Latest news with #BBCScotland
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
What did Pressley say after Alloa defeat?
Steven Pressley's Dundee are facing an early exit from the Premier Sports Cup as defeat at Alloa leaves them pointless in Group C. The result is a second successive loss against lower-league opposition after a home defeat to Airdrieonians last weekend. Speaking to BBC Scotland's Chick Young post-match, here's what head coach Pressley had to say: Clearly not the result you wanted, what about the performance? "I think I've said we need another five or six in, but the reality is, even with that group of players, we have to perform better than we did today. So I take ownership of that. I take full responsibility around that. We have to go away and work again." Can you put your finger on it? Is it quality of players? What is the issue? "The issue is a combination of a number of things. We do need more players in, but as I've said, I don't think we did well enough today with the group of players we had on the pitch. I think choices in possession weren't good. I thought we played too long on too many occasions. "And also, we have to take greater ownership and responsibility and make things happen. We need players that are going to change games. But listen, that's my responsibility. That's my job to get the confidence in the players, the belief in the players, and that's what I fully intend to do." Did nervousness come into it? "Maybe a little bit of nervousness. Maybe that was evident in the second half. But I didn't think we created many good opportunities in the game. Our best opportunities came from set plays, something we have been working hard on. "I've seen improvements in our defensive principles, but we're still nowhere near where we need to be. And as I've said, I take responsibility for that because I think with the group of players we have out there, we can do much better." Do you see reason to believe? "Of course I do. It's very difficult for a number of players. I still look at them from a physical perspective, and they're not at the level we need them at. "Some of them tired significantly in the second half and we looked a team, at times, lacking in that intensity in the second half. We have to find solutions to that."
Scotsman
13 hours ago
- Science
- Scotsman
Edinburgh garden in shadow of Holyrood Palace features 17th century medicinal and culinary plants
A public garden recreating Scotland's first medicinal gardens is celebrating its fifth anniversary, having welcomed thousands of visitors since it opened in the Capital. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Located just outside Holyrood Palace, the monarch's official residence in Scotland, the free-to-visit Physic Garden can be enjoyed year-round by the people of Edinburgh and visitors to the city. Its anniversary will be marked by an episode of the long-running BBC Scotland gardening programme Beechgrove Garden. The Physic Garden reveals some of the medicinal secrets of plants to one young visitor. Picture: David Cheskin. | supplied Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Physic Garden was opened in 2020 to recreate some of the earliest recorded gardens in the palace grounds in three distinct sections – each representing different periods in the 900-year history of the building. Raised beds of herbs, flowers and other useful plants reimagine the physic garden that was established in the Palace grounds 350 years ago by the doctors Sir Robert Sibbald and Sir Andrew Balfour, two founding members of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. Created in 1670 to teach students about the medicinal properties of plants and to provide pharmacists with fresh medicinal ingredients, the palace's original physic garden was the first of its kind in Scotland and the forerunner to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The new physic garden contains medicinal and culinary plants that would have grown in the 17th century garden, including fennel – once used to aid eyesight and as an antidote to poisonous mushrooms – and lavender, bergamot and lemon balm, used for scents, dyes and insecticides. Raised beds of herbs, flowers, and other useful plants reimagine a garden that was established in the grounds of the palace 350 years ago. | supplied Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A flowering meadow of medicinal plants including daisies, previously used for coughs, and mallows, an old treatment for scurvy, evokes the 15th-century monastic gardens of Holyrood Abbey, once one of the grandest medieval abbeys in Scotland, the ruins of which can still be seen today. The third area delights in late winter and spring with crocuses and tulips planted in geometric patterns, typical of 17th century gardens. Over the past five years, more than 360 schoolchildren have taken part in educational sessions, learning how plants were used historically as remedies to improve health and wellbeing. A further 400 ethnobotany students, members of community gardens and nature-lovers of all ages have taken part in guided visits and events, reviving the garden's centuries-old original purpose of teaching the medicinal properties of plants. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chris Walker, learning manager for the Royal Collection Trust, said: 'The Physic Garden is an oasis at the end of the Royal Mile, providing a welcoming green space in the city centre where locals and visitors alike can get outside, enjoy nature and learn some fascinating local history. 'We are delighted that almost 800 people have taken part in exciting activities where nature, science and history meet, in addition to the countless others who enjoy this free community garden every day.' 'Like our forebears 350 years ago, we understand the benefits of spending time in nature for our physical and mental wellbeing, and we hope the garden can be enjoyed for many more years to come.' The Physic Garden is open from 9.30am to 6pm daily from April to October, and 9.30am to 4.30pm, November to March. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The episode of Beechgrove Garden filmed in the Physic Garden will air on Sunday July 20, at 9:05am on BBC2; on Monday July 21, at 2pm on BBC Scotland; and on Thursday July 24, at 6:45am on BBC2. It is also available on BBC iPlayer.
