More wildlife spotted on Invercauld Estate

GAMEKEEPERS at Invercauld Estate on Royal Deeside have spotted more nesting birds from a wider range of species during their latest wildlife surveys. In total, 1,117 breeding pairs of endangered birds were identified during the three-month study, up 16% on last year’s results. Thirty-seven species were recorded nesting on the estate, including curlew, dotterel, and…

Read More

Wigtown Book Festival reveals line-up

WIGTOWN Book Festival has unveiled its online programme, which includes the world premier of author Alexander McCall Smith’s Ninian’s Gift song cycle Other highlights across the ten-day virtual festival include Alastair Campbell, Maggie O’Farrell, and Andrew Marr. More than 80 guests will take part in the festival, which aims to promote local businesses affected by…

Read More

Trust launches footpath etiquette guide

THE National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has introduced a footpath etiquette guide to help slow down the spread of the coronavirus without eroding the edges of tracks. The conservation charity has also launched a footpath fund to raise money for repairs. More than 250 miles of paths in upland areas are maintained by the NTS.…

Read More

Fairlie protégé becomes head chef

CHEF Lorna McNee, protégé of the late two Michelin starred chef Andrew Fairlie and Great British Menu’s “Champion of Champions” 2019, has taken up her first head chef role at Glasgow’s Cail Bruich restaurant. Chris Charalambous, co-owner of the three AA rosette restaurant, is stepping away from the kitchen for the first time since it…

Read More

Scottish Opera’s outdoor performances begin

GREENOCK plays host to Scottish Opera this afternoon as its series of autumn pop-up operas begins. The programme shifts to East Lothian on Sunday, followed by Ayr, Stirling, Easterhouse, Glasgow, Inverness, Dundee, Edinburgh and St Andrews during the rest of the month. This season’s pop-up operas feature extracts from The Gondoliers and Don Giovanni, along with The…

Read More

Fishmonger lands Crieff Hydro’s hotels contract

A FISHMONGER from Perth has netted a contract to supply seafood to all seven of the hotels run by Crieff Hydro. Perth-based George Campbell & Sons, which was founded in 1872, is still owned by the Campbell family. Managing director Iain Campbell said: “It is a proud milestone for us to work alongside another longstanding…

Read More

Internet stars Olive and Mabel help Sense Scotland

THE undisputed stars of lockdown, Olive and Mabel, have signed up to raise money for disability support charity Sense Scotland. The dogs – which rose to fame on Youtube when they featured in videos posted by owner and BBC sports broacaster Andrew Cotter – will take part in the charity’s “Paws for Sense Scotland” fundraising…

Read More

Carvers ‘log on’ for online chainsaw contest

SCOTLAND’S annual open chainsaw carving competiton, “Carve Carrbridge”, is heading online tomorrow. Ten carvers are competing for the “Claymore Trophy”, including: local artist and long-standing competitor Alice Buttress; last year’s winner, Michael Tamoszus from Germany; and 2019 best new entrant Mario Marino from Spain. Each has been filmed using time-lapse cameras, with footage being uploaded…

Read More

Cowal’s Virtual Gathering attracts global audience

HIGHLIGHTS from last weekend’s Cowal Highland Gathering have been released as online videos. Cowal’s Virtual Gathering brought fans from around the world together for three days of online fellowship. Former world Highland dancing champions joined gathering officials to talk about their Cowal memories, including Sheena MacDonald, who was the world juvenile Highland dancing champion in…

Read More

Hillwalkers asked to check deer stalking website

WALKERS are being reminded to check deer stalking information online before heading into the hills. NatureScot, the Scottish Government agency previously known as Scottish Natural Heritage, said deer stalking was entering the busiest part of its season. The agency runs the “Heading for the Scottish Hills” website, which provides details of deer stalking on estates…

Read More