Buttery goodness
Rowies to rave about Riot of colour
Interiors go pop
An accident can be life-changing and overwhelming.
If you or a loved one has been involved in one, you likely have many questions and concerns about what to do next.
Our friendly and experienced team is here to guide and support you, answering any questions you may have about making a claim. We understand that every personal injury case is unique— there’s no one-size-fits-all approach because every individual is affected differently. That’s why we handle each case with sensitivity and efficiency, ensuring you receive the maximum compensation you’re entitled to.
We specialise in a wide range of claims including car accidents, workplace injuries including offshore, construction, fishing and farming as well as accidents abroad.
Your first consultation is free, so if you’re considering making a claim, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
“We take great pride in the results we achieve for our clients and will do everything we can to secure the compensation you deserve. From start to finish, we’ll be by your side, providing expert guidance and reassurance every step of the way.”
HEALTH
BEAUTY
08 Healthy Lifestyles: Game on with Aberdeen Squash and Racketball Club
Beauty: Reawakening: Unisex skin and haircare to revive your skin
GOING OUT
6 Six of the best: Spring into action 16 Win tickets to The Girl on The Train at HMT
60 Trend events: Essential dates for your social calendar
FASHION
22 Spring style: Back to nature 28 Fashion editorial: Weekend Wonders 46 Creative: Meet jewellery maker Claire Grant of Spotted Petal
44 Gardens: Kirsty McLean on water gardening 50 Interiors: Riot of colour 56 Heritage: Walking through history in Old Aberdeen
FROM THE EDITOR
PUBLISHED BY
TREND PRODUCTIONS LTD
PO Box 11858, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire AB39 9AN
info@trendmagazine.co.uk trendmagazine.co.uk
Hello again,
Spring brings the promise of newness, colour and warmth back into our lives. It’s been a long winter, but now we’ve had the first snowdrops cautiously poking up in the last of the icy patches, followed swiftly by masses ranks of crocuses and daffodils, the welcome return of double-digit temperatures and no longer automatically reaching for your most duvet-like coat whenever you head outside.
It’s a season for shrugging off the layers that no longer fit with the life you want to lead or the person you want to become. If life is a journey, we’re here to help you find the scenic route, exploring new ideas, new places to visit, new products and events, new colours and styles, new restaurants, bars, venues, hobbies and so much more.
When global events seem overwhelming, sometimes the best approach is to focus on self-care and caring for those around you – your friends, family and community. Take a lesson from the crocus or the daffodil and do what you can to make the day a little brighter, a little better for those around you. You’ll find lots of ideas to inspire you in this issue.
DIRECTOR Gill Buyers
gill@trendmagazine.co.uk
EDITOR Alison Daniels alison@trendmagazine.co.uk
ADVERTISING info@trendmagazine.co.uk
DESIGN Claire Grant
cgrant@trendmagazine.co.uk
ACCOUNTS Jill Walker jwalker@trendmagazine.co.uk
PRINT Stephens & George Print Group
Contributors
Kirsty McLean gardendesignscotland.com
On the Cover
MODEL
Hayley Brown of Premiere Productions
PHOTOGRAPHER
Donna Murray donnamurrayphotography.com
THANKS to our retailers Hamishmunro, Lolo + Co, Tiger Lily Boutique, Bellino and to The Space for hosting us.
Drumroll, please...We had two pairs of tickets for Cruel Intentions at His Majesty’sTheatre in our last issue. Our lucky winnersVictorWarburton and Helen Madigan will each be taking a guest for a great night out.
01 02 03
BOTTOM’S UP: ABERDEEN BEER FESTIVAL
The first-ever Aberdeen Beer Festival comes to The Music Hall on April 12th. Sample a selection from Fierce Bear and 13 guest breweries. Tickets are £17.50 from Aberdeenpreformingarts.com Leave room for a kebab afterwards.
STEP ON IT: RUN BALMORAL
Run Balmoral is back with a host of races for the fit and not so fit on April 26th and 27th. Primary school kids can tackle the 1.5km course, while there are longer races of up to 15 miles for adults.
There are several races for kids as well as four options for adults. The Devil of Deeside offers the ultimate punishment with runners tackling all of the 5km, 10km, 6-mile and 15-mile races across the weekend. Register at runbalmoral.com
MAXIMUM FABULOSITY: LGBT+ PROM
Four Pillars hosts its first LGBT+ Prom at OGV Podium on Sunday 30th March to mark the Transgender Day of Visibility. It gives members of the community a chance to attend a prom as their true selves. Tickets via Eventbrite.co.uk from £5.
Spring into action and try something new in the city and shire this March and April…
04 05 06
SAX APPEAL: ABERDEEN JAZZ FESTIVAL
The Jazz Festival returns with over 30 events and 100 musicians performing across the city, including a series of Soundbath events at Bon Accord Baths. Explore the options and get tickets via aberdeenjazzfestival.com
RELIVE YOUR CHILDHOOD: ABERDEEN TOY AND COLLECTABLES FAIR 2025
Turn back the clock and scoop up that Millennium Falcon you never received as a child. The Fair features over 90 tables offering everything from vintage toys and LEGO sets to Funko Pops and Pokémon. Sunday 15th March, Richard Donald Stand, Pitoddrie. Tickets from £5 via Eventbrite.co.uk
CRACK THE CASE: TURN DETECTIVE IN THE CITY
If you’re addicted to true crime shows and podcasts, why not solve your own murder mystery. Explore the city’s mean streets and solve clues to solve the murder of Chester Monte, the infamous local politician with this app-based game. Tickets are £15-£20 for groups of up to six players from Eventbrite.co.uk
Aberdeen Squash & Racketball Club
Fancy getting fitter and making new friends in a family-friendly setting? Then Aberdeen Squash & Racketball Club could be just what you’re looking for…
The club was founded in 1913 and has around 250 members of all ages. There are seven courts, including one glassback court for spectating, a small gym, changing rooms and showers for men and women and a licenced bar and function suite which is a popular venue for private functions such as parties, corporate events, quiz nights and social gatherings. The bar is equipped with several large screen TVs, which often screen events like Champions League footballs and Six Nations Rugby matches.
