Last night Yes campaigners gathered on Lauriston Place for a final lap of canvassing and leafletting. Down the street, a day-long Yes gathering at the entrance to the Meadows was swelling into the hundreds, cultivating a mood that might be called celebratory if it wasn’t a day too early.

The canvassers, however, weren’t resting on any laurels. With machine-like precision, clipboards of names and addresses were hauled from the back of a megaphone-equipped van and handed out to the several dozen volunteers. A TV camera poked its nose into the crowd. Without delay, the campaigners dispersed.

Even though Edinburgh seems inundated with Yes paraphernalia, even one round of heading out with campaigners proves that the city is still very much up for grabs. Voters leaning toward No aren’t as visual about their—if we can use the term—support. And, heading into the referendum, undecided voters are still mulling their options. Last night, one student was visibly flustered when asked which way she was leaning—she fanned her face with two hands, as if swatting at gnats, trying to clear her head and explain her outlook.

 

By the time this liveblog gets going the campaigning will be over.

The votes will have been cast by those registered.  Whether they are first time voters at just 16 or they are much older, and old enough to have witnessed the referendum in 1979 and the further vote on the establishment of a Scottish Parliament in 1997, all have now had their say.

The results will start coming in probably after midnight and most probably around 2am. We are told that the first constituency to declare is likely to be Clackmannanshire, the Wee County, but really it is anyone’s guess where the first results might come from, in what order and what they actually mean. The important thing is that we are here at Ingliston in the company of the Chief Counting Officer for the Scottish Independence Referendum 2014, Mary Pitcaithly OBE.

What will daybreak bring tomorrow when all the votes have been counted? We hope to bring you the reactions from Edinburgh, and we hope you will join in with our live blog as the news breaks.

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A man who killed his wife and young son has today been found guilty of both their murders at Edinburgh High Court today.

Garry Lockhart, 33, was found guilty of killing Janet Lockhart, 29, and their two year old son, Michael, at their home in South Chesters Lane, Bonnyrigg, in the early hours of 28^th December 2013, after he came home from a night out drinking. He will be sentenced on 16th October 2014. Detective Chief Inspector Scott Cunningham from the Major Investigation Team, who lead the investigation, said: “In 22 years in the Police Service this is one of the most tragic, traumatic and heart breaking investigations I have been involved with.

“The unforeseen actions of Garry Lockhart are completely incomprehensible and only he knows why he took the lives of his wife and son.

“I acknowledge the verdict today and my thoughts first and foremost are with Janet and Michael’s family. “This has been devastating for the family and I want to pay tribute to them for their strength, courage and dignity shown. I also want to commend all the police officers, police staff, partner agencies and the local community for their professionalism and support throughout the most emotive circumstances.”

A Wonderful weekend in glorious sunshine

Report and photos by Donal Ferrie of Queensferry Rowing Club

On Saturday September 6^th Queensferry Rowing Club in Partnership with North Queensferry Rowing Club held our annual Regatta between the majestic sight of the Forth Bridges.  This year was special as it coincided with the 50^th anniversary of the Forth Road Bridge.  After the bad weather of last year where we had to cancel some of the races due to high winds, we were hoping that this year would be kind to us.  And so it was as the sun shone and the wind was virtually nonexistent.

Crews started arriving the previous evening with Royal West of Greenock making the trip across and Portobello rowing up from their Edinburgh base. The day started early as we got everything ready from 0700.  The rest of the crews arrived early on and all boats were tied up at the pontoons.  The course was from the South tower of the Forth Road Bridge down towards Queensferry Harbour around two finger buoys and back up to the finishing line at the bridge.

The racing started at 1000 with the Mixed Novice, a race that Queensferry were hoping to do well in.  The races were being run over two waves as there wasn’t enough room on the start line for all 11 boats. Pittenweem proved that they are an ever improving club by taking the title in a time of nine minutes 33 seconds.  North Queensferry were second two seconds behind with Portobello in third in 9:38.  Queensferry came in fifth in a time of 10:57

The next race up was the Women’s 40+ with a strong field.  The race was won easily by Crail in a time of 9:07 a full 15 seconds ahead of North Berwick with Anstruther surprisingly coming third in a time of 9:37.  North Queensferry were fourth in 10:07 with their counterparts from the South a disappointing 10^th of eleven boats.

In between races there were refreshments on hand in Queensferry’s Club House with members from both North and South doing their respective clubs proud.  There was also a tombola organized by Queensferry Churches Care in the Community.

The next race up was the Men’s 40+ and this proved an interesting and exciting race, especially for the second wave.  The second wave contained Queensferry, Pittenweem, Newburgh, Royal West, Portobello and Eskmuthe.  The racing was very close coming down to the first finger buoy with Queensferry and Newburgh fighting it out for the first turn. Newburgh cut right across Queensferry and then on turning the buoy, instead of turning 90 degrees they turned 180 thereby t-boning Queensferry who had to take evasive action to avoid collision.  Having got back on course all teams headed for the second buoy with Newburgh pulling ahead and taking the victory.  However the umpires deemed that Newburgh had been guilty of dangerous rowing and were disqualified.  The race itself was won by Crail in a time of 8:20 with North Berwick and Anstruther taking second and third. North Queensferry finished fourth with Queensferry in 6^th. It could be argued that those in the second wave didn’t have a racing chance due to the actions of Newburgh as none of the boats finished under nine minutes.

The last race before the Lunch break was the Mixed Open.  The crew from Queensferry was hoping for big things. We had to make a last minute change as Rachel had unfortunately broken her wrist the previous day in an innocuous incident with a wet floor.  Queensferry were in the second wave and performed admirably as they came in second behind Crail in a time of 9:27, unfortunately it was a full 20 seconds behind them.  We did beat North Berwick by two seconds.  The race was won by Newburgh in a time of 8:41.  Portobello and Anstruther came in second and third.  Queensferry finished fifth which was not the result we were looking for.

During the break for lunch the prize giving took place for the morning races.  The prize giving was performed by Russell from our sponsors Bosun’s Locker.

The racing continued after lunch with the Women’s Open.  Queensferry again were in the second wave. They came third in their wave in a time of 10:41 behind Crail and Newburgh.  This was not enough to get in to the top three overall as Anstruther as expected won the race in a time of 9:22.  They were only five seconds ahead of Crail who finished second with Newburgh in third on 9:51

The Men’s Open was a race in which Queensferry thought they might do very well in and so it proved.  With a crew who had been training as part of the North v South team all summer they were fit and raring to go.  The start was a bit confused as no one heard the umpire saying attention skiffs before the hooter went.  We got off to a great start though all the same and were in front from the beginning.  This was a lead that would never be surrendered.  We rounded the first buoy and were a distance ahead of the crews behind us.  As we got to the second and rounded that too we were still a fair distance ahead.  However as we headed up the home straight Anstruther were gaining on us all the time and it took a supreme effort to dig deep and hold them off.  The line couldn’t come soon enough as we beat Anstruther and won our heat in a time of 8:44, three seconds ahead of Anstruther.  We came joint second overall with Newburgh, eleven seconds behind North Berwick.

The final race of the day was the Pick n Mix when names were drawn for rowers to row in different boats from usual but the Cox from each boat would be from the club the boat belonged to.  The start was interesting as trying to get them all on the line was proving somewhat difficult.  Eventually they all left with only three in the first wave as Troon had withdrawn from the Regatta the previous day.  Crail and Eskmuthe didn’t put a boat forward for this race.  For the first time in seven races the winners came from the second wave.  St Andrews boat was the fastest in the fleet finishing in a time of 9:18 ahead of North Berwick and Royal West. 

With the racing finished for the day a number retired to the nearest hostelry to toast a successful and well run Regatta.

Flotilla on the Forth

On Sunday we continued with the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Forth Road Bridge with the Flotilla on the Forth.  This involved upwards of 160 boats of all shapes and sizes venturing up past Rosyth and the sight of the new aircraft carrier. Compared to the previous day it was heaving going as there was a bit of a swell as we rowed against the wind. It was fun though as we mingled with the larger vessels and I think a well done should go to the coxes as they maneuvered us through the fleet without incident.  After what seemed like an age we finally got to the turning point and we headed North before heading back East.  As we had the wind behind us we were having trouble not overtaking the lead boat which was HMS Archer. As we headed back to row under the bridge the sun made an appearance and it got quite warm.  It was a marvelous sight as all the Skiffs that were involved, these included both Queensferry Skiffs, Both North Queensferry Skiffs, Three Anstruther Skiffs as well as skiffs from Portobello, Greenock and St Andrews were ahead the head of the Flotilla going under the bridge.

Pharos, a lighthouse vessel had moved up to the front on the Port side and was making good ground so was first under the bridge followed by HMS Archer and then all the Skiffs.  Who needs motor or wind power when you have human power.  The Flotilla kept going around a safety boat just to the West of the Forth Bridge and then we headed to the harbour wall at Queensferry to let the crowds there see the boats up close.  By this stage the crew were all very tired as we had been rowing for nearly two and a half hours nonstop.  Special mention must go to Rachel Holburn who despite breaking her wrist in Friday and was scheduled to row on Sunday managed to sit in the bow and enjoy the ride of some lumpy water.  Her stookie was well wrapped up so there was no danger of getting it wet.  We all headed back to Port Edgar after a very enjoyable but tiring day.       

Moonhop – The Raverendum: live music, whisky, dancing and rare vinyl, featuring Moonhop DJs Whisky Stephen (& the FOUND team), live set from FOUND (Lomond Campbell and River of Slime) and poetry from Neu Reekie’s Michael Pedersen and Kevin Williamson. ‘Dance off the tension to the best record collection in Scotland.’ 8pm-12.30am, Demonstration Room, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets £5: book here. Over 18s only.

WHALE Street Arts: bringing arts to the streets of Wester Hailes. Beatboxing, Dance, Breakdance and Art: learning new skills and developing old ones. 5-5.30pm @ Harvesters Square, 5.30-6pm @ Dumbeg, 6-6.30pm @ Hailesland, 6.30-7pm @ Walkers, 7-7.30pm @ Westburn – all Wester Hailes. For more information call 0131 458 3267 or click here.

Easel Sketching in the Gallery: September. Drop-in sketching in the Gallery, led by artist Damian Callen. A different subject every month, sometimes with a live model. 2-4pm, Main Floor, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free and unticketed. Also available at same times on Friday 19th September.

Rudsambee: Rudsambee Company of Singers return to the National Portrait Gallery with their usual eclectic music after a very successful year. They will showcase repertoire from their recent award-winning trip to Ireland, such as Ieuan Wyn’s Cariad, as well as featuring music from further afield including a selection of 20th century Eastern European music and an arrangement of the Syrian folk song, Fog Elna Khel. 6-6.30pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free and unticketed.

The Drawing Room: an informal, artist-led, drawing session. Each session is developed by a contemporary artist and inspired by the GENERATION exhibition, reflecting concerns within the artist’s own work. All materials supplied, no experience necessary. This session’s artist is Ailie Rutherford. Part of GENERATION By Night. 5.30-6.45pm, The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Dilli, from the rear view mirror of the Sikh taxi driver: Radhika Govinda of the University of Edinburgh Centre for South Asian Studies, gives a paper reflecting on the narratives of Sikh taxi drivers in a metropolis which has the dubious distinction of being called ‘the rape capital of India’ even as urban development plans are afoot to turn it into a ‘world class city.’ 4-6pm, Doorway 1, Room 2.520, Sydney Smith Lecture Theatre, Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place.

