News
Firth of Forth marine life mapped
WHALES, dolphins, and other mammals visiting the Firth of Forth have been mapped by scientists and the public. More than 450 people reported sightings of whales, porpoises, dolphins, and seals to researchers from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh using the Forth Marine Mammals group on the Facebook social network. Exotic species such as humpback, minke, and…
Read MoreBBC Alba marks Hebrides migration centenary
A SERIES of dramatic monologues recorded by BBC Alba to mark the centenary of major migrations from the Outer Hebrides comes to an end tomorrow. The eight-part series, entitled Marloch is Metagama: Guthan (Marloch and Metagama: Voices), will be available on the BBC iPlayer for 30 days. Nearly 600 islanders left the Outer Hebrides in…
Read MoreBilly Connolly turned into National Theatre of Scotland show
THE National Theatre of Scotland has written a show about comedian Billy Connolly. The show was written by Gary McNair, who gathered stories about Connolly from people throughout Scotland. The performance, entitled Dear Billy, is billed as “A love letter to the Big Yin from the people of Scotland” and will tour our nation from 16…
Read MoreCampaigners mount ‘Ride to Parliament’
TEN horses led a “Ride to Parliament” through London this week as part of the campaign to pass the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill. The procession rode from Knightsbridge through Central London to the Houses of Parliament, escorted by mounted police. The bill would ban exports of live animals from Great Britain for fattening or…
Read MoreWhisky news round-up: Doddie, Glenturret, and more
Peter Ranscombe puts together another irreverent round-up from the world of whisky. A WHISKY selected by the late rugby legend Doddie Weir will go on sale tomorrow at Royal Mile Whiskies to raise money for his My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which is looking for a cure for motor neurone disease (MND). Weir visited Ardnamurchan Distillery…
Read MoreRoman ‘fortlet’ found near Antonine Wall
A ROMAN “fortlet” has been rediscovered near the remains of the Antonine Wall. Public body Historic Environment Scotland (HES) found the lost mini-fort during a geophysical survey in an “unassuming field” near Carleith Primary School in West Dunbartonshire. The fortlet was mentioned in 1707 by antiquarian Robert Sibbald, who wrote that he had seen a…
Read MoreLouisa Clutterbuck to lead British Game Assurance
PROMOTIONAL body British Game Assurance (BGA) has named Louisa Clutterbuck as its new chief executive. She takes over from Liam Stokes, who has led the organisation for three years. Clutterbuck has worked with BGA since it was created in 2018. She said: “Having been part of the operational and strategic team at BGA for nearly…
Read MoreStanley Tucci praises St Andrews film festival
ACTOR Stanley Tucci presented his directorial debut at the Sands international film festival in St Andrews. The American star showed Big Night, which he directed in 1996. “I’m excited that people still like the film, and it holds up – because films, sometimes, they don’t,” he said. “I’m excited to hear what their reactions are…
Read MoreUnion Chain Bridge to Northumberland reopens
THE Union Chain Bridge has reopened to link the Borders to Northumberland once more. Restoration work on the oldest vehicle suspension bridge in the world began in October 2020. Each part of the bridge – which opened in 1820 – was removed, checked, and replaced. Councillor John Greenwell, executive member for roads development and maintenance…
Read MoreWhy don’t more women play the bagpipes?
THE National Piping Centre today launched a study to find out why more women don’t play the bagpipes. Its six-month “Women in Piping and Drumming: Equality, Inclusivity, and Diversity” project is being run in collaboration with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The study includes an online survey, which runs until 2 June. Lady Oona Ivory,…
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