A trip doon the watter that may float your boat

The west of Scotland sense of humour is a creature in its own right. And if you’re a fan of the likes of Tony Roper and Dorothy Paul, the Kerryoans up the Clyde! is definitely the book for you. This book, illustrated by Bob Dewar, recounts the adventures of a vessel full of character with…

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St Andrews film festival unveils its debut line-up

The Sands International Film Festival of St Andrews has unveiled the film line-up for its first event. Over three days, 25-27 March, filmmakers from around the world will gather in the historic University town, to not only showcase their work, but engage directly with cinemagoers and the larger community in a range of supporting events…

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Artist Frances in the running for £15,000 prize

A Scots artist is in the running for a prestigious prize – and needs your votes. Frances Priest, who is based in Edinburgh, is a finalist for the John Smedley Craft Prize. In 1784, John Smedley made a conscious decision to produce garments using only the finest noble yarns and the most honed of craft…

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Crime writing festival returns on the 24th

Granite Noir, Aberdeen’s Crime Writing Festival, returns next week. Starting on Thursday, February 24, there will be more than 40 live, in person talks, workshops, performances, readings, escape rooms and films across four days. The event will feature some of the UK’s finest crime fiction writers including Louise Welsh, Ruth Ware and Ann Cleeves, creator…

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Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction finalists unveiled

The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, which celebrates outstanding historical novels published in the UK, Ireland and the Commonwealth, has announced its 2022 longlist. Thirteen novels are in contention for the £25,000 prize, with settings spanning from the 8th century BC up to the 1960s, and from all four nations of the United Kingdom…

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Scots playwright Rona Munro adapts her TV script

One of Scotland’s most acclaimed playwrights has been brought to book. The multiple award-winning Rona Munro has written numerous productions for stage, including Dirt Under The Carpet, Bold Girls, and Frankenstein. Some of her most famous stage work is the history cycle The James Plays, James I, James II, and James III, which were first…

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SPECTRA’s world premiere of Six Frames by Illuminos

SPECTRA, Scotland’s festival of light, will present the world premiere of a brand-new installation from Illuminos: Six Frames next month. Drawing inspiration from six repeating stanzas of Sheena Blackhall’s poem Twa Brigs Bussie, the installation brings audiences along for the journey, recreating the very same route described in the poem, from Brig o Dee to…

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Letter featuring Mary Queen of Scots’ handwriting for sale

A letter written more than four centuries ago, featuring the handwriting of Mary Queen of Scots, is to be sold live and online by fine art auctioneers Lyon & Turnbull next Wednesday, February 2. It is thought that the letter could fetch between £14,000 and £18,000, when it goes on sale in Edinburgh. The epistle…

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A gripping read that thrills to the very end

Master of crime Denzil Meyrick transports his readers to the urban gangland of the Scottish town of Paisley and the dark underworld of London. Packed with brutal crime, dysfunctional families and dark humour, follow gangland boss Zander Finn on his quest to right his wrongs, only to learn some life decisions can’t be undone. This…

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The Bookish Banksy’s artwork goes to auction

A collection of rare book sculptures, especially created for Scottish Book Trust by an anonymous artist dubbed the Bookish Banksy, are to be auctioned online from tomorrow, Tuesday, 25 January, until Tuesday, 1 February. Book lovers will be invited to place their bids with fine art auctioneers Lyon & Turnbull, which is selling the five…

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