Posts by Peter Ranscombe
Scottish Geology Festival tells landscape tales
THE Scottish Geology Festival is celebrating Scotland’s “Year of Stories” by sharing tales of our nation’s landscapes and coastlines. The festival, which begins on 1 September, opens with a talk hosted by The James Hutton Institute and the Scottish Geology Trust. Alan McKirdy will presented “A conversation on James Hutton: the man and his legacy”…
Read MoreFRINGE REVIEW: “Epic Film Music Concert” and “Symphonic Ibiza”
Epic Film Music Concert – Venue 14: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Nightclub – 2.30pm Symphonic Ibiza – Venue 302: Underbelly, Bristo Square – McEwan Hall – 11.20pm CONTRASTS sit at the heart of Edinburgh’s summer festivals. From the high arts of the international festival and the toilet humour of the Fringe through to the noise…
Read MoreAlexander McCall Smith features on new album
AUTHOR Alexander McCall Smith is one of the narrators featured on the forthcoming album from string duo Sequoia. Isola, which is due to be released on 16 September, features the Scotland Street author, along with Hamish Henderson. The author features on the title track, which he helped to compose. The idea for the album came from…
Read MoreButterflies face climate threats in Scotland
BUTTERFLIES in Scotland are facing threats from climate change, despite a temporary rise in their numbers. That’s the warning from NatureScot, the Scottish Government agency know previously as Scottish Natural Heritage. The number of butteries spotted from nine species – including red admiral, orange-tip, and ringlet – increased between 1979 and 2021 due to warmer…
Read MoreFRINGE REVIEW: “Simon Brodkin: Screwed Up”
Simon Brodkin: Screwed Up – Venue 33 – Pleasance Courtyard, Cabaret Bar – 9.40pm SIMON BRODKIN is one of the bigger names at this year’s Fringe and his largely sell-out show reflects his draw. He’s largely known for his affable chav character, Lee Nelson, stereotyped scouse footballer Jason Ben, and numerous pranks. In this show,…
Read MoreFRINGE REVIEW: “The Princess Pyunggang”
The Princess Pyunggang – Venue 236 – Greenside @ Infirmary Street – Olive Studio – 11.40am AS A regular consumer of both folklore and Korean dramas, I was somewhat familiar with this tale about the weeping Princess Pyeonggang who turned her husband On Dal – commonly thought of as On Dal the Fool – into…
Read MoreFRINGE 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…
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