MUMS and daughters are being urged to unite against cancer by entering Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

The charity is inviting women of all ages, shapes and sizes to take part in Race for Life 5K or the Race for Life 10K at Holyrood Park on Sunday 25 June 2017.

Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “Race for Life events are non-competitive and participants can choose to walk, jog or run around the course.

“Every step participants take together will help to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. Every day, 88 people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland.*

Now, for the first time, men can take part too. Cancer Research UK is introducing a new addition to its events calendar – ‘Race for Life Family 5k’ – which is being piloted for the first time in Scotland.

Edinburgh has been chosen to host one of ten of the new Race for Life Family 5K events.

The women only 10K at Race for Life starts at 10am and the women only 5K is at noon. At 1pm men, women and children will be able to take part together in the new Family 5K.

Statistics show that one in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives, but the good news is more people are surviving the disease now than ever before.

Survival rates have doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.

Last year, around 37,612 people took part in Race for Life in Scotland and raised almost £2.5m.

Sign up for Race for Life at raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.

There will be a public meeting held on 5 April at 7pm at

GRASSMARKET COMMUNITY PROJECT  86 CANDLEMAKER ROW 

to discuss ways to ‘Save Edinburgh Central Library’

Information at the public meeting about a crowd-funding scheme which has been started to support the costs for the public-interest court case will be made available. 

email :  saveedinburghcentrallibrary@lettherebelightedinburgh.org

Website: http://lettherebelightedinburgh.org/

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Edinburgh-based public relations and marketing agency Niche Works PR & Marketing Ltd has announced the acquisition of its newest client, Lauder-based restaurant Firebrick Brasserie.

Niche Works will work with the family-run business to produce and manage its media campaigns and help spread the word about this foodie gem in the Scottish Borders.

Firebrick Brasserie was opened by award-winning duo David Haetzman and Amanda Jordon who aren’t without their own abundance of experience. Both boast impressive previous employment in positions including; Executive Head Chef and Head Pastry chef at The Rutland Hotel’s Kyloe Restaurant, Blue Restaurant, The Tower Restaurant and The Jam House.

After 20 years in the business, they decided to open their own restaurant and Firebrick Brasserie opened in late 2015. Serving only the best seasonal ingredients, most sourced locally from around Scotland, the restaurant has an emphasis on good, honest British cooking and has received the seal of approval from locals, being named ‘Best New Restaurant ’ in the Borders Food and Drink Awards 2015.

David Haetzman, owner of Firebrick Brasserie, said : “We are delighted to have Niche Works representing us. As a young restaurant, although already having an excellent client base in Lauder and the surrounding area, we would like the expertise of Niche Works to help spread the word further afield.’

”We feel the company is the perfect fit for us and our restaurant and with our combined experience across both industries we are looking forward to working together.”

Fiona Vernon, director of Niche Works PR and Marketing, says: “David and Amanda are so passionate and talented, it’s a real pleasure to work with them on increasing their profile.”

Fancy a bit of folk music? Then get along to the Edinburgh Folk Club in April and May. 

April  5 Gerry Creen is Belfast born and bred and acknowledged as one of the city’s finest singer songwriters. Gerry emerged from the vibrant Belfast folk scene of the 1960s and 70s.

12 Ella Munro is a young folk singer hailing from the Isle of Skye, on the west coast of Scotland.

19 Phil & Cath Tyler play Anglo-American folk music using guitar, banjo, voice and fiddle.
26 Fil Campbell & Tom McFarland Irish singer Fil Campbell and her percussionist husband Tom McFarland, have been part of the Irish, British and European folk scene since the early 90s.

MAY 3 Tom McConville was born on Tyneside and brought up in a pub on the famous Scotswood Road with clientele drawn from the Irish and Scottish communities.

10 Fred Morrison was born and raised near Glasgow, but it’s the celebrated Gaelic piping tradition of his father’s native South Uist, in the outer Hebrides, that forms the bedrock of his intensely expressive, uniquely adventurous style.
17 SONGWRITING COMPETITION A wee feast of brand new songs performed live – judged by a jury for 1st, 2nd and 2rd prize. And the audience has a say, too – awarding a quaich to the most popular song.
24 Pete Morton sings from the heart, delivering songs that tell compelling stories and speak of the human condition from a very unique perspective.
31 Dan McKinnon From the coffeehouses, pubs, and bars of his early beginnings in Atlantic Canada, Dan, “blessed with a gorgeous baritone voice, and an exceptional command of phrasing, light and shade” continues to convey his “finely crafted songs” to audiences through his yearly tours.

All tickets from https://www.summerhall.co.uk

US tech firm Xilinx Inc. is to invest £3.8 million in its specialist research centre in Edinburgh, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed today.

The centre will also be supported by a £1.01 million research and development grant through Scottish Enterprise, creating 12 new jobs and protecting 30 existing jobs.

Xilinx Scotland will develop technologies for communications applications, specifically targeting 5G opportunities and aims to establish itself as a centre of excellence and a leading developer of new products for future communications systems.

Welcoming the announcement ahead of a week of engagements in the United States, the First Minister said: “The USA is Scotland’s top source of inward investment and Xilinx Inc. is another example of a leading technology company harnessing our highly educated and skilled workforce.

“This is fantastic news for this specialist sector in Scotland with new jobs being created and existing ones protected. It also demonstrates our strength and expertise in developing these state of the art technologies.

“We are committed to building on these successes and attracting more companies to invest and expand here. That is why next week I’ll travel to the United States to promote trade and investment between our two countries.”

Dr Colin Carruthers, Director of Xilinx Scotland, said : “We are very excited to be at the centre of this truly innovative research and development. This is a unique opportunity to define and develop the technologies that will enable next generation wireless communication devices.

“Scotland has a long history of invention and innovation, and it is a privilege to be able to help architect the communication platforms of the future.”

Dr Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: “Xilinx’s success is testament to Scotland’s world leading highly educated and skilled workforce.  With a strong, established and connected business environment, Scotland was the ideal UK location for the company and we are delighted to have supported such an ambitious and talented team.”

Tartan Day on Ellis Island Returns this week from 6 – 9 April 2017

“Tartan Day on Ellis Island” – one of the nation’s largest Tartan Day celebrations – returns for its 16th annual observance this week, featuring the exhibition “A Celebration of Tartan,” as well as daily performances by pipers, drummers, Highland Dancers and a whole host of Scottish entertainment.

The Clan Currie Society – one of the country’s leading Scottish heritage organisations, produces Tartan Day on Ellis Island. The Ellis Island event is a highlight of NY Tartan Week – a city-wide festival of all things Scottish.

“A Celebration of Tartan”

The exhibition will trace the history and explore the mythology surrounding Scotland’s most enduring icons. From the kilted clans of the Highlands to the runways of Milan, tartan is the definitive symbol of Scotland. Yet tartan, thanks to Scotland’s gift of it, is beloved throughout the world. No other fabric is so steeped in tradition or paradoxically, so consistently at the forefront of fashion. Historians study it while designers design in it. Rockers and royals alike agree – tartan rules.

Interpretive panels will explore the fact and fiction of tartan, and how this national fabric has captured the imagination of the entire world.

The blue ribbon advisory panel for the exhibition included Matt Newsome of the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin, NC; Dr. Hugh Cheape, formerly of the National Museums of Scotland, fashion designer and tartan author Jeffrey Banks, Brian Wilton from the Scottish Tartans Authority, George Mackenzie formerly from the National Archives of Scotland and Alison Diamond formerly from the Scottish Register of Tartans.

