Trend May / Jun 2021 by Trend Productions Ltd.

4 | ABERDEEN CLINIC

Why wait for healthcare? TAC’s Ambulatory Care pathways allow you to experience the BEST care when you want it

raditionally seeing a specialist would involve coming for a clinic visit, then some investigations, followed by another clinic visit and then, if needed, an operation which might include a couple of days in hospital. Why so many steps in the process and why so much inefficiency? It all adds up to delays and increased waiting times.

TAC has always advocated an ambulatory approach to care which means we can offer you a quick appointment when you want to be seen with affordable care. This means we can admit, treat and discharge patients on the same day. Now there is the added advantage that this is done out with a hospital and reduces the risk of infections.

ABERDEEN CLINIC | 5

TAC can often arrange same or next-day appointments - you'll be seen by our consultants at a time that's convenient for you and you will be sure to receive treatment that adheres to our BEST practice promise whether this is ambulatory care or not: B E S T

Best value Effective treatment Safely delivered Timely - at a time that suits you

Some of the conditions that lend themselves to ambulatory care are:

Varicose Veins Treatment for varicose veins used to involve long operations but now procedures such as Radio Frequency ablation, foam sclerotherapy & micro sclerotherapy are carried out on a walk-in walk out basis. Clinics and operating lists are undertaken both during the week but also at weekends to suit your requirements.

Gynaecology Heavy menstrual bleeding or post-menopausal bleeding are readily investigated at our one-stop clinic and are often treated as an outpatient meaning you can get peace of mind and treatment without lengthy waits and in the convenient setting of our Woman’s health clinic. Procedures include hysteroscopy, removal of endometrial polyps, fibroids as well as investigations for infertility, post-menopausal and abnormal bleeding all undertaken by our female gynaecologist at our Cults clinic.

General Surgery Much of general surgery does require a hospital stay but there is a lot that doesn’t - we undertake Local Anaesthetic hernia repairs, removal of lumps and bumps, Vasectomies and ingrown toenail procedure as an outpatient. Haemorrhoids or piles a common cause for a lot of pain and worry are easily treated at our one- stop rectal bleeding clinics, allowing you to be seen and treated (in most cases) at the same visit.

Endoscopy TAC has the N East of Scotland’s only private Endoscopy unit which solely undertakes Upper GI Endoscopy, Colonoscopy, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy procedures by a team who are completely dedicated to working in that field ensuring that your treatment is managed by specialist doctors and nurses.

Radiology - Ultrasound We offer a large range of ultrasound scans from gynaecology, musculoskeletal (MSK), abdominal, aortic, testicular and thyroid. The scans are carried out by our full-time sonographer ensuring that you don’t have to wait for your scan. Results are transferred to your GP or clinical team electronically using the most up to date reporting software. We have a team, of Radiologists for anyone requiring clinical input and a physiotherapist who can support the MSK service. All services are supported by our laboratories for blood tests and pathology analysis, and we can offer a range of blood tests including allergy and intolerance profiles. For more information about all our services please call 0333 0143488 or email admin@theaberdeenclinic.co.uk

Tel: 0333 0143 488 theaberdeenclinic.com

6 | CONTENTS

FASHION

20 Shades of spring: Fashion returns to the city 28 Prairie girl: Retro rural style 30 Men: Outdoorsman fashion 32 You wear it well: Our guide to local boutiques

HEALTH, BEAUTY & WELLBEING

Fit, like? Sign up with a local gym 10 Glow, girl. Time for a luxury home facial? 16

ART, & CULTURE

60 History: Restoration drama - Bon Accord Baths

FOOD & DRINK

Food, glorious food: Our guide to local suppliers 38 Ask the Chef: Craig Wilson's pick of low-effort lunches 47

LIFESTYLE

A Father's Day gift guide 36 Win dinner & a stay at the Holiday Inn Aberdeen West 62

HOMES & GARDENS

52 Interiors: Nature lover 56 Gardens: Welcoming outdoor entertaining areas

TRAVEL & LEISURE

08 Make the most of May & June 58 Kids: Strike a chord: Getting started in music 64 Travel: Deep dive holidays photographing ocean giants

ADVERTISEMENTS WELCOME | 7

ISSUE N0. 81 | MAY/JUN 21

FROM THE

EDITOR Hello again, May and June normally bring warmer weather, longer days and the chance to shed a few layers of clothing. This year, they also bring a return, albeit in a limited fashion at first, of the freedoms we used to enjoy before lockdown. We’ll be able to meet friends, visit a beer garden or pick out a new outfit or two. We can head to the gym or take up a sport to shed our lockdown pounds, go for a picnic or explore further afield. So many people have been working behind the scenes to get us here. That fact we have reached this point has got to be worth celebrating! If this issue seems like a love letter to everything great that’s local, we make no apology for that. It’s our way of supporting local makers, food producers, gyms and retailers, none of whom has had it easy over the

past year and all of whom need to be supported by the entire community if they are to survive and flourish. Each of us will return with new priorities and a new outlook on what matters to us. That’s great, return at your own pace and do what feels right for you. We’ll be here to remind you about everything that’s best about life in our corner of the world, from the amazing scenery and abundance of nature to superb food, culture and shopping. We need to make more of what we have and start to celebrate what it means to us all. Love Everyone at Trend x

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Prices are correct at time of going to press, but may be subject to change. Trend cannot be held responsible for unsolicited material. The views and opinions by contributors in the magazine may not represent the views of the publisher. Trend Productions Ltd takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers in this publication. T&Cs apply to all competitions & offers.

PUBLISHED BY TREND PRODUCTIONS LTD PO Box 11858, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire AB39 9AN +44 (0)1224 596223 info@trendmagazine.co.uk trendmagazine.co.uk

DIRECTOR Gill Buyers gill@trendmagazine.co.uk EDITOR Alison Daniels alison@trendmagazine.co.uk ADVERTISING Clare Findlay clare@trendmagazine.co.uk DESIGN Lisa Thompson lisa@trendmagazine.co.uk ACCOUNTS Jill Walker jwalker@trendmagazine.co.uk PRINT Stephens & George Print Group

Contributors Kirsty McLean

On the Cover PHOTOGRAPHER © Shutterstock/Maria Markevich

8 | WHAT'S ON

14-16 MAY WORLD WHISKY DAY look out for online tastings and special events during their Weekender event. Tickets from worldwhiskyday.com

15 MAY HILL WALKING Feeling energetic? Bag a munro. The NTS’s Mar Lodge Estate has 15 mountains over 3000 feet high, including Ben Macdui and Beinn a’Bhird. Or just go wildlife spotting if even the thought of climbing a hill tires you out. 23 MAY ART GALLERY Visit the Art Gallery to remind yourself of the city’s treasures.

16 MAY RUNNING CHALLENGE Run Garioch is going online with their Go Green for Garioch Virtual Challenge. Find out more at rungarioch.co.uk

28 MAY COMEDY SHOW Rob Beckett raises a smile at the Music Hall. aberdeenperformingarts.com

29 MAY DRIVE-IN SHOW Dig out your cowboy boots and head for the Country Music Drive In show at Deeside Activity Park. 30 MAY PAMPER DAY Book yourself in for a spa day or a pamper session.

WHAT'S ON | 9

OUR PICK OF THE BEST GOING OUT & STAYING HOME ACTIVITIES IN MAY & JUNE

11 APRIL -29 AUGUST ART SHOW Aberdeen Artists Society are holding this year’s show online. Peruse the paintings at aberdeenartistssociety.co.uk

26 APRIL RUGBY MATCH The British and Irish Lions take on Japan at Murrayfield if you fancy a ruck. Tickets from £40.

05 JUNE WORLD OCEAN DAY It’s World Ocean’s Day. Celebrate it by rolling your trousers up and having a paddle in the North Sea. 06 APRIL OUTDOOR MARKET & CARBOOT Affa Fine bring their outdoor food, crafts and car boot market to Milton of Crathes. 10-4 on the first Sunday of every month. Find it in the Events Field.

25 APRIL KILL SOME TIME The Serial Killer Next Door at Jury’s Inn is perfect if you’re feeling gruesome or ghoulish. Tickets from £22.50 via jurysinn.com/hotels/Aberdeen

20 - 21 APRIL BOAT FESTIVAL Scottish Traditional Boat Festival at Portsoy is scheduled to go ahead in a virtual format. To book, visit stbfportsoy.org

28 APRIL MUSIC CONCERT Green Day take to the stage at Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park. Tickets from £71.80 greenday.com 29 APRIL PICNIC Go for a picnic in the park.

