The 150th birthday of the fastest clipper to sail the seas

This month marks the 150th anniversary of the launch of the Aberdeen-built Thermopylae, the fastest clipper that ever sailed. English poet and writer Cicely Fox Smith wrote, ‘Of all that fleet of swift and lovely ships, none was perhaps ever built more lovely and more swift than the famous clipper Thermopylae… there was some secret…

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Book festival authors put in the picture

Between the Lines – Portraits of Authors is a unique exhibition running during the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Since 2009 photographer Chris Close has completed a unique body of author portraits at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Described as a ‘live’ exhibition he photographs on site in Charlotte Square Gardens and the work is hung…

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Edinburgh Gin have been getting into the festival spirit

With the world’s largest arts festival in town, Edinburgh Gin has been welcoming international visitors and locals alike to enjoy the festivities in style. Taking over the city with a range of bespoke pop up bars and activities, Edinburgh Gin has presence throughout the Festival with sites at some of the festival’s main venues. Appearing…

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Glasgow pipes up as it welcomes the world’s bagpipers

The world’s biggest piping festival will bring 40,000 visitors from across the globe to Glasgow this week. Piping Live!, the Glasgow International Piping Festival, runs until Sunday, 19 August, and got underway on Monday with a special performance from the Fountain Trust Pipe Band who travelled over 3600 miles from Ohio to take part in…

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Dolina ready to mark 80th birthday at Blas Festival

A Gaelic writer, actress and singer is set to celebrate her 80th birthday in style with musical friends. Broadcaster and political campaigner, Dolina Maclennan will celebrate her 80th birthday at a concert during Blas Festival  on 15 September. Brought up in Marvig, Lewis, Dolina was introduced to drama and the great Gaelic bards at Nicolson…

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Scottish Opera ready to make its festival debut

Scottish Opera is performing at the award-winning Lammermuir Festival in East Lothian for the first time this September, with a new semi-staged performance of Benjamin Britten’s The Burning Fiery Furnace. Soloists, chorus and instrumentalists perform Britten’s colourful and exotic Church Parable in Haddington’s mediaeval St Mary’s Parish Church, telling the tale of Nebuchadnezzar and the…

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Unique ceramics and killer whale skull to go on show

A killer whale skull from the only resident killer whale pod in the UK is among the fascinating objects featured in New to the National Collection, a display opening at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh on Friday, 17 August. It will be on show, along with one of just two known silver tea…

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Scotland prepares to celebrate its splendid heritage

Scotland is looking to its proud past, as it gears up for this year’s Heritage Awareness Day. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is preparing for the return of Heritage Awareness Day on Thursday 20 September. This year’s celebration, taking place in the European Year of Cultural Heritage, will celebrate historic connections between Scotland and Europe, showcasing…

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Arts festival needs to raise £80,000 for it to continue

A leading Scottish independent arts festival is appealing to raise £80,000 in funding so it can continue. Hidden Door is appealing for help to secure its future, as Edinburgh’s alternative arts festival has grown fast over the last five years. It began as an experimental project launched by a group of volunteers in 2014, and…

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Exhibition will showcase popular artist’s work

An in-demand artist is to stage an exhibition of her work next week. Florin’s Glendale Gallery will showcase exhibition of original paintings, prints and beautiful gifts and stationery by renowned Northumberland artist, Mary Ann Rogers. Mary Ann’s artwork is sought after across the length and breadth of the country and this exhibition is her first…

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