Posts by Peter Ranscombe
Islands share ÂŁ100m investment
ORKNEY, Shetland, and the Western Isles will share ÂŁ100 million of public funding once an “islands growth deal” is signed today. The deal pulls together cash from the Scottish and UK governments. Ministers hope the money will trigger a further ÂŁ393 million of investment from businesses over the next ten years, creating up to 1,300…
Read MoreWaverley paddle steamer in ‘urgent’ cash appeal
THE team behind the Waverley paddle steamer has this lunchtime issued an “urgent” funding appeal to raise ÂŁ180,000. The cash is needed to pay the boat’s winter dry dock costs and recommission the vessel for this season’s sailings. Waverley, which is the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer, carried more than 100,000 passengers last year as…
Read MoreKalopsia Collective launches ‘textiles bond’
TEXTILES maker Kalopsia Collective, a social enterprise founded in 2012 by artists and weavers, aims to raise ÂŁ100,000 to expand production. The collective moved from Leith to a factory in Dumferline, where it can produce textiles in small batches. Kalopsia focuses on sustainability and reducing waste in the textiles industry. Scottish Communities Finance, a community…
Read MoreBurrell collection brings in ÂŁ20m for Glasgow
THE Burrell Collection has welcomed half a million visits since reopening in March and has injected ÂŁ19.9 million into Glasgow’s economy. That’s according to Glasgow Life, the organisation set up by the local council to run arts venues in the city. The economic benefit generated by the museum rises to ÂŁ21.1m for Scotland as a…
Read MoreRBS hands over land for Dunard Centre
EDINBURGH’S first purpose-built concert hall for more than 100 years came a step closer today after Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) handed over land to build the Dunard Centre. The venue, which received planning permission in November 2021, will sit behind Dundas House in the New Town. Impact Scotland, the charity that’s building the concert…
Read MoreWildlife struggles as climate change bites
SCOTLAND’S wildlife is struggling to recover due to biodiversity loss and climate change, according to experts. Figures published this morning by NatureScot, the Scottish Government agency known previously as Scottish Natural Heritage, showed species are struggling to increase their numbers or to spread their locations. More than 2,800 species are stuck at 1990s’ levels, which…
Read MoreCeltic Connections begins
GLASGOW’S Celtic Connections music festival kicks off its 30th season tonight. Around 1,200 musicians will stage 300 events at 25 venues throughout the city during the 18-day festival. Genres represented in the programme include “traditional folk, roots, Americana, jazz, soul, and world music”. Highlights include: Irish six-piece ensemble Notify, which celebrates its 10th anniversary at…
Read MoreTelevision star joins Paton & Co in Borders
FORMER television reporter Fiona Pagett has joined Borders-based estate agency Paton & Co as a partner. Pagett worked with Grampian TV and STV before becoming head of communications for Business in the Community Scotland, where she ran the organisation’s rural programme. She cut her teeth in the property industry at Purplebricks, before joining Rettie &…
Read MoreTiso hosts its first mini-festival
CLIMBER Leo Houlding will visit Glasgow next week for outdoor equipment store Tiso’s first mini-festival. Houlding will read from his new book, Closer To The Edge. The company is erecting tents in its car park to welcome 100 guests to the event on 26 January. Inside the tents, Tiso is placing a cinema screen, theatre…
Read MoreRSPB and GWCT gear up to count birds
BIRD-WATCHERS are getting ready to record their feathered friends as part of major wildlife surveys by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT). The data collected by volunteers during the RSPB’s “Big Garden Birdwatch” on 27-29 January and the GWCT’s “Big Farmland Bird Count” on…
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