Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo unveils ‘stories’ theme

THE theme for this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will be “stories”. This summer’s show will feature more than 800 performers, including guest stars from Australia, Norway, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States. The show will be staged at Edinburgh Castle on 4-26 August and will include the tattoo debut of The United…

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Fred Sirieix will present food and drink awards ceremony

TELEVISION presenter Fred Sirieix has signed up to host trade body Scotland Food & Drink’s Excellence Awards. “Scottish food and drink is loved the world over, and for good reason,” exclaimed the star of Channel 4’s First Dates and STV’s Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip. “I’m thrilled to be hosting Scotland Food & Drink’s…

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REVIEW: The Science Fiction Experience

Self-confessed geek and nerd Peter Ranscombe wants to hear more from The Science Fiction Experience. SOMETIMES when you hear an idea for a show, you know that the producer is on to a winner. The Science Fiction Experience is one of those shows. Created by Dundee-based science writer David Darling, the concept brings together classic…

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Book festivals unveil details

BOOK lovers have received details of three major events over the summer. The Borders Book Festival announced details of its programme today. Authors speaking at the festival – which runs on 15-18 June at Melrose’s Harmony Garden – include Sebastian Barry, Robert Harris, and Douglas Stuart. Celebrities appearing at the event include former Prime Minister…

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Coronation jewels expert visits North Berwick

AN EXPERT who has studied the coronation jewels will be in North Berwick on Wednesday to share her knowledge. Clare Blatherwick, who spent ten years as head of jewellery at auction house Bonhams in Edinburgh, wrote about the coronation jewels likely to be used next month for The Journal of Gemmology, which is published by…

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‘Thrown’ wrestling play tours Highland Games circuit

THROWN, a play that inspired by Scottish backhold wrestling, is going out on tour around the Highland Games circuit before a run at this summer’s Edinburgh Internaional Festival. The play, written by Nat McCleary and staged by the National Theatre of Scotland, will visit towns and villages that host Highland Games, along with community halls,…

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Firth of Forth marine life mapped

WHALES, dolphins, and other mammals visiting the Firth of Forth have been mapped by scientists and the public. More than 450 people reported sightings of whales, porpoises, dolphins, and seals to researchers from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh using the Forth Marine Mammals group on the Facebook social network. Exotic species such as humpback, minke, and…

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Whisky news round-up: Doddie, Glenturret, and more

Peter Ranscombe puts together another irreverent round-up from the world of whisky. A WHISKY selected by the late rugby legend Doddie Weir will go on sale tomorrow at Royal Mile Whiskies to raise money for his My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which is looking for a cure for motor neurone disease (MND). Weir visited Ardnamurchan Distillery…

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Hospitality news round-up: Cameron House, Muse, and more

Peter Ranscombe rounds-up the latest hospitality news. CAMERON House Hotel has named Allan Wilson as its next general manager as the estate prepares to marks its 200th anniversary. “I have always regarded Cameron House as being at the pinnacle of the finest hospitality in Scotland,” he said “It’s a dream come true to work at…

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Stanley Tucci praises St Andrews film festival

ACTOR Stanley Tucci presented his directorial debut at the Sands international film festival in St Andrews. The American star showed Big Night, which he directed in 1996. “I’m excited that people still like the film, and it holds up – because films, sometimes, they don’t,” he said. “I’m excited to hear what their reactions are…

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