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The pipes will call once again as the 14th Hororata Highland Games returns on Saturday 8th November 2025 – a full-day celebration of Scottish culture with a uniquely Kiwi twist.

More than 11,000 people are expected to gather at the Hororata Domain for a vibrant celebration that brings the traditions of Scotland to life in the heart of rural Waikirikiri Selwyn, just 45 minutes from Christchurch Airport.

This year introduces an exciting new feature – a Bagpipe Tune Writing Competition, honouring the Chieftain and the spirit of this rural community. Anyone can enter, and the competition will be judged by past Chieftain and renowned musician Kyle Warren from Scotland.

“Each year we evolve while staying true to our Highland spirit,” says Cindy Driscoll of the Hororata Community Trust. “The tune competition adds something fresh and creative – it’s another way people can connect with the Games, beyond spectating.” Entries need to be submitted by the 22nd of September – full details are on the website.

A true family festival

At its heart, the Hororata Highland Games is a true family festival – a place where everyone, from toddlers to grandparents, can find something to enjoy. Whether watching the spectacle of the Heavies, discovering your Scottish ancestry with the Clans, having a go at tossing a caber or running the Kilted Mile, there’s something to delight, challenge, and inspire every age.

The Games hosts the largest one-day outdoor Highland Dancing competition in the country, with several South Island Championships contested. It also welcomes an international field of athletes competing in traditional strength events, including the Oceania Heavyweight Championship. With more than 20 Pipe Bands, solo pipers and drummers in attendance, the Massed Bands performance during the Chieftain’s welcome is truly unforgettable. Anyone pining for Scotland will have their hearts filled.

Beyond the arena, the festival offers a Scottish farmyard, medieval knight demonstrations and crafts, sheep shearing, live music, have-a-go activities, a fairground, and over 120 market stalls. It’s a day to be fully immersed in Scottish culture, with a twist of unmistakable Kiwi flavour.

“The Games is powered by and for our rural community. It’s run by the Hororata Community Trust, with the support of hundreds of volunteers, community groups, and businesses who proudly bring the event to life. All profits are reinvested into projects that support the wellbeing and resilience of our community,” said Cindy. “We encourage people to not only come to the Games but plan a holiday and explore the Selwyn district while they are here.”

The Hororata Highland Games will be held at the Hororata Domain, with gates open from 9am to 4.30pm. Tickets are on sale now – and numbers are limited. There will be no gate sales. Children under 16 are free, and all profits support community initiatives through the Hororata Community Trust. For tickets and more info, visit: www.hororatahighlandgames.org.nz

Images courtesy of Kathryn Taylor.

 

Six months after teetering on the brink of being lost forever, Auchindrain, the only genuine Highland township to survive the Scottish Clearances, is back in business. The historic 22-acre site in mid-Argyll is as important to Scottish history as Stirling Castle, the Stone Age village of Skara Brae or the battlefield of Bannockburn.

For almost 2,000 years people have lived off the land which lies just six miles from Inveraray. At one time there were around 5,000 such faming townships throughout the Highlands of Scotland – now there is just one. Improvements to farming techniques, changes in land use and the decimation of the infamous clearances destroyed all the other similar communities. Only Auchindrain, or Bail’ Ach’ an Droighinn as it’s known in Gaelic, survived intact. Incredibly, families still occupied the site up until the 1960s. They lived and worked in buildings largely unchanged since the 18^th century. When the last person moved out the township was preserved for posterity by The Auchindrain Trust, a registered Scottish charity.

However, in December 2024 it was announced that due to cuts in funding the ancient township would be forced to shut its gates for good.  Horrified at the loss of such a unique link to the history of ordinary Highlanders a number of local residents banded together to save the township. Now, with a whole new board of trustees and an army of volunteers committed to the cause, the fight to save Auchindrain is on!

The only genuine survivor of its type

In recognition of their efforts so far, and their detailed planning for the future of the township, officials from Museums Galleries Scotland have awarded the township the coveted status of Provisional Accreditation for the next 12 months.  In a letter conferring the honour Victoria Hawkins, Museum Development Manager – Accreditation, acknowledged the work of the board, staff and volunteers battling to save the site. She said: “Congratulations on maintaining Provisional Accreditation for Bail’ Ach’ an Droighinn during difficult circumstances.”

The Accreditation Scheme is the UK industry standard for museums and galleries. It helps everyone involved with a museum to do the right things, helping people to access and engage with collections, and protect them for future generations. It is administered north of the border by Museums Galleries Scotland on behalf of Arts Council England.

As one of only 257 institutions in Scotland to hold the Accreditation Standard the charity will be able to call on advice from experts in a range of skills and disciplines to help make Auchindrain an internationally recognised museum.

“Being awarded Provisional Accreditation is a major step forward for us,” said Jan Brown, Chair of the Auchindrain Trust. “Just a few short months ago the future looked really bleak for the township. I am proud of the way local people, and many others from around the world, have rallied round to try and prevent the loss of such a historic site.  As the only genuine survivor of its type, it is a living memorial to all those communities and families devastated by the Scottish Clearances. Getting this provisional accreditation is recognition that we mean business. Auchindrain is a physical link to how thousands of ordinary Scots lived before they were forced from the land. Like the eternal flame it is a symbol of remembrance that should never be extinguished.”

Main photo: Bell Pol’s House, Auchindrain. David Hawgood, CC BY-SA 2.0.

The Board of Directors of the American Scottish Foundation (ASF) announce the ASF Annual Dinner and 2025 Wallace Awards, will take place in New York City on November 7. The evening will be co-chaired by Viscount Dunrossil, David Disi, Jenny Du Pont, and Olivia Fussell.

The Wallace Awards will be presented to: Dr. Joseph Morrow, Lord Lyon, King of Arms for his Leadership of the Lyon Court and its role in Scotland today and A. Wright Post Palmer of Beekman Estates in recognition of his outstanding charitable work in regard to New York’s history, arts, culture, and education. A direct descendant of early Scottish, Dutch, and British settlers which includes descent from the Beekman/Livingston family—early founders of New Amsterdam (New York City) in the 17^th century—and to the Lindsay (Sanders) family of Scottish descent, among the founders of Albany and Schenectady, New York, also in the 17^th century.

The Wallace is awarded this year to two leading figures of our international community – The Lord Lyon of the Lyon Court in Scotland and A Wright Post Palmer through the legacy of the Beekman Post Palmer Livingston family in the US.

“When most Americans think of America’s founding fathers, they immediately reference Washington, Jefferson and Hamilton. Prior to them are the Colonial founders, of Dutch and British – many being Scots – that were the first Europeans to settle in this country, Wright’s family were one of the leading families of the Colonial era. Wright has ensured the family legacy and leadership of philanthropy and community service continues today.” noted Ken Donnelly, Chairman of the American-Scottish Foundation.

Shared love of Scotland

“We recognize The Lord Lyon for his outstanding leadership of the Lyon Court, as he has brought the traditions of his role forward to today. Most recently as King Charles III received the Honours of Scotland, Lyon devised inclusion through ‘the People’s Procession’. His tireless work especially with the Scottish American community has done more to help promote Scottish Heritage in the United States than any other individual I have known,” The Rt. Hon. Viscount Dunrossil, Vice Convenor, Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, noted.

The ASF Young Scot Wallace Award will also be presented that evening. ASF champions up and coming leaders of tomorrow from arts to literature to business, and this year will honour Claire Mackenzie and Scott Gilmore of Noisemaker – the award winning young musical theater producers.

Camilla G Hellman, MBE, President, American-Scottish Foundation said: “When I first met Noisemaker, they had recently graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland had just beaten our 900 other entries to bring their production of Forest Boy to the New York Music Festival. That was eight years ago, since which time the ASF has worked closely with them to showcase and promote their work, with them performing at many of our events. They are truly representative of Scotland’s musical theatre of today. All of our honorees this year have supported the American Scottish Foundation in various ways that have helped us share our love of Scotland – amplify our programs and partners’ messages for our diaspora at large.”

For more information on the American Scottish Foundation and the Wallace Awards visit: www.americanscottishfoundation.com

In a thrilling quest to uncover secrets from one of Scotland’s most significant historical sites, archaeologists and volunteers will again partake in a remarkable dig at Culloden Battlefield, where the course of British, European and world history changed dramatically nearly 280 years ago. Experts armed with both traditional archaeology tools and cutting-edge technology are peeling back layers of earth to reveal untold stories of the final clash of the Jacobite Rising in 1746, as Judy Vickers explains.

For hundreds, possibly thousands, of years Drummossie Moor was just a wind-swept, boggy moorland east of Inverness, used by nearby farmers for grazing their animals. Flints uncovered in archaeological digs in the area show that folk had been around the moor for at least 4,000 years but its history was fairly unexceptional until one bloody hour on an April day almost 280 years ago.

The Battle of Culloden in 1746 finally snuffed out the Jacobite cause – those who wished to restore the Stuart dynasty to the British throne – and put an end to more than 50 years of sporadic risings and rebellions. The battle, the last on British soil, was as brutal as it was short – one of the Government officers described it as “a general carnage” and said his men were splashing through the blood that covered the moor. Around 1,250 Jacobites were killed, the same number were wounded and 376 were taken prisoner – Government losses were just 50 with under 300 wounded.

The battle has become iconic for more than just its pivotal role in British political history, securing the protestant Hanoverian family on the throne. The romantic figure of Bonnie Prince Charlie who led the Jacobite army to a series of victories after he landed on Scottish soil in 1745 and raised his standard at Glenfinnan, his dramatic reversal of fortune at Culloden, his escape from the clutches of government forces after the battle and the brutal suppression of the Highland way of life in the days and years following have all helped to make this Scotland’s most famous battle

The battlefield is still giving up its secrets

Yet despite that spotlight, centuries on, the battlefield is still giving up its secrets. This October sees the fifth successive year of archaeological fieldwork and investigations at Culloden – and there will be open days with guided tours for members of the public to see the work going on and learn about what has been uncovered in previous years. This year’s dig will be again led by the National Trust for Scotland’s head of archaeology Derek Alexander, who explained: “This year we are looking for archaeological artefacts in the area to the north of the memorial cairn. This is an area where very little investigation has been undertaken before and was previously covered in a conifer plantation, which may have had an impact on the preservation of metal artefacts in this area. So, if we recover a similar number of artefacts to that found elsewhere we will be very excited.”

Those finds elsewhere include a large number of musket balls and grapeshot in a small 60 sq m area close to the Government frontline, vividly illustrating the intensity of the fighting on the Jacobite right wing and allowing battlefield experts to refine their understanding of the battle.  “They have given a very detailed insight into the location of the hand to hand combat and have provided material evidence for the brutal nature of 18^th century warfare” explains Derek.

The most significant find – so far – was a shoe buckle believed to have belonged to Donald Cameron of Lochiel, who led the 400-strong Camerons regiment into the battle. A single piece of heavy lead grape shot, with a flattened side showing it had hit something with great force, and a highly decorated broken copper alloy buckle were found close to each other, just a few metres from the British Army frontline.

The finds fits perfectly with the story of the man known as “The Gentle Lochiel” that he was just drawing his sword as he reached the Redcoats’ frontline when he fell, wounded with grapeshot in both ankles. Lochiel, a leading Jacobite, survived Culloden and escaped to France with the prince. He was just one of many Jacobite casualties at the battle; Bonnie Prince Charlie’s forces, already hungry and tired, had been further exhausted by a night-time march to spring a surprise attack on the sleeping government troops.

That attack had been aborted and the weary troops had headed back to face a well-fed, well-equipped enemy in good spirits on the morning of April 16. Even the famed Highland charge was ably countered by the Duke of Cumberland’s soldiers who had been practising a counter-attack with bayonets.

The moor’s chequered history

Part of the reason for the wealth of material still being uncovered at Culloden – the battle takes its name from a small village a few miles from the actual field – is the moor’s chequered history in the years following 1746.  Farmland began to encroach around the edges, plantations of spruce trees were created and in 1835 a road was built right through the middle of the site. The open moorland of the battlefield was lost.

By the 1800s visitors beyond just friends and family of the fallen were arriving and interest in the site for its memorial and historical rather than commercial significance grew. Duncan Forbes, the laird of Culloden who owned the site, created the memorial cairn and put up headstones to mark the clan graves in the 1880s, and the Gaelic Society of Inverness raised funds to repair the thatched roofs of two old cottages on the battlefield,  King’s Stables Cottage to the west and Leanach Cottage to the east.

But not all the tourist attention was beneficial – in the 1930s a tearoom and petrol pump were erected in the middle of the battlefield to serve the rising visitor numbers.

In 1937, the recently formed National Trust for Scotland was given its first two small parcels of the battlefield and slowly, over the decades, acquired more of the land. But it was only in the 1970s that the old tearoom was bought and demolished and the 1980s when the road was moved and the forestry felled, meaning visitors could again see the moor the way the combatants did back in 1746. As the site was opened up, more was learned about the battle – and in fact he NTS’s own 1970s’ visitor centre was discovered to have been built on the second line of the government army. A new, relocated centre was opened in 2007.

Even archaeologists’ views on the shape of the battlefield has changed in recent years with experts now believing that it stretched over a wider area than previously thought.  As Derek says: “There is always more to learn about what happened on the day of the battle.”

This year’s dig takes place from 12-18 October. For more information, visit www.nts.org.uk

All images courtesy of the the National Trust for Scotland, unless noted otherwise.

Main photo: Culloden Battlefield the final Jacobite Rising. Photo: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam.

 

Get ready to put on your dancing shoes and tap your toes to a different kind of vibe on the King’s Birthday weekend in October, when Celtic bands take over town during CelticFest Warwick 2025! CelticFest Warwick is excited to release this year’s festival music program, with the core event held at the Warwick Showgrounds on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October, and it promises something for all ages. You can rock out to bands under the Main Stage Marquee or soak up the melodies of traditional and Celtic-inspired music in the intimate Meadows Marquee.

The kids can bounce around on the grass through the bubbles during the Celtic Kids show, the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society will teach you a dance or two at their workshops, and the Queensland Irish Choir will delight with their beautiful rendition of Irish tunes. Meanwhile everyone can have a go at group Celtic bush dances at the Saturday night ceili hosted by the Darling Downs Irish Club and called by The Scotsman, Graeme McColgan, with music by Kejafi.

CelticFringe

Australian Celtic Women open this year’s festival with a feature CelticFringe concert held in the historic King’s Theatre at Club Warwick RSL on the Friday evening. Their elegant show will take you on a mesmerizing journey through the rolling hills and misty moors of Ireland and Scotland, with heavenly voices, tantalizing harmonies, dazzling costumes and whirlwind fiddle playing – if you miss them on Friday night, you can catch them at CelticFest on Saturday and Sunday.  Saturday night headliners, The Gathering ‘kick-arse Irish party band’ fronted by Dubliner Mick McHugh, will take over the Main Stage Marquee at the Showgrounds – they never fail to get the room rocking. The Gathering regularly plays packed-out venues such as Finn McCools and Irish Murphys in Brisbane and Gold Coast with everyone having a blast, Irish or not! Talented Mick McHugh, who recently recorded two albums with ABC Kids, will also share his Celtic Kids daytime show in the Meadows Marquee. The little ones can join in the best Irish toe-tapping, hand clapping, foot stomping energetic sing-a-longs this side of the Fairy Kingdom.

Limerick MCB will bring their passion for high-energy Celtic music back to the main stage after last joining the festival in 2022. The band has played alongside world renowned artists including Andrew Strong (The Commitments movie) and Irish fiddle player and banjoist Gerry O’Connor (Irish Rovers). The Shamrock Dancers will bring toe tapping Irish dance energy to the show on Limerick’s dance stage. You can also catch Limerick at the Sandy Creek Pub CelticFringe gig on Friday 3 October with a shuttle bus available from Warwick to the door and return.

