George Leslie Hunter paintings at Bonhams’ Scottish art sale

TWELVE paintings by Scottish Colourist George Leslie Hunter are going under the hammer at Bonhams’ Scottish art sale in Edinburgh on 19 October. The collection was assembled by Hunter’s cousin, Arthur Leyden, and is being sold by the descendants of Leyden’s daughter, Peggie. The paintings coming up for auction include The Blue Teacup, a work…

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REVIEW: “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”

Kenny Smith reviews The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow. HANDS UP – I have to admit, I’ve never seen the hit film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. However, I do know about it and its basic concept, which sees an eclectic group of British retirees travel to India to embark…

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Killin gets its first dentist

KILLIN now has its own dental practice, saving villagers a round-trip of up to 100 miles. Chris Barrowman, who founded Infinityblu Dental Care in Pitlochry in 2007, has invested ÂŁ330,000 in his new clinic in the Perthshire village. “The community has been amazing,” said Barrowman, who also owns practices in Alyth, Auchterarder, Crieff, and Dunkeld.…

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Ready Player One: Strathallan opens ‘esports’ suite

PUPILS at Strathallan School can now play “electronic sports” (esports) against each other in a new facility. “Esports” are computer games that are played on professional equipment, with Scotland fielding an esports team at this summer’s Commonwealth Games. “It’s a great time to be a student at Strathallan,” said former pupil Josh Martin. Martin, who…

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Scots Language Awards winners revealed

TIKTOK star Doric Dad and writer Liz Lochhead were among the winners at Saturday night’s Scots Language Awards. Hosted by poet Len Pennie and columnist Alistair Heather, the awards were presented at Dundee’s Gardyne Theatre. Beth Malcolm gave a special rendition of Hermless – an alternative Scottish national anthem – with Lewis and Euan McLaughlin…

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Wigtown Book Festival welcomes fiddlers

MUSICIANS from throughout Dumfries & Galloway joined members of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra (SFO) for a concert yesterday lunchtime at Wigtown Book Festival. Beth Porter of The Bookshop Band was among the fiddlers taking part, along with her baby, Emmy Please. The SFO was co-founded by the late John Mason, who spent much of his…

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What’s up with whisky: A Tale of Two Elchies

Mark Littler returns with his monthly look at the world of whisky auctions. WELCOME back, and welcome to September. This month we come to you with tales of the Elchies as we chat about the split that is appearing in the whisky bottle market. As we begin autumn, there are signs of softening across areas…

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REVIEW: “The Book of Mormon”

Grant Dickie reviews The Book of Mormon at the Edinburgh Playhouse theatre. THERE’S  just something about a night at the theatre. The grand surroundings, the buzz of the crowd as they filter in, and the anticipation of the show to come. And, on the opening night of The Book of Mormon at the Playhouse in…

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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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Four ospreys fledge at Aberdeenshire fishery

FOUR young ospreys are preparing to fly to West Africa for the winter after fledging from Lochter fishery and activity centre near Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire. The fishery has played host to a pair of ospreys each summer for the past 12 years, but they’ve had mixed success with breeding. Buzzards have frequently snatched and eaten…

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