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Brian Ferguson

@brianjaffa.bsky.social
2.3K followers 2.7K following 410 posts

Edinburgh-based arts and culture journalist. Arts and Entertainment Journalist of the Year - 2026 Scottish Press Awards. Any views expressed are mine alone. www.heraldscotland.com

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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 3h
Edinburgh Castle’s annual Christmas event has been scrapped. My latest exclusive: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2659626... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
heraldscotland.com
'No longer sustainable': Plug pulled on Edinburgh's 'Castle of Light' event
Uncertainty over weather conditions blamed for decision to scrap annual festive season sound and light show at Edinburgh Castle.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Absolutely gutted by this news - the scran at Tapa in Leith is unbeatable. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2657806...
heraldscotland.com
'I'm heartbroken': A fond farewell for owner of much-loved tapas restaurant
Tapa’s owner, Daniel Shearon, has run the popular eatery, located at The Shore in Leith, for 17 years, but recently decided to put the restaurant…
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
“Eilidh Loan and Holly Howden Gilchrist bring the two girls to life in devastating and dervish-like fashion.” www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
heraldscotland.com
You’ve never seen Antigone like this: Greek tragedy reborn as teenage chaos
Theatre review: Antigone, Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Neil Cooper, four stars
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Creative Scotland has triggered a new bidding process for the former CCA building in Glasgow - and revealed its “preference” is now selling the site or transferring ownership. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2657448... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
heraldscotland.com
CCA building set to change hands as Creative Scotland triggers new bidding process
Creative Scotland says its 'preference' is to sell or transfer ownership of the former Third Eye Centre and CCA building in Glasgow.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
🎥 Exclusively in The Herald today. Sir Sean Connery’s family reveals plans for a new filmmaking centre in Edinburgh - and launch a hunt for a suitable site for the project. 🎥
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is one of Scottish theatre’s hottest tickets of the year before it has even opened. I spoke to its star, Gayle Rankin, about taking on the role when the new production was first announced. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2558937...
heraldscotland.com
Broadway and Hollywood star returns to Scotland to play iconic female character
Gayle Rankin will lead the cast of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie - her last major stage show in Scotland as a teenager,
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
💥 Blast the Monday blues away with Nicola Meighan’s latest column for The Herald. 💥 www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2656... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
heraldscotland.com
'Is Stirling Scotland's new cultural capital? Damn straight it is. Here's why'
From Bloody Scotland and Radio 2 in the Park, via a digression to 1990's A Day From Scotland, it's been a big few weeks for the arts in…
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Another must-read exclusive series in The Herald this week. Don’t miss it!
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
For all those asking… www.heraldscotland.com/news/2656259...
heraldscotland.com
Full list of 30 festivals and arts groups getting Edinburgh tourist tax share
Theatres, festivals, music and dance venues, galleries and arts centres across the capital will see their council funding rise by 25 per cent from…
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
The Skinny latest: 🔴 Scottish Government encourages publisher to discuss financial position with Creative Scotland. 🔴 CS reveals The Skinny has already had £200,000 in funding support. 🔴 CS says it is open to discussing any available funding options. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2654347...
heraldscotland.com
Scottish Government and Creative Scotland raise prospect of The Skinny rescue
The Scottish Government's arts agency has previously provided more than £200,000 in support for Edinburgh-based arts and culture magazine The…
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Exclusive: Creative Scotland tells The Herald it is “open to discussing” a possible funding lifeline for The Skinny. Full details: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2654347...
heraldscotland.com
Creative Scotland 'open to discussing' The Skinny rescue as past funding is revealed
The Scottish Government's arts agency has previously provided more than £200,000 in support for Edinburgh-based arts and culture magazine The…
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Revealed in The Herald today: The new vision for the home of the Hydro & the Armadillo aimed at transforming the riverside site into a £1 billion-a-year destination. @heraldscotland.bsky.social
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Reposted by Brian Ferguson
The Herald comment & analysis @scottishcomment.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
10 books everyone will be talking about this autumn www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2... @faberbooks.bsky.social @valmcdermid.bsky.social @canongate.co.uk @heraldscotland.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.social @daveeggers68.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social @vikingbooks.bsky.social
heraldscotland.com
10 books everyone will be talking about this autumn from Rachel Cusk to Val McDermid
Crime writer Val McDermid has teamed up with Jo Sharp, the  Geographer Royal for Scotland, for a new take on the Darien Venture.
