Roxy Lanes brings ice-free curling to Edinburgh

PLAYERS will be able to try their hand at ice-free curling and ten-pin bowling next month when Roxy Lanes opens in Edinburgh. The leisure company is moving into the back of the former British Home Stores (BHS) branch on Rose Street. As well as ice-free curling and ten-pin bowling, the 25,000sq ft site will also…

Read More

Stirling Castle shares 500 years of history

STIRLING Castle will open its doors for two evenings next month to share stories from its rich history. Actors will dress up as characters including Mary, Queen of Scots, and her ladies-in-waiting to tell historic tales to visitors. Other performers will portray jesters, musicians, and soldiers. Carnegie medal-winning author Theresa Breslin will read from her…

Read More

Elements festival shines light on gold, silver, and jewellery

THE Elements festival celebrating gold, silver, and jewellery opens in Edinburgh today. Fifty makers from Scotland and the rest of the UK will be selling designer gold, silver, and jewellery at a fair. This year’s festival also includes an exhibition of award-winning work from the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council (GC&DC) Competition, which is being…

Read More

Science award for Strathallan Prep School

STRATHALLAN Prep School has been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM). The accreditation recognises the quality of science teaching at the preparatory school in Perthshire. Pupils have been receiving science talks from palaeontologists, an oil engineer, dental students from the University of Glasgow, and a bird breeder. Clare Angus, head of prep school science,…

Read More

‘Forest Floor’ by Fergus McCreadie named as top album

PIANIST Fergus McCreadie won the Scottish album of the year (SAY) title last night for “Forest Floor”. McCreadie, who was also shortlisted for a Mercury Prize this year, was unable to attend the ceremony at The Albert Halls in Stirling. The award was collected on his behalf by Seonaid Aitken. It was third time lucky…

Read More

Scots take gold at British Farming Awards

SCOTTISH farmers and rural businesses won some of the biggest prizes at last night’s British Farming Awards. More than 800 farmers and their advisors gathered at The Vox venue in Birmingham for a ceremony hosted by television presenter Patrick Kielty. Emma Gray and Ewan Irvine took gold in both the “small or medium diversification of…

Read More

Glencairn launches second short story competition

THE Glencairn Glass has launched the second instalment of its crime short story competition, in partnership with the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival and Scottish Field magazine, with a theme of “A crime story set in Scotland”. Last year’s maiden competition attracted entries from talented crime writers across the globe. Over the past three…

Read More

St Leonards and Ardvreck triumph at schools contest

TWO Scottish institutions have carried off prizes at the Independent Schools of the Year awards. St Leonards School, which is based at St Andrews in Fife, won the “Independent School of the Year for International Student Experience” category. Ardvreck School, a preparatory institution based at Crieff in Perthshire, shared the “Independent Prep School of the…

Read More

Fossils hunters have their say on Scottish Fossil Code

SCOTLAND’S fossil hunters are having their say on the revised Scottish Fossil Code. NatureScot, the Scottish Government agency known previously as Scottish Natural Heritage, published the code in 2008. It’s now being revised, with the next version due to be issued early next year. Katherine Leys, NatureScot’s head of biodiversity and geodiversity, said: “Fossil collecting…

Read More

Lowland & Border Pipers’ Society comes to Perth tomorrow

THE Lowland & Border Pipers’ Society is holding its annual conference in Perth tomorrow for the first time. The conference – or “collogue” – will take place at the Fair City’s Royal George Hotel. A concert follows the conference in the evening. Performers at the evening concert will include: Brìghde Chaimbeul and Fin Moore; Pete…

Read More