Filming was taking place in Charlotte Square on Monday of a new production called Miss Pirie and Miss Woods.
The screenplay is written by Sophie Heldman, who is also the Director, and Flora Nicholson, who is also starring, but the production is based on a book, Scotch Verdict, by Lillian Faderman.
“A student, Jane Cumming, accuses her school mistresses, Jane Pirie and Marianne Woods, of having an affair in the presence of their students. Dame Cumming Gordon, the wealthy and powerful grandmother of the accusing student, advises her friends to remove their daughters from the boarding school. Within days, the school is deserted and the two women deprived of their livelihood. Lillian Faderman, award-winning author of Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers, gives an extraordinary rendering of the real-life story on which Lillian Hellman based her famous play, The Children’s Hour.”
The ensuing scandal which takes place will form the basis of the period drama and Charlotte Square was full of horses and carts as well as actors in costume.
Film Edinburgh, which was established in 1991, has successfully facilitated, advised and promoted filming in Edinburgh and south-east Scotland for over 30 years. In the 10 years from 2013 to 2022 inclusive, filming in the city region delivered an estimated £97.7m into the local economy.
UNISON has said that 600 professional services staff will be balloted over possible strike action following proposals to cut university spending by £140 million. The union say this will result in “severe job losses”.
The consultation is open from Monday and will run for three weeks amid concerns that the job losses might mean merging schools and programmes to make savings. The union wants to ensure there will be no compulsory redundancies.
UNISON University of Edinburgh branch secretary June Maguire said: “These cuts are irresponsible and will deeply damage the education students receive.
“The university must protect its services and the staff who provide them. There should be no compulsory redundancies, outsourcing of services or extra work caused by this damaging process for already overburdened employees.”
UNISON Scotland regional organiser John Mooney said: “No-one wants to go on strike. University managers must get around the table and work together with unions to reduce the damage any cuts will cause.
“All university staff need to be heard, and a strong turnout in this consultation will show the workforce is united in wanting to protect university jobs and services.”
University of Edinburgh Informatics Forum
Student flats in Leith to be delivered by joint venture
A joint venture is proceeding with what they call a “much-needed” student campus in Leith.
The proposal by partners HUB and Bridges Fund Management along with HGP, a Lloyds backed equity investor in the UK living sector, is proceeding to create student flats at a new development called Shore Station which will include 604 beds in a £118 million development
The developers say that the Baltic Street flats will be ready for occupation by students at the start of the 2027/28 academic year, as enabling works have already been completed.
The site is a former gasworks and naval yard and it will be transformed it into a single site for students. The buildings will not all be new as there are three B-listed buildings all lying within the Leith Conservation Area which will be used as part of the development. The consortium is keen to point out the carbon savings in doing this, and the buildings had been vacant and had structural issues. Planning was granted by The City of Edinburgh Council in 2021.
The campus will include study rooms and “collaboration spaces”, a lounge, relaxation room, courtyards, herb garden, cinema, gym and cycle storage.
The development is designed by Michael Laird on behalf of the original owners Sundial Properties who sold the development on after obtaining planning permission.
Simon Ringer, Head of Bridges Property Funds, said: “Across the UK, there’s a significant under-supply of purpose-built student accommodation. In Edinburgh alone, there are more than three students for every available bed. As such, there is a pressing need for high-quality schemes like Shore Station. As with every Bridges and HUB development, we will be targeting the highest possible sustainability standards, while also supporting the wellbeing on residents through well-designed amenities and green spaces. We’re excited to see Shore Station come to life over the next couple of years.”
Colin Bennett, Investment Director at HGP, said: “We are delighted to continue our support of the UK Living sector through our first joint venture (JV) with HUB and Bridges. The JV will deliver an iconic and sustainable scheme for Edinburgh’s student population, in what is a critically undersupplied market. We are excited to be working with our new partners. Their focus on heritage, sustainability and social impact aligns with HGP’s ethos, and we look forward to collaborating on such a prominent development.”
Jim Blakemore, Managing Partner and Global Head of Debt at BGO said: “BGO are delighted to be the financing partner of such a high-calibre project and team. It aligns with our strategy of supporting best in class developments in prime locations that have a strong sustainability angle.”
Gang war detectives arrest 24-year-old man in connection with setting two fires
Detectives investigating recent gang war activity in and around Edinburgh have arrested a 24-year-old man in relation to two wilful fireraisings .
The incidents which took place on Thursday, 6 March, 2025 and Sunday, 16 March, 2025 in Albert Street and Milton Road East, respectively,.
Both are said by officers to be linked to the recent discharge of firearms and other fireraising incidents in the city.
The man has also been arrested for the reset of a stolen vehicle.
Officers said that their enquiries are ongoing.
Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger said: “I want to reassure the community that we are continuing to work on this investigation and this is just one of many arrests over the coming weeks.”
“If you have any information that can assist our investigation, please get in touch.”
Concerns raised about projects designed to improve walking and cycling routes
Concerns have been raised about projects designed to improve walking and cycling routes across Edinburgh after it emerged some had been delayed by as long as ten years.
City councillors revealed that 27 of 39 active travel projects being worked on by the council have slipped beyond their original completion date.
Greens co-leader and councillor Chas Booth group has urged officers to take action on the delays in an emergency motion.
It further said that funding and staffing resources, as well as some of the bureaucracy involved in building new infrastructure, was to blame.
The delays were made public in a response to a question at a full council meeting last year.
Among the delayed projects are improvements to active travel in Charlotte Square, which has seen its completion date pushed back from 2016 to 2027.
Meanwhile, active travel works on Fountainbridge and Dundee Street have been pushed from 2017 to 2027, and the cycling route from the Meadows to the Union Canal delayed from 2016 to 2026.
The Meadows to George Street project has seen its completion date shifted from 2022 to 2028, and improvements to George Street itself have been delayed from 2021 to 2029.
Some projects were listed as ‘on hold’ with no completion date, such as active travel works on the Powderhall Railway in Broughton.
And others are now under review’, such as the Portobello to Musselburgh route.
The committee convener did not accept it as an emergency motion, but the Green group can refile it before the next Transport and Environment Committee meeting after the council’s April recess is over.
If accepted and moved at the meeting, the motion would have called on council officers to come back within three months with proposals for reducing the delays.
Concerns growing for welfare of missing man as police issue renewed appeal for help
Police are renewing their appeal for the help of the public to trace a 34-year-old man missing from Inverness.
John MacAulay was last seen in the Holm Road area of Inverness around 5.20am on Saturday, 5 April, 2025 and is believed to have travelled to the Edinburgh area.
He is described as being around 5ft 11in in height, with short red hair and stubble. He is believed to be wearing a grey Jack Wills hooded jumper and jeans.
He may travelled to the the Borders area.
Constable Ben Staal said: “Concerns are growing for John’s welfare as it is believed he may be injured.
“I am appealing for anyone who has seen John or anyone matching his description to contact us.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 0703 of 5 April, 2025.
