From wind turbine to bus shelter?

COULD old wind turbine blades be turned into bus shelters and park benches? That’s the question at the heart of a project that’s secured a £50,000 grant from Innovate UK, the UK Government agency that used to be called the Technology Strategy Board. ReBlade, a Glasgow-based company set up last year to specialise in decommissioning…

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Tigerlily tequila garden opened by Miss Scotland

MISS Scotland has launched the Herradura tequila garden at Tigerlily on Edinburgh’s George Street. Lucy Sophia Thomson was joined by Tigerlily general manager Luke Trodden to officially open the garden, which was designed by Edinburgh-based florist Wild Flowers. More than 10,000 Christmas baubles were used to create the garden, which comes hot on the heels…

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White reindeer go on Christmas tour

THREE white reindeer are heading out on the road for the first time as part of the Cairngorm herd’s Christmas tour. The trio of calves, which was born over the summer, was named after ice creams – “Mr Whippy”, “Ninety-Nine”, and “Vanilla”. The first reindeer were brought to the Cairnforms from Swedish Lapland in 1952…

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Film and TV news round-up: Wildlife, Stella, and more

Lights, camera, action as Peter Ranscombe shares the latest film and television news. A SCOTTISH filmmaker has won the on-screen talent pitching contest at the Wildscreen international wildlife film festival. Libby Penman teamed up with renowned filmmaker Doug Allan to pitch the idea of exploring the wildlife in Fife. “This is an environmental nature investigation…

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Banchory Bangle raffle deadline approaches

THE raffle to win this year’s “Banchory bangle” comes to an end on Friday. Jewellery designer Malcolm Appleby has made been making a bangle each year since 1976 to raise money for Children 1st. Appleby uses recycled gold and silver to make his bangles, which have raised £184,000 so far for the charity. Raffle tickets…

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Scottish Opera names 60th emerging artist

SCOTTISH Opera is marking its 60th anniversary by appointing its 60th emerging artist. The opera company’s emerging artists perform on stage, as well as working in-house with staff and visiting coaches to develop their skills. The programme began in 2009 and has since expanded to include behind-the-scenes roles in addition to opera singers. This year’s…

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Scottish trio triumphs at Walpole awards

THREE Scottish brands came away with prizes last night from the Walpole British Luxury Awards. The Gleneagles Hotel was named “British Luxury Brand of the Year”, which – for the first time in the award’s history – was decided by a voting academy comprised of 250 Walpole member chief executives. The “Made in the UK…

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Duck & Waffle hatches Edinburgh expansion

LONDON’S Duck & Waffle restaurant is spreading its wings by opening a branch in Edinburgh. The eatery – which is located on the 40th floor of London’s 110 Bishopsgate skyscraper – is adding Scottish twists to its menu, including a deep-fried haggis bar. The restaurant is making its nest at the St James Crescent entrance…

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Royal Highland Show is ‘bigger than Hogmanay’

THE Royal Highland Show contributes £39.5 million to Edinburgh’s economy – more than the city’s Hogmanay celebrations, according to new figures. The report by BOP Consulting marks the first time that the show’s financial impact has been measured using the same criteria as Edinburgh’s festivals. The equivalent of 674 full-time jobs are also supported by…

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‘Castle of Light’ trail opens in Edinburgh

EDINBURGH’S “Castle of Light” trail was switched on over the weekend by a couple chosen through a public vote. Maurice and Julia Maguire, who own Majestic Wedding Cars Edinburgh, were joined by Rex, the castle’s lion rampant mascot, to switch on the castle’s illuminations. The light trail tells the story of Edinburgh Castle, stretching back…

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