Forget the three R’s. I went to Speyside, Scotland’s “single-malt capital of the world,” to brush up on the three W’s: whisky, wool and walking.

Striding beside the River Spey on a misty afternoon, a warm sweater from a local mill wrapped around my shoulders, an even warmer dram of whisky awaiting me at my hotel ahead, I realized I’d reached peak Speyside status.

Educational mission accomplished. Or, to quote Scottish poet and noted whisky fan Robert Bu… (View original article)

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Families have the chance to bag free tickets to some of Kent’s biggest attractions when the Kent Big Weekend returns this year.

The annual event will see more than 100 tourist attractions in Kent opening their doors on Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2, to celebrate what the county has to offer for English Tourism Week.

More than 22,000 free tickets to top attractions will be given away to residents this year, including Dover Castle, Wingham Wildli… (View original article)

Beaumaris Castle, on the isle of Anglesey, Wales, is the most impressive example of a concentric castle in the world.

It’s a formidable, symmetrical little fortress – created by Edward I of England who, in a fit of rage, sought to dominate the Welsh.

From 1285 onwards, he poured huge amounts of money into building an ‘iron ring’ of castles across the coast of North Wales.

Beaumaris, then, is a sister to Edward I’s other Welsh fortresses – which include Caernarfon, Con… (View original article)

BERRY Pomeroy, near Totnes, one of the last castles to be built in England, and reputedly one of the most haunted, is the subject of the Devon Rural Archive’s lecture for 2017.

‘Berry Pomeroy Castle and Deer Park’, an illustrated talk, will be given by independent archaeological contractor, Stewart Brown, on Thursday, February 2, at 7pm.

Dating from the late 15th century and set within a deer park, Berry Pomeroy was the home of the Seymour family and was used more as a hunt… (View original article)

One of Scotland’s top young chefs will bring his signature style to two new ventures in Angus and Fife this year.

Adam Newth, chef proprietor of the Tayberry restaurant in Broughty Ferry, is to launch a second restaurant in St Andrews in the spring and has taken on the catering at the relaunched Kinnettles Castle near Forfar.

The 26-year-old said the move will triple his dozen staff.

Kinettles Castle has been relaunched as an exclusive use wedding and private events … (View original article)

17 Jan 2017
Yorkshire

Laurence Kilgannon

A scheme to revitalise a key area of York city centre is set to be scrutinised by York councillors next week (23 January 2017).

The Castle Gateway scheme, previously referred to as the Southern Gateway, sets out ideas for the creation of a large public space around Clifford’s Tower and the Eye of York.

The vision celebrates the history of this part of the city, with a new building along the castle side of the Fos… (View original article)

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Loved up couples have the chance to spend a romantic Valentine’s weekend in one of Kent’s most beautiful castles this February.

Hever Castle is running a Valentine’s Dine and Stay package the weekend before February 14, with a six course meal and stunning five star bedrooms.

Couples will arrive at the castle near Edenbridge on Saturday, February 11, at 3pm before a drinks reception in the evening.

A six course meal follows in the Tudor Suite Din… (View original article)

A party guest who sustained severe leg injuries when she fell on to a broken urn at a Co Fermanagh castle has lost her case for £100,000 in damages.

Leanne Brown (33) suffered deep lacerations in the incident at Belle Isle Castle, where she attended a masquerade ball to mark a friend’s birthday in November 2013.

Mrs Brown sued Abercorn Estates, owners of the Lisbellaw venue, for alleged negligence in failing to secure the ceramic pot to its stand.

A High Cour… (View original article)