Latest news with #Moray
The Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Pupils at King's former school perform Shakespeare at home where he stayed
Pupils at the King's former school have entertained local people with a free Shakespeare performance at the holiday home where he occasionally stayed while at school. More than 200 people from the Moray area enjoyed two outside performances of The Tempest by Gordonstoun students at Innes House this week. The late Queen and the late Prince Philip used to stay at the property when they visited the then Prince Charles and his brothers the princes Andrew and Edward, while they were at Gordonstoun. Senior school pupils performed The Tempest on June 24 and 25, with 20 cast and crew aged 13-18 involved in the show. Gordonstoun head Simon Cane-Hardy said: 'Innes House is an iconic venue, which has had a long-standing history with Gordonstoun stretching back to Prince Charles' time at the school. 'So, it was fitting that it provided the stunning backdrop to an outside performance of Shakespeare's The Tempest and we are grateful to the Tennant family for facilitating it. 'More than 200 people attended the free events and enjoyed a night of high drama. 'Gordonstoun is proud of its strong links with local communities and we were delighted to put on these performances in service to them. 'It was fantastic to see so many people come along and watch the students perform. 'Hopefully, this will be the first of many theatre performances at Innes House – the students are certainly looking forward to treading the boards, or grass, there again.' Innes House owner Edward Tennant, a current parent and governor, is the grandson of Sir Iain Tennant, who accompanied a young Charles on his first day at Gordonstoun in May 1962. Charles was involved in drama productions during his time at the school and took the lead role in Macbeth in a 1965 production. His performance as Macbeth was said to be outstanding and he was described as the best actor in the school. Edward Tennant said: 'My wife, Zoe, and I were delighted to be able to host the Gordonstoun Shakespeare production here at Innes House and give students the opportunity to experience performing in the open air away from school. 'It is a pleasure to continue the historical connection between Gordonstoun and Innes House, and we look forward to the school returning for many more productions in the future and for the local community to continue to have the chance to witness the superb talent of these young performers in a very special setting.' Student Alison Turner, who played the part of Prospero, said: 'Performing at Innes House was just incredible. The scenery was amazing where we performed, with the giant oak tree, flowerbeds and the statues. 'It all just felt very whimsical and magical to perform there, and helped bring to life the story we were trying to tell.' Student Tigerlily Toley, who played the character of Antonio, said: 'The audience were so engaged in our storytelling, which helped to bring the community together to share a collective, unique experience and love for the performing arts.'
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Hold ‘gull summit' before birds kill someone, Scottish Tories say
The Scottish Tories have called for a summit on gulls before one of the birds kills somebody. Rachael Hamilton MSP said a nationwide discussion must be held, with Scots left ' scared, attacked and traumatised '. Douglas Ross, the Scottish Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands agreed the birds were a growing problem and suggested it was only a matter of time ' before we see someone killed due to being attacked by a gull'. It follows reports of people in Moray being dive-bombed by gulls. In one case, an elderly woman broke her leg in a gull attack. Mr Ross highlighted 'bizarre' advice from the NatureScot watchdog advising people to patrol potential nesting areas before the birds settle in. He accused the watchdog of failing to protect coastal communities and said the quango – which has dual responsibility for issuing control licences and protecting bird numbers – had 'lost the plot.' Mr Ross added: 'The time has come to breakup NatureScot. There is a clear conflict of interest in the fact they are responsible for considering licences to control gulls but are also responsible for protecting bird numbers.' The row follows a cross-party debate on urban gulls in Holyrood on Thursday. Jim Fairlie, the agriculture minister, said he sympathised with communities that suffer from aggressive gulls and said removing food sources was 'the most effective route to avoiding issues'. He added: 'In cases where it is justified, NatureScot provides licences for control when public health and safety is at risk. In the UK and Europe gulls are protected by law, with their overall numbers declining, so lethal measures must be a last resort.' Mr Ross said: 'If the minister cannot see that is a problem, then he is divorced from reality. The strength of the cross-party support in my debate today should be all the SNP government need to finally act before we see someone killed due to being attacked by a gull.' People living in the coastal town of Nairn are among those who believe more action is needed to tackle the birds. Caroline Mackay, who has lived in Nairn for almost 50 years, told BBC Scotland: 'I know they are part of living beside the sea, and I accept that, but they are quite a danger.'
