Former Scotland international rugby greats Gavin Hastings, Rob Wainwright and Roger Baird will be among the former sports stars at BT Murrayfield this Sunday (8 May) when the inspirational ‘Duchenne Dash Max Cycle Ride’ reaches Edinburgh on day two of an eight-day, 1,000 mile cycle ‘dash’ from John O’Groat’s to Paris.

Led by 50 year-old Alasdair Robertson, whose four year old son Felix was diagnosed in 2014 with the fatal genetic condition, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a core team of ten riders left John O’Groat’s yesterday for BT Murrayfield and en route to the French capital. They aim to help raise more than £250,000 to fund vital research into effective treatments for the life-shortening muscle wasting DMD disease that affects an estimated 1 in 3,500 children (99% boys) in the UK and for which there is no cure.

The spirited riders will be joined on various stages of the ride by the likes of former rugby stars Rob Wainwright, Roger Baird, Iwan Tukalo and Will Carling and former Olympians Alain Baxter (alpine skiing) and Greg Searle (rowing).

London based Alasdair Robertson, said: “I am extremely grateful for the tremendous on and off bike support being given by sports stars and business people, including Tiso Group to aid the Duchenne Dash Max Cycle Ride. It promises to be a tough but fun 1,000 mile ride from John O’Groat’s to Paris. After a brief ‘pit stop’ at Scotland’s national rugby stadium, we’ll pedal for London and on 13 May join up with over 100 more riders for the final 24-hour Duchenne Dash to Paris in aid of the Duchenne Childrens’ Trust. All donations towards our fundraising target of £250,000 in aid of research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) will be gratefully received.”

The outdoor retail specialist Tiso Group, incorporating the specialist cycling outlet Alpine Bikes, is supporting the ‘dash’ with technical cycling kit. It’s also providing drinks and sustenance for the riders and guests at the BT Murrayfield Stadium where up to 50 loyal Tiso customers will have the chance to meet and be photographed with the likes of Hastings, Baird and Wainwright. Capped 61 times for Scotland and a former captain of the British & Irish Lions, Gavin Hastings OBE has enjoyed adventures with Tiso for many years.

Referring to the fundraising effort, Gavin Hastings, a Tiso Ambassador, added: “The Duchenne Dash Max Cycle Ride is a fantastic fundraising initiative. With the support of individuals from the world of sport and business, it will hopefully see vital funds raised for research into the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).  I wish Ali Robertson and all of the other participants the very best of luck on their epic cycle in aid of a great cause.”

Annual maintenance work on the main runway at Edinburgh Airport necessitates the altering of a small number of flight routes this weekend and in weekends throughout May.

Every Saturday and Sunday – starting May 7 – between the hours of 23:15 and 05:00 – when there is minimal air traffic – runway maintenance will result in aircraft taking off from and landing on the airport’s secondary runway.

Communications Director Gordon Robertson said: “Only a very small number of flights will operate during the maintenance period and these flights will have to use an alternative route. Our main runway will reopen before 5:00 each morning so flights can operate as normal.

“At Edinburgh Airport we are committed to having the highest possible safety standards and these essential works maintain that standard throughout the year, to ensure our runway is has the highest standard of durability for our peak season ahead.”

Ten staff from Edinburgh Leisure jumped in to help raise money to fund essential swimming lessons for children from disadvantaged backgrounds in Edinburgh. Children from Stanwell Primary School came down to Leith Victoria Swim Centre to cheer them on.

The staff took part in the inaugural ’10 x 10 Swim Challenge’, which involved a team of 10 staff, swimming 1km each in all 10 of Edinburgh Leisure’s pools in one day on 6 May. All sponsorship raised will help to continue to fund the ‘Jump In’ project, which gives pre-school swimming lessons for nursery pupils living in areas of multiple deprivation in the city. The team have raised over £2,000 for the #10x10swimchallenge.

The team have been supported by Landmarc Support who have supplied transport and refreshments for the team. Landmarc’s Regional Operations Manager for Scotland, Kevin Kneeshaw said: “Jump In is a great initiative so we’re really pleased we could be involved by transporting the swimmers between each of the ten locations. We hope this challenge has helped to raise awareness of this vital project to support essential swimming lessons for disadvantaged children.”

Andrew Stephenson, Funding Officer at Edinburgh Leisure explained: “Since the ‘Jump In’ project started in 2012, it has taught 1,213 nursery school children affected by poverty to swim, embedding crucial life skills that keeps children safe around water by improving their water confidence and swimming ability.

“As a charity, Edinburgh Leisure relies on funding from trusts, companies and individuals to keep this project going. This will be the first time that as not-for-profit organisation that we have organised our own fundraising event, which we hope will enable even more children to learn essential life skills.”

Swimming can have a really positive effect on an individual’s mental wellbeing, with additional wider social benefits including better educational attainment and improved confidence.

Yet despite these great benefits, 40% of Scotland’s children leave primary school unable to swim. This number increases significantly in areas of deprivation, which is poignant when more than one child in every five living in Edinburgh is affected by poverty.

This social injustice means that these children are often excluded from learning to swim, placing them at a higher risk of drowning and losing out on the chance to develop their physical abilities and communication skills that their peers can learn during swimming lessons.

The decline in children’s swimming ability is linked to an eight percent decline in the number of people swimming recreationally (Sports England), especially families. As well as the negative impact on a child’s ability to swim and their water confidence, children who never get the opportunity to learn to swim are less likely to be physically active throughout their life, increasing their likelihood of major illnesses by up to 50% and early death by up to 30%.

If you have had a great experience of swimming and believe that all children should get the opportunity to learn to swim and would like to sponsor the team, donations can be made by texting EDLS65 £3 to 70070.

Le Di-Vin is tucked away just behind Charlotte Square on Randolph Place, opposite Sygn Bar.

It is owned by the proprietors of the fabulous La P’tite Folie French Restaurants. As the name suggests it is a warm and atmospheric haven of wonderful wines, French cheeses and charcuterie just waiting for you to discover. It is perfect for an after work drink, a night out or settling in with a bottle of wine and plate of cheese on a romantic evening.

Step through the double doors at the entrance and you are greeted with a large open room flooded with natural light coming in from the windows in the roof and a very impressive floor to ceiling wine rack behind the huge bar area. There is a selection of tall and relaxed seating areas plus a large mezzanine area at the back which would be perfect for a group.

Proprietors Virginie and Ghislain have transformed the bar from a building which was at one time a church called the Oratory of St Anne.

Virginie came over to say hello to us and explained the history of the wine bar and also the food. She is a lovely lady who is hugely passionate about good food and wine and easily picked out some great wines for us to try.

Di-Vin offers a selection of French foods with the star of the show being their platters in my mind. We decided on the cheese & charcuterie with bread and salad.

There were at least 7 different meats including cured ham, saucission and traditional baked hams, for the cheeses we had an ample selection including Tomme De Savoie, Roquefort, Chaorce and Comte.

They also have fish platters with grilled garlic prawns, various tempting antipasti including snails, a croque monsieur of course and tartines (fine puff pastry tarts with cheese and vegetables). For dessert you must try the Crème Brulee if you have room for a little taste of creamy heaven.

Their wine list is practically a novel it’s so huge, with a vast range of different styles from a variety of countries including France, Italy, Spain, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Chile, Argentina and Patagonia and USA. There are 27 wines by the glass and house wines start from a very reasonable £16.95.

They also offer wine flights to taste their favorite ones with your food and play host to various wine tasting events held regularly throughout the year.

I have to say I absolutely loved Le Di’Vin and have sent all my colleagues – everyone who has been is raving about it too.

Our wine flight was just the right amount, the staff and Virginie were so welcoming and friendly, and the food perfect. It really is one of Edinburgh’s best hidden gems and my new favourite bar.

www.ledivin.co.uk

9 Randolph Place, Edinburgh, EH3 7TE

Telephone 0131 538 1815

Bar open Mon–Sat noon–late. Closed Sun.

Average price £14 (lunch); £14 (evening meal)

info@ledivin.co.uk

There is something magical, almost sacred, about the verdict of the people as expressed through the ballot box. Whatever the predictions, there is that breath-catching moment when the voting papers are poured out on the counting tables and you wait to see if the expectations are confirmed or confounded.

I was privileged to feel that magical moment when I stood in the great hall at Ingliston on Thursday night/Friday morning to watch the Scottish Parliamentary Election. Yes, everyone was predicting an SNP win, in fact I was predicting an SNP majority.  It’s turned out to be an SNP win but with two seats short of a majority.  Then the truly unexpected happened – the Conservatives beat Labour into second place and the Greens put the Liberal Democrats down to the bottom.

