‘Dàna: Scotland’s Wild Side’ returns to BBC Alba

ADVENTURER Coinneach Rankin returns to BBC Alba tonight for a second series of “Dàna: Scotland’s Wild Side”. The rock climber and runner will climb some of Scotland’s most dramatic mountains during the four-part series. Beginning on the uninhabited island of Mingulay in the Outer Hebrides, Rankin will be joined by fellow climber Nicky Brierley. In…

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Buglife Scotland launches ‘Guardians of our Rivers’

INSECT charity Buglife Scotland has unveiled its “Guardians of our Rivers” project to monitor life in Scotland’s burns. Members of the public will be trained to spot the creatures living in Scottish streams. Their surveys will help to monitor the health of our nation’s waterways. Community groups, schools, and individuals are being recruited to take…

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Schools news round-up: Glenalmond, Belhaven Hill, and more

Peter Ranscombe rounds-up the latest news from Scotland’s schools. GLENALMOND College in Perthshire has unveiled a countryside management course accredited by the Business & Technology Education Council (BTEC). The school is the first in Scotland to offer the BTEC qualification, which could lead to jobs in farming, land management, or surveying. As well as gaining…

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Whisky round-up: Halloween special

Peter Ranscombe takes a light-hearted look at how Scotland’s whisky industry is preparing for Halloween and beyond. THE Scotch Malt Whisky Society is holding its first Halloween party on Thursday at its bar on Edinburgh’s Queen Street. A clairvoyant and a tarot card reader will take up residence in the first floor library, while black…

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Tobermory Book Festival sets sail on Friday

BROADCASTER Sally Magnusson tops the bill at this year’s Tobermory Book Festival, which begins on Friday on Mull. Food and travel writer Ghillie Basan – who shared recipes in February’s Scottish Field magazine – will host a dinner on the opening night. Fellow foodies Ailidh Forlan and Sally MacColl will also discuss their work over…

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Royal National Mòd ends with massed choir

A MASSED choir brought the Royal National Mòd to an end on Saturday in Perth. The mòd’s flag was handed over the Paisley, which will host next year’s cultural gathering. Around 2,100 people took part in 200 competitions over the nine-day festival, which was held at 14 venues in the Fair City. Contestants came from…

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Get a sneaky peek at the new look for Edinburgh’s Tigerlily…

EDINBURGH’S Tigerlily bar and restaurant reopens tonight after being redecorated. Innes Bolt, managing director of owner Montpeliers described the refit as “the biggest change in 16 years” at the George Street venue. The outlet opened in 2006 and had its last refurbishment in 2015. Designer Jim Hamilton – who created Tigerlily’s original look and was…

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‘Forest Floor’ by Fergus McCreadie named as top album

PIANIST Fergus McCreadie won the Scottish album of the year (SAY) title last night for “Forest Floor”. McCreadie, who was also shortlisted for a Mercury Prize this year, was unable to attend the ceremony at The Albert Halls in Stirling. The award was collected on his behalf by Seonaid Aitken. It was third time lucky…

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Scots take gold at British Farming Awards

SCOTTISH farmers and rural businesses won some of the biggest prizes at last night’s British Farming Awards. More than 800 farmers and their advisors gathered at The Vox venue in Birmingham for a ceremony hosted by television presenter Patrick Kielty. Emma Gray and Ewan Irvine took gold in both the “small or medium diversification of…

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Scotland gets ready for Halloween

There’s hubble, bubble, toil, and trouble ahead of Halloween, as Peter Ranscombe discovers. SCOTLAND is preparing to mark Halloween in a wide variety of ways. The Witchery restaurant in Edinburgh has rolled out its annual display of decorative pumpkins. The up-market eatery beside the castle has also unveiled its autumn menu. Highlights include: Findlay’s of…

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