Michael Alexander - Journalist -The Courier

16/12/2024

Nathan Bushnell & Gemma Frail of /Cupar Youth Cafe attended the Accelerator Summit in .
Nathan spoke to The Courier UK about his 'life changing' experience.

The 19-year-old Cupar youth worker represented Scotland at the World YMCA Accelerator Summit in Kenya as one of two Scottish 'Change Agents'.

15/12/2024

Dundee's Unesco City of Design status is helping reshape communities and boost its global reputation. But amid financial pressures, can the city sustain its bold vision?

14/12/2024

You can also read today's The Courier UK feature about Pine Lodge Auction & Interiors in today's print edition Courier Weekend mag.
Have you been to 's 'best kept secret'?
I visited Pine Lodge Auction & Interiors in to find out more about the family-run business & why people travel from far & wide in search of a .
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/past-times/5138975/pine-lodge-auction-dunshalt-auction/

14/12/2024

Have you been to 's 'best kept secret'?
I visited Pine Lodge Auction & Interiors in to find out more about the family-run business & why people travel from far & wide in search of a .
Read feature in today's The Courier UK Weekend mag & 👇.

From a former mushroom farm shed to a bustling auction house, Brian Dowie and his family transform forgotten treasures into cherished finds in the heart of Fife.

14/12/2024

How has changed in 10 years as the UK's first City of Design?
Is the city's design status threatened by potential Dundee City Council budget cuts?
In today's The Courier UK mag & 👇, we speak to Annie Marrs of City of Design Dundee & hear from others including Dr Stacey Hunter of Dundee Design Festival 2024, artist laurenmorsley & businesses including EH9 Espresso & Soo Delicious Cafe

Dundee's Unesco City of Design status is helping reshape communities and boost its global reputation. But amid financial pressures, can the city sustain its bold vision?

13/12/2024

The real events, chronicled by East Neuk Minister James Melville in his diaries, mark the backdrop for The Pittenweemers, the final chapter in St Andrews author Vicki Masters' historical fiction series.

13/12/2024

What happened when community awoke & found 250 starving sailors in their harbour?
The real life events feature in new book by -raised author VEHMasters Writer. The former Madras College pupil spoke to The Courier UK about blending history & historical fiction, as well as her personal connections to St Andrews, and the East Neuk.

The real events, chronicled by East Neuk Minister James Melville in his diaries, mark the backdrop for The Pittenweemers, the final chapter in St Andrews author Vicki Masters' historical fiction series.

13/12/2024

The man once called 'Britain's foremost wildlife detective' isn't letting retirement stand in his way.
Alan Stewart - Wildlife Detective talks to The Courier UK about his career, new book - and calls for tougher sentences when it comes to .

Perthshire-based former wildlife crime officer Alan Stewart calls for tougher penalties on wildlife crime as he talks about his career and latest book.

09/12/2024

From art student Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee to drugs worker: The inspiring story of Mhairi Cormack - development worker with the -based Clued Up Project
Miss Saturday's Weekend print Courier?
You can read online version of the feature interview The Courier UK below.
Want to know more about Clued Up?
You can also read more about the project in this recent Courier feature https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/5123789/drug-related-deaths-fife-clued-up-support/
I spent a day with the project - finding out more about the impact of addiction and drugs deaths on young people in , and what's being done to make the situation better.
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/5124972/mhairi-cormack-dundee-fife-drugs-art/

Mhairi Cormack's passion for art quickly evolved into a career dedicated to helping young people facing the challenges of substance misuse and chaotic home lives.

08/12/2024

With gone from , I’m reminded of a trip to in almost 10 years ago when the now -based Royal Scots Dragoon Guards British Army took me to their officers’ mess and showed me this unfinished portrait of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein they had “liberated” from Kuwait during the 1991 Gulf War.
A talking point at dinner parties if ever there was one!

08/12/2024

Enjoyed my chat with Hazel Irvine!
Talking , - and !

St Andrews-born sports broadcaster Hazel Irvine shares ‘full circle’ memories as she returns to her alma mater St Andrews University for honorary degree.

07/12/2024

Taught by Muhammad has provided about 10,000 parcels in the last decade.

07/12/2024

Did you read the recent feature in The Courier UK when I spent a day with the Kirkcaldy-based Clued Up Project in ? https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/5123789/drug-related-deaths-fife-clued-up-support/
In today's print edition Weekend Courier, we published a follow up - an interview with Clued Up development worker Mhairi Cormack who hosted me for the first part of my Clued Up visit.
The former Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee art student is now dedicated to helping young people facing the challenges of substance misuse and chaotic home lives.
Thanks Mhairi for sharing your experiences.
The online version of the interview will appear on The Courier website on Monday.

07/12/2024

Hazel Irvine on student high jinx, & the 'real' Jim McLean she knew at Dundee United Football Club:
I interviewed the St Andrews-born BBC Sport broadcaster before she received an honorary Doctor of Laws at University of St Andrews this week.
She shared memories of living in Hamilton Hall as a student then returning to St Andrews in professional capacity for tournaments like The Open.
Read the interview in today's Weekend print The Courier UK and online here:

St Andrews-born sports broadcaster Hazel Irvine shares ‘full circle’ memories as she returns to her alma mater St Andrews University for honorary degree.

05/12/2024

'A Festival of ' takes place at the Caird Hall in
this evening organised by Royal Scottish Geographical Society
& Dundee Heritage Trust Discovery Point and RRS Discovery.
The once in lifetime gathering of experts includes & teams.
Read about 's wide connections, previewing the event, in The Courier UK feature here:

Dr John Shears, who led the team that found the Endurance wreck in 2022, is among those speaking at the Caird Hall to celebrate Shackleton's remarkable Dundee legacy.

04/12/2024

Could World Championship leave the Crucible?
Ahead of receiving an honorary degree University of St Andrews
, -born sports broadcaster Hazel Irvine says World Snooker Championship leaving the in could be like St Andrews losing The Open. Read more in The Courier UK here:

St Andrews-born broadcaster Hazel Irvine has expressed her views in a Courier interview, also paying tribute to former world snooker champion and ‘wonderful gentleman’ Terry Griffiths who has died aged 77.

04/12/2024

21 landmark buildings have been painted by watercolour artist & University of St Andrews graduate Peter Jones.
They include Old Course Hotel Golf Resort & Spa Fisher & Donaldson Topping & Company Booksellers of St Andrews Jigger Inn & New Picture House.
Read more - and see stunning pictures - here The Courier UK 👇

St Andrews University graduate and watercolour artist Peter Jones is celebrating 21 buildings that have long been woven into the fabric of the town’s history.

29/11/2024

Why is celebrating the city's 'special' links with legendary explorer Sir Ernest .
On December 5, Royal Scottish Geographical Society & Dundee Heritage Trust Discovery Point and RRS Discovery are hosting a 'Festival of Shackleton' at Dundee Caird Hall with John Shears & Nico Vincent of 22 expedition amongst speakers.
It's an incredibly apt venue given that Shackleton's iill-fated Endurance expedition was only made possible by the £24,000 (£2.3m in today's money) that Dundee jute baron Sir James Caird gave with 'no strings
See today' The Courier UK in print and online 👇.

Dr John Shears, who led the team that found the Endurance wreck in 2022, is among those speaking at the Caird Hall to celebrate Shackleton's remarkable Dundee legacy.