Scotland’s native oyster season has now begun

Scotland’s native oyster season opened yesterday (Sunday 1 September), with the landing of the first Loch Ryan oysters of the season. A two week race is now on to gather a tonne of native oysters, approximately 10,000, most of which will be enjoyed by the thousands of visitors travelling to Stranraer Oyster Festival, taking place…

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Brussels Sprout flavour gin is on the way

The Christmas spirit is on its way – and this year, Brussels Sprout flavour gin is on the way. Pickering’s Gin baubles are back for Christmas and this year the gin gift contains six new and original Christmas inspired gins – Christmas Clementine, Festive Cranberry, Spiced Pear and Cinnamon, Figgy Pudding, Plum and Ginger –and…

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A special dram from a rare and lost distillery

Littlemill 29 year old, the latest expression from Littlemill’s Private Cellar collection, will be released this month, using liquid carefully selected from some of the last remaining casks to be laid down at the Littlemill Distillery. Now recognised to have been the oldest licensed distillery in Scotland, the distillery fell silent in 1994 and was…

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The Tobermory Cat is a fun story for children

The Tobermory Cat is the enduring tale of one feline’s quest to fill his empty stomach. Illustration is vivid, with a charming rusticity and acres of pastel illustrations. Besides its educational value, which will help younger readers to become more familiar with counting from one to ten, Gliori’s story is faithful to her setting: full…

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Art club launches annual exhibition this weekend

A Scottish art club, which is over 140 years old, is set to hold its annual exhibition. The Greenock Art Club was formed in 1877, and its annual exhibition will last two weeks – but the format is slightly different from the previous show. The venue is at the Stables Studio. In the past they…

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Scottish food and drink takes centre stage

Scotland’s leading food and drink companies will shine between 31 August and 15 September as the Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight celebrates its tenth anniversary. This year, the fortnight will showcase and support the companies, brands and people who are championing our country’s larder, enabling them to take advantage of the growing consumer demand for…

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The fox – is it really deserving of its bad press?

You have to admire the fox. For centuries it has been hunted, shot, chased, trapped, and poisoned, but is a survivor, skilled hunter, voracious predator and a secretive beast that can outwit man’s most determined efforts to exterminate it. Bounties have long been paid for a fox’s brush; when I grew up in Ardnamurchan in…

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Original features remain in this 1902 property

A substantial and imposing period property is now available in the north of Scotland. Presented for sale by MacPhee and Partners, Birchwood dates back to around 1902, and the property still retains some of its original features such as a charming pitch pine staircase, moulded cornicing and picture rails. Positioned in the heart of Spean…

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A top ten of the most haunted places in Scotland

Scotland is full of stories of ghosts, ghouls, witches, wizards and warlocks. Here, we present ten of the most haunted locations in Scotland for you to visit – if you have the nerve, that is… 1. Glamis Castle This 15th century castle is the setting for Shakespeare’s Macbeth and is without doubt one of the…

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10 fascinating facts about Stirling

In the heart of Scotland lies historic Stirling. It is home to two of the country’s best known landmarks, with Stirling Castle located on on a craggy volcanic rock, while on the Abbey Craig outcrop, the National Wallace Monument stands. Marking its 150th birthday this year, it overlooks the site of the 1297 Battle of…

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