News.Scotland.Org

Scotland government has announced new funding to help events in the Highland, since the country is getting ready to celebrate the year of Food and drink.

Events that will receive funding include September’s Blas Festival and the Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship in October this year. The Royal National Mod in Thurso and Wick, Living Food in Cawdor and Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running have also been targeted with funding.

The announcement was made in Dornoch, the location for one of four government cabinet meetings across Scotland. The year of food and drink will be running until next May in 2011. This year will be celebrated as a legacy of the Scottish government’s Homecoming Scotland celebrations last year.

First Minister Alex Salmond have said that, the events in the Highlands selected for funding can help enhance Scotland’s reputation as a land of food and drink.

The minister feels that the food and drink sector plays a key role in recovering Scotland’s economy, since visitors to Scotland is sure to spend one pound in every five on food and drink related activities. Foreseeing this opportunity Scotland will produce some of the finest of food and drinks in the world for  promotion.

A study report by NHS Health Scotland found out that Scottish adults drink 25 per cent per head of population than those in England and Wales. The reason behind this is stated as there was a 70 per cent drop in alcohol’s relative cost.

The research analysis was based on the industry data of sales of pure alcohol per person,which averaged 12.2 litres of pure alcohol per person over the age of 18.

The 50.5 million litres of pure alcohol sold in Scotland last year was enough for every adult drinker to exceed the weekly consumption guidelines for men every week of the year.

The new figures come as the Scottish Government pushes for a minimum price for alcohol to tackle the country’s drink-related problems. The figure remained virtually static since 2005 and is equivalent to more than 537 pints of beer or 130 bottles of wine.

The Scotland Police is spending an amount of £3.56billion a year to solve the problems related to drunkards.  Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said it was now time for critics of the Scottish Government’s minimum pricing plans to “wake up” to the scale of the nation’s drink problem.

Dufftown in Scotland is celebrating the 1000th Anniversary of THE BATTLE OF MORTLACH on 3rd and 4th July 2010. If you are happen to be on a visit to the country, this is a chance to visit major attractions and take part in the festival that happens once in a year. Dufftown is a vibrant and thriving Highland community that has always in store a wide range of traditional Scottish activities and entertainment throughout the year. Set in the heart of Speyside in north eastern Scotland, Dufftown is situated on the banks of the rivers Fiddich and Dullan at the foot of the Conval Hills.

During festival days, that is on Saturday and Sunday, Dufftown has special programes organised for every visitor to take part. The Belvenie Castle is allowed free entry during these two days from 9:30 to 17:30. Tour of Mortlach Distillery (11:30-13:00)which is rarely open to the public will be opened on 3rd July with ticket entry. The Guests will be piped to Mortlach Distillery for a tour and then return to The Whisky Shop for a dram. You can get the tickets booked at the The Whisky Shop Dufftown Tel: 01340 821097. Heritage Parade from Church Street to School Park on Hill Street will be held from 12:00-13:30. During this event Community groups from across Speyside will come to Dufftown in fancy dress and parade in celebration of the many diverse cultural and historic elements of this area of Scotland. The procession will be led by the Dufftown and District Pipe Band. Anyone can watch it free. A battle re-enactment of the events of 1010(when the invading Danes were defeated by the armies of King Malcolm 11) and the 11th Century Living Village is conducted as an event(13:00-17:30 )at the school park. There will also be a craft fair, face painting, refreshments and lots more and you have to pay at the gate.

On Sunday (4th July)from 14:00-16:00, a guided walk will be held around some of the key sites associated with the events of 1010, taking in some other historical elements, including a few of the seven stills of Dufftown. Adults will get to enjoy a ‘mystery dram’ en route plus a complimentary dram in the Whisky Shop Dufftown at the end of the walk. Tickets can be booked at The Whisky Shop of Dufftown.

Get along with the celebration and be a part of the Dufftown heritage!

It’s showtime in Scotland! The great Royal Highland Show 2010 organised by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland will happen here from 24th to 27th June. This time, Edinburgh-the capital city bags the opportunity to host the show in Ingliston near Edinburgh Airport. This will be an event of pride and joy for the local Scots here. During these four days of event you’ll see thousands of families flock to Ingliston to touch, taste, see and hear all that Scotland has to offer by way of entertainment, children’s activities, shopping and fashion, food and drink, and the finest from the animal kingdom.

