Follow her latest adventure as she explores Kintore
44 Laura Baker
Laura’s Chef Adventure
48 Travel with Marina Seasons of Arabia
50 Moray Business Women
Annual Awards
52 De-Cluttering
Tidy Coo the final chapter
60 Jane D Rogers
Jane concludes the gratitude adventure
62 Chris Grant
Launch of his new album
THIS MONTH’S COMPETITIONS
64 WIN, WIN, WIN...
• Two-night stay with dinner on first night at Speyside Hotel, Grantown
• £25 voucher for Flock & Saunter, Aberlour
• Christmas Hamper from Phoenix shop & café bar, Findhorn
• Signed copy of Christophers New Home and Colouring book
• Signed Copy of Chris Grant’s New CD
• 2 Family Tickets for the Brodie Illuminations (2 adults 2 children)
Cover Photo: Brodie Castle by Ceamara Photography
Editor Rhona Patterson
Designer Wildcat Creative
Official Photographer
Ceamara Photography
Advertising
All areas
Rhona Patterson
rhona@lifestylemoray.scot
Tel: 07900 954 134
Inverness & Highlands
Linda Bailey
linda@lifestylemoray.scot Tel: 07769 693 993
Two-Works Kintail House, Beechwood Business Park, Inverness, IV2 3BW
Social Media
Tracy Chalmers
Distribution Speyside Couriers
All material within this magazine is subject to formal copyright restrictions and therefore the reproduction of any listings, editorial, advertising artwork or any other content, without the publisher’s prior consent, will be considered a breach of copyright. Intellectual copyright: Lifestyle Magazine.
Lifestyle 9th Birthday
Lifestyle is 9 years old, and we will be having a massive celebration for number 10 next year. I hope you will be joining us for that.
We are kicking off with a brand-new Lifestyle Calendar for 2026 including many of your lovely readers images. I will credit every one of you.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has helped us to get here.
From Colin of MMS Almac who started it all, printers, advertisers I appreciate and need every one of you.
The Lifestyle Team, what can I say, you are amazing. Although many of you think Lifestyle is a large organisation with lots of people in an office putting your magazine together. Truth be told it is little old me sitting at home with Axl (Border Collie) to keep me company while I sit at my computer. He does have to stay at home,
reluctantly, while I venture out visiting clients and attending numerous meetings. I do have some amazing people that assist me when I need it though. You have read the reviews when the ‘three of us’ partake of some fine cuisine. That would be the fabulous photographer, that is Morag of Ceamara Photography and my good friend Barbara, who is the most wonderful wordsmith. Their work is then sent to the talented Jane of Wildcat Creatives who works her magic and makes the pictures and words look amazing. Jane has taken over from Eve of Black Isle Graphics who worked with me for the first six years and did a fabulous job.
We now print and distribute 11,000 copies of Lifestyle, thank you Speyside Couriers for your efficient service. No, I don’t deliver them all myself, although I did in the beginning.
Axl
Lifestyle is also available online and the wonderful Tracy makes sure all the web site links work, and expertly looks after the social media, as I’m a bit of a dinosaur where that’s concerned.
Tracy is of course also one of the many feature contributors and I thank all of them for making Lifestyle the interesting read it is. I am really sad to be saying goodbye to Rosie the Tidy Coo after this issue as she has shared her tips with us for the last five years. I’m sure you will join with me in thanking her for all her guidance, whether you followed it or not, and wish her well for her next chapter.
Of course, last but by no means least, thank you to all of you, my fabulous readers. I love receiving your competition entries and your readers images. I can’t wait to see them in the fabulous new calendar. It’s so lovely to read your messages on the postcards and e-mails.
Please keep them coming and always remember to add your contact details.
Happy Birthday to us!!!
Thanks Rhona x
Get r dy for Ch stmas
I know there are many of you groaning at me out there saying Halloween isn’t even past yet but I’m afraid at Lifestyle we need to be organised in good time.
This October/November issue is the perfect time to make you start thinking about your Christmas Party nights and what you are going to buy your brother this year, he’s so hard as he’s got awthing!!!
We are here with lots of ideas from the Lifestyle advertisers of where you can go and get that lovely hair do or pamper before the party or that elusive present.
My plea is please do your best to support local. I know it is so easy when we are all busy to go online but you will be missing so much that is on your own doorstep and remember if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.
The local high streets are not having it easy so let’s do our bit and show them we do appreciate them and Shop local! Support local!
Happy shopping
Chris Grant
New Album Out Now!
Monu Professional Skincare Salon
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR in Lossiemouth Celebrate
lilypipspetgear@gmail.com
www.lilypipspetgear.co.uk
A Victorian Christmas at
Delgatie Castle
29th/30th Nov | 6th/7th Dec | 13th/14th Dec 2025
This is the original, biggest and the best Christmas event in the area
Enjoy an authentic Victorian atmosphere in the wonderfully decorated castle with the staff dressed in Victorian costume. You will find crafters in the rooms as you explore the castle.
Children can enjoy a visit to see Santa, who will have a present for every child.
Dont forget to visit the award winning Laird's Kitchen to enjoy delicious food and the very best home baking.
Tickets for a visit to Santa must be prebooked For further information please see our facebook page
Breakfasts, Lunches, Light Bites and Evening Meals
Beer Garden Craft Beers, Gins and much more
Home Baking, Barista Coffee and Our Famous Cullen Skink
Pop in for refreshments and food after a walk along the beautiful sandy beaches on our doorstep. Your dog is welcome too! ...check our website and social media for events
www.theroyaloakcullen.co.uk
Tel: 01542 842762
Email: stay@theroyaloakcullen.co.uk
Oakwood Cookery School - The Oakwood, Forres Road, Elgin IV30 8UN Tel: 01343 552 202 | info@oakwoodcookery.co.uk | www.oakwoodcookery.co.uk
Christopher’s New Home
Christopher’s Collection is a heartwarming series of children’s books inspired by true stories of real animals, created by author Laura Meredith.
The first book in the series, Christopher’s New Home, is ready to capture the hearts of young readers. It follows Christopher as he finds his new forever home at Willow Tree Farm.
