The word is out for this year’s Coastword Festival

A celebration of words comes to the east coast this weekend, in the form of CoastWord Festival. Offering a collection of spoken word performances, music and workshops, the festival runs from today, May 18, to Sunday, 20 May, on the sunny shoreline of Dunbar. A festival with humble beginnings, CoastWord was founded by local writer…

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Scots writer Maggie Ritchie shortlisted for prize

A Scots writer has been shortlisted for the prestigious Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize 2018. Maggie Ritchie’s literary romantic thriller Looking for Evelyn is one of six novels recognised by the prize, which celebrates the best adventure writing. Maggie said: ‘I’m so pleased that Saraband agreed to publish Looking for Evelyn, so pleased people are…

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Book review – Maggie’s Mittens is a charming story

What’s the story? This is a charming tale of a young girl who, in spite of her mother’s wishes, doesn’t want to wear her hot, fuzzy mittens… While on a tour of some of Scotland’s most picturesque destinations, including St Andrews’ Old Course, Maggie hopes to find a new home for her horrible mittens. Scottish…

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Great Tapestry’s return is welcomed by writer

Scots writer Alexander McCall Smith is delighted that the Great Tapestry of Scotland is returning to New Lanark. With just a week to go, New Lanark prepares to turn their newly developed exhibition gallery into the home of the Great Tapestry of Scotland. First hosted at New Lanark back in 2014 to over 13,000 visitors,…

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Book review – The Great Drams of Scotland

What’s the story? Behind each and every dram there is a unique, colourful and tasty tale to be told. Greg Dillon, award-winning writer and blogger, walks the reader through the history of 28 Scottish distilleries and 23 iconic brands of whisky. This is more than just a guide to Scotland’s favourite tipple though – Dillon’s…

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Wine to Dine – June 2018 – Wild Garlic

Drinks writer Peter Ranscombe picks five wines to go with wild garlic, which was the star of June’s food feature in the printed Scottish Field magazine. WILD garlic is a much more delicate flavour than its onion-like namesake, with chive notes and a delicious sweetness, and so I’ve opted for a range of lighter styles…

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Proms in the Park will welcome singer Sophie

Award-winning singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor is coming to BBC Proms in the Park on Glasgow Green. Sophie, who shot to fame as a vocalist on Spiller’s number one single Groovejet, then followed it up with Take Me Home and her worldwide smash hit, Murder on the Dancefloor. She will be in Glasgow for the event on…

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An evening of culture at distillery

A celebration of Scottish poetry, music and food is taking place in Fife next month. On Friday 11 May, Lindores Abbey Distillery will host an evening of music, poetry and fine local food at its second annual Music and Poetry Festival. The evening will showcase some of Fife’s finest performers, with poets, essayists, musicians and…

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Six finalists are in the running for £25,000 prize

Six books have been revealed as being on the shortlist for the £25,000 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction. The Walter Scott Prize, which celebrates its tenth anniversary next year, was founded by patrons the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch to honour the legacy and achievements of Sir Walter Scott, inventor of the historical novel.…

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The glass act in the heart of an Aberdeen park

Outside, it’s five degrees below. Inside the glasshouse at Duthie Park Winter Gardens in Aberdeen, steam rises as a gardener in shorts and flip-flops plays a hose across the floor. On a day like this, the Winter Gardens live up to their name; where else can you find bougainvillea in flower when there’s snow on…

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