The Friends of Craigmillar organised a clean up on Saturday morning beginning from the library. There were two shifts – one morning and one in the afternoon, and the 30 volunteers collected more than 60 bags of rubbish.

Donald Anderson Chair of Cre8te shared his thoughts. He said: “I am now covered in chalk paint but I hope the stencils we used are a useful reminder for people to use a bin. Quite a few residents and shopkeepers stopped and spoke to us and one of the shopkeepers said he would take an anti-litter poster. I think it is a great start. There are some issues however – the shrub area has functioning lights around the trees but you can’t see them because it is so overgrown. There was a huge amount of litter there and in the car park behind the library. Great work everybody!”

Chris Murray MP joined the group picking up litter in his constituency along with some of his office staff. He said This is a brilliant initiative. There is a whole group of people in the community to make it a better place. Things like the litter picks are great. It makes a difference to people’s lives and I couldn’t support it more.”

Elly Kinross of Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust said: “We had a total of 30 volunteers and around 60 bags of rubbish. Still lots to do but we made a start.”

Create is a community business based in Castlebrae Business Centre which it also runs. The Board of Create recently invited Donald to become chair as part of a review into the effectiveness of the organisation and with the aim of becoming more active in regenerating Craigmillar. 

The immediate focus is on delivering action quickly to help improve the area. A pilot project has been established that focuses on “town centre management” issues, established in partnership with Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust. Create pays for part of the time of staff member, Elly Kinross, to work along with the council and the local community to improve Craigmillar. The project aims to make a visible difference to the town centre within months and is focused initially on Niddrie Mains Road. 

The council’s cleansing team has already done a lot of work cleaning the street furniture on Niddrie Mains Road, and the volunteers out this weekend are helping in a different way as they can address litter on areas not owned by the council.

More information about Friends of Craigmillar.

The newest park in the city was declared open in a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday morning when a few hundred people gathered for the activities on offer.

The entrance of the park is marked with large lettering making it more visible for everyone visiting to enjoy its open green space and play equipment, and there were many things to see and do – but it was the free ice-cream which appeared to be the biggest draw.

The space has six different zones including three play areas with a wide range of play equipment. There is plenty of outdoor space to explore and an inner ring walk going round the outer edges of the frame with a range of places to sit and relax.

An outdoor exhibition has also been created which showcases the history of Granton gasworks as well as the restoration process.  

Cassie, a Rottweiler cross, has been living with Dogs Trust for the longest out of all the dogs currently in their care and is available for adoption by a suitable individual or family.

The dog is suitable for a household with children aged 16 and over, and it would be best if she was the only pet.

A secure garden for her to play in would be a bonus, and it would be preferred if the new home was in a rural location.

Susan Tonner, Manager at Dogs Trust West Calder said: “Cassie is a very clever and playful girl who we all adore. Since she arrived in 2020, we have found homes for hundreds of dogs, but Cassie continues to be overlooked by potential adopters. However, we know her special someone is out there and when they meet our charming girl, they will love her as much as we do. 

“Our dedicated training team have spent a lot of time with Cassie, and she has progressed amazingly well with all aspects of her training. As she can be unsure of new people and dogs, Cassie was introduced to wearing a muzzle which she wears happily just like wearing a collar. Cassie responds well to her name and her lead walking is lovely.  We also trained Cassie on car travel as she never used to get into a vehicle but now enjoys frequent offsite trips to new walking destinations and for playtime in an enclosed field.  Cassie is a bright girl, so she learns quickly, and she is charm personified when after playtime she helps tidy up by putting her toys away in her toy box. She is affectionate with people she knows so once she has built the bond with her new owners, she will be their most loyal and loving companion.”  

Hidden Door takes place at The Paper Factory this summer, a 15.5 acre site just off the Maybury roundabout, and the entertainment will include the usual eclectic mix of all the arts.

The site – a former paper and cardboard manufacturing facility – comprises warehouses, factory floors, offices and outbuildings leading organisers to set the theme for the festival which will be “Building as a Myth”. They say that every rusty pipe on the site will become an artistic reclamation.

The festival will take place from 11 to 15 June 2025 bringing together more than 100 creatives with live music, immersive art installations, dance performances, poetry, and spoken word.

Hazel Johnson, Festival Director of Hidden Door, said: “Since November’s venue launch party, we’ve been busy clearing more of the vast industrial site and getting ready to fill every corner with our most ambitious programme yet. 

“We exist to support the creative community and to connect audiences with emerging artists, and The Paper Factory will be at the heart of that ambition in 2025.”

The Paper Factory is located in the Maybury Quarter, a 15.5-acre site occupied by the former Saica paper and cardboard manufacturing facility on the western edge of Edinburgh. The site features a mix of warehouses, factory floors, offices and outhouses. Bounded by the Edinburgh Gateway tram and rail station, there are excellent transport links to the city centre as well as to Glasgow and the west.

Hidden Door will transform the entire site for a full-scale multi arts festival. The property has been empty since Saica’s relocation to a purpose-built facility in Livingston. Regeneration specialists Summix Capital are now developing proposals for the future of the site, and have offered Hidden Door access until the end of 2025.

Jill Martin Boualaxai, Creative Lead, said: “Our 2025 festival program, titled ‘The Building as a Myth,’ invites artists to collaboratively develop ambitious multidisciplinary projects. 

“Guided by the overarching concepts of Transformation and Reclamation, Time and Memory, Rituals and New Narratives, and Feminisation and Reimagining the Space, the programme encourages exploration of how industrial spaces can be reclaimed by nature, layered with temporal narratives, and reimagined as inclusive, symbolic environments.”

Hidden Door has expanded its concessionary ticket options, ensuring that financial barriers and accessibility will not prevent anyone from experiencing the event:

• As always, the festival will be free to attend each day until 6pm
• D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people are entitled to 30% off the standard price ticket for each price tier
• Anyone who is currently unemployed can also benefit from the 30% discount
• Students and those under 26 are entitled to 20% off, whilst over 65s can claim 10% off the standard price ticket
• And going even further to include as many people as possible, for those who need them, a limited number of “Pay What You Can” tickets are available for every evening.

Hidden Door explain their programme:

Music

The five nights will host a diverse roster of acts, kicking off with an unmissable opening night offering energetic and theatrical fare from Bikini Body, Mermaid Chunky and Snapped Ankles. Thursday brings punk/pop attitude with Witch Fever, Sprints and SISTER MADDS, whilst Friday night sees Alice Faye’s lyrical Cabaret-come-Queen stylings programmed alongside Hidden Door favourites Tinderbox Orchestra and the dreamlike compositions of Erland Cooper. No Windows, The Orielles and Katy J Pearson promise an alternative indie Saturday night to remember, with Sunday’s closing line-up welcoming Moor Mother’s poetic power alongside Bee Asha, MC Yallah & Debmaster and Ishmael Ensemble’s eclectic jazz infused energy. Edinburgh institutions Samedia Shebeen and Paradise Palms Records are on board to bring the weekend club vibes, and an open call will shortly be launched to invite emerging local talent to join the line-up.

Other acts confirmed so far include Isabella Strange, Pearling, Roller Disco Death Party, Smag På Dig Selv, The Orielles, Theo Bleak, Tina Sandwich and with many more to come.

Visual Art

In true Hidden Door style, the visual art programme will make the most of the unique setting, inviting audiences to explore and discover every nook and cranny of The Paper Factory – from the cavernous Crane Shed and the labyrinthine Factory Floor, to transforming the mundanity of The Office Block. Over 30 visual artists will show a range of work including large sculptural installations, wall-based work, projection and textiles, curated amongst the defunct machinery and spaces.

The visual artists confirmed so far include Adam Hogarth, April Lannigan, Claire Marion Black, David Lemm, Dorsey Kaufmann, Ewan Douglas, Felicity Saravia White, Gosia Walton, Iona Peterson, Izzy Osborn, Jackie Bell, Jo McDonald, Juliana Capes, Laura McGlinchey, Lucas Chih-Peng Kao, Lucy Mulholland, Molly Wickett, Muireann Nic an Bheatha, Olivier Jacques Julien, Paul Meikle, Sam Sharma, Silas T Parry, Sue Sim, Tom Fairlamb, Valerie Reid, Vicky Higginson and Waad AlBawardi.

Poetry and Spoken Word

Thought provoking, personal, funny and moving – this year’s programme brings the power of spoken word performance into a building that has fallen silent; the factory’s atmospheric chambers echoing with the voices of raw human expression. Expect stand out shows every night from 10 poets and performers including award winning Theresa Muñoz, Glasgow poet Charles Lang and post-punk-music-spoken word-comedy duo FEVER PEACH. 

The spoken word programme also includes Aileen Lees, Imogen Stirling, Josh Cake, Julia Sorensen, Sarah Forbes Stewart, Theresa Muñoz and Victoria McNulty.

Dance

Expect dance at its most unconventional as Hidden Door presents a programme like no other in remarkable surroundings. Highlights include Yuxi Jiang’s ‘The Circle Unbound’, an immersive dance theatre inspired by Tibetan Buddhist circular culture, reimagining rhythmic machinery as a meditative force. Participatory and playful performance ‘Dance Makes The Floor’ by Mark Bleakley centres around the creation of a collectively made dance floor, conjuring past dance floors, both loved and lost.