Christopher’s New Home is inspired by none other than the superstar Christopher himself – an extraordinary sheep with a big heart! Rescued as a little lamb, Christopher quickly became a cherished member of Laura’s family, and their special bond sparked a whole book series dedicated to his adventures. From the moment he found his new home, Christopher has been spreading love and joy with his gentle nature and endless appetite for “shuggles” (sheep cuddles).
This heart-warming story of Christopher finding his place in a new family is just the beginning –there’s so much more to come in Christopher’s adventures, with new books in the works that continue to explore friendship, community, and kindness.
Christopher’s New Home and Colouring with Christopher are the perfect gifts for Christmas and can be purchased on Amazon.
Contact Laura
Elevate your home’s warmth and ambiance with the Super Heat 3.4kW Living Flame Portable Gas Heater. This stylish and efficient LPG heater is designed to provide powerful heating while adding a touch of classic charm to any room. With its living flame effect and coal burner design, this heater not only keeps you warm but also creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Easy to control with battery-powered electronic ignition – choose from 3 variable heat settings – fitted with Oxygen Depletion Sensor and tip over protection.
DUFFTOWN
Rome may well boast about its seven hills but let’s not forget that Dufftown can boast of seven stills – or, more accurately, seven distilleries. Between 1823 and 1897 the town could proudly say that it was the home to some of the most famous and well respected names in whisky. Sadly not all are working today but the spirit that drove the initial entrepreneurs lives on.
However, Dufftown can lay claim to a host of other activities. Take their annual Highland Games for instance, when people from far and wide converge on the area and transform the town into a colourful gathering of various tartan-clad games participants and supporters, culminating in the massed bands marching to and from the iconic clock tower.
Those wishing to spend a slightly more relaxed day can take on the challenging 18 hole golf course, located in the hills on the road to Tomintoul. Superb views can be had from every corner of the course. Walkers will find a plethora of interesting and varied walks but make sure you have sturdy footwear as sometimes the paths can be slightly muddy in wetter weather.
Dufftown also offers a mix of independent shops, from small cafes to larger restaurants, a florist, several hairdressers, a well-equipped gym for the fitness fanatics, a very active Royal British Legion (now serving food!), a wonderful new bookshop that serves very good coffee, pharmacy and hospital. It’s all there in one small town, just waiting to be explored.
The stag at Glenfiddich Distillery Sarah Richardson
7 Balvenie Street, Dufftown Tel: 01340 820246
Bar & Restaurant
Serving Lunches & Evening Meals
Booking for a special occasion? Let us know and we will add some decorations
Book now for Christmas
See Facebook for details
30 Fife street Dufftown, Keith AB55 4AL Tel: 01340 820880 e-mail: marleneretson@hotmail.co.uk
We’re a seasonal business, open the first Tuesday in March till Remembrance Sunday in November
6 days a week - Tue to Sun - 10am till 4pm Tel: (44)1340525125 hello@sidingscafe.co.uk
The Dufftown Speirin’s is a local magazine produced and distributed by volunteers.
Their aim is to provide a magazine for local clubs, groups and organisations in the Dufftown area to promote themselves and to build community.
The Speirin’s is interested in local history and photographs of the near and distant past. It features local poets, artists, authors and photographers.
Local businesses are supported with advertising and information.
Volunteers deliver the Speirin’s around Dufftown and the surrounding area.
Thanks must go especially to the ‘Speirans mannie’ Jim Nicol. We know how much work it all is.
The Dufftown and District Community Association (DDCA) work to improve life in Dufftown and surrounding area. They want to bring people together by running community projects, events, and activities that support wellbeing, tackle local needs, and celebrate our heritage. They are also leading on bigger initiatives, such as developing facilities such as the Clock Tower Project and E-bike hire. The DDCA is run by passionate local volunteers who care about making Dufftown a thriving, welcoming place for everyone to live, work, and visit. • THE COFFEE POT • Tue - Fri 9am - 3pm • Sat & Sun 10am - 3pm
Bonny toon o’ Du town
Marley Atkins
Du town Distillery and Highland Cow
Darren Watts
Heilan Coos at Balvenie Castle
Pete McLeod
Sculptures at Glenfiddich
Michael Gellie
SPEIRANS CALENDAR
We must thank the Speirans for the images for this feature from their calendars through the years. Don’t forget to get your 2026 calendar, the ideal Christmas present.
Where learning means more
As a UHI Moray student, you’ll join a vibrant community where being a student is about so much more than just studying.
Find out more at our OPEN DAYS:
+ Saturday 8 November 2025, 10am - 2pm
+ Thursday 8 January 2025, 3.30pm - 5.30pm
+ Thursday 26 March 2025, 3.30om - 5.30pm
moray.uhi.ac.uk
I found out that I can push myself to places that I didn’t know I could reach. I found out that I could push myself beyond my limits and I could do things that I couldn’t do before.
Robin Kingsley Heady, HNC Acting and Performance Graduate
The Gift of Meaning
This Christmas, it’s not about giving more — it’s about giving meaning
The festive season can mean many things — a time for gathering, for quiet reflection, or simply a chance to pause in the middle of busy lives. However we experience it, what matters most is making a connection. A gift chosen with care — no matter how simple — carries the message: you matter to me.
Let Them Choose
Gifts With a Story
The most memorable presents carry a tale of their own:
● Handmade creations infused with love and care
● Locally sourced items that support makers and the planet
● Tokens that spark a memory or reflect a shared passion
From a handcrafted candle, a beautifully bound journal to a favourite delicacy - each becomes part of the story you share.
Not sure what will bring the biggest smile? A Phoenix Gift
Voucher offers choice and freedom, while still showing you care.
Pause at the Phoenix Café Bar
After shopping, relax in our nearby Café Bar with hot chocolate and delicious cake, or lunch and a glass of organic wine — the perfect way to savour the moment.
Step Into the Phoenix at Ecovillage Findhorn
At the Phoenix, every item is chosen with care for its beauty, originality, and the connection it can create. Come in, explore, and let’s celebrate the art of meaningful giving — together.
