Culture
They keep piping up when the Scottish season is over
As the pipe band competition season has finished in Scotland, the season is just beginning in Australia and New Zealand. My social media feed just now is full of pipers and drummers from all over the world who are travelling to Australia to compete at the Australian Pipe Band Championships in Sydney. I’m continually amazed…
Read MoreTake a look into the archives this weekend
The Historic Environment Scotland Archives will be offering a warm festive welcome this coming Saturday (15 December) with a special day of talks, exhibits and events for 24 Doors of Advent, part of Edinburgh’s Christmas programme. This year’s event will tie in with the Visible Girls and Invisible Spaces photographic exhibitions currently on display at…
Read MoreStatue pays tribute to Scotland’s great architect
A statue commemorating Glasgow-born Charles Rennie Mackintosh was unveiled on the 90th anniversary of his death. The piece by Andy Scott is believed to be the world’s first public sculpture celebrating the life and legacy of Mackintosh, one of Scotland’s most famous artists and architects. The piece was commissioned by Sanctuary Group and was formally…
Read MoreHidden Door looks to secure festival’s future funding
Alternative arts festival Hidden Door is issuing a final rallying call for support to secure its future. The campaign has already raised over £20,000 through online donations, and the festival has revealed more about its plans for the next two years, should they hit their target. Hidden Door hopes to run a smaller weekender event…
Read MoreHigh street museum just misses out on award
Industry leaders have praised Paisley: The Secret Collection after it just missed out on the Cultural Project of the Year Award at the 2018 Architects’ Journal Architecture Awards. The project was ‘Highly Commended’ by the judges for the inventive nature of its aim to revitalise the high street by bringing the area’s historic collections to…
Read MoreDiscover the Scot whose name is on the moon
James Gregory was the Scot who invented the reflecting telescope, discovered infinite series and made huge mathematical advances – all before the age of 30. Born in November 1638, his entry in the Chambers Dictionary of Biography includes a long list of achievements, theories and discoveries in mathematics, astronomy and physics. However, he is best…
Read MoreThe Bodyguard offers one moment in time to remember
Turning hit films into musicals seems to be de rigeur at present. The Lion King, Shrek, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Dirty Dancing, to name just a few, have found their way from the silver screen to the stage. Another adaptation being brought to life before our eyes is The Bodyguard – based on the…
Read MoreThe Erskine Bridge is now on the Scottish A list
A major Scottish roadbridge has been given Category A listed status. The Erskine Bridge over the River Clyde, has been awarded Category A status by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) after it was recognised as being of special architectural interest, it was announced today (Thursday 29 November). The bridge, officially opened in 1972, is one of…
Read MoreFestival programme announced for StAnza 2019
StAnza, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival has announced an outstanding line-up of talent as it launches its core programme for its 2019 festival next March. The 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…
Read MoreLord Byron – Scotland’s most riotous romantic
Passing ten years of his life in Aberdeen, Lord Byron endured a life full of chaos and scandal. George Gordon Noel, sixth Baron of Byron, was something of a natural at courting controversy in the 18th and 19th centuries. Born in London in 1788 to Captain John Byron and Catherine Gordon, heiress of Gight in…
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