Scotland Today
Since devolution in 1999, Scotland has made huge strides. Our economy is growing, our young people more ambitious for themselves and we are increasingly making our mark on the world.
Scotland's Parliament and its devolved Government are shaping a nation that is ready for meeting the challenges of the 21st century and eager to grasp opportunities whenever they arise. We are a country that welcomes people from across the world, to live, work, visit and do business.
Recently there have been many exciting developments in Scotland including the signing of co-operation agreement with Shandong, the inaugural UK School Games in Glasgow, the Scottish Executive giving their support for wave power, National Library announcing that they will be promoting Scots Literature and finally, Edinburgh festivals announcing record sales.
Now the festivals are over you might think that Scotland would slip into hibernation. Not so. Below we have a snap shot of the pletheroa of events within the fields of art and culture, history and heritage and sport and leisure, that are happening in the months running up to Christmas.
News
Scotland Signs Co-operation Agreement with Shandong
The Scottish Executive finance and public services minister Tom McCabe has recently signed a Co-operation Agreement with Shandong Province in China. It aims to deliver benefits in areas including trade, science, culture, education and tourism. Shandong, one of five priority regions for Scotland identified in the Executive's new China Strategy, is less than twice the size of Scotland in area, but has a population of 92 million. It is the second largest regional economy in China. Shandong's GDP was $188bn in 2004 (Scotland's economy was worth around $150bn in 2004). Shandong's name literally means "mountains' east", which refers to the province's location east of the Taihang Mountains. The province is located in the lower reaches of the Yellow River. Scottish companies are reported to be "queuing up" to do more business with China as awareness increases of the opportunities available.
UK School Games opens in Glasgow
Olympic rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave and Chancellor Gordon Brown headed a list of VIPs at the opening of the inaugural UK School Games. The Glasgow event saw more than 1,000 able-bodied and disabled children from across the UK compete from Thursday 7th until Sunday 9th September. Youngsters aged between 12 and 18 took part.
It was the first in a series of school games to be held across the country in the run-up to the 2012 London Olympics. Those taking part competed for medals in athletics, table tennis, gymnastics, fencing and swimming.
Scottish Executive Support for Wave Power
The Scottish Executive Enterprise Minister, Nicol Stephen, paid a visit to an experimental wave energy project at Peniche in Portugal this week. The Pelamis project has been set up by Edinburgh-based Ocean Power Delivery (OPD) and the minister claims that Scotland will have similar devices operating in Scottish waters by the summer of 2007. They are said to be the first commercial wave machines in the world-built using entirely Scottish technology. The machines are over 120 metres (400 feet) long and weigh over 300 tonnes. They consist of a semi-submerged structure composed of cylindrical sections linked by hinged joints. The wave-induced motion of these joints is resisted by hydraulic rams. These pump oil through hydraulic motors which drive generators to produce electricity. The Executive announced earlier this year £8 million funding for marine energy projects and they intend to invest a share of this to secure a Pelamis project in Orkney at the European Marine Energy Centre. A pre-production Pelamis prototype has already undergone various stages of a testing programme in Orkney and will return next month for further testing.
Air Cargo Grew 25% Last Year
BAA Scotland, who operate the airports at Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, has reported that the volume of air cargo passing through these terminals shot up by 25% to over 50,000 tonnes last year. Much of the growth was via Edinburgh, where freight volumes grew by nearly 40%. International passenger services have also been growing in the last year and that has created more cargo space in the larger aircraft. The top exports from Edinburgh airport are pharmaceuticals and electronics, while Glasgow's top products are computer parts, plastics, oil-rig equipment, glassware, seafood and whisky. One Galashiels firm ships three tonnes of dental floss every day to the US with American carrier Continental. Of course, the cargo traffic is not all one way-quite apart from imports of fresh fruit and other goods, an Orlando-Glasgow flight recently brought in more than 20 tonnes of stage equipment for Madonna's European tour.