All events are subject to change or cancellation, so check before heading out.

10 | HEALTH

f you’ve spent the past year or so slowly sinking into the sofa, slouching through endless Zoom meetings and bingeing on box sets and biscuits, now’s the time to get back into shape with a local gym. Here’s our guide to the best independent local gyms…

HEALTH | 11

ATHLETIC EDGE Athletic Edge on Springfield Road offers a large selection of free weights, cardio machines, squat racks and an AstroTurf track. As well as exceptional training and sports coaching, fitness class sizes are limited to just eight people so you get personal attention and lots of help to reach your goals. AE offers a free day pass, so you can discover it for yourself. Find out more at aegyms.com

Garioch Sports Centre Garioch Sports Centre in Inverurie is very much a community facility, serving all ages. There’s a great gym and an extensive choice of fitness classes. It’s particularly good for families, with lots of kids’ activities and a crèche. They also have lots of seniors’ classes as well as bookable squash courts, badminton, table tennis, indoor football pitches and basketball. Check out the programme at gariochsports.co.uk

The Unit

The Key

The Unit is two time Olympian Ben Kilner’s independent gym in Banchory. As well as the gym and spin class area, there’s an exercise studio with classes covering everything from gentle yoga stretches to full on HIIT or gruelling circuits. They offer great Fundamentals classes which teach good technique with full body non-cardio exercises, helping to build confidence. Get details at theunit.fitness

The Key is on Regent Quay, just a few minutes from Union Square. Managing Director Jonny Smith has created a unique venue that combines a fitness studio, personal training, a health clinic offering physio, sports massage and nutritional advice and an amazing health café. It’s like a one-stop shop for a top to toe health overhaul. Discover what’s happening at thekeyaberdeen.com

Banks o'Dee Fitness

The Sports Village

Banks of Dee lies to the south of the city in West Tullos and has a great reputation for personal training in groups, pairs or individually. They also offer a fully equipped gym and a full range of exercise classes from 7am to 6pm. You can find out what’s on offer at banksodee.co.uk

The Sports Village on Linksfield Road has a fantastic gym with 75 cardiovascular machines and 30 resistance machines as well as the Queenax training kit for dynamic exercises. It’s great for families and offers everything from athletics, racquet and team sports to gymnastics, diving and swimming as well as dozens of exercise classes every week. Aberdeensportsvillage.com has all the details.

Barry Stephen Gym Based on Ann Street in the Rosemount/ Berryden area, Barry Stephen specialises in personal training to help you reach your fitness goals. Numbers are limited and the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, but focussed. They also run week long retreats in Spain which are great for jump-starting your journey back to fitness. Check it out at barrystephen.com

Fit and Skin You can’t get a more central location than Union Street, where Fit and Skin offer exclusive ExoBody600 workouts, which utilise EMS technology for a challenging 25 minute training experience that works 90% of your muscles in one go. They offer individual structured training routines to fit around your lifestyle. Find out more at fitandskinstudio.co.uk

AKR Fitness AKR is the perfect choice if you don’t feel comfortable in most gyms. The South College Street facility is really welcoming and inclusive, with a great sense of belonging. They combine expert coaching and nutritional advice with fitness and yoga classes and great equipment. They offer a 30 day trial, so you can decide if it’s for you before signing up. Find out more at akrfitness.com

12 | ABERDEEN CLINIC

LOOK GOOD & FEEL FANTASTIC WITH BLOOM

he team at Bloom can’t wait to welcome everyone to their amazing new city centre hair and beauty salon. As well outstanding colour and styling services using eco-responsible brand Davines, we have a full menu of modern beauty treatments using sustainable, eco-friendly products including Comfort Zone. You can book skin, body, lash and brow treatments to fit around your hair appointment, making it a convenient one-stop makeover shop. You’ll find Bloom, appropriately enough, on the corner of Rose Street and Thistle Street at the heart of the West End retail community. Owner Sheona Forrest commented, ‘Now with all services opening

up, Bloom can offer a head to toe experience. Everyone’s felt the effects of lockdowns and restrictions, which have taken a toll on how we look and feel. I know that something as simple as having my own hair cut and my nails professionally done would have helped me feel a lot better!

relaxing visit and come out looking refreshed and feeling amazing.’

‘As well as great hair and beauty treatments, clients returning to the salon can be assured that we’re working within all the latest safety guidelines. Each team member works with you and you alone during your visit, following our strict social distancing, safety and hygiene protocols. We pride ourselves in making sure you still have a

Book an appointment and get a head start on looking and feeling great.

To redeem your complimentary Trend reader upgrade quote ‘Spring Bloom’ when you book a hair or beauty appointment and receive an exclusive appointment upgrade of your choice valued at £15.

Anderson House, 24 Rose Street, AB10 1UA Tel: 01224 446750 bloom_aberdeen @bloomlifestyleaberdeen bloomlifestyle.co.uk

ADVERTISEMENTS | 13

Tel: 01224 646032 18 Chapel Street Aberdeen AB10 1SP

A range of outstanding products, including fragrances, home scents, makeup & more

Independent FM distributor

JILL WALKER Mob: 07739 226458 oohaahscents

a better smile with andrew scott dental care N ow that we are coming out of lock-down and starting to look forward to meeting friends, going to weddings or planning your dream holiday, it is worth considering your smile in preparation for capturing all your happy times in photos. At Andrew Scott Dental Care we offer a wide range of treatments to help you prepare for the moment you are able to take off your mask. Orthodontics, teeth whitening, facial aesthetic injections and veneers can all help you achieve a confident smile without being overly invasive.

Orthodontics can realign teeth without requiring significant treatment time by using removable clear plastic aligner braces. Veneers are a good option if your teeth are stained, chipped, or not aligned. They look like natural teeth and don’t require a major procedure. Often our clients want to consider facial aesthetic injections as part of their new look as these can subtly addresses areas of concern to provide a fresher and more youthful appearance. Why not book a consultation today?

15A Victoria Street, AB10 1XB Tel: 01224 806700 Email: info@andrewscottdental.co.uk andrewscottdental.co.uk

We are excited to be open again and are looking forward to welcoming you all back in-store. If you're looking for summer active wear to enjoy the great outdoors, then be sure to check out our new equestrian inspired collections! From LeMieux, Samshield and Cavallo, there's a great range of base layers, gilets and jackets to choose from all perfect for layering up or down depending on the weather.

Shop in-store 7 days a week or online. ENJOY 10% OFF WITH CODE TRENDMAY10

115 Holburn Street Aberdeen, AB10 6BQ T: +44 (0)1224 585150 countryways.com

16 | BEAUTY

It may be that your skin is not looking its best right now. We’re all a little less than radiant. Constantly wearing a face covering means we’ve effectively disguised dull and lined skin, but now it’s time to get your skin’s mojo back. Here’s our pick of luxury beauty devices and products to create the ultimate luxury home facial...

Start with the versatile new PMD Clean PRO Jade (£165), which combines PMD’s SonicGlow™ technology with soothing Jade crystal. The silicone bristles vibrate over 7000 times a minute to gently deep cleanse your skin while stimulating collagen production. The other side has a heated Jade crystal to open the pores and help your skincare products, such as serums, sink deeper into the skin. It’s the facial equivalent of a hot stone massage. You can also use the PRO Jade cold, which restricts blood flow, enhancing micro-circulation and lymphatic drainage, leaving your skin less puffy and glowing. The silicone coating makes it anti-bacterial, hypoallergenic, waterproof and incredibly easy to clean. uk.pmdbeauty.com

Try a Treatment Boost from Katherine Daniels, the results-driven British professional and at-home skincare brand. There are four in the range, designed to tackle aging and rejuvenation, pigmentation and dark spots, rosacea and sensitive skin and acne or blemished skin. Each product in the range contains plant stem cells containing a huge number of active ingredients - such as amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and growth factors. The Anti-aging Treatment Boost contains Centella Reversa which has been shown in tests to lift, firm, reduce lines and pigmentation. It’s said to reprogramme the skin to function as it did four years before. It also contains Turmeria Zen, which is great for deep wrinkles and stressrelated aging. For best results, use after cleansing and before moisturising. katherinedanielscosmetics.com

