The owner of an Airbnb used by golfers from around the world has lost his bid to have it declared lawful by East Lothian planners.

The second floor flat in Musselburgh has been operating since 2018 in New Street.

But an application by the owner for a Certificate of Lawfulness, which avoids it requiring planning permission, has been rejected by planning officers.

Agents for the owner had claimed that the use of the flat as a short term let was not a material change of use to if it was being used by long term residents.

However planners disagreed saying: “As the flat is advertised on holiday rental platforms, coupled with the frequency of the arrival and departures of guests at various times and the movements associated with the changeovers and cleaning between guest stays, this would lead to a movement pattern which is different to that of a flat in use as a principal residence.

“Based on this information, it is considered that the use of the applicant’s second floor flat for short term holiday let accommodation constitutes a material change of use, requiring planning permission, where a lawful use cannot otherwise be demonstrated.”

The owner of the property’s agents said it had a ban un under-25s staying and welcomed guests from around the world.

They said: “The property is primarily occupied by tourists visiting the area, including golfers from around the world. It is consistently booked and has an average booking duration of three days.

“The occupancy levels are around 70%, and the property is managed with strict screening processes, allowing only guests aged 25 and above and verified guests on Airbnb. There are no sofa beds or third-party bookings allowed.”

No objections to the application were received by planners.

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

There is a small display of works by two Glasgow School of Art graduates, John Byrne and Alasdair Gray, in Lyon & Turnbull’s Glasgow showroom until 26 July.

Following the exhibition, two of Gray’s paintings will be sold at auction – Portrait of the Artist Ian Fleming and The New Room (Film Sequence with Liz Lochhead), 1972. The sale will be conducted from the auctioneer’s Edinburgh showroom and online on 13 August. More details here.

Two Glasgow Polymaths features works held in private collections and which are previously unseen – and the paintings will return to those collections afterwards, so this is a one-off opportunity.

Both of the artists were also writers, and their role as polymaths in cultural Scotland is well-known. John Byrne died last year aged 83, and Alasdair Gray died in 2019 at age 85. Both are greatly missed but also have legacies which live on – it is Gray’s novel Poor Things which was adapted into a film released worldwide just recently.

A rare painting of The Beatles, painted by Byrne in 1969, and later used as the cover image of The Beatles Ballads LP 12 years later, is one of the highlights of the show.

Rumours at the time suggest the original was lost by EMI Records, which makes this unique work a surviving early version.

Some of the works on show include the study for an album cover of HMS Donovan which John Byrne created along with musician Donovan. The album was to be of children’s songs and they also worked on an animated film, Donovan’s answer to the Beatles Yellow Submarine. The pair went to Los Angeles for a month and Byrne’s children went to appear in the film which sadly did not come to fruition.

These paintings were collected by Byrne’s parish priest Father Tom Jamieson. According to Father Jamieson’s niece, her late uncle would meet in Byrne in the artist’s garden shed in Renfrew and discuss ‘matters of great importance’. Byrne would show Father Jamieson his latest work and, as a result, he developed an interest in collecting his parishioner’s paintings.

Father Jamieson’s niece said: “My uncle was very proud of these paintings and of knowing John Byrne. He loved anything that was a ‘one off’, and I think that led him to start buying from his talented but not-yet-famous parishioner. 

“Being around these paintings in my childhood gave us a gateway into Byrne’s incredible world. I remember John describing his early work once as ‘wee guys with big ears’. These are so much more than that, but Byrne’s sense of humour walks hand-in-hand with his art and I’ve always loved that.”

The exhibition can be viewed by appointment.

Controversial plans to flatten an Edinburgh sports bar to make way for student flats have been thrown out by the Scottish Government.

Concerns about the proposed six-storey block not being safe for occupants in the event of a serious flood were upheld, temporarily saving Gorgie’s much-loved Murrayfield Sports Bar from demolition.

However views from the community that an additional 87 rooms would cause an “excessive” student population locally were not shared by a senior planning official tasked with reviewing the case.

Gorgie and Dalry Community Council argued the area – which has seen several similar developments given planning permission the last few years – was “already saturated saturated with Purpose-Built Student Accommodation” (PBSA).

They said in one of 57 objections sent to the council giving the Westfield Road project the green light could lead to a “doubling of the student population since 2011 excluding those living in normal flats or HMOs”.

Independent councillor for Sighthill-Gorgie Ross McKenzie agreed there had been “too much student accommodation approved in recent years without proper scrutiny”.

Cllr McKenzie welcomed the news and attacked “dodgy developers” EH1 students (Gorgie) Ltd who he said were “looking to make a quick buck”.

Last year he criticised the company behind the plans after it was reported two board members were involved in the collapse of Tayside Aviation school, which resulted in students paying for qualifications they didn’t receive and estimated debts of £2.5m.

Planning agents working for EH1 students (Gorgie) Ltd were contacted for comment.

The council’s development management sub-committee originally refused planning permission in February after the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) objected on the grounds of flood risk.

Planning officers said if a serious flood occurred it would block safe access to the building which “in effect would become an island”.

Councillors voted to reject the plans, although views on the flooding risk differed. Some worried residents, particularly those with disabilities living on lower floors, could be put in danger.

Others suggested the building may be “safer” than neighbouring ones and vulnerable occupants “would be safe while the flood waters came and went”.

Upholding their decision following an appeal, planning reporter Ailie Callan said there was a “lack of demonstrable design solution to achieve safe exit from the building” in the event of a a 1 in 200 flood event, with climate change impacts factored in.

In the decision issued on Tuesday, July 16, Ms Callan said: “A number of objections were made, including from Gorgie and Dalry Community Council, relating to potential detrimental impacts in the area that could result from the proposed increase to the student population

“There is some disagreement between parties with regard to the proportion of student population in relation to overall population, ranging from 19% up to 45%.

“I accept that an increase in student population has taken place within the locality, and that this proposal would add to it. However, I do not consider that the proposed additional student numbers would make such a significant contribution that it would result in the student population of the area becoming excessive or dominant.”

Cllr McKenzie said: “I’m delighted that this appeal has been dismissed.

“From the outset, it was clear that this was a lazy application by dodgy developers looking to make a quick buck in Gorgie.

“The area has seen too much student accommodation approved in recent years without proper scrutiny. In some cases, local councillors have actively pushed through developments against the recommendation of planning officers and in the face of strong local opposition. That has stopped now.

