News.Scotland.Org

Edinburgh the capital city of Scotland has entered into a month of festivals. It’s not only in Edinburgh, the whole of Scotland is in a festive mood. The beautiful city of Edinburgh has set off and have opened up many new things for this summer break. With a wonderful menu of events and festivals including the spring International Science Festival, the Film Festival and the Edinburgh Festivals including the Jazz, Book and Fringe – you’ll be spoilt for choice!

• Edinburgh Military Tattoo

The Edinburgh Military Tattoo(6-28 August) gives the month a kick start with a spectacular display of military marching bands, massed pipes and drums. Acrobats, cheerleaders and motorcycle display teams will unite together to display their wonderful acts in the backdrop of the magnificent Edinburgh Castle.

• Edinburgh International Festival

Edinburgh International Festival  (13 August – 5 September, 2010) was first held in 1947 to mark a return to peace after the ordeal of WWII. During these days you will see all things that is to say superlatively, the best in the world. Although the original event was a modest affair, today hundreds of the world’s top musicians and performers congregate in Edinburgh for three weeks of diverse and inspirational music, opera, theatre and dance.

“The Royal Mile becomes a colourful crush of people and performers, with stilt-walkers wading through the crowds and fire-jugglers’ flaming torches arcing above a sea of heads. Jazz bands and majorettes parade along a packed Princes St, Charlotte Sq is transformed into a book-lovers’ village, Princes Street Gardens is a sprawl with sunbathers and picnickers, and the pub crowds spill out onto the pavements. The city’s population almost doubles, and there is a permanent buzz of excitement in the air.”(Lonely Planet)

The most spectacular event of the festival is the Fireworks Concert, held on the final Saturday of the festival. The concert is performed at the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens is accompanied by the carefully choreographed detonation of around 40 tons of artistically arranged gunpowder.

• Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Known as the biggest performing arts festival in the world, Edinburgh Fringe Festival(6-30 August) is one of its kind that attracts huge crowd of visitors. The Fringe one of the world’s most exciting and innovative drama events continues its ventures. Since its origin in 1990, the Fringe has been dominated by stand-up comedy, but each time they are noted for the sheer variety of shows.

• Edinburgh International Book Festival

Edinburgh International Book Festival (14-30 August, 2010) is held in a little village of marquees in the middle of Charlotte Sq. During this festival take place in a fortnight, you will come across interesting talks, readings, debates, lectures, book-signings and meet-the-author events, with a café and tented bookshop thrown in.

Now hurry,  plan a long break into Edinburgh this summer!

With Edinburgh Fringe Festival nearing in the rail bosses have failed to add any new late-night special train service for the festival, between Edinburgh and Glasgow.  With the festivals on, it was much talked about to add any new trains, but the service between, Edinburgh and Glasgow remains the same as it was four years before.

Despite the surge in the number of revellers it would have been a huge increase to the sale of tickets, still no new trains have been put on track for the festival. With no new trains joining in, the revellers have to leave Edinburgh Waverly at Midnight Sunday. The call for late night trains has been there for long, but still nothing has been done on it, which leaves people with no other option than sticking to the present rail service.

Though, it was known that, Scot rail will be providing a new late night service for the Fringe festival, to cater to the crowds by the Sea festival in North Berwick leaving the town at 11:55pm from August 10th to 15th. Hope the revellers will be satisfied with the present train services for the fringe festival.

News Source : The Scotsman

If you are planning a weekend getaway in this month of August to Highlands and Islands area of Scotland, here you have a few suggestions to help you plan the coming weeks in enjoying the finest activities in the area.

The festivals and shows are in plenty in the month of August. On 4th and 5th August, the Black Isle Show exhibits the trade stands like flower show and sheep shearing competitions. Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival on 6 and 7 August in Beauly. Watch the sailing races at Plockton Regatta which runs until 7 August when a concert, dance and the Commodore’s party wrap things up. Skye Agricultural show in Portree on 14 August features livestock, quad and trial bikes. On 28 August Lochaber Agricultural Show features livestock judging, vintage tractors, pony rides, a pipe band, traditional arts and crafts.

A few of the events in Highlands will help your kids keep busy. On August 4 in Abriachan Forest is the setting for Winnie the Pooh Tall Tales. Eco Crafts are displayed at Glencoe National Trust Centre on 9 August. The Mini Highland Games on 12 August features haggis hurling and three-legged races.

The music and art events are in plenty to keep you rushing from one event to another. Find the best ones that will suit your taste. The story of the Jacobite uprising of 1745 is told in the Prestonpans Tapestry. It will be in Arisaig on 3 and 4 August, Invergordon from 8 to 10 August, Fort William on 19 and 20 August and in Glenfinnan on 21 and 22 August. The Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail runs until 8 August at various venues around Loch Ness and the Great Glen. Inverness and Museum and Art Gallery hosts Matisse: Drawing with scissors from 7 August until 6 September. The collection of lithographic prints and cut-outs by Henri Matisse is a touring exhibition from the Hayward Gallery. Gaelic Voices – Guthan Gàidhlig in An Lanntair on 11 August. Performances are in English and Gaelic. Ullapool and District Junior Pipe Band give performances each Thursday evening in the Calmac Car park, Ullapool. Highland Chamber Orchestra will mark their 10th anniversary with a special concert at Eden Court Theatre on 21 August. Summer music at Culloden are held on 14 and 28 August at Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre.

