Braw Magazine. Issue 1

ILLUSTRATION: EMMA HALLIDAY

Blair McPake BLAIR MCPAKE BLAIR MCPAKE

IONA BROWNLIE

IMAN MACKENZIE

MORVEN MACKAY

IONA YOUNG EDITOR-IN-CHIEF I am incredibly delighted to introduce the first ever issue of Braw Magazine, a sister publication of Brig. During the 50th anniversary of Brig I spent a lot of time going through the archives of the past 50 years. I was amazed at the content, the illustrations and student contributions, and thought about how to incorporate that into Brig today. The solution?

Start a magazine. I wanted a space where our writers and students can let their creative sides flourish. A space more focussed on magazine journalism. It started as an ambitious idea, but with the help of my brilliantly talented team we now have a beautiful publication featuring space for photography, creative writing and fashion as well as many other sections. There is plenty of fantastic content, so get a cuppa, have a seat and enjoy the first ever issue of Braw.

EMMA HALLIDAY

PETRA KOTKOVA

MEET THE TEAM

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CONTENTS Society Spotlight

4

Romance and Relationships

Book Corner

5

Photography

12-13

Travel

6-7

Food and Drink

15

Fashion

8-9

Creative Writing

16

Write for us

17

Health and Wellbeing 10 At your own risk

ILLUSTRATION: BLAIR MCPAKE

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S O C I E T Y S P OT L I G H T

Book Co r n e r

Illustration: Blair McPake

Iman Mackenzie: Book Corner Editor

All images used are credited to Amazon.com

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead The Underground Railroad brings history to modern day life. You follow Cora, a slave on a plantation in Georgia, along with fellow slave Caesar, escape from the plantation. They plan to find freedom by following the underground railroad, which the novel says is a rail system with safe houses along the way.

As Cora and Caesar move from state to state to find freedom, they are closely followed by slave catcher Ridgeway, who plans to revenge Cora for her mother escaping from his capture.

Whitehead vividly provokes the reader to understand the painful journey Cora must take to secure, basically her survival. The reader is taught to understand the treatment of African Americans throughout American history when they have been dehumanised by White Americans for generations.

The literal railroad metaphors the journey of darkness (some would say) for African Americans who were abused and/or discriminated against.

It is a powerful and moving book and that delves into the dark history of slavery. Whitehead never really includes comparisons between the past and the present. However, with everything going on, the novel reminds us of the fight African American’s have been on just to have racial equality.

Iona Brownlie

Noughts and Crosses, by Malorie Blackman I picked this book up because I heard so much about it since the TV adaptation, and I wanted to commit to reading more black authors. I’m ashamed I’d never heard of Malorie Blackman beforehand! Oh my, what a heartbreaker. Not only was it an enthralling, tragic story but a clever, much-needed commentary on racism. It went to places I didn’t expect, but that it fully needed to. I like my books to have happy endings but *spoiler alert* I thought it was perfect that this one didn’t, because it’s a very real problem that still needs tackling.

Jacqueline Boland

Rory Addison

‘Are Prisons Obselete?’ By Angela Davis Angela Davis is a revered scholar-activist who has written about feminism, class, and the ‘prison-industrial complex’. Davis, who once made it on the FBI’s most wanted list in 1970, is perhaps best positioned to make the case for the abolition of prisons. In Are Prisons Obsolete? Davis highlights the core problems rooted in the U.S. criminal justice system and forces the reader to question the feasibility of the prison in three ways.

Firstly, she argues that the existence of prisons is rooted in the aim to control Black bodies, thus rendering it an outdated form of racialised punishment towards people of colour. Secondly, she utilises a gendered lens of focus to highlight the miserable experience of women behind bars – exposing the prison’s role in perpetuating racism and sexism where it otherwise wouldn’t be tolerated.

Finally, the term ‘prison industrial complex’ is taken apart, as Davis explains the vested interests capitalist corporations have in maintaining an institution which sources hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.

Today, the number of incarcerated individuals in the U.S. is over two million individuals, comprised of a hugely disproportionate number of people of colour. The era of social media has bred a culture of instant gratification, and as we unify to champion anti-racism. Are Prisons Obsolete? is essential reading. It is both essential in expanding our literature into revolutionary writings, while also grounding the fact that real change can only be achieved through a course of sustained activism over a long period of time.

