Until Edinburgh gets the bike rental scheme promised for so long by the council, Scotrail has gone some way to providing an alternative.

The rail provider which seems to be on a bit of a PR offensive this week has reminded us that they have 76 bikes for hire across the country, with 15 of those stationed at Haymarket.

Passengers passing through Haymarket may have noticed the bicycles, operated by Bike&Go, at the station.

ScotRail customers can now continue their journeys in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner which they say reaffirms the train operator’s commitment to encourage sustainable, integrated travel.

Find out how it works here:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIuOBjncP5U?feature=oembed&w=696&h=392]

Under the Bike&Go system, anyone can hire one of the 15 bikes at the station for just £3.80 per 24-hours. What you do is hire the bike at Haymarket and then return it to the same place.

Bike&Go gives unlimited use of the bikes for 24 hours. It’s quick and easy to hire a bike from the station ticket office – with first time users completing a simple registration form before pedalling off.

ScotRail’s Programmes and Transformation Director Ian McConnell said: “We’re committed to making sustainable integrated travel options as easy as possible.

“Bike&Go is just one of the ways we are doing this – it’s a fantastic way for customers to  complete their onward journey by bicycle.

“Cycling is a great way for people of all age groups to increase their level of physical activity and improve their health and well-being.

“The easy-to-use bikes are ideal for business travellers, visitors and day-trippers.”

More information on Bike & Go and ScotRail’s cycling initiatives can be found at scotrail.co.uk/cycling

Our friends at Leith Cycle Co can also hire you a bike. More details here. 

Sleeping Beauty Melrose Spa at Radisson Blu Edinburgh

Situated on the Royal Mile in the heart of the City Centre, the Sleeping Beauty Melrose Spa has found its new home in the trendy Radisson Blu hotel.

There are several salons in Scotland, including Lerwick, Inverness and Edinburgh. The spa at the Radisson Blu has three relaxing treatment rooms, as well as a double room, alongside a dedicated nail bar. Clients will also find a leisure pool, steam room, sauna and gym, to relax after a busy day (or wake up after a restful night). The products used in the Sleeping Beauty Spa include well-known Elemis, Edinburgh born brand; JustBe and Sleeping Beauty’s own retail products.

Owner, Lilac Miller said, “I am delighted to have opened this new salon in Radisson Blu Hotel. Anyone who enters the spa look to us to help them look and perhaps more importantly, feel better. Our therapists are not only fantastic at giving the very highest quality beauty treatments, but they are naturally empathetic, warm and interested in each and every client’s emotional well-being too.”

Following the launch, I was invited to try out a JustBe massage which uses oils from the JustBe product range developed in Edinburgh by Gail Bryden. These products “are for the mind and soul” – when Gail introduced the range to me on launch night she asked me how I wanted to feel.

My answer took me on a journey of exploration through her two suggested fragrances – ‘Just be Happy’, and ‘Just Be Energised’. I was strongly drawn to both but ‘Energised’ had the edge.

I drew cards from a pack I shuffled and read the statement on each card one by one. They were very apt for how I was wanting to feel. To test this, I went for another fragrance and did the same thing – the statements didn’t make much sense to me for what I was looking for and the fragrance was lovely but not compelling.

On my return to the spa for my massage I was feeling different again and ‘JustBe Detox’ was the one that jumped out.

My massage therapist, Stephanie, instantly put me at ease and listened to what I wanted from my massage. I was a bit stressed out and was needing attention on my upper back, neck and shoulders so she honed in on these areas.

The room was cosy, warm and inviting and I was a tad overexcited at having a wardrobe with hangers for my clothes (usually they are slumped over a chair). I was asked to take three deep breaths, each time with the oil just under my nose.

It helped me to focus my mind on the fragrance and the feel of the massage (difficult when you have a busy mind.) Stephanie used effleurage movements – long, sweeping motions using the forearms which was deeply relaxing and considerate of my low pain threshold.

As always with 30 minute massages, I was just relaxing fully into it when time was up! This was just a taster treatment however, you can expect a full 80 minutes when you book in – it’s called the JustBe aromatherapy indulgence and also includes a mini aroma facial, coming in at £90.

An excellent choice for the discerning traveler in Edinburgh.

The team of therapists are on hand 7 days a week with late night appointments available Monday-Friday. Specialising in Elemis Face & Body treatments they shall also be offering nail services, massage, waxing, eye treatments & holistic therapies.

Finalist in Scottish Hair & Beauty Awards 2013 for Spa of the Year

www.sleepingbeautysalon.com

Edinburgh based artist Mark Vice (23) won ‘Cultural Icon of the Year’ at Scotland’s Icon Awards 2016 which were announced last weekend

The award recognises a creative individual who has promoted and supported diversity through the arts. He was the only artist shortlisted alongside the likes of Hollyoaks star Annie Wallace and Scottish crime writer Val McDermid, and told us he was ‘really chuffed’!

The 23-year-old visual artist said: “I am delighted to have won the cultural icon award at this year’s ceremony, for me it’s a very proud moment.”

“A lot of the work I have done over the past year has supported the LGBT+ community and I am always trying to communicate the values of diversity and self expression through my artwork – it’s really important to me that we are all true to ourselves.”

He said, “I don’t think I could do what I’m doing without the help of social media. It helps me connect with such a bigger audience and I can really get my message to the people that it matters to most.” Mark went on to say, “This award is a fantastic way to round off a productive and successful year and I am so excited to see what 2017 will hold!”

The number of domestic abuse incidents recorded by police has fallen in the past year, figures show.

Official statistics show a 3% drop in the figures for Scotland, from 59,882 in 2014-15 to 58,104, the lowest number recorded since 2010-11.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “We welcome the drop in the number of domestic abuse incidents recorded, against a backdrop of an overall fall in recorded crime, and we remain confident that more victims are refusing to stay quiet about what is happening to them.

