Posts by Ellie Forbes
The Good Books, Douglas Jackson: ‘I was bereft by the end of The Alan Rickman Diaries’
The former journalist on being encouraged to persevere by the late John Le Carre and why he always recommends the Aubrey-Maturin Napoleonic naval adventures. The first book I remember reading: My dad took me to the library before I was old enough to get a ticket and I’ve been an avid reader ever since.…
Read MoreJohn Duncan Fergussson: new exhibition opens on 150th anniversary of Scottish Colourist’s birth
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of John Duncan Fergusson (1874-1961), the longest-lived and most international of the pioneering group of artists known as the Scottish Colourists. To mark the occasion, fine art auctioneers Lyon & Turnbull has curated a special touring exhibition of Fergusson’s paintings and sculptures, A Scottish Colourist at…
Read MoreKingsburgh House: Isle of Skye property with links to Flora Macdonald and Bonnie Prince Charlie for sale
It was once home to Flora Macdonald and the place where she and fugitive Bonnie Prince Charlie escaped to after evading capture from the Redcoat Government in 1746. But now the former laird’s house, on the Isle of Skye, is up for sale along with more than 13 acres of land for £300,000. Kingsburgh House…
Read MoreLife with Forestry and Land Scotland: ‘People would be amazed at the nature that lives in their gardens’
Environment manager for Forestry and Land Scotland, Colin Edwards, spends more time in nature than most. He talks to us about his passion for macrophotography and shining a light on the ‘ugly’ creatures. I took up photography at school, but in those days the cameras used films and were built like tanks. At one…
Read MoreSWMS: All women tasting panel select five special edition whiskies
In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society has released five special-edition single cask whiskies selected by an all women tasting panel. SMWS, which has more than 41,000 members around the world, said 5% of the profits from the total sale of the five bottles will be donated to the OurWhisky Foundation,…
Read MoreScotland Through A Lens: Alastair MacDonald Jackson
After nearly two years exploring Scotland’s remotest areas, Alastair MacDonald Jackson has captured the essence of island life. I’ve been taking photographs fairly seriously for the last 15 years now. It kind of happened by accident. I was a keen hillwalker, even to the extent of climbing 90 Munros (but I decided that clocking up…
Read MoreIan Rankin: John Rebus returns for new BBC TV series
He is one of Scotland’s most beloved literary characters, and now Inspector Rebus will return to our screens this year after the BBC announced a new adaptation of Sir Ian Rankin’s best-selling novels. Outlander star Richard Rankin will play the lead role of Det Sgt John Rebus in the new six-part series which was filmed…
Read MoreEdinburgh International Festival: August 2024 programme announced
Nicola Benedetti’s second programme as director of the Edinburgh International Festival has been unveiled. With more than 160 performances in the city this August, we take a look at some of the 2024 highlights. The Opening Event The EIF will open with a large-scale outdoor opening event for 10,000 people evoking the mythology and…
Read MoreLife with the Wallace Monument: ‘Braveheart is still a huge draw, even after 30 years it has an impact everyday’
Visitor Experience Assistant Sally Jeffrey on climbing the 246 steps of the Wallace Monument everyday and her devastation after climate change protesters attacked the Wallace Sword. I get to work just before 9am. I shuttle all the staff up on the bus and we get ready to start the day. I am an odd…
Read MoreCulloden battlefield broadsword to be auctioned by Bonhams
A sword found at the site of Battle of Culloden is to be put up for auction. Fought in 1746 it was the final engagement of the Jacobite Rising in which the forces loyal to the Young Pretender, Bonnie Price Charlie, were defeated by British forces led by the Duke of Cumberland. The 18th century…
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