By Gail Hutchison ANutr – Food and Health Development Worker

We all know that a healthy balanced diet is key to maintaining optimal health, so it’s unsurprising that newspapers, magazines and the internet latch onto stories of miracle foods which claim to have extraordinary health benefits. But how much of this is actually true? And do we really need to spend a fortune on specialist foods which claim to ward of illness and increase longevity?

Almost all foods contain nutrients, but a ‘superfood’ is essentially something which has a high amount of a certain nutrient and supposedly exerts certain positive health benefits. It is a term which has become trendy in the last few years and often products will be marketed in this way in order to get us consumers to buy them. Unfortunately a lot of what is reported in the media can either be contradictory, inaccurate or unhelpful for the general public, with foods often being labelled as healthy one minute and then unhealthy the next.

In the case of certain superfoods, often the media fail to recognise and report on limitations of research carried out on certain individual foods, making the results inapplicable to everyday diets. For instance, very high levels of a certain nutrient may have been used in a study, levels which are usually not realistically attainable for those eating a regular diet. This means that people would need to consume large amounts of these foods frequently in order to gain the alleged health benefits, something which may not always be appropriate. For example, regularly consuming cocoa in the form of chocolate would not only increase the health promoting benefits of flavonoids but also increase sugar and saturated fat intake which in the UK – given our high levels of obesity and type 2 diabetes – we should be significantly reducing. Another aspect to consider is that a lot of research done on superfoods is conducted in laboratories involving cells or animals rather than humans, making it difficult to assess the effects and impact in people. Often those which have been done in humans have not had conclusive results or the effects have been relatively short term.

Labelling foods as ‘super’ in the media also gives consumers the impression that some foods are more healthy or valuable than others. In reality, items we might commonly find in any kitchen cupboard or fridge often convey the same health benefits as these foods, but without the marketing hype or added expense. For instance, wholegrain varieties of starchy foods such as rice, pasta and bread are high in vitamins and minerals plus dietary fibre, which can prevent bowel cancer, lower cholesterol and keeps us fuller for longer. These also have the advantage of being cheap and readily available and therefore can be consumed regularly and in high enough quantities to get the most of their nutrient content. Despite media coverage of exotic (and expensive) products such as goji berries and wheatgrass, other more commonly purchased and affordable fruits such as apples, oranges and berries and vegetables such as broccoli and spinach pack a similar nutritional punch.

These are high in vitamins A, C and E, minerals such as iron, and dietary fibre, all of which vital for good health. Another food often overlooked is the humble egg. Eggs are a cheap alternative to costly superfood grains such as quinoa, are a complete source of protein and are perfectly fine to consume daily – contrary to popular belief they have no effect on cholesterol! A healthier and cheaper alternative to coconut oil is rapeseed oil (most supermarket own brand oils are now rapeseed) which is lower in saturated fat, higher in the good fats, and costs a fraction of the price. Tinned oily fish, such as sardines and mackerel, are much cheaper than fresh salmon and still contain much more of the essential polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA, plus loads of calcium, iron and some vitamin D.

The bottom line is that yes, some so-called superfoods can be good for us as part of a healthy balanced diet. However, eating healthily needn’t break the bank. The majority of items on the shelves deemed as ‘super’ are labelled as a marketing ploy to get consumers to spend more money. There is almost always a cheaper alternative with the same health benefits. It is also important to add that no one food in isolation contains all of the vital nutrients needed for overall health, nor will it ward of illness or prevent disease if we otherwise lead an unhealthy lifestyle. Essentially, the focus should not be on a handful of foods deemed as ‘super’ but on upping our intake of a wide range of fruit and vegetables, increasing wholegrain starchy carbohydrates, and reducing sugar, fat and salt in line with Government recommendations (as seen in the Eatwell plate).

Submitted by Gail Hutchison

Even before the shattering moment hits, Night Moves carries a startling, eery silence with it. Kelly Reichardt has returned with this daunting, eco-terrorism thriller with a beautiful cast and script behind it.

In an effort to create a striking ecological statement, three eco-activists plot to blow up a hydroelectric dam.

You fall into the sombre, inky surroundings displayed by cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt, and drown in it. It’s Oregon setting is rather bleak and icy, in turn slowing the film down to a gorgeous stasis. These moments let you appreciate every minute detail of Reichardt’s work, including her tantalising, sharp script. Using very little to evoke thick emotion, she crafts a marriage between the images on screen and the words spoken over them. They are one and the same, sweating brows and lumps in your throat.

As for her cast’s affecting performances. Jesse Eisenberg takes the reins for the second time this year after his efforts with Richard Ayoade’s The Double. He plays the tormented man very well, but is overshadowed by the performance Dakota Fanning has been growing into since she was a young girl. Playing the headstrong Dena, Fanning embodies female strength and empowerment just as well as she presents her own degradation.

When the moment of destruction hits in Night Moves, the tables turn in a dramatic fashion that would be unethical to spoil. It’s a sombre beauty, often vast and destructive and yet still something you can hold close to your heart. Very few thrillers evoke feelings with so little, quite like Night Moves does.

The end of the Festival is always a sad time for me. It marks the end of the summer. On Sunday night I’ll be climbing Blackford Hill as usual to watch Edinburgh Castle being “blown up” by 400,000 fireworks. Goodbye to all the fun of the fair, all those sunny days – especially this year – and all the triumphs of the summer; the Homecoming, the Bannockburn celebrations, the Commonwealth Games and the Festival itself.

This year, the 67th, looks like being another box-office record. The Fringe broke the two-million ticket barrier, with over 3,000 shows. The official Festival staged over 50 concerts and the money is still being counted. The Book Festival hosted over 800 authors. The Jazz Festival saw ticket sales soar by 40 per cent. Even the Festival of Politics, with more than 60 speakers, had a good year, as well it might with only a few weeks to go before D-Day, the big Decision Day.

And so we turn to serious September. The Prime Minister came north on Thursday to remind us how serious this referendum is. He spoke about the importance of “the single market” …not Europe, the United Kingdom. But as he was speaking at a business dinner in Glasgow, prominent Scottish business leaders – on opposite sides of the independence debate – were trying to out-do each other at letter-writing.

The No side produced a letter with 130 signatures. The Yes side followed the next day with 200 signatures. Business folk, academics, actors, footballers, even church ministers have been “coming out” all week on one side or the other. The nation is in fervent debate with itself.

On Monday evening, Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling staged the second of their live television debates – this time with the help of the BBC and the echo-chamber at Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow. It turned out to be even more of a shouting match than the first debate with both men speaking over each other a lot of the time. In the circumstances, there could be no clear winner, though for some reason the media declared Mr Salmond the victor on points.

What did emerge was that both men had an answer of sorts on the key questions. Mr Salmond gave us the clearest account so far of his plan B for the currency in an independent Scotland. It is to use the pound sterling without any formal currency union and not shoulder any of the accumulated UK government debt. Mr Darling admitted he couldn’t go any further on more powers for the Scottish Parliament in the event of a No vote because the political parties differ on the details. But he said they would include more tax powers and more control over welfare payments.

On the NHS, Mr Darling seemed fairly relaxed about the privatisation of the service in England – saying it could not happen in Scotland because health is already a devolved issue. But Mr Salmond insisted a smaller public sector in England would cut Scotland’s budget and put pressure on the NHS here.

On the slippery question of oil, the two men traded various expert estimates of what tax revenues would be in the future and both quoted selective years of what they had been in the past. But to Mr Darling’s question of what happens to Scottish government spending in the bad years for oil revenues, Mr Salmond said he would establish a stabilisation fund.

Both men declared they wanted the same “ fairer, more prosperous Scotland ” but, curiously, neither brought any new announcements – or even catch phrases – to the debate. The star of the show was a man in the audience who asked Mr Darling: “ If we’re better together, why aren’t we better together now ?” It’s an intriguing question, rather like the question – is the glass half full or half empty ?

Mr Darling could have replied; “We ARE better together now”, only that would not have sounded too convincing in this age of austerity with public service cuts and standstill wages. Wisely, Mr Salmond just let the question hang in the air – happy to let the referendum campaign sound more like a general election in which everyone is against austerity and the parties that promote it.

In short, there was a kind of fishy air that surrounded the debate. And the image that unfortunately remains with me as I look ahead to 18th September is of the load of fish heads and guts that spilled onto the road in Peterhead on Tuesday. A stomach-turning 11 tonnes of codswallop were left lying on the pavement when a lorry turned over and lost its lid.
Let’s hope the referendum campaign doesn’t turn any dirtier that this.

Photo- Mike Smith

SPFL Championship, Saturday 30 August 2014 – Tynecastle

Hearts maintained their 100% record so far in the SPFL Championship this season with a comprehensive victory over Falkirk at Tynecastle on Saturday. Having already defeated Rangers, Hibernian and Raith Rovers, Robbie Neilson’s men were anxious to avoid the fate of their city rivals Hibernian who lost to The Bairns last week at Easter Road. In truth, there was never any likelihood of this happening in Gorgie as The Maroons produced a display full of skill, free-flowing football, energy and goals to increase their lead at the top of the table. 

Neilson made eight changes to the side that knocked Stenhousemuir out of the League Cup on Tuesday evening with Osman Sow, having served his suspension, returning to link up with the hat-trick hero from last week’s 4-0 win in Kirkcaldy, James Keatings.  

