A 16-year-old youth has been charged following an attack which  took place outside the Right Medicine Pharmacy in High Street, Haddington, East Lothian, at around 3.30pm on Sunday which left  a man with serious head injuries.

The victim, who is in his 20s, is being treated for a serious head injury at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh

Detectives are keen to  speak to anyone who was in the area and saw what happened..

Detective Sergeant Ian Campbell of Dalkeith CID: “This was an extremely violent attack carried out in broad daylight in a busy part of town and I ask anyone who was in the area to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A police investigation is underway after a driver of a car, thought to be a Landrover approached a ten-year-old girl on Ogilvie Terrace near Harrison Park at about 6pm on Friday.

The man described as being in his 50s had a local accent and was bald. Officers have appealed for anyone with information on the incident to come forward.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police in Edinburgh are investigating a report of suspicious behaviour, which took place at around 6pm on Friday, May 13.

“At the corner of Ogilvie Terrace, a ten-year-old girl was spoken to by the driver of what was thought to be a Land Rover.

“The driver is described as white, in his early 50s, 5ft 5in or 7in tall, of average build, clean shaven with a shaved head and a local accent.

“Enquiries are ongoing into the full circumstances surrounding this.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”

The ‘Canta Nova Choir’ performed within the Quadrangle, at the City Chambers earlier today before a select audience which included the Consuls General for Turkey, Switzerland and Japan.

Canta Nova Choir was founded in 1987, as an amateur mixed voices choir.  The current singers, around 30 individuals, now perform choral music – from sacred and classical music to pop music, a cappella or with accompaniment. The ensemble presents its versatility at concerts, cultural and social events as well as at concert tours to other European countries (the UK, Italy, Estonia, and Poland).

The Choir are visiting Edinburgh and Glasgow this weekend and have also arranged a concert later today with the Toccata choir in Livingston.

The guests included Semih Lutfu Turgut, Consul General – Turkish Consulate General in Edinburgh, Peter Müller-McDougall, Hon Consul General, Treasurer of The Consular Corps in Edinburgh & Leith, Mr Daisuke Matsunaga, Consul General of Japan and Mrs Izabella Brodzińska, the Chair of the Scottish Polish Cultural Association and her guest, Ms Inga Cylini, who is German and is the Secretary of the Edinburgh Society of Musicians.

Constantinos Hajivassiliou, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus in Scotland was also among the guests.

On Saturday, Hibs have another chance to end their Scottish Cup hoodoo when they face Rangers at Hampden Park.

This week the Edinburgh Reporter looks back at several previous finals involving Hibernian, starting with the only other time these clubs have met at this stage of the competition.

Hibs reached the 1979 Scottish Cup final after disposing of Dunfermline Athletic  and Meadowbank Thistle before facing city rivals Hearts at Easter Road in the quarter finals. Despite the fact that both teams were near the bottom of the league, the fixture was eagerly anticipated by both sets of fans.

Big George Stewart gave Hibs the lead with a towering header before a thunderbolt from Gordon Rae doubled their advantage. Hearts pulled a goal back in the second half but Hibs held on for the victory.

The semi-final against Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen was equally tight and Hibs won 2-1 on a cold and wet Wednesday night in front of a poor attendance of 9,873 at the national stadium. Stevie Archibald gave the Dons an early lead but goals from Rae and Ally McLeod secured the win.

The final was held on Saturday 12th May in front of 50,610 supporters and Rangers were considered to be favourites with players such as Sandy Jardine, Derek Johnstone, Davie Cooper, Tommy McLean and Derek Parlane in their side.

The Hibs team that day was McArthur, Brazil, Stewart, McNamara, Duncan, Hutchison, Bremner, Callachan, Higgins, McLeod, Campbell. Only one substitute was allowed and manager Eddie Turnbull selected Rae who had scored in both the semi and quarters finals. The Rangers substitute that day was Alex Miller who would later manage Hibs for 10 years.

The final was a hard fought affair which ended goalless however the main taking point amongst the fans leaving the stadium was a late Hibs penalty appeal which referee Brian McGinlay rejected. To this day, every Hibs’ fans who was present is adamant that Colin Campbell was illegally sent crashing to the ground by Rangers’ keeper Peter McCloy inside the area but it was not to be, and not for the first or last time was there a feeling of injustice amongst those heading back along the M8. After the game Hibs’ boss Eddie Turnbull claimed that McCloy had ‘crucified’ Campbell and the player himself remains certain that it should have been a penalty.

In those days the final was not decided on a penalty shoot out and the replay was held the following Wednesday night. This time only 33,504 turned up to watch and once again neither team was able to make the break through. Hibs made one change to the starting XI with Rae replacing Hutchison.

The second replay took place on Monday 28th May in front of 30.602 spectators. Turnbull kept the same team and Hibs took the lead in the 16th minute through Tony Higgins. From then on Hibs dominated the game playing with confidence and assurance but spurned chances to add to their lead.

With Hibs totally in command, Rangers boss John Greig made a tactical change moving Ally Dawson to right back to mark Higgins with Jardine joining Colin Jackson in the centre of the defence allowing Johnstone to move up front.

Three minutes before half time McLean’s shot skidded off the soaking wet Hampden turf and although Jim McArthur managed to save the effort, the ball fell to Johnstone who equalised from close range.

In the second half, Rangers came back into the game and took the lead in the 61st minute when Jardine found Bobby Russell on the right wing. The midfielder sent the ball into the penalty area and once again Johnstone was on hand to hook the ball into the net.

Hibs were not finished however and 12 minutes from time substitute Bobby Hutchison was upended by a Jackson ‘tackle’ and on this occasion, the referee was left with no option other than to point  to the spot, despite massive protests from the Rangers’ players.

The reliable McLeod calmly slotted home the resultant penalty kick and the game went to extra time.

In the 104th minute, the referee awarded a ‘soft’ penalty to Rangers when Derek Parlane went down following a challenge by Arthur Duncan. This time however justice was done when substitute Miller’s spot kick was saved by McArthur.

Gordon Smith had a goal correctly disallowed moments later and it looked as though the fans would have to return for yet another replay however a great run by Cooper down the left wing ended with a dangerous ball across the face of goal. The cross beat McArthur and with Smith and Johnstone ready to pounce, Duncan raced in and managed to get his head to the ball before the Rangers’ duo. Unfortunately his header ended up in the net and Rangers won the Scottish Cup by a 3-2 margin.

It was probably just as well that the game did not go to a third replay as there would have been very few supporters buses with windows intact to transport the Hibs’ fans back through as barely one bus returned to the capital without at least one broken window.

Tomorrow we look back to when Hibs became the first club from the east of Scotland to win the trophy.

The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after a sick and pregnant dog was found tied to a bin outside a veterinary  surgery in Bathgate.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted on Saturday (14 May) when a member of staff from the Riverside Vet Surgery on Mid Street found the dehydrated Yorkshire terrier tied to a bin by a cable around her neck.

The dog was given immediate veterinary attention where it was revealed she was in the process of giving birth to a stillborn puppy.

Senior Inspector Stuart Murray said, “This was a horrific case of animal cruelty.

“The poor dog was freezing and dehydrated when she was found and shortly after she was taken into the vets she went into labour with a dead puppy.

“At this point she was given an emergency caesarean where it was discovered that sadly, the rest of her litter were dead.

“This dog was already in a very vulnerable position with being pregnant but to be dumped in this way is unbelievably cruel and callous. The distress she would have gone through is unimaginable and we are asking anyone in the area who has any information to call us.

“Thankfully she is now doing well despite her traumatic ordeal and has been offered a loving home by the vet who found her.”

Abandoning an animal/causing unnecessary suffering is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. Anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.

Virgin Trains has increased its services between Edinburgh and London sparking an increase in bookings as a result.

The new timetable has 42 additional trains every week and begins in earnest from today. This £140 million investment programme in the east coast route will add 22,000 seats to trains each week.

Bookings have gone up by 15% on the same period last year.

The uplift in journeys was welcomed by the Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell, who launched the new timetable in Edinburgh this morning.

Mr Mundell said: “Good connectivity between London and Scotland is vital for our economic security, so this improved Virgin service is really good news. More trains between Edinburgh and London – and all the stops in between – will mean more choice and flexibility for rail travellers in Scotland.

“It will make it easier for Scottish businesses to reach customers and markets right across the UK. These new services will also bring more visitors to Scotland, helping to boost jobs and prosperity. The UK Government is investing more than £38 billion in the UK’s rail network to improve services across the country.

“This is part of a long-term plan to improve our transport infrastructure and it is only possible because of the action we have taken to deliver a strong economy over the last six years.”

Virgin Trains is also offering free wifi to all customers who book online and a new First Class menu overseen by British chef James Martin. The new menus will champion producers along the train route and will be fresh and local.

David Horne, Managing Director for Virgin Trains on the east coast route, said: “We’re really pleased that our new services have proved so popular with the travelling public.

“We think the combination of service improvements and a half-hourly frequency is a winning combination, and that together with low fares we’ll be able to persuade more people to switch from the inconvenience of air travel to the comfort of our trains.”

Click here to book your trip.

Gorgie City Farm needs your help to raise £100,000 to ensure the farm’s future in a climate of less funding from grant providers.

Rising costs and a reduction in external funding grants mean that the City Farm is now asking its supporters to help keep the Farm open. We met John Teasdale Vice-Chairman of the Board which runs the farm to find out about the fundraising efforts.

He said: “We have not completely run out of money. The farm is not in immediate danger of closing, but a couple of funders that we were hoping to get grants from have, for good reason, not given us any money.

“We shut the cafe earlier this year as it was not making money. It was a great facility but as a charity we can’t afford to run something if it is not making money for us.

“We have launched a public appeal and the response has been absolutely outstanding. We are seeking £100,000 and in the first week we already got half of our target. The money will enable us to keep the farm running. It costs us £1,000 a day to run this place.

“We are a free entry attraction so we are totally reliant on donations from visitors who come here and from grants.

“We get a very significant grant from the City of Edinburgh Council which is about a third of our funding and is very much appreciated. The rest comes from a variety of trusts that are supportive of the type of work we do here.

“We would very much like to redevelop some of our facilities, for example by putting up some new chicken runs and build a new pet boarding facility.”

Despite cost cutting measures, including closing the loss-making café, and the award of a three-year grant from The City of Edinburgh Council, the charity urgently needs public donations to continue delivering leading programmes for young and vulnerable people from across the city.

Having supported the local community for 38 years, Gorgie City Farm works with over 100 volunteers every week through training, work experience, social opportunities and personal support. The majority of volunteers are people with support needs, with long waiting lists to join. The Farm also supports young teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing them with support and practical education they would not find elsewhere.

Edinburgh Council, Councillors Donald Wilson (Lord Provost), Cathy Fullerton, Eric Milligan, Gavin Corbett and Denis Dixon are backing this urgent appeal.

Green councillor Gavin Corbett said

“I’m giving my full backing to this appeal because I know how big a part Gorgie Farm plays in the lives of children throughout Edinburgh -and particularly in the immediate area. My own kids have spent countless hours here and my oldest son has been a volunteer young farmer, from mucking out pigs to helping with toddlers’ parties.
“The vision of Gorgie Farm when it started – to bring children closer to the day to day workings of a farm in the heart of the city – is just as relevant today as when it started. So I’m confident that everyone who loves the farm and wants to see it prosper will give generously.”
George Elles, Chair of Gorgie City Farm, said: “If every family who visited Gorgie City Farm in the past two years gave just £1, the Farm would be saved.

“So many people have special memories of the sights, sounds and smells of rural life which they’ve experienced in the heart of Scotland’s capital city. But as a free visitor attraction and a charity we need you to donate today to save your Farm.”

Lord Provost Donald Wilson said: “The Gorgie City Farm is a much loved and valued local group.  What it does is unique in the city and is something we cannot afford to lose.”

To donate to save Gorgie City Farm, please text “FARM44 £5” to 70070, visit www.justgiving.com/gorgiecityfarmassociation or send a cheque to GORGIE CITY FARM, 51 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh, EH11 2LA.

• Edinburgh Leisure to take over running sports facilities for new schools
• Around the World With Bookbug
• Gorgie City Farm – help to save the farm
• Changes to Grassmarket planning application 
• Bruntsfield Primary School fly the flag at Bannockburn  

The council has been considering a proposal from Edinburgh Leisure to take over its secondary school sports facilities and manage them on its behalf. The council would make a saving of over £2 million by doing this, and believes that many benefits would result for local communities.

