SCOTLAND’S LARGEST LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
A B E R D E E N
CINEMA SCOPE Film 2015 LIFE IN FRAME David Eustace SNOW BUSINESS Ski Val d'Isere WIN… Flights for two to Palma with Barrhead Travel
Hot Scotch Are you in the Club? FREE
CONTENTS
Issue 02 January/February 2015
34
ON THE COVER 06 10 20 28 62
WIN… flights to Palma Cinema Scope The big films of 2015 Life in Frame Photographer David Eustace Hot Scotch The single grain revolution Snow Business Val d’Isere ski report
NEWS AND VIEWS 08 34 46 52 67
Eye on the City Things to do this winter Fashion Health and Beauty Property and Interiors Food and Drink
REGULARS
14 My i-on Aberdeen David Carry 16 i-on people Brian McLeish on Food Dr Sam Robson on Beauty Karen Kimmie on Design 44 Shopper’s guide to… Sirene 64 Weekenders Ardanaiseig Hotel 68 Dinner Review Musa 70 Take Three Silver Darling, Café 52 and Ciao Napoli 74 At the Back
67
46
04 | INTRODUCTION
i-on Aberdeen this issue
DID YOU KNOW... You can now read i-on magazine on your tablet or smartphone. Perfect for catching up on the go, simply head over to issuu.com/ionaberdeen to see the glossy pages of i-on Aberdeen come to life with the click of a button. To make sure you never miss an issue of i-on again, ‘like’ us at facebook.com/ionaberdeen. We’ll post the link up days before the magazine hits the streets so you’ll be one of the first to see it. You can also create your very own account at Issuu and ‘follow’ us. ionaberdeen ionaberdeen ion_magazine ion_magazine
Welcome to the first i-on of 2015. I know you may be reading this late 2014 but we wanted to get in early to make sure you get a great start to the new year with i-on’s unique mix of people, places and key Aberdeen events to see or visit and one things for sure, you’re unlikely to be bored this year. We also take a look at single grain whiskies on p28 and find that far from being a new trend, these whiskies have a long and impressive pedigree – although the association with a certain footballer is a little more modern. Inside we’re also giving you a heads up on the big films coming our way this year on p10 and should you be paying a visit to the sales, we’ve highlighted the top five items to seek out to get ahead of the game when it comes to your spring wardrobe on p38. If you’re planning to hit the European slopes this season, check out our report on Val d'Isere and for those who prefer sun to snow, turn to p06 for our competition and your chance to win two flights to the sunshine isle of Majorca, courtesy of Barrhead Travel. The winner of the prize from our debut issue, those designer shoes from Pam Jenkins, was Helen Cooper and what’s the betting Helen will be walking just a little bit taller this 2015… Until next time, enjoy i-on
The Soap Factory, 111 Gallowgate, Aberdeen, AB25 1BU, Tel: 01224 900 026, info@ionmagazine.co.uk, www.ionmagazine.co.uk Published by Treacle Productions Ltd, Suite 9, 2 Commercial Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH6 6JA, Tel: +44 (0)131 555 4126, Fax: +44 (0)131 554 9303 Editor Susie Cormack Bruce, Design Paul Dickson, Advertising account directors Henry Le May, Tracey McCallum, Advertising account manager Melissa Jones, Business development Jane Melhuish, Administration and finance managers Michelle Clancy, Patricia Sjoberg, Web Manager Gemma Haigh, Main photographer Susie Lowe, Contributors Michael Clancy, Nicky Howden, Victoria Martin, Iona Shawcross, Barry Stephen, Cathy Walker, Vhairi Walker, Contributing photographers David Eustace, George Hearn, Directors Jo Morris and Laura Cully All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. All prices correct at time of going to press but are subject to change. i-on magazine cannot be responsible for unsolicited material. The views and opinions by contributors in this magazine may not represent the views of the publishers. i-on magazine takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisements in this publication. ©Treacle Productions Ltd
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06 | I-ON PRIZES
Two Return Flights to Palma, Majorca
I
f this harsh weather has you dreaming of sunnier climes, our competition is sure to brighten your day as we’ve joined forces with Barrhead Travel to offer one lucky i-on Aberdeen reader the chance to win two return flights to Palma, Majorca. Our winner will fly direct from Aberdeen to Palma, Majorca, on board one of Barrhead Travel’s exclusive British Airways charter flights and enjoy premium-style seating with plenty of legroom and a generous 20kg checked luggage and 5kg hand baggage. Few destinations have the variety of options for holidays in the sun that the Balearic island of Majorca offers. With a choice of resorts such as the party town of Magaluf to Alcudia, with its sweeping sands and lively nightlife, to Puerto Pollensa, full of traditional charm, wide, curving bay and soft golden beach, and Cala d’Or, home to chilled-out beaches lapped by clear blue waters, this ever popular Spanish island is unmatched.
THE PRIZE Our winner will receive two seats onboard Barrhead Travel’s British Airways charter flight departing on 04 October 2015, returning seven days later on 11 October 2015. Accommodation and transfers in Majorca, travel insurance and currency are not included but all can be purchased from Barrhead Travel, Union Square, Aberdeen.
TO ENTER For a chance to win, visit www.i-onmagazine.co.uk by Friday 06 February 2015 or scan the QR code for online entry form. The winner will be notified by email and announced in the March issue of i-on magazine. Subscribe to the i-on weekly newsletter at www.i-onmagazine.co.uk/aberdeen for more exclusive prizes.
Terms and conditions: Entrants must be 18 or over. Prize is as stated, non-transferable and no cash alternative offered. Competition is not open to employees of i-on magazine, Barrhead Travel Ltd or any persons connected directly or indirectly with those companies.
SECTION | 7
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08 | EYE ON THE CITY
EYE ON THE CITY Inspiration for January/February
WHAT’S THE SCRIPT? Irish trio The Script bring their distinctive blend of rock pop to the AECC in February. The chart toppers have just released their 4th album, No Sound without Silence and it looks set to be their bestseller to date. The Script, 21 February 2015, AECC, Bridge of Don, AB23 8BL. Tickets from £35 at www.tickets-scotland.com.
SUITE DREAMS Indulge in one last winter fling courtesy of Scottish Ballet. The story of The Nutcracker is a young girls’ magical journey into a dream world where toy soldiers come to life as they travel into the Land of Ice and Snow, set beautifully to Tchaikovsky’s famous score. The Nutcracker, 14 -17 January, His Majesty’s Theatre, Rosemount Viaduct, AB25 1GL. Tickets, £13.50- £40.50 at www.boxofficeaberdeen.com.
EYE ON THE CITY | 09
WEDDING TALK Attention all brides, grooms and wedding VIPs-to-be; Your Wedding Exhibition is at the AECC on 17 and 18 January 2015. More than 200 exhibitors will be offering an A-Z of wedding must-haves, including beautiful diamonds from the likes of John Park Jeweller who will be displaying the latest designs for S/S 2015. Tickets on the door are £10 per person or £35 for a group of four.
MUSICAL MISCHIEF Everyone’s favourite green ogre comes to life in Shrek The Musical at His Majesty’s Theatre. The hit West End show tells the story of the ogre’s attempts to win the heart of Princess Fiona aided by the noble steed, his best friend, Donkey. Shrek The Musical, 21 January – 08 February 2015, His Majesty’s Theatre, Rosemount Viaduct, AB25 1GL. Tickets £18 at www.aberdeenperformingarts.com.
10 | FEATURES
Avengers: Age of Ultron
FILM2015
Michael Clancy gives you a heads up on the must-see films coming soon to a cinema near you…
Avengers: Age of Ultron UK release date 24 April The biggest challenge facing Avengers: Age of Ultron is how it ups the ante from the massively successful first outing in 2012. It is always going to be a problem when you assemble a crew of Earth’s mightiest heroes in one film to find a villain who can pose a significant threat to match the dream team of Iron Man, Hulk, and the rest. Director, Joss Whedon, has found such a threat in the form of Ultron, a super intelligent creation of Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark, gone awry. In a genius piece of casting, James Spader has been drafted in to provide a motion capture performance, as well as lend his silky, sinister voice, to bring him to life. A sneak preview of the film caused quite the stir among the guests of this year’s San Diego Comic Con, showing glimpses of the dark new direction the series is going in. When the first full trailer landed online there was certainly enough to reinforce that we are in for something special, with Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson joining
the team as magic brother-sister duo Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. Combine that with over the top action, and a thoroughly creepy antagonist and Joss Whedon’s superhero smackdown should deliver again. Jurassic World UK release date 12 June It’s been over 20 years since the killer T-Rex made ripples in a cup of water and Steven Spielberg’s dino-disaster flick wreaked havoc in the multiplexes, and while the law of diminishing returns suggests not to get your hopes up for the fourth instalment of the Jurassic Park series, there are plenty of reasons to be cautiously optimistic. For a start Spielberg is on board, albeit as executive producer; a title that doesn’t guarantee success, but it’s a start. It also boasts an impressive cast, featuring the ever so hot right now Chris Pratt in leading man duties, and a strong support from Bryce Dallas Howard, New Girl’s Jake Johnson, Omar Sy and Irrfan Khan.