LGBT Learning Disability Project Social Circle:  a monthly group for LGBT people who also identify as having a learning disability. This month: Dealing with Stress – find out about where stress comes from and ways to reduce it. Lifecare Centre, Cheyne Street, Stockbridge, EH4 1JB. Contact George for time and to find out about joining the group: email george@lgbthealth.org.uk or call 0131 652 3281. Please bring a carer or supporter if you need help to participate.

Scottish Independence Referendum

Today is the day to cast your vote in the Scottish Independence Referendum After two years of campaigning all the arguments for and against have been put forward, even though there are those on each side who say that there are unanswered questions. We hope you have made up your minds. We will be running a poll of our readers later this evening during our liveblog.

Now all you have to do is find your polling card and head down to the polling station anytime from 7a.m. to 10p.m. today to mark an X in the box of your choice. Remember to mark only one X – do not photograph your ballot paper and tweet it or you may invalidate it we are told.

The counting starts tonight at 10 p.m. tonight and The Edinburgh Reporter is running a live blog to cover the proceedings from the Edinburgh count at Ingliston from just after 10. Join us here later with your comments! 

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A monumental 89.4% of postal voters have already cast their vote.

Edinburgh is geared up for its role in the historic poll.

Ballot boxes were collected today for delivery to polling places, staff trained and verification of postal votes has begun ahead of the count.

89.6% of postal voters have already cast their vote, with a total of 377,413 people registered to take part in the Referendum later today

And you are being asked to make their own preparations for the day to ensure they don’t miss out.

Sue Bruce, Counting Officer for Edinburgh and Chief Executive of City of Edinburgh Council, said: “After months of anticipation, the Referendum is finally upon us, and hundreds of thousands of people across the city are about to cast their vote.

“I am really pleased with the high rate of registration, which demonstrates the level of interest in the debate. We have a record number of registered voters in Edinburgh for this Referendum and therefore I would encourage visitors to leave plenty of time to visit their local polling station and to mark an X in the box of their choice when filling out their ballot papers.”

Polling places will be open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday, 18th September, though the public are being advised to avoid busy periods, expected to be before and after normal working hours. Where possible, voters are encouraged to visit mid-morning or mid-afternoon.

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

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

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

Anyone who is registered to vote but, due to unforeseen circumstances, is unable to make it to a polling station, may need an emergency proxy vote, which can be applied for on the Lothian Valuation Joint Board’s website.

Once your vote has been cast

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

Votes will be counted as soon as possible after the close of the poll at 10pm. Separate counts will be held by each local authority in Scotland with 32 local totals leading to one overall national result.

Full details of vote security and counting are available on the Council website.

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The latest YouGov poll puts Yes support at 48 per cent to 52 per cent for No, excluding ‘don’t knows’; while a Survation telephone poll shows Yes at 47 per cent to No at 53 per cent (compared to the last Survation phone poll which had Yes at 46 per cent).

Yesterday evening, a MORI poll showed Yes support up 7 points on last month to 49 per cent; while a Panelbase poll had Yes at 48 per cent.

Yes Scotland Chief Executive Blair Jenkins said:

‘These poll – like all the recent polls – show that we are in touching distance of success. The referendum is on a knife edge, and this will spur on everybody who wants and is working hard for a Yes to redouble their efforts.

‘People know that a Yes vote is Scotland’s one opportunity to achieve job-creating powers, protect our NHS from the damaging impact of Westminster cuts and privatisation, and ensure that never again do we get Tory governments imposed on Scotland that we have roundly rejected.

‘The empty offer of a very few more powers from the No campaign has unravelled within 24 hours, in the face of a Tory revolt at Westminster. Only a Yes vote can secure all the powers that Scotland needs to create more jobs and secure our NHS for the future.

‘As we say in response to all the polls, we are working flat out to ensure that we achieve a Yes vote, because it’s the biggest opportunity we will ever have to build a fairer society and more prosperous economy.

‘This referendum is unlike any that has been held before because of an expected record turnout – which we believe will favour the Yes vote.’

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In response to increased press reports and comment implying increased crime and disorder as a consequence of the Independence Referendum Brian Docherty, Chairman of the Scottish Police Federation said:

“The Police Service of Scotland and the men and women who work in it should not be used as a political football at any time and especially so in these last few hours of the referendum campaign.

As I have previously stated the referendum debate has been robust but overwhelmingly good natured.

It was inevitable that the closer we came to the 18th of September passions would increase but that does not justify the exaggerated rhetoric that is being deployed with increased frequency. Any neutral observer could be led to believe Scotland is on the verge of societal disintegration yet nothing could be further from the truth.

Scotland’s citizens are overwhelmingly law abiding and tolerant and it is preposterous to imply that by placing a cross in a box, our citizens will suddenly abandon the personal virtues and values held dear to them all.

At this time it is more important than ever that individuals be they politicians, journalists or whoever should carefully consider their words, maintain level heads and act with respect. Respect is not demonstrated by suggesting a minority of mindless idiots are representative of anything. One of the many joys of this campaign has been how it has awakened political awareness across almost every single section of society. The success enjoyed by the many should not be sullied by the actions of the few.

Police officers must be kept free from the distractions of rhetoric better suited to the playground that the political stump. If crime has been committed it will be investigated and dealt with appropriately but quite simply police officers have better things to do than officiate in spats on social media and respond to baseless speculation of the potential for disorder on and following polling day”

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Hopes for the future by Alyn Smith MEP

”May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” – Nelson Mandela

When Scotland goes to the polls tomorrow morning we will face a choice of profound importance, and it has gladdened my heart to see so many people engaging, often for the first time.

I hope as many of the people of Scotland as possible choose to contribute to this and that the voters will make that choice not out of fear or uncertainty, but upon the basis of hope. Most importantly the hope that it is possible to build a better Scotland for the future.  As a Member of the European Parliament representing all of Scotland since 2004 I’ve been travelling the length and breadth of the country and seen the country change.  There is no question we have a right to choose whether we want to be independent, and have the wherewithal to be a success.  The only question that remains is whether we shall.

What has become obvious throughout this campaign is the rise of interest in politics which must be applauded and encouraged at every opportunity. Participation is the bedrock of any democratic country and the declining turnout in elections is of constant concern. If, as predicted, a turnout of over 80% occurs it will illustrate that people will engage with politics when they feel that the issues effect their daily lives.

The key challenge for politicians of all sides is to learn this lesson and harness the enthusiasm and hope that has been built up during the campaigning of the past year. The grassroots campaigns that have sprung up across Scotland in support of Yes, such as National Collective, Women for Independence, Polish for Yes and many more will need to be supported and nurtured.  This is bigger than politics, parties and politicians, the people of Scotland are in charge.

Scotland has come a long way, and we remain on a journey.  Even the No parties have accepted that change, more powers in Scotland, is needed and wanted.  A Yes vote will allow us the tools to build the nation.

Submitted by Alyn Smith MEP

Scottish Independence Referendum

School trip

Autumn colours

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

Colony of Artists

Today is the last full day of campaigning for the Yes and No campaigns before the decision is left to the Scottish people on Thursday.

We spotted this flag when out and about in the West End of Edinburgh today.

The Scotsman ICM poll shows the No camp ahead

SCOTSMAN-ICM POLL: No camp still ahead but Yes closing the gap. #indyref http://t.co/WUdd1bAYSu

— Kenny Farquharson (@KennyFarq) September 16, 2014

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Welcoming the new ICM poll to be published in tomorrow’s Scotsman, which has Yes support at 48 per cent to 52 per cent for No – which is a 3-point increase in Yes support since the last Scotsman publications ICM poll last month, and a 3-point fall for No – Yes Scotland Chief Executive Blair Jenkins said:

‘This is hugely encouraging for Yes – the six-point narrowing of the gap since the last comparable poll shows that Yes has the momentum as we approach referendum day.

‘People know that a Yes vote is Scotland’s one opportunity to achieve job-creating powers, protect our NHS from the damaging impact of Westminster cuts and privatisation, and ensure that never again do we get Tory governments imposed on Scotland that we have roundly rejected.

‘This poll – like all the recent polls – shows that we are in touching distance of success on Thursday. The referendum is on a knife edge, and this will spur on everybody who wants and is working hard for a Yes to redouble their efforts.

‘As we say in response to all the polls, we are working flat out to ensure that we achieve a Yes vote, because it’s the biggest opportunity we will ever have to build a fairer society and more prosperous economy.

‘This referendum is unlike any that has been held before because of an expected record turnout – which we believe will favour the Yes vote.’

Journalist Peter Geoghegan spotted the topical cover on the latest edition of Private Eye:

“@MartynMcL: The new Private Eye with a blistering cover on #indyref pic.twitter.com/QM4ELjzsEj” v good

— Peter Geoghegan (@PeterKGeoghegan) September 16, 2014

Since launching their Cupcake Opinion Poll on 7 March to mark 200 days to the Referendum Cuckoo’s Bakery in Dundas Street have been releasing the results regularly throughout the referendum campaign.  Final results issued on Monday showed a marginal lead for the “NO” Campaign but with still 8% being undecided.  Not really a big surprise since the cake shop is in the New Town and opposite a big Royal Bank of Scotland office perhaps?

YES – 43.5%
NO – 47.7%
UNDECIDED – 8.8%

Owner Graham Savage said: “We have seen an increase in sales generally and some big orders have come in from both sides!” Our poll has been conducted professionally throughout the campaign and we are delighted that the results have shown to be so similar to the official results.”

Savage continued: “Our Campaign has certainly attracted global media attention and have calculated that since the campaign was launched we have sold 80,000 Cupcakes from our full range including the Opinion Poll cupcake.”
Cuckoo’s display the results in the window and we see people reading them and leave, amused with a smile on their face!

The Edinburgh count is going to be quite exciting on Thursday night and that is where we will be running a liveblog of all the results as they come in.

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Today The Edinburgh Reporter is off to Auschwitz for the day, flying from Edinburgh to Krakow and back again this evening. As a guest of the Holocaust Educational Trust the trip will include around 200 sixth form pupils from schools across Scotland including Edinburgh. The idea is of course educational, and the Trust hopes that by showing all of the students the place where the concentration camps once were they will learn more about history than by simply reading books.

Since 1999 the project has taken over 20,000 students and teachers to Auschwitz-Birkenau and incorporates seminars before and after the event to help them get the most from their visit.

Pupils from Boroughmuir High School, Broughton High School, Currie Community High School, Forrester High School, George Heriot’s School, Gracemount High School, Leith Academy, St Augustine’s RC High School, Tynecastle High School and Wester Hailes Education Centre will be taking part in the trip.

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Add your photos to our storyboard about Autumn here. We would love to see your photos and videos of the colourful scenes you witness this autumn. We will then share the storyboard here on The Edinburgh Reporter.

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The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups, recognising the outstanding work they perform within communities across the UK. Any group doing voluntary work that provides a social, economic or environmental service to the local community can be nominated for the award. Each group is assessed on the benefit they bring to the local community.

Here and There: Claire from the Scottish Book Trust will lead a discussion about newcomers’ experience of Scotland in comparison to their home countries. An opportunity for migrants and local people to share stories and perhaps contribute to a book by the Scottish Book Trust!  Also a chance to hand draw your own map of Edinburgh. This event is part of a regular newcomers’ conversation class run by The Welcoming. 2.15-4.15pm, St John’s Church Hall, Princes Street. All welcome: free.

Current Exchanges: Weavers Tour with curator Ben Divall. Tour around the balcony with Ben Divall, weavers from Dovecot and visiting weaver Sue Batten from Australian Tapestry Workshop. Learn more about the historic links and ongoing collaborative projects between both institutions and the techniques and processes involved in creating the tapestries currently on show from Melbourne and Edinburgh. 6-7pm, Dovecot Studios, Infirmary Street. Free but please book via eventbrite.

