Latest news with #Jacobite
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Outlander fans share Blood Of My Blood speculations - will there be time travel?
Outlander: Blood of My Blood will be released this coming August, with fans eagerly awaiting further updates on what to expect from the series. Outlander fans have been left thrilled, as the air date for its highly-anticipated spin off show Blood of My Blood was finally revealed. It comes as viewers are eagerly awaiting the eigthth and final series of Outlander itself. Announcing the premier date of the prequel as August 8, the official Starz social media account on Instagram wrote, "Can true love overcome rival clans? Experience Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser's story in Outlander: Blood of My Blood premiering August 8 on STARZ." Fans have eagerly been keeping an eye out for updates. Taking to Reddit one fan pondered, "I'm looking forward to Blood of My Blood but I can't help wondering how they're going to bring these two stories together. "I mean, they can't leave the two couples separated by two centuries, can they? Is time travel involved? Any thoughts or speculations would be welcome." Sharing one theory, one fan said: "I think they will be two separate storylines. These couples never meet." Another noted, "I believe I saw a shot of Claire's mother time travelled into 18th century, that is probably how they would bring the two stories together." Backing up the same theory, one fan highlighted, "There was a BTS photo on IG that looked to be Claire's mom in 18th century clothing, riding in a horse and carriage sitting next to Brian. It was quickly deleted. So, there's speculation that there will be some sort of time travel in BOB. We'll know for sure this summer." "I'm not sure two separate storylines would make any sense, especially to people who are not Outlander fans. Surely there has to be a connection between the two," questioned one fan. One person reponded, "There will be parallels but they won't come together." "Hopefully they will some sort of explanation that these are Jamie's and Claire's parents. I would assume most people who will watch are Outlander fans. JMO," voiced another. In response, they said: "You're probably right but I'll bet Starz would like to have a show that stands on its own. Also, an Outlander spinoff with no spooky time-travel stuff just seems odd." One fan said: "The prequel that Diana is writing is only about Jamie's parents and the Jacobite uprising of 1715. The show runners decided to add Claire's parents." Many of the Outlander fanbase, which is based on Diana Gabaldon's original award-winning novels, are hoping the characters bring as much on-screen energy as both Claire and Jamie Fraser did, played by Sam Heughan and Catriona Balfe. "I hope they found some actors with amazing chemistry because they will live in the shadow of the original couple's chemistry. I already feel bad for the comparisons that are to come, but I am also really excited about new material," gushed one fan. One pondered, "Have they said whether this is intended to be a mini-series/one-season wonder, or if it's open-ended and might go on for multiple seasons?," as some speculated already that it could be billed for a second series before it's even hit screens.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Classy lass fae Fife Barbara Dickson loathed 'cut and thrust' of fame
Scotland's best-selling female singer was never tinsel pop or disco. She's classy and somehow also one of us, the people, ken? 'I was extraordinarily different, I suppose, for a pop star,' she told The Herald in 2017, adding: 'There was the tendency to cast me as the girl next door, which I am not and never have been.' Right, I'll just edit that bit out then. She's feisty and will probably find 'icon' a bit cringe. She hates the word 'celebrity'. Unconfirmed reports suggest she's even been known to take the bus. Barbara Ruth Dickson first travelled lightly on 27 September 1947 when she was born in Fife. She spent her early childhood in Rosyth, where she attended Camdean Primary, before her family moved to the bright lights of Dunfermline, where she went to Pitcorthie Primary and Woodmill Junior High, whose music teacher Sandy Saddler became a great influence. Her father was a policeman turned tugboat cook at Rosyth Dockyard. Mother was from Liverpool. In 2009, Barbara told yon Scotsman: 'My mother sang all the time. I grew up thinking everybody sang. The environment was full of music.' Her first public performance came at the age of 10 when she entered a piano competition at Edinburgh's Assembly Rooms. She also sang in school concerts and, in 1964, when she left school, friends encouraged her to sing at Dunfermline's Howff folk club. At 17, she went to work in the General Register Office in Edinburgh, while continuing to sing at nights and weekends, with gigs including city pubs such as the Waverley and the Halfway House. 