FILM 2015 | 11 go wrong at a park that is open for business. If Trevorrow can get all the elements right, he could delight and terrify a new generation of cinemagoers just as Spielberg did two decades ago.
Inside Out
This of course wouldn’t matter one jot if it fails to deliver on nail-biting, action sequences and impressive dinosaur scares. Director Colin Trevorrow seems intent on staying faithful to what made Jurassic Park a success in the first place, confirming that the CGI special effects will be accompanied with animatronic dinosaurs, as it was in the previous films. The story also gets back to basics. Set 22 years after the first film, it focuses on the horrors that can occur when things
Inside Out UK release date 24 July It may be a sacrilege to even suggest it; but by their own lofty standards, Pixar have been in a slump since the magnificent Toy Story 3 in 2010 (Brave was decent, but Cars 2 was decidedly poor). Inside Out should mark a return to the exceptional. Written and directed by Pixar royalty Pete Doctor, the film follows the trials and tribulations of Riley, a young girl going through a lot of upheaval, as told from the perspective of her emotions; Joy, Disgust, Fear, Sadness and Anger, who live in her head. It’s a charming concept, and with the studio relying more and more on sequels to established franchises, its originality is refreshing. Featuring a highly talented voice cast of top American comedians, including Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling and Bill Hader, it is certain to bring in the laughs, but with real heart at the centre of it- Doctor’s last film was the poignantly moving Up after all. Expect then an emotional roller coaster as the oddball characters inside Riley’s head strive to help her make sense of a scary world.
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12 | FEATURES Silence UK release date November How do you follow up a loud and obnoxious super hit like The Wolf of Wall Street? Adapting a piece of historical fiction about Jesuit priests in 17th century Japan doesn’t seem like the obvious answer. But then, Martin Scorsese has never been a director who does the obvious thing. Based on the 1966 novel by Shusaku Endo, it has become a passion project for Scorsese, who has had his eye on it since 1989. The plot focuses on Andrew Garfield’s Father Rodrigues, a Portuguese priest who travels to Japan in search of his mentor, Father Ferreira (Liam Neeson), who is
Silence
Star Wars: Episode VII
rumoured to have denounced his faith. The source material features much brutality and suffering, as Rodrigues is faced with the concept of martyrdom, which should make for uncomfortable viewing. The director has a fascination with religion, having tackled the subject matter in previous works, The Last Temptation of Christ and Kundun. And while a film that focuses on the roots of religious faith may seem like a tough sell, after the three hour headache that was The Wolf of Wall Street, a little Silence sounds pretty good. Star Wars: Episode VII UK release date 18 December Dust off those Lightsabers, practice your Yoda impressions, and use the Jedi Mind Trick to forget that The Phantom Menace ever happened, because the long awaited third Stars Wars trilogy hits cinemas in time for Christmas 2015. A long, long time ago, in a Galaxy not so far away, George
Lucas was the king of adventure sci-fi thanks to Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo and their battles against the evil empire. Then the lacklustre prequels came along, creating a massive disturbance in the force. And just when it seemed we were all ready to move on with our lives, in 2012 Disney purchased Lucasfilms, effectively giving the series a rebirth, with a third trilogy of films set some time after the events of Return of the Jedi. Unsurprisingly, the details of the plot are being kept under lock and key, but the announcement that Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher will be reprising their iconic roles is clearly a step in the right direction. J.J. Abrams is in the director’s chair this time around, and as his work on the recent Star Trek films has proved, he is the master of revitalising classic sci-fi franchises. With a promising cast featuring Andy Serkis, Adam Driver, Max Von Sydow, Oscar Isaac and Lupita Nyong’o, the Force should be strong in this one.
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14 | FEATURES
MY I-ON ABERDEEN | 15
MY I-ON ABERDEEN
David Carry photo ∙ Susie Lowe
David Carry is a three time Olympian and double Commonwealth champion swimmer. The 33-yearold retired after achieving his lifetime ambition of competing in an individual final at the London 2012 Olympics. Highly respected amongst the sporting fraternity, this Aberdeen native now works for Red Sky Management as performance director and is married to fellow champion swimmer Keri-Anne Payne. Is there anything that would place Aberdeen more firmly on the map? Until recently I would have said sporting facilities. That has now all changed. I’m incredibly proud of the University of Aberdeen, our council and Sportscotland working alongside Aberdeen Sports Village to create a world class facility accessible to all. The city’s best kept secret? Not really a secret but Kelly of Cults' steak pies are quite possibly the most amazing things I have ever known. If there’s one thing you could change about the city, what would it be? A more confident and positive attitude towards the city. We have achieved a remarkable amount in our history by making the most of the resources around us. A confident approach would ensure that we continue to be a world class city, making the most of the fortunate position we find ourselves in.
Collections, commissions, wedding and engagement rings
Explode a myth about the city… It always rains in Aberdeen - it doesn’t.
Around the city where you’ll find me:
Enjoying a coffee: Victoria restaurant on Union Street Living it up: Amicus Apple Shopping: Esslemonts on Thistle Street Having a haircut: Meka in Peterculter
265 North Deeside Road, Peterculter Tel: 01224 735000 www.lavajewellery.co.uk
16 | I-ON PEOPLE
FOOD
Brian McLeish photo ∙ Susie Lowe
If Brian McLeish’s face is familiar to you it could be you’re either a regular at Moonfish where he is head chef or a fan of Masterchef: The Professionals where Brian’s been doing Aberdeen proud with his exceptional cooking. Here he steps away from the pass, and the television cameras, to talk all things food with i-on. What’s the best thing about being in the restaurant business? I like taking ingredients and working with them to create a fantastic product for the complete enjoyment of the customers. There are a lot of hours and stresses in the business but it is rewarding when someone comes in and has an enjoyable evening. Which chef do you most admire? Paul Hart, the executive head chef at the Scotsman in Edinburgh, is a chef I admire as he had a huge impact on my cooking career. To this day he still influences my approach to cooking. What’s the most stressful dinner you've ever cooked? During Masterchef, I had to cook the dessert course for 26 Michelin star chefs with a combined count of 40 stars. It was very stressful cooking for all my idols but ultimately rewarding. The strangest thing you've ever had requested? I once had a dietary requirement for someone that would only eat fruit that had fallen from a tree. I didn't know this was even a thing and I'm still not convinced.
I-ON PEOPLE | 17
BEAUTY
Dr Sam Robson photo ∙ Susie Lowe
Dr Sam Robson is medical director of multi-award winning clinic Temple Medical and uses her GP background and 10 years’ experience in aesthetic medicine to promote the pursuit of beauty through improving her clients’ health. Sam and her team at Temple specialise in anti-ageing, problem skin, weight loss and body contouring and she is acknowledged as one of the leading aesthetic doctors in the UK. What’s your hero skincare product? Retriderm, a vitamin A based skin serum that is a highly effective skin rejuvenation product. It significantly improves ageing skin and the effects of sun damage. What’s your favourite treatment? Endymed radiofrequency. It can treat sagging skin on the face/jawline/eye area, stretch marks and acne scarring. It can also be used for body contouring, improve the appearance of cellulite and target unwanted fat anywhere on the body. And it’s pain free and gives fairly immediate results. Best new treatment you’ve recently tried? Mesotherapy using hyaluronic acid/ platelet rich plasma and a cocktail of skin vitamins and antioxidants. Previously this was an uncomfortable, slow procedure which had to be endured to get amazing results but with the new meso-delivery device it is completely pain free and quick. What’s your beauty no-no? Never leave home without applying a quality broad spectrum SPF, even in winter.
18 | I-ON PEOPLE
DESIGN
Karen McKimmie photo ∙ Susie Lowe
Karen McKimmie is the owner and design director at Ambiance Interior Design. After graduating from Edinburgh College of Art she returned home to Aberdeen and worked for 10 years with the renowned Sylvia Lawson Johnston, renovating historical country homes, London townhouses and apartments whilst developing her own classic contemporary style. Ambiance primarily focuses on bespoke residential interiors and has also just completed the bedrooms, reception and drawing room at The Chester Hotel. If money was no object, how would you furnish a home? With a soft, neutral palette, big walls for my paintings and lots of bespoke bookcases for all my books, magazines and artefacts. I’d like a large dining kitchen and I’d definitely have a walk in, custom built dressing room. What makes a house a home? Personal touches. No matter what design we do for a client, it’s their belongings that ultimately reflect their taste and give the house a personality. My top interiors tip is to… Make lighting a priority. It’s critical to the feel of your space and should be layered so it can be practical and create ambience. For a good housewarming present I’d buy… A copy of ‘Polpo – A Venetian Cookbook (Of Sorts)’. It has great recipes and it looks fabulous on any coffee table.
