Balerno Business Forum is to press for proper signposting of facilities in the village.
Businesses are concerned that they are being by-passed by visitors.

Jim Polasik, business representative on Balerno Community Council, said: “We have so much to offer in Balerno but many don’t come near.

“They drive along the Lanark Road and keep going or they visit Malleny House and drive home.

“Cyclists travel along the Water of Leith and keep going or do a u-turn and that also applies to walkers. Fishermen go to Harlaw but don’t come to the village.”

He added: “We have a number of quality places to eat, shops and other facilities and we are determined to make people aware.

“There is nothing even at the entrance to the village to say what is available. We want to change that.

“Nearby Colinton is a good model. People are aware of what is available by quality signs. We want to ensure that Balerno has the same.”

The lack of signs was a major talking point at the inaugural meeting of the Balerno Business Forum in The Letterbox café.

The Forum will now meet on a monthly basis on the final Tuesday of the month at 5.30pm in The Letterbox which is situated in the village Post Office.

A total of 18 businesses attended the inaugural meeting and Mr Polasik said: “We were really encouraged by the response and by the discussion. We want to build on this and we will be having monthly meetings to do that.”

Queen Margaret University (QMU) has become the recipient of the Cycle Friendly Campus award, gifted ‘with distinction’ by Cycling Scotland.

The award, delivered with funding from Transport Scotland, recognises the efforts of Scotland’s colleges and universities which promote cycling as an accessible and convenient travel choice. It was presented to Tom Kemsley, Sustainability Support Officer at QMU, by Cycling Scotland’s Paul Wright, in recognition of the outstanding level of commitment the University has shown to encourage cycling.

The University implemented a range of measures including reinvesting income from campus parking charges to support bike travel. Other measures include secure cycle parking, cycle maintenance areas, changing facilities, term-time bike hire, cycle training and led cycle rides.

Commenting on the Cycle Friendly Campus Award for QMU, Tom Kemsley, Sustainability Support Officer, said: “We’re really proud to have been recognised for this award, with distinction, by Cycling Scotland for our ongoing commitment to encouraging more and more staff and students to cycle to, from and around the QMU campus.”

”Our long-standing cycling community at QMU have also made a big contribution to helping us recruit new members and creating a self-sufficient cycling community on campus.”

The Cycle Friendly Campus Award is run by Cycling Scotland with funding from Transport Scotland and recognises exemplar projects from Scotland’s college and university campuses where cycling is made a real and accessible part of campus life. Campuses can register to become a Cycle Friendly Campus online at www.cycling.scot

A charity which provides the only hospice care services for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions has been announced as Barratt Homes East Scotland’s’ chosen Charity of the Year for 2017.

Barratt Homes East Scotland and Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) will work together on a variety of events including fundraisers and a sponsored golf day.

Criona Knight, corporate Manager at CHAS, welcomed the announcement. She said: “We support over 415 families every year and the work that we do ensures that children who have life-shortening conditions and their families can access much needed support in our hospices and at home.”

”We rely heavily on the generosity of our supporters and we are delighted that Barratt Homes in the East of Scotland has committed to support us during 2017.”

CHAS runs two children’s hospices – Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch as well as a home care service called ‘CHAS at Home’ which covers the whole of Scotland.

President Barack Obama will arrive in Edinburgh today for a charity dinner tonight at the EICC when no media will be allowed according to what we have been told.

So it is just as well that Tennents Lager have got their act in gear to welcome him to the capital.

Tennent’s Lager is saying “Yes T Can” this week as the brand awaits the arrival of former US President Barack Obama to Scotland’s capital. Tennent’s has taken over Edinburgh city centre with a “Yes T Can” message, in reference to Obama’s iconic “Yes We Can” presidential election campaign.

Tennent’s enlisted the help of “Barack No-Bama”, one of the UK’s top Obama look-a-likes to help launch “Yes T Can”. No-Bama was out and about campaigning in the city yesterday encouraging punters to turn out and celebrate the big man’s arrival on Friday. The Glasgow brewer is urging the people of Edinburgh to raise a glass in celebration of Obama’s arrival, and will have a street team and giant campaign screen touring the capital all day Friday with a few samples of Scotland’s favourite lager.

Obama has long been popular amongst Scots, and will enjoy entertainment from the likes of Kevin Bridges and Annie Lennox when he speaks at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. Street teams will tour key locations in Edinburgh before arriving at the EICC to welcome the former President.

Alan McGarrie, Head of UK Brand Marketing at Tennent’s said: “When we heard Barack Obama was coming to town, we wanted to pull out all the stops and  welcome him to Scotland. Obama is famous for his “Yes We Can” campaign line, and “Yes T Can” is a celebration of that.”

Photos by Chris Watt
Tel – 07887 554 193
info@chriswatt.com
www.chriswatt.com

Edinburgh schools have been invited to take part in a new performance project that breaks down, or shakes down, the plays of William Shakespeare and gives high school students the opportunity to make the plays their own on one of Scotland’s most celebrated stages. 

In the first year of the project, Firrhill, Forrester, Tynecastle, Queensferry and the Royal High Schools will reimagine A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the King’s Theatre in two performances on Wednesday 28 June. 

Each school will perform one act of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, keeping a through-line in design, costuming and direction, but allowing for multiple portrayals of characters in a cohesive and collaborative work. The play will be abridged but the verse will be as Shakespeare wrote it. The opportunity is for students to explore and experience the play for themselves, to work together with students not from their school and to work outside of the school learning environment as the show will be developed and presented at the King’s Theatre. 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be directed by Pab Roberts with Music by Gary Cameron and Lighting Design by Heather McLuskey. 

Shakedown is a new approach to presenting the works of William Shakespeare created and developed by performer, voiceover, writer and director, Pab Roberts. With the aim of nurturing a new appreciation of Shakespeare in schools, empowering students and encouraging collaborative working, the project will run over 4 years and invites all Edinburgh high schools to take part. 

Picture the Production pitch – Pab Roberts in front of a panel of five Edinburgh school’s headteachers and governing alumna. He assures them that, whilst the students and pupils will be celebrating end of public exams, the whole ethos of the production is firmly embedded within curriculum criteria.

A historical perspective will throw light of the down-trodden proletariat (The Rude Mechanicals) and the inherent injustice of an autocratic monarchy, Duke Theseus. The subjugation of the female through the patriarchal paradigm – male actors portraying women, Queen Hippolyta as war trophy. (There’s a general murmur of agreement here in that it will at least keep the HMI, Sturgeon and Davidson off their backs if there is any PC blowback.) So far, so good.

To clear up any possible misunderstandings The Edinburgh Reporter chatted with Pab Roberts –

http://www.edtheatres.com/shakedown

Following the horrific attack on Manchester Arena earlier this week when 22 people died and 120 people injured,  all campaigning in the General Election was paused, but with the election only two weeks away it is now felt necessary to resume politics. And so later today all the political leaders will be back on the campaign trail.

SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon said: “Our thoughts continue to be with the families and friends of those who have lost their lives in Manchester, and all those who were caught up in this despicable attack.

“In the face of unbearable tragedy, the last few days have also shown us examples of exceptional courage and selflessness – and there is a clear determination from people across the UK and beyond that we will stand defiant in the face of such cowardice.

“Free and fair elections can all-too-easily be taken for granted – and as we resume campaigning for the election on June 8^th, we do so with an even stronger commitment to those freedoms which we are fortunate to enjoy.

“In under two weeks, people in Scotland and across the UK face an important choice about the future direction of their country.

“The MPs they elect will be taking crucial decisions affecting jobs, the economy, family budgets, public services and our place in the wider world – and it is absolutely right that we have a robust debate about the kind of country we want to live in.

“But while we should be passionate in making our political arguments, we must never forget that we all want the best for our constituents and communities – and we are all united in our defence of democracy.”

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said:

“This weekend thousands of political activists from all the parties will hit the doorsteps to campaign in the General Election.

“The horrific events of Manchester will loom in everybody’s minds, but the time is right to restart the campaign to show how we value our freedom and democracy.

“In the coming weeks we’ll see endless photo opportunities, fiery clashes in TV debates, and passionate town hall hustings. It’s one way we can all show those who bring terror to our country that they will never win.”

The President of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) believes Scotland can produce champions in the future to emulate greats like former world lightweight champion Ken Buchanan.

Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, who is also an executive board member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has visited Scotland’s cutting edge high performance Centre in Glasgow and Lochend Boxing Club.

He met boxers, coaches, and members of the community and the visit included strategic talks and black tie dinners.

Dr Wu has sought to transform AIBA into a transparent, trustworthy and professionally operated governing body.

And he added: “I am very pleased to witness for myself the current dynamic growth around Scottish boxing and the valuable programmes which the National Federation is initiating for the benefit of all boxers.

“I will now assess what I have seen and explore what assistance we can contribute to even greater success for Scottish boxing in the ring and at grassroots level.”

Boxing Scotland Chairman John Macpherson said: “This is a very important and significant event in promoting Scottish boxing, particularly as we look to fresh successes next year at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast of Australia.”

He added: “We share a belief in the power of boxing to transform lives and hope to identify strategies that will assist in advancing the sport in Scotland and further afield.

“The visit is also a key strategic building block in our efforts to help remedy deprivation and exclusion, not to mention the promotion of equality and the drive to improve mental and physical health.

“We are extremely proud of the work that we do in these areas and look forward to enhancing those efforts in closer partnership with AIBA as we look to build an enduring relationship.”

Inverleith Hockey Club celebrate reaching 100 years with a tournament and black-tie dinner this weekend.

A tournament will be hosted at Peffermill which is primarily a mixed social event to get everyone involved and to celebrate the fact that the club first started as a mixed club in 1917.

Also, the club’s current 1st X1s will be taking on teams of IHC Legends in showpiece games.

The men, who have recently won promotion back into Division One, play on Saturday at 15:00. The women play at 15:00 on Sunday.

The dinner is at Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday to enable members from past and present to share memories.

Alan Wall, the main organiser, said: “We have a mixed tournament on both days as the club first started as a mixed club so we are honouring our humble beginnings.

“The men and women Legends game will feature former Olympian Stephen Dick and ex-Scottish internationals Ian Moodie and Chris Duncan as well as players including Adam Mackenzie, Kerr Thompson, Martin Pearson, Alan McKeown, Phil Hall, Ben Prowse and Graham Reiss.

“We may, at some point, get some of the older generation on the pitch.”

A highlight of the dinner, which will feature speakers from different generations, will be the naming of a Hall of Fame but Wall said: “The six names are a secret currently.”

Scottish companies have dominated a tourism awards ceremony with 31 businesses scooping gongs.

The CIE Tours Awards of Excellence are based on feedback from 14,000 customers who experienced 250 providers of accommodation, dining, tours and attractions throughout the UK.

Awards were given to those providers achieving an average customer satisfaction rating of 90 per cent or more.

Scottish winners included Norton House Hotel & Spa and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo which were presented with the awards for Best Overall Hotel and Best Special Event respectively.

The Apex Grassmarket Hotel, Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club and Macdonald Holyrood Hotel also won Hotel Awards of Excellence while Palace of Holyrood and Edinburgh Castle won Visit Awards for Excellence.

Elizabeth Crabill, Chief Executive Officer of CIE Tours International, said: “We anticipate that demand for our Scotland tours will grow significantly in 2017, demonstrating the significance and growing appeal of Scotland’s heritage and quality customer experience.

“However, our challenge can be finding the right accommodation at the right price in some locations, where hotel prices threaten competitiveness and potential growth.”

Scottish awards went to: Best Overall Hotel: Norton House Hotel & Spa;
Best Overall Hotel Service and Hospitality: Atholl Palace Hotel, Perthshire;
Best Overall Feature: Working Sheepdogs: Leault Farm, Highlands; Best Special Event: The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo; Best Overall Castle Experience: Glamis Castle; Best Overall Loch Cruise: Jacobite Cruise

Hotel Awards of Excellence included: Apex Grassmarket Hotel; Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club; Macdonald Holyrood Hotel; The Westerwood Hotel

Visit Awards of Excellence included: Stirling Castle; Palace of Holyroodhouse; Skara Brae; Dunvegan Castle; Eilean Donan Castle; Blair Castle, Perthshire; Italian Chapel, Orkney; Urquhart Castle; Crathes Castle; Edinburgh Castle; Inveraray Castle; St Magnus Cathedral; Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre; Arran Distilley; Inverewe Gardens; Glenlivet Distillery; Blair Atholl Distillery

Autistic children could soon receive the benefits of equine therapy from the comfort of their own home thanks to a unique chair design by an Edinburgh Napier student.

Fourth year Callum Hunter has designed ‘U Rock’ – a therapy chair that replicates the movement of a horse when walking – as part of his final year project at the University.

The 21 year-old has designed a prototype of a chair that could be used to take equine therapy into the home for children that are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Equine therapy is considered an effective treatment for children with autism, with the rhythmic motion of riding a horse helping calm and soothe those affected by the condition.

Callum’s chair features a saddle-like seat fixed upon three wooden legs which combines springs with a half circle mechanism to allow a child to gently move side to side, similar to the movement created when riding a horse.
It is faced with soft felt and is finished in a soothing colour of green to help create a sense of calmness when in use.

Callum was inspired to design the chair, which is one of hundreds of exhibits at Edinburgh Napier’s More Than A Degree show at Merchiston campus until 28 May 2017, after seeing the positive effect that equine therapy had on children affected by autism.