Nourish London offer natural products which are organic, vegan and cruelty-free. They have little skincare essential kits priced at £29. The Protect kit is designed to restore dry skin using a special blend of phyto-actives. The fair-trade cotton bag comes with a refreshing cleanser, toning mist, replenishing peptide serum and a hydrating moisturiser. Everything in the kit incorporates oils from the peels of various citrus fruits, so it smells great as well as being gently effective. There’s also a host of soothing ingredients like shea butter, borage oil, anti-aging rose hip oil and aloe vera leaf powder. They also offer skincare kits focussed on relaxation, anti-aging, balance and radiance. nourishskinrange.com

BEAUTY | 17

reveal more youthful & beautiful skin overnight

Scottish facialist Nicola Russell has just launched her Skin Geek Cryo Therapy skin roller (£39) for home use. Pop it in the freezer, then use it to reduce puffiness and inflammation, firm the skin, aid lymphatic drainage and even tighten pores temporarily. Use it with your serum, rolling up and down, left to right across your cheeks, around your eyes, jawline - working towards the ears, neck and chest area for five to ten minutes. skingeek.shop/collections/ all-products

Eyes often need a bit of extra care, so Avant Skincare’s Hydra-Bright Collagen Eye Restoring Pads (£58), which are infused with Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe Vera promise to smooth, intensely hydrate and minimise the appearance of fine lines, dark circles and puffiness. Just pop them on for 15 minutes while you relax and the ingredients work their magic. avant-skincare.com

Also from Avant is their 8 hour Radiance Renewal Sleeping Mask (£79), which works to reveal more youthful and beautiful skin overnight. It’s perfect for when you need to look refreshed, but don’t have the time for a full-on facial. The mask combines signature ingredients including shea butter, rice bran and panthenol to tighten the skin, moisturise and reduce the appearance of irritation, inflammation and fine lines. avant-skincare.com

An at home facial is a great way of giving your skin a boost until you can make an appointment with your favourite beauty salon.

Sample Dress Sale Saturday 10 July & Sunday 11 July

267 North Deeside Road, Peterculter, Aberdeen, AB14 0UL Tel: 01224 733344 Email: info@magnolialanebridal.co.uk @magnolialanebridal

FASHION | 21

Return to the city in longer lengths and flowing florals.

22 | FASHION

Be brave with colour. Life has been dull for long enough. A bright new coat or bag can lift your look and your spirits.

FASHION | 25

Spring silhouettes are loose and forgiving. Highlight tailored neutrals with stylish flats and a pop of pattern.

26 | FASHION

Whether you go for cropped jeans or slouchy wide-legged trousers, stride out with confidence.

FASHION | 27

Right now, fashion’s in a relaxed, romantic mood, referencing rural bliss and bygone days. Look for peasant tiered longer length skirts, ditsy prints in cotton or linen, with pastel shades to the forefront. The season’s silhouettes are forgiving and generous. Look for square necklines and puffy sleeves or go with a high frilled Victorian neckline. Think pioneer woman, wandering through cornfields, Little House on the Prairie, 1970’s Laura Ashley Victoriana and a little bit of Daisy Duke’s attitude and you won’t go far wrong... 01 @hamishmunro 02 Sirene Boutique 03 @hamishmunro 04 TU 05 TU 06 George 07 Sirene Boutique 08 MakeitBritish 09 Sirene Boutique 10 M&Co 11 @hamishmunro 12 Barbour 13 Sirene Boutique

06 08

12 11 13

30 | MENS EDIT

03 This summer, style is all about natural fabrics with an outdoorsy vibe. Think Breton-striped t-shirts, cotton cut offs and lumberjack checks. It’s about a quiet ruggedness, a manly competence. It’s a matter of looking like you can ride a horse, chop logs, build a log cabin, sail a small yacht and cook a dozen burgers to perfection. Here’s our pick of what works…

01 CREW CLOTHING 02 COUNTRY WAYS 03 RIVER ISLAND 04 SIGNATURE MENSWEAR 05 MARKS & SPENCER 06 COUNTRY WAYS 07 FAT FACE 08 COUNTRY WAYS 09 COUNTRY WAYS

32 | SHOP LOCAL

e’ve never really been advocates of fast fashion at Trend. It’s partly because we believe if you can buy a top for £3, someone further down the line isn’t having a good day churning them out. It’s also the reason that we average around £3000 worth of clothes we’ve never worn and send £140 million worth of clothing to landfill every year. Maybe we should be more like the French, buying fewer pieces, but sticking to flattering styles and quality fabrics, which last much longer and cost less per wear. With so many of the big chain clothing brands being bought over by cheap online retailers or closing their branches in the city, we thought it was time to show our local independent clothing and footwear shops some love…

For the ladies

COUNTRY WAYS Country Ways on Holburn Street is the place to go for country wear that combines style and longevity. This spring, we particularly like their ankle boots from Fairfax & Favor, as well as flattering base layers and hoodies from My LeMieux and boots form Dubarry. countryways.com

@HAMISHMUNRO @hamishmunro has long been the stylish Aberdonian’s first choice for new shoes. You’ll also find a great selection of ladies wear. Current favourites include duck egg blue t-shirts and sweaters from Sandwich, patterned dresses from Oui and casual trainers from Ara. something-for-me.co.uk LOLO + CO LoLo + Co on the corner of Netherkirkgate and Guestrow always has the best selection of white shirts in town. The new collections have a fresh, preppy feel, with selections from Tommy Hilfiger, Gant, French Connection and some great tops from Purotatto. loloandco.co.uk

NO.18 No.18 is just a couple of doors along from Tiger Lily on Chapel Street and is always worth a visit. It has a superb selection of accessories, particularly scarves, bags, gloves and even facemasks with a bit of bling. They have a great range of cards and gifts too. No.18 Gifts and Cards SIRENE BOUTIQUE You’ll find Sirene at the top end of Union Street. This season’s standout buys include Ottod’ame’s black culottes, Emme’s colourful shirt dresses, retro t-shirts and Essentiel Antwerp’s rather lovely watercolour tops. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for something unusual but unfussy. sirene-boutique.com TIGER LILY Tiger Lily is on Chapel Street and is great for relaxed off-duty dressing. Currently, we’re loving their organic t-shirts, Queen of Hearts sweatshirt, spring dresses and playsuits. tigerlilyboutique.co.uk

SHOP LOCAL | 33

gifts

accessories clothes shoes

BELLINO Bellino on Thistle Street specialises in easy elegance. You’ll find leading European and UK labels such as Claudia Strater, Fraas and Pomodoro as well as some great footwear and accessories. bellino-shoes.com

DRESSAGE Dressage in Peterhead has been a destination store for over two decades, offering a superb selection of Mother of the Bride and occasion dressing. It also has some wonderful informal pieces from designers such as Frankie Lyman. dressagepeterhead.co.uk

ESSLEMONTS 2 Esslemonts 2 on Thistle Street always has something covetable in stock. For spring, we’re loving the new selection from Marella, part of the MaxMara Group, which features dreamlike blues and caramels. Their MAC Dream Jeans are flattering and the new DECK by decollage is also worth checking out. esslemonts2

CATWALKERS Ellon’s Catwalkers stocks a range of designer labels, accessories and jewellery selected with tremendous care by owner Alison Walker and her team. Alison has a great eye for colour, silhouette and a dash of the dramatic. catwalkers.co.uk

BENTLEYS OF BANCHORY Bentleys is known throughout the North East for its superb selection of mother of the bride, formal and occasion wear but it’s also great for casual outfits, with over forty brands in store. bentleys-banchory.co.uk

KAGA GIFTS Kaga is on the High Street in Turriff and is always worth the trip. You’ll find lots of colourful bags, scarves and costume jewellery and their summer clothes selection is always bright and fresh. They stock gifts that you won’t find elsewhere including scented candles, purses and cosy slippers. kagagifts.co.uk

CELEBRATIONS OF TURRIFF Staying in Turriff, Celebrations has an extensive range from Gerry Weber, Taifun, Joseph Ribkoff, Gina Bacconi, Esprit, FeeG, Basler, Eugen Klein, Monari, Weird Fish, Marble and Just White. They also have a personal shopper if you’re looking for something for a special occasion. celebrationsofturriff.co.uk

If you’d rather not buy new, there are also some great options for second hand and vintage clothes. THE DRESS AGENCY on Holburn Street has some amazing labels and is a great place to put together a new look without breaking the bank. There’s a wonderful vintage shop called ENCORE down in Fettercairn or you could try CHEST, HEART & STROKE SCOTLAND’S designer charity boutiques in Cults and Stonehaven. You’ll also find LOUSELLS pre-loved designer wear in Stonehaven’s Market Square.

