RBS 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…

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Wildlife 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…

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Celtic 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…

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Television 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 &…

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Tiso 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…

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RSPB 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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Schools news round-up: Tedx, music, and more

Pay attention at the back – Peter Ranscombe shares the latest news from Scotland’s schools. PIANIST William Liu has been crowned Strathallan School’s first ever “young musician of the year” in the Perthshire institution’s senior school. His performance of Chopin’s Revolutionary Etude won him the top spot. “It gives me a lot of confidence and…

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Fresh smartphone advice for hillwalkers issued

HILLWALKERS are getting fresh advice on how to use their mobile phones and global position system (GPS) handsets to navigate safely on Scotland’s mountains. The guidance has been issued by Mountaineering Scotland to help promote better and more reliable use of smart devices during hikes. The advice includes downloading maps for use offline to avoid…

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Royal marines help farmers with mental health

FORMER royal marines and the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI) are launching a mental health initiative this month to help farmers. The programme involves mental health first aid training for those who regularly interact professionally with farmers or crofters, such as assessors, inspectors, and consultants. Topics included in the course – which is being…

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Circus, shinty, and music for World Gaelic Week

SCOTLAND’S second World Gaelic Week has unveiled its line-up. The programme for Seachdain na Gàidhlig, which begins on 20 February, features educational and circus workshops, as well as sports and ceildihs. There will also be an array of opportunities to learn Gaelic, both in-person and online. In Paisley, the town’s Community Circus will run a…

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