i-on Edinburgh - June 2022

WIN A LUXURY STAY Two nights at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh WHAT TO EAT NOW The must-try trends in food & drink FASHION FORECAST How to wear the new season looks

E D I N B U R G H

SUMMER IN THE CITY

Hot tickets, must-see shows and the latest dining destinations

WE’LL GET YOU INTO

YOUR HAPPY PLACE

New West End HQ coming soon

When it comes to buying and selling, we don’t believe in one size fits all. With no hard sell, no hidden costs, and a service bespoke to your needs, we’ll help make your journey to your new happy place as seamless and stress-free as possible.

Pop in and see one of our local property experts at our hubs in Stockbridge, Portobello or North Berwick, or contact us via our website.

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BU YIN G

SELLING

L E GA L

Issue no. 178 / June 2022

CONTENTS in this issue…

04 Win Two nights at the luxury Virgin Hotels Edinburgh 06 Summer in the City Great ways to spend your summer days 16 How to Eat in 2022 This year’s biggest food and drink trends 26 The Drop Fashion news and need-to-knows 28 New Season Trends…

Photo by Brooke Combe @Island Records

Edinburgh influencer @wearwhatworks on how to wear the latest fashion

34 My Style West End boutique owner Jane Forbes on dressing with flair 36 Beauty Notes The latest products and must-try treatments 42 This Old House? The pitfalls of period properties 46 Moodboard Essentials for that perfectly styled shelf 48 Home Report Interior news and design trends 50 The Design Files Featuring interior designer Kate Lynch 52 24 hours at Cameron House A luxury stay on Loch Lomond

56 On the Food Radar Restaurant news and our favourite food finds 58 Meet the Maker Introducing the founders of Aye Pickled 60 In the neighbourhood Looking for fine food without the ego?

Here’s three laid-back local restaurants to try

64 A taste of the Highlands Why The Dipping Lugger is a foodie must-visit

66 Best of Edinburgh Featuring author Niamh Hargan

Directors Laura Wood, Jo Morris Design Pepe Lebron Editor Nicky Howden Associate Editor (digital & features) Carrie Mitchell Account Director Amy Falconer With thanks to Caoilfhionn Mc Monagle and Ailidh Forlan.

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 2022.

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I-ON FEATURES PRIZES

WIN…

A two-night stay at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

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e among the first to experience Virgin Hotels’ first European hotel with this exclusive opportunity to experience a two-night stay at the newly launched Virgin Hotels Edinburgh. Situated in the historic India Buildings in the Old Town, the hotel marries its iconic Victorian architecture with distinctive, contemporary design.

Inside you’ll find the Commons Club bar and restaurant where cocktails embolden a palate-pleasing menu and local produce shines in the hands of globally inspired chefs. The Funny Library Coffee Shop will be your new favourite nook in the city to curl up with a book next to a crackling fire.

As part of the phase 2 launch in autumn, you’ll meet Eve, an all-singing, all-dancing bar and restaurant, showcasing the best of local talent from music, dance, comedy and more.

Find out more at www.virginhotels.com.

THE PRIZE

i-on has teamed up with Virgin Hotels to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a two-night stay in a Chamber King room which features Virgin Hotels’ unique twochamber design. The winner plus one will also enjoy an a la carte breakfast in the Commons Club restaurant.

TO ENTER

For your chance to win this exclusive two-night stay at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, visit www.ionedinburgh.com by noon on 20 June 2022 and leave your details. The winner will be notified by email and announced in the next issue of i-on Edinburgh magazine. Good luck!

Terms & Conditions: Competition is based on two adults sharing a Chamber King room for two-nights with breakfast.

Does not include any extras. Subject to availability. Offer excludes August and must be redeemed by 31 December 2022.

Congratulations to Alison Young, the winner of last issue’s luxury stay at Cameron House on Loch Lomond. For more exclusive prizes, subscribe to the i-on newsletters at www.ionedinburgh.com

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SUMMER IN THE CITY

It’s gearing up to be a sizzling season with the return of some huge names in live music, a bumper festival line-up and endless places to enjoy the sunshine outdoors with friends or family. Here’s eight great ways to spend your summer days…

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FEATURES

1. DANCE LIKE NO ONE’S WATCHING

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Edinburgh Summer Sessions

or serious feel-good festival vibes, Calvin Harris makes his long-awaited return to Scotland with a huge headline show at Hampden Park stadium on Saturday 02 July. You can also expect some big names for TRNSMT festival with headliners Paolo Nutini, The Strokes and Lewis Capaldi promising a top weekend at Glasgow Green on 08 – 10 July.

Edinburgh’s Jazz festival is back in town from 15 – 24 July and ready to present a fully live festival with over 130 concerts, curated programmes and free events. Ones to watch include John Scofield, Ambrose Akinmusire and cover artist Nubya Garcia but you’ll also see festival favourites Jools Holland and Davina and the Vagabonds back on stage.

Festival regular Soweto Kinch brings a new programming voice to this year’s festival with BLAZE, a strand showcasing up-and-coming talent from the wider UK. The guys behind Edinburgh’s Neighbourgood market are also running a three-day music festival this summer. Over the Bridge will see some of the UK’s biggest music acts descend on Edinburgh Accies Sports Ground in Stockbridge from 29 – 31 July.

James Arthur, Ella Eyre, Feeder and Razorlight are all on the line-up so tickets will go fast, don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Out East Festival 2022 is a family friendly festival in Dalkeith where you’ll find The Cuban Brothers, Sister Sledge, Faithless DJ set, a comedy tent, beer village, kids zone and activities from 06 – 07 August.

Princes Street Gardens will once again come alive with Edinburgh Summer Sessions from 07 – 14 August. Headliners include Michael Kiwanuka, Tom Jones, Simply Red and Simple Minds who recently announced a special second show on Saturday 13 August where all profits will go to UNICEF for children in Ukraine. Connect Festival tops off a great summer of music with Massive Attack, The Chemical Brothers, The National and a whole host of cracking DJs from 26 – 28 August at the Royal Highland Centre.

Michael Kiwanuka

Calvin Harris

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FEATURES

WHERE BROOKE WILL BE SPENDING HER SUMMER IN EDINBURGH

Island Records

2. SEE A RISING SOUL STAR

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dinburgh born newcomer, and i-on cover girl, Brooke Combe enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough year in 2021, which culminated in winning the Breakthrough Female prize at the Scottish Music Awards. The 21-year-old rising soul star has been adopted by indie royalty such as The Courteeners and The Snuts, who Combe supported last year and now she’s making waves on the live circuit with a run of UK festivals including a slot at Glasgow’s TRNSMT in July. She’ll also support Michael Kiwanuka at Edinburgh Summer Sessions on 08 August. Her latest single, Miss Me Now, is a stellar offering from the performer and multi-instrumentalist (Combe is proficient on no less than six instruments), with swaggering rhythms, captivating hooks and signature smoky vocals.

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EXPLORING THE CITY “Edinburgh is a beautiful city. I love to take a jaunt around town, go see the swans at Arthur’s Seat, visit the old town and go down the vaults or Mary King’s Close to hear all the old, spooky stories. Wherever I am, I have to end the day with a chippy – I’ll be forever indebted to Edinburgh for chippy sauce!”

DRINKING COCKTAILS “I’m partial to a Slug and Lettuce cocktail to be honest! I like the one on George street - nothing but good vibes in there. Another good place for fun cocktails is Candy bar. And Brewhemia on Market Street is a favourite spot for a bevvie!”

CATCHING SOME GIGS “I’ll be seeing a couple of shows at the Usher Hall on Lothian Road. It’s beautiful venue in there and I don’t visit it enough. But mostly, I’m excited to watch Michael Kiwanuka at the Summer Sessions. I’ve been wanting to catch his show for a while and I’m a big fan. It makes that much sweeter than I’m supporting him.”

FEATURES

3. CHECK OUT THE CITY’S BEST ROOFTOP BARS & TERRACES

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un drenched boozers, awesome cocktails and castle views, you can’t beat al fresco drinks overlooking the rooftops in Edinburgh. Here are five of our favourite spots…

Drink craft beer, eat Neapolitan pizzas and enjoy impressive views at Cold Town House’s rooftop bar. The Grassmarket hang out is full of Instagramworthy backdrops plus quirky touches like ski Johnnie Walker Princes Street Gondolas and the bar, a vintage Nissan van.

Keep it casual and cool by heading upstairs for a beer and chicken wings at Doghouse Edinburgh Bar & Terrace. It’s part of Brewdog’s carbon negative hotel and just along from Waverly Station on 5 New Street. It’s a good people watching spot on the east side of town.

Exclusive, luxurious and only recently opened, Gleneagles’ first city hotel, Gleneagles Townhouse on St Andrew Square is home to Lamplighters roof terrace bar with views across the capital’s iconic skyline. Dress to impress.

The terrace at the stylish Johnnie Walker Princes Street 1820 Bar offers more than just whisky and impressive views of the castle, they’ve a huge array of tasty tipples plus a new summer menu bringing in Scottish produce to remind us of the flavours of summer (think fresh cut grass, rhubarb dipped in sugar and street food on holiday).

When the sun shines, arrive early to try bag a table for cocktails on the terrace at Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Brasserie & Bar. Overlooking St Andrews Square with views to the castle and Firth of Forth, it’s a sunny spot offering first class drinks and service.

Cold Town House

Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Terrace

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FEATURES

Foxlake

4. GET YOUR ADRENALIN FIX

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o Ape at Dalkeith Country Park will supply all the thrills for adults and kids. The course boasts mega zip rides across the River Esk, sky-high platforms, high ropes and treetop adventures. If you don’t have a head for heights but want an action-packed activity, try Foxlake in Dunbar. Located 25 miles East of Edinburgh, it offers everything from Cable Wakeboarding on the lake (think snowboarding on water) to open water swimming in a safe environment and Segway Adventures on scenic routes in East Lothian.

