Cockade from George IV visit rediscovered

A COCKADE worn during the visit of King George IV to Edinburgh 200 years ago this week has been found. Curator Helen Edwards found the silk cockade and a silver saltire and thistle badge while sorting through files and boxes in the Museum of Edinburgh. After some detective work, staff worked out that the items…

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Red deer project helps count elephants from space

A GLASWEGIAN company that tracked red deer in Scotland is now using its techniques to help protect elephants in Africa. Eolas Insight uses data from satellites to track the elephants as they roam around a national park in Southern Mozambique. The business developed its methods during the CivTech programme, when it helped NatureScot – the…

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First Edinburgh Deaf Festival opens today

THE maiden Edinburgh Deaf Festival is getting underway today. More than 100 performances will be staged over the next ten days. The festival is designed to appeal to both deaf and hearing audiences. Award-winning mime artist DeafMimo, Mae Al-Kalamchi from the children’s magic show Once Upon A Raindrop, and comedian Gavin Lilley helped to launch…

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Symphonix Rock Orchestra swaps Chopin for Coldplay

AN ORCHESTRA will trade Mozart for Metallica later this month during a concert at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom. The Symphonix Rock Orchestra will make its live debut on 26 August when it switches from Rachmaninoff to Rage Against the Machine. Born from the imagination of founder and musical director Neil Thompson, Symphonix combines his love for…

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Grouse shooting season begins today

RURAL businesses are predicting that overseas visitors will return to Scotland as the grouse shooting season gets underway. Ross Ewing, moorland director at trade body Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Thanks to the arrival of the grouse shooting season, Scotland’s rural economy is back in business after a challenging few years of covid-19. “The significance…

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Restoring Cairngorms forests – one burger at a time

VENISON from red deer shot in the Cairngorms is being sold to fund tree planting. Deer are culled in the Cairngorms National Park to stop them from eating the growing tips off tree saplings. The venison has gone on sale in the shop at the RSPB’s Loch Garten nature reserve. Previously, Lynbreck Croft – which…

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Abbotsford prepares for tomorrow’s ScottFest

SIR Walter Scott’s home at Abbotsford near Tweedbank is making the final preparations for its “ScottFest”. The three-day festival celebrating the life of Scotland’s most famous author begins tomorrow. Events include jousting, terrier racing, and birds of prey displays. The festival marks Scott’s birthday, which this year coincides with the 200th anniversary of the author’s…

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Whisky festivals prepare for busy September

SCOTLAND’S whisky festivals are preparing for a busy September, with Distilled taking place in Elgin, and the National Whisky Festival of Scotland rolling into Aberdeen. Tickets have gone on sale for Distilled, which takes place at Elgin town hall om 2-4 September. It marks the first time in three years that the Speyside festival will…

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River City marks 20th birthday

SOME familiar faces are returning to Shieldinch for a special River City episode to mark the TV soap’s 20th birthday. Filming began this week on the anniversary episode, which will be broadcast at the end of September. In the programme, Bob O’Hara and best mate Angus Lindsay wake up “in a parallel dimension where all…

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School pupils receive their exam results

PUPILS from schools throughout Scotland have been receiving their National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher exam results today. A group of brave pupils at Auchmuty High School in Fife opened their envelopes in front of the television cameras, with a live link to Good Morning Britain on STV and ITV. Headteacher Pam Davie said: “For…

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