Old whisky staves saved from landfill and upcycled into coasters

Meet the team saving old whisky staves from landfill by upcycling them into handmade coasters.  J Boult Designs has launched its latest creation, a handmade whisky coaster and glass gift set. The coasters are made using locally sourced whisky staves from oak barrels that once held the golden nectar of aged spirits. The wood itself…

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Review: Karma Lake of Menteith

Megan Amato enjoys a stay at Karma Lake of Menteith. As the sun begins to shine in Scotland, those of use keen to escape from dreich weather may start looking for breaks a little closer to home.  Located in Stirlingshire on Scotland’s only lake – and from what I’ve been told, great for fishing –…

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Tomatin crowned best whisky in the world

Tomatin’s 36 Year Old single malt has been named as one of the best whiskies in the world. The whisky won ‘Best in Show’ in the whisky category at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) 2023. Leading figures from the industry come together to judge spirits for the prestigious international contest. ‘Best in Show’…

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Scotland’s best dog friendly pubs revealed

We all love to take our four-legged friends for an evening stroll in the summer so we have looked at the best dog friendly pubs to pop into for a cold drink afterwards.  VisitScotland has analysed TripAdvisor data to find the top-rated dog pubs in each of Scotland’s eight cities.   Edinburgh The top spot…

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Groundbreaking project to help decarbonise Scotch Whisky industry

Plans for a groundbreaking project to help decarbonise the Scotch Whisky industry have been announced – saving 25,000 tonnes of carbon each year. The £45m AMP Clean Energy project will see an energy centre containing electric and biomass boilers built at the UK’s largest malting site. The energy generated at Simpsons Malt Limited’s Tweed Valley…

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Paolo Nutini donates gig tickets for online charity auction

Paolo Nutini has donated gig tickets to an auction in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity. Celebrities including Ben Whishaw, Joe Lycett, Brendan O’Carroll, Chris and Rosie Ramsey, Adam Kay, Alex Horne and Dame Jacqueline Wilson have shown their support for the Piece of Mind: The Brain Tumour Charity Auction. Auctioneers, Lyon & Turnbull, are…

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Drinks to make the perfect Father’s Day

With Father’s Day fast approaching, James Robertson, takes us through some drinks to make the prefect gift.   Well Father’s Day is on the horizon and there is little doubt that for many whisky will be top of the list as a gift. A month or so ago I had the pleasure of meeting John Robertson,…

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What’s on: Book and whisky festivals and an epic car boot sale

Book festival The Borders Book Festival opens on 15 June. Highlights from the four day event Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, The Great British Bake Off, Peter Sawkins, crime-writing royalty Val McDermid, Mark Billingham and Doug Johnstone. It will open with the announcement of the winner of one of…

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