Some of the measures introduced under Spaces for People during the pandemic are still not officially permanent after a decision was deferred by councillors on Monday.

At a meeting of the Traffic Regulation Orders Sub-Committee, two Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) were included on the agenda for the sub-committee to declare the arrangements permanent. But councillors approved only one – that affecting Cockburn Street, High Street, South St David Street, Victoria Street and West Bow and Waverley Bridge.

In respect of the other – ETRO 21/28A which includes segregated cycling measures (the black and white wands) introduced on London Road – a decision has been deferred until the next meeting of the sub-committee, as funding still has to be allocated. A council officer confirmed that the actual arrangements on the road may be changed in response to the objections received.

The council report states that “consideration will be given to upgrading the temporary materials used during the trial to permanent materials”. An officer confirmed this will be a rolling programme, and he explained that given the number of schemes and the extent of them they could not yet say what will be done at every location, but that they intend to have money allocated each year over the next five years for upgrading.

Convener Cllr Margaret Graham asked about the objections to the cycle lane on London Road in particular, and how the officers had monitored traffic there. The council officer confirmed there had been cycle counts on London Road with cameras, and said the council has also carried out monitoring of the volume of traffic, looking specifically at the build outs at bus stops where cyclists have to move out into the middle of the road. He confirmed that in a permanent scheme the council would remove the bus build outs and the cycle lane would then continue straight avoiding the need for cyclists to “weave in and out” to improve safety.

One of the objections raised by New Town and Broughton Community Council (NTBCC) in the autumn of last year was the impact on road safety for cyclists – where the cycle lane has gaps – meaning that cyclists have to rejoin the carriageway at several points.

Cllr Kevin Lang said: “I am very conscious of the objections which we have had, which relate to safety, which I think we need to take seriously. We do not have clarity yet as to whether there will be the funding allocated to upgrade the infrastructure to respond to the objections. It strikes me as sensible to defer a decision on these matters until we, as a committee, can be satisfied that there will be a response to the objections. I feel the funding package is a material consideration for me as to whether the objections are being adequately responded to.”

After Cllr Lang asked what the budget for this year would be it became clear that the funding had not yet been fixed – and would not be until the Transport and Environment Committee met on 22 June to agree the new ten year capital programme.

The committee also heard from Dave Sinclair, Locality Transport & Environment Manager, that the highest spec of bollard was chosen at the point of delivery – the black and white wands which NTBCC has suggested are inappropriate for the World Heritage Site. Given the uncertainty of how much money there will be for delivery, and so how these wands could be replaced, councillors agreed to defer making any decision until their next meeting.

Watch the webcast of the meeting here.

One more victory in their final two games should be enough to see Hibs finish in third place thanks to their vastly superior goal difference.

IF Aberdeen can win their final two matches.

Hibs face St Mirren in paisley on Wednesday night whilst challengers Aberdeen host champions Celtic.

All David Gray’s men need to do is match the ‘Dons result and they could go into Saturday’s game against Rangers safe in the knowledge that third place is all but guaranteed.

Aberdeen travel to Tannadice on Saturday.

Third place would lpotentially leave David Gray’s men just one two-legged tie away from the league phase of the Europa League. UEFA’s prize money in the Europa League is upwards of £9m.

The added bonus is the parachute into the league phase of the Conference League in the event of losing the Europa play-off. Conference League participation is worth upwards of £5m.

That however depends on Celtic eating Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final.

If the ‘Dons were to win the Scottish Cup, they would qualify for the play-off round of the Europa League, with the failsafe of a Conference League berth should they lose that.

In that case Hibs would get the equivalent starting point in the Conference League. That means negotiating three two-legged ties in order to take part in the competition’s league phase.

Crucially, there is no parachute if any team suffers defeat in the Conference League qualifiers or play-off, so the club in question would be out of European competition.

So Hibs fans should look out their passports, whatever happens.

Hibernian Women go into their final two league games of the season leading the table on 71 points ahead of both second-place Rangers and third-place Glasgow City by three points. 

Yesterday the team drew 2-2 with Glasgow City at Meadowbank.

The visitors broke the deadlock after seven minutes with a successful corner turned in by Kimberly Smit.

Kathleen McGovern and Eilidh Adams turned the game around following an early City opener, but substitute Nicole Kozlova earned her side a point with a smart second-half finish. 

Players from both sides collapsed to the ground as soon as the full-time whistle blew, showing the enormous graft both teams put in on a tough Meadowbank surface. 

“It was a battle,” head coach Grant Scott told HibsTV after the final whistle. “I thought, in fairness to Glasgow City, that they played probably the more attractive football today and we’ve had to dig in.

“We’re disappointed we didn’t play better with the ball today.

“But to see that courage and hunger from the players to see the game out level, to not concede late on when Glasgow City threw a lot at us, the players deserve another dose of immense credit for that.

A brutal second 45, which includes a sparse amount of clear-cut chances for either team, saw plenty of direct football being played

Each side executed their fair share of long passes, high presses and heavy challenges as desperation set in amongst the backdrop of a thrilling title race. 

Scott was full of good things to say about his team’s conditioning and effort, especially in a crucial fixture at the tailend of a long, gruelling league campaign.

“I think they’re now two, three years into the model that we’re working with and I think we can see the benefits this season.

“Their strengths there, their appetites there, their physical conditions there to get them through very, very tough matches like today and tough conditions.

“Because we spent so long today without the ball, it made it a harder game for us. But again, players are due so much credit for the way they fought through. It’s a big week, everyone knows that.

“It’s the same for all the teams. So we’ll have to dust ourselves down, recover as best we can and probably look for the same effort again on Wednesday.”

Siobhan Hunter was proud that the team “never gave up.” 

“At this point in the season you take every point that you get,” she told HibsTV. Nothing is won or lost in this game, everyone knew that.

“A tough opponent, really good opponent. They probably pinned us in for 45 in the second half, so we’ve done well to keep them out. Obviously conceded that one goal but we’ll take the point and move on to Wednesday.

“You can crumble or you can come back and fight and I think we did that. We came back and fought and we never gave up. 

“We’re really resilient in what we do and we never give up on each other. We have our backs and we’ll keep fighting until the very end.”

The defender was full of praise for the home support in attendance. 

“They are massive [for us]. They give us goosebumps going throughout the game. They’re loud, they never stop.

“They’re here, home and away and they’re a real pleasure to play for.

“We need them for next two massive games and we’re really thankful for them.

“The games are so big, they keep getting bigger and bigger. But we want to be in this position, we want to keep fighting and it’s something that we’re really proud of but we don’t want to stop now.”

Hibs Women take on Celtic in a pivotal ScottishPower Women’s Premier League clash at Meadowbank Stadium this Wednesday. 

The penultimate league fixture, which will have a major effect on the title race, kicks off at 6pm on Wednesday 14 May. 

Nicky Cadden has been named Hibernian FC Player of the Year for the 2024/25 campaign.

The Hibs left-wing back has won the award in his first season at the Club piping Rocky Bushiri, Martin Boyle, and Nectar Triantis to the prize as voted for by the fans.

Nicky Cadden has been a key player registering 11 goal contributions. The 28-year-old won the SPFL Player of the Month award for December and has played a key role in the 17 match incredible unbeaten run.

It was a successful night for Rocky Bushiri who picked up two separate awards – claiming the Moment of the Season award for his last-minute equaliser against Aberdeen in November, before claiming the Players’ Player of the Year award.

Nectar Triantis picked up the Club’s Young Player of the Year award for his impressive season in the middle of the pitch, whilst there were no surprises that Jack Iredale won the Men’s Goal of the Season for that iconic goal in the Edinburgh Derby.

In the Women’s Team, Eilidh Adams was named Women’s Player of the Year for her outstanding season in-front of goal and after breaking into the Scotland Women’s National Team.

Kathleen McGovern took home the Women’s Goal of the Season award for her stunning strike against Rangers in December in a memorable 3-0 away victory.

