Scots folk band releases US book shop tour album

A FOLK band that takes its inspiration from book shops has released its latest album. The Bookshop Band’s Live in American Bookshops long-player has been released as a limited edition vinyl record. Folk duo Beth Porter and Ben Please are from Wigtown, Scotland’s national book town. They have forged their reputation by creating songs inspired…

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Gifford woodland gets help from quarry

ACCESS and drainage at Gifford Community Woodland in East Lothian has been improved by a local quarry. Longyester quarry, which is just three miles from the site, helped to maintain the drainage ditches in the wood. Neville Kilkenny, project manager for the woodland, approached Tillicoultry Quarries, which owns Longyester, for help. “They didn’t disappoint and…

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St Leonards: Scotland’s Independent School of the Year 2019

St Leonards is a coeducational boarding and day school for pupils aged 5-18. The school boasts a safe and leafy campus bounded by medieval walls in the heart of the seaside university town of St Andrews. It was named as Scotland’s Independent School of the Year 2019 by The Sunday Times Good Schools Guide. Pupils…

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Morrison’s Academy pupils win technology contest

A TEAM of four pupils from Morrison’s Academy in Crieff has won a competition to create technology that can be worn. The OpenUK Kids’ Competition and ten-week coding project involved pupils creating wearable technology and learning software and development skills using MiMU gloves. Nine judges chose four regional winners, with Morrison’s Academy then being selected…

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Union Chain Bridge champion wins award

ONE of the people behind the campaign to preserve the historic Union Chain Bridge linking England and Scotland across the River Tweed has been chosen as the winner of the Tweed Forum River Champion Award. Edward Cawthorn from Berwick was a founding member of the “Friends of the Union Chain Bridge”, which was formed in…

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Perth curry maker expands team of chefs

DEMAND for restauranteur Praveen Kumar’s frozen curries has soared during the pandemic. The Perthshire-based entrepreneur launched Praveen Kumar Authentic Indian Cuisine in April 2019 and has expanded his workforce to 18 people to cope with the demand. His curries are being delivered throughout the UK and two of his dishes – kodi koora and butter…

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A crime thriller on a Scottish island

We didn’t have to wait long for the next instalment of Inspector Angus Blue’s whodunnits, and it doesn’t disappoint. Called to Jura after an attempted assassination on a Cabinet Minister, the inspector finds himself in a series of fantastically eerie landscapes and is forced to overcome several unexpected hurdles. As with The Pead Dead, the…

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US election could boost rare Trump dram

A bottle of 26 year old GlenDronach single malt whisky that was bottled in 2012 to commemorate the opening of Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, could get an election boost when it goes under the hammer in Glasgow. McTear’s Rare & Fine Whisky Auction will take place on November 6, three days after the…

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Botanics invites heroes to lights show

HEROES from the emergency services are being invited to the opening of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s Christmas lights display. Some 200 “Blue Light” card holders will be asked to come along to the launch of the trail, which will be open for 32 nights. Regius Keeper Simon Milne said: “The opening of Christmas at…

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Amelia Windsor launches Brora’s ocean range

FASHION brand Brora has teamed up with model and environmentalist Lady Amelia Windsor for its latest collection, which will be launched on Monday. Lady Amelia selected the Blue Marine Foundation as the charity that will receive a donation of 10% of sales from Brora’s ocean-inspired range. “Blue Marine Foundation reminds us that we are all…

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