However, having been made aware of the challenges faced by families when travelling to centres, many of which are located in rural Scotland and northern England, he decided to pursue his own plans of bringing the therapy into the home.

He said: “As part of my research, I visited an equine therapy centre and saw first-hand the positive benefits that this brought in helping calm and relax children whilst they ride. However, I was also aware of the challenges that are faced by families when travelling to the centres so I came up with the idea of designing a chair that brings most, if not all, the benefits of the therapy closer to home.

“The chair follows the rhythm of motion you get from riding a horse in an effort to relax a child when they use it – just in the same way that cradling a young baby does. It’s faced with soft material. In equine therapy they often use sheepskin saddles as it helps store heat from the horse better than leather as warmth adds to the comfort of the experience. I’ve tried to make it as realistic a representation as possible.

“The chair is designed with autistic children in mind but it is suitable for all. There is nothing worse than a child being made to sit in a ‘special chair’ so producing something that was inclusive was essential to the project.”

Callum himself was brought up in Stow in the Scottish Borders which is still home to his own horse, Oscar. He has gone riding since he was young, something that he believes has helped shape his project from the off.

He added: “I’ve always been around horses, ever since a young age, and I’ve seen first-hand the benefits they can bring to people’s livelihoods.
They really are great companions for people.

“However not everyone enjoys horses so the chair I’ve designed could also act as a first step towards equine therapy for those affected by autism. For young children especially, it could be the practice they require before mounting a horse for the first time.

“I wanted to design something that helps families live with autism. Little things can make a massive difference to someone’s day-to-day life and hopefully the chair can do just that.”

Edinburgh Napier’s More Than A Degree Show is an annual showcase of the creative talent of new and emerging designers, photographers, film makers, journalists, creative writers open to the public until 28 May.

Deidre Brock has already been an MP for two years, and she is very determined to get back to work in London on behalf of the consituents and the wider Scottish population.

We met her on The Shore in Leith, although the constituency reaches far flung places along the coast!

Here is one of the useful maps provided by The City of Edinburgh Council. You can watch this interview below.

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When we asked her why she wanted to be the MP for Edinburgh North and Leith she explained : “I think it is really important that Edinburgh North and Leith has a strong MP who is really standing up for the constituency’s interests down in Westminster.

“We’ve worked really, really hard in our office. I have a wonderful team who are doing tremendous things for people. We have helped thousands of folk, our constituents particularly with DWP and Home Office issues as a result of Tory policies.”

As for the local issues which have mattered and which she has been a part of sorting out Deidre was most complimentary to her SNP colleague Ben Macpherson MSP and said they work together well as a local team.

“I suppose the Lorne Housing Residents Group was a source of particular pride. I worked with the local MSP Ben Macpherson and we approached the Housing Minister who really helped with those discussions. Finally they were able to come to a satisfactory conclusion for residents and I am really proud of that.

“I am proud of the work that we are doing to improve housing for the areas, working again with Ben on improvements in some of the high rise housing blocks here.

“The council I think needed a little bit of a push to try and get that work done. That all seems to be coming into place well.

“I have a background as Culture Convener at the council for five years. I worked on the refurbishment of the Assembly Rooms, the creation of the Saughton Park skate park and all sorts of things then. I have continued to support cultural activities in this area, such as the fabulous Custom House which is just springing into life. It is again a legacy from when I was on the council. Seeing this flourish is really an exciting thing. It is great for Leith and long may it continue!

“Lets not forget there are other parts of the constituency like Inverleith Granton and Pilton which I love visiting. There is a great sense of community down there.  It is a wonderful constituency. I have been so proud of being MP for this area and I would like to continue with my team on the work we have been doing and continue to build on it.”

A smokehouse restaurant has become the first in Edinburgh to embrace an eco-friendly initiative.

Reekie’s Smokehouse uses classic American BBQ techniques to smoke top quality local meats with a Scottish twist.

Now, people can collect smoked items from Reekie’s menu just after the restaurant closes at 9pm and for as little as £3.80 per person.

Owner Craig Cameron said: “As we prepare all our meats in advance by smoking them overnight for 22 hours, it can sometimes be tricky to predict just how much will be used on any given day.

“We wanted to make sure that anything left over wouldn’t go to waste and to do so in the most eco-friendly way possible which is why we signed up to Too Good To Go.

“This is a fantastic way to ensure as many people as possible can experience our top-quality BBQ while also being environmentally conscious and we hope we can encourage others in the capital to get on board.”

Tom Stade is appearing at the Fringe this August, but he is also bringing his national stand up tour home to the capital in November.

As a Canadian who now lives in Edinburgh, he is well known on our streets and now he will make us laugh once more with his I Swear show. The content will be mischievous, carefree and enlightened with no subject off the menu.

He is one of a kind with a genuine flair for observation and improv, and yes there might be a few swear words in there too!

You can buy your tickets for his November show at The Stand here.

Last performed in 1930, banned by Hitler along with all Gál’s music, Das Lied der Nacht [Song of the Night] is a powerful romantic drama. It shows Gál at the height of his musical power as an operatic composer. Premièred in Breslau in 1926, it was hailed as “one of the most powerful operatic experiences ever!”

Hans Gál’s third opera, Das Lied der Nacht (‘Song of the Night’), enjoyed its first performance in Breslau (Wroclow) in 1926, to glowing reviews. There followed performances across Germany and Austria. However Hitler’s accession to power and Gál’s Jewish ancestry combined to bring this flourishing career to an abrupt end, as his operas, along with all his music, were banned from performance and publication.

And now in our latest competition we have two pairs of tickets to give away to two lucky winners.

ENTER BY 12 NOON ON THURSDAY 1 JUNE 2017

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Janet de Vigne (soprano), Emma Morwood (soprano), Judy Brown (mezzo soprano), Luke Sinclair (tenor), Mark Saberton (baritone), Marcin Gesla (bass), Chorus & Orchestra of the Canongait conducted by Robert Dick.

Set in a mythical 12th Century Sicilian kingdom, Song of the Night, subtitled a ‘romantic ballad in three scenes’, explores the female psyche in a patriarchal society.

Leonora, the crown princess, is under extreme pressure to find a husband who will fill the vacant throne as king.  Tancred, a swashbuckling knight, is deemed by all to be the most eligible suitor and is confident that he is the chosen one. Leonora, however, abhors the prospect of wedlock and asks her Aunt, the Abbess, to admit her into the convent.

The Abbess challenges Leonora to listen to her heart, to look into the “night within herself”, and to acknowledge the “inner voice before which she has trembled” or risk “turning into stone”, like the Abbess herself.

