Scots want ‘wilder’ national parks

A MAJORITY of Scots want our national parks to be “wilder”, according to a survey by the Scottish Rewilding Alliance. An opinion poll conducted by market research agency Survation found that 74% of Scots agreed with a call to make national parks wilder, while 6% were opposed to the idea. In February, NatureScot – the…

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Scottish designers at Dressed to Kilt

MORE than 65 outfits were on display on Saturday at the Dressed to Kilt fashion show’s 20th anniversary gathering in Washington DC. Scottish designers and brands taking part in this year’s show included: Calzeat; Glenisla Kilts; Harris Tweed Hebrides; House of Cheviot; Kinalba Scottish Cashmere; Lorna Gillies; Strathmore Woolen Mills; Slanj; Totty Rocks; and Walker…

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Outlander’s Sam Heughan picks winners

OUTLANDER star Sam Heughan has named the winners of his Write Start award. Heughan launched the competition last year to encourage students at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) to develop original work. This year’s winners are Hayley Louise McGuire and Jayme Bartlett, who are both in the third year of their bachelor of arts…

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Edinburgh hospitality venues host art exhibitions

TWO art exhibitions have opened at a hotel and members’ club in Edinburgh. Spring-inspired “Gilded Attestation” opened to the public at the beginning of last week in the city centre’s Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel. “Scottish Light”, a solo-showcase for local artist Madeleine Gardiner, opening on Saturday in Gleneagles Townhouse’s exhibition space, Lobby 37. Stockbridge gallery…

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Fife kids get ‘Fish in the Classroom’

PUPILS in Fife have been learning about the River Leven thanks to a project called “Fish in the Classroom”. The children have been looking after brown trout eggs in school until they hatch and develop before releasing the baby fish into their local river, the Leven. Coaltown of Balgonie, Coaltown of Wemyss, and East Wemyss…

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House of the Binns reopens tomorrow

THE House of the Binns reopens tomorrow following major conservation work. The restoration project is part of the National Trust for Scotland’s ten-year strategy – “Nature, Beauty & Heritage for Everyone” – which was launched at the 17th-century country house a year ago. The conservation charity, which has been caring for House of the Binns…

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Conservationists object to Coul Links golf course

WILDLIFE charities are calling on the public to object to plans for a golf course at Coul Links in Sutherland. Seven organisations – including the National Trust for Scotland, the RSPB, and the Scottish Wildlife Trust – are “extremely concerned” about revised plans submitted to The Highland Council. Craig Macadam, conservation director at insect charity…

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Orkney and Argyll outperform Dunkeld

DUNKELD may have been crowned as the “best place to live in Scotland” by The Sunday Times, but Orkney and Argyll & Bute outperform Perthshire when it comes to job opportunities, according to a recruitment website. Hijobs said the number of positions advertised in Argyll & Bute nearly doubled between 2020 and 2022, while average…

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Dressed to Kilt moves to Washington DC

THE Dressed to Kilt fashion show is moving from New York City to Washington DC to mark its 20th anniversary. Guests at the event on Saturday will include All Quiet on the Western Front scriptwriter Lesley Paterson, record-breaking rower Taylor Winyard, and Lucy Sophia Thomson, holder of the 2022 Miss Scotland title. Fellow guests include…

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Hugh Dan MacLennan’s final fling

SHINTY legend Hugh Dan MacLennan is hanging up his microphone after this year’s Camanachd Cup final at Bught Park in Inverness. The night before the match, MacLennan will be joined on stage at the Highland Capital’s Eden Court theatre by fellow commentator and music star Gary Innes for “Hugh Dan’s Highland Fling”. The performance on…

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