Police  have released images of a man they wish to trace in connection with a theft in the Morningside area of the city.

The incident took place between Monday 26th September and Saturday 1st October when a diamond ring was stolen from the home of a woman in her seventies.

The man pictured within the CCTV images is of interest to the ongoing investigation and anyone who recognises him is asked to come forward.

He is described as white with dark skin, tall, slim build aged in his 30’s or 40’s with a short dark goatee beard.

At the time the image was taken he was wearing a dark jacket and trousers and a dark baseball cap.

Detective Constable Joe Perkins of Gayfield CID said: “As well as the monetary value, the ring is of significant sentimental value to the owner and she is distraught at this loss.

“The man pictured is believed to be of significance to our investigation and anyone who can assist in tracing him is urged to come forward.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or the charity Crimestoppers in anonymity on 0800 555 111.

The acclaimed guitarist Steve Howe was in Edinburgh in October and appeared on stage at The Queen’s Hall accompanied only by a sound engineer and a few of his many guitars.

Steve said: “I have played there a couple of times. When started doing these shows back in the early 1990s I had a Scottish agent and I used to play up in Scotland a great deal more and I used to play the Queen’s Hall so I must have played it a few times solo. It’s a lovely place and I’m really looking forward to it. I remember some early solo shows there and it was really captivating.”

We asked Steve why he had started the solo tours, as he is still busy with YES and in fact will be off to Japan on a tour with them in November. He explained it came about through the influence of guitarist Chet Atkins on his work. “Chet Atkins was a Nashville guitarist who made a lot of records and he played on his own for quite a lot of them. He also played with a band. I guess instead of trying to copy him which would have been very difficult as his technique was amazing I decided to write my own pieces. First I wrote CLAP and then I kept on writing music for myself. They are not amazingly difficult to play. I purposely play some things that are not too difficult as I don’t really want to just be flash about it! I like things that are melodic and that was definitely a part of the Chet education too. When he plays it’s always beautifully melodic. So that planted the seed of doing solo shows and I do them in much the same way as when I started out. My first tour was called Not Necessarily Acoustic.

“Before that I had played at the Montreux Jazz Festival solo back in 1979 and I had done spots where I had come along and played for 20 minutes or so, and I got a taste for it. It is truly somewhere else to playing with bands. The whole thing is quite different! I like the flexibility in the solo show a lot.

“My current solo release is called Homebrew 6 and that is also the name of this tour. I wanted to record at home just like Les Paul and Chet Atkins had done too. The music I write for playing solo has quite a different flavour. I pick a song – probably the opening song on the album and play that but all my CDs are pretty hard to reproduce solo except Motif which was the first time I had only done solo pieces on the whole CD. These were new pieces as well as better versions of pieces that had mainly been played live. Doing this solo show is very special to me.

“Virtually everything on Homebrew is recorded in my home studio which is only an eight track studio and so is pretty limited!”

• Brexit talks 
• Inverleith House closes its doors
• The Full Monty starts its Edinburgh run tonight
• Festival of Dreams – Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2016
• Free the Unicorn rally

The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon flew to London today to go to Downing Street with Mike Russell and the other leaders of the devolved nations and talk about the EU referendum and Brexit.

After leaving the Prime Minister’s residence she said that she was not impressed with the talks, saying : “It is clear from today’s discussions that we must also continue to pursue alternative options, including bringing forward proposals to protect Scotland’s place in the single market even if the rest of the UK leaves, and continuing to prepare for the option of a referendum on independence if that is what is necessary to prevent the UK taking Scotland over a hard Brexit cliff edge.”

Read more here. 

***

Bosses at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh announced just last week that the art space at Inverleith House is to close and will be used differently in the future. They have funding from Creative Scotland for the period to 2021 which we presume they will have to pay back unless the new use is a similar one.

Read more here.

***

At the King’s this week The Full Monty will make a brief appearance!

Phil Wilkinson was on hand this afternoon to capture some shots of the cast outside the theatre.

Read more here.

***

All this week the Scottish Storytelling Centre is at the hub of the

Festival of Dreams: Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2016

Rosemary Kaye writes : This year’s festival is bringing together storytellers from Spain, Finland, Central and South America – and of course Scotland.

Read more here. 

***

We were at the Free the Unicorn rally on Saturday but have been surprised at the lack of coverage since then. There were about 2,000 or so supporters of independence outside Holyrood with music, food and speeches.

We put out a little tweet from Holyrood! Were you there?

Small but friendly and enthusiastic rally for independence at Holyrood this afternoon pic.twitter.com/iA0NZN46fD

— Edinburgh Reporter (@EdinReporter) October 22, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js;

Do you have a story for us? Then get in touch editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk 

Edinburgh Trams has announced it will be providing a free service to help customers enjoy the city’s full programme of New Year celebrations, in partnership with the organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.

The free late night trams will run from midnight on Saturday 31 December until 5am on Sunday 1 January to help make sure thousands of revellers get home safely.

The service will run every 20 minutes between West End Princes Street and Edinburgh Airport, with all trams calling at Ingliston Park and Ride for drivers wishing to make the most of the free parking facilities.

In addition to these extra free services, additional staff will be present at the main stops and on board to help customers travel with us safely.

Lea Harrison, General Manager, said: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations are amongst the best in the world and we’re delighted to be working alongside Unique Events who deliver this outstanding programme year after year.

“It’s important to us that everyone who comes to the capital for the bells is able to make the most of their night and that’s why we’ve decided to help by offering this extended free service for the night.”

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, which is produced by Unique Events on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council, are expecting another sell-out three day festival, with 150,000 visitors from over 80 countries visiting the celebrations in Scotland’s capital city last year, bringing an estimated economic benefit of over £40 million to the city (figures based on 2014/15 event).

