Reus: portal to the Golden Coast On location in Aberdeenshire It’s Scilly season The rise of Riga
4 CONTENTS
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BUSINESS 6 Airport News 9 10 16
Terminal Transformation The Leading Lights of Aberdeen International Airport VisitAberdeenshire – update
PEOPLE 22 Mike’s on the Move 32 ABZ Adventurers 34 Local Flavours – Saplinbrae Hotel & Lodges 52 Words worth reading 54 Diary
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CULTURE 42 What’s on 47 On Location in Aberdeenshire
COMPETITIONS 50 The Beat Goes on – TRAVEL 12 Its Scilly season: the perfect time to visit Cornwall and the Scilly Isles 18 Reus: Portal to the Golden Coast 26 Connecting you to the world 30 Head for the sun 36 The rise of Riga 44 Set Sail for Portsoy – a look at hostels in Aberdeenshire SHOPPING 24 Spirits & Sounds for Summer – our experts recommend the best whiskies and portable technology
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WELCOME
S
ummer is upon us and even though the sun may not always be shining in Aberdeen, you can always connect direct to somewhere it is. The past few months have brought exciting times for us here at Aberdeen International Airport with the launch of new destinations and routes, the opening of our new international arrivals facilities, and our new Northern Lights executive lounge. We’re now heading into a busy summer season that has seen us welcome more holiday routes to popular sun destinations such as Alicante and Málaga. We are delighted to see that these new summer routes
have been well received and are proving very popular with local holiday-makers. Our new international arrivals hall and our Northern Lights Executive Lounge have now opened and have both been excellently received. We hope that all passengers using these new facilities will agree that they showcase the high quality improvements that we are investing in here at Aberdeen International Airport. We are very excited for the next phase of our transformation project to get underway and look forward to delivering these impressive new facilities over the coming year.
In this issue of upBEAT we’ve taken a look at holidaying in Cornwall and the Scilly Isles from Newquay, and the Golden Coast from Reus. Mike’s been on the move again, this time we hear about his adventures in Greenland and Uganda. The Saplinbrae hotel near Mintlaw gets a review and there’s a feature on Aberdeenshire’s hostels, as well as the region as a film and TV location. We’ve also reviewed the new international arrivals hall, and there’s an update on Phase 2 of the terminal transformation.
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AIRPORT NEWS
GETTING TO ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BY TRAIN Aberdeen and Inverness services stop at the local station at Dyce which is just a short taxi ride from the Airport. The mainline station is in Aberdeen City Centre where there are frequent services to all parts of Scotland. For further information, please visit: travelinescotland.com
Red Hot Chilli Pipers open new International Arrivals
BY BUS Regular bus services operate to the Airport from Aberdeen City Centre. The JET 727 bus runs from Union Square, right by the bus and train stations, making only four stops en route to the Airport. Services are less frequent at the weekends. Details at stagecoachbus.com or call +44 (0) 1224 597590. First Aberdeen also runs a weekday only service number 27 from Union Square. Details can be found at firstgroup.com or call +44 (0) 870 200 22 33. BY CAR The access road to the Airport is signposted from the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road. The Airport is seven miles from Aberdeen City Centre. The main car park is located at the front of the terminal building for short-stay parking. If you are using a satellite navigation system, the Airport postcode is AB21 7DU. BY BICYCLE Aberdeen International Airport is a relatively easy airport to get to by bike. There is a high quality off-road cycle route from the A947 (Dyce) roundabout onwards. If travelling for a short break an option may be to leave
Aberdeen Airport opened its new international arrivals facility to passengers in May; the first phase of the terminal transformation to go live. Passengers arriving on the first flight from Stavanger were welcomed into Aberdeen Airport’s new international arrival facilities with a surprise
Scottish welcome. The arrivals were then met by crowds of passengers, members of the public, and airport staff who had all turned out to celebrate the launch of the new facility and to enjoy the live performance by the band. The Chilli Pipers stayed on to perform for the next two arriving
performance by ‘the most famous bagpipe band on the planet’: the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Passengers were first welcomed into the new facilities by a lone piper, our own Karen Bain, an airport Terminal Safety Officer, who wowed the crowd with a traditional
flights, the 08:40 from Amsterdam and the 08:45 from Riga, launching the new facilities and the start of the transformation project in real, Scottish style. You can watch our official video of the launch and performance at facebook.com/aberdeenairport
your bicycle in the modern, covered cycle stand at the Airport.
Airport announces new charity partner: Befriend a Child Aberdeen International Airport staff recently voted on their preferred new charity partner with an overwhelming majority voting for Befriend a Child. The announcement of the new charity partner was made to Airport staff at the Airport’s celebratory event, ‘ABZ Celebrates’, which was held in May. Replacing Friends of Anchor as the Airport’s new charity partner, Befriend a Child supports disadvantaged school-age children and young people growing up in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. befriendachild.org.uk
AIRPORT NEWS
Local passenger putts €250 prize
To celebrate the recent launch of our new summer route to golfing hotspot Faro with Ryanair, we held a putting competition in our terminal. Passengers successfully putting a ball, and answering the killer question posed, were entered into the draw to be in with a chance to scoop the €250 cash prize. Cally Mair putted her way to victory winning the cash prize to spend on her next trip to Europe! Keep a look out on our facebook page for future competitions facebook.com/aberdeenairport
AIA introduces Hidden Disabilities lanyards
BEFORE YOU FLY 2 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR TRIP
Putting the passenger first is at the core of our priorities, and, as part of this we are making a concerted effort to make the airport a more accessible and inclusive environment for all passengers. In line with this, we have partnered up with charity Friendly Access to launch a new lanyard for passengers and their families who have hidden disabilities and may require additional
For the best deals, book your car
parking online: aberdeenairport.com
> Check all your travel documents
assistance when travelling through the airport. The lanyard, which is voluntary for passengers, will act as a discreet sign that will help staff to recognise passengers who may need additional support and considerations. Lanyards can be requested in advance with pretravel familiarisation tours also being available. For more information on the lanyards and airport familiarisation tours, please visit the Additional Support Needs pages of the Aberdeen airport website at: aberdeenairport. com/assistance
and ensure your passport is current,
that you have a visa (if required) and
that you have noted the flight times
on your tickets.
parking 1 WEEK BEFORE YOUR TRIP
> Order your currency online for
easy collection when you get to the
airport: aberdeenairport.com/ currency
THE DAY BEFORE YOU FLY
Check the weight of your suitcase
and prep your cabin bag. Decant
any liquids, gels, etc into a small
plastic bag. THE DAY YOU FLY
> Allow plenty of time to get to the
airport, to check-in and clear through
security.
New direct routes connect Aberdeen to sunshine destinations Aberdeen International Airport launched a third, new sunshine destination ahead of the summer season. The airport launched its fourth new route of 2017 which allows Aberdeen passengers to fly direct to Faro with Ryanair from May - October. The Faro route is the third holiday destination to be launched
from the airport by Ryanair, offering Aberdeen holiday-makers increased options to travel to Alicante, Malaga, and now Faro, in the Algarve region of Portugal, for their summer holiday. The Ryanair holiday routes are proving highly popular with sunseeking locals and are now available to book at Ryanair.com
> Remember to check the rules
on sharps!
> Dispose of liquids above 100ml
before you reach the security area.
> Remember that jackets & belts must
be removed.
> Laptops & mobiles to be presented
separately.
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AIRPORT NEWS
Aberdeen Airport partners up with Kilted Chef for new Passenger Lounge In May, we were excited to announce our partnership with local award-winning chef, Craig Wilson of Eat on the Green, Ellon. The partnership sees the famous Kilted Chef team up with our new Northern Lights Executive Lounge to provide a locally inspired and sourced menu. The lounge, which opened to passengers on 1 July, forms part of the first phase of our ongoing transformation project and celebrates the Northeast region in all its glory. The Aberdeenshire inspired lounge features a whisky wall, Brewdog craft beers, panoramic views of the runway, and the exclusive menu crafted by the Kilted Chef himself: Craig Wilson. The Northern Lights Executive Lounge is now available to book at: aberdeenairport. com/northernlights or, availability permitting, passengers can use the walk-up service on day of travel.
