Susan Calman show searches for Scots’ happiness

Susan Calman is on a quest to investigate the weird and wonderful ways we are discovering unexpected hits of happiness in these uncertain times, in a brand new four part series for BBC Scotland. Each week Susan Calman’s Happy Space will seek out and celebrate the many ways, however odd, we are all seeking out…

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New Zealand syrah: Gimblett Gravels and beyond

After exploring syrah from Gimblett Gravels, Peter Ranscombe casts his net wider to look at other parts of New Zealand. WINES fall into two categories. There are the crowd-pleasing styles that most fans will recognise – Prosecco from Italy, shiraz from Australia, sauvignon blanc from Marlborough. Then there are the niches, the bottles about which…

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Two thirds of Scots homeowners don’t know its value

A new survey has revealed that nearly two thirds of Scots are unaware of their home’s current value despite it being their most valuable asset. According to a new survey commissioned by Zoopla, more than half (57%) don’t know the square footage of their home, even though indoor space has assumed a new level of…

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Winners of People’s Choice Drinks Awards revealed

Drinks enthusiasts from around the world were able to ‘attend’ the People’s Choice Drinks Awards from the comfort of their own home this year. Britain’s Got Talent finalist Steve Royle handed out awards for wines and spirits for the first time this year in a virtual awards ceremony at Manchester’s Zymurgorium Distillery. Winners in the…

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The 2021 Turriff Show is cancelled by COVID

This year’s Turriff Show, the largest two-day agricultural show in Scotland, been cancelled due to the continued uncertainty of hosting large scale events during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 Show was due to take place on Sunday 1 and Monday 2 August at The Haughs, Turriff. And 2021 President Alan Gaul, speaking on behalf…

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Online wine tasting just went hi-tech

Peter Ranscombe logs on to tech entrepreneur Michael Baum’s Vivant virtual wine tasting platform – and he’s impressed by what he sees. I GUESS is was just a matter of time before online wine tastings got the gamification treatment. When every other aspect of our lives – from logging the miles we slog on running…

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Artists hook up with promoters at Celtic Connections

MORE than 100 international promoters, agents, and record label executives are gathering online for the 21st annual “Showcase Scotland” exposition. The trade show runs alongside the Celtic Connections music festival. Artists usually generate around £3 million in gig bookings and album sales on the back of the industry event. Megan Henderson, who plays fiddle in…

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Burns & Beyond festival goes online

EDINBURGH’S “Burns & Beyond” festival is returning for a third year, with a series of free online events. The fesitval will begin on 23 January and run until Burns Night. Singer KT Tunstall will perform “Ae Fond Kiss”, while Aidan O’Rourke from musical trio Lau has selected artists to deliver music and poetry during a…

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12 Wines of Christmas: Spain

Day eight of his “12 Wines of Christmas” series sees Peter Ranscombe exploring Spanish food and wine pairings. THINK Spain, think sunshine. Long lazy days spent soaking up rays on the beach, simmering summer evenings spent devouring plates of tapas, and cringe worthy late nights spent crooning to questionable karioke in “Irish” pubs. Yet master…

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12 Wines of Christmas: South Africa

In the latest instalment in his “12 Wines of Christmas” series, Peter Ranscombe looks at KWV’s top wines from South Africa. QUANTITY and quality don’t necessarily have to sit at opposite ends of the spectrum. As we saw with Paul Mas’ operations in the south of France, it’s possible to produce quality wines in large…

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