Ash dieback trees turned into furniture

DESIGNERS are being commissioned to turn trees that were killed by ash dieback into pieces of furniture. The Ash Rise project aims to highlight the threat from ash dieback in Scotland through a nationwide exhibition and education programme. The nationwide tour is due to begin later next year. Twenty designs will be selected for the…

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An island home for sale in a wildlife haven

With its rural setting on the picturesque island of Islay, Coullabus Farm offers a superb opportunity for those looking to adopt a lifestyle change and reap the benefits of a country island life. Presented by Bell Ingram and previously operated as an operational island dairy farm, the main farmhouse property now offers family accommodation over…

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Bunnahabhain’s Net Zero emission target is on course

Bunnahabhain is on-track to become Islay’s first distillery to have a distillation process. They are creating a new £6.5m Biomass Energy Centre will save 3,500 tonnes of carbon per year. This biomass energy centre is powered entirely by forest biomass sourced only 15 miles away and spent malt, known as draff which is a by-product…

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Lanzarote: The grapes that grow in lava

Peter Ranscombe pens a very personal reflection on wines from the Canaries’ most unusual island. LET me start with a confession – I’m biased horrendously when it comes to Lanzarote. In fact, I promised myself I would never write an article about the island and its wines in this blog. Selfishly, I wanted to keep…

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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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Toulmin Prize competition reveals commended stories

The Toulmin Prize is open to amateur writers over the age of 16. The stories entered should have a north east focus, and may be written in Doric or English, or a mixture of the two. This week, we’ll be posting one story a day, including the four commended stories and the overall winner of…

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Help halt the harm from doorstep criminals

Independent charity Crimestoppers is today launching a campaign to raise awareness of Doorstep Crime and encourage people to pass on any relevant information 100% anonymously. From bogus callers to rogue traders, doorstep criminals are cunning, creative, and often very convincing at targeting people There are two main types: Bogus callers try to get into your…

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Small Scottish town takes the car buying crown

A small town just outside Glasgow has been crowned as Scotland’s capital of internet car buying. Visitors to online motor retail specialist BuyaCar.co.uk from Portland, in Dorset – with a population of around 5000 – are more likely than anyone else to purchase a car after visiting the site. It’s the latest evidence of a…

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