Whisky news round-up: Speyburn, Macallan, and more

Peter Ranscombe takes another look at the world of Scotch whisky. SPEYBURN distillery is preparing to welcome visitors for the first time in its 125-year history as part of the Spirit of Speyside whisky festival. Distillery manager Euan Henderson and his assistant, David Rogerson, will lead tours during the festival, which runs from 26 April…

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Maya Rose Edwards completes Bute residency

Simone Waters speaks to sculptor Maya Rose Edwards about their residency with the Mount Stuart Trust on Bute. FOR artist Maya Rose Edwards, the Isle of Bute is not just a stunning location to visit. The dramatic landscape played host for a three-month residency offered to this emerging sculptor by the Mount Stuart Trust. “I…

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Doddie Aid rowing challenge for Cameron House

CAMERON House at Loch Lomond is taking part in Doddie Aid 2023 with a mass-participation rowing challenge over the next five weeks. The event will raise money for the charity created by Scottish rugby legend Doddy Weir, who died in November, aged 52. The MyName’5 Doddie Foundation, which was founded in November 2017, aims to…

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RESTAURANT REVIEW: Six By Nico – ‘Neverland’ menu

Keith McIntyre reviews the new “Neverland” menu at the Six By Nico restaurant in Glasgow’s Finnieston district. WHEN chef Nico Simeone launched his Six By Nico restaurant in Glasgow’s Finnieston back in 2017, it is very doubtful that anyone could have predicted quite how much of an explosive impact he would have on the country’s…

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Wines for Australia Day

Drinks blogger James Robertson picks wines to celebrate Australia Day. AS WE wearily trudge through the tail end of winter, looking forward to those glimpses of spring, down under in Australia today they celebrate their national day. The BBQs will be lit, stubbies of beer will be in the cool box alongside some chilled bottles…

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Burns Night round-up: Haggis, poetry, and more

HAGGIS lover from Orkney to Essex have changed their names on social media to “R Burns” ahead of Burns Night. Butcher Simon Howie ran a competition to encourage people to change their names for the Bard’s birthday, and gave 100 winners hampers featuring products from Irn Bru, Mash Direct, Mrs Tillys, Orkney Cheese, Nairn’s, and…

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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…

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Harpist 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…

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Actor 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…

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‘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…

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