Community-owned Assynt Foundation secures new partnerships
Under a separate partnership, it is working with the Woodland Trust on a new landscape management plan for the whole 44,000 acres.It includes regenerating native woodland.The Woodland Trust partnership will be funded from both public and private sources.
After fears of being on the verge of bankruptcy Assynt Foundation chairman Lewis MacAskill said there was now hope for the estate's financial future.He added: "The foundation ran Glencanisp Lodge as a B&B and as self-catering accommodation for a number of years, and while a number of locals were employed and the lodge was kept busy, the foundation lacked the necessary hospitality expertise and this venture lost money over a sustained period of time."By late 2019, it became apparent that insolvency was looming. "We decided the safest course action was to close the lodge in November 2019. The lodge has remained closed since then."Original Hotels already runs four hotels in the Highlands, and a number of others across the UK.It will lead the refurbishment of the 14-bedroom Glencanisp Lodge.Mr MacAskill said: "When the community groups don't have the expertise, partnerships make sense."In 2005, the Assynt Foundation completed its purchase from the millionaire Vestey family for about £4m.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Whisky experiences in Scotland: This is a must-visit distillery within easy reach of Glasgow and Edinburgh
Supplied Blend your own whisky, taste rare and exclusive malts, and immerse yourself in the rich heritage of one of Scotland's most iconic whisky destinations. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... At the award-winning Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery, a world of discovery awaits—whether you're a first-time visitor or a lifelong whisky enthusiast. A Highland welcome awaits Located at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, in the heart of beautiful Perthshire, Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery is more than just a stop on your journey—it's a destination in its own right. Less than 1 hour 45 minutes from both Glasgow and Edinburgh, and only 20 minutes from the vibrant town of Pitlochry, it offers the perfect base for a memorable day trip or a relaxing short break in whisky country. Supplied Built on legacy Founded in 1898 and nestled beside the crystal-clear waters of the Pitilie Burn—a tributary of the River Tay—the distillery continues to use the same gold-rich water source today. As you explore the site, you'll see history in every stone, from the original pagoda roof designed by renowned architect Charles Doig to the enduring spirit of craftsmanship that defines every drop of Aberfeldy whisky. Celebrating 25 years of whisky experiences This year marks a milestone: 25 years since the opening of the distillery's award-winning Visitor Centre. Seamlessly integrated into the original historic buildings, the experience invites guests to step inside the story of Dewar's—from its Victorian roots to its global legacy. The former maltings floor has been thoughtfully transformed into a welcoming café and bar, where you can relax with a locally sourced meal or enjoy a drink, a dram or a whisky flight in a beautifully atmospheric setting. As you move through the museum space, curated archive displays bring the brand's legacy to life—from vintage Dewar's adverts to rooms recreated in the style of founder Tommy Dewar's office. Whether you're just beginning your whisky journey or are a seasoned collector, Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery offers a range of engaging and enriching experiences. Enjoy a quiet dram in the lounge, fill your own bottle from an exclusive single cask, or browse the distillery shop for unique gifts and rare releases. Supplied For those keen to dive deeper, guided tours and tastings unlock the secrets behind Dewar's award-winning blends and Aberfeldy Single Malts. Highlights include: · Dewar's Blending Masterclass – craft your very own Scotch whisky blend to take home under expert guidance · Drams of Your Dreams – sample rare and aged expressions not easily found elsewhere · The Whisky Explorer Experience – an in-depth, multisensory journey through heritage and flavour Discover the craft behind the cask All experiences begin with an introductory film that sets the tone for what follows: a deeper understanding of Dewar's pioneering spirit. From there, visitors explore the heritage museum before embarking on a behind-the-scenes distillery tour—from grain to glass. You'll visit the atmospheric Old Filling Store and delve into the Aberfeldy Single Malt casking and maturation process, before stepping into the Blenders Bothy. Here, you'll learn about the innovative double ageing process behind Dewar's Blended Scotch and the refined four-stage maturation of the celebrated Double Double range. Here technology meets tradition. A life-sized, high-definition projection of Stephanie Macleod—six-time International Whisky Competition Master Blender of the Year—who shares her insight and passion for the craft. Guests will then be invited to discover their Dewar's persona through a multi-sensory flavour quiz culminating in a personalised tasting of Dewar's that matches their taste profile in the Tasting Rooms, alongside a tasting of Aberfeldy 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch whisky. For those who wish to delve further into a tutored whisky tasting, the Whisky Explorer Experience concludes with five exceptional drams. Each one reveals something unique – depth, complexity, age, or rarity – providing a tasting that's as enlightening as it is enjoyable. Supplied Plan your visit Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery is a place where whisky heritage meets Highland hospitality, and where every experience is designed to inspire, inform, and delight. Explore more about the distillery's rich history, book your experience, discover places to stay, and plan your perfect day trip from Edinburgh or beyond—visit the website today.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
Historic Scottish town with 'charming' streets with some of UK's cheapest houses
