Nicola Sturgeon has responded after her estranged husband Peter Murrell was remanded in custody after pleading guilty to embezzlement:
She wrote on Instagram: “My reaction to the guilty plea tendered today by my former husband is difficult to put into words. I am angry, hurt, sad and very distressed about the impact of his actions on family, friends and the SNP.
“To be deceived and let down by a husband I loved and trusted has caused me acute pain. Why he acted as he did is, and always will be, beyond my comprehension.
“To be clear: I had no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever that he was using SNP funds for personal purposes. I am utterly appalled that he did so and cannot begin to understand why.
“That I was fully cleared after a thorough investigation underlines that these are not my crimes. I was misled just as others were.
“I know that there will be political discussion in light of what has happened, and I understand why. However, for me this has also been a profound personal trauma. I need to remain focussed on recovering from that and building a new phase of life.
We are excited to share details about our new meal preparation course, funded by #LeithChooses
The “Efficient & Healthy Cooking” programme is designed primarily for, but not exclusively limited to, migrant and Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) residents in Leith.
This programme aims to support individuals facing financial and societal barriers to accessing healthy food by offering an educational and practical course covering the following topics:
1. Efficiency and sustainability in meal preparation for families
2. Maintaining health and nutrition without compromise
3. Sourcing ingredients efficiently without breaking the bank or damaging the environment
4. Shopping for food with efficiency and sustainability in mind
5. Practicing efficient and sustainable recipes and cooking methods
6. Learning about food waste elimination and managing leftovers
Led by a qualified nutritionist, this programme provides an excellent opportunity to gain practical knowledge about food, including financial, nutritional, and cooking skills.
Additionally, we aim to combat loneliness and isolation by bringing people together to learn and share meals!
A WOMAN has smashed a £10,000 fundraising target by completing four Edinburgh Marathon Festival events in a single weekend- running 78km in two days for the disabled brother she helps care for.
Micaela Church completed the 5km (3.1 miles) and 10km (6.2 miles) on Saturday, followed by the half marathon (21.1km / 13.1 miles) and full marathon (42.2km / 26.2 miles), raising vital funds for Capability Scotland’s Our Inclusive Community Project (OICP).
The new development will replace Upper Springland, the Perth residential facility where her brother Matthew lives, which faces a significant flooding risk that threatens its long-term future.
Matthew, who was born with cytomegalovirus, lives with learning disabilities, autism, epilepsy and severe anxiety that requires round-the-clock specialist care. When Micaela and her siblings became his welfare guardians following the sudden loss of their mother five years ago, Upper Springland’s support proved invaluable to the whole family.
Micaela said: “The team at Upper Springland have taken the time to truly understand Matthew, his needs, his anxieties and the things that bring him joy.
“Knowing he is safe and genuinely cared for gives our whole family peace of mind. That’s what I’m running for.”
The new OICP facility will include a specialist hydrotherapy pool and that detail has driven every training mile. Swimming is where Matthew is at his happiest and the thought of securing that for him, and others like him, gave Micaela’s campaign its purpose.
Micaela remembered her mother returning from the Edinburgh Marathon Festival with a medal, convinced she had won. Decades later, she ran the same course carrying that memory with her.
Ailsa Wallace, Head of Fundraising & Communications at Capability Scotland, said: “What Micaela is taking on is extraordinary both the physical challenge and the dedication behind it.
“Upper Springland has served people from across Scotland for over 40 years. The OICP will ensure that exceptional care continues in a modern, purpose-built environment that truly reflects it and fundraising like this brings that future one step closer.”
A 41-year-old man has been jailed for organised crime and drug offences. William Byrne was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh today (Monday, 25 May, 2026).
At the same court on Wednesday, 15 April, 2026, he pleaded guilty to being involved in serious and organised crime.
Byrne was arrested in Portugal in October 2025 and later arrested and charged in connection with serious and organised crime offences on 25 November 2025 as part of a joint partnership with the National Crime Agency.
