Celebrating Highland culture in style
With nine days of non-stop entertainment on offer, it’s time to blast off with Blas!, writes Susan Welsh
Music
The time has come for a musical extravaganza
In 1987, dance floors across the country said goodbye to hand jives and greased lightning, but the complexities of Dirty Dancing take months to perfect, writes Laura Redpath
Warm welcome in the not-so-wild west
The Western Isles often feel a world away, but Jane Candlish finds you can feel at home across the Minch
‘I like to wallow in my work like a hippo’
Approaching 60, with butter ads and a stint in the celebrity jungle now on his CV, is John Lydon still as outspoken and unruly as ever? Andy Welch talks opinions, humour and the joy of working with people you like with the former Sex Pistol It’s unlikely you could find a subject on which John Lydon doesn’t hold an opinion.
Working 9 to 50+
Dolly Parton, a film festival and so much more. Cheryl Livingstone explores what you can look forward to at the 50+ Festival in Aberdeen
Little village with big ideas
Set off early and make the best of what promises to be the busiest Summer Isles Festival yet, writes Susan Welsh
My Weekend: Aly Bain
When does your weekend start? Weekends are a busy time for us, most of them are spent travelling and playing.
Q&A: Alan Howell
Cheryl Livingstone speaks to Alan Howell about returning to the land of Dreamboats and Petticoats – and playing one of the most famous musicians in the world
Sing your heart out for fun and friendship
We’ve all heard the term sing your heart out, but did you know singing is actually good for your heart, lungs, mind and overall health? Medical experts who have studied all aspects of singing say it can also reduce stress levels and improve our emotional sense of wellbeing. It’s also a huge amount of fun, as people from the north-east who have joined Rock Choir, the UK's largest and most popular contemporary choir, can testify.
Q&A: Craig Reid
Scotland’s best-loved twins, The Proclaimers – aka Craig and Charlie Reid – have enjoyed worldwide success thanks to their fantastic musical repertoire, which includes songs filled with emotional honesty, political fire, wit and singalong raucousness. Susan Welsh chats to Craig ahead of the duo’s headline appearance at the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival near Beauly tonight, August 6.
Bring on Bella!
The excitement has been building for months, but at last the 12th Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival is under way, writes Susan Welsh
Rock or walk, you can do it all
Head to Aviemore and soak up the atmosphere at some of the area’s big events, writes Susan Welsh
Kimberley Walsh: ‘I’ve been broody since I was 15’
Former Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh is successfully combining work with being a mum to her 10-month-old son, Bobby. She tells Gabrielle Fagan how her fiance, Justin Scott, helped her survive the spotlight and how they have big plans for their wedding - and more children
One stopover you won’t want to end
The countdown has begun to the biggest party ever to grace Aviemore, writes Susan Welsh
Full line-up for this weekend’s T in the Park
Some of the biggest names in music are heading for Scotland this week to play T in the Park, which takes place at the new venue of Strathallan Castle, home to a sprawling 1,000-acre Perthshire estate.
Islands ready for a musical invasion
Making your way to Stornoway? Then be prepared to spend four days partying at the fantastic HebCelt Festival, writes Susan Welsh
Q&A: 9 to 5: The Musical
In its 75th anniversary year, Aberdeen Opera Company returns to HMT with the UK amateur premiere of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5: The Musical. It is a hilarious musical comedy based on the hit movie that centres on three office workers who turn the tables on their sexist boss. Here, Cheryl Livingstone meets the three women who are taking care of business
All aboard for Portsoy Boat Festival
Ahoy, me hearties! It’s time to hoist the sails and drop anchor at the annual Portsoy Boat Festival, writes Susan Welsh
Follow the pipes to Forres
Set to hit the right note with visitors is Piping At Forres, a spectacular musical day out for all the family, writes Susan Welsh
Q&A: James Mackintosh
Scottish favourites Shooglenifty celebrate their 25th anniversary year and 20 years since playing the first HebCelt Festival. Drummer James Mackintosh looks back over the years
Alyth set to ‘Shine’ at hebcelt
Home for Alyth McCormack is two distinct places. There’s Lewis, where she was born and raised, and there’s County Wexford in Ireland, where she has lived with her husband, musician Noel Eccles, for the last three years. Despite having moved to Ireland eight years ago, it’s only since settling in the country, an hour from Dublin, that her native island of Lewis has had a rival for what she regards as “home”.
And all that jazz
For two decades, Tommy Smith’s efforts have helped make the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra one of the best in the world, while Eddi Reader is one of the nation’s favourite singers. Bring them together and the result is an unforgettable musical collaboration, writes Susan Welsh
Q&A: The LaFontaines
The LaFontaines are a five-piece rap-rock band from Motherwell. They release their debut album, Class, on Monday, June 8, and have already kicked off their UK tour. Andy Welch spoke to frontman Kerr Okan to find out more about recording their new record, getting time off work and plotting a jailbreak in Morocco
Jealousy, revenge, love and hate
Cheryl Livingstone speaks to Anne Mason about why her character in Il trovatore is more than meets the eye
Music: Emily Smith
Having been named Scots Singer of the Year last year, Emily Smith is back on tour once more, and visiting Aberdeen and Portsoy this week.
Music: Simple Minds
Iconic Scottish band Simple Minds are to put a sparkle in Aberdeen’s pre-festive celebrations by playing a gig at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, when they will be supported by special guests The Stranglers.
International orchestra comes to Torry
A group of international musicians have arrived in Aberdeen to help boost the confidence of youngsters at two city primary schools.
VOTE: Who should win this year’s Eurovision Song Contest?
Soon the points from each country for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest will start rolling in. Each artist will be hoping to avoid the notorious ‘nul points’ announcement… Who do you think should win this year’s Eurovision?
Eurovision 2015: First act is wearing headphones… Twitter is unforgiving
Slovenia opened the Eurovision Song Contest with the lead vocalist wearing headphones and her backing members playing air violins... That's right, air violins.
Welcome to Scotland’s Dolphin Coast
The Banffshire Coast is breathtakingly beautiful, and it is not just the local residents who say it: National Geographic magazine voted it one of the top coastline destinations in the world.
Don’t stop Gary now (he’s having such a good time)
Getting ready to rock Highland audiences this weekend is the one and only Gary Mullen, whose show, One Night of Queen, pays tribute to the world’s greatest rock band, writes Susan Welsh
Wet Wet Wet confirm shows in Aberdeen AND Inverness
Those who thought they might never get the chance to see boy band Wet Wet Wet in the flesh can think again.