Homes in town sold for an average of £154,688 last year, with prices rising from the previous year. A historic town in East Ayrshire, has been named one of the cheapest places to live in the UK, with locals praising its vibrant shopping scene and friendly atmosphere. Ranked by property website Rightmove as the most affordable location in Scotland for first-time buyers, Kilmarnock offers average property prices far below the national average. According to Rightmove, homes in Kilmarnock sold for an average of £154,688 over the past year. Flats went for an average of £75,868, while semi-detached properties fetched £161,391 and terraced houses £115,793. Prices were up seven percent compared to the previous year and four per cent higher than the 2022 peak. With a population of over 47,000, Kilmarnock's housing costs are more than five times lower than London, where the average flat is priced at £590,543. The town's mix of cultural heritage, green spaces and shopping options has helped make it an attractive choice for buyers. Kilmarnock boasts an impressive list of cultural landmarks, including Scotland's largest Burns Monument, the Dick Institute and the Palace Theatre. The town centre offers a variety of independent shops alongside well-known high street names. Tourism board VisitScotland described Bank Street as 'a charming cobbled street in the historic core, with the elegant John Finnie Street boasting one of the best examples of provincial Victorian architecture in Scotland.' It also highlighted Dean Castle and Country Park as 'a fantastic day out for all the family' and praised the Burns Monument Centre's location in the scenic Kay Park. For many residents, the town's appeal lies in its character and accessibility. Andrew Reith, 41, of Zenith Coins, who has worked in Kilmarnock for five years, said: 'The town has some nice parks, and there are a few places for public entertainment. The shopping area is quite popular, and both tourists and locals enjoy wandering around it. 'What I feel is that the town could benefit from a couple of large organisations, such as factories, to create more job opportunities for people living in the area.' However, others say the town still faces challenges. One resident told The Express: 'Many people in Kilmarnock rely on Government benefits and lack ambition and zeal to work. "Most people are looking to send their children to the schools in Troon which is around 15 to 20 minutes away from Kilmarnock and is home to some of the most affluent people in the town.' While some streets offer homes priced between £75,000 and £84,000, others feature properties worth £500,000. Tracey Oakley, a property adviser with Donald Ross Residential, noted: 'Kilmarnock is a huge area and it would not be right to say that the houses are cheap [everywhere] here. The town is not very far from Glasgow and has a lovely shopping centre. 'The properties which are put on the market are being sold in just two to six weeks, showing its popularity among the buyers.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. East Ayrshire Council says the town's vibrancy is being boosted by regeneration efforts. David McDowall, head of economic growth, said: 'We are happy to see Kilmarnock is featuring as one of the more economical places to live… "Over the past 15 years, our Regeneration and Business Support teams have attracted investment to enable the redevelopment of the town centre… breathing new life into the town's conservation area.' He added that Kilmarnock has 'weathered the storm of closures of the mass industries such as whisky bottling, shoe making, carpet making, textiles and heavy engineering' and is now 'experiencing a resurgence' with new small and medium enterprises.
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Victorian-era floral favourites asters make comeback at UK supermarket
The blooms were popular in the Victorian era when floriography, the language of flowers, was used as a discreet way to communicate feelings. Etiquette in 19th century England discouraged open displays of emotion. Tesco Flowers expert and technical manager Jamie Simpson said the supermarket started selling asters in 2022 'not only because they look lovely but also because they are such great value for money'. 'In that first year we sold 215,000 bunches but they became so popular so quickly that last year we sold 500,000,' he said. 'This year we hope to sell nearly double that.' In 19th century England, asters were seen as a symbol of love, patience and wisdom making them a perfect gift for a loved one. They also represented elegance and grace, two qualities that were valued during the Victorian era. 'Asters are glorious flowers that have only recently come back into vogue with growers but that, in just two years, have made a sensational impact with shoppers,' said Mr Simpson. 'Aster Matsumoto which are also known as Japanese aster, bear beautiful, large daisy-like flower heads and come in many different colours such as blue, purple, pink, dark pink, red, and white all with a bright yellow centre.' The UK's biggest grower of asters, L&D Flowers based in Pinchbeck near Spalding, Lincolnshire, has grown five million stems for this season to meet demand. James Lacey, managing director at L&D Flowers, said: 'Similar to a lot of fruit grown in the UK this year we have experienced a bumper crop of asters this summer because of all the sunshine and extra hours of daylight. 'We only started growing asters three years ago as a result of the success we have had with sunflowers but we've really been taken back by just how popular the flower has become in so short a space of time. 'In 2022, to start with, we planted enough asters to create 100,000 bunches which we've been told flew off the shelves. 'This year we've grown enough for 1.2 million bunches which is an increase of 1,100% on our initial planting. 'We grow the asters on the grade one silt soils of south Lincolnshire which are not only very fertile but also retain moisture well which has helped us through all the heatwaves which we have had this summer.' According to Tesco, the reason asters have become so popular is that they are an impactful, British seasonal flower, with vivid colours, a good vase life and are priced at just £3 a bouquet. Asters are fast growing annual flowers that bloom in the late summer. The flower is native to Japan and is a member of the asteraceae family, along with other popular cut flowers such as sunflowers, dahlias, and chrysanthemums. The aster seeds are sown into plugs and are started off in the greenhouse. When the small plants have established themselves, they are transplanted out into the field to continue their growth. It takes about 12-14 weeks from planting the plus to flower harvest. Tesco's aster bouquets are priced at £3 for a single coloured bunch or £6 for a bumper mixed coloured bunch.