The dance programme will also feature works by ELELEI, Jessie Roberts-Smith, Katie Armstrong, Dorine Mugisha with even more to be announced.

Creative Collaborations

Threading throughout the 2025 programme are four newly commissioned interdisciplinary collaborations, waiting to be encountered by visitors as they explore The Paper Factory’s labyrinths. Visionaries from radically different disciplines – from electronic musicians and installation artists to contemporary dancers and theatrical innovators – have been challenged to create something that could only exist in this distinct moment and place.

Appearing each night of the festival, these unique multi- disciplinary projects are not to be missed.

‘Ghost in the Machine’ is a site-responsive performance developed by Jill Martin Boualaxai, exploring memory, transformation, and industrial folklore through movement, drawing, and sculptural installation. The piece blends physical theatre, dance, visual art, and costume, evolving over time into performance drawings and sculptural traces that blur the boundaries between ritual, history, and the factory’s own mythology.

‘Time and Memory’ presents a narrative-driven installation by Eszter Marsalkó, featuring Stephanie Lamprea, exploring the lives of the factory’s former workers, weaving together real and imagined stories. This project includes film footage of the site, archival materials, and sculptural elements, bringing the past into dialogue with the present. It connects with broader festival themes of industry, labour, and personal histories embedded in place.

‘A Production Line’ by Acolyte is a poetic and psychedelic ensemble, blending soundscapes, spoken word, and rhythmic loops to reflect factory production cycles. Featuring bassist Ruairidh Morrison, synth and vocals by Gloria Black, percussion by Daniel Hill, and poet Iona Lee, the performance mirrors the repetitive rhythms of labour, incorporating field recordings from the site and hypnotic musical structures to create an immersive, trance-like experience.

‘SPECTRAL’ brings immersive dance and aerial performance to the Crane Shed, a work by Tess Letham developed in collaboration with All or Nothing. Performers move fluidly between floor-based choreography and aerial movement, embodying the physicality of labour and its transformation into something transcendent. Featuring lighting design by Sam Jones, aerial choreography, and a live music set by Dave House, SPECTRAL is a visually striking and physically immersive experience. 

Film work created by Abby Warlow and Lewis Gourlay will be projected across the factory’s vast walls to bring moving image and cinematic storytelling to the Paper Factory.

https://hiddendoorarts.org/event

Scottish wildlife filmmaker, Gordon Buchanan, has come face to face with hungry polar bears, been chased by elephants and stalked by lions – but he said his most dangerous and heart-stopping moments have all been caused by humans.

Buchanan, 52, has spent his life exploring the natural world and hunting for footage of elusive creatures. But according to the photographer his scariest moments were always caused by humans making bad decisions.

He told the National Trust for Scotland’s Love Scotland podcast: “I’ve been doing this since I was 17 so I have been hanging out with what people view as big scary animals for all of my adult life.

“Invariably there are times when you are in close proximity to a potentially dangerous animal but I don’t like to describe any animal as dangerous, it’s our behaviour around them that leads to things going wrong or someone getting hurt.

“A polar bear is just a polar bear doing what it does – it’s people making the wrong decisions that turn it into a dangerous animal.”

He added: “Last year I was in a car in Botswana, the driver was drunk and was driving like a maniac. I’d been hanging out with lions for months and months and in this vehicle with no doors on I was like ‘this is the most dangerous thing I’ve done this year’.

“But when I look back, all of those things involving animals that were dangerous — the things that I’d done were dangerous – I was young and not thinking ahead.

“I was sleeping out in hides where there were elephants… rambling about through the forests and being surprised when I bump into a wild elephant and when it chases me.

“I’d never do that now or if I did I would just be hypervigilant and have somebody with me rather than just wandering off and thinking ‘oh everything will be fine’.

“I’m just better at recognising the things that will get me into trouble, and touch wood, what people perceive as a dangerous situation, it’s just that for them they would be scared but for me it’s not a scary situation.”

Buchanan famously came face to face with an 80 stone female polar bear that tried to make a snack of him as he filmed the animals in Svalbard in the Arctic Circle.

Buchanan, who was filming from inside a metal cube for a BBC series called The Polar Bear Family And Me, when the enormous animal attacked, insists he would not put himself in the same position now.

He said: “There was a desire to have this sense of proximity to polar bears. We filmed black bears in Minnesota the year before and these were bears that you could literally sit beside.

“The next series was polar bears in the Arctic and we said we can’t have that same proximity because polar bears, we’re on their menu as a light snack.

“So we had this idea, what about getting a transparent hide that I could be safe in so we wouldn’t have to run away from the polar bears?

“So with this reinforced, hopefully polar bear-proof, hide you could get this idea I’m out there on my own with the polar bears on the ice.

“We really didn’t expect any of the bears to show as much interest as this one particular one did.”

Buchanan told National Trust for Scotland president Jackie Bird: “I wouldn’t do that again… Inwardly I was terrified because it wasn’t safe, there were certain things that could have gone wrong that we hadn’t anticipated until I was in that situation.

“If it was now, at the age of 52, I would realise what the real danger could be and put a stop to it. I’d radio the rest of the team, who were about 150 metres away, and they would come and get me out.

“It was terrifying but there’s a sort of distraction technique. If you outwardly appear calm, if you talk calmly and try and communicate.

“I thought, I’ll just do my job which is to try and communicate this experience and that I found sort of settled me down, it turned me away from the actual terror of it.

“There’s something a bit like, it’s unlikely that a TV presenter that’s nice and calm and presenting this experience is going to get eaten.

“They’re filming it on a long lens, I had three or four cameras inside, it’s unlikely something’s going to go wrong because generally someone’s demise isn’t captured so comprehensively.”

Personal struggles

Buchanan also discussed his battle with depression, and insisted he would trade his life for one without the “black dog”.

He told National Trust for Scotland president, Jackie Bird: “If I could choose to live a life black dog free or without any of this career I would go for a life of not feeling this way.

“Because you’re striving for perfection, you want to excel so you’re kind of always looking over your shoulder at a shadow, not at anyone else, and I think that’s what has driven me.

“But I have such a great life in so many ways, an amazing family, I’ve so much fun in life and the majority of the time I don’t feel that way.

“And I’ve got a lot better at recognising it and trying to fend it off, but when you’re unable to get out of bed, all you want to do is just sleep and kind of not exist, it’s such a horrible place…

“… It’s like in Harry Potter, when the Dementors suck all the joy out of the life, these kinds of demonic creatures, that’s kind of what it’s like.

“But it has been the sort of storm that has kind of pushed me along my journey.”

He added: “People love nature, it’s kind of within us. We realise that there is this disconnect and disharmony.

“And as much as we have more things than we ever had, we have a better life generally than we ever have had, houses are full of more stuff, but people’s discontent and mental health problems continue to rise and, for me at least, the natural world has always been a distraction, a place sort of that you can celebrate, a place that you can sort of try and make more sense of the world and your place within it.”

Hibs defender Jordan Obita insists the squad are full of confidence ahead of today’s trip to Ibrox but admits they will have to concentrate throughout the 90 minutes. 

Hibs go into the game off the back of a 15-match unbeaten league run dating back to early December 2024. 

Speaking to Hibs TV ahead of the match, Obita insists preparations have been positive in the week leading up to the fixture. 

“We’re always ready, no matter if we are playing Rangers or St Johnstone – we are always confident and we are all looking forward to the game. 

“Rangers are a top-tier team with some quality players; I always find that when you play against the top two – when you give them a chance they normally take it. We need to be solid, compact and make sure we concentrate throughout the 90 minutes.” 

Hibs current unbeaten run has seen the club jump from the bottom of the table – up to third in the William Hill Premiership and with an excellent chance of finishing in a European qualification place. 

“We have shown over the last 15 league games that we have been ruthless in both boxes.  

“If we can do that again, we are confident we can get something from the game.  

“Right now, the league is really tight, so to get a result at the weekend would be a massive boost for us going into the last few games of the season. 

“Before we were chasing the teams above us but now we are being chased, but we’ve done really well and we can be happy at what we have achieved so far this season.” 

Hibs last win at Ibrox was back in 2018 – when goals from John McGinn and Jamie Maclaren earned all three points in a 2-1 victory. 

 Obita added: “The manager has always set us little targets throughout the season and we have managed to tick a few off. Hopefully, we can add to that list at the weekend. 

“We know we have to be on the top of our game, we have the confidence to play against anyone at the moment – so if we keep our concentration for the full 90 minutes we will give ourselves an opportunity.” 

Hibs head coach David Gray believes his side will head to Ibrox full of positivity given their recent run of form. 

Gray, who won the Manager of the Month award for March, has seen his side go 15 games unbeaten in the William Premiership, and this weekend take on a Rangers side, who have lost their last four home games. 

Despite the Gers’ recent form at Ibrox, Gray explained to Hibs TV that he’s under no illusions on how challenging this game will be. 

“It’ll be a difficult match; history tells you that. 2018 was the last time we won there, so that tells you how difficult it is to go there. 

“We did well there earlier on this season, but didn’t get the result we were looking for. The players can take confidence from that, though. 

“It’s a slightly different challenge with the new manager, but it’s the same players. 

