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Daily Record
11-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
Six things everyone in Scotland does when the weather is hot and sunny
With the mercury rising across the country, these will all look familiar. Scotland has been soaking up plenty of sun in recent weeks. While there have been cold and wet spells, overall we have been relatively lucky so far this year. The first day of warm weather of the year in Scotland is always a flurry of activity. With summer on the horizon, things are likely to only heat up from here. Anyone who lives in or grew up in Scotland will be well aware of how Scots act when the temperature rises. In conditions that people from other countries would consider mild or even cold, we strip down to our vests and shorts and head outside for some sunbathing. The Daily Record has rounded up a few things people in Scotland tend to do on a hot day. No matter where you live in the country, you are bound to recognise at least a few. weather warms up. Hit the beach Every year, once the weather warms up even a tiny bit, Scots decide it is time for a trip to the beach. After all, we know that it won't be long until the rain is back. Luckily, no matter whereabouts in Scotland you are, there are bound to be beaches where you can soak up some sun that aren't too far away. You don't need to just head to the coast, either, as many of Scotland's lochs provide sandy beaches where you can sit and enjoy the views. Head to a beer garden Like the beach, Scots tend to feel a bit of warmth on their skin and decide it is time for a visit to a beer garden. Over the summer months, outdoor spaces at pubs and bars across the country are packed with people trying to enjoy a pint while feeling bathing in the sun. If you are struggling to think of a good beer garden to head to, we previously reported on four that were named the best in the country. Scotland Now's Alexander Smail also recently wrote about his experience at a "hidden gem" beer garden in the heart of Glasgow. Taps aff There is a reason the phrase 'taps aff' is so famous in Scotland, particularly Glasgow. For those unfamiliar, it refers to the removal of one's t-shirt in warm weather. Even over the summer months, hot temperatures are a rarity in Scotland. Therefore, as soon as the mercury rises even a little bit, you will find that people all over the country take off their shirts to celebrate the heat. Rush to buy ice cream or lollies While ice cream is great all throughout the year, it just tastes better when conditions are hot. Every Scot has their own personal favourite frozen treat, whether it is a 99 with a flake or a fruity freeze pop. Many Scots will know the pain of running to their local corner shop to pick up an ice lolly to cool down with only to find they have already sold out. If you are really desperate, you can always pour some fruit juice in a mould and leave in the freezer for a few hours. Enjoy a disposable barbecue Those who live anywhere near a public park will know all too well that when the temperature rises Scots love a disposable barbecue. They may not be the highest of quality, but somehow the food always tastes incredible—burnt or not. If you are planning to enjoy a disposable barbecue with friends or family this summer, make sure you are allowed to first. You may well find that your local park has banned the use of them out of environmental or fire concerns. Blast music in the park Anybody in Scotland who has ever had the idea of doing a bit of sunbathing on the grass on a sunny day will be well aware of this one. As soon as the sun starts shining, groups of Scots rock up to their local park with a loudspeaker. The speakers may look small, but you could be forgiven for thinking you are TRNSMT with how loud they can get. Hopefully you like the music playing, or else you might need to find a quieter spot to sit.
Daily Record
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'I tried Edinburgh's trendiest sandwich shop and couldn't believe the portions'
Edinburgh is known for many things, one of which is its thriving culinary scene. Across the city, there are countless restaurants, cafés, and bistros that are popular amongst visitors and critics alike. One of the city's hottest food spots is Mootz General Store in the buzzy Stockbridge district. The eatery, which opened last year, serves up homemade schiacciata bread with a wide range of deli meats and other fillings. Since opening, Mootz General Store has earned rave reviews from professional critics. It has also earned legions of fans, with people across Edinburgh and beyond flocking to try out one of its sandwiches. Over the weekend, Scotland Now's Alexander Smail took a trip to Mootz General Store. Here are his thoughts. 'Absolutely incredible sandwiches' On Saturday, I was out and about in Stockbridge with my partner. After browsing the trendy neighbourhood's various clothes shops and bookstores for an hour or so, we decided that it was time for lunch. There were a few different eateries that we were considering. We couldn't decide between the popular Civerinos pizzeria or the cosy-looking Cafe Romina coffee shop. However, just then, Mootz General Store caught my eye. I had heard it was one of the city's most popular sandwich shops, so I figured there was no time like the present to try it out. The weather was pleasant enough, if a bit cold, so we grabbed a table outside the shop. Looking inside, all of the tables inside were totally rammed with people, so we were lucky to get a seat at all. On the table, there were two menus detailing all of the sandwiches available. There was also a tub full of more hand wipes than I'd ever seen, so I figured things were about to get messy. There was a wide selection of sandwiches to choose from on the menu and I spent a good five minutes just deciding what I wanted. Most of Mootz's offerings are unsurprisingly meat-heavy, though there are also a couple of vegetarian and vegan options to choose from. One thing I did notice was that the food seemed rather expensive, with most full size sandwiches priced at £12.50 and 'slightly smaller' sizes costing a few pounds less. However, as I would soon learn, these prices were very reasonable for what I ended up getting. The eatery's classic sandwich, named the 'mootz', includes mortadella meat, stracciatella soft cheese, pistachio pesto, and crushed pistachios. Another sandwich