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Burns Night: more than haggis, neeps and tatties
WITH Burns Night approaching on Wednesday, Scotland is demonstrating that there’s a lot more to learn about our national bard than haggis, neeps and tatties. The South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) has created themed driving routes following in the footsteps of Robert Burns and inspired by the Great Tapestry of Scotland. The 187 mile-long…
Read MoreArmy veteran launches this year’s Cateran Yomp
AN ARMY veteran, who was forced to give up military life due to injury, is pledging to plough “every penny” back into the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) by embarking on the Cateran Yomp, one of Scotland’s toughest endurance challenges. Royal Artillery veteran Lee Harris-Hamer, 31, from Thirsk in North Yorkshire, is the new ambassador for…
Read MoreMacLean brothers sell art for charity
A TRIO of Scottish world record-breaking brothers hopes to raise thousands of pounds for clean water projects in developing communities through an art exhibition in Edinburgh. Works by artist Bridget Ievers Cox were left to the MacLean brothers – the first three brothers to row across an ocean together – when she died last year.…
Read MoreRaising a glass to this year’s whisky festivals
SCOTLAND’S whisky festival season is getting underway, with The National Whisky Festival returning to SWG3 in Glasgow tomorrow as part of Celtic Connections. The festival began in 2015 and has grown from its Glasgow base to include events in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Inverness. Gareth Croll, the festival’s coordinator, said: “After such an incredible year touring…
Read MoreIslands share £100m investment
ORKNEY, Shetland, and the Western Isles will share £100 million of public funding once an “islands growth deal” is signed today. The deal pulls together cash from the Scottish and UK governments. Ministers hope the money will trigger a further £393 million of investment from businesses over the next ten years, creating up to 1,300…
Read MoreWaverley paddle steamer in ‘urgent’ cash appeal
THE team behind the Waverley paddle steamer has this lunchtime issued an “urgent” funding appeal to raise £180,000. The cash is needed to pay the boat’s winter dry dock costs and recommission the vessel for this season’s sailings. Waverley, which is the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer, carried more than 100,000 passengers last year as…
Read MoreKalopsia Collective launches ‘textiles bond’
TEXTILES maker Kalopsia Collective, a social enterprise founded in 2012 by artists and weavers, aims to raise £100,000 to expand production. The collective moved from Leith to a factory in Dumferline, where it can produce textiles in small batches. Kalopsia focuses on sustainability and reducing waste in the textiles industry. Scottish Communities Finance, a community…
Read MoreBurrell collection brings in £20m for Glasgow
THE Burrell Collection has welcomed half a million visits since reopening in March and has injected £19.9 million into Glasgow’s economy. That’s according to Glasgow Life, the organisation set up by the local council to run arts venues in the city. The economic benefit generated by the museum rises to £21.1m for Scotland as a…
Read MoreWildlife struggles as climate change bites
SCOTLAND’S wildlife is struggling to recover due to biodiversity loss and climate change, according to experts. Figures published this morning by NatureScot, the Scottish Government agency known previously as Scottish Natural Heritage, showed species are struggling to increase their numbers or to spread their locations. More than 2,800 species are stuck at 1990s’ levels, which…
Read MoreCeltic Connections begins
GLASGOW’S Celtic Connections music festival kicks off its 30th season tonight. Around 1,200 musicians will stage 300 events at 25 venues throughout the city during the 18-day festival. Genres represented in the programme include “traditional folk, roots, Americana, jazz, soul, and world music”. Highlights include: Irish six-piece ensemble Notify, which celebrates its 10th anniversary at…
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