King confers Dunfermline’s city status

KING Charles III will visit Dunfermline today to confer city status on Scotland’s ancient capital. The ceremony will take place at Dunfermline City Chambers as part of the celebrations of the Queen’s platinum jubilee. The King and Queen Camilla will then visit the nearby Dunfermline Abbey, which is marking its 950th anniversary. Today’s visit to…

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Karen Dunbar presents ‘Good in Glasgow’ video podcast

COMEDIAN Karen Dunbar is presenting Good in Glasgow, a new video podcast created with Glasgow Girls Club. The podcast celebrates the good deeds being done around the Dear Green Place, and gives viewers the chance to join in too by supporting the people and organisations featured in the series. In the first episode of Good…

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Scone Palace launches ‘Kids go free’ offer

SCONE Palace will be throwing open its doors to young people tomorrow, with free entry throughout October for all children aged 15 and under. The “Kids go free” offer also covers the palace’s 100 acres of grounds, which include the Murray star maze, a Victorian pinetum, and an adventure playground. Indoors, the palace – which…

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George Leslie Hunter paintings at Bonhams’ Scottish art sale

TWELVE paintings by Scottish Colourist George Leslie Hunter are going under the hammer at Bonhams’ Scottish art sale in Edinburgh on 19 October. The collection was assembled by Hunter’s cousin, Arthur Leyden, and is being sold by the descendants of Leyden’s daughter, Peggie. The paintings coming up for auction include The Blue Teacup, a work…

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REVIEW: “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”

Kenny Smith reviews The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow. HANDS UP – I have to admit, I’ve never seen the hit film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. However, I do know about it and its basic concept, which sees an eclectic group of British retirees travel to India to embark…

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Killin gets its first dentist

KILLIN now has its own dental practice, saving villagers a round-trip of up to 100 miles. Chris Barrowman, who founded Infinityblu Dental Care in Pitlochry in 2007, has invested £330,000 in his new clinic in the Perthshire village. “The community has been amazing,” said Barrowman, who also owns practices in Alyth, Auchterarder, Crieff, and Dunkeld.…

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Ready Player One: Strathallan opens ‘esports’ suite

PUPILS at Strathallan School can now play “electronic sports” (esports) against each other in a new facility. “Esports” are computer games that are played on professional equipment, with Scotland fielding an esports team at this summer’s Commonwealth Games. “It’s a great time to be a student at Strathallan,” said former pupil Josh Martin. Martin, who…

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Scots Language Awards winners revealed

TIKTOK star Doric Dad and writer Liz Lochhead were among the winners at Saturday night’s Scots Language Awards. Hosted by poet Len Pennie and columnist Alistair Heather, the awards were presented at Dundee’s Gardyne Theatre. Beth Malcolm gave a special rendition of Hermless – an alternative Scottish national anthem – with Lewis and Euan McLaughlin…

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Wigtown Book Festival welcomes fiddlers

MUSICIANS from throughout Dumfries & Galloway joined members of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra (SFO) for a concert yesterday lunchtime at Wigtown Book Festival. Beth Porter of The Bookshop Band was among the fiddlers taking part, along with her baby, Emmy Please. The SFO was co-founded by the late John Mason, who spent much of his…

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What’s up with whisky: A Tale of Two Elchies

Mark Littler returns with his monthly look at the world of whisky auctions. WELCOME back, and welcome to September. This month we come to you with tales of the Elchies as we chat about the split that is appearing in the whisky bottle market. As we begin autumn, there are signs of softening across areas…

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