The SPFL has announced some key dates for the end of the season, with the William Hill Premiership post-split dates and SPFL play-offs confirmed. 

Fixture round 34 of the William Hill Premiership will take place on the weekend of April 26/27 and round 35 will be played on the weekend of May 3/4.  

Premiership round 36 is scheduled for the weekend of May 10/11, with round 37 on the midweek of May 13/14.  

The top-six fixtures will conclude on Saturday May 17, kick-off 12.30pm, with the bottom-six games being played on Sunday May 18, kick-off 3.00pm. 

The top six in the William Hill Premiership could be confirmed this weekend but only if Heart of Midlothian defeat Dundee United at Tynecastle on Sunday and both Motherwell and St Mirren lose away to Kilmarnock and Dundee on Saturday, otherwise the split will be determined after the round 33 games next weekend. 

In either scenario, the SPFL will look to publish the post-split fixtures as soon as possible, following discussions with Police Scotland and broadcast partners. 

It was also confirmed today that the William Hill Premiership, Championship and League 1 play-offs will all get under way on Tuesday May 6.  

BBC Scotland will have live coverage of the Premiership play-off quarter-finals and semi-finals, with the Premiership play-off final live on Sky Sports on Thursday May 22 (kick-off 8.00pm) and Monday May 26, kick-off 8.00pm. 

If St Johnstone are involved in the Scottish Cup final and the William Hill Premiership play-off final, the play-off final ties will take place on Tuesday May 27 and Friday May 30. 

Both legs of the William Hill Championship play-off final will be broadcast live on BBC ALBA on Wednesday May 14 and Saturday May 17, with the League 1 final also live on BBC ALBA on Tuesday May 13 and Friday May 16. 

SPFL Chief Operating Officer Calum Beattie said: “We are set for a hugely exciting end to the season, with league titles, European places and the battle to avoid relegation all on the line before the eagerly-anticipated play-offs begin next month. 

“We are pleased to be able to confirm the dates for the post-split fixtures, as well as the play-off schedule and broadcast selections, and are very much looking forward to all the football being played in the weeks ahead.” 

WILLIAM HILL PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFFS 

Tuesday May 6 
William Hill Premiership play-off quarter-final, 1st leg  
4th in Championship v 3rd in Championship 
Live on BBC Scotland, kick-off 7.45pm 

Friday May 9 
William Hill Premiership play-off quarter-final, 2nd leg 
3rd in Championship v 4th in Championship 
Live on BBC Scotland, kick-off 7.45pm 

Tuesday May 13 
William Hill Premiership play-off semi-final, 1st leg  
3rd or 4th in Championship v 2nd in Championship  
Live on BBC Scotland, kick-off 7.45pm 

Friday May 16 
William Hill Premiership play-off semi-final, 2nd leg 
2nd in Championship v 3rd or 4th in Championship 
Live on BBC Scotland, kick-off 7.45pm 

Thursday May 22 
William Hill Premiership play-off final, 1st leg  
2nd or 3rd or 4th in Championship v 11th in Premiership 
Live on Sky Sports, kick-off 8.00pm 

Monday May 26 
William Hill Premiership play-off final, 2nd leg 
11th in Premiership v 2nd or 3rd or 4th in Championship 
Live on Sky Sports, kick-off 8.00pm 

(Please note: In the event that St Johnstone are involved in the Scottish Cup final and the William Hill Premiership play-off final, the play-off final ties will take place on Tuesday May 27 and Friday May 30) 
 
WILLIAM HILL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFFS 

Tuesday May 6 
William Hill Championship play-off semi-finals, 1st leg 
4th in League 1 v 9th in Championship 
3rd in League 1 v 2nd in League 1 

Saturday May 10 
William Hill Championship play-off semi-finals, 2nd leg 
9th in Championship v 4th in League 1  
2nd in League 1 v 3rd in League 1 

Wednesday May 14 
William Hill Championship play-off final, 1st leg 
Lowest-ranked team at home in 1st leg 
Live on BBC ALBA, kick-off 8.10pm 

Saturday May 17 
William Hill Championship play-off final, 2nd leg 
Highest-ranked team at home in 2nd leg 
Live on BBC ALBA, kick-off 5.30pm 
 
WILLIAM HILL LEAGUE 1 PLAY-OFFS 

Tuesday May 6  
William Hill League 1 play-off semi-finals, 1st leg 
4th in League 2 v 9th in League 1 
3rd in League 2 v 2nd in League 2 

Saturday May 10 
William Hill League 1 play-off semi-finals, 2nd leg 
9th in League 1 v 4th in League 2 
2nd in League 2 v 3rd in League 2 

Tuesday May 13 
William Hill League 1 play-off final, 1st leg 
Lowest-ranked team at home in 1st leg 
Live on BBC ALBA, kick-off 7.30pm 

Friday May 16 
William Hill League 1 play-off final, 2nd leg 
Highest-ranked team at home in 2nd leg 
Live on BBC ALBA, kick-off 7.30pm 

A 22-year-old woman has been arrested following a fatal crash involving the driver of a car and a pedestrian in Edinburgh. 

The incident happened around 5.45pm on Monday, 30 December, 2024, on St John’s Road, between the Drumbrae roundabout and Corstorphine Bank Drive. 

The pedestrian, an 87-year-old woman was taken to hospital, where she died on Friday, 3 January, 2025. 

A police spokesperson said that the 22-year-old woman was released pending further enquiries. 

Goal scorer Martin Boyle described yesterday’s 2-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox in the William Hill Premiership as a “huge result”. 

A goal in each half, coupled with a brilliant defensive team performance, saw the Hibs win at Ibrox for the first time since 2018. 

Boyle, one of the goal scorers, was delighted when speaking to Hibs TV after the game. 

“It was very enjoyable, and it’s been a long-time coming,” the forward admitted. 

“I felt like we should’ve got more last time we were here, but we’re on a fantastic run of form at the moment, which is brilliant. We’re quietly confident and going about our business in a positive way. 

“It’s a huge result. We need to maintain these levels and keep winning games. 

“This is a tricky place to come, and a lot of teams come here and struggle. 

“The togetherness and belief are there; everything the manager has installed in the group. Hopefully this can continue.” 

Boyle’s second half strike takes him to 95 goals for Hibs as he continues to chase down a huge milestone. 

“I’m really pleased (with my form) and have been for a while now. I need to keep maintaining those levels. It’s the best feeling in the world scoring goals and getting assists. 

“I’m quietly chasing down 100 goals for Hibs. I don’t set myself targets for a season, but that would be a magnificent milestone for me. 

“There are a few games to go, so hopefully I get there!” 

Glen’s Manager of the Month David Gray said his side were excellent and deserved to beat Rangers at Ibrox yesterday. 

A half-volley from Dylan Levitt within the opening 10 minutes and a second-half strike from Martin Boyle secured all three points, and extended Hibs’ unbeaten run in the William Hill Premiership to 16! 

When speaking after the game, Gray heaped praise on his players. 

He said: “I’m delighted. “I said all week about how difficult it is to come here, and the level of performance needed to get a result. I got that from every player today. We were excellent. 