ABZ Celebrates! Aberdeen International Airport celebrated with staff and partners at a glitz and glam event held at the Jury's Inn in May. The evening saw a number of staff members receive recognition and awards that were presented by Managing Director Carol Benzie. Team of the year was awarded to the Airport’s security team for their continued efforts to deliver the safest and most efficient airport facility
possible. The event had an exciting atmosphere as the airport heads into a summer of new holiday routes, new facilities and, with a view to completely transforming the terminal, Aberdeen International Airport will surely have so many more reasons to celebrate in the coming year. See the photos from the ABZ Celebrates event on our Facebook page at: facebook.com/ aberdeenairport
Dalcross Team first to win Best Station award again
Aberdeen airport’s Dalcross team (previously ASIG) were recently awarded Best KLM/AF Station in Europe for the year 2016. The team made history as the first station to
ever win the prize for two consecutive years. The station is currently on track to scoop the prize for a third year running as AF/KLM’s best performing station for 2017.
AIRPORT NEWS
John Deffenbaugh Head of Engineering & Capital Projects
B
y the time this issue of UpBEAT is published, the airport’s terminal extension will have fully opened. You may have seen media coverage of the first area,
Back to this summer, with the next area to open, the Northern Lights Executive Lounge commenced operations on 01 July. The lounge is over twice the size of the previous
showcase the best food (and drink!) the region can offer.
international arrivals, welcoming its first passengers on 30 May to the sound of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
multi-airline lounge and will truly offer a step change in quality of experience. Passengers will be able to enjoy luxurious seating with panoramic views across the airfield and food inspired by renowned Aberdeenshire restaurant Eat on the Green. A huge effort is made to ensure produce are locally sourced, giving us the opportunity to
baggage reclaim opens to passengers, doubling the space available to those arriving from within the UK.
Over 300 passengers arriving on the first 3 flights were piped into the new facilities by our very own Terminal Safety Officer, Karen Bain, and then greeted by the Chilli Pipers and a crowd of spectators with a distinctly tartan theme. A memorable morning and one that, we hope, provides a clear indication of the scale of our ambition to transform the terminal facilities over the next two years as we create a new and enlarged security search facility with automated equipment and increase the size of the departure lounge by 60%.
The final part of the extension will open in mid-July, when domestic
Opening the terminal extension has been an incredibly complex task and we are grateful for the support and patience of all involved. However, there’s no time to take a break as we proceed into phase 2 of the project with construction on the new security search facility, scheduled to open in mid-2018, commencing soon. Keep an eye on the airport’s Facebook and Twitter pages and aberdeenairport.com for regular updates on our progress.
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AIRPORT DEVELOPMENTS
THE LEADING LIGHTS
of Aberdeen International Airport
T
he very first thing I noticed as I stepped into the new corridor leading to the brand new International Arrivals area were the lights. As the first phase of Aberdeen International Airport reached completion, we were taken on a tour of the new facility by Carol Benzie MD and John Deffenbaugh, Head of Engineering & Capital Projects. John was delighted to point out that the specially designed ceiling lights will show passengers the way along corridors, through doors, and also indicating important places to stop, such as passport control and the luggage carousel. The whole look and feel of the area is modern, airy and spacious, with clean
lines, a minimalist colour palette and crystal clear infographics. The International Arrivals hall is bigger, taller and wider than its predecessor, and the baggage carousel is twice as long at 50 metres. Aberdeen Airport began in 1934 with the original runway, and was used as a photographic reconnaissance station during WWII, with the current terminal being built in 1976. At almost 83 years old, the airport has seen exponential rises in passenger numbers and is proud to house the world’s busiest heliport. This futuristic transformation has been eagerly awaited, and will be all the more welcome as a result. As we looked around the beautiful, clean and empty hall, there was only one
vital ingredient missing - people. As John Deffenbaugh puts it, ‘We put the passenger at the heart of the design’. The International Arrivals Hall opened on 30 May, and the Northern Lights Executive Lounge on 1 July. For Phase 2 & 3 of the project, see page 9.
12 DOMESTIC
The perfect time to visit Cornwall and the Scilly Isles
DOMESTIC HEADER
F
eeling like a holiday, but don’t fancy looking for the passports, changing your money or learning how to say ‘do you have semi-
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you the coastline on jet skis from Lusty Glaze Beach. This is also rockpooling heaven, with some of the best found at Treygarnon Bay in Padstow and Carne Beach in Portscatho.
skimmed’ in a new language? Then head for glorious Cornwall, the lush green slipper on the toe of the English mainland, fringed with white beaches, miles of clifftops, and home to Poldark and the Eden Project. Just over two hours flying from Aberdeen and you can be enjoying laid-back Cornish vibes, sampling goodies at any number of foodie finds, islandhopping or enjoying one of the many festivals.
Open water swimming is popular, and there are annual races at Gyllyngrase Beach in Falmouth and Port Isaac (of Doc Martin fame), and safe, supervised open water swimming at Kernow Wake Boarding Park at Penryn. The art deco Jubilee Pool in Penzance is the largest surviving seawater lido in Britain, and there is a brand new floating inflatable Aqua Park at Retallack Resort and Spa.
Come on in – the water’s lovely! Cornwall is synonymous with surfing, but there are lots of other skills and pastimes to sample on the endless beaches and in the blue waters. With ElementalUK on Tolcarne Beach, you can join beginner or experienced sessions on surfing, body boarding, SUP boarding, kayaking, archery, volleyball and bouldering. Waverunner Safaris will show
Garden paradise There are over 40 gardens to visit in Cornwall, each benefiting from the warmth of the Gulf Stream, including the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Carnglaze Slate Caverns and the Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens. Visit the open-air theatre at Minack, which has been carved into the granite cliff face and set in gardens overlooking the panorama of Porthcurno Bay.
14 DOMESTIC
The Eden Project's mighty tropical biomes, perhaps the great single attraction in Cornwall, house a dramatic global garden. New this year is the Weather Maker walkway on the 23 metre Canopy Rope Bridge that stretches across the top of a 50 metre high biome. Visitors can travel through swirling rainforest clouds and discover how forests make rain. Top days out Opening this July is the UK’s very first Cornish pasty heritage centre, Cornucopia in St. Austell, where you can try your hand at pasty making, visit over 60 artisan food vendors, learn the history of pasties with interactive displays and visit the all-
weather play area, including skywire, dodgems, skate rink and VIP toddler area. If sampling the local craft beers is more your thing, try one of eight Rail Ale Trails across Cornwall and Devon, starting with an off-peak rail ticket allowing you to hop on and off at designated stops and taste the ale. The Atlantic Coast line goes from Newquay to Par with seven delightful destinations to explore. Feed your Poldark obsession With Aidan Turner and his scythe back on our screens, it’s time to visit the locations that provide the backdrop for this brooding, romantic BBC drama. Guided excursions to Poldark locations such as Bodmin Moor,
the Levant tin mine and Holywell beach can be organised through Visit Cornwall, or try their interactive map. There is also a brand new Experience Poldark app, which has lots
DOMESTIC
Every morning colourful tripper boats line up to take you islandhopping, choose from Bryher (Michael Morpurgo’s holiday favourite and inspiration for many of his stories); St. Agnes which is the last bit of England before you reach America, and has the country’s smallest dairy with its own ice cream; St. Martins and its boutique vineyard; or Tresco’s Abbey garden, and that’s just the inhabited islands. Guided walks are available on the uninhabited St. Helens, Samson and Teän, and sea safaris go to the Eastern Isles and Western Rocks to see birds and seals. Fly and sail return trips are available with Skybus of information about the locations, characters, suggested walks and even a Cornish lingo decoder! Scilly Isles for the weekend For a really memorable experience, jump on the ferry from Penzance in the morning to be in St. Mary’s in the Scilly Isles by lunchtime. There are hotel, B&B and self-catering options in St. Mary’s, but there are also hotels in the smaller islands of Bryher (Hell Bay) and Tresco (The New Inn).
