Posts by Ellie Forbes
Red squirrel: bid to increase west Scotland’s population numbers
There are around 120,000 of them in Scotland, but habitat loss is one of the biggest threats to the survival of red squirrels. In a bid to boost the species’ population on the West Coast of the country, six red squirrels have been released in Morvern peninsula. Rewilding charity Trees for Life introduced the squirrels…
Read MoreStunning Household Cavalry portraits gifted to King Charles III on display at Floors Castle
Incredible Household Cavalry portraits gifted to King Charles III during his coronation will go on display at Borders’ stately home Floors Castle this summer. The display includes twelve large-scale portraits by British photographic artist Ripley, who had the idea for the project in 2012. Each one of the pieces took between 200 and 300 hours…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Liz Mistry: ‘Life is too short for struggling on with a book that doesn’t grip me by the throat pretty quickly’
Crime writer Liz Mistry on the joys of Agatha Christie, the best books she has read this year, and why reading in bed is the epitome of relaxation. The first book I remember reading: I think I was born reading. No seriously though, although I’m not sure it’s the first book I read, I…
Read MoreStone of Destiny: Fragment kept by SNP ‘genuine beyond reasonable doubt’
A fragment of rock which was kept at SNP headquarters for years and was described as a missing part of the Stone of Destiny is genuine, experts have concluded. The chip had been held in storage by the SNP after being gifted to former First Minister Alex Salmond in 2008 by the son of one…
Read MoreIn a nutshell, Chef Keith Greig: ‘I was vegan for nine months – it was an awful experience’
Keith Greig is an Edinburgh-based chef with a passion for wild game and outdoor cooking with a field to fork approach. During the shooting season, Keith caters on a small estate in Fife, using wild game from the local area in the dishes. What’s the closest thing you have to a signature dish: I…
Read MoreIn a nutshell, Chef Gary Townsend: ‘I’d be a Scientist if I wasn’t a chef. I am fascinated with how things work’
Gary Townsend has had an illustrious career spanning 20 years working in some of the UK’s top kitchens. Townsend recently announced that he will be opening his own fine dining restaurant, Elements in Bearsden, Glasgow. What’s the closest thing you have to a signature dish: I love Scottish seafood and langoustines always feature on…
Read MoreOld Purves Hall: Peel tower dating back to 1600’s goes on the market
This stunning historic home, which was once a peel tower dating back to the 1600’s, has gone on the market. Old Purves Hall sits in the rural Berwickshire Countryside, just seven miles from Kelso, and is on sale for offers over £950,000. The six-bedroom home, which has retained a number of period features, comes with…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Callum McSorley: ‘Louise Welsh is a great inspiration to me’
Callum McSorley on the books of his childhood, why he always recommends Neuromancer and being inspired by Louise Welsh. The first book I remember reading: I remember reading Keith Brumpton’s two Rudley Cabot books over and over – a pair of short graphic novels about an explorer rabbit. And The Headless Ghost, one of…
Read MoreThe Glen Grant: Scotland’s longest serving distiller Dennis Malcolm retires after 63 years
Born on The Glen Grant distillery grounds in 1946, where both his father and grandfather worked, Dennis Malcolm was always destined for a career in Scotch whisky. He began working as an apprentice cooper at just 16-years-old and went on to have a six decade long career, becoming an icon of Scotch whisky. But now…
Read MoreFollow in the footsteps of Inspector Rebus: Filming locations around Edinburgh used in new BBC show
Inspector Rebus returns to our screens this month. And with much of the filming having taken place in Edinburgh, we take a look at some of the locations used in the show around the city. VisitScotland guide to follow in the detective’s footsteps. Grassmarket and Victoria Street The historic Grassmarket area of Edinburgh makes for the perfect filming…
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