Latest news with #Gleneagles
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Boutique luxury hotel near Gleneagles hits the market
The hotel's Garden Room is a past winner of the Restaurant of the Year at the Scottish Pub & Bar Awards. The 10-bedroom Cairn Lodge Hotel includes a separate four-bedroom lodge and is a hit with golfers sampling the greens of the prestigious Gleneagles. READ MORE: Scottish castle hotel where Nelson Mandela stayed brought to market The building was extensively refurbished five years ago, preserving the grandeur of the building with key period features such as turrets, high ceilings and large windows providing views across Auchterarder. The separate lodge offers a further four en-suite bedrooms, a spacious lounge and a well-appointed kitchen. The buyer of the hotel has the option of continuing to operate as a niche hotel or return it to private residential use. Cairn Lodge Hotel is listed for sale by Fine & Country Scotland.
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Joesph O'Brien dominates in the Gowran Classic
Joseph O'Brien dominated the second running of the €200,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Gowran Classic in Gowran Park, saddling the first four home, the quartet spear-headed by 11/1 shot Green Triangle. Blinkered for the first time and ridden by Ronan Whelan, the Gleneagles gelding, in the familiar colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, swooped late down the outside and, after a battle, denied stable-companion And So To Bed (Dylan Browne McMonagle) by a head, with a three-lengths gap back to top-weight Viking Invasion and Dignam rounding off the clean sweep for Carriganog in fourth. 'It's great prize money and a great result for us,' stated the delighted trainer. 'And I'm particularly happy for Ronan – he got injured off a filly of mine at the Curragh (Mveve on May 5) and this is his first day back riding. 'This is a talented horse, but a tricky customer. We've been riding him forward and we decided to try him in blinkers today. I told Ronan to take his time and give him a chance. And it all worked out well. 'I'd say we'll look at some of the nice three-year-old handicaps with him now. 'Before the race, I thought that, if And So To Bed came back to her Curragh form, she'd be the one to beat – and she did.' Green Triangle was bringing up a double for Carriganos following the success of 11/8 favourite Dancign Teapot, under stable-jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, in the opening Today's Gate Sponsored By The INPBA Fillies Maiden. Soon handy from a high draw, the Camelot edged ahead early in the straight and stayed on to beat promising debutante by a length. 'She has a very good pedigree and has always been a good worker,' explained O'Brien. 'She's still rated low, but I think she might progress through the ranks and, hopefully, we might be thinking about black type later in the season.' Winner of her maiden on this track, the Fozzy Stack-trained Gotomylovely made a successful handicap debut in the valuable Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap, dictating the pace and battling bravely for Joey Sheridan (his 13th win of the season) to beat top-weight Kayhana by a head, having been headed by the runner-up. 'She blew her chance at the start the last day and was better-behaved in the stalls today,' said Stack. 'I think she's better going right-handed and enjoys it here. She's won off 90 here, so she's entering the realms of listed class, so we'll have to look for some black type.' Shortest-priced favourite of the day, the Ger Lyons-trained Game Point was readily turned over by John Murphy's newcomer Maestro Mark, a morning gamble from big prices, in the Ladies Day July 26th Maiden, the performance prompting his rider Gary Carroll to comment 'John and George told me he was a nice horse. He was green when he hit the front. But he gave me a lovely feel and felt very smart – I think there's a lot more to come from him.' And trainer Gerry Keane has Galway in mind for Beauparc following her victory, under Jack Kearney, in the QuinnBet Handicap.