“Since being elected, I have sought to represent the views of the local community, not the interests of student housing developers. I hope the outcome of this case will give residents hope that sharing their views on planning applications is a worthwhile exercise.”

By Donald Turvill Local Democracy Reporter

A popular species on one of Scotland’s most important seabird islands has suffered a “catastrophic drop” of over 80% after a succession of winter storms, it can be revealed.

The European Shag population on the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth usually numbers in excess of 400 nesting pairs each summer, rising to 674 pairs of the red listed species last year.

The results of a population census carried out earlier this summer have now revealed the population has crashed to just 127 pairs, representing just 18.8% of last year’s total, amid fears the species may not recover at the site.

Concerns had been raised on the island, which is a National Nature Reserve (NNR) run by NatureScot – after the long-necked birds suffered heavy losses during Storm Babet and Storm Ciaran last October.

David Steel, NatureScot’s reserve manager on the island, said: “Over the last decade we’ve seen between 400-500 pairs nesting annually with 674 pairs nesting last year. However it’s a very different picture this year with the results of the population census in early June revealing a shocking 127 nesting pairs.

“This figure is the lowest in recorded history for the Isle of May dating back to the late 1950s and represents an 81% decline in just one year. This is a catastrophic drop and one which the species may not recover from.

“Unlike many seabirds, a lot of the population of Shags over-winter around the island and they are very susceptible to winter storms. Last October we had two major storms in quick succession – Storm Babet and Storm Ciaran– which brought heavy turbulent seas for weeks.

“During this period Shags were finding it difficult to find food and as a result mortality was extremely high.

“The species is extensively studied by UKCEH (UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology) throughout the year as they map and charter each individual and their results were showing extremely worrying signs.

“The concern is now that the population has been decimated, what will the winter bring this year? Another poor spell and stormy conditions may drop the population further.”

The European Shag, Latin name Gulosus Aristotelis, is a long-necked bird around the size of a goose. Their name derives from the shaggy tuft on their heads.

The fish-eating bird nests across the Isle of May on the clifftops, gullies and rocky outcrops. They usually live for around 12 years although the record for the species is 31 years for a Shag ringed on the Shiant Isles in the Outer Hebrides.

The Isle of May Shag population peaked at 1916 pairs in 1987, before going into a decline seen across the UK over the next 30 years. Numbers in the last ten years have stabilised at 400-500 pairs nesting annually, rising to 674 last year before this year’s crash.

Mr Steel said the “wipeout” could be replicated at other sites on the east coast of Scotland, adding: “The majority of seabird colonies on the east coast with nesting Shags are reporting similar catastrophic drops. The future is worrying.”

Seabirds on the Isle of May have experienced mixed fortunes this year. The Atlantic Puffin population has enjoyed a 33% increase compared with the last count in 2017, with over 52,000 occupied burrows counted on the island this summer.

Arctic Terns made a welcome return, with over 300 nests counted just a year after the species failed to breed on the island in 2023. However, a Short-eared Owl not usually seen during the seabird breeding season devoured dozens of chicks.

Greig Davies celebrated winning the first heat of this year’s Kingdom Fly Championships, but he achieved his goal by edging a rival by minutes.

Davies, a previous winner of the coveted title, landed his first trout at Ballo Reservoir near Leslie on Sunday at 9.34am.

Jason Walls landed his first at 10am and time became critical as both anglers weighed in 24lb 4oz of fish. Third was Paul Cushnie with 21lb 2oz and all three received Snowbee vouchers.

Organiser Scott Mudie said there are still a few spaces for the second and final heat at Eden Springs on Sunday, August 4, and any anglers from the first heat can also enter for a practice and would also be eligible for prizes on the day.

The final is at Eden Springs on Saturday, September 28 and other sponsors of the popular event are Flybox.co.uk, Fly Fishing Giveaways, Allt Fishing and Waldos Troot Flees.

Moving to sea fishing, and more than 40 anglers fished the East Fife Open, with boundaries from Elie Harbour to St Andrews, but only 15 weighed in after the five-hour match.

Organiser Mike Horn said a big swell all along the Fife coast made it a real struggle for all the anglers. Best bait on the day was peeler crab.

Denis Thompson from Whitby won with four fish for 6lb 5oz and he took home an Anyfish Anywhere rod and £210.

Kirkcaldy angler, Chris Horn, a Scottish international, landed two fish for 5lb 15oz and Gordon McKay from Cellardyke also hooked into two fish but for only 5lb 7oz.

Arbroath-based Stewart Falconer caught the heaviest fish, a cod of 3lb 6oz.

PICTURE: Kingdom top three (left to right): Greig Davies, Jason Walls and Paul Cushnie at Ballo. Contributed by Scott Mudie

Edinburgh-based solicitors and estate agents, Ralph Sayer, is accelerating the firm’s growth plans as it attracts increasing demand for its services.

The family-run legal firm is recruiting for experienced residential conveyancing solicitors and/or paralegals amid a busy summer of deals.

With staffing levels currently sitting at 25, the family-run legal firm has grown by 50 per cent since forming in October 2022 and CEO Ivan Ralph expects that trend to continue.

“We have a lot of good people here and the job they do is excellent but we’re now at the stage where we need to bring in reinforcements to help cope with the demand for our services that we are experiencing,” he said.

“We’re getting busier and busier all the time and there are no signs of things easing off. I expect that trend to continue going forward and it’s encouraging to see the business grow in this manner.

“This month, for example, we have 180 transactions to be settled.

“We have a number of fee earners in the office who are working many more hours than we would like them to have to do in order to keep up with the volume.

“It’s not our style to have our staff in for hours on end, working around the clock. We look after our people, they work extremely hard, do a great job for our clients and I want them to be able to go home at a normal time. I don’t want people to feel so under pressure that it impacts their wellbeing and their normal life outside of the office.”

The new recruitment drives comes after the recent appointment of Tzana Webster as head of estate agency, Ms Webster leading an experienced team of valuers including Robin Davie and Stuart Quate.

“We have always done large volumes of legal work but the estate agency side of the business is a focus for growth,” added Ivan.

“We need more experienced pairs of hands, and that could be Solicitors or Paralegals; people who can handle their own case load, handling transactions from start to finish.

