News
The Farmer’s Son lands Selfridges deal
THE Farmer’s Son, the Fife-based haggis and black pudding maker, has secured a deal to supply Selfridges department store in London. The company, which uses 100-year-old family recipes for its products, was founded by Pete Mitchell and his family. “I am delighted that Selfridges London has chosen to stock our award-winning products,” said Mitchell. “This…
Read MoreEqui’s opens bigger ice cream factory
ICE cream maker Equi’s marked its centenary by flitting from Hamilton to its new factory in Rutherglen. The £1.7 million facility was opened in time for Christmas. Managing director David Equi said: “When my grandfather, Pietro, immigrated to Scotland from Tuscany in Italy he started the small independent café that we know today as Equi’s…
Read MoreBlackcaps pick UK over Mediterranean for winter
SOME Scots might be heading to the Mediterranean for its winter sunshine, but more and more blackcaps are doing the opposite. Historically, blackcaps have bred in the UK and then returned to the Mediterranean during the winter. Now, scientists have discovered that a growing number of the robin-sized birds are not only staying in the…
Read MoreFamous farming faces sing ‘Silent Night’
A HOST of famous farming faces have recorded a version of Christmas favourite “Silent Night” to raise spirits this winter. Organisers from the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI) wanted to raise awareness of the potential for loneliness within the Scottish agricultural community. Recording the carol is part of the RSABI’s #KeepTalking campaign to encourage…
Read MorePanto dame hits 1,000-show milestone
PANTO dame Alan McHugh notched up his 1,000th performance last week at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen. Having started performing at the Granite City theatre in Snow White in 2004, McHugh has notched up 19 years of shows. The popular star was given a surprise presentation on stage at the end of the evening performance…
Read MoreEngine Yard supports Edinburgh food bank
HOUSEBUILDER Places for People held an event next to its Engine Yard development in Edinburgh to raise money for one of the city’s food banks. Residents, staff, and contractors at the housing development gave £200, with a further £2,500-worth of food being donated. Grace Church hosted the event, which included stalls and a Christmas jumper…
Read MoreDynamic Earth: Have yourself a ‘marine’ little Christmas
EDINBURGH’S Dynamic Earth has unveiled details of its programme for Christmas and Hogmanay – and it has a distinct nautical theme. The centre is running “All Hands-On Deck” family drop-in sessions to teach visitors about Scotland’s seas. Workshops on offer include the chance for families to build their own boats, and “coral crafting” to teach…
Read MoreSchools news round-up: Trees, music, and more
Peter Ranscombe calls the register as he rounds-up news from Scotland’s schools. Quiet at the back. BELHAVEN Hill School in East Lothian has planted a forest full of native species to celebrate the school’s sentenary and to join the “Queen’s Green Canopy” initiative. “The native saplings were locally sourced from Cheviot Trees, and consist of…
Read MorePanto cast visits hospital
THE panto cast from the His Majesty’s Theatre visited the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital yesterday. It’s the first time the performers have been able to visit the hospital since 2019. The annual tradition of the panto cast visiting the hospital began more than 15 years ago. Lynne Brooks, partnership manager at The Archie Foundation, a…
Read MoreAberdeen university backs Jacob’s Ladder bid
THE University of Aberdeen’s Elphinstone Institute is backing a community group’s bid to restore an historic staircase known as Jacob’s Ladder. The Friends of Jacob’s Ladder & Riverside Walk want to restore the steps, which were opened more than 100 years ago to help workers get to Grandholm Mills. The staircase has been closed due…
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