News
Scots want ‘wilder’ national parks
A MAJORITY of Scots want our national parks to be “wilder”, according to a survey by the Scottish Rewilding Alliance. An opinion poll conducted by market research agency Survation found that 74% of Scots agreed with a call to make national parks wilder, while 6% were opposed to the idea. In February, NatureScot – the…
Read MoreShortleet for 2023 Walter Scott Prize unveiled
SEVEN books have been named on the shortleet for this year’s Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction. The titles competing for the £25,000 prize are: These Days by Lucy Caldwell (Faber) The Geometer Lobachevsky by Adrian Duncan (Tuskar Rock Press) Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris (Hutchinson Heinemann) The Chosen by Elizabeth Lowry (Riverrun) The…
Read MoreScottish designers at Dressed to Kilt
MORE than 65 outfits were on display on Saturday at the Dressed to Kilt fashion show’s 20th anniversary gathering in Washington DC. Scottish designers and brands taking part in this year’s show included: Calzeat; Glenisla Kilts; Harris Tweed Hebrides; House of Cheviot; Kinalba Scottish Cashmere; Lorna Gillies; Strathmore Woolen Mills; Slanj; Totty Rocks; and Walker…
Read MoreOutlander’s Sam Heughan picks winners
OUTLANDER star Sam Heughan has named the winners of his Write Start award. Heughan launched the competition last year to encourage students at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) to develop original work. This year’s winners are Hayley Louise McGuire and Jayme Bartlett, who are both in the third year of their bachelor of arts…
Read MoreWhisky news round-up: Orkney, Glenfiddich, and more
Peter Ranscombe rounds-up more whisky news from Scotland. ORKNEY is getting its third whisky distillery. Stuart and Adelle Brown have unveiled Deerness Distillery, which will be the first to open in the county for 138 years. Construction work on the six-figure distillery is expected to begin in the coming weeks after planning permission was granted.…
Read MoreEdinburgh hospitality venues host art exhibitions
TWO art exhibitions have opened at a hotel and members’ club in Edinburgh. Spring-inspired “Gilded Attestation” opened to the public at the beginning of last week in the city centre’s Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel. “Scottish Light”, a solo-showcase for local artist Madeleine Gardiner, opening on Saturday in Gleneagles Townhouse’s exhibition space, Lobby 37. Stockbridge gallery…
Read MoreUniversity unveils Adam Smith tartan
THE University of Glasgow has created a tartan to mark the tercentenary of economist Adam Smith. Smith began studying at the university when he was 14 years old and later returned as first its as professor of logic and then its professor of moral philosophy. He also served as its rector in 1787. Professor John…
Read MoreHostelling Scotland gears up for busy season
SCOTLAND’S youth hostels are preparing to welcome back visitors. Hostelling Scotland, which runs nearly 60 sites, said “early indications suggest it is going to be a busy year ahead”. The charity highlighted the popularity of its 16 dog-friendly “WoofHostels”. “Since 2019, when Hostelling Scotland’s first dog friendly hostel was introduced, WoofHostelling has become increasingly popular…
Read MoreFife kids get ‘Fish in the Classroom’
PUPILS in Fife have been learning about the River Leven thanks to a project called “Fish in the Classroom”. The children have been looking after brown trout eggs in school until they hatch and develop before releasing the baby fish into their local river, the Leven. Coaltown of Balgonie, Coaltown of Wemyss, and East Wemyss…
Read MoreHouse of the Binns reopens tomorrow
THE House of the Binns reopens tomorrow following major conservation work. The restoration project is part of the National Trust for Scotland’s ten-year strategy – “Nature, Beauty & Heritage for Everyone” – which was launched at the 17th-century country house a year ago. The conservation charity, which has been caring for House of the Binns…
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