Detective Chief Inspector Laura Sands, said: “I hope this sentencing sends a message to those involved in serious and organised crime and drugs that you will be caught and you will face the consequences.
“Byrne’s involvement in this type of crime spanned across Europe and we worked with international partners, alongside law enforcement agencies in the UK and abroad, to ensure Byrne could be held accountable for his leading part in a sophisticated criminal enterprise, bringing drugs into our country with no regard for the harm and misery they cause.
“There is no place for this type of criminality in our communities and we will continue to work with partner agencies to tackle this and make our communities safer.”
Alan O’Brien, Branch Commander for the NCA in Scotland, said: “William Byrne is a dangerous criminal, working internationally with the aim of flooding Scotland with lethal drugs.
“The NCA worked closely with our law enforcement colleagues overseas and Police Scotland to track Byrne down and return him to the UK to face justice for his crimes.
“We will continue to work with partners to protect the public from serious and organised criminals like Byrne who cause harm to our local communities.”
A 54-year-old man who died on Friday, 22 May, 2026, has been named as Leigh McDonald from Edinburgh.
Around 6.10am, police received a report a man had been assaulted on Morison Gardens, South Queensferry. Emergency services attended, however, the 54-year-old man died at the scene.
Mr McDonald’s family said: “We are devastated at the loss of a much loved son and uncle. Leigh was loved by many people who will also be affected by this.
“We are taking it a day at a time, and we ask that our privacy is respected as we try to come to terms with what has happened.”
A 58-year-old man was arrested and charged. He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today – Monday, 25 May, 2026
The nation’s finest young musical talent came together on Sunday 24 May at Glasgow’s Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where 33 top musicians, representing each of Scotland’s 32 local authorities and the independent school sector, competed in the fifth prestigious Solo Performer of the Year Final.
Hosted by Ian Mills, the fifth annual Solo Performer of the Year competition showcased inspiring performances from Scotland’s finest young musicians, captivating the packed Stevenson Hall at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS). With a lifelong commitment to education and a deep-rooted passion for music, Ian brought warmth, insight and enthusiasm to the role.
The winning performance was by singer Kai Fitzharris (age 18) from Greenock, who who was representing the Inverclyde region. His beautiful performance of The Roadside Fire by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Die Nacht by Richard Strauss wowed the audience and judges and saw him taking home not just the overall Winner’s trophy but also winning the voice category and the collaboration award for his interaction with his accompanist Claire Haslin.
Kai Fitzharris receives £1,000 to further his musical career and the Maid of Morven trophy crafted by Alexander Stoddart FRSE, the King’s Sculptor in Ordinary in Scotland.
As part of his prize package from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Kai will benefit from a professional coaching session, the opportunity to participate in a masterclass, and a studio recording session to help develop his performance skills.
The judges awarded two runners-up. Bass guitarist Jake Kenny from North Ayrshire had the hall jumping with his virtuosic performance of Muse’s Hysteria and Primus’s Tommy the Cat.
And accordionist Daniel Small from Falkirk gave a brilliant performance of Yuri Dranga’s The Seagull, written by his tutor’s tutor, and Scottish traditional tune the Millers Reel in his own version of Ryan Corbett’s arrangement.
Both outstanding musicians will receive £250 towards their musical development, along with exclusive opportunities including a professional coaching session and masterclass placement at the prestigious Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS).
The audience was treated to inspiring performances by young musicians from Shetland to Moray to Dumfries and Galloway as every area of the country was represented. A full array of instruments was also on display from marimbas to clarinets and trombones, accordions and bass guitar to piano and voice, creating a rich and diverse musical programme.
Continuing the competition’s traditions, the winners of each specialist category were announced live during the final ceremony which was dedicated this year to John Wallace CBE, who as a champion of music education was an inspiration to so many and a valued supporter of Scottish Young Musicians from the very beginning.