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Best of the Fests — Charlestown Regatta Week 22 – 28 July, St. Austell — St. Endellion Summer Music Festival 25 July to 4 August, Port Isaac
from £105, meaning you sail out and fly back in, just 15 minutes flight to Land’s End or 30 minutes to Newquay. visitcornwall.com Weekly flights with Flybe depart on a Saturday between 17 Jun and 2 Sept 2017. flybe.com
— Boardmasters: surf & music festival 9-13 August, Newquay — Cornwall Folk Festival 24 – 28 August, Wadebridge — Cornwall Pride 26 August, Truro — Taste of Scilly: food & drink festival 1 – 30 September, Scilly Isles — Little Orchard Cider & Music Festival 8 – 10 September, Truro — Newquay Fish Festival 16-18 September, Newquay
16 LOCAL
For many at this time of year, as the summer holiday season looms, it’s difficult to know where to start when faced with a world of potential destinations to book for your summer vacation. Cultural attractions often sway our decision in where we choose to visit, with the likes of Paris, London and Rome ranking among the most visited in the world thanks largely to the lure of their strong cultural and heritage attractions.
T
here is however a lesser-known cultural destination captivating visitors from around the world thanks to its strong music, heritage, festivals and food and drink output. Nestled in the North-east of Scotland above it’s more famous counterparts Glasgow and Edinburgh, Aberdeen is quickly establishing itself as a cultural destination that can rival even the most established international destinations. During the summer months, the Aberdeen region is home to a varied and vibrant collection of cultural celebrations, featuring traditions both new and old. And they don’t get much newer than British pop-star Olly Murs performing an open-air gig at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on 21 July. Summer nights in Aberdeen are often as spectacular as a pop concert, as the Northern Lights provide a stunning light display, painting the vast night sky with a melody of colours. Much like the multicoloured skies of the Northern Lights, the Aberdeen International Youth Festival is a dazzling spectacle, that has been attracting visitors for decades. The festival, which takes place from 28 July to 4 August, is widely regarded as one of the best gatherings of young performers anywhere in the world. Founded in 1973, the festival invites young people from around the globe to showcase their art in the week-long celebration of performing arts, which include dance, theatre, opera, contemporary, jazz, classical and traditional music. Performances take place in venues throughout Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, cumulating in a Mela celebration in the city centre on Saturday 29 July.
Northern Lights
LOCAL
Simply Health Great Aberdeen Run
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VisitAberdeenshire news in brief
Aberdeen International Youth Festival
VisitAberdeenshire has appointed Chris Foy as its new CEO. Chris will be in place from the start of August and joins VisitAberdeenshire from VisitBritain, the national tourism organisation for Great Britain, bringing over 25 years of tourism industry experience to the position. Whisky Galore hit movie screens throughout the UK and the USA in May. Much of the filming took place in Portsoy and Pennan, and VisitAberdeenshire has developed a guide of the filming locations available on visitabdn.com
From music and art to an inaugural sporting event, the Simply Health Great Aberdeen Run is a chance to go sightseeing like never before. On Sunday 27 August hundreds of people will don their trainers and take part in the half marathon, 10k and family run events, which feature many of the city’s top attractions including Marischal College, the Castlegate, Aberdeen beach and Pittodrie Football Stadium.
Braemar Gathering © John Paul Photography
AB DN
VisitAberdeenshire
If you like your sporting events to have the royal seal of approval, then you’re in for a treat at the Braemar Gathering on 2 September. Since 1952 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has attended the Braemar Gathering every year at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Braemar, where traditional Scottish games are played, including tossing the caber and hammer throwing as well as tug ‘o’ war and a massed pipe band competition. For more information and to see a full list of events, go to visitabdn.com, where you can plan your summer experience using the itinerary builder facility, allowing you to create your trip based on what you want to see and do.
18 INTERNATIONAL
Just a short flight from Aberdeen International Airport this summer and you could be in Reus, perfectly placed to take advantage of the glorious Costa Dorada, or Golden Coast.
INTERNATIONAL HEADER
S
o named for 216 kilometres of soft, sandy beaches, the Costa Dorada is home to hosts of villages and towns, many of them built around a castle or a fortress. Choose from lovely little Altafulla, which has kept its fishing village charm, or Calafell for its sandy beaches and golf courses, or perhaps El Perello, which is famed for its local honey and nearby cave which hides prehistoric paintings. Salou is a big draw on the Golden Coast, partly because it has superb attractions for families. PortAventura is one of Europe’s biggest theme parks which includes six themed areas – Mediterrania, Far West, Mexico, China & Polynesia, Sesame Street, and, new for 2017, Ferrari Land. The latter is home to the Red Force rollercoaster, now Europe’s tallest (112m) and fastest (110mph) ride, promising to replicate the acceleration experienced in Formula One. There is also
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“Salou is a big draw on the Golden Coast, partly because it has superb attractions for families”.
an Italian streetscape complete with a replica of the Colosseum, Michelangelo’s David, and Venice’s Piazza San Marco. Other destination theme parks include PortAventura Caribe Aquatic Park, and Bosc Aventura which is for the physically adventurous, with zip slides, archery and paintball for all levels.
Just a short distance from Reus lies the Sierra de Prades mountain range, which is famous for excellent, year-round rock climbing and bouldering routes. Thirteen miles from Reus airport, Salou also has Botanical Gardens and a delightful coastal walk developed from an old coastguard trail called the Cami de Ronda via the Cabo de Salou. The town is also home to many festivals
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“...climb the hill to Park Guell, most of which has free entry and celebrates Gaudi’s naturalist phase”.
and markets, as well as fountains that light up nightly in summer. Also just 13 miles from the airport, but slightly further north is Tarragona, a city known for its splendid beaches and well-preserved Roman monuments. The ancient Roman ruins of Passeig Archeologic were put on the list of UNESCO world heritage sites in 2000, comprising an
amphitheatre which once sat 15,000 spectators and gives you a panoramic seaward view; theatre, circus, necropolis, city walls and an aqueduct. Rambla Nova is the lively main drag, full of boutiques, wine bars and cafés. Tarragona’s beaches stretch for 15km and are typically made of soft golden sand with gentle slopes and good facilities perfect for relaxing or
INTERNATIONAL
family trips. Swimming temperatures can be enjoyed in the sea from June to September, while sunbathing and walking are possible year round. From the broad sweep of El Miracle, easily accessible from the city centre; family-friendly L’Arrabassada with beaches cleaned daily; sailing or diving at Playa Larga; the international sailing championships at Altafulla; beaches for naturists at La Sannosa and Cala Fonda; to the secluded protected beach at Playa Tamarit from which you can see Tamarit Castle. Barcelona, just over 100km north along the coast from Reus, is easily accessible for the day or a week, taking just over 90 minutes by car, bus or internal flight. And although Anton Gaudi was born in Reus, his influence on Barcelona is world-renowned. Head for La Sagrada Familia, a 130 year-old labour of love wrought by countless architects and still with no end date in sight, or climb the hill to Park Guell, most of which has free entry and celebrates Gaudi’s naturalist phase.
The city has an urban beach, perfect for watersports and beachfront activities, and is ideal for tucking into Galician seafood as the sun goes down. Worth trying are the pintxos, Basque-style tapas on bread such as aubergine drizzled with honey and scrambled eggs with salted cod, washed down with local beers. Those in search of exercise with a panorama as a reward should head up Montjuic Mountain, where you’ll find the Botanical Gardens and the 1992 Olympic Stadium. Art and culture abound in Barcelona, with mighty museums such as Museu d’Historia de Barcelona and glorious art galleries like the Fundació Joan Miró.
