Hectors in Stockbridge has officially reopened following an extensive 5 week refurbishment, giving the iconic pub an exciting new look.
The pub has been given a facelift while keeping its traditional look and feel inside. Changes include a new hand-carved wooden gantry, brand new furniture and fresh frontage colour scheme.
Hectors is renowned for its friendly and welcoming team, as well as the selection of comforting Scottish pub fayre. The pub itself takes its name from Sir James Hector, a Scottish-New Zealand geologist, naturalist, and surgeon who originated from Stockbridge in 1834.
Guests can tuck into all the pub classics, a chicken and truffled oyster mushroom pie, classic fish and chips and delicious beef brisket burgers, as well as a delectable range of Sunday roasts.
Along with the new food menu, guests will also be greeted with an extensive drinks’ menu, boasting a wide selection of craft beers, British Gins and an exciting range of whisky.
Speaking about the refurbishment, General Manager Alex Bruce at Hectors said: ‘This is an exciting time, not only for Hectors, but for the people of Stockbridge. Our aim is simple, to serve delicious food, great drinks, and friendly service to all of our guests.
“Our fresh new look, matched with our welcoming team, will go hand in hand to provide Stockbridge with an excellent local pub where everyone is welcome.”
Following the extensive refurbishment and significant investment made at the pub, several new jobs have been created for the local area, with the team now ready to pour pints and serve delicious food to guests.
Now open for bookings until 24th November, guests are invited to indulge in the new and thrilling cocktail experience inspired by the classic game of suspense.
Somewhere by Nico will now also welcome walk-ins and bar reservations, allowing guests to explore new cocktails and drinks.
Somewhere by Nico welcomes guests to step into the thrilling world of ‘Murder on the Midnight Express,’ the brand’s latest theme offering a truly unique and unforgettable cocktail experience inspired by the classic game of suspense.
Now open for bookings until 24th November, this gripping new theme invites guests in Edinburgh and Glasgow to test their detective skills and unravel the mystery aboard the Midnight Express.
The adventure kicks off with the shocking murder of Gustave Laroche, the esteemed chef of the train’s restaurant. Gustave, who had been enjoying a drink before his service, was tragically shot in his own kitchen. The culprit was careless, leaving behind a trail of clues for guests to discover and piece together in their quest to solve the crime.
Guests can expect each cocktail course to be served with Somewhere by Nico’s creativity and theatrical flair alongside an intriguing clue to help them solve the case. A diverse and intriguing cast of characters – each with ties to Gustave – and their own potential motives will be introduced to guests throughout the experience, with every cocktail taking them a step closer to unravelling the murder mystery.
For £45 per person, guests can enjoy a captivating storytelling evening featuring five cocktail courses. An optional bonus cocktail is available alongside an extra clue, enhancing the mystery-solving experience.
This immersive menu has been created with Scottish game designer, Rosalyn Meney, curating a bespoke murderous tale solved through cocktails. It is designed to get mind’s racing and truly delight the senses, offering a unique and memorable night out.
Rooted in the same ethos that made Six by Nico a beloved culinary destination, Somewhere by Nico has been created from a passion for crafting unforgettable experiences with a commitment to creativity & a goal to deliver an unmatched, unique experience every six weeks.
Much like the foundation, Somewhere by Nico will continue to surprise and delight guests with new themes every six weeks, featuring an inventive cocktail menu that invites guests to step into an immersive experience.
Whether you’re in the mood for a cocktail tasting journey or turning a night out into an adventure, Somewhere offers something for everyone.
After the success of capturing the imagination of guests with its otherworldly cocktail experiences, Somewhere by Nico is now also welcoming walk-ins and bar reservations to explore their new cocktails and drinks, offering the discovery of the venue for all.
Nico Simeone, CEO and Founder of Six Company said: “As we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, we’re thrilled to introduce our latest cocktail experience at Somewhere by Nico featuring the captivating theme, ‘Murder on the Midnight Express’. We understand that today’s guests crave more than just a drink – they want an adventure & experience.
“We are dedicated to curating and delivering the best cocktail bar experience and as part of our offering, we’ll now also be welcoming walk-ins and bar reservations, allowing guests to discover the venue in new ways.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to bring this vision to life than with our next theme – ‘Murder on the Midnight Express’.”
Locals and American ex-pats alike invited to join in a communal meal to celebrate the holiday
Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh is excited to announce a special Thanksgiving Supper Club, offering a heartwarming gathering for guests to celebrate the season of gratitude with delicious food, festive ambiance, and meaningful social connection.
