Horse trials will gallop back with ‘special’ 2021 event

Organisers of the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials have promised that 2021’s event will be all the more special after being forced to cancel this summer’s meeting due to the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s event, which had been due to take place on 27-30 August, was cancelled last night. In a joint statement,…

Read More

Armchair exploring: Supporting South African wines

As South Africa lifts its ban on wine exports – again – Peter Ranscombe picks bottles to kick-start some armchair exploring. FEW countries have had such an intense rollercoaster ride through the lockdown as South Africa. First wine exports were banned. Then they were allowed again. Then they were banned again. Last week’s news that exports…

Read More

Aboyne Highland Games in TV railway documentary

The role that the railway had in supporting the growth of Aboyne Highland Games will feature in a national television documentary on Friday, 10 April. The fourth episode of the Channel 5 series Walking Britain’s Lost Railways, presented by engineer Rob Bell, will focus on the Deeside railway line, and with it the route’s connection…

Read More

When Thunder in the Glens comes to Scotland

More than 4000 Harley Davidson owners from across the globe descend on the Highlands for bikers’ pilgrimage Thunder in the Glens. Thunder doesn’t adequately describe the deafening growl of thousands of Harley-Davidsons heading through the moors and glens on the annual mass bike ride out from Aviemore to Grantown-on-Spey. It takes around forty-five minutes for…

Read More

Hostelling Scotland to temporarily close its network

Hostelling Scotland has today announced the temporary closure of all 33 youth hostels within its network across the country with immediate effect – and until further notice. Following the latest Government guidelines to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), Hostelling Scotland hash taken the decision. It is a self-funding charitable organisation with 33 hostels located…

Read More

Scotch whisky industry seeks business support clarity

The Scotch Whisky Association has welcomed the unprecedented government support to business announced last week. The announcement, as a result of the disruption being caused across the economy by COVID-19, offers significant reassurance to Scotch whisky businesses. However, the industry is also seeking urgent assurances from Ministers on aspects of the support package, including whether…

Read More

A wildlife visit to the remote St Kilda

The isolated archipelago of St Kilda, Great Britain’s most westerly point, needs our help to ensure that it remains rich with wildlife and history. St Kilda always provokes a passionate response. So many people would love to go there, while those lucky enough to have done so will tell you colourful tales of their voyage…

Read More

Last chance saloon to fight against the fat tide

How can we stop our nation of couch potatoes from eating itself to death? We live in a time of virtuous role models in almost every sport, yet participation levels still falling, particularly among our children. What are the costs of our growing indolence? And if recent Olympic success on a previously undreamt-of scale is…

Read More

Etape Loch Ness rescheduled from April to September

A cycling event around Loch Ness, which raises money for Macmillan Cancer Support, has been delayed. Caledonian Concepts, organisers of the Etape Loch Ness which was scheduled to take place on Sunday 26 April have announced the postponement of the 2020 event. The 2020 Etape Loch Ness is now scheduled to take place on Sunday…

Read More

Formula One champion secures five star status

The Jim Clark Motorsport Museum is celebrating opening for the new season after being awarded five-star status by VisitScotland. The museum in Duns, Scottish Borders, opened to the public on 11 July 2019 following a £1.6million partnership project – and welcomed 13,000 visitors in its first six months as well as securing its first award,…

Read More