The Royal Highland Show is a showcase for Rural and Agricultural products and produce. There are large exhibits of agricultural machinery and supplies, equine supplies and outdoor sporting goods. A wide variety of rural, agricultural and environmental associations set up stall to promote themselves. Livestock exhibited include sheep, cattle, goats, horses, ponies, donkeys, and poultry. The shows most prestigious livestock honour, the Queen’s Cup, rotates between the champions of the various types of livestock. Exhibitors compete for the prestige of winning not only a prize ticket, but also for prize money and trophies worth over £1 million. It is the UK’s largest agricultural event and the longest lasting one sponsored by new Holland .

The food and drink arena offers considerable opportunity for taste-testing and has a demonstration kitchen, offering visitors suggestions on home to prepare and serve the products on offer. The shopping areas are extended into the main show ground by market-style stalls. Other businesses, including banks, supermarkets and food producers have their own arenas to promote their commitment to farming, food production and agriculture.

Outside of the exhibition halls and livestock rings, there are a wide range of competitive and display events, including international sheep shearing, show jumping, driving, tug-of-war, dog obedience trials, falconry, farriery and other rural pursuits. Towards the evening you can enjoy musical events from different bands and musical groups.

You can make advance ticket bookings and purchase show tickets online. Children under age 16 accompanied by family, are allowed free entry to the show ground. Car parking facilities are also available.

Now await the day of the great event, to see all that is best on offer by Scotland!

A recent study has revealed that unhealthy living is almost universal in Scotland with more and more health hazards reported. This shocking report came after a Scottish health survey conducted by the University of Glasgow, which suggested that, health of everyone in Scotland seems to be at risk. Above all, the most common disease which was found in most of the people of richer community was smoking, drinking, poor diet, physical inactivity and obesity.

This eye opener results shows that about 97 per cent of Scottish people are having one or the other risk factors (smoking, drinking, poor diet, obesity amd physical inactivity), meanwhile 55 per cent have three or more such and 20 per cent with  four or more risk factors.  Many doctors and health experts and researchers expressed that heavy alcohol consumption, smoking and poor diet is making life of Scots unhealthy with vulnerability to many health hazards . The health woes doesn’t ends here, further reports by analyst shows that obesity is also another health issue which Scots are facing with two-third of the Scottish people affected with it.

With the health standards dropping among Scots, its the need of the hour to bring in some concrete plan to keep a check on the prevailing health issues among people along with a need to change the living style, and adapting a healthy life. It is evident that Scotland has got a top rate for deaths caused due to heart ailments and alcohol, and if the prevailing lifestyle among Scots remains the same, then the health issue will get more worse.

Good news to the young folks of the Food town- Castle Douglas , Scotland! They can now claim loudly, “I know to cook a meal“. This will happen once the cooking bus arrives into the food town on May 25th this year. The bus will locate itself on Market Hill during Food Town Week from Wednesday 26th till Saturday 29th May 2010.

It is the result of a recent application to the National Focus on Food Group by some Food Town initiatives to allow the Cooking Bus to Castle Douglas. The Initiative has been working with the NHS and Cluster Schools group to provide this opportunity for teachers, pupils and also other identified Community groups to come along and have cooking lessons. All those who know cooking can also join to experience quality cooking in daily food making, on this specially equipped mobile unit.

The aim of the Cooking Bus is to focus on food’s mobile teaching Kitchens. The cooking buses will travel the country, and each year, teach over 40,000 individuals to cook and train over 2,500 teachers to teach cooking in schools across the UK. The young people will now be able to cook for themselves the food that they eat, empowering themselves with healthy eating.

At Castle Douglas- nestling between the Galloway hills and forests to the north, the visitors can experience over 50 independent businesses which offer a tempting selection of locally produced food, confectionery and beers, plus the finest food, drink and gifts from near and far. Traditional butchers, fishmongers, bakers and delicatessens offer a cornucopia of premier quality foods. In other specialty shops you’ll find a bountiful harvest of whole foods, fruit and vegetables, plus locally produced pickles, preserves and honey. Yum!

Let’s admit it! The party ideas of boys and girls are poles apart and those that suit the former might put of the latter. So, if you are a bunch of fun loving girl on a trip to Edinburgh here are some handy tips that could make a sea change in the quality of your holiday.

The spectacular and enigmatic capital of Scotland is a thoroughbred party destination for all reasons and seasons. People from all over the world throng this destination to make their holiday really special. The fun loving locals, the charming milieu of the Old Town, the premium malt whiskey  and above all the welcoming people, make this place far from ordinary .