“The down side of being so busy is trying to cope with the volume of work and I’m keen to bring in the right people as soon as I can to join our close-knit team. The recruitment is a key part of our growth strategy which we are implementing quicker than anticipated.”

Interested parties can email ivan@ralphsayer.com

Edinburgh Food Festival, a free to enter city centre event, opens at Assembly George Square Gardens on Friday 28 July. This year the festival is ten years old – and celebrating the tin anniversary.

Partnering up with charity, Edinburgh Food Project, Assembly Festival has launched a tin can drive to help stock up food banks in the city. Everyone who goes along to George Square in the next couple of weeks is invited to bring some tins to donate to the food bank and help the charity combat food poverty.

Edinburgh Food Project is registered with Trussell Trust and works with several food banks in Edinburgh determined to break the cycle of food poverty. These will benefit from any donations made in George Square while the food festival runs until 28 July.

In 2023 alone, 20,361 emergency food parcels providing people with food provision covering 3 meals a day were given out to people in crisis, with over 11,500 having already been issued in 2024 so far, and counting… 

Bethany Biggar, Edinburgh Food Project’s Director said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Edinburgh Food Festival as they celebrate their 10th “Tin” anniversary! Their tin can-do attitude will make a big difference to people across Edinburgh struggling to afford the essentials. By bringing along a tin (or two!) of non-perishable food items, you’ll be helping provide emergency food supplies to those in need in our community. We’re grateful for Edinburgh Food Festival’s support and look forward to celebrating this milestone with them!”

Dani Rae, Managing Director of Assembly Festival advocates: “It’s fantastic to be able to partner with the Edinburgh Food Project and to be able to utilise the Edinburgh Food Festival as a platform for raising awareness and resources for those experiencing Food Poverty across our city. The proactive and tireless work of the Edinburgh Food Project, though sad that it’s needed at all, is incredible, pressing and vastly important. Please get raiding those cupboards and bring what cans you can to keep up this momentum. It all makes a difference!”

The festival programme includes a line-up of workshops, demonstrations, panel discussions and other activities to savour, all in celebration of Scotland’s culinary credentials. The Edinburgh Food Festival is also hosting the 15th annual Scottish Street Food Awards, with the opening weekend revolving around excellence in Scottish cuisine.  

Misha Zielinska had spent three days painting the large coconut oil tins for a visual display, only for Dani Rae the Managing Director of Assembly Festival and Rebecca McGuire and Calypso Coulton of Edinburgh Food Project to knock them all down (Watch the video above!)

The collection point for cans will be inside the main gate of the Edinburgh Food Festival at Assembly George Square Gardens, where it will remain for the duration of the festival 19 – 28 July for those wishing to donate. Please give generously and note a particular need for the following tinned goods; cold meats, hot meals, fruit, fish, spaghetti in sauce, tomatoes, rice pudding, and custard. 

For tickets, further information, and to sign up to receive news and updates, visit edfoodfest.com

Scottish Hockey and The University of Edinburgh have announced a landmark partnership to establish a new Centre of Excellence.

The Scottish national women’s and men’s teams will relocate their permanent training base to the Peffermill Playing Fields in Scotland’s Capital city, utilising the world-class facilities both at Peffermill and in the Pleasance Sports Complex.

The partnership includes a significant investment by the University, having recently appointed SPORTEX (with Polytan) to lay a new state-of-the-art artificial turf pitch on Hockey Pitch 2.

This enhancement underscores the university’s commitment to supporting elite hockey performance.

Mark Munro, the university’s director of sport and active health, said: “The University continues to focus on hockey as one of our priority sports and has a long tradition of student-athlete players progressing to both Scottish and British teams.”

An example is Borders-born Sarah Robertson’s selection for Paris later this month, having previously won a bronze medal in Tokyo.

Chris Duncan, head coach of Scotland women, said: “We are delighted to be able to come to this agreement of a partnership between The University of Edinburgh and Scottish Hockey.

“Their world-class facilities, desire for continuous development, and exceptional level of client service are a brilliant asset to us as we look to achieve our ambitions in the years ahead.

“We look forward to having Peffermill and The University of Edinburgh as a base for our performance programmes which will support our athletes and our programme.”

PICTURE: Scotland star Bronwyn Shields on the ball during a recent national squad session at Peffermill. Picture by Nigel Duncan

An 81-year-old man has died in hospital following a serious crash in Blackburn.

The incident happened around 7.15pm on Friday, 12 July, when the man was crossing Bathgate Road with a walking frame and was struck by a motorbike.

He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he died on Tuesday, 16 July, 2024.

The rider left the motorbike and made off from the scene.

Sergeant Jen Niven from Road Policing said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“We are following a positive line of enquiry and would urge anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police to please come forward.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland through 101 with reference number 3159 of 12 July.”

Plans to dig trenches on the site of an important Roman Fort in East Lothian have been backed by Scottish Ministers ahead of a housing application for the site.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES), who oversee work carried out at the site at Inveresk, have been given the go ahead to approve the work at the scheduled monument.

And it was revealed plans to build a home on the land have been lodged with East Lothian Council on a number of occasions over the last 27 years.

HES have been involved because the house plans are on land which is within the Roman Fort site. The buried remains of the fort are considered to be one of the most important and extensively investigated Roman sites in Scotland.

The overall site comprises an extensive complex including a Roman fort, adjacent civil settlement, one known and one probable bath house, a possible amphitheatre, field systems and temporary military camps.

In a report to Scottish Ministers HES told them they had initially objected to the plans for a house because of a lack of information about the land involved but were happy to approve plans for the archaeological evaluation
now proposed which would provide the information required.

They said they were happy to grant permission for the work which would see five trenches dug and examined.

They said: “Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC) has previously been granted four times by Historic Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers for the development of a single house and garage in approximately the same location.

“SMC was first granted in 1997, before modern SMC policy was developed, and the most recent consent was dated 16 January 2015. All these consents have now lapsed.

“HES understands that there is a parallel history of planning consents for the same single house development. The purpose of the evaluation would be to show the location and extent of archaeological remains in order to inform assessment by HES and the planning authority of a proposal to build one new house at the site”

.The Scottish Government Reporter confirmed Ministers did not plan to call the application in and were happy for HES to grant approval for the work.

A planning application for a house and garage on land to the west of St Michael’s House, at the site in Inveresk is currently being considered by East Lothian planners.

