Time’s running out to bid in Mortlach whisky auction

An exclusive online auction of Mortlach whisky is coming to a close today. Whisky Auctioneer is hosting the event, the world’s first exclusive Mortlach auction – Mortlach: Through the Ages, which began on Thursday, which will end on Monday evening. A total of 70 bottles of the distillery’s treasured expressions are available – presenting what…

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Why does Portuguese wine taste so different?

Peter Ranscombe hits the trail to find out what makes Portugal’s wine so special. IT WASN’T the grapes that first brought Peter Bright to Portugal – it was the surfing. Winemakers seem to have an affinity for the waves, no matter whether they’re from California or South Africa or Australia. Bright’s first visit to Portugal…

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Finalists unveiled for Scots Language Awards

VOTING has opened in the finals of the Scots Language Awards 2020. Celebrations will begin on Friday 23 October with an online evening performance by the Iona Fyffe Trio, with Fyffe herself nominated in the Scots performer of the year category. A wee gaitherin will be held from 11am to 5pm the following day, with…

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Sewing course helps Dundee mum land fashion job

A COURSE that teaches young parents how to sew could become a feeder to the fashion and textile industry after one its first students landed work with a Scottish fashion house. Dundee mum Chelsie Bruce was one of the first 10 students to complete the online pilot “Kindred Clothing” course run by Tayside charity Front…

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NHS staff being given free fruit and veg

Lidl will be donating thousands of its fresh fruit and vegetable bags to NHS staff across the country in an effort to help provide frontline health workers with fresh produce. The initiative comes through the retailer’s partnership with Royal Voluntary Service, which is committed to supporting those who need it most in hospitals and communities…

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Art gallery to continue with new exhibition showing

An Edinburgh art gallery is to press ahead to show the work of three artists, exhibiting together for the first time. The Torrance Gallery in Edinburgh will display the work of regular Ken Ferguson, who will exhibit his spectacular new forest and treescapes, alongside some more familiar snowy mountains and peaceful seascapes. Featuring alongside Ken,…

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Why the weather determines the taste of Sauternes

Sweet wine expert Ana Carvalho explores the effect of hot and cold years on the taste of Chateau Suduiraut with Peter Ranscombe. TUCKED away between the Ciron and Garonne rivers in Bordeaux, the Sauternes region produces arguably the most-famous sweet wines on the planet. When the cold waters of the Ciron meet the warmer Garonne…

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A kiss from a rose for Edinburgh Cocktail Week

In celebration of Edinburgh Cocktail Week, Lanique have teamed up with Harvey Nichols to present two cocktail making masterclasses – and we were lucky enough to get a sneak preview. Led by the capable hands of Lanique’s managing director Kieran Gandhi, we were given top tips on how to enjoy a tipple or two with…

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Fringe: 3, 2, 1… you’re back in the room

Call me a spoilsport, but I’ve always been a little sceptical about anything involving mind readers and hypnotists. Quite frankly, I can’t decide if a night with a Ouija board would make me want to run away screaming in fear or just make for a good night of entertainment among friends. So when I was…

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A big boost for Boë Gin with supermarket deal

Boë Gin has announced two new major national listings in a phenomenal year of growth. Stirling-based Boë’s award-winning Boë Violet flavoured gin will now be available in Co-Op and Scotmid stores across Scotland. Boë Violet, a full-strength gin which uses Boë’s classic Scottish Gin, infused with violet flowers will now be available in 342 Scottish…

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