Chef-patron urges us all to grow our own food

Today marks the start of National Allotment Week in the UK. No longer are allotments seen as something that is reserved for retirement but instead they are being utilised by individuals and communities. With people becoming more aware of mass food production and their own diets and health, more and more green spaces are being…

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A chocolate treat to mark this year’s book festival

Visitors to the Edinburgh International Book Festival can treat themselves to a special limited-edition dessert. Throughout August, The Ivy on the Square will be unveiling a brand new limited-edition dessert to celebrate their sponsorship of 2018’s Edinburgh International Book Festival. The Cranachan Chocolate Bombe – a mouthwatering sweet treat with raspberries, toasted oatmeal and vanilla…

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Fringe review: The Really Terrible Orchestra

When I asked the Really Terrible Orchestra’s assistant concertmaster what they would be playing in the Fringe concert this year, she said she had no idea. Bear in mind that this was about two hours before kick-off, in St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, where a full house of almost 800 was gathering to hear the world’s…

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Arts festival needs to raise £80,000 for it to continue

A leading Scottish independent arts festival is appealing to raise £80,000 in funding so it can continue. Hidden Door is appealing for help to secure its future, as Edinburgh’s alternative arts festival has grown fast over the last five years. It began as an experimental project launched by a group of volunteers in 2014, and…

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Festival fringe comedy review: Jason Byrne

A Fringe stalwart and deservedly sold out many nights, Jason Byrne is the archetypal Irish stand up. He berates life, his idiosyncratic working class childhood and then picks on a few brave souls in the audience to tease, mock and generally make them the butt of a stream of jokes. His quick wit and the…

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Fringe review: Paul Merton’s Impro Chums

Paul Merton may be best known as a team captain on Have I Got News For You, but he’s also one of the country’s best improvisational comedians. He and his highly professional Impro Chums take genuine audience suggestions (unlike some impro shows) and create hilarious scenarios of random nonsense that are guaranteed to have you…

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A coastal Highland castle can be yours for £3.9million

A 32 bedroom Scottish castle with views over the sea is for sale in the Highlands. Presented by Knight Frank, Ackergill Castle in Wick is a historic building in a spectacular coastal setting. At the heart is a 15th century tower, significantly extended in the 19th century and extensively refurbished and renovated in the 21st…

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Votes can help secure best outside London status

A Scottish business is looking to reclaim its crown as the Best Restaurant Outside London at the Food and Travel Magazine Reader Awards. Edinburgh’s Wedgwood the Restaurant has been shortlisted for the category for the third year running. Chef Paul Wedgwood’s eponymous capital restaurant originally won the award in 2016 and has been short listed…

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Movie star’s brother opens the Military Tattoo

Ex-RAF pilot Colin McGregor was the special guest who opened this year’s show at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. He performed the moving poem ‘High Flight’ – a special tribute to the late servicemen and women of the RAF. Colin was joined in the Royal Gallery at Edinburgh Castle by his brother, actor Ewan McGregor,…

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Scotland’s book trail will be a hit with young and old

Scotland has inspired some of the world’s best-loved literary creations – from Peter Rabbit to Peter Pan, Harry Potter to The Howlat. Whether it’s history, landscapes, wildlife or even architecture, for decades authors have used some of the country’s greatest assets to create characters that continue to delight readers of all ages. In recognition of…

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