Drag city isn’t a label you’d immediately associate with traditional Scottish folk songs but when Alasdair Roberts pressed a demo of his songs into the hands of Will Oldham (AKA Bonnie “Prince” Billy) some years back he was taken into the fold releasing a series of albums which sat somewhere in between alternative and traditional folk his second collaboration with Isle of Lewis singer Màiri Morrison finds the pair of them delving more into tradition as they head across the Atlantic to record ten traditional Canadian songs with Scottish roots aided and abetted by Nova Scotian bass player and musical arranger Pete Johnston They draw heavily on the work carried out by the late folklorist Helen Creighton (also from Nova Scotia) who collected such songs with an emphasis on of the westward journey undertaken by Scottish fishers merchants and their families as they migrated to Canada from the 1600s to the mid-1800s many of the subjects of the songs here will be familiar to fans of traditional folk music with tales of lost love tragedy and death and just the daily rigmarole of surviving in hard times prominent but the majority are in plain old English while all are delivered with grace Chief among them is the seven minute tale which is ‘Katharine Jaffray’ A narrative ballad which unveils much as Fairport Convention’s ‘Matty Groves’ did it tells the tale of two warring suitors for a maiden’s hand and has been long well known in folk circles under the title of ‘The Green Wedding’ Morrison and Roberts deliver the song quite wonderfully as it slowly builds to a fiddle and drum fuelled climax A wheezing harmonium drone adds atmosphere to the ship faring tale which is ‘Uilleam Glen’ while their rendition of the familiar air ‘Hi Horò’s Na Hòro H-eile’ is quite magnificent The most contemporary take on these traditional artefacts is to be heard on ‘The Bonny House of Airlie’ a song which was collected in the Child Ballads It’s a bloody tale and with its thundering double bass shards of electric guitar and martial drumming it’s the most dramatic song on the album While such folk music might be considered an outlier in terms of Americana Morrison and Roberts are working very much in the vein of bands from here in the UK and in America who find succour in these traditional sounds and ‘Remembered in Exile’ is Richard Page and David Crosby “Suite:Judy Blue Eyes” at Barnum Hall Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. If you enjoy what you're reading and don't want to support us on a monthly basis you can help us keep this site free from looking like one of those awful REACH sites by making a one off donation towards our running costs Be daring, be yourself, be willing to take risks and stand alone. Vanessa Collier’s music is gritty, raw, and at times, either downright sad or bubbling happy. As with most songwriters worth their salt, her songs […] “All of a sudden, time stood still, and we watched our plans and expectations float away like lost balloons.” For Angela Easterling, life began in South Carolina and, except for college years in Boston, has been […] Past, present and future are inseparable in her songs. There is an openness to Maya de Vitry that is refreshing to come by. Formerly in the Stray Birds, a bluegrass band, the Lancaster, Pennsylvania-born musician is […] As always in these prescriptive articles there must be a drawing of boundaries and Clint’s first article in the series seemed to have dealt with the idea that you should define americana in a narrow sense […] Steve Earle announced his arrival in our lives with his debut album in 1986. Since then, he has racked up almost thirty studio and live albums under his own name or in collaboration with others. I […] I heard from a colleague,  who has contact with associates of Eric Taylor, that he had died on March 9th 2020 following a period of illness. I immediately checked the web for confirmation but there was […] Mazari (マザリ), a new idol group shaped around the concept of “curse”, has unsealed their third music video, Ushi no koku mairi (丑の刻参り) which showcases a dramatic and deadly ritual The song Ushi no koku mairi offers a heavy ominous sound that evokes the eerie atmosphere of traditional Japanese folklore Together with the members’ intricate makeup the ritual is performed during the “hours of the ox” (01:00-03:00) a time associated with supernatural phenomena when the boundary between the living and the dead is weakest and evil spirits hold their greatest power The ritual also involves the act of nailing a straw doll of the victim—as highlighted in the music video—a sinister practice designed to invoke death upon the cursed At the start of the music video, the invoker of the curse visits the Mazari’s website where they are able to put the name of the person they wish to curse—in this case you too can enter the website and enter any name to trigger a digital ritual where the masks of each Mazari member will appear on-screen Check out the music video below and let us know what you think Mazari officially entered the scene on October 11, 2024 but had already caused quite a stir online before their unveiling etc.) to contribute to their first publicly released song Despite having only three songs public on their YouTube channel so make sure to catch them if you have the chance to see what they’re really about Update 2025-02-16: We adjusted the transliteration of “丑の刻参り” from “Ushi no toki mairi” to “Ushi no koku mairi” Update 2025-02-17: The transliteration for “御呪い” has been corrected to “Omajinai” Topic LedaMazari Artist LedaMazari This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page The Faculty of Arts is pleased to announce that Dr Mairi Stirling Hill has been appointed as the inaugural Stephen Knight Lecturer in Medieval Literature based in the School of Culture and Communication Dr Hill completed her PhD at the University of British Columbia and comes to us from Cardiff University She is a specialist in Middle English literature with additional expertise in Old French and Anglo-Norman literature Dr Hill said: “I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and the chance to work alongside scholars and students at the University of Melbourne I am looking forward to being a part of such a dynamic academic community!” Mairi’s research focuses on the representation of women’s voices in medieval literature with a special interest in the study of women’s work women’s voices and the workplace in medieval and early modern literature and drama She will join Professor Stephanie Trigg in teaching a range of subjects on medieval English literature and medievalism “Dr Hill will be an inspiring addition to the teaching and research program at Melbourne in medieval literature made possible by a generous philanthropic donation honours Professorial Fellow Stephen Knight’s significant and wide-ranging contributions to teaching and public engagement in medieval and modern literary studies emily.wrethman@unimelb.edu.au They've compiled some traditional Canadian songs from Nova Scotia in both Gaelic and English BY Sydney BrasilPublished Apr 4 After 13 years, Màiri Morrison and Alasdair Roberts are releasing their second collaborative record they've enlisted composer and bassist Pete Johnson for a collection of their takes on traditional Nova Scotian songs in both Gaelic and English Remembered in Exile: Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia arrives April 25 via Drag City, and was recorded in Joel Plaskett's Fang Recording Studio in Dartmouth Morrison and Roberts voyaged over in June 2023 to work with Johnston on pulling ten traditional Canadian songs with Scottish roots sourced from music collected by folklorist Helen Creighton "I met Alasdair at a show he played in Toronto in 2011 or so and made a cold call nearly a decade later about collaborating on some Scottish songs collected by folklorist Helen Creighton in Nova Scotia," Johnston said "I was thrilled when Alasdair replied that not only had he had always wanted to visit Nova Scotia but that he would like to bring Màiri Morrison along so we could do some Gaelic songs." Ahead of the follow-up to 2012's Urstan, the trio have shared the songs "The Bonny House of Airlie" and "Màiri nighean Dòmhnaill." Listen to them both below. Be the first to get our biggest stories delivered to your inbox. The Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde has been appointed a non-executive director of the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) Professor Mairi Spowage’s appointment was recommended by an assessment panel led by the Authority’s Chair Sir Robert Chote after an open competition regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments Ministers have appointed Professor Spowage and two others – communications expert Dr Sarah Walsh – to serve a three-year term UKSA is an independent body operating at arm’s length from government as a non-ministerial department which promotes and safeguards the production and publication of official statistics The department oversees the operations of the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and the Office of the Statistics Regulator (OSR) the trio will provide valuable support as the Authority sets out a new strategy in 2025 and seeks to implement its response to the Lievesley Review and feedback from the first ever UK Statistics Assembly Professor Spowage said: “I am delighted to take up this role at UKSA which plays a hugely important role in public life by championing and protecting the use of robust data that informs so many facets of our society.” Professor Spowage leads the Fraser of Allander Institute Scotland's leading economic research institute regional economic and trade performance and public sector finances said: “I am delighted to welcome Peter Mairi and Sarah to the Authority’s Board They will be an asset to the Board and its oversight of the Office for National Statistics the Office for Statistics Regulation and the Government Statistical Service the three pillars of the UK’s official statistical system “They join the Board in a time of sustained pressure on the system and I am pleased that their decades of experience will help us respond to that pressure in a considered and thoughtful way.” Putting human rights at the heart of development programmes Inspiration and Innovation Kicks Off This May in Glasgow Strathclyde joins Glasgow Science Festival Biology professor elected Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales hiring down: businesses struggle against policy changes Melting ice could boost north-east Greenland marine environment's productivity corporatecomms@strath.ac.uk One controversial development that has occurred on Gougeon's watch has been the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) sea lice risk framework that imposes "standstill" lice limits on fish farms SEPA believes that changing the rules will better safeguard wild salmon smolts from lice from fish farms that they pass during their migration but salmon farmers say  SEPA’s modelling massively overestimates the number of lice on farms and the threat to wild smolts They have now submitted site-by-site appeals against the changes preventing them being imposed by SEPA until the appeals are decided Editor Magazine & Web: Gareth Moore Chief Editor: Pål Mugaas Jensen Publisher Oceanspace Media AS:Gustav Erik Blaalid Oxford University Innovation (OUI) today announces the permanent appointment of Chief Executive Officer Dr Mairi Gibbs Mairi has a track record of more than 20 years in university technology transfer including multiple roles leading strategic business management and operational areas of OUI ‘I am delighted to welcome Mairi to the helm of OUI on a permanent basis Since taking on the interim position in March 2024 Mairi has already demonstrated the value of her expertise and vision OUI will undoubtedly deliver growth through evolving OUI’s licensing partnerships while nurturing a thriving student entrepreneurship and academic consultancy culture.’ Pro Vice-Chancellor of Innovation at the University of Oxford said ‘We’re delighted to support Mairi and the Oxford University Innovation team to enter this new chapter Together we will accelerate the development of Oxford as a global innovation powerhouse and continue to support the UK’s growth and prosperity agenda through world-class science and research commercialisation.’ The University of Oxford recently held on to the UK’s no. 1 higher education institution position in the 2024 Beauhurst Spotlight on Spinouts report The University of Oxford has created over 300 companies including spinouts Oxford is developing fast-growth commercial sectors with 21 companies located in Oxford’s local authority ‘I am very proud to be leading Oxford University Innovation in our next phase of development At OUI we create world-class companies and license game-changing technologies which are helping to solve the world’s biggest problems We also offer a bespoke academic consultancy service providing a gateway to over 6,500 experts from more than 50 departments across the University I want to nurture Oxford’s thriving innovation ecosystem to deliver inclusive economic return and societal benefit for Oxford For further information, please contact [email protected] You can view all news or browse by category Phone: +44 (0) 1858 438800 Email: [email protected] Find new and used Farm Machinery,Farm Equipment, Livestock and Property for sale Ms Gougeon announced on Friday (March 14) that she would not seek re-election as SNP candidate for Angus North and Mearns at the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary elections after serving 'half of her life' in politics Mairi Gougeon Farmers have passionately spoken up in defence of a Scottish Government Minister's decision to step down from politics next year after she received negativity on social media from 'keyboard.. Login Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights New plant protection product launched in aphid fight Martin Lines: "The closure of SFI has highlighted just how fragile the current system is" ‘Closing the Welfare Gap: Why the UK Must Apply Its Animal Protection Standards to Imports' report has been praised for its ‘apt timing' with trade negotiations being brought into focus With 12 months to go until the 2026 Senedd Elections Welsh Conservatives Leader Darren Millar has announced a reshuffle in the Shadow Cabinet Arable farmer Martin Lines said farmers have 'wasted time' by fighting the 'wrong battles' with Government when they should be championing the benefits they provide to society as a whole All material is copyright Farmers Guardian Limited. Farmers Guardian and Farmersguardian.com are registered trademarks of Farmers Guardian Limited, Unit 4 Fulwood Park, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, England, PR2 9NZ. Farmers Guardian Limited is registered in England and Wales with company registration number 07931451. Part of Arc network, www.arc-network.com Evidence from fish farmers included a revelation from Mowi Scotland chief operating officer Ben Hadfield that the cost of hiring wellboats to treat fish for lice and gill problems was £25,000 per day per vessel Farmers also criticised the lower lice limits proposed as part of SEPA's Sea Lice Risk Framework which Hadfield was based on modelling with a high degree of over-prediction Scottish Sea Farms' head of fish health Ralph Bickerdike told MSPs: "We will be obliged to intervene or treat our fish at low lice burdens not for the welfare needs of our fish but because of a potential risk to wild salmon a negative impact on the welfare of farmed fish can be expected to result from such an increased requirement for intervention - including an increase in the risk of the transfer of disease That will cause reputational damage to the sector and to Scotland plc." Read a full report on the discussion between MSPs and salmon farmers in the current online edition of Fish Farming Expert magazine Angus North and Mearns SNP MSP Mairi Gougeon is to quit Holyrood next year after 10 years in parliament Brechin-native Ms Gougeon wrote to local members on Thursday confirming she would be standing down She said being a MSP had been “the honour of my life” but the time had come for her to look at new opportunities Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was “sorry” to see the “outstanding champion for her