National Library of Scotland Guided Tour: tour of the building and introduction to the Library’s collections and history. 10.30-11.45am (approx), National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Numbers limited, booking essential. Book online or call 0131 623 3734. Please let NLS know of any special access requirements.

Reflect on the Referendum: Polwarth Church (a polling station on 18th September) is open all day today for those who wish to contemplate their decision. You can walk the church’s labyrinth, light a candle as an act of hope for the future or just sit quietly and think. 10am-6pm, Polwarth Church, 36-38 Polwarth Terrace.

Rushman and Tyman: Stop Thief! Rushman and Tyman’s Flaghall, one of the works in the Where Do I End and You Begin exhibition, is a space of potential multiple uses – a community hall, exhibition space or meeting place. As part of Stop Thief! visitors to the exhibition will experience live interventions in the gallery, further exploring the themes raised in this work. 1pm, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. Free.

Being a Scientist in the UK Today: a lunchtime discussion. A panel of experts will consider what motivates scientists and what pressures they are under, what effects funding and publishing systems are having on the production of high quality, ethical scientific research, whether current methods for assessing the quality of science are working and whether competition in science is a good thing. 12.30-2pm, Informatics Forum, University of Edinburgh, 10 Crichton Street. Book via eventbrite. Free.

Three Female Surgeons: Chris Short will tell the story of three Edinburgh surgeons who refused to accept rejection at a time when women were not allowed to study medicine. Over the course of a century they paved the way for women to join the medical profession on equal terms with their male colleagues. The talk is presented in association with the Words and Deeds, Weapons and Wounding exhibition which is at Napier until 30th September 2014. 4pm, Level 5 LRC, Edinburgh Napier University Sighthill Campus, Sighthill Court. forestFree, but please RSVP to events@napier.ac.uk as places will be limited.

Lunchtime Concert: Will Pickvance – Piano Speak. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free.

Free The Technics Two: vinyl session, ‘Not only do we demand a revolution we can dance to, we want to dance to our own tunes.’ 4-7pm, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place. Free.

‘I want to feel brave with my art’ says Otis Berry, ‘I want it to stand out as my style.’

Otis is one of five trainees who are about to complete their traineeships at the Gallery On the Corner in Northumberland Street. He and Freya Levy agree that it’s been a great year. The gallery’s new exhibition Impressions is the culmination of that year, and it’s an outstanding testament to the talent, skill and hard work of the trainees – and the dedication, encouragement and enthusiasm of the gallery managers.

The Gallery on the Corner was set up by Autism Ventures Scotland (AVS) : it offers traineeships to people with Autism Spectrum conditions, and also exhibits work by artists with a physical or mental health condition, or who have come from a disadvantaged background. There’s nothing amateurish about this set-up – the gallery is a commercial operation showcasing high quality art; there is plenty of competition for traineeships, with applicants being required to submit a portfolio before being selected on the basis of merit. Whilst tuition is provided in everything from painting and drawing to monoprinting, lino cutting, screen printing and ceramics, the gallery also places emphasis on the development of commercial skills. The studio underneath the gallery provides work space for the trainees, who attend on a rotational basis throughout the week.

Trainees are employed and paid by AVS and are expected to stick to regular hours like any other staff member. Assistant Manager Paul Penrice explains that the aim is to give the trainees the ability not only to develop their artistic practices but also to create their own ‘brands’ and benchmark pieces – they are encouraged to build a platform for their work, to engage with social media and to think about how their art can be translated into marketable items such as prints and bags.

In Impressions Otis shows monoprints of Edinburgh landmarks – Fettes College, St Stephen’s Church and Edinburgh University all feature, each of them displaying Otis’s excellent mastery of perspective and line. His signature technique is the use of watercolour: he adds a wash of colour to the paper and dries it with a hairdryer before laying it over inked perspex and starting to draw. This gives a three dimensional effect and highlights the details of each building; Otis’s study of the National Gallery is an excellent example. For me, Murrayfield is a particularly effective work, the curves of the building appearing almost like an eggshell, encapsulating the stands and suggesting the spectators’ complete engagement with the game: for 90 minutes nothing else matters.

Freya had already established her practice in crafts – particularly mosaic and glass – before coming to the gallery. Having worked full-time in London, she relished the opportunity to focus solely on her art, and the chance to experiment in new areas like painting and drawing, ‘This has helped me to think outside the box.’ Although many of the trainees base their work on the city itself, Freya prefers to concentrate on animals; the black spikes and shimmering gold bodies of her stunning hedgehog prints contrast beautifully with their sensitive faces. Meanwhile her witty pictures of chickens are highlighted with swathes of colour – pinks, blues, purples and yellows; a solitary rooster has an eye-catching red crest. Freya’s wonderful mosaics also feature animals; Moonlit Owl sits on a branch against a glorious turquoise background, his wide open glare a sharp contrast to the peaceful, serene eyes of Resting Fox. Whilst the mosaics include Murano glass canes, Freya also uses many found materials, including pottery mudlarked from the Thames and pieces of driftwood.

Carole Simonsen shows lino and screen prints: the soft green background of Ivy emphasises the delicate lines of the leaves, whilst in Sunflower Carole focuses on a small part of one head, using muted autumnal colours for the brown seeds and yellow petals. Wishes and Barley contrasts the perfect circle of a blown dandelion head with the wilder sheaves of barley, bits of which seem to escape around the edges of the black background as the ‘wishes’ fly away into the wind.

The buildings of Edinburgh also provide subject matter for Lee Mylne’s screen and lino prints. In Grassmarket a bold orange sunset blazes through the bare bones of the Old Town tenements. Cog, meanwhile, is a psychedelic swirl of lines and colours emanating from an engine, a turquoise/yellow explosion of steam or water.

Calvin McCluskie exhibits a fascinating ceramic interpretation of the Scott Monument: the detailed turrets look like minarets and give the building an exotic air.  I had never thought of the Monument in these terms, but on my way home I looked at it through new eyes – it really does have an almost Turkish feel.

A former gallery trainee, Alice Shaw, is also showing in the gallery just now. In an exhibition entitled Natural Earth, Alice’s black and white lino prints are full of life and movement, from River I, in which banks covered in birds abut a the fast flowing water, itself crammed with fish, to Hunter, in which a fox charges after a fleeing hare. In The Fox and The Bird, however, the fox looks up at a bird on a branch with a gentle, almost smiling face, the softness of the scene so different from the furious energy of the chase. In another far more sinister print, a slow moving river reveals the terrifying eyes and teeth of a crocodile as he glides silently along.

As the year comes to an end, Otis is well ahead with plans for the future.  He is sharing a studio in Cockenzie House in East Lothian and over the next few years he hopes to build up his artistic reputation and make a living from his work. As well as exhibiting in galleries, he has created a Facebook page for his business and has already made some sales through this. He is appreciative of all the commercial training he has had from Paul, manager Susie Anderson and Rob Williams, something he feels he may not have received in a conventional art college.

Freya has already had a successful exhibition of her mosaics at Glass & Thompson in Dundas Street, and is holding a second – this time to include prints – at the same venue in November and December 2014. She explains that the owner has been very supportive of her work, and that showing in a cafe-style setting can lead to more sales than a traditional gallery. She’s building a website and is also busy with other activities – after seeing an exhibition at the gallery by adults with special needs, she now works with a group on a voluntary basis. She and Otis both stress how much they have benefited from being in the trainee group, all of whom are now also friends.

Almost all of the work in these two shows is for sale, at very competitive prices (Otis’s monoprints, for example, are just £65 framed) – Christmas is fast approaching, and this would be an ideal and pain-free way to buy your presents and support emerging artists.

Impressions and Natural Earth are on at The Gallery On the Corner, Northumberland Street until Friday 20th September 2014: the gallery is open 10am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Boroughmuir Rugby & Community Sports Club (BR&CSC) have announced a new three year partnership with leading Irish sportswear manufacturer O’Neills Irish International Sports Company Ltd.

The deal means that O’Neills will produce all playing and replica kit for the Club at Senior and Youth levels as well as providing a comprehensive online retail channel.

O’Neills Irish International Sports Company Ltd. was established in 1918. It is the largest manufacturer of sportswear in Ireland and has manufacturing plants in Dublin and Strabane.

The decision to move to O’Neills reflects the business strategy of the BR&CSC Board as part of their programme to become a more sustainable sports club.

Commenting on the announcement, BR&CSC Chairperson Ally Hay said:

”We are delighted to begin our kit supply relationship with O’Neills allowing us to ensure a secure supply chain to match both the needs of our teams, and our retail aspirations”.

Duncan Small, who oversees all Scottish sales for O’Neills, added

”O’Neills are absolutely delighted to partner Boroughmuir Rugby and Community Sports Club in the coming years – we really welcome the opportunity to work closely with such a progressive and forward thinking club. The impressive business strategy implemented by the Board at the Club underlines the benefits that such a relationship would offer the O’Neills brand. We believe O’Neills have a perfect model for working with all types of sports clubs and we are very much looking forward to assisting Boroughmuir Rugby and Community Sports Club continue to build.”

The Director of Marking & Communications with BR&CSC, Justin Tito, who led the supplier review, commented:

”O’Neill’s expertise in customer service and aligned online solutions is key in getting our brand out national wide and was a key factor in our decision to partner with O’Neills. A good example is their ability to deliver products, within five days from their production facility in Strabane, Northern Ireland. We live in a time where speed and quality of delivery is key to us and our customers.

Main Cover Photo by Claire Watson.

From left: Iain Moody (Scotland 7s and Boroughmuir Rugby), Duncan Small (O’Neills Scotland), Justin Tito (Director Boroughmuir Rugby), Andy Rose (Zimbabwe, Boroughmuir Rugby)

Submitted by James Thomson

Refresh your Sense of style this autumn

Deafblind and disabled charity Sense Scotland would like to invite you to their Swap Shop event on Sunday 5th October. Taking place in the gorgeous Le Monde Hotel, Edinburgh, this is your chance to clear out and refresh your wardrobe for the winter.

The day aims to give guests the chance to clear out their closets and start a fresh whilst raising awareness and funds for the charity. Sense Scotland supports and promotes the interests of children, young people and adults who have communication support needs arising from a range of disabilities including, but not limited to, deafblindness, sensory impairment, learning or physical disability.

All guests are asked to bring along no more than 10 good quality and clean items. This could be clothing, shoes, DVD’s, accessories or books. Tickets to take part are £10 which includes tea and coffee. There will also be a beautician on hand and a cash bar for those who would like to make the day of it!

Erin Leggate, Sense Scotland’s Events Manager: “Our vision is for the people we support to live meaningful and independent lives. Events such as the Swap Shop help us achieve that. We’re all really looking forward to the day; there are great prizes to be won from champagne, chocolates, hair salon vouchers and more so this is definitely one to put in your diary.”

As an added feel good factor, not only will the cost of your ticket be going towards the charity’s work, all leftover items will be taken to their charity shops throughout Scotland.

Tickets to take part in and attend the Swap Shop are £10, you are free to leave with as many items as you like! To get yours contact Erin on 0300 330 9292 or visit Sense Scotland’s website http://www.sensescotland.org.uk

Submitted by Erin Leggate

A taste of Sicily and art on the menu at the new Edinburgh cafe

Art classes are on the menu at Alessandro Costa’s newly-opened Sicilian cafe in Edinburgh.

Alessandro, 45, originally from Palermo, is preparing traditional Sicilian cakes and paninis at Colpamia cafe in Roseburn.

He has also teamed up with local artist and designer Julia Murden to host a series of leisure art classes at Colpamia. They will be held on Wednesday evenings beginning on 24 September.

