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Nazareth

Legendary hard rock band from Scotland. Nazareth was founded in 1968 in Dunfermline, town in Fife. They become known all over the world after they covered “Love Hurts” in 1975. They are still playing.

Fish

Fish (also known as Derek Dick) became famous as lead vocalist of rock band Marillion. In 1988 he decided to leave Marillion and started solo career. Fish also appeared in few films.

Annie Lennox

One of the most brilliant vocalists of our times, Annie Lennox is also songwriter, campaigner and activist. Over 80 million record sales – this number makes great impression. You may say, that her career began in 1971. 17 – years old Lennox left Scotland for Royal Academy of Music then. In 1979 she and Dave Stewart formed legendary band Eurythmics. Annie started her solo career in 1990 with release of album “Diva”. She performed beautiful song “Into the West” from The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.

Mogwai

It is one of the best post – rock bands. Formed in 1995 in Glasgow, Mogwai’s name comes from creature from “Gremlins”. In Cantonese it means “evil spirit”. Music played by the band is dark and disturbing. In 2011 they released their seventh studio album “Hardcore will never die, but you will”.

Primal Scream

Alternative Scottish rock band formed in 1982 in Glasgow. They became famous with the release of their third studio album “Screamadelica” in 1991. Current lineup consists of Bobby Gillespie (vocalist from the beginning), Andrew Innes (guitarist), Martin Duffy (keyboards) and Darrin Mooney (drummer).

Texas

Scottish pop band. Texas was founded in 1986 by Johnny McElhone. Two years later Sharleen Spiteri became band’s vocalist. Texas is connected by most people with her. Band achieved success in 1989, when they released their first album with single “I don’t want a lover”.

Franz Ferdinand

This post – punk band was formed in 2002 in Glasgow. Since then they were very successful in whole Europe. Franz Ferdinand won a lot of awards, for instance NME Award. They also have been nominated for Brit Awards and Grammy Awards.

Travis

It is one of most popular Britpop bands of the world. Their first album, “Good Feeling”, was released in 1997 and immediately gained big popularity. Most successful was third studio album “The Invisible Band”.

[I_Believe_]

Beginning of football’s popularity is connected with 15th century. It was then when Scots started playing this game. First international football match played by Scots was played in 1872 between England and Scotland and resulted in 0-0 draw. In 1872 in Glasgow legendary Rangers Football club was formed. Six years later Celtic was formed.

Next to football there is rugby, also played by many. First international match was played in 1870 between – you bet! – Scotland and England. Rugby is considered game for tough players. Lots of people tend to think it is much more entertaining to watch rugby than football.

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You can’t forget about golf, especially as its name was invented in Scotland. In 15th century it was one of most popular activities among local nobles. Authorities had even tried to prohibit it, but without any success. Rules of golf were specified in 1744 and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club  was founded ten years later. There are lots of worldwide known courses in Scotland, e. g. famous Old Course at St Andrews, Royal Troon, or Carnoustie.

Scotland is home to curling as well. It is not as popular as in Canada, but nevertheless more than in other European countries.

Mountaineering may not be very impressive to watch (who would like to watch it on TV?), but it is also very important in Scottish culture.

Fishing is second sport widely popular among locals. Fishing enthusiasts have opportunity to catch brown trout, sea trout or salmon. There are perfect spots for anglers on west coast of the country, especially rivers Tay, Dee, Spey and Tweed, where you can find salmons.

What about other popular sports? Well, there is cricket, although it is not as common as in England. A lot of outstanding snooker players come from Scotland. One of popular pub games are darts.

[Crystl]

Real British summer without eating outdoors, playing games and having fun? By no means it can’t be called “British”! Now that you decided to go on a picnic, there is only one problem: where to go? Below some brilliant ideas for picnic spots in Scotland, where you can spread your blanket and enjoy picturesque views.

Loch an Eilein, Rothiemurchus

This place is perfect for picnics! It has even been voted Britain’s favourite picnic place in 2010. Located couple of miles south of Aviemore, Loch an Eilein is one of Scotland’s most beautiful lakes. It is also very popular among bird watchers, so why not bring a pair of binoculars? Fascinating wildlife, impressive ruins of castle and… hamper full of delicious food. What else could anyone possibly want?

Botanic Gardens, Glasgow

Located in the West End of Glasgow, Botanic Gardens are very popular both among locals and tourists. They are famous especially for their glass houses and collection of tropical plants from all over the world. Particularly worth seeing are orchids and begonias, as well as 200 years old Weeping Ash. One should see Kibble Palace. It’s wrought iron framed glasshouse from 19th century designed by John Kibble. Kibble Palace was restored in 2004 and reopened two years later.

Pollok Country Park, Glasgow

It’s Glasgow’s biggest park. Formerly it has been part of Pollok Estate and home to Maxwell Family. Located just 3 miles south-west from the city centre, Pollok Country Park is also easy to reach. There are lots of attractions: Burrell Collection Gallery, mansion from 18th century, mountain-bike circuit. Children won’t be bored – Highland cattle and Clydesdale horses wouldn’t let them!

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Loch Lomond

One of the most beautiful lakes in whole Scotland is great choice for picnic as well. Not everybody knows it, but Loch Lomond is biggest body of freshwater in mainland Britain. You can enjoy a nice walk here or rent a boat. There are also organized picnic packages, if you don’t want to worry about anything.

