As part of a nationwide initiative, three care homes in Edinburgh are inviting local people to their free dementia advice events.

This January, Care UK’s Cairdean House, Lauder Lodge, and Murrayside are inviting members of the community for three special events as part of The Big Dementia Conversation, a nationwide initiative designed to show people how to better understand common symptoms and live well with the condition.

While general awareness of the condition has improved, data from Care UK shows two thirds of people who have a relative living with dementia (62%) initially put their symptoms down to old age. Many Brits remain unaware of the ways older people can lead meaningful lives with the condition, prompting Care UK to relaunch its Big Dementia Conversation for the second year running.

At Cairdean House, on Friday 24^th January, between 2.30pm and 4.30pm, a ‘Supporting People with Advanced Dementia’ session will be led by the Clinical Unit Manager Jed Egan Veridiano, who will share insights on how the brain changes during the advanced stages of dementia, and how to support a loved one with their changing physical and emotional needs, and behaviours.

On Friday 31^st January, from 11am-1pm, a Dementia Café at Lauder Lodge will be led by Maylita Espallardo, the home’s Unit Manager. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their experiences, meet other people, and take part in fun activities, while getting valuable advice and support and enjoying complimentary freshly baked cakes prepared by the Head Chef.

Also on Friday 31^st January, from 2pm-4pm, a ‘Benefits of Namaste for Dementia’ event will be held at Murrayside, which will be led by Namaste Trainer and Lifestyle Lead, Gemma MacInnes, who will share insights on Namaste techniques and benefits.

In addition to the event, the Edinburgh community can also visit a newly launched online advice hub. The hub includes in-depth conversations with families of people living with dementia, as well as expert advice from Care UK’s dementia specialists to learn how to reduce the risks and symptoms of the condition.

Kat Barnwell, Home Manager at Cairdean House, said: “When an older relative starts acting out of character or forgetting things, it can be a worrying time for family members. When a dementia diagnosis becomes more advance, it can be very distressing, which is why we want to welcome the local community to come along to our session with Jed, so that they can access vital support and information.”

Anees Riaz, Home Manager at Lauder Lodge, added: “Most people cannot confidently differentiate between signs of old age and symptoms of dementia – nor can they picture leading a meaningful life once diagnosed. We want to change this, which is why we’re thrilled to be taking part in the Big Dementia Conversation once again by hosting our own free Dementia Café.”

Suzanne Welsh, Home Manager at Murrayside, added: “We’d like to encourage the local community to join us for our ‘Benefits of Namaste for Dementia’ event, which we know will be so valuable to many. It will be an opportunity to meet other people in similar circumstances, share experiences and gain some valuable insights. Together, we can build a more dementia-friendly Edinburgh.”

For more information on Murrayside, Lauder Lodge and Cairdean House and to book a place at the event, please visit careuk.com/edinburgh

To support people who may be experiencing symptoms of dementia or their loved ones, Care UK has set up a free helpline and advice hub. To find out more, please visit: careuk.com/bigdementiaconversation

Care UK’s Murrayside, Lauder Lodge and Cairdean House have been specially designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The homes offer a range of care types, including full-time residential, dementia and nursing care and short-term respite care, and benefit from a range of luxury facilities, including cinema rooms and hair and beauty salons.

Four bungalows designed specifically for older residents and designated for social rent form a key part of a proposed 16 home extension to a Gullane development.

The purpose-designed homes, utilising zero-carbon technology are the latest to be put forward by Cala Homes (East) and will build on a track record of integrating affordable homes, within its developments in the region.

If approved as part of the Saltcoats Grange extension, it would take the total number of affordable homes delivered by Cala in Gullane to 89, across its four developments.

Derek Lawson, Strategic Land Director at Cala Homes (East), said: “With an aging population and a regional and national housing emergency it’s clear that we need more specialised homes for older people that are in housing need.

“We’re pleased to be able to include them within our designs for a modest extension of Saltcoats Grange.

“It will continue our track record of delivering affordable housing in Gullane weaved into our developments.”

Once built, the new two-bedroom bungalows will be managed by a registered social landlord (RSL) and will feature step-free access, wet-rooms, flexible internal layouts, ensuring older residents can maintain independence while enjoying the security and comfort of a modern and energy efficient home.

Cala is currently building 38 affordable homes at the existing Saltcoats Grange site, which are due to be handed over to Places for People towards the end of this year.

The delivery of these homes forms part of Cala Homes (East)’s wider pipeline of future affordable housing, which includes a pipeline to provide 158 affordable homes across Edinburgh, Fife, and the Lothians this year.

Derek added: “Against a backdrop of funding challenges for affordable homes, Cala’s approach is rooted in collaboration, with local authorities and housing associations.

“The homes we builds are designed to be “tenure blind” meaning that they blend seamlessly with their wider developments.”

Mercury Prize nominees Fergus McCreadie and corto.alto join a stellar cast of musician-composers in the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra’s Nu-Age Sounds ll – Planet World at the Usher Hall on 31 January.

Following the resounding success of the inaugural Nu-Age Sounds tour in March last year, the SNJO has again commissioned new music from eight of Scottish jazz’s most exciting young representatives.

Pianist McCreadie and corto.alto (aka multi-instrumentalist-producer Liam Shortall), along with singer kitti, saxophonists Helena Kay and Matt Carmichael, trombonist Anoushka Nanguy, bassist Ewan Hastie and grooving powerhouse KARMA, will combine thrilling new jazz sounds with science fiction to highlight the transformative power of live orchestral jazz.

“The artists in our line-up are all award-winners,” says SNJO founder-director, saxophonist Tommy Smith, who has played a major role in creating Scotland’s currently thriving, internationally admired young jazz scene through the jazz course he established at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. “Planet World allows them to be super-creative as composers and to trigger their own creativity and that of the orchestra’s players in the heat of a live performance.”

In addition to McCreadie and corto.alto’s Mercury Prize recognition, Ewan Hastie is a BBC Young Jazz Musician winner, Helena Kay is a former Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year and Matt Carmichael won the Best Band title with his quintet at the Scottish Jazz Awards 2024. Anoushka Nanguy has won the Rising Star title at the Scottish Jazz Awards, kitti has twice won the Best Singer title at the same awards, and pianist Peter Johnstone, who features in KARMA, is also a former Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year.

As with Nu-Age Sounds 2024, this latest edition combines orchestral jazz with visual commentaries in a stunning sound and light spectacle that will make a special live gig experience.

“What makes this second Nu-Age Sounds tour particularly exciting is the way our composers have responded to a specific brief,” says Smith. “The narrative of Planet World calls for each composer to convey the character of a planet and its inhabitants as the universe becomes in danger of imploding. Jazz musicians are renowned for applying their imaginations in spontaneous situations. Planet World allows them to be super-creative as composers and to trigger their own creativity and that of the orchestra’s players in the heat of a live performance.”