If you’re just starting out, or keen to improve your game, then the club have several group sessions run by their highly qualified coach at just £5 per person each. There are classes for Juniors, Beginners and Improvers and you don’t even need your own racquet at first as they are available to hire. All you need is non-marking shoes and safety glasses for under 18s. Walk-On Fridays offer the chance to play a non-competitive game, so you can work out where you fit in terms of playing standard, then head to the bar for a refreshing drink. There are mini-leagues for both squash and racketball, for adults and juniors, and a Summer Fun League, as well as 13 teams of all standards taking part in the Grampian Regional Leagues – so you can be as social or competitive as you like. There’s
even a club WhatsApp group where you can find an ad hoc opponent or Josh, the Club Manager, will help you find your feet and a suitable game.
You can find out about membership at asrc.co.uk/w/memberships including a new family membership where up to two kids can be added to an ordinary membership for no additional cost.
When it comes to a complete workout, both squash and racketball are up there. You can burn up to 1000 calories in an hour of squash while improving cardiovascular health and building strength and flexibility. Studies have shown that racket sports also reduce stress levels, boost mental strength and concentration. Couple the undoubted health benefits with the camaraderie and social aspects and a membership could be the best investment you could make in your health and wellbeing.
Reawakening
With winter’s passing, now’s the time to refresh your hair, skin and self-care routine. A new season brings changes in weather and lifestyle, making spring the perfect opportunity to reawaken and rebalance with our selection of products that work equally well for men and women…
Elemental Herbology’s Perfect Balance Multi-Acid Pads
These biodegradable vegan treatment pads contain both glycolic and fruity alphahydroxy acids to help minimise pores, breakouts, and fine lines while promoting an even skin tone. Aloe vera soothes and cools the skin, healing and rejuvenating and protecting from free radicals. Skin is gently exfoliated, helping to increase cell turnover for a bright and balanced complexion. £35 from elementalherbology.com and definitely worth swiping if your other half has some!
Urtekram’s Volume Rasul Shampoo
Mud may seem a strange suggestion for cleaner hair, but natural Rassoul Mud has been used for centuries across North Africa. It gently cleanses, exfoliates the scalp and nourishes hair, offering a unique and completely natural care solution. Urtekram’s Volume Rasul Shampoo is available from Superdrug’s online marketplace for £6.49 and leaves hair sparkling clean, full of volume, and delightfully scented. It also has the merits of being sustainable, vegan and COSMOS-certified organic.
Equilabo’s Soothing Advanced Lift Eye Cream
At £169 for just 15ml, Equilabo’s eye cream isn’t something you’d just slather on, but the delicate eye area merits investment when it comes to avoiding premature aging. The natural oils and extracts to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dark circles. The natural formula inhibits the synthesis of collagenase, the enzyme that breaks down collagen resulting in tighter, firmer skin. Dermatologically tested and approved, this eyelifting wonder is packed with vitamins and natural fatty acids that improve elasticity and reduce signs of ageing.
Astral Intensive Moisturiser Range
Last, but not least, you could spring clean your beauty routine by stripping it right back to basics. New Scientist magazine recently suggested that most people could opt for a daily moisturiser plus a separate SPF applied from April to October. Astral’s Intensive Moisturiser has been on the market for over 70 years and at under £4 a pot has to be one of the best buys out there. It’s not suitable for vegans as it contains lanolin. There are versions with cocoa butter and shea butter as well as the original formulation.
theskinbothy.co.uk
jan@theskinbothy.co.uk 07713 358563
Pushing the boundaries of skincare
Independent Nurse Prescriber Jan Leiper-Whiteford has been administering non-surgical procedures for 20 years and has continually provided safe and effective aesthetic treatments for face and body.
Our beautiful new aesthetic clinic, combines modern elegance with cuttingedge technology, offering pioneering treatments in aesthetic innovation, which sets us apart from any other clinic. We offer exclusive treatments that push the boundaries of skincare.
Comprising of four luxurious floors, the bespoke medical clinic will cover all aspects of aesthetic deliverance. From the moment you enter the clinic, you will be treated with an exceptional experience.
Our practitioners are highly skilled, medically trained nurses, always ensuring quality of care. We offer personalised consultations to assess your individual needs.
We offer non-invasive skin rejuvenation, with our Lynton Excelight Intense Pulsed light system, Focus Dual high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), radiofrequency (RF) microneedling, and Hydrafacials, all targeting skin imperfections with precision, leaving the skin smooth, tightened, lifted, youthful and glowing.
Our outstanding reputation speaks for itself being the forefront in the deliverance of anti- wrinkle, dermal filler, skin booster, polynucleotides and PRP treatments, ensuring precise and naturallooking results. Personalised facials by Hydropeptide and Blue Radiance Peels by Obagi Medical will give you glass skin.
We also offer IV vitamin therapy drips, for hydration, energy, and skin health, customised to boost immunity, detoxify and promote anti-aging as well as the new National Medical Weight Loss Programme.
A designated clinic room provides comfort for clients undergoing the treatment. We offer personalised advanced skincare systems, that are tailored to each individual skin type and needs with Obagi, Teoxane, Hydropeptides and our Advanced Nutrition Vitamin Programme, B12 and Biotin injections.
Aesthetic treatments are an investment in yourself, and it is important to choose your practitioner who prioritises your safety and who gives you all the time and information you require to make an informed decision.
Follow us on Instagram for details about our exclusive launch event and join us as we unveil our state-of-theart clinic and celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in aesthetic care.
Enjoy a guided tour to learn about our treatments and meet our expert team dedicated to helping you look and feel your best.
We will be offering gifts, surprises, and refreshments – look forward to seeing you all.
EVERY EYE COMPLETE CARE
New name, new look still the same independent opticians on Belmont Street
After many years as Jenson & Ledingham, Belmont Optical is now the name above the door with the same team, still Wendy. Offering expertise for every eye, showcasing a fabulous selection of designer frames and always making time for every customer. Call or visit the website to find out more & book an appointment
Sunekos is a brilliant, natural looking treatment for rejuvenating and refreshing the skin, particularly around the eyes. ‘Sunekos is a non-surgical injectable which stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, improving the skin’s firmness and elasticity,’ explained Dr. Siobhan Hewson. ‘It’s quick and the results can last up to a year, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, improving the overall texture and tone of the skin.’
