Taking wine to the remotest pub on mainland Britain is wine merchant, Philippe Larue’s most challenging delivery. With no road leading to The Old Forge at Knoydart, access is by boat from Mallaig. ‘It’s like a military expedition,’ laughs Philippe of L’Art du Vin, Charlestown, Fife. As France’s wine consumption continues to freefall it’s down to two Frenchmen, Philippe and his colleague Richard Bouglet, to meet the increasing demand from
Did Sir Norman Foster get as much pleasure from designing The Gherkin as architect Robin Baker did from designing Birks Cinema in Aberfeldy? It seems unlikely. ‘It’s been such a privilege to work on this project and now that it’s finished it will feel like a bereavement. For the past 18 months it’s been my life.’ But Robin, who lives in Aberfeldy, will soon be able to watch movies at
‘Between 92 and 96 degrees is the perfect water temperature to make coffee’ – so says barista-trained Derek Rankin who opened Rankin’s cafe/deli in his home village, North Queensferry, Fife. The barista classes were run by his coffee supplier, Mathew Algie, one of the few companies to have a coffee roasting plant in Scotland. Barista classes are open to the general public/ non-customers of Mathew Algie at a cost of
Little did Niall Campbell realise when he was travelling from Glasgow to Culross every week for the pottery classes that he would later take over the Biscuit Gallery Cafe from his tutor, Camilla Garrett Jones. Two years after taking over from Camilla, and Niall is making some changes to the cafe and gallery. Upstairs the cafe has expanded into the gallery space and the ceramics and art are now displayed
Keith Laing and Anne Crawford didn’t start out with the idea of a cafe – Keith just wanted a walled garden and had done since working in a garden nursery years ago. Living in a mobile home during building work five years ago, Keith fulfilled his ambition by shipping in 1,200 square metres of yellow sandstone, 680 square metres of block and 60 tonnes of builders sand to build the wall.
Fife Diet, Scotland’s leading local growing and eating movement, have lots of interesting information on their site about cutting down the food miles this Christmas. You’ll find alternative Christmas recipes, a handy local producers map, tips for saving on power usage and ideas for making the most of your festive leftovers. You can also download their charmingly illustrated seasonal growing calendar which shows you what to eat and when. It
Chilled fizzy red wine made by a Scottish female wine producer? Pamela Geddes, who grew up in Bridge of Allan, is breaking a few of the unwritten rules of the wine industry. Now running her own winery near Barcelona she has been featured on Scottish Television, Catalan television, BBC Radio Scotland and in the Daily Express. Here, friend and wine drinker Lesley Ratomska tells us how Pamela started Lobban wines.
A Secret Garden style restaurant opens in the centre of Edinburgh on Saturday 7 July 2012. The Gardener’s Cottage, so-called because it was actually the gardener’s cottage is jointly owned by chefs Dale Mailley and Edward Murray. Sitting at the foot of Carlton Hill in Royal Terrace Gardens, the B-listed building was originally designed by William Playfair but had been sitting derelict since the gardener’s widow died five years ago.
Bwani Junction, the Scottish band who painted the Forth Rail Bridge blue in their video after being refused permission to play live on the bridge, will be appearing at the Thistly Cross Festival on Saturday 30 June 2012.Other bands playing at the farm near Dunbar, East Lothian include Meursault, Woodenbox, Remember Remember, Found, Fatherson and Kitty the Lion.Thistly Cross Cider was started in 2008 as a collaboration between farmer, Ian
Charles Lowther and the rest of the team behind the excellent George and Dragon in Clifton have this month opened the gardens and cafe at Askham Hall in Penrith, Cumbria. This the first stage of a project that will next year see the beautiful Grade 1 listed house offer rooms, restaurant and spa. For now you can visit the gardens with their colourful terraces, herbaceous borders, formal lawns, kitchen gardens