Latest news with #Colin
Edinburgh Reporter
3 hours ago
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh pupils discover the world of beekeeping with educational day at Fort Kinnaird
Edinburgh primary school pupils visited Fort Kinnaird's thriving beehives for a day to learn about beekeeping. During the session, 12 pupils from Niddrie Mill Primary and Castleview Primary learned about the world of bees – including how they are essential to the local environment, how hives function, and what it takes to care for bees first-hand. The visit was delivered in partnership with Colin Mackie of Fine Scottish Honey Ltd – a local beekeeper who has maintained the centre's two on-site hives since they were installed in May 2024. The experience follows a series of in-school sessions delivered by Colin in partnership with Fort Kinnaird as part of the Young Readers Programme, an award-winning initiative between its co-owner British Land and the National Literacy Trust, which aims to encourage children to read and learn outside of the classroom. More than 230 pupils at Niddrie Mill Primary, Castleview Primary and Brunstane Primary took part in the sessions, which included honey tasting, candle rolling, creative craft activities and an interactive storytelling session. As part of the project, pupils also decorated bird boxes which are due to be installed at Fort Kinnaird. Liam Smith, Centre Director at Fort Kinnaird, said: 'We're proud to work closely with local schools and community partners to offer educational experiences that are fun, hands-on and genuinely inspiring. Opportunities like this give children the chance to learn in a different way – not just by reading about nature, but by seeing it and asking questions in real time. 'It's been brilliant to see our beehives come to life and thrive over the year to support both the centre and local community biodiversity – this is all part of our sustainability plan which includes zero waste and 98% renewable energy use.' Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
a day ago
- General
- Scotsman
Edinburgh pupils discover the world of beekeeping with educational day at Fort Kinnaird
Pupils from local Edinburgh primary schools swapped the classroom for beekeeping as they had the chance to visit Fort Kinnaird's thriving beehives for a day buzzing with educational fun. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... During the session, 12 pupils from Niddrie Mill Primary and Castleview Primary learned about the world of bees – including how they are essential to the local environment, how hives function, and what it takes to care for bees first-hand. The visit was delivered in partnership with Colin Mackie of Fine Scottish Honey Ltd – a local beekeeper who has maintained the centre's two on-site hives since they were installed in May 2024. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The experience follows a series of in-school sessions delivered by Colin in partnership with Fort Kinnaird as part of the Young Readers Programme, an award-winning initiative between its co-owner British Land and the National Literacy Trust, which aims to encourage children to read and learn outside of the classroom. Beekeeping sessions at Fort Kinnaird More than 230 pupils at Niddrie Mill Primary, Castleview Primary and Brunstane Primary took part in the sessions, which included honey tasting, candle rolling, creative craft activities and an interactive storytelling session. As part of the project, pupils also decorated bird boxes which are due to be installed at Fort Kinnaird. Liam Smith, Centre Director at Fort Kinnaird, said: 'We're proud to work closely with local schools and community partners to offer educational experiences that are fun, hands-on and genuinely inspiring. Opportunities like this give children the chance to learn in a different way - not just by reading about nature, but by seeing it and asking questions in real time. 'It's been brilliant to see our beehives come to life and thrive over the year to support both the centre and local community biodiversity – this is all part of our sustainability plan which includes zero waste and 98% renewable energy use.' To plan your visit to Fort Kinnaird, please visit
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish restaurants and bars business's major deal and big plans
And doubling of the size of the restaurants and bars group, the launch of new venues incorporating bedrooms, and the creation of hundreds more jobs are now on the menu at Ayrshire-based Buzzworks Holdings. Kenny Blair, co-founder and managing director, is taking control of the family business and continuing with the 'mission to become a £100m-plus [turnover] Scottish hospitality company', Buzzworks said. He talked about investing in "more towns and suburbs across the country", and "the next stage of the Buzzworks journey" being about to start. The business, which has 22 venues across west, east and central Scotland and more than 800 staff, said the deal had seen funding raised through Alchemy Partners. Buzzworks declared Alchemy has 'a successful track record in investing in hospitality businesses throughout the UK and Europe'. Sir Tom Hunter's West Coast Capital will remain a 'key investor', Buzzworks said, and Cynergy Bank will join as the new banking partner. Buzzworks was founded in Ayrshire in 1978 by Kenny Blair, who is 55, and siblings Colin, 68, and Alison, 66. Read more The company said: 'The deal has been part of the company's long-term succession planning and will see Colin and Alison remaining in the business in advisory roles, ensuring their insights and values remain part of the company's DNA.' Buzzworks describes itself as 'one of Scotland's fastest-growing independent restaurant and bar operators'. Its brands, which it describes as "stylish", include Scotts, House, Lido, Vic's & The Vine, The Duke, The Bridge Inn, The Fox, Herringbone and Thirty Knots. As well as flagging plans for the new