Police in Edinburgh have charged nine men following an incident in Fernieside Avenue, in the early hours of 9^th September 2014, when shots were fired at a property.

The nine men are 18 years old, 19 years old, 23 years old, 24 years old, 29 years old, 31 years old, 36 years old, and two men who are 30 years old.

They have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for a number of offences including culpable and reckless discharge of a firearm, directing and being involved in serious and organised crime, attempting to defeat the ends of justice, dangerous driving and driving without a valid licence.

Detective Chief Inspector Kenny Gray said: “We have now reported nine people to the Procurator Fiscal for the firearms incident in Fernieside Avenue in September. However our investigations are still continuing and I would reiterate our appeal for anyone who saw a motorbike with two people riding on it, in the Murrays around 9.30pm on Saturday 20^th September. I’d like to thank those in the community for their patience and assistance and I want to assure them we are determined to stamp out organised crime in the city.”

Chief Inspector Richard Horan said: “Organised crime will not be tolerated by Police Scotland or those within the community, and we will vigorously pursue all those who seek to threaten public safety. I’d like to thank the community of south Edinburgh and anyone with any concerns, or who would like to report any information to us, should not hesitate in coming forward.”

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

There is a day of talks about health and food taking place at the Botanics on 24 January which will concentrate on what you should really eat.

An impressive line up of speakers (and great food for lunch!) will prove entertaining for those keen to know more about how certain foods impact on their health.

This event is organised by Emily Maguire a degree qualified nutrionist living in Edinburgh and Frances Bavin who is a nutritional therapist.

The aim is to share a day of talks and exhibitions about health and nutrition but also to get people thinking ‘outside the box’. The two food professionals want to get you interested in real food and how you can change your lifestule to attain better health.

There will be local speaker and exhibitors to show off what Scotland and Edinburgh in particular can offer you .

The Edinburgh Reporter spoke with Frances to tell us more about what to expect from the day:

[vimeo 116962569 w=500 h=281]

Edinburgh Reporter NEWS from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

You can book a place here.

The Scottish Society of Architect Artists (SSAA) will hold ART4X, its most ambitious exhibition to date, at The Sculpture Court, Edinburgh College of Art, from 21 to 24 January.

The exhibition features over 100 unique and accessible works of art by European architect-artists from Italy, France, Germany, Poland and Scotland. A number of invited ‘special guest artists’ will also be featured, including Kelpies sculptor, Andy Scott.

ART4X will raise funds in support of The University of Edinburgh’s renowned Patrick Wild Centre for Research into Autism, Fragile X Syndrome and Intellectual Disabilities. Visitors will also have the chance to view a series of highly unusual and colourful ‘Neuroscience Prints’ by The Patrick Wild Centre which, appropriately, bring together the seemingly disparate worlds of Science and the Visual Arts.

A charity auction will be held on the evening of 20 January, in advance of the opening of the exhibition. This will be hosted by media personality and Past President of RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects), Maxwell Hutchinson and guest auctioneer, Gavin Strang, of Lyon & Turnbull.

At this event, the first ever winners of the SSAA Student Prize will be announced and Honorary Fellowships awarded to a number of leading individuals in the sphere of the Visual Arts.

Previews of representative art exhibits are available at: www.art4x.org.uk/gallery.

Places at the Charity Auction are limited; those wishing to attend should contact kerry.mackay@ed.ac.uk.

Images show Calton Hill by Karen Cairns and Cornish Harbour by Katie Littlefield

Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault which took place around 11am yesterday near the Londis convenience store in Easter Road.

A 57-year-old man was walking his dog, when a male walked passed him before punching him to the face. 
 
A struggle ensued between the two men during which time victim was bitten on the cheek.

Eventually, the victim was assisted by the driver of a white minibus who drove him away from the area.

Officers are now urging anyone who can assist with their enquiry to come forward.

The suspect is described as white, 25 to 30 years old and between 5 feet 5 and 5 foot 10 inches tall with short bright ginger hair.  He was wearing a grey zip-up hooded top, with a Hibs crest on the left chest, black top underneath and dark trousers and trainers.

Constable Andrew McMath said: “This incident quickly escalated from a verbal altercation into quite a serious attack, which left the victim with a painful facial injury.

“I would urge anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious in Easter Road on Thursday morning to contact police immediately.

“Similarly, if anyone can help us to identify and trace the man responsible for this assault, they should also get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Five men have been arrested and charged with a range of sexual and domestic abuse offences as part of an ongoing policing operation in Edinburgh.

The Public Protection Unit, Domestic Abuse Task Force and officers on a Campaign Against Violence Day deployment conducted various enquiries within the Capital yesterday during an Operation Wolf enforcement day.

As a result two men aged 56 and 53 from the Wester Hailes area were detained following a report of historic serious sexual assaults, crimes against children and domestic assaults.

In addition, a 59-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with an indecent exposure.

All three men are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

A 66-year-old male was also charged with various sexual offences including sexual assault and indecent assault while a 28-year-old man was charged with assaulting a child.

Both of these individuals will appear in court at a later date.

Detective Chief Inspector Alwyn Bell said: “We are committed to protecting the public from harm and whenever we receive reports of crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual assault we will carry out a robust investigation to bring those responsible to justice.

“Yesterday’s Operation Wolf activity should send a very clear message that no matter how old the offence, we can and will pursue offenders and remove them from our communities.

“I would like to reassure the public that all reports of domestic abuse or sexual crime are taken extremely seriously and acted upon appropriately. Anyone who wishes to report a crime of this nature can contact Police Scotland on 101 or make an anonymous report through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Terrified office workers in Edinburgh called the Scottish SPCA after they discovered a scorpion.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted by staff at the Dog Aid Society of Scotland when the creature was spotted at the office on Blackford Avenue.

The scorpion, around the size of a ten pence piece, was collected by Animal Rescue Officer Steph Grant and taken to Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World.

Steph said, “It’s a bit of a mystery as to how the scorpion came to be there.

“We’ve had instances in the past where we’ve rescued exotic spiders and scorpions found in boxes of fruit originating from overseas, but the people who work in the office haven’t had any fruit deliveries and can’t imagine where it has come from.

“Blackford is a residential area so there is a chance the scorpion is someone’s pet which has gone missing.

“Office staff managed to contain the scorpion by putting a glass over it but were understandably quite frightened by their little visitor.

“It was cold when I arrived but once it warmed up it became more lively.

“Usually the smaller the scorpion, the more venomous they are, however staff at Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World have yet to identify the species as it’s so tiny.

“It’s likely this is a young scorpion which still has some growing to and the staff are hopeful they will be able to identify the species soon.

“The scorpion will remain at Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World where it will receive the care it needs.”

Anyone who believes this to be their scorpion can call the Scottish SPCA’s Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.

Photo by Scottish SPCA

Friends of the Earth (FoE) would like you to ask the Government to fund their Clean Air Plan.

Earlier in the week FoE revealed that levels of air pollution on streets in Scotland are still breaking legal limits and some in Edinburgh are among the worst. They produced this heat map showing in red the worst offenders. They reported that St John’s Road and Queensferry Road are getting worse rather than better.

In Corstorphine, plans to build a new Waitrose supermarket on St John’s Road within a declared Pollution Zone are being opposed by local residents who are worried that the associated 140 parking spaces as part of the plans will invite more traffic and air pollution into the area.

Helen Crowley, 38, is a mum of two and leads the Corstorphine Waitrose Campaign. She said:

“There are hundreds of children walking to and from school via St John’s Road every day. I was shocked to learn how bad the pollution is and what damage it can do to our health. You see a lot of children at school with asthma inhalers, more than when I was at school, and you wonder if it’s due to the pollution. I worry what harm the congestion and pollution is doing to my kids.