34 | SHOP LOCAL

spend local

luxury

For the chaps ESSLEMONTS Esslemonts is just along from their ladieswear shop on Thistle Street. The selection bridges the classic and contemporary, with everything working together well. It’s a great choice for a wardrobe refresh whether you need a top to toe revamp or just some new socks.

SIGNATURE You’ll find Signature and Signature 2 on Union Street, where they specialise in designer and casual wear from designers including Belstaff, C.P.Company, Oliver Sweeney and J.Lindeberg. This season’s colourful Madras check shirts from Gant give an instant wardrobe update. signature-menswear.com PURE Like Signature, Pure is based on Union Street. The collection focuses on contemporary luxury from leading Italian and European brands. You’ll find everything from swim shorts to evening wear and they even offer a made to measure suit service. pure-man.com

KAFKA Kafka on Alford Place has been one of the city’s fashion destinations since the 1980s, but still maintains a grip on cutting edge style from informal designer brands like Engineered Garments and Arpenteur. They have some particularly good striped chambray shirts from Quartermaster for no-effort style. kafkamercantile.com COUNTRY WAYS As you might expect, Country Ways offers country clothing for men, but it also has one of the city’s best selection of lifestyle brands for men. The emphasis is always on quality and durability. We particularly like this season’s selection from Holebrook Sweden, Aigle and Barbour. countryways.com GIBBS MENSWEAR Gibbs is out in Inverurie and offers a great choice of heritage wear including tweeds and highland dress as well as contemporary styles. Look out for classics from Loake and Lochcarron and their own brand, Mitchell Scott. gibbsmenswear.co.uk

ATTIC CLOTHING Attic is in the Academy Centre off Belmont Street and specialises in youthful brands with a sporty, practical edge. This award-winning store rates in FHM’s Top 100 and is the place to go for rugged looks from Carhartt, Redwing, Edwin and Obey. atticclothing.com CELEBRATIONS OF TURRIFF Turriff’s department store covers every conceivable menswear need, from suits to casual clothes, underwear and nightwear. They stock Magee, Douglas & Grahame, Eterna, Remus Uomo, Glenmuir, Gabicci, Duck and Cover, Weirdfish and Esprit. celebrationsofturriff.co.uk

SHOP LOCAL | 35

toys

SOME SHO PS WILL BE O PERATING AN APPO INTMENT SYSTEM OR WILL HAVE NEW OPENING OURS, SO DO CHECK A HEAD TO A VOID DISAPPOIN TMENT.

For the kids DAISY CHAIN Westhill’s Daisy Chain offers a great selection of special occasion kids’ clothing from designer and European brands, like Adee, Mayoral and Le Chic. The size range goes from newborns to aged ten. The family runs store is perfect for gifts, wedding outfits and party dresses. You’ll even find fairy wings, tiara and wands to match. daisychainwesthill TRENDY TREADS Since opening in 2005, Trendy Treads in Inverurie has become a destination store for well-made children’s footwear. You’ll find everything from the sweetest little white leather Mary Janes to dinosaur wellies designed for muddy puddles. They offer nearly two dozen brands including dance shoes from Capezio, Freed and Bloch. trendytreads.co.uk

INDI & WILL Balmedie’s Indi and Will has evolved to be rather more than a kids’ clothes shop. As well as colourful, practical clothes and special outfits for birthdays and parties, you’ll find everything from accessories and interiors to toys, gifts and even some super-snuggly adult loungewear from Scamp & Dude. They have over sixty brands including Baggu, Bob & Blossom, Another Fox and Bombay Duck. We love the toys from Jellycat and Le Toy Van. indiandwill.com

BOB AND LULU Bob and Lulu, situated on Ashley Road in the West End, is the city’s kids’ footwear specialist, known for their excellent fitting service and their great selection of shoes for school, dressing up and practical play. You’ll find brands like Geox, Shoesme, Hummel, Bopy and Lelli Kelly, as well as clothes from Mayoral and Pastels & Co and some great accessories. bobandlulu.com

36 | ADVERTISEMENTS

This year, on Day falls Father’s ne, u 20th of J Sunday d e idn’t n’t say w so you ca ur dad ! Treat yo warn you to something ad or grand r, after l this yea ia c spe serves it! all, he de

any dads would be overjoyed with a bacon roll for breakfast, a pub lunch and a quiet snooze in front of the TV, followed by a curry and a beer or two for dinner. If you’d prefer to up the stakes a little, go for a weekend away - ideally to somewhere that encourages building a camp fire, or book a city break for anywhere that’s on the travel green list. Maybe there’s somewhere he’s always longed to visit? Start to plan a trip with a guidebook and a piggy bank starter fund.

and snacks and a programme of his favourite retro movies from Netflix or on DVD. Anything from Ghostbusters to Die Hard, depending on the dad!

Tickets for sports events, festivals or concerts can also be a great choice, as can outdoor cooking equipment like a new BBQ or home smoker. If he is keen on the culinary arts, then putting together a hamper from his favourite deli, sweet shop, the Asian supermarket or just buying some seriously upmarket steaks could bring a smile to his face. Movie night hampers also work well and are easy to assemble - just some beer or soft drinks, popcorn

Talking of gardens, sheds are always worth considering as a gift. Having your own sanctuary is important and provides space for hobbies, relaxation and contemplation. Keen gardeners might appreciate some raised beds, propagation equipment, plants or new tools.

Sporty dads, or those keen to get back into shape, might appreciate a gym membership, joining a local golf, tennis or martial arts club, or just some new kit, though they really need to choose this themselves, whether it’s running shoes, a mountain bike or a wooden bokken sword for practicing their samurai moves in the garden.

Phone, computing and hi-fi tech will find favour, particularly if you go old-school with retro

consoles or vinyl, though there’s a lot to be said for a new tablet or phone. Gaming gear will find favour with some dads, particularly if the family promise him some uninterrupted time to play, or you could even let him win at a board game or two. Yes, win… because it’s father’s day after all!

ADVERTISEMENTS | 37

Our corner of the world is blessed when it comes to fish, game, meat and fresh produce, although we often ignore our Aberdeenshire harvest in favour of out of season food that’s stored in artificial atmospheres and flown halfway round the planet. Locally grown foods, with excellent provenance, eaten seasonally tastes better and is better for us.

EAT LOCAL | 39

Here's our pick of the best butchers, bakers, delis, farm shops and cheese makers in the city and shire...

Beautiful bakeries BLACKBIRD BAKERY Blackbird Bakery on Union Grove specialise in amazing birthday cakes made to order and yummy cupcakes. They have a choice of 40 designs and you also get to select your sponge and filling. BlackbirdBakeryAberdeen ALMONDINE Almondine started off making macarons, but have since become the city’s premier patisserie, producing sophisticated French-inspired morsels. They have a lovely café on Chapel Street and package up their take home treats beautifully. almondine.co.uk LA GOURMANDISE This tiny bakery may be better known as the Patisserie Francaise on Thistle Street. As well as authentic baguettes which inevitably get torn into on the journey home, you’ll find a great selection of fruit tarts, croissants and continental breakfast goods. lagourmandise.co.uk THE BREAD GUY The Bread Guy is actually a family run artisan bakery based in Torry. As well as the shop at Glenbervie Road, you’ll find their stall at farmers’ markets across the shire, in many farm shops and garden centres and they have an online shop for collection. They’ll even courier batches of butteries for you if you know an Aberdonian far from home. thebreadguysbakery.co.uk

THE BREAD MAKER The Bread Maker on Rosemount Viaduct produces an exceptional range of fresh breads of all types, from flaky croissants to dark ryes that make you never want to eat supermarket bread again. You’ll find this social enterprise’s breads in many of our best restaurants with good reason. You can even take a course in bread making or just pop into their coffee shop when in need of cakes and carbs. thebreadmaker.org.uk BANDIT BAKERY Bandit may only have been open a few weeks, but it’s already become a bit of a phenomenon. The Rose Street shop was partly crowd funded and had queues round the block on the opening weekend. They specialise in sourdough using a mix of Scottish white and wholemeal flours with freshly milled spelt. The spelt and sunflower seeds loaf is a delight and the focaccia with vegan bacon dust is great for breakfast too. BanditBakery THE CUPCAKE STOP The Cupcake Stop in Cove make delightful birthday cakes as well as coffees and cupcakes to go. Their munchie box selections have ruined many a diet. thecupcakestop.co.uk

Many butche rs now offer much m ore than ste ak and sausage s. Instead, th ey’ve become inno vative, introd ucing new produc ts and intere sting flavours. It’s not unusual to find a full deli coun ter, ready m eals or local bakery products on the shelves. The ones w take the sam e’ve chosen e care over their produc ts as the fine st restaurants, some even have their o wn herds.

