WILL TAKE THAT BE WEARING KILTS TO TAKE PART IN SCOTTISH CHARITY KILT WALK?

TAKE That might well give true Scotsmen a run for their money after backing Scotland's famous Kiltwalk.
The trio did their own cover version of The Proclaimers I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) alongside ITV Breakfast’s LA correspondent Ross King to encourage punters to sign up for the Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk which takes place next month.
Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen join other celebs including actor Gerard Butler and comedian Kevin Bridges in support of the charity.
Mark Owen who used to come up to Scotland regularly during his solo career said: " Is it about walking in a kilt? I'd like to."
Kiltwalkers won’t need to walk 500 miles, but 23 miles for the Mighty Stride, 15 miles for the Big Stroll or six miles for the Wee Wander in four Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalks this year.
For every pound raised by walkers, £1.10 will go to charity. This comes after Sir Tom Hunter and The Hunter Foundation generously pledged that 110% of all fundraising at each of the four 2017 Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk events will go to charity.
Whether a walker raises £10 or £100 or more The Hunter Foundation will add 10% to their fundraising total with absolutely no limit.
Paul Cooney, Chief Executive of the Kiltwalk said: “It’s brilliant that the Take That lads are encouraging fans to walk. Our ambition is to turn the Kiltwalk into Scotland’s largest mass participation event, so this kind of support is invaluable.
"With the Glasgow Kiltwalk just a month away, we’re asking Scots to choose a charity close to their hearts and sign-up for the Kiltwalk to help raise vital funds. The efforts from walkers will make a real and lasting difference to the lives of so many. And with the Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk open to all charities there has never been a better time to get your kilt on.”
Funds raised at the Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk went to 282 Scottish children’s charities in 2016. This year, even more people will be able to benefit as the Kiltwalk is now open to every Scottish charity.
Kiltwalk has raised more than £3.5 million for Scottish charitable causes since 2011. The dates for the Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk 2017, are: Glasgow (April 30), Aberdeen (June 4), Dundee (August 20) and Edinburgh (September 17).
This year’s fundraising will be further boosted by a pledge from Platinum Sponsors Arnold Clark that one lucky Kiltwalker from each of the four 2017 events will win a brand new Renault Clio.
All you need to do is register to take part in any 2017 Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk and start fundraising to be in with the chance of winning the car.
Those who choose to walk for the Kiltwalk itself will know that everything they raise will be distributed through the STV Children’s Appeal.
Walkers can choose to walk the Mighty Stride (23 miles), the Big Stroll (15 miles) or the Wee Wander (6 miles) so people of all ages and abilities can take part.
To sign up for any of the four Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalks simply visit www.thekiltwalk.co.uk


- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

WET WET WET WILL BE KINGS OF EDINBURGH CASTLE THIS SUMMER

WET Wet Wet will celebrate thirty years of their classic debut album Popped In Souled Out by taking over the stage at Edinburgh Castle.
Marti Oellow and the lads will play the famed Edinburgh landmark on Saturday July 15.
With huge hits including three UK No.1’s – ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’; ‘Goodnight Girl’; and ‘Love Is All Around’, the Glasgow lads have made an incredible impact with their music over the years, making them one of the most successful bands in British pop history.
Marti Pellow said: “It was a major career highlight when we took to the stage at Edinburgh Castle some 25 years ago. We are honoured to be asked back and it is sure to be a special moment when we take to the stage again.”
Graeme Clark added: “We’re coming back to the Capital to celebrate the anniversary of our Popped In Souled Out album and to do it on this scale at Edinburgh Castle some 30 years after its release is incredible.”
Tommy Cunningham can't wait to return and enthused: “It’s going to be some night! Playing live is what we love doing most and you never know, there might even be the odd wee splash of tartan just like there was last time!”
And Neil Mitchell said: “To get to play those classic pop songs in such an iconic venue will make it an amazing day for us and the fans.”
Having sold in excess of 15 million singles and albums to date, featured in the UK official singles and album charts for over an immense 500 weeks, the band have played to more than four million people in dozens of countries around the world.
Mark Mackie, director of Castle Concerts said: “It is with great delight we are able to announce today that pop sensations Wet Wet Wet will be the fourth act to play Edinburgh Castle this July. Its only taken us 25 years to get the band to come back and play this truly unique venue.Over the years, Edinburgh Castle has played host to many international stars such as Rod Stewart, Blondie, Elton John, The Proclaimers, Leonard Cohen, Stereophonics, Sir Tom Jones and Pink. Wet Wet Wet join Emeli Sande, Olly Murs and Deacon Blue at this world-renowned venue this year.”
The lads set a record by playing ten sold out shows at Glasgow’s SECC in 1995, when they were officially the most popular live act in the UK - even out-selling the Rolling Stones who were also on tour that year. Their most ‘2016 Big Picture Tour’ was an extensive 17-date arena tour that culminated in a sold out show at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow. The tour reached as far south as Plymouth and as far north as Inverness whilst covering all of England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland, giving fans all over the country the chance to see the band live. For the anniversary ‘Popped In Souled Out’ is being re-released as a 5 disk super deluxe edition that includes unreleased and rare material along with many extras. The band will be performing tracks from their classic debut at Edinburgh Castle as well as their greatest hits from over the past three decades.

