Native Hebridean smoked salmon makes splash at awards

A NATIVE Hebridean smoked salmon scooped the top prize at last night’s Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards in Edinburgh. Bakkafrost Scotland’s salmon took home the “product of the year” trophy. Lazy Day Bakery won the new free-from award for its chocolate cake bars, while Girvan-based butcher We Hae Meat won the sustainability award. Other…

Read More

Strathallan School pupils spread their wings

FORMER pupils from Strathallan School in Perthshire are starting their university courses after celebrating their exam results. Charlotte Gilmour, who was the Perthshire school’s captain, is in Boston as she starts her first semester at Harvard University. Gilmour, who was also the captain of the girls’ rugby team at the independent school and a player…

Read More

Another six golden eagles moved to the south

SIX golden eagles were moved from the Highlands to a secret location in the Borders over the summer during the latest phase of a reintroduction scheme. The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project now estimates that there are around 40 birds in the area – the most for 300 years. The project is now preparing…

Read More

Doric scriever starts residency

DORIC writer Shane Strachan has been named as the next Scots scriever by the National Library of Scotland. The role involves promoting the Scots language by carrying out research at the library and producing original work. Strachan said: “I’m fair trickit tae be this year’s Scots scriever, especially gettin tae promote the Doric o my…

Read More

Next rural medical drones test flights begin

DRONES could soon be delivering medicines, blood, and test results to rural and island communities throughout Scotland as the next phase of a pilot project takes flight. The “Care & Equity Healthcare Logistics Unmanned Aircraft System Scotland” project – or “Caelus” for short – has secured £10.1 million of funding from UK Research & Innovation,…

Read More

Artificial intelligence gets arty for Scotland

TOURISM marketing body VisitScotland has used an artificial intelligence (AI) program to create pictures of Scotland. Photographs and paintings were fed into the NightCafe AI art generator, which then produced images in-keeping with the originals. The agency is using the images to promote the 13 sites on Scotland’s United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation…

Read More

Young Islanders’ Network launched

CHILDREN and young people from Scotland’s islands will be sharing their views through a new Young Islanders’ Network (YIN), which was launched yesterday. The YIN has been set up as part of the Scottish Government’s national islands plan. The network will help to share young people’s views on how the plan is implemented. Ministers teamed…

Read More

Whisky news round-up: Talisker, Glenlivet, and more

Peter Ranscombe rounds-up the latest whisky news from Scotland’s distilleries. TALISKER ambassador Ross Edgley is attempting to break a swimming world record to promote the distillery’s partnership with conservation charity Parley for the Oceans. The long-distance swimmer aims to break the world record for the longest tideless open water swim. Edgley wants to swim for…

Read More

Merchiston Castle goes co-ed for ‘forest school’

Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh has unveiled plans to open a “forest school” in its grounds for both boys and girls. Forest schools, which involve teaching children in the outdoors, have become increasingly popular in recent years. The independent boys’ school will open a outdoor nursery school in September 2024 for children aged between three…

Read More

Edinburgh youngsters pick 50 favourite places

CHILDREN in Edinburgh have selected their 50 favourite activities for a guide compiled for youngsters visiting Scotland’s capital. More than 100 recommendations were received from young people aged between three and 15. The project was run by Forever Edinburgh, the city council’s marketing body, and women’s network Egg. Egg’s community of mums asked their “mini…

Read More