For tickets, go to https://www.usherhall.co.uk/book/67601

UPDATE – Maisy Williams, who was reported missing in Edinburgh, has been traced.

Police Scotland thanked everyone who shared the appeal.

Police are appealing for help to trace 21-year-old Maisy Williams who has been reported missing in Edinburgh.

Maisy was last seen in the Tipperlinn Road area around 12.30pm on Tuesday, 7 January, 2025.

She is described as being around 5ft 6in tall, of slim build, with black, shoulder length hair.

Maisy was last seen wearing black trousers, a black hoodie, a black beanie hat, and red trainers.

Inspector Paul Begley said: “Enquiries to trace Maisy are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who may have seen her to contact us as soon as possible.

“Anyone with information on where Maisy may be is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 1211 of 7 January, 2025.”

With its dark storm clouds and sheets of rain pounding the city of Edinburgh, it could almost have been painted today.

A landscape painting of the capital by the artist JMW Turner has gone on display in the city for the first time since it was painted over 200 years ago.

Turner, the most famous British artist of the 19th century, painted “Edinburgh from below Arthur’s Seat” during his first visit to the city in 1801.

From his viewpoint , he captured the dark storm clouds looming over Edinburgh Castle and rain pouring down on the Old Town while cows drink peacefully in the foreground.

The moody watercolour was one of over 200 pictures by Turner owned by art collector Henry Vaughan, which he divided in his will between galleries in Edinburgh, Dublin and London in 1900.

Some 38 watercolours were given to the people of Scotland and are displayed each year in the month of January when light levels are at their lowest.

The remarkable view of Edinburgh, however, was one of 31 pictures given to Ireland.

As a result, it has never been seen in the city it depicts.

Now, for the first time, the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Gallery of Ireland have swapped collections as part of special celebrations to mark Turner’s 250th birthday.

Turner in January: Ireland’s Vaughan Bequest, has opened at the Royal Scottish Academy building on the Mound. Thousands are expected to see the free exhibition, which runs until the end of this month.

Curator Charlotte Topsfield said: “Henry Vaughan, the London art collector, bequeathed 38 Turner watercolours to the gallery in 1900 with the condition that they can only be exhibited all at once, free of charge and in the month of January and no longer.

“Our Turner in January exhibition has become a much loved tradition, but Vaughan also bequeathed a parallel set to the National Gallery of Ireland.

“Vaughan did not specify where the pictures should be shown but 2025 is the 250th anniversary of Turner’s birth so it seemed like a good year to do an exchange.”

Vaughan specified which pictures would go to each gallery and the collections complement each other.

Both span Turner’s career from the 1790s to the 1840s, and represent key areas of the artist’s work, such as paintings of Venice and the Swiss Alps.

It is thought Turner may have sketched the Edinburgh landscape on the spot and then completed the watercolour back at his lodgings.

Ms Topsfield said: “Edinburgh from below Arthur’s Seat is a fantastic watercolour. It is a very recognisable view, from a point between the end of Salisbury Crags and Sampson’s Ribs, using the flank of Arthur’s Seat as a framing device.

“The tower of St Giles (Cathedral) is silhouetted against the light and there is a fantastic view of Edinburgh Castle in the background and rooftops in the foreground.

“The weather is what makes it so special. It is almost a character in the painting, as the rain storm sweeps across the picture.

“But you know there is better weather ahead because the light is catching the castle and the horizon is clear.”

She added: “We don’t know why Vaughan chose to send it to Dublin. However, we do have two watercolours from the same tour in the summer of 1801, showing the Falls of Clyde and a view of Durham that he did on the way to Scotland.”

Turner toured Britain extensively in his younger years, as war made travel to Europe impossible.

He first travelled abroad in 1802 and from 1819 he undertook sketching tours abroad almost every year, visiting France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Austria and Switzerland.

Ireland’s Vaughan Bequest includes outstanding examples of watercolours created to be engraved and published as a print series.

Highlights include A Ship against the Mewstone, at the Entrance to Plymouth Sound (c.1814) and A Shipwreck off Hastings (c.1825).

The exchange means a simultaneous exhibition will see Scotland’s Vaughan Bequest go on display at the National Gallery of Ireland.

Anne Hodge, exhibition curator at the National Gallery of Ireland said: “I am delighted that in January 2025 visitors to the National Galleries Scotland will be able to see Turner’s wonderfully expressive vision of a rainy Edinburgh along with all 31 watercolours that Henry Vaughan decided to leave to Dublin.

“It is a great privilege for me to have worked so closely with colleagues in Edinburgh to make this project a reality.”

* Turner in January: Ireland’s Vaughan Bequest runs until the end of this month and is free to visit.

The owner of an Airbnb holiday flat in Portobello has hit back at planners for failing to recognise it is not in the “Royal Mile Party Zone”.

Jane Steele has appealed after City of Edinburgh Council officers refused to grant a change of use for the residential flat which has been operating as a short term holiday let for more then three years.

She said planners had applied a ‘broad brush’ in rejecting the application because they said it was an ‘inappropriate use’ of residential accommodation.

And in her appeal, which will be heard at a meeting of the council’s Local Review Body this week, she said the unique features of the seaside property on Barnie Terrace were not considered in the decision.

She states: “The application of the (council’s) policy fails to recognise the fact that the subject dwelling is not located in the “Royal Mile party zone” and our guests are mostly mature family groups or business people who have consideration of others’ peace and quiet.”

Ms Steele said she used  a profile function provided by Airbnb to vet potential guests and ensure they are suitable for the property which she said had a unique common entrance which included fire safety doors on each floor and apartment which reduced noise.

Edinburgh planners refused the retrospective application for a change of use to short term let because they said it was against policy covering the holiday lets in residential areas as well as loss of long term housing needs.

However Ms Steele argues the application of the policy ignored the flat’s design.

She adds: “The application of the policy seeking to preserve residential amenity is “broad brush” and fails to take account of the nature/characteristics of the subject property nor the reality of the subject property’s use as a short term let without any issue arising.

“The common entry is not like a traditional common “close” in that the
stairwell is enclosed by self closing fire doors at each level, the hallways, stairs and landings are fully carpeted throughout.

“Additionally, the self closing entrance doors to individual flats are fully sealed fire doors and this specification means that there is little or no transmission of noise from the stairwell and the inner hallway to the dwelling interiors.”

No objections to the application to change the use of the flat were received and a decision on the appeal will be taken by the review body.

