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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 MoreCarvers ‘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 MoreCowal’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 MoreHillwalkers 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 MoreForbes gives Balmoral five-star rating
THE Balmoral has become the first hotel in Scotland to receive a five-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide. It’s the first time that the Edinburgh hotel has made it onto the list, which was released early to encourage bookings for next year. Richard Cooke, general manager at The Balmoral, said: “Forbes Travel Guide is undoubtedly…
Read MoreHighland Game sells ‘restaurant quality’ venison fillet in Tesco
MEAT supplier Highland Game is marking today’s “Eat Venison Day” with a new deal to supply wild venison fillets to supermarket chain Tesco. Venison sales are estimated to be worth £14.4 million a year in the UK, according to data from market analysis firm Kantar. Research by Kantar and 56 Degrees Insight found that half…
Read MoreSatellite tags reveal tiny Shetland birds’ journeys
BRITAIN’S smallest seabird spends more time around the coast of Shetland than was previously known, according to new research. Satellite tags were attached to storm petrels on the island of Mousa to study their flights between 2014 and 2017. Each bird weighs between 25 and 30 grams – the equivalent of three pound coins. They…
Read MoreGetting Hitched Asian Style returns
GET set for more colour and vibrancy as Getting Hitched Asian Style returns to the BBC Scotland channel tonight for a second series. The BBC describes the first series as one of its “surprise hits” as viewers followed the adventures of wedding planners at Saffron Events. The new series, which was filmed last year, was…
Read MoreWe all scream for ice cream…
TWO Scottish ice cream companies are bringng a sweet splash of sunshine to the autumn. Mackie’s is going to give one fan a lifetime’s supply of ice cream, while Spar is stocking a further nine flavours made by Equi’s. The winner of Mackie’s “Simple Pleasures” draw will be named on Monday. They will get two-litre…
Read MoreBloody Scotland names McIlvanney Prize finalists
FOUR writers have been shortlisted for The McIlvanney Prize. The winner will be announced on 18 September as part of the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival. This year’s finalists are Andrew James Greig for Whirligig, Francine Toon for Pine, Doug Johnstone for A Dark Matter, and “Ambrose Parry” – husband-and-wife team Chris Brookmyre and…
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