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barbara hepworth art & life Organised by The Hepworth Wakefield in collaboration with the National Galleries of Scotland and Tate St Ives.

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Modern Two Until 2 October 2022 Book online at nationalgalleries.org Barbara Hepworth, Mother and Child, 1934. Pink Ancaster stone. Wakefield Council Permanent Art Collection (The Hepworth Wakefield). Purchased from the artist, 1951. Photo: Jerry Hardman-Jones. © Bowness. National Galleries of Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland (No. SC003728).

La Clique

5. GO FESTIVAL MAD

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eading up the 2022 Fringe herd are legendary Irish comedy sketch group Foil, Arms & Hog, Edinburgh festival favourite Jason Byrne, the award-winning Amazing Bubble Man, cabaret and variety show La Clique and social media sensation Rob Madge.

Best-selling author Julia Donaldson is also back in town with a brandnew show based on her much-loved books. The Gruffalo, The Giant and the Mermaid is set to be a firm family favourite.

Night owls can check out The Flick, Assembly’s late-night den off George Square. During August, self-proclaimed Duchess Diane Chorley will be hosting live entertainment there until 5am. There’s lots of cabaret on Assembly Festival’s line-up including drag show trailblazers Queenz with The Show With BALLS! and original songs, and existential banter from The Idiot Circus.

Head further east to North Berwick for Fringe by the Sea 05 – 14 August. The Haçienda House Party featuring Grammy award-winning DJ Todd Terry and Marshall Jefferson kickstart the 10-day festival which sees over 200 events across music, literature, comedy, science and nature. Hot tickets include the world’s greatest living explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes talking about his ambition (14 August), the world’s leading expert in soap bubbles Samsam Bubbleman and Scottish comedian Frankie Boyle (11 August).

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FEATURES

The Peruvian

6. EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY

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Jason Byrne

treet food never looked so good at Neighbourgood Market in Stockbridge. From tacos to Peruvian food, there’s food from around the world plus a great selection of drinks on offer from Edinburgh Gin, Innis & Gunn and Damo’s Coffee until 17 July. Edinburgh Foodies Festival is also back at Inverleith Park from 05 – 07 August with top chefs, tasty food and live music. Sample new wines, champagnes and cocktails in The Drinks Theatre and watch MasterChef Champions including Masterchef: The Professionals 2021 winner Daniel Lee, and finalist Liam Rogers plus Michelinstarred and top local chefs cooking their signature summer recipes in The Chefs Theatre.

If you’re quick, you might also be able to catch The Scottish Streefood Awards’ return to The Pitt in Leith from 10 to 12 June. The three-day event will see contenders from across the country compete to take the crown.

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FEATURES

7. EMBRACE THE GREAT OUTDOORS

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e a tourist for the day and book tickets for the Maid of the Forth Inchcolm Island Landing Trip. The sightseeing cruise departs from Hawes Pier in South Queensferry and lets you see all the Forth Bridges as well step ashore the beautiful Inchcolm Island, home to an historic 12th century abbey, wildlife and WW1 ammunition tunnel. Or don your running shoes and see Arthur’s Seat in a whole new light. With 90,500 Google searches a month on average and 287,000 tags on Instagram, the 2.4-mile trail has just been crowned the UK’s most popular running trail, according to a new index by performance footwear brand Hoka. For a more gruelling challenge, there’s The Seven Hills of Edinburgh. Combining road running with hill running/walking, it’s just over 14 miles long and takes in Arthur’s Seat, Blackford Hill, Braid Hill, Craiglockhart Hill, Corstorphine Hill, Castle Rock and Calton Hill. You pick your own route, starting and finishing at Calton Hill.

Inchcolm Island, courtesy of @alittlebitofclaire

8. ENTERTAIN THE KIDS

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@alittlebitofclaire

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he Nickelodeon Experience takes over Saughton Park from 01 - 14 July. The immersive outdoor experience will be jam-packed with multi-sensory, interactive zones and you can expect everything from meeting Chase and Marshall from PAW Patrol to braving Henry Danger’s maze and a slime party. Its designed for kids aged 2 to 14.

Superheroes are flying back to Conifox Adventure Park on 14 August.

From Batman to Captain America, Spider-Man and Wonder Woman, they’ll be showing off martial arts and getting kids involved in fun activities. For an indoor adventure aimed at kids and adults alike you can climb, balance, jump and swing across different obstacles at Ninja Warrior on Salamander Street Leith.

After dark, there’s an outdoor cinema experience suitable for older kids at Dalkeith Country Park where Adventure Cinema are showing three films, including West Side Story, The Greatest Showman and Mamma Mia on 12 – 14 August at 9.30pm.

RaisonUK_138x86_Advert_Edinburgh_HR.pdf

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Whiskers Wine Bar & Bistro Set Lunch A seasonal menu of locally sourced ingredients ~ 2/3 courses ~ £17.95/21.95 ~ Thursday-Saturday Raeburn Place, Stockbridge

Menu & Bookings..... whiskerswinecafe.co.uk

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FEATURES

How to eat in 2022 Ailidh Forlan of @plateexpectations on this year’s biggest food and drink trends

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FOOD AND DRINK

SUPER-SIZE YOUR SARNIES

Ginormous sandwiches have been in the limelight for a while now, and in Edinburgh that surge is showing no signs of stopping. Check out Albys in Leith for imaginative door stops of jam-packed Bakery Andante focaccia, Sando’s pop up at The High Dive for chunky katsu sandwiches and, recently listed as one of the world’s best sandwich shops, King Of Feasts at Polwarth Tavern (pictured left) for American-inspired filth. “Right now, we are in the middle of a sandwich renaissance,” Rob Casson aka King of Feasts explains. “The sandwich has always been the great equaliser of the food scene. If you look at it from a cost perspective, not everyone can afford to dine at starred restaurants, eating the finest of ingredients but everyone has access to the basic ingredients needed to make a sandwich. Even the most esteemed chefs in the world have made themselves a chip butty at some point in their lives!

Fine dining chefs are now realising that not everything they serve has to be on a plate, it can also be between two slices of bread’. Or cookies of course, in the case of Moo Pie Gelato’s sensational monthly-changing cookie sandwich, (pictured right).

ORDER IN YOUR COCKTAILS

In lockdown, we discovered just how nice it was to have our cocktails made for us, pre-batched, orderable at the click of button and ready to slurp on in no time. Despite the world re-opening, thanks to spontaneous socializing, impromptu office drinks and busier lifestyles than before, the ready-to-drink market is showing no signs of slowing.

Mothership, the parent group of Bramble; Lucky Liquor Co; and The Last Word Saloon have continued to add new premium cocktails to their online offering (pictured left) whilst Whitebox Drinks (pictured above) which launched in Edinburgh late 2021 is now the UK’s leading canned cocktail company. Following in their footsteps, Angels Dare, a brand new Scottish canned cocktail brand, launched in March. “The appetite for ready-to-drink cocktails remains strong,” says founder Michael Crozier.

“We’ve done the hard work for you, and when you crack open a can (or two), you can enjoy the experience of a master bartender whenever the feeling strikes.”

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SPLURGE ON TRUFFLES

Despite diners feeling the pinch, there’s also that resounding notion of ‘life’s too short’ and so occasional splurging, mini upgrades and indulgent add-ons are all on the rise. With thanks to this subtle shift in spending, truffle is having a bit of a moment in Edinburgh. At the end of last year, Francesco Bani of Wanderers Kneaded launched his tongue in cheek Eat The Rich pizza (pictured below), smothered in a cascade of fresh stacciatella, wild boar salami and black truffle shavings before being spritzed with Champagne right before serving. Meanwhile, at Butta Burger, the pricier Truffle Chic, featuring a hunk of succulent fried chicken doused in homemade truffle mayonnaise, has continued to grow in popularity. But it’s not just fast food that’s getting the truffle treatment; during the winter months Heron offered a £15 supplement of shaved peak season Perigord truffle to sprinkle to taste throughout the meal. Whilst at The Kilted Donut, white chocolate glazed truffle topped ‘kilties’ (mini doughnuts) have got all the sweet tooths talking.

BRING BACK THE BACON

Veganism isn’t quite the hot topic that it was two years ago. We’re just so used to cutting back on our meat and dairy intake that in 2022 there’s less of a drastic switch to fullblown veganism and more of a flexitarian approach… or a ‘reducetarianism’ movement as Whole Foods recently dubbed it. It seems we’re at odds over whether to prioritize animal wellness and the impact of meat production or deforestation, carbon emissions and lengthy air miles - as the plant-based sector grows, interestingly so too does that of meat consumption. So, the solution? Do a bit of both. Realising that 320 litres of water are used to grow just one avocado, Chef Steven Connolly-Bastock of Salt Café has vowed to ditch the popular brunch food in favour of a menu balanced with plant-based alternatives and quality meat reared locally (pictured above).

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FOOD AND DRINK

EXPLORE THE RUM AISLE

After years of anticipation and excited whispers, ‘up and coming’ Scottish rum has finally landed. This Spring, Holyrood Distillery’s new Elizabeth Yard rum, matured in whisky casks, launched with five medals from the Rum Masters Competition already under its belt, whilst longerstanding Livingston based Matugga Distillery have been crowdfunding in preparation to redefine the UK’s £1 billion rum industry. Not quite sure where to begin? Why not dive head first into the rum aisle with Rum & Cake, a bold and buttery sipping rum laced with molasses and Scottish spices by Buck & Birch. ‘Rum in cake works a treat, but cake in rum – even better!’ Tom Chisolm, co-founder of Buck & Birch exclaims. Oh, we hear you!