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Reposted by Brian Ferguson
The Herald comment & analysis @scottishcomment.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Five-star review: Matthew Zajac’s 20-year-old solo play has had a journey almost as remarkable as its subject, says Herald theatre critic Neil Cooper www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2... @neilcooper.bsky.social @lyceumedinburgh.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.social
heraldscotland.com
The five-star Scottish play that tells an extraordinary story of exile and survival
Theatre review: The Tailor of Inverness, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, Neil Cooper, Five stars: Matthew Zajac’s now almost twenty-year-old solo…
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The Herald comment & analysis @scottishcomment.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
In-depth review: The new Arab Strap album is a sprawling, 14 track album - which is worth an hour of anyone's time www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2... @arabstrap.scot @heraldscotland.bsky.social @rockactionrecords.scot
heraldscotland.com
Arab Strap are back and still brilliantly sharp on sprawling new album - review
From the lyrics, then, it’s hard not to come to the conclusion that Moffat spends a lot of time on his phone, enraged by what he sees on his…
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Reposted by Brian Ferguson
The Herald comment & analysis @scottishcomment.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Autumn is packed with uncommonly good theatre across Scotland. Here's theatre critic Neil Cooper's picks www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2... @heraldscotland.bsky.social @neilcooper.bsky.social @alancumming.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.social @irvinewelsh.bsky.social
heraldscotland.com
Alan Cumming, Irvine Welsh and Liberace lead Scotland's autumn theatre season
Alan Cumming returns to the stage, Simon Russell Beale becomes Liberace and George Orwell's dystopian masterpiece gets a new look.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
EXCLUSIVE: The Scottish Government is being warned it risks damaging the country’s global reputation and eroding "already fragile infrastructure" if it targets the arts for cuts as part of its public service reforms. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2652442... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
heraldscotland.com
'Extreme caution': Ministers warned any new arts cuts will damage global reputation
Culture sector leaders have warned that targeting the arts industry for savings would erode 'already fragile infrastructure'.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
One of the most-read news stories on The Herald website over the last 24 hours. Do you agree with Essential Edinburgh? www.heraldscotland.com/news/2652313... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
heraldscotland.com
Schools back, audiences gone: Calls to rethink Edinburgh festival dates
One of Edinburgh’s leading business organisations has called on the city's summer festivals to move their dates earlier to stop ticket sales…
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
There are more common-sense ideas in this Bella Caledonia piece on Edinburgh’s festivals and the visitor levy than anything I’ve heard from the city council, which seems to want to wish them away. bellacaledonia.org.uk/2026/09/02/d...
bellacaledonia.org.uk
Democratising the Edinburgh Festival
I was going to say that as the festival ends the numbers of tourists subsides, but they don’t really. Overtourism in Edinburgh is relentless. Inevitably, there’s been some reflection on…
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
“Sustainability is not only environmental. The festivals were built on grassroots creativity and on the idea that artists could come to Edinburgh and find an audience. Preserving that openness matters.”
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
“Festival organisations can make a compelling case that they generate visitors, employment and substantial economic activity. Supporting their resilience is therefore an entirely legitimate use of visitor levy funding.”
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
“Affordability is already one of the greatest challenges facing the festival model. If performers, technicians, seasonal workers and smaller companies can no longer afford to stay in Edinburgh, the diversity and openness on which the festivals were built will inevitably suffer.”
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
“There is a temptation every August to cast discussion of the festivals as a contest between residents and visitors, heritage and events, culture and liveability. It is a false choice. Edinburgh benefits enormously from its festivals.”