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

A North Berwick nursery removed from East Lothian Council’s partnership list  two years ago has been allowed to rejoin.

The Pumpkin Patch was one of four nurseries operated by Bright Stars Nursery Group in the county which were taken off the list of free hour providers used by the local authority in November 2022 after concerns over its ‘approach to inclusion’.

But while the three Pear Tree Nurseries, based in Haddington, remain unavailable, the council said the North Berwick nursery was, from today, back on the list.

And operators Bright Stars has confirmed it is now in discussions with the local authority over reinstating the Haddington nurseries on the funded partners list by August this year.

A council spokesperson said: “We have been working closely with the team at Pumpkin Patch and the Bright Stars leadership team to help them embed best practice and meet all of the required national standards in their policies and practice with children.

“This is a condition of funding for all of our funded providers. Pumpkin Patch nursery has become an East Lothian Council funded provider from 6 January 2025.”

In November 2022 the council announced it was not renewing its contract with Bright Stars Group, one of its partner providers for its 1140 free nursery hours provision.

The decision meant 151 children who were receiving the free hours had to find an  alternative nursery or their parents had to pay the fees.

At the time the council’s head of education Nicola McDowell wrote to parents saying concern over the group’s “overall approach to inclusion” had raised concerns.

It had been claimed by some parents that concerns were raised after two autistic children attending one of the nurseries, in Haddington, were excluded following an incident early in the summer.

Bright Stars denied there was any policy against supporting additional support needs but said on “very rare occasions” it may have to advise parents it could not provide the support needed.

Last March the group withdrew a bid to have its Haddington nurseries added back onto the council partnership list after concerns were raised over feeding of children at one of its sites.

Care inspectors visiting Pear Tree Nursery Meadowpark in Haddington raised concerns after witnessing a baby who had slept through a scheduled meal time being given tinned soup as an alternative once awake, while some children were left to eat unattended, leaving them at risk if they choked.

A spokesperson for Bright Stars Nursery Group said: “We are delighted that Pumpkin Patch has become an East Lothian Funding Provider and that families can now choose to use their funded hours at the nursery, depending on the spaces available.

 “Following our inspection in February 2023 by the Care Inspectorate where we were awarded above the national standards with 4 and 5 grades, our leadership team, and the team at Pumpkin Patch, have worked closely with the council to meet their requirements, and embed best practices at the setting.

 “With our Haddington nurseries all awarded the national standard during July 2023 and July 2024, we have registered our interest for all the Bright Stars Group settings in the area to become Funded Providers from August 2025, and the council is now assessing our interest.”

By Maria Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

The Scottish Barony Register is run by retired solicitor, Alastair Shepherd, and the body has issued their 2024 Annual Report.

This important list was established some twenty years ago, when feudal law was largely abolished in Scotland on 28 November 2004,  “the Appointed Day”. Mr Shepherd has been Custodian of the Register for four of those twenty years. 

The Register exists to record assignations of the feudal dignity of baron, as after the Appointed Day these could no longer be recorded in the Sasine or Land Register of Scotland. 

In the 2024 report, Mr Shepherd mentions that some eleven of the thirteen registrations this year are new to the Register. Two of the new registrations related to the sale and purchase of a Scottish country estate. The agents involved in both sales realised that the existence of a barony title considerably enhanced the value of the estate. 

Mr Shepherd also came across an interesting feudal survivor this year.

He said: “This is the first time the Register has been asked to record an hereditary sheriffdom. Prior to 1745, the office of Sheriff was passed down from father to son in just a few aristocratic families. The Sheriff would generally appoint a Depute to actually administer justice. I did find it quite amusing that the family concerned had passed this ancient office down to future generations, perhaps in case the government decided to amend the 1746 decision.”

The Register now holds records for 201 barony titles. It is apparently possible for the title holder to add the title into their name, (although it is not considered a peerage title). For example the first on the list is Harold Peerenboom, Baron of Abbotshall.

The heraldry or coats of arms for Scottish baronies is governed by the Court of the Lord Lyon.

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Stellar Monarchs have completed their 2025 team with the signing of Oskar Polis who makes his debut in British racing having competed in the Polish league for more than a decade.

The 28-year-old Pole sees this as an exciting challenge but he has been a regular in the heat leader birth in recent years in the Polish National League and appeared in the Polish Ekstraliga 2 and Swedish Bauhaus-Ligan – Sweden’s top league – in 2024.

He will also race for Opole in the Polish National League and Vargarna in the Bahaus-Ligan in 2025 and Stellar Monarchs’ co-promoter, John Campbell, admitted he had worked hard to complete the team.

“I have methodically put the pieces in place and we are thrilled to welcome Oskar to the Monarchs to begin his journey in British Speedway.

“He is an accomplished performer, averaging over eight points in the Polish National League for many seasons, and he will join us on a 6.00 average.”

Polis also has experience racing on the continent and there is a wonderful balance to the side which will see us have a powerful reserve throughout the season with strength throughout the team.”

For the record, Monarchs will start this season in the Cab Direct Championship with Justin Sedgmen, Victor Palovaara, Jonatan Grahn, Kye Thomson, Paco Castagna, Max James and Oskar Polis.

Hearts Standard say that the Tynecastle club have been granted a work permit for new signing Elton Kabangu and the newspaper reports that the striker could be in line to face struggling Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday (15.00).

The 26-year-old, Belgian-born winger is on loan from Belgian Pro League club Royal Union Saint-Gilloise and the 5ft 10in forward has an initial deal until the end of this season.

He began his youth career with Gent before moving on loan to Dutch outfit, FC Eindhoven, claiming 19 goals in 789 appearances as well as setting up another 20 strikes.

Dutch club Willem II was his next stop and he claimed 16 goals before Union SG moved in and he was part of the squad which missed out on the title by a point. They qualified for the Champions League and also won the Belgian Cup while he was there.

He told Hearts official website: “I’m a hungry guy. I run for the team, I work for the team, I like to score and like to assist.

“I want to be important for the team, to give my best.”

Neil Critchley, Hearts’ head coach, has made no secret of his desire to strengthen up-front and believes the experience of playing in the leading leagues in Holland and Belgium will benefit the newcomer.

Critchley told Hearts official website: “I know how hungry he is to come and be a success at Tynecastle.”

The Dons have signed Danish winger Jeppe Okkels on loan from English side Preston North End and the 25-year-old rejoins manager, Jimmy Thelin, at Pittodrie. Okkels played for Thelin for three seasons at Elfsborg,

He is Aberdeen’s first signing of the winter window and he arrives after a form slump at Pittodrie but the Dons are still fourth in the William Hill Premiership table with 34 points from 21 games after a blistering start to the season.

