Ambassadors join 40tude Curing Colon Cancer charity

RUGBY legends Andy Nicol and Gregor Townsend have signed up as ambassadors for the “40tude Curing Colon Cancer” charity in memory of their late teammate, Tom Smith. Smith served as an ambassador for the charity until he died of bowel cancer last year, aged 50. Now, Townsend and Nicol will play an active role in…

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East coast eyes 50% cruise boost

THE number of cruise ships visiting Dundee, Fife, and Leith is due to soar by 50% this year. Capital Cruising, the tourism arm of harbour operator Forth Ports, said 150 ships are due to dock at its east coast moorings this year, up from 100 last year. The ships will dock at Dundee, Leith, and…

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RBS hands over land for Dunard Centre

EDINBURGH’S first purpose-built concert hall for more than 100 years came a step closer today after Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) handed over land to build the Dunard Centre. The venue, which received planning permission in November 2021, will sit behind Dundas House in the New Town. Impact Scotland, the charity that’s building the concert…

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Historic Canongate gasworks to become student flats

PLANNING permission has been granted to turn the former Canongate gasworks in Edinburgh into student flats. The application was rejected by City of Edinburgh Council in August, but a Scottish Government planning reporter has now upheld an appeal. The flats will include 76 studio rooms, a gym, and two study rooms. The development is aimed…

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All I want for Christmas…

I think I’m quite easy to buy for, but I’m sure my family would tell you otherwise, writes Morag Bootland. I’m massively into outdoor adventures, but I also like nothing better than a coorie night in by the fire with my family and dog. For those that know me, they’d tell you that I’m not…

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Shop till you drop at Bicester Village in Oxfordshire

Morag Bootland enjoys some retail therapy on a trip to Oxfordshire. HAS the panic set in yet, or are you holding off for the start of December? Shopping. Love it or loathe it, the run up to Christmas means that you have little chance of avoiding it. This year I decided that if you can’t…

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REVIEW: A West Coast wildlife cruise that ticks all the boxes

Morag Bootland grabs her binoculars for a wildlife cruise on the West Coast. AN INVITATION to cruise around the Inner Hebrides and Scotland’s West Coast on an ex-Norwegian ice-class rescue vessel named Hjalmar Bjorge (which will henceforth be known as HB) was always going to pique my interest. What with my probable Viking heritage, Piscean…

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Ballater gears up for Thrive Bike festival

THE inaugural Thrive Bike festival is taking place in Ballater on 23-25 September. Riders will be able to test their navigation skills during the “Ballater Dash” and “Reliability Rides”. The festival will also include children’s activities, food, music, and stories told by Lee Craigie, director of The Adventure Syndicate. Susan Allum, one of the organisers,…

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REVIEW: Venture North this autumn and winter

Morag Bootland discovers that it is very far from grim up north on a trip to Sutherland. I DON’T know the far north of Scotland well, but I really want to. So, when Venture North asked if I’d like to take a trip to Sutherland to explore what the area has to offer I jumped…

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Baern and Aeble team up for cider dinner

BAKERY Baern and cider shop Aeble have teamed up to run a dinner at Bowhouse in the East Neuk of Fife. Founded by Hazel Powell and Giacomo Pearce, Baern uses a wood-fired oven for its sourdough, and sources ingredients from fellow businesses at the Bowhouse farmers’ market, including flour from Scotland The Bread, meats from…

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