Leonora, in deep denial, is profoundly unsettled by the Abbess’s oracular words and is stirred to the core when her companion, Hämone, jokes that perhaps the ‘Unknown singer’, a disembodied voice heard only by night, whom no-one has ever really seen, would be the man for her. She realises that His “song of the night” is indeed the nocturnal voice that is making her tremble as it sounds across the waves…

This masterpiece will now be brought back in 2017 having been forgotten for 87 years.

The Hans Gál Society presents this powerful opera at The Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh, the city in which Gál spent the latter half of his life, greatly contributing to the Scottish music scene including helping to found the Edinburgh Festival.

This will be the first ever performance of this opera in the UK. This short montage from the recent fully-staged production in Germany gives a taste of the music.

Website: www.hansgal.org

The Hans Gál Society presents  Das Lied Der Nacht on 4 June 2017 at 7:15pm

Opera by Hans Gál

At The Queen’s Hall 85-89 Clerk Street, Edinburgh EH8 9JG

www.thequeenshall.net t 0131 668 2019

World’s top climbers descend on Edinburgh for Climbing World Cup and Paraclimbing Cup

The world’s best climbers will descend on the Scottish capital this autumn as the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Cup and Paraclimbing Cup comes to the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena:Ratho from 23 -24 September.

Organised by EICA:Ratho, in conjunction with the British Mountaineering Council, this is the first time the IFSC World Cup has been held in Edinburgh since 2003 and the first time a Paraclimbing Cup has been held in Scotland, with over 1,200 spectators expected over the two days.

Paraclimber, Keith Lynch, a member of Climb Scotland and GB Development Squad, who will be competing in the Paraclimbing Cup AL2 (lower limb amputee) category, kicked off the launch at Ratho, as the tickets for the event went on sale today. He was joined by Natalie Berry, a member of the Senior GB Lead Climbing Team.

Keith Lynch (top) who climbs at Ratho explained. “The British climbing scene is very exciting at the moment and with its acceptance as an Olympic sport at Tokyo 2020, it’s clear it’s developing at a rapid rate.

“Having a paraclimbing element happening alongside the IFSC World Cup can only create more awareness for this lesser known element of the sport and hopefully encourage more people with disabilities to get involved. For many climbers, this aspect will almost be unknown and to non-climbers, the thought is baffling as climbing without a disability seems hard enough. Hopefully we will show that the impossible is possible, no matter what the disability is.”

Up to 200 of the world’s top climbers will compete in two disciplines – Lead and Speed climbing – in the World Cup while in the Paraclimbing Cup, up to 50 climbers will take part in one of 10 climbing categories.

Also present was Jamie Andrew and Senior GB Lead Climber, Natalie Berry. Jamie survived a quadruple amputation after severe frostbite sustained while climbing in the Alps. The seven days endured at altitude in 90mph winds and -30C temperatures also cost Jamie’s climbing partner, Jamie Fisher, his life. Andrew is now a motivational speaker and works on a variety of leadership programmes throughout the year.

EICA:Ratho is one of only eight competition speed walls in the world and the only climbing centre in the UK suitable for hosting an IFSC World Cup Lead and Speed Climbing competition and Paraclimbing Cup.

The events are being funded by Edinburgh Leisure, City of Edinburgh Council and is being supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.

Neill Busby, senior climbing instructor at Edinburgh International Climbing Centre and one of the route-setters for the IFSC Climbing World Cup and Paraclimbing Cup said: “As Europe’s biggest climbing centre, with more routes than any other walls in the UK, it’ll be a great opportunity to showcase the wonderful facilities at Ratho and the sport of climbing, ahead of its debut at Tokyo 2020.

“Ratho has some of the highest quality route-setters in Europe, a team of international standard setters who regularly set for international competitions.”

Stuart Turner, Head of EventScotland, said: “Scotland is the perfect stage for events and we are delighted to be supporting the return of international climbing to Edinburgh. This is an exciting time for the sport and Ratho is the ideal platform for people to see climbing first-hand ahead of its debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

“The combination of both world-class facilities and climbers promises an adrenaline packed weekend of action so I recommend you get in early and secure your tickets for the event.”

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, Frank Ross, said: “Edinburgh boasts some of the very best climbing facilities and these Championships will see competitors and spectators travel from across the globe.

“Hosting these events is a major coup for the Capital and for Scotland. It will generate valuable profile for the city and the venue and we look forward to welcoming the world to EICA: Ratho.

“This is Europe’s largest indoor climbing arena and it is right on our doorstep. I hope this event encourages citizens from all age groups and abilities to try a visit to our very own climbers’ paradise.”

Junior and adult tickets, day and weekend passes are now available to buy from £6.50 to £25 from: http://www.eica-ratho.co.uk/climbing-world-cup

Parking at Ratho will be limited to 300 cars per day and there will be a £10 charge for parking on-site. Free parking will be available off-site with a shuttle bus transfer.

Image of Jamie Andrew (from above) courtesy of Euan Ryan (Finalcrux)

Further images from the press call can be viewed here

Police have charged a 49-year-old man following the recovery heroin from within a vehicle in Livingston.

Officers from the Pro-Active Unit searched the vehicle located in Hobart Street and recovered 10.5 grams of Heroin with an approximate street value of £1100.

Various drugs paraphernalia, a mobile phone and a three figure sum of cash were also removed from the vehicle.

The 49-year old is scheduled to appear at Livingston Sheriff Court on Thursday 25th May.

Sergeant Frank Travers from Livingston CID said: “Police Scotland continue to enforce a zero tolerance policy towards drug related offences and any offences reported will be dealt with as a top priority.

“We will also work closely with our partners at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to stop drug dealers from benefiting from the proceeds of their criminal activity.

“Taking drugs of any nature can have a severe impact on a person’s health and it’s impossible to know the type or purity of the substance being consumed.  With that in mind I would urge people to think carefully before taking anything that they are unsure about.

“The public can assist greatly in helping police tackle drug related offences and I would urge anyone with information on drug offences in their area to come forward to police or contact the charity Crimestoppers (anonymously if required) on 0800 555 111.”

At The Queen’s Hall on Nicolson Street last week a fundraising campaign called  “Music To Your Ears” was launched ahead of a sparkling concert by Nicola Benedetti MBE. The funds raised will be used to refurbish the hall ahead of its 40th and 200th anniversaries.

At this morning’s council meeting some convenership posts and appointments to outside bodies were approved, but there is still no Council Leader or policies to follow.

Two motions were lodged at the reconvened City of Edinburgh Council meeting this morning, one by the Conservative group and one jointly by three of the political groups the Labour, LibDems and the Green Group. Only the SNP remained silent. It is obvious why, as they want to lead the council, even in a minority coalition.

Labour and the SNP have been talking about a coalition for most of the three weeks since the council election, but there is no resolution as yet. This is largely laid at the door of the Scottish Labour Executive who have not yet approved any deal put to them. Today’s meeting was a continuation of that held last week which was adjourned for further discussions.

