If you go down to the woods tonight…

HOPETOUN House’s “Wondrous Woods” lighting trail opened last night. The stately home near South Queensferry will host the light show until 15 November. The Earl of Hopetoun said: “It is thrilling for me to see the grounds come to life after dark with all the creative lighting and effects that are planned. “This is the…

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Campaign drives interest in North East 250

INTEREST in the North East 250 driving route has shifted up a gear following an online marketing campaign. The number of times pages were viewed on the North East 250 website accelerated from fewer than 8,000 in the month before the first phase of the campaign began to nearly 120,000 during the campaign’s final month.…

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Perthshire Adventure launches website

SEVEN adventure tourism businesses in Perthshire have launched a website to attract more visitors to the area. The companies formed the Perthshire Adventure initiative two years ago and have been working together to promote their region. Now, they’ve received backing from business support firm GrowBiz Scotland to reach a wider audience. Sarah Turner, the initiative’s…

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Keela releases anti-viral outdoor clothing

SCOTTISH outdoor clothing brand Keela has unveiled a range of anti-viral garments. The active ingredient on Keela’s “ViralOff” clothes reduces viruses on the garments by 99% over a two-hour period, the company said. Keela developed the range with textile technology firm Polygiene. Sam Fernando, Keela’s sales director, said: “During the design phase of the collection,…

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National Trust boss seeks members’ ideas

MEMBERS of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) have been asked to submit ideas for the conservation charity’s centenary ambitions. Philip Long, who took over as chief executive on 1 July, addressed around 100 online participants at the trust’s annual general meeting on Saturday. He asked them to contribute ideas for the NTS’s 10-year plan,…

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Golf: the perfect social distancing activity

GOLF has become “the perfect social distancing outdoor activity in a safe environment”, according to Trump Turnberry. The hotel and golf resort on the Ayrshire coast has hailed its corporate packages for giving companies the chance to “mix business with pleasure”. Turnberry offers both individuals and companies a variety of corporate and partner memberships, with…

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‘Outdoor adventures manager’ joins Gleneagles

GLENEAGLES has appointed an “outdoor adventures manager” to help children enjoy its 850-acre estate. Alan McGonagle, 34, from Loch Lomond, was previously manager of Pinkston Watersports in Glasgow, a community paddle sports hub and home to Scotland’s only artificial whitewater course. The Perthshire hotel has also created an “adventurer’s guide” featuring more than 50 activities…

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Air ambulance wants patients to share their stories

SCOTLAND’S Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) is calling on the patients it’s saved to share their stories as part of this week’s UK-wide air ambulance week. The charity, which flies helicopters from Aberdeen and Perth, has operated since 2013. During August alone, the air ambulances responded to 65 emergencies as far afield as the Hebrides, Orkney…

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Trust launches footpath etiquette guide

THE National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has introduced a footpath etiquette guide to help slow down the spread of the coronavirus without eroding the edges of tracks. The conservation charity has also launched a footpath fund to raise money for repairs. More than 250 miles of paths in upland areas are maintained by the NTS.…

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‘Wheelyboat’ helps anglers fish on Uists’ lochs

ANGLERS and tourists can now explore more of the Uists’ lochs thanks to funding for an accessible “wheelyboat”. Hydraulic platforms will allow people in wheelchairs to use the boat, no matter how low the water level or how inaccessible the banks. The boat will be used by anglers in the Outer Hebrides to fish for…

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