Caithness distillery picks its name

SCOTLAND’S most northerly mainland whisky distillery has revealed its name – “8 Doors Distillery”. Kerry and Derek Campbell, who were granted planning permission last year, expect to open the distillery in John o’Groats next year. It will be the Caithness village’s first distillery since 1837. They are launching two “clubs” – both named after the…

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Edinburgh launches craft beer advent calendar

EIGHT breweries in Edinburgh have joined forces to launch a beer advent calendar. Barney’s, Bellfield, Campervan, Cold Town, Cross Borders, Edinburgh Beer Factory, Pilot, and Stewart Brewing are taking part in the project. Edinburgh illustrator Susie Wright has designed an advent box, which contains 24 cans from the brewers. Ben Wallace, who set up EdinburghBeer.co.uk,…

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Game dishes to mark National Curry Week

THE British Game Alliance has unveiled an online cook-along and a series of recipes to celebrate National Curry Week. Braehead Foods will run the curry night on 26 November as part of Great British Game Week. Fifty participants will receive a link to the Zoom cookery session and a box of ingredients to create a…

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‘Atlas of Scotland’ project sets sail

AN ARTIST who is creating Scotland’s first major atlas in a century has smashed his fundraising target. Andrew Redmond Barr received donations of more than £12,000 within four days of launching his crowdfunding scheme. Barr, whose previous work includes The Illustrated Declaration of Arbroath, said: “Today modern technology may have replaced traditional paper atlases, but…

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‘Whisky Galore!’ bottle bought by maritime museum

A BOTTLE of Scotch salvaged from the ship that inspired Whisky Galore! has been bought by the Scottish Maritime Museum. The unlabeled bottle of blended whisky was salvaged from the SS Politician, which ran aground off the Isle of Eriskay in 1941. George Currie, a diver from Orkney, recovered the bottle from the wreck in…

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Winners of writing awards unveiled

A POET based in Newcastle was last night named as the winner of the £1,500 Wigtown Prize. Anna Woodford, whose work was entitled Portrait of My Grandparents as Souvenirs, said: “My poem is concerned with my family history, specifically my grandfather’s experiences of having to flee wartime Poland to make a new life in Nottingham,…

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Perthshire Adventure launches website

SEVEN adventure tourism businesses in Perthshire have launched a website to attract more visitors to the area. The companies formed the Perthshire Adventure initiative two years ago and have been working together to promote their region. Now, they’ve received backing from business support firm GrowBiz Scotland to reach a wider audience. Sarah Turner, the initiative’s…

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Scottish brands offer ‘Sober October’ serving suggestions

A PAIR of Scottish brands has teamed up to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support during Sober October. Rapscallion Soda and alcohol-free “spirit” maker Feragaia will each donate £1 for each online sale made from Monday until the end of the month. Gregor Leckie, founder of Rapscallion Soda, said: “It’s always been our mission to…

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Great Taste winners – in full

NEARLY 300 Great Taste awards have been presented to Scottish businesses by the Guild of Fine Food. A record 12,777 products were entered into the competition from 106 countries, with 42% of entrants receiving a prize. Products with a coastal theme proved popular, with whisky smoked black garlic sea salt from Hawkhead Whisky Smoked in…

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Alexander McCall Smith shares writing secrets online

AUTHOR and Scottish Field columnist Alexander McCall Smith will lead the second in a series of free online workshops hosted by James MacMillan for The Cumnock Tryst. He will share his literary expertise with 50 participants on 7 October from 7.30pm. “Not ever writer writes in the same way,” he explained. “For some it is…

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