‘Smart village’ needs young people

THE world’s first “smart village” for young people is on the hunt for digital champions aged 18 to 28 from across Angus, the Borders, Lanarkshire, the Outer Hebrides, and rural Perth and Kinross. A total of 12 digital champions will work with Scotland’s Rural Youth Project to help develop a pioneering “smart village” centred on…

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Independent schools of the year named

TWO Scottish institutions have won prizes at the 2020 Independent Schools of the Year Awards. Strathallan School in Perthshire was crowned as the independent school of the year for international student experience, while George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh was named as the independent pre-prep school of the year. Mark Lauder, Strathallan’s headmaster, said: “We are…

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Speyside farm lands Harvey Nics deal

WOOL throws made by a farm and woolmill in Speyside are going on sale in department store chain Harvey Nichols’ Edinburgh and London branches. Dalrachie Farm, which rears cattle and sheep in Ballindalloch, is run by Alan and Sarah-Jane Forbes, who sell wool clipped from their flock of 350 North Country Hill Cheviot ewes to…

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V&A creates the ‘Dundee Raincoat’

THE Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum’s Dundee branch has teamed up with designer Kerrie Alexander and textile firm Halley Stevensons to create the “Dundee Raincoat”. The design museum hailed the unisex garment as its first limited-edition fashion collaboration. Designed and hand produced by independent fashion label KerrieALDO, the raincoat is made using waterproof waxed cotton,…

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Finalists unveiled for Scots Language Awards

VOTING has opened in the finals of the Scots Language Awards 2020. Celebrations will begin on Friday 23 October with an online evening performance by the Iona Fyffe Trio, with Fyffe herself nominated in the Scots performer of the year category. A wee gaitherin will be held from 11am to 5pm the following day, with…

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How to enjoy Scotland’s restaurants – at home

SCOTLAND’S restaurants are switching back to deliveries, takeaways and other at-home options in the face of the latest coronavirus restrictions. Chef Paul Wedgwood, who runs his eponymous restaurant in Edinburgh, said: “I was gearing up for further restrictions to be announced, however a full closure has taken me by surprise. “We will still be operating…

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Complex picture for Scots’ butterflies

WARM summers are the likely cause of an increase in Scotland’s butterfly population – but there’s a mix picture across its species. The latest Scottish Biodiversity Indicator published by NatureScot, the rebranded Scottish Natural Heritage, showed some species are moving northwards as our climate changes, including the small skipper, Essex skipper and white-letter hairstreak. The…

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Rugby referee helps farmers to ‘go green’

RUGBY referee Nigel Owens has teamed up with Barclays Bank to help farmers cut their carbon dioxide emissions. Owens, who farms cattle at Pontyberem in Wales, is the face of a campaign by the bank to lend £250 million to farmers to help them buy or lease equipment. The ” Sustainability Through Agri-Tech” loans aim…

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Funding for Highland Wildlife Park’s new centre

THE Highland Wildlife Park has moved a step closer to replacing its visitors’ centre after being awarded £1 million of funding by Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE). The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which runs the park and Edinburgh Zoo, wants to build “Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre” on the site near Kincraig, with an exhibition…

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Cambo Gardens unveils outdoor events programme

EIGHT “makers’ market weekends” are being held at Cambo Gardens in Fife over the autumn and winter to promote local food, crafts and gifts. This weekend features an “autumn plant and produce market”, showcasing the gardens’ plants, fruits and vegetables. Five “wood-fired feasts” will also be held on Saturdays and a Sunday during October and…

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