Bringing a symphony orchestra to the people

The Nevis Ensemble takes its 40-piece symphony orchestra to venues around Glasgow and Ayrshire this month. Between 6-8 December, they will be joined by international mezzo soprano Andrea Baker. Conducted by Jon Hargreaves, this relentlessly energetic group will give 18 concerts in public spaces and community venues along the Ayrshire coast and Glasgow including schools,…

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Blas Festival draws in top Scottish talent

This year’s Blas Festival, which is currently taking place at venues across the Highlands and Islands, will finish with an impressive array of musical entertainment to celebrate St Andrew’s Day this weekend. In association with St Andrew’s Fair Saturday, supporting HiMRA (Highland Migrant & Refugee Advocacy) and Highland Supports Refugees, Blas Festival will hold seven…

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Celebrating the Gaelic experience

A forgotten and marginalised culture, the Gaelic experience is exposed as it was, is and all it might be. Written in both English and Gaelic, Shore to Shore, is an anthology of Gaelic raps, secular poems and aphorisms artistically and vividly bringing the Gaelic world to life. Descendants of Gaels now reside in every corner…

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Caledonia’s calling for songwriter Dougie MacLean

Perthshire’s Dougie MacLean is known the world over for his anthem born out of homesickness, but Scotland’s finest singer-songwriter has many more strings to his bow… It’s funny how life can come full circle. I grew up here in Butterstone, by Dunkeld and went to the old village school – I went to it, and…

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Blas Festival concerts to explore love and loss in Gaelic song

This year’s commission at Blas Festival, Gaol no Gonadh?, will see three artists featured in a series of concerts take a light-hearted look at Gaelic songs of love and loss. Gaol no Gonadh? which means love or loss, will feature Gaelic singers and musicians, Rachel Walker and Ewen Henderson sing some of the most beautiful…

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Guest editor of Best Scottish Poems announced

The Scottish Poetry Library has announce that rising star Roseanne Watt is the guest editor of the SPL’s annual online anthology Best Scottish Poems 2019. Best Scottish Poems is an annual online anthology of the year’s best poems written by a Scottish poet or poet based in Scotland. Each year the anthology is edited by…

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Scots Trad Music Awards shortlist revealed

Hands Up for Trad, the organising body of MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, has announced the artists and bands shortlisted for 2019’s prestigious awards – and voting is now open.  A staple in the traditional music calendar, the ceremony will this year take place in Aberdeen Music Hall on Saturday 7 December at 7pm…

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Feis Rois making waves with traditional music

Fèis Rois is helping to turn the tide for traditional music in Scotland through its innovative work with young people and vibrant Gaelic culture and arts programmes. Scotland is known internationally for its traditional music. But we might have been singing a different tune, if it wasn’t for organisations such as Fèis Rois. Not only…

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Shortlists for Scotland’s national book awards

The Saltire Society announced the shortlists for the 2019 Saltire Literary Awards, as well as two brand new prizes, at an event in Edinburgh this evening. This year, for the first time, the Saltire Society will be awarding a prize for Scottish Book Cover and a special Award for Lifetime Achievement. The winners of all…

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Meeting the maelstrom that is Corryvreckan

The Corryvreckan whirlpool is the world’s third largest and its massive tidal upswellings and boiling waters make for a memorable experience. The dictionary gives the meaning of the word ‘maelstrom’ as a confused, disorientated state of affair; an irresistably overpowering influence for destruction. It is a description that suits the Coire Bhreacain – translated from…

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