“St John’s Road is one of Scotland’s most polluted streets. Edinburgh City Council should not approve developments that will attract more cars and lorries to the area until pollution levels are brought under control.”

The Scottish Government has launched a clean air action plan, called the “Low Emission Strategy,” for consultation.

It sets out action already being taken by the Scottish Government and its agencies, health boards and local authorities to tackle air pollution. It also contains proposals for improving air quality across the country by, for example, better co-ordinating policies at national and local level.

Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Aileen McLeod, said:

“Clean air is essential for our health, wellbeing and to protect our environment and we know that it is the most vulnerable members of our society – the very young, the elderly and those with existing cardiovascular and respiratory conditions – who suffer the most from the effects of air pollution.

“Although we’ve made excellent progress reducing emissions across Scotland in recent years, it is clear that more needs to be done particularly in our towns and cities where pockets of poor air quality remain.

“Improving Scotland’s air quality is not something that can be tackled by Government alone – it needs action from local authorities, businesses, the third sector and the general public. This draft strategy provides a framework within which we can all work together to achieve our vision of Scotland’s air being amongst the cleanest in Europe and I urge as many people as possible to respond to our consultation.”

Minister for Transport and Islands, Derek Mackay, said:

“This year will see record investment in active travel – nearly £40 million – to promote the uptake of cycling and walking, with £17 million being invested over the last two years in low emission vehicles and infrastructure and our Green Bus Fund scheme, which is supporting bus operators moving to cleaner, greener technologies. This investment is helping us achieve our vision of freeing Scotland’s towns, cities and communities from the damaging effects of petrol and diesel fuelled vehicles by 2050.

“Greater use of public transport, green infrastructure, cycling and walking will help make our urban areas more pleasant spaces to move around and spend time in, with additional benefits realised like reducing congestion, improving traffic flow, and delivering practical and financial benefits for businesses.”

A spokesman for FoE said: “The Strategy is the best thing that the Government has put on the table to date to tackle air pollution, but it has no funding attached to it so could end up being toothless.

“The Government’s budget plan for the coming year is to spend a meagre £3.15 million to tackle air quality, compared with a whopping £700 million on building new motorways and roads. Meanwhile, air pollution costs the Scottish economy £1.6 billion in health costs and days of work lost. A little more to help air quality could go a long way.

“We need to send a strong message to the Scottish Government that they need to put their money where their mouth is to make our air safe to breathe!”

FoE ask you to take a moment to email John Swinney, Deputy First Minister & Finance Secretary to ask that he doubles the funding available in the budget to tackling air pollution.

You can take action here and you can read the consultation document below.

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Former Hibs’ player and Republic of Ireland international Liam Miller has agreed a contract Cork City FC.

Miller, who has been capped 21 times at senior level, is returning to Leeside from the Australian A-League, where he was a member of the Brisbane Roar team which won the 2014 Grand Final.

The 33 year old midfielder started his career with Celtic before moving to Manchester United under the Bosman ruling. He failed to make the expected impact at Old Trafford and moved to Sunderland after a loan spell with Leeds United. After a spell with QPR, John Hughes swopped to bring him to Easter road where he teamed up with fellow Irishman Anthony Stokes and helped Hibs to a European place after finishing fourth in the SPL. His performances won him the SPL Player of the Month award in October 2009.

He left in March 2011 after making 76 appearances for Hibs, scoring seven goals.

Speaking to CorkCityFC.ie about joining the club, Miller said: “I am delighted to be returning home. I will be proud to wear the Cork City jersey and do what I can for the team in front of all my family and friends. I am best mates with Mark McNulty; I played with both him and Colin Healy since Under 16s and have lots of good memories. I also know Billy Dennehy who I played with at Sunderland.”

Cork City boss John Caulfield said he was delighted to be adding the experienced midfielder to his squad, stating: “We are delighted to sign Liam. Something developed over the last few weeks and it is a real marquee signing for us to get a player of Liam’s quality; he has been playing at the highest level in Australia, winning a league medal there last May. Having a Cork lad like Liam coming home is a major signing and a big boost for us at the start of pre-season. We are all looking forward to Liam coming in, we all know how good a player he is and it is a fantastic signing for us.”

“He has played in Europe with Celtic and Man United, and of course he has played internationally with Ireland as well, so he has huge experience, but, most importantly for me, he is still in peak condition, still at the top of his game and full of energy. His all round strengths mean he is going to be a fantastic addition to the squad and we are all looking forward to seeing him in training soon.”

If you’re looking for a great night out and a good cause to support at the same time, today is your last chance to buy tickets for the St Columba’s Hospice Burns Supper which takes place on 23rd January!

The events team at St Columba’s has organised a fabulous line up; your host will be Forth One presenter Grant Scott, with speakers Mark Cox and Jane McCarry (Tam and Isa from Still Game)  and comedy from Fringe favourite Bruce Fummey. You’ll be welcomed to the Corn Exchange with a drink, then enjoy a three course traditional meal with cheeseboard; James MacSween will address the haggis – and of course there’ll be a dram to toast the Bard! That should keep you going for the ceilidh, with music from Corra and dancing into the wee sma ‘oors. Tickets cost £55 each and you need to call 0131 551 1381 or email fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk NOW if you would like some – sales end at 5pm today.

St Columba’s provides specialist palliative care for patients, as well as emotional, spiritual and practical support for them and their families and carers, and they do all this for free. The Hospice also has a huge commitment to the education of medical staff and carers from across Scotland in palliative care. Its aim is always to improve the lives of people whose illnesses cannot be cured, with the highest value placed on respect, choice and empowerment.

If you can’t make it to the Burns Supper, maybe you can donate something for the raffle? They’re looking for bottles (and they don’t mean bottles of water…), and you can drop these off at the Hospice reception at 15 Boswall Road, where they will be gratefully received. And take a look at St Columba’s website for other ways in which you can help this worthwhile charity; there are lots of ideas for both fundraising and volunteering.

Firefighters dealt with a fire and evacuation of patients from the Royal Victoria Building in the Western General Hospital in the early hours of this morning.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) were alerted to a fire in the Royal Victoria Building, Western General Hospital, Porterfield Road, Edinburgh at around 2.30am.

This was an Automatic Fire Alarm call received by SFRS Operations Control Room in Edinburgh from the Hospital switch board.

Fire appliances from Crewe toll, Tollcross and McDonald Road community fire stations were immediately dispatched and arrived to find what they described as a small fire in a ground floor ward of the Royal Victoria Building.

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the ward, dealt with the fire and an injured female patient.

At the same time, firefighters also assisted hospital staff with the evacuation of 14 other patients from the affected ward to another area within the hospital.

Sadly the female patient passed away at the scene and SFRS Fire Investigation Unit officers along with Police Scotland officers are working together to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

David Lemm: Debris and Phenomena. The first solo exhibition by David Lemm, presenting a new body of printed works produced at Edinburgh Printmakers and whilst on an artist’s residence on Eigg; the works continue and develop David’s practice of building layered compositions, printed onto found sea charts. Tonight David will give a talk about his latest works, and the themes and ideas he explores in the exhibition; the talk will be followed by an open preview. Talk: 6.30-7.30pm (free but tickets required: these can be booked via eventbrite), preview: 7.30-9pm, then 10am-6pm Tuesday to Saturday until 7th March 2015, Edinburgh Printmakers, 23 Union Street.