Celebrate Tartan Day with Music and Dance

A regular feature of all the Tartan Day on Ellis Island celebrations will be music and dance and the 2017 program will be no exception. Tartan Day on Ellis Island will play host to some of the finest Scottish entertainment in New York City, including the Rampant Lion Pipe Band, kilt maker Bonnie Greene, John the Kilted Juggler and a whole host of Scottish entertainers, and traditional musicians.

Visit Facebook for additional information.

About Tartan Day on Ellis Island

Tartan Day on Ellis Island is one of the principal Scottish heritage events in the United States. Playing host to literally thousands of domestic and international visitors each day, it is the largest Tartan Day celebration in the world. Ellis Island is a fitting place to observe Tartan Day. The island and its historic buildings represent America’s “Golden Door.”

From 1892 to 1954, more than 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island. Although many Scots arrived during the colonial period of our history – helping to build the new nation – an additional half-million Scots came through Ellis Island. It has been estimated that 40% of Americans today can trace at least one ancestor’s entry into the United States through Ellis Island.

Describing the annual program, noted Scottish journalist and author Roddy Martine reported that of all the Tartan Day events held in the United States, the Ellis Island observance “stood out as a beacon of what USA Tartan Day is all about: the emigrant ancestors of ordinary Americans who over three centuries crossed the Atlantic Ocean to create the world’s greatest democracy.”

The Clan Currie Society produces Tartan Day on Ellis Island. The Society began their successful collaboration with the Ellis Island Immigration Museum in 2002 in the coordination and sponsorship of their first Tartan Day celebration.

About National Tartan Day: 6 April 2017

President Woodrow Wilson said of the Scots, “Every line of strength in American history is a line colored with Scottish blood.” The contribution of the immigrant Scots upon North America is massive and these people have remained proud of their heritage.

However, unlike the Irish and St. Patrick’s Day, Scottish-Americans did not have a national day of identity and celebration. The concept of Tartan Day began in Nova Scotia in 1986 and soon was celebrated across Canada. Australia began marking Tartan Day in 1996.

In 1998, National Tartan Day was recognized in the US when the Senate passed a resolution recognizing April 6th as National Tartan Day. This was followed by a resolution, which was passed by the US House of Representatives in 2005.

The date commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, which asserted Scotland’s freedom over English territorial claims, and may have been an influence on the Declaration of Independence.

Ahoy! Local pupils win a ‘dairy’ good Pirate Party from Rowan Glen

Rowan Glen, Scotland’s dairy producer, has treated three Edinburgh school pupils to a pirate party for their class as the winners of the company’s recent colouring-in competition.

With the competition launched to celebrate Rowan Glen’s Treasure Pots yogurt, the parties included a delivery of the Scottish yogurts (which contain no artificial additives and no added refined sugar).

The company says it is a great after-school snack or a tasty breakfast option and the yogurt is made with creamy whole milk and real fruit puree.

Alongside the dairy treats, Rowan Glen surprised each of the pupils’ classes with a host of pirate goodies and games – with each winning class also receiving a boxset of books.

The winners of the competition were Benjamin Brett from Stockbridge Primary School; Joshua Costley from Fox Covert Primary School and Blake Hatfield from East Craigs Primary School in Edinburgh. As part of their prize, the winning school children also received a framed copy of their entry.

Donny Gillies, Commercial Manager at Rowan Glen, said: “Congratulations to all the winners of our Rowan Glen colouring competition! We really enjoyed seeing the pupils’ creative designs and the effort which each child put in. It was a difficult decision to choose the winners from all the entries – but we are delighted with the final three.

“Rowan Glen is passionate about promoting a nutritious lifestyle, and our Rowan Glen Treasure Pots are an easy way to incorporate dairy into a child’s daily diet. We know it’s tough for mums and dads to make sure their children are getting a balanced diet. Our Treasure Pots yogurt offers a good source of calcium and vitamin D – and in two delicious flavours.

“A big thanks to all our competition entrants. The colouring-in competition has proved a fun way for us to share the importance of dairy, and to celebrate Scotland’s talented little artists.”

Rowan Glen Treasure Pots are available in Strawberry & Blueberry and Peach & Apricot flavours in a 4x90g multipack.

by Simon Pia, Edinburgh Napier University

As Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon had their Brexit stand-off in Glasgow on Monday March 27 ahead of the Scottish parliament voting in favour of a second independence referendum, Richard Dawkins stepped into the fray – on the side of the Scottish first minister.

The renowned English evolutionary biologist and controversialist tweeted:

What made this particularly pertinent is that the best-selling author of The God Delusion had added cerebral heft along with Stephen Hawking to the roll-call of 200 celebrities wheeled out before the 2014 referendum to appeal to Scots to stay in the union.

Dawkins’ shift is part of a sea change among the progressive liberal left on how they view Scottish independence, reflected in their UK media bastions The Guardian and the New Statesman. Nationalism is no longer anathema – well, the Scottish brand anyway.

The left’s dilemma

Scotland’s inclusive “civic nationalism” with its loosely social democratic values is now viewed as something to aspire to, particularly after its resounding vote 62%-38% to remain in the EU. It stands in stark contrast to the right-wing populism that has produced the Trump presidency and its “America First” nationalism; Marine Le Pen and the other nationalist movements in mainland Europe; and UKIP, which has effectively infected the soul of Tory party.

Added to this is the prospect of a decade of Tory government due to the enfeeblement of the Labour party. This has been particularly grave in Scotland, where the party that once saw the country as its back yard now has a solitary MP – no better than the Tories or Lib Dems. Sturgeon’s SNP holds the rest, having won 56 of Scotland’s 59 constituencies in 2015.

Polly Toynbee of the Guardian made a passionate plea in August 2014 at the Edinburgh Festival for solidarity and Scots to stay in the union. By the general election of 2015 she was conceding: “No wonder SNP are confident – the Tories behave as if they want Scotland gone”.

And this week Toynbee reflected: “On Monday May was in Scotland, arguing for the ‘unstoppable force’ of a ‘better together’ United Kingdom. But every word in defence of that union rang hollow, as all she said applies with equal force to the European Union she herself is breaking.”

Other Guardian writers have been even more forthright. John Harris
said, “Hard Brexit is making the case for Scottish independence”, while
Suzanne Moore wrote, “Brexit was an English vote for independence – you can’t begrudge the Scots the same.”

Paul Mason recently felt the need to appeal to “Scottish Labour to back independence”, while George Monbiot has been calling for Scotland to “cut to rope”. The Guardian’s reporting of this week’s Holyrood vote has meanwhile been very even-handed – in contrast, for instance, to The Telegraph’s coverage of Sturgeon’s “endless quest”.

Over at the New Statesman, Julia Rampen has been asking: “Who would oppose Scottish independence second referendum campaign?” The magazine recently ran a piece by David Clark, one-time special advisor to Robin Cook at the Foreign Office, which said: “Scottish voters were warned that independence would leave them locked out of the EU. Now independence is their only hope of avoiding that fate.” In another piece, Simon Wren Lewis, a professor of economic policy at Oxford University, argued: “Brexit makes Scottish independence more economically attractive.”

The view on the right

Sturgeon is even finding some sympathy on the soft right. Matthew Parris of The Times believes the Scots should have a second vote if they want one. The Guardian’s Simon Jenkins agrees, arguing that “Anglo-Scottish relations should be released from the lingering fog of Anglo imperialism”.

The Spectator’s Alex Massie has written that “anyone in Whitehall or Westminster who thinks this is all fine, there is no risk, no danger here and so on, is deluding themselves”. Independence, if voted for, could, “one day be seen as one of the Brexit consequences”.