Dean Cleland also took to the stage to collect his Academy Player of the Year award, whilst the Club welcomed back Paul Hanlon to Easter Road who was awarded the Special Recognition Award for his outstanding contribution to Hibernian FC over the years.

The full list of award winners are as follows:

Men’s Player of the Year – Nicky Cadden

Sponsored by Caledonian Heating & Plumbing 

Women’s Player of the Year – Eilidh Adams

Sponsored by Linn Botanic Gardens

Men’s Young Player of the Year – Nectar Triantis

Sponsored by JB Contracts 

Men’s Players’ Player of the Year – Rocky Bushiri

Sponsored by Redpath and McLean

Special Recognition Award – Paul Hanlon

Sponsored by AAA Coaches 

Men’s Goal of the Season – Jack Iredale vs Hearts

Sponsored by Owen Gibb & Sons Ltd

Women’s Goal of the Season – Kathleen McGovern

Sponsored by MGM Timber

Staff Member of the Year – Matteo Zara and Lauren Dunn

Sponsored by The Gordon Family 

Moment of the Season – Rocky Bushiri goal vs Aberdeen (3-3)

Sponsored by LNER 

Academy Player of the Season – Dean Cleland

Sponsored by The Gordon Family 

Council’s Traffic Regulation Orders Sub-Committee

This committee meeting today has what looks like a lightweight agenda. but the New Town and Broughton Community Council would beg to differ.

The community council has written an article on their website which is almost an open letter or a replacement for a deputation – since they are not able to make a deputation to this quasi-judicial meeting.

They have concerns about the request to the committee to make Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) in two places permanent – on Waverley Bridge and on London Road. The community council believes the issues which they raised previously have not been properly addressed in the report before the committee and ask for it to reconsider what it might make permanent.

Read more here.

This week at Edinburgh Council

Monday, 12th May, 2025

• 10.00 am Traffic Regulation Orders Sub-Committee – Dean of Guild Court Room – City Chambers
• 2.00 pm Special Meeting, Policy and Sustainability Committee – Dean of Guild Court Room – City Chambers.
• At this meeting the fallout from the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) decision to cut payments to 64 third parties continues. At Monday’s meeting the council sets out how it will provide funding of £2.026 million to 45 organisations, saying “This allocation represents 69% of the total value of EIJB grant funding provided to these organisations during 2024/25, or 93% of the total EIJB grant funding removed for the period June 2025 to March 2026. The report also states that the hope is this funding “will help prevent closure of a number of third sector organisations in Edinburgh, prevent redundancies of key staff, help organisations avoid having to make unsustainable use of reserves to cover core running costs, prevent organisations having to scale back non-EIJB funded service delivery in order to cover core costs, and maintain critical money advice services that deliver £11m of financial benefits to low income Edinburgh citizens every year”.

Tuesday, 13th May, 2025

• 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee – Dean of Guild Court Room – City Chambers
• 10.00 am Edinburgh Integration Joint Board – Virtual Meeting – via Microsoft Teams

Wednesday, 14th May, 2025

Thursday, 15th May, 2025

Friday, 16th May, 2025

Edinburgh Tartan Parade 2025

Our social media is full of tartan, colour and the sound of bagpipes. All of the 1600 participants and those watching on enjoyed the spectacle of the first Edinburgh Tartan Parade – with many including the Lord Provost calling for a repeat next year.

We have so much video content that we have spread it around over YouTube, TikTok, Bluesky and Facebook.

If you were there then do share what you thought of the day. Our comments section below is open.

Tea Dance

Cuddies Lane

Artist Chris Rutterford is back in Colinton – this time in Cuddies Lane. Here he shows the ongoing work to recreate Spylaw Street as a backdrop to the new mural planned there. We will check in with him soon to see how it is progressing. Meantime the Colinton Amenity Association has set up a JustGiving page for anyone to donate to help make the artwork a reality.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/cuddieslanemural?msockid=0f5bf68d492566093768e20a489e6784

POLICE SCOTLAND UPDATE 12 May 2025 We can confirm Sienna Gilbert has been traced safe and well. Thanks to those who shared our appeal.

Police are appealing to the public for help to trace 16-year-old Sienna Gilbert who has been reported missing from Leith.

She was last seen around 8pm on Saturday 10 May 2025 on the Water of Leith Walkway near to Great Junction Street.

She is described as white female 5’2 (157 cm) in height with short brown hair.

When last seen, she was wearing a grey Nike t-shirt, black trousers, white and grey Nike trainers. It is believed that she was also carrying a skateboard.

The teenager is known to frequent skate parks in Leith and other locations such as the city centre. She also has access to public transport.

Sergeant Marion Anderson, Leith Police Station said: “We are growing increasingly concerned for Sienna’s welfare and our enquiries are ongoing to trace her.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have seen Sienna or has any information on her whereabouts to please contact police as soon as possible.”

If you can assist, please contact police on 101 quoting reference 3347 of 10/05/25.

This committee was set up to be completely separate (apart from a handful of councillors who are members of both this and the Transport committee) and to decide upon the traffic orders which change the layout of our city streets.

The meeting on Monday has what looks like a lightweight agenda, but the New Town and Broughton Community Council (NTBCC) would beg to differ.

The community council has written an article on their website which is almost an open letter or a replacement for a deputation – since they are not able to make a deputation to this quasi-judicial meeting. They say they have significant concerns about the council planning to make some experimental traffic regulation orders permanent.

NTBCC have concerns about the request to the committee to make Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) in two places permanent – on Waverley Bridge and on London Road. The community council believes the issues which they raised previously have not been properly addressed in the report before the committee and ask for it to reconsider what it might make permanent.

Waverley Bridge

The bridge was previously more or less a pedestrian zone apart from a taxi stand and the many delivery vehicles which continued to use it.

It used to be stopped up at Princes Street where buskers had an unofficial ready-made performance space.

In light of the continuing work at Jenners which spills out onto one lane of South St David Street, the decision was made to allow airport buses back onto the bridge and open up the road at Princes Street on a temporary basis.

The community council argue that this made streets such as Waterloo Place busy with buses to the danger of pedestrians. They also point out that there are two regulation orders which do not end on the same date and recommend that these are amended.

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London Road

This is possibly one of the widest streets in Edinburgh – it used to have four lanes of traffic – and there are wide areas either side for pavements and verges.

The council chose to put in black and white wands (NTBCC say these are unusable in the World Heritage Site) and create a segregated cycle lane. Except it is not completely segregated as cyclists have to rejoin the carriageway at several points to avoid bus stops and junctions.

The community council say that Montrose Terrace and Regent Road would have been the better option. They point out that the cycle lanes are not well used (although the council has not provided data on the use of this route) and are not connected to other cycling infrastructure.

The community council refer to the coach parking at Baxter’s Place just down from the Playhouse which they say is connected to the loss of parking on London Road. They also object to the ETRO on the basis that the measures do not help cyclists or pedestrians and have a detrimental impact on surrounding streets.

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The papers for the committee meeting are here on the council website.

Darren McGregor’s youngsters secured the CAS Elite Under-18 League title with a dominant 4-0 away victory over Kilmarnock on Friday evening. 

Hibs took the lead in the fourth minute through a magnificent 25-yard strike from Jamie McMurdo that left Kilmarnock keeper Craig Campbell stranded in the centre of his goal. 

The youngsters doubled their lead in the 20^th minute when Josh McDonald’s corner evaded everyone curled in at the back post.

Thirteen minutes later with the hosts committed men forward, Logan Jimenez spearheaded a lightning-quick counter and effortlessly squared the ball to Dean Cleland, who stabbed the ball home into an empty net. 

That was the last of the scoring in the first half and the visitors took a 3-0 lead into the changing room. 

Six minutes after the restart, Jimenez and Cleland broke through Killie’s high line to recreate a carbon copy of their earlier goal, stretching Hibs lead to an unassailable four goals. 

