i-on Edinburgh | August 2021

WIN A SUITE STAY FOR TWO at Cheval The Edinburgh Grand ARE YOU READY TO BE ENTERTAINED? Your guide to Edinburgh’s festivals THE GREAT ESCAPE Dream destinations for group getaways

E D I N B U R G H

MAKE A SPLASH

How to make the most of your summer in the city

There’s a highball iN YOUr FUTUre

Please drink responsibly

JOhNNie & elDerFlOwer CreaTe FlOral FirewOrks FOr YOUr TONgUe 1 Pour Add 50ml of Johnnie Walker Black Label over ice.

2 Mix Stir in 30ml Elderflower Cordial and 100ml Soda Water.

3 Garnish Finish with a lemon twist and lemon thyme or a mint sprig.

Issue 174 / August 2021

THE INSIDER GUIDE TO THE CITY

CONTENTS

THE GREAT ESCAPE Dream destinations for group getaways

I-ON • MAKE A SPLASH

in this issue…

WIN A SUITE STAY FOR TWO at Cheval The Edinburgh Grand ARE YOU READY TO BE ENTERTAINED? Your guide to Edinburgh’s festivals

E D I N B U R G H

AUGUST 2021 • ISSUE #174

08 Win An overnight stay at Cheval The Edinburgh Grand 10 Are you ready to be entertained?

Your indispensable guide to the festivals

16 The Outdoor Type Three must-try open air activities 18 Free Spirits Embrace your bohemian side in florals and frills 24 My Style Cat Anderson of treen boutique

MAKE A SPLASH

How to make the most of your summer in the city

Joana Vasconcelos, Gateway (2019).

Image by Owen Humphreys Courtesy of Jupiter Artland

on her fashion inspiration

25 The Drop Fashion news and need-to-knows 26 Beauty Notes Must-try products and treatments 28 The Meditative Tool to Try Now The mental health benefits of trail running

30 On the Food Radar Restaurant news and our favourite food finds

32 Netflix & Chill Boozy ice lolly recipes for adults only evenings 38 What to Eat, Wherever You Are The places to try at home, in the city, and out of town

42 The Great Escape Dream destinations for UK group getaways 48 How to Update a Period Home Expert tips from Edel heritage property specialists

54 Home Report Interior news and design trends 58 The Trellis House A unique extension transforms a suburban home 64 Best of Edinburgh featuring Sam Stevens of MILK cafes 66 Insta-insider with Edinburgh-based yogi Zara Carmichael

Directors Jo Morris, Laura Wood Design Pepe Lebron Editor Nicky Howden Acting Editor Carrie Mitchell Account Director Amy Falconer With thanks to Sarah Ormerod, Neil Taylor, Katherine Strachan-Davis and Andrew Edgecumbe Published by Treacle Productions Ltd, @The Basement, 29-35b Hamilton Place, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH3 5BA, Tel: +44 (0)131 555 4126, Email info@ionmagazine.co.uk, ionedinburgh.com 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. i-on is a trademark of Treacle Productions. ©Treacle Productions Ltd 2020.

ionedinburgh

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ionedinburgh

ion_magazine

i_online

B RYC E McKENZIE Interior Design

Studio and Showroom 35a Dundas Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6QQ. Tel: 01315562185 www.brycemckenzie.co.uk

FEATURES

We revealed this gem of a business, Box Office Designs, in our best garden rooms feature in The House Story

Beyond print

We’ve so much to tell you that it just doesn’t fit into one magazine anymore. If you haven’t signed up to our newsletters yet, here’s what you’ve been missing…

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We shared where to buy the city’s best ice cream, like this one from Moo Pie Gelato

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e’re not really the boastful types here at i-on but we love to share news when we think we have something you should know about. So here we are, delighted to tell you about our beautiful, relaunched website and revamped e-newsletters. If you haven’t already signed up for these inbox gems, you’re missing out on We celebrated the launch of Edinburgh artist Soo Burnell’s new book at ionedinburgh.com some rather lovely exclusive content and news.

Love, Edinburgh Welcome to your insider’s guide to the city where we select the mustknow information from what’s on, new openings, reviews and hidden gems and pop them into a handy weekly email. We may even have an exclusive online competition or two... and someone’s got to win it.

The House Story by i-on Our new journal for beautiful spaces is dedicated to the very best architecture, design and interiors in Edinburgh and Scotland. Expect gorgeous dollops of property porn plus exclusive photography and inspiration every fortnight.

ionedinburgh.com Packed full of reviews, ideas, tips and insights, the new look relaunched i-on website is pretty easy on the eye, with sumptuous imagery and easy navigation. It’s everything you love about i-on magazine rolled into one perfectly formed URL.

We showcased Portobello’s must-visit cafes and restaurants, including The Little Chartroom on the Prom

Sign up to our newsletters today at www.ionedinburgh.com/emails/

We showed you how to picnic like a pro with a little help from The Tartan Blanket Co.

We gave you some very tasty reasons to visit the Edinburgh Food Festival

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I-ON PRIZES

WIN… an overnight stay at

Cheval The Edinburgh Grand

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e’re delighted to offer one lucky i-on reader a luxurious overnight stay for two at Cheval The Edinburgh Grand, plus Champagne afternoon tea on arrival. Situated on St Andrew Square in the heart of the city, the luxurious residence pays homage to its former life as an historic banking landmark, The National Bank of Scotland.

The well-known building has been beautifully renovated to house 50 fully-equipped serviced apartments, with options to accommodate from one to six guests. Each apartment incorporates the building’s historic roots with slick contemporary design, and the interior décor has been carefully chosen to enhance authentic features, including original dark wood panelling, fireplaces, brass door handles and decorative cornicing.

Cheval The Edinburgh Grand is the ideal spot from which to discover the past and present of Scotland’s vibrant capital city.

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THE PRIZE An overnight stay for two in a one bedroom deluxe suite, plus champagne Afternoon Tea in The Register Club, the hotel’s impressive bar. Expect contemporary, open-plan living, dining and kitchen area, kitted out with modern technology and all the essential utensils, alongside additional comforts such as a Nespresso coffee machine and Bose speakers.

TO ENTER For your chance to win an overnight stay for two at Cheval The Edinburgh Grand, visit www.ionedinburgh.com/win/ by noon on Friday 10 September and leave your details.

The winner will be notified by email and announced in the next issue of i-on. To find out more, visit www.chevalcollection.com Terms and conditions: The prize is valid until Friday 09 September 2022, subject to availability.

FESTIVAL GUIDE

ARE YOU READY TO BE ENTERTAINED? This August is Edinburgh’s biggest ever month of culture and entertainment with no fewer than FIVE festivals taking place in the city. With so much to see and do, it can be hard to know where to start so we’ve put together a crib sheet of the must-see shows and screenings

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Alan Cumming © Josh Going

FEATURES

THE EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL SEE IT LIVE This year’s EIF has attracted some big names in contemporary music, undoubtedly eager to get back to what they do best. Topping our list of many must-sees is Blur and Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn in a rare solo appearance at the purposebuilt outdoor venue in Edinburgh Park on 24 August. Tickets sold out pretty fast first time round so Albarn agreed to put on an early show, giving audiences a second chance to bag a ticket. Head online to see if you made it in time.

Other highlights include soulful singer Laura Mvula, jazz producer-drummer Moses Boyd, indie folk sister trio The Staves, Californian art-pop duo Tune-Yards, Malian singersongwriter Fatoumata Diawara and West Lothian indie heroes The Snuts, whose debut album became the first by a Scottish band to top the Official Album chart in 14 years.

There’s also a welcome return for Tony and Olivier-award winner Alan Cumming who presents an evening of story and song outdoors at the University of Edinburgh’s Old College Quad on 28 and 29 August.

Damon Albarn © Linda Brownlee

07 – 29 AUGUST, eif.co.uk

Tune Yards

TUNE IN ONLINE For the first time in its 74-year history, the EIF is offering 18 full-length performances available to watch for free online. Among them, Nicola Benedetti performs in Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale (from 26 August); acclaimed Edinburgh pianist Malcolm Martineau celebrates the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s birth (from 15 August); while writer and director Hannah Lavery leads an artistic response to the 2015 death in Scottish police custody of Sheku Bayoh in the National Theatre of Scotland’s Lament for Sheku Bayoh (from 25 August).

Finally, Dancing in the Streets (20 August) is the premiere of four specially commissioned dance works created for film by criticallyacclaimed choreographers Alice Ripoll from Rio de Janeiro, Omar Rajeh from Beirut, Gregory Maqoma from Soweto and Janice Parker from Edinburgh.