“I am delighted by the first few weeks of trading,” said Alessandro. His 18-year-old son Alessio is helping him at Colpamia which translates from Italian as “My fault”.

He joked “ I’ve been married for twenty years. It is always my fault!”

Alessandro came over to Scotland after marrying his wife Debbie who is from Dumfries and was responsible for the cafe’s interior design.

He said that he was keen to promote local talent and Julia is a former college lecturer who now runs Vizualedinburgh offering a range of art and design services.

An open day with samples of Sicilian specialities is being held at the cafe on Saturday 20 September 10am to 2pm.

Submitted by Vizualedinburgh

Free Breakfast this morning at 8

Scottish Independence Referendum

Autumn colours

Teenage Cancer Trust

Saughton Park survey

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Yesterday David Cameron visited Aberdeen to speak to an invited audience.

The Yes campaign commented:

“David Cameron’s speech was the same litany of empty threats and empty promises we have come to expect from the No campaign – and he is the Prime Minister who has been orchestrating the campaign of ridiculous scaremongering being directed against Scotland.

“A Yes vote is Scotland’s one opportunity to ensure that we get the job creating powers we need to build a more prosperous economy and fairer society – and the financial powers we need to protect our health service. And only by voting Yes will Scotland always get the governments we vote for – and never again Tory governments imposed by Westminster, presiding over the scandal of a 400 per cent increase in the use of foodbanks while wasting £100 billion on a new generation of Trident nuclear weapons dumped on the Clyde.

“Instead of believing the word of a Tory prime minister on a very few more powers, the people of Scotland can get all the powers we need to build a better, fairer country by believing in ourselves and voting Yes.”

Alex Salmond visited his hometown of Linlithgow and talked to a group of businessmen at Edinburgh Airport. Meanwhile a group of veterans have advised that voters should vote No.

A line-up of Scottish war heroes, army generals and rank-and-file soldiers have issued a plea for voters to say No Thanks to separation.

More than 400 former servicemen and women, all eligible to vote on Thursday, have signed a veterans statement – published today – which warns that splitting the UK this week would leave our defences “irresponsibly weakened”.

They declare:

 “As former members of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force who are proud to call Scotland our home, we passionately believe that the people of Scotland will be stronger and more secure if we remain part of the United Kingdom.”

The signatories represent a who’s who of Scotland’s military history over the last seventy years, including:

 Six former heads of the Army in Scotland.

 Eleven World War two veterans

 15 Generals

They include Colonel Ian Critchley of the Black Watch, the first officer in the Highlands Division to cross the Rhine in 1945.

And the two World War two veterans who separately sank both the Bismark and its sister ship the Turpitz – Lt Cdr Jock Moffat and Lt Cdr John Lorimer – are also signatories.

Men and women of all ranks from all three services (Army, Navy & RAF) are represented as is every single current and former major Scottish regiment: the Black Watch, Gordon Highlanders, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Highlanders, Kings Own Scottish Borderers, Royal Highland Fusiliers, Royal Regiment of Scotland, Royal Scots, Scots Guards, Scottish & North Irish Yeomanry and the Ayrshire Yeomanry and Queens Own Yeomanry.

The decision to speak out is unusual for military figures who, even in retirement, are often reluctant to speak out on political issues. However, with polling day approaching, they have decided to speak out together to show support for the British Armed Forces, and for a No Thanks vote this week.

 They express deep concern over the SNP’s plans to set up a separate Scottish Defence Force with a budget of just £2.5 bn a year. This would pay for two frigates, four mine hundters and 12 Typhoon jets.

 It comes after NATO’s former deputy supreme allied commander in Europe, General Sir Richard Shirreff branded the Scottish Government’s proposals “amateurish” and “dangerous”.

 

 A number of the signatories issue personal messages to voters today to remind undecided voters of the role of the Armed Forces when they vote on Thursday.

 Brigadier Patricia Purves, Adjutant General’s Corps (ETS) who left the army in 2002 after 28 years says:  “I think that our union of peoples who make up the United Kingdom have done more for the world than any other in the history of the human race and Scots have played a hugely important part in this.”

Brigadier Ian Gardiner, Royal Marines who left the army in 2001, having fought in the Dhofar war in Oman and commanded a Commando rifle company in the Falklands war says:  “As a population of 5 million, we could never be safer than as part of a union of 63 million. Our only option would be to align ourselves to our big neighbour, or lie at the mercy of a dangerous, volatile world. We would still depend upon the goodwill and the resources of the remainder of the UK for our wider defence, but would have no say in shaping defence policy.”

Major Hugh McAulay, Royal Highland Fusiliers who left the Regular Army in 2004 after 36 years says: “For most of the boys and girls who served in the Army, Navy and Air Force it’s more than just a border you are talking about breaking.  You are also breaking a lot of emotional and historical ties.”

Commenting, Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives said: ““Time and time again, the UK Armed Forces have proven themselves to be the most professional in the world. For centuries, they have upheld our values, fought for our freedom and kept this small island safe.”

“Britain’s Armed Forces help make this world a safer place. It cannot be right that we should allow our proud military tradition to be vandalised by the SNP’s back of a fag packet plans on defence.”

“Those who have worn the uniform with pride make it clear that not only would our defences be ‘irresponsibly weakened’ but that thousands of high value defence jobs across Scotland would be in peril.”

“In no area is the case for our United Kingdom better made than in defence. Why, on this small island, would we split up the defences that have kept us safe for centuries?”

“We are stronger and safer together. These veterans know it and will be voting to keep Scotland secure as part of the United Kingdom on Thursday. I urge undecided voters to listen to their words and back a No vote too.”

The Yes and No campaigns continue their journey today on the second last day of campaigning.

On Sunday there was an event at Raeburn Place where aerial photos and video were shot of a big NO made up of Better Together supporters. Here’s the video – we might have had our own but were not advised the event was taking place.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8afdS14A1k?list=UUyWigcuOwiv6bHv_WH7hc5w]

***

Share your photos of autumn with us and our readers. Autumn is a great time to be out and about capturing the colours here in Edinburgh or anywhere else.

Add your photos or your videos along with what you like about this time of year here on EdinburghReportage.

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Teenage Cancer Trust has revealed plans detailing how the £5 million inspired by the remarkable teenager, Stephen Sutton MBE, will help other young people with cancer in the UK. The charity has confirmed that £630,000 will be invested in their services for young people with cancer in Scotland.

In Edinburgh, The Royal Hospital for Sick Children is also scheduled for closure so the two-bed Teenage Cancer Trust unit there will also need replacing with new facilities at the new Children’s Hospital when it opens. Stephen’s Story will help to make this possible by contributing £360,000 to a new four bed unit for 13 to16 year olds. It is hoped this replacement unit will open in 2017.

In Glasgow, The Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill is scheduled for closure and so the interim Teenage Cancer Trust unit will need replacing with facilities at the new Southern General Hospital. Stephen’s Story will contribute £270,000 to a new six bed unit for 13 to 16 year olds. This will complete the £500,000 West of Scotland appeal that was launched in 2013. It is anticipated the unit will open in April 2015

Annually, Teenage Cancer Trust invests nearly £800,000 developing and delivering their services and education work cross Scotland.

Christine Jason, Teenage Cancer Trust Head of Regional Fundraising (North), said: “The money from Stephen’s Story is in addition to the relentless fundraising by many patients and families, trusts, companies, schools, colleges and local communities. It’s an incredible amount of money and we are extremely grateful, but we are still not reaching every young person who needs our help, so there is still much to do. We’re still counting on the continued support of people across Scotland so we can reach even more local young people with cancer.”

The state-of-the-art units will complement the charity’s existing services and specialist care at The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre which provides care for 17 to 24 year olds, and at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh which provides care for 16 to 24 year olds.

Unlike ‘ordinary’ hospital wards, the new units will offer bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, and social areas that includes a TV and games area as well as chill out zone and quiet area. There will also be computers with access to wifi throughout, a drinks and dining area, and a kitchen where young people and their families can prepare meals.

Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for young people with cancer, aged 13 to 24. However, for every young person Teenage Cancer Trust helps there’s another they cannot currently reach. The charity hopes that by 2020 every young person with cancer in the UK will have access to their expert support from the moment they hear the word cancer. To achieve this, Teenage Cancer Trust will need to raise over £80 million in the next five years to support current and new services.

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Saughton Park is to be restored and improved. There is a chance for you to have your say. Complete the survey here on the council website.

The survey has been designed so that the council can better understand  Saughton Park visitors and how they feel the park could be improved. It will also inform the development of the masterplan which will become the basis of a second round bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2015, for funds to carry out the restoration and improvements works to the park.

Old Mac’s Munchkins – new farm-themed playgroup. An hour of farm-themed storytelling, crafts, play and songs. For children 2+. 10am today and every Tuesday, Gorgie City Farm (meet at the red tractor), 51 Gorgie Road. £2 per child, no need to book. For more information call 0131 337 4202.

Scottish Country Dancing Taster Session: brush up your steps for St Andrew’s Night at this free session. All welcome regardless of experience level. 7.45pm, Central Hall, Tolcross, EH3 9BP. Organised by the Edinburgh branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society (www.rscds.org)

Demonstration of Traditional Oil Painting: The Portrait. Instructors from the Academy of Realist Art demonstrate the traditional layering process of oil painting as used by 19th century academies. 12 noon-4.30pm (drop-in session), Main Gallery Floor, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

GENERATION: What’s It All About? Moira Jeffrey, art critic at The Scotsman, talks about capturing the past and present of contemporary art in Scotland in the books created for the GENERATION project. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

American versus French Impressionism: a Debate. Richard R Brettell, Margaret McDermott Distinguished Chair of Art and Aesthetics, University of Texas at Dallas, and Richard Thomson, Professor of Fine Art, University of Edinburgh, will discuss the aesthetic and national differences between American and French modernism.  6-7.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

The Future of Learning: Professor Sugatra Mitra, University of Newcastle, will talk through the origins of schooling to the dematerialisation of institutions as we know them. Sugatra will discuss the results of his 13 years of research, which show that children can organise their own learning, achieve educational objectives on their own and read by themselves – what’s more, with access to the internet they can learn anything by themselves. Sugatra will also talk about the implications of this research worldwide. 4.30-5.30pm, Lindsay Stewart Lecture Theatre, Napier University Craiglockhart Campus, Glenlockhart Road. Free but please email lectures@napier.ac.uk to register your interest.

Contributed article

Home Energy Scotland is offering free, impartial advice to anyone interested in installing solar panels, at a drop-in session at Braid Hills Hotel, Edinburgh, 3-8pm Thursday 25 September 2014.

Home Energy Scotland is funded by The Scottish Government and managed by Energy Saving Trust to provide information on making your home cheaper to heat.

James Coventry from Currie installed solar panels in December 2012 and a new hot water tank the year after. James said, “We were delighted with Home Energy Scotland’s free advice service and with the performance of both the panels and the tank.”

Roddy Hamilton, Technical Manager, Home Energy Scotland, said:

“Solar panels can generate hot water or electricity and cut fuel bills – and they’re better for the environment. They can even generate an income for you.

“But choosing the right panels and installer can be unnecessarily complicated. Our trained advisers can make the whole process simpler.

“Come along and have a chat with us, or call 0808 808 2282 and ask for our free solar information pack. We can even arrange for one of our advisors to visit your home to provide tailored advice.”

Home Energy Scotland can also tell you about the financial incentives available, provide a list of registered installers who work in this area and support you while you get estimates and choose who to do the work.

