Trend February/March 2016 by Trend Productions Ltd.

Shades of Chic REVAMPED, REUPHOLSTERED & REPURPOSED

The Art of Geometry TREND TALKS WITH LOCAL PRINTMAKER MARTIN NELSON

Layer Player OUR GUIDE TO LAYERING, ALL WRAPPED UP!

A PERSONAL SHOPPING SPREE AT DEBENHAMS A BOTTLE OF GORDON CASTLE GIN A SPA STAY AT CAMERON HOUSE A COPY OF ‘GRANITE GRIT’ BY LEE COOPER TICKETS TO GUYS & DOLLS AT HMT OR YOUR OWN SHED FROM CORDINERS

2 | ADVERTISEMENTS

ADVERTISEMENTS | 3

STEWART MILNE GROUP SUPPORTS THE SEARCH FOR NORTH-EAST’S TOP TRADES FOR A SECOND YEAR

GRANITE CITY FUNDRAISERS TRAVEL TO KENYA A group of Aberdeen residents will be jetting off to Kenya on an adventure aimed to improve the lives of disadvantaged children. The group depart on 19th March with the Gathimba Edwards Foundation, co-founded by local Aberdeen runner Myles Edwards, and will visit lmany of the children the charity supports, race alongside Kenyan runners, visit an abandoned baby home and also a giraffe sanctuary, elephant orphanage among many other things. Craig Mathers was on last year’s trip and is excited to return, ‘Kenya has changed my life, it has given me a reminder of what really matters in life and I encourage everyone and anyone to grab the opportunity to visit this beautiful country and its amazing people.’ For more info please visit: www.gathimbaedwardsfoundation. org/the-kenya-22

SHARE IT WITH TREND Have some exciting news to share? We would love to hear all about it! Send us your information, press releases or promotional materials to clare@trendmagazine.co.uk for our In Brief Section. Deadline for the April/May issue of Trend is Monday, 11th March 2016.

STAFFORCE RECRUITMENT EXPAND INTO ABERDEEN Local recruitment specialist Stafforce has just opened an office in Aberdeen, to add to their Peterhead and Fraserburgh operations. The agency specialises in recruitment for the hospitality, industrial and commercial sectors. Stafforce is located 214 Union Street, within the i2 offices and can be contacted on 01224 517321. www.stafforce.co.uk

Trades Awards 2016 continues to be the only event of its kind in Scotland, and showcases the knowledge, experience and integrity that the North-east trades industry has to offer. Stewart Milne Group are once again getting behind the awards as part of the many initiatives they are currently working on to mark their 40th anniversary. The event will take place at Ardoe House on Friday 10 June 2016, with 12 award categories open to businesses of all sizes and a panel of the Northeast’s construction leaders. Entries to the awards close on Monday 29th February 2016, for more information go to www.tradesawards.com

LOCAL MOBILE STORAGE COMPANY LENDS SUPPORT AS CHARITY RECEIVES HIGHEST LEVEL OF DONATIONS Portlethen-based mobile storage company Flexistore, extended its festive cheer and support as local charity Aberdeen Cyrenians received its largest ever amount of donations this winter in the form of clothes, blankets and food. Flexistore offered to house the additional items free of charge to help alleviate space at the Cyrenians’ Summer Street headquarters. www.flexistore.co.uk

28 Main Street, Turriff, Aberdeenshire AB53 4AD | 01888 568111 info@celebrationsofturriff.co.uk www.celebrationsofturriff.co.uk Monday / Saturday 9AM - 5PM & Sunday / 12 NOON - 5PM Personal Shopping Service available by appointment

6 | WELCOME

So far 2016 hasn’t been the best of years for the North-east, as oil prices have gone down, river levels have gone up, leaving many communities facing a massive clean-up operation. In times of adversity, the people of Aberdeen City and Shire reached out to their friends, neighbours and complete strangers, offering spare beds, blankets, hot food and whatever was needed. Hotels provided free rooms and let people set up camp in their lounges until they could return home. Others set up social media pages that kept everyone up to date with road closures and rescue measures far more efficiently than official sources. We rallied, and rose to the occasion. Even in the darkest days of winter, we can look forward to spring. So that’s what we’re doing for this issue. It’s time to pick ourselves up, refresh our wardrobes and enhance our lifestyles. It’s time to get out and about, to explore and to enjoy life. If this winter has taught us anything, it’s that we should never pass up the opportunity to try something new, go somewhere different or just have some fun. We have a wealth of fabulous businesses in this region and we’re here to shout about them. This year’s Life with Style Awards will let the people of the North-east realise there are a lot of great businesses on their doorsteps to enjoy!

DONNA MURRAY is a photographer from Aberdeen. She graduated from Napier university with a BA Hons in photography and film in 2006. She then ventured into press photography, gaining national recognition for her style. She remains in Aberdeen working freelance, in weddings, commercial and PR work.

COURTNEY O’GRADY has been writing for Trend since 2010. A mother of three who has lived in Aberdeen for seventeen years, Courtney focuses primarily on family, activity and history pieces.

DIRECTOR GILL BUYERS gill@trendmagazine.co.uk EDITOR ALISON DANIELS alison@trendmagazine co.uk PUBLISHED BY

TREND PRODUCTIONS LTD. 192 Holburn Street, Aberdeen AB10 6DA T: +44 (0)1224 596223 info@trendmagazine.co.uk www.trendmagazine.co.uk

SALES & MARKETING CLARE FINDLAY clare@trendmagazine.co.uk DESIGN RYAN SWINNEY ryan@trendmagazine.co.uk ADMINISTRATION JILL WALKER jwalker@trendmagazine.co.uk GUEST CONTRIBUTORS Newsline Media, Robin Miller, Rob Currie, Nicola Reid, Tracy Quin & Lynne Worlock. PRINT Stephens & George Print Group

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Prices are correct at time of going to press, but may be subject to change. Trend cannot be held responsible for unsolicited material. The views and opinions by contributors in the magazine may not represent the views of the publisher. Trend Productions Ltd takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers in this publication. T&Cs apply to all competitions and offers.

KIRSTY MCLEAN has created hundreds of garden designs for clients all over the North-east and many community gardens in her work with Beechgrove Garden since 2001.

PETER MITCHELL became a valued Trend columnist nearly seven years ago after 37 years on the Press & Journal. For Trend, he has interviewed lots of prominent people including TV’s Angela Rippon.

EMMA LEIPER FINLAYSON is a fundraiser by day and a writer by night, Emma has a particular passion for writing, speaking and thinking about Italy, and has her own blog dedicated to all things Venice.

JAN LEATHAM comes from a hospitality and customer service background, and currently works as the Banchory Town Co-ordinator as well as pursuing a career in copywriting, proofreading and events. She is also the editor for upBEAT Magazine.

contents

13 HEALTH & BEAUTY 13 Rob Currie’s guide to refreshing your fitness regime 32 New products worth seeking out

18 FASHION

18 Life in the fast lane 24 Layer player - pile it on 59 Win a £300 personal shopping spree at Debenhams and a beauty hamper 94 Best foot forward. Robin talks men’s footwear.

38 FOOD & DRINK

38 Discover Porter’s - Aberdeen’s own gin 44 Trend Tries…the Atholl 50 Meet Murray Cheyne from The Terrace at the Great Western Hotel

42 LIFESTYLE

42 Enter the Life with Style Awards 47 Win a bottle of Gordon Castle Gin 76 Win a luxurious spa stay at Cameron House’s Carrick Spa 78 Tally Ho! Head for Perth Races 92 Courtney pokes around Aberdeen’s Citadel 104 The last word with Peter Mitchell

54 HOMES, GARDENS & INTERIORS 54 Win your own shed from Cordiners 56 Interiors at Shades of Blue & Grey 66 In the garden with Kirsty McLean

80 TRAVEL & LEISURE

80 Travel: Learning Holidays 102 Our guide to what’s on in February and March

84 ARTS & CULTURE

84 Printmaker Martin Nelson 86 Music: Meet the Guarana Street Band 87 Books: Local writer Lee Cooper’s Granite Grit 88 Bird of a feather - Designer Liz Phillips

90 FAMILY & KIDS

90 Courtney goes sky diving at St. Andrews 98 The best board games for TV quiz fans

PICTURED: Dress, £150 Karen Millen

8 | ADVERTISEMENTS

Wear It Pink WHO: Wear It Pink WHAT: A total of ÂŁ8000 was raised at the fashion event by the 180 ladies who attended. Guests were treated to an lunch, charity auction and a fashion show featuring Fashionista and Midnight Elegance. WHERE: Meldrum House Country Hotel Nong Matteres, Jill Edgar, Lorna Michie, Angie Mathers & Karen Pugh

Andrea White, Jo Skinner & Karen Cryle

Mandy Harrison & Aileen Dunnett

June Kinghorn, Evelyn Howlett & Yvonne Smith

Jackie Inch, Joanne Lamont & Lindsay Threadgold

Wilma Waterston, Niamh Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea, Laura Goodwin, Mary Allison & Elaine Anderson < Mhairi And Lynne Cruickshank, Shona Anderson & Ashley Smith

Jean Edward, Elaine Fowler, Iona Mcintosh & Emma Robinson

ADVERTISEMENTS | 11

Sophia Siwek & Stefan Reid

Rob & Reina Macarthur

Kyle & Barclay Reid With Emma Barclay

Kirsty Johnston & Magnus Barclay

Laura & Sophie Cliffe

Bancon Homes Launch WHO: Bancon Homes WHAT: Guests and staff enjoyed the grand launch of the Craigievar House Showroom from Bancon Homes Ltd. Guests were treated to catering from The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa WHERE: Millitimber West Eileen Jones And Dawn Ramsay

Stephanie Duncan & Kevin Willox

£50

� CHAMPA GNE & � SUMPTU STRAWBERRY REC EPTION � OUS AFTER � ELEGAN NOON TE T FASHIO A � N SHOW & EN TE � RAFFLES RTAINMEN & PRIZES T � �

WORDS BY ROB CURRIE

Is your exercise regime in a rut? Have you stopped making improvements? Are you struggling with motivation? As your body constantly adapts to the demands of exercise, progress only results if you keep stepping up and changing your activities. Shake it up as you head into spring: sign up for a challenge that you’d not normally contemplate. How about taking on a 10K, beginner’s triathlon or a cycling sportive? Be brave and take on a Tough Mudder with some

CURATED STORIES DELIGHTFUL DESIGN Curated Stories (formerly known as Peltoniemi Concept Store) continues to delight customers new and old, with their carefully considered and quirkily creative approach to everything in the shop, including the wallpaper and stair decoration! Described by one reviewer as ‘as a gorgeous museum but one where you can buy everything’, the shop contains a range of goodies from origami jewellery to cashmere slippers, perfect for gifts or as a treat for yourself. www.curatedstories.com

ÉLAN HAIR DESIGN NOMINATED FOR A NATIONAL ETHICAL BUSINESS AWARD

The Inverurue firm has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Ethical/CSR/Green business of the year category at the FSB World Pay Awards. Élan’s eco-friendly project includes the use of recyclable materials, photo-voltaic panels to generate electricity, solar thermal panels to provide energy for hot water, LEDs using 80% less electricity and environmentally-friendly basins that cut water consumption by 64%.The salon has cut its carbon emissions by 94% and diverted 95% of its general waste from landfill, as well as encouraging other businesses to become more sustainable and, by raising awareness, increase consumer demand for more eco-friendly products and services. www.elanhair.co.uk

HEALTH | 13

friends. A bit of fear and entering into the unknown can be a great motivator! Join a sports club and learn a new sport. You’ll gain in fitness and motor skills and there’s also the social side making it much more enjoyable than an endless session on the treadmill. If you always struggle with motivation, try new things until you find what works for you.

COMMUNITIES BROUGHT TOGETHER BY FLOODING CRISIS Deeside communities have rallied round following the recent flooding devastation over much of Aberdeenshire, with local groups joining together to raise much-needed funds to help repair people’s lives. The Ballater Charitable Cheils have set up a crowd funding page which has smashed its original target of £3,000, currently sitting at more than £30,000. Local events business MFGF Events have pledged 10% of the takings from the Banchory Beer Festival and further events are currently being organised up and down the valley to contribute to the effort.

Spring clean your wardrobe this March and make some cash at the same time by selling your fashion-wear and accessories at Trendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cinderella Sale. Not selling? Come along and pick up some bargains! Visit www.trendmagazine.co.uk or call 01224 596223 for more information.

