The stories behind NatureScot’s 2021 calendar snaps

NATURESCOT, the Scottish Government agency previously known as Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), has unveiled the photographs it is using for its 2021 calendar. The agency received more than 700 submissions from members of the public. Francesca Osowska, NatureScot chief executive, said: “We were struck by the range of subjects captured – from underwater wildlife encounters…

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Scottish Whisky Awards – winners in full

THE full list of winners at the Scottish Whisky Awards has been unveiled. The awards – for which Cask & Still magazine is the media partner – announced the winners during an online ceremony. Forty experts blind tasted 155 whiskies to choose the winners. The top prize in the competition, “Whisky Distillery of the Year,…

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Bethany grows its Caring Christmas Trees scheme

HOMELESSNESS charity Bethany Christian Trust has expanded its “Caring Christmas Trees” scheme this year with extra home deliveries and a further collection point in Edinburgh. Each year the charity sells Christmas trees to raise money for its work with homeless and vulnerable people throughout Scotland. This year, Bethany is wrapping its trees – which are…

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Montane turns Black Friday ‘Green’

OUTDOOR clothing brand Montane is donating its enitre “Black Friday” marketing budget to the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA). The Northumberland-based label will give €5,000 (about £4,500) to the charity to fund projects including tackling plastic pollution in Brazil, Columbia, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Global marketing manager Matthew Hickman said: “Throughout the year, Montane…

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Chip shop lands sustainability prize

THE Bay Fish & Chips in Stonehaven has netted an award for its sustainability. The chippy scooped the “Sustainable Business Award” at “The Cateys”, an hospitality industry awards virtual ceremony. Calum Richardson, owner and chef at The Bay, said: “Being a sustainable business has been our number one priority for a long time now and…

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Dame Judi Dench supports Scottish forest

ACTRESS Dame Judi Dench and her family have dedicated a grove at the Woodland Trust’s Ledmore & Migdale Wood in Sutherland “for the people we love.” The former James Bond star sent Christmas cards last year telling her friends that she was dedicating an acre of woodland to them. A post has now been erected…

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REVIEW: Damiani grazing boxes

Peter Ranscombe takes delivery of some tasty Italian treats. ONE of the few bright spots amid the coronavirus restrictions has been the explosion in the number of grazing boxes being ferried around the country. As businesses switch from welcoming guests into their premises to delivering treats to their homes, there seems to be no limit…

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Scots chef ready for Christmas at your house

SCOTLAND’S restaurants are getting ready to serve Christmas dinner at your house this year. Chefs have come up with a selection of festive options, ranging from deliveries to collections. Joe Lazzerini, head chef and co-owner of The Loveable Rogue in Glasgow, has designed a four-course menu for two. “We want to take the stress out…

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Butchers are a cut above the rest

SCOTTISH butchers are celebrating after scooping prizes at the industry’s annual training awards. Ariane Bennett, 19, who works for her family’s Arbroath butchers D H Robertson, won the “SVQ Level 2 Apprentice Of The Year Award”. Newly-qualified butcher Michael Carrubba of Minicks of St Andrews took the “SVQ Level 3 Apprentice Of The Year” title.…

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Sheila Fleet Jewellery team raises £5,000 for charity

THE team at Sheila Fleet Jewellery on Orkney has raised more than £5,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland (PCAS) by “travelling” nearly 1,300 miles to and from Glasgow. To clock up the miles, the team walked, ran, cycled and rowed around its island base. Members of the team “set off” on 1 November – the…

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