An Edinburgh stalwart Howies restaurant celebrates 25 years since the first one opened in 1990. Named after its founder David Howie Scott, who deliberately eschewed fine dining to create an informal bistro, the restaurant has been sold and bought back by the owner in the intervening years. During that time it has been a consistently popular venue for groups and office nights out which is probably down to a number
With absolutely no fanfare whatsoever Belle and Sebastian pitched up in Dunfermline and played to a packed Alhambra last night. Stuart Murdoch, who sang pretty well despite struggling with a cold, acknowledged that the band seldom travelled to the ‘east coast’ but gave no explanation as to why this gig was happening, unheralded and sandwiched between major international dates. Backed by a string quartet and playing brilliantly on instruments borrowed
Where do you go if you want a pint with a nice view? The Ship Inn in the waterside village of Limekilns is worth considering for its views across the Forth of Firth. It may not have the dramatic proximity to the Forth Rail Bridge that the bars and restaurants in South Queensferry have but the village has attractive Scottish stone-built cottages plus the streets are less manic so it’s
Shieldbank Coffee Shop Monday – Closed Tuesday – 12pm until 6pm Wednesday to Sunday 10am until 6pm Shieldbank Coffee Shop is a small country coffee shop one mile outside the picturesque village of Saline within the grounds of Shieldbank Riding and Vaulting Club. They specialise in home-made soups, home baking, various light lunches, coffee and locally blended teas. In the warmer weather the terrace is open. You can watch the
Interested to know what people think of this. Plan to Work On is Kay Mander’s 1948 government-sponsored film about the planning for Dunfermline’s post-war reconstruction. It was originally intended for a specialist audience of architects and planners but is now a fascinating record of mid-20th-century town planning and, for locals, full of great shots of post war Dunfermline. It was made with help from James Shearer , the architect behind Dunfermline’s
Between 1968 and 1971 Nick Hedges photographed some of the dire housing conditions in Glasgow and Edinburgh for the charity, Shelter. Nearly 50 years later he has agreed that the photos can be used in an exhibition in St Andrews Square, Edinburgh. Until now usage had been restricted to protect the families featured. Nick remembered how one woman told him that just a few days before, she had been in bed
The Scottish Riviera is at Aberdour in Fife. Or at least that’s what it said on the sign at Black Sands, the beach close to the town centre of Aberdour. Today Avocado Sweet is featuring a small but pretty section of the popular Fife Coastal Path, a section which also happens to have at least a couple of good cafes along the way. The starting point is just before the
This weekend is the first of the autumn dates for the twice yearly East Neuk Open Studios Art Trail. The trail takes in over 30 artist and designer studios and workshops and you can follow the Red Balloons to discover artists, designers and makers from the east of Fife. There’s always a range of paintings, textiles, prints, jewellery, illustrations, photographs, ceramics and furniture on sale too. Further details about who’s exhibiting
Our latest fish recipe from Elaine Hardie at Fyfe Smokery, Dunfermline could not be easier. Here is a wee recipe that will go well with sole or plaice. Plaice is plentiful just now, so the price is good. The fillets should be dusted with seasoned flour, then pan fried in butter till flaking. Keep the fillets warm till you make the lemon butter sauce: Whisk together 50g unsalted butter, 1.5
Dunfermline’s brilliant one day music festival Weekend Revolution takes place this Saturday with a packed line up of great local bands and singer songwriters. Tickets are just £10 and are available here and at PJ Molloys. The Mona Lisa’s