Laura Mvula Gregory Maqoma Retrace Retract © Moeletsi Mabe

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EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 18-25 AUGUST,

edfilmfest.org.uk

SEE IT LIVE Also in its 74th year, the EIFF kicks off with the European Premiere of Pig, starring Nicolas Cage, on 18 August at Festival Theatre. The Oscar winner has already been praised for his performance in this unique tale of a loner truffle hunter who must return to his past in Portland in search of his beloved pig after she is kidnapped. At the closing end of the festival comes another big-hitter, the European Premiere of Billy Crystal’s comedy drama Here Today co-starring Tiffany Haddish.

But we’re most excited about the special preview screening of the eagerly-awaited film adaptation of hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Taking place at the Festival Theatre on 20 August, the screening will be preceded by a celebratory outdoor event in St Andrew Square where ticketholders are asked to dress to impress with prizes for the best outfits, plus drag queen entertainment and cocktails.

The ever-popular outdoor cinema in St Andrews Square Gardens also returns from 19 – 25 August for Film Fest In The City with a free programme of cinematic favourites including Grease, The Goonies, Amélie and the original Star Wars trilogy among many others.

TUNE IN ONLINE The festival programme will also be available through its online platform Filmhouse at Home with titles available to watch alongside exclusive Q&As with directors, filmmakers and actors.

‘Pig’ starring Nicolas Cage

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Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

EDINBURGH ART FESTIVAL UNTIL 29

AUGUST, edinburghartfestival.com

SEE IT LIVE British artist Isaac Julien’s Lessons of the Hour is a major new ten-screen film installation offering a poetic meditation on the life and times of Frederick Douglass, the African American writer, abolitionist and a freed slave, who spent two years in Edinburgh in the 1840s. Made in partnership with the National Galleries of Scotland, Lessons of the Hour will be at Modern One until 10 October to coincide with Black History Month.

Another film project worth seeing is RESET by Turner-prize co-winning artist Alberta Whittle at Jupiter Artland. Filmed across Scotland, South Africa and Barbados, RESET responds to the immediate context of the Black Lives Matter movement, the global pandemic and the climate emergency. Also reflecting on the climate is Christine Borland: In Relation to Linum at Royal Botanic Gardens until 03 October.

TUNE IN ONLINE A programme of events and digital presentations opens with Isaac Julien in conversation with Celeste Marie Bernier (from 30 July), an interview recorded in Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms where Julien’s subject Frederick Douglas himself spoke.

FESTIVAL GUIDE

Ian Rankin

Oti Mabuse

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL 14-30 AUGUST,

edbookfest.co.uk

Christine Borland at Botanics

Lessons Of The Hour

RESET courtesy of Alberta Whittle

SEE IT LIVE The literary fest has moved from its usual home in Charlotte Square Gardens to Edinburgh College of Art where there will be an outdoor festival village with a children’s play area and a big screen showing events from across the Baillie Gifford Children’s Programme, including a virtual interactive dance-along with Strictly superstar dancer Oti Mabuse.

Authors bringing brand new releases to Edinburgh include Joan Bakewell who explores the implications of downsizing, Matt Haig with The Comfort Book and TV producer Jed Mercurio who has collaborated with actor Prasanna Puwanarajah to create Sleeper, the first in a hotly-anticipated new graphic novel series.

Home-grown talent comes from Ian Rankin who launches The Dark Remains, his completion of William McIlvanney’s final manuscript, Queen of Crime Val McDermid who launches 1979, the first book in a series and her first in almost two decades, Alexander McCall Smith with several books written during the pandemic, and Sara Sheridan who launches her novel, Fair Botanists set in Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens.

TUNE IN ONLINE Online audiences can mingle before and during events in a live chatroom, and most events offer a Q&A session with the authors. There are also live book signings for authors who are joining digitally where audience members are able to chat face-to-face and get their book signed after the event.

International voices appearing live from their homes include Pulitzer prize-winning authors Viet Than Nguyen and Marilynne Robinson, novelists Torrey Peters, Jeff VanderMeer, and Alicia Garza, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement.

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THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE UNTIL 30 AUGUST, edfringe.com

SEE IT LIVE With so much on, it would be impossible to list all the Fringe highlights but here’s a few we’re excited about.

MUSIC Promising the

ultimate 80 party, The Magnets – 80s Rewind is at Underbelly in George Square. The five-piece a capella and beatbox group has supported the likes of Tom Jones and even performed at Glastonbury so they’re a pretty big deal. Certainly not as big a deal as Chrissie Hynde though, the Pretenders singer will be performing four stripped-back shows at Queen’s Hall, featuring a selection of Bob Dylan covers. The Carole King and James Taylor Story is a nostalgic look at the careers of two legends Chrissie Hynde on all month at theSpace @Symposium Hall, and Sunshine on Leith, the sell-out musical featuring the songs of the Proclaimers, returns with a run at MultiStory.

COMEDY

Fringe standup stalwarts Craig Hill, Daniel Sloss, Jason Byrne and Mark Nelson all have headline shows at the Corn Exchange. Jo Caulfield is at The Stand for Four Nights Only. And if you’d like to get involved in the comedy yourself, Trevor Lock’s participatory show Community Circle is at Summerhall Secret Courtyard.

Daniel Sloss

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CABARET The Lady Boys of Bangkok are back with

their Flight of Fantasy tour at the Theatre Big Top in Fountainbridge. Making her headline Edinburgh Fringe debut, Alice Rabbit pulls together a line-up of Scottish local legends and Edinburgh icons of drag for a jam-packed hour at MultiStory. And at Assembly George Square Gardens, Best of Burlesque returns featuring striptease, cabaret and variety.

THEATRE

Part of the Made in Scotland programme, Mamoru Iriguchi’s Sex Education Xplorers (S.E.X.), takes a time-travel ride through the evolution of sexes at Summerhall Secret Courtyard. At the Pleasance, there’s the powerful autobiographical play Patricia Gets Ready (for a date with the man that used to hit her).

Patricia Gets Ready

FESTIVAL GUIDE Harry Hill

AND FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT…

SHEDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL UNTIL 30 AUGUST, shedinburgh.com

Push, Popelei, courtesy of The Other Richard

TUNE IN ONLINE Never ones to do things by halves, the Fringe have several online streaming platforms. Available via Summerhall Online, Eva O’Connor is presenting Mustard - a darkly comic play about heartbreak, madness, and how condiments are the ultimate coping mechanism.

PrimeCut returns with 2018’s My Left Nut - the true story of a Belfast boy growing up with no father to guide him through, and a giant ball. On FringePlayer, there’s Zip Zap Circus School Trust’s Moya, an acrobatic art film exploring themes of brotherhood, fraternity and race; a two-woman retelling of F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby; and for family fun, there’s Wallace & Gromit: In Concert. We’ll also be tuning into Pleasance online for two fabulous femalefronted shows, GOBBY: a one-woman odyssey about what it really means to be loud and PUSH which tells the story of a woman staring down the barrel of motherhood.

Shedinburgh Fringe Festival is an online festival featuring the best of the Fringe stalwarts of theatre, music and comedy, all livestreamed from two sheds at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh and Soho Theatre in London. This year’s line-up includes returning Fringe legends Harry Hill and Mark Thomas, and Joe Thomas of Inbetweeners fame in his debut stand up show. Audience members also get to put their questions directly to creator The Guilty Feminist’s creator, Deborah Frances-White in a special episode of the podcast. And don’t miss Katy Arnstein’s sharp and provocative play Sexy Lamp, about sexism in the entertainment industry.

Tickets start at just £6 with a minimum of 25% going into the SHED LOAD OF FUTURE FUND to help support the next generation of artists get to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Sexy Lamp

GOBBY

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FEATURES

THREE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR SUMMER Whether energy levels are through the roof or you’re more of the chilled, cultural kind, these three great activities will be hot favourites with the whole family when a day out at the beach just won’t do.

MAKE A SPLASH

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The whole pool to yourself. Tick. Heated to deal with the temperamental Scottish weather. Tick. Bespoke and beautifully designed. Tick. Part of the permanent collection of artwork at Jupiter Artland, Gateway is a stunning and colourful piece of art, designed by artist Joana Vasconcelos and made of 11,366 hand-painted and glazed Portuguese tiles and, as much as it’s a delight to look at, it’s also a fully-functioning nine metre swimming pool. So, if you’d like to claim that you’ve swam in a piece of art, the daddy of all swimming pools is open for private bathing sessions for groups of up to six. It costs £60 on top of the general admission price for a one-hour session (which includes changing and a half hour swim time) and it’s the kind of thing that memories are made of. Pure joy.