Festivals & Events
Available to book for 2018. Departs on Sundays, 6 May to 21 October 2018. thomson.co.uk; firstchoice.co.uk
year celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Golden Nights in Salou The Nits Daurades take place in the middle of August, when thousands of tourists are in town, but also when many locals are on holiday and can make a night of it. There’s a wide variety of entertainment on offer, from traditional folklore to concerts. Fiesta of Sant Pere in Reus The Fiesta Major of Reus takes place around the Feast of Saint Peter in July and statues of the patron saint of the town are paraded through the crowd thronged streets accompanied by representatives of local folklore (including figures of giants and dragons). There are also displays of castellars (huge towers constructed by people standing on one another’s shoulders), concerts and dances. Festival Grec de Barcelona A major cultural festival that takes place throughout July in Barcelona showcasing international theatre, dance, music and circus skills, this
Música als Parcs From June to August you can enjoy free classical and jazz music concerts in some of Barcelona’s beautiful parks. There are also free summer jazz concerts in the Parc de la Ciutadella every Wednesday and Friday evenings at 10 pm.
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22 22 HEADER TRAVEL DIARY
Meet Mike Diamond, mild-mannered security man by day; international traveller by night (well, during his holidays anyway). Mike works in security here at Aberdeen International Airport, and spends his free time researching, planning and constructing dream holidays for himself.
Where was your most recent adventure? I went to Greenland in March via Copenhagen with SAS, first staying at Kangerlussuaq on an old NATO base which was handed back to Greenland in 1992. The runway is parallel to the length of the nearby fjord, and also serves as a diversion point for transatlantic flights.
“I managed to see the Russell and Ilulissat Glaciers; the latter was utterly spectacular, measuring 10 miles across, 80 miles long and moving 60 metres a day down from the Greenland ice cap”.
My hotel was on top of the airport terminal, and one night was spent in the nearby disused barracks as the weather closed in meaning that my internal flight was cancelled, and the hotel was full! Next day the weather cleared enough for me to fly in one of Air Greenland’s small commuter planes to Disko Bay, which was just as well, as there are no roads to speak of. The plane flew in low over huge icebergs trapped in the Bay, to my next stop: the Icefiörd Hotel. During the week I stayed, I managed to see the Russell and Ilulissat Glaciers; the latter was utterly spectacular, measuring 10 miles across, 80 miles long and moving 60 metres a day down from the Greenland ice cap.
TRAVEL DIARY
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There wasn’t much by way of wildlife at that time of year, although I saw some musk ox (in fact I managed to eat a musk ox burger whilst I was waiting for the weather to clear!), and hundreds of sled dogs, which outnumber the
Next on the agenda was a visit to a traditional Masai village followed by a drive along the jaw-dropping Rift Valley. We kept seeing people apparently jogging wherever we went, and on enquiry discovered that they were
town’s population of 1000. I managed to get out on a dog sledding expedition in Ilulissat which is quite something, especially when you are accepted as one of the pack. I was tired after the sled run, so declined the opportunity to go on a planned Northern Lights trip, instead climbing the hill behind the hotel one evening for a thrilling free show.
marathon runners training for the Olympics! Another memorable trip was to the David Sheldrick foundation where we watched the baby and juvenile elephants teaching each other to trust again.
Can you tell us about somewhere nearer the Equator you’ve been, in contrast? In 2013 I flew with BA via London Heathrow to Nairobi for a three week trip organised by Intrepid Travel. We started off camping in the Masai Mara game reserve, during which I went on an early morning balloon ride. As the balloon rose through the mist, we saw elephants, giraffes, hippos, wildebeest, and lions returning from their night hunt, all bathed in light from the sunrise. We were then promptly joined by trucks filled with a slap-up champagne breakfast which we ate sitting in the grass surrounded by animals.
bananas from a 10 year old entrepreneur called Mr. Potassium! Our first trip was white water rafting on the Nile. Then onto Lake Bunyoni for a trip into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of a close encounter with the gorilla population there. Permits are essential to control numbers and poaching is a problem, although some of our rangers had once been poachers, now converted to saving the animals they once hunted. There was a long walk before coming face to face with an angry silverback whilst clinging to tree roots on a hillside, who let us know how he felt with much chest-beating and roaring, before charging between the group and away into the forest.
After that we nipped across the border to Uganda, niftily passing the 10 mile queue for locals to cross, although we did stop to buy
There’s no doubt as to the most vivid memory I have from that trip!!
24 RETAIL
Aultmore 21 Year Old | Aultmore is a
Jura 21 Year Old | The spirit of 1810,
rare Speyside malt known locally as “a nip
the year of the distillery’s founding, lives on
Glenfiddich 21 Year Old, Gran Reserva | This exceptional Glenfiddich
of the Buckie Road.” The distillery’s water
in every precious drop of our magnificent
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RETAIL
25
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26
LONG HAUL DESTINATIONS
Chicago, known as the ‘windy’ city, is actually America’s third city in terms of population and often overlooked in favour of cities such as New York or Boston. Famed for architecture such as the John Hancock Center, Willis Tower and the neo-Gothic Tribune
Tower; Chicago is also renowned for its museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago which has great Impressionist works. The city also has a world famous food, music and arts scene with over 200 theatres, in excess of 65 craft breweries and nearly 700 bars; meaning there’s something to entertain every visitor whatever their interest. Fly with Icelandair via Reykjavik to Chicago. icelandair.co.uk
Kuala Lumpur is a bustling metropolis in a country full of majestic jungles, tea plantations and tropical beaches. The city’s skyline is dominated by the Petronas Twin Towers. These two giant skyscrapers offer stunning panoramic views and house a cinema, a shopping mall, an aquarium and
Dubai is a world-class destination, offering a kaleidoscope of new experiences. Try browsing the traditional Arab markets for lavish gold gifts, heady fragrances and aromatic spices, and in the evening head for the spectacular light show of the Dubai fountain at the foot of the Burj Khalifa. Explore the origins of the United Arab Emirates at the brand new Etihad museum, which looks like an exotic sculpture itself. Take part in the Dubai Summer Surprises season from 9 July - 20 August, with 43 days of shopping and dining promotions and world class entertainment for families, or try your hand at one of the many watersport opportunities along the 50km coastline, anything from an evening sail or shipwreck scuba dive, to gravity-defying flyboarding. Fly with British Airways via London Heathrow to Dubai. britishairways.com
LONG HAUL DESTINATIONS
a concert hall. If you prefer to enjoy some time outdoors, the lively KLCC Park is right outside your door. The Bukit Bintang district is also nearby, ideal for those looking to shop. Try delicious local specialities at the Central Market or see the remnants of the colonial age on Merdeka Square. Alternatively, venture outside the city, visit verdant Langkawi and be amazed by this idyllic island
27
With idyllic white sandy bays, turquoise waters and gently waving palm trees, Mauritius is the perfect tropical hideaway. Famous for its wide offer of sports, visitors can be spoiled with options: snorkelling with dolphins, scuba diving with tropical fish, wakeboarding, kite surfing, golf... Some of the island’s most picturesque regions are Le Morne or the Ile Aux Cerfs, which both offer stunning beaches. Grand Baie in the north is the cosmopolitan heart of Mauritius, with upscale hotels, a magnificent bay and bustling colourful markets. This year, treat yourself to an unforgettable trip to Mauritius with Air France. Fly to Mauritius via Paris with Air France. Book at airfrance.co.uk