With 25 to play, centre-back Lewis Gillie came very close to finding a fifth as his glancing header from a near-post corner delivery whistled past the back post. 

Jimenez would tee up his strike partner for a third time with 15 minutes remaining, though a fine stop from outstretched leg of Killie keeper Campbell denied Cleland his hat-trick. 

Hibs comfortably saw out the remainder of match to seal the league title, as well as confirm their involvement in the 2025/26 UEFA Youth League next season, with one match remaining. 

Hibs XI: Mallon, Whittaker (Sporran), Calder, Gillie, McGrath, Bruce, Cleland, Buckley (McNeill), Jimenez (Macdonald), McDonald, McMurdo (Davidson). 

Unused Substitute: Vautherin. 

Hibs ‘star man’ Martin Boyle says the players will take yesterday’s defeat to champions Celtic on the chin.

Hibs took the lead through Boyle’s first-time finish but two goals in the space of five minutes from Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah before half-time turned the game on its head before Reo Hatate added a third in the second half.

Speaking to Hibs TV after the match, Boyle shared at the timing of the goals conceded.

He said: “It was a tough one today – we gave ourselves a glimmer of hope but shot ourselves in the foot in the end.

“I take responsibility myself; I had a chance in the first half which I should’ve scored – we knew from earlier in the season when you come here you need to take your chances or you will get punished.

“Their two goals came at a really bad time for us and gave them a lot of momentum. We were under a lot of relentless pressure, and they were popping the ball around.

“We will take it on the chin, we will analyse what we could’ve done better and how we could’ve avoided the goals.

Hibs fought valiantly in the second half, but ultimately came up short, and with two games to go in the William Hill Premiership season – third place is still within their grasp.  

He continued: “We managed to stay in the game, we came out in the second half – we created chances and stuck at it. We always back ourselves on the counter, when we get that right we can be a real threat.

“But, you need to be ruthless here in front of goal. We defended well in certain situations, but we just need to get ready to go again.

“We will aim to win both games and secure third place. European football has always been the ultimate aim for us. We have always believed in ourselves; the manager has instilled that in us and the togetherness has got us through.

“Fingers crossed that with the backing of the fans and the belief that we have got in the changing room that we can go on and secure that next week.”

Hibernian Football Club has paid tribute to the man widely credited for saving the club from going out of existence.

An emotional statement published on the club’s website reads:

“Hibernian FC has lost a huge figure from its history with the passing of Sir Tom Farmer yesterday. He was 84. He had an association with the Club which spanned most of three decades, 25 years of which he was principal shareholder.

“When Sir Tom Farmer looked back on his long association with Hibernian Football Club, his chosen highlight was no surprise. That glorious day – May 21, 2016 – when the Club lifted the Scottish Cup for the first time since 1902 and ended 114 tortuous years.

“The man most supporters view as the modern saviour of their Club understood just how enormous that was. Like so many others, his thoughts turned to those he had known who had dreamed of just such a moment but had never seen it come to pass.

“From his own perspective, the circle had been squared. What had seemed destined never to happen, had come true. And his beloved Leith would celebrate in a way it had not done since the Club last paraded the old trophy, when Sir Tom’s Great Uncle Philip Farmer was Club President. The Cup had been won for the second time under his family’s watch. It was a source of pride.

“Sir Tom attended the post-match party back at Easter Road, and – as he later told The Scotsman – as he left the Club Chairman Rod Petrie, his friend and colleague, approached. Sir Tom said: “I was leaving with my grandson Adam when Rod said, ‘we’ve got something for you to take home’. I thought it was a present and wondered what it was. I opened it up and it was the Scottish Cup.”

“He took part in and enjoyed the Cup’s victory parade through the city centre and down Leith Walk to the Links on May 22, in glorious sunshine and with huge crowds lining the streets.

“Always keen on the club’s history, Tom recounted that something similar had happened in 1902 as the trophy was paraded: “They met up with a horse-drawn carriage and took it along Princes Street, down Leith Walk to the Duke’s Head in Duke Street, and they had a celebration there. He then took it home and my dad told me it was on the sideboard in pride of place that night.”

“Sir Tom remains revered by Hibernian fans as the man who stepped up to help save the Football Club at its point of greatest crisis. The tale has been well told many times, but in summary Sir Tom was the White Knight who saved the Club from being destroyed by administration and sold off to then Hearts owner Wallace Mercer.

“It wasn’t just the vital funding he put forward to purchase both the Club and the Stadium from the administration of its parent company that endeared him to supporters – it was the campaigning energy and confidence he brought with him at that time in 1990 to add to the huge efforts of supporters ably led by Kenny McLean, Tom O’Malley and Douglas Cromb.

“And when he bought the Club, it was the shares he returned to those who lost their own stakes in the Club because of insolvency, recognising the emotional stake fans had in their Club; after all that had happened that had threatened the Club’s existence, it was his determination to protect the Club’s future by insisting it live within his means – although when required, he stepped up to plug gaps and fund progress; and it was his support for the total redevelopment and transformation of a crumbling and unfit for purpose Easter Road Stadium and the creation of a top quality training centre, and all over the almost 30 years in which he first fought to save the Club and then owned it.

“Under his tenure the Club enjoyed sporting success – three cups – and tough times too, with two relegations suffered during his quarter century as principal shareholder. Throughout the highs and lows, his backing for the Club that meant so much to Edinburgh, and Leith in particular, was unwavering.

“In his life Sir Tom had won countless awards and plaudits around the world. He was a Knight of the Realm, and a Papal Knight. He was internationally renowned as a businessman who grew a one-man exhaust firm in Edinburgh to Kwik-Fit, which became a billion-pound enterprise. He was – in what seemed an age of Scottish business giants – a titan. He was also a philanthropist.

“And he was a Hibernian Hall of Fame member, with admittance to a very small club which he greatly appreciated and enjoyed. He understood the enormous part the Club played in the community he loved, and when asked what he had enjoyed most about the club, said: “It was when a mother would stop me in the street and say, ‘Thanks very much for all you’ve done for Hibs’. When I asked why, she said, ‘Because it’s made such a difference to my children’. To have that public recognition, to play a role in keeping the club going, that gave me a lot of satisfaction.”

“Sir Tom received many approaches for the Club, but his mantra remained that he would only sell to the right person, with the right plan, and the right resources. He wanted to ensure that any future owners would have not only the capacity, but also the motivation, to take the club forward. His last act for the Club came when he found that person in 2019, when he sold his shareholding to Ron Gordon, another successful self-made businessman with a strong sense of family who now continue to demonstrate their commitment.

“While the Club has lost an iconic figure from its history, we also remember that the Farmer family has lost a much-loved father. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. 

“RIP Sir Tom, GGTTH.“

Hibs head coach David Gray was frustrated after his side were beaten 3-1 by Celtic at Parkhead in the William Hill Premiership yesterday.

Martin Boyle opened the scoring, but two goals in four minutes at the end of the first half gave the Scottish Champions the lead.

Reo Hatate then scored Celtic’s third in the second half to secure the victory.

When speaking to Hibs TV after the game, Gray said: “I’m clearly frustrated because it’s never nice to lose games of football.

“I thought we carried a little bit more threat today, which is important because of how we played last time we were here.

“I thought we started the game positively. The manner of the goals and the timings of the goals were the big sucker blow for the players today.

“To get in-front today was good, I thought the shape was excellent, the effort was there from the players too, but to lose the goals before half-time was a blow. We could’ve gone in 1-0 up, but we went in 2-1 behind and that shows you the level of opposition again because if you switch off for one second, then you’ll be punished.

“Their second goal was a wee bit unfortunate because Boyley slipped just before it. We still have to defend much better in that moment, we know that.

“Second half I got a reaction from the players. We started brightly and had a couple of corners and chances, but that didn’t quite fall for us. The third goal was the killer. Once it goes 3-1 it became very difficult.