“We started the game incredibly well, which is always key in getting a result here. We showed good composure to take the sting out of the game and when we got the goal, we knew we’d have to suffer a little bit. 

“Rangers would always have a lot of possession, but we were disciplined without the ball, had an excellent work ethic, and showed a real desire to put bodies on the line to keep a clean sheet. 

“We fully deserved the win in the end, which was brilliant. 

“You have to settle the crowd down because there’s 50,000 supporters here that’ll always spur their team on. 

“I’ve experienced that myself as a player, and it’s an environment that not every player is used to playing in. We learnt a lot about that last time we were here. 

“We were excellent within the game today; the shape, the desire, everything. It was a complete performance again. It needed to be to get a result here, and I got that from everyone, including the subs coming on, which was fantastic.” 

And Gray also reserved special praise for the 900+ travelling Hibs fans. 

“During the game I could hear them; our fans were outstanding. The connection is there and that’s getting stronger and stronger all the time. Even in difficult moments today I could hear them spurring the team on. 

“They will play a massive part from now until the end of the season, and hopefully we can be really successful!” 

Scots model and actress, Eunice Olumide, revealed she was a working class tomboy with low self esteem – and didn’t even believe modelling was a real job before she became one of the industry’s stars.

Olumide, who was brought up in Wester Hailes, said she had been more into sports than fashion and didn’t see herself as beautiful or attractive.

She admitted she rejected several agency scouts before eventually deciding to “give it a go”.

Speaking on the BBC Scotland documentary Icons of Style, available on the BBC iPlayer, she also claimed the fashion industry is rare in that it doesn’t discriminate against those with a working class background.

She said: “If I’m really honest I was not really that much into fashion. I, like many people across the United Kingdom, grew up in a typical working class council estate. We didn’t have a lot of extra money.

“I did not think that modelling was a real job, so it was funny. I had been scouted about four or five times before I decided to give it a go but it’s certainly not something that was on my radar.

“I remember going to see an agent. I was with my mum and I remember walking into the room and, to be honest, I had quite low self esteem in terms of my appearance, so it was really quite strange to be told that I was beautiful or attractive.

“I couldn’t really get my head around that, particularly being a tomboy. I just didn’t see that in myself at all.”

Tomboy

Olumide said her look growing up was that of a tomboy in Inside Out Nike Air Force 1 trainers, baggy jeans and a bomber jacket. She didn’t wear makeup and sported a “massive afro” hairstyle.

She has gone on to a successful career with fashion shoots around the world as well as success as a designer, as an actress and presenter and as a DJ with leading musicians.

Olumide was also awarded an MBE in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting, the arts and charity.

Speaking on Icons of Style, she praised the fashion industry for not discriminating against her working class background.

She said: “I think what is quite interesting about the fashion industry is that not only is it an industry where women actually get paid more to do the same job as men but it’s also an industry that it doesn’t particularly matter if you’re from a working class background or an upper class background, so the discrimination in that sense is a lot less.

“For me it was a transformative experience.”

Olumide also describes tartan as unique and, when presented at its best, “spectacular”. She said: “I think that tartan definitely plays a role in not only my identity but in Scottish identity in general.

“I think that we’ve a tendency to think of tartan as this thing that’s kind of backward looking and parochial as opposed to really recognising its truly unique and abundant nature.

“It is something that I think when done right can be spectacular.”

* Icons of Style is available on BBC iPlayer.

Hibs yesterday recorded their first win at Ibrox since February 2018 with a well-deserved 2-0 victory making it 16-games unbeaten for David Gray’s men.

On that occasion Super John McGinn and Jamie Maclaren were on the scoresheet. 

Gray went with the same starting XI that beat St Johnstone 3-0 last time out. 

And it was the visitors that took an early lead when a long throw from Jack Iredale was headed away by former Hearts defender John Souttar.

The ball landed at the feet of Dylan Levitt who from 25-yards struck a powerful low drive through a forest of bodies and under Jack Butland. 

As expected Rangers fought back and enjoyed a lot of possession but struggled to break down a resolute Hibs defence. 

Cyriel Dessers tested Jordan Smith in the 27^th minute but the Hibs keeper demonstrated why he holds down the jersey. 

Hibs started the second half on the front foot but the best chance fell to the hosts a ball over the top released substitute Nadim Bajrami but his rising effort beat Smith only to crash back off the crossbar. 

After having a penalty claim denied for a blatant handball, Hibs doubled their lead when Jordan Obita’s long ball released Martin Boyle through on goal and he kept his composure to slip the ball through the legs of Butland to score sparking delight from the 900 travelling suppoeters. 

The cheering stopped after the linesman’s flag was raised but following a lengthy VAR check it was established that Boyle had run from his own half. 

Rangers attempted to get back into the game as Ibrox emptied but the Hibs defence to a man were magnificent. 

After the final whistle a delighted Gray told BBC Sportsound: “It’s huge. 2018 was the last time a Hibs team came here and won. The way we started the game was huge, the composure we showed and getting the goal. 

“You put a game plan in place knowing Rangers are going to have a lot of the ball, so you have to be really disciplined without the ball. Every time there was a slight mistake, a teammate was there to bail them out. A massive collective performance – the subs came on and impacted the game. 

“It’s an incredible run and the players deserve all the credit for it. The big thing was trusting what we were doing. Not being too high when it’s good and not being too low when it wasn’t. 

“I never stopped believing and it’s been a huge collective effort from everyone involved. 

“If we keep winning games, nobody can catch us and that’s the mindset moving forwards.” 

Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson added: “Angry, really angry in fact – that’s the most simple way I can put it. There’s no way I’m accepting that. 

“I’m not going to kid anybody on. Hibs deserved it. They tackled harder, ran harder and wanted it more. 

“This [season] is in real danger of just petering out. It’s about pride. I know we’re in the Europa League, but those are easy games to get up for.”  

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Sterling, Souttar, Jefte, Barron, Diomande, Raskin, Cerny, Igamane, Dessers. 

Substitutes: Kelly, Propper, Cortes, Bajrami, Balogun, Hagi, McCausland, Curtis, Danilo. 

Hibernian: Smith, C Cadden, Miller, Bushiri, Iredale, Obita, Levitt, Triantis, Hoilett, Boyle, Kuharevich. 

Substitutes: Bursik, Ekpiteta, O’Hora, Alasana, N Cadden, Bowie, Moriah-Welsh, Campbell, Gayle. 

Today’s employer National Insurance increase will have a significant impact on public services and it will cause economic damage for business, Finance Secretary, Shona Robison, has said.

The estimated cost to organisations delivering public services in Scotland is more than £700 million in 2025-26, with an expected £400 million shortfall in funding from the UK Government.

Ms Robison said:  “The UK Government’s National Insurance hike is bad for our public services and bad for business. The UK Government is short-changing the Scottish Government’s funding for vital services like the NHS and putting business at a disadvantage with this tax on jobs.

“Given that UK Government ministers claim their number one priority is driving economic growth, it is inexplicable that they would take a decision that will impact employers in this way.

