More than Chariots of Fire to Eric Liddell

Running The Race is a wonderful ode to an athlete whose steadfast dedication to both sport and faith inspired a nation. While most have seen Eric Liddell’s life played out on the silver screen in Chariots of Fire, Keddie delves deep into the history books, further unravelling the Scot’s progression from young Christian to sporting…

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Scotland’s lost railway to the north-west

Academic books needn’t be reserved for PhD students with a knack for deciphering dense text. Drummond’s style is highly accessible, yet informative. Delving into archives, he unveils the story of north west Scotland in the 1890s, explaining why a railway to Ullapool never came to fruition. It is a niche topic, but even a transport…

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Opening our eyes to the wonders of the past

To see the world through the eyes of acclaimed archaeologist and television presenter Neil Oliver, if only for a day, would be a true gift – and this tome is about as close as it gets. It pays testament to Oliver’s enthusiasm for the history woven into every square inch of Scotland’s romantic landscapes, and…

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Soul Food Sisters serves nearly 1,000 meals in Glasgow

SOUL Food Sisters, a social enterprise in Glasgow, is set to serve almost 1,000 meals over Christmas to people in need in the city. The organisation, which is run by migrant women with a passion for food, normally operates as a catering company and has run a café in the Gallowgate since 2018. With orders…

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What is ‘slow fashion’ and why is it on the rise?

Patrick Birkbeck, managing director at Perthshire department store House of Bruar, examines the return of ‘slow fashion’. THE term “slow fashion” is generally seen as a recent invention, but the movement has been around for longer than we think. Many people are familiar with the term “fast fashion” and all of its negative connotations. In…

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‘Frank – get the book!’

COMEDIAN Janey Godley is among presenter Damian Barr’s guests in the first episode of The Big Scottish Book Club, which returns to the BBC Scotland channel on Sunday. Godley, who has become an internet sensation during the pandemic thanks to her satirical voiceovers of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s daily briefings, will discuss her memoir, Handstands in…

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‘Atlas of Scotland’ project sets sail

AN ARTIST who is creating Scotland’s first major atlas in a century has smashed his fundraising target. Andrew Redmond Barr received donations of more than £12,000 within four days of launching his crowdfunding scheme. Barr, whose previous work includes The Illustrated Declaration of Arbroath, said: “Today modern technology may have replaced traditional paper atlases, but…

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Bringing sea salt harvesting back to Fife

SEA salt harvesting could soon resume in the East Neuk of Fife. St Monan’s local Darren Peattie, whose family has lived in the area for more than 200 years, launched his East Neuk Salt Company 14 months ago. Now, he’s starting a crowdfunding campaign to raise the final £28,450 he needs to buy the right…

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Borders textile museum holds ‘meet the maker’ events

THE Borders Textile Towerhouse museum in Hawick will hold a series of “Meet the Maker” events to mark its reopening. The events replace its “Makers’ Market”, which normally takes place in November. Robin Deas, a designer at The Hawick Tartan Company, will be the first maker to displays his products at the museum, including pleated face…

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Why The Wine Society is ‘backing its best’

Peter Ranscombe finds out how The Wine Society, a long-running club owned by its members, is supporting small producers hit by the pandemic lockdowns. FEW businesses have been left untouched by the coronavirus pandemic – and winemakers are no exception. On top of the disruption caused to the harvest in the southern hemisphere, the closure…

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