Brilliant Butchers CHATTAN QUALITY MEATS Located, as you might expect, on Chattan Place in the West End, this is a traditional butcher that specialised in Scottish meat and free-range poultry. Great freezer packs and plenty of ideas for summer barbecues. chattanqualitymeats.co.uk

JOHN DAVIDSONS Davidson’s of Inverurie take their meat seriously, especially when it comes to their Pitmaster BBQ range of briskets and steaks, unusual cuts and specialist meats like Japanese Wagyu or Galician Beef from Spain. johndavidsons.com

HERDS Herds is a Rosemount institution. Much of the meat comes from their own farm and they have an excellent selection of organic veg, ready meals, bakery and deli products. herdbutchers.co.uk

ABERDEENSHIRE LARDER As well as top quality meat, Ellon-based Aberdeenshire Larder are known for their game, especially their wild Scottish venison. They ship all over the UK, offer click and collect and have a superb deli section. aberdeenshirelarder.co.uk

MEET THE MEAT Meet the Meat is a butchery and food hall based in Cove and Banchory High Street, specialising in locally sourced products. They also have online ordering, lots of gluten-free sauces and an in-house chef who whips up some great dine at home boxed menus. They deliver as far as Laurencekirk, Ballater and Inverurie. meetthemeat.co.uk SHERIDAN’S Banchory is also home to Sheridan’s, who have a branch in Ballater too. They’re known for the quality and provenance of their meat, especially their Mey Select steaks, from the far north. They hold two royal warrants, supplying the Queen and Prince Charles. hmsheridan.co.uk

A&M BUTCHERS A&M are tucked away on Justice Street, just off the Castlegate. They’re known for their home-cooked meats, haggis and great quality. It’s a reputation for great products and customer services that’s been built up over thirty years. They can deliver, but don’t have a website. CHARLES MCHARDY McHardy’s have been around since 1907 with branches in Stonehaven and Laurencekirk. They offer local delivery and online ordering and their steak, black pudding and peppercorn sauce and their home baked chocolate brownies are rather good. charlesmchardybutchers.co.uk

EAT LOCAL | 41

Cheese please!

Delicious delis

CAMBUS O’MAY Cambus O’May are based near Ballater where the Reid family produces handcrafted cheeses made using unpasteurised milk from traditional recipes, so the cheese changes subtly depending on the season it was produced. Try the nutty Cambus O’May itself, the crumbly Lairig Ghru and the epic smoked cheese Auld Reekie and Ardmore. They take orders by e-mail. cambusomay.com

JK FINE FOODS JK could easily come under the headings for butchers or fish shops, but it excels at prepared dishes and has once of the biggest deli sections in the city. The frozen breads, snacks, world foods and prepared dishes make entertaining a doddle, especially if you pick up some beer or wine at the same time. They have two branches, one on Chattan Place and a new store at Westhill. jkfinefoods.co.uk

THE DEVENICK DAIRY Down in the south of the shire, the Devenick Dairy has been run by the Groat family since 1959. The team makes a great selection of artisan cheeses that includes Crynoch Blue, Smoked Deesider and Fet Like. They also do hampers and some seriously good cheesecakes. devenickdairy.co.uk THE GOURMET CHEESE CO. This small shop on Rosemount Place has a fantastic selection of cheeses from all over Europe and the UK. Each is carefully labelled with the type of milk and whether they are suitable for vegetarians. They also stock artisan sausages, breads and have a decent deli section. gourmetcheeseco.com FOREST FARM DAIRY Kinellar’s Forest Farm Dairy is an award winning organic farm, that has some of the happiest cows around. They make organic milk, organic yogurt, handcrafted artisan gelato and sorbet and even have milk vending machines. forestfarmdairy.co.uk

HAMMERTON STORE Hammerton is a firm West End favourite, located on Great Western Road. It’s like an urban farm shop, with some delicious new discovery to be made on every visit. They are strong on organic produce and also stock some great cook books, art and ceramics. hammertonstore.co.uk GRAINGERS Graingers is Stonehaven’s deli. You’ll find this wee gem on Evan Street, just up the hill from the Market Square. They have an excellent cheese counter, great local breads and a host of continental deli specialities alongside home baking, homemade soups and hummus and local veg from Fernieflatt. graingersdeli.co.uk

42 | EAT LOCAL

Field-fresh farm shops CASTLETON FARM SHOP You’ll find Castleton just off the A90 at the Fordoun junction near Laurencekirk. As well as a superb café and the fruit farm itself, Castleton’s offers an amazing array of homemade baked goods, ready meals, preserves and deli treats. There’s also a gift shop. castletonfarmshop.co.uk FINZEAN FARM SHOP Part of the Finzean Estate, this farm shop stocks homereared beef, seasonal game, fruit and veg, cheeses, fresh-baked bread, Finzean honey and niche brands. The tea room is superb and the walls are hung with art from local makers which can be purchased. You’ll also find toys, local crafts and lots of books. finzean.com/farmshop MARSHALL’S FARM SHOP Marshall’s is on the A96, between Blackburn and Kintore. Lots of the fresh food on offer comes from their own farms, so you’ll find potatoes, local veg, free-range eggs and beef, bacon and venison to grace any BBQ alongside home bakes and other treats from local suppliers. There’s a new café/restaurant too. marshallsfarmshop.co.uk

HATTONCROOK FARM DELI Hattoncrook majors in their own Aberdeen Angus Beef, but also stocks locally-sourced game, cheeses and biscuits, eggs, wines and coffees plus a selection of preserves and chutneys. There’s a new batch of home baking every day and the award-winning steak pies and smoked beef are worth the trip to Whiterashes. mcgregoraberdeenangus.com THORNEYBANK FARM SHOP Thorneybank is a family run farm shop on the B9001 Rothienorman road. It offers a large variety of fresh, locally sourced, home grown produce and delicious home bakes from Catherine Stephen. It started out as a vegetable cart back in the 1980s, but now you’ll find local delicacies from Rora Dairy, Presly & Co and Inverloch Cheeses. thorneybank.com

EAT LOCAL | 43

Next time we’ll be round ing up the best fishmong ers, world flavours a nd food h alls. Use our so cial media channels to share your favo urites.

Sweet treats HUMBUG A visit to Humbug on Rosemount Place is very special, like stepping back in to a Victorian Confectioners. The walls are lined with glass jars filled with a tempting assortment of colourful treats. They’re great for gourmet chocolate bars, decadent truffles and stock wonderful ice creams made locally by Casa di Gelati. Great milkshakes and ice-cream cakes too. You’ll often find David behind the counter. He’s profoundly deaf, but just point to whatever you fancy, or jot a note down on the pad and you’ll soon be sorted out. They even offer a candy cart service for weddings. humbugaberdeen.com SHAKES AND CAKES Shakes and Cakes have three branches in the city. You’ll find them upstairs at Union Square, on Great Northern Road and in Old Aberdeen on The Spital - probably the city’s least appealing street name. Rather more appealing is their menu of fully loaded milkshakes, sundaes, hot cookie dough concoctions and pancake towers. shakesncakesaberdeen.co.uk

GIULIANOTTI’S Giulianotti’s has been an institution in Stonehaven for over a century. It’s a mix of retro treats weighted out and presented in beribboned cellophane bags, and ice cream treats, which are made in small batches in the shop. If you’re buying a gift, then owner Marjory or her team are always delighted to guide your choices. giulianottis HEY SWEETIE Ellon’s Hey Sweetie is almost like a deli crossed with a sweetshop, stocking everything that’s sugary or sticky from all over the world. You’ll find retro favourites that you thought were no longer made alongside American candy bars, vegan treats and gluten-free offerings. They even have Cremola Foam. heysweetieshop.co.uk CROLLA’S GELATERIA Crolla’s sits at the crossroads of Rosemount Place and South Mount Street. The team make their fabulous ice-creams in the shop each day. The staff are great and they do the best strawberry ice cream in Scotland. Many of the chocolate based flavours are incredibly good too. Spoil yourself with a waffle or coldstone creation. crollasgelateria.com

44 | IN-BRIEF

Saks named as awards finalists

New dates at P&J Live P&J Live is opening its doors again with some new dates for rescheduled appearances and additional concerts. Canadian rocker Bryan Adams has rescheduled his 2020 date to Sunday 22nd May 2022. Original tickets will be valid for the new date and general tickets are on sale now.