‘Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristoo This wonderfully vibrant tale of twelve predominantly black, British females is a joy to read as it celebrates the diversity of womanhood and blackness.

Despite a lack of overarching plot, this Booker Prize winner manages to give a vibrant and exciting picture of what it means to be a black female through its range of complex characters. The novel tackles topics such as identity, privilege, loss and friendship in a uniquely poetic style which intertwines backstory, dialogue and thought with ease.

While some characters are, understandably, more relatable than

others, all twelve combine to create a contemporary novel which tells a story of modern-day Britain – one which reminds us that, no matter how far we have come in terms of gender or race, we still have a long way to go before we can consider ourselves truly equal.

Stephanie Hanlon

B O O K CO R N E R

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Tr a v e l Iona Brownlie: Travel Editor

Credit: Iona Brownlie

This time last year, I was preparing to spend the summer in New York.

Instead, this year, I’ve been sitting on my couch with a big tub of ice cream dreaming of hearing the words ‘passport and boarding pass please’ again.

But for now, it seems like that will continue to be just be a dream.

Our lives have changed dramatically over the past few months and have changed the way we travel possibly forever. Thousands of holidays have been cancelled, leaving many of us with the holiday blues.

But fear not, I am here with seven ideas to help you cure your holiday blues!

1.Virtual Tours Landmarks across the globe have created virtual tours of their exhibits. From the Louvre to the International Space Station you can take a look around and not have to worry about getting tired or hungry or thirsty. They give you an intimate look into places where sometimes the queue is too long to even consider going in.

A couple of my personal favourites include: National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, allows you to virtually pass through current, previous and permanent exhibits from inside the museum in the comfort of your own home. From bones to gems and minerals to coral reefs, there is something for everyone to look at without your legs getting sore from standing too long.

African Safari: Unless you’re lucky to live in Africa or visit for a ‘once in a lifetime’ holiday, you may not experience an African Safari. But fear not you can now watch the animals in their natural habitat through Asilia Africa’s virtual webcam. So, get the sun cream and safari hats, and get comfortable in your natural habitat to watch the animals in theirs.

Go to Mars: NASA planned to send the first people to Mars, but you can beat that and be the first person to visit Mars in your pyjamas. Take a journey with the Mars rover and experience an out of this world experience from your sofa. There are countless more virtual tours available including the Great Wall of China and a at home holiday tour of the US Virgin Islands.

2) Live Camera Feeds If you’re missing sitting in a bar watching the world go buy during a weekend city break. Or maybe you miss relaxing on the beach, tutting at those people jogging while you sip an ice cold beer. Do not worry, there is a solution.

EarthCam and CityCam are here to cure that hole in your heart. With live

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Illustration: Blair McPake

T R AV E L

cameras pitched at places like Times Square, Venice Beach and the Dam Square in Amsterdam, you’re free to people watch until your hearts content.

With these cameras, you can virtually be in any time zone you wish, and not getting jet lag!

Go to the busiest crossing in Japan, Shibuya Crossing, travel back to Rio De Janiero and spend some time in Copacabana. Go to Disneyland Paris or Copenhagen while sofa surfing from the comfort of your own home. .

3) Read Travel Books and Blogs There are literally thousands of books about travel for you to get lost in. From solo travelling to surviving travelling with your partner, there is a lot within the genre for you to travel deep into a book and discover the hidden gems of the world, in your imagination.

An author, I cannot recommend enough, is Bill Bryson. His quirky stories from his travels across the globe make you feel as if you are there with him. His books are charming, clever and incredibly funny. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

Give him a little Google and choose a book that you fancy, and you won’t be able to put it down.

A book recommended by one of my fellow journalists, Aine, is ‘The Places in Between’. Rory Stewart documents his journey from Herat to Kabul in Afghanistan.

His solo journey with his trusty dog Babur, is a compelling story of a man and his dog against the rough landscapes of Afghanistan. The book was widely received and has now been translated in nine different languages.

In this digital era, there are a huge number of travel blogs for you to loose yourself in.

When the times get tough, we have all dreamt about packing our lives up and hitting the road for a life of travelling.

Therefore, it’s kind of nice to live this dream through other peoples lives.

