Scottish Book Week begins with animal vote

SCOTTISH Book Week gets underway today, with readers having until midnight to vote for their favourite animal in fiction. The chimpanzees at Edinburgh Zoo have even got in on the act, with characters including Gnasher, Paddington, and Tigger competing for the title. The winning animal will be named later this week. Marc Lambert, chief executive…

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Airships could fly in Highlands and islands

AIRSHIPS could soon be flying over the Highlands and islands following the launch today of a concept study. Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) has teamed up with Highlands & Islands Airports (HIAL) to investigate if its Airlander 10 airships could be used to carry passengers and freight. The airship, which uses technology from aeroplanes and helicopters,…

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Peter Capaldi narrates ‘Riverwoods’ tonight on 5Select

THE relationship between Scotland’s fish and forests will be explored tonight in Riverwoods, a documentary on 5Select narrated by actor Peter Capaldi. Riverwoods, which took three years to produce, was made by Mat Larkin, head of filmmaking at Scotland: The Big Picture. “Over many centuries, the loss of natural woodlands alongside rivers has profoundly changed…

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Review: Toravaig House Hotel

It is four seasons in one day for Rosie Morton as she reviews Skye’s Toravaig House Hotel. FĂ ilte The journey to Skye from Auld Reekie is always a total pleasure. It is (with requisite pit stops at my favourite haunts) a six-hour trip that is the landscape equivalent of a five-star tasting menu – peppered…

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Experts recommend their favourite autumn walks

A COLLECTION of autumn walks in Scotland has been recommended by the country’s woodland experts. Members of staff from Forestry & Land Scotland, the Scottish Government agency that replaced Forestry Commission Scotland in 2019, were asked to recommend their favourite autumnal routes. Stuart Chalmers, the organisation’s national visitor services manager, said: “Autumn in Scotland is…

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SWG3 unveils final mural in Glasgow arts trail

ARTS and events venue SWG3 has revealed the final mural in its Glasgow arts trail. Some of Scotland’s best-known street artists – including Smug, KMG, Mark Worst, Molly Hankinson, and Tragic O’Hara – have worked on the project, alongside local communities. SWG3’s street arts and graffiti initiative, Yardworks, has organised the trail, which is designed…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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