'The first time, I was very, very nervous,' she has recalled. 'But something inside me must've wanted to sing in front of people.' It was an egalitarian time, 'with no top and bottom. I hate the cut and thrust of fame.' READ MORE: Robert McNeil: I detest yon Romans but I dig excavating their wee fortlets RAB MCNEIL'S SCOTTISH ICONS: John Knox – the fiery preacher whose pal got burnt at the stake Rab McNeil: All this talk about celebs and their neuroses is getting on my nerves FOUND HER VOICE AFTER a couple of privately recorded albums, Barbara left the Civil Service to turn professional, having been refused time off to travel to yonder Copenhagen for a six-week engagement at the Tivoli. Back in Scotia, she toured the folk scene with Billy Connolly, Rab Noakes and Gerry Rafferty, all of whom she adored, even borrowing Billy's fancy suede jacket for one gig. In 1969, she recorded The Fate O' Charlie, a collection of songs from the Jacobite rebellions, with Archie Fisher and John MacKinnon. Her first solo album, Do Right Woman, was released the following year. After moving to yonder England for more work, she got her big break in 1974 when she met Willy Russell, then a young student running a folk club in Liverpool. He showed her the first draft of what became the award-winning musical John, Paul, George, Ringo ... and Bert. Not wanting males as they'd be compared to the originals, he asked her to perform the musicSmart move. The combination of Russell's writing, a quality cast and Dickson's characterful interpretation of Beatles songs proved a great success. Show co-producer Robert Stigwood signed her to his RSO label, for which she recorded the album Answer Me, with the title track reaching nine in the singles chart. The show also led to her guest residency on The Two Ronnies, a BBC comedy show that at its peak attracted 18.6 million viewers. Meanwhile, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice had also spotted Dickson and, for them, she recorded Another Suitcase in Another Hall from their musical Evita. This became her second hit and that year, 1977, she flew to Nashville to record her second RSO album, Morning Comes Quickly. (Image: Getty) TALENT IN THE BLOOD DURING the late 1970s, Barbara contributed backing vocals to albums by good friend Gerry Rafferty. So much for singing. What about acting? Give it a go? Although initially reluctant, she finally agreed to star in Russell's musical Blood Brother, once more receiving critical acclaim. In 1983, Dickson and backing band appeared in musical interludes on comedy show Scotch and Wry and, soon, she was up to her eyes in BBC Scotland, presenting The Afternoon Show, This Is Barbara Dickson, and Awayday, in which she travelled aboot the funny wee country by train. In 1984, the aforementioned Rice enlisted her to record an album from the musical Chess. From that, the single I Know Him So Well, a duet sung with Elaine Paige, became a worldwide hit. They remain the best-selling ever female duet. Unsurprisingly, the Daily Record named her Scot of the Year. The 1990s saw her feature in television dramas, including Taggart, Band of Gold and The Missing Postman. Writer and director Chris Bond created a stage show called The Seven Ages of Woman for her in 1996 while, in 1999, she starred in Spend Spend Spend, a musical based on pools winner Viv Nicholson. FRIGHT NIGHTS ALL good. But no career is all plain sailing In her autobiography, A Shirt Box Full of Songs, she recalls the stage-fright and exhaustion that affected her for 15 years, beginning when another cast member acted unpredictably caused her to freeze on stage. Time and therapy did their thing but she has admitted to still feeling nerves. Never mind. In 1997, her status as a top act was confirmed when she was invited to switch on the Blackpool Illuminations while, in 2002, she got yin o' yon OBEs, collecting it at Buckingham Palace, in preference to having it delivered by Evri. Time flew and album followed album, including To Each And Everyone, a tribute to Gerry Rafferty, and Time Is Going Faster, her 25th studio LP and, in 2020, her 50th anniversary of recording. Dickson is on record as describing the Scots language as 'very sexy' – aye – and by 2015, after living in rural Lincolnshire for three decades, felt the pull of her native land. Her English husband was 'a bit of an obstacle to begin with' but agreed, as long as it was Edinburgh. So, in 2015, they moved north to what she has called 'the greatest city in the world'. I see. Last year saw her undertake a farewell tour. In all her time, Barbara Dickson never succumbed to the excesses of success. 'I've never had a fur coat. I've never travelled in a Rolls Royce,' she told the Record in 2015. 'I have never needed that because I have always known exactly who I am.' And who is that? 'I am a very lucky girl from Dunfermline.'