Available exclusively on Thanksgiving Day, 28th November, this event will feature a traditional Thanksgiving feast served family-style, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of home for US ex-pats, and offer locals the chance to enjoy the classic American holiday.
After a welcome glass of prosecco, guests will enjoy a variety of classic Thanksgiving sides, including creamy sweet potatoes, savoury stuffing, rich gravy, green bean casserole, mac & cheese, fresh-baked cornbread, and the star of the evening – a succulent roast turkey carved table-side. In the spirit of celebration, guests can enjoy two glasses of wine or bottles of lager to accompany their meal.
The meal will conclude with a decadent pumpkin pie for dessert, adding the perfect sweet note to a cosy evening.
The Supper Club experience will take place in a warm and inviting atmosphere, in a seasonally decorated private dining space. Guests can relax and enjoy a leisurely dining experience at table specially arranged to foster conversation and a sense of community. This incredible deal will be available for £75.55 a person, with three seatings throughout the day at 13:30, 16:30, and 19:30.
For solo guests looking for a special way to enjoy Thanksgiving, seating will be reserved in a semi-private dining room, offering a unique opportunity to meet new people and share stories while enjoying a festive, family-style meal together.
Guests looking for a more traditional restaurant experience for the holiday are encouraged to book in advance to enjoy a 2-Course Thanksgiving Menu, including a traditional roast turkey dinner and a slice of classic pumpkin pie, available for £33.50 per person.
General Manager Nick Chiverton, said, “We are thrilled to bring the warmth and tradition of Thanksgiving to our Edinburgh Cafe. This event is all about sharing great food and even better memories with family, friends, and fellow guests, and we look forward to welcoming everyone for this special celebration.”
Hawaii could soon be welcoming a new distillery after a postgraduate student at Scotland’s Heriot-Watt University won a prestigious entrepreneurial award.
Canadian student Ethan Wang, 42, wants to open a new distillery on Hawaii’s scenic volcanic island of Maui and said he was in “total shock” after winning cash and support from an industry membership organisation to help make his idea happen.
The award, called the Worshipful Company of Distillers’ Entrepreneurship Award, is designed to help students apply their science in the real world and is run jointly by Heriot-Watt’s respected International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD) and The Worshipful Company of Distillers, a historic trade association in the City of London.
“Maui is an ocean paradise and is one of the finest places in the world to get botanical ingredients and clean flavours,” said Ethan, who is currently studying online with ICBD to complete a Master of Science degree in Brewing and Distilling.
“Winning this award was such great news to wake up to in Hawaii. It will help me buy additional expensive tools for flavour extraction – and having an experienced industry body to guide me with my planning will be a huge help.”
Ethan is originally from Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, where he studied a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Victoria. He first visited Hawaii during his early career in accountancy and finance and got married there in 2011. Since then, he has visited Maui, the second largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, every year.
Ethan says the £5,000 prize money from the award is an important addition to the personal savings he is investing to open the distillery, which will produce spirits including gin, vodka, blended whisky, Japanese shochu – a spirit typically distilled from ingredients including rice, barley and sweet potatoes – and Korean soju, also traditionally made from rice.
Called the Kamehameha Distillery, Ethan’s distillery will be based in Kula, a scenic rural area of Maui on the slopes of a dormant volcano called Haleakalā.
“The site offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and the lush, rolling hills of upcountry Maui,” Ethan says. “Hawaii’s tropical climate is warm and humid, but up in Kula, the air is cooler and crisper, especially in the evenings.
“This variation in temperature, along with the volcanic soil and the sea air, has a profound influence on the ingredients we use, from the hibiscus flowers to the sea grapes. The clean, fresh environment helps preserve the natural flavours, giving our products a unique and authentic taste that truly reflects the land they come from.”
Kamehameha’s products are designed to appeal particularly to American and Japanese markets. But Ethan’s longer-term vision is to expand globally and to create opportunities locally in Hawaii.
“Supporting the island’s economy is vital – and I want to create meaningful opportunities for the local community, including creating jobs and fostering partnerships with local farmers and suppliers,” he says.
“In the long term, I see Kamehameha Distillery expanding beyond Hawaii and introducing the world to unique, authentic Hawaiian flavours. International expansion is a goal, as I want our spirits to be enjoyed globally, not just as beverages but as an experience of Hawaiian culture.”
Heriot-Watt University has been researching brewing and distilling since 1903 and formed the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling in 1990 to meet the needs of the brewing, distilling and malting industries worldwide.
