ST ANDREWS The Cathedral’s ruins will ring to the sound of medieval and Renaissance Scottish harp music this summer. Simon Chadwick’s popular monthly series of lunchtime recitals in the Prior’s house will run until September on the first Tuesday of each month, at 12.45pm. The Prior’s house is an atmospheric medieval vaulted chamber, it is the perfect venue for Simon’s beautiful replica of the medieval Scottish “Queen Mary” harp. Each of the four recitals in this series will concentrate on different aspects of historic Scottish music. The first will feature liturgical chant preserved in the medieval music books of St Andrews Cathedral, Inchcolm Abbey, and other religious centres. Later concerts in the series will feature dramatic medieval battle music, as well as subtle and reflective Renaissance airs and clan salutes. Performance dates are August 3 and September 7. Admission is free, but please collect a ticket from the cathedral visitor centre. Telephone 01334 472563.

 

DUNOON Benmore Botanic Garden’s stunningly restored Victorian Fernery near Dunoon offers a unique insight into the mysterious world of ferns. Generally disregarded by 21st century gardeners who prefer their showier flowering cousins, ferns were not always dismissed in such manner. The Benmore Fernery, a unique building set in the cleft of a hillside, stands as testimony to the Victorian fern craze or “pteridomania” which saw ferns become the accessory of choice for the cultured 19th century lady or gentleman. “The term pteridomania was coined by author Charles Kingsley to describe the fascination for ferns that was gripping the nation,” explains Professor Mary Gibby, Director of Science at Benmore’s parent organisation, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. “Yet, while some of this fanaticism was quite harmless – the production of homeware, with special fern collections of Wedgwood’s Jasperware and Ayrshire Mauchline ware – there was a much more serious side to it. They wanted collections of ferns to show off to their friends and were willing to go to great lengths to achieve their ambitions. As a direct result species such as the oblong woodsia (Woodsia ilvensis) and Killarney bristle fern (Trichomanes speciosum) were eradicated from various sites.” Benmore Garden is open from 10am seven days a week until October 31. Admission is £5 for adults (concessions £4, children £1, families £10). Telephone 01369 706261.

PHOTO COMPETITION The Scottish Flag Trust has launched its photographic competition. While everyone is familiar with our national flag – the St Andrew’s Cross or Saltire – many may know little of its origins. Tradition has it that the flag was adopted after a 9th century battle fought near the East Lothian village of Athelstaneford in which a white cross appeared against the blue sky above the Scots, inspiring them to victory. This competition aims to put the traditional origins of the flag into a modern context. Today Saltires can often be seen as a result of vapour trails of planes crossing and can sometimes be created by cloud formations or other phenomena. This competition challenges photographers to capture on camera a dramatic image of a Saltire in our skies. Full details of how to enter can be found on www.scottishflagtrust.com. Prize money of £500 is offered and there is a special category for those aged 16 or younger. The closing date is November 30, St Andrew’s Day.

 

PONY TREKKING Blair Castle's Trekking Centre team is delighted to announce that it will be introducing a new ride in association with Hilton Dunkeld House when four of its ponies trot across to the hotel for the summer. Until the end of July, some of Blair Castle’s trekking ponies will move to Dunkeld offering visitors the chance to explore a different area of Perthshire. Based at Hilton Dunkeld, House this new venture allows guests to explore on horseback some of the 280 acres of woodland surrounding the country house hotel. Blair Castle Trekking Centre in Blair Atholl will remain open as usual throughout the season. Established in the 1950s by the 10th Duke of Atholl, Blair Castle Trekking Centre is the longest running trekking centre in Scotland. The ponies are traditional Highland ones, Scotland’s largest native pony breed. Highland ponies have been used on Atholl Estates for more than 250 years to carry the culled deer off the hills during the stalking season. Blair Castle’s ponies are fantastic for trekking in the summer months when they are not working on the hills. Treks will leave Hilton Dunkeld Park activity centre six days a week at 10am and 1.30pm until the end of July. A one hour trek costs £25, a two hour trek £38. Tel: 01350 728370

