The enduring appeal of the adorable puffins

The puffin is one of our best loved seabirds, but its appeal goes far beyond its quirky appearance. ‘Puffin therapy’ is for many people apparently more powerful than all the wonder nerve-calming drugs on the market. Ian and Colin Morrison of Mull have been running their Turus Mara trips out to the Treshnish island of…

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Celebrating storytelling with cultural exchange

The 2019 Scottish International Storytelling Festival hosts 15 guest artists from Canada, along with 60 Scottish storytellers, as part of its biggest international exchange to date. The group, which includes storytellers, musicians and dancers, represents the rich cultural diversity and heritage of Canada. They will perform in Edinburgh and travel across Scotland, as part of…

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Ten fantastic places to visit in… Falkirk and West Lothian

Head to Falkirk and West Lothian, and you’ll find a fantastic mix of things to see and do. If you’re interested in travel by rail or water, it’s the perfect area to visit. And there’s plenty of animals to see too! Here’s 10 places we recommend. THE FALKIRK WHEEL The 35m high Falkirk Wheel is one…

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Ten fantastic places to visit in… Mull

Lying just off the coast of Argyll, Mull is the fourth-largest Scottish island. It’s an island full of history, as well as newer attractions, making it somewhere that’s always worth a visit. Here’s 10 places we recommend visiting. CARSAIG ARCHES These natural wonders can be reached by boat or along a tough, sometimes dangerous, but…

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Ten fantastic places to visit in… Islay and Jura

Many people on the Scottish mainland will never have been to the beautiful islands of Islay and Jura. They are home to some beautiful scenery and wonderful attractions which are worth a visit. Here’s 10 we recommend. KILDALTON CROSS Nearly three metres high, Islay’s Kildalton Cross dates back to the eighth century and is considered…

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Ten fantastic places to visit in… Inverness

There’s far more to Inverness and its surrounding area than just Loch Ness. While Nessie spotting is a huge part of the fun of visiting the area, it’s a part of Scotland that’s rich in the nation’s history. Here’s 10 of our top suggestions. LOCH NESS EXHIBITION CENTRE A hi-tech multi-media presentation that guides visitors…

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RNLI hero Bill Deans MBE gives us his Credo

Bill Deans MBE has worked for the RNLI for over 44 years. In that time he has most certainly seen it all – from beached whales to stranded walkers, here’s what he had to say about his incredible career… I was born in Foresterhill in Aberdeen but I spent all my holidays in Orkney. When…

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Another look at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital

The next episode of a look behind the scenes at a Scottish children’s hospital features more real-life stories. Narrated by David Tennant, The Children’s Hospital goes behind-the-scenes at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital which, each year, gives life-changing treatments to thousands of boys and girls across the North of Scotland. In the third episode of…

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Enjoy the military tattoo – from the comfort of home

Those who can’t attend the 2019 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo can enjoy this year’s show from the comfort of home. The theme for this year’s Tattoo has been Kaleidoscope, reflecting the optical invention which was created by Scottish physicist Sir David Brewster in 1816, with the emphasis on performances bold with colour and light. This…

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Ducking and diving – the tale of the eider duck

The much-loved eider duck is a conservation success story, but its insatiable appetite for Scotland’s finest shellfish has made it a raft of new enemies. Scouring the beach at Tentsmuir in Fife, as I walk, I’m constantly scanning the horizon with my binoculars, searching for waders and watching large seals haul themselves out of the…

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