Posts by Kenny Smith
Aberdeenshire landscapes inspire artist Susie
Laurencekirk oil painter Susie B. Lee uses bold gestures and subtles tones to depict the wildness and drama of Aberdeenshire’s landscapes. You can see where Susie gets the inspiration for her landscape oil paintings, described appropriately by one of her clients as ‘emotive, passionate and dramatic’. Her studio is a large, converted barn which practically…
Read MoreMarking a Scot’s centenary of bravery in World War I
With the centenary of World War One upon us this year, the National Army Museum is marking the occasion by highlighting the stories of inspiring Scottish soldiers, including that of Aberdeen’s Captain William Leith-Ross. A fitting example of the bravery and endurance demonstrated by the British soldiers, Captain Leith-Ross was a member of Dunsterforce, and…
Read MoreMore than happiness found in a whisky glass
Eleven years ago, amateur photographer Ernie Button found something beautiful at the bottom of an empty whisky glass. It happened completely by accident. One morning, as Ernie carried two drained whisky glasses to the dishwasher after they had been left out overnight after an evening dram, he noticed something in the bottom of the glass.…
Read MoreFormer rugby star has made whisky his business
Former Scotland and British and Irish Lions rugby player Chris Cusiter has put his love of whisky to the fore with a new life and career in California. How did you make the transition from Scottish rugby to the American whisky industry? A friend who works in whisky in California planted the seed when my…
Read MoreA love of whiskey led to the start of a successful blog
Originally from Kentucky, Tom Fischer is founder of BourbonBlog.com and co-founder of the first Whisk(e)y Marketing School and Sommelier Program. The growth of Bourbon has been massive in the last few years. We went from seeing only a few Bourbons released every month or two all the way to a Bourbon being made in every…
Read MoreScotland’s craft beer scene is booming with these gems
Craft beer is seemingly at an all time high right now and nowhere is that more apparent than here in Scotland. There are now over 100 breweries operating north of the border for the first time in over a century according to CAMRA. Scots craft beer giants Brewdog have recently announced plans to open a…
Read MoreEl Quijote perfectly captures a little slice of Spain
El Quijote El Quijote was established eight years ago by a bunch of Spanish pals who moved to Edinburgh in 2003. This fantastic little tapas restaurant strives for authenticity, so there’s no paella, tortilla or Spanglish flourishes, just the sort of dishes you’d find down a backstreet in Andalucia, with a huge accent on the…
Read MoreScotland’s most laid-back music festival is back in Doune
The first wave of acts for a laid-back Scottish music and arts festival have been announced. The ninth Doune the Rabbit Hole will feature an enviable selection of international and homegrown live music, DJs spoken word, family fun and food and drink. Among the bands taking part will be Levellers, Big Country, The Orb, Elephant…
Read MoreWhisky – The Connoisseur’s Journal
What’s the Story? The Whisky Journal provides readers with a well organised and attractive way to record information from tasting notes to ages. With the inclusion of extensive whisky knowledge, invites amateur drinkers to connoisseurs to learn more about how to drink whisky in the ‘correct’ manner or how to store the drink accordingly. Traveling…
Read MoreSpring Fling event gives artists a sense of place
More than 30 artists and makers will explore their sense of place in a special exhibition ahead of the annual Spring Fling open studios weekend. Many are inspired by the land, sea and skyscapes of Dumfries and Galloway, where the annual event takes place, or by different parts of Scotland. For others it’s the towns…
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