WEA and Citadel Arts Group present When The War Came Home: a new play about World War One and its impact on Edinburgh.When The War Came Home gives voice to the part played by local people caught up in Zeppelin raids, working in munitions, and fighting on the Front. Historical figures include Edinburgh doctor Elsie Inglis, Sir George McRae who led the Hearts players into battle, Wilfred Owen teaching at Tynecastle High, and Chrystal Macmillan, who courageously opposed the war. 7-9pm, Tynecastle High School, 2 McLeod Street. Tickets cost £8/£6 and can be obtained from Fiona Tennick: call 01875 340717 or email ftennick@hotmail.com.

Wendelien van Oldenborgh: Beauty and the Right to the Ugly. A cinematic experience set in Het Karregat, a multifunctional community centre in Eindhoven designed by Frank van Klingeren, who sought to propitiate communal forms of habitation. Wendelien van Oldenborgh examines the ambition – and failure – of utopian architecture. Wendelien is based in Rotterdam and has recently been awarded the prestigious Dr AH Heineken prize for art: she has exhibited widely. Open preview tonight 6-8pm, then 10am-4pm, Tuesday to Sunday until 29th March 2015, Collective Gallery, City Observatory and City Dome, 38 Calton Hill. Free.

Easel Sketching in the Gallery – January: sketching in the gallery, led by artist Damian Callan.  A different subject each month, sometimes with a model. All materials supplied. 2-4pm, Scottish National Gallery (main gallery floor), The Mound. Free: no booking required.

Story time: 9.30-10.30am today and every Friday (and Thursday!), Edinburgh Bookshop, 219 Bruntsfield Place.

A Singing Practice by Gerard ter Borch: art historian Ola Wojtkiewitz considers the iconography in Gerard ter Borch’s A Singing Practice (1655) and will compare the National Gallery’s version with others, whilst discussing ter Borch’s style in the context of Dutch Baroque. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Create: make great arts and crafts using different techniques and materials. This term: mosaic, textiles, sculpture and more. For ages 7-14. 2.15-4pm today and every Friday until 27th February 2015, WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. Contact WHALE for more information: call 0131 458 3267 or email info@whalearts.co.uk. Free.

Edinburgh College of Art Friday Lecture Series: Mark McGowan. Mark McGowan, otherwise known as The Artist Taxi Driver, is a prominent public protester. activist and social commentator. He is a London taxi driver known internationally for his street and performance art and his online video blogs. 11.30am, Main Lecture Theatre (E22), Edinburgh College of Art  Lauriston Place. Free and open to all.

North Edinburgh Arts Theatre Project: 1d Tenement Opera. A story based on the lives of people who lived in an Edinburgh tenement over two centuries: the tenement eventually became part of Edinburgh Corporation’s Slum Clearance Programme, some of the tenements were sold for just 1d, and in 1959 one of the last tenements collapsed and a little boy was killed. This was known as the Penny Tenement Collapse; local people told stories of being in the bath and the end of the room falling away, others spoke of desperately trying to save their babies and children as floorboards started to slope away from under them.  The 1d Tenement Opera has been devised with the people of North Edinburgh (some of whose families were living in the city centre before the Slum Clearance Programme) working with various artists and director Stephanie Knight.  7pm, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court. Free: donations very welcome. Please contact the Box Office to reserve your tickets: call 0131  315 2151 or email admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk. Also at same time Saturday 17th January 2015.

Kalopsia Collective: Space – a new exhibition of contemporary art, curated by Danny Lamb. Kalopsia, Ocean Terminal, Ocean Drive. 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sundays, until 7th February 2015. Kalopsia is a social enterprise.

Doorways to the Divine: curated by Basia Mindewicz, Doorways to the Divine features the work of six artists who are each exploring the idea of art as a spiritual path. Some of the works on show are inspired by the traditions of Christian or Buddhist iconography, others explore the possibility of directly channelling imagery from a universal spiritual source. By showing their work together, the artists aim to create a reflective, sacred space in which visitors may find a sense of sanctuary – and their own doorways to the divine. Open preview 7pm tonight, then 10am-6pm daily until 8th February 2014, Gallery 3, St Margaret’s House, 151 London Road. Free: all welcome.

Somewhere in this Song: an exhibition of new work by Alan McGowan.’Featuring richly-layered figure paintings and unfinished works, each portrait offers a fleeting glimpse of the intimacy the artist establishes with his models.’ Open preview 7pm tonight, then 10am-6pm daily until 8th February 2014, Gallery 1, St Margaret’s House, 151 London Road. Free: all welcome.

Food Co-Op: buy cheap, good quality food from Green City. The Scottish Wholefoods Collective Warehouse (t/a Green City) is a workers’ co-operative aiming to create a non-exploitative workplace that takes into consideration the interests of the workers, the environment and the community as a whole. They are committed to encouraging local producers and buy organic wherever possible. They do not sell any products tested on animals, and all of their stock is suitable for vegetarians. 3-6pm, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place.

Acme Dance Club: ‘five fabulous hours of music for dancers of all ages in the classic surroundings of The Counting House’. A diverse selection of musical genres, including jazz, pop, disco, country, latin and swing, plus tunes from film scores, TV programmes and advertisements. ‘Dress up or dress down, but be prepared to dance…’ 8pm-1am tonight and monthly, The Counting House Bar, 36 West Nicolson Street. £2 on the door.

Building Echoes: an exhibition analysing the relationship between architecture and art. Artists Alberto Condotta and Colin Lindsay will give their own vision of the meaning of architecture, also playing with the concepts of ‘body’ and ‘sculpture’. Opening tonight 6-8pm, then Wednesday to Friday 2-7pm, Saturdays 11am-2pm, Interview Room 11, 38 Castle Terrace. Alberto Condotta will give a talk at 4pm on 19th January 2015 and Colin Lindsay will give a talk at 6pm on 28th January 2015. Interview Room 11 is an artist-run gallery and project space: it is part of Forest Centre+.

Nitekirk: a monthly ministry aiming to create a welcoming sacred space for all. ‘A place of welcome, a space for stillness, a pause on your journey, an open door.’  This month with the Scottish Plainsong Choir. 8pm-11pm (drop-in), Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. More information here. Nitekirk is rooted in Greyfriars Kirk and supported by its local ecumenical partners: venues vary from month to month – see website.

Ceilidh Tonight! 

Espresso Sessions 

Get your onesie on

Carbon Conversations

Fast Pizza

Tonight Edinburgh Ceilidh Club returns with the next of their Ceilidh club @ The Assembly Roxy with Teannaich.

Doors open at 7:30pm with dancing kicking off shortly after that.

Tickets are available online from www.edinburghceilidhclub.com/tickets or from the Tickets Scotland on Rose Street.

***

Tonight at Artisan Roast on Broughton Street they are holding the first of the 2015 Espresso Sessions

Come down to Broughton St on the 16th to hear some eerie, delicate guitar, that weaves its way through Alexandra Isobella’s spine tingling vocals.

 

The Scottish a Government has announced this morning that a patient at the Edinburgh Western General has tested negative for Ebola virus.

The individual was transferred by the Scottish Ambulance Service to hospital on Thursday afternoon. As the person had recently returned from one of the West African countries affected by the Ebola outbreak and felt unwell, they were tested for Ebola and other infections as a precaution. A blood sample was taken and tested at the viral haemorrhagic fever testing facility in Edinburgh and found to be negative for Ebola.

A spokesman said:”Scotland has a robust health protection surveillance system which monitors global disease outbreaks and ensures that we are fully prepared to respond to such situations.”

Christmas and New Year are but distant memories. The weather outside is frightful. Payday is several days away and Christmas has still to be paid for. So let The Edinburgh Reporter try to help banish those January blues by highlighting some tell-tale signs of being Scottish:

Scattered snow showers with outbreaks of sunshine and a cold northerly wind is good weather.

The only sausage you like is square.

You were forced to do Scottish country dancing every year at high school.

Aye = yes.

Aye right = not likely.

