From Scotland with love: bikers and kings and architects
a curious & creative carousel newsletter
Enter this week’s rabbit hole of Scotland’s curiosities…
Harley Davidson Legacy Cottage opens
near Aberlemno, Brechin
open weekends from 12th April
Get your motor running, head out on the highway. For biker enthusiasts, this is the cottage Davidson’s dad grew up in. The family emigrated to USA in 1857. The Davidson Legacy Cottage is a museum with interiors recreating life in a mid-19th Century Scottish home and a visitor centre with 21st century facilities. Taking their family of six children, including William Davidson - father of the Davidson brothers who founded Harley Davidson Motor Company in 1903. The derelict cottage was rescued in 2008 but was more recently under threat of demolition after being put up for sale. Now it is re-opened and re-imagined through crowd-funding and support from Harley Davidson. Also in the pipeline, community workshops for local youths inspired by the Harley Davidson story.
Macbeth: An Exhibition
Perth Museum
until 31st August
Perth Museum opens its summer long exhibition, the story of Macbeth in Perthshire. From Birnam Wood to Dunsinane Hill as told through objects relating to literature, film and theatre. The story is told alongside the real story of King Macbeth. An exciting blend of history and fantasy. Can’t wait to see it for myself (soon!).
Dream dinner under the stars
The Azalea by Glenapp Castle
Ballantrae, Ayrshire
opens 1st May
Within the walled gardens of Glenapp, is one of the last remaining traditional iron glasshouses designed by Moncur & McKenzie. The seasonal menu includes produce from the kitchen garden. Open for dinner or afternoon tea: Wed - Sat or Sunday lunch. Private dining also available. Here’s their dream-like video. Dream away…
Signspotting at The Orchard bar
I noticed an original feature at this pub, formerly The Northern bar, one of Edinburgh’s original Victorian pubs. This original stained glass door was part of a re-design in 1903 by local architect Robert Macfarlane Cameron. He re-designed several pub interiors for some of Edinburgh’s well-loved traditional pubs including Ryrie’s, Guildford Arms and Bennett’s.
The words ‘bottle and jug department’ sent me down a rabbit hole of pub trade history. These were the original off-licences, a separate room in the bar where you brought your jug to be filled with whatever took your fancy - this was typically the woman’s task. They were often called the ‘family department’, a takeaway section of the pub, if you like. The wee hand-painted scene is of the Brig O’Turk in The Trossachs. The bar top at The Orchard bar is also the original. Also see some great art exhibitions in the side room.
The World of King James VI and I
Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh
until 14th September
This new exhibition marks the 400th anniversary of his death. Although an influential figure in many ways, he was overshadowed by his mum Mary Queen of Scots and his son Charles I. I knew him mostly for his reworking of the bible, the gunpowder plot and his witchcraft obsession. We find out more in this exhibition. Interesting for lovers of history and 16-17th Century portraiture. It also offers a concise contextual summary of the turbulent Scottish regal history of this time.
The Govan Stones, Viking age treasures
Govan Old Parish Church, Glasgow
open daily until 31st October
A unique collection of early medieval carved stones that lay in the old churchyard for centuries - now housed inside the church. Free to visit and guided tours available.
See you next week for another carousel newsletter.
From Scotland, with love.