i-on magazine | May 2016

S C O T L A N D ’ S

L I F E S T Y L E

#124 - May 2016 - Free MICHELIN SCOTLAND WHAT’S ON CITY GUIDES THE YEAR ON A PLATE PINTEREST-PERFECT HOME BAR WIN A FOODIE BREAK

M A G A Z I N E

THEMACALLAN.COM

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DESTINATION DINING IN EDINBURGH

THE WITCHERY BY THE CASTLE An acclaimed Edinburgh institution for almost 40 years, the Witchery remains the most atmospheric dining destination in the city with a renowned reputation showcasing Scottish produce. Witchery classics -Angus steak tartare, West Coast seafood platters and Lamb Wellington rarely leave the menu for a reason! Open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week from noon until 11.30pm (last reservation). www.thewitchery.com 0131 225 5613

TOWER RESTAURANT & TERRACE This is rooftop dining at its most spectacular with all-day dining from a laid-back brunch an elegant dinner and one of the best afternoon teas in town. Top Scottish produce, exceptional seafood and inventive cooking rival the views and famously-slick service. And there’s nowhere quite like our rooftop terrace, with it’s unrivalled castle views to enjoy a cocktail in the sun! Open 7 days a week from 10am until 11pm (last reservation). www.tower-restaurant.com 0131 225 3003

Contents

Issue 124 / May 2016

70

REGULARS 14 Editor’s letter 16 WIN… a luxury stay at Kinloch Lodge 90 The Lifestyle edit

Aberdeen. Dundee. Edinburgh.

Glasgow. Inverness. Perth.

St Andrews. Stirling 128 #i_online 130 Bit at the Back

NEWS AND VIEWS 18

20

22 28

Checklist The global round up My i-on Scotland Pete Irvine Fashion fix Audio files

FEATURES 30

32

36

38

44

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The Year on a Plate Food festivals Music Father John Misty The Shortlist Celebrate Whisky Month The Menu is Changing Latest food trends Tastemakers Five food blogs Follow the Stars The ultimate culinary journey

FASHION 56 Simple Statements

Women’s fashion

HEALTH & BEAUTY

72 28 08

62 Double Cleansing

The new beauty buzz phrase 64 Bold nail polishes 66 Tried and tested Skinade

LIVING 72 Pinterest-Perfect home bar 74 Going Gluten-free

Is bread really the devil?

EXCLUSIVE RE ADER OFFER

P E R F E C T LY N O U R I S H I N G S PA D AY, £ 9 9 Enjoy a blissful day of relaxation with a Face & Back Facial and ‘Escape at One’, a collection of heat and water experiences including our iconic rooftop hydropool.

To book, call 0131 221 7777 or email info@onespa.com and quote ‘i-on spa day’ www.onespa.com

* Limited time offer available Monday –Thursday only from 2nd May –30th June 2016. Offer is subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion.

A FAST, SAFE WAY TO LOSE A LOT OF WEIGHT AND GET A BETTER BODY SHAPE

Teresa Aksamit Hollingworth lost 3st 9lb in 22 weeks

SUCCESS STORY Paul lost 18kg over 16 weeks (2.9 stone) I was approaching a Big Birthday (whisper: 50) in the worst shape of my life. I had kicked off my DIY “10 years younger” in good time and was enjoying good diet and exercise. Then disaster struck; I fell ill for a couple of months and knew my big target was blown.

By sheer luck I bumped into an ex-colleague who looked totally transformed in just the few weeks since I last saw her. Her secret? Alevere! So I was straight on the phone to The Private Clinic in Glasgow.

From that moment I knew I had made a good choice as their support was excellent from the off. I felt immediately relaxed and in safe hands.

I took to the nutritional elements of the programme right away. I never felt hungry or unwell. I enjoyed all my meals and my energy levels were actually through the roof!

The treatments were always a fun part of the programme, and I looked forward to my weekly appointment at the clinic, and the monthly medical checks with Dr. Connolly. I always felt listened to, and cared for, with nothing but my best interests at heart. Occasional dips (lifestyle challenges like working away and parties) were well managed and the team ensured my progress was always driven forward.

I am happy to report that, with Alevere, I reached my makeover goals, and my family were amazed at the “surprise reveal”. I cannot thank them all enough for all their support.

Paul was a patient at The Private Clinic, Glasgow

Temple Medical 6 West Craibstone Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6DL www.templemedical.co.uk

Dermal Clinic 21-23 Church Hill Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4BE www.dermalclinic.co.uk

The Private Clinic 11 Park Circus, Glasgow, G3 6AX www.theprivateclinic.co.uk

MAY ISSUE 124

THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS The people behind the bylines

JULIA MACGREGOR

HILARY STURZAKER

EMILY MURRAY

Originally from Dundee but now living in Edinburgh, Julia loves everything about food and drink - that's why she started her blog, Fizz and Pheasant, three years ago.

With a particular penchant for seafood and anything served with gin or fizz, she’s always up for discovering new foods and this month she unveils the latest ingredients we should all be cooking with on page 38.

Food blogger Hilary Sturzaker loves all things food. When she’s not cooking, tasting or eating out in Edinburgh, she’s writing about it on MyMonkfish.com. And when she’s not doing that, she’s working as a freelance consultant helping food businesses tell their story.

Read about her top five fellow foodie bloggers on page 44.

Founder/editor of interiors inspiration site The Pink House, Emily worked as a lifestyle journalist in London for nearly a decade before returning to Edinburgh, her hometown. She describes her interiors style as ‘fun and fabulous with a shot of pink’. Turn to page 72 for top tips to create a Pinterest perfect home bar.

Scotland's largest lifestyle magazine Published by Treacle Productions Ltd, Suite 9, 2 Commercial Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH6 6JA Tel: +44 (0)131 555 4126, Email info@ionmagazine.co.uk, www.ionmagazine.co.uk Directors Laura Cully, Jo Morris, Design Paul Dickson, Editor Nicky Howden, Lifestyle Editor Susie Cormack Bruce, Features Editor Dean Newton, Digital Editorial Manager Rebecca McCosh, Account Director Amy Falconer, Head of Creative Solutions and Brand Development Zoe Schmid, Business Development Manager Amanda Southey, Finance Manager Patricia Sjoberg, Main Photographer Susie Lowe, Contributing Photographer Graeme Hendry, Contributing Lifestyle Editor Martel Maxwell, Contributors Sam Bradley, Michelle Brown, Julia Bryce, David Hicks, Julia MacGregor, Emily Murray, Sarah Ormerod, David Pollock, Hilary Sturzaker.

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INTRODUCTION

i-on this month

Whether you like it raw, vegan and gluten-free or just enjoy getting creative in the kitchen, this special Food Edit has everything to keep you clued up on the latest must-use ingredients, food festivals and bloggers to look out for.

We show you how to create a Pinterest Perfect home bar on page 72, find out if bread really is the devil (p86) and take you on a Michelin star trail on page 80. Foodies, start planning your route now as Scotland is packed with these award-winning restaurants. If that doesn’t give you enough food for thought, perhaps our whisky round up will do the job. It is whisky month after all.

Our monthly news and views feature Pete Irvine, one of Scotland’s most renowned festival and event organisers, as well as gardening tips and music from Father John Misty – don’t let the name throw you, turn to page 30 to find out more. For simple but chic ladies fashion, turn to page 54. And finally to see what’s going on in your city, you’ll find The Lifestyle Edit from page 90. It gives you the lowdown on the best things to do and see in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Inverness, Stirling and St Andrews.

So pour yourself a sherry (yes, that’s back in vogue too) and get tucked into the latest edition of i-on. Our congratulations go to Alison Wood in Aberdeen who won a Genesis bike courtesy of Ronde Bicycle Outfitters, Edinburgh. This month we have the ultimate prize for a foodie – an overnight stay including dinner at the award-winning Kinloch Lodge on the Isle of Skye.

Until next month, enjoy i-on.

Nicky Howden, Editor

i-on magazine distributes 50,000 copies monthly throughout Scotland. Pick up your free copy in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth, St Andrews and Stirling. Read online at www.ionmagazine.co.uk.

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All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. All prices correct at time of going to press but are subject to change. i-on magazine cannot be responsible for unsolicited material. The views and opinions by contributors in this magazine may not represent the views of the publishers. i-on magazine takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisements in this publication. ©Treacle Productions Ltd

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FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CALEDONIAN BREWERY AT CALEDONIANBEER.COM

I-ON PRIZES

WIN A cookery workshop and luxury overnight stay at Kinloch Lodge

N

estled at the foot of Kinloch Hill on the tranquil shoreline of the sea loch Na Dal in Sleat on the Isle of Skye, Kinloch Lodge is renowned for its food. Central to life at Kinloch, it’s been part of the heritage since the cook and food writer Lady Claire Macdonald established the hotel in 1974. And since chef Marcello Tully joined the team back in 2007, he’s built on Claire’s reputation, securing and retaining Kinloch’s Michelin star for the last six years.

The ultimate luxury foodie destination, Kinloch Lodge now offers a whole range of cookery workshops to give guests a rare chance to see the Michelin magic for themselves.

Kinloch Lodge, Sleat, Isle of Skye IV43 8QY, Tel: 01471 833333, www.kinloch-lodge.co.uk.

THE PRIZE i-on has teamed up with award-winning Kinloch Lodge to offer one reader and guest of choice a luxury overnight stay. The prize includes one night’s accommodation and dinner in the Michelin starred restaurant. On arrival, the winners will participate in the Express Cookery Workshop with head chef Marcello and will learn how to cook the perfect classic Kinloch Scone, before enjoying afternoon tea featuring their own handmade scones.

TO ENTER For a chance to win visit www.ionmagazine. co.uk by 9am on 16 May 2016. The winner will be notified by email and announced in the June edition of i-on magazine.

For more exclusive prizes subscribe to the i-on weekly newsletter at www.ionmagazine.co.uk.

Terms and conditions: The prize is as stated and there is no cash alternative. It excludes travel and drinks. Must be redeemed by 01 May 2017. Blackout dates include June, July, August and Christmas and New Year periods.

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Elk & Wolf

Vintage jewellery designer set to glitter beneath the Waverley Arches.

Arch 10, 19 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8FS www.elkandwolf.com

NEWS AND VIEWS

checklist

The latest news and views from across the globe Kindle Oasis

THE GLOBAL ROUNDUP May Day, Worldwide, 01 May Cinco de Mayo, Mexico, 05 May

HIGH 5IVE Five things the i-on office are excited about this month 1

Big kid plates – Get shot of the ugly plastic dinnerware and make way for Buddy & Bear, beautifully designed child friendly tableware, all made from ultra durable plastics. www.goaesthetic.com.

2

3D fitness tracking – It can be hard to spot the slow physical improvements when you’re on the journey to weight loss, Naked solves that. The high tech scale and mirror combination also houses a 3D scanning system to compare progress pics. www.naked.fit.

3

Swanky reading – The Kindle has upped its game slightly with the new Oasis. It has a bigger screen, better ergonomics and a battery that lasts for months. www.amazon.co.uk.

4

Alice is back – Tim Burton’s ground breaking reimagining of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland returns for the next instalment on 27 May. Alice Through the Looking Glass has a spellbinding cast with many of the favourites from the first movie and host of new ones.

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Super vintage – Renaissance fair meets fashion show at the In Vogue event at Stirling Castle. Wander wistfully through the home of monarch James V and discover innovative costumes, textiles and jewellery from 14-15 May. www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk.

Prague Spring International Music Festival, Czech Republic, 12 May to 04 June Cannes Film Festival, France, 11 to 22 May Vivid Festival, Sydney 27 May to 18 June Monaco F1 Grand Prix, Monaco

26 to 29 May Roland-Garros French Open, Paris,

22 May to 05 June Memorial Day,

USA, 30 May

SPONSORED FEATURE

FOODIES FESTIVAL I-ON READER OFFER

NOW OPEN IN DUNDEE… Foodies Festival, the UK's biggest food festival returns to Inverleith Park, Edinburgh, from 05-07 August and this year i-on has managed to secure the best priced tickets in town for our lovely readers. The annual bonanza of street food, artisan delicacies, cocktails, beers and master classes grows with each event and this year’s line-up is a cracker. Meet Michelin Star Chef Brian Grigor, Jacqueline O’Donnell star of Great British Menu and Masterchef’s Adam Handling cooking their signature recipes in the Aga Rangemaster Chefs Theatre. Neil Forbes, Chef Director of Cafe St Honoré, the first restaurant in the UK to hold the Organic Served Here award, Mark Greenaway and celebrity chef Aldo Zilli will be showing off their culinary skills too.

HOW TO BUY TICKETS

To book, visit www.foodiesfestival.com and enter the promo code ‘ION’ to add the discount to your booking. Prices are as follow.

• Two Friday tickets with showguides for £19 (was £28) • Two Sat/Sun tickets with showguides for £23 (was £36) • Two VIP Friday £49 (was £70), Sat/ Sun £69 (was £76)

A good brewer knows a thing or two about top ingredients and in our contemporary cookhouses great food joins our roll call of flavoursome drinks.

10 South Tay Street Dundee, Dundee@thebeerkitchen.co.uk 01382 20 20 70 81-83 Lothian Road, Edinburgh Edinburgh@thebeerkitchen.co.uk 0131 228 3862

Thebeerkitchen.co.uk

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NEWS AND VIEWS

My i-on

Scotland PETE IRVINE photo Lloyd Smith

O

ne of the most influential figures in the Scottish tourism and events industry, Pete Irvine tells us about the latest edition of his bestselling guide Scotland the Best and why he loves it here.

Tell us about Scotland the Best?

Many years ago (24 to be precise), I wanted to discover Scotland. I looked for a guide but there wasn’t one, so I decided to write one myself.

The result is a highly selective guide, not only to Scotland, but to the good life. I update it every two years and visit everywhere from beaches to hilltops, from fish and chips to Martin Wishart. It is quite good fun but there’s not a lot of time to smell the roses, or even the curry.

What gives Scotland its edge?

Our humour, our humility, landscape, creative energy and good, forceful women.

Favourite Scottish place for a weekend break?

I love Edinburgh because there’s always so much going on. For an escape: a wee island like Raasay, Colonsay or Eigg.

What’s your home comfort food?

Maccy cheese, the way my mum makes it.

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Favourite Scottish saying?

'There’s a right way and a wrong way to do everything,' a good Presbyterian homily which I firmly believe in.

Where would you show someone the real Scotland?

Assynt/Torridon for the land, the north coast for sea and Edinburgh in August or at Hogmanay for being with other people.

Favourite Scottish places to…

• Dine: Cafe Fish, Tobermory.

• Enjoy a coffee: Artisan Roast, Edinburgh.

• Lunch with friends: Tyninghame Beach Shack (picnics).

• Go for a walk: The Eildons.

• For a pamper session: Gleneagles Spa. • The shop you’ll always find me in: John Lewis, though I’d be in Hammerton Store a lot more often if I lived in Aberdeen.

SPONSORED FEATURE

TAKE THREE

Recommended restaurants by Deliveroo

GLASGOW The Great Western Sandwich Co Prepared freshly every day and cooked to order, the sandwiches at this Glasgow haunt are bursting with delicious flavours. Our top pick is the Provencal - basil and rocket pesto, artichoke, black olive, roast tomato, mozzarella, halloumi and lemon dressed rocket.

ABERDEEN

EDINBURGH

Soul This funky bar not only serves delicious cocktails but it also offers a top notch comfort food menu, priced from ÂŁ7-12.

Choose from handmade burgers to fish 'n' chips and classic American dawgs, we love the signature dish, the Fried Mac burger.

The Olive Branch Located on the corner of Broughton Street and Broughton Place, this bistro offers tasty seasonal dishes made using the best local produce. If you can’t decide what to order try the sticky honey and soy short rib beef, spiced sweet potato chips, kale and jus. Amazing.

