Ban on shock collars in Scotland is a win for animal welfare

Scotland’s decision to ban  the use of electric shock collars and other electronic training devices has been welcomed by the British Veterinary Association (BVA). BVA has worked alongside campaigners to ban these aversive training methods across the UK, with Wales banning them in 2010.The  Scottish Government had initially planned to regulate the use of shock…

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Meetings set to be held to encourage more Scottish tree planting

Borders farmers and landowners are being invited to forestry talks in the next two weeks. Forestry Commission Scotland is hosting three evening talks in the Scottish Borders aimed at encouraging farmers and land owners to integrate tree planting into their business. The free talks will also provide information on the attractive forestry grants now available…

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Edinburgh salon collection nominated for two UK industry awards

An Edinburgh salon collection has been named a finalist for a UK industry award – Salon of the Year – at the 2018 Professional Beauty Awards. Zen Lifestyle, as well as Cameron House, are in the running for for Day Spa of the Year. The national awards are the most prestigious and established in the…

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Book review – The Island in Imagination and Experience

From Treasure Island to Robin Island, islands have long proved irresistible to mankind’s imagination. In this book, self-confessed island obsessive Barry Smith explores how islands attract us and examines the kind of human experiences that islands inspire. He has spent much of his 60-odd years at work, rest and play on islands all around the…

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Book review: The White Stag Adventure

Youngsters who grew up in the 1980s, or indeed their parents, may fondly remember the Clan series.  Set in central Scotland, a group of children, Gavin, Clare, Michael and Mot, who have created their own outdoor adventures and become involved in stopping adult criminals. It’s a refreshing reminder of times when children had freedom to…

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Tuned in for new appointments at the Royal Scottish National Orchestra

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra has made two major appointments. The orchestra has appointed Paul Philbert as its new principal timpani and Luis Eisen as associate principal bassoon, writes Stacey Wylie. Paul Philbert, originally from London, will be joining RSNO as principal timpani (kettledrum). Having studied at Purcell School and Trinity College, Philbert has had…

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Glasgow Citizens Theatre’s 50p offer is just the ticket

Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre is kicking off 2018 by offering bargain hungry fans the chance to snap up 50p tickets for the company’s production of Rona Munro’s modern classic, Bold Girls. From 10am on Saturday, 20 January, 100 tickets for Bold Girls will be available for 50p. Tickets are available across 10 performances and can only…

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Supermarket gives its backing to small Scottish firm

A Scottish supermarket has given its support to a new bottling facility dedicated to overcoming the challenges in getting small batch craft sodas manufactured. Scotmid Co-operative has invested in The Start-Up Drinks Lab. Borne out of sheer frustration at the lack of accessible production facilities for small batch soft drinks, The Start-Up Drinks Lab was…

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Benromach reveals plans to create a new warehouse to boost its output

A Scottish distillery is throwings its doors open to the public, to hear their views on its planned extension. Forres-based Benromach, owned by Gordon & Macphail, plans to build a new warehouse for whisky maturation to the west of the existing site. Ewen Mackintosh, managing director at Gordon & MacPhail, said: ‘We have been expanding…

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