Posts by Kenny Smith
Five great places to take your dog for a walk
Wrap up warm and embrace those chilly winter days by taking your pooch to one of our readers’ favourite dog walking spots. We’ve asked our readers to name some of their top spots to stretch your pooch’s legs, and here’s five great Aberdeenshire walks. CLACHNABEN Jim Pirie told us about one of his favourite places…
Read MoreState-of-the-art classroom will aid rural students
A new state-of-the-art digital classroom has been unveiled at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) Barony campus in Dumfries. It is believed to be the first of its kind in the region. SRUC has invested around ÂŁ80,000 to develop its first digital classroom in partnership with Glasgow-based audio-visual company MediaScape. The project was led by demand from…
Read MoreWhisky is now worth ÂŁ4.70billion to Scotland
Official figures from HM Revenue and Customs have shown a global growth by both the value and volume of Scotch Whisky exports in 2018. Last year, the export value of Scotch whisky grew +7.8% by value, to a record ÂŁ4.70bn. The number of 70cl bottles exported also reached record levels growing to the equivalent of…
Read MoreThe chef bringing Prince Charles’ restaurant to life
Head chef Ross Cochrane, Scotch Lamb Chef of the Year, has played his part in establishing the Rothesay Rooms as a must-visit eaterie. Prince Charles’ Scottish restaurant is helping revive Ballater, in Aberdeenshire, and Ross’ tasty creations are playing a crucial role. What’s your favourite February dish? I love using duck in February. In the…
Read MoreA tremendous traditional home in the borders
Colterscleuch House is a traditional five-bedroom house which has recently undergone sympathetic modernisation and upgrading. Presented for sale by Galbraith, Colterscleuch House benefits from Biomass central heating with some RHI payments still to be received. It was re-plumbed and rewired during renovation along with a top rated energy efficient sash and case double glazing and…
Read MoreDedication’s what you need to be a record breaker
Scotland is a nation that likes to shout about its successes. We might be small, but we’re proud to have given the world television, tarmac and the telephone, to name but a handful of inventions. However, that’s not all Scotland has to shout about, as our wee country boasts some world records – some may…
Read MoreThe fight is on to save the Scottish wildcat
After decades of decline, there is good news at last for the Scottish wildcat as a major conservation project aims to boost its numbers. When I was a child in Ardnamurchan in the 1960s and early 1970s, wildcats were fairly common. We’d see them hurriedly cross single-track roads at night, or vanish into the stunted…
Read MoreGrand designs are paying off at House of Elrick
When Stuart Ingram bought the estate four years ago, he wasted no time in making grand plans for the House of Elrick. Mother’s ruin with a slice of lemon. G&T with a wedge of lime. Whatever you call it, however you  enjoy it, gin has long been one of the nation’s favourites. Home to a unique…
Read MoreFestivals go cashless at 2019 True OriGIN events
A season of gin festivals across Scotland will be exclusively cashless this year – starting this weekend. The True OriGINs events will showcase up to 80 different Scottish gins at four events across the country between February and June, beginning today and tomorrow at the Scottish Gin Festival, The Barn, Banchory. But despite a passion for the history and provenance of the spirit,…
Read MoreBeautiful home in former Victorian country house
Chartershall House (West) is an elegant and spacious country home, which has been delightfully finished to encapsulate contemporary convenience within period charm. Apportioned from a substantial Victorian house in Stirlingshire, the property is set proudly within around one and a half acres of enchanting gardens and grounds, and presented for sale by Rettie. Formerly a…
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