Deliveroo brings amazing food from an incredible selection of local restaurants, delivered to your door in an average of just 32 minutes. Now available in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, book via the app or at deliveroo.co.uk

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NEWS AND VIEWS

Audio files

This month’s must-see gigs words: David Pollock

Photo by Emily Berl

Tim Hecker

THE BURNING HELL Blending bitter black humour and folksy, baroque songwriting, The Burning Hell are a Canadian group which focuses on the talents of singer and songwriter Mathias Kom. They’ve been releasing albums for a decade, with this year’s Public Library taking the form of a concept album styled as though each song were a book. Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, Sunday 15 May; Hug and Pint, Glasgow, Friday 20 May. www.wearetheburninghell.com.

MANIC STREET PREACHERS Released 20 years ago this month, the Manic Street Preachers’ fourth album Everything Must Go was their first record since the disappearance of their bandmate Richey Edwards. It’s celebrated here on its 22

Celebrating the diversity of venues and DIY talent in the East End of Glasgow, the brand new Restless Natives festival features special invited guests like the WuTang Clan’s Ghostface Killah.

This triple bill of high quality electronic artists is possibly its best line-up with Canadian producer Tim Hecker playing music from his new album Love Streams on 4AD. Restless Natives at St Luke’s, Glasgow, Sunday 15th May. sunblind.net.

anniversary as the Manics release the official Welsh Euro 2016 song Together Stronger (C’mon Wales). Hydro, Glasgow, Saturday 21 May. www.manicstreetpreachers.com.

BRIAN WILSON PERFORMS PET SOUNDS Created as part of an artistic arms race with the Beatles to see who could create the most boundary pushing music of the 1960s, the Beach Boys’ 1966 Pet Sounds album is widely regarded as one of the best ever. Brian Wilson was the true visionary, and in his later years he’s rediscovered his love for playing live.

These shows will see the album played in full. Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Thursday 26 May; Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Friday 27 May. www.brianwilson.com.

The Grants completely stressing out about the sale of their house.

Your property. Our people. Sold.

Thinking of selling? Call us now for a free valuation: edinburghprimeproperty.com 0131 525 8600 eastlothianprimeproperty.com 01620 892000

NEWS AND VIEWS

PICK 'N' MIX

FOOTY FINAL The FA Cup and Scottish Cup finals are coming soon but we can’t help but wonder what this year’s upsets will be. Our favourite so far? How about the 1996 final between Man Utd and Liverpool when the Liverpool team walked out in spectacularly gaudy, now infamous, white Giorgio Armani suits and Gucci loafers. It was also the moment Sir Alex knew they had the game in the bag. www.thefa.com/thefacup

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In the Cannes

Some of the world's most innovative pioneers of the silver screen are descending upon the French Riviera for Cannes Film Festival. While Cannes isn’t all about blockbusters, the top three most successful Palme D’or winners makes for interesting reading...

Fahrenheit 9/11 - Michael Moore’s fantastic documentary offered a damning insight into America's foreign policy scooped the top award in 2004, receiving a 20 minute standing ovation no less. On a small documentary budget, the movie grossed over $222m.

Pulp Fiction - Released in 1994, Quentin Tarantino’s second film scooped seven Oscar nominations. Despite the utterly stellar cast, the film was made with a budget of just $8m, going on to gross a whopping $214m.

Apocalypse Now - Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic ‘79 Vietnam epic almost wasn’t made. Beset with an unending list of expensive setbacks including lead actor, Martin Sheen, suffering a breakdown and heart attack on set. Adjusting for inflation, the film took over quarter of a billion dollars.

THEN AND NOW

With the funny/camp/bizarre (delete as applicable) spectacle of Eurovision taking place in Stockholm this month, we take a look at the winners and losers of another famous singing contest to find out where they are now…

Chico Slimani - The Welsh singer rose to prominence after reaching the quarter finals of The X Factor in 2005, blistering the airwaves with a shock number one. Subsequent singles did progressively worse and he’s into fitness now apparently.

Impressively, his Rainbow Child Foundation has helped transform the lives of 25,000 children across Malawi, we guess that’s fair atonement for Chico Time.

Eoghan Quigg - Eoghan came third in the series that launched the stratospheric careers of Leona Lewis and One Direction. Following the competition, Quigg was signed

by RCA but his debut album failed to achieve the success of his cohorts resulting in the label dropping him.

He now plays semi-pro football.

Shayne Ward - The Englishman came out of the gates well after winning series two of Simon Cowell’s TV karaoke but it seems Joe Public had lost interest after his three year hiatus, his third album flopped and led to him being dropped by Syco, Cowell’s label.

It’s not all doom and gloom though, he just won Best Newcomer at the National Television Award for his role in Coronation Street.

CITY BREAKS AT ABODE GLASGOW Striking interiors and luxury accommodation in the heart of Glasgow’s finest night life.

Discover more at www.abodeglasgow.co.uk

129, Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 2SZ

20160401 AGL I-ON Magazine 56x180mm.indd 1

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01/04/2016 13:41

NEWS AND VIEWS

How does your garden grow?

S

cotland’s biggest gardening festival takes over the grounds of the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, from Friday 03 to Sunday 05 June. If you can’t wait until then for your inspiration, here’s some top tips from the experts to ensure your garden is full of bountiful blooms in months to come.

• Plant up garden tubs, containers and hanging baskets with plants such as violas, pansies and hardy fuschias now for a blaze of summer colour. Remember that frosts can still occur until late May so harden off tender plants such as petunias and begonias before exposing them to the elements.

• The sunny weather brings beautiful flowers but also encourages weeds. Put time aside each week to hoe them off.

• Deadhead, then lift and divide bulbs such as daffodils and tulips once they’ve finished flowering to ensure they spread and provide plenty of colour next spring • Enrich soil to provide nutrients for herbaceous plants by incorporating leaf

mould or homemade garden compost.

You can also use well rotted manure and the contents of out-of-date grow bags to enhance soil structure.

• Continue spring cleaning by removing weeds from paths, terraces and drives and keep an eye out for pests around the garden. Pick off slugs and snails if you see them making a move towards your tender plants.

• Cut back spreading and trailing plants such as alyssum and ivy to encourage fresh growth. Put in place supports for herbaceous plants such as peonies an iris.

• Sow seeds of hardy annuals such as nasturtium, calendula and poppies.

• Tie sweet pea shoots into cane supports or soft twine - remove tendrils and sideshoots to encourage better growth.

Visit www.gardeningscotland.com for more information or Tel: 0131 333 0965. Advance tickets and packages for the festival start from £14.

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NEWS AND VIEWS

FASHION STYLISH NEW FINDS

THIS IS TAILORING On paper, a £100 suit might not sound like it’s up to much. Not so at Topman, its 2016 spring/summer campaign has a range of beautifully styled and tailored options at this price point, rising to £250 for limited edition styles. Being summer, in addition to darker colours, there’s a range of summer neutrals in pale blue, stone and ash grey. Recommended.

Find instore and online at www.topman.com

MULBERRY MAGIC The capsule collection trend continues as Mulberry creative director, Johnny Coca, offers up a departure from the brand’s usual design signature for AW16.

Expect a utilitarian slant such as press studs, inspired by the fastenings on military uniforms and the influence of British punk rock culture. Clifton bag, £595, at www.mulberry.com.

SCOTTISH EXCLUSIVE Anna Valentine’s incredible twice yearly collections are tough to find outside of London. That is, until now. Edinburgh’s Jane Davidson has the Scottish exclusive on her exquisitely made, perfectly tailored contemporary classics. View the collection instore and online. Tel: 0131 225 3280, www.janedavidson.co.uk.

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The Glasshouse A five-star luxury hotel in Edinburgh city centre

Simple, fresh and local — that’s the approach to food at The Glasshouse’s exclusive Observatory Restaurant, housed in an elegantly designed glass-walled space, in view of dramatic Calton Hill. Their seasonal menus bring something new to the Edinburgh dining scene, using only the very best in local, Scottish produce.

Book a table for dinner, and receive a complimentary glass of prosecco and amuse bouche, which can be enjoyed pre-dinner in the hotel’s dazzling two-acre rooftop garden – exclusive to i-on readers by just mentioning i-on Magazine when booking.

Observatory Restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday, between 5pm to 9:30pm.

The Observatory RESTAURANT

AT THE GLASSHOUSE HOTEL

2 Greenside Place | Edinburgh | EH1 3AA | T: 0131 525 8200 | E: concierge@theglasshousehotel.co.uk www.theglasshousehotel.co.uk

MUSIC

FATHER JOHN MISTY words: David Pollock • photo: Emma Tillman

A

maverick talent whose big stage folksy Americana fits into the same bracket as John Grant, Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes (of which band he used to be a member), Father John Misty is more unknowable even than the rest of those contemporaries.

For a start, he isn’t Father John Misty at all, but rather a good Baptist boy from Washington DC called Joshua Tillman.

When he was a child Tillman wanted to become a pastor, but as he grew older he realised that it was being onstage which really appealed to him. In his teens he was enthralled by the music of artists like Bob Dylan, and at the age of 21 he moved to Seattle, Washington, one of the hotbeds of alternative music in the US and the city in which grunge had once been born. He threw himself into the scene, playing with a variety of bands and starting to record his own music.

He has performed with artists as diverse as Seattle singer songwriter Damien Jurado and unlikely disco revivalist Har Mar Superstar, and between 2008 and 2012 he was the drummer in Fleet Foxes, also from Seattle, whose second album Helplessness Blues (2011) was a top five hit in the US and the UK. For almost the decade previous to this, he released numerous records as J.Tillman, to small scale critical success and precious little wider recognition.

When Fleet Foxes separated amidst acrimony in 2012, Tillman 30

When he was a child Tillman wanted to become a pastor, but as he grew older he realised that it was being onstage which really appealed to him

had a moment of career and personal reinvention. Never entirely comfortable being just the drummer, although his years with Fleet Foxes had taught him what being a major artist was like, he went on a pilgrimage; one which he described to the Guardian as involving getting “into a van with enough mushrooms to choke a horse and (driving) down the coast with nowhere to go… sitting naked in a tree, hallucinating and scratching my head like an ape.”

He makes music to match.

The first Father John Misty record, 2012’s Fear Fun, was one much loved by critics which didn’t quite make a wider impression. Last year’s follow up I Love You, Honeybear was the one which shifted things for Tillman though, as evidenced by the fact he was playing Glasgow's King Tut’s this time last year and now he’s now selling out the much larger O2 Academy.

There’s a reason for that; it’s simply a wonderful record which reflects a variety of moods, from bittersweet pedal steel angst to heartfelt, harmonised vocal wonder.

Although John Misty is a fiction, a hard living preacher who exists only in Tillman’s head and in his memorable live performance, this is music with real, resonant heart and soul.

Father John Misty plays the Academy, Glasgow, Thursday 12 May. The album I Love You, Honeybear is out now on Bella Union. www.fatherjohnmisty.com.

FEATURES

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FEATURES

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Diaries at the ready. We bring you a rundown of this year's best food and drink festivals in Scotland.

FOODIES

05-07 August, Inverleith Park, Edinburgh One of the biggest celebrations of all things edible is Foodies.

Featuring every kind of food stall imaginable, the event offers classes from Bake Off and MasterChef winners and cooking

by Michelin-starred chefs for a special i-on ticket price, see page 19. www.foodiesfestival.com.

NORTH HOP Glasgow / Inverness / Aberdeen North Hop is a wonderful clash of craft beer, gourmet cocktails, artisan gin, street food and live music. There’s a real barn-dance-festival vibe to the events which take place in cities throughout Scotland. Check the website for dates and full info. www.northhop.co.uk.

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PERTH BEER FESTIVAL 07 May, North Inch, Perth A bit like a Scottish Oktoberfest (in May), the Perth Beer Festival does exactly what it says on the tin. Join fellow beer lovers with a selection of the nation’s finest brews inside the tent or fill up on BBQ in the summer sun. www.perthbeerfestival.co.uk.

MHOR FESTIVAL 27-29 May, Monachyle Mhor, Scottish Highlands Running for an extra day this year, Mhor is one of Scotland’s best food festivals, full of music, whisky, food and entertainment.

Situated in the beautiful grounds of Monachyle Mhor on the banks of Loch Voil the festival is run by Tom and Lisa Lewis, owners and Chef Proprietor of the Mhor legacy and this year Andrew Fairlie, Roy Brett and Fred Berkmiller will be heading up on the Saturday. www.mhorfestival.net.

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LOCH FYNE FOOD FAIR Loch Fyne Food Fair 14-15 May, Field beside Loch Fyne Oysters, Cairndow Showcasing Loch Fyne Oysters’ own world class produce alongside delicacies from the best producers across Argyll, the Loch Fyne Food Fair also offers a Champagne bar, cocktails, entertainment and more. www.lochfyne.com.

TASTE OF GRAMPIAN Saturday 04 June, Thainstone Centre, Inverurie The largest one day food festival in Scotland (14,000 people attended last year) with over 180 food and drink exhibitors, chef demonstrations, food sampling, wine tastings, farmer’s market and live music on the menu. £5 entry. www.tasteofgrampian.co.uk.

EDINBURGH JUNIPER FESTIVAL Edinburgh Juniper Festival 10-12 June, Summerhall, Edinburgh Scotland’s gin industry has grown arms and legs over the past few years and this is one of the country's biggest and best celebrations of the juniper based spirit. Here there are 30 gins to try plus street food, cocktails, talks and crafts. www.summerhall.co.uk.

LARGS FOOD FEST 21-22 May, 5 Gallowgate Lane, Largs A ‘fun for all the family’ showcase of local makers and producers with entertainment for the kids and some grown-up boozy fun for the adults. Full details will be released on the website soon. www.largsfoodfest.com.

GLASGOW REAL ALE FESTIVAL 23-25 June, The Briggait, Merchant City, Glasgow Sponsored by Fyne Ales this year, the ever popular GRAF is a must for hops and barley lovers.

Organised by the Glasgow and West of Scotland branch of CAMRA, the 2016 festival offers over a hundred real ales, ciders, and foreign beers. www.glasgowrealalefestival.co.uk.

LOCH LOMOND FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL 03-04 Sept, Ben Lomond Way, Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch Probably the biggest of the bunch, the Loch Lomond event attracts a whopping 30,000 people to enjoy Scotland’s finest food, drink and entertainment over two days. The highlight, especially when the weather plays ball, is the bar on the beach. lochlomondfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk.

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HOW I BECAME A FOOD STYLIST Freelance food and drink stylist Emma Duncan gives us a glimpse into a world of food, props and photography. main photo Alastair Ferrier all styled by Emma Duncan

“H

aving originally graduated as a graphic designer I have always had a creative mind and an eye for composition.

But it was while working for creative brand agency Contagious that I was given the opportunity to explore the styling side of things a bit further, in particular photography. I was working predominately with drink brands such as Chivas, Beefeater and Plymouth Gin and Ballantine’s, styling and art directing shoots for new expressions and ways to drink these wonderful spirits. This might sound glamorous but I can assure you it's not always; running around sourcing props for days prior to shootings, assembling props and appropriate glassware to later hold a cocktail. I have to say working with mixologists can be fabulous and really interesting. I can now make a mean Singapore Sling.

“One of my most memorable shoots and probably the most glamorous to date was a photographic campaign to support the launch of new packaging 34

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for Ballantine's Finest. I had stumbled upon East Lothian's historic Gosford House one day and knew it would be the perfect setting; atmospheric and architecturally stunning it offers lots of photographic opportunities and was a great backdrop for the photography of the numerous cocktails I styled. The job started a couple of weeks prior to the event sourcing props, glassware, selecting models and the clothes for the shoot. On the shoot days I would be required to choose the clothes best suited for the models, do basic hair and make-up, select the best glass for the particular cocktail, direct the shoot with the photographer and then finally clear up - pretty full on. On this occasion the clothing outlet Jigsaw on George Street in Edinburgh had the perfect collection of clothing and the manageress June Carlisles was an amazing help.

