GARDENING
Scotland is one of the best places in the world for gardening and there are more world-class gardens and plant collections in Scotland than in any other country of comparable size.
Garden Plants For Scotland (ISBN 978-0-7112-2675-3), published by Frances Lincoln Limited, evaluates the performance of thousands of plants in gardens all over the country and describes the most reliable shrubs, trees, fruit and perennials for our climate.
Written by Kenneth Cox of Glendoick Gardens Ltd (see The Scots Magazine, March 2006) and Raoul Curtis-Machin, Garden Plants For Scotland is a must-have for keen gardeners from The Borders in the south to Shetland in the north.
Garden Plants For Scotland costs £25.00 and is available from bookshops.
 
ABERDEEN
The Maritime Museum hosts Ben Boats: Watercolours of George Wiseman, an exhibition which runs until 16th August. George Wiseman was a pierhead artist who painted many of the trawlers of the 1950s and 1960s built in Aberdeen for the Richard Irvin trawler fleet. Irvin named most of their vessels after Scottish Mountains, hence the familiar name "Ben Boats".
Often using the shipyard plans to ensure the accuracy of the vessel, Wiseman was able to create images of an important period in Aberdeen's fishing heritage. The display includes two newly acquired watercolours of the Ben Loyal and Ben Lui.
Admission is free.
Telephone 01224 337700.
EDINBURGH
Edinburgh Castle houses the National War Museum which hosts an exhibition Call To Arms until Ist February, 2009. From a 15th-century mercenary to an infantry soldier in today's army, this exciting new exhibition covers the bloody and important history of the men on the fighting front of Scotland's battlefields.
Examining 800 years of clothing, protection, weapons and tactics, Call To Arms highlights four archetypal Scottish fighting men: a 15th-century "Galloglaigh" roving mercenary, a 17th-century Highland warrior fighting for kith and clan, a 19th- century Scottish soldier employed by the British Army and today's soldier tackling the challenges of modern day warfare.
Jonathan Ferguson, Assistant Curator at the National War Museum, said: "Scotland has always had a fearsome reputation on the battlefield and while technology has unquestionably changed the way warfare has been conducted over the centuries, one thing remains constant: the importance of infantry in any conflict. Call To Arms reveals the lives, weapons and motivations of the 'boots on the ground' - your average Scottish fighting man."
The exhibition is free with admission to the castle - adult £11.00, child £5.50, concessions £9.00.
 
MYTHS AND LEGENDS
Southern Scotland's myths and legends are reflected in seven stone sculptures which have been installed across the 7stanes mountain bike centres, as part of a drive to encourage people to visit Scotland's forests.
The huge, eye-catching works of art have taken six months to create and provide visitors to the forest with an experience to remember. The "stanes" have been placed in prominent locations near walking and cycling paths and range in size from one
to three metres high and from two to six tons in weight. The arts project is designed to appeal to a wide range of people and offer an added attraction for visiting all of the 7stanes sites at Glentrool - The Giant Axe Head, Kirroughtree - The Gem Stane, Mabie - The Ghost Stane, Glentress - The Meteorite, Newcastleton - The Border Stane, Ae - The Talking Head Stane, and Dalbeattie - The Heart Cleft Stane.
The stanes have been sourced from a variety of locations across the UK and have been prepared by craftsman Gordon Young and his team.
www.7stanes.gov.uk/artsproject
PERTH
The Museum & Art Gallery brings back memories for Perth residents during House To Mouse, which runs until 25th October. Based on the story of shopping for food and clothes in Perth, House To Mouse charts the development of shops from the medieval stall to the glass-fronted supermarket and showcases collections from well-known local businesses such as MacFisheries and McEwens.
The exhibition also explores advertising, rules and regulations, what could be bought, how goods and customers were transported and how goods were paid for.
With stunning displays of fashion, photographs of shopfronts from the past and activities to engage even the youngest visitor, this is an exhibition which is sure to bring on a bout of nostalgia.
Perth Museum and Art Gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10.00a.m. until 5.00p.m. and admission is free.

