Winter Favourites

Cinnamon and orange peel will get you so far. This Scottish autumn simmer pot recipe goes further, pulling in juniper and heather to make the whole house smell like the hills did two hours ago. Easier than lighting a candle, and it lasts all afternoon.

The invitations start arriving before the advent calendars are even on the shelf. Here's how to decline festive invites without guilt, whether it's a work do, a friend's drinks, or the family gathering you've been quietly dreading since October.