surrounded by turquoise sea. Fly to Kuala Lumpur via Amsterdam with KLM. Book at klm.com
Cocktail hour, designer hotels and celebrity restaurants put this sunny city on the map but that’s not all it has. South Beach’s historic art deco district is reason enough to visit this stretch of coast, celebrated for its boardwalk and South Pointe Park, but skip the city
proper at your peril. There’s Cuban cool in Little Havana, galleries galore in the Wynwood arts district, downtown Miami’s museum park and historic neighbourhoods such as Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. Add to that a mix of Latin, European and Caribbean influence, and Miami’s cultural menu starts to look as good as its cocktail one. Fly to Miami via Frankfurt with Lufthansa. Book at LH.com
INTERNATIONAL: > ALICANTE with Ryanair > AMSTERDAM with KLM > BERGEN with Eastern Airways, & Widerøe > BOURGAS with Balkan Holidays > COPENHAGEN with SAS > CORFU with Thomson & First Choice > DALAMAN with Thomson & First Choice > DUBLIN with Aer Lingus > ESBJERG with bmi regional
KEF
> FARO with Ryanair, Thomson & First Choice > FRANKFURT with Lufthansa > FRIEDRICHSHAFEN with Omega Holidays (July 2017) > GDAŃSK with Wizz Air > GENEVA with easyJet > GRAN CANARIA with Thomson & First Choice > IBIZA with Thomson & First Choice > MÁLAGA with Ryanair > OSLO with bmi regional & SAS
> > > > > > > > >
PALMA with Thomson, First Choice & Thomas Cook PARIS with Air France REUS with Thomson & First Choice REYKJAVIK with Icelandair RIGA with airBaltic STAVANGER with Eastern Airways, SAS & Widerøe TENERIFE with Thomson & First Choice WARSAW with Wizz Air VERONA with Newmarket Holidays
> LEEDS BRADFORD with Eastern Airways > LONDON CITY with Flybe > LONDON GATWICK with easyJet > LONDON HEATHROW with British Airways & Flybe > LONDON LUTON with easyJet > MANCHESTER with Flybe > NEWCASTLE with Eastern Airways > NEWQUAY with Flybe
> > > > >
NORWICH with bmi regional & Eastern Airways SOUTHAMPTON with Eastern Airways & Flybe STORNOWAY with Eastern Airways SUMBURGH with Flybe & Loganair WICK with Eastern Airways
EASYJET | easyjet.com FIRST CHOICE | firstchoice.co.uk FLYBE | flybe.com ICELANDAIR | icelandair.co.uk JERSEY TRAVEL | jerseytravel.com KLM | klm.com LOGANAIR | loganair.co.uk LUFTHANSA | lufthansa.com NEWMARKET HOLIDAYS | newmarketholidays.co.uk
OMEGA HOLIDAYS | omega-holidays.com RYANAIR | ryanair.com SAS | flysas.com THOMAS COOK | thomascook.com THOMSON | thomson.co.uk WIDERØE | wideroe.no/en WIZZ AIR | wizzair.com
DOMESTIC: > > > > > > > >
BELFAST CITY with Flybe BIRMINGHAM with Flybe BRISTOL with bmi regional CARDIFF with Eastern Airways DURHAM TEES VALLEY with Eastern Airways HUMBERSIDE with Eastern Airways JERSEY with Jersey Holidays KIRKWALL with Flybe & Loganair
AIRLINES & TOUR OPERATORS: AER LINGUS | aerlingus.com AIR BALTIC | airbaltic.com AIR FRANCE | airfrance.co.uk AIRWAYS HOLIDAYS | airwaysholidays.com BALKAN HOLIDAYS | balkanholidays.co.uk BMI REGIONAL | bmiregional.com BRITISH AIRWAYS | ba.com EASTERN AIRWAYS | easternairways.com
TFS
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BGO
OSL
KOI SYY
SVG
WIC
ABZ
NCL BHD
CPH
EBJ
RIX
MME LBA
DUB
GDN
MAN
HUY NW I BHX
CWL
LTN
BRS
LGW
SOU
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LCY LHR
AMS
JER
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IBZ ALC
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30
HEAD FOR THE SUN
Jersey WITH JERSEY TRAVEL | Jersey is an island that’s small on size, but big on personality, where country lanes open to cliff top views and the sea is never more than ten minutes away. A place where you can enjoy your summer holiday in the sun without leaving the British Isles. Explore golden beaches and cultural heritage, bring out your active side with sea kayaking or hiking and indulge in the freshest of local produce. Make holiday memories with a Jersey picnic and make the most of the island’s foodie credentials. Shop at local farmrun roadside stalls, and choose from locally grown strawberries and Jersey cream, spider crabs and lobster claws on a beach barbeque, and Jersey
Alicante WITH RYANAIR | Fly to Alicante to enjoy easy access to the Costa Blanca this summer. You’ll be spoilt for choice with dozens of beaches, golf courses galore and plenty of nightlife to enjoy. With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, the ‘White Coast’ is the perfect location for family holidays, with clean safe beaches as well as the ideal area to
Royal potatoes with local oysters. Go on a coastal forage or visit the La Mare wine estates for lunch and a tasting tour. Jersey’s famous Battle of Flowers takes place on 10 & 11 August, and features huge floral creations on floats from life size elephants and dragons to Disney movie sets. The event culminates with an illuminated midnight parade. With notable French influence yet using the British pound and English language, Jersey is close to home yet miles away. Direct flights depart from Aberdeen every Saturday until 16th September 2017. jerseytravel.com/ABZ
indulge a passion for watersports. Head inland for fascinating authentic villages and gorgeous countryside, stop for a glass of local wine, and make sure to visit a local market to enjoy the fruits of all that sunshine. Barcelona and Madrid are a quick flight away, and there are excellent transport links up and down the coast. Alicante is also a cruise terminal, with regular ferries to take you to the Balearics for the day. ryanair.com
HEAD FOR THE SUN
31
Majorca
Bulgaria WITH BALKAN HOLIDAYS | Holidays to non-Euro Bulgaria from Aberdeen this summer and next, with Balkan Holidays, offer you great value for money and beautiful beach resorts. Bulgaria’s Black sea coast stretches an impressive 230 miles and boasts some of Europe’s finest sandy beaches. With a wide variety of resorts from the busy and popular Sunny Beach to the UNESCO protected heritage site of Nessebar, the traditional and picturesque Sozopol, the upmarket and charming marina resort of St. Vlas and the delightful family resort of Duni plus many more, Bulgaria has a resort to suit every taste. Book today for just £49pp deposit at balkanholidays.co.uk
WITH THOMSON | Family favourite Majorca offers up some of the best beaches in the Balearics, many of which wave a Blue Flag for quality. Sunbathe on Puerto Pollensa’s sandy coves, let the little ones paddle freely in Alcudia’s shallow waves, or spot tropical fish in snorkeler’s paradise, Cala Mondgragó. Once you’ve shaken the sand off, explore the island’s pretty fishing villages and trendy promenades, or dip in and out of buzzing boutiques and trendy tapas bars in the capital,
Palma. Majorca’s summer temperatures alternate between the late 20s and early 30s, so you’ll come back glowing too. thomson.co.uk; firstchoice.co.uk
Algarve WITH THOMSON | Head to the Algarve and roll out your towel on one of the best coastlines in Europe. It’s not just the beaches that get gold though. Practise your aim on award-winning championship golf courses, or hang out with A-listers in Albuferia’s open-air bars. If you’re looking for something more laidback, try Olhos d’Agua. The sleepy fishing village is lined with cobbled lanes and traditional restaurants - perfect for grabbing some Feijoada, a local mixed bean stew. Don’t forget to visit Olhos d’Agua’s beach, either, where you can massage your feet in the freshwater springs that bubble through the sands. thomson.co.uk; firstchoice.co.uk
Málaga WITH RYANAIR | Sun-soaked Málaga is world-renowned for those seeking a Spanish getaway. From sunshine and sangria, to the luxuries of Marbella, everyone can enjoy this holiday hotspot. The Málaga province is ideally situated on the Costa del Sol and offers 150 kilometres of idyllic coastline that provides 325 sunshine days a year. The historic city offers breath-taking architecture, ample bars and restaurants offering up local cuisine, and sun-soaked beaches all making Málaga the perfect escape to the sun this summer. ryanair.com
32 HEADER
Steve Buchanan & Holley Barclay FROM: ABERDEEN We’re flying to Malaga for a holiday in Calahaida, about 20 minutes away. This holiday was booked by my sister but she couldn’t take it, so we are going instead! Holley likes to take her colouring book on holiday to relax. Our favourite summer destination so far was Lanzarote.