DRINK YOUR OATS

There was a time not so long ago when asking for a vegan alternative to cows’ milk in your morning coffee resulted in an eye roll from the barista. Now it’s practically the norm, and oat milk in particular is gaining traction across Scotland. Not only couldn’t we get our hands on Black Lines OatNog, stocked at Little Rascal throughout December, but we’re now seeing the independents ditching market leader Oatly in favour of Brose, made just a stone’s throw away in East Lothian. “If I was in a supermarket and didn’t know anything about oat milk and saw a Scottish brand on the shelves, I’d immediately choose that,” Josh Barton of Brose tells us. “There’s a genuine perception that the best oats are grown in Scotland, so why shouldn’t the best oat milk be made here too? The moist cool sea air on the east coast makes perfect conditions for it.” 2022 will also see the launch of Scoatish, promising Scotland’s first farm to carton oat milk, not to mention the best brand name we’ve ever heard.

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DISCOVER KOJI

“Koji is rice fermented with a specific type of microbe (aspergillus oryzae) to produce enzymes which open up all sorts of incredible flavours,” the young and already flourishing Roslin based Koji Kitchen informs us. It’s already a well-used ingredient in London and New York, and with chefs including Tomás Gormley at Heron beginning to experiment with it in Scotland, we’re expecting to see a whole lot more of the stuff. ‘Shio Koji is a relatively new addition to the Heron flavour arsenal,” says Gormley. “We’ve been working a lot on our pickles and ferments recently and koji felt like a natural extension of that. Marinating with shio koji imparts umami and subtlety sweet notes to meat and fish, while also tenderising them, much like you would with buttermilk.”

TRY TURKISH EGGS

Let’s face it, eggs & avo is getting a little old. A personal favourite alternative is Turkish eggs, perfectly poached specimens on hot buttery Aleppo chilli-doused garlic yoghurt. As if reading my mind (and tastebuds), four great Edinburgh brunch spots have introduced Turkish eggs to their offering. Head to Room & Rumours at Waverley Arches, Noon just off Princes Street, Salt Café in Morningside and Grams in Stockbridge for your fill.

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FOOD AND DRINK

STUFF YOURSELF WITH CRUFFINS

STEP ASIDE CINNAMON BUN, THE CRUFFIN WILL TAKE IT FROM HERE”

Step aside cinnamon bun, the cruffin will take it from here. Just when we thought nothing could top those sweet sticky buns, the croissant muffin hybrid has other ideas. Nice Times Bakery have given them the tropical once over with a jammy filling of mango and basil or passionfruit (pictured left), Babyfaced Baker keeps theirs vegan with a flaky pastry made of plant-based butter and oat milk, and Twelve Triangles make the most of what’s in season, filling theirs with the likes of rhubarb cheesecake.

If you simply can’t choose one variety, head to Tasty Buns Bakery for a mixed box of four - they’re flying like hot cakes.

TAKE YOURSELF ON A CIDER TASTING

When Frightened Rabbit drummer Grant Hutchison opened Scotland’s first dedicated cider shop, just off the beaten track in Anstruther, and filled it with small batch Scottish ciders that regularly sell out, we quickly realised that that the cider craze was among us. With the very best including Dour Cider, Sail We Must, Nøvar, Diggers, and Lanthorn, all pressed, fermented, bottled and imbibed hyper locally, there’s lots to discover. Your best bet locally is to pitch up at Brauhaus in Tollcross, Smith & Gertrude in Stockbridge or Spry at the top of Leith Walk to see what they’re pouring and have a try.

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SUSTAINABILITY IS SO LAST YEAR. ENTER STAGE LEFT REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE, THE LATEST BUZZ WORD IN THE FARMING WORLD”

SUPPORT LOCAL FARMS

Photography: Amelia Claudia

Sustainability is so last year. The word is over-used and too many people still don’t quite know what it means.

Enter stage left regenerative agriculture, the latest buzz word in the farming world and what The Free Company are up to on their organic no-dig farm in Balerno (pictured above). “In its simplest terms, it is the production of food whilst improving the natural environment that it is grown within,” explains Charlie, co-founder of the Free Company.

“It is focused on improving the soil, water, biodiversity, sequestering carbon (locking it into the soil) and improving a farm’s resilience to climate change”. From this is born Free Company’s latest Veg Club which allows them to connect with and directly sell vegetables to the people of Edinburgh.

GO ‘LOW OR NO’

With a predicted 45% of 2022’s global population opting for an alcohol-free refreshment, we’re still seeing a continued upward trend for the ‘low and no’ movement.

Days, brewing 0.0% ABV lager and pale ale, centre themselves around good days and good tomorrows creating “a great tasting beer that worked with us, not against us”. Meanwhile even those not specializing in 0.0% have jumped on the bandwagon, including Eden Nil alcohol free gin and tonic from Eden Mill and Harviestoun Brewery who seek to prove that that alcohol-free beer needn’t lack complexity with their Wheesht dark ale packed with aromas of roasted chocolate, sweet biscuit and dried fruit.

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FOOD AND DRINK

OPEN YOUR MIND TO CBD

You either love it or you hate it (or maybe you still don’t quite get it) but there’s no denying the CBD revolution is upon us. And it’s in everything - from bagels topped with toasted hemp seeds at Edinburgh’s first ‘cannabis cafe’ Vitality And Kynd to vegan gummies containing 10mg of the stuff from local producer CBDiablo. Voyager (pictured right) shook up the community when they opened a Stockbridge cafe, where Unorthodox Roasters coffee is served with a free shot of CBD syrup, but soon it won’t be strange to see this on the menu in most cafes, with CBDinfused soft drinks in the grab and go fridges too.

SIP ON SELTZER

When Scotland’s got the best water in the world, it feels natural that we’re trying our hand at hard seltzer and excelling at it. Light, refreshing and full of flavour, hard seltzer ties in nicely with the demand for convenience and lower-calorie health-conscious choices; we’re billing it to be summer 2022’s drink of choice. Cold Town House make their own 4% ABV passion fruit and mango seltzer, which is readily available on tap, Glasgow based Lilo now ship their 50 calorie cans UK wide and Edinburgh’s Long Shot, found in Margiotta stores, recently had their Raspberry & Blackcurrant named the world’s best hard seltzer at the World Remix Awards, with their Strawberry & Rhubarb also picking up a gold medal. Grab a can and hot foot it to the park at any chance of sunshine, we say!

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FEATURES

Time for a day out Introducing your one-stop shop for summer fashion

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ivingston Designer Outlet is renowned for being home to world leading fashion and lifestyle brands at exceptional prices.

Shopping is always in style and this summer you should make time to visit Scotland’s leading outlet and experience the perfect combination of designer shopping and great value.

FASHION FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

If you’re looking to update you summer wardrobe or find the perfect outfit for those much-awaited summer events, they have everything you need under one roof. Holiday makers will be spoilt for choice with clothing, accessories and travel items perfect for beachy breaks and staycations alike.

The Outlet is home to British and International brands such as BOSS, Reiss, Calvin Klein, Levis, Radley, Ted Baker, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Adidas, Puma, The North Face, Le Creuset, Denby and Tempur (just to name a few) offering year- round savings of up to 70%.

All these brands sitting alongside restaurants, coffee shops, a cinema and adventure golf makes Livingston Designer Outlet the ideal place to eat, drink, shop and meet family and friends.

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH...

SHOP WITH EASE

Located conveniently between Glasgow and Edinburgh just off the M8, the outlet is the perfect place to enjoy a day of shopping and leisure for all the family.

The outlet has also just made shopping even more convenient with its new ‘Hands Free Shopping’ service which is completely free of charge. Aimed at anyone who wants to enjoy an effortless shopping experience and designed to offer guests a more stress free and easy way to shop. It allows you to make purchases at your choice of retailers and leave your bags to be collected or delivered to your car after the shopping spree.

GET CONNECTED

Keep up to date with all the going on and new launches by following Livingston Designer Outlet on Instagram and Facebook.

Find out more at www.livingston-designer-outlet.co.uk

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THE

DROP Your need-to-know fashion news

STACK IT UP

Sheila Fleet’s Matrix collection is made for making a statement. The contemporary rings in textured metals are inspired by the structure of rock and they’re perfect for stacking – mix the plain bands with gemstone-set styles for the ultimate contemporary luxe look. Matrix Peridot ring set in 9ct yellow gold, £864, www.sheilafleet.com

i-on loves…

The Lily Zero in Mulberry Pink, £975. Crafted from carbon neutral leather, the new Lily Zero collection is a sustainable update to the iconic silhouette and a step towards the brand’s inspiring goal to become Net Zero by 2035. www.mullberry.com

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SYMPATHETIC SMALLS

We’re always on the hunt for super-soft flattering lingerie, and we know that this search can be even harder for women who have had breast cancer surgery. Thanks heavens then for Edinburgh-based brand LoveRose Lingerie who recently made their TV debut on Dragon’s Den. While they may not have won investment from the dragons, they certainly won over viewers with their stylish collection of non-underwired and pocketed bras in the softest silk and lace.

See You at Nine bra, £90 and Feisty pant, £50, www.overoselingerie.com

A-DRESS TO KNOW

Searching for the perfect event dress? You’ll find this beautiful pale pink number and hundreds of other stunning styles at LK Bennett which has now moved from George Street to luxury hotspot Multrees Walk.

Saffron pink cotton lurex stripe shirt dress, £329.

FASHION

Three under £50…

Those in the know are rocking a super-flattering crinkled lycra one-piece on the beach this summer, inspired by celeb favourite brand Hunza G… 1. Blue textured bow-tie swimsuit, £45, & Other Stories 2. Black one-shoulder textured swimsuit, £45, Arket 3. Orange shirred swimsuit, £30, Monki

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START ‘EM YOUNG

If you’re nurturing a mini fashionista, you’ll be thrilled to hear that Whistles have launched their first children’s collection.

Whistles Kids features playful yet practical styles for boys and girls aged 3 to 9, priced from just £16 to £45.

ISLAND VIBES

Embrace the sundrenched frivolity of the party island at the new Paula’s Ibiza Pop-Up from luxury Spanish brand, LOEWE, instore at Harvey Nichols, Edinburgh until 28 August. Featuring shoes, ready-to-wear pieces and accessories, the carefree collection sparkles with sequins, glows with colour and teases with short hems and cut-out details. Brace yourself!

