Maid of the Loch re-opens after £1m restoration

Maid of the Loch, the iconic paddle steamer berthed in Loch Lomond, has taken significant steps forward by re-opening today following a £1.1m restoration project. The historic ship, launched on 5 March 1953 with 19th century engineering and using 20th century design, now comes with essential 21st century marine safety standards following vital structural work…

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The sixth Cumnock Tryst is ready to begin

Sir James MacMillan is opening the 2019 edition of The Cumnock Tryst festival today. It’s the East Ayrshire festival’s sixth iteration and boasts its most diverse musical programme to date. The festival takes place from 3-6 October in and around the village of Cumnock in Ayrshire, where James MacMillan grew up. The most varied festival…

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The town where it’s all light on the night

A Scottish town is set to trip the light fantastic this month. In partnership with Kirkcudbright Festival of Light and Museums Galleries Scotland, Kirkcudbright Galleries is holding two events to kickstart the Festival of Light next week. The evening workshop offers members of the public, from all ages, a chance to create their own lantern…

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Boe Gin secures Scottish deal for violet gin

Stirling-based Boe Gin has announced a major milestone with a new national listing with retailer ASDA. Their award-winning Boe Violet Gin rolls out in all ASDA stores across Scotland for the first time after a phenomenal year for the brand. Boe Gin are one of Scotland’s most successful independent gin producers, having announced their financial…

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Marine painter Rob Andrew’s work is all at sea

When it comes down to it, there are very few places that rival the love and inspiration of home. Such a phenomenon is shared by marine painter Rob Andrew who, after working in Czechoslovakia and South Africa, returned to the north east of Scotland to pursue and develop his passion for painting. Drawing on a…

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Five fantastic places to take your canine companion

Are you looking for the perfect autumnal spot in which to take your dogs to stretch their legs (and yours)? We recommend these five great walks in Aberdeenshire. Stonehaven Beach Measuring slightly more than a kilometre, Stonehaven Beach is home to a seemingly endless stretch of pebbly sand for your dog to tear across. For…

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East-west divide in how Scots harbour seals survive

Harbour seals are thriving on the west coast of Scotland – but their numbers have declined around some parts of the eastern coastline. Scottish Natural Heritage has published the initial findings from a four-year programme of surveys that aim to cover the entire coastline of Scotland and provide the most up-to-date assessment of the harbour…

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NC500’s new partnership with adventure tour firm

The North Coast 500 has announced a new partnership with award-winning adventure tour operator Wilderness Scotland. The iconic touring route has teamed up with Aviemore-based Wilderness Scotland to create three new guided and supported road cycling tours which provide travellers with the chance to see and explore the wildlife and natural landscape of the North…

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Any Dream Will Do in another superb run of Joseph

There’s a good reason why Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat keeps coming back again and again – it’s a damn good musical. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s hit, based on a Bible story, is the show that keeps bouncing back, with a new cast, time and again. There’s a high-profile version currently performing…

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Whisky exports rise but SWA fear Brexit stockpiling

The Scotch Whisky Association has revealed that exports of Scotland’s national drink grew 10.8% to £2.19 billion in the first six months of 2019. But they fear overseas markets are looking ahead to Brexit, by stockpiling their supplies. Now, the SWA has called on the UK government to ensure certainty in future trading conditions as…

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