Culture
The Good Books, Angie Spoto: ‘I re-read The Hobbit and fell in love with it all over again’
Angie Spoto on the book she recommends to everyone, reading the books of her childhood to her son, and her favourite place to read. The first book I remember reading: Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of Rings – I read them so fast when I was a kid. I couldn’t get enough of…
Read MoreRenowned Scottish artist Will Maclean exhibits new work in Ullapool
As part of Ullapool’s inaugural Art Week, renowned Scottish artist Will Maclean is exhibiting new works under the title of Ghost Boats in the Ceilidh Place Bookshop Porch. Jon Miller explores this incredible work which looks into Scotland’s relationship with the sea. The history of the Highlands and the west coast are often a…
Read MoreThe couple who gambled everything to become Wigtown bookshop owners
Joyce Cochrane had just discovered she was pregnant when she and her partner Ian gave up their jobs and moved from Edinburgh to revive a former bookshop in Wigtown. With no stock, no shelves in the shop, no accommodation and having no retail experience they were gambling everything on a dream. Now they are celebrating…
Read MoreAlan Cumming named new artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Scottish actor Alan Cumming has been named as the new artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre. The actor, most recently famous for his hit role in The Traitors, made his professional theatre debut at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow 40 years ago. Later his Hamlet stormed the West End, and he was hailed as ‘an…
Read MoreScottish artist Beth Robertson Fiddes on her latest exhibition: ‘I’ve always been fascinated with water’
Award-winning Scottish artist Beth Robertson Fiddes is opening a new exhibition at the Strathearn Gallery in Crieff. She has built a global following through her exceptional ability to paint the crashing waves and transparent rockpools of the Scottish Highlands, but it’s not been all plain-sailing in her search for inspiration. In the world…
Read MoreThe Good Books, J.D. Oswald: ‘Realising you can stop reading something you don’t enjoy and pick up something else is liberating’
J.D. Oswald on his memories of reading as a child, how he doesn’t enjoy Dickens and becoming addicted to audiobooks. The first book I remember reading: I devoured books from the moment I was first able to read them myself, having been read to by my parents from a very early age. I have…
Read MoreIncredible pictures revealing the life of women on Tiree over the last 100 years uncovered
Incredible pictures revealing the life of the women on the island of Tiree over the last 100 years will go on show for the first time. The images will be screened at the island’s Sea Change film festival, Scotland’s only annual celebration of women and film, later this month. Their stories have been taken from…
Read MoreShortlist announced for Bloody Scotland 2024 McIlvanney Prize
The shortlist for the 2024 McIlvanney Prize at Stirling’s crime writing festival has been revealed. The prestigious award, named in honour of the iconic late writer William McIlvanney, will be presented on 13 September – the opening night of Bloody Scotland. The shortlist includes Val McDermid, Chris Brookmyre and Abir Mukherjee. D V Bishop and…
Read MoreThe Enchanted Forest reveals this year’s theme
The ‘Enchanted Forest’ is returning this October and November with a new theme. The highly anticipated sound and light show, which takes place in Faskally Wood near Pitlochry, has become something of an autumnal Mecca for families up and down the country. This year’s theme is ‘Symphony of Nature’ and promises to be a celebration…
Read MoreLatest Scottish Ornithologists’ Club exhibition takes inspiration from Scotland’s wildlife
The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club (SOC) has announced its latest exhibition with three wildlife artists. Highlands to Islands will feature the work of Chris Rose, John Threlfall and Tim Wootton, who take their inspiration from the landscapes and wildlife of the North East of Scotland and the Orkneys. The exhibition will run from 25 September to…
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