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ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND, AUGUST 19TH 2020: MacDuff Distillery is celebrating its 60th anniversary on 1st September. 

Pictured: Jamie Winfield with his team of operators


(Photo: Ross Johnston/Newsline Media)

A week in whisky: ‘I’ll have a pea, please, Bob’

THOSE enterprising souls at whisky distiller Arbikie have followed-up their carbon-negative Nàdar gin with its vodka twin. Both Nàdar spirits absorb more carbon dioxide from...

Directory supports rural and island businesses

SHOPPERS can now support even more rural and island businesses following the launch of the Rural Enterprise Directory Scotland (REDS). Joe Sykes, founder of Perthshire-based...

First autumn mammal survey gets underway

THE first autumn "Living With Mammals" survey kicks off on Monday, with Scots being asked to keep their eyes peeled for creatures, tracks and droppings...

Review: 111 by Modou

Elis Elliot is swept away by both the food and the heart-warming story at 111 by Modou in Glasgow. SELDOM have I dined in a...
A 12-year-old school student had a huge surprise when she was taken to Redford Barracks and presented with a professional recording made by Army musicians of her rap inspired by the Windrush generation. 
Leila McPhate, from Larbert High School in Stenhousemuir, wrote The World Is A Dark Place as her entry for Never Such Innocence, an international arts competition to give children and young people a voice on conflict.
Leila, who has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), had learned at school how people from the Caribbean were invited to the UK to help it rebuild after WWII but frequently faced injustice and discrimination. After seeing the black British artist Dave on the Brit Awards she decided to address the issue with a rap.
The Army was among the supporters of the 2019/20 competition and Leila’s song caught the eye of Lieutenant Colonel Wendy Faux, the Army’s head of arts, who led the team behind this year’s three-week Army@TheVirtualFringe event.
She was so impressed that she arranged for the Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra to create a new soundtrack for her rap. Leila was invited to the barracks where Colour Sergeant Richard Kerr, Musician Brittany Johnnie and Corporal Scott MacFarlane of the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland presented her with flowers and a copy of the music on behalf of the Army.
Wendy said: “Army@TheVirtualFringe has shone a light on many issues including racism and equality. We have also been trying to support young and emerging talent. So working with Leila has been a perfect way to round off the event.  
“The contribution of people from Commonwealth nations in Africa and the Caribbean to the Army and to civilian life has been immense but is often overlooked, along with the discrimination so many of them experienced.
“The fact that young people like Leila are determined to use their talents to demand a better world gives real hope for the future.
“We are really proud to have been able to bring her together with some s

Pupil hears her rap recorded by the army

A RAP written by a 12-year-old school pupil and inspired by the Windrush generation has been recorded by army musicians. Leila McPhate, from Larbert High School...
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Mains of Taymouth puts luxury timber lodges on sale

MAINS of Taymouth, the five-star country estate and golf course at Kenmore in Perthshire, has begun marketing phase two of Balloch Park, its residential, holiday...

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SCOTLAND'S NATIONAL DRINK

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Gin Bothy unveils plans for a whisky distillery on a historic smuggling route

Scottish producer Gin Bothy has unveiled plans for a whisky distillery on a historic smuggling route.  The distillery in Glen Prosen, Angus, sits on land...
Taiwan bottles (2)

Scotch Malt Whisky Society releases two new Taiwanese whiskies

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has released two new Taiwanese whiskies. The whisky club is shining a spotlight on the five-year-old single malt Taiwanese...
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A Dram With Graham Omand, Lagg Distillery: ‘Welcoming Ewan McGregor and gifting him his very own cask was some achievement’

From welcoming Ewan McGregor to the distillery to gift him his own cask and celebrating five years in business, it's been a busy year for...
65 YO Bottle Shot

The Glen Grant releases its rarest ever whisky – a 65 Year Old with a £39,000 price tag

When James ‘The Major’ Grant inherited Speyside distillery the Glen Grant in 1872, he brought his affinity of plants, flowers and the natural world with...
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Formula One Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc becomes new face of Scotch whisky Chivas Regal

F1 Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has become the new face of Scotch whisky brand Chivas Regal. The partnership comes following news of the spirit company...
Speyside Tour with SMWS 2 & 3rd Nov 2017.
Glen Moray Distillery, Elgin
Euan Campbell smells the whisky in the barrels

photo/Peter Sandground

A Dram With Euan Campbell, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society: ‘We’re pushing boundaries but respecting the heritage of this centuries old drink.’

Whisky drinkers all over the world have likely heard of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Since the whisky club was first formed in 1983, it...

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