The council has already investigated the possibilities and thinks that an extra 24,000 hours of sport could be enjoyed per annum by opening up the sports facilities at schools sites in this way.

The schools might benefit from an increased profile through sport, and the hope is that vandalism could also be reduced at sites across the city.

The arrangement would not be entered into immediately but more information will be brought to the council on 14 June 2016 to enable it to make a final decision.

Read more here 

Bookbug Week 2016 starts today. The Theme is Around the World with Bookbug and the organisers how that this will inspire children and adults to explore songs and rhyme from all around the globe.

Catriona Wallace, Head of Early Years at Scottish Book Trust said:

“Songs, rhymes and stories exist in all countries and are a universal thread in children’s early experiences. At least 160 different languages^[i] are spoken in Scotland alone, so this year’s Bookbug Week theme offers a fantastic platform to explore and celebrate the many beautiful songs, stories and languages on our own doorstep, as well as from around the world. Visit scottishbooktrust.com for examples of songs and rhymes that are simple and easy for your child to grasp, and have a go at some Gaelic and Scots while you’re there.”

Children’s author and Bookbug patron, Julia Donaldson said:

“Bookbug Week is the perfect chance to find out more about the Bookbug programme. Introducing children to books at an early age has many wonderful benefits including giving speech and language development a real boost. This year, Bookbug Week encourages you to explore songs and stories from around the world, and to share these with children in order to enjoy different rhythms and different tunes.”

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.

Families can find details of all Bookbug Week events and local Bookbug sessions by visiting http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/bookbugweek or asking at their local library.

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The Gorgie City Farm is fundraising to ensure that it can stay open. It needs £100,000 and while it had already raised half of that sum in the first week, it appears that there is no room for complacency.

“Gorgie City Farm works with over 100 volunteers every week through training, work experience, social opportunities and personal support. The majority of volunteers are people with support needs, with long waiting lists to join. The Farm also supports young teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing them with support and practical education they would not find elsewhere.”

A serious reduction in funding means @gorgiecityfarm needs your help to raise £100,000 to keep the charity open! https://t.co/MtsTRdRZMe

— Gorgie City Farm (@GorgieCityFarm) April 29, 2016

Click here to donate.

A major planning application for a vacancy site on King’s Stables Road has been changed following feedback from locals, the planners and in view of current market conditions the developers have told us.

The initial application was lodged at the end of last year to put up a mix of flats, a hotel, an arts facility, student accommodation and commercial units. The development also included some new public areas with routes through the development and improvements to King’s Bridge.

Now there will be five times as many flats (increased from 11 to 59) and fewer student flats.

The development will now include:

• 59 residential units
• 92 bedroom boutique hotel
• 167 room managed student accommodation
• 650m²of Arts Facility
• Class 1,2 and 3 commercial units activating the ground floor of the development

The developers have also removed upper floors and introduced what they describe as ‘dynamic roof elements’ to allow the buildings to blend into the Old Town setting.

Commenting on the amended scheme, Charles Vyvyan from Campus Development Management, said:

“Following a review of the initial proposals submitted in December 2015, the scheme has been updated in response to market conditions, the consultation feedback and an ongoing dialogue with Council planning officials.

“As we worked our way through the planning process we undertook extensive community consultation, engaging closely with the local community. We have taken account of this and have changed the balance of the mix of uses, including a more than five-fold increase in the amount of housing we had originally proposed to 59 units.

“The scale and massing of the proposed development has also been reduced, with the removal of upper floors. The current balance of uses in this exciting mixed use development is proving very attractive to potential residents and occupiers alike, and will revitalise this neglected part of the City Centre.

“This part of the Grassmarket is not viewed in a particularly attractive light and our exciting proposals will breathe much-needed life into this part of the Old Town providing residential flats, hotel, student accommodation, and facilities to accommodate and promote the arts.”

Primary five pupils from Edinburgh’s Bruntsfield Primary attending the award-winning Battle of Bannockburn experience in Stirling on Thursday of last week had an additional learning experience – they were one of the few people to help raise a saltire flag on the 120 foot historic grade A listed maritime flagpole.

The pupils heaved as the rope tightened and the 18 foot saltire was caught in the wind and raised over the historic site.

Erected in 1870 by the Oddfellows of Dumbarton, the flagpole towers over the spot where Robert the Bruce raised his standard before the Battle of Bannockburn. The 1314 conflict was one of the key events in Scotland’s history and was a bloody and terrifying battle.
Property Manager Scott McMaster said:

“Visitors and locals love to see the flag flying proudly over Bannockburn and they need to be replaced regularly because of the impact of wind and weather. This isn’t a new thing – recent research shows that even back in Victorian and Edwardian times, custodians had to replace flags frequently.

“We usually go through around four flags each year and at £400 each, it’s a significant sum for our charity, especially when we add in maintenance costs too. “

Bannockburn staff and volunteers have begun a fundraising campaign aimed at companies, clubs and organisations who might want to sponsor a saltire. Potential sponsors can contact Bannockburn2014@nts.org.uk. Donations are welcome too – text BBRN14 and the amount to 70070.

Opened in 2014, the Battle of Bannockburn experience is the first heritage centre in the world using Hollywood-calibre motion capture to immerse visitors in a realistic and historically accurate 3D medieval battle.

Since opening, the site has won a number of awards and accolades, including the prestigious ‘best visitor experience’ from the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions awards.

The Battle of Bannockburn experience was supported by the Scottish Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund. It’s open all year round, seven days a week – book tickets at www.battleofbannockburn.com.

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.

Hundreds of people turned out this afternoon to watch the Flying Scotsman pull into Tweedbank Station in the Scottish Borders.

Galashiels Community Council and other local groups hosted musicians, face painters, bouncy castles, craft stalls and railway memorabilia amongst other entertainment across the town to celebrate the occasion.

The Flying Scotsman arrived at Edinburgh Waverley Station last night, its first trip to Scotland since its restoration was competed earlier this year and left again shortly before 11am this morning carrying over four hundred passengers who paid up to £169 for ticket to ride in vintage carriages.

A crowd of around 800 people watched it leave for Tweedbank and several thousands lined the route to get a good view. It was due to return and cross the Forth Bridge this evening.

The planned journey had been cancelled at the last minute after concerns about whether the locomotive would fit past bridges and platforms however after protests, Network rail staff worked through the night to carry out the necessary safety checks.

After learning of the U turn, David Parker, Leader of Borders Council said: “We are absolutely delighted to be told the news this afternoon that the Flying Scotsman will be visiting the Scottish Borders tomorrow after all.

“Phil Verster and his team deserve enormous credit for what they have done to allow the safe passage of the Flying Scotsman to the Borders tomorrow as originally planned. The hard work and dedication of the ScotRail Alliance has managed to resolve in less than 24 hours what Network Rail have been unable to do in 12 weeks.

“I would also like to thank Derek Mackay, the Transport Minister who has clearly worked extremely hard to ensure that the very special events planned for this weekend in Scotland can take place.

“Going forward, there must be lessons learned from this and in particular how events are managed by Network Rail in the future. We will work with the ScotRail Alliance to ensure that what we have witnessed this weekend never happens again.”

Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne apologised  for the earlier cancellation and promised a full investigation saying: “Engineers and analysts have worked hard to find a way to get the necessary safety checks and engineering assessments done.

“I am pleased to say that we have been successful and are now able to reinstate the original planned tours of Flying Scotsman in Scotland on Sunday. I wholeheartedly and sincerely apologise for the consternation caused by the premature announcement yesterday.

“Once the tours have been safely and successfully run, I will be instigating a full investigation into how this problem occurred on our railway in Scotland.”

The locomotive was built  in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, in 1923, and  pulled the first train to break the 100mph barrier in 1934.

In 2004, it was bought by the National Railway Museum in York  for £2.3m.

Work got under way on its decade-long restoration in 2006.

The quick actions of Edinburgh police officers have been praised today after two men were saved off the coast at Portobello in the early hours of Saturday morning.

PC Jamie Humpage, of Craigmillar Police Station, and PC Andy Hutton, who is based in Leith, were among the first to respond to the scene after a member of the public spotted the men in deep water and in distress at around 3:20am.

The PC’s undertook a dynamic risk assessment and elected to take action after recognising the life-threatening situation.

Both are proficient in sailing and commandeered a boat from the nearby Portobello Sailing Club. They were then given life jackets from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service who were unable to enter the sea, as they had no suitable craft.

They swiftly entered the water and sailed towards the men before helping them onboard and returning safely to shore.

They were taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh where they were checked over and later discharged.

In total the men were in the water for around 35 minutes.

Superintendent Richard Horan who is Head of Operations for Police Scotland in Edinburgh praised the conduct of the officers saying: “The actions of PC Humpage and PC Hutton can only be described as heroic.

“Whilst under significant pressure they managed to risk assess the situation and then engineer a successful, swift and safe rescue.

“I’m quite sure that had it not been for their tremendous bravery both stranded men would have lost their lives.

“Aside from having slightly damp uniforms, I’m pleased to say the officers were unharmed and are returning to active duty.

“Our inquiries into the incident itself are ongoing as we look to establish the full set of circumstances, which led to the men being in the water.”

Heart of Midlothian 2 St Johnstone 2

Ladbrokes SPFL Premiership, Sunday 15 May 2016 – Tynecastle

Hearts began their return to life in the Ladbrokes SPFL Premiership back in August with a thrilling 4-3 win over St Johnstone at Tynecastle. The somewhat confusing nature of the league fixtures saw Robbie Neilson’s side end their campaign against the same opponents at the same venue. And, once again, the fans were treated to a thrilling game, despite there being nothing at stake.

Neilson made just one change from the team that defeated Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Thursday evening with youngster Lewis Moore being handed a starting place at the expense of another youngster, Canadian Dario Zanatta.

Hearts last home game, last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Ross County, was something of a lacklustre affair but there appeared to be a different approach to this week’s game. Right from the first blast of referee Greg Aitken’s whistle, the Maroons – wearing the Foundation of Hearts strip – swarmed towards their visitors’ goal. Arnaud Djoum had the game’s first real chance with a shot from the edge of the penalty box but it was deflected clear.

Despite Hearts looking more menacing that they had last week, it was the visitors who struck with not one but two sucker punches.

In the ninth minute, John Souttar brought down Cummins inside the penalty box. Penalty said referee Aitken – it has to be said he didn’t have the best of afternoons and this decision was hotly disputed by the home side – and Craig gave Hearts keeper Jack Hamilton no chance with the spot kick.

Three minutes later, the Perth Saints doubled their lead. Former Jambo Danny Swanson’s corner caused havoc in the six yard box and Cummins scrambled the ball into the net.

Tynecastle was stunned – but not for long. In the 17^th minute, Callum Paterson set up Prince Buaben on the edge of the Saints penalty box. His cross was somewhat sclaffed by Gordon and Arnaud Djoum headed past Saints keeper Mannus to bring the home side back into the game.

Three minutes later it was all-square. Another cross from Buaben was aimed towards Juanma but Saints Shaughnessy couldn’t get out of the way and he headed past an aghast Mannus. 2-2.

Hearts should have gone ahead ten minutes later. Youngster Lewis Moore delivered a fine cross from the left which was met by Abiola Dauda and the departing striker’s header produced a brilliant save from Mannus.

The game was far from being a tedious end of season affair and the visitors came close to going back in front when the dangerous Cummins set up Swanson whose shot on goal was cleared off the line by Callum Paterson.

Half-time Hearts 2 St Johnstone 2

The second half was minutes old when Saints almost went in front again. Cummins got the better of Alim Ozturk and raced through on goal. However, young Hearts keeper Jack Hamilton raced out to meet him and the Saints striker’s lob over the keeper also cleared the crossbar.

On the hour mark, Hearts were reduced to ten men when goalscorer Abiola Dauda went in late on Craig and referee Aitken flashed a red card to the Hearts man. One could argue that Craig’s reaction to the challenge also merited punishment. Something of a ‘rammy’ then followed with Djoum and Saints Fisher being booked. A clearly angry Juanma then had his name added to the referee’s list of offenders soon after.

Captain Alim Ozturk delivered a trademark free kick in the 77^th minute which was saved by Mannus but ten men Hearts organised themselves well to earn a point.

That they did so was down to the heroics of keeper Jack Hamilton who produced a brilliant save from Hurst in the final minute of the game.

