An odyssey through Italy’s indigenous grapes – via Zoom

Falanghina, montepulciano and passerina all featured in the latest online tastings attended by drinks blogger Peter Ranscombe. FEW countries can boast as many varieties of grapes as Italy – the International Organisation of Vine & Wine (OIV), the keeper of the geekiest of all statistics, lists 454 varietals as being grown from the Alps down to…

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Photos wanted for new charity calendar

People with time on their hands are being urged to look through their photos of the Scottish Borders and enter a competition. The Macmillan Cancer Support Coldstream committee, helping people in the Borders, is looking to create its first calendar for the whole area. Last autumn, the committee launched a digital photographic competition to create…

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The fascinating story of historic Dumfries House

Dumfries House holds a very special place in Scottish history. When the foundation stone was laid in 1754, it became the first home to be designed by John, Robert and James Adams, the architects whose practice became arguably the most famous in the UK. The house hit the headlines in 2007 when Prince Charles, the…

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Rural college fighting against coronavirus

Former students from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) have been joining staff to take action against the impact of coronavirus. This has ranged from recording virtual classes and messages of support on social media to providing local deliveries to customers and food banks. After schools were closed, Cath Seeds, Programme Leader for Countryside Management in SRUC’s…

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Two storey villa sitting in landscaped grounds

A spacious villa with landscaped gardens in a quiet woodland development is now for sale. Presented by Galbraith, 10 Ramsay Wood is a well appointed two storey villa sitting in its own landscaped grounds within a quiet woodland residential area in Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway. The spacious accommodation lends itself to family life…

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Coronavirus claims the Glasgow Coffee Festival

The Glasgow Coffee Festival has been postponed after the Coronavirus outbreak. Originally scheduled to take place in early May, the event organisers have successfully secured dates for the festival to return to The Briggait later this year, with the two-day event now scheduled to take place on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October. Festival fans…

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Play that funky music – in a classic vehicle

A DJ booth with a difference, the FunkWagen camper is certainly going places. From scale models on key rings to popping up on coffee mugs and wallpaper, retro VW camper vans have been enjoying a comeback. And one resurgent vehicle has become the life and soul of the party. Brainchild of Edinburgh entrepreneur Jane James,…

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What does 150-year-old wine taste like?

Peter Ranscombe travels back through vinous time to try a pair of wines from the Victorian era. “IT’S not every day that you get to try two 150-year-old wines side-by-side,” quipped James Davy, as he poured the sixth and final drink at a very special masterclass to mark the century and a half that his…

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Brash McKelvie – Dealing with a weighty matter

Scottish Field’s online columnist Brash McKelvie was in for a shock when they went to the chemist. Here are the cast of characters that share the vicissitudes of life: Scragend – a Rhode Island Red of indeterminate age and foul nature. Shitting Cat – does exactly what it says on the tin. The Beloved –…

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A fascinating insight into museums’ model ship collection

On the back of the success of Glasgow Museums’ ship model collection, they have created this extraordinary coffee table book. Taking a decade to compile, it covers all 676 ship models produced by Clyde shipyards and Glasgow-based ship owners. Ranging from the majestic RMS Queen Mary and famous Royal Navy battleship HMS Hood to the…

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