Scotland
A murder mystery with humour and intensity
Bad Debt is a cracking crime novel with less gore, more intrigue. The storyline is a little far fetched – defence lawyer Robbie Munro’s wife is stalked by a witness in a trial that she is prosecuting, and Robbie is charged for the witness’ murder. But with Robbie’s first person narrative immersing the reader fully…
Read MoreProtecting the world from the Fae
Seeking to protect the world from the Fae, Scottish sigil agent Aloysius MacBharrais is eccentric. As a sexagenarian he is a welcome change from the tormented teenage protagonists that dominate fantasy genres. However, Hearne admits in the author’s note that he struggled with Glaswegians’ accent in real life. The characters’ Scottish accents feel laboured and…
Read MoreArdbeg pays tribute to retiring distillery manager
The retirement of a popular distillery manager is being marked with the release of a limited edition whisky. To commemorate the retirement of Mickey Heads, Ardbeg has announced the launch of Arrrrrrrdbeg!, a bottlinng which celebrates his time at the helm. Captain of the Ardbeg ship since 2007, Mickey retired in late 2020, after 13…
Read MoreSpirit of Speyside whisky festival goes online
Scotland’s biggest whisky festival is going virtual this year. The Spirit of Speyside festival has confirmed that it is going to bring together some of the region’s most loved distilleries and whisky makers online instead of in person in April. With a full programme to be announced in the coming weeks, events confirmed so far…
Read MoreWading in to help save Scotland’s woodcock
The past decade has seen a serious decline in our woodcock population – it’s time to find out why. A spring woodland, coloured with the final rosy hues of gloaming as a thrush sings its last aria before nightfall. A woodcock passes back and forth overhead: its silhouetted outline is ethereal against the bruises of…
Read MoreThe first legal whisky from Stirling Castle rock
The first-ever whisky released from the Stirling Castle rock is now available. Stirling Distillery, in the heart of Scotland, has released two new single cask whiskies under their Sons of Scotland label. Having produced gin right next to the historic castle since mid-2019, Stirling Distillery co-founders Cameron and June McCann are now turning their hand…
Read MoreScottish tree represents UK in Euro competition
Supporters hope a Scottish rowan can be the woodland equivalent of Lulu in a European contest. ‘The Survivor’ tree at Carrifran near Moffat is Britain’s entry in the European Tree of the Year competition – with online voting now underway for the month of February. The tree at Carrifran near Moffat won a public vote…
Read MoreThe Rosebank Revival returns this month
Work on reviving the famed lowland distillery at Rosebank has now resumed. After months of inactivity due to the coronavirus outbreak and a collapsed wall, this month will see a major change take place at the site in Falkirk, which was bought . Rosebank closed in 1993 after 150 years of producing malt whisky by…
Read MoreGleneagles Hotel bags record awards haul
GLENEAGLES Hotel in Perthshire has won 16 new awards during the past year. Prizes scooped by the five-star estate include being named “Best UK Hotel” in the Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Conor O’Leary, Gleneagles’ managing director, said: “We’re proud and humbled to have received so many fantastic awards which reflect our unwavering commitment…
Read MoreCrerar Hotels gives further £200,000 to charities
HOTEL operator Crerar is donating a further £200,000 to charities, including those working across health, education, and social inclusion. The company donates 50% of its distributable profits to charities in the communities surroundings its seven hotels. Over the past decade, the firm has given £8.5 million to more than 450 organisations. Chief executive Chris Wayne-Wills…
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