Book festival hails global audience

THOUSANDS of viewers from throughout the world have tuned in to watch live sessions from the Edinburgh International Book Festival online. People have watched the performances from as far away as Algeria, Brazil and Nigeria. Highlights from the first few days of the virtual festival have included Ian Rankin, Julia Donaldson, Hilary Mantel, and Bumi…

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Children’s wildlife drawing contest launched

GARDEN BirdWatch is marking its 25th anniversary with a drawing competition for children aged five to 11. The British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO’s) summer project includes watching, counting, drawing and writing. The results from each year’s Garden BirdWatch are used by the BTO’s scientists to understand how British birds are faring and how gardens can…

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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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Five of the best from Lidl’s latest wine tour

Head to Italy is Peter Ranscombe’s advice when it comes to the German supermarket’s latest summer special offer. IN THE big scheme of things, this definitely ranks as a #FirstWorldProblem – but the coronavirus lockdown has played havoc with wine writers’ routines. While many masterclasses with individual producers have shifted online, it’s much harder for…

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Scotland’s horticultural firms on the brink

A major part of Scotland’s horticultural commercial grower industry could be destroyed following the UK coronavirus shutdown. The Horticultural Trades Association say the sector is worth up to £50 million, which supports a total sector worth £1.2 billion, including family businesses up and down the country. Peak season has only a matter of weeks left…

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Call to join daily Scottish birdwatch

Scots are being invited to join in with the RSPB’s daily breakfast birdwatch. It is taking place between 8-9am weekdays, at a time when many of us would have been commuting to work, doing the school run, or otherwise unable to enjoy the splendour of nature, from the safety of our homes. Using #BreakfastBirdwatch on…

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Fairy Glen acquired by Woodland Trust Scotland

Woodland Trust Scotland has purchased a favourite summer picnic spot of Andrew Carnegie. The millionaire industrialist and philanthropist bought the Skibo Estate, and its Ledmore and Migdale woods in 1897 and would return with his family to spend summer holidays until the outbreak of the First World War. The Carnegies named their favourite woodland walk…

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A spacious country home with outbuildings

A six bedroom house in a tranquil, rural location is now presented to the property market. Quietly situated amongst an established rural landscape close to Auchterarder and Blackford, Rettie are marketing Brookfield House, in Perthshire, a spacious country house with excellent outbuildings, established gardens and a private and peaceful setting close to Gleneagles Hotel. On…

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Designers convert listed garage into restaurant

Glasgow-based Mosaic Architecture and Design have given Ka Pao, the new South East Asian restaurant housed in the basement of the recently converted Botanic Gardens Garage in Glasgow’s West End, a distinct look and feel to complement its menu. Run by the company behind the popular Kelvingrove restaurant Ox and Finch, Ka Pao, which accommodates…

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