Culture
Here’s 5 Must-See Events at the Royal National Mòd in Lochaber
The Royal National Mòd returns to the Highlands this October, bringing nine days of extraordinary celebration to Fort William. As the world’s largest celebration of Gaelic language, music and culture, this 133-year-old festival promises an unforgettable experience for visitors and locals alike. With over 200 competition categories, street performances, concerts, and cultural exhibitions spread across…
Read MoreThe 18th century traditions that still live on in Scotland’s annual festivities
Carolyn Kirby shares how the spirit of the 18th century still lives on in Scotland’s seasonal festivities. Researching my new novel Ravenglass, I was fascinated to find the spirit of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s century alive in some of Scotland’s popular annual traditions. Ravenglass is a family mystery and a story of fluidity and forbidden love…
Read MoreReview: The Hari Afternoon Tea & London Tea Friends Summer Festival
Summertime in Auld Reekie can feel a lot more hectic than The Big Smoke. So, instead of breaking to London for the hustle and bustle, I escaped for a tranquil weekend of sipping tea in the big city. As the heat picked up this summer and many switched from hot to cold drinks, I was…
Read MoreSir Ian Rankin shortlisted for major crime writing award for latest Inspector Rebus book
Sir Ian Rankin has been shortlisted for major crime writing award the McIlvanney Prize for his latest book featuring Inspector John Rebus. Previous winners Callum McSorley, Denise Mina and Liam McIlvanney also make the shortlist. The winner is due to be announced as part of the Bloody Scotland festival in Stirling on 12 September. Making…
Read MoreThe Good Books, L. V. Matthews: ‘Charlotte’s Web had a deep impact on me, it posed such a big moral issue from the opening chapter’
L. V. Matthews on the best book she has read this year, the novel she always recommends and her biggest writing inspiration. The first book I remember reading: I remember reading Charlotte’s Web as a child and it having a deep impact on me. I suppose it’s because it posed such a big moral…
Read MoreHelen Glassford: ‘My paintings draw on memories of the remote areas of Northern Scotland’
An exhibition featuring 40 new paintings by Scottish landscape artist Helen Glassford is opening at The Strathearn Gallery. Renowned for her emotionally resonant, immersive works, Helen captures the raw beauty and atmosphere of Scotland’s wild, untamed landscapes. Her richly layered paintings explore the fleeting interplay of memory, atmosphere and light, inviting viewers into a deeply…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Chris Barkley: ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea is the first book I remember reading’
Chris Barkley on the book he is most looking forward to this year, the author who has inspired him and Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner. The first book I remember reading: The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr. I suppose this book taught me that no matter how tigery the guest, they…
Read MoreReview, Bill Bailey Thoughtifier: ‘Very diverse, very funny…very good’
Bill Bailey is very diverse, very funny, very good in Thoughtifier, says Alister Tenneb. ★★★★★ I have seen Bill Bailey perform on three previous occasions and was slightly anxious that I might suffer from a degree of weariness and regurgitation of previous material as I have with many comedians on repeat visits. But I am…
Read MoreFringe Reviews: The Aquatic Melody, The Fahrenheit Alliance V, Hey Stop!!!, Saloon Girls & Hibiscus Thistle: A Panorama of Hunan
The Aquatic Melody ★★★★ In the corner of a small but sold-out venue, a stage with a single table and chair draws our attention. A softly strummed stringed instrument signals the beginning of the show and our male protagonist Lin Jiaxing makes an entrance with his low timbred voice. Our female protagonist, dressed in a…
Read MoreFringe Reviews: Ha, HAHAHA-HAMLET, Jeju
Ha is a phenomenally poignant and daring piece with a message just as haunting as its delivery. ★★★★★ A woman sits on a chair in the dark. A stage light illuminates a face with her mouth wide open and hints at her naked form. The sound of her breath starts slow before becoming irregular, and…
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