“My job as a stylist has evolved from a passion I have nurtured for many years. I never stop working, always looking for new inspiration in magazines, cookery books, shops and anything else that catches my attention. I'll never tire of my passion for styling new ideas. I’ve recently gone freelance which has let me take my passion for cooking and styling to another level and not long ago I did a two day salmon shoot for Wester Ross Salmon with food photographer Alastair Ferrier.

Using my kitchen as a studio, we had tremendous fun preparing and styling each shot while it snowed outside. It was really hard work but the results were worth it as the client loved them… although we were eating salmon for weeks afterwards – just another perk of the job.”

For more information visit www.emmaduncanstyling.com.

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THE SHORTLIST

May is officially Whisky Month in Scotland, so pour a dram and celebrate our national drink. Here we bring you our top five picks to sample at home.

HIGHLAND PARK DARK ORIGINS A naturally dark, rich flavour with sherried spice, a chocolate twist and the signature sweet smoke that fans of the Orcadian elixir have come to know and love. £65 at Waitrose and www.thewhiskyexchange.com.

LAGAVULIN 8 YEAR OLD Sweet, smoky and warming, this special 200th Anniversary Edition single malt should be on everyone’s hit list – if they can get their hands on it. £52.95 at www.thewhiskyexchange.com.

BOWMORE SMALL BATCH A combination of sweetness, subtle spices and smokiness leads to a more intense peated experience. £33 at Sainsbury’s, Tesco and www.bowmore.com.

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THE MACALLAN AMBER A smooth dram offering hints of toffee apple and cinnamon flavours, this is part of The Macallan's no age statement range of Speyside single malts. From £48.95 at specialist whisky retailers including The Whisky Shop. www.themacallan.co.uk.

LAPHROAIG LORE Inspired by traditions and tales passed down from generation to generation of Laphroaig’s Distillery Managers since 1815, this new expression has a unique richness and notes of vanilla fudge, bitter chocolate and peaty smokiness. £85 at www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk.

Discover Gleneagles Mondays - Cellar Tours

Tuesdays - Deseo Demos

Stay with us between now and 30 June 2016 and discover a world of new experiences, with our complimentary daily ‘Discovery Activities’ from cooking demos to cellar tours.

A two-night midweek break with the second night half price starts from £623* in May and June, and includes breakfast and full use of the leisure facilities.

Wednesdays - Wellness Tips

Visit gleneagles.com/offers Call 0800 169 2984 * From price based on two people sharing a Sovereign room for two nights, subject to availability. Discovery activities are available Monday – Thursday until 30 June 2016.

Thursdays - Great Golf

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FOODIES, TAKE NOTE. THE MENU IS CHANGING. We've extolled the virtues of coconut oil, opened our eyes and our hearts to the benefits of ‘eating raw’ and saw everything sprinkled with chia seeds and goji berries.

But are we bored of spiralizing and have we eaten enough avocado to see us through to summer?

Julia MacGregor unveils the latest ingredients we should all be eating.

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ou will be pleased to hear that ‘superfoods’ aren’t going anywhere.

They are simply taking on new and exciting forms as their qualities are revealed in the most unexpected ingredients.

The first thing you need to know; seaweed is the new kale. Full of vitamins and minerals and available in different forms, you’re going to want this superfood in your cupboard. Seaweed is high in iron, iodine, calcium, vitamin C and potassium. A great non-dairy source of calcium for vegans, it will do wonders for your skin.

Buy the dry, ground form from companies like Mara Seaweed and use it as a healthy alternative to salt. It’s also a good seasoning for soups and casseroles. For courgetti lovers, consider seaweed spaghetti - a great substitute for pasta or vegetable in stir-fries and salads.

Less unusual, but equally under appreciated are ‘ugly vegetables’, the unsung heroes of the fruit and vegetable world. High on the list is 38

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Mara Seaweed

kohlrabi, a member of the cabbage family, and celeriac, a cousin of the carrot. The latter had medicinal uses in early civilisation, so we’re instantly interested. Both root vegetables take a little longer to beautify but they’re a great source of dietary fibre.

Kohlrabi is pale green, occasionally purple, and has a mild, sweet flavour. We suggest you introduce it to salads; peeled, very thinly sliced and quickly blanched, it will be your new favourite alternative to radishes. You can add celeriac to any parsnip soup recipe already in your repertoire. It also works wonderfully when sliced, boiled and mashed, giving you a delicious and cosy, winter side dish.

Next up, speciality mushrooms. A fantastic way to boost the immune system, speciality stores and supermarkets are stocking an increasingly interesting selection, including lobster mushrooms, black trumpets, ceps, girolles and morels. They all produce quite different results in the pan - ceps are meaty in 40

flavour and are often a good substitute for beef, morels work well in chicken dishes and girolles (peppery in taste) are delicious when combined with chanterelles in sauces.

The most surprising revelation for 2016 has to be black pudding - high in potassium, calcium and magnesium, practically carbohydrate free, and rich in iron and zinc. As well as Stornoway Black Pudding, keep an eye out for ‘Morcilla’ on the menu, another famous type of black pudding from Burgos in Spain. However frying this delicacy with bacon, eggs and a potato scone is probably not what the health experts have in mind. Serve black pudding grilled, on a bed of fresh rocket, topped with smoked salmon, sweet potato and a poached egg. You could even add a sprinkling of seaweed.

Lobster has enjoyed a luxury food status for quite some time but when Orkney Crab applied for ‘protected status’ in October last year, we knew this delicacy was only going to rise in popularity. High in Omega 3 fatty acids and

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vitamin C, crab is cheaper than lobster, yet every bit as delicious.

For ultimate freshness, buy from your local fishmonger. The claw gives a delicious sweet, white meat, and the brown meat boasts an intense, shellfish flavour, a welcome addition to stocks and sauces. Chilli and parsley are a crab’s best friends, and when sautéed together in a little olive oil, yield a delicious pasta sauce.

Meanwhile try adding the white meat to any mayonnaise recipe and serve on mini oatcakes.

Our cocktails are changing too, and Kombucha is the latest healthy ingredient. Essentially a fermented tea, it creates a slightly fizzy alternative to sodas and juices. Why do we love it? Full of probiotics, or ‘good bacteria’ as they are also known, it is said to help digestion, boost the immune system and even works its magic on a hangover. With Kombucha replacing half the freshly squeezed orange juice in a Mimosa, our post night out brunch has never looked better.

We’ve got one more drink to add to your trendy home bar

Photo by Susie Lowe

trolley and believe it or not, it’s not gin. A little space needs to be created for an age old favourite, sherry. True sherry can only come from the area surrounding Jerez in Spain.

Some bottles can be enjoyed chilled, whereas others will lend themselves better to a long drink. Invest in a good quality bottle (look for ‘VOS’ and ‘VROS’, both independent marks of quality) and this fortified wine will be your new go to drink.

It’s worth noting that as you delve further into the food and drink scene this year, don’t feel pressurised to abandon your beloved ‘avo’ on toast but do consider introducing some ‘ugly vegetables’ into the menu, get to grips with deshelling a crab and start exploring the benefits of a healthy cocktail or two - we know we will.

Kohlrabi from Waitrose

Read more from Julia at fizzandpheasant.wordpress.com.

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TASTEMAKERS HILARY STURZAKER, THE LADY BEHIND THE COOKING, EATING AND TASTING BLOG MYMONKFISH.COM, PICKS FIVE OF HER FAVOURITE FOOD BLOGS.

Alessandra, thefoodieteen.com

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I

f pictures speak a 1,000 words then Kellie Anderson has written several books already. An ex-pat American living and working in Edinburgh her blog, Food to Glow (kelliesfoodtoglow.com), is informative on all sorts of levels - nutrition (she’s also a nutritionist working closely with Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres), advice, recipes, alternative ingredients, vegan and gluten free. She takes the most amazing photographs too which is so very important in food blogs.

She’s a fantastic person who glows with positivity and she has a great writing style so while you’re reading and drooling over her pictures you’ll actually learn something too. Hop over to her Instagram feed for even more spectacular photos and a glimpse of her travels too.

The Foodie Teen is a new kid on the food blogging scene but Alessandra (just turned 17) already has a book coming out and is friends with David Loftus, Jamie Oliver’s photographer.

Diagnosed with Coeliac disease in 2012 she taught herself how to cook using real food from scratch and became a total geek about nutrition.

I guess you could say she’s the new Deliciously Ella in some ways even but eight years younger. A brilliant photographer and recipe writer but be aware, only venture into her world if you’re mad about nut butters, prefer cacao to cocoa and are keen on grain free dishes. And you should check out her Instagram feed too, she’s a busy girl with 1,000 followers who love what she’s all about.

Joythebaker.com is somewhat of an institution in the States and she has plenty of followers all over the world. With a couple of books already published, a YouTube channel and 340,000 Instagram followers, she’s a food blogger done good. What I like about her though is she is exactly that; she started the blog back in 2008 due to her obsession with brownies and cakes. A self-taught baker turned professional baker turned

food photographer and now author, originally from California but now settled in New Orleans, her inspiration comes from her location. She lives and breathes the culture around her and her writing and recipes reflect that.

There’s decadence, lots of smoky, salty, sweet treats, cheesecakes, ice cream, doughnuts but then there’s also a lot of good humour, an insight into her lifestyle and one of the best travel guides to New Orleans you can get. ‘Let it be Sunday’ her weekly newsletter is an email to look forward to, unlike the other 50 you get over the weekend which you really should unsubscribe to.

Blogs like Nourish Atelier (www. nourishatelier.com) make me very jealous. For me, it’s perfect. Great photography, great layout, fantastic content. Nina lives just north of Amsterdam close to the coast. She’s originally from Sweden and the Nordic influences come over in leaps and bounds in her blog. Her diet is plant based so meat eaters may click away but they shouldn’t. This blog proves that vegan and vegetarian diets can be the most colourful, nutritious, mindful food that you can eat and the feeling you have from eating food that’s full of health and happiness is a positive one.

Finally, when I dipped my toe into the world of serious bread making earlier this year it was the blog, www. weekendbakery.com, that was my main source of inspiration. Can you really just make a loaf using only flour and water? Yes you can. And a mighty fine loaf at that. If sourdough is your ultimate bread of choice then click through and be inspired. ‘How to’ videos are there to guide you every step of your bread making way so you’re never alone on your intrepid journey. And what a journey it can be. A great starting point for anyone who wants to start or improve artisan bread making at home.

Kellie Anderson

Nina Olsson

To find out more about Hilary visit www.hilarysturzaker.com. Read her blog at www.mymonkfish.com.

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SPONSORED FEATURE

TALES FROM A CITY How a pint in the pub turned into Edinburgh's longest standing brewery words Leila Williams

E

ver wonder where the idea for bungee jumping came from?

What about synchronised swimming? I'd be happy to wager these and other world changing events were hatched over a pint in a pub. In this slightly fuzzy space; the impossible becomes doable and ludicrously outlandish imaginings become pretty sensible ideas.

And so it was back in 1868 when an 18-year-old called George sat discussing his future and how to spend a healthy inheritance. Nursing his beer he happened upon the idea of opening a brewery. So he did. This brewery is the oldest working brewery in Edinburgh and George built the birth place of Deuchars.

The world has come on since The Caledonian Brewery made its first cask of ale but George would've been amazed to see that today, the passion for brewing is alive and strong. Craft beer is on the up (the cost of a bottle of craft beer is one of the measurements used in the inflation index) and small batch brewing is a new and invigorated industry. So in homage to a young 18-year-old with a taste for beer, his legacy is now a pilot brewery called 'Wee George' within the imposing Victorian buildings of the Caley. Here, young brewers create new and exciting batches of beer, as the smaller brew runs let the pilot brewers test and develop both new and existing recipes without the usual constraints, ultimately leading to the most successful results being scaled up for wider production in the main brewery. Their latest offering, Rare Red, is a ruby rye ale with zesty fruit aromas, rye and roast grainy flavours and a dark fruit spicy finish.

So history lesson over, what have we learned from this tale of where a pint can take you?

Dream big. I'll drink to that. www.caledonianbeer.com

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SPONSORED FEATURE

Creative dining made easy

H

eritage Portfolio is seriously fanatical about food. Event caterers and designers extraordinaire, they pride themselves on being creative and innovative not only in the food they serve but also in the events they produce. Brian Canale is the executive development chef at the award-winning UK wide company. Here he unveils some of his trends for 2016 in the event catering world.

“This year it’s all about interactive dinner courses. For example during game season we could build an edible field on the dining table.

This could be real grass that would host lots of foods including edible trees, mushroom patches and a selection of meats including venison carpaccio, wild boar bonbons, rabbit rillettes. The idea is that guests help themselves to whatever they want and it really does have the wow factor. Especially in venues like Mansfield Traquair in Edinburgh. It just adds another quirky, unexpected dimension to an already spectacular venue.

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“Brazilian food will feature heavily on menus too. This is due to the Olympics being in Rio so expect to see a Caribbean influence and BBQ or al fresco dining which will be spicy and hearty. It’ll also look authentic in its creation and presentation. “‘Food for life’ is something that we are thinking about at Heritage Portfolio so we are using more power foods including flaxseeds, broccoli sprouts, hemp and dandelion greens which are great for the heart, digestive system and for cleansing the body.”

To find out more about Heritage Portfolio event caters and venue partners including Mansfield Traquair, visit www.heritageportfolio.co.uk or Tel: 0131 555 2229.

Restoring beautiful period homes Tremmel have launched their new website, featuring the very best of our recent work and introducing our updated team.

We'’d like to invite you to take a look.

www.tremmelrestoration.com

9A India Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6HA, 0131 226 7518

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RE S TAU R A N T S

Scotland’s Larder The country is full of hidden gems. i-on uncovers some of the best places to eat, drink and be merry.

THE ADAMSON The award-winning restaurant serves up classic brasserie cooking with a contemporary twist. Known for a dedication to using the freshest of local ingredients, a commitment to sustainability and outstanding service. It’s a combination that makes The Adamson a ‘must visit’. 127 South St, St Andrews, KY16 9UH, Tel: 01334 479191, www.theadamson.com.

CASTLEHILL RESTAURANT Award-winning chef Graham Campbell stocks a fine larder of Scottish fare. His passion for wild foraging ensures a taste, texture and visual experience to remember.

The adventurous ingredients and ever changing daily specials ensure this is not your typical, tartan-clad Scottish restaurant.

22 Exchange St, Dundee, DD1 3DL, Tel: 01382 220008, www.castlehillrestaurant.co.uk.

CONTRAST BRASSERIE With a sharp focus on locally sourced produce, it brings a refreshing addition to the Inverness dining scene. The ethos is to create simple dishes centred on a stand-out ingredient.

Thanks to traditional cooking methods, the restaurant’s Scottish roots are always at the fore. 20 Ness Bank, Inverness, IV2 4SF, Tel: 01463 223777, www. glenmoristontownhouse.com.

EAT ON THE GREEN “The Kilted Chef”, Craig Wilson’s high quality, fine dining restaurant has gained an impressive reputation as one of the best restaurants in Aberdeenshire. It serves up only the best of local, seasonal produce grown in the venue’s very own gardens. Udny Green, Ellon, AB41 7RS, Tel: 01651 842337, www.eatonthegreen.co.uk.

FISHERS AND FISHERS IN THE CITY Fishers’ ethos is simple; honest food, great service and a relaxed dining atmosphere. From mussels on the run to an intimate dinner for two, it’s the perfect setting for any experience. 58 Thistle St, Edinburgh, EH2 1EN; Tel: 0131 225 5109, 1 Shore, Edinburgh, EH6 6QW, Tel: 0131 554 5666 www.fishersrestaurants.co.uk.

