Latest prestigious listings for drinks innovators Buck & Birch
Gleneagles Town House and Johnnie Walker Experience among Edinburgh establishments impressed by wilderness foragers
Discerning drinkers at some of Edinburgh’s most prestigious establishments now have the chance to savour Buck & Birch’s uniquely curated spirits and liqueurs.
The wilderness foragers and flavour alchemists specialise in capturing the essences of the Scottish countryside, conjuring them into innovative, award-winning drinks.
Now their distinctive brand, famed for its ingredients sourced from the forests and hedgerows around their East Lothian distillery, is available in Edinburgh’s Gleneagles Town House, Virgin Hotel and the Johnnie Walker Experience amongst others.
They are the latest establishments to stock the East Lothian-based innovators’ drinks which include: Ana Birch Syrup Caramel Liqueur, a warm buttery caramel with undertones of birch syrup and toasted nuts; Birch Wild Botanical Spirit, pure spirit married with raw sap and seasoned with wild birch flavours harvested throughout the seasons; Aelder Wild Elderberry Elixir with the flavour of dark stone fruits and hints of bitter chocolate and spice; and Amarosa Rosehip Rum Liqueur, ripe with the taste of green apples, honey and herbs, spiced vanilla and molasses.
Buck & Birch Creative Director and co-founder, Tom Chisholm says he’s delighted such prominent establishments are recognising their unique take on the countryside’s natural bounty:
“We go to enormous lengths to do justice to the ingredients we use, layering the flavours to achieve the depth and texture and balance we’re looking for, but it’s a real labour of love.
“We’re so lucky, our job is an absolute joy, and to know that more and more people are sharing our enthusiasm for Scotland’s wild harvest and our products, through these latest stockists, makes what we do even more fulfilling.”
Head Bartender at Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Miran Chauhan has said: “At Johnnie Walker Princes Street, our aim is to pair our liquids with those who also share our storytelling, environmentally conscious and flavour focused ethos.
“The Buck and Birch liqueurs fit in perfectly and help drive our creativity and innovation within cocktails.”
To view the full selection of drinks available for purchase, visit:
Christopher Laird, co-owner of salon November Collective in Livingston, near Edinburgh, has been shortlisted for one of hairdressing’s most exciting awards.
Christopher, 24, is up for the One To Watch title at Creative Head’s The It List, a competition open to stylists under 30 from across the UK.
Presented by leading industry magazine Creative HEAD and exclusively sponsored by global hair brand ghd, The It List, now in its 13th year, provides an unparalleled platform for young hairdressers to shine, with six categories recognising hairdressing’s new stars of the future.
Entering required the submission of a detailed dossier outlining Christopher’s career story to date, along with an image gallery showcasing his strongest work. As one of five finalists in his category, he’ll now attend the Grand Final on Monday 5th September at London’s world-renowned Tate Modern, where he’ll compete for the coveted trophy.
Winners also receive an exclusive experience and gift from sponsor ghd, plus 12 months of profile-boosting coverage across the Creative HEAD print, digital and event platforms.
Christopher opened November Collective, along with co-owner Emma-Louise Cantwell, less than a year ago at the age of just 23.
Having worked as an educator for some of hairdressing’s biggest brands, as well as styling for celebrities, opening a salon was a natural progression and the duo have created an inclusive, creative space specialising in glamorous, wearable hair and professional beauty treatments.
‘Making the It List finals is a dream come true!’ says Christopher. “I faced a lot of criticism in my early career and it feels as though I’m finally being taken seriously.
“I’ve worked really hard to get to this point in my life and to have that recognised by a brand as respected as Creative Head means the world. I’d love to bring the trophy home to Edinburgh but just to be shortlisted is a huge honour.”
If you’re aged 65 and over, you’ll receive a letter in the coming weeks inviting you to get your flu vaccination and a COVID-19 booster.
It’s quick and safe to get both vaccinations at the same time, so you’ll only need one appointment. If you’re unable to attend, please let us know.
Appointments for all other priority groups will be made available as the programme progresses and eligible cohorts should wait until they are contacted or called forward.
Water abstraction suspensions are being lifted in the River Eden catchment after strong compliance from farming community and recent rainfall.
Suspensions are being imposed in parts of the River Tweed catchment from 23.59 on Thursday 18 August as the river continues to show signs of stress and little improvement from limited recent rainfall.
Prolonged dry weather is forecast, which means any improvement in the situation is likely to be short-term and water users are being urged to continue being efficient.
Overview
Support and compliance from Scottish farmers, coupled with recent rainfall, has led to water abstraction suspensions being lifted in the River Eden catchment.