“We kept pushing and trying to get back into the game, so I can’t fault the effort of the players, but when you make mistakes in games, you’ll be punished, and we’ve said that a few times this season.”

Hibs will remain third going into the final two games of the William Hill Premiership season, and Gray admits it’s a huge week ahead.

“It’s a massive game. I just said to the players then ‘this is the biggest week of your lives now because of what’s at stake with two games to go’. If we win both games it doesn’t matter what anyone else does, and that has to be in the players’ minds, the staff, and everyone involved with the Football Club.

“When we get back on the pitch on Monday, we have to have full focus on going to Paisley. They’re the only team we haven’t beat and we’re desperate to put that right.

“From where we were to where we are now, we have a huge opportunity still. The players need to give absolute everything so that we see this through.”

There’s something utterly delightful about watching a master at work, especially when that master is promising to simplify their craft for those of us whose culinary achievements typically peak at not burning the toast.

So, when the Social Bitches invited me to meet Chef Alberto – sous chef at the Balmoral, no less – I initially suspected I’d been summoned for my knife skills rather than my sparkling wit. They’re not exactly known for their kitchen prowess, and I’ve often found myself playing resident chef in their lovely kitchen. But this afternoon promised something different.

Chef Alberto, with 20 years of Michelin-starred experience under his belt, has launched a new website aimed at bringing professional culinary techniques into home kitchens across Edinburgh and beyond. Originally from the foothills of the Italian Alps, Alberto’s culinary journey began on his grandfather’s farm, where meals weren’t just sustenance but celebrations – vibrant gatherings centred around authentic, homemade Italian food. Those early experiences provided the foundation for what would become an illustrious career, and now, they’re inspiring his latest venture.

Rather than putting us all to work, Alberto was content to demonstrate every simple step involved in creating his masterpiece: a Caramelised Onion Tart that apparently became so popular when he put it on the menu that he “couldn’t take it off the menu anymore.” I watched, slightly mesmerised, as he slowly caramelised thick slices of onions in butter and oil, added fresh thyme, and prepared a maple syrup caramel that was spooned lovingly over the onions before topping with puff pastry. A mere 12 minutes in the oven, and while we waited, he created a heavenly goat cheese fondue using Elrik cheese, a splash of double cream, and a little heat.

The result? A starter that “awakes the palate and builds anticipation” as Alberto poetically puts it. We paired it with two Pinot Gris – one from New Zealand, and one from Austria – and a cheeky Lidl Reisling, creating the perfect afternoon of exceptional food shared among friends both old and new.

I’m already planning to recreate this dish when entertaining friends of my 88-year-old Mum, who’s living at home with dementia. Their last attempt to take her out for Christmas lunch ended with a fainting spell, vomiting, and an unwelcome visit to A&E. Cooking at home seems infinitely preferable, and Alberto’s onion tart feels like the perfect way to thank them for their kindness and support.

For those wondering if you too can create this deceptively simple showstopper, the answer is an emphatic yes. Alberto’s website offers the complete recipe, along with others designed to bring Michelin-quality dishes to your dining table. Because as Chef Alberto clearly believes – and I’m rapidly coming around to the idea myself – exceptional food shouldn’t be confined to luxury hotels. Sometimes the most memorable meals happen right in your own kitchen.

Home – L’AtelierbyChefAlberto.com Italian and French cuisine

An area of forest at Fauldhouse was still ablaze at midnight on Saturday, twelve hours after it first took hold.

On Saturday SFRS confirmed that fifty firefighters on the ground and a crew in a helicopter were fighting the wildfire.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) advised on 6 May that there was “a very high to extreme risk of wildfire is in place across areas of Scotland from tomorrow until Monday, 12 May”.

In advance of this incident SFRS warned that “wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife and threaten the welfare of nearby communities”.

SFRS Wildfire Lead Michael Humphreys said: “We are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame.

“Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant damage.

“Livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected woodland and sites of special scientific interest can all be devastated by these fires – as can the lives of people living and working in rural communities.

“These fires can also have a hugely negative impact on the environment and the release of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

“Human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely and responsibly in rural environments and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.”

Police Scotland said: “Emergency services are in attendance at fires in the Lanrigg Road, Fauldhouse, near Whitburn.

“There have been no reports of any injuries, however, as a precaution, officers are advising local residents in the Heartlands, Armadale and Whitburn areas to keep their windows and doors closed as they deal with this incident.

“Police were called to the scene around 12.30pm today, Saturday, 10 May 2025.

“Please avoid the scene whilst emergency services are dealing with the incident.”

Photo Craig Duncan

Edinburgh 31 Connacht 21

Edinburgh have defeated Connacht at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway to keep their playoff chances alive.

They still face a tough challenge back at the Hive against Ulster next week, who are also fighting for a playoff spot. They will have to bring everything they’ve got next week for one final push of the regular season.

A troublesome start by Connacht during lineouts gave Edinburgh repeated chances from the corner. After a fearfully passive lineout defence from Connacht and strong carries. Price fizzed the ball across to newly named British and Irish lion, Pierre Schoemann, who crashed in from two metres out.

In a rare occurrence Ali Price was penalised for taking too long when trying to box kick. Edinburgh managed to escape by the skin of their teeth, however, after Connacht were denied a try due to obstruction by Sean Jansen.

Less than five minutes later Edinburgh spotted some space on the blindside. This was followed by a perfectly delayed pass from the increasingly impressive youngster, Jack Brown, to Hamish Watson. The experienced back row strode his way down the pitch giving fullback Cordero the slip to finish in the corner for a second score after only twenty-five minutes.

Edinburgh really found their feet in the closing twenty minutes of the first half. With multiple breaks coming from returning key man Goosen and Darcy Graham who had something to prove after missing out on lions selection this week.

It was a strong finish to the first half for Edinburgh as they showed their ability in defence. This combined with many unforced errors by Connacht allowed Edinburgh to stay in control.

HT: CONNACHT 0 – 14 EDINBURGH

Connacht appeared to be reignited after the break as they made their way up to halfway with ferocity. Shayne Bolton stepped in at scrum half making a terrific break which found him chopped down deep in the Edinburgh twenty-two. Two phases and some quick hands got the ball to winger Treacy who had an easy run in, bringing Connacht back in to the game.

It was game on as Connacht pulled off an accurate set piece following a lineout. Two phases and Ben Murphy fixed Javan Sebastian to pop it to Treacy who was free and clear to score his second try.

Mosese Tuipulotu, brother of another lions debutant Sione, one of Edinburgh’s big ball carriers was driven off on a stretcher with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

Edinburgh’s confidence was not dented though as a powerful driving maul took them to just a few metres away. Ashman then peeled off but was stopped just short, Muncaster then smashed over on the following phase.

The Referee penalised Edinburgh for their spacing at the lineout and Connacht didn’t wait around taking the quick tap. Working their way left they eventually came back looping the ball over Jack brown to Bolton who went over in the corner – it was all level once more with the momentum unsettled.

For a moment Edinburgh seemed to be in a bit of heat again as Connacht came knocking multiple times. Some excellent defending from Venter and a subsequent penalty for Edinburgh shut down the home sides hopes.

Shortly after out of nowhere replacement scrum half Charlie Shiel shocked Dexcom stadium. He spotted a gap and ran 70m, beating two defenders and regaining the lead.

The final points of the game and the cherry on top was added by Ben Healy as he kicked a penalty for a further three points.