Auld yin = someone over 40.

Baltic = freezing.

You used to love destroying your teeth when you were young: Buchanan’s toffees, tablet, Irn-Bru bars, Cola cubes, etc.

You have an enormous feeling of dread whenever Scotland play a diddy team at football.
You happily engage in a conversation about the weather.

Even if you normally dislike The Proclaimers, Runrig, Caledonia, Deacon Blue, Big Country, etc. you still love it when you’re in a club abroad and they play something Scottish (you’ll probably even ask the DJ to play it).

You take a perverse pride in the fact Scotland has the highest number of alcohol and smoking-related deaths in Europe. At least we know how to party.

You used to watch Glen Michael’s Cartoon Cavalcade on a Sunday afternoon with his sidekick oil lamp called Paladin.

You used to criticise him in the 1980s, but now you still wish the football on the telly had Archie Macpherson as the commentator
You got Oor Wullie or The Broons annuals at Christmas. Or both. And still do.
You have come in from the pub half drunk and watched Weir’s Way on the telly at two in the morning, engrossed by a little guy with a bobbly hat walking around Scotland.

You can tell where another Scot is from by their accent e.g. Glaswegian: ‘Awright pal, gonnae gies a wee swatch o’ yur paper, cheers, magic pal’. Or Aberdeen – ‘Fit like the day, loon?’
You have participated in or witnessed people having a ‘square go’.

You have eaten lots and lots of random Scottish food like mince & tatties, haggis, Cullen skink, stovies, Tunnock’s Teacakes/Snowballs, Scott’s Porridge Oats, Macaroon bars, Baxters soup, Scotch pies, Scotch eggs, oatcakes, shortbread and Arbroath smokies.

You think nothing of waiting expectantly for your 1p change from the shopkeeper.

You know that whenever you see sawdust it reminds you of pools of vomit because that’s what the ‘jannies’ used to chuck it on it. ‘Gie it five minutes’

You lose all respect for a groom who doesn’t wear a kilt.

You don’t do shopping, you do the ‘messages’.

You’re sitting on the train/bus and a drunk man sits beside you, telling you a ‘joke’ and saying ‘I’m no annoying ye am a hen/pal?’
You: ‘Not at all, yer fine. Ah think this is my stop!’

A Scottish male can have a phone conversation using only ‘awright’, ‘aye’ and ‘naw’.

Your holiday abroad is ruined if you hear there is a heatwave in Scotland while you’re away.

You can properly pronounce McConnochie, Ecclefechan, Milngavie and Auchtermuchty.

You ask for deep fried battered pizza from the chippie – oh, and a bottle of diet Coke…

You’re used to four seasons in one day.

You can’t pass a chip/kebab shop without drooling when you’re drunk.

You can fall about drunk without spilling your drink.

You measure distance in minutes.

You can make a whole sentence just with swear words.

You know what haggis is made with – and still eat it.

Somebody you know used a football fixture list to plan their wedding day date.

You’ve been at a wedding and football scores are announced at the reception
You aren’t surprised to find curries, pizzas, kebabs, Irn Bru, fags and nappies in one shop.

Your seaside holiday home has Calor gas under it.

Welcome to another year, folks!

Team Scotland athletes Callum and Derek Hawkins were at the Grassmarket in Edinburgh today to launch the 2015 Morrisons Great Edinburgh Run with a little help from STV Edinburgh.

The Morrisons Great Edinburgh Run will return to the capital on Sunday 19 April with the ten mile route introduced last year and for the first time will feature the Morrisons Great Edinburgh Run Team Relay.

The new Team Relay event will allow teams of two to complete the ten mile course between them. The first section of the course will cover approx 4.75 miles of hilly terrain and the second section will follow a gentler 5.25 mile route, including a downhill final mile. Both full ten mile runners and Team Relay runners will start and finish at Holyrood Park, with the Grassmarket hosting the Team Relay changeover point.

The Hawkins brothers were joined by STV Edinburgh roving reporters Zara Janjua and George Ward, who will be taking part in the Morrisons Great Edinburgh Run Team Relay together in April. The presenters were put through their training paces by Callum and Derek ahead of the event which will see Zara tackle the first section as the more experienced runner and George take on the second part of the course and his first ever run.

Callum Hawkins, who competed in the 10,000 metres at the XX Commonwealth Games and came 6^th in the 2014 Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run half marathon, said: “The Team Relay option is a great opportunity for runners to be part of an amazing day of running without the pressure of the extra training required for the full ten miles.”

Derek Hawkins, who finished 9^th in the XX Commonwealth Games marathon, added: “The Morrisons Great Edinburgh Run is a really fun event and takes in a lot of the city’s most famous landmarks along the way. I am sure the chance to compete as a team will appeal to lots of runners”

Andy Mitchelmore, from event organiser Nova International, said: “The Morrisons Great Edinburgh Run has been a key fixture in the Scottish running calendar since 2005. The introduction of the ten mile course in 2014 was a great success, especially for those looking for the next step in running to bridge the gap between a 10k and half marathon.

“We decided to include a Team Relay option in this year’s Morrisons Great Edinburgh Run to provide an opportunity for runners who are more comfortable with a shorter distance to still be part of the day. This is the only city centre running event in Edinburgh so participants will see some iconic sites in both the full ten mile course and Team Relay. Entry is now open and I look forward to welcoming runners to Edinburgh on Sunday 19 April.”

In addition to the ten mile event and Team Relay there will also be kids’ events with the Morrisons Junior and Mini Great Edinburgh Run also held on 19 April at 2.5k and 1.5k distances respectively.

Entry for the Morrisons Great Edinburgh Run is now open: www.greatrun.org/great-edinburgh-run/

We are advised by the council that contraflow systems will be in place during peak hours to allow for resurfacing works on the A1 Musselburgh Bypass from tomorrow 16 January 2015.

A state-of-the-art University gym has reopened recently following a £500,000 refurbishment.

The revamped Cardio gym was officially reopened at an event hosted at the Pleasance Sports Centre and Gym.

The upgrade brings the total number of Precor exercise machines housed within the University’s Pleasance Sports Complex to 145 – the largest single site installation in Europe.

Upgraded equipment

The improved fitness suite features 102 brand new Precor units, including top of the line treadmills, cross trainers and bikes from their premium award-winning 885 range.

The University is the first in Europe to welcome the recently launched Precor Next-Generation Experience Series treadmills, which represents nearly half of the new allocation of exercise equipment.

The stunning gym facility comes equipped with new wiring to support network connectivity, and boasts a refreshed layout to provide more logical equipment clusters and improve member flow.

Official re-launch

More than 100 invited guests attended the launch event. They were encouraged to walk, run, stride and cycle a combined total of 885 kilometres – around 500 miles – to emulate Sport & Exercise’s new Precor 885 Series machines.

They were encouraged to participate as The Proclaimers, ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)’, plays in the background.

University student and recently crowned European U-23 Cross Country champion, Rhona Auckland, and Hugh Edmiston, the University’s Director of Corporate Services, were on hand to kick-start proceedings.

Ongoing commitment

The refurbishment is part of a strategic pledge and ongoing commitment from the University to ensure its members and guests have access to the most technologically advanced equipment to support their health and well-being.

Jim Aitken MBE, Director of Sport and Exercise: “We continually seek to enhance member experience and provide the highest level of fitness provision for our student, staff, and graduate and community users. We’re thrilled with our new state-of-the-art installation of  Precor Next-Generation Experience equipment and in being among the first gyms in Europe to have it.”

What is possible? That’s the key question being posed by the 12^th Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival, which runs Friday 6 – Sunday 8 February. From un-climbable rock routes and un-skiable lines to the ball-and-chain ties of a job and mortgage; and from surviving temperatures of -47°C to overcoming the hardships of life-changing injuries, the stories to be told at the EMFF will challenge what you may believe is humanly possible.

