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'The sound of ripping cloth confirmed there was a crisis. And then I remembered I had come as no-knickers-Norma'
Joe Gibbs has a night to forget. Which is ironic, since anyone who reads his account will remember it for years...
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The Isle of Skye and the world’s last manual turntable ferry
You may no longer see droves of cattle crossing the waters to the Isle of Skye, but the world’s last manual turntable ferry is almost as quaint a sight, says Joe Gibbs.
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Joe Gibbs: Even the patron saint of salmon can't save these fish from the seals
After a disastrous 2023 fishing season, Joe Gibbs is hoping for better.
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My 'Franken-Land Rover' has had three new chassis and using the indicators turns on the windscreen wipers. But I just can't get rid of it.
Joe Gibbs pours his heart out about his classic Land Rover Defender, and the peculiar strain of nutty devotion it's inspired.
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'Owning a boat is like standing in a cold shower, ripping up tenners — but it's everything I dreamed it would be'
Joe Gibbs ignored the warnings and bought himself a boat. One year one, are the joys greater than the regrets?
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The Coopers who keep Scotland's whisky flowing: 'Nae coopers. Nae whisky.'
Crafting wooden casks is an ancient art form that requires traditional makers to jump through hoops to construct vessels strong enough for the task of maturing precious Scotch whisky, says Joe Gibbs. Photographs by Jeremy Flint.
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Joe Gibbs: How we found out the hard way that taking Jack Russells to a golden retriever festival is a BIG mistake
Joe Gibbs visits Retrieverfest, one of Britain's finest golden retriever festivals — and rues not taking a golden retriever.
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The Ford Fiesta that dreamed it was Noah's Ark
Joe Gibbs tells a tale of roadkill, sporrans and the protected species who can circumvent an electric fence as stealthily as a cat burglar.
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Conger eel for Christmas, or how an eccentric laird's plans went horribly wrong amid a shower of blood
Joe Gibbs recounts a dinner party which he will never forget. And neither will you.
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Joe Gibbs: The sisters in tweed who ran the iconic Campbell’s of Beauly
Joe Gibbs pays tribute to the late Miriam and Catriona, the formidable sisters who made Campbell's of Beauly famous.
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Joe Gibbs: The sad and beautiful tale of the dog that walked to Istanbul (and my son, who walked with him)
Joe Gibbs pays tribute to a much-loved family pet: the dog who joined his son on the adventure of a lifetime.
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'Ever since Christ stilled the waters of Galilee, fishing and mortality have been entwined'
Joe Gibbs recounts his latest exploits on the water after a visit to the River Ewe.
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Riling up the FBI, riding motorbikes through pubs and hosing-down amorous couples with a fire extinguisher: Farewell to a true legend of the West Highlands
Joe Gibbs waves goodbye to Chris Main, an unforgettable character who, you feel, could have a book written about him. And it's a book that would make an amazing TV series.
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Asset stripping, helicopters to Gretna Green, drinks all round and land at 5p an acre: The Dutchmen who have made a mark in the Highlands
Joe Gibbs on some of the surprising turns of events when Dutch investors have crossed the North Sea to earn their fortunes in the Highlands.
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Inverailort House, the Highland home for cabinet ministers, land reformers, crofters, playwrights, the occasional Russian prince, plus dozens of cats and 50 chickens
Joe Gibbs sheds a tear over the decline and fall of Inverailort House, an archetypal Highlands institution of a type that has now disappeared almost entirely.
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The return of the golden eagle to southern Scotland: How the king of birds is set to make a comeback beyond the Highlands
Already firmly established in the Highlands, these majestic raptors are now being reintroduced in southern Scotland. Joe Gibbs investigates their reception and the repercussions.
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Joe Gibbs: 'Six oxen were roasted and liquor was on hand in abundance'
With the end of lockdown causing most occasional walkers to disappear, Joe Gibbs achieves the ambition of walking the highest part of the old military road through the Corrieyairack Pass between Melgarve and Fort Augustus.
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The truth about Britain's deer population, and what we can do to best manage it
With most of our six deer species increasing in range and numbers, Joe Gibbs considers what can be done to bring populations back to more manageable levels.
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The six types of deer in Britain
Joe Gibbs takes a look at the six types of deer in Britain, and how they came to the nation before living wild across the country.
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Crofting in the 21st century: The passionate, hardy farmers still working the ancient lands of the Highlands
Remote working has a whole other meaning for those passionate individuals still farming crofts in the Highlands. Joe Gibbs takes a look and discovers crofting to be alive and well — though still as tough a life as it ever was.
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'Getting your portrait painted isn't much more than a vainglorious act of self-love; here's why I'm doing it anyway'
Our columnist Joe Gibbs has been sitting for a portrait, despite a few misgivings. Here's what he's learned.
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Joe Gibbs: An African Grey can place an order with Alexa — but Glaswegians aren't quite so lucky
Our columnist Joe Gibbs on his struggles to get his smart speaker to do what he wants it to.
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Joe Gibbs: 'He's clearly convinced the laird that, if he is vaccinated, he will be controlled like a drone via a remote console by lizards in tailcoats from somewhere near Middle Earth'
Joe Gibbs' dispatches from his farm in Scotland take in vaccinations, conspiracy theories and pulling teeth.
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Scottish Wildcats: Six things you should know about the 'Highland Tiger' and how it's fighting for survival in 21st century Britain
Once widespread across the British Isles, there are now fewer than 100 pure Scottish wildcats left. Joe Gibbs considers whether curiosity or interbreeding killed the ‘Highland tiger’.