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Now this is intriguing. The Cockburn Association now appears to much more supportive of Edinburgh’s festivals & the case for them to be supported by the new visitor levy than the city council. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2652075...
heraldscotland.com
Cockburn Association: Edinburgh festivals will 'suffer' without tourist tax support
The heritage group has said support for Edinburgh's festivals is an 'entirely legitimate use' of income raised via the new visitor…
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Why is there so little support for local performers & companies? Why is comedy excluded from Scottish Government funding? Why are many of the busiest streets not more people-friendly? Why is the city not dressed properly? Why has visitor levy money not been committed to these events?
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The countdown is now underway to the 80th anniversary of Edinburgh’s festivals in 2027. As the dust settles on another season, I’ve been mulling over some big questions, including how they are supported, the dates dilemma & the state of the city centre. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2651345...
heraldscotland.com
Edinburgh's festivals are turning 80. Here's what must change by 2027
The Scottish Government taking responsibility, more support for home-grown talent, starting the Fringe early and making the streets more…
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Interesting stuff. I wrote about the lack of public funding support for Scottish comedy earlier this year. Comics are effectively excluded from the Scottish Government showcase at the Fringe & Glasgow Comedy Festival can’t get Creative Scotland funding. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2595635...
heraldscotland.com
No laughing matter as Creative Scotland stands accused of shunning comedy industry
Industry leaders are demanding fairer treatment for festivals and acts from national arts body.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
As ever, the final Edinburgh Festival Fringe box office figures are fascinating. The overall audience was by far the biggest since the pandemic, up almost 8% year on year. But the later dates & Princes St closure must have affected sales. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2650890...
heraldscotland.com
Fringe audience tops 2.8m despite fire disruption and final week slump
One of the biggest venue operators wants the festival to start a week earlier to bring it more into line with the Scottish school holidays.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Reposting an opinion column I wrote during the first week of the Edinburgh festivals, just as the Scottish school holidays were ending, on why there needs to be a rethink to bring their dates together. Any thoughts, folks? www.heraldscotland.com/news/2645503... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
heraldscotland.com
Why the Edinburgh festivals need to coincide with the Scottish school holidays
The new school term began just a few days into Scotland's biggest cultural gathering.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
This has been one of the 10 most-read news stories on The Herald website over the last 24 hours. Keen to know what folk who live & work in Edinburgh think. Do you ever feel “traumatised” by the cultural events going on in your city? www.heraldscotland.com/news/2650634... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
heraldscotland.com
Edinburgh culture chief: Local residents are 'traumatised' by the festivals
Margaret Graham has suggested a 'more measure approach' is needed to tackle the 'enormous pressure' on locals.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Well, this is certainly one way to thank everyone involved in Edinburgh’s festivals for their efforts over the last few weeks. The level of anger at the council’s handling of these events has certainly gone up a few levels. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2650634...
heraldscotland.com
Edinburgh culture chief: Local residents are 'traumatised' by the festivals
Margaret Graham has suggested a 'more measure approach' is needed to tackle the 'enormous pressure' on locals.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
It’s definitely been one of those weeks…anyone else? What will tomorrow bring, I wonder?
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Reposted by Brian Ferguson
The Herald comment & analysis @scottishcomment.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Herald theatre critic Neil Cooper picks his favourite 10 shows to see before the Fringe ends www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2... @neilcooper.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.social @edfringe.bsky.social
heraldscotland.com
10 essential Fringe shows to see before it ends by Scotland's top theatre critic
As the Fringe draws to a close, there is still plenty to see. The ten shows listed here are essential, and there is a lot more besides.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
The pressure is certainly mounting on Edinburgh City Council over the handling of its visitor levy. Will the festivals secure a fair share of income generated from the new charge? www.heraldscotland.com/news/2650051... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
heraldscotland.com
Màiri McAllan enters debate on Edinburgh festivals and the tourist tax
The culture secretary says 'anyone can see' how much the Edinburgh festivals underpin the city's economy.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
The Herald’s final Edinburgh festivals supplement of the month is out today. Don’t miss it if you’re still trying to work out what to catch and don’t worry - there’s loads more coverage from the capital to come in the next few days.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
"The longer-term risk is if Edinburgh under-invests in the cultural product that attracts visitors, it risks gradually eroding the very international distinctiveness on which its position as a world leading visitor destination depends." www.heraldscotland.com/news/2649778...
heraldscotland.com
Festivals brand new Edinburgh visitor levy spending plans 'flawed' and 'inadequate'
The city council has been warned it has not gone far enough to support events which have grappled with 'a tsunami of rising costs'.
