The Machrie

The Machrie: On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me… the gift of golf Nestled in the dunes of a pristine seven-mile beach on the Hebridean island of Islay lies The Machrie, a modern, relaxed hotel with a world-class golf links, where the finest Scottish produce and warmest of welcomes await.…

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REVIEW: Innside Newcastle

For a sophisticated and stylish stay in Newcastle look no further than Innside, writes Grant Dickie. SITUATED a stone’s throw from one the most synonymous views Newcastle has to offer, Innside by Meliã is the perfect stay for anyone looking to book a trip to the Toon. The modern but almost industrial-style architecture of the…

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Former home of Scots singer on the property market

The former home of Scots singer Gerry Rafferty has been presented to the market for sale. Eaglestone is a delightful B-listed house in the conservation area of Strathpeffer, a Victorian Highland spa village in Ross-shire. Presented by Galbraith, the property lies in a peaceful setting on the edge of the village, sheltered by the mature…

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Crerar Hotels gives further £200,000 to charities

HOTEL operator Crerar is donating a further £200,000 to charities, including those working across health, education, and social inclusion. The company donates 50% of its distributable profits to charities in the communities surroundings its seven hotels. Over the past decade, the firm has given £8.5 million to more than 450 organisations. Chief executive Chris Wayne-Wills…

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Peebles Hydro Hotel welcomes Pure Spa

SPA operator Pure has taken over the facilities at Peebles Hydro Hotel. An extra treatment room is being added and the beds and equipment in the spa are being upgraded. The hotel, which is accepting spa booking from 1 December, also has a swimming pool, steam room, sauna, and Jacuzzi. Stephen Leckie, chairman and chief…

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NHS heroes enjoy weekend hotel stays

MORE than 380 health service workers and their families stayed at Crerar Hotels’ seven venues for free last weekend as part of the “Scottish Hospitality for NHS Heroes” initiative. Paddy Crerar, the company’s founder and chairman, took some guests on boat trips, while others tucked into locally-sourced food and drink. The chain spent more than…

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Islay pub owner sparks community initiative

DURING lockdown, our beloved pubs and restaurants have been cruelly snatched away from us but, while some pub owners closed their shutters and awaited the easing of restrictions, David Graham of Ballygrant Inn on Islay saw this difficult time as a shining opportunity to help those in need. “At the start of the lockdown we…

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Highland Game invests £150,000 to combat covid-19

BRITAIN’S biggest venison supplier has pumped £150,000 into its business so it can keep feeding the nation during the coronavirus pandemic. Dundee-based Highland Game has also created 15 jobs to take its headcount to more than 80. The company needs the extra workers to implement its socially-distanced shift patterns, with fewer members of staff able…

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What does 150-year-old wine taste like?

Peter Ranscombe travels back through vinous time to try a pair of wines from the Victorian era. “IT’S not every day that you get to try two 150-year-old wines side-by-side,” quipped James Davy, as he poured the sixth and final drink at a very special masterclass to mark the century and a half that his…

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