New kids on the blanc: New Zealand goes beyond sauvignon

Inspired by this week’s masterclass led by Archie McDiarmid from wine merchant Luvians, Peter Ranscombe picks six lesser-known wines from New Zealand. FEW countries have such a strong affinity with a single grape variety as New Zealand and sauvignon blanc. Chalking up 72% of the country’s wine production and 86% of its exports, the white…

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Eden Mill unveils distillery expansion plans

Award-winning Scottish gin and whisky distiller Eden Mill has submitted a planning application for a major £3.1m development of new production facilities in St Andrews. This is part of a longer term £8m investment programme. The expansion will result in an increase of whisky capacity from the 300,000 litres per annum to over one million…

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10 fascinating facts about… St Andrews and the East Neuk

The kingdom of Fife has many beautiful towns and villages, and a host of fascinating facts have emerged from them.  Here we present 10 things you probably never knew about St Andrews and the East Neuk. Saint Andrew, the town’s namesake, has a tomb in the Church of St Andrew in Patras, Greece. In 1705…

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Scotland’s horses are a hit with American visitors

American students visited the Kelpies and Perth Races as part of a four-week equine studies programme at Scotland’s Rural College. The 16 students, who are studying at universities across the USA, took modules in Equine Anatomy and Physiology and Equine Fitness at SRUC’s Oatridge campus, with the credits added to their courses back in the…

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Game, set and match with a pair of tasty ices

A Scots gelateria is to launch two Wimbledon-inspired flavours for the summer. To mark the Grand Slam tennis tournament (1-14 July), Jannettas Gelateria in St Andrews, Fife, will serve up not one, but two delicious limited-edition ices. Opt for the refreshing Pimm’s sorbet, made with Pimms, Lemonade & Fresh Mint or dive into the indulgent…

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When Scots came to the fore in the golfing world

Scotland is the home of golf, so it’s hardly surprising that the country’s men and women have put in some great performances on the fairways over the years. With the Solheim Cup coming to Gleneagles later this year, golf will be on everyone’s lips this summer. 1. Colin Montgomerie, Ryder Cup, 2010 The 2010 Ryder…

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Past and present meet in this modernised cottage

A beautiful country property blending a traditional cottage with modern extension is currently for sale. Presented to the market by Galbraith, Remilton is a substantial rural home of the highest calibre, which has been finished to an exceptionally high standard and offers beautifully proportioned accommodation over two levels extending to about 351 sqm (3,779 sqft).…

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10 brave Scots who have won the Victoria Cross

Awarded for valour in the face of the enemy, the Victoria Cross is our highest military decoration. These are the tales of ten of the 164 Scots awarded this highly-prized medal. 1. John MacGregor Born at Cawdor near Nairn in 1889, John MacGregor became Canada’s most-decorated soldier. He emigrated in 1909, working as a carpenter…

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Turnberry named Events Hotel of the Year at awards

Trump Turnberry has been awarded one of the hotel sector’s highest accolades for the second year in a row at the annual Scottish Hotel Awards. The Ayrshire resort took the top prize in the Events Hotel of the Year category at the awards ceremony, which was attended by more than 450 people at Glasgow’s Crowne…

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Final remaining luxury apartments for downsizers

Downsizers looking to move to Scotland’s most prestigious postcode are being urged to act quickly – with less than 10 properties remaining at a luxury retirement development. The Walled Gardens in St Andrews has only nine apartments left in its third and final phase, four of which have been snapped up within the last week.…

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