Posts by Peter Ranscombe
Hospitality news round-up: Glenapp, No 26, and more
Peter Ranscombe rounds-up the latest news from Scotland’s hospitality venues. GLENAPP Castle’s penthouse apartment, “The Endeavour”, has been named by Elite Traveler magazine as “one of the top 100 most luxurious and exclusive” places to stay on the planet. The penthouse suite at the 21-room Ayrshire castle opened in May 2021 following the conversion of…
Read MoreTartan Blanket Co makes TV dream come true
THE Tartan Blanket Co in Leith is making one weaver’s dream come true in a new BBC television show. Jess Anne Clements was one of 30 contestants on the Make it at Market programme and got the chance to bring her scraf design to life. As part of her time on the show, she was…
Read MoreNews from Scotland’s castles
CASTLES throughout Scotland are preparing for a busy few months ahead. Blair Castle, the 13th century stronghold at Blair Atholl in Perthshire, is preparing to welcome brides- and grooms-to-be. The castle is holding a wedding open day on 5 February. Emma Henderson, Atholl Estates’ events manager, said: “Our wedding open day is a fantastic opportunity…
Read MoreScotland prepares for Burns Night
Simone Waters takes a look at how Scots are getting ready to celebrate Burns Night, from classic suppers to aerial acrobatics. THERE’S more to Burns Night than haggis and whisky. Scots around the country are preparing to mark national poet Robert Burns’ birthday on 25 January in a wide variety of ways. Notching up 12…
Read MoreBook review: ‘Confessions of a Highland Art Dealer’
Confessions of a Highland Art Dealer Tony Davidson Woodwose Books SPRINKLED with anecdotes of a life in the north, art dealer Tony Davidson paints a portrait of his colourful existence with local artists. He gives the reader an equal sense of times past and a true love for the creative community that he hosted at…
Read MoreHidden in plain sight
Broadcaster Pennie Stuart shares the story behind her latest podcast and radio series, Hidden in Plain Sight, about one township’s experience of the Highland Clearances. DUNCAN MACKENZIE parks his landrover beside a rough forestry track where plantation pines part to give a view down to the fertile flatlands at the head of Lochbroom. Ullapool glints…
Read MoreDry January – is it worth it?
Drinks blogger James Robertson looks at the options for “Dry January”. SOME of us do “Sober October”, some of us do “I Cannae Remember December”, and some are now two weeks into “Dry January”. I have not been successful in achieving Dry January by the way, but hats off to my wife who has stoically…
Read MoreRestaurant Andrew Fairlie tops UK list
DINERS have selected Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at The Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire as the best in the UK. The restaurant topped Harden’s “Top 100 Best UK Restaurants” list, which was based on 30,000 reports from 3,000 diners. Leith trio The Kitchin, Restaurant Martin Wishart, and The Little Chartroom reached fifth, 14th, and 31st respectively. In…
Read MoreThe Majestic Line adds motorboat to fleet
THE Majestic Line has added a motorboat to its fleet of five small ships. The Glen Rosa – which can sleep up to six people in an ensuite double cabin and two ensuite twin cabins – will join the company’s flotilla next year. The motor cruiser will sail around the Inner Hebrides – including Mull…
Read MoreAUSTRIA: THE POWER OF FOUR
The four-resort Skicircus – which includes the grand old ski area of Saalbach – has undergone a radical transformation, writes editor Richard Bath. Why would I ski here? “Skicircus” is basically shorthand for a conglomeration of four alpine towns – Saalbach, Hinterglemm, Leogang, and Fieberbrunn – which together make up the ninth biggest ski region…
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