Harvey Nichols set to pop up in St Andrews

Harvey Nichols Edinburgh is spreading its wings in Scotland as it is set to open a a pop-up shop in St Andrews. Until now, shoppers have only been able to shop the fashion brand online or at the Harvey Nichols store in Edinburgh – which, quite frankly, aren’t just on the local high street, but…

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Breathing new life into a former parish church

Set amongst the pretty chocolate box houses of Fordyce in Aberdeenshire is a Church of Scotland parish church, which closed in 2012 because it was feared the dilapidated bellecot would collapse on parishioners one day. In 2014, having sold their successful B&B business in Buckie with the intention of moving to the Scottish Borders, Alison…

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The Urban Fox has great food and a relaxed ambiance

Located near Summerhall and the Meadows, this laid-back eatery offers flavours from around the globe and some nice veggie options. Scottish mussels; beetroot and coriander falafel; and salt and pepper squid are some of the starters on offer or you can try a selection as a sharing platter, with three priced at £12 and five…

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Doggy day out will raise money for a good cause

An East Lothian eatery is getting ready to hold its next dog-friendly event. Dog owners are being encouraged to bring their four-legged friends to the Mercat Grill’s next doggy charity event on Saturday, 4 August. From the village pub/restaurant in Whitecraig, East Lothian, everyone will set off around 11.30am for a sociable, short walk in…

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Tasty options and a good atmosphere make Tapa a hit

Tapa This Leith eatery in a converted warehouse tucked away just off The Shore in Leith is where we often go as a family for a lazy Sunday lunch with friends. It’s relaxed, child-friendly, able to cope with big groups and there’s always space. The £15 set lunch is good, but we like the costillas,…

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Deutz pops the cork on its Scottish push

With its rounded flavours and engaging story, Peter Ranscombe expects Champagne Deutz to be a popular addition with diners and drinkers north of the border. NEVER before has there been so much choice on the Champagne shelf in your local bottle shop or the sparkling wine list in your neighbourhood restaurant. Big-name brands rub shoulder-to-shoulder…

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Bring a proper ray of sunshine into your palate

Trenchtown Stepping into sunny, Jamaican eatery, Trenchtown, with its pineapple-coloured booths and head-bopping soundtrack, is a treat in itself. To start, we tried Fiery Fried Squid, Garlic and Chilli BBQ King Prawns and the deliciously doughy Trinidadian Doubles – each moreish, if a little filling. For mains the chunky Red Snapper had an eye-watering side…

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Five years in business is a reason to party in East Lothian

An East Lothian eatery is getting ready to mark five years in business. The family-owned Mercat Grill, at 10 Whitecraig Road in Whitecraig, will be five-years-old this November and to celebrate, there’s a special party to show their appreciation to all the great customers who frequent the award-winning bar and restaurant next Saturday, November 11,…

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Jamie McCulloch: Scottish passion with Swiss precision

Peter Ranscombe meets Scottish winemaker Jamie McCulloch, whose handcrafted wines from Switzerland are finding fans on Edinburgh’s food scene. IT’S always fascinating to meet Scottish winemakers. It’s possible to count the number of vineyards in our nation on one hand and so it’s interesting to explore the reasons why fellow Scots turn to making wine.…

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