A cracking psychological thriller

In this psychological thriller, Breakers, 17-year-old Tyler is the glue that is holding his family together – just. Living in a deprived Edinburgh tower block, with drug addict mum and little sister, Tyler is coerced into a life of crime by his older half-brother, Barry. In a botched-up job, Barry stabs the wife of a…

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Scots language poem wins international poetry prize

A poem in Scots has won the annual £1,500 international Wigtown Prize for poetry for the first time. Shiftin, by Mhairi Owens, was among entries from poets from as far afield as the USA, China, Canada and Ecuador, writing in English, Scots and Scottish Gaelic. This year, the Wigtown Prize was opened up to entries…

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Monsters, goblins, Nessie and more in a fun book

An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Castle Legends comes from Carnegie-award-winning children’s author Theresa Breslin and artist Kate Leiper, who was longlisted for the Kate Greenway Medal. This is a stunning book of tales centred on some of Scotland’s iconic castles. Secret passages at Edinburgh Castle, mysterious monsters at Glamis, grumpy goblins in Caerlaverock and the…

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Two nights of music coming to a Scottish castle

The National Trust for Scotland’s Castle Fraser will be filled with music for the next two weekends. And the team hope this will encourage visitors to fall in love with music. On 14 September, Fiona Kelly from The Voice UK will be hosting a Night at the Opera. She’ll be performing popular songs from the…

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Celebrating storytelling with cultural exchange

The 2019 Scottish International Storytelling Festival hosts 15 guest artists from Canada, along with 60 Scottish storytellers, as part of its biggest international exchange to date. The group, which includes storytellers, musicians and dancers, represents the rich cultural diversity and heritage of Canada. They will perform in Edinburgh and travel across Scotland, as part of…

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Historic desk returns to The Hill House

A desk owned by the man who commissioned The Hill House has returned to the property for the first time in over 60 years. When the Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed house was completed in 1904, the desk was placed at the heart of the property’s library by owner, publisher Walter Blackie. It remained in The Hill…

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Celebrating the wonderful sights of Scotland

Pete Irvine steps off the beaten track with this Scottish guidebook, Scotland: The 100 Best Places. The author is most famous for his Scotland the Best books, but this handsome coffee table homage to Scotland gives readers the chance to share his favourite ‘magnificent’, ‘reflective’ and ‘human’ places in this great land. Packed with gorgeous…

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New bid to urge S1-S3 pupils to read for pleasure

A new app to get youngsters reading has been launched by the Scottish Book Trust. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon joined Portobello High School students from S1-S3 to launch a new app, Bookzilla, at Portobello Library. Developed by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing, and digital agency Dubit, Bookzilla is…

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Loch Ness Monster vs environmental waste

A lonely, scared Nessie ventures through a maze of tunnels to find new friends, but discovers her journey hampered by the sea of plastic which blocks her return. Forced to continue on she encounters a whole new world and with the help of her new acquaintances conquers the effects of pollution to make her way…

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A fascinating insight into a privileged socialist

The Burning Glass tells the fascinating story of Naomi Mitchison, a dedicated socialist and feminist who attacked life with an insatiable energy and a desire to speak out for the needs of others. Born into privilege in Edinburgh in 1897, she died aged 101 having given birth to seven children, travelled the world and campaigned…

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