Caledonia’s calling for songwriter Dougie MacLean

Perthshire’s Dougie MacLean is known the world over for his anthem born out of homesickness, but Scotland’s finest singer-songwriter has many more strings to his bow… It’s funny how life can come full circle. I grew up here in Butterstone, by Dunkeld and went to the old village school – I went to it, and…

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Did you know these 10 Scots actors have met Doctor Who?

November 23 marks Doctor Who’s birthday – and over the years, a large number of well-known Scots actors have appeared in the cult BBC show. Three Scots have played the title role – Sylvester McCoy was the Seventh Doctor, David Tennant the Tenth and Peter Capaldi the Twelfth – but they’ve not been the only…

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Victorian romance is at the heart of a historic farm

A romantic connection with the Cotswolds makes historic Woodhead Farm one of Aberdeenshire’s most fascinating properties. Presented for sale by Bell Ingram as a whole, or in two separate lots, the beautiful five-bedroom farm cottage was rebuilt in the late 19th century by Sir Arthur Grant, the 9th Baronet of Monymusk. The story goes that…

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Dollar Academy make shortlist for Scottish music awards

Dollar Academy’s award-winning pipe band has been nominated as a contender for Pipe Band of the Year in MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards 2019. More than 210 pupils take part in the Dollar Academy Pipe Band programme which has been a fixture of life at the school since 1912. The band has won numerous…

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Something for everyone at National Museums Scotland

National Museums Scotland’s 2020 exhibition programme will feature something for everyone, from dinosaurs to fashion – as well as The Declaration of Arbroath. The newly-announced schedule includes fearsome predators, iconic fashions and archaeological mysteries in highlight exhibitions Tyrannosaurs, Little Black Dress and The Galloway Hoard. The National Museum of Scotland – the most popular attraction…

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Exploring the cultural history of the Highlands

Disturbed by tales of wild beasts, harsh geography and the bloody conflicts of warring clans, few travellers ventured to the Scottish Highlands until after the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie at the Battle of Culloden. The influence of the clans was curbed and the Highlands became celebrated by poets, writers and artists for their beauty…

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Former firefighter from Perth bags £200,000 supercar

A former Scots firefighter has been burning rubber in his brand new Lamborghini Huracan Evo worth a whopping £200,000 after becoming the 500th winner of dream car competition, BOTB. Chris Phillips might be more accustomed to driving a fire engine under blue lights on the streets of Perth, but this week he was speeding around…

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Granite Noir announces its first two guests

Granite Noir, Aberdeen’s international crime writing Festival, returns in February 2020 with an exciting line-up of Scottish, UK and International authors. While the full programme won’t be announced until early December, organisers have released the names of two headline speakers as part of an early-bird booking package. Sara Paretsky is the award-winning American author who…

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PURE Spa & Beauty launch first retail outlet

PURE Spa & Beauty has announced its first retail property in the UK, with the opening of PURE Beauty Zone in Edinburgh. The day spa chain, who operate over 14 locations across the UK, are set to tap into demand among busy professionals for convenient treatments and offer sustainable 100% natural and affordable beauty products…

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Scots Trad Music Awards shortlist revealed

Hands Up for Trad, the organising body of MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, has announced the artists and bands shortlisted for 2019’s prestigious awards – and voting is now open.  A staple in the traditional music calendar, the ceremony will this year take place in Aberdeen Music Hall on Saturday 7 December at 7pm…

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