Edinburgh names ’23 for 23′

SCOTLAND’S capital has revealed “23 for 23” – nearly two dozen eateries it thinks foodies should visit this year. The list – which was produced by Forever Edinburgh, the city council’s marketing wing – includes restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and street food vendors. The guide focuses on local businesses, including A Wee Taste of Edinburgh,…

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Hidden in plain sight

Broadcaster Pennie Stuart shares the story behind her latest podcast and radio series, Hidden in Plain Sight, about one township’s experience of the Highland Clearances. DUNCAN MACKENZIE parks his landrover beside a rough forestry track where plantation pines part to give a view down to the fertile flatlands at the head of Lochbroom. Ullapool glints…

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Whisky News Round-up: Bond, Bere, and more

Peter Ranscombe pours over more news from the world of Scotch whisky. IT’S been a busy start to the year for Scotland’s whisky distillers. The Macallan’s collection of six bottles to mark the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise goes on sale today. The collection, which was unveiled in September, marks the whisky…

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Great Tapestry of Scotland artist Andrew Crummy among honours

ARTIST Andrew Crummy, who led the creation of The Great Tapestry of Scotland, was among those featured in the new year’s honours list. Crummy was made a member of the order of the British empire (MBE) for his “services to art and cultural heritage” in Scotland. He follows in the footsteps of his mother, Helen,…

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Holyrood and Heriot-Watt eye old barley varieties for whisky

SCIENTISTS and distillers are investigating which aromas and flavours are produced in whisky by old varieties of barley. Holyrood Distillery in Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University will study at least eight varieties over the next six years. Chevallier, a variety popular during the 19th century, is among the strains being tested. The variety fell out of…

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Lord Thurso chairs Institute of Hospitality

THE Institute of Hospitality (IoH) has named Lord Thurso as its incoming chair. Lord Thurso, who has served as chairman of VisitScotland since 2016, will take over from Surinder Arora, founder and chairman of the Arora Hotel Group. The institute plans to apply for royal chartered status in the spring. Lord Thurso said: “As a…

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The Farmer’s Son lands Selfridges deal

THE Farmer’s Son, the Fife-based haggis and black pudding maker, has secured a deal to supply Selfridges department store in London. The company, which uses 100-year-old family recipes for its products, was founded by Pete Mitchell and his family. “I am delighted that Selfridges London has chosen to stock our award-winning products,” said Mitchell. “This…

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Equi’s opens bigger ice cream factory

ICE cream maker Equi’s marked its centenary by flitting from Hamilton to its new factory in Rutherglen. The £1.7 million facility was opened in time for Christmas. Managing director David Equi said: “When my grandfather, Pietro, immigrated to Scotland from Tuscany in Italy he started the small independent café that we know today as Equi’s…

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‘Monster meets mountain’ as Cobbs runs Nevis Range cafés

LOCH NESS-BASED hospitality group Cobbs is taking over the eateries at Nevis Range. Cobbs will run the Snowgoose and Pinemarten cafés, a gift shop, and the hotel being built at the moutain’s base station. The 26-bedroom hotel – along with a bar and restaurant, bike shop, gift shop, and a covered courtyard with events space…

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Vegware appoints new boss as founder steps down

PLANT-BASED packaging maker Vegware has unveiled its new top team as the Edinburgh-based company’s founder stands down. Joe Frankel launched his business in 2006 and was joined by his sister, Lucy, in 2011. The company was bought last year by American packaging giant Novolex. Now, Joe is stepping back from the firm to make way…

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