News
Spirits news from the Hebrides
THREE spirits stalwarts on the Outer Hebrides are having a busy start to the year. Angus A MacMillan and Angus E MacMillan, the father-and-son team building Benbecula distillery, have unveiled the first three bottles from MacMillan Spirits. They’ve launched: “Wheelhouse Whisky”, an eight-year-old single cask Islay single malt; “Machair Gin”, a gin that contains heather…
Read MoreWhisky news round-up: Speyburn, Macallan, and more
Peter Ranscombe takes another look at the world of Scotch whisky. SPEYBURN distillery is preparing to welcome visitors for the first time in its 125-year history as part of the Spirit of Speyside whisky festival. Distillery manager Euan Henderson and his assistant, David Rogerson, will lead tours during the festival, which runs from 26 April…
Read MoreDoddie Aid rowing challenge for Cameron House
CAMERON House at Loch Lomond is taking part in Doddie Aid 2023 with a mass-participation rowing challenge over the next five weeks. The event will raise money for the charity created by Scottish rugby legend Doddy Weir, who died in November, aged 52. The MyName’5 Doddie Foundation, which was founded in November 2017, aims to…
Read MoreScotHot celebrates its 50th year at SEC Glasgow
SCOTHOT returns for its 50th year showcasing Scotland’s finest food, drink, hospitality, retail, and tourism at the SEC Glasgow on 8 and 9 March. ScotHot23 gives visitors the opportunity to meet with suppliers, network with others to inspire and to be inspired, learn about the latest trends, and – most importantly – try the fabulous…
Read MoreBurns Night round-up: Haggis, poetry, and more
HAGGIS lover from Orkney to Essex have changed their names on social media to “R Burns” ahead of Burns Night. Butcher Simon Howie ran a competition to encourage people to change their names for the Bard’s birthday, and gave 100 winners hampers featuring products from Irn Bru, Mash Direct, Mrs Tillys, Orkney Cheese, Nairn’s, and…
Read MoreKelso wants to be ‘Scotland’s wellbeing capital’
TOURISM body Visit Kelso wants to attract travelers interested in wellbeing to the Borders town. The group asked people who work in some of the town’s shops, cafes, restaurants, and visitor destinations to become “wellness warriors” as part of Kelso’s efforts to be recognised as “Scotland’s wellbeing capital”. The Schloss Roxburghe Hotel – which opened…
Read MoreHarpist Esther Swift unveils Scottish tour
HARP player Esther Swift is preparing to go on a tour of Scotland. Following her sold-out show at last summer’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the composer and singer will begin her tour in the capital on 11 March. She’ll play eight gigs, including at venues in Caithness, North Uist, and Skye. Her tour will end on…
Read MoreActor Burn Gorman opens salmon fishing at Meikleour
HOLLYWOOD star Ben Gorman kicked off the salmon season on the River Tay at Meikleour in Perthshire last week. The Game of Thrones actor was assisted by author David Profumo. The pair made the first casts of the season after popping a magnum of Pol Roger Champagne. Claire Mercer Nairne, a member of Tay District…
Read More‘Talk to a Farmer’ week live in schools
CHILDREN will be asking questions about the countryside through online broadcasts during the second “Talk to a Farmer” week, organised by The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET). Farmers from throughout Scotland will be answering questions via video links to school classrooms. This year’s sessions will focus on farmers producing seeds and grains. There’s still time…
Read MoreGWCT training courses return for 2023
THE Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) has unveiled its spring training courses. The charity’s advisory service runs half-day courses on topics including “snaring, heather burning, corvid control, mustelid control, and grouse health and disease”. People who pass the courses receive a GWCT certificate to demonstrate “due diligence and responsibility” under the 2011 Wildlife &…
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