Nick Gardner’s Munro challenge of a lifetime

Morag Bootland speaks to the remarkable Nick Gardner about his mountaineering challenge. I’VE heard some incredible tales of adventure, tragedy, and love in my years as a journalist. But few have touched me as deeply as Nick Gardner’s real life love story. Nick is now 82, and has spent the last two years of his…

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REVIEW: Island Hopping Adventures

Morag Bootland finds a family camping and island hopping adventure in the Outer Hebrides has something for everyone. PLANNING a family holiday can be tricky. The about-to-be-teen wants to lie on the beach in the sun eating ice cream, the all-action boy wants to camp somewhere he has lots of space to run around, Dad…

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Aultguish Inn installs ‘wilderness’ electric charger

THE Aultguish Inn at Garve in Wester Ross has installed “one of the most remote electric vehicle (EV) charging points in the UK”. The move comes after a survey found that 34% of EV owners would go on more staycations if they had more confidence in the availability of charging points. Ian Exworth, head of…

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REVIEW: Eòrna restaurant pop-up triumph

Morag Bootland visits a pop-up by Eòrna restaurant in Edinburgh. AS HUMANS, it’s in our nature to want to be the first to do things. For some it’s scaling a mountain the hard way, or rowing single-handedly around the world. But for me there’s nothing better than being one of the first to try out…

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Island Dark Rum from Barra

Morag Bootland takes a look at the new rum from Barra. ISLE of Barra Distillers is delighted to announce the launch of its very first Island Dark Rum. If you’re planning a trip to the Outer Hebrides this summer, or if you fancy a taste of the islands at home then you’ll be pleased to…

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Cairngorms wants to bring back ‘lost’ beavers

THE Cairngorms National Park Authority is to lead an application to reintroduce beavers to the area. The park’s board voted to take the lead in the process, while working with other public bodies, charities, landowners, and residents. Sarah Henshall, head of conservation at the authority, said: “We will be doing work around supporting land managers…

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Female bagpipers, French rugby, and sustainable fashion

PROGRAMMES about female bagpipers, French rugby, and sustainable fashion will be pitching for commissions at this week’s Celtic Media Festival. Seven directors and independent production companies are competing at the international pitching forum for a £10,00 prize. They are hoping to follow in the footsteps of documentary series Tide, which has been one of the…

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Great food and brilliant service at Kilmurry & Co

One of my simple pleasures in life is going to a restaurant, loving the food, and deciding there and then, that you have to go back. That’s the feeling I had when I visited Kilmurry & Co, located on Glasgow’s southside, in Shawlands. Located in the former Newlands Post Office building, this restaurant offers a…

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World-electronica trio Odia release debut album Prize Fighter

Prize Fighter is the progressive debut album from Celtic, World and electronica music trio Odia, set for release on Friday 3 June. The band’s members hail from Scotland, France and Malaysia, bringing together a rich tapestry of musical influences. Irvine drummer and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland tutor Stuart Spence formed the band with French violinist…

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Rare Jacobite era dress on show at Blair Castle

A rare eighteenth century dress, worn during Scotland’s Jacobite times, takes centre stage at a new exhibition, Castle Couture, at Blair Castle which runs until the end of October. A stunning 260-year-old gown, made of hand painted ivory Chinese silk edged with gold thread brocade, ruffles and pleats, it lay undiscovered in an old trunk…

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