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Daily Record
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Farage flies in for Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse by-election visit ahead of polling day
The Reform leader visited Larkhall with candidate Ross Lambie but an expected walkabout in Hamilton did not take place Nigel Farage arrived in Larkhall for a much-heralded campaign visit as the leaders of all three main parties battling out the Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse by-election made their final appeals to voters ahead of Thursday's polling day. The Reform leader had a drink with locals at the Central Bar on Union Street and visited neighbouring businesses including a butcher and florist as he campaigned alongside candidate Ross Lambie and deputy party leader Richard Tice, with the trio later visiting their headquarters in Hamilton. Chaotic scenes developed in the town centre as Mr Farage did not appear for a planned walkabout and press call in Hamilton, while groups of Reform supporters and protesters then clashed in vocal and angry arguments outside the Quarry Street office with the party leader having already departed. Reform candidate Ross Lambie, a Clydesdale councillor, shared images of the Larkhall visit on social media and called it a 'great day on the campaign trail', posting on Facebook and X: 'Absolute pleasure to show Nigel around Larkhall for a pint of Tennents, a visit to the fruit n veg shop and the award-winning Strachan's craft butchers.' 'We then popped into to the Hamilton campaign office and visited Raeburn brick factory in Hamilton – the last in Scotland, suffering under crippling energy prices' which he attributed to 'Net Zero madness'. Mr Lambie added: 'The buzz on the streets of Larkhall was epic. For the first time in 18 years they have some hope of real change with Reform.' Mr Farage had earlier told a press conference in Aberdeen that a Reform win in Thursday's Holyrood by-election would be 'the biggest earthquake Scottish politics has probably ever seen', saying: 'Are we confident of coming third? Yes. Are we confident of coming second? Well, I don't know. If we do, it'll be a very nice surprise.' He later told The Times during the Larkhall visit: 'Can we come a good second? I believe we can.' Speaking in Aberdeen, he said: 'Do I realistically think we can win? Well, if we do, then that will be the biggest earthquake Scottish politics has probably ever seen. You never know. On a low turnout election with a disenchanted electorate, I guess it's not impossible, but I think it's improbable.' Asked about Reform's widely-criticised campaign adverts incorrectly stating that Anas Sarwar would 'prioritise the Pakistani community' and cutting to a speech by the Labour leader in which he does not make that statement, he said: 'We don't talk about race at all, we think everybody should be treated equally. We object very strongly to the segmentation of people into different types.' The social media adverts were described as 'blatantly racist' by both Labour and the SNP, and the opposing groups clashing in Hamilton town centre on Monday afternoon included protestors displaying 'no to racism' banners. First minister John Swinney of the SNP and Labour counterpart Mr Sarwar were also in the constituency on the same day, respectively visiting Juniors play cafe in Hamilton and launching a campaign vehicle in support of their candidates Katy Loudon and Davy Russell. The intensive final week of campaigning has also seen visits from deputy first minister Kate Forbes and deputy prime minister Angela Rayner; while both party leaders have this week written open letters to voters seeking their support in the hotly-contested Holyrood race. Mr Swinney told supporters at a Hamilton rally on Saturday: 'Farage's rise at this moment is because of the profound disappointment that people feel in the Westminster Labour government, whose first act when they came into office was to take Winter Fuel Payments away from pensioners in our community. 'We are the party of hope in this election, and what the people of Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse face on Thursday is a very simple choice. 'The Labour campaign is collapsing. They are out of it. Their candidate and their campaign cannot be a champion for this community. Farage is a real threat – do not underestimate the scale of the threat that Farage poses in this election. 