Gateway at Jupiter Artland, www.jupiterartland.org/ sessions/joana-vasconcelos-gateway-bathing-session/

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3 TEST YOUR FEAR OF HEIGHTS

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Just when you thought Dalkeith Country Park had done all they could with its services to parents (all hail the mighty Fort Douglas), they’ve taken it to the next level with the first Go Ape in Edinburgh; a journey through the treetops, crossing wobbly bridges, whizzing down zip lines and experiencing fear and joy simultaneously. Go Ape has nailed the treetop adventure market and, as a family experience, it’s a brilliant and fun way of hanging out (literally) with your children, or if you prefer an adult experience go with some pals. There are three levels of courses, Adventure, £20, for children over 1 metre tall and more than six years-old, Adventure Plus, £23, for children over 1.2metres tall with a SOLO zip, and Challenge, £33, the most adventurous for those over 1.4 metres tall and suits adult groups as well as older children. Believe us, the river zipline is a total thrill.

Go Ape, Dalkeith Country Park Via King’s Gate, EH22 1ST, www.goape.co.uk/dalkeith

GET DOWN AND DIRTY

Who knew that the grounds of Winton Castle in East Lothian is home to an amazing and exhilarating, mile long assault course that’ll have your heart pumping and adrenaline rushing in no time. If you like tunnels and a bit of mud and water thrown in with your activities the Scottish Assault courses is the place to be. It’s not a race against the clock to complete the course, it’s an instructor led activity that guarantees a fun day out for kids, corporates and groups of friends of all ages. You’ll be shown how to scramble over nets, commando crawl through tunnels, and scale tyre walls before tackling everyone’s favourite part, the water pit. We say just bring with you a brave heart… and maybe a spot of camouflage for the laugh.

Scottish Assault Courses, Winton Castle, Pencaitland, East Lothian, EH34 5AT www.scottishassaultcourses.com/edinburgh.html

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FEATURES

Free Spirits EMBRACE YOUR ROMANTIC SIDE IN FLORALS AND FRILLS

Photographer: Andrew Edgecumbe Model: Eyra, Profile Model Management Stylist: Manny Lago Hair & Makeup: Pierre StClaire, using Tabitha James Kraan Organic Hair Care Location: Misbourne Valley Locations 18

FASHION

Opposite page: Floral frill dress, £360, Needle & Thread. Earrings, £25, True decadence.

Above: Embellished mint dress, £245, Maya premium. Button earrings, £39, Kate Spade.

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FEATURES

Blue & cream dress,

20 £108, Free People; Hat, £20, JR Ewing.

FEATURES FASHION

Mixed floral print dress, £200, Free People; Necklaces, £25, Chained & Able.

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FASHION

Pink tulle gown, £450, Needle & Thread.

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Great Yellow Bumblebee Daisies at Dawn A N D

Jewellery collections inspired by flowers in bloom and warm summer days when bumblebees are a familiar sound.

Sales from these charitable collections support Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

New St Andrews gallery now open!

ORKNEY | EDINBURGH | GLASGOW | ST ANDREWS 01856 861 203 | sheilafleet.com

MYSTYLE

Cat Anderson

The owner of treen on vegan fashion, international inspiration and Glasgow riviera chic

photography Martin Safro

SIGNATURE LOOK Timeless and classic, with an edge. I have always taken inspiration from other cultures when it comes to my wardrobe. I enjoy pairing unexpected colours and textures and bringing a pop of colour or playful accessory into a look. This side of my personal style particularly came about whilst I lived in Asia, the way the Chinese and Hong Kongese play with colour and shapes in a fun and laid back way has always stuck with me.

FASHION MOTTO‘A killer wardrobe without killing the planet’. When I changed to a vegan diet, I wanted to extend the approach to other areas of my life and was pleased to discover that there were lots of brands and designers working according to vegan and sustainable principles, many of whom we now stock in treen.

WARDROBE MUST-HAVES A white shirt, great blue jeans, a biker jacket or blazer, a few key versatile pieces of quality jewellery, a vegan leather handbag and comfortable sneakers.

ANY STYLE NO-NO’S Honestly, none. Fashion is a force and has the power to make you feel something big. I am all about encouraging people to ask how a piece of clothing makes them feel, this will come through in your outfit more than anything. One tip I would share is to ignore sizes and labels, go with what fits you and makes you feel comfortable; often when you feel good you look even better.

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STYLE ICONS So many but the biggest has to be my grandma, whose style my sister once described as Glasgow riviera chic. I still meet people today who knew her and mention her immaculate outfits. She loved reworking pieces, like taking an older skirt to a local tailor to change the length and make it more current. She was big on mending things too, a tear was seen as an opportunity for embroidery. This played a big part in my inspiration and journey into sustainability. I also love Stella McCartney’s fearlessness in her work and her style. Plus every character in the film Clueless, the same for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Carrie from SATC (of course).

FAVOURITE STORES Edinburgh clothing charity shops. They’re all treasure troves and a great way to update your wardrobe whilst having a positive impact not only on the planet by shopping second hand, but an important cause too. treen, 2-4 St Stephen Place, Stockbridge; www.shoptreen.com

FASHION

I-ON LOVES…

…these impossibly cute yet totally cool crystal drop earrings, £150, by Shrimps, the latest brand to arrive at West End boutique Frontiers Woman.

Laings jewellers is set to showcase some of the world’s most prestigious luxury timepieces with the launch of its stunning new watch gallery in the George Street showroom. Home to world-renowned brands including Rolex, Cartier and OMEGA, the store-in-store style gallery on the second floor is the ultimate watch destination offering an immersive experience to Laings’ discerning clientele. Expect dedicated areas for each brand, specially curated collections featuring the newest models alongside pre-owned watches; and exclusive client events.

Find out more at www.laingsuk.com.

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DROP YOUR NEED-TO-KNOW FASHION NEWS

BRAND OF THE MONTH TOAST

WHAT IS IT? A British clothing and homeware brand that is all about a slower, more thoughtful way of life.

WHERE DO YOU GET IT?

Pop into the Stockbridge store at North West Circus Place or shop online at www.toa.st

LITTLE LABELS

There’s good news for label-loving mums and dads as Harvey Nichols Edinburgh launches a new kidswear department this summer. Featuring the likes of Givenchy, Balmain, Chloé, and Stella McCartney, the new destination for luxury children’s fashion caters for all ages from newborns to teens.

WHY WE RATE IT...

The new ‘Between Seasons’ collection is designed for that awkward time when summer is over but Autumn hasn’t quite begun. It’s all about effortless layering with swingy tiewaist floral dresses, intricate lace knit tanks, quilted cotton jackets and indigo denim workwear. Just one or two key pieces could solve all your seasonal wardrobe dilemmas.

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BEAUTY THE EYES HAVE IT Perfecting a sexy slick of eyeliner is no easy feat but the biggest tip we can give you is to invest in the right product. The CHANEL STYLO YEUX WATERPROOF (£24) is a bestseller for good reason - resistant to humidity, water, and sebum, it doesn’t run or smudge and it’s now available in seven new shades so when you do master that feline flick, you can experiment and express yourself. And isn’t that what makeup’s all about?

BEAUTY EXPERT

BEAUTYNOTES

Featuring Karolina Bajbuz, founder of Deerieo Natural Skincare Solutions…

Must-try products and treatments

Three new bronzers to try...

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1. Get that holiday glow (without actually going on holiday) with ICONIC London’s first ever liquid bronzer. The easy to blend gel-like formula melts effortlessly into the skin, leaving radiant and luminous results. ICONIC London Sheer Bronze, £18, iconiclondoninc.co.uk 2. CHANEL has introduced a new darker shade of their much-loved cream-gel bronzer. Soleil Tan Deep Bronze is the perfect choice for darker complexions.

CHANEL Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream, £43. chanel.com

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The products are all designed to be… multitasking, vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, sustainable and without palm oil which aligns with my environmental ethos.

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3. For the ultimate buildable bronze, Estee Lauder’s new bronzing trio features two matte powder bronzers and a highlighter which you can use individually or blend for a custom bronze. Bronze Goddess Matte & Glow Bronzing Trio, £34, esteelauder.co.uk

SKIN SAVIOUR

Keep your skin feeling fresh and hydrated with a spritz of Chantecaille’s new Orange Flower Water (£61), a natural face mist powered by the soothing scent of Moroccan orange blossom.