A few good ones include: The Opposite Travellers Adventurous Kate Global Help Swap Cheapest Destinations Blog Journey Women Credit: Amazon

4) Cook some International Cuisine Most people travel for the incredible food unique to the country they are visiting. Pasta from a little Italian restaurant, croissants from a cute French bakery, Curry wurst in Germany. In many cases, the food makes the trip. Bringing cuisine into your own home can help you imagine you’re actually abroad.

Funnily enough, one sunny weekend evening the sun was shining. I was sitting on my deck sipping some wine eating Paella. If I closed my eyes, it was almost as if I was in Spain.

Don’t get me wrong, I would have rather been in Spain sipping Sangria, but it was good enough.

There are loads of websites showing easy, medium and hard recipes for a taste of all over the world.

Travel to Europe, America, Asia and beyond from the comfort of your own kitchen.

With more time to plan, there is more time to research and know exactly what you want to do once you’re there.

Doing your research is also a good help for knowing how much you may have to save. If you know what attractions you want to visit, be it museums or theme parks or even a beach, knowing the rough prices of these things can help to give an idea of the budget for your next trip.

Different cities and destinations also vary in price, and therefore, it is also useful to look into this. You don’t want to be paying too much for a beer (which you hadn’t planned for) and then not be able to get to the water park (which you had planned and saved for).

The same goes for hotels or hostels. AirBnB’s are incredibly popular and I’ve seen unreal views for unreal prices. So, really dig around and look into your options.

Obviously, flight prices are always a kick in the teeth, but knowing this in advance, and booking early can sometimes reduce costs greatly.

In my opinion, your next holiday could be the greatest one you’re ever going to go on.

Start now. Plan, research and save for your dream holiday and what is born out of that is something worth looking forward to.

7) Create your own holiday at home

Credit: Iona Brownlie

5) Travel Podcasts Podcasts have become a huge market and there is literally one for every subject that you could think of. Podcasts have actually become a massive market for wannabe travellers.

The Travel Podcast by Steve Witt is a great place to start.

Each episode is a different destination, all with the hidden gems. Places to avoid and some travel tips all included.

If you dream of living it up celeb style in the Maldives then there’s an episode for you. If you’re into some country beats then join Nashville songwriter Claude Kelly and find out all things Nashville.

This is a really good podcast to close your eyes to and imagine you’re literally there.

Some more podcasts worth checking out: • Zero to Travel by Jason Moore • Kinging-It: The Travel Podcast by Kinging-It • BBC Earth Podcast by BBC Earth • The Travel Diaries by Holly Rubenstein • Scotland Outdoors by BBC Radio Scotland Podcasts are super easy to get into and are available on most major music streaming services. So, put your earphones in and walk around your local park and you’ll be transported to a different part of the world.

6) Planning and Saving for Future Trips It’s been an incredibly tough time recently and most of us were all looking to the summer to hopefully be able to get away, myself included. But unfortunately,thingsdonotalwaysgotoplan,asIthink2020haseloquentlyshownus.

Planning your next trip can be just as fun.

As depressing as it might be not getting to travel, planning and saving for your next trip can be just as exciting.

In all honesty, there is no stopping you making your next holiday the holiday of a lifetime.

If you love organisation (like me), then planning a trip is actually incredibly exciting.

At the beginning of lock down, a video went viral of a couple who had missedoutontheirdreamcruiserecreatingitathome.Alltheyneededwas Youtube, a large television screen and a few glasses of their favourite wine.

Here’s a perfect example of how to create a holiday at home.

There’s no shame in bringing the beach to your back garden or a festival to your patio. You can have just as much fun on your holiday at home as you do on actual holiday.

You can literally buy a pack of sand from a garden centre and create the sand section of the beach. Add a paddling pool, and there you have it, a beach right there in your back garden.

It might be a case of making the best out of your resources but you can have just as much fun on a makeshift holiday.

In different parts of the world, countries are reopening therefore you may be able to have a holiday in your home country.

Your home country will have so much culture that you may never have experienced. Tourist spots that were always too busy to visit will be different experience but will be available. Now is the time to visit those beauty spots you would usually not have visited.

A domestic holiday could be the break that you have been needing.

It’s been an unusual time and now would be the time many of us would be preparing to walk down the aisle to find our seat on the plane.

I hope that these seven ideas help to feed your travel appetite, and if you plan on going abroad, maybe you could use these to cheer yourself up during your fourteen day quarantine when you come back!

