Royal Banks’ ‘Red Guinea’ notes hits auction

THE Royal Bank of Scotland’s “red guinea” banknote from 1777 is going under the hammer next week. The red guinea is thought to be first tri-coloured note to be issued in Scotland and possibly in Europe. The banknote promises to pay “Archibald Hope” one guinea. Hope is believed to have been Sir Archibald Hope, who…

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Scots get adventurous in new film

TOURISM body Wild Scotland has released a film encouraging locals and visitors to try its members’ adventurous activities. Nurture Your Adventurous Spirit – which is available on YouTube or below – features wildlife and adventure tourism operators from throughout Scotland. They include Nikki Dayton-Gelati from Wilder Ways, which runs horseback archery courses in Southend on…

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Symphonix Rock Orchestra swaps Chopin for Coldplay

AN ORCHESTRA will trade Mozart for Metallica later this month during a concert at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom. The Symphonix Rock Orchestra will make its live debut on 26 August when it switches from Rachmaninoff to Rage Against the Machine. Born from the imagination of founder and musical director Neil Thompson, Symphonix combines his love for…

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‘Hummingbird’ flocks to Scotland

THE number of hummingbird hawkmoths spotted in Scotland has soared, according to new figures. The moths were reported in 1.2% of Scottish gardens last month, more than three times the season’s average. The British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO’s) Garden BirdWatch survey found the figure hit 5.2% across the UK as a whole, compared to 1.3%…

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Nick Gardner’s Munro challenge of a lifetime

Morag Bootland speaks to the remarkable Nick Gardner about his mountaineering challenge. I’VE heard some incredible tales of adventure, tragedy, and love in my years as a journalist. But few have touched me as deeply as Nick Gardner’s real life love story. Nick is now 82, and has spent the last two years of his…

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Langholm Moor buyout hits £2.2m target

THE South of Scotland’s largest community buyout will double in size after campaigners raised £2.2 million to buy Langholm Moor. The Langholm Initiative will buy the 5,300 acres of land and three properties from Buccleuch Estates. The Dumfriesshire town hit its fundraising target in time for last Sunday’s deadline. Nearly 3,000 people donated to the…

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Edinburgh Tattoo welcomes overseas stars

INTERNATIONAL performers have arrived in Scotland ahead of the start of the Edinburgh Tattoo on Friday. Among this year’s stars are the New Zealand Army Band, The United States Army Field Band, The United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team, Top Secret Drum Corps, Banda Monumental De Mexico, and Highland Divas. The theme for…

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North Coast 500 gets its own podcast

A PODCAST series has been created to promote attractions along the North Coast 500 driving route in the Highlands. Each 45-minute episode focuses on a different part of the trail. The first programme features Assynt’s Northwest Highland Geopark,  while the second outing spotlights the historic Attadale Gardens in Wester Ross, and the third introduces listeners…

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Aberdeen wins seven Green Flag Awards

ENVIRONMENTAL charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has presented seven Green Flag Awards to Aberdeen. Duthie Park won its tenth green flag in a row, while Garthdee Field Allotments, Hazlehead Park, Johnston Gardens, Seaton Park, Slopefield Allotments, and Victoria Park were also rewarded. Councillor Miranda Radley, convener of Aberdeen City Council’s operational delivery committee, said: “As a…

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Marianne Dissard debut photo show in Glasgow

GLASGOW is hosting the debut solo photography exhibition by singer, author, and filmmaker Marianne Dissard. Dissard found herself living in Kent at the end of 2020 after her singing tour of Europe was cancelled. Over the next 18 months, she turned to street photography and captured life on the Isle of Thanet. She moved to…

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