Girl
Laura Whitmore plays Rachel, who spends her commute daydreaming about the perfect couple she sees from her train window. Then the woman is reported missing and Rachel finds herself dragged into the investigations as both a witness and maybe even a suspect.
We have two pairs of tickets to give away for the opening night on Tuesday 24th June. The show runs until the 28th.
To enter, go to trendmagazine.co.uk and answer this question: Who plays Rachel in the play?
The
on the Train is a thrilling mystery adapted from Paula Hawkins’ hugely successful novel.
‘Because
Blending timeless style and practicality with fresh designs. Perfect for casual leisure and outdoor adventures.
Enjoy 10% off with code CWSPRING25 Code expires 30/4/25
115 Holburn Street, AB10 6BQ | 2-8 Bridge Street, Banchory, AB31 5SX countryways.com
Boost your self-confidence
Gifted aesthetic beauty specialist and licenced Menopause Coach, Martina Mackay is known for researching the most innovative and effective treatments. ‘I’d say the majority of the treatments I offer work on two levels. Yes, they will make you look younger, or clear up skin problems, but more importantly, they boost self-confidence, making people feel better about themselves,’ Martina explained. ‘For example, our Plasma Fibroblast Skin Tightening is a non-surgical treatment which improves facial lines and wrinkles, pores, photo-aging skin pigmentation and other skin irregularities.
‘Similarly, my clients love Dermapen, our painless micro-needling treatment that encourages the skin’s natural healing capabilities. It’s better than fillers and it can also help with rosacea and acne and even stimulates hair regrowth.
‘Our newest treatment is all about boosting self-confidence too. So many men and women suffer poor pelvic health, often in the form of embarrassing bladder leaks. Our treatment chair uses High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic technology to strengthen the pelvic floor treating incontinence, improving urogenital organ support, sexual function, sensation and satisfaction. Just six 28-minute sessions is all it takes to regain control, restore confidence and improve your quality of life.’
Garioch Road, Inverurie, AB51 4RQ Tel: 07885 760084
When bowel symptoms occur, it is important to identify those people at high risk of having serious conditions so they can receive urgent assessment whilst those with troublesome, but less serious problems can be offered appropriate treatment quickly. NexEndo use AIpowered state of the art new technology like the LumenEye® X1 to allow their endoscopy specialists to guide people quickly into the right pathway offering a quick and accurate diagnostic assessment, without long waiting times. For more information, please visit nexendo-healthcare.com
Where style meets inclusivity at Tiger Lily Boutique. In Aberdeen we are located at 8 Chapel Street but also in Edinburgh and Broughty Ferry.
At TLB, we take pride in our personalised customer service, ensuring that everyone leaves feeling confident and inspired.
We aim to cater to every style and personality, offering sizes 8-24 across our collections. From chic new collection to glamorous special occasion outfits, we have something for everyone. Shop in-store, online or on the app at www.tigerlilyboutique.co.uk. Pop in and see us, Team TLB”
Gifting money during your lifetime can potentially be a more effective inheritance tax (IHT) strategy than passing on wealth after death, especially when unused pension funds and death benefits become subject to IHT from April 2027. To make informed decisions, here are some key considerations on what constitutes a gift and how they’re taxed.
- Exempt gifts: Fortunately, not all gifts are subject to IHT, for example gifts between spouses or civil partners, as well as donations to charities and political parties. Other gifts, including wedding or civil partnership gifts, and gifts from regular income, may also be exempt from IHT.
Your annual exemption allows you to make gifts of up to £3,000 per tax year without them being added to your estate’s value. Any unused annual exemption can be carried forward by one tax year.
- Potentially exempt transfers and the sevenyear rule: For larger gifts, such as paying your grandchild’s university fees, you must survive for at least seven years for it to be IHT free.
These potentially exempt transfers may reduce the amount you can pass on tax-free (currently £325,000, there’s also the residence nil-rate
Tax-efficient gifting
band allowance of £125,000). For example, if you gave your child £200,000 and died within seven years, you could only pass on £125,000 of your estate tax free after your death. If you gave away more than £325,000 in the seven years before you died, anyone who received a gift above this threshold would have to pay IHT. How much tax they’d pay depends on how soon after gifting you pass away (called Taper Relief).
Next steps
For personalised guidance on lifetime gifting rules, consult a financial or tax adviser.
The value of investments, and any income from them, can fall and you may get back less than you invested. RBC Brewin Dolphin is not a tax specialist and this does not constitute tax advice. Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in the future. You should always check the tax implications with an accountant or tax specialist. Information is provided only as an example and is not a recommendation to pursue a particular strategy.
Carrie Keenan, Investment Manager and Ricki Garden, Financial Planner
Back to nature
BAG FROM A SELECTION IN STORE
ABOVE: PENNY BLACK LEATHER JACKET £375
PENNY BLACK SNAKE PRINT BLOUSE £115
PENNY BLACK FLARE JEANS £130
FC SET SOLD SEPARATELY TOP £39
BOTTOMS £59
MOS MOSH THORA JUMPER £109
MOS MOSH JELENA SHIRT £109
MARBLE HIGH WAISTED SLIM JEANS £96
ALL BELLINO TRAINERS MODELS OWN
LUCIE TOP £42
MAXINE WHITE JEANS £54
BOTH TIGER LILY BOUTIQUE
MARC AUREL BLAZER £329.99
YEST YARAH TROUSERS £59 PART TWO EMAJA TOP £34.95
GABOR DOLLY TRAINER SILVER £110 ALL HAMISHMUNRO
TRAVEL THE WORLD STRIPE DRESS £38
DONNA DENIM JACKET £48 BAG £32 FROM A SELECTION IN STORE ALL TIGER LILY BOUTIQUE TRAINERS MODELS OWN
THANKS TO OUR MODEL HAYLEY BROWN OF PREMIERE PRODUCTIONS, OUR PHOTOGRAPHER DONNA MURRAY, HAIRDRESSER MICHELLE REID, THE SPACE FOR HOSTING US AND OUR RETAILERS, HAMISHMUNRO, LOLO + CO, TIGER LILY BOUTIQUE AND BELLINO.
