SCOTLAND’S BEST WEBSITES
14 CLEAR-MINDED CREATIVE GOOD ADVICE FOR ARTSY TYPES
clearmindedcreative.com
The most recent start-up in our list, Milo McLaughlin’s fascinating blog does exactly what it says on the tin: it helps creative people stay focused and, er, clear-minded. It’s essentially a magazine blog, with book recommendations and personal posts sitting alongside interviews with Scottish artists, designers, and other imaginative souls, and interactive workshopping posts. McLaughlin is no catchphrase-spouting self-help guru, though. The blog is equal parts personal journey and guide, and was set up as much to help him trace his own clear-minded path as to assist others with theirs. (KI) bloggers
13 MY MONKFISH FOODIE FANATIC
mymonkfish.com
Recently named Magazine Blog of the Month by BBC Olive mag, My Monkfish is a delightful site run by Edinburgh blogger Hilster – a self-acclaimed 'number- cruncher' by day and gastronome by night who posts her own baking triumphs and
My Monkfish
reviews of restaurants. Her love of food shines off the pages, whether she's waxing lyrical about baking a Victoria Sponge for her partner, 'Mr Predictable' or spraffing off – rather eloquently, we might add – about the latest openings on Edinburgh's dining scene. Yes, there are other Scottish food blogs, but you’d be hard pressed to find one more stylish and lovable. (Anna Millar)
12 KINGDOM OF STYLE FEARLESS FASHION BLOG
kingdomofstyle.typepad.co.uk
Whether taking on the misguiding claims of hair products or whipping up a Vogue-worthy photoshoot from a charity shop run, soi distant ‘style mavens’ Queen Michelle (pictured) and Queen Marie make high fashion accessible. They started in 2006 with a post paying homage to Isabella Blow. Despite having become so influential that they’re now regulars at London Fashion Week, the site is essentially still just an (excellently designed) assortment of things they like: be that a new Scottish jewellery designer, Issay Miyake’s latest collection, or some leopard-print jeans from the high street. Great for tips on independent shopping, especially in
Scotland. (KI)
11 RADIO MAGNETIC ALTERNATIVE MUSIC
PLATFORM
radiomagnetic.com
the website well- stocked with free downloads, fresh podcasts, guest list competitions and audio interviews with local artists. Ten years after starting it up, it’s still their mission to provide a platform for alternative music, and they achieve a very enviable balance of championing the local, little guy who is starting out his dubstep/electronica/Italo DJ-ing career, as well as covering the big, world-touring names, likes Battles or the Beastie Boys. (Claire Sawers)
10 REEL SCOTLAND VALUABLE FILM RESOURCE
reelscotland.com
Run by Edinburgh Evening News film columnist and freelance digital editor Jonathan Melville, ReelScotland gives the kind of dedicated independent view on Scotland’s film and TV industry that was surprisingly lacking when the site launched last year. Multimedia content ranges from reviews to previews, interviews, news and analysis of various rumblings on the Scottish screen scene, from upcoming productions to the uncertain future of the EIFF. ReelScotland’s commitment to looking beyond the country’s two main film festivals meant it was the only site covering last year’s Inverness Film Festival and the recent Bo’ness Festival of Silent Cinema with video content. There’s an interesting focus too on Scotland’s cinematic past, particularly its many old picture houses. (Malcolm Jack)
More than just an internet radio station (though, they are longest running one of those), the Radio Magnetic team keep the UK’s
9 LAST YEAR’S GIRL GIRL ABOUT TOWN
lastyearsgirl.pixlet.net
Lisa Marie Ferla started blogging as a teenager in 1999, and has grown-up online through various blogging sites. Last Year’s Girl, her current home, is all the things a great blog should be: well-written and passionate, with personal accounts sitting alongside wide- appeal journalism. Her collection of interviews with musicians famous and not-famous-at-all is worth clicking through for in itself, but her daily updates also include everything from well-reasoned arguments on current affairs, subjective pieces of personal writing, downloadable monthly mix-tapes and book reviews (she’s also trying to review every cake shop in Glasgow). Essentially, she’s a great pair of eyes on the world. (KI)
18 THE LIST 21 Jul–4 Aug 2011