A rollicking CelticFest

New to CelticFest in 2025 is Sydney based Kejafi, a three-piece Celtic music band which performs traditional folk tunes from Scotland, Ireland and Australia, as well as their own compositions. Their second album ‘The Road’ was a finalist in the 2024 Australian Folk Album of the Year awards and they have toured widely, including performing at the Sydney Opera House and the Australian Celtic Festival.  Beck Sian is making her CelticFest debut as well. Related to English singer Kate Bush, Melbourne based Beck Sian is an award-winning songwriter who has released four albums. This talented guitarist, harpist and vocalist was described by Judith Durham (The Seekers) as ‘a multi-layered unique artiste with a vocal gift to carry her anywhere’.

Graeme McColgan (aka The Scotsman) makes a welcome return to CelticFest from Glasgow via Sydney; he will perform on the Main Stage. With his guitar or 8-string ukulele in hand, The Scotsman blends evocative vocals with everything from 200-year-old Burns tales to modern upbeat folk tunes. On the Saturday evening The Scotsman will call the family fun of a ceili with ‘Celtic bush dances’ in the Doug Feez Pavilion.  But that’s not all! Other confirmed music acts are Rebecca Wright and Donald McKay, Lorna Warne, and Kurrajong Song – all crowd-pleasing artists reprising their previous CelticFest appearances.  To close out CelticFest Warwick 2025 with a bang, Highlander, the Scottish Celtic Rock Band from down-under will rock King’s Theatre at Club Warwick RSL with heart stomping bagpipes, fiddle and rocking rhythm, while Limerick MCB will host a rollicking CelticFest after-party at the Warwick Hotel on Sunday 5 October. These CelticFringe gigs are the perfect way to continue rocking on Sunday night, as the long weekend allows for recovery on Monday.

Adult weekend tickets are available from www.celticfestqld.com.au, where you will also find tickets for the separately organised CelticFringe events. Online tickets for Saturday, Sunday, and Saturday night only (CelticFest Party Night) have also been released.

Main photo: Graeme McColgan, The Scotsman.

New research has revealed details of two air assaults on East Fortune Airfield that were kept secret during the Second World War. The historic airfield in East Lothian is now home to the National Museum of Flight, which opened 50 years ago in July 1975.

A discreet, handwritten note on an archived document led curators from the Museum to uncover the hidden details. In November 1940, three bombs were dropped on the airfield. Almost a year later in October 1941, enemy gunners attacked the site from the air. No casualties were recorded.

Throughout the Second World War the airfield served as an operational training unit. In Scotland, direct hits were rarely reported publicly to prevent enemy forces identifying significant sites.

The Lothians were targeted by German bombers on several occasions, including attacks on a decoy airfield in nearby Drem, but until now this important part of the airfield’s history was unknown.

Scottish aviation history

East Fortune is one of the UK’s best-preserved Second World War airfields. Air raid and blast shelters, that were likely used during the attacks, have recently been conserved and are now open to visitors to discover more about Scotland’s wartime heritage.  Ian Brown, Curator at the National Museum of Flight, said:  “Revealing these previously unknown events at East Fortune has taken some real detective work. The airfield has played a significant role in Scottish aviation history for over a century. Even in the museum’s 50^th  year we’re still discovering stories that can help us better understand the airfield’s past.”

The National Museum of Flight explores the history of aviation from the First World War to the present day through interactive galleries, historic aircraft and hangars. On display is one of Europe’s best collections of aircraft, including Scotland’s only Concorde, which visitors can board.

Main photo: Service personnel at East Fortune, c.1940s. Image National Museums Scotland. 

Support the Scottish Banner! To donate to assist with production of our publication  and website visit: The Scottish Banner

Lady MacGregor of MacGregor – otherwise known as British writer and broadcaster Fiona Armstrong – works for ITV news and current affairs. Fiona’s husband is the Chief of Clan Gregor, Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor. She is an active member of Clan Armstrong, so their lives are interwoven with all things tartan. The couple live in the Scottish Borderlands, although filming and writing takes Fiona all over Scotland.

Greetings! Not from Scotland this time – but from across the pond… The MacGregor and I are in Canada and guests at the country’s biggest clan gathering. 58 clans are represented. It is a sell-out crowd. What a weekend! This is the 80^th Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games, and it has it all. Heavy event athletes, Highland dancers, pipe bands, tartan and kilts… As they say: ‘80 years of Scotland without the airfare.’

It is a milestone anniversary and the weather is hot. How apt then that the Red Hot Chilli Pipers are among those topping the bill. Bagpipes with attitude, as they say. There is a blast from the past with Scotland’s original boy band. It is the Bay City Rollers, complete with songs like Bye Bye Baby and Shang a Lang – and still going strong fifty years on.

Then the past is all around. Not least with the re-enactment group, the Atholl Brigade Recreated.  These are Jacobite soldiers, and whilst they look somewhat scary, they are most hospitable. Their womenfolk invite visiting chiefs into their tent to eat cheese and biscuits and drink lemonade and whisky.  The fare is delicious, yet they apologise for its simplicity. On another day they would be roasting a hog on a fire, but this year flames are not allowed because of the fear of wildfires.

Official guests

But who are these guest chiefs? The MacGregor is there as Convenor of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. Then there is the Fraser Chief, Lady Saltoun, and her son, Alexander Fraser, the Master of Saltoun. Sir Alexander Matheson of Matheson is present. Steven MacTavish of Dunadry is there, too. As is the Vice Convenor of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, Viscount Andrew Morrison. Yes, there’s no shortage of chiefs, and feathers further abound, with Commanders Robert Currie, Richard Baird of Riccarton and Michael McAlpin.

With time to explore, we make our way through the festival grounds. Past the whisky village and the tea tent. Past the Sugar Shack and the British Baked Goods vans. Flags fly, bonnets abound. Then there is another journey back in time with the Outlander tent. One of the series stars, the actor who plays William Ransom is there and he is utterly charming. Charles Vandervaart is a local lad, and I confess I am a wee bit starstruck. It seems I am not alone. The ladies queue up to have their picture taken with him – whilst others vie to be seen with another famous face.

The Lord Lyon King of Arms is the Chieftain of the games. He is the person who officially opens the festival, and he does it in style.  Dr Joe Morrow is Scotland’s ultimate authority on coats of arms and heraldry. He is highly learned and amusing, and as such, is incredibly popular on the clan circuit.

Yes, Joe is always much in demand. Not least to judge the clan tents. After a visit to all 58, he decides the winning prize must go to the Frasers – with Clan Gregor a close runner-up. It is no surprise that we get a mention. Because our own tent is a tartan triumph. Inside tartan and heather abound, with an amazing timeline that shows our Scottish and Canadian clan histories. There is a team photo as clansmen and women arrive for a meet and greet breakfast.

Deep Scottish roots

The Canadian chapter of the Clan Gregor Society was started more than a decade ago by Wayne MacGregor Parker, and under his guidance, it has truly blossomed.  We exchange news and eat home-made scones and muffins. Then there is a delightful interlude.  A nine-year-old boy in a Macgregor kilt approaches with his parents and asks to play for the MacGregor. His name is Callum, and he is the youngest piper in the Rob Roy Pipe Band from Kingston, Ontario and one of Canada’s oldest. The young man is loaned a chieftain’s bonnet for the occasion.

What a weekend! We are so warmly welcomed. Then the town of Fergus has deep Scottish roots. Indeed, it got its name from one of its Scottish founders, Adam Fergusson. From the memorable ride down St Andrew Street in a carriage pulled by Clydesdale horses, to the delicious dinner at the Breadalbane Inn.  From the mass Highland dances performed by the young, to the pipe and drum bands that kept us utterly enthralled.

Thank you, Fergus, and thank you Canada! We would love to come back…

 

Support the Scottish Banner! To donate to assist with production of our publication  and website visit: The Scottish Banner

A truly unique historic Highland church created from a son’s love for his mother and his love of architecture, has been awarded £1million to secure its future as a community hub and visitor attraction. Nestled on the banks of Loch Awe, St Conan’s Kirk brings together ecclesiastical architectural styles from across centuries. It should not work but it does, and spectacularly well. Like all old church buildings, St Conan’s Kirk is in need of some restoration and investment

Now St Conan’s Heritage Trust has been awarded £1,039,773 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. St Conan’s already welcomes some 50,000 visitors a year, and plays host to a packed community programme, plus concerts, exhibitions and events. The Heritage Trust has bold plans for the future of St Conan’s.  Plans that will protect the unique character of the building while equipping it for modern times. The National Lottery Heritage Fund support takes them well on the way to a £1.5million fundraising target to enable a major programme of conservation, accessibility improvements, and community engagement.

Joint Vice-Chair of the Heritage Trust, Peter Hennessy, said: “We get visitors from all over the world who are mesmerised by the unique character of St Conan’s. We know it has even more potential as a visitor attraction and we want to release that for the benefit of the community, but to do so sensitively to ensure we don’t lose the character of our hidden gem.”

Rosalyn Keppie, who is the second Vice Chair and who led the original Kirk Trust said, “Our work with the National Lottery Heritage Fund brought us to the decision to combine all our efforts, close the original Kirk Trust and transfer the building into the new Heritage Trust.  Despite its unorthodox design St Conan’s takes a very traditional place at the heart of our village life. While we love to share it with visitors this project is just as much about making it work as a community hub.”

Part of Scotland’s heritage

The origins of the Kirk are far more recent than some of the medieval architectural features suggest. Walter Douglas Campbell, 8^th child of Archibald Campbell of Blythswood began work on it in the 1880s. Initially building a small traditional Scottish kirk to save his mother Caroline a long carriage drive to church. Walter had a keen interest, and was not without some skill, in architecture and over the years the simple and traditional kirk was transformed into something quite unique.  Following his death in1914, Walter’s sister Helen continued construction as laid out in his plans. And with Helen’s will passing care of the kirk to a community trust, they finally completed the project in 1929.

Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland said; “This funding, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, will allow the Trust to carry out urgent repairs and unlock new spaces for public use, ensuring this wonderful landmark church continues to inspire and serve both locals and visitors for generations to come.  St Conan’s Kirk is a unique and much-loved part of Scotland’s heritage. We’re delighted to support this ambitious project that will conserve the building, expand its community role, and enhance the visitor experience.”

The project will renew the roofs of three of the Kirk’s towers, repair leaking gutters and damaged masonry, and complete the ground floor lighting scheme with new LED lighting in the East End. These works will address long-standing water ingress issues and improve the overall visitor experience.

A key part of the project is the creation of visitor toilets, including an accessible facility — a much-needed addition in a rural area where no public toilets exist within 10 miles.  Accessibility will also be improved through new level access points, hearing loops, and interpretation for areas not physically accessible, such as the stunning terraces overlooking Loch Awe. The Crypt will be opened to the public for the first time and will feature an interactive children’s exhibition and a small performance space for storytelling, music, and theatre. Beneath the Bruce Chapel, an unused double-height space will be converted into a two-level area for schools and community groups, creating a warm, flexible venue for learning and events. Work is set to begin later this year, with completion expected in 2027.

Photos courtesy of Friends of St Conan’s Kirk.

There is only one word that can sum up this year’s Glengarry Highland Games and that is “fantastic”. From the perfect weather to the hard-fought competitions to the thousands of people who came out to discover just what the Games are all about, it was one unforgettable experience of music, tradition and heritage all wrapped up in one of the most spectacular massed bands closing in years.

The pipe band competition with forty-three competing bands was one of the best with the 78^th Fraser Highlanders from Milton, Ontario being crowned the Grade One North American Pipe Band Champions once again. In Grade Two the Ulster Scottish Pipe Band from Philadelphia took the honours with the City of Dunedin, Florida close behind.  There were several pipe bands from the United States at this year’s Games from as far away as Utah and Florida all coming to show their love of Canada and their Scottish heritage. The Games crowds returned the sentiment with enthusiastic applause.

Finest of competitions

The Glengarry Highland Games’ own Juvenile Pipe Band came second in their level with their first entry into the competitive field. This band is relatively new with some players only a few months as members of the pipe band. In first place was the Capital District Youth Pipe Band from Albany, NY.

A big hit with the fans was the appearance of World Champion Drum Major Emma Barr who led the fifty-three massed bands at the Friday night Tattoo and the Saturday noon and evening massed bands. Just the sight of this slight woman from Ballygowan near Belfast, Ireland leading twelve hundred pipers and drummers across the field brought huge cheers from the thousands surrounding the infield.

Throughout the two days, the crowds displayed their love of the heavy events with cheers and sounds of encouragement as the athletes showed off their skills. In the Professionals division, Damien Fisher all the way from Ferndale in Washington State topped the field edging out Lorne Colthart from Ottawa. Local athlete Kyle Lalonde from Alexandria made a good showing in his first professional appearance in a field of eleven pros.  In the Women’s Professionals, Liz King from Antigonish, NS amassed the top points to win first place while Alexandria’s Lisa MacDonald, a Games director, took third place in the Women’s Masters competition. Josee Morneau from Manitoba, a perennial Games favourite, easily won first. Again this year, even with several valiant efforts, no one was successful in tossing the Challenge Caber. The dancing competitions had new competitions added to their schedule this year to accommodate the interest in their event and results are still being compiled since there were 280 dancers who took to the stage. The dancing venue had an overflow audience both days to view the finest of competitions with dancers from around the world.

Scottish tradition, entertainment and pageantry

Not to be outdone, the Celtic musicians gave their all keeping the dance floors filled and everyone clapping along. The music venues were full starting off on Friday afternoon and finishing late Saturday evening.  Over in the Arena, the hall was jammed with music lovers as the fiddlers gave an energetic performance starting on Friday with the Youth Fiddlers and then on Saturday with the Scottish fiddle workshop and finishing up with the afternoon concerts where Glengarry’s best fiddlers joined together to make beautiful music. The Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve tug of war was fiercely contended with the winning team being the 48^th Highlanders of Canada from Toronto with the SD&G Highlanders taking second. The Wee Bairns area was wall-to-wall kids exploring the myriad of fun activities on offer. At last count, more than one thousand little ones took advantage of a different way to enjoy the Games.

All of the events report a very positive year with great competitions, participation and enjoyment, whether it was the kilt run, the whisky tasting, the British Car show, the Nate McRae Memorial Rugby Tournament, and of course, a crowd favourite, the colourful Clan Parade at noon on Saturday.

The Games social media channels and the local media have great coverage of the Games whether it’s articles, photos or video clips. Relive the Games or see what it’s all about by checking these out.  For another year, the Games has surpassed the expectations of the organizing committee and the thousands of visitors who spent two full days making glorious memories.  And now, the Games, like the fictional Scottish village of Brigadoon, has disappeared only to reappear next year at the same time for another two days of Scottish tradition, entertainment and pageantry. Join the Glengarry Highland Games next year at the Games on July 31 and August 1 and make your own memories!

All competition results can be found on the Games website at: www.glengarryhighlandgames.com/competitions/results

Main photo: World Champion Drum Major Emma Barr.

Join the City of Armadale to celebrate all things Scottish at the largest Highland Gathering event held in Western Australia that has people saying things like…

“It’s different, the vibe is amazing, dogs are super cute, people are amazing and friendly to chat with, it’s a very unique event that really highlights a true highland gathering.”

“This event made a great day out for the family. I got to experience home away from home for a day! Such a connected and community vibe felt through the whole event. 10/10 would recommend and I will be back joining in again next year!”

“Come along for a fantastic day of fun with family and friends. The Armadale Highland Gathering is one of Perth’s best kept secrets for a wonderful immersion in all things Scottish.”

