Smoke, mirrors and dramatic images for Spring Fling

From special effects to startling perspectives on Scottish landscapes, boats and waterfronts – Spring Fling has a line-up of three highly distinctive photographers.   In the case of Kim Ayres, this year’s open studios weekend will be all about smoke and mirrors. Kim will be giving hourly live demonstrations of how he uses lighting and a…

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From table tennis to rabbit farming to ultramarathon

If I were to tell you a story about a man who was a professional table tennis player but gave it all up and moved to a remote Scottish island to become a rabbit farmer; who was then inspired to start running by watching TV, battled cancer and became one of the world’s most successful…

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Inspired by nature and Orkney’s unique traditions

Orkney Distilling’s growing range of hand-crafted gins fuse the traditional with the progressive, drawing inspiration from the Norse heritage of the islands, while delivering a contemporary spectrum of botanical flavours. It’s an approach that’s unmistakably Orcadian, merging tradition with innovation and the quest for excellence. Orkney Distilling approached the creation of their new distillery and…

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A real treasure trove of holy hideaways

Dixe Wills’ latest quirky travel guide chronicles 60 of Britain’s smallest churches. One chapel halfway down a remote Pembrokeshire cliff is so tiny that the congregation has to sit outside for the annual service. Scottish gems include the frescoed apse in Hoselaw Chapel, Croick Church in Ardgay with its moving messages scratched on the windows…

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Highland Park to open its first visitor experience

Single malt whisky brand Highland Park has invested in a customer experience store in Kirkwall, Orkney – and it’s set to open in early May. A first for the brand, the store will include a gallery featuring works from local artists and brand partnerships, a private education area for the distillery’s community training programme and…

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Meet the Maker at an art gallery this Saturday

The Open Eye Gallery is inviting the public to Meet the Maker on Saturday. Taking place on 23 March at 11am, Anna Younie, an Orkney based ceramicist and recipient of the Craft Scotland Graduate Award in 2018., will be speaking about her latest body of work The Brodgar Collection. Working with black stoneware clay and…

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Arctic expedition to remember a Scots explorer

John Rae is one of Scotland’s greatest explorers – and the chances are, you’ve never heard of him. But there are plans afoot to ensure that situation changes, thanks to a team of four volunteers who are heading off on an Arctic expedition next week. West Lothian’s Richard Smith is part of the Arctic Return…

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Celebrating Scots produce is the key for chef Kevin

MasterChef quarter-finalist and executive chef Kevin Dalgleish talks about his favourite produce to work with at The Chester Hotel in Aberdeen. What’s your favourite March dish? March is one of those months where the winter produce is finishing and it’s still not quite hot enough for spring. But there is still a lot of duck…

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Coul House Hotel is a classic Scottish country estate

The Ancient Mackenzies of Coul picked a wonderful situation for this classic country house, built in 1821 for Sir George Mackenzie as he inherited his family’s estate. Its stunning views over Strathconon and beyond, eight acres of mature woodland, several log fires, comfortable lounges and a unique octagonal dining room make it an ideal venue…

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Life on a Scots ferry and living with dementia

STV will broadcast two brand new, 30-minute documentaries made by Scots next month. The will be shown as part of This is Scotland, a documentary and new talent initiative run by the Scottish Documentary Institute (SDI) in association with Screen Scotland. The first of the documentaries, All Aboard, broadcast on Friday 8 March at 8pm,…

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