National Theatre unveils Dracula and Mina

THE National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) has today unveiled the first look at its production of Dracula: Mina’s Reckoning. The play was written by Morna Pearson and shifts Bram Stoker’s narrative to the North-East. The NTS has assembled an all-female and non-binary cast for the production, which will tour Scotland, Liverpool, and Coventry in September…

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Edinburgh and Glasgow most expensive student cities

EDINBURGH has topped a league table as the UK’s most expensive city for students for the second year running, with Glasgow in second place. NatWest bank’s student living index, which was published this morning, showed that students in Scotland’s capital have a monthly term-time income of £1,453 – the lowest of all the cities ranked…

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Scottish Smallholder Festival to host pig show

THE Scottish Pig Show will form part of this year’s Scottish Smallholder Festival. The festival is due to take place at the Royal Highland Centre on the outskirts of Edinburgh on 14 October. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), and so the festival’s organisers hope the “turnout…

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Women’s piping and drumming survey extended

THE National Piping Centre has extended the deadline for women to take part in its survey about their experiences of piping and drumming. The survey, which was launched in April, has received 240 responses so far. The centre has now extended the deadline for submissions until 8 September. News of the extension came as the…

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Two Scots brands shake things up with cocktail

A PAIR of Scottish companies have unveiled a ready-to-drink Margarita cocktail. Bute-based Braw Liquor Club has included Blackthorn Salt from Ayr as one of the ingredients in its West Coast Margarita. The tipple also contains tequila blanco from Mexico, agave nectar, and lime. Braw has released the cocktail in 200ml and 500ml bottles. Elizabeth Mackirdy…

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Step inside June’s issue of Scottish Field…

THE beautiful south of Scotland is in focus in the latest issue of Scottish Field magazine, which is on sale now, both in shops and online. Our writers have been busy sharing stories from the Borders and Dumfries & Galloway. They include the spectacular story of Graeme Parker, a genial Wigtownshire hoof trimmer turned social…

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Rain didn’t dampen coronation celebrations

BAD weather didn’t stop Scots from celebrating the coronation. Families gathered in Aberdeen’s Duthie Park today to join Lord Provost David Cameron, who attended the coronation in London yesterday. On Friday, coronation-themed packs – including decorations and cakes made by local school children – were delivered to nursing homes and sheltered housing centres. Cameron said:…

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Whisky news round-up: Gavin Hastings and more

Peter Ranscombe presents his final whisky news round-up. RUGBY legend Gavin Hastings has launched two limited-edition single malt whiskies to raise money for Hearts & Balls, which supports injured rugby players. Hastings launched the bottles made by Loch Lomond Whiskies alongside Struan Kerr-Liddell, a former rugby player who has been wheelchair bound since dislocating his…

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Yardworks Festival opens studio at Glasgow’s SWG3

GLASGOW’S SWG3 venue yesterday hosted Yardworks Festival, one of Europe’s biggest events dedicated to street art and graffiti. The festival, which marked its fifth year at the Finnieston site, featured works by more than 100 artists. This weekend also marked the opening of Yardworks Studio, an purpose-built space in which hundreds of artists, youth and…

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