Wedding venues prepare for New Year

SCOTLAND’S wedding venues are gearing up for a busy 2023. Joyce and Simon Usher, owners of Dunglass Estate, are celebrating after being named as “wedding venue of the year” at the Scotland Prestige Awards. The 5,000-acre estate in East Lothian was dubbed “the most romantic sweet place I ever saw” by poet Robert Burns. Usher…

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Scots language survey launched

A PROJECT is being launched today to map how Scots is spoken throughout the nation. The “Speak for Yersel” project, run by the University of Glasgow, aims to build up a picture of how Scots is used in different places. Jennifer Smith, professor of sociolinguistics at the university, said: “Lots of people say ‘Oh I…

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Scottish forests join The Queen’s Green Canopy

TWENTY-ONE of Scotland’s ancient forests and 19 of its ancient trees have been selected to join The Queen’s Green Canopy. The woodlands are among 70 ancient woodlands and 70 ancient trees being dedicated to the Queen to mark her platinum jubilee. The project was launched by Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay, under an old…

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Neu Treasures at the National Library of Scotland

The National Library of Scotland and Neu! Reekie! have commissioned 12 artists to respond to 12 collection items which will be displayed in the new Treasures exhibition space which habe opened to the public. Treasures of the National Library of Scotland is a new permanent thematic display, featuring objects from the extensive collection at the…

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An insight into changing Scotland in the 1700s

Scotland’s greatest historical controversialist brings us an engaging and very readable examination of the exemplary yet volatile political, economic and cultural landscape of 18th century Scotland. Among the many subjects the ever-provocative Michael Fry examines is the gradual, and often painful, evolution of a feudal land that shook up every facet of society, detailing how…

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Eddi Reader announces new album of unreleased songs

Light Is In The Horizon Yet is the moving first single from Scottish songstress Eddi Reader’s new album of unreleased songs entitled Light Is In The Horizon. The single will be released on Friday 1 April exclusively at Bandcamp, with a full release to follow later in the year. The song is one of a…

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Burns statue returned home for the Bard’s birthday

Leith’s iconic Burns statue has been returned to its home on Bernard Street, as Scotland celebrates the national bard. The 19th century bronze sculpture was put into storage in December 2019 to make way for Trams to Newhaven construction. It has since undergone specialist conservation work before its reinstatement at Bernard Street’s junction with Constitution…

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The Bookish Banksy’s artwork goes to auction

A collection of rare book sculptures, especially created for Scottish Book Trust by an anonymous artist dubbed the Bookish Banksy, are to be auctioned online from tomorrow, Tuesday, 25 January, until Tuesday, 1 February. Book lovers will be invited to place their bids with fine art auctioneers Lyon & Turnbull, which is selling the five…

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Holywood headliner for Nae Ordinary Burns Supper

Hollywood and Broadway star Alan Cumming will bring some Hollywood sparkle to this year’s Nae Ordinary Burns Supper — the annual fundraiser hosted by singer and producer Fiona Kennedy which has generated over £400,000 for charity in the past decade. The January 25th bash takes place online this year, with guests and entertainers joining from…

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Scotch Malt Whisky Society ready for Big Burns Bash

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society will host a virtual Big Burns Bash to celebrate the life and poetry of Robert Burns. And at the same time, they will be appreciating the finest Scotch malt whisky from the world’s most entertaining whisky club. Taking place on Thursday January 27 (8pm until 10pm GMT) members and non-members…

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