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National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh
16 May - 5 October 2008
Experience the lives of one of Canada’s indigenous communities and discover some of Scotland and Canada’s shared history. In the 1850s and 60s Scottish fur traders collected beautifully-crafted objects from the Dene peoples living in the Canadian subarctic. Now part of National Museums Scotland’s collection, these objects provide a fascinating insight into a living community.
Extremes: Life in Subarctic Canada is the result of a new relationship National Museums Scotland has built with the descendents of the people who traded with the Scots, in particular the Dogrib Dene, or Tlicho, in their own language. The objects are returning to Scotland from Canada where they have been on display, along with contemporary material purchased from the Dene people for our collections.
Find out how the objects came to the museum. Admire their beauty, skill and workmanship. Experience personal stories from the community. Discover the extremes of the subarctic environment. What was it like to live here 150 years ago and how is it different today?
Web Link:www.nms.ac.uk
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23 May 2008 – 1 February 2009
National War Museum Scotland, Edinburgh Castle
From a 15th century mercenary to an infantry soldier in today’s army, the National War Museum’s exciting new exhibition covers the bloody and important history of the men on the fighting front of Scotland’s battlefields.
Examining 800 years of clothing, protection, weapons and tactics, Call to Arms highlights four archetypal Scottish fighting men: a 15th century ‘Galloglaigh’ roving mercenary, a 17th century highland warrior fighting for kith and clan, a 19th century Scottish soldier employed by the British Army and today’s soldier tackling the challenges of modern day warfare.
Jonathan Ferguson, Assistant Curator at the National War Museum, said:
“Scotland has always had a fearsome reputation on the battlefield and while technology has unquestionably changed the way warfare has been conducted over the centuries, one thing remains constant: the importance of infantry in any conflict. Call to Arms reveals the lives, weapons and motivations of the ‘boots on the ground’ – your average Scottish fighting man.”
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Picture Credit: JG Orchar: Harbour of Dort, 1876 - copyright Dundee Art Galleries & Museums
One of the most important collections of Scottish Victorian Art in the country is now on display at Broughty Castle Museum in Broughty Ferry near Dundee. The Orchar Collection was built up by James Guthrie Orchar (1825-1898), a prominent businessman, great patron of the arts and a former Lord Provost of Broughty Ferry.
This exhibition returns some thirty of Orchar's paintings to permanent display in a newly refurbished gallery within Broughty Castle. It features work from Orchar's original collection by artists of the Scott Lauder Group, famed for their gestural brushwork and love of colour, alongside twentieth century paintings by Philip de Laszlo and James McIntosh Patrick purchased by Orchar's Trustees.
Broughty Castle is owned by Historic Scotland and run as a museum by Dundee City Council, Leisure and Communities Department.
Admission is free and the exhibition runs until November 2010. Opening times: April - September Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12.30-4pm; October - March Tuesday to Saturday 10am-4pm,
Sunday 12.30-4pm, closed Monday.
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ROYAL PALACE RETURNED TO ITS RENAISSANCE SPLENDOUR
Historic Scotland has announced it is to go ahead with a £12 million project to return the royal lodgings at Stirling Castle to their Renaissance magnificence.
The result will be a major new attraction that is predicted to raise castle visitor numbers to around 480,000 a year – compared to around 398,000 in 2007-08.
Visitors will not only be able to see how the king’s and queen’s halls and chambers may have looked in the mid-16th century, they will be welcomed and shown round by costumed interpreters richly dressed in authentic costumes of the era.
And the Stirling Heads – regarded by some as Scotland’s other crown jewels – will go on permanent public display.
These intriguing hand-carved oak medallions, up to a metre in diameter, once adorned the ceilings of the palace, depicting kings, queens, courtiers, imps and other mythological creatures.
Chris Watkins head of Historic Scotland’s major projects team, said: “The conservation and presentation of James V’s magnificent Renaissance palace is the most ambitious phase of Historic Scotland’s project at Stirling Castle.
