Latest news with #MartinMcAdam
The National
14 hours ago
- Business
- The National
First new distillery in Inverclyde in more than 100 years opens
Following eight years of development, planning, and construction, Ardgowan Distillery was officially opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes on Friday. The distillery was designed with a Scandinavian longhouse aesthetic in mind, and along with it being visually striking, it also champions sustainability with its 97% recycled aluminium roof and composite cladding. The distillery has its sights set on not only producing top-quality whisky but also striving for carbon neutrality simultaneously. READ MORE: Community pub developed from historic school and outdoor centre set to open Forbes congratulated the Ardgowan team during her visit to the distillery as she said they have shown dedication to make the project a reality over the last eight years. She said: 'This is a significant moment for the region's economy, with investment and job opportunities set to boost local communities. 'Scotland's whisky industry is a pivotal contributor to our positive global standing and provides great economic benefit, adding over £7 billion to the UK economy and generating £5.4 billion in exports alone. (Image: Martin McAdam) 'I congratulate the team at Ardgowan for the dedication they have shown on this journey and I wish them every success as they enter the next phase of their operations.' The last distillery to operate in Inverclyde was destroyed in the Greenock Blitz on May 7, 1941. The Ardgowan Distillery's visitor centre is also planned to open later this summer with various experiences on offer. The site will be open to the public between 15:00-19:00 on Friday with live music, local food vendors, a children's activity area, and exclusive whiskies on offer to celebrate the grand opening. Founded in 2017, the west coast firm is led by whisky entrepreneur Roland Grain and distillery manager Laura Davies, who are leading an expert team with a combined experience spanning over seven decades in the whisky industry. (Image: Martin McAdam) Grain said: 'After a lengthy build, the team and I are thrilled to now be in full production and filling casks with our own distillate, including private casks for our Clan Ardgowan members. 'Ardgowan's ultimate goal is to revive the golden age of Scotch whisky with long Sherry cask maturation in European oak. 'Our commitment to quality is demonstrated by investing millions of pounds in our bespoke Infinity Casks years before the distillery was built. 'Producing whisky is all about time and patience, so, as we fill our first casks and the Deputy First Minister opens the site to the public, we look forward to steadily perfecting our Single Malt in the years to come.'
Edinburgh Reporter
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Beating Retreat at The Royal Scots Club
At The Royal Scots Club on Saturday evening HRH The Princess Royal attended the Beating Retreat to take the salute. The Lowland Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland alongside The Royal Scots Association Pipe Band performed along Abercromby Place. Members of the club had met HRH at a drinks reception earlier, after an unveiling of a new plaque to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth in Princes Street Gardens. Members of the public were encouraged to gather on the street to witness the annual event. Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Chelsea Pensioners at the Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam The Rt Hon Lord Provost Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Get ready – it's the 77th Edinburgh Taxi Outing this Tuesday
On Tuesday the 77th Edinburgh Taxi Outing will fill the streets with joy and laughter – and a few damp passers by. The outing is organised and funded by taxi drivers and offers a day out for children who have additional needs, life-limiting conditions and terminal illnesses. The taxis are decorated with balloons or created as floats. Taxis assemble at the car park at Edinburgh Zoo where judging takes place and the Rt Hon Lord Provost of Edinburgh hands out the prizes. There are categories for best float taxi, best balloon taxi, best fancy dressed driver and best fancy dressed child. Keith Bell Secretary Edinburgh Taxi Trade Children's Outing Committee explained: 'We then leave Edinburgh Zoo Car Park at 10am heading under Police escort through the city and along the coast to Archerfield Walled Garden (between Gullane and Dirleton, East Lothian) with a stop outside Luca's in Musselburgh to refill the water tanks and to eat as much ice cream as possible. 'Once we reach Archerfield it's a fun-filled afternoon before heading home about 4pm.' The route is Edinburgh Zoo 10:00 Costorphine Rd 10:05 Roseburn 10:10 Haymarket 10:15 Princes St 10:20 Mound High Street 1025 Canongate 10:35 Abbeyhill 10:40 London Rd 10:43 Portobello Rd 10:46 Portobello High St 10:50 Joppa 10:55 Musselbugh a11:10 d11:40 then the coast road through Prestonpans 11.50 Cockenzie 12.00 Port Seton 12.10 Aberlady 12.25 Gullane 12.35 Dirleton 12.45 © 2024 Martin McAdam © 2024 Martin McAdam © 2024 Martin McAdam Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinbrick raises thousands for Fairy Brick charity
The charity Lego based event which took place at Meadowbank Sports Centre last month raised £20,763 for the charity, Fairy Bricks. Edinbrick, Scotland's Biggest LEGO Display show raised a new fundraising record of £20763 for their charity partner of Fairy Bricks in 2025. Run on an all volunteer basis for charity Edinbrick's team of organisers, volunteers and displayers were supported by their biggest attendance in their new bigger venue at Meadowbank. The 2025 show not only broke records for Fund Raising but also the number of displays and attendance. The move to Meadowbank is considered to be a great success for the team with the extra space allowing for the biggest ever display at Edinbrick – the 8m long Forth Bridge Model. Lead organiser Doug Adamson gave thanks to everyone who came to the show. 'The feedback from ticket holders has been overwhelming positive. Everyone who was part of the show from the volunteers to the displayers to the visitors contributed to the best Edinbrick Show ever. Our mission at Edinbrick is to put on a fun , family friendly charity event. Each year we say we want to be bigger and better than the year before – and thanks to the efforts of everyone involved behind the scenes, our charity partner, our volunteers and displayers we've got a lot to live up to for next year. 'Our new venue of Meadowbank Sports Centre couldn't have been more welcoming all the Edinburgh Leisure staff were brilliant to work with. We knew moving to our third venue in as many years was a risk, as it meant more capacity for visitors but we sold out the show weeks in advance once again. Not ones for resting despite being an all volunteer team we are already working on Edinbrick 2026.' Following on from the most successful Edinbrick show, the dates for 2026 have already been confirmed for the 9th & 10th of May 2026 at Meadowbank Sports Centre. A special offer for tickets has been announced for a limited time 2026 tickets will be priced at 2025 prices only £6.50 for ages 5 and up. Tickets for 2026 are available at © 2025 Martin McAdam Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Pride Edinburgh ban politicians from this year's event
Pride Edinburgh is due to hold their 2025 march on 21 June through the city centre, but they have just announced that all politicians will be banned. it is customary for politicians of all parties to make impassioned speeches from the top of the Pride bus outside The Scottish Parliament before the march then proceeds up the Royal Mile and eventually to The Meadows. This year however the organisation says that it cannot have any politicians in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling on the Equality Act 2010. In a statement which you can read below the organisation says: 'The organising team is alarmed by the ongoing rollback of protections and support for the transgender community driven by those in power across both the Scottish and UK governments and political parties.' The statement continues: 'It is clear those in power and the combined voices of political parties across the UK by their silence and inaction, are not hearing the voices of our community and it would be wrong for Pride Edinburgh 2025 to give political parties a platform at our event.' © 2023 Martin McAdam Like this: Like Related