 
ST KILDA
St Kilda is in focus in a DVD from Panamint Cinema. Comprising two short films, The St Kilda Story (1980) and Wildlife of St Kilda, it runs for 60 minutes in colour and black and white with commentary by Magnus Magnusson and Christopher Mylne. The first section deals with the filmed history of St Kilda from 1906 to 1980, while the second section features St Kilda's teeming birdlife filmed over 25 years from 1957. Also from Panamint is a DVD featuring St Kilda The Lonely Islands and Fair Isle The Happy Island. Both DVDs cost £18.99 each.

www.panamint.co.uk
AROUND SCOTLAND
Around Scotland there are many mountains and glens with Gaelic names. Arguments and confusion amongst walkers about how to pronounce them could be a thing of the past following the launch of a new service by walkhighlands.co.uk
The walkers' website has recorded a native Gaelic speaker giving the correct pronunciation and the meaning of 400 place-names featured on its walks, and has now made them available to all online.
www.walkhighlands.co.uk is a free online guide for walkers visiting the Highlands. Founded in 2007 by Paul and Helen Webster, the site currently covers around 70% of the Highlands with 370 routes, with the remaining areas planned for completion later this year. As well as the place-name recordings, each route has a detailed description, free online map, photos, the option to explore the route in 3D, and the chance to add your own comments and photos.

www.walkhighlands.co.uk
 
WALKING
Walk this way and discover the fascinating Pictish Stones of Aberlemno in Angus. The distance is five miles and the route begins at the car park by Aberlemno school. Or take on something a little more challenging at the Devil's Beef Tub near Moffat in the Southern Uplands - a distance of four and a half miles, but with an ascent of 1076 feet.
These and 98 other walks, ranging from easy strolls to breathtaking hikes, are described in 100 Walks In Scotland, (ISBN 978-0-7495-5602-0) produced by AA Publishing. The guide costs £12.99 and is available from book shops or mail order from 01256 491524.
www.theaa.com/bookshop
DAWYCK BOTANIC GARDEN
This Borders garden boasts a new state-of-the art visitor centre. The building offers enhanced facilities for visitors, including an exhibition space, larger shop and a cafe serving snacks. The launch of the visitor centre coincides with the 30th anniversary of Dawyck coming into the care of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
The £1.3m building, funded by the Scottish Government and Scottish Borders Enterprise, is a model of environmental sustainability: floored with heat-retaining blue limestone, the interior is enhanced by oak frames, structural columns and ceiling beams.
The facility also enjoys the additional features of an external copper wall, designed to shimmer gently within the natural light of Dawyck's stunning arboretum, and attractive copper rain catchers and downpipes. All this is topped by an insulating roof, planted with a carpet of sedums.
To celebrate its opening, the new visitor centre plays host to With The Grain - The Life and Legacy of Tim Stead, a tribute to Borders craftsman and philosopher Tim Stead. First staged at the Edinburgh Garden in 2005, this intriguing exhibition of wood runs until 30th November.
 
FALKLAND
Falkland Castle in Fife hosts The Big Tent Festival, Scotland's Festival of Stewardship, which takes place over the weekend of 26th and 27th July. Music has always been part of the Big Tent, but this year the creation of The Big Hullabaloo tent pitches the festival into a higher league, with acts including King Creosote and The Peatbog Faeries.
"Stewardship isn't solely about the environment, it's also about the wider culture we create and inhabit," comments Programme Director Mike Small. "Big Tent is still at its heart a stewardship festival with a great musical line-up, not another music festival with a green makeover."
This year's Big Tent Festival with its theme of "Journeys" will introduce many new initiatives in addition to a packed weekend of music and dance. Visitors will be encouraged to give their ideas for green solutions in a Big Brother style video diary room called the "Booth of Truth". Mapland Scotland are set to create a stir with their giant Jigsaw Map of Scotland and there will be activities, workshops in wildlife and conservation, theatre, puppetry and storytelling as well as crafts and music.
Further details from 01337 858838 or e-mail info@centreforstewardship.org.uk

www.bigtentfestival.co.uk
FOLKLORE
Mythical beasts abound in Scottish folklore, none more alarming than a sea serpent whose tail curls "right round the most northerly tip of Scotland".
Setting the mythical world to rights is a young hero who enlists the help of a Kelpie.
As the writhing monster, Misterstourworm, dies, it turns into the string of islands that embrace the north-west of Scotland.
The epic tale, an original story by Stuart Paterson, is revealed on Misterstourworm and The Kelpie's Gift, a CD which features music composed by Savourna Stevenson and performed by the orchestra of Scottish Opera, with narration by Billy Boyd, star of "Lord Of The Rings".
Also included are three songs by Savourna Stevenson with words by Les Barker, originally commissioned by the National Youth Choir of Scotland.
Available from record stores for £11.99 or mail order from Circular Records Ltd.

