Posts by Peter Ranscombe
Cowal’s Virtual Gathering attracts global audience
HIGHLIGHTS from last weekend’s Cowal Highland Gathering have been released as online videos. Cowal’s Virtual Gathering brought fans from around the world together for three days of online fellowship. Former world Highland dancing champions joined gathering officials to talk about their Cowal memories, including Sheena MacDonald, who was the world juvenile Highland dancing champion in…
Read MoreHillwalkers asked to check deer stalking website
WALKERS are being reminded to check deer stalking information online before heading into the hills. NatureScot, the Scottish Government agency previously known as Scottish Natural Heritage, said deer stalking was entering the busiest part of its season. The agency runs the “Heading for the Scottish Hills” website, which provides details of deer stalking on estates…
Read MoreJudy Murray presents Cromlix cook-a-long
TENNIS coach Judy Murray will kick start Scottish Food & Drink Fornight on Sunday when she serves up an Instagram “cook-a-long” at her son Andy’s hotel, Cromlix. Murray will be joined in her session at the Dunblane venue by chef Darin Campbell. She said: “In Scotland, we’re so lucky to be blessed with such brilliant…
Read MoreForbes gives Balmoral five-star rating
THE Balmoral has become the first hotel in Scotland to receive a five-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide. It’s the first time that the Edinburgh hotel has made it onto the list, which was released early to encourage bookings for next year. Richard Cooke, general manager at The Balmoral, said: “Forbes Travel Guide is undoubtedly…
Read MoreHighland Game sells ‘restaurant quality’ venison fillet in Tesco
MEAT supplier Highland Game is marking today’s “Eat Venison Day” with a new deal to supply wild venison fillets to supermarket chain Tesco. Venison sales are estimated to be worth ÂŁ14.4 million a year in the UK, according to data from market analysis firm Kantar. Research by Kantar and 56 Degrees Insight found that half…
Read MoreWhat does a covid compliant wine list look like?
As hospitality venues continue to reopen, Peter Ranscombe visits Hotel du Vin in St Andrews to run the rule over its pared-back wine list. I’LL always have a soft spot for St Andrews – it’s where I studied physics, where I met some special people, and where I developed an obsession with Janetta’s ice cream.…
Read MoreREVIEW: Putting on a fine sprEHd
Peter Ranscombe tucks into a grazing box full of Scottish ingredients from delivery service sprEHd. WHEN you’re eating out, it’s the little things that matter – the butter being soft enough to spread, the lighting being bright enough to see your plate, the napkin being rough enough to stay put instead of sliding out of…
Read MoreMaking organic wine in style
NEVER judge a book by its cover – nor a wine by its label. Fortunately, the liquid inside brothers Paride and Jacapo d’Angelo’s bottles lives up to the promise of its packaging. The siblings have been making wine in Italy’s Abruzzo region for the past seven years, having learned about wine at the feet of…
Read MoreSatellite tags reveal tiny Shetland birds’ journeys
BRITAIN’S smallest seabird spends more time around the coast of Shetland than was previously known, according to new research. Satellite tags were attached to storm petrels on the island of Mousa to study their flights between 2014 and 2017. Each bird weighs between 25 and 30 grams – the equivalent of three pound coins. They…
Read MoreGetting Hitched Asian Style returns
GET set for more colour and vibrancy as Getting Hitched Asian Style returns to the BBC Scotland channel tonight for a second series. The BBC describes the first series as one of its “surprise hits” as viewers followed the adventures of wedding planners at Saffron Events. The new series, which was filmed last year, was…
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