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FT: CONNACHT 21 – 31 EDINBURGH

Yellow cards:

Edinburgh –

Connacht –  

Scoring sequence (Edinburgh first): 7-0, 14-0, HT, 14-7, 14-14, 21-14, 21-21, 28-21, 31-21, FT

MOTM: Ross Thompson

Teams:

Edinburgh – P.Schoemann, E.Ashman(P.Harrison 66”), D.Rae(J.Sebastian 49”), M.Sykes(G.Young 71”), S.Skinner, B.Muncaster(L.Mcconnell 73”), H.Watson, M.Bradbury, A.Price(C.Shiel 67”), R.Thompson(B.Healy 71”), J.Brown, M.Tuipulotu(F.Thomson), M.Currie, D.Graham, W.Goosen

Connacht – D.Buckley(P.Dooley 62”), D.Heffernan(D.Tiernay-Martin 62”), F.Bealham(J.Aungier 63”), J.Murphy(, D.Murray(O.Dowling 53”) C.Prendergast, C.Oliver, S.Jansen(P.Boyle 53”), B.Murphy(C.Blade 66”), J.Hanrahan, F.Treacy, B.Aki, H.Gavin(D.Hawkshaw 40”), S.Bolton, S.Cordero

A crash happened on Drum Brae North on Saturday evening, involving an ambulance and a car.

The photos below were taken around 8.45pm

Police Scotland have been asked for an update, and at this stage there is no information about injuries.

Jacob Fearnley did enough in a 4-6, 6-7 defeat by Matteo Berrattini in round two of the Italian Open to show that soon he will take a major scalp.

The Edinburgh tennis ace served for the second set at 5-3 without being able to get over the line and had he taken two break points at a key stage of the previous set who knows how it would have turned out against the Rome-born home favourite and former Wimbledon finalist?

As it is Fearnley’s reward will be a career high ranking of 52 – up six places – as a consequences of defeating another Italian, Fabio Fognini, in the previous round.

In his previous tournament in Madrid Fearnley also exited on a second set tie-break against Grigor Dimitrov, former ATP Tour finals champion, and once again it seemed he might have paid a price for pushing too hard at a critical stage.

That is all part of the learning experience along with not letting concentration slip apparently as he stood 5-3, 30-0 in the second set, a mis calculated drop shot allowing Berrettini to become inspired, reeling off a string of winners.

By the end of the tie break Fearnley cut a distraught figure in going down 0-7 having given his absolute all and there was just a hint he might have been concealing an injury of some sort.

The French grand slam looms on the horizon now for Fearnley and where better than to put it all together on clay and bring down one of the major players? He certainly looks capable with just a bit more judicious play at key moments as this latest performance was sprinkled with some sheer genius in front of 10,000 spectators solidly behind their home grown talent.

Speculation continues over who will be the next manager at Hearts and BBC Sport Scotland report that the Jambos will make an official approach to Kilmarnock on Monday.

Derek McInnes is said to be the man they want but the former Aberdeen boss would not be drawn on reports linking him to the job after Kilmarnock secured their place in the William Hill Premiership next season with a 3-2 success over Dundee at Rugby Park on Saturday, their third straight victory.

McInness said there there had been no contact between the clubs, however, the 53-year-old former Aberdeen boss is heavily tipped to take over from Neil Critchley.

Liam Fox (pictured) was in Hearts’ dugout on Saturday as the Men in Maroon beat Motherwell 3-0 thanks to a double from Lawrence Shankland and a single from Alan Forrest to move into seventh spot in the table.

Shankland has now scored five goals in three games and the interim manager stressed that the Scotland international will score goals if given the right service.

Fox added that the victory over the Fir Park side was a team effort and his players deserved huge credit for the way they have performed at Ross County and on Saturday.

He added: “It has been a disappointing season, we know that, we accept that, but we are really pleased with the last two results and are looking forward to Wednesday.” Hearts are at home to St Johnstone (kick-off 19.45) before travelling to Kilmarnock for their final league game on Saturday.

Hearts go into the midweek have scored six goals in their last two outings and only let in one. Shankland broke the deadlock at sun-kissed Tynecastle against The Steelmen with a low shot from the edge of the box after 30 minutes.

Motherwell skipper Stephen O’Donnell was caught out by the bounce of a clearance from debutant goalkeeper Ryan Fulton.

Shankland moved to his right and then sent the ball back the other way and it nestled in the back of the Motherwell net to spark celebrations around Tynecastle.

Then James Penrice sent an inch-perfect cross into the box and Shankland was there to send the ball home with a well-directed header. Time 60 minutes.

Two minutes later, it was Forrest who netted to end the contest. Second-half substitute, Yan Dhanda, who has been frozen out of the starting line-up of late, picked up the ball on the left side of the pitch.

He cut in and fired a dipping shot which Motherwell goalkeeper Aston Oxborough spilled and busy Forrest made no mistake from an angle, burying the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

The Fir Park side thought they had levelled near half-time when Callum Slattery shot home, but the celebrations were cut short when VAR intervened.

It took nearly four minutes for the decision to come through and defender Dan Casey was adjudged to have jumped into Fulton’s line of sight from an offside position.

Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer said his men were not good enough at either end of the pitch.

He added: “It was a disappointing result and this happens. There were four shoots for Hearts and they score three goals and we did not score so it was no good enough in both boxes. It was too easy.

“There are no excuses, today we were not good enough.”

LNER was a main sponsor of the inaugural Edinburgh Tartan Parade which took place in the heart of Edinburgh on Saturday.

Stepping off on the Royal Mile, the event celebrated Scotland’s rich heritage, culture and fostering of inclusivity.  

Colleagues from LNER joined the parade of more than 1,600 people including lively musicians, traditional pipe bands, dazzling dancers and other organisations who made their way along Cockburn Street, Waverley Bridge, East Princes Street Gardens and The National Galleries. 

They wore sashes made from the official LNER tartan. The registered tartan was unveiled at Edinburgh Waverley station on 31 July 2019, marking the launch of LNER Class 800 Azuma trains on Anglo-Scot services. 

Woven with rich and vibrant colours, the tartan symbolises the diverse places and communities served by LNER—from the Scottish Highlands to London. Its predominant blue represents Scotland, while red stands for England. White evokes the white rose of Yorkshire, where LNER’s historic headquarters are based. Purple reflects the heather of the Scottish landscape, green signifies the rolling hills and scenic destinations along the route, and silver-grey tramlines run through the pattern, symbolising the railway tracks that unite these communities. 

Celebrating the spirit of the ‘LNER clan’, the tartan is a proud emblem for current and former employees alike, honouring their role in connecting people and places along the LNER route. 

Inspired by the annual success of the New York City Tartan Day Parade, Edinburgh’s celebrations come as the city celebrates its 900^th anniversary. 

Jake Orros, Community Partnerships Manager at LNER, said: “At LNER, celebrating our communities is extremely important to us. We’re delighted to be sponsoring the inaugural Edinburgh Tartan Parade which brings people together to share traditions, all things Tartan and Scottish heritage and culture.”  

Tania Pramschufer, Tartan Parade Scotland, said: “Tartan Parade Scotland are over the moon to welcome LNER as sponsors of the inaugural Edinburgh Tartan Parade, with shared community values and their support bringing together this very exciting event. Many of the parade participants will be arriving to Edinburgh on an LNER train from right across the UK, so they can enjoy the ride and relax right up until arriving to the dazzling tartan parade, joining 1600 kindred tartan enthusiasts.” 

Firefighters have been in attendance at a large outdoor fire affecting an area of forest in West Lothian since around midday on Saturday, 10 May.

The fire started in an area just off the B7010 near Fauldhouse.

Due to smoke in the area, local residents are being urged to keep windows and doors closed.

Around fifty firefighters are working at the scene, supported by a helicopter that is dropping water onto the affected area.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 11.43am on Saturday, 10 May to reports of a large outdoor fire affecting a remote area of forest near Fauldhouse.

“Operations Control currently has seven appliances at the scene, as well as a high volume pump, all terrain vehicle and a water bowser.

“Firefighters will continue to work to extinguish the fire.”

Under new management since October 2022, The Bonnington has been quietly transforming into a neighbourhood gem under Carlo Carrozzi’s stewardship.