Free Entry Opens 11am Closes 3pm

Selling Stands Priced at ÂŁ25 + VAT

£35

� GLASS OF FI � TWO C ZZ ON ARRIVAL OURSE LU � � TREND NCH � GOODIE � EXQUIS BAGS � ITE SS16 COLLECTI ONS �

18 | FASHION

FASHION | 19

LEFT: Jacket, £235 Jumper, £85 Bag, £65 Denim Jeggings, £75 all Karen Millen RIGHT: Silk Top, £175 Jeans, £160 Coat, £499all Escale France Shoe Boots, £170 Karen Millen

FASHION | 21

LEFT: Jumper, £129 Jeans, £69 Gilet, £345 Hat, £69 Belt, £39 all Escale France Shoe Boots, £170 Karen Millen ABOVE LEFT: Jumper, £85 Leather Skirt, £110 Shoe Boots, £170 all Karen Millen Vivienne Westwood Bag, £400 Cruise ABOVE RIGHT: Dress, £180 Leather Jacket, £299 both Karen Millen

22 | FASHION

LEFT: Dress, £150 Shoes, £135 both Karen Millen Scarf, £39 Escale France RIGHT: Dress, £165 Coat, £285 both @hamishmunro

FASHION | 23

OUR THANKS | MODEL:Talia Mathers of Colours Agency, Glasgow PHOTOGRAPHER: Donna Murray Photography donnamurrayphotography.com STYLING: Hayley Charles MAKE UP: Rae Mathieson HAIR: Amy Kirkpatrick of James Duns House VENUE: The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa CARS: Valentines Chauffeur Drive STOCKISTS: Cruise, Escale France, @hamishmunro & Karen Millen

FACE | NARS Luminous Weightless, NARS Illuminator, NARS Creamy Concealer, Pro powder in ‘Sculpt’ & MAC ‘Gingerley’ Blush EYES & BROWS | Lorac Pro Palette, MAC Rich Experence Pencil, MAC Studiosculpt Mascara & ABH Brow Pencils LIPS | MAC ‘Subculture’ Lip pencil & Sara Hill Lipstick ‘I-Am’ Make-Up by Rae Mathieson www.raemathieson.com

24 | ADVERTISEMENTS

Limited Edition Jacket £69 | Shirt £25 | Per Una Short £35 | Limited Edition Bag £35 © Marks & Spencer

ADVERTISEMENTS | 25

When you’re rushing about from one place to another in the constantly changing barrage of Scottish weather, layering is the practical solution. Choose the right pieces and layering can also provide an elegant capsule wardrobe for Spring dressing. Look for well-cut, lightweight pieces in natural fabrics, in toning neutral to provide a base. Stick to natural fabrics which avoid the static side-effects of synthetics. Cotton, cashmere and merino wool, leather and suede will give you a pulled together look that will work anywhere... 01 | Qimble Shoes, Office £68 02 | Gabriella Scarf, Hobbs £59 03 | Betty Jackson Black Trousers, Debenhams £45 04 | Ryleigh Boots, Dune £189 05 | Limited Edition Jumper, Marks & Spencer £29.50 06 | Indigo Collection Felt Khaki Hat, Marks & Spencer £25 07 | Double Faced Reversible Coat, Jaegar £350 08 | Autograph Skirt, Marks & Spencer £129 09 | Short Sleeve Linen Check Blouse, Jigsaw £79

R DAVIDSON EMPLOYEES BRUSH UP FOR LONG SERVICE AWARDS

ENTRIES OPEN FOR 2016 DF COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS GOLF LEAGUE Entries are now open for the DF Communications Business Golf League. Around 40 companies are expected to sign up for this year’s event, which begins in April. Companies have until Friday, March 25 to book their place in the long-running competition, which

also raises money for charity, with the final due to take place in September.

GET FIT WITH GRAMPIAN CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS

ESSENTIAL READING FOR LOVERS OF VINTAGE

If you like being active outdoors and would like to make new friends, give Grampian Conservation Volunteers a go. The volunteers help out at National Trust properties. Conservation Volunteer Co-ordinator Julie Bond explained, ‘Our volunteers get out and about to some beautiful places in Scotland. New members are always welcome and you can get more information at our website. www.nts.org.uk

Pictured: 2015 Winners L-R: Stuart Hill of Glacier Energy Services, Craig Forsyth of DF Communications, Stuart Forsyth of Glacier Energy Services

Fashionistas will love the new book from authors Jeffrey Mayer and Basia Szkutnicka which is due out in April from publishers Laurence King. Vintage Details: A Fashion Sourcebook, includes more than 600 amazing photos of details from previously unseen 20th-century vintage clothing. Covering everything from necklines to print, it’s packed full of ideas to inspire stylists, students, designers and fashion devotees. Available from good bookshops or to pre-order on Amazon for £35.

An Aberdeenshire painting and decorating firm has celebrated 132 years of combined service from seven of its employees who have shown commitment and enthusiasm over the years. R Davidson Painters & Decorators, based in Banchory, Aberdeenshire, recognised the long-serving staff, who have each worked for the company for at least 15 years, for their dedication and loyalty to the business. The firm currently employs 100 staff and was involved in the renovation of Marischal College. www.rdbanchory.co.uk

ABERDEEN BUSINESS NETWORK (ABN) HAS APPOINTED JESSIE CRAWLEY, 21, AS ONLINE COMMUNITY ADMINISTRATOR The firm runs events every month across the North-east and operates a vibrant online business community with over 5,000 members. Andrew Smith, director of Aberdeen Business Network, said: ‘Jessie is

a great addition to the business and brings with her a wealth of skills and experience which will be a great asset as we continue to grow.’ www. aberdeenbusinessnetwork.com Pictured: Andrew Smith and Jessie Crawley

DRUMROSSIE UNVEIL NEW DENWELL PARK SHOW HOME Drumrossie Homes have opened a new show home at the second phase of their Denwell Park development in Insch. The four-bedroom Arran townhouse over three storeys complete with a vast balcony and garden area adopts

a classic/contemporary style inspired by interior design expert, Jan McCall. For more information about visiting the show home at Denwell Park please visit info@drumrossie-property.com www.drumrossie-property.com

ABERDEEN CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC PROVIDES OVERSEAS CHARITY BOOST Friends and associates of Aberdeen Chiropractic Clinic recently braved the winter weather to complete a sponsored walk to the summit of Lochnagar in aid of Birth Forward, a charity established by Clinic owner Dr Eline Pedersen to reduce the number of unnecessary caesarean births in her former home country of Cyprus. The sponsored walk by Dr Candice Myers, Dr Kristina Bakke and Dr Pedersen was led by Keith McDougall of McDougall Mountaineering, and raised ÂŁ2,500. aberdeenchiropracticclinic.com

ACQUISITIONS FOR CSG UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE

Calum Johnston, commercial director, John Montague, business development manager and Jennie McColl, operations manager

CSG, the office cleaning and facilities management support business, has acquired two companies. The business, which already has operational bases in Aberdeen, Dundee and Shetland, has acquired Bridges Cleaning & Hygiene in Kirkcaldy. It follows its recent acquisition of Town and Country Cleaning in Montrose. The deals for the two office cleaning firms add 47 people to the CSG workforce and more than 60 contracts to its operations portfolio. www.csg-limited.co.uk

Student rowers will take to the Dee on March 12 at 4pm for the hotly contested, but otherwise freezing, Aberdeen Asset Management Universitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boat Race. The University of Aberdeen is hoping to end a four year losing streak to rivals RGU. Now in its 21st year, the event also includes

second crew, alumni and media team races. More details from www.facebook.com/AAMBoatRace Pictured: Erin Wyness (RGU) and Ian Walker (University of Aberdeen), Boat club captains.

28 | ADVERTORIAL ADVERTISEMENTS

JUST GEMS LAUNCHES SPARKLING NEW JEWELLERY RENTAL SERVICE If there’s one day you want to sparkle, it’s on your wedding day. Unless you happen to be marrying Prince Harry, you probably don’t have access to a stash of sparkle or some gorgeous diamonds. Thanks to the new jewellery rental service from Just Gems in Cults, brides can now look a million dollars without spending it! Owner Helen Plumb, the internationally renowned gemologist and designer, explains, ‘Often brides don’t have the budget to buy real jewellery, but can’t find perfect costume pieces. We own all our own stock so we can offer a great selection of magnificent jewellery for hire, from classic diamond necklaces and earrings, to stunning opals, pearls and striking coloured stones. Designs range from the romantic Belle Époque era to exquisitely simple and modern pieces, so there’s something to suit every bride. The rental fee is just 15% of the retail price of the jewellery, and hires are for a week. There’s also a 20% refundable deposit. Think of it as a ‘something borrowed’ that’ll never make you blue.

In time, Helen plans to extend the rental service to black tie events, as well as working with brides to create bespoke pieces for hire. If you want to keep your jewellery, Just Gems will discount the price by the rental fee, making it a perfect anniversary gift, or heirloom.

Designs range from the romantic Belle Époque era to exquisitely simple and modern pieces, so there’s something to suit every bride.

When she’s not travelling the world sourcing exquisite gems for her shop, Helen works with clients to create bespoke designs, such as engagement rings and special gifts. ‘My experience, qualifications and reputation within the international gem trade means I can buy special stones much closer to their source, so my selling prices are often keener than the price many high street retail jewellers buy at!’ To view the rental collection or discuss bespoke jewellery, please contact Helen for an appointment.

322A North Deeside Road, Cults, Aberdeen AB15 9SE Tel: 01224 543717 info@just-gems.co.uk www.just-gems.co.uk

ADVERTISEMENTS | 29

WORDS BY LYNNE WORLOCK

1 | Clarins Rouge Eclat lipsticks offer more than just colour, they deliver real skincare benefits by protecting lips and visibly minimizing fine lines. The Nutri-Youth Complex protects lips against dehydration and boosts collagen, Vitamin E protects the skin and 100% plant waxes including mimosa, jojoba and sunflower provide instant comfort. The result is an intense and nourishing long lasting colour. What’s more, with a great selection of summer-ready shades including blush pinks, statement corals, hot fuchsias and soft nudes, there is a colour to suit everyone and any occasion. Clarins Rouge Eclat Lipstick £19.50

2 | The world’s most iconic multi-tasking balm, Eight Hour® Cream, is one of the most well-known beauty products with a cult following of celebrities and industry insiders. Continuing the brand’s heritage as a leader in multi-purpose beauty essentials, Elizabeth Arden introduces Eight Hour® Cream All-Over Miracle Oil, a new oil formulation for use on the face, body and hair. Providing luxurious, headto-toe conditioning benefits and clinically proven to moisturize for 8-12 hours, the Eight Hour® Cream All-Over Miracle Oil is designed for all skin types and is the perfect all-in-one skincare product. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour® Cream All-Over Miracle Oil £29

3 | From the creators of the ground-breaking bareSkin® Pure Brightening Serum Foundation comes the newest innovation in serum technology featuring light diffusing ingredients for exceptional luminous coverage. bareSkin® Complete Coverage Serum Concealer instantly covers the appearance of dark circles, discolouration and other imperfections for a beautifully even-toned complexion. This serum concealer provides weightless coverage that lasts all day. The silky smooth texture glides effortlessly over fine lines, leaving skin looking fresh and flawless. Bare Minerals bareSkin® Complete Coverage Serum Concealer £22

BEAUTY | 33

LYNNE WORLOCK, health and beauty sales manager at Debenhams Aberdeen has some top tips for the new year. ‘Debenhams Aberdeen offers customers a fantastic selection of makeup bag must-haves from top international beauty brands including Clarins, Estee Lauder, Urban Decay, Bare Minerals, YSL and Dior. ‘The start of the year is the perfect time to refresh your look and my favourite products for Spring are all about nourishing the skin, adding a subtle glow and injecting some colour into your look. Visit the beauty hall in Debenhams Aberdeen today to hear from expert makeup artists and skincare consultants on the new season beauty must-haves, the best products for you and your skin type and how to reinvent your look using just a slick of lip gloss, stroke of highlight or flick of liner’.

4 | This is the ultimate eyeshadow palette for Spring. The Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons palette includes 16 matte and shimmer shades in cool pops of colour, sugary brights, and beautiful go-to neutrals, all infused with the chocolate-scented, antioxidantrich cocoa powder formula. Chocolate Bon Bons is the third palette in the bestselling Chocolate Bar Eye Shadow Collection and includes a Glamour Guide with three beauty looks to get you started, but with this combination of colours, the looks are limitless! Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons Eyeshadow Palette £39

5 | Following on from the hugely successful launch of the UD Gwen Stefani eyeshadow palette comes the hotly anticipated Blush Palette.Get Gwen’s glowing, contoured skin with six versatile shades of blush, bronzer and highlighter she can’t live without. All blushes come in the famed 8-hour formula ensuring long lasting colour for maximum impact. Urban Decay UD Gwen Stefani Blush Palette £35

6 | The newest edition to the Hoola range, dew the Hoola is a matte liquid bronzer that offers a year round glow without the shimmer. The smoothing effect and lightweight texture melt in for a natural, sun kissed look. This product is a summer holiday must-have and is also perfect for contouring under the cheekbones and along the jawline. Benefit dew the Hoola soft matte liquid bronzer £22.50

34 | ADVERTORIAL

Rebecca Carr is opening a brand new salon in Kintore that combines big city style with a friendly village approach, amazing staff and great value for money. Rebecca, who started out as a hairdresser’s Saturday girl when she was just 12, has seen her career take off, being involved in management and training at Toni & Guy and James Dun’s House, and working as a backstage stylist at London Fashion Week. Rebecca enthused, ‘I wanted to bring all the facilities and the skill level you’d find in a top city salon to Kintore, but with good value pricing. Everything, from our training, to our special ergonomic hair washing basins which we imported from Italy, to the expresso bar in reception is focused on giving our clients a fabulous cut, great colour and making their visit an enjoyable and rewarding experience’. The salon’s atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, with the stylists taking the time to understand what the client wants and adapting this to suit their lifestyles. Rebecca’s hand-picked stylists all come with impressive backgrounds; Becky and Kelsey

have worked in some of Aberdeen’s top salons, while Shannon trained at Vidal Sassoon in London. Further proof of Rebecca’s high quality hair services comes from Kerastase, who have appointed the salon as the first non-city hairdressers in the UK to use their products. You’ll also find Label M, the London Fashion Week favourite, L’Oreal Colour and INOA, the premium ammonia-free colour range which leaves no stains. With cuts from £35, a great reputation for colour and bridal hair, coffee and some yummy cake while your stylist works wonders, and even free parking outside, what are you waiting for?