JANUARY SALE 2015
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20 | SECTION
Life in Frame D av i d E u s t a c e
LIFE IN FRAME | 21
FAR LEFT: Nevada, USA, 2008 This image of Bill was made for my Highway 50 project. I was the only non US citizen asked to create a portfolio for NBC’s Character Project. Eleven artists were eventually selected from many hundred who submitted their proposals and hopes as to how to capture the diversity of the US. I chose to drive the entire Highway 50 from West Coast to East Coast. Lebanon,1993 I was in Lebanon making a personal project when driving north of Beirut I came across a group of folk living in tents at the side of the road. I was making some portraits of two men when this young girl simply walked between them. I made a quiet simple portrait and took only two frames before she turned and left. This is still one of my most powerful images and memories.
E
very now and then something comes along and makes us go ‘wow’. That’s exactly what happened when the i-on team caught sight of globally acclaimed and Scottishborn photographer David Eustace’s first book, I Write to Tell You of a Baby Boy Born Only Yesterday... The title comes from a letter written to the photographer’s adoptive mother and is, along with the stark image free book cover, the first indication as to how personal David views his photography. While other photographers would go for a flashy, bold or celebrity based image for a book cover, Eustace, who will be honoured as the first contemporary photographer to have his work exhibited at the prestigious Scottish Gallery
in February, simply and subtly invites the viewer to delve inside and, with each page turn, revealing an intimate connection with each of his subjects. From windblown Hebridean landscapes to sun soaked vistas of America, from the knowing faces of the children of Lebanon to the serenity of child monks in Burma, along with a series of beautifully composed, intimate, celebrity portraits, from first viewing it is clear this volume of over 250 images taken over the past 25 years is far more than simply a collection of photographs. Here, exclusively for i-on, David has chosen some of his favourite images from the book and reveals the story behind them.
Jundiai, Brazil, 2011 The four steelworkers portrait was for a portfolio I made to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of The WEIR Group. I was given complete creative freedom to produce a portfolio for them, based on my vision and personal study. This image was made at one of their steel plants in Brazil
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LIFE IN FRAME | 25
LEFT: Glasgow, Scotland, 2003 This was a fashion image for The Herald magazine. I’d been asked by the then editor to bring some new life to the fashion pages and approached my dear friends Kelly Cooper Barr and James Gilchrist. Kelly eventually became the fashion editor and for three years we worked together to create a new look to the magazine. In this time the magazine won UK Supplement of the Year. ABOVE: American Mid-West, 2009 This image is of my daughter, Rachael, and made during the In Search of Eustace project. I was approached by the US firm Anthropologie who had launched a new arts based web initiative with the idea to commission people who ‘inspired Anthropologie’. I was the first person asked and
again given complete freedom to come up with the project and its development. I decided to go on a road trip with Rachael, who was 16 at the time, and we covered over 2,500 miles around the American Mid-West. Starting at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles and following a rather zig zag route, we ended up in a small town south of Dallas, Texas, called Eustace. It was very brave of Anthropologie at the time as even the clothes Rachael wore were her own and had no link to the company. It showed the confidence the company offered in their own brand. This was about artists and how they inspired the brand. I was once asked if this was my most important portfolio. I said I wasn’t sure... but I know it is my most meaningful.
26 | FEATURES
ABOVE: Myeik Archipelago, Burma, 2013 This was for Conde Nast Traveller magazine and one of my favourite images. I was travelling someway off the coast of Burma and came across this incredibly remote fishing village on a tiny island and a group of pilgrim monks had set up a small monastery on it. I found this child so peaceful and calming. There’s a link I knew existed as soon as I pressed the shutter’s button.
RIGHT: Glasgow, Scotland, 2011 This is John Byrne wearing a suit from another friend, Glasgow designer Deryck Walker. I regard John Byrne as Scotland’s greatest living artist and over the years have been fortunate enough to photograph him many times and get to know him as a friend. He is one of those people I find so incredibly inspiring and his outlook on art is very honest.
I Write to Tell You of a Baby Boy Born Only Yesterday… by David Eustace is out now priced £60 with his exhibition running 04-28 February 2015 at the Scottish Gallery, 16 Dundas St, Edinburgh, EH3 6HZ.
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28 | FEATURES
THE COOL CLUB | 29
THE COOL CLUB Single grain whisky. Didn’t know about it before? You probably do now... words ∙ Vhairi Walker
G
uy Ritchie, directing, David Beckham, starring, a vintage motorcycle, Land Rover, seaplane and Aston Martin navigating across the breathtaking Highlands landscape – it had all the cinematic qualities of a Hollywood film. But when the scene closes, Beckham hasn’t defeated a villain, nor won the heart of a leading lady, no, he has simply shared a bottle of Haig Club’s single grain whisky and a group photograph by the banks of Loch Affric. Long overshadowed by single malts and blends, single grain whisky has seemed something of an unknown entity until now, despite being produced in Scotland for several centuries. So what makes it different to regular malts and blends? Single grain whisky is largely derived from grains other than malted barley, such as unmalted barley, maize, rye, and typically wheat. Malted barley is added to trigger the fermentation process, rather than being a core ingredient itself. Once considered not much more than a filler in blends, grain whiskies are forging a path in their own right, some carrying considerable price tags. The North East is predominantly a single malt region, but Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky, an independent bottling company based in Huntly, has long recognised the qualities of a good single grain whisky along with the more revered single malts and blends. “For the past 12 years, Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky has been pioneering cask strength single cask grain and currently sells to over 50 countries worldwide,” explains company chairman, Euan Shand. “Before we started this swell in grain interest, no other company had done so, bar a few releases here and there.” At the outset, it was a move that wasn’t altogether welcomed. “The consensus from the whisky critics back
30 | SECTION
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THE COOL CLUB | 31
then was that grain was an inferior product to single malt. Quite amazing how their opinions have now changed,” says Shand. For decades, Duncan Taylor has been laying down casks from premium Scottish distilleries and today has ownership of the largest privately-held collections of rare Scotch whisky casks, while also producing its own branded products. “We have our own complete range of Rare Auld Grains covering most if not all grain distilleries including a few distilleries that are dead and gone.” Throughout the years, Shand’s confidence in the market has remained steadfast. “I believe there is a huge future for grain whisky, we certainly see a huge interest now that the big producers have taken it on board as a category in its own right. A category that we feel was pioneered by us,” he adds. Among several distilleries producing single grain whisky in Scotland, Haig Club is not only the most high profile, it’s also the oldest. Making grain whisky in continuous coffee
and stein stills, John Haig established the Cameronbridge distillery in 1824, which continues to produce the beverage to this day. At Cameronbridge, the whisky is crafted using grain whisky from three different cask types; Refill, American Oak and Rejuvenated. The result is a smoother, cleaner taste, with undernotes of butterscotch, toffee, tropical fruit and ‘spicy back harmonies’. “Single grain is a lighter style of whisky,” says local whisky expert, Gordon Muir, who lectures annually at a whisky festival in the Netherlands. “It can be a more approachable whisky for people to be introduced to and if it gets people interested in Scottish whisky, it has to be a good thing.” But will it sway those already accustomed to the smoky, peaty depths of single malt? Gordon isn’t quite so sure. “Single grain whisky can be a thing of beauty but not necessarily of great complexity. It can be delicious but not as challenging.”
32 | FEATURES
Tempted to give a single grain a try? Here are some places you can. The Grill, 213 Union St, AB11 6BA. Along with Haig Club, The Grill offers Hedonism from Compass Box, Cameron Brig, two single cask single grains from Duncan Taylor, a 35 yearold Cameronbridge and a 30 year-old North British. The Tippling House, 4 Belmont St, AB10 1JE. Harsh, grainy and efficiently packaged…just like we Scots is how The Tippling House’s Adrian Gomes describes the old-style single grains of Cameronbridge and North British you’ll find stocked in his bar. CASC, Exchange St, AB11 6ND. Gracing the gantry of CASC are Signatory’s full cask strength Cambus 21 year-old along with the popular, and some say best introduction to single grain whisky, Cameron Brig. Wine Raks, 8 St Swithin St, AB10 6XD. Or buy and take home a 25 year old Invergordon, a mind blowing and subliminal 52.8% cask strength single grain. Try before you buy too at the St Swithin Street store.
