BBC Alba marks Hebrides migration centenary

A SERIES of dramatic monologues recorded by BBC Alba to mark the centenary of major migrations from the Outer Hebrides comes to an end tomorrow. The eight-part series, entitled Marloch is Metagama: Guthan (Marloch and Metagama: Voices), will be available on the BBC iPlayer for 30 days. Nearly 600 islanders left the Outer Hebrides in…

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Billy Connolly turned into National Theatre of Scotland show

THE National Theatre of Scotland has written a show about comedian Billy Connolly. The show was written by Gary McNair, who gathered stories about Connolly from people throughout Scotland. The performance, entitled Dear Billy, is billed as “A love letter to the Big Yin from the people of Scotland” and will tour our nation from 16…

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Stanley Tucci praises St Andrews film festival

ACTOR Stanley Tucci presented his directorial debut at the Sands international film festival in St Andrews. The American star showed Big Night, which he directed in 1996. “I’m excited that people still like the film, and it holds up – because films, sometimes, they don’t,” he said. “I’m excited to hear what their reactions are…

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Why don’t more women play the bagpipes?

THE National Piping Centre today launched a study to find out why more women don’t play the bagpipes. Its six-month “Women in Piping and Drumming: Equality, Inclusivity, and Diversity” project is being run in collaboration with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The study includes an online survey, which runs until 2 June. Lady Oona Ivory,…

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Loch Ness hosts world’s first rewilding centre

DUNDREGGAN, the world’s first rewilding centre, opens tomorrow at Glenmoriston near Loch Ness. The site will act as a visitors’ centre for the 10,000-acre Dundreggan estate, where conservation charity Trees for Life is restoring the Caledonian forest to help wildlife. The centre includes a café, a space for events, and 40 bedrooms. Steve Micklewright, Trees…

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Highland Book Prize shortleet unveiled

FOUR authors have made it onto the shortleet for the Highland Book Prize. A longlist of 12 was whittled down to Companion Piece by Ali Smith, Confessions of a Highland Art Dealer by Tony Davidson, Crann-Fìge by Duncan Gillies, and WAH! Things I Never Told My Mother by Cynthia Rogerson. The winner of the competition…

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Antonine Guard joins Edinburgh Passion play

MEMBERS of the Antonine Guard living history society are taking part in the Edinburgh Passion Play tomorrow. The play remembers Jesus’s death on Good Friday ahead of his resurrection on Easter Day. Up to 3,000 people are expected to watch the play, which has been staged each Easter since 2005. Director Suzanne Lofthus said: “It’s…

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Symbols found on Stone of Destiny

MARKINGS that resemble Roman numerals have been discovered on the Stone of Destiny, the rock on which Scotland’s monarchs are crowned. A three-dimensional (3D) model of the stone has been created ahead of its use during the coronation of King Charles III next month. The scans have also revealed more details about the structure of…

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Art gallery news round-up: Lawson, GoMA, and more

Peter Ranscombe rounds-up the latest art gallery news. ARTIST Ron Lawson has used lighter tones for his latest exhibition at the Annan Gallery in Glasgow. “I definitely focused on bringing that lighter feel to my work and it cheered me up during the winter months,” he explained. Lawson, who takes his inspiration from the Hebrides,…

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