Abacus at The Scholar is celebrating being named among the top 10% of restaurants worldwide in the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2026 – with 10% off dining throughout September.
In Edinburgh’s Southside, Abacus is a relaxed, sociable restaurant bringing together hotel guests, locals and visitors throughout the day. Its menu offers something for every occasion, from long lunches and coffee catch-ups to dinner and drinks with friends.
The menu includes Scottish hot-smoked salmon rillette and locally sourced dry-aged steak to heritage roast carrots with burrata and dukkha, complemented by a selection of cocktails, European wines and low- and no-alcohol serves.
Following a refreshment in 2025, Abacus combines calm, natural interiors with splashes of colour and artwork inspired by the vibrancy of the menu. Booth seating and relaxed dining spaces create a setting that works throughout the day, while a private dining space for up to 10 guests also offers a more intimate setting.
Gavin MacLennan, Group General Manager at University of Edinburgh Hospitality Collection, said:“To be recognised in the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice top 10% of restaurants in the world is a huge achievement for the whole Abacus team.
“It’s particularly special because the recognition comes from the people who have visited us and taken the time to share their experiences. We have worked hard to create a restaurant that feels welcoming and relaxed where people enjoy delicious food and want to spend time together.
“Offering 10% off throughout September is our way of saying thank you, and hopefully giving even more people a reason to join us around the table.”
Guests can quote “Tripadvisor” when dining at Abacus until 30th September 2026 to enjoy 10% off their meal.*
Abacus at The Scholar Hotel is open seven days a week, serving breakfast and an all-day menu from 12 noon until 9.30pm.
Around 400 students will take to the waves at Lost Shore Surf Resort on Wednesday 23 September, bringing university surf clubs from across Scotland together for one of the biggest gatherings of student surfers in the country.
The Student Supertaster will kick off the new year of Lost Shore’s Uni Surf Club Programme, which attracted more than 500 student members during the last academic year and gives students of all abilities a consistent place to surf, progress and spend time with their club throughout the university year.
The event will bring students together for a day of surfing, music and activities, with sessions available for everyone from complete beginners taking to a board for the first time to experienced surfers looking to progress.
Three-time Great Britain surfing champion Stanley Norman will also join students in the water, giving students the chance to surf alongside him and pick up tips from one of the country’s top professional surfers.
Ten universities will come together for the September event, including Edinburgh Napier, Stirling, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Strathclyde, St Andrews, Aberdeen, the University of the Highlands and Islands and Heriot-Watt.
Further activity with Newcastle University and Glasgow Caledonian University means Lost Shore’s university programme will engage students from 12 universities across Scotland and the North of England this year.
As well as regular university surf sessions throughout the academic year, Lost Shore is developing plans for a university competition event in November, creating a pathway for students to progress their surfing and experience the competitive side of the sport.
Lee Wood, Managing Director at Lost Shore Surf Resort, said:“There’s something really special about university surf clubs. I was President of the University of Edinburgh Surf Club, so I know how much they’re about more than simply getting in the water. They’re a place to meet people, make friends and be part of a community.
“That’s why I’m so excited to see around 400 students from 10 different universities coming together at Lost Shore. It’s going to create an incredible atmosphere and will be a brilliant way to start the university surf season.
“What we can offer is a consistent base for these clubs throughout the year. You don’t have to wait for the right conditions at the coast, and you absolutely don’t need to arrive as a surfer. Whether it’s your first time on a board or you’re an experienced surfer, you can come along with your club, get in the water and be part of it.
“We saw more than 500 students become part of our university surf community last year and we want to build on that. It’s about giving students somewhere they can surf regularly, develop their skills and, importantly, meet people and have a great time together.”
Students attending the launch on 23 September will be able to surf for £35 and sign up for Lost Shore’s Uni Surf Club Programme, giving them access to dedicated university surf sessions and savings of up to 40% throughout the academic year.