So the final tally stands at: SNP 63 seats, Conservatives 31, Labour 24, Greens 6 and the Liberal Democrats 5. The SNP’s failure to win an outright majority was due to the often confusing system of proportional representation. The more they won in the constituency race, the less they won in the regional race.  Their actual share of the vote in both races (46 per cent and 42 per cent) was nearly  double that of any other party.

It means we are back in the business of parliamentary rule rather than party rule. Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP government will now have to put together a majority in parliament for each of its policies separately.  In my view, this is how it should always be and Alex Salmond showed how it could be done in the SNP’s first term in office until 2011.

I always enjoy the geography of an election. The map of Scotland is almost completely SNP yellow, but there are substantial swathes in the south and north-east, coloured blue by the Conservatives.  There are spots of Liberal yellow here and there and daubs of Labour red in curious places like East Lothian and Dumbartonshire.  The sad story of the night was Labour’s continuing fall from grace, tumbling from being the natural ruling party of Scotland to just third place.  The SNP, for example, won all eight constituency seats in Glasgow, once the heartland of Labour support.

Elections are also about personalities. And as expected, Nicola Sturgeon has fought a brilliant campaign with the most threadbare of manifestos, a real tribute to her political talent.  She offered vision and hope and sheer competence.  Scottish Labour’s new leader Kezia Dugdale (the seventh since devolution in 2009) appeared school-girlish by comparison.  She failed to win her home seat of Edinburgh Eastern and had to rely on the regional list to be returned to Holyrood.

The brash young Conservative leader Ruth Davidson was the Donald Trump of the night, speaking wildly and enjoying every mad photo-opportunity, from playing rugby with young lads to riding a buffalo. Her antics have resulted in a Tory resurgence. Willie Rennie, the Liberal Democrat leader, was another star of the photo-shoot, clambering through children’s soft-play mazes, holding eagles aloft on one arm, mucking out a pigsty. And he was rewarded with a fine win in Fife North East and a party rescued from oblivion.

By contrast, the leader of the Greens, Patrick Harvie has played an old-fashioned straight-forward game of policy announcements, solid interviews and debates. And the Greens have emerged as a party of real influence, with 6 MSPs (including the youngest 21-year old Ross Greer) ready to give or withhold a majority for the SNP.

Which brings us to policy…..what the election was supposed to be all about. Taxation was at the heart of it.  Labour, the Greens and the Liberal Democrats all advocated increases in tax to “halt Westminster austerity” and reverse the cuts to public services. I thought this might deter people from voting but in fact the turnout, at 55.6 per cent, was up on last time…though still shockingly low.  The electorate however were obviously cautious about tax increases, hence the rise of the Conservatives and the SNP’s careful avoidance of the issue.

But also at the heart of this election was “independence”. The question  has not been settled by the referendum 18 months ago. Those who voted “Yes” have permanently transferred their allegiance to the SNP and those who voted “No” are split between the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

So as the SNP set out on their third term of office, their main objective is still on the agenda and if the voters’ next trip to the polling stations on 23^rd June results in England voting to leave the European Union and Scotland voting to remain (both of which look likely at the moment) that may well trigger an unstoppable opinion poll surge for another independence referendum.

Was there anything else happening in Scotland this week ? Only that the blossom has appeared on the cherry tree outside my kitchen window.

• Who is your new MSP?
• In Portobello today
• University sponsor cricket club
• Police advice for motorcyclists
• Tickets for this year’s Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival go on sale

The new MSPs are now getting over the lack of sleep that comes with election night and packing their schoolbags for the new session which begins on Monday. There will be a jostling for position at Holyrood with rooms to be allocated to each MSP who also have to find their own staff for their offices in parliament and in the constituency.

Edinburgh Central – Ruth Davidson Scottish Conservative

Edinburgh Eastern – Ash Denham SNP

Edinburgh Western – Alex Cole-Hamilton Liberal Democrat

Edinburgh South – Daniel Johnson Scottish Labour

Edinburgh Pentlands – Gordon MacDonald SNP

Edinburgh North and Leith – Ben Macpherson SNP

We have tried to keep you informed over the last day or two as to who your new MSP is, but if you need to know more – or even get in touch with them – then you can find out more here.

Councillor Maureen Child tells us she will be helping to clean up the Brunstane Burn today:

On Saturday 7 May I will be joining in the Portobello Timebank Brunstane Burn Clean Up – Take 3! You are very welcome to join us between 2-5pm meeting outside Brunstane Station, prepared for some mucky hard work – and sweet treats for the grafters.  More here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1804938566396437/?active_tab=highlights

The community-run Joppa Tennis Courts is having their Family Open Day this Sunday 8 May from 1.30pm to 5pm. More here:https://www.facebook.com/events/196993150685813/

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Edinburgh Napier University has today launched a new sponsorship agreement with Edinburgh-based Watsonian Cricket Club. The University has signed up to support the club for two years.

The deal will run until spring 2018 and will see Edinburgh Napier University as the main sponsor on the club’s new season kit. The partnership will also provide an opportunity for the University to strengthen its cricket offering to students including winter coaching from the club, the provision of training facilities for various Edinburgh Napier student sports, discounted membership to the club for students and support in developing a female cricket team. The club will also offer committee and leadership roles to students and promote student recruitment and open day events on behalf of the University.

With thermometers in Scotland set to reflect higher temperatures, brighter days and better weather than of late, bikers are expected to take to the tarmac this weekend in increased numbers – and Police Scotland is urging them to ride safely.

With a major motorcycle event also scheduled for this weekend near Tyndrum, which attracts riders from across the country, Police Scotland’s Road Policing officers will be out on the roads, engaging with road users and encouraging motorcyclists to stay safe. Where offences are committed, they will enforce the law and will not hesitate to pull over anyone who is driving in an irresponsible, anti-social, erratic or illegal manner to keep road users as safe as possible.

Police Scotland is currently undertaking an ongoing safety campaign for motorcyclists, Operation Zenith. This has officers out on patrols dedicated to reducing motorcycle casualties and engaging directly with riders.

Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston, Head of Road Policing at Police Scotland, said: “We understand the thrill of motorcycling but we also want people to keep safe, especially when overtaking and negotiating left hand bends.

“Motorcyclists are more vulnerable than other road users and since the start of April, we have already seen three motorcyclists killed and others seriously injured. As the roads get busier in the coming months, with an increase in tourist and foreign drivers, who are unfamiliar with the roads, I would encourage motorcyclists to take extra care. Unfortunately at this time last year, a collision involving a motorcyclist resulted in the death of two people.

“In order to reinforce the road safety message and discourage inappropriate riding or driving, Road Policing Officers will be out in numbers in marked and unmarked patrol cars and motorcycles, with support from the Safety Camera Units. We will be engaging with road users who choose to ignore the advice given. A number of offenders have been detected speeding and driving dangerously or carelessly on previous weekends during this operation.”

This year the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival takes place between 15 and 24 July and tickets go on sale on Monday 9 May.

The number of events will increase by 15% this year. There will be five major concerts at the Festival Theatre with the likes of Jools Holland, Curtis Stigers, The Average White Band and The James Taylor Quartet.

There will be rare Scottish concerts by two musicians who have been giants of world jazz for the last forty years, John McLaughlin and Jan Garbarek.

Mclaughlin and Garbarek will be the headliners of a strong programme strand featuring jazz from Europe.

Tickets are available from midday on Monday 9 May:

• Online at www.edinburghjazzfestival.com
• By phone on 0131 473 2000.
• In person from The Hub, Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NE.

If you are reading this article in print and would like to visit The Edinburgh Reporter website then simply scan the QR code here with a smartphone or tablet.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called the press to the First Minister’s official residence, Bute House, this afternoon to make a statement and also for a short photo call.

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#SP16 First Minister speaking outside Bute House from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

Here is what she said:

Yesterday, the SNP made history.

We became the first party to win a third consecutive Scottish Parliament election and secure a third term in office.

We won the highest share of the constituency vote and the largest number of constituency seats ever achieved in a Scottish Parliament election.

And we are the first party in the era of devolution to poll more than one million votes in constituencies across the country.

The result of the election was emphatic – the people of Scotland once again placed their trust in the SNP to govern our country.

We won a clear and unequivocal mandate.

And I secured the personal mandate I sought to implement the bold and ambitious programme for government that I asked the country to vote on.

So I can confirm that when it reconvenes in the coming days, I will ask the Scottish Parliament to formally re-elect me as First Minister.

It will then be my intention to form and to lead an SNP government.

With such a large number of MSPs elected I do not intend to seek any formal arrangement with any other party.

The government that I lead will be inclusive.

It will deliver on the commitments we made to the Scottish people – but it will also reach out and seek to work with others across the parliament to find common ground and build consensus.

Election campaigns inevitably focus on differences and dividing lines – but I believe that if we choose to find it, there is common ground aplenty to build on.

I made clear in this election that education will be the defining and driving priority of my tenure as First Minister – and that I expect to be judged on it. I reiterate that today.