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

Berwick Jewson Bandits, currently eighth in the nine strong Cab Direct Championship, face three meetings in four days next week.

The Bordes club face trips to pace-setting Oxford Cheetahs on Wednesday, July 24 and then bottom club Stellar Omada Monarchs 48 hours later, before the return home match against the Monarchs on Saturday, July 27.

And Monarchs star Justin Sedgmen (pictured), who finished fifth in the Ben Fund Bonanza at Workington, hopes to carry his form into the Armadale side’s home clash against Workington Comets on Friday (tapes-up 7.30pm).

Monarchs prop up the nine-strong table with Comets in fourth spot.

Elsewhere, Plymouth Gladiators, who are seventh, await a fitness check on Dan Thompson, who suffered a dislocated shoulder last weekend, ahead of their trip to third-placed Poole Pirates on Wednesday. That is followed up by a home clash with Oxford on Saturday.
 

It was a memorable moment in a week full of such moments for West Lothian’s councillor turned MP. 

After taking the oath of allegiance in the House of Commons Kirsteen Sullivan has vowed to take her work in the community to her new job in Westminster’s chamber. 

Pushing Labour’s message for change, she said: “People have been struggling for far too long.” 

Ms Sullivan took the Bathgate and Linlithgow Constituency for Labour with 19,744 votes in a 28% swing from the SNP’s Martyn Day. 

Ms Sullivan, first elected to West Lothian Council in 2017, won the Bathgate and Linlithgow constituency in this month’s General Election as a Labour and Cooperative party candidate. 

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service at the end of a hectic first week as an MP, Ms Sullivan said: “Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout the campaign and who gave me their vote on 4 July.  

“To those who voted another way or who stayed at home, please know that I am here to serve everyone, regardless of where they placed their X on the ballot paper. I will work tirelessly every day to repay the trust placed in me. 

“I remain a councillor representing Whitburn & Blackburn and those duties will continue for the time being, however I will step down in due course.” 

Ms Sullivan stood as a candidate in the 2021 Scottish election in Linlithgow before retaining her council seat in Whitburn in the 2022 council elections. 

She serves as deputy Labour group leader and depute Council leader, and chairs the Economy, Community Empowerment and Wealth-Building Policy Development and scrutiny panel as well as the Community Planning Partnership Board. 

She described her priorities having been elected to parliament: “I am greatly honoured to have been elected as the MP for my home constituency of Bathgate and Linlithgow. 

“I fully appreciate that not many people have the privilege to serve their local communities in this way and I will do my utmost to ensure local people have the representation they deserve in Westminster.  

“I have spoken to thousands of people since the turn of the year and the same concerns were raised time and again – the NHS, with too many struggling to access the treatment they need; the cost-of-living crisis; cuts to local services; job security, and so on. People have been struggling on a number of fronts for far too long.” 

Ms Sullivan added: “As well as supporting constituents with their individual needs and enquiries, I will work to identify opportunities for greater investment in local infrastructure to deliver a train station for Winchburgh and improve our road networks, including the long-awaited upgrade to the Avon Gorge and an all-ways junction at Burghmuir.   

“As a Labour & Co-operative MP, I will work with local organisations to deliver community energy projects, reducing bills and moving to more sustainable energy sources.” 

Describing her experience as a  councillor in West Lothian Ms Sullivan said: “What I’m most proud of is the relationships I’ve built up with people in community groups and local third sector organisations. 

 “I think I’ve shown that partnership working at all levels is invaluable, especially in times of hardship and in respect of policies being delivered that reflect the needs of local residents and organisations.  

“In terms of delivery, as a Labour & Co-operative Councillor I’m proud to have initiated the establishment of the West Lothian Food Network, particularly as it became an invaluable way to ensure those in need could access food during lockdown.”  

By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter 

Hibs Head Coach, David Gray says there is a positive feeling amongst his players ahead of the game against Queen’s Park tonight. 

It will be Gray’s first match at Easter Road after getting off to a winning start to his tenure away at Elgin on Saturday. 

Goals from Marvin Ekpiteta, Martin Boyle and a Dylan Vente hat-trick secured a comfortable victory in the Highlands and Gray insists his team can use the performance as a springboard for further success. 

He said: “The attention quickly changes to Queen’s Park on Tuesday night.  

“We have a quick turnaround but the lads are all back in the building and feeling positive off the back of a really positive performance. 

“The recovery after Saturday was really important for us. We got back down the road and came back in for a full recovery protocol on Sunday, with the players that didn’t play doing a full training session – making sure that everyone is ready to go on Tuesday night. 

“It was important to win the game, but to win the game in the manner that we did was excellent. The challenge will be very different on Tuesday however, Queen’s Park are a very good side, they like to have control of the ball and I know their manager (Callum Davidson) well – he will have them fired up for this game.” 

Glasgow Tigers will have a new-look line-up when they resume against Scunthorpe on Friday with Matic Ivacic and Jason Garrad joining the club.

Tigers, sponsored by Allied Vehicles, have released Paul Starke and Ace Pijper, son of former Glasgow and Edinburgh Monarchs star, Theo, and boss Cami Brown (pictured) admits it was a tough decision with away form having been a concern.

Brown told the club’s website: “Both are terrific guys and it’s never an easy decision. But the bottom line is that we needed to find a way to strengthen the side.

“Anyone connected with the club will appreciate that the side has looked vulnerable and particularly weak away from home. Trust me, we have worked harder than ever before to strengthen the side over the past few weeks.

“We have to take a chance to make sure we get a play-off place, it’s as simple as that.”

Hibs goalkeeper Joe Bursik has yet to concede a goal playing his part in three clean sheets in pre-season before marking his competitive debut with another clean sheet in the 5-0 win over Elgin City. 

Now after making his first competitive appearance, the 24-year-old is eager to impress at Easter Road for the first time. 

He told Hibs TV: “I am really looking forward to playing at Easter Road. I went round the Stadium a few weeks ago and we pretty taken a back. I 

“t is a really nice ground, so I am looking forward to playing there and hopefully, we can get another win.” 

“I have settled in really quickly, to be honest. It helps when you are coming into such a good team and a great group of lads. Everyone has been really welcoming and there is good staff here as well. 

“It has been nice to have so many games within a short space of time, so you can bed your way in and show the lads what you are about. 