André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra have added Aberdeen to the schedule and will play P&J Live on Sunday 24 April 2022 for a special matinee performance at 3pm. Magic Mike The Arena Tour is coming to the venue on May 2022.

Royal Deeside Motor Show to go ahead in July Petrolheads will be thrilled to know that the Royal Deeside Motor Show is taking place on 17-18 July at Kincardine Castle and Estate. There will be a fabulous collection of rare vehicles, including performance, classic, retro, contemporary, agri, leisure and heavy haulage, spanning motorcars, motorbikes, campers, 4x4s, tractors, HGVs and so much more, as well as a host of events and activities. Find out more at etiom.co.uk/royal-deeside-motor-show.

Saks Aberdeen salons located in Union Square and David Lloyd Club have been named as finalists in the annual national Saks Awards. Both Aberdeen salons have been chosen as finalists in the Hair & Beauty Salon of the Year category while, James Grant, Zander Carnegie and Jamie Grant are all challenging for the Stylist Achievement Award.

New chair for Aberdeen Airport owner Lena Wilson CBE has been appointed as the new chair of the board of AGS Airports, which owns and manages Aberdeen International, Glasgow and Southampton airports. Ms. Wilson who has a 25-year international career in economic development and business, took up the post on May 1 replacing Sir Peter Mason who has chaired AGS since it was formed in 2014. She commented, ‘I look forward to playing my part in working with government to develop the necessary framework for the safe restart of international travel and helping AGS rise to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead, not least how we can grow each of our airports sustainably.’

Lena Wilson

We're back..! The Eat on the Green door has re-opened. Whilst the world has changed, so have we, some things will be different, but our great food, attentive service and cosy atmosphere remains the same. We look forward to welcoming you for your next special occasion. To book a table visit: resdiary.com/restaurant/eatonthegreen Due to popular demand, we're also keeping our Eat FROM the Green takeaway window open. Our Restaurant Boxes will be available for collection, to book your slot visit eotg.chefit.app/checkout

Udny Green Ellon Aberdeenshire AB41 7RS T: 01651 842337 W: eatonthegreen.co.uk

46 | IN-BRIEF

Stewart Milne Group goes for gold

Mike Perry

Stewart Milne Group, has been awarded the 2021 Gold Award for customer satisfaction across all its UK regions for the third consecutive year. The awards, run by specialist market research company In House Research, carried out customer surveys and found the home builder’s divisions, alongside Stewart Milne Timber Systems, all received in excess of 90% levels of customer satisfaction.

Craig McKay

WM Donald achieve carbon neutral status W M Donald has become the first Civil Engineering Contractor in the North of Scotland to achieve carbon neutral status. The Netherley based company has already achieved ISO accreditations 9001, 14001, 45001, and operates from a newly constructed “low carbon” office. Aberdeenbased consultants, Carbon-Zero, were responsible for carrying out the review of W M Donald’s practices, and highlighting ways of reducing their impact on the environment.

Midnight Elegance has a new home Midnight Elegance, the Inverurie-based bridal boutique, has opened new premises on the town’s High Street. The new store offers over 100m2 over two floors and dedicated car parking. As well as wedding dresses, the store also offers bridesmaid and flower girl dresses, prom dresses and evening gowns. The business has also become accredited by the Retail Bridal Association (RBA), one of only three boutiques in the region to have done so.

ASK THE CHEF | 47

Eat on the Green’s Craig Wilson offers low effort lunch ideas

s the majority of the UK’s workforce passed the one year milestone of working from home, more and more people are skipping lunch breaks in favour of a quick sandwich at their desk or if you’re lucky, last night’s leftovers dinged in the microwave.

colourful as possible, sweetcorn, cucumber, tomatoes, grated carrot, peppers, fresh herbs, chicken or tuna, lettuce, pickles or beetroots, feta cheese - the choice is yours. Once complete, pop the lid on and refrigerate until ready to eat, then just shake and enjoy.

Lunches don’t have to be boring or unhealthy. Here are two tasty ideas that are packed with flavour and full of nutrients.

Alternatively, my posh cup a soup will give an instant refreshing hit of energy. Take chillies, ginger, coriander, egg noodles, kale, broccoli, and mangetout and pop it all into a Kilner jar or deep bowl. Take a stock cube and dissolve in around half a pint of boiling water, add some soy sauce and then fill the jar or bowl until everything is covered. Walk the dog or sit in the sunshine while it infuses for 5-8 minutes - anything as long as you’re away from your desk - then relax and enjoy. If you make a bit of effort and take the time to prepare, you’ll make sure you never miss another lunch break

Layered salads are perfect for making ahead. Grab a clean jar and go through your fridge and see what you can pull together. This is a great for using up foods reaching their use by date and avoiding waste. Start with the dressing first, putting it at the bottom will ensure the whole thing doesn’t go soggy. Try olive oil, vinegar, whole grain mustard, honey, fresh lemon juice and seasoning. Then make your layers as

48 | ADVERTISEMENTS

The Royal Northern & University Club

Fabulous for food

ne of the principle attractions of becoming a Member of the Royal Northern & University Club is the superb dining facilities. The club is known for the excellence of its food, from hearty breakfasts to traditional dinners, fine dining and inventive vegetarian options. Club Secretary Aidan McAleese explained, ‘We reopened our Dining Room on Monday 26th April with a brand new lunch menu from our Head Chef Kenny MacAskill which changes every fortnight. It’s a mix of favourites, like our battered fish and chips, game dishes in season and our steak and kidney pudding and new dishes which make the most of local produce. Our world cuisine nights are very popular too. We make our own tablet

and serve it with every cup of tea or coffee. It is something of an institution and some Members often pop in for a bit or two when passing. Members and their guests can eat out on the patio and, under the current regulations, we can seat up to forty people between our Dining Room and Garden Room. We’re maintaining our excellence of service in our friendly and relaxed environment, albeit at reduced capacity with mask-wearing, hand-sanitising and physicaldistancing rules enforced. We also offer private dining with bespoke menus and a focus on the personal touches. It’s a very flexible service so Members have creative freedom when designing their events.

Non-Members must be invited by a Member, or hold a valid Membership of a Reciprocal Club to dine here, but we also offer bespoke event catering packages - from drinks receptions, coffee meetings and working lunches to intimate celebrations and banquets. Membership is by nomination and open to those over 21. For further information about membership or the facilities the Club has to offer, please contact Aidan McAleese, Club Secretary on 01224 583292, or secretary@rnuc.org.uk 9 Albyn Place AB10 1YE rnuc.org.uk

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APEROL Spritz Ingredients: Aperol | Sparkling Wine | Soda The Aperol Spritz is a light, refreshing and bittersweet summer classic that is best served ice in a wine glass with a wedge of orange. A perfect pre dinner drink or to share with friends in the garden. The bottle comes in a 70cl and can be purchased from orchidcocktails.com

Website - the window to your business

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websites that not only look good, but also showcase what you're all about, generate leads and increase your brand’s awareness.

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We practise what we preach, so take a look at think’s newlylaunched website to get a taste of what we can do. thinkpr.co.uk

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VT WEALTH GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH WITH NEW OFFICE VT Wealth, a family-run financial planning specialists business in the North East, has opened a new office in Bridge of Don which will complement the company’s existing office space at 1 Marischal Square, Aberdeen and in Fraserburgh. ‘I’m absolutely delighted to share the news that our new Bridge of Don office opened in April and that my husband, George Thom, joined us as Operations Director at the start of the year,’ explained Vee Thom, owner and director of VT Wealth. ‘I’m enormously proud of the way our focus on the differing financial needs of our clients - from retirement planning and investing through to estate planning - was maintained during lockdown and has allowed the business to flourish. We intend to stay close to our clients and the new office is designed to help achieve this goal.’ George added, ‘We’ve been listening to our clients, and with our focus on serving communities, we are delighted

to have already welcomed some of our existing, and also new clients to our brand-new office for some much missed face to face meetings. We are all enjoying being back in each other’s company again, working in accordance with the guidelines, in a relaxed, yet professional, setting.’ George continued, ‘We hope the new office will allow us to make a positive difference to individuals and businesses in the surrounding area by continuing our commitment to provide personal, considered choices and forward-thinking financial advice to help clients gain peace of mind, financial wellbeing and make the most of their money.’

The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.