The Herald Scotland
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Review: Scottish comedy shorts, Shark!, A Man Called Otto
Billed as an 'entertainment and wildlife crossover' - fancy - Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters (STV, Monday) involved seven moderately famous sorts being flown to the Bahamas to learn how to swim with sharks. To show that this was all about education and not cheap laughs, the celebs were promised that no one would be voted off each week. I'd have thought that was the least of their worries. Looking at their terrified faces in the briefing, a few were wondering why they had not accepted the offer of a train ride with Michael Portillo instead. It did not help that one of the instructors was missing an arm and a leg after an encounter with a bull shark - the very type the celebs were about to meet. Since it was the first day, the stars were allowed to stand in a cage while sharks the size of Renault Clios had fun rattling the bars. Call the Midwife's Helen George had the worst of it, being too scared to put her head underwater, never mind go eyeball to eyeball with a shark. She had her reasons for fearing the water, as did Lenny Henry. 'I like the idea of having a little bit more bravery,' he said. 'Yes, we're on the telly. Yes, we're all celebrities, but it's different, this.' Was it, though? Heartstring-tugging back stories, manufactured jeopardy - it all seemed pretty standard reality show fare. The instructors were good value, and the celebrities more thoughtful than your average bunch. Ross Noble kept the quips coming, while George, once the screaming stopped, was charming company, even when a stingray got too close for comfort. 'Oh my God, it's coming right for my vagina,' she cried. There are four more weeks of this to go. I don't think Sir David Attenborough has anything to worry about. New Scottish comedy talent was on show in Govan Fair Queen and Good For Her (BBC Scotland, Monday, now on iPlayer). Normally, that would be our cue to flee the area, but not this time. Both had laugh-out-loud moments and characters you would happily give house room to again. Written by Paul Black, Govan Fair Queen starred Elaine C Smith - one of several bigger names lending a hand - as a doting granny determined that her granddaughter (Harper Blue Hamilton) would win first prize in a local talent contest. Smith was in familiar Two Doors Down/Rab C territory at first as the fag-smoking gran in a housecoat and slippers, but the story soon branched out. I've watched plenty of talent show skits, but none as truly madly Glaswegian as this. Let's just say there was one visual gag in keeping with the local culture. Good For Her was a Fast Show-style sketch fest written and performed by Zara Gladman. You may be familiar with some of her characters, chiefly Aileen, the West End mum, but there were several others. Whether she was taking on the misogynist trolling of women comedians - surely not! - indie fan boys or the ways of local newsreaders, Gladman hit the mark. There was a catch, of course. Both offerings were shorts: Govan Fair Queen was 10 minutes long, and Good for Her 20 minutes. While there is nothing wrong with starting life as a short or a sketch - Still Game came from Chewin the Fat - it doesn't have the same ring of confidence about it as a pilot (the Two Doors Down Hogmanay special that led to seven series and counting). While a nicely produced short is a handy calling card, both performers are already well known on YouTube and TikTok, particularly Gladman. What they need now is to make the jump from online to mainstream. These shorts will help, but all concerned need to get a wriggle on. It's a crowded market out there for comedy, and getting more so every day. Bookish (U&Alibi on Sky/Virgin Media/Now, Wednesday) found Sherlock writer Mark Gatiss striking out on his own. Gatiss played Gabriel Book, a secondhand bookshop owner/sleuth. Blessed with brilliant recall and a nose for a wrong 'un, the Tolstoy-quoting Book was a handy man to have around when a body was found. Not every copper was pleased to see him, but he had a letter from Churchill which gave him special access. It was one of several clues suggesting Book was not a man to be judged by his cover. This being bombed-out London two years after the war, finding bodies was not a rare occurrence. Just as well Book had a new assistant, Jack (Connor Finch), fresh out of jail that very day. Jack wondered why Book had welcomed a stranger, and an ex-con at that, into his home and given him a job. Those were questions for another time, when they were not busy with the suspicious death of a local worthy. The case took two hour-long episodes to solve, a fair old chunk of anyone's time, particularly when the budget could only stretch to a handful of the same streets and interiors. Canny TV operator that he is, Gatiss introduced a dog into the mix just in time. Not just any dog, but one that carried messages in a special container attached to his collar. As an idea it could catch on (have you seen the price of stamps?). More of a daytime drama than evening fare, but worth a look, if only to see that clever dog (named simply "Dog" by the way) in action. Time was when a Saturday night movie