StAnza programme launched ahead of 2022 festival

StAnza, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival, has revealed a host of prize-winning poets among next year’s line-up. It has unveiled its festival programme for 2022 under the title Stories Like Starting Points. The festival, which was forced online in 2021 due to Covid, is planning a full return in hybrid form, Covid permitting, combining the best…

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The story of a 19th century Scots campaigner

This is a unique and fascinating tale about Mary MacPherson – known as Màiri Mhòr – Skye’s 19th century bard and political campaigner. She made her name by vocalising the plight of crofters through song writing and activism. Her rage and despair at being falsely imprisoned in Inverness led to a poetic outpouring of songs,…

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Two days to enter Glencairn Glass crime writing short story comp

If you’re an author with a murderous imagination, a crime that needs capturing or a deadly deed to document, then time is still on your running. The Glencairn Glass – the world’s favourite whisky glass – and sponsor of the McIlvanney and Bloody Scotland Debut crime-writing prizes, is looking for crime short stories, having launched…

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Mysteries as people vanish on a Scots island

The fictional island of Bancree, a place inspired by the author’s trips to the Scottish isles, plays host to a story of mystery and intrigue about a teenage girl and a string of disappearances. People aren’t only arriving on Bancree – they are disappearing too. When a mysterious man and his daughter move into isolated…

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The communities taking ownership of their land

In recent years, communities in the Scottish Highlands and Islands have taken ownership of more than half a million acres – an area equivalent to that of an English county like Nottinghamshire or West Yorkshire. In places long characterised by contracting economies and shrinking populations, this remarkable development has resulted in new homes, new businesses,…

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The story of philanthropist A. K. Bell and the Gannochy Trust

There have always been people who are in successful in life, who feel a moral duty of care to help those less well off. In A Roof Over One’s Head, writer Jeremy Duncan narrates the history of the work of A.K. Bell and the Gannochy Trust. The Trust was founded in 1937 by Scottish businessman…

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Whisky miniature collection makes almost £30,000

A collection of miniature bottles of whisky has gone under the hammer for an amazing £29,750 at auction. The collection of 4000 whisky miniatures and memorabilia was amassed by Kettering-based collector Brian Marshall over a 30-year period beginning in the late eighties. It was sold in two timed online auctions by Gildings Auctioneers in Market…

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Making it happen in 2022 at The Royal Conservatoire

It’s the annual celebration of innovation that turns the spotlight on some of the nation’s most exciting young artists. The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – a world top three destination for performing arts education – has announced the 15 recipients of its Make It Happen Fund, which helps graduates in the early stages of their…

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The perfect read if you want to have pigs at home

For the majority of people, pigs are something that live on farms, where they are bred for eating purposes. However, that’s not been the case over the past decade – how often have we seen pictures of celebrities out and about, whilst carrying a micro-pig in their arms? Keeping Pigs is an introductory guide is…

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Ultra-rare Macallan showcased at Dubai airport

The Macallan and Le Clos have partnered to launch the extraordinary Anecdotes of Ages Collection: Journey to Market whisky. The only bottle of its kind globally, this is one of the rarest bottles ever to become available. This one-of-a-kind bottle is showcased in a specially commissioned window display at The Macallan Boutique by Le Clos…

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