Discover this summer must-have and a whole host of iconic skincare products at the new Chantecaille counter opening in Harvey Nichols Edinburgh this August.

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I started Deerieo when… I made Scotland my home and couldn’t find good natural skincare for my sensitive, combination and breakout-prone skin. Inspired by Scottish medicinal plants and modern natural cosmetic science, I learnt how to create products that deliver visible results and after four years of research and development launched in 2020.

The product most people need but don’t use is… Sunscreen! When the sun comes out in Scotland, we tend to go “taps aff” but the sun is aggressive here and solar radiation is the main cause of skin ageing, not to mention skin cancer.

My top beauty tip for summer is…

Keep your skin (and yourself) hydrated.

Three beauty essentials I can’t live without are…

Deerieo Daily Glow face cream (it was my first product and consistently customers’ favourite), Green People Scent Free Facial Sun Cream SPF30 and Isle of Paradise Medium Self-Tanning drops.

To find out more, visit www.deerieo.com

A MEDITATIVE TOOL TO TRY NOW Sarah Ormerod explains why we should all be running off road

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HEALTH

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hen we talk about the benefits of running, for many of us these go beyond physical health. But pounding pavements and tackling marathons isn’t for everyone. For me, running off road is an opportunity to unplug from the stress of everyday and be at one with nature. I’m certainly not the only one. Kilian Jornet, professional mountain and sky runner and ski mountaineer, is regularly quoted for his perception of running in nature, and the benefits and perspective it can bring: “On the mountain, you learn that you are tiny, a low rock or a storm can wipe you off the map, and that makes me relativise things a lot and understand what is important”.

What’s more, it’s easier on the body than road running and you worry less about pace and time due to weather and terrain often having other ideas that’s what keeps it interesting. In any case, whether you’re a runner looking to do more off road or you’re lacing up for the first time, here are a few tips to help you plan your trail running adventure…

LEAVE YOUR EGO AT HOME

Running off road can be exhausting.

It may take you two, three, maybe even four times as long to run the same distance you would on road, depending on the weather and terrain. Slow your pace, forget about

your watch and focus on finding a rhythm.

LEARN TO NAVIGATE

Remember your phone’s GPS might not work up a hill in the middle of nowhere so get used to using a map and compass. There are a number of great courses available in Scotland; Girls on Hills based up in Glencoe and Glenmore Lodge offer group and one to one workshops, or closer to home there are weekend workshops regularly in the Pentland Hills. OS maps is a useful tool to have on your phone too. Until you’re confident, stick to marked trails and paths of which there are plenty.

PREPARE WELL

ON THE MOUNTAIN, YOU LEARN THAT YOU ARE TINY, A LOW ROCK OR A STORM CAN WIPE YOU OFF THE MAP, AND THAT MAKES ME RELATIVISE THINGS A LOT AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IS IMPORTANT” I’m based in Edinburgh and a member of Carnethy Hill Running Club who I wholeheartedly recommend.

GET STRONG

If you are venturing a little further from home, or up a hill, take some spare layers and waterproofs, emergency food and water and a fully charged phone. And always tell someone where you are going or leave a note of your planned route.

Incorporating strength training into your week will help reduce risk of injury and improve your agility, balance and power to push up hills and run down them. Focus on exercises that strengthen and activate the posterior chain - calves, hamstrings, glutes and back.

JOIN A CLUB

REMEMBER TO FUEL

Ben Lomond

Pentland Hills

One of the best things about the hill running community is the friendly and welcoming nature of the sport.

Joining a club can help put some structure around your training to get the best out of your running, as well as introduce you to some like-minded people to get out on the trails with.

For easy to moderate intensity runs of over 90 minutes, you should be fueling to replenish glycogen in the muscles. As a rule of thumb, take on some carbohydrates (five to six jelly babies, a small banana or a slice of malt loaf) every 40-45 minutes with a little water to aid digestion.

THREE MUST-TRY ROUTES West Highland Way

A well-trodden path, but a great place to start if you are new to trail running and don’t want to get lost. You can run from A to B with a little forward planning or do an out and back along certain sections. Start at Tyndrum so you have the option of the Real Food Cafe to refuel afterwards.

This is a great Munro to hike up and run down. It also has good tourist paths to follow. Walk Highlands is a fantastic online resource if you are stuck for ideas.

Offering a mix of terrain and easily accessible from Edinburgh city centre, start from Bonaly, Harlaw or Flotterstone for a low-level run on paths through the beautiful valley.

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ON THE FOOD

RADAR New openings, must-try menus and favourite food finds

Proper pizza

Flipping great news

Pancake fans will rejoice to hear that the former Jamie’s Italian site at the Assembly Rooms has reopened as Stack & Still, the UK’s biggest urban pancake business. Even better news? There’s an espresso martini bar in there too, opening 20 August. www.stackandstill.co.uk

You know the saying, ‘if you want it done right, do it yourself’? Well it also applies to pizza and Twelve Triangles are helping budding pizzaiolos ‘get it right’ with the launch of their own ready to roll sourdough pizza bases, available to pick-up each Friday and Saturday from the Easter Road shop. While you’re there, you’ll also find all your favourite toppings from mozzarella and Parma ham to anchovies and olives. Just don’t ask for pineapple – it has no place on a proper pizza. www.twelvetriangles.co.uk

THE RETURN OF STEAK & SIDES

Chop House are renowned for consistently delivering the goods across their three city centre steak houses, so we were delighted to hear that they’re bringing back their iconic “Steak & Sides” offer. This time, the focus is on sharing with a huge 900g dry-aged porterhouse steak served off the coals with triple cooked chips for only £50. If that doesn’t sound like the perfect midweek date night then what does?

Available at Leith Chop House on Mondays, Bruntsfield Chop House on Tuesdays, and Market Street Chop House on Wednesdays. www.chophousesteak.co.uk

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FOOD AND FEATURES DRINK FIVE MINUTES WITH…

CALLUM MCPHERSON

We grabbed a quick chat with the founder of revolutionary new delivery platform, Secret Takeaways

Three ‘big deal’ new openings…

Book em now, while you still can

THE GLENTURRET LALIQUE RESTAURANT Tell us about Secret Takeaways. When the first lockdown was announced my team and I put our heads together to find ways to support the hospitality industry in Edinburgh.

One of our ideas was to build a database of the places offering delivery/collection that weren’t on any of the delivery apps ie. the small independent restaurants that were forced to offer takeaways to keep trading but couldn’t afford the commissions charged by the big apps.

Initially, we just published a simple list never expecting it to become a platform in its own right but, as the market changed, we recognised the need for a site that supported the independents.

What are the benefits? Most restaurants join food delivery apps as a way to access customers but they are hit with massive commission fees every month.

At Secret Takeaways, we help small businesses increase direct orders via their own website or over the phone, which not only means they save on the commission; it usually means the customer pays less too. It’s a double win: you save money and support local.

Do you think you can convert Deliveroo addicts?! Yes! I think most people can work out which is the better and fairer deal.

What’s your usual takeaway order? Pizza is my go-to and we are spoiled for choice in Edinburgh. If you order from Civerinos for example, they’ll be bigger, cheaper and quicker when you order direct. When you know, you know! www.secrettakeaways.com

Helmed by head chef Mark Donald, who comes straight from Number One at The Balmoral, this new fine dining experience is part of Scotland’s oldest distillery, located in the Perthshire countryside near Crieff. Sure, it’s a bit of a drive from Edinburgh (about an hour, to be precise) but the contemporary tasting menu and grand setting is definitely worth the journey. www.theglenturretrestaurant.com

HERON Following the success of their at home fine dining pop-up Bad Seeds, young chef duo Tomás Gormley and Sam Yorke have opened their first bricks and mortar establishment in the former premises of The Raj on the corner of Henderson Street in Leith.