Nick Sullivan from The Aberdeen Whisky shop agrees it’s lighter on the palate. “I like single grain whisky, it can certainly be a good quality of spirit. It’s lighter and fruitier, which makes it a good entry into the world of whisky and an aged single grain whisky can often be purchased for a reasonable price too, more so than malts.” Although Sullivan has seen a rise in sales, he admits single malt “remains at the forefront,” reiterated by the fact that of the 500 whiskies they stock, around four are single grain. But Haig Club may be heralding a new era for single grains, reinventing the image of whisky with its packaging (which, despite being likened to a large designer perfume bottle, was actually inspired by the blenders tradition of using blue tasting glasses to assess whisky on taste and aroma alone) as much as its slick advertising campaign. Whether it will win over single malt devotees is yet to be seen, but it could attract a new generation of whisky drinkers – people like me, who would never have considered drinking whisky before and possibly would now. Consider it the ‘Beckham effect’. Whether it will win over single malt devotees is yet to be seen, but it could attract a new generation of whisky drinkers – people like me, who would never have considered drinking whisky before and possibly would now. Consider it the ‘Beckham effect’.
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DISCOVER RICH SCOTTISH HERITAGE Discover rich Scottish heritage at Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian hotel. Set against the magnificent backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, this Victorian railway hotel offers a unique experience within Edinburgh city centre. Indulge in the exquisite restaurants the hotel has to offer including The Pompadour by Galvin and the Galvin Brasserie de Luxe or relax in the sumptuous surroundings of the UK’s only Guerlain Spa.
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2AB Tel: +44 131 222 8888 Web: www.waldorfastoriaedinburgh.com
34 | SECTION
I-ON FASHION
Something niche... LORDS & FOOLS
Sharp, smart and so very dandy, Lords & Fools is an outstanding brand that’s got it all going on. The man behind the name is Yoahm Baroukh, a Parisian from the avant-garde le Marais district of the city with an already known reputation for dressing the sharpest males in town, and a heritage in tailoring. There’s nothing ordinary about Lords & Fools. Expect statement making giant tartan fabrics, drape jackets with leather lapels and rich petrol blue velvets. This brand is all about exceptional, exclusive fabrics and ‘Savile Row-esque’ tailoring, working together to give a creative edge, and all produced in the small family workshop. Lords & Fools opened its very first store in Paris in August 2014. For your own little piece of flamboyance in Scotland, Pure Man recognised the brand’s potential at an exhibition in Florence back in January 2013 and has been stocking the brand since. Prices start at £85 for a bow tie to a very reasonable £350 for a three piece suit. Available at Pure Man, 411 Union St, AB11 6DA, Tel: 01224 594004, www.pure-man.com
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Now available at Duncan and Todd
Aberdeen, Belmont St. Aberdeen, Trinity Centre Dyce Stonehaven Westhill
01224 644927 01224 572368 01224 771144 01569 762765 01224 745888
And at branches throughout the North-East
www.duncanandtodd.com
36 | FASHION
MEN’S FASHION Focus. Finds. Flair
KEEN AS Bored of basic white t shirts? Dollop on the mustard, or as White Stuff are calling the shade, autumn yellow. It’s a surprisingly versatile colour and this long sleeved version, £29.95, is a great base layer for chilly weekend mornings. White Stuff, 22 Back Wynd, AB10 1JP, Tel: 01224 630 091.
LUXE LAYERS The key to stylish layering is interchangeable wardrobe classics that will never go out of date. Camel is a great alternative to black or grey and will earn you some serious style points. Try adding subtle hints of pale blue to keep it fresh. Coat, £699, blazer, £129, shirt, £79, trousers, £129, all by Collezione Made in Italy by M&S and holdall, £179 by Autograph at M&S. Marks & Spencer, 2-28 St Nicholas St, AB10 1BU, Tel: 01224 644 281.
IN THE BAG Crafted from soft leather and designed with a structured shape, this Ted Baker bag is perfect for packing all you need and then some. £280 and it’s yours. Ted Baker can be found at John Lewis, George St, AB25 1BW, Tel: 01224 625 000.
MEN'S FASHION | 37
WELL SOUND Discretion may be the better part of valour but when it comes to headphones we reckon the bigger, the better and these Bang & Olufsen H6 on-ear headphones most definitely stand out with their luxury leather styling and eye-catching colours. The sound quality’s not bad either. £329 and they are yours. Buy online at www.amara.com
SOLE MAN These black leather boots, £80 from Topman, feature a zip front fastening and have been styled with chunky cleated soles so they’re ideal for tricky Scottish winters. Topman, Union Square, Guild St, AB11 6PH, Tel: 1224 213340.
ANONYMOUS ISM ATELIER SCOTCH GIAN CARLO ROSSI HOLLAND ESQUIRE JEFFERY WEST LORDS & FOOLS NUDIE JEANS OLIVER SPENCER VIVIENNE WESTWOOD 411 UNION STREET ABERDEEN AB11 6DA T. 01224 594004 www.pure-man.com
38 | FASHION
How to be... A SALES SAVVY SHOPPER
During the sales few of us can resist a 50 per cent off sticker but how can we be sure the ‘bargains’ bought today will be the things we want to wear tomorrow? Here i-on’s chosen four of spring’s must-have items, available now, that are worth snapping up on sight and stashing away until next season.
Culottes
Shirt Dresses
Not quite trousers, not quite shorts, on first sight culottes are a tricky proposition. But dismiss them at the sales rail at your peril as you’ll be kicking yourself come April when you find yourself paying full price for these stylish short cuts.
Step away from the wrap dresses and step into the shirt dress if you want to get a head start on your spring look. Seen on catwalks everywhere, this menswear inspired piece is the dress of the new season.
39
Pastel Coats
Sorbet shades have dominated the outerwear market in recent years and spring is no different but next season it’s baby blue rather than pretty pink that’s the hue of choice. Long coats, short coats and everything in between is bang on – but only in blue.
Kimonos From subtle wide sleeve jackets to obi worthy wonders, we’ll all be turning Japanese in spring so snap up anything with a sartorial taste of the Orient. Fluid jacket styles are the most versatile while dresses create the biggest impact.
40 | FASHION
WOMEN’S FASHION Focus. Finds. Flair
WATCH THIS FACE Folli Follie’s Watchalicious collection just keeps getting better and brighter. Popular with celebrities like Millie Mackintosh and Laura Whitmore, the bracelet style timepieces start at £260 with dial colours including pink, blue, white and green and bracelets in a variety of metal finishes. Buy online at www.follifollie.co.uk
BRIGHT YOUNG THING Rework your favourite little black dress with one strategic pop of colour. These scarlet beauties, the appropriately named Strutt, £65 from Office, should do the trick. Office, 101-103 Union St, AB11 6BD, Tel: 01224 596350.
LOCK AND ROLL We all know Mulberry does an iconic collection of bags but did you know its jewellery collection is just as covetable? This luxe Bayswater bracelet, £225, features the signature postman’s lock to match its iconic namesake bag. www.mulberry.com
WOMEN’S FASHION | 41
STATEMENT PIECE Good old M&S isn’t usually our first port of call when looking for fun statement jewellery but by the look of this new season necklace we’ve been doing the grand old lady of the high street a disservice. At £29.50 this is a great low cost, high impact option for jewellery fans. Marks & Spencer, 2-28 St Nicholas Street, AB10 1BU, Tel: 01224 644281.
PUSH IT Fans of The Cambridge Satchel Company’s classic satchels, Batchels and Music bags, will no doubt fall for the latest addition to the family, the Push Lock collection, seen here. Prices start at £65 at John Lewis, George St, AB25 1BW, Tel: 0844 693 1730.
434 Union Street Aberdeen
www.sirene-boutique.com Sirene-Boutique-Aberdeen
42 | FASHION
New Collections...
AGL Miu Miu
RED ALERT
Tory Burch Jimmy Choo Gianvito Rossi Rene Caovilla Pretty Ballerinas Christian Louboutin
41 Thistle Street Edinburgh 0131 225 3242 | www.pamjenkins.co.uk Open Mon-Sat 10.00am-5.30pm
13 certainly won’t be an unlucky number for anyone interested in this fabulous little red frock from Primark because £13 is all you’ll need to hand over to get it. Primark, 143-153 Union St, AB11 6BH, Tel: 01224 213828.
CHELSEA GIRL Did you know that despite being an iconic style element of the 1960s, the Chelsea boot was actually created in the Victorian era? The flat style is a favourite with the super cool Alexa Chung but we like a little more height to our heel so these burgundy boots, £85 from Next, get our vote. Next, Union Square Shopping Centre, Guild Sq, AB11 5PN, Tel: 0844 844 5867.
