Shooting from the lip is his speciality

Nothing and no-one is able to escape the sharp wit of Alasdair Mitchell in this collection of columns from his weekly Sharpshooter column in the Shooting Times. One of the reasons for Mitchell’s popularity is his ability to discern the truth from a collection of mistruths and his powerful yet calm writing style. This amusing…

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After nine albums, Phamie releases her first single

A Scots musician with nine albums behind her is doing something new in her music career today – she’s releasing her first single. Phamie Gow, who is originally from the Scottish Borders but now living in Edinburgh, is releasing The Peace Farmer. The artist, who was recently described as ‘one of The Great Woman Composers’…

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Scots distillery getting ready to host an opera

The Glen Scotia distillery in Campbeltown is set to host one of the first performances of an exciting new opera set in a distillery. Featuring music by Scot indie stars Admiral Fallow, Navigate The Blood is written by Sian Evans, and is the tale of a couple whose son has disappeared in mysterious circumstances, with…

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Comedy and music return with Abandoman

A comedian who is a previous winner of Best Musical Act of the Fringe is returning to Scotland. Abandoman, also known as Rob Broderick, is Ireland’s finest hip-hop musical comedian is back on tour with his biggest show to date. Using his trademark blend of audience interaction and razor-sharp improvisation, Rob will take you on a…

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New book mines rich seams for historical insight

Marian Pallister tells the story of Argyll and its rich mining history in Not a Plack the Richer. Using in-depth research into official records, letters and maps, she has produced an informative and absorbing tome. Pallister’s great grandfather was a County Durham miner who moved to Argyll, so she was inspired to write on this…

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Debut Doric festival highlights mountain to sea

A festival to celebrate Doric culture, music, language, storytelling, and food and drink is to take place across Aberdeenshire throughout October. Led by Aberdeenshire Council’s Cultural Services team in partnership with community groups, creatives, key partners and individuals, Across the Grain is an ambitious events programme including everything from film-makers in fish markets to musicians…

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Another bloody good festival of crimewriting

Scotland’s annual festival of crime writing has enjoyed another successful year – without a drop of blood being spilt. Bloody Scotland is the nation’s International Crime Writing Festival, providing a showcase for the best crime writing from Scotland and the world, unique in that it was set up by a group of Scottish crime writers…

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Captain Corelli writer brings his own mandolin

The writer of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin was in Scotland over the weekend as a guest of the Wigtown Book Festival. Louis de Bernieres, famed for writing the novel which was later adapted for the big screen and starring Nicolas Gage, not only spoke but played and sang at this year’s festival in Dumfries and Galloway.…

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Ignite Fellowship to fire-up writing careers

A new fellowship programme is being launched to offer tailored, practical and financial support to help writers find time and space to fire up their careers. Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing, has today launched the Ignite Fellowship, recognising the achievements of professional writers. The Ignite Fellowship has been…

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A double Scottish date for Canadian singer

A rising Canadian singer/songwriter is coming to Scotland for two gigs. As well as performing a collection of numbers from his third album Beautiful Tragedy, set to be released on Friday, Josh Taerk will also be playing hits from his back catalogue. Since his first album, Josh (released 2014), he has always found new ways…

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