Honours for five First World War Scots creatives

Five historic creative figures who told their stories and experiences of the First World War through their poetry and art have been awarded commemorative plaques by Historic Environment Scotland (HES). Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, and Armistice Day this weekend, the plaques will be unveiled in cities…

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‘My Favourite Film’ Festival line-up unveiled

A Highland town will welcome Rab C Nesbitt star Gregor Fisher as the 12th annual Cromarty ‘My Favourite Film’ Festival programme was unveiled. Gregor and other guests will introduce the movies that they love. Everywhere from lighthouses to old breweries, via buoy stores and living rooms will turn into cinemas as one of the UK’s…

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Peter Pan will be at the heart of celebration

Dumfries’ Peter Pan heritage will play a part in a festival later this month. From sneak previews of the newly restored Moat Brae House to a CrocRock! Carnival, Dumfries is gearing up for a 10-day celebration of its JM Barrie heritage and of young people’s storytelling. The Dreams for the Future Festival, from 24 November…

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Book Week’s Scottish digital festival returns

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and former Scotland footballer Pat Nevin are just two of the big names taking part in this year’s Book Week Scotland Digital Festival. Book Week Scotland’s award-nominated event will return for a second year, after the success of 2017’s inaugural virtual event programme. After engaging over half a million people last year…

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New Scottish Opera work heads to frozen Arctic

Scottish Opera is to present the world premiere of Anthropocene, a gripping new work, in Glasgow. Anthropocene was commissioned by Scottish Opera from composer Stuart MacRae and librettist Louise Welsh, and will debut on January 24 at Theatre Royal Glasgow. It then tours to King’s Theatre, Edinburgh and London’s Hackney Empire. Telling the story of…

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Author to perform War Horse to mark Armistace

Michael Morpurgo’s emotionally-charged story War Horse is to be given a special performance in Scotland. It will be narrated live at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall by the multi award-winning author, with specially arranged music performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. It will be read at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall on Sunday 18 November as part of…

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Meet the Isle of Arran Distillers poetry competition judging panel

With the hunt for the official poem of the Isle of Arran Distillers new Lagg distillery well under way, the independent whisky maker has assembled an eclectic team of judges to consider each of the entries put forward by budding writers. Although they all share a passion for whisky, poetry and the unique landscape that…

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Along The Divide: Walking The Wild Spine of Scotland

Described as possibly the world’s most experienced long-distance walker, Chris Townsend returns with a new memoir . This details his journey across Scotland’s Watershed, which runs between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, a distance of 1,200km or 745 miles. Townsend, author of 22 books on the outdoors including the award-winning The Backpacker’s Handbook,…

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‘Dracula’ inn to be honoured with special plaque

The Scottish hotel that accommodated renowned author Bram Stoker while he created Dracula will be recognised under Historic Environment Scotland’s 2018 Commemorative Plaque Scheme. The annual scheme celebrates the lives of significant people by erecting plaques on the buildings where they lived or worked. Stoker’s plaque is the 57th announced under the scheme since it…

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The scariest Scottish sites to visit at Halloween

Scotland is known for is ancient castles, with their accompanying ghost stories. Scotland is arguably the home of Halloween – or Samhain as it was originally known. The celebration of all things spooky originates from the ancient Celts’ celebrations and is based on their ‘Feast of Samhain’. The eve became known as All Saints’ Eve,…

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