MOONFISH CAFÉ Experience an innovative menu that showcases modern British cuisine, nestled amongst the medieval streets of Aberdeen with spectacular views of the 12th century Kirk of St Nicholas.

The ever changing menu offers casual dining in an unpretentious, relaxed environment. 9 Correction Wynd, Aberdeen, AB10 1HP, Tel: 01224 644166, www.moonfishcafe.co.uk.

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PIG’HALLE A traditional French Brasserie and Restaurant, Pig’Halle is a very Parisian affair. It offers an informal and relaxed experience, serving up fresh, seasonal, produce from around Perthshire and Scotland.

38 South St, Perth, PH2 8PG, Tel: 01738 248784, www.pighalle.co.uk.

RHUBARB Dine in the most glamorous of settings, hidden in the oh-so-chic Prestonfield. The food is as elegant and as refined as the surroundings, but the relaxed service and quirky spots for drinks make this destination an enchanting and memorable visit. Prestonfield House, Edinburgh, EH16 5UT, Tel: 0131 225 1333, www.prestonfield.com.

SANTÉ WINE BAR AND RESTAURANT Situated within a sophisticated art gallery, right in the heart of Perth.

Santé’s is an ideal and relaxing venue to enjoy the very best of Scottish produce, cooked in a Franco/Iberian fusion style.

10 St. John’s Pl, Perth, PH1 5SU, Tel: 01738 449710, www.sante-winebar.co.uk.

STRAVAIGIN Enjoy a blend of gourmet concoctions, wild ingredients and fusion dishes from around the world or savour the infamous Scottish breakfast. Visitors can cosy up beside a roaring fire in the rustic and stylish surroundings and choose from a variety of ever-changing dishes and drinks. 28 Gibson St, Glasgow, G12 8NX, Tel 0141 334 2665, www.straviagin.co.uk.

THE CHAMPANY INN Situated across a collection of 16th century buildings, you’ll find both a fine dining restaurant and a relaxed and cosy chop and ale house that specialise in prime Scottish steaks and seafood. It sports luxury rooms at the inn with roaring stone fires and an on-site, award winning wine cellar.

Champany Corner, Linlithgow, EH49 7LU, Tel: 01506 834302, www.champany.com.

THE INN AT KIPPEN As the name suggests, this is a traditional village inn but with the added bonus of a gem of a restaurant. In the perfect location between Stirling and Loch Lomond, it offers up high quality, modern British classics as well as some highly sought after breakfasts.

Fore Rd, Kippen, Stirling, FK8 3DT, Tel: 01786 870500, www.theinnatkippen.co.uk.

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THE NEWPORT RESTAURANT Recently opened and run by MasterChef the Professionals reigning champion, Jamie Scott, it serves clean, flavoursome Scottish food using the best of local ingredients. Jamie utilises his impressive knowledge of the area and surroundings to create an inspiring menu.

1 High St, Newport-on-Tay, DD6 8AA, Tel: 01382 541 449, www.thenewport.co.uk.

THE THREE CHIMNEYS Serving the best of Skye, land and sea, the award winning restaurant and five star accommodation offers luxury in a unique and stunningly beautiful remote location. Try the tasting menus on offer for lunch and dinner then round it off with some drink selections from the in-house sommelier.

Colbost, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, IV55 8ZT, Tel: 01470 511258, www.threechimneys.co.uk.

THE WEE RESTAURANT After 10 years in Fife, awardwinning chef Craig Wood has opened a second Wee Restaurant in the centre of Edinburgh.

The superbly crafted seasonal dishes are complemented by a magnificent wine list.

Visit on a Saturday to enjoy a relaxed lunch as it’s open all day. 61 Frederick St, Edinburgh, EH2 1LH, Tel: 0131 225 7983, www.theweerestaurant.co.uk.

THE WITCHERY BY THE CASTLE A renowned Edinburgh institution for almost 40 years, the Witchery remains the most atmospheric dining destination in the city with a fearsome reputation that beautifully showcases Scottish produce. Enjoy three courses for £35, available for lunch and dinner every day of the week. Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 2NF, Tel: 0131 225 5613, www.thewitchery.com.

TOWER RESTAURANT & TERRACE Tower delivers spectacular rooftop dining at its best. Enjoy all-day dining from a laid-back brunch to an elegant dinner or experience one of the best afternoon teas in town. Savour three courses for £35, available for lunch and dinner, seven days a week. National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF, Tel: 0131 225 3003, www.tower-restaurant.com.

UBIQUITOUS CHIP With its endearing and magical courtyard, various bars, mezzanine and roof terrace “The Chip” is a Glasgow institution.

Consistently inspired by Scotland’s larder it offers up the freshest ingredients within a fine dining menu alongside a lighter brasserie menu. 12 Ashton Ln, Glasgow, G12 8SJ, Tel: 0141 334 5007, www.ubiquitouschip.co.uk.

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Make it home.

Shandon Garden AN AMA HOMES DEVELOPMENT

As Shandon Garden nears completion, our latest exclusive development of 34 superbly appointed 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments and duplexes is proving extremely popular, with almost half of the properties already sold!

Our show home will be opening soon, but if you can’t wait to see what all the excitement is about, call Behnam Afshar on 0131 226 1780 or email behnama@amanewtown.co.uk to arrange a private viewing.

Prices from ÂŁ215,000 www.amahomes.co.uk

www.murrayandcurrie.com 0131 226 5050

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photographer: Graeme Hendry art director: Steve Moore stylist: Michelle Brown michellebrownportfolio.com model: Viktoria B @ Profile Models make-up: Cat Crawford using Estée Lauder, catcrawford.com hair stylist: Sam Foster @ Lion & the Fox using Davines photographer’s assistant: Isobel Hendry Jumpsuit, £795, Amanda Wakeley at Harvey Nichols; shoes, £675, Jimmy Choo at Harvey Nichols; clutch bag, £99, Amishi; earrings, £153, Melinda Maria at House of Fraser; ring, £99, Amishi.

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THIS PAGE Earrings, £80, and ring, £59, both Amishi. OPPOSITE PAGE Top, Amanda Wakeley at Harvey Nichols; trousers, £99, Hobbs; shoes, £695, Jimmy Choo at Harvey Nichols; earrings, £80, Amishi.

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LEFT Jacket, Amanda Wakeley at Harvey Nichols; clutch, £110, Amishi; earrings, £229, Amishi; ring, £68, Carat. BELOW Top, £45, French Connection; trousers, Amanda Wakeley at Harvey Nichols; shoes, £775, and clutch bag, £1,250, Jimmy Choo at Harvey Nichols; earrings, £229, Amishi; bracelets, £172 each, Carat; ring (right hand), £99, Amishi.

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Earrings, £80, Amishi; Ring (right hand), £59, Amishi; Bracelets, £172 each, Carat.

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Jacket and trousers, £595, both Amanda Wakeley at Harvey Nichols; top, £45, French Connection; earrings, £229, Amishi.

ADDRESS BOOK Amanda Wakeley at Harvey Nichols Edinburgh, www.harveynichols.com and www.amandawakeley.com; Amishi London, www.amishi.london; Carat, www.caratlondon.com; French Connection, www.frenchconnection.com; Hobbs, www.hobbs.co.uk; Jimmy Choo at Harvey Nichols Edinburgh, www.harveynichols.com and www.jimmychoo.com; L K Bennett, www.lkbennett.com; Melinda Maria at House of Fraser Glasgow, www.houseoffraser.co.uk and www.melindamaria.com; Rokit Vintage, Tel: 020 7267 3046, www.rokit.co.uk.

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DOING THE DOUBLE Double cleansing may be the new beauty buzz phrase but, as Susie Cormack Bruce explains, there’s nothing new about it

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don’t know about you but my daily cleansing routine wasn’t really something I gave much thought too. Liking to keep things simple, I’d roll out of bed, hit the bathroom and wash my face with the first thing that came to hand. So quick, so easy, I could do it with my eyes closed - literally.

But recently I felt my skin getting drier and decided to rethink my, for want of a better word, routine. While researching new product options, I found myself coming across one term time and time again - double cleansing. Now double cleansing is exactly what it says on the tin, jar or bottle in that you first remove all your make-up with an oil based cleanser or balm.

Then you cleanse again but with a foaming or water based cleanser. Essentially it works on the same principle as doing a second shampoo on your hair with the first wash getting rid of the day’s grime and products while the second shampoo gets down to the serious business of thoroughly cleaning your locks.

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Far from being a modern day fad, the technique has been around for centuries, primarily in East Asia, where the geishas of Japan traditionally removed the heavy, paint like make-up with oils before washing with a soap to remove oil residue and clean their pores.

What makes double cleansing so effective is that it tackles the two types of dirt: oil based from make-up and oxidised sebum and water based like sweat and dust. And with one of the basic principles of chemistry, here comes the science, being ‘like dissolves like’, it's a pretty solid principle.

While double cleansing does sound a bit of a faff, I was impressed how quickly I saw an improvement (three days) and once you find the right products (personal favourites include Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, £40, followed by Nip + Fab Glycolic Cleanser Fix, £7.95) you can set your pace to be as slow or speedy as time allows.

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Turn back time

Dr Nestor is one of Scotland’s more experienced Cosmetic Doctors. He talks to i-on about his passion for cosmetic medicine and his new centre, Dr Nestor’s Medical Cosmetic Centre, in the heart of Edinburgh

What is cosmetic medicine?

Treatments focus less on changing your appearance or who you are, concentrating instead on nonsurgically refining certain features, addressing signs of age, restoring natural, youthful, beautiful contours and restoring lustre and health to skin.

So can you make me look “10 years younger”?

Cosmetic medicine can help soften signs of ageing, gently correct facial asymmetry, achieve beautiful features and give our skin much needed hydration and tightening. It’s about looking like you on your best day. But it’s not about “10 years younger” so it’s important to have a healthy perception and realistic, natural expectations and end points.

Tell us about your new cosmetic centre Dr Nestor’s Medical Cosmetic Centre tailors treatments to both men and women. It is a doctor led, patient centered clinic. We are by appointment only and adhere to every facet of medical ethics, from never carrying out procedures that are unnatural to strict client confidentiality. I currently do treatments on London’s Harley Street and it’s an honour to now contribute to the development of this evolving medical specialty in Edinburgh.

What kind of treatments do you offer?

We address male and female facial ageing with advanced minimally invasive treatments, and optimisation of skin health and management of skin problems. Furthermore we offer definitive solutions for hair loss concerns. Hair restoration surgery has become far less of a taboo, popularised by footballers and celebrities alike, appealing to any man with thinning, receding hair.

How did you become involved in this specialty?

I graduated from The Edinburgh University Medical School in 2006 and pursued a surgical career, gaining experience from several surgical specialties predominantly orthopaedic and plastic surgery.

Alongside this I entered cosmetic medicine which became my passion and ambition. I am now a member of Health Improvement Scotland and currently work alongside them to implement regulations for clinics to improve patient safety.

For further information, contact Dr Nestor’s Medical Cosmetic Centre, 53 Dundas St, Edinburgh, EH3 6RS, Tel: 0131 237 8939, www.drnestor.co.uk.

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TRIED AND TESTED Skinade words Sally McKenzie

W

hen I heard about Skinade, a collagenbased skincare drink, I just had to give it a go. A product that cares for your skin from the inside, it’s full of micronutrients and hydrolysed collagen, omega 3 and 6 and L-lysine (a key amino acid for skin repair) to keep your skin looking younger, healthier and generally looking better.

So how does it work? Collagen accounts for 75 per cent of youthful skin. However, the older we get, the less new collagen we produce.

Consuming collagen orally means that it can be absorbed into your bloodstream and tiny fragments will remain in the dermis for 14 days. This process then tricks your body into thinking that the fragments indicate collagen breakdown thus repair is needed. As such...it's youthful qualities. Clever right? But it doesn’t stop there, the process can actually trick your body into thinking that the fragments indicate collagen breakdown and thus repair is 68

needed. As such it can stimulate our bodies to produce more collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid – the compounds that give our skin its youthful qualities.

They say it takes 90 days of taking a 150ml bottle a day to see the full benefits but I’ve only been taking it for 30 days and I’ve already seen a noticeable difference in the lines around my eyes and the general plumpness of my skin. When I was younger I suffered from bad skin and have always had wee marks as a result. However, taking Skinade has also helped to reduce these as well.

It costs £99 for a 30 day supply and I genuinely do think it’s worth the price – think of it like replacing your daily coffee fix from Starbucks. The peachy flavour is pretty refreshing too.

For more information or to order visit www.skinade.com or Tel: 08451 300 205.

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FEATURES

Sisters Guild cart

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HOW TO… CREATE A PINTERESTPERFECT HOME BAR Emily Murray, founder of interiors inspiration site The Pink House shares her top tips on creating a beautiful home bar that’ll set Pinterest a-buzz

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heck out the Pinterest boards of the UK’s most fashionable home owners, and, along with a preponderance of pineapples and a boom in bell jars, you’ll also find billions of bar carts. The bar cart (drinks trolley, home bar – call it what you will) is enjoying a massive resurgence right now.

Marks & Spencer senior furniture buyer Paul Tanner puts this down to the rise of the wall mounted flat screen TV, which does away with the need for a media cabinet. “For many, the coffee table is now the only significant item of furniture in the living room other than a sofa, and a drinks cabinet acts as a new focal point, especially as fireplaces are in decline,” he says.

So if your living room lacks focus, and you enjoy entertaining your friends or simply indulging in an after dinner tipple or three, I highly recommend setting up your very own drinking corner. To make it a focal point worth its celery salt, it’s worth putting a little extra effort into the stocking and styling.

Here are my five rules for creating a Pinterestperfect home boozer: 73

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1 BUY PRETTY TASTY BOOZE If your bar is on show (and on show ‘is’ the point after all), then your booze bottles need to taste good and ‘look’ fabulous.

For my money, must-haves include the bright orange Chase Marmalade Vodka, bright blue Bombay Sapphire and the sceptre like Chambord, essential for those Kir Royales. A limited edition bottle can up the fun factor interiors blogger Kimberley Duran from swoonworthy.co.uk has a leopard print Disaronno Amaretto on her bar cart.

2

BAG A BARGAIN CART Surprisingly perhaps, beautiful trolleys like the ones you see here don’t have to cost a fortune.

The high street has cottoned on to the home bar trend so there are now bar carts to suit even fairly modest budgets, easy to buy online.

My pick of the boozy bunch are Oliver Bonas’ gold bamboo version (above), £395, Sisters Guild’s rose gold beauty (previous page), £315, and the green, marble and brass option from MiaFleur (below), £325. If you don’t fancy a trolley, a simple tray on a sideboard will do the job - West Elm has a fab lacquered selection that are very on trend.

DON’T NEGLECT THE MIXERS Every must pin home bar needs to style up its mixers. Forget big plastic bottles of tonic. Instead, go for minibar cool – think tiny cans or small glass bottles. I love Fever-Tree for aesthetics and deliciousness. Jessica Buckley, from Jessica Buckley Interiors, swears by Cipriani’s pretty peach puree Bellini mix, while Kimberley Duran’s bar features a line-up of super chic San Pellegrino.

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GO VINTAGE WITH YOUR VINO To help your bar stand out from the social media crowd, mix unique vintage glasses with high street bargains. Try trawling your local antiques market or second hand shops - my recent dig around yielded a haul of green, blue and pink handblown sherry glasses which cost less than their high street equivalents and look beautifully jewel like on my gold leaf bar shelves.

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Photo by Susie Lowe

HAVE FUN WITH ACCESSORIES Bar accessories can be both decorative and useful – but the best ones are both.

