Top Gin As many people eschew alcohol as part of so-called Dry January, one Scottish drinks brand has found reason to hold a toast just days into the New Year.

Aberdeen-based Porter’s Gin has been named one of the top ten gins in the world, as compiled by industry bible Drinks International. It comes just two years after the brand, which rubs shoulders in the list with established names such as Tanqueray and Hendrick’s, was founded when Scots Ben Iravani, Josh Rennie and Alex Lawrence turned the basement of their Aberdeen bar into a micro-distillery.

With a strong following in cocktail bars around the world, Porter’s has broken into several international markets, including Singapore, South Korea, Japan, France, Italy, Norway and the US.

Such progress is surely worth raising a glass to, even on January 9.

In demand New Year is typically a time for reflection, with many of us contemplating a change in career direction.

Aware of this trend, recruitment firm Hays polled Scots on the most-wanted jobs in the country, and found part and newly-qualified accountants will be most in demand this year.

“Salaries for part-qualified and recently qualified professionals have increased by 7% and 4% respectively,” said Akash Marwaha, managing director of Hays in Scotland.

“This is due partly as a result of accountancy practices reducing their intake of trainees years ago, leaving higher availability of less-qualified candidates.”

Accountants are followed in the most-wanted chart by cloud architect, tax manager, auditor, and quantity surveyor.

Whisky The boss of one of Scotland’s leading whisky attractions has landed a broader tourism role.

Susan Morrison, chief executive of The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh, has been confirmed as the new chairman of the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions. As the first woman to chair the ASVA, Ms Morrison said that it is “both an exciting and challenging time” to move into the role.