For more information about solar panels and other renewable technologies, go to the Energy Saving Trust website or call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282, text “Warm” to 81025 for a call back or email SErenewables@se.homeenergyscotland.org

Submitted by Heather Walker

What could be better than a tour of East Lothian, stopping off here and there to see some amazing art? Next weekend you can do just this: Art Root is back, and this year its programme is even more ambitious – as well as visiting lots of open studios, galleries and pop-up exhibitions, you can try glass beading, ceramics or printmaking in special workshops*, and children 7+ can enjoy their own session, making birds from recycled materials.

A friend and I followed the Art Root trail last year and it was a brilliant day out; drive around the countryside as the harvest is brought in and stop off at little villages, country towns – and of course the seaside at North Berwick.  In Pencaitland see Suzie Vestri and Marg Hall’s work at the Winton Pottery, then stop again at Tyninghame Village Hall, where six local crafters will show jewellery (such as Lilac Millie’s above), textiles, paintings and wooden furniture. At Whitekirk you can visit the Poldrate Mill Makers to meet their tutors, join in mini-workshops, learn about the classes they offer in Haddington and watch demonstrations, which will include hot glass beadmaking.

There are three open studios at East Linton, each of them well worth a stop (and after visiting the wonderful Smeaton Glass Studio (left) you can have your tea in the garden at Smeaton Tea Rooms if it’s sunny.)  Moving on to Dunbar you’ll find five great venues – including West Barns Village Hall, where six artists are exhibiting everything from painting to ceramics and photography, and West Barns Studios, which is showing painting and prints and also showcasing the activities facilitated by West Barns Arts.  Meanwhile community group Dunbar Art Club will be holding portraiture workshops throughout the weekend and would love people to come and chat – and maybe join the group!

En route from Dunbar to North Berwick call in at Tantallon Studios, where artist Jayne Stokes will be exhibiting and Esther Cohen will be painting her beautiful ceramic tiles. In North Berwick itself there are four diverse studios to visit, and as you follow the coast road back to the city, make sure you allow time to visit Dirleton and the charming Dirleton Gallery (another good place for tea and stickies.)

For more information and a map, see Art Root’s website. Art Root will open 10am-5pm on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st September 2014. There will also be a preview evening on Friday 19th September, 7-9pm at West Barns Village Hall – wine, nibbles and presentations, all welcome. *Please note that for some workshops there are booking requirements and charges – see website for details.

Police Scotland is appealing for information to help trace an Edinburgh man who has gone missing after boarding a flight to Switzerland.

Fergus McInnes, who is 51-years-old and from St Leonard’s Bank, boarded an Easy Jet flight to Geneva Airport on Tuesday 9^th September at 9.35am, which was scheduled to land at 12.50pm.

He was due to attend a conference there but did not check into his hotel or attend the conference. He has not boarded his scheduled return flight and his whereabouts are currently unknown.

Fergus is described as white, ginger hair, 51 years old, slim build and 5ft 7in tall. It is unknown what clothes he was wearing.

PC Philip Wright said: “We are very keen to hear from Fergus or from anyone who has information to his whereabouts, as we are increasingly concerned for his welfare. Anyone who has any information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Well we all know what’s on in Scotland this week….but there’s plenty available to take your mind off it….

MONDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2014

All Quiet On The Western Front (1930): a film saga of German boys avidly signing up for World War I and then learning the truth of war. 6.30-8.30pm, St Brides Community Centre, Orwell Terrace. Free: shown as part of Gorgie War Memorial’s World War I Commemoration Events. For more details of other events see programme available from St Bride’s Centre. 

Blackwell’s Edinburgh Book Group – lively, friendly book chatter for adults,  no previous experience required! Currently reading Laurent Binet’s HHhH: next month The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud.  6pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. To join email your name and address to events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk

Treasure Everywhere: draw, colour or design a piece of treasure to add to the arty archaeological frieze. For all ages. 12 noon-4pm (drop-in session) Grand Gallery Level 1, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street.

Dish The Dirt! Who or what is buried in the dig boxes? Sift, sort and solve the mystery. Suitable for ages 7-12 with an adult helper. 12.30, 2.30 or 3.30pm (45 minute sessions.) Limited places – sign up from 11.30am on the day in the Learning Centre on Level 4, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street.

Paul Durand-Ruel in London and New York: the National Gallery (London)’s curator of post-1800 paintings Christopher Riopelle looks at Durand-Ruel’s marketing strategies in two foreign cities, London, where he first met Monet and Pissarro and showed their works in 1871, and New York where from 1887 he maintained a highly successful gallery with a major impact on American collecting. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Crowd Sourcing: popular family drop-in workshops taking inspiration from the Where Do I End and You Begin exhibition. Kushana Bush’s paintings tell mysterious stories about groups and crowds: using paper and collage, make your own crowd scene and tell its story. Suitable for the whole family working together. 1.30-3.30pm, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street.

Create a Caricature: learn the art of caricature in this special workshop for families – come prepared with the images of some people you would like to caricature. 10.30am-12.30pm or 1.30-3.30pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. £5 per person – bookings must be made via the Usher Hall Box Office, in person, by phone or online.

Edible Gardening: Seasonal Advice: drop in to find out how to grow your own food and take a look around the productive garden with the Edible Gardening Project team. 1-3pm, Demonstration Garden, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Free, no booking required. Also available at same times on Tuesday 16th September.

TUESDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 2014

Old Mac’s Munchkins – new farm-themed playgroup. An hour of farm-themed storytelling, crafts, play and songs. For children 2+. 10am today and every Tuesday, Gorgie City Farm (meet at the red tractor), 51 Gorgie Road. £2 per child, no need to book. For more information call 0131 337 4202.

Scottish Country Dancing Taster Session: brush up your steps for St Andrew’s Night at this free session. All welcome regardless of experience level. 7.45pm, Central Hall, Tolcross, EH3 9BP. Organised by the Edinburgh branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society (www.rscds.org)

Demonstration of Traditional Oil Painting: The Portrait. Instructors from the Academy of Realist Art demonstrate the traditional layering process of oil painting as used by 19th century academies. 12 noon-4.30pm (drop-in session), Main Gallery Floor, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

GENERATION: What’s It All About? Moira Jeffrey, art critic at The Scotsman, talks about capturing the past and present of contemporary art in Scotland in the books created for the GENERATION project. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

American versus French Impressionism: a Debate. Richard R Brettell, Margaret McDermott Distinguished Chair of Art and Aesthetics, University of Texas at Dallas, and Richard Thomson, Professor of Fine Art, University of Edinburgh, will discuss the aesthetic and national differences between American and French modernism.  6-7.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

The Future of Learning: Professor Sugatra Mitra, University of Newcastle, will talk through the origins of schooling to the dematerialisation of institutions as we know them. Sugatra will discuss the results of his 13 years of research, which show that children can organise their own learning, achieve educational objectives on their own and read by themselves – what’s more, with access to the internet they can learn anything by themselves. Sugatra will also talk about the implications of this research worldwide. 4.30-5.30pm, Lindsay Stewart Lecture Theatre, Napier University Craiglockhart Campus, Glenlockhart Road. Free but please email lectures@napier.ac.uk to register your interest.

WEDNESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 2014

Here and There: Claire from the Scottish Book Trust will lead a discussion about newcomers’ experience of Scotland in comparison to their home countries. An opportunity for migrants and local people to share stories and perhaps contribute to a book by the Scottish Book Trust!  Also a chance to hand draw your own map of Edinburgh. This event is part of a regular newcomers’ conversation class run by The Welcoming. 2.15-4.15pm, St John’s Church Hall, Princes Street. All welcome: free.

Current Exchanges: Weavers Tour with curator Ben Divall. Tour around the balcony with Ben Divall, weavers from Dovecot and visiting weaver Sue Batten from Australian Tapestry Workshop. Learn more about the historic links and ongoing collaborative projects between both institutions and the techniques and processes involved in creating the tapestries currently on show from Melbourne and Edinburgh. 6-7pm, Dovecot Studios, Infirmary Street. Free but please book via eventbrite.

National Library of Scotland Guided Tour: tour of the building and introduction to the Library’s collections and history. 10.30-11.45am (approx), National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Numbers limited, booking essential. Book online or call 0131 623 3734. Please let NLS know of any special access requirements.

Reflect on the Referendum: Polwarth Church (a polling station on 18th September) is open all day today for those who wish to contemplate their decision. You can walk the church’s labyrinth, light a candle as an act of hope for the future or just sit quietly and think. 10am-6pm, Polwarth Church, 36-38 Polwarth Terrace.

Rushman and Tyman: Stop Thief! Rushman and Tyman’s Flaghall, one of the works in the Where Do I End and You Begin exhibition, is a space of potential multiple uses – a community hall, exhibition space or meeting place. As part of Stop Thief! visitors to the exhibition will experience live interventions in the gallery, further exploring the themes raised in this work. 1pm, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. Free.

Being a Scientist in the UK Today: a lunchtime discussion. A panel of experts will consider what motivates scientists and what pressures they are under, what effects funding and publishing systems are having on the production of high quality, ethical scientific research, whether current methods for assessing the quality of science are working and whether competition in science is a good thing. 12.30-2pm, Informatics Forum, University of Edinburgh, 10 Crichton Street. Book via eventbrite. Free.

Three Female Surgeons: Chris Short will tell the story of three Edinburgh surgeons who refused to accept rejection at a time when women were not allowed to study medicine. Over the course of a century they paved the way for women to join the medical profession on equal terms with their male colleagues. The talk is presented in association with the Words and Deeds, Weapons and Wounding exhibition which is at Napier until 30th September 2014. 4pm, Level 5 LRC, Edinburgh Napier University Sighthill Campus, Sighthill Court.  Free, but please RSVP to events@napier.ac.uk as places will be limited.

Lunchtime Concert: Will Pickvance – Piano Speak. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free.

Free The Technics Two: vinyl session, ‘Not only do we demand a revolution we can dance to, we want to dance to our own tunes.’ 4-7pm, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place. Free.

THURSDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER 2014

Moonhop – The Raverendum: live music, whisky, dancing and rare vinyl, featuring Moonhop DJs Whisky Stephen (& the FOUND team), live set from FOUND (Lomond Campbell and River of Slime) and poetry from Neu Reekie’s Michael Pedersen and Kevin Williamson. ‘Dance off the tension to the best record collection in Scotland.’ 8pm-12.30am, Demonstration Room, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets £5: book here. Over 18s only.

WHALE Street Arts: bringing arts to the streets of Wester Hailes. Beatboxing, Dance, Breakdance and Art: learning new skills and developing old ones. 5-5.30pm @ Harvesters Square, 5.30-6pm @ Dumbeg, 6-6.30pm @ Hailesland, 6.30-7pm @ Walkers, 7-7.30pm @ Westburn – all Wester Hailes. For more information call 0131 458 3267 or click here.

Easel Sketching in the Gallery: September. Drop-in sketching in the Gallery, led by artist Damian Callen. A different subject every month, sometimes with a live model. 2-4pm, Main Floor, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free and unticketed. Also available at same times on Friday 19th September.

Rudsambee: Rudsambee Company of Singers return to the National Portrait Gallery with their usual eclectic music after a very successful year. They will showcase repertoire from their recent award-winning trip to Ireland, such as Ieuan Wyn’s Cariad, as well as featuring music from further afield including a selection of 20th century Eastern European music and an arrangement of the Syrian folk song, Fog Elna Khel. 6-6.30pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free and unticketed.