Of course, the majority of the UK press – the most “right wing” and “biased” in Europe according to a recent YouGov poll of seven European countries – has been in full “enemies of the people” mode against the Scottish nationalists.

The Telegraph’s Allison Pearson outdid even the tabloids with a recent splenetic attack on Scotland’s first minister, headlined: “Nicola Sturgeon is a liar and a traitor – off with her head!” It was later changed to “Nicola Sturgeon – another treacherous queen of Scots – has miscalculated”, as no doubt even The Telegraph recognised its tastelessness.

Bolstering the unionist ranks have been two commentators somewhat on the left, David Aaronovitch of The Times and Nick Cohen of The Observer. Both are vigorous critics of nationalism and advocates of Western interventionism in the Middle East.

All the same, the shift in written opinion coming out of London has been discernible. As Theresa May triggered Article 50 and Sturgeon warned that she will be unveiling her strategy after Easter for bringing forward a second referendum, the battles lines between Edinburgh and London have been realigned.

Will the UK commentators fall into line and back unionism once a timetable for a vote has been agreed, or is a more permanent split developing? The signals will be fascinating to watch in the coming months.

Simon Pia, Lecturer in Journalism, Edinburgh Napier University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Division One: Grange 10, Watsonians 0; Western Wildcats 3, Uddingston Deans Eng 0; AAM Gordonians 1, Grove Menzieshill 0; PSL Team Sport Clydesdale 2, Bromac Kelburne 4; Edinburgh University 2, Hillhead 3.

Grange dominated city rivals Watsonians to consolidated pole position in men’s Division One.

The comfortable 10-0 success notched up win No 14 in 16 league games so far this season and takes Grange to 43 points, one ahead of defending champions, Bromac Kelburne, with two games left of the regular season.

And the margin of victory gives Grange a goal difference of plus 43, the same as Kelburne as the pressure mounts in the run-in to the title.

Ed Irvine, Grange’s manager, said the squad were concentrating on one game at a time and the key to the big win was two early goals.

They came inside the first ten minutes at Fettes with Irishman Frank Ryan opening the home side’s account followed by another from Scottish international Duncan Riddell.

Joe Waterston, Callum Milne, captain Cammy Fraser and Waterston again completed the first-half scoring.

The game went into a lull at the start of the second-half but Grange picked up the pace again and Fraser netted No 7 with Milne and Luke Cranney twice completing the scoring.

The Edinburgh side entertain struggling Hillhead next Saturday but Irvine said: “We’re keeping focused and not looking long-term.”

Meanwhile, Edinburgh University slipped to eighth place in the ten-strong league when they lost 3-2 to Hillhead after being 2-1 ahead at the break.

Elsewhere, Kelburne edged second-bottom PSL Team Sport Clydesdale 4-2 on the road while Western Wildcats beat improved Uddingston Deans Eng 3-0.

The biggest shock was bottom club AAM Gordonians beating third-placed Grove Menzieshill 1-0 in the Granite City.

Nestled down on Hastie’s close and hidden by the wild Cowgate, The Mash House hosted the Johannesburg born and Philadelphia raised indie folk singer-songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov.

As blue smoke filled the air of the basement New York-influenced Mash House, the band seemed ready to begin.

Supporting Isakov and his band was Leif Vollebekk, a talented guitarist and singer whose search for the perfect mix of Ryan Adams and Sigor Rós has led him to perform very ambient and soulful songs.

Vollebekk is young and talented, perhaps a little lacking on lyrical craft, but nevertheless a good support for Isakov: as the main act themselves focus on the alt-country and indie-folk feel.

They played their signature songs, When I Go, I’m Goin’, and Stable Song to cheering fans, along with a set that lasted for nearly two hours.

Due to the intimate nature of the Mash House the room was packed from wall to wall.

Vollebekk played with the band on several occasions too, adding to the folk-bar feel of the evening.

A travelling man himself, Isakov basis a lot of his lyrics on his travels across the world. Sadly however, the singer-songwriter refused to comment for The Edinburgh Reporter on his time in Edinburgh or his music.

Isakov is touring the UK after supporting number-one best selling artist Passenger on his sold out uk tour.

Imgae by Blue Caleel

Hibs continued to inch their way to automatic promotion with a 1-1 draw away to Dunfermline this afternoon whilst nearest rivals Morton lost to Dumbarton.

After a traumatic few days, Head Coach Neil Lennon made three changes to the starting XI that drew with Morton on Wednesday night with Brian McLean, Dylan McGeouch and Brian Graham replacing Paul Hanlon, James Keatings and Grant Holt.

McLean, making his Hibs debut, was a last minute replacement for Hanlon who was initially named on the team sheet.

Club captain David Gray returned to the squad after a period of injury but had to be content with a place on the bench whilst Darren McGregor retained his place despite having been sent off in midweek as Hibs are appealing that decision.

Allan Johnston kept faith with the team that beat Morton last Saturday.

The large travelling support showed their feeling clear with a rousing rendition of ‘There’s only one Neil Lennon’ as the game kicked off.

Hibs took the lead in the 11th minute in spectacular fashion after Marvin Bartley found John McGinn in midfield. The Scotland international dropped his shoulder and beat a Pars’ defender before firing an unstoppable 35 yard strike which flew into the bottom right hand corner of the net, leaving former Hibs keeper Sean Murdoch helpless.

Shortly before the break both Graham and McGinn were booked for separate incidents.

McGeough and Kallum Higginbotham clashed heads whilst challenging for the ball and the Dunfermline player required treatment before returning to the action.

Hibs started the second half brightly and McGinn almost doubled their lead with a long range effort which was well saved by Murdoch.  Cummings clipped the rebound back across the face of goal but Graham skewed wide from six yards out.

In the 58th minute Dunfermline were awarded a controversial penalty kick when the ball appeared to strike Lewis Stevenson’s arm. Referee Greg Aitken took his time before pointing to the spot and Higginbotham converted the penalty although Ofir Marciano managed to get his hand to the ball.

Hibs had a succession of corner kicks but were unable to take advantage with  15 minutes remaining James Keatings replaced Martin Boyle and moments later Holt replaced Graham as Hibs looked to grab all three points.

Marciano produced a fine save to deny Nicky Clarke then just before the end Hibs had a penalty claim when Callum Morris grabbed Cummings round the waste as the ball was crossed in but the referee waved play on and the game ended all square.

Elsewhere Falkirk beat Raith Rovers to move to within nine points of Hibs. Morton’s defeat leaves them 11 points behind with a game in hand and Dundee United’s defeat to Queen of the South leaves them 13 points behind with a game in hand.

After the game Lennon told BBC Scotland: “I thought we were excellent first half, really good value for the lead. They get a penalty which is debatable – if it’s the correct decision, it’s probably the only one the referee made all afternoon, as far as I’m concerned.

“I’m not too sure Lewis could do much about (the penalty); he’s about a yard away. His arm’s maybe deemed to be in an unnatural position. He booked Dylan McGeouch for diving – it’s ridiculous. And some of the other decisions I wasn’t pleased about. I just think the standard of refereeing’s not great at the minute.

“We just need to keep ticking off the games at the minute. We should be putting these games away, because we had total control of the game for long periods.

“We keep dragging it out – that’s annoying, but we’re nearly there.”