I recently acquired a green mid century ice bucket from eBay for a mere £15. Other options could include the perennially cool pineapple (John Lewis and Oliver Bonas both do lovely copper ones) or Kate Spade New York’s ‘raise a glass’ gold polka dot bucket from Amara (£45).

A selection of fun cocktail stirrers and a little pot plant or vase of flowers (I use my cleaned out Diptyque candle as a container) give your bar that extra something. Now all that’s left to do is shake, pour and drink – and don’t forget to pin… cheers!

5

Oliver Bonas

Follow The Pink House on Instagram at @pinkhouseinteriors or visit www.pinkhouse.co.uk.

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INTERIORS

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The corner sofa has a sleek seat which gives a great contrast to its substantial base and comes with soft, adjustable back cushions customised to any combination you want. Available in leather and fabric, it’s made for luxurious lounging and, oh boy, do we want one. For more information Tel: 0141 341 4920 or visit www.boconcept.com.

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FEATURES

Follow the

STARS

Michelin starred dining often has the reputation of stuffy dining rooms with equally stuffy service.

But not here in Scotland where our wealth of ‘star’ restaurants means there’s an award-winning destination to cater for all tastes, occasions and expectations.

Here we take you on the ultimate culinary journey.

Restaurant Andrew Fairlie

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FEATURES

THE CELLAR, ANSTRUTHER No one was more surprised when The Cellar was awarded its first Michelin star than chef proprietor Billy Boyter – but that was nothing to do with the young chef’s confidence in his cooking.

The shock was down to the speed in which The Cellar received its star with the chef and his parents taking over the restaurant a mere two years ago. No doubt Boyter’s reputation preceding his move back to his native Anstruther (he spent eight years at Edinburgh’s Number One restaurant at the Balmoral) prompted the early call from the Michelin inspectors, who visited just months after Boyter took control of the kitchen.

As Scotland’s newest starred restaurant the chef admits there’s a pressure but insists the accolade won’t change his love of modern Scottish cuisine. Tel: 01333 310378, www.thecellaranstruther.co.uk.

RESTAURANT ANDREW FAIRLIE, AUCHTERARDER As Scotland’s only two star Michelin restaurant, it's only be to expected that the experience of Restaurant Andrew Fairlie is a special one. Nestled in the world class hotel resort of Gleneagles, the restaurant is the cuisine equivalent of a cashmere cocoon – warm, inviting and with a discreet but definite touch of luxe.

Rich chocolate coloured walls, festooned with original works from Fairlie’s friend and leading Scottish colourist Archie Forrest, serve as a backdrop to devoré velvet seating and sparkling silver tableware. Fairlie, who was the first and youngest Roux Scholar, trained in the classical French style, and for a truly out of this world culinary event the seven course Degustation menu is a must – especially as

this summer it features Fairlie’s signature home smoked Scottish lobster with warm lime and herb butter. Tel: 01764 694267, www.andrewfairlie.co.uk.

BRAIDWOODS RESTAURANT, DALRY, AYRSHIRE The only restaurant in Ayrshire with a Michelin star, Braidwoods is run by husband and wife team, Keith and Nicola Braidwood, whose careers read like a run-down of Britain’s greatest gastronomic temples, having worked and gained experience in the Peat Inn, the Royal Oak at Yattendon, Murrayshall House and Shieldhill Hotel amongst others.

Like the couple themselves there’s no pretension at Braidwoods, not in the décor, which is unfussy and relaxed, nor in the consistently first class food. At the heart of their philosophy is a devotion to the finest ingredients, mostly sourced locally, and a fantastic respect for the traditions of hautecuisine: painstaking preparation, freshly made stocks and sauces and terrific attention to detail, as shown in their homemade pastas, breads and chocolates. Tel: 01294 833 544, www.braidwoods.co.uk.

KINLOCH LODGE, ISLE OF SKYE You don’t need a Michelin star to inform you of the excellent cuisine on offer at Kinloch Lodge as the mistress of the house is Lady Claire Macdonald, one of Scotland’s best loved cooks. Steeped in heritage and history, the Lodge is Skye’s only starred restaurant, with head chef Marcello Tully using all of his mastery of Scotland’s rich seasonal larder to produce perfection on a plate. Turn to page 14 for details on how you can win a luxury overnight stay there. Tel: 01471 833333, www.kinloch-lodge.co.uk.

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THE ALBANNACH, LOCHINVER, SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS Developed over two decades by chef proprietors Colin Craig and Lesley Crosfield, The Albannach is Britain’s more northerly Michelin starred dining experience. Set within a characterful 200 year old house, the dining room is a suitably Highland affair with roaring log fire, wood panelling and awe-inspiring mountain views. The set five course dinner menu changes daily and is a showcase for the region’s stunning produce and the restaurant prides itself on working with local farmers, fishermen – shellfish is landed daily - and artisan producers. There’s also an extensive 200 bin wine list featuring some cracking French examples. Tel: 01571 844407, www.thealbannach.co.uk.

THE KITCHIN, EDINBURGH Don’t let Tom Kitchin’s burgeoning television career fool you, you’re still more likely to find him at the stove of his first restaurant in Leith than on your TV set. With an ethos of ‘From Nature to Plate’ Kitchin’s food showcases the very best of seasonal Scottish produce with the restaurant signature dish of rolled pig’s head with langoustines telling you all you need to know about the talented chef’s distinguished style. The restaurant itself has a relaxed look and there’s no need to talk in hushed tones when praising the inventive plates.

Tel: 0131 555 1755, www.thekitchin.com.

ISLE OF ERISKA, ARGYLL Scottish hospitality doesn’t come much more luxurious than what awaits you at the Isle of Eriska Hotel. Located on a private island and a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux collection, the hotel’s kitchen is under control of head chef Paul Leonard who skillfully produces inspired plates, all with strong local provenance, and with the menu changing daily, there’s also something new to savour on a culinary visit to Eriska. Tel: 01631 720371, www.eriska-hotel.co.uk.

THE PEAT INN, CUPAR Seasonality is very much the order of the day at The Peat Inn, a historic inn near St Andrews. One of the most respected and revered restaurants in Scotland, the kitchen is the domain of chef owner Geoffrey Smeddle 82

who, along with wife Katherine, took over the reins of the mid-1700s coaching inn in 2006, ushering in a new beginning and further accolades. With three elegant dining rooms, the air of relaxed refinement is carried to the food with slow braised daube of veal, smoked mashed potato, shallot and balsamic purée and red wine sauce a prime example. And should you wish to make use of the wine cellar, you can also book a room. Tel: 01334 840206, www.thepeatinn.co.uk.

NUMBER ONE AT THE BALMORAL, EDINBURGH With its enviable position on Princes Street, Number One is an undoubtedly jewel in the Capital’s culinary crown. Descend to The Balmoral’s basement and you’ll find everything is first rate and pretty much faultless; from the welcome of restaurant director Gary Quinn and his team to the confident, clever and, rightly, celebrated food of executive chef Jeff Bland and head chef Brian Grigor. Dedicated purely to dinner, even the décor is perfectly pitched, with the luxury velvet seating and red lacquered walls. Tel: 0131 556 2414, www.roccofortehotels.com.

SANGSTER’S, ELIE Cosy and comfortable aren’t really words you’d expect to hear regarding a Michelin starred eatery but that’s exactly what you’ll find at Sangster’s. First awarded a star in 2009, the 28 cover restaurant belongs to chef Bruce Sangster and his wife Jackie, who amiably and expertly handles front of house, the restaurant’s reputation has been built on Bruce’s solid seasonal cooking, using local produce as much as possible. The restaurant’s Tripadvisor reviews confirm you don’t need to be a Michelin inspector to appreciate its appeal.

Tel: 01333 331001, www.sangsters.co.uk.

RESTAURANT MARTIN WISHART, EDINBURGH AND ALEXANDRIA, LOCH LOMOND Martin Wishart put Edinburgh on the good map in 2001 when his eponymous restaurant was awarded a Michelin star – the first for the city. That star has been consecutively held for 15 years, an achievement in anyone’s books.

Throughout the restaurant’s growth, Wishart has stayed true to his original mission to bring

FEATURES

The Peat Inn

Martin Wishart, Edinburgh

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FEATURES

Number One at The Balmoral, photo by Susie Lowe

the very best modern and imaginative French cuisine to Edinburgh, accented with the finest local ingredients. A recipe that’s clearly been a great success. And when the acclaimed chef opened his second restaurant in 2008 on the bonnie banks at the award-winning Cameron House Hotel, he didn’t disappoint. Martin Wishart at Loch Lomond was first awarded a star in 2011 and the restaurant, with the kitchen helmed by Graeme Cheevers, excels in creating a signature style of interesting, beautifully prepared and presented dishes with the current offering of fillet of turbot, smoked cockles, morels and wild garlic a classic example. The dining room recently underwent a stylish makeover rendering the interior as spectacular as the exterior mountainside views. Tel: 0131 553 3557, www.restaurantmartinwishart.co.uk, www.mwlochlomond.co.uk.

BOATH HOUSE, AULDEARN, NAIRN Set in a Georgian mansion within a 22 acre estate in Nairn, Boath House’s intimate dining room sits 26 for dinner and offers vistas over the estate’s well tended lawns while Head 84

Chef Charlie Lockley – a follower of The Slow Food Movement – offers as an equally beautiful presentation with his imaginative and creative cooking. As benefiting an estate of this grandeur, Boath House has its own kitchen garden, supplying much of the organic fruit, herbs and vegetables for the dining plates, and even has its own bee hives making its fresh honey all the sweeter. Tel: 01667 454896, www.boath-house.com.

21212, EDINBURGH A domain of innovative chef patron Paul Kitching and his partner Katie O’Brien, this fine dining favourite is renowned for its contemporary cuisine. With never more than three courses and a new menu each week, the mercurial Mr Kitching produces wonderfully imaginative dishes with a playful touch and some startling combinations but don’t be fooled as this is ‘serious’ cooking with no compromise to quality. The discreetly dramatic dining room offers views to the kitchen allowing diners to witness the alchemy of the chefs first hand.

There are also four deluxe bedrooms. Tel: 0131 523 1030, www.21212restaurant.co.uk.

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FEATURES

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GOING GLUTEN-FREE With Coeliac UK’s Awareness Week just around the corner, we thought it was about time we asked the question… is bread really the devil?

Sarah Ormerod investigates.

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oeliac Disease: not an allergy or an intolerance but an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks itself when gluten is eaten. There is no cure and no medication; the only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet for life. Sounds pretty serious, right? For many people it is. One in every 100 people in the UK is a coeliac and it's estimated around half a million people are undiagnosed.

Made of two protein groups, gliadin and glutenin, gluten is brought together when flour and water are mixed to give foods like bread and pasta their structure and elasticity. It’s found in wheat, barley, rye and cross hybrids of these grains which, to the surprise of many people, can creep into a whole host of foods, including stock cubes, sweets and beers – unless of course you go for a beer from Bellfield Brewery. Conceived and developed in Portobello, Edinburgh, it’s the first dedicated gluten free brewery in the UK. And, it’s not just a fad for coeliacs, it’s vital for them to avoid it. When the gut lining is damaged it prevents nutrients from being absorbed, causing anaemia, fatigue, bloating and that uncomfortable feeling a lot of people experience when they chomp down on a baguette or a big plate of penne.

You can imagine then, long term, the consequences for an undiagnosed coeliac can be quite severe. You think you’re eating a healthy diet, rich in nutrients, but the gluten accompanying each meal is preventing your body from absorbing this goodness.

Osteoporosis from lack of calcium, stomach ulcers and even bowel cancer can manifest, so it’s not surprising that as awareness grows,

SCOTLAND'S TOP GLUTEN-FREE HOT SPOTS Foodstory Café, Aberdeen, foodstorycafe.co.uk A cute café run by a group of young foodies who’ve travelled the world and collated their inspiration, making everything they serve from scratch soups, hot pots, pestos and dips, they have it all.

Moon & Hare, Edinburgh, moonandhare.co.uk Set in the heart of Bruntsfield, Moon & Hare is a local, independent, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan artisan eatery and deli.

El Cartel, Edinburgh, www.elcartelmexicana.co.uk All about tacos and tequila and almost everything on the menu is gluten-free. What’s not to love?

The Real Food Café, Tyndrum www.therealfoodcafe.com A little more off the beaten track, this lovely joint offers an entire gluten-free menu – the fish and chips are a must try.

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Topalambaba, Glasgow, www.topalambaba.com Taking inspiration from Mexico, Oaxaca, Chiapas and Chihuahua, Topalambaba cooks up a storm of predominantly gluten-free dishes.

Grams, Edinburgh www.gramsedinburgh.com Selling raw, clean, glutenfree, dairy free and vegan cakes alongside healthy high protein meals and smoothies, this new arrival on 16 Haymarket Terrace is a must visit.

Red Onion, Glasgow www.therealfoodcafe.com Award-winning chef John Quigley looks out for the coeliacs and the vegans with dedicated menus for both.

He’s cooked for Tina Turner and Brian Adams in the past so well worth a visit.

Yeni, Edinburgh, www.yenirestaurant.com This meze bar is a great shout if you are looking for somewhere to share food with non gluten-free eaters.

A pick n’ mix menu of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes means there’s lots to choose from.

Simply Nood, Bridge of Allan A deli tucked away on Henderson Street in Bridge of Allan, the people at Simply Nood claim to be changing perceptions of allergen-free food. Definitely worth a look then.

AFTER PUTTING HER FAMILY ON A GLUTEN-FREE DIET, GWYNIE CLAIMS TO HAVE CURED HER SON’S ECZEMA. AND, SHE’S NOT THE ONLY ONE

millions of people are jumping on the glutenfree bandwagon and the market has exploded.

The free-from section has infiltrated supermarket aisles, restaurants and cafes are popping up nationwide offering entirely gluten-free menus and celebrities (you won’t be surprised to see Gwyneth Paltrow’s name here) boasting of its health benefits. After putting her family on a gluten-free diet, Gwynie claims to have cured her son’s eczema. And, she’s not the only one. You would have been living under a rock not to have heard of Ella Woodward’s journey, healing her condition of Postural Tachycardia Syndrome through a free-from diet, gluten being one of the first ingredients to go.

There is no doubt then, you will know someone or several people who can’t eat gluten – whether they are coeliac or whether they are undiagnosed and just claim to be intolerant.

To avoid gluten, the most important tip is to cook from scratch, when you can at home. Don't just buy ‘gluten-free’ products which can often be full of sugar and artificial ingredients. Most people will know now that ‘fat-free’ products are far from healthy; gluten free should be looked at in the same way.

Look for recipes which allow you to substitute ingredients and cook freshly, replacing wheat with buckwheat, amaranth, millet or quinoa or soy sauce for tamari, for example. Don’t just buy from the ‘free-from’ aisle…it is not the answer and it certainly won’t do much for your health and wellbeing.

Are you coeliac or gluten intolerant? Share your tips and recipes with us @ionmagazineuk.

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RECIPE TO TRY AT HOME

RAW SUPERGREEN MACAROONS Sweet, chewy and coconutty, this macaroon recipe from Indigo Herbs is raw, vegan and gluten-free.

INGREDIENTS • 200g / 2 cups + 2 tbsp desiccated coconut • 1 tbsp Indigo Herbs Super Greens powder • 4 tbsp raw agave nectar • 1 tsp vanilla extract • (optional) 1 tsp coconut extract or almond extract • Water, if needed For the chocolate topping: • 3 tbsp coconut oil • 3 tbsp raw cacao powder • 2 tbsp agave nectar

METHOD 1. In a food processor, blitz the desiccated coconut with the Indigo Herbs Super Greens powder for a minute until well combined.

Add the agave, vanilla and coconut extract (if using) and mix again. The mixture should start to clump together. If not, add a few small drops of water until it does.

