Sir Walter Scott is Back! Full Steam Ahead for Historic Steamship on Loch Katrine - Nature's Wonderland

The 126-year-old Steamship Sir Walter Scott has returned to service for the season on Loch Katrine following a major annual winter overhaul, sailing daily until late October alongside MV Lady of the Lake or MV Rob Roy 111.

The much-loved steamer, named after Scotland’s most celebrated literary figure, offers visitors the chance to experience classic steamship cruises in the heart of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and the Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve.

Until work is completed next week on the storm damaged pier at Stronachlachar, there will be daily circular Steamship cruises. 

When the pier is reopened this will give passengers the option to enjoy a full return cruise or combine their sailing with a cycle or walk on the scenic road that winds its way along the shoreline of Loch Katrine. 

For cyclists of all abilities, this is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s finest outdoor experiences, with a peaceful, traffic-free route set against a stunning landscape rich in natural beauty and cultural history.

Originally built on the River Clyde in 1899, Steamship Sir Walter Scott has a remarkable story. After construction, she was transported in sections by barge along the River Leven and up Loch Lomond, before being hauled the final five miles overland by horses to reach Loch Katrine, where she was re-assembled and launched in 1900.

Visitors can explore this unique history further at a dedicated multi-sensory exhibition at Trossachs Pier, where the story of steamships on Loch Katrine and the loch's role as the main source of Glasgow's water supply is brought to life.

Scenic Beauty & Romance

Above the pier and overlooking the loch is the award-winning scenic tower and viewpoint that inspired Sir Walter Scott to write The Lady of the Lake, his internationally celebrated poem published in 1810. The work tells the story of Ellen Douglas, who lived in exile on a Loch Katrine island, and her encounters with a disguised King James V, blending romance, clan conflict and Highland landscapes into a narrative that captured the magic of this special place.

Scott’s vivid descriptions of the dramatic Trossachs landscapes and romantic stories helped establish Loch Katrine as a must-visit destination, earning it recognition as the Birthplace of Scottish Tourism and today, visitors can experience this same view from the scenic tower and lookouts above Trossachs Pier. Now in its second full year, the tower has already welcomed more than 50,000 people, bringing many new visitors to the popular Trossachs attraction.

James Fraser, CEO and Lead Trustee of the Steamship Sir Walter Scott Trust, told That's Books and More: “It's remarkable the historic Steamship has been offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy scenic cruises on Loch Katrine since 1900 and is still powered by the original engine built in 1899.

"The Steamship is being lovingly preserved under the umbrella of a charitable trust with dedicated trustees and skilled staff for the benefit of the nation and public enjoyment.

"It’s strong connection with the public and the pure waters of the loch, which are the main source of Glasgow's water supply, has allowed her to endure, and we hope that this will be another busy season following a bumper 2025 when the steamship celebrated a milestone 125th anniversary.

"Her accessibility enables everyone, including those with restricted mobility to enjoy these classic cruises, and we are always delighted to see the joy she brings to visitors from home and abroad.”

Loch Katrine offers up to 10 cruises of varying duration from 45 minutes to 2 hours each day, with an option of a Freedom Ticket to enable visitors to stay and explore the lochside for longer. At Trossachs Pier there are 10 eco lodges, cycle hire, a gift shop and the scenic tower. There are cafés and motorhome and campervan hook-up pitches at both Trossachs and Stronachlachar Piers.

https://www.lochkatrine.com

That's Business: Imagine a world where you can shape the choices an...

That's Business: Imagine a world where you can shape the choices an...: Imagine a world where you can shape the choices and behaviours of others, of consumers. A branded bag, a phone, a vaccine, a weapon, a polit...

Valle Venia presents: LPS feat. Natalia Sarsgard: J’ai dû m’arrêter

Neustadt an der Weinstrasse - The song by Leo Philipp Schmidt and Valle Venia captures the feeling of losing oneself in a world that is growing ever louder and faster, where restlessness and superficiality cause relationships, friendships, and connections to dissolve and be sacrificed.

With emotional depth, singer Natalia Sarsgard describes the path to finding oneself again, to gathering one’s thoughts, to remaining silent, to withdrawing—in order to reflect in the silence, in the comfort, and in the seclusion, to feel and reconnect with ourselves and others.

Through her multifaceted voice, Natalia Sarsgard’s interpretation of the song conveys how strength and courage can arise from deep vulnerability. Without even realizing it, one is accompanied by the confidence that what was thought to be lost can be found again.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/CINjhTHtmno

J'ai Du M'arreter - LPS, https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/6BvbJ0VAAvMwciCD7q7BC8

https://shop.valle-venia.de/products/different-ways

https://www.amazon.de/Different-Ways-feat-Various-Artist/dp/B0CMJVQV2M

https://valle-venia.de/30S/JaiDuMarreter.mp4

www.valle-venia.com

Croesawu synau clychau'r eglwys! Welcome the sounds of the church bells! Church bells to ring for first time at North Wales Easter service

Bells at St Mary’s Church in Betws-y-Coed, Wales, will rung for the first time at a church service this Easter, following the completion of a major restoration project.

Although the church was built with plans for a full ring of bells, that work was never completed. Over 150 years later, the tower now has a full set in place.

Eight of the bells were brought from St John’s Church in Porthmadog in 2024, after the church closed, linking the two communities. 

The remaining bell, cast in 1873 for Betws-y-Coed by John Warner of London, has been restored and rehung as the clock and chiming bell.

The bells will be rung before a family Eucharist and blessing of lambs at 11:00 on Easter Day.

The project began in 2019 during a conversation at the Llanrwst Eisteddfod involving members of Côr Penmachno. 

