Posts by Peter Ranscombe
Banchory Bangle raffle deadline approaches
THE raffle to win this year’s “Banchory bangle” comes to an end on Friday. Jewellery designer Malcolm Appleby has made been making a bangle each year since 1976 to raise money for Children 1st. Appleby uses recycled gold and silver to make his bangles, which have raised ÂŁ184,000 so far for the charity. Raffle tickets…
Read MoreScottish Opera names 60th emerging artist
SCOTTISH Opera is marking its 60th anniversary by appointing its 60th emerging artist. The opera company’s emerging artists perform on stage, as well as working in-house with staff and visiting coaches to develop their skills. The programme began in 2009 and has since expanded to include behind-the-scenes roles in addition to opera singers. This year’s…
Read MoreScottish trio triumphs at Walpole awards
THREE Scottish brands came away with prizes last night from the Walpole British Luxury Awards. The Gleneagles Hotel was named “British Luxury Brand of the Year”, which – for the first time in the award’s history – was decided by a voting academy comprised of 250 Walpole member chief executives. The “Made in the UK…
Read MoreDuck & Waffle hatches Edinburgh expansion
LONDON’S Duck & Waffle restaurant is spreading its wings by opening a branch in Edinburgh. The eatery – which is located on the 40th floor of London’s 110 Bishopsgate skyscraper – is adding Scottish twists to its menu, including a deep-fried haggis bar. The restaurant is making its nest at the St James Crescent entrance…
Read MoreRoyal Highland Show is ‘bigger than Hogmanay’
THE Royal Highland Show contributes ÂŁ39.5 million to Edinburgh’s economy – more than the city’s Hogmanay celebrations, according to new figures. The report by BOP Consulting marks the first time that the show’s financial impact has been measured using the same criteria as Edinburgh’s festivals. The equivalent of 674 full-time jobs are also supported by…
Read MoreEdinburgh’s Hogmanay unveils First Footin’ music gigs
SINGER Callum Beattie is among the performers who’s signed up for “First Footin’”, a new series of gigs unveiled as part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. “First Footin’” will feature an afternoon of free live music and performances taking place across the Old Town and New Town in pubs and other venues. Beattie said: “I can’t wait…
Read More‘Castle of Light’ trail opens in Edinburgh
EDINBURGH’S “Castle of Light” trail was switched on over the weekend by a couple chosen through a public vote. Maurice and Julia Maguire, who own Majestic Wedding Cars Edinburgh, were joined by Rex, the castle’s lion rampant mascot, to switch on the castle’s illuminations. The light trail tells the story of Edinburgh Castle, stretching back…
Read MoreThe country check up
A staple in any countryman’s wardrobe, Schöffel Country present their range of men’s checked shirts that will take you anywhere. THE checked shirt is an indisputable staple of country life. It is the Labrador of the wardrobe: dependable, versatile and fully trusted to deal with whatever, whenever. But not all checked shirts are made equal.…
Read MoreREVIEW: Prestonfield House, Edinburgh
Peter Ranscombe tucks into the autumnal menu at the Rhubarb restaurant in Edinburgh’s Prestonfield House. APPROACHING Prestonfield House, once the official residence of Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, is like travelling back through time. Past the love-them-or-hate-them modern concrete of the Royal Commonwealth Pool and Scottish Widows’ former head office, past the inter-war bungalows standing sentry on…
Read MoreWhisky news round-up: Caskshare, Stannergill, and more
Peter Ranscombe serves up another irreverent dram of whisky news. FORGET the cost-of-living crisis – there’s still life in the whisky market. Caskshare received so much demand for ÂŁ1,625 bottles of a rare Springbank 30-year-old single malt that it’s opened a ballot for the chance to buy one of the 135 bottles. John Robertson, managing…
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