How the true face of Robert the Bruce was discovered

Scotland’s most legendary and romanticised king, Robert the Bruce, has become a symbol of national pride for many Scots around the world. Immortalised in countless paintings and statues, banknotes and romantic novels, television dramas and, perhaps most famously in the 1995 epic movie Braveheart and last year’s Netflix film Outlaw King, we all have an…

Read More

Scotland is all set for major exhibitions in 2019

A huge year lies ahead for National Museums Scotland in 2019. The completion of the transformation of the National Museum of Scotland’s iconic Victorian building in Edinburgh and a diverse and world-class programme of exhibitions means a fascinating world of discovery is ready. The 2019 programme will feature the unveiling of three new permanent galleries…

Read More

Joanna Lumley to attend absolutely fabulous show

Joanna Lumley is to be the special guest at an event being run by a school drama club. Staged, which takes place at Dumfries Academy on 24 November, where the teenage JM Barrie studied from 1873-78 is a highlight of the Dreams for the Future Festival in Dumfries. The festival is part of Scotland’s Year…

Read More

Major exhibitions revealed for Scotland in 2019

A huge year lies ahead for National Museums Scotland. The completion of the transformation of the National Museum of Scotland’s iconic Victorian building in Edinburgh and a diverse and world-class programme of exhibitions means a fascinating world of discovery is ready. The 2019 programme will feature the unveiling of three new permanent galleries at the…

Read More

Leading art historian to reveal painting secrets

One of the world’s foremost art historians is to give a talk at the art4you community art school in Stirlingshire. Professor Erma Hermens, senior researcher at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, will visit the studio near Killearn to give an illustrated talk on the evening of Wednesday 21 November entitled ‘The Masters’ Secrets: On how to…

Read More

New Scottish Opera work heads to frozen Arctic

Scottish Opera is to present the world premiere of Anthropocene, a gripping new work, in Glasgow. Anthropocene was commissioned by Scottish Opera from composer Stuart MacRae and librettist Louise Welsh, and will debut on January 24 at Theatre Royal Glasgow. It then tours to King’s Theatre, Edinburgh and London’s Hackney Empire. Telling the story of…

Read More

Talented seven join Scottish Opera for 2018/19 season

Scottish Opera has welcomed a talented new group of emerging artists to their fold for the 2018/19 season. The Scottish Opera Emerging Artists programme offers young artists a period of full-time work with the company to help them launch their careers. Initially set up to nurture outstanding young singers, the programme now also includes positions…

Read More

The best pre-university qualification for students

What is the easiest route into a Scottish university? A hot topic in today’s world and deliberated by families across the UK as they decide which school – and which curriculum route – will suit their child and provide them with the best opportunity of securing a coveted Scottish university place. Regardless of exam qualification,…

Read More

The facts of death come to Wigtown Book Festival

An agnostic bishop, a scientist and a ex-atheist with a fascination for a clerical killer will be exploring the many faces of death at Wigtown Book Festival. Former Bishop of Edinburgh Richard Holloway, forensic anthropologist Professor Dame Sue Black and literary critic Stuart Kelly will discuss various aspects of the one inescapable reality that unites…

Read More

Paws for thought – this is music for dogs

A man who’s written songs for Rod Stewart, Westlife, Busted, Cliff Richard and Sandi Thom has turned his hand to something new – music for dogs. Songwriter John McLaughlin, who also appeared as the music coach on BBC’s Fame Academy and being the current manager of the Bay City Rollers, has teamed up with the…

Read More