“We can’t go into the game with anymore positivity in terms of what we’re doing at the minute. We’re in a really good place. We want to go there and win.” 

Hibs cemented their top six spot in the William Hill Premiership last weekend, and now have their eyes set on trying to play European football next season. 

Gray explained that his players are full of confidence, but will need to be at their very best to take points off Rangers. 

“We need to take huge positives from the run we’ve been on. What we’ve demonstrated is that when we’re at the very top of our level, we’re a good side and very hard to beat. 

“We will need to be at that level on Saturday, if we’re at that level then we have a very good chance. 

“It’s a brilliant place for us to go and play, 50,000 supporters that want you to lose, and an opportunity for us to change history; that’s the challenge to the players.” 

Edinburgh Athletic Club athletes brought back medals from the 4J Scottish Indoor Championships at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow, among them 32-year-old sprinter Allan Hamilton who has sights on next year’s Commonwealth Games.

Hamilton won the men’s 60m in 6.79 secs – just outside his personal best – and said: “The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games are there and maybe it can be fourth time lucky in terms of us having a men’s 4x100m relay team in there. I think we have some depth now in the sprints and there is incentive there for everyone, that is for sure.”

Other Edinburgh AC successes came from long jumper Stephen Mackenzie, high jumper Matthew Tait, 1500m runner Peter Cameron, triple jumper Henry Clarkson and pole vaulters Andrew McFarlane and Donald Ross in the men’s senior and under-17 events, respectively. Photos by Bobby Gavin.

The gas holder in Granton is lit every night.

Photographer and night owl, Tom Duffin, was in the park in March and also last night taking the photos below to show the north Edinburgh focal point in all its glory.,

There is an official ribbon cutting on Saturday morning. Read more here.

Permanent lighting on the frame allows it to be seen brightly when the sun is going down and after dark.

In the first match of 2025 the home team might have hoped for a better result.

It was bitterly cold at Armadale for the opening of the Scottish Speedway season, indeed the first match in the UK in 2025 at Championship level. Everyone would be grateful that the match went smoothly and was completed in under 90 minutes. It ended with a four point advantage to Glasgow going into the Ashfield leg next Friday.

It was a tight match with never more than four points between the teams, both sides at various points holding the advantage. In the end Tigers 9 heat wins to Monarchs 6 was the key factor, more so than the advantage the home side had at reserve through Palovaara.

The Stellar Monarchs only had one new boy in the absence of Oskar Polis, so all eyes were on Jonatan Grahn who had a steady debut. He scored paid 6 with a race win and said “It’s a good start but I want more points and more race wins. Once I get more laps I will get better and better.

“It was very cold but I felt my setup was good. I know Ashfield is a bigger track and I think we can go there and do well next week.”

Best heat of the night was heat 11 in which Hodder led the way for a couple of laps from Castagna with Harris trying to find a gap. The three went into the third lap three abreast before the home captain forced to the front.

Scores were level after twelve heats but Howarth and Harris took a 5-1 from heat 13 as Sedgmen and Castagna could not rise to the occasion. The writing was on the wall then though Kye Thomson’s race win and a 4-2 in heat 14 did half the deficit.

So Monarchs went in to the last heat needing a miracle 5-1 for the win, but it wasn’t to be. Justin Sedgmen led the way as he had in the opener, but this time Harris pulled off a great move to burst past for victory. Dan Thompson was third, his only defeat on the night.

When they add a fit Boughen (he pulled out after two heats), Tigers top five will be formidable, and their reserves both showed promise. The Monarchs, who can’t wait to see Polis in action, had no failures but will have to hope they can get more race wins in the weeks to come.

Stellar Edinburgh Monarchs (43): Justin Sedgmen 10+0, Jonatan Grahn 5+1, Kye Thomson 10+1, Oskar Polis 0+0, Paco Castagna 5+0, Victor Palovaara 10+2, Max James 3+0

Glasgow Tigers (47): Chris Harris 12+1, Ashton Boughen 0+0, Dan Thompson 13+0, Leon Flint 6+1, Kyle Howarth 10+0, Freddy Hodder 1+1, Max Perry 5+0

Monarchs confirmed this week that financial services transformation company, Stellar Omada, continue as Title Partner for the 2025 season.

Stellar Omada enter their third season as Title Partner of both the Monarchs and Monarchs Academy sides, cementing their tremendous backing of the Club.

Colin Frame, Managing Director of Stellar Omada, said: “Supporting the Edinburgh Monarchs has been a great experience for us. We’ve seen the team develop over the years, from working with individual junior riders to backing the Monarchs Academy right up to the main team. 

“The relationship we’ve built with the Monarchs Management and the riders has been really rewarding, and we’re proud to follow their growth again this year. Our involvement goes beyond just sponsorship, it’s about contributing to a sport we care about and connecting with the local community. 

“Good luck to everyone for the season ahead, see you on Friday for the big derby!”

Alex Harkess, Co-Promoter of the Stellar Monarchs, added, “We have a wonderful relationship with Colin Frame and everyone at Stellar Omada and we are proud to continue as the Edinburgh Stellar Monarchs for the 2025.

“It has been great to see the continued growth at Stellar and we know well the passion and enthusiasm that Colin brings to everything he does. He is a passionate Monarchs fan and it is our pleasure to have Stellar on board.”

“Stellar are committed to making a positive impact in the community which is evident in our continued partnership and we are delighted to represent Stellar both in the local area and across the country.”

Forrester have praised friendly local rivals Musselburgh for embodying the “spirit of rugby” as they battle rough economic forces which have caused them to drop a weekly training session and call an EGM to discuss “the financial future of the club” and “future fund-raising efforts.”

Learning of the difficulties Forrester are facing in common with many other sports clubs Musselburgh, who play in the Arnold Clark Premiership, threw out a challenge for an outfit operating five rungs  below them to pay a visit for a Friday night floodlight fund-raising fixture.

The match realised around £1000 to assist a club whose self-help knows no bounds including a Community Fun Day as March ended and efforts to engage the West Edinburgh community with social events many based around the Six Nations Championship.

Club coach and committee member Fraser Newbury was hugely appreciative of Musselburgh, saying: “Musselburgh came to us and said we’ll do something for you based on charging a donation (at the gate) and a raffle.
“We’ll be forever grateful to them.”

The Forrester web-site stated: “It (the friendly fixture) was a true reflection of the spirit of the game and a credit to the rugby community. “

Newbury added: “Since 2020 our electricity bills have increased by 120 per cent and to hire a pitch has very much increased.

“We have had to cut our training to one night each week from two and while the kids still train Sunday and Monday the last thing we want to do is cut one of their sessions.”

In the past year at least three rugby clubs in and around Edinburgh have had to withdraw from leagues, their futures cast into doubt.

Forrester are to be commended for taking all steps to ensure that will not happen to them with a firmer footing planned by the time they head for Carrickfergus in May and the 40^th instalment of the regular fixture with Northern Irish friends.

Neil Critchley, Hearts’ head coach, said he has strength in depth ahead of their key William Hill Premiership clash with Dundee United at Tynecastle on Sunday, April 6 (kick-off 14.30).

The fixture, plus the trip to Motherwell for their next game on Saturday, April 12 (15.00), will decide if Hearts make the top six after the split.

Critchley said the squad was looking really healthy other that Gerald Taylor who suffered a long-term injury on international duty with Costa Rica.

Otherwise, Craig Halkett was on the bench last week against Celtic and Frankie Kent (pictured by Nigel Duncan) trained this week but Stephen Kingsley was ill at the start of the week but he was out training on Friday.

All three have been training on the grass, joining the squad, and he added: “They’re feeling good and it is nice to have their presence on the pitch, their experience and seniority back into the group.

“They add a lot to the group. We have lots of bodies, strength in depth, and I’m going to be disappointing a few people in the next few games.”

Hearts, he said, will attack the two games with positivity and optimism and he believes that the battle to reach the top six remains in the hands of his men.

Critchley expects a rough, awkward match on Sunday but he wants to take the game to the opposition and said that a top six finish is not a success if the Jambos miss out on a European place next season.  

Jim Goodwin, United’s manager, has urged his men to complete their bid to secure a slot in the top six when they visit Tynecastle.

He told the media: “We have put ourselves in a great position and we haven’t been out of the top six pretty much all season. It is very much in our hands. We don’t want to relying on anyone.”

Goodwin added: “It is more of a must-win fixture for Hearts than ourselves.”

Meanwhile, Hearts have secured a further 1,941 tickets for the Scottish Gas, Scottish Cup, semi-final against Aberdeen on Saturday, April 19 at Hampden (12.30 kick-off live on BBC One Scotland) after selling out their initial allocation of 19,000 tickets.

The extra tickets go on general sale from 11am on Sunday, April 6. They are available online or from the Ticket Office.

First Minister, John Swinney, will undertake a series of engagements in New York on the second day of his visit to the United States for Tartan Week 2025 including marching in the Parade from the Algonquin Hotel down Sixth Avenue.

Mr Swinney said that his focus will be on championing Scotland’s culture, heritage and growing influence on the global stage.