The match ended all-square and the Hearts players came back on to the pitch moments after the end of the game to applaud the Maroon Army before beginning their brief summer break. Those players who are remaining at Tynecastle next season will be back for pre-season training a month today.

Hearts: Hamilton, Paterson, Ozturk, Souttar, Oshaniwa (L. Smith, 52′), Moore (Nicholson, 62′), Kitchen, Buaben, Djoum, Juanma (Reilly, 67′), Dauda.

St Johnstone: Mannus, Scobbie, Wotherspoon, Shaughnessy, Swanson, Cummins, Fisher, Easton, Kane (Hurst, 67′), Craig, Gordon (MacLean, 82′).

Referee: Greg Aitken

Att: 16,046

Top man: Jack Hamilton – a star in the making

From Italian detective stories to Chinese Bookbug, our listings have an international flavour this week. The Cameo offers you a new perspective on Arabian Nights, the Grassmarket Project brings you the tale of a Japanese cellist who opts for a most unusual change of career, the National Museum displays Stone Age Alpine jade and the Canongate Kirk hosts a choir all the way from Abilene, Texas. Closer to home, Neu! Reekie! and A Kind of Seeing’s We Are Edinburgh is a 3-Act Symphony for our city – and what a city it is. Have an interesting five days – and look out for our weekend listings later in the week. (But please remember to check all details with event organisers before setting out).

MONDAY 16TH MAY 2016

Christian Aid Week Book Sales continue at St Andrew’s & St George’s West Church, 13 George Street (11am-3.30pm Monday-Wednesday, 10am-7pm Thursday, 10am-3.30pm Friday), and Morningside United Church (11am-6pm Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm Saturday), Chamberlain Road (Holy Corner) all this week.

For Crying Out Loud: special screenings exclusively for parents, carers and their babies under the age of 12 months, with a maximum of two adults per baby. Baby-changing, bottle-warming and buggy parking facilities are available. Today’s film is Florence Foster Jenkins (PG): Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant star in the cinematic retelling of the life of the eponymous New York heiress who obsessively pursued her dream of becoming a great opera singer. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £4.50/£3.50 per adult.

Bookbug Explorer – come and celebrate Bookbug Week 2016 ‘Around the World with Bookbug’ with songs, crafts and stories. For children aged 0-4 and their parents and carers. All welcome! 1.30-2.30pm Gilmerton Library, Newtoft Street. Also at 10.30am on Friday 20^th May.

Picturehouses Toddler Time: exclusive short screenings for pre-school children and their parents and carers. Today: Bing Programme 7 (U): Bing is a groundbreaking television series for CBeebies that celebrates the noisy, joyful, messy reality of life when you’re a preschooler. Bing stories are small but they are full of the everyday dramas that all young children and the grown-ups in their lives will recognise. 11am, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets cost £3 per child, accompanying adult free.

Martin Donoghue: the Microart of Gems. As part of the 2016 Year of Architecture and Design, the Italian Cultural Institute is pleased to host the work of Martin Donoghue – come and look at gems through the lens of a microscope, which will allow you to admire and discover the inner beauty of some very precious stones. Gemmologist Martin started taking digital photomicrographs of gem inclusions in 2008. For this work he used the Nikon Coolpix 995 camera mounted on the Leitz Orthoplan research microscope; this combination allowed him to see and record the fascinating internal structure of gems. 10am-5pm Monday – Thursday, 10am-12 noon Fridays, Italian Cultural Institute, 82 Nicolson Street. Free admission. Ends 10^th June 2016.

Open Eye Gallery: New Exhibitions. (1) Ann Oram – New Paintings: a show about seed heads, flora and field. This selection of works includes personal locations which have inspired Oram’s practice in recent times. Most of the subject matter comes from Fife, but also within the selection are landscapes from Tuscany and Northumbria; (2) Simon Laurie: New Works: the Glasgow based artist maps a new focus within his practice whilst maintaining the character of his signature still life works.‘These works have moved to pure abstraction, an opportunity for me to be free of the old disciplines and instead engage with the pure joy of painting shapes and forms….. I have always wanted my work to speak for itself, on one hand to be clear and concise and on the other to convey mystery and intrigue to the viewer within the many layered surfaces’;

(3) Alex Malcolmson – Ship to Shore: an exhibition of new works by the Harrogate based artist, featuring his signature construction pieces and further exploration into his subject matter. ‘Most of my pieces involve some kind of conversation about abstraction and figuration, between actual space and the illusion of space, between craft and art. The themes of ship and shoreline seem to provide fertile ground for this debate’. 10am-6pm Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm Saturdays, Open Eye Gallery, Abercromby Place. All exhibitions end 1^st June 2016.

Tom Herbst – Designing and Visualising Gemstones: a talk about the craft of jewellery making. Tom Herbst is an amateur gemstone faceter, all-round rock enthusiast, and author of the two-volume book Amateur Gemstone Faceting. A research astrophysicist in his ‘day job’, Tom specializes in the design, construction, and scientific exploitation of novel astronomical instrumentation. Although he began collecting pretty rocks as a child, it was not until his mid-thirties that Tom realized that creating gemstones is within everyone’s grasp. A few faceting lessons and a homebuilt machine later, he was deep into the hobby and has never looked back. A reception will follow the talk. 6pm, Italian Cultural Institute, 82 Nicolson Street. Free but please book online here. Presented by Edinburgh College of Art and the Italian Cultural Institute.

Mirabelle Maslin: Talking about Infants and Children. The author discusses her new book, which opens up a whole new world for parents, grandparents and caregivers. 6-7.30pm, Kirkliston Library, 16 Station Road. Booking is essential and may be made by calling 0131 529 5510 or emailing kirkliston.library@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Grassmarket Community Cinema: Departures (12) (in Japanese with English subtitles). Daigo Kobayashi (Masahiro Motoki) has been playing the cello since childhood and has a job with a symphony orchestra in Tokyo. He is shattered when it is disbanded, and he reluctantly admits to his wife, Mika (Ryoko Hisosue), that he has gone deep in debt to purchase his cello. Looking for a new career, Daigo answers an ad to work in ‘Departures’, thinking it is part of the travel industry, but when he arrives at the office he learns that the ad has a misprint; it should have said working with ‘the departed’. The company owner, Sasaki (Tsutomu Yamazaki), a no-nonsense man of few words, is a master artist of ‘encoffination’ – the ceremonial washing, dressing and placing of the deceased into a coffin in the presence of the bereaved… 7pm, Grassmarket Community Project, 86 Candlemaker Row. All welcome, free admission: donations very welcome! The Grassmarket Community Project is a charity providing mentoring, training and education to participants, many of whom are amongst the most vulnerable of Edinburgh’s citizens, in a nurturing environment. It operates a community cafe, woodwork and tartan social enterprises, and a range of social integration and educational activities for members, aimed at enhancing life skills and developing confidence. To read about The Edinburgh Reporter’s afternoon at the Project, click here.

Juniper Green Village Trust Public Meeting: Juniper Green Community Council (JGCC) invites you to a meeting to see if the residents of the area would like to form a village trust. The meeting will last no more than 90 minutes and its sole purpose is to discover if there is sufficient community spirit to join together for the benefit of all residents of the area served by JGCC – come along and raise your voice in your community for the common good. 7.30pm, Juniper Green Primary School, (please note change of venue owing to temporary closure of Village Hall for repairs), Baberton Mains Wynd, Juniper Green.

Folk Night: live music – if want to join in, bring along your voice or an instrument. 7.30pm, The Old Chain Pier, Trinity Crescent. For more information call 0131 552 4960.

Live at the Café: Cian McKenzie. DJ + photographer, pacman booths, craft beers, cocktails & pizza. Bar open from 5pm, DJ 10pm-3am, Café Voltaire, Cabaret Voltaire, Blair Street/Cowgate. Call 0131 247 4704 for more details.

Red Raw: The Stand’s long-running weekly beginners’ showcase is regarded as one of the best open mic nights in the UK. Catch up to ten new acts – some treading the boards for the very first time. Your chance to see the stars of tomorrow today – and watch out for older hands dropping in to try out new material too. With host Gareth Mutch and headliner Stuart Mitchell. 7.30-8.30pm, The Stand, York Place. Entry £2.

Studio Ghibli Forever: My Neighbour Totoro (U) (In Japanese with English subtitles). Hayao Miyazaki’s superbly animated tale is considered to be one of the best-loved family films of all time. The story follows Satsuki and Mei, two young girls who find their new home is beside a mystical forest inhabited by a menagerie of fantastical creatures called Totoros. They befriend O-Totoro, the biggest and eldest of them, and king of the forest. While the girls’ mother lies sick in hospital, O-Totoro takes them on a magical adventure and helps them to understand the realities of life. 8.30pm, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0871 902 5723 or online.

Light and Shadow: Architecture On Screen. Architecture and design play an important part in our everyday lives, both consciously and subconsciously shaping, physically and visually, the towns and cities we live in and the everyday objects we use. Films have often used architecture as an integral character, setting the atmosphere and forming an essential backdrop to plot. As Part of the 2016 Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, the Edinburgh Architectural Association in conjunction with Filmhouse have brought together a series of feature films and accompanying Scottish shorts that explore the role of architecture and design within film and beyond. This week’s films are Helvetica (PG), The Belly of an Architect (15), Metropolis (PG), Eames: The Architect and The Painter (12A), Unfinished Spaces (12A), Exhibition (15), Edinburgh’s Architectural History (collection of shorts) (U) and The Fountainhead (PG). Filmhouse, Lothian Road – please see Filmhouse website for dates and times. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 2688 or online. Ticket deals are available for this season.

TUESDAY 17TH MAY 2016

Garden Buddies: fun gardening and recycled crafts for children. 3.30pm today and every first and third Tuesday of the month, Granton Library, Wardieburn Terrace. For more information ask in the library or call 0131 529 5630.

Lunchtime Concert: the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chamber Singers. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Read All About It: an introduction to online media resources available at the National Library. This session includes demonstrations of a selection of resources and tips on how to search and discover the information you need. 10am, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is required and may be made by calling 0131 623 3734 or via eventbrite here.

Lunchtime Concert. Brilliant pianist Alisdair Hogarth returns to The Brunton with a programme full of wonderfully romantic music: Smetana Three Polkas, Chopin Ballade No 3 and Rachmaninov Variations on a Theme of Chopin. Rachmaninov’s Chopin Variations are famous for their virtuosity and match perfectly the exquisite beauty of Chopin’s own music. 1pm, Venue 2, The Brunton, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh. Tickets: pre-concert soup & sandwich lunch + concert £13, concert only £7 in advance, £8 on the day: book by calling The Brunton on 0131 665 2240 or online here.  Lunch bookings close the day before the concert.

University of Edinburgh BMus Final Honours Recital: The Siggy Watts Trio. Drummer Sigurd Watt presents his impressive end-of-studies concert, playing original  compositions along with David Series (guitar) and pianist Andrew Blair. 4.30pm, The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. Free admission: all welcome.

Roberto Costantini in conversation with Raffaella Ocone. The detective novelist and former engineer will continue to explore the enduring success of the detective story with engineer, academic (Heriot Watt University) and detective story fan Raffaella Ocone. At the centre of the latest Costantini novel The Perfect Wife looms the figure of Michele Balistreri, already well known to readers of the acclaimed Commissario Balistreri Trilogy (The Deliverance of Evil, The Root of All Evil, The Memory of Evil, all published by Marsilio). Italian Cultural Institute, 82 Nicolson Street. Please book online here. For more information please call the Institute on 0131 668 2232. Image © Giola Chistè.

Shinty: An Infusion of Highland Blood. The National Library has an unparalleled collection of material relating to the ancient and noble game of shinty. The collection pays testimony to the way the sport has been played in Scotland’s capital, often with ‘an infusion of Highland blood’. In an illustrated talk, Dr Hugh Dan MacLennan — of Edinburgh University Celtic and Scots Department and the Academy of Sport — examines highlights and occurrences of the game in some unlikely settings. 6pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is required and may be made by calling 0131 623 3734 or via eventbrite here.

University of Edinburgh BMus Final Honours Recitals: (1) 6pm: Kathryn Humberstone (clarinet) plays Weber, Brahms and Debussy; (2) 7.30pm: Katie Johnston (violoncello) plays Brahms and Leighton. Reid Concert Hall, Bristo Square. Free admission: all welcome.