Dunfermline: Murdoch, Geggan, Morris, Ashcroft, Talbot, Higginbotham, Herron, Wedderburn, McMullan, Cark, Moffat. Subs: Williamson, Paton, Hopkirk, Cardie, McCabe, Reilly, Gill

Hibs: Marciano, Hanlon, Bartley, McGinn, McGeouch, Stevenson, Boyle, McGregor, Ambrose, Graham, Cummings. Subs: Laidlaw, Gray, Fyvie, Holt, Murray, Keatings, Martin

Referee Greg Aitken

Attendance 7,058

In Edinburgh we have two of the six Scottish World Heritage Sites in or close to the capital and we will celebrate World Heritage Day on 18 April 2017. On the day there will be six coordinated events for the first time. In Edinburgh we will have the Battle of the Bands (see below) and at the Forth Bridge there will be a Steampunk Festival. All of the events are part of the celebration of the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.

Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop, said: “These events will offer an ideal opportunity to celebrate Scotland’s iconic World Heritage Sites, representing thousands of years of Scottish history and attracting many thousands of visitors every year.

“The Scottish Government remains committed to protecting and promoting Scotland’s rich history and heritage: our six Sites are of outstanding universal value to all of humanity and I look forward to celebrating them on World Heritage Day. As 2017’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology continues, it is important that we all work together to ensure that our diverse historic environment is valued and cared for now, and for future generations.”

The free events, labelled “Scotland in Six”, will begin in Edinburgh Old Town and New Town with Medieval minstrels and classical Georgian-era musicians roaming the city, culminating in a lunchtime Battle of the Bands. In the Outer Hebrides, participants will build, excavate and explore St Kilda through the popular Minecraft video game. The Forth Bridge will play host to a Victorian steampunk festival and an army of knitters will head to New Lanark to cover the Institute in woollen yarn. At the Antonine Wall, Picts will chase down Romans over a 5k race, ending with a Great Roman Bake Off. The final event will take place at the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, as a group of young participants set out on a glow-in-the-dark adventure.

Tickets are now available on Eventbrite:

• Knit New Lanark, Lanarkshire: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/knit-new-lanark-scotland-in-six-tickets-33014096050
• Old vs. New: Battle of the Bands, Edinburgh: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/old-vs-new-battle-of-the-bands-scotland-in-six-tickets-33012448121
• Romans vs. Picts 5k + Great Roman Bake Off, Falkirk: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/romans-vs-picts-5k-great-roman-bake-off-scotland-in-six-tickets-33010825267
• 3 Minutes in 1890: A Victorian Festival, Fife: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/3-minutes-in-1890-a-victorian-festival-scotland-in-six-tickets-33009134209

There are also events this summer in the DigIt! series which celebrate our heritage and our surroundings.

Dig It! 2017 is year-long celebration of Scottish archaeology with a packed programme of events from organisations across the country. It’s all about discovering Scotland’s past, present and future stories. Whether you’re getting muddy at a dig or strolling through a festival, now is the perfect time to let archaeology move you, surprise you and inspire you. Here are our suggestions for April :

Arthur’s Secrets begins on 4 April 2017 and runs till the end of August. This is a guided walk around Arthur’s Seat to learn about the thousands of years of our own extinct volcano and the wildlife in the Royal Park.

On 10 April 2017 there will be a lecture at 6.00pm by Professor Martin Carver about his excavations at Portmahomack on the Black Isle and the influence on European politics. Discoveries at Portmahomack in Easter Ross (1994 to 2008) were initially hailed as the first modern sighting of a Pictish monastery.

The intensive period of post-excavation analysis that followed has defined six successive settlements on the same spot: a high status cemetery-settlement with contacts in Cumbria and Sussex (6/7th century), a purpose-built monastery with vellum and metal workshops and pieces from a dozen carved stone monuments (8th century), a trading farm (9thcentury), a parish church (12th century), a fishing village (13th century) and a township of iron workers (15th century).

The publication of the results in 2016 advanced the idea that this sequence reflects contemporary political or ideological movements in wider Britain, Ireland and Europe.

Details here.

On 18 April 2017 there will be a battle of the bands at St Cecilia’s Hall with medieval and classical music in the air.

http://digit2017.com/events/old-vs-new-battle-of-the-bands-scotland-in-six/

The Beltane Fire Festival celebrates the beginning of summer

http://digit2017.com/events/beltane-fire-festival-2017/

Details here.

All the details of the events are on this website here. 

Photo by

Neil Hanna Photography
www.neilhannaphotography.co.uk
07702 246823

Duncan Bannatyne wanted to try it in health clubs and Piers Linney was looking for “the Zumba of Swing”. Now SwingTrain, the joyful cardio fitness workout is launching in Scotland, aiming to branch out across the nation from Edinburgh starting with the first event to recruit prospective instructors at Edinburgh’s Royal Commonwealth Pool on Saturday 8th April 2017.

Edinburgh part-time primary school teacher, Cathy Harrison, has been appointed as Scotland’s Head
SwingTrainer, and she will run the first SwingTrain work out session for Scots seeking a joyful approach to fitness at 6.00pm on May 9th and every following Tuesday at Edinburgh’s James Gillespie’s High School Dance Studio.

Developed by Scott Cupit, the award winning dance teacher and entrepreneur whose pitch secured investment on BBC Dragons’ Den, SwingTrain is an elating exercise experience accompanied by the vintage vibes of swing, gospel, rhythm & blues and jazz – a marked difference from the electronica that accompanies the majority of cardio exercise classes.

The SwingTrain total body workouts are inclusive and suitable for all levels of fitness and coordination. No dance or fitness class experience is required whatsoever. SwingTrain fitness instructors lead participants through a series of fun, follow-along moves inspired by the vintage street dances of Charleston, lindy hop, and shag. The full body cardio workouts exercise legs, arms and core, as well as developing coordination and mental agility through memorable routines. Each SwingTrain session lasts for an hour, including warm-up and warm-down time. In its first three months since launch in January, SwingTrain has grown to offer workouts at 45 venues across England.

SwingTrain’s first venture in Scotland will be to recruit and train talented, friendly fitness instructors across the nation who have a passion for building communities, motivating others, and running their own business. Personal trainers, fitness instructors and others who wish to deliver SwingTrain workouts can learn how at the Royal Commonwealth Pool or in Glasgow’s Dance HQ on Saturday 6th May.

Cathy Harrison, Scotland’s Head SwingTrainer, said, “SwingTrain is a great opportunity for friendly fitness instructors with a passion for building a local community of SwingTrainees, motivating them to achieve their fitness goals and improving the health of their local community.

“It’s designed to foster friendships as well as fitness and to warmly welcome absolute beginners. The main SwingTrain office helps instructors to establish and run their own SwingTrain business, and enthuses them with a little bit of Dragons’ Den’s entrepreneurial spirit.

“The atmosphere in the workout sessions is so supportive and uplifting that participants don’t even realise they’re burning up to 500 calories an hour because they’re smiling so much. The swing-inspired moves and the music automatically gets people moving, but the best thing about SwingTrain is that it’s accessible to everyone, no matter their age, fitness levels or abilities. All that’s required is a desire for a positive experience.”

The move to Scotland is part of SwingTrain’s international expansion which includes recruiting SwingTrain instructors in Germany, New Zealand, Australia and the USA. “Launching in Scotland is the first step in our plans to establish SwingTrain as an international fitness brand by the end of 2017. Supported by Deborah Meaden and my dedicated SwingTrain team, SwingTrain instructors have been quickly establishing and running their own SwingTrain businesses, bringing their entrepreneurial spirit to their local area and growing loyal client communities of SwingTrainees across England.