Hearts are second bottom of the 12-strong league with 23 points from 22 outings but have recorded thee wins and a draw in their last four games. Aberdeen have lost their last five including a 2-0 defeat at Fir Park against Motherwell.

Lothians-based Eryk Janik won the junior section in one of Britain’s biggest winter sea fishing competitions at the first attempt with a little help from an angling buddy.

The talented teenager had to get up at 5am and leave Edinburgh just after 6am to be in time to register for the 47^th Amble Open on the Northumberland Coast last Sunday.

But the Scottish junior international, who lives in Leith, weighed in with 3lb 5oz to win £75 and a Limitless 4.5m competition sea fishing rod.

He thanked Edinburgh chef, William Stafford, for driving him south and admitted conditions were very rough for the 441 entrants with some “crazy” waves on the rock marks and, for 90 per cent of the match, it was heavy rain.

Boundaries were Seahouses Harbour to Cambois Pier, excluding piers and rivers, for the four-hour match and Eryk said: “I fished off a beach not far from the registration point looking for flounder.

“I caught four and ended up with a bag of 3.5lb. The bait was mostly mackerel, bluey and ragworm.”

It was a late decision to travel and he is now glad he made the journey. The youngster added: “I went up at the last minute with Willie (Stafford) and he fished a separate mark for cod. It was my first time fishing in Northumberland and, indeed, England.”

Neil Cutler from Tyneside, who fishes regularly in Scottish-based competitions, also featured in the prize list.

PRIZE GUY: Eryk Janik (left) with Jimmy French, one of the Amble Open organisers. Picture courtesty of Amble Open organising committee

Hibs have paid tribute to former director, Brian Houston, who has sadly died following an illness, aged 76.

A statement on the Club’s website reads:

“In more than a decade at the Club he supported from boyhood, Brian personified the definition of integrity provided by the writer CS Lewis – “doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.”

“Brian consistently supported the executive leadership at the Club, while happily providing robust, but ever-constructive, challenge within Board meetings. His family was always his top priority, but he would certainly name May 21st, 2016, as one of his happiest days. In other words, he was a thoroughly decent man and a proud and lifelong Hibernian fan.

“He enjoyed a highly successful career in business, rising to become the European Chief Executive of a global management consultancy, where he specialised in change management. Yet his preference was always to be viewed as what Einstein called “a man of value,” who would work for the betterment of the club and the community it served, and whose deeds matched his words.

“For six years he was Chairman of NHS Lothian – working tirelessly and well beyond his contracted hours to support and champion the NHS staff and service of which he was a great admirer. He was less in awe of the service’s political masters, with whom he had a difficult relationship. Tellingly, he was described as “a fantastic chairman” by former NHS Lothian Chief Executive Tim Davison, and he is still held in high esteem by those who run our local health service.

“Memorably, two of his great interests came together when he ran 11K to Hampden for the Scottish Cup Final in 2021 to raise funds for Edinburgh & Lothians Health Foundation and Hibernian FC’s groundbreaking pandemic partnership, saying “I’m only 72, it should be a doddle.”

“He was generously supported in his successful effort by fans who recognised in Brian one of their own. In the words of Hibs’ legend Eddie Turnbull “there’s class, there’s first class, and then there’s Hibs class.”

“Brian is survived by his wife and family. Our thoughts and sympathies are with them.”

Portobello Beach will be the first venue for the New Year sea fishing shore league which starts on Friday, January 10, with six other matches to follow.

Registration is from 6pm to 6.15pm at the Bridge Street car park and the Sat Nav code is EH15 1TG.

Organiser Ian Campbell has confirmed that Match Two will be at Newhaven West on January 17 with registration from 6pm to 6.15pm at Western Harbour Breakwater EH6 6PA with the third event on January 31 at Newhaven (East) with registration from 6pm to 6.15pm at Western Harbour View EH6 6PG.

Joppa hosts the fourth match on February 7 with registration from 6pm to 6.15pm at Promenade View EH15 2ES and Match Five is at Seafield on February 21. Registration is again from 6pm to 6.15pm at Marine Esplanade EH6 7DP.

Newhaven (West) hosts the penultimate match on March 14 and registration is from 6pm to 6.15pm at Western Harbour Breakwater EH6 6PA with the final match at Newhaven (East) on March 28 with registration from 6pm to 6.15pm at Western Harbour View EH6 6PG.

Fishing at all venues is from 7pm to 10pm and it is pre-booking only. Names are now being taken for March One of the series sponsored by The Edinburgh Angling Centre, The Fishing Megastore and Cox & Rawle, and they can be added on the Scottish Shore Angling Match Group social media page.

NIGHT FISHING: Portobello Beach taken during a previous series of the winter league by Nigel Duncan

Johnny Curran, has a clear week to prepare for the visit of arch rivals, Dundee Stars, to Kirkcaldy on Saturday (19.15).

And Fife Flyers’ interim head coach he takes positives from the weekend double-header, including the performance of new signing, Charles-Antoine Paiement.

The 25-year-old Canadian forward made his debut in the narrow defeat by Coventry Blaze at Kirkcaldy last Saturday and the Quebec-born winger opened his account in the defeat at Guildford Flames 24-hours later.

The Great Britain international said: “He’s (Charles) looking good for us. Skates well, lots of skill and he will give us much-needed depth once we are at a full roster.”

The fallout from the Elite League skirmishes at the weekend means that Fife Flyers now have a 15-point gap between them and second-bottom Manchester Storm in the standings.

Fife’s failure to earn any reward from games against Coventry Blaze (a 3-1 home defeat) and at Guildford Flames (a 7-1 reverse) means they remain on six points from 26 fixtures with Storm above them on 21 points having played a game less, two of their points coming in a 4-3 road win at Dundee Stars on Saturday.

Dundee occupy the eighth and final play-off spot with 22 points from 29 starts with Glasgow Clan seventh on 24 points from 26 outings.

Playcaller Curran was disappointed at the margin of the scoreline at sixth-placed Guildford, despite leading with an early goal after 3min 13sec from Paiement from a Ryan Foss pass, and he added: “We need to start believing how good we can be.”

Curran, who is being assisted by Todd Dutiaume, a former head coach at Kirkcaldy, stressed the need to execute on the chances created and said: “I thought we deserved to be in a closer game. It just shows how fragile we are and how we still turn off at times.”   

He still believes Fife have more to show as a team but stressed that changes will not happen overnight.

After Dundee’s visit on Saturday the men from The Fife Ice Arena travel to Sheffield Steelers on Sunday (16.00) for a joust against one of the big budget teams, and a side thirsting for revenge after their shock 5-3 reverse at Kirkcaldy on December 1.

