Hibernian Women have the chance to pick up silverware this month when they face Rangers in the final of the Sky Sports Cup. 

The final will take place on Saturday, March 22, kicking off at 3pm at Fir Park Stadium in Motherwell and will be shown live on Sky Sports and NOW. 

Hibs secured their place in the final with a 3-0 victory over Aberdeen at Meadowbank on January 19. 

Ciara Grant fired Hibs ahead before Eilidh Adams added a second with 15-minutes remaining. Grant wrapped things up just before the end. 

Speaking to Hibs TV after the semi-final victory Hibs head coach Grant Scott said: “I’m really proud of the group. It was a tough match as we expected. There are a lot of improvements in the Aberdeen side. 

“I’m delighted for the players, the staff, everyone involved, and the Football Club. We have a nice occasion to look forward to. 

“I have a lot of respect for Rangers and their manager, they have done good things over the last couple years. 

“They are [in the Final] again and are defending their trophy well. It’s one for us to look forward to.”  

Rangers beat Celtic to reach the final. Rio Hardy broke the deadlock for Rangers after a corner early in the second half. Katie Wilkinson struck home a free-kick to make it 2-0 before Emma Lawton pulled one back in added time.  

Hibernian are currently working on transport options for supporters, pre-match hospitality and sponsorship packages, further information will be shared ahead of the game. 

Tickets for the match are on sale now through the Motherwell e-ticketing website. 

Prices: Adults – £10 – Concessions (U16s) – £4 – Disabled Supporters – £4 – Family Ticket – £25 (two adults and two children)  

There will be no formal segregation at the match although Hibs have been been assigned the North Section and Section M. Rangers have been assigned Sections C and F.  

SWPL Managing Director Fion McIntyre said: “I’d like to congratulate both teams for reaching the Sky Sports Cup Final. I’m sure this match will be a great spectacle and showcase the very best in women’s football. 

“Its really important that the Sky Sports Cup remains affordable and accessible and our concessions and family tickets continue to provide fantastic value for fans who we are sure will turn out in big numbers. 

“There will be lots of family friendly activities happening in and around the stadium and the SWPL encourages all fans to come early to get involved in the activities and enjoy the pre match atmosphere.” 

It is 9.30am on March 1. The thermometer in the car is showing 6c, but the wind chill made it feel much colder. Still, five anglers in three boats, plus 13 anglers on the bank, were casting for trout, and tempting trout, despite the low temperatures.

This was at Millhall near Polmont, claimed to be one of the cheapest trout fisheries in Central Scotland, and anglers were anxious to get back into the swing on opening day.

The Central Scotland venue, popular with anglers from Fife, Stirlingshire, Glasgow and the Lothians, has frozen its prices for this season, despite rising costs.

And volunteers have been busy during the close season, sprucing up the facilities and making improvements on the banks of the eight-acre fishery operated by Avonbank Fishery CIC, next to Grangemouth Golf Course.

The not-for-profit fishery is now open daily from until the Autumn and, once again, hoping for a good year. They are open daily from 9am to 4pm.

Millhall at Old Polmont, Polmont, Falkirk FK2 0YA, was not the only fishery to open on March 1. A few miles along the road towards Edinburgh, Linlithgow Loch, also launched their boats for their opening day and 16 of their fleet of 20 were in use.

Anglers were catching here too and Linlithgow is operated by the Forth Area Federation of Anglers and is now open seven days from 9am to 4pm. They draw anglers from as far afield as Newcastle and double stocked the water by introducing fish on Tuesday and Wednesday last week.

The address is 212a High Street, Linlithgow EH49 7ES and anglers without a motor can hire one at the venue which also holds a supply of life jackets and landing nets.

MAIN PICTURE: Busy on the Dam Wall on opening day at Millhall. Picture Nigel Duncan

IN THE BAG: Tom Lambert, secretary of the Forth Area Federation of Anglers, weighs-in some fine trout caught on opening day. Picture Nigel Duncan

Three Midlothian police officers were recognised at the Chief Constable’s Bravery and Excellence Awards during a ceremony at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan, this week (Thursday, 27 February, 2025). 

Bravery award winners Constables Arron McCall, Paul Griffiths and another officer attended a report of a domestic incident in Midlothian.  

The officers entered the property and, without warning, a man armed with a knife immediately stabbed and slashed Constable McCall on both arms. 

Despite bleeding heavily from his injuries and in significant pain, Constables McCall alongside Constable Griffiths and their colleague restrained and disarmed the violent male.  

The officers showed great bravery and professionalism during this violent and challenging incident. 

Other people recognised in Chief Constable Jo Farrell’s Bravery and Excellence Awards, which are sponsored by Police Mutual, included members of the public who rescued people from a burning house and a crashed car that had burst into flames, and a person who selflessly pulled someone to safety off a bridge ledge during a suicide attempt. 

The Excellence awards recognised individuals and teams across Scotland. 

Individual award winners included probationer of the year Constable Hannah Higgins who has demonstrated fearlessness in the most challenging of incidents in such a short space of time. 

Dr Kate Mairs was recognised as member of staff of the year for her work to improve the probationer training curriculum at the Scottish Police College, Tulliallan. Over the past 18 months she has led significant changes to the structure and delivery of the programme, and has embedded equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights into training. 

Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “Every year, these awards highlight the bravery and excellence that is shown day-in and day-out throughout Scotland. They remind us all of the incredible work our colleagues and members of the public do to keep our communities safe and thriving, often putting themselves in the face of danger to save someone else. 

“Reading the nominations, powerful illustrations of bravery and inspiring examples of skill, professionalism and dedication, has been a great pleasure and a real highlight of my year. 

“I want to congratulate all the winners and nominees for the valuable contribution to our communities and policing.” 

Kerry McMahon-White, Managing Director of Police Mutual said: “Police Mutual is immensely proud to be sponsoring the Police Scotland Chief Constable’s Bravery and Excellence Awards for the 10th year. 

“These awards demonstrate the extraordinary levels of professional commitment that goes on across Scotland to protect communities and keep the public safe, in the most demanding of circumstances. Police Mutual has supported the police family for over 150 years and we are always humbled by the outstanding demonstrations of courage and dedication to the job. The nominees are not only a credit to their families, friends and communities, but also to Police Scotland and the wider police service.” 

Hibs youngster Murray Aiken has joined William Hill League Two side Bonnyrigg Rose on loan until the end of the season.

The central midfielder spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Airdrieonians, making 19 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal.

The 20-year-old will now join up with ‘The Rose’ for the second half of the season.

Managed by former Hearts striker Calum Elliot, Bonnyrigg currently sit eighth in League Two.

On the loan move, Hibs Sporting Director Malky Mackay commented: “This is another good opportunity for Murray to gain regular football at a senior level.

“He’s a determined young player who wants to develop, and this loan move gives him the best possible platform to do that.

“We wish him the best of luck for the rest of the season.”

Scottish internationalist Aurel Szilagyi will top the bill at 70kgs against a selected opponent from the West of Scotland when the Royal Amateur Boxing Club host a 16 bout show on Saturday, 8 March, at Portobello Town Town Hall (doors open 7pm).

Organiser Junior Burton is excited about some of his club’s youngest prospects including primary school pupil James Neri.

Junior says: “As well as James who was outstanding on his last outing another to watch out for is Craig Ferrier at 67kgs as he is a real power puncher.”

Hibs Women have announced the loan signing of Caley Gibb until the end of the season from Partick Thistle subject to SFA clearance. 

Aged just 15, she was handed her senior debut for Hibernian by current Head Coach Grant Scott in a Scottish Women’s Premier League clash versus Motherwell on 15 May 2019.  

Four days later, she appeared off the bench to make her second appearance for the Club and assist Jamie-Lee Napier in a 6-0 rout of Rangers in Benburb.  

The versatile defender left Hibernian that summer to join Spartans in 2019, spending five years with the Edinburgh club until July 2024.  

Gibb was a part of the Spartans squad that reached the Scottish Cup Semi-Final during the 2023/24 campaign, starting the match versus Hearts at Hampden.  

She opened the scoring for Spartans versus Hibernian in November 2023 – though Hibs would strike back to secure a 4-1 victory at Ainslie Park.  

The 21-year-old made 33 appearances and scored seven goals last season, before joining Thistle in August ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.  

Gibb has made 19 league appearances for Thistle so far this season, scoring twice.  