Whether abroad or not, you can make the most of this summer. You never know, it could become one of the best summers you will ever have.

“It’s been an incredibly tough time recently and most of us were all looking to the summer to hopefully be able to get away, myself included. But unfortunately, things do not always go to plan, as I think 2020 has eloquently shown us.

Planning your next trip can be just as fun”.

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Slay the Slow Fashion Season Iona Young: Fashion Editor

The end of June marked the start of Slow Fashion Season, a worldwide three-month initiative to tackle fast fashion. Nearly 15,000 people have signed up to buy no new clothes between June 21 and September 21.

On Trend Lizzo is right about a lot of things. The tiny handbag is on that list.

The idea is similar to any detox, club together with other people to help you stop. The campaign started in summer last year with around 3000 people taking part. This has now quintupled.

The fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world, it produces more greenhouse gasses than aviation and international shipping combined. The world now consumes 80 billion pieces of clothing each year.

With high street stores shut, online shopping is on the rise. There is nothing wrong with online shopping or treating yourself to new clothes. Just it’s time to reinvent the meaning of new.

Not everybody can afford to shop sustainable and it is important not to shame people who don’t have any other options.

There are plenty of options to buy second hand online such as eBay, Depop, Etsy and Lost Stock. Lost Stock is a new online shop and initiative to help workers in the fashion industry affected by covid-19. You can buy a box of clothes that contains a couple of items from top clothing brands and support a worker for their family from one week.

Depop is great because it has pieces from all your high street favourites and its almost always possible to find the exact thing you are looking for. As well as many custom made, independent businesses selling their own unique ranges.

Etsy is just an online version of Camden Market but better. Millions of handmade and vintage items you will not find anywhere else all handcrafted from individual sellers. Whether it’s the perfect graduation gift, or just a treat for yourself getting lost in Etsy is a worthwhile way to spend an afternoon.

Innovative Instagram shops More and more people are sharing their talents and selling their own products. Support small businesses and get something handmade at the same time from one of these

@Coull_designs – The cutest lil hoop earrings in all different designs. All handmade all £3.50 plus postage. @scrunchedup Sells all kinds of high quality upcycled scrunchies starting from just £1.50, if you can’t choose you can get a random selection for £5, £10 or £15. Postage starts at just £1. @o.livia.ac sells the lovliest letter keyrings, resine with your choice of colour for the flower pressings. @livslittleboutique sells a range of clothes, but what stands out is the super comfy cute tie dye co ord sets

PPE but make it fashion The protective face mask is here to stay. Help the environment and purchase a reusable washable mask or even make your own.

There are all different beautiful designs available online. Starting from £4 on Etsy.com

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FA S H I O N

All bags can be found on Depop and are under £20 Credit: Creative Bloq

SUMMER OUTFIT IDEAS THAT ARE BOUND TO INSPIRE YOUR WARDROBE Chiara Pollock

As we head into a new season it is time to revamp our wardrobes. The temperatures are rising, days are getting longer, and dreamy nights lie ahead. So now is the time to be summer ready before you set off on your steamy adventures. Luckily, social media does not leave us short of inspiration when it comes to fashionable trends. From bright pastel colours to over-sized shirts, this season’s newest trends and summer-ready outfit ideas below are set to inspire your wardrobe.

Sunshine Yellow Summer is the season to add a splash of yellow to your wardrobe. It is a time to branch out and express yourself through style and colour and sunshine yellow is the liveliest of them all. From pastel to bold you are bound to make a statement and feel happy when doing so.

Pretty In Pastel Summer is the best time to stand out and with this Stesso Le Bon Dress you will do just that. Splash out with pastel colours and make a statement with over-sized Victorian sleeves, which seem to be making a comeback this season. This dress can be styled differently depending on the occasion and would be perfect for a fun filled garden party or a trip to your favourite lunch spot.

It’s Sandal Season An over-sized shirt is the perfect addition to your summer wardrobe, they are comfortable and super easy to style. With a pair of denim shorts and sandals you will have a flawless and relaxed summer look.

Each of these items can be bought from Topshop online and in store and do not forget your student ID when purchasing for a discounted price.

Be Bold Floral and colourful patterns are a must have for your summer style.