Midlothian Council leader to challenge veteran MSP at Holyrood election
Midlothian MSP Colin Beattie faces a fight to stand at the next Holyrood election after one of his own local council leaders confirmed she would be challenging him for the position.
Councillor Kelly Parry confirmed over the weekend that she had been nominated as a potential candidate for the Midlothian North and Musselburgh seat which Mr Beattie has represented for 14 years.
Mr Beattie, who is expected to make his own announcement in the next 24 hours, has confirmed he has no plans to step aside.
When asked by the Local Democracy Party Service if he was planning to stand, he said: “Yes I have been nominated by both the constituency branches and will be issuing a statement today or tomorrow expanding on that.”
Mr Beattie who was SNP National Treasurer from 2004 to 2020 was recently cleared of any criminal wrong doing in connection with two year investigation into party finances launched by Police Scotland.
The MSP was arrested alongside former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in 2023 as part of the investigation known as Operation Branchform. Last month Police Scotland confirmed neither Mr Beattie nor Ms Sturgeon would face any charges.
A former international banker, Mr Beattie served on Midlothian Council before becoming an MSP and was SNP group leader at the local authority.
Councillor Parry, SNP, the current Midlothian council leader, said she was delighted to be able to announce her formal nomination as a potential candidate.
She said: “I’ve been blessed to be able to represent my home as a councillor for almost 10 years, and as the leader of Midlothian Council since 2022.
“I grew up here, I went to school here and I’ve raised my two children here. I know Midlothian – this is my home too, and I really care about what happens here.
“This election will be an important moment for Scotland, and in every constituency we must put our best foot forward and send the best candidates that we can to the Scottish Parliament. I know I can bring the energy, enthusiasm and drive needed to this election, and beyond.”
“I have been overwhelmed by the support of members and colleagues so far, and I hope to secure the support of local members in the forthcoming internal ballot.”
The ballots for the candidate for the sea will open later this month and close on May 5 with the result expected to be announced within days.
By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
Witness appeal after supporter attacked during Celtic v Hearts game
Police in Glasgow are appealing for information following a serious assault at Celtic Park on Saturday, 29 March.
The incident happened around 3.25pm in the South West Stand during the Celtic v Hearts match. A 54-year-old man attended Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment to his injuries.
Officers are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the assault or has any relevant information.
Constable Ryan Beveridge said: “Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this incident and would urge anyone with information to come forward.
“Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3854 of 5 April, 2025 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. “
West Lothian pupils suggest school dinner menus
A school dinner menu suggested by pupils shows how far we have travelled in West Lothian from the days of dessert branded “squashed fly” and custard with a skin on.
Jamie Fisher, the head of facilities and support services in the council told councillors that almost 3,000 pupils responded to a survey on what they would like to see on the menu and – within limitations – they got it.
Chairing a meeting of the Performance Committee, Councillor Peter Heggie said: “That must have been an interesting journey.
A report to the Performance Committee detailed: “the service developed a consultation for school pupils which included pupil focus groups, to empower the pupils to have a voice in the design of the school menus.
“As a result of this consultation juice cans have been reintroduced to school catering and meal deals have been introduced.”
Pupils are offered a “Grab and Go” meal deal menu featuring sandwich baguette combinations, hotdog and chips, baked potatoes and pasta, as well as a range of sweets, diet cans of juice, water or milk and a piece of fruit.
They can be pre- ordered and paid for on an app.
Mr Fisher said the improvements had also evolved different ways to pay for the meals which cost up to £2.93 daily. He added: “The primary reason for the cashless catering is to maintain anonymity for those who are entitled to free school meals, but it also takes away the manual process of handling lots of cash.”
Further improvements come in after the Easter holidays when pupils will be able to pay for meals using digital wallets on their phones and QR codes.
In addition to the Grab and Go there is also a rota of set menus including a choice of main meals, including vegetarian dishes as well as stalwarts like steak pie, chicken casseroles and curries with fruit and yoghurt joining apple crumble and custard.
Veteran councillor Carl John said the new menus represented a world of difference to his experiences of “leftover gruel” school dinners in the 1950s.
Changes to the way schools’ dinners are now made and delivered, as well as standardised menus across the schools’ estate have saved almost £150,0000.
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “We have been working to improve our school meals service to better meet the needs of our young people.
“The council is legally required to deliver a nutritionally balanced menu to students, and we have undertaken a menu engagement survey, which involved 2,800 pupils and a focus group at every high school in West Lothian, to assist in shaping school menus going forward.
“Whilst we are unable to meet every request, their input as customers has been invaluable to the menu development.
“We currently operate a cashless system in all our secondary schools, which helps deliver a more efficient service and remove any stigma for pupils who receive free school meals. West Lothian Council was one of the first councils to introduce cashless catering at St Margaret’s Academy in 1995 and cashless systems are in place across the school estate.
“We are now looking to improve the service further with the use of QR codes which will enable pupils to use their digital wallets on mobile phones to enable payments. This provides further choice and can also help avoid delays with lost cashless dining cards.
“To date we have also managed to achieve £144,000 of savings through more efficient ways of delivering meals from our larger production kitchens to local dining centres.”
By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter
Pupils get hands-on training in how to be a coffee-shop barista
Senior pupils in West Lothian have been getting hands-on training in how to be a coffee-shop barista, as part of a scheme to learn wider skills to prepare for the world of work.
Senior students at Whitburn Academy set up their own coffee shop – Brewburn- which offers training to pupils.
An S4 student told councillors on the Education PDSP that working in the coffee shop had boosted her confidence and given her the skills to earn when she leaves school.
Barista training is one of the transferable skills pupils in the senior phase of West Lothian’s high schools can take on.
Avril McLean, a quality improvement officer with the council, told the PDSP: “Many of these wider achievements are recognised through accredited awards leading to skills building and attainment.”
Thousands of senior pupils have gained new, transferable skills alongside Highers in a variety of skill sets from First Aid training to volunteering in primary schools and care homes, as well as undertaking Duke of Edinburgh Award schemes.
Heather Forbes, the Head of Humanities at Whitburn introduced four senior students; sixth years’ Sadgla and Grace and fourth years’, Alysha and Amy to the councillors They described their experience of working in the community. The older students had worked as maths ambassadors helping primary school children build their confidence in maths before they transitioned to high school.
Alysha and Amy helped set up Brewburn as part of Nat 5 courses in retail and Travel and Tourism. Amy told the meeting she planned to study childcare on leaving school but the barista training had boosted her confidence and could help her find work as she studies.
Mrs Forbes told councillors: “Our main aim is to encourage participation in the wider life of the school and the wider community and allow students to develop skills, qualities and attributes required for life beyond school.”
Councillor Pauline Stafford said: “How apparent it i s that these courses and these opportunities have brought us four really confident young people I think its fantastic. You are a real credit to your school and I wish you good luck in whatever you do next. ”
EIS rep Heather Hughes said: “Congratulations to the girls. Its a massive deal entering the council chamber. I think they spoke brilliantly. The EIS are absolutely advocates for moving away solely academically centred and I really that West Lothian looks at the success at Whitburn and does more, I hope this is the beginning of a picture that develops where we create rounded individuals ready for the workplace.”