The new arrival also has previous international experience, making her Scotland Under-19 debut in a 4-0 win over Bulgaria. She then went on to make a further five caps for the young team. 

Gibb joins up with the squad ahead of the final post-split fixture against Celtic at Meadowbank. 

She will wear the number 19 shirt for Hibernian.  

On her move, she said: “I’m delighted to be here and to be given such a great opportunity. This is where I started, I got my SWPL debut at such a young age here through Grant. I’ll always be grateful to the Club.  

“To get an opportunity now when I am more developed and feel more ready to take that bigger step, it is great. I’m hoping I can go and really help the girls finish as high as possible in the league.” 

Grant Scott commented on Caley’s return to the Club saying: “We’re delighted to welcome Caley back to Hibernian for the remainder of the season. 

“She’s a talented and versatile player who will add valuable depth to the squad. We’re excited to see the impact she can make as we head into our final eleven SWPL matches. 

“I’d also like to thank Brian Graham and everyone at Partick Thistle for their cooperation in making this move possible.” 

Eat Out Edinburgh, the highly anticipated city-centre restaurant festival run by Essential Edinburgh, today reveals the full list of incredible dining offers running throughout March. 

This year’s event boasts an impressive lineup of more than 50 top restaurants, cafes and bars, featuring exclusive deals, curated set menus, and the introduction of a brand-new supper club series as a first for this year’s festival.

Diners can now explore the special offers live online atwww.eatoutedinburgh.com, with deals from some of Edinburgh’s best-loved venues from Princes Street and Charlotte Square to St James Quarter – all designed to showcase the city centre’s vibrant hospitality scene.

With a wave of exciting new restaurant openings in the capital, this year’s Eat Out Edinburgh welcomes several first-time participants, bringing fresh flavours and experiences to the festival, including:

• Dishoom: Enjoy a special Bombay-inspired menu for £29 per person, including dishes like Tandoori Chaat, Goan Monkfish Curry, and Makhmali Paneer.
• Roxy Lanes: Perfect for a midweek catch-up, offering 20% off food Sunday through Thursday – grab a bite and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
• The Botanist: Whether you’re in the mood for two courses (£20) or three (£25), The Botanist offers an incredible deal Monday to Thursday throughout March.
• Manahatta: Bringing the big city buzz to Edinburgh, the NYC inspired venue is offering two courses for £15 or three for £20, valid Monday – Friday throughout March.
• The Court: In the heart of The Caledonian Edinburgh, discover a seasonally-inspired selection of dishes with a delicious three course lunch menu, showcasing the best of local, Scottish produce for just £29.
• SUSHISAMBA: The Samba Express menu brings together the bold and vibrant flavours of Japan, Brazil, and Peru for an unforgettable dining journey, offering two courses for just £25 or three courses for £30.
• Le Petit Beefbar: Offering Eat Out Edinburgh diners an exclusive 20% off, a set-lunch menu is available Monday to Thursday featuring everything from their famous rock corn to the classic steak frites. Now we’re offering Eat Out Edinburgh guests an exclusive 20% off.

Returning favourites such as Chaophraya, Lady Libertine, Rio Brazilian Steakhouse, Duck & Waffle, and BABA among many others have also unveiled exclusive menus and special offers available to book now, ensuring there’s something for every taste, budget and occasion throughout the month.

This year introduces a new highlight: a series of intimate supper clubs bookending the festival offering food lovers a unique opportunity to enjoy exclusive dining experiences in a social setting, hosted by hot-ticket venues Hawksmoor and Dean Banks at the Pompadour.

Kickstarting the festival on the 6^th of March, Hawksmoor Edinburgh will host a special evening celebrating British seasonal produce, featuring a three-course sharing menu with wine, set within the stunning McLellan Room. Guests will be welcomed with a Portobello Road Gin cocktail before indulging in a showcase of the Hawksmoor classics served family style – including a selection of their signature prime meats – and walk away with a box of the restaurant’s ‘Tributes’ salted caramel chocolates, as a sweet reminder of the evening. Tickets are available to book now at just £75 per person.

Bringing the festival to a spectacular close, Dean Banks at The Pompadour will offer their own supper club with an unforgettable seven-course tasting menu on 27^th March, available at an incredible 50% discount for just £65 per person. Hosted in the venue’s stunning private room within the Caledonian Edinburgh, Chef Banks himself will walk guests through each course, celebrating Scotland’s best produce of the season. Tickets are available to book now. Guests are encouraged to book their spot for both events soon through the Eat Out Edinburgh website, as spots are limited to these exclusive evenings.

Following the success of Eat Out Edinburgh 2024, which saw a 9.2% increase in hospitality sales and over 18,700 bookings for city centre venues, this year’s campaign is set to be even bigger. The initiative encourages locals, visitors, and city centre workers to explore and support Edinburgh’s dynamic food and drink scene.

Emily Campbell Johnston, Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications at Essential Edinburgh, said: “With so many exciting new venues opening in the city centre, this year’s Eat Out Edinburgh is set to be our most diverse and engaging yet. The addition of supper clubs will bring a whole new level of exclusivity and experience for diners. Whether you’re discovering a new favourite spot or revisiting a beloved classic, March is the perfect time to celebrate Edinburgh’s incredible hospitality scene.”

A full list of participating venues and offers is available at www.eatoutedinburgh.com, where diners can browse menus and book experiences.

This is an advertorial feature

cafēn speciality brew bar on Dundas Street has, within a few months, created quite a buzz.

Already it’s built a very strong reputation for serving superb quality coffees in a lively, engaging atmosphere. For those with a keen interest in the intricacies of specialty coffee and the subtle flavours it offers, cafēn is definitely one of the prime destinations in the city. 

Coffee celebrity

cafēn was particularly busy when large numbers were attracted by the presence of specialty coffee “celeb” Lance Hedrick. He currently oversees international wholesale for Onyx Coffee Lab, “a coffee shop dedicated to the art and science of coffee”.  Serious stuff!

His guest appearance attracted coffee geeks from around the city, including representatives from a number of leading coffee places in Edinburgh – including The Source and Lowdown. It was fascinating to observe their interactions – and the commentary they offered on the coffees they sampled. It was evidence of the slightly cultish aspect of specialty coffee, as well as the desire to see constant innovation. 

I arrived around 3pm, and had a distinct sense of arriving just as things were starting to settle down. cafēn owner Alex admitted that it had been something of “a crazy day”, as he tried to keep things running smoothly. There had been a very long queue in the morning. However, they’d maintained standards; the coffee I was served was just as good as I’d had on calmer days. 

The expert view

Sitting down with the coateree of coffee experts to “chew the cud” was a good way to gauge the state of specialty coffee in Edinburgh. Those I talked to had significant experience as baristas, roasters and coffee tourists (exploring new places through coffee). From them I gathered insights about what they considered the best specialty coffee places in the city to be, and more broadly what they look for in a coffee bar. 

What came through abundantly was the passion they all had about coffee. In particular, they were constantly seeking out new places and trying to connect. Lewis Gilchrist had recently visited Vietnam and Indonesia, discovering all sorts of unique beans and small underground cafes and roasters. Coffee can be a portal into the unknown. 

Something experiential

What they really enjoy is the interaction you get when you discover others with a real passion for coffee. These are places  looking for something experiential, based on personal recommendations from others with real know-how and passion. On the other hand, when they visited places that didn’t offer that, they found the experience rather deflating. This is a reflection that specialty coffee places these days attract a variety of customers and only some are truly coffee geeks. A big test for cafés is trying to determine exactly who they are serving. Who among their customers is looking for that bit extra, something new, perhaps something with a slightly funky flavour profile. This tension between what coffee geeks want and what mainstream punters want is a common theme of discussion on coffee. 

However the coffee experts I chatted to all had a sense that there were many others out there who might well enjoy specialty coffee but have not had access to it.  Specialty coffee was not, by its nature, something that only a small elite can enjoy. “A lot of people don’t know what’s behind those doors”. 

A radically changed coffee scene

We need to keep in mind just how quickly things have changed. Looking at the Itchy Edinburgh from 2008 gives an idea of the changing coffee culture. Published just on the cusp of the rise of specialty coffee, the selection  illustrates the changing nature of what we might consider a posh coffee place. The places suggested included Cafe Florentin (Giles Street) and Elephants on Bagels (Nicolson Square). These Edinburgh institutions were, in coffee terms, wedded to the idea that Italian style espresso was the ultimate in good coffee. These places offered a whiff of continental sophistication and tended to be more food than coffee focussed. Also recommended was The Elephant House, currently in limbo. If it does return, it will be interesting to see whether it, in coffee terms, taps into current trends or sticks to its continental flavour. 

