Scots take gold at British Farming Awards

SCOTTISH farmers and rural businesses won some of the biggest prizes at last night’s British Farming Awards. More than 800 farmers and their advisors gathered at The Vox venue in Birmingham for a ceremony hosted by television presenter Patrick Kielty. Emma Gray and Ewan Irvine took gold in both the “small or medium diversification of…

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Next rural medical drones test flights begin

DRONES could soon be delivering medicines, blood, and test results to rural and island communities throughout Scotland as the next phase of a pilot project takes flight. The “Care & Equity Healthcare Logistics Unmanned Aircraft System Scotland” project – or “Caelus” for short – has secured £10.1 million of funding from UK Research & Innovation,…

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Grouse shooting season begins today

RURAL businesses are predicting that overseas visitors will return to Scotland as the grouse shooting season gets underway. Ross Ewing, moorland director at trade body Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Thanks to the arrival of the grouse shooting season, Scotland’s rural economy is back in business after a challenging few years of covid-19. “The significance…

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Review: Footloose – The King’s Theatre, Glasgow

Kenny Smith pulls on his dancing shoes to review Footloose at The King’s Theatre in Glasgow. WHEN you hear the word “Footloose”, the chances are you’re going to think of the ever-popular 80s film starring Kevin Bacon. However, there’s a new kid in town this week in Glasgow, as Joshua Hawkins sizzles in the role…

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Royal Highland Show sells out two days

THE Royal Highland Show has sold all its tickets for Friday and Saturday. The show, which begins on Thursday, is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. It will be the first time crowds have been allowed to attend the show at Ingliston on the edge of Edinburgh since 2019 due to the pandemic. Director operations…

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‘Estates that Educate’ boosts rural skills

NEARLY 800 children are learning about living and working in the countryside as part of the “Estates that Educate” programme. Primary and secondary school pupils in the Angus Glens, Grampian, the Southern Uplands, Speyside, Strathdearn, and Tayside are receiving five consecutive weeks of moorland education. Topics covered include deer management, cooking game, renewable energy, and…

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Guy Grieve shares adventures at Game Fair

SCOTTISH FIELD columnist Guy Grieve will be sharing stories from his adventures at next month’s Scottish Game Fair. Grieve will take to the stage in the Hive tent at 6pm on Saturday 2 July to tell tales from his journeys through the wilderness and across the seas. He will also be in conversation at 10.30am…

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Royal Highland Show toasts gin, beer, and PJs launch

THE Royal Highland Show has released a gin to celebrate its 200th anniversary, alongside a beer partnership, and merchandise – including a pair of pyjamas. The gin was made for the show by Moray Distillery in Elgin, which launched its Avva gin in 2016. A bespoke recipe was created using 12 botanicals – including dandelion,…

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‘Wonders of Wool’ on show tomorrow

WOOL will be the star of the show tomorrow when the National Museum of Rural Life kicks off its “woolly weekend” in East Kilbride. The weekend’s wool-theme events include sheep life-drawing classes and the chance to see sheep being sheared. Traditional skills such as spinning will also be on show during a series of demonstrations.…

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Quiraing paths reopen after upgrade

PATHS at Quiraing on the Isle of Skye have reopened following upgrades led by the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS). Routes measuring 300 metres in length have been created or upgraded to make the site safer for locals and visitors. The work is part of the £1 million Skye Iconic Sites Project (SISP), which…

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