Pre-opening event for Scotland’s storytelling base

A girl whose dream job is to be the first tour guide at the Moat Brae National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling will soon have her wish granted. The world premiere will also be taking place of music by a young composer specially commissioned to create a work inspired by the story of Peter…

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Robert Louis Stevenson award seeks writers

To marking Robert Louis Stevenson Day, the Scottish Book Trust has announced that the Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowship for professional writers is now open for applications. Previous fellows include novelist Jenni Fagan, Makar Liz Lochhead, and poet and performer Michael Pedersen. Writers based in Scotland are encouraged to apply, and the Fellowship awards successful applicants…

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Crime writer Val is new Scottish Book Trust patron

Scots crime writer Val McDermid has been appointed as the new patron of the Scottish Book Trust. The national charity transforming lives through reading and writing has a long-time supporter in Val, one of the biggest names in crime writing and her novels have been translated into 40 languages, selling over 15 million copies worldwide.…

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Peter Pan will be at the heart of celebration

Dumfries’ Peter Pan heritage will play a part in a festival later this month. From sneak previews of the newly restored Moat Brae House to a CrocRock! Carnival, Dumfries is gearing up for a 10-day celebration of its JM Barrie heritage and of young people’s storytelling. The Dreams for the Future Festival, from 24 November…

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Duo add expertise to Scottish Land & Estates

Scottish Land & Estates has boosted its policy expertise with the appointment of two new staff members. Rebekah Strong joins the organisation in the newly created role of environment assistant whilst Emma Steel starts work at SLE as a policy assistant to support the team in political, stakeholder and member engagement. The new additions to…

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Book Week’s Scottish digital festival returns

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and former Scotland footballer Pat Nevin are just two of the big names taking part in this year’s Book Week Scotland Digital Festival. Book Week Scotland’s award-nominated event will return for a second year, after the success of 2017’s inaugural virtual event programme. After engaging over half a million people last year…

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Meet the Isle of Arran Distillers poetry competition judging panel

With the hunt for the official poem of the Isle of Arran Distillers new Lagg distillery well under way, the independent whisky maker has assembled an eclectic team of judges to consider each of the entries put forward by budding writers. Although they all share a passion for whisky, poetry and the unique landscape that…

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Thomas Telford – the colossus of roads

Scot Thomas Telford was arguably the greatest builder of roads, bridges and canals Britain has ever seen. But he could scarcely have had a more difficult start in life. Born in a little cottage beside the Meggat Water in Eskdale in the Scottish Lowlands in August 1757, his father John was a shepherd who tragically…

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A Year at the Easel with Lachlan Goudie

The latest name to join a Scottish artistic dynasty is set to showcase his work in Edinburgh. Over the years, Scottish art has seen its fair share of artistic families: the Faeds, Nasmyths, Redpaths and Peploes. With the quiet emergence of Lachlan Goudie, son of Alexander (1933-2004), there is another. Lachlan was never the latest…

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Your poetry could take you to the Isle of Arran

The clock is ticking until the opening of award-winning whisky producer Isle of Arran Distillers’ new facility in Lagg – and you could be there on the big day! Isle of Arran Distillers has teamed up with Scottish Field to find the official poem for their new Lagg Distillery. The winning entry will take pride…

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