Chasing the Dram: Finding the Spirit of Whisky

What’s the story? Whisky, now a global phenomenon and the mark of sophisticated drinkers world-wide, has been Scotland’s national drink for over five-hundred years. However despite this, whisky is still hardly ever used in cooking. Well… Rachel McCormack aims to change that with this book. Interspersing an interesting mix of anecdotes, history and information on…

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Book review – The Cod Hunters by John Goodlad

For the best part of a century, cod was the mainstay of the Shetland fishing industry, and intrepid skippers criss-crossed the north Atlantic in search of the richest grounds. Trips of three months’ duration were not uncommon, and the lives of fishermen, many as young as 14, were fraught with incredible danger and discomfort. In…

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Hundreds give support to Scottish wildlife book

Hundreds of people are backing the creation of a landmark book showcasing the benefits of a wilder Scotland. Trees for Life’s crowdfunding appeal to raise at least £20,000 has passed the 80 per cent mark in its first two weeks, with the conservation charity ‘thrilled’ by a wave of positive responses to the initiative. The…

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Book review – James I: Scotland’s King of England

What’s the story? In James I: Scotland’s King of England, John Matusiak takes the reader on a journey through the turbulent life of one of the nation’s most unique and intriguing rulers. The book details most every detail of James’ life, from the questions surrounding the legitimacy of his birth to detailing his personality and…

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Debut novel is set in the Scottish Highlands

A moving debut novel about a boy coping with the loss of his mother in the Highlands is being released next week. The Boy and the Eagle is the moving debut novel by Charles Williams. It tells how a teenage boy copes – and fails to cope – with the death of his mother from…

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Island on the Edge – A Life on Soay by Anne Cholawo

What’s the story? The book is a first person account from Anne Cholawo who made the big move from city life in London to secluded living on the Island of Soay. In the 1980’s, Anne was working in a busy advertising agency when she was holidaying in the Hebrides in 1989. In the estate agents…

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New book aims to inspire Scotland’s natural sights

Golden eagles, beavers, ospreys and pine martens will take centre stage in a landmark new conservation book aiming to inspire a sea change in attitudes towards a wilder Scotland. Scotland: A Rewilding Journey will lay out a vision of how rewilding could transform Scotland and benefit its people and wildlife. It is being supported by…

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Why Gail Porter’s heart still belongs to Portobello

Scottish TV presenter Gail Porter has been in the public eye for well over two decades. Gail hosted shows including The Movie Chart Show, Top of the Pops, and Fully Booked, as well as becoming a favourite with the ‘lads mag’ culture of the 1990s, which resulted in a cheeky picture of her being projected…

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Review: Cooking with Mackie’s of Scotland

What’s the story? A delicious combination of sweet and savoury recipes have been collected from staff who work for Mackie’s of Scotland, been compiled into one fantastic volume, and the proceeds will benefit muscle-wasting charity Muscular Dystrophy UK. They’ve dreamed up, tested, tasted and agreed on a collection of 31 recipes, which will whet the…

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New recipe book will cook up a treat for charity

Staff at a leading Scottish food firm have worked together to release their first book of recipes to help fund a cure for one of the country’s rarest medical conditions. Workers at Mackie’s of Scotland have dreamed up, tested, tasted and agreed on a collection of 31 recipes – both sweet and savoury, from each…

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