156 The Park, Findhorn, Forres, Moray IV36 3TD www.thephoenix.uk
FOOD
The Speyside Hotel
The Speyside Hotel, 43 Grant Road, Grantown-on-Spey, PH26 3LD Contact: Mark Huntley 07804 912511
Whoever said “expect the unexpected” had got it spot on. Let me explain.
During a recent visit to Grantown-on-Spey to attend a concert, we decided to have a bite to eat before we settled down to a delightful evening of music and prose. However, the venue of choice decided (for reasons unknown) not to answer the phone and so the scrabble for an alternative venue began. Not being overfamiliar with all the eateries in Grantown, it was a case of search the internet to see a) who was open and b) if they could accommodate two hungry people for what would now become a hurried supper.
As luck would have it, The Speyside Hotel did answer their phone and yes, they did have a table for two. Great sigh of relief. Grantown here we come.
Now Grantown is not a huge metropolis, but a carefully and methodically laid-out town, so you would think that we would have made it to the hotel blindfolded. Whilst it is very easy to find, because of a small self-induced panic moment as we were now running late, we took every imaginable wrong turning, wasting precious time, until we eventually arrived at our destination. We fully expected the hotel staff to be peering over half-moon glasses and admonishing us for being late. Not a bit of it.
They fully understood (but probably had a giggle amongst themselves about “female ineptitude” and the lack of map reading skills).
Settled at our table, we had a quick look round at a restaurant that ticks a lot of boxes for style and décor before the menus were placed in front of us. As time was of the essence we plumped for a main course only from the menu. But what a menu. The usual favourites were listed – meat, poultry, fish – but were paired with their accompaniments in such a way that it was our turn to raise eyebrows.
Anyway, fast forward a week or so and the gleesome threesome decided to pay a visit en masse to this very special place, to savour more than just one hurried main course. We were in for the whole nine yards.
Seated at a lovely large round table in the Ghillie Restaurant that had more than enough space for all the necessary trappings, we surveyed the menu. A choice of 8 starters, 11 main courses,
a special that was way more than special (but more of that later), 4 choices from the children’s menu and 6 choices of dessert. Surely they must have an army of chefs in the kitchen to be able to prep all of these dishes? No. One head chef, one sous-chef and one young man, plus waiting staff. Again, more of that later.
Freshly baked home-made focaccia bread with oil and vinegar dip plus sea salt introduces the evening. Nibble and enjoy while you look at the comprehensive menu and make your choices (not easy, believe me).
Eventually the starters were decided upon – Isle of Lewis scallops, black pudding and pea puree; haggis bon-bons with mustard mayonnaise and a plate of smoked salmon with capers. They arrived, larger than expected, and all beautifully presented. It is so true that you eat with your eyes and all three dishes were works of art and, in a way, large enough to be main courses. So if these are starters, what will the main courses be like?
Very substantial, is the answer. Handcrafted homemade venison pie (so tall and majestic and crammed full of glorious venison in a rich but not overpowering sauce); duo of Scottish lamb with rosemary butter (lip-smackingly tender and delicious) and – the daddy of them all – chateaubriand with roasted cherry tomatoes on the vine and the crispiest onion rings. This made its entrance on an oblong wooden platter and, quite frankly, should have been announced by a fanfare of trumpets.
How on earth do they get the meat so perfectly cooked? A crisp, seared exterior with the lightest of sea salt crust and an interior that is just the most perfect shade of pink with no juices whatsoever escaping on to the platter. Perfectly cooked chunky chips and accompanying vegetables were on a separate plate but quite honestly the meat alone would have done for me. Superb. Sublime. Out of this world. I could go on.
all photography: Ceamara Photography
It was hard to come back down to earth after a main course such as we all had, but come back down we did. The desserts – could they be of the same high quality that we had just experienced with both starters and mains? Were they also made on the premises?
Oh yes, they were. Lemon posset and Scottish tiramisu with whisky. Both beautifully presented, light, delicious and moreish. This team of talented people must surely have been professionally trained, wouldn’t you think? No, they weren’t. Lucy, wife, co-owner and head chef, is totally self-taught, having started her culinary career as a bed and breakfast hostess: Lidia, from Ukraine, brings a completely different slant to the dishes, as she mixes in the flavours of her native country with the best that Scotland has to offer and Lewis, the newest recruit, who is learning at the feet of two of the best innovative chefs that I have encountered in my travels around Scotland with the magazine.
You may have guessed by now that I rate this hotel way up there with the best. It is informal (they welcome dogs), it is friendly and relaxing (both the owners and the waiting staff really do make you feel ultra-special), adjacent to the restaurant there is a cosy, well-stocked bar with an open fire and it is the home of the most wonderful food.
Cue another fanfare of trumpets –this hotel is very special.
Images..
Mark Bradfield
Elena Reid
Elena Reid
@scotlands_mountain_wanderer
Elena Reid
Loreena Price Peter Graham
COLEBURN DISTILLERY
info@thewhiskyresort.com | www.thewhiskyresort.com | Tel 01343 862861
Many of us have driven the A941 between Craigellachie and Elgin and have no doubt seen the signage directing traffic to Coleburn Distillery. And those drivers have probably whizzed past without giving the sign a second thought. But pause a while and consider what is going on at Coleburn.
Here is a distillery that was founded in 1897 and completed in 1899 and was producing a fine Speyside single malt until it was mothballed 40 years ago. But now things are about to change and new life is being breathed into the site, with a new distillery which meets all the modern, up to date health and safety requirements whilst still being sympathetic to the site.
The owners of Coleburn, D & M Winchester Ltd., have appointed Organic Architects, a firm based in Helensburgh with a team of experts in their fields who have designed the new wave of craft whisky distilleries, both here and overseas. As such, they have become leading experts in
environmentally friendly distilling, effortlessly blending new complex engineering with refurbished buildings.
However, it is not only the whisky production that will happen at Coleburn. D & M Winchester have a vision of creating more than just a distillery; they intend to have whisky lodges, the Pagoda penthouse and a bistro – in fact a complete hospitality centre that will welcome both whisky enthusiasts and family groups. The work, which starts shortly, is targeted for completion in 2027.