27

Trends

translated

Edinburgh influencer Caoilfhionn Mc Monagle aka @WearWhatWorks on how to wear the new season trends without looking like a fashion victim…

28

Whistles

Ba&sh at Biscuit

FEATURES Earrings, £1195, Grainne Morton at aetla

Open knit sweater, £32.99, Zara

Bell bottom jeans £265, Veronica Beard at Jane Davidson

VINTAGE VIBES

Patchwork denim jacket, £99, Whistles Platform leather loafers, £129, Zara

Saffron silk

print dress,

£315, Rixo at

Frontiers W om

an

Crochet bag, £49.99, Mango

“Embrace your inner hippy chick with floral prints, crochet and platforms – just maybe not all at once!”

Clogs, £64.99, Office Sunglasses, £17.99, Mango

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“A tweed jacket is a timeless addition to any wardrobe – pair with shorts or denim to update the look”

MODERN LADY

Scarf, £55 by Skall Studio at Treen

Light Sleeper dress, £895, The Vampire’s Wife at Jane Davidson

& Other Stories

Pink tweed crop jacket, £69.99, Mango

Bag, £1095, Mulberry

Pink and red dress, £49.99, H&M Cable knit, £135, Nudie Jeans at Treen

Vest, £175, Ganni at Frontiers

Shorts, £24.99, H&M Black slingbacks, £49.99, Zara

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at John Lewis

FASHION

NEW NINETIES

Black basque top, £22.99, Zara Zebra trousers, £35.99, Mango

Green shirt, £45.99, Zara

Free People

“If you’re not as confident in a teeny tiny crop top as you once were, wear it under an open shirt or go for an oversized cropped tee instead” Straight leg jeans, £35.99, Mango

a , id rs Ad ne , ai 99 Tr 84. £ s

Stripe t-shirt, £65, LF Markey at Frontiers Woman

Bucket hat, £22, Urban Outfitters

Sunglasses, £24, Oliver Bonas

“Throw on a baseball cap or bucket hat whatever you’re wearing – the ‘new 90s’ rules say they go with everything”

Rainbow silk dress, £299, Whistles

Orange strappy sandals, £85, & Other Stories

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High waist barrel leg jeans, £95, Whistles

HEAD-TO-TOE DENIM Cherry Blouse, £155 by Rixo at Harvey Nichols Jigsaw

“Don’t be afraid of pairing double denim – choose complimentary shades and break it up with a bright tee”

Mini red leather shoulder bag, £460 by Wandler at Harvey Nichols

Split denim skirt £35.99, Mango Saye trainers, £125, ALC

Hemp & cotton denim jacket, £159

by ISCHIKO at Oska

Printed organic cotton t-shirt, £75 by Ganni, Net-a-porter

Denim jumpsuit, £79, AND OR at John Lewis

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“A jumpsuit is a foolproof way to nail the head-to-toe denim look – just add trainers and go!”

Leopard loafers, £69.99, Zara

FASHION

STATEMENT SUITS

“There’s nothing conservative about this season’s take on tailoring – choose bold citrus shades and vibrant prints”

Cropped blouse, £32.99, Zara

Orange bag, £125, Whistles

Lime blazer, £59.99, and matching trousers £32.99, both Zara

Tweed blazer, £59.99, Mango

Blouse, £39.99, Iris Apfel x H&M

Tweed shorts, £29.99, Mango

Monokel sunglasses, £119, Frontiers Woman

Black mules, £85, & Other Stories

33 River Island

FASHION

MYSTYLE

Jane Forbes The owner of West End boutique Frontiers Woman on statement accessories, London loves and dressing with flair SIGNATURE LOOK When I’m working behind the scenes, I am often quite scruffy with bulldog clips and tape hanging off me, typically wearing jeans, a black tee or an ancient cashmere. Other days, I like classic influences from the 60s era including geometric prints. I love special skirts worn with big jumpers, statement earrings and big watches. It’s an eclectic mix which forms the basis of what we do at Frontiers.

Sunglasses, £95, Tens

STYLE NO-NO’S Overdesigned clothes, gimmicky facemasks (thankfully mostly a thing of the past!), and nude-coloured shoes – especially the platform spikey heel variety.

Orange cardi, £295, Ganni

Floral maxi skirt, £140, LF Markey

Stripe t-shirt, £90, YMC Print dress, £195, Sideline

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WARDROBE MUST-HAVES Oversized coats and big shirts, loafers, great socks, my handmade silver jewellery and of course, great sunglasses.

SARTORIAL INSPIRATION As a child it was always exciting visiting my artist Granny and Aunt in London. The house was crammed with beautiful artifacts and there was a room dedicated to shoes and other exquisite things. It was mesmerising. There was also my loud flamboyant Italian family who loved to dress with flair.

Looking back, it doesn’t surprise me that I ended up working in fashion and design.

CRIMES AGAINST FASHION Whilst at Art College, I did the hippy thing and one of my favourite items of clothing was a second-hand black velvet coat. I would wear this with a big embroidered shawl and I thought

I looked very cool, however my mother’s opinion was very different.

STYLE ICONS Lucinda Chambers, Alexandra Shulman, Miuccia Prada, Agyness Deyn, Paul Weller, Bill Nighy and David Hockney.

MUST-VISIT STORES In London, Liberty – because who doesn’t love it?! And Fenwick on Bond Street which my grandmother introduced me to and I still love to this day. In Edinburgh, Gallery Ten, Studio One... and of course our menswear store, Frontiers Man. FASHION PHILOSOPHY At Frontiers Woman, we are fully committed to the principle of sustainability and good quality is paramount. We have never been trend driven and we embrace all ages. The store has lots of space, which allows us to diversify whilst always staying true to our branding.

You will see geometric patterns and prints from labels such as Rixo, Shrimps and Ganni in one part of the store, and contemporary labels such as Folk and YMC in another. We have been working with British brands for over 30 years and have established long friendships and loyalty. But we’re excited about some new arrivals too – namely Rachel Comey, which is en route from New York and Carne Boilente, a cheeky and controversial Parisian label, which will be landing in July. I’m also working on a design project and at the sample stages at the moment – keep an eye out for AW22!

Frontiers Woman, 16B Stafford Street, EH3 7AU. www.frontiers-woman.com

M U L T R E E S , M A K I N G YO U SHINE THIS SUMMER

THE VERY ESSENCE OF LUXURY SHOPPING AND HOME TO E XC LUS I V E FAS H I O N A N D L I FES T Y L E B R A N DS. HARVEY NICHOLS, MA X MAR A , CANADA GOOSE, M U L B E R RY, LO U I S V U I T TO N , B U R B E R RY, S T R AT H B E R RY, JOHNSTONS OF ELGIN AND MORE.

MULTREESWALK • ST. ANDREW SQUARE, EDINBURGH EH1 3DQ

BEAUTY

TRAVEL COMPANION

Jetting off to an exotic location? Don’t let drying air conditioning and the stress of an early morning flight mess with your skin. Travel Buddy Faace Kit includes two products for a mini facial; the Dirty cream gel cleanser washes away make-up and sweat while gently calming inflammation and Tired Faace, enriched with caffeine and vitamin C to give your skin its glow back. £36 at www.wearefaace.com

BEAUTYNOTES Must-try products and treatments

Three Summer Beauty Essentials...

1. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Gold Deposit for that sun-kissed shimmer. The luxe powder with Multi-Mineral Complex enriched with vitamin E adds highlights to the face and body. £27 at www.boots.com and www.maccosmetics.co.uk 2. Heliocare Advanced SPF 50 Gel offers great sun protection for your face. The super light, transparent formula is water resistant and suitable for all skin types. £21 at Zen Lifestyle or www.heliocare.co.uk

WHERE TO BUY YOUR NEW SEASON SCENT

If you haven’t yet discovered Edinburgh’s fine fragrance makers Jorum Studio, we should warn you, once you set foot in the Stockbridge at store on St Stephen Street, you’ll never want to buy perfume anywhere else. Helmed by Fife-born perfumier Euan McCall and partner Chloe Mullen, the niche brand creates the Add a pop of colour on your cheeks with most unique and exquisite Benefit Cosmetics’ new WANDERful handcrafted scents. The World blush collection. The silky-soft latest collection, Scottish Odyssey, sold out powder blushes are buildable and three days from launch but they’ve been busy blendable. They’re smudge-proof, creating more in the lab so if you move fast, humidity-proof and sweat-proof too. you might just be able to bag a bottle. £27.50 at Benefit counters. www.jorumstudio.com

3. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer DeepConditioning Treatment promises an ultra-moisturising boost to leave your hair in the best condition possible, plus it protects against UV damage. £16.19 www.lookfantastic.com

BEST BLUSH!

36

BEAUTY

IONRECOMMENDS Laura Wood discovers the ultimate hair-smoothing treatment for the frizz-afflicted

W

hen I watched that episode of Friends, the one where Monica resorts to cornrows to tame her Barbados frizz, I empathised. For years, my straighteners have been my best friend and any kind of damp and humid conditions, my worst enemy. Recently though, in the name of self care, I invested a bit more in me and treated myself to a Nano Keratin treatment at Toni & Guy in a bid to stop the overuse of GHDs of a morning and to live an easier life.

WHAT IS IT?

Nano keratin treatment is basically like the queen of the hair smoothing world. It takes around two hours in the salon seat while your hair technician works in the product and activates it with heat through blow-drying and hair irons. Then, you’ll leave with poker straight, slick and slightly greasy looking hair which will get worse over the three days recommended for best results. That means no hair tying either and trying not to pop it behind your ears – the only care involved is to run straighteners through your hair each day to seal in the product. For the first 24 hours, it’s a challenge - thank god for WFH – but by day two, I’ve resigned myself to my new look, and by day three, I’ve never been so pleased to see a bottle of shampoo.