constituency” leave parliament First elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2016 Ms Gougeon was previously an Angus councillor she said that by the time of the next election she will have spent around half her lifetime in elected politics She said: “It has been the honour of my life to be elected to represent and serve the people of my home constituency of Angus North and Mearns as an SNP representative since 2016 as a councillor for Brechin and Edzell since 2007 “My constituency truly is the very best of Scotland and I have worked every day to ensure its voice is heard I will have been in an elected position for just about half of my life and the time has come for me to take a step back from frontline politics and pursue new opportunities.” The current cabinet secretary for rural affairs the 39-year-old was previously seen as a rising star in the party after being appointed to government in 2018 under Ms Sturgeon saying she was one of the most talented ministers she appointed to government The former first minister told The Courier: “Mairi is one of the most talented ministers I appointed to government She is an outstanding champion for her constituency and rural Scotland and for Scotland’s world class food and drink industry “I’m so sorry that she plans to stand down from Holyrood but she should be hugely proud of the contribution she has made I look forward to seeing what she does next.” Ms Gougeon also highlighted her time in government She added: “As the first female Rural Affairs Secretary since devolution I am proud of the policies I have been able to implement “Steering the Good Food Nation Act and the Agriculture and Rural Communities Acts through Parliament have been particular highlights.” The politician insisted she would continue to campaign for an SNP victory next year Her exit will add fuel to speculation of an apparent exodus of senior nationalist politicians On Tuesday Nicola Sturgeon announced she would quit frontline politics She became the latest in a line of senior SNP MSPs to confirm their exits Finance secretary Shona Robison recently announced she will not seek re-election in Dundee after 27 years It followed fellow Dundee MSP Joe FitzPatrick also confirming he will stand down has also said he will not seek re-election in Angus South Comments are currently disabled as they require cookies and it appears you've opted out of cookies on this site. To participate in the conversation, please adjust your cookie preferences in order to enable comments Read more from Becky Norman Leadership development has come a long way in recent years, yet many of the traditional approaches still fail to fully support aspiring and current women leaders, according to Mairi Fairley, Partner and Chair at OC&C Strategy Consultants. She shares that while there is no shortage of mentoring schemes “To truly create an environment where more women can succeed we must rethink how leadership development is structured moving beyond simply equipping individuals to navigate existing systems and instead evolving those systems to better accommodate diverse leadership styles.” she explains she shares how leadership development must change to support aspiring female leaders and talks on her own experience to the top Mairi explains that one of the most critical areas for improvement is the role of sponsorship in leadership development “While mentoring provides valuable guidance creating tangible opportunities for progression.” She adds that women tend to find it harder to secure sponsors and are less likely to ask for sponsorship outright “Businesses need to actively support sponsorship initiatives encouraging senior leaders to identify and champion high-potential women understanding the importance of sponsorship is equally vital Learning to cultivate relationships with key decision-makers and gaining visibility in leadership circles can make all the difference I’ve seen first-hand how well-placed sponsorship can accelerate careers and it remains an underutilised tool in leadership development for women.” Leadership is still too often associated with traditional traits such as assertiveness which Mairi says can discourage women who don’t naturally fit this mould “This narrow view limits the potential talent pool and fails to acknowledge the effectiveness of other leadership styles it wasn’t until I encountered a female CEO who embodied a more collaborative leadership approach that I truly recognised the leader I wanted to become learning from her style and approach before returning to the firm as a much more confident and capable leader.” She affirms that seeing a broader range of leadership styles in action is crucial for encouraging more women to step forward into leadership roles with confidence in their own approach Providing more structured opportunities for women to connect and learn from one another would be a game changer leadership development has focused on equipping women with skills to navigate male-dominated environments essentially training individuals to adapt to existing structures rather than reshaping those structures to be more inclusive “While resilience and adaptability remain important we need to place equal focus on evolving business environments to be more supportive of diverse leadership styles,” claims Mairi I’ve benefited from a more flexible working model that has allowed me to balance leadership with family life I work four days a week and take a month off each summer to spend time with my daughters but in preventing burnout and enhancing my overall enjoyment of both my professional and personal life.” She affirms that companies serious about increasing female representation at the top must integrate greater flexibility into leadership structures more sustainable leadership across the board Mairi shares that one of the most impactful aspects of her leadership journey has been dialogue with other women has been instrumental in building my confidence and shaping my leadership approach Whether through formal peer learning programs fostering a strong support system can help women leaders navigate challenges with greater resilience and clarity,” adds Mairi Returning to work after having children is one of the most difficult transitions in a professional woman’s career She states that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach doesn’t work while others are ready to dive straight back in from flexible working arrangements to personal coaching and mentorship can make a significant difference in ensuring a smooth transition I found working with an external coach invaluable in helping me reflect on how to structure my work to complement my family life Having access to this kind of support is crucial not just for individual success but for retaining and developing talented women in leadership.” by adapting business environments to be more inclusive For leadership development to truly support women Mairi suggests moving beyond traditional models and embracing a more holistic “This means focusing on sponsorship over mentorship actively advocating for women in leadership recognising and valuing diverse leadership styles.” I’d like to see more encouragement of peer learning providing structured opportunities for women to connect tailored support for working mothers through offering personalised pathways for re-entering the workplace,” she concludes we can build a new generation of female leaders Let’s stop forcing women to fit into outdated moulds and reshape leadership itself to be more inclusive Leaders need to stop the self-sacrifice cycle Be sure you have your GPS enabled and try again « Back Affirm spinoff Resolve raised $60m from investors including its parent company.. Mairi Gibbs has been appointed CEO of Oxford University Innovation permanently having led the tech transfer office in an interim capacity since April who has served as interim chief executive of the University of Oxford’s tech transfer office Oxford University Innovation (OUI) since April 8 has been selected to fulfil the role permanently Gibbs was previously chief operating officer of OUI. She succeeds Matt Perkins, who left on April 5 after seven years leading the office. Perkins announced his departure