The Guardian
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Cutting aid for girls' education isn't just wrong – it's economically illiterate
Ask any one of the 187 female Labour MPs whether they would have made it to the House of Commons without an education and you would probably get short shrift. Most would wax lyrical about their school days and the teachers who taught and inspired them. Yet the government of which those women make up almost half the total number of MPs is now targeting spending on 'education and gender' for cuts in the overseas aid budget. It is beyond depressing. Jenny Chapman, the international development minister, could not have been clearer when giving evidence to a select committee last week. The decision to reduce aid spending from 0.5% to 0.3% of national income by 2027 meant something had to give, and that was money that had hitherto been spent not just on building schools in poor countries but also encouraging girls to attend them. In a more challenging spending environment, the UK will now make health its priority. Make no mistake, Chapman faces some unenviable choices. There is no soft landing when you have to implement a 40% cut in your budget. But a slash-and-burn approach to education is indefensible and would have been anathema to previous Labour governments. Things were certainly different 20 years ago, when the final preparations for a G8 summit at Gleneagles involved the prime minister, Tony Blair, and the chancellor, Gordon Brown, successfully lobbying fellow world leaders for a $50bn aid package and a comprehensive debt relief deal. Times are tougher now. At the time of Gleneagles, the global economy was booming and government finances were healthy. The global financial crisis was still two years away, and only the most inveterate pessimists foresaw the age of austerity that would follow the near collapse of the banks. In 2005, the rich countries of the west were minded to be generous. Today they are not, and it is naive to imagine that the aid budget is going to remain sacrosanct when the British government is planning cuts to disability benefits. All that said, cutting aid spending on education for girls is still a bad policy choice. Before it was axed as a standalone ministry by the Conservatives and subsumed into the Foreign Office, the Department for International Development commissioned countless studies into whether spending money on encouraging girls to go to school should be a priority for the aid budget. It concluded that it should be – and for good reasons. Women with an education are far more likely to go to a clinic and have their children vaccinated. They are also more likely to get antenatal care and seek early treatment for diarrhoea and pneumonia, both potential killers. The evidence is compelling: if all women completed primary education and gained basic literacy, maternal deaths would be reduced by two-thirds. In Malawi, each additional year of maternal education cut infant mortality by 10%. In Uganda, each extra year of schooling cut the risk of infant mortality by more than 16%. Chapman seems not to get the point that cutting education spending will reduce the effectiveness of spending on health. In 1996, the year before he became prime minister, Blair said the three priorities for a Labour government would be 'education, education, education', and the reason he said that was because investment in education is good for growth and boosts living standards. That applies even more to poor countries than it does to rich countries. In a low-income nation, every year of schooling results in a 10% increase in earnings. Nor is investing in education costly. One study has found that $100 (£75) pays for the equivalent of two extra years of teaching for girls. With the government keen to ensure that every penny of a reduced aid budget is used effectively, that represents excellent value for money. Ministers of all parties once accepted all these arguments as a matter of course. This, for example, was Alok Sharma, Boris Johnson's international development secretary, back in 2019: 'Educating girls prevents child marriage and early pregnancy, helps women into the workforce and boosts household incomes and economic growth. Supporting education for girls and women gives them a greater voice. That voice helps them to shape their own future and advocate for changes in their own lives and, very importantly, the lives of other girls and women.' All of which remains as true now as it was then. Education is worthwhile not just because of the quantifiable economic benefits – important though they are – but because of the spin-offs it generates. The economist Amartya Sen has pointed out these intangible gains – confidence, ability to engage in political processes, capacity for absorbing and processing information – that create opportunities. In countries where gender equity is deeply entrenched in homes and labour markets, education is a gamechanger. If, as Chapman says, a reduced aid budget is the 'new normal', there are ways of mitigating the pain. The government could alter the balance so that more British spending goes through multilateral organisations, such as the World Bank, which have the financial firepower to make pooled resources go further. It could press harder for a comprehensive debt relief agreement that would allow poor countries to devote more of their spending to education. But that has to start with a different approach. This is not just about the money; it is also about a mindset that appears to have forgotten that encouraging girls to go to school is good for health, good for growth, good for poverty reduction, good for gender equality and good for the self-esteem of women. Larry Elliott is a Guardian columnist
Forbes
07-05-2025
- Forbes
Mother's Day Gift Guide 2025: Best English And Scottish Escapes