“It will mark the culmination of many years of research and skilled conservation and craft work that have helped reinstate the splendour that the Stewart monarchs gave to Stirling.
Web Link:www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
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It's a wonderful time of year to visit the Scottish Seabird Centre at North Berwick. The seabirds are all nesting and the first gannet chicks have hatched. There are lots of tiny eider ducklings to be seen along the shore, as well as kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills sitting on eggs on the cliffs. There are seals basking on the rocks on the islands and even, if you’re very lucky, the occasional sighting of dolphins and whales.
Exciting news too is that all the puffins are returning to nest on the puffin islands, Craigleith and Fidra, as a result of our SOS Puffin Project to clear their burrows and there are lots of puffins to be seen with big beakfuls of sandeels, flying back and forth to the islands, to feed the young pufflings, which is a very encouraging sign.
The Seabird Centre’s brand new Seabird Seafari boat trips are running trips daily around the Bass Rock and the puffin islands.
The new Kids’ Zone at the Scottish Seabird Centre is proving to be a huge hit too with families. The giant Puffin Burrow (pictured) with its soft play area, tunnel, giant rockers, slide and ball pool is a great place for children to run off lots of energy and give parents a chance to relax. There’s also an exciting new programme of events daily during the school holidays and at weekends, including Walking with Birds guided birdwatching walks, Puffin Club activities and Rockpool Rambles.
Check out www.seabird.org for more information.
Web Link:www.seabird.org
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Exhibition of new works from Art Unlimited, A Step Further, at the Striling Smith Art Gallery & Museum
A Step Further, exhibition of new works by Art Unlimited at the Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum
Saturday 24 May to Sunday 27 July 2008
Step in and be dazzled by the forthcoming exhibition at the Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum! Art Unlimited artists know no bounds when it comes to subject matter. This popular local group from across Central Scotland has exhibited together since 1997, showing a wide range of work regularly throughout the area.
The group always takes that Step Further in the way they work, looking to develop their art and explore new horizons through skills and techniques. Paintings, drawings, textiles and ceramics are all displayed here.
Sources of inspiration are wide ranging from poetry and literature to the ups and downs of life. Come and be dazzled!
Stirling Smith is open Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am to 5.00pm, Sunday 2.00pm to 5.00pm, closed Mondays.
Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum
Dumbarton Road
Stirling FK8 2RQ
tel 01786 471917
Web Link:www.smithartgallery.demon.co.uk
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Prêt-a-Porter: Callendar House, Falkirk at 1p.m., Saturday June 28 until October 18, 2008
The fashion of the 1950s and 60s comes to Callendar House this summer through the unique collection of former air stewardess Ailsa Porter.
Mrs Porter, who now lives in Stirlingshire, travelled the world for two decades as an air stewardess. She had a great interest in fashion and collected a wardrobe which reflected her glamorous, international lifestyle.
She generously donated her 1950s and 60s collection to Falkirk Council’s Museums Service and her wardrobe will be shown in “Prêt-a-Porter” at Callendar House from June 28 to October 18.
The exhibition begins with clothes from the spring and summer collection and will be refreshed on August 31 with items form the autumn and winter wear in Mrs Porter’s wardrobe.
Running alongside Prêt-a-Porter will be “How do I look in this? ” at the Park Gallery in which artists Susan Cutts and Julia Douglas will address contemporary issues of personal expression, fashion and body adornment, and explore the idea that the objects we accumulate are statements of personalities.
Prêt a Porter runs in the Large Gallery, Callendar House from the 28th June – 18th October 2008. How do I look in this? runs from 28th June – 27th July 2008. Admission to Callendar House, the Park Gallery and the exhibitions is all free.
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Claude Monet, Poplars on the Epte 1892
National Gallery Complex, The Mound, Edinburgh
Opens Saturday 19th July and runs until Sunday 12th October
This major international exhibition of over 100 works celebrates the impact of French Impressionist painting on Scottish art. The show comprises masterpieces by over forty artists, including Manet, Monet, Degas, Sisley, Pissarro, Renoir, Whistler, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Gauguin, Toulouse-Lautrec and Matisse, as well as the Glasgow Boys and the Scottish Colourists.