Education is my passion and priority, but I was heartened that all parties chose to put a clear focus on it.

So I hope we can put party differences aside and work together.

Ensuring opportunities for all of our young people, regardless of their background or family circumstances is a cause that must unite, not divide us over the next five years.

There is also considerable agreement on stepping up our ambition to tackle climate change and protect our environment and on putting support for innovation at the heart of our efforts to transform the productivity of the Scottish economy.

And of course the SNP’s determination to use new powers to mitigate austerity, invest in our public services and build a social security system based on the principles of dignity and respect is, with perhaps one exception, shared by other parties in our parliament.

So the government I lead will reach out. We will govern with conviction and determination but also with humility and a willingness to listen and to learn from the ideas of others.

And on the question of independence, the SNP will make our case with passion, with patience and with respect. But our aim is to persuade, not to divide. We will always respect the opinion of the people – now and in the future – and we simply ask that other parties do likewise.

It is the greatest privilege imaginable to be elected as the First Minister of our country.

To those who voted for me yesterday, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have given me a precious opportunity to change this country for the better and I promise to seize it with both hands.

To those who did not vote for me, I promise I will never stop striving to earn your trust and support.

Like all politicians, I am passionate about the ideals I believe in.

But as First Minister, I have a duty to rise above party politics and to govern in the best interests of all of our country.

My pledge today is that I will always seek to do that.

Whatever your politics or your point of view, my job is to serve you.

I will always fight Scotland’s corner and I will work every single day to make our country fairer, wealthier and stronger.

I look forward now to getting on with the job.

Thank you.

The Scottish Greens Co-Convenor Patrick Harvie came bounding off a train from Glasgow this afternoon looking for all the world as though he had not been up all night.

The adrenaline of tripling the number of Scottish Greens at Holyrood has clearly helped his energy levels. They are now a larger political group at Holyrood than the Lib Dems who are now in fifth place with five MSPs. This means that they will have a stronger voice in the Scottish Parliament when it convenes next week. There are so many new MSPs in various political parties and undoubtedly this will mean they need some time to settle down.

But the newest of the Lothian representatives, Andy Wightman, told The Edinburgh Reporter this afternoon that he knows what he wants to do, and that there is more to his agenda than just Land Reform for which he is renowned.

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#SP16 Andy Wightman Scottish Green MSP from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

He said: “Fundamentally it is about power, it’s about where power lies, how it’s distributed and how it’s exercised and who the people are accountable to. That is an issue about democracy, tax and governance in general. But I am going to take a close interest in the question of empowerment and democracy and how we can make the parliament more transparent and open and how it can hold power to account.

But having six MSPs rather than two, and having two of those in Lothian will make a difference. it will allow the workload to be shared more evenly. Wightman continued: “At a parliamentary level we will be able to cover all the briefs in parliament much more effectively. It’s a big leap forward and we are certainly looking forward to getting down to work.”

Andy Wightman will join Alison Johnstone to represent Lothian at Holyrood. Both were elected as list MSPs.

Patrick Harvie was joined at the photo call today by his very tall colleague Ross Greer who was elected last night as the MSP for the West of Scotland. He will be the youngest MSP at Holyrood.

Ross Greer MSP, Europe spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said: “This is a historic result, marking the first time a Green has been elected in the West of Scotland and demonstrating that we are a truly national party, reaching more communities than ever. To be the youngest MSP ever elected is exciting for me personally but more importantly, it shows the confidence Scotland has in our young people. I’m looking forward to bringing bold Green ideas to Holyrood and to making the case for our membership of the European Union as the referendum fast approaches.”

[tweet_box design=”default”]Gordon MacDonald has been returned to Holyrood for the second time with a majority of 2456 in Edinburgh Pentlands.[/tweet_box]

He told The Edinburgh Reporter how delighted he was to be heading back to Holyrood with an increased majority : “Our guys have been absolutely fantastic, but it is down to hard work. We’ve recruited lots of new members since the referendum and they’ve worked extremely hard.

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“They’ve chapped every door in the constituency, they’ve delivered nearly a quarter of a million leaflets, they’ve manned stalls in every weather. Without the fantastic campaign team I have had I wouldn’t be here today.”

These were the candidates who stood in the Edinburgh Pentlands Constituency :

FARTHING-SYKES, Emma – Scottish Liberal Democrats (1636 votes)

HEARY, Blair – Scottish Labour Party (7811 votes)

LINDHURST, Gordon – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party (10,725 votes)

One of the surprise announcements made overnight was that Jeremy Balfour is going to be a list MSP at Holyrood. But it seems that his appointment hinged on a pack of cards.

He was elected under the list system, and so surprising was this that he was at home when the announcement was made at Ingliston in the early hours. He was fourth on the Conservative list, and clearly the party had not expected to acquire as many seats as they did.

One of his fellow Scottish Conservatives sent him a message in the early hours when all the calculations had been worked out to tell him that he was now an MSP.

When The Edinburgh Reporter caught up with him this morning he told us:” I wasn’t expecting this to be honest, but I am very delighted by the result and honoured to be elected as an MSP.  I will be happy to work with such a good team under Ruth Davidson where we can hold the SNP to account and scrutinise their policies.”

But Iain McGill who was number 5 on the Conservative list, and who has stood in a number of elections,  explained how chance played a big part.

He told us: “Jeremy and I were joint fourth – we got the same number of votes. We cut cards in a car park in Livingston before an action day and Jeremy won, so  he went up to fourth on the list and I was fifth. We did not imagine we were going to return four candidates to Holyrood.

“Jeremy will be a super MSP – as will Miles, Gordon and Ruth – it’s a strong Edinburgh team.”

Balfour agreed that luck played its part in his appointment and concluded: “One of us had to be number 4 and one of us number 5. I was fortunate that the cards fell the way they did but I am sure Iain will get elected in the future as he is an excellent candidate for either Holyrood or the council.

“I am going to spend time with my family over the weekend and then get to work at Holyrood on Monday morning. I haven’t seen so much of them in recent weeks!”

As Balfour is also a councillor he effectively has two jobs from today, and he conceded that he has not yet had time to decide whether to continue with both or whether he might resign as a councillor thereby sparking a by-election.

He is currently a councillor for Corstorphine and Murrayfield and will now move down the hill to Holyrood to represent the Conservative Party there. The dually qualified lawyer and minister is a former leader of the Conservative Group, but most recently he has been Convener of the Governance, Risk and Best Value Committee. Read more about Jeremy Balfour here.

The other Conservative representatives are Miles Briggs who stood for Edinburgh Southern, but also  appointed under the list system, Ruth Davidson the Scottish Conservative leader who will now represent Edinburgh Central and Gordon Lindhurst who agreed he will now have to rearrange his work as an advocate at the Scottish bar!

Scottish MSPs are elected under the constituency system which is ‘first past the post’ and the regional vote which elects 56 MSPs across 8 parliamentary regions. This is supposed to ensure that one single party does not get an outright majority.

This was one of the upsets of the night.

Jim Eadie who had been the SNP representative for this constituency since 2011 lost his seat to a brand new Labour politician, Daniel Johnson who won by a majority of 1123 votes. 

The Edinburgh Reporter spoke to former Labour MP Nigel Griffiths ahead of the result being announced and his prophesy was correct. Griffiths said: “This is a seat where the SNP were the incumbent at the last Scottish election, but I think they are poised to lose it tonight.

“I feel the air is going out of that balloon in Edinburgh Southern and the SNP are losing the momentum there. ”

These were the candidates for the Edinburgh Southern Constituency 
BRIGGS, Miles – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party (9972 votes)
EADIE, Jim – Scottish National Party (SNP) (12,474 votes)

Jim Eadie won this seat with a majority of 693 votes in 2011.

SUBBARAMAN, Pramod – Scottish Liberal Democrats  Pramod is a dentist in the city and stood at the General Election last year. (2216 votes)

Liberal Democrat Alex Cole-Hamilton won the seat by a majority of 2960 votes.

Shortly after the result was declared Cole-Hamilton told The Edinburgh Reporter: “This is the culmination of a two year journey, not just my journey but the journey of many hundreds of activists who all deserve a share  in this fantastic joy that we are feeling tonight. It’s a great night!

“First I am going to set up a parliamentary office and take up a lot of the casework that is still outstanding from the period of the campaign. There are some really core local issues and some very moving personal stories that require quite urgent attention.”

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#SP16 Alex Cole-Hamilton Edinburgh Western from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

These were the candidates in the Edinburgh Western Constituency

The Scottish Parliament Election results for Edinburgh’s six constituencies and the Lothian Region were finally announced at the Royal Highland Centre just after 6 this morning.

