Celebrated Scots artwork is a Dutch of class

One of the National Trust for Scotland’s most-celebrated and well-known paintings is being displayed in Amsterdam. Normally resident at Fyvie Castle, Ellon, the life-size Pompeo Batoni portrait of Colonel William Gordon (1736-1816) – wearing the uniform of the 105th Regiment of Foot and Huntly Tartan – is currently on show at the Rijksmuseum, the Dutch…

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A symphonic spectacular year is ahead for BBC SSO

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra has today unveiled its 2018/19 concert season. In his third Season as BBC SSO Chief Conductor, Thomas Dausgaard conducts major works by Bernstein and Debussy to mark the composer’s centenaries as well as a rare performance of Rued Langgaard’s Music of the Spheres. The 2018/19 season opens with Bernstein’s Songfest, originally…

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Royal Yacht Britannia has a cuddly offer

Most of us enjoy the idea of boarding a ship during the Easter break. We may not all be able to afford a cruise around the Mediterranean or the Caribbean this Easter, but a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia is more within the budget. And to make it even more affordable, the yacht is…

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New whisky release will be Nectar to your lips

Family run independent bottler Wemyss Malts is releasing a new blended Scotch malt whisky called Nectar Grove. Wemyss has selected Highland Scotch whiskies and finished them for a further period in casks which had previously held Madeira wine. In keeping with other releases from Wemyss Malts, such as The Hive, Spice King and Peat Chimney;…

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Something for everyone in Edinburgh

Ballet, fun for the girls, a farce and an exhibition are taking place in Edinburgh this week. Here’s our guide to what’s on in the capital this week. Russian State Ballet of Siberia’s Swan Lake, 23-24 March, Edinburgh Playhouse. The greatest ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s iconic score in this…

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10 museum events that are too good to miss

Are you looking for something to do? Let us help… Down to Earth, until 1 April, National Museum of Scotland A free exhibit celebrating the centenary of the Strathmore Meteorite, Down to Earth reunites the four fragments of the meteorite for the first time since it fell to Earth on 3 December 1917, alongside pieces…

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Swapping Islay distillery for Irish whiskey

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Mark Reynier, currently the CEO of the Waterford Distillery in Ireland. Most of us recall him as the previous owner of Bruichladdich on Islay and how he and his team made that Distillery a household name within whisky circles. Mark bought the old Waterford Brewery from Diageo back…

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Rural excellence in Scotland will be honoured

Excellence in Scotland’s countryside is to be honoured next week at the Scottish Rural Awards. They are a celebration of the enterprise, innovation, dedication and community spirit of those who live in rural Scotland. Now in their fourth year, the Scottish Rural Awards are partnered by Scottish Field and the Scottish Countryside Alliance, in association…

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Honours for Scotland’s best in tourism

Scottish tourism’s best of the best were honoured on Thursday. One of Scotland’s most iconic castles, a rural arts trail through Rob Roy country and a record-breaking mountain bike championships were among those named best in the business at Scotland’s biggest awards night in tourism, the Scottish Thistle Awards. Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Earn Tourism…

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Edinburgh is one of the most influential cities

Edinburgh is now the most influential small city in Europe. That’s according to a new report from Colliers International index, as the global real estate adviser’s Cities of Influence report named Edinburgh as first, while Glasgow came 24th. The Scottish capital was seventh overall and the highest placed of those with a population catchment below two…

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