Nan Spowart

United Kingdom

Freelance Journalist at The National (Scotland)

Journalist

Articles

Female artists to headline ‘eclectic’ festival offering

3 days ago | thenational.scot | Nan Spowart

Sacred Paws (pictured) is one of the acts to headline this year's Lughnasadh festival A MOSTLY female line-up has been unveiled for a new festival helping to put a Fife village on the map. The second year of the event at Newport-on-Tay follows gigs from James Yorkston, Hamish Hawk and Pictish Trail, thanks to the efforts of local music collective Big Rock Records, a group of music aficionados celebrating Scottish independent music talent.
The Scottish project where arts and crafts meets ecology

3 days ago | thenational.scot | Nan Spowart

Jamie Morra and Magnus Livingstone, founders of Cold Paradise, hope to create a space where arts and ecology 'can meet' (Image: Supplied) A CULTURAL project rooted in the Highland landscape is the venue for a forthcoming exhibition which brings together four UK-based artists whose work is closely attuned to the natural world. It opens on Saturday, May 17, at Cold Paradise, a contemporary art and design gallery based in Shieldaig, between Torridon and Applecross.
Time is running out to mitigate climate change in Scotland, campaigners warn

3 days ago | thenational.scot | Nan Spowart

The warning comes as legal action against the UK Government’s “inadequate” climate adaption programme is being taken to Europe’s top human rights court. Backed by the charity Friends of the Earth, two men who believe their lives have been “ruined” by extreme weather events and rising temperatures caused by the climate crisis are going to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on the grounds that the UK response is failing to recognise their human rights.
New play focuses on friendship of therapist and wheelchair user

4 days ago | thenational.scot | Nan Spowart

Simon Jay is particularly concerned about attitudes to disabled people (Image: Supplied) FRESH from playing Donald Trump for three years, Simon Jay has no illusions about the direction of Western society right now, especially when it comes to minorities. As an autistic person, he is particularly concerned about attitudes to disabled people which is why his new play balances comedy with deeper reflections on dignity and human connection.
Mental health takes centre stage in powerful debut by young playwright

1 week ago | thenational.scot | Nan Spowart

Ryan J Mackay and Molly Geddes - rehearsals of Water Colour A FRIEND who talked a suicidal woman down from one of the Clyde bridges has inspired a play which premieres this week. Written by 21-year-old Glaswegian Milly Sweeney, Water Colour is the winner of the St Andrews Playwriting Award and is directed by Sally Reid who played PC Sarah Fletcher in Scots Squad.
Edinburgh man released from Israeli prison after six months in detention

1 week ago | thenational.scot | Nan Spowart

Mohammad and wife Alaa and their three boys A CHILD psychotherapist working for an Edinburgh charity has been released after almost six months in detention in an Israeli prison. Mohammad el Sharif, who works for Edinburgh Firefly International, was among detainees from the Gaza Strip freed last week and has been reunited with his wife, Alaa, and their three little boys.
The farmer who risked everything fighting for Scotland’s wild beavers

1 week ago | thenational.scot | Nan Spowart

Beavers, which are native to Scotland, were wiped out in the mid-1600s after being hunted for their meat, fur and a secretion in their urine used in perfumes and medicines IF ever there was a story of hope triumphing over despair and bureaucracy it’s Tom Bowser’s battle to save beaver families from the bullet. And it was a battle. His new book, Waters Of Life: Fighting For Scotland’s Beavers, tells of a gruelling struggle that took a huge toll on his family life and mental health.
Hollywood stunt experts bring training workshops to Scotland this summer

1 week ago | thenational.scot | Nan Spowart

Teachers include actor, director, martial artist and stuntman Joey Ansah, who gained international recognition performing all his own stunts (Image: Macdonald Academy of Arms) A NEW BOOST for Scotland’s burgeoning screen industry is planned for this summer when top stunt, stage, and screen action professionals will share their skills with Scottish talent.
Woman, 83, slams loophole as landlord kicks her out after securing free upgrade

2 weeks ago | thenational.scot | Nan Spowart

The elderly tenant was given notice to leave after being 'harassed' by her landlord into agreeing to the 'improvements' (Image: Newsquest) A TENANTS’ campaign group has called for a loophole in an energy improvement scheme to be closed after an 83-year-old woman was told to leave her home following weeks of disruption. The elderly tenant, who was renting a house in Fife, was given notice to leave after being “harassed” by her landlord into agreeing to the “improvements”.
Top Scottish musicians to stage charity concert for Palestine

2 weeks ago | thenational.scot | Nan Spowart

Aidan O'Rourke (pictured) organised the upcoming concert with Douglas Robertson of Soundhouse SOME of Scotland’s finest musicians will take to the stage next month in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people. The concert will be held in Edinburgh’s prestigious Queen’s Hall to raise much needed funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). The charity has been struggling to provide aid in Gaza which lies in ruins due to Israel’s continuing bombardment.