Latest news with #Highland
The Star
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
From milk to cow cuddles: British farm pivots amid flood and soaring food prices
Visitor Grace Vandersypen embraces a cow during cow cuddling at Dumble Farm in Arram, Britain.— Photos: PHIL NOBLE/Reuters Years of floods and low food prices have driven a dairy farm in England's northeast to stop milking its cows and instead charge visitors to cuddle them. Dumble Farm started as a dairy farm in the 1970s, but in recent years flooding washed out crops and killed off the type of grass the cows like to eat, while milk prices below cost of production proved an insurmountable challenge. "The amount of flooding and the pressures on our land were just making it unsustainable for us to carry on," said Fiona Wilson, co-owner of the farm. Mother and daughter, Sam and Jess Tinton with a Highland Cow. Agriculture is one of the sectors worst-affected by climate change, with farmers in Europe and elsewhere suffering under increasing heat, drought and flooding. In 2022, Dumble Farm sold all but a few of its dairy cows and, in a scramble to reinvent itself, began offering "cow cuddling" experiences to fund a wildlife conservation scheme. For £95 (RM544), visitors can cuddle, brush and stroke the cows as they lie down on a straw-covered enclosure inside a barn. The experience includes a safari to see Highland cattle. McCune brushes a cow from a herd of Highland Cattle in a field. "It's been so worth it, just to get so close to the cows, and they are so loving and gentle," guest Emma Hutton, 25, said after she spent some time cuddling one of the cows. It took over a year to train the cows to feel comfortable with cuddling, but now the animals have fully adjusted, farmer James McCune said. Visitor Helen Decker takes a selfie with a cow. "They like being pampered. They are like big dogs... It's more of a spa day for the cows," McCune said. The farm uses the proceeds to create habitats to protect wildlife and support declining species, such as lapwing birds. "It's great that we can fund the conservation scheme by having visitors to the farm, and that's really the bigger picture," Wilson said. – By MARISSA DAVISON/Reuters
BBC News
17 hours ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh rail line closed due to flood
Train services on a Highland rail line have been cancelled after the tracks were submerged by flood was washed onto the line at Achanalt, east of Achnasheen in Wester Ross, during heavy rainfall said all services between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh had been bus services have been arranged and train tickets are being accepted on Stagecoach North bus services between Inverness and Dingwall and CityLink buses between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh. Engineers are expected to carry out an inspection on Tuesday morning. Met Office weather warnings for rain were in force across the region on Monday and overnight until 06:00. Network Rail said it would be working to clear the silt from the tracks as soon as possible. "Floodwater has subsided, but the debris it's brought with it is blocking the track and the station area," it said in a statement.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
King Charles launches bizarre new product using a midge-repellant plant found near a Royal estate
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KING Charles has launched his own range of beard grooming products - made from a midge-repellant plant found on the Balmoral estate. The monarch's 50,000 acre residence in Aberdeenshire is selling a collection of beard oils, washes and balms. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Chieftain Organic Beard Oil is priced at £25 3 Balmoral Castle, nr Crathie, Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland 3 King Charles III is launching his own range of beard grooming products The new range, which also includes organic body washes, has been made in collaboration with local beard care firm Hairy Highlander. The products have all been infused with wild bog myrtle, hand-foraged from the grounds of the Balmoral estate. The plant is common in the north of Scotland and it has been used for centuries by Highlanders to keep midges away. Its leaves and twigs, when crushed and rubbed on the skin, release a fragrant oil that acts as a natural insect repellent. Balmoral Castle and Estate said the shrub 'has long been valued in Highland tradition as part of skin-soothing botanical care - especially in harsh, weather-exposed conditions'. The beard care products feature two signature scents. They are Laird – a bright, citrus-spiced blend of pink grapefruit, lemon verbena, and cinnamon leaf - and Chieftain – a grounding mix of Norwegian fir, cedarwood, and patchouli, inspired by Highland forests. A 30ml of the Chieftain Organic Beard Oil is priced at £25 on the Balmoral online store while a 200ml bottle of the Laird Organic Beard Wash costs £32. In a statement, Balmoral Castle and Estate said: 'Introducing our new collection of organic body washes, beard oils, and balms; created exclusively for Balmoral Castle and infused with wild Bog Myrtle, hand-foraged from the Balmoral Estate. 'Expertly crafted in the Highlands by Hairy Highlander. Huge Prince Harry update as he arranges peace summit with King Charles 'within weeks' – but has no plans to meet William 'Now available as part of the Balmoral Exclusive Collection.' Family firm Hairy Highlander crafts organic grooming products from wild-harvested botanicals and donates 10 per cent of its profits to rewilding northern Scotland, helping restore native habitats and support long-term ecological regeneration. The company said it was 'a real honour to create this bespoke grooming range for Balmoral Castle'. Balmoral estate launched an online shop to sell merchandise last year and other products include a tartan throw priced at almost £1,000. The store features a range of gifts inspired by the Royal residence including socks, dog leads, baby clothing and beanie hats. The centrepiece of the collection is items made using the newly launched Balmoral hunting tartan which was created by leading designer Araminta Birse-Stewart. They include a £962 cashmere tartan throw, a tartan scarf priced at £385 and a shawl made using the fabric which costs £140. The tartan has also been used to create a hot water bottle and a hair scrunchie. Balmoral, in the heart of Royal Deeside, has been a Scottish holiday home for the Royal Family for decades and Queen Elizabeth died there aged 96 in September 2022.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Inside the filming locations behind season 2 of ITV crime drama Karen Pirie