Unit 1 Midmill Parade, Kintore AB51 0UY Tel: 01467 632865 info@rebeccacarrhairsalon.co.uk www.rebeccacarrhairsalon.co.uk

ADVERTORIAL | 35

An engagement ring represents a lifetime of commitment and at Finnies all of our engagement rings come with a complimentary clean and check service for life. The care and cleaning of your engagement ring is important; engagement rings are sentimental items and a big investment, as well as being stunning pieces of jewellery. With more than 50 years of service under his belt, Kenny is one of Finnies’ longest standing members of staff. Employed as their senior jeweller for many years, he still works four days a week despite officially having retired.

Responsible for cleaning, checking and taking care of the general maintenance of customers’ rings, he has expert knowledge on the upkeep of rings and ensures these prized possessions stay looking their best. Finnies recommends customers get their rings checked at least once a year. Even if they aren’t worn on a regular basis, it is important to look over claws and settings to ensure they are secure and the stone is sparkling. Even the most secure diamond settings may loosen over time, especially if extensively worn.

For more information visit www.finniesjewellers.co.uk

Whether you are travelling abroad for business or pleasure, before you go, visit the Aberdeen Travel Health Clinic at Charles Michie’s Pharmacy. Their qualified team of pharmacists and nurses can advise on a wide range of issues including the health risks of your destination, as well as the administration of any travel vaccinations and anti-malarials you might require. They are also pleased to announce the recently opened Yellow Fever Clinic- a welcome addition to their list of services.

If you need a new passport, pop in past and use their personalised passport photo service - perfect for all ages, especially babies and infants. There’s also a wide range of travel accessories such as mosquito repellents, mosquito nets, first aid kits and medical accessories.

For more information please visit Charles Michies Pharmacy, 391 Union Street, Aberdeen or call 01224 585312. www.michies.co.uk

TRAVEL WISE TRAVEL WELL

URBANCLUB COMES TO TOWN When Lan Vu was uprooted from Australia to Aberdeenshire with her husbandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job, she decided to start her own fashion business. URBANCLUB.com went live last November, featuring desirable designs from seven hand-picked international designers, offering exciting, limited

Ruby Tuesday Hair & Beauty

Ruby Tuesday @ Bankhead

Unit 5, Jesmond Drive, Bridge Of Don 01224 707770

7 Greenburn Road, Bankhead 01224 712834

NEW SALON COMING SOON AT LOIRSTON AVENUE, COVE BAY

www.rubytuesday-hairandbeauty.co.uk

edition, high quality products to consumers on a convenient online platform. Lan Vu plans to visit London Fashion Week and other industry events to expand the designers she showcases on URBANCLUB this year. www.urbanclub.com

Unit C, Burnside, West High Street, Inverurie Tel: 01467 621722

38 | ADVERTORIAL

Our corner of the world has a long history of distilled spirits, but for the past century, the city hasn’t had its own gin distillery. Porter’s Gin is a premium boutique gin which has been lovingly crafted by Ben Iravani, owner of Orchid and 99 Bar and Kitchen, alongside Josh Rennie and Alex Lawrence.

The Porter’s Gin team started to develop their new tipple with the end point - a world class, smooth gin with a citrus twist - firmly in mind. Ben explained, ‘We all have experience in the drinks industry which allowed us to critically analyse the gins currently on the market, before setting out to create Porter’s Gin. We have combined modern and traditional distillation methods to create a very distinctive and unique tasting product’.

for the lighter, fresher flavours derived from a selection of botanicals including pink peppercorns and Buddha’s hand, a citrus fruit grown in China.

‘We recently set up our own city centre micro-distillery, but we spent a long time - and we’re talking years rather than months - working to perfect Porter’s Gin. We stuck to the principle that every botanical should be used for a precise reason.’

You can experience Porter’s for yourself at Orchid or 99 Bar and Kitchen, or purchase a bottle from Fountainhall Wines or Dunnottar Wines and Spirits in Stonehaven, The Whisky Shop on Union Street, Rye & Soda, The Hammerton Store, Wine Raks, Borsalino in Peterculter, The Inverurie Whisky Shop or Deeside Drinks Emporium in Banchory, or online through Masters of Malt.

The distinctive gin is crafted using a unique fusion of traditional pot still distillation to bring out the best in the bold juniper body, melded with a cold distilling process

Porter’s Gin is named in honour of Professor Porter of Aberdeen University, who assisted the team to source their cold distillation equipment, which imbues the final product with its distinguished citrus flavour profile.

www.portersgin.co.uk

WIN TICKETS TO GUYS AND DOLLS AT HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE Here’s your chance to treat a friend to an amazing night out at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen. We have two pairs of tickets to the superb musical Guys and Dolls. This Chichester Festival Theatre production, based on the colourful stories by American journalist Damon Runyon, is currently wowing West End audiences and will be coming to HMT from 5-9 April. The all action Prohibition era musical features a host of toe-tapping tunes and superb choreography. Add in an

entertaining tale from Damon Runyon, a cast of gangsters and gamblers, an altar-avoiding fiancé, a nightclub singer and the Salvation Army and you have a great evening’s entertainment. Visit www.trendmagazine.co.uk and answer this question to enter:

Whose stories are the basis for the musical Guys and Dolls?

The Spruce Almighty is a drink that was developed while creating Orchid’s winter menu. As few things grow in Scotland during the winter, it is often difficult to obtain fresh or foraged ingredients, so we made a cordial with spruce needles. The drink itself is a citrusy, evergreen and earthy drink that is easy to drink and fun to order! www.orchidaberdeen.com

INGREDIENTS 35ml Rhubarb & Ginger Vodka 15ml Cocchi Americano 25ml Norwegian Spruce Needle Cordial 15ml Lemon Juice 2 dash Dr. Adam Elmegirab’s Dandelion & Burdock Bitters 15ml Egg White

When it comes to amazing wedding hair, Sarah Jane of Salon 70 is the brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best friend. For the past 15 years, Sarah Jane has travelled to homes and venues and all over Scotland to make sure her bridal clients and their wedding party all look their best on their special day. Sarahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work is often featured in wedding magazines.

The service starts with a comprehensive consultation and a couple of trials at Salon 70 on Great Western Road, where Sarah Jane leads the accomplished team. You can even arrange a Hen Party package with some fizz! Tel: 01224 573727 ProfessionalStylingBySarahJane

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33 Exchange Street, Aberdeen AB11 6PH T: 01224 571771 Dining 12 - Late Tues to Sat www.musaaberdeen.com

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Apply online to enter your business for this years Life With Style Awards in any of the following categories: RETAILER OF THE YEAR

EXCELLENCE IN HAIRDRESSING

THE COMMUNITY AWARD

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For information on entry requirements, tickets and sponsorship packages please email events@trendmagazine.co.uk or call 01224 596223.

WORDS BY EMMA LEIPER FINLAYSON

FOOD & DRINK | 45

The Atholl Hotel Perched regally along King’s Gate, the stately Atholl Hotel immediately impresses. Inside it looks, and tastes, just as good. Boasting an extensive menu of delectable traditional dishes, the classy and homely Atholl offers something for every discerning palate. Meat lover? Fantastic. Vegetarian? No problem. Gluten free? Of course! You’ll literally have to use your gut instinct when ordering your meal in the Atholl, there is so much to choose from. For starters, my friend opted for the watermelon, feta cheese and red onion salad. What arrived was a bowl of Spring, fresh and lush, with the black pepper giving it that extra little kick. Before I could get food envy, I tucked into my own tasty game terrine. Embellished with cranberries and topped with a side salad, the accompanying sweet chilli compote gave the dish a subtle but zesty spice. After our plates were cleared by the attentive waitress, we were pleasantly surprised by the generous portions for our main courses. My roast rib of beef was a rich undertaking of prime Scotch beef with vegetables, roast potatoes, and the lightest and fluffiest of Yorkshire puddings, which I couldn’t finish

(I had my eye on dessert). My friend’s chorizo stuffed chicken breast was likewise a feast for the eyes and the belly. Served wrapped in bacon, the chicken with its tomato and red pepper puree combo was a winning mix. The best however, was truly left till last. My friend’s crème brûlée gave a satisfying crack as she delved into the lemony goodness, summing it up neatly with the word ‘amazing’. My own dessert of strawberry and vanilla ice cream with kiwi sorbet tasted entirely of Summer. It was positively delicious and as I heartily tucked in, the old adage came to mind: ‘Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first’. Wise words I’ll remember for my next visit to the Atholl Hotel!

54 King’s Gate, Aberdeen AB15 4YN Tel: 01224 323505 www.atholl-aberdeen.co.uk

DEESIDE GUEST HOUSE LYS-NAGREYNE WINS 5 STARS AND TASTE OUR BEST AWARD A luxury Edwardian granite guest house on the banks of the River Dee has achieved the 5* Quality Assurance guest house award from VisitScotland. LysNa-Greyne is owned by Garry and Joyce Welsh, who were also the winners of a Taste Our Best award. Built in 1912 for Sir Francis Outram Bt, Lys-Na-Greyne is nestled in the tranquil wooded conservation area at the west end of Aboyne. For more information, visit www.lys-na-greyne.com

CLEAR OUT FOR A GOOD CAUSE This February, you can donate any good quality outgrown or unwanted children’s clothes at Aberdeen’s JoJo Maman Bébé store in the Bon Accord Centre. The clothing, for children up to six years, goes to help those in need in the UK and Syrian refugee children living in Lebanon, as part of the store’s From A Mother to Another campaign. Find out more at www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

CALA HOMES SAY ‘IT’S TIME TO MAKE YOUR MOVE’ The New Year is traditionally a time for looking ahead and what better way to start afresh than with a brand new home. Home builder CALA Homes says, ‘Factors such as better mortgage availability, more government schemes to help buyers

and continuing low interest rates, mean that if you want to move, now could be the ideal time to do it’. CALA Homes is currently offering tailored incentives, including part exchange, at its developments across Aberdeen. www.cala.co.uk

LOCAL DECORATORS MARK THREE YEARS OF APPRENTICESHIPS An Aberdeenshire painting and decorating firm R. Davidson & Partners, has clocked up three years of supporting younger workers through its apprenticeship scheme. The Banchory based firm has taken on fifteen apprentices between the ages of 16 and 21 since initiating the scheme. All the apprentices spend part of the week attending North East Scotland College. The firm hopes to take on another six apprentices this year. www.rdbanchory.co.uk

TESSA ENJOYS OVERSEAS SUCCESS WITH ELEMENTS CANDLES Local author and renowned perfumery expert Tessa Williams’ superb scented candle range is going from strength to strength with new stockists in Los Angeles and London. As the author of Cult Perfumes, Tessa has developed a gorgeously complex and rounded range of candle scents based on Air, Water, Earth and Fire, in conjunction with Ellon based Scent Perfique. The range is also available from Inverlochy Castle, Greywalls Hotel and the Highland Chocolatier in Grantully. You can also purchase them from www.tessawilliams.com

Win a bottle of Gordon Castle Gin Six lucky readers will each win a bottle of Gordon Castle Scotland’s delightful small batch premium gin - the perfect drink for spring and summer. foods and a premium bath and beauty collection, homewares and seasonal gifts. The full range of Gordon Castle Scotland products are available online at www.gordoncastlescotland.com

Gordon Castle Gin is produced in limited small-batch editions, beautifully packaged with a crisp, elegant taste and hints of mint and lavender. The estate also offers luxury

Which clan is associated with Gordon Castle Estate?

competition

The Gordon Castle Estate, traditional home of the clan Gordon, nestles on the banks of the Spey just 90 minutes from Aberdeen, and is well worth a visit. Wander through the huge Walled Garden, which supplies the botanicals that make Gordon Castle’s gin so special, before popping into the charming Walled Garden café.

To enter, go to www.trendmagazine.co.uk and answer this question:

February can be a pretty gloomy month, but there’s a bright festival bringing some spectacular light installations to the city from February 11 to 14. Now in its third year, SPECTRA is paying homage to the Scottish Year of Innovation, Architecture & Design by taking the theme ‘Spark of Inspiration.’

There will be works from major international artists alongside installations from local creative groups, all incorporating sound and light. Many of the exhibits are fully interactive, allowing visitors to play and become part of the installation fun whether you’re nine or ninety!

