IT would appear that nostalgia is in the air this season as I've never fielded more questions about sherry in my 25 years in the wine game. If that translates into sales there will be some very happy Spaniards in Jerez this year and it’s about time.

Quiet, crisp and clear winter days are perfect for exploring Scotland’s most spectacular coast and countryside scenery – especially with the promise of a wholesome, heart-warming meal and a cosy room after a day exploring. While Munro-bagging at this time of year might be a little too ambitious, Scotland has no shortage of shorter and more gentle winter walks, all within a stone’s throw of some of Scotland’s best foodie destinations. Here is a selection of Scotland’s top 10 winter walk

Nearly four years on from the day when Ellie Harrison's chips caused a national outcry, the artist is back to tell us more about why she did it – and how she survived that year in Glasgow in the media firing-line

"I'M hungry."

IF there's one thing that online news proves without any shadow of uncertainty, it's that there's no knowing what will capture the popular imagination.

ALASTAIR Stewart’s “resignation” is a good example of how anti-racism has moved from the streets into the boardroom. Anyone involved in anti-racist campaigns in the 1980s will remember the left wing nature of many of these campaigns.

Try to make sense of this if you can. The other day, a fund-raising event for the Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, who is gay, was disrupted by protesters. But they weren’t the kind of protesters you’d expect to get angry about a gay candidate. The protesters were gay themselves. It was a protest against a gay man staged by gays. It was gays against gays. It was pink on pink. It was confusing.

A Thousand Moons

IT is a truth universally acknowledged – at least by its advocates – that all things inexorably advance the cause of independence.

Disney, one of the most famous names in film, has launched a new TV service, called Disney Plus. Coming to a living room near you.

The iPhone offers a highly polished user experience, but iOS does have some quirks that you might find irritating. Our quick tips can help you shut down some of the biggest culprits.

Tristan Hugh-Jones, oyster farmer

Andy Lowndes, music detective for dementia charity Playlist for Life

Sandra Brydon, director of Home Group Scotland

Not since the Second World War has attention been so firmly focused on food. Before coronavirus we took a steady availability for granted. Now after coronavirus we’re wondering just how secure our food chain really is.

Ryanair has said it expects up to 3,000 jobs to be lost as part of a restructuring of the airline.

COMPLAINTS about holidays have overtaken job concerns as the number one issue for hundreds of Scots contacting two independent national advice services every day during the coronavirus crisis.

IT'S the day after May Day and perhaps you’re feeling you’ve missed out on a good, sweaty Scottish pagan spring ritual of the type done particularly well at Beltane on Edinburgh’s Calton Hill, though not in a year of quarantine. Never fear. There are still ways of channelling the fertility rites of spring, the chief one being, of course, the folk horror classic The Wicker Man. Put on a goat mask, get in touch with your inner Wicker – or even Wicca – and revel in a bit of self-isolation

IT’S not everyone who’s given the chance to design their own tartan so when the opportunity arose, Vixy Rae didn’t need to give it a second thought.

Beth Pearson, author of The Coorie Home

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Ingrid Newkirk isn’t sure exactly how many times she has been arrested. “Definitely a few dozen,” she’ll say, if you ask. I’ve just done exactly that, so right now the British-born founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is running me through a sort of greatest hits of her law-baiting exploits and the jailtime they have brought her in the name of animal rights.

WHEN you are a 6ft 3in tall, world-class tennis player with long arms, broad shoulders and a slim torso, buying off the peg is far from easy.

IF ever we needed to indulge in a bout of collective escapism, if only for 60 minutes on a Sunday night, then that time is now. Thankfully ITV has just the thing – Belgravia, the latest big budget costume drama from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and a series that positively ripples with dimples, quiffs, honey-coloured chiffon frocks, eye-popping millinery and glamorous uniforms.

This season's colours and cuts mix up the wardrobe-staple trench, says Prudence Wade.

The budget for Census 2021 is ringfenced and won't be compromised as Treasury seeks funds to fight Covid-19, says Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke.

SA faces its gravest test in over 70 years, to rebuild an economy that was already in a protracted slump after the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet, one could be forgiven for believing there's a wedge between the state's main actors tasked with the job of resurrecting a country that may see its jobless rate rise as high as 50%.

Canada shed three million jobs in the last two months due to the coronavirus lockdown, causing the unemployment rate to shoot up to 13% in April, the government reported Friday.

Once the coronavirus pandemic is over, the tourism industry will probably find that older, more affluent travellers are more hesitant to do so.

It’s been a nerve-wracking few years for the traditional auto industry. One Silicon Valley VC firm speculates on its future in an interview with Bloomberg.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that institutional investors in South Africa and across the globe are starting to take their ownership rights more seriously.

The Black Business Council stood by Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane and South Africa's Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment policy.

OM EAST - Just before Easter 2010, the Hitchings travelled to Serbia with Simon (OM EAST) to deliver 1200 copies of "My First Bible" in Arli to the Arli church...

OM EAST is helping meet the need for Bible study booklets to help Bayash Christians grow in their faith.

OM EAST responds to the need for Christian books in the Georgian language.

OM EAST helps bring God’s truth to a people who believe they are cursed.

OM EAST is publishing Rodney “Gypsy” Smith’s autobiography to help inspire Roma believers in Serbia.

Graphic designers, translators and distributors from 130 organisations meet to develop media for minority languages in Eurasia.

After years of work and anticipation, Gypsy Smith has been published in Serbian, a cause for rejoicing in a Roma church in Serbia.

The OM Austria Building Bridges team gains valuable experience during a short term trip to Turkey.

Thirteen participants in a weeklong outreach recently interacted with refugees, supporting OM’s refugee work in Linz.

“It is wonderful and we are very grateful to God that we can live here,” Javid said. “Finally we have found a place where we can live our faith in Jesus in peace."

Easter is a popular time for outreaches in Europe. Stories from last year inspire this year's team.

In partnership with local churches, a team shared the good news of Easter through music with all kinds of people in Austria.

THE Murray window is closing but Tennis Scotland appear to be diving through it just in time. Failing to adequately capitalise on the ongoing successes of Andy and Jamie has been a long-time frustration of the family, with mum Judy vehement in her criticism of the governing bodies for their inertia.

ANDY MURRAY may need to have another operation as he continues his bid to return to top-level tennis.

FOUR-TIME grand slam champion, Jamie Murray, will headline the Brodies Invitational tennis tournament, which has relocated to Edinburgh for this summer’s edition.

ANDY MURRAY has had a bumpy ride over the past couple of years, undergoing hip surgery, staging a comeback which saw him win his first title in two years before another injury setback has seen him sidelined since the tail-end of last year.

SIR Andy Murray has sent a heartfelt message to NHS staff for their heroic work during the coronavirus crisis.

ANDY MURRAY will swap a tennis racket for a games controller when he takes part in a virtual Madrid Open later this month.