Posts by Kenny Smith
A celebration of Scotland in photographs
Well-known Dundonian photographer Shahbaz Majeed has assembled a dizzyingly diverse range of 126 landscape images from every corner of Scotland. Presented in landscape format, they act as a lovely aide memoire for our wilder areas – whether it’s Portencross, Glencoe or Loch Awe, there were classic shots of places many of us will know and…
Read MoreNovel approach to a virus in Edinburgh
Set in an Edinburgh recovering from a virus which targets young healthy people, Murder at the Music Factory is a thriller which starts at a fast pace. Unfortunately the book is littered with typos, but I still found the writing easy to read and despite not having read any of the other books in the…
Read MorePhased approach to reopening Scotland’s castles
Historic Environment Scotland has set out its plans for the reopening of its sites as Covid restrictions ease. HES is adopting a phased approach to reopen its properties, with over 70% of its free to access and ticketed properties reopening on Friday 30 April following the Scottish Government’s proposed dates for the reopening of the…
Read MoreGrowing demand sees soap company cleaning up with growth
Fort William-based Highland Soap Co has announced plans for expansion amid a major surge in demand for its products from customers in Scotland and around the world. Company founder Emma Parton says success in the past year has been driven by several factors, including a thriving e-commerce website and consumer habits shifting towards supporting local…
Read MoreLoch Leven’s Larder are widening their berth
With lockdown guidelines loosening, Loch Leven’s Larder is preparing to re-open its award winning restaurant, deli and retail business. The last few months have been well spent preparing a new outdoor covered eating space where visitors can enjoy dining and are able to drink in the views over the surrounding countryside and, of course, beautiful…
Read MoreNational Trust for Scotland’s roots manouevre
The National Trust for Scotland has launched a new gardening subscription that offers a monthly delivery of gardening goodies, including Scottish seeds to plant at home. From green-fingered gardeners to those who are just beginning their gardening journey, Roots is a celebration of Scotland’s flora and has been designed to help people reconnect with nature.…
Read MoreAll is still no more at the Falkirk Distillery
The Falkirk Distillery is now distilling single malt whisky, after a frustrating period of delays. Issues relating to planning due to the proximity to a section of the Antonine Wall and the global pandemic slowed down their progress. But, finally, founder George Stewart is delighted to be back on track. He said it was ‘a…
Read MoreSwapping London life for the Hebrides
When Tamsin and her husband Rab leave London and their busy careers behind, they hope a remote island on the Scottish Hebrides will provide exactly the kind of lifestyle change they’ve been looking for. Once the romantic shine of their new adventure wears off, it becomes clear that rescuing, maintaining and building a croft as…
Read MoreNTS announces re-opening of some properties
The National Trust for Scotland has confirmed that most of its countryside, estates and gardens will be open for local visitors from 2 April, in line with the easing of lockdown rules. Many outdoor locations have been accessible for exercise all through the winter, including Culzean, Newhailes, Brodie and Crathes, as well as mountain and…
Read MorePutting the clocks forward with National Trust for Scotland
Just as the clocks are set to go forward this weekend (Sunday 28 March), 19 historic long case timepieces have gone back in time. The long case timepieces, sometimes called grandfather clocks, in the National Trust for Scotland’s north east collection are being brought back to full working order after months of meticulous conservation work.…
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