National Library to Promote Scots Literature
Authors and publishers in Scotland have been concerned about the takeover of the Ottakar's chain of book shops which strongly promoted Scottish works. The Scottish Publishers Association has been trying to ensure that the new owners continue to promote Scottish writing, but the National Library of Scotland has stepped in with a plan for a new bookshop as part of their current redevelopment. An expanded retail area in their Edinburgh premises will allow them to ensure that output from smaller Scottish publishers is still available, at least in the Capital. Work on redeveloping the South Bridge building is to begin soon, with completion in May next year.
Whirlwind Romance Between Glasgow and Marseille
Less than a year after discussion began, Glasgow's French-speaking Lord Provost is to tie the knot with Marseilles and sign a formal twinning with the French Mediterranean port of Marseille. Scotland's largest city is a bit of a bigamist, however, as it will be Glasgow's seventh such agreement. The city is already twinned with Nuremberg in Germany, Turin in Italy, Havana in Cuba, Rostov-on-Don in Russia, Lahore (the second largest city of Pakistan) and the Chinese city of Dalian. There are also less formal relationships with several other towns and cities, including Bethlehem in Palestine, St Malo in France and Barga in Italy. The arrangement is not just about city officials visiting each other-Glasgow University has launched an exchange programme with an institution in Marseille, while the city's National Health Service board has teamed up with Hopitaux de Marseille.
A Mockintosh Record
The organisers said it was a "new world Mackin-tache record" as more than 1000 people donned fake moustaches and pink cravats in Glasgow's George Square to launch the city's first Charles Rennie Mackintosh festival. Since nobody else has attempted a world record for the number of people dressed up as the architect, it went straight into the Guinness Book of Records. Those who took part in the launch were rewarded with free entry into a draw to win a Mackintosh-style chair worth £1000. The city is hosting more than 120 exhibitions, talks, tours, children's activities and dramatic performances throughout the year in honour of the designer-with the main events taking place in September.
Edinburgh Festivals Have Bumper Sales
The number and value of ticket sales for all the main Edinburgh festivals held in August this year broke box office records. The Edinburgh Fringe sold 1.5 million tickets, its sixth consecutive year of growth-they celebrated achieving sales of one million tickets only three years ago. The Book Festival had its most successful year (again), with more than 200,000 people attending. Two-thirds of tickets were sold before the festival started. The Edinburgh International Festival, which runs until the end of the week, said it was approaching ticket sales of £2.5m, an increase of 14% on last year. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo also sold out in record time, with all 220,000 tickets for its three-week run gone by February.
Canadian Wins Edinburgh Festival's Top Comedy Award
Phil Nichol, who was born in Scotland, but grew up in Canada, won this year's if.comeddies best comedy prize for his one-hour show "The Naked Racist"-a title which should ensure that the e-mail version of this newsletter is rejected by a fair number of spam filters. The awards, previously known as the "Perrier Awards", were rebranded this year after finance group Intelligent Finance took over sponsorship. Nichol's stand-up show describes a debauched weekend in Amsterdam. The awards producer said Nichol was a "flamboyant comedy character on the Fringe who blew everybody away with an outstanding show". He is no stranger to the Edinburgh Festival comedy scene as he has been performing there since 1993, and was previously nominated for the Perrier Award in 2002.
For more news about Scotland, please visit www.rampantscotland.com.
Our events
Dance to the Music of Time at Perth Museum and Art Gallery
5 August–4 November, Perth
Theatre enthusiasts will love this exciting exhibition celebrating the performing arts over the centuries. Paintings, prints and drawings from the museum's permanent collections illustrate the creative spirit of music, song, dance, theatre, puppetry and the circus. With highlights including portraits of famous Perth performers, this exhibition illustrates the rich theatrical traditions of the area.
Wigtown Book Town Festival at Wigtown
22 September-1 October, Dumfries and Galloway
Scotland's 'Book Town' plays host to what is billed as the nation's most intimate book festival. You'll find a selection of the UK's best-loved writers and performers here along with buying opportunities galore for book lovers from Wigtown's many booksellers, publishers, book dealers and arts and crafts shops.