starring Tom Hanks would have involved an expedition to the cinema and no change out of £20. Now you can watch the double Oscar-winner for free, at home, in a film on general release not that long ago (as long as you don't mind the ads). Old Hollywood would think the business had lost its collective mind. A Man Called Otto (Channel 4, available to stream for 30 days for free on 4) began life as a Swedish novel and film before this US remake by Marc Forster (Finding Neverland, World War Z). Tom Hanks played the grumpy widower who thought the world was full of idiots. Without Otto doing his morning 'rounds' of the neighbourhood and telling people off for poor parking and other crimes, it would be anarchy out there. So far, so Victor Meldrew - and so predictable. Sure enough, a young family moved into the cul-de-sac and chipped away at Otto's Easter Island exterior. Before you knew it, the old grump was doing good deeds left, right and centre. Among A-listers, what's left of them, only Hanks could get away with such an obvious schmaltz fest as A Man Called Otto. Tom Cruise would only attempt it if snow shovelling could be turned into a life-or-death stunt. Harrison Ford comes across as authentically grumpy, so that wouldn't be much fun. Clint Eastwood probably came closest in Gran Torino, though that too was a touch spiky. But Hanks, the heir to Jimmy Stewart as a paragon of decency? Perfect. That said, credit to the Forrest Gump and Philadelphia star for sticking with the Swedish original and going to some very bleak places with the grief-stricken Otto. Tom Hanks and feline friend in A Man Called Otto (Image: Niko Tavernise/2022 CTMG) Otto, we learn from (too many) flashbacks was another in a long line of everyday American heroes to feature on the Hanks cv. This one was notable because he was ordinary to the point of almost being dull. It was love that saved him before, and it would do so again. Hanks's son Truman did a fine job of playing the young Otto. Having him around was far preferable to the startling moment when Hanks appeared as his younger self, complete with weird CGI face and unfeasibly dark hair. As for the business model behind A Man Called Otto, it more than paid its way: made for $50 million, it grossed more than double that worldwide in cinemas. Nice guys like Hanks never finish last.
Glasgow Times
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
BBC Scotland's first Gaelic TV producer Neil Fraser dies aged 86
Neil Fraser is best known for being BBC Scotland's first Gaelic language television producer. He has passed away aged 86, his family confirmed in a statement. Neil was born in Lochboisdale, South Uist, in 1938 and was brought up in Staffin on the Isle of Skye before moving to Glasgow in 1956. (Image: Supplied) He was educated at Glasgow University and worked briefly as a maths teacher, before joining the BBC as it was establishing its Gaelic department under Fred MacAulay. With the support of then-BBC director-general Alasdair Milne, Neil helped to give a voice to the Gaelic language on the national stage. As a television producer, his award-winning programmes included the Stone of Destiny drama The Pinch (1980), piping documentary The Glorious Effect (1980), Gaelic current affairs show Prosbaig, and Gaelic comedy Tormod Air Telly. During his time with BBC Scotland, Neil worked as head of current affairs and head of Gaelic. In the latter role, he was instrumental in the consolidation of the Gaelic radio services into Radio Nan Gaidheal in 1985. He became head of BBC Radio Scotland in 1987 before leaving the broadcaster in 1992. (Image: Supplied) After leaving, Neil went on to author a seminal government-commissioned report making the case for a Gaelic language channel. He became chair of MG ALBA, a new body which was established in 2003 to promote and support Gaelic broadcasting and media, where he oversaw the establishment of the channel BBC Alba. Neil also led the television course at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, where he trained generations of talent who went on to make many award-winning films and programmes. He was also committed to piping, both as a board member of the John McFayden Memorial Trust and the Silver Chanter competition. His family said in a statement: "Our father was part of a pivotal generation that fought to reverse the damaging neglect of his native Gaelic language. "He became an archetypal Glasgow Gael: Neither fully at home in the city, nor the croft, uncompromisingly proud of his culture and language and also witheringly critical of anything – or anyone! – that trivialised or undermined it. "He was fiercely intelligent, charming, complex and generous, attributes that he harnessed in his efforts to make broadcasting one of the pillars of the survival of the Gaelic language." Patsi Mackenzie, a writer and screenwriter known for works such as An t-Eilean and An Clo Mor, and a former student of Neil's, added: "As young novices in broadcasting, Neil always gave praise and encouragement when we tried to get things right – and a gentle, helpful steer when we so often got it wrong! "He was a true mentor, generous to a fault and always with a glint in his eye. "His charismatic presence will be forever missed."