The Drawing Room: an informal, artist-led, drawing session. Each session is developed by a contemporary artist and inspired by the GENERATION exhibition, reflecting concerns within the artist’s own work. All materials supplied, no experience necessary. This session’s artist is Ailie Rutherford. Part of GENERATION By Night. 5.30-6.45pm, The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Dilli, from the rear view mirror of the Sikh taxi driver: Radhika Govinda of the University of Edinburgh Centre for South Asian Studies, gives a paper reflecting on the narratives of Sikh taxi drivers in a metropolis which has the dubious distinction of being called ‘the rape capital of India’ even as urban development plans are afoot to turn it into a ‘world class city.’ 4-6pm, Doorway 1, Room 2.520, Sydney Smith Lecture Theatre, Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place.

LGBT Learning Disability Project Social Circle:  a monthly group for LGBT people who also identify as having a learning disability. This month: Dealing with Stress – find out about where stress comes from and ways to reduce it. Lifecare Centre, Cheyne Street, Stockbridge, EH4 1JB. Contact George for time and to find out about joining the group: email george@lgbthealth.org.uk or call 0131 652 3281. Please bring a carer or supporter if you need help to participate.

FRIDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 2014

36 Years of Brain Feed: Edinburgh-based painter Brian Cheesewright exhibits a bold selection of pictures made over the last few years. ‘Cheesewright’s style had lurched, back-stepped and stumbled between the expressive, the gestural and the romantic, the cynical and the absurd.’ Opening 6-8pm tonight, then Wednesday-Friday 2-7pm, Saturdays 11am-2pm until 18th October 2014, Interview Room II, 38 Castle Terrace. Interview Room II is part of ForestCentre+

Freeze Frame Film Club: monthly classic film night in Leith. An informal evening of flickering images drawn from classic old favourites. Free popcorn and good company guaranteed. This month Harvey (1950), James Stewart in one of his finest performances. Doors open 6.30pm, film starts 8.30pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. Tickets £2.50 (children £2) payable at the door or in advance from the cafe. The cafe offers a special celluloid themed menu on film nights, served before the screening and costing £12.00 pp.  Meals must be booked in advance on 0131 555 7100.

BBC Any Questions: the programme will be broadcast live from the Kirk – this is your chance to ask a question and influence the debate. 8pm (audience should arrive no later than 7.30pm), Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Tickets are free and can be obtained along with question submission forms from the Kirk office (open 9am-4pm, Monday to Friday): alternatively email the Administrator at administrator@greyfriarskirk.com

Easel Sketching in the Gallery: September. Drop-in sketching in the Gallery, led by artist Damian Callen. A different subject every month, sometimes with a live model. 2-4pm, Main Floor, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Edinburgh Napier University Campus Tours: view the fantastic facilities and chat about university life with Napier’s Student Ambassadors. 2pm at each of Napier’s campuses: Sighthill, Craiglockhart and Merchiston. Booking required: register here to reserve your place.

Black Cube Collective Show: Black Cube is an independent artist-led collective based in Edinburgh which creates opportunities for emerging artists in Scotland and internationally. The show will include sculpture, installation, painting, video, photography, printmaking and ceramics, with works in all three galleries of St Margaret’s House. ‘A coherent exposition of upcoming artistic talent’ (The List on Black Cube’s recent exhibition at Cockenzie House.) Opening tonight 7-9pm, then 10am-6pm daily until Sunday 5th October 2014, St Margaret’s House, 151 London Road. Free.

SEEP II: Mirrors and Mires. Cachin Cachan Cachunga presents this exhibition event with visual art, film, performance, music and installation, particularly highlighting work from minority groups. BSL interpretation, film subtitling, audio description, Braille, large-print programmes and wheelchair access will all be available. All welcome. Opening today 7-10pm with live performance by Andra Simons,then 12 noon-6pm Saturday to Monday, 2-8pm Tuesday to Friday, until 29th September 2014, Patriothall Gallery, 1D Patriothall off Hamilton Place, Stockbridge.

Stockbridge Photography Collective Charity Exhibition: a showcase of the best images from this local group of photographers. Opening party 7-9.30pm tonight, then open to 25th September, Twenty-Eight Pop-Up, 28 St Stephen’s Street. Call 07552 730100 for more information.

Twenty-Eight Private Viewing: come and see the current exhibition of Scottish design talent, from jewellery to accessories, prints to photography and bow ties to tea sets.  Meet the designers, stay for a drink, and tonight get 15% off all purchases. 7-9.30pm, Twenty-Eight Pop-Up, 28 St Stephen’s Street. Call 0131 225 3692 for more information.

Flora’s International Day: a celebration of the cultural diversity within Flora Stevenson Primary School. Children will receive a passport which will be stamped when they visit some of the nationalities represented at Flora’s: an opportunity to learn about diverse cultures, taste international food and speak to some of the World Families of Flora’s. 12.30-2.30pm, Flora Stevenson Primary School, Comely Bank. Free and open to all.

SATURDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER 2014

Colony of Artists: a varied collection of work on display in the artisan community of Abbeyhill Colonies. Over 30 artists in 20 venues open their homes to show painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, music and much more. 1-5pm, Abbeyhill Colonies, junction of Easter Road and London Road: for more information see website here. Arrival by bus or on foot is recommended. Also open at same times on Sunday 21st September.

Free Family Cinema: see your favourite films for free! Choc ices and juice available in the interval for 50p. This week: Wall-E, next week Horton Hears a Who.  Best for children aged 10 or under: all children must be accompanied by an adult. 10.30am-12.30pm (includes interval), St Brides Centre, Orwell Terrace, Dalry.

Art Root Open Studios: want a day out in sunny East Lothian? This year’s Art Root is the most ambitious to date and includes not only lots of open studios but also group exhibitions and a range of bookable workshops and events. Come and visit the talented artists and makers who live in this beautiful corner of Scotland – it’s only a few short miles from the city! Venues in North Berwick, Dunbar, Direlton, Pencaitland, East Linton, West Barns, Whitekirk and stops in between. Plenty of great cafes and tea shops in the area. Full details and PDF brochure here. A great day out guaranteed – even if the sun isn’t…..Also on Sunday 21st September.

Harvest Festival at the Botanics: a celebration of the vegetable growing year for all ages. Discover the delights of growing your own vegetables with the Edible Gardening Project team: community garden produce show, fun activities, edible gardening advice, information about harvesting, cooking and storing crops, seasonal recipes, tasters and more. 1-4pm, John Hope Gateway and throughout the Garden, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Free, no booking required. Also available at same times on Sunday 21st September.

Polwarth Nearly New Sale: children’s clothes, toys, nursery equipment, maternity wear, high chairs, pushchairs and much more! Over 5,000 items for sale. 11am-1pm, Polwarth Church, 36-38 Polwarth Terrace. Raising funds for The Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital and Polwarth Church. Donations most welcome: see website for more information.

Bookbug: free, fun and friendly sessions for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their families to enjoy together. Songs, stories and rhymes, and a chance to meet other families in your area. 10.30am today and every Saturday, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street.

GENERATION tours at Modern One: free, discussion-led tours of the GENERATION exhibition, focusing on key themes and artists. 11-11.45am or 1-1.45pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. No booking required.

Portrait Gallery Architecture Tours: monthly architecture tours of the magnificent Arts & Crafts building designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson. 2-2.45pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free but booking essential as places are limited: call 0131 624 6560.

Alter Egos: popular family drop-in workshops taking inspiration from the Where Do I End and You Begin exhibition. Create a new identity for yourself using disguises made out of paper, inspired by Mary Sibande’s character Sophie. Suitable for the whole family working together. 1.30-3.30pm, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street.

Allan Burnett: The Story of Scotland.  Allan Burnett is famous for making history exciting for all ages. He will talk about his new book, The Story of Scotland inspired by the Great Tapestry of Scotland, a humorous yet informative book for readers aged 8-12, at 11am, Far from the Madding Crowd, 20 High Street, Linlithgow.  ‘A trip through time and a whole lot of adventures along the way: expect props!’ Contact shop for more details.

Green Worlds: No Strangers Exhibition talk. Celebrate the Harvest Festival and the last weekend of the no strangers exhibition with Flora Inches and Ian Edwards (RBGE) on a tour through the glasshouses.  Discover plants that provide essential nourishment, nutritional and spiritual, to indigenous people around the world. 11.30am – 12.30pm, meet at the Palmhouse, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Free, no booking required, but you must buy a ticket to enter the Glasshouses: £5/£4.  Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Stockfest 2014: a week long celebration of community events in Stockbridge starts today. Ceilidhs, walks, market, music, art….the full programme is available here.

StockFlea Vintage & Craft Market: vintage goodies, bric-a-brac, crafts and more at Stockbridge’s very own outdoor flea market. 11am-4pm, Jubilee Gardens, Saunders Street.

StockDog: come along with your dogs of all shapes and sizes for a fun, activity-filled afternoon. Displays from vets, groomers and trainers, plus support from local stores, photo portraits with your dogs and fun StockCrufts competitions with prizes! 1-4pm, Pond-side, Inverleith Park, Arboretum Road.

Song Circle Drop-In Session: a dynamic and fun version of the Song Circle sessions which run on weekday mornings in the Skylark Cafe. Scottish songs, nursery rhymes, poetry and percussion fun for children aged 0-5 years. 10.30am, Skylark Cafe, 40 Hamilton Place. No booking required: first come, first served. £3.50 per head including tea, coffee and biscuits. More information on 0131 225 4444.

SEEP II: Tour for Visually-Impaired Visitors. A tour of Cachin Cachan Cachunga’s exhibition event, which includes visual art, film, performance, music and installation, particularly highlighting work from minority groups. BSL interpretation, film subtitling, audio description, Braille, large-print programmes and wheelchair access will all be available. 4pm, Patriothall Gallery, 1D Patriothall off Hamilton Place, Stockbridge. For more information see Patriothall website.

A Walk Through Stockbridge’s Sporting History: Scottish Blue Badge Guide Colin Imrie will lead a walk discovering Stockbridge’s sporting heritage. From bowling to boxing to rugby and rowing. Some steps and uneven ground on the route: wear comfortable shoes. 11am-1pm, meet at Portgower Place (beside the Raeburn House Hotel). Free: a collection will be taken for Alzheimer’s Scotland. More information: colinimrie@blueyonder.co.uk

Fun Flower Arranging: let your children’s creativity go wild with a colourful little flower arrangement. For 2-10 year olds. 10am-3pm, White Petal Company, 100a Raeburn Place, Stockbridge.

SUNDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER 2014

Art Root Open Studios: want a day out in sunny East Lothian? This year’s Art Root is the most ambitious to date and includes not only lots of open studios but also group exhibitions and a range of bookable workshops and events. Come and visit the talented artists and makers who live in this beautiful corner of Scotland – it’s only a few short miles from the city! Venues in North Berwick, Dunbar, Direlton, Pencaitland, East Linton, West Barns, Whitekirk and stops in between. Plenty of great cafes and tea shops in the area. Full details and PDF brochure here. A great day out guaranteed – even if the sun isn’t…..

Edinburgh Canoe Marathon: a great opportunity for canoe and kayak marathon  paddlers to race in the heart of Edinburgh. The race is over four courses and there should be a distance suitable for all paddlers. Event starts at Meggatland Bridge, EH14 1DD: use car par on north side of canal only. Registration opens at 9.30am: briefings for medium (12k), short (6k) and junior (under 12s) races start at 10.40am, briefing for long race (18k) starts at 9.50am. Entry fees: senior £4, junior £3 plus you must for insurance purposes be a member of the Scottish Canoe Association or the British Canoe Union to participate – day membership will be available for £5.  Enter in advance by contacting mjames@rgare.com, or on the day. More information here.

