Scottish cyclist aims to pedal round the world

A Scottish woman is trying to break the record for cycling around the world. Cyclist Jenny Graham aims to circumnavigate the globe by bike in 110 days. She will ride 18,000 miles, unsupported, carrying all her kit, and aims to cycle 180 miles a day across 15 countries. The 38-year-old from Inverness plans to break…

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Mountains, waterways and history in Annecy

Richard Bath spent an enjoyable few days in Annecy. What is it, and where is it? Annecy is a beautiful medieval French city set against a backdrop of towering mountains, criss-crossed by waterways and on the shores of the crystal clear waters of Lake Annecy. The superbly compact little town’s position means it has various…

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Jacket with style and substance is the wheel deal

An Edinburgh couple’s love of cycling inspired them to launch a stylish commuter jacket packed with features. Meander Apparel launched its commuter jacket on Indiegogo.com, offering a multi-functional performance jacket that is equally suited to the style-conscious commuter or weekend adventurer. Meander was founded by husband and wife team, Jill and Steve Henry. Jill boasts…

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The appliance of science helps create new gin

A Scottish distiller announce the launch of its debut gin – based on a scientific understanding of flavour compounds. The Oro Distilling Company has released Oro – a small-batch London Dry gin with a unique blend of botanicals. Oro is a slow-distilled gin, which the company describes as the first ‘Scottish Dry gin’, created with…

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Get ready for a fantastic month in your garden

May is a fabulous month in the garden. Trees and shrubs burst into leaf and flower, cottage garden plants fill borders with their exuberant growth and containers bloom with vibrant summer colours ready for longer days enjoyed outdoors. Here, Louise Golden, senior plant buyer at Dobbies Garden Centre, gives her top tips to make the…

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How local grapes could be Romania’s new ambassadors

In the second of his reports from Romania, Peter Ranscombe meets the winemakers who are creating premium wines from the country’s indigenous grape varieties. MENTION “Romania” and a series of well-known images are bound to spring to mind: Nicolae Ceaușescu waving from his balcony as the 1989 revolution reached Bucharest; Ilie Năstase winning the French…

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Return of the osprey gets a stamp of approval

A celebration of the return to Scotland of the osprey is being marked in the form of a new stamp. The bird became extinct in the British Isles in 1916, but recolonised in 1954 and can primarily be found in Scotland. It is celebrated in a new series of Royal Mail stamps by award winning…

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Restaurants add new vegetarian options to menu

A pair of Scottish restaurants have expanded their vegetarian offering with a new ‘Vegitalian’ menu packed with fresh dishes including vegan and gluten free options to mark the arrival of spring. Vapiano, in Edinburgh and Glasgow, have seen an increasing growth in appetite for vegan and vegetarian dishes and as a result have launched an…

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Learn about Muriel Spark from one of her closest friends

The centenary of Dame Muriel Spark later this month with a special talk given by the world-famous Scottish author’s close friend and journalist, Alan Taylor. Hosted by Aberdeen City Libraries, the event, entitled A Friendship with Muriel Spark, charts Alan’s friendship with Dame Muriel from the time he first interviewed her at home in Tuscany…

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Scots Prisoner of War camp will be remembered

The history of a Scottish Prisoner of War camp is to feature in a talk. Led by Cumnock History Group and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Pennylands Camp 22 – Hidden Histories of Ayrshire exhibition tells the story of those who lived and worked in and around Pennylands Camp 22, a former WWII…

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