With an impressive hospitality pedigree spanning Edinburgh’s iconic venues—the Voodoo Rooms, Dragonfly, and his multi-award-winning street food venture at Edinburgh Street Food, The Peruvian – Carrozzi has created something special: a local that genuinely supports locals.

I ventured in with my partners in crime, the Social Bitches, (look for them on social media…) to sample their new weekend offering – the Bonnington’s Sunday Spread. Adding a delightful touch to our afternoon was spotting our friend Rosie behind the bar (a former Voodoo Rooms colleague of Carlo’s), enjoying a break from parenting duties while lending her expertise to the operation.

Chef Elliot, who leases the kitchen space, has crafted an inventive, comforting sharing-style feast perfect for gathering with loved ones. The Sunday menu revolves around your choice of succulent cornfed chicken (serving 2-4) or delicate seabream (ideal for 2).

Still nursing the remnants of a 60th birthday celebration from the night before, we started with restorative Bloody Marys, though the South American-inspired cocktail selection – featuring Pisco Sours and Inca Spritz – proved tempting.

The chicken arrived on an impressively large platter, surrounded by seasonal sides celebrating locally-sourced produce. Beautiful buttery leeks, tenderstem broccoli, and thinly sliced potatoes cooked with onions (a refreshing alternative to traditional roasties) accompanied our main, all elevated by a silky tarragon hollandaise. While we three managed to demolish everything, the portion would comfortably satisfy four diners.

Somehow, we found space for dessert. The concise selection of three options showcases quality over quantity: a decadent chocolate fondant; a chewy peanut and sesame cookie sandwich with white chocolate and chica; and the standout—a baked yoghurt with macerated strawberries and toasted oats that I’m determined to recreate at home. Chef Elliot generously shared his secret: Katie Rogers yoghurt, double cream, condensed milk, and tonka bean, cooked gently in a bain-marie.

Available first-come-first-served (unless pre-booked by Friday evening), it’s the perfect way to while away a Sunday afternoon. Their wine list is both interesting and accessible, carefully curated to complement Edinburgh’s eclectic seasons and their evolving kitchen offerings.

For weekday visits, their regular menu features thoughtful bar snacks (don’t miss the homemade pork scratchings), creative small plates including coronation fried chicken, and hearty large plates like bacon chop with chimichurri.

Whether collaborating with local brands, supporting fellow publicans, or serving their community the finest fare possible, The Bonnington operates without pretension but with plenty of heart. For those of us in the neighbourhood craving a quality Sunday spread, it’s quickly becoming an essential destination. Their creative, delicious food and cocktails make it worth seeking out, even if you’re not a local.

284 Bonnington Road, Edinburgh EH6 5BE, Scotland | +44 131 554 5824

It was a small group of six volunteers who made the Tartan Parade (dreamed up by Tania Pramschufer of Hand Up Events) become a reality. And they did a fabulous job.

On Saturday some 1,600 people registered to take part in the inaugural Edinburgh Tartan Parade and marched through the city centre in bright sunshine

This event is modelled on the New York City Tartan Day Parade held on or near Tartan Day (6 April) each year for the last quarter of a century.

In New York the custom is to have a personality to lead the parade as Grand Marshal and on Friday night it was announced that Kyle Dawson the President of the National Tartan Day New York Committee would be the dignitary on the parade.

The Rt Hon Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge, and TV personality, Gail Porter also followed the High Constables of Edinburgh, and all were led off by piper James Shilcock of The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland.

From Shetland there were two Jarl Squads – sponsored by Northland Ferries who brought them across the sea to the mainland so that they could then make their way to Edinburgh to take part. The Shetlanders are also stalwarts of the New York parade.

We have hundreds of photos to process as well as video (it will take ages!), but for now here are some photos…

The names of all those taking part in the first Edinburgh Tartan Parade were:

• ● The Rt. Hon. Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of the City of
• Edinburgh & six High Constables,
• Kyle Dawson President of The National Tartan Day New York Committee,
• Gail Porter Fair Trade Ambassador
• ● Tartan Parade Scotland Organising Team
• ● Tartan Parade Scotland Friends & Family
• ● Pulse of the Place
• ● World Fair Trade Tartan
• ● The City of Edinburgh Council
• Depute Lord Provost, Council Leader, The Bailies, Political Group Representatives, City Officers &
• Edinburgh Captain and Lass
• ● Edinburgh Police Division Senior Management Team
• ● The Court of the Lord Lyon
• ● The Heraldry Society of Scotland
• ● James Gillespie’s High School Pipe Band
• ● LNER
• ● Belhaven Brewery
• ● ScotlandShop
• ● The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs
• ● Denny High School Dance Academy

The second group taking part in the parade comprised:

Group 1 Section 2
The Royal Mile (High Street)
● Clan McKay Drummers
● Clan Mackay Society of Scotland
● Color Guard of the St. Andrew’s Society of Washington D.C.
● Caithness Youth Pipe Band
● Clan Italia
● Lindsay School of Dancing
● Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
● New York Caledonian Club
● Balerno & District Schools Pipe Band
● International Tartans
● The American-Scottish Foundation
● National Records of Scotland
● Clan MacLennan Scotland Association
● Accrington Pipe Band
● Nesting Jarl Squad

Group 2 Section 1
St Giles Street
● Display Team of Champion Drum Majors: THE FORCE (Group 1)
● Association of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Scotland
● Hawick Scout Pipe Band
● The Society of William Wallace
● Cheryl Heggie School of Dance
● Samaritans Scotland
● Pentland Caledonia Pipe Band
● Witches of Scotland
● Still Rollin’ – A Bay City Rollers Fan Community
● Gleadhraich
● Bay City Rollers Fan Community

Group 2 Section 2
St Giles Street
● Scouts Scotland Pipe Band
● Sarah Hendry School of Dance
● Autism Acceptance Tartan
● Association of Hackney Carriage Drivers
● Stockbridge Pipe Band Edinburgh
● Clan Lamont Society
● College of Master Kilt Tailors
● Banff Castle Pipe Band
● Promotional Warehouse
● Lochcarron
● Brenda Ronnie School of Highland Dance
● SAPD Pipe Band
● Grassmarket Tartans
● Discovery Dance
● 21st Century Kilts
● Eagle Pipers Society

Group 3 Section 1
West Parliament Square
● Display Team of Champion Drum ● Scottish Arts Club
● Burntisland & District Pipe Band
● Individual Parade Participants
● Individual Parade Musicians led by Pipe Major Bob Orridge
● History Matters Ltd

Group 3 Section 2
West Parliament Square
● Scotpipe
● Fair City Baton Twirlers
● Armstrong
● Pidfiguny Family
● Dunfermline District (RBLS) Pipe Band With guests from East Riding Pipe Band
● Crofthead Farm Community Centre
● Universal fans of the Bay City Rollers
● Moodiesburn and District Pipe Band
● Reely Jiggered
● Tartan Creations by Yvonne Macrae
● Tynecastle Youth Community Pipe Band
● Delting Jarl Squad
● Combined Banchory and Robert Gordon’s College Pipe Bands

Celtic Park continued to be an unhappy hunting ground for Hibs as the Edinburgh side fell to their fourth defeat of the season at the stadium, having exited both cups there. 

Hibs head coach David Gray made one change to the starting XI that beat Dundee United last weekend with Junior Hoilett making way for the more robust Josh Campbell in midfield. 

For Celtic Breandan Rodgers made three changes. Kasper Schmeichel returned from a shoulder injury. Defender Auston Trusty and winger Nicolas Kuhn also returned in place of Cameron Carter-Vickers, James Forrest and keeper Viljami Sinisalo. 

Ahead of kick-off the Hibs players gave their opponents a guard of honour by applauding the champions onto the pitch as a mark of respect for their achievement this season. 

The game kicked off in sunny conditions and the Hibs players, wearing their purple and green striped third strip wore black armbands in memory of former owner Sir Tom Farmer who sadly passed away earlier this week. 

