The Highlands gets set to welcome its first-ever wildlife book festival

The first-ever Easter wildlife book festival is set to take place in the Highlands. Based at a dedicated birdwatching hotel, the Grant Arms Hotel in Grantown-on-Spey, acclaimed wildlife writers will come together to discuss their work with other enthusiasts of the great outdoors. This will be the first event of its kind at the Grant…

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High demand from international buyers for Scottish sporting estates

Scottish sporting estates are being snapped up by overseas buyers – especially Europeans – thanks to the weak pound. Leading independent property consultancy, Galbraith, reports that international buyers, particularly from the continent, are continuing to purchase sporting estates in Scotland. But this is not only due to the fall in the value of sterling, but…

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Prolific partnership for honey and grouse is reaping dividends

Scottish honey producers are working in partnership with grouse estates to enable bees to feed on the prolific flowering plants on moorland in several parts of the country. Estates in Tayside, the Angus Glens and the Lammermuirs work with beekeepers who position their hives on the moors every August and September. Now Tomatin Moorland Group…

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Powell & Son: Two heads are better than one

Australian winemaker Dave Powell has teamed up with his eldest son, Callum, to create wines from Australia’s Barossa and Eden valleys with freshness and fruit purity, writes Peter Ranscombe. THE phrase “colourful character” could have been coined to describe Dave Powell, the tall Australian winemaker with his grey beard and ponytail holding court in Le…

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Buying in a syndicate to secure the rural dream

Many dream of owning a country estate in which they can spend time with family and friends and enjoy a host of pursuits. However, more often than not the price of such a purchase can be beyond the grasp of many families. In addition, potential owners might find it hard to justify when the reality is they may…

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Tamdhu: 50 years in the making

PETER RANSCOMBE WHAT was happening in the world back in 1963? In America, president John Kennedy was assassinated. In Liverpool, The Beatles released their first album. And, in a quiet corner of Speyside, on 2 November, a batch of spirit was distilled at Tamdhu. That new-make spirit was placed into a first-fill European oak sherry…

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