The Edinburgh Reporter had already had sight of today’s cross-party motion, but at the last minute the Conservative group said they had lodged a motion too. In the confusion which followed the Lord Provost called a ten minute recess for that to be circulated.

Speaking about the Conservative proposal to run the city by Executive Committee Conservative Leader Councillor Iain Whyte said : “The people of this city expected better. They expect us to take the city forward in a way which is beneficial to all of our citizens, that has not happened and there is a need for it to happen.

“We must break the deadlock and we propose an innovative solution to allow all of us to take part in governing this city. In the background there seems to be a deal between the SNP and Labour groups. It is the deal that shall not speak its name. No-one knows its terms and the Labour Group are scared to make the deal.

“It smacks of something cobbled together in what would have been called ‘smoke filled rooms’ in days gone by. I am surprised by the weakness of the LibDems and the Greens.

“We won the popular vote and Labour who lost the most councillors and lost the popular vote should not be holding this council to ransom in this way.

“People voted for change in the recent election. Edinburgh needs governed and we have suggested an innovative solution to do that.”

Taking up the matter after some debate he explained that although there were cross party talks with the Chief Executive yesterday it would have been ‘inappropriate’ for him to put forward this proposal then. He refuted the suggestion that the Tory group had somehow reneged on yesterdays discussions to find a way to form a council.

Councillor Whyte said : “There was a commitment to setting the membership of various committees in proportion to the number of the councillors elected for each political party. The General Election is governing everything here, not the councillors. Our motion does cover all the essential business.”

Councillor Mowat seconded the Conservative motion which suggested that any further delay would be damaging, particularly as a coalition is not forthcoming.

She said they proposed a system of an Executive Committee of 13 members of the council. The parties would be represented in the same proportion as the votes achieved by each party so this would mean 4 SNP members, 4 Tories, 2 Labour, 2 Green and 1 Liberal Democrat. This cabinet structure would replace the council’s Policy and Strategy Committee.

Clearly such an arrangement would be beneficial to the Conservatives whose last minute proposal was very much regarded as an attempt to get more power for themselves.

Labour Leader Councillor Cammy Day presented a motion to allow the businesses in the city to continue to operate.

He said : “It is disappointing that the Conservative group have proposed this at just a few minutes after 10am this morning when we had a meeting yesterday with the Chief Executive to discuss ways forward.

Councillor Steve Burgess seconded the motion and said : “This motion is intended to ensure that in the absence of a political coalition residents and businesses are not held up any more than they have been already. This will allow planning and licensing matters to be dealt with. Appointing councillors to some outside organisations will allow those bodies to get on with their business too.

“Importantly it sets the ball rolling to work with the new locality model. And it will allow five Bailies to be appointed to help  you, Lord Provost, to deal with your heavy workload.

“It is disappointing that the Conservatives have simply sprung this motion on the council this morning and we must question their motives in doing that.

“It seems it will take time for a set of arrangements to be agreed but in our view it is much better to have pragmatic arrangements in place to deal with that over the next few weeks.”

LibDem councillor Kevin Lang said that he was pleased with the cross party motion being proposed. He claimed : “The current lack of political leadership is not healthy and cannot be allowed to continue for long. There is a case for being flexible on the council meeting dates in June to get clarity and certainty as soon as possible.”

But he warned against one party having outright power in any joint arrangements to come.

He concluded : “If a two party coalition is formed then it would not have a majority and it be wrong for such a coalition to have a majority on any committees. But a cabinet structure would be wrong and would not reflect the votes cast in the recent election.”

SNP Councillor and group leader, Adam McVey railed agains the last-minute proposal from the Conservative Group and said : “This is just a guddle! We are not prepared to entertain the silly antics of the Conservative party.”

Conservative Councillor Nick Cook observed that everyone has a duty to form a council and matters should not be put in abeyance to save the political skin of one of the members of the Labour Party. He was referring to Ian Murray MP who is standing for re-election in the Edinburgh South constituency. It is widely speculated that the Labour executive will put off approval of any coalition with the SNP until after the General Election when they hope he will be returned to Westminster.

The Lord Provost had suspended Standing Order 1 at the beginning of the meeting to ensure that the council would be acting within its legal limits.

There are rules to deal with the way the council acts both just after an election and once it is constituted. These standing orders ‘govern and guide the decisions made by the Council and its officers and ensures that robust, clear and accountable organisational frameworks are in place’.

The Labour Green and Scottish LibDem Groups lodged their motion this morning to ask the Chief Executive to consult with all political parties and propose some reform in the way the council committees operate.

The redesign is requested on a streamlined Executive Committee model all based on the political make up of the council, and which will reflect the new locality model adopted by the council.

Until a new council administration is formed the Chief Executive will have to take political guidance from all political group leaders.

Cllrs Work, Cameron, Staniforth, Aldridge and Rust were appointed as Bailies to help the Lord Provost with his workload.

Various other councillors were appointed as Conveners and to the boards of outside bodies  and we will confirm these when we get the full list from the council. It became a bit of a tedious meeting towards the end and there were far too many names to write down!

This is not an auspicious start for the new council. The SNP have the largest group and want to run the city which they believe they will be able to do with some help from the other smaller groups. It was clear from the way the votes fell today that the Tory group, who have only one councillor less, are very much out on their own. The plan proposed by the three smaller groups was approved by 43 votes to 17.

Edinburgh Food Festival has announced that they are bringing Chef Tom Lewis and his Monachyle Mhor team to the festival this summer.

The festival in George Square Gardens will celebrate the finest of Scotland’s food and drink with stalls with artisan food, talks and demonstrations. Monachyle Mhor’s chef proprietor Tom Lewis says he is brining the Mhor charm to Edinburgh for two nights only. Eat Mhor will offer a 6 course tasting menu in the glamour of the Spiegeltent de Variety where guests will have a one of a kind dining experience.

A limited number of seats will be available with sittings between 7 and 9pm on 28 and 29 July 2017. Tickets go on sale on 26 July 2017 and will be available on the website.

Sharon Burgess, Managing Director of Assembly Festival and Edinburgh Food Festival said : “The food and drink offering here in Scotland is world-class, so when the masses descend upon Edinburgh ahead of the Fringe Festival we ensure a taste of Scotland all in one place.

“The effortless style and unbeatable quality of what Chef Tom Lewis and family produce is the perfect pairing for Edinburgh Food Festival so we are thrilled to bring them to the capital for the hottest ticket this side of the festival!”

More information and tickets here.

In exciting travel news, Norwegian’s new transatlantic flights to three east coast destinations direct from Edinburgh Airport start in less than a month’s time.