For more information, to set up a no-obligation Financial Review or to chat to one of VT Wealth’s friendly specialist advisers, call them on 01224 824777. VT Wealth is a Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management. 2-4 Balgownie Crescent Bridge of Don Aberdeen AB23 8ER

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VT Wealth Management Ltd is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The St. James’s Place Partnership' and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

52 | INTERIORS

INTERIORS | 53

03 02

05 04

08 09 07 12 06

Give your interiors a bit of bite with our pick of the natural world. Go for real wood, earth tones and accents in every species. Fish, birds or animals are all top interiors picks right now. Set the scene with plenty of houseplants for an outside vibe…

01 © Next / 02 © Beaumonde / 03 © Abstract / 04 © Amara / 05 © John Lewis / 06 Dobbies / 07 © Beautify 08 © George / 09 © Habitat / 10 © Baa / 11 © Ella James / 12 © Audenza

54 | IN-BRIEF

CALA launches sustainability strategy Housebuilders CALA Group has launched a Sustainability Strategy to help the business achieve its targets of building homes that are operationally net zero carbon from 2030, and reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Scottish Government’s 2045 target and ahead of UK Government’s 2050 target. Brian Johnson, Development Director at CALA Group, said, ‘Sustainability has been a focus area for some time and we have already taken steps to begin lowering our environmental impact. Timber frame construction is already being used on around 40 per cent of the homes we build per year, with plans to increase this, and work is also underway to meet our target of homes being gas free on all sites starting in 2024.’

Brian Johnson

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Initial consultation Full Design Service (Conceptual, Outline & Detailed Designs) Planting plans Plants supply at wholesale prices

Tel: 01224 739184 email: kirsty@gardendesignscotland.com gardendesignscotland.com

IN-BRIEF | 55

Glencraft win Queen's Award for Enterprise Glencraft, the Aberdeen-based mattress makers, have won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise. The award was given for the social enterprise’s promotion of opportunity through social mobility and takes place alongside Glencraft’s Royal Warrants. The company has distribution partners in China and South Korea and makes over 5000 mattresses each year, many of which are bought by fivestar hotels. The award is a fitting tribute to Duncan Skinner, the chairman, who sadly passed away in April, following a year-long battle with cancer. Duncan and Bob Keiller rescued Glencraft in 2010 and the company now has 38 staff, many of whom are visually impaired or have other disabilities.

56 | ADVERTISEMENTS

if the last year has taught us anything it's to value our outdoor space, whether that's a balcony, courtyard or garden. It's become our coffee shop, restaurant, playground, pub, club and office. here's kirsty McLean's guide to making your outside space ideal for entertaining.

tart by finding out where the sun shines for most of the day. This is likely to be where you will make your main seating area, but do consider privacy and shelter too. Look at how this area connects with the house and, in particular, with the kitchen, so you have a natural flow. If you have a shared garden, then consider storage - such as a tall cupboard or shed with shelves so you can take everything down that you need and store it here. It can double up as the bar! Think about how many people you want to entertain. A good rule of thumb is, 5m sq. will seat around 6 to 8 people comfortably, but if you have a smaller space you can be clever about how you use this. Narrow bar tables and high stools are a great way of making the most of your space, or L-shaped outdoor sofas with low dining tables - some even double up as a fire pit. Use additional single chairs to increase the numbers and keep the arrangement flexible. If you want to have festoon lights or fairy lights overhead you can buy festoon poles - these come in various heights. If you already have a bit of paving, get out the pressure washer and rejuvenate it. Outdoor rugs are a great way of covering paving and by concentrating on the furniture, lighting, heat and planting, you can transform the shabbiest of areas. If you are starting from scratch or landscaping, think about levels and materials. If you have a sloped area, consider decking surrounded by raised beds on the sloped side. You can use pressure treated white wood, oak, Iroko, or perhaps a composite which comes in a wide range of colours would suit you better? If paving is more your thing,

your options are endless. Granite, sandstone, porcelain, limestone, marble or imprinted patterned concrete can all look good. Think about what pattern you will lay these in - random (using several different sizes), same size (rectangles look better than squares) grid lines or staggered rows. Decide whether you want an open or covered space. There are some amazing gazebos out there that have retractable roof and sides. They look fabulous with festoon lights strung over the rafters. There are also some great umbrellas that can carry heat and light and come with zippable sides to make an enclosed space. Pop-up gazebo’s offer great flexibility. Heat and light are important considerations in our climate. Options include halogen heaters on stands or wall-mounted, fire pits, fire balls, fireplaces, fairy lights, festoon lights, fixed lights or lantern lights, which might be solar, LED or even candles. BBQs come in all shapes and sizes, but if you have a little more space, think about using pressure treated sleepers to support a slate or granite work top next to your BBQ to give you a work space. Planting creates atmosphere and adds style. Use big planters around your space and bring some leafy green to the party and don’t forget the music! Whatever you decide, it’s not just an entertainment space you are creating, it’s a place to make your guests feel welcome and reconnect. With throws to keep your guests warm, lighting to make it cosy and outdoor rugs on the ground you can create the most fabulous space to enjoy with your family and friends.

gardendesignscotland.com

KIDS | 59

Most adults would like to play an instrument, so it makes sense to encourage your budding rock superstar or classical soloist with musical toys and, as they get a little older, with tuition in the instrument of their choice.

hat said, you might want to consider which instruments are least likely to create tension with the neighbours. The early stages of learning the violin or bagpipes can try the patience of even the most indulgent parent. Start them off with toys like this Rainbow Colours play mat which was designed by music teachers to present the easiest possible approach to playing an instrument. Kids just match the colours in the booklet or song cards, to the coloured strings/stickers on the instruments. It’s great for ages 3 – 12 years, as well as kids with learning difficulties or dyslexia. The system is a wonderful opportunity for parents and teachers to interact with their children while teaching them to play a new instrument. Rainbow Colours is an educational music tool for learning to read and play music, designed by professional music teachers, and makes it fun and easy approach to learning a musical instrument. The Slim 6ft Giant Piano Mat costs £34.99 from RainbowColours.com

You can find decent starter instruments for mini-rock stars at Kenny’s Music on the Green, Ram Jam Music or Top Note, both of which are on Crown Street. Gordon Bell on Rosemount Viaduct offers both traditional pianos and electronic versions for sale or rental, while Thistle Street’s String Studio offers great violins and violas in a multitude of sizes. Stonehaven’s Ma Simpson’s and Celtic Chords are also great places to find mini-guitars and every sort of traditional instruments from cello and harp to accordions and bouzoukis. They also have a list of recommended local music tutors. You can also encourage your child to build their own instruments. Kikkerland offer inexpensive kits to build ukuleles and harmonicas and there are lots of craft sites which offer ideas for making percussion instruments from household objects. If you want something more professional, Earlymusicshop.com offers kits for building everything from a six string harp to medieval bass viols. Aberdeen Music Studio on Union Street offer tuition in electric and acoustic guitar, bass, drums, piano, saxophone, clarinet, oboe, flute, violin, voice, and piping. A quick online search will turn up a variety of local music tutors, but it’s probably best to ask friends for recommendations. Many have shifted to online tuition over the past year. The majority of the city’s schools also offer music tuition, but places

...‘find pre-owned instruments in local Facebook selling groups, Gumtree or auction sites...’ are limited. This is free for those receiving free school meals, otherwise group tuition is £60.50 a term, £70 for pairs and £100 for individual tuition, which is normally limited to more advanced or older children. It’s also possible to hire an instrument for £85 per year, but drums, pianos and keyboards are not included in the scheme. It’s generally possible to find pre-owned instruments in local Facebook selling groups, Gumtree or auction sites, or just ask around – many kids abandon their lessons or move on to more expensive models and friends may have instruments just gathering dust. Lessons start in primary school, with the same instructor continuing as the child progresses into secondary school. Once a certain level of proficiency is reached, the child is invited to the Music Centre at Northfield Academy to play in ensembles, bands or orchestras and to take part in concerts. You can request music tuition for your child, or be put on the waiting list by contacting MusicService@ aberdeencity.gov.uk

60 | HISTORY

Fiona Stevenson, a marketing volunteer with Bon Accord Heritage, discusses the campaign to restore the city’s art deco baths to its former glory…

he Bon Accord Baths opened on 30 August 1940. It’s one of the country’s leading examples of 1930s Art Deco pool design. Bon Accord Baths was on a scale never before seen outside of London and reporters described the facility as ‘a cathedral for swimming‘. It had the deepest indoor pool in Scotland, a concrete diving tower, underwater lighting, incredible windows and a curved roof. Even the mosaic tiles were made in Italy and laid by hand. It’s category B listed and rated as one of the most impressive art deco leisure buildings in the UK. Sadly, it’s now on the Buildings at Risk register, which is why Bon Accord Heritage was set up to save and restore the building.