venues, incorporating bedrooms, Buzzworks also revealed it was making senior hires. It declared it had 'gone from strength to strength' with a 'successful formula of bringing great hospitality venues to Scotland's towns and suburbs'. And Buzzworks revealed: 'The next chapter of growth is focused on investment in property, expansion in terms of sites and people, with plans to introduce new venues that will incorporate bedrooms as part of the offering. The commitment to growth and development will be fast-tracked as part of the deal with three new senior hires joining the business and new positions created in the coming months.' In January, Buzzworks announced it had achieved annual turnover of £34.8m for the 12 months to April 2024, up from £29.9m in the prior financial year. It declared this week that 'despite a challenging time for the industry as a whole, and an uneven playing field for business rates compared with England', it had 'continued to push the boundaries and possibilities for hospitality in Scotland'. Kenny Blair said: 'A life's work has gone into making Buzzworks what it is today, and our family couldn't be prouder of what we've achieved. However, our job isn't anywhere near done and we're as passionate about it now as we were 40 years ago. Along with my brother and sister, we've tried to stay true to our mission of making people feel great through hospitality and that founding spirit will continue to drive us forward in this next chapter as we aim to more than double the size of the business and create hundreds of new sustainable jobs.' He added: 'This deal gives us the momentum to move further, faster - investing in people, places and new formats including venues with rooms in more towns and suburbs across the country. Our foundations are strong and we know exactly where we want to get to. The next stage of the Buzzworks journey is about to begin.' Buzzworks emphasised its approach of 'providing bespoke training opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to work-life balance for every member of staff'.
Scotsman
a day ago
- General
- Scotsman
Edinburgh pupils discover the world of beekeeping with educational day at Fort Kinnaird
Pupils from local Edinburgh primary schools swapped the classroom for beekeeping as they had the chance to visit Fort Kinnaird's thriving beehives for a day buzzing with educational fun. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... During the session, 12 pupils from Niddrie Mill Primary and Castleview Primary learned about the world of bees – including how they are essential to the local environment, how hives function, and what it takes to care for bees first-hand. The visit was delivered in partnership with Colin Mackie of Fine Scottish Honey Ltd – a local beekeeper who has maintained the centre's two on-site hives since they were installed in May 2024. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The experience follows a series of in-school sessions delivered by Colin in partnership with Fort Kinnaird as part of the Young Readers Programme, an award-winning initiative between its co-owner British Land and the National Literacy Trust, which aims to encourage children to read and learn outside of the classroom. Beekeeping sessions at Fort Kinnaird More than 230 pupils at Niddrie Mill Primary, Castleview Primary and Brunstane Primary took part in the sessions, which included honey tasting, candle rolling, creative craft activities and an interactive storytelling session. As part of the project, pupils also decorated bird boxes which are due to be installed at Fort Kinnaird. Liam Smith, Centre Director at Fort Kinnaird, said: 'We're proud to work closely with local schools and community partners to offer educational experiences that are fun, hands-on and genuinely inspiring. Opportunities like this give children the chance to learn in a different way - not just by reading about nature, but by seeing it and asking questions in real time. 'It's been brilliant to see our beehives come to life and thrive over the year to support both the centre and local community biodiversity – this is all part of our sustainability plan which includes zero waste and 98% renewable energy use.'
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'A breath of fresh air' - fan views on Delap and Jackson
We asked for your views on how Liam Delap will fare next season and whether he should be first choice ahead of Nicolas Jackson. Here are some of your comments:George: It's very hard to compare strikers from clubs at either end of the table. However the goals/XG score is really interesting. I reserve judgement until the end of the season, seeing how both play in this team. My hunch is Delap will shine, and Nico has a lot of growing to do in terms of his temperament and turning his wasteful nature in front of Delap is a natural, instinctive, talented striker with a great temperament. Jackson is the polar opposite and a proven liability. He must Delap should lead the line, I think Delap is more composed and looking at the team he's coming from, he will do better and score more goals with Chelsea if he gets the supply. At that age, he will be a great asset to F: I think it's time Jackson found another team. He has demonstrated he is not a team player (red cards) and a reluctance to pass. Too often he tries to dribble into an impossible situation and loses possession. On paper, Delap appears to be a terrific fit and a striker that is dearly Delap is a breath of fresh air. He's positive and gelled the team instantly. I'd play him ahead of Jackson all day Delap for me every time, Jackson's a liability. Give Delap the service and he'll get goals. It's the other end I'm more concerned with. The goalkeeper situation is a joke. We're a world-class club with a third-rate goalkeeper. It's ridiculous and so Delap any day of the week. Jackson has shown how much of a liability he is -his petulant behaviour is his downfall. Delap is a future England star.
