Scone Palace launches ‘Kids go free’ offer

SCONE Palace will be throwing open its doors to young people tomorrow, with free entry throughout October for all children aged 15 and under. The “Kids go free” offer also covers the palace’s 100 acres of grounds, which include the Murray star maze, a Victorian pinetum, and an adventure playground. Indoors, the palace – which…

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Jackie Bird is new National Trust for Scotland president

TELEVISION presenter Jackie Bird was appointed as president of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) on Saturday. Members of the charity approved her appointment at the trust’s annual general meeting (AGM) in Glasgow. David Mitchell, who convened the AGM as deputy chair of the NTS, said: “Jackie Bird is already a committed friend to the…

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Young Islanders’ Network launched

CHILDREN and young people from Scotland’s islands will be sharing their views through a new Young Islanders’ Network (YIN), which was launched yesterday. The YIN has been set up as part of the Scottish Government’s national islands plan. The network will help to share young people’s views on how the plan is implemented. Ministers teamed…

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Edinburgh youngsters pick 50 favourite places

CHILDREN in Edinburgh have selected their 50 favourite activities for a guide compiled for youngsters visiting Scotland’s capital. More than 100 recommendations were received from young people aged between three and 15. The project was run by Forever Edinburgh, the city council’s marketing body, and women’s network Egg. Egg’s community of mums asked their “mini…

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Seaton Park in Aberdeen is ‘best in Scotland’

OUTDOORS charity Fields in Trust has named Seaton Park in Aberdeen as Scotland’s favourite park. Members of the public nominated 364 parks for the UK title, with more than 30,000 votes being cast to decide the winner. Seaton took the Scottish title, with five other parks achieving enough votes to reach “local favourite” status. Aden…

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NatureScot Future Routes Fund hands out cash

THE winners of money from the NatureScot Future Routes Fund have been announced. Nine projects are being supported by the £20,000 fund, which was created to help young people improve the environment. Among the winners is Yunique Oqunshe, 14, whose “Nature 4 Wellbeing Sake” project will plant trees and dig ponds on neglected grounds. Under…

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Hostelling Scotland sites all open again

ALL of the sites operated by Hostelling Scotland are now up and running again following the lockdowns. It marks the first time in more than two years that the charity’s 29 youth hostels are all open again. Margo Paterson, the boss at Hostelling Scotland, said: “The [past] couple of years will long be remembered as…

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Tweed Valley Trail launches day and night runs

DAY and night runs are being organised on the Tweed Valley Trail. Off-road five-kilometre, 10-kilometre, and 20-kilometre routes will be offered during the day on 1 October, followed by a 10-kilometre “nightfall” run at 6.30pm with head torches. The routes will include a “100-metre arboreal avenue of light and sound effects”. Neil Dalgleish, event director…

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Scottish Geology Festival tells landscape tales

THE Scottish Geology Festival is celebrating Scotland’s “Year of Stories” by sharing tales of our nation’s landscapes and coastlines. The festival, which begins on 1 September, opens with a talk hosted by The James Hutton Institute and the Scottish Geology Trust. Alan McKirdy will presented “A conversation on James Hutton: the man and his legacy”…

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