“We hope to help and inspire Scottish personal trainers, fitness instructors, dance teachers and other aerobic fitness fans to do the same. After the events in Scotland, we will be recruiting instructors in New Zealand and we are building relationships with potential SwingTrain instructors in Australia, Germany and the United States,” said Scott Cupit, founder of SwingTrain and Managing Director of Swing Patrol UK.

For more information on becoming a SwingTrain instructor click here

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) will host three Boys Ballet Masterclasses in London, Edinburgh and Birmingham from Sunday 2^nd April 2017.

Each two-hour high-tempo class will be led by a male teacher, with live piano accompaniment in a fun boys-only environment.

Designed for boys aged 7+years with basic ballet technique upwards, each masterclass will aim to encourage confidence-building, sociability and creativity whilst developing ballet technique, choreography, core strength, musicality, coordination and presentation.

Former professional ballet dancer Joel Morris, who will be teaching in Edinburgh said: “These boys might often be the only boy in their dance class. Here, they get their own time. They’re not the add-on or the afterthought. It’s really good for them to mix with other boys who dance. Instead of being the minority, they’re with lots of other boys with the same interest. It builds a community.”

• EDINBURGH: 30 APRIL: Manor School of Ballet, 8 Hampton Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5JD

TIMES: 10.00am – 12.00pm:      Group A: Ages 7+, beginners to RAD Grade 3 or equivalent

12.45 – 2.45pm:             Group B: Ages 10+, RAD Grade 4 or equivalent and above

CLOSING DATE: 10 April 2017

TICKETS: £24

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE

Hibs’ skipper David Gray is expecting a tough game at East End Park this afternoon against on-form Dunfermline who beat fellow challengers Morton away from home last week.

The Pars almost did the same to Hibs on their last visit to Easter Road and only some goalkeeping heroics from Ofir Marciano secured a share of the points that day.

The Hibs players and staff know that three points will significantly improve their chances of automatic promotion as rivals Morton face Dumbarton.

Hibs are currently ten points ahead of Jim Duffy’s side who have a game in hand.

Gray told Hibernian TV: “We all know that the Dunfermline game will be really tough. They came to Easter Road the last time and gave us a real good game and they probably shaded it in terms of clear cut chances. Ofir (Marciano) was outstanding to get us a point.

“They have really good players going forward. We went there earlier in the season and they went one nil up but we have to put on a performance like we did in the second half.

“Every game now will be the biggest game of the season until we manage to get over the line and our focus is firmly on Saturday and getting the three points.

“We will go to Dunfermline and the manager will have us right with a game plan.”

The popular right back has missed the last two games due to an injury but he is hoping to be back in contention for todays game.

He continued: “I had a little tweek in my hamstring which I have had to manage for the last ten days or so but it’s feeling better.

“I’ve trained the last two days and came through reasonably unscathed so we will just have to see how it reacts.

“It was disappointing to miss the games against our immediate rivals and it was probably harder to have to sit in the stand and watch it. I feel more nervous watching than I do playing but I am delighted that the lads have done so well in the last couple of games.

“I think we are in a good place with our position in the league. there has been a little bit of frustration kicking in at times when we have missed opportunities, like for example dropping points in our home game after beating Dundee United. That was disappointing.

“We could have been a little bit further in front but we have been in the league for three seasons so we know every game is difficult whether you are at home or away.”

Top chef Marco Pierre White believes in creating restaurants which are not stuffy and pretentious.

They are, he says, about enjoying your evening with excellent food and drink in luxurious, relaxed surroundings.

He wants diners to have a good time and the celebrity chef says that is the kind of experience that his guests in Edinburgh can look forward to.

Marco says his menu at his Steakhouse Bar and Grill in the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton Hotel on North Bridge has something to suit every taste and budget.

He said: “I call it affordable glamour and we hope it is an experience our guests will want to return to again and again.”

The new has been exclusively curated by Marco allowing guests to enjoy a new range of starters, main courses and desserts and he has used his cooking techniques to create a mix of childhood favourites and modern day delicacies, simply cooked using the best locally sourced ingredients.

Steak remains at the heart of the new menu all sourced from Royal Warrant appointed butcher, Campbell Brothers.

Alongside classic cuts including fillet, rib-eye and Chateaubriand, the 32oz T-bone Cuts for Two special is a new sharing option for diners to enjoy, along with a selection of extras including grilled woodland mushrooms and peppercorn and brandy sauce.

Old favourites including the classic chicken kiev and The Great American cheese and bacon burger will also be preserved and joined by additions such as the barbeque smoked babyback ribs, sticky ribs in deluxe BBQ sauce served with French fries and American coleslaw.

A range of vegetarian dishes have been added to the menu including the mushroom tartlets with poached eggs and the vegetarian sharer which includes baked Camembert, roasted vine tomatoes, olives à la Provençal, Glamorgan sausages, baked sourdough, vintage balsamic and olive oil.

For those with a sweet tooth, the new menu also delivers a selection of desserts, including tiramisu, and the Trio of Desserts for Two which includes a warm chocolate brownie, cheesecake, and banana and caramel mess.

Colin Brand, the restaurant’s food and beverage manager, said: “Our new menu gives our returning guests a selection of exciting flavours to try while guaranteeing an enjoyable experience for diners who are visiting for the first time.”

Tristan Cameron-Harper and Finlay Wilson have recently made themselves pretty famous by agreeing to be filmed for The BBC Social Channel.

There they are in the middle of the Hermitage near Dunkeld  practising yoga, in kilts – in the forest. You will no doubt have seen them, but if not then have a look here. Together they form the partnership, The Kilted Yogis.

The Edinburgh Reporter met them when they paid a visit to Howie Nicolsby at 21st Century Kilts in Thistle Street to get their kilts fitted for the upcoming trip to New York and spoke to them about their amazing year so far.

The Edinburgh Reporter meets the Kilted Yogis from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

FW: We’re here to get measured up for our kilts for the New York Tartan Week

TCH : “My friend Howie at 21st Century Kilts is going to give us some kilts to wear for Tartan Week and we are being fitted for our new kilts that we are going to be rocking after New York! Stay tuned for that!

FW : “We are going to be filming some more stuff with the BBC showcasing lots of different things around Edinburgh as well as for VisitScotland.

TCH : “We will be going up to the Highlands to get on top of the biggest Munroes showcasing some amazing yoga moves that Finlay will be sequencing together.

FW: “They’re probably going to be cheeky!”

This is a reference to their viral video where right at the end the kilt may drape a little bit too far…. or does it?

We asked how their new persona as the Kilted Yogis came about.

FW : “This came about from the video that we created for the BBC. All of a sudden overnight it turned into a viral success with 15 million viewers on the first day and over 55 million views now. We are officially the Kilted Yogis!”

TCH : “Yeah, it’s opening a lot more doors and we hope people will wear more kilts and get into yoga much more.”

Both are travelling to Tartan Week at the beginning of April when The Edinburgh Reporter hopes to bring you news, photos and video of them Stateside.

What will they be up to over there?

FW : “In New York we are going to be doing some yoga in some fairly iconic places, we’re going to be meeting loads of different people.”

TCH : “Yes and we are going to be working with VisitScotland to do a bunch of fun activities and some whisky tasting, and just going with the flow and enjoying the  buzz really.”

This pair are having a great time together!

Tristan is the current Mr Scotland. He went to take part in Mr World this year after encouragement from his modelling agency. “I didn’t think I was going to get it but two weeks later I got a call saying ‘You’re Mr Scotland and you’re going to Mr World. I went to Southport of all places – normally it is somewhere abroad! It was a great experience and I finished sixth overall. But Mr Scotland is a very cool thing to add to my CV and I had a great time doing it.

