Culture
Scotland Through A Lens: A touch of frost with Mark McColl
From the tranquil snow capped hills of Glencoe to the mist over Loch Morlich, Scotland’s sugar coated landscapes make for the perfect winter wonderland, says Mark McColl. I bought my first camera back in the early 1980’s, when I was in my mid-teens. It was a Zenith SLR – fairly cheap, built like a…
Read MoreA Weather Eye: Scotland’s enduring relationship with our changing weather
Whether it’s blowin’ a hoolie or the sun is crackin’ the pavey, Scotland, its people and its language have long had an enduring relationship with our changing weather. And our unpredictable weather is also reflected in our Scots language and dialects – Scots boasts 421 different words for snow. Now an exhibition at The McManus:…
Read MoreHistoric Lewis chessmen redisplayed to allow visitors to see their backs for the first time
The historic Lewis chessmen have been redisplayed in a case which allows visitors to see their backs for the first time. Made from walrus ivory and sperm whale teeth, the pieces range from the wide-eyed ‘Berserker’ who gnaws frantically on his shield, to a Queen who rests her chin in her hand, a rather fed-up…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Alan Tylor: ‘Muriel Spark epitomised what a writer should and can be if you stick to your principles’
Alan Taylor on being inspired by Muriel Spark, the novel he most recommends and knowing if he’ll stick to a book after the first page. The first book I remember reading: I learned to read with a series of books in which the two main characters were called Janet and John. These just happened…
Read MoreJoseph Maxwell Stuart to exhibit new work in North Berwick
Renowned Scottish artist Joseph Maxwell Stuart is getting ready to host a new exhibition in North Berwick. The landscape artist, from the Scottish Borders, works in both oils and watercolours, painting landscapes mostly ‘en plein air’. He particularly delights in the challenge of working directly from nature. He will be exhibiting new works in a…
Read MoreJolomo opens new exhibition in Glasgow and reveals where he discovered his trademark colours
Bestselling Scottish artist John Lowrie Morrison – known as Jolomo – is famous around the world for his colourful paintings of Scotland’s landscapes. Now, in a new exhibition in Glasgow, he reveals the place where he discovered the high-key colour which has become his trademark – on a special trip to Switzerland more than 50…
Read MoreComedian Craig Hill takes his latest hit show out on tour
Comedian Craig Hill is taking his latest hit show I’ve Been Sitting On This For A While! out on tour across Scotland And he certainly has been sitting on this for a while as Craig has just completed his 25th consecutive run at the Edinburgh Fringe. Renowned world-wide for his high-octane, irreverent live comedy, Craig’s…
Read MoreEdinburgh’s Hogmanay expands outside the city to Portobello for the first time
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will host live music events outside the city centre for the first time this year. A free afternoon ceilidh dance and a night-time indie pop and rock gig will be staged on New Year’s Day at Portobello Town Hall. The Vitamin C club night hosted by Vic Galloway and Andy Wake will start…
Read MoreThin Slices: An extract from the winner of this year’s Anne Brown Essay Prize
This is an extract from a longer essay by the winner of this year’s Anne Brown Essay Prize, Sarah Whiteside. Sarah is an Edinburgh-based writer of fiction and personal essays. Her winning essay came after the reading and research she did after learning her son is autistic, which led to the realisation she is autistic…
Read MorePalace of Holyroodhouse’s dramatic past revealed in first official history ever published
‘If these walls could talk’ might be the most fitting idiom when thinking about The Palace of Holyroodhouse. It’s journey from 12th-century abbey to official Scottish residence of His Majesty The King is peppered with royalty, glamour and even murder. Mary, Queen of Scots spent just six years at the Palace in the 1560s, but…
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