Sky festival

GLASGOW’S pioneering work in technology and animation will be thrust into the spotlight at the city’s Skypark later this month.

Skypark has teamed up with events venue SWG3 to host a technology and animation visual effects festival on September 28, which will showcase the work of specialists based at the business park. It will feature virtual reality demonstrations by Axis Studios, Spire Global and Clyde Space.

And, at a special after-event, there will be a first collaboration between Skypark and SWG3 at the venue, where animation from Axis will combine with music from Scottish band VanIves and a Nordic Kiasmos DJ Set by Janus Rasmussen.

Angela Higgins, of Skypark asset manager Resonance Capital, said: “Our technology festival will showcase the diversity of companies that are based here that are leading their sectors internationally from Scotland. With Pacific Quay’s media quarter in the neighbourhood, we have potential for expansion in two development locations.”

Cream rises

TONY Macaroni is one of Scotland’s fastest-growing restaurant groups, a point underlined last week when its owner revealed plans to invest £5 million to expand even further around the UK.

But Sep Marini, who has so far amassed a portfolio of 19 outlets under a range of brands, admits the company hasn’t always been in tune with Scottish tastes.

Mr Marini, who opened his first Tony Macaroni, in East Kilbride, in 2007, said: “When we originally did Tony Macaroni we weren’t putting cream in the carbonara because that is the right way to do it.

“But everyone in Scotland must have cream in their carbonara – it is our best-selling pasta dish at the moment, so the first year was a learning curve.”

Whisky joy

THEY are probably ordering up a new mantelpiece at Glasgow pub the Bon Accord – and perhaps not for the first time.

The malt and real ale paradise added to its burgeoning collection of gongs by lifting the title of best UK whisky bar of the year from the Good Pub Guide. It underlines, if any confirmation were needed, the reputation owner Paul McDonagh has forged since he took over the North Street pub 17 years ago.

With more than 400 whiskies on the gantry, however, there surely can’t be much room left to display many more trophies or certificates.

Pre-match meal

BACK with Tony Macaroni, owner Sep Marini revealed one of the perks of sponsoring Scottish Premiership team Livingston Football Club.

Mr Marini said it is now the regular custom for the first time to visit his Livingston restaurant for their pre-match meal at 12pm for home matches which kick-off at 3pm.

And now that the company has restaurants dotted around the country, the team can have a meal at Tony Macaroni before away matches too.

In case you are wondering, the Livi players’ current meal of choice is spaghetti bolognaise. We wouldn’t fancy running about after a plate of that...