Several choir members were bell ringers but had no local tower to practise in, which led to the idea for the project. 

Members of that original group plus other local people have taken on key roles. Nigel Thomas is now the Tower Captain, with others serving as secretary, treasurer and steeple keepers.

The eight bells from Porthmadog were cast by John Warner & Sons, with six dating from 1900 and two added in 1902. They were retuned and prepared for installation by Taylor’s Bell Foundry before being hung in the tower.

Work on the installation included cleaning and tuning the bells, removing original fittings and installing new headstocks. A new base frame was designed using sections from the Porthmadog installation, supported by the original beams in the tower. The church clock mechanism has also been replaced so it can now chime the hour.

The project has cost around £100,000, funded mainly through grants, including support from the Keltek Trust, Hobart Trust and Bernard Piggott Trust.

During the work, newspapers dating from October 1874 were found in part of the tower, including a copy of the Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald which mentions Betws-y-coed.

The bells have been dedicated to eight local people, including former church wardens. Three of those named are still living and are expected to attend the Easter service.

Revd Stuart Elliott, local priest and Ministry Area Leader of Bro Gwydyr told That's Books and More: said, “It was a wonderful and emotional moment to hear the bells during a test ring. It will be extraordinary to hear them rung for the first time at a church service on Easter Sunday, so that the whole community can hear the invitation they proclaim. It is quite a transformation for the village.

“Whilst this project was essentially a practical one of buildings and structure, at its heart is the new community of ringers that will be able to be created around the church. 

"The project would not have been possible without the dedication of the local group who worked hard fundraising and helping with the physical work fitting the bells. 

"We must also acknowledge the many local donations from people and businesses together with Keltek Trust, Hobart Trust and Bernard Piggott Trust for their generosity which made this project happen.”

After the service, a Quarter Peal will be rung, lasting about 45 minutes. This is a form of change ringing using a set sequence known as Plain Bob Triples. Four of the ringers taking part also rang the final Quarter Peal at St John’s Church in Porthmadog before it closed.

The heaviest bell in the ring weighs more than 10 hundredweight, and together the bells are tuned in the key of G.

Easter Day will mark the first time the full ring is used as originally intended when the church was built in the 19th Century.

https://bangor.eglwysyngnghymru.org.uk

https://brogwydyr.cymru

From psychological thrillers to emotional family drama: New8 unveils Slate 3 at Series Mania

New8, the European drama collaboration of eight public service broadcasters, presented eight new scripted projects today during Series Mania in Lille.

Following the announcement earlier this year that the partners are extending their successful co‑production model, the new slate marks three years of close collaboration between SVT (Sweden), DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland), RÚV (Iceland), NRK (Norway), VRT (Flanders/Belgium), NPO (the Netherlands) and ZDF (Germany). 

The unveiling highlights the strength of the collaboration and its continued commitment to sustainably co‑producing high‑quality drama rooted in shared public service values. 

That ambition is reflected in the breadth and diversity of the titles presented, all of which aim to nurture creative excellence while offering producers and creatives a stable and reliable financing framework.

https://presseportal.zdf.de/pressemitteilung/from-psychological-thrillers-to-emotional-family-drama-new8-unveils-slate-3-at-series-mania

New theatre initiative guarantees up to 40% off for smarter theatregoers who plan ahead

Advance Pick offers locked-in prices, seat choice and a best-price guarantee for tickets booked 8–12 weeks early.

Theatregoers booking West End tickets 8–12 weeks in advance can now save up to 40% through a new option from London Theatre Direct that guarantees they won't find the same seat cheaper elsewhere, even at the last minute.

Advance Pick, which launches today, is aimed at audiences who want to plan ahead but hesitate to commit early for fear of missing a better deal closer to the performance. 

While early-booking discounts are nothing new, Advance Pick brings these value-led ticket options together in one place for the first time, creating a dedicated destination where audiences can easily discover eligible shows. 

The option locks in a discounted price on selected shows and lets buyers choose their exact seat and date.

Rather than searching across multiple platforms for early bird-booking deals, audiences can browse a regularly refreshed selection of shows in one place and secure great seats at great prices well in advance. 

Unlike last-minute deal sites, which either allocate random seats or you only get what's left, Advance Pick gives full control over seat selection at the point of booking - removing what is one of the main barriers to early purchasing, according to London Theatre Direct. 

Designed to be always on, Advance Pick works directly with producers to release new offers over time, helping theatres fill seats further in advance while giving audiences an earlier chance to lock in the best price. Customers can also sign up with London Theatre Direct for updates if a wish-list show is not yet available.

"The biggest thing we hear from customers is 'what if it gets cheaper?'" Johan Oosterveld, CEO of London Theatre Direct told That's Books and More.

"Advance Pick settles that. You pick your seat, you lock in the price, and if it drops anywhere else, we match it. There's no reason to wait and gamble on what's left."

Advance Pick is now available via London Theatre Direct across selected West End shows and performances, with more shows joining the line-up in the coming weeks.

FACTFILE:

London Theatre Direct is the leading & longest running online platform for booking theatre tickets in London's West End, offering a variety of shows from popular musicals to plays and operas. 

Founded in 1999, it was one of the first UK companies to sell theatre tickets online, pioneering the digital ticketing market. Over the years, it has partnered with major theatres and producers, providing users with real-time availability and exclusive offers.

https://www.londontheatredirect.com

That's Health: Derby’s OperaBabes concert set to be First Steps E...

That's Health: Derby’s OperaBabes concert set to be First Steps E...: Acclaimed classical duo to headline Derby Cathedral ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ concert in aid of local eating disorder charity. First Steps E...