in August 2023 to focus on charity work and non-executive director roles Gibbs has been at the University of Oxford since 2002 joining as a project manager when the tech transfer office was still known as Isis Innovation first with a promotion to project team manager in 2008 before becoming head of operations in 2021 and chief operating officer in 2021 Gibbs said: “I am very proud to be leading Oxford University Innovation in our next phase of development “We also offer a bespoke academic consultancy service [The original version of this article was published on March 20 Thierry Heles is the former editor-at-large of Global University Venturing and Global Corporate Venturing and was the producer and host of the Beyond the Breakthrough podcast until December 2024 Oxford Science Enterprises has tapped the credit market to boost its capital as it anticipates an uptick in exits over the next few years The pot of money will fund AI researchers as US universities face cuts to funding for science and research The federal cuts to science and research funding mean US universities are leaning more on spinout funds and tech transfer offices to generate income Global University Venturing (GUV) is where tech transfer academic and investment experts meet to explore the latest ideas and technologies driving innovation forward We drive the discussions and share best practices that are critical to the success of spinouts Our aim is to help improve the processes of bringing innovations from academia to global markets and facilitate their integration into the broader business ecosystem Email: [email protected] Ms Gougeon said: "I will have been in an elected position for just about half of my life and the time has come for me to take a step back from frontline politics It has also been a huge privilege to serve as a Minister in the Scottish Government - something I never would have imagined in 2016." Scotland's Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has announced she will not be standing as a candidate in next year's Scottish Parliamentary election Login The Farmers Guardian podcast: Bale grazing can offer livestock farmers a host of benefits but requires careful planning Letters: How can the Government claim to be aligned with a greener economy only to turn its back on the very farmers who are driving sustainability 2021 John Deere 6155R Ultimate Edition Command CCTV footage reveals the moment a "wannabe thief" fled a Telford convenience store empty-handed after his attempts were thwarted by a woman buying chocolates for her nieces Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 In January, Dr Mairi Kerin was awarded a police Chief Superintendent Commendation Award after intervening during an attempted robbery in Telford 40-year-old Mairi - who is a black belt in karate - chased a man threatening a member of staff at LOCO Convenience Store in Hadley Park Road According to police, the incident was part of a series of robberies that were carried out across Telford that month. Three people were later jailed for a combined total of 18 years for their involvement West Mercia Police said it was Mairi's “quick thinking” that led to the “wannabe thief” leaving the store empty-handed and with the staff unharmed Wadokai England Karate recently shared CCTV footage of the incident which shows Mairi grabbing the man's arm as he held out a bag towards a member of staff She then issued a quick kick at his legs before he scarpered out of the store with Mairi hot on his heels The footage then shows Mairi walking calmly back to the counter In a first-person account shared with Wadokai England Mairi explained she was in the store buying chocolates to surprise her nieces I had so many things go through my mind but strangely it was all about the inconvenience of the situation I even had time to joke with myself about it not being my best day."  After the event - and after being given the chocolates for free by the shopkeeper - she had to pull over her car as the adrenalin had finally kicked in and she had "forgotten how to drive" She added: "People have asked whether I was scared I’ve imagined taking the legs of far more people than I will ever need to and have trained with this type of event in mind for over 20 years "I have sparred in full-contact sessions with people far heavier than me and have been through the mill many times I am confident in my skills and would generally back myself in situations like these against someone of that size In my opinion this is not stupidity or bravado.. Don’t miss any of the latest news and breaking stories from Shropshire. Get the latest headlines wherever you are with our free daily newsletter sent directly to your inbox Sorry, this audio is not yet available or has expiredBrought to you by The young Prince Tamino receives an order from the Queen of the Night to save her daughter Pamina — with whom he falls in love at the sight of a portrait — from the clutches of Sarastro. He sets off on his journey with Papageno. During the course of his adventure, Tamino recognises Sarastro's goodness. He passes several tests and is rewarded with being allowed to take Sarastro's place together with Pamina. Papageno also finds a partner who suits him: Papagena. Live performance recording from the State Opera in Vienna, 1 February 2024 courtesy of Euroradio. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Die Zauberflöte, K. 620, opera in two acts, libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder Georg Zeppenfeld (bass, Sarastro)Julian Prégardien (tenor, Tamino)Jochen Schmeckenbecher (bass-baritone, Speaker [Sprecher] of the Temple)Serena Sáenz (soprano, The Queen of the Night)Slávka Zámečníková (soprano, Pamina)Ludwig Mittelhammer (baritone, Papageno)Ilia Staple (soprano, Papagena)Matthäus Schmidlechner (tenor, Monostatos)Vienna State Opera ChorusVienna State Opera OrchestraFranz Welser-Möst (conductor) The Queen of the Night (Image by Sofia Vargaiova) Opera and Musical TheatreTracklist09:05Played at 09:05Die Zauberflöte: Act I [66'48]Composer Vienna State Opera Orchestra + Vienna State Opera Chorus + Julian Prégardien (tenor) + Georg Zeppenfeld (bass) + Carlos Osuna (tenor) + Slávka Zámečníková (soprano) + Jochen Schmeckenbecher (baritone) + Ludwig Mittelhammer (baritone) + Adrian Autard (tenor) + Serena Sáenz (soprano) + Ilia Staple (soprano) + Matthäus Schmidlechner (tenor) + Jenni Hietala (soprano) + Alma Neuhaus (soprano) + Stephanie Maitland (soprano) + Evgeny Solodovnikov (tenor) Original Soundtrack Recording + Maria Callas (soprano) Maria (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Radu Lupu (piano) + Sabine Meyer (clarinet) + Barbara Hendricks (soprano) Barbara Hendricks: Schubert Lieder, 724357330824 Nadège Rochat (cello) + Rafael Aguirre (guitar) Teresa Berganza (mezzo-soprano) + London Symphony Orchestra + Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Una voce poco fa: A Portrait of Teresa Berganza, 475 518-2 Alice Giles (harp) + Adelaide Symphony Orchestra Published: 26 Apr 2025Sat 26 Apr 2025 at 10:00am Published: 19 Apr 2025Sat 19 Apr 2025 at 10:00am Published: 12 Apr 2025Sat 12 Apr 2025 at 10:00am Download the ABC listen app for free music podcasts and playlists this audio is not yet available or has expiredBrought to you by Join Mairi Nicolson at the opera this week for this 1971 recording of La Stupenda Lucia in Gaetano Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor Based loosely on Sir Walter Scott’s 1819 novel The Bride of Lammermoor She must choose between her love – their family’s sworn enemy Edgardo after being tricked by her brother into believing that Edgardo had betrayed her and the forcing her to marry a wealthy man Lucia descends into madness and her despair leads to murder and tragedy Donizetti explores the effects of manipulation on the will and sanity of Lucia as she is pushed to her limits Perhaps the most well-known aspect of this opera the “mad scene” is ferociously difficult and dramatically demanding Since Sutherland’s debut performance in the role at Covent Garden in 1959 that garnered rave reviews and immediate adoration the scene has become almost synonymous with the singer herself With Sutherland starring in the lead role across from iconic tenor this production was made with the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden under the baton of Sutherland’s longtime musical and life partner Lucia di Lammermoor was premiered on 26 September 1835 at the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples based on Sir Walter Scott’s The Bride of Lammermoor Normanno)Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House Covent GardenDouglas Robinson (chorus master)Richard Bonynge (conductor) Read the synopsis here (via The Metropolitan Opera) (Dame Joan Sutherland's performance as the leading lady in Lucia di Lammermoor is iconic. The opera also contains some beautiful music written for solo instruments. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)) Opera and Musical TheatreTracklist09:04Played at 09:04Lucia di Lammermoor: Act I [40'40]Composer Luciano Pavarotti (tenor) + Sherrill Milnes (baritone) + Nicolai Ghiaurov (bass) + Joan Sutherland (soprano) + Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden Sally Walker (flute) + Emily Granger (harp) Anna McDonald (violin) + Sinfonia Australis + Jane Sheldon (soprano) Stillness: Music of Calm in a Changing World, 476 3951 Alexander Gavrylyuk Live at the Miami International Piano Festival, VAIA 1272 Sally Walker (flute) + Elizabeth Layton (violin) + Celia Craig (oboe) + Thomas Marlin (cello) + Stephen King (viola) Boccherini: Chamber Works for Flute - Quintet, Op. 19 - Sextet, Op. 38 - Quintet in C Major, AV2698 Maurice Ravel: Complete Works for Solo Piano, 082564602681 For Emperor and Pope: Music for a Renaissance Court, 481 1091 Orchestra of the Antipodes + Cantillation The Scottish cabinet secretary for rural affairs, land reform and islands will quit Holyrood next year after ten years in office.   The MSP for Angus North and Mearns is the latest SNP minister to quit amidst a wave of resignations in recent weeks. Gougeon has served as the MSP for Angus North and Mearns since 2016 and has been the Scottish cabinet secretary for rural affairs, land reform and islands since 2021. Through this role, she has been responsible for forestry and woodlands, land reform and land use, the Royal Botanic Gardens, national parks and natural heritage, as well as food and drink. The ex-SNP leader announced on Wednesday morning that she will stand down run from Scottish Parliament in 2026. She was also previously the minister for public health and sport, and for rural affairs and the natural environment. “It has been the honour of my life to be elected to represent and serve the people of my home constituency of Angus North and Mearns as an SNP representative since 2016, and before that, as a councillor for Brechin and Edzell since 2007,” she said on Facebook. “It has also been a huge privilege to serve as a minister in the Scottish Government – something I never would have imagined in 2016.” Gougeon said that come 2026, she will have been in an elected position for nearly half of her life. “The time has come for me to take a step back from frontline politics,” the MSP added. When asked about what comes next, Gougeon said she’s looking forward to spending more time with her family and friends, which she said is “one of the most difficult things” to do in such a demanding role. In the meantime, she has promised to continue to do her “very best” to represent the Angus North and Mearns constituency and “work to deliver the fairer, independent nation that our people deserve”. Gougeon is one of many senior Scottish politicians retiring from Holyrood next year. Former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf are both stepping down as well as Scotland’s transport secretary Fiona Hyslop; former deputy first minister and finance secretary Shona Robison; and 19 other MSPs – including politicians from Labour and Conservative parties will also step down ahead of the 2026 elections. Gougeon said: “For the wider party, each person who has indicated they’re stepping back is doing so for their own reasons, which is only right. We have a wealth of talent in our party right across the country and people who are dedicated to working for their communities and towards our wider goal of independence.” STV News is now on WhatsAppGet all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Follow STV News on WhatsAppScan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country '+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text+' "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title+" "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text+" Your FREE registration gives you access to all our content: news and feature articles As a paying subscriber this would cost £150 per year – but we are extending an offer to register FREE for full access Register now for £150 FREE I would like to be sent emails from Fish Farmer Magazine I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties and will only be used  to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen You are not permitted to copy, republish, reproduce any text, photos, graphics, sounds from this website without written permission from editor@fishfarmermagazine.com IPSO is an independent body which deals with complaints from the public about the editorial content of newspapers and magazines As part of a unique Directed Research Project course third-year students Kristen Cooke and Brianna Ludlow and first-year students Mairi Denny and Neylan Stevens travelled from Halifax to Wellington with Schulich Law Professor Cheryl Simon and Director of the Indigenous Blacks & Mi'kmaq (IB&M) Initiative Kelsey Jones the group took part in cultural and educational experiences ranging from meeting with Iwi (Māori social units) to experiencing a powhiri (traditional formal Māori welcome) and a mihi whakatau (a formal welcome but not on a marae) an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as visited the Waitangi Tribunal and National Library was made possible by funding from a three-year Global Skills Opportunity grant administered through Dalhousie’s International Centre part of Employment and Social Development Canada as well as a supportive and innovative partnership between Dalhousie University and its New Zealand partner university the course was designed to expose the students to legal issues being faced by the Māori people the students prepared for the experience by researching and reading the Treaty of Waitangi familiarizing themselves with the current political climate between Māori and the Crown a Canadian intertribal Indigenous tribute to women and those who died in the Prison for Women in Kingston that they sang as their response as part of the powhiri Now that they have returned from New Zealand they will present their experiences to Schulich Law faculty and graduate students during the weekly Research Hour seminar at the law school on Wednesday The students each reflected on their experience and shared what they felt was the most impactful part of their trip: Brianna Ludlow: "The most impactful and inspiring part of the trip for me was witnessing the strength and resilience of Māori people Despite the historical and ongoing harms of colonialism and language and have engaged in strong activism to ensure that the principles of their governing treaty remain respected and enforced We have much to learn from them in revitalizing (Remember that you are a people / And stand up for your rights – from ‘The Highest Apple/An Ubhal as Àirde’) Singer Mary Ann Kennedy and Professor Wilson McLeod Despite not discovering her latent literary talents until after her 50th birthday Màiri Mhòr is lauded as one of the most important song makers in Scottish history Her work unflinchingly chronicled the Highland Clearances and land struggles one of the most profound eras of socio-economic and political unrest in the nation’s history Culture and Communities Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council said: “Màiri Mhòr’s addition to Makars’ Court reflects her indelible impact as a song maker and she can now occupy her rightful place alongside the finest literary figures in our nation’s rich history “Makars’ Court is an important stop on the Old Town tourist trail and provides an opportunity