Al Thomson, Director of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, said: “We’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with Edinburgh Trams, enhancing the city’s incredible free Hogmanay transport services to locals and visitors, giving thousands of revellers the perfect start to 2017 after the world-famous celebrations.”

George Lowder, Chief Executive of Transport for Edinburgh added: “There really is no better place to celebrate the festive period than in Edinburgh and the city’s Hogmanay party is the pinnacle of those New Year celebrations.

“With so many additional visitors coming to the capital we are keen to help both tram and bus passengers travel safely by offering a free late night timetable that means they can make the most of what’s on offer.

“This service will be a great addition to the city’s winter programme and we expect thousands of locals and tourists to make use of the free service making sure everyone’s night ends well.”

Free Hogmanay Tram Services will complete the capital’s free transport offering alongside to the hugely successful Free Hogmanay NightBus Services provided by Lothian Buses and supported by Diageo, which last year helped 18,000 revellers home after the bells.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Festivals and Events Champion, said: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is the busiest night of the year in the city centre. After helping 75,000 people to see in the bells in spectacular style at our official celebrations, we want to help them get home safely. We are thankful for the support of Edinburgh Trams, Lothian Buses and Diageo who will make sure this happens.”

Although bikes can normally be taken on trams this is not permitted during the festive period due to higher passenger numbers.

Police are investigating following a robbery in West Pilton March which happened around 9pm on Saturday night when a 22-year-old man walked across a playground area.  As he did he was approached by a group of around 10-15 youths, both male and female, aged between 13-16.

The group started shouting at the man which led to a male member of the group threatening the him with a weapon.

The victim ran into West Pilton March, however the youths caught up to him and he was subsequently assaulted.  He later discovered that his wallet had been taken.

The 22-year-old sustained minor injuries which did not require medical attention.  He returned home and reported the matter to police. Officers are now investigating and are appealing to the public for information.

The male suspect who initially threatened the victim with a weapon is described as a white teenager with a medium build and short blonde hair.  He was wearing a mainly grey t-shirt with black sleeves and Nike logo across the front.

Some of the teenagers are described as having been on bikes.

Detective Constable Ross Nicol of Corstorphine CID said:  “This group targeted a lone man and subjected him to a vicious attack.

“We are eager to trace the young people involved in this incident, particularly the male who threatened the victim with a weapon.

“I would urge anyone who was in the West Pilton area on the evening of Saturday, October 22, and saw anything suspicious, to get in touch with us immediately.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, went to London earlier today to meet the Prime Minister Theresa May and the leaders of the other devolved nations, Carwyn Jones from Wales and Arlene Foster of Northern Ireland at a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Referendum.

We knew that Ms Sturgeon was up for an early flight as she started tweeting this morning pretty early. She had already written an article for The Financial Times in which she set out a picture of what a flexible Brexit might look like.

Last night she published a letter she had written to the Prime Minister ahead of the talks hoping for a positive outcome.

The letter read:

Dear Theresa

I am writing to express my strong support for Carwyn Jones’ letter of 21 October, setting out his thoughts, in advance of Monday’s plenary meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee.

Carwyn Jones is right to highlight that, although the referendum results varied across the UK, with England and Wales voting to leave, whilst Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to remain, we have a collective interest in seeing your commitment that the Devolved Administrations should be fully engaged in EU discussions and that you will not be triggering Article 50 until we have an agreed UK approach and objectives for negotiations, delivered in a full and meaningful fashion.

It will not be acceptable for the devolved administrations to simply be consulted on UK Government plans. We must have meaningful input into the decision making structure and the formation of negotiating positions.

To ensure that is the case and given the timing you have now set out for Article 50 notification, I endorse in particular Carwyn’s point that the UK Government needs to urgently produce a clearly mapped out work programme of involvement with the Devolved Administrations, supported by a rigorous timeline, to ensure progress keeps pace with the requirement to agree a UK position.

While there are some areas, such as continued UK participation in the single market, on which all 3 Devolved Administrations will agree, the UK position will also need to take account of the specific needs, responsibilities and priorities of each administration as part of the overall UK package. To ensure those are properly reflected and the stated position of all parts of the UK as a partnership of equals is respected, I also endorse the proposal that the proposed negotiating package should be subject to a vote in each of the four of the United Kingdom’s parliaments and assemblies.

As you know following Scotland’s unequivocal vote to remain in the EU, the Scottish Government has a democratic duty to protect all of Scotland’s interests and we are considering all possible options to ensure Scotland’s continuing relationship with, and place in, Europe. I welcomed your willingness in July to consider proposals for different arrangements for Scotland as part of this process and will set out those proposals in the coming weeks.

I believe there is an obligation on all of us to try to work out solutions that will allow the vote in each of our administrations to be respected.

I look forward to discussing with you and colleagues on Monday how this is to be achieved.

I am copying this letter to the First Minister of Wales and the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.

Yours sincerely

NICOLA STURGEON

Commenting following the meeting the First Minister said: “This was a long overdue meeting but unfortunately it was, in large parts, hugely frustrating.

“I set out Scotland’s key interests in protecting our place in the single market, securing continued freedom of movement and ensuring social and employment rights are protected. However, despite a full and frank exchange of views around the table we know no more about the UK Government’s approach to the EU negotiations now than we did when we went into the meeting.

“Four months on from the referendum we finally have agreement on a sub-committee of the JMC for the devolved administrations and the UK Government to discuss the issues raised by Brexit, but there is a significant amount of work to do to make sure that the engagement we have is meaningful.

“As a first step we agreed that there must be a detailed work programme developed ahead of the first meeting of the sub-committee. Crucially we agreed that this must be integrated with the wider process so that the devolved administrations can influence key Cabinet Sub-Committee decisions. We also agreed that there will be a further meeting of heads of government in the New Year.

