Hotel review: Ness Walk, Inverness

With food this creative, rosettes or bibs should be beckoning, writes Peter Ranscombe. It’s the wee things that make a big difference: being offered a cup of tea – or a glass of Champagne – on arrival; being offered a choice of Scottish craft beers on draught – not just a token bottle hidden in…

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Isle of Harris: Distiller launches long-awaited first whisky

The Isle of Harris Distillers has launched its long-awaited single malt Scotch whisky. The Hearach – the Scottish Gaelic for a native of Harris – will be available to purchase from 23 September. The first legal dram from the Outer Hebridean Isle of Harris, The Hearach offers an elegant single malt, with fruit and floral…

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Oysters returned to Firth of Forth for first time in a century

After a 100-year absence, native oysters are being reintroduced to the Firth of Forth. Historically, enormous native oyster beds provided an important source for food and livelihoods in the area. But the marine species was lost due to overfishing and industrial development. The groundbreaking Restoration Forth project hopes to transfer 30,000 oysters to the area…

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Judy Murray’s tennis tips target better brain health

Tennis coach Judy Murray is backing an initiative to shows playing is a game-changer for anyone wanting to keep their brain healthy. Murray was at an Edinburgh drop-in café this week to pass on skills aimed at keeping the brain and body active. The visit was part of a project led by the Brain Health…

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Da Vinci of Denfield Avenue: How artist William McLaren used a council flat wall to brush up on his skills

An incredible Renaissance style mural by artist William McLaren was discovered in an unassuming council flat in Fife. McLaren was an illustrator, painter and artist who worked for magazines such as Radio Times and The Listener, and The Sphere, a weekly newspaper.  His commissions also included murals for the magnificent Hopetoun House in West Lothian.…

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Lombard Collection takes centre stage at whisky auction

Some of the world’s finest whiskies, part of the Lombard Collection, are set to be auctioned off. Part 1 of the Lombard Whisky Collection will feature more than 200 whiskies from world renowned distilleries including, Springbank, Bunnahabhain, Brora, Glenury, and Glen Keith. The rare lot will be auctioned on 4 October at McTear’s in Glasgow. …

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Action! £1.25m appeal for Historic Edinburgh cinema

A fundraising campaign has started to reopen the historic Filmhouse Cinema in Edinburgh.  Supporters want to raise at least £1.25 million to cover the cost of reopening and refurbishing of the 19th-century building on Lothian Road by next year. It housed a three-screen cinema and was home to the Edinburgh International Film Festival before the…

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Group Portrait in a Summer Landscape on show in Edinburgh next month

Playwright Peter Arnott’s Group Portrait in a Summer Landscape is coming to Edinburgh next month. The play is set in a Perthshire country house during the Scottish Independence referendum of 2014.   It revolves around retired academic and political heavyweight, George Rennie – played by John Michie – and his fractured family and former students, coming…

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