'The only way the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse can be confident that they will be voting for hope is by voting for the Scottish National Party to stop Farage and to vote for a better Scotland and a better future.' Mr Sarwar told constituents: 'This by-election is a two-horse race between Scottish Labour and the SNP. Reform can't win here and the SNP don't deserve to win here' – and invited voters to support 'one of your own, Davy Russell, a local champion that will fight every minute of every day for you'. He added: 'Reform have tried every dirty trick in the book to drive a wedge through this community. [They] have spent thousands of pounds spreading bile, misinformation and racial slurs.' Visiting Hamilton last week, Ms Rayner called criticism of the Labour candidate's campaign performance – including declining to take part in a TV debate – 'absolutely classist' and said: 'He's a hard grafter and he doesn't deserve to be treated in that way, in a classist way, but I am sure he is going to prove them all wrong.' The final days of campaigning also saw Scottish Socialist candidate Collette Bradley criticise prime minister Sir Keir Starmer's announcement in Glasgow of new increased defence spending plans, calling 'the declaration of a war economy' and 'an outrageous choice of priorities'. She said: 'The £15 billion thrown at manufacturers of ever more deadly weapons and nuclear annihilation far exceeds the (maximum) £3.5bn cost of scrapping the two-child benefit cap, the £1.5bn to restore universal winter fuel payments to all pensioners, or the £5bn Labour wants to rob off sick and disabled people.' Meanwhile, Green candidate Ann McGuinness held a rally in Stonehouse and community meetings in Larkhall 'without the pomp of Nigel Farage's private jet trip', and said: 'We said we would fight a grassroots campaign with our local branch as the driving force – making the Scottish Greens a visible force in an area we have not stood in before has been the most important aspect of this campaign.' The full list of 10 candidates in the Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse by-election is: Collette Bradley (Scottish Socialist Party); Andy Brady (Scottish Family Party); Ross Lambie (Reform); Katy Loudon (SNP); Janice MacKay (UKIP); Ann McGuinness (Green); Aisha Mir (Liberal Democrats); Richard Nelson (Conservative); Davy Russell (Labour); and Marc Wilkinson (independent).
Glasgow Times
26-05-2025
- Glasgow Times
Price of pint in Glasgow Airport as cheapest airport revealed
WildPack American Summer Camps have studied the leading 15 airports across the UK to review how much they charge for a pint of beer, The Scottish Sun reports. They found Edinburgh Airport serves the cheapest airport beer in Scotland with the a pint of Bud Light costing £5.20 at The Sir Walter Scott. READ NEXT: When will sunshine return to Glasgow after mini heatwave ended? Glasgow Airport came in at number two, with a pint of Tennents costing £6.25 at the Pier Bar. Stats show that one in three Brits head straight to the pub once they are checked in at the airport. Edinburgh Airport also topped the list in Scotland for the cheapest cooked breakfast and cheapest hot lunch or dinner.
The Herald Scotland
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Coatbridge men's steamy Highland holiday in hot tub heaven Glen Clova
Glen Clova Hotel and LodgesCadam Lodge awaited our presence. One of our destination Glen Clova Hotel's larger abodes, this spacious adult playhut was pleasingly minimalist and tasteful, albeit with drawers full of Gino D'Acampo kitchenware. Despite his vanishing act from TV, the cheeky chappie's cultural omnipresence endures. An old-school amoral crustacean himself, Bennie had no qualms about wrapping his sweaty hands around Gino's glistening utensils in this plush abode, and was soon attempting to rearrange our internal architecture with a beef chili hotter than the welcome that awaits the cancelled Italian in hell. (Image: Cadam Lodge's spacious interior) Cooling down with a couple of cans of medicinal Tennents lager, another bubbling pot then awaited us in the form of Cadam's hot tub which boasted a full panoramic view of the glen's flora and fauna. As slippery warm foam rippled over, under and around the islands of flesh formed by our near-naked bodies, neither Bennie or I choose to formally address the homoerotic overtones of our current scenario. Quelling any awkwardness by simply lowering our voices an octave, we grunted in a manly manner about manly things, how surfactants in the water contribute to bubble formation by reducing surface tension and trapping air – and also how the water jets that provide the intense massage are powered by a dedicated blower. Certainly, our middle-aged shoulder and back pain began to evaporate, hypertension techno heartrates eased their tempo to a