River flows in the area have made some recovery after several days of wet weather and peaked on Monday. They have since slowly fallen again but still remain nearly two-and-a-half times higher than they were on Saturday, before abstraction ceased and the rainfall arrived.
However, in the Scottish Borders, the recent rainfall has not been enough to make up for longer-term deficits and recovery in the River Tweed. To prevent further stress and harm on the local water environment, SEPA will be imposing suspensions on water abstraction licences in parts of this catchment from 23:59 on Thursday 18 August.
More prolonged dry weather is forecast and SEPA will continue to monitor conditions and take appropriate action until the risk of water scarcity has reduced.
As has been the case throughout this summer, the east of Scotland has been particularly affected by water scarcity with every area currently in Alert, Moderate Scarcity or Significant Scarcity. In order for water levels to return to Normal Conditions, we would need to experience up to double the amount of rainfall we’d usually have in August.
River Eden, Fife
A total of 56 full suspensions and 23 partial suspensions were put in place on Sunday 14 August. Exemptions were given to a small number of soft fruit farmers, following a Ministerial Direction from Scottish Government. Soft fruit is a perennial crop which typically has more efficient irrigation methods and a lower water impact.
These suspensions were lifted at 1pm on Wednesday 17 August.
SEPA officers have been engaging with farmers in the area since the suspensions came into effect and reported no non-compliances. Instead, they witnessed good practice with farmers taking the right steps to protect local water environments and having planned ahead for the conditions by using alternative water sources such as boreholes.
River Tweed, Scottish Borders
The water environment in parts of the River Tweed catchment reached Significant Scarcity last week, the highest category for water scarcity defined by SEPA. Recent rainfall has not been enough to reverse the current situation, which has been building up over a long period of time. The long-term forecast is a return to dry conditions.
The temporary suspensions will be in place from 23.59 on Thursday 18 August, affecting around 30 licence holders, predominantly within the agriculture sector. This action is being taken to allow water levels to recover and to minimise potential long-term harm to the environment. SEPA is working with Scottish Government to assess the options for a small number of abstraction licences in other sectors.
Those abstractors affected will receive suspension notices. These will be for the minimum time necessary and will be lifted as soon as possible. Continuing to abstract without a licence is an offence, and SEPA officers will be engaging with abstractors to ensure compliance. As soon as conditions improve sufficiently, the suspensions will be lifted.
There is clear evidence for the need to suspend abstraction licenses to protect the sustainability of local water environments. Last week in the Tweed catchment, Mouthbridge at Blackadder Water dropped to its lowest flow since records began in 1974. Lyne Station recorded its fourth lowest flow in 53 years, only 2003 was lower.
Suspensions are part of Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan, which is designed to ensure the correct balance is struck between protecting the environment and providing resource for human and economic activity during prolonged dry periods. The Plan clearly sets out what actions SEPA and abstractors are required to take at each stage of water scarcity.
Support from farming community
Rob Morris, Senior Manager, Rural Economy Unit at SEPA, said: “We are so pleased with how farmers in the River Eden catchment responded to the urgent water scarcity situation.
“We thank them sincerely for doing the right thing and complying with the abstraction suspensions. We saw a significant 38% rise in the river level in just a few hours from when suspensions were imposed at midnight to when rainfall started later on Sunday afternoon.
“This shows the impact their actions had, and their support has been critical in allowing water levels to recover to a point where suspensions are no longer required.
“Suspending abstraction licences is only done when necessary and is not a decision we take lightly. While we stress that the suspensions on the River Tweed will last for as short a time as possible, the science is telling us that without action there is a substantial risk of impacts on fish populations, natural habitats and longer-term damage to watercourses. As shown in Fife, these will be in place for the shortest time possible.
“We’ll continue to monitor river levels across Scotland, and make our decisions based on science and the need to need to prevent long-term damage to local water environments that we rely on. With further dry weather in the forecast, it’s important that everyone abstracting water continues to manage their water use carefully.”
Protecting our water environment
The combination of very low flows and high temperatures in watercourses leads to deaths of fish, invertebrates and plants. While some parts of river ecology can recover quickly, others such as fish and plant populations can take years to recover. Some populations, such as pearl mussels, could be permanently lost.
The current conditions are a consequence of drier weather this year, with only four of the last 12 months recording above average rainfall. The east of Scotland also experienced the driest January in more than 80 years and groundwater levels are the lowest they have been since records began in 2009.
Although there has been some recent rainfall in the east and an immediate increase in river flows, it has not been enough to recover the longer-term deficits.
Further advice and guidance
It is vital that farmers and other water abstractors are prepared for these conditions as climate change means water scarcity will be a more regular occurrence. We are committed to working with businesses to build resilience into their systems. This could be switching to a borehole or incorporating appropriate off-line storage lagoons on their land.
