New Highland Clearances podcast and radio series

A NEW podcast and radio series is shining a light on an untold story from the Highland Clearances. Local resident Duncan Mackenzie, Ullapool Book Festival honorary president Chris Dolan, and Ullapool Museum have worked together on Hidden in Plain Sight. The eight-part docu-drama stars a cast of voices including actor David Hayman and broadcaster Mark…

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Edinburgh’s Christmas revealed in numbers

ORGANISERS have highlighted the popularity of Edinburgh’s Christmas by unveiling the numbers behind the celebrations. More than 2.4 million visits were made to Princes Street Gardens and George Street during the five and a half weeks of festivities. The capital’s big wheel lifted more than 140,000 people up into the skies above Princes Street, while…

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Wine to Dine – February 2023 – Edinbane

Wine columnist James Robertson pairs five wines with dishes from Edinbane’s Calum Montgomery. TAKE a look at the recipes in the February issue of Scottish Field magazine and then enjoy the full reviews of the five accompanying wines… EsporĂŁo Quinta do Ameal Loureiro, 2020, Portugal, www.winedirect.co.uk, ÂŁ13.95 Light, fruity with a hint of citrus and…

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Holyrood and Heriot-Watt eye old barley varieties for whisky

SCIENTISTS and distillers are investigating which aromas and flavours are produced in whisky by old varieties of barley. Holyrood Distillery in Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University will study at least eight varieties over the next six years. Chevallier, a variety popular during the 19th century, is among the strains being tested. The variety fell out of…

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Lord Thurso chairs Institute of Hospitality

THE Institute of Hospitality (IoH) has named Lord Thurso as its incoming chair. Lord Thurso, who has served as chairman of VisitScotland since 2016, will take over from Surinder Arora, founder and chairman of the Arora Hotel Group. The institute plans to apply for royal chartered status in the spring. Lord Thurso said: “As a…

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Wedding venues prepare for New Year

SCOTLAND’S wedding venues are gearing up for a busy 2023. Joyce and Simon Usher, owners of Dunglass Estate, are celebrating after being named as “wedding venue of the year” at the Scotland Prestige Awards. The 5,000-acre estate in East Lothian was dubbed “the most romantic sweet place I ever saw” by poet Robert Burns. Usher…

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Highland women celebrated in podcast

THE stories of Highland women are being celebrated in a new series of podcasts. The programmes were commissioned by Museums & Heritage Highlands and XpoNorth Digital, which supports creative businesses. The series, which is hosted by Pauline Moore, uses archive material to tell the stories of women from the Highlands. Jewel thief Mary Marjory MacDonald,…

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Blackcaps pick UK over Mediterranean for winter

SOME Scots might be heading to the Mediterranean for its winter sunshine, but more and more blackcaps are doing the opposite. Historically, blackcaps have bred in the UK and then returned to the Mediterranean during the winter. Now, scientists have discovered that a growing number of the robin-sized birds are not only staying in the…

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Historic Canongate gasworks to become student flats

PLANNING permission has been granted to turn the former Canongate gasworks in Edinburgh into student flats. The application was rejected by City of Edinburgh Council in August, but a Scottish Government planning reporter has now upheld an appeal. The flats will include 76 studio rooms, a gym, and two study rooms. The development is aimed…

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Panto dame hits 1,000-show milestone

PANTO dame Alan McHugh notched up his 1,000th performance last week at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen. Having started performing at the Granite City theatre in Snow White in 2004, McHugh has notched up 19 years of shows. The popular star was given a surprise presentation on stage at the end of the evening performance…

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