Posts by Peter Ranscombe
Fairlie protégé becomes head chef
CHEF Lorna McNee, protégé of the late two Michelin starred chef Andrew Fairlie and Great British Menu’s “Champion of Champions” 2019, has taken up her first head chef role at Glasgow’s Cail Bruich restaurant. Chris Charalambous, co-owner of the three AA rosette restaurant, is stepping away from the kitchen for the first time since it…
Read MoreFive of the best from M&S’s new ‘Classics’ range
Wines from Europe feature in the first wave of arrivals in Markies’ new ‘Classics’ selection, as Peter Ranscombe finds out. FOLLOWING the launch of its “This Is…” £5 range, Marks & Spencer is continuing the revamp of its wine selection with the introduction of its “Classics” series. Starting at £7 a bottle, the “Classics” mark…
Read MoreA Week in Whisky: Going, going, gone
THE Isle of Raasay Distillery has sold all its maiden single malt ahead of its release in November. Raasay, which lies off the coast of Skye, has sold 4,350 bottles through the internet, with the remainder of its 7,500-bottle run bought by retailers, restaurants and bars. The whisky is made with Scottish barley and is…
Read MoreScottish Opera’s outdoor performances begin
GREENOCK plays host to Scottish Opera this afternoon as its series of autumn pop-up operas begins. The programme shifts to East Lothian on Sunday, followed by Ayr, Stirling, Easterhouse, Glasgow, Inverness, Dundee, Edinburgh and St Andrews during the rest of the month. This season’s pop-up operas feature extracts from The Gondoliers and Don Giovanni, along with The…
Read MoreFishmonger lands Crieff Hydro’s hotels contract
A FISHMONGER from Perth has netted a contract to supply seafood to all seven of the hotels run by Crieff Hydro. Perth-based George Campbell & Sons, which was founded in 1872, is still owned by the Campbell family. Managing director Iain Campbell said: “It is a proud milestone for us to work alongside another longstanding…
Read MoreInternet stars Olive and Mabel help Sense Scotland
THE undisputed stars of lockdown, Olive and Mabel, have signed up to raise money for disability support charity Sense Scotland. The dogs – which rose to fame on Youtube when they featured in videos posted by owner and BBC sports broacaster Andrew Cotter – will take part in the charity’s “Paws for Sense Scotland” fundraising…
Read MoreCarvers ‘log on’ for online chainsaw contest
SCOTLAND’S annual open chainsaw carving competiton, “Carve Carrbridge”, is heading online tomorrow. Ten carvers are competing for the “Claymore Trophy”, including: local artist and long-standing competitor Alice Buttress; last year’s winner, Michael Tamoszus from Germany; and 2019 best new entrant Mario Marino from Spain. Each has been filmed using time-lapse cameras, with footage being uploaded…
Read MoreCowal’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…
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