In front of Scotland’s  second biggest crowd of the day – more than 16,000 were inside Tynecastle at kick-off, another hugely impressive turn out from the Maroon Army – Hearts began the game brightly. After just five minutes, Billy King’s corner was headed on by skipper Danny Wilson. McCracken cleared but only to the feet of Prince Buaben. However, the former Dundee United player pulled his shot wide.  

A magnificent tribute from the Hearts support to Robbie McDonald, the 14 year old Hearts fan who lost his life during the week, came in the 14^th minute and the crowd’s rousing applause seem to inspire the players. Falkirk keeper Jamie MacDonald – a hero from Hearts Scottish Cup winning team of 2012 – was the busier of the two keepers and it was no surprise when he was finally beaten in the 17^th minute. King’s corner from the left was headed home by young Jordan McGhee although Jamie Mac may have felt he should have done better with the cross.

Falkirk threatened on the counter-attack but all they had to show for their efforts was a free-kick from Alston which went wide. Hearts were looking hungry for more goals and they were handed a golden opportunity to double their lead in the 24^th minute. Sam Nicholson displayed some wonderful footwork to get the better of former Hearts full back Alan Maybury who brought the Hearts youngster down in the penalty box. James Keatings took the subsequent penalty kick but his effort was saved superbly by MacDonald. However, the former Hearts custodian could only push the ball back into Keating’s path; the ex-Hamilton forward saw his second effort pushed away by MacDonald only for the ball to fall to Billy King who drove the ball home to put Hearts two goals ahead. 

A Keatings effort was then brilliantly saved by MacDonald before Danny Wilson headed over the bar from just six yards when it seemed easier to score. The hard-pressed Falkirk defence were struggling to contain this marauding Hearts side and seven minutes before half-time the Maroons scored a third goal. The impressive Keatings delivered a delightful cross into the penalty box for Billy King to score his second goal and put the home side on easy street. There was no stopping Hearts now and it should have been 4-0 on the stroke of half-time but Osman Sow, having done the difficult part in collecting a loose pass and taking the ball round MacDonald, then contrived to fire his effort into the side net to the relief of the travelling support in the Roseburn Stand. Half-time Hearts 3 Falkirk 0 

The second half began in a similar fashion to the way the first period ended – with Hearts on the attack. MacDonald was again the hero for the visitors when he pulled off yet another fine save to deny a brilliant half-volley from Sam Nicholson. Billy King and James Keatings also had chances with the home team in total ascendency. This was until the 72^nd minute when Prince Buaben was shown a red card for a lunge on Durojayie and this seemed to give Falkirk a spark of hope. It was a spark that was quickly extinguished six minutes later when Sow was brought down in the penalty box and while the award seemed of the softish variety, the big Swede took the kick himself, sending his effort past  MacDonald to put Hearts 4-0 ahead.

The Bairns did pull a goal back five minutes from the end when Bia-bi scored following fine work from Loy but it was too little far too late for the visitors who were outplayed on their second visit to Edinburgh in a week – unlike last week’s affair across the city.  

Hearts are now three points ahead at the top of the SPFL Championship table. In particular, their first half display was as good as anything I’ve seen from a Hearts team since the Hearts side of 2005, under George Burley, made a storming start to the season. Robbie Neilson has his players playing neat, possession football with the accent on passing rather than the aimless punt up the park that was has been all too familiar in the last couple of seasons.  

‘I thought we played really well in the first half’ Neilson told the Hearts official website afterwards, ‘although the players did get a wee bit sloppy in the second half. The boys did a lot of the things we’ve been working on in training, particularly in the first half. They didn’t do it so much in the second half and that’s something we’ll all need to work on in training’ 

Rest assured, Robbie Neilson will not let his players rest on their laurels. The future looks brighter in Gorgie than it has for some time.

Hearts: Hamilton, McHattie, Wilson, Ozturk, Gomis, Nicholson, King, Buaben, Keatings, Sow, McGhee.

Falkirk: MacDonald, Durojayie, McCracken, Vaulks, Taiwo, Alston, Sibbald, Dick, Maybury, Cooper, Loy.

Referee: Kevin Clancy

Att: 16,369

Top man: At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, Morgaro Gomis was again the man who made Hearts tick. His influence in the middle of the park is a huge factor in Hearts impressive start to the season.

Hibs’ poor start to the season continued this afternoon with a 2-1 defeat to part timers Alloa Athletic which leaves them in an embarrassing eighth place, nine points behind leaders Hears after only four games.

Head Coach Alan Stubbs made three changes to the team that beat Dumbarton in midweek. Lewis Stevenson replaced Callum Booth, skipper Liam Craig took over from Scott Robertson and Jason Cummings replaced Danny Handling.

Hibs started brightly and opened the scoring when Sam Stanton sent a fine cross into the near post and Jason Cummings headed in from close range.

Alloa fought back and Edinburgh born Liam Buchanan went close and Mark Oxley did well to deny Kevin Cawley and Ryan McCord.

Just before the break, on form striker Farid El Alagui landed awkwardly on the artificial surface and had to leave the field on a stretcher. He was given a standing ovation from the travelling support and Paul Heffernan took his place.

Alloa continued where they left off in the second half and grabbed a deserved equaliser when Oxley saved from Daryll Meggatt and Hibs’ supporter Buchanan swept in the rebound.

Alan Stubbs then made two changes, bringing on Alex Harris and Danny Handling for Matt Kennedy and Jason Cummings as Hibs looked to grab the three points.

New signing Liam Fontaine, Jordon Forster and Scott Allan all spurned chances to score, but with five minutes remaining Fontaine gave away a free kick on the edge of the box which substitute Iain Flannigan curled over the wall into the top corner of the net to secure the three points.

Alloa Athletic: McDowall, Doyle, Gordon, Meggatt, Docherty, Simmons (Flannigan 84′), Buchanan (Hetherington 90′), Holmes, McCord, Cawley, Spence. Substitutes not used: Couser, Marr, Tiffoney, Ferns, Asghar.

Hibernian: Oxley, Gray, Fontaine, Forster, El Alagui ( Heffernan 40′), Craig, Stanton, Stevenson, Allan, Kennedy (Handling 65′), Cummings (Harris 65′). Substitutes not used: Perntreau, Robertson, Hanlon, Booth.

Referee: Stephen Finnie.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a hit and run incident in the city centre.

Enquiries are underway after a 20-year-old man was struck by a silver car while crossing the road at South Bridge, near to the junction with High Street.

The car, which is believed to have been a Peugeot and will now be missing a wing mirror, failed to stop and instead drove off towards North Bridge.

The man received only minor injuries in the incident, which happened at around 4am on Friday 22nd August.

Police Constable Vicky Henretty, who is based at Gayfield Police Station, said: “This was a frightening experience for the victim, made worse by the fact the driver of the car failed to stop.

“I am trying to find any witnesses who may have seen the registration number of the car, and urge him  to come forward.”

Anyone with any information which may assist the investigation is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or, alternatively, phone the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Frisky Ducks and Other Poems and The Lucky Charm of Major Bessop: Mario Relich and Tom Hubbard launch their new works. Relich was born in Zagreb, grew up in Montreal and has lived most of his life in Edinburgh: he is an Associate Lecturer for OU Scotland and has also taught at the Edinburgh College of Art, the University of Ife in Nigeria and Napier University. Relich’s poems, articles and reviews have been widely published in reviews, periodicals and newspapers: Frisky Ducks is his first collection. Hubbard is a novelist and poet and has been a visiting professor at European and US universities: The Lucky Charm of Major Bessop, Hubbard’s second novel, is subtitled ‘a grotesque mystery of Fife’ – Tom is a Fifer. 12 noon, Word Power Books, 43-45 West Nicolson Street. Admission free! Donations welcome!

National Gallery Highlight Tours: an introduction to and tour of the National Gallery’s permanent collection, focusing on key paintings. 2-2.45pm or 3-3.45pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

GENERATION Tours at Modern One: free, discussion-led tours of the 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.

Rebuilding the Past: come and discover the traditional building skills being used to reconstruct the Botanic Cottage and the challenges that have been encountered on the journey to rebuild this special house. 1-4pm, Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. No booking required. Also available at same times on Sunday 31st August.

Where Do I End and You Begin: discussion and tour with Richard Hylton and some of the UK-based artists taking part in the exhibition. 12 noon, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. Free, but tickets should be booked in advance via eventbrite. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

Stop Thief! Commentator, activist and author (The Poor Had No Lawyers) Andy Wightman will discuss the ideas and observations captured in his audiovisual presentation, which was commissioned by Emma Rushton and Derek Tyman as part of their installation Flaghall.  2pm, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. Free, but tickets should be booked in advance via eventbrite. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

Out of the Blue Flea Market: rummage for treasures at this monthly flea market. Over 45 stalls selling clothes, jewellery, small furniture, music, books, bric-a-brac and more. Arts Cafe open for sale of refreshments. 10am-3pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street.

Lunchtime Concert: Nick Wearne and John Bryden Duo. 1.10-1.50pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free: retiring collection.

Big Beach Busk

Edinburgh Mela

Today at the Edinburgh Art Festival 

Free classes at Craigroyston

QMU Open Days

This weekend in Edinburgh you are really spoiled for choice. The Big Beach Busk is on today and tomorrow on Portobello Beach. The poor organiser was clearly having a sleepless night last night!  There’s going to be food and folk music, buskers of all kinds, fun – and apparently sunshine!

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The Edinburgh Festivals are not yet over. This weekend it’s the Edinburgh Mela. Get down to Leith Links for some multi-cultural music, food and fun today and tomorrow.

