This week's recipe is named after a Scottish castle which has been much in the news over the past week - Drumlanrig which stands near Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, and is the home of the Duke of Buccleuch. A week ago on Wednesday thieves carried out one of the biggest art heists ever in Scotland and made off from Drumlanrig Castle with the masterpiece 'Madonna of the Yarnwinder' by Leonardo da Vinci. The painting valued at over £30 million was completed between 1500 and 1510 and depicts the Madonna with the baby Jesus holding a cross-shaped yarnwinder. A reward of more than £100,000 has been offered for the recovery of the painting.

 

Drumlanrig Castle was completed in 1689 for William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensberry, and was described by Daniel Defoe, author of 'Robinson Crusoe', as a 'palace'. Defoe was an English spy in Scotland prior to the incorporating Union of 1707. The 1st Duke of Queensberry is said to have spent only one night in the castle as did Prince Charles Edward Stewart in 1745. On the death of the 4th Duke Drumlanrig Castle passed to the Duke of Buccleuch.

 

Drumlanrig Castle is one of the many castles, mansions, houses large and small, which are open to the public - giving us all the opportunity to have a glimpse of part of Scotland's past, and of treasures and other artifacts gathered over the centuries.

 

The Doors Open days (DOD) scheme running throughout September gives an opportunity, free of charge, to visit many other buildings, not always open to the public. The scheme is a celebration of Scotland's architectural heritage - visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk for full details or phone the DOD hotline 0141 248 1188 for details of buildings open in your area. DOD started 14 years ago on a small scale, in Glasgow and Ayr, but now extends all over Scotland from Dumfries and Galloway to Orkney. In Fife alone, over Sundays 7, 14, and 21 September 2003 ,some 56 buildings will be open ,ranging from Crail Parish Church (7th), East End Park, Dunfermline - home of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club (14th), to Wemyss School of Needlework, Coaltown of Wemyss (21st).

 

September is also Scottish Archaeology Month (SAM), presented by The Council for Scottish Archaeology, which gives an unique chance to discover and explore Scotland's rich and fascinating archaeological heritage completely free of charge. This year the council presents its largest ever programme to date, packed with events all over our country. To find the archaeology available to visit on your doorstep go to www.scottisharchaeology.org.uk

 

Together DOD and Sam form Scotland's contribution to European Heritage Days 2003 ; a Europe wide festival providing free access to heritage in over 40 countries.

 

Drumlanrig Pudding, named after Drumlanrig Castle is a good and tasty variation of the English Summer Pudding.

 

Drumlanrig Pudding

 

Ingredients : 1 1/2 lb (675 g) rhubarb; 4-6 oz (100 - 150 g) sugar; 8 oz (225 g) sliced white bread; 1 tsp water

 

Stew the rhubarb with water and sugar till soft. Put a layer of bread in the base of a 2 pint (1 L) pudding bowl or souffle dish and pour some hot rhubarb on top. Add another layer of bread and more rhubarb until the dish is full, finishing with a layer of bread. Cover with a plate with a weight for at least 24 hours. To serve, loosen round the edges and turn out. Serve with soured cream and sugar.