The Yorkshire side, who entertain Coventry on Saturday (19.00), are third in the table with 34 points from 26 games, three adrift of second-placed Belfast Giants, who have played the same number of fixtures, and six behind long-time, pace-setters Cardiff Devils who have played 28 games to collect 40 points.  

ACTION: Guildford Flames v Fife Flyers captured by John Unwin and courtesy of the Elite League

Hibs have announced the installation of new branded corner flags at Easter Road, which have kindly been provided by the Hibernian Supporters Association. 

These new corner flags will each feature the Hibernian FC Club crest and were displayed for the first time during the William Hill Premiership match with Rangers on Sunday 5 January 2025. 

Hibernian Supporters Association (HSA) have kindly donated the new flags to the Club as a gesture of goodwill on the 150th anniversary year of Hibernian FC. 

This furthers Hibernian Supporter’s Association’s commitment to the Club, who are title sponsors of the 10 Second Challenge experience on matchdays and the player sponsors of First Team duo Junior Hoilett and Nicky Cadden. 

Brian Penman, Chairman of the HSA commented: “To mark the beginning of our 150th anniversary year, everyone at the Hibernian Supporters Association is delighted to be able to present these corner flags to the Club, ensuring the spirit and identity of the Hibernian family is present in every corner of Easter Road.” 

Hibernian FC Chief Executive, Ben Kensell added: “We are thankful for Hibernian Supporters Association continued support this season and for this donation. 2025 is a really exciting year for the Football Club and we are all looking forward to celebrating our 150th anniversary when it comes in the summer.” 

Head Groundsman at Hibernian FC, Stevie Thomas, added: “We are extremely grateful to Brian and the team at the HSA for their support in getting these flags in place for 2025. 

“The grounds staff and I are all about attention to detail and we are always looking for new ways to promote the Club, so to have the Hibernian FC logo present on the corner flags is a great addition for us as we embark upon our 150th anniversary year.” 

Angus Halliday, 14, from the Murrayfield club, was a star local performer when the Edinburgh Table Tennis Open took place at Bathgate Academy over the weekend.

Not only did Angus lift the Band 2 singles with a £70 prize he also won the under-23 singles and was runner- up in the under-15 sing.

The main events were won by players from Dumfries and Aberdeen. The men’s singles winner was Danny Bajwa (Dumfries) and the Women’s singles winner was Ilona Obst-Wojcicka (Aberdeen).

In more good news for the Murrayfield club Anne Chan, 12, and Chole Lee, 8, finished first and fourth respectively as well as winning the girls doubles at the Scottish Primary Schools Championship and have qualified to represent Scotland in the British Primary School Championships in Cardiff in April.

The girls are pictured with coach, Gordon Muir.

• Entries are now open for the Edinburgh Championships due to be held at Royal High School, Barnton, on Sunday 19 January.

Three unexploded bombs dropped during a German raid in 1940 remain buried under Edinburgh streets, a fascinating police archive of wartime bombing raids has revealed.

Official reports on the death and destruction caused over a four year period and sent to the city authorities and the War Office, including crime scene police photographs, will go on display in a special exhibition from 1 May at the Edinburgh Central Library and will feature in a series of lectures.

Details contained in the valuable archive were known only to a small circle of officials due to war time news reporting restrictions, but it gives a unique insight into how the city dealt with up to 15 bombing raids over Edinburgh and Leith from 1939 to 1942.

The archive had been passed to Edinburgh Lothian & Borders Police Historical Society which will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of WW2 with the exhibition, a number of lectures and publication of a book.

Retired police chief, Tom Wood, said the incidents just remained in “living memory” of people who experienced the bombings and the society was keen to hear from victims, relatives, friends and neighbours who remember them, so that an oral history could be collected.

He said: “The archive is a collection of the usual tragedy, comedy and farce and is an important and fascinating history of this extremely dangerous time, which was at the peak of the Battle of Britain and when German invasion was thought to be imminent.
“There will be some people who will still remember this dark episode and we would really like to hear from them so that we can obtain first hand their memories. To this day, few people know about the extent of bombing over Edinburgh and sadly there is no memorial to the 19 people who lost their lives.”

In an early morning raid on 4 August, 1940, five bombs were dropped over Portobello, all which failed to explode. Two which landed in Abercorn Park and were 100lb or 150lb high explosive bombs were later recovered by soldiers from the Royal Engineers and detonated in King’s Park.

But three other shells which landed in gardens in Abercorn Terrace and Argyle Crescent and on the street at Mount Lodge Place were more difficult to recover because of the soft sandy soil common in Portobello.

The Chief Constable’s report states: “Digging and pumping continued with a view of uplifting the other three, but without success and it was decided to leave them. They were then at depth of about 30 feet. Holes filled with 3ft. of concrete covered with earth. At 09.00 of 8th August the barricades were removed, Military withdrawn, and evacuees returned.”

One of the most tragic incidents happened on 29 September, 1940, at 27 Crewe Place in Drylaw, when five-year-old Ronald McArthur and his seven-year-old sister Morag were killed in a raid which injured 14 others, seven seriously who were detained at the Western General Hospital.

And the official report reveals that the siblings and other victims may have avoided death and injury if air raid sirens has been sounded earlier, giving them time to take refuge in an “Anderson” bomb shelter – which was later found to be undamaged.

The policy at that time was to delay air raid warnings so as not to disrupt industrial production. The archive records: “Following on from this raid a strong demand developed amongst the public and in the press for more frequent use of the siren. Attack has usually taken place before the sirens have sounded, as in this case, and it was alleged that if warning had been given in time the two children and perhaps all the others, would have been in their shelters and consequently safe.”

But the plea fell on deaf ears: “A meeting of Divisional Wardens at Leith expressed strong views to this effect and a report by the Divisional Adjutant embodying these views was sent to Senior Regional Officer Major R. Barclay-Brown. He rejected the idea of making any more frequent use of the sirens.”

Tom Wood added: “We would especially like to hear from any of the McArthur family of Crewe Place. The authorities did in fact change their policy around the earlier use of air raid sirens but sadly that came too late for the McArthur children whose lives may have otherwise been saved.”

One famous incident featured in the archive became the stuff of legend after the Portobello home of the then Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Sir Henry Steele, was allegedly “strafed” by German war planes. It was claimed a mirror on the Lady Provost’s dressing table had been shattered by German machine gun bullets but the truth is the culprits may have been based closer to home.

A photograph of the shattered mirror is in the archive and Tom Wood added: “It is highly unlikely a German bomber was strafing residential homes in Portobello and would be more concerned about the Spitfires on its tail in hot pursuit. The propaganda at that time would much rather have it that ‘the Hun’ was attacking innocent civilians rather than a case of wayward friendly fire from the RAF or our own air defence crews.