The Independent
4 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Princess Royal opens coastguard centre at King's old school
The Princess Royal has officially opened a new coastguard centre at the King's former school. Senior students at Gordonstoun School will now be able to respond to emergency calls 24/7 following the launch of the purpose-built facility on the school campus. The school said that from September they will be the first cadet corps in the UK to attend live search-and-rescue callouts. They will support HM Coastguard North East on the front line by responding to missing person and rescue searches on land, along the Moray coast. The new building replaces the previous 'watchtower' structure opened in 1955 by Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, which was later used by the King when he was a member of the coastguard service during his time at Gordonstoun. The Princess Royal – who holds the role of warden at Gordonstoun – on Tuesday unveiled a plaque naming the new centre The Winthrop-Young Gordonstoun Coastguard Centre, in memory of a family linked with the school since it was founded. Gordonstoun principal Peter Green said: 'Gordonstoun founder Kurt Hahn, one of education's greatest innovators, said 'we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give'. 'Like him, I firmly believe that students need to encounter 'compassion' during the daily cycle of school life underpinned by our service to the community, where every senior student takes part in one of Gordonstoun's nine community and rescue services. 'Those in the Coastguard team are fully trained to help with search-and-rescue emergency incidents, which is a great example of how students at Gordonstoun are challenged to take part in activities outwith their comfort zone.' He added: 'It is fitting that HM The Princess Royal opened the new coastguard centre today, which will support a service that Prince Philip and HM The King had fond memories of being involved with. 'Her duty to service is a great example to all our students at Gordonstoun on how important it is to give something back and support communities.' He said that Geoffrey Winthrop-Young, a mountaineer and educator, was instrumental in establishing Gordonstoun and later responsible for its renowned 'character education'. The new centre was funded with the support of Antonios Mikellides and family, long-term supporters of the school, who donated around £600,000. There are currently 21 senior Gordonstoun students – 11 active and 10 training – who are supporting HM Coastguard. Richard Cavaye, station officer of the Gordonstoun Coastguard operational support team, said: 'The coastguard centre has been fully fitted out with an interactive briefing room, hi-tech screen and maps. 'There is also a changing area with hard hats, boiler suits, hi-vis jackets, ropes and torches, providing the students with everything they need to respond to emergency incidents at a moment's notice.' The new facility is said to be a major upgrade compared with the watchtower building opened in 1955 by the King's father, also a former pupil. In a TV broadcast in 1977, Charles described how, as a teenager, he found it 'extraordinarily exciting and rewarding' to be involved in the coastguard unit at Gordonstoun. Assistant Chief Coastguard David Sharp was also at the school on Tuesday. He said: 'It's been a pleasure to join others to celebrate Gordonstoun's new coastguard centre, opened today by HRH The Princess Royal. 'This new building provides students with access to equipment and facilities designed to support HM Coastguard's coastguard rescue service in Moray.' During the visit, the Princess Royal met students inside the centre who were simulating a response to a search-and-rescue incident, and visited other parts of the school Her children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips are among the royals to have been educated at Gordonstoun.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Tyson Fury drinks with locals in Scots bar and visits historic castle during road trip
