Acceptable in the 80s – new exhibitions launch

A multimedia celebration of Scotland in the 80s is coming to Glasgow and Edinburgh. Back to the future: 1979–1989 – the National Library of Scotland’s multimedia 1980s retrospective – is gearing up for a summer of nostalgia in Scotland’s two largest cities. The National Library at Kelvin Hall, Glasgow will host an ‘80s takeover’ next…

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It’s good to talk for a Scottish day of conversation

Voluntary Arts Scotland and A Year of Conversation 2019 have teamed up to call on the country to take time out and talk. Scotland will be getting to know itself better on 11 May when groups across the country take part in A Day of Conversation. The initiative is part of A Year of Conversation…

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Teenagers given a writing boost by Book Trust

The Scottish Book Trust has today announced the seven teenage writers and illustrators who will join the What’s Your Story? programme. Now in its fourth year, the scheme from the national charity – transforming lives through reading and writing – has so far assisted over 20 young people from across Scotland to develop writing, illustration…

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Exhibition marks Mary Queen of Scots’ death

Mary, Queen of Scots enthusiasts will have the chance to view rare material from the National Library of Scotland’s collections next weekend. This will take place on the anniversary of her execution (Friday 8 and Saturday 9 February). Also coinciding with the Mary, Queen of Scots film which is now on release, the exhibit will…

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The story of Scotland’s islands are all mapped out

Scotland: Mapping the Islands is a beautifully presented book which reproduces maps from the National Library of Scotland’s collection using the most up-to-date digital mapping techniques. Structured by themes such as people, naming, navigating, improving and escaping, this fascinating publication reveals the stories of Scotland’s islands, its people and the history of how they came…

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Scotland gets ready for its biggest ever Chinese New Year

Scotland’s largest Chinese New Year celebration will see Edinburgh painted red for the Year of the Pig. A diverse programme of events will see cross cultural celebrations connect local audiences and businesses with Chinese visitors and performers in Edinburgh for a brand new festival. Scotland’s largest ever celebration of Chinese New Year will take place…

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Scots writer tops vote of most rebellious 21st century reads

Poverty Safari, a best-selling memoir about growing up in Glasgow has been selected in an online vote for Book Week Scotland 2018 as the most rebellious read of the 21st century. Now in its seventh year, Book Week Scotland is run by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing. In…

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One of the world’s rarest books on show for one day

One of the world’s most treasured books, the Gutenberg Bible, will go on display at the National Library of Scotland this week. On Thursday (22 November), visitors to the Library will have the chance to see the book, produced in the 1450s by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany. The Gutenberg Bible – as it later…

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Exhibition marks anti-slavery campaigner’s birth

The 200th anniversary of the birth of anti-slavery campaigner Frederick Douglass is to be celebrated at the National Library of Scotland from Thursday, 4 October. In a world-first, items from the Frederick Douglass family collection will be on public display. The letters, speeches and photographs from the Walter O. and Linda Evans Collection, which until…

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80 years of The Beano celebrated this weekend

Scotland’s favourite comic is this year marking its 80th birthday – and a special celebration is taking place this Saturday. The Beano was first published in 1938, and to mark the occasion, a one-day pop-up exhibition will feature highlights from the National Library of Scotland’s extensive Beano collection – from decades-old summer specials to the…

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