There’s confidence behind wearing vibrant and fun clothes, however if catching the eyes of others is not your intention, floral accessories styled with a more colour neutral look also brightens up your outfit and can add a sense of summertime to your style. Each of these items can be purchased affordably from H&M and would be perfect for some fun in the sun

FA S H I O N

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How to stay safe and sane during l o c k d o w n

AT Y O U R OWN RISK Iman Mackenzie and Blair McPake unravel your confessions and attempt to help you navigate the perils of life.

Petra Kotkova: Health and Wellbeing Editor The Covid‑19 pandemic has thrown the Earth off its axis and our “normal” lives had to be paused. Stress and anxiety have become a daily part of everyone’s lockdown routine. Well, worry no more because below are some tips and tricks on how to survive the quarantine in good health:

1. Go on a detox

No, we are not (just) talking about food detox here. Although if you want to jump on the 28 days meat‑free or no sugar challenge be my quest (nothing bad can ever come out of that).

The dictionary defines detox as a removal of toxic substances. Being stuck at home during a quarantine, might be just the perfect time to start getting rid of toxicity from your life. And what is more toxic nowadays than social media?

Start easy. First week use your phone for social media only five times a day, for the maximum of 30 minutes each time. Next week three times, then one and last week none.

There are numerous apps out there, such as Freedom, designed to help you with that.

As the name suggest, Freedom is designed to free you from unwanted distractions such as Instagram, Twitter or Snapchat.

Listen, I am not trying to tell you it’s going to easy or painless… What I am trying to tell you, is that it’s going to be worth it.

3. Me time

As much as it’s important to socialise, taking care of yourself and your wellbeing should be a priority on your list.

A spa day is a great place to start. There is no problem which a face mask cannot solve. Add to it doing your nails, sipping on a glass of home-made mimosa while watching Queer Eye. Voila, the world might be ending but damn, gurl you look good.

Sometimes, there might be too much going on in inside our heads. It’s best not to boil it in but instead let it out by writing it down. Put your negative thoughts on a piece of paper and then throw them out (literally). This will make you forget about the bad stuff and concentrate on the good.

It’s not about writing a novel or anything worth a Pulitzer prize. Write whatever seems important and meaningful for you.

“Wrote a Carole Baskin X Big Ed from 90 day fiance fanfiction.”

Honestly if that’s what keeps you busy I don’t see any shame in it. Wish I could read it, sounds sexy! - Blair Should we fear or admire you? That seems like a powerful imagination that shouldn’t see daylight. What inspired you? - Iman

“Bought a vibrator out of curiosity: and now I’m weirdly in tune with my own body?”

It’s great that you have found some time to really get to know yourself and what feels good for you. Not weird at all - Blair Nothing weird about it gal. Vibrators are iseful for getting more acquainted with your body, we love positive sex talk - Iman

“Hosted a fake christmas, complete with decorated tree and roast dinner” Credit: Daily Titan

4. Develop a new skill

Now, if you need something to make your days in isolation fly by, this is it.

We all have something that we always wanted to try or wanted to perfect but we never really had time for. There are no excuses now.

Learning how to play the guitar, to juggle or even learning how to do a push‑up… whatCredit: freepik ever that something is for you, include it in your routine, and practice it on daily bases.

And if you don’t have any particular 2. Socialise Easy to say, easier to do. Especial- skill you would like to gain, maybe you ly since we live in the 21st century. should try taking up mixology and look Use the advantages of the mod- for some ideas in our food&drink section. ern-day technology to stay in touch with your family and friends or to reconnect with your long-lost mates.

Facetime, Skype or Zoom are here for “Sometimes, there might you to keep up with everyone in your life. be too much going on Netflix Party extension gives you the option to have a movie night with your loved inside our heads. It’s best ones from the comfort of your own homes. not to boil in it but instead Use apps such as Psych! or UNO to spice things up and have a laugh. Most imlet it out by writing it portantly, don’t forget you now can even down.” play Cards against Humanity online.

And remember, we’re all in this together.

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Whatistheweirdestthingyou have done in lockdown?

H E A LT H A N D W E L L B E I N G � AT YO U R O W N R I S K

I wish I had the energy to make a roast dinner, props to you - Blair Will invitations be sent out for the next one?