Coffee culture has spread throughout the UK in the last 30 years or so, but this culture is not unidimensional. The rise of the now ubiquitous chains has been a major driver, specialty coffee has added unique aspects. We have seen the rise of Indy Chains, such as 200 Degrees (recently acquired by Caffè Nero) and Blank Street (a recent arrival in Edinburgh). 

A source of pride

Places such as cafēn are raising the bar in terms of standard, adding to an already strong coffee scene in the city. For Andrew Flowers, previously a barista at a top rated place, certain places in Edinburgh are truly “world class”. They are something that the city should be proud of, in the same way that it is proud of its top restaurants, cocktail bars, craft ale houses, and whisky places. Edinburgh’s top coffee bars, including The Source, cafēn, Lowdown and Little Fitzroy, should be considered the equivalent of Edinburgh’s Michelin star restaurants and be promoted as such. 

Note: The author thanks Lewis and Rhys Gilchrist, Chai,  Andrew Flowers, and Lisa Simonis for their assistance with this article. 

A Scottish mum-of-six is living in fear after her car was torched in a shocking night time attack.

Rosanna Duncan was woken by a neighbour banging on her front door to alert her of the vehicle blaze outside her home in Tranent, East Lothian, at around 2.30am on 30 January.

Rosanna, 35, is now terrified her family home will be targeted next after a man carrying a green petrol can was seen running from the scene of the arson attack.

The mum’s car that she uses to ferry her children, including her disabled son, to and from school was completely destroyed in the incident along with a neighbour’s car that was parked nearby.

Police have now launched an investigation after a man dressed in black was seen fleeing the area at the time of the blaze.

Rosanna posted images of the car blaze on social media and praised her neighbour for his quick thinking in raising the alarm.

She said: “What a night, most scariest thing ever. I’m fuming.

“Woke up about 2.30am with my neighbour banging my door as somebody setting fire to my car – hope you’re happy with yourself. Total f***ing idiots. 

“Not just mine but another car along with it and nearly my neighbour’s house. 

“If it wasn’t for them it would be so much worse than it was.

“Smashing my window and pouring petrol in – how amazing are you?

“You were seen when you run off with your green petrol can – don’t worry you will be on CCTV.

“[I’ve] lost everything, my purse was in with all my cards money the lot. I’m fuming I just hope there (sic) caught.

“[I’m] scared to even be at home in case it happens to my house.”

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson confirmed they were alerted to the fire at around 2.30am and two appliances attended the scene.

No casualties were reported and the crews left after making the area safe.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 3.10am on Thursday January 30 we were called to a report of two cars set on fire at Meetinghouse Drive, Tranent.

“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information should contact 101, quoting incident number 0325 of January 30, 2025.”

Locals have also taken to social media to slam the “shocking” attack on the mum of six’s vehicle.

Nicole Thomson posted: “I’m so glad you are okay, absolute scum hope they get caught and jailed. This could have went so much worse.”

Kendall Wendy said: “No way, this is disgusting someone doing this to your and ur family. Can’t imagine what your all going through right now but I really hope you and the kids are okay.”

And Monica Brown added: “Wow that’s shocking – hope they get caught on the CCTV.”

The Old Edinburgh Club has highlighted some of the significant historical events which have taken place in March in the past.

There are some from the 16th century and others in the more recent past such as the explosion in 1971 at Bell’s Mills.

Compiled by Jerry Ozaniec, Membership Secretary of the Old Edinburgh Club, membership@oldedinburghclub.org.uk 

In these cash-strapped times, dining out is a treat that should create lasting memories. While exciting new venues constantly emerge on Edinburgh’s vibrant culinary scene, it’s often the establishments that nail both exceptional food and outstanding service that keep diners coming back.

Recently, an experience with an unnamed restaurant (which had garnered praise for its “food cooked with love”) highlighted how crucial customer service is to the dining experience. Despite the acclaimed cuisine, their frigid response to a booking mix-up and reportedly cold dining space (so chilly that reviewers kept their outerwear on throughout lunch) has led my own group of six food enthusiasts to take our custom elsewhere. It’s a reminder that even the finest cooking can be overshadowed by poor hospitality.

The winning formula in hospitality is truly the sum of its parts. Beyond exceptional food, it’s about creating an experience through ambiance, a thoughtfully curated wine list, attentive yet unobtrusive service, and those finishing touches that elevate a meal into an occasion.

Here are some Edinburgh establishments that consistently deliver on all fronts and that I’m happy to return to time and time again:

Divino, part of the Tony Crolla restaurant family and managed by son Alberto, exemplifies Italian hospitality at its finest. This warm, intimate venue pairs outstanding cuisine with an impressive wine programme featuring an Enomatic system – a state-of-the-art wine dispenser that allows them to offer 32 premium wines by the glass, including unique varieties typically only available by the bottle through their Coravin offering.

The Crolla family really have the whole package nailed, so much so that in one weekend, I visited not only Divino twice for the most amazing celebratory meal but then again on a Sunday evening for one of their bi-monthly wine tastings, which I can highly recommend.  I also visited Vittoria’s for a Sunday lunch, when our plans had to be changed due to a fire alarm in our initial planned restaurant. Their loss, the Crollas’ gain.

Fazenda continues to impress with its Brazilian rodizio concept. While it’s paradise for meat enthusiasts, their extensive salad bar ensures vegetarians and vegans are well catered for. The drinks offering shines with an extensive wine list (including Coravin offerings) and expertly crafted cocktails.

Slightly off the beaten path in Tollcross, Yamato delivers exceptional Japanese fine dining. Their extensive menu accommodated my seafood allergies alongside their carefully curated sake selection and elegant design makes it a standout choice for special occasions.

My influence as a food writer came full circle recently in the most delightful way. An old flatmate, whom I hadn’t seen in a decade, stumbled upon my review of Yamato and was so convinced by my write-up that she booked it for her own belated birthday celebration. What made it even more serendipitous was that we share the same birthday (albeit years apart), and as I scrolled through her social media posts, I couldn’t help but smile – she had ordered nearly every dish I’d recommended. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but seeing my words translate into someone else’s memorable dining experience? That’s the true reward of having your opinion count.

Dishoom, the Bombay-style establishment that’s been drawing crowds since 2017, proves its staying power through consistent excellence. Their breakfast naan (the Wrestler’s naan is a personal favourite) paired with house-made chai has become a city institution. Whether visiting for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or cocktails, they’ve mastered the art of making every guest feel valued.

Eat Out Is Back

Speaking of city-wide dining experiences, the welcome return of Eat Out Edinburgh this March 2025 offers an excellent opportunity to explore our city’s diverse culinary landscape. This month-long food festival, which began in 2022, supports local hospitality businesses while allowing diners to experience special occasion restaurants at attractive prices. From weekend brunches to business lunches and dinner with drinks, it’s a perfect excuse to reconnect with friends, family, and colleagues while supporting Edinburgh’s vibrant hospitality scene.

In an era where every dining out experience counts, it’s heartening to see so many Edinburgh establishments understanding that true hospitality goes beyond what’s on the plate. These venues demonstrate that when exceptional food meets warmth, attention to detail, and genuine customer care, diners don’t just leave satisfied – they start planning their return visit before they’ve even finished their meal.

After all, in a city blessed with such culinary riches, it’s the restaurants that master both the art of food and the art of hospitality that truly stand the test of time. As we all navigate tighter budgets and carefully choose where to spend our dining pounds, these venues prove that investing in the complete dining experience pays dividends in customer loyalty.

https://edinburgh.org/event/eat-out-edinburgh/

Dhoom Indian Streatery & Bar in Dunfermline has once again helped out the local community with a £5,250 donation of community help across seven different organisations.

Chef/Proprietor Prasad Dhaneshwar has made a long term commitment to donating to charity, and aims to give a £750 donation every single month to a different organisation.

Photographs were taken outside Dhoom to mark the latest handovers of cheques to representatives from the seven beneficiaries, which include two local Diabetes Charities, Type 1 Warriors Fife, and the Aidan Sutherland Foundation, a diabetes charity set up in memory of Aidan Sutherland who died aged 20 following complications with Type 1 diabetes.