The Glasshouses-Windows on the World at the Royal Botanic Gardens
1-30 September, Edinburgh
Explore the famous Victorian Glasshouses as never before, listening to a personal sound guide! Hear the fascinating stories of experts and explorers, gardeners and gastronomes who dedicate their lives to discovering exotic plants from around the world. Families can also take part in the Junior Plant Explorer trail.
www.rbge.org.uk/rbge/web/news/events.jsp
October Ghostfest-Kids go free special
1 October 2006-31 October 2006
Edinburgh Castle festival. Many think of Halloween when October comes around and this year has a ghostly theme. Designed to appeal to all ages.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/events/events-highlights.htm
The Big Draw-The scarlet and the tartan
14 October 2006-15 October 2006
Fort George. Be inspired and be creative with activities for all the family.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/events/events-highlights.htm
The Big Draw
14 October 2006
It's a shore thing at Skara Brae Prehistoric Village. Be inspired and be creative with activities for all the family.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/events/events-highlights.htm
The Big Draw
14 October 2006-15 October 2006
Where the wild things are at Stirling Castle. Be inspired and be creative with activities for all the family.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/events/events-highlights.htm
St Andrew's Day–Free Admission Edinburgh Castle
30 November 2006
This annual event allows free admission to Edinburgh Castle, St Andrews Castle and St Andrews Cathedral on Scotland's national day.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/events/events-highlights.htm
Christmas at the Castle–Edinburgh Castle
10 December 2006
Come and join us for an afternoon which captures the magic of a castle at Christmas.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/events/events-highlights.htm
Christmas at the Castle–Stirling Castle
17 December 2006
Come and join us for an afternoon which captures the magic of a castle at Christmas.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/events/events-highlights.htm
Storytelling–Stirling Castle
1 October 2006-31 October 2006
Tales of the castles
www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk/
Is this a Dagger? The story of Macbeth
7 October 2006
Linlithgow Palace–Presented –by Wee Stories
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events-full-article.htm?articleid=20852
Historic Saltire Society
7 October 2006-8 October 2006
The Bruce Urquhart Castle–Immerse yourself in the year 1308
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/properties_sites_detail.htm?propertyID=PL_297
Is this a Dagger? The story of Macbeth
14 October 2006
The story of Macbeth–Aberdour Castle and Garden–Presented –by Wee Stories
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events-full-article.htm?articleid=20852
Big Draw Nature Holyrood Park
15 October 2006
From giant volcano to a home for wild animals Holyrood Park offers plenty of opportunities to explore your artistic imagination. A fun event for the whole family. Holyrood Park Education Centre.
Is this a Dagger? The story of Macbeth
20 October 2006
The story of Macbeth–Stirling Castle Presented–by Wee Stories
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events-full-article.htm?articleid=20852
Is this a Dagger? The story of Macbeth
21 October 2006
The story of Macbeth–Craigmillar Castle Presented–by Wee Stories
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events-full-article.htm?articleid=20852
The Ghost Hunter–Linlithgow Palace
27 October 2006-28 October 2006
Join Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, as he explores the very dark corners of Linlithgow Palace in pursuit of ghostly legends and the supernatural. Not recommended for the faint-hearted or young children.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events-full-article.htm?articleid=16770
The Ghost Hunter–Stirling Castle
29 October 2006
Join Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, as he explores the very dark corners of Stirling Castle in pursuit of ghostly legends and the supernatural. Not recommended for the faint-hearted or young children.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events-full-article.htm?articleid=20857
Living history–Edinburgh Castle
1 November 2006-30 November 2006
Come face to face with history with our costumed characters.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events-full-article.htm?articleid=20862
Living History–Stirling Castle
1 November 2006-30 November 2006
Come face to face with history with our costumed characters.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events-full-article.htm?articleid=20863
Meet the Rangers–Blackness Castle
5 November 2006
Chat to the Rangers, share your ideas and enjoy the views.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/rangerservice
Hot Rocks–Blackness Castle
5 November 2006
Explore the world of volcanoes.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events-full-article.htm?articleid=20865
Feed the birds
12 November 2006-Linlithgow Palace
Learn about Linlithgow's visitors and make some feeders and cake to help birds in your own garden.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events-full-article.htm?articleid=20866
Living History–Stirling Castle
1 December 2006-30 December 2006
Come face to face with history with our costumed characters.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events-full-article.htm?articleid=20868
For more events in Scotland, please go to www.rampantscotland.com.
