Scottish Ballet heads to London with Coppélia

SCOTTISH Ballet is preparing to take Edinburgh International Festival hit Coppélia to Sadler’s Wells in London, as well as touring A Streetcar Named Desire throughout Scotland. Coppélia, which tells the story of a piece of artificial intelligence (AI) software and its creator, is due to open at Sadler’s Wells on 2 March. The ballet was…

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Simon Howie searches for more ‘R Burns’

BUTCHER Simon Howie has launched a quest to find more “R Burns” – or get people to change their names on social media. The Perthshire entrepreneur is giving people with the initial “R” and the surname “Burns” the chance to win one of 100 haggis hampers. He’s also allowing other people to enter his competition…

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One for Capricorns at The Alchemist in Glasgow

BAR chain The Alchemist has opened its first outlet in Glasgow and is offering a free cocktail this month to people born under the zodiac sign of Capricorn. The free cocktail will be served from the George Square bar’s “dispensary” machine, with Capricorns given a choice of three drinks. The “Nearly Naked”, “Peach Fuzz”, and…

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Great Tapestry of Scotland artist Andrew Crummy among honours

ARTIST Andrew Crummy, who led the creation of The Great Tapestry of Scotland, was among those featured in the new year’s honours list. Crummy was made a member of the order of the British empire (MBE) for his “services to art and cultural heritage” in Scotland. He follows in the footsteps of his mother, Helen,…

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Holyrood and Heriot-Watt eye old barley varieties for whisky

SCIENTISTS and distillers are investigating which aromas and flavours are produced in whisky by old varieties of barley. Holyrood Distillery in Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University will study at least eight varieties over the next six years. Chevallier, a variety popular during the 19th century, is among the strains being tested. The variety fell out of…

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Native trio plans show at Aberdeen Art Gallery

WORKS by three local artists are visiting Aberdeen Art Gallery to wow crowds in their home city. Lennox Dunbar, Ian Howard, and Arthur Watson all attended Aberdeen Grammar School, where art teacher Charles Hemingway introduced them to the collection at Aberdeen Art Gallery. Howard went on to teach at Aberdeen and Dundee colleges of art…

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Hebridean Baker salutes Burns at Bonnie Badger

CHEF Tom Kitchin’s restaurant with rooms, The Bonnie Badger at Gullane in East Lothian, will host Coinneach MacLeod – better known as “The Hebridean Baker” in the run-up to Burns’ Night. MacLeod, who starred in Scottish Field‘s food feature back in January, will speak about his second cookbook during afternoon tea on 21 January. “The…

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Shetland launches ‘Jump Start January’

SHETLANDERS could win tickets to the Six Nations rugby championships through a new “Jump Start January” programme. Individuals, groups, households, and schools are all being invited by the local council to get active for at least 15 minutes each day during four weeks early in the new year. The scheme begins on Monday, with people…

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RSABI names next chair

THE Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI) has named Jimmy McLean as its new chair. McLean takes over from David Leggat, who will remain as one of the rural charity’s trustees for a further year. McLean has served a trustee for five years and has spent the past two years as vice-chair. Based in the…

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Free New Year tours of The Kelpies

THE Helix park between Falkirk and Grangemouth is running free tours of its famous horse sculptures, The Kelpies. The guided tours begin on 4 January and run until 31 January. Standing 30 metres tall and weighing more than 300 tonnes each, The Kelpies were unveiled in 2014 by sculpturer Andy Scott. Lesley O’Hare, cultural services…

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