Scotland
Separating Robert the Bruce facts from the fiction
Few figures from Scotland’s history have captivated so many generations, across both Scotland and the world, as Robert The Bruce. In Stephen Spinks’ book, Robert The Bruce: Champion of a Nation, he tries to distinguish facts from the myths and legends which have grown over the centuries. Spinks creates a detailed picture of the context…
Read MoreA crime thriller that will grip you from page one
By the fifth line of Dugald Bruce-Lockhart’s debut novel, I was totally invested in the plot of The Lizard. Lulled into thinking the protagonist a relatable character – he is a student from the University of St Andrews suffering from an aching heart – Alistair Haston is a seemingly ordinary young man seeking to win…
Read MoreLegal challenge to beaver killing policy can proceed
Scotland’s supreme civil court has given Trees for Life permission to challenge the Scottish Government’s beaver killing policy through a judicial review. The rewilding charity says the Government’s nature agency NatureScot is breaking the law by failing to make the killing of endangered wild beavers a last resort when they need managing. In December, Trees…
Read MoreScots Booker Prize winner chats about his cultural loves
A new of Shelf Isolation series kicks off this Sunday, February 28 with a special episode. Presenter Damian Barr chats with writer Douglas Stuart about his Booker Prize-winning novel Shuggie Bain before delving into what Douglas has been watching, reading and listening to. Speaking from his home in New York, Douglas reveals his cultural inspirations include…
Read MoreA £3million fund to help Scotland’s tourist guides
A £3 million fund to support Scotland’s tour guides affected by the pandemic has been launched by VisitScotland, with the publication of guidance in advance of opening for applications. Scotland’s Tour Guides Fund, which is being administered by the national tourism organisation on behalf of the Scottish Government and has been developed in collaboration with…
Read MoreMagic can be made with a host of cupboard cans
Trying to eat well while sticking to a modest budget isn’t easy and we often resort to the same handful of dishes again and again. What Jessica Elliot Dennison has put together here in Tin Can Magic is an ingenious catalogue of recipes which use up things that most people consistently stock in their cupboards.…
Read MoreLast chance to enter creative writing competition
The deadline is looming for young budding authors to be part of a new exclusive story collection commissioned by one of Scotland’s leading hotel groups. Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels has tasked children aged 5-14 to submit a short story of up to 200 words, fact or fiction, with 30 shortlisted stories being printed in…
Read MoreNew project aims to save the capercaillie from extinction
The Cairngorms Capercaillie Project is creating new jobs to help the environment and the economy – and save the capercaillie. With the Cairngorms National Park now home to nearly 90% of the remaining birds, the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project has recruited a number of local residents within the National Park to help more people help the…
Read MoreThe final Glenrothes 50 is sold at auction for £39,000
The last of Speyside distillery The Glenrothes’ 50-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky has gone under the hammer at an exclusive auction. The rare and unique bottling sold for £39,000 during the virtual event delivered by auction house Bonhams on Friday (19 February) which was streamed live from the home of Royal Warrant holders Hamilton &…
Read MoreConcern for barn owls as harsh winter takes its toll
Land managers in an area of Perthshire renowned for high barn owl breeding success fear heavy snows could have spelt the worst winter for the species in over a decade. While numbers of the birds of prey have declined alarmingly due to changing farming practice and climate change, Glen Quaich, Sma’ Glen and Glen Cuchil…
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