Scottish delights

The morning of Sunday 5 October begins with the fun and quirky Perth Kilt Run, the biggest and only fun run in Australia that’s done in a kilt! Run, walk, wheel, or dance a jig along the 2.5km Classic or 5km Warrior course – it’s a charity fun run with a difference and you’re guaranteed to have a good time. As you’d expect… the excitement doesn’t stop there.

Following the Perth Kilt Run, we roll straight into the Armadale Highland Gathering where you’ll have the rest of the day to experience Highland dancing, pipe bands and heavy event competitions, meet and greet Scottish dogs, explore Clan histories, watch friendly battles between the medieval groups in the arena, revel in live music, test your taste buds with the variety of Scottish delights, have a blether with a Highland cow, and lots more!

This is a family-friendly and smoke/vape free event hosted by the City of Armadale at Minnawarra Park, Perth, Western Australia. Further details are available at www.perthkiltrun.com.au.

Essential conservation works to the Great Hall at Kisimul Castle on Barra, have started Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced. The works will look to employ new interventions to address concerns with the concrete and its internal reinforcement bars. A secondary structure will be installed beneath the existing concrete, using non-ferrous materials, timber and blockwork, which will be more suited to the aggressive maritime environment. This will allow HES to safely carry out further necessary works to the interior of the Castle. It is estimated that the Great Hall works will take approximately three weeks to complete.

This follows an intricate operation to temporarily relocate historic objects from the Great Hall to ensure their protection while the works are underway. The artefacts, which are owned by The Macneil of Barra, include six muskets, two halberds and an impressive armorial.  The muskets and halberds are stamped with dates from 1742 and 1743, dating them back to the time of the Jacobite Risings. The armorial, a metal coat of arms which has been painted and lacquered, includes depictions of a Lion Rampant, a masted ship and Kisimul Castle, and was presented to Clan Macneil in 1968. The relocation activity also allowed for the documentation of the objects to be updated with new photographs and measurements, with condition checks also taking place.

A key milestone

These works are the next stage in HES’s long-term goal to reopen Kisimul Castle to visitors once it is safe to do so. Last year, High-Level Masonry inspections and associated works took place to the exterior of the Castle. These works were the start of a programme to address concerns related to the Castle’s concrete and reinforcement bars following a major 20^th century restoration, as well as the impacts of salt and moisture from Kisimul Castle’s coastal location.

In March this year, HES also carried out repairs to the slipway which will help to facilitate access for visitors once the Castle has reopened.  James MacPherson, District Architect at HES, said:   “We are delighted to be progressing works to the interior of the castle which is a key milestone in our programme of conservation work and is another step forward in our long-term plans to reopen Kisimul Castle to visitors. We appreciate that the communities of Barra and Vatersay are keen to showcase Kisimul Castle to visitors who arrive from all over the world, and we will continue to work closely with the local community. We are pleased to run free seasonal boat trips around the bay and Castle again this year and hope visitors enjoy exploring the wider area while access to the Castle is currently restricted.”

Kisimul Castle is closed until further notice to allow for conservation works.

The Scottish Banner speaks to Jacqueline McLaren, the Lord Provost of Glasgow.

The Lord Provost is Glasgow’s First Citizen and the position dates back hundreds of years. Can you briefly tell us about the role of the Lord Provost and just how proud you are to hold this historic title?

JM: It is a great honour to be singled out as the First Citizen of a city this size and the role itself goes back 550 years, and I am the sixth woman to hold this position. There will be more women to come after me of course and it is a 5-year term. The Lord Provost role is to meet and greet people who come from all over the world when they visit Glasgow. We have conferences, civic receptions, various birthdays and key events taking place year-round and we do a lot of engagement with the young people in the city about civic pride. We have thousands of young people here at the city chambers because they are the future of the city, so you need to try and get them involved in the process as early as possible.

I like also going into communities to meet people and local community groups. I am from the north of the city, and I know all the community groups in that area, but it’s great to try and touch base with other community groups that are doing similar work across the city. It inspires me and makes me want to do more. Glasgow is full of extraordinary people doing great things.

Glasgow is celebrating 850 incredible years in 2025. Can you tell us about the Glasgow 850 celebrations and how visitors can get involved?

JM: Anybody can become involved, it’s all on the Glasgow 850 website. There have been a lot of things that have happened this year so far, we did the Port Stones of the original medieval city which is a tourist point of interest, if people want to see how big the city was back in 1175, which was then only a small settlement of about 300 people, just off High Street at the Cathedral. That was the original settlement of Glasgow around that area.

We did the Port Stones for people to see what the city looked like then, and if you look at the city now and just how amazing it has become. Glasgow is now a booming city of nearly 1 million people and Glasgow 850 celebrates our story.  There are lots of events happening and we invite everyone to come along and get involved.

The phrase ‘People Make Glasgow’ is so much more than a marketing slogan, it is fact. What is it about the Glaswegian character, humour and spirit that inspires you?

JM: The straight talking, I love just been told by people and it’s just the straight talk. There is no hidden agenda with people in Glasgow. If you’re a tourist visiting and you have your guide book in your hand looking for somewhere, a Glaswegian will walk up and say, ‘can I help you?’. Glaswegians are very friendly, and they will often show you where to go or may even take you to your destination, and then you hear their life story and then they want to hear your life story.

Glaswegians are like that, you can stand at a bus stop and between waiting for the bus and the time the bus arrives, you know the person’s life story. And there’s always information sharing, Glaswegians are very good sharing information with each other. That is what’s great about us, we’re just lovely friendly people. The world needs to realise that when they come here that is what they will find. I think we are the friendliest place on the planet. 

The city of Glasgow gets its name from the Gaelic translation of Glaschu meaning Green Glen. The city has affectionately been also dubbed the ‘Dear Green Place’ as it boasts an impressive range of vibrant green and open spaces. What do you feel makes Glasgow so special in terms of its incredible greenspace offerings?

JM: For me the parks really do make Glasgow. If you look at places like the Botanic Gardens, which houses the beautiful Victorian glass houses, which you don’t see very many of them in the world. For me, it’s just the tranquil places, the beautiful places, and the places full of running water. We have the River Clyde, Kelvin and the Forth and Clyde Canal. We are surrounded by blue and green places, which is really good for your mental health. Right now in Stockingfield Bridge in North Glasgow we are transforming a derelict landsite into Scotland’s largest ceramic art park. Once it is finished Bella the Beithir the mythical serpent will become one of the points of interest on the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Ruchill Park gives people a great view of the city, people have enjoyed the view of Glasgow from this park since Victorian times. The park also gets around one million daffodils growing in it every year. Queens Park and Kelvingrove are also jewels of the city and have wonderful bandstands with lots of events taking place and beautiful walks to be done. Glasgow is a beautiful city with beautiful places to visit.

Glasgow 2026 will host the 23^rd edition of the Commonwealth Games next summer. What can visitors to the city look forward to in 2026 and what impact does hosting an event such as the Commonwealth Games have on the city’s brand?

JM: Next year is going to be really buzzing with people from all over the world descending on Glasgow.  Athletes will be living in hotels, so if you are a visitor, you may even be in a hotel with a famous athlete.  Visitors coming to Glasgow for the Games can look forward to the atmosphere, which I think will be quite electric.

Since the 2014 Games we have moved on quite a bit as a city, and we have a lot more venues and places for people to visit. I think there will be some real excitement here and visitors will be part of that. The Games are a great thing for us to again host and shows that Glasgow can host world class events and do it well.

In 2008 Glasgow was named a UNESCO City of Music. The city hosts some incredible music events and has a diverse music offering. What do you feel about the city’s vibrant music scene that makes it the music capital of Scotland?

JM:  I have been going to clubs and pubs since I was young. We had music festivals and concerts and when you grow up in the city you are going to have the amazing music scene part of your life.  Today the music scene is even better and has evolved.

In Glasgow you could tap the table to join in with a folk band or singalong. So, you can actually join in and be part of that experience. That is what is great about Glasgow, you are invited to be involved, and you become Glaswegian as soon as you sit down.

Glasgow City Chambers was opened by Queen Victoria in 1888 and is still today one of Scotland’s most impressive buildings. Can you tell us a bit about the building and how visitors can include a visit on their next trip to Glasgow?

JM: The City Chambers is a marvellous jewel in the crown of Glasgow. The building was built in 1888 and it was opened by Queen Victoria. The chair the Lord Provost sits on is a massive wooden chair with red leather, this same chair Queen Victoria sat on which she convened the first meeting here and I sit on that every six weeks when I convene the full council and make sure everyone’s voices are heard.

The building itself has the largest white marble staircase in all of Europe, more than the Vatican. Visitors can take the free tours available and get an inside look at this incredible building. I try a couple of times a month to visit a tour and speak to visitors about the building and the city. There are tours twice a day Monday to Friday and I encourage everyone who comes to Glasgow to come into the City Chambers.

Your role as Lord Provost will take you all over Glasgow and have you meet so many unique people and places.  Do you have tips for a visitor to Glasgow? Perhaps even some of your favourite hidden gems someone may wish to consider including on their visit to Glasgow?

JM: The tour buses are great because they will take you to all the gems in the city. My favourite place is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and I have been going there since I was a child. I love the smell as soon as I walk in and it is a home from home for me.

I would suggest readers do some research about Glasgow and look at what they really want to experience.   So much is also free in Glasgow, our museums are free and we just ask people to leave a small donation in the boxes to help run these special places. It is important people experience all our culture when here, our food, music and history.

For more information on Glasgow 850 visit: at glasgow850.com and visitglasgow.com. For Glasgow City Chambers tour information visit: www.glasgow.gov.uk/article/1066/City-Chambers-Tour

Main photo: Glasgow City Chambers. Photo: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam.

Support the Scottish Banner! To donate to assist with production of our publication  and website visit: The Scottish Banner

American theatergoers are about to get an opportunity to experience a living Scottish tradition in a brand new, uplifting, exuberantly theatrical context, when Ceilidh, an original musical, arrives at the M&T Bank Exchange at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in Baltimore on Sept. 6.

A traditional Celtic gathering

A ceilidh (pronounced KAY-lee) is a traditional Celtic gathering that combines dancing, music and storytelling to emphasize human connection and community, with a “caller” spinning narratives that bring both friends and strangers together. For Ceilidh, acclaimed Scottish writers Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie have crafted a buoyant, boisterous score and a robust, heartwarming book that, as Gilmour tells it, weave “a generational tale, about a family that are linked together through ceilidh.”

Gilmour, who will play the role of the caller for the Baltimore run, explains that the musical—helmed by red-hot Broadway director and choreographer Sam Pinkleton, fresh off his Tony Award win for Oh, Mary!—“is, at its heart, a celebration of the power of tradition and heritage, but what interested us is physically connecting people now. It’s quite an ancient thing, ceilidh, but it has made its way through time by adapting to the people who are doing the dances.”

Immersive format

Those people will now include audience members: Ceilidh’s immersive format blurs the line between performance and party, inviting anyone to participate—if they wish. “You can join in the dances, or you can just sit and watch,” notes McKenzie, who met Gilmour when she was studying composing and he was an acting student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. “Ceilidhs in Scotland are like that; I’ve been to one where there was an 80-year-old grandmother sitting on the side, having a great time.”

Gilmour adds, “You get up and give it a go if you fancy, or if you just want to sit on the side and enjoy it that way, that’s OK too.”

While Ceilidh relays a particular story involving a family—a journey of belonging, identity, and rediscovery through music and movement—Pinkleton notes, “The ensemble of performers can also put on characters and take them off, if that makes sense. It’s as if the audience is being hosted by this family, so there are specific characters with names, but they’re also just people we’re dancing with.”

Welcoming people

The director, whose credits also include choreographing the celebrated musical Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812—for which Pinkleton earned his first Tony nomination—muses, “I’ve spent a lot of time making shows where the boundaries between actors and musicians and, frankly, performers and civilians are quite blurry. This is a very different show than Natasha, but what’s the same is that we want the audience to feel surrounded by the making of music and the telling of a story.”

Pinkleton adds, “I believe every act of theater is welcoming people into a thing, wanting them to have a nice time in our house. And I think Ceilidh, more than anything I’ve done before, essentializes that act of hosting strangers. I hope the magic of it is something that is much deeper and more ancient than us bickering at each other, as we love to do in 2025s, and simply asking, what do we share? How can I help you? Even if it’s as simple as looking at somebody and saying, ‘Can I have this dance?’”

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo returned for its landmark 75^th edition, honouring the heroes who have shaped its remarkable legacy. This year’s Show, The Heroes Who Made Us, blended military precision, cultural heritage, and artistic brilliance to celebrate the selflessness and dedication of those who have contributed to the Tattoo over the past seven decades. This special anniversary performance paid tribute to the Tattoo’s rich history while embracing its thrilling future.

The British Army took the Lead Service role this year, joined by a diverse international cast and anchored by the world-class Tattoo performers. With over 900 performers from across the globe, audiences were treated to an extraordinary journey through time and tradition, featuring talent from the Poland, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Ukraine, and the United States of America. Blending pageantry with theatrical flair, the 2025 Tattoo reaffirmed its position as a unique highlight of the world-renowned Edinburgh festivals. Celebrating values of connection, community, and shared heritage, this year’s performance reflects the enduring spirit that has defined the Tattoo for 75 years – while looking forward to its exciting future.

A performance unlike any other in the world

First across the drawbridge, as is tradition every year, The Massed Pipes and Drums once again filled the hallowed stage of the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade. Comprised of military and civilian pipe bands from across the globe, they set the tone for a performance unlike any other in the world. In a year dedicated to honouring heroes, The Orchestra of Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, travelled to Edinburgh, leaving Ukraine for the first time since 2018, due to the challenges of Covid and war to perform an unforgettable set for Tattoo audiences.

Making their Tattoo debut, the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps will brought a slice of American history to Edinburgh with their iconic uniforms and stirring music. Also from America, the United States Air Force Honor Guard returned to showcase their unmatched precision and dedication. Adding further international flair, the Representative Band of the Polish Border Guard graced the Esplanade for the first time in 15 years.

Brisbane and Auckland

Adding something extra special this year, narration returned in the form of evocative storytelling performed by actor Terence Rae. Audiences were taken on a journey through the rich history of this iconic event, tracing its roots all the way back to its beginnings in 1950. Alan Lane, Creative Director at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “We don’t talk about heroes enough in this country. Whether this is military service or volunteers within our society, it is these people that help make life tick along that little bit more smoothly and that deserves to be honoured and celebrated. We are in such a unique position that we get to do performances as grand as the Tattoo and that’s why this year, we’re embracing our position at the top of the Castle (quite literally) during the Edinburgh festivals. The Heroes Who Made Us, is a testimony to the artistic nature of the Tattoo and will come with all the bells and whistles that people know us for.”

Jason Barrett, Chief Executive of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo added: “As we do every year, the Show features inspiring acts from around the world. This year we are especially privileged to welcome The Naval Orchestra of Ukraine, the first time they will have left their country since 2018. We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate our 75^th, honouring our past while imagining our future.  Early in 2026 we take the Show to Brisbane and Auckland – Tattoo 75 on tour bringing The Heroes Who Made Us halfway around the world.”

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, The Heroes Who Made Us, comes to Brisbane February 12-15^th and Auckland February 19-21^st.  For details see: www.edintattoobrisbane.com.au or www.edintattooauckland.co.nz.

The 2025 World Pipe Band Championships concluded in Glasgow on August 16^th with last year’s winners, Inveraray & District Pipe Band, retaining the top title. It is the fourth time the Scottish band, from Argyll and Bute, has been crowned World Pipe Band Champions.

 

In addition to lifting the 2024 trophy, it won the renowned contest in 2019 and 2017.   Inveraray & District saw off stiff competition from runners-up, and 2022 champions, Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band of Lisburn, Northern Ireland, and North Lanarkshire’s Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band – the 2015 champions – who took third place.

