Doric scriever starts residency

DORIC writer Shane Strachan has been named as the next Scots scriever by the National Library of Scotland. The role involves promoting the Scots language by carrying out research at the library and producing original work. Strachan said: “I’m fair trickit tae be this year’s Scots scriever, especially gettin tae promote the Doric o my…

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Next rural medical drones test flights begin

DRONES could soon be delivering medicines, blood, and test results to rural and island communities throughout Scotland as the next phase of a pilot project takes flight. The “Care & Equity Healthcare Logistics Unmanned Aircraft System Scotland” project – or “Caelus” for short – has secured £10.1 million of funding from UK Research & Innovation,…

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‘End is nigh’ again for capercaillie, warn experts

THE capercaillie could become extinct in Scotland for a second time unless its predators are controlled, according to conservationists. This year’s brood survey by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) found only 300 to 400 birds now live in Scotland, with 90% confined to part of Strathspey. That number has fallen from around 2,200…

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Scotland’s bartenders toast success

BARTENDERS from Scotland have been raising a glass to their success in a duo of competitions. Sean Cavanagh from Panda & Sons in Edinburgh won the UK title in whisky brand Naked Malt’s Global Bartender Competition. He and a colleague will now take part in a “bar swap” with bartenders from one of the other…

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The Glasgow Girls open at Lyon & Turnbull

WORKS of art by The Glasgow Girls have gone on show today at Lyon & Turnbull’s gallery in their home city. The Glasgow Girls met at the Glasgow School of Art at the turn of the 20th century. “Like their male counterparts, The Glasgow Boys, this group of women artists had trouble being accepted or…

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Lady Glenconner at Royal Scots Club lunch

THE Royal Scots Club in Edinburgh is preparing to host Lady Glenconner for its next literary lunch. Lady Glenconner, 90, was maid of honour at the Queen’s coronation and was appointed as a lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret in 1971. Her memoir, Lady in Waiting, was published in 2019 and became a best-seller, with Lady Glenconner…

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High School of Glasgow pupils tutor local kids

PUPILS from The High School of Glasgow are becoming tutors for children in Maryhill through the Volunteer Tutors Organisation (VTO). Glasgow-based VTP runs a leadership programme for senior pupils and provides volunteering opportunities at its local “learning hubs”. Seventeen sixth form pupils from the independent school will spend an hour each week helping children with…

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Search begins for Scots language champion

A PUBLIC vote gets underway tomorrow to find this year’s Scots language champion. Arts organisation Hands Up For Trad is publishing a list of nominees for the title and now wants the public to vote for the winner. The poll opens tomorrow and runs until 18 September. The winner will be named at a ceremony…

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Feragaia opens Scotland’s first alcohol-free distillery

ALCOHOL-FREE brand Feragaia has opened a distillery at Glenrothes in Fife, the first facility of its kind in Scotland. So far, Feragaia – which was launched in 2019 – has been made at a distillery in the south of Scotland. Now, the label has moved into its own site to cope with demand for its…

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Scotland’s seabirds disturbed by rising boat traffic

INCREASED boat traffic is disturbing many of Scotland’s seabirds, according to new research by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). The charity monitored 11 species of seabirds during ferry journeys around Orkney. Data on more than 6,000 flocks was recorded. Red-throated divers, Slavonian grebesm and black-throated divers were the most sensitive to boats Black guillemots,…

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