Celtic started on the pront foot and piled the pressure on the Hibe defence. Chris Cadden did well to clear an Arne Engels cross from the right before Jordan Smith saved an effort from Adam Idah. 

Following a wonderful move that started in their own box Diazen Maeda set up Idah but the striker just failed to connect with the cross. 

Despite Celtic’s domination it was Hibs that almost took a shock lead aganst the run of play when Myko Kuharevich flicked on a Nectar Triantis cross into the path of Martin Boyle but Schmeichel produced a wonderful star jump save reminiscent of his father Peter to deny the Hibs skipper. 

 Kuharevich then fired wide from the edge of the area. The Hoops continued to press forward and at one stage had a 95% possession stat. 

Hibs did take the lead in the 25^th minute when Cadden collected a Smith free-kick. His cross from the right wing found Campbell on the edge of the area. 

Campbell’s strike then deflected into the path of Boyle and the skipper slotted the ball into the net from 12-yards to the delight of the travelling supporters. 

At the other end Engels controlled a long ball from Anthony Ralston but his strike flew high and wide over the bar. 

In the 32^nd minute the Hibs fans held their breath when the ball struck Cadden’s arm inside the penalty box but a VAR check decided that the referee was correct in not awarding the penalty. 

Celtic equalised in the 40^th minute when Nicolas Kuhn got on the end of a long ball from Ralston rounded Smith and slotted the ball into the net. 

Two minutes later Kuhn turned provider with a superb dinked through ball to Idah who made no mistake with a powerful angled drive from close range. 

Hibs won their first corner of the game within 15-seconds of the restart but the danger was cleared. 

Moments later Rocky Bushiri headed a long throw from Jack Iredale inches wide. 

Iredale and Kuhn were both booked following a confrontation after a foul on Campbell. 

Celtic added a third in the 57^th minute when the Hibs defence were unable to clear a cross from the left which Smith failed to gather and following some neat one-touch play from the champions Reo Hatate stroked in a lovely third goal. 

Hibs introduced Nicky Cadden, Kieron Bowie and Junior Hoilett in an effort to get back into the game. 

Seconds after coming on, Cadden crossed an excellent ball for fellow substitute Bowie but the big striker was unable to properly connect. 

Hoilett then tested Schmeichel from a decent position, but the keeper did well to deny the Canadian. 

Rocky was next to try his luck heading wide from Cadden’s out-swinging corner. 

Dwight Gayle replaced Campbell in the 75th minute.

Chris Cadden and Nectar Triantis both had their name taken by referee Colin Steven for stopping Celtic counter-attacks.

Dylan Levitt made way for Alasana Manneh, for the final 10 minutes of the tie.

But Celtic managed the game well and deservedly took the three points.

After the final whistle Gray told BBC Scotland: “The timing of the goals is against us, that was the killer today. Celtic will always have periods when they dominate and we knew that.

“Coming in 2-1 down [at half-time] was a big blow mentally for the players. The goals we lose we have to look at because they were quite soft from our point of view. The second half reaction was positive, but the third goal takes the stuffing out the game.

“Everyone knows what’s at stake, it’s the final push of the season, three games in a week. It’s about who’s got the mentality and I believe the group is good enough to do it.”

All eyes are now on Ibrox tomorrow where Aberdeen face Rangers looking for a victory that would see them draw level on points with Hibs in third place with two games remaining. 

Celtic: Schmeichel, Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, Engels, Hatate, Kuhn, Maeda, Idah. 

Substitutes: Sinisalo, Yang, McCowan, Schlupp, Nawrocki, Kenny, Bernardo, Forrest, McArdle. 

Hibs: Smith, O’Hora, Rocky, Iredale, C Cadden, Triantis, Levitt, Campbell, Obita, Boyle, Kuharevich. 

Substitutes: Bursik, Miller, Ekpiteta, Alasana, N Cadden, Bowie, Moriah-Welsh, Hoilett, Gayle. 

The 110 seater Crolla’s Italian Kitchen restaurant at Eskmills in Musselburgh has been put on the market.

Cornerstone Business Agents have set out all details of the sale of the business on their website, and explain that the guide price of £100,000 will buy the business and the assignation of the lease which has 15 years left to run.

The agents said: “This is an exceptional property with attractive entrance and fully glazed seating area to the rear. The main entrance leads into the first dining area with traditional tables and chairs, high tables and seating and well stocked bar. The rear of the property has the main dining area which is predominantly glazed, offering attractive views over the courtyard giving c.110 covers between these two areas. A shared car park is available just a few yards from the entrance.

“Our client has owned and operated ‘Crolla’s Italian Kitchen’ since 2014 and has only reluctantly placed the business on the market to concentrate on other business ventures. Trading as a quality Italian restaurant, Crolla’s has won numerous local and national awards over the years highlighting the quality food and exceptional service that is offered here. The restaurant enjoys a tremendous local reputation and its unique trading location attracts customers from all over East Lothian, Midlothian and beyond.”

More details here.

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St Andrews Timber & Building Supplies has extended its sponsorship of Edinburgh boxing star Lee McGregor.

The Edinburgh-based builders’ merchant has been in partnership with the 28-year-old for the past year-and-a-half and has agreed to extend the deal by a further year.

The news comes as the WBC international featherweight champion prepares to take on former British and Commonwealth featherweight champion Nathaniel Collins in Glasgow on 24 May for the WBC silver featherweight title.

The winner will take a significant step closer to a full world title fight.

“Having St Andrews Timber & Building Supplies on board has helped me massively,” he said.

“This kind of backing makes my life and career so much easier to balance and without the support, it would be very hard for me to commit myself the way I do.

“The sponsorship has been a massive help to me. The company has supported me through the ups and downs in my career for which I will be forever grateful. Here’s to my best years yet – I’m coming into the biggest chapter of my career and I hope we can see out this journey to the end and can look back and say ‘we did it’.”

St Andrews managing director Ronnie Robinson said: “We are delighted to extend our sponsorship of Lee. As a local company with a branch based in the Stenhouse area of the city, just a stone’s throw from where Lee grew up, it’s nice to give something back to the local community.

“Lee’s attitude and resilience to get to where he is has been commendable. His desire and hunger to succeed is an example to all aspiring young athletes.

“All his sacrifices are paying off and we are pleased to be able to continue our journey with him as he works towards the ultimate goal of a world title fight.”

Lee is pictured with Louis Robinson (l) and Ronnie Robinson of St Andrews Timber & Building Supplies.

Former Hibs owner Sir Tom Farmer, has died at the age of 84. 

The Edinburgh-born businessman died peacefully at his home in the city on Friday, his family said. 

Sir Tom built the Kwik Fit garage chain into the world’s biggest independent tyre and automotive chain, selling it to Ford for £1bn in 1999. 

He was born in Leith in 1940 and first opened a tyre business in 1964. 

He started Kwik Fit in 1971, eventually operating in more than 2,000 locations in 18 countries. 

Sir Tom owned a majority stake in Hibernian FC for more than 20 years taking over following the unsuccessful takeover bid by Hearts’ owner Wallace Mercer. 

100 years before that his grandfather John Farmer and his brother Philip Farmer were responsible for saving the club after it ceased to exists following financial problems.

He was not a typical supporters and always insisted that he saved the club for the people of Leith.

Under Sir Tom’s ownership Hibs won the League Cup in 1991, 2007 and the Scottish Cup in 2016. 

He sold his interest in the club in 2019. 

Worth an estimated £126 million, he was widely praised for his philanthropic work and was the first Scot to be awarded the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Philanthropy.

In 1990 he was awarded the CBE and in 1993 he was awarded The Knight Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.

He was knighted in 1997, the same year he became a Knight Commander with Star of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, an honour bestowed by the Pope. 

The club paid tribute on social media. “Hibernian FC are devastated to hear of the passing of former owner Sir Tom Farmer, aged 84.  

“Thank you for everything, Tom. Rest in peace.” 

