Posts Tagged ‘Scotland’
New kids on the blanc: New Zealand goes beyond sauvignon
Inspired by this week’s masterclass led by Archie McDiarmid from wine merchant Luvians, Peter Ranscombe picks six lesser-known wines from New Zealand. FEW countries have such a strong affinity with a single grape variety as New Zealand and sauvignon blanc. Chalking up 72% of the country’s wine production and 86% of its exports, the white…
Read MoreA beautiful photographic guide to the Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is a photographic evocation of one of the best-known and most-iconic parts of Scotland. Iain Kirk Campbell’s large landscape-format book beautifully captures Skye’s many different moods, from the darker, more brooding side of the island’s character, to its bright lights and cheerful flora and fauna. Divided into sections, the book looks…
Read MoreA crime thriller that ticks all the right boxes
Brooke Magnanti’s first stab at a crime thriller hits all the must-haves of the genre – secrets, lies… and dead bodies. Protagonist Erykah Macdonald had little to call her own growing up, but she turned things around and has a ‘nice’ life now – the kind of life you’re meant to want; pleasant house, good…
Read MoreJust what makes Scots comic Karen Dunbar laugh?
Karen Dunbar is one of Scotland’s most accomplished comics and actresses. Originally from Ayr, Karen came to prominence on BBC Comedy show Chewin’ the Fat, before getting her own programme, The Karen Dunbar Show. Since then, she’s become an accomplished actress on stage, and is currently appearing in the UK tour of Calendar Girls. I…
Read MoreHeavenly retreat at Macdonald Pittodrie House
There is something utterly enchanting about an escape to the countryside; and although it might sound like the opening scenes to a Jane Austen novel, we really did have an idyllic start to our weekend retreat. Making our way down a winding driveway, seeing the dappled sunshine through the trees and listening to the gentle…
Read MoreBold and the new: Scottish Ensemble mark 50 years
One of the UK’s most pioneering string orchestras, the Scottish Ensemble, is marking its 50th anniversary by taking music to an even wider audience in its new season. The programme of events for 2019/2020, launched this week, celebrates SE’s distinctive, open minded music making, which has established the group’s reputation in Scotland and across the…
Read MoreAudiences up almost a third at Glasgow Jazz Festival
The Glasgow Jazz Festival is celebrating a year of growth, with audiences up almost a third on last year. The 33rd annual festival saw a 27 per cent increase in attendances this year, which staged more than 50 events across five days from Wednesday 19 to Sunday 23 June 2019. Locations right across Glasgow were…
Read MoreShaping up with £250,000 fitness & spa investment
An iconic Scottish hotel is putting fitness first after the completion of an impressive £250,000 improvement programme in its spa and fitness facilities. Trump Turnberry, the iconic resort on the Ayrshire coast, has also announced the appointment of a new fitness manager and nail specialist. Committed to the wellness of guests, the new, cutting edge…
Read MoreEast Neuk Festival hangs out the washing
The 15th annual East Neuk Festival is taking place later this week. In preparation for this year’s event, running from 26-30 June, the unveiling of The Drying Green has taken place – a large-scale art installation set within the wildflower meadow of the National Trust for Scotland’s Kellie Castle in Pittenweem, Fife. The Drying Green…
Read MoreMusic and beer at the heart of weekend festival
Ferry Fest 2019 take place this weekend with the return of the large outdoor beer and musical festival. Running on Saturday, June 29, Ferry Brewery, the first and only brewery in South Queensferry since 1851, are set to host Ferry Fest 19 with the main goal of providing a much bigger and better event. The…
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