The restaurant offers farm to table relaxed fine dining with an a-la-carte menu showcasing the best of Scotland’s seasonal produce. www.heron.scot

THE PALMERSTON Opening in the West End in August, this new neighbourhood restaurant from chef duo Lloyd Morse and James Snowdon is all about whole animal cooking – a sustainable method which sees every part of the animal used to create an explorative menu of innovative and traditional dishes. Seasonal dishes will include grilled East Neuk mutton chops with turnips and bacon and whole grilled mackerel with white beans, spinach and Pernod. www.thepalmerstonedinburgh.co.uk

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FEATURES

Netflix & Chill

Feeling hot? Cool down with these adults only ice lollies to make at home on balmy summer nights

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FOOD AND DRINK

Blood Orange Negroni Popsicles INGREDIENTS • • • • • •

Half cup caster sugar 1 cup water 50ml gin 50ml Campari 50ml dry vermouth 300ml blood orange juice, freshly squeezed and strained

METHOD

Place sugar and water in a small pot and heat on low until all the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the hob and add the rest of your ingredients. Mix well, place in popsicle moulds or ice cube trays and freeze. www.bellyrumbles.com

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Strawberry Jalapeno Beer Popsicles INGREDIENTS • • • •

1.5 lbs strawberries 1 large (or two small) jalapenos, sliced ¼ cup sugar 12 oz pale, summer ale or IPA we used Sierra Nevada Summerfest

METHOD

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into popsicle moulds and freeze for about two hours or until set. www.thebeeroness.com

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FOOD AND DRINK

Honeydew Cucumber Margarita Popsicle INGREDIENTS •

1 cup honeydew juice (approximately a whole melon) • 1/3 cup cucumber juice (approximately half a cucumber) • Half cup tequila • 1 tablespoon triple sec • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice • 1 tablespoon mint syrup (recipe below) • 3 large mint sprigs For the mint syrup: • Half cup water • Half cup sugar • 1 cup mint leaves, loosely packed

METHOD

To make the mint syrup, place sugar and water in a pot over heat until the sugar dissolves. Leave the mixture to cool to room temperature, add mint leaves and muddle. Leave to steep for 20 minutes.

Strain and discard leaves. For the lollies, place the honeydew and cucumber in a food processor or blender and process until everything is pureed.

Add tequila, triple sec, lime juice and mint syrup, and process for another 20-30 seconds to blend well. Pour mixture into moulds and freeze for about two hours or until mixture starts to solidify enough to hold a popsicle stick upright. Insert sticks and freeze overnight. www.endlesssimmer.com

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FOOD AND DRINK

Meet the Maker

Introducing the faces behind our favourite local foods WHO Melanie Auld, Founder and MD of Spice Pots.

WHAT We make carefully curated spice blends so that creating tasty and healthy homemade curries at home is as easy as it can be.

We are an all women team, made up of mums who may otherwise have struggled to work without the flexibility to work around our families.

QUICKFIRE QUIZ Sweet or savoury? Savoury.

Poached or scrambled? Poached.

Skinny fries or chunky chips?

Skinny, always.

Brown sauce or ketchup? Ketchup.

Supermarket or farmers’ market?

Farmers’ Market for the best produce.

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WHY I started the business in 2014 although the idea for Spice Pots came many years before when I had three very young sons and lived half an hour away from the nearest shop. Due to a lack of time, I started to batch blend my favourite spice combinations in large quantities so that I could continue to make the curries that I loved much and had learned to make in India years before.

HOW My Gran left me £2,000 when she died and this removed the last excuse for not putting my idea into action. I used to make everything myself in my tiny kitchen and started selling at local events. It was very small scale for several years. Once I convinced myself that I was capable of making the business a success, it started to grow quite rapidly.

SIGNATURE DISH Our Lamb Bhuna recipe is simple and yet so delicious.

It beats any takeaway hands down.

Pair with some mint and coriander raita and you’ve got a pretty special meal with minimal effort - my kind of cooking.

FRIDGE FAVOURITES I like leftovers.

There is nothing nicer than taking a cold, flavoursome dish out of the fridge and eating it straight out of the pan.

FOODIE SHOPS Our local butcher, Andersons of North Berwick, is superb and they deliver to our house once a week. I also regularly buy other local products such as the Mango Chutney from the Spice Witch, gin from Fidra gin, Black and Gold’s Oil and Yester Dairy products.

EATING OUT My favourite restaurant is Chaophraya – the food is outstanding. Last time we went we had the best table in the house looking onto the castle.

Shop the Spice Pots range online at www.spicepots.com and on Amazon Prime.

Your one-stop Edinburgh shop for

vegan • vegetarian • plant-based • dairy-free gluten-free • wheat-free • organic • Fairtrade sustainable & plastic-free groceries

www.realfoods.co.uk natural healthy ethical shopping •

•

•

37 Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3JU & 8 Brougham Street, Edinburgh EH3 9JH

What to eat, wherever you are If you’re dining out, dining in, or off on a day trip, we have three great places to try…

AT HOME

CHOP HOUSE HOME X STORE

Jo Morris on why a steak home delivery service is always a good idea

T

hanks to lockdown and the closure of all restaurants, an innovative new line in restaurant home delivery boxes exploded onto the scene. But with restaurants now reopened, do these boxes still appeal?

They certainly do to this homebody.

Ours arrived on the hottest day of the year so far; an impressively wellpacked box, jammed with goodies wrapped in ample ice bags to keep it chilled. We unpacked our dinner, excitedly admiring the vacuum packed 700g porterhouse steak, triple cooked chips, wild garlic mushrooms, slaw and jars of condiments. We’d also thought ahead and ordered the melon martini - I mean who wants to mix their own martini when you can get it ready to pour?

I was the delegated chef for the evening- my perfunctory culinary skills are legendary… let’s just say I was very glad to see the

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comprehensive list of instructions.

Pen in hand, I jotted down the timings I needed to follow- 18 minutes for the chips at 200c, 20 minutes for the steak. I was a well-oiled machine cooking on gas. Such was the lack of actual prep work, I was able to dispatch the delicious martini whilst waiting for everything to cook. Thirty minutes later, the meal was ready.

The steak was cooked to perfection, the chips were amazing, and the slaw was a revelation thanks to a delicious dressing I would happily eat every day of the week.

So, would I order again? A resounding yes from me. It was excellent quality food and made a

dinner at home really special. In fact, I was so impressed that I ordered one for my dad’s birthday and right now, it’s winging its way to Kent ready to surprise him and put a big smile on a steak lover’s face.

Chop House Home X Store starts from £18 for a fillet steak box and a Porterhouse dining kit from £65.

Boxes are delivered nationally three days a week (Thursday-Saturday).

I-ON READER OFFER i-on readers receive 20% off on orders from the Home x Store at www.chophousesteak.co.uk/store Simply use the code ION2021

FOOD AND DRINK

OUT OF TOWN

THE HARBOUR CAFÉ

Carrie Mitchell finds that elusive holiday feeling on Elie harbour

T

he sun is beating down on Elie beach as hundreds of daytrippers frolic on the sand, splashing and squealing in the sea.

We’ve spent 40 sweaty minutes driving with a carsick child to get here and as we approach the car park, we can already see the vehicles in front being turned away. With zero minutes to spare before our booking, I leap out, grab the kids and walk (already frazzled) towards the pin on Google maps which seems to be taking me towards a queue of hungry tourists at a hatch in the wall. None of this is what I expected. And I’m already anticipating my husband’s rage when he finally catches up to us after searching for a parking space. But then I turn the corner and everything changes.

The chaos and noise dissipate and we’re walking towards a small wooden shack perched above a quiet rocky cove. There’s a gentle reggae

beat playing and I notice the smell of the sea mingling with the scent of burning charcoal as a smiling face approaches. “You made it,” he says, beaming. And thank god we did. The Harbour Café is a breath of fresh air – unassuming, unpretentious and totally unexpected. A handful of simple wooden tables and benches fill the shack, one side of which has been opened up to allow the sun and sea air to drift in.

We take our pew, my toddler pointing excitedly at some kids playing on the rocks below as Jack, the smiling stranger (and as it turns out, co-owner) points out the menu and explains that the giant rocks on our placemats are for smashing the shells of the seafood we’re about to tuck into. I order a glass of wine, surreptitiously moving the rock away from my one year old’s chubby reaching hands and finally start to relax. By the time the husband arrives, I’m halfway through my first glass of Picpoul and beaming with unrestrained glee. “Well this is pretty special,” he smiles and we set about the important task of ordering – an easy job for once given the refreshingly brief menu.

We kick off with fat green olives, smoked almonds and padron peppers – deliciously charred – before our starters of brown crab on toast and tomato & strawberry gazpacho arrive.

It’s all delightfully simple and fresh, and while we may be in deepest Fife, our tastebuds are on a journey to a Spanish beach. Jack explains there is a deliberate Andalusian influence to the menu – he and his head chef wife Amy Elles (who appeared on BBC Two’s Great British Menu last year) worked in a restaurant in Spain previously and they have family out there who they visit often. As we cheerfully smash our way into a pile of giant langoustines and half a lobster, it’s as close as we’ve been to a holiday in two years and it feels glorious. Not wanting the whole experience to end, we order dessert and coffee – strawberries in Toblerone sauce for the toddler (who we’ll have to scrape off the ceiling later), a simple almond tart (Tarta de Santiago) for us.