The three-day festival is being staged, as always, at George Square Lecture Theatre in Edinburgh. Tickets for the popular festival start at £7 and are on sale now at www.emff.co.uk with the organisers reporting that tickets are already selling fast.

The 2015 festival programme is a weekend packed full of inspiration and entertainment, with an impressive diversity of speakers and films delivering a rucksack-load of stories about dreams, challenges and over-coming adversity – a good match for your new year’s resolutions! Over the years, the EMFF has built a strong reputation as a fun, lively, enlightening and inspiring event, suitable for all of the family, and now in its 12^th year, it will continue to build on that trend.

Each of the EMFF’s guest speakers has had their fair share of pain and suffering but have used that in a positive way. Karen Darke is now well-known as a successful cyclist in the British Paralympian team. She was just 21 when a climbing accident left her paralysed from the chest down but adventure remains a key part of her life. American mountaineer and photographer Cory Richards was a high-school drop out aged 14 but found his path through climbing. He endured horrendously cold weather & survived a major avalanche while making the first winter ascent of 8,035m Gasherbrum II. However, the ascent was a positive turning point in his life.

Other speakers include top climber Tom Randall, who built a ‘climbing dungeon’ in his basement so that he could train for Century Crack, the world’s toughest off-width crack climb; and Dave Cornthwaite, who found the pain of the daily grind too much to bear so quit his job to embark on adventures as varied as skateboarding across Australia (3618 miles in 156 days) and swimming the length of the Missouri River (1,001 miles in 58 days).

As well as the speakers, there are many remarkable films being screened.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o86TpaSBcWw]

The epic Valley Uprising tells the story of climbing in Yosemite and has won scores of awards at festivals across the world while The Limbless Mountaineer tells the story of Edinburgh mountaineer Jamie Andrew’s dream of climbing the Matterhorn – and Jamie will be there to introduce the film.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pwfs3p5OG8]

Fans of the extreme will marvel at Stone Free, featuring legendary solo climber Julian Lines climbing (and falling) in the Highlands. Snowsports fans will be drooling at the many awesome films shot in venues as diverse as Alaska, the NZ Alps, Baffin Island and the Cairngorms. A series of mountain bike films and adventurous journeys in wild places ensure that there truly is something for everyone.

Stevie Christie, Festival Director, said: “There are many great films to be excited about this year, from 5 minute shorts to feature length epics, and the variety will make for a great event.

“Whether you are a committed outdoor enthusiast or more of an armchair fan, or if you simply enjoy hearing enthralling stories set against incredibly beautiful scenery, there is something for you at the EMFF. This is the place to come at the start of the year to marvel at these stories and to get inspired to make this the year for your big adventures too. ”

The festival, staged in association with Tiso, Mountain Equipment, Gore and Wilderness Scotland, expects big numbers from the climbing, snowsports, kayaking, adventure sports, outdoor photography and filmmaking communities; as well as those who love the outdoors, travel and mountain adventure, from all over the UK to attend the event. From its humble beginnings in 2003, it’s grown to be one of the most popular and dynamic events in Scotland’s outdoor adventure calendar, attracting in excess of 3,000 outdoor enthusiasts annually.

For full details of the festival and how to buy tickets go to: www.emff.co.uk

Police are advising people to be vigilant after several incidents of fraudulent roofers turning up on people’s doorsteps.

Between Monday 12^th January and Wednesday 14^th January there have been a number of reports of elderly people being cold-called at their homes in the Muir Wood area of Currie, North Bughtlinfield, Buckstone Crescent, Howe Park and Tyler’s Acre Avenue.

In each of these incidents two or three males have called at the door offering to carry out essential maintenance on the property’s roof.

The suspects have then informed the occupants that they have identified significant problems and offer to undertake the work at highly inflated prices.

One incident led to the complainer handing over a four figure sum.
Officers are now urging the public to be wary of these individuals and to never allow cold-callers access to their homes.

Detective Constable Jim Philp said: “We are urging everyone to be vigilant as doorstep crime can affect anyone in our community, but we are aware that older people particularly can be targeted due to a perceived vulnerability.

“It is far from a victimless type of crime as the effects can be very detrimental to the victim’s health and wellbeing, in addition to the impact of any financial loss.

“Some of the techniques used by these criminals are very high pressure and very sophisticated and it’s easy for anyone to fall foul of them.

“I would suggest that anyone who has their property damaged during the storms contacts a trusted trader and seeks identification from those calling at their doors.

“I would ask that anyone who sees any suspicious individuals or activity around the home of a family member, friend or neighbour reports their concerns to police immediately.

“Our communities are reminded never to allow anyone to undertake unsolicited work on their properties and if you are not entirely certain of a person’s identity when they call at your door do not let them inside and contact your local policing team.”

Premier Inn recently awarded Daniel Bianco from the Edinburgh Airport Newbridge hotel, as this year’s UK Apprentice of the Year, which received over 150 entries.

The award, which is in its second year, recognises and pays tribute to the hard work and dedication from all apprentices taking part in the Premier Inn Apprenticeship Programme and to find a young rising star.

Margaret Auld, Operations Manager at the hotel, nominated Daniel (19), in recognition of his outstanding commitment and enthusiasm since beginning his apprenticeship two years ago after leaving school with no qualifications. He was initially taken on to work in the restaurant, however within a month he started showing signs of real potential resulting in being offered a place on the Apprenticeship Programme.

Margaret said:  “I’m absolutely delighted Daniel has won this Award. From the minute we signed him up for the Programme he has been incredibly engaged and driven to succeed.

“Looking back 16 months ago it’s hard to believe he is the same person. He really has flourished from a young boy with little confidence and no direction in life to a young man who is an integral part of our team. He continues to shine as a star of the future at Premier Inn who is well-liked by his colleagues, relied on and trusted by the management team and most importantly, praised highly by our guests.”

The criteria for the Apprentice of the Year Award included assessing key achievements, how new skills have been utilised and overall participation, which has enabled apprentices to reach their full potential. 

During the Programme Daniel, who was trained in all areas of the business, including how to manage stock control, driving sales and analysing guest feedback in order to recommend improvements, also gained various qualifications, including Maths and English with the help of a Learning Support mentor.

All Premier Inn apprentices also attend a series of workshops to enable them to learn more about their role and open up new skills and ways of thinking, which Daniel thrived on, especially having the opportunity to meet other apprentices.

Sandra Kelly, Head of Education at Whitbread, said:  “Daniel has been a brilliant ambassador for our Apprenticeship programme by inspiring so many others by his desire to learn new skills and increase his knowledge.

“As a role model, Daniel’s achievements show that you can progress in hospitality and I’m sure Daniel is one of our future managers.’

Daniel said, “Winning the Apprentice of the Year Award has been an amazing achievement for me and totally unexpected.

“So many people believed in me from the beginning of my journey when my confidence was at an all-time low and I genuinely had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and I am very grateful to them.”

“The Apprenticeship Programme has been a fantastic experience and really helped me understand not only the running of the business and how it all fits together to make a great hotel, which I feel very privileged to be working in, but also some important life skills which will stay with me forever.”

Since winning his Award, Daniel has been sharing his experience at various events, including presenting at The Big Hospitality Conversation to over 300 people from 75 leading businesses in the UK about increasing the number of apprenticeships and work placements for young job seekers, The Birmingham Skills Show and various school career events.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery which happened around 7:30pm yesterday  at Longstone Cottages.

A 56-year-old male was about to enter his home when two men approached and assaulted him.

The victim was robbed of some personal items and verbally threatened before the suspects made off, but did not require medical attention.