Colony of Artists: a varied collection of work on display in the artisan community of Abbeyhill Colonies. Over 30 artists in 20 venues open their homes to show painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, music and much more. 1-5pm, Abbeyhill Colonies, junction of Easter Road and London Road: for more information see website here. Arrival by bus or on foot is recommended.

Stockfest: St Stephen’s Street Traders’ Association Street Party: shopping events, live music, craft stalls, demonstrations, fun for all the family. 12 noon-5pm, St Stephen’s Street, Stockbridge.

GENERATION tours at the Academy Building: free, discussion-led tours of the GENERATION exhibition, focusing on key themes and artists. 11-11.45am or 1-1.45pm, The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound. No booking required.

Bags of Art – September: cool and creative art for ages 7-12 with artists Tessa Asquith-Lamb and Louise Fraser. 2-4pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. No booking required: free.

Hearing Impaired Tour – American Impressionism: a New Vision. Free tour with portable loops for the hearing impaired, with artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb. 11am-12 noon, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art TWO, Belford Road. To book a free place contact the Information Desk on 0131 624 6560.

Harvest Festival at the Botanics: a celebration of the vegetable growing year for all ages. Discover the delights of growing your own vegetables with the Edible Gardening Project team: community garden produce show, fun activities, edible gardening advice, information about harvesting, cooking and storing crops, seasonal recipes, tasters and more. 1-4pm, John Hope Gateway and throughout the Garden, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Free, no booking required.

Seeds of Time: follow crop diversity pioneer Cary Fowler in this film about his impassioned journey to re-invent a global food system that can ‘live forever.’ UK Premiere and bike powered screening! 7.30-9.15pm (doors open 7pm), Gateway Decking (outdoors), Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Tickets £6/£4 can be booked here. Part of the Take One Action Film Festival. 

St Giles at Six: Voiceworks. Vocal solos, duets and ensemble items from composers including Mozart, Morricone and Sullivan. 6pm, St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free: retiring collection.

Autumn Lecture: Rev Dr Marjory MacLean talks about the Forces Chaplaincy. 7-8pm (refreshments served at 6.30pm), Church Halls, Morningside Parish Church, Cluny Gardens/Braid Road, Morningside. All welcome.

Scottish Independence Referendum 

Dog fouling

Macmillan fundraiser

Today at The Filmhouse

Fireworks on the Forth Road Bridge

There are now three days campaigning left before the Referendum vote on Thursday.

Better Together got John Reid to speak on their behalf yesterday at the Glasshouse Hotel at the top of Leith Walk. He posed five questions which he claims undecided voters need answers to.

 

The questions are:

Jobs – When so many businesses have said that they would be forced to move, are you certain that your job is safe?

Currency – Do you know what the currency will be?

Pensions – Are you sure your pension is safer in a separate Scotland?

Prices – Are you confident that prices in the shops won’t go up?

NHS – Are you certain the NHS can be funded after separation?

John Reid said that if people in Scotland don’t get answers to these fundamental questions, they should vote No.

Speaking in Edinburgh today, John Reid said:

“In this referendum the nationalists can offer you anything and if you vote for them and they don’t deliver there is no way you can kick them out because there is no way back from this decision.

“And so their promises and their threats get all the more desperate.

“Nowhere are they more desperate – more cynical – than when they talk about our National Health Service.

“Six months ago Nicola Sturgeon was telling the SNP conference that because of devolution the NHS in Scotland couldn’t be privatised.

“In their 2011 manifesto they said they had all the powers they needed to protect the NHS.

“Yet a few weeks ago – when the polls wouldn’t budge for them – they decided that wasn’t true.

“And they went on the most cynical, disgusting campaign I have seen in my political career.

“They went to the sick and the vulnerable and told them the NHS was going to be privatised if they didn’t vote yes.

“The only way that could be true is if Alex Salmond privatises it in a day of reckoning to punish the people of Scotland after we vote No.

“The NHS cannot be privatised unless the Scottish Parliament decides to privatise it.

“So let’s nail that SNP lie on the NHS.

“And then they talk about funding.

“The Institute for Fiscal Studies showed this week that this SNP government has withheld from the Scottish NHS rises in spending which even the Tories – the Tories – spent on the English NHS.

“Be clear. The Scottish Parliament has the power now to increase NHS spending.

“That power will increase in the coming months. And it will increase even further when our proposals are passed.

“If you are tempted to vote yes for whatever reason, if you vote yes to save the NHS you are voting yes on a lie.

“Only a No vote will bring about the change, and the stability, security and growth which will give us the resources to properly fund the NHS.

“There are up to 500,000 undecided voters in Scotland. My message to them is simple – if you don’t know, vote No. It’s not a risk worth taking.”

The Yes campaign were out in force at The Meadows yesterday afternoon. Although there were also some Better Together campaigners there the event had the overwhelming feel of a Yes event due to the number of pro-independence campaigners there.

In Glasgow meanwhile crowds gathered outside the BBC’s Pacific Quay studios to mark their objections to the BBC coverage of the Independence Referendum campaign which they believe has been biased.

//

For those who are voting for the first time Young Scot has produced a video featuring a pupil from St Thomas of Aquins High School as a guide:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgP2HeAzI04]

***

The Clean Up Scotland campaign, run by the independent charity Keep Scotland Beautiful, has today  urged Scots to heed its “Ditch the Dirt” campaign warnings, as Scotland’s parks face a public vote for recognition in a UK wide competition.

Dog fouling is still regarded as one of the major hindrances to increased use of Scotland’s outdoor spaces, with an irresponsible minority of dog walkers blighting the prospects for the nation’s parks, as well as impacting on the reputation of the vast majority of owners who responsibly clean up after their dog. The Clean Up Scotland campaign has brought together over 370,000 volunteers in Clean Ups across the country, and 64% of those events have reported a problem with dog fouling.

Keep Scotland Beautiful is demanding a zero-tolerance approach, and urging all dog owners to Ditch the Dirt and help make Scotland’s parks the best they can be. The call comes as the charity is asking everyone to vote for their favourite park or open space in a public vote accessed through the Keep Scotland Beautiful website .

Mark Bevan, Head of Campaigns at Keep Scotland Beautiful has called for a renewed determination to change behaviour amongst irresponsible dog owners:

“Our Ditch the Dirt campaign is highlighting the impact that dog fouling is having on public use of our open spaces – it is one of the most common reasons for not making the most of our magnificent parks. At a time when Scotland’s parks are being rated and compared to the very best across the UK, we simply can’t expect second best to be good enough to deliver success.

“So, as the national vote is in full swing, let’s use that to spur renewed energy and determination to Ditch the Dirt.”

In recent research into public attitudes to littering carried out by Keep Scotland Beautiful, almost 7 in 10 people rated dog fouling as the item on our streets, parks and beaches that angered them most. Irresponsible dog owners who do not pick up after their pet risk a £40 Fixed Penalty Notice which increases if left unpaid.

Mark Bevan added:

“We want dog owners to enjoy their dogs and take them to the fantastic open spaces that Scotland is renowned for, however, we have a simple message: Grab it, bag it, bin it – any public litter bin will do!”

Suitably bagged, dog waste can be disposed of in any public litter bin, or the many dedicated dog waste bins that are provided. A support pack can be downloaded from www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ditchthedirt, and a supply of poo bags is available on request from info@cleanupscotland.com

Edinburgh Council also has a page on its website where they ask you to report any dog fouling that you spot in Edinburgh.

***

A fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support is being staged at The Churchill Theatre in Morningside next week.

Showcase return with a brand new selection of Pop, Rock, Classical, Stage and Screen HITS!  2014 see Showcase turn to Aztec Camera, Jekyll and Hyde, Sunshine on Leith, Pink, Bastille and lots more.

Showcase 2014 is performed by a cast of over 50 performers and a 14 piece orchestra.  All proceeds raised by the show go directly to MacMillan Cancer Support and their extraordinary work helping people who live with Cancer.

Time: 7.30pm (Saturday Matinee – 2.30pm)
Tickets: £14.00

***

If you are tired of all the referendum news and just want to get away from it all for a while then The Filmhouse has the new Colin Firth film showing later. Ticket details here.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtSzAEvBIK0]

***

Did you miss the Fireworks at the Forth Road Bridge on Saturday evening?
Well you can watch them here:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcP1MJjes8I]

All Quiet On The Western Front (1930): a film saga of German boys avidly signing up for World War I and then learning the truth of war. 6.30-8.30pm, St Brides Community Centre, Orwell Terrace. Free: shown as part of Gorgie War Memorial’s World War I Commemoration Events. For more details of other events see programme available from St Bride’s Centre.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh Book Group – lively, friendly book chatter for adults,  no previous experience required! Currently reading Laurent Binet’s HHhH: next month The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud.  6pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. To join email your name and address to events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk

Treasure Everywhere: draw, colour or design a piece of treasure to add to the arty archaeological frieze. For all ages. 12 noon-4pm (drop-in session) Grand Gallery Level 1, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street.

Dish The Dirt! Who or what is buried in the dig boxes? Sift, sort and solve the mystery. Suitable for ages 7-12 with an adult helper.

12.30, 2.30 or 3.30pm (45 minute sessions.) Limited places – sign up from 11.30am on the day in the Learning Centre on Level 4, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street.

Paul Durand-Ruel in London and New York: the National Gallery (London)’s curator of post-1800 paintings Christopher Riopelle looks at Durand-Ruel’s marketing strategies in two foreign cities, London, where he first met Monet and Pissarro and showed their works in 1871, and New York where from 1887 he maintained a highly successful gallery with a major impact on American collecting. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Crowd Sourcing: popular family drop-in workshops taking inspiration from the Where Do I End and You Begin exhibition. Kushana Bush’s paintings tell mysterious stories about groups and crowds: using paper and collage, make your own crowd scene and tell its story. Suitable for the whole family working together. 1.30-3.30pm, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street.

Create a Caricature: learn the art of caricature in this special workshop for families – come prepared with the images of some people you would like to caricature. 10.30am-12.30pm or 1.30-3.30pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. £5 per person – bookings must be made via the Usher Hall Box Office, in person, by phone or online.

Edible Gardening: Seasonal Advice: drop in to find out how to grow your own food and take a look around the productive garden with the Edible Gardening Project team. 1-3pm, Demonstration Garden, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Free, no booking required. Also available at same times on Tuesday 16th September.

photo: www.bbc.co.uk

Nelson: ‘Order the signal, Hardy.’

Hardy: ‘Aye, aye sir.’

Nelson: ‘Hold on, that’s not what I dictated to Flags. What’s the meaning of this?’

Hardy: ‘Sorry sir?’

Nelson (reading aloud): ”’England expects every person to do his or her duty, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious persuasion, age or disability” – What gobbledegook is this?’

Hardy: ‘Admiralty policy, I’m afraid, sir. We’re an Equal Opportunities employer now. We had the devil’s own job getting ‘ England ‘ past the censors, lest it be considered racist.’

Nelson: ‘Gadzooks, Hardy. Hand me my pipe and tobacco.’

Hardy: ‘Sorry sir. All naval vessels have now been designated smoke-free working environments.’

Nelson: ‘In that case, break open the rum ration. Let us splice the main-brace to steel the men before battle.’

Hardy: ‘The rum ration has been abolished, Admiral. It’s part of the Government’s policy on binge drinking.’

Nelson: ‘Good heavens, Hardy. I suppose we’d better get on with it ……. full speed ahead.’

Hardy: ‘I think you’ll find that there’s a 4-knot speed limit in this stretch of water.’

Nelson: ‘Damn it man! We are on the eve of the greatest sea battle in history. We must advance with all dispatch. Report from the crow’s nest please.’

Hardy: ‘That won’t be possible, sir.’