The First Minister will lead the Scotland delegation at the Tartan Day parade down Sixth Avenue alongside the 2025 Grand Marshal Alan Cumming, address the audience at Scotland’s first ‘Hoolie in New York’ featuring world-class Scottish artists and a performance on the famous Gregg Fiddle, host a reception for partners in culture, commerce and beyond at Carnegie Hall, shining a spotlight on Scotland’s vibrant cultural sector, exports and investment offer, welcome performers from Renfrewshire Schools Pipe Band and the Atholl Highlanders to Tartan Week in Bryant Park and celebrate the legacy of Scottish Americans during the Kirkin O’ the Tartan service at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church.

Mr Swinney said: “Scottish history and heritage are celebrated the world over and woven into the fabric of the United States. I know it means a great deal to the millions of Americans with Scottish connections.  

“I am looking forward to leading Scotland’s presence during the Tartan Day Parade alongside Grand Marshal Alan Cumming and to addressing the audience during at a venue named after one of Scotland’s most famous sons. Today is a day to celebrate the best of Scotland and to promote the iconic and globally revered culture and heritage we have to offer. 

“I recognise the significance of National Tartan Day and it is testament to the strength of the Scottish diaspora in the US. Tartan Day and the wider festivities in New York reaffirm the historic friendship between our two nations – a friendship that is deep and strong, and that dates back centuries.  We want to continue to celebrate those ties, whilst also shining a spotlight on the vibrant, dynamic and innovative Scotland of today.”  

A new artwork has been unveiled on Friday evening to celebrate the role of women in surgery.

The painting by artist Kirstin Mackinnon commemorates the work of female surgeons and isonly the fourth painting depicting women in the collection at The Royal College of Surgeons.

The painting, titled ‘Eleven Surgeons’, by Scotland-based artist Kirstin Mackinnon, represents the namesakes and recipients of the Hunter-Doig medal. The prestigious award is named after pioneering female surgeons Alice Hunter (1880s-1973) and Caroline Doig (1938-2019), and has been awarded to nine exceptional female surgeons to date – all of whom are still practicing – for excellence within the surgical profession. The large-scale work features Alice Hunter and Caroline Doig and all nine Hunter-Doig medal recipients, and is funded by grants from Art Fund and The National Fund for Acquisitions, with support from The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh membership and community. The wider project is supported by Museums Galleries Scotland.

Surgeons’ Hall Museums, part of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, commissioned the painting as part of a wider initiative celebrating women’s contributions to surgery. This includes a temporary exhibition, a permanent museum display, a programme of oral history collecting to secure the histories of living female surgeons, and an extensive programme of learning and engagement activities running throughout 2025–2026.

Louise Wilkie, Curator of Surgeons’ Hall Museums, said: “Currently only three out of the 144 portraits in the collections here feature women, and we’re dedicated to addressing this imbalance.

“We feel it is incredibly important to showcase the contributions of female surgeons throughout the years and hope this newest addition to the collection will demonstrate how the surgical profession has evolved. We hope by telling this story, to inspire the next generation of surgeons by paying tribute to those who have paved the way.”

Clare McNaught, Vice President of RCSEd, said: “Honouring and educating others about the women who have played a significant role in shaping the College as we know it today, and in championing the rights of women in the medical field, is something we feel very strongly about.”

The artist focusses on gender equality in contemporary Scottish art. Kirstin said: “’I am humbled to have been selected to paint such a historically significant commission. I recognise and acknowledge the efforts made by the college to promote equal representation for women. It was an honour to work with such inspirational surgeons and to play a part in celebrating their success.”

The painting is on display from 5 April to March 2026 in a temporary exhibition A Fair Field and No Favour at Surgeons’ Hall Museum. It will then be moved into the public reception atrium in the building.

Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, was guided through the 9/11 Memorial in New York accompanied by survivor Lolita Jackson.

Ms Jackson provided a personal perspective on the events of that September day in 2001 and the ongoing legacy of remembrance.

Mr Murray laid a floral wreath at the Memorial in honour of those who lost their lives. As they stood in reflection, a piper from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo played a lament.

The Secretary of State said: “The 9/11 Memorial stands as a powerful reminder of those who lost their lives and as a testimony to the resilience of this great city. Being accompanied today by survivor Lolita Jackson brings home the personal story of those who lived through that day. The ties that unite our nations will never be undone and we will always stand in solidarity with the American people by honouring those whose lives were lost.”

Lolita Jackson said: “I survived both the 1993 bombing as well as 9/11 in 2001, and my life was saved by Rick Rescorla, the Director of Security for my firm, Morgan Stanley, who was a former British Army paratrooper. He guided hundreds of us to safety at the sacrifice of his own life – he learned the lessons from the bombing in 1993 and subsequently applied them to our evacuation procedures to ensure we knew what to do if the time ever came again. His sacrifice is the ultimate example of the ties that bind the US and the UK.”

The new Friends of Craigmillar are hitting the ground running on Saturday with not one but two sessions of their Spring Clean.

This is a community wide litter pick of the whole area in Craigmillar. Earlier this week school children and youth groups were out picking up litter and now it is the turn of members of the public.

Meet at the library at 10am or 2pm – or both.

Equipment will be provided as well as refreshments at the White House.

This is a joint effort with Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust, Create, The city of Edinburgh Council and Community Alliance Trust.

Glen’s Manager of the Month David Gray has provided an update on the fitness of Nicky Cadden and Joe Newell ahead of this weekend’s William Hill Premiership game against Rangers. 

There’s positive news as Cadden returned back to full team training this week. 

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Gray said: “Nicky Cadden has trained all week, which is positive. He’s got a chance of being involved, which is great. 

“When you think back to when he got his injury, he’s shown great resilience to get back as quickly as he has.” 

Joe Newell however has suffered a setback, which could significantly decrease his game-time for the rest of the season. 

“There’s not good news for Joe (Newell), though. He’s had a big setback in his rehab, and we will have to take a different course of action with him; we will find out more in the next week or so. 

“He will take a few steps back, which isn’t great for Joe given this stage of the season. 

“He’s desperate to get back and contribute on the pitch, but he’s certainly contributing every day off it, in terms of around the building. He knows how important he is. 

“We will get around him though too, because it’s difficult news for him.” 

The state of our city centre streets is regarded as the visual identification of a public domain in decline.

Potholes have steadily risen as a topic of political debate, with the Starmer government hoping to address the “pothole plague” in its policy document The Plan for Change.

Roads and pavements are part of a city’s streetscape, the visual elements of a street, including the road, pavements and street furniture. The condition of this greatly defines the “visual identity of a neighbourhood”. In a historic city centre such as Edinburgh, this is a particularly live issue.

The state of Edinburgh streetscape and heritage was the focus of an engaging public discussion On the Road to Nowhere? Edinburgh’s Streetscape and Heritage Places, organised by the Cockburn Association and held at Augustine United Church on Thursday.

The event was addressed by Terry Levinthal and Richard from the Cockburn Association, Fiona Rankin from Edinburgh World Heritage along with two University of Edinburgh students who have conducted an in-depth study of the city centre, Alex Robb from Spokes, and David Hunter from Living Streets Edinburgh, with an extended audience discussion at the end.

On the way, the 29 bus had travelled up Frederick Street. The state of the road here has been a cause of much recent consternation, although the newly laid tarmac has simply replaced the worn out tarmac laid several years before. Nobody has yet addressed the repairs required to the setts, simply opting to cover the offending surface over once again.

The state of the setts causes buses and other vehicles to judder violently as they passed up it. The road has recently been smoothed out, with a new strip of tarmac placed over it. This is pretty unsightly, though is believed to be a temporary measure.

Fully resetting the street will be a substantial project, similar to that now going on in the Lawnmarket, although reference was made to the newish setts laid on Howe Street which were not laid down with traditional methods. There is an amount of cement in between the stones. The situation on Frederick Street is an example of the way the condition of the streets impacts the feel and look of an area. For many, such examples are evidence of a city not what it used to be. Such declinist narratives are common in public debates about the city.

Not what it should be

The general sense of the event was that Edinburgh’s streetscape was well short of what it should be. That it was well short of what should be expected in a historic city centre – and particularly one which has World Heritage status. The view articulated by a number of speakers was that the state of the streetscape could best be improved by focusing on maintenance and small, focused projects, rather than some of the big ‘sexy’ projects which generally attracted money and media attention.

Whether or not these big projects come to fruition is a matter of debate but it was later explained that this model is a reflection of the way the funding works – the council has to apply for funding for specific projects rather than one pot of money to split up how it would like.

After an introduction by Terry Levinthal, Richard Price, the interim chair of the Cockburn Association, showed a range of photos evidence of several recent streetscape “stushies”, including that over the “concrete ramp in the internationally significant Charlotte Square”.  It was worth making the effort to improve, and he suggested that if the streetscape is good “people look more positively on places”.

For Price, it was often very small stuff like clutter and other “detritus strewn on the streets” that had a substantial visual impact. Though there were many aspects of the Edinburgh streetscape needing attention, he was not in despair. He also looked back at previous Cockburn Association events such as the “City for Sale” discussion attended by 800 people discussing the then proliferation of private events taking over public spaces.

He mentioned in particular the “debacle” of the 2018/19 Christmas Market, which left Princes Street Gardens (East) as a massive mud bath. Pressure from the Cockburn Association, and other groups, had led to a rethink. His lesson from such controversies was that “if there is enough public pressure, change does happen”.