Other beneficiaries included the Lomond Cricket Club, the only Cricket Club in Fife for girls; Charity Squeeze, which has offices in Fife and Dundee, supporting people suffering from short term financial hardship, and the Revive Well-Being Hub, based within the Vine Church at Garvock Hill, Dunfermline, a safe, welcoming space for people to come and relax with a cup of tea, also providing access to information and services which support mental health and well-being.

Two other groups to benefit are LADAMA, the Lochgelly & District Amateur Musical Association, and the Food Shack Fife, which supports those struggling with the cost of living.

“It’s once again our absolute pleasure to gather representatives together from all of these latest charities and community groups, and present them with some very special cheques to help them in their aims,” said Prasad.

“Giving back to the community is what we’re all about here at Dhoom. It’s so important to us to recognise and reward the people who are involved day to day running these charitable and community groups – they do such a great job. We know that the money will be put to extremely good use. We will continue to do this as we have a routine and method in place to raise these amounts,” added Prasad.

It’s little wonder that Prasad has been nominated for a Community Champion award in the forthcoming Courier Food & Drink awards.

“I’m very humbled by the award nomination,” he said, “but we don’t do this to win awards. It is something that we very much enjoy doing. Giving back and being thankful is extremely important to our culture. We will continue to look for worthy groups and organisations that need our help.”

Dhoom will have more reason to celebrate this week as it prepares to launch a new street food menu based on the street food from the Punjab region of India.

www.dhoomuk.co.uk

In March, we lose our parade of planets but gain the Spring equinox, a total Lunar eclipse and a partial Solar eclipse.

The Sun leaves Aquarius (The Water Bearer) on 11 March at 11:43 pm and enters
Pisces (The Fishes) and recedes from Earth by 1,254,810 km over the month.
Daylight lengthens from 10:44 (10.728 hours) on 1 March to 13:04 (13.063 hours)
on 31 March so we lose 2 hours and 20 minutes of night time by the end of
March. The Vernal Equinox occurs on 20 March at 9:01 am in Pisces (The Fishes).
On that day, the Sun will rise directly in the east and set directly in the
west and day and night will be equal for everyone on Earth. So begins the
season of astronomical spring (in the northern hemisphere) which will last for
92 days, 17 hours and 40 minutes.

Edinburgh and Lothian will experience a partial Solar eclipse on 29 March
lasting 1 hour and 58 minutes. The eclipse magnitude will be 0.51 which is the
fraction of the Sun’s diameter covered by the Moon. The eclipse begins at 10:08
am, peaks at 11:07 am and ends at 12:05 pm. Always remember, though, to wear
suitable eye protection when viewing any type of solar activity.

Lunar perigee (closest to Earth) occurs on 1 March at 9:15 pm and finds the
Moon some 361,980 km away from Earth—around 22,420 km closer than
average—subtending an angle of 33.0 arc-minutes. The first quarter Moon shows
up on 6 March at 4:32 pm in Taurus (The Bull). The full Worm Moon makes an
appearance on 14 March at 6:55 am in Leo (The Lion). Lunar apogee (furthest
from Earth) that occurs on 17 March at 4:29 pm and takes the Moon to 405,729 km
away from Earth—around 21,329 km further than average—subtending an angle
of 29.4 arc-minutes. The Moon enters last quarter on 22 March at 11:29 am in
Sagittarius (The Archer). The new Moon appears on 29 March at 10:58 am in
Pisces (The Fishes) beginning a new synodic month which will last 29 days, 8
hours and 33 minutes. The Moon isn’t done, however, as it undergoes a second
Lunar perigee (closest to Earth) on 30 March at 5:20 am which finds the Moon
some 358,135 km away from Earth—around 26,265 km closer than
average—subtending an angle of 33.4 arc-minutes. This means that the new Moon
will be at ‘perigee syzygy’ which, technically, makes it a ‘New Supermoon’.

Since the Worm Moon is close to apogee, this qualifies it as a ‘Full Micromoon’
and so the Lunar disk will appear smaller. Within minutes of the Full Moon,
however, a total Lunar eclipse tales place but the Moon is setting so it may
look bigger because of atmospheric distortion! The penumbral eclipse over
Edinburgh and Lothian begins at 3:57 am on 14 March, and reaches totality at
6:26 am. However, since the Moon is setting you will see just 10 minutes of
totality of the 2 hours and 40 minutes eclipse duration.

If you are unsure of constellations, be sure to check out Regulus, the
brightest star in Leo (The Lion) which will be 2.2 degrees south of the
almost full Moon on 12 March. Also Spica, the brightest star in Virgo (The
Maiden), will be 0.3 degrees north of the the waning gibbous Moon on 16 March.

For the inferior planets: Mercury reaches perihelion (closest to the Sun) on 4
March in Pisces (The Fishes) where it lurks all month long. The ‘Swift Planet’
passes through greatest eastern elongation on 8 March and will visible low in
the west after sunset. It turns from prograde to retrograde, in orbit, on 15
March and is lost in the Sun’s glare at inferior conjunction on 24 March. It
comes closest to Earth on 28 March but, contrarily, loses brightness over the
month diminishing from -1.1 to +2.8 magnitudes. This is because of the amount of
sunlight reflected off the surface.

Venus reverses orbit to retrograde (as seen from Earth) on 2 March. She
approaches the Earth—coming closest on 22 March—but does diminish in
brightness after last month’s greatest brilliancy losing 0.5 magnitudes over
the month. Venus will still be a spectacular as the ‘Evening Star’ after
sunset. Although she, too, remains in Pisces (The Fishes) she does cross over
into Pegasus (The Winged Horse) when it reaches inferior conjunction on 23
March and is also lost in the Sun’s glare. Venus returns to Pisces (The Fishes)
to close out the month.

For the superior planets: Mars remains in Gemini (The Twins) all month but
recedes by 41,401,934 km so decreases in brightness from -0.28 to +0.44
magnitudes. The ‘Red Planet’ will be 1.7 degrees south of the waxing gibbous
Moon on 9 March and 3.9 degrees south of Pollux on 29 March. Jupiter remains in
Taurus (The Bull) all month and recedes from Earth by 72,751,969 km so decreases
in brightness from -2.3 to -2.1 magnitudes. The ‘Giant Planet’ also reaches
eastern quadrature, where the Earth-Sun-Jupiter angle in 90 degrees, on 2 March.

Saturn remains in Aquarius (The Water Bearer) all month and is furthest away
from Earth on 12 March when it reaches conjunction (with the Sun) and is
lost to us. Over the whole month, it ends up closer to Earth by 48,722,268 km.
Given the great distance, barely changes from +1.1 magnitudes. Saturn’s famous
rings start to disappear in March and this will last through November. They
don’t physically disappear, of course, but appear ‘edge on’ from Earth. Uranus
begins the month in Taurus (The Bull) and recedes by 66,358,911 km. Even so,
this barely affects the brightness of an average of +5.8 magnitudes. Neptune
remains in Pisces (The Fishes) all month and recedes by 57,449,979 km and
remains steady at +7.8 magnitudes. The ‘Blue Giant’ will be reach conjunction
on 19 March and be furthest from Earth the next day.

There are no comets or meteor showers of note this month visible from Edinburgh
and Lothian. Interested readers will also know that asteroid 2024 YR4 has been
downgraded to ‘not a threat’ and will not hit Earth in 2032.

A nova (from the Latin for ‘new’) is a type of transient astronomical event
whereby progenitor white dwarfs expand their hot outer layers and luminosity
increases. Typically, this occurs once but there are a few recurrent novae and
‘T Coronae Borealis’ (T CrB), better known as the ‘Blaze Star’, is one
such object which erupts every 80 years. It last erupted in 1946, 78 years
ago, but it usually dims for just over a year before the nova occurs. For the
Blaze Star, this dimming started back in March 2023 so astronomers are
anticipating a rapid increase in brightness. However, predicting the exact time
is difficult so we wait with baited breath. The Blaze Star is actually a
binary system located 2,500 light years away in the constellation Corona
Borealis (The Northern Crown), which is visible on our skymap in the east. The
principal star, Alphecca, which shines around 2.2 magnitudes is visible with
the naked-eye. T CrB will be expected to brighten to about 2 magnitudes
(similar to Polaris) and last a few days with the naked-eye and a week with
binoculars.