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Man, 90, gets floral clock cuckoo wish after 30 year wait
In 1995, teacher George Thomson took his P7 class more than 100 miles from their school in Aberdeen to see the wooden cuckoo at Edinburgh's famous floral much to his horror, when they got there they discovered the clock wasn't working and they wouldn't get to see the life-sized bird "pop out" of its after three decades George has asked his son to take him back to see the cuckoo as his 90th birthday wish."I've been telling this story for the last 30 years and it's given friends and family a laugh over the years but if I didn't see it today I was going to go cuckoo myself so I'm highly delighted that I've now been able to see it," the great grandfather-of-eight told BBC Scotland. Edinburgh's floral clock is the oldest of its kind in the world and was first planted in 1903 with the cuckoo being added in mechanical bird marks every 15 minutes by popping out of its box and saying "cuckoo".George, who had taken his class from Seaton School in Aberdeen, said he was so intently watching for the cuckoo to appear that he hadn't noticed the clock wasn't working at the time as it was being repaired."I was telling all the kids to keep an eye on the wee house but one of the pupils kept tugging on my arm and asked me why the clock had no arms."That's when it dawned on me it wasn't working and I had to quickly tell the kids 'right, it's teatime' instead."Luckily, not one of them complained that I had been mistakenly looking for this cuckoo when the clock was being repaired." George, his partner Lilian Wyness, 66, and his son, also called George, finally made the trip to see the cuckoo at the clock on ranger Ricki Keenan also met the family to give them some history about the floral clock, which is in West Princes Street Gardens, is made up of more than 35,000 flowers and plants and will be in bloom until junior said: "He's told this story over the years because there were no hands on the clock and it's just that moment when the penny drops and having to deal with the disappoint of the kids."It's been a favourite family story, the cuckoo story, so when he said on his 90th birthday in June that it was his birthday wish to see it, I thought I would take him down after double checking online that it was now working." George jnr also read out a poem he had written for the trip:Cuck-ooMr Thomson stood with his class in line,By Princes Street Gardens' floral clock—lookin' a rush it was to get them all there,"Keep yer eyes on the prize, and dinnae you dare!"As the half hour approached, expectations were lit,"Concentrate everyone, or you'll miss-it!The cuckoo's a legend—dinnae blink or talk,It peeks oot for a second, and calls cuck-oo from the clock!"The pupils waited, all breath held ticht,Edinburghers wondered at the curious all was still, you could hear a pin drop,No twitch, no sound, no cuckoo pop!Alas one observant loon gave a shout,"Mr Thomson - will it still come out……If there's no hands on the clock!!!?"For an instant - George was in the dock!He gave the scene a second glance,As if the wee birdie still hid a he, without skipping a beat—his usual show…"Good question, loon— Tea-time—time tae go!" George junior said it was a delightful moment seeing his dad finally meeting the cuckoo."It was so funny because while he was waiting for it to come out I could see the bird in the shadow of the box looking in the direction of my dad and my dad looking towards it."It was like an unrequited love, like brothers who hadn't met for 30 years. They had never met before that kind of sentiment, for me, and out it comes and that's it and he's seen it and we can now all rest."George senior said: "It was worth the wait and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the cuckoo coming out. I feel joy and happiness now I've seen it.
