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Scope fundraisers reach summit of Ben Nevis

A BOY with cerebral palsy has climbed Ben Nevis to raise money for disability equality charity Scope and his local hospital. Caeden Thomson, 7, from...
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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Game of Thrones actor Rory McCann invests in a new Scotch whisky Slanj

Game of Thrones actor Rory McCann has invested in a new blended Scotch whisky brand, called Slanj. Brothers Brian and Craig Halley, alongside friend Stuart...
Euan Duncan, a Partner at law firm Morton Fraser MacRoberts

How the UK–India trade deal opens door in the Scotch whisky industry

Euan Duncan, a Partner at law firm Morton Fraser MacRoberts, on how the UK–India trade deal will affect Scottish whisky and the importance of geographical...
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Scottish Field Summer Challenge 2025 Results

For 25 years – a quarter of a century – the Scottish Field Whisky Challenge has been helping readers to discover some of the best...
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A Dram with Stewart Bowman, Lochranza: ‘Whisky is not just about making something to drink. It’s about the people and the place, it’s a journey’

Lochranza distillery manager Stewart Bowman chats about his career in whisky, his favourite flavour profiles and what makes Lochranza and Arran whisky so special.  ...
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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...
Artist Gina Parr outside Glen Scotia Distillery

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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