2. Prepare a baking tray with greaseproof paper and using an ice cream scoop or rounded spoon, make mounds of the mixture onto the tray to create macaroons. You will need to make sure the mixture is well packed into the spoon so that the macaroons don't fall apart.

3. Leave in the freezer to firm up whilst you prepare the chocolate topping.

4. Melt the coconut oil in a heat proof bowl, suspended over a pot of recently boiled

water. Whisk in the cacao powder and agave nectar until smooth. Leave in the fridge until cool to the touch.

5. Remove the macaroons from the freezer and dip the bottoms into the chocolate mixture to coat. It should set almost immediately.

6. Then drizzle lines of the melted chocolate onto the tops of the macaroons. Return to the freezer to set for a few minutes, then they are ready to serve. www.indigo-herbs.co.uk.

For more information on health and wellness contributor Sarah Ormerod visit www. lemonandoats.com. For twitter and instagram @lemonandoats and @sarahjormerod.

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The

Food + Drink + Style + Beauty + Health + People + Travel + Interiors + Events + Property

a handpicked selection of the best of life in Scottish cities in May

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Aberdeen

A new picnic concept, Oliver Bonas and the blogger behind Natbee.

096 Dundee

Lorraine Kelly, an exciting new opening and a design festival to relish.

098 Edinburgh

Lunch at Dine with Stuart Muir, new places to try this month and a chance to feel like the king of a castle.

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Glasgow

Accessories designer Christian MacLeod, Scotland’s first House of Adidas and a welcome addition to the Southside dining scene.

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Inverness

Experiment with gin and an exciting exhibition of contemporary art.

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Perth

Festival highlights, singer KT Tunstall and must-go places.

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St Andrews

A chance to meet author T.F. Muir, a handy discount card and where to go this month.

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Stirling

Singer/songwriter Carol Laula at Tolbooth and a time to celebrate whisky.

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ABERDEEN_lifestyle

ABERDEEN

JUST OPENED Aberdeen just upped its style quota with the opening of its first Oliver Bonas store.

It will be the third Scottish location (Glasgow and Edinburgh make up the trio) for the independent lifestyle retailer and the new store will carry OB’s full product range: from women’s clothing and accessories to homeware and gifts. Check it out at 46-52 Schoolhill, AB10 1JQ. www.oliverbonas.com.

FOR FUNK’S SAKE Craig Charles brings his Funk & Soul Club to The Lemon Tree on Friday 20 May as part of his latest nationwide DJing tour. The former Red Dwarf and Coronation Street star has carved out a successful broadcasting and DJing career and his DJ nights are typically sell-outs. Tickets £15.40 from www.aberdeenperformingarts.com.

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lifestyle_ABERDEEN

SPOTLIGHT ON ON THE RUN

Revolution Aberdeen words Julia Bryce

The Baker Hughes 10K Running Festival takes place on 15 May and if you’re not taking part in the big run itself, why not pop along to cheer the runners on? The course is based around Aberdeen beach and harbour area so spectacular views are guaranteed. The festival benefits a number of charities so by being there you’ll support more than simply the runners. www.sportaberdeen.co.uk.

P

HOT STUFF Congratulations to Union Street 8848 restaurant which scooped the Best of Aberdeen accolade at the 2016 Scottish Curry Awards. Other local winners were Inverurie’s Shahi Darbar Indian Fine Dining restaurant who took home the Team/Service of the Year award, Aberdeen’s Eastern Eye won Takeaway of the Year and Laurencekirk’s Alma Bar and Restaurant was named Restaurant of the Year for the north. You now know where to go when you next get a curry craving. Enjoy.

icnics and the Scottish weather can be unhappy bedfellows but not so at Revolution Aberdeen which has introduced a fun, quirky picnic concept. Its recent refurbishment has enabled the bar to create the atmosphere of a picnic in the park, with the neighbouring Union Terrace Gardens offering the perfect vista.

I visited on a Sunday afternoon with three friends, all tempted with the promise of a picnic involving no prepping, no packing up and definitely no sheltering in the car should it shower. Once seated two bottles of prosecco landed on our table (this was part of the picnic – one bottle between two) and I immediately liked how things were starting off.

The picnic basket swiftly followed and a peek inside revealed freshly baked baguettes, a selection of cold meats and cheeses, houmous, potato salad, sundried tomatoes, olives and an array of condiments including a delicious chutney and some palate cleansing grapes.

The bread was delicious, and still warm, which meant the butter and cheese melted perfectly, making the mini sandwiches we assembled all the more enjoyable. The selection of meats and cheeses was generous, as well as varied, and the food basket was more than enough for the four of us.

At £25 per person, based on two sharing, the picnic concept is good, clean, tasty fun and with summer just around the corner, Revolution Aberdeen’s timing is perfect. Just like its picnic.

25 Belmont St, AB10 1JS, Tel: 01224 645475, www.revolution-bars.co.uk.

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THE

WRITE STUFF W

e love a good blog at i-on and we’re on a mission to introduce you to some of the very best. First up, we meet Aberdeen based Anastasia, the very stylish brain behind Natbee’s, one of Cision’s Top 10 Scottish Blogs 2015.

Is blogging a career or a hobby?

I work as a Biophysics researcher at the University of Aberdeen whilst completing my Ph.D. It requires vast amounts of dedication so at this stage blogging is a hobby that I am lucky enough to have turned into a part time job.

When did you start? I launched in October 2008 as a diary but started blogging more seriously in 2009 when I moved from Greece to the UK. It’s developed a lot over the years but it’s now a fitness lifestyle and luxury travelling blog, where I document my fitness regimes and my travelling adventures around the world.

How often do you post? This depends largely on my day job’s project deadlines but I try to post at least three times per week to keep up with my readers’ expectations.

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Are numbers important to you?

I love it when I get more followers on Instagram but since most bloggers around me have bought their followers, are followers really an indicator of success? I value more my increasing page views than my Instagram numbers.

What blogs do you rate? I love most of the Swedish fitness/travel bloggers and follow Kenzas and Skopljak along with A Luxury Travel Blog, In The Frow and, of course, my fellow Aberdonian blogger, The Little Magpie.

Visit Anastasia’s blog at natbeesfashion.blogspot.co.uk.

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DUNDEE_lifestyle

DUNDEE CITY INSIDER

Lorraine Kelly

Desperate Dan aside perhaps, Lorraine Kelly is Dundee’s most famous resident. When not in London working on her itv1 weekday morning show Lorraine show, she calls Broughty Ferry her family home. Here she tells i-on about her favourite haunts in the city.

THE SHIP INN “I like The Ship Inn in Broughty Ferry for a hearty drink and meal.” Placed right on the harbour of the historic fishing village, The Ship has a cosy bar downstairs. Venture upstairs for food with a spectacular view. www.theshipinn-broughtyferry.co.uk.

M BOUTIQUE “M boutique in Broughty Ferry and Whitehall Crescent in Dundee city centre has stylish clothes and gorgeous presents.”

The extensive list of brands can’t be found readily on the high street so you are sure of finding something others won’t have, with classy jewellery, clothes and presents. www.mboutiqueclothing.com.

DISCOVERY POINT “The ship itself and museum are fantastic.

You can hire the Discovery for private events and I had my 50th birthday there.” The story of Discovery from her beginnings in 96

Dundee and Captain Scott’s remarkable Antarctic expedition, through her long ocean-going career until her final journey home, captivates children and grown-ups. www.rrsdiscovery.com.

CASTLEHILL AND COLLINSONS RESTAURANTS “I love Castlehill on Exchange Street and Collinsons in Broughty Ferry for a special meal.” Collinsons on Brown Street was opened by award-winning chef Stephen Collinson in 2012. Food lovers might remember his previous venture 11 Park Avenue in Carnoustie. Castlehill owner Paul McMillan celebrated gaining two AA rosettes within his first year of opening in 2014 and landed quite a signing last year with Scotland’s youngest ever Michelin starred chef coming on board. www.collinsonsrestaurant. com, www.castlehillrestaurant.co.uk.

lifestyle_DUNDEE

DATE FOR THE DIARY

If you’re a vinyl fan get down to Dundee Record and CD Fair at Marryat Hall, Caird Hall, on Sunday 29 May, 11am to 4pm. If you prefer live music Bruce Molsky will be in town that day too. A former engineer from the Bronx, he didn’t start his musical career until he was 40 and stands today as the premier old-time fiddler in the world. See him at the Roseangle Cafe, Perth Road, 2pm5pm. Tickets from £9. For more information visit www.grouchos.co.uk.

BAR SPY…

To say business partners Andrew (Macky) McMahon (pictured right) and Jakub Zakrzewski are taking over the Westport area of Dundee is no understatement. They’ve just opened their fourth venue (they also have D’Arcy Thompson, The Tinsmith and The West House) and it’s this latest venture, Gallery 48, that’s the most exciting - and different - yet. Acting as a showcase for some of the city’s finest artistic talents, it’s also a funky tapas restaurant and bar too.

DID YOU KNOW…?

Dundee was recently named the UK’s first City of Design by the United Nations and from 25 to 28 May it hosts the Dundee International Design Festival with an action packed schedule for your diary. Choose from the University of Dundee’s Art, Design and Architecture Show, the Abertay Digital Graduate Show, the Ignite Dundee Festival of Creativity - or visit www.dundeecityofdesign.com for nothing more than a sense of enormous pride.

The city was recognised by UNESCO for its diverse contributions to fields including medical research, comics such as The Beano and Dandy, and video games including Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto among other favourites. The designation has previously been awarded to cities including Beijing, Berlin and Montreal.

And with the city’s waterfront being redeveloped to the tune of £1billion and the arrival of the V&A museum of design, we kind of rock.

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EDINBURGH_lifestyle

EDINBURGH

OO ERR MISSUS

For a chance to get your glad rags on and see Mr Vernon Kay make your way to Ladies Day at Musselburgh Racecourse on 11 June. It’s one of the hottest race days in the Scottish social calendar, which means general admission tickets have now sold out but packages including Champers and Hampers are still up for grabs. www.musselburghracecourse.co.uk.

OH, GET A ROOM

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like the king of a castle, now’s your chance. Having recently opened its medieval doors following a lavish refurbishment, Borthwick Castle, Gorebridge, is now offering a lucky few the chance to experience a slice of luxury with a number of individual short stay packages. The first of these special weekends takes place from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 May 2016. Go on, you’re worth it. Find out more at www.ionmagazine.uk or www.borthwickcastle.com.

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PRETTY AS A PICTURE

Morningside ladies have a new pampering spot at Moi Beauty on 90 Comiston Road. Bigger and better, it’s replaced the two previous salons but offers the same top treatments and a lovely new Champagne nail bar. Tel: 0131 629 4532, www.moibeauty.co.uk.

lifestyle_EDINBURGH

ON THE FOOD RADAR Places to try this month

Church Hill Place, Edinburgh Byres Road, Glasgow North Berwick Peebles

timeandtidestores.co.uk timeandtide

BOTANICS TERRACE CAFÉ

Open from 10am every day, this little café (pictured above) within the Botantics is looking better than ever thanks to a refurb. Offering everything from snacks to home cooked hot dishes, when the sun shines, the tables spill out onto the terrace.

Tel: 0131 552 0606, www.rbge.org.uk.

MAISON BLEUE LE BISTROT

Sister restaurant to the popular Maison Bleue on Victoria Street, Le Bistrot is the cooler, relaxed French venue offering, as the names suggests, bistro style food.

As well as a keenly priced set lunch menu and weekend brunches, look out the pretheatre menu. Delish. 372 Morningside Rd, maisonbleuerestaurant.com

CAFÉ NOIR

For some first class coffee, herbal teas and tasty sandwiches, make a lunch date at this new West End spot on Palmerston Place. cafe-noir.co.uk.

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lifestyle_EDINBURGH

How to...

CONQUER YOUR BIGGEST FEAR words Rebecca Bonnington

Human beings are born with two fears; the fear of loud noises and the fear of being dropped. The rest we collect in our mind as we progress through life.

HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS IN THE MORNING? Make a meal of it with the new breakfast menu at The Dome. Available from 10am until 12 noon, seven days a week in The Club Room, there’s everything from poached eggs on toast, £4.50, to delicious homemade pancakes with bacon and maple syrup, £5.50. Dome, 14 George St, EH2 2PF, Tel: 0131 624 8624, www.thedomeedinburgh.com.

MEET THE ONES TO WATCH

Want to get those creative juices flowing?

This year’s Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show will be just the ticket. From 28 May to 05 June 2016, the ECA on Lauriston Place will be transformed into a public showcase from the work of over 500 students graduating in Art, Design, ESALA (Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture) and Music. Free entry. www.degreeshow.eca.ac.uk.

Image: ‘ARK: island territories iv: Nicosia’.

A phobia is an intense fear, caused by a sudden and intense sensory overload of the most primitive part of your brain: the amygdala. Your brain remembers the trigger for this overload and whenever you experience similar sights, smells or sounds, you automatically go in to fight or flight mode. This is when you experience a surge of adrenaline, your heart rate increases and feelings of panic take over. You can, however, unlearn a fear.

Within 20 minutes of sitting next to a woman who was having a panic attack on a flight, I calmed her down and removed her fear of flying using a technique called the Fast Phobia Cure. I teach this on my Licensed NLP Practitioner Courses held in Edinburgh and have used it to clear phobias of needles, spiders, snakes, outdoor spaces and claustrophobia.

If you can't get to me though, the best way to slow your breathing down is to notice each breath moving in and out slowly. Then using a slow voice remind yourself that everything is ok.

Rebeca Bonnington is a coach and licensed trainer of NLP. For more details visit www.rebeccainspires.com.

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90 Comiston Rd, EH10 5QJ, Tel: 0131 629 4534 www.moibeauty.co.uk

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Badger & Co 32 Castle Street Edinburgh . EH2 3HT ohmy@badgerandco.com Tel: 0131 226 5430 www.badgerandco.com

lifestyle_EDINBURGH

DINNER DATE

WELL CRAFTED

Add some timeless beauty to your room with this stylish set of drawers. Delicately handcrafted and decorated with hand inlaid grey bone, it’s elegant and functional. £595 at Time & Tide, 225 Morningside Rd, EH10 4QT, Tel: 0131 447 7640, www.timeandtidestores.co.uk.

ABRACADABRA I-ON READER OFFER

Brace yourself for world class magic at this year’s MagicFest. Taking place from 01-08 July, use promo code 'ion16' when booking your full price ticket to the MagicFair Afternoon Session or Lates for a free upgrade to the i-on premium ticket.

Find out more at www.magicfest.co.uk and www.ionmagazine.co.uk.

If you missed the Full Moon dinners at the Secret Herb Garden last year, never fear because they’re back by popular demand.

On 21 May they join forces with Ed and Dale from The Gardener’s Cottage and on 20 June Stuart Ralston and Krystal Goff of Aizle will return with some top cuisine for summer solstice. From £55 per person for four courses, booking in advance required.

Tel: 0131 445 5888, secretherbgarden.co.uk.

OR… STOP PRESS In the April edition of i-on there was an inaccuracy in the brunch review. The head chef of The Pantry, Stockbridge, is Chris Thompson. www.thepantryedinburgh.co.uk.

you could opt for the liquid diet and make it all about the laughs. Canadian comedian Tom Stade (pictured) is back on tour and hits the Stand Comedy Club on 11 May. Star of BBC One's Live at the Apollo and Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, tickets are £16 at www.tomstade.co.uk.

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Sharing the Secrets of the Professional

Make-Up Artist to the Stars Reveals All Underneath The Arches

Lauren’s Academy of Make-Up Artistry, which was established in 2011, is the latest independent business to open at The Waverley Arches, Edinburgh’s most exciting new retail and leisure destination.