The programme caters for all abilities, from beginners through to advanced surfers, with regular university sessions taking place at Lost Shore on Wednesday afternoons.
Students wanting to take part in the Student Supertaster should book using their university email and attend the event on 23 September to access the Uni Surf Club benefits.
What issues matter most to you and your community?
Join ECCAN and Hope for the Future for a Political Roundtable, bringing Edinburgh communities and elected representatives together to discuss climate and nature – and the changes you want to see.
We’re pleased to confirm Lorna Slater MSP, Christine Jardine MP and Councillor Chas Booth will be joining us, with more representatives to be announced soon.
Come along to ask questions and raise the climate and nature issues that matter to you and your community.
30th September | 10:30am–2pm
Greyfriars Charteris Centre
Want to prepare beforehand? Join our free online refresher with Hope for the Future to revisit key tools and ideas and get ready for the roundtable.
23rd September | 1–2pm | Online
Both sessions are free. Book via the link in our bio.
Fifth anniversary edition runs from 6 October to 7 November 2026 across Scotland with screenings in Glasgow, Cromarty, Edinburgh, Dunfermline and Aberdeen
Rare 35mm screenings, contemporary discoveries, exclusive premieres and anniversary events showcase the breadth of cinema from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus
Special strands Re-membering the Archive and Love Stories: Eastern European and Caucasian Romance explore memory, identity, migration and romance across the region
Samizdat Eastern European Film Festival has announced its 2026 programme, marking the festival’s fifth anniversary with its most ambitious and geographically expansive edition to date.
Bringing together some of the most exciting, powerful, thoughtful, strange and visionary filmmaking from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus, the festival will present screenings, special events, filmmaker conversations and premieres across Glasgow, Cromarty, Edinburgh, Dunfermline and Aberdeen.
The festival opens on 6 October at Glasgow Film Theatre with a new edition of Samizdat’s much-loved animation programme, Politics of the Imagination: Animations of the Eastern Bloc (1958–1992).
Featuring surreal dreamscapes, folk tales, post-apocalyptic visions and allegories of political paranoia, the collection showcases the extraordinary creativity of animators working across the Eastern Bloc during the second half of the twentieth century.
The screening will be preceded by a musical introduction from Ukrainian violinist Masha Zhuravlova and followed by an Opening Night Party at Stereo.
To mark its fifth anniversary, Samizdat has assembled one of its most ambitious and varied programmes to date, combining landmark classics, contemporary discoveries, filmmaker conversations, documentary premieres, experimental cinema and special anniversary events. Highlights include a rare 35mm screening of Béla Tarr and Ágnes Hranitzky’s masterpiece Werckmeister Harmonies, alongside Jerzy Kawalerowicz’s acclaimed psychological drama Mother Joan of the Angels.
A major focus of this year’s programme is Re-membering the Archive, a strand exploring personal and collective histories through photographs, home videos, memory and acts of reconstruction.
Featured works include Klára Tasovská’s I’m Not Everything I Want to Be, built from the remarkable photographic archive of Czech photographer Libuše Jarcovjáková; Maria Stoianova’s Fragments of Ice, which pieces together the story of Ukraine’s transition from the Soviet Union through decades of family VHS recordings; and Otilia Babara’s Love Is Not an Orange, an intimate portrait of migration and motherhood in post-independence Moldova assembled from home videos sent between mothers working abroad and the children they left behind.
The strand also includes Vlad Petri’s Between Revolutions, a compelling blend of archival footage, political history and fictional correspondence spanning Romania and Iran.
Meanwhile, Samizdat’s recurring genre strand returns under the banner Love Stories: Eastern European and Caucasian Romance, presenting three radically different explorations of love, desire and belonging. Audiences can discover Janusz Morgenstern’s rarely screened Polish classic Goodbye, See You Tomorrow, Levan Akin’s acclaimed Georgian drama And Then We Danced, and Anja Koprivšek’s uplifting documentary Grand Prize, which celebrates love, friendship and chosen family within Croatia’s ballroom community.