“The Chancellor is also yet to confirm the additional funding we have been promised to mitigate employer National Insurance contributions in the public sector, despite the new financial year starting and the policy coming into effect. It is estimated that there will be a £400 million public sector funding shortfall and this will have wide reaching consequences on the services people across Scotland rely on.

“I share the frustration of organisations from across civic society that the Chancellor is refusing to fully cover the additional costs they face and the dismay of businesses that are facing additional costs in what is already a tough economic climate.

“Coupled with a Spring Statement which balanced the books on the backs of disabled people, the decision-making of the UK Government is bringing back the worst mistakes of austerity and they must take responsibility for the pain that will be caused by their actions.”  

First Minister John Swinney is still in New York on the third day of his visit to the United States for Tartan Week 2025 on Sunday.

His engagements today will “focus on strengthening Scotland’s long-standing cultural and social links with North America”.  

While the Tartan Day parade was taking place on Sixth Avenue on Saturday, “Hands Off” protests were taking place in New York and around 1,000 cities in America as well as cities in Europe. These were organised for demonstrators to show their rejection of Donald Trump’s administration and his authoritarian presidency.

Speaking to a Scottish Chambers of Commerce reception on Friday Mr Swinney said that his main focus is to attract investment into Scotland and support exports into the US.

He said: “What I want to say about the connections between Scotland and the United States is that despite the current challenges we are facing, the determination of the Scottish Government is to make sure business relationships endure.

“The conversations I have been having in New York with businesses that have invested in Scotland, are looking to invest in Scotland, or those that are considering investing, are all part of ensuring no matter what is going on politically or economically, the long and enduring links to the United States continue.

“Those links will only endure if we bring people together, whether it’s investors investing in Scotland, or Scottish companies coming out to the United States and promoting to a much larger market than exists at home in Scotland.

“As we navigate our way through turbulent times, let me reassure you the focus of the Scottish Government is about encouraging that culture of investment, of international development, of trade connections, company to company, with a crucial role for government to enable and to support those developments.

“I have met investors who are coming to Scotland because of the strength of the talent based within Scotland, because of the strength of our academic institutions, because of the strength of the enterprise and economic development support that we offer and allow the willingness of government to work with investors to support their development.

“That’s exactly what should be the norm in all these relationships and I look forward to using the next few days that I’m here in New York to foster and to encourage further business development from Scotland and to ensure as a consequence we can strengthen the economic links between Scotland and the United States.”

Sunday’s agenda

On Sunday, the First Minister will meet diaspora leaders and members of the NYC Tartan Day Committee, speak to the co-founders of a non-profit organisation helping Scottish artists and musicians in the United States, celebrate Tartan Day (which is today 6 April) at CitiField, home of the New York Mets baseball team and host a dinner with members of the GlobalScot business community and those working to promote US investment in Scotland.      

Speaking ahead of his engagements, the First Minister said: “Scotland has long-standing and extensive ties with the United States and Canada, ties that I am working hard to strengthen during my Tartan Week trip to New York. There will be significant benefits if we make the most of our existing connections with valued international partners to secure new opportunities.   

“We know these relationships are about more than the economic investments of the future – they reflect the movement of people and cultures and ideas over centuries. I am particularly looking forward to bringing Scottish culture to America’s favourite pastime when I take part in celebrations at the home of the New York Mets early in the new baseball season.  

“There are family and friends around the world ready to promote Scotland – our culture, our people, and our heritage. I welcome the opportunity to meet so many of them and offer my congratulations on another hugely successful Tartan Week.    

“The work they do throughout the year supports Scotland, while helping to showcase our nation as a dynamic, inclusive and modern nation. I believe improving engagement with our North American diaspora will strengthen our global connections, create shared economic opportunities and maintain Scotland’s continuing influence on the world stage.”  

Charles-Antoine Paiement made it a night to remember for success-starved fans of ice hockey side, Fife Flyers.

He slotted after 2min 50sec of sudden death overtime to clinch a welcome win after a nightmare season which has seen them earn only 12 points from 53 games.

Phelix Martineau set up the chance to down Manchester Storm 5-4 at The Fife Ice Arena despite Fife being outshot 41-20.

That could be Fife’s final home game in the Elite League, Britain’s top division, as the club is up for sale.

And Fife took the points after winning the first session 2-1, drawing the middle period 2-2 and losing the third 1-0, but scoring in the extra session.

Fife travel to Dundee Stars on Sunday to complete the regular season for both clubs with a 17.00 face-off and the result at Kirkcaldy makes the Tayside team favourites to sneak into the end-of-season, play-offs in the eighth and final place.

Stars have 47 points from 53 games while second-bottom Storm have completed their 54-game schedule also with 47 points.

PICTURE: A previous Manchester v Fife clash this season courtesy of the Elite League

Police are appealing for information to help trace a man and a child who attended at a hospital in the Forth Valley area.

Around 11.10am on Saturday, 5 April, 2025, the man and boy attended at the Emergency department at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert.

Prior to providing full details or seeking treatment, the male and boy left the hospital.

Staff reported this to police looking to ensure that both are safe and well.

The man is described as being in his 60s, around 5ft 7in tall, of medium build with grey/white speckled hair and a white beard. He was wearing blue jeans, a grey waterproof jacket and trainers.

The boy is described as being around 4-years-old with brown hair. He was wearing stripy bottoms and a grey baseball style top.

They were seen to leaving the hospital in a car, believed to be a silver Peugeot 407 with black panels on the front wheel arches.

Inspector Neil Cheyne said: “Enquiries are ongoing to trace both the man and boy to ensure they are safe and well.

“We believe the pair may be related and would urge the man to contact us.

“Officers are reviewing CCTV and carrying out enquiries in the area but we are now appealing to the public for help.

“The car they left in is quite distinctive and I’m keen to hear from anyone who recognises it.

“Please think back – did you see this car? Or did you see the man and boy? I also want to hear from anyone who recognises their description and thinks they may know them.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 1253 of 5 April, 2025.

A leading independent Lothians bike retailer plans to celebrate one of Europe’s top cycle events with a special ride over 100km (60 miles).

Participants will leave Pedal Power in West Calder and travel to Bathgate, Torphichen, Skinflats, Kincardine, Culross, Torryburn, Charlestown, Limekilns, over the Forth Road Bridge then to Winchburgh, East Calder and back to the shop at 13 Main Street, West Calder.

The ride out meet is at 9am for a 9.30am start and the group expects to return to the shop by 1pm to watch the telecast of the Tour of Flanders, known as the Ronde van Vlaanderen, one of the classic spring events on the Continent.

A small prize will be awarded to the King and Queen of the Mountain which will go to the first riders to reach the top of the Culross Kopenborg.

A spokesman for the outlet, voted the best independent bike shop in Britain, said: “On returning to the shop, participants can watch the world’s best with a coffee or Belgian beer whilst the professional riders battle it out for this prestigious, cobbled classic.”

Exclusive offers including discounts on a wide range of helmets, shoes, accessories and more will be available and he added: “We invite you to embrace the spirit of the legendary Ronde while exploring beautiful local roads.”

PICTURE: Pedal Power boss Jonathan McBain inside the shop. Picture by Nigel Duncan

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo have been in New York City and also in Washington DC to celebrate Scottish heritage during Tartan Week.