We interviewed the man behind the Mela some time ago to find out what might entertain you this weekend. More information here.

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The City Art Centre is the focus of the Edinburgh Art Festival which is however spread across many venues from one side of the city to the other.

Explore the exhibitions at City Art Centre with the help of their Visitor Assistants. Each day there will be a different tour relating to the varied exhibitions. There’s no need to book: please meet at reception.

City Art Centre 2 Market Street, EH1 1DE T0131 529 3993

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The Big Beach Busk takes place today on Portobello Promenade from noon until you simply cannot sing or dance any longer.

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There are some free classes at Craigroyston Community High School starting soon.

“Small steps = big changes! This practical maths course takes everyday situations and shows you how to make the maths work for you! Work out the running costs of many household appliances, decipher your energy bill, compare special offers while out shopping and even find out how to make the most of a square foot garden! Don’t worry if you didn’t get maths the first time round, this course allows you to start small and build up at your own pace. It uses examples from everyday life that affect everyone, from recipes to recycling and will help you quickly gain confidence in handling your finances! Not only that, we are running this course in partnership with Edinburgh’s very own Science Museum at Dynamic Earth and several sessions will take place there (all transport & entry fees provided).”

 More details here.

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Campus tours, university application advice and course talks are just some of the things on offer at Queen Margaret University’s up and coming open days.

The open days, which will take place on Thursday 4th September and Saturday 4th October, will give visitors a chance to find out about a wide range of undergraduate courses. The event, which is suitable for individuals looking to start university in September 2015, will offer visitors the opportunity to meet academics and students, view accommodation and hear about student life. A range of presentations will provide helpful tips for applying through the UCAS system and understanding student funding.

The University offers a niche range of undergraduate degree courses in the areas of Health Sciences; Business, Enterprise and Management; Media, Communication and Performing Arts; and Social Sciences. To help visitors get a better insight into these areas, academics will present subject talks on, for example, Performing Arts, Costume Design and Construction; Business & Management; Media, Film and PR; Nursing, Podiatry and Physiotherapy. Visitors will also be able to find out about new degree programmes which the University will offer in 2015. These include ‘Public Sociology; Physical Activity, Health and Wellbeing; and Nutrition & Food Science.

In addition to course information, visitors can take organised tours of the campus to view teaching, learning and clinical areas, as well as accommodation and sports facilities.

The event will run from 11am – 4pm on Thursday 4th September and Saturday 4th October.

Register for the event via the QMU website http://www.qmu.ac.uk/marketing/bulletins/opendays.htm#UG

(Registration is not compulsory. You are welcome to attend either of the days without registering but in order to speed up your arrival at the university it is best to register at: http://www.qmu.ac.uk/marketing/bulletins/opendays.htm

 The public is asked to come forward with information about three fires which police believe could be linked. All fires happened this week.

The first incident happened around 10.30pm on Monday night on Pilton Avenue when a suspect was seen vandalising a garage with graffiti and attempting to set fire to the garage.

The second incident happened on Monday around 10.50pm at a property on Crewe Road West, when a male was seen entering the driveway with a can of petrol and setting a car alight. He then made off in the direction of Crewe Road Gardens.

The suspect is described as white, late teens/early 20s, wearing grey hooded top and trousers.

The third incident occurred just after midnight on Wednesday (27^th August) in Boswall Gardens when a car was also set alight.

Police are carrying out an investigation and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

PC Joanne Robertson said: “We are linking these three suspicious fires and are looking to trace the suspect who we have a more detailed description of during the incident on Crewe Road West on Monday evening. Anyone who has information that can assist with our enquiries is urged to contact police on 101.”

A woman was assaulted in Broughton Street Lane on Wednesday evening and police are appealing for witnesses.

The incident happened around 9.45pm when the 20 year-old woman was approached from behind by a man, grabbed and forced to turn around. The woman managed to break free but suffered soreness to her arm.

The suspect is described as white, around 30 years old, 5ft 9in to 5ft 10in tall, average build, cropped dark hair, round face, wearing leather gloves and a dark jumper.

Detective Sergeant Lynsey Thomson said: “The suspect did not make any demands or speak to the victim, so we are carrying out enquiries to identify the suspect as well as his motive. Anybody who noticed a man acting suspiciously in the area of Broughton Street Lane on Wednesday night around 9.45pm is urged to contact police immediately.”

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

UPDATE MAN has now been traced.

Police Scotland is appealing for information to help trace a 68-year-old man who has been reported missing from Edinburgh.

Dennis Scott, who is 68 years-old, was last seen at his sister’s house in Adelphi Place in Portobello at about noon on Thursday 28th August, and concern is now growing for his welfare.

Dennis is described white, 5ft 1in, of slim build, with short grey hair, and he wears glasses. He may also have bruising to his face that was sustained around a week ago.

It is unclear what Dennis was wearing when he went missing but he often wears dark coloured dress trousers, a polo shirt, a woollen jumper and a black waterproof jacket.

Sergeant Gordon Duff, who is based at Craigmillar, said: “Dennis has been missing for almost 24 hours now and our officers are working hard to try and trace him as soon as possible.

“He is known to frequent the Promenade and Figgate Park areas of Portobello, and anyone who has any information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101.”

Police are today (Friday 29^th August) making a fresh appeal for information, exactly one week after a man was murdered in Wester Hailes.

Robbie Morrison, who was 31-years-old, was the victim of a serious assault in Dumbryden Gardens at around 4.30pm on Friday 22^nd August.

He received hospital treatment at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, before succumbing to his injuries in the early hours of Monday morning.

Police Scotland has been carrying out extensive enquiries to trace the person responsible for the attack, and this afternoon high-visibility officers will patrol the area and speak to local residents in an attempt to glean some vital, new information.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Cunningham said: “A week has passed now since this horrific attack on Mr Morrison, and while our officers are making progress with the investigation, we would urge anyone with any information to come forward. It is clear from our ongoing enquiries that the community holds vital information that would assist us.

“Seven days on, our officers will today have a very visible presence in Wester Hailes and will be asking members of the public if they saw anything suspicious or individuals in Dumbryden Gardens last Friday afternoon or, indeed, if they have heard something which may prove key to our investigation.”

Chief Inspector Mark Rennie added: “Since Robbie Morrison was attacked and subsequently died, we have been keen to reassure residents in Wester Hailes that this appears to be an isolated incident.

“Our officers are doing everything they can to trace the person who carried out this murder and we will continue to carry out patrols in the area.”

Anyone with any information on this incident should contact Police Scotland on 101 or, alternatively, phone the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

An Edinburgh Tram and a First Bus X38 have been in collision this morning on West Maitland Street at the city’s West End.

Trams were stopped at Haymarket and buses were diverted via Palmerston Place, Chester Street, Walker Street, Coates Crescent onto the route at Shandwick Place.

A spokesman for Edinburgh Trams said: ‘One of our trams was hit by a First Bus in West Maitland Street at 0743 this morning.

‘After recovery of the bus by a tow truck, engineers were able to assess the tram on street and drive it back to the depot where a full damage assessment  was carried out.

‘We’ve reviewed our cctv footage and are satisfied that our driver was not at fault and that our procedures for handling an incident like this were followed appropriately.’

Services resumed on the full line at 1038 and are now running normally. We’d like to apologise to any passengers affected by the incident this morning.’

These photos are courtesy of Alan Rudland

 

This photo is from Mark Tee

 

Bach Before Breakfast: John Bryden plays Bach and Shostakovich on the Cathedral Steinway. Coffee and croissants follow. 8.05-8.35am, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free: retiring collection.

Mythical Maze Ceremony: have you completed the Challenge?  Come to the ceremony to collect your certificate, medal and prize! For ages 4-11. 2-3pm, Central Children’s Library, George IV Bridge. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Be A Legend! Stockbridge Library Summer Reading Challenge Closing Party. Fancy dress competition – come dressed as your favourite hero, heroine or mythical creature; design your own coat of arms and collect your Reading Challenge awards! 3-4.30pm, Stockbridge Library, Hamilton Place. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Isa Genzken: Botanical Garden Curator’s Tour. Inverleith House Curator Paul Nesbitt and Exhibitions Officer Chloe Reith present an insight into the artworks presented in Botanical Garden, focusing on the last 15 years of Genzken’s artistic practice. 2-2.45pm, tour begins from Reception, Inverleith House, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. No booking required. Inverleith house is currently hosting Botanical Garden, the first Scottish exhibition of Genzken’s work, featuring sculptural assemblages and wall and floor based photographic collages. The exhibition is open 10am-5.30pm, Tuesday to Sunday, until 28th September as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival 2014.

Easel Sketching in the Gallery: inspired by the Titian exhibition and working from a costumed figure. 2-4pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free; no booking necessary.

Self-Portrait, aged 51 by Rembrandt: Art historian Andrew Paterson will discuss Rembrandt’s possible motivations for making this and his many other self-portraits, and ways in which the painting might be interpreted in the light of the artistic and religious culture of 17th century Holland.  12.45-1.30pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Scotland The Brave: A Graphic History of Scotland 1514-2014: Portobello-born Martin Fowler launches his new book, which is available in a limited hardback edition of 500. This history of Scotland in visual form contains highly detailed and dramatic ink drawings which appropriate the formal style of the 18th century political cartoons of James Gillray. ‘They present an accessible and dynamic aide-memoire for those interested in Scottish history, while serving as a timely comment on ideas of nationhood and identity.’ 6.30pm, Word Power Books, 43-45 West Nicolson Street. Admission free! Donations welcome!

