Posts by Peter Ranscombe
Hotels news round-up: Murrayshall, Balbirnie, and more
Peter Ranscombe rounds-up the latest news from Scotland’s hotels. THE latest step in a £30 million investment at Murrayshall Country Estate in Perthshire has been completed. The hotel has spent £1m refurbishing 14 of its junior and senior suites, including upgrading their en-suite bathrooms, some of which feature roll-top baths and walk-in showers. Dining tables…
Read MoreThe Balmoral is crowned as ‘hotel of the year’
THE Balmoral in Edinburgh has been named as the hotel of the year at the AA Hospitality Awards. Richard Cooke, the hotel’s general manager, said: “It is an honour for The Balmoral to receive this award – it reflects the dedication and hard work of the team. “This year marks our 120th anniversary and every…
Read More50 sites join Northwoods Rewilding Network
FIFTY sites have joined the Northwoods Rewilding Network during its first 18 months. The network was set up in April 2021 by rewilding charity Scotland: The Big Picture. Its aim was to attract 20 sites within its first two years. Now, Glassie Farm at Aberfeldy has signed up as its 50th member. Northwoods now covers…
Read More14th-century woman’s face revealed by Whithorn Priory
THE face of a 14th-century woman buried on a bed of seashells at Whithorn Priory will be revealed today as part of Wigtown Book Festival. The woman’s features have been recreated in a three-dimensionial (3D) animation, with sound. Her face is being unveiled ahead of “Bishops, Bones, and Burials”, a Whithorn Trust event that will…
Read MoreScots Language Awards winners revealed
TIKTOK star Doric Dad and writer Liz Lochhead were among the winners at Saturday night’s Scots Language Awards. Hosted by poet Len Pennie and columnist Alistair Heather, the awards were presented at Dundee’s Gardyne Theatre. Beth Malcolm gave a special rendition of Hermless – an alternative Scottish national anthem – with Lewis and Euan McLaughlin…
Read MoreWigtown Book Festival welcomes fiddlers
MUSICIANS from throughout Dumfries & Galloway joined members of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra (SFO) for a concert yesterday lunchtime at Wigtown Book Festival. Beth Porter of The Bookshop Band was among the fiddlers taking part, along with her baby, Emmy Please. The SFO was co-founded by the late John Mason, who spent much of his…
Read MoreJackie Bird is new National Trust for Scotland president
TELEVISION presenter Jackie Bird was appointed as president of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) on Saturday. Members of the charity approved her appointment at the trust’s annual general meeting (AGM) in Glasgow. David Mitchell, who convened the AGM as deputy chair of the NTS, said: “Jackie Bird is already a committed friend to the…
Read MoreWhat’s up with whisky: A Tale of Two Elchies
Mark Littler returns with his monthly look at the world of whisky auctions. WELCOME back, and welcome to September. This month we come to you with tales of the Elchies as we chat about the split that is appearing in the whisky bottle market. As we begin autumn, there are signs of softening across areas…
Read MoreREVIEW: A Canadian’s first trip to Royal Deeside
Megan Amato visits Ballater on Royal Deeside for the first time. ON THE east side of the Cairngorms National Park, the “Snow Roads” connects two picturesque and now-thriving villages – Ballater and Braemar – but that wasn’t always the case. Like many rural communities, the area best known for being home to Balmoral Castle, the…
Read MoreREVIEW: “The Book of Mormon”
Grant Dickie reviews The Book of Mormon at the Edinburgh Playhouse theatre. THERE’S just something about a night at the theatre. The grand surroundings, the buzz of the crowd as they filter in, and the anticipation of the show to come. And, on the opening night of The Book of Mormon at the Playhouse in…
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