Picturehouses Discover Tuesdays: cult classics, art-house gems and riveting documentaries. Today’s film is Arabian Nights: Volume Two – The Desolate One (15) (in Portugese with English subtitles). No familiarity with the original Arabian Nights tales – nor with Volume 1 of director Miguel Gomes’s (Tabu) trilogy – is required to appreciate the darkly comic stories that comprise The Desolate One. Crista Alfaiate again narrates as Scheherazade, but the vignettes here are even more absurdist than in Volume 1. We visit a courtroom where the judiciary and the people it represents are clearly at odds, and a case involving the theft of 13 cows unravels to include a similar number of mail-order brides. This furious comment on Portugal’s legal system precedes an equally acerbic allegory about the decline of social cohesion as seen through the eyes of an unloved poodle seeking shelter on a rundown housing estate. Unremittingly enraged, and brilliantly entertaining. 6pm, Tuesday 10th May, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0871 902 5723 or online.

Leith Folk Club: Caddy Cooper. Caddy Cooper is a West Australian acoustic blues, country and folk singer/songwriter, now living in the UK. ‘After her first incredible show here, we are VERY much anticipating this, her second appearance at the club. Armed with a guitar and an epic voice, Caddy gives a live performance guaranteed to leave you humming her tunes for days afterwards’. With support: Shan & Annie. 7.30pm, Victoria Park House Hotel, 221 Ferry Road. Tickets cost £8 and may be reserved by completing the online form here or texting the club’s dedicated booking line on 07502 024 852. Reserved tickets must be collected by 7.30pm on the night.

Filmhouse: Growing Pains – a season programmed by Filmhouse’s Jessie Moroney, showing classic and contemporary films dealing with some of the more complex aspects of childhood and exploring the emotional turbulences experienced during our early years. Jessie hopes to create a space that encourages audiences, during post-screening chats, to share their own responses on how these films affect them now as adults, as catharsis or otherwise. Today’s film is  Tomboy (U): the ten-year-old person with short hair that we are introduced to in the opening shots of Tomboy is known as Laure to her family, a daughter who can dress as she wants, and have a blue-painted bedroom in their new home. However, unbeknownst to her parents, Laure presents to the neighbourhood children as a boy named Mikäel. In the background of childhood play and love, the film navigates the difficulties of questioning gender and sexuality at a young age. Plus short: Take Your Partners (cert tba). It is hoped that there will be a post-screening Q & A with a guest from Take Your Partners. 6.15pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 2688 or online.

WEDNESDAY 18TH MAY 2016

Hattie Pattisson, Babs Peese and Ingrid Nilsson: New Works. 9am-5pm, Wednesday to Sunday (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) Bon Papillon Gallery, Howe Street. Ends 17^th June 2016.

Guided Tour of the National Library: a tour of the building and introduction to the Library’s collections and history. The tour will last approximately 45 minutes. Numbers are limited, so booking is essential. Please let NLS know if you have special access requirements. 10.30am, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is required and may be made by calling 0131 623 3734 or via eventbrite here.

Vocal (Voice of Carers Across Lothian): carer support group. Come along to learn more about how to look after yourself while caring, how to get a break from caring and to get practical support to help you and the person you support. 1.30-3.30pm today and every Wednesday, Community Room, Currie Library, 210 Lanark Road.

Girl Talk: a new book group for teenagers, with chat, crafts, fashion, film and lots more. First meeting tonight 6.30-7.30pm, Kirkliston Library, 16 Station Road, then on the third Wednesday of each month. For more information call 0131 529 5510, email kirkliston.library@edinburgh.gov.uk or message the library via its Facebook page here.

University of Edinburgh BMus Final Honours Recitals: (1) 6pm: Alice Macrae (violin) plays Tchaikovsky, Butterworth and Ravel (2) 7pm: Sophie McClements (piano) plays Bach, Beethoven and Brahms (3) Oliver Kember (baritone) performs works by Brahms, Vieuxtemps and Messiaen. Reid Concert Hall, Bristo Square. Free admission: all welcome.

Raise Your Glass! The Untold Story of Scottish Brewing Heritage. To complement the museum’s Raise Your Glass! exhibition, join John Martin for a talk on brewing heritage. After the talk there will be the opportunity to visit the exhibition. 2-3pm, Museum of Edinburgh, Huntly House, 142 Canongate. Free but advance booking is eseential as the maximum number for the tour is 30; please contact John Martin on 0131 441 7718 or email martin.j7@sky.com. This talk will also run on 16th June at 2pm.

Visually Impaired Tour and Workshop: Architecture at the Scottish National Gallery. A free descriptive tour and practical workshop for the visually impaired. 10am-3.30pm, Scottish National Gallery (meet at the Royal Scottish Academy, back entrance), The Mound. Free but booking is required; to reserve a place contact the Information Desk on 0131 624 6560.

Freemachines: music, coding, 3D printing and more for ages 12+. 5-7pm tonight and every Wednesday, Granton Library, Wardieburn Terrace. For more information ask in the library, call 0131 529 5630 or read the group’s blog here.

Music for a Summer Evening: Portobello Community Choir with The Brogues: folk and ceilidh music. 7pm, St Mark’s Church, 287, Portobello High Street. Tickets £6 on the door (under 16s free).

Sketchy Speaks: Poetry Open Mic. Poems, people, coffees by Cosima, snacky snacks, first-timers welcome, smiles and clapping… There will be some spaces available on the night but to be guaranteed a spot, email Suky Goodfellow at sukygoodfellow@gmail.com. 7-10pm, Sketchy Beats, 208 Great Junction Street, Leith. Free: donations welcome. BYOB.

LGBT Bi & Beyond: a fortnightly social gathering for people who identify as bisexual and non-monosexual. With organised social activities and refreshments provided, whatever your label, or lack of label, we welcome you. Find the group on Facebook to hear what’s planned for the quarter, or for more information contact biandbeyondedinburgh@gmail.com. 7-9pm, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street.

Son of Dave + The Church: Benjamin Darvill, known by his stage name Son of Dave, is a Canadian musician and singer–songwriter, based in the UK. He was a member of Grammy nominated folk rock band Crash Test Dummies, in which he played harmonica, mandolin, guitar and percussion before returning to his Blues, Beat-Box and harmonica driven solo work in 2000. He releases his seventh studio album, this time a collection of cover tunes packaged up like the old K-Tel Super Hits compilations from the 1970’s. Daft Punk, Leadbelly, AC/DC, Paloma Faith, War, The Bar-Keys, John Lee Hooker and Rudimental all get given his tough harmonica and beatbox treatment, and are subject to his growling and loving vocals.‘The best and most energetic one-man show you’ll find.’ For over 18s only. 7.30pm, The Voodoo Rooms, West Register Street. Tickets £12.50 + booking fee from The Voodoo Rooms, Ripping Records, Tickets Scotland, or Ticketweb online here.

Work in Progress: a night of comedy with a difference – headline comedians trying out their brand new material – off notes & off adrenaline!! So come expecting nerves, a bit of chaos and a lot of laughs… but don’t come expecting a slick, finished comedy show on the cheap. This is strictly Work In Progress. The WiP project includes Daniel Sloss, Kai Humphries and Mark Nelson and occasional special guests. Over 18s only. 7.30pm, Red Lecture Theatre, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets £3 + booking fee from the Box Office on 0131 560 1580 or online here.

THURSDAY 19TH MAY 2016

Chinese Mandarin Bookbug: a new group starts today! Rhymes and stories for children aged 0-4 and their parents and carers. 11-11.30am today then alternate Thursdays, Newington Library, Fountainhall Road. Please contact the library on 0131 529 5536 for more information.

Picturehouses Big Scream: screenings exclusively for parents and carers with their babies under 12 months. Today’s film is My Neighbour Totoro (U). (See Monday’s listings for description). 10.30am, Thursday 12th May, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0871 902 5723 or online.

Learning Disability Festival: come along to the Meadows to help celebrate the achievements of people who have a learning disability and the organisations who provide support to them. There will be people talking about their own success stories as well as information stalls and activities for everyone to get involved in. Organisations attending include: ARC Charter, Tiphereth, Pilrig Park School, CAN DO – Leonard Cheshire volunteering project, Volunteer Edinburgh, PEP – Pilton Equalities Project, Enable, All Together Edinburgh Charity Shop, Skillspath, SAM RADIO©, Bield Housing, Edinburgh Development Group, Shared Lives, People First, The Thistle Foundation, Collumcille, EPAG, FAIR, Inspire Crafts, Trust Rugby, Street Soccer and All Ability Bikes. 11am-3pm, The Meadows – beside the Pavilion Café. Hosted by the City of Edinburgh Council: for more information please call the Local Area Coordination Team on 0131 659 7842.

Playing Shakespeare: 400 Years of Great Acting. Literature and the Arts Curator Andrew Martin presents a concise history of Shakespearian acting, based on the National Museum’s extensive collections and the ‘Playing Shakespeare’ treasures display. The talk celebrates great Shakespearian names, from Richard Burbage to Benedict Cumberbatch, and commemorates William Shakespeare’s theatrical legacy 400 years after his death. 2pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is required and may be made by calling 0131 623 3734 or via eventbrite here.

Easel Sketching in the Gallery – May: Sketching in the gallery, led by artist Damian Callan. A different subject each month and sometimes with a model. All materials supplied. 2-4pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free; no booking required – ask at information desk for exact location. Also at same times on Friday 20^th May.

University of Edinburgh BMus Final Honours Recitals: (1) 6pm: Alison Scott (soprano) performs works by Mahler, Musgrave and Fauré; (2) 7.30pm: Sally Leung (soprano) performs works by Beethoven, Guerney and Berberian  Reid Concert Hall, Bristo Square. Free admission: all welcome.

Dogs’ Trust West Calder The Passion of Play. Play can be used as a high value reinforcement in dog training, although in order to use it effectively, a greater awareness of breed specific plays styles and communication must be first understood. During this seminar Alasdair Bunyan will discuss the importance of play, the various types of play styles and what may be deemed appropriate and inappropriate play. He will also give his thoughts on motivation and how trainers and owners can successfully use play as a reinforcement to improve their dog’s training. Alasdair has been training and competing with dogs for over 30 years. He has in that time worked with John Rogerson, Strathclyde Police and was one of the first APDT assessors in Scotland. Alasdair now works for Dogs Trust as one of its Senior Canine Training & Behaviour Advisors; this role involves travelling the UK supporting and training rehoming centre staff and the general public in the rehabilitation of dogs. 7-9.30pm, Dogs Trust West Calder, Bentyhead, West Calder, West Lothian EH55 8LE. Tickets cost £15 (includes refreshments) and may be purchased via eventbrite here; for booking information please contact Kim by emailing kim.mcneill@dogstrust.org.uk or calling 07920 658 653.

Le Mystère de la Tonalité Locale: a talk in French by writer, poet and playwright Jean-Christophe Bailly, whose book Le Dépaysement: Voyages en France received the Prix Décembre literary award in 2011. What comprises a country’s identity? Why do we gladly return to it, whether we hail from it or experience it in passing? Why must it evolve in order to stay alive? Seeing a country as an opening, a range of possibilities, but not as a fortress, and visiting it as that range of possibilities – such was the momentum of Dépaysement, which recounts Jean-Christophe Bailly’s travels through France, some aspects of which he will present here. 6-7.30pm, Institut Français d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent. Free but please book in advance by calling 0131 225 5366 or emailing info@ifecosse.org.uk.

Magi Gibson and Maria Jastrzebska: A Place Our Mothers Talked About. Magi and Maria discuss Maria’s poems from the bilingual collection Cedry z Walpole Park / The Cedars of Walpole Park. Maria is a Polish born poet, editor and translator, the author of six poetry collections in English, recently including At The Library of Memories, and a literary drama Dementia Diaries. She was co-editor of Queer in Brighton (New Writing South, 2014). Magi Gibson is an award-winning poet; her full length collections are Graffiti in Red Lipstick, Wild Women of a Certain Age, and Kicking Back. She’s held three Scottish Arts Council Creative Writing Fellowships, a Royal Literary Fund Fellowship, and was Stirling Makar. Her new poetry collection will be out in 2016. This event will be in English. 6pm, The Saltire Society, 9 Fountain Close. Free, no booking required.

Robert Burns: Rough Cut. Meet the real, edgy Bard in crisis and contradiction but at full creative stretch; Rough Cut brings you Burns in the raw for the 21st Century. This intimate portrait of Burns premièred at the 2010 Edinburgh Fringe to critical acclaim. Based on Donald Smith’s controversial novel Between Ourselves it focuses on the pivotal crisis of Burns’ life and career – his stay in Edinburgh. Recreating his lost (or unwritten) diaries, we meet Edinburgh high and low through Burns’ eyes – encountering the familiar and unexpected. It’s the man behind the myth, but one who wears many masks. Written and directed by Donald Smith, with Gavin Paul as Robert Burns. 7.30pm, Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43 High Street. Tickets £10/£8 from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 556 9579 or online here.