I don’t mind taking home leftovers. Nice to know that festive things are going on - Iman

“Proposed to my ex-boyfriend of two years” If that’s what you want then I’m happy for you, but were they your ex for a reason? Blair The worst kind of cliffhanger. No details?

No drama? Respect the hush but hope you’re okay, remember to take care - Iman

“Mastered masturbating.

I made up a word for what I call my orgasms. I call it shine time. Men can’t touch my talent and now I’ll never need one again.”

We love a good shine time. A true talent indeed. In my experience women are just better at these things - Blair Send the details of your masterclass! Love how in tune people are getting with their own bodies, solo sex lives slap - Iman

Loving in lockdown: break-ups and me-time Blair McPake: Romance and Relationships Editor

R elationships can be difficult at the best of times, never mind during the

out or maybe unable financially support themselves during lockdown. middle of a global pandemic. Lockdown has added strain to almost every This is not to be said for everyone. Some couples are thriving, happy aspect of our lives: love lives not exempt from that. Break-ups have been to be together in their own little bubble. The heteronormative adage on the rise recently for a myriad of reasons and many heartbroken individ- that all boomer husbands hate their wives is not necessarily the case. uals have been left on their own without any support network to get them through. What is it about lockdown that has so many couples drifting?

Communication seems to be one huge factor for couples who are not quarantinedtogether.Onewomanwhowished toremain anonymoushadthis to say: “I was still working, and he wasn’t, so we would go days without talking to each other. His excuse was that he had nothing to say. What kind of reason is that? Eventually I broke it off with him because I knew it wasn’t healthy.”

Naturally weeks spent apart can be difficult for any couple, with quarantine essentially forcing people into long distance relationships. Sleeping patterns are disrupted, days go by slowly and there is very little to report by the time we sleep. For couples wherein one person is employed and the other is not, it can be hard to find time to talk. Schedules very rarely sync up, leading to frustration on both sides. In a time of social media, the expectation to reply at once is high, and the longer the wait the more rejected a person can feel. It is heart-warming to know that not every love story is comThis still rings true for couples in lockdown together. If one is working ing to a dramatic end amidst quarantine. In fact, lockdown has brought some couples together, people finally having the time to sit and truly appreciate their partners.

Indeed it does feel like there has been a rise in proposals and engagements for some lucky couples.

Unfortunately this does not seem to be a trend, with much more inexperienced relationships calling it quits under too much pressure.

There are many relationship stressors in a situation like this. However, there are silver linings when left alone with nothing but free time and thoughts. Many women have stated that they have found the time to really understand their bodies and what feels good to them.

Lockdown has increased libidos by one hundred percent and people are thriving in the gloom of their break-ups. Women are finally understanding what makes them tick and are vocal about their experiences.

Old flames are also being rekindled, either to happy or terrible endings.

Social media has been awash with pleads from concerned friends to stop messaging their exes. People posting about how they already got in contact and how much they regret the decision now. And of course there has been no end to the unsolicited dick-pic and awkward sexts in the hope of some online action. Lockdown truly has made everyone horny on main.

Tragically, there is a more sinister side to unhealthy couples being forced to quarantine together. According to an ITV report, domestic abuse killings have been on the up in lockdown as well as calls to helplines. Reports say cases have risen by fifty percent since while the other stays at home, resentment builds quickly in some cas- lockdown started. This pandemic has disadvantaged many, includes. While many relationships have a dynamic figured out, younger and ing the people forced to isolate with their abusers with no foreseeless experienced couples can struggle. One half may feel overworked or able way out. (If you need support, help can be reached at the Naunderappreciated while the other may feel lost with nothing to moti- tional Abuse Helpline, twenty four hours a day at 0800 2000 247). vate them. It is an ever murkier sea to travel. Communication is key It seems like there is no end to the lockdown blues. Broken relationin any relationship, but many feel it is being lost amid lockdown blues. ships, ended marriages and a general lack of communication serving to So much time together can feel suffocating as the need to go out and make this pandemic worse at the home front. But remember that every do something rises. Arguments start to spring up at the pettiest things cloud has a silver lining. Buy that vibrator, figure yourself out and go and soon a break-up seems inevitable. Eventually couples are staying and support the black lives matter movement (information on how to together purely because they feel they have no choice – unable to move help the cause can be found on blacklivesmatter.com) You are not alone.