You’ll find SPECTRA across a variety of city centre locations including Union Terrace Gardens, St Nicholas Kirkyard, Marischal College and Seventeen, the gallery space on Belmont Street. The festival will feature major public realm and gallery installations alongside new experimental works from the creative community and a programme of family activities.

www.spectraaberdeen.com

The Dormouse & Teacupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Birthday WHO: The Dormouse & Teacup WHAT: The Dormouse & Teacup treated friends and customers to celebrate their first birthday. Guests enjoyed discounts, face painting as well as a Junior Bake Off. WHERE:West High Street, Inverurie Euan, Claire, Michael, Irene & Ciarra Murphy

Hannah Strachan & Lynn Andrew

Dianne & Stephen Watt

Helen & Alastair Tarvet

Ethan Ritchie & Abby Mutch

Krzysztof Zielinski, Sarah-Jane Bennison & Iwona Zielinska

Megan Astrachan, Lucy Mcleod, Erin Trail, Orianne Watt & Neve Aubrey

ADVERTISEMENTS | 49

Dougal Morgan & Margaret Bocher

Colin & Alison Maver with Helen & Dr Malcolm Valentine

Emma Mckay, Jacqui Mitchell & Sarah Brown

Allison Mclean & Yousef Al-Obaidi

Jennifer Sudder & Claudia McWhirter

Lyn Sutherland, Sarah Grant & Karen Munro

Bassam Alkari, Helen Dow & Amir Tadros

Rebecca Robertson, Nicola Mcrobb & Alice Robertson

< Dr David Cooper, Dr Lynsey Myskow & Derek Veitch

YourGP opens WHO: YourGP WHAT: Staff and guests celebrated the opening of Aberdeenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest private practice, YourGP. WHERE: Albyn Lane, Aberdeen

MURRAY CHEYNE OF

The Terrace Lounge

Meet Murray Cheyne, head chef at The Terrace Lounge in Aberdeen’s Great Western Hotel... ‘I’ve been cooking for 25 years and I’ve been the head chef at The Terrace Lounge, for the past three years or so. I’ve also become a part-owner in the business. I know quite a few chefs fall into cooking by chance, but I got into it at school and couldn’t wait to leave so I could go to college to learn more about food. After my training, I started in the kitchens at Maryculter House.

‘We have quite a small team, given that the restaurant is so popular with locals and hotel residents. All the staff work really well together. Even now, I love the buzz of a busy, well-organised kitchen! ‘Our menus are quite traditional, but with a modern approach. We concentrate on favourite dishes done well, combined with weekend specials that let all the chefs try out their ideas.

...I love the buzz of a busy, wellorganised kitchen!

‘We’re open every day for breakfasts, lunch and dinner and we also cater for functions in the restaurant, so the kitchen’s pretty busy. During a shift, I just grab a quick snack - it’s a matter of sticking whatever’s on the go in a toasted ciabatta. Anything but goats cheese works for me! ‘Away from the kitchen, I’m busy getting ready to move into our new house with my

FOOD & DRINK | 51

partner Wendy. She’s a QHSE manager and does some of the cooking at home. I’d have to say she’s a pretty good cook! ‘My other passion is my motorbike. I’ve been into bikes since I was 15 and I find going on a run with a few mates is a great way to

Our menus are quite traditional, but with a modern approach. We concentrate on favourite dishes done well, combined with weekend specials that let all the chefs try out their ideas.

WOOD PIGEON WITH CREAMED KALE & BLACK PUDDING BON BONS

escape the pressures of the kitchen. I’ve got a BMW S1000R at the moment and I’m out on it as much as I can’.

Ingredients (Serves 2) > 4 wood pigeon breasts > 2 slices of black pudding > 1 egg (beaten) > 50g flour > 100g breadcrumbs > 100ml double cream > Generous handful of curly kale, chopped > Salt and pepper > Knob of butter > Splash of oil Method 1 | Pre heat your oven to 180 degrees. 2 | Cut the slices of black pudding in half and mould into ball shapes. Roll the balls in the flour, then egg wash then the breadcrumbs. Place on a tray and put in the oven for 8-10 minutes. 3 | Heat a small sauté pan and then add your oil and the pigeon breasts and fry for 1-2 minutes on each side and season. Place in the oven for 3-5 minutes depending on how well you like it cooked. Rest and slice. 4 | Heat a small pan and add the butter and then the kale and season, cook for a couple of minutes and then add the cream and reduce down. 5 | Place the creamed kale in the centre of your plate and the sliced pigeon on top and black pudding bon bons at the side, garnish with fresh herbs.

LAUNCH OF EXECUTIVE 5 BEDROOM SHOWHOME AT MILLTIMBER WEST, ABERDEEN Quality, stylish design, a location that’s hard to beat and a specification second to none...welcome to Milltimber West, Bancon Homes’ prestigious development of only eight contemporary five bedroom villas, all setting new standards in executive living. Nestling in the exclusive suburb of Milltimber, only a few miles from Aberdeen city and with a wealth of amenities within walking distance, this development offers luxury in abundance with a superior platinum specification that has been carefully considered and designed ensuring it exudes premium quality and the latest design features. Bancon Homes are delighted to announce the unveiling of the much anticipated five bedroom Craigievar showhome at the development. Expanding to some 2390 square feet, the Craigievar features a host of beautiful interior trends to show the property off to its full potential. On the ground floor the property’s crowning glory is its large family living room which has been designed using contemporary grey tones to create an elegant and luxurious look. The stylish dining room is decorated in subtle aubergine combining luxurious textures to added effect. The bespoke designer kitchen by Kitchens International features stylish cabinets, granite worktops, LED mood lighting and a range high quality appliances and Quooker hot tap - all combine to create a state-of-the-art space.

The property boasts five generous double bedrooms, two with their own en-suite. All the bedrooms have been decorated using hints of on trend colours and some new combinations to create impact. The master bedroom, with en-suite bathroom, fabulous walk

a haven of comfort and elegance with a designer touch. As well at the Craigievar, Milltimber West features a further two executive house styles, both varying in size and layout and by making one your new home you will already have made the decision that you want the very best. From the moment you step inside the showhome you will enjoy the feeling of luxury complemented by Bancon Homes’s premium platinum specification, attention to detail and inimitable style. Not only will Bancon Homes provide you with stunning indoor space at Milltimber West, they will also extend it to an amazing outdoor space. Every new home comes with a beautiful landscaped garden that has been carefully designed and planned with their team of specialised landscape and garden designers to create a guaranteed ‘wow’ factor. Each plan has been tailored to suit your individual needs and create the perfect outdoor space for you to enjoy for years to come.

in dressing area and contemporary wardrobes by Kelvin, is a key feature of this property oozing boutique inspired luxury, combining flavours of greys and aubergine across wallpaper and fabrics to create

Milltimber West is now released for sale. To find out more about the exclusive villas, visit the showhome from 11.00am to 5.00pm Thurs - Mon, call 01224 733385 or visit the website www.banconhomes.com

ADVERTISEMENTS | 53

If you’ve ever wanted your own peaceful space, a place to indulge in your hobbies, a den for exiling the kids or if you just need a place to store all your tools and gardening equipment, then we have the ideal prize for you. Thanks to Cordiners - the oldest family-owned business in Aberdeen, dating back to 1870 and currently run by Stuart Cordiner, the great-greatgrandson of the founder - we have an amazing shed up for grabs. The shed will be a 6 feet by 4 feet wooden garden shed with a felt roof. The shed is manufactured from high quality timber by the Cordiners Services team in Aberdeen and will be stained the winner’s choice of green or brown. The winner will need to provide a suitable flat base for the shed, but Cordiners’ expert staff will provide delivery and installation, leaving you free to enjoy your new space. As you might expect from a company which holds a Royal Warrant, Cordiners is renowned for its friendly and helpful expertise. The staff are always happy to

steer you towards the right products for your project, whether it’s a new log cabin, mellow wooden flooring or DIY raised beds for the garden. The indoor showroom is just three minutes from Union Square, with plenty of parking and an impressive display of sheds, fencing and decking, as well as all types of timber. If you need wood, there’s no better place to go. Since the shop is open to the trade and public alike, prices are competitive, and the newly launched Cordiners Services offers painting and installation services to help you finish the job. To enter, go to www.trendmagazine.co.uk and answer this question:

When were Cordiners founded?

Cordiner House, Crombie Place, Aberdeen AB11 9PJ Tel: 01224 877611 info@cordiners.com Open: Mon - Fri: 7.30am - 5pm, Sat: 8am - 12noon www.cordiners.com

The Scottish Government’s new proposals aimed at regulating the cosmetics intervention industry in Scotland do not go far enough to offer any real protection should something go wrong with treatments, it is claimed. Non-surgical treatments such as fillers, Botox and skin peels have seen huge growth. But it is still possible for unqualified people to administer these injectables despite possible damage and dangerous side effects. While some of these are prescription drugs, non-regulated cosmetic practitioners can get block prescriptions from unscrupulous doctors who have never seen the patient and don’t know their medical history. The HIS proposal ‘presents a greater risk to public safety than the current landscape’ says industry watchdog Safe Face.

The proposal requires stringent standards for medical professionals, who are already strictly regulated. However it does nothing to regulate non-medical practitioners despite complications and treatment errors caused by these providers being significantly more frequent. Private medical practices such as YourGP are an ethical and medically based service with all the governance that is assured from the GMC. ‘The medical cosmetics market is not regulated,’ said Dr Myskow, Medical Director at YourGP, ‘and this enables anyone anywhere to practice as an expert in an area where they have insufficient knowledge and training, often with serious consequences for the patient.’

6 Albyn Lane, Aberdeen AB10 6SZ Tel: 01224 040 080 aberdeen@your.gp www.your-gp.com

Private medical practices such as YourGP give you the assurance of being in professional and fully trained medical hands when undergoing cosmetic treatments.

MUCHACHO SET TO TRANSFORM ABERDONIANS INTO ‘MEX ADDICTS’ Aberdeen’s brand new Mexican street food destination, Muchacho, officially opens its doors this week bringing fresh and authentic flavours to the Granite City from its home on Rose Street. The Muchacho menu includes a variety of Mexican bases that can be packed with authentic and flavourful fillings. There is also a gluten-free ‘Naked Burrito’ available. The mouthwatering options include the adobo chicken filling, hand

rubbed with their own marinade and traditional chillies, and guerrero beef, which is slow cooked with garlic, jalapenos and lime juice. The street food takeaway also features a small seating area for customers who want to sit in and experience an even more authentic atmosphere, surrounded by the team of Latin and local staff and Mexican music. Muchacho is now open from 10am-10pm seven days a week. www.muchacho.co.uk

LITTER & LEADERSHIP Big Aberdeen is an increasingly dynamic movement led by ACVO to address the City’s challenges. A new project for 2016 and beyond, ‘Litter and Leadership’ is a new drive to inspire the business leaders of tomorrow to help clean up Aberdeen and deliver value to their communities. It is hoped that businesses will engage their teams in working with the school-age population and local environmental and community groups to reduce waste in our city. To find out more contact Alison Chandler at achandler@acvo.org.uk

56 | HOMES, GARDENS & INTERIORS

Transform your home with bespoke chic from Magda at Shades of Blue and Grey. Tap into her exquisite taste for home furnishings and team shop-bought pieces with a revamped antique favourite, reupholstered and repurposed with you in mind. Choose a colourway or fabric and let Magda guide you towards a truly stylish interior, without paying designer prices. Items pictured priced from ÂŁ6 to ÂŁ599. 281 Holburn Street, Aberdeen AB10 7FN

58 | ADVERTISEMENTS

competition

How do you fancy spending some time in Debenhams with your own personal shopper, choosing something special for your wardrobe, then having a makeover? How about taking home a hamper full of beauty products and all your new clothes and not having to pick up the bill? Our lucky winner will have £300 credit to spend on anything from a designer outfit for a special occasion, a capsule work wardrobe or just a perfectly fitting pair of jeans, boots and a snuggly sweater or two.

COMPETITION | 59

what will work for you. It’s a fashion miracle! Better yet, the service is always totally free and they are happy to advise whether you’re looking for just one item or a whole new wardrobe. You can sit with some refreshments in your personal shopping suite while they do all the hard work for you. It’s brilliant if you’re short on time, need a style update, or you’re just not too sure what to wear. There’s no obligation to buy and the staff are dedicated to finding clothes that flatter.

You can choose from Debenhams’ own labels or the Designers at Debenhams ranges including Betty Jackson, Jasper Conran, Savannah Miller, Matthew Williamson and Giles Deacon. You’ll find many of the best high street and high end brands all conveniently to hand too, including Wallis, Phase 8, Oasis, Warehouse, Coast, Topshop, Kurt Geiger and Dune.

Our winner will receive a makeup or skincare masterclass with a cosmetics house of their choice and a luxury beauty hamper worth £100, packed with goodies from a selection of brands in the beauty hall. To enter, go to www.trendmagazine.co.uk and answer this question:

Frankly, you’ll be spoilt for choice, but that’s where Debenhams’ brilliant personal shoppers come in so handy! The personal shopping team know everything that’s in stock, where the best bargains are and they understand

Name three designers who produce ranges for Designers at Debenhams.

Brighten up your home for Spring with Jane’s Interiors. Call our design team to book an interior design consultation at home or instore!

AT SHADES OF BLUE & GREY WE AIM TO TURN YOUR HOUSE INTO A COSY AND WARM SPACE YOU CAN CALL HOME. WE’RE HAPPY TO HELP YOU TRANSFORM YOUR OWN FURNITURE. WE ALSO ACCEPT PAINTING AND UPHOLSTERY COMMISSIONS.

ABERDEEN HOSTS UK FIRST TOPSIDES UK Topsides UK is Europe’s first and only exhibition dedicated to the late life extension of ageing topsides installations. The show is on 16 and 17 March 2016 at the AECC and will provide operators and the supply chain a platform to engage and to present case studies on techniques to enhance production, increase productivity and lower the operating costs of mature platform installations. The event, which is organized by Xcite Media will be opened by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen. For further information, visit www.topsidesuk.com or contact Mike Cramp on 01224 626000 or e-mail mike@xcitemedia.com.

