Posts by Grant Dickie
Review: Mara, Aberdeen
Mara brings fantastic Italian wines and inspired small plates to the Granite City. Grant Dickie heads along to try out the city’s latest eatery. Thursday evening, and after a day of working, nothing is better than escaping the house to wind down with a bottle of wine and some delicious food. Enter Mara. New…
Read MoreSPECTRA: Connecting you to the Granite city through light
Scotland’s Festival of Light returns to Aberdeen for its 10th year and the line up is as bright and colourful as ever, finds Grant Dickie. Iconic locations across the Granite City have been transformed by light for the tenth year in a row, as SPECTRA curates a collection of immersive and striking artworks for this…
Read MoreStill Spirited: A Smooth New Scottish Vodka
Ask anyone to think of spirits synonymous with Scotland and whisky will be top of the list, closely followed by gin with the boom in craft productions. But there is one spirit that is joining these titans on the Scottish spirit market: vodka. Brought to you from Still Spirited, this new Scottish vodka certainly made…
Read MoreREVIEW: Lord Crewe Arms, Northumberland
Grant Dickie reviews the Lord Crewe Arms at Blanchland in Northumberland. ANYONE who knows me will tell you how much I love great architecture and secluded getaways. That’s why a trip to the Lord Crewe Arms in Blanchland, Northumberland, was the perfect end to my July. The scenic drive to the hotel through the Borders…
Read MoreREVIEW: Discover the Deep at Dynamic Earth
A preview of the new wonders at Dynamic Earth’s “Discover the Deep” is full of promise, and now it’s ready to welcome us aboard, writes Grant Dickie. Many may remember Dynamic Earth for its iconic iceberg exhibit, which is still standing strong. However, it is now welcoming visitors to a brand new and ambitious exhibition…
Read MoreREVIEW: Innside Newcastle
For a sophisticated and stylish stay in Newcastle look no further than Innside, writes Grant Dickie. SITUATED a stone’s throw from one the most synonymous views Newcastle has to offer, Innside by Meliã is the perfect stay for anyone looking to book a trip to the Toon. The modern but almost industrial-style architecture of the…
Read MoreREVIEW: Regatta Men’s Birchdale Waterproof Jacket
What is it? Regatta Men’s Birchdale Waterproof Jacket (RRP £100) I want it because: With its waterproof and breathable Isotex 10000 100% polyester stretch fabric this shell jacket is light and breathable yet completely waterproof so it’s perfect for summer showers. Useful for: It’s a good summer all-rounder so I keep this jacket in my…
Read MoreInside the Royal Scots
A 55-minute film about The Royal Scots, entitled “Scottish Soldiers : Regimental Memories: 1945- 2006” has just been released by the regimental museum. With interviews from fifteen former members of the Royal Scots, the film captures the experience of being part of the Royal Scots family. For 373 unbroken years until the process of being…
Read MoreWorld’s best morning commute
Some key workers are still going into work during the lockdown, and few have a better daily journey to the office than this one through Glen Lonan, along the Road of The Kings. If you’re stuck at home, this 360 degree footage will hopefully remind you just what awaits when life gets back to being…
Read MoreScotland through young eyes
The winning, highly commended and commended entries for the Scottish Civic Trust My Place Photography Competition 2020 have been announced. This Scotland-wide built environment photography competition was run by the Scottish Civic Trust and was designed to encourage school-aged youngsters (4-18) to explore the buildings, architecture and archaeology in the places where they live. The…
Read More