Where suspensions are not in place, we are asking businesses that abstract water to only do so when absolutely necessary, stagger their operations, irrigate at night where possible, reduce volumes and durations or pause abstractions altogether.
Abstractors in Alert and Early Warning areas should be planning ahead for their upcoming water requirements and working with neighbouring water users to schedule abstractions where possible. Equipment should also be checked for any leaks.
Abstractors may be able to switch to groundwater as their source and can apply to do so on our website. Applications from Significant Scarcity areas will be prioritised and fast-tracked.
Anyone concerned about meeting licence conditions or wishing to discuss contingency measures are encouraged to contact SEPA by emailing waterscarcity@sepa.org.uk
Gala comedy benefit to support striking refuse workers, starring Mark Thomas, Jason Byrne, Jo Caulfield, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Mark Nelson, Shazia Mirza, Susie McCabe, Rachel Fairburn, Vladimir McTavish and Danny Bhoy
Edinburgh refuse workers, like all of us, are being hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis. They are on strike for a living wage. The money raised from the benefit, organised by The Stand Comedy Club & English comedian Mark Thomas, ‘One of the few stand-ups still to carry the political standard of alternative comedy’ (Chortle), will go straight to their official strike fund.
Mark Thomas (below) says: “These are the workers who got us through Covid and now they are being told to take a real cut in their wages. It’s unacceptable and they deserve our support in fighting back.”
GMB Support Worker Kirsten Muat says: “Too many local government workers across Scotland are already suffering in work poverty. The bin men in Edinburgh are striking to try and put an end to that.
“GMB are incredibly grateful to everyone supporting the striking workers, including all the comedians and members of the public coming along to the benefit gig.”
The support will go along to ensuring workers in Edinburgh waste and their families can survive this cost of living crisis and sustain action.
New funding has been announced to cut carbon emissions in homes and commercial properties, as the Scottish Government continues to focus on delivering its net zero targets and support families with the cost of living.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie announced £16.2 million funding for five zero emission heat networks during a visit to ng Homes in Glasgow.
The announcement coincides with the first anniversary of the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party Parliamentary Group signing the Bute House Agreement, a plan to work together to build a green economic recovery from COVID, respond to the climate emergency and create a fairer country.
In its first year the agreement has delivered a range of benefits for households, communities and businesses and seen work begin on a number of longer-term reforms.
Particular progress has been made across a range of areas including:
Doubling the Scottish Child Payment to £20 per week per eligible child from April 2022, with plans to extend eligibility to under 16s and further increasing the payment to £25 per week by the end of 2022.
Bringing ScotRail into public ownership.
Introducing free bus travel for under 22s to cut the cost of living for young people, encourage sustainable travel behaviours early in their lives and improve access to education, leisure, and work.
Investing a record £150 million in active travel in 2022-23, including more than doubling the funding for the National Cycle Network, a new walking fund, and supporting pilots for free bikes for school age children who cannot afford them.
Publishing Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation setting out how Scotland will transition to a wellbeing economy.
The Agreement set out a strategy for over a million homes to be using zero carbon heating systems by the end of the decade and allocating funds from a total planned investment of £1.8 billion to cut energy bills, improved building energy efficiency and reduce climate emissions.
Scotland’s Heat Network Fund offers long term funding support to deliver more climate-friendly ways of heating Scotland’s homes and buildings. It has enabled the rollout of new zero emission heat networks and communal heating systems, as well as the expansion and decarbonisation of existing heat networks across Scotland.
Moving forward, the Scottish Government is primarily focused on four key tasks: reducing child poverty; addressing the climate crisis; the recovery from COVID of Scotland’s public services including the delivery of the National Strategy for Economic Transformation; and the development of the prospectus for an independent Scotland and an independence referendum in October 2023.
The First Minister said: “The world has changed substantially since the Agreement was reached 12 months ago. The conflict in Ukraine and the rising cost of living crisis have profoundly impacted everyone’s lives.
“However, the stable and collaborative government provided by the Agreement, has helped to deliver immediate action in the face of these challenges, including supporting those displaced from Ukraine and using the powers that Ministers have to address the cost of living crisis.
“Action is needed now to support communities to respond to the cost of living and climate crises, and Scotland’s Heat Network Fund is just one of the many initiatives that the Scottish Government has already undertaken.
“The projects that receive support from the Fund will fully align with the Scottish Government’s aim to eradicate fuel poverty by supplying heat at affordable prices to consumers, which is especially important now when we are seeing record rises in the cost of heating.
