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Scottish Picks: December 2000

Welcome to Scottish Picks, handpicked by our Scottish web connoisseur. If you have a
suggestion for a cool site you'd like to see included in a future edition, why not send us an email?

For those who didn't get their fill of haggis on St Andrews Day, The Scotsman have launched a new site devoted to the wee beasties called Haggis Hunt. Having never seen a live haggis myself, I was surprised to find that they look like a cross between a duckbilled platypus and a woolly cat. Registered "hunters" who manage to spot this (usually) elusive creature on the various webcams around Scotland can win prizes (top prize: a stayover at the posh Gleneagles hotel). You'll also find a load of haggis recipes, from deep fried to vegan haggis. But you won't see that longer back leg that haggii are famous for.

A creature of the feathered kind awaits you at Famous Grouse Whisky. Imbibers of this globally distributed, blended Scotch will recognise the old familiar as it struts meaningfully about your screen, disappearing in and out of windows. Step deeper into the site and you will find online shopping facilities and information on the whisky-making process. The virtual "estate" also houses Peter Irvine's Scotland the Best, a useful guide to cool pubs, restaurants, accommodation and places to visit around Scotland.

Haggis, whisky... All we need now is Walkers Shortbread to complete the culinary picture postcard of Scotland. Walkers are probably as well-known for their distinctive red tartan tins, as for their tasty, butter shortbread. The whole range of biscuits, cakes and shortbread is here, complete with pictures of the latest tin designs: a natty triangular tin with castles on each side, their commemorative tin for the Queen Mum's 100th birthday and a gallery of their famous packaging. There are games, recipes and titbits of information too - apparently President Clinton is a big fan of the shortbread.

We may be entering the festive season but sometimes it doesn't seem that joyous for web companies. One of the recent dot com casualties is the Scottish purveyor of 'rare and unusual experiences' Boondoggle.co.uk. The site still offers alternative events for stag nights and office parties, microlight lessons, tank-driving, hot air ballooning, pampering and the like. "We think we were on to something good here," says the closing statement on the front page. Catch it while you can.

But there are still success stories out there. The web site for clicks 'n' mortar outfit Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op has been ticking away quietly for several years now. The site creators have added more helpful content like Scottish cycle route guides and bike maintenance advice. They also sell a wide range of goods for pedal-pushers whether they be padded lycra shorts or newfangled mountain bikes (check out the Cannondale Bad Boy). A tortoise in a world of hares, perhaps?

Sites Featured in Scottish Picks:

Haggis Hunt - spot the haggis.

Famous Grouse Whisky - watch the birdy.

Walkers Shortbread - shortbreadarama.

Boondoggle.co.uk - boom-nobbled.

Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op - on yer bike.

Previous Scottish Picks of the Month:

[ November 00 | October 00 | September 00 | August 00 ]