THE VERDICT…

My three days of hell were worth every single minute. I absolutely love this treatment. It instantly cuts my blow dry time by half, I don’t need straighteners for at least the first few weeks (probably longer but I’m a bit obsessed) and my hair is smooth, shiny, and doesn’t look like a bird’s nest when I leave it to dry naturally. If frizz is the bane of your life, this is a game changer. It doesn’t magically straighten your hair but it works with the natural texture of your hair to make it so much more manageable. The results last for about three months and, for me, this treatment is without a doubt the way forward. I’ve now vowed to look after my hair the way I do my skin. A little bit of investment goes a long way.

Book a complimentary consultation at Toni&Guy, 52 Frederick St, EH21LN, by calling 0131 220 5425 or emailing salon.edinburgh@toniandguy.co.uk

37

HEALTH & WELLBEING

And breathe…

Personal trainer and wellbeing coach Fi Storey takes a day out to switch off at a mindfulness retreat in Dalkeith Country Park

THE CONCEPT…

As a personal trainer, people might expect me to be all about the physical but so much of what I do begins in the mind. In this modern, fast-paced world, our brains are often over-stimulated and many of us have a tendency to worry and dwell on the past. Mindfulness gives us the awareness and tools to manage our experience of the present moment so we can respond better to whatever arises, good or bad. In an effort to improve my own practice, I recently attended a retreat hosted by The Mindfulness Enterprise, an Edinburgh-based initiative founded by Gary Young. The event which was held in the wellbeing lab at Restoration Yard, a beautiful space to begin body and mind practices in a relaxed, calm and safe environment.

THE ITINERARY…

Gary’s co-host Craig Ali eased us into the morning practice with a gentle introduction to movement to help quieten the mind, before moving onto our first guided meditation with Gary.

There were several inspiring meditations throughout the day, introducing themes of loving, kindness, and positivity. In the afternoon, a mindful walk in the woods, encouraged us to awaken our senses to the sights, sounds and smells around us, while Gary’s meditation invited us to recognise the importance of presence and connecting to the elements around us. It set us up perfectly for the sound bath that followed.

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THE RESULTS…

From start to finish, the day was a welcome break from the noise and distractions of life and a blissful opportunity to relax and reconnect to oneself. Self-reflection, inquiry and self-care are all so important and it is rare we take the time to immerse ourselves in such beneficial practice.

For anyone who is unfamiliar with the benefits of meditation, mindfulness or the healing quality of nature. I would highly recommend Mindful Enterprise as a brilliant introduction to this world.

Both Gary and Craig are knowledgeable, gentle, encouraging and non-judgmental.

I’m certain everyone left feeling reconnected, restored and with a huge sense of calm. I certainly did.

Mindful Enterprise’s next mindfulness weekend is on 06 and 07 August 2022. For more information, visit www.themindfulenterprise.org To find out about Fi’s unique holistic approach to personal training, which blends strength training with yoga and meditation, visit www.becomingyou.today

Award winning care homes

Our highly trained care home teams are specialists in residential, nursing, dementia and respite* care. With some of the highest care ratings in the UK, we’re trusted to help you and your family at every step of your journey.

If you’re considering permanent or respite* care for yourself or a loved one, call 0131 516 1244 to arrange a tour or one-to-one chat, or visit careuk.com

Trusted to care.

Our care homes in Edinburgh Cairdean House, Colinton Lauder Lodge, Portobello Murrayside, Corstorphine *Subject to availability.

Rettie - the name Rettie - the name for premium for premium short lets in short lets in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh.

As Edinburgh’s premium property As Edinburgh’s premium property experts, Rettie & Co. need no experts, Rettie & Our Co. need introduction. sisterno company introduction.

Our sister company Rettie Short Lets is perhaps less well Rettie Short Lets is perhaps less well in known, but specialises exclusively known, but specialises in managing short letsexclusively with a minimum managing lets with a Our minimum bookingshort of one month. guests booking one from month. guests sector, oftenof come theOur corporate often come from the corporate sector, for but we also cater for those looking buthigh we also cater for those looking for quality accommodation during high quality accommodation during the Edinburgh Festival and the Open theat Edinburgh Festival and the Open St Andrews. at St Andrews.

If you are looking for a highly If you are lookingand for trusted a highly partner to experienced experienced trustedduring partner to value yourand property a year value your property during a year where demand is sure to be high, then where demand is sure to be high, then please call 0131 221 1646 for a no please call 0131 221 1646 for a no obligation and confidential appraisal. obligation and confidential appraisal.

info@rettieshortlets.co.uk info@rettieshortlets.co.uk rettieshortlets.co.uk rettieshortlets.co.uk

FEATURES

Story The House A JOURNAL FOR BEAUTIFUL SPACES by i-on

OUTDOORS INDOORS

Created by Scottish architects Loader Monteith, this beautiful airy dining area is a perfect example of biophilic architecture designed to bring the outside in and let light flood into the formerly dark cottage.

The glazed extension is one of three impressive projects by the practice currently in the running for a Scottish Design Award. Don’t miss the next issue when we’ll reveal the winners.

© Dapple Photography

41

FEATURES

This Old House?

PERIOD PROPERTIES CAN BE FULL OF HIDDEN TREASURES BUT THEY CAN ALSO HIDE SERIOUS PITFALLS. WE ASKED THE EXPERTS AT EDEL WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN VIEWING PERIOD HOMES…

42

THE HOUSE STORY

GOOD SIGNS… DISGUISED DOORS

Flat or flush painted doors are not always what they seem. It may be that the original panelled door has simply had hardboard fitted over it. Refurbishing the original panelled door is straightforward and worthwhile, even repairing damage that changes to locks and handles have caused over the years.

SUSPECT SKIRTINGS

Mismatched or patched in lengths of skirtings can be evidence of past modifications; previous location of a doorway or an Edinburgh press or fireplace that has been blocked up. Similarly, sections of hollow sounding wall in an otherwise solid one perhaps given the chance to reinstate fireplaces or interconnecting doors.

HIDDEN FLOORS

If you’ve a chance, peek under the edges of carpets and you might be able to work out what kind of floor there is underneath. There is usually traditional pine floorboards or, in hallways and old kitchens, original flagstones.

Existing floorboards can be sanded and refinished to provide warmth and character in a room while flagstones look spectacular when properly cared for and are an incredibly durable floor finish.

SHUTTERED WINDOWS

Shutters are a wonderful way to keep the heat in a room and the noise out. It may appear that there are only fixed panels to windows but look closely. Check for overpainted hinges as sometime shutters are fixed into position but these can be freed and refurbished.

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OLD WATERWORKS

Look out for original fittings, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. Cast iron radiators and baths can be reconditioned for use.

Baths can be reglazed or enamelled and even refinished to any colour that suits your interior scheme while old taps and Belfast sinks look great in new kitchens and laundry rooms, adding an authentic traditional touch.

FAUX CEILINGS

Often seen clad in pine in kitchens and bathrooms of a certain vintage, lowered ceilings may simply have been fitted to conceal services and redundant water tanks. Always try to get a look up into ceiling hatches, it can tell you lots! Quite often the original ceiling and cornice are revealed and it is worthwhile restoring and refurbishing these.

Even the most apparently ordinary cornice can have intricate plaster detailing concealed under many layers of paint.

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ORIGINAL WINDOWS

Even where the paintwork looks in terrible condition and the timber cills are rotten, most windows can be refurbished and sections replaced, bringing them back to their former glory. Investing in restoring orginal windows will nearly always look better than fitting new ones.

THE HOUSE STORY

SCARY SIGNS….

DUBIOUS STONEWORK

Look at the quality of existing masonry: quite simply is it in good condition and have there been any repairs? Look up at chimneys to check if there have been any repairs and that they have been carried out in stone not inferior material or finished in a cement render.

DAMP SPOTS

Many period homes were built without damp proof courses or have old, inadequate ones leading to rising damp which need to be renewed. Apart from the obvious mould and discolouration keep an eye out for tell-tale peeling edges to wallpaper. Damp at high level is often caused by issues with gutters and flashings. Once these items are attended to the building fabric will dry out if kept well ventilated and heated and then the interior can be made good.

IMPERFECT PIPES

Properties built before 1970 often have pipework made of unsuitable materials. Lead piping is easily identified as it usually looks soft and grey but if scratched it will easily reveal shiny metal through. Lead water service pipes will be replaced by Scottish Water from water main to property boundary, the water supply pipes into your property will be your responsibility. External pipework should all be cast iron, look out for any that appears to be modern plastic.

For one-to-one advice with those first steps, Edel offer clients an initial consultation with no obligation. Call 0131 226 6362 or visit www.weareedel.com to find out more.

45

THE HOUSE STORY

Moodboard: Shelf

essentials

FOR THAT PERFECTLY STYLED SHELF, YOU NEED SEVEN KEY ITEMS…

A BEAUTIFUL SCENTED CANDLE Sea salt & sage candle by Blomus Fraga, £21-£30

A DINKY POT Seedpod

by Cooee design, £30

A SCULPTURAL VASE Drift vase by Cooee design, £35

A UNIQUE ORNAMENT Olufemi sculpture by Cooee design, £60

A COOL BOOK Kinfolk book, £29.99

A STATEMENT CANDLESTICK Malia candleholder set of 2, £56

All items available from online store www.westholmeinteriors.com

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A NICK-NACK TRAY Terazzo tray by HK Living, £35

Heritage Redefined Cherishing your property’s architectural legacy, together with a passion for contemporary style, we reimagine beautiful and desirable period homes.

Architecture, Interiors and Fine Building weareedel.com 28A Melville Street, Edinburgh EH3 7HA. 0131 226 6362

Spree vs steal

Inspired by clever Katie Brigstock who has one outside her new store (read about it on the next page), we’ve been on the hunt for the perfect green metal bench for our front garden…

STEAL Habitat Indu Bench, £140, available at Habitat and Argos

HOME

REPORT Interior news and what to buy now

SPREE HAY Palissade dining bench in olive, £645, Catalog

CUTE COLLAB

Paris-based interior designer and architect India Mahdavi has collaborated with H&M Home on a contemporary collection of natural textiles and crafted ceramics, featuring bright colours and fun prints, like this irresistible floral-patterned earthenware vase, £39.99.