Lunchtime Concert: Ivor Clayman (baritone) and John Bryden (piano.) 1.10-1.50pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free: retiring collection.

20mph consultation

TRIM toy collection for Gaza ends today

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Craighouse Planning next week

New Sainsburys store

A consultation is now live to help draw up plans for new 20mph speed limits across the Capital.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

A series of drop-in sessions and public meetings has been organised through the Neighbourhood Partnerships. Council officers will be available at these events to answer questions.

West:

Drop-in session on Tuesday 26 August, 4.30 to 6.30pm, Drumbrae Library Hub followed by a presentation on 20mph proposals at the Western

Neighbourhood Partnership Meeting at 7pm.

Drop-in session on Monday 8 September, 2 to 4 pm, South Queensferry Community Education Centre, Kirkliston Road.

All-day roadshow on Sunday 21 September at Gyle Shopping Centre, Gyle Avenue.

North:

Drop-in session on Wednesday 3 September, 10am to 1pm, North Edinburgh Local Office.

South West:

Drop-in session on Thursday 18 September, 2 to 4pm, Edgar Hall, Stenhouse St Aidan’s Parish Church.

Drop-in session on Monday 22 September, 2 to 4pm in Oxgangs Library.

East:

Public meeting on Wednesday 10 September, 7pm, Portobello Town Hall.

City Centre:

Public meeting on Tuesday 16 September, 7pm, City Chambers.

Roadshow on Thursday 25 September, 10 – 1pm, St James Shopping Centre.

South:

Public meeting on Tuesday 3 September, 7pm, City Chambers.

Leith:

Drop-in session on Wednesday 24 September, 6pm, Business Centre, McDonald Road Library.

***

Tenants and Residents in Muirhouse (TRIM) have been collecting toys and other essential items for Gaza and so you have until today at 5pm to drop off any toys for the collection.

• Email them at [email protected]
• Pop in to the shop and leave your address
• Text or call them on 07914 942 026
• Facebook or Tweet us

More details here

***

Here is a very short but completely whole Tattoo for you to enjoy.

***

The path towards planning permission for Craighouse which was owned by Edinburgh Napier University and sold to a developer for £10m continues.

The Prime Minister David Cameron has been in Scotland all day today, visiting Scottish business ahead of attending the CBI dinner tonight.

Tim Reid from the BBC has been at the dinner too and has reported briefly on what the Prime Minister’s speech has contained:

PM: Our solidarity in the UK remains a great advantage in good times and in bad and it is the great unknown that would put that at risk.

— Tim Reid (@TimReidBBC) August 28, 2014

Pm:"So in three weeks’ time, let’s choose openness over narrowness our great advantages over the great unknown and let’s stay together"

— Tim Reid (@TimReidBBC) August 28, 2014

In CBI President Sir Mike Rake’s speech this evening, he said that he firmly believes that the UK is and always has been greater than the sum of its parts and warned that the risk of a yes vote for Scotland and the UK is enormous.
On the Scottish referendum, Sir Mike said:

• “Undoubtedly, the decision on Scotland’s future is ultimately one for the voters here in Scotland.
• “In three weeks’ time, a yes vote based on so many substantive questions unanswered, will be a binary decision – a one way ticket to uncertainty with no return.
• “Currency union is an example. The liability, exposure and lack of control such a union would levy on the UK taxpayer makes it an obvious non-negotiable position for the UK Government. It’s why we wanted to see what the Scottish Government’s alternative plan would be.
• “The goods and services from key sectors in Scotland like finance, energy, and defence thrive by virtue of being part of our internal market of 60 million consumers, as well as being linked to a network of regulation, investments, and support. We should have no fear of drawing strength from what is achievable as one state. Scotland also benefits from the gifts of our shared institutions: the NHS, the BBC, the Royal Mint, the Armed Forces …200 bodies in all. But there is a profound difference between how we share them now, and the sharing of them with a neighbouring but separate nation state. Nothing can be taken for granted, and there are no guarantees.
• “As a new state, Scotland would have to leave and reapply to join and negotiate the terms of its EU membership. And to achieve this may well mean signing up to the Euro and Schengen. So, the question is whether all this negotiation would match the favourable terms established by the UK? Nothing can be taken for granted, and there are no guarantees.”

Sir Mike also raised the UK’s global future and made clear that open markets are an essential part of an open economy. He went on to highlight his concerns about the impact a possible EU referendum has on investment.

On Europe, Sir Mike said:

• “We accept that calling a referendum on EU membership is a constitutional issue for government, but the ambiguity has already, and is increasingly, causing real concern for business regarding their future investment. Business is in no doubt that we must retain and secure our country’s global future. If we’re isolated, we cannot be our best.
• “The growth and jobs we need depend on our external relationships, and it’s our membership of the European Single Market which is crucial. The EU isn’t perfect. The CBI’s Global Future report looked at other options and concluded that we are best served by remaining in the EU and seeking reform. We don’t want a special deal to satisfy narrow measures for the UK alone, but we do want Europe to become a more efficient place to do business – Lisbon Agenda, not Lisbon Treaty; for Europe to be more adventurous, open and competitive, and for its activities to be rooted in the priorities of member states.
• “With a new Commission and Parliament there is a window of opportunity to establish the building blocks of reform. We need our MPs and MEPs of all colours building helpful alliances in the European corridors of power.”

In his concluding remarks, Sir Mike focused on the great lessons of our Unions, national or international; that they reinforce our determination to drive forward towards prosperity and a better future for all our citizens. He shined a light on just how much there is still to achieve, the importance of minimising uncertainty and maximising our collective strength and the need to balance the challenges we face with a vision of the sort of country we all want to live in. He also stressed that this demands strong and pragmatic leadership from politicians and support from the business community.

Sir Mike ended by stressing his personal belief that we will remain a United Kingdom, within a reformed European Union, focusing on what’s important; growth, jobs and prosperity for all.

Commenting on these remarks Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“This is a humiliation for the Prime Minister on the same day one of his MPs has defected to UKIP, exposing the deep Eurosceptic seam running through the Tory Party which is dragging the UK ever closer to the exit door of Europe.

“For David Cameron to be lectured by one of the UK’s most senior business figures about the dangers of his in-out referendum on EU membership shows just how worried companies are about the prospect of the UK being taken out of Europe.

“For Scotland, the choice is clear – a Yes vote which will protect our place in the EU as an independent member, or a No vote which could see us dragged out of Europe against our will, shutting us off from a single market of more than 500 million people with potentially devastating consequences for jobs and investment.”

Meanwhile the Prime Minister said that if there is a No vote then the UK will devolve more powers to The Scottish Government ‘soon’. See Nick Robinson’s interview with David Cameron by clicking here.

Photo of David Cameron courtesy of Number 10

A Lamborghini sports car crashed into a bus stop on Pennywell Road earlier this evening. The Edinburgh Reporter has seen this car on many occasions in the city centre being driven by a middle-aged man but tonight there are unconfirmed reports that the car was being driven by teenagers at the time of the crash.

@edinburghpaper @EdinReporter car crash on Pennywell Road tonight pic.twitter.com/2A0WxPuSy8

— barry dickson (@radiobasher) August 28, 2014

Need for Speed hit a bus stop on Pennywell Rd pic.twitter.com/ECa1OWzQDq

— Muirhouse+SalvesenCC (@MuirhouseSalvCC) August 28, 2014

With three consecutive wins to end last season, there is a positive atmosphere around the Edinburgh Napier Knights American Football team going into their first preseason training session on September 7^th.  This session will give Head Coach Pete Laird the opportunity to run the rule over his returning charges and layout his blueprint for the current campaign.  The recruitment drive follows in the week after during the Napier Student Association Fresher’s Week culminating in the Rookie Day on September 14^th, an opportunity for potential new players to try their hand at American Football. 

The first fixture of the new season against the UWS Pyros on the 8^th of November may seem a long time away but there is a lot of crucial work that needs to take place on the practice field before then.  With training sessions twice a week, a weekend training camp and a couple of scrimmages, the squad will be prepared to hit the ground running going into the first game of the new BUCS Border Conference. 

A summer of league reconstruction will see the Knights travel to Newcastle, Sunderland and Glasgow to take on the Raiders, Spartans and Tigers, as well as welcoming the UWS Pyros, Teeside Cougars and Northumbria Mustangs to Sighthill over the course of the season. 

The Knights have once again linked up with long term sponsor Student Recommend and The Three Sisters Bar, Cowgate, who will also be supporting the Knights annual Varsity game against city rivals the Edinburgh Predators on Superbowl Sunday, February 1^st. 

Now entering its fourth year, the game which is traditionally hosted by the Knights at Boroughmuir’s Meggetland Stadium will see a capacity crowd, the biggest for an American Football game in Scotland, gather for the clash with the Knights looking to avenge the narrow 9-0 defeat they suffered in the equivalent fixture in the last campaign.

With eyes set on a playoff push, there have been a number of backroom changes over the summer.  Second Year player Joe Walsh takes over Presidential duties from Rolfo Jesus Whitaker and there will be a new Offensive Coach Jamie Archibald set to be installed to complete the backroom staff along with Defensive Coach Scott Smith.

Head Coach Pete Laird said of the upcoming season: “The restructuring of the league has thrown up some new opponents for us this season which is an exciting prospect.  There is great potential among the returning group of players and with a few additions and a lot of hard work there is a terrific opportunity to build on the results that we finished the last campaign with.  As ever we look to improve year on year to get to the level we believe we are capable of competing.”

