Jackie Bird is new National Trust for Scotland president

TELEVISION presenter Jackie Bird was appointed as president of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) on Saturday. Members of the charity approved her appointment at the trust’s annual general meeting (AGM) in Glasgow. David Mitchell, who convened the AGM as deputy chair of the NTS, said: “Jackie Bird is already a committed friend to the…

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National Theatre of Scotland sets sail with Kidnapped

THE National Theatre of Scotland has unveiled its retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novella, Kidnapped. The show will have its world premiere at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock on 31 March. It will then go on tour to the Theatre Royal in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Eden Court in Inverness, Perth Theatre, and Northern Stage…

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Queen’s funeral to be shown in Holyrood Park today

THE Queen’s funeral will be shown live today on a giant screen in Holyrood Park, next to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. The ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey in London and is due to begin at 11am. Robert Aldridge, Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of Edinburgh, will represent Scotland’s capital city at…

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Deaf heritage celebrated by three short films

THREE short movies by deaf filmmakers will be shown at Filmhouse Edinburgh on Sunday to celebrate deaf heritage. The films include Scotland, Forgive Me by Will Clark, which was shortlisted for a prize at DeafFest 2022. Scott Campbell’s film Deaf Kilmarnock, Their Story features the Ayrshire Society for the Deaf, while Ruaridh Lever-Hogg’s documentary Deaf…

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Winners revealed at Bloody Scotland book festival

TWO crime writers carried off the top prizes last night as the Bloody Scotland book festival got underway in Stirling. Alan Parks won the McIlvanney Prize for May God Forgive, while Tariq Ashkanani took the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize with Welcome to Cooper. Ayo Onatade, chair of the McIlvanney Prize judges, described May God Forgive…

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Host named for Outlander author Diana Gabaldon event

THE host has been named for an event in Inverness with Outlander author Diana Gabaldon. Local historian and author Sarah Fraser will interview the writer on stage at Eden Court theatre on 15 October. Fraser appeared in the Men in Kilts television series alongside Outlander stars Sam Heughan and Graham MacTavish “I am very excited…

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Native Hebridean smoked salmon makes splash at awards

A NATIVE Hebridean smoked salmon scooped the top prize at last night’s Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards in Edinburgh. Bakkafrost Scotland’s salmon took home the “product of the year” trophy. Lazy Day Bakery won the new free-from award for its chocolate cake bars, while Girvan-based butcher We Hae Meat won the sustainability award. Other…

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Strathallan School pupils spread their wings

FORMER pupils from Strathallan School in Perthshire are starting their university courses after celebrating their exam results. Charlotte Gilmour, who was the Perthshire school’s captain, is in Boston as she starts her first semester at Harvard University. Gilmour, who was also the captain of the girls’ rugby team at the independent school and a player…

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Another six golden eagles moved to the south

SIX golden eagles were moved from the Highlands to a secret location in the Borders over the summer during the latest phase of a reintroduction scheme. The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project now estimates that there are around 40 birds in the area – the most for 300 years. The project is now preparing…

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Doric scriever starts residency

DORIC writer Shane Strachan has been named as the next Scots scriever by the National Library of Scotland. The role involves promoting the Scots language by carrying out research at the library and producing original work. Strachan said: “I’m fair trickit tae be this year’s Scots scriever, especially gettin tae promote the Doric o my…

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