Latest news with #HonoursofScotland
Scotsman
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Under the Radar: The Ayoub Sisters
The Ayoub Sisters. Picture: Abdelrahman Gabr The Scottish Egyptian instrumentalists and composers are adept at blending genres, write Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scottish Egyptian instrumentalists and composers, The Ayoub Sisters have built an impressive career since scoring a number one in the Official Classical Charts with their eponymous debut album. Championed by legendary producer Mark Ronson, they are adept at blending genres and cultures, which is particularly evident on their second LP, the amazing Arabesque, as well as the soundtrack of the animated short film, The 21, released earlier this year. Comprising Laura on violin and Sarah on cello, the duo have worked with a string of renowned orchestras and appeared on a range of different broadcasts, ranging from Last Night Of The Proms to Songs Of Praise. Other high-profile bookings include performing for King Charles at the Honours of Scotland Coronation service, as well as an invitation to open for classical music royalty, Il Divo, at Edinburgh Castle. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They return to the capital on 15 August for our Made In Scotland Gigs showcase and a week later play the Shrewsbury Folk Festival. This followed by a single and dates in the Middle East in the autumn, with a UK tour in the pipeline for 2026. Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon run music industry seminar and social night Born To Be Wide, see
The National
05-07-2025
- The National
The incredible castle which once housed Scotland's crown jewels
One truly exceptional example is Dunnottar Castle, a historic ruin that has been invaded by the Vikings, attacked by William Wallace and even safeguarded the Honours of Scotland during the War of the Three Kingdoms. Once home to a chapel established by St Ninian, the "haunting" site where the once "impregnable" fortress of the Earls Marischal lies was once home to the "oldest" Pictish fort ever discovered by archaeologists. This early history is evident through the castle's name, which derives from the Pictish word "dun", meaning "fort," according to the Dunnottar Castle website. The site where Dunnottar Castle is located was once home to a Pictish fort (Image: Tripadvisor) See the 'incredibly beautiful' yet 'haunting' Dunnottar Castle in Scotland, which once housed Scotland's crown jewels The castle has long been commended as a wonderful place to visit, with it recently featuring in a Telegraph list of the best keeps to see in the UK. Discussing the incredible attraction in Scotland, the newspaper said: "Dunnottar crouches on a promontory between two bays, glaring at the North Sea. "St Ninian built a chapel here in 400, the Vikings invaded in 900, William Wallace attacked 400 years later, and the Honours of Scotland were kept safe here. "Later, stripped bare, it was rescued by the Cowdrays, who still own it." Dunnottar Castle was recently named one of the best forts to visit in the UK to visit (Image: Tripadvisor) The Scottish location has also received praise from visitors, with users on Tripadvisor giving it a 4.8/5 out of 3406 reviews. One person said: "Even though mostly ruins, this Castle is incredibly beautiful and impressive. "The location, scale and the feat of architectural engineering are only slightly eclipsed by the part that the Castle and people around it played in Scotland's history. "If in the area and able to survive a decent walk up and down the cliff, I'd recommend you take the time to visit." The Scottish spot has also been praised by visitors online (Image: Tripadvisor) Another said: "The castle is beautiful with a stunning view from the cliff and beach. "Loved it and the experience! It is a good weekend trip with your loved ones or solo!" A third person penned: "After seeing a photo of this castle, I changed our trip and route to include it. I don't regret that decision. "The castle is in ruins, but it's cool to explore. Its location is amazing!" Recommended Reading: Scottish ice cream parlour known for its 'Italian craftsmanship' among UK's best This ancient site in Scotland dating back 5000 years is 'older' than Stonehenge Why this 'eclectic' and 'charming' seaside town is the best in Scotland Another wrote: "This is the sort of castle I was really looking forward to visiting. "Perched on an outcropping of rock, it left me amazed at the dedication, effort and ingenuity that must have gone into gathering supplies and building it. "Spectacular views and a great architectural sampling of earlier ages made this a satisfying visit!"
Scotsman
04-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Red Arrows: Next generation of jets could be built in Scotland at Prestwick Airport
Prestwick Airport has been selected as the preferred site to build the next generation of Red Arrows jets in a decision branded a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity'. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Aviation company Aeralis is in partnership talks with the Scottish Government-owned airport, situated in central Ayrshire, to assemble its aircraft at the site. If secured, it would mean the next squadron of Red Arrows being built in Scotland in a deal that would deliver hundreds of jobs north of the Border. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The company is the only one in the UK that is designing and building a manned light jet aircraft, which could equip the RAF's display team, or be sold on the international export market. Red Arrows flypast after the National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication for King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and the presentation of the Honours of Scotland, at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. Picture:The Red Arrows fly Hawk T1 jets which are several decades old and due to be retired in 2030. Aeralis says components for the replacement jets would be built around the UK before being assembled at Prestwick, where the aircraft would take their first flight. The airport was bought by the Government for £1 in 2013, though officials hope to sell it back to the private sector. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ian Forgie, chief executive of Prestwick Airport, said: 'We are tremendously excited about this agreement with Aeralis and the opportunity it brings to generate jobs, apprenticeships, investment and innovation in the Prestwick area. 'We look forward to working with Aeralis to make this happen.' Scottish Labour MP for Central Ayrshire Alan Gemmell said: 'I am proud to support Aeralis's decision to commit to Prestwick. 'This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring jet manufacturing back to Prestwick and will mean hundreds of well-paying jobs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The Red Arrows are a global symbol of what's best about our country. I couldn't be happier if they become Scottish as well as British.' A commitment from the UK government to the aircraft is needed to progress plans, Aeralis said. If approved, company bosses said the assembly plans "will clearly return Scotland to its deserved place as a first-tier aviation nation". The existing jets, based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, cost almost £80,000 a day to run. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The squadron regularly visits Scotland, performing aerial displays coinciding with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in August, as well as shows from the northern base of RAF Lossiemouth in Moray. The RAF's aerobatic team was in Scotland last month. Tristan Crawford, chief executive of Aeralis, said: 'Prestwick represents an ideal site for our UK final assembly line. 'The airport has a strong aviation legacy particularly in whole aircraft manufacture, as well as excellent local aerospace manufacturing and MRO [maintenance, repair, overhaul] resources, and an operating model well suited to supporting new aerospace programmes. 'This will provide Aeralis with tremendous operating capability for building, testing and industrialising the new aircraft, meaning Prestwick is the perfect choice for Aeralis.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'As home to Scotland's largest aerospace cluster, Prestwick is an ideal place to locate new advanced manufacturing facilities for the aviation sector. 'News of this potential investment, and ongoing discussions between Aeralis and Glasgow Prestwick Airport to finalise an agreement for the production of training aircraft, are welcome.' The contact would be a massive economic boost for Glasgow Prestwick and provide an added incentive for potential bidders. The Scottish Government told The Scotsman in May the sale process for the nationalised airport was "at its most intensive", prompting Scottish Conservatives Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson to predict a deal 'could be very close'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ryanair is the Prestwick's sole passenger airline and also has a significant aircraft maintenance base there, while the airport also handles cargo flights.