Central to this reawakening is the appointment of Keith Cruickshank as Master Distiller. Born and raised in the Speyside town that shares his name, Keith brings over three decades of whisky-making expertise to the role. His deep roots in Speyside and a lifelong dedication to the craft means that he is ideally placed to lead Coleburn into its next exciting chapter.
The site was purchased in 2004 by Dale and Mark Winchester, and they have worked hard
L-R Mark Winchester, Dale Winchester, Keith Cruickshank & Gwenda Smits
since then developing their business trading as a Whisky sales & Cask storage company at Coleburn and their site at Greshop in Forres.
The site at Coleburn is second to none. On leaving the A941 you travel down a winding road, lined with tall trees that silently stand guard over the site; ever further down you go until you reach an open dell and before you are the time-aged stone buildings that have stood there since 1899. Warehouses, workers’ cottages, the manager’s house – they are all there waiting to be re-born. In a way it is the past being recreated for the present and – indeed – the future.
Behind the scenes work is going on to collect as much information as possible about how the distillery was operating in those early days of distillation. Researchers have unearthed names of previous workers, from management downwards, and their stories are being collected slowly but surely and will become part of the Coleburn experience. Should any member of the public have family connections
to the distillery, the research team would be more than delighted to hear from them, as every anecdote or photograph will help to swell the back story.
Quite simply, the new owners’ aim is to create a true sense of arrival, where the past meets the present and where history rubs shoulders with contemporary elements, thus affording the visitor a unique, seamless experience.
Coleburn is currently closed to visitors but they look forward to opening in the near future.
It is not fanciful to say that we will be going back to the future.
If you, or any of your family worked at Coleburn and have and stories you would be willing to share with the team, they would love to hear from you. Please also pass this on to anyone you know that may have had connections with Coleburn. The team at D & M Winchester would like to hear from as many past workers as possible or their families.
BRODIE CASTLE
Autumn at Brodie Castle
Autumn adventures and family fun
This October, join us for trails, crafts, and family tours during the school holidays – perfect for keeping the whole family entertained.
Open 7 days a week in October
We’re open every day throughout October, welcoming you to our wonderful castle and estate. The Castle, Castle Café, Playful Garden, and Playful Garden Café are all open daily from 10am until 4pm. Guided Castle Tours run every day, and self-guided tours are available on Saturdays from 10.30am until 2pm.
Family Tours This October
Make the most of the holidays and book one of our family tours, designed for children! Or visit us on a Saturday for a self-guided tour. Both are designed to help families explore the castle in a fun, relaxed way.
New this Autumn: Women of Brodie Tour
Launching this season, this special themed tour highlights the fascinating stories of the women who shaped Brodie Castle across the centuries. Tours run weekly throughout October
Explore the Estate
Step into autumn and enjoy a stroll through the
castle grounds, soaking up the colours of the season. The estate offers open views and plenty of space to enjoy the crisp autumn air with a delicious warm drink from our café.
Book tours here: https://www.eventbrite. co.uk/o/brodie-castle-33776541243
Plan your visit at: https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/ places/brodie-castle/planning-your-visit
Storm Floris Damage –A Community Success Story
Recently, Storm Floris caused damage to the estate, closing parts of the Pond Walk and some nearby paths for safety. Our team continues to work hard on the clear-up, with tree works ongoing.
We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to the local community and visitors for their patience and support, to Forres Tree Services for their invaluable help, to everyone who has donated to the Trust’s Storm Appeal, and to those who continue to support us through membership and the £5 parking fee, which directly funds estate care.
The storm appeal is still open to donations –every contribution helps us restore the estate. https://www.nts.org.uk/campaigns/storm-appeal
Winter at Brodie Castle
Brodie Illuminated Returns!
This November, Brodie Castle will welcome you to enjoy a beautiful evening of illuminations around the castle and estate.
Brodie Illuminated 2025 begins on 1 November and will run Thursday to Sunday throughout November from 5pm until 8pm.
This year’s theme is inspired by the intricate design of the dining room ceiling, which depicts the four elements: earth, wind, fire, and water. The illuminations will bring these elements to life, creating a beautiful sensory experience for you to relax and enjoy as you wander through the castle grounds.
Don’t miss out – book your tickets now on our Eventbrite page.
Santa Weekends in December
Celebrate the festive season with Santa Weekends throughout December. We’re thrilled to welcome Santa back to Brodie Castle every weekend in December. Spaces are limited, so be sure to book your tickets now.
Book tours here: https://www.eventbrite. co.uk/o/brodie-castle-33776541243
Plan your visit at: https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/ places/brodie-castle/planning-your-visit
Brodie
Illuminated photography: Ceamara Photography
TRACY GOES OUTSIDE
Explore Kintore is a fantastic new interactive history tour of the town. At each stop you will find a QR code to scan, giving you a short two-minute story about the place where you are standing.
I began the walk at Kintore Public Hall on School Road. Built in 1894, the hall is still run by the community and is the starting point of the tour. From here, take a left towards the church.
At the church you will find three QR codes. At the gates stands the war memorial, one side has a list of those who gave their lives in the Great War. Go through the gates to find records those who fell in the Second World War. Next to the gates is the Kintore Pictish Stone, discovered in the churchyard but possibly from Castle Hill. Turning around you will see Kintore Kirk, the parish church built in 1819.
Leaving the kirkyard, turn left along Kingsfield Road until you reach the edge of town. On the right is a large white house, and just beyond it another QR code. This tells the story of the Aberdeenshire Canal, closed long ago to make way for the railway. I took a short detour further
along the road here to capture the view of the train tracks with Bennachie in the background.
Heading back along Kingsfield Road, continue into town until you reach the road called Howieslap on your left. Turn down here and walk straight on, when you come to wooden sheds you will see a grassy track. Follow the track right to reach a footbridge over Tuach Burn.
Cross the bridge and head uphill to the mast on Tuach Hill, where you can also bag a trig point. Looking back over Kintore, take the track on your left. This leads past an old quarry and the remains of Carn Ulach, a stone circle. Keep following the trail until it rejoins the main track.
