Posts by Kenny Smith
Lochlea launches its first whisky on Burns Night
Independently owned Ayrshire distillery Lochlea is launching its inaugural whisky on Burns Night. Lochlea Single Malt first release will be made available on January 25, coincidentally marking 245 years since Scotland’s bard moved to Lochlea. Based on the Ayrshire farm which was Robert Burns’ home and workplace from 1777 to 1784, Lochlea Distillery began quietly…
Read MoreFighting climate change with woodland at Beinn Eighe
Long-term tree planting at Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve has increased woodland by 41%, helping combat climate change and increasing the biodiversity of the area hugely. Comparing old and new aerial images, NatureScot staff calculated an increase of woodland cover from 158ha to 223ha since Beinn Eighe was designated as the UK’s first NNR in…
Read MoreA look at myths and legends of the British Isles
Storyland is a spellbinding illustrated mythology of Britain. It retells the stories of legends which define our history; from homeland and migration, to love and betrayal. Richly supported by primary sources, the book reimagines myths based around The Creation, Noah’s Arc, fallen angels and the founding of Britain, England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, the birth…
Read MoreUp Helly Aa gin makes a return in 2022
Shetland Distillery Company has announced the return of cask-aged Shetland Reel Up Helly Aa Gin for 2022. A limited-edition gin crafted to celebrate Shetland’s famous Up Helly Aa fire festivals each year, 2022’s expression is the seventh annual release from the Unst-based distiller. Last year’s batch – called ‘not Up Helly Aa’ in line with…
Read MoreThe Forager’s Haggis is ideal for Burns Night
With Burns Night approaching, we present a tasty haggis with a difference. We’ve teamed up with Buck & Birch to share possibly the most indulgent and decadent Burn’s supper recipes going- The Forager’s Haggis. A Burns Supper would traditionally consist of Haggis, neeps and tatties but head chef, master forager and flavour expert at Buck…
Read MoreOpera Highlights bringing vaudeville to the nation
Tickets are on sale now for a new vaudeville-inspired Opera Highlights show that travels around Scotland to 18 local venues, including in the Outer Hebrides. Starting on February 8 at Websters Theatre in Glasgow’s West End the tour visits Birnam, Midmar, Fochabers, Tain, Wick, Harris, North Uist, Isle of Barra, Craignish, Lochranza, Cove, Newton Stewart,…
Read MoreTickets now on sale for StAnza poetry festival
The wait is finally over as tickets for this year’s StAnza festival go on sale. With the full programme now online, the box office is open for the much-anticipated event which takes place in March from its festival hub in St Andrews, Fife. The seven-day, hybrid festival, combining the best of live and online performances,…
Read MoreGlenlivet launches glassless edible whisky cocktail capsules
The Glenlivet has unveiled a controversial new collection of glassless and edible whisky cocktail capsules. The distillers believe they are set to change the future of whisky and move the debate from ‘ice or no ice’ to ‘glass or no glass’. The capsules have been refined to an elegant new spherical shape. They also come…
Read MoreGet ready for the light fantastic to return
SPECTRA, Scotland’s festival of light, returns to Aberdeen with a star-studded line-up in Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022. Featuring a brand-new commission, multidisciplinary collaborations, and multiple premieres, this year’s SPECTRA will not only light up the dark winter nights, it will bring Scotland and it’s stories to life. Taking place from February 10-13 across Aberdeen…
Read MoreA fascinating study of the red deer in Scotland
This beautiful book by wildlife photographer Neil McIntyre, Chasing the Deer, aims to raise awareness of the challenges facing red deer in Scotland today as well as showcasing the magnificent animal in all seasons and life-cycle stages. Born into a family of deer stalkers, McIntyre has observed this iconic Scottish species for more than three…
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