Edinburgh, Scotland – For the second time in three years, Macdonald Hotels has won the award for Best Breakfast at The Menu Innovation and Development Awards (MIDAS). The MIDAS awards aim to recognize the outstanding talents of menu development managers and group executive chefs in the multi-unit and chain restaurants sectors of the food service industry.

Alan Swinson, Catering Director of Macdonald Hotels was presented the award by Eamon Flavin, Managing Director of Delice de France sponsor of Best Breakfast.

Alan said: “It’s an honour to once again win the MIDAS Award for Best Breakfast. At Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, we are immensely proud of the quality we offer to our guests and are happy that MIDAS has recognised our high standards.”

Anna Longthorp from Anna’s Happy Trotters, supplier of sausages to the group, commented: “We are delighted that Macdonald Hotels has won this award. We’re fortunate to work with a hotel collection that cares so much about sourcing top quality, high welfare produce. Many hotels and restaurants are purely fixated on price and our pigs, being free range cost rather a lot more to produce than your average pig but this shows in the quality. Macdonald Hotels could source pork a lot cheaper, such as imported pork, so this just demonstrates their commitment to welfare, provenance and quality.”

The privately-owned hotel group works with a small selection of UK-based suppliers, meaning its restaurant chefs can employ the best raw ingredients to construct menus based on seasonality, sustainability, flavour and provenance, ensuring all food is bursting with nutrients and flavour.

Having invested GBP120k last year to improve its breakfast menu, Macdonald Hotels takes the most important meal of the day very seriously. Unlike many other hotel groups, Macdonald Hotels’ restaurants celebrate the best ingredients on offer across all areas of catering; breakfast, lunch, room service, conference and banqueting, using only the most fresh of ingredients. Breakfast choice at Macdonald Hotels includes:

• A range of healthy organic mueslis, fresh fruit, yogurt and granola
• Sausages from pigs raised by Anna’s Happy Trotters in Free Range conditions, using only back and belly meat from breeds such as ‘Duroc’ and ‘Maximus’
• Freshly baked all butter croissants, breads and pastries
• Freedom foods approved John Ross Jnr smoked salmon which is smoked in a 150 year old traditional kiln
• 100% Free Range eggs
• Milk from Graham’s The Family Dairy

The group has been awarded over 40 AA Rosettes for its restaurants and its food promise is reflected in the recruitment of the very best in fine dining talent. John Paul Maclachlan, Executive Chef at Macdonald Marine Hotel in North Berwick, learnt his trade with Gordon Ramsay and Raymond Blanc, and Aidan Byrne, who established the British Grill at the group’s Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel near Chester, remains the youngest UK chef to have won a Michelin Star at the age of 22.

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Burbank, U.S.A - Step out of the theater and become immersed in the world of “Brave” with Adventures by Disney’s first-ever Pixar-inspired itinerary, “Scotland: A Brave Adventure.” Disney Pixar’s ‘Brave’ tells the tale of the courageous Merida, the film’s headstrong teenage protagonist, who defies ancient tradition and challenges destiny to change her fate.

This 9-day, 8-night quest through Edinburgh, the Isle of Skye, the Isle of Lewis and Inverness takes families through the rugged Highlands, allowing them to experience first-hand the history, culture, nature, legends and lore of Scotland that inspired Merida’s story of bravery.

Adventures by Disney is a leader in the group guided-tour industry – sharing the stories of the world through 20+ international itineraries. For ‘Scotland: A Brave Adventure’, Adventures by Disney trip-planning specialists worked directly with the expert storytellers on Pixar’s ‘Brave’ production team to incorporate the castles, landscapes and legends that inspired the lush settings and memorable characters in the film – creating a Scotland experience that could only come from Disney.

Guests will discover locations that inspired Pixar’s creative spark during visits to the historic Black House of Arnol and the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, both of which served as reference for the Witch’s cottage, and Dunnottar Castle, one of the inspirations for the DunBroch family’s home.

Beyond the drawing board, the culture of the Scottish Highlands will come to life through authentic, hands-on activities – a hallmark of Adventures by Disney itineraries.

On the Isle of Skye, adventurers will partake in traditional highland games, make Scottish pastries – a favorite treat of Merida’s triplet brothers – and take lessons in Celtic music and dance. While traveling through Inverness, guests will participate in two of Merida’s favorite activities – horseback riding through the Caledonian Forest and archery at Glamis Castle. In Edinburgh, families will learn the art of tapestry-making at Dovecot Studios.

Another signature of an Adventures by Disney vacation, families will visit the country’s most treasured historical sites – including Eilean Donan and Edinburgh Castles, the ancient Callanish Standing Stones and Dun Carloway Broch on the Isle of Lewis – but in unique ways that only Disney could dream up. Rather than just walking the shores of Loch Ness, guests will go on a canoe expedition where they will search for “Nessie” and discover the picture-perfect Urquhart Castle.

In the capital city, travelers will tour the Royal Mile, including privately-guided visits to the Palace of Holyroodhouse – the Scottish home of the Royal Family – and the National Museum of Scotland, where they will learn fascinating details of the ancient period in which ‘Brave’ is set. Each departure features two knowledgeable Adventure Guides who will serve as leaders, storytellers, companions and personal concierge – taking care of all the details for a truly hassle-free travel experience.