Soon you will come to a fork. Take the left path down into the park and cross another bridge, gated but accessible. After the bridge turn right to find a bench with a QR code about Tuach Hill.
From here continue straight on, then turn left at the next junction. At the end of the road, turn right and cross over. A path with bollards to the left leads you to the play park, built on the site of the Roman camp known as Deer’s Den. Another QR code here tells its story.
Distance: 5 miles
Time: 2-3 hrs
Terrain: Mix of pavement, road, grass and rough trail
Access: Easy with some elevation
Getting there: I found plenty of on street parking around the Kintore Public hall area AB51 0QP. Kintore has very good public transport links. The train station is only a short walk and there is a bus stop in the square.
www.tracygoesoutside.com
From Deer’s Den, continue along Hallforest Drive. Cross the road at the roundabout and carry on along Castle Road, under the bypass, until you reach a large house on the right. Just beyond it, turn right for Hallforest Castle.
Dating back to the 14th century, Hallforest Castle is one of the oldest in Scotland. After visiting, follow the road past the ruins, turning right, then right again, and finally left to return under the bypass.
Keep straight until you reach the roundabout. Take a left onto Hallforest Avenue, then turn left again at the T junction onto Forest Road. This leads you back to the square for the final two QR codes.
The first is at Kintore Town House, a striking building commissioned by the Earl of Kintore in the 18th century. At the front stands the Kintore Millennium Stone. The final QR code is at the Kintore Arms Hotel.
This tour is a brilliant way to uncover the history of Kintore. It is well designed, easy to follow, and brings the past to life. I hope other communities take inspiration from this project and create similar tours to celebrate their own heritage.
kintore.org.uk
Well now, autumn is upon us. Rusty orange leaves, crisping up and gliding gracefully to the ground. Frosty mornings where your breath puffs out like wood smoke from clay chimney pots. I love this time of year where the need for a cosy jumper and woolly socks go hand-in-hand with roaring fires and steaming mugs of hot chocolate.
Laura’s Chef Adventure
@lauras_chef_adventure
LIFESTYLE
Autumn is a time where we really notice the new season, not only with the changing colours of leaves on trees, but with seasonal changes in our diet too. The bounty of the summer harvest transitions nicely into sturdy root vegetables and brassicas, fruit on trees such as apples and pears, and hardy leaves like chard and kale. Pick-your-own apples is one of my favourite activities with the children at this time of year, as is selecting pumpkins for eating, as well as carving for Halloween. Pumpkins and squash make fantastic autumnal decorations and keep really well if stored in a cool, well-ventilated place. Roasted squash soup is a fantastic freezer filler too, and it serves as a great foundation for many an experiment with spices to warm your soul on a chilly day. Try toasting some pumpkin seeds and topping your soup with these and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Did you know that pumpkins are botanically classified as berries? They develop from a flower and contain seeds, which means they are a fruit!
ADVENTURES
November is coming around quickly too, and our attention is usually leaning towards Christmas during this month. We may also find that life gets a little busier with present shopping, school plays and festive events with our loved ones and, I’ve come to realise, that the excitement of the festive season is a time where we really cherish our families and friends. Underneath the jingle bells and sparkling lights, are communities of people who want to share love and kindness with each other, as well as gifts, food and family traditions. Because it is a season of sharing, I feel a sense of gratitude and joy when I encourage our children to share with those who may need food and/or friendship during this beautiful, but sometimes isolating,
time of year. It is an adventure because we move out of our comfort zone and learn something new by giving kindness to someone else; the feeling is a magical one that certainly brings warmth into our hearts and enriches our experiences.
You’ll find this edition’s deliciously seasonal recipe on the next page for you to try.
Go ahead and tag @lauras_chef_adventure on your socials; it brings me happiness to see our community cooking and eating great food together.
Enjoy autumn and all the wonder it brings, until next time, Eat Well.
2 tbsp Coconut blossom sugar (muscovado sugar works well too)
1 Tiny pinch of sea salt flakes (crushed)
½ tsp Ground cinnamon
1 Clove (crushed)
1 Handful of pecan nuts (crushed or chopped)
½ Cup water
Drizzle of maple syrup
Yoghurt or vanilla ice cream to serve
MAKE:
1. Preheat the fan oven to 180c, wash and dry the apples
2. Core the apples carefully, either with an apple corer or a sharp paring knife. If you can, don’t cut all the way to the bottom, save a little bit at the end to keep the filling in. It doesn’t matter too much if you go through; it will all contribute to the juicy sauce at the end.
3. Mix together the butter, sugar, salt, and spices. Fold in the crushed nuts.
4. Divide the mixture in the bowl into quarters and push each quarter into each of the four apples. Squidge it tightly into the apples to use up all the filling.
5. Take a small deep baking dish and pour in the water, then gently place the apples in this tin before putting into the oven to roast for 30-45 mins, or until soft if pierced with a sharp knife.
ASSEMBLE:
Remove the tray from the oven carefully, the sticky liquid will be extremely hot. Spoon your yoghurt (or ice cream) into four bowls and swirl in a little maple syrup. Using a slotted utensil, lift out the apples and place on top of the yoghurt in each of the bowls. Follow by another drizzle of maple syrup and the juices from the tin, and if you like, a final flourish of more chopped pecans. Enjoy!
You could also try turning these baked apples into a side to go along with pork. Remove the nuts and cinnamon and add spices like Chinese 5 Spice into the butter mix. Roast in the oven in the same way and use the spiced juices as a dressing.
01771 622296 or 01346 411320 baxterdesigncompany.co.uk
Hogmanay Campfire
The Seasons of Arabia: Subtle Shifts in A Sunlit Land
There is no doubt that it is autumn now in Scotland – the temperature has dipped, the leaves are turning, and the countryside is starting to wear its winter hues of dull green and brown. Our changing seasons are obvious and dramatic. You may be forgiven for thinking that, in the deserts of the UAE and Oman, there are no seasons at all. After all, the stereotypical image is of an endless golden desert under a scorching sun. Yet for those who spend time there, subtle shifts mark the passing of the year – you simply need to know where, and how, to look.
