French Connection inspires new exhibition

An exhibition of new work inspired by this summer spent in the Burgundy region of France is set to go on show. Lex McFadyen’s latest solo show, French Connection, runs from 5-26 October. The Scottish artist returns to the Glasgow Gallery with an exhibition of work created in his studio in the medieval village of…

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What has made Room 101 and Big Brother normal

Author Dorian Lynskey believes that every generation finds aspects of George Orwell’s 1984 that resonate with their own political times. Today we have the normalisation of lies and what the Trump administration has called ‘alternative facts’. Another major issue anticipated by the book, published in 1949 and now in its 70th anniversary year, is the…

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The Exorcist can still provide its share of shocks

On its original cinematic release, The Exorcist became one of the most shocking films of the 1970s. Whilst it’s hard to replicate 1973 sensibilities in 2019, The Excorcist stage production, currently at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow, still manages to pull of a few moments that make it uncomfortable viewing. But let’s rewind a little.…

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Scotland’s island population is on the rise

The population of Scotland’s islands is on the increase, according to research institutes, community groups and public sector organisations. They have issued a joint statement which says there is credible evidence of ‘green shoots’ of population turnaround, which as yet does not show up in official statistics. The Islands Revival Declaration, developed by social scientists…

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Behind the scenes on a trio of Scots newspapers

A look into three Scottish newspapers is coming to our screens this week. In The Papers, this new two-part series sees cameras go behind the scenes in the shared newsroom of three Scottish newspapers, one of which is the world’s longest surviving English-language daily title. As journalists face the threat of fresh cuts and redundancies,…

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Former mill is a conversion full of character

Catcune Mill is a characterful conversion which captures the eye. Presented by Knight Frank, this is a six bedroom house for sale in Fushiebridge, Midlothian. Providing spacious and flexible family accommodation over two floors, the house stands in its own private gardens and is surrounded by open countryside yet is within 12 miles of Edinburgh…

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Damien Hirst work donated to National Galleries

A powerful and poignant sculpture by one of the world’s leading living artists, Damien Hirst, has been donated to Scotland’s national art collection by the artist’s business manager of two decades, Frank Dunphy. Wretched War (2004) shows a poignant and moving bronze sculpture depicting a pregnant woman whose body has been fractured and decapitated. It…

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Buy an Oor Wullie sculpture at auction or bid online

Hundreds of Oor Wullie sculptures will go under the hammer next week to raise vital funds for children and young people in hospital. Following the spectacular success of this summer’s art trail, the Edinburgh auction takes place on Thursday 19 September at Prestonfield House, with all 60 life-sized Oor Wullie sculptures from the capital –…

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Turning back to clock to an industrial past

New Lanark’s autumn exhibition looking at the decline of Scottish industry gets underway this Saturday. As a historic hub of learning and leisure, New Lanark is hosting Snapshots of a Lost World: the Decline of Scottish Industry. The exhibition displays the Historic Environment Scotland (HES) photography exhibition, Industry and Aesthetics, which explores emotional responses to…

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Any Dream Will Do in another superb run of Joseph

There’s a good reason why Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat keeps coming back again and again – it’s a damn good musical. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s hit, based on a Bible story, is the show that keeps bouncing back, with a new cast, time and again. There’s a high-profile version currently performing…

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