Apart from all music and art events, those visitors who prefer outdoor activities can enjoy things like getting a glimpse of Nevis Range open on 4 August. Enjoy a night walk watching the sunset at Farr guided by the Highland Council Rangers on 13 August. Annual flower show by the Nairn and District Gardening Club in the community centre on 14 August. Colossal Celebration of the centuries on 14 and 15 August at Fort George. You can witness hundreds of motorbikes in and around Aviemore from 27 to 30 August as part of  Thunder in the Glens celebration. Great exhibitions from various local clubs at the Inverness Flower Show at the High School on 28 and 29 August. The Laggan heat of the SXC cross country mountain bike race series takes place on 29 August.

Various Highlands Games also will add charm to your days in the area. The Isle of Skye Highland Games happens on 4 August, Dornoch Highland Gathering on 6 August, Newtonmore Highland Games and Strathpeffer Highland Gathering on 7 August. Mey Highland Games are on 8 August with Ballater Highland Games and Tain Highland Gathering on 12 August. Assynt Highland Games on 13 August are followed by Helmsdale Highland Games and Nairn Highland Games on 21 August with Grantown on Spey Highland Games on 22 August. The month ends with Glenurquhart Highland Gathering and Invergordon Highland Gathering on 28 August.

Now, choose your events and draw a chart of events you would like to visit while a weekend get-away or holiday in Highlands and Islands area of Scotland!

Scotland is about to get a major tourist attraction soon with the transformation of the home of  ‘Sir Walter Scott‘, in the Borders. The ‘Abbotsford House’ will get a makeover with the grant of  £4.8m by the Heritage lottery fund. This project has seen lot of support and appreciation from all corners, Lord Sanderson, chairman of Abbotsford Trust said that, this project will create a legacy for one of the Scotland’s important son.

Sir Walter Scott was a Scottish historical novelist and poet, he was also the first English language author to get an international career in his life.

It was learnt that a new visitor centre, learning suite and exhibition area will also be constructed along with other repair works. This project will be one of the major tourist attractions with Sir Walter Scott being the person who lifted the Scottish identity at the global platform with his literary works.

This project will also draw lot of revenue for the Scotland tourism board being a world class tourist attraction.

Source :  BBC News

Kelvingrove Park, witnessed a sparkling display of acts, dance, musical treats this Sunday for the Scotland’s biggest multi-cultural festival -“Annual Glasgow Mela”. Being in its 20th successful year, this festival attracted a huge number of people, with crowd attendance crossing over 40,000 this time.

The festival highlighted, the tradition and culture of India by a mix of performances put up by various artists, singer JK who grabbed the award for the best newcomer at the 2010 Brit Asia Awards was also part of this years festivity. Apart from JK, Bangara legends too enthralled the crowd by their dazzling performances.

The main attraction of this Mela were the street theatre  performances, real sand urban beach sports zone, food stalls from the east and many such attractions. The Mela showcased the earthly touch of the Indian soil far from the Indian sub-continent.

Standing at the lower end of the royal Mile against the spectacular backdrop of Arthur’s Seat, Palace of Holyroodhouse has witnessed six years of Scotland’s royal history. Best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots during her reign between 1561-1567, the tradition of garden parties that was conducted during her reign has been sustained to the present day.

A baroque masterpiece that is not to be missed by anyone on their trip to Edinburgh, Holyroodhouse was reconstructed by Charles II after the palace suffered serious damage that broke in 1543. Today, the palace is the Queen’s official residence, attracting thousands of visitors every year. The largest room in the palace is the spectacular Great Gallery that is used for official occasions and banquets.

The high point of any tour in this palace is the suite rooms in the north-west tower that were occupied by Queen Mary which has original wooden ceilings and examples of the tragic Queen’s needlework. Among the other things that need to be viewed, the Royal Apartments are known for its fine period interiors and impressive collection of Brussels tapestries.

Opening daily at 9:30 am with varying times of closing according to the months, you are sure to find this palace truly amazing. The display at the Queen’s gallery will change from time to time as the collection is large in addition to the many millions of paintings, furniture, books, ceramics, tapestries and other works of art. Palace of Holyroodhouse has something for everyone and can influence  human minds to explore the depths of Scotland history.

Every corner of Edinburgh has its own story or legend waiting to be untold. With a distinctive and unique skyline that follows closely with that of Venice and makes for fantastic photographs, this place is the most beautiful capitals in Europe. Known to be the ‘Athens of the North’, it is a great base from which you can explore the rest of Scotland. Enriched in its own culture, Edinburgh continues to draw crowds of vacation goers and backpackers from around the globe.

A town intimately entwined with its landscapes, with many buildings and monuments perched atop crags and overshadowed by cliffs, it holds an abundance of sights.