Some plants thrive in the heat of summer, only to die back with the cooler days of autumn. Others come to life at this time, colouring the dunes with fresh growth. Camels often give birth as the temperatures drop, while migratory birds appear, different ones to those who visit during the warmer months. These rhythms of nature are reminders that the desert is far from lifeless.
Temperature is one of the greatest surprises. Many people in the UK ask me how I cope with the heat when I spend extended periods camping in the Middle East. The truth is that thirty degrees in the desert feels far cooler than thirty degrees at home. Inland, away from the coastal humidity, it can feel closer to a pleasant 22°C. On the flip side, when the desert cools in the evening, it can feel very cold. I once had a friend from Aberdeen join me for an overnight camp in the desert in Abu Dhabi. She borrowed a fleece from me but still shivered, laughing in disbelief that she could be cold in the desert at 18°C.
The Arabian Peninsula has four seasons, like us, but they are further broken down into blocks of forty to fifty days. The transitions are so subtle that only those who live close to the land notice them. A cultural marker of seasonal change comes in late August, when astronomers scan the skies for the Suhail Star. Its appearance signals that the worst of the summer heat is over, and that cooler days are on the horizon.
Sandstorm on the Dark Skies Challenge
One of the coldest nights I have ever experienced wasn’t in Scotland, but in Saudi Arabia. In February 2022, I camped with friends on a lava plain at 1,250 metres above sea level. Saudi Arabia has over 2,000 dormant volcanoes, and the high elevation amplified the chill. That morning we woke to ice inside our water bottles, frost on the cars, and a food thermometer that read –0.5°C. I have never been so grateful to get a fire going and put the kettle on!
Weather in the Arabian Peninsula varies enormously from region to region. In the far south of Oman lies Salalah, where the tail end of the Indian Monsoon brings rain and cool temperatures between July and September. At the same time, other parts of Oman are baking at 45–50°C. The mountain ranges – the Hajars – are rocky and dramatic, reaching 3,300 metres at their highest peak. Summer temperatures at altitude hover around 32°C, which feels closer to a Scottish mid-20s day, and nights can dip to 14°C – a time to reach for that jacket again.
For most travellers, the best months to visit are between October and April. Days are warm but manageable, while nights can be surprisingly cool. January in particular can feel downright cold if you are camping. The heat of summer is often portrayed as relentless, but the reality is that Arabia’s climate is far more complex, with layers of change, surprise, and beauty.
As I look out across Scotland’s turning leaves and muted landscapes, I remember that Arabia too has its seasons – quieter, subtler perhaps, but every bit as real.
Mum & Baby New Years Day
Sunrise over Lava Field Saudi
Damask Roses flourish on Jebel Akhdar
Celebrating Excellence: The Moray Business Women Annual Awards 2025
The Year of Transformation - Laich Moray Hotel, Elgin 21st November 2025 | 6.30 pm - till late
The Moray Business Women Annual Awards are excited to announce that tickets are now live for the 2025 awards at Moray Business Women Awards Dinner - Moray Business Women. This prestigious event recognises the exceptional women who are driving business forward in Moray, showcasing their significant contributions to the local economy and the inspiration they provide to others.
The Moray Business women Annual Awards celebrate the visionaries, innovators, and leaders who shape the future of our community. These awards go beyond numerical success; they honour the unique stories behind each business, highlighting the diverse talent, resilience, and creativity that women bring to the local business landscape. From ambitious start-up founders to established leaders making an impact in their sectors, the awards shine a spotlight on those who are making a difference.
CATEGORIES FOR THE 2025 AWARDS INCLUDE:
Business Woman of the Year
Rising Star Business of the Year
Advancing Business of the Year
Thriving Business of the Year
Most Enterprising Business of the Year
Community Impact Award
Against All Odds Award
Member of Inspiration, The People’s Choice Award
Businesses must be either owned and led by women or have a woman as the key driving force behind their success.
Winners will be announced at the Annual Awards Ball on November 21, 2025, a celebration that promises to be an inspiring evening filled with stories of success, resilience, and community spirit.
“We are thrilled to recognise and celebrate the incredible achievements of women in business across Moray. These awards are more than just accolades; they are a testament to the hard work, passion, and drive that women bring to the business world. We encourage everyone to apply and share their stories,” said Wendy Mitchell, President.
Join us in celebrating the remarkable women of Moray who are changing the business landscape for the better!
AN ODE TO THE MBW AWARDS 2025
In Moray’s heart where dreams ignite, Women rise, a brilliant sight, Driven by passion, purpose, and grace, It’s time to share your journey, your place.
With every story woven in time, Behind each business, a mountain to climb.
From bold start-ups to leaders renowned, In your success, inspiration is found.
So step forward, let your voice be heard, Unveil your triumphs, share every word.
The awards await to celebrate you, A chance to shine, to inspire anew.
The road may be tough, but your spirit is strong, In a world that thrives where you belong. Embrace the moment, don’t let it pass, Your hard work deserves this spotlight’s glass.
Apply today, let your brilliance unfold, Join a network of women, both fierce and bold.
Together we rise, lift each other high, In Moray’s embrace, let ambition fly!
So gather your courage, your dream in sight, The Moray Business Women Awards shine bright. Be part of the story, where futures are made, With every application, your legacy laid.
Lets go girls…
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Whether you pick this article up in the months running up to Christmas, or just beforehand, I hope that the tips here can help to make Christmas an enjoyable time of year for all! As ever, the advice here is meant to make your life easier, not harder, so take the parts of it that help and ignore the parts of it that don’t.
With a neurodiverse family that includes four autistic members and two adhd ones (some with both!), for us Christmas is about keeping things on an even keel. I don’t worry about trying to make Christmas “The Best Ever”, but simply about making it a time that we will look back on with happy memories.
A little planning goes a long way with this! So first of all, it helps to work out where you are
Rosie Barron WAS THE TIDY COO
spending Christmas and with whom. Obviously there are always negotiations to be had with various relatives, but do make sure that you are not running round trying to please everyone else at the expense of your own sanity.