Alan & Nora Russell FROM: SCOTLAND
Ben Jeffrey & Karcher Cox
ORIGINALLY BUT NOW LIVE IN SPAIN Today we’re going to Málaga, and this is the first time we’ve flown there from Aberdeen. I have a reputation for taking a rather large toilet bag with me every time I travel! Our favourite summer destination is either Cabo de Gata in Spain or Ardnamurchan. Our advice would be – keep calm and travel light (apart from toiletries of course!)
FROM: ABERDEENSHIRE We’re flying to Alicante today, and our favourite bucket list holiday destination would be the Dominican Republic. I never go anywhere without glasses AND contact lenses, and our top tip for travelling would be to take chewing gum or boiled sweets with you to help with the pressure in your ears on landing and take off.
Bruce Archibald
Christiana McLeod FROM: GERMANY
FROM: TURRIFF We’re going to Shetland for a wedding. I never fly without my iPad but my wife prefers a real book. Once we forgot an entire suitcase with all our clothes in it for the week! The best summer holiday we’ve had was Florida, and my top travel tip would be to arrive in plenty of time.
We’re going to Dusseldorf, via Frankfurt. My travel essential is chocolate, I always have some in my bag. We once walked out of the airport without collecting our bags, and my recommendation for relaxation at the airport is a glass of wine, especially before a long flight. Our favourite summer holiday spot is Spain.
ORIGINALLY, BUT NOW LIVES IN METHLICK
34
LOCAL FLAVOURS
S
aplinbrae Hotel & Lodges are very much part of the Buchan countryside, from the views out of the windows to the produce on your plate. Owners Noel and Joanna Gall reopened Saplinbrae, near Mintlaw in 2015 after previously establishing themselves on the North-east map with ventures at The Lodge in Strichen and The CafĂŠ at Aden Country Park.
each with its own wood-burning stove. The Snug is a traditional-style pub with local beers and the restaurant serves wholesome local provenance all day long. The Galls come from farming stock themselves, so are proud to support local food producers.
The former rectory on the Pitfour
Outdoor pursuits are welcome, with a drying room, secure lockers and clothing storage areas, and the hotel can organise a shooting guide, fishing
Estate has nine bedrooms in the main building as well as self-catering lodges,
permits on Pitfour Lake or Stay and Play golf packages. saplinbrae.co.uk
LOCAL FLAVOURS
35
I enjoyed a starter of Strichen poached egg on a bed of hollandaise sauce served with asparagus which was lovely and tasty. Mr F kindly let me sample his Peterhead Amity langoustine cooked in a garlic butter and served with a white bean puree, chorizo and charred spring onion. The langoustines were cooked to perfection and were plump and full of flavour.
Review by Leona Findlay – Fraserburgh Super Saturday organiser
Saplinbrae Hotel and Lodges is one of my favourite restaurants in the North-east due to its beautiful setting, delicious food and wonderful friendly service.
“The langoustines were cooked to perfection and were plump and full of flavour”.
My husband and I visited the restaurant recently and as usual enjoyed culinary delights made using the freshest local produce sourced within ten miles of the hotel. Saplinbrae is situated on the outskirts of Mintlaw nestled on the edge of the beautiful Pitfour Estate. As we sat enjoying a lovely bottle of wine we were able to enjoy views of the countryside and were even lucky enough to spot a deer running through a field.
For my main course I ordered pan-seared rock turbot served with saffron, green beans, creamed potato and spinach and each mouthful was an absolute delight. Mr F loves eating game so was delighted when he saw Aberdeenshire pigeon on the menu and he said it was delicious, cooked perfectly and full of flavour. It was almost impossible to choose from the sweet menu as they all sounded wonderful but I finally decided on a light and airy pavlova topped with Auchtydonald strawberries from along the road. Mr F couldn’t decide between his firm old favourite - a cheeseboard or a lighter option which was a lemon tart with crushed meringue and Rora yogurt. In the end he chose the latter and, going by his clean plate and the fact that he didn't share, I’m taking it he thoroughly enjoyed his pudding. Saplinbrae is a fantastic place to eat and I can’t recommend it enough.
36 INTERNATIONAL
Riga is a city full of nostalgia. Lose yourself in the faded glamour of unrestored art nouveau streets, marvel at the monuments to hardwon freedoms or wander through the beautifully tended city parks.
INTERNATIONAL
37
The Editor pays a visit to Riga
38 INTERNATIONAL
“...there is the feeling that anything is possible running through the city, a place where anything might happen”.
W
e arrived in Riga, blissfully unaware of the huge Midsummer or Jani celebrations about to take place all over the country annually on 23 and 24 June. This national holiday involves getting back to nature in various ways, including making headdresses from oak leaves and wildflowers, lighting bonfires and singing folk songs. Everything was decorated, from taxis to museums, many with branches of silver birch trees. Many people head for the countryside to party, however we joined a huge celebration on the 11 novembra krastmala, a large boulevard which runs alongside the wide River
Daugava. The origins of the celebration lie in the Latvian people’s pre-Christian, pagan beginnings. A great way to orientate yourself in a new city is to join a tour, and our first day started by meeting our young guide Edvards from a local tour company, at St. Peter’s Church in the Old Town. His enthusiastic and energetic presentation brought the city alive, managing to get a multinational group engaged and informed. Although the tours are billed as free, you are expected to give a donation, which we didn’t grudge in the slightest - there is nothing quite like getting a history lesson from a local. Another fantastic angle on the city was provided by a night kayak tour. We started with the usual safety briefing, followed by a trip out into the mighty Daugava River with our guide Gints. Whilst we paddled under the road and rail bridges, he treated us to a potted history of Riga, with snippets of his family history thrown in. After a while
we turned into the calmer waters of the city canal, underneath beautifully lit bridges, paddling alongside ducks and even a couple of beavers! The mammals are apparently a common urban occurrence and can often be seen at night.
Don't Miss... — University of Latvia Botanical Gardens (including a tropical butterfly house) — Latvian Ethnographic Museum on the north shore of Lake Jugla – 90 hectares of life as it used to be — Latvian National Museum of Art — Riga Cathedral — Aldaris Beer Museum — Laima Chocolate Museum — Castle of Light – National Library of Latvia — Freedom Monument
INTERNATIONAL
One of the striking things about Riga is that it has the most art nouveau architecture of any European city, a fact which has you gazing roofwards on a regular basis. The ‘Art Nouveau Area’ has many gorgeously restored examples including a museum to the creative architectural period, however examples of the style can be seen all over the city, juxtaposed with modern concrete blocks and original wooden dwellings. The opulent details constantly surprise and delight, from roof turrets that look like spaceships to intricately carved balconies and frescos. As well as stunning architecture, Riga also boasts a plethora of lovely parks, dotted with fountains, pleasure boats, statuary and grand old trees. Latvian cuisine can be typically Eastern European, with an emphasis on meat and hearty dishes to combat the long winter, however a modern take on that cuisine has emerged in recent years. Craft and micro-breweries are on the rise and with them a considered food culture with an emphasis on provenance and ecological principles. We ate at the Embassy for the Valdermuiza Brewery, in the up and coming Meira quarter, just one of the hipster establishments taking Latvia on an exciting new culinary trajectory. Try the lamb and lentils with grilled romaine lettuce, followed by unctuous French sourdough toast, drenched in salted caramel sauce and served with their own porter ice cream. Latvians are proudly and relatively recently independent, having suffered decades of oppression from Germany and Russia, the latter’s army only finally departing in 1994. Consequently there is the feeling that anything is possible running through the city, a place where anything might happen. New buildings are sprouting up everywhere except along the UNESCO world heritageprotected skyline of the Old Town,
notably the sail of Swedbank and the silver sculpture of the National Library. Panoramic views can be had from many venues, however we chose the famous Skyline bar on the 26th floor of the Radisson Blu, once Hotel Latvia and the only approved destination for foreign tourists during the Russian occupation.