At the time of our sky map, some constellations visible are Ursa Major (The
Greater Bear) at zenith, Cepheus (The King) in the north, Bootes (The
Herdsman) in the east, Auriga (The Charioteer) in the west, and Hydra (The
Female Water Snake) in the south. The ecliptic hosts Virgo (The Maiden), Leo
(The Lion), Cancer (the Crab), Gemini (The Twins), Taurus (The Bull) and Aries
(The Ram).

For half the night, we can also see 2 large pseudo-constellations: the
‘Winter Triangle’ comprises the bright stars Procyon in Canis Minor (The Lesser
Dog), Sirius in Canis Major (The Greater Dog) and Betelgeuse in Orion (The
Hunter). The ‘Winter Hexagon’ encompasses 6 other constellations and comprises:
Procyon, Sirius, Rigel in Orion (The Hunter), Aldebaran in Taurus (The Bull),
Capella in Auriga (The Charioteer) and Pollux in Gemini (The Twins).
Circumpolar constellations—always above the horizon at the latitude of
Edinburgh and Lothian—include Draco (The Dragon), Perseus (The Hero),
Cassiopeia (The Seated Queen) and Camelopardalis (The Giraffe).

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On Saturday an exhibition of the work of Zimbabwean artist, Portia Zvavahera, opens at Fruitmarket – the first opportunity for Scottish audiences to view her work.

Ms Zvavahera’s paintings combine printmaking, batik and painting techniques to weave new worlds from her dreams.

Born in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1985, Portia Zvavahera is emerging as one of the outstanding artists of her generation. She has developed a painting practice that combines a unique combination of techniques to construct a visually beguiling personal cosmology featuring figures, creatures, shapes and shadows. Working in a studio in her home in Harare, she weaves together dreams, fantasy and stories of herself and her family into densely patterned, intensely coloured, mesmerising paintings.

The exhibition title Zvakazarurwa, means ‘revelations’ in Shona and includes both new and recent paintings that together reveal the depth and richness of Zhavahera’s practice. The focus is on the theme of dreams, fantasy and figuration, and especially Zvavahera’s innovative amalgamation of printmaking and painting techniques to register her personal visions of creatures and contexts. She creates monumental mindscapes that form ambitious decorative schema of imagined worlds and patterned palimpsests.

The exhibition draws on her earlier engagement with eros, intimacy and female experience, in a few key works from 2012. But the bulk of the exhibition focuses on the period from 2020 to the present when the work becomes flatter, more richly patterned and oneiric. New works have been created especially for the exhibition, and these are shown to build on recent works with shared characteristics: they emerge from dreams; they are figurative, registering a world of feminine experience and fantasy; they combine paint and print,
drawing and painting; they use repetition and pattern; they involve massed central forms over extended colour fields.

Fruitmarket Director, Fiona Bradley said: “We are immensely fortunate to be able to bring this materially extraordinary, conceptually rich work to Scotland. The paintings have an immediate, visceral appeal that stays with you
over time, unfurling in your mind’s eye as you take the artist’s singular vision with you out of the gallery and into the world.”

• Portia Zvavahera Zvakazarurwa
• 01.03.25–25.05.25.
• Free. Open daily 11am–6pm.
• Fruitmarket, 45 Market Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1DF
• www.fruitmarket.co.uk

Gordon MacDonald who has represented Edinburgh Pentlands since 2011 has announced he is stepping down at the next Scottish Parliamentary election.

He has issued a letter to constituents saying that it has been an honour and a privilege to represent the constituency for the last fourteen years.

He explains that the Boundary Commission has decided to retire the name of the constituency in May 2026 and as it coincides with his own retirement age he has decided it is the right time to step down.

Gordon said: “I have worked tirelessly for 50 years to achieve independence and will continue to campaign for Scotland to join the family of nations. The members of my local branch have been informed of my decision.”

Views are being sought on a new power which The Scottish Government is proposing for councils enabling them to charge a visitor tax on cruise ships visiting their local areas.

There is clearly a long way to go before any of this becomes law, and the government has opened a consultation running for the next three months, and the council is considering a report on proposals next week. This will not have the same capacity to raise funds as the visitor levy, but depending on where the charge falls (Amsterdam which is actively trying to reduce the number of cruise ships charges around €14 per passenger per night) revenue of between £1 million and £3 million could be raised.

There are no guidelines about how the funding would be spent as yet, since the legislation must pass through Holyrood first of all, but council officers point out that funds are “typically used for city infrastructure maintenance, environmental sustainability projects and local transport improvements”.

Edinburgh has several ports within reach of the capital apart from Leith, including South Queensferry, Rosyth, Newhaven and Eyemouth, and is leading on the “commissioning and development of a Strategic Regional Cruise Management Plan (the Plan) as part of the Visitor Economy strand of the Regional Prosperity Framework”. In other words all the neighbouring areas around Edinburgh will have a say in how any levy might work in the whole area rather than just one local authority area.

Council Leader, Jane Meagher said: “Large cruise ships in particular have an environmental impact and can be the cause of changes in the ecosystem in the Firth of Forth, and affect things like flood mitigation schemes for example which has consequences for the city itself.”

There is a clear difference between ships which can dock alongside an electricity supply and those which have to idle their engines out in the Forth.

Although figures are yet to be confirmed, CruiseForth calculated that there were 142 cruise calls in 2024 to South Queensferry, Rosyth, Newhaven, and Leith combined, with approximately 280,000 passengers. This included 27 calls at Leith, 52 at Newhaven, 27 at Rosyth and 36 at South Queensferry. Not only have there been more ships since 2019 which had 80 cruise calls, but the ships were also carrying more passengers.

Edinburgh Council recognises that it is important to balance the revenue already raised from operational charges from the cruise ships with any adverse effect of a levy. In the cruise season last year the council raised operational charges of £239,000 from the 37 ships calling into South Queensferry. But passenger tariff fees of £7 per person were collected from 111,000 visitors travelling through Hawes Pier raising around £790,000.

The report being considered at the Policy and Sustainability Committee next week may be read here.

The government consultation is here.

Government consultation

The Scottish Government is seeking views on the practicalities of such a levy, as well as the potential market implications and effect on local economies and communities.

Analysis shows there were around 1,000 cruise ship visits to Scottish ports in 2024, bringing 1.2 million passengers – an increase of almost 400,000 per year compared with 2019.

Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: “The tourism sector is a crucially important part of the Scottish economy and cruise visits are increasing. The consultation will help to inform the Scottish Government’s decision over whether or not to bring forward legislation and it is really important that we hear from a wide variety of voices on this matter.

“Last year, we held events to hear the views of the cruise ship industry, local government, and others. We want to continue the helpful dialogue which started at those events, and explore further what a cruise ship levy could mean in a Scottish context.”

Scottish Green MSP Ariane Burgess, the party’s local government spokesperson said the introduction of a cruise ship levy will be a crucial step for our environment and for local councils.

Ms Burgess was responding to the launch of a Scottish Government consultation on the introduction of a levy, which was secured by the Scottish Greens in 2023 and announced at their party conference by co-leader Lorna Slater.

Ms Burgess said: “A levy on polluting cruise ships is an important step for our climate and for local government. It will make a big difference for port communities across Scotland, from Ullapool to Greenock, Kirkwall to Edinburgh, Stornoway to Rosyth.

“Cruise ships are one of the dirtiest and most polluting forms of travel, and it is right that we tax them.

“The tourism that these ships bring can have a lot of benefits, but we also know that it can put a lot of pressure on the local environment, infrastructure and services.

“By allowing local authorities to apply a levy they can ensure that local people are not left picking up the bill and that they see a direct benefit from visiting ships.

“We need to ensure that councils have the powers they need to raise funds and deliver change in their communities. 

“That is why the Scottish Greens worked to secure a funding increase for local authorities as part of this year’s Budget and why we delivered powers for them to double council tax for second and holiday homes.”

Civil Service Strollers play one of their biggest games of the season on Saturday 1 March when they travel to face second placed East of Scotland Premier outfit Hill of Beath Hawthorn (2.30).

The competition is the South of Scotland Challenge Cup and it is a quarter final tie.

Originally there were over 70 teams in the draw and Strollers have battled through seeing off the likes of Irvine Meadow and Shotts Bon Accord from the West of Scotland league.

 Should Strollers progress to the semi-final an away match awaits against the winner o Auchinleck Talbot v Kirkintilloch Rob Roy – again familiar names to many.

Currently Strollers lie tenth in the Lowland League after a series of mixed results; plusses include solid wins against Broxburn, Tranent and a Hearts X1 while draws occurred against Linlithgow Rose and a Celtic X1.
The Christie Gillies Park based team had some success earlier this season in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup but frustratingly went out on penalties to Linlithgow Rose in the fifth round.