Telephone 0131 440 4608.
 
SCONE PALACE
Scone Palace is where to come face to face with some Pictish Warriors on 20th July. Learn about their great victory at the Battle Of Dunnichen. Performances lasting 20 minutes will be staged throughout the day.
Entrance is £8.00 adults, £7.00 concessions, £5.00 children.

HEBRIDEAN CELTIC FESTIVAL
Castle Green, Lews Castle, Stornoway is the main event site for the Hebridean Celtic Festival, which takes the town by storm from 16th to 19th July.
Housed in a purpose-built marquee, acts will include Shooglenifty, Red Hot Chilli Pipers and The Saw Doctors.
Also appearing at An Lanntair, an arts centre in the town, are Mary Ann Kennedy and Na Seòed, the Karine Polwart Trio and the Hunger Mountain Boys.
www.hebceltfest.com
 
ABERDEENSHIRE
Honeyneuk Farm, where journalist and broadcaster Jack Webster spent his boyhood, is the focus of a DVD from RSABI, Scotland's leading charity helping people who have depended on the land for their livelihoods.
A Grain Of Truth, a classic tale of the land and its people, was first broadcast more than 20 years ago as part of the "Landward" farming series on BBC Scotland. It is Jack Webster's personal account of severing his last link with the land by holding a farm roup at Honeyneuk and proved to be one of the most enduring and popular films ever broadcast in the "Landward" series.
A Grain Of Truth costs £12.00 plus £1.00 p.& p. and is available from
the RSABI.

Telephone 0131 472 4166.
EDINBURGH
The capital as seen through the eyes of locals - that's what a new travel guide, The Locals' Guide To Edinburgh, from publishers Word Of Mouth Travels offers. Be led by those in the know to the best eateries, bars, shops, walks and more. Containing recommendations and tips from 15 "local legends", including Gavin Hastings, Mary Contini and 11-year-old Lisa, the guide helps visitors explore the sort of places most people miss out on due to lack of insider knowledge.
The Locals' Guide To Edinburgh (ISBN 978-0-9557529-0-2) costs £9.99 and is available from bookshops, art galleries and gift shops or online.

www.localsguidetoedinburgh.com
 
SKYE
Portree on the Isle of Skye welcomes Scottish Harp player Rachel Hair and Gaelic singer and Scottish step dancer, Joy Dunlop, for an evening of Scottish Traditional Music and Song on 12th August.
Sparkling jigs and reels, rhythmic waulking songs, evocative slow airs and passionate love songs . . . the concert will see them perform as soloists, together and also with accompanist Paul Tracey on guitar, as part of their Summer Highlands and Islands Tour.
The performance takes place at 7.30 p.m. in the Community Hall. Rachel, Joy and Paul are also appearing at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on Skye on the 13th, Achmore Village Hall on the Isle of Lewis on the 14th and Harris Hotel, Tarbert, Isle of Harris on the 15th. All tickets can be bought at the door.
KITTOCHSIDE
Kittochside, East Kilbride is where to find the National Museum of Rural Life.
Over 100 wildlife pictures are featured in a special exhibition running until 14th September. Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year includes such stunning images as a herd of stampeding zebra in the Serengeti, the glare of a long-eared owl amidst some rose bushes and fox cubs at play, as well as Perthshire teenager Fergus Gill's photograph "Sparrowhawk on the Lookout", which won the 11 to 14-year-old category.
Entry to the exhibition is free with Museum admission which is adult £5.00, concessions £4.00, children 12 and under free.

 
PIPING CD
Glasgow University's piper to the principal, Donald Campbell, pipes up in a CD featuring traditional and new airs. A Piper's Tapestry is available from the University Visitor Centre Shop, telephone 0141 330 5511 or online.
www.guheritage.com
EDINBURGH
The Royal Mile's secret gardens are being explored during a short walking tour at the heart of the historic Old Town. The brainchild of Jean Bareham, a native of the capital and founder of greenyonder tours, it is one of three separate walks that promise to take the participant closer to people and places they would not normally encounter.
greenyonder also gets on board the No. 44 bus for a truly green Herbs and Healing tour to three very special gardens, or venture further afield by minibus to visit inspiring gardens off the tourist track, in and around Edinburgh.
www.greenyondertours.com
 