Officers are now urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Robbie Wallace said: “We are appealing to anyone who may have seen two men acting suspiciously in the area on Wednesday evening to contact us.

“Both suspects are reported to have looked around 19-20 years of age with one wearing a green cotton hoodie, and the other wearing a blue waterproof jacket with the hood up.

“Anyone with further information is asked contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

REDISCOVERED SHINTY PAINTING EXHIBITED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FIFTY YEARS AT THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

The painting A Highland Landscape with a Game of Shinty is the most famous depiction of the world-celebrated Scottish sport and one of the treasures of the game. Last seen in 1962, the painting disappeared from public view for over fifty years, although it has frequently been used in books and articles to highlight the provenance of the game. After a three-year search triggered by the Playing for Scotland exhibition at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, the picture was eventually uncovered in a private collection belonging to a descendent of the last-known owner. A Highland Landscape with a Game of Shinty, attributed to the artists Daniel Cunliffe and A.Smith of Mauchline, is now on long-term loan to the Galleries and will join the many other works in Playing for Scotland, which explores the rich history of Scottish sporting traditions.

To celebrate the painting going on public display for the first time in half a century, shinty’s greatest ever goal-scorer Ronald Ross, MBE and the sport’s noted BBC commentator and historian Dr Hugh Dan MacLennan were at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery today with the premier prize in shinty: the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup.

The only man to have scored more than 1000 goals in the sport, Ross has earned the eponym ‘Ronaldo of the Glens’, after the Brazilian footballer. He recently announced his retirement from active play for Kingussie Camanachd, officially the world’s most successful sporting team of all time, according to the Guinness Book of Records. Ross recently crowned a stellar career with a man-of-the-match performance as led Kingussie lifted the Camanachd Cup in 2014 for the twenty-third time.

The game depicted in the painting quite possibly took place on the Cluny estate near Newtonmore. Sticks (camans) are raised in frenzied action; the presence of pipers, dancers and refreshments implies this match is a festival game, perhaps enjoyed at New Year. The Badenoch and Strathspey Shinty Heritage Project believe the scene almost certainly depicts one of the famous shinty ball-plays organised by Cluny Macpherson, Chief of Clan Chattan. The setting and painting are probably the source of many depictions of shinty which followed from the mid-nineteenth century.

Shinty has been described as the oldest-known Celtic sport. The Camanachd Association (CA) was founded in 1893 to lead the development of the game by ensuring there was one set of rules and a framework for organising competitions nationally. Currently based in Inverness, the CA remains the governing body for shinty across the world.

Jim Barr, President of the Camanachd Association said: “The Camanachd Association is delighted that the iconic painting A Highland Landscape with a Game of Shinty has been located, and will be on display at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. We would like to thank the owner of the painting and the National Galleries of Scotland for displaying one of Scotland’s most iconic and most important sporting paintings. The scene very much embodies the spirit of the game, which is still played in some of the most attractive settings in the world”.

Commenting on this new long-term loan, Christopher Baker, Director of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, said: “After a three-year search, I’m delighted that A Highland Landscape with a Game of Shinty is now on long-term loan to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and will be on display in Playing for Scotland. Our visitors can enjoy it amid many iconic artworks, brought together for the first time, which depict the nation’s sports”.

Vice-captain David Gray returns to the Hibs’ Training Centre today after having an operation to solve his groin injury on Monday.

The 26-year-old former Manchester United right-back has become a firm favourite with the Hibs’ fans since arriving at Easter Road in the summer.

He has even managed to score three goals, his first in senior football, including a stunner against Rangers last month.

Yesterday Gray told the club website: “I spoke to the surgeon after the operation and he was satisfied with how it all went and, apart from a bit of soreness and achiness, it feels good.

“I’m back at the Training Centre on Thursday where the hard work will start – beginning with some stretching and light rehab work.

“Hopefully it will all be pain-free because the pain dictates how much work I can do, but I’m looking forward to cracking on with it and getting back as soon as possible.”

Due to building works in the Bristo Square area Underbelly is having to move its Udderbelly venue that is the big purple cow into adjacent George Square. This will change the face of the Fringe this year, but the organisers are keen to say that change is a good thing and that the Udderbelly may return from pastures new in 2017.

Udderbelly will be situated on the west side of George Square, alongside Assembly Festival in the east side. The dates for Fringe 2015 are 5 to 31 August 2015.

In Bristo Square, Udderbelly was the original home of Into the Hoods, the ZooNation musical which then transferred to the West End and Tom Tom Crew, the Australian circus spectacular; and has played host to a wide range of artists including Stewart Lee, Demetri Martin, Jerry Sadowitz, Reginald D Hunter, Rhys Darby, Jim Jefferies, Ruby Wax and Beardyman. Udderbelly has also been one of the recent successful exports from the Edinburgh Fringe, located as it is every summer from April to July in the shadow of the London Eye as the Udderbelly Festival at Southbank Centre.

Underbelly also announced today that one of the headline shows in the Udderbelly at Fringe 2015 will be a new co-commission with Circa, one of the most renowned contemporary circus companies in the world, following from their acclaimed presentations with Underbelly in the McEwan Hall of Wunderkammer (2013) and Beyond (2014), selling over 35,000 tickets between them. The new commission will be called Close-Up, and tickets will go on sale on 30 January.

Professor Charlie Jeffery, Senior Vice Principal said “The University is delighted to provide new pastures for the iconic purple Udderbelly cow while development work is carried out at the McEwan Hall in Bristo Square. We are proud to continue our strong association with the Festival Fringe and are looking forward to what promises to be another exciting Fringe in 2015″.

Charlie Wood, co-director of Underbelly, the operator of the Udderbelly venue, said “We are very grateful to the University, whose far-sighted vision for the Fringe and for Bristo Square allowed Udderbelly to be created in the first place, for continuing to support the great work, fun and entertainment that Udderbelly brings to the Fringe. We’re really looking forward to creating a new pasture for Udderbelly in George Square for the next two years and to returning to Bristo Square when the works are complete”.

Ed Bartlam, co-director of Underbelly, said “In the last two years at the Fringe, working with Underbelly, Circa have won a Herald Angel Award, been nominated for a Total Theatre award, and astonished a total audience of over 35,000 people with their unique brand of breathtaking and beautiful circus. It’s incredibly exciting to be taking the next step in commissioning this brand new piece, which will make its world premiere in our flagship venue – a show that we are sure will capture the imaginations of Festival audiences like never before.”

North Edinburgh Arts Theatre Project: 1d Tenement Opera. A story based on the lives of people who lived in an Edinburgh tenement over two centuries: the tenement eventually became part of Edinburgh Corporation’s Slum Clearance Programme, some of the tenements were sold for just 1d, and in 1959 one of the last tenements collapsed and a little boy was killed. This was known as the Penny Tenement Collapse; local people told stories of being in the bath and the end of the room falling away, others spoke of desperately trying to save their babies and children as floorboards started to slope away from under them. The 1d Tenement Opera has been devised with the people of North Edinburgh (some of whose families were living in the city centre before the Slum Clearance Programme) working with various artists and director Stephanie Knight.  7pm, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court. Free: donations very welcome. Please contact the Box Office to reserve your tickets: call 0131  315 2151 or email admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk. Also at same time on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th January 2015.

Easel Sketching in the Gallery – January: sketching in the gallery, led by artist Damian Callan.  A different subject each month, sometimes with a model. All materials supplied. 2-4pm, Scottish National Gallery (main gallery floor), The Mound. Free: no booking required. Also at same times on Friday 16th January.

