Whisky News Round-up: Bond, Bere, and more

Peter Ranscombe pours over more news from the world of Scotch whisky. IT’S been a busy start to the year for Scotland’s whisky distillers. The Macallan’s collection of six bottles to mark the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise goes on sale today. The collection, which was unveiled in September, marks the whisky…

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Highland women celebrated in podcast

THE stories of Highland women are being celebrated in a new series of podcasts. The programmes were commissioned by Museums & Heritage Highlands and XpoNorth Digital, which supports creative businesses. The series, which is hosted by Pauline Moore, uses archive material to tell the stories of women from the Highlands. Jewel thief Mary Marjory MacDonald,…

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Whisky news round-up: Deacon Blue, festivals, and more

Peter Ranscombe sticks his tongue in his cheek to round-up the latest news from the world of whisky. THE National Whisky Festival of Scotland returns to Edinburgh tomorrow. The festival is back at Summerhall, the arts centre in the former Royal Dick Vet School near the Meadows. Gareth Croll, the festival’s co-ordinator, said: “It’s such…

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Doric scriever starts residency

DORIC writer Shane Strachan has been named as the next Scots scriever by the National Library of Scotland. The role involves promoting the Scots language by carrying out research at the library and producing original work. Strachan said: “I’m fair trickit tae be this year’s Scots scriever, especially gettin tae promote the Doric o my…

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Foraging Fortnight begins on Saturday

SCOTLAND’S Foraging Fortnight begins on Saturday, with events taking place throughout the country. Talks, workshops, and walks have been organised as part of the Orkney International Science Festival, which also begins on Saturday. The Scottish Wild Food Festival is also taking place at Tir na nOg, near Drymen, on 17 and 18 September. The Foraging…

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Events celebrate Orkney chairs and Fair Isle chairs

MAKERS of Orkney chairs and Fair Isle chairs will be celebrated next month during a special weekend at Marchmont House in the Borders. Kevin Gauld, who launched his Orkney Furniture Maker business in 2007, and Eve Eunson, who works as an architect on Shetland, will take part in the events on 2-4 September. Both styles…

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Cabrach Games return after 87-year gap

THE Cabrach Games and picnic are returning on Sunday following a 87-year hiatus. The gathering was a staple on the Highland Games circuit between 1877 and 1935. Yet a fall in the local population between the two world wars led to the games coming to an end. The Cabrach in Moray was once home to…

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Bug ‘splatometer’ is a hit in Scotland

INSECT charity Buglife’s “splatometer” is proving to be a big hit in Scotland, with more than 100 people already signed up to carry out surveys this summer. The “splatometer” attaches to a car’s number plate and helps citizen scientists to monitor how many insects they kill on their journeys. The results are essential for monitoring…

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Orkney and Cairngorms to host outdoor art

ORKNEY and the Cairngorms have been selected to host “Green Space Dark Skies“, a series of massive outdoor artworks. Volunteers – including paddleboarders and kayakers – are being recruited to hold lights in the Cairngorms national park on 11 August. Residents on North Ronaldsay will hold lights on 16 August to form astronomical symbols and…

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A Week in Whisky: Going green, raising cash, and more

Peter Ranscombe shines his irreverent spotlight on another week in whisky… DISTILLERS will gather for the World Whisky Forum at Stauning whisky distillery in Denmark later this month – not for a giant party, but to discuss sustainability. The forum – which runs on 21-23 June – will discuss topics including the sustainability of cereal…

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