Mandala Drawing Session: Mark Dennis hosts his third Mandala drawing class. Mark will show you the steps and guide you through drawing your very own design. A mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Indian religions, representing the universe. In common use, ‘mandala’ has become a generic term for any diagram, chart or geometric pattern that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically; a microcosm of the universe. You will need to bring a pencil, pen, compass, ruler, protractor and eraser. 7pm, Sofi’s Bar, 65 Henderson Street. £5 (includes quality drawing paper). Booking is required and must be made before 17^th May by calling into Sofi’s any day after 2pm; payment must be made on booking and is non-refundable.

LGBT IDAHO Event: Suicide Prevention. Unfortunately LGBT people are more likely than the general population to be impacted by suicide. To mark IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia), join LGBT Health & Wellbeing, LGBT Youth Scotland and Choose Life to creatively explore how we can collectively prevent suicide in the LGBT community. 7.30pm (doors open 7pm), LGBT Youth Scotland, 40 Commercial Street, Leith. For more information please contact Alison Wren at LGBT Health & Wellbeing, Howe Street by calling 0131 652 3283 or emailing alison@lgbthealth.org.uk.

Café Voices: Stories of Fionn and the Grey Magician – with guest storyteller George Macpherson from Skye. George will also be launching his new book The Old Grey Magician: A Scottish Fionn Cycle, published via Luath Press. The Centre’s monthly storytelling session, with an open-floor section for storytellers to tell their own tales, all in the relaxed surroundings of the Storytelling Court. 6pm (book launch), 7pm (Café Voices), Storytelling Court, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43 High Street. Tickets £5 from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 556 9579 or online here.

LGBT Film Night: Carol. A 1950’s themed community film night and discussion; along with the screening of Todd Haynes’ Oscar nominated Carol, lecturer in English and Scottish Literature Dr Carole Jones (University of Edinburgh) will be discussing your reactions to the film and the significance of Patricia Highsmith’s 1952 romance novel that inspired it. Nibbles and hot drinks provided. 6.30-9.30pm, Walpole Hall, Chester Street. Free but please book online here. For more information please contact Jules Stapleton Barnes at LGBT Health & Wellbeing, Howe Street, on 0131 523 1104 or by emailing jules@lgbthealth.org.uk.

Jeff’s 50^th Birthday Bash: Jeff (of The Jeff Sniper Group and Shock & Awe) is turning 50. Come help him celebrate – with Isaac Brutal, The Jeff Sniper Group and Shock & Awe. 7-10pm, Henry’s Cellar Bar, Morrison Street. £3 per person: all proceeds will go to SAMH, Scotland’s leading mental health charity.

Taupe + Steve Kettley’s Odd Times + Thus: Taupe is a Newcastle upon Tyne based trio specializing in razor-sharp polyrhythmic play, exploratory improvisation and raw, high energy live performance. Odd Times have been steadily been making a name for themselves in jazz clubs and festivals around Scotland. The quartet’s music is contemporary jazz, with references to world rhythms and Steve Kettley’s extensive work in the theatre. THUS is an ever-evolving music project coordinated by Sean Quinn. Over 18s only. 7.30pm, The Voodoo Rooms, West Register Street. Tickets £6 + booking fee from Brown Paper Tickets here.

RCS Student Big Band: in this year of Shakespeare celebrations, students from the jazz course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, in a 15-piece Big Band directed by trombonist/jazz tutor Chris Greive, perform the stunning Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn suite Such Sweet Thunder. This project is part of a collaboration with the RCS Dance Dept which will see new choreography unite the two art forms in a series of performances in June. Enjoy this exceptional RCS Big Band performance of ‘one of the most remarkable orchestral pieces in all of American music’ (Spellman, NPR) plus other great works from the Ellington Orchestra library. 9pm (entry from 8pm), The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. £5/£4 on the door: please note this venue is strictly cash only.

FRIDAY 20TH MAY 2016

Bookbug Explorer – come and celebrate Bookbug Week 2016 ‘Around the World with Bookbug’ with songs, crafts and stories. For children aged 0-4 and their parents and carers. All welcome! 10.30am, Gilmerton Library, Newtoft Street. 

Stone Age Jade from the Alps: a new exhibition. The rare and exquisite jadeitite axeheads found around the Scottish countryside have long puzzled archaeologists. How did these beautiful Neolithic axeheads end up in Scotland, so far from their origins in the North Italian Alps around 6,000 years ago? Now, thanks to a French-led project involving National Museums Scotland – Projet Jade – the fascinating story of these precious ceremonial objects can be told. Linking the ancient world with the modern, the exhibition will also feature a sculpture inspired by one of the axeheads, created by contemporary sculptor Tim Pomeroy. 10am-5pm Exhibition Gallery 4, Level 1, Grand Gallery, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free. Ends 31^st October 2016.

Edinburgh Napier University: More Than a Degree Show… ‘It’s a sea of talent. It’s blood, sweat, and tears. It’s the Edinburgh Napier University “More than a Degree Show”’. See first-hand the talents of Napier’s emerging artists, designers, filmmakers, performers, photographers, journalists and more from the School of Arts and Creative Industries and the School of Computing. The Degree Show will offer an events programme celebrating creativity at its finest, including screenings, creative workshops (some for children) and performances, talks by staff who are leaders in the fields of art, creative industries and computing, special guest speakers and guided tours. For full information please see http://www.napier.ac.uk/about-us/events/degree-show-2016. 10am-5pm today, Saturday 21^st and Sunday 22^nd May, 11am-7pm Monday 23^rd, Tuesday 24^th, Wednesday 25^th and Thursday 26^th May, 11am-5pm Friday 27^th, 10am-5pm Saturday 28^th & Sunday 29^th May, Edinburgh Napier University Merchiston Campus, 10 Colinton Road. (Some events will take place at other venues).

Museum Socials: Locomotives. A series of relaxed and informal sessions offering anyone living with dementia, along with their relatives, friends and supporters, an opportunity to explore a different part of the museum each month with NMS learning staff. This month will focus on train travel and locomotives, from the full-size Ellesmere, built by Hawthorns and Co. of Leith in 1861 for a colliery at Leigh, Lancashire, where it worked until 1957, through to working scale models spanning the 19th and 20th centuries. 10.30am-12 noon (meet at the Tower entrance at 10.15am), National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Sessions are free and include a cup of tea. To book your place please call 0300 123 6789.

In Focus: The Young Vermeer and Christ in the House of Martha and Mary: Christ in the House of Martha and Mary (c.1654-5) is an exceptional work from the very beginning of Vermeer’s career as a painter, dated shortly after his marriage and conversion to Catholicism. In this lecture, Andrew Paterson, art historian, will explore its making and meanings, and its relationship to the later development of Vermeer’s art. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Collective Hush: if you keep meaning to put sometime aside for reading and writing poetry each week, bring your lunch (if you like) and join this silent, drop-in group reading/ writing/ making time every Friday in The Space. Sharing the silence, everyone can work together to achieve their artistic and poetic goals. 12 noon-2pm, Scottish Poetry Library, Crichton’s Close. Free, drop-in, donations welcome.

Hardin-Simmons University Concert Choir: the choir is visiting Scotland from Abilene, Texas and will perform a programme of choral classics by European and American composers, including African-American spirituals. 7.30pm, Canongate Kirk, 153 Canongate. Free: donations to Christian Aid welcomed.

Artesfera Collectiv Presents Ritomoclectic Vol II: an energetic combination of live performances and DJs promises an eclectic mix of rhythms with Latin / Balkan / Caribbean / African / Soul / Electronic / Swing flavours. Artesfera Collectiv aims to provide a platform for the creative grassroots arts scene in Edinburgh; it encourages artistic collaborations to create new and exciting projects, thus making the Edinburgh arts and music scene more ‘happening’. Tonight’s line-up is Samedia Shebeen (DJ set), Anansi (Live), Sankofa (beats) and the Founders of Artesfera (DJ set). 11pm-3am, Henry’s Cellar Bar, Morrison Street. £3 on the door; all proceeds will go to Artesfera Arts Fund.

Real Talk: An Evening of Storytelling About Mental Health. Real Talk is back after a wonderfully successful first evening of storytelling about mental ill health and wellbeing. Come one, come all for an evening of storytelling, connection and honesty. Real Talk crafts a safe space to speak about one of our most beautiful assets, our minds! The power of storytelling will be leveraged to help speakers connect to their narratives around mental health while offering attendees an opportunity to gain insight and understanding into individual experiences. 7pm, Storytelling Court, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43 High Street. Tickets £5 from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 556 9579 or online here.

Music for a Summer Evening: Dalkeith & Monktonhall Colliery Brass Band. 7pm, St Mark’s Church, 287, Portobello High Street. Tickets £6 on the door (under 16s free).

Rally & Broad: ‘Ye Dancin’? A cracking bill of spoken word, song and lyrical delight with writer, filmmaker and performance maker Paula Varjack, cabaret pop band Black Doves featuring the flamboyant vocalist Jamie Black and keyboardist Dean Darkie, singer-songwriter Kirsty Law, poet and Inky Fingers co-founder Harry Giles and performer and poet Sam Small. 7-10pm, The Bongo Club, 66 Cowgate. Tickets £5 in advance here, £6 on the door (sta).

Ceilidh Collective Scottish Women’s Aid and Rape Crisis Scotland 40^th Anniversary Ceilidh. A fundraising ceilidh hosted by the Belle Star Band; over three and half hours of dancing, with all the traditional Scottish burls and reels and some free dancing time, plus the regular bar with local beers, organic wines, single malts, juices and a crazy winnable raffle and a slideshow.  7pm-12 midnight, The Wash House, 3 Adelphi Grove, Portobello. Tickets £6.50 (various concessions available) from The New Leaf Co-Op, Argyle Place or Ceilidh Collective here. The Ceilidh Collective has been organising events since February 2003, raising unrestricted funds for social and environmental charities and grassroots organisations.

The Loop Hole: a night of live music made with loop pedals! A variety of sounds, a range of styles; come get caught in the loop! Line-up tbc. BYOB (corkage applies). 7pm, Sketchy Beats, 208 Great Junction Street, Leith. Free: donations welcome.

FestivALE3: Summerhall’s Beer, Spirits and Food Festival – multiple bars inside & out and street food trucks; Barney’s, Williams Brothers, Fallen Brewing Co, six°north, The Bar of Unearthly Delights, Pickering’s Gin, The Rum Surgery, Cocktails & Drams, Thistly Cross Cider, Rost, Fresh Revolution, Jones & Son reBBQ, Shrimpwreck, Sweet. Meet the brewers, distillery and brewery tours. Live music, DJ’s, beer tokens and merchandise from the Beer Bank. For over 18s only. 5.30pm-12.30am today then 12 noon-5pm and 6pm-12 midnight on Saturday 21^st May, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets £5 per session from the Box Office on 0131 560 1580 or online here.

Tinderbox Frontiers Concert: Supa & Da Kryptonites + Special Guests. Frontiers is a city-wide programme of music and creative workshops for young people. It has a focus on providing opportunities for people who may not otherwise access them, and on bringing together a diverse mix of ideas, experiences and creative voices. Tinderbox’s vision is a cultural landscape where young people have a place & a voice and where their views, experiences & ideas are listened to and valued by society. 6.30pm (doors 6pm), North Edinburgh Arts, Pennywell Court, Muirhouse. Free – donations on the door.‘You don’t need to be involved or even musical to experience and understand its creativity, it just blows everything you think about orchestras & young people to bits’ (Jack, 16 years old); ‘For the first time I feel that people want to listen to what I have to say’ (Tom, 16). If you wish to find out more about Tinderbox and its Frontiers Music Collective, (for ages 10-25, all levels of experience from beginner to top musicians) visit the website here or email admin@tinderboxproject.co.uk.

