Birlinn founder Hugh Andrew receives Shackleton medal

PUBLISHING house Birlinn founder Hugh Andrew has been presented with the Shackleton medal by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Andrew received the award for his “leadership and citizenship in publishing”. He was also made an honorary fellow of the society. Roger Crofts, former chair of the society, described Andrew as the “vital spark” of Scottish…

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Edinburgh’s book festival unveils schools events

COMICS, climate change, and knitting are all on the agenda for the schools programme at this summer’s Edinburgh International Book Festival. Every event is free and fully-hybrid, allowing primary and secondary school pupils around Scotland and around the world to tune-in, even if they can’t make it to Edinburgh. The programme – which runs between…

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A host of big names headline Borders Book Festival

The Borders Book Festival programme is returning this summer with a big-name guest list. Tickets are now on sale, as organisers prepare to welcome back on stage big names in books; stars of stage and screen, and leading figures from the world of politics and current affairs. Returning to its usual home at Harmony Garden,…

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The perfect guide to the outdoors – by an expert

Anna Fleming, a qualified mountain leader who has worked for the Cairngorms National Park Authority, leads the way on epic rock climbing adventures. She travels through the Peak District, Yorkshire, Cairngorms, Wales and beyond. Having gone from a novice to an expert rock-jock, Fleming shares the highest highs and lowest lows that each climb has…

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Sponsorship makes schools book festival free for all

The Edinburgh International Book Festival has announced that this year’s Schools Programme will be entirely free thanks to the generosity of long-term Lead Sponsor Baillie Gifford. In addition to all tickets being free, every child attending in person will receive a free book, and free online resources will be made available on the Book Festival’s…

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Book swapping event to support Ukraine appeal

Book-lovers are indulging their passion for literature in aid of the British Red Cross Ukrainian fund in Glasgow. The city’s bibliophiles are being invited to join a fundraising Sip and Swap evening at the stunning Oran Mor venue in the city’s west end on Tuesday, April 19, from 6-9.30pm. Bookworms are asked to bring four…

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Keeping Scots fairytales alive for children

The Dragon Stoorworm is a traditional Scottish tale beautifully retold for younger readers. We learn that the Dragon Stoorworm was the very first, very worst dragon that ever lived. It was ginormous: almost as big as the whole of Scotland! The King of Scotland called for warriors to defeat the terrible dragon and save his…

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Conservatoire in world top 5 for performing arts education

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is ranked one of the world’s top five destinations to study the performing arts, in prestigious global rankings published today (Wednesday 6 April). Scotland’s national conservatoire – which celebrates its 175th anniversary this year – is ranked number five for performing arts in the QS World University Rankings by Subject…

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Neu Treasures at the National Library of Scotland

The National Library of Scotland and Neu! Reekie! have commissioned 12 artists to respond to 12 collection items which will be displayed in the new Treasures exhibition space which habe opened to the public. Treasures of the National Library of Scotland is a new permanent thematic display, featuring objects from the extensive collection at the…

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Meet the Scots artist living with a brain tumour

Diagnosed with a brain tumour at 32, Scottish artist Gordon Shaw creates comic books to communicate his experience of cancer. His uplifting story is told in this new feature length documentary, which is being given its TV debut on the BBC Scotland channel after its premiere at the BFI Flare festival. Through his comic art,…

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