“In fact, a congratulatory letter from the Chief Constable to the officer in charge of air defence after two German aircraft were shot down, effectively says ‘well done chaps, but can I just remind you that if you are firing due south from the River Forth – what goes up must come down. Have care’.”

There are plans to publish a book, “The Bombing of Edinburgh and Leith”, which will capture the contents of the archive and commemorate the 19 people who died in the various wartime raids and those injured.

• The exhibition at Central Library, George IV Bridge, will take place from 1 May-30 September. The first lecture, at the City Art Gallery on 30 May, is already fully booked but more will be announced in due course.
For anyone who has memories of the bombing raids and wants to get in touch please contact sec.elbphs@gmail.com

Barratt Homes East Scotland will welcome prospective buyers to Bangour Village, West Lothian next month. 

Built on the grounds of former Bangour Hospital at Dechmont, the regeneration of the site is being carried out by a variety of housebuilders, including Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes which will join in May. 

Earlier this year, Ambassador Group finalised the sale of 14.55 acres of land to Barratt Homes for the development of 179 private residences. The first phase of properties will be available to reserve from February 2025 and includes three and four-bed homes. 

These new homes will become part of the larger Bangour Village Estate, an ambitious redevelopment nestled in 215 acres of woodland. In total, the project aims to introduce up to 998 energy-efficient homes that will benefit from excellent transport links to Edinburgh and Glasgow. 

Once completed, the brand-new community will have a range of amenities including a primary school, nursery, playing fields, a commercial hub comprising a supermarket, café/restaurant, and expansive woodland that has been preserved. 

Lorraine Paterson, Sales Director at Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, said: “As locals will know, the Bangour site is cherished within the community for its scenic beauty and rich heritage. We’ve taken care at every opportunity when designing and planning quality homes on the grounds, making sure properties reflect the needs of families, couples and individuals, while being inspired by the spacious tranquility of Bangour. By working with Ambassador Group and other housebuilders, we hope to see the site reborn as a place to live and thrive.” 

https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/dev002785-barratt-@-bangour-village/ 

https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/scotland-east/ 

Eighteen brave souls took to the waters of the Lake of Menteith on New Year’s Day as part of a “Loony Dook”.

Guests from as far afield as Devon and Australia, stayed at the Hotel to enjoy a traditional Scottish Hogmanay in the Trossachs. Many, who also had Christmas at the Hotel, are members of Karma Club, an exciting new travel and lifestyle concept that gives its members exclusive access to a worldwide collection of boutique luxury resorts, eateries, spas, events and destination experiences. It’s a unique opportunity to sample Karma Group’s international portfolio with a wealth of benefits.

Throughout December, Karma Lake of Menteith had offered a varied Twelve Days of Karma Christmas, with festive events and happenings, from Christmas Wreath making to cheese and wine showcases, to winter walks, open to everyone, not just hotel residents.

It also included entertainment from local trad musicians who have become Karma Lake of Menteith favourites, performing on regular live music nights .

“We’re delighted that we adhered to the tradition of a bracing cold water dook on New Year’s Day morning – the water was not as cold as we expected,” said Operations Director at Karma Lake of Menteith, Joshua Ford, who also took the water himself. “We quickly warmed up afterwards with some hot drinks. The feedback on this experience was extremely positive from our guests. For many, it was the first time they had taken part in a traditional Scottish Hogmanay, and let’s just say they loved it from start to finish, especially our wide choice of Drams.”

Commenting on the three year anniversary of Karma Group’s ownership of the Hotel, Joshua said: “We’re delighted to have been here at the Port of Menteith for three years now. It was the best decision to acquire this property and make it part of the Karma portfolio so that guests from all over the world can discover the delights of the Trossachs – Scotland is a huge draw for them!

“We enjoyed full occupancy over the festive period.”

 “It’s onwards now, into January, when the water of life will once again be in the spotlight through our famous Malt Vault as we approach Burns Night,” finished Joshua. “We also have some special treats lined up for Valentine’s Day.”

Further details https://karmagroup.com/find-destination/karma-resorts/karma-lake-of-menteith/

The Shelter charity shop made more than £22,000 in just over two days at the start of its 22nd annual January sale of designer brands and rare collectibles.

The Stockbridge shop made more than £17,300 on the first day of its annual week-long sale on Friday – a new record sum for a single day – after shoppers queued for up to three hours for bargains. Sales had topped £22,290 by Sunday morning.

The homelessness charity’s Stockbridge shop has become famous for its annual January sale, which has run for one week in early January each year since 2003.

It includes the “most exciting and intriguing items” including designer labels, rare books, vintage jewellery, classic toys, vinyl records and ornaments, donated by the public in recent months and stashed away by staff.

This year, some of the most expensive items sold include a rare copy of Charles Dickens’ novel A Christmas Carol, priced at £500, a cream coloured Chanel suit for £150 and a little black dress by Vivienne Westwood that was snapped up for £80.

Around 40 people waited in line for the opening on Friday, resulting in over £4000 of sales within the first half hour, and over £8500 by lunchtime.

Sales hit a new record of £17,300 on the first day, and soared past the £22,000 mark during the weekend.

One customer spent £1,916 on a pile of books including the rare fourth edition Dickens as well as a late 16th century tome in Latin for £400 and a range of hard backs signed by David Attenborough, priced at £20-30 each.

Meanwhile, other customers snapped up £500 worth of 1920s-30s amber bead costume jewellery and designer labels including Gucci, Chanel, Burberry and Ralph Lauren.

An extravagantly dressed Barbie doll by designer Bob Mackie and a rare 1858 copy of Emily Bronte’s classic novel Wuthering Heights — both with three figure price tags — remain among hundreds of bargains still on the shelves.

Pete Jew, the Stockbridge shop’s manager, said: “It’s only possible because of the generosity of our customers and supporters. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed.

“It’s not just the big ticket items but hundreds of smaller things too, which make up the total.

The shop has been a fixture in Edinburgh’s Raeburn Place since 1981.

The annual New Year sale of donated designer items started in 2003 and raises vital funds for Shelter Scotland’s work to help homeless and badly housed households across Scotland.

Alison Watson, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “Over the last 22 years, the January Stockbridge launch has become a much-anticipated highlight for bargain hunters and collectors in Edinburgh and beyond, so it was no surprise to see people queuing before we’d even opened.

“As well as offering an exciting range of items, the event raises crucial funds for Shelter Scotland’s fight against homelessness. It’s inspiring to see its enduring popularity and record-breaking success year after year.”

