A tasty treat from the Mountain Cafe in Aviemore

Kirsten Gilmour, chef and owner of The Mountain Cafe in Aviemore, is as happy in the Highland hills as she is cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Kirsten pedals away the stresses and strains of life in the kitchen at The Mountain Cafe. When Kiwi chef travelled from London for a weekend of skiing in…

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Lots to do in the great outdoors at Drumlanrig

Families are being encouraged to make the most of the last few weeks of the summer holidays and get into the great outdoors. Hands on Ranger activities at Drumlanrig Castle and Country Estate, situated on the Queensberry Estate in Dumfries and Galloway, have proven popular this summer. Junior Ranger workshops, heritage tours, nature walks, outdoor…

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Enjoy Scotland’s dramatic dark skies under canvas

Families who enjoy the great outdoors can get together under the stars early next month. They are being offered the chance to join an overnight camp out beneath the dramatic dark skies of the Craigengillan Estate near Loch Doon – Europe’s first UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve – from Saturday, August 4 to Sunday, August 5.…

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Enjoy the great outdoors with a host of fun events

There’s a chance to enjoy the great outdoors in the company of experts, starting this weekend. From wild nights out to urban safaris, Aberdeen City Council’s countryside rangers are giving the city’s stay-cationers and tourists the opportunity of a memorable summer holiday with a host of free offbeat events. This Saturday (21 July) the team…

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Put your mind at ease and join the Big Butterfly Count

Wildlife broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough is urging people across Scotland to take part in the world’s biggest butterfly survey over the next three weeks. The Big Butterfly Count starts on Friday, July 20, and Butterfly Conservation president Sir David said that taking part not only generates important data on butterflies, but also provides…

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Working in the garden good for mental health

Britain’s gardeners value time spent outdoors more highly for their mental wellbeing than as a source of exercise. That’s according to research conducted by Quilter Cheviot Investment Management, headline sponsors of BBC Countryfile Live. Nearly nine out of ten (88%) respondents agreed that gardens provide a good space for mental wellbeing. This was more important…

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Finding fantastic floral fragrances and colours

Now that summer is finally here and daylight hours are at their longest, the garden will be putting on an exuberant burst of growth and flower. It is important to find time to relax outdoors enjoying your garden’s rich tapestry of colour and fragrance. Here, Louise Golden, resident plant expert at Dobbies Garden Centre, gives…

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Top tips to make your garden feline friendly

Scottish cat lovers have been given some top tips to ensure their moggies make the most of their gardens this summer. With the growing season around the corner, Cats Protection has compiled its top tips to help Scottish cat lovers create the perfect feline-friendly garden. The charity, which will be attending this year’s Gardening Scotland…

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Beware of fire risks if you’re in the great outdoors

Scottish Natural Heritage is warning visitors to the countryside who are having a barbecue to be careful of the risk of fire. People should be particularly careful with campfires, cigarette disposal, and throw-away barbecues, says SNH. There is currently a fire danger warning in place in the north east, south east and central Scotland, with…

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A relaxed getaway in beautiful, romantic Scotland

SPONSORED CONTENT. It is hard to imagine a more romantic setting. Inspired by the natural curves of a seashell, this breath-taking architect designed holiday cottage on the west coast of Scotland is certainly in a league of its own. Set amongst the stunning scenery on The Ardnamurchan peninsula, The Seashell is a very special luxury…

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