Launching on July 3, the 16-page guide will be free with The Sunday Times Scotland, and will feature highlights from the entertainment, theatre, comedy and culture world, as well as exclusive and entertaining reviews and interviews.
The first issue takes a look at the upcoming Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival which kicks off the city’s festival season, with acclaimed drummer Bryan Carter on the cover. It will also profile busy children's entertainers Funbox (ex of The Singing Kettle), who are touring Scotland with several family shows.
Each issue will highlight the top 10 national events, shining a spotlight on the best of arts and culture for that fortnight. There will also be dedicated sections for days out, music, theatre, visual art, comedy and books. The guide will be on hand to cover a busy summer of events, including coverage of Perth's Rewind Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe season and autumn's cultural calendar.
According to the publishers, the launch issue has been strongly received by advertisers and is a sell-out, with clients such as Falkirk Council, Jazz Scotland and Pitlochry Festival Theatre on board.
The new magazine launch is supported by a substantial five figure sum multi-platform campaign across print, social, mobile and radio which will reach in excess of a third of all adults in Scotland over the next three months, say the publishers.
Jason Allardyce, Editor The Sunday Times Scotland, said: “As ever Scotland will be buzzing with arts and cultural events this Summer. This partnership will help to ensure we are the number one place for culture, as well as news, sport and current affairs in Scotland.”
Richard Bogie, News Scotland General Manager, added: “We are excited to work with The List in launching this new events guide for our readers. We’re confident that its appeal will not only meet the needs of our many culture-orientated readers but will also attract a whole new audience. This new addition is yet another example of our ongoing commitment and investment in delivering top news, opinion sport and culture for our Scottish audience."
Yasmin Sulaiman, Editor of The List said: “It’s always been our mission at The List to increase the depth and breadth of coverage of Scotland’s vibrant arts and entertainment scene. This compelling opportunity to work with The Sunday Times Scotland helps us do just that. We will profile exciting events across the country.”
This new guide comes on the back of growing circulation and market share for The Sunday Times Scotland. The title says it has seen a 7% year-on-year increase in sales, and a 41%, share of the quality Sunday paper market in Scotland, which is up 8% on last year.
News Scotland says it has heavily invested in talent across the paper in the last year, with Mark Palmer appointed the title’s first dedicated Scottish Rugby Correspondent, and Michael Glackin as Scottish Business Correspondent.