With lockdown restrictions easing, it's time to take advantage of some new attractions springing up across Scotland's seven cities...
STIRLING:
A new Picnic Trail has launched in Stirling which aims to encourage people to fill their hampers with treats from local businesses. Forth Valley Food and Drink set up the trail after receiving funding from Scotland Loves Local. The route map pinpoints the region’s many local food and drink businesses, picnic areas and free outdoor attractions.
forthvalleyfoodanddrink.org
The Old Town Jail, a popular Stirling attraction, has reopened with a significant transformation. The addition of the Jail Break Escape Room in the Governor’s Office makes it even harder for visitors to leave. And a new self-guided audio tour enables visitors to enjoy an interactive, but socially-distanced, visit featuring an entertaining and informative series of new stories about the City’s gruesome past and life in the original jail.
oldtownjail.co.uk
Street Stories is a new project underway in Stirling in which empty shops have been turned into animated works of art. The Street Stories initiative features a range of animated artworks on eight shop windows, including the former BHS and Argos stores, in a move aimed at revitalising the city’s shopping district. Each piece of artwork is brought to life via interactive Augmented Reality (AR) and forms part of a trail telling the stories of Stirling’s people, heritage and history.
scenestirling.com
PERTH:
City Contemporary Art is a new Gallery located on Charlotte Street by the River Tay in the Fair City. The new Perth gallery showcases contemporary British Fine Art from established artists as well as those starting out. Gallery Director, Tom Barron, who has over 25 years of experience as an interior design consultant, believes it’s important to strike a good balance of selecting and presenting beautiful artwork, and ensuring customers are correctly, honestly and sensitively advised.
ccart.co.uk
The Perth Playhouse is not only back open but has recently undergone a refurbishment, with Screen 3 being the first to benefit from the complete revamp. The improvements include seat upgrades as well as sound and screen enhancements. Cathy Moran, General Manager comments: “It is a much-improved cinematic experience with high quality sound, picture quality and more leg room.”
perthplayhouse.co.uk
GLASGOW:
Unalome has been one of Glasgow’s most anticipated openings since news of its launch was announced late last year. The restaurant, which occupies the Kelvingrove site formerly home to The Sisters, is the first solo venture of award-winning chef Graeme Cheevers, with doors set to open on June 2. You’ll have to be quick though– reservations are filling up fast.
Grill and Chill is hoping to make the most of the continuing popularity of American-style cuisine, with its selection of gourmet burgers, hot dogs, loaded fries and indulgent desserts. A family-run venture, it opened on Shettleston Road at the beginning of May and is already proving popular… though admittedly not with those on a health kick.
www.instagram.com/grillchill1527/
Juicy UK, the country’s first raw juice and açaí bar, recently opened on Byres Rd in Glasgow. Within the health-conscious store, you can pick up custom-made açaí bowls, fresh cold pressed juices, protein packed lunch bowls, plant fuelled convenience foods and superfood bowls.
Instagram: @ juicy_uk_
The Duke’s Umbrella is a new gastropub recently opened in Glasgow’s city centre on Argyle Street. Comforting and wholesome food is on the menu including Sunday roasts, brunches, and fish and chips. The restaurant is open seven days a week, from 10am, serving brunch, lunch, dinner, and an array of wine, beer, cocktails (the signature Duke’s Martini is a real showstopper), and fine ales.
dukesumbrella.com
INVERNESS:
Eden Court Theatre Complex reopened its cinemas and café bar on May 26, with plans now in full swing for the outdoor summer festival ‘Under Canvas’. Running from 1 July – 30 September 2021, Under Canvas will include live music and DJ sets on Eden Court’s picturesque lawn by the banks of the River Ness. In July, they also restart live performances on the main stage in the Empire Theatre, starting with Donmar Warehouse’s socially-distanced immersive sound installation of Blindess (5th – 10th July).
Inverness Airport is, rather unusually, the site of a brand-new art exhibition. Graduates from the University of the Highlands and Islands will be given the opportunity to showcase their artwork at the airport, while welcoming visitors to the region in style. The launch of Highland Creatives is in anticipation of an increase in national travel, with each piece of art available to buy directly from the creators.
