The Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival enables TV and media execs to meet, talk and do business while hearing from the very best TV talent from both sides of the camera.

The Oscar-winning star will deliver the James MacTaggart Memorial Lecture in late August, which sets the tone at the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival.

Spacey was the star and executive producer of drama series House of Cards which which was given its premiere on internet streaming service Netflix, sidestepping traditional networks.

He said he was honoured to speak and added: “Clearly this has been an exciting period for me personally but also I believe this is a time of huge opportunity, innovation and creativity for all of us who live to tell stories and engage audiences.”

As well as chief executives, managing directors and board level executives the Festival delegate list comprises controllers, commissioners, producers, schedulers, creative directors, commercial directors, talent agents, post production companies, advertising and new media agencies, lawyers, financiers, consultants, trade bodies, government executives and the press.

Elaine Bedell, the executive chair of the festival, said: “Kevin Spacey has been at the centre of cultural life both here in the UK and in the States for many years – and now with House of Cards, he has shown that he is also at the forefront of new ways of delivering television content to audiences.”

Teams from the National Museum of American History, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Library of Congress analyzed and digitized the disc, comparing the recording to a 19th century transcript Bell signed and dated: “…in witness whereof, hear my voice, Alexander Graham Bell.”

The man, who has with his inventions given voice to so many others, finally has a voice of his own, helping historians eavesdrop on a period in history that gave birth to a new era in sound.

Puzzled by the mute Bell discs, a curator from the National Museum of American History reached out to a physicist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Carl Haber, who had “succeeded in extracting sound from early recordings made in Paris in 1860,” according to the Smithsonian account. “He and his team created high-resolution optical scans converted by computer into an audio file.”

They brought in a specialist from the Library of Congress, as well as Patrick Feaster, a sound historian at Indiana University. Until recently, Dr. Feaster wrote in The Atlantic, little recorded sound had survived from before Edison introduced his Perfected Phonograph in 1888; a breakthrough came in 2008, when a collaboration called First Sounds, which included Dr. Haber and Dr. Feaster, was able to restore a French recording from 1860, a 10-second snippet of “Au Clair de la Lune” made on a phonautogram.

The flimsy disc was silent for 128 years as part of the Smithsonian Museum’s collection of early recorded sound, until digital imaging, computer science, a hand-written transcript and a bit of archival detective work confirmed it as the only known recording of Bell’s voice.

Carlene Stephens, curator of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American history, first saw this disc and nearly 400 other audio artifacts donated by Bell when she joined the museum in 1974, but she didn’t dare play them then.

“Their experimental nature and fragile condition … made them unsuitable for playback,” Stephens said by email.

“We recognized these materials were significant to the early history of sound recording, but because they were considered unplayable, we stored them away safely and hoped for the day playback technology would catch up with our interest in hearing the content,” she wrote.

That day came in 2008, when Stephens learned that scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California had retrieved 10 seconds of the French folk song “Au Clair de la Lune” from a 1860 recording of sound waves made as squiggles on soot-covered paper. That was nearly two decades before Thomas Edison’s oldest known playable recording, made in 1888.

Multi-talented musician Laura McGhee is getting set to walk the line with the Johnny Cash’s son, John Carter Cash, at a special show celebrating country legend Willie Nelson’s 80th birthday.

Laura moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to follow her dream of making it in the music world and has toured all over the United States with her unique brand of country and folk in recent years.

The singer, guitarist and fiddle player is writing with John Carter Cash, who also runs the Cash Cabin recording studio and is eagerly anticipating Tuesday’s gig in honour of Mr Nelson.

Laura said: “I’m so excited and it’s really cool to be asked to be involved in something like this.

“Willie Nelson was quite a big influence on me growing up. I knew a lot of his music so I’m learning one of his songs for the show.

“I actually saw him live, in Glasgow believe it or not, so it’ll be nice to do one of his songs.”

Laura recently embarked on an ambitious album project which would have infused her Scottish roots and Americana influences on the one CD.

However, the project, due to be recorded at the Cash Cabin, never came to fruition, though Laura has continued to work with John Carter Cash, who has been taken by her style, and is preparing new material.

“I really want to thank everyone that pledged to the project and helped support it,” she added.

“It didn’t quite make it but I’m really grateful for all the support. After the album didn’t work out he said there’s still a way we can work together and I’m glad we have been able to.”

Laura will be covering Willie Nelson’s He’s not for You at the intimate show on Tuesday and will play fiddle alongside John Carter Cash and friends.

Willie Nelson’s iconic long hair, bandana, voice and playing style have carved him out as one of the most instantly recognisable and revered musicians in America, even for fans outside his country style.

His most famous hits include “On The Road Again” and “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before” but he has also gained notoriety for his support of the campaign to legalise marijuana in America.