First Minister John Swinney said: “I am very sorry to hear of the death of Sir Tom Farmer, an outstanding entrepreneur and such a generous individual to so many causes in Scotland.  

He was a source of wise counsel who gave so much of himself to assist others.  

Sir Tom made a profound impact on his beloved Leith, on Scotland and the wider world. I express my condolences to his family.” 

The Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Sir Tom Farmer. Sir Tom was a recipient of the prestigious Edinburgh Award, a generous philanthropist, and a proud Scotsman whose influence touched communities far beyond his own. 

“As the founder of Kwik Fit, Sir Tom revolutionised the automotive industry, yet his legacy stretches far beyond business.  

His love for Edinburgh and its people was perhaps best demonstrated in 1991 when he stepped in to rescue his beloved Hibernian Football Club. 

“Sir Tom’s memory will live on in the City Chambers Quadrangle, where his handprints are immortalised alongside those of other Edinburgh Award recipients. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who were fortunate to have known him.” 

Hundreds of other tributes have been posted on social media.

Detectives are appealing for information following an assault that took place around 1am on Tuesday, 6 May, 2025 on Elbe Street when a 58-year-old man was assaulted.

He was taken to hospital for treatment.

The three suspects are described as being white men, around 6ft tall, in their 50s, and of muscular build.

One had short, blonde hair. Another had red hair and was wearing blue jeans and a dark blue top. The third had dark hair and was wearing a blue shirt and blue jeans.

Detective Inspector Alison MacDonald said: “Enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed this to contact us.

“We are particularly keen to speak to a person who stopped to assist the man assaulted following the incident.

“We also ask anyone with private CCTV of the area at the time to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 1675 of 7 May, 2025. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.

Nectar Triantis insists Hibs are heading to Celtic Park today aiming to end the season on a high.

Hibs currently lead the way in the race for third place, three points clear of Aberdeen with three games to play.

The Dons also in action in Glasgow – playing Rangers on Sunday at Ibrox.

Speaking to the media ahead of the tie, Triantis insisted full focus is on going to Celtic Park to try and get three points.

“We will be looking to secure third place. The incentive is massive for us, it is big for the Club and it is big for us as players.

“We can all take massive confidence from the second half of our season, and the boys can take that into the next few games and the next season.

“We’re all feeling good, it has been a good week training, we have prepared very well and we are all looking forward to an exciting game.

“It is a great opportunity for us to showcase what we can do and we are going there to get three points.

“We obviously need to give them respect, they have won the league already – but we need to go there and stamp our authority to try and get a result.”

Triantis has been one of the standout players and one of the first names on David Gray’s teamsheet in the middle of midfield. Since joining the Club on loan for a second time from Sunderland, the 21-year-old admits how much he has been relishing his new role in the team.

“This has been one of my first proper full seasons in midfield in professional football, it has been a big learning curve for me but one that I am taking in my stride.

“I have really enjoyed the new position, the role the Gaffer has given me and I think everyone can see that this season.

“I am just taking it game-by-game, I haven’t really thought too much about next season. Football is a mental game, we have beaten them already this season and we have confidence and belief that we can go there and get a result.”

An Edinburgh care home welcomed the community to join residents and their relatives for a celebration marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day.  

Care UK’s Murrayside, on South Beechwood, pulled out all the stops to commemorate the poignant anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe in 1945, hosting 1940s-themed festivities including a lively performance from Sarah Sings, who provided the perfect atmosphere for a dance to vintage tunes.  

Mary Smith, 103, a former Navy servicewoman, said: “On VE day I was in the middle of the ocean, it was the first time we sailed with any lights on!  

“I helped light the lamp of light on the balcony this morning, and it’s been a really special day for us all.”

Suzanne Welsh, Home Manager at Murrayside, said: “We had a fantastic time celebrating VE Day 80 with residents, their families and the wonderful Edinburgh community. Everyone was in high spirits as we marked this momentous occasion, but we also took time to reflect on the poignancy of the milestone.  

“It was a privilege to honour this important anniversary and to see the residents enjoying Sarah’s performance, delicious food and the company of the community as they shared their memories of times gone by. It’s so important to enable residents to foster meaningful connections with the local people and for us to host nostalgic events that can prompt reminiscence, so our VE Day celebration was a roaring success.”    

Murrayside care home, which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, has been specially designed to support residents in living active and fulfilling lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, and has its own cinema, hair and beauty salon, café and namaste rooms. 

To find out more about Murrayside, please contact Customer Relations Manager Cliona Robertson on 0131 516 2487 or email cliona.robertson@careuk.com

careuk.com/murrayside

BBC ALBA is bringing football fans all the action from across the determining Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) matches of the season as Hibernian compete for a chance to be crowned 2024-25 champions.  

This Sunday (11 May), BBC ALBA viewers can tune in to back-to-back fixtures, kicking off with Hibernian v Glasgow City, as the current league leaders host the second-placed Glasgow side at Meadowbank Stadium.

Live coverage is set to begin on BBC ALBA from 12pm, with commentary from BBC Spòrs presenter, Alex O’Henley, and former Aberdeen FC manager, Emma Hunter, as both teams compete for a chance to claim the season title with just three points sitting between them.  

Next up is the final old firm of the season, as Celtic take on Rangers at New Douglas Park. With live coverage on BBC ALBA from 4pm, the high stakes tackles and turning points will be brought to life for fans at home with expert commentary from BBC Spòrs presenter, Derek Mackay alongside former Rangers captain, Clare Gemmell. 

On Wednesday (14 May), Hibernian compete against last year’s title winners, Celtic, at Meadowbank Stadium. The final home fixture for Hibs will determine where they finish in the league, with live coverage from 5.50pm ahead of kick off at 6pm. 

The final day of matches next Sunday (18 May) sees Glasgow City face Heart of Midlothian FC. With kick-off at 12pm, fans can watch the end of the season results unfold live on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer from Petershill Stadium.  

Fiona MacKenzie, BBC ALBA commissioning editor, said: “As the SWPL 2024-25 season draws to a close, BBC ALBA is set to bring the highs and lows from the final fixtures to fans at home as the top teams compete for their final place in the table. 

“With just five points separating the top three teams, we’re heading for a thrilling finale. The race for the title and Champions League qualification is wide open and viewers can expect to enjoy all the intensity, emotion and drama that defines the closing stages of a fiercely competitive season from the comfort of their home.” 

Watch the action live or on demand on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer.

Hibs face Celtic this weekend and currently occupy third spot in the Scottish top-flight, three points ahead of fourth-placed Aberdeen.

And head coach David Gray says his players know what to expect and they they will be heading to Celtic Park with a game plan.

In terms of the squad available, Elie Youan returns to contention after recovering from his toe injury.

Speaking ahead of the game, Gray said:“We’re in a good place. The only two long-term absentees are Joe Newell and Rudi Molotnikov. They won’t feature this season.

“Kwon is unavailable because he’s on loan from Celtic, but it’s pleasing that he’s back in the group. He trained all week this week.

“Everyone else is available and could be selected.”

“Three massive games left and a final push. We got a brilliant result last weekend, so we keep that momentum going, but it’s a difficult test going along to Celtic, we know that.

“We’re not strangers going along there this season, we know what to expect and that it’ll be a really difficult game. Our players are growing in confidence, though, all of the time.

“We’ve got everything to play for in terms of what we want to achieve this season. We will go there with a game plan to try and win the game.”

The last time Hibs won at Celtic Park was back in 2010, and that’s something Gray will use again as motivation for the players.

“We’ll remind them of that one, it’s something that I’ve used before. We always want to change history in a positive way, and they players have delivered that on numerous times this season.

“When you think to the places we’ve won this season, there’s some difficult places, Tynecastle, Ibrox, Pittodrie, Tannadice. Celtic Park is the toughest one of the lot, they’re Champions for a reason, have a real good squad, but it’s a brilliant test for our players and one they should look forward to.”