The Tattoo performers took part at the Washington Tattoo for the first time.

Thirty performers from The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo including Pipers, Drummers, Fiddle players and Highland Dancers have accompanied the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, on his visit to the United States. They began with a performance at Washington’s Capitol building to mark the beginning of Tartan Week.

In the 75th Anniversary year, the Tattoo is playing a key role in promoting the rich culture of Scotland in America and on an international stage.

Jason Barrett, Chief Executive of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “In our 75th year, we are absolutely thrilled to be taking the Tattoo state side for some small-scale performances and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders within the US.

“Working with The Washington Tattoo and organisers of New York Tartan Week, our performers are excited to perform alongside some of those US performers we’ve welcomed to Edinburgh over the years.

“In partnership with VisitScotland and Brand Scotland, we’re honoured to be able to represent Scotland. It’s so important for us to highlight Scottish and military tradition around the globe and encourage those across the pond to come and see the Tattoo in Edinburgh for themselves.”

In the day or two leading up to the NYC Tartan Day Parade the Tattoo performers were in Washington DC.

Police are appealing for the help of the public to trace a 34-year-old man missing from Inverness who may have travelled to the capital.

John MacAulay was last seen in the Holm Road area of Inverness around 5.20am on Saturday, 5 April, 2025 and is believed to have travelled to the Edinburgh area.

He is described as being around 5ft 11in in height, with short red hair and stubble. He is believed to be wearing a grey Jack Wills hooded jumper and jeans.

Constable Ben Staal said: “Concerns are growing for John’s welfare as it is believed he may be injured.

“I am appealing for anyone who has seen John or anyone matching his description to contact us.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 0703 of 5 April, 2025.

The Friends of Craigmillar organised a clean up on Saturday morning beginning from the library. There were two shifts – one morning and one in the afternoon, and the 30 volunteers collected more than 60 bags of rubbish.

Donald Anderson Chair of Cre8te shared his thoughts. He said: “I am now covered in chalk paint but I hope the stencils we used are a useful reminder for people to use a bin. Quite a few residents and shopkeepers stopped and spoke to us and one of the shopkeepers said he would take an anti-litter poster. I think it is a great start. There are some issues however – the shrub area has functioning lights around the trees but you can’t see them because it is so overgrown. There was a huge amount of litter there and in the car park behind the library. Great work everybody!”

Chris Murray MP joined the group picking up litter in his constituency along with some of his office staff. He said This is a brilliant initiative. There is a whole group of people in the community to make it a better place. Things like the litter picks are great. It makes a difference to people’s lives and I couldn’t support it more.”

Elly Kinross of Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust said: “We had a total of 30 volunteers and around 60 bags of rubbish. Still lots to do but we made a start.”

Create is a community business based in Castlebrae Business Centre which it also runs. The Board of Create recently invited Donald to become chair as part of a review into the effectiveness of the organisation and with the aim of becoming more active in regenerating Craigmillar. 

The immediate focus is on delivering action quickly to help improve the area. A pilot project has been established that focuses on “town centre management” issues, established in partnership with Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust. Create pays for part of the time of staff member, Elly Kinross, to work along with the council and the local community to improve Craigmillar. The project aims to make a visible difference to the town centre within months and is focused initially on Niddrie Mains Road. 

The council’s cleansing team has already done a lot of work cleaning the street furniture on Niddrie Mains Road, and the volunteers out this weekend are helping in a different way as they can address litter on areas not owned by the council.

More information about Friends of Craigmillar.

The newest park in the city was declared open in a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday morning when a few hundred people gathered for the activities on offer.

The entrance of the park is marked with large lettering making it more visible for everyone visiting to enjoy its open green space and play equipment, and there were many things to see and do – but it was the free ice-cream which appeared to be the biggest draw.

The space has six different zones including three play areas with a wide range of play equipment. There is plenty of outdoor space to explore and an inner ring walk going round the outer edges of the frame with a range of places to sit and relax.

An outdoor exhibition has also been created which showcases the history of Granton gasworks as well as the restoration process.  

Cassie, a Rottweiler cross, has been living with Dogs Trust for the longest out of all the dogs currently in their care and is available for adoption by a suitable individual or family.

The dog is suitable for a household with children aged 16 and over, and it would be best if she was the only pet.

A secure garden for her to play in would be a bonus, and it would be preferred if the new home was in a rural location.

Susan Tonner, Manager at Dogs Trust West Calder said: “Cassie is a very clever and playful girl who we all adore. Since she arrived in 2020, we have found homes for hundreds of dogs, but Cassie continues to be overlooked by potential adopters. However, we know her special someone is out there and when they meet our charming girl, they will love her as much as we do. 

“Our dedicated training team have spent a lot of time with Cassie, and she has progressed amazingly well with all aspects of her training. As she can be unsure of new people and dogs, Cassie was introduced to wearing a muzzle which she wears happily just like wearing a collar. Cassie responds well to her name and her lead walking is lovely.  We also trained Cassie on car travel as she never used to get into a vehicle but now enjoys frequent offsite trips to new walking destinations and for playtime in an enclosed field.  Cassie is a bright girl, so she learns quickly, and she is charm personified when after playtime she helps tidy up by putting her toys away in her toy box. She is affectionate with people she knows so once she has built the bond with her new owners, she will be their most loyal and loving companion.”  

Hidden Door takes place at The Paper Factory this summer, a 15.5 acre site just off the Maybury roundabout, and the entertainment will include the usual eclectic mix of all the arts.

The site – a former paper and cardboard manufacturing facility – comprises warehouses, factory floors, offices and outbuildings leading organisers to set the theme for the festival which will be “Building as a Myth”. They say that every rusty pipe on the site will become an artistic reclamation.

The festival will take place from 11 to 15 June 2025 bringing together more than 100 creatives with live music, immersive art installations, dance performances, poetry, and spoken word.

Hazel Johnson, Festival Director of Hidden Door, said: “Since November’s venue launch party, we’ve been busy clearing more of the vast industrial site and getting ready to fill every corner with our most ambitious programme yet. 

“We exist to support the creative community and to connect audiences with emerging artists, and The Paper Factory will be at the heart of that ambition in 2025.”

The Paper Factory is located in the Maybury Quarter, a 15.5-acre site occupied by the former Saica paper and cardboard manufacturing facility on the western edge of Edinburgh. The site features a mix of warehouses, factory floors, offices and outhouses. Bounded by the Edinburgh Gateway tram and rail station, there are excellent transport links to the city centre as well as to Glasgow and the west.

Hidden Door will transform the entire site for a full-scale multi arts festival. The property has been empty since Saica’s relocation to a purpose-built facility in Livingston. Regeneration specialists Summix Capital are now developing proposals for the future of the site, and have offered Hidden Door access until the end of 2025.

Jill Martin Boualaxai, Creative Lead, said: “Our 2025 festival program, titled ‘The Building as a Myth,’ invites artists to collaboratively develop ambitious multidisciplinary projects. 

