Culture
100 pick-up trucks delivered to Ukraine front line by UK farmers
Scottish charity Pick-ups for Peace has just delivered its 100th truck to help Ukraine in its war efforts against Russia. Felix Petit speaks to co-founder Keith Dawson to find out more about the organisation. As I sit down with Dr Keith Dawson, co-founder of Pick-ups for Peace, he has just returned from Ukraine where…
Read MoreInverclyde butcher crowned best in the UK
It’s an unassuming village on the Clyde estuary best known for its busy ferry terminal to Rothesay and a pretty railway station, newly voted the UK’s most loved station. But now Wemyss Bay has attracted another national title as McCaskie’s Butchers and Café is crowned the best butchers shop in the UK. The popular family…
Read MoreGood vibrations will leave guests buzzing at UK’s first bee therapy retreat
The UK’s first ever ‘bee therapy’ centre is opening in Scotland this summer. Sustainable bee-based therapy, known as apitherapy, is a fast-growing trend in Eastern Europe. And now the first retreat in the UK is set to open on the grounds of Monachyle Mhor Hotel in Crieff, Perthshire. It is thought the scent of honey…
Read MoreWhat’s on: a look at upcoming events
Gaia showing The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society launched its 50th anniversary events programme with the unveiling of Gaia (the Earth) installation by artist Luke Jerram. Gaia – named after the Greek Goddess of Earth – will be open to the public until 24 June at Mackintosh Queen’s Cross, Glagow. Gaia is 2.1 million times smaller…
Read MoreWhisky round-up: Rod Stewart’s new dram, plans for a distillery in Campbeltown, and more
Sir Rod Stewart has launched a new whisky. Wolfie’s Whisky is a blended Scotch whisky that embodies the rockstar reputation as ‘the Cockney Scotsman.’ The spirit pays tribute to his Scottish heritage, with subtle nods to Americana, and was inspired by his early days with the Faces. Distilled on the banks of Loch Lomond by…
Read MoreRestaurant review: Counter at Native
Fiona Bennett heads to Edinburgh’s Counter at Native as it launches a new natural wine and small plates menu, as well as a series of new cultural events, aptly named the Counter Sessions. We walked through Edinburgh’s grey drizzle on a Saturday evening and partially regretted agreeing to go out for the night. The thought…
Read MoreLandscape artist Helen Glassford gets to the heart of slow living in new exhibition
As a landscape artist Helen Glassford is used to noticing the simple beauty of the wild and remote places that inspires her art. With her new solo exhibition opening just days away, Helen now hopes to help her audience cherish the smaller moments too. Helen will launch her newest show landscape paintings ‘Every Waking Moment’…
Read MoreScottish landscape architects win gold at Chelsea Flower Show with stunning garden
Scottish landscape architects Nicola Semple and Susan Begg have won gold at the Chelsea Flower Show after creating a stunning garden inspired by children’s art. The pair’s Elsewhere garden has been sponsored by Teapot Trust, a Scottish children’s charity that uses art therapy to help youngsters suffering from chronic or long-term health conditions. Their design…
Read MoreChef Nick Nairn on rising from the ashes ahead of his pop-up at the Scottish Game Fair
Chef Nick Nairn is a busy man. But the restaurateur, now 64, shows no signs of slowing down. ‘I always thought I would be retired by now but I think I am spinning more plates than ever before’, he said. In 2021 Nick had his annus horribilis. His cook school in Port of Menteith flooded…
Read MoreHistoric 16th century castle goes on the market – and could be yours for less than £1million
A 16th century castle has gone on the market for less than £1million. Towie Barclay Castle, in Auchterless, Aberdeenshire, sits on land which was given to Clan Barclay by Malcolm lll of Scotland in 1136. The castle has been a much-loved family home for more than 50 years after it was bought by the late…
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