“The Scottish Government is fully committed to engaging with the UK Government and we will seek to use our influence to ensure that the UK does not pursue a hard Brexit. However it is clear from today’s discussions that we must also continue to pursue alternative options, including bringing forward proposals to protect Scotland’s place in the single market even if the rest of the UK leaves, and continuing to prepare for the option of a referendum on independence if that is what is necessary to prevent the UK taking Scotland over a hard Brexit cliff edge.”

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

Prime Minister Theresa May today told the devolved administrations she would strike a bespoke Brexit deal that works for the whole of the UK.

Speaking at the first meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) for 2 years, the Prime Minister told leaders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that how the UK leaves the EU should not be seen as a series of binary choices.

The Prime Minister also told the devolved administrations that she wanted their input in shaping the negotiations to leave the EU – and that the final agreement will make a success of Brexit for everyone in the Union.

Following a constructive meeting lasting 2 hours, a new cross-nations forum on Brexit talks will be set up, to be chaired by Brexit secretary David Davis.

It was agreed that by the time of its first meeting in November a work programme would be established for this Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations to integrate it with the wider process of exiting the EU.

The Prime Minister also said she wanted the JMC meetings to take place more regularly and would set up another session early next year.

The Prime Minister set out her commitment to the Union at the meeting, and said her vision for working with the devolved governments was for a relationship built on principles of mutual understanding and consensus and co-operation.

Following the meeting, Prime Minister Theresa May said:

Working together, the nations of the United Kingdom will make a success of leaving the European Union – and we will further strengthen our own unique and enduring union as we do so.

The great Union between us has been the cornerstone of our prosperity in the past – and it is absolutely vital to our success in the future.

The country is facing a negotiation of tremendous importance and it is imperative that the devolved administrations play their part in making it work.

The Prime Minister told Nicola Sturgeon, Carwyn Jones, Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness that how the UK leaves the EU should not be seen as a series of binary choices and will instead amount to a bespoke agreement for the UK.

She said:

We have important work to do for the UK in terms of negotiating a smooth exit from the EU and getting the best possible deal for the whole of the UK.

The UK has chosen to leave the EU and we’re going to make a success of it.

Edinburgh graduate joins the Cullen Property team

Edinburgh property investment and lettings specialist Cullen Property has recruited Edinburgh graduate Hannah McConnachie for its first marketing executive position.

The marketing executive position has been created due to increasing demand from investors interested in Edinburgh property, as well as the number of students looking for high quality property in Edinburgh. Recently, Cullen Property announced that 100% of its properties are now let. Hannah’s role will primarily be to help promote investment opportunities and properties for rent, and develop the Cullen Property brand.

Hannah, originally from Aberdeen, graduated from Queen Margaret University in 2015 with a BA (Hons) in Media. Since graduating, Hannah undertook internships with public relations and marketing agencies in order to further her experience.

Hannah McConnachie, Marketing Executive, says: “It can be a difficult process trying to find your first job as a graduate and I’m extremely grateful to have this opportunity with Cullen Property. I can’t wait to hit the ground running and start meeting with prospective investors and tenants at property shows and student accommodation fairs.”

Steve Coyle, Operations Director at Cullen Property, says: “We are delighted to have our first in-house marketing executive. The experience Hannah has gained through working with local marketing and public relation firms will be a huge asset to us and bring a fresh approach to our current in-house marketing activities.”

Sir Tim O’Shea who is the Principal of the University of Edinburgh gave evidence earlier today to the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster.

During the meeting he said that he was ‘jolly annoyed’ not to be approached about taking part in the new post-study visa scheme piloted at four English universities. He explained that to his knowledge no Scottish university had been contacted despite the previous successful Scottish scheme.

Edinburgh North and Leith MP, Deidre Brock, a member of the Scottish Affairs Committee said:- “This is a staggering snub to Scotland’s successful university sector from the UK Government. Despite broad-based support for the post-study work visa in Scotland, it seems not a single Scottish university was asked to take part in this new pilot – in spite of the idea originating in Scotland in the first place.

“Instead of wasting time on an exclusive new pilot in the south of England, the UK Government should look to Scotland for how successful the post-study work visa can be and bring it back without delay.

“Edinburgh University does a fantastic job attracting high calibre students and staff to come and contribute to the Scottish economy but the UK Government seems determined to chase this talent away.

“The SNP and the Scottish Government have long argued for the return of the post-study work visa scheme, but the UK Government has so far refused to listen. With Brexit set to make things even more difficult for universities, perhaps the UK Government will start taking heed of academics like Professor O’Shea and bring the post-study work visa back immediately.”

From 13 November there will be changes to the routes followed by services 39 and 40. Lothian Buses say that this has been approved by Midlothian and East Lothian Council, and it will mean that the Auchendinny service on route 40 will cease.

Nigel Serafini, Lothian Buses, Commercial Director said: “We appreciate that some customers will be disappointed that Lothian Buses will no longer serve Auchendinny, but unfortunately, the number of people making use of the service was too low to justify the operating costs associated with continuing this section of route.

“The changes that we have made to the running of our Services 39 and 40 will help to ensure that these routes are more reliable and commercially viable which is important for the many customers who depend on these cross-country links every day.”

Midlothian Council will partly replace the Service 40 in Auchendinny by extending their ‘Ring and Go’ taxi service to 7-days per week. This offers a door-to-door service, which will continue to provide transport links for the small number of people who currently use the bus.

Councillor Derek Rosie, Midlothian Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for travel, commented: “The ‘Ring and Go’ service already operates in Auchendinny on a Sunday and this change will see it offered on weekdays and Saturdays as well. It will be welcome news to those who have previously relied on the Service 40 and I am pleased that Midlothian Council has been able to support this alternative transport link.”

