Suzanne McLaughlin serves up a week of delights
1 WHERE would the indy movement be without Alasdair Gray? Not as far along the road, I’d wager, and as such we should celebrate the man and his legacy and I’ve just the thing to help you do that.
The Hunterian Museum in Glasgow’s West End has an exhibition dedicated to the work of the renowned writer and artist. The two-room exhibition uncovers how Lanark was made and has been selected from the manuscripts and artworks created by Gray throughout the development of the novel that spanned three decades. Highlights include the artist’s design for the jacket cover of Lanark and designs for the title pages of the four books which make up the novel. Open Tuesdays to Sundays 10-5 every week from now until October. Exhibition is free.
2 AS part of the AYE festival, there is a garden party in Edinburgh’s meadows today. Chilled out artistic and musical performances, food, music and it’s all wean and dug friendly. Totally free. For more information head to www.spititoutproject.com
3 PAISLEY’S annual Sma’ Shot Day is back with a bang. For those of you who haven’t heard, it is a fantastic celebration of a famous early trade union victory for female workers in the weaving industry. The 7000 weavers led a trade union fight and won. The day has been celebrated ever since with a parade and this year is no exception. Celebrations begin with the popular Sma’ Shot parade, which sets off from Brodie Park at noon led by the Charleston Drum, before making its way through Paisley town centre to Abbey Close. Once it arrives, there is the annual Burning of the Cork – a highlight of the Sma’ Shot Day celebrations – and brilliant live performances on the main stage. For more information head over to www.paisley.is This Saturday.
4 I dont normally feature big gigs in this column, but there are a few last-minute tickets available to see the main man of rock Liam Gallagher in Glasgow this weekend. He’s on at Hampden Park today. The weather will be glorious and the tunes will be banging. C’mon you know you want to, so why not? Tickets from www.ticketmaster.co.uk/liam-gallagher-glasgow-26-06-2022/
5 A HOT topic right now is streets and statues named after slave owners. These remain a blight on Scotland and councils are trying to figure out the right way forward. Famous Scientist and human rights campaigner Sir Geoffrey Palmer is chair of the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Group. A celebrated scientist and academic, he was Scotland’s first black university professor and was recently installed as the new Chancellor of Heriot Watt University. He is giving a talk at today at 11am, last minute but worth it! It's free. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dont-tear-our-statues-down-sir-geoff-palmer-tickets-276566416597
6 DUNDEE is having festival fortnight at the moment and it’s well worth having a wee nose at the website for a full list of all the events. This week kicks off with an event in celebration of pride. For more info head over to www.dundeecity.gov.uk
7 SHETLAND is really bringing equality and diversity to the table this year. First of all they have recently allowed girls to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival after tireless work by Shetland feminists. And this week the island will be full of Queens as Shetland hosts its first ever Pride event on Saturday. Bring your glitter and your good times and celebrate this day in honour of the struggles to get here and the ongoing struggle some in the community are still facing. Pride is a protest but it’s one with fun. For all the events and fun and party info head over to www.shetlandpride.uk
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here