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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...
The house was built in 1752 by Richard Oswald, a Glasgow Tobacco Baron.

REVIEW: Cavens Country House

A trip to the south west of Scotland proved a welcome break from city life for Rosie Morton...  Carpe diem. Two words we’ve heard countless...
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Review: The Harbour Cafe, Elie

Wet weather didn't put off Stephanie Abbot when she visited The Harbour Cafe at Elie in Fife. SPENDING any amount of time by the sea has...
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Ivy’s floral flourishes in Edinburgh and Glasgow

THE Ivy restaurant chain has brought a splash of colour to its outlets in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Ivy on the Square in Edinburgh has...

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Ardbeg Smokiverse explores a new high gravity dimension

Islay-based Ardbeg Distillery has unveiled Ardbeg Smokiverse - its new limited-edition release to mark Ardbeg Day 2025, which takes place on Saturday 31st May as the...
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Glen Scotia reveals oldest ever whisky – a 50-year-old that’s the first edition in its new Elements series

Glen Scotia has unveiled a 50-year-old as the first edition in its new Elements of Campbeltown collection. The Elements of Campbeltown Collection takes inspiration from...
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The Macallan unveils single malts inspired by Charles Rennie Mackintosh – including rare 46 Year Old

The Macallan has launched two single malts inspired by Scottish artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh, including a 46 Year Old whisky. Inspired by Mackintosh’s 1902 stained-glass...
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A Dram with Ben Curtis, The Single Cask: ‘Older doesn’t always mean better. It’s the cask that makes the whisky’

It has been a busy year for the team at The Single Cask as they opened up their new flagship bar in Singapore and expanded...
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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...
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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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