Ones to Watch

Few people scored against the Defence of National Champions Stirling Clansman last season but second year Michael Gunn can proudly claim to be one of the few.  Gunn’s punt return against the Clansman in his second game for the Knights left the opposition scratching their heads at their first loss of points in the 2013/14 campaign.  Playing wide receiver and second string quarterback last season, the departure of QB Michael Onufer has left the starting spot available, with Gunn one of the candidates to succeed the South Carolinan.  Either way Gunn will be a crucial offensive weapon in the Knight’s arsenal.

The Knights Defensive lynch pin, linebacker Ryan Strachan, is back for his final season in a Knights jersey.  The No.55 is a stalwart of the Knights defence, his ability on the pitch has made him a feared opponent for both club and country being one of the Knights Great Britain representatives.  After a season where he was named in the Double Coverage team of the season, the new Napier Vice-President will be looking to carry on from where he left off.

Incoming Club President Joe Walsh is another defensive player looking to build on last season.  Playing as a defensive tackle, Walsh could be found breaching the offensive line time after time.  With a fantastic football head on his shoulders, Walsh has the capabilities to lead the team on the pitch as well as off it.

Finally, a second player returning for his final year as a Knight is Rolfo Jesus Whitaker.  Last year Rolfo started out as QB and ended up winning the Defensive Hammer Award playing as a Safety.  A fantastic all-rounder, Whitaker has had a summer of recuperation following a foot injury he picked up at the beginning of the post season.  Everyone at the Knights is hoping that they can deliver a strong showing for Whitaker’s swansong.

Author – Michael Dart. Images – JLP-Photography

A Yes vote in next month’s referendum is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore ‘real democracy’ in Scotland, Yes Scotland Advisory Board chairman Dennis Canavan has said.

Instead of running the risk of being controlled by more governments we reject at the polls, independence means Scotland will always get the governments we vote for.

And it will relieve Scotland of the deep-seated ‘elitism’ that remains a hallmark of the Westminster system.

Mr Canavan was speaking at a meeting in Elgin organised by Yes Moray on the same day that a new report examining  the backgrounds of more than 4,000 business, political, media and public sector leaders showed that the UK remained ‘deeply elitist’.

The analysis by the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission found that small elites, educated at private schools and Oxbridge, still dominate top roles, adding key institutions do not represent the public they serve.

Commission chairman Alan Milburn said they had to open their doors to a broader range of talent. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the report serves as a ‘wake-up call’ to schools, universities and government.

But Mr Canavan said the best way to create a fairer, more socially just Scotland was with a Yes vote on September 18. He was speaking as Prime Minister David Cameron, who was educated at Eton and Oxford, paid a flying visit to Scotland to address a CBI dinner in Glasgow.

Mr Canavan said a recently published comparison showed that the proportion of privately educated parliamentarians at Westminster was more than double the corresponding figure for the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Canavan said: ‘No wonder the UK is the fourth most unequal society in the developed world. One of the great benefits of a Yes vote on September 18 is that we will make good the democratic deficit that too often has subjected the people of Scotland to Westminster governments that we have overwhelmingly rejected as a nation.

‘And never again will we be ruled by Downing Street cabinets stuffed with Tory toffs, as we have now, who are responsible for such obscenities as the Bedroom Tax and the maintenance of a huge arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, less than 30 miles from our largest city.’

‘With the full powers of independence we can create a fairer country in which all the people benefit from our enormous wealth and resources. It is not something that will happen overnight, but if we vote Yes we will begin that exciting and inspiring journey.’

***

Experts have spoken out against Alex Salmond’s reckless threat to default on Scottish debt if he doesn’t get his way on currency in a separate Scotland.

The SNP leader has said that he would walk away from our obligations if he didn’t get his way on creating a Eurozone style currency union if we vote to leave the UK.

Today both Michael Saunders of Citi and Sam Hill of RBC capital, said that if the First Minister carried out his threat it would cost more to borrow in a separate Scotland. This would increase costs for families in Scotland.

The comments from the two economists follows on from those of Professor Ronnie MacDonald who warned that a debt default would mean huge spending cuts to our schools and hospitals.

Stirling Labour MP Anne McGuire said:

“Alex Salmond’s threat to walk away from our obligations is irresponsible, dangerous, and reckless for every man, woman and child in Scotland.

“It would send a signal to the international money markets that Scotland does not pay its debts.

“We know what happens when you don’t pay your debts. You get a bad credit rating and everything costs more.

“That is the reality of these threats – Scotland would need to be financed by the pay day lenders of the international money markets. Spending on our schools, hospitals and pensions would have to be slashed.

“We don’t have to take this risk. We can keep the pound, safeguard our pensions and protect public spending by saying No Thanks to Alex Salmond’s dangerous threats on 18 September.  We can have the best of both worlds for Scotland – a strong Scottish Parliament backed up by the strength, security and stability of the UK. “

***

Angela Constance MSP, who is the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Training, Youth and Women’s Employment, joined youth activists at a college Freshers Day today with a warning that only a Yes vote will guarantee the powers required to create and keep the jobs we need in Scotland.

‘The vote in three weeks’ time comes down to a choice between two very different futures for young people in Scotland.’ said Ms Constance.

‘Scotland is one of the top 20 wealthiest countries in the world, but today too much of the benefit of that wealth is lost to Scotland,’ she said during her visit to New College Lanarkshire in Coatbridge.

‘With a Yes, we have the opportunity to make sure that Scotland’s vast wealth is put to work to deliver more jobs for young people in Scotland.

‘What we need is full economic powers so we can prioritise the jobs and future of young people here in Scotland.”

Generation Yes campaigners urged fellow students to pay close heed to how starkly First Minister Alex Salmond exposed Alistair Darling on the jobs issue during this week’s TV debate.

And Ms Constance added: ‘Westminster hasn’t delivered a single economic policy that gives Scotland a competitive edge over London. As a result, too much of our young talent is forced to leave Scotland.

‘As things are, almost 70,000 people leave Scotland every year – more than half of them aged 16-34. A No does nothing to change that.

‘We now know that a No vote won’t deliver a single new job creating power for Scotland and that’s not good enough for our young people. It’s a crucial piece of new information that has emerged this week, and is something both young people and their parents will have noticed.

‘With a Yes, by contrast, we can secure the powers we need to deliver a brighter future for more young people, closer to home. I know that there is so much more we can achieve for young people. And that is a powerful legacy from a Yes vote.’

Nikki Turner, a first year social work student at the college, said: ‘Students leaving Scotland when they graduate is a clear failing of the Westminster system and something we can address.

‘If we’re better together why are young people forced to look outwith Scotland to find opportunities? With Yes we can keep families together and create more jobs here in Scotland.

‘Scotland barely ever figures on Westminster’s radar, and far too many young people have to go to London or further afield to find decent opportunities.

‘The No campaign doesn’t offer any hope of changing that – as we saw from Alistair Darling’s failure to name any job-creating powers that Scotland would get without independence.”

Yes Scotland Chief Executive Blair Jenkins underlined: ‘A Yes vote three weeks today secures forever the financial control we need to guarantee our policy choices – giving us the tools to create high-quality jobs for graduates here in Scotland, prioritise our publicly-funded NHS and make Scotland’s wealth work for a fairer society.

‘If you want the tools to boost inward investment and exports, independence is the only way.

‘If you want to energise new areas in our economy, with a revolution in childcare, or guarantee innovative lending to start-ups and small businesses, independence is the way to get us all working to our full potential.’

***

More than one hundred business leaders wanted to sign a letter saying No Thanks to separation but felt pressured to stay silent because they feared a nationalist backlash.

Yesterday over 120 business leaders, employing over 50,000 people in Scotland, signed a letter stating that the business case for separation had not been made, and that they would vote to stay in the United Kingdom on 18 September.

Today the Telegraph reports comments from two of the business leaders who helped gather signatures for the letter.

Gavin Hewitt, the former Chairman of the Scottish Whisky Association, and Amanda Harvie, former chief executive of Scottish Financial Enterprise, both said that some businesses were still afraid to speak out.

They said that many of the business leaders he approached agreed with their position to stay in the UK, but feared that SNP would block planning permission applications in their local authorities and withhold public procurement contracts and grants in government as a result.

Earlier this year, Channel 4’s Dispatches reported that nineteen firms said they were aware of threats of “retribution for opposing separation.

It was reported that the intimidation is alleged to have come from the offices of Scottish Government Ministers including Alex Salmond himself.

It has also been previously reported that the Scottish Government tried to suppress a report from Scottish Financial Enterprise which was critical of separation.

Better Together has called for an open debate, where everyone is able to express their view without fear of consequence or retribution.

Shadow Business Minister Ian Murray said:

“With postal ballots being filled out across the country and polling day itself a matter of days away it is deeply troubling that people still feel they cannot air their view of what is best for Scotland for fear of the wrath of Alex Salmond.

 “We are about to make the biggest decision of our lifetime. There will be no going back and yet still, people feel they cannot speak out against Alex Salmond’s unanswered questions.

“The fact is, leaving the UK would hurt Scottish jobs. Our businesses today can sell to a domestic market of 63 million rather than just 5 million. One in 5 Scottish jobs with companies headquartered elsewhere in the UK. Scotland working together with the rest of the UK, as part of the UK, creates jobs.