This year’s category winners were; violinist Robert SJ Hutchinson from Fife for strings, flautist Zuzanna Kujawa from South Lanarkshire for woodwind, trombonist Patrick Summer from East Renfrewshire for brass, Marimba player Murray McLachlan from Angus for percussion, Jaiden Weideman from Aberdeen for piano, and overall winner Kai Fitzharris for vocals.
They will all receive career-enhancing opportunities generously provided by some of the UK’s leading music organisations, including Scottish Opera, RCS, Dunedin Consort, Live Music Now Scotland, the Cumnock Tryst, St Mary’s Music School, Stringers, Ursula Jones, Greg Bailey and Trinity Laban, supporting their development as emerging musical talents.
In addition, accordionist Daniel Small received the Trad music prize, cellist Eleanor Winter the Early Years Music prize and again the overall winner Kai Fitzharris the Collaborative Performance Prize.
The esteemed judging panel included MILOŠ, one of the world’s leading classical guitarists; Fraser Gordon, Principal Contrabassoon at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Jane Irwin, Head of Vocal Performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; Carol Main, Founding Director of Live Music Now Scotland; and Professor Arron Shorr an international piano soloist, chamber musician and educator.
The grand finale also featured spectacular performances by this year’s award-winning ensembles: Ensemble of the Year the Perth & Kinross Big Band, and Brass Ensemble of the Year the Campbeltown Brass Quintet from Argyll and Bute. Their electrifying and energetic performances provided a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable celebration of Scotland’s young musical talent.
Alan Kerr, Chair of Scottish Young Musicians said: “What an inspirational day! Scottish Young Musicians is Scotland’s only festival of competitions connecting every Scottish school and offering students the chance to achieve their ambitions through their talent in music, develop their life-skills and have fun.
“Huge congratulations to our winner Kai Fitzharris , and to our two runners up Jake Kenny and Daniel Small. We hope that this is a wonderful moment in their long journeys with music.
“I must recognise the enthusiasm of teachers who’ve embraced SYM, our incredible hard-working team that has made it happen, and the generosity of our supporters who have provided funds, prizes, and assistance.
“It’s been especially poignant would like to dedicate this year’s solo final to John Wallace CBE who, as a champion of music education, was an inspiration to all, especially students and a valued supporter of Scottish Young Musicians from the very beginning.”
The Scotland-wide competition is run by The Music Education Partnership Group who work with every school and local authority to support music education and opportunities.
TODAY (Monday, 25 May, 2026), at the High Court in Edinburgh Peter Murrell was convicted of embezzling funds from the Scottish National Party.
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston had oversight of Operation Branchform, Police Scotland’s investigation into the embezzlement.
ACC Houston said: “This was a lengthy and extremely complex case due to the scale of criminality over a 12-year period and the lengths Peter Murrell went to try and cover his tracks.
“I commend the professionalism and absolute dedication of the Operation Branchform team who spent more than four years carrying out extensive enquiries across Europe to unpick Murrell’s offending.
“All of this work, in close partnership with colleagues from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, was carried out under the most intense public scrutiny and it was their commitment to gathering such detailed and compelling evidence that brought us to the High Court today.
“This is without doubt one of the most high-profile investigations in recent times and it is testimony to the work of Police Scotland officers and staff that has led to Peter Murrell’s admission of guilt early in the court process.
“I would also like to thank the many witnesses who came forward to provide us with statements as we built the case against Peter Murrell. Their engagement with us was vital.
“Peter Murrell has shown utter contempt for the high public trust placed in him as the Chief Executive of a political party and his position in the wider political establishment in Scotland for many years.
“He abused his privileged position with access to Scottish National Party funds to divert cash into his own accounts and bankroll the lavish lifestyle he craved but could not afford.
“From 2010 to 2022 he spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on luxury goods while carefully trying to hide his criminality with false receipts and accounting.
“He must now face the consequences of his actions.”
Murrell was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month.
“If your garden is packed with quality, character and interest, and is admired by friends and family we would love to hear from you,” says Dr Richard Claxton, Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme.