Contemporary Ukrainian cinema continues to play a central role within the festival. Alongside Fragments of Ice, audiences can experience the UK premiere of Yulia Appen’s A Home for Rita, a tender portrait of an internally displaced Romani family rebuilding their lives after fleeing Russian occupation, as well as a wide selection of Ukrainian works featured throughout the Short Film Competition and other curated programmes.
The festival also presents works that challenge conventional forms and ways of seeing. Armenian double bill After Dreaming and Kafka brings together two films exploring uncertainty, displacement and estrangement, while Marija Nemčenko’s LAK i offers a poetic reflection on home and belonging, weaving together stories of white storks, rural communities and disappearing ways of life in south-east Lithuania. Similar themes are further explored in The Beauty of the Donkey, in which filmmaker Dea Gjinovci returns to Kosovo with her father more than fifty years after his exile, exploring family history, memory and belonging across generations.
Classic cinema also remains at the heart of the programme. Alongside Werckmeister Harmonies, audiences can discover Heat, the remarkable debut feature by acclaimed Ukrainian filmmaker Larisa Shepitko.
Set in the Kazakh steppe during the Soviet Virgin Lands Campaign, the film follows a young graduate whose idealism collides with entrenched hierarchies, revealing the early brilliance of one of Eastern European cinema’s most celebrated directors.
As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting emerging filmmakers, Samizdat’s Short Film Competition returns with fifteen films from across Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus competing for the festival’s Audience Award. This year’s selection spans countries from Poland and Ukraine to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, bringing together animation, documentary and fiction works from some of the region’s most exciting contemporary voices.
To celebrate its fifth birthday, the festival has also created its first ever 5th Anniversary Shorts Collection, co-curated by the entire programming team. The programme invites audiences into the films that have shaped the curators’ relationships with the cinema, histories and cultures represented throughout the festival, offering a uniquely personal reflection on five years of Samizdat.
Beyond Glasgow, the festival will travel further across Scotland than ever before. Following its opening week at Glasgow Film Theatre and The Pyramid at Anderston, Samizdat will bring selected screenings to Cromarty, Edinburgh, Dunfermline and Aberdeen, extending its reach and bringing distinctive cinema from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus to audiences across the country.
Natalia Guzevataya, Programme Manager and Curator, said:“Following what can already be called a Samizdat tradition, the programme opens with a collection of animations, setting the world of our deepest dreams and nightmares.
“This time, our recurring genre strand focuses on Love Stories, offering three radically different windows into romance across Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus, and finds itself in curious dialogue with a spontaneously created documentary strand, Re-membering the Archive.
“Love and memory, both working through tiny, peculiarly particular details, together carry the programme’s political and poetic structure. And, of course, we’re marking the end of an era in Eastern European cinema, the passing of Béla Tarr, with a rare 35mm screening of Werckmeister Harmonies.
“To celebrate our fifth anniversary, we tried something new and, for the first time, co-curated a screening all together – a collection of shorts that speak to what Samizdat means to each of us.”
Dylan Beck, Festival Manager and Curator, said:“Reaching this five-year milestone is a testament to the interest our audiences have shown in cinema from Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus – we cannot wait to celebrate this landmark year with a programme that pays tribute to how far we have come.
“We will be joined in person by a few filmmakers in Glasgow – the city where Samizdat started as a small project run by a group of volunteers – before hitting the road to present select screenings in more locations across Scotland than ever before.”
Sambrooke Scott, Head of Audience Development at Screen Scotland, said:“Samizdat is a festival that celebrates and embodies the pioneering and distinctive filmmaking of Eastern Europe and the festival’s growing reputation and reach is testament to their exciting, diverse and eclectic programme which means, on any given day, you can experience animated shorts from the 1970s, contemporary features from the diaspora, and 35mm prints of classic auteurs from Eastern Europe.
