News
Strathallan School swimmer and coach go to Olympics
A SWIMMER and his coach from Strathallan School will represent Great Britain at this summer’s European Youth Olympic Festival. Evan Davidson and Strathallan’s head of swimming, Elaine Johnston, will join a 16-strong junior squad heading to Banská Bystrica in Slovakia. At 15, Davidson is one of the youngest swimmers selected for the squad. He was…
Read MoreBeira ‘Dressed To Kilt’ in Great Gatsby mansion
SCOTTISH clothing brand Beira will take part in the “Dressed to Kilt” charity fashion show on Long Island in New York on Saturday. The theme for this year’s show, which has been running since 2003, is “Dress for adventure: from the Highlands to the Hamptons”. Beira will be showing its Elisie coat, Marina dress, and…
Read MoreDundee becomes ‘Beanotown’
DUNDEE has been transformed into “Beanotown” for a week, with a Hollywood-style sign on the Law. The sign is part of the Dundee Summer (Bash) Streets Festival, which runs until Sunday. At six metres high by 38 metres long – or 20 feet by 125 feet, in old money – the sign can be seen…
Read MoreGalloway Country Fair: performing pigs and leaping sheep
THE Galloway Country Fair will include “performing pigs, fence leaping sheep, beautiful birds of prey, and dogs of all kinds”, according to its organisers. Events planned for 20 and 21 August at Drumlanrig Castle include the “Lamb National”, which involves a small flock of Herdwick sheep – complete with teddy bear jockeys, with names such…
Read MoreSunscreen, shade, and sunset walkies
VETS are advising owners to stick to “sunscreen, shade, and sunset walkies” during the heatwave. Owners are advised not to take their dogs for a walk during the day. Unlike humans, dogs can’t sweat, and are vulnerable to over-heating. Flat-faced breeds – such as English or French bulldogs and pugs – are at even greater…
Read MoreSea pool aims to put Arbroath back on the map
PLANS for a sea pool aim to promote Arbroath as a holiday destination once more. The Angus town hosted vast numbers of visitors from the Central Belt for their summer holidays between the 1930s and 1960s, including comedian Billy Connolly. Yet the popularity of foreign package holidays dented the popularity of many seaside resorts, including…
Read MoreEmma Thompson and Tilda Swinton share ‘soil stories’
ACTRESSES Emma Thompson and Tilda Swinton are among the well-kent voices that have recorded stories, poems, and songs for a new outdoor exhibition at Scotland’s four royal botanic gardens. “Of Scotland’s Soils and Soul” – which opens today in Benmore, Dawyck, Edinburgh, and Logan – shares 100 stories next to the plants that inspired them.…
Read MoreSeal tries to hide from killer whales in Shetland mussel farm
A HARBOUR seal that tried to hide from killer whales in a Shetland mussel farm has become part of scientific research. Drone operator Nick McCaffrey filmed the seal hiding from the orcas at the Grunna Voe mussel farm north of Shetland back in March. His video was studied by Emily Hague, who is studying for…
Read MoreBird flu task force set up
NATURESCOT, the public body previously known as Scottish Natural Heritage, is setting up a task force to help tackle the bird flu outbreak. Scores of dead seabirds are washing up on Scotland’s shores following a surge in cases of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. The task force will include conservationists, researchers, civil servants, and…
Read MoreVincent van Gogh portrait found in Scotland by x-rays
A SELF-PORTRAIT by Vincent van Gogh has been discovered in Scotland using x-rays. Conservators scanned the artist’s 1885 painting, Head of a Peasant Woman, ahead of it going on show at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh on 30 July. They found a hidden self-portrait by the painter on the other side of the canvas,…
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