more languid reggae rhythm and pinball-esque manic thought patterns were allayed with deep ingestions of fresh mountain air, the Highlands' own natural benzodiazepine. Bliss. Until Bennie stood up so quickly – instantaneously – that it was like watching Neo in The Matrix. The water soon caught up with his movement, sending floods of chlorinated man stew cascading over the edges of the tub. His mouth then twisted cruelly, unleashing a torrent of toxic Anglo-Saxon exclamations. I raised a wee Roger Moore-esque eyebrow as Bennie then thrust his hand into his Bermuda shorts pocket. What, I wondered, was he reaching into his bloomers to show me? To my surprise – and relief – he held a dripping, dead mobile phone aloft, the device having blooped its last bleep in his submerged pocket. Following another brutal assault on the Queen's English that sent the birds fleeing from their branches, Bennie let out a mournful wail, I imagine reminiscent of the Creator's final requiem for the universe as the last star in the last galaxy blinks out of existence. (Image: Bennie pictured seconds before realising his phone was in his pocket) Warm welcome HOT tubs and home-made chili are not the only things emanating warmth at Glen Clova. It also radiates from the people who live and work there. From the moment Bennie and I arrived, we were instantly attuned to the vibration of Highland hospitality emanating from the wonderful Glen Clova team – Mhairi, Jenny, Angus, Khali, Tegan, Caiden and Elise amongst others – whose collective synergy was that of a highly amenable yet singular Scottish sitcom family. Hospitality here isn't transactional; it's tribal. You're not a guest. You're temporarily part of the family. Nowhere is this more obvious than at the dining table. While demolishing a generously-filled steak pie (succulent Angus beef that I was assured was locally-sourced. I could probably see its relatives out the window) we struck up a conversation with a couple at the next table. 'We come here four times a year,' they smiled in unison, both radiant with the satisfied glow of folk who undoubtedly got their vegetables as children and had invested their enviable inheritance in enough dubious stocks to embrace semi-retirement while still youthful enough to enjoy it. Fair play. With all food hunted locally where possible (pheasants and deer are both in plentiful supply) and boasting a surprisingly inventive menu, Glen Clova's gastronomy manages the rare feat of being both comfortingly traditional and slyly modern. The venison pakora alone is worth the trip – delicately spiced, rich, succulent and served with a distinctive dip that was a fusion of both India and Inverness. The culinary theme was clear: rootsy generosity with casual flair. The hospitable and homely Climbers Bar pours a fine pint too – or glass of locally-produced gin – and is often packed with walkers and guests, who have the choice of staying over inside the hotel itself, its nine luxury lodges or three elegant houses, all with private hot tubs and some even with saunas. (Image: Climber's Bar) Originally dating from the 1850s, Glen Clova has been a vital stop-off for cyclists, ramblers and hillwalkers for many decades – and little wonder, being located just a few minutes walk from the River South Esk, within easy drive of multiple golf courses and actual civilisation in nearby Forfar. As a child of the central belt, I admit the only Glen I was ever familiar with was Glen Michael's Cavalcade – a low-budget kids TV Dahliseque fever dream. Yet here was a glen of such cinematic scale it made even childhood memories, where the sun is always shining and goalposts are made of jumpers, look grayscale by comparison. The glen itself is a broad, glacier-hewn sweep of neon green, flanked by stoic hills and brushed with a glowing, near-ethereal purple heather-haze. It's shaped not just by the land but by time: handiwork of the last Ice Age terraforming a sanctuary that's both dramatic and comforting. It's also a place where you can do as much or as little as you like. Those inclined towards physical exertion rather than hot tub dwelling will find mountain trails like Mayar and Driesh, routes that climb from the valley floor to cloud-brushed summits. (Image: The stunning surrounds of Glen Clova) For bloodthirsty types, there's fly-fishing on the River South Esk, stalking and deer safaris and enough wildlife to make you reach for your binoculars like a Victorian naturalist or high-rise flat voyeur. Hikes range from gentle lochside ambles to soul-destroying scrambles up Munro summits. There's also fishing, shooting, cycling, shooting, birdwatching, shooting or simply sitting