“Guided by the overarching concepts of Transformation and Reclamation, Time and Memory, Rituals and New Narratives, and Feminisation and Reimagining the Space, the programme encourages exploration of how industrial spaces can be reclaimed by nature, layered with temporal narratives, and reimagined as inclusive, symbolic environments.”

Hidden Door has expanded its concessionary ticket options, ensuring that financial barriers and accessibility will not prevent anyone from experiencing the event:

• As always, the festival will be free to attend each day until 6pm
• D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people are entitled to 30% off the standard price ticket for each price tier
• Anyone who is currently unemployed can also benefit from the 30% discount
• Students and those under 26 are entitled to 20% off, whilst over 65s can claim 10% off the standard price ticket
• And going even further to include as many people as possible, for those who need them, a limited number of “Pay What You Can” tickets are available for every evening.

Hidden Door explain their programme:

Music

The five nights will host a diverse roster of acts, kicking off with an unmissable opening night offering energetic and theatrical fare from Bikini Body, Mermaid Chunky and Snapped Ankles. Thursday brings punk/pop attitude with Witch Fever, Sprints and SISTER MADDS, whilst Friday night sees Alice Faye’s lyrical Cabaret-come-Queen stylings programmed alongside Hidden Door favourites Tinderbox Orchestra and the dreamlike compositions of Erland Cooper. No Windows, The Orielles and Katy J Pearson promise an alternative indie Saturday night to remember, with Sunday’s closing line-up welcoming Moor Mother’s poetic power alongside Bee Asha, MC Yallah & Debmaster and Ishmael Ensemble’s eclectic jazz infused energy. Edinburgh institutions Samedia Shebeen and Paradise Palms Records are on board to bring the weekend club vibes, and an open call will shortly be launched to invite emerging local talent to join the line-up.

Other acts confirmed so far include Isabella Strange, Pearling, Roller Disco Death Party, Smag På Dig Selv, The Orielles, Theo Bleak, Tina Sandwich and with many more to come.

Visual Art

In true Hidden Door style, the visual art programme will make the most of the unique setting, inviting audiences to explore and discover every nook and cranny of The Paper Factory – from the cavernous Crane Shed and the labyrinthine Factory Floor, to transforming the mundanity of The Office Block. Over 30 visual artists will show a range of work including large sculptural installations, wall-based work, projection and textiles, curated amongst the defunct machinery and spaces.

The visual artists confirmed so far include Adam Hogarth, April Lannigan, Claire Marion Black, David Lemm, Dorsey Kaufmann, Ewan Douglas, Felicity Saravia White, Gosia Walton, Iona Peterson, Izzy Osborn, Jackie Bell, Jo McDonald, Juliana Capes, Laura McGlinchey, Lucas Chih-Peng Kao, Lucy Mulholland, Molly Wickett, Muireann Nic an Bheatha, Olivier Jacques Julien, Paul Meikle, Sam Sharma, Silas T Parry, Sue Sim, Tom Fairlamb, Valerie Reid, Vicky Higginson and Waad AlBawardi.

Poetry and Spoken Word

Thought provoking, personal, funny and moving – this year’s programme brings the power of spoken word performance into a building that has fallen silent; the factory’s atmospheric chambers echoing with the voices of raw human expression. Expect stand out shows every night from 10 poets and performers including award winning Theresa Muñoz, Glasgow poet Charles Lang and post-punk-music-spoken word-comedy duo FEVER PEACH. 

The spoken word programme also includes Aileen Lees, Imogen Stirling, Josh Cake, Julia Sorensen, Sarah Forbes Stewart, Theresa Muñoz and Victoria McNulty.

Dance

Expect dance at its most unconventional as Hidden Door presents a programme like no other in remarkable surroundings. Highlights include Yuxi Jiang’s ‘The Circle Unbound’, an immersive dance theatre inspired by Tibetan Buddhist circular culture, reimagining rhythmic machinery as a meditative force. Participatory and playful performance ‘Dance Makes The Floor’ by Mark Bleakley centres around the creation of a collectively made dance floor, conjuring past dance floors, both loved and lost.

The dance programme will also feature works by ELELEI, Jessie Roberts-Smith, Katie Armstrong, Dorine Mugisha with even more to be announced.

Creative Collaborations

Threading throughout the 2025 programme are four newly commissioned interdisciplinary collaborations, waiting to be encountered by visitors as they explore The Paper Factory’s labyrinths. Visionaries from radically different disciplines – from electronic musicians and installation artists to contemporary dancers and theatrical innovators – have been challenged to create something that could only exist in this distinct moment and place.

Appearing each night of the festival, these unique multi- disciplinary projects are not to be missed.

‘Ghost in the Machine’ is a site-responsive performance developed by Jill Martin Boualaxai, exploring memory, transformation, and industrial folklore through movement, drawing, and sculptural installation. The piece blends physical theatre, dance, visual art, and costume, evolving over time into performance drawings and sculptural traces that blur the boundaries between ritual, history, and the factory’s own mythology.

‘Time and Memory’ presents a narrative-driven installation by Eszter Marsalkó, featuring Stephanie Lamprea, exploring the lives of the factory’s former workers, weaving together real and imagined stories. This project includes film footage of the site, archival materials, and sculptural elements, bringing the past into dialogue with the present. It connects with broader festival themes of industry, labour, and personal histories embedded in place.

‘A Production Line’ by Acolyte is a poetic and psychedelic ensemble, blending soundscapes, spoken word, and rhythmic loops to reflect factory production cycles. Featuring bassist Ruairidh Morrison, synth and vocals by Gloria Black, percussion by Daniel Hill, and poet Iona Lee, the performance mirrors the repetitive rhythms of labour, incorporating field recordings from the site and hypnotic musical structures to create an immersive, trance-like experience.

‘SPECTRAL’ brings immersive dance and aerial performance to the Crane Shed, a work by Tess Letham developed in collaboration with All or Nothing. Performers move fluidly between floor-based choreography and aerial movement, embodying the physicality of labour and its transformation into something transcendent. Featuring lighting design by Sam Jones, aerial choreography, and a live music set by Dave House, SPECTRAL is a visually striking and physically immersive experience. 

Film work created by Abby Warlow and Lewis Gourlay will be projected across the factory’s vast walls to bring moving image and cinematic storytelling to the Paper Factory.

https://hiddendoorarts.org/event

Scottish wildlife filmmaker, Gordon Buchanan, has come face to face with hungry polar bears, been chased by elephants and stalked by lions – but he said his most dangerous and heart-stopping moments have all been caused by humans.

Buchanan, 52, has spent his life exploring the natural world and hunting for footage of elusive creatures. But according to the photographer his scariest moments were always caused by humans making bad decisions.

He told the National Trust for Scotland’s Love Scotland podcast: “I’ve been doing this since I was 17 so I have been hanging out with what people view as big scary animals for all of my adult life.

“Invariably there are times when you are in close proximity to a potentially dangerous animal but I don’t like to describe any animal as dangerous, it’s our behaviour around them that leads to things going wrong or someone getting hurt.

“A polar bear is just a polar bear doing what it does – it’s people making the wrong decisions that turn it into a dangerous animal.”