Premier contest in the global piping competitive calendar

The ‘Worlds’ – the premier contest in the global piping competitive calendar – brings together the best pipers and drummers on the planet to compete in the ultimate ‘battle of the bands’. The event is delivered by culture and sport charity Glasgow Life on behalf of The Royal Pipe Band Association with support from EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.

This year’s spectacular showcase of skills and talent saw 15 countries represented by 207 bands, 53 of which were from overseas destinations including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Oman, the USA and Zimbabwe. Scotland entered the biggest national contingent – 122 bands. Northern Ireland had the second largest, with 25 bands, and next was the USA with 14 bands.  ‘The Worlds’ attracts thousands of spectators to Glasgow every summer and attendance at this year’s exciting two-day contest was over 35,000. Audiences all over the world were also able to view highlights from the championships on both days via live streaming.

This year the major event included, on Friday 15 August, a dedicated youth competition.  More than 1,500 under 18s competed in this new feature of the ‘Worlds’ which celebrated and recognised young talent in piping and drumming, and showcased the incredible talent and skills of the next generation. The grade winners were: Juvenile – George Watson’s College; Novice Juvenile A – West Lothian Schools;  Novice Juvenile B – St John’s College Harare of Zimbabwe.  Saturday’s contest, focused on the senior bands, and saw over 6,000 band members compete across the Grade 1, Grade 2, Grades 3A and 3B, and Grades 4A and 4B categories.

A fiercely fought contest

Colin Mulhern, Chief Executive of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, said: “We are grateful to all of the competing bands, supporters and spectators who joined us for our 2025 championships.  This year’s ‘Worlds’ proved to be a fiercely fought contest and our 2025 World Pipe Band Champions Inveraray & District Pipe Band deserve huge congratulations for winning the global title for a second year running. Every one of the bands can take great pride in their wonderful performances. They gave us a splendid competition and demonstration of their dedication to excellence, and their outstanding skills and talent.”

Glasgow Life Chair Bailie Annette Christie said: “Glasgow is proud to host the global pinnacle of the competitive piping calendar, and of the city’s long association with ‘the Worlds.  The championships are hugely valued by us as they shine an international spotlight on Glasgow as a fantastic and welcoming destination for events, attract visitors here from all over the world – boosting tourism and contributing greatly to the Scottish and city’s economy. We are grateful to all of this year’s fantastic competitors for playing their part in ensuring the great success of the 2025 ‘Worlds’ – and our congratulations go to Inveraray & District Pipe Band on retaining the World Champions title.”

Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Events at VisitScotland, added: “The World Pipe Band Championships continue to be a spectacular celebration of Scotland’s rich cultural heritage, attracting thousands of talented musicians and enthusiastic spectators from across the globe. This year’s event once again showcased the incredible skill, passion, and camaraderie that define the piping community. Well done to all the bands who have taken part over the past two days, and congratulations to Inveraray & District Pipe Band on being crowned 2025 World Pipe Band Champions.”

Watch the highlights of the 2025 World Pipe Band Championships at: www.glasgowlife.org.uk/arts-music-and-culture/world-pipe-band-championships/live-streaming

2025 World Pipe Band Championships results

Grade 1

Inveraray & District (Scotland)

Field Marshal Montgomery (Northern Ireland)

Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia (Scotland)

Simon Fraser University (Canada)

Police Scotland Fife (Scotland)

Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia (Scotland)

St. Laurence O’Toole (Ireland)

ScottishPower (Scotland)

Manawatu Scottish (New Zealand)

Ravara (Northern Ireland)

78^th Fraser Highlanders (Canada)

St. Thomas Alumni (USA)

Johnstone (Scotland)

Closkelt (Ireland)

Drums: Inveraray & District

 

Grade 2

Glasgow Skye Association (Scotland)

City of Dunedin (USA)

Ulster Scottish (USA)

North Stratton (Canada)

Uddingston (Scotland)

Bagad Breig (France)

Cascadia (USA)

Royal Burgh of Annan (Scotland)

Mannorcunningham (Ireland)

Los Angeles Scots (USA)

Peel Regional Police (Canada)

Buchan Pteterson (Scotland)

Drums: Uddingston

 

Grade 3A

Bagad Ronsed-Mor (France)

Dunbar Royal British Legion (Scotland)

Burntisland & District (Scotland)

Major Sinclair Memorial (Northern Ireland)

City of London (England)

Methil and District (Scotland)

Drums: Burntisland & District

 

Grade 3B

Elgin and District (Scotland)

Syerla and District (Northern Ireland)

Drumlough (Northern Ireland)

Scottish Borders (Scotland)

Carnegie Mellon (USA)

Kilbarchan (Scotland)

Drums: Syerla & District

 

Grade 4A

Black Raven (Ireland)

New Ross and District (Ireland)

Altnaveigh Memorial (Northern Ireland)

Williamwood (Scotland)

Thiepval Memorial (Ireland)

Govan Community (Scotland)

Drums: Black Raven

 

Grade 4B

Carrigaline (Ireland)

Letterkenny & District (Northern Ireland)

Queen Elizabeth (Northern Ireland)

Youghal (Ireland)

City of Discovery (Scotland)

City of Plymouth (England)

Drums: Carrigaline

 

Juvenile

George Watson’s College (Scotland)

Dollar Academy (Scotland)

George Heriots School (Scotland)

Preston Lodge High School (Scotland)

Renfrewshire Schools (Scotland)

Drums: George Watson’s College

 

Novice Juvenile A

West Lothian Schools (Scotland)

Lochgelly High School (Scotland)

George Watson’s College (Scotland)

Brisbane Boys’ College (Australia)

High School of Dundee (Scotland)

The Scots College, Sydney (Australia)

Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia (Scotland)

Dollar Academy (Scotland)

St. Columba’s School (Scotland)

10^th North Lanarkshire Schools (Scotland)

George Heriot’s School (Scotland)

St. John’s College (Zimbabwe)

Drums: George Watson’s College

 

Novice Juvenile B

St. John’s College Harare (Zimbabwe)

Scotch College 2 (Australia)

Scots College Sydney (Australia)

Lochgelly High School Junior (Scotland)

Oban High School (Scotland)

Dollar Academy (Scotland)

Bucksburn and District (Scotland)

Falkirk Schools (Scotland)

High School of Glasgow (Scotland)

Burntisland & District (Scotland)

The Glasgow Academy (Scotland)

Kintyre Schools (Scotland)

Drums: The Glasgow Academy

 

The Highland Clearances are a pivotal moment is Scotland’s social, cultural and economic history. Karen Soutar, one of Historic Environment Scotland’s stewards at Doune Castle tells us what happened, when, and why.

There are few events in Scottish history more heartrending than the Highland Clearances. Songs have been sung about them, paintings created, poems written and plays performed. Most of you will have heard of them in one way or another. And their impact has left its mark on Scotland, even today. But what exactly happened, when, and why?

The beginning of the end

After the Jacobite Rising of 1745 ended at Culloden, an era of social, economic, and agricultural change began in the Scottish Highlands. Estates which had been forfeited by supporters of the Jacobite cause were taken over by new landowners. Up until then, the land had been divided into small townships or baile that people inhabited and farmed. These were overseen by someone known as a ‘tacksman’ who didn’t own the land themselves, but would sublet land to the tenants while making a profit. Flora MacDonald, who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie to escape after the Battle of Culloden, was a member of the tacksman class.

A change of land ownership was seen as an opportunity to change the approach to managing the land. Although changes had begun before the Jacobite Rising, the process increased in pace after 1746 as wealthy new landowners wanted to maximise their profits. Farms were consolidated into larger units, land was enclosed, and sheep were introduced, taking over from the more traditional stock of cattle. Rents were increased. Not only did the changes impact the landscape, but they displaced the people who lived there. All this is why, when we think of the clearances, we envision people being pushed off the land to make way for sheep.

While clearances took place on estates around Scotland, the Highland Clearances had the additional impact of devastating Gaelic-speaking communities. The combination of anti-Gaelic laws following Culloden, and then the Clearances destroying Gaelic-speaking communities, lead to a low point for Gaelic from which the language is arguably still trying to recover.

The ‘first and second wave’

The first batch of clearances began in the 1750s and continued until after the Napoleonic Wars in 1815. Initially, most estate owners intended to redistribute the population to other parts of their lands, this tended to be coastal areas, which were not as agriculturally productive. There were some coastal crofts, but it was almost impossible for tenants to survive on these by farming alone. Some were encouraged to take up fishing or kelp farming. Kelp farming was big business from the mid-18^th century as it was an important ingredient in the production of soap and glass. By the early 19^th century, kelp manufacturing employed 60,000 people in Scotland.

However, in reality, many tenants were simply evicted with no intention of finding them a new location. In addition, those who were sent to the coast had no knowledge of this way of life, and they struggled to survive in their new situation. The end of the Napoleonic Wars brought economic problems and a series of disasters. Inflation soared, and the kelp industry floundered. In 1836-7 a potato blight hit the Highland region, and in 1846-8 there was a famine in the Highlands. Crofting rents collapsed, and some unscrupulous landowners saw this as an opportunity to get rid of their less profitable small tenantry once and for all. Some landowners even burnt down crofts to force the tenants out. All this resulted in the ‘second wave’ of clearances (1825-55), with the poorest tenants having their emigration out of the area arranged, and in some cases paid for. Although this would have been no consolation to the stricken people involved!

Where did the people go?

What happened to those who were evicted? Some did make a success of a new life on the coast or went to work on farms in the southern highlands and the lowlands. Others travelled to cities such as Glasgow and found employment in the factories there. But imagine what it must have been like, living one moment in the clean air and quiet of the Highlands, and the next working in a noisy, smelly city, surrounded by thousands of people.

Many Highlanders left Scotland altogether, and started a new life overseas. America, Canada and Australia were top destinations but Scots ended up all over the world. And sadly, many people starved to death or fell ill and died on the road, as they struggled to find somewhere to live and work after eviction. These Highlanders took their Gaelic with them to these countries. To this day, there are fluent Gaelic-speaking communities in Nova Scotia, and countries such as New Zealand have many Gaelic place names.

It’s hard to find reliable numbers for those evicted during the clearances, but estimates range between 70,000 and over 150,000 displaced people. Remember when we think of many parts of the Highlands as a deserted wilderness today, things were not always like that. The modern Highland landscape was manufactured by wealthy estate owners in their pursuit of more money, with no regard for the people who had worked the land for them for hundreds of years before.

Fighting for change

But there was a glimmer of hope for those who remained crofters. In 1886, after many long years of poverty among remaining tenants, economic depression, and bad storms, the Crofters Holdings (Scotland) Act was passed. This came after a series of disputes and disorder, starting with the Bernera Riot in 1874 and culminated in a fierce battle, led by Skye crofting tenants, known as the Crofters’ War in 1882. A key figure of this Land Agitation movement was Màiri Mhòr nan Òran (‘Great Mary of the Songs’, or maybe more properly ‘Great Màiri, the Songstress’).

Renowned across Victorian Scotland and abroad, Màiri wrote many Gaelic songs now considered classics. Land agitation and Clearance was a key theme in her work. In perhaps her best-known song, Nuair Bha Mi Òg (When I Was Young), Màiri reflected on the changes that have taken place in Skye in her lifetime, and its many empty houses. ‘Nam faicinn sluagh, agus taighean suas ann / gum fàsainn suaimhneach mar bha mi òg’ (‘If I only saw people and houses there / I’d grow joyful, like I was when I was young’).

Crofters Holdings Act

In the aftermath of the Crofters’ War a commission was set up to look into the conditions the crofters were experiencing. This scrutiny did raise awareness of the terrible exploitation that the crofters were exposed to. While the recommendations of the commission were not enshrined in the Crofters Holdings Act, it did pave the way. The Act gave the remaining crofters security from eviction, the benefit of some improvements, and also introduced a court to set crofters’ rents, adjudicate on arrears and facilitate extensions to crofts. Although this was too late for many people, it significantly improved conditions for Highland crofters in the future.

Over the 20^th century, land buyouts by local communities have taken place in several areas, giving control back to the people who live and work there. There were just three land buy outs between 1908 and 1971. But since the 1990s more and more of Scotland’s rural communities have been able to purchase the land they live on for the good of the people who live there. And in 2003, the Land Reform (Scotland) Act granted communities the right to buy land within their local area.

Living in rural Scotland today

Living in one of the world’s most desirable and romanticised locations isn’t without its issues. Local communities are seeking to find the right balance when it comes to being a popular tourist destination. Many visitors to the Highlands are descended from the very people who left during the Clearances. A love of Scotland and the Highlands has been passed down through the generations, and descendants of the people who were expelled from their homes are keen to explore their roots. And Scotland is renowned for its warm hospitality, stunning landscapes and rich culture and history.

Local communities and businesses undoubtedly benefit from the tourism industry but it does bring its challenges – particularly around housing. Rural Gaelic communities are once again finding it challenging to make a life in the Scottish Highlands. The Highland Council’s Sustainable Tourism Strategy looks at the pressures and opportunities in detail. There are people leading the way in trying to find balance between the needs of local communities and visitors all over Scotland, not just in the Highlands. In 2017, Auchrannie resort on Arran became Scotland’s first employee-owned resort. Organisations like Scottish Community Tourism champion and support community tourism, which seeks to put communities and the environment first. And in the town of Kilmaronock, they’re exploring ways to repurpose their church for flexible community use, focusing on preserving its heritage for locals and visitors. This is a complex challenge with no simple answers but there are opportunities to share and learn as we go.

Historic Environment Scotland is the lead public body established to investigate, care for and promote Scotland’s historic environment. For more details see: www.historicenvironment.scot

Main photo: Thatched croft houses at Skye Museum of Island Life. © Cairns Aitken. 

The Ship Hector replica made a dramatic return to Pictou Harbour in Nova Scotia in July with a powerful side launch that sent waves across the water, an unforgettable moment witnessed by an estimated 12,000 people along the waterfront and thousands more tuning in via live broadcast.

The launch marked a major milestone in the multi-year restoration of the iconic tall ship, a symbol of courage, migration, and connection for generations. The Ship Hector Society also wrapped up a major modernization of the Hector Heritage Quay Interpretive Centre, which received a combined $4 million in funding from the Province of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada.

Scottish settlers to Nova Scotia

The revitalized centre features new immersive exhibits and educational experiences focused on migration, resilience, and Mi’kmaw and Scottish cultural heritage. Gaelic culture was also woven into the day’s events, recognizing the language, music, and traditions carried to these shores by early Scottish settlers aboard the original Hector – milling frolic, a Gaelic song workshop, highland dancing, blacksmith workshops and descendant genealogy tracing took place following the launch.

Vern Shea, Ship Hector Project Manager, said: “This wasn’t just about launching a ship. It was about years of craftsmanship, community effort, and cultural responsibility. We’ve rebuilt something that carries real meaning,  not only for those who came before us, but for those who will come after. I’m incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished.” The Ship Hector is a replica of the original 1773 vessel that brought the first wave of Scottish settlers to Nova Scotia.

 

Objects recovered from a mysterious 250-year-old burial on Arnish Moor on the Isle of Lewis, star in a new exhibition, on now. The exceptionally well-preserved knitted bonnet and personal belongings of a young man, on loan from National Museums Scotland, are displayed for the first time in a generation at Kinloch Historical Society.  In 1964, the body of a young man was discovered on Arnish Moor, south of Stornoway. Forensic analysis at the time revealed that he was around 20 to 25 years old and identified a fracture on the back of his head that indicates he may have been murdered. The young man’s identity remains unknown, but his clothing and personal belongings provide a rare insight into life in the Outer Hebrides in the early 1700s.

