A fantastic year for Scotland’s seabirds

The Outer Hebridean island Mingulay has had its best seabird season since 2000 according to new figures from the National Trust for Scotland. Scotland’s largest conservation charity has been monitoring seabird populations on Mingulay since it became responsible for the protection of the island. Summer 2017 has been a bumper year for razorbills and guillemots.…

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Modernist jewellery exhibition to launch next month

Articulated necklace, silver and enamel, designed by Grete Prytz Kittelsen (1917–2010) in 1952, for J Tolstrup, Norway copyright National Museums Scotland

A collection of modernist jewellery will go on display at the National Museum of Scotland on Friday 1 December until 29 April 2018. ‘Modernist Jewellery’ will feature pieces acquired by National Museums Scotland through the Art Fund New Collecting Award project, Northern Modernist Jewellery, which was awarded to Sarah Rothwell, curator of Modern & Contemporary…

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Rubens portrait to make UK debut in Edinburgh

‘Portrait of the Artist’s Daughter, Clara Serena’ by Sir Peter Paul Rubens

A family portrait by one of the greatest 17th-century artists will be on display at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh from 17 November to 28 January, 2018. ‘Portrait of the Artist’s Daughter, Clara Serena’ by Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) was probably painted around 1623, not long before the sitter’s tragically early death at…

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The Balvenie releases its latest compendium instalment – including a 55-year-old single malt

Speyside distillery The Balvenie has launched its oldest expression to date, with a 55-year-old single malt whisky. The Secrets of the Stock Model is the third instalment from the compendium, which celebrates the industry’s longest-serving malt master, David Stewart MBE. The range comprises of five ‘extremely rare’ single cask single malt bottlings, including a 55-year-old European…

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VisitScotland welcomes massive rise in overseas visitors

Overseas visitors are playing a massive part in the Scottish economy, according to new figures from the UK Office of National Statistics. The quarterly International Passenger Survey (IPS) tourism statistics for April to June and the domestic tourism statistics derived from the Great Britain Tourism Survey shows the number of international visitors from January to…

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Searching for regionality in English sparkling wine

To mark the start of English wine week tomorrow, Peter Ranscombe ponders whether it’s possible to spot regional identity in the country’s sparkling wines ASK a connoisseur of Champagne about their favourite bottles and more likely than not they’ll start waxing lyrical about the different areas that make up the famous French sparkling wine region.…

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Tamdhu marks 120th anniversary with 50 Year Old whisky

Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky has unveiled its oldest ever bottling – Tamdhu 50 Year Old – to coincide with the distillery’s 120thanniversary. Matured in a first fill European oak sherry butt for five decades, just 100 bottles of Tamdhu 50 Year Old will be made available globally. This single cask release will retail…

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Charles Hamilton Ltd launch The Isles

Charles Hamilton Ltd has announced the addition of ‘The Isles’ edition to its regional malt and grain whisky range. The new Isles release extends the Speyside, Highland, Islay and Lowland regional spread. Each region is presented in its own distinctive colour scheme. The Isles version is distinguished by its striking ‘coral tinted’ cylindrical carton and…

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Fewer calories but no compromise on taste

PETER RANSCOMBE AS JANUARY draws to a close, those new year’s resolutions are getting harder and harder to keep. For anyone who over-indulged during the festive period by reaching for that extra mince pie or another slice of Christmas cake, weight loss is usually top of the list come Hogmanay. While our food packaging is covered…

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