EDINBURGH The National Galleries’ highlight this summer is a ground-breaking exhibition on the subject of paintings of Impressionist Gardens, the only UK showing.  The famous names of Impressionism will be well represented, with fine examples by Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Manet and Sisley.  In addition, the exhibition will examine the significance of the Impressionist garden to the generation of artists working immediately after the Impressionists, such as Cézanne.  Gardens and flowers were a constant theme in Impressionist painting and inspired these great artists to produce some of their most beautiful and memorable paintings. Claude Monet is perhaps the best known in this respect, with his famous paintings of the gardens of his various homes. In addition to a dazzling array of world-class masterpieces, the exhibition also illustrates the history of gardening during the 19th century, demonstrating how attention switched from the great estates and parks to the suburban garden, an environment which the Impressionists very much made their own. The exhibition will appeal both to those who love great art and to gardening enthusiasts. www.nationalgalleries.org

 

Rural Superstitions The National Museum of Rural Life at Kittochside, East Kilbride has launched a quest to log the country’s rural superstitions in an effort to establish which are still alive and well in the 21st century. From lucky horseshoes to ominous magpies, Scotland’s rural communities have a long history of customs and beliefs that are said to bring good or bad luck. Common superstitions from the past include the use of charms to prevent diseases in cattle and bring good luck and the planting of rowan trees near farmhouses to fend off witches. At the National Museum of Rural Life itself, a number of cattle charms are on display and in the attraction’s 1950s byre, stockperson Maggie McDougall still adheres to the tradition of hanging up a bough of holly to help prevent ringworm. Duncan Dornan, General Manager of the National Museum of Rural Life said; “Scotland’s rural superstitions are a fascinating subject with many still believed today so we’re really keen to hear from people all over the country to find out about customs past and present in their area.” Details of Scotland’s country superstitions can be submitted via email to m.lawton@nms.ac.uk. Anyone submitting information should include details of both the superstition and the area of the country it applies to, in addition to their own name and address. www.nms.ac.uk

STIRLING The Smith Art Gallery and Museum is exhibiting ceramics from the collections at the first ever Potfest which was held at the Stirling Agricultural Centre in May. Some of the pots are of local interest and manufacture, such as Dunmore and Strathyre, while others mark national events such as a bowl from 1832 commemorating the Reform Act. Visitors can also see the Stirling Story, a permanent exhibition of the town’s history through the ages. Admission is free and the opening hours are Tuesday – Saturday 10.30am to 5pm, Sunday 2pm to 5pm. Telephone 01786 471917.

 

LIVINGSTON Almond Valley Heritage Centre offers Wild Adventures from August 1-22. The lives of our ancient ancestors will be celebrated in a programme of activities for children and their families, allowing everyone to play their part in recreating a prehistoric encampment. Workshop sessions will be run every day to teach the skills essential for prehistoric living. There’s a shelter and fences to be built, crops to plant and livestock to tend. And between all of this hard work there’s the need to make fire, prepare food — perhaps salmon wrapped in willow bark, served with burnt seed biscuits — and clothing and bedding has to be made, too. Wool will be plucked from the backs of Mill Farm’s Soay sheep and then be dyed with plants and pigments and spun into yarn. Later, a loom will be built to weave colourful Neolithic scarves and leg-warmers. Almond Valley Heritage Centre is open daily from 10am to 5pm, admission £5 for adults, £3.50 for children. www.almondvalley.co.uk

SCONE Scone Palace’s Festival Of Orchids takes place on August 7 and 8 and will include displays by some of the UK’s most prestigious orchid nurseries and suppliers. Plants will be available for purchase during the weekend. As well as enjoying the stunning displays, visitors will be able to listen to talks by experts. Other attractions include The Organic Blending Company, introducing its latest range of organic spices, marinades, gravies and stuffings, including food tasting and a textiles exhibition. There is also an opportunity to see the palace’s botanical artist in residence, Clare Robinson, at work on her beautiful orchid watercolours. The festival is open from 9.30am to 5pm daily. Admission to palace and grounds is adults £8.50, children £5.30, concessions £7.30, family £24. Tel: 01738 552300.

