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Heritage and Retro

Actress Tilda Swinton. Picture: Marc Piasecki

Tilda Swinton: 'Invaluable' Filmhouse should not be sold to highest bidder

Protesters gathered outside the boarded-up cinema on Sunday to call for the Filmhouse to be saved and not sold for a pub. Picture: Annabelle Gauntlett.
Protesters gathered outside the boarded-up cinema on Sunday to call for the Filmhouse to be saved and not sold for a pub. Picture: Annabelle Gauntlett.

Edinburgh Filmhouse: SNP demands building reopens as art house cinema

Have a look through our photo galllery to see what Edinburgh life was like back in 1995.
Have a look through our photo galllery to see what Edinburgh life was like back in 1995.

17 incredible photos of Edinburgh in 1995

Sightings of the stonechat in spring carried particular superstitions in Scotland. PIC: Ziva & Amir/Flickr/CC.
Sightings of the stonechat in spring carried particular superstitions in Scotland. PIC: Ziva & Amir/Flickr/CC.

Spring equinox: the ancient beliefs of the new season in Scotland

Do you know how these Scottish towns got their names?
Do you know how these Scottish towns got their names?

How Scotland's 11 largest towns got their names - from Paisley to Airdrie

Some dog breeds are born to be sociable with other animals and humans.
Some dog breeds are born to be sociable with other animals and humans.

The 10 most and least sociable breeds of adorable dog

Bonnie Prince Charlie meets Flora MacDonald: his time on the run after Culloden has now been reimagined by novelist Alan Warner in his new book Nothing Left to Fear From Hell.
Bonnie Prince Charlie meets Flora MacDonald: his time on the run after Culloden has now been reimagined by novelist Alan Warner in his new book Nothing Left to Fear From Hell.

Bonnie Prince Charlie's escape after Culloden reimagined by novelist Alan Warner

Heritage

Found in Stornoway, the sign reads: "a broken Gaelic is better than a Gaelic in the chest (coffin)". Encouraging people to use what they've got regardless of any imperfections.
Found in Stornoway, the sign reads: "a broken Gaelic is better than a Gaelic in the chest (coffin)". Encouraging people to use what they've got regardless of any imperfections.

Stornoway Gaelic Cafe ignites new hope for Gaelic's prosperity in Scotland

St Patrick's day commemorates the Patron Saint of Ireland who is credited for introducing the country to Christianity.
St Patrick's day commemorates the Patron Saint of Ireland who is credited for introducing the country to Christianity.

St Patrick’s Day 2023: Who was Saint Patrick and why do people wear green?

Cybermen at the entrance to the National Museum Of Scotland at a preview for the Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder exhibition at National Museum of Scotland in December. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Cybermen at the entrance to the National Museum Of Scotland at a preview for the Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder exhibition at National Museum of Scotland in December. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

National Museum crowned Scotland’s most popular attraction

The Clan Fraser at Culloden Battlefield, pictured in 2016. It has now been temporarily sealed off given wear and tear to the area caused by high visitor numbers. PIC: Flickr/Jennofarc/CC.
The Clan Fraser at Culloden Battlefield, pictured in 2016. It has now been temporarily sealed off given wear and tear to the area caused by high visitor numbers. PIC: Flickr/Jennofarc/CC.

Outlander pilgrimage site sealed off amid plea to 'respect' Culloden graves

Actors Peter Riegert, who plays Mac, and Chris Rozycki as Viktor in Local Hero which had its Scottish premiere in Glasgow 40 years ago today, on March 16 1983. PIC: Moviestore/Shutterstock.
Actors Peter Riegert, who plays Mac, and Chris Rozycki as Viktor in Local Hero which had its Scottish premiere in Glasgow 40 years ago today, on March 16 1983. PIC: Moviestore/Shutterstock.

Local Hero at 40: 'It felt a little bit like jazz. It just felt right'

Here are the 10 best Scottish footballers of all time, according to our readers. Cr: SNS Group.
Here are the 10 best Scottish footballers of all time, according to our readers. Cr: SNS Group.

Here are Scotland's 10 best footballers of all time - according to our readers

As a Global Brand Ambassador for Macs Adventure, Coinneach MacLeod will inspire his fans to try self-guided holidays and explore the health benefits of them.
As a Global Brand Ambassador for Macs Adventure, Coinneach MacLeod will inspire his fans to try self-guided holidays and explore the health benefits of them.