Mount Stuart

Mount Stuart is gothic mansion situated on the Isle of Bute, just 90 minutes away from Glasgow. This house belonged to Stuart family, and is one of finest pieces of gothic architecture in Great Britain. Gardens are beautiful as well. Surroundings are very romantic – Stella McCartney’s wedding reception were held here.

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ChristyMacintosh]

Dunadd Fort

If you’re searching for a place, where you can relax and feel really free, head for Dunadd Fort. Nowadays it looks very humble, but it is believed that Dunadd were one of the most important places in Scotland between 500 – 900 AD. There are also burial cairns, rock engravings and standing stones.

Beecraigs Country Park

Situated in the Bathgate Hills, Beecraigs Country Park is considered great destination for short trip for whole families. There are a lot of activities for everyone. You can try archery, kayaking, orienteering, canoeing, even skiing. Kids would love deer farm and fishery. In Beecraigs Country Park tourists can camp and eat at restaurant.

The show has been an eagerly anticipated event in Glasgow’s calendar for over 70 years. However the 2011 show is unique as it is the last ever to take place at the Vic Bar – one of Glasgow’s best loved venues. Due to the redevelopment of the design buildings opposite the Macintosh, the Vic is set to close its doors in June.

In tribute, the Third Year Textile Design students will create capsule collections inspired by the Newbery Tower, home to Textiles since the 1970’s and also a wealth of information from the fantastic GSA archives.

Working within their chosen specialism of print, knit, weave or embroidery each student will create not only the garments but the textiles they are made from. These three-piece collections will display a wide range of influences from Chinese kimonos to Glasgow style embroidery and the condemned Newbery Tower itself.

Each Second Year student will also contribute a garment to the show. In addition, there will be a chance to purchase items designed by the students in the Fashion Show Boutique before and after the shows.

The show is organized and produced collectively by the Third Year students who hope to raise enough money to present their final degree collection at ‘New Designers’ graduate event in London 2012. The prestigious textiles programme at The Glasgow School of Art has a long heritage and has produced some outstanding talent such as Jonathon Saunders, Louise Grey, Bebaroque and Timorous Beasties.

To coincide with the show, an exhibition of the First Year fashion and textiles students’ work will be held in GSA’s Atrium Gallery from the 8th to the 13th of March.

The Fashion Show Tickets are priced at 7 and 5 pounds, available from Vic Bar, GSA shop in the Macintosh building and Ticket Scotland – www.ticketscotland.com. Shows are at 7pm and 9pm both evenings.

For further information or images please contact Allison Hunter, Media Relations Officer, The Glasgow School of Art. T: 0141 566 1442 M: 07939954836.

Check also Facebook Fashion Show profile and the GSA project website.

Up the river Perth there is an old abbey, surrounded by trees and partially overtaken by wild nature – it is the Scone Abbey, a historical place where Scottish kings were crowned with the help of the Stone of Scone. Now long gone from it’s original place of power, the Stone still holds a great meaning, even after 700 years.

A 14th century English cleric and historian Walter Hemingford writes:

“In the monastery of Scone, in the church of God, near to the high altar, is kept a large stone, hollowed out as a round chair, on which their kings were placed for their ordination, according to custom.”

The stone has many names. Coronation Stone, Stone of Destiny, as it is said that it was deciding if a person was worth to become a king of the Scots. Jacob’s Pillow Stone, for as the legend says, it had been used by Jacob as a pillow in Haran before it was transported to Syria and later to Spain. In Scottish Gaelic – Lia Fáil. Whatever name it was, the truth is that ever since Kenneth I every monarch of Scotland, England and later Great Britain had to sit on the stone during the coronation.

The stone itself is not very spectacular, it’s size approximately 26 by 17 by 10 inches and, weight of 336 pounds, there are two metal rings attached to it, one on each end, probably for easier transportation. The red sandstone it is made of can be found around the area of Scone but, considering various legends, it is possible that it had been brought to Scotland from the continent. The scientists didn’t yet manage to confirm its origins but most of what can be heard hints at the stone being brought to Scotland from Ireland.

In 1296 the stone has been taken from Scotland as the spoils of war by Edward I. Only in 1328 did The Treaty of Northampton state that the Stone of Scone is to be returned to Scotland after 600 years of residence in London. In 1950 a group of Scottish students had taken the stone from the Abbey it’s been kept in, as a part of carved wooden chair, in the process discovering that the stone was broken in half. They intended to return it to Scotland, where it belonged. In its journey back home the stone had seen Kent, Leeds, Ilkley Moor and Glasgow, where a politician, Robert Gray had it repaired. Many people helped the students to get the stone safely back in Scotland, where in the end it had been left on the altar of Arbroath Abbey, only to be returned by the police to Westminster. The efforts of the Scottish students were pictured in a movie, The Stone of Destiny, laying stress on the importance of the stone as a symbol of Scotland’s independence.

In 1996 the Stone of Scone was officially returned to Scotland, where it can be seen in the Edinburgh Castle. In the event of a coronation the stone will be ‘borrowed’ by Westminster but for now – it rests where it belongs to, small in comparison to some historical artefacts but great in meaning.