A report to councillors said: “Given that retail is a significant labour market in West Lothian, a range of qualifications are available in a number of schools that fully support this pathway.
“Some of the wider achievements from the 2023/24 session include 41 young people achieving the SCQF Level 5 Barista Skills award and 192 young people achieving the Skills for Work Level 5 Travel and Tourism award.”
The report added: “Additionally, the National Progression Award (NPA) in Customer Services at Level 6 is offered in most secondary schools, with 247 young people successfully achieving this qualification in the last session. Many senior phase students have also gained awards for volunteering skills. These awards recognise their contributions both within the school, such as supporting younger learners or serving as subject ambassadors, and in their local communities
“In the 2023/24 session, 2,281 young people earned the Level 6 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work, a vital life skill already benefiting local communities. Additionally, 857 young people received the Level 6 Leadership Award, which equips them with highly transferable skills essential for their future careers.”
By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter
Holiday let owner in Dunbar loses second appeal
Claims long term residents in a block of flats could cause more disturbance than short term guests have been dismissed by Scottish Ministers.
The owner of a holiday flat overlooking Dunbar, appealed after being refused permission to carry on operating it by East Lothian planners for a second time.
And in their appeal to Scottish Ministers agents representing applicant Susannah Lorimer, they challenged claims short term lets had a noise impact on residents sharing a main entrance.
They said: “The applicant emphasises that there have been no complaints from other residents and notes that longer term residents themselves may cause more disturbance than the property’s guests.”
The applicant, whose flat is on Cromwell Court, said it was rented out around 89 per cent of the year to a wide range of guests from Edinburgh Festival attendees to wedding guests, and people attending sporting events.
They applied for a Certificate of Lawfulness to carry on as a short term let, which would mean they do not require planning permission.
However the application, which was the second one lodged over the property over the last year, was refused.
The previous application saw the Scottish Government Reporter rule the proximity of the flat to the heart of the seaside town made it more likely guests would have an impact saying: “Given the access to the town centre and the local bars, restaurants and other attractions, I consider that guests are more likely to come and go from the property with greater frequency and are likely to generate more activity later in the evenings and at night time than neighbouring residents, at a time when residents may want a more peaceful atmosphere.”
The second application which East Lothian planners also rejected, was refused again by the Reporter who said a lack of complaints was irrelevant to their decision.
They said: “As the appellant does not reside at the property, they do not have complete control over the behaviour of guests, and they cannot prevent noise and disturbance from occurring. The absence of complaints from other occupants of the block does not mean that no material change of use has occurred.”
Ruling that the short term let use of the flat did constitute a change of use that required planning permission, the Reporter said: “As no planning permission has been granted, I find that use is not established and is not lawful.”
By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
Missing woman from Larbert known to travel to Edinburgh
Police are appealing for information to help trace 23-year-old Zoe Williams missing from Larbert who is known to travel to Edinburgh.
Zoe was last seen in the Stirling Road area around 11.20am on Monday, 7 April, 2025.
She is 5’ 5”, of slim build, with light brown hair which is highlighted. She was wearing a grey hooded top with White Fox written on it, tracksuit bottoms with white stripes and black Adidas trainers.
Inspector David Ferguson said: “I am appealing to members of the public to please keep a look out for Zoe. Concern is growing for her welfare and we want to trace her as soon as possible.
“Zoe is known to travel to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stirling.
“I would ask anyone if they know where she is to contact us on 101, quoting 1013 of Monday, 7 April, 2025.”
Second Festival of Europe to be held in Edinburgh
Scotland’s second Festival of Europe is being held at the French Institute, Edinburgh, on 10 and 11 May and organisers say they have booked top-flight speakers”.
Backed by the European Movement in Scotland and a wide range of other organisations, a major theme of the two-day event is “The Future of European Democracy”.
The organisers say the Festival comes at a time when far right parties are on the rise across Europe and, as Donald Trump’s administration changes the global order that has been in place since the end of the Second World War.
Mark Lazarowicz, one of the conference organisers and a former Edinburgh MP, said: “The world is more unstable today than at any time in the past 80 years. There are powerful political forces at work here, in Europe, the USA and globally that want to tear down the institutions and ideas that have brought freedom, dignity, security and stability to millions.
“We have assembled an outstanding cast of speakers who will explain where we are now and look at how we can keep democracy healthy in Europe.”
Among the issues to be discussed are proposals to revitalise the European project of political and economic integration, how the EU should respond to hard right politics, how political parties and civil society can strengthen liberal democracy and what the prospects for closer ties between Scotland, the UK and the EU.
The recent report on the future of European competitiveness is being seen as a vital blueprint for Europe, a matter made far more urgent by America’s new protectionist trade policy. A conference session will look at how the report recommendations can be implemented the implications for economies across Europe, including Scotland and the UK.
MSP Clare Adamson and Alistair Mackie, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, will look at progress on the Face the Music campaign. Brexit has meant that artists, performers and technical specialists who support performers have lost income and bookings across Europe.
To book tickets for The Future of European Democracy Conference and all the other events taking place as part of the Festival of Europe click here.
Speakers include:
Tanja Bueltmann, Professor of International History at the University of Strathclyde. She specialises in the history of migration and diaspora. She is also a citizens’ rights campaigner and founder of the EU Citizens’ Champion campaign.
Mark Leonard is co-founder and director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, currently the Henry A Kissinger Chair in foreign policy and international relations at the US Library of Congress, Washington DC.
Sophie Pornschlegel is Deputy Director of Europe Jacques Delors, a Brussels-based think tank. She is also a Policy Fellow with Das Progressive Zentrum in Berlin.
Alyn Smith was an SNP Member of the European Parliament for Scotland from 2004-2019 and SNP MP for Stirling from 2019 to 2024. He was the party’s Westminster lead on Europe until last year.
Sir Graham Robert Watson was a Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament between 1994 and 2014. He is a previous leader of the Liberal Group in the European Parliament,
Sandro GoziMEP sits for France in the European Parliament. He is Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly. He is a former Minister for European Affairs in the Italian government.
Catherine Barnard has been Professor of European Union and Employment Law at the University of Cambridge since 2008. She has also been Deputy Director of the UK in a Changing Europe think-tank.
Cecilia Jastrzembska is President, Young European Movement (YEM). She has worked as a senior policy advisor in UK government departments. She has also held leadership roles in the Young European Socialists. She speaks and writes on feminism, climate change and AI, and European citizens’ rights.
Stephen Gethins has been an SNP MP from 2015-2019 and from 2024. He was SNP Spokesperson for International Affairs and Europe at Westminster. He is Professor of Practice in International Relations at the University of St. Andrews. He has worked in the NGO sector specialising in peace-building, arms control and democracy in the Caucasus and the Balkans.
