Celebration of 300 years of Robinson Crusoe

The worlds of Robinson Crusoe and Alexander Selkirk collide in new exhibition by award winning artist Roger Palmer. Exactly 300 years after the publication of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, artist Roger Palmer, in association with Fife Contemporary, presents an exhibition installation that offers a fresh approach to Defoe’s much discussed novel. Through contemporary photographic imagery…

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James Braid – Scotland’s master of mesmerism

Hypnotism, or mesmerism as it was once known, is a familiar and fascinating subject to us in the 21st century. Performers such as Derren Brown, who use it in their acts, draw thousands of spectators to sellout shows. Paul McKenna tops the bestseller charts with books that harness the power of the mind to make…

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DNA is showing the bloodlines of clans and chiefs

The emergence of DNA profiling has had a huge impact upon fields as diverse as criminology, medicine and insurance, but it also has implications for clans and those whose historic titles depend upon paternity. Three recent cases have provided dramatic proof of the potential of DNA to intrude in these areas. The first has a…

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10 of the best Scottish cartoon characters

Children and grown-ups all over the world are familiar with Scots accents thanks to the power of cartoons. Some are still drawn frames in comics, newspapers and magazine, and many are animated (with varying degrees of being convincingly Scots!), and here we highlight the Scottish influence on our top ten iconic cartoon creations. 1. Groundskeeper Willie,…

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Rise and tragic fall of the magnificent Hamilton Palace

Hamilton Palace was said to have been the largest non-royal residence in Britain – and 100 years ago, it stood proud. But a century later, there’s not a trace of this once-fine building, the home to the Dukes of Hamilton, the premier peer of Scotland. But how could a building, which was the principal resident…

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We’ll be back in our gardens before we know it

The promise of lighter, longer days is on the horizon – and that means our gardens will come back to life. As we welcome the new year and look forward to the blossoming season ahead, head of garden at Dobbies, Louise Golden, shares her expert trend insights and planting advice for 2019. After months of…

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Glasgow goes deeply Dippy for dinosaur guest

Dippy, the Natural History Museum in London’s famous diplodocus, is ready to meet Scottish visitors at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow. The eagerly awaited Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure opened this week and will run until 6 May 2019. Admission is free and you do not require a ticket to visit,…

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From protecting our history to the fashion world

Historic Environment Scotland is Scotland’s leading public body charged, to care, protect and promote the country’s proud past. But now it’s entered into a partnership with a difference, which will see it enter the fashion world. HES has collaborated with fashion designer Jeff Garner of label Prophetik on the 2019, Mary Queen of Scots inspired…

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Time’s running out if you want to work on Outlander

Time’s running out for people who want to work in the TV industry on hit show Outlander. Cumbernauld-based Sony Pictures Television last year opened its Outlander Trainee Programme to support Season 5 when production gets underway at Wardpark Studios in the new year. Those wanting to work on locations have until 10am on Monday 11 February to…

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The search is on in the Scottish ‘tree oscars’

Two prizes of £1000 are on offer for the finest farm woodlands in Scotland in the country’s annual ‘Tree Oscars’. The growing interest in farm woodland has been reflected in Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards (SFWA) 2019, with an additional prize on offer to younger farmers (or crofters) who have incorporated tree planting into their business.…

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