The real-life adventures of presenter Simon Reeve

In Journeys to Impossible Places, best-selling author and presenter Simon Reeve reveals the inside story of his most astonishing adventures and experiences, around the planet and close to home. It continues the story Simon started in his bestseller Step by Step, which traced the first decades of his life from depressed and unemployed teenager through to…

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Celebrating love and friendship in poetic verse

Alexander McCall devoted a recent column in Scottish Field to to the joys of poetry (especially Auden, who he reveres). This collection, which examines the themes of friendship and love, is a joyous affirmation of his infatuation with the form. Delivered in his trademark genial, conversational style, this accessible and highly enjoyable collection is divided…

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These Tiny Tales are packed full of character and charm

This book of Tiny Tales is easy to read, charismatic and charming. It convincingly demonstrates that length is by no means essential for a captivating read. The abundance of tales are collated into sections; from ‘kindness’ to ‘meeting in lifts’, and this is topped off with an ‘Amuse-Bouche’ which humorously compliments each collection. The same…

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Susan Calman show searches for Scots’ happiness

Susan Calman is on a quest to investigate the weird and wonderful ways we are discovering unexpected hits of happiness in these uncertain times, in a brand new four part series for BBC Scotland. Each week Susan Calman’s Happy Space will seek out and celebrate the many ways, however odd, we are all seeking out…

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Pyramid relic unearthed in Aberdeen

ONE of only three artefacts ever removed from the Great Pyramid of Giza has been unearthed in a cigar box at the University of Aberdeen. Curatorial assistant Abeer Eladany, who is from Egypt, discovered the 5,000-year-old piece of cedar while reviewing items in the university’s Asia collection. “Once I looked into the numbers in our…

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Keela releases anti-viral outdoor clothing

SCOTTISH outdoor clothing brand Keela has unveiled a range of anti-viral garments. The active ingredient on Keela’s “ViralOff” clothes reduces viruses on the garments by 99% over a two-hour period, the company said. Keela developed the range with textile technology firm Polygiene. Sam Fernando, Keela’s sales director, said: “During the design phase of the collection,…

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New jewellery collection on show in Gallery

The Scottish Gallery is presenting a new collection of jewellery exploring the relationship of colour, balance and form. Running until 28 March, it is showcasing the work of Elizabeth Jane Campbell. Working with vitreous enamel in simple oxidised silver settings, she creates beautiful jewellery featuring a playful colour palette. Elizabeth Jane Campbell said: ‘My recent…

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World War I – as seen first hand in the trenches

Mud and Bodies is a fascinating collection of letters and extracts from the war diaries of Captain NAC Weir during the period 1914-1920. The diaries were found by his grandson shortly after his death and provide a first-hand account of the life of a young soldier on the Western Front during WW1. It includes an…

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A Scottish family bus business that grew and fell

The McKindless Group by David Devoy is the story of a family business which got out of its depth. The McKindless bus company started off as a small operation of a few buses, a lorry and two coaches in 1987. After providing mostly school contracts and private hires, the company began to venture into local…

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