Mayfield Salisbury Thursday Club: this week Kathleen Hendry talks about A Trip to Turkey. 2-4pm, Upper Hall, Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church, 18 West Mayfield. All most welcome: 50p per session, £3 annual membership (you do not have to be a member to come along). For more information call Florence Smith on 0131 663 1234.

Story time: 9.30-10.30am today and every Thursday (and Friday!), Edinburgh Bookshop, 219 Bruntsfield Place.

Big Scream: screenings exclusively for parents/carers and their babies under 12 months. Low lights are left on in the auditorium and nappy-changing facilities are available. This week: The Imitation Game (12A). 10.30am, Cameo Cinema, Home Street. Membership of the Big Scream Club is required for each adult: this costs £5 and lasts until your baby’s 1st birthday; members then pay Picturehouse members’ rates for tickets (no ticket required for your baby). Book via website or call the Box Office on 0871 902 5723. ‘A great way to meet other new parents’.

eBook Surgery: find out how to borrow eBooks, emagazines and audiobooks for free, with some one-to-one guidance on how to get the most from your device. 2-5pm, Leith Library, 28-30 Ferry Road.  To book a 30-minute slot, speak to a member of staff or call the library on 0131 529 5517.

LGBT Learning Disabilities: Social Circle. Social Circle is a monthly group for LGBT people who also identify as having a learning difficulty or disability. The theme for this session is ‘starting new relationships’. 2-4pm, Lifecare Centre, Cheyne Street. Booking essential: please contact george@lgbthealth.org.uk to find out about joining the group.

SOLD OUT! Away Game: some of Scotland’s most exciting writers come together to raise money for food banks. Gordon Johnstone (of Glasgow-based The Grind)  and Craig Allan (Falkirk-based [Untitled]) present an evening of music and poetry; writers include Dickson Telfer (Refrigerator Cake), Gordon Legge, Bethany Ruth Anderson, Samuel Best, Cee Smith, Karyn Dougan, Paul Tonner, Elyse Jamieson and StAnza International Digital Slam and Tartan Treasures 2014 winner Stephen Watt. All acts are donating their time free, and all of the proceeds will go to Edinburgh food banks. The Grind showcases fiction and visual art from people in Scotland and the Scottish diaspora. [Untitled] is an artist-led publication that aims to shine a light on visual art and writing around Falkirk. 7-11pm, Anatomy Lecture Theatre, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets cost £5 (minimum donation) and can be booked via Brown Paper Tickets here. This event has been classified 12A.

An Evening with Tariq Ali: Tariq Ali is an English-Pakistani writer, journalist and filmmaker, member of the editorial committee of the New Left Review and Sin Permiso, and regular contributor to The Guardian, CounterPunch and The London Review of Books. 7-9pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 35 Dalmeny Street. Tickets cost £4 (£2 low income/unwaged) and can be booked via eventbrite. This event is organised by Common Weal North Edinburgh & Leith.

In the Footsteps of George Forrest: a chance to hear first-hand details of the Friends of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s recent botanical tour of China’s Yunnan province under the skilled leadership of RBGE’s alpine plants expert John Mitchell. 7.30-8.30pm, Lecture Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, 20a Inverleith Row. £6 (members £5): no advance booking required.

Cafe Voices: the Tides of Fortune and Change. With New Year comes the reawakening of the light, as we emerge from our winter dreams with the seeds of new ideas for life’s adventures. Join David Campbell to celebrate how those dreams may turn out, through story, music and song. The Centre’s monthly storytelling session, with an open-floor section for storytellers to tell their own tales, in the relaxed surroundings of the Storytelling Court. 7-9pm, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. £5 per person: tickets can be booked via the Centre’s website here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579.

Ecumenical Friends of St Cuthbert’s: Walter Dunlop will speak on The History of St Andrew’s, Jerusalem. 12.30pm, St Cuthbert’s Parish Church Hall, 5 Lothian Road. All warmly welcomed. Bring your own packed lunch, tea and coffee provided. £1.50 per person. Organised by Edinburgh City Centre Churches TOGETHER.

Hector’s House Roller Disco: strap up and take in the sounds of the 70s and 80s, soundtracked by Gavin Miller and Hector’s residents. 9pm-3am, Studio 24, 24-26 Carlton Road. Numbers will be strictly limited so you are advised to get your tickets as soon as possible. £10/£8 includes hire of skates and wristguards, spectator tickets (which allow you to join the party but not skate) £5, available from Skiddle.com here (booking fees apply).

The Forth Valley Chorus Open Evening: Forth Valley Chorus has won the Women’s Barbershop UK National Championships five times – and it’s looking for new members. If you are a singer who likes performing, come along to the open evening and find out more; you’ll be made most welcome! 7.30-10pm, Bristo Baptist Church, Buckingham Terrace/Queensferry Road. The Chorus is a chapter of Sweet Adelines International. For more information, take a look at the Chorus’s website, where you can even hear its members sing! Rehearsals are held every Thursday evening at Bristo Baptist Church.

Craft Scotland Roadshow: hear about opportunities available to makers in 2015, and let Craft Scotland know how it can help you to take advantage of these opportunities. The session will begin with news about Craft Scotland’s projects and planned activities for the year ahead; after a tea break, small discussion groups will give input and feedback. 2-5pm, Gayfield Creative Spaces, 11 Gayfield Square. Free, but places are limited and should be booked via eventbrite. Further roadshows will take place in Glasgow, Dundee, Dumfries & Galloway and Inverness.

The Hourglass Factory: Lucy Ribchester launches her new novel, set in 1912 London as the suffragette movement reaches fever pitch. Broke Fleet Street tomboy Frankie George is sent to interview trapeze artist Ebony Diamond; finding herself fascinated by the tightly-laced acrobat, Frankie follows Ebony across London to a Mayfair corset shop that hides more than one dark secret. Then Ebony mysteriously disappears and Frankie is drawn into a world of tricks, society columnists, corset fetishists, suffragettes and circus freaks….from the newsrooms of Fleet Street to the drawing rooms of high society, the missing Ebony Diamond leads Frankie to the trail of a murderous villain with a plot more deadly than anyone could have imagined. 6pm, Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street. Free tickets are available from the shop: for more information call 0131 226 2666.

Finance and Resources Committee meets today

Convention Edinburgh in the running for an award

Warburton Gallery cafe reopens today

Film Quiz at the Cameo

Summer Camp Jobs in the USA

The Finance and Resources Committee meets this morning with a very long agenda before it. The major item on the agenda is the reorganisation of the council departments which the Finance Convener explained to The Edinburgh Reporter last week is central to balancing the budget in the latter part of the administration’s term in office. 

Listen to what Councillor Alasdair Rankin had to say here:

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Hot news for a cold day: the warm and welcoming Warburton Gallery café, run by Stag Espresso, re-opens today after their festive break, catering for all your coffee, tea, soup and home-baking needs.

CAFE OPEN: 10.30 – 5.30pm, 7 days a week. 

Also, a date for your diary later today when artist Paul Martin will be leading a free informal tour of the Edgelands exhibition at 10.30am in the Warburton Gallery. All welcome.

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Convention Edinburgh, the business tourism arm of Marketing Edinburgh, has been named as a finalist in one of the UK’s biggest tourism industry awards.  

Shortlisted in the category of Best UK Convention Bureau in the Meeting and Incentive Travel (M&IT) Awards, Convention Edinburgh will battle it out with Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, Liverpool Convention Bureau, London & Partners and NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau.

Recognising excellence in the various sectors of the conference and event market, nominees for the 19 M&IT Award categories were voted for by the readers of M&IT Magazine.  

Already celebrating a strong performance this financial year, Convention Edinburgh and its members worked together to secure over 124 new bid wins in the last 12 months. This is expected to bring more than 63,000 delegates to Edinburgh and generate over an estimated £95m to the local economy.

