Culture
Scots building closes for a £22million revamp
A historic Scots venue is to undergo a major £22million refurbishment. Paisley Town Hall hosted a sell-out festive family ceilidh before the doors closed, until it re-opens in 2021 as a major venue attracting events and people to the town. The festive ceilidh featuring traditional Scottish music and dancing has been a popular event for…
Read MoreChoose art prints from a world-class collection
The National Galleries of Scotland collection of over 100,000 artworks ranges from the Renaissance to the present day. You can choose a high-quality art print of one of these masterpieces using the Galleries online custom prints service. Every day, wake up and enjoy your morning coffee with a Titian in your kitchen, or later in the evening…
Read MoreGearing up for Scotland’s 2019 poetry festival
Scotland’s International Poetry Festival has announced an outstanding line-up of talent as it prepares for the event in March. The StAnza festival will open in St Andrews with a special gala performance featuring a selection of headline poets reading and performing, intertwined with music, film and art. This will launch the five-day festival with a…
Read MoreScotland is all set for major exhibitions in 2019
A huge year lies ahead for National Museums Scotland in 2019. The completion of the transformation of the National Museum of Scotland’s iconic Victorian building in Edinburgh and a diverse and world-class programme of exhibitions means a fascinating world of discovery is ready. The 2019 programme will feature the unveiling of three new permanent galleries…
Read MoreCelebrate Rabbie Burns’ 260th birthday in style
He may be 260, but he’s not doing too shabby: Robert Burns – Scotland’s national bard – is celebrated every year on would have been his birthday, 25 January, and which is now known as Burns Night. Scots and visitors alike can toast his legacy and celebrate Scotland with a wee dram and a traditional…
Read MoreStores aim to get Scotland first footing again
A supermarket is encouraging people across the country to reignite the heritage of Hogmanay by first-footing their neighbours with a lump of coal. Customers across all 96 Scottish Lidl stores can pick up free coal with their shopping from today, Saturday 29 December, a symbol of bringing of warmth and wellbeing for the year ahead.…
Read MoreDissect medical history online for the first time
A new resource that allows people to delve easily for the first time into the fascinating world of medical history – including rare photographic collections and tales of grave robbers – has been launched by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. The website archiveandlibrary.rcsed.ac.uk provides a catalogue of information that will enable visitors to view…
Read MoreTen fantastic facts about Clan Macpherson
Scottish clans have long and proud history – and some moments are spoken of with more pride than others! Here are ten important facts every aspiring member of Clan Macpherson should know. 1. The name Macpherson comes from the Gaelic ‘Mac a’ Phersain’, meaning ‘son of the parson’. Mhuirich Cattanach, fourth chief of Clan Chattan,…
Read MoreThe monarch who loved Scots’ spooky traditions
Queen Victoria had a fascinations with the spooky goings on at her Highland retreat of Balmoral. Her interest started properly in 1866 when, after paying a visit to Mrs Grant, mother of John Grant, the head keeper at Balmoral, on the afternoon of 31 October she saw children carrying torches, and bonfires appearing on the…
Read MoreWater feature is back working at Scots castle
A water feature first built in the late 19th century has been revived a Scottish castle, after a programme of conservation and repair work by the National Trust for Scotland. Designed in the shape of a compass, the fountain and pond are a key feature in Crathes Castle’s Fountain Gardens. Originally installed in the 1880s,…
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