for visitors and residents alike to explore the very best of Scotland’s writers “I would like to thank the sponsor of this flagstone Wilson McLeod; this will be a fitting testament to a true giant of Gaelic literature and society” Professor Wilson McLeod noted that: “There are currently only three Gaelic writers commemorated at Makars’ Court (George Campbell Hay Somhairle MacGill-Eain and Lachlann MacMhuirich) It would be highly appropriate to honour one of Gaeldom’s best-known female poets.” The Edinburgh Reporter brings you news all about Edinburgh Email: [email protected] Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon has moved to reassure farmers and crofters the Scottish Government was listening to them as they rallied outside Scottish.. Login From the editor: Scrapping of Welsh tree planting target shows a united farming industry can create change JCB 3185 and Kuhn Aero set up meets Avadex application demand PEDIGREE HEREFORD AND ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE Contact us on 01851 705743 oremail info@welovestornoway.com Subscribe to our favourite national magazine here Series Two of Lios Mhàiri | Màiri’s Hebridean Garden returns on BBC ALBA on Wednesday (April 2) following Màiri as she adapts to growing in the Hebrides sharing practical tips and tricks to help gardens thrive despite the challenging conditions Màiri’s passion for gardening began in childhood inspired by her parents’ garden and her father’s dedication to growing fruit and vegetables two years after purchasing her old schoolhouse she has transformed the large garden space into a thriving The last series saw Màiri face the challenging conditions of island weather exploring ways of making the most of her garden space while on a limited budget Màiri said: “With further developments of different areas in the garden and more visits to exceptional growers and their gardens – loads of fresh ideas on ways to grow and interesting planty pals.” Two years after moving into her home on Lewis Màiri has been hard at work transforming her garden to become more self-sufficient Facing the harsh growing conditions of the Western Isles she has introduced lazy beds and a polycrub to give her crops the best chance of thriving But she isn’t just focused on her own plot—keen to learn from others she meets fellow gardening enthusiasts to discover how they grow produce in a variety of climates Màiri reflects on the joy of visiting other people’s gardens and seeing the dedication behind them “I am always inspired by visits to gardens that are more established than mine—where I can see the hard work and sometimes even taste the fruits of their labour!” She admits that seeing more established gardens often shifts her perspective “I’m often blown away by the views over the fence to the next-door crofts and to see the difference a human can make.” “Gardens grow their people as much as their plants,” she reflects “I’ve learned a lot more from the mistakes I’ve made than any reading or courses I’ve undertaken.” “My plans adapted dramatically when I started actually digging into the soil and finding which were the right plants for my place.” Despite the challenges of growing in a harsh climate Màiri remains hopeful and wants others to feel the same “It could be easy to lose heart when things don’t turn out the way you hope so I really hope that viewers feel inspired to get outside and keep growing.” Read our favouritelocal magazine on-line It’s Mairi Gillies’s second year growing in her garden on the island of Lewis We follow her as she further develops the garden and seeks advice and inspiration from other enthusiastic growers Although Mairi is an experienced horticulturalist gardening on a Hebridean island with its unique weather challenges was a new experience for her a large space surrounding her new home which was in need of some TLC and aims to keep her carbon footprint as low as possible Mairi plants out vegetables and flowers and visits growers at a thriving community garden in Cranhill She finds out more about herbology from Catherine Conway-Payne at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh and visits Sue Blair who transformed a neglected piece of ground into a lovely mature garden on the west side of Lewis Hides preview environment warning banner on preview pages Select a theme and theme mode and click "Load theme" to load in your theme combination released by Edinburgh’s own Black & White Publishing When brutally battered Helen finds her abusive husband dead in the corner of their bedroom where her estranged children have been sent for safety and so Helen must take her bruised and beaten body to the fields to help with the harvest she meets the charming Irishman William Burke and soon the couple have set up home in the heart of the Old Town.  excited to take up her place as mistress of a fine house and wife of the upcoming anatomist Robert Knox who looks set to become one of the foremost men in the city But when the new couple return from their honeymoon Susan discovers her husband has a very different home planned for her There’s nothing so coarse as locks or keys under the control of a man she has increasingly come to fear.  is in a bind.  She and William have moved to a lodging house owned by William’s friend William Hare and his partner Margaret people have begun disappearing into the dark of the closes The awful crimes of Burke and Hare have captivated attention for almost two hundred years but the lives of the women caught up in the killings have been neglected. The Specimens reimagines the story through the lives of Helen and Susan This is the story of Britain’s most infamous anatomy murderers and Scotland’s worst ever serial killers John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme service directory and conferences for the R&I community The professionals that focus on communications public relations and marketing in the insurance industry perform a vital function They’re the ones that build needed bridges between the industry It’s possible that insurance will never be fully understood by significant portions of the public and private sectors But that doesn’t mean these communications professionals don’t keep trying In this series from Risk & Insurance we interview public relations and media relations professionals who have spent a significant portion of their professional lives in the insurance space The goal of the series is to give the industry and the world at large a better idea of the important work these professionals do Risk & Insurance: How and why did you get involved in journalism to begin with Mairi Mallon: My sister is a journalist and her job looked interesting I was working as a TV researcher at the time I did a post-graduate journalism course at Napier College in Edinburgh where I earned my spurs getting right the names of prizewinners at agricultural fairs I went on to work at a news agency in Glasgow followed by two national newspapers in Scotland An opportunity came up for my then-fiancé (and now husband) and me to work in Bermuda as journalists running the business desk at the local newspaper which introduced me to the world of reinsurance R&I: When you started covering insurance in Bermuda MM: I started covering insurance in 1999 and I didn’t make a conscious decision to work in the sector and ended up in the field by chance My editor asked me to cover the business desk for two weeks reinsurance and captives than any lay person ever should but I quickly worked out that it was a fascinating sector to cover Bermuda mostly dealt in catastrophic risks so I learned how to read hurricane maps and was mentored by senior reinsurance executives who took the time to explain the industry to me over my first year reporting on the sector and I was responsible for reporting on the insurance of mega-incidents and disasters which was of great interest to the wider business press R&I: What led you to make the switch to the public relations side in 2005 MM: After returning to the UK from Bermuda with a toddler and a baby I was a part-time freelance journalist and part-time mum for a while I freelanced for most of the insurance trade press globally but was also asked to do corporate