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.”
Brazilian entertainment, spin-to-win prizes, and a year’s worth of premium steak up for grabs
Edinburgh residents and visitors alike can get ready to experience the flavours of Brazil right in the heart of the capital as Rio Brazilian Steakhouse launches an exciting pop-up in partnership with Edinburgh Trams.
On Friday 4 October, the St Andrews Square tram stop will transform into the ultimate party destination, as Rio takes over the platform.
The team will be offering spin-to-win prizes including free dinners for two, complimentary cocktails, and 50% off for diners who visit on the same day, ensuring the party doesn’t stop on the platform.
Commuters and tram goers can also enjoy live performances from samba dancers and vibrant Brazilian music, transporting them straight to the streets of Rio de Janeiro.
The fun continues as the restaurant is running an exciting city-wide competition for a chance to win the ultimate prize – the Rio Black Card. This exclusive card offers one lucky winner free dining at Rio Brazilian Steakhouse for a year.
To enter, participants are asked to snap a photo of the Rio-branded tram making its way through the city, share the image on social media using the hashtag #TramToRio and tag both @rioedinburgh and @edinburghtrams to be entered into the prize draw. The winner will be announced on 31st October.
The popular steak restaurant located in the city’s iconic Assembly Rooms opened in the capital earlier this year, serving unlimited cuts of exquisite meats and a salad bar of authentic Brazilian food in a traditional Rodizio style.
Rodrigo Grassi Duarte, Co-founder and Managing Director of Rio Brazilian Steakhouse said:“Since opening our doors in February, the city of Edinburgh has given us such a warm and enthusiastic welcome, and we wanted to find a way to give back to this incredible community.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Edinburgh Trams for this special pop-up event to bring the vibrant spirit of Brazil to the heart of the city with entertainment and the chance to win amazing prizes.
“This event is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to Edinburgh for embracing us and making Rio Brazilian Steakhouse a part of their dining experience.”
Make waves this Christmas with Lost Shore’s Festive Dining Experience, an indoor winter wonderland with fire pit drinks, sharing menu, festive cocktail offering and option for surf lessons.
Lost Shore, Scotland’s first inland surf resort, is launching The Lost Feast, its inaugural festive dining experience. Running from December 4th to December 20th, 2024, this exciting concept offers one of the most unique Christmas party options in the country. It promises an unforgettable blend of winter wonderland vibes, exquisite food, and adventurous fun, all against the stunning backdrop of Europe’s largest inland wave pool.
Created by the renowned Edinburgh-based events agency, Rogue Village, The Lost Feast will be an immersive indoor winter woodland experience filled with festive spirit, delightful food, and magical memories. Guests will enter through a Narnia-inspired wardrobe and discover a beautiful immersive wonderland – perfect for corporate celebrations, get-togethers with friends and family, or any holiday event.
The Ultimate Festive Party Experience
The festivities start with a welcome cocktail around Lost Shore’s outdoor fire pits, offering stunning views of the surf in action. From there, guests will enter a beautifully decorated immersive dining space with twinkling lights, lush greenery, and communal tables, setting the perfect festive scene.
A major highlight is the woodland-inspired sharing menu, prepared by Glasgow’s critically acclaimed Five March restaurant, making its Edinburgh debut. The meal features local Scottish ingredients, served sharing-style among friends, family, or colleagues. Award-winning mixologists will also serve a bespoke festive cocktail menu, complemented with non-alcoholic options.
Enhance Your Experience with Unique Add-Ons
Event guests looking to maximise their festive experience can upgrade with special offers on surf sessions at the inland wave pool and overnight stays in luxury lodges and pods.
Step Into the Magic of The Lost Cinema
As part of its 2024 festive offering, Lost Shore is also proud to introduce The Lost Cinema—a captivating indoor winter woodland cinema experience. Guests will step through a Narnia-inspired wardrobe into an enchanting world, where classic festive films will be screened in a beautifully immersive forest setting.
Family festive favourites including The Snowman, Elf, Home Alone and The Polar Express will be screened along with Love Actually, Gremlins and Die Hard – offering something for everyone.
The Lost Cinema experience is made even sweeter with indulgent treats like hot chocolate, mulled wine, festive cocktails and delicious food available from Lost Shore’s restaurant offering, Canteen. Guests can also toast marshmallows on the terrace, the perfect way to get into the festive spirit.
For an even more magical night, pre-show drinks or dinner at Lost Shore’s waterfront bar & restaurant, Canteen, will make the experience unforgettable.
Lauren Hyder, Head of Events and Sales at Lost Shore, said:“There has been a trend in recent years of people wanting more from their festive night out, looking for unique and unforgettable experiences.
“We are excited to offer what might just be one of the most unique party packages in our first year of operation. From surf sessions to our winter wonderland dining experience, we’ve crafted a celebration that truly stands out for anyone looking to do something special this Christmas.
“We have an exciting calendar of events planned for the coming year, kicking off with an opening festival this August. Keep your eyes peeled for more information to come on that!”