WOMEN’S FASHION | 43
ZOE BOUGHT
I-ON LOVES… this golden Luna dress, £59 from Monsoon. In a beautiful textured fabric with a metallic glow, the T-shirt style bodice is modern while the tulip skirt and pleats add structure and interest. A great go-to party dress for evening or team with a supersized knit for a relaxed luxe daywear look. Monsoon, Bon Accord Centre, 25 George St, AB25 1HZ, Tel: 01224 649146.
We had to check the label twice when we spotted this gorgeous nude suede Mongolian fur coat on sale at Miss Selfridge for a mere £180 but yes, this really is the real deal being 100% sheepskin. Wear with wide flare jeans, a plunge front top and stacks of jewellery to channel your inner Rachel Zoe. Miss Selfridge, St Nicholas Centre, 25 George St, AB25 1HZ, Tel: 01224 646862.
17 Rose Street, Aberdeen | T: 01224 646599 | www.johnpark.co.uk
44 | FEATURES
a shopper’s guide to… Sirene
photos ∙ Susie Lowe
L
ooking to get 2015 off to a stylish start? Then make a New Year Resolution to pay a visit to independent womenswear boutique Sirene on Union Street. Since opening in March last year Sirene has been taking the guess work out of dressing with flair with carefully edited collections offering the exciting and different, all handpicked and sourced from across the continent. Prepare to be impressed. Brands to look out for… Des Petits Hauts for sumptuous knitwear, Essentiel for fantastic colour and prints, American Vintage for stylish everyday pieces and Sportmax Code for fashion forward buys. Sirene, 434 Union St, Aberdeen, AB10 1TR, Tel: 01224 637740, www.sirene-boutique.com
46 | HEALTH. BEAUTY. SELF
BEAUTY NEWS People. Products. Places
TO THE MAX IN BLOOM Pretty up your look with Clarins new Garden Escape 2015 make-up collection. We especially love the Limited Edition 6-Colour Eye Palette, £32, used here, with its luscious greens, petal pinks, snowdrop white and woody brown shades in a mix of satin and pearl finishes. Available at Clarins counters from 12 January 2015.
If the damp weather is playing havoc with your hair’s volume control, the Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray, £25, is a thermal protective body builder that’s guaranteed to help your hair hit new heights. Buy online at spacenk.com
BEAUTY SLEEP Clinique’s latest addition to its awardwinning Repairwear collection is the Repairwear Sculpting Night Cream which works while you sleep to restore skin’s youthful definition, giving a visibly lifted, defined and firmed contour. Available at all Clinique counters from 02 January 2015, £42 for 50ml.
SAINT OR SINNER? Lipstick Queen’s Saint range of lipsticks contains 10 per cent pigment, giving just a hint of long-lasting super flattering colour. For more power to your pout each easy wear Saint shade is also available in the 90 per cent pigment Sinner formulation for a creamy, matte finish with full coverage. £20 each. John Lewis, Bon Accord Centre, George St, AB25 1BW, Tel: 01224 625000.
LOVE YOUR BODY INSIDE AND OUT Non surgical cosmetic treatments from the GP led experts at Temple Medical
Winners of the best customer experience at My Face My Body awards
Equipped with the latest innovations in non surgical cosmetic treatments, we give you the best treatments for the best results. We offer treatments for: • Anti-ageing • Weight loss • Body contouring • Problem skin
6 West Craibstone Street Aberdeen, AB11 6DL Tel: 01224 869997 www.templemedical.co.uk
48 | HEALTH. BEAUTY. SELF
MINERAL WORKER
BATHING BEAUTY Liz Earle's new Bath & Body Collection is available in three fragrances - floral tiare & jasmine, zingy bergamot & ginger and warm vanilla & saffron and each collection contains a creamy shower nectar to cleanse, body scrub to refine and body lotion to soften and rehydrate. Prices start at ÂŁ12.50 for the shower nectar. John Lewis, Bon Accord Centre, George St, AB25 1BW, Tel: 01224 625 000.
Pure, cold-pressed rosehip seed oil is at the heart of bareMinerals new Mineralixirs cleansing oil, ÂŁ21. Aided by a skin enhancing mineral complex to dissolve impurities, this botanical oil leaves skin radiantly clean and as soft as a petal. Blooming great. bareMinerals can be found at Debenhams, Trinity Centre, 155 Union St, AB11 6BD, Tel: 0844 5616 161.
INTRODUCING... | 49
INTRODUCING… Japanese Manicure
Q U E E N S C R O S S D E NTA L
FIRST CLASS D E N TA L C A R E
B
ased on a 400-year-old traditional Oriental treatment, the Japanese manicure combines entirely natural ingredients with ancient buffing techniques to create a brilliant shine that’s impossible to tell apart from any modern-day gel or varnish. In addition to the high lustre, the treatment uses strengthening nutrients – including zinc, bamboo, jojoba and beeswax - that help repair and condition the nail. The shine lasts for up to two weeks and it’s perfect for conditioning nails after artificial nail removal, soak -off gel polish or when you just want to give your nails some TLC but still want a mirror like shine. Expect to pay £28-£30 per treatment. Japanese Manicures are available at Beauty Fountain, 51 Holburn Rd, AB10 6EY, Tel: 01224 212 888 and Evelina Beauty Salon, 15 St Andrew St, AB25 1BQ, Tel: 01224 642 082.
Friendly, expert care in relaxed and comfortable surroundings.
For all enquiries:
01224 638889
80 Carden Place, Aberdeen, AB10 1UL www.queenscrossdental.com 80 Carden Place, Aberdeen, AB10 1UL info@queenscrossdental.com www.queenscrossdental.com
50 | HEALTH. BEAUTY. SELF
Gym Class Zero to Hero MAKE 2015 THE YEAR YOU GET FIT AND STAY FIT WITH THESE FIVE TOP TRAINING TIPS FROM AWARD-WINNING PERSONAL TRAINER AND STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH BARRY STEPHEN.
1
MOVE MORE OFTEN No matter your goal, at any given opportunity look to move more and sit less as this will help you to expend energy and burn more calories. Don’t underestimate how powerful being more active in your daily regimes will be.
2
DO IT CONSISTENTLY The odd day of being more active just isn’t going to work, not long term anyway. You have to be consistent and make a commitment to be active. Choose a physical activity that you enjoy doing; a class, swimming, running, walking, playing a sport or going to the gym are just some examples but whatever it is make it a regular event.
3
PUSH YOURSELF I know lots of people who ‘attend gyms’ two or three times per week but I know fewer that actually make full use of their time there. Whatever activity you’ve chosen make sure you are challenging yourself. It might feel hard at the time but the rewards will be worth it in the long run.
4
SET YOURSELF PERSONAL GOALS What do you really want to achieve? Those who set themselves goals and targets tend to have better commitment levels and are less likely to quit. Without a goal there is no destination so have something to aim for. Write it down and set short term realistic targets that will help pave the way to your long term goal.
5
ACCOUNTABILITY There is a lot to be said about having a training partner or hiring a personal trainer to help you in your journey. Being accountable to someone will help motivate you, help you get the most out of the training you do and make you think twice about calling off a scheduled session. If you can afford to hire a personal trainer then I fully recommend you to do so. Likewise if you can afford help with your nutrition from someone suitably qualified. Training and nutrition go hand in hand. To discuss your fitness with Barry or a member of his team visit www.barrystephen.com or drop by his gym at 41 Ann St, AB25 3LH, Tel: 07850 013634.
HEALTH AND FITNESS NEWS | 51
HEALTH AND FITNESS NEWS
WINNER OF PERSONAL TRAINER OF THE YEAR
Fitness. Focus. Nutrition
VOTED 3rd BEST INDEPENDENTLY RUN GYM IN SCOTLAND at the SFN Fitness Awards 2014.
ON THE BALL Looking to improve on the pitch? Check out Adidas’s miCoach Smart Ball, £145. The ball’s unique built-in sensor tells you all you need to know about your kick, while the companion app interprets and displays instant feedback on power, spin, strike and trajectory, and includes ballmastery tutorials to help improve ball touch and handling. www.adidas.co.uk
DIETERS’ DOZEN Instead of watching calories, those in a quest to lose weight might be better watching the clock. Researchers at The Salk Institute in the US found confining meals to a 12 hour window, such as 8am to 8pm, and fasting for the remaining day, appears to make a huge difference to whether fat is stored or burned up by the body.