Largely a young side, Strollers do, however, boast some considerable experience notably captain/assistant manager Marc Laird who during a spell down sound was on the bench for Millwall in a League One play off final victory over Bradford City at Wembley Stadium in front of 53,000 fans.

Other notables include goalkeeper Freddie Owens, 19, who has just been  named in the Official Catchup Team of The month for February is on loan from Hibernian while 19-year-old centre back Bayley Klimionek is on loan from St Johnstone.

Strollers next home game is against East Stirlingshire on Saturday, 8 March (3pm).

Cammy Devlin is a doubt for Hearts ahead of Sunday’s televised Derby with arch rivals Hibs as the Aussie midfielder is still going through concussion protocol after his head injury in the Scottish Gas, Scottish Cup win over St Mirren at Paisley.

It’s a position which is frustrating for the player and the club, but head coach, Neil Critchley (pictured), said he would not take any chances with the combative player.

Several other players are suffering from bumps and bruises following the midweek win over St Mirren in the William Hill Premiership, but the coach hopes they will make trip across the Capital.

There is, he said, a different feel to the game compared to the previous meeting at Easter Road in late October. Then the teams propped up the 12-strong table.

The Jambos are in form and have suffered only one defeat – that was to Rangers at Tynecastle – in 12 fixtures. They are also unbeaten in seven games away from Tynecastle.

The Englishman conceded that Hibs are also in form. They are unbeaten in 14 starts, winning ten.

Critchley warned: “There is a new energy and enthusiasm from the players.”

The coach believes that the clash “has the makings of a really good game” and his target is three points and that would secure a haul of nine points since last Sunday.

On the flip side, sixth-placed Hearts can’t afford to slip up. They have 36 points while Dundee United are fifth with 40 points, the same points as fourth-placed Hibs.

Hearts have so far scored 40 goals and let in 38 while their city rivals have scored 42 goals and conceded 39. Both have played 28 games.

Police officers will use stop and search powers in the vicinity of Easter Road and the city centre ahead of, during and after Sunday’s Edinburgh derby.

In recent months police officers have responded to several incidents of football-related disorder and violence in Edinburgh.

As a result, Chief Superintendent David Robertson has authorised the use of powers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

This allows officers to stop and search people where this is appropriate and necessary, either in vehicles or on foot.

This power allows officers to require the removal of any item the officer believes is being used wholly or partly for the purposes of concealing their identity.

The Section 60 stop and search power remains in force in various areas including the city centre and Leith from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday, 2 March,2025.

It will be used responsibly and when justified to help prevent disorder and serious violence.

Chief Superintendent David Robertson said: “Over the past few months, we have responded to several incidents of disorder and violence linked to football events in Edinburgh.

“Attacks on police officers, possession of offensive weapons or dangerous instruments, and attempts to evade justice by concealing their identity will not be tolerated. Our officers will take all necessary action to ensure public safety.

“This type of behaviour impacts the local community and the vast majority of football fans who simply want to enjoy these events safely.”

Toilets at Edinburgh Leisure and council-owned venues including the Edinburgh International Conference Centre could be opened to the public in a bid to tackle a lack of public facilities in the city.

Green councillor Dan Heap put forward a motion to open toilets at Edinburgh Leisure facilities, the Edinburgh International Conference Centre and other council-owned companies to the public.

Heap, who represents the Sighthill/Gorgie ward, said: “There are areas of the city where we don’t have any public toilets.

“This came through my own experience with Gorgie. We don’t have any public toilets, so you have to go to Saughton Park or Princes Street.

“But in the area, we do have Gorgie Farm, we have an Edinburgh Leisure pool, where people could use those – but Edinburgh Leisure’s policy is that you can’t use their toilets if you’re not a member.

“We’re trying to make sure that any council building that’s appropriate with public toilets has a default right of access.”

At present, toilets at Edinburgh libraries are open to the public, but those at other council properties are usually restricted.

The motion said that despite efforts by the council in recent times, the under-provision of public toilets in some areas of the city is an issue.

Things have recently come to a head in Portobello, where councillors have refused to approve funding for temporary or new permanent toilets ahead of the summer.

The lack of toilet facilities has disgusted locals and causes local businesses to face up against hundreds of drunken revellers looking to relieve themselves on many summer nights.

Only two sets of public toilets exist near the beach, one on Pipe Lane and one on Bath Street about a quarter mile from the foreshore.

The motion also said that research should be done on how to better advertise public toilets in the council, such as through an online map.

At present, the council publishes a list of public toilets and their opening times, as well as a map showing the locations of Changing Places toilets in the city.

But it said that toilets in some council buildings, such as schools, should remain closed to the public for safeguarding reasons.

By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter

An Edinburgh councillor has spoken out after a call to tackle quad bikes in parks and on green spaces was delayed.

Conservative councillor for Morningside Marie-Clair Munro raised an emergency motion to address the “environmental damage, noise pollution and safety risk” from the issue.

But the convener of the relevant committee declined to permit its discussion, instead pushing it back to next month.

Councillor Munro said: “I know many residents share my frustration – this is a serious issue impacting our communities, and it deserves urgent discussion and action.

“Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away. I will continue pushing for real solutions to keep our streets and green spaces safe.”

“It is deeply frustrating that this issue was not deemed urgent by the Convenor, especially given that their party’s representative in the Scottish Parliament, Daniel Johnson MSP, has already raised it at Holyrood.

“If it warrants discussion at a national level, surely it should also be addressed at the local government level, where we have the power to take direct action.”

Within the past month, several instances of young people on quad bikes damaging green spaces and frightening residents have been reported.

At 7.30am on Thursday last week, local residents reported youths on quad bikes tearing up the Meadows and driving at local residents.

And, youth football club Hutchison Vale in Saughton was forced to cancel several matches due to quad bikers making the pitch unplayable.

The motion would have called on a combined effort between Police Scotland, the council and local groups to tackle the issue.

It also would have noted a need to explore legislative changes, improved reporting measures and ‘enhanced penalties’ for offenders.

At the committee meeting, Cllr Munro raised the issue with representatives of Police Scotland who were in attendance to present an annual report, suggesting that drones could be used to track and identify people using quad bikes in public spaces.

The representatives said the police service was considering new measures to tackle the problem.

“This is a step in the right direction, but we need real enforcement to protect our public spaces and ensure those responsible are held to account.

“The lack of sufficient police presence in Edinburgh is only making matters worse, allowing this kind of behaviour to go unchecked.”

By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter

Hibs youngster Rowena Armitage has received a fresh call-up to Michale Tuohy’s Scotland Women’s Under-17 squad. 

Currently on loan at fellow SWPL side Montrose, Armitage has not long returned from international duty after performing at the MIMA Cup last month. 

The 16-year-old goalkeeper started all three games in Pinatar, Spain, and kept a clean sheet as Scotland defeated Czechia in their final fixture.

She will now travel to France in early March as the youngsters play three Round 2 qualification fixtures in a bid to qualify for the 2025 Uefa Women’s Under-17 Championship.

The teenager was previously included in the squad that won Group A4 in October 2024 during Round 1. 

Head coach Tuohy has named a squad of 20 players to make the journey to mainland Europe, where Armitage and her teammates will play three matches across six days.

Stade Henri Luquet will host qualifiers versus Slovakia and Wales, before qualification group hosts France will be faced at Stade Jacques Rimnault. 

Group Stage Fixture Details:

Wednesday 5 March – Scotland v Slovakia, 15:30 kick-off (UK time)

Saturday 8 March – Scotland v Wales, 15:30 kick-off (UK time)

Tuesday 11 March – France v Scotland, 15:00 kick-off (UK time)

The largest homes in West Lothian will see their Council Tax rise by just over £300 a year from April as the new 8.95% increase comes in. 

It’s still less than the 9.8% which the county’s Conservative Association said was being considered pre-budget. 

Councils such as East Lothian has gone for a 10% hike, and those authorities yet to make up their mind, such as neighbouring Falkirk, could be emboldened by big figures following Clamannanshire’s  decision to opt for a 13% rise. 

At Tuesday’s budget meeting in Livingston, Labour councillors criticised the SNP’s refusal to reform Council Tax since it first promised in 2007 and called on Ministers to make good the latest promises of change from the Government. 

