North Berwick and Linlithgow win bloomin’ gold

A PAIR of Scottish towns triumphed at the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS’s) Britain in Bloom finals. North Berwick in Bloom won a gold medal and took the title in the “coastal” category. Elizabeth Morris from North Berwick In Bloom was also named as a “community champion”. Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow was presented with gold in the…

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St Leonards and Ardvreck triumph at schools contest

TWO Scottish institutions have carried off prizes at the Independent Schools of the Year awards. St Leonards School, which is based at St Andrews in Fife, won the “Independent School of the Year for International Student Experience” category. Ardvreck School, a preparatory institution based at Crieff in Perthshire, shared the “Independent Prep School of the…

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Scottish Opera shines a spotlight on Verdi

VERDI is firmly in the spotlight for the latest series of concerts by Scottish Opera. The Verdi Collection, a selection of the Italian composer’s greatest hits, will be performed at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen on 19 November and at Eden Court in Inverness on 26 November as part of the “Opera in Concert” series.…

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St Mary’s Music School concert celebrates female composers

A CONCERT at St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh will celebrate the work of female composers as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival. “Landscapes and Dances: Songs She Scored Out” will feature music by women whose names were often scored out when their works were published or performed. The concert, which will take place…

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Fossils hunters have their say on Scottish Fossil Code

SCOTLAND’S fossil hunters are having their say on the revised Scottish Fossil Code. NatureScot, the Scottish Government agency known previously as Scottish Natural Heritage, published the code in 2008. It’s now being revised, with the next version due to be issued early next year. Katherine Leys, NatureScot’s head of biodiversity and geodiversity, said: “Fossil collecting…

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Lowland & Border Pipers’ Society comes to Perth tomorrow

THE Lowland & Border Pipers’ Society is holding its annual conference in Perth tomorrow for the first time. The conference – or “collogue” – will take place at the Fair City’s Royal George Hotel. A concert follows the conference in the evening. Performers at the evening concert will include: Brìghde Chaimbeul and Fin Moore; Pete…

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Glasgow Print Studio marks National Poetry Day

TO MARK National Poetry Day, Glasgow Print Studio is holding a preview tonight of a exhibition inspired in part by Scottish poet Sorley MacLean. Artist Ken Currie took inspiration for “Chunnacas na mairbh beò” – “The Dead Have Been Seen Alive” – from MacLean’s poem “Hallaig”, about the clearances on the Isle of Raasay. The…

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REVIEW: “South Pacific”

Kenny Smith reviews South Pacific at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow. GROWING up, my parents’ musical tastes were more Gilbert and Sullivan than Lennon and McCartney, and definitely more Rodgers and Hammerstein than Chaka Demus and Pliers. So, I’ve always had an appreciation for a good musical, especially those from the Rodgers and Hammerstein stable,…

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Powis Gateway plaque marks slavery legacy

ABERDEEN City Council and the University of Aberdeen have erected a plaque at the Powis Gateway in Old Aberdeen. The sign is part of the council’s commemorative plaques scheme to highlight the legacy of slavery in the North-East. The gateway, now owned by the university, was built by the Leslie family, which received compensation when…

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Scots language survey launched

A PROJECT is being launched today to map how Scots is spoken throughout the nation. The “Speak for Yersel” project, run by the University of Glasgow, aims to build up a picture of how Scots is used in different places. Jennifer Smith, professor of sociolinguistics at the university, said: “Lots of people say ‘Oh I…

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