Brian Ferguson
@brianjaffa.bsky.social
Edinburgh-based journalist, arts-follower, traveller-around-Scotland. Any views expressed are mine alone. https://www.heraldscotland.com
Pinned
Brian Ferguson
@brianjaffa.bsky.social
· Dec 15
🚴 Exclusive: The cost of bringing the Tour de France to Edinburgh has soared again after the Scottish Government finally admitted how much it will be spending on the event. 🚴
Spoiler alert: It’s more than it spends on the city’s annual home-grown events.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569871...
Spoiler alert: It’s more than it spends on the city’s annual home-grown events.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569871...
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
These five Scottish acts will be coming soon to a boutique festival near you – or, more likely, a sticky-floored music venue somewhere. @heraldscotland.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.social
Five Scottish bands and musicians you need to watch out for this year
Here are five Scottish acts to watch out for in the year ahead, coming soon to a boutique fest near you or a sticky-floored music venue
www.heraldscotland.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:02 PM
These five Scottish acts will be coming soon to a boutique festival near you – or, more likely, a sticky-floored music venue somewhere. @heraldscotland.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.social
EXCLUSIVE: National Galleries has secured £56m worth of backing from the Scottish Government for a major new culture centre on Edinburgh’s waterfront.
Full details: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576993...
Full details: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576993...
January 15, 2026 at 6:20 PM
EXCLUSIVE: National Galleries has secured £56m worth of backing from the Scottish Government for a major new culture centre on Edinburgh’s waterfront.
Full details: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576993...
Full details: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576993...
NEW: The SNP has been accused of “eroding” Scottish culture over its “inexplicable” treatment of five national arts companies. Industry leaders have raised fears about the “knock-on effect” of leaving the flagship organisations on standstill funding.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576676...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576676...
SNP accused of 'eroding' Scottish culture over 'inexplicable' funding blow
Scottish arts industry leaders raise concerns over 'knock-on effect' of surprise snub for national arts companies.
www.heraldscotland.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:11 PM
NEW: The SNP has been accused of “eroding” Scottish culture over its “inexplicable” treatment of five national arts companies. Industry leaders have raised fears about the “knock-on effect” of leaving the flagship organisations on standstill funding.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576676...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576676...
Scotland’s national arts companies are livid at their treatment.
"We are bitterly disappointed at the announcement of standstill funding to our entire portfolio, which represents an effective cut. This decision has left us baffled.”
My exclusive story: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576340...
"We are bitterly disappointed at the announcement of standstill funding to our entire portfolio, which represents an effective cut. This decision has left us baffled.”
My exclusive story: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576340...
Arts chiefs demand Angus Robertson showdown over 'inexplicable' funding snub
National dance, music, opera and theatre companies left 'baffled' at treatment by Scottish Government.
www.heraldscotland.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Scotland’s national arts companies are livid at their treatment.
"We are bitterly disappointed at the announcement of standstill funding to our entire portfolio, which represents an effective cut. This decision has left us baffled.”
My exclusive story: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576340...
"We are bitterly disappointed at the announcement of standstill funding to our entire portfolio, which represents an effective cut. This decision has left us baffled.”
My exclusive story: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576340...
Huge thanks to everyone who has snapped up a Herald subscription in the last few days. Our January sale offer runs till the 29th - don’t miss out!
Remember, you can find all our round-the-clock coverage of Scottish arts & culture right here: www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/a...
Remember, you can find all our round-the-clock coverage of Scottish arts & culture right here: www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/a...
Get 12 months of The Herald for just £20 in our January sale 🚨
Subscribe HERE: www.heraldscotland.com/subs...
Subscribe HERE: www.heraldscotland.com/subs...
January 13, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Huge thanks to everyone who has snapped up a Herald subscription in the last few days. Our January sale offer runs till the 29th - don’t miss out!
Remember, you can find all our round-the-clock coverage of Scottish arts & culture right here: www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/a...
Remember, you can find all our round-the-clock coverage of Scottish arts & culture right here: www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/a...
🔥 Edinburgh’s Hogmanay tickets have gone on sale five months earlier than last year - with organisers reporting global in the event at an “all-time high.” They say the city’s seven-week winter festival attracted an overall audience of more than 3M. 🔥
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2575206...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2575206...
January 9, 2026 at 10:12 AM
🔥 Edinburgh’s Hogmanay tickets have gone on sale five months earlier than last year - with organisers reporting global in the event at an “all-time high.” They say the city’s seven-week winter festival attracted an overall audience of more than 3M. 🔥
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2575206...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2575206...
My first exclusive of the year!
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2573394...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2573394...
Police charge man for drone-flying offences during Edinburgh's Hogmanay party
A ban had been imposed on flying drones within a mile of Edinburgh Castle during the new year celebrations.
www.heraldscotland.com
January 1, 2026 at 4:14 PM
My first exclusive of the year!
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2573394...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2573394...
