Tourism firms cry out for help from ministers

Pressure is growing on the Scottish Government to provide further help for tourism businesses – especially in the Highlands – so they can get ready to welcome back visitors. Marc Crothall, chief executive at the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), which represents more than 250 members, has warned that the industry is “on the brink of…

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Furloughed foodies flock to support local food and drink

More than 3,500 people have supported Scottish food and drink businesses by searching for produce in the supportlocal.scot online directory during lockdown, according to the latest figures. Nearly 300 suppliers are promoting their wares through the website, which was created by industry body Scotland Food & Drink. Demand for Scottish produce has risen during the…

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Horse trials will gallop back with ‘special’ 2021 event

Organisers of the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials have promised that 2021’s event will be all the more special after being forced to cancel this summer’s meeting due to the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s event, which had been due to take place on 27-30 August, was cancelled last night. In a joint statement,…

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Fishing set to return

The Scottish Gamekeepers Association has welcomed reports that the Scottish Government is set to ease some restrictions on local area angling when it sets out its framework and timetable for changes to lockdown on Thursday.  

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Digital directory for the North Highlands

A new online platform to help people come together during the coronavirus pandemic has already attracted 10,000 community-spirited North Highlanders. Launched by Inverness-based events and marketing team Planit Scotland, ‘Highland COVID-19’ is a dedicated resource for people across the North Highlands to get free access to online activities, advice and help available right on their…

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Scottish Hospitality for Heroes

Crerar Hotels are to gift 2,000 free ‘nights away’ for NHS staff, care workers and their families in an initiative that will give the company and the public an opportunity to express their gratitude to those who have worked tirelessly throughout the Covid-19 crisis. The ‘Scottish Hospitality for Heroes’ campaign will begin with two key…

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Virtual tasting

Whisky expert Dr Christopher White is to host an online fundraiser to help Leith Spirits continue the essential production of its Covid-19 hand sanitiser. White – who edits Edinburgh Whisky Blog and is an auctioneer at Royal Mile Whisky Auctions – will live stream a tasting of rare drams on May 5th, with all proceeds…

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Saved by their customers

An innovative campaign has seen Dornoch Castle Hotel raise £54,000 in just one week towards the £100,000 crowdfunding target that will save this Highland hotel. Over 200 customers and well-wishers have purchased “pay it forward” vouchers from the hotel, which cost from £50. When the hotel re-opens guests will receive an extra 20% uplift which…

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Time for Tunnocks

Sir Boyd Tunnock’s daughter Karen and son-in-law Fergus Loudon have delivered thousands of teacakes and caramel wafers to frontline medical and construction staff at the new NHS Louisa Jordan hospital, at Glasgow’s SEC Campus. The 87-year-old owner of one of Scotland’s most iconic companies is isolating at his home near the company’s Uddingston headquarters, which…

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Chicken wings its way to charities

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has donated 1.4 tonnes of chicken to Scottish food banks, school breakfast clubs and homeless shelters. The meat, which included 600kg of whole chicken, 250kg of chicken legs and 615kg of chicken breasts, was donated by SRUC from its carcass evaluation unit on the Auchincruive Estate in South Ayrshire. The chicken…

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