Latest news with #LochLomond
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Lidl's first-ever Scottish self-checkout voice planned with three in the running
Emma Dechant, James Donnachie and Lana Killeen are competing to star at the supermarket's unstaffed tills. Meet the three top contenders in the running to become the voice of Lidl's first-ever Scottish self-checkout voice. Emma Dechant, James Donnachie and Lana Killeen are competing to star at the supermarket's unstaffed tills. A nationwide search saw over 5,000 people throw their voices into the ring via Whats App voice note auditions. Contestants were then whittled down to ten before a public vote opened to pick who they wanted to hear at the checkout. Actor Alan Cumming has even lent his ear to proceedings for each of the finalists' auditions. Now nurse Emma, 36, Construction Sales Manager James, 38, from Cupar and Lana, 43, a nursery teacher from Port Glasgow, are all hoping to become the nation's unexpected Scottish voice in the bagging area. In her voice note audition, nurse and mum-of-two Emma pledged that her voice was the 'perfect mix of wit and mild judgement'. Her pitch won Alan's approval, though he admitted he'd have welcomed 'even more judgement'. Meanwhile James called on Lidl to 'gie us a shot,' while praising the retailer for 'backing our ain Scottish suppliers' in his audition with his voice which Alan said had 'politician worthy presence'. And then there's Lana, who dubbed the competition a chance to fulfil a childhood dream of becoming a QVC presenter before she broke into a self-penned song to the tune of The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond. Marco Ivone, Regional Director for Lidl in Scotland, said: 'We're thrilled to see how much enthusiasm this campaign has sparked across the country. These finalists reflect the brilliant diversity of voices in Scotland - and we can't wait to hear one of them greet customers at the checkout.' Voting is open until 5pm on Tuesday. Lidl plans to roll out the winning voice at self-checkouts across all Scottish stores by the end of the year.
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'I've been invited to a wedding hours away for the evening reception - is it real?'
Scots love a wedding but it's unclear whether it's insulting or not a big deal to only be invited to the night part There is no denying the fact that Scottish people love a good wedding. From kilts and Ceilidh dancing to rapturous renditions of Runrig's Loch Lomond that will undoubtedly erupt at the end of the night, we know how to celebrate. If you are the one getting married, though, deciding on attendees is tough. Who's coming for the main ceremony? Are kids allowed? And what about that third cousin twice removed your mother really wants you to invite? Perhaps one of the most contentious decisions is who to ask to the evening reception, and whether the guests will perceive this as a snub. This is the situation of one woman who has taken to Mumsnet to ask for some advice. Taking to the platform recently, the woman shared her dilemma, writing: "An old friend had been telling me that I was going to be 'invited to her wedding'. Lovely, would be nice to go. "Invite arrived and it's for the evening reception after dinner. So essentially 8pm - midnight for a boogie. "It's about four hours drive from my house and on a working day. I could stay with my parents so that's not the issue. "[The issue is] do we think an invite to an evening reception is a real wedding invite?" Essentially, the woman is wondering whether to make the long journey to toast her friend's new life with her partner, or to politely decline the invite and not make the effort, because the evening reception doesn't merit it. The replies came in thick and fast with users airing their thoughts and feelings on the move. Some thought the evening invitation was "rude" and thought if the woman went, it would just be "awkward". "Has she kept numbers down for the main part due to money?" one enquired. "It's a big ask to travel four hours for the evening in a work night. I would probably decline." Another commented: "I think evening only invitations are cheeky for people that need to travel. It should just be for local acquaintances. If she actually told you that you were being invited then it's quite rude." A third scribed: "Wedding evening do arrivals are often kind of awkward, although I would go if it was near home and a work colleague or similar. Many of the guests will have been drinking for hours, and they've been there all day so they are all discussing how lovely it all was and there are you arriving sober at 8pm. "No thanks. Send a card, wish her the best, think no more of it." However, others were more accepting, and said they don't have an issue with rocking up to the evening do. "You're only an 'old friend' so that's usually standard for a evening invite," one reasoned. 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. "You are an old friend so why do you think you should be invited to the sit down part?" another questioned. "If you don't want to go - don't go. I've never understood the outrage over evening invites." A more neutral user concluded: "I've no issue with evening invites. I think it's lovely to be able to include extra people in your day but if someone said I was invited to their wedding, yes, I would assume the day. "I wouldn't travel far for an evening do, though, or incur extra expenses such as hotel."