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 31th MARCH AT 9 am
Online: www.ticketmaster.com www.seetickets.com
Over the phone: Ticket hotline 0844 844 0444
In person:
Tickets Scotland Edinburgh, 127 Rose Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3DT
Tickets Scotland Glasgow, 237 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 8DL
The Hub Tickets, 348-350 Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NE
Grouchos, Dundee, 132 Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4ED
Tickets are NOT available from Edinburgh Castle Box Office
https://www.facebook.com/edinburghcastleconcerts




- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

GLASGOW JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF DEPECHE MODE AS THEY STORM THE BARROWLANDS

ENJOY the silence became an ironic title to an encore that was anything but quiet as Depeche Mode rounded off a thrilling set at the Barrowlands.
Dave Gahan, Martin and Andy last played the legendary Glasgow venue in 1984 and whipped us all into a frenzy as they were unleashed upon the crowd once again.
Only 1400 of us were lucky enough to gain entry to the hallowed space but unlimited access was given online to those not jammy enough to nab a ticket.
Those who were there knew how fortunate they were and the excitement was truly palpable as the electro pioneers took to the stage for BBC 6 Music Fest.
This was history in the making.
Set opener Going Backwards set the precedent for the evening as the trio performed newer tracks before heading backwards to where it all began.
The song from new album Spirit was a commentary on our way of life now, where technology appears to set us back rather than take us forward, but then Depeche Mode have always been visionaries
So Much Love was also new but had the synthy stamp of the eighties as we were taken on a journey of old and new.
The crowd lapped up every pulsating beat as Dave camply wiggled his hips and strutted around the stage.
The once cute fresh faced frontman was now more akin to a rock God with his moves as he gyrated and stomped, waving his arms around manically.
We may not have been treated to Just Cant Get Enough but tracks like World In My Eyes from the 90s Violator album brought back memories of dancing in sweaty night clubs amid a purple haze.
The Barrowlands floor was bouncing and the atmosphere was amped a notch higher as the set hurtled only too quickly towards its end.
But we were treated to a few more before the band called it a night. Where's the Revolution got everyone marching along as Dave offered up his deep throaty vocals to an ever appreciative crowd.
Of course Martin Gore sang his solo as he got stuck into Home and then it was time for Walking In My Shoes with Dave doing a Freddy Mercury and lifting up his mike stand.
Messed up edgy Barrel of a Gun brought some darkness before the brilliant Personal Jesus, inspired by Priscilla Presley's love for Elvis. It was a real crowd pleaser from the moment we heard the famous opening notes.
Huge classic Enjoy the Silence ended the set all too abruptly as Dave said: "See you next time."
We hope he won't make us wait another thirty odd years before he turns up in this part of town again.
Glasgow like the rest of the world just can't get enough.



- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

RICK ASTLEY GETS HIS ROLLERS IN AT GLASGOW HAIR SALON

RICK Astley popped into a Scots hairdresser to get his famous quiff done just hours before he was due to perform on stage.
The star who was playing Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall phoned into Taylor Ferguson salon in Glasgow himself to make the appointment under the name Astley but staff didn't twig who he was until he walked in.
Anne Ferguson who took the appointment said: " I spoke to him on the phone when he booked in but I didn't realise it was him. I thought I recognised him a bit when he came in but just thought he was one of our clients from down south. A lady whose husband bought her a voucher for the salon couldn't believe it when she was told he was sitting behind her. She'd not managed to get a ticket for the gig so was thrilled. She got up and had her picture and phoned her husband excitedly to thank him for organising it.
Rick got a cut and style and has fabulous hair that has not deteriorated with age."
Beauty therapist Leanne Donovan and stylist Linda Browne were thrilled to meet him. Leanne who is a huge fan and bought tickets to the gig said: "We put on the music and I offered to be his backing singer or dancer. I was sending about and he was killing himself laughing. He was lovely and at the end of the concert I told him he was fabulous and he said he was loving his hair."



- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

JUDY PICKS UP A GONG FOR HERSELF AT GLASGOW CHARITY BASH

JUDY Murray and a young carer were the stars of the show as they were honoured at Action for Children Scotland’s annual ‘Woman of Influence’ awards.
And Judy admitted she was chuffed to bits to win Action For Children Scotland's Women of Influence Awards because she normally picks up the gongs for her sons Andy and Jamie.
She laughed: "I'm thrilled to bits because as I was reading out all the nominations I thought I don't remember the last time I won something. I'm absolutely not used to winning anything. I'm quite used to going and picking up something for my kids when they're not in the bloody country after winning things.
I think it was 1999 I last won something from the LTA - coach of the year.
When you're not ready to make a speech it reminds me of Strictly when I developed a look which Anton Du Beke got very used to and meant I have no idea what's coming next.
It was a really strong pool of candidates and of course you're standing up in a whole room full of women and it meant a lot to me that I was voted by them. Action For Children is also a great charity and I really like what they do."
The prestigious award recognises remarkable Scottish women who have had an outstanding impact on society and are role models to the children, young people, and families the charity supports. To date, the event has raised more than £1.1m to support the charity’s work in Scotland.
Judy Murray beat off competition from Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive Officer of the British Fashion Council; Amanda McMillan, OBE MD, Glasgow Airport; Dr Catherine Calderwood, Chief Medical Officer, Scottish Government and Alison Di Rollo, Solicitor General for Scotland to win the ‘Woman of Influence’ award.
Paul Carberry, Director of Action for Children Scotland, said: “Our ‘Woman of Influence’ awards is one of the most important events of the social calendar and has raised more than £1.1m to support our work across Scotland. This event has made a huge difference to the 14,000 children, families and young people our services work with while, at the same time, celebrating the successes of inspirational women in Scotland.”
"This year we were delighted to honour Judy Murray. This award is in recognition of her success in the world of sport as well her commitment to encouraging young people, particularly girls, to live healthier and more active lifestyles.”
Action for Children Scotland has also honoured Frida Skinner, 11, from Shotts with the ‘Woman of Influence Community Award’. This special award is given to a young woman who has transformed her life as a result of the support received from Action for Children Scotland. Frida is a young carer currently supported by the ‘North Lanarkshire Young Carers’ project based in Motherwell.
Commenting on Frida’s award, Paul Carberry added: “I am thrilled that Frida won the Woman of Influence Community award. She is a great advocate of the work of our North Lanarkshire Young Carers service and an inspiration to young women we support within our services.”


- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

STILL GAME RETURNS TO TELLY WITH JACK AND VICTOR

JACK and Victor are back after the BBC has confirmed another series of Still Game.
Hot on the trail of their recent Live show at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, series eight will see Ford Kiernan, Greg Hemphill, Paul Riley, Jane McCarry, Mark Cox, Sanjeev Kohli and Gavin Mitchell returning to their roles on telly for another six episodes.
The series which came back last year after a nine year gap will be filming at BBC Scotland's Dumbarton Studios and around Glasgow.
Greg Hemphill said: "We can't wait to get started on the next batch of adventures with Jack and Victor. We have lots of surprises in store for you!"
Ford Kiernan added: "Chuffed to bits to be coming back for series eight. Greg and I have been cooking up some absolute corkers and we can't wait to show you what they are."
Commissioner Shane Allen is also chuffed Still Game will return for a new series and said: "It's rare for a show to attain the status of comedy classic whilst it's still on air. Ford and Greg are at the height of their creative powers and audiences all over the UK just adore their world with these fantastic characters. If previous audience figures are anything to go by let's hope the national grid can handle the demand."
The new series of Still Game will be shown on BBC One this Autumn or Winter.


- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

SARDINIA OOZES CLASS AND LUXURY

WHEN I told people I was heading to Sardinia, I was greeted with some odd requests to bring back tins of sardines.
And although the name of the fish may well be taken from the waters where they used to congregate, sardines are surprisingly not actually a main attraction in Sardinia.


You won't see loads of them taking prime position on supermarket shelves around the island, in the same way as you don't see Scotland awash with haggis.
Instead, there's pasta, pork, shellfish and flat bread (pane carasau) among the local specialities, as well as the offer of sunshine and a glistening blue seascape that would rival those of the Caribbean.