“Edinburgh is a lovely city; my girlfriend and I are loving it. Training has been really good, we had a good week in Holland and the lads are getting fitter which we can see. 

“We did well at the weekend (against Elgin City), so we can see that things are starting to tick, and all the new players are beginning to settle in as well. Everyone is enjoying life at the moment.” 

Steven Naismith, Hearts’ head coach, told his squad ahead of their glamour friendly with English Premier League cracks Tottenham Hotspur: “You have to be switched on.”

The sides meet at Tynecastle on Wednesday at 7pm and Naismith told a press briefing that he is expecting to see a number of their big names in the squad who were not on international duty during the summer.

He added: “The quality of their side will undoubtedly be at a high level. Just like big games in Scotland and Europe, you do need to be switched on when you don’t have the ball. That will be one of the key areas we need to focus on.”

The former Scotland international also expects Spurs, whose head coach is former Celtic boss, Ange Postecoglou, to be full of energy.

He said: “Hopefully, we’ll have the ball for periods where we can deal with that pressure. It’s about getting as many minutes into the players as possible, as well as putting them in situations where they feel pressure.”

Most of Hearts players are now back and the Jambos have a closed-doors game on Saturday as the players aim to regain sharpness ahead of their Scottish Premiership opener against Rangers at Tynecastle on Saturday, August 3 (12.30).

PICTURE: Lawrence Shankland, back in training with Hearts after Euro 2024.

LEZ fines

The council has issued more than 6,000 penalty charge notices in the last month for those who breached the conditions attached to the new Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in the city centre.

Read more here.

Discounted Fringe tickets

Gilded Balloon have a new Postcode Pals scheme to allow people living in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk to buy tickets at a discounted rate of £6.

Postcode Pals runs from now until 6pm 30th July for residents in EH, KY and FK postcodes – tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/login/

Thousands of tickets across Gilded Balloon’s varied programme of comedy, theatre, magic, kids, musicals and more will be discounted for a limited time only. Locals have from now until 30th July to claim their Postcode Pals tickets, with a limited number of tickets available for each performance and subject to availability. The brand new scheme will invite residents across Edinburgh and the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk to see some of the Fringe’s top shows in the very first few days of the world’s biggest arts festival.

Ts&Cs: £6 tickets (plus handling fees) for cards registered to addresses from EH, KY and FK postcodes via Gilded Balloon website only.  Offer available to purchase from 15th July – 6pm 30th July. Discounted tickets for participating shows from 31st July – 4th August, subject to availability. Max 2 per show, max 6 per transaction. Log in and use PALS24 at checkout to unlock discount. 

Bob Dylan’s back – but no filming

Bob Dylan is coming to Edinburgh in November – but he has partnered up with a company called Yondr which will ensure that nobody brings in either video cameras or mobile phones. When members of the audience arrive at the concert they will place their mobile phones into pouches which will then be locked during the gig. And if someone needs to use their phone all they have to do is go outside the venue and place their phone on an unlocking base.

Read more here about the concert.

Eric Liddell honoured

The late Eric Liddell, an Olympic athlete and missionary, was awarded a posthumous degree by Moray House at a ceremony yesterday when he was represented by his daughter, 88 year old Patricia Liddell Russell. His name has been given to the Eric Liddell Centre at Holy Corner where the Eric Liddell Community runs services for people with dementia.

Read more here.

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Today’s featured image is to remind you that Nigel Duncan writes about Speedway and in particular Monarchs – read more in our Sport section.

Scotland’s favourite biscuit treats helped fuel an inspirational group of child abuse survivors to reach the top of the world.

Tunnock’s, based in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, sponsored survivors group Team Uprising on their mission to conquer Mount Everest.

The group, made up of survivors of childhood abuse by school teachers, supported by friends and family and local Sherpa guides, took on Everest in April and May to raise awareness and funds for the child protection charity NSPCC.

Tunnocks provided them with supplies of their famous Caramel Wafers and Logs to sustain them during the seven-week challenge.

The expedition has raised tens of thousands of pounds through the JustGiving page which they have set up here.

Any funds raised will be used to help improve the future for other children.

Expedition leader Giles Moffatt, 51, a survivor of physical abuse as a young boy at Edinburgh Academy, revealed that the Caramel Wafers and Logs, previously unknown in Nepal, had proved a hit with the team – and their Sherpas.
He said: “Tunnock’s very kindly helped out us with our expedition costs and provided us with their famous bars for what is a long and arduous trip.  

“I would estimate that the majority of our supply was commandeered by our team of Sherpas, who had never tried them before. Samir, our entrepreneurial camera man, has even asked if he could be the official importer for Nepal.”

Team member Andy Leslie, 37, who made it to the summit, said: “The opportunity to take a slightly frozen Caramel Wafer to the top of Everest was too good to miss, especially for a good cause like this.”

Kevin Hayes, Tunnock’s overseas sales manager, said the company was “proud to have sponsored Team Uprising on their fantastic journey in the Himalayas”.

He said: “When Giles and Andrew reached out and told us the story behind why they were embarking on this challenge and what they hoped to achieve by tackling Mount Everest as a group, we immediately wanted to show our support.

“The whole team were a real inspiration and Andrew and Giles’ infectious positive energy shone through from the very first video call when they told me what they were planning.

“It is awesome to know that when the legs were getting tired or when the fatigue was kicking in the team could pull a Caramel Wafer or Caramel Log out of their bag to give them a wee boost and keep them going on towards base camp or the summit.

“To have a picture of a Caramel Wafer being held aloft proudly at the summit of Everest is a thing of beauty, especially when you know the story behind it all.”

The survivors’ group was set up to create a support network for those who had experienced cruel and abusive behaviour at school.

They want to turn their negative childhood experiences into something positive by raising money for the NSPCC, to support services including Childline and educational programmes.

Tunnock’s make between 10 and 12 million biscuits and cakes every week including five million wafers and three million of their famous tea cakes, selling in more than 40 countries around the world.

Steven Naismith, Hearts’ head coach, urged Jambos fans to give the new players time to settle into Tynecastle. Several were given game time on Saturday during the 2-1 defeat by Sky Bet League One side Leyton Orient at Tynecastle.

Musa Drammeh, Daniel Okegoke and Blair Spittal started and Yan Dhanda and Ryan Fulton were introduced after the break.