Edinburgh results by constituency

Edinburgh Central Constituency: Ruth Davidson, Scottish Conservative and Unionist

Edinburgh Eastern Constituency: Ash Denham, Scottish National Party (SNP)

Edinburgh Northern & Leith Constituency: Ben Macpherson, Scottish National Party (SNP)

Edinburgh Pentlands Constituency: Gordon MacDonald, Scottish National Party (SNP)

Edinburgh South Constituency:  Daniel Johnson, Scottish Labour Party

Edinburgh Western Constituency: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Lothian Region List Results (Based on votes from the nine Lothian Region constituencies: Edinburgh Central, Edinburgh Eastern, Edinburgh Northern & Leith, Edinburgh Pentlands, Edinburgh South, Edinburgh Western, Midlothian North & Musselburgh, Almond Valley and Linlithgow).

327, 719 votes cast across region; turnout: 57.9%

Miles Briggs Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Alison Johnstone Scottish Green Party
Kezia Dugdale Scottish Labour Party
Gordon Lindhurst Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Neil Findlay Scottish Labour Party
Jeremy Balfour Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Andy Wightman Scottish Green Party

Returning Officer Andrew Kerr said: “It is down to the hard work of many Council staff, particularly the Election Team, that this election has run so smoothly in Edinburgh, and I’d like to take this opportunity to express thanks to those involved, along with Police Scotland, the candidates and their agents, who have cooperated throughout the process.

“I would also like to thank the public for turning out to have their say, helping to ensure representative vote for the capital.”

Constituency turnout: 59.84%
Electorate: 366,165
Votes cast: 219,135

Regional turnout: 59.85%
Electorate: 366,165
Votes cast: 219,170

This year more than 1200 people worked at the election count at the Royal Highland Centre, while a further 1000 worked during the day at the city’s 145 polling places.

For further details of the results and the Scottish Parliament Election, please see the Elections section of the Council website.

• Holyrood – the results
• Gorgie City Farm
• Bookbug Week 2016
• Puffin Fest
• Scot Lit Festival

The country has now decided. Overnight the results for all of the six Edinburgh constituencies were announced at the Royal Highland Showground at Ingliston.

Read all the action on our liveblog here or read our articles here.

Bookbug Week, an annual celebration of Scotland’s national book gifting programme, will take place between 16 and 22 May, with hundreds of free events for children and babies held across the country. This year’s theme is Around the World with Bookbug, an international theme that will inspire children and adults to explore songs and rhymes from around the globe.

Now in its sixth year, Bookbug Week 2016 will see free Around the World themed events taking place in every local authority in Scotland, with special appearances from some of the UK’s best-loved children’s authors and illustrators. Schools and nurseries across the country can also tune in to watch a fun-filled Authors Live event with Ed Vere, streamed live at 11am Thursday 19 May. Some fantastic Bookbug prizes will also be up for grabs in on-line competitions throughout the week.

Puffin Fest is Scotland’s celebration of the iconic wee bird that so delights us all. Now to get free entry to the festival (but not some paid events) you are asked to make one out of LEGO.

As there are no official instructions you can let your creative side run riot. You can make your model any size and then bring it along to the Seabird Centre during Puffin Fest. You will get your photo taken and added to an online LEGO puffin gallery.

For the full programme visit www.seabird.org

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The Scot Lit Fest is a new online festival to celebrate Scottish literature which will take place on 24-26 June as part of the Saltire Society’s 80th celebrations.  James Yorkston, brand new Scottish Makar, Jackie Kay, Vic Galloway and A.L. Kennedy are all included in the line-up.

There will be events on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Live video streams, podcasts and videos will show off some of the best Scottish literature, and now you can hold your own event and the organisers of Scot Lit Fest will include it in their event.

Full information on submitting your pitches can be found at scotlitfest.com. Deadline: May 15th.

You can sign up to Scot Lit Fest for free on Eventbrite for news and exclusives before everyone else, including bundles of content during the weekend itself.

If you have been down Leith Walk recently you may have noticed the makeover that artist Stewart Bremner has given the police box which doubles as the Edinburgh Tool Library.

If you are reading this article in print and would like to visit The Edinburgh Reporter website then simply scan the QR code here with a smartphone or tablet.

We have been speaking to some of the supporters and checkers around the hall here in , as well as a couple of candidates, about the likely results in and around the city.

As we manage to get back to the computer we will add these here!

Nigel Griffiths was formerly Labour MP for Edinburgh South which is a large part of the Edinburgh Southern Holyrood constituency.

He told The Edinburgh Reporter:  “This is a seat where the SNP were the incumbent at the last Scottish election, but I think they are poised to lose it tonight.

“I feel the air is going out of that balloon in Edinburgh Southern and the SNP are losing the momentum there. ”

He is backing Daniel Johnson the Labour candidate who is a shopkeeper in the constituency. We interviewed him here:

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#SP16 Daniel Johnson Scottish Labour from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

The photographers are just desperate for Kezia Dugdale and Ruth Davidson to arrive to give them something new to take photos of, the journalists are all searching for someone to give them a quote, and candidates are looking worried across all parties.

The boxes of papers were all in the building by midnight, so all that is left is the counting!

We took advantage of the slight lull in proceedings to speak to Andrew Kerr the Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council and the Chief Returning Officer about his role.

His main duties are :

• setting up polling places
• providing staff to work at polling stations
• managing the postal voting process
• counting the votes
• declaring the local total.

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#sp16 Edinburgh’s Chief Returning Officer from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

At just after half past ten the first ballot boxes arrived from Edinburgh Pentlands in an unmarked white van, closely followed about five minutes later by the boxes from Edinburgh Western.

The security is tight around all these boxes. They are all sealed before leaving the polling station and then accompanied by two people on their way to the count, which this year is taking place at the Royal Highland Showground at Ingliston. There is an agricultural whiff in the air!

Photographers and TV crews jostled for position to get the best shot of the first van arriving with a couple of boxes in the back. It is a slick operation, and the security crew are well used to dealing with such a precious cargo.

The photographers are all used to the shots too, since this is the third time they have been at election counts in Edinburgh in recent years. 2011 was the last Scottish election, followed in 2014 by the Scottish Independence Referendum and now the Scottish Parliamentary election. The procedure under the guidance of the Chief Returning Officer, the Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council is now well-known.

The boxes are then taken to the specific area in the hall where counting staff have been waiting for them. They are counted and recounted and it is expected that the first result will not be announced until about 3:00am.

In the Media Centre journalists from all the major newspapers are assembled ready to bring you the news as and when it happens. Downstairs in the hall there is a media podium for broadcasters ready to conduct interviews as soon as results are announced.

Follow what is happening here on our live blog here.

First van load of ballot boxes has arrived from Edinburgh Pentlands won in 2011 by @Re_ElectGordon #sp16 pic.twitter.com/FEAkEJEyHG

— Edinburgh Reporter (@EdinReporter) May 5, 2016

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The wait is nearly over. The votes have been cast and the results will be announced for the six constituencies and the regional lists during the night.

We are going to collate all the social media action and comment here from 10pm when the polls close and the overnight action begins.

The Edinburgh Reporter is at the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston along with the national and regional press, the candidates, the lobbyists and the counting staff and we hope to bring you some of the colour and the chat during the night.

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From summer fayres to seed swaps, there’s a shed-load of outdoor stuff for you to do this weekend. Markets, open gardens, plant sales, a burn clean-up at Brunstane, a family fun day at Joppa Tennis Club…. let’s just hope someone’s told the weather to behave.

And if fresh air is not your favourite thing, there are plenty of other options – perhaps you’d like to try Taiko drumming at Japan Children’s Day? Or how about an afternoon of iconic jazz? Are you a dog who’s bored? – Pop along to the Cameo for the Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home’s furry fundraiser! Have an energetic weekend – and please check details of all events with the organisers before setting out.

Grassmarket Matinée of the Month: Star Wars – The Force Awakens (PG). Thirty years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, the galaxy faces a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the First Order. When a defector named Finn crash-lands on a desert planet, he meets Rey (Daisy Ridley), a tough scavenger whose droid contains a top-secret map. Together, the young duo joins forces with Hans Solo (Harrison Ford) to make sure the Resistance receives the intelligence concerning the whereabouts of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the last of the Jedi Knights. 2pm, Saturday 7th May, Grassmarket Community Project, 86 Candlemaker Row. Free (donations to the charity to support future screenings and events very welcome) but please book via eventbrite here. Please note that no food or drink can be brought into this screening from outside; the Grassmarket Project’s Community Café will be open – please support it!

Portobello Market: come along for a fantastic array of locally produced foods, plants, crafts, jewellery and campaign advice from Amnesty and RSPB. BG Cycles of Portobello will also be on site again to give your bicycle a free check up. 9.30am-1.30pm, Saturday 7th May, Brighton Park, Brighton Place, Portobello.