Changes in more detail:

Service 39 – Change to Timetable. The frequency of the service between Woodburn and Midlothian Community Hospital will be reduced to every 30 minutes, instead of the current 20 minutes. Buses to and from Gorebridge will continue to operate hourly. A revised timetable is introduced which will include an earlier morning journey from Woodburn on Mondays to Fridays and an additional morning journey from Gorebridge.

Service 40 – Change to Route & Timetable. Due to very low levels of passenger demand, Auchendinny will no longer be served, with buses operating direct via Milton Bridge in both directions. In Dalkeith buses will operate direct via the High Street in both directions. This means that on journeys towards Musselburgh, Buccleuch Street and South Street are no longer served, with the main bus stop in Dalkeith Town Centre located outside Morrisons. A revised timetable will be introduced.

The well-known city food and gifts emporium Valvona & Crolla has just added Scottish gifts by Clare O’Neill to their gift halls in Jenners.

Clare’s designs are infused with heritage based on traditional luxury craftsmanship, and the range includes handmade bags, accessories, homewares, gifts and children’s clothes.

A selection of the full range will be available from Valvona & Crolla from today.

The finest Scottish tweeds have been sourced from the Scottish Borders, using two different tweeds woven at Lovat Mill Tweed, (Hawick) and Heritage Tweed (Langholm).

All leathers used in the products are full grain leathers tanned in truly sumptuous colours and delicate leather skins to give the products a rich and luxurious finish.

Autumnwatch returns to BBC Two tonight, in its tenth year.

Across four days, from today to Thursday 27th October, Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games will be bringing viewers the very best and the very latest wildlife action from across the country.

A spokesman said: “This year we will be at the new, stunning location of RSPB Arne in Dorset, in fact we like it there so much we are staying for both Autumnwatch and Winterwatch in January 2017. The season has got off to a record breaking start already so this Autumnwatch promises to be spectacular.”

The programme will air at these times:

Monday 24 October 8pm
Tuesday 25 October 8pm
Wednesday 26 October 9pm
Thursday 27 October 8pm

Image of Hobby chick courtesy of BBC

The Edinburgh Chinese Arts Association are holding a charity performance in November in aid of Breast Cancer Care Scotland (BCCS) in association with the Edinburgh and Lothian Regional Equality Council (ELREC).

The event will include Chinese dance, music, king-fu, performance from local communities and food and drinks will be available.

The evening’s entertainment will take place at Central Hall, Tollcross, Edinburgh on 5 November 2016 at 7.30pm.

Get your tickets here.

The Edinburgh Quartet will play their Rush Hour Concert tomorrow evening at St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church at 5.30pm. A lovely way to end your day at work and help you to unwind on the way home!

Mairi Campbell and Alasdair Nicolson will join the EQ with Nicolson’s String Quartet No 3 Slanting Rain.

Written in 2015 for the Edinburgh Quartet in memory of his mother, the piece takes Gaelic folksong as its inspiration. As well as exploring the work in detail with Alasdair Nicolson, Mairi Campbell and the quartet will improvise on the same themes in what promises to be a fascinating collaboration.

The trains which service the Edinburgh to Helensburgh route will be improved by on-board WIFI Scotrail have announced today.

The Class 334 fleet is the latest in the rail company’s project to install WiFi on board almost 90% of their trains by Autumn 2018.

There will also be 52 WiFi hotspots at train stations across Scotland.

Speaking about the announcement, ScotRail Customer Experience Director Jacqueline Taggart said: “One of the great things about travelling by train is that it allows you to work on the go. In order to do that, it is important that you can get connected while you are on the move. Over the past few months we have been installing WiFi to many trains in our fleet – and we have been enhancing and upgrading the equipment so that it is more reliable than ever before.

“Today I am delighted to say that even more of our customers will be able to take advantage of our free WiFi service – both in stations and on our trains. The Helensburgh to Edinburgh service is one of our most popular routes, so it is just great that customers will be able to get connected on their journey.

“This rollout will continue over the coming months – with the aim to have 90% of all of our trains enabled by the end of next year. This is just another example of ScotRail working to make things better, every single day.”

WiFi equipment has already been fitted to all trains serving Scotland’s main inter-city routes, and the focus is now turning to ensure that other routes can keep connected on the move. Travellers from Dalmally to Dumfries will soon be able to enjoy free connections provided by supply partner Icomera.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “I am committed to ensuring that rail travel across Scotland is an attractive option for tourists, commuters and business users. The roll out of WiFi across ScotRail’s train fleet will enhance the passenger experience by ensuring travellers throughout Scotland have the ability to get online while on the move, allowing them to be more productive, better entertained and better informed during their journey.”

Scottish Council for Development and Industry Chief Executive Ross Martin said: “We need to create the conditions for productivity growth to flourish, whether in the office, at the point of production, or indeed while on the move and these improvements to WiFi connectivity being rolled out across the railway network form an important part of that.

“Of course, just like we all want the fastest, most reliable trains on our part of the railway network so to do we demand high speed digital connectivity (through wireless technology) that we take for granted until it’s not there.”

The next show at the King’s Theatre is The Full Monty which begins this evening and runs till 29 October.

Simon Beaufoy’s THE FULL MONTY, which won the UK Theatre Award for Best Touring Production began its run in Bournemouth in September 2016.

The cast will be led by Gary Lucy (Danny Pennant in EastEnders, DS Will Fletcher in The Bill, Kyle Pascoe in Footballer’s Wives, Luke Morgan in Hollyoaks, winner of Dancing on Ice) as Gaz, along with Andrew Dunn (best known as Tony in Dinnerladies and for his regular appearances playing Alastair Campbell on Bremner, Bird and Fortune) as Gerald, Louis Emerick (Mick Johnson in Brookside and PC Walsh in Last of the Summer Wine) as Horse, Chris Fountain (best known for his roles as Justin Burton inHollyoaks and Tommy Duckworth in Coronation Street, runner-up of Dancing on Ice) as Guy, Anthony Lewis (Emmerdale) as Lomper and Kai Owen (best known for his portrayal of Rhys in Torchwood and recently played Pete in Hollyoaks) as Dave.