Capers in Cannich is one of Scotland’s first live music festivals to run in 2021. After a torrid year for festivals and touring musicians, this luxury glamping festival in Cannich (west of Drumnadrochit) will offer Scottish bands a chance to play live once again. Tickets include three nights accommodation in a pre-built bell tent as well as a full weekend of live music, running across various dates in the summer.
ABERDEEN:
Lovett’s Barbers, recently opened on St Andrew Street, is the perfect place to sort out your lockdown locks. This stylish barbershop started life in Dundee in 2013, with their famously relaxed environment proving a hit with customers. Best of all, Lovett’s offers free craft beer with each haircut– need we say more?
Mande Tacqueria is an exciting new venture from former MasterChef contestant Euan Walker. Offering three types of gourmet taco (pork, cod and a vegan ‘banana blossom’ flavour), as well as a choice of two Mexican-inspired side dishes, Mande Tacos have been regularly selling out since launching last month. The food is available for collection only, with orders placed in advance for pick-up.
Rosemount Market is the perfect shopping destination for environmentally conscious customers. Since opening in mid-May on Rosemount Place, it has been providing a wide range of refillable wholefoods, as well as fresh seasonal vegetables, sustainability-focused homewares, fresh and dried flowers and artisan bread.
www.instagram.com/rosemountmarket/
Nuart Aberdeen, the city’s popular street art festival, will be making a welcome return this month after being postponed in 2020. Keep an eye out for individual street art productions, which will take shape on the city’s walls over the summer, designed to help attract locals and visitors alike as Aberdeen recovers from a tough year of lockdown.
www.aberdeeninspired.com/festival/nuart-aberdeen
EDINBURGH:
The Heron, set to open in the Shore in Leith in July, will be a must-visit for any foodies worth their salt. Chefs Tomás Gormley and Sam Yorke made the decision to open a permanent restaurant after their gourmet pop-up food delivery venture ‘Bad Seeds’ proved to be a hit during lockdown, with The Heron occupying the former site of The Raj restaurant on Henderson Street.
St James Quarter is set to disprove anyone who heralds the death of the high street. This billion-pound development, five years in the making, will officially open its doors on June 24: with 85 shops, 30 restaurants, two hotels, a cinema and apartments all featuring within the development. Several retail outlets will be making their Scottish debut within the St James shopping mall, including Peloton, Bershka, & other stories, Stradivarius and Bonnie & Wild.
Pizza Geeks only opened its first store in Haymarket in 2018, but it has already added a second branch in Leith and now a new, permanent kitchen residency on the roof of the Waverly Mall. They will offer their unique brand of pizzas, dough balls and desserts along with cocktails from collaborator Cask Smugglers: plus some of the city’s best views.
Civerinos has become the latest brand to launch an outlet in the increasingly-trendy suburb of Portobello. Prom Slice, Civerinos’ fifth opening in Edinburgh, is situated on the promenade itself and offers everything from morning smoothies and breakfast through to late night pizza and margaritas.
DUNDEE:
The V&A Dundee’s new exhibition ‘Night Fever: Designing Club Culture’ explores the relationship between club culture and design stretching from the 60s to the present day. From Studio 54 to the Haçienda, the immersive exhibition reveals the progressive and subversive history of nightclub design, and its far-reaching influence on popular culture. Tickets cost £6-£12.
vam.ac.uk/Dundee
A Much Ado About Nothing theatre performance will be on at The University of Dundee Botanic Gardens on 11 July at 6.30pm. Enjoy Shakespeare’s beloved comedy in the open-air this summer. Attendees are reminded to bring their own seating/ rug, warm clothes and maintain social distancing throughout the event. Tickets start from £10.
illyria.co.uk
Scotland’s largest Cancer Research UK shop has officially opened in Dundee. The superstore is located at the former Brantano shoe shop in Gallagher Retail Park. It will be selling everything from clothing, furniture, gifts, electrical items, and household items, with all profits going to Cancer Research.
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