Former ‘hippy' hotel is sold to Saudi businessman
The Cluny Hill hotel, on a slope above the town of Forres in Moray, served as a retreat and learning centre for the Findhorn Foundation (FF), Scotland's biggest and best-known alternative lifestyle charity.
With its faded Victorian glamour, the 76-room former spa was once dubbed 'the Vatican of the New Age'.
The building, first opened as a 'hydropathic establishment' in 1876, is now to be returned to its original purpose after Abdullah Alshiddi, a 27-year-old Saudi hotelier, bought the property as the FF winds up its educational work.
The estate agent Christie & Co confirmed the sale of the building, which comes with its own woodlands.
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BBC News
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- BBC News
Tall Ships Aberdeen: Crews say fond farewell to Granite City
Crews have been saying a fond farewell to Aberdeen after the spectacular Tall Ships event in the city attracted hundreds of thousands of event - described as Scotland's biggest tourist event this year - began on Saturday, featuring almost 50 majestic vessels from around the ships left on Tuesday with many excited new, young crew members for the onward journey to believe there may have been at least 400,000 people at the Tall Ships - and hope the event can return in the "not too distant" future. The long weekend of celebrations in Aberdeen included a display by the Red Arrows on Monday night. Thousands of people witnessed the mid-air spectacular, despite some views being clouded by fog. However the sun came out for the final day, as visitors returned to wave the ships were cries of "Bon Voyage" and "hip hip hooray" from the crowds. The races are designed to encourage international friendship and training for young new crew members joined the boats for the next leg of the Tall Ships races over to them were Aberdeen girls Mya , Katherine, Mia, who are all 15, and 16-year-old are on board the Netherlands tall ship Eendracht for nine days, with mentor Toby Maddams from Peterhead."I'm really looking forward to sailing for the first time," Mya told BBC Scotland News on the deck, before departing."It's a really good new experience."Freya said: "I am looking forward to going to Norway with my new friends, it should be fun. This is my first time sailing. Everyone has been so nice on the boat."I'm nervous about sleeping, and sea-sickness."They joked that mentor Toby would be their "boat mum". 'It has been awe-inspiring' Adrian Watson from Aberdeen Inspired - a business organisation which promotes investment in the city centre - said the Tall Ships event had exceeded all expectations."To see hundreds of thousands descend upon our wonderful city has been so impressive ," he told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland."We feel confident that we will be on or around 400,000-plus."It has been awe-inspiring, and it's meant so much to the people of Aberdeen." He said the major Union Square shopping centre had broken its footfall records at the footfall numbers on Saturday were 78,685 and on Sunday it was 61,682."Most large towns and cities are going through a very difficult time - this has been such a success," Mr Watson said."We'd be very keen to see them come back." Deacon Blue had kicked off the event on Friday night with a harbourside main Tall Ships event then opened to the public on Saturday morning, followed a Ministry of Sound classical concert in the saw crews parade through the streets, and Monday featured a Kaiser Chiefs gig at night. Tall Ships Aberdeen was billed as Europe's largest free family event, with almost 50 ships taking 2,000 international crew members attended from as far afield as Uruguay and had previously hosted the prestigious event in 1991 and 1997.
Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Telegraph
The 10 best coffee shops and cafés in Edinburgh
Say 'Scotland' and most people think whisky, but the country has a history of smuggling coffee – as it was heavily taxed – then importing and drinking the brew. The first coffee houses opened as places of business in the 1670s, and today Edinburgh residents are so dedicated to the drink that a junction in Morningside formerly known as 'Holy Corner', due to an abundance of churches, is now called 'Caffeine Corner'. Best of all, there are independents of every description serving great coffee, from hipster roasters to the smartest bar in the city (although you'll find the best barista in town in a repurposed police box). All our recommendations below have been hand-selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best coffee in Edinburgh. Find out more below, and see our guides to the city's best hotels, restaurants, nightlife, pubs and bars, shopping and things to do. Cult Coffee Serious about coffee? So is Cult. Think bare brick, bulkhead lights, chilled music and a passionate devotion to the bean: both house brew and a menu of special beans with tasting notes that rival those for fine wines. There are equally fine baked treats and things on toast, including banana and peanut butter with house espresso syrup; poached eggs, fruit and soft cheese; or miso baked beans. Basically, it's as far from slick commercial chains as you can get. Söderberg Cafés and Bakery Shops An Edinburgh Swedish bakery so popular it's a mini-empire, making ' fika ' Scottish. The big draw is, of course, buns (cinnamon and cardamom) and open sandwiches and ice cream too, but the excellent coffee is smooth and subtle. The Meadows branch is particularly fine, with outside seating for gorgeous green views – fabulous in spring when the cherry trees are in full bloom. At Easter be sure to look for Semlor buns. Ante Coffee Duck down the steps of an elegant Georgian building off Leith Walk to find this tiny coffee shop (four tables plus counter seating) where the coffee is both intense and creative, with pistachio flat whites and pecan latte seasonal specials. The in-house baking, both sweet and savoury, is exceptional and seasonal. The location is especially handy to grab a coffee and something delicious to power you through shopping at the St James Quarter or up nearby Calton Hill. Fortitude With artfully distressed blue and white tiles and steamy windows this is the cosy coffee place we'd all like to have next door. Customers peck quietly at their laptops, read and chat; the friendliest baristas in the city always