Culture
The Good Books, Alessandra Thom: ‘Daphne Du Maurier is a master of tension and atmosphere’
Aberdeenshire author Alessandra Thom talks her books of the year, the authors who have inspired her and the books of her childhood. The first book I remember reading: I remember being about five and reading a Biff, Chip and Kipper book out loud, and realising I could read. But the first novels I really…
Read MoreThe Good Books, V. E .Schwab: ‘I’m a very reluctant DNF-er when it comes to reading’
Best selling author V. E .Schwab was born in California and currently splits her time between Denver, Colorado and Edinburgh. She got her masters in depictions of monstrosity in medieval art at the University of Edinburgh. She chats to us about her favourite authors, what she’s reading now and why she always likes to finish…
Read MoreImmersive Beyond Van Gogh experience arrives in Aberdeen
The talents behind Beyond Van Gogh take the immersive experience to Aberdeen’s P&J Live and invite you to get lost in the artist’s work as it blossoms and melds before your eyes. Grant Dickie went to see the wonders for himself. Van Gogh has always been an artist I admire, so the idea of seeing…
Read MoreOutlander dress worn by Geillis Duncan in hit TV show on display at Culross Palace
A dress worn by the character Geillis Duncan in the first series of hit TV show Outlander is going on display at Culross Palace. The Royal Burgh of Culross, along with many other places in Scotland, have been used as filming locations for the series. As it enters its eighth and final season later this…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Foday Mannah: ‘I always recommend Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stewart, it’s a stunning novel’
Foday Mannah on reading as a child, the author who has inspired him, what he’s reading now. The first book I remember reading: Children of the New Forest by Frederick Marryat comes to mind as do the Hardy Boys detective novels written by Franklin W. Dixon. But the standout from childhood has to be…
Read MoreReview: Ballet Nights, Glasgow
The critically acclaimed Ballet Nights smash hit live dance show makes its long-awaited Scottish debut in July at Glasgow Theatre Royal, finds Lisa Simonis. The ballet world descended upon Glasgow recently with the Scottish debut of Ballet Nights. Walking to the venue in the drizzle, I could spot the queue in front of Glasgow’s…
Read MoreDetective John Rebus back on our screens as season two confirmed
Detective John Rebus will be back on our screens after the BBC confirmed a second season of the hit TV drama with Richard Rankin. The drama, based on the books by Sir Ian Rankin, saw the detective return to TV for the first time in 20 years last year in a six part series. The…
Read MoreScottish author Val McDermid awarded an honorary degree from University of Edinburgh
Scottish author Val McDermid has been awarded an honorary degree from University of Edinburgh. Originally from Kirkcaldy, Val is one of the UK’s most accomplished and respected novelists, an international number one bestselling author whose books have been translated into more than forty languages and sold over 19 million copies worldwide. Her multi-award-winning series and…
Read MoreMountain rescue volunteer wins £10,000 for landslide picture at Rest and Be Thankful
A mountain rescue volunteer has won a £10,000 prize for his incredible image of a landslide at the Rest and Be Thankful. Mick McGraw won the Lapeca Scottish Landscape Awards 2025 for the piece, titled ‘Glen Croe landslide, August 31, 2020’. The winning photograph was taken from the slopes of Ben Donich, looking over the…
Read MoreThe Good Books, David Goodman: ‘It’s a shameful thing to admit for an English Literature graduate, but I couldn’t get through Ulysses’
David Goodman on not being able to get through Ulysses, how Iain Banks inspired him, and the books of his childhood. The first book I remember reading: If we’re talking children’s books, it’s probably Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, which I read dozens of times with my parents. But the first…
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