When it opened it was seen as a bit of a wartime morale-booster. The pool had a large spectator area for swimming competitions, but also a private bathing area which provided locals the ability to wash at a time when having a

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bathroom in the home wasn’t the norm. There was also a Turkish Baths suite with medicated baths, a solarium and a lounge.

envisage several different-sized spaces for a range of uses, a café and of course an upgraded health suite and restored pool.

It’s the memories that makes this building so special for generations of Aberdonians. The building holds a very special place in many people’s hearts.

The biggest problem we’ve faced is vandalism and urban explorers breaking in because they think the site is abandoned. This has led to the destruction and theft of original features, attempted fire starting, abusive graffiti and windows being left open to the elements as well as pigeons. We now have daily patrols and improved security.

Budget cuts meant that the baths closed in 2008. In 2015, the site was offered for sale and a group of people interested in restoring the baths formed Bon Accord Heritage. Despite being empty for so long, the building was in better shape than expected, and a Memorandum of Understanding was agreed with the council. We plan to reopen the building as a community-led art deco leisure centre. Plans are still being worked on and we welcome views from the community. The aim is to maintain as many of the historic features which make the Baths special as possible, whilst also benefitting from modern technology and efficiencies to run the building in a cost-effective and sustainable way. We

Bon Accord Heritage is a registered charity that involves people from all walks of life who share a passion for the Bon Accord Baths. We are hoping to raise funding and also get work done at a cost-limit on price by volunteers - no profit is made as project is for the community. We’re keen that the building remains a community hub, and so are inviting readers to our next Open Weekend on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 June, from 10am to 4pm. Visitors to the Baths will be able to learn more about its history and share ideas on its future use.

Although we have been able to make progress through volunteer help and the support from local specialist businesses, donations to help make the building wind and watertight are welcome, for which we have a crowdfunding page - uk.gofundme.com/f/save-bon-accord-baths. The public support we’ve received has been phenomenal. Bringing the baths back to life would be a great asset for the city.

bonaccordbaths.org.uk savebonaccordbaths

62 | ADVERTISEMENTS

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s restrictions ease, it’s time to start planning long-awaited gatherings with family and friends. We’ve teamed up with the Holiday Inn Aberdeen West in Westhill to offer one lucky reader the chance to reunite in style. When restrictions allow, our winner can look forward to inviting their loved ones to a celebration for up to 10 people. It could be a post-lockdown reunion, a belated birthday bash or an overdue graduation dinner - the choice is yours! The prize will be valid for one year and it is subject to

availability and strict adherence to Covid-19 guidelines and advice. Our winner and their guests will enjoy a three course set dinner served in their own private dining room and five double or twin rooms to accommodate their guests overnight. Drinks are not included, but the hotel will even provide breakfast the next morning, so your guests depart refreshed and happy. The four-star Holiday Inn Aberdeen West truly offers the best of both worlds with easy access to city and countryside

from the hotel’s doorstep. From exploring the stunning scenery of Royal Deeside to the sights and sounds of the Granite City, the 86-bedroom hotel lies poised to help guests make the most of their stay. To enter, go to trendmagazine.co.uk and answer this question:

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AberNecessities charity marks successful year Michelle Herd started up the charity with her daughter Danielle Flecher-Horn. Michelle explained, ‘It’s been mind-blowing to be honest. We started off choosing a large room at our Dyce premises thinking it was plenty space for us. It was fabulous this great space with no rent and no overheads. We now have 20 rooms full of items with everything you could need for a child, we’ve got it.

The co-founder of a local charity which provides baby nappies, clothing, shoes and bedding for children, has described the support the charity has had as, ‘mind-blowing.’

‘It’s been a very, very quick year. It’s just taken off and I think the public have really got behind it as well which has been really lovely. I think both the public and businesses can see the real benefit and the direct benefit to families.

We are simply passing on nearly new items to families that don’t have anything. ‘The thing that we like is that it’s not all about money. You want to help families locally but you don’t have spare cash, so you can just pass on some of your children’s nearly new clothes or come in and do a bag of washing for us. Because everything that goes out has to be freshly washed. There’s lots of ways that people can volunteer or help and I think that’s captured the heart of the community. If people weren’t doing that we couldn’t operate.’ Find out more at abernecessities.co.uk

Osprey Housing Group CEO set to retire

Ellon Gin launches new liqueurs Local artisan ginmakers Ellon Gin have created two new gin liqueurs to add to their range. As well as a Raspberry Gin Liqueur, the company also has a Rhubarb and Lemon variety, which are now stocked by 15 shops across the region. Owner Kieren Murphy now hopes to expand further by getting a licence to sell his products online and is looking for new business premises.

After almost 50 years working in the housing sector, Osprey Housing Group’s Glenn Adcook is set to retire. Mr. Adcook joined the social landlord, which operates across the city, shire and Moray, in 2011, becoming chief executive in 2017. He will step down by the end of 2021. He said, ‘It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be an integral part of Osprey’s journey and to lead us for the last four years. What we have done here during my time will remain one of my proudest achievements. ‘I am looking forward to being able to spend a bit more time with all those closest to me including my youngest granddaughter who was born during lockdown and who I haven’t been able to see or hug yet.’

64 | TRAVEL

SINCE RETIRING, ANDREW VERREYDT PREFERS TO SPEND HIS HOLIDAYS UNDERWATER, TAKING SPECTACULAR PHOTOS OF HIS ENCOUNTERS WITH OCEAN LIFE…

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atching Jacques Cousteau’s documentaries in the 70s and seeing the undersea encounters with whales, sharks and other marine animals formed my lifelong love of the ocean and the creatures within it. In 1997, I was lucky enough to visit the Galapagos Islands where I had my first underwater encounters with sharks, sea lions and penguins. I was freediving offshore in Colombia in 2002 when a humpback mother and calf surfaced next to me. As I dived downwards with them I shared a moment with the calf as we looked into each other’s eyes. It’s difficult to express my feelings, but it felt like a communion of sorts. I found myself silently apologising to this pair of whales for all the suffering and destruction that mankind has inflicted not just on their species but all other cetaceans. Encounters with whales and dolphins always tend to be at a more spiritual level; perhaps part of this is because of our unwitting tendency to anthropomorphise certain animals, much as we might do with a dog. Encounters with sharks or rays or other megafauna, meanwhile, while no less special, tend to take on a different perspective. It’s more a sense of awe, being able to witness the beauty of their perfect predatory design and how elegantly they move underwater. I'm collaborating with a company called Picture Adventure who offer small group travel to remote locations that don’t have a lot of tourists but do have a high probability of ocean encounters. The importance of not disrupting normal animal migratory, feeding or mating behaviour is paramount. In most cases exploratory trips are made before any thought of offering the experience to other clients. Next May, a friend and I will

be scouting out a location in the Sea of Cortes to free dive with large aggregations of mobula rays, which could be offered to customers in 2023. The remote nature of many of the expedition locations means that accommodation can occasionally be a little rustic, though not always, and Wi-Fi can be haphazard. Most people bring their own wetsuit, fins, masks, snorkels and camera gear, although dry suits are often hired for the Arctic Circle. Depending on the location, side trips might include canoeing along jungle rivers in Sri Lanka, watching turtle hatchlings emerge in the Comoros, bat watching or viewing the Northern Lights. Provided travel restrictions are relaxed, the next scheduled expeditions are two humpback whale trips to the Comoros in September, followed by orca encounters in Arctic Norway and whale sharks in Djibouti towards the end of this year. The team at Picture Adventure hopes that 2022 will see a full inventory of expeditions, beginning with encounters with sperm whales in Dominica in February and blue whales in Sri Lanka in March 2022. Others may be added depending on the results of other research/exploratory expeditions. Aside from air fares, which obviously vary according to the destination and time of year, a trip to a trip to Norway to snorkel with orcas starts at around £4500, but a trip to Dominica where a luxury yacht is used as a base to search for sperm whales costs considerably more. Prices include accommodation but generally exclude dining out. There are no more than four clients, plus one or two guides on any trip. Readers can find out more at pictureadventure.com, or see more of Andrew’s images andij_uk/

66 | ADVERTISEMENTS

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