For exclusive hire for up to 90 guests, or to secure a seat for two or more guests at the Lost Feast, or to receive more information about the event, please visit Lost Shore’s What’s on Page: www.lostshore.com/events/whats-on
The Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide – the UK’s best-selling beer and pub guide – is celebrating its 52nd edition with not one but two covers featuring two of the UK’s favourite locals: Coronation Street’s Rovers Return Inn, and Emmerdale’s Woolpack.
The Guide, which lists 4,500 of the best pubs across the UK, is the definitive beer drinker’s guide for those seeking the best pints in the nations’ pubs – and is on sale now.
Despite the tough trading environment facing a lot of licensees, they continue to battle against the odds, and the 2025 Guide boasts over 900 pubs that are new to this edition.
Information in the Guide is collated by thousands of CAMRA volunteers who give up their time every year to select the best of the best across the UK. As well as covering 314 of the very best pubs across Aberdeen & Grampian, Argyll & The Isles, Ayrshire & Arran, Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, Edinburgh & The Lothians, Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley, Highlands & The Western Isles, Kingdom of Fife, Loch Lomond, Stirling & The Trossachs, Northern Isles and Tayside, it includes 52 new pub entries across the counties.
The foreword of The Good Beer Guide 2025 has been written by multi award-winning Iain Macleod, ITV’s Executive Producer for Continuing Drama.
In his foreword, Iain MacLeod says: “… the story which threatened one of our pubs the most was also the one which most resonated with our times. In 2023, the Rovers Return closed its doors. A combination of the lingering legacy of the Covid lockdowns and the cost-of-living crisis meant that landlady Jenny Bradley couldn’t afford to keep it open. The characters – and the viewers – lamented the news like the loss of a loved one. If it were needed, it was a timely reminder of the central place the nation’s pubs have in our lives and in our affections.”
CAMRA Chairman Ash Corbett-Collins said: “The Rovers Return Inn and the Woolpack represent the UK’s love of their local, and to have them featured on the covers for this year’s Guide is very exciting.
“CAMRA’s mission is to ensure support from both the UK and Scottish Governments as well as tangible legislation to protect pubs in this country. By next year’s edition of the Guide, we want to be talking about the beer and pub trade growing with the support of communities and parliaments alike.”
Coronation Street and Emmerdale are available to watch on ITV and ITVX. This year’s Guide is sponsored by Midland Snacks Traditional Pork Scratchings and endorsed by Cask Marque.
Inspired by the versatility of Edinburgh’s historic charm, natural surroundings and unique festival spirit, Talonmore is a unique blend of complex and fiery flavours
Talonmore Drinks Company; the Scottish based, family run business established itself in Edinburgh in 2020. Using a mix of rooted and plant-based ingredients, Talonmore can be used to replicate spirit strength drinks in a multitude of non-alcoholic cocktails and beverages.
Talonmore has been among the headlines recently with a £80,000 funding win at Scottish Edge, wholesale deals with the likes of major Scottish wholesaler Inverarity Morton and listings secured across the Montpelier Group – including Edinburgh’s city-centre bars Tigerlily, Indigo Yard and Rabble – as well as a brand-new listing with UK-wide Harvey Nicols and a slot booked at Edinburgh’s Foodies Festival.
Named as 2024 Men’s Health and Good Housekeeping’s best non-alcoholic spirit, the liquid’s versatility is what makes it shine in cocktails. The spirit is 0% ABV and brewed with Scottish water; fired by the spice of ginger and Assam tea it contains key superfoods including prickly pear and hawthorn berry, both with recognised health benefits.
With over 8 million adults in the UK looking to reduce their alcohol intake, Talonmore is designed to shake up the non-alcoholic drinks market by championing the adventurous lifestyle that would normally be sacrificed with traditional alcohol.
Talonmore’s distinctive taste is fired by the spice of ginger and cinnamon whilst complemented with malty notes and fruit sweetness. Inspired by Edinburgh’s festival spirit and history of innovation, Talonmore was created to provide an exceptional alcohol-free drink that can be enjoyed without compromising health, control and taste.
Using brewing methods of manufacture, rather than distilling, Talonmore have developed a unique beverage that ensures flavour is at the forefront, replicating the experience of drinking a dark spirit. Talonmore can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, with a mixer or in a multitude of non-alcoholic cocktails.
In 2022, Talonmore was awarded Silver at the International Wine and Spirits Competition scoring an impressive 92 points out of 100.
Lewis Kennedy, Managing Director at Talonmore Drinks Company said: “Talonmore is all about offering choice. The popularity around alcohol-free serves is seeing a meteoric rise right now.
“We are so proud of our liquid and the versatility it brings to the table. Our new red foiling is designed to catch the eye of consumers looking at the back bar, or equally online, for a satisfying alternative to an alcoholic drink.
“The historic charm of Edinburgh gives our team endless inspiration. You will see key landmarks of the city on our recently updated branding, all which play a part in the story of Talonmore.
“We want to create foundations for sophisticated adventurers who want to celebrate climbing to the peak of a mountain in style, drivers who want to make the most of their road trip or professionals having the perfect serve for a midweek social gathering.”