Weekend wonders
Now’s the time to treat yourself to a few key pieces that will bring your weekend wardrobe together. Weekend dressing is all about looking effortlessly stylish and relaxed, whether you’re taking a stroll in the countryside, heading out for lunch, or just doing the supermarket shop. It’s a combination of cosy and chic that can be hard to pull off, but these pieces from local boutiques offer a great starting point…
Bellino
Lolo+Co
Lolo+Co
Bellino
Hamishmunro
Hamishmunro
Tiger
Lily
Hamishmunro
Tips
on meeting your family lawyer for the first
time
Sharing the ins and outs of a painful relationship breakdown is bound to be daunting, but it’s best to seek advice from a specialist family lawyer as early as possible when contemplating divorce, separation or dissolving a civil partnership, even if you don’t act on that advice immediately.
These tips should help reassure you and make for a positive and productive initial meeting with your family lawyer:
Ruth Aberdein, Partner and Head of Family Law at Aberdein Considine
1. Pick the right lawyer for you. It’s crucial to choose a specialist solicitor and make sure it’s someone you think you’ll be able to work closely and constructively with. NB that strict conflict of interest rules mean a family law solicitor can only act for one person when a couple is separating.
2. Be open and honest. Communicate clearly with your solicitor about your situation and what you want to achieve, so they can provide comprehensive, tailored advice. Remember: what you tell your solicitor will be treated as confidential.
3. Gather your info. Your solicitor will require practical details, eg full names, dates of birth, date of marriage/commencement of cohabitation and contact details.
4. Consider plans for shared care of children. The welfare of any children of your relationship is paramount and you should give careful consideration to how you want the care of your children to be shared.
5. Be clear on what date you separated. In divorces and dissolutions, the date of separation is important for valuing matrimonial property (unless in joint names) and may have a bearing on when you can raise a divorce action. It can also be relevant to the right to occupy property. Cohabitants must raise a claim within one year of separation.
6. Prepare a summary of assets and liabilities (such as properties, pensions, business interests, investments, savings, vehicles, mortgages and credit cards). Include estimates of their value and details about how they were funded or acquired. Consider whether
either of you brought assets to the relationship, any prior agreements, your employment history and whether either of you have suffered any economic advantage or disadvantage.
7. Bring details of your respective monthly income and expenditure so that obligations for payment of child maintenance and spousal aliment can be considered, together with liability for payment of domestic bills and other financial commitments.
8. Check whether you have a valid will in place and bring details of any professionals involved in your financial or business affairs (eg other solicitors, accountants or financial advisers).
9. Explore options like mediation. Most cases are resolved by agreement without any need to go near a courtroom. Your lawyer can advise on mediation, collaborative family law and negotiation.
10. Gauge likely costs and ways to pay. Ask your solicitor for an estimate of costs and options for payment. Planning how to pay your legal costs will help bring peace of mind.
The benefit of early legal advice cannot be overstated. Your solicitor should summarise the legal position for you and clarify the next steps, and you should leave the meeting feeling reassured and informed.
For a confidential chat, please contact the Aberdein Considine Family Law team on 0333 0044 333 | ask@acandco.com | visit acandco.com
Buttery goodness
If there’s one food that epitomises NE Scotland, it’s the buttery, that salty, savoury, flaky, crispy roll that combines hundreds of years of history and a surprising amount of lard…
Traditionally, a lot of work goes into making a buttery. The ingredients, strong bread flour, caster sugar, yeast, butter, water and lard. Some older recipes called for the addition of meat stock and most modern recipes swap out lard for other fats such as palm oil. The water, flour, sugar and salt are formed into a dough and left to prove for at least an hour. The cold butter and lard is chopped into tiny pieces. The dough is rolled and the butter and lard sprinkled over before the dough is folded and rolled again. The fat is added in several stages, with the rolling process taking place each time. Eventually, the dough consists of many layers, with the butter and lard spread throughout the dough. A long proving time and cold fat provides the best results.
If a croissant is light and airy, then a rowie is something more robust and rough-edged. Butteries can be thought of as the Jason Statham of baked goods.
They were originally created for the men on fishing boats as the high salt and fat content meant they would last longer than normal bread. Back in the First World War, they were banned when the Ministry of Food decreed that no bread products could be sold until they had been out of the oven for 12 hours. The idea was to control consumption, even though bread was a staple of most people’s diets, and particularly for the less well off. It was still permissible to sell butteries after they had sat around. Aberdeen’s bakers responded by arguing that the high fat content meant butteries were not really a type of bread and needed to be exempt from the restrictions. After several such representations to the Food Controller, it was eventually decided that no bread could be sold that contained margarine or fat and several local bakers appeared in court and were fined a pound for
selling four fresh rowies costing half a penny each.
Not everyone proved a fan, with Sir Terry Wogan describing his first taste of a buttery as being like, ‘a mouthful of seaweed,’ and ‘disgusting.’
Sir Terry’s opinions aside, they are best eaten gently warmed under the grill then slathered with butter. Many people opt for jam or golden syrup as well and there have been a number of innovations like pizza butteries and cheese and bacon varieties. Marmalade or peanut butter are just about acceptable, but there’s something far wrong with anyone who puts Nutella on a buttery.
The Buttery World Championship was held in 2024 after a six year hiatus. The professional competition was won by Mark Barnett, who retained his title, with Iryna Porfilova of Bakes You Knead in Forres running a close second and Shona Jamieson of The Highlander’s Bakehouse near Ballater placing third.
The big debate, naturally, is all about who makes the best one. It’s one thing everyone has a firmly-held opinion on. Some people would rather switch football teams than change where their buttery loyalties lie. Many people recollect Aitken’s butteries with something approaching worship and claim there’s been nothing to match their recipe since Aitken’s closed up shop in 2018. Truffelos generally rate highly, perhaps because they are said to be made by someone who previously made them for Aitken’s, The Bread Guy is also said to have access to the Aitken’s recipe. Murdoch Allen’s are well regarded, particularly if you favour something towards the crunchier end of the rowie spectrum, but Vegan Bay consistently top local opinion polls, despite the complete absence of both butter and lard.
Chef focus
Meet Andy Booth-McCabe, Executive Head Chef at Coterie, The Ferryhill’s brand new brasserie…
I’m originally from Swindon, but my childhood was pretty varied as my Dad was in the RAF, so we lived in lots of different countries. I think I might have followed him into the RAF if I hadn’t been a chef. I’d probably have been a PT instructor, though!