He added: “Last year I was in a car in Botswana, the driver was drunk and was driving like a maniac. I’d been hanging out with lions for months and months and in this vehicle with no doors on I was like ‘this is the most dangerous thing I’ve done this year’.

“But when I look back, all of those things involving animals that were dangerous — the things that I’d done were dangerous – I was young and not thinking ahead.

“I was sleeping out in hides where there were elephants… rambling about through the forests and being surprised when I bump into a wild elephant and when it chases me.

“I’d never do that now or if I did I would just be hypervigilant and have somebody with me rather than just wandering off and thinking ‘oh everything will be fine’.

“I’m just better at recognising the things that will get me into trouble, and touch wood, what people perceive as a dangerous situation, it’s just that for them they would be scared but for me it’s not a scary situation.”

Buchanan famously came face to face with an 80 stone female polar bear that tried to make a snack of him as he filmed the animals in Svalbard in the Arctic Circle.

Buchanan, who was filming from inside a metal cube for a BBC series called The Polar Bear Family And Me, when the enormous animal attacked, insists he would not put himself in the same position now.

He said: “There was a desire to have this sense of proximity to polar bears. We filmed black bears in Minnesota the year before and these were bears that you could literally sit beside.

“The next series was polar bears in the Arctic and we said we can’t have that same proximity because polar bears, we’re on their menu as a light snack.

“So we had this idea, what about getting a transparent hide that I could be safe in so we wouldn’t have to run away from the polar bears?

“So with this reinforced, hopefully polar bear-proof, hide you could get this idea I’m out there on my own with the polar bears on the ice.

“We really didn’t expect any of the bears to show as much interest as this one particular one did.”

Buchanan told National Trust for Scotland president Jackie Bird: “I wouldn’t do that again… Inwardly I was terrified because it wasn’t safe, there were certain things that could have gone wrong that we hadn’t anticipated until I was in that situation.

“If it was now, at the age of 52, I would realise what the real danger could be and put a stop to it. I’d radio the rest of the team, who were about 150 metres away, and they would come and get me out.

“It was terrifying but there’s a sort of distraction technique. If you outwardly appear calm, if you talk calmly and try and communicate.

“I thought, I’ll just do my job which is to try and communicate this experience and that I found sort of settled me down, it turned me away from the actual terror of it.

“There’s something a bit like, it’s unlikely that a TV presenter that’s nice and calm and presenting this experience is going to get eaten.

“They’re filming it on a long lens, I had three or four cameras inside, it’s unlikely something’s going to go wrong because generally someone’s demise isn’t captured so comprehensively.”

Personal struggles

Buchanan also discussed his battle with depression, and insisted he would trade his life for one without the “black dog”.

He told National Trust for Scotland president, Jackie Bird: “If I could choose to live a life black dog free or without any of this career I would go for a life of not feeling this way.

“Because you’re striving for perfection, you want to excel so you’re kind of always looking over your shoulder at a shadow, not at anyone else, and I think that’s what has driven me.

“But I have such a great life in so many ways, an amazing family, I’ve so much fun in life and the majority of the time I don’t feel that way.

“And I’ve got a lot better at recognising it and trying to fend it off, but when you’re unable to get out of bed, all you want to do is just sleep and kind of not exist, it’s such a horrible place…

“… It’s like in Harry Potter, when the Dementors suck all the joy out of the life, these kinds of demonic creatures, that’s kind of what it’s like.

“But it has been the sort of storm that has kind of pushed me along my journey.”

He added: “People love nature, it’s kind of within us. We realise that there is this disconnect and disharmony.

“And as much as we have more things than we ever had, we have a better life generally than we ever have had, houses are full of more stuff, but people’s discontent and mental health problems continue to rise and, for me at least, the natural world has always been a distraction, a place sort of that you can celebrate, a place that you can sort of try and make more sense of the world and your place within it.”

Hibs defender Jordan Obita insists the squad are full of confidence ahead of today’s trip to Ibrox but admits they will have to concentrate throughout the 90 minutes. 

Hibs go into the game off the back of a 15-match unbeaten league run dating back to early December 2024. 

Speaking to Hibs TV ahead of the match, Obita insists preparations have been positive in the week leading up to the fixture. 

“We’re always ready, no matter if we are playing Rangers or St Johnstone – we are always confident and we are all looking forward to the game. 

“Rangers are a top-tier team with some quality players; I always find that when you play against the top two – when you give them a chance they normally take it. We need to be solid, compact and make sure we concentrate throughout the 90 minutes.” 

Hibs current unbeaten run has seen the club jump from the bottom of the table – up to third in the William Hill Premiership and with an excellent chance of finishing in a European qualification place. 

“We have shown over the last 15 league games that we have been ruthless in both boxes.  

“If we can do that again, we are confident we can get something from the game.  

“Right now, the league is really tight, so to get a result at the weekend would be a massive boost for us going into the last few games of the season. 

“Before we were chasing the teams above us but now we are being chased, but we’ve done really well and we can be happy at what we have achieved so far this season.” 

Hibs last win at Ibrox was back in 2018 – when goals from John McGinn and Jamie Maclaren earned all three points in a 2-1 victory. 

 Obita added: “The manager has always set us little targets throughout the season and we have managed to tick a few off. Hopefully, we can add to that list at the weekend. 

“We know we have to be on the top of our game, we have the confidence to play against anyone at the moment – so if we keep our concentration for the full 90 minutes we will give ourselves an opportunity.” 

Hibs head coach David Gray believes his side will head to Ibrox full of positivity given their recent run of form. 

Gray, who won the Manager of the Month award for March, has seen his side go 15 games unbeaten in the William Premiership, and this weekend take on a Rangers side, who have lost their last four home games. 

Despite the Gers’ recent form at Ibrox, Gray explained to Hibs TV that he’s under no illusions on how challenging this game will be. 

“It’ll be a difficult match; history tells you that. 2018 was the last time we won there, so that tells you how difficult it is to go there. 

“We did well there earlier on this season, but didn’t get the result we were looking for. The players can take confidence from that, though. 

“It’s a slightly different challenge with the new manager, but it’s the same players. 

“We can’t go into the game with anymore positivity in terms of what we’re doing at the minute. We’re in a really good place. We want to go there and win.” 

Hibs cemented their top six spot in the William Hill Premiership last weekend, and now have their eyes set on trying to play European football next season. 

Gray explained that his players are full of confidence, but will need to be at their very best to take points off Rangers. 

“We need to take huge positives from the run we’ve been on. What we’ve demonstrated is that when we’re at the very top of our level, we’re a good side and very hard to beat. 

“We will need to be at that level on Saturday, if we’re at that level then we have a very good chance. 

“It’s a brilliant place for us to go and play, 50,000 supporters that want you to lose, and an opportunity for us to change history; that’s the challenge to the players.” 

Edinburgh Athletic Club athletes brought back medals from the 4J Scottish Indoor Championships at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow, among them 32-year-old sprinter Allan Hamilton who has sights on next year’s Commonwealth Games.

Hamilton won the men’s 60m in 6.79 secs – just outside his personal best – and said: “The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games are there and maybe it can be fourth time lucky in terms of us having a men’s 4x100m relay team in there. I think we have some depth now in the sprints and there is incentive there for everyone, that is for sure.”

