Issue 13

This is the thirteenth issue of Hidden Scotland Magazine. An unlucky number? Not a bit of it. We’ve had the good fortune to be able to gather a truly wonderful selection of stories, features and interviews into the following 150-plus pages, crisscrossing the national map and packing in plenty of warming inspiration for the colder months ahead.

Autumn and winter often translate as cosy and comfortable. Bookworms can lose themselves in our round-up of 16 of the best independent bookshops in the country, while writer Emma Gibbs extols the virtues of staying put by highlighting places where you’ll be content not to stray too far from the front door of your accommodation. On a similar seasonal theme, Rosie Steer – author of Gloaming: Folklore, Recipes and Crafts to Spark Glimmers of Joy in the Darker Months – focuses on the joys of embracing the darkness.

But this time of year, of course, is also one for planning wider exploration. We share insider tips on visiting Angus and the Isle of Mull, recount a family adventure to a unique Perthshire farm, share some of the secrets of remote Rannoch and – through the words and photographs of wildlife film-maker Gordon Buchanan – celebrate the splendour of Glencoe’s hulking Buachaille Etive Mòr.

Sam Heughan needs little introduction. The Outlander star grew up in the grounds of a ruined castle above Loch Ken and, with filming on the series now complete, he's back in Dumfries and Galloway building a net-zero distillery in the hills he knew as a boy. He talks to Rosie Morton about whisky, home and the country that made him. Elsewhere, among much else, we meet an inspirational range of artists and creatives, shine a light on the handcrafted wares of East End Press and take a closer look at Scottish elopements through the years. There's also a special feature on the extraordinary work and commitment of Scotland's mountain rescue volunteers, who were called on more than 1,200 times in 2025 alone.

Before you turn the page, allow us a moment of pride. At the Scottish Design Awards in June 2026, Hidden Scotland Magazine was awarded gold in the Print Design category. It means a great deal to a small team, and we're grateful to everyone who has supported the magazine along the way. We hope the following pages bring you joy and inspiration. Happy reading, and enjoy the journey.

Slàinte mhath.