Artist supports golden eagle project

PRINTMAKER Lisa Hooper has won a competition to create a print that will promote the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project. The Wigtownshire-based artist’s design will be used on a poster and information leaflets. Hooper said: “I don’t normally do commissioned work, but this brief really grabbed me because of the subject matter and the…

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NTS gardens springing back into action

THE National Trust for Scotland (NTS) is preparing to reopen around 30 of its gardens from 6 July. Culzean Country Park in Ayrshire, Brodie Castle’s garden and estate in Moray, and Crathes Castle’s garden and estate in Aberdeenshire are among the properties that will begin welcoming back guests. The trust’s countryside sites, including St Abb’s…

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Record results for Belhaven Hill School

PUPILS at Belhaven Hill School in East Lothian have managed to post record exam results during the coronavirus lockdown. All 28 boys and girls aged 12 to 13 were accepted into their first-choice senior schools in Scotland and England. Headmaster Henry Knight said: “Just shy of 80% of all grades at common entrance are A*,…

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Face coverings in gondola as Nevis Ranges eyes return

FOOT passengers and cyclists using the mountain gondola at Nevis Range will be asked to wear face coverings when the outdoor activities centre reopens. The site – which attracts 75% of its visitors between May and September for walks, mountain bike rides and other outdoor activities – expects to welcome visitors back from 15 July.…

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Work resumes on two iconic Skye tourist sites

VISITORS will be able to enjoy greater access to two of Skye’s iconic sites – once movement restrictions ease – after a pair of maintenance projects got underway again. McGowan, the principal contractor for repairs to 600 metres of footpath at the Old Man of Storr, has been putting stones into bags to be airlifted…

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Appointment-only for Laings reopening

JEWELLERY chain Laings is to reopen its shops in Edinburgh and Glasgow on 30 June, with customers booking appointments. Its Southampton store is already trading again and its Cardiff site will also follow suit on 30 June. The branches will be open from 10am to 4pm from Tuesdays through to Saturdays. Retail director Stuart McDowell…

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Lorne sausage crisps go global

SCOTLAND’S humble square sausage is poised to gain new fans around the world after a deal was signed to sell Lorne-flavoured crisps over the internet. Mackie’s immortalised the Lorne sausage in a limited-edition crisp flavour that went on sale in Scotmid’s shops earlier this month. Now, a fresh deal with online retailer British Corner Shop…

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Visitors return to Scotland’s four royal botanic gardens

DETAILS of the reopening of Scotland’s four royal botanic gardens will be unveiled on Wednesday, including how to pre-book tickets to enter the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. All four gardens – at Benmore in Argyll, Dawyck in the Borders, Edinburgh, and Logan in Galloway – will reopen on 1 July. Visitors will need to book…

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Scotland’s hotels get ready to welcome guests back

HOTELS throughout Scotland are preparing to welcome back guests as the coronavirus lockdown continues to ease. The Scottish Government is expected to lift restrictions so accommodation can reopen on 15 July. Crerar Hotels & Inns – which runs properties including the Golf View Hotel in Nairn, the Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa in Inverary, and…

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Ewing: Kids ‘don’t know chips come from potatoes’

THE Scottish Government’s rural economy secretary has praised farmers for keeping the nation fed during lockdown – but has expressed his fear that children don’t know that chips come from potatoes. Fergus Ewing, who represents Inverness and Nairn in the Scottish Parliament, made the comments to Alan Laidlaw, chief executive of the Royal Highland &…

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