Auld Bride – a Glencairn Glass crimewriting prize runner-up

The Glencairn Glass – the world’s favourite whisky glass – has been celebrating Scottish crime writing talent over the past two years. It’s been the headline sponsor of the prestigious McIlvanney and Bloody Scotland Debut crime-writing prizes and last year, launched its first very own crime short story competition, inviting all budding crime writers to…

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Teardrops – a Glencairn Glass crimewriting prize runner-up

The world’s favourite whisky glass – The Glencairn Glass – has been celebrating Scottish crime writing talent over the past two years as headline sponsor of the prestigious McIlvanney and Bloody Scotland Debut crime-writing prizes. To support this creative collaboration, The Glencairn Glass launched its first very own crime short story competition, inviting all budding…

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Gold Green Tourism Award for bothies business

Cairngorm Bothies, near Aboyne in Royal Deeside, has secured a Gold Green Tourism Award which recognises the business’ commitment to becoming more sustainable. Acknowledged worldwide as an indicator of best practice in sustainability, the awards provides a practical way for a tourism business to progress on a ‘œgreen journey’. They also act as a hallmark…

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An art-tea afternoon with Van Gogh and The Caledonian Hotel

It’s the most talked-about event in the capital for quite some time, so a visit to Van Gogh Alive was a must for a girlie afternoon in town. When I discovered that The Waldorf Astoria – The Caledonian was celebrating its partnership with the event with a special Van Gogh Themed afternoon tea, our plans…

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Going crazy for Edinburgh’s MATTO Pizza

SF’s Chief Sub-Editor Rosie Morton scopes out MATTO Pizza in Morningside, the brand’s first dedicated restaurant that serves truffle, pea and pumpkin-based pizzas… I confess, I’m a bit of a languages geek. At least, I strive to be… While Hugo and García Márquez may have once lined my bookshelves, my Italian vocabulary leaves much to…

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Singer in A Happy Place with new EP after cancer battle

Exactly one year on from her breast cancer diagnosis, highly-lauded traditional performer Rachel Walker is set to release a heartfelt new EP. She has collaborated with singer and multi-instrumentalist Aaron Jones in aid of the cancer support charity Maggie’s. Due for release on Friday, 25 February, A Happy Place is a collection of uplifting songs…

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Hitting the great outdoors – 1936 and modern style

The diaries of a 17-year-old epic 500-mile cycle and hostelling holiday in 1936 were the inspiration for a new cycle adventure film. ‘What would Mary do?’ from Hostelling Scotland and The Adventure Syndicate is based on the experiences of Mary Harvie. Hostelling Scotland and The Adventure Syndicate premiered their new off-road biking and adventure tourism…

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A helping hand for small Scottish businesses

New research shows that whilst 81 per cent of businesses in Scotland are optimistic about the future of their business, 32 per cent feel worried and/or anxious taking on debt for the first time. Barclays has launched a package of support aimed at boosting small businesses, with the bank set to host masterclasses which will…

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Talking to strangers across the world through Climate Portal

It’s Scotland’s portal to the world … a ten-foot, golden shipping container that will connect strangers across the globe through the universal language of the arts. Based at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the converted container, with its life-sized screen and a livestream link, will bring Glaswegians face-to-face with people they’d never otherwise meet, who…

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Book shop’s fundraiser to stay open raises £48,000+

A Scottish bookshop which faced closure last week is on the brink of a bright future after the support of hundreds of people, including Scots writers Ian Rankin and Christopher Brookmyre. Pre-loved publications shop Guid Reads, on Stirling Street, Alva, in Clackmannanshire, feared the worst after its landlord announced his imminent retiral. In a panic,…

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