The inspiration for Peter Pan to opens its doors

This Saturday sees the opening of Scotland’s latest international visitor attraction – Moat Brae house and garden, the new National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling. The beautiful Georgian property in Dumfries, where the young J.M. Barrie and his friends played the games that inspired Peter Pan, was saved from demolition 10 years ago and…

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Thousands took part in pipe band championships

Several thousand of the world’s best pipers and drummers turned Paisley into a sea of tartan at the weekend as the town hosted one of piping’s biggest and most prestigious events. The British Pipe Band Championships saw huge crowds flock to the town’s St James Playing Fields for the first of the five annual ‘majors’…

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The doomed Scottish colony in Central America

Darien, a jungle-clad province on the Panamanian isthmus, played a key role in the formation of Britain. The Company of Scotland’s attempt to establish a trading post and colony there in the late seventeenth century incurred massive debts that would become intrinsic to the negotiation of the Act of Union between England and Scotland in…

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The distillery you’ve probably tried and didn’t know

Whisky fans around the world could enjoy a little taste of North British when they raise a blended dram to their lips. Located in the heart of Scotland’s capital, The North British Distillery is an Edinburgh institution and a key part of the Scotch Whisky industry. It is nestled in the city’s west end between…

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Warning over the danger of invasive species

Scots are being urged to be aware of invasive non-native species harm the environment and wildlife. These plants can be costly to the economy and can even pose a risk to our health and way of life. During Invasive Species Week, which runs from May 13-17, organisations across the country are working together to raise…

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Scotland’s youth hostels open for the summer

All 34 youth hostels in Hostelling Scotland’s network are now open for the summer. They are ready to welcome visitors to #GoHostelling and explore all that the real Scotland has to offer. From cities to islands, beaches to hills and mountains and all points in between, Hostelling Scotland offers a wide range of private, en-suite…

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Thumbs up for Johnnie Walker’s flagship store

Plans to create a global flagship visitor experience for Johnnie Walker have taken a major stride forward with official approval from local authorities in Edinburgh. The City of Edinburgh Council Planning Committee formally granted permission for the project, which will transform one of the city’s most important landmark buildings into a major new tourist destination.…

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Paying tribute to Scotland’s fairs and shows

Archie Hume of A Hume Country Clothing pays tribute to Scotland’s country shows and fairs. Scottish summertime doesn’t come with many guarantees, certainly not any that relate to the weather. As the joke goes ‘I love summer in Scotland. Last year it was on a Wednesday.’ To top it off, the things you can rely…

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Celebration to mark World Fair Trade Day

A major Fair Trade concert and ceilidh will be taking place this weekend to celebrate World Fair Trade Day 2019 and Scotland as a Fair Trade Nation. Being held at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, this Saturday, 11 May, it will showcase a mix of local talent and international musicians; stalls selling Fair Trade crafts, artisan…

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Sharp fall in Scottish drivers buying a new car

Brexit, a global slowdown, and confusion over fuel type have caused a sharp fall in the number of drivers opting to buy a new, rather than used, car in Scotland. The research, by Close Brothers Motor Finance, found that 41% of drivers will opt for a new car, down from 46% last year. The Britain…

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