It turns out you don’t have to take the risk of a sweaty short-haul flight to find that holiday feeling we’ve all been craving – it’s right here, in a tiny shack at the very tip of Elie harbour.

Happy daytripping.

The Harbour Café, The Toft, Elie Harbour KY9 1DT. Open Wed-Sun, 12-4pm Book at www.theharbourcafe.co.uk

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FOOD AND DRINK

IN THE CITY

RICO’S RISTORANTE

Laura Wood discovers a new contender for top Italian restaurant in Edinburgh

I

t’s always sad to hear about the closure of a favourite restaurant. Thankfully, when Martin Wishart called time on Honours Brasserie after a decade of great dining, he placed it in the good hands of a young restaurateur who’s making a quiet noise on the Edinburgh scene. Stefano Pieraccini already has The West Room on Melville Place and the Broughton on Broughton Street (unrecognisable from its former guise as the Phoenix bar) and now he’s opened Rico’s ristorante on North Castle Street as well as Rico’s Pasta bar down the road in the St James Quarter. His vision, to become Edinburgh’s best Italian restaurant, is a bold one but, after our visit on a warm Wednesday evening (remember that heatwave), it seems he might be onto a winner.

Keeping it in the family as good Italians do, Rico’s is named after Stefano’s grandfather, and its goal is

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to provide an authentic Italian dining experience in stylish surroundings.

It knows what it wants to be and is doing a mighty fine job of it. Given its newness, there’s already a sense of polished professionalism about the place, from the relaxed and comfortable half-moon booth table settings to the knowledgeable front of house staff. Even if you’re not in the market for an a la carte dinner, there’s a separate bar area where you can go to enjoy cocktails, which somehow manages to hold an atmosphere of its own without intruding on the dinner service next door. The cocktails pack a decent punch, or at least the Rico’s speziato does, a concoction of El Jimador tequila, Cointreau, lime and chilli which I tried (twice).

Being a more refined Italian restaurant, there’s not a pizza in sight. The menu does feature some

beautifully made fresh pasta dishes though that can be enjoyed as starters or mains. We skip the traditional charcuterie and squid antipasti and choose the spinach and ricotta ravioli with pine nuts and sage butter, £12, and hand dived Isle of Mull scallops and guanciale, £15, as starters. Both are beautifully presented, plentiful and buttery – just the way we like it.

The focus here is on the quality of the produce which shows when our main courses arrive; a meaty halibut fillet straight off the boat at Pittenweem, £28, served with a tasty and colourful courgette and tomato salad, and for my partner in crime, a flavoursome braised globe artichoke with tomato, roast garlic and Corra Lin, £18. It’s worth noting that despite a lack of meat from our dinner choices, there’s beef carpaccio, ragu, lamb shoulder and rib eye all on the menu - it’s a tough call but we are happy with our choices nevertheless. Sides of truffle mash, £6, and grilled chilli broccoli, £4, are as good as the main event and, for once, we bypass the panna cotta and tiramisu desserts and head straight to coffee, full and happy.

Rico’s is a lovely place to dine. I can see it filling up with groups of family and friends enjoying the good food and informal atmosphere, and raising a glass of limoncello at the end of a lovely meal. It’s customary in Italy so it would be rude not to.

Rico’s ristorante, 58 North Castle St, EH2 3LU, Tel.: 0131 322 6750, ricosristorante.co.uk

“FROM OUR KITCHEN TO YOURS” www.chophousesteak.co.uk

W

THE GREAT ESCAPE Carrie Mitchell discovers the perfect place for a post-lockdown group getaway

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hen I first booked our group trip to Redford Farm, a boutique country retreat in the heart of the Shropshire countryside, three of our gang were heavily pregnant, including me so there was one huge silver lining of having to reschedule what was originally my 40th birthday celebration to after the lockdown rules had eased. Nope, it wasn’t that we’d get to meet each other’s babies (though yes, that was also pretty special), it was that we’d get to have a big old drink. Nine months pregnancy-enforced sobriety coupled with 14 months Corona-enforced separation made for one hell of a reunion. And we couldn’t have found a better place to do it.

From its striking red-brick exterior and sprawling sun-drenched gardens to the luxury, character-filled rooms and epic open plan spaces within, Redford Farm Barns is the most perfect party pad. Owner Jude Hunt, who lives in the neighbouring farmhouse with her family, obviously cherishes the place and she goes out of her way to make us feel welcome, even surprising me with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, hand-drawn card and the most beautiful birthday cake. Once everyone

TRAVEL

has arrived and the tearful hugs and squeals are out of the way, the first thing we do is gather round the kitchen island to get stuck in. There’s something familiar about the place which we can’t quite put our finger on. Until, that is, we spot a signed photo of Nigella Lawson cooking at the very same kitchen island and we realise that’s where we’ve seen it: the Beeb filmed Nigella’s Christmas Table here a few years back. You can see why it appealed: it’s possibly the most well-equipped kitchen I’ve ever been in. In fact, the whole barn is kitted out with every little thing a family might need from books and games to candles and stacks of wood for the fire.

With four bedrooms and three bathrooms in the main barn, plus two bedrooms and a bathroom a piece in the adjoining cottage, there’s plenty of space for all four of our families, even with three new humans to add to the overall headcount. Throw in an outdoor dining area

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TRAVEL

CLOSER TO HOME…

Three great houses for group getaways in Scotland

LEUCHIE WALLED GARDEN, North Berwick Sleeping up to 12, this luxury mid-century modern house is set in its own secluded five acre walled garden. www.leuchiewalledgarden.com

FROM ITS STRIKING RED-BRICK EXTERIOR AND SPRAWLING SUN-DRENCHED GARDENS TO THE LUXURY, CHARACTER-FILLED ROOMS AND EPIC OPEN PLAN SPACES WITHIN; REDFORD FARM BARNS IS THE MOST PERFECT PARTY PAD” complete with firepit, a rustic shed come BYOB pub, a vegetable garden ripe with pickings, picturesque pond overlooked by its own stretch tent, fields filled with sheep, chicken and pigs; heck, even a zipwire, and you basically have a natural theme park. The two three-year olds in our crew have a blast, not to mention the overgrown kids making up the rest of our gang.

While it feels like we’re in the middle of nowhere, the countryside haven is actually just a few minutes’ drive from the pretty market town of Ludlow and we’re reliably informed it’s well worth a visit but we never quite make it there. Instead, we spend the next three days frolicking around the farm as if it was our own. By day, there’s country walks, paddling pool games, strawberry picking, ice lolly licking; by night, there’s BBQ-feasting, birthday cake eating, Aperol-spritz sipping, the most fun bathtimes our kids have ever had. Then, when all five babies are tucked up in bed, the outdoor fire goes on, the proper cocktails come out and we all sit outside laughing and dancing and hugging and doing all those things we’ve had to live without over the last difficult year. Lying on the grass together looking up at the stars, it almost feels like it was worth the wait.

A three-night weekend at Redford Farm barns starts from £1,948. Ludlow Barn and Tenbury Cottage can also be booked individually for smaller groups www.redfordfarmbarns.co.uk

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BALNAKEILLY, Pitlochry A 16th century mansion house with a 2000-acre estate, this epic destination has 13 beautifully decorated bedrooms available to book individually or as an exclusive use venue. www.balnakeilly.com

DUN ALUINN, Aberfeldy Impeccably designed by its architect owner, this chic escape in Perthshire sleeps up to 18 guests and features its own wood fired hot tub with views down the Tay Valley. www.dunaluinn.com

FEATURES

Story The House

A JOURNAL FOR BEAUTIFUL SPACES by i-on

In this month’s issue, stylish essentials for outdoor living, a uniquely designed family home in Cramond, our guide to updating a period property, plus our new regular interview spot, The Design Files 47

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THE HOUSE STORY

How to... update a period property KATHERINE STRACHAN-DAVIS OF EDEL, EDINBURGH’S PERIOD PROPERTY SPECIALISTS, TALKS US THROUGH THE MUST-DOS AND MUST-NOTS OF STYLISH YET SYMPATHETIC RESTORATION

1. INCORPORATE A CONTEMPORARY KITCHEN

Seamlessly blending the old with the new to accommodate modern day living in a period property requires a fine balance. Contemporary living demands more informal spaces than when these properties were originally envisaged. Kitchen spaces in particular have to work extra hard with settings for daily family meals as well as dinner parties and special occasions. Luckily the double attributes of high ceilings and large windows make these spaces good to linger in. There’s no need to avoid contemporary styles – just be mindful of the period setting. Keeping to a restrained colour palette with warm tones and clean lines, it is possible to create a harmonious and complementary interior scheme without competing with the existing architecture.

