Get your ‘Bake Off’ on

LOCKDOWN getting a bit monotonous? Looking for new ways to connect with friends? Or give the kids something to do other than home schooling and Tik Tok? My 11-year-old daughter and I had the pleasure of taking part in a virtual choux masterclass hosted by award-winning Glaswegian pastry chef Helen Vass as part of YORStory,…

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‘Yes, Yes, Yes, It’s The Awesome NHS’

Dear readers and patrons, This picture of The Inn at Kingsbarns has the words “Yes, Yes, Yes, It’s The Awesome NHS”. We made the sign in April last year and it was inspired by The Kinks’ song from 1967, Yes, Yes, Yes, It’s My Autumn Almanac. We have changed other lyrics in this song for…

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Laings celebrates ‘the beauty of the everyday’

LUXURY jeweller Laings is encouraging its customers to enjoy “the beauty of the everyday” with its winter campaign. Walks in nature, window daydreams, and evenings spent together are all being celebrated by the company. This winter’s campaign features diamond jewellery and classic wristwatches. Sally Alobaidi, head of marketing at Laings, said: “Our appreciation for the…

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How to work out the value of a piece of art

Andrew Kay hand forges his award-winning wildlife sculptures from solid mild steel. His work can be seen gracing the landscape and gardens both in Britain and abroad, with his client list including peers, viscounts, countesses, and celebrities, including Richard Curtis and Sir Tom Stoppard. Here, he shares advice in relation to the pricing of art.…

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REVIEW: Mark Hearld’s Menagerie

Abigail Pooley visits The Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh to review Mark Hearld’s latest exhibition. MARK HEARLD returns to The Scottish Gallery with his latest body of work, Mark Hearld’s Menagerie. This exhibition tells the story of Mark’s lockdown experience. Mark has always found comfort in the natural world, and this has often influenced his work.…

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Lockdown cupboard clearing reveals secrets in historic family home

Lady Dorothy Ogilvy unearths the past as she clears out the cupboards at Winton Castle in East Lothian. WHAT did you do in Lockdown? I did what most people without any medical training did: stayed at home, oversaw home-schooling, shopped for my endlessly hungry teenagers and shielding parents, did the day-job via Zoom, cleaned the…

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Alexander McCall Smith’s Thursday festive conversation

NOVELIST Alexander McCall Smith will take part in an online festive conversation on Thursday night hosted by the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Centre. The author, who is also a Scottish Field columnist, will speak to Lance Butler, the centre’s new chair, via Zoom. The pair will discuss Christmas themes, including “compassion, altruism and hope” and…

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The Caley launches Laurent-Perrier afternoon teas at home

THE Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh has teamed up with Champagne Laurent-Perrier to launch a festive afternoon tea at home. The Caley’s afternoon tea features finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries. The hotel, which is part of the Waldorf Astoria chain, is offering the teas until the end of the month, priced £99 for two people, including…

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Easy festive styling tips from an expert

You don’t have to be a design guru to make your home feel special this Christmas writes Kate Henderson, owner of Henderson’s Garden & Home Store in Melrose. PEOPLE worry they are not creative enough or might get something wrong when it comes to trying out new ideas at Christmas. But if you use what…

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Merchiston offers free academic advice

MERCHISTON Castle School in Edinburgh is offering free academic advice tomorrow night. Dale Cartwright, deputy head learning and teaching, will host a live questions and answers session at 5.30pm. The school said: “We are hoping this session, in particular, will help those who still have outstanding questions or concerns regarding their UCAS applications. “There is…

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