Tag: history

The R&A opens ticket ballot for the 150th Open

The ticket ballot for The 150th Open has opened today, giving golf fans around the world the opportunity to secure a ticket for the historic Championship.

The 150th Open, taking place from 10-17 July 2022 in St Andrews, is set to be a true celebration of golf and the long history of golf’s original championship, as well as the many great champions who have lifted the iconic Claret Jug.

With record-breaking levels of demand anticipated for the milestone championship at the home of golf the ballot was introduced to provide the fairest way for golf fans of all generations to obtain tickets.

The ticket ballot will run until Monday, 4 October and will give fans plenty of time to register their interest in tickets. A balance of allocations will ensure fans from near and far will be able to attend the celebrations in St Andrews next summer. Fans will find out the results of the ticket ballot by the end of November 2021.

The ticket ballot is available exclusively to members of The One Club, the free-to-join membership programme. Members who have already registered their interest for the ballot can now apply for tickets. Fans can still sign up at any time via www.TheOpen.com and apply for tickets.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “We are looking forward to a very special occasion in golf next year with The 150th Open being played at the birthplace of the game in St Andrews.

“We will be celebrating one of the most prestigious and renowned events in the sporting calendar and will be welcoming some of its greatest champions past and present.

“The ticket ballot gives as many fans as possible the chance to be part of this fantastic championship and make it an occasion to remember.”

Ticket prices for The 150th Open will be £95 for an adult on Championship Days and will range from £20 to £50 on practice days.

The R&A is fully committed to encouraging more children and young people to attend The Open and free tickets will be available to children through the successful and long-running Kids go Free programme, while half-price youth tickets are available for 16-24 year-olds. In order to give as many people as possible the chance to attend the Championship, weekly tickets are being discontinued.

Hospitality for the Championship has been on sale since last year, with 90% of packages already sold. The remaining Origins Hospitality, incorporating a range of fully inclusive experiences, is available to purchase now and is the only way fans can guarantee their place at the Championship.

Visit www.TheOpen.com/hospitality2022 for further information.

Earlier this month, The R&A launched the new 150th commemorative brand which will be displayed across a campaign of content and activations that will run throughout the next 13 months until the conclusion of next year’s Championship at St Andrews.

The focus of the campaign is the remarkable journey of The Open and its enduring impact on players, fans and the sport of golf itself since it was first staged back in 1860, emphasising the campaign’s central message that ‘everything has led to this’ as we count down to what promises to be a truly unforgettable occasion.

For more information on The 150th Open or to sign up to The One Club and enter the ticket ballot, visit www.TheOpen.com.

An invitation to the first meeting of the Underground Whisky Club!

Go underground to taste the history of Scotland’s national drink

Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland and whisky brand The Glenlivet – two organisations with a long history – have joined forces for a special online event on 1 July.

Inspired by the stories of illicit whisky production in Scotland’s past, the first ever meeting of the Underground Whisky Club will give connoisseurs a taste of the rich history and heritage of the spirit which is synonymous with Scotland.

The event is the latest element of the Pioneering Spirit project which launched last summer. Led by the Trust’s expert archaeologist team, it aims to uncover the hidden stories of whisky production at Trust properties across the Highlands and beyond. Supported by The Glenlivet, the work has, so far included drone surveys of sites in Torridon and on the Mar Lodge Estate and digs in both locations too.

Head of Archaeology Derek Alexander will give attendees the first taste of the discoveries so far at the free event which runs on Thursday 1 July from 7 – 8.30pm.

For more info and booking, visit www.nts.org.uk/pioneering-spirit .

Derek said: “We know how many people love whisky, and love our places – it’s the perfect blend and we hope lots of people will join us for the first ever meeting of the Underground Whisky Club.”

It will also be the first opportunity to see and hear new artistic commissions inspired by Scotland’s history and the illicit whisky trade.

Featured artists include Alison Irvine, a novelist and creative non-fiction writer; Kevin Andrew Morris, an Aberdeen-based ceramicist; Michael Begg, an award-winning composer and sound artist; and Natalie Feather, a photographic artist.

The Great Tapestry of Scotland: Welcome Panel Tour

Visitors and residents across Scotland are being given a unique opportunity to become part of Scotland’s history, heritage and culture for generations to come through The Great Tapestry of Scotland: Welcome Panel Tour.

The programme of events will give people the chance to work with some of the country’s leading textile artists and add a stitch or two to the new welcome panels for the major new national visitor attraction housing the Great Tapestry of Scotland (one of the world’s most significant pieces of modern textile artistry).

The tour will take place across Scotland throughout 2020 at a variety of iconic historic properties, leading cultural venues, care homes and other venues that promote social inclusion in Scotland.

A range of venues for the tour have already been revealed in Aberdeen, Glasgow and the Scottish Borders and more will be confirmed later in the year.

When complete, the new Welcome to Scotland’s Story panels will be permanently displayed at the entrance to the Great Tapestry of Scotland’s £6.7 million purpose built interactive visitor centre, which opens in 2021 in the historic town of Galashiels (in the heart of Scotland’s premier textile region, the Scottish Borders).

Those who contribute a stitch will also be given the chance to have their names recorded in history as a contributor to the Tapestry’s visitor centre.

