Alice Pollard

In Photos: The Seal Survey Process

See more here: https://www.aberdeenmarinemammals.org/news I have joined PhD student Claire Stainfield for the morning, armed with a bag of lenses and a slightly rusty Nikon. The goal? To document the seal survey process, and learn about the importance of the project. What I didn’t anticipate, however, was the striking onslaught of nature from all angles at Ythan Estuary.

Aberdeen Marine Mammal Project - News

Arbroath Abbey: the final resting place of William the Lion - Historic Environment Scotland Blog

Arbroath Abbey was built by the ancient King of Scots, William the Lion, but who was William the Lion, and what did he do?

Photo Essay: Wild Swimming in Scotland: Madness vs Freedom

Brig's resident wild swimmer, Alice Pollard, reveals the emotions rooted in the activity with this Wild Swimming Photo Essay.

Want to Solo Travel? Here's why Dublin is the perfect starting point

Want to start solo travelling? It may be daunting, but here's why Dublin, Ireland's vibrant capital, is the perfect city to visit alone.

No Car, No Problem: Accessing Stirling's Best Wild Swim Spots by Public Transport

This is Brig's guide to accessing Stirling's best wild swim spots without a car, beyond the familiar locations.

Sailing Instructing: The perfect student summer job?

Sea, sun, and sailing - it's idyllic, especially when you are being paid for it. Here's why sailing instructing is a popular student job.

How to be in nature as a student in the city

Getting out into nature whilst living in a city is tough, especially as a broke student. Here's your guide to connecting with urban nature.

Club Spotlight: Stirling University's Wild Swimming Club

Wild Swimming has many benefits, physically and mentally. Get involved with the university's wild swimming club now!

Alfresco Diaries: The Search for a Stirlingshire Waterfall

Alfresco Diaries 1: Alice goes on a slightly reluctant adventure to find a slightly disappointing waterfall. Somehow, she has reflections.

Alfresco Diaries: Coffee with a Seal

Alfresco Diaries 2: Alice considers the crime that is men as she realises that seals make much better company.

Bodies in Nature

Find peace and confidence in your body through outdoor activity. From wild swimming to outdoor yoga, how does nature reflect part of us?

Travel Writing: The Antidote to Winter Stasis

The UK becomes particularly miserable once all the leaves have fallen. The antidote comes in the form of high-quality travel writing.

Pigeons over Public Transport

Rather than making awkward eye contact with a crotch-itching businessman, I make eye contact with the vacant abyss of a pigeon's brain.

Braw's Summer Holidays: The best budget summer escapes

We've done the work so that you don't have to. Here is Braw's breakdown of the best budget summer breaks to escape the UK this year.

Best term time mini-breaks

Sometimes, the best way to get through university is to get away from it all. Here are Brig's favourite term-time breaks.

The Outrun ★★★★★ - Edinburgh International Film Festival

The Outrun Review - Edinburgh International Film Festival. Saoirse Ronan delivers a powerful, raw, and beautiful performance.

The Mountain Within Me ★★★★★ - Edinburgh International Film Festival

The Mountain Within Me Review: An inspiring, powerful, raw documentary that leaves no room for excuses - go and climb a mountain.

Sunlight ★★★☆☆ - Edinburgh International Film Festival

Sunlight is Nina Conti's debut film. It is an irreverent, outrageously funny, dark story between a suicidal man and a woman in a monkey suit.

'The Radleys' ★★★★☆ - Edinburgh International Film Festival

The Radleys is a witty, gruesome, sinister yet hilarious new vampire film, adapted from Matt Haig's book of the same name.

Since Yesterday: The Untold Story of Scotland's Girl Bands ★★★★★ - Edinburgh International Film...

Since Yesterday is an inspirational documentary telling the forgotten stories of the many bold, brave and beautiful Scottish girl bands.

Edinburgh Fringe: Lorna Rose Treen: 24 Hour Diner People ★★★★★

Lorna Rose Treen: 24 Hour Diner People is the most refreshingly creative, daftly brilliant, stupidly clever show of the Edinburgh Fringe 2025.

Edinburgh Fringe: Adults Only Magic Show ★★★★★

Is it magic, or is it a penis? No need to wonder with the Adults Only Magic Show, as it is safe to assume that it is both.

Edinburgh Fringe: Mason King - The Mind Spy ★★★★☆

Sceptic or a believer, prepare to have your socks blown off by Mason King's...powers? Clever tricks? Magic? Who could say...

Edinburgh Fringe: John Tothill: This Must Be Heaven ★★★★★

John Tothill: This Must Be Heaven was everything that you could want - fabulous anecdotes, easy laughs, and a reliably damn good time.

Edinburgh Fringe: Revolution Circus Show ★★★★★

Revolution Circus Show is a marvellous display of clean skill, considered design, innovative storytelling, and stunning acrobatics.

Edinburgh Fringe: What's in the Kitchen ★★★★★

What's in the Kitchen at Edinburgh Fringe is served with a large helping of heart and soul and a side of joy, authenticity, and skill.

