A train of thought for the northern railway line

If you’ve ever been fortunate enough in life to have taken the train to the north and west of Inverness, you’ve been on one of the most scenic train routes in Britain. The route provides an incredible variety of natural beauty, showcasing lochs and mountains, moorland and farmland, and an incredible coastline. This route has…

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Scotland’s secret wartime past in new book

A new book chronicling the Scottish sites requisitioned to support the war effort during World War II is set for release. Secret Wartime Britain reveals just how well Britain kept crucial wartime installations secret. The book, written by former BBC programme-maker, Colin Philpott, demonstrates how few people were prosecuted for giving away vital information during…

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Crimewriting giants heading for Glasgow libraries

Literary rebels are being let loose on Glasgow’s libraries this week, as the seventh annual Book Week Scotland festival (19 – 25 November) explodes into the city. With the nationwide celebration of books this year based around the theme of rebellion, Glasgow Libraries programme of events is packed full of banned books, crime writers and…

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First Minister’s favourite reads for Book Week Scotland

Book Week Scotland is now underway, with events taking place up and down the nation. As part of this year’s celebrations, the Scottish Book Trust has teamed up with Waterstones to provide exclusive book lists from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and bestselling author Maggie O’Farrell. Ahead of their sold-out event at Stirling Castle on Thursday,…

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Murder, mysteries and more with Granite Noir

The cream of crime fiction authors from around the world, a poisoned high tea party, Noir inspired cabaret and a specially commissioned Escape Room game are some of the highlights that audiences can expect at the third annual Granite Noir festival. Produced by Aberdeen Performing Arts, in partnership with the Belmont Filmhouse, Aberdeen City and…

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Chocolat author to give free talk at Scottish school

The writer of a best seller which was turned into an international hit film is to visit a Scottish school. Bestselling Chocolat author Joanne Harris, with Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, will visit McLaren High School in Stirlingshire next Monday, 19 November, from 4.30–6pm. Book Week Scotland is…

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Crime novelist set to launch Granite Noir festival

Aberdeen’s crime writing festival Granite Noir is all set to launch its third festival programme at a special event this weekend. Local crime novelist Stuart MacBride will join the team behind Granite Noir to share the secrets of the festival’s 2019 programme and mark its official launch. Granite Noir 2019 will take place from Friday…

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Try these yummy white cacao and chestnut blondies

This year’s Foodies Festival for Christmas is just over a week away. Running from 23-25 November at the Edinburgh EICC, it’s a great chance to celebrate in all things good, with a host of top chefs in attendance. Courtesy of Foodies Festivals, we present a recipe for White Cacao & Chestnut Blondies to try, from…

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The story of McGill’s Buses brought to book

The story of Scotland’s largest independent bus operator is celebrated in a new book. McGill’s Bus Services operates throughout the west of Scotland, with its headquarters in Greenock, and David Devoy’s book charts and highlights the firm’s substantial growth in recent years. The present company was founded in 2001, taking on the name of a…

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Crime writer Val is new Scottish Book Trust patron

Scots crime writer Val McDermid has been appointed as the new patron of the Scottish Book Trust. The national charity transforming lives through reading and writing has a long-time supporter in Val, one of the biggest names in crime writing and her novels have been translated into 40 languages, selling over 15 million copies worldwide.…

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