Posts by Kenny Smith
Free one-hour taster concerts coming to Paxton House
Music at Paxton, the summer festival of international chamber music at Paxton House, near Berwick Upon Tweed, is back for 2021. Audiences can enjoy two free taster concerts at Music at Paxton… Plus. Twogether Duo sees violinist Huixin Hu violin and accordionist Alena Bulkatetskaya kick off the first taster concert on Sunday 20 June at…
Read MoreA fascinating focus on the fantastic funghi
Who’d have thought mushrooms could be poetic? Fungi-obsessed Whiteley takes us on a lyrical, fascinating exploration of this weird organism which she says has a ‘surreal and alien beauty’. I never realised how diverse fungi is: it can be found in our floorboards, fingernails, and even our thoughts. I found this humble book really rather…
Read MoreWeaving fact and fiction for St Andrews Castle siege
For his debut novel, The Castilians, author V E H Masters cleverly weaves fact with fiction in a detailed story of the siege of St Andrews Castle in 1546. Written in compelling prose, and packed full of gripping drama and a smattering of romance, the 16th-century streets of the Auld Grey Toon are brought to…
Read MoreNew bid to get families into Scotland’s castles
Mackie’s of Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland have announced a partnership to get families exploring Aberdeenshire this summer. Fun-seeking families are invited to come and celebrate the first weekend of the summer holidays (26-27 June) by exploring trails around National Trust for Scotland properties in Aberdeenshire. Visitors can reconnect with the places they…
Read MoreWork to begin on distillery as new investment arrives
Ardgowan Distillery has announced work will begin this year on their new distillery which is being built on the Ardgowan Estate near Inverkip, 30 miles west of Glasgow. The company today [Monday] confirmed a £8.4 million equity investment into the business. £7.2m of the new equity comes from Austrian investor Roland Grain and the balance…
Read MoreDoric Books all ready to launch its next releases
An Aberdeenshire illustrator and storyteller have joined forces to create a publishing house that will print stories for all ages in Doric. North East artist Aaron Gale and storyteller Jackie Ross are launching Doric Books this month to develop and preserve the culture and heritage of the North East. The process began after Aaron was…
Read MoreChefs to cook up a treat at the Royal Highland Showcase
Renowned Scottish chefs will be showing off their skills as part of the Royal Highland Showcase in partnership with Royal Bank of Scotland next week. The virtual cookery demonstrations will be featured as part of the hybrid event, which takes place from 14-20 June. With livestock classes livestreamed from the Ingliston Showground throughout the week,…
Read MoreGlen Moray unveils exclusive for Warehouse 1 relaunch
Glen Moray’s famed ‘Warehouse 1’ has released another treasure from behind its deep blue doors: a 2005 Tokaji Finish expression. This is the first of three whiskies scheduled in 2021 from the ‘new look’ Warehouse 1 Collection. Distilled in October 2005 and finished in oak casks that once held Tokaji Aszú wine, this new cask…
Read MoreStrathallan marks centenary with special composition
Strathallan School marks 100 years at its Forgandenny campus this year, kicking off celebrations with a unique collaboration with award-winning composer Stuart Macrae. Throughout the year-long project, Stuart worked with music scholars from First Form to Upper Sixth at the Perthshire school to compose a suite of pieces inspired by the school’s values. Scholars worked…
Read MoreThe 43rd Three Peaks Yacht Race is all set to begin
The Barmouth to Fort William Three Peaks Yacht Race gets underway this weekend – and has announced that energy company E.ON will be the new race sponsor for 2021. This historic race has a simple concept, with competitors completing the course by sailing, or rowing, through some of the UK’s most challenging waters, and scaling…
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