St John’s Summer Fayre: teas, coffees, home baking, tombola, plant stall, face painting and lots more! 10am-1pm, Saturday 7th May, St John’s Church Hall, Brighton Place, Portobello. All welcome.

BIG: a new theatre clown show for children aged 3-5 . Two friends are going somewhere new, with some things that they know – and some they don’t. Everyone tells them they are big and ready, so why do they sometimes feel so small? Come and help them to be as brave as a dinosaur or a superhero, just like you! Rachel Colles and Fiona Ferrier have created Big for nursery children who are about to go through the transition to Primary One, looking at what it is like to be small in a big world and starting somewhere new. 10.30am or 12 noon, Saturday 7th May, North Edinburgh Arts, Pennywell Court, Muirhouse. Tickets £5/£3/£2 (Good Neighbours) from NEA on 0131 315 2151 or admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk.

Studio Ghibli Forever: Laputa Castle In The Sky (PG) (English language version). The very first feature from Studio Ghibli, this action masterpiece gives the Indiana Jones franchise a run for its money. From the opening sequence, in which a young girl, Sheeta, floats down from the sky into the arms of apprentice miner Pazu, the film glows with adventure and magic, and we are soon off on a wild ride through the fantastical that grips and amazes. Hayao Miyazaki’s career obsession with flight is everywhere, with airships, biplanes, gliders, all manner of battle craft, and even a flying island – Laputa, Castle in the Sky. 11am, Saturday 7th May, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0871 902 5723 or online.

Forbidden Planet Free Comic Book Day! An all day long free comic book event with a competition for best adult and child cosplays; the winners will receive a selection of items from a bountiful table of prizes. There will also be discounts on everything around the store to all those who come along in costume – but don’t fret if you’ve not got anything to wear, there will still be 10% off all graphic novels all day. Saturday 7th May, Forbidden Planet, 40/41 South Bridge. This year marks the 15th anniversary of Free Comic Book Day, the unofficial holiday held on the first Saturday in May; participating shops give away comic books for free from a list of 50 different titles.

Christian Aid Coffee Morning: a fundraiser for Christian Aid Week (15 – 21 May this year). Homebaking, bric-a-brac and books for sale, plus children’s activities. 10am-12 noon, Saturday 7th May, Polwarth Parish Church, Polwarth Terrace. Tickets cost £2.50 for tea/coffee and a homemade scone with jam. All welcome!

Water of Leith Conservation Trust Plant Sale: visit the now famous annual plant sale and pick up a bargain. 10am, Water of Leith Visitor Centre, Lanark Road. Entry by suggested donation of 50p,

The Venetian Seminar: a peripatetic one-day workshop which has a long history of bringing together scholars of history, art history, literature and linguistics who study Venice and Italy. The seminar is convened on a yearly basis by Alex Bamji (Leeds), Filippo de Vivo (Birkbeck) and Mary Laven (Cambridge), and organised by The University of Edinburgh and the Italian Cultural Institute; it brings together established scholars, early career researchers and postgraduate students in a format designed to promote awareness of the latest research in the field, and to maximise discussion. 10.30am-5pm, Saturday 7th May, Italian Cultural Institute, 82 Nicolson Street. Please register by emailing a.bamji@leeds.ac.uk. There is no registration fee.

Japan Children’s Day: a fun day out for all the family! Japanese food samples, origami, Taiko drumming, toys, art exhibition, calligraphy and lots more! 11.30am-4pm, Saturday 7th May, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free, all welcome. Organised by the Consulate General of Japan in co-operation with Japanese Studies at the University of Edinburgh.

Storytelling with Ink and Blot: in the Bothy with the menagerie! 11am, Saturday 7th May and every Saturday, Far From the Madding Crowd, 20 High Street, Linlithgow. Free: all welcome. For more information call the shop or email sally@maddingcrowdlinlithgow.co.uk.

St Bride’s Family Cinema: see your favourite films for free! Adventure, excitement, fun and laughs – everyone welcome. Juice and choc ices are available to purchase in the interval at 50p each. This week’s film is Home (U). Please note that all children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 10.30am-12.30pm (includes interval), Saturday 7th May, St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Terrace, Dalry. Next week’s film is Planes: Fire and Rescue (PG).

Workers Rights are Human Rights: Edinburgh & Lothians May Day March. The annual May Day march assembles at Johnston Terrace and sets off at midday, led by Gorebridge Pipe Band in marching to a rally at the Pleasance. Speakers: Jim Slaven, Pinar Aksu, Mary Alexander and Honar Kobani, with music from Penny Stone and Calum Baird. Compèred by Susan Morrison. 11.30am, Saturday 7th May, Johnston Terrace. For more information see the event’s Facebook page here.

British Art Shows: free discussion-led tours of the British Art Show. Focus and content will change weekly. 2-2.30pm, Saturday 7th May, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE (meet at the main entrance), Belford Road. No booking required. Image: Rachel Maclean Feed Me 2015 − courtesy of the artist and Film and Video Umbrella, © Rachel Maclean, 2015.

Family Ceilidh: come with the whole family and friends to dance well-known Scottish dances. All the dances will be called and there will be easier circles for the little ones. A fun introduction to sociable dancing with live music! 3-4.30pm, Saturday 7th May, Storytelling Court, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43 High Street. Tickets £8/£4/family ticket £16 from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 556 9579 or online here. This event is part of Tradfest 2016.

Brunstane Burn Clean Up – Take 3! Having now undertaken two clean ups along Brunstane Burn, Portobello Time Bank is keener than ever to finish this and to tackle the remaining rubbish. It would be great to have as many hands on deck as possible. Wear your wellies and old clothes – gloves, pickers and bags will be provided – as will tea & cake. 2-5pm, Saturday 7th May, Brunstane Train Station, 1 Sir Harry Lauder Road.

Portrait Gallery Thematic Tours: The Life and Times of the Tweeddales. Themed tours of the Portrait Gallery’s collection – this month, artist Katharine Aarrestad will consider the life and times of the Tweeddales family through the portraits and paintings in this new display. 2-2.45pm or 3-3.45pm, Saturday 7th May, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free and unticketed.

Radical Song From 1707 to Today: from anti-Union riots and Jacobite risings through to radical calls for the reform of a corrupt political system, Scotland has raised its voice in song. This performance highlights the movements and songs that have inspired generations of egalitarian Scots and laid a basis for the new political landscape. With Stuart McHardy, Alan Dickson, Eileen Penman and John Malcolm. 4.30pm, Saturday 7th May, Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43 High Street. Tickets £8/£6 from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 556 9579 or online here. This event is part of Tradfest 2016.

IberoDocs – Scotland’s Ibero-American Documentary Film Festival: Don’t Include Me Among You/No me contéisentre vosotros (U)(In Spanish with English subtitles). Manolo doesn’t know his age. He wanders around the nursing home where he has just arrived, ignoring his surroundings. His imagination is enough for him to go across to the olive groves that saw him work or raise his wheelbarrow to collect firewood. There is no difference between presence and escape, life and death, in this elusive portrait of life’s end (and also a forgotten heritage of Andalusian anarchism). The screening will be followed by a Q & A with director Isidro Sánchez. 3.35pm, Saturday 7th May, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 2688 or online.

IberoDocs – Scotland’s Ibero-American Documentary Film Festival: No Cow On The Ice + Short (U) (In Swedish with English subtitles). Language and landscape as a gateway into a new life. A young Galician filmmaker migrates to Sweden, where he performs different part-time jobs; his learning of a new language and fascination for the Swedish landscape become a driving force against the difficult life conditions and, as he learns about the culture, society and lifestyle, he develops a new identity. Followed by short: To Be and To Come Back/Ser e voltar (U). 6.15pm, Saturday 7th May, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 2688 or online.

Saturday Night: Live and Unplugged. The ever popular GTs – Graham and Tudor – are back with another set of cool rock, blues, funk, soul and country covers. Guaranteed to get everyone on the dance floor! 9pm-12 midnight, Saturday 7th May, Dalraida, 77 The Promenade, Portobello.

Dead Buttons: South Korean Art Rockers, recently signed to cult Liverpool label Baltic Records, whose new single Desire is released on 28th May – a Seoul-based rock ‘n’ roll duo comprised of Korean guitarist/vocalist Jihyun Hong and Paraguayan/Korean drummer/vocalist Kanghee Lee. ‘Influenced by the cavernous post-punk of Killing Joke, Joy Division and Gang Of Four – the saviours of Rock’n’Seoul have risen’. 7pm, Saturday 7th May, A Twisted Circus, The Mash House, Guthrie Street, Hasties Close.

