East Lothian’s Mercat Grill plans World Whisky Day celebration

Guests will get to taste the 15-Year-Old Balblair, the Arran Amarone Cask Finish and the Bunnahabhain, with encouragement from renowned whisky expert Neil Forbes and the Mercat Grill’s owner Graham Blaikie.

Ayrshire’s SimpsInns launches ‘Stay & Play’ golf packages

The Ayrshire coast has several world-class links golf courses, including Dundonald Links – which was the venue for the Scottish Open in 2017 – the Western Gailes and Gailes Links, as well as Ayrshire's only Top Tracer driving range.

Guinness time capsule unsealed to mark King’s Coronation

It was found to contain a bottle of Coronation Commemorative Guinness Foreign Extra Stout from 1953 and a selection of Sovereign Coins, as well as a newspaper dated 3 June 1953.

Renfrewshire’s Bowfield Hotel & Spa adds hot-tub lodges

Hospitality operator Manorview has unveiled 10 new countryside lodges at its Renfrewshire property, Bowfield Hotel & Spa, each with a private hot tub looking out over the firth of Clyde.

Operators must not underestimate the ‘influence’ of the over-55s

New market research, from hospitality tech provider Zonal and insight firm CGA by NIQ, found that 40% of ‘influencers’ are aged over 55 – nearly double the number aged under 25 years old (21%).

Engineering a greener future for distilled spirits

With a portfolio of clients that already includes Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Beam Suntory, Brown-Forman and William Grant & Sons, engineering firm Briggs of Burton can claim to be at the cutting-edge of sustainable technology for alcohol production.

Glasgow licensees invited to register for 2023’s Best Bar None Awards 

VENUES with a strong focus on public safety and customer care can be recognised for their efforts via the annual awards – and the Glasgow round is now open for entries.

KAH claims top spot in the ‘authentic’ Tequila trend

Pandemic restrictions led many consumers to experiment with home-made cocktails and new flavours – and those same consumers are now back in bars looking for the spirits brands they learnt to love in lockdown

We should treat cocktails like a good coffee

I don’t mean relying on it first thing in the morning, rather, I mean people who will have one or two cocktails in the same way that you would go out and have a coffee or two.

Sales of premium apple and flavoured ciders growing on tap

The value of premium draught cider sales has grown by 67% (apple ciders) and 275% (flavoured ciders) in Scottish pubs and bars over the past five years

Columns

Jack Cummins
LEGAL
Niall Hassard
ONLY DRAMS
Andrew Dowson
Neil Morrison
ASK THE OPERATOR
Neil Morrison
THE GRAPEVINE
Luke Richardson