“The majority of people believe that if we say No Thanks future is brighter and more secure in the United Kingdom. We can have the best of both worlds – a strong Scottish Parliament, with more powers guaranteed, backed up by the strength security and stability of the United Kingdom. Intimidation will not stop them saying No Thanks on 18 September.”

***

The Edinburgh Reporter produces a selection of remarks and comments and pointers to articles about the Scottish Independence Referendum whenever we can.

People living in Scotland are invited to vote in the referendum on independence from the United Kingdom on 18 September 2014. The referendum question is “Should Scotland be an independent country?”

Whether you intend voting Yes or No to that question, your views, and those of others,  have a place here. We invite comments and we also invite you to write about what you think by using our Submit your Story feature here.

Launching the “Buy The Good Stuff” campaign and website at Edinburgh’s Leamington canal bridge are (back row from left) Stuart Pownall (correct, business development manager at Re-Union Canal Boats), Katie Yule (events coordinator at Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network) and Cllr Gordon Munro (canal champion at Edinburgh City Council) with (front row from left): Lorna Baird (social enterprise adviser Business Gateway), Linsay Chalmers from Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network and Margaret Morrison senior economic development officer at The City of Edinburgh Council.

“Buy The Good Stuff” is a call to action to the general public to consider how they shop around the city and can really make a difference by purchasing from social enterprises. Re-Union Canal Boats plays host today to the Monster branding for the campaign.

Photos by Colin Hattersley

Colin Hattersley Photography

Public Relations  –  Press  –  Corporate  –  Charities  –  Arts & Entertainment

07974 957 388
[email protected]
www.colinhattersley.com

Bobby Kinloch, the man who scored one of the most famous goals in the history of Hibernian Football Club has passed away aged 79.

Supporters shared their memories on social media, and the club issued the following statement on their website:

“Hibernian are saddened to learn that former player Bobby Kinloch has passed away. He was 79. The club sends our deepest condolences to his friends and family.

“A dynamic free-scoring inside forward, Kinloch recorded 34 appearances during his brief three-year stay at Hibernian, but his goals, 22 in total, left a lasting impression.

“Without any shadow of doubt, his most telling contribution was during the club’s extraordinary Fair’s Cup campaign during the 1960/61 season where he scored the winner that knocked out Barcelona at Easter Road.

“On an unforgettable night in February 1961, Kinloch stepped up, kept his composure and expertly scored a dramatic late penalty to ensure Hibernian both won the match 3-2 and the tie 7-6 on aggregate.

“Even now, more than half a century after that heroic deed, there are few that would argue that Kinloch’s spot-kick that beat Barça is one of the most famous goals in the club’s 139-year history.

“An ebullient, bouncily inventive and strong-minded character, Kinloch wasn’t even originally assigned to take the penalty – awarded after Johnny MacLeod had been tripped in the area and a decision that triggered off a 13-minute delay after a forceful Barcelona protest.

“But after regular spot-kick taker Sammy Baird informed him that he was too unwell to assume responsibility for the penalty, Kinloch placed the ball on the spot and scored a truly monumental goal. Cue euphoric scenes at Easter Road.

“Inevitably that goal came to define Kinloch’s football career, although he also scored another fabulous goal in the semi-final tie against AS Roma, which was eventually lost after a controversial third play-off game in Italy.

“Irrepressibly determined and bursting with infectious self-belief, Kinloch and the incomparable Joe Baker provided the majority of the goals that took Hibernian towards the cusp of reaching a major European Final.

“Born in Glasgow, Kinloch grew up in Forres and played for Forres Mechanics before joining the RAF and it was from there that he signed for Hibernian in 1959.

“His early progress as a creative inside-forward was encouraging and he made his debut against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in the opening game of the 1960/61 season, albeit at wing-half.

“Admirably direct and determined, Kinloch was soon employed by manager Hugh Shaw as an attacking midfielder and he responded with an avalanche of goals – 17 during his debut season.

“He packed an explosive shot which yielded some memorably spectacular goals and had the priceless knack of finding the net at regular intervals.

“Kinloch scored a hat-trick against St Mirren in October 1960 and scored twice against Aberdeen, Airdrieonians and Hamilton Academical – his goals-to-games ratio was nothing short of prolific.

“But the following season, Kinloch wasn’t able to pin down a regular place, although he still contributed five goals from 11 starts, and he agreed to join Greenock Morton in September 1962.

“Joining Berwick Rangers in 1964, Kinloch, always keen to tackle new challenges, chose to emigrate to Canada where he played for Toronto City and Hamilton Steelers.

“Returning to Scotland in 1967, Kinloch experienced further spells with Raith Rovers and Dunfermline Athletic, where he won the Scottish Cup, before enjoying a very successful post-football career in business.

“A regular attender of Hibernian Former Players’ Association reunions and events, Kinloch also came to watch matches at Easter Road regularly before the onset of his illness.

“He also took immense pride in seeing his grandsons Sam and Max Todd represent the club at under-20 level. Max featured for the first team during this summer’s pre-season friendly programme.

“For Hibernian supporters with clear memories of the glorious European nights at Easter Road, Kinloch’s goal against Barcelona will forever be remembered as one of the greatest ever highlights; part of club folklore.

“A much loved member of the Hibernian family, Bobby Kinloch will be missed by everybody at Easter Road – his memory marches on…

The Edinburgh Reporter also send our condolences to Bobby’s friends and family at this sad time.

Police are appealing for information following a one-vehicle road collision in the early hours of this morning.

Enquiries are underway after a Vauxhall Corsa travelling northwards on Drumbrae North collided with a wall on Queensferry Road at around 3.15am.

The 18-year-old driver of the car sustained serious injuries and was transferred to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where he his in a stable condition.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or was in the area at the time is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101.
Ends

Further growth for Ryanair was announced today with new routes to London Stansted, and increased frequencies on the routes to Barcelona, Pisa and Rome. Their colourful CEO, Michael O’Leary was in town at The Balmoral Hotel to make the announcement, which is perhaps less exciting than others which have been made in the past but clearly show that the airline is committed to increasing its presence in the capital.

Ryanair fly to and from 187 airports all over Europe with 9 destinations from Edinburgh and are already the world’s largest national scheduled airline, but Edinburgh to London Stansted is considered a key new route to counter the high cost of their competitors.

The airline plan further growth next year and so in little over 12 months time they would hope to have a 20% market share in Edinburgh.

Ryanair carried 86 million passengers this year but nonetheless anticipate growing by 50% over the next five years. The delivery of new Boeing aircraft this autumn will be the first of 180 new aircraft which should allow that growth in passenger traffic.

CEO of Ryanair Michael O’Leary said: “We have been number 1 or 2 in most markets up till now solely because of our low fares.  The average saving on flying with Ryanair against others is about 163 euros.

“We have spent the last 12 months evolving and improving the customer experience. We have spent heavily on improving the brand and the family product. We rolled out the business product just yesterday and continue to invest in the digital.”

The business has clearly recognised the things which only served to infuriate those trying to book flights. O’Leary continued: “The Recaptcha feature on the website has gone. We now have a 24 hour grace period for minor changes to passenger bookings. We have transformed the website and the mobile app and the response from customers has been fantastic to such an extent that our forward bookings are 6% higher than last year.

“Month on month over the last five months we have been running with load factors about 4 or 5% up on the same period last year.”

The airline now offers Family Extra which they hope will encourage families to use Ryanair more.

“The Business Plus service will be a very important tool for us particularly here in Edinburgh where we want to cater for the business customer going to London or Dublin. It is a little known fact that we already have a huge proportion of the business traffic. We have not done enough for the business passenger until now. For around £40 business people can have flexibility with Fast Track through security and Priority boarding and the premium seats at the front and back of the plane along with 20kg checked baggage.

“In Scotland we are continuing to grow. Edinburgh will have a 3 times daily service to London Stansted from the end of October and following that we expect that all business fares will reduce to under £100 return even if you are booking on the day before travel after the introduction of this service.

“We expect to carry over 3 million passengers from Scotland’s three airports. This will sustain about 3,000 jobs across Scotland.

“We will offer 32 routes out of Edinburgh with additional flights to Barcelona, Pisa and Rome with five aircraft based here. The message is that Ryanair is wonderful; we have transformed the customer experience and I am committed to being nicer to people by practising on a daily basis. It is a slow but difficult process!”

To celebrate Ryanair are offering 100,000 fares of just £19.99 for travel in September October and November available before midnight on 1 September 2014 while stocks last.

O’Leary concluded: “It is no secret that our growth at Edinburgh is directly related to our fantastic relationship with Edinburgh Airport and we expect to look at new routes from winter 2015 onwards when we will have new aircraft.”

CEO of Edinburgh Airport Gordon Dewar said:  “Ryanair are our perfect partners and have the same ambition for growth as we do. We are delighted with the new business passenger experience, and we are excited to continue our relationship with Ryanair.”

The Edinburgh Airport recorded an exclusive interview with Michael O’Leary who had already been in Glasgow and Prestwick this morning to make similar announcements there.

Scottish Book Trust is delighted to announce today that three Edinburgh-based authors Alexander McCall Smith, Gill Arbuthnot and William Sutcliffe have been shortlisted for this year’s Scottish Children’s Book Awards, celebrating the most popular children’s and young adult books by Scottish authors or illustrators.

Run by Scottish Book Trust with support from Creative Scotland, these are Scotland’s largest book awards, split into three age categories, with a total prize fund of £12,000. Shortlisted authors and illustrators receive £500 per book, and the three winning books receive £3,000 each. Over the next five months, children across Scotland will be reading the three shortlisted books in their age category and voting for their favourite. The three winning books will be announced at a special award ceremony on 4 March 2015.

