A celebration of 1000 Scots words and phrases

Cauld Blasts and Clishmaclavers: A Treasury of 1,000 Scottish Words details a huge array of Scottish words and phrases, in what is a joyously eclectic mix. From the ‘airt o’ the clicky’ to ‘yowe trummle’, it is by no means an exhaustive collection of tropes – rather the author has handpicked some of his favourites.…

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Taking the plunge to enjoy the power of wild swimming

Heart-warming and fascinating, Taking the Plunge: The Healing Power of Wild Swimming for Mind, Body & Soul is fantastic. Written by two women who formed a bond through their love of wild swimming, reading this book feels like having a conversation with old friends. Deacon and Allan detail the lives of wild swimmers, showing how…

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Scottish beer lovers wanted to name new brew

Aldi has teamed up with long-term Scottish supplier Williams Bros to give customers the chance to name a brand-new beer which will be sold in stores across the UK. Beer loving Scots have the opportunity to choose the perfect name for Aldi’s next collaboration with Williams Bros and win the very first case of the…

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How Scottish tourism was transformed by one film

In the autumn of 1995, Braveheart was released and the first ever Easyjet flight took off from Luton to Glasgow – two events that helped transform Scottish tourism. Braveheart sold Scotland around the world – and almost overnight, the country became synonymous with Mel Gibson’s historically dubious epic. Scottish Tourist Board chief Tom Buncle recalled…

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New head of whisky creation at Glen Moray Distillery

Glen Moray has announced that Stephen Woodcock will take the helm at the Speyside single malt whisky distillery from this month. Stephen, who brings a wealth of experience to his new role as head of whisky creation and stocks, will be responsible for developing Glen Moray’s wide range of inviting whiskies and championing its long-held…

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New Laphroaig 10 year old is set to launch

Laphroaig is launching a 10 Year Old Sherry Oak in April – a new take on its much-loved and iconic single malt, to join its core range.   Finished in Oloroso sherry casks for 12 to 18months, this new expression combines the unforgettable flavour of Beam Suntory’s Laphroaig 10 Year Old with the sweet and aromatic…

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New Littlemill release is a testament to the past

A limited edition release of 250 Littlemill Testament decanters has been launched. The new release celebrates Littlemill’s legacy as Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery and is contained in a luxury decanter which skilfully incorporates treasured remnants of the original distillery manager’s house giving collectors the opportunity to own a true piece of Scotch Whisky history. These…

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Stylish and contemporary leisurewear

A throwaway comment in the pub last summer led to the birth of Spinback, an Edinburgh-based business offering stylish and contemporary leisurewear with a twist. Their passion for unique design brought the vision and products to life, and the business launched in October 2020. With a love of music and a serious addiction to fashion,…

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Scotland’s Home of the Year returns to our screens

The search for Scotland’s Home of the Year is on again. The judges, interior designer Anna Campbell Jones, architect Michael Angus and blogger Kate Spiers, start the search for outstanding homes across Scotland onWednesday, April 7. The search begins in the Borders where the judges visit three remarkable properties including a Blue House in Biggar,…

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Novel approach to a virus in Edinburgh

Set in an Edinburgh recovering from a virus which targets young healthy people, Murder at the Music Factory is a thriller which starts at a fast pace. Unfortunately the book is littered with typos, but I still found the writing easy to read and despite not having read any of the other books in the…

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