By the sea shore: The Seafood Shack cookbook

A trip to the coast is a free pass to indulge in the simple pleasures. Some collect seashells, others build sandcastles, and the day simply isn’t complete without sampling the Great Scottish Fruits de Mer.  Thanks to local lasses Kirsty Scobie and Fenella Renwick, such fabulous fare is not hard to come by in Ullapool.…

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A celebration of four breathtaking Scots islands

Beyond the British shores and straight out to sea lie the most exquisite islands, just waiting to be explored. Lundy, Rockall, Dogger and Fair Isle are little worlds which are unique in their rugged, breathtaking geography, their legends and folklore. Here, words and art are brought together to create a beautiful, illustrated celebration of the…

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Surfing Scots star in new Carling TV advert

A group of intrepid Scots surfers who brave the freezing cold waters of the North Sea have become the stars of a new national advertising campaign from Carling called ‘Made Local’. 45-year-old Jason Burnett stars in the ad, along with his fellow surf friends from the local, windswept town of Pease Bay in Berwickshire. Jason…

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A fascinating history of Scotland’s geology

Set In Stone, by Alan McKirdy, is a concise and lavishly illustrated introduction to the geology and landscapes of Scotland. It explains in clear language why the country looks as it does today. Ideal for the non-specialist, this account explores Scotland’s ecological journey from a time of sea and flood, and credits Scots both past…

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Diver survived 35 minutes – on 6 minutes of air

This compelling true story of a diver trapped on the bottom of the North Sea is to be shown on TV. Chris Lemons’ body amazingly was able to survive for 35 minutes on a six-minute emergency air tank. At the time of the incident Chris was relatively new to saturation diving. It was an exciting…

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A life on the ocean wave for the Scottish pirates

Pirates and Privateers in the 18th Century provides an interesting account of pirates – a surprising number of whom were Scots in real life. They have been portrayed on the big screen, in plays and books as heroes, romanticising the reality of these criminals of the sea. This book destroys the myth of buried treasure…

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A dark history in a mysterious Scottish house

In Down to the Sea, we follow the fascinating and often difficult lives of the occupants of a mysterious house in Edinburgh across three centuries. In the early 1980s, young couple Rona and Craig believe they have found the perfect house to renovate and turn into a luxury care home. However its dark history from…

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Generous donation brings lifeboat back to life

Following a generous donation from confectionery guru Boyd Tunnock, the St Abbs lifeboat has once again returned to the seas around Berwickshire. How did you hear about the St Abbs lifeboat appeal? A letter came to the factory asking me for a donation and I thought it was such a good cause I gave them…

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New cologne from Jo Malone makes perfect scents

Make one of your resolutions this New Year to find the perfect scent. The latest addition to Jo Malone’s Cologne Intense family has just launched and is an intriguing blend of bronze wood and leather. This smoky and warm fragrance is enlivened by the addition of vibrant juniper, refreshing grapefruit and a twist of vetiver.…

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Ferry joins event to mark 100 years since Iolaire tragedy

A ferry is to support an event to mark the centenary of Britain’s worst peacetime marine tragedy. Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed that, subject to weather conditions, the MV Loch Seaforth will participate in the New Year’s Day Service to commemorate 100 years since the Iolaire sank. At midday on New Year’s Day, a special Iolaire…

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