Edinburgh Castle

A remarkable fortress and former royal residence, this oldest building not only offers historical interest but also offers a splendid panoramic view that surrounds the city. A rich mix of architectural style reflects the Castle’s complex history and role as both stronghold and seat of kings. Towering at the edge of the city’s cobblestone streets, this majestic landmark is well worth a visit.

The Museum of Scotland

Talked about since 1780, The Museum of Scotland is most striking with exterior walls of sandstone which is quarried in Elgin. Get to know more about Scotland through the many galleries and displays which provide information from beginning to the present day. Wander through the halls and wonder at the fossils, artifacts and ancient jewelery. So much to see and admire, don’t forget to photograph some of the majestic views when you are on the rooftop. Admission is absolutely free!

Arthur’s Seat

Known as the Lion’s head, it is the highest of a series of peaks which takes in the form of a crouched lion. The only way to reach the top of the Arthur’s seat, an extinct volcano that erupted around 340 millions ago, is by hiking, so make sure you are packed with comfortable stuff and great shoes for the journey.

Edinburgh turns into a festival city with 2010 marking the Diamond Jubilee Year of the Royal Military Tattoo that is all set to start in the second week of August. Known to be one of the world’s most spectacular shows and an ideal event for client and corporate entertainment, it is annually visited by 200, 000 people on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, where they show their support to the most well-known historic festivals of Edinburgh.

Officially began in 1950, with only eight events on the programme list, the tradition of the tattoo has its very roots in the seventeenth century. With the British Army units being stationed in the Low Countries of Scotland, drummers from each garrison were called to summon the soldiers from the army to return to their barracks every evening, in a simple ritual, known as ‘Doe den tap toe’ (or simply ‘tap toe’).

But in recent years, it has become an enormous international event that showcases global talent and the best in Scottish. With over 30 countries represented in the tattoo so far, it is estimated that almost 30 per cent is from Scotland, with another 35 from UK and remaining from outside UK and others, those that are watching the TV broadcast of the show worldwide.

This year’s celebration of talent is from four continents including gymnastics, dancers, pipers, singers and an amazing motorcycle team. With the most emphasis on music, it is said to delight an international crowd with its beautiful rich variety.

With such a stream of events taking place, there will be the most two popular events that wont go unnoticed – the music of the Massed Military Bands and the Massed Pipes and Drums. Antipodean attractions are also on the parade in the form of a military contingent from New Zealand, an army band that is renowned for their talent, humour and diversity.

Secondary teachers are feeling the heat with the new curriculum being brought in by the Curriculum for Excellence. It is learnt that majority of the teachers are not confident to deliver lessons for these new syllabus. Only 25% of the teachers seems fine with this new curriculum which will be brought in across the secondary schools in Scotland, says a survey.

This survey was conducted by the Ipsos-Mori on a sample of 15,000 teachers, and three in four told that they don’t feel confident to take class for the senior pupils.  The new curriculum will come into effect from August this year. It is also told that this new revision in the curriculum of Scottish education has come after a long time and it was long since the need for such a change was felt for.

Even there is a confusion on how to prepare the pupils for the  SQA exams associated with the curriculum. Teachers need to be well trained to take up the new curriculum and make sure the pupils are guided well. This new curriculum is thought to be a boon for the Scottish secondary education system.

The historic stairway connecting Edinburgh’s Market Street and North Bridge is all set to get a marble make over, to make it an architectural wonder. It has always been fondly referred to as the  ‘Athens of the North’ and with the new marble beautification , Edinburgh is all set to leave  its mark in the hall of fame of beautiful cities.

Martin Creed, the Glasgow based Turner Prize-winning contemporary artist is in charge of refurbishing  one of the capital’s least prepossessing stairwells, connecting Waverley Station with the Old Town. Creed who won the £20,000 Turner Prize in 2001 with The Lights Going On And Off is well  acclaimed simple yet modern art works, which have always been well accepted by art lovers.

The total project outlay set at over  £100,000 will see one of the most modern artists of Scotland working in the classical medium of marble for the first time. The artistic renovation of the  steps is partly funded by the Scottish Government’s Expo Fund of £150,000.The steps will be repaved with different types of marble sourced from all over the world to make it more bright and spectacular. Once the renovation work is completed the steps might be closed for visitors at night.

In 1898 John Ritchie & Co, The Scotsman newspaper proprietors purchased a plot on the west side of North Bridge as a new location for the headquarters of the newspaper in which the architects Dunn and Findlay  designed a stunning complex of buildings. The Scotsman Steps formed an integral part of the design, which provided direct access to the lower levels of the building and to the newspaper’s own private siding at Waverley Station.

The steps will be a major permanent art exhibit by the artist and his  marble plan will be curated by the Fruitmarket Gallery and will be arranged in conjunction with City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh World Heritage. It is expected to be set in place before the year end and if the gates are installed they will be closing at the same time as the  Waverley Station. The refurbished steps would be yet another compelling reason for the tourists to make a stopover at Edinburgh in the coming days!