The development is strongly supported by the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Development International, and follows extensive discussions between their officials and executives of Capgemini UK.

Capgemini is seeking people with IT work experience, new graduates in all subjects keen to work in technology in the Scottish Highlands, and school-leavers interested in joining Capgemini’s new Highlands Apprenticeship Programme. The company also plans to talk to undergraduates considering an IT career, and is establishing especially strong links with the University of the Highlands and Islands in Inverness.

The Rt Hon Alex Salmond, MSP, First Minister of Scotland, said:

“Capgemini’s announcement of up to 500 new jobs in Inverness is wonderful news for the Highlands and for Scotland. It represents a huge investment not only in the future of our economy, but particularly in the future of our young people.

“These 500 new jobs over the next three years mean Capgemini is doubling its workforce here in the Highlands and making Inverness one of its global centres of excellence for advanced IT. In total, this consolidation will result in a 1000-strong Capgemini workforce in Inverness by 2016 – a ringing endorsement of Scotland’s international reputation for intelligence, innovation, drive and industry.

“This is a very significant investment by a leading multinational employer and marks a strengthening of its already impressive commitment to Scotland.”

Paul Soutter, Chief Executive Officer of Capgemini Infrastructure Services UK, said: “Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to creating high quality, sustainable employment, and not least for college graduates. The new jobs we are creating in the Highlands will be at the heart of today’s knowledge-based economy and will help prove Scotland’s ability to compete and win in global markets.”

Alex Paterson, Chief Executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said:”This is the single largest investment in jobs for the region by a multinational company in recent years. The decision to create a global centre of excellence in the Highlands and Islands is testament to the highly skilled business services workforce we are already developing here. This new growth in high quality jobs is very welcome and will strengthen the opportunities for both our current workforce and the next generation of young people looking for a long term career path.

“We are pleased to be helping the company in its new venture both financially and with our local knowledge and links with schools and universities, and with organisations such as Scottish Development International and Skills Development Scotland. We wish Capgemini and its new employees every success with their growth in the Scottish Highlands.”

Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) are together providing Capgemini with £5.25m of financial assistance, including training assistance, with its new venture in the Scottish Highlands.

Anne MacColl, Chief Executive of Scottish Development International, said: “We’re delighted that RSA and training funding has helped bring this centre of excellence to Scotland. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with them, and with all the agencies, like HIE and Skills Development Scotland, that have collaborated successfully to deliver this excellent result.”

Capgemini plans to offer a broad spectrum of IT support, development and service capabilities from Inverness, establishing the location as a global centre of excellence on behalf of the company’s multinational client base. Training for Capgemini UK employees takes place on-site at a number of locations in Scotland and England, and also includes residential courses at Capgemini University in France.

Capgemini is confident that Inverness will be a competitive and successful choice for both UK and overseas clients seeking a European alternative.

Capgemini currently employs 8,000 people in the UK including almost 1000 in Scotland, comprising over 500 in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, and over 470 at its existing Highlands centres in Inverness and Nairn.

Scotland: Big Screen Plaza
Friday, April 5th: 4:00 – 5:00pm
Saturday, April 6th: 4:00 – 5:00pm
Sunday, April 7th: 4:00 – 5:00pm

The Tartan Week Alliance is delighted to welcome Big Screen Plaza as a media partner.
For media and sponsorship opportunities in 2014 please contact: Magnus Orr

• Date: Tuesday, April 9
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, One Battery Plaza, New York, NY 10004
• Directions: Closest subways are the 1 to Rector Street Station, 4/5 to Bowling Green and N/R/W to Whitehall S.
• Please RSVP to Debbie Buonincontri at buoninco@hugheshubbard.com.

Established in 2006, ScotBarNY is an organization devoted to developing, connecting and celebrating New York’s legal professionals and law students who are Scottish born, of Scottish heritage or simply interested in Scottish culture. ScotBarNY’s wider goal is to advance the commercial and cultural relationship between the people of New York and the people of Scotland. ScotBarNY hosts a series of social and professional events throughout New York City. For more details, visit: www.scotbarny.com/.

Established in 2006, ScotBarNY is an organization devoted to developing, connecting and celebrating New York’s legal professionals and law students who are Scottish born, of Scottish heritage or simply interested in Scottish culture. ScotBarNY’s wider goal is to advance the commercial and cultural relationship between the people of New York and the people of Scotland. ScotBarNY hosts a series of social and professional events throughout New York City. For more details, visit: www.scotbarny.com/.

Book your tickets for Monday night: www.FromScotlandWithLove.net

From Scotland With Love international charity fashion event. It is now one of the leading fashion shows in the world in terms of press & media: www.FromScotlandWithLove.net

THE HUFFINGTON POST  -  “The Wounded Warriors on the catwalk brought an incredible depth and seriousness to the evening. Indeed, the soldiers who were featured in the show were the most powerful and moving models of the night.”