“To become Mr Scotland I went through a series of interviews with the former Miss Scotland and Miss United Kingdom. There were health challenges, assessment of social engagement both on and offline, cooking challenges, charities that we work with, how we get on in certain groups of people. Judges were round us the whole time judging us and scoring us. Then at the end they came up with this amazing result! Mr India won it.

“Everybody was really nice and it was a great experience.”

he is an ambassador for Tiso, was formerly a professional ice hockey player with Braehead Clan, having lived for a good part of his life in Canada, attending Banff Hockey Academy, and is also a model with Model Team.  He writes a blog and has ambitions to climb Everest.

There is no doubting that this will come true as he is so enthusiastic about the way he chooses to live his life. Last year he already trekked to Everest Base Camp, all part of the preparation. He said afterwards : “This trip has been extremely positive for me not only being around the beautiful people of Nepal but on a personal level, l have a better understanding of who l am & where l want to go in life.”

Currently he takes every opportunity he can to go to the mountains to perfect his mountaineering skills. You can follow his adventures on Instagram here.

Tristan is going to Tartan Week in the company of Gordon Millar of ScotStreetStyle who he first met a few years ago at one of the ScotStreetStyle Gatherings. He explained : “He gets all these creative people involved and there’s lots of buzz about Scotland. He and I have become really close and he asked if I would come along and represent ScotStreetStyle in the New York Tartan Day Parade. So we are off to New York to do just that!”

Finlay is a Classics scholar who studied at St Andrews University and now runs two organic food shops as well as Heart Space Yoga and Bodyworks in Dundee.

He likes to travel and teaches yoga all over the world. He has promised us an invitation to the rooftop yoga class he intends teaching in New York. Watch this space!

The Foxlake Outdoor Festival returns bigger and better in May with a weekend offering adventure for all the family.

The first festival sold out weeks in advance last year and the organisers in partnership with East Lothian Council have decided to extend it to a full weekend on 20 and 21 May.

Tickets start at £17 for an adult day entry and £30 for a weekend ticket and children are free.

Some of the most talented wake boarders from around the world will compete and the Decades Music Stage featuring tribute bands, celebrating the last 60 years of music is also back.

East Lothian’s finest local musicians will be featured and joining them will be the Comedy Stage with a selection of Britain’s finest comedians.

A Kids’ Zone will feature an inflatable village filled and they can also enjoy a climbing wall.

Entrants can try the UK’s only rope course constructed over water or don wet suits and try wakeboarding. They can even hop on a segway.

Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council’s spokesperson for Economic Development and Tourism said: “The festival is not only committed to enjoying and celebrating our fabulous landscape but we also want to protect it.

“So, there will be a shuttle bus service from Dunbar Station throughout the weekend, giving the opportunity for all of our visitors to use the excellent rail links from Edinburgh and the North of England and leave the car at home.”

Further details are available by clicking here.

Photos

ROB MCDOUGALL

www.RobMcDougall.com
07856222103
info@robmcdougall.com

The Greater Grassmarket BID’s exclusive Walking Wedding Fair returns for the second year running

The Greater Grassmarket Business Improvement District’s (BID) Walking Wedding Fair
takes place in the Grassmarket area on Saturday 8th April from 11am – 5pm.

The Walking Wedding Fair will feature a series of free fashion shows at the Apex Grassmarket
Hotel as well as outdoors at the Grassmarket Square. Exclusive wedding attire will be showcased, including Scottish tweed three-piece suits from Walker Slater, wedding dresses by Rowan Joy Bridal (at Godiva), and vintage clothing and accessories from Armstrongs Vintage Emporium and Godiva Boutique.

Accessories such as hats and headwear will be showcased by Fabhatrix, along with unique jewellery pieces from Purple Glamour. There will also be a range of exhibitors at the
fashion show; Museum Context, Red Door Gallery and Barantine’s will be showcasing their
collections of unusual gifts and wedding favours, whilst Apex Hotel and the Greater
Grassmarket Community Project will be showcasing their wedding venues. Visitors
attending the fashion shows at the Apex Hotel will receive a free glass of
fizz.

Visitors are then invited to pick up and follow the Walking Wedding Fair map and visit the wide range of boutiques and shops in the Greater Grassmarket area. Visitors will find special wedding offers and freebies in many shops taking part in the event including free champagne and vouchers to book a personal shopping experience.

Outside at the Grassmarket Square there will be entertainment from interactive street theatre group Broccoli Brides and live music performed by the 31 piece Wakefield Grammar School Senior Concert Band (ages 11 to 16).

Norrie Stewart, Greater Grassmarket BID Project Manager, says: “We want to offer an exclusive, yet alternative wedding fair, very different to all the rest. We can show brides and grooms-to-be how they can make their special day that little bit more memorable with one-off finds, they just won’t see anywhere else.

“As well as discovering the many wonderful independent boutiques offering some of the most unique wedding supplies, visitors can also indulge in the many cafes, pubs and restaurants. With wedding themed fashion shows, entertainment and pop-up exhibitions, the Walking Wedding Fair is a must for those planning their big day.

 “Our first Walking Wedding Fair was a huge hit and we’re delighted to be able to bring it back for a second year.”

The free Walking Wedding fashion show takes place in Heights Restaurant, Apex Grassmarket Hotel at 12.30pm and 2.30pm, and outside at the Grassmarket Square from 1.30pm on Saturday 8th April
2017. Free wedding maps are also available to pick up from Greater Grassmarket shops.

Film Events: April 2017 – Classic theatre on the big screen

VUE Entertainment will bring live arts to its Omni Centre and Ocean Terminal cinema outlets in Edinburgh with opera, ballet and theatre productions for this month only.

Highlights include three National Theatre Live productions; Saint Joan on Tuesday 4th and 18th April; Twelfth Night on Thursday 6th April and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead on Thursday 20th April. With the latter celebrating the 50th anniversary of the original production this year, the new version will be broadcast live from The Old Vic theatre in the West End of London while the Royal Shakespeare Company will be performing Julius Caesar on Wednesday 26 April 2017, completing the theatre listings.

Other highlights comprise Madama Butterfly from The Royal Opera on Sunday 2nd April and Eugene Onegin from The Met Opera on Saturday 22 April 2017. Dance productions by The Bolshoi Ballet on Sunday 9th April, The Royal Ballet on Tuesday 11 and Sunday 16 April 2017 and The Australia Ballet on Wednesday 19 April will also be broadcast.

Schedule:

2 April 2017 – The Royal Opera: Madama Butterfly

4 April 2017 – NT Live: Saint Joan (Encore)

6 April 2017 – NT Live: Twelfth Night

6 April 2017 – Late Shift (VUE Exclusive – Big Screen Innovation)

7 April 2017 – Peppa Pig: My First Cinema Experience (Big Screen TV)

9 April 2017 – The Bolshoi Ballet: A Hero of Our Time

11 April 2017 – The Royal Ballet: Jewels

16 April 2017 – The Royal Ballet: Jewels (Encore)

18 April 2017 – NT Live: Saint Joan (Encore)

19 April 2017 – The Australia Ballet: Coppelia

19 April 2017 – Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale

20 April 2017 – NT Live: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead

22 April 2017 – The Met Opera: Eugene Onegin (Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky)

24 April 2017 – Mulholland Drive – 15 Year Reissue (Big Screen Film)

25 April 2017 – TED Cinema Experience:
TED2017 Opening Event (Big Screen Knowledge)

26 April 2017 – RSC Live: Julius Caesar

27 April 2017 – TED Cinema Experience:
TED2017 TED Prize Event (Big Screen Knowledge)

30 April 2017 – TED Cinema Experience:
TED2017Highlights Exclusive (Big Screen Knowledge)

Secure tickets by clicking here

We have been advised of resurfacing work on the southbound M9 on the approach to Junction 1A which will take place overnight, between 8pm on Monday 3 April and 6am on Tuesday 4 April 2017.