My childhood meant I got to explore many more cuisines and ingredients than most kids from Swindon and I think where my passion for food started.
It’s a passion that’s stayed with me and grown. I have worked in hospitality for over 36 years and I am now leading the kitchen team behind Coterie- a new brasserie restaurant located within The Ferryhill which has just opened.
I have also worked in all types of food establishments from small family run places to large corporate outlets which has allowed me to continually develop my skills, but it’s really exciting to be involved in a new restaurant right from the start, particularly when it comes to deciding what goes on the menu.
As Coterie is a European style venue, it has been great researching all the dishes and ingredients and I think we have managed to create a great menu that is filled with all the classic brasserie dishes and offers
something for everyone.
I’d describe my approach to food as focussing on fresh, local produce with a foundation of good home cooking. We aim to use as many local and Scottish ingredients as possible with, everything freshly cooked on a daily basis.
Our new menu at Coterie is all about the European favourites from French Onion Soup, Braised Beef Bourguignon and Wiener Schnitzel and being in the North-east we have a strong focus on fresh fish dishes so our menu features Shetland scallops, mussels and halibut. Of course, we also have prime meat such as fillet teaks and Aberdeen Angus burgers and will be serving a slow cooked Sunday roast every week.
I love creating new dishes and different flavour combinations and seeing the enjoyment from customers – something I’m very much looking forward to at Coterie. The worst part about my job would probably be the lack of sunshine in the kitchen but it’s great that I can enjoy the new garden surroundings at Coterie. With a new restaurant, three children and a new puppy, I don’t have too much time for hobbies just now. It’s a handful but lots of fun!
The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has established itself as one of the world’s largest, with almost 500 events across 89 venues in 6 days. This year’s festival kicks off on April 30 th , bringing together whisky fans, distillers and visitors to enjoy 6 days filled with everything from masterclasses to music, quizzes to fireside gatherings, culture to history - the calendar is full of opportunities to share the water of life with fellow whisky lovers, aficionados and people that just enjoy a dram. Find out more at spiritofspeyside.citizenticket.com/
Skin tags may be harmless, but these warty little growths can be both annoying and unsightly. The good news is that they can be removed permanently, painlessly and inexpensively with Treat Company’s A|C|C|O|R Plasma Pen treatment. Treatment starts at just £50, with results taking 12 weeks.
Why not book a free consultation?
Hand poured home fragrance. Handmade by us, especially for you. There’s something for everyone at Heartdelt Aromas. We not only hand make our own brand of luxury home fragrance, we stock over 20 other hand made companies.
Our new website is now live www.heartfeltaromas.co.uk
221 Rosemount Place, AB25 2XS
on
583365
Oil Technics kicks off sponsorship deal with Aberdeen FC Ladies
Oil Technics Fire Fighting Products has kicked off a new sponsorship deal with Aberdeen FC Ladies, providing new training jackets for the team.
‘Like Aberdeen Ladies FC, we’re all about teamwork and delivering an outstanding performance week in, week out, so we’re pleased to
sponsor these new training jackets,’ explained David Evans, Managing Director of parent company, the OTL Group. ‘This sponsorship is our way of acknowledging all the hard work that goes in behind the scenes as the team prepares for match days. We understand and appreciate that because so much of our effort –from researching and developing
new products, to production and logistics – is similar to a football team in constant training. As a group, it’s the ability of our products, from firefighting foams to hospital curtains, degreasers and offshore chemicals to our testing lab, to perform under pressure when needed that really matters.’
The jackets were presented to the team by Commercial Manager Pauline Petrie pictured here with Team Captain Simone Stephen.
The sponsorship forms part of OTL’s community programme marking its 40th Anniversary. You can find out more about the company at firefightingfoam.com
CocoCaramel Chocolate treats to spoil your Mum for Mother’s Day & the family at Easter this Spring season www.cococaramel.co.uk
Aberdeen’s comedy fans are in for a treat this December when Mancunian comedian Josh Jones appears at the Lemon Tree on December 5th. A TV favourite, and now an aspiring doctor’s wife, Josh Jones is now knee deep into his 30’s and nothing thrills him more than a Greggs Sausage Roll and an M&S food shop. Tickets are available from aberdeenperformingarts.com
Eve Nicol joins Aberdeen Arts Centre as creative director
Aberdeen Arts Centre has welcomed theatre director and playwright Eve Nicol to the role of programming and creative director, taking the reins from outgoing creative director Amy Liptrott.
Eve is passionate about creating welcoming, inspiring places for dreaming, connection and play, and her work combines a deep commitment to artistic excellence with a DIY entrepreneurial spirit.
Eve commented, ‘I see a buzzing future in Aberdeen Arts Centre’s recently revived second performance space as a rough-and-ready lab for raw, fast-moving, high impact grassroots artistic development.
Eve’s appointment comes amidst a period of growth and expansion for the Arts Centre team, strengthening its position as a leading light in the Scottish arts and culture sector.
For more information, visit aberdeenartscentre.com
Ebb and flow
Garden Designer Kirsty McLean shares some ideas for introducing water into the garden…
The calming and tranquil effect of water in your garden is hard to deny. Ponds, streams, waterfalls, there are so many ways to introduce water into the garden and so many benefits to be had in doing so. Aside from obvious benefits to local wildlife and biodiversity, studies suggest that negative ions from moving water help to offset the negative impacts of air pollution, reducing allergens and pollen and dampening noise pollution. Water in the garden encourages biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem at the same time as healing our over-heated minds by bringing relaxation, reflection and joy.
There’s some form of water feature for you to enjoy no matter how big or small your space is.
If you want a low-maintenance plug and play water feature, look for a recycling unit with a pump that you plug into an outdoor socket. Always make sure you read the specifications and match the requirements of the feature to the capacity of your outdoor socket. These can be as small as tabletop or big enough to provide a significant waterfall. They are easily maintained, just keep free of leaves and algae and make sure you don’t leave it switched off for long periods of time or let
the water stagnate as you will become at risk of Legionnaires disease. If you don’t intend keeping the water running, such as during the winter months, best drain the basin and remove the pump. There are solar options for smaller water features too!