TYSON Fury has been spotted drinking with locals in a bar and visited a historic castle during his Scottish road trip. The boxing icon, 36, visited north of the border for Netflix's At Home With The Furys. 5 5 5 5 The former world heavyweight champion dropped by Carbisdale Castle in the Highlands. He was shown around the grounds of the 118-year-old country pile and told of the work that had gone into transforming it into a luxury home. But owner Samantha Kane was unable to welcome the Gypsy King as she attending Royal Ascot in Berkshire. She said: "World-famous heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury made an unexpected visit to Carbisdale Castle while I was at Ascot yesterday and was greeted by Sarah and Michael, who showed him around the Castle and what was achieved in bringing Carbisdale to its former glory. 'He was very impressed indeed. Thank you Tyson for your visit.' Earlier this week, Fury was spotted strutting topless around Grantown-on-Spey in Moray wearing a red tartan kilt and matching tie. The 9ft 9ins star got fitted out at a kiltmaker in the small town and chatted with locals. He also enjoyed a drink in the Claymore Bar where he downed Guinness and posed for photos with staff. The ex-boxer has also visited Wick and John O'Groats in the Caithness region. He is visiting with his wife, Paris, children and film crew as he makes the second season of At Home With The Fury's. Boxing icon Tyson Fury spotted posing topless in Scots town as he chats with locals He happily posed for photos with fans, including Cromdale FC manager Stuart Dunbar, who jokingly tried to sign him up. Ms Kane is the only person in Britain to have changed gender three times. Born in Iraq as a man, named Sam Hashimi, she had surgery in 1997 to become Samantha, before a second operation in 2004 when she changed her name to Charles Kane and then a third surgery to become Samantha again in 2018. The barrister and business tycoon spearheaded a Saudi bid to buy Sheffield United Football Club in 2000. She called herself Lady Carbisdale after buying the dilapidated 19-bedroom clifftop castle, near Ardgay, in 2022. Fury retired in January, eight months after suffering the only defeat of his career at the time when he lost to Oleksandr Usyk by split decision. During a rematch last December, the Ukrainian won by unanimous decision.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Andy Murray to become new face of famous Scottish brand
SCOTTISH tennis legend Andy Murray has become the new face of one of the country's most famous brands. The three-time Grand Slam champion has been announced as the first brand ambassador for Walker's Shortbread. Advertisement The company has posted pictures on Instagram of him holding a tartan tennis ball with the brand logo on it while out on a clay court. Murray said: "I am proudly Scottish, and partnering with Walker's, a brand that has been representing Scotland around the world for well over a century, felt like a great fit for me. READ MORE: The rarest and most stunning wild animals to see in Scotland 'I come from a small tight-knit community and when I look back at where I have come from, I am proud of what I've achieved, which is something I share with Walker's. "It's a real honour to be part of this next chapter for such a well-loved Scottish brand. Advertisement 'I've been eating shortbread since I was a kid – my gran would make it all the time for us. We even celebrated my Wimbledon win with shortbread. "No matter where I am in the world, a piece of Walker's Shortbread always transports me back home.' The company said it is "incredibly excited to welcome Andy Murray to the Walkers' shortbread family", with bosses saying his journey from a small town in Scotland "mirrors our own". Murray grew up in Dunblane in Stirlingshire before becoming one of Scotland's most cherished sports stars. Walker's shortbread is baked in the Moray village of Aberlour, following a recipe developed by Joseph Walker in 1898. It is now one of Scotland's biggest exporters of food and employs more than 1200 people. Advertisement A post on Instagram from Walker's said: "He's the perfect match to be our first-ever brand ambassador for Walker's, with our shared sense of national heritage, pride, and understated charm of two of Scotland's most famous exports. "Together, we're celebrating 'A wee bit of Scotland that's come a long way'." Nicky Walker, managing director at Walker's Shortbread, said: "We are incredibly excited to welcome Andy Murray as our very first brand ambassador. "We've always admired Andy's achievements, his dedication and his cautious charisma as well as his very obvious close relationship with his own family. Advertisement "These are qualities that resonate deeply with our own values at Walker's Shortbread. We are genuinely honoured that Andy and his team have acknowledged Walker's as a suitable partner, and we are looking forward to this exciting new venture as we continue to promote 'Scotland at its Finest'.' The partnership will debut with a "bold, striking" black and white campaign, launching on June 30 to coincide with the start of Wimbledon. Shot with a "sleek, cinematic feel" the ad will showcase the shared qualities of both the brand and the tennis champion with a "humorous twist".
