Latest news with #Blairgowrie-based
The Courier
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Animal weddings: Your guide to including them on your big day in and around Dundee, Fife and Perth
Animals can add a unique, memorable touch to a wedding, whether it's a case of bringing the family pet or inviting other creatures. Popular choices include dogs, ponies, birds of prey, and of course alpacas. If you're desperate to take your beloved dog, then you need to consider a few things such as: what happens when Fido needs to do his business? That's when a service like dog chaperoning comes in handy. Perth-based dog wedding chaperone Laura Findlay has been making couples' dreams come true across Scotland since she set up her business, Solo Paws, in 2023. Her mission is to offer a personalised service to wedding couples, whether simply to bring pets along for the photo shoot, festoon them in special wedding attire, or look after them before, during and after the ceremony. Laura can be involved as much or as little as the couple want. Her lowest price is £50 and this can rise to a few hundred pounds depending on the service. She can walk the dog, give it a wash, tart it up, put on a wee bandana, bow-tie or a special collar with a wooden heart. Imagine having miniature Shetland ponies at your wedding! Haggis and Squiggles, from Blairgowrie-based Alba Therapy Ponies, have been invited to their first wedding in September. Their owners, Alex Barr and Drew Myers, said while the cute equines will be 'confetti ponies' at the ceremony, they'll then be available for 'pony enrichment sessions' with children. 'Our two superstar ponies Haggis and Squiggles wear flower arrangements on their backs, and wicker baskets filled with confetti for guests to throw,' said Alex. 'They can also carry bottles of prosecco or beer. They act as 'four-legged waiters' when they mingle over cocktail hour to distribute drinks. 'Children at the weddings can also learn how to groom and care for them.' 'We're marketing the ponies for weddings and hope to have some more last minute bookings this summer,' added Alex. Owls can be used as ring-bearers indoors, while other birds of prey may be lined up for outdoor ceremonies. Guests could be welcomed by majestic birds perched at the entrance, and enjoy interactive flying experiences. Elite Falconry based at Cluny Mains Farm, near Kirkcaldy, offer various wedding packages. These include getting an eagle or owl to fly over the head of guests to deliver the rings and to the (pre-trained) best man. They also offer an 'eagle cam', where an eagle wearing a small camera soars above the venue capturing footage of guests arriving.
The Courier
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Behind the scenes as Robson Green and Carol Smillie trial ancient paddle boats on Loch Earn for BBC series
Actor Robson Green and presenter Carol Smillie trialled ancient paddle boards on Loch Earn in Perthshire for Robson Green's Weekend Escapes. Piotr Gudan, who runs Blairgowrie-based Outdoor Explore, introduced the pair to coracles for the third season of the BBC Two show. The unusual round-shaped boats were historically used for fishing and ferrying people and goods in Speyside. Robson Green's Weekend Escapes sees the English actor, 60, 'find wellbeing and adventure in wonderful places' with 'famous friends'. Previous episodes have seen Robson take on an assault course in North Yorkshire with Olympic champion boxer Nicola Adams, explore the Lake District with TV presenter Helen Skelton and go kayaking with former Strictly Come Dancing star Janette Manrara. Last month, Green was joined by presenter and Invictus Games medallist JJ Chalmers at Perth restaurant Brown & Blacks. The Soldier Soldier actor also visited Broughty Ferry for the show alongside Dundee-based Gladiators star Sheli McCoy. Piotr said he was approached by the production company looking for something 'rare and exciting' to do in rural Perthshire. He told The Courier: 'My favourite part was being able to take two lovely people out on the water, in crafts they would normally not come across. 'Passing on my love of the great outdoors, Scottish heritage, and the Perthshire countryside. 'He (Robson Green) is such a lovely person. 'It was a very relaxed atmosphere created by the whole amazing crew. 'It was fantastic to hear that Robson was already quite well familiar with Perthshire from his previous projects and visits. 'This place is amazing.' The TV stars explored Loch Earn and St Fillans with Piotr, who says he hopes to have passed on some of his knowledge of the area and ancient coracles. The boats he uses are built in Perthshire using willow framework in a round or pear shape. He said: 'Heritage crafts have always been something I have had a passion for. 'My storage is packed with some amazing gems. 'Coracles, however, have taken a special place amongst all those. 'I am sure the first one I sat on brought a huge smile to my face, testing my balancing and canoe paddling techniques. 'Now, introducing these crafts to many more folk over the years, I am pretty sure the coracles brought smiles to all faces of those who tried them.' Piotr added: 'Over the years, Outdoor Explore has had the pleasure of working with various production companies, for daytime TV shows, regional and national promotional filming and documentaries. 'All were always focused on the amazing countryside of Perthshire, Tayside and the east of Scotland. 'It's a privilege to become an ambassador for this lovely part of the world, which we help to look after and inspire others to explore with us.' The Courier has rounded up TV shows recently shot in Tayside, Fife and Stirling set to be broadcast in the near future.
The Courier
3 days ago
- Business
- The Courier
The Proctor Group meets milestone sustainability target one year early
Blairgowrie-based construction products manufacturer, the Proctor Group, has surpassed its target of reducing carbon emissions by at least 25 tonnes in six years. Some Courier online content is funded by outside parties. The revenue from this helps to sustain our independent news gathering. You will always know if you are reading paid-for material as it will be clearly labelled as 'Partnership' on the site and on social media channels, This can take two different forms. This means the content has been paid for and produced by the named advertiser. This means the content has been paid for and approved by the named advertiser but written and edited by our own commercial content team. The Group's Sustainability Committee established the ambitious target against a 2019 baseline of 197.7 tonnes. Analysis of figures to the end of 2024 shows the Group has actually delivered a carbon saving of 29 tonnes in that time, with total emissions reduced to 168.7 tonnes. All figures have been arrived at following extensive external independent advice. Further reductions are expected once 2025's carbon emissions can be analysed, and the Board will discuss further measures to maintain the level of commitment shown so far. 'Sustainability is integral to our operations,' said Keira Proctor, managing director of the Proctor Group. 'Our mission is to reduce our environmental impact, including collaborating with our supply chain partners to promote sustainable practices and reduce the overall environmental impact of our products and services. 'Looking ahead, we will continue to enhance our sustainability efforts and engage with our local communities. 'Setting a significant-yet-achievable target was important for driving progress. It also had to be clear and measurable, so we could hold ourselves to account. 'We're pleased to announce the results so far, and sustainability will continue to be a major consideration in future business decisions.' One of the biggest contributors to the carbon reductions achieved so far has been the installation of solar panels on the Group's factory roof, which has also helped to reduce electricity bills. Other measures include new double glazing at the Head Office, and a transition to LED lighting across all business operations. A hybrid car policy and a cycle to work scheme have also been introduced, while remote working practices have ensured an overall reduction in staff travel. The Proctor Group has also sought to have a direct positive impact on the environment by supporting forestry projects and tree planting both at home in Scotland, and further afield on the Chinchina River Basin in Colombia. Together, these two initiatives are expected to deliver some 58 tonnes of carbon credits.
