32 h. ago Harry Potter filming resumes at Hertfordshire country estate originally used in Goblet Of Fire movie

Harry Potter filming resumed this week, as stars of the HBO series took to the historic Ashridge Estate to film Quidditch scenes

Events

3 d. ago The Guardian view on Scottish land reform: vast estates remain feudal in scale | Editorial

Half of the country’s privately owned countryside is held by just 421 owners. New legislation suggests democrats still fear powerful interestsNo other European country has such a narrow base of proprietorship as Scotland. Half of all privately owned rural land is held by 421 people or entities. The roots of such disparities lie in the past. The 18th- and 19th-century Highland clearances emptied the glens and readied them for private takeover. On the continent, and eventually in England, the great estates were broken up by inheritance and land taxes. By comparison, Scotland is still feudal in scale.The passing of a land reform bill, its supporters say, will change that. But doubts remain. Its proponents say the legislation could allow the Scottish government to intervene in private land sales and require large estates to be broken up. At its heart is the so-called transfer test. This would see Scottish ministers notified before any land sale over 1,000 hectares. However, they lack an...

Politics

4 d. ago Private jail among most violent and dangerous in Scotland, new figures suggest

Scotland's only privately run prison has been criticised over figures showing high numbers of prisoner assaults and self harming cases.

Events

7 d. ago Scottish Highlands home with private island as its back garden goes up for sale

"The ultimate retreat in one of the country’s most breathtaking natural settings."

Economics

1 week ago Scotland's first ever private woodland burial ground, on Ayrshire country estate, could be expanded

More than 250 bodies have been laid to rest at the site.

Politics

1 week ago Scotland holiday estate is perfect for fans of Celebrity Traitors castle

If Celebrity Traitors has put rural Scotland on your radar for UK holiday, here's an affordable but equally beautiful country estate that offers a perfect mix of countryside, cosy and entertainment

Politics

2 w. ago How posh is YOUR garden? From the society verdict on 'neat lawns' to hot tubs, fountains and what you SHOULD be using your greenhouse for, this is the ultimate test

Looking at this month's Country Life magazine pictures of David and Victoria Beckham's country estate, it's hard to believe this is the same couple who sat on gold thrones at their wedding.

Society

3 w. ago MSP Colin Smyth in court accused of voyeurism and possession of indecent images

No pleas were entered as the South Scotland MSP appeared in private at Dumfries Sheriff Court to face two charges.

Events

3 w. ago SNP demands UK government cough up £26m to cover the cost of policing private visits to Scotland by Donald Trump and JD Vance

Finance Secretary Shona Robison said it was up to the UK government to pick up the tab for what were 'diplomatically significant' visits in the summer.

Economics

3 w. ago Lady review – outrageous mockumentary is like Saltburn on shrooms

With supreme entitlement, Sian Clifford’s Lady Isabella shines as ‘aristocracy’s answer to the Kardashians’ in this barnstorming comedy Those of us pining for Sian Clifford since the end of Fleabag, in which she played Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s fierce sister, have been rewarded with an outrageous barnstormer in this bizarre mockumentary comedy, a feature debut for director Samuel Abrahams. Clifford plays haughty but troubled aristocrat Lady Isabella who welcomes a young film-maker into her gorgeous country estate (filmed at Somerleyton Hall in Suffolk) with calamitous results, and the film plays like a scuzzier, shroomier B-side to Saltburn. Maybe it’s a bit reliant on Clifford’s overwhelming firepower of performance, and we have to indulge the way it cheats strict mockumentary rules about how exactly the camera comes to be where it is at every moment. But there are laughs and unexpected tenderness in this very peculiar sentimental education.Laurie Kynaston plays Sam, a pushy, insecure...

Events