Love Dougalston opposes Milngavie golf course plans

A COMMUNITY group has been formed to oppose British Land’s redevelopment proposals for the Dougalston golf course at Milngavie. Love Dougalston has rallied against the idea of turning the local 18-hole golf course into nine holes in order to introduce housing, and recreation and commercial facilities. But the group said it has been outmatched by…

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Islay pub owner sparks community initiative

DURING lockdown, our beloved pubs and restaurants have been cruelly snatched away from us but, while some pub owners closed their shutters and awaited the easing of restrictions, David Graham of Ballygrant Inn on Islay saw this difficult time as a shining opportunity to help those in need. “At the start of the lockdown we…

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Keeping children engaged with the great outdoors

During lockdown, many families have found the time to reconnect with the outdoors. Now that restrictions are starting to ease, conservation expert Jeff  Waddell explains why it’s important that families continue to explore nature together and gives advice on how to keep young ones engaged with the great outdoors. THE National Trust for Scotland (NTS)…

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Authors pick top lockdown crime novels

Ahead of the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival, which begins online on 18 September, authors Alex Gray and Gordon Brown – who writes as Morgan Cry – pick their favourite lockdown books. Alex Gray Three books that were really good during lockdown days include Kate Atkinson’s Big Sky. A terrific read, thoroughly enjoyable, beautifully written and quirky.…

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Spot the smaller things in nature this summer

Travel writer Phoebe Smith and binocular maker Swarovski offer tips to help countryside explorers slow down this summer and notice the little things in nature. 1. Look for nature’s clues Sometimes, when we take a walk, we can get so fixated on where we are headed to that we forget to take the time to…

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How tweed stood the test of time

The experts at Walker Slater explore the history of tweed on its journey from simple protection against harsh weather to its status as a sophisticated material favoured by royalty. TWEED has a longstanding, romantic history, dating back to 18th century Scotland. The term “tweed” was coined accidentally in 1826 due to a misread label on…

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Let’s talk about… storing whisky

The experts from the Edinburgh Whisky Academy share their top tips for looking after your Scotch. A CANDIDATE contacted us recently to ask whether a piece of cork found floating in a bottle of whisky could spoil its flavour. It is a good question and variations of it are frequently asked: “How long does whisky…

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Lockdown learning at Belhaven Hill School

Scottish Field caught up with members of staff and parents from Belhaven Hill School, a day and boarding preparatory school for seven to 13 year olds in Dunbar to find out how they were adjusting to lockdown learning. How did you set up your distance learning programme? Headteacher Henry Knight said: “The first question was…

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Scotch on canvas: the art of whisky

John Robertson, founder of consultancy firm Messrs Whisky & Co, finds out why Argentine artist Gisela Garcia Gleria was inspired to put whisky on canvas and how she captures the subtle essences of the dram. THE subjects of fine art and Scotch whisky might not be obvious companions but, when the two come together, it…

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Book review – Minister of Money

  The name of Henry Duncan is one you may recognise. He was a parish minister who played a role in the Disruption of the Church of Scotland in 1843, but most importantly, was the founder of the worldwide savings bank movement. He opened his first branch in Dumfriesshire in 1810 to encourage the poor…

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