When Mother's Day calls for something beyond the usual flowers and chocolates, nothing beats a trip away to the enchanting British countryside. Think cozy manor houses, thermal spas and farm-to-table restaurants — all against a backdrop perfectly designed for quality bonding time. Part working farm and part luxury hotel and spa, the Newt transforms a historic Georgian estate into a contemporary countryside escape that combines classic flair with modern amenities. Tucked between the market towns of Bruton and Castle Cary, the country estate offers just 23 uniquely styled suites across the main house and converted stable yard, and centers around its spectacular gardens, including a walled parabola with apple trees that supply the estate's own cider press. Pro tip: Book your stay and plan your activities in advance. There is so much to explore and experience at the Newt — the exquisite spa (housed in a converted cow barn) offers indulgent treatments inspired by the surrounding landscape, the garden-to-table restaurants never disappoint with menus that change every season, and activities like beekeeping and woodland walks allow guests to enjoy every aspect of Somerset's agricultural heritage with a touch of well-manicured sophistication. Courtesy of the Newt Renowned for its glamorous gatherings and high profile occasions, Gleneagles also drew the fashion crowd last summer, housing the guests of Dior when the maison held their Cruise 2025 show in Scotland (first show in Scotland since 1995). Quite the hotel, spa and golfing destination, the landmark estate is synonymous to heritage, luxury and grandeur — and top of the must-visit destinations when it comes to Scotland. Pro tip: although the hotel promotes a comfortable and informal atmosphere in general, make sure to pack a dress or two if you plan to sample the gorgeous afternoon tea, where a smart casual dress code is advised. The Royal Lochnagar Suite at the Gleneagles Courtesy of Gleneagles Saltmoore, Whitby, England Stylishly perched between the wild North York Moors and the salty sea breeze, Saltmore is the perfect countryside destination you've been dreaming about — but probably couldn't quite picture until now. Encompassing two brand new hotels and 72 bedrooms in total, the sanctuary that is Saltmoor comes with a heated indoor poor (what British weather?), a state-of-the-art spa with treatment journeys by Wildsmith Skin, a gym complete with biohacking options, and an array of dining offering that spans two bars and four venues. Pro tip: for those looking to treat their mother, book The Nest Suite, a tranquil hideaway complete with reading nook in the original 19th century hall overlooking the orchard from its top-floor vantage point. The rooms at Saltmoore features classic designs in soft hues Courtesy of Saltmoore Cowley Manor Experimental, The Cotswolds, England Charming with lush fields and unique architectural features, Cowley Manor Experinmental pretty much sums up the perfect English countryside destination in the Cotswolds. Spread across 55 acres of stunning grounds (think natural lakes, Victorian cascades and woodlands that have long rumored to have inspired Alice in Wonderland), guests can expect a harmonious blend of historic charm and playful sophistication in all of the estate's 36 rooms. Pro tip: for a countryside Mother's Day escape with style and soul, bond over craft cocktails at the Experimental Cocktail Club, sample Jackson Boxer's locally-sourced gastronomy offerings with a French twist, or simply relax in the award-winning C-Side Spa — complete with indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, steam room and fitness center. Room at Cowley Manor Experimental, The Cotswolds, England Courtesy of Cowley Manor Experimental Schloss Roxburghe, Kelso, Scotland For a proper Scottish getaway, look no further than Schloss Roxburghe. Once the Duke of Roxburghe's private residence, the hotel is close to the Scottish Borders and just a quick hop from both Edinburgh and Newcastle (about an hour's drive). An expansion completed in November 2022 saw the opening of the new Estate House, extensive spa facilities as well as a number of self-catering cottages across the grounds. Pro tip: the estate — with over 300 acres of land and 2.5 miles of the River Teviot — is perfect for those who don't like to sit still: fill your day with a round of golf on the Championship Course, fly fishing on the river or Trout Loch, or clay pigeon shooting at the newly refurbished Shooting Center. The exterior of Schloss Roxburghe, Kelso, Scotland Courtesy of SCHLOSS Roxburghe
The Herald Scotland
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Mar Hall has re-opened after a £20million renovation
The hotel has played host to stars such as Harry Styles, Beyonce and David Beckham and long served as a training base for the Scotland national men's football team ahead of international matches, before they switched to the new national performance centre at Oriam in 2016, but went into administration in 2023. Read More: Work began in March 2024 on the first phase of a multi-million pound renovation of the former Erskine hospital, which is seeking to reposition itself as one of Scotland's best resorts and an international destination. Experienced hotel operators Michels & Taylor were instructed to support the Joint Administrators in managing the resort, pending a sale. A major renovation has now been completed to enable it to rival destinations such as Cameron House and Gleneagles. The £20million renovation includes 74 rooms and suites, two restaurants and two bars, with a 22-person private cinema, a gaming room, and a billiards room to follow. The building was left derelict when the Blantyre line died out, but was re-opened during World War I as the Princess Louise Scottish Hospital of Limbless Sailors and Soldiers. Due to the number of casualties on the battlefields of Europe there was a shortage of artificial limbs, and one of the hospital's founders, William MacEwen, developed a new prosthetic called the Erskine Limb with the help of engineers and workers at the nearby Yarrow Shipbuilders. The innovation was to make the limbs very light, by creating a basket made of willow and leather into which the stump of the upper leg was fitted, with a long piece of lightweight wood below that and a rubber cap on the bottom. A purpose-built veterans' care home in Bishopton was opened in 2000, with the former hospital building converted into Mar House hotel.
