Posts by Peter Ranscombe
Tourism bookings hit by cost-of-living crisis
HALF of Scottish tourism businesses are reporting fewer bookings and lower spending by customers, according to a new surey. The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) found 50% of members have fewer bookings between June and August this year than during the same period in 2019. The same proportion reported a fall in consumer spending this year…
Read MorePennan wants to hear from its ‘local heroes’
RESIDENTS and visitors are being asked for their views on the future of Pennan, the Aberdeenshire village made famous by the film Local Hero. Aberdeenshire Council wants to know the public’s opinion on its draft conservation area appraisal and management plan. The documents will guide property owners and developers on how their planning applications will…
Read MoreRoyal Highland Show sells out two days
THE Royal Highland Show has sold all its tickets for Friday and Saturday. The show, which begins on Thursday, is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. It will be the first time crowds have been allowed to attend the show at Ingliston on the edge of Edinburgh since 2019 due to the pandemic. Director operations…
Read More‘Estates that Educate’ boosts rural skills
NEARLY 800 children are learning about living and working in the countryside as part of the “Estates that Educate” programme. Primary and secondary school pupils in the Angus Glens, Grampian, the Southern Uplands, Speyside, Strathdearn, and Tayside are receiving five consecutive weeks of moorland education. Topics covered include deer management, cooking game, renewable energy, and…
Read MoreWhat’s On This Weekend: Jazz, boats, and more
An eclectic look at what’s on this weekend around Scotland, with Peter Ranscombe. LOCAL talent is under the spotlight this weekend at the Glasgow Jazz Festival. “With Love from Glasgow”, a festival within a festival, takes place at Òran Mór on Sunday. DJ and producer Rebecca Vasmant, who curated the line-up, said: “Glasgow is such…
Read MoreA Week in Whisky: Inverness, The Cairn, and more
Peter Ranscombe ponders another week in whisky with a smile and a wink… NEWS this week of the National Whisky Festival of Scotland reaching the Highlands for the first time. The event will roll into Eden Court in Inverness on 2 July. “Geographically, Inverness is ideally situated for the National Whisky Festival of Scotland, sitting…
Read MoreIndependent Bookshop Week has begun
SITES across Scotland are marking Independent Bookshop Week. Following two years of online and hybrid events, many bookshops are holding in-person events. The line-up at the Book Nook in Stewarton includes Jacquelyn Armour, Lorraine Johnston, and Lindsay Littleson. John Barr will talk about his book, 20th Century Japan in 20 Buildings, at the Royal Incorporation…
Read MoreThe Week in Pictures: Outlander, robots, and more
Which pictures have caught the eye of Scottish Field’s team this week? Peter Ranscombe takes a light-hearted flick through photos of Outlander, robots, and more. DOUNE Castle, one of the stars of the Outlander television series, has reopened to the public. Access was restricted at the castle last year, so that Historic Environment Scotland could…
Read MoreSir Jackie Stewart Classic revs up
THE Sir Jackie Stewart takes place this weekend, with the man himself taking to the driver’s seat once more. The three-time Formula One world champion will drive his 1969 Matra MS-80 02 F1 car in Scotland for the very first time during the event at Thirlestane Castle near Lauder. The event is being held in…
Read MoreCairngorms features in new podcast series
PEOPLE in the Cairngorms are the stars of a new series of podcasts. Cairngorms Characters explores the lives of the people who live and work in the mountain range. Produced by VisitCairngorms and the Cairngorms National Park Authority, the four-part series was made by podcasting company The Big Light. Broadcaster Cameron Angus Mackay guides listeners…
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