Ponds can be as simple as a basin dug into the ground with edges disguised by pebbles, soil and planting, which will all attract wildlife. Build up one end with stone/pebbles or add a branch so that wildlife can get out! For large ponds, position in a sunny level open area, choose either a rigid or flexible liner, create shelves and different depths for a range of plants and wildlife habitat. Disguise the edges to make it look more natural. The water to fill large ponds needs to be considered along with what happens when we have long dry spells in summer and equally, if it overflows in the rainy season. With medium sized ponds, fill using rainwater whenever possible by capturing this from roofs and gutters to be directed to the pond as required. With pond planting, you have 3 bites at the cherry! Marginal planting (as the name suggests, near the edge where it’s damp) aquatic planting, these go in the pond in baskets, and floating plants.
Streams are usually about
capturing water already in the garden and using gravity to direct it. Naturally flowing water is very intelligent about how it moves so rather than diverting it, for convenience, pay attention to how it moves and understand as this improves wildlife biodiversity, reducing flood risk by allowing rivers to naturally meander and store more water and enhance water quality by reconnecting to their floodplains which helps filter pollutants.
Water management in our gardens brings other benefits via Rain gardens. These are shallow depressions in the ground which collect rainwater and other surface water. They are designed to slow down the rate at which water runs off into drains, which can help prevent flooding Stay away from utility pipes, site away from tree roots, make sure the rain garden is lower than wherever it is collecting water from, choose a spot in full sun, or partial shade but not deep shade.
As you can see, there are many ways to have and manage water in your garden that provide many benefits. But if it feels too much to create in your own garden, we are fortunate here in the North of Scotland to have so many stunningly beautiful parks and gardens where we can enjoy theirs!
© Shutterstock / WhiteYura
© Shutterstock / Marty_Castrogiovanni
© Shutterstock / G.H
A flowering creativity
I’m a qualified Graphic Designer with over 20 years of experience, working in print, advertising and creating one off creative jobs such as wedding stationery, logos and event design. I have always loved creating and learning. I continue to learn at creative night classes using my design skills in other ways. My favourite courses
include silversmithing at Gray’s School of Art and laser cutting with Peacock and the Worm. The two passions come together at Spotted Petal where I produce laser cut and engraved jewellery. Being a sustainable brand is important to me. I use recycled sterling silver and recycled acrylic where possible, FSC plywood and
recyclable packaging.
I really love to get customer feedback, from spotting someone in the street wearing my product to lovely comments from happy customers! I’m always delighted to try to accommodate customer requests and ideas, especially when they have brilliant
Meet jewellery designer and graphic artist Claire Grant of Spotted Petal…
ideas. I have recently launched hoop earrings on 14ct gold after a customer request and they have become one of my most popular products!
Spotted Petal is a fun lighthearted style of jewellery and I hope the name reflects the brand. The Spotted part comes from the detail in the individuality from my hand drawn illustrations combined with Petal for the soft, delicate, beautiful side of jewellery.
I take inspiration from flowers and plants, textiles and patterns, sketching in the evenings once I’ve put the kids to bed! I begin by sketching shapes and details while thinking about colours and finishes. Then I transfer my designs to the computer using a drawing tablet where I tweak the design until I’m
happy with it. I carefully plan each cut to minimise waste by placing smaller designs within larger ones. I love seeing the designs come to life while using the laser cutter. I use Peacock and the Worm open studio to do my laser cutting then assemble the pieces of jewellery at home, balancing my part time design job and my family.
I’m drawn to the variety of colours and finishes that acrylic offers, as well as the level of detail achievable through laser cutting and engraving. My current range includes acrylic in mirror, gloss, frosted, matt, glitter and marble in a wide variety of colours. I find it so addictive to make my pieces as there are so many colour options and combinations! Acrylic is lightweight which means it’s perfect for everyday wear. I use Sterling
those with sensitive skin.
Currently, I sell my jewellery through my Etsy shop online at etsy.com/uk/ shop/SpottedPetal I also sell via craft fairs and local shops. I’m excited to be participating in another Craft and Flea market, this time in Edinburgh on March 16th at the Assembly Rooms. Followed by the spring craft fayre at Mill of Benholm Aberdeenshire, on March 30th.
My work is also stocked at The Fringe on the High Street in Laurencekirk and Havens Treasures, on Arbuthnott Street in Stonehaven. Online, my Instagram page @spottedpetal always has update on new stock and craft fayres I’m attending. Give me a follow!
Granite Burns Supper raises £4,500
Two charities are set to share in a cash injection totalling more than £4,500 thanks to the return of the Granite Burns Supper at Norwood Hall Hotel. As well as the traditional speeches, the evening also featured networking opportunities and a variety of entertainment, compered by Steven J. Innes.
Thanks to an auction, raffle and fun activities almost £4,500 was raised for Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) and Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support (MACS), a small national charity that supports people born without eyes or with underdeveloped eyes, and their families.
Plans are already taking shape for the 2026 Burns Supper and a new St. Andrew’s Day Networking event on November 25th .
To find out about MACS visit www.macs.org.uk and to find out about CHSS visit www.chss.org.uk
Mains of Drum flowers with new website
The Mains of Drum has just unveiled its new website! This site offers digital gift cards, making sending gifts from the comfort of your home easy. Interested in getting hands-on in the garden? The website showcases a wide selection of products, featuring various compost options, quality garden tools, and essential garden aids that which can be delivered to your home! Preparing your outdoor space for the upcoming Spring season has never been easier.
Find out more at mainsofdrum.co.uk
Riot of
COLO
Take a hint from spring and inject some colour into your life. Warm up with juicy oranges, zingy yellows and hot reds, feel serene with calming blues and sea greens, put a pop of purple passion in place of dull greys and muddy neutrals. There’s a whole palette of amazing shades out there, so be bold! 2 3 4 5
Tielle Love Luxury by Tradelinens
British Craft House
Fantastic Faro
There are direct flights to Faro from Aberdeen Airport, which makes this Algarve city a great option for a few days in the sun without complicated travel arrangements. Faro offers a great mix of cultural attractions, excellent food, nightlife and lots to explore in the wider region. There’s are the requisite elaborately decorated churches and cathedrals, an Old Town, complete with cobbled streets and the ancient Roman ruins on display outside the Museu Cerro Da Vila in Vilamoura, as well as Islamic artefacts guide you through the history
of the region are also worth visiting. If you’re an ancient history buff, there are more Roman ruins at Milreu.