Naismith (pictured) said: “The first two or three months are about getting used to the surroundings and the pressure and everything about it, but that is one aspect of it which you want to pass quickly.”

Saturday, he added, was a good test, and he said: “I said before the game that they (Orient) would cause us problems in the way they played, which they did. That is good but you could tell the sharpness was not there and we could have scored more goals. It was about getting minutes.

“There were some good bits and some of the younger boys had an opportunity to stake a claim to make the squad for the season.”

Premiership cracks Spurs are in Edinburgh on Wednesday. Yes, they have given their Euro 2024 and Copa America players time off, but former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is still expected to fly north with a strong squad.

It’s the London club’s first official pre-season test but Spurs did play a closed-doors friendly against League One side Cambridge United on Saturday when big names including James Maddison, Timo Werner, and captain Son Heung-Min all played for sections of the game.

Hearts open their league campaign with a home joust against last season’s league runners-up, Rangers, at Tynecastle on Saturday, August 3 (12.30).

A reminder to fans. The kick-off against Spurs is at 7pm.

One of Scotland’s greatest novels, James Hogg’s classic “The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner” is to be celebrated with a series of events at this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival to mark the book’s 200th anniversary.

The 1824 gothic thriller, often cited as the original Scottish crime novel, will be celebrated in “Justified Sinner 200”, a series of six events to run during the festival next month.

This is an idea promoted by the new Book Festival Director Jenny Niven, and the multidisciplinary events will explore Hogg’s masterpiece through the worlds of AI, theatre, technology, music, philosophy and literature.

A bespoke tour of Edinburgh narrated by novelist Louise Welsh and featuring an original score by Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai, a pop up choir, a book club event featuring Sir Ian Rankin and a state-of-the-art app that transforms the streets of the capital into an interactive story are all included in the mix.

Niven said: “The Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner is a Scottish classic, a brilliant and deeply unsettling gothic novel that reads as vividly as if it was just written.

“There are so many things to reinvestigate from a 21st century perspective. It’s about moral absolutism, and the dangers of a fundamentalist ideology. It also describes these incredible tensions between a supposedly rational Enlightenment Scotland and one steeped in a supernatural past, and it’s full of outrage and paranoia.

“As a piece of fiction it is hugely progressive, playful and experimental, and so of course I wanted to work with writers and theatre makers whose own approach reflects exactly those things.

“I think we’ve really done this book justice on its 200th anniversary and it’s a great example of one of the many ways I’d like to take the Book Festival forward, creating a new story of Scottish creativity while celebrating our incredible heritage.”

Published in 1824, The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner was a cutting satire on the Calvinist concept of predestination.

Set in the early 18th century, its anti-hero believes he is guaranteed salvation and is justified in killing those he believes are already damned by God.

The book, a gothic novel, psychological mystery, satire and an early example of modern crime fiction, is now often voted one of the greatest Scottish novels ever.

It influenced writers from Robert Louis Stevenson in the late 19th century to contemporary crime writers including Sir Ian Rankin.

Justified Sinner 200 has been made possible thanks to funding by The Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund, and support from Sir Ewan and Lady Brown.

The six events are Perambulations of a Justified Sinner (from 12 August), Extraordinary Trash: A Theatre Essay (18 August), Justified Sinner Book Club (19 August), New Myths (20 August), Cut Up the Justified Sinner (21 August) and a special Close Read event (23 August).

All festival events and booking details are listed here.

An Edinburgh man who led police on a high-speed chase and was caught with half a million pounds worth of heroin has been refused a place on the landlord register. 

Paul Macaulay was jailed in 2017 after pleading guilty to the supply of controlled drugs and dangerous driving – including driving the wrong way around a roundabout – which put road users at “significant risk”. 

The 37-year-old, who has over a dozen convictions going back to when he was 16, applied for landlord registration for two properties in Edinburgh. 

However police told the council’s licensing sub committee the applicant’s “clear links” to serious organised crime and “large-scale distribution of illegal drugs” was “not compatible with being a registered landlord”. 

Macaulay, who declared having no previous convictions on his application, was unable to attend the meeting on Monday, July 15 as he was still in prison serving out his seven-years-and-four-month sentence. 

Sergeant Grant Robertson from Police Scotland said on June 7, 2017 the force received information of a car being driven in west Edinburgh “with a quantity of drugs within”. 

Road police officers approached the car at a petrol station but Macaulay hit the accelerator and sparked a high-speed chase, driving across a pavement and grass verges before taking off along Calder Road and going the wrong way round a roundabout. 

The reckless driving, which Sgt Robertson said put other road users at “significant risk” and forced them to make “evasive manoeuvres”, saw him banned from holding a licence for six years. 

“The vehicle was eventually contained and the driver was identified as Paul Macaulay. A search of the vehicle identified several packages of diamorphine, which is heroin, cash and other items relating to drug supply,” Sgt Robertson said. 

“Various properties were thereafter searched… and other items relating to the supply of drugs were recovered.” 

The searches uncovered high purity heroin with an estimated street value of £520,000 and £15,000 in cash. 

Sgt Robertson said the perpetrator was “living beyond his means” – as a search of his home found paperwork detailing more than £77,000 worth of deals and debts. 

He added: “Paul Macaulay would not be a fit and proper landlord.” 

Councillors refused his landlord registration application. 

Lord Armstrong said at the High Court in Edinburgh in 2017 if Macaulay had been found guilty after a trial he would have jailed him for 11 years but the judge reduced his total sentence to seven years and four months following his guilty pleas. 

Defence solicitor advocate Stuart Carson said Macaulay had been working as a self-employed joiner and his partner was due to give birth later that month. 

He said he regretted his crimes “very much”. 

Chris Cadden who came off midway through the first half as a precaution in Hibs victory over Elgin City on Saturday is now awaiting the results of a scan. 

And Hibs Head Coach David Gary also provided an update on Elie Youan and Harry McKirdy who were both left out of the matchday squad on Saturday 

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s home game against Queens Park, Gray told Hibs TV: “Cadds came off early in the game which was disappointing, but we think he has caught that one early enough. 

“We don’t want to take any chances – especially at this stage of the season – so we will get that scanned just to make sure we know what we are dealing with. Once we get the results back we will put a plan in place, but he is positive about how he feels on that.” 

