Posts by Peter Ranscombe
Scottish hostels star in new film
A NEW film is shining a light on the people who run Scotland’s hostels. Trade body Scottish Hostels commissioned Edinburgh-based filmaker Markus Stitz to make the programme, which features Ballater Hostel, Great Glen Hostel in Spean Bridge, The Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse on Skye, Oban Backpackers, and Coll Bunkhouse. The film aims to highlight the social…
Read MoreFrankenstein’s Scottish links explored in TV show
FRANKENSTEIN’S Scottish links are being explored in a new television programme. Sàr-sgeòil: Frankenstein – produced by Caledonia TV for BBC Alba – examines the origins of Mary Shelley’s novel. Broadcaster Cathy MacDonald visits Dundee to find out more about Shelley’s time in the city. In the introduction to the 1831 edition of her book, Shelley…
Read MoreNew Releases: Whisky meets art
Peter Ranscombe rounds-up the latest releases from Scotland’s whisky distilleries. ART is meeting whisky in the latest release from The Macallan. The Speyside distillery has teamed up with legendary violinist Nicola Benedetti to examine “the parallels between sound, aroma, flavour, and colour” in its 2022 rare cask release. “The smell of oak transports me back…
Read MoreGuy Grieve shares adventures at Game Fair
SCOTTISH FIELD columnist Guy Grieve will be sharing stories from his adventures at next month’s Scottish Game Fair. Grieve will take to the stage in the Hive tent at 6pm on Saturday 2 July to tell tales from his journeys through the wilderness and across the seas. He will also be in conversation at 10.30am…
Read MoreRoyal Highland Show toasts gin, beer, and PJs launch
THE Royal Highland Show has released a gin to celebrate its 200th anniversary, alongside a beer partnership, and merchandise – including a pair of pyjamas. The gin was made for the show by Moray Distillery in Elgin, which launched its Avva gin in 2016. A bespoke recipe was created using 12 botanicals – including dandelion,…
Read MoreGlasgow votes for more local nature reserves
COUNCILLORS in Glasgow are to create more local nature reserves (LNRs) and extend some existing sites. A total of 22 open spaces are poised to be designated as LNRs or have their boundaries extended. Glasgow currently has 12 LNRs, which together cover 522 hectares. The vote by the local council’s city administration committee will add…
Read MoreGalloway Hoard Viking treasures break visitor record
THE Galloway Hoard, one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the century, has brought more than 30,000 visitors to Kirkcudbright. The ancient artefacts, which were buried around AD900, were discovered by a metal detectorist in South-West Scotland. The artefacts meant Kirkcudbright Galleries had its largest amount of visitors since opening in 2018. The pieces…
Read MoreDiana Gabaldon to get honorary degree
OUTLANDER author Diana Gabaldon will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Glasgow this summer. Gabaldon will become an honorary doctor of letters (DLitt) alongside human rights activist Sir Geoff Palmer and National Theatre of Scotland artistic director Jackie Wylie. Other honorary graduates this year will include Mary Robinson, who served as Ireland’s first…
Read MoreScone Palace celebrates first garden fair
NEARLY 4,000 people flocked to Scone Palace near Perth for the venue’s first garden fair as it aims to become “the home of Scottish horticulture”. A total of 32 exhibitors from Scotland and the North of England met visitors at the event. Brian Cunningham, head gardener at Scone Palace and one of the BBC Beechgrove…
Read MoreCairngorms wants to bring back ‘lost’ beavers
THE Cairngorms National Park Authority is to lead an application to reintroduce beavers to the area. The park’s board voted to take the lead in the process, while working with other public bodies, charities, landowners, and residents. Sarah Henshall, head of conservation at the authority, said: “We will be doing work around supporting land managers…
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