The Little Vampire. We paused for lunch at a quaint tearoom called Bessie's Cafe, where we enjoyed soup and a sandwich. The tearoom itself was housed in one of the iconic ochre-yellow buildings, complete with a lovely outdoor area. After our meal, we popped into the small shops and galleries before making our way to the highlight of our trip: Culross Palace. The National Trust for Scotland is responsible for the palace, and I must admit, I wasn't prepared for its stunning beauty. The ochre-hued merchant's house, which dates back to the 17th century, was constructed for Sir George Bruce, the Laird of Carnock. However, it was the garden that truly stole my heart. It boasted rows of herbs, vegetables, and wildflowers, but the rose garden was the real star of the show - possibly the most beautiful I've ever seen. While Culross is technically a coastal town, it's not your typical seaside destination. The waterfront provides a pleasant walk, although the view across the Forth includes the industrial silhouette of Grangemouth's power station. There's a pebbled beach nearby - we didn't venture down to it, but I've heard it's ideal for a low tide stroll. Regardless, the charm of the village itself made up for missing out on the beach. There's more to do than we had time for. You can explore Culross Abbey, established in the 13th century, or take the Fife Coastal Path for stunning views over the water. The village boasts several cosy cafés and tearooms. The Mercat is a newly-opened café and homeware shop, while The Biscuit Café is renowned for its cakes and traybakes. If you fancy something more substantial, The Red Lion Inn offers traditional pub grub. If shopping is on your agenda, The Biscuit Tin gift shop and The Biscuit Factory art gallery are delightful places to peruse. For accommodation, the elegantly stylish The Dundonald guesthouse and cottages have been listed among The Times' top British hotels.
