News
‘Forest Floor’ by Fergus McCreadie named as top album
PIANIST Fergus McCreadie won the Scottish album of the year (SAY) title last night for “Forest Floor”. McCreadie, who was also shortlisted for a Mercury Prize this year, was unable to attend the ceremony at The Albert Halls in Stirling. The award was collected on his behalf by Seonaid Aitken. It was third time lucky…
Read MoreScots take gold at British Farming Awards
SCOTTISH farmers and rural businesses won some of the biggest prizes at last night’s British Farming Awards. More than 800 farmers and their advisors gathered at The Vox venue in Birmingham for a ceremony hosted by television presenter Patrick Kielty. Emma Gray and Ewan Irvine took gold in both the “small or medium diversification of…
Read MoreScotland gets ready for Halloween
There’s hubble, bubble, toil, and trouble ahead of Halloween, as Peter Ranscombe discovers. SCOTLAND is preparing to mark Halloween in a wide variety of ways. The Witchery restaurant in Edinburgh has rolled out its annual display of decorative pumpkins. The up-market eatery beside the castle has also unveiled its autumn menu. Highlights include: Findlay’s of…
Read MoreNew Fair Isle bird observatory takes shape
CONSTRUCTION of a replacement bird observatory for Fair Isle took a step forward yesterday. Modules built in a factory in Sheffield arrived at the island on a barge, ready to be assembled. The world-famous observatory burned down in 2019. Fair Isle has hosted a bird observatory since 1948. As well as carrying out scientific research,…
Read MoreStrathearn Gallery hosts Ron Lawson exhibition
ARTIST Ron Lawson will be on hand at the Strathearn Gallery in Crieff on Saturday to open his biggest show of the year. More than 50 new paintings will be on display in the exhibition, which will look back over Lawson’s career, life on the Hebrides, and his trips over the past 40 years. Lawson…
Read MoreWorld Gaelic Week 2023 dates revealed
THE dates have been revealed for next year’s World Gaelic Week – or Seachdain Na Gàidhlig. World Gaelic Week will run on 20-26 February, 2023, with next year’s theme being “Coming Together”. The dates were revealed at this week’s Royal National Mòd in Perth. Event organisers can apply for up to £500 from a new…
Read MoreGran wins lifetime supply of Mackie’s ice cream
A GRAN from Dorset has won a lifetime supply of Mackie’s ice cream – 26 litres a year. Margaret Pitman beat more than 40,000 other entrants to win the Aberdeenshire firm’s summer competition. “I come from farming stock and when we had left over milk from the cows, we would make ice cream for our…
Read MoreGolden Shears returns to Scotland
THE Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing & Wool Handling Championships will return to Scotland next year. The contest will take place on 22-25 June as part of the Royal Highland Show (RHS) at Ingliston near Edinburgh. Contestants from more than 30 countries are expected to take part in the event, with entries closing in January.…
Read MoreThe Balmoral celebrates its 120th birthday
THE Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh is continuing to celebrate its 120th anniversary during October. The pastry team at the hotel has designed a special afternoon tea to mark the occasion, which includes: winter citrus cakes with dried mandarins and basil, coconut gateau opera; and chocolate and Maldon caramel religieuse. Bar Prince has created two cocktails…
Read MoreStrathallan School cadets win first aid prize
ROYAL Marine cadets from Strathallan School in Perthshire have won the first aid section of a competition. Nine cadets, led by Cadet Colour Sergeant Oliver Kent, won the prize at the Sir Steuart Pringle Trophy Competition at Lympstone in Devon. Cadet Sergeant Chloe McMichael, said: “We were delighted to win the first aid section, especially…
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