Other Edinburgh AC successes came from long jumper Stephen Mackenzie, high jumper Matthew Tait, 1500m runner Peter Cameron, triple jumper Henry Clarkson and pole vaulters Andrew McFarlane and Donald Ross in the men’s senior and under-17 events, respectively. Photos by Bobby Gavin.

The gas holder in Granton is lit every night.

Photographer and night owl, Tom Duffin, was in the park in March and also last night taking the photos below to show the north Edinburgh focal point in all its glory.,

There is an official ribbon cutting on Saturday morning. Read more here.

Permanent lighting on the frame allows it to be seen brightly when the sun is going down and after dark.

In the first match of 2025 the home team might have hoped for a better result.

It was bitterly cold at Armadale for the opening of the Scottish Speedway season, indeed the first match in the UK in 2025 at Championship level. Everyone would be grateful that the match went smoothly and was completed in under 90 minutes. It ended with a four point advantage to Glasgow going into the Ashfield leg next Friday.

It was a tight match with never more than four points between the teams, both sides at various points holding the advantage. In the end Tigers 9 heat wins to Monarchs 6 was the key factor, more so than the advantage the home side had at reserve through Palovaara.

The Stellar Monarchs only had one new boy in the absence of Oskar Polis, so all eyes were on Jonatan Grahn who had a steady debut. He scored paid 6 with a race win and said “It’s a good start but I want more points and more race wins. Once I get more laps I will get better and better.

“It was very cold but I felt my setup was good. I know Ashfield is a bigger track and I think we can go there and do well next week.”

Best heat of the night was heat 11 in which Hodder led the way for a couple of laps from Castagna with Harris trying to find a gap. The three went into the third lap three abreast before the home captain forced to the front.

Scores were level after twelve heats but Howarth and Harris took a 5-1 from heat 13 as Sedgmen and Castagna could not rise to the occasion. The writing was on the wall then though Kye Thomson’s race win and a 4-2 in heat 14 did half the deficit.

So Monarchs went in to the last heat needing a miracle 5-1 for the win, but it wasn’t to be. Justin Sedgmen led the way as he had in the opener, but this time Harris pulled off a great move to burst past for victory. Dan Thompson was third, his only defeat on the night.

When they add a fit Boughen (he pulled out after two heats), Tigers top five will be formidable, and their reserves both showed promise. The Monarchs, who can’t wait to see Polis in action, had no failures but will have to hope they can get more race wins in the weeks to come.

Stellar Edinburgh Monarchs (43): Justin Sedgmen 10+0, Jonatan Grahn 5+1, Kye Thomson 10+1, Oskar Polis 0+0, Paco Castagna 5+0, Victor Palovaara 10+2, Max James 3+0

Glasgow Tigers (47): Chris Harris 12+1, Ashton Boughen 0+0, Dan Thompson 13+0, Leon Flint 6+1, Kyle Howarth 10+0, Freddy Hodder 1+1, Max Perry 5+0

Monarchs confirmed this week that financial services transformation company, Stellar Omada, continue as Title Partner for the 2025 season.

Stellar Omada enter their third season as Title Partner of both the Monarchs and Monarchs Academy sides, cementing their tremendous backing of the Club.

Colin Frame, Managing Director of Stellar Omada, said: “Supporting the Edinburgh Monarchs has been a great experience for us. We’ve seen the team develop over the years, from working with individual junior riders to backing the Monarchs Academy right up to the main team. 

“The relationship we’ve built with the Monarchs Management and the riders has been really rewarding, and we’re proud to follow their growth again this year. Our involvement goes beyond just sponsorship, it’s about contributing to a sport we care about and connecting with the local community. 

“Good luck to everyone for the season ahead, see you on Friday for the big derby!”

Alex Harkess, Co-Promoter of the Stellar Monarchs, added, “We have a wonderful relationship with Colin Frame and everyone at Stellar Omada and we are proud to continue as the Edinburgh Stellar Monarchs for the 2025.

“It has been great to see the continued growth at Stellar and we know well the passion and enthusiasm that Colin brings to everything he does. He is a passionate Monarchs fan and it is our pleasure to have Stellar on board.”

“Stellar are committed to making a positive impact in the community which is evident in our continued partnership and we are delighted to represent Stellar both in the local area and across the country.”

Forrester have praised friendly local rivals Musselburgh for embodying the “spirit of rugby” as they battle rough economic forces which have caused them to drop a weekly training session and call an EGM to discuss “the financial future of the club” and “future fund-raising efforts.”

Learning of the difficulties Forrester are facing in common with many other sports clubs Musselburgh, who play in the Arnold Clark Premiership, threw out a challenge for an outfit operating five rungs  below them to pay a visit for a Friday night floodlight fund-raising fixture.

The match realised around £1000 to assist a club whose self-help knows no bounds including a Community Fun Day as March ended and efforts to engage the West Edinburgh community with social events many based around the Six Nations Championship.

Club coach and committee member Fraser Newbury was hugely appreciative of Musselburgh, saying: “Musselburgh came to us and said we’ll do something for you based on charging a donation (at the gate) and a raffle.
“We’ll be forever grateful to them.”

The Forrester web-site stated: “It (the friendly fixture) was a true reflection of the spirit of the game and a credit to the rugby community. “

Newbury added: “Since 2020 our electricity bills have increased by 120 per cent and to hire a pitch has very much increased.

“We have had to cut our training to one night each week from two and while the kids still train Sunday and Monday the last thing we want to do is cut one of their sessions.”

In the past year at least three rugby clubs in and around Edinburgh have had to withdraw from leagues, their futures cast into doubt.

Forrester are to be commended for taking all steps to ensure that will not happen to them with a firmer footing planned by the time they head for Carrickfergus in May and the 40^th instalment of the regular fixture with Northern Irish friends.

Neil Critchley, Hearts’ head coach, said he has strength in depth ahead of their key William Hill Premiership clash with Dundee United at Tynecastle on Sunday, April 6 (kick-off 14.30).

The fixture, plus the trip to Motherwell for their next game on Saturday, April 12 (15.00), will decide if Hearts make the top six after the split.

Critchley said the squad was looking really healthy other that Gerald Taylor who suffered a long-term injury on international duty with Costa Rica.

Otherwise, Craig Halkett was on the bench last week against Celtic and Frankie Kent (pictured by Nigel Duncan) trained this week but Stephen Kingsley was ill at the start of the week but he was out training on Friday.

All three have been training on the grass, joining the squad, and he added: “They’re feeling good and it is nice to have their presence on the pitch, their experience and seniority back into the group.

“They add a lot to the group. We have lots of bodies, strength in depth, and I’m going to be disappointing a few people in the next few games.”

Hearts, he said, will attack the two games with positivity and optimism and he believes that the battle to reach the top six remains in the hands of his men.

Critchley expects a rough, awkward match on Sunday but he wants to take the game to the opposition and said that a top six finish is not a success if the Jambos miss out on a European place next season.  

Jim Goodwin, United’s manager, has urged his men to complete their bid to secure a slot in the top six when they visit Tynecastle.

