News
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,…
Read MorePerthshire 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…
Read MoreScottish 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…
Read MoreGreat 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…
Read MoreAlexander 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…
Read MoreGlencairn marks 20th birthday with coloured glasses
GLENCAIRN Crystal Studio is marking the 20th anniversary of its eponymous glass by launching a range of colours. The family-owned company released a limited edition black Glencairn glass last year and has now added blue, gold, green and red glasses to its line-up. The five colours are going on sale individually and as a six-pack…
Read MoreScotland’s forgotten Viking traveller
GAELIC television channel BBC Alba will show a new documentary tomorrow night that explores the tale of a little-known Viking with strong Scottish links. Gudridur Thorbjarnardottir, the granddaughter of a slave in Scotland, was known as “The Far Traveller” and is described by the programme’s makers as “the most adventurous explorer of the Middle Ages”.…
Read MoreScotland’s first drive-through apple harvest
THE National Trust for Scotland’s Pitmedden Garden near Ellon held what’s been heralded as the nation’s first drive-through apple harvest at the weekend. Around 400 kilograms of apples and pears were sold to guests in 112 cars. Monique Lanz, visitor services supervisor at Pimedden Garden, said: “Our apple day is the most popular event in…
Read MoreBalmoral brings ‘extended reality’ to meetings
THE Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh has created an “extended reality studio” to help businesses and organisations hold meetings. The virtual events space will allow delegates in the room to connect to others in remote locations. The facility includes a 16-foot by eight-foot stage with a screen as the backdrop, along with two television screens, stage…
Read MoreMum’s curry mix aims to ‘spice up your life’
SPICE mixes developed by a mum in East Lothian are going on sale at more than 1,000 Aldi branches across the UK on Sunday – just in time for national curry week. Melanie Auld fell in love with spices and curries while working and travelling in Indian in 1993. A decade later, while living in…
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