Scotland is well connected by air with many airlines including BA flying direct from London City, Heathrow and Gatwick daily. There are many stylish and economical hotels in Edinburgh that  will suit your moods and needs. Check into Tigerlily, which flaunts a heady feminine charm in its hot pink décor, the happening nightclub and  a well stocked cocktail bar; what more you are offered  hair straighteners and iPods too in every room.

There are many restaurants and cafes that serve exclusive Scottish produce like the delectable and crispy  pig’s ear salad. Housed in a  16th century Gothic building, Witchery is equally famous for  its exotic menu and the romantic milieu well enhanced by the candle-lit dining areas -rooms. Edinburgh has some of the best and the largest assortment of bars in the UK where you can sample some of the best wines in the world apart from the signature drinks of brown ale and whiskey .

No girl’s party can be complete without a shopping spell and  the The Grassmarket is the place to go for vintage and retro designs and patterns. There are several shops, including Armstrongs, which is the best of the lot and they have an amazing collection of everything that you may want!

Sight seeing would include the many castles, National gallery and  historical buildings lining the streets. If you are looking for an action packed evening, a climb up to  Arthur’s Seat would be a great experience and a visual treat.  Before hitting the night clubs and bars to  dance the night away,  enjoy a spa experience that would keep you relaxed and glamorous. No matter whether you like your party to be simple and straight forward or wild and wicked, there are enough options to keep you well engaged in this beautiful Scottish city!

Three years ago the Whisky Gods smiled and three crates of the now extinct blend of Mackinlay whisky were discovered, encased in ice for more than a century! The crates have now been recovered from where they lay buried under Ernest Shackleton’s hut during the failed expedition to the South Pole 1909.

And White and Mackay company which now owns the McKinley brand is waiting for a sample with hopes of recreating the famous blend.

The alcohol was removed from the ice by the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust, which had initially believed there were only two crates. However three crates of whisky and two crates of brandy have been recovered abandoned in the hut the team used on their daring expedition in 1907 -1909.

Had Shackleton and his team reached the South Pole he would have been the first person to reach it ahead of Amundsen who finally reached it in 1917.

For whisky-lovers it’s a chance to hopefully enjoy a long-lost blend IF the master blenders at Whyte and Mackay manage to recreate the blend.  Here’s a toast to Ernest Shackelton, he’s back in the news a hundred years later with the discovery of “Shackleton’s Whisky” as it is being called now! Cheers!

Those of you who are heading for a Glasgow vacation will be interested to learn that the world’s strongest beer is now available in the Scottish city. Glasgow is the first city in the UK to offer the German beer, Schorschbock 40, which measures a head-spinning 40 per cent by volume rate. The whiskey-like brew has gone on sale where it sells for 10 pounds a glass.

Reviewed on rate beer.com- It is a beer very strong and intense but with fruity beer notes. Sold in .33 litre ceramic bottles, it is signed and hand-numbered by the braumeister. With a transparent window on one side the bottles come in a wooden case and are sealed with wax by hand. Till date around 40 bottles have only been made.

Run by Bavarian Petra Wetzel, it is on offer at the independent WEST bar in Glasgow. However,the pub restricts the brave to just one 25cl measure of the beer with the drinkers urged to try this super brew responsibly. It has a totally unique flavour that will appeal to any beer connoisseur with an exceptional strength and rarity.

Scotland is no stranger to strong beers after it had hit the headlines with an Aberdeenshire brewery with its controversial 32 per cent BrewDog. So whoever would like a sip of this new strongest beer should probably take a visit to Glasgow. Cheers!

In a recent study it was found that more than one in ten Scot fathers do drugs. This horrifying report has raised eyebrows of the Scottish government passing directives to hold an urgent inquiry in regard to this findings. Experts suggests that this a raging issue and needs to be sort out, in order to counter the growing issues among children being brought up by such drug addict parents, new policies have been made.

The number of such drug abuse cases among  parents has gone up this year, its the need of the hour to control this situation soon or else it  may end up ruining the life of many more innocent children. Reports even reveal that about 11 per cent father and 6 per cent of mothers are victims of drug abuse, along with that many cases of children harassment and murder has been reported in recent years.

Problems faced by the children living with drug abuse parents

• Lack of care and protection.
• Vulnerability to child abuse.
• Cruel treatment by parents.

Government is designing strategies to tackle this growing issue and step are been taken to make sure  such children gets a healthy environment to live. It is felt that soon this raging issue will be controlled.