Alistair Mackie, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Originally from Ayrshire, Alistair Mackie was appointed Chief Executive of the RSNO in 2019. A classical musician before entering management, he was principal trumpet with the London Sinfonietta and a professor at The Royal College of Music.
Clare Adamson MSP is Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee. She will talk about the committee’s work and the cross-party parliamentary support for the Face the Music campaign.
The French Institute
Wellbeing exhibition features mindfulness walks
A series of paintings that feature in a new book on wellbeing are on show at a public exhibition at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.
Mindful Walks in West Edinburgh is written and designed by freelance graphic designer and illustrator, Julia Murden, who guides readers around several of her favourite dog-walking routes. Some are in the Georgian New Town and others in the semi-rural, parks and coastal parts of the city.
The exhibition is organised by Tonic Arts, NHS Lothians’ award-winning Arts in Health and Wellbeing Programme and is open to the public in Tonic Arts Gallery in the Anne Ferguson Building. It comprises 14 paintings, two sets of line drawings and six pages from Julia’s sketchbook, as well as a slide show.
The illustrations are imaginative interpretations of each walk and are tied to the theme of mindfulness and being aware of the sounds and sights along each route.
Julia worked for many years as a graphic designer in studios in the Midlands, Yorkshire and northeast England before moving to Scotland in the 1990s, taking up a role in the Medical Illustration Unit at Glasgow University and later as a lecturer in design and media at James Watt College in Ayrshire.
She moved to Edinburgh in 2011, working with a firm of architects, and is now semi-retired, spending two days a week in a GP’s surgery and devoting her other time to art, walking and her family.
“The idea for the book and illustrations came from a desire to combine my regular walks with a love of art,” said Julia.
“I am convinced that walking is good for your health, but more so if you do it mindfully.”
If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Mindful Walks in West Edinburgh email: loth.arts@nhs.scot
Julia Murden with a copy of Mindful Walks in West Edinburgh PHOTO DB Media Services
Five things you need to know today
Gorgie Dalry Community Council AGM tonight
Gorgie Dalry Community Council will hold their Annual General Meeting this evening at the Gorgie Palmerston Place Church at 190-192 Gorgie Road at 7pm. After the recent community council elections a chair and other office bearers will be appointed first. The meeting is open to everyone in the area.
At the libraries
Wester Hailes Library has a programme of activities as do most other libraries in the city.
Look no further than the Museums and Galleries website where there is a long list of events and exhibitions for all ages.
Here we have chosen just three…
An online talk about Edinburgh’s New Town takes place on 16 April. It is free but booking is essential to get the log in details. “By the 1750s the Old Town of Edinburgh was grossly overcrowded. Some 55,000 people were crammed within the city walls. With no open space for building, Edinburgh climbed skywards. Daniel Defoe, who visited Edinburgh in 1725 was astonished to note tenements “which on the south side appear to be eleven or twelve stories high and inhabited to the very top.” Other visitors were less complimentary. John Taylor complained that “Every street shows the nastiness of the inhabitants; the excrement lies in heaps.” Something had to be done.”
The craft of couture – Victor Edelstein designs for Anna Miller. At the Museum of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile there is a small display explores the work of fashion designer Victor Edelstein. A favourite of Princess Diana, Edelstein exemplifies the finest British fashion design of the 1980s.
The striking and elegant pieces on display were made for Edelstein’s assistant and muse, Anna Miller, who lived and worked in Edinburgh for much of her life. A cocktail dress, evening dress and three skirt suits showcase the design ethos and attention to detail of Victor Edelstein. Crepe silk bows, cut-glass buttons, fine woollen cloths and figure-flattering silhouettes show a side of 1980s fashion design far removed from the cliché of massive shoulder pads and sparkle.
There is limited availabillity at the Lauriston Castle lecture series. More information here.
Lauriston Castle was owned by Mr & Mrs Reid and left by them to the nation on the condition that they would open it to the public but keep it exactly the same as when the couple lived there.
It is a wee bit early for the blossom in the Japanese garden but you might be lucky.
18/4/2024 Lauriston Castle Edinburgh Japan Sakura Festival. Picture Alan Simpson
Edinburgh Science Festival
Edinburgh Science Festival 2025 just opened on Saturday and runs until 20 April. This year’s Festival explores the challenges of living on a planet with finite resources, through the lenses of science fiction and space exploration, with the theme Spaceship Earth. This year, the Festival’s reimagined flagship family experience DiscoveryLab at City Art Centre offers five floors of interactive activities, experiments, and premium workshops, it’s the perfect way for families to explore, learn, and have fun together.
Taking flight… Edinburgh Science Festival 2025 is open. This year, the Festival’s reimagined flagship family experience DiscoveryLab at City Art Centre offers five floors of interactive activities, experiments, and premium workshops, it’s the perfect way for families to explore, learn, and have fun together! Jack (11) and Cora (6) have a preview of what is on offer. PHOTO Ian Georgeson
Parliamentary and council business this week
Both The Scottish Parliament and the council are in recess until 20 April and there will be no meetings.
The UK Parliament continues to meet until close of business on Tuesday afternoon:
Monday 7 April
The House will sit from 2.30pm, starting with questions to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner.
The main business will be:
General debate on road maintenance.
General debate on neighbourhood policing and tackling town centre crime.
Tuesday 8 April
The House will sit from 11.30am, starting with questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves.
The main business will be two Backbench Business debates:
Potential merits of awarding a posthumous Victoria Cross to Blair Mayne.
Matters to be raised before the forthcoming Adjournment
The subjects for these debates were determined by the Backbench Business Committee.
The House will rise for recess at the conclusion of business on Tuesday 8 April and will return Tuesday 22 April.
Many politicians have used the first few days of the recess to visit New York where it has been Tartan Week.
This has included the First Minister, John Swinney, Anas Sarwar, leader of Scottish Labour and the Scottish Secretary of State Ian Murray MP who was joined by Douglas Alexander MP.
Hello, New York!
An incredible end to a hugely important week for Scotland and the USA.
A delegation from The Scottish Parliament visited New York for a series of engagements around Tartan Week 2025, and this will be followed by a visit to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Canada. The delegation, led by Deputy Presiding Officer Annabelle Ewing MSP, includes Michelle Thomson MSP and Alexander Stewart MSP.
The delegation joined the Tartan Day Parade on Saturday alongside Grand Marshal, Alan Cumming and First Minister, John Swinney. Tartan Week is an annual celebration of the contribution of Scots Americans, Scottish culture and heritage and of the Scottish diaspora in North America.
The delegation also has a number of engagements planned in New York to help inform their parliamentary work, including meeting with the New York City Deputy Mayor, Ms Camille Joseph Varlack, and New York City Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, Laurie Cumbo.
