Lottie Hood

2 months ago | pressandjournal.co.uk | Lottie Hood

At an Aberdeen sports complex a small group of guys are quietly passing a football between them. It is a small turnout for a session that usually welcomes between 20 to 30 people each week, but I have a feeling my presence with a notepad might have scared a few players off. It is understandable, and it is not the first time the media has had an impact.

2 months ago | pressandjournal.co.uk | Lottie Hood

In amongst the gale-swept landscape on the small island of Unst, a compact but colourful bus stop has gained worldwide fame. Drawn to its heartwarming origins and quirky decor, thousands of visitors flock to Bobby’s Bus Shelter just off the A968 near Baltasound every year. Rather than catching the bus, people travel from all over to pose with themed props, enjoy the in-shelter library or mark their name in the visitors book.

Jan 11, 2025 | pressandjournal.co.uk | Lottie Hood

The sight of her father, Andy Jackson, suspended off a cliff as a child was a regular occurrence for Sue Sinclair. After her dad joined the Salen Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) 38 years ago, watching him undertake all kinds of training was normal for the Jackson family. And these days, after Andy’s three children Jim, Sue and Tom joined the Salen team, they do it together. But Andy is not sure he can take the credit for inspiring the sign-ups.

Jan 10, 2025 | pressandjournal.co.uk | Lottie Hood

Everything changed for Jonathan Milton during a friend’s performance with Gray School of Dance in Aberdeen. Within a year, after a lot of pestering his mum and dad, the eight-year-old was taking five different dance classes. “I was that kid,” Jonathan admitted laughing. “I wasn’t spoiled or bratty, but I was very passionate. “When I was younger, no boys did ballet and dance, that wasn’t a thing. Growing up in Aberdeen, it was a bit of a weird thing for people to see.

Jan 4, 2025 | pressandjournal.co.uk | Lottie Hood

Not many 16-year-olds would be setting up a community centre committee, hosting youth nights for 250 teens and volunteering seven days a week. Even fewer would still be doing it 29 years later. But then most people are not Scott Beattie. Or as Scott would say, most centres are not Inchgarth Community Centre. Since being part of the group that set up a new committee 29 years ago, Scott’s commitment to the community in Garthdee and making people smile has not wavered.