The knitted bonnet is now a brownish green colour, but analysis has revealed traces of indigo typical of the traditional blue bonnets worn in the Scottish Highlands and Islands in the 18^th century. It is displayed alongside other personal items that were found with him, including a wooden comb and quills. These suggest he was educated and was perhaps a scholar or an apprentice clerk. The young man’s clothing, including a stylish but well-worn jacket covered in intricate hand-stitched repairs, is too fragile to be displayed.

Murder on the moor

Although the young man’s remains were not discovered until the 1960s, stories of a murder on the moor have been passed down through generations, becoming part of the lore and identity of the local community.

Dr Anna Groundwater, Principal Curator of Renaissance and Early Modern History at National Museums Scotland, said:  “We don’t know who this person was, but the quality of his clothes and possessions paints a portrait of a learned young man who cared about how he looked, despite being of limited means. We do know that his life was cut tragically short. It has been a privilege to work with colleagues at the Kinloch Historical Society and with the local community in Lewis to bring his story to life and learn more about the historical context and oral traditions that surround the mystery of the Arnish Moor Man.”

Anna MacKenzie, Heritage Manager at Kinloch Historical Society, said:   “The story of the Arnish Moor Man is one that appears regularly in our local Folk Lore. What happened to this young man is a mystery. By hosting this exhibition, we hope members of the public will be inspired to revisit the tales they grew up with and seek the answers of this 18th century murder. The Kinloch Historical society are very proud of the relationship we are building with National Museums Scotland.  They have been a great source of support and it is a privilege to be displaying these items, that have never been shown locally before.”

Arnish Moor Man is on now at the Kinloch Historical Society, Lewis, and runs until March 2026. For details see: www.kinlochhistoricalsociety.co.uk

Main photo: Curators examine clothing discovered on Kinloch Moor, 18th century. Photo: Duncan McClean.

 

 

500 years ago this year, the Archbishop of Glasgow Gavin Dunbar issued the most extraordinary curse against the lawless reivers – the gangs who raided across the Scots/ English border and who wreaked havoc on the lives of ordinary folk. The 1069-word curse in Scots was designed to be read out by priests in churches in the border lands and is amazingly thorough, cursing everything from their body parts to their animals and vegetables, as Judy Vickers explains.

The early 16^th century was not a good time to be living on the lands on either side of the Scottish-English border. True, there was no point in the previous few centuries – ever since the Scottish-English border had started to form its modern route in the 11^th century – where life had exactly been easy. Murder, theft, rape, kidnap and blackmail were part and parcel of everyday life. Cattle raids across the border could involve anything from a handful of men to 3,000 – a mini army, all armed and in their “steel bonnets” or helmets.

Reivers ruled

Reivers ruled – clans with more loyalty to family than distant king or country – and their colourful nicknames reveal the brutality of their existence – such as Jock “Half-Lugs” (Half-ears) Elliot, “Fingerless” Will Nixon and “Nebless” (Noseless) Clem Crozier. Many were killed in these cross-border skirmishes, including children, and clergy on both sides were not immune – a fine price could be raised by holding a man of the cloth ransom. Perhaps understandable then that 500 years ago this year, in 1525, an exasperated Archbishop of Glasgow, Gavin Dunbar, lost all patience with the lawless gangs and issued a spectacular and remarkably thorough 1069-word curse in Scots designed to be read out by priests in churches in the border lands.

It starts with their body parts, moving from head to toe – “I curse thair heid and all the haris of thair heid [I curse their head and all the hairs on their head] . . . to the soill of their feit [sole of their feet]” – then curses them whatever they are doing – sleeping, walking, riding, sitting, standing, drinking and eating. It then includes their wives, children, servants, their pigs, hens and geese, their barns, stables, ploughs and even their cabbage patches.

He then calls for a range of Biblical horrors, including the flood of Noah, the fires of Sodom and Gomorra and the plagues of Egypt, to be rained down on them. “May the waters of the Tweed and other waters which they use, drown them, as the Red Sea drowned King Pharaoh and the people of Egypt . . . May the earth open, split and cleave, and swallow them straight to hell,” he went on, forbidding any Christian to have anything to do with them, and concluding: “And, finally, I condemn them perpetually to the deep pit of hell, to remain with Lucifer and all his fellows, and their bodies to the gallows of the Burrow moor, first to be hanged, then torn apart with dogs, swine, and other wild beasts, abominable to all the world.”

The growl of a toothless lion

It is the longest recorded curse in the English language but sadly failed to have little effect. It was “the growl of a toothless lion” according to Robert Borland, a Borders minister, in his book about the raids written in 1898.  This was an area semi-detached from the rule of law in either Scotland or England, ever since the border had started to form its modern route in the 11th century as Lothian – the area around and south of Edinburgh – was absorbed into the Scottish kingdom. Kings on both sides needed to keep Border lords sweet – they had a habit of changing side if they thought they could get a better deal. And government-appointed wardens were either ignored if they came from outside the area or stuck to family loyalties if local.

The border roughly followed the same line as it does now but there were many disputed sections – in the 13^th century, six knights from Scotland and the same number from England attempted to walk the route but failed to agree, nor was a second attempt with double the number of knights any more successful. At the time of the curse, an area at the western end of the border was known as the Debatable Land – a lawless no man’s land, a haven for outlaws – with several other “disputed lands” along its length. At Ba’ Green, for instance, the land was said to be held for the year by whichever side – Scotland’s Coldstream or England’s Wark – won an annual game of football. Few places had such civilised contests though; Berwick on Tweed, at the east end of the border,   changed hands several times over the centuries, often bloodily – in 1296 much of the town was destroyed and many inhabitants massacred by the English king Edward I.

The area even had its own special legislation. The Law of the Marches ran in the Borders, allowing for Days of Truce where each side was given safe conduct in a chosen town while wardens attempted to sort out murder, theft and other disputes. The unique border law also allowed for the “hot trod”, where wronged parties pursued cattle rustlers (complete with burning turf on the end of a lance) and executed summary justice if they came across the perpetrators red handed.

Notorious reiver families

And while the lives of the reivers (the name comes from the Old English meaning to rob) could sometimes be romanticised – the ballad of Johnnie Armstrong about the capture and execution of the leader of one of the most notorious reiver families has him squaring up bravely to the king – the preamble of the Archbishop’s curse or monition makes it clear how horrific times must have been for ordinary folk. “We hear how that men, wiffis and bairs, redeamed by the precious blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and living in his laws, are innocently part murdered, part slain, burned, hurt, spoiled and ripped, openly by daylight and under silence of the night, and their farms and lands laid waste, and their self banished therefor.”

Dunbar, a fierce opponent of the new Protestant religion who oversaw the burning of heretics, was from an influential figure. His uncle was Archbishop of Aberdeen, he was tutor to the young James V and was made Lord Chancellor in 1528. But he was cursing at a bad time – the Battle of Flodden just 12 years earlier in 1513 had seen the death of the Scottish king James IV and the political situation between the two nations was unstable and volatile.

The reivers continued in their lawless ways then – during the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I later in the century there was even talk of rebuilding Hadrian’s Wall to contain the violence. Bastle houses – with the living quarters on the upper floor with any attackers having to climb a single defendable staircase – were common on both sides of the border. But it was only when the Scottish king James VI also took the crown of England that the reivers’ days were numbered. No longer were there two sides to play off against each other and eventually the reivers were clamped down on with many hanged or banished to Ulster.

Main photo: Reivers raid on Gilnockie Tower. Credit: G Cattermole, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

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Oh, the summertime has come

and the trees are sweetly bloomin’

the wild mountain thyme

grows around the blooming heather

will ye go, lassie, go?

 

So opens the classic folk song Wild Mountain Thyme, based on poet Robert Tannahill’s early 19^th century composition, The Braes of Balquhither. In just a few lines this love song paints a vivid picture of the promise and plenty of summer in the Scottish Highlands. It is a scene inextricably tied to a way of life long lost — the annual migration of people and their cattle to the summer shielings where such wonders awaited them.

Until the very time when The Braes of Balquhither was composed, from springtime through summer people from rural communities across Scotland left their permanent homes and accompanied livestock into the hills where they could be grazed on open, common ground. The notion of uprooting for several months of the year may seem unthinkable to modern people unless for a holiday, but for most of human history across much of the globe this was the norm.

Different communities varied the exact timings, but in general the typical shieling season went like this: upland grazing lasted from April through August, with animals accompanied into the hills categorically by age and desired output. Each group would graze for around a month before being brought back to the settlements and another led away in turn. Young animals – mostly cattle, horses, and sheep – would be brought out first in April, followed by dairy producing animals in May.

Shieling season

Since dairy cattle needed to be milked daily, dairymaids accompanied them and lived with them in shielings all through the summer. This meant that a sizeable portion of any given community, mainly girls and women, were away in the shielings, returning only occasionally. It was a time of great merriment when they rejoined their villages in August with groups of fattened, productive livestock in tow.

This movement of livestock and attendant people into the upland shielings was at the heart of the ancient practice of transhumance. It is the seasonal movement of people away from their permanent residences into a wider landscape of habitation and productivity, known to anthropologists as a ‘task-scape’. Transhumance was and still is practiced by cultures around the world and was designated as part of the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ by UNESCO in 2023.

If one were to walk into the hills in summer you would likely hear singing coming from the shielings as the women set their work to a rhythm. Boys would often bring flutes or fiddles and, as you might imagine, many a romantic pairing blossomed among the shielings. The shielings and transhumance system were not separate from community life, but a fundamental part of it.

The shielings themselves are still with us. The remains of thousands of small drystone structures dot the upland slopes of Scotland, often in small clusters near burns and under the shelter of hillocks or rock faces. Some shielings, especially in the Outer Hebrides and Northwest Highlands, were made from dried peat and earth and have vanished altogether. Some, in a fascinating interplay with the far more distant past, were raised atop and within Bronze Age and Iron Age structures like hillforts, duns, and wheelhouses. Many place names in Scotland are derived from this practice. Places incorporating ‘shiel’ as in Loch Shiel, ‘airigh’ as in Gleann Airigh in Argyll, and ‘ruighe’ as in Portree (Port Ruighe) in Skye all harken back to it.

Source of much folklore

Often situated in isolated, windswept areas far from the lights of villages, it’s no wonder that shielings were the source of much folklore – much of it sinister. By definition, shielings existed beyond the well-trodden, cultivated areas of human settlement, on the other side of the turf dykes which demarcated the boundaries of many rural communities. Upland areas are now, and were then, perceived as ‘liminal places’ straddling the line between civilisation and wilderness, between the known and the unknown. They are often replete with pools and lochans as well as caves, rock shelters, and glacial mounds. This makes such areas the perfect environment for entities like trows, giants, fairy folk, and water-horses.

On the Orcadian island of Rousay, the upland Loch of Knitchen is home to a water-horse who blends in with the herds brought up to graze by the shore-dwellers. When the hapless attendant, often a young man or woman, lays their hand on it to return it to their village they are dragged into the water and devoured. A similar tale haunts Loch an Eich Uisge – the Loch of the Water-horse – in Barra, where a young dairymaid narrowly avoided a gruesome fate by cleverly escaping a water-horse who took the form of a dashing young man. Nearby that loch is the Shieling of the One Night, so-called because shieling-dwellers refused to stay in it for more than a single night. Disturbances were attributed not just to the water-horse but to devils in a nearby cave which is said to lead into the centre of the island.

Some beings even had shielings of their own. Pallaidh, the king of the úruisgean  (also known as brownies or broonies), had his summer dwelling at Ruighe Pheallaidh in Glen Lyon while living for the rest of the year along the waterfalls above the town named after him, Aberfeldy (Obar Pheallaidh). He even left a footprint in a stone outcrop in Glen Lyon which is sometimes also attributed to Saint Palladius from the 5^th century.

A major factor that ended transhumance and shieling culture in Scotland was the arrival of the Cheviot and Blackface sheep breeds. As discussed in my May article on How sheep conquered Scotland, these breeds required extensive and intensive access to lower, fertile grazing grounds, shifting communal priorities away from the uplands. The 18^th and 19^th centuries were also times of land enclosure, consolidation, and clearance, leading to the emptying of entire communities and the abandonment of huge swathes of upland areas once home to hundreds of seasonal shielings.

Back in vogue

Today, shielings are coming back in vogue. Modern architects have used shielings as the inspiration for new homes built across the Highlands and Islands, and several conservation areas – such as Abriachan Wood near Loch ness – have reconstructed shielings to use as arts spaces. I fondly recall the sense of calm and community fostered by the Abriachan shieling while on a writing retreat with Moniack Mhor, during which we read poems and warmed ourselves in its shelter.

So, as the summertime comes and the trees are sweetly bloomin’, cast your mind back to a time when the lasses led the cows to the hills, the shielings rang out with music, and the circle of community life among Scotland’s rural landscapes gained another golden notch.

By: David C. Weinczok

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Calling all Clans, the City of Armadale Highland Gathering needs you! The City of Armadale (Perth, Western Australia) is hosting their annual Highland Gathering on 5 October 2025, and they would love to have you join them. Hosted alongside the Perth Kilt Run, this is the largest Highland Gathering event in Western Australia.

Featuring all things Scottish, this event brings together Scottish heritage and provides a great day out for the entire family. The gathering of Clans allows those with Scottish roots to explore, celebrate and connect with their history, and plenty of entertainment for all attendees, regardless of your heritage. The day will feature Highland dancing, and a traditional strong man competition. There will be a host of Scottish dogs to socialise with, live performances, and a place for stallholders and Clans to gather. It will have a Scottish inspired tavern, brought to you by the Scottish Masonic Charitable Foundation of Western Australia.

A huge gathering of Scottish culture and heritage   

This year’s event will see the return of the Armadale Atlas Stones, nine reinforced concrete spheres ranging in weight from 9kgs-161kgs. Lifting stones have been a feature in many European cultures and serve as a traditional test of strength and endurance. Anyone can have a go at lifting these stones. How many can you lift? There will be pipe band competitions, a medieval fair, as well as a range of children’s activities and food stalls.

The Perth Kilt Run has grown year on year as an exciting addition to the Highland Gathering, now offering a 2.5km Classic and a 5km Warrior run. The 2.5km course is a flat concrete surfaced route for maximum accessibility. You can participate in this year’s event with your dog, with a specially designated start to ensure the safety of all our human and canine competitors in the 2.5km Classic with Dogs. This is a huge gathering of Scottish culture and heritage, shared by thousands of people who come to enjoy the atmosphere and festivities.

Please visit www.perthkiltrun.com.au for more information.

 

People are being invited to take a tour of Scotland in the mid-19^th century through the online records of National Records of Scotland.  When the Ordnance Survey (OS) created its first six-inch to the mile maps, its surveyors travelled the country to collect place-names and their spellings. They would use existing publications and local people as sources. It took them almost 40 years to gather all the information.

The result was arguably the first comprehensive gazetteer of Scotland. The Ordnance Survey name books detail just about every geographical feature from Out Stack, the most northly part of Shetland, to the Mull of Galloway, the most southerly part of Scotland.

The books date from between 1845 and 1880. They contain around 300,000 place entries and include everything from famous castles to small local landmarks.

The first comprehensive gazetteer of places in Scotland

The Ordnance Survey name books were also the first systematic attempt at recording Gaelic place-names. The books offer a snapshot in time, capturing the country as it was in Victorian times. The Wallace Monument in Stirling was only at its foundation course at the time of being surveyed in 1861-1862.

The entry for Ardross Castle, location for TV show The Traitors, remarks on it being ‘an elegant modern building’. Archaeological features are sometimes sketched, including the Maiden Stone at Garioch in Aberdeenshire.