The delegation will then travel to Edmonton for a parliamentary exchange visit to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, at the invitation of The Hon Nathan Cooper MLA, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
The delegation will share experience of parliamentary business and discuss common issues with counterparts. They will also meet with Her Honour, The Hon Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta; The Hon Matt Jones MLA, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade; The Hon Muhammad Yaseen MLA, Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism; The Hon Nate Glubish MLA, Minister of Technology and Innovation; and the Hon Tanya Fir MLA, Minister of Arts, Culture, and Status of Women.
Ahead of the visit Deputy Presiding Officer, Annabelle Ewing MSP, said: “Tartan Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our rich cultural heritage and to connect with Scots around the world. We look forward to engaging with our counterparts in New York and beyond, promoting the values of our Parliament and discussing areas of common interest.
“We are particularly looking forward to meeting with our peers at the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and using this opportunity to share best practice and learn from one another.
“It’s a privilege to represent the Scottish Parliament on the global stage.”
League title for Edinburgh Northern
Edinburgh Northern rugby club won the Arnold Clark East District Reserve League Division Two after a shoot-out against Caledonian Thebans RFC.
The victorious Edinburgh Northern 2nd XV
With both teams level on points at the top of the league before the game, it was a real winner takes all scenario. The lead changed hands on multiple occasions with Northern eventually prevailing 27-26 at Barnton.
Still ahead for the Northern Club is their annual seven-a-side tournament at Inverleith Park on Saturday, 19 April.
Pressure on for Hearts at Fir Park
Neil Critchley, Hearts’ head coach, felt his men started well against Dundee United, but a well-taken, second-half header from Sam Dalby was a massive blow to the Tynecastle team, so was the red card to teenage striker, James Wilson.
He told Hearts TV: “We played with real energy, played on the front foot, good quality, pressed well, organised and created numerous opportunities in the final third and the only bit missing was the final bit.
“Shooting straight at the goalkeeper, or missed the target, our final pass, we could have shown more quality.”
The red card had a “massive” bearing on the game but, after that, he felt you could not say who had 11 and who had ten, there was nothing, in his view, between the teams.
Critchley (pictured) added: “We were punished for a mistake we made and that is hard to take as the players gave so much but when you are attacking or defending with one less man it is very hard to get something out of the game. I can’t fault the players in the way they went right to the end.”
On the final match before the split, a trip to Fir Park to face Motherwell, Critchley said: “It is still with us, we are not relying on other results, and it makes for an exciting week, but we know if we go there are win and it is done.”
Independent Schools football cup for Stewart’s Melville
Captained by Ollie Milne, Stewart’s Melville College footballers brought the Independent Schools Cup back to Edinburgh after a 4-1 victory over St Aloysius College at the Indodrill Stadium, Alloa.
Unbeaten in 16 of their first 17 games the silverware added to an outstanding season for the Capital school.
In the quarter final of the Independent Schools Cup they defeated Heriot’s. 5-2 and followed up buy overcoming Robert Gordon’s College, 5-0.
Shooting Stars put skids under arch rivals Fife
Fife Flyers face an uncertain future and they ended this season’s Elite League campaign with a 6-1 defeat at arch rivals Dundee Stars.
The Tayside team won the first session 3-0, drew the second 1-1 and took the third 2-0.
Stars outshot Fife 47-21 to secure their place in the end-of-season, play-offs with 49 points from 54 regular season matches.
Fife finished bottom with 12 points from 54 games and horrendous stats of 117 goals scored and 305 conceded.
The Kirkcaldy club are up for sale and only one person has put their head above the parapet with time running out until league bosses set the fixtures for next season.
PICTURE: Johnny Curran, Fife’s interim head coach, courtesy of the Elite League
Fun in the sun at Portobello
Sunday was a lovely April day and the good weather enticed many out to enjoy the air at Portobello.
On the beach there were sunbathers, picnickers, and kite surfers. People were launching sailing dinghies into the sea which looked a wee bit rough.
On the prom Ralph was having an ice cream to celebrate his first birthday and others were just having a walk.
Sunday was a great start to the Easter holidays – schools in Edinburgh are on holiday until 22 April 2025 when all pupils are due back.
Portobello Beach in the cold sunshine. 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan SimpsonPortobello Beach in the cold sunshine. 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan SimpsonPortobello Beach in the cold sunshine. 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan SimpsonPortobello Beach in the cold sunshine. 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan SimpsonBirthday Boy Ralph has an ice cream on his 1st Birthday on Portobello Beach. 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan SimpsonBirthday Boy Ralph has an ice cream on his 1st Birthday on Portobello Beach in the cold sunshine. 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan SimpsonVolleyball on Portobello Beach. 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan SimpsonVolleyball on Portobello Beach 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan SimpsonPaula and Raquel on Portobello Beach 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan SimpsonBalwinder Singh on Portobello Beach in the cold sunshine. 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan SimpsonPortobello Beach in the cold sunshine. 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan SimpsonPortobello Beach in the cold sunshine. 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan SimpsonPerson unknown (!) on Portobello Beach in the cold sunshine. 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan SimpsonHarris & Findlay on Portobello Beach in the cold sunshine. 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan SimpsonPedro, Gabi and Marina on Portobello Beach in the cold sunshine. 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan Simpson
Portobello Beach in the cold sunshine. 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan SimpsonPortobello Beach in the cold sunshine. 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan SimpsonHolly Irvine with Alfie 12 a rescue dog on Portobello Beach in the cold sunshine. 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan Simpson
Portobello Beach in the cold sunshine. 6/4/2024 PHOTO Alan Simpson
Wilson red card as Hearts skid to defeat
Hearts remain a point ahead of St Miren and Motherwell in the race for a top six finish and it is Fir Park that the Jambos must travel to for their final William Hill Premiership match before the split.
A solitary goal scored in the second-half made the difference before more than 18,000 fans at Tynecastle as Dundee United earned narrow, back-to-back wins over the Men in Maroon in the Capital and moved on to 47 points to secure their position in the top six.
The Edinburgh combine remain on 39 points and in sixth spot with St Mirren seventh and Motherwell eighth, both on 38 points.
So, the pressure is really on after a disappointing day at Tynecastle in a match in which teenager striker, James Wilson (pictured centre), was shown a straight red card.
Earlier, Neil Critchley made four changes for Hearts, including Lawrence Shankland named on the bench, and his counterpart, Jim Goodwin made five for the game at sun-kissed Tynecastle.
The first yellow card came after seven minutes, Louis Moult for a foul on Michael Steinwender, as both sides probed for an opening in a high tempo game.
Hearts earned their first corner three minutes later after Beni Baningime won the ball in midfield, but it came to nothing.
Beningime was heavily involved as Hearts forced their rivals back and the Jambos looked for a penalty when Jorge Grant went down in the box, but play was waved on.
The home side won another corner which was again cleared but the ball was fed to Elton Kabangu who drove towards goal and Jack Walton denied the Belgian striker when he saved his strong shot.
A slick moved involving Sander Kartum found Kabangu who fired for goal and, once again, Walton saved, but the goalkeeper was under pressure soon after when Baningime won the ball in midfield and fed Wilson who shot into the side netting from an angle on the right. Then Grant tested the United goalkeeper from 25 yards.