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Reposted by Brian Ferguson
The Herald comment & analysis @scottishcomment.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Eight shows given five stars by The Herald's critics that you still have time to see at the Fringe www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2... @heraldscotland.bsky.social @juliabraunraven.bsky.social @neilcooper.bsky.social @teddyjamieson.bsky.social @clairesawers.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.social
heraldscotland.com
Eight Edinburgh Fringe shows critics loved most – and there's still time to see them
We’ve seen hundreds of Fringe shows – these are the eight five-star gems from The Herald's critics from Dracula to Mayflies, Cathy and Elf…
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
I must have imagined Jane Meagher slagging off the Scottish Government on Princes Street over its “shameful” response to the fire.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
From the same council that shut down a public debate on funding for the festivals, sent senior figures packing from the City Chambers and then slagged them off behind closed doors! Trying to silence arts organisations is a pitifully poor response, esp during these festivals.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Latest on Edinburgh’s tourist tax fiasco.: The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which is expected to generate £6m for the visitor levy and has been valued at £500m for the economy, will get a share of just £8625 under new recommendations from officials. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2649092...
heraldscotland.com
Fringe set to get £8625 share from Edinburgh visitor levy despite generating £6m
Officials have raised concerns over a threat of legal action if festivals get too much additional funding.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Still trying to figure out which Fringe shows to catch in Edinburgh this month? Here’s the pick of what our critics have seen so far. www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
heraldscotland.com
Reviewed: Scotland's top critics reveal 35 best Edinburgh Fringe shows to see next
Herald critics have reviewed dozens of Edinburgh Fringe shows so far - these are the ones you should book next
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
“Edinburgh at this time of year really does become the United Nations of the arts…”
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
A big development in the CCA building saga today. “We now call on the board of Creative Scotland to suspend the process before any proposal is assessed and open a public consultation, which must help determine how the building’s cultural and public value will be protected.”
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
NEW: The figurehead of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has ramped up pressure on the city council over its support for major cultural events & accused it of using a “loophole” to shut down a debate over their future funding.
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Reposted by Brian Ferguson
The Herald comment & analysis @scottishcomment.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Perseverance and solidarity: Inside the Edinburgh Art Festival www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2... @evieglenjourno.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.social
heraldscotland.com
How Edinburgh Art Festival became the city’s most vital cultural rebellion
Born from frustration with the establishment, Edinburgh Art Festival has grown into a powerful force for artists, communities and causes often…
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
It's quite remarkable that there is now no committed council funding for Edinburgh's festivals in their 80th anniversary year in 2027. To pull the plug on a discussion and debate on their support, in the middle of the festivals, is one of the worst decisions I have come across.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
What an almighty shambles this is. The council’s response to pleas from Edinburgh’s festivals for a fair share of the visitor levy is kicking it down the road. Festival leaders who cleared diaries denied an opportunity to speak to politicians & officials. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2646138...
heraldscotland.com
Future funding of Edinburgh festivals in turmoil as tourist tax decision delayed
City council chiefs have been sent back to the drawing board over how much the city’s flagship arts events should get from the new visitor levy.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Just one full-scale edition of Aye Write has been staged since 2023 & its programme will be cut from 11 days to just five when it finally returns in 2027. Completely bizarre when book festivals and events are attracting ever-increasing audiences.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Just as Edinburgh gears up to launch its annual literary celebration, Glasgow pulls the plug on its own book festival for another year, You couldn’t make it up. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2645379...
heraldscotland.com
Aye Write shelved again as Glasgow Life reveals plans for scaled-back return
The city's biggest literary celebration will not be going ahead this year despite securing new Scottish Government funding.
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Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
What a compelling hour this was at the Fringe. I’m not sure I had even heard of John Davidson this time last year. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2645226...
heraldscotland.com
John Davidson reflects on global fame and BAFTAs backlash at the Fringe
The Tourette’s syndrome campaigner who inspired 'I Swear' says he is now recognised everywhere he goes.
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