writing for some of the companies I had covered Through copywriting for (re)insurance organizations I realized there were opportunities for expanding into PR work I also had excellent contacts with senior people in the industry who knew and trusted me — and we knew how to work together R&I: What did you observe that led you to believe you could be successful if you founded your own company MM: Many (re)insurance companies I dealt with as a copywriter and journalist were not focused on communications and I believed I could help them do much better not because anyone was telling me to research them While the larger companies had in-house public relations teams R&I: As you consider the needs of your insurance clients what are some of the prominent communications challenges they face MM: (Re)insurance companies are brilliant with clients and brokers but are not so good at telling their own stories they don’t fully appreciate how important their industry is to the world The sector has an image problem: The public perception of (re)insurance is that it’s boring at best and at worst does not pay claims when needed but many individual companies do not pay enough attention to the way they are perceived in the insurance market You can have an amazing firm that is doing all sorts of innovative things you need to show the market what a fun industry it is to work in; if want to improve your rating you may need to shout about your enterprise risk management Talk about how good your results are and how buoyant the sector is People in the industry tend to be modest and risk-averse — they are reserved and don’t want to shout about their accomplishments — but companies should talk about their successes more R&I: What communication strategies have been successful for you and your clients MM: The first thing we do is work out what a client wants to say and who they want to say it to It’s amazing how many companies don’t start with that and end up talking to the wrong groups of people Insurtechs are particularly guilty of talking to other startups and telling each other how amazing they are when they should be learning the vocabulary of the people buying their products — insurance companies — and trying to explain their offerings to them It’s also important to think about geographies You might spend six months trying to get into the Financial Times or on CNBC when you might be better off being featured in Bermuda’s Royal Gazette which is a tiny paper on a tiny island but has a huge reach in our market Sometimes LinkedIn is the best way to reach your target audience or a visual campaign with Instagram if you’re trying to recruit graduates and many articles are not social media-friendly — sharing something behind a paywall is not ideal So take that into consideration when you’re talking to the trade press Top executives will likely have subscriptions but young people and some non-trade specific investors will not it may be best to meet them individually or even take them all out to lunch We are still a face-to-face market overall — go where your clients go and make sure what you’re saying is relevant to your audience we “story mine” with executives and research the companies and identify common pain points in the market It’s helpful to think about one person and what would appeal to them when building your communications strategy sniper-like approach to communications is better than scattergun R&I: What’s good about the insurance trade publications MM: We’re lucky in insurance to have a wide variety of publications that understand what people in the market want to read I always tell clients to spread their marketing budget around the publications rather than on just one or two It’s in all our interest to have a healthy trade press that is well funded who want a lot of information and are not design-led They do read trade publications cover to cover and I’d advocate getting rid of expensive paywalls I know subscription is their business model but it makes articles difficult to share either on social media or with colleagues and clients R&I: What’s your advice to a young or newer communications professional in the insurance field There are plenty of trade press publications and material handed out at conferences that will improve your knowledge and writing Learn to write well; it’s a skill that will stay with you through your life as you’ll be working with some of the best and highest-quality companies in the world Any press releases or editorials you send out must be print-ready Hone your skills in public speaking — go on some presentation skills courses You will have to present all sorts of things to all sorts of audiences during your career Accept invitations to gatherings to build personal relationships and deepen your knowledge If you’re not sure whether you’d prefer working in-house as part of a comms team or at a PR agency They suit different types of people: There’s more variety and spice in an agency while in-house can be more in-depth and stable Working in public relations can look glamorous and exciting to outsiders — and it is You are dealing with everyone from senior executives to junior marketing people who are just starting out and don’t really know what they’re doing you need to work hard for your clients and give them sage advice Insurers and their clients are under pressure to prevent verdicts in the tens of millions of dollars Having the proper defense and prevention tools can help natural infrastructure might be the answer to mitigating risk Vermont's captive insurance sector achieves significant growth “We’ve seen a growing number of SEC enforcement actions tied to how companies handle disclosures related to cyber incidents,” said Meredith Brown it’s critical for companies to regularly review and refine their cyber incident response plans and disclosure processes to ensure compliance.” The heightened enforcement has many public companies asking how their insurance coverage would respond — especially as cyber incidents become more complex are stepping up with coverage enhancements designed to address this uncertainty “Traditional cyber policies typically tie regulatory actions to specific privacy events,” Brown said “The trigger is usually a violation of a privacy regulation but SEC regulations are not privacy regulations.” This creates an avenue for enforcement around cyber events that are not contemplated by cyber policies As the SEC steps up its enforcement activity more insureds are likely to submit these types of claims Many of these claims could also have a D&O component as well since SEC actions often name an individual “While D&O policies may cover certain exposures they often don’t address the associated risks and there could be a gap in coverage depending on the focus of the enforcement action,” Brown said public companies must enhance their risk management efforts — especially in the immediate aftermath of a cyberattack While many companies already have incident response plans – in addition to cybersecurity professionals and attorneys who are well versed in breach response – they should consider bringing in legal experts who have experience with SEC disclosure requirements External counsel can help ensure accuracy in disclosures and reduce the risk of increased regulatory attention This support is especially valuable given the relatively recent and still-evolving nature of the SEC’s rules Companies should also closely monitor emerging technologies as the SEC appears to be poised to pursue these types of investigations their risk exposure grows and so must their preparation “The SEC announced a Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit to help protect retail investors,” Brown said “Their focus includes compliance in the use of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence.”  