CAROL DUNBAR reflects on an exhibition of new and recent work by Lorriane Besant, and wider issues in the perception of ‘arts’ and ‘crafts’.

Garrison Theatre, Lerwick, Saturday 23 April 2005

ROBERT LIVINGSTON returned to Forres for a second dose of the Bard, as the Royal Shakespeare Company on Tour turned from Roman Tragedy to the romantic comedy of Two Gentlemen of Verona.

As the current election campaign turns ever nastier, ROBERT LIVINGSTON gets a taste of power politics two thousand years ago in the first of two visiting Royal Shakespeare Company productions at Forres.

DAVE HARTLEY and ALISTAIR PEEBLES report on the latest developments in the refubrishment of the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness

PETER URPETH reports on the latest developments in the ongoing Sail Loft Project in Stornoway.

GEORGINA COBURN finds the Curve Foundation Dance Company’s Spring Tour offers an exciting opportunity to see dance stripped down to the strength of its bare bones.

JULIE FOWLIS has been very busy of late, what with her own debut solo album, a new disc from Dòchas, and lots of touring and gigging. We caught up with her on an increasingly rare return to Dingwall, where she was catching her breath before Dòchas launched on an eagerly anticipated Tune Up tour with the Michael McGoldrick Band

Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, Thursday 31 March 2005

The St Magnus Festival in Orkney is firmly established as a world class arts event. The Arts Journal looks ahead to this year’s festival in June