Johnnie Walker unveils paper whisky bottle

THE world’s biggest Scotch whisky brand will go on sale in paper bottles from next year. Johnnie Walker has unveiled what it bills as the world’s first plastic-free, paper-based spirits bottle. The bottle is made from sustainable-sourced wood and can be recycled after it’s been used. Ewan Andrew, chief sustainability officer at Diageo, the company…

Read More

Edinburgh, Stirling and Urquhart castles to reopen

HISTORIC Environment Scotland (HES) has unveiled plans to reopen Edinburgh, Stirling and Urquhart castles on 1 August, while Blair Castle will hold a family fun day this Saturday. The three HES castles will be the first of its ticketed sites to reopen. A further 23 venues – including Fort George, Glasgow Cathedral, Skara Brae, and…

Read More

Glasgow Distillery expands exports after bank deal

THE Glasgow Distillery Company has borrowed £5.5 million from Barclays to help grow its overseas sales. The distillery will lay down more spirit to turn into whisky after signing a deal to sell drinks to Russia. Distribution deals covering Belgium and Luxembourg are also being developed. Europe is already the firm’s biggest overseas market, with…

Read More

Scottish Opera’s emerging artists’ online recital

FOUR young singers will perform an online recital to mark the end of their season as Scottish Opera’s emerging artists. Arthur Bruce, Charlie Drummond, Heather Ireson and Mark Nathan have put together a short, light-hearted programme of operatic highlights, which will be streamed live at 6pm on 23 July. The season marks the tenth anniversary…

Read More

UK’s biggest e-bike shop to open in Edinburgh

THE Electric Cycle Company (ECC) has unveiled plans to open the UK’s biggest e-bike shop in Edinburgh. The firm has launched a £70,000 crowdfunding campaign to raise the cash it needs to convert its 4,000 square-foot premises on Crewe Road North, which will be four times larger than its previous shop on Granton Road. The new…

Read More

Threatened plants and wildlife get £1.8m

SIXTEEN projects to save Scotland’s wildlife an plants have been awarded £1.8 million from the Scottish Government’s Biodiversity Challenge Fund. Schemes receiving cash include Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust’s Endrick Legacy Project, which was awarded nearly £100,000 to tackle a wide range of highly-destructive invasive species, including Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed, American mink and American signal…

Read More

Actor embarks on epic 1000-mile horse-ride for charity

For all its trials, lockdown has been a time of reflection. Some of us have returned to the simple pleasures of an old hobby, others have reconnected with distant relatives, while stopping to smell the roses on daily walks has proved invaluable for others. But for Edinburgh-born actor and riding instructor Louis Hall, who has…

Read More

Scots prepare to head outdoors as lockdown eases

SCOTLAND’S hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses are gearing up to welcome back guests as lockdown measures continue to ease. CCW, which runs outdoor stores in Callander, Glasgow and St Andrews, is offering customers a 20% discount, which it’s encouraging them to spend in other local businesses. The company, which was launched in 1985 by husband-and-wife…

Read More

Scottish ships throw down the gangplank

SCOTLAND’S ships are getting ready to welcome guests back on board – both at the dockside and on the high seas. Fingal, the former lighthouse tender that was turned into a luxury floating hotel, will reopen at its berth in Leith docks on 22 July. The ship will offer overnight stays, afternoon tea and dinner.…

Read More

Aboyne Highland Games stages online piping contest

THREE of the piping competitions held by Aboyne Highland Games will shift online this summer. The open competitions for the piobaireachd, march, and strathspey and reel categories will be held virtually on 1 August. Two-thirds of the 32 competitors come from the UK, with the remainder from North America. Recordings of their performances will be…

Read More