Who is the Hebridean Baker and why is the Scottish Tiktoker famous?

“An understanding of the natural world is a source of not only great curiosity, but great fulfilment.”
“An understanding of the natural world is a source of not only great curiosity, but great fulfilment.”

Best of David Attenborough: 28 epic quotes in honour of his new 2023 series

The Old Man of Storr is one of the Skye landmarks where people and traffic sensors are now providing real-time data to tourists to allow them to avoid congestion at island beauty spots. Picture: Modes Rodríguez/Flickr/CC
The Old Man of Storr is one of the Skye landmarks where people and traffic sensors are now providing real-time data to tourists to allow them to avoid congestion at island beauty spots. Picture: Modes Rodríguez/Flickr/CC

Scottish island follows Amsterdam and Barcelona in managing tourist numbers

Retro

Alcopop bottles Pic: Julianpictures Adobe
Alcopop bottles Pic: Julianpictures Adobe

Alcopops are out of the ONS basket, but we haven't bought one since the Nineties

Try out quiz and see how many of the 12 questions you can get correct. Answers are in the final photo.
Try out quiz and see how many of the 12 questions you can get correct. Answers are in the final photo.

Quiz: Match 12 features to the landmarks they belong to

Looking down Leith Street in Edinburgh towards Picardy Place in 1958. Picture shows (left hand side) the Top Deck restaurant, John Collier menswear and Timpson's shoe shop. All these shops were demolished to make way for St James Centre and King James Hotel in 1969.
Looking down Leith Street in Edinburgh towards Picardy Place in 1958. Picture shows (left hand side) the Top Deck restaurant, John Collier menswear and Timpson's shoe shop. All these shops were demolished to make way for St James Centre and King James Hotel in 1969.

In pictures: 17 incredible buildings we lost

Demand for turntables and vinyl playing accessories remains strong. Picture: Scott Reid
Demand for turntables and vinyl playing accessories remains strong. Picture: Scott Reid

Peak vinyl? Why there's plenty of life left in music industry's oldest format

Kirsty Wark celebrates the unsung in new BBC Scotland series The Women Who Changed Modern Scotland. PIC: Two Rivers Media/BBC Scotland
Kirsty Wark celebrates the unsung in new BBC Scotland series The Women Who Changed Modern Scotland. PIC: Two Rivers Media/BBC Scotland

The ordinary women who changed the face of modern Scotland

More Scottish Heritage and Retro

Beltane is said to refer to the Celtic sun god, Belenus, and ancient Celts would light two bonfires on this day (May 1) as it was said to increase their fertility and encourage their crops to grow. It was said this date was chosen as it marks the midway point between the Vernal (Spring) equinox and summer solstice. Many other traditions on May 1 have been observed in Scotland for centuries, such as young girls who would rise early that day to wash their faces in the May dew as it was said to offer them good luck.
Beltane is said to refer to the Celtic sun god, Belenus, and ancient Celts would light two bonfires on this day (May 1) as it was said to increase their fertility and encourage their crops to grow. It was said this date was chosen as it marks the midway point between the Vernal (Spring) equinox and summer solstice. Many other traditions on May 1 have been observed in Scotland for centuries, such as young girls who would rise early that day to wash their faces in the May dew as it was said to offer them good luck.

Spring in Scotland: 9 ancient traditions and Celtic customs of Scottish Spring

There are some Scottish clans that include ‘visible relics’ of their Norse ancestors. For example, the MacIvors were originally the sons of Ivar, Macaulay the songs of Olaf, MacAskill the sons of Asgeir and MacSween the sons of Swein. The ‘Mac’ surname prefix meaning ‘son’ is Scottish in origin as a Gaelic term.
There are some Scottish clans that include ‘visible relics’ of their Norse ancestors. For example, the MacIvors were originally the sons of Ivar, Macaulay the songs of Olaf, MacAskill the sons of Asgeir and MacSween the sons of Swein. The ‘Mac’ surname prefix meaning ‘son’ is Scottish in origin as a Gaelic term.

