Guided wellness walks launched in the Cairngorms

GUIDED wellness tours have been launched in the Cairngorms by the entrepreneur behind an Aboyne lodges and bothies business. Gordon Drummond, who runs Cairngorm Lodges and Cairngorm Bothies, has begun guided walks around Loch Kinord and Loch Muick. Drummond said: “I hope that those who take part in the walks will indeed get a great…

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Frankie Boyle on debut novel shortlist

COMEDIAN Frankie Boyle is among six writers shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize. The debut award was launched in 2019, with two of its previous winners – Claire Askew and Deborah Masson – going on to make the longlist for this year’s main McIlvanney Prize. The judges for this year’s debut prize are Arusa…

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Jute: its hidden history revealed

THE hidden history of jute is being explored in an exhibition that’s opened at the Victoria & Albert Museum’s branch in Dundee. The display tells the story of jute workers in Bangladesh and India. Artist, curator, and writer Swapnaa Tamhane has taken inspiration from the archives held at the University of Dundee and Verdant Works,…

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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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Rare Coralroot Orchid found in Wester Ross

A RARE Coralroot Orchid has been found in Wester Ross for the first time in 250 years. The orchid was spotted earlier this month on on the National Trust for Scotland’s Balmacara Estate during a visit by conservation land managers from the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest. Gus Routledge, an ecologist representing Reforesting Scotland and Scotland…

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Glastonbury: Game of Thrones’ Rose Leslie joins climate fight

SCOTTISH actress Rose Leslie has today joined WaterAid’s climate fight at the Glastonbury music festival. The Game of Thrones star was joined by her husband, Kit Harington, and comedian John Bishop in supporting the charity’s campaign. “Across the world, one in ten people do not have clean water while one in five lack access to…

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Gordonstoun pupils wins national photo contest

A PHOTOGRAPH of a red deer stag has won Gordonstoun pupil Olivia Barnett first prize in a national competition. Her photograph had already won the local and district stages of the contest, which was organised by the Rotary Club of Great Britain & Ireland. Olivia, who is in her final year at the Moray school,…

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Tourism bookings hit by cost-of-living crisis

HALF of Scottish tourism businesses are reporting fewer bookings and lower spending by customers, according to a new surey. The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) found 50% of members have fewer bookings between June and August this year than during the same period in 2019. The same proportion reported a fall in consumer spending this year…

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Pennan wants to hear from its ‘local heroes’

RESIDENTS and visitors are being asked for their views on the future of Pennan, the Aberdeenshire village made famous by the film Local Hero. Aberdeenshire Council wants to know the public’s opinion on its draft conservation area appraisal and management plan. The documents will guide property owners and developers on how their planning applications will…

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Royal Highland Show sells out two days

THE Royal Highland Show has sold all its tickets for Friday and Saturday. The show, which begins on Thursday, is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. It will be the first time crowds have been allowed to attend the show at Ingliston on the edge of Edinburgh since 2019 due to the pandemic. Director operations…

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