Walking festival will return this autumn for another outing

The popular Scottish Borders Walking Festival is returning later this year for its 24th outing. Hawick is hosting this year’s week-long event, with a total of 26 walks being held in and around the Teviotdale town from Sunday 2 to Saturday 8 September, with eight already sold out. However, a number of interesting walks focussing…

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A degree of success for master blender Rachel Barrie

The University of Edinburgh has honoured its first female whisky blender with an honorary doctorate. As a master blender, Rachel Barrie creates some of the world’s finest single malts for BenRiach, Glenglassaugh and The GlenDronach distilleries. Rachel, raised in Aberdeenshire and one of only a handful of women in the ‘top job’ in the whisky…

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Young Scot’s war bravery marked with exhibition

A celebration of the bravery of a Scottish First World War hero is currently taking place. Sergeant John Meikle was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the British Armed Forces’ highest award for outstanding feats of valour, in July 1918 in recognition of his bravery during bitter fighting in France during the Great War. The 19-year-old,…

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V&A Museum at the heart of Scotland and Japan links

The eagerly anticipated opening of V&A Dundee was among the experiences highlighted to travel trade and airline contacts during a visit to Japan. The visit was made by Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop. The renowned attraction, which will open on Dundee’s waterfront in September, marks a unique opportunity to…

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Glen Nevis Youth Hostel re-opens after £2.1m revamp

Hostelling Scotland’s Glen Nevis Youth Hostel in Fort William has re-opened following an extensive eight-month redevelopment project. Is has seen the youth hostel stripped back to the bare shell, transforming it into an exciting contemporary living space. The £2.1m renovation project highlights the organisation’s commitment to a continual programme of modernisation across the network by…

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Thoughtful design in the perfect family home

A tremendous, spacious detached family home is now available in the Scottish Borders. Presented by Galbraith, Lowood provides spacious, thoughtfully designed and well appointed accommodation. The house benefits from solid fuel central heating which is provided by a large wood burning stove in the sitting room/dining room. The property also benefits from solar panels and…

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Inverness to host European Pipe Band Championships

The European Pipe Band Championships will take place in Inverness for the next three years, it has been announced. Piping Inverness will bring together hundreds of pipers, drummers and Highland dancers to Bught Park, with live entertainment, food and drink and craft stalls. Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) chief executive Ian Embelton: ‘The RSPBA…

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Persie Distillery launches gin for dog lovers

Persie Distillery in Blairgowrie has released Labrador Gin, a new tipple for Scottish dog lovers. The distillery has teamed up with Perthshire Abandoned Dogs Society (PADS) to raise funds with its new expression. Simon Fairclough, distiller and managing director at Persie Distillery, said: ‘As Persie Distillery entered its third year of trading, we wanted to…

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Edinburgh’s Floral Clock marks 100 years since Armistice

Marking 100 years since the signing of the Armistice, the finishing touches have been added to Edinburgh’s Floral Clock. The West Princes Street Gardens landmark was created in partnership with Poppyscotland as part of their year-long fundraising campaign, The 1918 Poppy Pledge. Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross was joined by Poppyscotland’s chief executive Mark Bibbey…

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