Highland distillery launches seed-to-spirit gin

The first gin from Scotland’s newest grain-to-glass distillery is being released this month. Sutors, based at Balinroich near Tain, is one of a small band of distilleries in the UK which makes its own spirit, using ingredients grown on its own doorstep. Founded by IT specialist Stuart Wells and agronomist Ed Scaman, the distillery takes…

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Driving tips to help you beware deer on the road

With the clocks turning back this week, commuters across south west Scotland are being advised to look out for deer crossing local trunk roads. The deer rutting season is at its peak and Scotland TranServ has identified a number of potential deer strike hotspots. They have therefore recently installed temporary signage for the season at…

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John Muir Trust reveals its new chief executive

A respected Highland conservationist and mountaineer has been appointed chief executive of the John Muir Trust. The John Muir Trust has revealed David Balharry, one of Scotland’s most respected community-focused conservationists, in the post, following the retirement of Andrew Bachell. The John Muir Trust is a Scottish charity, established in 1983 to conserve wild land…

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Only 6000 bottles of winter botanical gin available

Red Door Highland Gin has released a small batch limited edition bottling – the first release in a range of limited seasonal flavours – handcrafted at Benromach Distillery in Forres. Only 6000 bottles of Red Door Highland Gin with Winter Botanicals (45% ABV/70cl) will be released for sale, carefully crafted behind the Forres distillery’s iconic…

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A look at the natural year in the Highlands

‘Nature writers are supposed to be able to summon from the literary ether the precise words to describe their subjects or the feelings they evince,’ writes John Lister-Kaye in Gods of the Morning. ‘Sometimes the Muse attends, but by no means on demand.’ Well, for Gods of the Morning: A Bird’s Eye View of a…

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Saving the wildcats – Scotland’s Highland tiger

For someone who initially had no particular interest in wildcats, I finished this book feeling massively concerned for their welfare and vulnerability.  Marianne Taylor delves into the fascinating lives of Scottish wildcats in her Highland journey, during which she hopes to catch sight of these elusive animals. They face alarming endangerment so a need for…

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Robert the Bruce’s spider link to historic hotel

A historical hotel reputed to be sited near where Robert the Bruce was inspired by a spider is on the market. Dunvalanree, a hotel on the stunning West Highland beach where Robert the Bruce landed while fleeing the English following an early setback, is being offered for sale. Located in the tiny Kintyre hamlet of…

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Have a say on plan to remove Highland phone boxes

There is a huge amount of opposition to BT’s proposal to remove 110 public payphones from across the Highland region. The Highland Council began a consultation, asking for the views of the public on removing the boxes. Most of the objections have cited below low levels of mobile phone ownership and their importance to elderly…

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Islay edition is new malt from Angels’ Nectar

Grantown-on-Spey based Highfern have launched their new Angels’ Nectar Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Islay Edition. This is a successor to their successful Rich Peat Edition blended malt. Bottled at 47% and at natural colour the Angels’ Nectar Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Islay Edition is dominated by a gentle island peat smoke, which on…

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Timber lodges are perfect to fight climate change

Timber housing is praised as way ahead for UK to help reduce climate change. A Highland Perthshire self catering estate has been heartened by the news, as told to a recent Westminster enquiry, that timber homes can help climate change, and is continuing to market the final few luxury timber lodges it has left in…

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