Online bookshop helps local stores

AN ONLINE bookshop has raised more than £122,000 for local bookshops. Bookshop.org donates most of its profits to bookshops, authors, and other groups involved in literature. “By design, we give away over 75% of our profit margin to stores, publications, authors and others who make up the thriving, inspirational culture around books,” it said. The…

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‘Frank – get the book!’

COMEDIAN Janey Godley is among presenter Damian Barr’s guests in the first episode of The Big Scottish Book Club, which returns to the BBC Scotland channel on Sunday. Godley, who has become an internet sensation during the pandemic thanks to her satirical voiceovers of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s daily briefings, will discuss her memoir, Handstands in…

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Wider audience for Wigtown young adult books

WIGTOWN YA, the UK’s largest young adult literature festival, continues this week as part of the wider online Wigtown Book Festival. This week’s virtual speakers include Dean Atta talking about The Black Flamingo, Catherine Bruton presenting No Ballet Shoes in Syria and Michelle Thomas explaining My Sh*t Therapist. Previous online events can also be watched…

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Literature plan for John Knox House

JOHN Knox House in Edinburgh could be turned into a “Literature House for Scotland”. The Edinburgh Unesco City of Literature Trust is looking for architects and designers to help it come up with plans for the site. The trust also wants to develop the neighbouring Scottish Storytelling Centre as part of ambitions to enhance the…

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Tour guide launches kids’ activity packs

CHILDREN who can’t take part in Invisible Cities’ walking tours can now learn about locations while at home thanks to the social enterprise’s new activity packs. Invisible Cities, which trains people who have previously experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides of their own city, has created a series of “round-the-world subscription boxes”. Created in…

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Caledonia on my mind

Like many of those born outside Scotland to avowedly Scottish families, Dugald Bruce-Lockhart has a complicated relationship with the mothership. “WITH a name like Dugald Alastair Roddick Bruce-Lockhart, you must be Scottish,” says the casting director, studying my CV with a frown. It’s a good question – and one I’ve never known quite how to…

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Wigtown Book Festival reveals line-up

WIGTOWN Book Festival has unveiled its online programme, which includes the world premier of author Alexander McCall Smith’s Ninian’s Gift song cycle Other highlights across the ten-day virtual festival include Alastair Campbell, Maggie O’Farrell, and Andrew Marr. More than 80 guests will take part in the festival, which aims to promote local businesses affected by…

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Bloody Scotland names McIlvanney Prize finalists

FOUR writers have been shortlisted for The McIlvanney Prize. The winner will be announced on 18 September as part of the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival. This year’s finalists are Andrew James Greig for Whirligig, Francine Toon for Pine, Doug Johnstone for A Dark Matter, and “Ambrose Parry” – husband-and-wife team Chris Brookmyre and…

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REVIEW: Cavens Country House

A trip to the south west of Scotland proved a welcome break from city life for Rosie Morton…  Carpe diem. Two words we’ve heard countless times, and yet they seem to resonate far more in 2020 than ever before. Having been on our starting blocks since the end of March, all the trips we’ve been…

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Review: The Harbour Cafe, Elie

Wet weather didn’t put off Stephanie Abbot when she visited The Harbour Cafe at Elie in Fife. SPENDING any amount of time by the sea has an almost magical effect on one’s mood. Despite the persistent drizzle that spread across much of Sunday, the thought of a lunch at The Harbour Cafe in Elie in the…

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