MURDER-MYSTERY favourite Karen Pirie is back for season two as another unsolved murder case is unearthed. The whodunnit is set and filmed in Scotland, with its incredible scenes of breathtaking coastal lines and historic villages lending the series an eerie quality. 2 Lauren Lyle returns as DS Karen Pirie with Chris Jenks as DC Jason Murray What is Karen Pirie about? The gritty cop drama is produced by Line of Duty bosses and follows Detective Inspector Karen Pirie, freshly promoted after the events of series one. Based on crime writer In the second season, Karen is put in charge of an infamous cold case from the 80s that has gained fresh scrutiny from senior police, the media, and the victim's relatives. In 1984, Catriona Grant, the daughter of a wealthy local oil tycoon, was abducted, along with her infant son. READ MORE IN TV The ransom notes that followed stirred up a huge press storm, but the culprits were never traced and neither Catriona nor her son were seen again. But when, in the present day, a body is found with an undeniable link to the historic crime, Karen and her team must discover the truth under intense personal and professional pressure. Here's a list of where some scenes were filmed: The kidnapping scene – Kinghorn, Fife Karen Pirie opens with the dramatic kidnapping scene that the series revolves around. Most read in Drama 2 It's been a busy year for Lauren, who has also appeared in Toxic Town and The Bombing of Pan Am 103 Oil tycoon heiress Catriona and her infant son Adam meet up with close friend Bonnie. They grab fish and chips, before taking in the views of the coast from Kinghorn station. But when they all bid farewell, Catriona and Adam are bundled into a car and abducted. These scenes were filmed on the streets of Kinghorn, a coastal town in Fife, with additional footage captured in the nearby town of Inverkeithing. The hostages scene – the Luss Estate in Loch Lochmond This location is featured across both timelines, with viewers first seeing Karen investigate the remote cottage where Catriona and Adam were held, before later flashback scenes showing Catriona and her abductors in a fierce showdown. The Highland estate on the banks of Loch Lochmond has previously featured in Black Mirror and Netflix's The Outlaw King. How to survive TRNSMT 2025 The romantic scene – The Citizen in Glasgow In the present day, Karen has her own struggles to deal with outside of the murder case. She's grappling with her relationship with police colleague Phil, as the pair struggle to keep work and romance separate. In the opening episode, the pair head to Glasgow's The Citizen bar and restaurant for a date. The police station scenes – Glenrothes police station When she's not travelling across Scotland to investigate the crime, Karen can be found in the police station, regrouping with her colleagues on the case. The police station scenes were filmed at the real Glenrothes police Station in The fateful scene – Glasgow's Barrowland Ballroom Legendary music venue the Barrowland also features in season 2. In one of the flashback scenes, we see pals Catriona and Bonnie head out to a nightclub to blow off some steam, where the former meets a shady character who becomes pivotal to her abduction plot. Iconic music venue Barrowland set for major overhaul THE Barrowlands is set for a major upgrade of its iconic neon illuminated facade. The music venue in The firm that owns the premises as well as the Barras Marketplace, Margaret McIver Ltd, has lodged plans with the city council to upgrade the front of the building. The proposals include adding two LED displays above the Gallowgate entrance, as reported by the The renowned neon signage was originally installed in 1982. The Barrowland Ballroom was first opened as a dance hall by Maggie McIver on December 24, 1934. Other world-famous musicians who have played to audiences over the decades include , , Iggy Pop, , and . The showdown scene – Caiplie Caves, Anstruther The Caiplie Caves are used as a filming location for dramatic scenes as the series reaches its climax. In the present day, Karen and her colleagues inspect the caves, and find a vital clue to solving the mystery. In the past, there's a tense showdown between Catriona's abductors and her family members. The investigation scenes – Malta As the investigation comes to a head and secrets from 40 years ago are uncovered, Karen and her team head to Malta to pursue a suspect. Filming took place in Malta's capital, Valletta, with its historic 16th-century buildings and coastal views giving an idyllic contrast to the harrowing murder case. Who is in the Karen Pirie cast? Lauren Lyle returns as Detective Inspector Karen Pirie. It's been a busy year for the actress having also appeared in Toxic Town and The Bombing of Pan Am 103. Chris Jenks (Sex Education) stars as DC Jason 'Mint' Murray, with Zach Wyatt (The Witcher: Blood Origin) as Karen's boyfriend and colleague, DS Phil Parhatka. James Cosmo (Braveheart) plays oil tycoon Sir Broderick Grant, while Julia Brown (The Last Kingdom) is victim Catriona Grant, daughter of Sir Broderick. When is Karen Pirie season 2 released? The second series of Karen Pirie started at 8pm on ITV on Sunday, July 20. There are three episodes in the series, with the remaining two airing on Sunday, July 27 and Sunday, August 3. All episodes are available to stream on ITVX.
STV News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- STV News
Vision to transform Inverness Castle into tourist attraction moves closer to reality
A nine-year vision to transform Inverness Castle from an ageing court building into a tourist attraction is a step closer to reality. STV News was given rare access earlier this week to see inside the historic site, which has been under wraps behind barriers for several years. Work is still under way, but what's taking shape promises to be a unique and immersive experience that will celebrate Highland culture, history, and storytelling. The £40m project includes cutting-edge interactive technology, designed to guide visitors on a two-hour journey through the spirit of the Highlands. Amy MacLeod of High Life Highland said: 'We're inviting people to discover the spirit of the Highlands through authentic stories gathered from communities across the region. It's about history, culture, language and, most importantly, the people who live here.' The project has faced setbacks including Brexit-related delays and industry-wide labour shortages, but the team behind it remains optimistic. Jason Kelman from Highland Council, who has overseen the transformation, said: 'It's the iconic building in Inverness, on postcards, in photos. To be part of its refurbishment has been a real privilege. I'm proud of how far we've come.' There's still no confirmed opening date but after nine years in the making, the rebirth of Inverness Castle is finally within sight. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
