An encounter with Scotland’s original ghost hunter

Scottish ghosthunter Tom Robertson discusses the ghouls and spooks that still haunt him. What is a ghost? A ghost is the earthbound spirit of someone whose death was so traumatic that something became jammed and they are unable to pass into the next life. Instead, they are stuck in purgatory until someone frees them. In…

Read More

WINNERS OF SCOTS TRAD MUSIC AWARDS ANNOUNCED

Kilts swinging, fiddles blazing and the skirl of the pipes booming loudly – there’s nothing that sets the heart alight quite like an evening of traditional Scottish music. Celebrating the best trad talent in the country was the annual MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, and in between some exceptional toe-tapping performances, the 2019 winners…

Read More

Follow their train of thought in new documentary

The lives of Scots rail passengers feature in a new TV documentary. Part of BBC Scotland’s Modern Lives series, Brief Encounters captures a range of remarkably frank and entertaining conversations as rail passengers share their experiences of life and the views of the world they see out of the window. The conversations in Brief Encounters…

Read More

A joint win for Emerging Publisher of the Year

An Oban-based publisher was celebrating at the weekend after winning a top literary award. Alan Windram of Little Door Books was named joint winner of the Emerging Publisher of the Year award, together with Kay Farrell of Sandstone Press. The Saltire Litarary Awards were presented at a ceremony in the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh,…

Read More

Doddie Weir shares his story in TV documentary

In 2016, rugby legend Doddie Weir was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Told he would be in a wheelchair within a year, two years later he is still fighting for a cure. Over that time, John Beattie followed the former Scotland international on his journey of coming to terms with MND. Doddie and his…

Read More

StAnza brings poetry to Fife for another festival

StAnza, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival, has revealed a host of prize-winning poets among next year’s line-up as it launches its core festival programme for 2020. Festival director Eleanor Livingstone said: “‘It’s always a pleasure to reveal the core programme for each StAnza festival and we’re delighted that next year’s line-up will be showcasing some of…

Read More

Shetland to return for two more series on BBC One

Acclaimed BBC One murder-mystery drama Shetland will return for two more series. Douglas Henshall will again reprise his role as DI Jimmy Perez alongside series regulars Alison O’Donnell and Steven Robertson.  The series is made by Silverprint Pictures for BBC One. Adapted from Ann Cleeves’ celebrated novels, Shetland debuted on BBC One in 2013 and has gone from…

Read More

Highland balls are becoming a global phenomenon

Bagpipes and trumpets; flag throwers and drummers; tartan kilts and silk pantaloons. That is what the people of Florence had to look forward to before 500 Scots arrived in February 2016 for traditional Scottish Balls with a twist. A special fusion of all things Scots and Florentine, the event will see highland reels danced in…

Read More

Sporting legend to be honoured at new attraction

The youngest-ever winner of BBC Sports Personality of the Year will be celebrated along with other world-beaters. Provost Skene’s House in Aberdeen will re-open as a new visitor attraction in autumn 2021. It is being redeveloped by Aberdeen City Council to tell the story of the region’s global impact in the fields of sport, science,…

Read More

Blas Festival draws in top Scottish talent

This year’s Blas Festival, which is currently taking place at venues across the Highlands and Islands, will finish with an impressive array of musical entertainment to celebrate St Andrew’s Day this weekend. In association with St Andrew’s Fair Saturday, supporting HiMRA (Highland Migrant & Refugee Advocacy) and Highland Supports Refugees, Blas Festival will hold seven…

Read More