WALL STREET JOURNAL  -  “For one night the Scots own the runway. This annual show is now a much welcomed fixture on the New York fashion calendar.”

NEW YORK EXAMINER  -  “From Scotland With Love is now one of New York’s hottest fashion shows.”

FASHIONISTA  -  “This Scottish fashion show is just cool, and it is New York cool. How else can you describe a show that gives you fabulous new designs from the UK, a raft of A-list celebrities on the catwalk, great live musical performances, the best looking group of men ever assembled on a major runway and a post-party highlighted by Kiefer Sutherland playing his version of Knocking on Heaven’s Door. As I said, just really cool.”

VOGUE.COM  -  “Scotland has a wealth of amazingly talented designers and artists and it is important to show that there is more to Scotland than its traditional associations. The From Scotland With Love fashion show in New York City has helped open many of these doors.”

VANITY FAIR  -  “There is but one night a year in New York City to revel in Scottish fashion and it is called From Scotland With Love. And oh what a night that it is! More freewheeling and entertaining than any Bryant Park Fashion Week presentation. The evening allowed the stars, who studded the runway and the audience, to showcase their persona as much as their couture.”

 LOS ANGELES TIMES  -  “A far cry from its humble beginnings as Dressed to Kilt, this show has developed from a simple show into the highest profile and most prestigious Scottish fashion show in the world. It is a show like no other. It features not only traditional kilts, but increasingly haute couture fit for royalty. It now showcases the latest cutting edge fashion from Scotland’s finest young talent as well as some of the world’s top designers who have embraced and incorporated “Scottishness” into their trademark styles.”

TIME OUT, NEW YORK -  “The Scots owned New York City last night, and the place to be was the Scots-centric fashion show, From Scotland With Love. If you missed the show last night make sure that you put the date of next year’s show in your diary now.”

 FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (F.I.T.)  -  “WOW!!!!!!!!!! What great fun and such a colorful and lively event that it took the meaning of Fashion Show to a totally new level!!  What an absolutely AMAZZZZZZZZING evening. Well done. “

Though our annual show is always remembered for having a runway filled with A-list celebrities, athletes, top entertainers and fashionistas, we thought that we should remind everyone that in addition to having a cracking great evening, we are raising funds for the Wounded Warrior Project. This helps the thousands of injured veterans returning home from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and it also provides much needed assistance to their families. This year again the Wounded Warriors will be joining us on the runway.

The theme of this year’s show is “The Scottish Lion Meets The Asian Dragon”, and in addition to our normal line-up of stars, we are including top Asian designers, celebrities and models and it is the hottest and sexiest show that we have ever put together.  

PURCHASE TICKETS  –  (http://fromscotlandwithlove.net/2013-tickets-sale.php )  we can now tell you that tickets can continue to be purchased online until 2PM on Monday,  April 8^th .  After that you will have to buy the tickets at the front door and they will only accept cash and checks . 

We would hope that you could join us, but if you cannot we would still ask you to consider making a contribution to this noble cause. Though it is not discussed very openly, the number of American soldier suicides continued to outnumber combat related deaths again in 2012 and the trajectory for soldier suicides continues to get worse.  If you would like to help us please send your check to:  From Scotland With Love, 27 East 65^th Street – Penthouse A, New York, NY 10065. My colleagues and I and the Wounded Warriors thank you for your generosity.

With kindest regards,

Dr. Geoffrey Scott Carroll
Chairman & Founder
From Scotland With Love

P.S. To stay up to date on show announcements follow us on facebook.com/FromScotlandWithLove and on twitter.com/Scotland_Love

The New York Tartan Day Parade is organised by the National Tartan Day New York Committee.
Parade Marshal: Reilly J. Dundon

FIRST DIVISION: West 44th Street from 6th to 5th Avenues:

Section 1:

1. NYPD Mounted Unit (Forms on 6th Avenue above 45th St.)
2. USMA (West Point) Pipes and Drums 
Grand Marshal Banner
3. 2013 Grand Marshal KEVIN MCKIDD (with family) 
NTDNYC Banner
4. National Tartan Day-New York Parade Committee
5. VIPs: Scottish Parliament/Scottish Government/U.S. Politicians
6. Mt. Kisco Scottish Pipes and Drums
7. St. Andrew’s Society of New York
8. New York Scotttish Pipes and Drums
9. New York Caledonian Society 
Section 2:
10. New York Metro Pipe Band
11. American Scottish Foundation
12. Accrington Pipe Band
13. Clan Chattan Confederation 
(inc: MacKintosh/MacBean/McPhail MacPherson/Davidson)
14. Atlantic Watch Pipes and Drums
15. USA Highland Dancers
16. Mountbatten Institute
17. Clan MacLaren Society
18. George McDonald-NYC Mayoral Candidate