Not My Steve: A Minecraft Movie Review ★★★☆☆

A Minecraft Movie Review: Weird, wacky, and only watchable once - however, it is worth watching that once, even if just for the memeability of the fiasco.

The Salt Path Review: Raw, Wild, and Intimate ★★★★☆

If you want to be deeply moved, have your soul shifted by nature, and then get a sudden itch to go long-distance walking, then The Salt Path is for you.

Heartstopper Season 3: First impressions ★★★★★

Do not fear: your favourite show is as good as ever. Brig got a first look at Heartstopper season three: here are our first impressions.

Bake Off Final Review: Cake For Miles ★★★★☆

It has all led up to this moment. Who will take home the 2025 Bake Off trophy? Read Brig's review of the Bake Off final here.

"House of Flame and Shadow" Book Review: Rebellion, freedom, and love ★★★☆☆

Brig's review of the highly anticipated "House of Flame and Shadow" by Sarah J Maas, the third book in the Crescent City series.

Lord Huron 'The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1' Album Review: An Existential Crisis Sent with Love ★★★★★

Lord Huron has returned after four long years with their fifth album, 'The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1', in a search for the meaning of existence.

Gnoss Gig Review: Proper Powerful Folk ★★★★★

Scottish folk band Gnoss kicked off the Scottish leg of their current tour on Wednesday, 7 May, with a cascade of phenomenal folk music.

Forgotten Favourites: Returning to Stirling's Cafe Aina

Cafe Aina is a favourite dinner spot for many folk in Brig, so we decided to pay them a visit to immortalise the food and atmosphere in writing before the restaurant changes hands.

Marching for Women's Safety: Reclaim the Night march to take place in Stirling

A Reclaim The Night march will take place on Monday September 29, gathering at the Stirling Castle Esplanade at 19:00.

Stirling Visitor Levy Scheme: Period of Consultation Approaches

An overview of the draft Stirling visitor levy scheme, which will enter a 12-week formal public consultation on 14 July 2025.

Active Travel Routes for South of Stirling City Centre Put to People by Stirling Council

South of Stirling Active Travel Route proposals have been put to the people as the council extends efforts in facilitating active travel.

Protecting Our Mascot: Stirling's red squirrels at risk

Following two sightings of sick and lethargic red squirrels in Bridge of Allen, concerns are rising that squirrelpox is spreading northwards.

Storm Eowyn Student Impact: What to expect and how to prepare

The Met Office has issued Stirling with a red warning for wind from 10 am to 5 pm tomorrow. Read how to prepare for storms here.

Nikon's Comedy Wildlife Awards bring Joy to Conservation

The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards build a joyous approach to connecting humans with nature in the face of the climate crisis.

Conservation in Callander: The society making a difference

Stirling University's Wildlife Conservation Society have volunteered with Callander's Woodland Trust to protect its native woodlands.

Renowned Swim Coach Ben Higson Appointed as Head Coach for Stirling

International swim coach Ben Higson has been appointed as Head Coach of the University of Stirling's high-performance swim programme

Stirling Christmas Lights Switch-On 2023

Stirling celebrates the annual switch-on of the city Christmas lights, accompanied by a joyous range of festivities.

The Art of Dinner Parties: Breathing Community into Student Life

Veteran host Alice delivers all the necessary components for the perfect, delicious and cost-effective student dinner party.

The Reality of Living with Misophonia

A personal account of living with misophonia, a condition which causes an extreme and disproportionate response to certain 'trigger sounds'.

Friends to Lovers: Facing anxiety, affection, and arousal

Friends to lovers is a well-versed, beloved trope in popular media, but can love like that exist? And is it worth the risk of your friendship?

Surviving Seasonal Affective Disorder this Winter

Braw's comprehensive (but not too intimidating) rundown on SAD, identifying symptoms, and most importantly: how to start feeling better.

We're Miles Apart, But I Still Love You

Reflecting on the realities of long-distance relationships at university. An honest, creative account exploring the weight of distance.

Creative Identity: Finding Identity Through Art

What does that creation reveal about your own identity? Art is a way of saying what you need to say without ever finding the words.

The Man and the Moon: A Story for Valentine's Day

There was a little old man who lived in a tree, and he was in love with the moon. A creative piece in honor of upcoming Valentine's day.

The Process of Decomposition: A Short Story

The process of decomposition: A short story exploring the beauty of nature as seen in death by Alice Pollard.

City Centre Superiority: Why living off-campus is the way to go

Second year came with the challenge of finding a private flat in Stirling. One year later, and student living has never been better. Here's why living off campus is the way to go.

Trump's In: What Does This Mean For LGBTQ+ Communities?

It's official: Trump has won the 2024 presidential election. Here's Brig's rundown on Trump's plans for the future of LGBTQ+ people in America

Trump: How old is too old?

Trump is the oldest president-elect in the history of the USA. How old is too old to be leading one of the world's most powerful countries?