Since launching our competition with VisitScotland to win a 5-star luxury break and some of our amazing Scottish knitwear pieces we thought we would delve into the history of where in Scotland our knitwear is made.

Robert Mackie of Scotland was established in 1845 in Stewarton in Ayrshire where bonnet (hat) making can be traced back for over 400 years. Stewarton is still known as the “Bonnet Toun” but now Robert Mackie of Scotland is the only bonnet manufacturer remaining whereas in the 1700’s nearly the whole town was involved. The Company operates from its 25000 sq ft site at Holm Mill where over 50 employees are based.

They currently manufacture the traditional Scottish bonnets (Balmorals and Glengarries) which have been supplied to Scottish regiments, bands and Clan Associations throughout the world for many years.

For our Racing Green knitwear they have an extensive range of modern equipment and highly skilled staff producing designs of our styles of hat, gloves and scarves. 

This week we are mostly loving singer/songwriter Lisbee Stainton. If you haven’t heard this talented British artist sing before, you are missing something special.

We first heard Lisbee last year when she toured with Joan Armatrading and we instantly became fans of her addictive harmonic vocal style and lilting eight string guitar riffs. We could try to give you reference points and comparisons (the folk genre has so many wonderful precedents), but the fact is that Lisbee’s vocal style takes even her most classic progressions and makes them both desirable and satisfying. Implausible as it sounds, her music is simultaneously familiar and novel.

The other thing we like about Lisbee is that she understands that less can most definitely be more. To that effect she even went on a crazy “Living Room Tour” where she literally played to audiences of a dozen or so people in their own houses.  That simple philosophy also reflects in the super clean production of her new album “Go”.

Actually, we fell in love with Lisbee’s last album “Girl on an unmade bed”, which is an uplifting mix of playful familial lyrics and super close harmony. Her new offering “Go” points to a maturing soul, exploring of love and life, with sometimes melancholic reflection. But don’t mistake “Go” for a downbeat introspective, From the first (title) track; “Go” and the beautiful vocal hook and harmony of “Unsung” to the almost anthemic build up of “Find me here” this is a collection of music that portrays the glorious highs and lows of what it is to live and breathe.

You can buy both “Girl on an unmade bed” and “Go” albums directly from Lisbee’s website at www.lisbeestainton.com and follow this exceptional talent as she produces more amazing music.

STOP PRESS!

Lisbee is giving Racing Green followers a chance to win one of 5 signed copies of her cool “Go” album. 

To enter, you just need to go to www.lisbeestainton.com/racinggreen.html to enter the draw. Have a go and if you don’t win, buy it anyway. You won’t be disappointed.

Christkindelmarkt, Leeds is one of the most established German Christmas Markets in the UK, with traditional wooden stalls, Christmas carousel rides (slightly less festive bumper cars but still fun) and festive colourful lights all creating a unique German style christmas atmosphere in the heart of Leeds city centre.

This year marks the 10^th birthday of the Leeds location and is set in the stylish civic setting of the Millennium Square.

The market consists of over 40 wooden chalet stalls providing a wide range of seasonal gift ideas including handcrafted toys, jewellery, Christmas cards and traditional German delicacies such as gluhwein (Tip: Get the mulled wine with Amaretto), bratwurst sausages, goulash, soups, schnitzels and lots more!

The popular Frankfurter-Scheune festive hall is the place to be! Often this hall will come with a 1hr long entry queue unless you arrive before 5pm. This is because at 6pm the German music entertainment by ‘Mundy & Friends’ will have you singing along to songs with a 1 litre stein in hand!