Its degrees prepare students to enter the malting, brewing or distilling industries and cover a broad range of subjects including brewing and distilling science, chemical engineering, business studies and production management.
The centre’s on-campus facilities in Edinburgh include a 200-litre capacity brewery, a mobile mashing unit and cereal cooker, a mash filter, fermentation vessels, stills and a laboratory.
Dr David Jenkins, Assistant Professor in Brewing and Distilling at ICBD and also an MSc programme leader, said: “Ethan’s plans for his Hawaiian distillery are incredibly exciting and it’s fantastic to help fund his vision.
“Jumping from a science degree to the real world can be challenging – so our focus is on helping students apply what they learn to their own entrepreneurial ideas. There are always new opportunities in the drinks industry – and we look forward to seeing Ethan’s business grow.”
Lorne MacKillop of the Worshipful Company of Distillers – the company’s ‘Master’ this year and figurehead – has spent 47 years in the wines and spirits sector. He said: “Education is an important part of our role and we support a number of awards and scholarships in the science of distilling.
“These are designed to help students achieve excellence in their craft and apply their knowledge to real-world businesses and innovations. We were hugely impressed with Ethan’s submission for our Heriot-Watt University award and are delighted to support him in his new venture.”
The Worshipful Company of Distillers (the WCD) was formed in 1638 when King Charles I granted the company a Royal Charter. The organisation is a City Livery Company – a trade guild that once acted as a modern day trade association, but whose powers to regulate alcoholic spirits were discontinued in the 19th Century. Today its function revolves around industry philanthropy, education, networking and fellowship.
The company’s industry mentoring capacity will involve providing a hand-picked mentor from amongst those members freely giving their time to help support mentees like Ethan.
The WCD has run its mentoring scheme for three years and has about 45 mentees presently in the programme, chosen from those students who are sponsored with bursaries at the training providers used.
Ethan hopes to have the Kamehameha Distillery open by the end of 2024.
KEEP YOUR LITTLE ONES HAPPY THIS OCTOBER HALF TERM
Looking to keep your kids happy this half-term? Burger King® UK is here to help with a scarily good deal in the run up to Halloween, with the return of Kids Eat FREE!
From 11th-20th October, families across Scotland can enjoy a King Jrmeal, featuring a Kids Hamburger or Chicken Nuggets, fries or apple slices and a drink of your choice, totally free when purchasing an adult meal*!
All you need to do is download the Burger King® UK app via Google Play here or the App Store here to claim the offer.
Customers can bring a taste of the German festival home with Aldi Scotland’s latest release
Aldi Scotland is bringing the excitement of Oktoberfest to its customers with its latest release of Scottish beers, featuring a Bavarian-inspired brew from Cold Town.
As thousands around the world raise a toast to celebrate the annual German festival, Aldi’s Scottish Beer Festival range promises to put a tartan tint on proceedings and showcase the diversity of the nation’s brewers with an exciting lineup of delicious beers.
Edinburgh brewers Cold Town are leading the party with their new Bavarian Pilsner (£1.89, 440ml, 5.2% ABV), putting their own unique take on the traditional festival tipple with a clean and malty brew. This will be joined by the re-release of their Topic Thunder (£2.15, 440ml, 7.0% ABV), a full-bodied stout packed with caramel, dark chocolate and hazelnut flavours.
Peterhead’s Brew Toon are also on the guestlist with re-releases of their El Juicy (£2.15, 440ml, 7.1% ABV), a double dry hopped New England IPA, and The J’Ale (£1.89, 440ml, 5.5% ABV), a punchy riot red ale bringing an earthy, hoppy character.
Black Isle are also joining the party, making a welcome return to Aldi Scotland after five years with their Red Kite (£1.89, 440ml, 4.2% ABV) organic red ale, bringing a rich but malty character and their flagship Blonde (£1.79, 440ml, 4.5% ABV) organic lager, providing its unique crisp refreshment.
Graham Nicolson, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “Putting a uniquely Scottish twist on Oktoberfest gives us a great opportunity to celebrate and shine a light on the brilliant local brewers we have at our doorstep.
“We’re fortunate to have developed strong relationships with some of Scotland’s most innovative suppliers and this gives us a fantastic platform to provide our customers with new and exciting products at affordable prices.”
With a wide range of permanent store positions available, Aldi is seeking team members to help replenish stock, assist customers, and maintain its high standards of service during the festive period and beyond.
Roles on offer in Edinburgh and the Lothians include Assistant Store Manager, Stock Assisant, Store Assistant and Store Cleaner.
