Wildlife news round-up: Rewilding, capercaillie, and more

Peter Ranscombe rounds-up the latest wildlife news from Scotland. A MIXED picture has emerged from Scotland’s national nature reserves (NNRs) this season, with bird flu decimating great skuas – or bonxies – and gannets at Noss on Shetland, with kittiwake  and Arctic terns fairing better. Terns of all varieties – Arctic, common, little, and sandwich…

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Glasgow artist Alberta Whittle closes Venice Biennale show

THE show by Glasgow artist Alberta Whittle at the Venice Biennale has drawn to a close after attracting an “unprecedented” 35,000 visitors. Whittle is due to unveil a major exhibition at the National Galleries of Scotland on 1 April. Her Venice film, Lagareh – The Last Born, is preparing to tour Scotland, with screenings in…

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Scottish Opera shines a spotlight on Verdi

VERDI is firmly in the spotlight for the latest series of concerts by Scottish Opera. The Verdi Collection, a selection of the Italian composer’s greatest hits, will be performed at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen on 19 November and at Eden Court in Inverness on 26 November as part of the “Opera in Concert” series.…

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Powis Gateway plaque marks slavery legacy

ABERDEEN City Council and the University of Aberdeen have erected a plaque at the Powis Gateway in Old Aberdeen. The sign is part of the council’s commemorative plaques scheme to highlight the legacy of slavery in the North-East. The gateway, now owned by the university, was built by the Leslie family, which received compensation when…

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Scots language survey launched

A PROJECT is being launched today to map how Scots is spoken throughout the nation. The “Speak for Yersel” project, run by the University of Glasgow, aims to build up a picture of how Scots is used in different places. Jennifer Smith, professor of sociolinguistics at the university, said: “Lots of people say ‘Oh I…

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Queen’s funeral to be shown in Holyrood Park today

THE Queen’s funeral will be shown live today on a giant screen in Holyrood Park, next to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. The ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey in London and is due to begin at 11am. Robert Aldridge, Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of Edinburgh, will represent Scotland’s capital city at…

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Tributes are paid to The Queen

TRIBUTES are being paid to Her Majesty The Queen, who died peacefully at Balmoral. The King and the Queen Consort are due to travel from Royal Deeside to London today. King Charles III led the tributes last night. “The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness…

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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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Restaurant news round-up: Ralph & Finns, Gleneagles, and more

Peter Ranscombe serves up another slice of recent restaurant news. CHEF Kevin O’Neill has taken over at modern bar and brasserie Ralph & Finns in Glasgow. His autumn menu features Shetland hake from fishmonger Bernand Corrigan and Isle of Barra scallops, crustaceans, and oysters delivered by Andy Bell’s Fish People. Specialist butcher C & C…

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Bloody Scotland shines spotlight on new authors

THE Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival has chosen 22 new writers for its “Crime in the Spotlight” feature. Each author will appear alongside more famous writers, either on stage or online. The idea was inspired by the support acts at music festivals. More than 100 new writers have been supported by the project in…

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