Plastic bottles hit the buffers on Caledonian Sleeper

THE days of pinching those wee bottles of shower gel to take home from the Caledonian Sleeper are numbered, as part of efforts to reduce plastic waste. Toiletries brand Arran is now supplying bigger refillable bottles for the overnight train, rather than single-use portions. The dispensers are due to fitted to all the carriages by…

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Lin Anderson’s epic crime series returns in style

The Glasgow-based epic crime series, now fifteen instalments long, sees the return of Dr Rhona MacLeod and DS Michael McNab. Forensic scientist MacLeod, is called upon when eleven-year-old Mary McIntyre’s body is discovered after vanishing 45 years previously. Karen Marshall, Mary’s best friend, is still troubled by memories surrounding her disappearance and struggles to make…

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Property market ended year with decade-high transaction rate

Edinburgh’s housing market closed the decade with activity between buyers and sellers at its highest level – with the rate of transactions soaring. One of the city’s busiest solicitors and estate agents has released its latest market report which show that the final months of 2019 as having the highest number of sales for the…

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The Titanic and the ruined Fife palace

The fate of Leslie House in Fife, once the seat of the Earls of Rothes, is in the balance. The A-listed house, which was known as the Palace of Rothes, stands burntout and bereft. In its heyday it resembled Holyrood Palace and was described by Daniel Defoe as ‘the glory of the whole province of…

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Capital market ‘healthiest’ in more than a decade

Edinburgh’s housing market is experiencing its strongest start to the year for more than a decade, according to Warners Solicitors and Estate Agents. The capital has seen no slowdown of activity so far in 2019, with conditions looking much healthier for both buyers and sellers – with the rising numbers of properties available for sale,…

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Tips for buying your first property in Scotland

Buying your first home can be daunting. From sorting out budgets to getting the most bang for your buck, the process can easily become more of a challenge than an exciting milestone. David Marshall, operations director with Warners Solicitors and Estate Agents, shares his top tips to help first-time buyers get their foot onto the…

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Return to slender for Scots cats Elvis and Chester

A colossal cat from East Lothian, who once stole an entire cheesecake, has been named ‘top cat’ in the UK’s largest pet slimming competition. Chester the cat shed 17% of his bodyweight in just six months. Fellow cat, Elvis, from Clydebank, also lost an amazing 14%. Every year, vet charity PDSA helps the UK’s fattest…

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Scots 16th century jewellery could reach £15,000

A rare 16th century Scottish heirloom with extraordinary provenance is going to auction next week. Christie’s forthcoming Important Jewels sale on 28 November in London will offer an enamel and garnet two-sided portrait miniature pendant, circa 1560-1590, has descended directly through the Earls of Darnley and Dukes of Lennox to the present owner. Although the…

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Changing the garden as the children mature

Having lived in their family home in Edinburgh since 2003, Derek McGowan and his partner Lesley Marshall felt it was time to give their garden an update. As the children got older it became clear their garden needed a modern overhaul in order to keep up with the families changing lifestyle. ‘Previously the kids used…

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Children’s pup idols are coming to Edinburgh

Ask any young child what their favourite TV show is, and the chances are high that it’s Paw Patrol. Next week, it will be all paws on deck as Edinburgh will be kicking off the UK leg of the Paw Patrol Live – The Great Pirate Adventure global tour begins when they set sail to…

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