Archivist Jessica Evershed said: “The Ordnance Survey used the name books to inform the spelling of places on their first edition six-inch maps of Scotland. They could be considered the first comprehensive gazetteer of places in Scotland. These records will be fascinating to local and family historians, hoping to understand the evolution of the Scottish landscape and of the places their ancestors worked and lived. They can offer explanations of the origins of place-names from local people, including stories of how place-names came about. Sadly, some of these stories are now forgotten with the passage of time. You can search for a favourite historic building or landmark and compare the historical entry with how it looks today.”

The records are available at: www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

Main photo: Maiden stone, Chapel of Garioch, Aberdeenshire. Entry includes a sketch of a Pictish stone cross slab with two possible local legends mentioned about its past neither of which was a happy tale for the eponymous Maiden.

 

Ancient stone structures can be found across Scotland, dating back thousands of years, offering the visitor an insight into Scotland’s incredible ancient communities. Steeped in history and surrounded by legends these mystical megalithic monuments tell us a story of civilizations long before us, who celebrated their most important ceremonies and rituals amongst them, and the importance these mysterious monuments have had for generations.

While thousands flock to Stonehenge each year, Scotland’s ancient standing stones offer a more peaceful alternative, with the added bonus of spectacular scenery and fewer crowds.  Online searches for “standing stones” in Scotland has risen by 101% over the past quarter.

Tapping into this growing trend, VisitScotland has launched a refreshed guide to the country’s most atmospheric stone circles, helping travellers experience these ancient places that feel truly off the beaten path.  Each year, more people are drawn to these ancient sites to watch the sunrise, honour seasonal change, or simply find a moment of connection and calm. From weathered stone circles on remote islands to mysterious alignments in wild glens, these make for the ideal locations for those looking to welcome the sun in a more reflective way.  Here we look at just some of the incredible historical sites you can find on your next visit to Scotland.

Kilmartin Glen, Argyll

The ancient area of Kilmartin Glen in Argyll is home to more than 350 ancient monuments, including both the Nether Largie Standing Stones and the Temple Wood Stone Circle. The Nether Largie Stones are among the most significant prehistoric monuments in Scotland. Believed to be over 5,000 years old, the stones are thought to align with key astronomical events, including the midsummer sunrise. Set against a backdrop of green hills and misty moorland, the site offers an evocative space to experience the Solstice.

Temple Wood’s 13 standing stones form one of the best-preserved stone circles in the area. The site’s use began before 3000 BC and continued into the Bronze Age, with evidence of an earlier timber circle predating the stones by nearly 2,000 years. It’s a quietly evocative place that adds even more depth to the glen’s rich prehistoric landscape. To begin your journey, Kilmartin Museum is an essential first stop. Recently redeveloped, the museum provides fascinating context on the area’s archaeological heritage and offers a self-guided trail map linking many of the glen’s key sites by foot.

Machrie Moor Standing Stones, Isle of Arran

Recently named as an official UNESCO Global Geopark, the Isle of Arran boasts one of the most remarkable ancient landscapes in Britain. Situated on the west coast of the Isle, Machrie Moor is home to six stone circles, each with its own formation, age and story. The tallest stones, some rising over four metres, create a striking silhouette against the open sky. Reached via a one-mile path across moorland, this wild and windswept setting offers an atmospheric experience. As the sun dips or rises over the hills, the scale and symmetry of these ancient stones take on an otherworldly glow.

Sueno’s Stone, Moray Speyside

Towering at nearly 7 metres tall, Sueno’s Stone is Scotland’s tallest and most intricately carved Pictish monument. Situated on the eastern edge of Forres in Moray Speyside, this monumental cross-slab dates from the late 9^th or early 10^th century and was most likely designed to be a landmark, visible from a great distance. The stone still remains in its original location, a rarity among early medieval carved stones.

Enclosed within a protective glass structure, Sueno’s Stone is accessible year-round and free to visit. Its proximity to other landmarks, such as Brodie Castle, a grand 16^th century castle that was the ancestral home of the Brodie clan for over 400 years, and Macbeth’s Hillock, where Shakespeare’s Macbeth is said to have met the three witches, makes it a great choice for those interested in Scotland’s history, both factitious and historical.

Clava Cairns, Inverness

Only a 20-minute drive from Inverness, Clava Cairns is one of Scotland’s most hauntingly beautiful prehistoric sites. This well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery complex features ring cairns, passage graves and standing stones, nestled in a quiet woodland setting. Built over 4,000 years ago, it’s thought the site may have been aligned with the midwinter sunset, but its spiritual atmosphere makes it a special place to visit at any seasonal turning point, including the Summer Solstice.

Steeped in myth and mystery, Clava Cairns has inspired everything from archaeological theories to fictional tales; it’s even said to have influenced the Craigh na Dun stones in the Outlander series. Visiting offers a chance to reflect, recharge, and experience a powerful sense of continuity between past and present. Just a short distance away you can also find the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, offering powerful insight into one of Scotland’s defining historic moments and providing an added layer of context for those exploring the area’s deep cultural roots.

Achavanich, Caithness

In the far North Highlands lies Achavanich, one of the country’s most enigmatic and distinctive prehistoric sites. Dating back over 4,000 years, this unusual horseshoe shaped arrangement sees its stones positioned with their broadest faces turned inward toward the centre, an orientation rarely seen in other stone circles across Scotland or beyond.  Perched on a plateau near Loch Stemster, Achavanich offers a sense of scale and solitude that’s hard to match. Its remote location, dramatic skies, and curious construction make it an immersive place to reflect. With minimal light pollution and few visitors, it’s one of the most peaceful places in the country to mark the turning of the seasons.

The site lies within the Flow Country, the UK’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s first Peatland World Heritage Site. Considered the most outstanding example of an actively accumulating blanket bog landscape, the peatland ecosystem has been accumulating for the past 9,000 years. Nearby, you can visit the scenic Loch Rangag, which offers sweeping views across the peatlands, and the remains of Rangag Broch, one of many ancient landmarks that speak to Caithness’s remarkable archaeological past.

Ring of Brodgar, Orkney

The Ring of Brodgar is believed to have been constructed sometime between 2600 and 2400 BC. The surrounding burial mounds and stone setting likely date from between 2500 and 1500. The stone ring was built in a true circle, 104 metres wide and originally contained sixty megaliths; today only twenty-seven of these stones remain.

The reason for the creation of the Ring of Brodgar, which would have been a considerable amount of work in that time, is not known for sure, perhaps as an astronomical observatory, religious shrine or rituals. The Ring of Brodgar along with Stones of Stenness, Maeshowe and Skara Brae make up the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999.

Ballochroy Standing Stones, Kintyre Peninsula

Located near the western shore of the Kintyre Peninsula, the Ballochroy stones are thought to be aligned with distant mountain peaks and possibly even midsummer sunsets. The three tall stones sit in a line with views across to the island of Jura, creating a natural observatory that links sky, sea and stone. It’s an ideal place for those seeking a raw, elemental Solstice experience.

The stones form part of the scenic Kintyre 66 route, which loops around the peninsula and highlights its natural beauty and heritage. Nearby, you can explore the harbour town of Campbeltown, known for its distilleries and historic waterfront, or take a short ferry to the peaceful island of Gigha, home to white-sand beaches and views across to Islay and Jura. It’s a corner of Scotland where ancient landscapes and island calm come together.

Calanais Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis

The Calanais Standing Stones were erected between 2900 and 2600 BC – before the main circle at England’s Stonehenge. Ritual activity at the site may have continued for 2000 years. The area inside the circle was levelled and the site gradually became covered with peat between 1000 and 500 BC. Peat cutting around the site in 1857 revealed the true height of the stones. It’s possible that there’s plenty more archaeology sealed beneath the peat that covers much of the Western Isles.

There are at least 11 smaller stone circles surrounding Calanais. Some of these date from much later than the central circle, which indicates the complex was in use for several centuries. These are crucial to help with the understanding of the significance of this area, and how the landscape was used by prehistoric people. The stones are set on a prominent ridge, easily visible from land and sea for miles around.

To find out more about Scotland’s standing stones, please visit: www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/attractions/historic/standing-stones  

Main photo: Machrie Moor Standing Stones. Photo: VisitScotland.

DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED TO SATURDAY NOVEMBER, 22.

The unmistakable sound of bagpipes will echo through the vines once again as the Hunter Valley Highland Games returns to Saltire Estate, Lovedale, for a full day of Scottish heritage, athletic feats, and family fun. Set against the picturesque backdrop of one of Australia’s premier wine regions, this year’s event promises to be the biggest yet, with 11 Pipe Bands, traditional Highland dancing, the legendary Toss the Caber, and awe-inspiring Heavy Lifting competitions.

“This is more than just a sporting event,” said the organising committee. “It’s a powerful and joyful celebration of the Hunter Valley’s deep Scottish roots, with something for all generations.”

In addition to the thrilling athletic events, visitors will enjoy:

• A Jacobite re-enactment display
• Encounters with Highland Cows
• Jumping castles and face painting for the little ones
• Wine tasting at Saltire Estate winery
• Market stalls, Scottish crafts, and more surprises throughout the day
• Delicious food and coffee

Friendly dogs on leashes are welcome, and families are encouraged to arrive early to secure parking. With large crowds expected, visitors should bring a picnic rug or camp chair and settle in for a day steeped in Highland pride.

Hunter Valley Highland Games takes place on Saturday, 22 November and gates open at 8:00 AM at Saltire Estate, 113 Wilderness Rd, Lovedale NSW 2325. Tickets available via www.hvhg.com.au or www.trybooking.com/1336274

 

Following its successful launch in June this year, the Caledonian Society of Sydney is proud to announce its second event, taking place on Wednesday, August 14th at The Orient Hotel in The Rocks, Sydney.

Created as a modern platform for those with roots or strong ties to Scotland, the Society aims to foster community, connection, and collaboration within the Sydney business landscape. Whether through shared heritage or shared ambition, the Caledonian Society offers a space to network, share ideas, and build commerce among like-minded professionals.

“We’ve established this society to create something lasting — a network where Scots in Sydney can support one another in meaningful ways,” said Chairman Paul Gallagher. “It’s about heritage, yes, but it’s also about mentorship, business support, and making sure the next generation of Scots here feel welcome and connected.”

As part of its mission, the Society is committed to supporting young Scots entering the Sydney business world, offering not only professional guidance but a safe, supportive mentoring space to help them thrive.

The August 14th event is free to attend and will feature guest speakers, networking opportunities, and a chance to learn more about the Society’s goals and future plans.

With eyes already on a St Andrew’s Day celebration later this year, the Caledonian Society of Sydney is quickly becoming a key gathering point for the Scottish-Australian business community.

For more information, visit: www.linkedin.com/company/the-caledonian-society.

Glasgow is getting ready to once again welcome The World Pipe Band Championships – a spectacular Scottish cultural highlight that’s always greatly anticipated by audiences from near and far.

This year’s ‘Worlds’ will be held on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 August at Glasgow Green. It is the 77^th time the renowned and historic international contest has been staged in the city. The global pinnacle of the piping competitive circuit, the championships bring together the world’s finest pipers and drummers to compete for glory in the ultimate, fiercely-fought ‘battle of the bands’. Last year’s ‘Worlds’ saw more than 7,000 competitors demonstrating their dedication, passion, skills and talent. The event attracted over 35,000 attendees and was also watched by huge virtual audiences worldwide, thanks to BBC broadcasts and streaming.

The two-day contest culminated in Scotland’s Inveraray & District Pipe Band taking the title of 2024 World Champions.  Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band of Lisburn, Northern Ireland were runners-up and Simon Fraser University of Canada took third place.  This year, with even more bands taking part – a total of 207, representing 15 countries from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand, Oman and Zimbabwe – the competition promises to be intense and exciting.

Organisers the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association are introducing a new format for the 2025 ‘Worlds’.  On the first day, following the initial performances by Grade 1 bands, the focus will be on young talent. The Juvenile, and Novice Juvenile A and B bands will compete in a dedicated youth competition, giving more than 1,540 under 18s an unprecedented opportunity to shine on ‘the Worlds’ stage.

Friday’s finale will be a massed performance by all the young bands followed by their prize-giving celebration, ensuring a memorable, inspiring experience for competitors and spectators alike.

On Saturday, the spotlight is on the senior bands as their competition hots up. The two-day ‘Worlds’ will culminate in the final awards ceremony, when the top six senior grade bands and three drum major grades receive their awards before the announcement of the 2025 World Pipe Band Champions.

Colin Mulhern, Chief Executive of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, said: “Our decision to stage a dedicated youth competition as part of the 2025 World Pipe Band Championships is underpinned by our mission to nurture young talent in piping and drumming. Showcasing the incredible talent and skills of the next generation, the youth competition also reinforces our ongoing commitment to the future of pipe band music.We hope as many people as possible will come to support these brilliant young performers as they take their well-earned place at the heart of the world’s premier pipe band event. As ever, tickets are in great demand for the event, so anyone who doesn’t want to miss out on the experience should book now for Friday 15 and Saturday 16 August.”

On both days, spectators at the iconic ‘Worlds’ can look forward to a great day out, with family-friendly entertainment and activities, inspirational performances, and sensational sounds and sights. They can expect:

• 207 bands – 53 from overseas – amassing on Glasgow Green to perform, showcase their skills and talent and compete. The bands represent 15 countries; the largest contingent is from Scotland (122 bands), followed by Northern Ireland (25 bands), USA (14 bands), and Eire (10 bands).
• Competitors’ ages range from novice juveniles in their early teens to experienced seniors, the oldest of whom are in their 70s.  More than 1,500 musicians will compete in Friday’s youth competition and, on Saturday, over 6,000 band members will compete across the Grade 1, Grade 2, Grades 3A & 3B, and Grades 4A & 4B categories.
• One of the world’s most colourful championships – with most bands wearing different tartans. Traditionally, pipers and drummers wear kilts in their band’s chosen tartan (usually related to clan affiliation, their founder’s heritage or regimental links). Their resplendent uniforms are topped off with distinctive Glengarry bonnets.
• Roughly 52 km or 32 miles of tartan worn by competitors (as the average length of fabric in a traditional kilt is between 5 and 7.5 metres of tartan).
• A wealth of traditional Scottish music. The pieces bands are required to play to demonstrate their skills differs according to their grade – from march time signatures at lower levels to MSRs (a set of tunes consisting of a March, a Strathspey and a Reel) or musical medleys at higher levels. The top Grade 1 bands play both an MSR and a medley.
• A wide variety of market, food and drink stalls, an Innis & Gunn bar, and a mini traditional funfair.

The championships take place during the world’s biggest week of piping, alongside Glasgow International Piping Festival Piping Live! which this year celebrates its 22nd edition, with events taking place from Monday 11 August to Sunday 17 August.

‘The Worlds’ are staged on behalf of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association by Glasgow Life – the charity which delivers culture and active living events and experiences to support mental, physical and economic wellbeing in Glasgow. The event is supported by funding from EventScotland, part of VisitScotland.

Glasgow Life Chair, Bailie Annette Christie, said: “Glasgow is privileged to be home to the world’s biggest celebration of Scotland’s national instrument. Every summer our great UNESCO City of Music is filled with sensational sounds and sights as the traditional and contemporary music of the bagpipes is showcased during our prestigious World Pipe Band Championships and vibrant Piping Live! festival. The continued success of both events demonstrates the thriving interest there is worldwide in Scottish culture and music.The Worlds and Piping Live! are extremely important to, and valued by, Glasgow; they enhance the city’s international profile, boost tourism, and contribute significantly to our economy. We are therefore delighted once again to welcome performers, competitors and visitors to these wonderful events.”