2. CHERISH YOUR FIREPLACE Fireplaces provide the focal point for period drawing rooms and if you are lucky enough to inherit an original chimneypiece, it is something to be looked after and cherished. Often the fireplace inserts themselves need to be updated and if you wish to retain a working fire then having the suitability of the flue checked is the first important step. Many would prefer a real fire but gas fires can work in period settings too, whether it’s situated within a reclaimed period fire basket or even a contemporary glass fronted gas fire - the minimal look works well in contrast to more ornate surrounds and mantles.

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3. BE CAREFUL WITH CORNICING Cornices in Victorian and Georgian properties are often highly enriched and intricate making for one the most desirable features in a period home. Over years of redecoration, they can often become paint-bound which means that their beautiful patterns are obscured. Only by painstakingly removing the built-up layers of paint is it possible to see the definition of the design again.

There is often also physical damage and smoke damage to contend with but it is possible to create casts of the original details so they can be remade for the damaged sections, restoring the entire room back to its full decorative glory.

4. REVAMP THE RADIATORS Period properties suit reclaimed column and cast-iron radiators but there’s a huge variety of radiators on the market to choose from when buying new.

These range from the ultra-contemporary flat panelled to reproduction ornate cast iron style and there’s no limit to the choice of colour and finishes meaning you don’t need to stick to the standard white look. It’s important to check the radiators are sized carefully to ensure adequate heat output and a good fit to suit period features such as dado rails or panelling.

5. INTEGRATE MODERN LIGHTING It’s a challenge to integrate effective modern lighting into period properties without interfering with the historic features. A neat solution for ceiling lighting is to create a ‘raft’ or section of new ceiling suspended below the existing. In kitchens, installing the raft over an island unit enables the use of recessed and perimeter LED lighting. The extract fan can also be accommodated whilst keeping the ceiling undisturbed. Smart lighting is also a great innovation, where different lighting settings can be stored and easily selected by pressing a single switch. It’s an easy way to switch up the ambience of a room.

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THE HOUSE STORY

6. LISTEN TO THE PROFESSIONALS SEAMLESSLY BLENDING THE OLD WITH THE NEW TO ACCOMMODATE MODERN DAY LIVING IN A PERIOD PROPERTY REQUIRES A FINE BALANCE”

Many period properties are listed meaning that their features are protected from major alteration without express permission. These characteristics are what make the properties desirable and clients sometimes have to be reminded that over-modernising can diminish their appeal. When it comes to flooring, working with the existing floorboards with all their imperfections gathered over the years is a great way to retain the authenticity of a period home. Tastes change, of course, and this goes for door furniture too where there has been a tendency in the recent past to fit chrome finishes throughout to suit the fashion for grey colour schemes. Ironmongery is traditionally polished brass so it’s wonderful when it can be retained in a refurbishment and hardware can be supplemented by good quality reproduction pieces as needed. Alternatively, by not being too precious and mixing metal finishes in a considered way, for example to faceplates and taps, a bit of individuality can be added to an interior scheme without being too matchy-matchy.

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THE HOUSE STORY

7. DON’T GET SLEDGE HAMMER HAPPY Sometimes clients look to incorporate ideas from modern architecture into their period home such as large open plan living spaces where walls are taken down between principal rooms. Open-plan living is increasingly popular, not just for living/dining spaces, but also with kitchens rolled into one.

Even where consents are sought and granted there are always pros and cons for merging and enlarging period public rooms. On the plus side, there’s an increased sense of light and space and of better flow. For most clients the perceived benefit is the idea of single multipurpose space where the cook of the house isn’t isolated from guests when entertaining. On the downside, open plan spaces can become inefficient by creating a lot of wasted circulation space. Also, the loss of a very useful blank wall means one less location, in both rooms, to place furniture or radiators.

There’s not a single solution to suit every situation and each home needs to be considered on its own merits.

Considering everything carefully and seeking expert advice is the key.

For advice on your own period conversion, contact Edel on 0131 226 6362 or visit www.weareedel.com to find out more.

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Interior design studio & retail experience 8 North West Circus Place Edinburgh EH3 6ST 0131 247 8010 @jeffreysinteriorsed www.jeffreys-interiors.co.uk

HOME

REPORT Interiors news and what to buy now

Sofa So Good

i-on wants…

the biggest and best homemade pizzas, which means we need the biggest and best pizza oven.

Enter the brand new Ooni Karu 16 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven, £699, the world-renowned Edinburgh-based brand’s most advanced pizza oven yet. Pre-order now for delivery this autumn. www.uk.ooni.com

Blending refined Italian style with minimalist Danish design, the new modular lounge sofa from BoConcept is a beauty with gentle curved lines and statement grid stitching, not to mention exceptionally comfortable cushions.

Bergamo sofa modules, from £1,171. www.boconceptscotland.com

Trending

Arts & Crafts

What is it? It’s all about filling your home with beautifully crafted artisan products showcasing traditional skills from weaving and glassblowing to knitting and ceramics.

How do I get it? You could scour Etsy and Trouva, search out the best fleamarkets, or you could simply head to H&M Home where there is currently a limited-edition ‘For the Love of Craft’ collection featuring affordable accessories handmade from natural materials.

Must-haves… braided baskets and rattan lanterns, handwoven cushions and throws, mouthblown water glasses and pitchers, terracotta vases, and acacia wood chopping boards. Prices range from £9.99 to £79.99.

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THE HOUSE STORY

LUXE FOR LESS

New luxury furniture showroom, Orenda has opened its first Scottish store and to celebrate are offering up to 15% off new orders throughout the summer. Book a complimentary consultation with the team of interior designers in the new Morningside Road store and choose from the collection of bespoke living, dining and bedroom furniture. www.orendaliving.com

3 SHOPS YOU NEED TO VISIT...

The online store: Style Your Spaces Stylist Katie Brigstock has a new drop coming to her online store featuring more must-have home accessories including fluted glass bud vases and candlesticks, cute embroidered napkins and the glossiest of lacquered candles. www.styleyourspaces.co.uk

The pop-up: Druid This Edinburgh-based wellness brand is the latest pop-up to occupy the Space at Seventeen store on St Stephen Street in Stockbridge. In residence for the rest of 2021, it’s the place to go for the most beautifully scented natural candles. www.druidedinburgh.com

The hidden gem: Fruitmarket gallery bookshop Don’t tell anyone but the bookshop in the newly revamped Fruitmarket is also a great place to find extra special, locally made and limited edition home accessories and gifts like these pretty pastel resin trays inspired by the current Karla Black exhibition. www.fruitmarket.co.uk/shop/

INSPO-SPOT

The idea we’ll be stealing… bold, bright clashing colours Where we saw it… Superico Bar and Lounge Why we love it… The 19th-century Georgian building has been transformed into a Chilean-inspired, sun-drenched party palace by Edinburgh design studio, JA!COCO! The former banking hall now resembles a Tamara de Lempicka painting, with Art-Deco-style shapes and jewel-like colours, including turquoise and bright yellow. The project has even made it into the finals for the prestigious Hospitality Design Awards, taking place in New York next month.

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THE HOUSE STORY

Le Feu Ground Low Bio Ethanol fireplace £1699, Cuckooland

Elba indoor/outdoor chair, £199 and Torino outdoor table, from £1099; both BoConcept

Moodboard Outdoor Living TURN YOUR GARDEN INTO AN OPEN-AIR LOUNGE WITH COMFORTABLE FURNITURE AND CHIC ACCESSORIES

Orrico hammered brass plant pot, £55, Habitat

Balance line indoor outdoor cushion £16, Next

Tasselled bedspread, £59.99, H&M Home

Carl Hansen BK12 outdoor lounge sofa from £1075.25, Moleta Munro

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Hendon set of three plant pots, £69, Cult

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Round tray table, £79.99, H&M Home

FEATURES

The Design Files

FEATURING OLA KARGUL, ARTIST AND HOME DESIGN STYLIST AT JOHN LEWIS EDINBURGH How did your artistic journey begin? I used to draw and paint with my mum and my granny when I was younger and they encouraged my artistic talents. I came to Edinburgh from Poland when I was 19 with the intention of only staying for six months but I fell in love with the place and chose to do my Interior Design degree here. After graduating, I reunited with my love of printmaking at Edinburgh Printmakers. Edinburgh is such a magical place. It’s difficult not to be creative here.

