Scottish strawberries are tasting better than ever this year, according to fruit farmers in Angus and the North East. After 100 days of sunshine and a dry and mild March and April, berries of all sorts are bigger and tastier and earlier than usual. The farmers are thrilled with the quality of the strawberries, attributing it to the ideal weather conditions that Scotland has been experiencing. It’s a rare occurrence to have such perfect growing conditions, and everyone in the farming community is reaping the benefits.
Water supplies are becoming a concern for whisky distilleries like Glenfarclas on Speyside, as the dry weather has led to reservoirs being 10 per cent lower than usual. The water authorities are urging people to be cautious with their water usage, although there is no hose-pipe ban in place yet. Additionally, the risk of forest fires has increased, with a recent serious fire in Culbin Forest on the Moray coast. Despite the challenges posed by the dry weather, the farmers remain optimistic about the quality of this year’s strawberry harvest and are hopeful for a successful season.
In the realm of politics, the UK Government’s decision to limit the winter fuel payment to only the poorest pensioners has sparked controversy. Sir Kerr Starmer’s announcement of expanding the eligibility criteria for the payment has somewhat appeased tensions, but details will only be revealed in the autumn Budget. The Scottish Government, on the other hand, has taken matters into its own hands by offering a winter fuel payment to all one million pensioners in Scotland, ranging from £100 to £300. The move aims to address the dissatisfaction caused by the UK Government’s decision and ensure that all pensioners are supported during the colder months. Despite the differing approaches taken by the two governments, the issue of government expenditure and taxation remains a contentious topic among voters and opposition politicians. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like there’s always some drama brewing in the world of politics, whether it’s about benefits or budget allocations.
