Review: Chaophraya, Aberdeen

With the news that Chaophraya has launched a festive set menu, Grant Dickie just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to give it a try.   Arriving at Chaophraya on the corner of Union Terrace and Union Street in Aberdeen, we entered what used to be The Monkey House and before that, the offices of insurance…

Read More

Review: Jack and the Beanstalk, Aberdeen

★★★★★ The Panto is a festive institution in Aberdeen every year and this year it returned to His Majesty’s Theatre to tell the story of Jack and the Beanstalk.  With my best boo and ‘oh yes it is’ practiced, I joined my fellow theatre goers in the packed HMT to experience the colour and magic…

Read More

Top festive things to do and see near Pitlochry

Fonab Castle

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city during the festive season and head north to the lively small town of Pitlochry with our top tips on what to do during your time. Pitlochry Festival Theatre Something about the theatre always brings me back to the holidays. This year, the Pitlochry Festival Theatre is hosting…

Read More

Review: Tarragon Restaurant, Aberdeen

The Rosemount area is an underrated gem just a five-minute walk from the heart of Aberdeen, so it was with pleasure that Grant Dickie headed to one of its staple eateries, Tarragon by Graham Mitchell. Opened in 2022, Tarragon serves local, fresh produce from farm and sea to your plate in a fine dining set…

Read More

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 More

SPECTRA: 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 More

Still 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 More

REVIEW: 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 More

REVIEW: 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 More

REVIEW: 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 More