Rob Dickson, VisitScotland Director of Industry and Events, said: “There is definitely no better place in the world than Scotland to experience the magic of piping, and both the World Pipe Band Championships – the pinnacle of the competitive piping calendar – and the vibrant Piping Live! as part of our diverse portfolio of events and festivals taking place this summer. Events like these not only bring people together to share unforgettable experiences, they also play a vital role in helping driving Scotland’s visitor economy. They attract audiences and participants from across the globe, boosting local businesses, supporting jobs, and showcasing our rich cultural heritage to the world. Glasgow will once again provide the perfect stage as competitors from across the globe come together to showcase their talents at ‘the Worlds’, while Piping Live! brings the city to life with a vibrant celebration of both traditional and contemporary bagpipe music.”

Further details of the 2025 World Pipe Band Championships, and tickets for the event, are available at www.theworlds.co.uk.  Highlights from the event will be broadcast on BBC Scotland on Thursday 21 August.

Details of the full festival programme for Piping Live!, which is organised by The National Piping Centre, can be found at https://pipinglive.co.uk/.

New research from the University of St Andrews has shown that those who claim to see the Loch Ness Monster are not influenced by traditional depictions of what she looks like. Throughout history, people have drawn serpentine aquatic monsters that undulate vertically at the surface of the water with visible humps. Even today Nessie memorabilia depicts the monster as having three humps.

In a new paper, published in the history of science journal Endeavour, Dr Charles Paxton of the University of St Andrews and Adrian Shine of the Loch Ness Centre looked at the history of hooped sea monster imagery and considered its current cultural prevalence. They investigated the frequency of such imagery in postcards, finding that around 25-32% of all Nessie postcards have hooped imagery. However, this swimming method would be very inefficient, so no real animals would swim this way at the surface.

Portrayals of monsters

Those who claim to have seen Nessie seldom report hoops or humps – such description only occurs in around 1.5% of Nessie reports, implying that witnesses are not influenced by all the souvenirs and postcard imagery. This result goes against previous work which suggests witnesses are quite often influenced by media and other portrayals of monsters.

In the Nessie case, witnesses may not have seen a real monster, but these recent results do suggest that most witnesses do try to report what they experienced. Dr Paxton, from the University’s Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM), said: “Scholars often assume that monsters are generated by cultural expectations, but it is always useful to test obvious hypotheses. In this case it really seems witness do not generally report the impossible, even though the hooped monster is a common portrayal of Nessie.”

Outlander: Blood of my Blood, the highly anticipated prequel series, premiered Friday, August 8, on STARZ/August 9^th in Australia on Stan and on Neon in New Zealand.

In advance of the series, new artwork was made available, teasing the two lead couples — Julia Moriston (Hermione Corfield) and Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine); and Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater) and Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy).

Outlander: Blood of my Blood brings viewers from the war-torn battlefields of WWI to the sweeping Highlands of 18^th century Scotland, promising two new love stories filled with loyalty, passion and desire, as the young couples defy the forces that seek to tear them apart.

New episodes of the timeless romantic drama will be available to stream weekly for 10 episodes on Fridays only on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms in the USA. Also on Stan Saturday’s in Australia and Neon in New Zealand.

Two fated love stories

Outlander: Blood of my Blood spotlights two fated love stories set in different time periods, which explore the lives and relationships of Julia Moriston (Hermione Corfield) and Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine) in World War I England, and Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater) and Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy) in the rugged Highlands of early 18^th century Scotland.

These two new couples must fight against all odds to defy the forces that seek to tear them apart as their love stories unfold across time.

A stand-alone prequel series, Outlander: Blood of my Blood features new cast, characters and stories welcoming viewers unfamiliar with the Outlander universe, while also providing origin stories of fan-favourite characters from early seasons of Outlander, and offering new perspectives that will change what viewers of the original series think they know.

In addition to Corfield, Irvine, Slater and Roy, who play the parents of Outlander’s central couple, Claire and Jamie, Outlander: Blood of my Blood stars Tony Curran as Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat, Séamus McLean Ross as Colum MacKenzie, Sam Retford as Dougal MacKenzie, Rory Alexander as Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser, and Conor MacNeill as Ned Gowan.

New episodes of Outlander: Blood of my Blood will air weekly on Fridays at 8:00 pm ET/PT on STARZ in the U.S. and at 9:00 pm ET/PT in Canada.

New episodes of Outlander: Blood of my Blood will air exclusively on Stan in Australia and Neon in New Zealand.

Main photo: Harriet Slater (Ellen MacKenzie) and Jamie Roy (Brian Fraser).

All images courtesy of STARZ.

Clans will gather once again at Kryal Castle, Ballarat, to the rousing sound of a lone piper calling all kin within the mighty Castle walls, as the Highland Spectacular returns for its third year on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August 2025.

A celebration of Scottish heritage and culture, this year’s event promises to be even more spectacular, with Simon Abney-Hastings, the 15^th Earl of Loudoun, returning as the Chief of the Day.

Displays of skill and strength

The crowd favourite battle between the knights of England and Scotland returns to the main arena. Lances will be smashed in the heroic joust to prove once and for all that Scots are indeed the superior warriors.

Armiger for Clan McKinnon and event producer, Andrew McKinnon, will wear the arms granted by Lord Lyon on his jousting shield, making him one of the few knights to fight under their own arms since the Middle Ages.

You’ll also see ‘The Bruce’ demonstrating his prowess in the skill-at-arms, riding his mighty steed against de Bohun, and witness incredible feats of strength as the burly lads and lasses from Highland Muscle demonstrate caber tossing, hammer throw and other expositions of superhuman Highland strength.

Scottish culture comes to life 

For those who have never been to Edinburgh for the Tattoo, this is as close as you can get outside of Scotland. See massed pipes and drums celebrating the music of Scotland in the main arena, and enjoy spirited Highland dancing.

For the animal lovers, there will be Highland ponies, a Highland cow, and the noble deerhound display.

Even more Clan tents will be available this year, offering attendees information on Scottish family origins and ancestry. There will be vendors selling kilts and Scottish regalia, haggis, potato scones, whisky and other delicious Scottish fare. Our featured Clan for the event will be Clan MacDonald.

On Saturday evening, enjoy a traditional Highland Feast with haggis and other fine Scottish culinary delights. Accompanying the delicious food will be selected whiskeys and a talk about the distilling and tasting notes. After dinner, take part in a ceilidh, with the stirring Hebridean tunes of Auld Alliance, who will also teach you traditional dances.

Medieval family fun

There’s plenty on offer at Kryal Castle to keep kids of all ages entertained, with the knight’s school, archery, demonstrations, face painting, spell casting, potion-making and hands-on learning. Entry also includes access to the dragon’s labyrinth, the knight’s tower and throne room.

Highland Spectacular creative director, Andrew McKinnon, is excited about seeing the event grow in 2025.  He said: “We saw thousands of people attend last year from the huge Scots diaspora around Ballarat and the Central Highlands region of Victoria. It was the biggest turnout to date. I hope that we can attract more proud Scots from wider afield. Kryal Castle is only an hour from Melbourne. To see all the amazing attractions and displays of Scottish culture in a Castle setting makes this the closest thing to being in Scotland. Let’s not forget Ballarat has its own tartan!”

A proud history

The Scots have a proud history in the Ballarat area. Many were attracted by the gold rush and were motivated to emigrate by poverty, famine and social upheaval. The city of Ballarat was first surveyed by William Swan Urquhart, born in Ross Shire, Scotland in 1818. Scottish emigrants took to the opportunities provided by early 19^th century Ballarat, becoming merchants, foundry men, bankers, investors, pastoralists, and mine or business managers.

Their success can be seen in the number of Scots who became notable in public life and for their benevolence in public institutions such as schools, hospitals and public buildings. Notably, statues of both William Wallace and Robert Burns adorn the streets of Ballarat.

The Highland Spectacular is proudly presented by Kryal Castle. Kryal Castle Highland Spectacular tickets are all-inclusive and on sale now. Tickets are available from the Kryal Castle website, www.kryalcastle.com.au/pages/highland-spectacular.

A new and unique book celebrates a rarely acclaimed figure behind the founding of Hibernian Football Club.

Scotland’s capital city is famous for many things, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, the Royal Mile, Princes Street, the port of Leith. It was home to many celebrated people: Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and John Knox among them. It is renowned for its dramatic townscape and the architecture of James Craig, Robert Adam, and William Henry Playfair and others.

The 19^th century city architect David Cousin’s Scots Baronial style is evident in the High Street, Cockburn Street, Jeffrey Street and elsewhere. In one of his creations, the Catholic Institute at 16-28 St Mary’s Street, a new entity was launched by the local parish priest on 6^th August 1875.

Edward Joseph Hannan of St Patrick’s church in the nearby Cowgate announced that a football team was to be created for the benefit of his parishioners, mostly poor first and second-generation Irish who had escaped the Great Famine in the 1840s.

That football team, Hibernian Football Club, celebrates its 150^th anniversary this coming season.  The author of Edinburgh’s First Hibernian, history graduate Mike Hennessy, is a lifelong Hibs fan which is what prompted him to shine a light on this rarely acclaimed figure who arrived in Edinburgh from Ballingarry, Co Limerick in 1861 at the age of 25 – and stayed till his death 30 years later, founding Hibs along the way.

Scotland’s capital

Father Hannan arrived had an immediate impact on his arrival in Edinburgh, working to improve the physical and moral condition of his parishioners, living in some of the most appalling slum tenements with little sanitation, chronic overcrowding and the temptations of alcohol on every street corner and down each dark close. When the Irish arrived, they had little in the way of possessions, had few skills and many could not speak English, making them largely unemployable.

Hannan’s objective was to enable his fellow Irishmen to become valued citizens of Scotland’s capital, contributing to the wealth of the city and to be welcomed rather than shunned by their largely Presbyterian hosts. The vehicles he chose were education, exercise and temperance and to that end he opened a branch of the Catholic Young Men’s Society (CYMS) in 1865 and moved it into the premises on St Mary’s Street in 1870.  The Catholic Institute was newly built following the Edinburgh Improvement Act which had paved the way for the demolition of many of the slums and the building of Cousin -designed replacements.

Hannan involved himself with the civic fabric of the city, joining the Parochial and Schools boards, sponsoring the multi-denominational United Industrial School and building St Ann’s school in the Cowgate. The buildings have survived to the present day, as has the presbytery he built adjacent to his church.  By involving himself in such matters, he ingratiated himself into Edinburgh society and was able to promote the interests of his parishioners and the poor in general. It is one reason why, when his football club was initially denied admission to the Edinburgh Football Association and the Scottish equivalent, on the grounds that they were Irish and not Scottish, he was able to convince the authorities to reverse their decision and not exclude his parishioners from the new and rapidly expanding game. At that time, Edinburgh boasted only four clubs, namely the 3rd Edinburgh Rifle Volunteers (ERV), Thistle, Hanover and Heart of Midlothian, so Hibernian (by the 1880s also referred to as Hibs) added momentum; and a substantial following.

The Associations had also made their decisions based on a false premise. In the first few years after its founding, around half the playing staff had been born in Edinburgh, and one in England, and many of the club’s financial backers were Scots, not Irish. When Father Hannan launched the club, in the great hall of the Catholic Institute which became known as St Mary’s Street Hall, he could hardly have foreseen that within 12 years they would have won the Scottish Cup, an all too rare occasion since then. Nor that in the post war period it would boast arguably the best forward line Scotland has ever seen, the Famous Five. Gordon Smith, Bobby Johnstone, Lawrie Reilly, Eddie Turnbull and Willie Ormond. Nor for that matter that it would be celebrating 150 years in 2025.

The club has been at the forefront of change in several areas, from pylon floodlights, electronic scoreboards, shirt sponsors and undersoil heating to being the first British team to participate in what is now the Champions League, and the first Scottish team to tour Brazil in the 1950s.

To mark the founding of the club, there will be a series of events throughout the year which will be publicised on the club website, beginning with an exhibition at St Mary’s Street Hall, where it all started, open to all fans, on the 6^th of August (visit: www.hibernianfc.co.uk/150).

Edinburgh’s Little Ireland

And to coincide with and further mark the occasion, the first ever biography of Canon Hannan will be published. It tells of how he was born on a farm near Limerick, the second of 11 siblings of how he witnessed the worst excesses of the famine as a teenager, and attended seminaries in Limerick and Dublin where his academic record was outstanding, prior to arriving in Scotland.

The book describes the social divisions, the national and political rivalries and the religious tensions in Edinburgh in the second half of the 19^th century,  the industrialisation and urban development of Scotland’s capital, and the emergence of the game of association football, providing a backdrop to the achievements of the man, and how it was that he came to found the club.

There is some new and unique research, from original documents, and an extensive list of books and articles, which gives a new perspective on exactly how the club came to be founded and the origins of its name, its motto and its early strips; how it lost half of its 1887 Cup winning team to the newly formed Glasgow Celtic; how it became embroiled in the politics of Irish Home Rule; before temporarily stopping playing altogether for some 18 months in 1891, after its home ground, Hibernian Park, was repossessed by its landlord for redevelopment.

Moreover, it takes the reader on a trip of Edinburgh’s Little Ireland, the area from the Cowgate to the Grassmarket, noting its tributaries such as Blackfriars, Niddry and Guthrie Streets where Hannan visited his sick parishioners. And was on one occasion struck down by typhoid. It visits landmarks that still stand today such as the Heriot Schools, Freemasons Halls and Protestant and Catholic churches and schools which stood cheek by jowel, and traces Hannan’s weekly trips to Castle Street or Lauriston in carrying out religious and civic duties.

Edinburgh’s First Hibernian has glowing testimonials from a number of high profile individuals such as Charlie Reid of the Proclaimers, Malcolm McPherson, Hibs former Chairman, Edinburgh councillor Margaret Graham, and Hibs legendary player Pat Stanton who provides a foreword

As one of them, the broadcaster and former professional footballer Pat Nevin aptly puts it, ‘You don’t have to be a Hibernian fan to enjoy it, but it might help.’

The richly illustrated book is available from 6^th August in hardback (£25) from various bookstores in the City and from St Pat’s Church, or can be pre-ordered online from Thirsty Books: www.thirstybooks.com/bookshop/edinburghs-first-hibernian

Main photo: Easter Road Stadium and the impressive Edinburgh skyline at dusk.

Support the Scottish Banner! To donate to assist with production of our publication  and website visit: The Scottish Banner

 

The National Library of Scotland’s official birthday is fast approaching, with the 100th anniversary of its creation via an Act of Parliament falling on Thursday 7 August.

On that day, visitors to the National Library at George IV Bridge Edinburgh and Kelvin Hall in Glasgow will be given their own copy of a special edition centenary comic, created by Beano especially for this occasion. Until copies run out, that is!

National Librarian Amina Shah said: “Beano is the longest running weekly comic created every week in Dundee for almost as long as we’ve been in existence. Beano is loved by kids and adults alike, alongside many iconic characters like Dennis, Gnasher, Minnie and Bananaman. We cannot think of a more appropriate and fun way to mark our official birthday.”

Craig Graham, Beano’s Director of Mayhem, said: “100 years of the National Library of Scotland? That calls for maximum mayhem! It’s been a total joy to bring a bit of Beano mischief to such a brilliant milestone. We had a blast creating the story, and we hope visitors have just as much fun diving into it. The Bash Street Kids managed to get lost in the archives and luckily, no priceless manuscripts were harmed (we think!)”

Visitors on the day will also get the chance to meet special guest Dennis the Menace (who will be kept under the watchful eye of Library staff!).

The special Beano edition features the George IV Bridge building on the cover, while inside the comic readers will be treated to The Bash Street Kids’ visit to the National Library.

On the morning of Thursday 7 August the Library will give away 500 copies of the special edition Beano to lucky visitors at George IV Bridge, Edinburgh and Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. They will be given out on a first-come first-served basis. Visitors will also have the opportunity to sign a giant birthday card, which will be stored in the Library’s archives in perpetuity.