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2016 OFFSHORE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

AECC’S SALES MANAGER WINS PRESTIGIOUS AMBASSADOR AWARD Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre saw one of its Sales Managers named Regional Young Ambassador at the Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards (ACSTA), which celebrate and recognise excellence in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Steve Daun, Sales Manager for Associations was recognised as a rising star in the tourism industry and will now go on to represent the North-east of Scotland at the Scottish Thistle Awards in March. www.aecc.co.uk

PLANNING GRANTED FOR FASQUE TAPI EXPECTING WALL TO WALL VILLAGE ECO-DEVELOPMENT SUCCESS IN KITTYBREWSTER

The unique development of Fasque Village, which will see the creation of 115 designled homes in the grounds of the historic Fasque Castle Estate in rural Aberdeenshire has been given the official go-ahead. Work will begin on the landmark lifestyle houses in February with the show-home expected to be ready for viewing in August. For further information, please visit www.fasquevillage.com

A new concept carpet company has opened a retail showroom in Kittybrewster Retail Park. Tapi, the brainchild of Martin Harris, son of ‘Carpet King’ Lord Harris is out to prove that flooring needn’t be boring. The store is designed to appeal to the 21st century shopper, with an uncluttered feel, clear pricing and an extensive choice of carpeting and flooring, as well as expert fitting and advice. www.tapi.co.uk

The shortlist for the 2016 Offshore Achievement Awards, sponsored by TAQA, has been announced. With approximately 100 entries received this year, a record since the awards were re-launched in 2011 by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Aberdeen Section. The line-up of finalists ranges from start-ups and specialist technology businesses, through to major service companies employing tens of thousands of people. For the full list of finalists www.spe-oaa.org

ITCA TRAINING CALLS ASKS LOCAL BUSINESSES TO SUPPORT THE TALENT OF TOMORROW The Kirkhill Industrial Estate based firm currently has three learners who need to carry out four-week work placements within companies in order to complete the Entry to Apprenticeship course (E2A).The E2A training initiative offers the first step hopefully to an apprenticeship programme, and is funded by the national skills body, SDS (Skills Development Scotland) employability fund. The course which lasts for 20 weeks, involves a mixture of classroom based studies and practical work, and ITCA urgently requires placements for three fabrication/welding learners. Contact www.itca-training.com

SKENE BUSINESS CENTRES EXPAND ON QUEENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GARDENS

Skene Business Centres have recently added to their portfolio of flexible office spaces, with an additional 18 offices providing around 50 desks, and a further 12 car parking spaces. Clients of the Business Centres can enjoy the facilities of a serviced or virtual office

including telecommunications, meeting spaces and security, all within easy distance of Aberdeenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s centre and the A90. For more information contact meaghan.cuthill@skenebusinesscentres.com

MOVE FAST ON BUY-TO-LET AND SECOND HOME PURCHASES Investments are uncertain, interest rates on savings are rock bottom and trust in shares is shaken. But the appeal of property as an attractive supplement to income or pension annuities endures. Budding property investors should make their move soon to strike the best deals on the market. Second homes and buy-to-let properties over £40,000 will be subject to a new charge equal to 3% of the purchase price from April 2016. Plus they will still have to pay the Scottish Government’s Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) introduced last year. There have been sweeping changes across the UK and Scotland over the last 18 months, with the introduction of UK Government stamp duty changes swiftly followed by the Scottish Government using its devolved powers to introduce the LBTT. Buyers of residential property at the higher end of the market will have noticed increased costs. The LBTT scheme means people in Scotland are paying more than their UK counterparts for properties in similar price bands. The latest changes will certainly add further expense. A breakdown of the financial repercussions of the Scottish Budget 2015 shows a

buy-to-let purchaser of a property at £200,000 pays £1,100 in LBTT. From April an additional £6000 will be payable on such a property, taking LBTT to £7,100. Aberdeen still has some of the highest house prices in the UK. This levy will not help a property market already feeling the pinch of the oil price downturn.

The Scottish Government has called the private rented sector ‘rapidly expanding’ and figures show there are now more than 300,000 landlords. That means 1 in 8 homes in Scotland is now buy-to-let. We still expect a flurry of activity in the run up to and throughout March. It could even match the spike of activity on higher end properties before LBTT was implemented last April. There are currently a large number of properties on the market in the Aberdeen and wider North-east and good deals are to be had on two-bedroomed flats in the city, often the most attractive propositions in the rental market. Prospective landlords who have done their sums will see savings of at least £3000 in this area of the country. I’ll be encouraging our customers to settle on their ideal investment property soon. We can then ensure they process their transactions in time, leaving more in the pot for furnishings and fixtures which can make all the difference in attracting desired tenants quickly. www.ledinghamchalmers.com

Nicola Reid is a partner in the Residential Property department at full-service law firm Ledingham Chalmers LLP.

WORDS BY NICOLA REID

66 | ADVERTISEMENTS

No matter how small your garden, there will be a tree that is appropriate in size and habit to suit and what better time of the year to plant than now, during the dormant season?

WORDS BY KIRSTY MCLEAN

HOMES, GARDENS & INTERIORS | 67

The structure that a tree or a collection of trees can bring to a space not only creates vertical interest but also a wonderful habitat for all sorts of insects and wildlife. The bark, shape, habit and blooms are so different from species to species and they all have their time and place to shine. The beauty of being able to plant out in the dormant season, which usually extends from mid-November to the end of March, is that at this time of year they can be planted bare root. Just as the term describes, these trees are lifted from the ground and their roots are bare. Generally, bare root trees are much cheaper than container grown but this condition only applies to deciduous species (a term describing trees and plants that drop their leaves), whereas

evergreen species will be root-balled at this time of year, meaning they will be lifted from the ground with the ball of soil around their roots intact. In both cases, they should be planted as soon as possible after lifting. Container grown trees can also be successfully planted at this time of year. As with bare root and root ball, this assumes that the ground is not frozen at the time of planting. For the smallest of gardens, if you have a warm sunny wall where there is a border, why not try espaliered fruit trees? You can buy fruit trees that are already trained onto a trellis or canes, they take up very little space and are relatively easy to keep. No wall or border? Then why not grow a tree in a container? As long as it’s the right size of container, many species are happy to be grown like this, such as Acer Dissectum or a weeping Cherry like Prunus ‘Kiku-shidare-zakura’. For most small gardens in the North of Scotland, any of the following would cut a dash whether planted as a single specimen or a carefully considered group: Hamamelis Mollis, Betula Pendula ‘Youngii’, Laburnum x watereri ‘Vossii’, Malus ‘Royal Beauty’, Sorbus ‘Vilmorinii’, ‘Joseph Rock’ or ‘Cashmiriana’, Prunus Amanogawa, Acer Griseum, Crataegus Leavigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’, Euonymus Europaeus, Exchorda Serratifolia ‘White Cloud’, Magnolia Stellata, Syringa Vulgaris.

The Aberdeen team at leading Scottish Law Firm Balfour+Manson prides itself in supporting clients through the entire process of any personal injury, medical negligence or employment claim. The Firm has developed significant experience in claims arising out of road traffic accidents, accidents in the work place, offshore or abroad, including aviation disasters. The Firm is also hugely experienced in acting for individuals in medical negligence claims, particularly arising out of complications during birth. Often a client seeking advice for a personal injury or medical negligence claim will

require employment advice and the Firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full compliment of personal injury and employment experts enables them to offer the best possible service. Balfour+Manson understands that no two claims are the same and offers a personal service tailored to individual clients during what are undoubtedly difficult and traumatic times in their lives.

CUE GETS FIRED UP FOR FIRST CUSTOMERS A leading Aberdeen-based food and drink group, Beetroot Restaurants Ltd. in partnership with flavour heroes Angus & Oink Ltd. have launched a new dining venture, introducing a new culinary concept to the city. CUE Barbecue, which was formerly The Courtyard restaurant, was under renovation for just over one month and reopens at the beginning of February. The restaurant will have a state-of-the art smoker, the only one of its kind in Scotland, allowing meat to be cooked ‘Low & Slow’. Families are welcome and under-fives eat for free. www.cuebbq.co.uk

HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR INTERNET CONNECTION? An internet connection is now just as important as heat and light to many homeowners, according to property portal www.newhomefinder.co.uk. According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, 84% of all households in Britain had internet access in 2014, up from 57% in 2006. Three quarters of adults accessed the internet every day and the figures are expected to rise. When buying a house, check the strength of the mobile phone signal and the broadband speeds in the area. This is especially important in rural areas. Speed is essential if you want quick download times and if your children like online gaming. You can check mobile coverage at www.ofcom.org.uk/mobilecoverage and broadband speeds can be checked via www.broadband.co.uk

trendy

competition

locations

Email us at trendylocations@ trendmagazine.co.uk with a picture of you holding a copy of Trend against the backdrop of your favourite holiday destination. Don’t forget to include your name and details of your trip. We’ll publish our readers’ most inspired pictures from domestic or overseas travels and the most ‘trendy’ contribution will receive a sleekster of chocolates from Hotel Chocolat to be enjoyed on return to Aberdeen.

winn er

Molly Baskerville, Eve Elsby & Jack Munro/ Tignes, France Ava McRae / New York City

DEBBIE NEILL EXHIBITION AT THE MILTON GALLERY

BRIDES-TO-BE ENCOURAGED TO RUN A FEW MILES BEFORE RUNNING DOWN THE AISLE Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV) is launching an innovative exercise club primarily aimed at bridesto-be. The Running Brides Club, which launched on Saturday 23 January, has been designed to assist brides-to-be to achieving their fitness goals. The group will meet every Saturday morning at 9am at ASV Sports Centre Reception, on Linksfield Road, and will be led by one of the centre’s professional trainers who will provide top training tips and nutritional advice to participants. Additional memberships include Mr and Mrs Fit, All about the Dress, Groom to Go and Fit Forever After. The Running Brides Club costs £30 for 10 sessions, and will run all year, so you can join at any time. www.aberdeensportsvillage.com

Debbie was a popular local artist who in the last five years saw demand increase for her work. Sadly she passed away last year, having lost her battle with cancer. Originally from South Africa, she settled in Scotland in 1997. She was an established local artist who painted local rural and city scenes, mainly in acrylics are of bright summer local landscapes, busy streets of Aberdeen and North East coastal harbours. This exhibition will include work from some of Debbie’s artist friends, Kanita Sim, Sandie Youngson, Sue Thornton, Alison Davidson and Elaine Thomson. The exhibition runs 23 January until 28 February 2016. www.miltonart.com

LITIGATION PARTNER AT ABERDEIN CONSIDINE SECURES COVETED LEGAL TITLE Leonie Donald has been awarded the Signet Accreditation, a specialist post-qualification honour for Scottish solicitors. Ms Donald, who is based at the firm’s Edinburgh legal headquarters in Canning Street, joins an exclusive club of just 21 commercial litigators to hold the accolade. The programme, which has now been running for eight years, is designed to test not only technical legal knowledge in a chosen practice area, but also skills that are vital for overall effectiveness from a client perspective. www.acandco.com

Thanks for guiding us through the process and helping to create a very polished and eye-catching product. Your production staff were proactive, creative and took genuine ownership of the task at hand. Good job...

BUSINESS | 73

GLENCRAFT SECURES DEAL WITH INDEPENDENT RETAILER TO STOCK PRODUCTS

L-R Celebrations of Turriff managing director Robert Stephen and Graham McWilliam, general manager at Glencraft

Aberdeen based Glencraft, manufacturer and supplier of bespoke and handcrafted beds and mattresses, has announced a key distributor agreement with Celebrations of Turriff. The agreement marks a step change in business strategy for the social enterprise, as Glencraft aims to collaborate with retailers to further reach consumers and showcase its products throughout the North-east and beyond. Glencraft’s general manager, Graham McWilliam said: ‘We feel this is a key collaboration for Glencraft. We aim to give the soundest nights’ sleep to as many people as we can and we’re sure that working with other well respected and trusted independent stockists is a way in which we can further grow awareness of our brand, the products we offer and our heritage.

Commenting on the agreement, Celebrations of Turriff managing director Robert Stephen said: ‘We strive to give our customers the greatest selection of high quality merchandise, and we’re proud to be a stockist of Glencraft’s beds and mattresses. ‘I was hugely inspired when I visited Glencraft’s factory - the level of craftsmanship that goes into making each and every bed is admirable and we are proud to support such a fantastic enterprise in the North-east.’ Glencraft has been producing a range of high quality, handmade products since 1843. As a registered charity all profits are re-invested to provide career opportunities for disadvantaged, disabled and visually impaired employees.

KMG Management the proven choice If there’s one thing that makes a great hotel, it’s excellent customer service. In a competitive job market, many hotels suffer from high levels of staff turnover or inexperienced management teams. That’s where Diana MacKenzie of KMG Management’s vast expertise can make the difference between an average hotel and a truly great one. ‘I started working as a waitress just before I turned sixteen and over the years, I worked my way up through various roles until I took a series of General Manager positions in Aberdeen and beyond,’ Diana noted. ‘I soon found my passion was helping to turn round team and individual performance, easing new management into their roles or providing interim

general management. So I started my own consultancy company providing bespoke advice for hotel owners, hospitality training, on the job training, troubleshooting and help for general managers. ‘Hotels are in my blood’, Diana continued, ‘I believe in quality, service and standards - the customer’s experience is of paramount importance, even more so in the age of social media. I love seeing people and businesses blossom’. When only the best customer service is acceptable, KMG Management is the proven choice. Tel: 07711 210410 Diana.MacKenzie10@btinternet.com

74 | ADVERTORIAL

In just seven short years, Entier has grown from a casual discussion over pre-dinner drinks, to a catering and housekeeping services company boasting over 750 staff worldwide and a raft of top notch corporate and personal clients. Along the way, their unique approach, known as the Entier Way, has seen them evolve into a company that puts people, service and quality at the heart of all its operations. As you’d expect, Entier works closely with corporate clients and public bodies, but the company also provides exceptional catering for weddings, private and corporate events and even has two wonderful eateries called FRESH providing locally sourced, freshly prepared business lunches daily.