The charity is inviting garden owners across the country to open their gates in 2027 to celebrate its landmark centenary year.
Founded in 1927 to support district nurses, the Scheme has spent a century transforming private passion into public good.
Dr Richard Claxton adds: “Whether you have an historic estate with rolling acres, a country cottage, an enthusiastic village of gardeners, a tiny urban sanctuary, or community allotments, we’re asking garden owners across the country to help raise vital funds for some of the UK’s leading health and nursing charities and to make 2027 a record-breaking year.”
Why Open in 2027?
Join a Legacy: You will be part of a uniquely British tradition that began with King George V opening the gardens at Sandringham in the inaugural 1927 season.
Celebrate Together: Centenary openings will be supported by national, regional and local media campaigns and owners will be invited to celebrate the centenary with a number of events and special offers on plants and garden merchandise.
Who Can Apply?
Whether your space is a wildlife haven, a productive veg plot, or a country idyll, the primary criteria are quality, character, and interest.
Important Deadlines:
To be featured in the 2027 Centenary Garden Visitor’s Handbook and to receive full promotional support:
Prospective garden owners should contact their local County Organiser as soon as possible to arrange a time to visit during the current growing season – you can do this by completing the online form and uploading a photo of your garden here:
Registration Deadline: All gardens must complete their official registration by mid-September to be included in the centenary publications.
“Our centenary is a celebration of the generosity of garden owners over the last 100 years,” adds Chief Executive Dr Richard Claxton.
“By opening your garden in 2027, you aren’t just sharing a beautiful space – you are providing a lifeline for nursing and health charities that need our support more than ever.”
Holyrood will see a mass gathering of citizens on bicycles, tandems, hand-cycles, cargo bikes, recumbent cycles and trikes, riding a closed route from the Meadows to the Scottish Parliament calling for a cycle-safe Scotland.
Riders will join the mass demonstration from ‘feeder rides’ leading in from all over the city, with many supporters coming in from across the country by train and bus with their cycles in tow.
Returning for its fourteenth action since its inception in 2012, Pedal on Parliament has consistently called for safer conditions for walking and cycling in Scotland through mass rides in Edinburgh and beyond, demonstrating the demand and scale of support for everyday cycling.
Their renewed manifesto for 2026 calls for a wide range of interventions for cycling and road safety, ranging from adequate funding allocation and building on the successes of protected infrastructure already built, to calls for greater enforcement powers for police to tackle unsafe driving, and presumed liability for motorists in the event of collisions.
Alex Robertson, Pedal on Parliament co-organiser, said:“Cycling for everyday journeys can be an accessible and healthy option for folks young and old alike, provided action is taken on adequate funding, protected infrastructure and addressing road dangers.
“More people choosing to travel by cycle provides all manner of benefits: for mental and physical wellbeing, taking pressure off our health service; enabling quicker and more enjoyable commutes; but also in reducing congestion, wear on our roads and air pollution along the way.
“We know from the Scottish Walking and Cycling Index that many people would like to cycle more, but nearly half of those surveyed didn’t believe their local area was safe enough. And in the countries and cities where these matters are addressed, real economic and social benefits are being realised that Scotland is currently missing out on. We think everyone should have a real choice in how they travel.”
The ride will end outside the Scottish Parliament with a gathering on the grass to hear speeches from MSPs and organisers, along with the departure of other cycle rides and a fundraising bake sale.
Having a Bank Holiday Weekend spring clean out? Did you know you can donate many different items to the Hospice?
– That bottle of wine gathering dust
– That gin still untouched
– The gift set you’ll never use, or the candle that’s not quite your scent
– The extra goodie bag items from your child’s party
– Even those kids toys still in their packaging!
Yes, we want it all, and you’ll feel great having decluttered and done a good deed! Every donation helps us raise vital funds at our upcoming events.
Please drop off unopened gift sets, bottles and kids games at our reception during opening hours, or contact the Fundraising Team on fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk or 0131 551 1381 for further details
