Posts by Peter Ranscombe
Have you seen a spotted flycatcher?
THE spotted flycatcher is one of six species of migratory birds returning home to Scotland right now – and scientists need your help if you spot one. Researchers at the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) are fitting spotted flycatchers with tags so that they can track their flights between Scotland and Africa. Monitoring the birds…
Read MoreUkraine fundraising efforts around Scotland
COMMUNITIES throughout Scotland are continuing to raise funds for people affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In Fraserburgh, a concert held last Saturday raised more than £4,000. The concert, held at Fraserburgh South Church, was organised by Gareth John, conductor of Aberdeen City Orchestra, and featured solo soprano Amy Strachan. Pupils from nearby St Andrews…
Read MoreBeer festivals name their dates
SCOTLAND is preparing for a summer of beer festivals, with events unveiled in Edinburgh and Glasgow. First up is Holyrood Distillery, which will hold the capital’s first three-day beer and whisky festival, “The Mash Up”, on 3-5 June. Breweries signed up for the event include Barney’s, Bellfield, Campervan, Cold Town, Cross Borders, Newbarns, Other World,…
Read MorePlatinum jubilee display unveiled for Holyroodhouse
JEWELS from the Queen’s personal collection will be displayed this summer at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh as part of the platinum jubilee celebrations. Visitors will see a display of outfits worn by the Queen to celebrate her silver, golden, and diamond jubilees. The exhibition opens on 3 July and runs until 25 September.…
Read MoreA week in whisky: Friday the 13th special
Peter Ranscombe returns with his light-hearted weekly round-up of what’s happening with whisky – and his first column has a distinctly supernatural feel to it… IT’S not quite Halloween, but “Friday the Thirteenth” has come to have something of a creepy feel to it. Superstition – the irrational fear, not the Steevie Wonder classic –…
Read MoreGlen Moray whiskies paired with Coco chocolates
Glen Moray whiskies’ rich texture allows them to pair perfectly with Coco’s chocolates, writes Peter Ranscombe. LET me start with a confession – I’ve been crushing on Glen Moray whiskies all spring. I was given two samples back in January, and one of them has fast become my house whisky. There’s something visceral about the…
Read MoreJohn Sentamu opens Christian Aid 50th book sale
CHRISTIAN Aid welcomed former archbishop of York John Sentamu to Edinburgh on Saturday to open its 50th book sale. Scotland’s biggest charity book sale is hosted at St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church of Scotland on the capital’s George Street. The event has raised more than £1 million for the international development charity during…
Read MoreStrathallan student lands offer from NYU
STRATHALLAN School pupil Thandi Seronga has been offered a place to read liberal studies at New York University. The 17 year old from Tanzania, who joined Strathallan’s sixth form two years ago, said she was thrilled when she got the offer. “It’s really quite amazing,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it when I got the…
Read MoreUHI Inverness art students’ showcase begins tomorrow
ART students at the University of the Highlands & Islands (UHI) Inverness College will see their work go on show to the public tomorrow. Isla Jacobs and Jemima MacDonald have each been with the college for seven years. They joined on an access art programme and progressed all the way through to their bachelor’s degrees…
Read MorePetroc Trelawny listeners go from Black Isle to Mull
PRESENTER Petroc Trelawny will take his BBC Radio 3 breakfast show listeners on an auditory journey next month from the Black Isle to Mull. The programme’s coast-to-cast journey begins on Monday 6 June in Cromarty before heading down the Great Glen to finish at Fionnphort on Friday 10 June. Along the way, Trelawny will play…
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