Linlithgow veteran councillor Tom Conn told the meeting: “Ivan McKee, the public finance minister recently admitted that the Council Tax could have been changed before, which is a terrible admission from a member of a government elected in 2007 to scrap the Council Tax.”     

He added that the last   freeze imposed after the SNP loss at the Rutherglen by -election cost West Lothian £1m. 

In a pre-budget statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service West Lothian Tories said: “The West Lothian Conservative Councillors have supported the budget and welcome the £40million that is being spent on school property projects, the £2.8million in homeless and over £6million invested in roads, footways, street lighting, bridges and structures and flood prevention. 

“However, we would not have supported this without the council tax being lower than an initially proposed 9.8%.” 

SNP councillors had themselves accepted that Council Tax would have to rise beyond the initially expected 5.8% and proposed a 7.5% rise. 

The party’s Budget amendment  called on the council to agree “a Council Tax increase for 2025/26 of 7.5%; and a recommendation for an increase of 5% in both 2026/27 and 2027/28, as a means to protect West Lothian residents, as much as we are able, from the worst damage to our constituent’s standard of living caused entirely by Westminster created austerity, including the continued damaging effects of Brexit.” 

The 8.95% increase is the largest faced by households in years, largely because of ten successive Council Tax freezes imposed by the Scottish Government. An increase of 8.95% from 2024/25 levels, generates £9.2 million of income – based on a 98% collection rate. 

The estimated total income raised from 2025/26 council tax billing is £113.548 million, including £804,000 from new house building.  Other council tax income of £1.668 million is based on the recovery of prior year council tax, with further income of £13,000 from the saving measure to maximise collection. 

It will add £305 a year to the largest, Band H homes, but there are only 202 of those in the county. 

At the lowest end, Band A, there are a fifth of the county’s homes – 16,2824. They will see the annual Council Tax rise from £927.31 to £1,010.30. 

Most homes are in Band B, with 24,550, or 29.5% of the total. The annual bill in this bracket rises from £1,081.86 to £1,178.68. 

Nationally, Band D is used as the average. As reported earlier this week by the LDRS this will rise from £1,390.96 a year to £1,515.45. Band D homes make up just over 11% of the housing stock, with 9,384 dwellings. 

The monthly increase in Band D is £10.37. At Band H the monthly increase in £25.42. 

The budget report told councillors: “There are 14,937 households in receipt of a council tax reduction through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) of which 12,019 are in receipt of a 100% reduction with the remainder receiving a tapered amount based on excess income above the council tax reduction threshold.  

“The highest proportion of households receiving CTRS are in bands A and B where 78.8% of households receive CTRS.” 

The full list of  annual Council Tax Band increases at 8.95% rise:- 

A £927.31  to £1,010.30. 

B £1,081.86 to £1,178.68. 

C £1,236.41  to £1,347.07. 

D £1,390.96 to £1,515.45. 

E £1,827.57  to £1,991.13. 

F £2,260.31  to 2,462.61. 

G £2,723.96 to  £2,967.76 

H £3,407.85  to £3,712.85. 

 Total: 83,243 of homes 

By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter 

Police Scotland has issued an update on last night’s serious assault in the Stenhouse area.

Officers say that an investigation is now under way after two people were seriously assaulted in Saughton Mains Street, Edinburgh.

Police were initially called to the Stenhouse Drive area around 5.30pm on Thursday, 27 February, 2025 but enquiries have established the incident occurred in Saughton Mains Street.

Officers now believe those involved were known to one another.

The 38-year-old woman and 35-year-old man were taken to hospital. The man remains in hospital and the woman has been discharged.

A spokesperson said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances. Anyone with information is asked to call us on 101, quoting incident 2761 of 27 February, 2025.”

Animal charity, Dogs Trust, have proposed Annie, a two-year-old Crossbreed, as their dog of the week.

This is a very sweet-natured dog, but she can be unsure of new people until she gets to know them. However once the bond has been made, she becomes an affectionate best pal.

Annie loves attention from her human friends and enjoys a fuss and a snuggle. She loves to play with toys, so playtime is the best fun.   

The young dog can be worried at times, so is looking for experienced and understanding owners who will give her the time and support to help build her confidence. She is uncomfortable around other dogs so prefers to be walked in quiet areas away from other dogs and must be the only pet in her forever home.

A secure garden where she can enjoy off lead playtime is a must as playing is her favourite pastime.  She could live in a home with children aged 16 and over, so if you are looking for a playful, loving and loyal canine companion, Annie could be the one for you.   

Apply to the Dogs Trust for more information.

www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/dogs/crossbreed/3475364 

HebCelt has announced that Lulu will headline the Hebridean Festival this summer in Stornoway. The Scottish legend will appear alongside Tide Lines, Skerryvore, Nina Nesbitt, Eddi Reader, Trail West, Kassidy, Beluga Lagoon and NATI.

After sixty years in the business the wee lassie from Dennistoun, whose debut hit Shout is still a main part of her act, will rev up music fans attending the festival from 16-19 July.

Best known for her ten Top 10 singles including the chart-topping Relight My Fire with Take That, Eurovision-winning Boom Bang-A-Bang, James Bond theme The Man With The Golden Gun, and her iconic debut hit Shout – Lulu will take the main stage on Friday, July 18.

The Scots legend, who wowed crowds at Glastonbury last year and announced that this will be her final year of touring, shared her excitement at coming to HebCelt.  She told fans: “I’m looking forward to visiting the Outer Hebrides and performing at HebCelt in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis – see you in July.”

Joining Lulu are festival favourites and Celtic rock superstars Skerryvore, who will celebrate their 20th anniversary as one of Scotland’s best loved exports by taking the crowd’s hand with a full-band performance on Saturday, July 19. 

Known for electrifying audiences worldwide, Skerryvore promises to deliver a high-energy set filled with fan anthems and special guests. Accordionist and founding member Daniel Gillespie said: “This is a special year for the band as we celebrate 20 years of Skerryvore. 

“To headline the Saturday night at HebCelt means the world to us as we remember playing McNeils Bar all those years ago and dreaming of playing the main stage of the festival. We can’t wait to see everyone on the island in July and have a very special show planned to celebrate 20 years.” 

HebCelt’s Artist Programmer and Director Michelle Shields highlighted the diversity and richness of this year’s line-up, saying: “This year’s festival truly celebrates music across generations, from trailblazers like Lulu and Eddi Reader to the next generation of stars including NATI., Josie Duncan, and Lauren Collier.

“Our Celtic roots are proudly represented with Skerryvore marking their 20th year and consistently one of our most requested acts by fans, Highland heroes Tide Lines, and festival favourites like Trail West, Cala, and The Tumbling Souls. We’re also thrilled to spotlight talents like LUSA and Elias Alexander, alongside live sensations Beluga Lagoon, Tom McGuire & the Brassholes and Kassidy.

“There’s truly something for everyone at HebCelt, including cult Gaelic star Donnie Dòtaman who lit up so many childhood’s, and the talented young musicians from Fèis who once again are opening the Island Stage on Saturday afternoon.” 

She added: “This year’s festival also has the strongest line-up of female performers any of us can remember, from our headliners Lulu, Nina and Eddi to the likes of Madison Violet who have just announced this will be one of their last shows, plus new and exciting talent such as Laura Silverstone, Iona Mairead, Ciorstaidh Beaton and Isla Scott. 

“We simply can’t wait to welcome music lovers of all tastes to what promises to be one of the most eclectic, vibrant, and memorable festivals yet.”

This year’s festival will also feature a special celebration of An Lanntair, the renowned arts centre in Stornoway, as it marks 40 years as a cultural beacon for the islands. Details to be revealed next month will include unique one-off performances and collaborations, live band ceilidhs, and return of the beloved late-night festival club.

Since 1996, HebCelt has been a cornerstone of Scotland’s cultural calendar, attracting music lovers from around the globe to the stunning setting of the Outer Hebrides. It is on course to have helped generate more than £40m for the local economy by the time it marks its 30th anniversary edition in 2027. 

Creative Scotland highlighted its importance by endorsing the festival earlier this month and securing its long term planning with a three year funding package. Sponsorship opportunities for businesses to partner the festival, including three year deals, are now available. 

This year’s festival will take place from July 16 –19 in and around Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, combining world-class performances with the rich cultural heritage of the islands, and one of the most anticipated events of the UK’s festival season. 