He told the media: “We have put ourselves in a great position and we haven’t been out of the top six pretty much all season. It is very much in our hands. We don’t want to relying on anyone.”

Goodwin added: “It is more of a must-win fixture for Hearts than ourselves.”

Meanwhile, Hearts have secured a further 1,941 tickets for the Scottish Gas, Scottish Cup, semi-final against Aberdeen on Saturday, April 19 at Hampden (12.30 kick-off live on BBC One Scotland) after selling out their initial allocation of 19,000 tickets.

The extra tickets go on general sale from 11am on Sunday, April 6. They are available online or from the Ticket Office.

First Minister, John Swinney, will undertake a series of engagements in New York on the second day of his visit to the United States for Tartan Week 2025 including marching in the Parade from the Algonquin Hotel down Sixth Avenue.

Mr Swinney said that his focus will be on championing Scotland’s culture, heritage and growing influence on the global stage.

The First Minister will lead the Scotland delegation at the Tartan Day parade down Sixth Avenue alongside the 2025 Grand Marshal Alan Cumming, address the audience at Scotland’s first ‘Hoolie in New York’ featuring world-class Scottish artists and a performance on the famous Gregg Fiddle, host a reception for partners in culture, commerce and beyond at Carnegie Hall, shining a spotlight on Scotland’s vibrant cultural sector, exports and investment offer, welcome performers from Renfrewshire Schools Pipe Band and the Atholl Highlanders to Tartan Week in Bryant Park and celebrate the legacy of Scottish Americans during the Kirkin O’ the Tartan service at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church.

Mr Swinney said: “Scottish history and heritage are celebrated the world over and woven into the fabric of the United States. I know it means a great deal to the millions of Americans with Scottish connections.  

“I am looking forward to leading Scotland’s presence during the Tartan Day Parade alongside Grand Marshal Alan Cumming and to addressing the audience during at a venue named after one of Scotland’s most famous sons. Today is a day to celebrate the best of Scotland and to promote the iconic and globally revered culture and heritage we have to offer. 

“I recognise the significance of National Tartan Day and it is testament to the strength of the Scottish diaspora in the US. Tartan Day and the wider festivities in New York reaffirm the historic friendship between our two nations – a friendship that is deep and strong, and that dates back centuries.  We want to continue to celebrate those ties, whilst also shining a spotlight on the vibrant, dynamic and innovative Scotland of today.”  

A new artwork has been unveiled on Friday evening to celebrate the role of women in surgery.

The painting by artist Kirstin Mackinnon commemorates the work of female surgeons and isonly the fourth painting depicting women in the collection at The Royal College of Surgeons.

The painting, titled ‘Eleven Surgeons’, by Scotland-based artist Kirstin Mackinnon, represents the namesakes and recipients of the Hunter-Doig medal. The prestigious award is named after pioneering female surgeons Alice Hunter (1880s-1973) and Caroline Doig (1938-2019), and has been awarded to nine exceptional female surgeons to date – all of whom are still practicing – for excellence within the surgical profession. The large-scale work features Alice Hunter and Caroline Doig and all nine Hunter-Doig medal recipients, and is funded by grants from Art Fund and The National Fund for Acquisitions, with support from The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh membership and community. The wider project is supported by Museums Galleries Scotland.

Surgeons’ Hall Museums, part of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, commissioned the painting as part of a wider initiative celebrating women’s contributions to surgery. This includes a temporary exhibition, a permanent museum display, a programme of oral history collecting to secure the histories of living female surgeons, and an extensive programme of learning and engagement activities running throughout 2025–2026.

Louise Wilkie, Curator of Surgeons’ Hall Museums, said: “Currently only three out of the 144 portraits in the collections here feature women, and we’re dedicated to addressing this imbalance.

“We feel it is incredibly important to showcase the contributions of female surgeons throughout the years and hope this newest addition to the collection will demonstrate how the surgical profession has evolved. We hope by telling this story, to inspire the next generation of surgeons by paying tribute to those who have paved the way.”

Clare McNaught, Vice President of RCSEd, said: “Honouring and educating others about the women who have played a significant role in shaping the College as we know it today, and in championing the rights of women in the medical field, is something we feel very strongly about.”

The artist focusses on gender equality in contemporary Scottish art. Kirstin said: “’I am humbled to have been selected to paint such a historically significant commission. I recognise and acknowledge the efforts made by the college to promote equal representation for women. It was an honour to work with such inspirational surgeons and to play a part in celebrating their success.”

The painting is on display from 5 April to March 2026 in a temporary exhibition A Fair Field and No Favour at Surgeons’ Hall Museum. It will then be moved into the public reception atrium in the building.

Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, was guided through the 9/11 Memorial in New York accompanied by survivor Lolita Jackson.

Ms Jackson provided a personal perspective on the events of that September day in 2001 and the ongoing legacy of remembrance.

Mr Murray laid a floral wreath at the Memorial in honour of those who lost their lives. As they stood in reflection, a piper from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo played a lament.

The Secretary of State said: “The 9/11 Memorial stands as a powerful reminder of those who lost their lives and as a testimony to the resilience of this great city. Being accompanied today by survivor Lolita Jackson brings home the personal story of those who lived through that day. The ties that unite our nations will never be undone and we will always stand in solidarity with the American people by honouring those whose lives were lost.”

Lolita Jackson said: “I survived both the 1993 bombing as well as 9/11 in 2001, and my life was saved by Rick Rescorla, the Director of Security for my firm, Morgan Stanley, who was a former British Army paratrooper. He guided hundreds of us to safety at the sacrifice of his own life – he learned the lessons from the bombing in 1993 and subsequently applied them to our evacuation procedures to ensure we knew what to do if the time ever came again. His sacrifice is the ultimate example of the ties that bind the US and the UK.”

The new Friends of Craigmillar are hitting the ground running on Saturday with not one but two sessions of their Spring Clean.

This is a community wide litter pick of the whole area in Craigmillar. Earlier this week school children and youth groups were out picking up litter and now it is the turn of members of the public.

Meet at the library at 10am or 2pm – or both.

Equipment will be provided as well as refreshments at the White House.

This is a joint effort with Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust, Create, The city of Edinburgh Council and Community Alliance Trust.

Glen’s Manager of the Month David Gray has provided an update on the fitness of Nicky Cadden and Joe Newell ahead of this weekend’s William Hill Premiership game against Rangers. 

There’s positive news as Cadden returned back to full team training this week. 

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Gray said: “Nicky Cadden has trained all week, which is positive. He’s got a chance of being involved, which is great. 

“When you think back to when he got his injury, he’s shown great resilience to get back as quickly as he has.” 

Joe Newell however has suffered a setback, which could significantly decrease his game-time for the rest of the season. 

“There’s not good news for Joe (Newell), though. He’s had a big setback in his rehab, and we will have to take a different course of action with him; we will find out more in the next week or so. 

“He will take a few steps back, which isn’t great for Joe given this stage of the season. 

“He’s desperate to get back and contribute on the pitch, but he’s certainly contributing every day off it, in terms of around the building. He knows how important he is. 

“We will get around him though too, because it’s difficult news for him.”