Entier was founded in 2008 to bring a bespoke approach to creating exceptional food, investing in local communities and suppliers and putting their employees - the Entier family - at the heart of the business. When it comes to weddings and corporate events, Entier’s award-winning Executive Chef Bruce Lawrence meets with clients to plan the perfect menu to delight their guests. Whether it’s a simple buffet for ten or a perfectly presented wedding menu for hundreds,

everyone at Entier works tirelessly to make each event memorable. No detail is overlooked in pursuit of perfection. If Entier’s approach to food and customer service differentiates them from other companies, so does their approach to staff. The company selects staff based on their experience and passion for their industry. It shows. Entier chefs are award-winning and restaurant standard, with a previous chef of The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa and head chef of the acclaimed Moonfish Café amongst the ranks. At the recent Scottish Culinary Championships, Entier chefs swept the top three places in the Contract Chef of the Year category. So for your wedding, corporate or private event follow the Entier Way. www.entier-services.com

ADVERTISEMENTS | 75

competition We could all use a bit of a treat to set us up for Spring and with this amazing prize you’ll certainly look and feel wonderful. We have an overnight stay with breakfast for two at the five star Cameron House on Loch Lomond, as well as a fifty five minute treatment for you and your guest at the Carrick Spa, rounded off with a scrumptious dinner for two in the Boat House restaurant and a bottle of house wine. The Carrick Spa is a luxury award-winning spa on the stunning shores of Loch Lomond. With 17 treatment rooms, relaxation space and a luxurious couples’ spa suite, which includes a Rasul mud therapy chamber, a whirlpool bath and side by side treatment options.

The Carrick Spa has long been recognised as one of the country’s best destination spas and has a trophy cabinet to prove it! It has just been chosen as the Spa of the Year at the Scottish Hair & Beauty Awards. This is the sixth award that the Carrick has won in 2015, with other awards from The Spa Traveller, World Luxury Spa Awards and Luxury Travel Guide Global Awards. Our winner and their guest can spend the day at the spa, gazing at the impressive views over the hotel’s championship golf-course to Ben Lomond from the heated rooftop infinity pool, or just relax in the caldarium, therapy pools and infrared room. There’s an ice shower for the courageous or you could simply stroll round the loch or the marina, before dinner, then enjoy

a malt or two in the Great Scots Bar before retiring to your sumptuous loch view bedroom. Cameron House is truly special - somewhere to celebrate the best of life. To enter, go to www.trendmagazine.co.uk and answer this question:

How any awards did the Carrick Spa win last year? Cameron House, on Loch Lomond, Alexandria G83 8QZ Tel: 01389 755565 www.qhotels.co.uk

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WORDS BY TRACEY QUIN PERTH RACECOURSE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

As Thursday 12 May fast approaches, imaginations start to picture what this year’s outfit will consist of... colour, dress, hat, heels, clutch, shawl, maybe a fascinator or hatinator, maybe a skirt or culottes? The suspense will tease our brains until the outfit is complete, purchased and hanging in the wardrobe waiting for 12 May to arrive! Such excitement! Ladies Day at Perth Racecourse has been a longstanding favourite in many social calendars, so make sure it’s marked in yours! It is well known for an amazing display of the best in Scottish fashion, every year the ladies (and men) up the game, displaying ever more super-stylish and ultra-glam

looks, enjoying the sunshine, champagne and adrenaline-packed race day in style. Each year there is added excitement, whether it be a VIP Marquee with guest numbers reaching 1000, the topless butlers, an Italian accordion player serenading you during lunch, an Audi R8 or being chosen as The Grand Lady, taking home £1000 in cash. There will not be another Thursday in your calendar to top this. And that’s not even starting on the exuberant, exhilarating equine beauties that will be on show providing the action on the track, and hopefully earning you a new pair of Louboutins.

For the seventh year in a row our charity partner is Breast Cancer Now (previously Breakthrough Breast Cancer). No doubt those that have been affected by this disease will be delighted that this day out with the girls, full of fun, glitz and glamour, also consists of raising funds to help find a cure. Now most importantly, have you booked? For the third year in a row, Perth Racecourse have teamed up with the gorgeous girls at Trend to offer all you glamorous ladies a one stop shop from Aberdeen and these girls know how to party. So make sure you grab one of the sell-out spaces to secure the best seats in the house on our VIP Package.

Hospitality is always a sell out so make sure you book early. Gates open at 12 noon with sunshine, champagne, music, butlers, hospitality and a whole lot of fun throughout the day, including seven jump races from 2pm and carriages at 7.30pm.

BREAKFAST AT MALMAISON LUXURY COACH TRAVEL TO & FROM PERTH PIMMS RECEPTION ON ARRIVAL

Can’t wait to see your winning outfit for 2016! Let’s go girls!

www.perth-races.co.uk

TWO-COURSE LUNCH & MUCH MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT WWW.TRENDMAGAZINE.CO.UK

WORDS BY ALISON DANIELS

Learning holidays have become fashionable in the last few years. It’s all about picking up new skills in a convivial, unpressured environment, with good food and top class accommodation. You can learn almost anything - from Italian to opera, patisserie to path laying or yoga to yodelling (okay, maybe not yodelling...)

COOKERY IN UMBRIA How about heading to the sun-warmed slopes of Umbria to learn to cook a few gourmet dishes while exploring some of Italy’s best vineyards? The combination of luxury accommodation in an 18th century villa and spa, with days spent under the tuition of some of the region’s most accomplished chefs or exploring the local wine estates could be the break you’re looking for. There are three cookery classes over the week and two days dedicated to a wine tasting self-drive tour in Umbria and Tuscany. Flights aren’t included in the prices, which start around £800 per person, but you’ll come home with new skills, a book of recipes and an apron as a souvenir of your cookery holiday. www.golearnto.com has the details of this and many other learning holidays. PAINTING IN PORTUGAL Why not reconnect with your creative side on a painting break? Bettina Schroeder teaches small groups in Olhão, a picturesque Portuguese working town and fishing port in the Algarve, which

offers up a wide range of subject matter. The week long course also includes excursions to Culatra, Tavira, and the peaceful island of Armona. Bettina also offers courses on Scotland’s west coast at Brynaport, just across the water from the island of Skye. She has been teaching and running painting holidays for over two decades and is both supportive and encouraging of even the most inexperienced artist. www.art-holidays.com

TRAVEL | 81

PHOTOGRAPHY Wild Photography specialise in small group photography expeditions to some of the most dramatic landscapes and colourful cultures in the world. Demand is so high that some trips sell out within a day of launch, so registering your interest and booking well ahead is advised. You could find yourself shooting icebergs and Inuits in Greenland, surrounded by a riot of colour in Rajasthan, taking close ups at the Camel Fair in Pushkar or composing shots of Iceland’s wildlife. Closer to home, there are holidays in the west of Ireland or the Highlands to choose from, all under the guidance of amazing photography tutors, specialising in landscapes, seas or wildlife. www.wildphotographyholidays.com STAND UP ON SKYROS Drenched in Aegean sun, Skyros is a small Greek island where the concept of learning holidays began with yoga and wellbeing retreats. These days, the Skyros foundation hosts courses and

holidays spanning everything from salsa and singing glee clubs, to windsurfing and starting that novel you’ve talking about for the past decade. If you could use a laugh, one of the more unusual holiday options is Stand-up Comedy. For around £650- £700, plus your flights and transfers, you can learn some of the techniques employed by professional comedians to engage an audience, get them on your side and have them rolling in the aisles. There are classes on writing techniques, stage presence, keeping an audience in check, building performance skills and you can show off your skills to the rest of the participants. Your new skills could lead to a new career, or at least stop people sliding into a coma during your PowerPoint presentations. www.skyros.com Whatever you choose, you’ll come back refreshed and feeling creative. Isn’t that better than getting a bad case of sunburn on a crowded beach on the Costa del Sol?

I&K MOTORS: THE BETTER WAY TO BUY YOUR NEXT CAR After buying a home, a car is often one of the most expensive purchases we make. It should be a pleasurable experience, but many buyers find it frustrating. Since 1983, I&K Motors has always put the customer first. Managing director Steve Innes, I&K Motors, still selects each of the 300 or so vehicles on sale personally. Steve commented, ‘We have around 35 marques to choose from, covering everything from first cars, to family vehicles, sports cars to executive options and one of the biggest selection of automatics in the North-east.

as many vehicles as a customer likes, because the company are focused on building long-term relationships with their clients, often selling to three generations of the same family. I&K Motors can also source any new vehicle on your behalf, often at a more competitive price than a main dealership, particularly if you have desirable part-exchange vehicle.

‘We’re finding that 4x4 vehicles are becoming more popular. They are now far less cumbersome, with compact 4x4s like the Ford Kuga being excellent choices for the school run or commuting all year round.

I&K are also known for their excellent service department, as Steve explained, ‘We have a hard-earned reputation for expertise and customer service, so much so that we’ve recently expanded the department by bringing in an additional qualified mechanic and taking on an apprentice. We’re also finding that our ability to bulk buy tyres mean that customers travel to us from the city, to take advantage of our value for money pricing.’

The cars are arranged in price zones to facilitate easy browsing and there’s no pressure from I&K’s expert team. They are happy to discuss and demonstrate

Sales Centre | Highclere Business Park, Inverurie, AB51 5QW Tel: 01467 625522 Car Supercentre | Burghmuir Way, Inverurie, AB51 4FT Tel: 01467 624500 info@iandkmotors.co.uk www.iandkmotors.co.uk

ADVERTISEMENTS | 83

84 | ART ADVERTISEMENTS

ADVERTISEMENTS | 85

Local printmaker Martin Nelson’s draws on his fascination with maths and a keen sense of colour to produce bright works that are strong on design... ‘It took me a long time to go to art school. I was approaching 60 when I graduated with a sculpture degree from Grays in 2007, then I completed a Masters in Fine Art the following year. Now I work from my home studio in Drumlithie and my work is purchased by collectors all over the world.

‘Some people regard printmaking as the poor cousin of painting, but many great artists of the twentieth century adopted printmaking, especially screen print as their preferred medium. It’s one of the most hands-on artistic processes. I look to stimulate the brain as well as produce pieces that intrigue the viewer.

‘My creative process starts with an object formed in my head. From here, I’ll make multiple drawings that eventually lead to a concrete form - either a sculpture or a print. Nature exerts a continual influence over my work - even the most abstract constructions draw upon theories of growth for their forms. I think of my work as crossing the boundaries between sculpture and printmaking.

‘I have several exhibitions coming up this year. Starting with a solo show at Gallery 55 in Stonehaven from 11 March, then a group exhibition at Aberdeen’s NewWave Gallery. Then it’s NEOS and open exhibitions for the RSA and SSA.

‘Much of my work contains a strong geometric aesthetic. Geometry is unyielding in its discipline, there is no compromise, it is whole, complete, it is absolute and yet abstract. For me, numbers are the key to making sense of the world.

WORDS BY ALISON DANIELS

My work is also available from Peacock Visual Arts and Holburn Gallery in Aberdeen or directly from my web site. I’m also happy to work to commission if a collector has something specific in mind’. cowdenstudio@btinternet.com www.martinrnelson.com

86 | MUSIC

WORDS BY ALISON DANIELS

No one who encounters the Guarana Street Band’s infectious beats and sheer enthusiasm can fail to be impressed by the city’s most inclusive rhythm section. Since friends Ron Bird and Daran Gill first realised their dream of forming a band with samba drums back in 2003, the Guarana Street Band has brought joy to the lives of members and their audiences alike. Each year the band performs at around 80 events across the North-east of Scotland and beyond, bringing their energy to open days, festivals, charity events and private parties and have become a firm favourite during the annual Torcher Parade each spring. What makes the band really special is that it welcomes people of all ages and abilities to join in. It doesn’t matter if you are 4 or 104. Members range from retired librarians - no doubt keen to make a noise after years of silence - to children and adults with special needs. Drumming helps people to let off steam, but it also has some unexpected benefits, improving co-ordination, patience, attention span and personal interactions.

If drumming doesn’t appeal, the band also has a lively wind instrument section, including trumpets, clarinets, recorders, flutes, trombones and saxaphones. Beginners are soon caught up in Guarana’s weekly practice sessions at the Ashgrove Children’s Centre, quickly making new friends and being able to take part in social events. Members tend to come and go depending on their circumstances, with between 10 and 35 musicians taking part at any one time. Guarana’s work is supported by charitable donations, but it costs nothing to join and there are rehearsal sessions every Wednesday night, 5.30 to 7pm for junior band members and 7.30 to 9pm for the main band.

