Urgent plea to save Scotland’s rainforests

CAMPAIGNERS are calling for cash to help them save Scotland’s Atlantic oak woodlands. The sites, which stretch along the length of the west coast, are known as “Scotland’s rainforests” thanks to their high rainfall. The forests – which include birch and hazel, as well as oak – are home to specialist specials of plants, insects,…

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Theatre company creates ‘Clanagrams’

THE Walking Theatre Company (TWTC), a social enterprise based in Argyll, is spreading cheer around the globe with innovative video messages from Scotland’s past. Sadie Dixon-Spain, TWTC’s creative director, has invented the “Clanagram“, a personalised video greeting. TWTC’s team of professional actors brings to life a selection of Scotland’s great names – recipients can become…

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Visitors return to Scotland’s four royal botanic gardens

DETAILS of the reopening of Scotland’s four royal botanic gardens will be unveiled on Wednesday, including how to pre-book tickets to enter the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. All four gardens – at Benmore in Argyll, Dawyck in the Borders, Edinburgh, and Logan in Galloway – will reopen on 1 July. Visitors will need to book…

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The Royal Scottish: creating memories that last a lifetime

When Keith and Denice Pulner started their own businesses at a young age, they never imagined Keith’s business, Manor Kingdom winning Scotland and the UK’s best luxury house building company or Denice’s home grown business in Argyll, which started with just £35, growing to be worth £1m, allowing them to sell their respective ventures to…

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On the eighth day of Christmas… Loch Melfort Hotel

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, the gift of being pet friendly. Nestled in the outstanding beauty of Asknish bay on Argyll’s secret coast, the newly upgraded four-star Loch Melfort Hotel is an idyllic, family owned retreat, perfect for dog lovers. Boasting recently refurbished, dog friendly ground floor rooms…

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Dollar Academy make shortlist for Scottish music awards

Dollar Academy’s award-winning pipe band has been nominated as a contender for Pipe Band of the Year in MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards 2019. More than 210 pupils take part in the Dollar Academy Pipe Band programme which has been a fixture of life at the school since 1912. The band has won numerous…

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Celebrate St Andrew’s Day with alcohol-free dark ale

If you are toasting St Andrew’s Day this November and need to keep a clear head, you could quench your thirst with a bottle of Wheesht, Scotland’s first ever alcohol-free dark ale. Named after the old Scottish slang for ‘quiet’, Wheesht is a 0% ABV dark ruby ale full of flavour and aromas of roasted…

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A gorgeous Georgian gothic property for sale

A B listed Georgian Gothic-style property, set in mature grounds, is now available for purchase. Kinlochlaich House, in Appin, Argyll and Bute, is presented for sale by Bell Ingram. Kinlochlaich House is a B listed Georgian Gothic style house dating from about 1800, but with some parts of the house having much earlier origins. The…

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Meeting the maelstrom that is Corryvreckan

The Corryvreckan whirlpool is the world’s third largest and its massive tidal upswellings and boiling waters make for a memorable experience. The dictionary gives the meaning of the word ‘maelstrom’ as a confused, disorientated state of affair; an irresistably overpowering influence for destruction. It is a description that suits the Coire Bhreacain – translated from…

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The Scottish tin shed that feeds a million each day

Its HQ is a tin shack in Argyll, yet from here Mary’s Meals feeds a million children a day in the world’s poorest countries.  Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow explains how Mary’s Meals came to be. How did you get involved in charity work overseas? In 1992 my brother and I decided to try to help the people…

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