News
‘Airbnb for gardens’ expands after funding
A SERVICE described as “Airbnb for gardens” is poised to expand after securing a £250,000 investment. Conor Gallagher, an architect who trained at Glasgow School of Art, founded his AllotMe platform last year. His service allows gardeners to rent plots throughout the country. The cash – from venture capitalist fund Q Ventures and Belfast-based business…
Read MoreQueen’s birthday honours for Rankin and curlers
THE Queen’s birthday honours list includes a knighthoods for author Ian Rankin and shortbread maker James Walker, as well as awards for our Olympic-winning women’s curling team. The creator of detective John Rebus was made a knight bachelor for his services to literature and charity. A walk around Edinburgh’s literary landmarks with Rankin was the…
Read MoreForth Valley cafés launch reusable cup scheme
FIVE cafés in the Forth Valley have teamed up to launch a reusable cup scheme to cut down on waste. Forth Valley Food & Drink Network will distribute 4,000 free cups to customers. The Station Café in Aberfoyle, St Mocha’s branches in Balmaha and Carbeth, and Brig o’Turk Tearoom and The Broch Café in Strathyre…
Read MoreThe Tartan Blanket Co opens its first shop
ONLINE retailer The Tartan Blanket Co is preparing to open its first shop. The store – on Great Junction Street in Leith – is due to welcome its first customers on 25 June. Husband and wife team Fergus and Emma Macdonald launched their business online in 2014. Emma said: “We are so excited to finally…
Read MoreYoung pipers serenade Ukraine’s football team
THE National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland welcomed the Ukrainian national side to Glasgow this morning ahead of tonight’s World Cup qualifier at Hampden. The young pipers played the Ukrainian national anthem at Kelvingrove art gallery and museum to welcome the team and its supporters to Glasgow. Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s former spin doctor, came…
Read MoreRoyal Conservatoire of Scotland fuses hip-hop with classical
MOZART, Bach, and Beethoven are getting a hip-hop makeover as the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland teams up with the Ensemble Mik Nawooj. They’ve come together to create “The Hip-Hop Orchestra Experience”, which will makes its in-person debut at this summer’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Rapper Young Reshaud and turf dancer Yung Phil will perform on stage…
Read MoreLand with Summer Isles view for sale
LAND at Achiltibuie in Wester Ross with views of the Summer Isles has gone on the market. The former hydroponics site – where crops were grown without soil – has planning permission for four houses, with offices or workshops. The 3.26-acre strip of coast is on sale for offers over £395,000. Emily Watson, property agent…
Read MoreSir Walter Scott Steamship turns to vegetable oil and hydrogen
THE Sir Walter Scott Steamship could soon be running off vegetable oil and hydrogen after securing fresh funding. The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland has awarded the 122-year-old vessel a grant of £130,000. Coupled with ongoing public donations and grants from other bodies, the cash will allow work to begin to replace the boat’s boilers,…
Read MorePlatinum jubilee: Corgis, cakes, and cruises
COMMUNITIES throughout Scotland are preparing to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee. In Aberdeen, Lord Provost David Cameron will light a beacon outside Marischal College on Thursday evening to kick-off the Granite City’s celebrations. The short ceremony will include a lone piper playing “Diu Regnare” and a trumpeter performing “Majesty”. In Inverness, Jacobite is reviving its…
Read MoreJuliet Robertson is top young soloist
PIANIST Juliet Robertson has won the inaugural “Scottish Young Musicians’ solo performer of the year” title. Juliet, 14, from Stirlingshire, won the competition in Glasgow yesterday by playing Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy. She received £1,000 to spend on furthering her musical career and the “Maid of Morven” trophy, which was made by the…
Read More