It’s heart-warming to know that not every love story is coming to a dramatic end amidst qurantine

“I was working and he wasn’t, so we would go days without talking to each other. His excuse was that he had nothing to say. What kind of reason is that? Eventually I broke it off with him because I knew it wasn’t healthy.”

- Anon

Ilustration: Blair McPake

R O M A N C E A N D R E L AT I O N S H I P S

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Beginning Experimental Photography Emma Halliday: Photography Editor When it comes to photography, I am a complete novice. There is no shame in this; we all have to learn at some point. Here are five ways you can experiment with, and improve, your photography.

All the methods I have listed here can also be achieved using an editing software. Many agree that Krita is the best free alternative to Photoshop. Although, if you’re in it for photo editing, Gimp is the way to go. However, if you are uncomfortable experimenting with much more than your Instagram filters, have a look at these experimental techniques. Have a go with your old camera, dusty Polaroid or even, simply, your phone.

Double exposure There are plenty of YouTube tutorials detailing this technique using a Polaroid camera. On mine, I open the back and pull out the film very slightly while taking the first shot, so the film won’t pop out. Then, close the camera and take the second exposure as normal. It may also be worth changing the recommended exposure level if you’re going to try this. As a rule of thumb, try one level lower than the one you would usually choose.

Tinted lenses Sweet rappers make the perfect lens filters. Green tint? Fire a green wrapper over your lens. It’s as easy as that. Take a look!

Other cheap and cheerful lenses If you’re willing, three-piece phone lenses can be bought for as little as £9.99 on Amazon. Including a micro, wide-angle and fisheye lens. You can experiment with professional photography using only your mobile phone.

Vary your film Ever attempted monochrome photography? If you’re on a phone, a simple filter will do this in a flash. If you’re using a Polaroid camera, try experiment with monochrome film. It’s fantastic for architectural shots in-particular.

Film manipulation Experiment with heat. Especially with coloured Polaroid film, temperature increase or decrease can influence development and give some really cool effects!

This is just one way to manipulate a photo during its development, but there are many more. Including scratching, emulsion lifts or using cleaning products. Experiment, but always take precautions and stay safe!

WARNING: do not ever put film in the microwave. Yes, I tried it. And yes, it set on fire. Don’t do it. Just, don’t.

Have fun! Send us your experimentations at brigmag@gmail.com with your full name, age and a caption in 15 words or less. Your photography may be featured in our next issue!

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P H OTO G R A P H Y

Yellow Filter

Blue Filter

Red Filter

P H OTO G R A P H Y

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Iman. “I found this graffiti under a bridge. Since then, I look into everything.”

Ameerah. “Walk during lockdown.”

Devin. “Lockdown may be easing but these little beauties are hard to come by!”

Jacqueline. “A day off work in the sunshine. Spring is blooming. Maybe it’s not all bad.”

Ameerah. “Art.”

Seven cocktails to master this summer Morven Mackay: Food and Drinks Editor What better a time to master the art of mixology than when our access to bars are limited.

Here are three simple cocktails that you can master this summer.

Tom Collins Students at Stirling University will recognise the name Tom Collins as a friendly faced Irish lecturer but may not know that he shares the name with a fantastic gin-based cocktail.

Start by packing a tall glass with ice, the more the better, before adding 50ml of dry gin, 30ml of lemon juice and 20ml of sugar syrup. Give it a good stir, no need for a fancy bartending spoon anything you have will do, and top with soda water.

If you prefer you can use a flavoured gin, my go to is Tanqueray No. 10 which has undertones of grapefruit, lime and orange, but any citrus substitute works.

Moscow Mule Traditionally served in a copper cup (any cup will do for this at-home version) the Moscow mule is a ginger flavoured classic. Despite not being a fan of ginger this cocktail is my go-to on a hot day. Add 15ml of lime juice (you can add the lime rind too for extra flavour) and 50ml of vodka into the glass of your choice and the add a few ice cubes and stir. Top up with ginger beer.

If the ginger flavour is too strong feel free to add more lime, I prefer mine with double the amount. Adjust it to your preference, how it tastes to you is the most important thing.

Mojito With its sweet and minty flavour, the Mojito is great for people who don’t necessarily want to taste the alcohol.