He also referred to the way that public space is used by private developers – for example George IV Bridge outside the former Missoni Hotel which has been used by the contractors for around five years, causing ongoing traffic congestion. Security and crowd control has led to the installation of unsightly barriers on our streets – and he said it was appropriate to mention these measures on the day that Martyn’s Law was given Royal Assent.

International comparisons

Fiona Rankin of  Edinburgh World Heritage remarked on Edinburgh’s “unique streetscape” with its 4,000 listed buildings. However, she felt that the lack of a “unified vision”, as well as a general absence of high quality materials was diminishing this. She also felt that the city is in transition as transport is decarbonised, but urged the city to be bolder, pointing out that pedestrianisation would cut the costs of maintenance.

These themes were outlined in an excellent presentation by two Edinburgh University students, who have been conducting research on behalf of Edinburgh World Heritage and who have created a visual inventory. They argued that the state of Edinburgh’s streetscape presented a “lost respect for heritage”.

There was often a lack of consistency across the city, typified by very different styles of bike racks and street lighting found in different areas. There was nothing unified about these which contributed to a “lack of visual coherence”. Another example they focused on was the state of the water fountains in the city. While a good job had been done of restoring the fountain in West Bow, more modern fountains in the city were not in keeping with the streets they are on.

The students made comparisons with similar size cities such as Copenhagen, where a more coherent, less cluttered streetscape was evident. Even the shop signs have been restricted to the old style and the city has its own recommended colour scheme. There city planners had made more substantial efforts to pedestrianise significant segments of the city centre, which has not happened in Edinburgh, perhaps with the exception of Rose Street which itself is in a state of disrepair. They also argued that cities such as Prague and Bath offered good models for Edinburgh to follow, as both had more consistent and more cohesive streetscapes. They had done a better job at demonstrating that efforts to make cities easier to travel around did not mean reducing their historic appearance. In Prague for example there was a competition and a jury to establish designs for street furniture.

In spite of its infrastructure

David Hunter of Living Streets Edinburgh quoted a city official who in 2016 had said to a public meeting that he had a vision to double the width of every pavement. That person is Paul Lawrence, who is now the Chief Executive of the council.

Mr Hunter argued that while Edinburgh is a very walkable city, this is largely “in spite of its infrastructure”. He said that the policy of prioritising pedestrians is not reflected in practice.

In many areas of the city, pavements were in a poor state and poorly laid out, making it difficult for anyone with disabilities or using a wheelchair (wheelchair users were often left out of the picture when projects to improve opportunities for “wheeling” around the city).  The Cowgate was a particularly “dreadful” example of this. While the road was completely resurfaced, the pavement was “untouched”.

Given the vast numbers who use this during the Fringe, the need to make substantial improvements was an urgent one. In addition Leith Walk is, Hunter argued, an example of an expensive project which failed to produce a good streetscape. After the road, tramway and bike lanes were pushed into a space which a former Transport Convener admitted was too small, “pedestrians got what was left”.

He blamed utility companies who dig up the city streets with little or no responsibility for their restoration. And he said that tackling the legacy of “awful pavements” is difficult when the status of the Edinburgh Street Design Guidance and its numerous factsheets is unclear.

He ended his part of the talk by looking at the “elephant in the room” – traffic. He noted that in contrast to other historic city centres in Europe, Edinburgh has comparatively few pedestrianised streets. He admits that it is not easy to reduce traffic, but said that “the jury is out” on whether the council has a plan to do that. It was, for example, “crazy” to have “unrestricted traffic on the Canongate”, given how many tourists visit that area. He concluded by suggesting that there was plenty of good policy out there but that implementation was often poor which led to ‘”glacial change”.

An off-putting environment

Alex Robb of cycling organisation Spokes, began by looking at reasons why there was not more cycling in the city. It was not Edinburgh’s weather or the hills which are putting people off, but simply because it was not a particularly enjoyable experience. Many roads in the centre were particularly congested, with South Bridge the worst example. This put many off from cycling in Edinburgh. Alex said that though the numbers cycling in the city was steadily rising (as evidenced by recent Cycling UK stats), there were many others who would like to cycle but found the congested and cluttered streets unappealing.

Robb welcomed recent big projects such as The City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL), which had helped encourage those concerned about cycling in busy traffic. He felt that other such projects should be welcomed but were often vulnerable to lengthy planning delays. Often a mere “handful of objectors” could delay a project for years. For instance, he feared that the project to radically alter George Street had been delayed so long that it might never happen, especially with so many budgets which have been cut. He felt this would be a pity as such projects had generally had a demonstrably positive impact on life in the city. (Local stores in New York sited next to a protected bike lane enjoyed a 49% increase in sales, compared to an average of 3% for Manhattan reported Fast Company.)

Where’s the money coming from?

In the Q&A session, the question of funding was highlighted, given the billions of pounds “verbally spent” by the panellists. One source mentioned was the Tourist Tax – Cllr Joanna Mowat said that some of these will be used for maintaining and improving the streetscape. Others, such as David Hunter, felt that most of the more urgent issues were of the “bread and butter” variety and would not be particularly expensive. For example, well known issues in specific “microspaces” did not require major projects to address them. The litter strewn and foul-smelling state of Fleshmarket Close, a prime route for tourists leaving Waverley, was an example of this highlighted by one member of the audience. Nobody mentioned the 2015 Twelve Closes project backed by Edinburgh World Heritage which in any case seems to have foundered.

Other examples included reducing the amount of graffiti in the city which some felt was ‘everywhere’ (though in truth, far less than most cities). The consensus was that dealing with graffiti quickly was key. One audience member (involved with the Royal Academy) suggested the use of lime wash to quickly cover graffiti while preserving a traditional appearance. There is a place on the council’s website to report graffiti and a team to remove it – but it is questionable how effective that is.

The quality of maintenance and repair work was raised by a number of those in the room. What guarantees were there that work was being properly supervised and problems quickly addressed. For instance, while the newly laid setts on the Lawnmarket were likely to “look beautiful”, how would they look in five years’ time one person asked. Were the right techniques being used and should we have a team dedicated to repairing smaller areas of the setts in an effort to avoid the expense of huge projects with ongoing maintenance.

In his closing remarks, Terry Levinthal reiterated the theme that “the micro stuff” and maintenance was just as important as the larger scale streetscape projects. He set out that the Cockburn Association would be holding four further public events to examine the issues raised with more focus. They hope that such events will help close the gap between good proposals and their implementation.

Editor’s Comment

I think it was a good positive thing that City Centre councillor, Jo Mowat, spoke at the Cockburn meeting during the Q&A pointing out that the council is recruiting for a new City Centre manager. She said a lack of integrated management is a main problem.

I think that the still new Transport Convener, Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, missed a great opportunity to put forward his own informed point of view – even just to say that he was listening to the audience, or to confirm where the funding comes from. In common with other events like this there is a deal of misinformation peddled, simply because people think they are correct – or they don’t have the information in the first place.

As Alex Robb of Spokes said the consultation process is flawed and the Traffic Regulation Order process is broken and slow. Government funding is not matching demand, and in the case of the big wins for active travel in recent years, these all took around a decade to progress from thinking to completion. It all needs to happen much more quickly.

The CCWEL is a case in point. It was derailed for years by shops and businesses in Roseburn, many of whom are still in business despite their dire warnings. Melville Street and Crescent – one member of the audience said he had never seen a bike on the cycle lane which is simply untrue. He also said that the rearrangement to the crescent with its many benches, planters and shorter distances for pedestrians to cross is not a success. This was first mooted in 2017 with a public consultation, so now is really not the time to complain.

Another member of the audience said that Sustrans is an unaccountable quango and we should “Beware Greeks bearing gifts.”

A further comment about the amount of yellow paint used in the city is well made – I have read suggestions before about removing all the paint, getting a legislative change from the government to allow a presumption against parking – so drivers would only be able to park where there was a painted line. It is certainly food for thought

As is always the case concerned citizens are many in Edinburgh and this was a very well attended event with a range of views.

I look forward to future Cockburn meetings.

Grange Dyvours have been named Scotland’s tennis club of the year – one of several accolades for the sport in Edinburgh.

The capital was well to the fore at an annual ceremony in Stirling with awards for university of the year, competition of the year and school of the year.

There were also successes on the individual front including ex-Colinton junior Jacob Fearnley following his record rise up the ATP world rankings to his current standing of 73, Calum Lloyd, the East performance coach and Sam Macneil, Scotland’s number one padel tennis male player from Dunfermline.

Dyvours’ success recognised major investment in facilities including the opening of two new indoor tennis courts and two covered padel tennis courts which has led to significant growth in membership at the club including 270 padel tennis members.

Rick Symington, Chair of the Grange Club, said: “It’s a fantastic honour to win this award. The new facilities have enabled us to start working with local schools to promote tennis as a sport. We are running a weekly free programme for Broughton High School

through our coaching team and increased pay-and-play opportunities for the local community.”

The University of Edinburgh was named University of the Year after a spell of success on and off the court. The university tennis club was praised for working closely with the city council to support the opening of revamped park courts in Edinburgh allowing students to enhance their skills while creating more opportunities for children.

Lilly Atkinson, President of the University of Edinburgh Tennis Club, said: “It’s great to win this award. The programme at Edinburgh has excelled in the last few years reaching 370 members with increased accessibility to tennis across the university. I would like to thank the rest of the committee and our coaching staff.”