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
2025 was a vintage year for Scottish theatre - here's our pick of the bunch @heraldscotland.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.social @ntsonline.bsky.social @dundeerep.bsky.social @pitlochryft.bsky.social
'I spent a year watching Scottish theatre - here are my highlights'
It has been a classic year for Scottish theatre - here are my highlights
www.heraldscotland.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:37 PM
2025 was a vintage year for Scottish theatre - here's our pick of the bunch @heraldscotland.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.social @ntsonline.bsky.social @dundeerep.bsky.social @pitlochryft.bsky.social
📰 Right folks, I never ask for much, as you know, but since it’s (almost Christmas)…
The Herald is up for Hold The Front Page’s hotly-contested Front Page of the Year title for this cracker & you can help us win! 📰
Read on and get involved! www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2025/news/ch...
The Herald is up for Hold The Front Page’s hotly-contested Front Page of the Year title for this cracker & you can help us win! 📰
Read on and get involved! www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2025/news/ch...
December 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
📰 Right folks, I never ask for much, as you know, but since it’s (almost Christmas)…
The Herald is up for Hold The Front Page’s hotly-contested Front Page of the Year title for this cracker & you can help us win! 📰
Read on and get involved! www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2025/news/ch...
The Herald is up for Hold The Front Page’s hotly-contested Front Page of the Year title for this cracker & you can help us win! 📰
Read on and get involved! www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2025/news/ch...
Catch them while you can, folks!
All Christmas shows reviewed - here's our verdict on Scotland's best pantos @heraldscotland.bsky.social @neilcooper.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.social @thegaiety.bsky.social @trontheatre.bsky.social @beacontheatre.bsky.social @macrobertarts.bsky.social
Reviewed: These are the eight best pantomimes across Scotland to see right now
From big laughs to festive magic, here’s our guide to the best pantomimes lighting up theatres across Scotland this Christmas.
www.heraldscotland.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Catch them while you can, folks!
This really is essential reading. These findings are absolutely appalling. The Scottish Government, which is obsessed with micro-management in my experience, has completely taken the eye off the ball on what has been going on in one of its most important agencies.
BREAKING
The public spending watchdog has slammed governance arrangements at the troubled Scottish Government heritage agency Historic Environment Scotland
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@kathleennutt.bsky.social
The public spending watchdog has slammed governance arrangements at the troubled Scottish Government heritage agency Historic Environment Scotland
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@kathleennutt.bsky.social
December 16, 2025 at 10:13 AM
This really is essential reading. These findings are absolutely appalling. The Scottish Government, which is obsessed with micro-management in my experience, has completely taken the eye off the ball on what has been going on in one of its most important agencies.
Another spoiler: The Scottish Government is spending around 10 times as much on bringing the Tour de France to Edinburgh as it currently does on the Fringe, which is the biggest cultural event in the world, but is not regarded as a “major event” according to official criteria.
🚴 Exclusive: The cost of bringing the Tour de France to Edinburgh has soared again after the Scottish Government finally admitted how much it will be spending on the event. 🚴
Spoiler alert: It’s more than it spends on the city’s annual home-grown events.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569871...
Spoiler alert: It’s more than it spends on the city’s annual home-grown events.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569871...
December 15, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Another spoiler: The Scottish Government is spending around 10 times as much on bringing the Tour de France to Edinburgh as it currently does on the Fringe, which is the biggest cultural event in the world, but is not regarded as a “major event” according to official criteria.
🚴 Exclusive: The cost of bringing the Tour de France to Edinburgh has soared again after the Scottish Government finally admitted how much it will be spending on the event. 🚴
Spoiler alert: It’s more than it spends on the city’s annual home-grown events.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569871...
Spoiler alert: It’s more than it spends on the city’s annual home-grown events.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569871...
December 15, 2025 at 2:33 PM
🚴 Exclusive: The cost of bringing the Tour de France to Edinburgh has soared again after the Scottish Government finally admitted how much it will be spending on the event. 🚴
Spoiler alert: It’s more than it spends on the city’s annual home-grown events.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569871...
Spoiler alert: It’s more than it spends on the city’s annual home-grown events.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569871...
Now THIS is a Christmas movie!🎄🎄🎄🎄
Ronald Neame's 🇺🇸American action disaster film "THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE" starring Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Jack Albertson, Roddy McDowall, Shelley Winters, Stella Stevens, Carol Lynley, Red Buttons, Leslie Neilsen premiered #OnThisDay in 1972 at the National Theatre, New York
🎬 20th Century-Fox
🎬 20th Century-Fox
December 12, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Now THIS is a Christmas movie!🎄🎄🎄🎄
“We’re sure that without the outpouring of support – both financial & through emotional stories of connection and importance – from the community that surrounds us & in our sector, that we would not be in this position. We owe a huge debt of thanks to all those who got involved.”
🎟️ Breaking: Cumbernauld Theatre has averted closure after an 11th-hour u-turn over its Scottish Government funding. 🎟️
Full details & reaction: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569406...
@cnauldtheatre.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Full details & reaction: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569406...
@cnauldtheatre.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 7:41 PM
“We’re sure that without the outpouring of support – both financial & through emotional stories of connection and importance – from the community that surrounds us & in our sector, that we would not be in this position. We owe a huge debt of thanks to all those who got involved.”
