Steven McKenzie

Scotland Highlands and Islands Reporter at BBC

News and analysis from the Highlands and Islands from BBC Scotland. Updated by Steven McKenzie, BBC online reporter.

Articles

Plan for £7.4m commando heritage centre near Spean Bridge

4 days ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

Plans to honour 'birthplace' of Europe's commandosSteven McKenzieGetty ImagesThe new centre could be built near the Commando Memorial close to Spean BridgeA charity has unveiled plans for a £7.4m heritage centre honouring the birthplace of many of Europe's commando and special forces units. Thousands of soldiers from the UK and its allies, including Norway, Poland, France and Belgium, trained in commando warfare in Lochaber during World War Two.
Plans to honour 'birthplace' of Europe's commandos

4 days ago | aol.com | Steven McKenzie

A charity has unveiled plans for a £7.4m heritage centre honouring the birthplace of many of Europe's commando and special forces units. Thousands of soldiers from the UK and its allies, including Norway, Poland, France and Belgium, trained in commando warfare in Lochaber during World War Two. The area's role in the war is recalled by the Commando Memorial, which was unveiled near Spean Bridge, north of Fort William, in 1952.
The Scots nurse writing erotic fiction and fronting a new podcast

1 week ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

'I swapped nursing for erotic fiction - but I won't let mum read my books'Steven McKenzieBBCSophie Gravia has taken a short break from nursing to focus on her writing and a new podcastBestselling author Sophie Gravia is no stranger to racy, blush-inducing fiction. She has made it her job to expose the hilarious complexities of modern dating in her series of hit books.
Viking ship moors in Inverness during major film shoot

1 week ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

Viking ship moors in Inverness during major film shootSteven McKenzieBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterPeter Jolly/NorthpixThe Draken Harald Hårfagre arriving in Inverness on TuesdayA boat described as the world's largest Viking ship to be built in modern times has been moored in Inverness during a major film shoot.
Lochaber's Inverlair Lodge: World War Two secret agents' house put up for sale

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

Lochaber's Inverlair Lodge was a "workshop" for WW2 agents deemed unfit for active duties.
What happens if someone finds the Loch Ness Monster?

1 month ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

What happens if someone finds the Loch Ness Monster? Steven McKenzieBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterGetty ImagesA faked photograph of the Loch Ness Monster created in the 1930sPeople have been looking for Nessie for almost 100 years. Humps have been seen moving across Loch Ness, and strange sounds heard from beneath the surface - but no actual monster. A four-day "quest" - the latest in a long series of efforts to unravel the mystery - has been held this week.
Texas star Spiteri 'still living the dream' ahead of Belladrum

1 month ago | bbc.co.uk | Steven McKenzie

Texas enjoyed chart success through the 1990s and 2000s, with Summer Son in 1999 and 2006-released single Sleep among their other hits. The rock pop band have played the Glastonbury music festival twice, and will close the 21st anniversary Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival in the Highlands this August. Today Bellshill-born Spiteri juggles the demands of touring with family life. She says: "When you're free and single you're going on the road for years at a time.
Texas star Sharleen Spiteri 'still living the dream'

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Steven McKenzie

Texas' Sharleen Spiteri says her love of performing live has not diminished - almost 40 years after the Glasgow band was formed. Famous for hits including Say What You Want and Black Eyed Boy, Texas completed an arena tour last year and are about to play a series of dates across Europe. "I never walk out on stage thinking 'I'm not really in the mood tonight'," says Spiteri.
The Victorian scam artist who tried to dupe the islanders of Skye

1 month ago | bbc.co.uk | Steven McKenzie

Image source, West Midlands Police Museum/AncestryImage caption, Annie Gordon Baillie spent several years in prisonBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterHiding her true identity behind more than 40 aliases, con artist Annie Gordon Baillie made a living swindling shopkeepers across Victorian Britain. But in the 1880s, the Scottish fraudster took her criminal activities to a new level.
Inverness barracks' role resettling Afghans to end

1 month ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

Highland barracks' role in resettling Afghans to endSteven McKenzieBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterGetty ImagesAfghans supported the UK armed forces in various roles before US-led troops withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021The 140-year-old Cameron Barracks in Inverness is to be phased out from use as a place for housing Afghans who risked their lives helping the UK armed forces.