Harry McKirdy and Elie Youan (illness) were also left out of the matchday squad on Saturday, with Gray providing the latest update on the two forwards and their current progress. 

“McKirdy is getting there everyday. This one will come slightly too soon for him, but he is days away. He stepped it up in training today so I fully expect him to be available for the weekend. 

“Elie Youan is back in training this morning after his illness. He is feeling better, but we just need to see how his body reacts to training and monitor that. Apart from that, the rest of the boys are all fit and ready to go.” 

Legendary is a word which is overused, but in the case of Bob Dylan it is hardly enough to describe the greatest living songwriter.

Now the 83-year-old Dylan is bringing his latest tour to Edinburgh for two nights at Usher Hall on 5 and 6 November. The shows are produced in a partnership with Yondr which prohibits the use of video cameras or mobile phones, meaning the concerts live on in the audience’s memories alone.

This will be the first Edinburgh gig since 2009.

Click here for on sale dates and ticket links Tickets go on sale on Friday.

A pioneering Edinburgh brewery firm is set to move into Midlothian after outgrowing its current premises.

Vault City Brewing have been granted permission to make changes to an empty building at the Roslin Biotech Centre so they can move operations into it.

The firm which says it is the first brewery worldwide to use commercial Simonaitis wild yeast, becoming originators of modern sour beer, will carry out research and production at the site bringing an estimated 40 jobs to the area.

In their statement to Midlothian Council, the firm said the brewing style it uses has had a profound impact on the industry and Vault City is the only brewery using the method putting Scotland at the forefront of sour beer development across the world.

It said: “Due to their continued success, the applicant requires larger premises to expand their business in terms of production, research and development in this innovative and thriving sector.”

The building the brewery wants to move into is part of the biocampus at Midlothian Science Zone and has been vacant since it was built in 2002.

The applicants said: “The proposed development seeks to bring the building and site into use with minimal interventions required. The relocation of Vault City Brewing would bring significant economic benefits and inward investment to Midlothian.”

The groundfloor of the building will be used as a warehouse and laboratory space with brewing and packaging on the first floor. Offices will be created on the second floor with permission granted for new windows, outside stairs and solar panels.

Approving the change of use, planning officers said: “There is a long history of crossover between the brewing industry and scientific research.

“Heriot Watt University has developed an internationally recognised
Brewing and Distilling course that has enhanced Scotland’s reputation in those fields and encouraged scientific research.

“The applicant’s brewing business specialises in mixed fermentation, sour beer brewing and makes extensive use of facilities to develop the wild yeasts and bacteria strains that are essential for the sour beer brewing process.

“Whilst some of the research is carried out within the applicant’s own facilities a lack of space means that some functions need to be outsourced. Moving to the Biocampus site will enable the applicant to bring the laboratory processes in house.”

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

The City of Edinburgh Council has issued 6,030 PCN fines in June in relation to the new Low Emission Zone (LEZ) which came into effect at the beginning of the month.

These were 5,756 Level 1 penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued which is a first time fine of £60, and 274 Level 2 penalties for repeat offenders which is set at £120. There were no fines at a higher level which goes up to £480 for someone who offends four or more times. Although the city centre became an LEZ in 2023 fines were not issued until this year.

This means that the council’s parking attendants issued charges totalling £345,360 for first level fines and £32,880 for second level fines.

Transport and Environment Convener, Cllr Scott Arthur, said: “Whilst our objective is to ultimately see zero non-compliant vehicles enter our LEZ, I’m conscious that this is a process which will take time to fully materialise. I was encouraged to see the relatively low level of second contraventions in the figures alongside none for further levels. This shows clearly that people are getting used to the LEZ and modifying their transport habits accordingly.

“We’ve already seen that public attitudes towards LEZs are improving across Scotland, with a national poll earlier this year indicating that 60% of respondents were in favour of the zones, with just 21% opposed. This is clear evidence that people are seeing the many benefits of LEZs, and how they link in with our wider aims to make our city cleaner, greener and healthier for everyone.

“I’d also reiterate that any revenue that we generate from the LEZ will be reinvested into the running of the zone, with any surplus funds supporting the LEZ’s wider goals.

“These ambitious goals include achieving net zero, accommodating sustainable growth, cutting congestion, and improving air quality, amongst other commitments to create a safer and more people-friendly city. Edinburgh is a city with big ideas for the future and the LEZ forms a key part of these.”

All fines are used to run the LEZ scheme or promote its objectives – to reduce harmful emissions from transport and encourage sustainable travel.

A map of the LEZ is available on the Council’s website along with a registration number checker to find out if a vehicle would comply with the requirements in the zone.

The University of Edinburgh has awarded an honorary degree to athlete and missionary Eric Liddell who won a gold medal at the 1924 Olympics in Paris – in the same hall where he first graduated.

The university recognised his success with a posthumous degree of doctor honoris cause from the University’s Moray House School of Education and Sport one hundred years after his sporting success and his graduation with a BSc in Pure Science. The university’s Chair of Sport, Professor Grant Jarvie nominated Liddell for the honour which highlights his contribution to sport ad to humanity even a century after his historic win.

Mr Liddell, called the ‘Flying Scotsman’, won the 400 metres at the 1924 summer games in a world record time of 47.6 seconds, and a bronze medal in the 200 metres. 

Mr Liddell was represented at the ceremony in the University’s McEwan Hall by his daughter, Patricia Liddell Russell, who accepted the award on his behalf. Mrs Russell, aged 88, travelled from her home in Ontario, Canada to attend the ceremony. 

Mr Liddell, dubbed the ‘Flying Scotsman’, won the 400 metres at the 1924 summer games in a world record time of 47.6 seconds, and a bronze medal in the 200 metres. 

He refused to take part in the 100-metre heats, which were held on a Sunday, in line with his Christian beliefs. The life of the principled Liddell helped to inspire the 1981 Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire, which told the story of his and others’ Olympic triumphs. 

Mr Liddell enrolled for a BSc degree in Pure Science at the University of Edinburgh in 1920 and graduated four years later on 17 July 1924, just six days after winning gold, in the same hall where his honorary degree was conferred a century later. 

Following his athletic career, the father of three worked as a science teacher, and later served as a missionary around the world, most notably in China. He was held in a Japanese internment camp in 1943, where he died on 21 February 1945, aged 43. 

