Posts Tagged ‘books’
Celebrating the volunteers at book festival’s heart
A special event has been held to thank the army of volunteers who make the Wigtown Book Festival possible. Ahead of the 20th annual event, around 150 adults and children, aged from under 10 to over 80, give time throughout the year carrying out an enormous range of tasks. Most are from Dumfries and Galloway,…
Read MoreIt’s been a magical 21 years for Harry Potter
It’s been 21 years since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone first hit bookshelves across the country but the magic of the award-winning series is as alive as ever, and perhaps no more so than in Edinburgh. A castle on the hill, a handful of grand boarding schools, cobbled streets and tales of witches and…
Read MoreNew book marks a lost era in small Scottish town
A new book on a small town in the south of Scotland takes readers back into an almost forgotten era where people were far closer to the land and to each other. Whithorn: An Economy of People by Julia Muir Watt is one of many books about Dumfries and Galloway being celebrated as part of…
Read MoreBook review – Septimius Severus in Scotland
Archeologist Simon Elliott’s romp through the history of Roman Scotland is a hugely enjoyable read. Elliott focuses on Emperor Septimius Severus, who in 208AD led his army of 40,000 men north of Hadrian’s Wall, marching north to take the Antonine Wall and then reoccupying many forts built by Agricola over 100 years earlier following the…
Read MoreTen of the top family friendly hotels in Scotland
Offering a family holiday with traditional values and entertainment, an escape to Scotland with the children is all about discovering the magic of the great outdoors and spending evenings by the fire reading good books and playing games. Offering a family break that takes you far away from an over connected world, here are 10…
Read MoreA handy new guide to Scotland on the small screen
A new VisitScotland guide highlighting Scotland as the home of some of the world’s greatest TV has been launched. The booklet, TV Set in Scotland, produced by VisitScotland, contains details of more than 60 television programmes, which have either been filmed in Scotland or have Scottish links. It coincides with the 130th anniversary of the…
Read MoreHannah’s book of fantastic creatures wins Kelpies Prize
Freelance illustrator Hannah Foley has been revealed as the winner of the Kelpies Prize 2018. Hannah’s success came at an award ceremony at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Her prize-winning entry, The Lost Wizard of Nine Witches Wood, is a warm and quirky whirlwind of an adventure, featuring shapeshifters, enchanted bicycles, and a whole host…
Read MoreThere’s unusual places to stay Down on the Farm
Glamping – donning a pair of muddy wellies, lighting a roaring campfire and cuddling up to enjoy a hot chocolate and an oozing toasted marshmallow is an increasingly popular pastime. Understandably, switching off those familiar ‘pings’ of modern technology that compel us to direct our attention to a blue screen holds great appeal to many.…
Read MoreThe search is on for book learning professionals
The search is on for Scotland’s top teacher or librarian. Nominations have now opened for the Scottish Book Trust’s Learning Professional Award 2019. Now in its third year, the award recognises a teacher or librarian who has had a powerful impact on the reading culture of young people and adults in their community. The award…
Read MoreFirst Minister is booked to appear at festival
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is being welcomed as a special guest at the 20th Wigtown Book Festival to talk about the literature that has inspired her. This year’s 20th annual festival, from 21 to 30 September, is a landmark for an event that has grown from small beginnings to be one of Scotland’s best-loved…
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