Today the low-cost airline has unveiled lower fares from Edinburgh to the USA which cost just about the same as a last-minute train ticket to London.

[tweet_box design=”default”]More than 5,500 seats on Norwegian Airlines are now available to the US east coast from £99 one-way as part of a 10-day special offer from Thursday 25^th May to 3 June[/tweet_box]

From 15 June, Norwegian begin flying three new transatlantic routes from Edinburgh to airports serving the New York, Boston and New England areas.

The 10-day offer is available on Norwegian’s brand new low-cost routes from Edinburgh direct to Stewart International Airport (in New York state), Providence Airport (offering connections to Boston and New England) and direct to Bradley International Airport (New England) from just £99 one-way*. Passengers can book now at www.norwegian.com/UK/FLYUSA99.

The offer is available on flights from Edinburgh between 15 June 2017 – March 2018. Flights are subject to availability and Terms and Conditions apply.

Norwegian Chief Commercial Officer Thomas Ramdahl said: “The countdown is now underway to Norwegian’s exciting new transatlantic routes, and consumers across Scotland now have another chance to bag a bargain flight to the USA. With more choice, never before seen routes and now a range of special fares on offer, there has never been a better time to plan an affordable American adventure.”

Norwegian’s new Edinburgh routes to the USA are now available:

Edinburgh – 14 transatlantic flights per week from 15^th June:

o    Stewart Intl (New York) – daily flights

o    Providence (greater Boston) – 4 weekly flights (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun)

o    Bradley Intl (New England/Connecticut) – 3 weekly flights (Tues, Thurs, Sat)

T&Cs apply

*Limited offer. Subject to availability. Book by 3^rd June 22:59 BST. This offer is based on the lowest one-way fare incl. taxes and charges on selected flights. Restrictions & baggage charges may apply. For flights from EDI use promo code FLYUSA99. 
• Fly from Edinburgh (EDI) to New York/Newburgh between Jun 2017 – Mar 2018
• Fly from Edinburgh (EDI) to Boston/Providence (PVD) between Jun 2017 – Mar 2018
• Fly from Edinburgh (EDI) to Connecticut/Hartford (BDL) between Jun 2017 – Mar 2018

Egnliston Crescent, hidden in the leafy green streets of Edinburgh’s West End, is a short walk from Haymarket train station; a place where thousands of travellers will enter into the city. Edinburgh attracts tourists in the millions, some of whom specifically arrive to visit the worlds first UNESCO City of Literature.

Great minds like Burns, Conan-Doyle, Fergusson, Welsh and Banks, are all well commemorated here. But one thing is the same with these writers: They are all male.

Many claim there are “more statues of dogs in Edinburgh than there are to notable women from the city.” And maybe they’re right. Therefore, Rebecca Raeburn and her team from the City of Literature Trust have began the unveiling of plaques around Edinburgh to finally give recognition to amazing and influential female writers.

We’ve all heard of R.L. Stevenson, but Dorothy Emily Stevenson was commemorated today. Robert Louis was her father’s cousin, and the literary talent and imagination of the family clearly continued with her.

Her childhood home at no.14 Eglinton Crescent was where  she would write prolifically; all against the wishes of her family. D.E. Stevenson would have become a great seamstress had she listened to her father’s tough house rules. But quietly in the attic of number 14 she began writing her novels in long hand.

In her lifetime she published 40 books, each one a mixture of romance, drama, satire, and science fiction. When her granddaughter, Penny Kent, discovered five more books in their attic in Hartfordshire, then even posthumously, D.E continued being published. Five hand-written manuscripts were discovered by her granddaughter who arrived at her Granny’s old house to unveil the plaque this morning.

“She would have loved to see her name on the house she grew up in,” explained Penny, “but Granny was always very quiet, she liked her words. When we visited her at her home she would have the decor still much like the old Victorian days, it was dark with one lump of coal on the fire. But her warm personality always shone through. She would sit on the couch in continue to write her novels in long hand, really living inside of her books.”

D.E Stevenson always claimed, much as her great-uncle Robert, that her books would be like lighthouses for her readers, illuminating new worlds and characters in a world often torn apart by war. Born in 1892, two years before R.L Stevenson’s death, she lived to 81, witnessing two major world wars and the conflicts that ensued. Her husband, a military man, gave her a great insight into that world, inspiring the works of Mrs Tim of the Regiment (1932).

Her other novels included Miss Buncle’s Book, which has been re-imagined as a stage-play.

“There is talk of a movie coming out based on the book, but the stage play would have been fabulous to see, especially in Edinburgh where Granny once lived” Penny continued, joined by her sister Wendy Simpson, curator of the Moffat Museum, where D.E Stevenson spent her last days.

“My main memories of Granny was that she loved Scrabble. She was a keen golfer as well, and very good at archery. She stopped very abruptly though, maybe because of the war. It transformed her life and her writing however, and we still have some hand-written letters between her ad her fans across the world, especially in America,” said Wendy.

Descendants of the great Stevenson family,  Penny and Wendy were elated to see their grandmother finally receive some well deserved acknowledgement. The house itself is now a B&B, owned by Aileen Reeves, the proud occupier of the gorgeous and historical number 14 Eglinton Crescent.

Since the council elections at the beginning of the month there has been a deal of negotiation among the various political groups.

But even today, with a council meeting looming tomorrow morning, there does not seem to be any firm agreement.

The leader of the largest political group, SNP Councillor Adam McVey, is frustrated at the lack of progress.

He told us : “The SNP is ready to form an administration and we’re disappointed other parties have effectively blocked our attempt.

“Our position has been consistent that the capital needs clear leadership which can get to work addressing issues like housing, social care and transport.

“It’s unfortunate that at this stage any attempt by us to form an administration would be voted down in the chamber by the other parties.

“The SNP group will keep working hard for the communities we represent and will continue to put the best interests of the city first.“

While the SNP group no longer intend to lodge any proposals for conveners’ appointments tomorrow, we understand that three of the other political groups, the Labour, LibDem and Green Groups will lodge a motion to fill the membership of the quasi-judicial committees, although not any of the conveners’ positions.

A council leader will not be appointed, although the Lord Provost was appointed last week well within the required time limit.

So it appears that the members of committees like Planning and Licensing might be appointed,  but without any permanent conveners in place. In other words there will be a limited form of council governance by elected members, but only just.

In the last administration the conveners and vice-conveners were evenly chosen from among the SNP and Labour councillors as these two political groups had agreed a coalition a few days after the elections. There is no such agreement this time, and many have told us it is simply a result of the General Election, and the need to reelect MPs for Westminster getting in the way.

We spoke with Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale earlier this week about the lack of progress. This is what she said:

We asked the Scottish Labour Leader about the proposed council coalition and what was happening with it… pic.twitter.com/qwhB8buFH7

— Edinburgh Reporter (@EdinReporter) May 22, 2017

When we spoke to Labour Group leader Councillor Cammy Day today he was perhaps a little frustrated too that his applications to the Scottish Executive Committee of the Scottish Labour Party had so far not been approved.