Competition of the Year went to the East of Scotland Open, which attracted 350 players across 30 events, including for wheelchair players and those with learning disabilities. There were also padel tennis events and satellite competitions in parks.

Mark Gaffney, a director at East of Scotland tennis, said: “It feels brilliant to win and there is a whole host of people to thank. We have tried to create a very positive and inclusive environment for all, with disability events and satellite events to make sure the competition is inclusive of all standards where possible.”

Merchiston Castle School, meanwhile, was named School of the Year to recognise its work in developing six young players currently on the British performance pathway.

Simon Pender, Director of the Merchiston Tennis Academy, said: “It’s really nice to win this award, a real testament to all the work that we are doing at the school. I would love to thank Tennis Scotland, the players and our coaching team.”

In total, 22 awards were handed out and Blane Dodds, Chief Executive of Tennis Scotland, said: “We have an immense appreciation for all the volunteers, coaches and officials who give their time to supporting players, events and venues across Scotland and it was inspirational to hear the incredible stories behind all the finalists.”

Full list of winners

Volunteer of the Year: Lorn Shanks (Tennis Ayrshire)

Young Person of the Year: Cameron McPhee (Falkirk LTC)

Coach of the Year: Gary Whitton (Dalgety Bay Squash and Tennis Club)

Performance Coach of the Year: Callum Lloyd (East of Scotland)

Dunlop Club of the Year: Grange Dyvours LTC

Park Venue of the Year: Newlands Park Community Tennis Centre

University of the Year: University of Edinburgh

Tennis Opened Up: Russell Anderson Foundation

Official of the Year: Ben Anderson

Competition of the Year: East of Scotland Open

Lifetime Achievement: Patrick Leonard (Dumbarton TC)

International Player of the Year: Jacob Fearnley

Junior Player of the Year: Hephzibah Oluwadare

Senior Player of the Year: Ewen Lumsden

Senior Veteran Player of the Year: Marjory Love

Team of the Year: North of Scotland County Men

School of the Year: Merchiston Castle School

Padel Award: Sam Macneil and Karen Crawford

Special Recognition: Gill Milne, GB Queens Cup Team and Gordon Reid.

Police Scotland say that they are aware of concerns being shared on social media about filming around playparks.

Officers have charged two men in connection with an alleged breach of the peace in Paisley.

In an unconnected incident, a man has been charged in connection with an alleged breach of the peace following concerns raised in Rutherglen.

Officers have also investigated a small number of unconnected reports of filming, these have been found to be parents filming their own children or other individuals who were not filming children and no criminality was established.

Police Scotland say that they take reports seriously and will investigate any matters reported to them.

Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton said: “Given concerns about filming, I would ask people to remind anyone videoing or photographing in public to respect those around them. Police officers balance the rights of people to film with the potential to cause fear or alarm and make decisions based on individual circumstances.

“I would encourage responsible use of social media and ask people not to share speculation or inaccurate information. Please think twice about what you read, share and believe from online sources.

“It is not illegal to take photographs or video footage in public places unless it is for criminal purposes.”

Edinburgh councillors have rejected plans to cut crossing guard posts at 17 city sites, despite some not having had a crossing patrol in over 20 years.

Officers had put forward a report asking that councillors cut the posts due to the difficulty of hiring staff for the locations, many of which have not been staffed for 15 years.

One site, in South Morningside, has not had a crossing patrol since 1999.

But councillors instead asked for work to be done to explore options for making the roles more attractive.

A report was presented to councillors at Thursday’s Transport and Environment Committee meeting.

Liberal Democrat councillor, Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, said: “We accept there may well be reasons why some locations that have historically had crossing guides are no longer a priority, but the driver behind this proposal is that the council has struggled to fill these vacant positions.

“If that’s the case, it is our view we need to look at why that is, and we need to look at our recruitment processes, how they can be improved, whether some of the terms and conditions, hours and so on are still fit for purpose.”

Gareth Barwell, the council’s executive Director of Place, told councillors that there were options that could be explored to hire more crossing guards.

But he said that any pay increase would have to be linked to the crossing guards also taking on additional work during the day at schools.

At present, crossing guards are contracted for twelve hours a week, earning about £24,300 per year.

He said that the “bespoke” hours worked by crossing guards harmed the attractiveness of the roles.

Councillors also agreed to hold a workshop where options for recruiting crossing guards for these locations could be explored.

At present, the council employs around 150 crossing patrol guides at sites around the city.

By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter

The second ‘Journey Home From Hampden’ event organised by the Hibernian Community Foundation (HCF) will hopefully take place later this year.

The event had been scheduled for Sunday 13 April.  However the SPFL moved the date of Hibs home game against Dundee for TV reasons which meant that David Gray and other participants would be unable to attend.

The organisers have therefore decided to postpone the journey meantime. A new date will be announced as soon as possible.

Following the success of the 2024 edition, the HCF were eager to go bigger and better in efforts to raise awareness and funds for neurodiverse children looking to get involved in football activities.  

Last year Hibs head coach David Gray led a pack of 52 Hibs fans, coaching staff and cycling enthusiasts from Hampden Park in Glasgow to Easter Road Stadium in Leith, totalling 53 miles. 

Starting at the scene of Gray’s most iconic moment as a Hibs player, the gruelling journey acts as a pilgrimage to the home of the club and gives fans the chance to cycle alongside some of their Hibs Heroes.  

In 2024 the cycle raised over £25,000 for neurodiverse children wishing to get involved in football activity, giving more children than ever access to programmes supplied by Team United and HCF.

This year the aim is to raise even more money as HCF look to grow its offerings and opportunities. 

Ahead of the postponement Gray said: “It is great to be involved with this initiative again and it is really important to us to make sure we get involved with these fundraisers.  

“This is a good opportunity for us to raise some important funds and awareness for Team United and the great work that they do.  

“Last year’s event was really good fun and I am looking forward to seeing as many Hibs supporters as possible at the next event in April!” 

Hibernian Community Foundation Board Chair, Steven Smith added: “It’s great to get Dave’s support for this and we’re hoping to add a few more exciting guests in the coming weeks. 

“Last year it meant the world to the foundation to have David Gray cycling and we are looking forward to growing the next event in April. 

“We’re calling all Hibs fans and cycling enthusiasts in the area to get involved and raise funds for Team United. It’s a great opportunity to visit Hampden, challenge yourself, and spread awareness.” 

To get involved and take part in the challenge, contact the Hibernian Community Foundation.In the lead-up to the event, you will receive information on how to fundraise and details for the cycle itself.  

For those who are not able to participate in the cycle, you can donate online, More information on how you can get involved will be sent in the weeks leading up to the cycle. 

A new framework has been put in place to improve treatment of addiction in West Lothian and also provide better support to those in need of help. 

The Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) will also look to develop services for those with addictions to seek early intervention as well as working with primary health care services to offer training and skills. 

Drug related deaths have hovered around the 30 mark in the county in recent years. In contrast, the number of alcohol specific deaths spiked in West Lothian during two years of the Covid lockdown.  

More than 80 people in the county died alcohol-specific deaths during the pandemic. Those numbers fell back to 28 in 2023. 

Across Scotland health and social care partnerships are required to provide a clear plan for strategy, commissioning, service delivery, prevention, evaluation and assurance. 

 The comprehensive plan sets out a long-term health care programme with targeted interventions for all at risk groups including homeless people, as well as education programmes for families and for young people.  

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported last year: “The number of alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland remains the highest since 2008, according to figures published today by National Records of Scotland.   

“In total, 1,277 deaths were attributed to alcohol-specific causes in 2023, an increase of one death from 2022.  

National records for Scotland said last September: “Those aged 45-64 and 65-74 continue to have the highest mortality rates. If we look at the average age at death, that has risen over time. 

“Alcohol-specific deaths were 4.5 times as high in the most deprived areas of Scotland compared to the least deprived areas in 2023. 

Alison White, Director for West Lothian’s Health and Social Care Partnership told councillors this week that consultations have been extensive, involving charities such as Change Grow Live which work with those experiencing addiction, council departments such as housing and social justice, as well as health services. 

The plan is considered a “live document” which will be regularly reported back to   the council and NHS trust related committees. A report to the Social Work and Health Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel (PDSP) said: “The plan is complex, the document will not remain static and is intended to become a working plan, flexible to meet future needs and to aid planning, testing and implementation of ideas.  

“This will be a necessary step to make improvements, with a current timeline up to 2028.” 

Mrs White told councillors: “The overarching aim of this plan is to reduce the harms associated with alcohol and substances via the commissioning, monitoring and delivery of relevant services.  

“The plan will remain agile with the potential to respond appropriately to national policy development and a changing local landscape.”  

Among the first jobs will be to  to  develop prevention and early intervention activities. 

The biggest job facing the ADP is in increasing public awareness of alcohol and drug harm and how it impacts on the wider determinants of the health of individuals.  

While drug and alcohol deaths in West Lothian are not the highest in Scotland the   toll of alcohol and drug abuse has grown steadily on individuals requiring treatment for chronic ill health and for wider society. 

By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter 

Alex Cole Hamilton skirted around the question this morning on Good Morning Scotland, but it is now confirmed that Jamie Greene MSP has joined the Liberal Democrats, taking their numbers at Holyrood to five.