41 Ann Street, Aberdeen, AB253LH, Tel: 07850 013634 www.barrystephen.com
52 | FEATURES
EXCLUSIVE STREETS As one of the most thriving property markets in the UK, it’s no surprise that Aberdeen is home to some of the most exclusive streets in Scotland. To get an expert view on the city’s property scene i-on speaks here with David Geddie, Aberdeen Property Planner with Simpson & Marwick to get the lowdown on one of the most desirable living locations in the city. words ∙ Victoria Martin
W
hile oil prices have been a little volatile of late, there’s one North-East commodity that’s standing on far more stable ground – premium Aberdeen property. Recent Registers of Scotland statistics revealed that Aberdeen was second only to Edinburgh in the number of high-value homes changing hands in the first nine months of last year and surprise, surprise South-West Aberdeen - taking in Cults, Rubislaw and Milltimber - topped the North-East’s list with 16 properties selling for between £1-2.2 million in the AB15 postcode. So if you have a spare few million that, like you, is looking for a home, where should you take up residency? “For me, the address in Aberdeen is Rubislaw Den North and Rubsilaw Den South in the heart of West End of Aberdeen,” says Simpson & Marwick’ Aberdeen Property Planer, David Geddie. While the stunning tree-lined streets and leafy surroundings make the area a magnet for those looking for the very best of homes, it is not just the current residents that have be seduced by the lure of Rubislaw Den North and South, as David explains. “The Edwardian and Victorian homes were originally built for the successful professionals of their day so it is no coincidence that these streets are still occupied by many highly successful business people to this very day.”
EXCLUSIVE STREETS | 53
AMBIANCE INTERIOR DESIGN
INTERIOR DESIGN IS ART
31 A St Swithin Street Aberdeen AB10 6XB Te l : 0 1 2 2 4 3 1 0 2 1 1 interiordesign@ambiance.co.uk www.ambiance.co.uk
54 | FEATURES
A better resolution Families facing breakdown need • pragmatic, innovative and cost effective solutions; • constructive options for the resolution of complex financial provision issues; • child centred negotiation. Our award winning team achieves exceptional results for its clients. We offer common sense advice. We resolve matters cost effectively, efficiently and constructively.
Specialist divorce and family lawyers Shaun George Head of Family Law Partner Accredited family law specialist shaun.george@simpmar.com T 01224 624 924
Donna McKay Associate donna.mckay@simpmar.com T 01224 624 924
Lydia McLachlan Associate lydia.mclachlan@simpmar.com T 01224 624 924
Susie Mountain Solicitor susie.mountain@simpmar.com T 01224 624 924
Follow our family law blog simpmar.com/familylaw @smfamilylaw
EXCLUSIVE STREETS | 55
"WHEN PEOPLE BUY IN THIS AREA, THEY HAVE EFFECTIVELY REACHED THE TOP OF THE PROPERTY LADDER”
The homes on these coveted streets range from semidetached houses to spectacular 8-10 bedroom villas but David feels that an added and unique selling point is the private land found between the two streets. “The Den of Rubislaw is over 10 acres of wooded land which separates the two streets. “It has a burn running through it and is only accessible to the residents of the street. “As most homes don’t have access to this kind of outdoor space, it really is quite unique and gives the area an added air of exclusivity.” The exclusivity is further enhanced by the fact that there is no passing traffic between the streets and neither lie on a bus route. Great selling points for those looking for peace, quiet and privacy for their home. The larger houses on the streets would be expected to fetch between £1-3 million but, due to the constant demand for houses in the area, properties aren’t up for grabs for long or very often.
“There are never normally more than a couple of houses in either of the streets up for sale at any time,” reveals David. “In fact, quite often there are no houses up for sale at all. “When people buy in this area, they have effectively reached the top of the property ladder. They would only sell up if they were perhaps downsizing or moving away from Aberdeen altogether.” While the streets are home to oil and business tycoons, they are also very popular with young families due to their locality to good schools in the area. “It is such a popular area with families because it is in the catchment area for the most desirable comprehensive school in Aberdeen, Aberdeen Grammar School, and is also within walking distance of several of the best private schools in Aberdeen,” says our property expert. And, with property prices in Aberdeen continuing to boom year after year, it’s fair to say that Rubislaw will definitely be living up to the ‘exclusive street’ reputation long after today’s school children retire.
I-ON INTERIORS
Turquoise It’s blue sky thinking all the way for interiors in 2015, with turquoise in all its shades set to be the only colour your walls, sofas and soft furnishings will want to wear. Vibrant and fresh, turquoise works brilliantly as an impactful accent or go bold and use turquoise just about everywhere. We dare you.
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Ermine Pale Sky All these kitchen units for just p
£2,803
MADE IN THE UK
LOWEST PRICES
All Wren Kitchens are made by us in our own UK factories.
We beat the competition, including B&Q, Magnet, Wickes and Homebase.
u
OUR CUSTOMERS LOVE US We have better reviews than B&Q, Magnet, Wickes and Homebase. Visit wrenkitchens.com/reviews for full details. ¼
ABERDEEN
Boulevard Retail Park, Links Road, AB11 5EJ
50 stores nationwide • Open 7 days a week • wrenkitchens.com
p Priced kitchens are for units only and do not include the price of any handles, worktops, appliances, sink, tap, props, accessories or small worktop appliances. Must be purchased in the exact configuration as offered by Wren. No substitutions or alterations can be made. One per customer. uIf you find a kitchen or fitted bedroom that is of the same style, quality and construction cheaper elsewhere, bring us your valid quotation and Wren will beat it. ¼Based on TrustPilot & Review Centre reviews last checked 17th November 2014 - visit wrenkitchens.com/reviews for full details.
FREE DESIGN SERVICE
Granley by Heritage
ABERDEEN Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate AB12 3QA Tel: 01224 335335 • Fax: 01224 335332 aberdeenshowroom@williamwilson.co.uk also at:
FRASERBURGH 01346 514474 • INVERURIE 01467 629853
www.williamwilson.co.uk * Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Retail sales only.
your first choice for bathrooms sensational offers available in-store bathroom suites • showers & enclosures tiles & accessories • wet rooms fitted furniture • experienced staff
INTERIORS NEWS | 59
INTERIORS NEWS Ideas. Innovations. Inspiration
I-ON LOVES… the Bugatti kitchen appliance range at Amara. Starting at £91 for the Uma scales with timer to £542 for the Diva coffee machine, the range comes in a number of colours and will add sleek Italian style to any kitchen. www.amara.co.uk
HOME FROM HOME Jo Malone London style editor, Charlotte Stockdale, takes us on her travels with her new limited edition home collection, My Wanderlust. Wrapped in an atmospheric watercolour, each item is linked to a travel memory of Charlotte’s. Top of the pick for us is the Caribbean inspired Lime Basil & Mandarin deluxe diffuser, £58. Jo Malone London, 43 Loch St, AB25 1BW, Tel: 0870 192 5601.
PERFECT TIMING These glass optic sand timers from Debenhams are an elegant and fun gift for house proud friends. The smaller size is £15, with the large triple optic version costing £25. Debenhams, Trinity Centre, 155 Union St, AB11 6BD, Tel: 0844 561 6161.
TOTALLY FLOORED Inspired by the likes of Jackson Pollock, this simple paintsplat design rug creates a real impact. Priced £150-£250 and 100 per cent wool, it’s available in three colour variations. www.myluxe.co.uk
60 | PROPERTY AND INTERIORS
SMALL WONDERS Any bathroom benefits from some quality toiletries and we reckon the Au Lait range from Scottish Fine Soaps fall into that category. The black and white packing is timeless and the products themselves are definitely posh guest friendly. Prices start at £3.50.
PADDED SELL Marks & Spencer call this a marble print cushion, £19.50, but we think the print looks more like a watercolour puddle. Viewed either way, it’s a quirky but pretty way to inject some fresh colour into a room. Marks & Spencer, 2-28 St Nicholas Street, AB10 1BU, V890-advert-C-138x89-aw-04_V890-advert-C-138x89-aw-04 19/11/2014 10:17 Page 1 Tel: 01224 644 281.
ottimolighting.com info@ottimolighting.com
INTERIORS NEWS | 61
55 Allardice St, Stonehaven, Aberdeen AB39 2AB T: 01569 785606 info@galleryatfiftyfive.co.uk www.galleryatfiftyfive.co.uk
DEEPLY DIPPY The dip dye look to walls is a favourite with interior designers but can be tricky to pull off without the expert touch. Unless you opt for this dip-dyed wooden boards wallpaper from Digitex. Available in a number of colours each panel, measuring 62.5cm by 300cm, costs £40. Buy and view online at www.digitexhome.co.uk
ON THE SLATE Cooking Valentine's dinner? Make a style statement, tick the cute box and protect your table with these sweet heart shaped natural slate mats, coasters and name tags, featuring handcrafted edges for an artisan look. Prices start a £6.99 from www.creative-tops.com
JANUARY • SALE • SALE • SALE • SALE • SALE Lighting Home Quote IONA15 instore or online for 15% off non sale items. Until end of February. styleandlight.com 0131 319 8020 Glasgow - Edinburgh - Newcastle
62 | TRAVEL
LE CHARDON, VAL D’ISÈRE Finding a place to stay in the world's top ski resorts can make or break your trip. Enter the luxurious world of Le Chardon Mountain Lodges and you’ll be amazed at how much those little touches count… words ∙ Nicky Howden
L
ocated high up in the Savoie area of France, 1,850 metres above sea level, Val d’Isère is one of the Alps’ most exclusive resorts and hottest ski spots in Europe. And with its snowy slopes, bustling little town and après ski, it’s got it all going on. For me, skiing abroad has always been on the bucket list but, if I was going to do it, I would do it in style. Checking in at Le Chardon, the largest of the five luxury catered lodges in the collection, I knew instantly I’d more than ticked this wish list box. From the chalet staff lined up to welcome the chauffeured car from the airport to the fluffy slippers by the entrance, there was an overwhelming sense of indulgence and I’d only seen the ‘boot room’ - an area with dedicated ski boot warmers of course.