Neil Critchley says he is looking for a performance and a result from games in the top flight of Scottish football and, reflecting on the 1-0 success at Tannadice, he said: “I felt we had both.”

Hearts visited, he said, an in-form team, sitting third in the William Hill Premiership table, and he added: “I thought we were the better team, particularly in the first-half, and we scored a really good goal, then we had to fight and scrap it out.

“Craig (Gordon) did not have a save to make in the whole game until right at the death. I felt we protected the goal brilliantly well, first contact, second contact being blocked, and getting bodies around the ball.

“Back-to-back victories 1-0, great scoreline, clean sheets and producing a little more quality at the other end of the pitch.”

The coach did admit that he would have liked to have seen the Jambos pass the ball better in the second-half, and making more use of it, but added: “Overall, it was a really good team performance away from home. I felt we deserved to win the game.”

Incidentally, The Jam Tarts social media site has published an interesting statistic.

It shows the form table since the Englishman became head coach. Hearts are fourth in the table behind, Celtic, Rangers and Dundee United. Hibs, incidentally, are in fifth.

PICTURE: Neil Critchley on the touchline captured by Thomas Brown

Police in Midlothian have arrested a 45-year-old man following the theft of a charity tin from premises in John Street Penicuik. 

The theft took place during a break in sometime between Thursday 2 and Friday 3 January. 

Officers said that the man will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in the future.  

“At 9.10am on Friday, 3 January, 2025 officers received reports of a break-in and theft at a charity’s premises in John Street, Penicuik.  

“A charity tin and a sum of money was reported to have been stolen sometime between Thursday, 2 January, 2025 and Friday, 3 January, 2025. 

“A 45-year-old was arrested and charged in connection. 

“He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.” 

The owner of woodland on the edge of a community has hit back after he was refused permission to fence in nearly 100 metres of it despite a stone wall doing to same on the other side of the road.

An application by the owners of a cottage at Carberry, Whitecraig, in East Lothian, to replace an existing wire fence with a six ft high timber one, was rejected by planners who said it would create a ‘harmfully imposing feature’ at the entrance to the community.

However in an appeal to the council’s Local Review Body agents for the Shearers, who own the site, say the suggestion it is intrusive when “on the opposite side of the road a tall stone wall bounds the woodland that exists there” is wrong.

And they say claims by planning officers that the fence would result in the loss of trees is not correct.

They say: “The applicant owns this woodland and the reason for the fencing is to safeguard it as it forms an important screen for his property considering to the rear of his property is the waste and recycling centre and the A6124 is a main route for lorries travelling to this commercial facility.

“The officer and the councils landscape officer have stated that the fence will result in the loss of, or damage to a number of existing trees and yet offer no evidence to back this up, this is merely a personal opinion based without facts.

“The verge will need tidied up and overgrown scrub removed along with
the existing fence (or what remains of it) however the whole point of this fence being erected is to safeguard this woodland area not to destroy it by removing or damaging trees.”

Rejecting the original planning application for the 95-metre long fence planners said the timber fence was ‘inappropriate’ in the surrounding landscape.

They said: “The proposed length of fencing would appear as a visually prominent and harmfully imposing feature to the detriment of the character and appearance of the woodland area.

“By virtue of its extent, height, solid form and its exposed roadside position, the proposed length of fencing would appear as a harmfully dominant and intrusive feature within its woodland setting which would detract from the character and appearance of the landscape of the area.”

The appeal will be heard by the council’s Local Review Body later this month.

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

Police Scotland has launched the second phase of a national advertising campaign with TV, radio and digital advertising to recruit police officers across the country. 

The campaign encourages potential candidates to consider the transferable skills they can bring to the role of police officer and explains why policing is a job like no other. 

The first phase of the national recruitment campaign, which launched in September 2024, featured social media video adverts with real officers telling the story of their journey into the policing. 

In November 2024 Police Scotland officer numbers increased to 16,603. Continued recruitment will help the Service to maintain this number.  

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “The latest campaign messaging focuses on the transferable skills prospective candidates can bring to policing with the key message: the skills you need to be a police officer might be the ones you already have. 

“If you want to learn more about the job of a police officer, or if you’re ready for a job like no other, apply via the Police Scotland website.” 

Detectives are appealing for information following a serious assault which took place around 7.25pm on Saturday, 4 January, outside a property on Lower Bathville in Armadale.

A 38-year-old man was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he remains in serious condition.

Enquiries so far suggest two men, dressed all in black and wearing balaclavas, were seen in the area at the time. They were later seen getting into a white car, which travelled west along Lower Bathville.

Detective Sergeant Keith Sinclair said: “Our enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident are ongoing, and we are asking anyone with information that may assist to come forward.

“Similarly, if you have CCTV, ring doorbell or dash-cam footage, please review it and share anything that might assist us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 2706 of Saturday, 4 January, 2025. Alternatively, information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.

Police are pursuing positive lines of enquiries to trace two men suspected of using dogs to hunt wild animals in East Lothian. 

On Sunday 5th January 2024, officers from the East Lothian Community Action Team (ELCAT) took part in a ‘Wildlife Crime Day of Action’.  

Whilst conducting rural patrols in the North Berwick area, they observed the two males who made off after being spotted. 

Officers traced their vehicle a short distance away, which was seized under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.  

Enquiries into the incident are on-going. 

The Varna International Ballet and Orchestra return to the UK after their debut tour in 2023. 

The company will visit 20 venues around the UK with classics Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliet, and will be performing at theEdinburgh Playhouse from Thu 16 – Sat 18 January 2025.

Performances are suitable for all the family (no under threes permitted in the venue) and are a treat for ballet novices and balletomanes alike. 

The Nutcracker is an enchanting story set on Christmas Eve. When midnight strikes, we are swept away to a fairy-tale world where nothing is quite as it seems. 

Often considered the greatest romantic ballet of all time, Swan Lake is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. 

Shakespeare’s tale of primal passion and timeless tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, is an emotionally-charged and unmissable ballet.

Founded in 1947 and renowned for its award-winning soloists and magnificent corps de ballet, Varna International Ballet has been delighting audiences for decades at home in Bulgaria and abroad with performances of the highest quality. 

EDINBURGH Playhouse
atgtickets.com/Edinburgh
16 Jan Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
17 Jan Swan Lake 7.30pm
18 Jan Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm

James Penrice admitted that the narrow 1-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice was “not pretty” at times but added: “We controlled long spells of the game.”

The former Livingston and Patrick Thistle player felt the Men in Maroon defended the box well in this William Hill Premiership clash despite high-flying United “throwing everything at us”.

The match-winner, who thundered home a volley after 73 minutes to delight the 1,800 travelling fans, added: “To a man I thought we were excellent.

