Posts by Peter Ranscombe
Book review: ‘Nala’s World’
Nala’s World Dean Nicholson Hachette Children’s Group NEARLY everyone with internet access has likely heard the adorable story of how Dunbar-born Dean Nicholson discovered and adopted the adorably bedraggled kitten on his world cycle route from Montenegro to Bosnia. Adults interested in Dean and Nala’s story can follow them on their various social media channels…
Read MoreBook Review: ‘Annie’s Boy’
Annie’s Boy Gary Todd New Holland Publishers [review rating=”4″ align = “left”] A WELL-KNOWN name in the boxing world, Gary Todd lets the reader get up close and personal, not dodging any blows in his new memoir, Annie’s Boy. Telling the story of his earlier days, over a span of 15 years, he focuses on…
Read MoreRESTAURANT REVIEW: The Black Grape, Edinburgh
Richard Bath pays a visit to The Black Grape on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. FOR years I would wander to work down the Royal Mile and the Canongate, and virtually every day I’d wonder how Pancho Villas kept going. And not just going, but going and going and still bloody going. The Mexican restaurant set back…
Read MoreRiver Tweed fishing season begins in Kelso
ANGLER Kent Håkansson from Sweden yesterday cast the first line of the River Tweed salmon fishing season in Kelso. The River Tweed Commission (RTC) hosted its official opening of the season in the Borders for the first time more than 30 years. Peter Straker-Smith, the RTC’s chairman, said: “The Tweed provides fantastic fishing opportunities [that]…
Read MoreScotland’s ‘ice age’ pinewoods on knife-edge
THE remnants of the Caledonian pinewoods could be wiped out within a generation, according to a study unveiled today. Four years of analysis by conservation charity Trees for Life – the first major research into Caley pines for more than 60 years – found that “high deer numbers, spread of non-native conifers, lack of long-term…
Read MoreBuccleuch selling more of Langholm Moor
ESTATE owner Buccleuch revealed this morning that it will sell more of Langholm Moor next month. Oxygen Conservation, which already owners land around the Firth of Tay, will buy 11,390 acres of moor around Blackburn and Hartsgarth. The organisation aims to demonstrate that environmental conservation can also deliver social and economic benefits for local communities.…
Read MoreCairngorms star in new Markus Stitz bike film
A NEW film about a 165-mile bike journey through the Cairngorms has been released online for free. The film, made by biking veteran and author Markus Stitz, documents the connection between the environment of the national park and its residents, along with the businesses they run. “Home Is Where The Trails Take You” captures a…
Read MoreCity gardeners asked to spot mammals
HAVE you spotted rabbits, foxes, or other mammals in your urban garden? If so then the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) wants to hear from you. The charity is gathering reports of sightings, footprints, and droppings from gardens, allotments, parks, playing fields, cemetries, and other public spaces. Its data will help with conservation work…
Read MorePrince William’s photographer snaps Knoydart residents
PORTRAITS of Knoydart residents have been taken by the photographer behind the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay’s latest family images. Matt Porteous took the portrait for last year’s royal Christmas card. Now, he’s taken pictures of people living and working on Knoydart – using a mobile phone strapped to a drone. Porteous used a satellite…
Read MoreBonnie & Wild hosts landscape photographs
THE Scottish landscape photographer of the year exhibition has opened at the Bonnie & Wild food court within Edinburgh’s £1 billion St James Quarter shopping centre. Almost 200 images from nearly 100 photographers are on display in the show. Now in its eight year, the competition’s top prize went to Isabella Hillhouse, whose portfolio of…
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