Nelson: ‘What?’

Hardy: ‘Health and Safety have closed the crow’s nest, sir – no harness. And they said that rope ladders don’t meet regulations. They won’t let anyone up there until a proper scaffolding can be erected.’

Nelson: ‘Then get me the ship’s carpenter without delay, Hardy.’

Hardy: ‘He’s busy knocking up a wheelchair access to the foredeck, Admiral.’

Nelson: ‘Wheelchair access? I’ve never heard anything so absurd.’

Hardy: ‘Health and Safety again, sir. We have to provide a barrier-free environment for the differently-abled.’

Nelson: ‘Differently-abled? I’ve only one arm and one eye and I refuse even to hear mention of the word. I didn’t rise to the rank of Admiral by playing the disability card.’

Hardy: ‘Actually, sir, you did. The Royal Navy is under-represented in the areas of visual impairment and limb deficiency.’

Nelson: ‘Whatever next? Break out the cannon and tell the men to stand by to engage the enemy.’

Hardy: ‘The men are a bit worried about shooting at anyone, Admiral. They’re afraid of being charged with murder if they actually kill anyone. There’s a couple of legal-aid lawyers on board, watching everyone like hawks.’

Nelson: ‘Then how are we to sink the Frenchies and the Spanish?’

Hardy: ‘Actually, sir, we’re not.’
Nelson: ‘We’re not?’

Hardy: ‘No, sir. The French and the Spanish are our European partners now. According to the Common Fisheries Policy, we shouldn’t even be in this stretch of water. We could get hit with a claim for compensation.’

Nelson: ‘But you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil?’

Hardy: ‘I wouldn’t let the ship’s Diversity Co-Ordinator hear you saying that, sir. You’ll be up on a disciplinary report.’

Nelson: ‘You must consider every man an enemy, who speaks ill of your King.’

Hardy: ‘Not any more, sir. We must be inclusive in this multicultural age. Now put on your Kevlar vest – it’s the rules. It could save your life.’

Nelson: ‘Don’t tell me – health and safety. Whatever happened to rum, sodomy and the lash?’

Hardy: As I explained, sir, rum is off the menu. And there’s a ban on corporal punishment.’

Nelson: ‘What about sodomy?’

Hardy: ‘I believe that is now legal, sir.’

Nelson: ‘In that case….. kiss me, Hardy!’

Former BBC Scotland meteorologist, known affectionately by fans as Heather ‘the weather’ Reid was joined by a buzzy bee and ribbiting frog to kick-off the search for Edinburgh’s best green community idea.

Heather is urging community groups across Edinburgh to enter A Grand Green Idea, for their chance to win £1,000 of funding to help bring their green initiative to life.

A partnership between WWF Scotland and People’s Postcode Lottery, A Grand Green Idea is challenging community groups, schools and social clubs to come up with an idea that will benefit their local environment.

This year’s competition has two main categories under which groups can enter their ideas; Climate & Energy – which could include the final piece of funding for a community wind turbine to insulating the local Scout hut; and Wildlife & Nature – which could range from clearing pondweed from a local stream, planting wild flowers to helping bees with pollination or creating an insect habitat like a ‘bee hotel’.

This year will see a finalist from each category receive £1,000 to bring their idea to life and an overall winner receiving an additional £1000 to really boost their Grand Green Idea in the community.

Commenting on the launch, Heather Reid said:

“I’m delighted to again be supporting such a worthwhile and exciting project. Over the past two years I’ve been impressed by some of the innovative ideas local communities have had to improve their environment. A Grand Green Idea is a great opportunity for people to get together and think about their local surroundings and how they can make it more environmentally friendly.”

The competition, which is in its third year, has previously had hundreds of entries from community groups from all over the country and organisers are hoping that this year will be a record breaker.

Lang Banks, director of WWF Scotland, said:

“We’re thrilled to be launching our third annual Grand Green Idea competition, and we’re looking forward to seeing the great ideas local groups come up with to improve the environment.

“Once again, we would like to thank the generosity of the players of People’s Postcode Lottery for their on-going support for this competition. From protecting wildlife to saving energy, our environment is very important, and by joining together at every level, including communities, we can all help to make a big difference.”

The competition hopes to convey that small ideas can make a big difference within Scotland’s communities. The winners of last year’s competition, Fife based CLEAR (Community Led Environmental Action for Regeneration) wowed judges with their urban orchard project.

With the help of the £1,000 prize, the community group in Buckhaven transformed public cycle and walk ways into lined orchards which boast Scottish varieties of apple and plum trees, with native planted bluebells, crocus and other flowering bulbs.

Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, added:

“A Grand Green Idea is a fantastic initiative and I am delighted that People’s Postcode Lottery are working alongside WWF on this project. I would like to encourage community groups across Scotland to get their thinking caps on and come up with an idea that will improve their local environment.”

All community groups, schools, clubs and community councils with six members or more can enter the competition. Judging the ideas will be a panel from WWF Scotland and People’s Postcode Lottery, who will be testing entries based on their ability to benefit the wider community, the long term benefit of the project and the ability to involve a wider audience.

To apply for their chance to win, entrants must state their idea in under 500 words before the closing deadline of 5 October 2014. For more information or to enter, visit http://www.wwfscotland.org.uk/grandgreenidea

Submitted by Katie Burnett

The Soundhouse Organisation are hosting a ‘Yes/No Now We Know’ Ceilidh for the day after the independence referendum on Friday 19 September 2014. It will be held at the Southside Community Centre on Nicolson Street.

Providing the music will be Rachel Newton, harpist, fiddle-player, and singer who’ll be leading the Soundhouse Allstar Ceilidh Band.
Rachel Newton is one of Edinburgh’s most accomplished and in-demand musicians. She plays with The Emily Portman Trio, The Furrow Collective and The Shee, and recently released her solo album The Changeling to rave reviews.

Tickets are £10. Doors open 7.30pm. The music starts at 8pm – 11.30pm and there will be a bar supplying celebratory or commiserative drinks.

Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/857695
Venue info here.

Submitted by Graham Bodenham

Earlier today both sides of the independence campaigns set up shop in The Meadows to sing, talk and laugh about independence for Scotland in this the last weekend before the historic Scottish Independence Referendum   The atmosphere was good-humoured and had the feel of a party.

The Collective Gallery asked people to write their wishes for Scotland on luggage tags, stringing them up on the front of their stall. ‘Alistair Darling’ put in an appearance, dancing for the crowd. We saw at least one No Thanks stand, but although they were actively discussing the merits of voting No with passers-by, as you will see from our photos below there were many more Yes supporters attending the event.

There was a choir singing and all around us people were talking about currency options, big banks and reasons for voting Yes  independence.

Other photos and videos are on our Twitter and Instagram accounts.

The Edinburgh Reporter met actor Brian Cox who is a high profile backer of the Yes campaign and asked for his reasons on why independence for Scotland would be a good thing:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPV7RQT5S6o?list=UUpyjaNvEF_ryiKTJ6QxCkIA]

The polls this weekend still show the Better Together and Yes campaigns neck and neck. A record number of people have registered to vote ahead of Thursday’s poll.

A total of 4,285,323 people have registered to vote in the Scottish Independence Referendum on Thursday 18 September, making it the largest electorate ever in Scotland for an election or referendum.

The total electorate figure for the whole of Scotland includes 789,024 people who have applied for a postal vote – the largest volume of registration for postal votes ever in Scotland.

There is a concert at the Usher Hall tonight featuring some of Scotland’s top talent such as Mogwai, Frank Ferdinand, Frightened Rabiit, McIntoshRoss, folk icon Eddi Reader, Stanley odd and Elaine C Smith.

Promoted by Tommy Sheppard of The Stand who has declared himself an independence backer tickets are £15 here.

Photos show the First Minister Alex Salmond with some of the artists who will be appearing in the concert outside the Usher Hall earlier today.

“A once-in-a-lifetime fireworks display concludes the Forth Road Bridge’s 50^th anniversary celebrations, as part of the Year of Homecoming Scotland 2014”

Photos by Grant Ritchie

Young people from Edinburgh College who want to know more about joining the Marines will be among those to get a taste of the lifestyle at Edinburgh International Climbing Arena in Newbridge  between Tuesday and Thursday  (September 16 -18).

Students from Scotland have been invited to take part in this action-packed event and will have a unique opportunity to try their hand at a number of demanding activities each day. The challenges set for the students will closely mirror the physical skills that Marines need to perfect in order to wear the famous Green Beret.

During the three-day event, up to 300 students, instructors and staff from schools and colleges across Scotland – under the watchful and expert eye of the Marines – will take part in a number of exciting challenges in this ‘state of the art’ Climbing Arena.

The activities include rock climbing, abseiling laser weapon games and inflatable boat challenges in Zodiac craft which are used in combat. Participants will also be put through a number of gruelling fitness and leadership activities: all physical and mental tests are aimed at highlighting the high standard of skills that are required by the Royal Navy’s elite fighting force. This demanding event encourages all participants to test themselves to the best of their ability but also allows them to have some fun along the way.

Captain Jonathan Phelps, Officer Commanding Commando Recruit Troop said: “This is a great day out for all the students who take part, providing challenging activities at a world class site. The day affords young people a valuable insight into what life is like in the Royal Marines.”

Lieutenant Commander Billy Adams, Regional Recruitment Officer, Scotland & Northern Ireland said:  “Meet the Marines is a fantastic opportunity for young people in Scotland to interact with serving Royal Marines and for them to undertake a variety of fun, yet challenging, activities.”

“The event also highlights careers available in the Royal Marines and those attending will get the chance to learn about the recruiting process, training and what life is really like in one of the most elite strands of the British Armed Forces. Regardless of whether or not any of the young people participating will wish to pursue a career in the Service, they will all leave with a better understanding of what it is to be a Royal Marines Commando and hopefully a huge sense of achievement.”

Council’s 20 mph Speed Limit Consultation

Polling Stations across Edinburgh

Family Fun Day – today

StockFest 2014

Jazz night

The council has raised proposals for introducing 20mph zones across the city centre and there will be a public meeting on 16 September, at 7pm, in the City Chambers.

(An exhibition of the proposals will be available in Central Library, George IV Bridge until today 14 September)

More information here.

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The council have produced a handy map of all the polling stations in Edinburgh so that you can find yours on Thursday. We are planning a live blog on Thursday night from the Edinburgh count at Ingliston. It will be a long but exciting night – we hope you will join in the fun with us!

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=216065645608818146539.00049d6a4e4d072c40c95&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=55.936557,-3.249534&spn=0.104146,0.323721&output=embed&w=425&h=350]

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The annual festival in Stockbridge starts next week. Find out what is on in the brochure below:

http://www.theedinburghreporter.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/SF_Bro_FIN_SEP14th.pdf

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There’s a lot going on at this year’s Midfest – with arts, music and cultural  activities throughout Midlothian.

The festival runs until today and to go out with a ‘bang’ a special finale has been lined-up at the historic Melville Castle.

The event tonight is due to feature the smooth and classy ‘Singing Butcher’, Iain Hunter with his band.

And returning to Midfest for a second year is the Kennedy Cupcakes performing show-stopping routines to popular hits of the Golden Era.

The jazz night is all set in the grounds of the beautiful Melville Castle – one of the county’s historical landmarks.

A spokeswoman for Midlothian Council, said: “What a fantastic way to end our second Midfest with this dazzling jazz evening. It’s sure to be a night to remember and we’d urge both locals and people further afield to get involved in this spectacular event.”

Tickets for this event are £25 each or £230 for a table of ten. The event also includes a buffet dinner. Tickets are available from: www.midlothian.gov.uk/midfest