Section 3:

1. St. Columba’s Pipe and Drum Band
2. Daughters of Scotia
3. Friends of Finlayson & Haskell
4. Clan Armstrong Society
5. NYU Pipes and Drums
6. NESSIE and Friends
7. University of St. Andrews Alumni Club
8. Dutchess County Scottish Society
9. Stephen P. Driscoll Memorial Pipe Band
10. U.S. National Parks Service
11. Park Avenue Christian Church
12. Clan Shaw
13. Edinburgh Napier University Alumni

Section 4:

1. TUNES OF GLORY Massed Pipes and Drums
2. Scots American Athletic Club (Kearny, NJ)
3. New York Scottish Country Dancers
4. Blended Scots Organization
5. Clan Ross of USA
6. Tri-County Pipes and Drums
7. Clan MacCallum-Malcolm
8. Clan Fairburn & Family
9. City of Sheffield Pipe Band
10. Clan MacIneirghe
11. Clan Mackay and Family
12. World Peace Tartan

Section 5:

1. Hudson Highlanders Pipe Band
2. Shot of Scotch Dancers
3. Celtic Cross Dancers
4. Clan Donnachaidh Society
5. Mary’s Meals, USA
6. Shamrock and Thistle Pipe Band
7. Carnegie Mellon Alumni
8. Clan McNair
9. Clan Nicholson
10. Belukus – Belhaven Brewery
11. ALL Dogs and Escorts

END OF WEST 44th STREET – FIRST DIVISION
SECOND DIVISION: West 45th Street from 6th Avenue to 5th Avenues:

Section 1:

1. Bonnie Brae Knights Drumline
2. Clan Buchanan Society International
3. Clan Currie
4. NY Dept. of Corrections Pipe Band
5. Clan MacFarlane
 Clan McDonald/The KIST
6. Clan Arthur
7. NYC Volunteer Firefighter Pipe Band
8. Clan Reagen-Cain
9. The Itchy Stag Society
10. THE ROGUES Music Group w/ ROGUE Supporters

Section 2:

1. Gordon Highlanders of Locust Valley P/Band
2. Long Island Scottish American Society
3. NH Scot-New Hampshire Highland Games
4. 42nd Regiment Highland Foot (reenactors)
5. SOMERSET HIGHLANDERS OF SOMERSET COUNTY HORSES (Stage at 6th Avenue and West 43rd Street)
6. VISIT SCOTLAND: SHETLAND PONIES
7. VISIT SCOTLAND STAFF

Section 3:

1. Alma College Pipe Band
2. The Lerwick Jarl Squad, Shetland Islands
3. Clan McLean
4. Clan MacLaughlin
5. Clan Logan
6. Clan Graham
7. The STANLEY ODD Group w/supporters
8. Beatty/Bravehearts
9. NY Lyric Circus
10. New York Celtic Dancers
11. Parade Workers/Volunteers

END OF PARADE

The First Minister last attended Scotland Week in 2008 and is returning this year to promote Scotland on the world stage through business and tourism engagements, as well as fulfil invitations to undertake a number of high-level speaking engagements at some of the United States’ most prestigious institutions.

Princeton University, one of the oldest in the US; It is expected he will set out the vision for an independent Scotland and its role as a responsible global citizen.

The week-long US visit will also focus on encouraging economic investment in Scotland and the First Minister is expected to announce a number of economic initiatives during his time in New York and Washington DC.

The first leg of the visit in New York will see the First Minister attend an SDI trade and industry reception, deliver speeches at the Carnegie Council and Princeton, and undertake a number of high-level business meetings.

The First Minister will also attend the launch of VisitScotland’s Homecoming 2014 tourism campaign focusing on the US market. This will look to build on the £53.7million in additional tourism revenue for Scotland generated in 2009, when the first Homecoming took place.

The First Minister said:

“The launch of Homecoming 2014 and the events held during Scotland Week in New York and across the US and Canada are an excellent showcase for what Scotland contributes globally.

“It is a source of great pride that we offer the very best both culturally and environmentally to the rest of the world. I will also be reinforcing Scotland’s place in the world through high-profile speaking engagements when I will be setting out Scotland’s ambition to enter the global community of nations and to participate in that community on a basis of equality, responsibility and friendship.”

Other events the First Minister will be attending include officially starting the 10th annual Scotland Run in Central Park and the opening of an exhibition being staged by former Barlinnie prison officer David Eustace turned international photographer which showcases stunning landscapes as part of the Year of Natural Scotland.

The First Minister will then move on to Washington DC where he will give a speech at the Brookings Institution.