Company Chordelia: Nijinsky’s Last Jump. Theatre and dance combine to evoke the legendary 20th century dancer’s journey from global success to the desolate isolation of mental illness. As the passionate obsession of the young Nijinsky comes face to face with the searching inner life of the older Nijinsky, this sharp and tender show portrays a poignant intimacy of genius and madness, youth and age, both the performing and private self. 7.30pm, Saturday 7th May, The Brunton, Bridge Street, Musselburgh. Tickets £12/£10 (£7.50 for under 18s) from the Box Office on 0131 665 2240 or via Hub Tickets here (booking fee applies to online purchases).

The Forest Seed Swap 2016: bring seeds and garden stuff to swap. Join in making seed bombs and bee houses. 3-6pm, Saturday 7th May, Forest Café, 141 Lauriston Place.

The Erskine Stewart Melville’s Community Choir and Orchestra: Ola Gjeilo Sunrise Mass and Luminous Night of the Soul – conductor William More, and Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Minor op 35 – conductor Jason Orringe, soloist Maria Urian (ESMS Silvestri Scholar). 7.30pm, Saturday 7th May, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Tickets £10/£5 on the door or in advance from the Music Department of The Mary Erskine School (tel: 0131 347 5749).

LGBT: Edinburgh Trans Women. A support group aimed at transsexual women at any stage of transition, women who are transgender and live as women full-time or part-time or for those who are questioning their gender identity. ‘We look forward to meeting you and prefer you to email us the first time you want to visit. This helps with security and helps us get ready to welcome you’. 7.30-9.30pm, Saturday 7th May, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. For more information please contact info@edinburghtranswomen.org.uk.

Picturehouses After Dark: 10 Things I Hate About You (12A). A new kid must find a guy to date the meanest girl in school, the older sister of the girl he has a crush on, who cannot date until her older sister does. Starring Heath Ledger. 10pm, Saturday 7th May, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0871 902 5723 or online here.

IberoDocs – Scotland’s Ibero-American Documentary Film Festival: On Football + Short (In Portugese with English subtitles). Sergio and his father, Simáo, haven’t seen each other for over 20 years. On the eve of the 2014 World Cup, Sergio returns to his hometown, Sáo Paulo, hoping to watch the games with Simáo, as they used to when he was a kid. It seems to be a perfect plan for a father-son reunion: a whole month together, their schedule based on the World Cup calendar. But as the days go by, their relationship starts to wander into unknown territory and their pact to watch the entire tournament together turns into a dangerous ritual. Followed by short: History of Abraim /História de Abraim (unrated). 8.15pm, Saturday 7th May, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 2688 or online.

Emily & The Fedoras. With infectious energy and onstage banter, this full-on 7-piece is fronted by the dual vocals of Emily Streete and Hayley Jones, beefed up by a two-sax horn section. Expect a dancefloor-filling mix ranging from old-school funk/soul to Amy Winehouse and AC/DC. Plus DJ. 12 midnight (entry from 11.30pm, band on stage 12.45am)-3am, Saturday 7th May, The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. £5/£4 on the door: please note this venue is strictly cash only.

Linlithgow Jazz Club: Jerry Forde’s New Phoenix Jazz Band. A jazz septet formed in early 2012 from a wide range of musicians active in the serious and diverse jazz musical traditions. Focusing on the period from the late 1800s to 1970, the band, through arrangements and new compositions produced by the renowned musician, composer and arranger Dick Lee, and Phil Adams and Jerry Forde, will be performing with the specific objectives of helping to continue this rich tradition of vibrant and refined compositions of the period. The band comprises a front line of two (or more) reeds Dick Lee, Martin Foster, (Lauren Forde) and trumpet by Colin Steele, vocals by Christine Adams, supported in the rhythm section by Phil Adams on rhythm/solo guitar alternating with banjo, Jack Wilson on drums and Jerry Forde on double bass. 7.30pm (doors open 7pm), Saturday 7th May, St Michael’s RC Church Hall (Queen Margaret’s Hall), Blackness Road, Linlithgow. Tickets £8. The club provides tea and coffee (donations welcomed) and you are free to bring your own drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), glasses and snacks. Bring your dancing feet and come prepared to quickstep, foxtrot, jive or swing or just do your own thing – or if you prefer, just relax and enjoy some great music.

Tennis Family Fun Day: a free and fun event for all at Joppa Tennis Club on Sunday 8 May. Coaching on the courts for beginners through to advanced players, plus fun simple coordination challenges and quizzes to do in pairs. Parents, friends etc can try to score as many points as possible to win a prize. Refreshments will also be available. Please see the event’s Facebook page here for full details and timetable. 1.30-5pm, Joppa Tennis Courts, EH15 2HU.

Filmhouse Junior: films for a younger audience. This week: Big Hero 6 (PG):  an entertaining animated adventure based on a Marvel Comics series. In the futuristic city of San Fransokyo, 14-year-old genius Hiro looks up to his older brother Tadashi. Tadashi is a student at the Institute of Technology, where he has developed an inflatable robot named Baymax, with whom Hiro forms a special bond. 11am, Sunday 8th May, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £4 per person, big or small.

RBGE Plant Sale: your chance to get your hands on an enviable collection of rare and exotic plants for your own garden, all reared in the Botanic’s Nursery. This year’s highlights will include a special stall of Chilean plants bred for UK gardens, to celebrate RBGE’s scientific connection with the country and the Friends’ recent botanical tour. In addition to unusual flora and fauna, there will be the ever-popular Home Baking Stall – just the thing to keep your energy levels up! 2-4pm, Sunday 8th May, RBGE Nursery, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Admission £3.

Quintin Jardine: Private Investigations. Come and meet Quintin Jardine, who will be signing copies of his eagerly-awaited new Bob Skinner mystery. 1pm, Sunday 8th May, Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street.

The Cameo Welcomes Dogs! A furry fundraiser for Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home – all dogs welcome! Tombola and other fundraising activities, a board where you can see a selection of some dogs and cats up for re-homing, staff to speak to from the Home to discuss re-homing, information on volunteering and sponsorship and lots of dogs (including one from the Home!) 1-4pm, Sunday 8th May, Cameo Bar, Cameo, Home Street.

Picturehouses Culture Shock: the best in cult and genre films. Today: Boyhood (15). No stranger to episodic filmmaking, director Richard Linklater succeeds brilliantly in following a boy’s life from the ages of six to 18, shooting periodically over 12 years. Ellar Coltrane plays Mason, the son of Mason Snr and Olivia (Linklater regulars Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette). As his divorced parents find new partners of varying suitability, Mason Jnr faces emotional and physical uncertainties with growing maturity. 3pm, Sunday 8th May, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0871 902 5723 or online.

IberoDocs – Scotland’s Ibero-American Documentary Film Festival: Short Docs: Looking from Afar (15) – a programme of six short films in which the perception of the self and its surroundings – country, culture, landscape – seem to expand or sharpen when seen from a distance through space, time, matter or the intangible. From a young Brazilian man in his new Lisbon home facing the end of his Fortaleza adolescence in The Party and the Barking, through the savagery of voice and memory set against a teenage face in Le Boudin, to the lonely cart rolling along the obsolete Colombian railways, across the wild and the ruins in Echo Chamber, these films will take you far and wide. 1pm, Sunday 8th May, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 2688 or online.

Picturehouses Vintage Sundays: classic films back on the big screen. Today’s film is Run Lola Run (15): three ‘what if’ variations on the same story provide the basis for this German thriller featuring a race against the clock in which a young woman has exactly 20 minutes to save her lover from certain death. 1pm, Sunday 8th May, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0871 902 5723 or online.

Lauriston Castle: John Law Meets The Reids – a Costumed Performance Event. In the early 18th century John Law was a famous economist, gambler and, dualist. He was one of Lauriston’s most colourful owners and he returns to the house 300 years after he last visited to find things have changed significantly. Join him as he investigates the house and meets the owners, Mr and Mrs Reid, during the Edwardian period. What will he think of the changes and how will they deal with a 200 year old visitor? 2pm or 3pm, Sunday 8th May, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. Tickets cost £5/£3/£12.50 (family ticket) or £6.50/£4.50/£17 with afternoon tea, and must be booked in advance via the Usher Hall Box Office, Lothian Road, in person, by calling 0131 228 1155 or online.

Scotland’s Gardens: Ravenswing. This city garden of about half an acre was completely redesigned 6 years ago after renovation of the house. From a Victorian plan – rectangular paths and small hedges – it is now a wide sweep of lawn and flower beds. The garden is very colourful in late spring and has many different primulae and rhododendrons, also Himalayan poppies and Chilean bushes. Refreshments available. 2-5pm, Saturday 7th May, 30 South Oswald Road, EH9 2HG. Admission £4 of which 40% goes to Medical Aid for Palestinians and the net remaining to SG Beneficiaries.

Roscullen at the top of Conlinton village on Bonaly Road is open on Sunday 8 May from 2:00 till 5:00pm. The admission charge is £4.00 and the proceeds will go to Brooke Hospital for Animals, Friends of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and SG Beneficiaries. More details here.

