Scots estates offer homes and jobs for fleeing Ukrainians

Rural estates in Scotland have said they are ready and able to welcome Ukrainian refugees and to offer accommodation and employment. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), which represents rural businesses, said more than 40 estates had volunteered to help those fleeing war and arriving in Scotland. SLE said it had written to the Scottish Government…

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El Niño and Abundance in a new art exhibition

A new exhibition at the Scottish Fisheries Museum is set to bust negative images of the extreme weather phenomenon El Niño. It shows the fishing and farming opportunities it has brought to the Sechura Desert in Northern Peru and exploring how other communities might take a similar adaptive approach to the effects of climate change.…

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St Andrews film festival unveils its debut line-up

The Sands International Film Festival of St Andrews has unveiled the film line-up for its first event. Over three days, 25-27 March, filmmakers from around the world will gather in the historic University town, to not only showcase their work, but engage directly with cinemagoers and the larger community in a range of supporting events…

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Isle of Raasay to open new distillery in Campbeltown

The owners of the Isle of Raasay Distillery has announced the opening of the first farm to bottle distillery in Campbeltown in more than 180 years. To add to their ambition of becoming Scotland’s leading artisanal distiller, R&B Distillers Limited have announced a bold new plan to add a second single malt whisky brand to…

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A garden on its very best bee-haviour

Jay Jay Gladwin’s personal touch makes all the difference as wildflowers and beneficial weeds boost the bee population in this Black Isle garden. When Jay Jay designs a garden she thinks about three things: structure, atmosphere and plants. ‘I ask a client the obvious questions about garden use and what they like but I also…

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Farmers sought to take part in annual business survey

Farmers looking to improve their business performance are being offered the chance to take part in a survey in return for free financial and environmental reports. SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), is looking for farmers to take part in the annual Scottish Farm Business Survey, which has been running since the 1930s.…

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Scotch Lamb rump with za’atar and crowdie pastilla

Scots are being encouraged to eat meat from our own country, through Go Rural. Go Rural is a community initiative run by farmers and crofters who are passionate about producing the highest quality food and drink as well as caring for the environment and protecting Scotland’s landscapes. Scotch Lamb had a successful push in 2020…

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Kirsten and Robin pick up consulting awards

A sheep specialist and a manager with more than 30 years’ experience have picked up special awards from SAC Consulting. The RC Stewart Prize is awarded annually to the person, or persons, who have contributed significantly to the development of consultancy work at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). With Covid affecting last year’s preparations, this year…

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Cloudy Bay: first taste of the 2021 sauvignon blanc

Peter Ranscombe gets a first look at the 2021 Cloudy Bay sauvignon blanc and explores how New Zealand’s most famous wine ages. FEW wines are more closely linked with a region and a country than Cloudy Bay and Marlborough in New Zealand. David Hohnen was one of the first five winemakers to arrive in Marlborough…

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Le Clarence: Two-star food to match grand cru wine

Le Clarence restaurant in Paris combines two-star Michelin food with wines from Haut Brion, one of Bordeaux’s five most famous chateaux, writes Peter Ranscombe. “THERE’S more that unites us than divides us”. Those words were echoing through my mind as the Eurostar train hurtled through Northern France. Looking out at the farms and fields, I…

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