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Staff and volunteers at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes reserve in Dunkeld have reported a surprising arrival which has set bird watchers twitching and put the reserve’s ospreys temporarily in the shade. A single great northern diver (Gavia immer) has been spotted on the loch and experts have confirmed that this is the first-ever sighting of this bird species in Perthshire.
This species which is normally a winter visitor to Scotland generally favours the northwest coastline and arrives offshore from Iceland and Greenland in larger numbers from September/October onwards. Graeme Walla, Perthshire Ranger at Loch of the Lowes said, “Seeing this bird at Loch of the Lowes is a very unusual. Given that at this time of year, these magnificent birds should actually be much further north or still breeding in Iceland and Greenland. We are not quite sure why this bird has gone so off course. On rare occasions it has been known to seek out generally undisturbed inland lochs in the Highlands but as far as we are aware never in Perthshire.”
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The team from ‘The Beechgrove Garden’ TV programme recently spent the day filming at the new sky-high Roof Garden, which is located on the top of Mill 2 at New Lanark World Heritage Site. In the programme, which is due to be aired on BBC1 Scotland on Wednesday 30th July, presenter Carole Baxter takes a look at this unique rooftop garden: its landscaping, location, and planting. She interviews New Lanark Conservation Trust’s Deputy Director Lorna Davidson about the creation and development of the Roof Garden and Viewing Platform.
Award-winning Garden Designer and Landscape Architect, Douglas Coltart of Viridarium designed the garden for the 9,000 sq ft roof of the A Listed mill. The imaginative design incorporates; a central water feature, decorative planting and sculptures of birds, animals and insects created by a number of different artists, using a variety of materials – bronze, wood, and recycled metal.
Carole Baxter commented:
"I’m impressed by how well established the garden is, especially considering the short time it’s been since being completed. Great attention to detail can be seen in the design and choice of plants, plus the sculptures provide an extra dimension. The Roof Garden adds to the whole experience of visiting New Lanark.”
Web Link:www.newlanark.org
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Organisers of the Perth Highland Games announced on Thursday, 31st July) that The Famous Grouse is to be the main sponsor of the 2008 event, to take place at South Inch on Sunday, 10th August.
Provost John Hulbert will be chieftain and guest-of-honour and, as befits tradition, will officially start proceedings at the annual gathering, one of the summer highlights in the Fair City.
This year’s games has attracted a record entry in the pipe band competition with over 30 brands taking part, seven from as far away as Australia.
The current “world’s strongest man” champion, Mariusz Pudzianowski, will demonstrate his strength by attempting to pull a fire engine.
And, in another ‘first’ and to highlight Scotland’s growing links with Eastern Europe, an area has been created on the games field to host the Polish Consulate and various charity stalls to inform and educate people about Poland and its culture.
To mark their headline sponsorship, The Famous Grouse will present a personalised bottle of whisky to the chieftain, as well as creating a limited edition of personalised bottles, labelled ‘The Famous Perth Games’, for all competition winners. The Famous Grouse Experience - the spiritual home of the brand at Glenturret distillery, Crieff - will have an exhibitor stand at the event and making an appearance throughout the day will be The Famous Grouse.
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Perth Leisure Pool, the flagship facility of Perth & Kinross Leisure has considerably changed over the years in the attempt to provide customers with the latest fitness and exercise opportunities. Over the years the pool has seen a new interactive play area for under 8’s, continuous upgrades to the health suite upgraded, plus a brand new Power Plates studio.
The celebration, which took place on the 26th & 27th July was a great success with many people from all over Scotland enjoying the weekend fun and games.
