Life & style, Niki Boyle

Hot 100 2012: 49-40

FOUND, Paul Brannigan and Kerry Hudson among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: 59-50

Billy Connolly, Optimo and Kevin Bridges among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: 89-80

Daniel Sloss, Canongate and Julie Fowlis among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: 100-90

JK Rowling, Tilda Swinton and Andrew Fairlie among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

The best places to buy Christmas trees in Glasgow and Edinburgh

Real Christmas trees, fake trees, wreaths, firewood and flowers

Caring Christmas Trees has outlets for their sustainably-farmed Nordmann Firs in various locations around the country, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, Musselburgh, Paisley, Livingston and Fife. The ‘caring’ part of the title comes from…

A guide to cheap deals for students in Glasgow and Edinburgh

A quick guide on where to go for cheap films, music, travel, tech and more

We all know money can be tight as a student, so Niki Boyle and Suzanne Neilson do their homework and find you the cheapest tickets, greatest deals and biggest bargains CHEAP FILM The upsurge in movie piracy has led to a cinema industry eager to…

5 Things: celebrity-endorsed fantasy products

Our favourite celeb cash-cows, from Alan Cumming, Al Pacino, Jay-Z, Bono and Meryl Streep

1 Second Cumming This one actually exists – it’s Alan Cumming’s second fragrance, after the equally silly Cumming: The Fragrance. 2 Al Cappuccino It’s just like REGULAR COFFEE, but with MORE SHOUTING! HOO-HAH! 3 Bononios Now you can give your…

Interview: Eva Verity, creator of Haircuts by Children

Project providing creative space for children and adults to interact in

‘There was one guy who once got a nick on his ear,’ says Eva Verity, ‘but other than that, we’ve had no major injuries.’ I’m thankful there’s no trace of annoyance in Verity’s voice, in spite of my slightly anxious line of questioning. She’s talking…

The best breakfasts in Edinburgh

The finest cafes, bistros and restaurants in the capital for a morning meal

Broughton Delicatessen 7 Barony Street, 558 7111, broughton-deli.co.uk Breakfast served: Mon–Sat 8am–3pm; Sun 11am–3pm. What does this place not do well? A great deli, healthy lunches and superb, made-from-scratch breakfasts from morning until 3pm…

The best breakfasts in Glasgow

The best all-rounders in the west, plus a few specific breakfast-item highlights

Café Gandolfi 64 Albion Street, 552 6813, cafegondolfi.com Breakfast served: Mon-Sat 8am-noon; Sun 9am-noon. The long-standing, Scottish cuisine-focused eatery has beefed up its breakfasts in recent years, resulting in a menu with eight different egg…

Five alternative Easter activies

Bored of egg-hunting? Here’s how the rest of the world marks the occasion

1 Hunky Jesus Contest The devout gather every year at San Francisco’s Dolores Park Easter Celebration to watch a pageant of men in loincloths carrying planks of wood. They are joined by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, ‘cross-dressing…

Valentine's Day - where to take your date

Some seductive suggestions for what to do on or around February 14th

Experience a May-December relationship ... or at least, vicariously experience someone else’s. Among the several films the Glasgow Film Theatre are screening to get you into the Valentines spirit on 14 Feb (including Brief Encounter and French…

The Hot 100 2011: 100-50

The definitive list of Scottish creative talent

100: Gordon Ferris. Kilmarnock crime author makes good. The already packed Scottish crime writing field has finally found a bit of elbow room for another burgeoning talent. Joining the likes of Rankin, Brookmyre, McDermid and co is this Ayrshire-born…

Rockstar releases the Grand Theft Auto V trailer

Watch the latest release from the Scottish game developer here

Edinburgh-based games developer Rockstar have unveiled the first look at Grand Theft Auto V, the latest instalment in the world-famous series. The trailer, while still occupying the fictional universe that GTA has always been set in (with one small…

The best Scottish websites

The top 30 websites made for and by Scots

When putting together this list, we weren’t necessarily looking for the biggest or the best-known cultural websites in Scotland. We were looking for unique and interesting ideas, cleverly realised and lovingly maintained on the web. This might mean that…

The best free and cheap things to do in Glasgow and Edinburgh

Visit a library, go for a walk, bake a cake or see some cheap theatre

Beat the January blues with these guaranteed pick-me-ups, suggested by our writers and some friends of The List. They’re all free, or cost just a few quid, so you’ll come out of winter with your bank balance intact and a smile on your face

Traditional Hogmanay events around Scotland

Highlights include the Orkney Ba’ Game, Stonehaven Fireballs Ceremony and the Biggar Bonfire

1: The comedy banquet Maggie May’s (60 The Trongate, Glasgow, 548 1350) brings back its annual Hell’s Bells celebration, with a five-course meal, comedy from Canadian funnyman Tom Stade (pictured), live music from The Dawn Patrol and a club open ‘til…

How to spend Hogmanay in Edinburgh 2010/2011

The best events in Edinburgh for bringing in the New Year

Kick off your new year revels by heading to the temporarily renamed Resolution Square (otherwise known as The Mound precinct) at 5pm and enjoying some traditional Scots and Irish folk tunes courtesy of the Island Sessions. Then, walk up to Parliament…

How to spend Hogmanay in Glasgow 2010/2011

The best events in Glasgow for bringing in the New Year

Thu 30 Dec George Square has been the focal point for Glasgow’s Christmas festivities throughout the month, with live music performances from jazz, folk and choir groups, as well as the pretty darn magical Glasgow On Ice skating rink. The celebrations…

Looking back on 25 years of commentary on Scottish culture

25 years of The List

A lot has happened in 25 years of Scottish culture. Niki Boyle gives a blow-by-blow account of the major events

Getting Around: Edinburgh

Get from A to B in the country's capital

Orientating yourself around any new city can be a daunting prospect but help is at hand, as Niki Boyle takes you area-by-area through Edinburgh’s finest haunts and cherry-pick the top spots you cannot afford to miss

Music Guide 2010

What's big and what's coming up

Niki Boyle and Camilla Pia reveal Scotland’s amazing music scene and the gigs worth getting in line for Music

Edinburgh in August: Ten-step survival guide

Essential insider knowledge you'll need to survive the festivals

Niki Boyle has compiled a list of festival insider tips to help you survive August as if you were from the city itself. Avoid queues at ATMs, dealing with flyerers, umbrellas, and places to relax.

T in the Park 2010: Alternative Entertainments

Niki Boyle rounds up the best of the alternative entertainments on offer at this year’s T in the Park

Edinburgh Skate Park opens

It’s mean, it’s green, and it’s obscenely fun – Edinburgh Skate Park is now open for business. Sam Patterson, a long-time skateboarder himself, has been present at all stages of the park’s development. Niki Boyle speaks to him about his skate park…