Stéphanie can no longer mask her artistic skills

Having begun her artistic career designing costumes, masks and puppets, Aberdeenshire-based Brazilian artist Stéphanie Vandem later turned her attention to painting and drawing. She discovered a love for the chiaroscuro of Caravaggio and the large compositions and drama of the Renaissance painters while studying in Florence. The struggle of humanity, portrayed in the twisted figures…

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There will be lots to see with Doors Open Day 2018

As the summer days and nights begin to fade, here’s hoping that September isn’t a complete wash out when it comes to weather. However, if the rain does happen to strike as you’re out and about enjoying your weekend, you could duck into any number of iconic local buildings across Scotland for some shelter and…

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More to Inverness than the Loch Ness Monster

A bid to bring more tourists to Inverness and Loch Ness is looking outwith the traditional Nessie route. The work and activities of VisitInvernessLochNess (VILN) Tourism BID have been welcomed by Highland councillors at the City of Inverness area committee as highly successful and going ‘beyond the monster legend’. In a report to committee by…

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The app that’s bringing Nessie to life in Inverness

A tourist attraction bringing the legends of Inverness to life is proving a success. A series of plaques depicting legends and historic events have been installed at various locations across the city. The artwork on the plaques acts as a trigger for a new exciting app which uses augmented reality to bring a story to…

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Prestigious award won by a Scottish tourist attraction

A Scottish tourist attraction has been voted amongst the best 1% in the world – and it’s probably not the one you were expecting. Landmark Forest Adventure Park, located just outside Aviemore, has once again been named in the Top 1% of visitor attractions worldwide. The Scottish visitor attraction, which first opened its doors back…

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Six new beers kick off the first North Sea Bridges project

A new annual collaboration project building on the ancient trading links between Scotland and Scandinavia has resulted in six new beers. The beer world is an exciting place to be, with more brewers, more styles and more choice than ever before. The global explosion of beer festivals has helped forge brewing links around the world, and…

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North Coast 500 plays host to charity cycle

A cycle team of veterans has set off on a journey around the North Coast 500 to raise money for Help For Heroes. The group of up to 29 cyclists and their support teams, which departed from Wick on Saturday morning, 28 July, will complete the 516-mile-long route on Friday, 4 August, at the Mey…

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Landlords prepare to meet new code deadline

Landlords shouldn’t fear the major legislative changes being introduced in Scotland’s letting sector. That’s the view of independent property consultancy Galbraith, who say they changes are a major turning point in the sector. The two key legislative changes transforming the residential lettings sector in Scotland are the replacement of Short Assured Tenancies by Private Residential…

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Inverness to host European Pipe Band Championships

The European Pipe Band Championships will take place in Inverness for the next three years, it has been announced. Piping Inverness will bring together hundreds of pipers, drummers and Highland dancers to Bught Park, with live entertainment, food and drink and craft stalls. Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) chief executive Ian Embelton: ‘The RSPBA…

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Jacobite’s new £2.4 million catamaran sets sail on Loch Ness

Cruise tour operator Jacobite has welcomed a £2.4 million catamaran to its fleet. The Jacobite Maverick sailed its maiden voyage on Loch Ness this week and was saluted in a fly-by thanks to Scotland’s Maverick pilot David Heather-Hayes. ‘When searching for a fitting name, ‘Maverick’ stood out as it means quite unlike anything else –…

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