Masterchef and bagpipes for Glenalmond’s virtual ‘commem’

GLENALMOND College held a virtual “commemoration day” to mark the end of the independent school’s academic year, complete with bagpipes and Masterchef finalist Claire Fyfe. A performance of Highland Cathedral by Ramsay Pagett, from the Perthshire school’s upper sixth class, was broadcast live from Glenalmond’s front quadrangle. A service broadcast from the school’s chapel included…

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Time to put an end to the tartan terrors

Unless we call a halt to the riot of garish new designs threatening our national dress – such as the luminous Incredible Hulk tartan – we risk losing the collective pride in our plaid. Tartan has been rooted in Scotland’s heritage for centuries. The history of the fabric goes back to the checked and striped…

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Scots brothers set sail on world-record rowing attempt

More people have been into space or climbed Mount Everest than have rowed across the Atlantic. But three Scots today began their mission to join this select group. The MacLean brothers, known as ‘Broar’, will spend the next 40-60 days rowing two hours on, one hour off, across shark-infested waters and shipping lanes. During their…

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Bacon rolls in Perthshire change lives in Africa

Strathallan School’s Kenya Project celebrates ten years – and £100,000 raised this year. The project, which has been running since the 2009/10 academic year, raises funds, awareness, and volunteering with sister projects in Nairobi and Kenya’s Rift Valley. The pupil-led initiative has brought about pop-up tuck shops and the Kenya Café at school events, patriotic…

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Highland balls are becoming a global phenomenon

Bagpipes and trumpets; flag throwers and drummers; tartan kilts and silk pantaloons. That is what the people of Florence had to look forward to before 500 Scots arrived in February 2016 for traditional Scottish Balls with a twist. A special fusion of all things Scots and Florentine, the event will see highland reels danced in…

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Scots and Scotland enjoying golden spell on the big screen

With our actors, directors and producers flourishing as never before, Scottish cinema is enjoying an unprecedented golden age. We’re only a couple of years away from the 40th anniversary of the release of Gregory’s Girl, the beloved Bill Forsyth film that found off-beat humour and awkward romance among the concrete architecture of Cumbernauld. As Caledonian…

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VisitScotland reveals first research into Chinese visitors

As China celebrates its national golden week, VisitScotland has revealed first of its kind research into what Chinese holidaymakers think of Scotland. The national tourism organisation is marking the Chinese holiday – which honours the Peoples Republic of China being established – with new data revealing that 87 per cent of Chinese visitors to Scotland…

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Fringe: One man and his bagpipes with a sad end

Thunderstruck is a one man show written and performed by David Colvin who acted in the acclaimed play The Black Watch. David tells the story of Gordon Duncan and how this Highland genius bin cleaner of a bagpiper changed his life. Gordon Duncan was, like so many exceptionally talented musicians, gifted with both the classical…

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A 3000 mile trek to honour his Scots great-grandfather

Forget walking 500 miles, Duncan Mackintosh, great-grandson of one of Aboyne Highland Games’ founding fathers, will travel 3000 miles to make the journey from his homeland in America to north-east Scotland to attend the event. As part of the Aboyne Highland Games’ 150th anniversary celebrations two years ago, William Mackintosh was identified as one of…

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Get ready for the world’s first piping jukebox

The world’s first interactive Piping Jukebox, complete with live piper inside, will visit Glasgow’s Buchanan Street tomorrow (Tuesday). From 11.30am until 1.30pm, it will give the public a taste of what to expect from this year’s Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival. Crowds will be treated to piping hot renditions of Lewis Capaldi’s number 1…

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