Day: January 21, 2019

Lorraine is Queen of Scots!

On the week that the Hollywood blockbuster based on the life of Mary Queen of Scots hit the big screen, Scots have had their say on who they’d choose to be their Queen in 2019.

Lorraine Kelly, the Queen of daytime TV, could add another Kingdom to her roster, as Scots would choose her over anyone else to be their ruler – and in her first act, she has called for Scots to watch more Billy Connolly.

The ScotPulse survey was commissioned by Macdonald Hotels & Resorts to celebrate the release of the movie, ‘Mary Queen of Scots’, as well as the independent hotel group’s connection to the historic figure.

During her reign Mary was regularly entertained at Houstoun Manor House, which is now  the Macdonald Houstoun House Hotel. After she was executed, it is said that the Shairp family, who owned the property in the 16th century, locked the door to the room where she usually slept, stating that it should never be used again.

Now, the apartment serves as the hotel’s honeymoon suite, allowing the bride and groom to enjoy a luxurious stay in a historically significant setting.

Lorraine Kelly said: “How hilarious! My first act as queen would be that everyone has to watch at least five minutes of Billy Connolly every morning before they leave the house in order to be in a good mood and spread happiness.”

Lyn MacDonald, Group Marketing Director at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts said: “Lorraine Kelly is welcome to come and stay in the honeymoon suite any time. As the choice of Scottish people to be today’s Queen, I’m sure she’d enjoy retracing Mary’s steps.

“Film tourism is on the rise and we anticipate an increase in bookings because of the significant historical link to the hotel. We’ve seen the impact movies such as Harry Potter and James Bond have had on tourism in this country, and I believe the Mary Queen of Scots film will be a major driver of visits to Scotland.”

In a close-run race, Lorraine, the host of her self-named talk show on ITV who became a household name as co-host of GMTV in the early 90s, just pipped singer songwriter Annie Lennox to the crown.

While Lorraine was top for under 45s and female respondents, men would prefer to be ruled by actress and comedian Elaine C Smith and over 45s favoured the Eurythmics singer.

There was an east-west divide in the voting, with voters in the west of Scotland preferring Elaine C Smith while respondents from the other side of the M8 picked Lorraine. In the North, Annie Lennox was the clear winner.

Tennis coach Judy Murray, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (pictured above with the stars of the new film) and Olympic gold medallist Katherine Grainger were also popular choices of the more than 1,500 people who participated in the survey.

Built in the 16th century after the land was bought by local advocate Sir John Shairp, Macdonald Houstoun House Hotel is located in 22 acres of beautiful woodlands near Livingston, just west of Edinburgh.

The Manor House provides guests and visitors from home and abroad with a fascinating glimpse into Scotland’s past. It is also one of the area’s top venues for weddings, events and business conferences.

In the film, ‘Mary Queen of Scots’, Saoirse Ronan plays the Queen herself as part of a star-studded cast in the period drama, which also features A-Listers Margot Robbie, David Tennant and Guy Pearce.

To find out more about how you can live like a Queen (or maybe a King? – Ed) with a stay at Macdonald Houstoun House, visit:

https://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/our-hotels/scotland/edinburgh/macdonald-houstoun-house

12 plants to add colour to winter gardens

Green-fingered gardeners have been urged to liven up their backyards this winter by planting some hardy, bright-flowering evergreens.

Outdoor specialists BillyOh.com have researched a dozen of the best flowers and shrubs to place in British gardens this winter.

From vivid winter heather and the classic Christmas rose, to tough firebird flax lily and traditional witch hazel, these twelve plants could make any British garden more pleasant during the colder months.

It can be a difficult task keeping up the appearance of UK gardens over the winter, but a couple of specially selected flora could make a big difference outdoor spaces according to gardening experts.

A spokesman for BillyOh.com said: “We passionately believe that predictably rubbish British weather this winter should be no excuse for accepting a dilapidated garden.

“An outdoor space should be the pride of any home and the envy of neighbours, even when the cold and rain sets in.

“Our research has uncovered twelve eye-catching examples of pretty plants that won’t be put off by a bit of a chill in the garden.

“A lot of far-eastern varieties seem to thrive in tough conditions, along with some classics that are native to this island.

“Filling your garden with yellow, pink, purple and red flowers on evergreen plants will really stand make it out in a sea of boring brown backyards this winter.”

Here is the BillyOh.com list of twelve winter plants and shrubs that could add colour to British gardens this winter:

  1. Harry Hotspur (Primula Auricula)

These beautiful primulas are semi-evergreen and will withstand the worst of the winter before blooming brightly at the start of the new year. 

2. Heather (Calluna Vulgaris)

Found naturally in moorland, winter-flowering heather is great in pots or bedding, can live for several years and will add pinks, purples and whites to drab winter gardens.

3. Sow Bread (Cyclamen Hederifolium)

The ivy-leaved version is the hardiest cyclamen species and will thrive throughout a cold British winter with beautiful flowers.

4. Christmas Rose (Helleborus Niger)

A evergreen and long-lasting buttercup, the Christmas rose has all the beauty of a wild white rose but is much more robust when the weather worsens.

5. Firebird (Flax Lily – Phormium)

‘Firebird’ flax lilies are another evergreen perennial that retain their strong leathery leaves and distinctive colours throughout the year in a range of soils.

6. Elephant’s Ears (Claire Maxine – Bergenia)

Rhizomatous ‘elephant’s ears’ bergenia, also known as Claire Maxine, will bulk out garden bedding with drooping red foliage during the colder months.

7. Tsatsumi Gold (Hinoki Cypress – Chamaecyparis Obtusa)

Coniferous tsatsumi gold shrubs can bring lovely, subtle yellow-golden hues all the way from their native Japan to dull winter gardens in Britain.

8. Witch Hazel (Wisley Supreme – Hamamelis Mollis)

Distinctive yellow to red witch hazel is a fragrant and textured shrub that will flower during the winter in all British gardens.

9. Korean Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis Brachytricha)

This far-eastern feather grass will bring unique silver tones to make outdoor spaces stand out against the neighbours.

10. Common Sage (Tricolor – Saliva Officinalis)

The common tri-colour sage is a versatile evergreen shrub that can liven up British backyards this winter with grey-green leaves and purple flowers.

11. Grand Prix (Camellia Japonica)

The camellia is another Asian winter hero – a dynamic shrub with bright flowers that jump out from its leathery leaves, it is sometimes known as the Rose of Winter.

12. Angelina (Sedum Rupestre)

Clusters of little yellow flowers on the evergreen Angelina will sprout either side of the height of winter and in any soil that isn’t sodden.