Lynsay Neil

A diverse range of up and coming acts covering genres such as hip hop, electro pop and indie rock will be taking to the stage this Friday (November 27) for the inaugural Sounds of Scotland event - which will be showcasing new music while raising money for a good cause. In the last year, Glasgow seen a number of high profile events including the MTV EMAs, and several musical icons performing at the SSE Hydro. However, it's the opportunity to catch up-and-coming acts in the city that keeps the local music scene alive and exciting, and this is what the Sounds of Scotland concert, for the benefit of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland charity, aims to do. Taking place at the O2 ABC, attendees can expect to see a diverse line-up of acts - here's a brief intro to all five. Model AeroplanesThey describe themselves as making 'fun, fresh and honest music that you can drink cocktails to', and since their formation in 2013 they've secured a slot on the BBC Introducing Stage at T in the Park and played with the likes of The Editors and The View. KloeElectro-pop singer Kloe may only be 19, but she's already been compared to Chvrches and secured airplay on Radio 1 with a debut release 'Grip'. MonogramPost-punk trio Monogram hit the festival circuit this summer with appearances at T in the Park and Electric Fields, and they've also had their debut single 'Romance' remixed by Glaswegian electro-pop trio Prides. Hector BizerkOriginally a duo, Hector Bizerk been at the forefront of th

If there's one thing that Glasgow loves, it's a great cup of coffee. And now that there's a nip in the air, there's never been a better time to grab a cup of the hot stuff - and a cake to go with it. Forget the chains though; Glasgow is bursting with artisan roasters and independent coffee shops, and here's a picture tour of some of the city's favourites. The one for people-watching: Riverhill Coffee Bar &lt;img id="f50a1f41-7758-6069-43f3-bef0bdd1ea55" data-caption="" data-credit="" data-width-class="" type="image/jpeg" total="106404" loaded="106404" image_id="102920967" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102920967/image.jpg" alt="Riverhill Coffee Bar Glasgow" class="photo lazy inline"&gt;   Riverhill Coffee Bar is perfectly located for grabbing a cup on the go if you're just hopping on (or off!) a train at Central Station. Or if you have time, sit in the window and treat yourself to a Dear Green coffee and slice of cake. This is one of Glasgow's smaller cafes, but what it lacks in size it sure makes up in character and great service. 24 Gordon Street, G1 3PU.  The retro-tastic one: Spitfire Espresso &lt;img id="22be221c-5997-d244-09dd-e4cfeda84d22" data-caption="" data-credit="" data-width-class="" type="image/jpeg" total="76804" loaded="76804" image_id="102920968" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102920968/image.jpg" alt="Spitfire Espresso Glasgow" class="photo lazy inline"&gt;     <img id="498d68c3-6a06-4f66-1eff-216a6013835b" data-caption="" data

Halloween and indulging in tasty treats pretty much go hand in hand, right? Which is why StrEATery, Glasgow's regular festival of street food, music and art have picked the perfect weekend for their latest event at The Briggait.  This Saturday (October 31), treat your tastebuds to thrills, chills and multicultural flavours at StrEAtery's eight hour Halloween Feast. You can expect culinary delights from some of Glasgow's favourite vendors, and some up-and-coming talent you won't want to miss.  With the food taking centre stage, some of the vendors being showcased include Babu's Street Kitchen, Aye Luv Real Food, Fresh Revolution and many more. There are plenty of other activities taking place to entertain the whole family, including live music, artistic performances and nostalgic Halloween games.  Hot on the heels of their very popular September showcase, StrEATery will be kicking off the spookiest weekend of the year with a jam-packed event that is sure to have something for everyone.  The full day's line-up is out now.  The StrEATery Spook Feast, Saturday October 31, 12-8pm, The Briggait. Free entry. See more things to do for Halloween in Glasgow from Time Out.

When the nights get darker and there's a chill in the air, it seems like there's no better time of year to stay inside and make your own entertainment. Hibernating with a stack of films and an even bigger stack of snacks is one option, but with so many great shows lined up at Glasgow's theatres this season, there are plenty of excuses to go further than your own living room.  From ballet to pantomime, there's something to suit everyone this year - so here are a few to get you started. The high-drama one James Glossop   When it comes to passion and dramatic narratives, it doesn't get much better than a night at the opera. This month Bizet's classic opera, 'Carmen', arrives into Glasgow's Theatre Royal, and promises a tale of seduction and obsession. With an award winning cast, powerful music and a striking love story, 'Carmen' is set to be an unforgettable performance. 'Carmen', October 7-17. Theatre Royal. Tickets £11.50-£77.50.  The gothic take on a classic story  In November, Glasgow's Theatre Royal will be home to Matthew Bourne's gothic reimagining of 'Sleeping Beauty'. Re-awakened for a major international tour, this is a great opportunity to catch this award winning ballet, now known worldwide for its fresh and supernatural telling of the classic fairy tale. Bourne's dazzling show has smashed box office records across the UK since its debut in 2012, and is sure to be well-received on its hotly-anticipated return to Glasgow.  'Sleeping Beauty', November 17-21, Theatre