Starting in a separate glass place 10 mint leaves, the juice of 1 lime and a teaspoon of granulated white sugar (or two, depending how sweet you want it to be) before muddling it all together, crushing the mint leaves to extract the juice - you can use the end of a rolling pin or any blunt object you have around the house for this step. Pour this into a serving glass that is packed with crushed ice and top with soda water.

As a final step you can garnish your drink with a sprig of mint, some bartenders say this is essential as the smell of it hits your nose before you drink enhancing the flavour (I don’t think it adds anything, but it feels fancy).

Your spirit guide Many Scottish teens are scared with bittersweet memories of drinking Glens vodka mixed with cheap coca cola in a park. That memory alone is enough to put anyone off alcohol for life never mind just vodka. But as you grow older and leave your teens behind, there is a whole world of spirits just waiting to be discovered.

Finding your spirit may come easily to some. Working in a bar you try most your cocktails and usually develop a particular fondness for one. Some people stick to their signature rum and coke time and time again, but cocktails are a good way to discover news spirits.

livelihood. The whisky industry is invaluable to the Scottish economy. We are known worldwide for the glorious golden liquid. The best way to drink whisky is on its own sometimes with a splash of water.

You would be surprised how soft and smooth whisky tastes once you learn to drink it. The warm flavours bouncing on your tongue and feeling the heat go right down your throat to your stomach. Balvenie, Auchentoshan and Highland Park are all softer whisky’s to start with. A splash of water allows the whisky opens it up and enhances the taste.

Good quality ice cold vodka can be as smooth as a mouthful of honey. It is a staple in many classics like Espresso, Pornstar and French Martinis. Another good vodka tipple is Żubrówka paired with apple juice for a delicious delight or simply just vodka with soda and lime can introduce your taste buds to vodka with refreshing lime to take the edge off.

Next time you are in a bar, try something new. Read and think about the flavours of a cocktail go for something you like and take it from there. Even better look up some cocktails online and enjoy buying different ingredients and make your own.

Tequila is a personal favourite. The Agave based spirit is a sweet yet strong nectar. It has a bad reputation for stupid decisions and horrendous hangovers. The difference like many alcohols is in quality. Good quality tequila is one of the purest alcohols out there with no toxins or extra chemicals. Meaning you are less likely to get a hangover.

Tequila Sunrise is a common tequila-based cocktail which is essentially just tequila and juice. But the drink that will fast track tequila to a place in your heart is the Margarita. Frozen, fruity or classic this sweet and sour concoction dances of your taste buds.

Amaretto Sour: 50ml Amaretto, 50ml Lemon Juice, one egg white. You can get an egg white by cracking an egg and separating the yolk from the white. Put everything in a cocktail shaker. Shake on ice. If you don’t have a cocktail shaker and plastic bottle with a lid also works.

Rum is a classic, and probably one of the most popular spirits. A good quality dark rum like Dark Matter or Kraken with coke is a smooth favourite. It’s also a key component in many classic cocktails like the Mojito, the Daquiri, and good old Rum Punch.

There are plenty of liquors that have half the alcohol percentage but no compromise on flavour. Amaretto is a sweet almond based liquor, tastes like cherry vanilla Dr Pepper mixed with coke. Mixed with lemon juice and egg white you get the Amaretto Sour. It tastes like a lemon sherbet.

Whisky means water of life. A dram is a Scottish staple, it is a part of our culture and

Here are some recipes to get you started.

Espresso Martini: 50ml of Vodka, 25ml of Kahlúa, 25ml of sugar syrup and 50ml of Espresso. Shake on ice.

Margarita: 50ml of Tequila, 50ml of Triple Sec or Grand Marnier, a lime squeezed.

Shake on ice, served in a salt rimmed glass with a slice of lime.

Frozen Daquiri: there are many ways to do this. 50ml of rum, 20ml of Vimto diluting juice with some crushed ice and strawberries or raspberries and a squeeze of lime all blended. A classic fruity Daquiri.

Any fruity ice lollies can also be blended with rum and lime to make all sorts of fruity Daquiris. Soft ice lollies like twisters work best.

Iona Young

FOOD AND DRINK

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Upon the branch of a wasted nothing Where hampered fllight upon crushed wing Seldom do days come shorted When seldom is there reason to sing But to push out from unhappy nest Without course to fly Better to fall and lay at rest Than yearn for unreciprocating sky

Flightless by anonymous Illustration: Blair McPake

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