Artists and craftspeople will open their studios

A quirky celebration of Argyll’s talented artists is in store for visitors when it is host to an open studios event. A total of 39 interesting, creative and skilled artists and craftspeople will take part. This is the 11th year of Artmap Argyll, and the artists are opening their studios to art lovers. The locations…

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Family go from sourcing gin to making their own

A Scots family has put its expertise in running a gin establishment into creating its own brand. The family behind the iconic Gin Emporium, Smithies Deli, in Arbroath, is to put its intimate knowledge of the gin industry to good use with the launch of its own gin brand, Smithies Gin Company. Smithies Gin Company…

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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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Six new beers kick off the first North Sea Bridges project

A new annual collaboration project building on the ancient trading links between Scotland and Scandinavia has resulted in six new beers. The beer world is an exciting place to be, with more brewers, more styles and more choice than ever before. The global explosion of beer festivals has helped forge brewing links around the world, and…

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City’s West End put in focus for a new exhibition

A major public art exhibition is taking place in Edinburgh’s West End throughout the month of August. Based in Coates Crescent, it will host a major photography exhibition from August 1-31, the West End Character Project, showcasing the people and places that shape the area. Since October 2017, photographer, Derek Anderson has been visually documenting…

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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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Interior designer’s eclectic tastes create unique home

Interior designer Xanthe Weir owns this stylish apartment in one of Edinburgh’s finest Georgian townhouses on Royal Terrace. The two-bedroom property features a modern sitting room, bespoke kitchen, dining room, large bathroom, utility room and exterior courtyard. It was the first of the terraces on this street to be built by William Playfair, and Xanthe’s…

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They’ve got designs on glory during Glasgow event

A new exhibition and shop created to coincide with the European Championships is set to open this weekend. Made In Glasgow by Local Heroes  is an innovative and interactive city showcase of high quality design created to coincide with the hosting of the Berlin/Glasgow 2018 European Championships. Running from 28 July to 12 August 2018…

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Restaurant breathes new life into heritage site

A World Heritage site property which has lain empty since it was devastated in a blaze in December 2008 is to get a new lease of life. The vast three-floor former St John’s church on Victoria Street in Edinburgh’s Old Town is being transformed into a restauraunt, which will showcase the Vittoria group’s take on…

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Book review – The Quiet Side of Passion

The Quiet Side of Passion is the 12th volume of the Isabel Dalhousie series. In this tale, Isabel meets Patricia, the single mother of her son’s friend Basil.  She hears that the child is allegedly the son of a well-known Edinburgh organist, Basil Phelps – and the product of an aff air – and decides to…

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