somewhere scenic while pretending to read a book you have no intention of finishing. And shooting. But even if you never leave your lodge, you'll likely achieve some sort of communion with nature at Glen Clova – and perhaps find peace with any anxieties caused by the realisation we are all spinning around a nuclear furnace on a wee stone in the middle of infinity. Heavenly weddings GIVEN its location and the hospitality on offer, it's little wonder this picture-perfect resort is also fast becoming one of Scotland's best-kept secrets for hosting weddings – but not for long, I suspect. At the time of our visit, lavish yet rootsy new venue The Barn was under construction. Think rustic grandeur with twinkling lights, Highland charm and a location so heavenly that there's a chance God himself might pop down and carry out the service. Events of up to 120 guests are available, however smaller nuptials are also possible. For those seeking a more traditional service to guarantee God's permission to spend eternity together in a fluffy-clouded paradise, there's even a picture-perfect wee church – Clove Kirk – on the estate grounds, an Insta-ready venue with enough gravestones scattered around to remind guests to enjoy themselves as it's later than they think. (Image: Glen Clova is a perfect wedding venue) As majestic as Glen Clova is, there are no phone shops. So, an increasingly cranky Bennie suggested we venture into the nearby town of Forfar to abate his symptoms of technological cold turkey. Certainly, life happens at a deliberate pace in this ancient marketplace town yet the streets were bustling and liberally strewn with a selection of unique independent retailers – and a Costa. It wasn't New York, but undoubtedly provided a perfect counterpoint to the solitude of the glen. Whether staying at Glen Clova or exploring the charms of nearby towns, visitors will never be at a loss for activities whether they are thermos-clasping serious ramblers or the sort of walker who likes to intersperse their steps with pints of lager at welcoming hostelries. (Image: Bill is pictured at the Bon Scott statue in Kirriemuir) Exploration beyond the towns rewards curiosity however and there's countless areas of breathtaking natural beauty to discover – such as Corrie Fee with its dramatic cliffs and cascading waterfalls – that won't show up on Google Maps. With apologies to J.M. Barrie, it's really not so unusual that Bon Scott sprang from this soil and became its most famous export. Just like the AC/DC legend, this unique region loudly and proudly earns its place in the spotlight and with the Highlands' spectacular geology turned up to eleven in these tranquil surrounds, even the sound of silence can completely rock your world.
The Herald Scotland
16-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Forget glamping, here are Scotland's best sites for real campers
So in a country where free wild camping is enshrined in our culture are there even any decent campsites that still take actual tents? The good news is twofold - there are and there are some crackers to suit even the most reluctant camper. Beecraigs (Image: Robin McKelvie) Beecraigs This is a no frills site for Central Belters who want to avoid dragging the kids off on an interminable drive in search of somewhere beyond the reach of Google Maps in the dreich mists of Skye. The rolling Bathgate Hills are home to this campsite set in the thick woodland of the Beecraigs Country Park. One major plus is that there is a resident deer herd so you can snare seriously fresh venison to cook over the campfire. There is a fitness course in the park, as well as a lovely walk around the reservoir built by German prisoners of war in 1914. Hike up Cockleroy for views; Cairnpapple is even better with Arran to the west and Bass Rock to the east. Cairnpapple is also topped by a Neolithic burial chamber. Camping at Luss (Image: Robin McKelvie) Luss Caravan & Campsite Given some of the more hysterical headlines, you might presume that camping is banned outright on the bonnie bonnie banks. That is fortunately not the case and this trim site is a relaxed hideaway a world away from abandoned supermarket barbeques and flimsy one-off tents that would have been been ashamed to show face at T in the Park. It's right on the loch so you can dip your toes in the cool waters and admire the sweeping views across to the hulk of Ben Lomond, appreciating why Runrig got so excited in the first place. The heritage village of Luss is on hand for shops, cafes and a stroll; Cameron House is close too if you need to escape torrential rain and check into a luxury resort. Comrie Croft (Image: Robin