Posts by Peter Ranscombe
Kelso wants to be ‘Scotland’s wellbeing capital’
TOURISM body Visit Kelso wants to attract travelers interested in wellbeing to the Borders town. The group asked people who work in some of the town’s shops, cafes, restaurants, and visitor destinations to become “wellness warriors” as part of Kelso’s efforts to be recognised as “Scotland’s wellbeing capital”. The Schloss Roxburghe Hotel – which opened…
Read MoreHarpist Esther Swift unveils Scottish tour
HARP player Esther Swift is preparing to go on a tour of Scotland. Following her sold-out show at last summer’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the composer and singer will begin her tour in the capital on 11 March. She’ll play eight gigs, including at venues in Caithness, North Uist, and Skye. Her tour will end on…
Read MoreActor Burn Gorman opens salmon fishing at Meikleour
HOLLYWOOD star Ben Gorman kicked off the salmon season on the River Tay at Meikleour in Perthshire last week. The Game of Thrones actor was assisted by author David Profumo. The pair made the first casts of the season after popping a magnum of Pol Roger Champagne. Claire Mercer Nairne, a member of Tay District…
Read More‘Talk to a Farmer’ week live in schools
CHILDREN will be asking questions about the countryside through online broadcasts during the second “Talk to a Farmer” week, organised by The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET). Farmers from throughout Scotland will be answering questions via video links to school classrooms. This year’s sessions will focus on farmers producing seeds and grains. There’s still time…
Read MoreBurns Night: more than haggis, neeps and tatties
WITH Burns Night approaching on Wednesday, Scotland is demonstrating that there’s a lot more to learn about our national bard than haggis, neeps and tatties. The South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) has created themed driving routes following in the footsteps of Robert Burns and inspired by the Great Tapestry of Scotland. The 187 mile-long…
Read MoreArmy veteran launches this year’s Cateran Yomp
AN ARMY veteran, who was forced to give up military life due to injury, is pledging to plough “every penny” back into the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) by embarking on the Cateran Yomp, one of Scotland’s toughest endurance challenges. Royal Artillery veteran Lee Harris-Hamer, 31, from Thirsk in North Yorkshire, is the new ambassador for…
Read MoreMacLean brothers sell art for charity
A TRIO of Scottish world record-breaking brothers hopes to raise thousands of pounds for clean water projects in developing communities through an art exhibition in Edinburgh. Works by artist Bridget Ievers Cox were left to the MacLean brothers – the first three brothers to row across an ocean together – when she died last year.…
Read MoreWhiskies for Burns Night
Drinks blogger James Robertson recommends five whiskies to toast the Bard. ROBERT BURNS said that “There is no such uncertainty as a sure thing” and also said “Suspense is worse than disappointment”. On Wednesday, many around the world will celebrate Burn’s birthday. There is a sure thing that whisky will be on the menu, but…
Read MoreRaising a glass to this year’s whisky festivals
SCOTLAND’S whisky festival season is getting underway, with The National Whisky Festival returning to SWG3 in Glasgow tomorrow as part of Celtic Connections. The festival began in 2015 and has grown from its Glasgow base to include events in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Inverness. Gareth Croll, the festival’s coordinator, said: “After such an incredible year touring…
Read MoreEdinburgh names ’23 for 23′
SCOTLAND’S capital has revealed “23 for 23” – nearly two dozen eateries it thinks foodies should visit this year. The list – which was produced by Forever Edinburgh, the city council’s marketing wing – includes restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and street food vendors. The guide focuses on local businesses, including A Wee Taste of Edinburgh,…
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