Zoom calls inspire Loch Lomond’s lockdown beer

A BEER inspired by lockdown Zoom calls has been created by Loch Lomond Brewery. “Zoom Time” is a New England-style India pale ale (IPA). Fiona MacEachern, Loch Lomond Brewery’s managing director, said: “Zoom Time is very much a nod to the ‘new normal’ of socialising virtually; catching up with friends for a beer being no…

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Independent schools of the year named

TWO Scottish institutions have won prizes at the 2020 Independent Schools of the Year Awards. Strathallan School in Perthshire was crowned as the independent school of the year for international student experience, while George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh was named as the independent pre-prep school of the year. Mark Lauder, Strathallan’s headmaster, said: “We are…

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Speyside farm lands Harvey Nics deal

WOOL throws made by a farm and woolmill in Speyside are going on sale in department store chain Harvey Nichols’ Edinburgh and London branches. Dalrachie Farm, which rears cattle and sheep in Ballindalloch, is run by Alan and Sarah-Jane Forbes, who sell wool clipped from their flock of 350 North Country Hill Cheviot ewes to…

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REVIEW: Tea for two at Edinburgh’s The Register Club

Having survived the many months of lockdown fads (exploding sourdough starters and endless banana loaves included) it’s high time we hung up our pinnies and let someone else do the baking. Indulging in a little luxury, we skipped off to Edinburgh’s The Register Club who have reopened their doors in style, offering us the chance…

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Great Taste winners – in full

NEARLY 300 Great Taste awards have been presented to Scottish businesses by the Guild of Fine Food. A record 12,777 products were entered into the competition from 106 countries, with 42% of entrants receiving a prize. Products with a coastal theme proved popular, with whisky smoked black garlic sea salt from Hawkhead Whisky Smoked in…

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Sober October: soda, ‘gin’ and ‘beer’

As ‘Sober October’ gets underway, Peter Ranscombe rounds up some of the latest non-alcohol releases and revisits some old favourites. BETWEEN “Dry January” and “Sober October”, it’s getting harder and harder for a drinks writer to earn a living… so, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. The latest month of abstinence is the ideal…

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A Week in Whisky: ‘Pat’s’ collection goes under the hammer

THE largest whisky collection ever to come up for auction starts going under the hammer today. More than 9,000 bottles have been assembled by “Pat”, an anonymous collector, and are together expected to fetch $5 million (£3.9m). The first batch will be on sale at WhiskyAuctioneer.com until 5 October. Iain McClune, the website’s founder, said:…

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Literature plan for John Knox House

JOHN Knox House in Edinburgh could be turned into a “Literature House for Scotland”. The Edinburgh Unesco City of Literature Trust is looking for architects and designers to help it come up with plans for the site. The trust also wants to develop the neighbouring Scottish Storytelling Centre as part of ambitions to enhance the…

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Leith market’s Oktoberfest starts today

THE first of three Oktoberfest weekends gets underway today at Pitt Street Market in Leith “Pittöberfest” features Barney’s Beer, Bellfield, Campervan, Edinburgh Beer Factory, New Barns, and Pilot. Barnacles & Bones and Ròst are among the street food vendors taking part in the festival. Barney’s Beer boss Andrew Barnett said: “While the cancellation of beer…

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