Starting pay for Store Assistants at Aldi remains the best in the industry at £12.40 per hour nationally, and £13.65 per hour inside the M25. Aldi continues to be the only UK supermarket to offer paid breaks, which is worth more than £900 a year for the average store colleague.
These opportunities form part of Aldi’s continued growth plans to open a further 17 stores before the end of the year. This is in line with Aldi’s long-term commitment to expand its footprint to 1,500 stores in the UK to meet increased customer demand.
Kelly Stokes, Recruitment Director at Aldi UK, said:“Our mission is to make affordable, high-quality food accessible to everyone, and that is even more important at this time of year.
“Our colleagues are essential to ensuring Aldi shoppers have a great experience in store, and we’re once again closing our stores on Boxing Day to give them a well-deserved break as a thank you for their dedication.”
Those interested in applying for a role with Aldi this Christmas can visit www.aldirecruitment.co.uk for more information.
And they’re celebrating with a free drink for all who come to try it between 14th – 18th October!
Flight Club, the lively and fairground-inspired bar known for its craft cocktails, sharing plates, and Social Darts combo, is launching a reimagined menu: delectable new dishes, upgrades to the favourites and a fresh selection of gorgeous drinks.
Launching on 14th October, the revamped food menu is geared towards dishes that can be enjoyed by groups of friends (and can be eaten with a dart in hand!). The drinks list has had a makeover too, featuring some stunning newcomers and an expansion of its low-and-no-alcohol offering, culminating in an impressive selection of delicious booze-free options to choose from.
To celebrate the arrival of this exciting new menu, from 14th – 18th October 2024, Flight Club is offering a free drink from its new Signature Spritz menu (or beer if a spritz isn’t your thing) for those who come in to eat (T&C’s apply)*.
All-new dishes
Lovingly designed by Arnaud Kaziewicz, Flight Club’s Head of Food Development and Masterchef: The Professionals finalist, the new menu consists of tapas-style small plates, pizza paddles, and a crowd-pleasing selection of grills and salads.
Mix-and-share dishes include South Korean pork belly bites with chilli and honey glaze, Yakitori beef skewers made from prime British beef marinated in soy and ginger, and Middle Eastern sliders with plant-based lamb, smoked Applewood cheese, gherkins, and slaw.
New sourdough pizza flavour combinations include the gorgeous Gorgonzola portobello: tomato sauce, mozzarella and grilled portobello mushrooms, finished with white truffle oil and Italian pork and fennel sausage: plant-based sausage, caramelised onions and salsa verde.
Other newcomers include a poké bowl with coconut lemon rice, crunchy slaw, cauliflower, lettuce, and red pepper sauce and a chicken tikka wrap with coconut raita, tomato, lettuce, and cucumber.
Freshly crafted beverages
The redesigned drinks line-up includes four new cocktails, a new selection of signature spritzes, and a significant increase in low- and no-alcohol options.
New cocktails include ‘Highland Blush’, a combination of raspberry gin, whisky, raspberry, lemon, almond, and vegan foaming bitters and ‘Take a Trip’ – Hendrick’s gin, St. Germain elderflower liqueur and lime, topped with Trip Cucumber & Mint. Another new entry on the cocktail list is ‘Nunya Beeswax’.
This tequila number was created at Flight Club Bristol as a one-off for Bristol Cocktail Weekend 2023. The drink was such a hit it was named Cocktail of the Year. Naturally, it had to feature in the new line-up.
Arnaud Kaziewicz, Flight Club’s Head of Food Development said, “This menu refresh has been months in the making, involving countless taste tests and iterations to get every dish and cocktail completely right.
“We’re hugely passionate about delivering a truly memorable experience at Flight Club and our food and drinks is a big part of that. We always want to give our customers something new to sink their teeth into and we’re excited to finally share this with them.”
Firrhill High School is celebrating after being selected by a Tesco customer to receive a £5,000 donation.
On Saturday 21st September, Tesco customers in Edinburgh were given the chance to take part in a lucky dip to find a specially created gold version of Tesco’s famous blue voting token.
Firrhill High School was one of three local charities that customers could vote for to receive the £5,000 Golden Grant as part of Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme.
Alexa Brown, Pupil Support Officer at Firrhill High School, said: “£5000 will make an enormous difference to us – it will mean security for the Breakfast Club and the ability to continue providing a healthy and nutritious breakfast to ensure the best start to the day for all our pupils.”