Addressing the graduation assembly, Professor Grant Jarvie said:“Eric Liddell is one of Scotland’s most celebrated athletes of all time. When inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame he topped the public vote as Scotland’s most popular sports person.  A century after his Olympic success and graduating from University of Edinburgh what Eric Liddell represents is the best of all of us and the promise and invitation of what we could do to help others. 

“As we look forward to another Olympic Games in Paris this summer, it is entirely deserved that we honour this remarkable person’s contribution to sport and humanity with this honorary degree today.”

Over the last two years developers have built more new homes in the West Lothian than at any time since records began in 2006. 

More than 1,100 homes have been built each year since 2022. In the last year it was 1,115. 

But despite this the council is still struggling to fund new social housing to attack the 10,000 plus waiting list, 

The council plans for development of 900 new builds a year when planning school rolls and other infrastructure. 

Councillors on the Education Executive heard an update on planning for projected school rolls, which are influenced by the levels of development. Extensions have been completed at Calderwood Primary and agreed for the West Calder High to meet growing school rolls coming from housing development. 

Two new high schools have been completed in Winchburgh with the potential for extension, but the primary school age group currently appears to be falling. 

The study revealed the building boom, alongside other population trends with falls in primary school rolls in some areas growth in others, and migration changes.    

In a report to the Education Executive Housing Andrew Cotton the senior education planning officer said: “2022/23 was a record year for housing completions in West Lothian with 1,211 new house completions being the largest number since records began in 2006.  

“Completions were reduced with the Covid-19 construction lockdown in 2020/21 but once the lockdown restrictions were lifted housing completions quickly returned to and then exceeded their previous levels.” 

He added: “One of the largest uncertainties is around the number of houses to be built in West Lothian. Forecast scenarios are presented for 900 house completions and full Local Development Plan scenarios. Any changes to the location and volume of new housing growth can significantly affect the forecasts.” 

The average house completion rate over the last 5 years was 958. In 2022/23 and 2023/24 the completion numbers exceeded this. The forecast is based on an assessment of which residential sites are most likely to come forward in the short to medium term. This takes into account sites where planning permission has been granted, legal agreements associated with consented sites and education constraints. 

The 900 house scenario  is one which is most closely related to recent average annual house building rates. This level corresponds well to the Minimum All Tenure Housing Land Requirement (MATHLR) set out in the new planning regulations, NPF4, for West Lothian on 9,850 new houses over 10 years.  

The forecast shows a picture of primary school rolls falling back slightly from the current rolls in the 900 forecast and a modest increase (to 15,500 pupils) in the LDP forecast.  

The secondary rolls increase faster in both of the forecasts. The additional capacity created at Winchburgh Academy and Sinclair Academy has recently been created in West Lothian but further investment in secondary capacity is required to deal with these forecast secondary roll increases in some areas.  

West Calder High School is set to be extended to 1,320 capacity by 2025. Winchburgh Academy and Sinclair Academy have both been designed with further extensions in mind and further demand can be managed through the West Livingston and Calderwood Core Development Area secondary capacity solution. 

Mr Cotton said: “On some sites there has been some emerging evidence that the children may be taking slightly longer to appear than in the past as housing developments in West Lothian are attracting more families with either younger children or those who are looking to start a family.  

“On other sites however, there is evidence that the expected children are appearing faster than previously with a particular focus on preschool and P1 age children in new build housing. “ 

NHS data is most reliable at the time when it is given to West Lothian Council. Those who register with another UK GP practice will be removed from the NHS data but children moving abroad may take longer to be removed from NHS records.  

The report also outlined that migration patterns can change rapidly.  “There is some evidence that a number of children from Eastern Europe have left West Lothian and this affected the roll at a number of schools. Continuing uncertainties around future migration policies form one of the most difficult assumptions to forecast.” 

By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter 

James Kelly (43) has been jailed for 10 years after being convicted of 18 charges of violent and sexual crimes against women in the Edinburgh area.

He targeted six women over a six year period from 2014 to 2020. Some of the women were formerly in a relationship with Kelly whose name has been added to the sex offenders’ register, and who is now subject to a 25-year long non-harassment order

The crimes were multiple sexual offences, including six counts of rape. He also assaulted one victim to her severe injury by causing her to fall down a set of stairs.

He was previously found guilty of 18 charges following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, and returned for sentencing on Monday, 15 July, 2024.

Detective Inspector Eirlys Fraser said: “James Kelly subjected his victims to a shocking level of violence and sexual abuse. He is an extremely dangerous individual, who showed no remorse for his behaviour, but he is now paying the price for his despicable actions.

“I would like to commend the women for their strength in coming forward during this investigation and helping us build a compelling case against him. I hope this outcome provides them with some sense of closure and allows them to move on from this horrendous ordeal.

“If anyone is experiencing or has experienced any type of violence or sexual abuse, you are not alone, and we would encourage you to report it to us. You will be listened to and supported throughout the entire process by officers and our partner agencies, and together we will bring the perpetrator to justice.”

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra played music from Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone at Edinburgh Castle on Sunday evening in the final Castle Concert.

The orchestra was conducted by Justin Freer and they performed as the entire film was played on screen.

Sadly few fans had dressed up!

All photos by Brian Anderson

BEAR Scotland, Transport Scotland’s operating company, is set to resurface a section of the M8 ahead of Junction 3 westbound.

The work will take place over five nights between the hours of 20:30 and 06:00, starting on the night of Monday 15 July to Saturday 20 July 2024. No works will take place at the weekend.

For safety reasons, the M8 westbound will be closed at Junction 2. A signed diversion route will guide traffic via the M8 Junction 2 westbound offslip, M9 Junction 1 northbound offslip, A89 westbound, and A899 southbound. Drivers will then re-join the M8 at Junction 3 via the M8 Junction 3 westbound onslip.

This diversion will add an estimated eight minutes and 1.8 miles to affected journeys.

Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland’s South East Network Manager, said: “These surfacing improvements will improve ride quality and safety for motorists using this section of the M8.

“A carriageway closure is essential for safety, however we’ve scheduled the works overnight to minimise disruption.

“If you do need to travel during these works, please allow some extra time for your journey.”

Consultation has been carried out with emergency services and other relevant stakeholders to share information about the project in advance.

Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland at www.traffic.gov.scot, or on X at @trafficscotland.