BAFTA nominations for Edinburgh films
TESLA Supercharger now at Edinburgh Airport
Portobello Library
FlyBe increase flights with new winter schedule which starts today
Ghouls at Gladstone’s Land
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Scotland announced its nominations for the British Academy Scotland Awards 2014, honouring the very best Scottish talent in film, television and video games industries.
Films shot in Edinburgh feature high among the nominations including Sunshine on Leith which leads the way with five nominations (Actor Film, two nominations in Actress Film, Director Film/Television and Feature Film); followed closely by Starred Up with four (Actor Film, Director Film/Television, Feature Film and Writer Film/Television) and Filth which has three nominations (Actor Film, Director Film/Television and Feature Film). James McAvoy, Jack O’Connell and Peter Mullan will battle it out in Actor Film, while Jane Horrocks, Sophie Kennedy Clark and Freya Mavor will compete for Actress Film.
Rosie Ellison, Film Manager for Film Edinburgh said: “Sunshine on Leith and Filth benefited from Edinburgh’s film-friendly production polices when they shot on location in the city. We’re absolutely thrilled they have received so many BAFTA Scotland award nominations. Both films show Edinburgh beautifully on screen and we wish all nominees the best of luck.”
Rockstar Games, winner of a BAFTA Scotland Special Award in 2013 and recipient of the BAFTA Fellowship earlier this year, is nominated in Game for Grand Theft Auto V and will be competing against Outplay Entertainment’s Monster Legacy and Firebrand Games’ Solar Flux HD for this year’s title.
The British Academy Scotland Awards is one of the biggest nights in Scotland’s calendar and is renowned for welcoming and honouring an impressive line-up of stars. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by television presenter Hazel Irvine and will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on Sunday 16 November, when the winners will be unveiled at a glittering ceremony.
***
Tesla opened a new Supercharger location at Edinburgh Airport this week, firmly establishing the company’s presence in Scotland. This location is part of a network expansion that will soon allow Model S owners to drive anywhere in the UK relying only on Superchargers. Supercharging is free for Supercharger-enabled vehicles.
The new Supercharging site is accessible from the M8, M9, and A720. The Supercharger is in the car park off Almond Road, near the terminal. Model S drivers gain access to the car park 24 hours a day by pressing the button on the barrier and requesting Supercharger access. One hour free parking is complimentary whilst Supercharging.
“We’re really pleased to open our first Scottish Supercharger. The location makes travel in and around Edinburgh easy and also enables a route from Edinburgh to both Glasgow and Stirling and beyond,” said Georg Ell, Tesla’s UK Country Director. “It’s an exciting time for Tesla in Scotland. There are plans for an Edinburgh store and service centre next year, so watch this space for more activity.”
Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: “It’s great that Edinburgh Airport is now home to Scotland’s first Tesla Supercharger, which will provide convenient service for Tesla owners when they arrive and depart. We’re committed to giving our passengers the best experience possible and today’s launch is a direct result of customer feedback. We look forward to a new partnership with Tesla and wish them luck in their Scottish ventures.”
***
Portobello Library will close for repairs from Monday 27 October to Thursday 30 October. Essential floor replacement works to be undertaken as a result of sustained damage to the floor. There will be a member of staff in the building during this closure period to assist with any enquiries from customers. Library books can be returned to any library across the city or renewed via our website www.edinburgh.gov.uk/libraries) or by phoning your local library. Piershill (0131 529 5685) and Craigmillar (0131 529 5597) libraries will be happy to welcome any customers there for the duration of the closure. The library will reopen on Friday 31October. This will obviously affect my surgeries – below. I would be happy to arrange another convenient time and place in Portobello for anyone who wants to see me during that time. Just phone 0131 529 3268 or 07718 666 481 to make an appointment.
***
Passengers flying to and from Edinburgh with Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, will benefit from increased connectivity following the start of its 2014/15 winter schedule today featuring significantly enhanced travel options for passengers travelling from the capital’s airport. One way fares are from £27.99 including taxes and charges.
Highlights of Flybe’s Winter Schedule from Scotland to and from Edinburgh include flights on 7 routes with a choice of up to 390 flights a week and a new multi frequency London City service.
Onward connections via Manchester where passengers can take advantage of by-passing congested London airports are proving a popular option with passengers able to link through to Dubai, Helsinki and even further afield to an extensive selection of long haul destinations through codeshare partners Etihad and Finnair.
Paul Simmons, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer, comments: “The diversity of our winter network this year is greatly expanded with the new Scottish routes we have added and we’re particularly excited with our three new London City services to London City and the start of the Flybe Shuttle.
“Regional connectivity is our mission and we are always looking at ways to provide improved benefits when customers choose to fly with us. Providing an extensive choice of routes for Scottish customers whose travel plans are time-critical is what Flybe is all about.
“With vastly improved Scottish options to and from Edinburgh including those into the very heart of London, we are not only cementing our position as Europe’s largest regional airline, but also upholding our promise to be faster than rail or road – ‘the fastest way from A to Flybe.’”
***
There will ghoulish goings on at the National Trust for Scotland’s Gladstone’s Land on the Royal Mile this weekend, as Halloween approaches.
The frightening fun begins with Witchy Trails which run till 31 October, 10am until 5pm. Visitors will discover more about the infamous witch trials of the Old Town, seeking out clues as they tour one of the Royal Mile’s oldest houses.
Witchy tales will also be the theme at a storytelling event on Saturday 25 October at 2pm and 3.30pm. Come and hear the horrible stories of Scotland’s witches with Fiona Herbert. This event is part of the Storytelling Festival and costs £8 for adults and £6 for children.
Then on Halloween evening, join the team for a night of terrifying tales uncovering some of Auld Reekie’s unpleasant and gruesome past. This event is so scary that it’s only for grown ups – it costs £5 and runs from 4pm – 8pm.
And finally, discover the drama and debauchery of Deacon Brodie and his double life on 1 November at 2pm and 3.30pm at another Storytelling Festival event which costs £8 for adults and £6 for children.
Built in the 17th century, Gladstone’s Land is one of the Royal Mile’s oldest houses and has stood while some of the area’s most grisly and gory tales took place, including the infamous exploits of Burke and Hare, the notorious Deacon Brodie and much more besides.
Gladstone’s Land is open daily from 10.00 – 17.00, with last admission 30 minutes before closing. For further information, please phone 0844 493 2120.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.