For further details visit: www.nls.uk

The National Museum of Flight at East Fortune, East Lothian celebrates its 50^th anniversary.

Located on an atmospheric former wartime airbase, the attraction has been telling the story of flight and Scotland’s aviation heritage since 1975 and will mark its golden jubilee with a summer programme of special events for visitors. The Museum’s creation followed the donation of a Supermarine Spitfire to the Royal Scottish Museum (now National Museums Scotland) in 1971. Unsuitable for display in Edinburgh, it was instead stored in a hangar at the former RAF airbase at East Fortune. Further aircraft donations followed, including a Hawker Sea Hawk from RNAS Lossiemouth, before the Museum of Flight opened its doors on Monday 7 July 1975, displaying many of the aircraft that remain popular today.

A world-class showcase of civil and military aviation

The National Museum of Flight’s collections have since evolved into a world-class showcase of civil and military aviation. Exhibits include an Avro Vulcan delta-winged bomber as well as an RAF Red Arrows Hawk T.1A that took part in a flypast over Edinburgh in 1999 to celebrate the opening of the Scottish Parliament. The attraction’s most famous exhibit is Scotland’s Concorde which arrived in 2004 following an epic 16-day journey by land and sea from Heathrow airport. The iconic aircraft now sits as the centrepiece of a special exhibition about the story of supersonic flight.

In recent years, the Museum has undergone significant development including the transformation of two former Second World War buildings into the new Fortunes of War and Fantastic Flight galleries.  Another major milestone came in 2016 with the restoration and redevelopment of two Second World War hangars which now house an impressive collection of civil and military aircraft presented alongside interactives and films that tell the stories of those who flew them. Conservation work completed in 2024 also means that the site’s Second World War blast and air raid shelters can now be explored.

The story of flight in Scotland and beyond

This summer the National Museum of Flight is offering a special programme for visitors, including its popular 360 Fest on 6 September.  The event features high-energy mountain bike stunt shows, pedal-powered activities, circular circus workshops and STEM-themed sessions. Throughout the season, there will be a series of engaging lunchtime talks about the Second World War from Ian Brown, assistant curator of aviation with topics ranging from the Enigma machine to the RAF’s food production efforts and the wartime bombing of Haddington.

Visitors will also be able to borrow a Second World War satchel packed with contents that offer a glimpse into RAF life during the Second World War and allow families to discover some of the skills required to be part of the Special Operations Executive. They can also test their code-breaking skills in the Second World War Puzzle Room.

Steve McLean, General Manager at the National Museum of Flight, said: “This is a hugely exciting milestone for the National Museum of Flight. For five decades, we’ve been telling the story of flight in Scotland and beyond, inspiring visitors through our iconic aircraft, fascinating interpretation and displays, and our unique location.  As we celebrate our 50^th anniversary, we’re proud to look back on our remarkable history and delighted to offer a summer of engaging events that will entertain and inspire our visitors about the science and story of flight.”

The National Museum of Flight is open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm. For more details visit: www.nms.ac.uk/flight

When people think about the Glengarry Highland Games they think about pipe bands. The Games are famed for their pipe bands and of course, it’s the home of the prestigious North American Pipe Band Championships™. This year’s Games will be sure to please everyone who comes to Maxville on August 1 and 2 with fifty-three pipe bands gathered to play in the massed pipe bands. Of those bands, forty-five will be competing on Saturday for the Grades 1,2,3,4 and 5 North American Championships.

The Games are thrilled to welcome last year’s North American Pipe Band Champions, the 78^th Fraser Highlanders from Milton, Ontario as well as US bands from New York, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Utah and past champions, the Dunedin Pipe Band from Florida. Canadian bands represent the provinces of Nova Scotia, British Columbia, PEI, Quebec and over twenty bands from Ontario including the Games’ own Glengarry Pipe Bands.

Both Friday and Saturday will provide lots of opportunities to enjoy even more piping and drumming competitions starting with the amateur solo events on Friday. The prestigious Piobaireachd Society Gold Medal competitions held in a church in downtown Maxville are always a popular attraction showcasing the art of classical piping. Friday is capped off with the massed bands at the spectacular Friday Night Tattoo, an evening of pageantry and music capped off with a dazzling display of fireworks.

The main event is on Saturday with the professional solo piping and drumming competitions, the tenor and bass drum contests and the pipe band competitions. The massed bands take to the field again at noon hour for the Official Ceremonies and then the full complement of fifty-three bands will perform at the Saturday evening closing where more than 1,500 pipers and drummers will fill the infield with a sight and sound that will be remembered long after the last note has faded away.

The 2025 Glengarry Highland Games will take place in Maxville, Ontario August 1 & 2, 2025. For full details visit: www.glengarryhighlandgames.com.

Osprey watchers are being treated to a rarely seen – and possibly never before captured on film – polygamy saga playing out at a nest in the Tweed Valley. Forestry and land Scotland (FLS) cameras are capturing in real time the fascinating behaviour of two female ospreys and one male who have set up a home as a trio – a form of polygamy known as polygyny with a male breeding with multiple females.

Fascinating insight

The cameras set up as part of The Tweed Valley Osprey Project are providing a fascinating insight into the natural behaviour between the adult birds – Mrs O, a female who has previously nested at the site and a new female and young male – as the partnership and nesting behaviour develops during the season.

Tweed Valley Osprey Project Co-ordinator, Diane Bennett said: “So far things are looking good. The females seem amicable and tolerant with both having mated with the male bird and laying four eggs between them. The only tension witnessed so far has been on the arrival of a fish delivery from the male as the two females both make a grab it. Mrs O usually wins the fish and flies off to feed but has been seen to return with a portion remaining and letting the other female have it. This nest behaviour with all the birds in the same nest is very rare and as far as we know it is the first time this has ever been on a livestream camera with most other research involving such a set-up previously conducted though distant observation. Getting to watch this saga close up as the season unfolds is exciting both for the drama but also for the important research insights it will allow.”

Safe places

The background and identity of the new arrivals is unclear as while they both have British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) rings to generate information on the survival, productivity and movements of bird, they are not fitted with coloured, alphanumeric Darvic rings that allows researchers to identify individual birds. The Tweed Valley Osprey viewing centre at Glentress is accessible to all users.

Ospreys have been coming to breed here since the 1990s and the project – funded and managed by FLS and supported by a team of volunteers – aims to protect and provide safe places for them to settle and nest.  Sadly, the four chicks which hatched in the nest have died from starvation. The Tweed Valley polygyny saga can be viewed at the Wildlife Hub at Glentress Forest in Peebles between 10am- 4pm each day, where the camera is streaming live onto the big screen, with volunteers on duty most of the time, to interpret what is happening with the osprey family.

Regular updates and video clips of behaviour and snapshots of the birds taken from the livestream are added to Tweed Valley Osprey Project Facebook Page which can be followed, to see how they progress though the season at: www.facebook.com/tweedvalleyospreyproject

Photo: A camera screenshot from the live stream. Image: FLS.

 

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture has launched Scotland’s first-ever Gaelic Poetry Path. Slighe nam Bàrd will provide a poetic pathway around the Isle of Skye, aiming to introduce local, national, and international visitors to a taste of Gaelic heritage, song, and poetry. Tourists are now able to collect a free Slighe nam Bàrd – Poetry Paths pamphlet and accompanying map from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, located in Sleat in the Isle of Skye.

The pamphlet will provide a detailed guide around Skye’s stunning landscape, stopping at seven major locations connected to a Gaelic song or poem. A QR code for each location provides a recording of the poem/song to enable people to listen to the Gaelic audio in the environment that inspired the creative piece.

Skye’s poetic Gaelic landscape

Abigail Burnyeat, Head of Research at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, said: “People often come to Skye for its beautiful scenery, but the aim of Slighe nam Bàrd is to showcase the connection between Gaelic culture and Skye’s mesmerising landscape. Through Slighe nam Bàrd, tourists will be able to engage with the landscape whilst listening to Gaelic poems and songs that add to our understanding of the locations on the trail, giving people an opportunity to experience for themselves the Gaelic culture and history at the heart of the Isle of Skye.”

Meg Bateman, Professor in Gaelic Language and Culture at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Bàrd a’ Chomuinn Ghàidhealaich, added: “Slighe nam Bàrd provides a one-day poetic road-trip around the Isle of Skye, allowing people to engage with local Gaelic poetry whilst immersed in the Skye landscape. The pathway consists of seven poems/songs, each one carefully chosen to represent a range of locations, centuries, styles, and subjects to give a full flavour of Skye’s poetic Gaelic landscape. From Somhairle MacGill-Eain to Màiri Mhòr nan Òran, the pathway will guide people from the south of the island to the very north, discovering Gaelic poetry along the way.”

Glasgow’s medieval roots have been commemorated in stone as part of a project to preserve its history and provide valuable hands-on experience for stonemasonry students in the city.  The Port Stones Project, part of the year-long celebrations commemorating Glasgow’s 850^th birthday, mark the city’s rich history by placing four stone markers at the approximate locations of the original medieval city gates. In collaboration with the Merchants House, Trades House, and City of Glasgow College, the project is a unique endeavour that honours Glasgow’s past and engages young people in preserving this heritage, while working on a practical project with valuable learning opportunities.

Glasgow’s history

The project involved the design and production of the port stones by students from the City of Glasgow. Each stone, designed by construction apprentices, after discussions with students and senior pupils as part of the college’s Schools’ Partnership Programme, incorporates Glasgow City Council’s coat of arms as well as the crests of Trades House and Merchants House of Glasgow, Glasgow Dean of Guild Court Trust and City of Glasgow College.  Bethan Baillie from Cathkin High School, said; “It was amazing to be part of something that marks Glasgow’s history in such a permanent way. We had a look at old maps, talked about the layout of the stones, and discussed where they were going – and now people will see our work as part of the city.”

Each Caithness stone marker is also engraved with a compass point denoting the ‘port gate’, the Glasgow 850 logo, a brief historical description and the year it was laid. Blending traditional skills with modern laser cutting technology modern apprentices painstakingly cut individual pieces, with precision, to form the full flagstones.  Callan, a first-year stonemasonry apprentice at the college, said; “Getting to be involved in the cutting of these stones for the city’s 850th was a proud moment. It’s not every day you work on something that’s going to stand in Glasgow for generations. It really brought home why I chose this trade.”

Medieval city gates

Medieval Glasgow ran from the River Clyde, up through the Saltmarket, along High Street and up to the Cathedral. The historical locations for the stones, installed by the council, are based on the approximate sites of the original medieval city gates.  These locations were chosen based on historical documents and maps, including the Medieval City Map: Glasgow’s Medieval City development between 1150 and 1550 produced by Glasgow City Council in conjunction with West of Scotland Archaeology Service.

Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, said; ”This project symbolises the unity and collaboration of three historic civic institutions in Glasgow, and one that reflects a shared commitment to civic pride and legacy. Together, with the College, this project has allowed the students to contribute something tangible in this special year – something that they can be proud of and that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.”

The Glasgow 850 celebrations mark a significant milestone in the city’s history, commemorating 850 years since Glasgow was granted burgh status, in 1175. The year-long programme includes a variety of events and activities designed to engage and inspire people of all ages, reflecting Glasgow’s dynamic past, present, and future.

For more information on Glasgow 850 visit:  www.glasgow850.com

A new exhibition at National Records of Scotland will explore how the birth of the railways transformed the country. Scots on the Move: Railways and Tourism in Victorian Scotland is part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, running between 4-29 August 2025.

Held in General Register House’s spectacular Adam Dome on Princes Street, the exhibition will be free and open to all. Drawing on Scotland’s national archives, the exhibition will transport visitors to the dawn of the steam era. It starts before the first passenger railway in the early 19^th century and ends with the rise of the motor car over a century later.

An exciting moment in Scotland’s history

The exhibition will capture moments which changed Scotland forever. Spectacular viaducts and grand stations sprang up as remote communities became connected. The period also saw the birth of iconic rail routes including the West Highland Line. Before railways, journeys were a battle against harsh terrain and weather. Now everyone could travel, from day trips down the Clyde to luxury Highland holidays. Visitors will follow the evolution of the train from Stephenson’s ‘Rocket’ to Queen Victoria’s royal carriages.

The exhibition will also explore how Victorians felt about railways. Fears over the changing landscape mixed with exciting freedoms and a brand new industry: tourism. Items on display chart the development of the railway across the century including tourist guides and booklets, posters and letters. Alison Byrne, Chief Executive of National Records of Scotland said:  “Our summer exhibition will capture an exciting moment in Scotland’s history. Railways normalised travel and shaped holiday habits which we still recognise today. It will be a great opportunity for visitors to take a peek inside Scotland’s national archive and sample some of the history that National Records of Scotland preserves for current and future generations.”

Main photo: Inverness Station in c.1906.

This August Edinburgh International Festival presents a hand-picked selection of leading international and local artists in the world’s Festival City, with 24 days of world-class opera, dance, music and theatre. The Festival’s 2025 programme offers opportunities to experience world-class artists in thought-provoking and unconventional ways – including an eight-hour choral extravaganza, a distinctive outdoor promenade dance piece and a circus infused opera.

Audiences can also get involved in many Festival performances, from an outdoor mass-singalong to interactive concerts where the audience chooses the repertoire. Two major world premiere productions in UK theatre and dance: Make It Happen, an eye-opening take on the 2008 financial crisis set in Edinburgh, starring Brian Cox and Mary, Queen of Scots, an iconic story of one of Scotland’s most famous women, that blends classicism with modernity. In a landmark year for choral music, marking the 60^th anniversary of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, this renowned chorus of singers from around Scotland performs at the monumental Opening Concert.

Now in its third year under Festival Director and celebrated Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti, the 2025 programme welcomes over 1,700 artists from 42 nations to Edinburgh —including 600 from Scotland—across 133 performances. The Truth We Seek is the theme underpinning the 2025 Edinburgh International Festival, inviting audiences to explore their relationship with truth – within themselves, between one another and in understanding our place in the world.

The world’s Festival City

Nicola Benedetti, Festival Director, Edinburgh International Festival said: “Our 2025 Edinburgh International Festival invites you to explore The Truth We Seek—a journey into the elusive nature of truth, in our personal and public lives. In an era of ‘alternative facts’ and manipulated narratives, the arts offer us something deeper: a poetic and metaphorical wisdom that is both more nuanced and more precise. This Festival—born in the city of the Enlightenment—has championed artistic expression as a means of discovery, insight, and mutual understanding. This year, we proudly present seven world premieres, exceptional international and Scottish artists, and celebrate 60 years of our Festival Chorus as well as the brightest emerging talent. Join us this summer as we seek and find truth together. Your curiosity will be rewarded with thought-provoking, and potentially transformational, experiences that you simply won’t find anywhere else.”

Edinburgh International Festival is the original festival. It’s the one that started it all, the igniting spark that established Edinburgh as the world’s Festival City. The Edinburgh International Festival was founded in 1947, the inspired idea of Rudolf Bing, a cultural pioneer and Jewish refugee, working with a group of civic and artistic leaders. Together, they created a festival that transcends political boundaries through a global celebration of the performing arts.

Over the following 77 years the International Festival’s hand-picked programme of world-leading dance, opera, music and theatre has continued to bring people of different cultures and viewpoints together every August. Meanwhile, the International Festival’s sister festivals have grown up around it – each of them contributing to the atmosphere of unparalleled excitement that transforms the city each summer. Shining far beyond what you see on stage, the International Festival also offers year-round pathways for people of all ages and backgrounds to discover and participate in live performance.

The Edinburgh International Festival takes place from 1-24 August 2025, at venues across the city.  Learn more at: www.eif.co.uk.