LUXURY FOR LESS

To celebrate the brand’s 70th anniversary this year, BoConcept Scotland have an exclusive offer on the Lille sofa - a minimal yet expressive design, perfect for smaller spaces.

The two-seater version is now only £999 and can be customised to suit your style. Visit www.boconceptscotland.com or pop into the Rose Street to find out more.

Summer living

With warmer days and lighter nights, we all want to spend more time outdoors and you don’t have to have a huge garden to create a beautiful al fresco living space. Comfortable outdoor seating, a low table and a few weatherproof cushions is all you need. For inspiration, check out the new outdoor living collection by John Lewis.

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THE HOUSE STORY

3 NEW STORES YOU NEED TO VISIT SIX ACRES

With a background in property, the owners of this new interiors and lifestyle store on Morningside Road know what goes into creating a beautiful home.

From sofas and soft furnishings to tableware and wall art, everything is carefully chosen according to conscious values championing sustainable brands, female-founded businesses and UK manufacturers. www.six-acres.co.uk

i-on loves…

…these versatile stools which can be used as a seat, table, pedestal, you name it! New to Catalog, the Normann Copenhagen Bit stools are £180 each, www.cataloginteriors.com

STYLE YOUR SPACES

Edinburgh stylist, designer and i-on contributor Katie Brigstock has launched her very own store on Howe Street stocking a beautiful collection of unique and expertly curated homewares. It’s the place to go if you’re looking to add a little pretty to your home with handmade cushions, colourful candles, statement ceramics and contemporary glassware plus one-to-one interior design consultations and in-store events with talented makers. style-your-spaces.myshopify.com

THE TARTAN BLANKET CO. The super-chic Leith-

based blanket brand is finally opening its own bricks and mortar store this summer. Fans of their beautiful wool blankets will have the chance to browse the latest designs, including the SS22 colour collection and the newly launched range of recycled wool picnic blankets. www.tartanblanketco.com

Fashion find

You might not expect to find beautiful handcrafted homewares in a fashion boutique but pay a visit to Epitome on Dundas Street soon and you might be lucky enough to find one of a very limited number of unique patchwork quilts produced exclusively for the store by Indian brand, Kardo. Made from block printed offcuts collected through the season’s production, the weighty cotton blankets feature exquisite prints and vivid colours and no two are the same. Quilted patchwork blanket, £425, www.epitomeofedinburgh.com

49

The Design Files

FEATURING INTERIOR DESIGNER KATE LYNCH OF STUDIO HEIM What’s your signature interiors style? Neutral and natural. I use fresh colour combinations, natural materials, organic shapes and layered textures for a cohesive and cosy look. I also love to use house plants in my designs to bring the outside in!

Which colour palette do you love the most? I love dark greens mixed with neutrals and combining those with some gorgeous wood tones. I’m also absolutely loving brushed brass as a highlight.

Favourite room at home? Definitely my bedroom (pictured above). It’s my little sanctuary. The colour palette is light and natural with plenty of cosy textures. I have a little reading nook in there which I just adore to curl up in with a cup of tea and a book.

What is your one essential for stylish, comfortable modern living? For me, it’s a good quality and comfortable sofa which is going to work with your lifestyle. It’s something worth spending that little bit more on to get exactly what you need. I have a puppy who loves to get his paws dirty and I love a light-coloured sofa - not the greatest match - but there are some fantastic “family-friendly” fabrics out there now which mean pups and sofas can live in harmony!

What’s the best housewarming gift you could get someone? You can’t go wrong with a scented candle. Not only are they a beautiful little accessory, but they make a home smell gorgeous too.

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Is there an iconic piece of furniture which you would love to own? I’m absolutely dying to get my hands on the CH24 (Wishbone Chair) by Hans J Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son (pictured above). It’s such a beautiful piece of furniture which stands the test of time.

What is the best dressed hotel you’ve visited? Without a doubt, Belvidere Place in Broadstairs. It’s a boutique bed & breakfast in a gorgeous Georgian townhouse that is so beautifully presented. Most of the walls are a deep, dark blue or green with so many incredible one-off pieces of furniture. I remember falling very deeply in love with a floor lamp I had in my room.

Which local stores are in your secret address book?

I always love visiting Catalog, especially now they have their fabulous big new store on Raeburn Place. They’re definitely the place to go for beautiful designer pieces. For accessories, Life Story is my go-to and anything from Ferm Living! (pictured top left).

Which interiors Instagram accounts do you give the most likes? I love a good nosey at other peoples’ homes, so @themodernhouse gets a lot of love from me! For inspiration, I also love @studio_nune, @houseofgreylondon and @studiomcgee.

To find out more about Kate’s interior design services, visit www.studio-heim.co.uk

24 hours at Cameron House

Leila Williams discovers a day at the iconic hotel on Loch Lomond is all it takes to experience Scottish hospitality at its finest

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TRAVEL

I

t’s been about 10 years since my last visit to Cameron House on Loch Lomond and it feels good to be heading back. The old building has been thoughtfully restored following the devastating fire in 2017 and it’s looking as good as ever as we step over the grand threshold.

3pm > An elegant arrival

When I arrive for check-in, the lobby and reception are buzzing with activity; staircases and elevators leading to bedrooms, restaurants, leisure facilities and an inhouse cinema, and the gorgeously sumptuous, velvet clad Lobby bar hosting drinks, and afternoon tea with views of the loch as the ultimate backdrop.

Our room is an Auld House Loch view suite with stunning views across the loch onto Balloch Country Park and Castle. And it’s gorgeous. The palette is autumnal and sombre with splashes of colour in the fabrics and it’s fitting with the surroundings – sumptuous and sophisticated without losing that traditional Scottish feel which gives the hotel its identity. There’s no doubt this is five-star luxury accommodation.

4pm > Take to the water

While it’s tempting to run a deep bubble bath in the free-standing tub and stay put, the loch is calling so we choose to make the most of the dreamy location with the Celtic Warrior Champagne cruise, leaving from the marina by The Boat House bar and restaurant. It’s an hour’s cruise with a skipper and a knowledgeable host who tells you a thing or two about the iconic loch whilst you drink in the spectacular views from the top deck. This is Scotland’s landscape at its finest - the vastness of the water, its islands and the mightiness of Ben Lomond set the scene perfectly. You even cross the high-low fault line which runs through the middle of the loch so you officially make it to The Highlands on your trip, even if just for a brief few minutes. At £55 per person (including a glass of Champagne), The Celtic Warrior takes up to 10 guests and can be hired privately too – it’s got summer celebration written all over it.

53

FEATURES

6pm > Pre-dinner drinks

Back on dry land, we return to our room to freshen’up before dinner, because we’re in the suite, we get the added bonus of a complimentary mini bar so pop the Moet and open the balcony doors to let in the evening sunshine and enjoy a pre-prandial drink. There’s a knock at the door and a trio of canapes are delivered, also as an extra touch when staying in a suite. This is a nice place to be.

8pm > Dine in style

If you’re going all out and want a full-on food experience, the main attraction at Cameron House is probably the eponymous Tamburrini & Wishart restaurant. A collab between the two heavyweight chefs, it serves a formal tasting menu from their residence within the hotel. Away from the fine dining experience there are a handful of other great options too including the hotel’s main restaurant, The Cameron Grill. Informal and lively, the menu here is a crowd-pleaser but always with a focus on best quality meat, fish and shellfish. Chateaubriand and Cote du Boeuf are great sharing options or two courses from the Table D’Hote menu are priced at a reasonable £55 per person.

Being a grill, we don’t mess around and go straight for the steaks as our mains. Both rib eye, rich in flavour and served with a good helping of fries, mushrooms and tomato, just the way we like it. Our friendly waiter recommends a bottle of German Pinot Noir and he’s bang on the money.

Cameron Grill is a great spot for dinner, with first class service and views. Afterwards, we head next door to the Great Scots bar for an espresso martini under the stars… and a blanket and terrace heater – it is Scotland after all.

54

TRAVEL

9am > Relax and recharge

After a fabulous night’s sleep in the most comfortable bed and a full Scottish breakfast served to the room, we’re escorted by shuttle bus to the hotel’s spa where we spend the morning releasing the toxins from the night before.

The Cameron Spa, formerly known as the Carrick Spa, is enveloped by the 18-hole golf course and the lush greens and flora and fauna only enhance the wellbeing factor. We spend two hours in the hydro and thermal experiences and love the views from the thermal suites to the natural surroundings. It’s a lovely day in May and we get to lap up the sunshine from the rooftop infinity hydro pool.

And, just to be extra kind to ourselves (self care is so important after all), we finish off by heading to one of the 17 treatment rooms for an ESPA aromatherapy full body massage, tailored to each of our needs. It’s absolute bliss.

2pm > Tea for two

Chilled and thoroughly relaxed after our morning in the spa, we tuck into a five-tiered afternoon tea, served in the Lobby bar. It’s a playful assortment of sweet and savoury delights, rich in flavour and texture, and a delicious finale to our 24-hour stay. It doesn’t have to come with Champagne, of course, but as I’m not the designated driver home it would be rude not to toast such a fabulous break away from it all so naturally, I indulge. There’s even enough left to take home as souvenir of our stay.

3pm > A fond farewell

There are many takeaways from an overnight stay at Cameron House, no less that the abundance of experiences offers you the chance to make your break whatever you want it to be. This is Scottish hospitality at its finest. It’s five star all the way from the tartan clad concierge to the food and amenities… and it’s great to see the hotel do it all so well.

Classic bedrooms from £430 per room per night, bed and breakfast.

Cameron House on Loch Lomond, West Dunbartonshire, G83 8 QZ. www.cameronhouse.co.uk, 01389 312 210.