Go before 6pm when for the price of beer you can enjoy unrivalled views of the city below. The public transport system is impressive and it is possible to travel around the city and beyond very reasonably. We headed out of the city for a day at the beach, paying €2 return fare each for a 40 minute train journey
39
to Jurmala, a popular choice for city dwellers on a sunny day. There, mile upon mile of pine forests and white sand awaits, punctuated by beach bars, volleyball courts and boardwalks. Another great day out awaits at Mežaparks, a neighbourhood whose name means forest park, and is just a tram ride from the city centre. Here you can walk or cycle through shady forests, swim in a lake, visit the zoo and conquer the adventure park. Riga’s Central Market has to be seen to be believed, a huge daily market housed in a series of massive hangars which were originally designed as a market in the 1930s, but used for constructing zeppelins during WWII. Choose from acres of fresh produce, from dairy, meat, fish and fruit & vegetables, local crafts and flowers. Head for Kalnciems Quarter over the Vansu Bridge for a weekly fair nestled among beautifully restored wooden houses and showcasing local artisans every Saturday, or visit the Laima Chocolate Museum for famous local confectionery. Fly to Riga direct from Aberdeen three times a week May to October with AirBaltic. Flight time 2hrs 40mins. toursinriga.lv
THROUGHOUT
JULY
5 JUL 16 AUG
16
21
Festival Grec De Barcelona* Various venues, Barcelona Wednesday Midnight Swims Stonehaven Open Air Pool, Aberdeenshire Stonehaven Highland Games Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire
Olly Murs Outdoors AECC, Aberdeen 28 JUL 5 AUG
29 29-30 29 JUL 20 AUG 30 JUL 5 AUG
5 6 12 14 19 26 26 AUG - 25 SEP
Johnshaven Fish Festival Aberdeenshire El Tico Iron Man Race* Jersey Fraserburgh Super Saturday Aberdeenshire The Making Of A Murderer Lemon Tree, Aberdeen Kathryn Joseph with Millicent Woodend Barn, Aberdeen Opera Boheme: The Pearl Fishers ACT Aberdeen Techfest Various Venues, Aberdeen
8-12
Aberdeen International Youth Festival Various venues Banchory Agricultural Show Banchory, Aberdeenshire 4TG Gaming Convention AECC, Aberdeen St. Dominik Fair & Bread Festival* Gdañsk, Poland Scottish 6 Days Orienteering Festival Royal Deeside
The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The NightTime HMT, Aberdeen
NXNE Music Festival Deeside Activity Park, Aberdeenshire Braemar Gathering 2 Aberdeenshire ABBA Gold The Concert 2 Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen Offshore Europe 5-8 AECC, Aberdeen Truenorth Festival various 7-9 venues Aberdeen North East Open Studios 9-17 (NEOS) various venues Aberdeenshire The Steamie 12-16 HMT, Aberdeen Women Mean Business 15 Altens Hotel Aberdeen 1-2
THROUGHOUT
SEPT
Taste Of Scilly Food & Drink Festival Isles of Scilly
5 9-10
Psychic Sally Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen Roddy Woomble 12 Lemon Tree, Aberdeen Dancelive Festival 12-28 Various venues, Aberdeen Emeli Sandé: Long Live The 14 Angels Tour AECC, Aberdeen Scottish Ballet: Autumn 24-25 2017 HMT, Aberdeen 26 OCT - Sound Festival 12 NOV Various venues, Aberdeen Newton Faulkner 29 Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
12
Northern Star Business Awards AECC, Aberdeen Little Mix AECC, Aberdeen
44
LOCAL INTEREST
Aberdeen is blessed with a proliferation of new hotels, as well as plenty of old favourites, but if your idea of a holiday is less all-inclusive and more all weather, then perhaps one of Aberdeenshire’s hostels would provide the backdrop to your perfect getaway. The Editor visited the Sail Loft in Portsoy.
LOCAL INTEREST HEADER
45
W
e set off for the Moray coast through the still blazing skies of Aberdeenshire at almost 9pm on a Friday night, making it to Portsoy just in time for a stunner of a sunset. Our destination was the Sail Loft, a recently opened 4 star bunkhouse on the shores of the harbour town, flanked by rugged coastlines and backed by the village graveyard. The Sail Loft is a great example of creative re-imagination, led by Portsoy Community Enterprise; turning a row of derelict buildings including the eponymous sail loft into smart and comfortable living accommodation. All the interiors have nautical style light fittings and brass window openers, and whilst the inside
is cool, sleek and modern, the exterior of the buildings still echo their historic origins. There are two large living spaces beyond reception, the first a cosy lounge complete with a wood burning stove and a projector for films, and the second a superbly well - appointed kitchen diner, with every utensil and appliance you need to make anything from a fry up to a birthday cake.
46
LOCAL INTEREST
Other bunkhouses and hostels in Aberdeenshire Rattray Head Eco Hostel | Rattray Head is the closest part of the UK mainland to Scandinavia, and all the bedrooms in this former lighthouse building gaze out over a fantastic 11 mile beach backed by massive dunes. There are bunkrooms, family rooms, a double room and B & B accommodation, as well as apartments to rent by the week, lots of opportunities to spot wildlife plus shipwrecks and the ruins of a 13th century chapel nearby. Dog friendly. Beds from £16 rattrayhead.net
“The Sail Loft is a great example of creative re-imagination, led by Portsoy Community Enterprise; turning a row of derelict buildings including the eponymous sail loft into smart and comfortable living accommodation”. view was out across the Moray Firth. There are also two three-bed rooms, and two bunkrooms, one sleeping six and the other four. All the showers
There are a couple of sitooteries*, one next to the kitchen and one out the back of the accommodation, which also boasts a splendid woodfired hot tub and BBQ facilities. The Sail Loft also has ample drying facilities, coin-operated washing machines and secure storage for up to 25 bicycles. Our bedroom for the weekend was The Dounie, one of four twin-bed rooms, and our
and toilets are on the ground floor as is a fully accessible single bedroom. You can even book out the whole place for the weekend! Add to that a knowledgeable and friendly staff, who are full of suggestions as to how to spend your time in Portsoy, from walks to rowing and live music, and you’ve got a perfect and affordable holiday getaway. Beds from £23. portsoysailloft.org
Aberdeen SHYA Hostel | This city hostel is situated in a quiet residential area on the west side of Aberdeen, and provides 4 star budget accommodation. It has 96 beds and this summer will have benefited from a six-month upgrade programme. There’s a bus stop outside as well as a bike store, drying room, lockers and wifi. Reception is open from 7am to 2am. No dogs. Beds from £17.50 for adults and rooms from £33. syha.org Ballater Hostel | A 5 star hostel located on the east side of the Cairngorms, the Ballater Hostel has a great access to the Deeside Way, the Lecht and Glenshee ski centres. There is a large open plan kitchen diner, including a communal living space complete with wood-burning stove. As well as three family rooms and a double, there are two bunkrooms sleeping eight and six, all with en-suite facilities. Free tea and coffee, laundry and drying room, plus secure storage for bikes. No pets. Beds from £22. ballater-hostel.com
CULTURE
Those of us who are lucky enough to live in Aberdeenshire know that it is a stunning place, blessed with a glorious variety of scenery and landscape, from rugged mountain range to sparkling river, heathered moorland to jawdropping coastline. However it is only relatively recently that the film industry has really taken notice and started to put the region on the film-makers’ map.