Hearts looked the more threatening side and Wilson fired from 25 yards, Walton gathered, and the same player had a tremendous opportunity after busy Baningime found hard-working Spittal out left and he sent the ball square to the 18-year-old who hit the ball well wide.
Then Baningime dragged his right foot shot from the edge of the box wide of Walton’s right-hand post before, at the other end, Will Ferry won a free-kick 30 yards from goal but it flew wide of Craig Gordon’s post.
The Tynecastle team countered and Kabango raced onto a ball down the left before finding Wilson who was denied by a late challenge on the six yard box. Yet another chance for the home side arrived when Baningime, who was immense in midfield, set up Spittal but his finish was saved by Walton.
The complexion of the match changed after 38 minutes when Wilson was given a straight red card for a tackle on Luca Stephenson and Hearts were down to ten-men. United upped their pressure on the Jambos as the home fans let their feelings be known about the dismissal to referee Nick Walsh.
Ross Docherty, United’s skipper, had a sight of goal as the break loomed, but he blasted wide as three minutes of injury time were signalled.
Emmanuel Adegboyega joined Moult in the book four minutes into the second-half for a heavy challenge on Grant and United boss Goodwin made three changes as they moved to attack the depleted Jambos.
Seconds later David Babunski had a chance and his shot was blocked before substitute Kristijan Trapanovski was shown a yellow card. It was the Jambos turn to make a change when Cammy Devlin was introduced for Kartum but it failed to stop the Tayside team taking the lead after 67 minutes.
Sam Dalby latched on to a cross from the right to send the ball wide of Gordon and into the net. A massive blow for Hearts and a major plus for the visitors.
Devlin had a half-chance after more good work from Baningime but he was muscled out by the determined United defence and that signalled more changes from Hearts, Shankland and Calem Nieuwenhof coming on for Spittal and Grant.
Adam Forrester was denied by Walton on the right as Hearts attempted to salvage something from the game, but it was United who threatened next through Trapanovski. Gordon blocked with his foot.
Musa Drammeh replaced Baningime with eight minutes of regular time remaining and Critchley was animated on the sidelines as his men battled for an opening and they exerted strong pressure on the United rearguard but failed to reap a reward.
However, Shankland drove for goal and earned a corner and Walton raced from goal to collect and that was the closest the home side came in the dying minutes until Drammeh whipped in a cross from the right and Walton was a full-stretch to clear.
Penrice was yellow carded as the clock ticked down but it was a day which promised so much and ended in disappointment.
Collins makes Edinburgh Fringe Debut as ‘Marilyn Monroe’
EastEnders favourite’ Michelle Collins is set to make her Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut at the age of 62 in Motorhome Marilyn, a dark comedy by Ben Weatherill, playing Doonstairs at the Gilded Balloon Patter House this August.
Easter Road hosts the inaugural Hibernian FC Academy Awards
Hibs 2024/25 Academy Awards night took place on Saturday 5 April at Easter Road with 12 prizes handed out on the evening.
The inaugural Hibernian FC Academy Awards celebrated the achievements, performances and highlights of the season from Under-14s up to Under-18s age group.
The night proved to be a great success – with 12 awards handed out in total, recognising the Moment of the Season, Goal of the Season and Player of the Year at U14, U15, U16 and U18 level.
Alongside the award presentations, Academy Director Gareth Evans joined Gavin Rittoo on stage for a Q&A – with Hibernian FC Sporting Director Malky Mackay providing the closing remarks for the evening.
Academy graduates Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson also returned to Easter Road to talk about their lived experiences within the Hibs Academy and passed on their top tips and advice to youngsters in the room on how to make it as a professional footballer.
The full list of award winners can be found below.
Under 14s
Moment of the Season – Hibs 8-2 Aberdeen (H)
Goal of the Season (sponsored by Chris Ness Wealth Management) – Jack Bunney vs Inverness (A)
Player of the Year (sponsored by The Gordon Family)– Henry Varraed
Under 15s
Moment of the Season – Jackson Thomson winning goal vs Rangers (A)
Goal of the Season (sponsored by Chris Ness Wealth Management) –Anizoba Aghanya vs Musselburgh Windsor (H)
Player of the Year (sponsored by The Gordon Family)– Layton Ross
Under 16s
Moment of the Season – Conor Aitken winning goal vs Rangers (A)
Goal of the Season (sponsored by Chris Ness Wealth Management) –Callum MacDonald vs Heart of Midlothian (A)
Player of the Year (sponsored by The Gordon Family)– Lewis McNeill
Under 18s
Moment of the Season – Hibs 6-1 St Mirren (H)
Goal of the Season (sponsored by Chris Ness Wealth Management) – Dean Cleland vs Dundee United (H)
Player of the Year (sponsored by The Gordon Family)– Dean Cleland
Programme announced for Close:Up Edinburgh Docufest
The programme has been announced for this year’s Edinburgh Docufest which takes place later this month at the Cameo.
FEATURE DOCUMENTARY FILM
18.00 – 19.15
The Holy Trinity, Martijn van de Griendt’ • 70′ • Netherlands • 2024 Feature-Length Documentary
A coming-of-age film about three friends from Eindhoven, the Netherlands: Alex Sophie, Emma and Robbie. Three emo kids aged 15 and 16, going through the main developmental stage of life, on their way to adulthood. The camera intimately shows their boldness and strength, but also the vulnerability of the three best friends.
The Holy Trinity
**Break: 19.15 – 19.30
SHORT DOCS
19:30 – 21:05
The Father’s Place, Francesco D’Ascenzo • 20′ • Italy • 2023 • Short Documentary Competition
Antonio, after many years of separation, lives with his father, Rosario, a well-known boss of the Neapolitan underworld who has recently been freed after 30 years in jail. The two try to get to know each other. Father and son confront each other between the shadows of the past and the hopes for a future together.
The Father’s Place
Berlin. Everything’s-changed Place, Wolfgang Friedrich Müller • 18′ • Germany • 2023Experimental DocumentaryCompetition
On the construction site, the steam hammer is heaving. As early as the 1920s, the underground was being built at Berlin’s Alexanderplatz. Alfred Döblin’s metropolitan novel underpins the images of today’s Alex. Fiction and documentation seem inseparable. The construction site itself becomes a stage and even transforms into a media production.
BERLIN
Backstage Bardo, Maros Pulscak • 14′ • Estonia • 2023 • Student Documentary Competition
Backstage Bardo is a short documentary film that takes viewers on a unique journey into the daily life of morgue workers. The challenges of dealing with death are conveyed through an intimate, up-close perspective that offers insight into a world that is often shrouded in obscurity and misconception.
Backstage Bardo
Paula Says Hi, James C Thompson •14′ • Iceland, United Kingdom • 2023 • Short Documentary Competition
A personal and intimate portrait of disabled, gender-fluid cosplayer Paul/Paula. Inviting us into her world, Paula lives life to the full, embracing her passion for cosplay and sci-fi conventions. Paul offers his intimate thoughts on accepting their disability and the joy of gender euphoria.