Lesley Williams, head of business tourism at Marketing Edinburgh said: “The fact our nomination is the direct result of our clients taking the time to vote for us, is incredibly rewarding in itself. In the last three years since Marketing Edinburgh was created, our business tourism team has worked incredibly hard to promote Edinburgh as a world leading conference destination. 

“Results are speaking for themselves, were are hosting more delegates and winning more conference bids than ever before. With its award-winning venues, amazing food and drink and an inspirational setting, Edinburgh continues to punch above its weight in the competitive international conference market.”

All will be revealed on Tuesday 3 March at the glittering M&IT Award ceremony in London. 

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Edinburgh Central MSP Marco Biagi has welcomed the decision by councillors to some further investigation on a change of use for the Picture House from a music venue from into a superpub.

The decision comes following an outcry amongst music lovers in the city, following the shock sale of the venue to JD Wetherspoon. The Lothian Road building has since lain empty the sale, with music fans concerned about the loss of a much-loved venue.

The closure was opposed by a 13,000 strong petition, and a Parliamentary motion opposing the change of use gained support from across the chamber.

Marco Biagi MSP commented:

“I share the concerns of many music fans that a unique and much-loved music venue might be replaced by a chain superpub, which would be a damaging blow to Edinburgh’s live music scene.

“I understand that councillors have challenged the evidence presented to them, especially in relation to the impact on alcohol use in the area. A superpub would have a detrimental impact on the amenity of the area, increasing alcohol consumption and fuelling antisocial behaviour.

“The council have made positive noises about supporting the local music scene after coming under criticism from those in the industry, including the award winning Young Fathers. But changing noise enforcement to encourage live music while allowing the loss of existing cultural gems would hardly be seen as a consistent or joined-up approach.

“I hope that the council now take seriously their commitment to the local music scene by listening to the community and rejecting this proposal after they have taken additional evidence. They should then do what they can to see the venue reopened with the capacity to host bands, as there is a clear desire to see. Culture in Edinburgh must be more than something that happens in August.”

The decison to change the speed limits on some streets to 20mph was taken earlier this week by the Transport and Environment Committee. The only dissenting voices around the committee room were those of the three Conservative councillors.

They were firm in their view that the council was making a mistake. They have shared their views with us so that we can share them with you.

Councillor Joanna Mowat said:

“The decision to impose 20mph limits across 80 % of Edinburgh’s roads was premature – a decision was taken without knowing what the plans would cost or how this would be funded and how this would impact on the future budget for roads and pavements.  Everyone is in favour of safer streets and pavements, but with limited money to spend it is important that decisions should not be taken “in principle” and divorced from implementation costs.  There are also differing views about what makes a street or road safe – is it a smooth road surface and uncracked pavements or a 20mph speed limit?  If roads are in poor repair and funds are limited it is right to question how a major new project will be funded and what impact this will have on the current roads network before approving the decision in principle.

“Whilst the Vice Convenor and Convenor made much of the evidence backing this decision we should recognise that large scale 20mph zones are new and that there is little evidence on how this impacts on road safety and reduction traffic accidents.  Given the mercifully small numbers of serious accidents it takes at least 3 years to show how measures taken to improve safety affect the trend so it is too soon to measure this in Edinburgh from the Southside pilot. 

“The Local Transport Strategy recognises that if new 20mph zones are introduced into areas without public support then it will not be possible to enforce them without the support of the police.  The police have said that they will not take special measures to enforce the new speed limits but will enforce them as they currently enforce existing limits.  Bristol tried a zone that was too extensive and has had to roll back from that.  We have experience in Edinburgh of the introduction of over enthusiastic measures to restrict traffic which after proving a complete failure had to be expensively scrapped (CETM).

The Conservative group is in favour of road safety, in favour of enjoyable streets but not in favour of the wholesale introduction of an uncosted scheme over 80% of our streets.”

Muirhouse Community Shop has a window display for #StrongerNorth this week.

Robert Pearson Chairman of Tenants and Residents in Muirhouse (TRIM) and manager of the community shop said: “Already residents are asking questions, which is exactly what we want. Shop volunteers are always available to point residents in the right direction for any help they may need.”

More information on the shop display can be found here #StrongerNorth TRIM Website

The UK veterinary industry is in the process of reconsidering its priorities and there is an international movement afoot, urging vets to focus more on providing exceptional end-of-life care for pets and their owners.

In Edinburgh, Dr Margaret Finlay is leading the way with her new veterinary service – a first for the UK as she tells us now:

Many people underestimate the tremendous strength of the bond between people and their pets, and what a devastating impact the loss of that pet can be when the time comes to say goodbye.  Within veterinary medicine, the continued drive towards clinical excellence and scientific discovery means that sometimes the respect deserved by that human/animal bond is overlooked.

Every pet owner would prefer their pet to die in its sleep because nobody wants to make the decision to end a life. This is a perfectly normal reaction but unfortunately natural deaths are rarely as peaceful and pain-free as we picture them. Euthanasia, or putting animals to sleep, is without doubt the kindest way to a dignified end for your pet. Until now, the option to say a gentle goodbye to a dear friend in the peaceful and familiar environment of your own home has been very limited. It is often not possible for vets to get away from their busy practices, and there can be high costs involved for pet owners who are interested in a home euthanasia visit.

In recent years, for this very reason, there has been a growing industry around the provision of dedicated, in-home end of life care services in the United States. Why should people have to go through the anxiety, stress and logistical difficulties of taking their dying companion to the often sterile, anonymous and public environment of a vet practice, when they can have a much more comforting, peaceful, personal and dignified goodbye in the comfort of their own home? Directories such as www.inhomepeteuthanasia.com and www.dignified-departures.co.uk help spread the word and inform pet owners of the availability of such services.

Dr Alicia Harris, founder of http://www.mycompassionateheart.com, says that “Our beloved companion animals give us their entire hearts and more. Allowing them to transition in the privacy and comfort of home is the least we can do for them. It’s truly a gift.”

Meanwhile, the advance of this compassionate and crucial side of veterinary medicine has spread across the Atlantic to the UK where Peaceful Passing (www.peacefulpassing.co.uk), Vets2Home (http://www.vets2home.co.uk) and Home Visit Vet (www.homevisitvet.co.uk) are offering similar services to parts of the UK in Edinburgh and the south of England respectively.

Asked about local response to the establishment of such a service in Edinburgh, Dr Margaret Finlay at Peaceful Passing replies, “Response to the launch of Peaceful Passing has been extremely positive with hundreds of supportive messages flooding in within the first few weeks. Once pet owners become or are aware of this option, there is likely to be a significant demand for this service in the UK as well as in the USA. Together with the other vets providing this sort of invaluable service, I believe this difficult event should be calm, unhurried, peaceful and pain free. A time to say goodbye to your pet in a compassionate, gentle and dignified way.”

In the words of the internationally loved British vet James Herriot:

“…to me there has always been a comfort in the knowledge
that the last thing these helpless animals knew
was the sound of a friendly voice and the touch of a gentle hand.”

– James Herriot, All things Wise and Wonderful

Saying goodbye to a friend is never easy, but with the provision of such services and growing awareness in the pet owning public of their availability, a much kinder and supportive option is becoming a real possibility now. It seems inevitable that such services become more widespread around the world in the near future.

Anyone struggling with this difficult situation who is looking for advice and support should contact Margaret Finlay at drfinlay@peacefulpassing.co.uk or visit http://www.peacefulpassing.co.uk.

“The phrase ‘the ultimate kindness’ may sound like a cliché but try to remember that it is true. Allowing your pet a pain-free and dignified end is possibly the kindest thing you will ever do for them.”

Submitted by Margaret Finlay