Helping it Happen Awards open for 2023

TWO categories have been added to this year’s Helping it Happen Awards. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the membership body that organises the competition, said the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Scotland aims to celebrate “those who have spent their lives working in and for Scotland’s countryside”. The Rural Rising Star Award is designed…

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BBC Scotland ‘Introducing’ shortlist unveiled

BBC Scotland Introducing revealed the eight finalists tonight for this year’s competition. The contest shines a spotlight on up-and-coming musical talent from throughout our nation. This year’s shortlist was unveiled this evening on BBC iPlayer: Aiitee; VLURE; Russell Stewart; Terra Kin; The Big Day; LOVE SICK; Chef; and The Queen of Harps. Tonight’s programme on…

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The story behind the Cuttitta Cup

JEWELLER Hamilton & Inches has shared the story behind rugby’s Cuttitta Cup, for which Scotland and Italy will compete tomorrow at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. The company was commissioned in 2021 to make the trophy, which celebrates the contribution made to the sport by Massimo Cuttitta, who captained Italy and coached Scotland’s scrum. The cup was…

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Two tartans launched in Edinburgh

TEXTILE designer Araminta Birse-Stewart has launched two tartans at The Scottish Textiles Showcase, a boutique in Edinburgh. Her “Highlands at Dawn” and “Highlands at Dusk” designs were triggered by Scotland’s skies. Birse-Stewart, founder and creative director at Araminta Campbell, explained that her inspiration for the designs came from her childhood holidays spent exploring the Highlands,…

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Review: The Malt Vault at Karma Lake of Menteith

James Robertson visits the Malt Vault at the Karma Lake of Menteith hotel. AS SPRING emerges on the horizon, many distilleries start to gear up for an increase in whisky tourists. Nestled at the foot of the Trossachs is the Karma Lake of Menteith, a hotel that is now part of a collection of worldwide…

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Review: St Patrick’s Day whiskey

James Robertson reviews St Patrick’s Day whiskey for his drinks blog. THERE was a brief moment on Sunday watching the rugby unfold that I thought maybe, just maybe we – as in Scotland – were going to get our hands on the Triple Crown. But as in years past that moment disappeared as the men…

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Bronze sculpture overlooks Union Chain Bridge

A BRONZE sculpture of designer Captain Samuel Brown now overlooks the Union Chain Bridge. The sculpture was placed on the Northumbrian side of the bridge, which links Scotland with England, to “oversee” the final stages of the current restoration work. Brown was a Royal Navy officer who made cables for ships using iron chains. His…

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National Museum of Rural Life ‘springs’ into life

THE National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride is preparing to host its “Spring Explorers” events. The museum is holding craft activities and storytelling sessions, and offering a chance to see lambs, carves, and piglets on 3-6 April. Its new “Dolly the Sheep Trail” opens on 1 April and runs until 4 June to…

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SRUC: ‘Where there’s muck, there’s brass’

SCOTLAND’S Rural College (SRUC) has breathed fresh life into the old adage “Where there’s muck, there’s brass”. The college has worked with Bristol and Edinburgh universities to investigate alternative uses for cow dung. At present, dung is used as fertiliser or to produce “biogas”. Researchers are now highlighting the “staggering” variety of applications for recycled…

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Scottish Opera prepares for Il Trittico

Ahead of tomorrow’s performance of Puccini’s Il Trittico, Simone Waters speaks to Scottish Opera designer Charles Edwards. IF DESIGNING the set for one opera is a challenge then designing the set for three operas together is something on a whole different scale. Designer Charles Edwards has been faced with exactly that task as Scottish Opera…

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