In 1997, a British film about six out-of-work Sheffield steelworkers with nothing to lose, took the world by storm becoming one of the most successful British films ever made.  The story still resonates today, probably more so now than ever.

Simon Beaufoy, the Oscar- and BAFTA-winning writer of the film, has adapted his own screenplay for this hilarious and heartfelt stage production, which features the iconic songs from the film by Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom Jones.

For tickets click here. 

The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) would like to invite you to Scotland’s Georgian House in Charlotte Square to scare you out of your wits this Halloween!

The conservation charity has teamed up with Mercat Tours to offer brave souls a chance to ‘perambulate with the poltergeists’ at one of its most horribly historic houses, no 7 Charlotte Square.

There will be Halloween events across many venues owned by the NTS this October, all inspired by the horrible histories of its heritage sites.

You will be guided by ghosts ‘from the other side’ who will take you on an exclusive walk around the house telling you some gory tales as you go.

The tours run on 28 – 31 October at 6 and 8pm. Prices are £18 per adult and £10 per child.

Booking is essential through Mercat Tours via

www.mercattours.com/online-booking.asp or by calling 0131 225 5445

Be warned – the tours score a spooktacular three on the Trust’s Halloween petrifying poltometer rating of scariness, and are suitable for older children who must be accompanied by adults.

Halloween Tours with Mercat Tours

Mon 28, 29 + 31 Oct, 6pm + 8pm
Georgian House, 7 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4DR

‘Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today’ (Robert McKee).

‘Great stories well told have the ability to evoke indelible images in the mind of the listener’

We are often told that something is ‘just a story’; unimportant, an amusement to pass the time – something ‘not real’. But if we think about the things we have learned in our lives, many of them will have come to us not through textbooks but through stories – narratives that caught our imagination, inspired us to go beyond what we knew and freed our minds to think ‘out of the box’. It is this liberating power of the imagination that informs the

2016 Scottish International Storytelling Festival – the Festival of Dreams.

This year’s festival is bringing together storytellers from Spain, Finland, Central and South America – and of course Scotland. From Matt Hopwood (founder of A Human Love Story)’s 1,500 mile pilgrimage across the UK, sharing stories with those he met along the way, to Spanish duo David and Monma’s humorous guide to Don Quixote de la Mancha, and Amina Blackwood’s evening of Caribbean tales, audiences will discover countless new ways of looking at the world.

The Peruvian landscape is one of the world’s great sources of myth and folklore; Wayqui César Villegas Astete will bring them to life in an intimate evening of ancient tales. Daniel Serridge, Lauren Biachi and Dougie Mackay’s Stories from the Shadows will visit the dark and disturbing world of Chilean folklore in stories, puppetry and song, and Marion and John Kenny will honour one of the greatest storytellers of them all with an oral rendition of Macbeth (complete with music from the Deskford Carnyx). Want to hear ‘a voice like chocolate’? – in From Borges to Bugs, Giles Abbott will lead you from Jorge Luis Borges’ fiction to Magical Realism and Amerindian folk story.

Getting tired of all that sitting down, cosy as it may be? The festival programme features not only storytelling sessions but also talks, workshops, walking tours, family events and exhibitions. Dreams and Nightmares is Mercat Tours’ walking tour of ‘closes and courtyards where dreams were made and nightmares unfolded’ – it starts from the Mercat Cross at 6pm on Saturday and Sunday (29th & 30th October). Mercat’s tours are always enlightening; whether you’re new to Edinburgh or have lived here all your life you’ll learn something new from the excellent guides.

Children love stories; on Saturday (29th October) families can enjoy A Spooky Time at the Museum of Childhood and a Family Samhuinn with fun activities including art, crafts, dancing and drumming at the Storytelling Centre. Sunday brings The Sound of Stuff – young children are invited to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art to explore the secret life of materials inspired by Karla Black and Kishio Suga’s A New Order. And here’s an added bonus for parents – all three of these events are free. (Image © Martin McCarthy for Beltane Fire Society).

At the festival’s launch on Friday, Director Donald Smith said ‘This is the people’s storytelling centre’. Playwright, actor, artist and ‘all-round provocateur’ (The Economist) Dario Fo had a vision of storytelling as ‘the people’s art’, and although he sadly died on 13th October at the age of 90, the festival’s exhibition Dario Fo: Artist, activist, inspiration, which includes works featured in Fo’s last book New Tricks of the Trade, conveys the fantasy, radicalism and love of storytelling that characterise his writing. The exhibition can be seen at the Storytelling Centre until Sunday 30th October. Maps can be the stuff of dreams – dreams of journeys made and unmade, of lands and peoples known and unknown; You Are Here: A Journey through Maps, at the National Library of Scotland until 3rd April 2017, challenges us by posing questions of how maps are made and how we understand them. The National Library is also hosting storytelling sessions and workshops throughout the festival.

It’s no coincidence that the festival’s Finale Weekend concludes with All Hallows’ Eve, or Hallowe’en.  Guid Crack at Hallowe’en – the storytelling club’s regular Friday night session at the Circus Café, St Mary Street – welcomes guest storyteller Mara Menzies, Sunday’s Guisers Galore invites children aged 5+ to the Storytelling Centre to learn a song, a poem and a dance before following the Old Town Guisers parade (NB: children must be accompanied), and on Monday (31st) adults can thrill to the six winning tales from the Mary Shelley anniversary competition. Come and hear the stories told live by some of Scotland’s most accomplished storytellers – warm up (or should that be chill out?) before Samhainn, the Beltane Fire Society’s annual celebration of the Celtic New Year, which starts in the Old Town at 9pm; the torch-lit procession includes acrobats, fireworks and lots more (not recommended for children under 10). (Samhuinn image © Mark Taylor; Beltane image © Neil Hodgins.)