Decide if you are sending Christmas Cards. I know that these are rather going out of fashion now, with many people preferring to make a charity donation, but I still love a card. They help me to keep in touch with people who are not big on Social Media and I enjoy reading the round ups that people send with them. Do check out the Royal Mail postage dates as the ones for overseas come up pretty quickly!
Prepare food where you can. If you’re making a Christmas cake, then tradition dictates that you
should have started in September, but it’s not too late to start now. You can also start slipping the extra thing into your trolley for the store cupboard or freezer now to spread out the cost. Do you need to order a turkey? My children are not fond of turkey, so we will be having something else at Christmas, probably chicken. With my husband being such an avid cook, food features pretty highly during Christmas Day, but equally, we like to keep it relatively simple – the point is not that he should spend the whole day in the kitchen, but that we should enjoy the day as a family.
Gift giving is an area that can be fraught. I absolutely love getting gifts, and I love the love behind it, but there is no denying that there is often a massive amount of waste at Christmas. Whilst nothing beats the Christmas magic of running downstairs to see if Father Christmas has been (and that’s just me!), you do not need a hundred presents to get the same magic. In fact, too many presents under the tree can be distinctly overwhelming.
For my own children, we try to keep the presents a little reined back and there is a useful little rhyme for this that I use;
Something they Want.
Something they Need. Something to Wear.
Something to Read.
Using this, they usually get a nice stocking from Father Christmas, with the addition of some things like chocolate and socks, and a larger present from us. They do a Secret Santa among themselves (which encourages them to think of others!), but we try to encourage other family members to contribute towards experiences instead of presents.
When it comes to wrapping, I have often come across large stashes and I encourage my clients to let go of all the bits that they will not use. This includes the accoutrements such as ribbons! When buying new paper, consider the importance of making sure that your wrapping paper passes the Scrunch Test (so that it can be recycled). If your paper stays Scrunched when you grab it, it is recyclable which is important. Paper with a grid on the back does make it easier to cut.
As you decorate your home for Christmas, do remember to joy check the ornaments as they come out (and go away again!). One of the best tips that I have for keeping your home slightly less overwhelming over the Christmas period is to fill the Christmas storage boxes with the ornaments that are usually out in your home. That way there is not too much out at once and you can enjoy your normal ornaments all the more as they come out in January.
I am slightly sad to say that this is the last article I will write for Lifestyle! Over the last few years, circumstances have changed here at HCoo and I have realised that it is time to step back from organising for now. I have really enjoyed writing and I hope that you have all enjoyed reading.
Thank you so much to Rhona for the opportunity to do so! Rosie, x
YOGA
Nothing Changes Until Your Energy Changes
By Sophia Hanson
Here’s how to try it right now:
• Stand with your feet hip-width apart, arms loose by your sides.
• Soften your knees. Inhale as if you’re gently zipping up a pair of trousers; exhale and let go.
• Lift your shoulders towards your ears, then sigh them down your back.
Pressing pause can feel like such a luxury, can’t it? Life pulls you in so many directions, and yet if someone you loved was exhausted or overwhelmed, you’d be the first to tell them: “Take a moment, breathe, rest.” Isn’t it funny how rarely we give ourselves the same advice?
Here’s the good news, you don’t need a spa day, a mat, or a headstand to feel the benefits of yoga. In fact, yoga is much more about finding presence and ease than it is about twisting yourself into pretzel shapes; sometimes, the simplest practices are the most powerful. Imagine letting time soften and expand, the way a kitten slowly uncurls after a nap. Just a few mindful breaths can create that same feeling for you. And one of the best ways to try this is through Mountain Pose. Think of it as yoga’s quiet superpower. It’s steady, grounding, and beautifully simple.
• Imagine a golden thread reaching from the crown of your head towards the sky. Your top half feels light and open, your legs rooted and strong.
• Soften your gaze or close your eyes. Notice your breath flowing in and out.
• Relax your jaw, smooth the space between your eyebrows, and allow each outbreath to melt away tension.
After a minute or two, return gently: listen for sounds, notice the floor beneath your feet, and give your fingers and toes a little wiggle.
That’s it. No equipment, no fuss; it’s just you, your breath, and a few moments of calm. This simple pose helps ease stress, steady your mind, improve posture, and remind you that you don’t always have to react - you can simply pause, soften, and calmly respond.
Yoga is about about touching your own life with more presence, more kindness, more space to breathe.
If this feels good, why not take it further? I host yoga taster sessions on Zoom on Wednesday evenings, 6.30 - 7.30pm (with replays if you can’t make it live). It’s all about creating a pocket of calm just for you, from the comfort of home. Drop me a message if you’d like to joinyour body, mind, and heart will thank you.
The Science of Scent: Beauty Beyond Skin Deep
It’s no coincidence that a whiff of lavender helps us unwind or that citrus can make us feel instantly brighter. Science tells us that scent bypasses the rational brain and travels directly to the limbic system, the part of the brain linked to memory and emotion. That’s why fragrance can transport us back to a forgotten moment or shift our mood in an instant.
At Speyside Spa, Aberlour, we’ve taken inspiration from this powerful connection by incorporating essential oils into our treatments. Lavender, with its calming effect on the nervous system, helps to lower stress. Rosemary is linked to improved concentration and alertness. Meanwhile, warm, woody notes like sandalwood and cedar are shown to promote relaxation and emotional grounding.
When combined with a restorative facial, a nourishing scalp treatment, or a soothing massage, these natural aromas create a holistic experience—helping you leave not only looking your best but feeling restored from within.
Modern life doesn’t give us many chances to pause, but a single sensory trigger can rebalance body and mind. At Speyside Spa, we invite you to experience beauty with science at its heart.
Book your appointment today and discover how the right scent can transform not only your look, but your mood.
Gratitude
by Jane Duncan Rogers
Final Part
Over this year, I’ve been reflecting on the question: is it possible to be grateful for ageing and all that it brings?”
On the surface, of course many of us would say yes, we’re happy to be alive when so many are not. But I was curious if, on a daily basis, it was possible to find gratitude in the steady progress of becoming older.
