Culture
Digging in the dirt to uncover Abbey’s secrets
The biggest-ever exploration of one of Renfrewshire’s most mysterious historical features is now underway – and hopes to unveil some centuries-old secrets. An archaeological dig has started at Paisley’s Abbey Drain – a complex underground structure which links the town’s 850-year-old Abbey to the River Cart. The 100m long underground passageway, thought to be more…
Read MoreEdinburgh International Children’s Festival turns 30
The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival returns from 25 May to 2 June with an exciting programme of theatre and dance for children and young people. This year, the Festival celebrates its 30th birthday and the excellent line-up has already attracted over 12,000 bookers, including 6,200 schools pupils over the 9 days. This milestone Festival programme…
Read MoreIt’s crunch time for BBC Scotland’s Home of the Year
The final episode of Scotland’s Home of the Year 2019 will be aired on Wednesday 29 May at 8pm on BBC Scotland. After a spectacular series, it’s finally crunch time for the judges. Coming together in an hour-long special, they will consider all seven finalists and reveal Scotland’s Home of the Year. The seven home…
Read MoreRenowned percussionist Colin Currie to give masterclass
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, in partnership with St Mary’s Music School, has announced that world-renowned percussionist Colin Currie will be hosting a masterclass. Hailed as ‘the world’s finest and most daring percussionist’, Colin Currie is a solo and chamber artist. The event is designed to inspire musicians, teachers and percussion enthusiasts of all ages…
Read MoreIan Rankin donates archives to National Library of Scotland
The UK’s biggest-selling crime novelist Ian Rankin has donated his literary archive to the National Library of Scotland. Often cited as the ‘godfather of tartan noir’, Ian Rankin’s work has resonated with millions throughout the world, his novels having been translated into 36 languages. Totally around 50 boxes of material, which in shelving terms is…
Read MoreTraquair Medieval Fayre is all set for the weekend ahead
Final preparations are underway for the Medieval Fayre, a weekend full of mayhem and mischief set in the grounds of Scotland’s oldest inhabited house. Taking place at Traquair House, Innerleithen Peeblesshire on 25 and 26 May, (11am-5pm) the Traquair Medieval Fayre is returning once more with medieval magic and horses galore. The Fayre attracts participants…
Read MoreCelebrating the works of painter Leon Morrocco
Leon Morrocco is in an understandably reflective mood. He spoke to Scottish Field in 2014, ahead of a retrospective of his work opening in Edinburgh and a show of new works in London. ‘It’s absolutely essential to go on learning and exploring,’ he says. It is this continuing enquiry that has been the hallmark of…
Read MoreGlass artist’s work took her into the Unknown
Glass artist Alison Kinnaird is combining traditional techniques with modern technology to add light to her sculptures. Alison was angry when she created ‘Unknown’. As an artist working with glass, Kinnaird channelled her rage into creating a piece that summed up her horror at the continuing wars around the world. ‘I started working on it…
Read More10 brave Scots who have won the Victoria Cross
Awarded for valour in the face of the enemy, the Victoria Cross is our highest military decoration. These are the tales of ten of the 164 Scots awarded this highly-prized medal. 1. John MacGregor Born at Cawdor near Nairn in 1889, John MacGregor became Canada’s most-decorated soldier. He emigrated in 1909, working as a carpenter…
Read MoreTime for tea can boost a vital children’s charity
After her daughter died of cancer, Laura Young set up the Teapot Trust, which provides art therapy for children with chronic illness. She tells Scottish Field about the charity. Why did you set up the Teapot Trust? My daughter, Verity, was diagnosed with lupus, an auto-immune disease, when she was three. She was eight when…
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