Mr Cole Hamilton introduced Jamie Greene as a new Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP after he announced at the party’s conference why he is leaving the Scottish Conservatives to join the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

During a speech to the Scottish Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in Inverness, Mr Greene told party members that “our job is to work together to bring back some decency, tolerance and respect back into Scottish politics”.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “I am over the moon to welcome Jamie Greene to the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

“Jamie is respected on all sides of the chamber. He is one of the parliament’s most effective communicators and has a selfless compassion which is seldom seen in our line of work.

“He speaks to a massive constituency of people who voted for Ruth Davidson’s Conservatives and are now dismayed to see that party lurching to extremes. His words have sent a shockwave through our country’s politics.

“He sees in the Scottish Liberal Democrats a chance to do things differently. With us, he can represent a party that’s going from strength to strength, a party where he can be a powerful local champion, get things done and make a difference for his constituents.

“With Jamie on our team, Scottish Liberal Democrat voices will be even louder on the issues that matter – getting you fast access to healthcare, lifting up Scottish education and growing our economy.”

Jamie Greene said: “In politics, I have worked to make life better for the people I represent and to live up to the values of ambition, openness, and freedom that have driven me all my life.

“As my former party misguidedly revels in the worst aspects of our politics, I have chosen to join a party whose values align with mine – the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

“I look forward to working with Alex and my new Lib Dem MSP colleagues on the real issues that matter to communities like mine in the West of Scotland.”

Jamie Greene’s full address to the Scottish Liberal Democrats conference was as follows:

Hello Conference!

I’m not sure who is more surprised to see me here today – me or you?

But here I am and I’m really happy.

As you may have spotted, things in my life have moved pretty fast these last days.

In just 48 hours I’ve gone from being politically homeless, like many Scots are right now, to joining you here, in my new home: the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Everyone deserves a home to feel welcome, supported, and belong in.

Even if my journey was as slow as the A9 itself, it is the destination which matters not how you get somewhere.

I’m sorry if I sound a bit croaky. I hope that coming up from the central belt to the fresh air of the Highlands will help me shift my cold. It certainly feels like a breath of fresh air to be here with you today.

Most folk will know what it’s like to go through a break-up – a relationship in which you both drift apart.

When it happens, your friends tell you not to worry. One day you’ll meet someone better.

Well for me, today is that day.

Party conferences of course are a chance to talk to those present in the room. But I also want to speak directly, now that I am free to do so, to people outside of these walls and outside of the political bubble. Especially to those centre-right, compassionate, and decent Tories

Like the many of you who have written to me these past 24 hours – who are simply scunnered with the endless culture wars and fringe issues that my former party has become obsessed with.

In these dangerous times we live in, the language of hatred, of right-wing populism, and of scapegoating must be fought against and must be defeated.

Like you, I trust in the tolerant, liberal people of Scotland to take on that fight. I’ve been doing it already, perhaps just from the wrong place.

I also say to them: there is light at the end of the tunnel.

If you too want to fight the Trumpism that has appeared in our political backyards, if you feel the same way as I do, then there’s a home for you!

Scottish politics can and must be better.

I started my political journey as a young, working class, gay man from Greenock. I believe that if politicians are not helping Scots from backgrounds like mine to fulfil their potential in life – then we are failing in our duty.

That’s why I got into politics in the first place.

Decency and respect are so important to me, and we clearly have it here.

We must never be afraid to speak out, to speak our minds and do what our conscience tells us is best, no matter how difficult that may be.

These are the liberal values that I know you stand for. These are the values I think most decent Scots stand for. And those, most certainly, are the values I stand for.

Our job is to work together to bring back some decency, tolerance and respect back into Scottish politics.

That’s our challenge, so let’s get on with it.

Council Leader Jane Meagher was joined by Minister for Employment and Investment Tom Arthur, representatives from the main contractor McLaughlin & Harvey, as well as volunteers from Granton Hub and members of Pianodrome, Scran Academy and Craigroyston Youth Football Club to at Gasholder 1 on Friday.

The official opening of the park will take place on Saturday 5 April with a family fun day and ribbon cutting ceremony.

The park has six different zones including three play areas with a wide range of play equipment. There is plenty of outdoor space to explore and an inner ring walk going round the outer edges of the frame with a range of places to sit and relax. An outdoor exhibition has also been created which showcases the history of Granton gasworks as well as the restoration process.

The park which extends to 1.2 hectares is set within the old gas holder frame and was funded by the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme. Funding from the UK Government of more than £16 million allowed the gas holder to be refurbished. The bell underneath was also removed. The gas holder is now permanently lit each evening and is regarded as a beacon in the north of the city.

A new sculpture of a humpback whale was installed recently and is the work of artist Svetland Kondakova Muir.

Council Leader Jane Meagher will be joined by a club member of the Craigroyston Youth Community Football Club on Saturday to officially cut the ribbon. She said: “The Gasholder 1 Park opening is a huge milestone reached for the £1.3bn Granton Waterfront project. It is really inspiring to look out over this important piece of coastal land for our Capital city and see these much needed homes and other facilities literally springing up out of the ground.

“The new park is a fantastic addition for local communities and the hundreds of new tenants including families who have recently moved into the homes we have built for social and mid-market rent in the area. Many of these are on land immediately surrounding the new park and I’m delighted to say that many more homes are being planned or under construction which will be ready for hundreds of new tenants in the next few years.

“The historic gasholder gives the new park a unique look and feel and it will also be seen for miles around as the restored frame is lit up after dark.

“This exciting opening follows the restoration of the former Granton Station building and the new public square also created to provide a sense of place for the local community which opened to great fanfare in March 2023.

“I’m delighted to cut the ribbon on Saturday to open this exciting new space for the local community as well as the thousands of other visitors I’m sure it will attract from Edinburgh and beyond in the years to come.”

Investment Minister Tom Arthur said: “We have contributed £1.2 million towards transformation of Granton’s Gasholder from a derelict site to a vibrant and accessible space for people to enjoy.

“This is part of wider efforts to regenerate the Granton area, including a recent project supported by the Scottish Government to transform derelict industrial units at Granton Waterfront into communal spaces.

“To help communities thrive, we are providing £62.15 million towards regeneration in 2025-26. This will support projects which revitalise green spaces, town centres and derelict sites to benefit people across Scotland.”

UK Government Minister for Local Growth, Alex Norris, said: “Having visited Granton earlier in the year, it is wonderful to see the new Gasholder 1 Park will be opening this week. This green space will really bring the community together, from young families to elderly residents and visitors to the City.

“The refurbishment of the derelict gas holder structure has provided a real beacon of light to Edinburgh, retaining its unique history and character, while wider transformation work is underway to Granton Waterfront. This is exactly the kind of collaboration and locally led growth we want to see all across Scotland and the UK in our mission to boost growth and renewal as part of our Plan for Change.”

Graham Brown, Senior Contracts Manager at McLaughlin & Harvey, said: “Gasholder 1 Park was a unique restoration project to deliver for the City of Edinburgh Council. In deconstructing the old bell, refurbishing the listed steel structure, and repainting the frame, we have solved complex engineering challenges. The ribbon cutting ceremony is a brilliant opportunity for McLaughlin & Harvey to celebrate the vast civil engineering experience of our team as well as the success achieved in our collaboration with our client and supply chain partners.”

The family fun day on Saturday will include:

Community singalong with Pianodrome at 11am
Ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11.15am with Council Leader Jane Meagher
Family arts and craft activities
Penalty shoot-outs with Craigroyston Community Youth Football Club
Free ice cream
Free face painting
Exhibition stalls

All photos courtesy of The Scottish Government

Detectives are appealing for information after a house was deliberately set on fire in Hay Drive, Edinburgh during the early hours of this morning, Friday 4 April 2025.

Around 1.20am officers were made aware of a fire, which also spread to a neighbouring property.

Emergency services attended and the fire was extinguished.

There were no reports of any injuries but substantial damage has been caused to both properties.

Extensive enquiries are ongoing and from the investigations so far, officers believe this incident may be linked to the recent discharge of firearms and other fire-raising incidents in the city.

Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger said: “It is vital that we trace whoever is responsible for this reckless act as soon as possible.

“While we believe this was a targeted attack, the fire has spread to a neighbouring property and the consequences could have been far more serious.

“Our enquiries suggest this incident is linked to groups who are actively targeting each other but we understand this will be concerning for the local community.

“Please be assured we are working hard to trace those involved. Our action this week demonstrates our commitment to tackling this type of crime.”

A motorbike carrying two individuals was seen in the area around the time of the fire and officers are keen to anyone who may have seen this vehicle.

Mr Grainger added: “We would urge anyone with information, or anyone with dash-cam, doorbell footage or personal footage, to review it and get in touch with officers.

“I am keen to hear from anyone who saw this motorbike in the area.

“Please think back – did you see this vehicle? Or did you see anything suspicious in the area around the time?

“If you have any information at all, please contact us.

“Plain-clothed and uniform officers will remain in the area while our investigations continue.

“Anyone with any concerns, or any information, can approach these officers.”

Two further arrests have been made after more warrants were executed this week in Edinburgh following this series of incidents.