Over one hundred Tesco stores across the country took part in the Golden Grants event, with £500,000 in total being donated to good causes that help children and young people.
Golden Grants are awarded twice a year as part of Tesco’s £8 million Stronger Starts grant programme, in partnership with the charity Groundwork UK.
Stronger Starts grants help schools and children’s groups provide nutritious food and healthy activities that support young people’s physical health and mental wellbeing, such as breakfast clubs or snacks, as well as purchasing equipment for healthy activities.
Claire De Silva, Tesco Head of Communities said: “We know that £5,000 can make a huge difference to a school or community project, so we are incredibly proud to have been able to award Golden Grants to over one hundred schools and local projects to support the vital work they do for our children and communities.
“Our Stronger Starts programme continues to support our local communities year-round, and we encourage all customers to get involved by using a blue token to vote for a local project they feel will benefit people in their community.”
Since Tesco launched its Community Grants programme in 2016, more than £120 million has been given to more than 67,000 local schools and community groups.
Forever Edinburgh is partnering with tourism businesses in Scotland’s capital to launch the ‘Meet Edinburgh’s Makers’ series, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of Edinburgh’s local producers.
This series celebrates the enterprises at the heart of Edinburgh’s world-leading visitor economy, starting with the dynamic distilling and brewing scene that has established the city as the new spirit of Scotland.
This series is a key initiative in the city’s inbound leisure visitor campaign, Experience the Beauty.
The initiative highlights Edinburgh’s most innovative makers and craftspeople, fostering awareness and appreciation for their unique qualities while inviting visitors to explore the city’s diverse tasting experiences.
Featured producers include Holyrood Distillery, renowned for its diverse range of whiskies and rum; Port of Leith Distillery, the UK’s first vertical distillery, leading the charge in sustainability; Summerhall Distillery, celebrated for its bold and inventive gin flavours; Secret Garden Distillery, which embraces a ‘seed to sip’ ethos with seasonal botanicals; and Vault City, known for brewing innovative sour beers using real fruit.
Interviews with key makers are now live on Forever Edinburgh’s website (https://edinburgh.org/meet-edinburghs-makers/), alongside a brand-new Brewers and Distillers Map showcasing over 60 businesses across the whole city.
Forever Edinburgh, Edinburgh Maker’s Map
This guide invites visitors to discover the spirit of Edinburgh, featuring bars, pubs, pop-ups, retailers and distilleries, all easily accessible by foot or sustainable travel options, including bus and tram.
Map highlights include Hey Palu in the Southside, the Innis and Gunn Brew School in Tollcross, and the Pilot Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Leith.
Edinburgh has emerged as a prime destination for food and drink tourism, and has seen a 50% increase in businesses in the city distilling, rectifying and blending spirits, 25% increase in beer manufacturers and 35% increase in beverage manufacturers since 2019. A 2023 VisitScotland survey found that nearly half (46%) of visitors participated in at least one food and drink experience during their trip to Scotland.
The Brewers and Distillers Map will be featured on the Forever Edinburgh website, The Official Guide to Edinburgh, and promoted through digital channels, showcasing what makes it a unique, must-see UK city break all year round.
Cllr Cammy Day, leader of the City of Edinburgh Council said:“Distilling in Edinburgh links back to the 18th century, and we have seen a revival of late with so many wonderful producers and brewers choosing the capital at their HQ. We’re really lucky in Edinburgh to have some of the best in the country, from the Port of Leith Distillery to Innis and Gunn, Edinburgh Gin and many more.
“The Meet Edinburgh’s Makers initiative celebrates Edinburgh’s renaissance as the true spirit of Scotland, and uses the stories of the dedicated craftspeople and their exceptional experiences around the city to draw more interest from our visitors.
“The Makers interviews and Brewers and Distillers Map, will exist year-round and are excellent resources no matter the time of year. This is a chance to sample some of Edinburgh’s finest offerings and appreciate the rich flavour profiles that define our city’s vibrant spirit.”
Callum Rae, distillery manager at Holyrood Distillery said:“We’re thrilled to be part of the ‘Meet Edinburgh’s Makers’ series, which highlights the incredible producers that call Edinburgh home.
“With such a wide variety of experiences in the city, being showcased by Forever Edinburgh is a fantastic opportunity for our business.
“This campaign will bring more people through our doors and give them a chance to explore the great drinks Edinburgh has to offer.
“We’re delighted to be listed alongside other local brands and share in celebrating Edinburgh evolving from being the heart of Scotland to embodying its spirit as well.”