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Scotsman
'Harry Potter' Jacobite train operator slammed for substitute 'Primark' carriages
Former British Rail blue and grey coaches deployed amid ongoing safety Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... Passengers travelling on the Hogwarts Express-style Jacobite train in the Highlands have been angered after its normal red carriages were replaced with blue ex-British Rail Inter-City coaches. The Friends of the West Highland Lines (FoWHL) said it was 'like seeing a Marks & Spencer store from the pavement and going in and finding it's Primark'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A Jacobite service hauled by a diesel locomotive passing Glenfinnan Station on May 14 | Contributed The substitute carriages have been drafted in by operator West Coast Railways as part of an ongoing dispute with rail safety regulators who have insisted the train must have centrally-locking doors. The move has added to the frustration of Harry Potter fans booking tickets for the service between Fort William and Mallaig because its steam locomotive has been temporarily replaced with a diesel engine due to the high wildfire risk. One passenger posted on Tripadvisor: 'Awful coaches, not the Harry Potter coaches we were expecting, modern blue and grey coaches.' The Jacobite passing Lochailort en route to Mallaig in 2022. (Photo by Jane Barlow/PA) | Jane Barlow/PA Another, Alan G, said: 'Complete waste of time! We are sitting on what can only be described as a old 70s/80s inter city carriage, not even a classic.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Marie, visiting Anjou in France, posted: 'Very disappointing. We planned an immersive experience and ended up on a cigarette-smelling train from the 70s. Nothing or almost nothing to do with the Harry Potter movie except a few goodies sold.' West Coast Railways has applied for a further exemption from the long-established central door locking requirement for its original Jacobite carriages, which are known as 'Mark 1s', despite losing a High Court case against the Office of Rail and Road regulator (ORR) in 2023. Doug Carmichael of the FoWHL, said: 'Although the coaches have all the requirements expected by the ORR, West Coast Railways should have considered fitting new door locking to their existing fleet to satisfy the expectations of their customers, a majority of whom are ardent Harry Potter fans and expect the train to look similar to that shown in the movies. 'A coach the 'wrong' colour is a bit like seeing a Marks & Spencer store from the pavement and going in and finding it's Primark.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A passenger said the blue carriages were "not the Harry Potter coaches we were expecting" | Contributed The carriages have been used on the Jacobite's afternoon service but from Monday they will be used on the morning service. In a statement on its website, West Coast Railways said: 'Due to the extreme weather conditions we have experienced from the start of our season, we are having to carry out additional and essential maintenance on our carriages. 'Starting on May 19 and lasting for a few weeks, the normal carriages used on the morning service are to be replaced with our ex-British Rail Inter-City rolling stock in their traditional colours of blue and grey. 'The use of these carriages on the Jacobite service is a rare opportunity. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Although the exterior differs from the usual carriages, the interior is still of the same standard so we are confident that you will have an enjoyable trip. 'All booked passengers will be notified where it affects them.' Commercial manager James Shuttleworth added: 'They're being used as they are already fitted with central door locking until such time as we gain an exemption for the Mark 1 vehicles. Dialogue is on-going with the ORR. 'As far as the blue and grey is concerned, we're not disguising the fact.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Shuttleworth explained that the carriages were being switched between the two daily services because the steel 'tyres' on their wheels were having to be changed more often than usual. He said: 'There is a plan to rotate/swap the vehicles so the tyres can be turned on our lathe, due to wear, which also happens more frequently in dry weather.' The extra maintenance needed follows similar conditions in 2018 when the Jacobite carriages' tyres had to be changed four times rather than twice as normal. That led to the cancellation of Christmas trips because of insufficient time to complete the work after the end of the summer season in October. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Scotsman
'Hogwarts Express' Jacobite train operator accused of poor customer service in 'shoddy carriages'
West Coast Railways criticised for reducing stewards as 'recipe for disaster' Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... The operator of the Hogwarts Express-style Jacobite steam train has been accused of providing a poor service to passengers in 'shoddy' carriages. The claim from an industry source with knowledge of the operation comes weeks after The Scotsman revealed the classic maroon carriages associated with the Harry Potter films had been substituted with more modern former British Rail blue Inter-City coaches. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Jacobite train near Fort William on Sunday May 25 after the wildfire risk had receded | Kieran Macdonald Concern has been expressed that operator West Coast Railways (WCR) has reduced the number of stewards on the twice-daily Fort William to Mallaig services, whose job includes preventing passengers leaning out of windows to take photos. But WCR said the Jacobite was run in a 'safe, professional manner' and the safety and comfort of passengers was its priority. It has also been able to use a steam locomotive to haul services for the first time in weeks after the wildfire threat receded. Passengers had complained at being unaware the Jacobite had been run with a diesel engine. The industry source said the company was "charging an extortionate amount and providing no customer service, shoddy carriages, terrible refreshments". Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Jacobite train being hauled by a diesel locomotive on Saturday May 24 | Kieran Macdonald Passengers have also complained on the Tripadvisor reviews website of high temperatures and the lack of air conditioning on the substitute carriages, which WCR said were temporary replacements pending wheel repairs. The source said: "WCR originally had five stewards on each [five-carriage] service to keep passenger safety a priority as passengers aren't allowed to lean out or take photos by opening the windows, which has happened many times. 'Now, they have two stewards at each end of the train, in charge of two carriages [each] with the train manager acting as a third steward in the middle. In the afternoon, they have three stewards. 'A catering trolley plus a 'Harry Potter' trolley service operates, so stewards monitoring passengers is very restricted, which is a recipe for disaster.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A Jacobite service with Inter-City carriages hauled by a diesel locomotive during the wildfire risk steam engine ban on May 14 | Contributed WCR commercial manager James Shuttleworth said: 'The safety and comfort of Jacobite passengers is the priority of our leadership, management and employees. 'The services are conducted in a safe, professional manner that allows our customers to make treasured memories, and enjoy the best of the Scottish Highlands. 'The quality of our service and the esteem it is held in are a credit to our employees whose professionalism and enthusiasm are highly valued. Prior to working on the Jacobite service, all staff receive training and are briefed to ensure customers are monitored and kept safe whilst providing an excellent service. 'There is also a continued review and briefing process carried out by train managers to ensure the safety of our services is maintained throughout the season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We were saddened to see the comments made about our services. However, WCR is proud of our Jacobite service and the integral part we play in the tourism and hospitality sector.' The Jacobite with its traditional maroon carriages on the Glenfinnan viaduct | Contributed The substitute carriages were drafted in as part of an ongoing dispute with rail safety regulators who insist they must have centrally-locking doors. Mr Shuttleworth said it was seeking to resolve the dispute with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Steam trains win bank holiday reprieve as Network Rail lifts fire-risk ban
Steam trains will be able to run on the mainline during one of the busiest weeks of the year after heavy rain eased concerns about the threat of track-side fires. Network Rail lifted a steam ban on popular routes in North West England including the Settle & Carlisle and Cumbrian Coast lines, while the operator of the Jacobite train in Scotland said it would switch back to steam from diesel. Amber alerts indicating a risk of fire across the wider network were meanwhile downgraded after downpours on Friday night soaked lineside vegetation that had been tinderbox dry. An expert on Network Rail's special trains team said that months of minimal rainfall had created 'brown corridors' at substantial risk of being ignited by embers jettisoned by steam engines. He said: 'The entire country has been at high alert, but some routes, particularly in the North West, have been forced to ban steam in recent weeks as the risk has just been too great. 'But with the weather turning and rain arriving Friday night and over the weekend, the risk is reducing and steam can once again run on our metals.' This year has seen the driest start to spring in England since 1956, with half the expected rainfall in April and only a quarter of the long-term average in March. The trend continued into May, with warnings of imminent hosepipe bans and a summer drought, and wildfires breaking out in areas including Cumbria, Derbyshire and Dorset. Network Rail responded with a series of curbs on steam trains culminating in a 10-day blanket ban in the North West. However, with the heatwave ending as low pressure systems bring rainy conditions, Network Rail eased the restrictions in time for the spring bank holiday and school break. The decision was based on forecasts from MetDesk, which provides the firm with predictions of fire risk, ice and leaf fall, as well as weather forecasts for every 500 yards of track. North West England was moved from black alert to red status for Saturday, which meant that a steam locomotive could lead a train using limited power, assisted by a diesel engine at the rear. The risk level was dropped to amber on Sunday, simply requiring operators to exercise caution. West Coast Railways, the biggest operator of steam and classic diesel trains on the national network, said the reprieve was vital going into the busiest months for charter operations. James Shuttleworth, the firm's commercial manager, said that the rainfall meant the Jacobite train in the Highlands – dubbed the 'Hogwarts Express' for its appearances in the Harry Potter franchise – will also be able to return to steam traction from diesel. With most of its steam engines based in Carnforth in North West England, the ban had threatened to leave the firm unable to haul trains even in parts of the country that were unaffected. One locomotive in service when the clampdown was announced had been unable to return to base and was abandoned to York. Mr Shuttleworth said the spring had been the driest he had known since 1995, when the newly launched Jacobite service was forced to use diesels. Steam operators responded to months of bans at the time with measures to limit fire risk, including spark arresters and grills on engines. West Coast is now permitted to make its own decisions regarding appropriate traction for the Jacobite in conjunction with managers at Network Rail's Fort William depot. Mr Shuttleworth said: 'You've got to be responsible. It's also about accessibility and whether the fire brigade would be able to get to the site of a potential fire.' In Scotland and other upland areas, he said, there's also the risk of a lineside fire spreading to forestry plantations or seams of peat, with the latter potentially taking months to burn out. West Coast, like other operators, makes clear to passengers that there will be no refund in the event of steam engines being unable to run or breaking down. The reprieve came too late for the Northern Belle luxury dining train, which relied on diesel haulage over the Settle & Carlisle route on Saturday. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