that caught my eye was the 'prosciutto', featuring prosciutto cotto meat, mozzarella, olives, tomato, Other sandwiches featured on the menu included the 'huckleberry' and the 'courgette'. The former is made with mortadella, glazed ham, porchetta, provolone cheese, pickles, American mustard, and peppers, while the latter is a vegetarian option including chargrilled courgette, lemon and chili dressing, roast hazelnuts, and more. Eventually, I decided to go with the mootz as I figured it had to be a classic for a reason. My partner, meanwhile, opted for a turkey club sandwich. As we waited for our sandwiches to be prepared, I sipped my coke and soaked in Stockbridge's bustling atmosphere. In the short time that it took for our food to be ready, I heard at least three different people walk by praising Mootz—which only heightened my expectations. Scotland's 'best wee village' with inn that serves up 'sumptuous' Easter Sunday roast View gallery When my mootz was finally set down in front of me, there was one thing that immediately jumped out. I couldn't believe the size of the sandwich—easily the biggest I'd ever been served. After gazing down in awe at the gigantic slab of a sandwich in front of me for a few seconds, I tucked in. It was stuffed to the absolute brim with fillings, and I could soon see why so many hand wipes were available on the table. Taking one bite, I could immediately tell why Mootz is so popular. The bread was absolutely incredible and perfectly doughy—definitely among the tastiest I've ever had. The fillings meanwhile complemented each other perfectly, with the mortadella and stracciatella offering a perfect balance of flavours. Meanwhile, the optional hot honey that I chose added just enough sweetness without going overboard. I will say, as tasty as the sandwich was, I did struggle to finish. Once I did, I was ready to go home and sleep it off. Would I visit Mootz General Store again? Absolutely, though I would maybe opt for the 'slightly smaller' size of sandwich next time.
Daily Record
23-04-2025
- Daily Record
'I visited a Scottish seaside village - one part was absolutely breathtaking'
The Easter holidays may be over, but there is no wrong time for a staycation. With the days getting longer, and summer inching closer, there is no time like the present to plan a weekend getaway in Scotland. Every single corner of Scotland has a huge supply of scenic and exciting destinations to explore. Whether you are after a bustling city break or a quiet or romantic getaway, you have no shortage of options. One popular area of Scotland for day trips and staycations is the East Neuk of Fife. The coastal region is renowned for its many picturesque villages. Scotland Now's Alexander Smail visited Crail over the weekend. Read on to find out how he got on. 'Absolutely breathtaking' On Saturday, me and my partner were deciding how best to spend the day. The weather was relatively sunny, so we settled on a day out by the coast. We previously visited Balloch near Glasgow, so decided to head somewhere on the east coast of Scotland this time. When it comes to seaside spots near Edinburgh, it is hard to top the East Neuk of Fife. After looking at a map on my phone, I decided Crail was where I wanted to head. The drive to the village from Edinburgh took around an hour and a half in total, passing by lots of rolling hills and beautiful fields full of yellow flowers on the way. It was already mid-afternoon by the time we arrived, so I figured we had no time to waste. As we looked for a parking space, I noticed a sign stating that there was an Easter craft fair at the Crail Community Hall—so that was our first destination. The hall was once a church, and looked incredible from the outside. Stepping in, it was a hive of activity. All around the hall, there were stalls selling all kinds of charming homemade crafts—from stained-glass art to felt magnets. I ended up picking up some 'sea mineral' exfoliating soap, and have been using it non-stop since I got home. I could have spent an hour browsing the craft fair, but the weather was sunny and the day was ticking on. Luckily for my wallet, we left the community hall and headed to Crail's High Street. One thing I immediately noticed walking around the centre of Crail was just how pretty the village is. There is the perfect amount of independent shops to browse without feeling too busy, and there are lovely pastel-hued cottages every way you turn. We headed into a couple of shops and picked up a few more goodies. I bought some local East Neuk cheese from Green's deli and some incense from accessories store Fabrik. By this point, it was after 4pm and we didn't want to spend the whole day shopping. We decided to walk down to Crail's harbour and beach, since a trip to the village wouldn't be complete without seeing them up close. On the way, we passed the small family-run Crail Pottery studio. I love ceramics so was keen to take a look around, and to be honest I could have spent all day browsing the colourful mugs, plates, and plant pots—but we were on a mission. Walking down the quiet winding lanes, we made one more stop before the beach—the Crail Harbour Gallery and Tearoom. Featuring a gorgeous outdoor seating area overlooking the water, we enjoyed a cup of coffee and I had a delicious slice of coffee cake while looking out over the peaceful vistas. Once we finally reached the harbour, I couldn't believe how extraordinary the views were. I snapped plenty of pictures, but photos do not do it justice. After sitting in the harbour and gazing at the colourful boats bobbing up and down for a few minutes, we headed down to the beach. While it is quite small, the bay is absolutely breathtaking—and there is lots of opportunity for rock pooling. We sat and breathed in the fresh sea air for a while. As amazing as the village centre is, the panoramic views out over to the Isle of May National Nature Reserve was definitely the highlight of the day for me. We took the long way back up to the village centre, climbing over rocks and hiking up a steep hill. Passing by colourful flowers and through more quiet lanes, we eventually made our way back to the car. All in all, I am very happy we decided to spend the day out in Crail. I picked up some great mementos and took in plenty of magnificent coastal views. Scotland has no shortage of picturesque seaside villages, each with their own charm. However, Crail might just be my favourite.
