What does ‘foraged’ beer taste like?

A brewery in Fife is creating beer from yarrow, sea salt, and even hogweed seeds, writes Peter Ranscombe. ONE of the most exciting aspects of Scotland’s craft beer scene is its creativity. Gone are the days of brews being made with just water, barleys, hops, and yeast. Instead, the sheer variety of ingredients that go…

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Youngsters urged to write about climate change

Scotland’s young writers are being urged to put pen to paper and unleash their creativity. They are encouraged to submit a piece of writing around the theme of climate change as part of a new BBC Radio Scotland competition titled Climate Tales. A nationwide call-out was made by Kaye Adams on BBC Radio Scotland’s Mornings…

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A Tomb with a View offers a fascinating insight

While the more superstitious among us avoid graveyards or simply hold our breath while passing them, Peter Ross finds them curiously comforting. He whiled away the hours in the Old Town cemetery in Stirling as a boy. The Glasgow-based writer, one of Scotland’s finest essayists, admits that deciphering old gravestones was one of the ways…

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A study of nature writing and the Scottish ecology

Kathleen Jamie introduces Antlers of Water, a collection of modern Scottish nature writing with a huge focus on our pressing ecological crisis. This is apparent in most of the 23 commissioned writings by various Scottish authors, the diversity between each of their chapters refl ective of Scotland’s unique environment. There’s an intriguing mix of prose,…

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Four Corners of Scotland charity whisky tasting event

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association is organising a very special, hybrid, whisky tasting event later this month. It is taking place April 28 at 7.30pm in collaboration with Scotland’s newest whisky club, 1775 Whisky Passport and the award-winning bar and restaurant, the Mercat Grill in East Lothian. All proceeds will go to The Ben, the…

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The Scottish Rum Festival is on the way this summer

It’s one of the fastest growing drinks in popularity in Scotland – and the Scottish Rum Festival is taking place online this summer. Running for a second year, from 17-18 July, the Scottish Rum Festival is this summer’s unmissable drinks event – and Cask & Still, sister title of Scottish Field, we are proud to…

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Huge sales rise thanks to virtual drinks events

A Scots distillery has seen online sales increase by 250% over the past year, thanks to the success of their virtual drinks experiences. When COVID hit in March 2020, the Stirling Distillery tour, shop and gin school were all temporarily closed, so the business had to rethink its approach and fast. Founders June and Cameron…

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New pickled onion crisps proving to be an instant hit

A special launch of a classic packed-lunch crisp flavour has piqued the interest of supermarket buyers across the country. Pickled Onion is the latest permanent addition for Mackie’s Crisps. Set for an initial run of 150,000 bags and with hopes of reaching more than ÂŁ200,000 in sales, Mackie’s Pickled Onion will be available in Sainsburys,…

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Aye Write book festival moves online in May

The Aye Write book festival will this year deliver a diverse, digital programme of events over two weekends in May. Running from May 14-16 and May 21-23 May, Aye Write is Glasgow’s Book Festival and is produced by Glasgow Life, the charity which delivers culture and sport in the city. The live book festival, usually…

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Essential California: the ‘unusual’ organic suspects

In the second part of his report from the ‘Essential California’ virtual tasting, Peter Ranscombe goes beyond the usual suspects. IN THE days running up to Scotland’s first lockdown, one of the final wine tastings I attended was the “Essential Calfornia” event in London. In the hustle and bustle of a hotel in the city’s…

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