McKelvie) Comrie Croft When I worked on the Cool Camping guides I wasn't really meant to have favourites, but Comrie Croft probably always was the one. It ticks all the boxes and I'd happily send almost everyone I know there. It's beautifully set right on the Highland Boundary Fault betwixt Crieff and Comrie on a tree-shrouded hillside. There are four camping areas and the facilities include a farm shop and mountain bike business. There is a bike skills loop too, as well as rougher single track trails that sit alongside hiking options further up the rugged hillside. Comrie Croft glows with a lovely communal, back to nature vibe – it's how campsites should be. I'd have felt like I'd made a terrible choice arriving here with a six pack of Tennents as a teen, but then probably up ended up sharing a dram with a juggler from Jedburgh and learning yoga from a yogi from Yeovil. It's that sort of oasis. Robin's family at The Sands (Image: Robin McKelvie) The Sands Caravan and Camping This is my favourite family campsite, home to some of my warmest camping memories. And not just of the kids leaping for joy at coming over the dunes and seeing those epic sands, or making a plaything out of an old lifeboat in this seriously fun Wester Ross outpost. It's a playground for adults too. I love hunkering down around a fire here – fires are not always a given on campsites these days – and checking out their well-stocked shop. Once I was dispatched there on a mission to get sausages and a bottle of plonk. I came back with big smile, a hulk of beef from the farm at the site and a bottle of Sauternes, the latter to wash down the Chablis after dinner. The steak in the burgers comes from the farm too. The views are life-affirming, peering out over the marine mammal rich Atlantic waters to the Isle of Skye. Bealach na Ba (Image: free) Applecross I wrote in our camping books that there are not many sites worth blowing your car's gasket over and of this being one. I stick by that. It's a mind-blowing drive over the Bealach na Ba to get here on one of the UK's highest roads. The scenery on the way is like a TV advert for Scotland as Highland massifs soar all around and the cobalt Atlantic blinks back. The effort (and gasket) is worth it as you drop down from the mountains to the wee oasis of Applecross: the sort of trim, whitewashed Highland village that makes you want to start writing postcards again. The epic seafood of the Applecross Inn awaits down the hill from a site with views towards Skye. Order the 'prawns', actually hulking langoustines in this glorious part of the world.
Scotsman
28-04-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Best Scottish Recipes: 14 of the best Scottish foods to make at home according to Scotsman readers
Despite regional differences and arguments over the exact ingredients which should be used, there are plenty of traditional Scottish recipes which are still being made at home. Scotsman readers agreed that stovies were one of the best Scottish recipes to make at home... even if there were strong opinions on what should be going into them. | FomaA - When we asked Scotsman followers on Facebook what 'the best Scottish recipe to cook at home is', hundreds of you replied. And although there were a fair few suggestions for Irn-Bru, whisky or Tennents to be counted on their own, there were many more which offered recipes such as mince and tatties, Cullen skink, stovies and more. And outside of variations in method and ingredients, here are 14 of the best Scottish recipes to cook at home as voted by Scotsman readers. 1 . Mince and Tatties According to Scotsman readers, the best Scottish food to make at home is mince and tatties. A great comfort food of minced beef and mashed tatties, variations with or without neeps, peas, carrots and skirlie were also mentioned. | Maliflower73 - Photo Sales 2 . Stovies Also among the most popular Scottish foods to make at home is Stovies, another potato heavy dish though recipes vary depending on who you ask. | Adobe Stock Photo Sales 3 . Cullen Skink Cullen Skink is a thick Scottish soup which is made with haddock (most authentically using Finnan haddie), potatoes and onions. Originating from the north-east fishing village of Cullen, 'skink' is a Scots word which typically means a shin of beef but in this instance refers to a soup. | FomaA - Photo Sales 4 . Scotch Broth Another hearty dish which Scotsman readers enjoy making at home is a Scotch broth. It can be made in a variety of ways with its main ingredients including barley, root vegetables and stewing cuts of meats such as lamb, mutton or beef. | Adobe Stock Photo Sales Related topics: ScotsmanFacebook