Paula Says Hi
Make Love, Not Porn, Peter Looles • 7′ • Greece • 2024 • Student Documentary Competition
Against the stereotypes of the “ideal” woman and the symbols of Pornography, the women in the works of Greek comic artist Stavros Kioutsioukis preserve their personality: they are the girls next door who try and get their rights in Happiness and Love.
Make Love, Not Porn
When Cumbia is, On Paz Gonzales • 15′ • United Kingdom • 2024 • Scottish Production Competition
When Cumbia is On” follows the journey of Peruvian Cumbia as it transcends its Latin American origins to find a new home in Scotland. Through the stories of South American musicians like Sandino, Chile, and Franco, the film explores how this vibrant genre becomes a bridge for reconnecting with their cultural roots, offering a sense of belonging in a foreign land.
The SPFL has announced some key dates for the end of the season, with the William Hill Premiership post-split dates and SPFL play-offs confirmed.
Fixture round 34 of the William Hill Premiership will take place on the weekend of April 26/27 and round 35 will be played on the weekend of May 3/4.
Premiership round 36 is scheduled for the weekend of May 10/11, with round 37 on the midweek of May 13/14.
The top-six fixtures will conclude on Saturday May 17, kick-off 12.30pm, with the bottom-six games being played on Sunday May 18, kick-off 3.00pm.
The top six in the William Hill Premiership could be confirmed this weekend but only if Heart of Midlothian defeat Dundee United at Tynecastle on Sunday and both Motherwell and St Mirren lose away to Kilmarnock and Dundee on Saturday, otherwise the split will be determined after the round 33 games next weekend.
In either scenario, the SPFL will look to publish the post-split fixtures as soon as possible, following discussions with Police Scotland and broadcast partners.
It was also confirmed today that the William Hill Premiership, Championship and League 1 play-offs will all get under way on Tuesday May 6.
BBC Scotland will have live coverage of the Premiership play-off quarter-finals and semi-finals, with the Premiership play-off final live on Sky Sports on Thursday May 22 (kick-off 8.00pm) and Monday May 26, kick-off 8.00pm.
If St Johnstone are involved in the Scottish Cup final and the William Hill Premiership play-off final, the play-off final ties will take place on Tuesday May 27 and Friday May 30.
Both legs of the William Hill Championship play-off final will be broadcast live on BBC ALBA on Wednesday May 14 and Saturday May 17, with the League 1 final also live on BBC ALBA on Tuesday May 13 and Friday May 16.
SPFL Chief Operating Officer Calum Beattie said: “We are set for a hugely exciting end to the season, with league titles, European places and the battle to avoid relegation all on the line before the eagerly-anticipated play-offs begin next month.
“We are pleased to be able to confirm the dates for the post-split fixtures, as well as the play-off schedule and broadcast selections, and are very much looking forward to all the football being played in the weeks ahead.”
WILLIAM HILL PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFFS
Tuesday May 6 William Hill Premiership play-off quarter-final, 1st leg 4th in Championship v 3rd in Championship Live on BBC Scotland, kick-off 7.45pm
Friday May 9 William Hill Premiership play-off quarter-final, 2nd leg 3rd in Championship v 4th in Championship Live on BBC Scotland, kick-off 7.45pm
Tuesday May 13 William Hill Premiership play-off semi-final, 1st leg 3rd or 4th in Championship v 2nd in Championship Live on BBC Scotland, kick-off 7.45pm
Friday May 16 William Hill Premiership play-off semi-final, 2nd leg 2nd in Championship v 3rd or 4th in Championship Live on BBC Scotland, kick-off 7.45pm
Thursday May 22 William Hill Premiership play-off final, 1st leg 2nd or 3rd or 4th in Championship v 11th in Premiership Live on Sky Sports, kick-off 8.00pm
Monday May 26 William Hill Premiership play-off final, 2nd leg 11th in Premiership v 2nd or 3rd or 4th in Championship Live on Sky Sports, kick-off 8.00pm
(Please note: In the event that St Johnstone are involved in the Scottish Cup final and the William Hill Premiership play-off final, the play-off final ties will take place on Tuesday May 27 and Friday May 30)
WILLIAM HILL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFFS
Tuesday May 6 William Hill Championship play-off semi-finals, 1st leg 4th in League 1 v 9th in Championship 3rd in League 1 v 2nd in League 1
Saturday May 10 William Hill Championship play-off semi-finals, 2nd leg 9th in Championship v 4th in League 1 2nd in League 1 v 3rd in League 1
Wednesday May 14 William Hill Championship play-off final, 1st leg Lowest-ranked team at home in 1st leg Live on BBC ALBA, kick-off 8.10pm
Saturday May 17 William Hill Championship play-off final, 2nd leg Highest-ranked team at home in 2nd leg Live on BBC ALBA, kick-off 5.30pm
WILLIAM HILL LEAGUE 1 PLAY-OFFS
Tuesday May 6 William Hill League 1 play-off semi-finals, 1st leg 4th in League 2 v 9th in League 1 3rd in League 2 v 2nd in League 2
Saturday May 10 William Hill League 1 play-off semi-finals, 2nd leg 9th in League 1 v 4th in League 2 2nd in League 2 v 3rd in League 2
Tuesday May 13 William Hill League 1 play-off final, 1st leg Lowest-ranked team at home in 1st leg Live on BBC ALBA, kick-off 7.30pm
Friday May 16 William Hill League 1 play-off final, 2nd leg Highest-ranked team at home in 2nd leg Live on BBC ALBA, kick-off 7.30pm
Woman 22 arrested in connection with fatal crash in Corstorphine
A 22-year-old woman has been arrested following a fatal crash involving the driver of a car and a pedestrian in Edinburgh.
The incident happened around 5.45pm on Monday, 30 December, 2024, on St John’s Road, between the Drumbrae roundabout and Corstorphine Bank Drive.
The pedestrian, an 87-year-old woman was taken to hospital, where she died on Friday, 3 January, 2025.
A police spokesperson said that the 22-year-old woman was released pending further enquiries.
Ibrox victory was “huge result” claims Martin Boyle
Goal scorer Martin Boyle described yesterday’s 2-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox in the William Hill Premiership as a “huge result”.
A goal in each half, coupled with a brilliant defensive team performance, saw the Hibs win at Ibrox for the first time since 2018.
Boyle, one of the goal scorers, was delighted when speaking to Hibs TV after the game.
“It was very enjoyable, and it’s been a long-time coming,” the forward admitted.
“I felt like we should’ve got more last time we were here, but we’re on a fantastic run of form at the moment, which is brilliant. We’re quietly confident and going about our business in a positive way.
“It’s a huge result. We need to maintain these levels and keep winning games.
“This is a tricky place to come, and a lot of teams come here and struggle.
