Posts by Peter Ranscombe
Estates vow to continue wildlife scheme
SCOTTISH estates have vowed to continue expanding an international wildlife and habitat accreditation scheme beyond the UK’s European Union (EU) transition. Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES), which builds information on species and land use to improve Scotland’s biodiversity, is based on a European scheme used in 19 countries. WES is celebrating its tenth birthday this month…
Read MorePeebles Hydro Hotel welcomes Pure Spa
SPA operator Pure has taken over the facilities at Peebles Hydro Hotel. An extra treatment room is being added and the beds and equipment in the spa are being upgraded. The hotel, which is accepting spa booking from 1 December, also has a swimming pool, steam room, sauna, and Jacuzzi. Stephen Leckie, chairman and chief…
Read MoreWee Smoky – a whisky for people who don’t like whisky
WHISKY industry veteran Rory Gammell has launched a bottle of Scotch – for people who don’t like whisky. Wee Smoky is made by ageing single grain whisky in a cask that used to hold peated single malt. Gammell describes the result as “smooth, fruity, and lightly smoky”. His initial run of 400 bottles went on…
Read MoreSir James MacMillan marks Eric Liddell Centre’s 40th anniversary
COMPOSER Sir James MacMillan will take part in an online broadcast next week to mark the 40th anniversary of the Eric Liddell Centre in Edinburgh. The centre is a care charity and community hub, providing specialist dementia support together with a carers programme and befriending service. Sir James’s younger brother, John, is chief executive at…
Read More‘What a beast!’ When crofting goes hi-tech
A CROFTER on the Isle of Lewis is celebrating the difference modern technology has made to him and his neighbours. Donald MacSween, who gave up a job with the local council to become a crofter, won the use of a telehandler for free for a year as part of The Prince’s Countryside Fund’s New Holland…
Read MoreCurries and cook-alongs for Great British Game Week
GREAT British Game Week begins on Monday, with a host of online events. The British Association for Shooting & Conservation (BASC) is running a “cook-along” on Facebook on Monday as part of its “Taste of Game” initiative. Braehead Foods is also organising a curry night on Monday, building on the success of using game during…
Read MoreWinton Castle restores ‘cherished chimneys’
WINTON Castle in East Lothian is using the quieter months during the coronavirus pandemic to restore its 400-year-old chimneys. The 20 chimneys – each standing as tall as an African elephant – were comissioned by George Seton, 3rd Earl of Winton and 10th Lord Seton. For the six-month restoration project, Niall Braidwood, a sonservation architect…
Read MoreMerchiston’s new award offers 75% off sixth form fees
A NEW Sixth Form Award has been unveiled by Merchiston, the independent boys’ school in Edinburgh. The award provides means-tested financial assistance of up to 75% of annual fees for a day place and a boarding place for September 2021 entry. Headmaster Jonathan Anderson said: “In these difficult times, we are delighted to be offering…
Read More‘Studio education model’ expands after Scots’ success
AN AMERICAN education company is expanding into the UK and Europe following the success of its projects with Scottish schools. Dollar Academy and Kelvinside Academy have been working with NuVu, which helps them to swap traditional classrooms for hands-on studios. Projects undertaken by pupils as part of the studio-based programme, which was developed by three…
Read MoreVintage tractor goes under the hammer
A RESTORED vintage tractor has gone on sale in an online auction today to raise money for the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI). The Straight Axle Massey Ferguson 135 – complete with original factory-fitted power steering and a pickup hitch-drawbar combination – was donated to RSABI by farmer Harold McKeever to be restored and…
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