Oh Lady, Be Good: celebrate historic, iconic jazz, swing & blues vocals legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, Sarah Vaughan, Bessie Smith, Eva Cassidy and many more, with songs and informative background stories from acclaimed internationally touring Brisbane-based singer/actor Melissa Western and her world-class backing trio. An extremely popular Fringe show, Melissa’s enthusiastic delivery and panache make this an unforgettable experience: ‘Great storyteller, feisty, highly enjoyable; fantastic instrumentalists – FIVE STARS!’ (Broadway Baby). Bring the family – no under-18 licensing restrictions on afternoon gigs. 3pm (entry from 2.30pm), Sunday 8th May, The Jazz Bar,  Chambers Street. £7/£5 on the door: please note this venue is strictly cash only.

IberoDocs – Scotland’s Ibero-American Documentary Film Festival: The Creator of the Jungle + Short (unrated) (In Catálan with English subtitles). The story of a man who created a jungle next to the highway, building with his bare hands beautiful and unbelievable works of engineering in the forest. This is also the story of how he ended up burning them to ashes to reconstruct them, time after time, over decades. He is known as ‘Garrell’, also as ‘Tarzan from Argelaguer’, and he is not driven by any apparent purpose, except one: going ‘on the go’. Followed by short: Travelling Light (unrated). 3.25pm, Sunday 8th May, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 2688 or online.

Music for a Summer’s Evening: Jazz Evensong with Richard Michael.  As heard on The Jazz House (BBC Scotland). 7pm, Sunday 8th May, St Mark’s Church, 287 Portobello High Street. Tickets £6 (under 16s free) on the door or in advance from the church.

Scotland’s Ibero-American Documentary Film Festival: Pepe Mujica – Lessons from the Flowerbed + Short (unrated) (In Spanish and German with English subtitles). Pepe Mujica has become famous for being the ‘world’s poorest president’. The former guerrilla fighter and flower grower is currently considered one of the most charismatic politicians of Latin America. Old and young believe in him thanks to his humble lifestyle and his unconventional manners where political protocol is concerned. His political visions, among them his sensational regulation of the marihuana market, have created international interest. Followed by short: Nae Pasaran! (unrated). 6.05pm, Sunday 8th May, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 2688 or online. This screening will be followed by the IberoDocs Closing Party; see the IberoDocs website for more details.

Filmhouse Quiz: the ‘phenomenally successful (and rather tricky) monthly quiz. Free to enter, teams of up to eight to be seated in the café bar by 9pm, Sunday 8th May, Filmhouse, Lothian Road.

St Giles At Six: George Heriot’s School Senior Chamber Choir, Brass Ensemble and Flute Ensemble. Music by Stanford, MacMillan, Victoria, Will Todd, Philip Stopford and others. 6pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free; retiring collection.

Singers Night with Morag McCall and her Trio: well established in the North East of Scotland and a well-known face on the Edinburgh jazz scene, Aberdeen based singer Morag McCall returns to her home city for her Jazz Bar debut with some of the finest jazz musicians North of the Forth. With influences from all the jazz vocals greats, Morag and her band bring a set full of swinging standards (with a twist!), some sixties pop, and great groovin’ funk. She’s with Alan King (keys), Colin Black (guitar), Ray Leonard (bass) and Andy James (drums). 9pm (entry from 8pm), Sunday 8th May, The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. £5/£4 on the door: please note this venue is strictly cash only.

Eliza Neals & The Narcotics. The award-winning, sultry, powerful blues-rock-soul vocalist and recording artist is also a composer, publisher, and producer, who has been compared to greats such as Etta James, Janis Joplin, and Ricki Lee Jones. Her work explores the musical spectrum with a combination of blues-rock, psychedelic soul and a twist of jam band with southern rock covers. As a duo, trio or full-blown eight-to-ten piece band, Eliza Neals delivers the most compelling storytelling in ages, backed by a cadre of amazing guitarists with whom she has worked over the years. Currently taking the reigns is Detroit’s international blues guitarist Howard Glazer. 7.30pm, Sunday 8th May, The Voodoo Rooms, West Register Street. Ticket price tbc.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_LxE_j0TJw?feature=oembed&w=696&h=392]

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a man in his 20s was seriously assaulted as he waited for a bus on the North Bridge at 3.30am on Wednesday 4 May 2016. .

The incident occurred at a bus stop nearest to the junction with the Royal Mile on the east side pavement.

A male approached the victim and assaulted him in what appears to be an unprovoked attack.   The suspect is described as white, average build, around 5ft 9ins tall, aged between 25-30 years old and had short dark spiked hair. He was wearing a black leather jacket, dark blue jeans, white t-shirt and had a scar down the left side of his face.

He was in the company of another man who is described as white, between 20-25 years old, stocky build, tattoo on his left arm, light coloured short hair wearing black jeans and a maroon t-shirt.

They were last seen walking towards Princes Street before being lost from view.

The victim sustained serious facial injuries and required medical attention at the Royal Infirmary before being discharged.

Local officers are now carrying out various lines of inquiry in an effort to trace the suspect and are appealing for the assistance of the public to help identify him.

Detective Constable Iain Wallace who is based in Gayfield police station said: “This was a violent and unprovoked attack against an innocent member of the public who had been enjoying a night out.

“Although the incident itself happened during the early hours I’m hopeful that someone may have witnessed what happened or may have seen the suspect.

“Attacks of this nature are thankfully rare but we take a zero tolerance approach towards anyone who engages in this sort of offence.

“We are working hard to trace the suspect as soon as possible and I urge anyone with relevant information to please contact police.”

Those with information that can assist with the ongoing police investigation are asked to contact 101 or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

As cruelty to animals has soared alongside the economic slump, charities and volunteer organisations that care for rescued dogs say they are in need of urgent help.

Since 2008, animal rescue organisations have experienced an increasing number of alerts about cruelty to and neglect of animals. Rescue charities of all sizes, including the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), have been feeling the strain.

In March 2016, yet another injured dog was found by the SSPCA, this one abandoned in Midlothian near the A6106 at Shawfair. Throughout 2014, the SSPCA alone found homes for 6,719 animals. This does not include the dogs rescued by the 16 independent dog rescue centres and specialist breed rescue societies across the country.

Where help is needed

The Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is the city’s oldest animal welfare organisation and was originally located on Broughton Road. In 1957, the charity moved to Seafield Road East, and today it helps to find good homes for dogs that are in need of love and attention. Many of the Edinburgh shelters find they have older dogs, and there is a high proportion of Staffordshire Bull Terriers – up to 60 per cent is not unusual. Staffies are high-energy dogs with a strong temperament; however, with the right level of socialisation and training, they can make rewarding pets.

Good homes wanted and more help

Dog homing charities need help from locals to allow them to keep the facilities for rescued animals going. As well as providing a good home for an abandoned dog, straightforward giving of funds is welcomed. Many rescue centres, including the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, have schemes where regular giving of small amounts is encouraged so that they can plan for the future. Volunteering some time to help out is very valuable, as is sponsoring individual kennels, from as little as £3.75 per month.

Business partnerships

In addition to individual and family help, business support is vital. Corporate donations and fundraisers are welcome, and there is also lots of potential for what’s known as “help in kind.” This is where a business makes a donation of a product rather than cash. A good example is the partnership between the pet healthcare business Bob Martin Vetcare and the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London. Battersea is raising funds for a new vet hospital, and partner Bob Martin has been supplying products, including cat litter and wormers for dogs, so that Battersea can contribute the money these items would have cost to the hospital fund.

The way forward

Help in kind may be the new way forward for Edinburgh’s dog rescue centres when it comes to future sustainability. Just as local residents can give their time as volunteers, or make small regular donations, so local businesses have the opportunity to offer help in kind as well as cash donations. Shelters need all the things associated with taking care of a pet, but in bulk. A typical wish list might include shampoo, worming treatments, feeding bowls and, of course, toys.

Police Scotland has released CCTV stills of a male and female they would like to speak to in connection with two assaults which happened in Tollcross on New Year’s Day.

The incident happened around 1:40am on Friday 1st January 2016 outside The Cav Nightclub, West Tollcross.

A man and woman had been attending the Hogmanay Celebrations within The Cav Nightclub. It is believed the female witnessed the assaults police are investigating.

The male is described as white, 30s, athletic build, 6ft tall, fair short hair wearing blue jeans, dress style jacket and scarf.

The female is described as white, 5ft10, slim, long brown straight hair, wearing a tanned/beige knee length coat and black high heel shoes.

Detective Sergeant Todd Rutherford stated: “If you are the male or female or if anyone who has knowledge of either male or female, please get in touch.”

Those with any information can contact on Corstorphine CID on 0131 316 2818 or alternatively the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Voting is now under way as Edinburgh plays its part in the Scottish Parliament Election 2016.