We Are Edinburgh (15): Filmhouse presents a special new commission inspired by Mark Cousins’ recent cinematic love letter I Am Belfast. Neu! Reekie! have teamed up with live cinema maven A Kind of Seeing to bring their highly acclaimed multimedia format to Filmhouse. We Are Edinburgh is a 3 Act City-Symphony featuring never before seen archive footage of Auld Reekie, live poetry and spoken word, set to original musical scores. This unique event features live performances by Don Paterson (poet, musician, TS Eliot Prize Winner), Jenni Fagan (author, poet, Granta Young British Novelist), and local electronic dance pioneers Finitribe. Conceptualised & composed by Kevin Williamson, Michael Pedersen & Shona Thomson. 8pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £15 and may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 2688 or online.

Washed Up At The Skylark: Flotsam from the Shores of Dance.  A night of broad beats by the beach, this time with a stalwart of the Edinburgh scene, Filthy Rich. Rich will be joined by host The Toxicologist; expect reggae, funk, soul, headz, electronica, big beat, house, techno and whatever else they feel like playing (‘although considering the combined age of your DJ’S is about three hundred and three don’t expect many new releases’). 9pm, The Skylark, 241 High Street, Portobello.

Soulacoaster: Get your groove on for a night of live music with Soulacoaster, Edinburgh’s 12 piece soul band whose set is packed with classic hits made famous by legends such as the Blues Brothers, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and The Commitments. Over 18s only. 7.30pm, The Voodoo Rooms, West Register Street. Tickets £7 on the door.

Sun Juice: Edinburgh bass/vocals legend Dave Ellis and ex-NZ sax player Doug Tiplady bring in their superb 5-piece, playing fresh original material, with funky, groovy swing and bouncy, appealing Balkan/Klezmer sounds, featuring Rich Harrold (keys), guitar ace Graeme Stephen, and driving funky drums from Davide Rinaldi. 9pm-12 midnight (entry from 8pm), The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. £5/£4 on the door: please note this venue is strictly cash only.

Gilchrist: dancefloor-filling funk from vocals-fronted Edinburgh 8-piece with trumpet/sax/trombone horn section, ‘a talented bunch … fantastic performances with an excellent blend of new and older songs’ (Radio Saltire). Plus Funk DJ. 12 midnight-3am (entry from 11.30pm, band 12.45am), The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. £5/£4 on the door: please note this venue is strictly cash only.

Edinburgh based, boho singer/songwriter, Rachel Alice Johnson, has stirred up a canny cauldron of magical themes with Safe Island, her torch-epic debut single.

There is a nuanced, moody, soulful nod to Amy Whitehouse along with a husky, catlike prowl to the voice that some will have  suggesting Adele as well. Well, maybe!  The echoey, weapons-grade drums add to the atmosphere. The shift of tempo works well and she modulates the timbre of her vocals with a crescendo of assured diva control. There’s some Memphis in there somewhere some people say.

Edinburgh is very shrewd at hiding its secrets – with Rachael Alice Johnson it is time to kiss and tell.

‘Safe Island’ is released on 27 May and is already gaining support from online music press and new music radio.

https://soundcloud.com/rachyjohnson/safe-island/s-4bwbG

With an influence of her bohemian youth, Rachel Alice Johnson has defined her unique sound of unforgettable euphoric harmonics. Since the age of 18 Rachel has been writing original music. Over the last three years she has been steadily winning over critics with her contagiously catchy melodies. After a successful season of Edinburgh gigs at the Electric Circus, Teviot Underground, Roxy Assembly Rooms, Sneaky Pete’s and The Wee Red Bar she was selected for Creative Scotland’s ‘Verden Studios Demo Project 15’. Her next single ‘Safe Island’ is set for release on 27th May 2016.

http://amazingtunes.com/rachelalicejohnson/tunes/392729

Punk, blues boys, who mostly hail from Glasgow astonished the Spanish last Friday down in Cowgate. Unfortunately programmed too early, The Bucky Rage took to the stage of the Bongo Club, playing to a poor show of ten, approximately.

The band who refer to themselves as “Wrestling Rock and Roll” consists of Glasgow-based lads, Handsome Al, Philthy Collins and Kyle M Thunder, alongside Edinburgh-based Pete Kaos (on keyboard and vocals), and have been on the Scottish music scene for more than ten years. Reminding us of their stage presence, all four adorn themselves with wrestling paraphernalia, and perform in a way that makes their live shows unique. With improvisation and crowd interaction being factors of their routine, they are somewhat of an unpredictable gigging act.

Playing tracks like Teasers and We’re All Damned, there was one predictable aspect to the band; they were all oozing of an energy that screamed punk. Running off stage to then run back on to play their encore, which in this instance was Ghost Rider, it was a darn shame that there were not more in the vicinity to indulge in this band’s energetic performance.

Advising that you discover more about this solid Scottish band you can find out more here.

Monday was a glorious day, like much of the week. The sun was bright yellow, the sky was blue, temperatures were well above the usual 12 degrees Celsius. Here on the east coast there was a cooling breeze but in the Western Isles I’m told the temperature reached 27 degrees. I spent the afternoon at the Musselburgh Races. So our normal quiet life resumes in Scotland after the excitement of last week’s election.

Actually, it wasn’t normal for me to go to the races. In fact I hadn’t a clue what I was doing when I put £5 on number 5 to win in the 2.40. But as I stood by the race track and smelt the fresh cut grass and the whiff of the horses, my understanding grew.  Six splendid looking horses dashed past. A cheer when up from the crowd. And the winner was ……number 6, “ Wheneverwecan” !  Unlucky  number 5 “ Hamidans Girl” came a close second, well ahead of the rest of the field : “Zebedee Cat”,  “Valentino Boy”,  “Smiley Riley” and “Galahad”.  I love those names.

They’ve been racing here at Musselburgh since 1816 and there is still a sense of social occasion about the pavilions, the terraces, the white railings and the crowd standing round the paddock dressed in tweed cap or tweed jacket (depending on class) and drinks in hand (either pints or whiskies). I’m told that Scotland’s five race courses are struggling against the unfair competition from internet betting. But they still generate £270m a year for the Scottish economy  and support 4,000 jobs. It does seem unfair, though, that the internet betting companies don’t contribute towards the cost of the race-courses which provide them with something to bet about.

The gaming rules are set in London, not Holyrood, and this gives the SNP, another whip with which to beat the Westminster establishment. Alex Salmond, a horse racing man himself, is riding high on this issue as part of the “Friends of Scottish Racing” group at Westminster.  But, the internet is such a wild horse that it won’t be easy to tame.  It’s all part of our general retreat from reality into the brave new virtual world where real things like grass and white railings and people’s jobs don’t matter.

Perhaps this take-over by the internet should be fought on an international level, through, for example, European Union laws and trade agreements. And on the EU, Alex Salmond had plenty to say this week – in contrast to his silence during the Scottish elections.  Speaking in Brussels he urged David Cameron to start making a more positive case for Britain staying in the EU, adding, of course, that if we don’t, then Scotland may think again about a second independence referendum.

Meanwhile, back home, the “Scotland Stronger in Europe” campaign has been formally launched. It comes as the Scottish Chamber of Commerce declared that a majority of its members believe Scotland and Britain should remain in the EU.  So no sooner has one campaign finished but another has begun.

At Holyrood, the victors at last week’s polls took their seats, literally, first in St Giles Cathedral for the “Kirking of the Parliament” and then in the debating chamber itself. Among the 129 members, there are 51 newcomers, most of them “Ruth’s Rodeos” the cowboys and cowgirls who have ridden in on Ruth Davidson’s Tory bandwagon.   Their first task was to elect a new Presiding Officer.

I didn’t myself bet in this particular race but there were five runners, three from the Labour Party and two from the Conservatives and all of them old hands at the parliament. After three rounds of secret balloting, Ken Mackintosh emerged as the winner.  He’s 54 years old and father of six children, so he’s used to crowd control, in a diplomatic sort of way. He stood for the leadership of the Scottish Labour Party against Kezia Dugdale but he was considered too old, too white male, and too gentle.  Now he has to give up his party membership and become a statesman.

So the new parliament is off to a flying start.

But this weekend let us pause to hail the Flying Scotsman as it steams into Scotland for its first commercial runs since its £4.2m, 10 year long, restoration.  Built in Doncaster in 1923, this grand old man of the railways, used to rattle up the line from London to Edinburgh in eight hours.  So the age of the horse gave way to the age of steam. Now the diesel age is giving way to the electric age and if the fashion for the virtual age goes on, we will not need to travel at all. Life will be lived completely on our computer screens.

And the hero of the weekend is Derek Mackay who ensured that the Flying Scotsman could travel on the Borders Railway today, followed by a sojourn to Fife later and a visit to the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway tomorrow.

Staff and passengers delighted as #FlyingScotsman heads out this morning. Families enjoying many celebrations also pic.twitter.com/zyvQLz3UMD

— Derek Mackay MSP (@DerekMackaySNP) May 15, 2016

Photo by Clive Brown on Flickr

East Stirlingshire 0 Edinburgh City 1 (agg 1-2)

Scottish League Two Play-off, 2^nd leg – Saturday 14 May 2016, Ochilview

There was further joy for Scottish Lowland League champions Edinburgh City on Saturday when the Meadowbank side became the first club to be promoted to the SPFL via the pyramid system after their triumph over East Stirlingshire at Ochilview.

After last week’s first leg at Meadowbank Stadium ended 1-1, City secured their place in the history books when Dougie Gair scored the game’s only goal with just four minutes left of the regulation ninety.

Backed by a huge travelling support, City looked as if the occasion had got the better of them in the first half but turned things around after half-time and dominated the second period.

The winner came as fans of both sides nervously contemplated the prospect of extra-time and even the dreaded penalty shoot-out. Neither team had looked like scoring although City did have a couple of half chances. The moment of glory came when Ross Allum raced through on goal only to be brought down by Donaldson. Penalty said referee Don Robertson before sending the Shire man packing with a red card. Gair – who scored City’s goal in the first leg – duly despatched the penalty kick to spark wild celebrations among the impressive travelling support.

It means Edinburgh City will take their place in the Ladbrokes SPFL League 2 next season and is a fine reward for the hard-working manager Gary Jardine and his players.

East Stirlingshire will take City’s place in the Lowland League next season but with the likes of Spartans and East Kilbride in the league will find coming straight back up will be no easy task.

Edinburgh City: Amos; Dunsmore; Mbu; Patterson; McKee; McConnell; McFarland; Gair; MacDonald; Allum; Guthrie

Referee: Don Robertson

Att: 1,286

Top Man: City’s Joe Mbu was immense at the back. What a pity he won’t be around for their SPFL league campaign next season.

Police are appealing for information to help trace a man reported missing from the city.

Robert Sloan was last seen around Haymarket on Monday 9 May at about 8.30am.

The 46-year-old hasn’t been in contact with friends or family since then, and concern is growing for his welfare.

Robert is described as having dark receding hair, bald on top, but sometimes wears a wig as he is known to perform songs dressed as the relevant singer in the city centre.

He was last seen wearing a white baseball cap, dark Henley jacket with white writing on the left shoulder.

Constable Owen Hopkins, of Leith Police Station, said: “It’s possible that Robert may be sleeping in a tent, and he may be in the Roseburn or Murrayfield areas although he is thought to have connections in East and Midlothian.

“We’re concerned for Robert and are keen to hear from anyone who may have information about where he is. Equally, we would like to hear from Robert.”

Those with any information can contact Police Scotland on 101.

UPDATE: The restored train will now travel on the Borders Railway as planned. 

The historic Flying Scotsman steam locomotive will not travel from Edinburgh to Tweedbank or cross the Forth Bridge as originally planned during a visit to Scotland this weekend.Responding to news that Network Rail GB changed the schedule for the Flying Scotsman due to lack of assessment on the lines, Transport Minister, Derek Mackay said:

“This announcement is hugely disappointing and represents appalling incompetence by Network Rail GB.

“I will be ensuring this mishandling of an application is fully investigated. I believe the rail alliance in Scotland is working well, and this debacle at Network Rail GB HQ is further reason to devolve more functions to Scotland where we take seriously the economic benefits of rail in a way that seems to have escaped Network Rail GB HQ. I will be raising this at the most senior levels.

“The enthusiasm with which the return of the Flying Scotsman was greeted by thousands of people, not only in Scotland but around the UK, was evident in the huge amount of interest there was in seeing this iconic piece of history returning to Scotland.

“This is not only a disappointment for the residents of Fife, Midlothian and the Borders, who will be hit economically by the cancellation of this long awaited and landmark event, but who have also been let down by the farcical nature of how it was allowed to happen.”

Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road collision on the M8 near Livingston which took place around 1:15am this morning on the westbound carriageway between junctions two and three.

