REVIEW: A touch of luxury with Harvey Nichols

Harvey Nichols. The name alone is synonymous with all things decadent and indulgent. Ever since I walked over the threshold of Harvey Nichols’ Edinburgh store, just off St Andrew Square, any mention of their luxurious offerings conjures up visions of sparkling display cabinets showcasing the best of fashion, cosmetics and homeware, not to mention an…

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Georgina McMaster exhibits at the Green Gallery

The Green Gallery is hosting an online spring exhibition of work by Georgina McMaster. Taking place on Saturday, March 13, it will be available on the gallery’s website from 10am, and there will be a live tour on Facebook at 11am. Georgina McMaster is one of Scotland’s most exciting contemporary artists. Her art work explores…

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Online wine tasting just went hi-tech

Peter Ranscombe logs on to tech entrepreneur Michael Baum’s Vivant virtual wine tasting platform – and he’s impressed by what he sees. I GUESS is was just a matter of time before online wine tastings got the gamification treatment. When every other aspect of our lives – from logging the miles we slog on running…

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Innovation key to lockdown success for family farm

A family farm in Aberdeenshire ended the year on a high, celebrating a rise in sales boosted by local shoppers over the festive period and into the new year. Thorneybank Farm Shop near Inverurie, which made headlines in 2019 after being the first shop in the UK to install digital vending machines selling fresh produce,…

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Edinburgh food blogger wins baking contest

A FOOD blogger in Edinburgh has been crowned as Scotland’s best home baker. Sophie Greig, a student at the University of Edinburgh, was named as the “Contini Bake Off” champion. The competition was run by Carina Contini, who owns The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant at the Scottish National Gallery. Greig, who shares her recipes and…

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Alexander Wines serves up Christmas with a twist

Peter Ranscombe pops the corks on some exciting alternative festive choices. I’M AS guilty as anyone else when it comes to reaching for the same old favourites at Christmas. A bottle of Chablis, a bottle of pinot noir, and a bottle of something with bubbles in it, and I’m usually set for the festivities to…

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Jeweller launches watches social media channel

LUXURY jeweller Laings has created a social media channel to share its love of watches. @LaingsWatches on Instagram will showcase a range of luxury watches and share news and insights with its audience. Retail director Stuart McDowell said: “We’ve created this interactive platform to share our passion for high-quality luxury watches with like-minded individuals. “We…

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Think you’ve got the skills to win a home cocktail contest?

EIGHT LANDS, the gin and vodka brand made at Glenrinnes Distillery in Speyside, will launch a home cocktail competition tomorrow to mark its first birthday – and the winner will receive a “mixology” masterclass and a two Michelin-starred meal at the Four Seasons Hotel. Amateur cocktail makers must demonstrate their creativity using no more than…

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This is not just wine… this is a first look at M&S’s £5 range

Peter Ranscombe relives his youth as he dips into Marks & Spencer’s latest releases. DERVLA Kirwan has a lot to answer for. Whether it was putting the “kiss” into Balykissangel on BBC One or making the Noughties truly naughty with her sultry voiceovers for Marks & Spencer, the Irish actress’s dulcet tones enticed a generation.…

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