“‘Scotland: A Brave Adventure’ combines the creative genius of Pixar Animation Studios with Disney’s ability to bring iconic stories to life with in a whole new way,” said Josh D’Amaro, Vice President, Adventures by Disney. “For the first time ever, our guests will be fully immersed in the legends and locations that inspired the film. ‘Brave’ is the perfect tale for Adventures by Disney to share; Merida’s experience speaks to the importance of the family bond – a cornerstone of any Disney vacation.”

Also new for 2013, Adventures by Disney has announced a Southeast Asia itinerary. Featuring Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, the 12-day, 11-night itinerary will give travelers the opportunity to experience some of Asia’s most exotic and culturally rich cities – including Saigon, Hanoi, Hoi An, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap and Angkor Wat.

Image Courtesy of   Brave

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The Royal Hospital for Sick Children is one of the latest medical facilities to receive Diversionary Therapy Technologies’ (DTT) groundbreaking ditto(TM) device. Located in Edinburgh, Scotland, the facility is devoted solely to pediatric care and also known as the Royal Hospital for Sick Kids.

The machine was donated to the hospital by The Sick Kids Friends Foundation, which supports the hospital. DTT’s ditto(TM) device uses diversionary therapy to lower anxiety in children prior to and during otherwise painful, traumatic procedures. The concept behind the device is to incorporate the latest research on using distraction and educational techniques simultaneously to reduce stress.

The ditto(TM) uses augmented reality, a multi-modal sensory-based distraction medium, to engage children. Its interactive touch screen, colorful marker keys and response to physical movement distinguish the ditto(TM) from traditional video game systems. The device includes a variety of interactive games, stories and procedural preparation tools. Handheld and waterproof, the ditto(TM) is portable and easy-to-operate for children of all ages.

“We find the ditto(TM) very helpful for diversional therapy as the children pick up the ditto(TM) and are able to use it very quickly after a brief explanation,” says Hilary Taylor, a staff nurse at the hospital. She says that children ages five through eight respond best to the games, while younger children use it with a parent, and enjoy the music, stories and procedural explanations.

The ditto(TM) is proven to reduce stress and anxiety, lower treatment times, and improve patient outcomes. In fact, it was developed with doctors, surgeons, nurses, play specialists, and animation experts over the course of six years. Eight independent randomized clinical trials have proven the efficacy of ditto(TM) and its technology. Fresh content continues to be added to the range of programs available.

Taylor says that approximately 12 to 14 patients are seen daily at the facility, which has been using the ditto(TM) for a few months. The device is used in the plastic dressing clinic on children that experience burns, scalds and other similar injuries.

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/EdinburghSickKids

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Thousands of talented performers and excited spectators gathered in Edinburgh, Scotland for the annual Fringe Festival.

The three week long festival took place in August and celebrated a multitude of performing arts. Everything from dance shows, concerts, comedic acts, musicals, and exhibits were performed during the Fringe Festival, making it one of the most popular creative arts festivals in the world.

The festival started in 1947, the Fringe Festival has grown tremendously since its original showcasing of just eight theater groups. The festival now welcomes thousands of acts who want to share a message with their audience.

Concerts are one of the main attractions at Fringe. Throughout the duration of the festival, hundreds of musicians lit up venues across Edinburgh with catchy tunes and had crowds singing and dancing.

Singer Adriana Spina performed at the Acoustic Music Centre at St. Brides, singing songs from her latest album entitled “Never Coming Home.” Spina performed at Fringe in the past, but 2011’s festival was the biggest so far.

The Cast, a Scottish band also took the stage at Fringe. They have received positive acclaim from UK’s popular band, Oasis. The Cast performed at The Edge Festival at HMV Picture House and was a crowd pleaser. Coming together with Fringe and the Edinburgh Comedy Festival, The Edge Festival brought over 40 musical performers to the stage, including Panic! At The Disco, Wiz Khalifa, and Jimmy Eat World.

Comedy shows throughout the three week run of Fringe were constantly bringing laughter and a light hearted atmosphere to the city. The Seven Deadly Sings  told jokes through musical comedy on topics including classical musician Beethoven and contemporary artist Elton John.

Comedian Juliet Meyers brought her stand up comedy routine entitled “Juliet Meyers: I’m Not Sparticus!” to the stage. She has received positive reviews by BBC and was one of the highlights in comedy during Fringe.

The Fringe Festival had shows for everyone, no matter what age. Children’s events were widely available throughout the festival. Children were able to watch a show called “Through the Looking Glass (And What Alice Found There),” a playful revamped performance of the classic “Alice in Wonderland.”

In an interactive dance lesson, children and parents were able to attend Flamenco for Kids, where they were able to learn and dance the flamenco. Children were encouraged to put on costumes and play instruments; a fun activity for the whole family. Dance performances were not limited for children. There was a variety of exceptional dance acts showcasing their talents at Fringe.

Migrations Cirque was one such act who danced across the stage at Gryphons Venues at The Point Hotel. Migrations Cirque is a collaboration of international dancers from places such as Germany, New York, and Hawaii. The show offered spectacular dances, movements, and sounds through an inspirational piece of work.

Swimming With My Mother was another dance performance that told the story of a mother and son relationship. Danced to the soundtrack of music from Nat King Cole, the duet piece was a favorite at Fringe.

The capital city of Scotland was bursting at the seams with creative talent during the month of August. The volume of performances made for one of the largest performing arts festivals in the world. The festival was easily accessible to the public as many performances were free. The annual Fringe Festival did not disappoint and was an exciting experience for people of all ages.

Stephen Finn / Shutterstock.com

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