Scottish poetry competition attracts the world

Poets from all across the world entered Wigtown’s annual poetry competition. As Scotland’s National Book Town celebrates its 20th annual event, organisers revealed the festival’s international credentials with one runner up planning to fly in from America to attend the awards ceremony. There have been 735 entries including from the USA, India, France, Australia, Netherlands,…

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Debut Doric festival highlights mountain to sea

A festival to celebrate Doric culture, music, language, storytelling, and food and drink is to take place across Aberdeenshire throughout October. Led by Aberdeenshire Council’s Cultural Services team in partnership with community groups, creatives, key partners and individuals, Across the Grain is an ambitious events programme including everything from film-makers in fish markets to musicians…

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Crab and salmon combine for a delicious meal

Little’s Restaurant in Blairgowrie is a little slice of heaven for its owner, Willie Little. Fishmonger and chef Willie moved into fish wholesaling, owning the company Ocean Traders, which led to him setting up his award-winning fishmonger, Fish in Crieff. Selling the wholesale company, Willie was left with the fishmongers, but for a man whose working…

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Scotland starts its fightback against plastic waste

A new campaign to clear Scottish beaches of plastic waste has got off to a promising start. A beach clean at Sandford Bay, in Peterhead, was held last weekend, to mark the official launch of a regional initiative named Turning the Plastic Tide. The event was a great success having received a high attendance from…

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Fabulous fish with risotto, kale and garlic dressing

How fishmonger and chef Willie Little came to own his Blairgowrie restaurant is as down-to-earth as the man himself. Little’s Restaurant has a great reputation, especially for its fish, as you would expect! ‘Because our product is so fresh, I don’t have to hide it with any sauces,’ says chef proprietor Willie Little of the fish…

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Nothing fishy about this unusual property for sale

A property with a difference is now for sale in Stirlingshire. Presented for sale by Bell Ingram, Howietoun Fishery, in Sauchiemill, Stirlingshire, was established by Sir James Maitland in 1881. Within the original Grain Mill is a commemorative window dedicated to Sir James. In the 1870s, Sir James, on whose estate Sauchiemill stood, began scientific…

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Pairing food and wine at Creation in South Africa

Peter Ranscombe visits one of the regions on his wine bucket list, Hemel-en-Aarde in South Africa, and enjoys dining with JC and Carolyn Martin at Creation Wines. “WE DON’T run a restaurant,” maintains Carolyn Martin as we sit down to dinner at Creation winery on Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge in South Africa. As I glance around the…

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We have a delicious recipe for peppered tuna

Cooking with seafood was in the blood for chef Didier Dejean when he owned the Silver Darling in Aberdeen. Originally from Millau in southern France, Didier started to cook when he was 12, helping his mother. Her traditional approach had an influence. Didier said: ‘I think probably more now, because people like simple food, not…

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Scottish Field gives vegan ‘fish and chips’ the taste test

When the Scottish Field team learned that a ‘vegan fish and chips’ had been created, a few eyebrows were raised in the office. I won’t lie. I’m a committed carnivore, and can’t imagine life without fish or meat. However, I was rather fascinated as to just how a vegan take on fish and chips would…

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No papering over the cracks at book festival

Interior decoration with wallpaper is nothing new – but to hang it on the outside of a building is definitely unique. Artist Astrid Jaekel has wallpapered the outside of around a dozen shops and other buildings in the centre of Wigtown ahead the town’s 20th annual book festival. Each design tells a story about a…

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