Addressing single-use items and throwaway culture

Zero Waste Scotland is warning that the current focus on plastics is distracting from the real issue of ending disposable throwaway culture and urges Scots to take a stand against unwanted extra materials in their daily lives. The environmental organisation is calling on people to use the period of Climate Week, running from Monday 7…

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A look at the Scottish play and the real Macbeth

An exploration of Shakespeare’s Scottish play is coming to our TV screens this week. Cathy MacDonald finds the Gaelic roots of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and explores the landscape where the real history happened and she discovers that the real King Macbeth was very different to Shakespeare’s cruel villain. Cathy visits the Birnam Oak, all that remains…

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Airds takes Scottish luxury title in Good Hotel Guide

Airds Hotel and Restaurant in Port Appin has been named Scottish Luxury Hotel of the Year in The Good Hotel Guide 2020, published today. Out of 830 listings in Britain’s leading independent UK hotels guide Airds, on the west coast, is the only Scottish hotel of the 10 elite properties selected for a César Award.…

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One of 1500 bottles of £5000 whisky must be won

Whyte & Mackay have launched a campaign that will give consumers the opportunity to win a rare bottle of 50-year-old blended Scotch whisky estimated to be worth £5,000. Consumers will have the chance to win one of 1500 50cl bottles exclusively through a nationwide promotion advertised on 70cl and 1ltr bottles of Whyte and Mackay…

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Bringing a mum closer to her newborn baby

The second episode of a new Scottish series bringing the every day events at a maternity hospital will be shown this week. Technology brings a mum together with her premature son in this second episode of Tiny Lives, filmed in the neonatal unit at University Hospital Wishaw. Unable to cuddle nine-weeks-early Blake because she lost…

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The final part of our wildlife spotting guide

Kingfisher in winter

We highlight where to find Scotland’s beautiful wildlife in the final part of our feature. We’ve brought you 50 great places to see the nation’s top creatures, from the fast and the furry, to the beautiful and sleek. Click HERE to see part four, HERE to look at part three, HERE to read part two,…

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There’s more to the cuckoo than its famous call

Towards the end of April every year, I, like millions of other country people, have my ears cocked listening out for spring’s first cuckoo. It is one of nature’s finest sounds and never fails to send a frisson of excitement through me. But in recent years it has become more difficult to witness that celebrated…

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A Scottish top ten of world records

When it comes to world-beating feats we Scots have consistently punched above our ‘small country’ weight . Here we look at some of the brilliant, brave and often bonkers records set and challenged by Scots over the years. 1. Winning the international toss As caber-tossing is one of the most iconic aspects of Scotland, it…

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Former policeman uses his eye to write new novel

Peter Ritchie uses his past experience gained from a career as a senior police officer to write this crime fiction novel with astonishing authenticity and intrigue. The book has such character and charm that it makes the life of crime seem almost appealing, if it weren’t for the violence, illegality and constant paranoia that accompanies…

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North Coast 500 boosts economy by £22million

A major new evaluation report has found that the North Coast 500 has boosted the North Highland economy by more than £22million over 12 months. The study, conducted by the Moffat Centre for Tourism at Glasgow Caledonian University, found that the North Coast 500 generated more than £22.89million in Gross Value Added (GVA) throughout 2018.…

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