The exclusive world of the professional make-up artist has a brand new home in Edinburgh.

Passionate About Make-up

Lauren Gollan is one of the top makeup professionals in the UK’s beauty and fashion industry. In a 15-year career, she has travelled the world working with big name models and movie stars - including Kate Moss, Elle McPherson and Keira Knightley.

Edinburgh born, Lauren became one of MAC Cosmetic’s leading PRO artists, honing her make-up skills at some of the world’s biggest fashion events and working with celebrity designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney.

The Academy of Make-Up Artistry The Academy of Make-Up Artistry is accredited for teaching professional make-up qualifications, offers make-up appointments for individual clients, larger groups such as bridal parties, ladies nights, proms and graduations and is involved in fashion and editorial events across Scotland and the UK. For more information on the Lauren Gollan Academy of Make-Up Artistry and The Waverley Arches visit www.laurengollan.co.uk and www.newwaverley.com Arch 11, 21 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8FS

Stylish New Make-up Studio The stylish new make-up studio is the first of its kind to open in Scotland. And, as she explains, it provides the perfect opportunity to share her professional secrets with a new generation of make-up artists and the wider world.

“I am very passionate about make-up and love what I do,” she says. “I had looked for a number of years for the perfect studio space which is why I am so excited about opening our first studio at The Arches.

“It gives me the right space to focus purely on the art of professional make-up, providing a very different offering to one that is part of a wider beauty or fashion salon. Most importantly, my creative team’s knowledge and technical skills will be accessible to all - whether it’s to learn a new qualification, for a special occasion or an individual consultation.”

FASHION/ COSTUME/ TEXTILES/

CATWALK SHOWS

18 – 20 May 2016

© Rhys McKenna, BA (Hons) Fashion 2016

Sculpture Court Edinburgh College of Art Lauriston Place Edinburgh EH3 9DF

Tickets £12.00 + booking fee www.ecashow2016.eventbrite.co.uk #ECAFashionShow www.eca.ed.ac.uk

This month try our limited edition

Coconut Face & Body Ritual (£65) or Warm Oil Pedicure (£45)*

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6 William Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7NH Tel: 0131 202 7559 www.sleepingbeautysalon.com Open late nights & Sundays *Available till 31st May 2016

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SPONSORED FEATURE

Edinburgh’s premier luxury shopping street

LUXURY FASHION BRANDS MULTREES WALK THE DEFINITION OF LUXURY SHOPPING

Harvey Nichols

TOMMY HILFIGER A new arrival for spring summer womenswear at Tommy Hilfiger, the Jamila trench dress is elegant and original. This sleeveless dress is crafted from wrinkleresistant tencel and features a double -breasted design with notch lapels, fabric belt and silver toned logo. Available now at £155.

THE PENSHOP Three iconic Marvel Super Heroes meet the dual-function writing instrument that flips to transform from a pen to a stylus in a flash. Each sleek Tech2 design features a character emblem bringing a bit of heroics to everyday writing tasks. Cross Tech 2 Marvel SpiderMan ball pen with stylus, £30.

LINKS OF LONDON Inspired by clusters of bubbles in just poured Champagne, the new Effervescence Extension collection at Links of London now sparkles with new styles adorned with pearls and pave diamonds. The double ring, £295 is a flawless piece to cherish and perfect for any celebration.

CASTLE FINE ART Figurative artist Nigel Mason’s work captures moments in time – passing incidents that speak of human behaviour and relationships. This May, discover Nigel’s new collection at Castle Fine Art which is inspired by the innocence of childhood.

Curious by Nigel Mason, framed canvas on board edition of 195, £225.

Louis Vuitton Burberry Michael Kors Mulberry BOSS Nespresso Links of London Tommy Hilfiger Castle Fine Art Kurt Geiger Pandora North America Travel Service Sandro Swarovski Bravissimo & Pepperberry Sassoon Salon JoJo Maman Bébé The Pen Shop Reiss Caffè Nero Sole Valvona & Crolla Ristorante VinCaffè Tesla

ST ANDREW SQUARE EDINBURGH EH1 3DQ WWW.MULTREESWALK.CO.UK

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EDINBURGH_lifestyle

ICONIC EDINBURGH Panmure House

words: David Hicks • photo: Susie Lowe

H

idden behind the frontages of the Canongate is one of the few surviving buildings that can claim a direct connection to a great figure of the Scottish Enlightenment – the philosopher and economist Adam Smith.

The house was built 1691 for Lt Col George Murray, but then sold to the Earl of Panmure in 1696. At that time the Canongate was an attractive area for wealthy residents. Close to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, it was an area with more space and less bustle. Recent archaeological surveys have revealed that the house was once a much bigger and impressive building than we see today. The Earl of Panmure though was not destined to enjoy his grand town house for long.

As a staunch Jacobite, all his estates were seized by the government in 1716.

It was in 1778 that Adam Smith came to rent the house when he took up his new appointment of Commissioner of Customs and Excise in Edinburgh. His mother, cousin and nephew also moved in, along with Smith’s vast collection of 3,000 books, covering a range 108

of topics and languages. By this time he had already gained a great reputation and Panmure House became a meeting point for some of the key figures of the Scottish Enlightenment.

As with many Old Town residences, the fortunes of Panmure House changed dramatically in the 1800s. In 1927 the house was bought by The Scotsman newspaper as a possible storage and print works, but nothing happened and the building was left in a derelict condition. In 1956 Dr Ronald Selby Wright, the dynamic Minister of the Canongate Kirk, convinced the newspaper to carry out renovations, and to gift Panmure House to the Canongate Boys Club.

In 2008 Panmure House was bought by the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University and it is now undergoing a major renovation programme to become a centre for its economic and social debate.

David Hicks is communications manager at Edinburgh World Heritage. For more information visit www.ewht.org.uk.

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EDINBURGH_lifestyle

Changing Leith words Sam Bradley photos Susie Lowe

L

eith's transformation from Edinburgh's ugly duckling into a movable feast of eateries, bars and new venues shouldn't be news to anybody keeping half an eye out. These days, you're more likely to find a restaurateur than a Mark Renton in the city’s northern quarter. Still, whilst the Shore has been hoovering up plaudits and footfall, the bar and venue scene on the arterial Leith Walk has been quietly improving.

Thanks to a spate of recent restaurant and bar openings as well as the city council's £9.1m Leith Programme, an ongoing series of essential works intended to promote a 'boulevard feel' by widening and fixing pavements, adding cycle routes and greenery, Leith Walk’s bar scene is emerging as one of the best in the city.

No venue better embodies Leith Walk's changing fortunes than the Leith Depot. A bar, restaurant and live venue which opened last November, the Depot was built out of the old Meridian Bar, one of the most notorious nightspots in Edinburgh. Boasting an 80 strong list of barred patrons, the Meridian was shut in 2013 after having its license revoked. But with a completely redesigned frontage, a new kitchen and an events space upstairs, the team behind Leith Depot has transformed one of 110

Leith Depot

lifestyle_EDINBURGH

Lioness of Leith

OPENED LAST NOVEMBER, THE DEPOT WAS BUILT OUT OF THE OLD MERIDIAN BAR, ONE OF THE MOST NOTORIOUS NIGHTSPOTS IN EDINBURGH

Black Fox

the neighbourhood's worst dives into a stylish destination venue.

It’s a host venue in this month's Leith Festival and plans to become a Fringe venue are also in the pipeline.

Just off the foot of the Walk on Duke Street, you can pick up a pint and game of retro pinball at the Lioness of Leith, another cocktail bar refashioned from an old Leith joint (Minto Bar) that lay derelict for the best part of a decade. Barney's Beer on draught and excellent homemade chips mean this is an ideal spot for a Saturday afternoon libation break or a casual Sunday night acoustic set from a local band. Back on Leith Walk there’s the quirky Mousetrap, previously Cask & Still and the Volunteer Arms before that. A dive bar and cheese grill offering a cool selection of retro games, it’s probably the newest venue on the street but it’s gaining quite a following. Further up, The Black Fox, which had a former life as Bar Luna, supplies an enviable complement of craft beers and cocktails at the bar, whilst serving up huge, satisfyingly dirty burgers and proper hot dogs.

Across the road, there's Woodland Creatures, the old Balfour Bar - a well kept secret and an increasingly important node in the city's LGBTQ and arts scene. With a full secret garden for social smokers and a kitchen that stays open until 11pm, the bar is decorated with a neon menagerie of backlit bunnies, squirrels and bears giving a Narniaafter-dark feel. Since opening in 2013, the team have built up a reputation as a leftfield, edgy venue hosting regular drag night Cabaret Creatures, performance art and poetry slams.

With both local authorities and dedicated landlords alike putting the work in, Leith Walk’s nightlife scene is on the road to being established as a distinctive quarter, hosting great eateries, drinking spots and edgy venue spaces.

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Lunch at Dine with Stuart Muir What: A stylish brasserie and Champagne lounge in the city centre Price: Shoppers' express menu, two courses £13.50, three courses £17.50. words Nicky Howden • photo Susie Lowe

F

rom the dramatic green living wall as you climb the stairs to the dark, cosy interior, sumptuous wall coverings and life size apple tree, you would be forgiven for thinking you had walked into a contemporary London restaurant.

However, Dine is right here in the Capital.

And I’m kicking myself I hadn’t ventured here earlier. Situated above the Traverse Theatre within Edinburgh’s financial district, Dine is fast becoming the most talked about restaurant since it opened late last year.

The brainchild of highly acclaimed chef Stuart Muir, former executive chef of Forth Floor Restaurant Harvey Nichols Edinburgh, and business partner Paul Brennan, this contemporary open plan brasserie offers a la carte dining in the evening and an express menu by day and from the looks of the packed out restaurant on our visit, things are going well.

The express menu, available 12-3pm Monday to Saturday, is small but well formed, with three seasonal classic dishes with contemporary twists for each course available. Everything on the menu is created using fresh and local produce – and it shows. The delicious 112

starter salad of Borders ham hock, pea puree, compressed melon and apple couldn't be more testament of that. The moreish smoked haddock fishcakes, substantial in size and full of flavour balanced well with lemon and dill crème fraiche, baby gem, compressed cucumber and mint.

Mains continued to impress the taste buds. Three fillets of pan roasted seabass, roast sweet potatoes, pepperade and crème fraiche were delicate and delicious. The sweet sticky pork belly, crushed potatoes with rapeseed oil and chilli, wilted pak choi, sesame provided a hearty alternative that was quickly devoured.

Dine is a culinary destination offering relaxed luxe surroundings and great quality brasseriestyle dining. Go there with friends or family and look out for the limited edition offers.

From Champagne Fridays, where the house Champagne is £35, to Dine with Wine every weekend lunchtime, there’s something for everyone. I know we’ll be back.

Dine with Stuart Muir, Saltire Court, 10 (1F) Cambridge St, EH1 2ED, Tel: 0131 218 1818, www.dineedinburgh.co.uk.

The oldest independent bottler of spirits Established in 1842

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EDINBURGH_lifestyle

Dinner at New Chapter What: A New Town restaurant offering Scottish and modern European cuisine.

Prices range: Starters from £5.50, mains from £11.50. words Dean Newton • photos Susie Lowe

F

illing the shoes of the very last Pierre Victoire on Eyre Place, New Chapter offers a fairly high end fusion of Scottish and European cuisines. The term ‘relaxed fine dining’ seems to be the remit of many a new opening and here they’ve struck the balance well, the décor works, walking the line between relaxed cosy ambience and knowing you’re likely in for something special. So, location, venue, ambience all on point, on to the food.

We kicked off proceedings with the English asparagus with quail eggs and rapeseed mayonnaise, £7.50; on paper a simple dish but the pretty little symphony was considerably more than the sum of its parts. I opted for the scallops served with pork belly, black pudding terrine, both subtle enough not to overpower the meaty scallops, lifted by some zesty slices of curried apple, a very fair £9.50.

The mains were a surprisingly difficult choice considering the seven dish selection but all bases were well covered. My choice was the melting slow cooked beef cheek, £15.50, it came with some encrusted pieces of ox tongue, mash, kale and a powerful bourguignon jus to tie it all together. Sophie’s sea trout arrived with parsley mash and a decadent smoked mussel and shellfish velouté, somehow delicate and dulcet at once, also £15.50.

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The lovely team at New Chapter have created a bit of a winner here, it suits all from the romantic meal to the birthday celebration.

Our visit felt like a proper treat despite being reasonably priced – even more so when you consider the lunch set menu which offers two courses (many replicated from the dinner menu) for £9.50. Very hard to fault.

New Chapter, 18 Eyre Pl, EH3 5EP, Tel: 0131 556 0006, newchapterrestaurant.co.uk.

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GLASGOW_lifestyle

GLASGOW How I got started…

Glasgow based, Inverness born accessories designer Christian MacLeod is flying high and about to expand his fashion brand. Here he tells us how it all began.

“I had been golfing professionally for a number of years but, after an injury, I hit a real low. During my recovery I didn't know who I was, what I was supposed to be and what I really loved in life.

Eventually, I decided to turn my back on competitive golf.

“I’d long been interested in luxury lifestyle products and had been making belts to wear myself for a while so turned my focus to creating my CM luxury belts.

“Initially business support was thin on the ground. Banks saw me as a young man with an unrealistic dream to take over the world with a belt. But I showed them.

Everyone needs luck but the harder you work, the luckier you get. I’m very hands on in the business and CM is a personal perception of Christian MacLeod.

“My golfing connection served me well as golfers wear my belts and the CM logo has been pictured in every golf magazine and seen globally on televised golf tournaments.

"But, not wanting to be purely a golf brand, I designed a collection to present to the hugely influential GQ magazine and, 16 interviews later, CM was featured in GQ. "After building the CM world around belts for almost eight years, I’m now branching out with a full line of accessories and looking forward to surprising customers as much as I seem to be surprising myself...” www.christianmacleod.com.

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INTRODUCING HOUSE OF RUN

Scotland’s first House of Adidas – the only one in the UK outwith Harrods – has opened for business at Greaves. The new £1m development in Greaves’ flagship Gordon Street store is a haven for fans of the famous three stripe brand, housing the innovative and technical performance product most associated with Adidas and Greaves, in addition to Adidas Originals and Stella McCartney ranges.

DOWN SOUTH

Don’t miss the Southside Fringe (13-29 May) for a kaleidoscope of colourful shows and events. Highlights include Scotland’s largest 1920s themed cabaret and club night, The Gatsby Speakeasy at The Rum Shack on 20 May, burlesque star Kim Khaos, pictured, and Tom Harlow’s The Glitter & Grind Revue at The Shed on 28 May and the Grand Finale Party at Loks Bar & Kitchen on 29 May. Many events are free but visit www.southsidefringe.org.uk for full details.

266 Clyde Street, Glasgow 0141 226 2426 146 Main Street, Prestwick 01292 477 673 frockstorock.com

©Mark Liddell

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BANK HOLIDAY MUST DO This late May Bank Holiday is guaranteed to be a corker - but only if you get your tickets for the Riverside Festival. Some of the best DJs on the planet including Kerri Chandler, Laurent Garnier, Fatboy Slim and Dimitri From Paris are on the banks of the Clyde at the award-winning Riverside Museum on 28 and 29 May. Tickets are £44/£77 for day/weekend passes and there’s an option to go VIP for an extra £25 which includes fast track entry to the event, cash bars, premium toilets and the opportunity to enjoy DJ sets in the museum. www.riversidefestivalglasgow.com.

ANOTHER OP’NIN’, ANOTHER SHOW Begin the Beguine, I Get A Kick Out Of You, Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love), Love For Sale, Night and Day, It’s De-lovely… just some of the songs by the late and great Cole Porter that have become timeless classics. The composer and songwriter would be 125 this year, as is Scotland’s National Orchestra, so they’ve joined forces with Broadway diva Kim Criswell and conductor Wayne Marshall for an evening devoted to the wit, the style and the unforgettable tunes of the Cole Porter Songbook. Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 14 May, tickets £15-£35 at www.rsno.org.uk.