This scheme will benefit around 13,000 vehicles, which use this stretch of the M9 each day, by improving the condition of the carriageway and reducing the need for future, more extensive maintenance.

To allow this work to take place there will be a full evening closure of 1 mile of the southbound carriageway of the M9 approaching Junction 1A. A signed diversion will be in operation.

Traffic travelling southbound on the M9 will be diverted to exit at Junction 2 onto the B8046 and will turn right to join the A904. Traffic will then proceed in a southerly direction until reaching Echline Roundabout. From here, traffic will take the 3rd exit to join the A90, before returning to the M9 southbound via Junction 1A.

The work, valued around £33,000, has been planned in consultation with Transport Scotland, Traffic Scotland, the emergency services, the Forth Bridge Operating Company, West Lothian Council and City of Edinburgh Council.

Had world tennis No 1 Andy Murray failed to rise to the top of his chosen sport, he might have become hooked on knitting, with mum Judy revealing that both activities demand similar skills.

Concentration, rhythm, timing and attention to detail are essential in both tennis and knitting, says Judy, who is supporting the Scottish Women’s Institutes craft revival campaign.

In a video showing Judy picking up needles and wool and knitting in support of the SWI the tennis coach said: “What it reminded me of is a lot of things I teach in tennis.

“It’s great for manual dexterity, great for concentration, it’s great for rhythm, and timing and attention to detail so there you go, tennis and knitting, it’s all the same thing really.”

The SWI has for generations been regarded as the leading organisation for learning, sharing and developing knitting, sewing, embroidery and handcraft expertise.

Now, in its centenary year, Scottish personalities are backing the SWI as it leads the charge to bring nimble fingered talents to the fore once again.

TV presenters Lorraine Kelly and Martel Maxwell have also been reminded of the pleasure of knitting by SWI members who sent wool, knitting needles and part-made scarves and encouraged them to have a go.

Lorraine said: “I learned knitting at school and find it therapeutic and a real stress buster.”

Martel took up the SWI knitting challenge weeks after having her third child, Guthrie, who features in her knitting film clip.

Martel adds: “It takes me back to knitting with my gran, so many fond memories, and it got me thinking about the things that really matter.

“I have three wee boys and knitting can keep my boys warm… save money…and it is really enjoyable.”

With handcrafts are no longer taught in schools and anecdotal evidence suggesting some people cannot tackle basic tasks like sewing a button onto a garment, the SWI fears that handcraft skills could be in danger of dying out.

Yet there is an appetite among women to take up handcrafts. An SWI survey carried out two years ago showed dressmaking, knitting and crochet in the top ten skills women in Scotland would like to learn.

The poll included cooking and arts and crafts among the top skills women would like to develop, other areas in which the SWI is renowned for.

The SWI wants to encourage anyone who would like to learn and develop handcrafts to come and join them, or to seek out their support for tutorials or skill-sharing events. For more details of how to find your nearest Institute, or how to join online, visit the website.

Joan Osborne has rightfully earned a reputation as one of the great voices of her generation — both a commanding, passionate performer and a frank, emotionally evocative songwriter.

A multi-platinum selling recording artist and seven-time Grammy nominee, the soulful vocalist is a highly sought-after collaborator and guest performer who has performed alongside many notable artists, including Bob Dylan, Luciano Pavarotti, Stevie Wonder, Emmylou Harris, Taj Mahal, and Mavis Staples to name a few.

For tickets to Joan Osborne sings the songs of Bob Dylan on 23 April 2017  CLICK HERE

Oi! You looking at my pie Pal? Take a dive in to this box of dramatic delights…

Our friends at the Traverse announce their new kick-act season of eclectic sweetmeats.

The rehearsal room is positively bursting with energy as Girl in the Machine nears its world premiere, taking to the Traverse 1 stage from 3 April.

Next week kicks off with the Scottish premiere of Offside, a lyrical and punchy piece putting the inequalities faced by female footballers centre stage. However, they’re swapping the traditional pre-match pie for A Play, A Pie and A Pint which is soon to make a welcome return to the Traverse.

Futures Theatre | Scottish Premiere

Offside by Sabrina Mahfouz and Hollie McNish
Thu 30 Mar – Sat 1 Apr

Told through lyrical dialogue, poetry and punchy prose, Offside exposes the oft-forgotten history of women’s football and its lasting impact on the sport.

Coming Soon –
Traverse Theatre Company | World Premiere
Girl in the Machine by Stef Smith
Wed 5 – Sat 22 Apr

Do you want to live forever? Presenting a disturbing but compassionate take on our potential digital future, Girl in the Machine sees a mysterious new technology creep onto everyone’s phone, threatening to turn Owen and Polly’s world upside down.

Produced by A Play, A Pie and A Pint, Òran Mór
Presented by Traverse Theatre
A Play, A Pie and A Pint
Tue 4 Apr – Sat 6 May

Satiate your appetite for drama with a delicious selection of new writing and freshly baked pies as A Play, A Pie and A Pint makes a triumphant return to our spring menu with five new offerings to light up your lunchtimes.

‘The best value cultural event in the country.’ The Sunday Times

Soundhouse residency at the Traverse
Southern Tenant Folk Union
Mon 27 Mar

The acclaimed and award-winning Edinburgh based folk, roots and bluegrass collective Southern Tenant Folk Union perform their new uptempo and political seventh album, Join Forces, at Soundhouse on Monday.

Grid Iron and Lung Ha

Dr Stirlingshire’s Discovery
Tue 4 – Sat 9 Apr

A new family show written by Traverse Associate Artist Morna Pearson, Dr Stirlingshire’s Discovery tells the tale of Dr Vivien Stirlingshire, a cryptozoologist, who is unveiling her latest discovery at the world famous RZSS Edinburgh Zoo.

traverse.co.uk

My part in this “historic” week was pretty minor.  But I did stand for a few moments with the pro-EU marchers as they set off for the Scottish Parliament to make the point that we don’t all see this Brexit malarkey as a great new beginning.

Theresa May has been painting an almost Elizabethan picture of brave little England setting out to conquer the seven seas, winning trade deals, releasing the entrepreneurial  energy of her people and sharing her new found wealth more equally.  This isn’t how we see it in the 62 per cent of Scotland which voted against leaving the European Union.  We think it’s all going to end in tears.

You might wonder, for instance, why we haven’t been winning Mrs May’s magnificent trade deals already? And how does she propose to win such deals by walking out on the biggest trade deal we’ve ever known ?  What’s the point in leaving the EU if you are hoping to have the “closest possible” trading relationship with Europe ?  But hey ho, the people have spoken and we must go through this exercise in re-inventing the wheel.  Unless we can think of a way out…like a parliamentary vote against, or a general election or another referendum.

For me, the saddest aspect of this doleful affair is that we are abandoning the European project which Winston Churchill set out for us in his Zurich speech in 1946, a federal “United States of Europe” where all citizens can live in peace, safety and freedom. I have the audacity to think that Britain had a lot to offer the rest of Europe, being the oldest and strongest democracy and being keen on devolution and honest dealing.