Tel: Ron Bird on 07813 924806

GuaranaStreetBand

WORDS BY ALISON DANIELS | 87 ADVERTISEMENTS

It’s not often you come across a book that genuinely surprises and involves you, even though you didn’t expect to enjoy it. This makes Granite Grit a rare literary debut. Left to my own devices, my only bookshelf violence tends to be the genteel murders of golden age detectives like Campion and Poirot or the wall-to-wall bloodshed of George R.R. Martin and Joe Abercrombie. It’s always well removed from everyday life. Yet for the characters who populate the pages of local fighter and writer Lee Cooper’s self-published novel, Granite Grit, violence is part of their everyday existence. Violence is both their damnation and, in some cases, their redemption. Even though I dislike novels set in the North-east because I find the familiar geography distracts from the story line, and I really don’t like boxing, I found Granite Grit engrossing. The short chapters and first-person account of a man, known only as Joe, who loses his job then his family as he faces up to his past and the sins of his father, compel you to read on. A downward spiral leads the demoralised Joe back to

boxing, drugs and alcohol in the hope of confronting his abusive father over the death of his mother. It’s a tale of broken families, broken lives and broken noses, filled with the kind of characters you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley. Some of the language used is startlingly authentic, and although there’s the odd spelling or grammatical error, it’s more a reflection of the characters’ milieu than an irritation. The author’s background as a fighter lends verisimilitude to the fight scenes, which are sometimes as painful as Joe’s honest account of his actions and feelings. Add in a knockout plot twist at the end and this one’s definitely a contender! Available from Amazon.co.uk, Waterstones and Blackwell University Stores in Kindle and Paperback. Lee Cooper Author www.leecooperfighterwriter.co.uk

We have three copies of ‘Granite Grit’ up for grabs for three lucky winners. Enter to win online at www.trendmagazine.co.uk

WORDS BY ALISON DANIELS

DESIGN | 89

A chance encounter with a dead pheasant started Stonehaven’s Liz Phillips on a whole new career. ‘I guess I could be described as unusual! One moment I can be driving a tractor, or feeding the sheep on the family farm and the next, I’m in my studio, making something unique and beautiful. I’ve always been obsessed with making things,’ Liz enthused. ‘I trained in Retail Display at Aberdeen College, which allowed me to exercise my imagination in designing memorable, eyecatching window displays and then have the excitement and challenge of bringing them to life. Sparkling castles, icy lakes and giant apples are amongst many of the props which I made over fifteen years ago. Some are still in use in Aberdeen high street shops today. ‘I use the same principles in my designs for ‘Exclusively Liz’. It’s very important to me that everything I make is original and unique. It must look beautiful, invite the viewer to touch it and marvel at the beautiful colours. It also has to stand the test of time. ‘In an age of mass production, there are many customers who appreciate the individuality of a hand crafted piece. When viewing one of the signature pieces, a huge pheasant feather mirror, I can’t help but feel incredibly proud when I consistently get the same reaction from people, ‘That’s stunning, I’ve never seen anything like it before’. And it’s true, there is nothing else like them! ‘It started when I found a dead pheasant one day and I made a mirror with its feathers. I could see the concept had potential! Over a period of two years, whilst working on the farm and looking after my two children, I collected materials - all natural and local - driftwood from Stonehaven beach, feathers from local shoots, and sheep and stag ‘found skulls’, from the nearby hills. I experimented, and perfected my designs and techniques, until I felt I’d achieved something fairly special - a breath-taking

range of incredible feather mirrors, driftwood mirrors, feather lampshades, decorated skulls, necklaces and fascinators. I’m still finding new and unusual applications for feathers - most recently handbags and shoes which look stunning and are highly individual. ‘Once I’ve created a new design, I test it for functionality. As well as looking beautiful, the shoes must be able to be worn and walked in, a fascinator has to be secure and comfortable for a whole day, and the glass in the feather mirrors has to be easy to clean without damaging the feathers (a clever design feature allows the mirror to be easily removed for cleaning, also enabling the feathered part to become a wreath). Whilst I’ll claim to be inventive and creative, I have to acknowledge that my IT skills are appalling! Having only had a Facebook page for people to see my designs, ‘Exclusively Liz’ has been a well kept secret. However, www.exclusivelyliz.com is now under development by BrandHouzz, to create a new website, allowing the possibility to view and purchase items online. In addition to the range I also do commissions. I love making special bespoke pieces for clients, whether it’s customising a pair of shoes with feathers, an ‘over the top’ theatrical fascinator, a stag skull embellished with Swarovski crystals, a feather lampshade, or the absolute show stopper - a large feather mirror. After initial communications with the client to ascertain what’s required, I send photos as the project develops, thus keeping the client fully involved in the creative process. Seeing those uniquely personal items give clients pleasure is enormously rewarding. liz@exclusivelyliz.com Exclusively Liz - Liz Phillips www.exclusivelyliz.com

90 | FAMILY ADVERTISEMENTS

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At Skydive St. Andrews, located at Fife Airport in Glenrothes, the highly experienced team strikes that perfect balance. After a full briefing that conveys both how much their instructors know and how little you are expected to know, the jumpers are asked to suit up and wait their turn.

For the first 44 years of my life, I had a very consistent relationship with skydiving - I was terrified of it. My parents had made sure of that by placing it firmly into the same category as other activities they disapproved of, like swimming with sharks or swallowing fire. So when my own son asked if I would consent to him doing a tandem skydive, I had to do some serious soul searching. The decision to strap yourself , or in my case my first born, to another human who will hurl your body out of an open airplane and keep you company as you plummet 10,000 feet at speeds of up to 120 miles per hour is not one to be taken lightly. The key is finding an instructor who can impart all of the necessary points about technique and safety, while striking a balance with reassurance and some sense of fun.

As I watched the plane take off with my son in it, a lifetime of fear gave way to the excitement that must drive everyone who straps on a parachute. After 30 minutes, I heard the buzz of the plane above then watched in awe as a small speck broke through the clouds followed by an explosion of colour and then a familiar voice rose through the air, cheering at the fulfilment of a long-time ambition. As they landed precisely and gently where they intended to, I could literally see that we had made the right decision. My relationship with skydiving has definitely changed. I dare not tell my parents, but I would consider jumping myself. Maybe someday, and definitely at Skydive St. Andrews. Tel: 01592 882400 www.skydivestandrews.co.uk

92 | ADVERTISEMENTS

The Salvation Army has existed in Scotland since the late 1800s, spreading north from London not long after being founded by Methodist minister William Booth. As the name implies, Booth and his army of volunteers sought to bring salvation and hope to the impoverished members of society through their charitable and faith-based endeavours. Today, the Salvation Army is a popular Christian church and one of the largest and most trusted charities in the world, with over one and a half million members and four and a half million volunteers. In Aberdeen, its presence has long been felt throughout the city but nowhere more than in the Citadel.

Originally designed to resemble Balmoral Castle, the Citadel underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment project in 2006 which took two years to complete and which brought the interior into the modern era without compromising either the original architecture or the mission of the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inhabitants. Today, the inside boasts a state-ofthe-art Worship Hall, a conference centre, and a bright street-level cafĂŠ with sweeping views of the Aberdeen bustle.

The Salvation Army Citadel, one of the most recognised landmarks in Aberdeen, towers above the city at the upper end of Castlegate. Standing where the ruined medieval Aberdeen Castle once stood, the Citadel has called this prized location home since being erected in 1896 and since that time has been the hub of the organisationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities in the North-east.

At the heart of this great structure though, is the work of the group itself. Hosting a full programme of community events and weekly worship sessions, the Citadel may be bricks and mortar but it is alive with the same purpose that the Salvation Army was created to fulfil - to save and serve those in need. www.salvationarmy.org.uk

Finnies the Jeweller was delighted to give Trend readers the chance to win a sought after WOLF single watch winder last year. The lucky winner was Richard Forte, who was presented with his prize by Matthew Finnie, director at Finnies. Watch winders have been growing in popularity, with the WOLF model in particular a bestseller for the family firm.Richard’s WOLF prize is constructed with a sturdy wooden frame in a supple black pebble textured material, with a silver textured silk faceplate and shiny chrome hardware.

ABERDEEN BISTRO WELCOMES TV’S HARDEEP SINGH KOHLI TO THEIR KITCHEN Merchant Bistro s looking forward to welcoming TV’s Hardeep Singh Kohli to cook with them on Valentine’s Day. Mr Kohli, who has appeared on Celebrity MasterChef, Question Time and Children in Need’s Celebrity Apprentice, initially responded to a Tweet from Julie McNeil of Merchant Bistro. This led to him visiting the bistro and loving what they do so much he decided to cook with them. They have created the unique ‘Correction Curry’ event, named after the bistro’s location on Correction Wynd. For more information contact Julie McNeil 07753 694408 julie@merchantbistro.com www.merchantbistro.com

THE MAINS OF DRUM WIN UKWIDE AWARD RSPB LOOKING FOR DOLPHINWATCH VOLUNTEERS IN ABERDEEN

Matthew Finnie presenting Richard Forte with his prize

The Dolphinwatch project aims to build a team to help interact with visitors and enthuse them about nature and RSPB Scotland’s conservation work. Volunteers will receive training from RSPB Scotland, in addition to a day’s training by Whale and Dolphin Conservation on how to identify common cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) found along the Scottish coast and how to collect data by carrying out their regular ‘Shorewatch’ cetacean surveys during Dolphinwatch. For more information kirsty.nutt@rspb. org.uk 01224 624824. www.rspb.org.uk

The Mains of Drum Garden Centre & Restaurant have once again hit the headlines winning top prize at the The Greatest Christmas Awards. They received the Gold Award for Christmas Catering and the judges were particularly impressed by the use of local produce and home-cooked festive menu, choosing the Mains of Drum from 117 nominated establishments. www.mainsofdrum.co.uk

WORDS BY ROBIN MILLER

Students may be able to get away with living in one pair of trainers, but the stylish man assembles a collection of footwear to meet every eventuality. Luckily, a manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shoe wardrobe doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to be extensive to be versatile. It comprises four cornerstones; a cap toe Oxford, a long wing brogue, a Chelsea boot and a canvas or leather trainer. If you have the budget or the space you can add a boat shoe, a suede loafer, a double monk strap shoe and a technical trainer.

The cap toe Oxford is a classic shoe, well served for the office and more formal occasions. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best suited in black to compliment the darker notes of office attire or a black tie ensemble. A long wing brogue is timeless. Chocolate brown will work well with a blue or grey suit, or jeans. A black or brown Chelsea boot is a classic winter option, great with slim jeans, tailored trousers or a tweed suit. Try to colour match your belt and your footwear for a pulled together look. A plain white canvas or leather trainer is a perfect summer companion for chinos, jeans, shorts and tailored linen trousers. Avoid garish patterns and colour to maintain a clean look, or try a boat shoe instead. Look for a double monk strap shoe to lend weight to a business suit or dress up jeans. A suede loafer is a smarter summer choice with skinny jeans or tailored shorts and a lightweight technical flyknit trainer is perfect for the gym or travelling. Looking after your shoe collection is essential. Use a neutral wax to keep leather in top condition and dry brush suede regularly. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just heap your shoes in a cupboard or under the bed, use cedar shoetrees help maintain shape and stop the development of creases. The world is now at your feet. 01 | Topman 02 | Jacamo 03 | Office 04, 05, 06 & 07 | Dune 08 | Office 09 | Dune

Entier Shine Awards WHO: Entier Ltd. WHAT: Entierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Shine Awards saw 160 employees and suppliers celebrate staff achievements and successes throughout the past year with a sparkling evening of awards, fine dining, comedy courtesy of Nina Conti, music and dancing. WHERE: The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa Vicki Smith, Mark Bannerman & Nicola Stables

Craig & Nicola McCart

Brian & Susan Collie

Debbie Taylor & Neil Johnston

Alan & Marian Proctor

Christine McLean & Kaye Imlach

Andrew Harris & Sujittia Wooly

Fiona & Peter Bruce

Moira & Joe West

Karen & Mike Reilly

Beth Allen & Emma Barron

Galen Joneja, Kali Joneja, Crystal Hundley, & Adam Poptani

Edward & Jane Pugh

Mark & Melissa Hamilton, Alan Goltman, Rebecca Goltman & Aiden Robertson

Brian Stephen & Mike Craig Zoe Matthews-Smith, Christine McWhirter, Kristine & David Craig

Katherine Andrew, Adam Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Leary & Tina Murray

Mark McCusker & Amy Findlay

Burns Supper WHO: Aberdeen & District Round Table WHAT: Aberdeen & District Round Table members with families, friends and colleagues enjoyed a three course Burns Supper along with fundraising activities in aid of Archway. WHERE: The Cults Hotel

If you fancy a family games night, there are a host of TV quiz shows available for download to your mobile or tablet.

Play tends to be a bit stilted as each person takes their turn and the questions tend to be aimed at adults. For more fun, opt for the board game... Pointless Players compete to find the most obscure correct answers. Pointless takes a bit of setting up, especially the optional electronic scoreboard app, but it’s good for smart-alec teenagers and competitive adults. There are lots of question cards, so you can play several times. We found some of the answers were unfortunately incomplete or occasionally wrong, which tended to interrupt the flow of the game as disputes were settled by Google. 8 Out Of 10 Cats Based on the Jimmy Carr panel show about surveys and statistics, this is simple to pick up and best when you have four or more players. It’s good-natured, the questions are interesting and the whole family will enjoy it. Gameplay can be long, so it might be best to agree a time limit before starting.

