Posts by Peter Ranscombe
FRINGE REVIEW: “Big Brain Tumour Benefit”
ON TUESDAY evening, Underbelly brought together eight well-known comedians and raised more than £32,000 for its annual “Big Brain Tumour Benefit”. Comedy variety shows can often be a hit or miss, leaving you with wanting more of some acts and less of others – like any art form, comedy is subjective, after all. However, stand-ups…
Read MoreFRINGE REVIEW: “This is Not a Show About Hong Kong”
This is Not a Show About Hong Kong – Venue 61 – Underbelly Cowgate – Big Belly – 2pm THERE are some shows that you enjoy but leave you as you exit the theatre, and then there are some shows that you’re not sure if “enjoy” is the right word to use, but they linger…
Read MoreFRINGE REVIEW: “Friendsical”
Friendsical – Venue 20 – Assembly Rooms – Music Hall – 7.55pm THERE is likely no television show as universally known as Friends, so it was very ambitious for the actors of Friendsical to step into these beloved roles. The cast were introduced onto a replica Central Perk set as they twirled umbrellas in a…
Read MoreEvents celebrate Orkney chairs and Fair Isle chairs
MAKERS of Orkney chairs and Fair Isle chairs will be celebrated next month during a special weekend at Marchmont House in the Borders. Kevin Gauld, who launched his Orkney Furniture Maker business in 2007, and Eve Eunson, who works as an architect on Shetland, will take part in the events on 2-4 September. Both styles…
Read MoreLondon Road clock returns to Edinburgh
THE London Road clock has returned to Edinburgh after being restored. The historic timepiece began life on Waverley Bridge in 1857, before being moved to the West End in 1896, and finally reaching the roundabout on London Road in 1955. It was removed in 2007 as part of the original tram works, which had aimed…
Read MoreWhisky new releases: Glenturret, Tullibardine, and more
Peter Ranscombe rounds up the latest whisky releases from Scotland’s distilleries and bottlers. GLENTURRET has added whiskies at either end of the age spectrum to this year’s core range. A seven-year-old single malt is joined by a 25 year old and a 30 year old. It’s seven-year-old peat smoke is aged in American oak casks…
Read MoreHolyrood marks 200th year since George IV visit
THE Palace of Holyroodhouse is marking this week’s 200th anniversary of the visit by King George IV to Scotland with a series of events. The Royal Collection Trust’s (RCT’s) curators are holding a study morning at the palace today, including a tour of the rooms used by the king during his visit. Tomorrow, an hour-long…
Read MoreRoyal Banks’ ‘Red Guinea’ notes hits auction
THE Royal Bank of Scotland’s “red guinea” banknote from 1777 is going under the hammer next week. The red guinea is thought to be first tri-coloured note to be issued in Scotland and possibly in Europe. The banknote promises to pay “Archibald Hope” one guinea. Hope is believed to have been Sir Archibald Hope, who…
Read MoreIsle of Skye Candle Company buys Aros Centre
THE Isle of Skye Candle Company is getting ready to reopen more of the Aros Centre in Portree after buying the site. The firm is turning the centre into a factory and visitors’ centre. The candle maker said that the project would revitalise the centre’s community facilities, which include a cinema and theatre, café, restaurant,…
Read MoreFaskally gets ready for Enchanted Forest return
FASKALLY Woods is getting ready for the return of the Enchanted Forest light show after a two-year gap due to the pandemic. More than 80,000 visitors are expected to attend this year’s event, which marks the show’s 20th anniversary. Tickets have gone on sale for the display, which runs from 29 September to 30 October.…
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