Whilst most are traveling South to some summer sun the really smart thing to do here in England is to travel North away from the hoi polloi, the city dust, the heat, the skin damaging UVA and enjoy the gentle soft rains and breathe the clean air to one of the most underpopulated parts of UK.

Whether fishing on the Tweed is your thing, or celebrating the Glorious Twelfth on the grouse moors, it is the most wonderfully beautiful place to be.  Just remember to pack an extra sweater though – you will probably need it!  

An hour or so away we were in Edinburgh and not only visited the Festival but had a splendid evening at the 60th year of Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo  – which is a bonanza of beautiful boys in uniforms performing amazing feats of physicality and high energy dancing and marching.   All this colour against the backdrop of Edinburgh castle – beautifully lit; accoustically evoking many deep emotions with brass bands and bagpipes;  soldiers acting out the risks and dangers  of their service to us which is a potent reminder for us of today’s conflict in Afghanistan.

Fortune swung my way again and I was privileged to be staying in the most delightful home of one of our most distinguished noble families and what a joy to observe some of the greatest works of art as one glides down the great staircase for breakfast.  These works are, of course mostly portraits, but represent a couple of the finest works by Pompeo Battoni (1708-1787) and many more.   Security issues prevent me from revealing too much, which I write with huge sadness, but alas these days in our grand Stately homes, this has to be taken into consideration.