Welcome to Glasgow - your home for the next few years and your brand new workspace/playground. If you're new to the city, or are a new student in town, here are five things you need to know. Consider this your official welcome wagon. 1. Sauchiehall Street might not seem like much during the day, but at night it's pretty much Glasgow's version of Las VegasA hub of pubs, clubs, neon lights, missing stilettos and boxes of chips, it's likely that you'll have some of the best nights you'll ever remember (or at least try to remember!) on Sauchiehall Street. 2. The live music scene in Glasgow is world-famousYou can't turn a corner in Glasgow without bumping into someone in a band, and the city is jam-packed with amazing venues that have gigs on most nights of the week. For a couple of quid (or even free) you might just find yourself watching the Next Big Thing in Nice N' Sleazy on a wet Tuesday night. 3. If you're looking for craft beer, you've come to the right placeThat's right, friends. In Glasgow the love for a good micro brew is strong, and you're pretty much spoiled for choice when it comes to where to go and find some. A few good places to start would include WEST at Glasgow Green, Finneston's The 78 and at Kelvinbridge you'll find Inn Deep and The Squid & Whale within walking distance. Cheers! 4. The Noodle Bar is a Glasgow institutionOh, you didn't think you were leaving Sauchiehall Street before a trip to The Noodle Bar, did you? Hangovers, breakups, the best night ever, t

How well do you know Glasgow? Here's some close-ups of ten of the city's most well-known landmarks, so try and guess where these shots were taken and prove you're a true Weegie. // $(document).ready(function(){ $('input:radio').change(function(){ var $this = $(this); $this.closest('.qanda').find('div.selectedstatus').removeClass('selectedstatus'); $this.closest('.answer').addClass('selectedstatus'); }); }); // 1) Where is this? &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img id="b707b25c-fde2-142d-3f2f-05bfc374b56c" data-caption="" data-credit="" data-width-class="" type="image/jpeg" total="1805876" loaded="1805876" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102776273/image.jpg" alt="Glasgow close-up quiz 1" class="photo lazy inline"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;   King's Park Queen's Park Kelvingrove Park 2) And what's this futuristic looking spot? &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img id="e36edfa2-a22d-3adc-9f26-d685b6eee948" data-caption="" data-credit="" data-width-class="" type="image/jpeg" total="2245862" loaded="2245862" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102776711/image.jpg" alt="Glasgow close-up quiz 2" class="photo lazy inline"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;   Glasgow Science Centre The SSE Hydro University of Glasgow's Wolfson Medical Building 3) Where would you be if you were looking at this? &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img id="ed19f8e4-8b32-bff5-9f91-6b1d205c2d00" data-caption="" data-credit="" d

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Glasgow Comic Con 2015 - a celebration of comic books in the heart of the city centre, starting Tuesday June 30 and running until Sunday July 5. The festival is marking its fifth year with an eclectic line-up of events that you just won't want to miss.  Hosted across several Glasgow venues, including the Centre for Contemporary Arts and the Art School, you can expect special screenings, interactive workshops and much more. Many of the events are free of charge, too - making it easier than ever to channel your inner superhero and check out local artists.  If you're planning on checking out the festival this week, here are three must-visit events to add to your itinerary:  'Batman' screeningLong before the current surge of Marvel movies, Tim Burton's 1989 movie played a crucial role in blazing the trail for comic book heroes at the box office. Burton's 'Beetlejuice' star Michael Keaton took on the role of Gotham City's infamous hero - and faced off against Jack Nicholson's iconic portrayal of The Joker. Brooding, gothic and with just the right amount of humour, Batman remains a favourite amongst many fans of the franchise. Don't forget to book your ticket - you might even want to pick up an extra one for your sidekick...July 2, 7pm, CCA cinema. The Big Comic DrawHave you ever fancied trying your hand at comic book drawing? The Big Comic Draw brings a totally interactive exhibition to the CCA Glasgow's Intermedia Gallery with the aim of crea

Glasgow’s theatre culture is steeped in history with the city playing home to countless iconic productions over the years. This season is no exception as a massive variety of award-winning shows are set to hit the stage over the coming weeks. With so much on offer, it’s easy to feel spoiled for choice. To help with the selection process, here are five totally unmissable shows that you can catch at the theatre in Glasgow this summer… The Self-Referential One <img id="c9d0ce13-f5af-a3e3-c121-2f441c5ad7ad" data-caption="" data-credit="" data-width-class="" type="image/jpeg" total="295116" loaded="295116" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102604147/image.jpg" alt="The Producers musical" class="photo lazy inline"> Taking both Broadway and London’s West End by storm, and now coming to Glasgow, 'The Producers' will open at Theatre Royal Glasgow for one week from 15 June. Starring UK comedians Ross Noble and Jason Manford, 'The Producers' was written by comedy legend Mel Brooks. The show has won a record-breaking number of Tony Awards and has been called the funniest Broadway comedy of all time. The show follows the story of its eccentric characters, as they plot a get-rich-quick scam – to create the worst musical of all time. If you’re a fan of comedy, you won’t want to miss this one.    The Comedy One <img id="022271f2-2292-e615-a488-21bc140cee70" data-caption="" data-credit="" data-width-class="" type="image/jpeg" total="529245" loaded="529245" src="http://media.timeou