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
My @heraldscotland.bsky.social review of MAMMA MIA! the now 20-something musical in which ABBA’s greatest hits meet prime time British drama.
Edinburgh Playhouse until January 4. www.atgtickets.com/shows/mamma-...
www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
Edinburgh Playhouse until January 4. www.atgtickets.com/shows/mamma-...
www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
'After 26 years, the sheer joy of this nostalgiafest shows no sign of dimming'
Theatre: Mamma Mia! The Playhouse, Edinburgh, Neil Cooper, Four stars: After 26 years, the sheer joy of this nostalgiafest shows no sign of dimming
www.heraldscotland.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:39 PM
My @heraldscotland.bsky.social review of MAMMA MIA! the now 20-something musical in which ABBA’s greatest hits meet prime time British drama.
Edinburgh Playhouse until January 4. www.atgtickets.com/shows/mamma-...
www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
Edinburgh Playhouse until January 4. www.atgtickets.com/shows/mamma-...
www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
🎟️ Breaking: Cumbernauld Theatre has averted closure after an 11th-hour u-turn over its Scottish Government funding. 🎟️
Full details & reaction: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569406...
@cnauldtheatre.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Full details & reaction: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569406...
@cnauldtheatre.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 4:09 PM
🎟️ Breaking: Cumbernauld Theatre has averted closure after an 11th-hour u-turn over its Scottish Government funding. 🎟️
Full details & reaction: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569406...
@cnauldtheatre.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Full details & reaction: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569406...
@cnauldtheatre.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
My @heraldscotland.bsky.social review of Jack and the Beanstalk, Jonathan O’Neill and Isaac Savage’s new ‘moooosical’ take on the classic story starring a cow named Caroline.
Dundee Rep until December 30. dundeerep.co.uk/events/jack-...
www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
Dundee Rep until December 30. dundeerep.co.uk/events/jack-...
www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
Jack, the beanstalk and a sassy heilan coo - a classic fairy tale with a Scots twist
This rendition of Jack and the Beanstalk is underpinned by a plethora of power ballads and showtunes that give panto by way of a cheesy Fringe…
www.heraldscotland.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
My @heraldscotland.bsky.social review of Jack and the Beanstalk, Jonathan O’Neill and Isaac Savage’s new ‘moooosical’ take on the classic story starring a cow named Caroline.
Dundee Rep until December 30. dundeerep.co.uk/events/jack-...
www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
Dundee Rep until December 30. dundeerep.co.uk/events/jack-...
www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
Legendary Scottish actor and comedian Stanley Baxter has died at the age of 99.
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
December 12, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Legendary Scottish actor and comedian Stanley Baxter has died at the age of 99.
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
Lots of interest in this one today…!
The Screen Machine is definitely on my must-do list for 2026!
The Screen Machine is definitely on my must-do list for 2026!
Exclusive: Scotland is to get a new Screen Machine within months after a “colossal” effort to secure the future of the mobile cinema service for the Highlands & Islands raised almost £1.5m.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Lots of interest in this one today…!
The Screen Machine is definitely on my must-do list for 2026!
The Screen Machine is definitely on my must-do list for 2026!
Exclusive: Scotland is to get a new Screen Machine within months after a “colossal” effort to secure the future of the mobile cinema service for the Highlands & Islands raised almost £1.5m.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Exclusive: Scotland is to get a new Screen Machine within months after a “colossal” effort to secure the future of the mobile cinema service for the Highlands & Islands raised almost £1.5m.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Exclusive: Scotland is to get a new Screen Machine within months after a “colossal” effort to secure the future of the mobile cinema service for the Highlands & Islands raised almost £1.5m.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Exclusive: Scotland is to get a new Screen Machine within months after a “colossal” effort to secure the future of the mobile cinema service for the Highlands & Islands raised almost £1.5m.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
📚 Exclusive: One of Edinburgh’s leading bookshops is declaring victory after a three-week battle with Waterstones over a “baffling and shocking” decision to open a new store yards away. 📚
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568157...
@heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568157...
@heraldscotland.bsky.social
December 8, 2025 at 4:06 PM
📚 Exclusive: One of Edinburgh’s leading bookshops is declaring victory after a three-week battle with Waterstones over a “baffling and shocking” decision to open a new store yards away. 📚
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568157...
@heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568157...
@heraldscotland.bsky.social
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
BREAKING
Sandie Peggie has won her employment tribunal against NHS Fife on harassment grounds.
However, the claim made against transgender medic Dr Beth Upton was dismissed 👇
Sandie Peggie has won her employment tribunal against NHS Fife on harassment grounds.
However, the claim made against transgender medic Dr Beth Upton was dismissed 👇
December 8, 2025 at 1:15 PM
BREAKING
Sandie Peggie has won her employment tribunal against NHS Fife on harassment grounds.
However, the claim made against transgender medic Dr Beth Upton was dismissed 👇
Sandie Peggie has won her employment tribunal against NHS Fife on harassment grounds.
However, the claim made against transgender medic Dr Beth Upton was dismissed 👇