If you’d prefer to spend your time in nature, then the Ria Formosa Natural Park and the picturesque Ilha Do Farol should be on your must do list, as should beaches such as Praia de Faro. Pop over to Tavira Island which is known for its clear waters, cute village and stunning beaches.
The Algarve also offers lots of golfing
and tennis courses and camps, so it’s perfect for a family break as some of the all-inclusive resorts that feature golf courses and tennis coaching sessions. Book in advance for Lesters Golf and the Vilamoura Tennis Academy.
If eating and shopping feature high on your holiday activities list, then Faro won’t disappoint. Expect a lot of tapas, seafood and Mediterranean dishes. Alemeda gets a mention in the Michelin Guide and is known for its tasting menu. Pigs and Cows offers a set three course
menu that fuses French and Portuguese flavours, while Taverna Ze-Ze gets great reviews for its traditional seafood dishes. As you’d expect of a tourist destination, there are restaurant cuisines from every part of the globe, so if you suddenly have a yen for sushi, or start lusting after something Latin American, then Faro has it covered with over 400 places to eat.
The Forum Algarvia is the biggest of the city’s shopping centres, with around 120 shops, 5 cinema screens and 20 places to eat. You’ll find brands like Mango,
Gant, Zara, Cortefiel, Sportzone, C&A, Nespresso, Fnac, Samsung and GMS Apple Store, as well a medical clinic and a pharmacy. It’s just a few minutes from the airport, should you find your return flight is delayed.
The Feira de Artesanato de Faro is somewhere between a crafts market and a flea market, but it’s worth a quick browse. It’s open from 9-5 from Thursday to Sunday. You can also expect the usual sprinkling of galleries and gift shops, including a few that specialise in
outrageously expensive canned sardines at up to £30 for a tin.
If you fancy a day trip, you could take an early train to Lisbon, at under three hours by the high speed train network, or an hour would take you along the coastal route to Lagos, where you can explore the city’s 16th-century walls, admiring the tiled buildings and historic churches, and stopping in cafes and shops. There are dozens of small beaches, an amazing selection of watersports and a lively nightlife if you feel like partying.
unsplash / KOBU Agency
Archway: Care and support for local people with learning disabilities
PR and Fundraising Manager Janine Davies shares the work of this amazing local charity…
Having a child with a learning disability can turn a family’s world upside down.
Archway is a local charity, set up by parents and carers 35 years ago, to help families just like theirs. To-day, we support almost 200 children, young people and adults with one or more learning disability, complex health needs, associated physical or sensory impairments, through a range of caring, community-based services. As you can imagine, demand is ever-growing.
Our residential respite services support around 150 children and adults from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. With 24 hour care, respite breaks are full of fun. Parents also get a well-earned break and precious time to focus on other children. Betty’s Place, our wheelchair accessible holiday home in Nairn,
gives Archway families the opportunity to spend precious time together and make their own magical holiday memories. Our 2 residential care homes and 3 supported living services ensure our adult residents can get the most out of life in safe and homely surroundings.
As a small, local charity, support from local people and companies is vital to us. £20 can fund an outing or activity. £30 can fund toys, games and craft equipment. We are just about to completely refurbish our Dyce Respite Service and are looking for help, so it’d be good to hear from corporate donors or tradespeople.
Our charity shops in Aberdeen, Banchory and Stonehaven always
need donations of good quality ladies and gents clothing and household items and volunteers are always welcome.
Our fundraising events include our Charity Golf Day at Peterculter Golf Club on the 13th June and we’re also looking for sponsors for our next Fashion Show where the models are our service users and families and all the clothes come from our Charity Shops!
For more information, please contact Janine.davies@archway.org.uk or visit www.archway.org.uk
Befriend a Child to hold Golden Anniversary Ball
Local charity Befriend a Child is celebrating 50 years of transforming the lives of children and young people across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire by holding their Golden Anniversary Ball on May 30th 2025, at The Chester Hotel.
The night will feature food, fizz, fun, fundraising and fabulous entertainment, and is hosted by Kevin Littlejohn.
Tickets are available for £100 per person, or £1,000 for a table of 10. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For further information on Befriend a Child’s Golden Anniversary Ball or to purchase tickets, visit befriendachild.org.uk/support-us/events/ golden-anniversary-ball/
New exhibition at Art Gallery
Aberdeen Art Gallery is housing a new exhibition in gallery 16 featuring works on paper produced by women artists. The exhibition includes prints, collages, drawings and photography and features work from celebrated artists such as American
photographer Francesca Woodman whose work was recently presented at the National Portrait Gallery. The Nocturnes series by Glasgow School of Art graduate Caroline Walker, is on display for the first time in Aberdeen, having recently been acquired for the collection. Other notable
artists being shown include Scottish figurative and landscape painter Bet Low and Elizabeth Ogilvie, the Scottish environmental artist renowned for her work exploring the impact of climate change. The show runs until 4 th January 2026.
OLD
ABERDEEN
a walk through history
When we think of Aberdeen in architectural terms, we tend to think of the prosperous Georgian granite mansions of Queen’s Road or Union Street’s shops, banks and monuments to commerce and respectability, but there’s a whole other side to the city’s heritage that we often overlook.
The medieval and later splendours of Old Aberdeen often escape us simply because the area is simultaneously part of, yet separate from, the city. If pottering along cobbled streets, peering over garden gates, wandering round
medieval cathedrals and one of the oldest UK university buildings or exploring ancient bridges and botanical gardens appeals, then it’s a bit like a city break without needing to leave home!
Old Aberdeen goes back a long way. Starting in Seaton Park, the Tillydrone Motte is a remnant of prehistoric times, with archaeological finds dating back over 4000 years. Head to St. Machar’s Cathedral, where you’ll find a Pictish stone on display, as well as a tranquil oasis under the shady trees and mossy gravestones. Head down The Chanonry, which is a mix of Aberdeen University buildings
and private homes, many of which hold listed status.