So it’s not been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon.  The Brexit letter has been signed and sent. The Great Repeal Bill has been published which will transfer the legal powers currently with the EU into English and Scottish law. Nicola Sturgeon suspects there will be “a power grab” by Westminster along the way.  And the Scottish Parliament has voted by 69 to 59 to request a second referendum on independence, once the terms of Brexit are known in the autumn of 2018 or the spring of 2019.    Mrs May has stuck to her non-sequitur of “Now is not the time” and her Scottish Secretary David Mundell has hinted that might mean “2019 is not the time either.”

By then we may be back to “It’s Scotland’s Oil” and the road to independence will be paved with golden euros.  This week a huge new oil field was discovered west of Shetland.  Hurricane Energy announced it had stuck oil in two of its drill holes, 19 miles apart, and that there may be a billion barrels of oil waiting to be pumped out when the price is right.  It’s the largest oil field so far unexploited on the UK continental shelf.

At the other end of the energy mix, Berwickshire Housing Association has become the first in Scotland to build a windfarm to raise money to build new affordable homes.  The three-turbine wind farm at Hoprigshiels near Cockburnspath will sell power to the national grid and bring in an estimated £1m a year over the next 25 years. The funds will then be used to build new homes throughout Berwickshire. A win-win-wind situation.

Not so win-win winds have caused further delays to the construction of the new bridge over the Firth of Forth.  The infrastructure minister Keith Brown was forced to announce to parliament that the bridge will not be open to traffic in May as planned but will be delayed until at least August. He said high winds had prevented the dismantling of the giant cranes which have been lifting the sections into place.  It means the five-year project will be eight months late but it is still within its budget of £1.35bn.

It was however a win-win situation last weekend at Hampden Park when Scotland beat Slovenia 1-0 in our latest qualification game for the World Cup. As usual it was all nerve-testing stuff. The winning goal came in the 88^th minute, scored by Chris Martin who was jeered by fans as he came on as a substitute just a few minutes before.  Scotland now face England on 10^th June.

Meanwhile, spring has arrived. Our clocks have moved forward, the weather has turned mild and I’m waiting to see my first swallow.  Out in the wildlife reserve in East Lothian where I work on Fridays, we’ve heard our first skylarks, song-thrushes, and wood-peckers.  The magpies here in my garden in Edinburgh are busy building their nests.

And the results of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch are in.  35,000 Scots took part in the exercise back in January and, predictably, house-sparrows came out as the most common garden bird, followed by starlings, chaffinches, blackbirds and blue tits.  In the hour standing at my window, I only saw my two magpies.

But, as I say, my part in history is usually pretty minor.

The Lost City of Z
Direction: James Gray
Screenplay: James Gray
Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller, Tom Holland
Length: 140 minutes
Rating: 15

Adapted from ‘The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon’, the non-fiction book by David Grann, this film details the life of explorer Percy Fawcett in his search for an ancient lost city in the Amazon rain forest of South America.

On behalf of the Royal Geographical Society, Colonel Fawcett (Hunnam) undertakes a journey to the uncharted territory between Brazil and Bolivia to draw up a border between the two countries before war ensues. While his wife Nina Fawcett (Miller) supports their family at home, Corporal Henry Costin (Pattinson) accompanies him on this exciting adventure. As thunder clouds beat and crack high above, they advance into the storm on a battle for discovery.

On this first exploration to unknown South America, Fawcett discovers artefacts that maybe evidence of an advanced civilisation which fires his lifelong hunt of the lost city becoming his destiny. On the second voyage, Fawcett and company make contact with one of the many ancient tribes of the untouched rainforest but betrayal, sabotage and attempted mutiny threaten to overshadow this otherwise overwhelming spiritual experience.

‘The Lost City of Z’ now starts to focus on the fragile stability of human nature, an idea returned to intermittently as the great adventure continues. He returns once again with help from his eldest son Jack Fawcett (Holland) but both men disappear into the woods without a trace. It not known whether Fawcett found what he was forever searching for. His fate remains a mystery unsolved to this day.

While the upper class in London describe the uncontacted tribes as ‘savages’, ironically, the wealthy intelligentsia is equally savage; arrogance, ignorance, prejudice and selfish behaviour exist and flourish in abundance. Meanwhile, the uncontacted people have successfully cultivated the rainforest independently where it was previously thought unimaginable by ‘civilised’ society due to the overpowering climate and inhospitable landscape.

From the natural wonders of the Amazon rainforest to the green escapes of the English countryside, as well as the affluent sophistication of rich high society to the bloody front lines of the Battle of the Somme, this film explores the many worlds that Fawcett inhabits, both physically and metaphorically.

He finds the formality of the British establishment constricting, so acts the part that is the custom to play, but discovers the rawness of the jungle an entirely freeing experience, releasing him from the routine of home. He is therefore conflicted between enjoying the independence that travelling provides, that would also mean constantly fighting to survive, or adopting life of family responsibility but one that gives him the security to love and help his wife and children.

Christopher Spelman provides the mellow music, flowing and flexing with the long blue rivers, while Darius Khondji presents us with golden cinematography, from hot and wet in the wild jungle to musty and smoky in the big city. Gracefully executed and absorbingly atmospheric, this film is a unique accomplishment of classical artistry.

In ‘The Lost City of Z’ we find a triumph of filmmaking.

‘The Lost City of Z’ is in cinemas now.

Justin Sedgmen clinched the Scottish Open for the first time at Armadale in sensational fashion.

The former Edinburgh Monarchs star left racer Erik Riss in his slipstream after trailing the German early in the final.

Ricky Wells, Edinburgh Monarchs’ new rider, was second with Riss finishing third and three-time winner Rory Schlein fourth.

Aussie-born Sedgmen, who is now with Belle Vue Aces, said: “I knew if I stayed on Erik’s wheel that I had a chance and this is awesome.”

Defending champion Sam Masters defence ended at the semi-final stage.

Division One pace-setters Grange will be at full strength for their home clash with city rivals Watsonians on Saturday (14.00).

They lead long-time leaders Bromac Kelburne, the defending champions, by one point with three games left of the regular season.

But senior Grange player Andrew Brogdon said the club continued to take one game at a time even with only three games remaining in the regular season.

Brogdon said: “It is a good position to be in and it is in our own hands but we are only focused on our next game.”

Watsonians coach Mike Leonard must lift his men following a 6-0 home defeat by Western Wildcats last Sunday.

Leonard said: “We were disappointed on Sunday but three points from the win over Edinburgh University from a good performance was pleasing.

“There will be pressure on Grange as they are at the top of the table and we are missing a few but you never know.”

Meanwhile, Edinburgh University, who are seventh, face a must-win home clash with Hillhead (push off 16.00) who have 14 points and are one point adrift in eighth position.

Elsewhere, second-placed Kelburne travel to second-bottom PSL Team Sport Clydesdale and Grove Menzieshill, who are third, travel to bottom club AAM Gordonians. Western host Uddingston.

A police investigation is underway after a gang attacked a man in a Easter Road, Broxburn around 3pm on Sunday.

The 29-year-old victim sustained several “painful” injuries in the serious assault in Broxburn, police said.

Officers said three men got out of  a 4 x 4 vehicle and attacked the 29-year-old man who sustained several painful injuries.

Detective Inspector Steven Bertram said: “The victim suffered a number of painful injuries, but declined medical attention and we are now conducting various lines of inquiry to trace those responsible.

“Anyone who witnessed this attack, or who has information that can assist with our investigation is asked to come forward.

“We believe the vehicle the suspects used may have sustained damage to its windscreen and wing mirror during the disturbance and so anyone who spots this car is also urged to contact police immediately.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.