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Currying favour If beer and Indian food is a match made in heaven for you, head to the Tennent's Visitor Centre on 25 May when the brewer teams up with Babu Bombay Street Kitchen to host an exclusive beer and food pairing evening. The event starts with a one hour tour of the iconic Wellpark Brewery before an exclusive beer and street food pairing session with Babu's chef Rachna Dheer, pictured. Tickets are £36 at www.tennentstrainingacademy.co.uk.

SPONSORED FEATURE

C

alling all fashionistas, fierce fellas and couture kids, this is your personal invitation to the Glasgow Style Mile Shopping Festival, debuting this spring from 25-30 May 2016.

Tailor made for those looking to inject some new season style into their look, the festival will give shoppers the chance to enjoy a VIP shopping experience with the city centre’s favourite stores offering styling sessions, trend

To celebrate, we’ve put our stylish heads together with People Make Glasgow Bureau, to offer one reader a fantastic prize of a £100 gift card to spend at Glasgow’s premier shopping destination Princes Square, a Bubbles & Brunch meal for two at award-winning Merchant City brasserie Hutchesons and an overnight stay for two (including breakfast) at the boutique-style Holiday Inn hotel in the heart of the city’s theatreland.

To enter simply visit www.ionmagazine. co.uk by 9am on 17 May. Terms and conditions apply.

tips, makeup masterclasses, new product demonstrations and special discounts. There will also be some suitably fashionable family fun and entertainment, with opportunities for little ones to meet some of their favourite characters.

Retailers right across the city’s famous style mile will be taking part including Buchanan Galleries, John Lewis, House of Fraser, Princes Square, St Enoch Centre, Hamleys, Debenhams, Quiz, Boots, The Fragrance Shop, Rox, Chisholm Hunter, Vivienne Westwood, Rainbow Rooms and Ted Baker.

For the duration of the Glasgow Style Mile Shopping Festival, there will be a unique Festival Hub located at the bottom end of Buchanan Street, where shoppers can find out more about the daily programme, as well as benefit from inspirational fashion, beauty and homeware tips from experts. There will be food sampling, pampering sessions and fabulous music, courtesy of the city’s Hard Rock Café.

Many city centre restaurants will be offering special dining deals and menus created to help shoppers refuel after a busy day of shopping. www.glasgowstylemileshoppingfestival.com.

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TALKING ITALIAN Babbo

TEE TIME

Babbo is one of those troublesome Italian words that means different things to different people – the affectionate daddy to some, the less affectionate dumb to others.

One thing not up for debate is that the former Milano at Eastwood Toll, now revamped, refurbed and renamed the aforementioned Babbo, is a welcome addition to the Southside dining scene.

The new owners have worked wonders creating a stylish and inviting interior and the young staff seem genuinely pleased to be of service – even on a busy Friday night.

The food offer is just as impressive with a focus on seasonal Italian fare – a selection of dishes chosen to reflect the seasonal produce - with lobster ravioli, £13.50, linguine primavera, £9.95, and spring lamb, £15.95, just three highlights from the spring pasta and mains menu. Italian classics such as lasagna, £9.75, spaghetti carbonara, £9.75, and penne napoli, £8.50, also feature on the menu as does a decent pizza selection – again with the added opportunity to go seasonal.

There’s also a competitively priced lunch and pre-theatre menu with choices of four starters, seven mains and five desserts priced at £12 for two courses.

So what’s in a name? Well, when it comes style, service and excellent seasonal fare, it’s safe to say Babbo really is the daddy.

2 Mains Ave, G46 6QZ, Tel: 0141 620 0033.

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Is there no end to Janey Godley’s talents?

As if being an award-winning comedienne, playwright, blogger and author isn’t enough Janey has now added designer to her resume.

Each tee is an original and hand painted to order with designs including iconic Glasgow landmarks and sayings. And, if you ask nicely, Janey will even add a few well placed profanities for you too. Order at janey@janeygodley.com.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Do some good the next time you’re looking for respite or refreshment during a Buchanan Street shopping session at The Wild Olive Tree Café in St. George’s Tron Church. It’s a Social Enterprise creating training placements to help people who want to develop skills as a way into work. Saturday visitors get the extra bonus of watching artist-inresidence Iain Campbell work on his contemporary re-interpretation of Da Vinci’s Last Supper – his models; guests and staff of Glasgow City Mission.

INVERNESS_lifestyle

INVERNESS Did you know...

Over 70 per cent of gin in the UK is produced in Scotland? If you’d like to improve your knowledge of the spirit of the moment or to try something new, there’s a number of boutique gins available to sample at the Strathpeffer Pavillion on 27 May. You’ll also try different tonic waters and hear tips about how to create the perfect G&T. Tickets are £12 (including entry and two top quality G&Ts). More gins are available by tokens at £5 each. Book at www.strathpefferpavillion.org.

NEW FOR DINNER

DON’T MISS… The excellent spring/summer exhibition of Scottish contemporary art at Kilmorack Gallery in Beauly.

On display at the stunning converted church are exciting works from some of Scotland’s best contemporary artists until 30 July.

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Nostalgia fans are in for a treat at new restaurant Ed’s Easy Diner in Eastgate shopping centre. The authentic 1950s diner serves up American food and drink - burgers, hotdogs, fries, sodas and milkshakes - with classic ‘50s tunes playing on the juke box. The chain is also the first burger specialist to be accredited

by Coeliac UK so there’s no shortage of gluten-free options on the menu either.

lifestyle_PERTH

PERTH PLACES TO GO You’re bound to be in the mood for some refreshments during the festival, Martel Maxwell shares a few of her favourite spots.

THE POST BOX

So named because it sits on the site of the first post office in Perth, opened in 1861, The Post Box offers a fine restaurant and below, a cosy cellar bar. It’s also neighbour to the Perth Museum and Art Gallery as well as the Perth Concert Hall, both full of dates for your diary during the festival. www. thepostboxperth.co.uk

KISA’S

Since opening last summer, reviews have been consistently ‘thumbs-up’ for Kisa's, again just a stone’s throw from the concert hall and museum, so ideally located for the festival.

This is the third venue for the group, with Le Jardin near Kinross and Cafe Kisa in Auchterarder proving a favourite with golfers. Billed as family run and family friendly, you can stop off for a drink, cake or meal. www.cafekisa.co.uk

PERTH FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS It’s an exciting time for the city as it plays host to the 45th Perth Festival of The Arts from 19 to 29 May. Highlights at the Perth Concert Hall include KT Tunstall who takes to the stage on Friday 27 May with an all-girl band and a mixture of old and new songs. The following night (28 May) catch Jools Holland OBE with his world-famous Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Finally, if folk music is more your bag then you’ll find Tyneside sisters, The Unthanks, on 24 May. Comedy is well represented too, Alex Horne brings his sellout Horne Section show, bridging stand-up with live music on Friday 20 May. TV comedian and award-winning ventriloquist Nina Conti is in town on Thursday 26 May. For more information visit www.perthfestival.co.uk.

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ST ANDREWS

TAKE THREE… Whether you’re eating in or dining out, Martel Maxwell brings you three places to try this month MAISHA There’s no doubt award-winning Maisha Indian and Seafood Restaurant on 5 College Street offers an authentic experience for diners. There are great deals to be had, with a three course lunch for £5.95 (except Sundays) and three courses between 5pm and 7pm for £9.95 (except Saturdays). I found it impossible to pass by the charming College Street venue - the warm, red lighting, matching leather seats and intimate air screaming ‘come in and feast.’ www.maisharestaurant.co.uk.

1

BURGER Much plaudits are given to Blackthorn in St Andrews - a mecca for burger enthusiasts and food lovers. Rightly so. But here’s a little air time for a recent opening

2

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called Burger on 129 South Street. Specialising in, you guessed it, burgers. Almost everything on the menu is made on the premises, from the burgers with Scottish beef to the veggie option.

Guest beers from nearby Eden Mill make for a local feel. Take away or dine in and enjoy half price coffees between 2pm and 5pm every day. www.burgeruk.co.uk.

FARMERS’ MARKET If you’re a whizz in the kitchen and appreciate locally sourced food the monthly St Andrews Farmers’ Market is back at North Car Park, Argyle Street, on Saturday 07 May, 9am-1pm. Offering a great selection of meat, fish, dairy, fruit, veg, preserves and baking and confectionary, we’re hungry just thinking about it.

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lifestyle_ST ANDREWS

GO ON, TREAT YOURSELF Not much beats a sunny day in St Andrews except perhaps treating yourself to a delicious new fragrance from the Jo Malone boutique on Bell Street. Go there this month and you’ll find the gorgeous limited edition Nashi Blossom Cologne, a blend of rose, pear and the floral Nashi Blossom. Oh, and if you didn’t already know, the boutique also do a masterclass in scent and complimentary scented hand and arm massages when you book in advance. Tel: 0370 192 5011, www.jomalone.co.uk.

Photo by Till Britze

RED ALERT

If you like cocktails and good food, you’ll know the Adamson bar and grill on South Street.

But did you know they do special offers when you become a Red Card holder? Sign up online at theadamson.com or pop into the restaurant to find out how you can join the club.

Something for the weekend If dance floor classics like Waterloo, Mamma Mia and Thank You for the Music float your boat make your way to the Byre Theatre on 13 Friday and Saturday 14 May for the UK’s original tribute band Abbamania.

Ok, so Agnetha, Benny and co might be the originals, but this group offer top class fun. Tickets £22.50 at www.byretheatre.com.

AUTHOR SIGNING

DCI Gilchrist is back, thanks to one of Scotland’s most popular crime writers T. F. Muir. The eagerly awaited Blood Torment is released on 05 May and the author will be at Waterstones, Market Street, on 07 May, 2pm, to sign copies of his St Andrews based thriller.

The event is free and unticketed.

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STIRLING_lifestyle

STIRLING

READ All About It

GIVE IT LAULA Singer/songwriter Carol Laula visits the Tolbooth on 27 May. With a style which bobs around somewhere between the sweet, clear delicacy of Joni Mitchell to the tougher edges of Joan Armatrading, Luala is excellent live and with her latest release, The Bones of It, credited as one of her best, this should be a rare treat for music fans. Tickets £11/£9 at www.tolbooth.stirling.gov.uk.

ON THE ROCKS Raise a glass to the Spirit of Stirling Whisky Festival taking place on 07 May. Returning to the Albert Hall, home to the inaugural festival in 2012, the 5th anniversary event has a new partner, Robertsons Whisky Shop, which means festival goers can buy any whiskies sampled on the day. Tickets are £20 at www. spiritofstirlingwhiskyfestival.co.uk.

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Stirling Libraries Book Festival, Off the Page, returns from 08-19 May. It’s the festival’s 10th anniversary this year and to celebrate they have a stronger focus on community events aiming to give everyone the opportunity to hear great authors first hand. Highlights include talks from TV chef Tony Singh, Taggart star Alex Norton, Tony Roper, Kelpies sculptor Andy Scott and Piers Dudgeon.

Aspiring writers will also have the chance to network in a special How to Get Published event, run in partnership with the University of Stirling and featuring authors Vicky Clifford, Sue Read Sexton and literally agent Kathryn Ross.

There’s also an emphasis on encouraging youngsters to read more with a number of events for children including the festival’s popular family days with a special Alice in Wonderland event and a Pirates and Princesses party. www.offthepage.stirling.gov.uk.

Gaga eat your heart out In Vogue, Stirling Castle, Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th May Join us for the best fashion event in centuries. Be dazzled by the extravagant costumes from 16th Century Scotland.

It’d be a crime against fashion to miss it.

Find out more at bestdaysever.co.uk #bestdaysever

FREE

for Historic Scotland members

#i_online TOP TWEET FOR A MOMENT IN TIME Classic comedy meets a cat in a bar…

i-on digital If you haven’t already checked it out, what have you been doing? Our fancy new website brings you the very latest i-on updates 24/7.

The i-on digital team are calling on YOU to share your news and views with us via social media (yup, we’ve been busy over there too).

Find us on Facebook or Tweet and Instagram us using the hashtag #i_online. We want to hear your recommendations so if you have a favourite restaurant, bar or shop, get in touch. You can also email suggestions to info@ ionmagazine.co.uk. And if that’s not enough we have a new weekly e-newsletter every Thursday.

Sign up at www.ionmagazine.co.uk for more exclusives and our very own playlist.

www.ionmagazine.co.uk

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TECH SPOT SKYMAIL

The likes of Amazon and Google have long flirted with the idea of utilising drones to improve delivery times and their carbon footprint. It seems obvious then that in a country the size of Australia, drone deliveries would make sense. Australia Post would seem to agree, they’ve successfully trialled mail drops via drone, delivering twice a week to 50 outer metropolitan addresses.

APP OF THE MONTH – INK HUNTER Getting a tattoo is quite a commitment.

Knowing what it’s going to look like before you take the plunge would take a massive amount of the guesswork out of the decision. Well now you can, Ink Hunter is a new augmented reality app that lets you ‘try before you buy’. Using a pen you draw a symbol in the position you’d want the tattoo and then using your phone’s camera, the app will display the tattoo of your choice in real time. www.inkhunter.tattoo.

THE TAILGATE - THE LAUGHS EDITION Our pick of the silly, sublime and downright ridiculous corners of Instagram instagram.com/miserable_men Chaps that have accompanied their better halves shopping and lost the will to live. instagram.com/digbyvanwinkle Cute meets comedy as a pair of Brussels Griffons are willing participants in dress up gold. instagram.com/fashiondads_ There’s an odd phenomenon that befalls men of a certain age, style becomes an unnecessary luxury. instagram.com/Quarterlifepoetry Succinct and satirical verses offer a comedic slant on modern life.

instagram.com/waverider_ Simple premise: a young man recreates famous celeb pictures at home, 1.7m people laugh at them.

Join in the conversation with i-on readers online: add the hashtag #i_online to your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts.

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ANTI-SOCIAL MEDIA

Destroy your business in 140 characters or less

Ivy Park at Topshop

I

t’s become a cornerstone of most businesses' marketing and PR strategy and rightly so. When done correctly social media can be a powerful tool to drive business and connect with customers en masse. Get it wrong, though, and you can quickly feel the wrath of the pitch forks as baying mobs seek blood and keyboard retribution. Here’s some recent examples.

When a bride-to-be took to a wedding forum to get clarification on some booking and payment details; the proprietor of the venue she’d booked, Balgonie Castle, went a bit postal at this perceived slight, blasting bridezillas and being 'sick to death of complaints'. A robust backlash entailed, resulting in posts sporting the #boycottbalgonie hashtag, garnering 1,000s of likes and innumerable one star reviews.

The result was a vow to no longer offer weddings at the historical venue.

It’s not just the one-man-bands that get it wrong though, even the big boys, with

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teams of social media gurus and marketing experts, can badly miss the mark. Take KFC Australia for example, a recent pixelated and suggestive image posted on Twitter came with the caption "Warning: #NSFW. Something hot and spicy is coming soon."

For the acronymically challenged, NSFW = Not Safe For Work. The image received such a negative reaction that it lasted just an hour before a hasty retraction and swift apology.

A final lesson for business owners is not to irk the fanatical hordes of Queen Bey lovers. When the first lady of pop, Beyoncé, announced her new athletic clothing range, Ivy Park, someone asked Lululemon if they felt like they were being copied. Their reply "They do say imitation is the best form of flattery. Maybe Beyoncé is so Crazy In Love with our brand, she made her own," was met with a barrage of hate from staunch fans who call themselves the The BeyHive. The original tweet was deleted and some serious backtracking followed to limit the damage.