On Thursday, 3 April, divisional officers from Edinburgh and the east of Scotland, supported by specialist resources from Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism and firearms officers, attended at five addresses across Edinburgh and Musselburgh.

A number of items relevant to the investigation, including weapons, were seized, along with drugs and cash.

Two men, aged 25 and 33, were arrested and charged with drugs offences. Reports will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. A 38-year-old man was also reported to the Procurator Fiscal, and a 30-year-old man was given two recorded police warnings, for drugs offences.

Detectives, supported by firearms officers, also executed two additional firearms search warrants in the Leith area of Edinburgh on the morning of Friday, 4 April.

The activity was part of an ongoing investigation into the discharge of firearms and fire-raising incidents in the city last month.

So far officers have arrested six people in total, checked around 1600 vehicles and recovered eight which had been stolen. Around 2400 hours of CCTV footage are being examined and officers on patrol have delivered 500 leaflets in the community to reassure them.

Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, said: “These incidents could have had much more serious consequences and I want to make it clear this behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Significant enquiries are ongoing in relation to all of these incidents, and we are utilising all available resources to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

“We will continue to carry out additional high-visibility patrols and disruption activity across the city and I would encourage anyone with any concerns to approach these officers, so we can take action.

“If anyone has information that can help with our enquiries then please contact us immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

The Woolly Good Gathering is “an Edinburgh event celebrating knitters, crocheters, weavers, spinners and fibre lovers with a festival of crafts, workshops, talks, food, music and good company”.

It is taking place at the Central Hall and Edinburgh Printmakers on Friday and Saturday.

There is more information on the link below and although general marketplace tickets have now sold out for both Friday and Saturday, anyone can attend a talk or workshop (limited availability) without a marketplace ticket.

More details here.

More than £2.3 million worth of cannabis has been removed from Scotland’s streets following a series of significant seizures in recent weeks.

On Thursday, 20 March, officers recovered a quantity with an estimated street value of around £436,400 from the Glencoe Street area of Glasgow. The following day, police in Aberdeen seized cannabis valued at £1 million.

There have been further large recoveries in Dundee, Glasgow, Livingston, Cumbernauld and Clackmannanshire.

A total of 14 men were arrested and charged in connection with these operations.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “These seizures highlight our dedication to tackling drug crime in Scotland.

“Controlled substances are dangerous and cause real harm to individuals, families and communities. They are illegal for that very reason.

“Working closely with our partners, we remain focused on targeting individuals and organised crime groups, who selfishly exploit vulnerable people solely for their own financial gain.

“This shows our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.

“Results like these rely on the public and anyone with information or concerns about drugs should contact Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

A West Lothian town is fighting plans to pay for parking and demanded wardens be reintroduced to police streets which have become an “obstacle course”. 

A West Lothian town is fighting plans to pay for parking and demanded wardens be reintroduced to police streets which have become an “obstacle course”. 

Just weeks after West Lothian Council unveiled proposals for new parking regulations – which includes plans to charge for parking on town streets in the county – Bathgate Community Council has launched a petition to scrap the move, raising fears it could hit local businesses. 

The community council said this week that the charges “betrayed” townspeople. 

Detailed plans, including maps of the streets which would be affected in the council’s DPE roll-out will soon go before the nine West Lothian Council local area committees on which councillors sit, and the community councils serve. 

Bathgate will be among the first communities to have new parking regulations including metered on street parking which is planned to be introduced within the next three years. 

But they are now calling for public support to stop the proposals – and are encouraging other local communities in West Lothian to join the fight. 

This week Bathgate CC laid down three key changes it wants to see: – 

• No parking charges in car parks 

• Traffic warden enforcement of illegal parking 

• Parking discs to manage time limits on high streets. 

A spokesperson said: “The Council’s proposed parking charges for High Street and train station parking have betrayed previous assurances and could negatively impact local shopping and public transport use.” 

A report presented to West Lothian’s Environment and Sustainability PDSP outlined three options. However, the proposed £5 daily charge at Council-owned railway stations (Linlithgow, Livingston North, Livingston South and Uphall Station) has been criticised as it appears to contradict their Active Travel objectives of encouraging alternative transportation and reducing car dependency.  

Others have pointed out that station car parks owned by Network Rail are free for train users 

The spokesperson added: “The proposed parking charges prioritise revenue generation over addressing community concerns and exploring effective parking solutions. The proposals also fail to consider utilising existing parking revenue, such as that from contracted car parks, to offset implementation costs.” 

Bathgate CC says any surplus revenue from fines would be allocated to Town Centre improvement schemes. “This alternative model could be considered as a potential fourth option”, said the spokesperson. 

The Joint Forum has backed Bathgate Community Council and urged all community councils in West Lothian to review the proposals and consider expressing their support. 

A petition on Change.org, which has so far garnered 231 signatures, says:  “The town that we cherish and live in is gradually turning into an obstacle course because cars are frequently parked on both double and single yellow lines against the regulations. This brazen flouting of the rules makes it nearly impossible to drive through town and poses a considerable and unnecessary risk to our community’s safety. 

The petition adds: “Rather than charging for car parks, which is counterproductive and unfair, efforts should be directed towards enforcing penalties for illegal parking. This would not only alleviate the chaos on our streets but would incentivise responsible parking and allow for better flow of traffic through our town and pay for the parking wardens we need.  We want the council to consider our option when they make the decision on parking which would keep our car park free to use.” 

By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter 

The number of passengers killed in horror smashes on Scotland’s roads has rocketed by 800%.

Police Scotland data shows that 18 car passengers died between April and December last year compared with just two the previous year showing a surge in the number of incidents claiming multiple lives.

There were six collisions resulting in multiple fatalities recorded during the nine month period compared with two in the same period the previous year.

In one weekend on Scotland’s roads in July, eight people died. Among the incidents was a single vehicle collision in Falkirk in which three men aged 21, 23 and 24 were killed, with the 20-year-old female driver taken to hospital

Data shows that overall 129 people died on the roads during the period, which is an increase of 2 deaths compared to the previous year. The worst numbers were recorded in May, June and July.

Road deaths and injuries have increased overall in each of the last four years despite The Scottish Government’s no road fatalities or serious injuries by 2050 target known as Vision Zero.

Scottish Conservative shadow transport minister, Sue Webber MSP, said: “My thoughts are with families grieving the loss of a loved one who died on Scotland’s roads.

“Brutal SNP cuts to dedicated road traffic officers and their failure to dual key roads across the country have no doubt contributed to road deaths rising. The SNP government are miles off meeting the target for zero deaths on Scotland’s roads by 2050.

“SNP ministers should show some common sense and fund more road traffic officers and finally fulfil their promise to upgrade dangerous roads and junctions across Scotland.”

According to a force report, the number of children killed on Scottish roads halved from four to two compared with the previous year, while the number of cyclists killed fell to one compared with five previously.

There were also decreases in the number of people seriously (148 fewer – down 9.8%) and slightly injured (470 fewer – down 16.3%).

Consistent rises in the death toll on Scotland’s roads overall means the journey to Vision Zero could prove unachievable as variables such as driver error, adverse weather, drink/drug driving, mechanical failure and tyre blow-outs mitigate against deaths and serious injuries being eliminated.

Edmund King, President of the AA motoring organisation, warned that while it was “commendable” to pursue a Vision Zero ambition for road deaths, it would be “difficult to make that vision a reality”.

He said: “Over the last 50 years road deaths have fallen when radical legislation has been introduced from the breathalyser to compulsory seat belts, to air bags, ABS brakes, Euro NCAP crash testing to assisted technologies. However, in the last few years casualties have broadly plateaued and on some measures increased.

“There are still some basic things that drivers and passengers are getting wrong. A report from The AA Trust showed that 43% of young passenger fatalities were unbelted.

“This is a stunning statistic as car occupants are twice as likely to die without a seatbelt. This suggests more education and effective enforcement is needed.”

Craig Naylor, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS), warned in a recent report that Police Scotland was detecting significantly less crime on the roads despite increasing numbers of deaths and injuries.

He said the number had been increasing every year since 2020 while noting a 63% drop in recorded offences since 2013.

Data shows officer numbers fell from 17,431 in March 2020 to 16,425 in October and, of that total, 3.5% were dedicated to road policing.

Mr Naylor said: “The recent increases in road casualties are complex and there is no single factor that has caused this trend.

“However, we are concerned that at a time when casualties are increasing, Police Scotland has decreased rather than increased its enforcement activity in this high-priority area.”

Police Scotland say they work in collaboration with partners such as Transport Scotland to improve road safety throughout the country in a bid to curb fatalities, running campaigns targeting speeding, wearing seatbelts and mobile phone use along with drink and drug driving.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop’s National Speed Management Review Consultation, launched in November to examine the merits of lowering the national speed limit on single carriageways to 50mph, is due to conclude this month.

Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, Police Scotland’s Head of Road Policing, said: “Every death on our roads is tragic. We work tirelessly to fully investigate every fatal and serious road collision and provide support to the families of those involved, in conjunction with key partners like BRAKE.

“Road policing remains a priority for Police Scotland and we will continue to work very closely with a range of partners to improve road safety for all users.

“We all have a responsibility to use our roads safely. I urge every driver and road user to think about their behaviour on the road, be considerate towards others and help us make Scotland’s roads safe for everyone.”