Susan Calman show searches for Scots’ happiness

Susan Calman is on a quest to investigate the weird and wonderful ways we are discovering unexpected hits of happiness in these uncertain times, in a brand new four part series for BBC Scotland. Each week Susan Calman’s Happy Space will seek out and celebrate the many ways, however odd, we are all seeking out…

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Scotland’s wildlife celebrated in a family book

100 Great Wildlife Experiences: What To See And Where is a family-friendly book, and author James D. Fair delivers exactly what he promises. Counting down 100 of the UK’s majestic fauna and flora, he takes his readers on a nationwide wildlife tour, recommending the best places to spot lapwings, willow warblers, pine martens and more…

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Research your Scottish family history at home

Scottish Ancestry Through Church & State Records is a thorough guide to Scotland’s genealogical landscape and is a useful tool for researchers of the diaspora to have at hand. Chris Paton examines common records used by family historians, including censuses, tax records and registers of land ownership. A basic knowledge of the legal system is…

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New Zealand syrah: Gimblett Gravels and beyond

After exploring syrah from Gimblett Gravels, Peter Ranscombe casts his net wider to look at other parts of New Zealand. WINES fall into two categories. There are the crowd-pleasing styles that most fans will recognise – Prosecco from Italy, shiraz from Australia, sauvignon blanc from Marlborough. Then there are the niches, the bottles about which…

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Celebrating 90 years of Scottish hostelling

Hostelling Scotland celebrated its 90th birthday on Scotland. Previously known as the Scottish Youth Hostels Association, to mark this major milestone the self-funded charity is introducing all babies born in the month of February 2021 to the world of hostelling by offering them a free lifetime membership (worth ÂŁ150). Since 1931, the organisation’s mission has…

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Famous clock restored by Johnnie Walker

One of Edinburgh’s best-known landmarks was restored in time for Valentine’s Day by Johnnie Walker. The beautiful cantilever clock is located on the corner of Princes Street and Hope Street at the heart of the city, making it the ideal rendezvous point for couples meeting before an evening out. It is known locally as the…

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A thrilling crime novel packed with suspense

Set in the familiar backdrop of bonnie Scotland, Douglas-Home has ingeniously tapped into the country’s intrinsic qualities to create a crime novel full of suspense. The journalist turned author juxtaposes the hustle of Edinburgh city centre with the eerily quiet hills of the Highlands, cleverly setting the perfect scene for crimes to be committed, and…

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Keep your dog on the lead as lambing season begins

Several Scottish organisations have united in an urgent plea to dog owners across the country to keep their dogs under proper control around livestock. Lambing season is already well underway in Scotland, and most of the ewes we see now grazing the hills and fields are heavily pregnant at this time of year. Already farmers…

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Pledge to redouble fight for Galloway National Park

The Galloway National Park Association has pledged to fight on after being turned down in its bid to create Scotland’s third national park. Emma Harper MSP put a motion to the Scottish Parliament to support moves towards the creation of a new National Park in Galloway and received all party backing, to join Loch Lomond…

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Two thirds of Scots homeowners don’t know its value

A new survey has revealed that nearly two thirds of Scots are unaware of their home’s current value despite it being their most valuable asset. According to a new survey commissioned by Zoopla, more than half (57%) don’t know the square footage of their home, even though indoor space has assumed a new level of…

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