Mitchell’s Hospital at number 9 was built in 1801 as an alms house or home for the widows and unmarried daughters of ‘decayed gentlemen’. Residents dressed in dark blue, had their own designated wooden bench in the cathedral and lived in dormitories with a communal kitchen and dining hall. In 1965 it was redeveloped in to nine flat for older women before going on the market in 2024 after the estimated repair bill made it impossible for the managing trust to continue or to restore the property.
Shutterstock / Malcolm
Duckworth
© Shutterstock / Anne_Richard
You’ll also find the entrance to the University’s Cruikshank Botanic Gardens, which makes a charming detour.
The area round Old Aberdeen’s Town House has more of a mercantile feel, with most of the buildings developed after the area became a Burgh of Barony in 1489. Several of the buildings have heritage plaques which explain a little about the history and notable occupants.
Over on The Spital, a contender for the city’s least appealing street name, you’ll find St Margaret’s Chapel
‘The joy of Old Aberdeen is that there’s something worth looking at every few metres’
and Convent at number 17. The convent was founded as a community dedicated to looking after the poor and sick, with the tower providing a home for ‘working class girls’ at the time. The last group of nuns departed around 1999, with the building becoming engulfed by the surrounding trees and bushes.
The grounds of King’s College Chapel is home to a memorial to Bishop Elphinstone, though little remains of the original university buildings with the exception of the chapel itself, the 1525 Round Tower and the Cromwell
Tower. When the latter was built in 1661, it contained 24 bedrooms, a cloakroom and a billiard room, suggesting that even then students were easily distracted form their lectures. There are lots of cute cottages tucked away down side streets and half-hidden behind more modern edifices.
Like any other city exploration, the best plan is to choose a sunny day and just wander where the mood takes you, getting lost until you find your way back to one of the landmark buildings. The joy of Old Aberdeen is that there’s something worth looking at every few metres.
© Shutterstock / S_Buwert
BLINDING LIGHT SOUND & VISUAL IS SCOTLAND'S LEADING LIGHT, SOUND AND VISUAL INSTALLATION AND SALES/SERVICE PROVIDER. ESTABLISHED IN 1995, WE'RE AN AWARD-WINNING TEAM WORKING DIRECTLY WITH THE LICENCED TRADE, RETAIL AND LEISURE INDUSTRY AS WELL AS THE END USER.
FROM BESPOKE PIXEL-MAPPED LIGHTING INSTALLATIONS, LARGE SCALED VIDEO WALLS FOR RETAIL, AND RIGHT THROUGH TO DJ EQUIPMENT SUPPLY, OR RECOMMENDING AND SUPPLYING THE CORRECT AUDIO CABLE OR LAMP...
WE'RE HERE TO HELP
Coming up at P&J Live
Ahost of new concerts and events have been announced for P&J Live in the coming months. Visitors to the Beyond Van Gogh immersive experience can also book yoga or Pilates sessions against the background of the Dutch artist’s work. The show runs for a month from 12th July to 10th August, with yoga classes available of Saturday 26th July and 2nd August. The Pilates session is on Thursday 17th July.
Other shows announced include Tom Grennan on September 15th and The Getaway Show, billed as the ultimate caravan, motorhome, and outdoor leisure show running from 3rd to 5th October 2025. Visit pandjlive.co.uk for ticket information and further details.
With almost 20 years of entertaining experience and the ability to cover all genres of music, Paul can provide the ideal soundtrack to your event.
Ranging from intimate drinks receptions, to larger parties, Paul is available for the following...
• WEDDINGS
• BIRTHDAYS
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Email: paulcblack1984@aol.com paulblackmusicaberdeen @paulblackmusic1
MEET CLAIRE REID OF HEARTFELT
AROMAS
Igrew up in Aberchirder in Aberdeenshire. I moved to Aberdeen after 5th year of school at aged 16, to go to college to study hairdressing, which I loved. I worked as a hairdresser for 25 years full time. During Covid, and after being furloughed for a short spell, I thought it was time for a change and after suffering some health complications over the years, it was definitely time for something new. I’d always been a bit obsessed with candles and scent over the years, so I thought I would try a candle making course. I absolutely fell in love with it, although some of it was a bit challenging! It grew from there, when I offered my creations to family and friends, they seemed to love them. After many more trials and plenty of ups and downs, I decided to start my own little business! After offering my creations
via Facebook and Instagram, followed by my website, Heartfelt Aromas grew.
After a couple of years, I then opened my own shop on Rosemount Place. This was thanks to my husband David renting the space as his office too. It gave me a chance to try opening and running a shop. Heartfelt Aromas has been open for over a year in Rosemount and it seems to be going well. I have been nominated and have won several awards since opening my doors and that also makes all the hard work worthwhile.
It certainly hasn’t come without challenges! Trying to make all the stock and be in the shop, has me working very long hours behind the scenes, but determination
gets me through and my wish to have happy customers!
Right from the start, my focus has been on quality and hand-made products. I think it makes a gift or buying something for yourself more special, knowing it’s not been mass produced or shipped in from China by the millions.
I offer handmade candles, wax melts, reed diffusers and room mists. I also stock over 20 other handmade companies, making the shop a little haven of treasures, and hopefully have something for everyone. I’ve also had to learn a bit about technology, so I offer my own products on my newly designed website. Customers have the option of having goods delivered, with delivery all over the U.K and free shipping over £60. You can also place your order online and collect from store.
Like many people with small businesses, I don’t get much time off! Before I start each day, I love to walk my
dogs and get some fresh air before heading to the shop.
We have two miniature Schnauzers, Rita who is almost two and Ralph who is our four-month-old puppy. My days are spent in the shop, making additional candles for stock or experimenting with new scents for later in the year. I am trying hard to make sure I take Sundays off, and when I do, I meet up with family and friends to socialise or go on even longer dog walks out of the city. My husband and I love our little breaks in dog friendly cottages in different parts of the U.K. when we have a few days off together. I hope my little business continues to do well with the support of my lovely loyal customers and hope that people continue to support local businesses, as that is what lets us remain open.
We open from 10 each morning until 5pm, until 4pm on Saturdays, Thursdays until 6pm and we are closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Heartfeltaromas.co.uk
Finnies the Jewellers
219-223 George Street, Aberdeen, AB25 1HY
Tel: 01224 636 632
Mobile: 07988 469 836
Email: sales@finnies.com