‘Wheelyboat’ helps anglers fish on Uists’ lochs

ANGLERS and tourists can now explore more of the Uists’ lochs thanks to funding for an accessible “wheelyboat”. Hydraulic platforms will allow people in wheelchairs to use the boat, no matter how low the water level or how inaccessible the banks. The boat will be used by anglers in the Outer Hebrides to fish for…

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NHS heroes enjoy weekend hotel stays

MORE than 380 health service workers and their families stayed at Crerar Hotels’ seven venues for free last weekend as part of the “Scottish Hospitality for NHS Heroes” initiative. Paddy Crerar, the company’s founder and chairman, took some guests on boat trips, while others tucked into locally-sourced food and drink. The chain spent more than…

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Balcarres House auction spans three centuries

FURNITURE and art spanning three centuries from a Scottish country house will go under the hammer next month. Lyon & Turnbull’s “Five Centuries” auction in Edinburgh on 3 September will feature lots from Balcarres House in Fife, home of the Earls of Crawford and Balcarres. The Lindsay family has lived in the house since 1595.…

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Artists send online D&G postcards

NEARLY 40 artists and makers have contributed small-scale works to an online exhibition entitled “A Postcard From D&G”. Pieces created for the initiative range from paintings, drawings and feltwork through to original prints and glass. Artists who have taken part in the exhibition include Heather Blanchard, Lisa Hooper, and Amanda Simmons. The online show opens…

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Beer fans enjoy more pints with Scottish barley

SCOTLAND’S craft brewers are poised to get more access to Scottish malted barley thanks to equipment that can handle smaller bags. Crisp Malt has spent ÂŁ2 million installing a packaging line at its plant in Alloa. At the moment, craft brewers that can’t buy large quantities of malt either need to buy Scottish malt that’s…

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Bid to uncover Churchill’s untold Scots connections

THE International Churchill Society (ICS) wants to hear untold stories about Sir Winston Churchill’s connections with Scotland. The society has highlighted many of the Second World War leader’s well-known links to Scotland in the latest issue of its journal, Finest Hour. Those connections include his service in the 6th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers on…

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‘Hello Dolly!’ as museum and other sites reopen

THE National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh is among the tourist attractions reopening today as Scotland’s businesses continue to bounce back from the coronavirus lockdown. The Chamber Street museum’s entrance hall and level one galleries open today, with other parts of the site opening on unspecified later dates. Two new displays have been completed to…

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Rural arts fundraising campaign launched

A FUNDRAISING campaign to help rural venues host live performances begins this morning. The “Keep Rural Arts Live” initiative aims to raise ÂŁ20,000 through the Crowdfunder website. The campaign is being run by The Touring Network, which brings together artists and venues spread across Scotland. The money will subsidise lost income if venues have to…

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‘Blockchain’ helps keep oats gluten-free

SHOPPERS will soon be able to check that their oats are gluten-free thanks to six Scottish farmers and “blockchain” technology. Although oats are naturally gluten-free, many of the facilities in which they are processed handle gluten and so contamination is an issue. Six Scottish farmers have been created a gluten-free oat supply chain, so customers…

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Children’s wildlife drawing contest launched

GARDEN BirdWatch is marking its 25th anniversary with a drawing competition for children aged five to 11. The British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO’s) summer project includes watching, counting, drawing and writing. The results from each year’s Garden BirdWatch are used by the BTO’s scientists to understand how British birds are faring and how gardens can…

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