Training programme ‘sew’ good, says Gok Wan

The fashion expert and award-winning TV presenter Gok Wan has praised an innovative Scottish textiles training programme. Gok went to see the work being done by The Prince’s Foundation after touring Dumfries House in East Ayrshire. He toured the estate’s Textile Training Centre while staying at the Dumfries House Lodge, a luxury country guest house located…

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It’s a corking deal to mark Black Friday

Scotland’s organic and biodynamic wine merchants, L’Art du Vin, are celebrating Black Friday. L’Art du Vin’s #WineFriday18 event will run from Friday 23 until Monday 26 November and will offer 15% off discount on all wines on their website. L’Art du Vin is a Scottish merchant specialising in wines produced with passion, integrity and uniqueness…

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It will be a blue light for St Andrew’s night

New Lanark World Heritage is turning blue this week – and it’s not with the cold weather! is getting ready to feel blue – and St Andrew’s Day on November 30. Instead, the famous Mill Buildings and Falls of Clyde will be adorned by blue lighting, to celebrate Scotland’s national feast day. The stunning 230…

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When Ayrshire was at war with two families

April 2016 marked the 430th anniversary of the Massacre of Annock. Though not an unusual occurrence in the lawlessness of Scotland in the 16th century, that event, and particularly the extent and ferocity of the reprisals that followed, marked the beginning of a change in attitude towards blood feud. ‘Blood feud was the custom of…

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Dunfermline Abbey hosts screening of Outlaw King

The resting place of Robert the Bruce, which played a starring role in Netflix film Outlaw King, will once again be in the spotlight at a unique showing of the historical epic. Dunfermline Abbey, which doubles as Westminster in the film, and the Abbey Church, which is home to The Bruce’s tomb, will play host…

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Scots silver that was kept secret from the Vikings

Concealed underground for over a thousand years, this fascinating haul of elaborately decorated Scottish silverware came to light in the middle of the 20th century during an excavation on St Ninian’s Isle, Shetland. Dated back to 700-800AD, the coveted collection, known as the St Ninian’s Treasure, is the only Scottish hoard of fine metalwork of…

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A love affair that has lasted over 500 years

The origins of the Palace of Holyroodhouse lie in the religious, or monastic, setting of the Holy Rood, which is said to have been a fragment of the cross of Jesus Christ which found its way from the Holy Land to Edinburgh. There is also the tale of David I of Scotland (1124-1153) having a…

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The late Alan Bean was the Scotsman on the moon

Artist Alan Bean was part of the second lunar landing – and in tribute to his Scots ancestry, he took a swatch of MacBean tartan with him. Sadly, in May this year, Alan passed away at the age of 88. Prior to his death, Alan was an artist, who liked to paint figures set in…

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Timeless design and contemporary country living

A substantial and individual home, which balances timeless traditional design and quality craftsmanship, is now on the market. Presented for sale by Rettie, Osprey Lodge stands in an exceptional plot within Clathymore; an enclave of private homes, designed by the prestigious James Denholm Architectural Practice, which is nestled amidst the glorious scenery of the Strathearn Valley.…

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When Arriva buses were serving Scotland

Books about buses are, in many ways, like the vehicles themselves. You wait a while for one, and then several arrive in a short space of time. Amberley Publishing has, over the past few months, released a series of books chronicling buses in Scotland, which have been of interest, even to this casual reader with…

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