An invaluable book for any visitor to Scotland, indeed for home Scots as
well, has just been republished. The 4th edition of 'The Hidden Places of
Scotland' by James Gracie ( £10.99 Travel Publishing Ltd ) is printed in
full colour providing the reader with more scenic and pleasurable views of
our beautiful country. Scotland is rich in history and culture; its
landscapes possess some of the most impressive views in the British Isles
and finest coastlines in the world. Scotland as the book proves is full of
'Hidden Places', which can enrich the visitor's historical knowledge of
Scottish heritage and has landscapes, which regardless of the weather,
astound the eye with their sheer beauty. The book is packed with
information on the secluded and little known venues for food,
accommodation and places of interest as well as the more enduring
attractions of Scotland. James Gracie is a full time writer living in
Scotland and is to be congratulated on filling 400 pages full of
extraordinary stories and interesting histories of the villages, towns and
cities of fair Caledonia. The book is available at all good Book Shops and
through other channels of distribution such as Garden Centres, Local
Tourist Information Centres and Heritage Sites.
With the Scottish National Party Annual National Conference returning to
Inverness this September, a dip into the section on the Capital of the
Highlands seemed appropriate -
'The oldest secular building in the city is Abertaff House in Church
Street ( National Trust for Scotland ), which dates from 1593. It was
built as a town house for the Frasers of Lovat. It isn't open to the
public. Dunbar's Hospital is also on Church Street, and dates from 1668.
It was founded by Provost Alexander Dunbar as a hospital for the poor. It
has now been divided into flats. Balnain House ( National Trust for
Scotland ), on Huntly Street on the opposite bank of the River Ness, was
built in 1726 and is now the Trust's regional HQ. it is not open to the
public. Also on the opposite bank is Inverness Cathedral, a gem of a
building designed by Alexander Ross and built between 1866 and 1869. It
was supposed to have had two large spires, but these were never built.'
Inverness Cathedral is a familiar sight to all SNP delegates as it lies
just along the River Ness from the Conference meeting place, the Eden
Court Theatre. As Inverness was recognised as the Capital of the Highlands
long before the award of city status, for a recipe this week we look to
the Highlands - Highland Beef Balls accompanied by skirlie, bacon and
tatties should provide capital fare for all.
Highland Beef Balls
Ingredients : 1lb ( 500 g ) mince; 2 oz ( 50 g ) suet, finely chopped; one
onion, finely chopped ( optional but recommended ); 1 tsp freshly ground
black pepper; 1 tsp mixed spice; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp sugar; 1/2 tsp
ginger; 1/4 tsp ground cloves
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly together in a mixing bowl. Shape into 4
large or 8 small patties. Fry for five minutes on both sides in a little
hot fat. Serve with bacon,
skirlie and tatties.
