News
Artist supports golden eagle project
PRINTMAKER Lisa Hooper has won a competition to create a print that will promote the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project. The Wigtownshire-based artist’s design will be used on a poster and information leaflets. Hooper said: “I don’t normally do commissioned work, but this brief really grabbed me because of the subject matter and the…
Read MoreNTS gardens springing back into action
THE National Trust for Scotland (NTS) is preparing to reopen around 30 of its gardens from 6 July. Culzean Country Park in Ayrshire, Brodie Castle’s garden and estate in Moray, and Crathes Castle’s garden and estate in Aberdeenshire are among the properties that will begin welcoming back guests. The trust’s countryside sites, including St Abb’s…
Read MoreRecord results for Belhaven Hill School
PUPILS at Belhaven Hill School in East Lothian have managed to post record exam results during the coronavirus lockdown. All 28 boys and girls aged 12 to 13 were accepted into their first-choice senior schools in Scotland and England. Headmaster Henry Knight said: “Just shy of 80% of all grades at common entrance are A*,…
Read MoreFace coverings in gondola as Nevis Ranges eyes return
FOOT passengers and cyclists using the mountain gondola at Nevis Range will be asked to wear face coverings when the outdoor activities centre reopens. The site – which attracts 75% of its visitors between May and September for walks, mountain bike rides and other outdoor activities – expects to welcome visitors back from 15 July.…
Read MoreWork resumes on two iconic Skye tourist sites
VISITORS will be able to enjoy greater access to two of Skye’s iconic sites – once movement restrictions ease – after a pair of maintenance projects got underway again. McGowan, the principal contractor for repairs to 600 metres of footpath at the Old Man of Storr, has been putting stones into bags to be airlifted…
Read MoreAppointment-only for Laings reopening
JEWELLERY chain Laings is to reopen its shops in Edinburgh and Glasgow on 30 June, with customers booking appointments. Its Southampton store is already trading again and its Cardiff site will also follow suit on 30 June. The branches will be open from 10am to 4pm from Tuesdays through to Saturdays. Retail director Stuart McDowell…
Read MoreLorne sausage crisps go global
SCOTLAND’S humble square sausage is poised to gain new fans around the world after a deal was signed to sell Lorne-flavoured crisps over the internet. Mackie’s immortalised the Lorne sausage in a limited-edition crisp flavour that went on sale in Scotmid’s shops earlier this month. Now, a fresh deal with online retailer British Corner Shop…
Read MoreVisitors return to Scotland’s four royal botanic gardens
DETAILS of the reopening of Scotland’s four royal botanic gardens will be unveiled on Wednesday, including how to pre-book tickets to enter the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. All four gardens – at Benmore in Argyll, Dawyck in the Borders, Edinburgh, and Logan in Galloway – will reopen on 1 July. Visitors will need to book…
Read MoreAlexander McCall Smith song raises cash for Covid research
WORDS by Alexander McCall Smith have been set to music to raise money for the University of Oxford’s research into coronavirus treatments. Hand of Hope was arranged by Piers Schmidt and Nigel Short, founder of the Tenebrae choir, members of which recorded their contributions remotely during lockdown. The lyrics were set to Gustav Holt’s tune…
Read MoreAberfeldy distillery names new manager
A JOURNEY that began with a summer job in a whisky shop in Inverness has led John MacKenzie to become the manager of Aberfeldy distillery in Perthshire. MacKenzie, 43, takes over from Carol More after serving as her second-in-command since 2013. He joined Royal Brackla distillery near Nairn in 2006 and passed his general certificate…
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