 

GALLOWAY Galloway Country Fair offers family fun and entertainment for all — from toddlers to grandparents — set in beautiful mature parkland at Raehills near Moffat, on August 21 and 22, from 9am-6pm. There are main ring events, quality trade stands craft and food halls and also the VT10 aerial display at 2pm. Helicopter rides can be booked at a discount online or just on the day. Archery, falconry and fishing are also on offer, not forgetting Calum the champion piper who is only 10 years old and music from Trybe the Celtic band. Admission is £10 adult, £3 children over 10 and a weekend pass for three nights is offered with unlimited access to the fair. www.gallowaycountryfair.co.uk

MULL Duart Castle is the venue for the Gaelic Waulking Song Group (New), Sgioba Luaidh Inbhirchluaidh, who will perform there on Saturday August 7 between 11am and 4pm. The performance is included with the castle admission fee. This group of Scottish women will illustrate in Gaelic song the ancient tradition of tweed production, from the sheep to the finished garment. Plus, you can hear historical songs of love and war, tragedy and comedy, chat to the women and have a bash at waulking! This is the technique of finishing the newly-woven tweed by soaking it and thumping it rhythmically to shrink and soften it — all done by hand in the old days. The songs served to keep the rhythm and lighten the work. To arrive at Duart Castle travel to Mull via the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Lochaline to Fishnish or from Oban to Craignure. Duart Castle is a 20-minute drive from Fishnish and a 10-minute drive from Craignure. The Duart Coach meets the Oban ferry daily throughout the summer. www.duartcastle.com

 

KINGHORN Kinghorn In Bloom is bringing back the village show after a 20-year absence. We will see the return of all the old favourite categories: flowers, vegetables, floral art and handicrafts and there will be some new ones too, like photography and wine making. We want everyone to have a go and enter something they have grown or made. There are classes for complete beginners and the more experienced.   The show is open to all exhibitors, and we are receiving entrance forms now.  For full details and to download the schedule please visit www.kinghorninbloom.com  Open to public from 1.30pm Saturday 4th September, Kinghorn Church Hall, Fife.Teas served. www.kinghorninbloom.com

EDINBURGH Festival-goers from all over the world will beat a path to Edinburgh Academy, Henderson Row, Edinburgh on August 10th – 14th for a unique journey around the castles of Scotland through song, music and above all traditional Scottish Country dance. Organised by the Edinburgh Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Dancing Forth - the Scottish Show, is the highlight of their year with over a dozen expert dancers, singers Fiona Main and Neil French with Pete Clark and friends providing the music. The two-hour show is unique to the Fringe and encompasses all aspects of Scotland’s richest culture both recent and past. Dancing Forth - the Scottish Show has nightly performances starting at 7:30pm. More info from Brian G. Harry. email show@rscdsedinburgh.org

 

FORT GEORGE Britain’s mightiest artillery fortification - the impressive Fort George near Inverness - is gearing up for its biggest ever event On Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th August, the vast garrison fortress is staging the Colossal Celebration of The Centuries.  Hundreds of performers and re-enactors from all over the UK will converge on Fort George to portray the military might of history’s eras - from Roman soldiers, to Covenanters and Redcoats, to the troops of the 20th century - in an exciting show. Highlights include a dramatic aerial display by an original World War II Spitfire, and a thrilling parachute drop by the Golden Lions, Scotland’s only professional parachute team; colourful parades of the soldiers of centuries past, dramatic combat re-enactments, fascinating weaponry displays and vintage military vehicles exhibits. There will be an authentic Medieval encampment to explore with craft demonstrations, Renaissance music and dancing to enjoy, and a bustling 1940s area complete with swing dancers and a “big band”. The Colossal Celebration of The Centuries is from 12 noon to 4pm on both Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th. Ticket prices are: adult £10.00, Child £6.00, Concession £8.00. Historic Scotland members enjoy free admission.  Tickets are available on the day; or can be purchased online in advance –save 10% www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/shop