What is your favourite Edinburgh gallery? The National Gallery and Modern One always have amazing exhibitions.

Kissamos Mavros Molos Beach, Ola Kargul

How would you describe your art? Emotional. I try to capture an emotion, that little moment that makes the difference in our life, the feeling that makes us stop to admire a view or a building.

Where do you find inspiration?

I love walking through the streets of Edinburgh, you always discover something you have never seen.

Edinburgh’s architecture has been a huge influence in my work.

Which other Scottish artists do you admire? I love Kate Downie’s expressive pieces, Kirsty Lorenz’s botanical paintings, and James Lumsden’s acrylics, to name a few.

At home, where do you spend most of your time? I am in the process of looking for a house and I can’t wait to have a nice large kitchen where my family and friends can gather and enjoy a meal together.

What is your one essential for stylish, comfortable modern living?

A big comfy sofa covered in cushions and throws.

Is there an iconic piece of furniture which you would love to own?

It has to be the Eames Lounge Chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1956.

As Home Design Stylist at John Lewis Edinburgh, Ola Kargul works within the new World of Design offering a range of one-to-one consultations. For help choosing accessories for an instant interiors update, choose the free 45-minute drop-in Refresh for Less session. For help restyling a room in your home, there’s a complimentary onehour Style Advice appointment.

Or for a larger project, book a Design Consultation, where a Home Design Stylist will visit your home virtually and re-style up to three rooms.

Find out more or book online at www.johnlewis.com/ourservices/home-design-service

What is your most-oft given piece of interior design advice? To follow your gut instinct - the fabric or wallpaper we fall in love with at first sight is usually THE one.

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FEATURES

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THE HOUSE STORY

s i l l e r T House The

HOW A MODERN EXTENSION AND STATEMENT TRELLIS TRANSFORMED A SUBURBAN HOME INTO SOMETHING FAR MORE EXCITING Photography by David Barbour

W

hen Daniela and Duncan Forbes first moved to the pretty coastal village of Cramond, their home looked very different to the way it does now. The threebedroom 1950s house was in many ways a generic, suburban home, but with an unusual stone-effect facade that had been grafted onto the building to create a grander street frontage. “Located five minutes’ walk from the beach, the house had a lovely feel and a large south-facing mature garden which had obviously been very well loved by the previous owners,” says Daniela, a professional cook and catering consultant. “The decor was dated and the layout required a bit of reconfiguring to suit the lifestyle we were looking for but we could see the potential and could instantly imagine living there.”

“We knew we wanted an extra bedroom, a snug and an open plan kitchen / dining space, which would be the heart of the home and, importantly, a connection between house and garden,” explains Daniela. Enlisting the help of friend and architect Neil Taylor, managing director of award-winning Leith practice TAP, the couple were thrilled to discover their ideas were possible and worked closely with Neil on the plans for their family home.

“We developed a design for a new facade, which wraps around the back of the house, including a new ‘L’ shaped extension, that addresses the large, south facing garden,” explains Neil. “The existing house was insulated, refurbished and reconfigured, with two conservatories removed. An additional bedroom was accommodated on the ground floor and the kitchen was moved from the dark, north east corner, into a central position,

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THE HOUSE STORY

WE KNEW WE WANTED SOMETHING WITH A BIT OF WOW-FACTOR AND WE LOVED THE IDEA OF CREATING BEAUTIFUL LIVING WALLS USING PLANTS”

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with views through an internal glazed screen to the extension living/dining space and the garden beyond.”

“We were lucky that Neil shared our vision and excitement for the project,” says Daniela.

“We had loved his previous home extensions so knew we could trust him to bring his architectural and creative flair to our project.”

Nonetheless, when it came time to sign off on the turquoise Pantone for the huge powdercoated aluminium mesh trellis which would wrap around the entire back of the house, the couple were a little nervous – but only for a second. “We did have a little wobble but we knew we wanted something with a bit of wow factor and we loved the quirkiness of the trellis’ colour and materials, along with its unique ability to ultimately create beautiful living walls using plants.”

“I was inspired by the idea of making the garden part of the home,” says Neil of the quirky design. “Just as the street elevation has an applied facade, so the new facade is similarly legible as an applied surface, attached to the rear of the building. Over time

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FEATURES INTERIORS THE HOUSE STORY

the connection between garden and building will become stronger as plants grow to cover the new facade.”

From concept to completion, the project took around 10 months, with four to five months spent on the actual build during which time the couple and their two children moved out to minimise the stress of living in a building site.

The project was completed in August 2019, when the family moved back in to enjoy their stunning new home. “We just love it,” says Daniela. “There isn’t a thing we’d change. I particularly love the glazed partial partition between the kitchen and extension. We had originally imagined a completely open-plan space but Neil advised us to create some separation and we’re so pleased we took his advice.

“With the outlook to the garden, the new extension and kitchen are a joy to be in. As a family, we spend most of our time in the kitchen/dining area and during lockdown we were so grateful of the space. The flow of the house now works so well and suits us perfectly. We’re super pleased with the results and are looking forward to seeing the plants colonise the trellis as they mature and grow.

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New Luxury Furniture Showroom Now Open at 47-49 Morningside Road, Edinburgh.

47-49 Morningside Road, Edinburgh, EH10 4AZ. Telephone: +44 (0)131 452 9604 | Instagram @orendaliving | www.orendaliving.com EDINBURGH

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Director of MILK cafes on her favourite city spots Walk: Blackford Hill is on our doorstep and we try to get up there most days. It’s a great way to destress and it feels as though you have left the city.

Cycle: We are keen cyclists in our family and one of our favourite routes is along the Innocent railway to Portobello. Once there, we love to stop for a bite at TLC on the Prom and grab a coffee from Crumbs of Portobello.

Art: I can’t wait to visit the Fruitmarket Gallery now they’ve reopened. They always push the boundaries with their exhibitions.

Food: The City Farm Shop recently opened on my doorstep selling amazing local produce.

Interiors: I love a rummage at Drum Farm Antiques.

Fashion: TOAST is one of my favourite clothing labels. I love the cut and quality of their clothing.

I was so pleased when they opened a shop in Stockbridge.

Outdoor wear: I love the outdoors but also love quality stylish clothing so Meander is my ideal brand. I have their woollen waterproof Nomad bomber jacket which I wear all the time.

Coffee: Argyle place is my favourite coffee shop.

The coffee is great and the interior is so beautiful.

Dinner: My favourite restaurant has to be Timberyard. I love the building and the laidback interior. The food is impeccably sourced and presented and the staff are really knowledgeable and welcoming.

Play: The Secret Herb Garden is somewhere I love to visit with my children. It’s a great place to relax and have a coffee and the kids can explore the grounds and the glass house.

Gifts: Elliott’s in Stockbridge - I like to give foodie gifts and they have the best selection.

Wine: Spry wines has a great choice of biodynamic wines. I love to go in and get recommendations from the staff, not had a bad bottle yet.

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Books: I think I’m the only person I know not to own a Kindle. I still love paperbacks and the best place to pick one of those up is Golden Hare in Stockbridge Group get together: The Pitt is a great place to go with a bunch of friends as everyone can get something totally different to eat.

To find out more about MILK cafe visit www.cafemilk. co.uk or follow @thecafemilk on Instagram

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INSTA-INSIDER For me, nothing is more relaxing than the sound of waves and the feeling of warm sand beneath my feet

Wherever I go, my bike goes too. For me cycling is the best way to get about Edinburgh as it’s great fun, free and eco-friendly.

The practise of Yoga truly transformed my life, and I am forever grateful to share this with others as both a student and teacher.

I am generally a smiley person but especially if there are brownies involved.

These ones are plant-based and infused with CBD oil.

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EDINBURGH YOGI ZARA CARMICHAEL CHOOSES HER #TOP9 Follow her on Instagram @zaraszen

My favourite place to recentre in-between classes at Tribe Yoga.

I love this magical image of the bridges – it’s almost as though they’re floating.

As a Nutrition student, I love sharing simple plant focused recipes and hope to one day combine my love for food and yoga by running a retreat.

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Inhale and exhale …

🧘

If yoga is my yin, then running is my yang. There is nothing more freeing than a long run along the beach or around Arthur’s seat

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