A 34-year-old man sustained serious injuries when the Mitsubishi L200 he was driving collided with a nearside barrier and left the roadway.

Despite the best effort of rescuers the man passed away a short time later.

Road Policing Officers closed the road for around five hours while they carried out collision investigation work and cleared the scene.

Anyone who can assist with the ongoing police inquiry is asked to come forward.

Sergeant Andy Gibb from the Trunk Road Patrol Group in Dalkeith said: “Sadly, a 34-year-old man has died as a result of a road traffic collision on the M8 during the early hours of Saturday, May 14.

“Our thoughts are with his family at this extremely difficult time and we will continue to provide them with support as and when they need it.

“Our inquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this collision are ongoing and I ask anyone who was travelling on the M8 at around 1:15am on Saturday, May 14th, to contact us immediately if not already done so.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101.

Police have recovered a black Mercedes following a hit and run in the Ladywell area of Livingston.

The incident took place shortly before 9am on Wednesday (May 11) in Thymebank.

The Mercedes collided with a parked Ford Focus, which was significantly damaged, and the driver did not stop at the scene.

The Mercedes, which was stolen from an address in Kirkintilloch on Monday (May 9), was recovered in the Cedarbank area of Ladywell on Thursday (May 12).

Enquiries are ongoing to trace the driver, who is described as a white man in his late 20’s, with short black hair, and of slim build.

Anyone with information about this is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

• Nurse killed by car pursued by police
• Tynecastle Nursery School looking for old pupils
• The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
• At the Usher Hall tonight
• At the Queen’s Hall tonight

Police Scotland have confirm the name of the woman who died following a collision on Old Dalkeith Road, near Kingston Avenue on Thursday evening, as Jill Pirrie.

The collision took place at 8pm and involved a silver Ford Ka that was being followed by a police vehicle.

The police vehicle had activated its blue lights and siren after the Ford Ka, travelling northbound, failed to stop when signalled to do so by officers on Old Dalkeith Road.

The 33-year-old was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.

Her family have released the following tribute statement through Police Scotland:

“Jill was a loving mother, daughter, partner and friend who will be hugely missed by the many who knew and loved her. 

“She was well known for her great sense of humour and no words can express the void that is left as a result of this tragedy. 

“The family ask that we be given space at this time to grieve in peace.”

Three males are currently detained in connection with this collision, and enquiries are ongoing to trace a further male.

Chief Superintendent Kenny Macdonald, Edinburgh Divisional Commander, said: “We reported this collision to the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service, who have instructed the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner to carry out an independent investigation.

“PIRC are instructed to investigate deaths following police contact or involvement, and we will cooperate fully with their enquiry.

“Our sincere condolences are with Jill’s family and friends at this tragic time, and we will utilise all resources at our disposal to investigate this collision.”

We would appeal for anyone in the area the time of the collision to come forward and contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Jim Crombie, Chief Officer of Acute Services, NHS Lothian, said:

“We are deeply saddened and shocked by this truly tragic incident and our thoughts and sympathies are with Jill’s family at this sad time.

“Jill was a talented, well liked and respected member of our theatres team and her colleagues and friends are devastated. The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh is a close-knit community and this has sent shockwaves through the site.

“We have been providing support to relatives and staff throughout the night and that will continue over the coming days and weeks.”

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Tyne castle Nursery School on McLeod Street will be moving soon but is holding an open doors event before it goes to new premises.

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The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra directed by Tommy Smith presents THE MUSIC OF STEPS AHEAD Featuring MIKE MAINIERI

Friday 10^th June 2016  7.30 p.m. Queens Hall Edinburgh 0131 668 2019 (pre-concert talk at 6.45 pm)

Saturday 11^th June 2016 7.30 p.m. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 0141 332 5057 (pre-concert talk at 6.45 pm)

Sunday 12^th June 2016  7.30 p.m. Gardyne Theatre 01382 434 940 (pre-concert talk at 6.45 pm)

The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO) leaps back to the future with visionary jazz pioneer and vibraphone master Mike Mainieri to play The Music of Steps Ahead. Music fans who are fascinated by the intersecting paths of rock, blues, funk, jazz and world music are invited on a unique journey into the creative mind of a quiet, modest and important musical iconoclast.

Mainieri’s ground-breaking group Steps Ahead anticipated the enrichment of jazz forms through the assimilation of other genres by more than thirty years. They first made their mark as a must-see live band full of ferocious energy and boundless invention. Later, the ensemble took on the characteristics of an all-star collective that has at various times included Michael Brecker, Bob Berg, Bill Evans, Steve Gadd, Peter Erskine, Bendik Hofseth, Don Grolnick, Eddie Gomez and Mike Stern.

Sunday afternoon at the Usher Hall with the BBC Symphony Orchestra – could there be any better way to spend the afternoon?

The opening of Brahms’s youthful First Piano Concerto is a long way from the image of the gruff old genius in baggy trousers and beard. But for pianist Denis Kozhukhin – so electrifying in Russian repertoire – it’s the starting point of an entirely new musical chapter, and an overwhelming way to launch his Brahms concerto cycle.

Pre-concert talk at 2:00pm followed by the concert at 3:00pm. Tickets here.

Tonight at The Queen’s Hall the Edinburgh Kevock Choir will be on stage.

A wide variety of music from the choir as they prepare for their fiftieth Anniversary season in 2016 – 2017, with young tenor Glen Cunningham, and guests Chamberlain & Haywood, playing music for accordion with saxophone, violin and whistle.

Tickets here. 

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Hibs will spend at least one more season in the Championship after losing 3-2 to Falkirk in a dramatic play-off semi-final second leg at the Falkirk Stadium tonight.

A last gasp goal from Bob McHugh secured the victory but once again a controversial refereeing decision was the main talking point amongst the dejected Hibs fans leaving the stadium.

Head Coach Alan Stubbs made one change to the starting XI that drew 2-2 with Falkirk on Tuesday night with top scorer Jason Cummings making way for James Keatings. Marvin Bartley recovered from a tight hamstring injury and was listed amongst the substitutes.

For Falkirk, Paul Watson replaced former Hibs’ midfielder Tom Taiwo whilst goal-scorer Bob McHugh started up front in place of Lee Miller.

Hibs started poorly and despite kicking off conceded a corner within the first 20 seconds. In the early stages Falkirk were first to every ball as Stubbs’ men struggled to maintain possession and the Bairns took a deserved lead in the 12th minute.

After some good work down the left wing, the ball was fed into the path of Blair Alston who calmly slotted the ball past Conrad Logan.

Hibs first chance came in the 18th minute when Keatings set up Anthony Stokes but the striker’s shot was blocked. Moments later Stokes was shown a yellow card for kicking the ball away after being penalised for a foul on Aaron Muirhead.

Hibs started to get back into the game and John McGinn tried a long range effort which Danny Rogers saved comfortably.

Hibs deservedly equalised in the 30th minute when Liam Henderson sent a superb through ball into the path of Ketings and as the striker was about to shoot, he was chopped down by David McCracken. Referee Craig Thomson had no hesitation in pointing to the spot but unbelievably he did not produce a red card for the Falkirk defender.

In fact the referee who is unpopular with the Hibs fans did not even show McCracken a yellow card which mystified everyone inside the stadium.

When the furore died down, Keatings coolly sent the keeper the wrong way and rolled the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Three minutes later Keatings added a second with a looping header from a Stokes cross, sparking wild celebrations amongst the 2000 travelling supporters.

Dylan McGeouch was replaced by Bartley after going down with a groin injury and Hibs ended the first half on top, winning two late corners.

After the break Muirhead was booked for a trip on Lewis Stevenson then seconds later he was lucky to escape a red card after a clash with McGinn which left the Hibs’ midfielder with a cut lip.

Both teams created chances as play raged from end to end and McGinn went close with a shot from the edge of the box.

McGinn then sent a free kick to the back post and Gray’s header was cleared off the line by Luke Leahy.

Hibs had the ball in the net in the 69th minute after Stokes set up Keatings but the striker was correctly ruled offside.

With 12 minutes remaining however Falkirk equalised when Gray’s clearing header landed at the feet of Leahy who fired an unstoppable strike past Logan from 22 yards.

Cummings replaced Keatings and the youngster almost won the game with a sensational 30 yard strike which Rogers managed to tip onto the bar then with extra time looming, McHugh pounced on a long throw from Will Vaulks and knocked the ball into the net from close range.

After the game Stubbs told BT Sport: “There’s not really a lot to say. The players are obviously disappointed. they put an awful lot into the game. at one point they gave themselves a chance of winning the game but it wasn’t to be in the end.

“I can’t applaud the players enough. They have been unbelievable and I am so disappointed for them. We have got to get over this as quickly as possible and get ourselves ready for next week.”

Falkirk: Rogers, Muirhead, Watson, McCracken, Leahy, Alston, Vaulks, Kerr, Sibbald, Baird, McHugh. Subs: Deniz, McCann, Miller, Hippolyte, Shepherd, O’Hara, Gallacher

Hibs: Logan, Gray, McGregor, Hanlon, Stevenson, Fyvie, McGinn, McGeouch, Henderson, Keatings, Stokes. Subs: Oxley, Fontaine, Gunnarsson, Bartley, Boyle, Dagnall, Cummings

Referee Craig Thomson

Attendance 7851

Police Scotland have named the woman who died following a collision on Old Dalkeith Road, near Kingston Avenue, as Jill Pirrie.

The collision took place at 8pm on Thursday (May 12) and involved a silver Ford Ka that was being followed by a police vehicle.

The police vehicle had activated its blue lights and siren after the Ford Ka, travelling northbound, failed to stop when signalled to do so by officers on Old Dalkeith Road.

The 33-year-old was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.

Her family have today released the following tribute statement through Police Scotland:

“Jill was a loving mother, daughter, partner and friend who will be hugely missed by the many who knew and loved her. 

“She was well known for her great sense of humour and no words can express the void that is left as a result of this tragedy. 

“The family ask that we be given space at this time to grieve in peace.”

Three males are currently detained in connection with this collision, and enquiries are ongoing to trace a further male.

Chief Superintendent Kenny Macdonald, Edinburgh Divisional Commander, said: “We reported this collision to the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service, who have instructed the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner to carry out an independent investigation.

“PIRC are instructed to investigate deaths following police contact or involvement, and we will cooperate fully with their enquiry.

“Our sincere condolences are with Jill’s family and friends at this tragic time, and we will utilise all resources at our disposal to investigate this collision.”

We would appeal for anyone in the area the time of the collision to come forward and contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

On-loan striker Anthony Stokes is looking forward to returning to the club that kick-started his career but he insists that sentiment won’t come into his thoughts tonight and his only objective is to help Hibs progress into the Play-off final against Kilmarnock.

Stokes moved to Falkirk on-loan from Arsenal and had a successful spell under John Hughes. His form with the Bairns impressed Roy Keane and the Irishman secured a big money move to Sunderland before returning to Scotland, first with Hibs then Celtic.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s game Stokes said: “I enjoyed that time with big Yogi there. They were a good bunch of lads and a good team at the time. It was a great period in my career, it was the first time I had really played senior first-team football. It was a great experience.

‘It kick-started my career but that’s all out of the window now. I am only focused on Hibs and getting us through and winning this game and moving on to the next one.”

Stokes’ return to Easter Road in the January window raised a few eyebrows although it was no secret that he did not see eye to eye with Hoops’ boss Ronnie Delia following an unfortunate tweet during before a Celtic game against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Delia will leave the club in the summer and Stokes is waiting to discover who the next Celtic manager will be as he still sees his future at Parkhead although he is determined to have a successful end to his second spell at Easter Road.

He continued; “I’ve always said that I want to go back to Celtic at the end of the season. But there are four games left and I’m fully focused on Hibs because there’s so much to play for and so much you can achieve. I genuinely don’t have another thought in my head at the moment.

“Listen, if I score a couple of goals against Rangers and we win the Cup, and I score a few more and we get promoted, it won’t do me any harm. That’s pretty straightforward.

“But taking the headlines and scoring the goals isn’t what it’s all about. If I can contribute to the team and we get promoted and win the cup, I’ll be just as happy with that.’

“A few of the boys in there haven’t been in this situation before where these are must-win games. We are all fully focused. We know exactly the magnitude of the task ahead of us. But I don’t think anyone is afraid.

“You could see on Tuesday night that we played exactly how we wanted to, no-one hid away. Everyone wanted the ball and that’s what you need.