The traditional five storey chalet has 10 en-suite bedrooms that accommodate up to 20 guests. Every room is sumptuous yet cosy featuring imposing wooden beams, soft plush carpets, luxury linen and faux fur throws. And if you can see past the indulgent interiors, you’ll be awestruck by the picture perfect views of the Manchet Valley. It is undoubtedly the location that’s incomparable overlooking the serene Vanoise National Park, you can literally ski in and ski out of the place during the ski season, whilst non skiers can kick back in the outdoor hot tub, enjoy an in-house massage (the hot stone signature massage is particularly good), or gorge on delicious freshly baked cakes in front of a roaring log fire in the lounge. The chalets are family owned and run (by a Scottish family no less) and the
LE CHARDON, VAL D’ISÈRE | 63
attention to detail and level of service rivals some of the world's leading hotels. From the gourmet chalet dining to the fine wine and Pol Roger Champagne which are all included in your stay, it's about quality and the finer things in life. A freshly brewed coffee brought to my room at the requested 7.30am on the dot couldn’t be more evidence of that. However, the main attraction of Val d’Isère is the skiing. Host to the Winter Olympics and Winter Championships, its diverse terrain offers some of the most technically challenging pistes in the Alps. It’s also got some of the best off piste skiing in Europe. If you’re of beginner level, there are nursery slopes as well as the easier green and blue runs. My advice would be to hire an instructor from Oxygène Val d'Isère Ski School, even if it’s just for a confidence boost – trust me, they really are great. They also offer ski equipment for hire, Le Chardon can arrange the ski and boot fit for you. The important thing to remember before you go though is to dress for the conditions. In January it can be minus 25 so pack your thermals and ski gear. Val d’Isère town centre is full of top skiwear shops but I’d recommend a visit to Tiso's Blues the Ski Shop before you leave to get labels like Poivre Blanc for slightly less. Plus, even if you don't wow on the slopes at least you'll look good trying. After a hard day's work skiing or riding, soak up the après ski scene at Folie Douce. Located at the
top of the Daille cable car, it’s the go-to bar for live music, drinking and dancing. With a ski season that runs until the beginning of May, Le Chardon, Val d’Isère is somewhere that should be high on your travel hit list. It’s luxurious without being pretentious and, if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to return again and again. Top service, sumptuous surroundings and picture perfect views, Le Chardon Mountain Lodges certainly get my vote for families and friends.
FACT BOX Le Chardon’s exclusive collection of ski chalets are available on a sole occupancy basis, with off peak weeks starting from £1,250 per head. Shared chalets are available in certain weeks of the year. For more information visit www.lechardonvaldisere.com or Tel: 0131 209 7969. Oxygène Val d'Isère Ski School, oxygene-ski.com EasyJet flies direct from Edinburgh to Geneva airport (approx three hours away), www.easyjet.com, or Flybe and Jet2 fly direct to Chambéry from Edinburgh.
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WEEKENDERS Ardanaiseig Hotel words ∙ Cathy Walker
T
he irony of staying with my business partner at the 2014 Romantic hotel of the year, Argyll and Lomond, (as voted at the Scottish Hotel Awards), was not lost on me. And whilst I’m very fond of her, perhaps the setting would be a little over the top for a bit of professional bonding? Fortunately the Ardanaiseig Hotel seems appropriate for any occasion. Ardanaiseig knows exactly what it is and does it beautifully. It is a boutique country hotel with bags of class. And I use the tag boutique advisedly since it can be overused as shorthand for ‘minimalist, small bedrooms’. This is the opposite; the rooms are lush with four posters in some, fabulous bathrooms feature the ubiquitous Molton Brown products and corridors are welcoming yet bold statements. The owner is an antiques dealer and it’s not hard to see his unique eye for style in the décor, furniture and the overall dressing of the hotel. There’s an understated opulence about Ardanaiseig that, for us, added to the place’s charm. It’s all topped off with an awe-
inspiring view of Loch Awe from almost every window. If you can, book a loch facing room – it’s worth every penny. Dinner and breakfast are served at the aforementioned fine dining restaurant and despite the Highlands’ poor culinary reputation lauded by food critics nationwide, Ardanaiseig is one of a handful of places who are leading the way in turning it around. In fact, the restaurant has been awarded 3 AA Rosettes, a title held by less than 10 per cent of the UK restaurants, so it’s almost worth the trip for the food alone. You can enjoy an aperitif in the bar whilst perusing the a la carte menu or the fabulous tasting menu of eight courses, £60, each one just the right side of big leaving room for the next course. With much of the produce grown in their own grounds such as the venison, fish, herbs, vegetables and fruit, you are assured of freshness and sound farming practices. On our visit we chose the tasting menu which included an exquisite
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LET US HELP KICK START YOUR NEW YEAR ING AL TRAIN N O S R E P DED IN W INCLUIP O N S N A H PL EMBERS YOUR M
FREE
THERE’S AN UNDERSTATED OPULENCE ABOUT ARDANAISEIG THAT, FOR US, ADDED TO THE PLACE’S CHARM
pork belly with haggis, black pudding and apple, fresh Mull scallops with Tiree langoustine and cod, and a meaty and perfectly cooked guinea fowl with Morel mushrooms and truffle. An extensive wine list complements the food perfectly. Afterwards we retired to the lounge where we enjoyed a few night caps, remarking that for such a smart hotel, it was incredibly laidback in style. Not a bit of stuffiness in sight, just pure relaxation and a good chance to catch up. Should you wake feeling in need of some activity to work off the delicious breakfast, there is plenty to choose from. Whether it be aiming high at the clay pigeon shooting range on site, fishing in a loch full of fish or enjoying a trip around the loch by boat, the hotel has something to tempt you to stay longer. It’s all too tempting… Ardanaiseig Hotel, By Taynuilt, Kilchrenan, Taynuilt, Argyll, PA35 1HE, Tel: 01866 833 337, www.ardanaiseig.com
Wellness wellness Health &erdeen.co.uk/fitness/health& rtab www.spo
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NEW YEAR TEA-TOX
MONDAY 12TH JANUARY TO SATURDAY 31ST JANUARY NOON TO 5.30PM Treat yourself this January with a day visit to Edinburgh for a guilt free afternoon. Relax in the beautiful surroundings of Palm Court with our special January Tea-Tox, the healthier alternative to Afternoon Tea. Enjoy a selection of lower-calorie savoury sandwiches, treats and cakes accompanied by an extensive selection of loose-leaf teas. £29 per person £44 per person with a glass of Champagne Advanced booking required
The Balmoral | 0131 556 2414 | palmcourt.balmoral@roccofortehotels.com | roccofortehotels.com
I-ON FOOD
Chocolate Thinking of wooing your loved one with chocolates this Valentines’ Day? Forget the mass market White, milk or plain and think out of the (chocolate) box this year by choosing some spiced chocolate for your sweetheart. We’d recommend cardamom and cinnamon as great pairings for dark chocolate lovers.
words · Vhairi Walker · photos · Susie Lowe
DINNER @ MUSA
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I
t was the sort of night that warranted as little movement outside as possible. Icy rain heaved from the black sky and that familiar North East sea wind contorted umbrellas, rendering them useless. At this moment in time, there was no better place to seek refuge than in Musa. In its former life Musa has been both a church and a banana ripening hold, the latter giving rise to the restaurant’s name. In 2015, Musa is not only an incredibly popular restaurant, but a platform for regular live music (blues/jazz/piano/ funk/indie), events (wine/beer pairing), open-mic nights (Mondays) and revolving art work. At precisely 8.11pm on a Saturday night the place is alive with chatter, there isn’t a table that isn’t taken or reserved, so booking ahead is certainly advised. Located in the Merchant Quarter of old Aberdeen and split over two levels, Musa is a
wonderful mismatch of furniture – a stag head here, a checkerboard table there. Stained glass windows, fairy lights, lanterns and a vintage film projected onto the wall adds to the creative effect. It’s all a bit fun. Like its décor, the menu isn’t one thing or the other. Musa fuses food from across the continents and its native Scotland, advocating local produce from small Scottish suppliers with its journey. Whizzing past our table on several occasions, the haggis and black pudding spring roll, £6.90, is undoubtedly a favourite to start. We, however, settle on a more classic Cullen skink soup, £6.50, and salt and pepper baby squid, £6.90. The soup is everything you expect from Cullen skink – thick, creamy and comforting. The squid, cooked to perfection, coated in a light tempura and complemented with a zesty salad, lifted by green chilli, lime and spring onion.