ABERDEEN
Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums host a series of lunchtime talks. The August programme includes The Castlegate in Bye-gone Days by Catherine Taylor of Aberdeen Central Library on the 14th, Saints Dedications In Aberdeen by Sally Crumplin, Research Assistant, on the 21st and Aberdeen City And Shire by Ruaraidh Wishart of Aberdeen City Archives, on the 28th, all taking place at The Tolbooth Museum; Standing Building Surveys - Dalhebity House and Rosewell Gardens by Alison Cameron, Assistant Archaeologist, on the 20th at Aberdeen Maritime Museum; and Arts and Crafts Ceramics - The Bough And Mak' merry Studios by Kate Gillespie, Assistant Keeper, on the 21st and Surrealism by Jennifer Melville, Keeper, Fine Art, on the 29th taking place at the Art Gallery. All the talks are free and begin at 12.30 p.m.
EDINBURGH
The Festival's only dedicated food event, Foodies at the Festival, celebrates the finest Scottish food and drink on 23rd and 24th August at the Sheraton Grand Hotel and the adjoining Festival Square.
As well as a market and masterclasses, many other food-related activities are planned, including demonstrations from top Scottish chefs in a purpose-built chefs' theatre. The hour-long demonstrations will focus on Scottish ingredients and aim to inspire visitors to recreate the dishes themselves. Many of the ingredients used can be sourced at the outdoor market.
The local producers' market moves outdoors this year to Festival Square, thus allowing space for more stalls and a larger area for hot food preparation and café-style seating areas. Many specially selected exhibitors will be selling and demonstrating their wares, giving festival-goers the opportunity to sample and learn more about the excellent food Scotland has to offer.
Following the high attendance at last year's drink masterclasses the organisers have included food masterclasses in this year's programme. Classes will be held on themes ranging from chocolate to special cheeses.
The Edinburgh Festival is the world's largest arts event, incorporating the international, fringe, book and jazz festivals which take place in Edinburgh during August. Last year the festivals attracted over two million visitors.

www.foodiesfestival.com
 
KIRKINTILLOCH
Kirkintilloch takes to the water on 23rd and 24th August during the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival. Waterside entertainment, boat trips, music, stalls, a shuttle bus, street parade, fun fairs and lots more are planned in what promises to be the biggest and best Canal Festival so far.
The Festival first saw the light of day in 2000 and was called the "Coppers and Canals Festival". Over the years it has grown in popularity and is well attended by locals and visitors. Last year 14,000 people enjoyed the activities on offer and it was nominated for a VisitScotland Thistle Award under Best Regional Event category.
www.kirkintillochcanalfestival.org.uk
EDINBURGH
The Royal Botanic Garden focuses on Celtic Trees on Sunday 3rd August.
Take a guided walk around some of our native trees and discover the important part they have played in our traditional culture.
The walk begins at 11.00 a.m. from North Gate and costs £4.00. Booking is advisable.

Telephone 0131 248 2937.
 
INNERLEITHEN
Innerleithenswings on the weekend 15th to 17th August during the Innerleithen Music Festival. Celtic music stars Karen Matheson and her band, Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham and accordion whiz Sandy Brechin are appearing, plus there's a Big Sky Label Showcase Concert on Saturday afternoon and an Outdoor Concert at Traquair House on Sunday afternoon. Details and tickets from 01721 725777 or online.
www.innerleithenmusicfestival.org
ST ANDREWS
The Cathedral was the appropriate setting for the recording of Clàrsach na Bànrighe (The Queen's Harp) a debut CD of medieval and 18th-century Scottish harp repertory by Simon Chadwick. The medieval section of the CD includes 13th century church repertory from St Andrews Cathedral, as well as from Inchcolm island in the Firth of Forth. The second half of the CD presents the complete repertory of John Robertson of Lude, Perthshire, who owned and played the "Queen Mary" harp in the early 18th century.
Simon Chadwick is a specialist in the history, traditions and performance of historical Scottish and Irish harp music. Since 2006, he has been researching, performing and teaching at the Wighton Heritage Centre in Dundee, which holds an extensive collection of 17th, 18th and 19th-century Scottish music books.
Clàrsach na Bànrighe costs £13.00 (plus p.&p.) and is available at www.simonchadwick.net
www.simonchadwick.net