Saving the Leighton Library – Dunblane’s best kept secret

A campaign to help raise ÂŁ400,000 to help pay for restoration and conservation work at a historic Scottish library has been launched. The Leighton Library building is stood in Dunblane, near Stirling, since the late 17th century, containing some 4500 books dating back to 1504. But the building, opposite Andy Murray’s gold postbox, is in…

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Heather’s joy at beauty awards success

A beauty entrepreneur from Glasgow has achieved national awards success. Heather McDowall, beauty entrepreneur and founder of Niche Brow Co, is celebrating after she scooped the prize for Best Beauty Product at the highly acclaimed WOTC New Faces Awards, triumphing over several nationwide brands and well known celebrity rivals. Heather, who is from the south…

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StAnza programme launched ahead of 2022 festival

StAnza, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival, has revealed a host of prize-winning poets among next year’s line-up. It has unveiled its festival programme for 2022 under the title Stories Like Starting Points. The festival, which was forced online in 2021 due to Covid, is planning a full return in hybrid form, Covid permitting, combining the best…

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The story of a 19th century Scots campaigner

This is a unique and fascinating tale about Mary MacPherson – known as MĂ iri Mhòr – Skye’s 19th century bard and political campaigner. She made her name by vocalising the plight of crofters through song writing and activism. Her rage and despair at being falsely imprisoned in Inverness led to a poetic outpouring of songs,…

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New Opera Highlights show to tour Scotland this spring

Tickets are on sale now for a new vaudeville-inspired Opera Highlights show that travels around Scotland to 18 local venues, including in the Outer Hebrides. Starting on February 8 at Websters Theatre in Glasgow’s West End the tour visits Birnam, Midmar, Fochabers, Tain, Wick, Harris, North Uist, Isle of Barra, Ardfern, Lochranza, Cove, Newton Stewart,…

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Two days to enter Glencairn Glass crime writing short story comp

If you’re an author with a murderous imagination, a crime that needs capturing or a deadly deed to document, then time is still on your running. The Glencairn Glass – the world’s favourite whisky glass – and sponsor of the McIlvanney and Bloody Scotland Debut crime-writing prizes, is looking for crime short stories, having launched…

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Kirsten and Robin pick up consulting awards

A sheep specialist and a manager with more than 30 years’ experience have picked up special awards from SAC Consulting. The RC Stewart Prize is awarded annually to the person, or persons, who have contributed significantly to the development of consultancy work at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). With Covid affecting last year’s preparations, this year…

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Planting 1000 new trees after climate change event

Four of Scotland’s much-loved hotels have come together to plant over 1000 trees this Christmas in partnership with Trees for Life – a rewilding charity which plants trees across the Highlands. In the spirit of COP26 the voco Grand Central and Kimpton Blythswood Square in Glasgow and Kimpton Charlotte Square and InterContinental Edinburgh The George…

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The winter solstice marked with special film

Historic Environment Scotland marked this year’s Winter Solstice with a special film. They showcased a new online film exploring the connection between the globally renowned Maeshowe Neolithic chambered tomb on Orkney and the annual celebration which traditionally marks the onset of winter and the year’s shortest day. Presented by HES Orkney Ranger, Sandra Miller, and featuring a range of experts and local people inspired by the Solstice and…

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Woodland creation and peat restoration plans revealed

Plans to deliver a significant woodland creation and peatland restoration scheme in the North-East of Scotland have been revealed. Par and Aviva Investors have established an investment vehicle which has acquired 6300 hectares of moorland in the Glen Dye area of West Aberdeenshire as its first investment, which aims to capture over 1.4 million tonnes…

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