Brian Palmer

Jan 28, 2025 | scottishbeacon.com | Brian Palmer |Phyllis Stephen

Is the golden goose on a break? The last few years have seen plans for several new distilleries on Islay. With Portintruan already underway, despite construction problems, the re-opening of Port Ellen Distillery in March 2024, continued building of Laggan Bay Distillery at Glenegedale and Chivas Brothers proposals to construct a distillery at Gartbreck on the outskirts of Bowmore, Islay’s reputation has seen comments from both sides of the argument.

Oct 1, 2024 | scottishbeacon.com | Stephen Ryan Rafferty |Brian Palmer

Edinburgh Council employees have been overpaid salaries by a staggering £2.4 million, The Edinburgh Reporter has revealed. At a time when proposed budget cuts are set to cause havoc on vital services, £1.6 million remains outstanding, and the situation has worsened over the last 12 months.

Sep 27, 2024 | scottishbeacon.com | Brian Palmer |Laura Ndanuko

There is, as far as I know, no central register of UK book festivals, but a modest degree of research shows that the current number is well in excess of 100, including the recently held event on Islay. And though these range in size from the larger editions such as  Hay, Oxford and Edinburgh, to smaller events such as those on Islay or in Derby, what they all have in common is a pressing need for both books and authors.

Nov 1, 2023 | scottishbeacon.com | Alan McIntosh |Broughton Spurtle |Brian Palmer

Phase 1 of Edinburgh Council’s review of 46 community councils’ governance arrangements and boundaries began last month and consultation will continue until 18 Dec. This is the first statutory review since 2019, and its eventual recommendations will aim to reflect population and development changes across the capital and identify ways in which community councils could be more representative and better run. Increased budgets would help but aren’t on offer.

Oct 31, 2023 | scottishbeacon.com | Brian Palmer |Fiona Grahame

On the afternoon of Wednesday, 11 October, Beam Suntory and Ardtalla Estate made a joint presentation in Port Ellen’s Ramsay Hall prior to submitting parallel planning applications to harvest peat from Ballivicar Moss and Machrie Moss.