Perth Leisure Pool Facility Operations Manager, Debbie Gillespie said: “It’s hard to believe that Perth Leisure Pool is 20 years old. To this day, the facility continues to be one of Scotland’s most popular aquatic attractions with people visiting from all over Scotland. This year has been particularly special for the centre. In April we welcomed our 10,000,000th visitor, and now we celebrate a landmark birthday.
Pictured is Perth Leisure Pools first ever customer James Duff on the day of opening on 30th July 1988 with Provost Alex Murray. James queued from 10pm the night before to be the first customer and also to claim his years free membership.
Web Link:www.liveactive.co.uk
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One of the National Trust for Scotland’s most unusual properties will take centre stage at a new exhibition to celebrate 500 years of the printed word in Scotland, from Friday 1 August.
The conservation charity cares for Robert Smail’s Printing Works in Innerleithen - Scotland’s only remaining fully-functioning Victorian letterpress printworks which is the focus of Lasting Impressions: The National Trust for Scotland and the Printed Word.
The printworks is one of the Trust’s smallest properties and was purchased by the charity from Cowan Smail in 1986, after 120 years of trading. The works continues to produce commissioned print work on the original presses, as well as hosting tours and giving visitors the chance to get hands on experience of the printing process.
The exhibition is part of the 500 years of printing in Scotland celebrations and runs at the National Trust for Scotland’s gallery at 28 Charlotte Square in Edinburgh from 1 August until the end of October.
It includes fascinating records, photographs and work samples from Smail’s past, telling the story of the Smail family and their business.
Experts from Innerleithen will also be on hand to provide printing demonstrations during August and September, so there is plenty of opportunity for visitors to mind their ‘p’s and ‘q’s.
Web Link:www.nts.org.uk
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©CROWN COPYRIGHT REPRODUCED COURTESY OF HISTORIC SCOTLAND
Five months after opening to the public Stanley Mills has been declared a five-star attraction.
The 18th century water mill complex beside the River Tay, near Perth, has also beaten its visitor number targets for the whole season.
Independent quality assurance inspectors from VisitScotland examined every aspect of the visitor centre, from presentation and retail quality right to the cleanliness of the loos.
Afterwards they declared it to be world class and awarded the coveted five stars which show potential visitors that they can expect a great day out
Kay Finlay, Historic Scotland monument manager, said: “We are delighted at the news, especially as we have only been open such a short time.
“What makes it even better is that our latest figures show we have already beaten our target for visitor numbers with two and a half months go before the season ends.
“A lot of care has gone into making sure that Stanley Mills is a really enjoyable place to come and the staff take a great deal of pride in making sure that everyone has a warm welcome.
“The feedback we have had from the public has been great".
Despite a challenging season for much of the Scottish tourism industry, Stanley Mills had attracted 18,101 visitors by 17, August. Its target was 18,000 by 31, October.
Web Link:www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
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Scotland’s mobile art space, The Travelling Gallery, will later this month celebrate 30 years with its latest exhibition ON EDGE.
The Travelling Gallery service was launched by the Scottish Arts Council in 1978, to help make contemporary art more easily accessible to schools and communities around the country. Since then, the specially built gallery in a bus has travelled throughout Scotland every year, taking nearly 100 different exhibitions featuring more than 500 artists, to thousands of people in all areas of the country, from Shetland to Stranraer.
And the anniversary is set to be marked with a get together of many of the 500 artists who have been featured in the gallery since it began touring in 1978.
The artists have been invited to the launch of ON EDGE, like the very first Travelling Gallery show in 1978 , an exhibition that explores our relationship with the sea and coastline.
The Travelling Gallery’s award winning Education Programme will complement the exhibition and include a series of artist led workshops, talks and events.
The exhibition will be launched outside The City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, Edinburgh on Friday 22nd August from 5.30pm – 7.30pm.
The gallery will start its tour with a visit to Penicuik on 23rd August and will then be visiting schools, colleges and public venues across Scotland until 5th December.
Tour dates and venues are posted on the gallery website at www.travellinggallery.com.
Web Link:www.travellinggallery.com
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