Latest news from VisitScotland

Scotland’s only festival of Shakespeare returns for a sixth season filled with romance and excitement. The festival will utilise the full extent of the Botanic Gardens breathtaking natural surroundings, including the newly refurbished Kibble Palace, to create a unique experience for audiences.

The festival runs from 27th June – 4th August. Find out more by visiting Bardinthebotanics.org

A Loo With a View

One of Scotland’s most distinctive period house hotels, Greywalls, has refurbished The King’s Loo, its unique bedroom in the rose garden. Once the toilette of Edward VII, The King’s Loo has been converted into a romantic double bedroom offering peace and tranquillity away from the main house, yet only yards from the hotel’s three AA Rosette restaurant and elegant public rooms.

The King’s Loo, which once hosted the bathing and dressing ritual of King Edward VII when he holidayed at Greywalls, has more recently been host to Barbara Streisand on her honeymoon and other insatiable romantics. Find out more at Greywalls.co.uk

The Naked Portrait

One of the most ambitious exhibitions to be mounted at the SNPG, The Naked Portrait will bring together around 150 examples of the naked portrait genre, dating from around 1890 to the present day from Rodin to Tracey Emin. Themes of the show will include the challenge to traditional ideals of physical beauty; the artistic exploration of love, desire and sexuality; and the role of the body in defining identity.

The Naked Portrait will bring together work by a diverse range of artists and photographers, including Man Ray, Stanley Spencer, Richard Avedon, Diane Arbus, Helmut Newton, David Bailey, Gilbert and George, Gerhard Richter, Annie Leibovitz, Marc Quinn, and Sam Taylor-Wood. (6 June – 2 September 2007), Scottish National Portrait Gallery, find out more at Nationalgalleries.org.

Royal Scottish National Orchestra Proms

A series of light popular classical concerts, culminating in the dizzying, flag-waving spectacle of the Last Night, complete with pipers and pyrotechnics. Glasgow Royal Concert Hall - Rsno.org.uk

New Golden Eagle Viewing Scheme launched

For the first time in Scotland one of the country's most enthralling wildlife spectacles is to be included as the centrepiece of an exciting new visitor attraction, which opened to the public on 1st April 2007. The unprecedented venture will allow nature enthusiasts to get up close and personal with golden eagles in their natural habitat among the inspiring craggy glens of Scotland's Wild West coast.

RSPB Scotland in partnership with Ardnamurchan Natural History Centre will host the new attraction, featuring CCTV cameras trained on a deer carcass, allowing observation of wild golden eagles as they come in and feed. There will also be extensive new displays about golden eagles, in addition to the range of wildlife viewing opportunities that already exist at the Centre. Find out more at Anhc.co.uk

Dakota Forth Bridge now open

The latest Dakota Hotel opened just outside Edinburgh in mid March. The hotels are owned by David Coulthard and Ken McCulloch (the man behind One Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow and the Malmaison chain). The idea behind the hotels – named after the low cost airline that opened up travel to the masses in the 1930’s - is to provide travellers with affordable luxury from under £90.00 a room. Find out more at Dakotaforthbridge.co.uk

Abstract Edinburgh now open

After the successful Abstract in Inverness made famous by Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares now comes Abstract Edinburgh. The eight course tasting menu is a great way to sample many of the delicious and fascinating dishes cooked by Executive Chef Loic Lefebvre and his talented team. Find out more at abstractrestaurant.com

Gleneagles offers Tattoo Package

combine all the music and colour of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo with an overnight stay at The Gleneagles Hotel. Your night to remember begins with drinks and canapés in the hotel. A luxury coach then whisks you to Edinburgh in plenty of time to take your seats for the sell-out success that is the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Visit Gleneagles.com for more information.

The Outsider Festival Line up

Headliners for The Outsider include KT Tunstall, Crowded House, Idlewild, Guillemots and Willy Mason. With a strong environmental agenda The Outsider isn't hiding from the issues. It's a festival for people who care about the world and want to participate rather than just consume. Just goes to show that wanting to save the planet doesn't mean you can't have a good time! For more information, visit Outsiderfestival.co.uk.

Connect Festival Line up announced

Connect Music Festival is Scotland's new three day boutique event to be held in the stunning grounds of Inveraray Castle, situated on the banks of one of Scotlands most beautiful lochs, Loch Fyne, Argyll on 31st August, 1st & 2nd September 2007. The line up includes Beastie Boys, Bjork, Primal Scream, Jesus and the Mary Chain, CSS The Divine Comedy and Idlewild. For more information, visit Connectmusicfestival.com

St. Magnus Festival 30th Anniversary

Britain’s most northerly arts festival – the St. Magnus Festival – celebrates its 30th anniversary in from June 22 – 27, 2007 with six intoxicating days of music, theatre and literature, all taking place against the magical backdrop of the islands of Orkney at midsummer. For more information, visit Stmagnusfestival.com

Iglu, Where Vegetarian “Meats” Organic

Iglu Bar and Restaurant in Edinburgh’s Newtown, known as one of the first establishments in the capital to serve organic, wild and local produce is also gaining a reputation as one of the capitals choice venues for vegetarians. Where vegetarian alternatives often leave the individual unenthused and vegetarian restaurants leave the meat eater unfulfilled, Iglu is catering for all palates and doing it very successfully. Visit Theiglu.com for more information.

Townhouse Company Culture Vulture Package

Ever wondered where Buzz Lightyear and Woody really came from, or how a whole family with superhero powers was imagined? The Town House Company has teamed up with National Museums Scotland to offer a fantastic Culture Vulture package, perfect for animation aficionados and families alike.

Escape to one of the four fabulous period townhouse hotels in Edinburgh where the Culture Vulture package includes luxury accommodation, full Scottish breakfast and entry into Pixar: 20 Years of Animation for two people. Prices from £90 per person per night based on two people sharing a double room at Channings. Valid from 1st April – 28th May. Visit Townhousecompany.com for more information.

The Sky’s The Limit at The Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course

The prestigious Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course near Kelso has teamed up with Adventures Aloft, quality flight specialist, to allow visitors to get some of the most spectacular views of the beautiful Scottish Borders scenery. From April onwards the luxury hotel is offering a hot air balloon flight from the Roxburghe grounds followed by a special champagne breakfast on returning to the hotel.

Vouchers may be obtained by contacting the Roxburghe Hotel directly and include hot air balloon flights of approximately one hour duration, champagne served after landing, transport back to the hotel, breakfast from the hotel’s 'Celebrate the Flight' breakfast menu and an in flight photograph to keep as a memento of the special occasion. The package costs £195 per person with a reduced price for group bookings. Go to Roxburghe.net to find out more.

Edinburgh Art Festival announces new Director and programme

The Edinburgh Art Festival board are delighted to announce the appointment of Joanne S Brown as the Festival’s first ever Director.

The Edinburgh Art Festival is now entering its fourth year, and aims to showcase world class visual arts exhibitions and events in the capital, engaging audiences locally, nationally and internationally. This year’s Festival runs from 26 July to 2 September 2007. Highlights of the programme include a special focus on Picasso, with complementary exhibitions at the National Museums and National Galleries.

Full details of the 2007 Edinburgh Art Festival programme will be announced in May. For more information, visit Edinburghartfestival.org