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ON THE FOOD

RADAR New openings, must-try menus and foodie finds

Buy Dad A Drink!

For a father’s day gift he’ll really appreciate, consider one of these quality spirits made right here in Edinburgh…

Woven Whisky create one-off blends, each designed to offer drinkers a unique experience.

Releasing in small-batch collections, the Leith-based whisky maker has just launched its spring/summer collection, from £45 a bottle. www.wovenwhisky.com

A WELCOME RETURN

When legendary vegetarian restaurant Hendersons re-opened in a new Bruntsfield venue last autumn under the ownership of the founder’s grandson Barrie Henderson, many an Edinburgh resident rejoiced. A trailblazer in the world of plant-based food, the brasserie-style venue still serves up the pick and mix salads for which the restaurant is synonymous, alongside a changing menu of seasonal dishes, all vegan or vegetarian, with a focus on healthy eating. A natural sustainable ethos extends to the décor - wooden tables and benches sit below artfully suspended dried British wheat, barley, broom, hops and birch leaves creating a chilled, laid back vibe. It’s a great place to hang out for a while, with friends or flying solo. And if you do, be sure to check out the drinks menu offering a superb selection of juices and mocktails (as well as the real deal) alongside a small yet thoughtfully curated wine list.

Hendersons, 13 Barclay Pl, EH10 4HW, www.hendersonsrestaurant.com

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BIRCH, £32.99, is a distinctive, pioneering botanical spirit offering an alternative to gin or vodka.

Best served chilled and neat, a second batch has just been released from East Lothian distillery Buck & Birch. www.buckandbirch.com

Lind and Lime Gin, £35, is a multi awardwinning London Dry Gin produced in Leith.

It combines the perfect balance of juniper with fresh lime peel and a hint of pink peppercorns. For that extra-special gift, why not book dad in for a tour and tasting at their new distillery on Coburg Street too? www.lindandlime.com

FOOD AND DRINK

Commons Club

THREE NEW PLACES TO TRY COMMONS CLUB Nestled across two floors at the recently opened

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh on Victoria Street, the restaurant is a sophisticated spot with a menu featuring seasonal cuisine using the freshest, finest produce from Scotland’s larder. From starters such as ceviche with line-caught and cured wild seabass to mains including pan-seared Gigha halibut, executive chef Steven Wilson and his team are out to impress. www.virginhotels.com

OCELOT This cafe, factory and

COMING SOON Smith & Gertrude are branching out and opening a new wine and cheese bar in Portobello. The second venture at 254 Portobello High Street promises great cheese platters, wine flights, tastings and the same cool vibe as the original Stockbridge venue.

chocolate shop in Stockbridge is a beautiful and relaxed space where you can enjoy a seriously good Ocelot hot chocolate made with 40g of pure freshly melted organic 70% chocolate and Company Bakery brioche with a pot of melted chocolate. You can also have coffee, biodynamic wines, local beer and kombucha. You’ll find it at 122-124 Raeburn Place or check out www.ocelotchocolate.com

BRIDGE FIFTEEN The new

modern Scottish restaurant at The Bridge Inn at Ratho focuses on local, seasonal ingredients, daily specials and impressive looking dishes. Expect everything from hand dived scallop, £14, to duck breast, confit leg, celeriac purée, pickled pear, chicory £26.50. It’s open evenings only, Tuesday to Saturday, from 5pm – 9pm. www.bridgeinn.com

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FEATURES

Meet the Maker

Introducing the faces behind our favourite local foods WHO: Fiona and Stuart Oberheim, founders of Aye Pickled WHAT: We handmake batches of gourmet pickles, live cultured ferments and sauces. We have five core, award-winning products that are sold and stocked across the UK. These are our Bread and Butter Pickles, our Hot Roots, fabulously purple Pickled Slaw, our naturally fermented Kimchi, and our Kimchi Hot Sauce.

QUICKFIRE QUIZ Sweet or savoury? Savoury, 100%.

I’d take a cheeseboard over a pudding every time Caf or decaf? Caf. No explanation required.

Skinny fries or chunky chips?

Salty, delicious skinny fries (with yellow mustard – shocker) Brown sauce or ketchup? Ketchup.

Supermarket or farmers’ market?

Farmers’ market, especially Portobello market. It’s lesser known but it’s got some fab stalls and it’s a great one to take kids to because it’s in the park produce.

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HOW: We’d just had our second baby, had left our careers, and were at a crossroads. Stu’s a trained chef and a major passion for him is food and health trends. We’d both been huge fans of pickled and fermented foods but we couldn’t find anything on the local market that really satisfied our cravings. So, we started making our own at the kitchen table and sold our first jar of pickles at Christmas in 2017.

It’s crazy to think how much we’ve learned and gone through, with the kids, with each other, Brexit, a global pandemic…

WHAT NEXT: We’ve just partnered with chef Dean Banks on his Wagyu Burger range and we’re bringing three new products to the retail market soon, including our fermented lime

pickle, which we’re really excited about. Behind the scenes we’re moving into larger premises, growing the team and starting to make moves to distribute to the US which will be a huge moment for this wee Scottish brand.

CULINARY ICONS: Yotam Ottolenghi, Thomasina Miers and Sabrina Ghayour all make food that I love. And I’m a bit obsessed with food writer / restaurant critic Grace Dent, she’s a superstar.

SIGNATURE DISH: Black Bean soup.

The key is charring the tomatoes and garlic, then it’s all about the toppings… Cheese, crushed tortilla chips, jalapeños, guacamole, and tons of coriander. It’s the perfect hangover cure.

THE WEEKLY SHOP: We mix it up between the supermarket and keeping it local. We live in Portobello and are lucky to have so many great wee shops on the high street. Root Down is a favourite for fruit, veg and amazing bread (made locally by Ruth of Wildside Bread). The Beer Zoo is a proper bottle shop packed with great beers and ciders, and it’s a favourite of Stu’s.

Make your 5-a-day fresh and organic today!

Shop from thousands of organic, plant-based, vegan, vegetarian, free-from & Fairtrade essentials right in the heart of the city 37 Broughton Street EH1 3JU & 8 Brougham Street EH3 9JH

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

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60 © Murray Orr

FOOD AND DRINK

In the neighbourhood Looking for fine food without the ego? When it comes to quality casual dining, Edinburgh’s neighbourhood restaurants excel. Here’s three you need to visit…

ELEANORE Carrie Mitchell finally learns what all the fuss is about at this much talked about eatery on Leith Walk

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hen chef-owner Roberta Hall-McCarron and husband Shaun moved The Little Chartroom to pastures new at the end of last year, they handed over the keys to the birthplace of their empire to the talented young chefs who’d manned the grills on their beachside lockdown venture TLC on the Prom. And so Eleanore was born – a small, neighbourhood restaurant with big ideas… and even bigger shoes to fill.

Small and unassuming from the outside, the restaurant’s tiny yet perfectly formed interior is a lesson in sleek Scandi minimalism – whitewashed brick walls house high stools in blonde wood sitting beneath just three tables and a few compact window seats. Menus are artfully tucked into metal runners and there are a few stylish nods to a nautical theme paying homage to Roberta’s family boat for which the restaurant was named. While the aesthetic is achingly cool, the welcome is refreshingly warm as the host greets us with a smile, leads us past the open kitchen and seats us in the centre

of the dining room before talking us through the menu.

It is, of course, all about sharing plates here – isn’t every modern restaurant? Given I generally make my husband split every meal with me anyway, it works from my point of view, but I’m not sure he concurs. He graciously agrees to my menu choices and placates himself with a beer while I get almost immediately tipsy on a potent pre-drink of Bianco Vermouth, Gin, Fino sherry and lovage, £10.50 and regret skipping breakfast.

Thankfully we don’t have to wait long before a series of beautifully styled dishes begins to arrive, each larger than the one before. There are two fat oysters, £6, sitting atop a mound of crushed ice dressed in a fiery seawood hot sauce. Silky slivers of cured sea trout, £6, are pepped up

with pickled shiso and blood orange.

Grilled flatbreads, £6.50, are charred to perfection and accompanied with a flavourful mound of luscious romesco, complemented with spicy nduja and salty anchovy. Tender asparagus and buttery Jersey Royals come with wild garlic, hollandaise, and hazelnut, £15.

And a perfectly pink beef short rib, £24, accompanied by caramelised Roscoff onions and creamed spinach, sings with Szechuan flavours. Every mouthful is memorable for all the right reasons – this is flawless, contemporary cooking with none of the fussiness you might expect. You won’t find a foam here, or dishes presented in a cloud of smoke, just honest, good food, carefully prepared and artfully served.

There is just one dish that came with a tinge of disappointment for me and that was dessert. In its short lifespan, Eleanore has become famed for a signature Tirami-choux yet this delectable-sounding sweet was absent on my visit and the seasonal substitute of Rhubarb & Custard Choux, £9, sadly did not fulfil my appetite’s demand for cocoa-fuelled indulgence. On the bright side, it did give me a great reason to return the very second the Tirami-Choux reappears. Just try and stop me.

Eleanore, 31 – 13 Albert Place, EH7 5AN, 0131 600 0990, www.eleanore.uk

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NEW CHAPTER Lila Williams revisits this hidden gem on Eyre Place

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hoosing where to eat in Stockbridge has never been an easy decision, even when I lived there back in the mid-noughties, when an ever-evolving influx of stylish, independent restaurants changed the face of the area. One that did just that back in 2016 is New Chapter and it’s been rewriting the definition of a neighbourhood restaurant ever since.

The loveable hidden gem located on a quiet cobbled street between Stockbridge and Canonmills produces some of the best food in town. You’ll probably have already heard about it by word of mouth as it’s one of those places that is recommended by anyone who’s been. The thing about New Chapter is it delivers for pretty much every occasion with a la carte dinner options, a set lunch menu served Wednesday to Saturday, and private dining rooms too. And, if you get your timings right on Sunday, you’ll be able to enjoy the awardwinning roast served with some of the fluffiest and biggest Yorkshire puddings you’re every likely to find.

