The perils of party season in the country

Archie Hume of A Hume Country Clothing takes a light-hearted look at footwear considerations during party season. As I’m a country clothing retailer I assume that a sizeable proportion of our customers – or in this case readers – live in the country. Or at least have a passing relationship with life beyond the sulphurous…

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Deserved recognition for the Rock Trust’s work

The dedication of those who help young people who are homeless has been recognised. Established in 1991, The Rock Trust works with young people between the age of 16 and 25 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This includes young people who are in transitions, leaving care or home and those involved in offending,…

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A city escape with a beautifully designed garden

Before Tina Kelly and her husband John moved to Edinburgh over 14 years ago, the garden was never a priority. ‘We’d never really lived anywhere for more than four years. With this one, we had finished the work on the house and the garden frustrated us a bit, which is why we decided to get…

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Growing up in Glasgow in Hometown Tales

The Glasgow edition of Hometown Tales includes two unique stories that document personal accounts of living in, or experiencing the Dear Green Place. The first tale by Kirsty Logan, The Old Asylum in the Woods, is the intensely moving and highly persdonal story of her life growing up in the shadow of Woodilee Hospital. The…

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How love in Scotland saved one man from Apartheid

The story of a South African man who escaped the Apartheid regime to move to Glasgow is to feature on television next week. In the year when Nelson Mandela would have celebrated his 100th birthday, film-maker Dhivya Kate Chetty follows her parents – a mixed-race and once ‘illegal’ couple – on a trip back to…

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Plenty at steak when you dine at Hawksmoor

Despite its vast scale, Hawksmoor feels friendly and relaxed. We started with the comforting potted beef and bacon and hand-dived scallops, but the menu centres around steak, so when in Rome… The fillet was tender and cooked to perfection even if it did look lonely on the plate at £34. The rib-eye came in at an only slightly less…

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Convenient spot and great food at 83 Hanover Street

Convenient for a quick bite while shopping and with service efficient enough to allow for a working lunch, 83 is a funky wee addition to Edinburgh’s dining scene. Some of the highlights amongst our Chilean-inspired bites and plates were sopaipillas pebre (gorgeous pillowy pumpkin breads), charred octopus and beef short rib in a rich tomato sauce. The chef loves his…

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The helping hands who assist injured animals

Fiona Thorburn, senior animal rescue officer for the Scottish SPCA, is on hand to rescue Edinburgh’s wildlife when they are injured or in peril. Helping injured deer, badgers and foxes is all in a day’s work for Fiona, and the four other SSPCA animal rescue officers who work in and around the capital. But it’s…

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A new oasis of calm in the heart of the city

The spa at The Principal Edinburgh Charlotte Square Hotel is a brand spanking new oasis of calm. The pool area with sauna and steam room are lovely if you have time. The spa offers treatments from Oskia and ishga. I plumped for the Signature Oskia Glow Facial, £90 for 80 minutes, promising anti-ageing properties and to leave…

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Glaswegians cycle around the equator – 28 times

Forget the latest UK winner of the Tour de France – Glasgow has its own biking champion. As the United Kingdom celebrated Geraint Thomas’ triumphant Tour de France win last week, nextbike, the world’s most extensive bike-share operator, marked its half a millionth journey in Glasgow. An incredible 1,125,000km have been clocked up on the…

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