Internationally renowned best-selling novelist Alexander McCall Smith is shortlisted in the Younger Readers (8-11 yrs) category for Precious and the Mystery of the Missing Lion.  Published by Birlinn, this is a delightful tale exploring how the young Precious Ramotswe became the loveable private investigator of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series.

McCall Smith, one of the world’s most popular authors, lives in the Merchiston area of Edinburgh. After the success of No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency he wrote four more series including 44 Scotland Street novels and his most recent Corduroy Mansions series. In total he has published 74 stories as well as a number of academic texts. Over 40 million copies of his books have been sold and he continues to produce an average of 4 – 5 books every year.  He has received numerous awards for his writing, including the British Book Awards Author of the Year Award in 2004 and CBE for services to literature in 2007.

Gill Arbuthnot is shortlisted in the Older Readers (12-16 yrs) category for her novel Dark Spell. Published by Kelpies and set in St Andrews, the book follows the adventures of teen witch Callie as she tries to come to terms with her powers and battles an unknown force.

Edinburgh born & bred, Gill A attended James Gillespie’s High School before leaving the city for St Andrews University. Here she studied Zoology and then completed teacher training. Despite having a career in science Arbuthnott never gave up her intention of writing, and when she witnessed the millennium clock in the museum of Scotland she was inspired to write The Chaos Clock for children. Now with a large back catalogue of published work including, Beneath, The Keepers Daughter and most recently Winterbringers, Arbuthnott lives in Edinburgh again, working as a writer and teacher.

Commenting on her nomination, Gill said:

“I am thrilled to be shortlisted for the Scottish Children’s Book Awards. It’s a particular pleasure to be in the running for an award which is going to be decided by the children and young people at whom the books are aimed, and a great honour to have made it onto the shortlist, especially looking at the range of tremendous books which have won in previous years.”

Best-selling author William Sutcliffe is shortlisted in the Older Readers (12-16 yrs) for his novel The Wall. Published by Bloomsbury, it powerfully depicts the realities of life on the West Bank through the emotive coming-of-age story of thirteen-year-old Joshua.

London born William Sutcliffe attended private boy’s school Haberdashers’ Aske’s in Hertfordshire. After leaving school he went on to study at Emmanuel College, Cambridge where he met his wife, novelist Maggie O’Farrell. He currently lives in Edinburgh. William has published five novels prior to The Wall, including Are You Experienced?, New Boy, The Love Hexagon, Bad Influence and Whatever Makes You Happy. The Wall is his first children’s novel and has already received high acclaim, being longlisted for the Guardian Fiction Prize and shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. William’s work has been translated into 20 different languages.

Commenting on his nomination, William said:

“I am delighted to be shortlisted for the Scottish Children’s Book Awards. It is an exciting prospect to know that my book will be read widely in schools across Scotland, and discussed, and voted on. It is vital that children read, and talk to each other about what they read. It’s fantastic to have your work embraced into that process.”

THE  SCOTTISH CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDS SHORTLIST:

Bookbug Readers (3-7 years)

• Princess Penelope and the Runaway Kitten by Alison Murray (Nosy Crow)
• Robot Rumpus by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Ross Collins (Andersen Press)
• Lost for Words by Natalie Russell (Macmillan)

Younger Readers (8-11 years)

• Precious and the Mystery of the Missing Lion by Alexander McCall Smith (Birlinn)
• Attack of the Giant Robot Chickens by Alex McCall (Kelpies)
• Pyrate’s Boy by E.B. Colin (Kelpies)

Older Readers (12-16 years)

• Dark Spell by Gill Arbuthnott (Kelpies)
• The Wall by William Sutcliffe (Bloomsbury)
• Mosi’s War by Cathy MacPhail (Bloomsbury)

Jasmine Fassl, Head of Schools at Scottish Book Trust said:

“The Scottish Children’s Book Awards are much more than a celebration of Scottish literature – they are about expanding children’s horizons far beyond their physical boundaries and barriers. By simply reading just one of the shortlisted novels in their category, a 5 year old can imagine what it’s like to have rampaging robots as babysitters, a 10 year old can hop aboard a pirate ship, and a 15 year old can be transported into the mind of a teenager in a war zone. We hope that children, teachers, parents and librarians across Scotland will take this journey with us and get lost in these 9 wonderful stories.”

Jenny Niven, Portfolio Manager for Literature at Creative Scotland, commented:

“Literacy, and access to books for Scotland’s children and families is absolutely critical for our capacity to learn, to develop and to imagine. The work of Scottish Book Trust is fundamental in this. The next step beyond access is to provide the means for children and young people to develop an independent love of books and reading, and the Scottish Children’s Book Awards play an enormous role in making this possible. 

“By voting for their own reading choices they are taking steps in their journeys as independent readers – steps which will have an impact on their education, their wellbeing and their imaginations far into the future. Creative Scotland is delighted to support this work, and is encouraged to see such a strong shortlist of Scottish books for our voters to choose from.” 

The Scottish Children’s Book Awards also encourage budding authors or journalists to put pen to paper: the popular Book Review Competition offers pupils the chance to win book tokens for themselves and an author visit for their school.

Budding film makers can enter the book trailer competition to entice their peers to read the books too and win book tokens for their school. Scottish Book Trust provides extensive learning resources for teachers on how to create book trailers.

Ryanair

Hydrospin is the new fitness routine

Stockbridge Festival Vintage and Craft Market

Potty in Portobello

Festival Fireworks

The Edinburgh Reporter is off to meet the colourful Michael O’Leary today to see what he might have to say about anticipated news of flights to new destinations. Ryanair have already rolled out a new website which is more user friendly and which remembers you from one time to the next. Contrary to reports O’Leary did not impose a charge on using the bathrooms on planes, nor has he yet introduced standing only seats on shorter routes, but we are ready for anything!

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Edinburgh Leisure have set up a new way of keeping fit at the Royal Commonwealth Pool. Here’s a preview:

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The Stockbridge Festival Vintage and Craft Market SATURDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2014 11AM TO 4PM
Jubilee Gardens, Saunders Street, Stockbridge

You are invited to take a stall at this fun event.
Sell craft items, clothes, bric a brac, jewellery, vintage.
Cost to stall-holders will be £35 per table.

For more info about the market and to book a stall contact: [email protected]
StockFest reserves the right to decline applications as it determines.
For more info about Stockbridge Festival contact: http://facebook.com/stockfest

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Portobello residents could help archaeologists uncover the area’s pottery industry. This weekend Dig Portobello will encourage the digging of small trenches to examine potteries which used to be a central part of Porty industry. If you live in Portobello then have a closer look in your own back garden to see what you can find.

You are encouraged to sign up and dig a small trench no more than 1m x 2m in size in their gardens, with the guidance of professional archaeologists. Those without gardens or people from outside the area can also take part, as the council has given permission for test pits to be dug on selected areas of council-owned land.

A range of activities will take place over the weekend, all based at or starting from The Wash House Community Centre  on Adelphi Grove. Volunteers of all abilities are encouraged to sign up for free geophysical survey training on Friday 29 August at 12pm and an introductory talk at 7:30pm. The archaeological explorations will take place from 10am on Saturday 30 August–Sunday 31 August.

The project will also provide guided walks around Portobello and a range of drop-in workshops, including sessions on ceramics, artefacts, and ‘Wee Pottery Workshops’ for children. The full timetable and information on how to sign up can be found at AOC Archaeology .

To sign up for the geophysical survey training, to take part in the excavations, or to register your children, please contact the Portobello Heritage Trust with details of which days you would like to participate. Please specify whether you are digging in your own garden, and please let them know of the address.

Contact Margaret Munro of the Portobello Heritage Trust on 0131 657 2866 or munroporto(at)hotmail.com

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This year’s fireworks take place on Sunday evening.  Starting at 9pm the Virgin Money Fireworks Concert will bring Edinburgh’s summer festival season to a close. This spectacular night out ends the 2014 Edinburgh International Festival, with over 4 tonnes of explosives and 400,000 fireworks choreographed to live orchestral music lighting up the sky against the iconic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, in what is the largest annual fireworks concert in the world.

Share your fireworks photos with us here on EdinburghReportage. We would love to see the whizzy rockets aloft above the Castle or the Waterfall tumbling down the Castle Rock.

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Garry Walker performs classic favourites including Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries and Tchaikovsky’s1812 Overture, accompanied by an awe-inspiring display created by international firework artists Pyrovision, headed by Keith Webb.

The Fireworks Concert is one of Edinburgh’s favourite annual events, bringing together families, visitors, and communities from across the city and beyond, in the grand finale to Edinburgh’s summer festival season. Around 250,000 people are expected to watch the spectacle, gathered in official viewing areas in Princes Street Gardens and at the family viewing area at Inverleith Park, as well as at vantage points around Edinburgh, Fife and the Lothians.

This is the 32^nd annual end of Festival Fireworks Concert; the first was held in 1982. The display is designed, built and coordinated by fireworks experts Pyrovision, lead by head designer Keith Webb. Keith has worked on every fireworks display in some capacity since 1984, this being his 30^thyear. It takes a team of 15 pyrotechnicians 7 days to lay out the fireworks at Edinburgh Castle. Fireworks are set up on 17 different levels of Edinburgh Castle, from the ramparts to along the top of the Castle rock. In addition to the four tonnes of explosives and hundreds of thousands of fireworks used during the 45 minute concert, 12 tonnes of kit are also deployed.

