Posts by Peter Ranscombe
MsMissMrs launches ‘Womanufacture’
MSMISSMRS, the Glasgow-based community interest company that makes the famous “Empowerment Pants”, has launched its own factory, called “Womanufacture”. Its micro-manufacturing space will allow MsMissMrs to increase the production of its Empowerment Pants and Femfoods aprons. The proceeds from sales of the products are re-invested directly to support women and girls. Sylvia Douglas, founding director…
Read MoreDogs Trust celebrates fostering scheme
THE Dogs Trust is celebrating the work done by its forster carers to look after rescue dogs. Some dogs are not suited to life in kennels, and so the trust places them in a foster home through its “Home from Home” fostering scheme. The trust said that foster carers play a major role in helping…
Read MoreScotland gives bees a helping hand
PROJECTS throughout Scotland are helping bees and other pollinators, according to a new report. The “Pollinator Strategy 2022 Progress Report” by NatureScot, the Scottish Government agency known previously as Scottish Natural Heritage, highlighted the work of organisations to create wildflower meadows, connect habitats, and gather evidence on how climate change is affecting pollinators. Projects highlighted…
Read MoreReview: The Malt Vault at Karma Lake of Menteith
James Robertson visits the Malt Vault at the Karma Lake of Menteith hotel. AS SPRING emerges on the horizon, many distilleries start to gear up for an increase in whisky tourists. Nestled at the foot of the Trossachs is the Karma Lake of Menteith, a hotel that is now part of a collection of worldwide…
Read MoreReview: Potion Making 2.0 at The Cauldron
Megan Amato takes her cocktail ‘potion making’ to the next level at The Cauldron in Edinburgh. EDINBURGH’S magic aficionados, fantasy lovers, and cocktail enthusiasts alike may have experienced magic meeting science with the Cauldron’s molecular cocktail making sessions. However, the Cauldron Edinburgh – along with its six other locations – has launched a new and…
Read MoreReview: St Patrick’s Day whiskey
James Robertson reviews St Patrick’s Day whiskey for his drinks blog. THERE was a brief moment on Sunday watching the rugby unfold that I thought maybe, just maybe we – as in Scotland – were going to get our hands on the Triple Crown. But as in years past that moment disappeared as the men…
Read MoreBronze sculpture overlooks Union Chain Bridge
A BRONZE sculpture of designer Captain Samuel Brown now overlooks the Union Chain Bridge. The sculpture was placed on the Northumbrian side of the bridge, which links Scotland with England, to “oversee” the final stages of the current restoration work. Brown was a Royal Navy officer who made cables for ships using iron chains. His…
Read MoreNational Museum of Rural Life ‘springs’ into life
THE National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride is preparing to host its “Spring Explorers” events. The museum is holding craft activities and storytelling sessions, and offering a chance to see lambs, carves, and piglets on 3-6 April. Its new “Dolly the Sheep Trail” opens on 1 April and runs until 4 June to…
Read MoreSRUC: ‘Where there’s muck, there’s brass’
SCOTLAND’S Rural College (SRUC) has breathed fresh life into the old adage “Where there’s muck, there’s brass”. The college has worked with Bristol and Edinburgh universities to investigate alternative uses for cow dung. At present, dung is used as fertiliser or to produce “biogas”. Researchers are now highlighting the “staggering” variety of applications for recycled…
Read MoreScottish Opera prepares for Il Trittico
Ahead of tomorrow’s performance of Puccini’s Il Trittico, Simone Waters speaks to Scottish Opera designer Charles Edwards. IF DESIGNING the set for one opera is a challenge then designing the set for three operas together is something on a whole different scale. Designer Charles Edwards has been faced with exactly that task as Scottish Opera…
Read More