47
48 CULTURE
Cairngorms
The most recent celebration of the area is Whisky Galore!, a 70 year-old story by Compton Mackenzie which has been made into a film for the second time, using the village of Portsoy and the beaches of Pennan as locations for the fictional island of Todday. Starring Eddie Izzard and Gregor Fisher, the film is set in these and nine other locations across Scotland, unlike the 1949 monochrome adaptation which was filmed almost entirely in the Outer Hebrides, using the island of Barra as Todday. 1 2 Other major film productions in the last decade include comedy horror Attack of the Herbals (2011), filmed entirely in Stonehaven, Johnshaven and Newtonhill 3 4 5 and Sunset Song (2015) which used locations in Glen Tanar, Arbuthnott, Glenmuick and Fettercairn to frame Lewis
Balmoral 6
Glentanar
Mar Lodge 8
Glen Muick
Grassic Gibbon’s classic North-east masterpiece. 6 7 8 9 Dunnottar Castle has inspired and starred in a movie or two, from playing 16th century Denmark in Zefferelli’s Hamlet (1990) to providing the perfect setting for Victor Frankenstein (2015) and influencing the animators of Merida’s home of Dunbroch in DisneyPixar’s Brave (2012). Aberdeenshire isn’t just great at playing itself, Ridley Scott and Jean-Jacques Annaud both used the Cairngorms as
CULTURE
scenery doubles: the former as Russia in The Duellists (1977), and the latter as the Europe and Africa of 10,000 B.C. in Quest for Fire (1981). More recently the mountain range stood in for the Roman Empire of 117 A.D. in Centurion (2010) starring Michael Fassbender.
Portsoy
Pennan
1
2
Macduff
Slains Castle
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Newtonhill
Stonehaven
Dunnottar Castle Arbuthnott
9 Fettercairn
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Johnshaven
With thanks to Aberdeen City & Shire Film Office, Aberdeenshire Council and Visit Scotland
Perhaps the most famous film to be made in Aberdeenshire in the last century was Local Hero (1983), a heartwarming tale of big business versus the simple life, starring Burt Lancaster, Denis Lawson, Peter Reigert and Fulton Mackay, directed by David Puttnam and Bill Forsyth, with a soundtrack by Mark Knopfler. The tiny Aberdeenshire village of Pennan was the star as the fictional village of Ferness, complete with the iconic red phonebox that Mac uses to phone Burt Lancaster in the States. In 2005 Pennan was voted Best Film Location in the UK, despite Local Hero being the only film to be shot there. 2
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Our region’s contribution to the world of the small screen is more frequent and, most recently, filming for two large scale drama productions have taken place here: The Crown (2015, Netflix) used the ruins of Slains Castle as a stand-in for the Queen Mother’s beloved Castle Mey , and Iain Bank’s Stonemouth (2014, BBC) was filmed mainly in Macduff . Reality TV shows The Harbour and The Mart showed that there is a real appetite for more knowledge of life here in the North-east, and the characters that make it unique. Springwatch and Winterwatch have recently been filmed in the glorious surroundings of Mar Lodge and last year saw an episode of the Antiques Roadshow filmed at Balmoral Castle. As with Whisky Galore!, books are often the springboard for the filmmaker’s art, and some of the most famous novels were written here in Aberdeenshire, starting with Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, one of the most-adapted works of the 20th century, which was written at 6 Glenshee Road, Braemar in 1881. Bram Stoker’s Dracula followed in 1897, written in a hotel in Cruden Bay and inspired by Slains Castle, Ecclescraig Castle and the Buchan Coast. Perhaps the most significant though, in terms of highlighting the surroundings and people within the farming tradition of the North-east, was Auchterlessborn Lewis Grassic Gibbon’s trilogy including Sunset Song. Research shows that 40% of people who visit the UK are inspired to come here having seen the destinations on film or television, and what better way to personalise your holiday than by following the film locations map for Whisky Galore! – available on visitscotland.com
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THE BEAT GOES ON
Naoko Mukai at Milford Sound, New Zealand
Judith Jordan, Katy Trail in Dallas, USA
William Collier, Moraira, Costa Blanca
Ross Findlay, Lanzarote Sue & Sam Burgess, Portugal
WIN A ÂŁ100 VOUCHER to spend at World Duty Free, at Aberdeen International Airport. See how far and wide you can take your copy of upBEAT - go on, be creative! Send your photo to ABZupbeat@aiairport. com. Please submit high resolution images, at least 1MB in size at 300dpi print resolution. See the winning picture in the Autumn 2017 upBEAT - it could be yours! (Deadline: 27 September 2017).
Fiona Betteridge with 5 friends at Santorini, Greece Jiro Mukai, Niigata, North West of Tokyo
Beryl Clark, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Book your space & reach a mobile, affluent & global audience.
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WORDS WORTH READING
Three North-East airport users recommend some riveting in-flight reading from WHSmith's latest list of top 20 bestsellers.
I'm Travelling Alone by Samuel Bjork Spending much of my free time researching and writing about imprisonment and courtroom scandals, I find myself more and more drawn to crime dramas and novels like I never have been before. This particular novel caught my eye, admittedly, because of its title as I myself like to ‘travel alone’. With one glimpse at the back of this book, however, I knew that this was not going to be a happy-go-lucky tale about a young woman travelling the world. The story follows a police
investigator, Holger Munch, who is commissioned to solve the murder case of a young girl found dead with just a number ‘1’ on her hand and an airline tag around her neck reading: ‘I’m travelling alone’. The story, alluding to the imminent threat of another murder, kept me both nervous and fascinated throughout. Delicately written with a good pace, this novel is certainly a page turner and a superb third offering by Samuel Bjork. CHLOE HODGE, COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING CO-ORDINATOR AT ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Small, Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins When I read in my spare time, I normally choose business books such as “Start With Why” by Simon Sinek but when I go on holiday I allow myself to escape reality with a good piece of fiction. I’ve chosen Into the Water by Paula Hawkins largely because I enjoyed The Girl on the Train by the same author. I enjoy books where the author paints such a vivid picture with words that you can almost
I love reading and will often read more than a few books on holiday, however once home I try and read at night and never seem to get very far before falling asleep. Hence the reason I need something to grip me so I can look
and are such page turners. Small, Great Things was no different. The story follows three characters as they have battle with a lawsuit involving race, prejudice and misjudgement after a baby dies in hospital after being born healthy. All told from their own perspective, the accused,
forward to getting stuck in before I reach the land of nod. I have always been a fan of Jodi Picoult, she knows how to tell a great story and her books always seem well researched
her lawyer and the baby’s father. An excellent, if somewhat controversial offering from Jodi Picoult. KATIE WATTERS, COMMUNITY AND EVENTS FUNDRAISER AT BEFRIEND A CHILD
feel like you are sitting in the same place as the characters. When I’m on holiday, relaxing, I want to get immersed in the story and also be hooked enough to get through it in a fortnight. I notice one of the reviews describes it as an atmospheric, creepy read. I hope it’s not too creepy as I will likely be reading it in a tent, surrounded by trees and maybe even near some water… ELIZABETH PIRRIE, BUSINESS ADVISER, ELEVATOR & BUSINESS GATEWAY
01 02 03 01 | We putt Ryanair’s Faro on our route map with the launch of their third new sunshine destination this year. 02 | The Latvian Ambassador to the UK, Her Excellency Ms Baiba Braze, cut the cake to celebrate the launch of airBaltic’s new route to Riga.
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03 | We are proudly sponsoring the beautiful anchor Porcelain, painted by Kelly-Anne Cairns, for Friends of Anchor’s 20for20 Anchor Voyage 04 | Our World Duty Free team cycled the width of Portugal raising £615.50 for Alzheimer’s Research UK to celebrate the launch of the Ryanair Faro Route.
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05 | Aberdeen Airport Staff voted for their new Charity Partner with Befriend a Child having a clear majority. 06 | The Red Hot Chilli Pipers welcomed arriving passengers with a surprise live performance in the terminal. 07 | Our New International Arrivals hall was opened by Traditional Scottish Piper, and Airport Terminal Safety Officer, Karen Bain. 08 | Our World Duty Free Team enjoying our ABZ Celebrates! Event.
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