Councillor Day told us : “We have not yet got an agreed coalition in place or committee structure or governance structure that is a streamlined way for the council to go forward.

“We now want to consult with all political groups and council officers to find a way to provide a modern efficient committee and governance model.

“The old committee structure is not fit for the future which takes into account the new locality model adopted by the council.

“We acknowledge the importance of planning and licensing and the impact on local residents and our motion will suggest that membership is appointed and then the members of the committee will appoint a chair from the elected members.”

We asked why there is not yet a deal with the SNP and Councillor Day explained that the Scottish Executive Council have still to give feedback or an in principle direction. He said : “We are urging the SEC to look progressively at our request to form a coalition.”

The Green Group meanwhile have announced on their website that they are behind an interim proposal to break the political logjam and they propose some way to move forward until the General Election is over.

They also say that they would be happy with an SNP-Labour led council with Green backing on a policy by policy basis is the best arrangement for the capital.

Green Councillor Steve Burgess said: “The current logjam in the city is a result of the general election and political manoeuvring by other parties to gain advantage. It has nothing to do with the best interests of the city and the people who need council services.

“As Greens we are as frustrated by that as anyone else but we also recognise that it is there until 8 June. So we are making a proposal which gives the city the leadership it needs and allows decisions to be made, on a temporary basis, until the main council meeting at the end of June puts more robust arrangements in place.

“Firstly, we want to see the more legally focused committees set up this week: planning, licensing sub-committee and licensing board and the integrated joint board on health and social care. That will allow decisions in those areas to be made.

“Secondly, to plug the leadership gap, we propose an all party leadership group, with one member from each of the 5 parties, to give a steer to senior officers on key decisions until the end of June.

“Thirdly, we propose some modest reforms to the way the council does business in the long term: that committee membership should reflect the diversity of the council as a whole; that the voting decisions of all councillors should be recorded and publicly available; and that the Education Committee should have two parents and one senior pupil sitting on it.

“Greens want Edinburgh to move forward and to do so in a way which strengthens decision-making and leadership.”

When the council election results were made known on 5 May there was no clear majority. The SNP have 19 councillors, the Conservatives 18, Labour 12, Greens 8 and the LibDem group is now 6.

An SNP-Labour coalition would not have an outright majority and it would depend on the Greens and the LibDems to back them on each matter as it came up for decision unless they are also party to any coalition when it is finally agreed.

The 63 councillors will meet at the City Chambers tomorrow and we will let you know if and when any deals are thrashed out.

Follow us on Twitter where will be live tweeting from the floor of the Chamber.

Lothian Country the new subsidiary of Lothian Buses has announced timetable and fares information for its new service to South Queensferry which begins on Monday 5 June 2017.

With a real throwback to the days of Eastern Scottish which ran buses to the west of the city with their distinctive green and gold livery, the new buses have been unveiled.

Service 43 and the limited stop X43 will operate between St Andrew Square and South Queensferry with buses leaving every 20 minutes during the day from Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes during the day on Sundays.

While the company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lothian Buses it will operate as a standalone business with its own buses and products provided on an entirely commercial basis.

There will be two fare zones; city and cityWEST. Travel in one zone will be £1.60 for an adult single and 80p for a child single. Travel in two zones will be £2.60 for an adult single and £1.30 for a child single.

Lothian Country is introducing the cityWEST Day ticket which will offer customers unlimited travel on Lothian Country and Lothian day services across both cityWEST zone and city zone for £5 for an adult and £2.50 for a child. The Network Day ticket and Lothian Buses Ridacard will be valid in cityWEST zone and city zone.

Customers are also being offered an introductory m-ticket deal, where they can purchase ten cityWEST single journey tickets for £25. These can be downloaded from tfeapp.com on Android and Apple devices.

Richard Hall, Managing Director of Lothian Buses, said: “This new commercial service will provide important transport links for work and leisure between Queensferry and Edinburgh. We are pleased to be in a position to provide these vital services, following extensive analysis of passenger journey patterns and commitments from The City of Edinburgh Council to retain and improve bus priority measures. However, the ongoing provision of these services is wholly dependent on customer usage levels. It’s important that the community embrace our new venture to ensure its future viability.”

Local councillor Norman Work said : “I am delighted that all the hard work has paid off with Lothian buses listening to the Queensferry residents and have stepped in to operate a replacement bus service. I hope the residents and those living along on the Queensferry Road corridor will support the new service.”

Councillor Work was also able to advise that the commencement date had changed from the original announced date of Sunday 4 June.

“I have had notification from Lothian Buses that the new service will launch on Monday 5 June 2017 and not Sunday 4 June as originally reported.

“I have spoken with the current operator, Stagecoach, seeking clarification that their Service 40 will be running on Sunday 4th as normal and they have confirmed that this is the case, so users of this route will experience no break in service.”

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Lothian Country will introduce the following services from 4 June 2017:

• Service 43 – St Andrew Square (north side), George Street, Frederick Street, Queensferry Street, Queensferry Road, A90, B924, Dalmeny Main Street, Bankhead Road, Station Road, Burgess Road, The Loan, Hopetoun Road, Bo’ness Road, Builyeon Road, Ferrymuir Road, (Mon-Sat daytime 43 calls at Ferrymuir Retail Park), Kirkliston Road to Queensferry Scotstoun Avenue. Return via outward route reversed.

• Service X43 – route as 43 but omits Ferrymuir Retail Park.Stopping pattern: all stops St Andrew Square to Queensferry St at Drumsheugh Place then Learmonth Terrace, Craigleith (at Holiday Inn), Blackhall, Clermiston Road North, Parkgrove Road, Barnton then all stops to Queensferry (Scotstoun).

Full details are available by following @lothiancountry on Twitter or via Facebook at facebook.com/lothiancountry 

Former rugby star, David Sole is to merge his two business interests from 1 June 2017.

David Sole & Associates will become part of School for CEOs, the executive development specialists Sole co-founded with Patrick Macdonald, former CEO of John Menzies, in 2011.

David Sole & Associates was established ten years ago to meet a specific need in terms of coaching and leadership for senior executives and board/team facilitation.  As that business grew alongside School for CEOs, it became apparent that the businesses complement each other offering clients wider support.  It is for that reason that the decision was made to merge the firm with School for CEOs.

David said: ‘As the School for CEOs continues to grow and there is obvious overlap with the work I do as David Sole & Associates it made great sense to bring these two growing businesses together.

‘Our programmes have proven increasingly popular and are resonating with senior leaders in the changing world within which we live.  We have a number of new and exciting initiatives in the pipeline to add to our existing portfolio which will further strengthen our position in the market.’