Residents can cast their vote at the city’s 145 polling places between 7am and 10pm today, Thursday 5 May, to have their say on who will represent them at Holyrood.

More than 366,000 citizens have registered to vote, with around 70% of the city’s approximately 74,000 postal voters having already returned their papers.

The public are being reminded to think carefully before casting their vote, and ensuring they do so by marking one clear X on both their constituency and regional ballot papers.

Andrew Kerr, Returning Officer for Edinburgh, said: “Months of preparation have led up to this point, and I hope that we see a great turnout of voters across the city, similarly to recent elections.

“We want everyone to be able to have their say in this significant vote, and don’t want anyone to miss out on the opportunity because they’re not sure how to. Therefore, I would urge voters to take extra care when filling out their ballot papers.”

Polling places will be open between 7am and 10pm today, Thursday, 5 May, though the public are being advised to avoid busy periods, expected to be before and after normal working hours. Where possible, voters are encouraged to visit mid-morning or mid-afternoon.

Information on local polling places can be found on the polling card delivered to homes or online.

Postal voters who have not yet returned their ballot paper by post will still be able to hand it in at Waverley Court or City Chambers receptions or at any Edinburgh polling place before 10pm.

Those planning to take part in the Election are also being advised to take great care when filling out their ballot paper, by marking a single X next to their choice on both their regional and constituency ballot papers. Additional comments, marks or mistakes can result in a vote not being counted.

The secrecy of ballot papers is important as it ensures no one feels under pressure to vote in a particular way.

Once your vote has been cast

All votes are secure and accounted for so that the final result can be trusted. Every ballot paper, whether used, unused or spoilt, is accounted for and treated as highly sensitive and confidential.

Votes will be counted as soon as possible after the close of the poll at 10pm.

Full details of vote security and counting are available online.

9Bach

Netversal Communications, Edinburgh

May 6^th 2016

Six piece, Welsh language singing alt Folk band, 9Bach, bring their ‘spectral, haunting sound canvases’ and ‘ambient sound pictures’ to Edinburgh this Friday, May 6^th.

Their busy Spring tour launches the imminent album release of Anian on New World Records. Their 2014 album, Tincian, was winner of the coveted Best Album in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2015.

9Bach’s sound can be confidently described as near unique in the genre as it can be. Garnering critical praise and radio airplay the album’s evocative charms draws on dubby beats to a Welsh harp, subtle electronica, guitars and hammer dulcimer, sung in Welsh, seeped in subtle female harmonies. With this album 9Bach’s horizons reach way beyond their North Wales environs with songs about early 20^th century Greek diaspora and native Australian tribulation. There is both beauty and wisdom entwined in their haunting harmonies and enchanting traditional melodies. Listen out for clever crows and wily foxes.

Here is what The Edinburgh Reporter’s, John Kennedy, had this to say about the band’s gig at the Moseley Folk Festival, Birmingham –

“…we caught up with alt.Druid/Nu-Welsh Folk Language Trad-doom, harp pluckers 9Bach. Lead singer, Lisa Jen, has only to pronounce the name Caernarfon more than once to set any sentient male aged between 12 and 55 all wobbly in the linguistics. Their harmonies and chiming cadences are to die for: a similar fate that becomes many of their balladic characters but it’s all done with bewitching charm.” Diolch yn fawr.

9Bach are at The Belle Angele 11 Hastie’s Close on Friday 6 May at 8:00pm

http://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Edinburgh/Netversal-Communications/9bach/12708075/

http://www.9bach.com

Hibs face an uphill struggle to progress into the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Premiership Play-Offs after losing 1-0 to Raith Rovers last night at Starks Park in Kirkcaldy.

The only goal of the game came in the 74th minute when Rovers’ substitute Harry Panayiotou headed home from a Louis Longridge’s corner kick.

Head Coach Alan Stubbs made three changes to the starting XI that beat Queen of the South on Sunday.

Jason Cummings replaced James Keatings, captain David Gray took over from Niklas Gunnarsson and Marvin Bartley was selected in place of Liam Henderson. Conrad Logan retained the goalkeepers’ jersey with Mark Oxley on the bench.

Not for the first time this season, Hibs dominated possession but were unable to make the break through with Cummings, Bartley and Anthony Stokes creating early chances.

Hibs best opportunity of the night fell to Cummings after some good play by John McGinn but the top scorer’s lob went just over the bar.

After the break Hibs continued to attack looking for an equaliser but it was not to be and with 16 minutes remaining Panayiotou silenced he large travelling support.

It could have been worse moments later but Logan was on hand to save from Longridge.

Hibs continued to press forward and Stokes set up Henderson in time added on however his effort went wide of the post.

The second leg takes place at lunchtime on Saturday and a large crowd is expected at Easter Road. Should Hibs overcome the one goal deficit, they will face Falkirk in the semi-finals with the first leg taking place next Tuesday night at Easter Road with the return leg on Friday at the Falkirk Stadium.

Raith Rovers: Cuthbert, Thomson, Callachan, Toshney, Benedictus, Davodson, Hardie (Stewart 90’), Connolly (Longridge 65’), McKeown, Craigen (Panayiotou 65’), Barr. Substitutes not used: Law, Anderson, Longridge, Bates, Robertson.

Hibernian: Logan, McGregor, Hanlon, Fontaine (Henderson 84’), Gray, Bartley, Fyvie (Keatings 80’), McGinn, Stevenson, Stokes, Cummings (McGeouch 80’). Substitutes not used: Oxley, Gunnarsson, Boyle, Dagnall.

Referee: Kevin Clancy.

Attendance: 5,330.

Today our Five things are all about The Scottish Parliamentary Election 2016

Where do you go to vote?

Today all campaigning ceases and voters across Scotland have their chance to vote.

If you need to know where to vote then have a look here and search with your postcode. You may vote from 7:00am till 10:00pm.

Reasons you might vote today

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DWBDJ788Do]

Who can you vote for?

If you don’t know who to vote for then this is the complete list of constituency candidates. Where we have interviewed the candidate there is a link to our article with more information about the individual candidate.

We put out various calls for the candidates to get in touch and be interviewed, but have not managed to interview all of them on camera.

Central

BETTSWORTH, Hannah (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

BOYACK, Sarah (Scottish Labour Party)

DAVIDSON, Ruth (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)

DICKIE, Alison (Scottish National Party (SNP))

JOHNSTONE, Alison (Scottish Green Party)

LAIRD, Tom (Scottish Libertarian Party)

Eastern

COOK, Nick (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)

DENHAM, Ash (Scottish National Party (SNP))

D’INVERNO, Cospatric (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

DUGDALE, Kezia (Scottish Labour Party)

Northern and Leith

CALDWELL, Jack (Independent)

HINDS, Lesley (Scottish Labour Party)

MACPHERSON, Ben (Scottish National Party (SNP))

MCGILL, Iain (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)

VEART, Martin (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

Pentlands

FARTHING-SYKES, Emma (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

HEARY, Blair (Scottish Labour Party)

LINDHURST, Gordon (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)

MACDONALD, Gordon (Scottish National Party (SNP))

Southern

BRIGGS, Miles (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)

EADIE, Jim (Scottish National Party (SNP))

JOHNSON, Daniel (Scottish Labour Party)

SUBBARAMAN, Pramod (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

Western

BATHO, Sandy (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)

COLE-HAMILTON, Alex (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

GIUGLIANO, Toni (Scottish National Party (SNP))

HEADLEY, Cat (Scottish Labour Party)

There are also what is known as list candidates. These are elected on a proportional representation basis from the second vote on your ballot paper which is just for a party. These are the parties who have candidates:

Lothian Region

RISE – Respect, Independence, Socialism and Environmentalism

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Scottish Green Party

Scottish Labour Party

Scottish Liberal Democrats

Scottish National Party (SNP)

Scottish Women’s Equality Party

Solidarity – Scotland’s Socialist Movement

UK Independence Party (UKIP)

When will you hear about the results?

We will be at the count tonight. The Edinburgh count results will come from the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston. If you are curious as to what is happening or would like to keep up with events then do tune in to our live blog here.

We will be tweeting short interviews with all the candidates we can find in the counting hall, sending out audio interviews here and sending you all the up to date news as and when it happens.

The Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council, Andrew Kerr, will be officiating at proceedings tonight as he is also the Chief Returning Officer. He has to oversee all proceedings to ensure that the election is fairly and properly conducted. We hope to speak to him during the count too.

What happens next at Holyrood? 

The first meeting of the fifth session of Holyrood will take place next Thursday 12 May 2016, and all MSPs will be sworn in then.

You can watch the whole proceedings from the Scottish Parliament on Parliament TV. 

A new Presiding Officer will be appointed as Tricia Marwick MSP stood down in March.

Her Majesty the Queen will visit the parliament on 2 July to address MSPs.