Would I Lie to You? Great with a crowd, this fast paced battle of lies and truths is tremendous fun. Unlike the TV series, you don’t need to provide your own true stories - saving embarrassment - but you do need quick wits and imagination to win. Again, it’s for ages 12 and over, but a bright ten year old could hold their own against fibbing adults - especially when they are crying with laughter! One final advantage of a board game over an app: in the event that it looks like you’re going to lose, you can ‘accidentally’ upset the board. It’s childishly satisfying and a lot cheaper than replacing a broken iPad!

WORDS BY ALISON DANIELS ADVERTISEMENTS | 99

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standard rates at The Knight Residence

ALL OFFERS EXPIRE 31ST MARCH 2016. OFFERS CANNOT BE CLAIMED ALONGSIDE AN EXISTING OFFER OR ON SALE ITEMS. PLEASE QUOTE TREND OR PRESENT A TEAR OUT OF THE OFFER WHEN CLAIMING ANY OFFERS.

Trend readers can get 10% off The Knight Residence by Mansley’s standard rates by booking on-line and inserting the code ‘TREND’. The offer is subject to availability of accommodation and expires on 30 June 2016.

Not valid alongside any other offer. Only valid Monday to Friday throughout February and March.

selected kids mattresses at Glencraft Trend readers can receive a 50% discount from Glencraft on selected kids single mattresses. The handcrafted spring unit is firm enough to give healthy support to young, growing bones and was originally priced £90, now £45!

Gel Fingers & Toes treatment at Cloud Nine Thanks to Cloud Nine Beauty for offering Trend Readers £10 off a Gel Fingers and Toes Treatment. Original price £40. Not valid alongside any other offer. Selected beautician only.

THE KNIGHT RESIDENCE, 12 Lauriston Street,

Not valid alongside any other offer.

CLOUD NINE BEAUTY, 85 N Deeside Rd,

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THEATRE CIRCUS OF HORRORS: 21ST ANNIVERSARY TOUR - WELCOME TO THE CARNEVIL Music Hall, Aberdeen. A night of twists and turns with grisly murders and sensational shock’s - all interwoven with some of the greatest and most bizarre circus acts on earth, performed by an almighty cast. Tickets www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

CHARITY SNOW BALL 2016 Haddo House A formal fundraiser for the 70th season of the Haddo House Choral and Operatic Society, tickets £45 from www.hhcos.org.uk

THEATRE THE KING IS BACK Music Hall, Aberdeen. Ben Portsmouth captures, with remarkable accuracy, each stage of Elvis’s career whilst maintaining a style and presence of his own. Tickets at www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

ART & CULTURE SPECTRA Union Terrace Gardens Aberdeen’s stunning Festival of Light, returns to the city centre. Celebrating the 2016 Scottish Year of Innovation, Architecture & Design through this year’s theme ‘Spark of Inspiration’ Aberdeen City Council in conjunction with Curated Place will deliver a 4 day light festival from the 11th Feb through to the 14th, bringing together leading international artists with Scottish collaborators. More information at www.spectraaberdeen.com

VALENTINES DAY Gifts from the petrol station are not acceptable, chaps!

LEGALLY BLONDE His Majesty’s Theatre With a fantastic score, the show moves at breakneck speed from the sorority house to the halls of justice, where the daredevil in high heels defends a workout-queen in a murder trial, defying the odds and proving that pink can save the day! Tickets at www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

CHARITY

SHOPPING SECOND HAND BOOK FAIR Castle Fraser Bibliophiles will be in heaven at the weekend long Second Hand Book Fair in the Great Hall Castle Fraser www.nts.org.uk for details. Entry is free, with paperbacks at 50p and hardbacks for £1.

NIGHT AT THE CIRCUS Ardoe House Hotel Roll up, roll up! Befriend a Child cordially invite you to their most exciting annual ball yet! With fire breathers, jugglers and acrobatics its sure to keep you entertained all night long. More information at www.befriendachild.org.uk

LEAP DAY Happy Leap Day! Are you taking the plunge with a surprise proposal?

MOTHER’S DAY SHOPPPING MOTHER’S DAY COUNTRY FAIR Aden Country Park It’s Mother’s Day. Head up to Aden Country Park near Mintlaw for their Mother’s Day Country Fair from 11am - 4pm.

CINDERELLA SALE Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen Spring clean your wardrobe this March by selling your old wares at Trend’s Cinderella Sale - making some well earned cash to buy your new look! Visit www.trendmagazine. co.uk or call 01224 596223 for more information.

THEATRE PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT His Majesty’s Theatre Based on the smash-hit movie, the feel-good international hit sensation Priscilla is the heartwarming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship. Ends 5th March. Tickets at www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

MUSIC MUSIC WET WET WET AECC Trend favourites Wet Wet Wet return to Aberdeen for ‘The Big Picture Tour’ Tickets at www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

COMEDY COMEDY THE LOST VOICE GUY The Blue Lamp Have you been down to your local comedy club yet? If not GO! Breakneck Comedy will have you in stitches. Tickets: www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

OFF THE HOOK Music Hall, Aberdeen Dylan Moran star of Black Books, Shaun of the Dead and Calvary is back with his new stand up show. Tickets at www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

TREND EVENTS FASHION LUNCH Malmaison Aberdeen Make sure your Spring has well and truly sprung by treating yourself to an afternoon of fun, fashion and elegance. Enjoy a glass of fizz and a Trend goodie bag on arrival followed by a two course lunch with coffee. Be treated to a fabulous fashion show featuring the latest Spring /Summer 2016 collections from Escale France, Cruise and @hamishmunro. Proudly supporting Aberdeen Foyer. Tickets at www.trendmagazine.co.uk

AN EVENING WITH LULU His Majesty’s Theatre Featuring hits from across her 50 year career, including favourites such as To Sir With Love, The Man Who Sold The World and Relight My Fire. Tickets at www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

104 | THE ADVERTISEMENTS LAST WORD

Benjamin Bel, ‘just call me Ben’, has all the charm of a much-travelled Frenchman which he is putting to good use as the newish general manager of the 79-bedroom Malmaison Hotel in Aberdeen’s Queen’s Road. He is nudging 40 but can count on 25 years experience in the catering industry.

WORDS BY PETER MITCHELL

‘I grew up in Strasbourg where I was surrounded by Michelin star chefs and restaurants and got my first job as a commis waiter at the age of 14,’ said Ben. ‘My dad Francois was a banker but he was also a great cook and his signature dish was a mesmerising daube of venison. I suppose I inherited some of his passion for fine food and wine’. Passion for the job crops up all the time in conversation with bearded Ben over lunch in the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant as he reflects on an amazingly varied career at the sharp end of catering. He remembers the days of his kitchen debut at the majestic Hotel Du Palais in Biarritz, where he spent time learning the fine techniques of two Michelin star cuisine.

Having decided that ‘la cuisine’ was not to be his first career choice, he put his focus on the front of house and learned from the bottom every aspect of running a restaurant, through working in renowned establishments such as Le Bacon in Antibes on the French Riviera.

Channel to improve my English and found a waiting job at the Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath for the princely sum of £2.27 an hour. It was a 16-hour day so I know how tough this business is but it made me realise how any success is driven by the determination of your staff.’ Before the move to Scotland to become part of the Auld Alliance, Ben ran various enterprises in London’s Marriott County Hall and Somerset House, including catering for the big city’s Fashion Week, managing the London Eye coffee shop operation and launching Japanese restaurants in London and Paris. And his philosophy? ‘I travelled and learned everything I know today through hard work, dedication and

developing a passion for attentive service with a fine eye for detail. I believe success lies in delivering fantastic service all the way from the front door. My aim at Malmaison is to have a highly motivated team and for us to excel consistently in all aspects of our hotel operation while delivering the Mal dining experience. We dare to be different. Trust me we are.’

Ben graduated in hotel and catering business skills management at Alexandre Dumas University in Strasbourg after bowing to pressure from his dad to secure a degree.

Trend wishes Ben bonne chance and wishes him well learning the Doric and fielding the inevitable question: Fit Like?!

Not surprisingly, he speaks English immaculately but it was not always so. Said Ben, ‘I decided to cross the

49-53 Queen’s Rd, Aberdeen AB15 4YP Tel:01224 507097 www.malmaison.com/Aberdeen

We had a bumper pack of prizes up for grabs in the ‘Nifty Fifty’ Giveaway for our 50th issue! Here are the lucky winners...

> ANDREW ATWELL

> FIONA MCKENZIE

> ANNE P DAVIDSON

WHISKY TASTING FOR SIX FROM 10 DOLLAR SHAKE

OUI LEOPARD SCARF FROM @HAMISHMUNRO

BANQUET MEAL FOR TWO FROM NARGILE

> ALEXANDER WALKER

> JILL HOGG

> SUSAN FOSTER

TICKETS TO HAIRSPRAY FROM ABERDEEN PERFORMING ARTS

> GILLIAN PIRIE

ONE NIGHT STAY FOR TWO FROM ARDOE HOUSE HOTEL

CHEESE MAKING KIT FROM HAMMERTON STORE

HANDBAG FROM NOVA

> LORRAINE MARR

> DONALD S MUTCH

SET OF THREE NAIL POLISHES FROM HJ MANICURE

GIN TASTING FOR TWO FROM ORCHID

> SUSAN MACDONALD

> DOROTHY LESLIE

> RICHARD CRIGHTON

AFTERNOON TEA FOR TWO FROM BANCHORY LODGE

£50 VOUCHER FROM HOTEL CHOCOLAT

WIRELESS SECURITY SYSTEM FROM PIPER HOME AUTOMATION

> ALISON GELLATLY

> KATIE GIBSON SMITH

> LAURA GROVE

£100 VOUCHER FROM ADELPHI KITCHEN

TWO NIGHT STAY AT TAYNUILT FROM HOTEL PR

REAL LUXURY TREATMENT CANDLE FROM PREEN BEAUTY

> KAREN TYERMAN BODDY

> KATHYLN FETTES

> RACHEL BORLAND

£50 VOUCHER FROM CARMELITE

MEAL FOR TWO FROM HOWIES RESTAURANTS

T-SHIRT FROM REALITY DREAMS

> STEVE MCDONALD

> TRACEY THOMSON

> FIONA SMITH

KOSTA BODA BRICK HOLDER FROM CHAMELEON

TREATMENT FROM INNOCENT AESTHETICS

VODKA PARTY FOR UP TO 50 GUESTS FROM REVOLUTION

> SARAH WATTIE

> NATALIE ALLAN

> FIONA MCDONALD

VOUCHER FOR TREATMENTS FROM CLOUD NINE BEAUTY

£50 VOUCHER FROM JACK TAYLOR

£100 VOUCHER FROM RUBY TUESDAY

> ANNE CAMERON

> LINDA DUNCAN

> VIVIEN KENNILS

DINNER FOR TWO FROM CRAIGHAAR

£50 VOUCHER FROM JOJO MAMAN BÉBÉ

£50 VOUCHER FROM SHADES OF BLUE & GREY

> CAROL MCLEAN

> JASON HUNTER

> PAUL MATTHEWS

£50 VOUCHER FROM THE CULTS HOTEL

£50 VOUCHER FROM KELLOCKBANK COUNTRY EMPORIUM

£50 VOUCHER FROM THAIKUN

> HEATHER TOWLER

> EMMA WALKER

> LIZ MITCHELL

£50 VOUCHER FROM DE-ZIRE

£50 FLOWER SCHOOL VOUCHER FROM KIM DALGLISH FLORIST

NIGHTS STAY & EXTRAS FROM THAINSTONE HOUSE HOTEL

> FLORENCE CLIFTON

> ANNE BARRACK

> SARAH SELBIE

MICRODERMABRASION VOUCHER FROM DOLLS HOUSE

AFTERNOON TEA FOR TWO FROM THE MAINS OF DRUM

SPA FOR TWO, LUNCH & FIZZ FROM THE HOUSE

> LEE-ANNE GREENALL

> SHAUN COOPER

> AVRIL HENDERSON

£50 VOUCHER FROM DUTCH MILL

SUNDAY BRUNCH FOR TWO FROM MALMAISON

£250 VOUCHER FROM THE WHITE COMPANY

> HEATHER MITCHELL

> SARAH BOYNE

> CLAIRE THOMSON

£50 VOUCHER FROM EAT ON THE GREEN

AFTERNOON TEA FOR FOUR FROM MELDRUM HOUSE

DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST FROM TOR NA COILLE

> MARGARET DICKSON

> HANNAH MCINTOSH

> DAVID BURNETT

HANDBAG & RING FROM ESCALE FRANCE

ORIGINAL KITTY WARK PICTURE FROM MILTON ART

£50 VOUCHER & HOME FRAGRANCE FROM TREEHOUSE MIDMAR

> JOANNA THOMSON

> MAISIE ROGER

> GEORGIA DICKSON

SILVER FACETED BRACELET FROM FINNIES THE JEWELLERS

LUNCH FOR TWO WITH PROSECCO FROM MUSA

> CHRIS DUNRIDGE

> JILL JOHNSTON

FAMILY VOUCHER FROM GO APE

£50 VOUCHER FROM MY BEAUTIFUL CARAVAN

NIGHT STAY, SPA & LUNCH FROM VILLAGE HOTEL CLUB

ADVERTISEMENTS | 107

108 | ADVERTISEMENTS