The multi-award winning Hebridean Celtic Festival, affectionately known by fans as HebCelt, has been a key feature in the cultural landscape of the Outer Hebrides since 1996. This internationally renowned event has a unique setting in the Scottish Hebridean island of Lewis, the heartland of the Gaelic language and culture. Its welcoming and friendly atmosphere reflects the ethos of the dedicated team of volunteers who have created a festival with global appeal and a strong community identity. Among big names to have played previously and enjoyed the famous ‘HebCelt Bounce’ are Runrig, Van Morrison, Texas, Deacon Blue, The Proclaimers, Del Amitri and James. Last year around 17,800 people attended the event generating around £4.1m to the local economy and it is expected to have generated more than £40m in economic benefits locally by its 30th anniversary in 2027. 

https://www.hebceltfest.com

Hibs could take 7,000 fans to Parkhead for their Scottish Cup Quarter-Final fixture against Celtic next week.

The club received an initial allocation of 2,667 tickets which were sold out within five days of going on sale. 

During the sales period, Hibs remained in continued dialogue with Celtic and after long discussions, and being referred to the SFA Handbook, which states “the Away Club shall be responsible for payment to the Home Club for all tickets delivered to the Away Club for sale to supporters of the Away Club” the extra tickets were provided.

A club spokesperson said: “We continued to push for the larger allocation, knowing the financial risk to Hibernian FC, and accepted circa 7,000 away tickets understanding the demand from our supporters.

“It goes without saying that our supporters have played a vital part in our fantastic run of form, and we want to see as many Hibees as possible supporting the team at Celtic Park!

“We will confirm the sale date/time in due course – this is dependant on when we receive the tickets from Celtic. As soon as we we receive these tickets, they will be available to purchase on General Sale.

“Please note that the ticket information (i.e. pricing, requirements etc) will remain the same as previously advertised and that supporters who have already purchased tickets will not be able to move their seats once new ones become available. We also cannot refund any tickets that have already been purchased.

“Once again, thanks for your magnificent support and we’re delighted to have increased our allocation for this vital match.”

A decision on whether to launch a consultation for a city-wide fireworks ban in Edinburgh has been pushed back by a month.

Green councillor Dan Heap, who requested the delay, said he hoped it would give councillors time to get clarity on whether Scottish ministers would allow the introduction of a fireworks control zone covering  the whole of Edinburgh.

The legislation enabling fireworks control zones does not prohibit citywide ones, but Scottish ministers have previously said they could push back against one being established.

Liberal Democrat councillor Hal Osler said: “I think we have to be very careful about language here. This is not a ban, this is a temporary suspension.

“We have some very different levels of problems that we’re trying to meld together and to solve.

“There are some very serious issues to do with antisocial behaviour and environmental factors, and other aspects as well.

“We cannot use one piece of legislation to try and resolve everything that is problematic in our city in a 10 day period – it is not possible to do that.”

Fireworks control zones restrict the use of fireworks at certain places and during certain times.

They can be introduced by any local authority, but Scottish ministers have the power to amend their timing or scope, or eliminate them altogether.

The introduction of four fireworks control zones last year was hampered by another delay, which cut down the time available for consultations to be planned and carried out.

Currently, the council is considering an eight week consultation on a citywide fireworks control zone, as well as consideration of smaller control zones in Niddrie, Broomhouse/Sighthill and Gracemount/Moredun.

Last year’s schemes are thought to have been successful, with a council report estimating that the amount of fireworks set off on Calton Hill was believed to be 80%-90% less than in the year prior.

There was also a decrease in the number of F4 fireworks, which are professional grade and which need specialised training to handle, used.

The report said it was hard to discern the effectiveness of the scheme in Niddrie, due to the ‘significant antisocial disorder’ which took place there in 2024.

By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter

A  venerable Edinburgh golf club has been saved – six months after it was acknowledged to be in a “survival battle.”

Members and friends of the Lochend club, who play on the council owned Craigentinny course, have raised the best part of £40,000 for urgent repairs to the clubhouse roof which threatened its existence.

Captain Stuart Mathie, who still has 12 months of his four year term to serve, is a relieved man, saying:

“At last I can sleep at night again!

“Also, I can cross the threshold of the club without somebody pouncing to sell me a raffle ticket or football bingo card!

“Seriously, it has been a magnificent effort all round and we have raised enough to do both parts of planned repairs above the function room and locker room without having to go back to members.”

It was last September that The Edinburgh Reporter revealed what Mathie described then as dark days – especially with winter approaching.

However, a £100 levy on the 230 strong membership broke the back of the fund-raising  effort and a grant from their brewery suppliers also was of major assistance.

But the golf community inside and outside of the Lochend club certainly rallied particularly local member Stuart Turner.

Mathie says: “Stuart is MD of Kilgour Wealth Management who have a corporate season ticket for four people at Manchester United.

“In a silent auction that ticket, which included hospitality, raised a four figure sum while former Duddingston GC professional Alastair McLean put up a round on the Gullane No 1 course for three people plus himself to offer coaching on the way round. That was another big earner.

“But a well wisher who donated a box of two dozen golf balls for a raffle prize was typical of the goodwill we also experienced.”

Now the club are planning a major celebratory function before the golf season begins in earnest on April 1 at a course with connections to the mid 1700s when golfers played nearby at Leith Links and later migrated across.

Of course having clubhouse facilities are all very well but the playing area needs to be in good condition.

“We are so fortunate to have excellent Edinburgh Leisure green-keeping staff taking a real interest in the golf course” says Mathie, adding “and the Woodland Trust have planted 200 trees to enhance the appearance of the course still further.”

A public appeal for money to help restore some of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s (RGBE) botanical treasures following the “devastation” of Storm Éowyn has topped £100,000.

More than 1,500 people have donated to the appeal set up by RBGE following the worst storm to hit Scotland in over a decade.

The conservation charity lost hundreds of trees across its four sites including Edinburgh, Benmore in Argyll, Logan in Dumfries and Galloway and Dawyck in the Borders when winds up to 90mph hit the country on January 24.

Experts estimate the cost of repairing the “devastating damage” could exceed £1 million.

RGBE’s clear up operation has been boosted by a team of tree experts from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

The four highly skilled arborists spent several days at Benmore and Dawyck helping the resident teams to clear fallen trunks and debris, remove dangerous hanging branches and assess the status of remaining trees.

Benmore Botanic Garden near Dunoon – home to a world-famous collection of plants from regions ranging from the Orient and the Himalaya to North and South America – was the worst hit of the four locations with nearly 800 plants including trees and shrubs recorded as lost or damaged.

Over 300 mature trees were lost across the 120 acre site and a further 142 were damaged. These included a 165 foot giant redwood that helped form “one of the finest entrances to a botanical garden anywhere in the world”. The tree, which was planted in 1863, was snapped in half by the force of the wind.

At Dawyck, near Peebles, more than 50 trees were lost during the storm, forcing the season reopening to be delayed for safety reasons.

Dawyck has now reopened to visitors while Benmore will reopen on March 1.

Some complex restoration work will take years, however, and a long-term challenge will be to make the Gardens more resilient to an evermore frequent number of severe weather events.

David Knott, RBGE’s Curator of the Living Collections, said: “Our sites at Dawyck and Benmore have been considerably impacted.

“Benmore, in particular, suffered unimaginable damage. The clear up won’t be measured in days or months but years and possibly even a decade in places.

“The big push at Dawyck and Benmore now is to get these gardens open as quickly as possible, so we are very grateful for the additional support of the four arborists from Kew.

“We have a history of supporting one another – we offered similar help as far back as 1987 when Kew’s tree collection suffered significant storm damage.”

Mr Knott thanked members of the public who have donated the huge sum to the RBGE’s Storm Damage Appeal.

He added: “These gardens mean so much to so many people for so many different reasons. This has been evident by the response to our public appeal.

“It’s heartening for the teams across all four gardens that there is that level of public support.”

The RBGE and Kew are part of a wide network under the umbrella of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) Tree conservation.

Last year, a major survey concluded that 38% of the world’s tree species are at risk of extinction and 440 species have fewer than 50 individuals remaining.

RBGE’s Edinburgh and Logan gardens also suffered significant losses. In Edinburgh, a 95ft tall Himalayan cedar planted in 1859 was one of more than 15 trees either “uprooted or damaged beyond recovery”, while over 100 panes of glass were lost from glasshouses.

The capital site was able to reopen to the public just days after the storm, while Logan Botanic Gardens, which was supposed to reopen on February 15, will reopen on March 1 instead.