remember your order. Toothsome baked goods are perfect partners for exotic coffees from carefully chosen beans and don't miss Fortitude's own bottled cold brew – all in trendy Stockbridge (across the street from the smash hit bakery Lannan). Sam's Coffee Box Edinburgh is big on re-purposing retired police boxes, converting them into everything from libraries to ice cream dispensers. They can be transient, but Sam's red Tardis on the edge of Bruntsfield Links is a stayer – because he makes great, affordable coffee, along with home-made cookies, savouries and soup. Although a bit of a fair-weather find, on any day a bench, view, coffee and a fresh oatmeal cookie is about as good as life gets. Room and Rumours Coffee Our friends across the Atlantic aren't wrong to insist on pairing a cup of joe with a doughnut. Happily, this tiny shop in the Market Street arches near Waverley Station addresses this in style with lush filled doughnuts in every flavour imaginable alongside sticky buns, brownies, scones – all things luscious. It's perfect whether you're killing time before a train, exploring the Canongate or are headed to Dunbar's Close for a quick canoodle in the hidden garden. The Dome If you want your caffeine with a spoonful of glamour, this is the place to be seen. They may not be able to recite your coffee's family tree, but there are acres of marble, bulwarks of heavenly lilies and more gold than when it was a bank. And don't worry about finding a bar for your next stop; just switch to espresso martinis. Note: you'll want to reserve a table ahead of time to get a seat. The Milkman Named for the owner's milkman great-grandfather (thus the stand-out pipe-smoking profile on signs and merchandise), these two small coffee shops (yards away from each other) on Instagrammers' favourite Coburn Street are always busy, and rightly so. They got the bare brick, wood and slate floors design memo, but you'll be so busy choosing from the biggest stickiest buns in the city and discussing beans and grinds you'll hardly notice the surroundings. Williams and Johnson Roastery, working kitchen (where they make gooey chocolate, tahini and rye biscuits, cheesy buns and other delights) and café, the look is industrial, the vibe so laid back it's practically horizontal. Hidden in beautiful old Custom Lane in Leith (with covered outside tables), it opens onto a design exhibition space, always worth a look. Come on Saturday for coffee, freshly squeezed juice and homemade granola before exploring the weekly market next door. Artisan Roast The blackboard saying 'JK Rowling never wrote here' pretty well sets the attitude here where they started selling 'real' coffee almost 20 years ago. Expect a higgledy-piggledy, colourful space with art-covered walls and worn wooden floors. And it's not only the look that's full of character; so is the strong, gutsy coffee. Locals lament the loss of the upside-down teacup and saucer lampshades but nothing else has changed; it's a classic for a reason. How we choose Every café and coffee shop in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets, from neighbourhood roasteries to high street favourites – to best suit every type of traveller's taste – and consider the food, service, best tables, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up-to-date recommendations. About our expert Linda MacDonald Somewhere between New Town ladette and Old Town doyenne, I have a passion for Tunnock's teacakes and a 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' personality, making Edinburgh the perfect city for me.
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Tributes paid to Scottish ice hockey star after death in Ibiza
Tributes have been paid to a 19-year-old Scottish ice hockey player who died in a fall at a resort in Kelly, from Dundee, is thought to have fallen from a balcony at the Ibiza Rocks Hotel, in San Antonio, on came just two weeks after another Scottish tourist, 26-year-old Evan Thomson, fell to his death at the same Stars said they were "heartbroken" about Mr Kelly's death, describing him as a "hugely talented and charismatic" player. In a social media post, Mr Kelly's sister Paige said he was "the life, the soul of everything".She added: "I don't think this pain will ever stop." Writing on Facebook, Mr Kelly's older sister Kharis said: "Our hearts are shattered beyond words. "Our handsome boy has gone to the other side, absolutely no words."She added: "We are asking everyone to respect our privacy as a family while we try to navigate through this tragic news."Mr Kelly's girlfriend Louise Essery posted: "His passion and dedication was inspiring, whether in hockey, work, or with loved ones."Everything feels heavy, and words can't express the love I have for Gary."Staff at the ice hockey player's former school, St John's Roman Catholic High School in Dundee, said that they were heartbroken. Mr Thomson, from Aberdeen, died at the same venue on 7 July. His mother said in a social media tribute that he had been on holiday with friends."I'm absolutely heartbroken to write and tell you all, earlier this week my son Evan was in a tragic accident whilst on holiday with his friends in Ibiza and sadly passed away," she wrote."We are all absolutely broken."Spain's civil guard told the BBC that Mr Kelly died in the early hours of Monday after falling from a balcony, and said his death was an Rocks, which has cancelled its upcoming events, said it was working with the relevant added: "The safety and wellbeing of our guests has, and always will remain, our highest priority."The venue, on the west of the island, is known for its offering of hotel accommodation alongside its on-site music venue and daytime pool parties. Floral tributes have been left Dundee Ice Arena and in Aberdeen, where he played for the Aberdeen Lynx team. The team said Gary had been "one of our brightest young stars"."Gary was more than just a talented hockey player - he was a young man full of heart, passion, and dedication," the team said in a statement. "On the ice, he gave everything he had. Off the ice, he brought energy, kindness, and an infectious love of life that lifted everyone around him."Glasgow Clan said offered condolences following the "truly heartbreaking news".Whitley Warriors, a team Mr Kelly played for briefly, described him as a "popular player in the dressing room". A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities."
