Review: The Broughton, Edinburgh

Stephanie Abbot enjoys an end of week visit to The Broughton in Edinburgh. NOT a lot of things can compete with that Friday feeling. And, while the promise of finishing the evening on a dancefloor is still a long way off, the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal and a tipple or two is thankfully…

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Review: The Harbour Cafe, Elie

Wet weather didn’t put off Stephanie Abbot when she visited The Harbour Cafe at Elie in Fife. SPENDING any amount of time by the sea has an almost magical effect on one’s mood. Despite the persistent drizzle that spread across much of Sunday, the thought of a lunch at The Harbour Cafe in Elie in the…

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Islay pub owner sparks community initiative

DURING lockdown, our beloved pubs and restaurants have been cruelly snatched away from us but, while some pub owners closed their shutters and awaited the easing of restrictions, David Graham of Ballygrant Inn on Islay saw this difficult time as a shining opportunity to help those in need. “At the start of the lockdown we…

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de Burgh Wine Merchants delivers restaurant quality at home

WHEN the hospitality industry was shut down in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, de Burgh Wine Merchants was faced with losing 95% of its business overnight. Such a seismic shock provided the catalyst to accelerate the company’s plans to expand its web shop and home delivery service. “People have been drinking our wines for…

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Harvey Nics among eateries reopening

DEPARTMENT store chain Harvey Nichols will reopen the “Forth Floor” restaurant in its Edinburgh branch on 29 July as Scotland’s hospitality venues continue to return. A one-way system has been introduced in the restaurant, which will have fewer tables to allow for social distancing. On the other side of the city’s St Andrew Square, tomorrow…

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‘Bad Girl’ serves up good news as bakery reopens

BAD Girl Bakery in Muir of Ord has turned its café into a shop – and is even giving away some of its baking secrets. The bakery, which opened in 2017, is selling the ingredients for some of its signature dishes, so customers can try their hand at baking at home. Baking equipment is also…

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A red refresher course with Lidl

An evening of red wine tasting gave Peter Ranscombe an appetite for exploring more of the discounter’s core range. LIDL’S “Wine Tour” promotions are an addictive wee gimmick – every eight weeks or so, the supermarket chain releases a couple of dozen wines in limited quantities – so when they’re gone, they’re gone. The set that…

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Direct to your door

A substantial number of Scottish restaurants and sandwich shops are trying to keep the show on the road during the lockdown by delivering ready-made restaurant quality meals direct to their customers. One such example is 65 Pleasance in Edinburgh, one of the capital’s leading vegan eateries. The service includes contactless purchase and delivery of their breakfast,…

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When you discover a murderer in the family

When writer Cal Flyn discovered the dark secret in her family’s past it started a long but cathartic investigation. In the summer of 2011 I made a discovery about my family history that has dominated my work and thoughts ever since. I learned that I was the great-great-great niece of Angus McMillan, who left Scotland…

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Chef urges support of small local business

The husband and wife team behind award-winning Edinburgh restaurant Fhior are setting up an online store with a delivery scheme to help connect the public with their supplier network and support the people behind them. Scott and Laura Smith have set up an online shop and delivery service in a matter of days in order…

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