An adventurous tale to appeal to early teens

Using Smailholm’s natural beauty as the backdrop to a secret, magical world, Williams’ 16th-century tale is full of imagination. Wynn, daughter of Laird and Lady Hoppringle, uncovers a miniature world unfurling beneath the brambles at Smailholm Tower – a scene reminiscent of The Borrowers and Alice in Wonderland – and works to break the curse…

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Jeweller launches watches social media channel

LUXURY jeweller Laings has created a social media channel to share its love of watches. @LaingsWatches on Instagram will showcase a range of luxury watches and share news and insights with its audience. Retail director Stuart McDowell said: “We’ve created this interactive platform to share our passion for high-quality luxury watches with like-minded individuals. “We…

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William the cat – the saviour of Rosslyn Chapel

William is the guardian of Rosslyn Chapel. But with damp damaging the stonework, all is not well in the chapel. This delightful book combines refreshing language with charming characterisation. William the Cat and the Rescue of Rosslyn Chapel, by the Countess of Rosslyn, illustrated by Rosie Wellesley, published by the Rosslyn Chapel Trust, £7.95. [review…

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Scottish folk tales from the best storytellers

Just looking at the cover of this book makes me want to curl up with a mug of something hot and dive into all the tales it has to tell. Put together by Scotland’s Storytellers and The History Press, this collection includes legends from all over the country, with each chapter signalling a change of…

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Fringe: The art of satire is far from dead

Satire is defined as the ‘use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticise people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.’ Melinda opens the show by describing herself as a satirist, there was no need as that was apparent from the first verse of the…

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A fascinating history of Scotland’s geology

Set In Stone, by Alan McKirdy, is a concise and lavishly illustrated introduction to the geology and landscapes of Scotland. It explains in clear language why the country looks as it does today. Ideal for the non-specialist, this account explores Scotland’s ecological journey from a time of sea and flood, and credits Scots both past…

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Seeing Scotland through a fresh pair of eyes

What is it like to move to Scotland from another, very different, country? Now’s your chance to take a look at where you live through the eyes of some new arrivals in Fife. From 19 January to 14 April ONFife Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries is showcasing an exhibition of photographs taken by six recently…

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Secrets of silver at the Glenmorangie Lecture

The secrets of silver are to be revealed at this year’s Glenmorangie Annual Lecture. Taking place at the National Museum of Scotland, this year’s event will see design critic and curator Corinne Julius explain how leading silversmiths are reworking the heritage of their craft, pushing the boundaries of silver as a material and using it…

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Get ready to read The Diary o a Wimpy Wean

One of the most popular children’s books of the last decade is to be given a new lease of life – in Scots. Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid books have been translated into 56 languages and 65 editions worldwide, with global sales exceeding 200 million. There are currently 12 books in the series…

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Book review – Ghost by Helen Grant

What’s the story? Ghost is the tale of Augusta McAndrew, a girl living on a remote Scottish estate with her elderly grandmother Rose. She knows little of the outside world and has never left the house which the locals believe to be haunted. Her world is totally turned on its head when her Grandmother leaves…

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