© M. Szymik

So, here I am six years after opening on a snowy night in April and I don’t think there’s an empty seat in the house. Despite that, there’s no overpowering noise or too-close-forcomfort neighbouring tables, it’s the perfect laid-back yet buzzy vibe.

The menu is concise but everything sounds appealing.

Fresh, seasonal ingredients with an innovative twist tends to be the nature of the game. My starter of wild garlic soup with confit egg yolk and chicken skin crumble,

© Arkdefo

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£11, deserves a gold medal. It’s delicate and silky with the chicken skin adding a different dimension.

My friend orders a salmon tartare, £14.50, with wasabi ice cream and pickled radish which takes sashimi to a new level. Mains are, for me, a meaty halibut, £28, with carrot and ginger puree and lemongrass sauce (it works) and, over the table, a lamb loin with wild garlic, XO gravy, miso and onion puree, £29, which comes with a perfectly formed bao bun stuffed with lamb shoulder (the chef here is also the chef behind Leith bao ‘bunnerie’ Bundits of Leith).

Portions are hearty but we manage to save room for dessert - a rhubarb and ginger panna cotta in rose water yoghurt, £9, with two spoons. We jostle for the last spoonful and I’m glad I get there first. As we head out into the unseasonably snowy night, it feels good to be back in the neighourhood. I certainly won’t leave it so long next time – there’s Yorkshire puds waiting with my name on.

New Chapter, 18 Eyre Pl, EH3 5EP, 0131 556 0006, www.newchapterrestaurant.co.uk

FOOD AND DRINK

LEFTFIELD

crevettes and langoustines, and hot smoked salmon from Skipness Smokehouse, Shetland mussels, crab salad, served with hot garlic butter and other sauces to satisfy and delight all of us. Washed down with a bottle or two of Crémant, even the hardcore seafood platter experts (AKA the birthday girls) are in heaven as we spend the next hour or so working our way through the feast.

I love all that Leftfield stands for in its quest to source locally and sustainably. Its purpose being minimal environmental impact, maximum benefit for local trade and good food on our plates. It’s that simple. You get the feeling that absolutely everything has gone through a robust quality control and if it doesn’t meet the mark, well, it’s just not getting in. Even the wine list is a curated one of bio dynamic, organic wines from small producers.

And, if you just fancy popping by for wine with langoustines, a cocktail or, even better, for the oyster happy hour with £1 oysters served between 5.30 and 6.30pm, Thursday to Saturday, there’s a new bar with space for six.

No surprise though, it’s already a hit with those in the know so try to book ahead if you can.

Laura Wood discovers the best seafood platter at this Bruntsfield bistro

Leftfield, 12 Barclay Terr, EH10 4HP, 0131 229 1394, www.leftfieldedinburgh.co.uk

I

had been longing to visit Leftfield ever since I had one of their sell-out seafood platters at home during lockdown. So,with a looming birthday celebration for two discerning, seafood-loving friends on the horizon, it was my restaurant of choice for a celebratory lunch for four.

It’s all about the relaxed bistro vibe here and a recent refurb of dark green walls and soft furnishings, large mirrors and bigger windows works wonders to bring the outside in. The view across Bruntsfield Links and beyond to the changing colours of Arthur’s Seat and the Crags is glorious.

Window boxes burst into life with fennel, nasturtiums, lavender, and all sorts of herbaceous loveliness… they look and smell divine and, no doubt, are being put to good use on the plates before they leave the kitchen this season.

We are greeted by co-owner Rachel who heads up front of house whilst her partner, Phil, works behind the scenes.

Excitedly we order cocktails to kick off proceedings keeping things simple with classic negronis, palomas and a kick-ass mezcal margarita.

The menu leans towards seafood but there’s always a meat option for more carnivorous diners and a very appealing and creative vegetarian choice (currently sumac roasted cauliflower, slow roast tomato, and pearl barley), £12.50, We’re there for the hot seafood platter, £85/90 each, anyway so order two between four and throw in sides of chunky chips and chargrilled broccoli too, £5 each. When it arrives, it’s a thing of beauty. Tempura lobster tail and claws from Belhaven Lobster, baked oysters from Cumbrae, the freshest

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FEATURES

A taste of the Highlands Laura Wood settles down for a night of fine dining at Dipping Lugger, a new restaurant with rooms in Ullapool

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et me tell you about the weekend we decided to jump in the car at the last minute and head to Ullapool. A moment of madness? You might think so but there’s quite a lot to like about this unassuming port town on the edge of Loch Broom on the West Highland coast - Northern lights, Corrieshalloch, gorge, the NC500, Munros to bag, Highland stoneware, the Seafood Shack, and beautiful beaches nearby. Plus, it’s all within a pretty lovely fourhour drive from Edinburgh. What Ullapool was lacking, as so many small Scottish towns and villages are, is contemporary design-led accommodation offering quality modern dining. Then, along came The Dipping Lugger last summer and changed all that.

Based opposite the ferry terminal and the gateway to the Western Isles, The Dipping Lugger is a destination restaurant with three rooms housed in what was previously the parish manse, dating back to 1789. The building oozes historic charm with all its nooks and crannies, low ceilings and wee doors, but it’s all been lovingly restored by owners Robert Hicks and Helen Chalmers (the dynamic duo who own the award-winning Highland Liquor Company distillery and shop situated a couple of streets behind The Dipping Lugger and well worth a visit). They pulled in the heavyweights to realise their vision and contracted renowned designer Eve CullenCornes for the interiors, head chef David Smith, formerly of Boath House in Nairn, to oversee the kitchen, and front of house is the hospitable Calum Robertson who has years of experience behind him in some of Scotland’s best-known institutions. In doing so, they’ve created a luxury Highland retreat with a good dose of

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FOOD AND DRINK

personality that wouldn’t look out of place in Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Open fires and soft lighting are welcoming.

Rich tones of red, blue and emerald green, mixed with slate and soft greys and golds are warm and comforting. Bold wallpaper and artwork in the bedrooms offset against the natural colours of the surrounding water and dramatic landscape, and tartan blankets remind you of exactly where you are. As do the Tunnock’s tea cakes, snowballs, and jars of traditional sweets displayed on the shelves in the Sweet Shop – a thoughtful treat to go with a little nightcap in the honesty bar if you’re still feeling the need to indulge after dinner. But, as lovely as the rooms are, it’s the 18-cover restaurant that will become the talk of the town.

Offering a seven-course dinner and four course lunch, this is a restaurant to be reckoned with, and dinner here is reason alone for making the journey to this neck of the woods. The menus showcase the produce the Highlands are famous for, including Ullapool’s incredible seafood, each described only by one word leading to a sense of mystery and intrigue. ‘Hay’, ‘Turbot’, ‘Carrot’, ‘Salmon’ and even ‘Del Boy’, each dish is a work of art. It’s playful but not coincidental

and takes you on a gastronomical journey that you’re likely remember for a good time to come.

The Dipping Lugger is doing things differently in the Highlands and it deserves to do well. It’s small and intimate for an overnight stay and the food offering, both at dinner and for breakfast the next morning pack a powerful punch. This place now sits at the top of our things we like about Ullapool list - a ‘must-visit’ for anybody planning a Scottish road trip.

Dinner bed and breakfast for two people starts at £410 per room per night.

Rooms are currently open for booking from Thursday to Sunday. Lunch, served Friday to Sunday is £35pp. Dinner is served Thursday to Sunday for £75 per person, with optional wine pairing for £50pp.

The Dipping Lugger, 4 West Shore St, Ullapool, IV26 2UR. To book call 01854 613344 or visit www.thedippinglugger.com

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BEST BITS

Argyle Place

Brunch: The menu at Argyle Place in Marchmont changes weekly but is always a delight. It’s such a relaxed and stylish space and is divided into two halves - one more social, and the other more geared towards remote workers. I often take my laptop there to write.

Sunday roast: The Canny Man’s pub does a great roast, in quirky-cosy surroundings.

Pizza: Söderberg on a jazz sunday is always a winner.

Fine dining: The drama of The Witchery by the Castle is worth experiencing at least once.

Coffee: I am cheating a little bit on this one, as it is outside of Edinburgh, but Drift coffee house near North Berwick is hard to beat. With gorgeous picture windows overlooking the beach, it’s the perfect spot to re-caffeinate after a weekend walk.

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THEBESTOFEDINBURGH

Niamh Hargan on her favourite city spots

Cocktails: There are so many excellent cocktail bars in Edinburgh now Bramble, Dragonfly and The Devil’s Advocate are all favourites but, I have a soft spot for the The Bon Vivant on Thistle Street. It feels luxurious, atmospheric and indulgent - the sort of place you might call for one great drink, then order a charcuterie board and decide to stay all night.

Live music: Captains Bar or Sandy Bells reliably deliver the full Scottish experience.

Film: The Dominion Cinema makes going to the movies feel like a real experience. There is nothing like ordering a glass of red wine and some popcorn, heading down the stairs and settling into a recliner seat. It is, for me, the ideal mid-week escape.

Biscuit

Fashion: Biscuit in Bruntsfield, and, just across the street, Ooh! Ruby Shoes are my go-tos.

I feel as if both of these shops understand that while I might initially present as an Irish woman living in Edinburgh potentially a bit damp, stressed and late for something - in my mind I am wafting calmly around Copenhagen in extremely stylish attire.

Furniture: At Bruntsfield Designs, they make beautiful bespoke furniture and shelving, all from repurposed timber. My flat is home to its share of Ikea things too, but sometimes it’s worth spending a little more to end up with something that’s sustainable, perfectly suited to your space, and helps support a local business.

Gift: Rare Birds bookshop in Stockbridge offers the chance to create the most lovely “book bundles” for the bibliophiles in your life.

Niamh’s debut novel ‘Twelve Days in May’ is out now.

D E S I G N E D & M A D E I N O R K N E Y, S C O T L A N D

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