Glasgow's West End is set to be a hub of activity this weekend as the 20th annual West End Festival parade takes to the streets in a colourful celebration of music, art and culture. There will be plenty to see and visit in the area, and one stop to put on your list is the iconic Kibble Palace, which will be hosting the latest pop-up extravaganza from Tea Green events on Sunday June 7. Tea Green's one-off marketplace will feature a diverse range of Scottish talent - with everything from textile designers, illustrators, jewellery and fashion creatives and much more. There will also be a live piece of artwork being created by local artist Kirsty Turner, plus exclusive goodie bags for the first 30 visitors.  The pop-up event not only highlights the work of an eclectic mixture of creative talent, but gives visitors the chance to meet the artists themselves. Be sure to check out local designer Claire Barclay's whimsical, Glasgow-inspired accessories and prints, and intricate artwork by Little Dot Creations as you discover the range of stalls on display. Claire Barclay       A trip to the stunning Kibble Palace and the Botanic Gardens in the summer is a Glasgow must-do for locals and tourists alike, so be sure to stay a while and admire the breathtaking surroundings as you browse the market. Tea Green at the Kibble Palace, Sunday June 7, 10am-5pm. See Time Out's guides to the best family and music picks at the West End Festival.  

It ain't easy being cheesy, but with Pastaval 2015 just around the corner it certainly helps! Macaroni cheese - or mac and cheese, if you please - is a comfort food that has been adopted in Glasgow as a beloved dish for all occasions (can you think of many other cities that boast their own mac and cheese appreciation society?), and on May 23 a celebration of all things mac is coming to the city's South Side.  Pastaval 2015, run by Itison, is a chance for all fans of the cheesy cuisine to come together and taste test some of Glasgow's finest in five hand-picked venues. Expect unique and classic takes on mac and cheese from popular cafes and restaurants in the area, including the likes of Brooklyn Cafe and Waverley Tea Room, who will be rated by Pastaval-goers to determine the winner.  The event is being held as part of this year's Southside Fringe festival - which has an eclectic calendar bursting with over 170 events, and kicks off on May 8. Pastaval tickets cost £6 and one lucky participant will also win a large macaroni hamper courtesy of McIntosh of Strathmore.  Who will be crowned the Mac Daddy of them all? There's only one way to find out... Find tickets for Pastaval 2015 here. Pastaval 2015, May 23, starts and finishes at The Butterfly and the Pig Southside, 1039 Pollokshaws Road. See more food and drink in Glasgow from Time Out.

Whether you have a special occasion coming up or just want to spoil yourself, Glasgow is well stocked with fabulous salons and technicians ready to preen and pamper. But finding the best of the bunch is difficult when there is so much choice. Here are three local favourites I'd recommend keeping note of:  BLOW Finnieston BLOW arrived last summer into Glasgow's Finnieston area with a bang, offering a contemporary hair salon experience and plenty of va-va-voom. From their hand-picked menu of BLOW-dries (perfect for those who can't make up their mind), fully stocked bar and a team of stylists that offer completely bespoke cuts and colours, it's no wonder that BLOW have been recently shortlisted for a number of awards.BLOW, 1060 Argyle Street, Finnieston.  Swoon Nails  In Glasgow, there is one name that is synonymous with immaculate manicures and intricate nail art - and that's Swoon Nails. Specialising in Calgel application at premier status, Swoon's nail technician Lia Clarke creates custom looks for her clients that last for weeks after the appointment. Swoon Nails are located in Central Chambers, right next to Glasgow's Central Station and have been featured in fashion shoots for magazines such as Hope St, No1, and The Scottish Wedding Directory. With an eye for style and an appointment book bursting with delighted clients, there's never been a better time to get 'doon the Swoon'. Swoon Nails, Suite 331, 4th Floor, Central Chambers, 93 Hope Street. HD Brows Glasgow Opening th

Twenty-two years - that's how long it's been since 'Jurassic Park' first stomped onto the big screen in all its sharp-toothed, water-shaking glory and left a trail of dino-mania in its wake. This summer, the much-anticipated fourth instalment is set to hit cinemas and excitement is certainly building. Ahead of its release, Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum will host its own prehistoric presentation in the shape of 'Hatching the Past - Dinosaur Eggs and Babies'. This touring exhibition gives an unique insight into the fascinating world of dinosaurs and how they cared for their young.  This week, Glasgow will be the first UK city to showcase this informative display, which includes different families of dinosaurs represented through a collection of egg and skeleton casts, nests, models, artist's interpretations and more. There's also the opportunity to explore the latest scientific discoveries and enjoy interactive displays.  'Hatching the Past - Dinosaur Eggs and Babies' focuses on dinosaur reproduction and behaviours, and how the egg itself is a key factor in the study of dinosaurs. With a variety of media including text, video, images, exploration stations, real specimens and artworks to discover, there is plenty for people of all ages to enjoy.  Hatching the Past - Dinosaur Eggs and Babies, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Friday April 3-Sunday August 16.  See more things to do in Glasgow from Time Out.