Posts by Ellie Forbes
‘Lord of the Rings’ wych elm plays a role in saving its species
An ancient elm tree that has stood alone in the far reaches of Glen Affric for hundreds of years is now the guardian over a new generation of its species. The wych elm – known as the Last Ent of Affric in homage to the tree-shepherds from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings story – has…
Read MoreThe Good Books, JD Kirk: ‘If a book hasn’t grabbed me by 100 pages, I ditch it’
Barry Hutchison, aka JD Kirk, on falling in love with Terry Pratchett’s work aged 11, being inspired by Neil Gaiman and why he ditches a book if he’s not grabbed after 100 pages. The first book I remember reading: Wagstaffe the Wind-Up Boy by Jan Needle. I had mostly read comics until that point,…
Read MoreFaces of Edinburgh: We find out what people love about the Scottish capital
‘This is a city of shifting light, of changing skies, of sudden vistas. A city so beautiful it breaks the heart again and again,’ Alexander McCall Smith. Photographer Rachel Bolton turns the camera on the people of Edinburgh to find out why they love our nation’s capital. Angus Alana Carol…
Read MoreLife With a horologist: ‘In watchmaking you can’t cut corners or learn things overnight, it takes time’
Laings watchmaker Annika Leppala on following in her grandfather’s footsteps as a horologist, learning the art of patience in a world full of immediacy and how being a professional oboe player helped her hone her craft. I think sometimes the most important things in life happen by chance, like meeting your partner or finding…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Alison Murray: ‘I keep trying to read in bed but it doesn’t work for me, I just fall asleep’
Children’s author Alison Murray on falling in love with dogs after reading A Hundred and One Dalmatians, her passion for essays and why she can’t read in bed. The first book I remember reading: A very scarily illustrated compendium of fairy stories that was read to me at bedtime and would give me nightmares.…
Read MoreThe Broch: Drystone home on Harris inspired by Iron Age named Scotland’s Greatest Escape
A drystone home on the Isle of Harris, inspired by the Iron Age, has been named Scotland’s Greatest Escape. Situated on the Borve Lodge Estate, The Broch was created by owners, husband and wife Adam and Cathra Kelliher. The couple, who also own Taransay – the UK’s largest uninhabited island – bought the estate in…
Read MoreGlenWyvis: World’s first fully community owned distillery offers whisky lovers chance to buy shares
In 2015, former Army Air Corps helicopter pilot John McKenzie decided to bring whisky back to Dingwall after a 90 year absence. His idea was to unite the community of Dingwall through the creation of a distillery owned by local people. Just a year later the site made history running a record-breaking open share offer.…
Read MoreEdinburgh Book Festival: Salman Rushdie, Alan Cumming, Richard Osman, Dolly Alderton and Matt Haig lead line-up
Salman Rushdie, Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson, Richard Osman, Dolly Alderton and Matt Haig will star at this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival. New festival director, Jenny Niven, revealed her plans for a reboot of the literary festival, with a series of 1000-capacity interviews at Edinburgh University’s McEwan Hall. It comes following a new partnership with…
Read MoreBest Practices for Maintaining Your Commercial Air Conditioning System
Sponsored Content | In today’s fast-paced business environment, ensuring the optimal operation of your commercial air conditioning system is paramount. Not only does this contribute to a comfortable atmosphere for both employees and customers, but it also significantly impacts your operational costs. Through strategic maintenance, troubleshooting, and efficiency-enhancing strategies, businesses can enjoy a seamless operation…
Read MoreLife With Pollok Country Park: ‘I have the joy of working with one of the best known cattle breeds in the world’
Fourteen years ago Melissa Curran was a city girl who had never been around cattle. Now, an assistant livestock supervisor, she helps care for Pollok Country Park’s herd of 73 Highland Cows. She talks to us about mucking out, calving season and the joy the cows bring to visitors. My work day starts at…
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