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Gen Z won't be able to tick off their summer bucket lists due to one major obstacle, research reveals
FOUR in 10 Gen Z won't be able to tick off their summer bucket lists – because they haven't got access to a car. A poll of 2,000 adults found of today's youngsters, while many have a licence, 16 per cent won't be able to hit the open road because they aren't insured to get around. 2 2 Now plans could be in jeopardy – from spontaneous road trips (71 per cent) to visiting viral foodie spots (61 per cent). In fact, 66 per cent of Gen Z had tried to shape their summer around the content they had seen on their social feeds. With 28 per cent hoping to hit up a festival over the warmer months – with Reading (29 per cent) and Leeds (42 per cent) festivals high on the dream summer agenda. The research was commissioned by Veygo to launch its competition offering the chance to win a 'Gig in a Limo' with pop star and Reading Festival performer Nieve Ella, as well as tickets to the festival itself, to help bring summer bucket list plans to life. The singer-songwriter Nieve Ella, whose Instagram page fans need to visit to enter the competition, said: 'Festivals are a rite of passage for many young people this summer. 'But getting there – especially with your mates – isn't always simple.' The research went on to explore the top viral UK hotspots making their way onto summer bucket lists – which includes Loch Lomond, the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye, and Cheddar Gorge. Loch Lomond's rugged surroundings have inspired more than 630,000 Instagram posts with users showcasing paddleboarding, wild swimming, and scenic hikes. Also making the list are the Italian-style village of Portmeirion in North Wales – which has had more than 10,000 TikToks created about it – and the striking Giant's Causeway. According to the poll conducted via OnePoll, many are desperate to check out Chatsworth House in the Peak District, after it racked up more than 22 million views alone on TikTok. While others hope to check Tenby Harbour in South Wales and the idyllic village Bourton-on-the-Water, known as 'Venice of the Cotswolds'. Young driver expert James Armstrong, from the car insurer Veygo, said: ' Summer should be about saying yes – to last-minute plans and unforgettable moments with friends. 'But all too often, access to a car or insurance holds young people back.' 'We are putting them in the driving seat of their summer with our flexible range of insurance options, helping them unlock their bucket list plans, on their terms.'
BBC News
13-07-2025
- BBC News
Biker, 71, killed in six-vehicle crash near Loch Lomond
A 71-year-old biker on a Harley Davidson with a side car has been killed in a six-vehicle crash near Loch incident happened on the A82 in West Dunbartonshire at around 13:45 on Saturday, between the Renton slip road and Stoneymollan involved the Harley Davidson, a Volvo XC90, a Nissan Juke, a Vauxhall Corsa, an Audi A6 sport and a Seat Scotland said the 71-year-old man died at the scene. The drivers of the cars were not injured. The road was closed for more than six hours for police investigations. Sgt Kenny Malaney said: "Our inquiries are continuing to establish the full circumstances of what happened. "Sadly, the male motorcyclist died and our thoughts are with his family and friends."The road would have been busy at the time and I would ask anyone who may have witnessed the crash, or who may have dash-cam footage to contact us."
Daily Record
13-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
Celtic stars on fairway to heaven in Portugal after days of hard graft as very special visit awaits
In the olden days, the chance for some down time during a pre-season trip abroad meant one thing – chaos. Players would be hitting the town to let their hair down. There would be curfews stretched the limit, players climbing out windows to get back out and managers pacing the hotel corridors to all hours in the morning. But footballers are a far better behaved lot these days. Brendan Rodgers gave his Celtic players a few hours peace on Sunday after knocking their pan in for a fortnight and he didn't need to worry about them charging to the nearest boozer. It was casual walks around Lisbon and some golf instead. There are a few course bandits in the Hoops dressing room. Greg Taylor was the shark of this side but him leaving has left the door open for a few others to claim top spot. The manager isn't too shabby on the links either. Rodgers is a member at the ultra swanky Loch Lomond but he joked the other day that his clubs are about to be stuck in the garage for about 10 months when the new campaign gets up and running and the games come thick as fast. There's been plenty of hard graft done already but the squad could be in for another treat on Monday, with a planned trip to the famed Estadio Nacional planned. There was no way Celts were going to spend the week training at the Portuguese Football Federation next door and not pop in to see the scene of the club's greatest ever triumph. Rodgers might be hoping some of the magic of the place rubs off on his men for the new season. He'll also be hoping the sun is out. The chat out here has been constant about the weather – and the fact it's been better at home than in Portugal. In Saturday's bounce game with Estrela, it was actually five degrees cooler in Lisbon than it was in Millport. It's sod's law, you wait all year for the summer to start and then it arrives when you are away. At least it's more comfortable to train and play in, although Reo Hatate had been hoping for some rays as he rolled his eyes and laughed at the sight of clouds about. There have been pre-seasons when players have looked like they were going to melt. Last year in America was baking, and they had the fall out from the Donald Trump shooting sending folk wacky as well. The year before in Japan it was so humid players looked like they'd walked through a carwash even before kick off in their friendly games. This is far more pleasant, but it's not going to last. The temperatures are rising down in the Algarve, where the Hoops will take on Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday night. After some of the usual low key games designed to get players minutes, Rodgers is looking for something more like the real Celts this time. The big hitters are back in the squad after a few holes on Sunday, it won't be long before they will come out swinging again.
