Scotland’s Top Winter Walks For Foodies

As we approach Autumn and Winter, the memories of long summer nights fade fast, but it shouldn’t mean we spiral into hibernation.  We take a look at some gentle winter walks within a stone’s throw of some of Scotland’s best foodie destinations.   The Pierhouse Hotel & Seafood Restaurant, Port Appin, Argyll Port Appin circuit…

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Da Vinci of Denfield Avenue: How artist William McLaren used a council flat wall to brush up on his skills

An incredible Renaissance style mural by artist William McLaren was discovered in an unassuming council flat in Fife. McLaren was an illustrator, painter and artist who worked for magazines such as Radio Times and The Listener, and The Sphere, a weekly newspaper.  His commissions also included murals for the magnificent Hopetoun House in West Lothian.…

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Five ways to explore the North Coast 500 this autumn

From the UK’s most northerly reindeer to the North West Highlands UNESCO Global Geopark, folklore, storytelling walks and the UK’s most northerly mainland whisky distillery, here are five alternative ways to explore the world-famous North Coast 500 (NC500) at this quieter time of year.   UK’s most northerly reindeer – Lichen Caithness, Harpsdale, Caithness Meet…

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Brooch made by the Bohemian craftsman Karel Nekola to go on display

A ceramic brooch made by the Bohemian craftsman who created an iconic Scottish pottery brand is being exhibited near where he worked. The floral-patterned keepsake, which Wemyss Ware designer Karel Nekola gifted to his wife more than 100 years ago, is being loaned to Kirkcaldy Galleries by his granddaughter. The brooch’s vibrant cabbage rose motif…

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Finalists for the McIlvanney Prize revealed

Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival has revealed the finalists for the McIlvanney Prize 2023. Judges for the McIlvanney Prize 2023 – BBC Scotland presenter, Bryan Burnett, former editor of The Sunday Times Scotland, Jason Allardyce and Category Manager for Waterstones, Angie Crawford – are unanimous in their praise for all four books: Callum McSorley…

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STORIES: THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO 2023

As the curtain closes on another successful Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Rosie Morton reflects on this year’s Show. THE skirl of the Lone Piper reverberated around the Esplanade, taking 2023’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to a poignant close.  The haunting drone echoed through the 8,800-strong audience and beyond. All eyes gazed up at the piper’s…

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Festival Review: Bluebeard’s Castle

Megan Amato reviews Bluebeard’s Castle. When I was first given the program for the upcoming International Festival, I immediately clicked yes for Bluebeard’s Castle without much thought.  As a lover of classic fairy tales reimagined through different mediums, I assumed I was in for Bela Bartok’s classic operatic tale of a woman forcing open doors…

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Tattoo performers head for ball pit

FOUR of the performers from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo have taken time out to enjoy the capital’s biggest ball pit. The perforners have been playing in the Electro Pipes section of the tattoo, which “fuses together traditional bagpipe melodies with contemporary electronic beats to craft a lively and vibrant experience”. “The tattoo performers taking…

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