Your chance to own a 16th century Scottish castle

A beautiful 16th century Scottish castle set in beautiful woodland is now available for sale. Presented for sale by Bell Ingram, the category A-listed Lickleyhead Castle, near Premnay, in Aberdeenshire, sits in a sheltered position below the hills of Bennachie and is approached from a long drive through mature woodland. It has a rich history…

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Guidance on building a strong farming business

Building a resilient farm business and successfully navigating the industry’s complex regulatory, economic and political landscape is the subject of a free event in Inverurie next week. The roadshow, organised by full-service law firm Ledingham Chalmers, together with property consultancy Galbraith and chartered accountants Johnston Carmichael, is the last of four sessions to take place…

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New campaign aims to create more young farmers

A campaign to get more Scots under 30 into a career in farming has been launched. Barclays has kicked off #FarmtheFuture, a nationwide campaign encouraging farmers to plan for their future and tell young people about the benefits of a career in agriculture, as new data reveals that Britain’s farming population is ageing rapidly. The…

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All set for the final food weekend of the year

Bowhouse will have its last Food Weekend of 2018 with an especially festive affair next Saturday and Sunday. Taking place on 8 and 9 December, a bumper line-up of some of Scotland’s best food producers will be joined by resident Bowhouse makers for the covered food market, alongside a collection of artisan craft stalls from…

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The late Alan Bean was the Scotsman on the moon

Artist Alan Bean was part of the second lunar landing – and in tribute to his Scots ancestry, he took a swatch of MacBean tartan with him. Sadly, in May this year, Alan passed away at the age of 88. Prior to his death, Alan was an artist, who liked to paint figures set in…

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Why meat is good for you – and the environment

Eating red meat sourced from Scotland is good for your health. That’s the view of Quality Meat Scotland and the Institute for Global Food Security, who also cite the nation’s farming and geography as helping the environment, rather than damaging it. Their statements come after a Committee on Climate Change (CCC) Report. Kate Rowell, chair…

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New bid to help mutton make the cut on Skye

With its stunning scenery and the ethereal majesty of the Cuillin, the Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s most popular and iconic tourist destinations. And with hordes of hungry visitors keeping its restaurants busy, sheep producers and chefs are being asked for their say on Skye menus. One Rural Innovation Support Service (RISS) group…

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Win a day’s driven grouse shooting at Glenogil

Shooting enthusiasts can win a prize of a lifetime – a day’s driven grouse shooting in Scotland. The traditional Grand Grouse Draw, organised by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), offers the winner and eight friends the chance to enjoy an unforgettable experience on Glenogil Estate, one of the finest estates in Scotland. Glenogil,…

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Scotswoman who braved the wilds of Australia

If America’s frontiers were expanded westwards by cowboys and cattle ranchers, so Australia’s interior was also opened up by the bullock drovers. These days we are used to images of ‘road trains’ in which huge trucks pull multiple wagons bursting at the seams with cattle, but in the nineteenth century, before a network of highways…

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The ancient art making a comeback in Scotland

The ancient craft of hedgelaying has been practiced in Scotland since Celtic times, but the method largely fell out of use after World War II when mechanisation took over the farming scene. But despite this, the craft is now enjoying something of a revival in the Borders. Graeme Walker, a Kelso native based in Newton…

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