Books
Moat Brae brings children’s stories to life
MOAT Brae, Scotland’s national centre for children’s literature and storytelling, in Dumfries has reopened for the summer with an exhibition showcasing classic stories. Studio MinaLima, the graphic design firm behind the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, has breathed fresh life into tales including Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi,…
Read MoreDundee becomes ‘Beanotown’
DUNDEE has been transformed into “Beanotown” for a week, with a Hollywood-style sign on the Law. The sign is part of the Dundee Summer (Bash) Streets Festival, which runs until Sunday. At six metres high by 38 metres long – or 20 feet by 125 feet, in old money – the sign can be seen…
Read MoreVal McDermid and Ian Rankin at Largo Arts Week
AUTHORS Val McDermid and soon-to-be-Sir Ian Rankin are topping the bill at Largo Arts Week, which begins on Saturday. The writers will take part in “An audience with…” events in the Fife village’s Crusoe Hotel. Lower Largo is famous as the birthplace of Alexander Selkirk, the man who inspired the story of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson…
Read MoreDiana Gabaldon announces Inverness date
OUTLANDER author Diana Gabaldon will speak at an event at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness on 15 October. Tickets for “An Audience with Diana Gabaldon” will go on sale on Monday. Sinead Robertson, chair of local fan group Inverness Outlanders, invited the author to headline the event. “Inverness is the perfect setting for an event…
Read MoreWhy do authors use pen names?
THE reasons why writers use pen names is the theme for a new exhibition at the National Library of Scotland. “Pen Names” opens at the library on George IV Bridge in Edinburgh on Friday. The exhibition draws on material from the library’s archive to cover a range of writers using pseudonyms from the 1800s to…
Read MoreMalachy Tallack launches fishing book
AUTHOR Malachy Tallack will launch his fishing book, Illuminated by Water, at Portobello bookshop on Thursday. Tallack – who is also a novelist, travel writer, and singer-songwriter – will be interviewed at the event by artist and writer Christina Riley. Growing up in Shetland, with its myriad lochs, Tallack and his brother roamed the island…
Read MoreFrankie Boyle on debut novel shortlist
COMEDIAN Frankie Boyle is among six writers shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize. The debut award was launched in 2019, with two of its previous winners – Claire Askew and Deborah Masson – going on to make the longlist for this year’s main McIlvanney Prize. The judges for this year’s debut prize are Arusa…
Read MoreThe Kilted Coaches: Who are they?
Bee Tragoolpadetgrai meets The Kilted Coaches to talk exercise, Joanna Lumley, and going ‘full Scottish’. FOR Stephen Clark and Rab Shields, the duo more commonly known as ‘The Kilted Coaches’, popularity came from doing workouts in the Scottish wilderness and embracing their heritage. They have recently released a book called The Kilted Coaches: How to…
Read MoreIndependent Bookshop Week has begun
SITES across Scotland are marking Independent Bookshop Week. Following two years of online and hybrid events, many bookshops are holding in-person events. The line-up at the Book Nook in Stewarton includes Jacquelyn Armour, Lorraine Johnston, and Lindsay Littleson. John Barr will talk about his book, 20th Century Japan in 20 Buildings, at the Royal Incorporation…
Read MoreThe Week in Pictures: Outlander, robots, and more
Which pictures have caught the eye of Scottish Field’s team this week? Peter Ranscombe takes a light-hearted flick through photos of Outlander, robots, and more. DOUNE Castle, one of the stars of the Outlander television series, has reopened to the public. Access was restricted at the castle last year, so that Historic Environment Scotland could…
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