Vikings & Scotland: 9 Incredible facts about ancient Vikings in Scotland

The former Royal High School on Edinburgh's Calton Hill is set to be turned into a new 'world-class centre for music education and public performance.' Image: Richard Murphy Architects
The former Royal High School on Edinburgh's Calton Hill is set to be turned into a new 'world-class centre for music education and public performance.' Image: Richard Murphy Architects

Work to begin 'immediately' on £55m music centre vision for Edinburgh landmark

St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. Picture: Greg Macvean
St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. Picture: Greg Macvean

Visitors to St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh set to be charged for entry

Gaelic is one of Scotland's native tongues that - despite being endangered - has managed to influence the language of the modern world.
Gaelic is one of Scotland's native tongues that - despite being endangered - has managed to influence the language of the modern world.

12 American place names rooted in Scottish Gaelic starting with Dallas, Texas

This refers to something being drenched or if your clothes are totally soaked through - if you find yourself drookit then you probably forget your umbrella.
This refers to something being drenched or if your clothes are totally soaked through - if you find yourself drookit then you probably forget your umbrella.

Top 37 Scottish words to describe Scots weather starting with drookit 🌧️

Lews Castle, Stornoway, where the giant poppy sculpture will be place to mark the island's links to the 19th Century opium trade in the Far East. PIC: Contibuted.
Lews Castle, Stornoway, where the giant poppy sculpture will be place to mark the island's links to the 19th Century opium trade in the Far East. PIC: Contibuted.

Giant poppy sculpture to mark Scottish island's link with opium trade

Evidence of more than 1,000 previously uncharted archaeological sites has emerged on South Uist in the Outer Hebrides. PIC: J Paren/geograph.org
Evidence of more than 1,000 previously uncharted archaeological sites has emerged on South Uist in the Outer Hebrides. PIC: J Paren/geograph.org

Traces of 1,000 new archaeological sites emerge on Scottish island

Fireworks exploded over Edinburgh Castle as the city's Hogmanay festival returned. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Fireworks exploded over Edinburgh Castle as the city's Hogmanay festival returned. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Hogmanay chiefs warn alcohol curbs will inflict “substantial damage" on culture

The Declaration of Arbroath
The Declaration of Arbroath

Declaration of Arbroath to go on show to public for first time in 18 years

Do you know how Scotland's cities got their names?
Do you know how Scotland's cities got their names?

How all 8 cities in Scotland got their names - from Inverness to Glasgow

The statue of Bonnie Prince Charlie, not George III, in the Diamond Jubilee Room at Edinburgh City Chambers (Picture: Duncan Macmillan)
The statue of Bonnie Prince Charlie, not George III, in the Diamond Jubilee Room at Edinburgh City Chambers (Picture: Duncan Macmillan)

An inadvertent act of treason? – Scotsman comment

Kisimul Castle on Barra is one Historic Environment Scotland site where Gaelic is used in signage but the organisation now plans to broaden the use of the language to help promote the impact Gaelic culture has had on Scotland's history. PIC: P Richardson/geograph.org
Kisimul Castle on Barra is one Historic Environment Scotland site where Gaelic is used in signage but the organisation now plans to broaden the use of the language to help promote the impact Gaelic culture has had on Scotland's history. PIC: P Richardson/geograph.org

Gaelic and English to get equal status at Scotland’s historic sites

How much do you know about the stories and meanings behind the names of these areas of Edinburgh?
How much do you know about the stories and meanings behind the names of these areas of Edinburgh?

How 10 more areas of Edinburgh got their names – from Bruntsfield to Slateford

How much to you know about where the names of areas of Edinburgh come from?
How much to you know about where the names of areas of Edinburgh come from?

How 12 areas of Edinburgh got their names – from Sciennes to Stockbridge

The statue has stood behind the Lord Provost's chair in the old council chamber, now known as the Diamond Jubilee Room, for more than 200 years. PIC: Contributed.
The statue has stood behind the Lord Provost's chair in the old council chamber, now known as the Diamond Jubilee Room, for more than 200 years. PIC: Contributed.

'Lost' statue of Bonnie Prince Charlie found standing in City Chambers

How much do you know about the history of the street names of Stockbridge?
How much do you know about the history of the street names of Stockbridge?

The stories behind 10 Stockbridge and Comely Bank street names

The Ness of Brodgar site
The Ness of Brodgar site

Key Neolithic site on Orkney to be covered over by field after 20 years of digs

How much do you know about the history behind Edinburgh's road names?
How much do you know about the history behind Edinburgh's road names?

The fascinating stories behind the names of 10 of Edinburgh’s streets

Cellist Su-a Lee. Picture: Andrew Milligan
Cellist Su-a Lee. Picture: Andrew Milligan

15 women recognised for their contribution to traditional Scottish culture