New exhibition will highlight Joyce W Cairns’ work

An exhibition of an acclaimed Scots artist’s work is to open this weekend. The Kilmorack Gallery in Inverness-shire is to show the work of the acclaimed Joyce W Cairns, a painter and printmaker based in Aberdeen. Joyce is renowned for her magnificent, large-scale figurative compositions exploring human nature and collective memory. In her latest work,…

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Cult film is back on Scotland’s big screens

A cult film is to be screened in Scottish cinemas to mark the 20th anniverary of its release. The Coen brothers’ cult classic hit The Big Lebowski will be back in cinemas from Monday, 24 September, to celebrate its anniversary. Directed by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, this hilariously twisted comedy-thriller stars Jeff Bridges, John…

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A quick and easy butter tart recipe

The Silver Darling in Aberdeen built up a tremendous reputation under French chef Didier Dejean. His restaurant in Aberdeen harbour was the result of him working at a restaurant in Paris, before joining a colleague in Aberdeen in 1978, aged 19. After completing his national service in the French Navy, Didier came back to Aberdeen…

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Farm commitment honoured with new status

A Scots farm has been honoured for its high environmental standards and its commitment to sustainable farming. LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) has this week announced Bowhill Farming Ltd as a LEAF Demonstration Farm – its fourth in Scotland. Located in the Scottish Borders, Bowhill Farming Ltd is a 5,463-hectare mixed hill/upland enterprise and forms…

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We have a delicious recipe for peppered tuna

Cooking with seafood was in the blood for chef Didier Dejean when he owned the Silver Darling in Aberdeen. Originally from Millau in southern France, Didier started to cook when he was 12, helping his mother. Her traditional approach had an influence. Didier said: ‘I think probably more now, because people like simple food, not…

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Strictly stars will dance through the musicals

Strictly Come Dancing stars Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag are bringing their new show to Scotland. The pair’s new, show-stopping dance production, Dance Those Magical Musicals, is embarking on a major tour of the UK and Ireland for 2019. The nation’s favourite ballroom couple present a world where Ballroom meets Musical Theatre with stunning…

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The quay to happiness is through seafood

French chef Didier Dejean’s restaurant was a beacon for seafood lovers. When I ask Didier Dejean where his love of food comes from, he laughs. ‘Well, I’m French, so…’ The Aberdeen-based chef has been sharing his passion for food since he opened his seafood restaurant The Silver Darling in 1986. Situated in the old customs house, it…

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Benidorm live is natural extension of TV show

TV comedy series that last more than a couple of series are doing well in an age when changing tastes can see a once-popular TV show disappear in a short space of time. Benidorm, shown in ITV, ran for 10 seasons, winning several awards, before finally coming to an end earlier this year. Featuring the…

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Beer we go as Scots brewers get a huge boost

A Scottish brewery has teamed up with a supermarket to create a bespoke beer for its next in-store Isle of Ale Festival promotion. Lidl has teamed up with Fierce Brewery in Aberdeen, with to be sold exclusively in can format to customers during their next event. The new beer, named Blackcurrant Tart, is a sour…

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Connecting the north easts of Scotland and England

There’s a long and proud connection between the shipyards in the north east of Scotland and the north east of England. I found myself on the top floor of an abandoned shipyard on the River Tyne. From the top floor of Hawthorn Leslie’s offices in Hebburn, I looked out across overgrown slipways, a crumbling jetty…

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