She added “This move reinforces the need for companies to strengthen their incident response frameworks and ensure the proper disclosure of cybersecurity incidents.” To help companies navigate this increasingly complex environment QBE has introduced two new coverage enhancements The first is an SEC Disclosure Costs Coverage This enhancement covers costs associated with engaging external legal counsel to advise on post cyberattack compliance with SEC regulations This coverage is “crucial,” Brown explained because legal experts with SEC experience can help companies understand exactly what is required by the SEC post incident The second is an Enhanced SEC Regulatory Coverage This enhancement provides coverage for violations of SEC regulations—addressing a gap in traditional cyber policies which typically only cover privacy-related regulatory violations “This enhancement directly addresses that gap,” Brown said these additions help companies feel confident they have the coverage they need to protect their businesses as the SEC’s approach continues to evolve.” The response from brokers has already been “very positive,” Brown said indicating the market’s demand for cyber insurance solutions that better protect public companies To learn more, visit: https://www.qbe.com/us/cyber or guarantee regarding the information herein or the suitability of these suggestions or information for any particular purpose QBE hereby disclaims any and all liability concerning the information contained herein and the suggestions herein made it cannot be assumed that every acceptable risk transfer procedure is contained herein or that unusual or abnormal circumstances may not warrant or require further or additional risk transfer policies and/or procedures The use of any of the information or suggestions described herein does not amend Consult the actual policy or your agent for details about your coverage QBE and the links logo are registered service marks of QBE Insurance Group Limited This article was produced by the R&I Brand Studio a unit of the advertising department of Risk & Insurance The editorial staff of Risk & Insurance had no role in its preparation Sign up for our R&I One weekly newsletter A woman who intervened during an attempted robbery in Telford has been awarded for her bravery Mairi Kerin received the Chief Superintendent Commendation Award at a special event at Malinsgate Police Station last month It comes after the 40-year-old chased a man threatening the staff at LOCO Convenience Store in Hadley Park Road on March 3 with the intent to take cash from the till out of the store was buying chocolates at the store when the incident happened West Mercia Police said it was her “quick thinking” that led to the “wannabe thief” leaving the store empty handed and with the staff unharmed said: “The suspect was wearing black clothing and only his eyes were visible as he calmly told the shopkeeper to give him all his money fumbling with something in his left pocket I am incredibly grateful that no-one was hurt.” Mairi was presented with the bravery award by Chief Superintendent Edd Williams Detective Chief Inspector Jo Whitehead and Detective Inspector Steve Goddard She added: “I am very thankful for my award and glad I was able to assist with the investigation to help catch those responsible “It was a lovely morning spent with my family and friends and we were able to meet those involved in solving the case.” Chief Supt Williams added: “It was my pleasure to award Mairi with her bravery award Her quick thinking meant that no one was harmed during this attempted robbery and no money or goods were stolen “On behalf of everyone at West Mercia Police I would like to thank Mairi for her actions which was an inspiring act of bravery from an upstanding member of the public.” “During the investigation officers identified that the incident involving Mairi was part of that spree.” Home   News   Article A new artwork to celebrate an iconic Gaelic poet is to be commissioned and displayed at the Inverness Gaelic centre – Cultarlann Inbhir Nis The artwork will remember Mairi Mhor nan Oran (Great Mary of the Songs) the 19th Century bard who composed numerous Gaelic poems about the Highland Clearances and the crofters’ land battles of the 1880s Mairi Mhor spent many years working in Inverness and is buried next to her husband in the city’s Chapel Yard Cemetery which is based in the former East Church in Academy Street “It was the injustice I suffered that brought my poetry to life,” she said of her work At the age of 50 she was accused of stealing clothes from her employer and was sentenced to 40 days imprisonment New Gaelic centre needs improved roof drainage to keep it watertight Historic Inverness church set to be transformed into major new Gaelic language and cultural centre She protested her innocence for the rest of her life and became well-known for her songs about injustice Cultarlann Inbhir Nis chairwoman Maggie Mullholland said: “Cultarlann Inbhir Nis are delighted to be able to offer this opportunity for the creation of an artistic tribute to Mairi Mhor nan Oran “Having one of the great 19th century Gaelic bards buried in the Chapel yard and within a stone’s throw of our new Gaelic Cultural Centre we seek to have her and the significant contribution she made to Gaelic literature recognised within the town of Inverness and the wider Highlands “She was a passionate and defiant bard who condemned the Highland Clearances and was very much involved in the struggle for land reform a cause still as relevant today as it was then.” The project is a partnership between Cultarlann Inbhir Nis and The Gaelic Society of Inverness with support from the William Syson Charitable Foundation Gaelic Society of Inverness chairman Murdo Campbell said: “We are delighted to be involved with the Mairi Mhor project has strong connections with Inverness having married and brought up her family there “It is fitting that she has something to remember her by in Inverness.” a sculpture or any visual art that celebrates Mairi Mhor’s contribution to song and culture The £5000 commission is open to experienced artists and the winning piece will be displayed in Cultarlann Inbhir Nis Working in Antarctica is a wildlife enthusiast’s dream but seeing the reality of the climate disaster up close will be brutal Antarctica holds an almost mythical appeal. Detached from the rest of the world, its beauty is unique. It is a continent that has never seen a war, and where testing military capabilities is strictly forbidden. It is, as the Antarctic Treaty reminds us “a natural reserve devoted to peace and science” I’ll live and work on this small island on the Antarctic peninsula until March next year. It is a place with astonishingly rich wildlife. Here, the gentoos are kept company by numerous species of sea bird, seals and visiting whales. It’s the stuff of dreams for wildlife enthusiasts like myself. Read moreMy love of wildlife and exploration began years ago cemented while studying geography at Glasgow where I was able to travel to far-flung destinations to conduct wildlife research opportunities to work alongside spectacular wildlife in the white expanse of Antarctica have been few and far between challenging landscape has a rich history offering heroic tales of exploration These tales include the first-hand experiences of those that lived and worked on the Antarctic decades ago; these now sit at the heart of UKAHT’s work but forgoing these basic facilities seems like a fair trade Read moreIf you caught the most recent episode of Frozen Planet II you’ll have seen the consequences of climate inaction on the wildlife in polar regions Warming temperatures means more rain instead of snow with deadly consequences for penguin chicks whose downy feathers only provide protection against dry cold which means that changes to their population indicate changes to the broader health of the environment I’ll be working on a long-term penguin study of the gentoo colony The information collected will help us better understand environmental changes and the potential broader impact on both wildlife and the environment As I make my final preparations ahead of the long journey my mind races thinking of the wonderful sights I’ll see the history I’ll encounter and the wildlife I’ll observe first-hand unique species in such an awe-inspiring natural habitat overrides any concerns of being far from home with no shower or flushing toilet for weeks on end Dr Mairi Hilton is a conservation biologist and researcher. Follow Mairi and team throughout the season via the Port Lockroy blog