DINNER | 69 For mains, I deviate from the standard menu and go for a special of grilled lemon sole, sweet potato fondant, king prawns and saffron sauce, £21. Everything works in harmony in terms of taste and texture, all united by the sauce – beurre blanc in its design. My dining partner opts for an obvious crowd pleaser with his choice of a roast beef fillet, £29. Generous in its size, the meat is accompanied by a fat, beef shin and mustard croquette, and a beetroot red onion chutney in which to dip it in. It’s a combination that couldn’t fail and doesn’t. The Spanish and bluesy notes from the live guitarist meanwhile provides the perfect backdrop for our meal and fills a much needed interval between mains and desserts. On a bleak night such as this, it was always going to be the banoffee sticky toffee pudding with vanilla toffee sauce and ice-cream, £6.95, that secured our order, swiftly demolished in spite of shared protests of “being too full.” Having entered the restaurant several hours ago, the time had come to venture into the unruly depths of the night, our interlude at Musa making that proposition much more bearable. But all said and told, Musa is a fantastic place to spend an evening, come (torrential) rain or shine. Musa, 33 Exchange St, AB11 6PH (open Tuesday-Saturday). Tel: 01224 571 771, www.musaaberdeen.com
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TAKE THREE
Wining and dining on the most romantic day of the year? Here’s a trio of spots to win over that special someone. words ∙ Vhairi Walker
Silver Darling, photo by Susie Lowe
Silver Darling Located on the harbour mouth amidst the twinkling lights of passing boats, Silver Darling could be a worthy dinner destination for Saint Valentine himself. Here, supremely fresh seafood meets French finesse at the hands of owner and chef, Didier Dejean. Good for… Impressing a fish fiend. Expect to pay… Around £25 for a main course and £10 for a starter. Anything else? Share a dozen dressed oysters for an amorous start to the evening. North Pier House, 43 Porca Quay, AB11 5DQ, Tel: 01224 576 229.
Dusk
Café 52 Little enclaves, exposed stonework and flickering candles make Café 52 an intimate and relaxed affair that warrants a place in our top three. Bistro in its style, and happily, in its prices, the menu is eclectic, embracing several cuisines. Think black pudding with wine poached pears or a chorizo laden ‘posh’ Ploughman’s. Good for… An intimate date with a touch less formality. Expect to pay… A flat rate of £4.90 for any starter, £12.90 for a sharing platter or mains and £3.90 for sides. Anything else? If you’re looking to cuddle up, book a table outside and share a supplied blanket. 52 The Green, AB11 6PE, Tel: 01224 590094.
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Ciao Napoli With more than 10 years under its belt, Ciao Napoli isn’t a fleeting fancy but a mainstay on Aberdeen’s dining scene, promising consistently good food in cosy surroundings. Tucked away on Bon Accord Crescent, this family-owned Italian is the ideal setting for couples to while away an evening, hands clasped, stomachs full, and cheeks flushed with plentiful wine. Good for… Authentic Italian food in sizeable portions. Expect to pay… £10 or so for a pasta dish, £18 for meat or fish and £5 for desserts. Anything else? One of 13 restaurants in Scotland to boast an Ospitalia Italiana award, Ciao Napoli’s authenticity has been recognised by the Italian government, no less. 10 Bon Accord Cres, AB11 6DN, Tel: 01224 213223.
Schloss Rothenburg Wholesale Importer of Fine Wine. Est 1978 Explore our collection We are small independent wine merchant established in 1978 and based in Aberdeenshire. We source and import a wide range of wines from all over the world many from lesser-known vineyards, boutique vineyards, limited production runs and rare vintages. From everyday drinking wines, to specific vintage wines, we have something to suit every palate, and pocket. For our full range of wines visit www.schlossrothenburg.co.uk or call Sinead Graham 01224 733110 / 07989 486928
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FOOD NEWS Sound bites
SOME LIKE IT HOT Up for a challenge? Try The Boozy Cow’s chilli challenge. Eat one chilli cheese burger, one chilli dog, a portion of chilli fries and an Oreo milkshake in 20 minutes or less and it’s on the house. Fail and the bill belongs to you. The Boozy Cow, 24 Netherkirkgate, AB10 1AU, Tel: 01224 646317.
RING THE CHANGES There’s been a few changes at Rye & Soda of late and not just in décor. The menu now features the best of British comfort food and there’s a brand new gin list, numbering 52 varieties with recommended serves and garnishes. That’s a new gin to try every week of 2015… Rye & Soda, The Academy, Belmont St, AB10 1LB, Tel: 01224 643338.
SUSHI FOR BEGINNERS If one of your New Year Resolutions is to learn a new skill, why not try your hand at sushi making? Oryza on Huntly Street and Yo! Sushi’s Bon Accord Centre branch both offer classes, priced £40pp and £30pp respectively. Book by calling Oryza on Tel: 01224 620987 or Yo! Sushi on Tel: 01224 432832.
FINE WINE MERCHANTS WORLDWIDE BEERS AND SPIRITS FINE VINTAGE PORTS 8 St. Swithin Street Aberdeen, AB10 6XD, Tel: +44 (0) 1224 467 404. 1 Urquhart road, Aberdeen, AB24 5LU, Tel: +44 (0) 1224 630 496. www.wineraks.com
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MAN ENOUGH? Celebrity chef Nick Nairn hosts his ‘Man in the Kitchen’ cookery class on 23 January 2015 but you don’t need to be male to take part. The one day course focuses on ‘man food’ with the menu featuring hearty brunch ideas, man-size Wagyu burger, a chunky man salad and a chocolate pudding. Priced at £249pp. Book online at www.nicknairncookschool.com
DINNER TIME The 500 Miles charity, set up by quadruple amputee Olivia Giles, is inviting people to sit down to dinner on 07 March 2015, in a bid to raise £500,000 to help those with mobility issues in Africa. The BIG dinner is a one off event involving hundreds of separate dinners across the world – all linked by social media and a web streamed celebrity BIG dinner hosted by Fred MacAulay. Register or find out more at www.bigdinner.co.uk
Hogmanay Menu Wishing all our friends a happy new year 33 Exchange Street, Aberdeen AB11 6PH Tel: 01224 571771 hello@musaaberdeen.com Follow @MusaAberdeen @musajohn @musachef @MusaBernard www.musaaberdeen.com
at the
BACK ODE TO A HAGGIS
Burns Night is upon us again so don’t forget to indulge in our beloved national dish on 25 January. Buy a biggie and use the leftovers to create homemade haggis sausage rolls or, i-on’s favourite, haggis pakora.
NEW YEAR, NEW RESOLUTIONS
Instead of vowing to lose weight or exercise more, try an alternative resolution that you are actually motivated to keep this year. Here are our favourite resolutions for the year ahead… Pause before posting – it’s too easy to overshare on social media and your boss really doesn’t need to see you posing in front of your bathroom mirror. Print more photographs – scrolling through an album on Facebook is slightly less nostalgic than flicking through an actual photo album. Quit the gym – rid yourself of feeling guilty about spending money every month and pound the pavements instead, should you feel the need that is... Start a bucket list – decide on 10 things you’d really like to do and get on to them. Toss the ‘toxic’ friends – anyone who makes you feel bad about your life/weight/hair needs to go.
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Did you know… 2015 is the Year of Food and Drink in Scotland? The Government led initiative aims to spotlight, celebrate and promote our country’s fine natural larder and quality produce. Keep an eye out for a year packed with events around the country to tickle your taste buds.
One Day Dedicate the whole day to nothing but you, with a choice of bespoke Spa Treatments and rituals designed to restore balance, purify the body and stimulate the senses. Spa Days also include Escape at One, a wonderfully indulgent range of heat and water experiences, as well as some precious time in our iconic rooftop Hydropool* Find out more at onespa.com or phone 0844 748 0212
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