The hugely popular fireworks ‘Waterfall’ is laid out over 118 feet and descends 131 feet in 1 minute. The elements of the Waterfall take two days to make in the manufacturers factory, 2 days additional work at Pyrovision’s headquarters in Lincolnshire, and half a day to layout at the Castle. The cabling for the Waterfall takes a further half a day to set at the Castle. The Waterfall consists of 70 firing units laid out for 118 feet (36 metres) across the Castle. Lasting 1 minute the display descends 131 feet (40 metres) down the Castle rock. Coarse aluminium flakes cause the fireworks to descend, fine aluminium flakes gives the display its beautiful silver/whiteness. In 2013, the display featured two Waterfalls for the first time, a longer secondary waterfall outlining the edge of the Castle ramparts alongside the traditional one.

This year, 55 musicians from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra will perform in the Fireworks Concert, with Gary Walker conducting Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries, Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, Mendelssohn’s War March of the Priests from Athalie, Debussy’s Marche Écossaise and Tchaikovsky’s1812 Overture. The orchestra features 55 players on stage, including 14 violins, 5 horns, 4 cellos, 3 flutes, 2 bassoons, and 1 harp. Each year Keith Webb and his team carefully choreograph the fireworks to work with the chosen music. Keith uses the music as direct inspiration for the effects created, and the ‘images’ it conjures up for him.

Visit http://www.eif.co.uk/virginmoneyfireworks for up-to-the-minute news, features and advice on how to make the best of an evening the Virgin Money Fireworks Concert. Tickets to watch the event from Princes St Gardens are still available via Hub Tickets. They can be bought in person at the Hub, by phone on 0131 473 2000, or online at www.eif.co.uk. The family viewing area at Inverleith Park is free to enter from 7pm and features a live big-screen relay of the concert from Princes St Gardens.

Virgin Money Fireworks Concert

Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Garry Walker Conductor

Wagner Ride of the Valkyries

Beethoven Egmont Overture

Mendelssohn War March of the Priests from Athalie

Debussy Marche Écossaise

Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture

Sunday 31 August 9.00pm

eif.co.uk/virginmoneyfireworks

Sponsored by Virgin Money

Bach Before Breakfast: John Bryden plays Bach and Shostakovich on the Cathedral Steinway. Coffee and croissants follow. 8.05-8.35am every day until Friday 29th August, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free: retiring collection.

Map Making: drop-in workshop for families working together. Take inspiration from the Where Do I End and You Begin exhibition and make your own hand-drawn map of Scotland. 1.30-3.30pm,  City Art Centre (meet at reception), 2 Market Street. Free, no booking required.

Easel Sketching in the Gallery: inspired by the Titian exhibition and working from a costumed figure. 2-4pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free; no booking required. Also on Friday 29th August at same times.

Artist Talk: best known for his short films exploring historical themes, Henry Coombs will discuss his artistic process and inspiration before showing a selection of his films. 6pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed. Part of GENERATION By Night.

Lunchtime Concert: Mark Spalding, piano. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free.

Zombies in the Museum! Edinburgh is on lock-down following the outbreak of an infectious disease. Brave survivors are needed to help in a mission to locate the source of the outbreak.  You will be trained in how to survive a zombie attack.  Zombies in the Museum is part of Scotland Creates, a national project working with partner museums, young adults and creative partners.  This event has been devised by young adults, for young adults. For ages 14+.  Soft drinks only. 7-10pm, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Tickets cost £5 and can be booked here or by calling 0300 123 6789. Supported by the Esme Fairbairn Trust and Creative Scotland.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents Writers at the Fringe: Zoe Venditozzi, Jonathan Falla, Victoria Hendry, Lisa Tuttle and Louise Walsh give a taste of their work. 5.45-7.45pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets available from the shop’s front desk, by calling 0131 622 8218 or from the Fringe box office.

The Travelling Gallery at the Collective Gallery: today the Travelling Gallery brings its GENERATION TG exhibition to Calton Hill. The exhibition focuses on what it is like to be a contemporary visual artist in Scotland, and features the work of five artists working in a range of media. 11am-6pm, Collective Gallery, 38 Calton Hill. The Collective Gallery is also showing Ross Sinclair’s GENERATION exhibition 20 Years of Real Life until 31st August.

Lunchtime Concert: Danae Eleni (soprano) and Guy Newbury (piano.) 1.10-1.50pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free: retiring collection.

MYDG Creative Youth Hub: drop-in youth cafe with creative activities including dance, photography, nail art and lots more. Tuck shop provided. For S1+ 5.30-9pm, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court, free.

Live Music Now: David Foley and Jack Smedley, founding members of the 5-piece folk band Rura, play a mixed programme of traditional and contemporary Scottish and Irish folk music. 6-6.30pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free.

Earlier this morning new Twitter user @DundasStBin began telling us his story.

This is my first tweet. 9.30am 27th August and I’m on the brink of spilling. @Edinburgh_CC Dundas Street Bin x pic.twitter.com/ZqRRRzl8hq

— Dundas St Bin (@DundasStbin) August 27, 2014

Unlike BBC political journalist Brian Taylor who has a Twitter account but does not use it, the bin kept on talking. His first tweet at 9.30 was soon picked up by STV who wrote about it here.

What a morning I’ve had, causing a bit of a stink. No pun intended. Thanks to all my followers. Power to the bins.

— Dundas St Bin (@DundasStbin) August 27, 2014

There was a bin missing on the other side of the street however

@Edinburgh_CC I wasn’t aware that I was damaged. Are you talking about my missing friend across the street who disappeared last week?

— Dundas St Bin (@DundasStbin) August 27, 2014

@dundasstbin Update just received the missing bin will be replaced this afternoon and the area is being cleaned up aswell.

— Edinburgh Council (@Edinburgh_CC) August 27, 2014

 

The Edinburgh Reporter was on hand to capture the installation of the new bin which is big news on Dundas Street today. Just to clarify this is not a completely new bin, but has come from somewhere else. We hope this bin settles in to its new surroundings quickly.

Both Edinburgh clubs face tough ties in the Scottish League Cup next month.

Hibs travel to Dingwall to face Ross County after seeing off Dumbarton in dramatic fashion last night, whilst Hearts travel to Glasgow to face Champions Celtic following their 2-1 away victory over Stehousemuir.

The ties are due to be played on September 23 and 24.

Full draw:

Dundee Utd v Dundee

Falkirk v Inverness CT/Rangers

Ross County v Hibernian

Kilmarnock v St Johnstone

Aberdeen v Livingston

Partick Thistle v St Mirren

Celtic v Hearts

Hamilton v Motherwell

Peter Vardy Edinburgh offers guests an opportunity to see and hold the Ryder Cup

A once-in-a -lifetime opportunity to see and be photographed alongside the coveted Ryder Cup will be on offer at Peter Vardy Edinburgh, the fast-growing automotive retailer’s BMW dealership in the City Seafield Road on Saturday 30^th August from 9.00am until noon.

Guests will be invited along to see the trophy at close quarters on a first come first served basis, while afterwards, BMW will send out a personalised email with photograph to each guest.In addition, the dealership will also have on sale its BMW golf lifestyle range, face painting for youngsters and nail beauty treatments.

 The Ryder Cup, started in 1927, has been fought-out every other year between the cream of European and American golfers, and will take place this year at Gleneagles, Perthshire, on 26 to 28 September. The trophy is named after its donor, businessman Samuel Ryder.

Alongside its counterpart, the President’s Cup, which is contested between American golfers and those from the rest of the world excluding Europe, the Ryder Cup is very specialin professional sport because no prize money is paid despite the huge sums it generates in sponsorship and television broadcast fees.

Peter Vardy, CEO, said: “Many of the customers at our BMW dealership are golf fanatics and when we secured the opportunity to display the Ryder Cup for a morning, we jumped at it.

“It’s not all golf though; families will be able also to enjoy a fun day out as well as inspecting our superb display of new and used BMW vehicles.

The catering team that works with one of Edinburgh’s most scenic locations has created a new treasure hunt experience to help visitors explore the deepest corners of the sprawling gardens before indulging in a luxurious dining experience. 

Sodexo Prestige, exclusive caterers at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), in the heart of the historic Scottish capital, is now playing host to a majestic treasure hunt, leading guests on a magical mystery tour of the gardens.

Arming visitors with specialist GPS accessible via the latest Samsung Galaxy tablet, the device will help guide guests around the deepest corners of the gardens, exploring the local wildlife and blossoming gardens.

But after a day of exploring, guests can enjoy a lunch made with some of Scotland’s finest, in-season produce in the Caledonian Hall or David Douglas Room for 15 guests or more.

This unique experience is just one of the “Hidden Gems” being revealed across the 50 Sodexo Prestige venues in the Prestige Venues & Events portfolio.

Amanda Brown, National Accounts Director at Sodexo Prestige in Scotland, said: “We always strive for our venues to stand out from the crowd and offer our guests something that extra bit special.

“Our main focus is always on the customer experience and using fresh, locally-sourced and sustainable produce whenever possible. The fact we can offer guests these added perks is just fantastic and also testament to the high level of quality the venues we provide our hospitality services for and how we can work with the venues to provide an extra special occasion.”

Several of the other 50 UK venues in the Sodexo Prestige PV&E folder have unique Hidden Gems, making them perfect for hosting a meeting or event with a difference and you can see these here.