“The Bute House Agreement was reached to equip us best to deal with the challenges we face, because we believe that new ideas and ways of working are required to deal with new problems. An unstable world needs more co-operation and more constructive working towards building a consensus, if governments are to be equal to what the people need of them.”
Mr Harvie said: “One year on from the Scottish Greens entering government as part of the Bute House Agreement, I am proud of what this Government is doing to build a fairer, greener Scotland.
“From free bus transport for young people to doubling the Scottish Child Payment, we are committed to accelerating action to tackle the climate and cost of living crises.
“The energy crisis households across Scotland now face is being driven by rocketing prices for gas, which we depend on for heat. We are clear that we need to redouble our efforts to improve the efficiency of our homes, making them more comfortable and cheaper to run, and end our reliance on gas for heat. That’s why we are investing £1.8 billion in our green homes and buildings programme.
“Delivering a just transition to net-zero and seizing the opportunities this presents is a major focus of the Scottish Government, and rapidly increasing Scotland’s renewable energy generating capacity and securing accompanying jobs and investment will be central to our work over the rest of the parliament.
“During the first year of the Agreement firm foundations have been built, demonstrating delivery and progress on shared policy priorities and adopting an approach that is both challenging and constructive.”
Families receive up to £500 every three months (£2,000 a year) per child, or £1,000 (£4,000 a year) if their child is disabled, helping towards the cost of before and after-school clubs, childminders and nurseries, holiday clubs and other approved childcare schemes.
In June 2022, more than 23,200 working families in Scotland benefitted from Tax-Free Childcare – but thousands more could be missing out. Overall in June, HMRC paid out £41.6 million in top-up payments, which was shared between approximately 391,000 families across the UK.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:“Tax-Free Childcare can make a big difference to families in Scotland, helping with the bills for things like wraparound care for school children, nurseries, childminders and holiday clubs. It’s easy to register – search ‘Tax-Free Childcare’ on GOV.UK.”
More than one million families in the UK are entitled to some form of UK Government childcare support and the government is encouraging those eligible to not miss out on their entitlements.
For thousands of families who use Tax-Free Childcare, the money they save each month on their childcare costs is money that goes back into their pockets.
Accounts can be opened at any time of the year and can be used straight away, and money can be deposited at any time and used when needed.
Any unused money that is deposited can be simply withdrawn at any time.
Veterans and disabled people among those to benefit
Changes to a shared equity scheme will mean disabled people, first-time buyers and others on low to medium incomes will have an increased opportunity to buy a home that meets their needs.
From today, the threshold of the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme – which allows people to buy a home without having to fund its entire cost – has been raised by 9% across the country to reflect rising house prices. The scheme is aimed at priority groups who need support to buy their own home.
Applicants will also be able to make offers on properties above the formal valuation amount, where they have funds available. People who have an application in progress do not need to reapply to benefit from the changes.
Housing Secretary Shona Robison said: “These are positive changes which will put applicants on a more level playing field with other buyers when purchasing an affordable home.
“We are well aware of the rise in house prices and we have listened to people’s feedback. That is why we are acting to make the process fairer and to offer a helping hand in challenging times.
“Our evidence-based approach ensures that the scheme continues to be targeted at priority groups and to ensure that, across Scotland, all areas are able to benefit from a viable scheme with a reasonable number of purchases.
“The Scottish Government delivered 111,750 affordable homes between 2007 and 2022, with more than 78,000 for social rent. Progress has started towards our next ambitious target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, of which 70% will be for social rent and 10% in remote, rural and island communities.”
Invites to this event have also been issued to other local stakeholders and to residents/businesses in the local area. Please do pass the invitation on to any other parties that you think may be interested.
TWO MEN TO APPEAR AT EDINBURGH SHERIFF COURT TODAY
Detectives investigating the disappearance of Peter Coshan (75) have arrested and charged two men and are continuing to appeal for information.
Former Fettes College teacher Peter Coshan was last seen in the Seafield Road area of Edinburgh around 11.50pm on Thursday, 11 August, 2022 and was reported missing the next day.
Officers can confirm that Peter, of Edinburgh, is believed to be dead and they are treating his death as murder. However, his body is yet to be recovered.
Two men, aged 27 and 63, have been arrested and charged in connection. Both men are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today Thursday, 18 August.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Patrick, of Police Scotland Major Investigation Team is appealing to the public for information. He said: “Our thoughts are very much with Peter’s family at this difficult time.
“Extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace Peter and I would encourage anyone with any information regarding Peter’s disappearance to contact police as a matter of urgency.
“Any piece of information, no matter how small or insignificant you think it is, could prove vital so please do pass it on to officers.
“We have also set up a website that gives members of the public access to a form to send information directly to the Major Investigation Team.
“You can select to remain anonymous when submitting information.
