Posts by Peter Ranscombe
Galloway Country Fair: performing pigs and leaping sheep
THE Galloway Country Fair will include “performing pigs, fence leaping sheep, beautiful birds of prey, and dogs of all kinds”, according to its organisers. Events planned for 20 and 21 August at Drumlanrig Castle include the “Lamb National”, which involves a small flock of Herdwick sheep – complete with teddy bear jockeys, with names such…
Read MoreSunscreen, shade, and sunset walkies
VETS are advising owners to stick to “sunscreen, shade, and sunset walkies” during the heatwave. Owners are advised not to take their dogs for a walk during the day. Unlike humans, dogs can’t sweat, and are vulnerable to over-heating. Flat-faced breeds – such as English or French bulldogs and pugs – are at even greater…
Read MoreTanya Gohil of My Million Pound Menu launches dinner
THE star of BBC Two’s My Million Pound Menu, Tanya Gohil, is launching a dinner service at her Silk Road Deli in Shawlands. The deli will open for dinner on Fridays from next week, as it marks its first anniversary. Gohil said: “Our evening dinner service is the perfect extension to our already successful lunchtime…
Read MoreReview: Cockburns of Leith – new Edinburgh wine shop
In his debut post, Scottish Field’s new drinks blogger, James Robertson, visits the new Cockburns of Leith wine shop in Edinburgh. WITH wine consumers increasingly used to buying online following long periods of being cooped up at home during the pandemic, it is wonderful to see an independent wine shop opening its doors in the…
Read MoreSea pool aims to put Arbroath back on the map
PLANS for a sea pool aim to promote Arbroath as a holiday destination once more. The Angus town hosted vast numbers of visitors from the Central Belt for their summer holidays between the 1930s and 1960s, including comedian Billy Connolly. Yet the popularity of foreign package holidays dented the popularity of many seaside resorts, including…
Read MoreEmma Thompson and Tilda Swinton share ‘soil stories’
ACTRESSES Emma Thompson and Tilda Swinton are among the well-kent voices that have recorded stories, poems, and songs for a new outdoor exhibition at Scotland’s four royal botanic gardens. “Of Scotland’s Soils and Soul” – which opens today in Benmore, Dawyck, Edinburgh, and Logan – shares 100 stories next to the plants that inspired them.…
Read MoreSeal tries to hide from killer whales in Shetland mussel farm
A HARBOUR seal that tried to hide from killer whales in a Shetland mussel farm has become part of scientific research. Drone operator Nick McCaffrey filmed the seal hiding from the orcas at the Grunna Voe mussel farm north of Shetland back in March. His video was studied by Emily Hague, who is studying for…
Read MoreBird flu task force set up
NATURESCOT, the public body previously known as Scottish Natural Heritage, is setting up a task force to help tackle the bird flu outbreak. Scores of dead seabirds are washing up on Scotland’s shores following a surge in cases of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. The task force will include conservationists, researchers, civil servants, and…
Read MoreVincent van Gogh portrait found in Scotland by x-rays
A SELF-PORTRAIT by Vincent van Gogh has been discovered in Scotland using x-rays. Conservators scanned the artist’s 1885 painting, Head of a Peasant Woman, ahead of it going on show at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh on 30 July. They found a hidden self-portrait by the painter on the other side of the canvas,…
Read MoreGlenalmond prepares to welcome Ukraine pupil
GLENALMOND College is Perthshire is preparing to welcome a pupil from Ukraine thanks to a new scholarship fund. The W M Mann Foundation, established by the parent of pupils at Glenalmond, has provided the majority of the £100,000 funding for her place, alongside donations from other parents and sponsors. Bruce Mann, chair of the foundation,…
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