Posts by Peter Ranscombe
NTS shines light on Christmas traditions
THE National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has been shedding some light on Scotland’s Christmas traditions in the run-up to the big day. The conservation charity used the research it collated to create authentic decorations for Castle Fraser in Aberdeenshire during the run-up to Christmas. Jo Riley, NTS’s collections care visitor service assistant, said: “With so…
Read MoreEngine Yard supports Edinburgh food bank
HOUSEBUILDER Places for People held an event next to its Engine Yard development in Edinburgh to raise money for one of the city’s food banks. Residents, staff, and contractors at the housing development gave ÂŁ200, with a further ÂŁ2,500-worth of food being donated. Grace Church hosted the event, which included stalls and a Christmas jumper…
Read MoreDynamic Earth: Have yourself a ‘marine’ little Christmas
EDINBURGH’S Dynamic Earth has unveiled details of its programme for Christmas and Hogmanay – and it has a distinct nautical theme. The centre is running “All Hands-On Deck” family drop-in sessions to teach visitors about Scotland’s seas. Workshops on offer include the chance for families to build their own boats, and “coral crafting” to teach…
Read MoreRestaurant review: Antonietta
Richard Bath reviews Antonietta restaurant in Edinburgh. WHAT IS IT? Antonietta is a new Italian restaurant from the company that owns the venerable Vittoria’s on Leith Walk. It opened on 1 December on the site of the much-loved La Favorita (which still has a small takeaway presence at the end of the site). WHERE IS…
Read MoreScotland’s chefs get ready for Christmas
SCOTTISH chefs have been preparing for Christmas in a wide variety of ways. Gary Maclean, Scotland’s first national chef, has been supporting charity Mary’s Meals’ “Big Family Christmas” fundraising scheme. For ÂŁ15.90 – enough to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a whole school year – donors will receive a certificate to print at…
Read MoreSchools news round-up: Trees, music, and more
Peter Ranscombe calls the register as he rounds-up news from Scotland’s schools. Quiet at the back. BELHAVEN Hill School in East Lothian has planted a forest full of native species to celebrate the school’s sentenary and to join the “Queen’s Green Canopy” initiative. “The native saplings were locally sourced from Cheviot Trees, and consist of…
Read MorePanto cast visits hospital
THE panto cast from the His Majesty’s Theatre visited the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital yesterday. It’s the first time the performers have been able to visit the hospital since 2019. The annual tradition of the panto cast visiting the hospital began more than 15 years ago. Lynne Brooks, partnership manager at The Archie Foundation, a…
Read MoreTrump Turnberry
Trump Turnberry: On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me… the gift of the great outdoors Surrounded by 800 acres of captivating Scottish countryside, Trump Turnberry offers a range of incredible outdoor pursuits, from exhilarating activities on land to invigorating experiences on the water. As well as championship golf, explore everything…
Read MoreAberdeen university backs Jacob’s Ladder bid
THE University of Aberdeen’s Elphinstone Institute is backing a community group’s bid to restore an historic staircase known as Jacob’s Ladder. The Friends of Jacob’s Ladder & Riverside Walk want to restore the steps, which were opened more than 100 years ago to help workers get to Grandholm Mills. The staircase has been closed due…
Read MoreIslanders slam ferry services, but praise staff
SCOTLAND’S ferry services are falling “well below” the public’s expectations, according to the Scottish Parliament. Nearly 400 individuals and groups responsed to a survey run by Holyrood’s Net Zero, Energy & Transport Committee. The results, published today, revealed anger at “short-notice service cancellations and the impact this is having on many aspects of life in…
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