‘After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world’ (Philip Pullman)

Festival of Dreams offers food (the Storytelling Centre’s lovely café is open throughout), shelter (with welcoming venues across the city), companionship (storytellers are a friendly lot!) – but most of all it offers stories and the chance to dream.

The 2016 International Storytelling Festival is on until Monday 31st October. The full festival programme can be seen on the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s website here, or pick up a copy of the brochure from any venue and from libraries throughout the city. Tickets for Storytelling Centre events may be purchased from the Box Office in person, online or by calling 0131 556 9579; tickets for other events are available from the host venues.

Main photo courtesy of  Colin Hattersley Photography – colinhattersley@btinternet.com – www.colinhattersley.com – 07974 957 388

Only five days ago the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh explained in a fairly terse news release what would happen to its arts space and gallery at Inverleith House :

After considerable consideration the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) has accepted that, in the interests of prioritising its core mission To explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for a better future, it must be pragmatic about the overall diversity of its wider commitments.

As part of this, Inverleith House will no longer be dedicated to the display of contemporary art, and RBGE is looking at options for the alternative use of the building. RBGE will continue to use both the overall setting of the Garden and other existing indoor spaces to engage our visitors with art in the Garden environment. No member of staff will lose their job in the adjustment. The intention is very much that we intend to retain our reputation as an art venue across the board, be it for botanical art, illustration, performance, photography, sculpture and contemporary art.

Through this change the organisation will remove the various inevitable financial risks attached to running a high-profile gallery. It will also free-up resources to concentrate more fully on its scientific and horticultural research and conservation work and provide greater scope to encourage public engagement with the environment.

Inverleith House closed its doors today Sunday 23 October 2016.

Some who are affected by the closure held a vigil this afternoon outside the house which only a few months ago was a site for part of the British Art Show 8, and where until today a show celebrating its thirty year history was staged.

Moving words from @Alex_Neon_John outside Inverleith House, just before it closed its doors this afternoon. What a sad day. pic.twitter.com/NfuPXFvCl6

— Rachael Cloughton (@RCloughton) October 23, 2016

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A lot of people at @inverleithhouse today. Will it make any difference? pic.twitter.com/K6egXraDA5

— Phil Miller (@PhilipJEMiller) October 23, 2016

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There is a petition on the 38degrees website which arts critic Joyce McMillan set up on hearing the news and over 6,500 people have already signed. McMillan explained why she thinks it is necessary to keep the arts space open:

“Inverleith House, in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, has been a much-loved and deeply valued public arts space in Edinburgh for well over half a century, first as the home of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, then under the management of the Royal Botanic Garden itself.

“Given the importance of the gallery as an iconic location in Edinburgh, and a much-loved space both for the people of the city and for international visitors, it seems outrageous that the RBGE management should seek to close it at just a few days’ notice, and without public consultation, apparently with a view to exploiting it for more commercially rewarding purposes.”

Funding from Creative Scotland for the year 2014-15 amounted to £69,500.

And only last year the arts body said this when making £80,000 of further funding available:

“The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh will run four major projects comprising two landmark exhibitions, 30th Anniversary texts and the commissioning of a key strategic report. The Garden will co-host the presentation of Hayward Touring’s British Art Show 8 in Edinburgh and present a group exhibition celebrating the 30th anniversary of Inverleith House’s internationally acclaimed programme of exhibitions. Commissioned texts will celebrate all of the exhibitions presented at Inverleith House from 1986 to 2016, spanning contemporary art and botanical science. There will also be a strategic element to the award with the commissioning of an independent Strategic Report informing the development of a sustainable model for the continued presentation of world-class contemporary art exhibitions at Inverleith House, from 2016 to 2021.”

It would appear to us that some of that award must now be reclaimable by Creative Scotland if the objectives for which it was made are no longer achievable.

Councillor Lesley Hinds has given her support by suggesting she will table an emergency motion at this week’s full council meeting. She sent out an email which said :”‘I share your concern regarding the closure of Inverleith House as a contemporary art gallery. I have contacted the Head of Place and the Leader of the Council to get in touch with RBG to halt the closure. Consultation needs to be carried out and to give a few days notice of this closure is unacceptable. I will let you know the outcome of the Council’s action.”

Given that the doors have now closed at Inverleith House it is difficult to know what the council can do.

The University of Edinburgh is holding a public forum tomorrow Monday 24 October 2016 to discuss the Former Surgical Hospital.

The public consultation is to give anyone interested an opportunity to comment on the initial design proposals for the category A-listed building at the heart of the Quartermile development.

Edinburgh’s Old Royal Infirmary is to be the setting for a major new facility for the University of Edinburgh, with accommodation for humanities, business and arts disciplines.

Representatives from the University and the architects Bennetts Associates will be available at the public consultation on the day to take questions and comments.

The event will take place on Monday, 24 October 2016 from 3.00pm until 7.00pm in the Atrium of the University’s Informatics Forum, 10 Crichton Street.

More information can be found here.

Police are continuing to investigate acts of violence, disorder and vandalism that took place during the pitch incursion immediately following the final whistle at Hampden Park after the Scottish Cup Final on Saturday 21 May 2016. Police have made 86 arrests to date as part of this ongoing investigation.

Police Scotland is releasing images of individuals they are keen to trace whom they believe may be able to assist them with their enquiries.

Anyone with information about the identities of the persons pictured is asked to contact the Incident room at Govan Police Office, Greater Glasgow CID on 0141 532 5457 or the dedicated mailbox address: Scottishcupfinalpitchinvasion@scotland.pnn.police.uk or alternatively CRIMESTOPPERS can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.