“The only disappointing aspect was that we did not take more of our chances. We were getting into good areas and the final ball has not been great, but luckily we put one away.”

On the goal, he modestly said: “You need to be alive in the box and I put it away.”

Penrice, recruited during the summer, admitted that Pittodrie is a difficult place to go. Hearts lost narrowly, 3-2, on their last visit on October 6, after leading 2-1, thanks to goals from Frankie Kent and Blair Spittal, but Scotland defender, Nicky Devlin and Croatian midfielder, Ante Palaversa, netted for the Dons, the game-winner coming after 88 minutes, to secure the points for the home side.

Penrice, who has been outstanding for the Jambos so far this term, admitted: “That was disappointing, and we will go there with a plan and we go trying to get three points.”

Meanwhile, tickets for Sunday’s trip to Aberdeen remain on general sale and briefs for the new home match against Kilmarnock on January 25 go on sale on January 7 at 10am. They are available on eTickets or in person at the Ticket Office.

Finally, the Player of the Month in the Hearts Standard newspaper is teenage striker, James Wilson (pictured) by Thomas Brown.

Robert Whyte Sen was smiles better after pocketing £195 for the heaviest fish in the East Fife New Year Open.

The Edinburgh-based angler brought a cod of 8lb 10oz to the scales to beat 38 other anglers in tough conditions off the Tayside coast.

One of the organisers, Arbroath-based Stewart Falconer, said a few decent fish were caught despite the conditions.

Tayside-based Kevin Lewis, team manager of the Scotland Ladies Sea Fishing squad, weighed in with the heaviest bag, six fish totalling 18lb 8oz, and he won £200.

Stuart Cresswell from Ayr was second with five fish for 12lb 5oz and he pocketed £120.

Third was Wullie Kennedy, also from Ayr with four fish for 11ln 3oz winning £70 and the boundaries for the five-hour match were Carnoustie to Ferryden.

The third leg of the winter heaviest cod league organised by Kirkcaldy-based Mike and Chris Horn is scheduled for Saturday, January 11 from Carnoustie to Ferryden Lighthouse.

More than 30 are in the league which has a prize fund so far of £350 and the heaviest fish so far has been caught by Montrose fisherman, James Duncan, a 6lb 1oz cod.

Bass Rock Shore Angling League are scheduled to host round five of their winter league on Wednesday, January 8) and secretary, James Ogilvie, asks those keen to fish to let him know.

The venue is North Berwick and it is a rover where anglers can fish their favourite mark. Registration is at the harbour between 6pm and 6.30pm with fishing from 7pm to 10pm.

A reminder that only sizeable fish should be brought to the scales.

LIBRARY PICTURE: sea fishing on Ravensheugh Beach in East Lothian by Nigel Duncan

Expanding into international markets opens up tremendous opportunities for businesses but also introduces complexities in financial management. Handling transactions in multiple currencies is one such challenge, requiring accurate conversion, compliance with varying regulations, and effective communication with clients across the globe. Multi-currency invoicing provides an efficient solution to these challenges, enabling smoother and more reliable transactions.

Allowing businesses to create and manage invoices tailored to different currencies, tools like qorp.io simplify the multi-currency invoicing process. With its intuitive features, this platform empowers users to handle global transactions seamlessly, ensuring compliance and accuracy. The ability to adapt invoices to various financial environments enhances operational efficiency and reduces potential errors.

Challenges in International Billing

Let us discuss the above-mentioned challenges in more detail. Operating on a global scale requires businesses to navigate diverse financial systems, each with its own set of rules, exchange rates, and tax requirements. One major hurdle is currency conversion, as fluctuating exchange rates can affect both pricing and profitability. Additionally, businesses must account for local taxation policies, such as VAT or GST, which vary significantly between countries.

Language and formatting differences also pose challenges. Clients may require invoices in their local language, and financial documents often need to adhere to regional conventions for dates, currencies, and numbering. These complexities increase the likelihood of errors, delays, and disputes, making efficient invoicing practices crucial.

Benefits of Multi-Currency Invoicing

Improved Accuracy in Currency Conversion

Multi-currency invoicing systems integrate real-time exchange rates, ensuring that invoice amounts are accurate and up to date. This minimizes the risk of discrepancies between the invoiced amount and the received payment, which is essential for maintaining trust and transparency in international business relationships.

Enhanced Client Convenience

Providing invoices in the client’s preferred currency simplifies the payment process and improves the overall customer experience. Clients are more likely to complete payments promptly when they are not burdened with calculating conversions or navigating unfamiliar financial terms. Multi-currency invoicing demonstrates a business’s commitment to accommodating the needs of its global clientele.

Compliance with Regional Regulations

Global transactions require strict adherence to local laws and tax regulations. Multi-currency invoicing tools often include features that help businesses incorporate necessary tax details and comply with regional requirements. This reduces the administrative burden and ensures that the business remains in good standing with international regulatory bodies.

How Multi-Currency Invoicing Facilitates Global Business

Multi-currency invoicing streamlines financial operations by integrating currency management with invoicing workflows. Automated systems generate invoices that account for real-time exchange rates and local requirements, reducing the need for manual intervention. By consolidating these processes, businesses can allocate resources more effectively and focus on their core activities.

Integration with accounting and payment systems further enhances efficiency. Many platforms enable seamless tracking of international transactions, providing businesses with valuable insights into their financial performance across different markets. These insights can inform strategic decisions, such as pricing adjustments or market expansion initiatives.

[2] 

Implementation of Multi-Currency Invoicing

Select the Right Platform

Choosing a reliable multi-currency invoicing platform is critical. Look for solutions that offer features, such as automated currency conversion, customizable templates, and integration with accounting software. There are platforms that excel in this regard, combining user-friendly design with robust functionality to support businesses in navigating the complexities of international transactions.

Customize Invoice Templates

Tailor invoice templates to meet the specific needs of each market. Include details, such as the applicable currency, exchange rate, and local tax information, to ensure clarity and compliance. Customization also extends to language and formatting preferences, which contribute to a professional and customer-centric approach.

Monitor and Optimize Processes

Regularly review the effectiveness of your multi-currency invoicing practices. Track key performance indicators, such as payment timeliness and error rates, to identify areas for improvement. Leveraging analytics tools can provide deeper insights into transaction trends and help refine strategies for managing international finances.

Final Thoughts

Multi-currency invoicing is a vital tool for businesses operating in global markets. It addresses the complexities of international transactions by ensuring accurate conversions, enhancing client convenience, and facilitating regulatory compliance. By adopting efficient invoicing solutions, companies can streamline their financial operations and establish strong foundations for sustained international success. Businesses that leverage these tools position themselves to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.