“These are still massive games and that was one of the reasons I came here. I wanted to go to a club with a chance to win some sort of silverware.

“We were unlucky in the last final and we have put ourselves in a final with Rangers now, but we have to put that on the back burner for now because the main focus has to be on getting promotion this year.”

Police are continuing their investigating into a fatal collision on Old Dalkeith Road, near Kingston Avenue.

The collision took place at 8pm last night and involved a pedestrian and a silver Ford Ka that was being followed by a police vehicle.

The police vehicle had activated its blue lights and siren after the Ford Ka, travelling northbound, failed to stop when signalled to do so by officers on Old Dalkeith Road.

A 33-year-old woman was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.

Three males are currently detained in connection with this collision, and enquiries are ongoing to trace a further male.

Chief Superintendent Kenny Macdonald, Edinburgh Divisional Commander, said: “We reported this collision to the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service, who have instructed the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner to carry out an independent investigation.

“PIRC are instructed to investigate deaths following police contact or involvement, and we will cooperate fully with their enquiry.

“Our sincere condolences are with the family and friends of the woman at this tragic time, and we will utilise all resources at our disposal to investigate this collision.”

The road remains closed at this time and diversions are in place to allow officers to conduct the necessary enquiries at the scene.

We would appeal for anyone in the area the time of the collision to come forward and contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Yes, we are big Twitter users with over 41,000 followers and we probably spend too much time there. But we hope you will like this tip which could save you time.

If you read as many tweets as we do then you may sometimes have difficulty finding a tweet again – or even remember who actually tweeted something in the first place!

You can use this page here to do your search and find the tweet that until then was just a vague memory.

Just put in as many details as you can and bingo! Twitter will search its archives to find what you or anyone else tweeted on a specific date or including specific words or hashtags.

Here was just one of our Tweets on 13 May last year!

Wednesday in Edinburgh – what’s on today http://t.co/KA1E4EDhxJ

— Edinburgh Reporter (@EdinReporter) May 13, 2015

A competition to design a temporary pavilion for the Pop-Up Cities Expo has been won by an Edinburgh based firm of architects.

Konishi Gaffen Architects has designed a pavilion fabricated by artist Johannes Sailer, engineered by TALL engineers and supported by several Scottish timber companies.

The pavilion is intended as an inspirational snapshot of Edinburgh to inspire future generations of architects.

The City of Edinburgh Council organised the competition in association with Edinburgh Architectural Association, looking for designs that would reflect the location at The Mound.

Cllr Ian Perry, Convener of the Planning Committee, said: “Edinburgh is well known internationally for its iconic skyline and architecture. We are immensely proud of our World Heritage Status and this competition is a great example of how we can continue to raise our game and inspire local architects of the future. I would like to congratulate Konishi Gaffney on their well deserved win as they are a shining example of the quality of architects we have in the city.”

Kieran Gaffney of Konishi Gaffney Architects, said: “We are delighted to have won this competition and to represent Edinburgh at the Pop-Up Cities Expo. Our idea is based on a folded origami form developed from thinking about the brief for a pop-up pavilion.

“The form is made from two pyramids laid back to back with three openings pulled out: one for the door, one for a fixed window and one for an opening window for ventilation.  The proposal is innovative in its design and minimised the use of materials.  Using locally sourced timber means a small carbon footprint and the pavilion is intended for re-use at other events and functions. The proposal has an interesting, decorative structure and the simple form is materially and structurally efficient. We think the construction system should be quick and easy to install.”

Pop-up Cities Expo 17 June – 17 July, Mound Square, Edinburgh (FREE)

As one of the headline events of The Festival of Architecture, a year-long celebration of Scotland’s fantastic built environment and part of the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design; cities from throughout Europe have been invited to design pavilions to be located in Mound Square, the very centre of Edinburgh, in summer 2016.  The exhibition builds on the universal success of temporary pavilions and the popularity of present-day pop-ups. Architects have risen to the challenge of creating innovative and engaging pop-up designs that will capture the public’s imagination.

We interviewed Leah Hutcheon at the AccelerateHER conference earlier in the year when she won a competition run by Investing Women. She is passionate and dedicated to the business which she founded, and now it looks as though it is beginning to pay off.

We announced her win in March on Twitter:

Well done to Leah Hutcheon of @appointedd winner at #agconf16 tonight pic.twitter.com/FJgKp9hpmw

— Edinburgh Reporter (@EdinReporter) March 7, 2016

Equity Gap led a deal which will allow the Edinburgh-based software company to treble its workforce, with investment from a wide range of investors such as Gareth Williams of Skyscanner and Marie Macklin CBE. The Scottish Investment Bank has also become involved in the business which arranges your appointments for you online and sends SMS and email marketing promotions to clients on your behalf.

Founder and CEO, Leah Hutcheon said: “It has been fantastic to get such a positive reaction from investors at this round. We have felt extremely honoured to attract investment from the founder of one of Scotland’s unicorn companies and experienced entrepreneurs like Marie Macklin CBE. We look forward to using their expertise to help expand our software globally. We are already seeing some amazing traction, and it’s exciting to be working with partners like National Australia Bank. We’re particularly looking forward to growing our team as we have another global player to be announced soon!”

Early investors from Equity Gap followed their investment. Equity Gap is a business angel syndicate actively investing and co-investing in early stage Scottish based companies.

Speaking on behalf of his co-investors Fraser Lusty, Director of Equity Gap, says: “We are delighted to continue to support Leah and the team at Appointedd through their next growth phase. We have particularly been impressed with the technical product enhancements and the strategic alliances formed which will open up volume markets in the USA, Europe and Australasia.”

Gareth Williams, founder and CEO of Skyscanner said: “It’s been a pleasure to watch the Appointedd product hone over time and I’m excited to be involved in the next stage of their growth. The software has the potential to be the leader in a huge market and I look forward to watching their international expansion.”

Appointedd was supported by Entrepreneurial Spark and won one of the first ScottishEDGE Awards. Founder Leah Hutcheon is an Ambassador for Women’s Enterprise Scotland and Entrepreneurial Scotland. Appointedd was awarded winner of the AccelerateHER competition run by Investing Women.

Hibs head to Falkirk tonight for one of the most important games in the club’s history. Victory sets up a Play-off final against Kilmarnock whilst defeat would mean at least one more season in the Championship and Head Coach Alan Stubbs believes that the fact that his players recent experience of high-pressured games will prove to be the deciding factor.

Hibs also have the chance to finally end the 114 year Scottish Cup hoodoo when they face Rangers next Saturday, but all thoughts of that have been put on a back burner as they prepare to take on the Bairns.

Stubbs said: “We are entering the stage now where they are high-pressure games. Whichever way you want to look at it, there is a lot riding on them and they do have an increased element of pressure.

“The fact that we have played in some big games recently will certainly help the players to cope with the emotions that will be running high before and during the game.”

Hibs’ task should have been a lot easier but for an incredible refereeing decision by Alan Muir in the first leg on Tuesday night.  With Hibs 2-1 up and pushing forward, David McCracken clearly handled the ball twice in the penalty area then Aaron Muirhead kicked Liam Henderson in the aftermath.

A penalty at that time could have ended the fixture as a contest but Muir’s lack of action cost Hibs dearly when they conceded a late goal to make the score 2-2.

After the game Falkirk boss Peter Houston insisted that he had not seen the incident but if it had been a penalty then it made up for a controversial spot kick awarded to Hibs against Falkirk in November. He also claimed that such decisions even themselves over the course of a season.

When quizzed about Peter Houston’s opinion, Stubbs said: “I wish !!!!  It’s not as easy as that unfortunately. I think people say it but try telling that to a manager who’s not had them given to him.

“If that’s Peter’s opinion then so be it. It has gone and if you feel injustice that can lead you into false pretences. It has happened and it is gone but if anybody feels that was not a penalty then they shouldn’t be doing their job.

“You don’t want to know the kind of messages I have received from people in the game. For anybody who thinks it is not a penalty is making themselves look stupid and very silly.

“It is a topic the day after but we have not spoken one word about it since early Wednesday morning. It has gone and it is all about what we do on Friday night. We have 90 or 120 minutes to win the game.

“No matter what would have happened the mentality is still the same whether we would have won, drawn the game as we did or lost.“Our approach will not change and we will go there and try and win the game.”

Houston also stated that his players would be practicing penalty kicks in case the game ends up all square and Stubbs revealed that he has already selected the players who will take them although he would not be drawn on whether Jason Cummings was on that list.

He did however insists that there would be no repeat of Cummings’ antics in the Scottish cup semi-final against Dundee United at Hampden when his ‘Panenka-style’ penalty chip floated over the bar.

Stubbs continued: “If it goes to penalties we know who is going to take them.

“Just because somebody does not volunteer to take a penalty should not be a judgement of somebody’s character. I have seen players who people think I can’t believe he hasn’t taken a penalty.

“Initially I had seven or eight guys step forward and say that they wanted to take a penalty.

“Jason certainly was one of the volunteers although a few jumped in before him to say they would take one.

“When we spoke about it he was ready to take one and I would let him take it.

“He could be on penalties against Falkirk and then again might not be. I can assure you if he is on penalty duty he will not be chipping the goalkeeper.

‘You can go out and try and replicate penalties and out them out on to the pitch in that situation but it doesn’t prepare them for it unless I can get 6,000 fans into the training ground and even then I can’t replicate the boos and the jeers.”

The six Edinburgh constituency MSPs and the seven on the Lothian List were all sworn in yesterday at Holyrood in alphabetical order along with all the other MSPs from across Scotland.

Except that is for Ruth Davidson who was sworn in ahead of other Scottish Labour MSPs in the same way as the other party leaders.

They were the first to be sworn in as you will see in this video, with the First Minister in pole position and Ruth Davidson, as leader of the official opposition, second in line.

The chamber then went on to appoint Labour MSP Ken Macintosh as Presiding Officer with Linda Fabiani and Christine Grahame as Deputy Presiding Officers.

Ken Macintosh w/ Linda Fabiani & Christine Grahame – the new team of Presiding Officers following today’s elections pic.twitter.com/yH9cVHcrsQ

— Scottish Parliament (@ScotParl) May 12, 2016

So now it’s down to business for the fifth session of the Scottish Parliament. Except that it’s not really. Friday is generally a constituency day when all MSPs go back home, so there is no actual business at Holyrood until Monday.

Neil Findlay has been very busy lodging motions to the parliament. He has lodged one about Scotland, Pitchford and Undercover Policing demanding that if the Pitchford enquiry is not extended to Scotland that the Scottish Government conducts its own enquiry. The second motion refers to Hillsborough and demands an inquiry into events during the miners’ strike in 1984-85 in relation to police behaviour. The third motion ‘welcomes the settlement reached between the construction workers and Unite the Union that will mean that 256 blacklisted workers, including workers from across the Lothians, will share more than £10 million in compensation’ and calls on the government to ensure that the companies involved have put their house in order before conducting further business with them.

Newly elected Alex Cole-Hamilton has lodged a motion demanding that secondary thermostatic cut-out valves are installed in residential care homes to increase patient safety. This follows a tragic case where a 35 year-old care home resident from Kirkliston was scalded in a bath. Mr Cole-Hamilton has also lodged one written question : “To ask the Scottish Government how many nurse practitioners specialise in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, broken down by NHS board.”

Separately Mark Ruskell who is the Scottish Green party MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife has asked for more information about rail services from the capital : “To ask the Scottish Government what direction ministers issued to the Office of Rail and Road regarding the open access application for Edinburgh to London King’s Cross rail services.”

As for surgeries when you can go along and speak to your MSP – this is what we know so far (and remember the newly elected MSPs have not really stopped since last Thursday night/Friday morning!) :

Edinburgh North and Leith – Ben Macpherson

Edinburgh East – Ash Denham 

No details we can find on the internet but you can email her at Ash.Denham.msp@parliament.scot

Edinburgh South – Daniel Johnson

No details of his surgeries on his website but you can keep up with him by email here Daniel.Johnson.msp@parliament.scot

Edinburgh Pentlands – Gordon MacDonald

Following the recess his website remains inactive but you can get in touch with him here on Facebook or by email Gordon.MacDonald.msp@parliament.scot

Edinburgh Western – Alex Cole-Hamilton

No details just yet on Alex’s website but it is there for you to use as a point of contact. Click here.

Edinburgh Central – Ruth Davidson 

No surgery details yet but contact her by email here. Ruth.Davidson.msp@parliament.scot