“The togetherness and belief are there; everything the manager has installed in the group. Hopefully this can continue.”
Boyle’s second half strike takes him to 95 goals for Hibs as he continues to chase down a huge milestone.
“I’m really pleased (with my form) and have been for a while now. I need to keep maintaining those levels. It’s the best feeling in the world scoring goals and getting assists.
“I’m quietly chasing down 100 goals for Hibs. I don’t set myself targets for a season, but that would be a magnificent milestone for me.
“There are a few games to go, so hopefully I get there!”
“Excellent” Hibs deserved Ibrox victory says David Gray
Glen’s Manager of the Month David Gray said his side were excellent and deserved to beat Rangers at Ibrox yesterday.
A half-volley from Dylan Levitt within the opening 10 minutes and a second-half strike from Martin Boyle secured all three points, and extended Hibs’ unbeaten run in the William Hill Premiership to 16!
When speaking after the game, Gray heaped praise on his players.
He said: “I’m delighted. “I said all week about how difficult it is to come here, and the level of performance needed to get a result. I got that from every player today. We were excellent.
“We started the game incredibly well, which is always key in getting a result here. We showed good composure to take the sting out of the game and when we got the goal, we knew we’d have to suffer a little bit.
“Rangers would always have a lot of possession, but we were disciplined without the ball, had an excellent work ethic, and showed a real desire to put bodies on the line to keep a clean sheet.
“We fully deserved the win in the end, which was brilliant.
“You have to settle the crowd down because there’s 50,000 supporters here that’ll always spur their team on.
“I’ve experienced that myself as a player, and it’s an environment that not every player is used to playing in. We learnt a lot about that last time we were here.
“We were excellent within the game today; the shape, the desire, everything. It was a complete performance again. It needed to be to get a result here, and I got that from everyone, including the subs coming on, which was fantastic.”
And Gray also reserved special praise for the 900+ travelling Hibs fans.
“During the game I could hear them; our fans were outstanding. The connection is there and that’s getting stronger and stronger all the time. Even in difficult moments today I could hear them spurring the team on.
“They will play a massive part from now until the end of the season, and hopefully we can be really successful!”
Eunice was a “working class tomboy”
Scots model and actress, Eunice Olumide, revealed she was a working class tomboy with low self esteem – and didn’t even believe modelling was a real job before she became one of the industry’s stars.
Olumide, who was brought up in Wester Hailes, said she had been more into sports than fashion and didn’t see herself as beautiful or attractive.
She admitted she rejected several agency scouts before eventually deciding to “give it a go”.
Speaking on the BBC Scotland documentary Icons of Style, available on the BBC iPlayer, she also claimed the fashion industry is rare in that it doesn’t discriminate against those with a working class background.
She said: “If I’m really honest I was not really that much into fashion. I, like many people across the United Kingdom, grew up in a typical working class council estate. We didn’t have a lot of extra money.
“I did not think that modelling was a real job, so it was funny. I had been scouted about four or five times before I decided to give it a go but it’s certainly not something that was on my radar.
“I remember going to see an agent. I was with my mum and I remember walking into the room and, to be honest, I had quite low self esteem in terms of my appearance, so it was really quite strange to be told that I was beautiful or attractive.
“I couldn’t really get my head around that, particularly being a tomboy. I just didn’t see that in myself at all.”
Tomboy
Olumide said her look growing up was that of a tomboy in Inside Out Nike Air Force 1 trainers, baggy jeans and a bomber jacket. She didn’t wear makeup and sported a “massive afro” hairstyle.
She has gone on to a successful career with fashion shoots around the world as well as success as a designer, as an actress and presenter and as a DJ with leading musicians.
Olumide was also awarded an MBE in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting, the arts and charity.
Speaking on Icons of Style, she praised the fashion industry for not discriminating against her working class background.
She said: “I think what is quite interesting about the fashion industry is that not only is it an industry where women actually get paid more to do the same job as men but it’s also an industry that it doesn’t particularly matter if you’re from a working class background or an upper class background, so the discrimination in that sense is a lot less.
“For me it was a transformative experience.”
Olumide also describes tartan as unique and, when presented at its best, “spectacular”. She said: “I think that tartan definitely plays a role in not only my identity but in Scottish identity in general.
“I think that we’ve a tendency to think of tartan as this thing that’s kind of backward looking and parochial as opposed to really recognising its truly unique and abundant nature.
“It is something that I think when done right can be spectacular.”
* Icons of Style is available on BBC iPlayer.
Credit Two Rivers Media
Hibs record first win at Ibrox since 2018 and go 16 league games unbeaten
Hibs yesterday recorded their first win at Ibrox since February 2018 with a well-deserved 2-0 victory making it 16-games unbeaten for David Gray’s men.
On that occasion Super John McGinn and Jamie Maclaren were on the scoresheet.
Gray went with the same starting XI that beat St Johnstone 3-0 last time out.
And it was the visitors that took an early lead when a long throw from Jack Iredale was headed away by former Hearts defender John Souttar.
The ball landed at the feet of Dylan Levitt who from 25-yards struck a powerful low drive through a forest of bodies and under Jack Butland.
As expected Rangers fought back and enjoyed a lot of possession but struggled to break down a resolute Hibs defence.
Cyriel Dessers tested Jordan Smith in the 27th minute but the Hibs keeper demonstrated why he holds down the jersey.
Hibs started the second half on the front foot but the best chance fell to the hosts a ball over the top released substitute Nadim Bajrami but his rising effort beat Smith only to crash back off the crossbar.
After having a penalty claim denied for a blatant handball, Hibs doubled their lead when Jordan Obita’s long ball released Martin Boyle through on goal and he kept his composure to slip the ball through the legs of Butland to score sparking delight from the 900 travelling suppoeters.
The cheering stopped after the linesman’s flag was raised but following a lengthy VAR check it was established that Boyle had run from his own half.
Rangers attempted to get back into the game as Ibrox emptied but the Hibs defence to a man were magnificent.
After the final whistle a delighted Gray told BBC Sportsound: “It’s huge. 2018 was the last time a Hibs team came here and won. The way we started the game was huge, the composure we showed and getting the goal.
“You put a game plan in place knowing Rangers are going to have a lot of the ball, so you have to be really disciplined without the ball. Every time there was a slight mistake, a teammate was there to bail them out. A massive collective performance – the subs came on and impacted the game.
“It’s an incredible run and the players deserve all the credit for it. The big thing was trusting what we were doing. Not being too high when it’s good and not being too low when it wasn’t.
“I never stopped believing and it’s been a huge collective effort from everyone involved.
“If we keep winning games, nobody can catch us and that’s the mindset moving forwards.”
Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson added: “Angry, really angry in fact – that’s the most simple way I can put it. There’s no way I’m accepting that.
“I’m not going to kid anybody on. Hibs deserved it. They tackled harder, ran harder and wanted it more.
“This [season] is in real danger of just petering out. It’s about pride. I know we’re in the Europa League, but those are easy games to get up for.”