From 1^st June he will lead the experienced team at the new-look School for CEOs as Managing Partner continuing to deliver Executive Coaching and programme content to current and new clients.  Patrick Macdonald will become non-Executive Chairman of the combined businesses.

At Edinburgh’s Tourism Showcase held at the Scottish capital last week one phenomenon was easily observed: Edinburgh’s guided tours are becoming more diverse with new tours entering the market.

Marianne Bailey from Highland Explorer Tours reassured us that this competition is for the everyone’s interest when she said: “There is a slice in the pie for everyone.” She introduced their two new Highland trips specifically designed for Outlander fans.

The TV show is one of a growing number of programmes which feature largely untouched parts of the Highlands and this has proved to be a great selling point for tourists.

There are also the brand new Scottish Beer Tours. I met their representative and Tour Guide, Sara Robertson, who remembers with amusement that they started the company ‘by accident’.

She organised a networking event and had unexpected success in converting non-beer drinkers into craft-beer fans. The Scottish Beer Tour’s brewery tour start from Summerhall and feature the Barney Brewery. This is a family-run business which comes in handy for Sara in her well-informed demonstration of the beer-making process. The tour goes on to visit various Old Town pubs and bars in pursuit of traditional as well as quirky beers.

The Edinburgh Beer Factory showcased their very own tours which relaunched this year alongside their new brewery taproom.  This is the home of their Paolozzi lager named after Leith’s own Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi.

Their marketing strategist, Andrew Duncan, explained to me that their focus is on reinventing overlooked beer styles and redefining the craft beer scene as a unisex interest.

Nora Macleod from Access to Adventure was at the showcase to promote their beautifully inclusive tours with specialised support and limitless outdoor activities for people with additional needs. Her hope is to see domestic demand for accessible tours match that of the international.

This is a vision widely shared. VisitScotland, for example, support inclusive tourism with various events and a redeveloped Accessibility Guide on their website.

There are other tours as well – a new architecture tour, family quiz, gourmet, photography and running tours and a new, adult-only night tour at the Edinburgh Zoo, and City of Edinburgh Tour’s Alternative Tour taking in unusual landmarks and hidden murals.

Most of these are listed on a new, growing platform at www.getguided.co.uk.

A painter and decorator from North Berwick was sentenced at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today for VAT fraud.

Kevin Wheatley (50) of Market Place North Berwick deregistered his business in September 2010, claiming that he no longer earned enough in his business and that income had fallen below the VAT registration threshold.

He continued to trade but did not charge or pay VAT between 2011 and 2014 which he should have. During that time he cashed cheques of over £189,000 using a money service bureau, attempting to hide his business income. He was detained in 2015 by HMRC officers on suspicion of VAT fraud. Mr Wheatley has since repaid the tax he evaded of some £44,040.25.

The sentence handed down is a four month restriction of liberty order meaning that he will have to wear an electronic tag, obliging him to remain at home between 9.30pm and 6.00am.

This Friday the 44th President of the United States is coming to Edinburgh, and some classy Scottish entertainment is being laid on for him.

Annie Lennox, Kevin Bridges and Texas will all perform at the event, and all will raise money for charities they have chosen.

President Barack Obama will give the keynote address to the sell-out crowd at the EICC event which is supported by The Royal Bank of Scotland.

Sir Tom said : “I’m proud, privileged and over the moon to announce Oscar winning musician, Annie Lennox, brilliant stand-up comedian, Kevin Bridges and world class rock band, Texas will all play at this amazing dinner. What’s even more amazing is that they are all doing this for the benefit of a charity of their choice.

“They are stand out talents of their generation and will provide a remarkable conclusion to what we all hope will be an incredible evening with all profits benefitting Scotland’s children’s charities.

“I’m delighted to announce Royal Bank of Scotland, our partner across a number of events including the Kiltwalk and the STV Appeal have again stepped up to support this event.

“Demand for this dinner has been unparalleled in our own experience and we can only apologise to those who we cannot accommodate at the dinner.”

The Hunter Foundation also announced that all profits raised from the event will go to Scottish children’s charities participating in the Kiltwalk in 2017, some 300 charities.

Sir Tom added : “We’d like as many young people in Scotland to benefit from this, hence offering a little support to a lot of charities across all of Scotland…”

The City of Edinburgh Council has been awarded funding to continue the improvements of the Quiet Routes network.

The network, which is based on the Council’s Active Travel Action Plan, will create a series of routes across the capital which can be used by walkers and cyclists.

Its focus is to make cycling a realistic choice for the many people who do not feel safe mixing with busy traffic by providing direct and convenient routes for everyday utility and leisure journeys.

Over the coming year, the council will continue to consult local residents on the designs for routes.

They include Castle Terrace to King’s Building (Route 6), Roseburn to Edinburgh Park (Route 8), Leith to Portobello – Seafield to Leith Shore phase (Route 10), Lower Granton Road Shared Path (Route 13), Inverleith to Easter Road (Route 20), Holyrood Park to Ratcliffe Terrace (Route 30), Davidson’s Mains Park path improvements (Route 60) and Niddrie to Gilmerton (Route 61).

Meanwhile, more than £15m in grant funding has been awarded by Sustrans Scotland for the creation of walking and cycling infrastructure in Scotland over the next year.

A total of 44 organisations including, local authorities, housing associations, National Parks and Community Trusts are set to benefit.

More details on all the routes here on the council website.

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home took delivery of a bumper pack of hundreds of pet care products donated by Tesco Bank.

The much-need donation followed the Home’s participation in Tesco Bank’s Pet Roadshow on 28 April as part of National Pet Month. It contained a variety of essential dog and cat care supplies including food bowls, litter bags, dog and cat food, and a variety of treats.

Nicola Gunn, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, described the importance of the support that businesses like Tesco Bank can offer to the city’s stray and unwanted pets :“Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home provides an important service to Edinburgh and the Lothians by working with police and council services to rescue, reunite and rehome its lost and abandoned dogs and cats. In the absence of any government or lottery funding, we rely on the support of both local and national businesses like Tesco Bank to continue in this mission.

“With over 100 dogs and cats on site at any one time, and thousands coming through our door each year, the annual cost of this service has now reached nearly £1million. Corporate support is vital in meeting these costs – and is welcomed through gifts in kind, monetary donations and corporate volunteering.”

Mark Airey, Commercial Director (Insurance) Tesco Bank, said : “At Tesco Bank we are committed to promoting responsible pet ownership and were delighted to recently work with the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home at our Pet Roadshow in Edinburgh. As a little thank you and to help support the compassionate and valuable work that they do, we are thrilled to present a donation of pet care products to the home. We hope that through this donation, we can help to positively impact on the lives of stray and unwanted animals.”