Two new tea parties have been started in Edinburgh in the past six months along with another eight groups across Scotland.

The idea behind the free tea parties is that those aged 75 and over who live alone get invited along to socialise, and volunteer drivers pick them up, takes them to tea and then returns them safely home again.

The charity behind the scheme Contact the Elderly are looking for more volunteers and also more guests.

The tea parties take place once a month on a Sunday afternoon when a volunteer host invites around half a dozen people to come to afternoon tea in their home.

Morna O’ May, Head of Service – Scotland, for Contact the Elderly said: “We are immensely pleased we are providing a vital lifeline of friendship to around 50 more older people who live alone.

“Our presence has grown significantly in recent years but we are always aware there are so many more people we could be supporting and volunteers we could potentially be working with.

“Our tea parties in towns and cities throughout Scotland, including those running locally, make such a difference to older people who live alone and we cannot thank our volunteers enough. Without them the charity wouldn’t be possible.”

The charity recently launched the ‘Be Our Guest’ campaign encouraging people to help identify those in their local community who would enjoy the tea parties.

Morna added: “It is incredibly difficult for someone who is older, and often isolated, to reach out and ask for help. We work with agencies throughout Scotland to help us identify who might benefit from our services but we know there are more and are encouraging those to help us reach out to people in their community who would benefit from the chance to enjoy a bit of a blether over a tasty afternoon tea.

“We are also continuously looking for more people who can offer a little amount of time to make an immeasurable difference. Our volunteers are always telling us how much the groups mean to them and although 10 new groups is fantastic, we are always striving for more.”

To find out more about Contact the Elderly and volunteering contact Morna O’May, 01786 871264 or morna.o’may@contact-the-elderly.org.uk.

To to refer a potential older guest call Freephone 0800 716 543, visit www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk or email guest@contact-the-elderly.org.uk.

Hibs moved three points clear at the top of the Championship with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park yesterday.

Head Coach Neil Lennon  made two changes to the starting XI following last weekend’s draw at Raith Rovers with Andrew Shinnie and Liam Fontaine replacing Marvin Bartley and Jason Cummings.

Dunfermline fielded former Hibs’ players Sean Murdoch and Farid El Alagui.

Hibs started brightly in their away kit and James Keatings struck the bar with a well taken free kick in the 14th minute before the Pars were awarded a controversial penalty kick after referee Alan Muir spotted a push at a corner kick.

Kallum Higginbotham sent Marciano the wrong way from the spot kick to give the hosts the lead then Ofir Marciano prevented the host making it 2-0 with a fantastic save from El Alagui.

Shinnie, Fraser Fyvie and Grant Holt all had chances before the half time whistle but Hibs went in at the break a goal down.

Four minutes after the restart Paul Hanlon struck the post as Hibs pressed for an equaliser which eventually arrived in the 55th minute when Keatings powerful strike deflected off  Nathaniel Wedderburn into the net to the delight of the large travelling support.

Moments later Keatings hobbled off and was replaced by Martin Boyle.

In the 66th minute Shinnie latched onto John McGinn’s ball over the top and was fouled by Lee Ashcroft  as he was about to strike.

The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Holt sent Murdoch the wrong way from the resultant spot kick to give Hibs a deserved lead.

In time added on substitute Brian Graham made it 3-1 from a Shinnie cross before Michael Moffat was given a straight red carded with seconds remaining.

Elsewhere both Queen of the South and Falkirk lost leaving Hibs clear at the top.

Dunfermline Athletic: Murdoch, Talbot, Martin, Ashcroft, Richards Everton, Geggan, Wedderburn, El Alagui (Hopkirk 67), Reilly, Paton (McMullan 81’), Higginbotham (Moffatt 69’). Substitutes not used: Hutton, Williamson, McCabe, Fordyce, McMullan.

Hibernian: Marciano, Gray, Hanlon, Fontaine, McGinn, Fyvie, Holt (Graham 88’), Stevenson, Keatings (Boyle 58’), Shinnie, McGregor.  Substitutes not used: Laidlaw, Bartley, Forster, Harris, Cummings.

Referee: Alan Muir.

Attendance: 7,624.

The Queen’s Hall has an exciting and eclectic line-up this winter and they will welcome Sarah Jarosz from Austin Texas on 17 November 2016.

Jarosz has many talents including playing mandolin, octave mandolin, guitar and banjo as well as being an accomplished songwriter and a distinctive vocalist.

And if that description is not enough of a recommendation try this one:

Last night in Atlanta I saw one of the best concerts I have ever seen. @parkermillsap & @sarahjarosz. Both astonishingly good. Bravo to both pic.twitter.com/8cXxPA7MHh

— Elton John (@eltonofficial) October 3, 2016

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She will be joined on stage by Jedd Hughes on guitar and harmony vocals and Jeff Picker on bass.

Sarah will be singing songs from her current release Undercurrent.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofNDjpsVtYw?feature=oembed&w=696&h=392]

Police in Edinburgh have released an image of a woman they wish to speak to in connection with a hate crime that occurred around 6pm on 4th March 2016 at Sofi’s Bar in Henderson Street.

A female member of staff was working within the premises when she was subjected to homophobic abuse.

The woman pictured in the CCTV footage is of interest to this ongoing investigation and anyone who recognises her is asked to come forward.

She is described as white, mid-thirties, around 5ft 7ins tall with a heavy build, shoulder-length hair that is dark at the roots and lighter at the ends, and glasses on her face. At the time of the incident, she was wearing blue jeans and a long grey coat.

Constable Shona MacKay from Leith Police Station said: “The comments directed towards the member of bar staff were completely unacceptable and we continue to progress this inquiry to trace the suspect.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who recognises the woman pictured in the CCTV footage and would ask the public to come forward if they can help us identify and trace this individual.

“In addition, anyone with any further information relevant to this investigation should also contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.