Sunset Song writer honoured with plaque

A plaque honouring the Scots writer of Sunset Song is to be installed in Stonehaven. Lewis Grassic Gibbon, one of the foremost Scottish writers of the 20th century, is to be honoured as part of Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) Commemorative Plaque scheme, it was announced today. Perhaps best known as the author of Sunset Song,…

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Scots writer tops vote of most rebellious 21st century reads

Poverty Safari, a best-selling memoir about growing up in Glasgow has been selected in an online vote for Book Week Scotland 2018 as the most rebellious read of the 21st century. Now in its seventh year, Book Week Scotland is run by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing. In…

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International tapesty weaving prize now open

Entries are now open for the 2019 Cordis Award, the biggest international award for tapestry weaving. The prize fund has been increased to £8000 to reward ambitious and skilled use of tapestry weaving techniques and the organisers hope that the prize will attract both domestic and international entries from established artists working in the field of contemporary tapestry.…

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Murder, mysteries and more with Granite Noir

The cream of crime fiction authors from around the world, a poisoned high tea party, Noir inspired cabaret and a specially commissioned Escape Room game are some of the highlights that audiences can expect at the third annual Granite Noir festival. Produced by Aberdeen Performing Arts, in partnership with the Belmont Filmhouse, Aberdeen City and…

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A sparkling education at the Fizz Feast

Today’s Fizz Feast in Edinburgh not only has delicious Champagnes on show but also sparkling wines from around the world, writes Peter Ranscombe. EDINBURGH Academy may be renowned for the sparkling success of its former pupils – with notable alumni ranging from writer Robert Louis Stevenson to physicist James Clerk Maxwell – but it was sparklers…

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Chocolat author to give free talk at Scottish school

The writer of a best seller which was turned into an international hit film is to visit a Scottish school. Bestselling Chocolat author Joanne Harris, with Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, will visit McLaren High School in Stirlingshire next Monday, 19 November, from 4.30–6pm. Book Week Scotland is…

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Robert Louis Stevenson award seeks writers

To marking Robert Louis Stevenson Day, the Scottish Book Trust has announced that the Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowship for professional writers is now open for applications. Previous fellows include novelist Jenni Fagan, Makar Liz Lochhead, and poet and performer Michael Pedersen. Writers based in Scotland are encouraged to apply, and the Fellowship awards successful applicants…

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Remembering the fallen on Scotland’s beaches

Tributes to the fallen in war were made all over Scotland yesterday, with six special commemorations on the nation’s beaches. Film director Danny Boyle’s special Armistice commission, Pages of the Sea, for 14-18 NOW and National Theatre of Scotland, took place at St Ninian’s Isle beach in Shetland, West Sands in St Andrews, Scapa beach…

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Cocktail book will leave you shaken and stirred

Anyone who’s ever wanted to go drinking with James Bond would, most likely, end up the way that most of his arch-foes go. Dead. Mr Bond does have a fondness for a drink, as, over the course of the 14 books written by Ian Fleming, 007 does enjoy a cocktail or three. Shaken – Drinking…

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Crime writer Val is new Scottish Book Trust patron

Scots crime writer Val McDermid has been appointed as the new patron of the Scottish Book Trust. The national charity transforming lives through reading and writing has a long-time supporter in Val, one of the biggest names in crime writing and her novels have been translated into 40 languages, selling over 15 million copies worldwide.…

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