Recently appointed Great Tapestry of Scotland Centre Director Sandy Maxwell-Forbes said: “Telling the people’s story of Scotland and making this story accessible to everyone has always been at the heart of the Great Tapestry of Scotland, so we’re incredibly excited to be giving those who live in Scotland, and those visitors who love our country so much, an opportunity to stitch their name in Scotland’s history through our new Welcome Panel Tour.

We would like to thank all the venues and event organisers throughout Scotland who are making this this possible.

“In keeping with the Great Tapestry of Scotland’s ethos, it is vital that as many people as possible have an opportunity to contribute to the panels. As part of the tour, we’re taking the Welcome Panels directly to venues, such care homes, to remove some of the barriers that some individuals face to accessing such significant cultural projects. We will add more venues throughout the year.”

Many of the stories told through the Great Tapestry of Scotland, which was completed in 2013, have strong ties to the history, heritage and culture that can be experienced first hand on a visit to Scotland.

Building on this and, continuing the Tapestry’s ethos to tell the people’s story of Scotland, the new Welcome to Scotland’s Story panels will tell some of the true stories linked to the visitor centre’s new home in Scotland’s premier textile region, The Scottish Borders.

The panels will feature a reiver, a shepherd, a monk, a mill worker and a fisher lass. By the time they are complete, it is hoped that over 1,000 different people from across Scotland and beyond will have contributed to them.

The 21st Lady of Traquair, Catherine Maxwell Stuart, who is hosting the Welcome Panel Tour on 9 and 10 May said: “We are looking forward to the Great Tapestry of Scotland having a permanent home in the Scottish Borders where we hope it will draw visitors from far and wide to appreciate this outstanding cultural achievement.

“Over 900 years Traquair has witnessed extraordinary events in Scotland’s history, so we know only too well how important it is to hear Scotland’s stories as told by Scotland’s people. With our own strong heritage of textile and embroideries it is wonderful to see these unique traditions being carried on to the 21st century.

“We are delighted to be part of the Welcome Panel tour with this wonderful team of textile artists giving residents and visitors to Scotland in 2020 an opportunity to part of this story.”

Linda Wigley, Operations Director at Floors Castle, which is hosting the tour on 2 and 3 May 2020, said: “We are thrilled to be hosting the Great Tapestry of Scotland’s Welcome Panel tour.

“It is an incredible opportunity for people visiting Scotland to learn first hand from some of Scotland’s greatest textile artists and to firmly root themselves in Scotland’s history, heritage and culture for generations to come.”

Giles Ingram, Chief Executive of Abbotsford, home of Sir Walter Scott, which will host the panels on Saturday 30 May 2020, said: “We are really looking forward to the opening of the Great Tapestry of Scotland.  

“It’s a wonderful new attraction for the Borders that will engage visitors with its depiction of Scottish people, places and events, many of which were very important to Sir Walter Scott and his stories.

“Abbotsford is delighted to be a part of the tapestry’s story today and to give our visitors an opportunity to make their mark on an important piece of Scottish cultural history.”

Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Business and Economic Development, Councillor Mark Rowley, added: “I’m delighted the Welcome Panel Tour will take in some of the exceptional venues we have in the Scottish Borders, highlighting both the region’s significant textile heritage and the vibrancy of today’s artists, makers and manufacturers.

“Its tour of Scotland is an opportunity to remind people of this great artwork and alert people across the country to the fantastic new home for the Tapestry currently being created in Galashiels.”

For more information or to book tickets for the Great Tapestry of Scotland Welcome Panel Tour visit scottishtapestry.com or follow @GreatTapestrySc on Facebook or Twitter, and @GreatTapestryScotland on Instagram.

Pictures: Phil Wilkinson

Experts teach tour guides the real story of Burke and Hare

They are among the world’s most notorious serial killers but the details of their story are often mis-told … now, experts from the University of Edinburgh’s Anatomical Museum are to share fresh insights into the Burke and Hare case with local tour guides. Guides from city company ‘Viajar por Escocia’ will turn tourist as they are guided around key landmarks linked to the gruesome tale by Janet Philp. Continue reading Experts teach tour guides the real story of Burke and Hare

Scotland’s ‘medieval cartoon strip’ on display at Scottish Parliament

One of the world’s longest tapestries, which has been described as a “medieval cartoon strip” bursting with Scottish history, is now on display at the Scottish Parliament. The Prestonpans Tapestry tells the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s journey from exile to victory on the battlefield in 1745 against the Redcoat British army. It will be on display for free until 20 July. Continue reading Scotland’s ‘medieval cartoon strip’ on display at Scottish Parliament

Forthview Primary to premiere WW1 animation

The red carpet will be rolled out at Forthview Primary tomorrow for parents to attend the premiere of a special animated film showcasing a project between Historic Environment Scotland, SCRAN (Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network) and Forthview Primary School. Continue reading Forthview Primary to premiere WW1 animation

Celebrate Scotland’s history

People in Edinburgh are being encouraged to get up close and personal with their history this year as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) unveils a programme of events and initiatives to show that heritage is for all as part of Scotland’s year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. Continue reading Celebrate Scotland’s history