The seductive beaches of this Mediterranean island are a welcome sanctuary for people seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of mainland Italy.
Sardinia remains unspoiled by tacky tourism and the hotels of family-run chain Delphina that I visited oozed a class and an uncomplicated feel that fits in with its elegant, understated beauty.


I travelled to Sardinia with easyJet, who run frequent flights from Gatwick to Olbia airport, and from there headed to the five-star Resort Valle dell'Erica Thalasso & Spa in Santa Teresa di Gallura on the north coast of the island.
What you save on the flights, you can spend on accommodation and my arrival at the resort, in a charming town where you can catch the ferry to Corsica, was most welcoming. There was a selection of cold meats or antipasti, pizza, and light cocktails - just an indication of the freshly prepared food that was on offer throughout my stay.
Lounging on the hotel's outdoor sun terrace made me feel like I was in a movie.


Funnily enough, actor Michael Douglas had been spotted on his boat near Porto Cervo, the heart of millionaire's paradise Costa Smeralda, just a day earlier. But despite bringing binoculars to peer into some of the Liberace-style cruisers, I unfortunately was never able to catch a glimpse of the Hollywood royal.
When I did make a quick trip to Costa Smeralda, all the yachts on show - including some evil-looking black ones - resembled something from a James Bond movie.


Some of the princely resort's architecture featured in the 1977 film The Spy Who Loved Me.
I did a spot of window-shopping, too, at some of the jewellers and designer boutiques nearby.
My five-star base had its own Thalasso therapy pools, sauna, hammam, and cardio-fitness room, as well as other open-air swimming pools and an enchanting private beach where you can dine in the evening by arrangement.
For those on a fitness and health drive, the hotel offers the low-carb Dukan diet and other protein-rich foods. I'd have happily relaxed there for most of my stay but the waters proved too tempting and a boat excursion to the archipelago of La Maddalena, between Sardinia and Corsica, proved equally refreshing.
I had a quick paddle in the water before my ichthyophobia, or fear of fish, got the better of me and I decided instead to soak in the fabulous views.
Around the bay are various rock formations which resemble figures like a hunchback friar or a big bear. We delighted in creating names for some of the more unusual rocks.
We took a quick trip past Porto Pollo Beach, the laid-back, boho resort popular with surfers and kite boarders, taking in the panorama from a high point at Palau, about 18 miles from Olbia. The sights in west Sardinia are equally stunning. We visited the local ethnographic museum in the ancient, granite village of Aggius, where among other things we learned about tapestry and bread-making traditions, as well as the methods used in cork production. It was truly like stepping back in time.
We also visited the Resort & Spa Le Dune at Badesi. The four-star resort between sand dunes and juniper trees is ideal for families, being blessed with a white sandy beach overlooking the azure waters of the Golfo dell'Asinara.
For couples and everyone else who want something even quieter, the four-star Isola Rossa Hotel Relax Torreruja Thalasso & Spa offers a stunning haven of relaxation.
The place exudes peace and old-fashioned elegance.

Facts..

I stayed in Sardinia courtesy of Delphina Hotels and Resorts.
Flights to Olbia in north-east Sardinia from London Gatwick with easyJet (www.easyjet.com) start from £29.99 per person.
Rooms at Resort Valle dell'Erica Thalasso and Spa start per person per night on a half-board basis from £108 (the resort is open from May 24-Sept 20) and at Hotel Capo D'Orso from £117 a night (the hotel is open from May 24-Sept 27).
A stay at Hotel Relax Torreruja Thalasso & SPA 4* (open from May 17-September 27) starts at £67 a night, while the Resort & SPA Le Dune 4* (open May 24 to September 20) costs from £65 a night. Discount of 10 per cent on all room rates if you book before April 30, 2014.
More information about Delphina Hotels and Resorts: www.delphina.it Late deals
Flying from Glasgow on May 4, seven nights in Turkey staying at the 4T Couples Sousse resort on an all-inclusive basis, from £455 per person. Price is based on two adults sharing.
Flying from Glasgow on Friday, seven nights in Italy, staying at the 4T Grand Hotel Nastro Azzurro Thomson Couples resort on an all-inclusive basis, from £804 per person. Price is based on two adults sharing.
Flying from Glasgow on Friday, seven nights in Italy staying at the 5T Hotel Bristol Platinum resort on a half-board basis, from £772 per person. Price is based on two adults sharing.
For these and other deals, visit your local Thomson travel shop, thomson.co.uk or call 0871 230 2555.


- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com