I’ve found that while your body ageing is out of your control there is much that can be done to keep it going and going well. Everyone mentions diet and exercise, of course, and this does change as the body ages. For instance, having been a sugar lover all my life, I now have to admit that this is one of the primary causes of inflammation in the body, and therefore the
arthritic aches and pains that now come to visit regularly. So, I’ve had to cut back. Quality of exercise also takes on a different flavour when you’re older, and it becomes more important to strengthen muscles as opposed to just walking the dog or whatever. So physically there are quite a few things that we can do to help us feel good in our bodies.
But at a time when it can feel like you are taken over by outside circumstances (your body develops a serious illness; your partner/ spouse dies; your social life diminishes as friends die; your world becomes smaller) there is still one thing over which most of us do have control – our thoughts.
In the last edition, I wrote about how you can (literally) choose your thoughts, and have
Jane Duncan Rogers
them be ones that support you, rather than diminish you. This is crucial as we age, as it is so easy to slide into despair, despondency and depression over the naturally occurring fact of ageing.
Having said that, I want to introduce the idea of Front Door Thinking, Back Door Thinking, because one of the things that gets in the way of being able to be grateful (for anything) is feelings. Feelings we would rather not have, like anger, frustration, sorrow, grief, fear, anxiety – you get the picture.
The problem with (understandably) not wanting to feel these feelings is that if they have come for a visit, they don’t go away until they are acknowledged. So, you have to apply what I call Front Door Thinking, Back Door Thinking.
Imagine that grief has come knocking at your door, in response to an event in your life. The natural reaction is to batten down the hatches, close the door, shut the curtains and try to
pretend it isn’t there. Needless to say, this doesn’t work, because it has come to deliver a message of some kind, and needs to be let in to do that. My answer to this, which I discovered back in 2011 after my husband died, is to do the counter-intuitive thing and fling the windows wide, open the front door – AND open the back door (this last bit is crucial). This allows the feeling in and allows it to easily leave too. As Louise L. Hay, author of ‘You Can Heal Your Life’ said: “what you feel, you can heal”. Once the feeling has been and gone, then you will find the capacity to be grateful can bubble up once more.
Follow Jane on Substack for more free resources: https://janeduncanrogers.substack.com/
I hope you’ve enjoyed these articles as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them.
CHRIS GRANT
Chris Grant never disappoints. No matter whether you listen to him in a pub, or at a private function or at the launch of his latest CD, he always comes across as not only a talented musician and singer but as someone who genuinely loves what he does.
It was all of the above at the launch of his latest CD – his eleventh – on Friday 19th September at the Elgin Community Centre. The stage was set with all the equipment, subtle lighting and nostalgic background music prior to Chris’s entrance dressed as a prisoner and wheeled on stage by his own private entourage of ‘prison wardens’.
But why is he dressed as a prisoner? After ten self-made albums Chris is launching his most daring work yet. On The Run is an Americana crime-thriller musical, combining Chris’s talents as a musician with a blend of Chris Stapleton’s Traveller album, Jason Isbell’s story telling and the passionate performance of a live Bruce Springsteen. Listening to this album you will be involved in a clear crime thriller noir styled movie– and it will be up to you how you feel about all the characters and if you can manage to join all the dots.
This album is the culmination of 16 years of learning, experimenting and honing his craft. It certainly is ambitious and cleverly thought out and, backed by his ‘prison wardens’, it works. This is Chris at his very best.
If you haven’t been to one of Chris’s gigs I strongly recommend that you find out where he will be performing and make the effort to attend. You are guaranteed a fantastic evening.
https://chrisgrant.bandcamp.com/album/on-the-run
All Photography: Martin Carran
Friday 10th October
Hamish Henderson
Saturday 11th October You Choose (Kids Show)
Saturday 18th October Craft Fair
Saturday 25th October MODS - Who Killed the Hotel Manager? (Play)
Saturday 1st November Mac/Dc (ACDC Tribute)
Friday 7th November
Adam Holmes
Saturday 15th November ETH Prosecco Day
Saturday 22nd November Lewis Wiles
Friday 5th December
Saturday 6th December
Winterfest (Beer & Music Festival) for more information: www.elgintownhall.co.uk
Brodie tickets drawn on 1st November All other competitions 24th November Closing dates
Well, here it is folks the final competition of 2025 in time for Christmas and it’s an absolute cracker, excuse the pun.
So, what is it, I hear you all shouting…How about a two-night stay with dinner and a bottle of wine included on the first night at the fabulous Speyside Hotel in Grantown.
I wasn’t kidding!!
And there is still more, pop into the lovely new shop Flock & Saunter to spend a £25 voucher if you win this prize.
COMPETITION CODES
SPEYSTAY
Two night stay with dinner on first night at Speyside Hotel Grantown
SAUNTER25
£25 voucher for Flock & Saunter Aberlour HAMPER
Christmas Hamper from Phoenix shop & café bar, Findhorn
NEWHOME
Signed copy of Christophers New Home and Colouring book
NEWCD
Signed Copy of Chris Grant’s New CD BRODIETKT
2 Family Tickets for the Brodie Illuminations (2 adults 2 children)
A wonderful hamper is being offered from Phoenix shop & café bar in Findhorn, that’s Christmas sorted.
For the youngsters, win the pack of Christophers new home and colouring books from the lovely Laura.
Enjoy the fabulous music of Chris Grant with a signed copy of his new album.
Two family tickets to visit the Brodie Illuminations in November, an absolute must see.
Good luck everyone and don’t forget to give me your contact details.
Email competitions@lifestylemoray.scot with your name, address and contact number or send a postcard to: Lifestyle Magazine, 5 Green Lane, Newmill, Keith AB55 6NX
Remember your competition codes and please send multiple entries on one card.
Terms & conditions: All Lifestyle competition prizes are kindly donated by Lifestyle advertisers. There is no entry fee, one e-mail or postcard with the relevant codes is all that is necessary. Winners are chosen at random by a computer generated programme. There is no cash alternative available. Names of winners will be published in the following issue.
Congratulations to our Aug/Sep winners.
We receive hundreds of responses and love your letters and emails... Keep ‘em coming. Who knows... It could be you next time.
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