“The festival is unique within Scotland and the UK, and its increasing geographic reach underlines the continued interest and appetite for and from the communities reflected within the programme. Screen Scotland is supporting this edition through our Film Festivals and Screening Programme Development Funding, ensuring that the festival continues its mission to explore new work, expand its reach and break new ground.”
Samizdat Eastern European Film Festival takes place in:
Glasgow: 6–11 October 2026 at Glasgow Film Theatre and The Pyramid at Anderston
Cromarty: 13–16 October 2026 at Cromarty Cinema
Edinburgh: 22–25 October 2026 at Filmhouse
Dunfermline: 30 October 2026 at Peacock Cinema, Carnegie Hall
Aberdeen: 7 November 2026 at Belmont Cinema, Aberdeen Art Gallery
Samizdat strives to ensure its programme can be enjoyed by as many people as possible. All festival venues are wheelchair accessible, films are presented with English subtitles, and selected screenings include descriptive subtitles. Detailed accessibility information and the Audience Access Fund are available via the festival website.
As part of its commitment to accessibility, most Samizdat screenings operate on a pay-what-you-can model, with ticket prices beginning at £4. The festival also offers an Audience Access Fund to support attendees facing financial barriers, helping to cover costs such as travel and childcare where needed.
The 2026 edition of Samizdat is supported by Screen Scotland’s Film Festival and Screening Programme Fund and Film Hub Scotland, part of the BFI’s Film Audience Network, and funded by Screen Scotland and National Lottery funding from the BFI.
First time a multi-arm, multi-stage (MAMS) trial has reported positive results in a neurological condition
Diabetes drug metformin removed from trial, but innovative design means more drugs can be added in 2027
Researcher warns of significant risk of taking unlicensed drugs outside the safety of a clinical trial
(Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY)
Interim results from a world-first multiple sclerosis (MS) trial have found that an existing medication, alpha-lipoic acid (also known as ALA), is showing early promise as a potential treatment to slow progression in MS.
Researchers from the Queen Square MS Centre and Innovative Clinical Trials Unit (InCTU) at University College London (UCL) revealed that the drug could have potential to become the first neuroprotective treatment in MS. But stress people should not attempt to acquire alpha-lipoic acid outside a clinical trial, as further research is needed to fully understand its efficacy – and particularly its safety – in MS.
MS can be debilitating, exhausting, and unpredictable, and symptoms range from chronic fatigue and bladder and bowel problems to mobility difficulties. While there are over a dozen treatments for those living with relapsing MS, tens of thousands with the progressive form* desperately need treatments to stop their MS getting worse. Those drugs that do exist only work on one aspect of the condition – the immune system. They don’t stop the gradual nerve damage that leads to long-term disability. Finding ways to protect nerves from damage is key.
The innovative progressive MS trial, Octopus, uses a multi-arm multi-stage (MAMS) design, which means it can test potential new treatments up to three times faster than conventional trials.
Supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre: UCLH, Octopus has provided a blueprint for similar trials across neurological conditions, from motor neuron disease and Parkinson’s disease to psychosis. It has been testing two drugs at once – a high dose of alpha-lipoic acid and diabetes drug, metformin – and comparing each one against a placebo.
Alpha-lipoic acid will now continue to the second stage of the trial. Data from both stages will then be combined to provide a definitive phase 3 result. However, metformin did not demonstrate sufficient promise to be taken forward. This will now be removed from the trial, with all participants from that arm leaving the trial and coming off the drug in the coming weeks.
More than 850 people have joined the trial at hospitals across the UK, including Scotland, as well as in Australia1. Now the team are seeking hundreds more people living with primary or secondary progressive MS to sign up.
Thanks to this positive result, in the coming years Octopus will become the world’s largest ever trial in progressive MS. The trial design means other drugs could be added as soon as early 2027.
Margaret Anderson, 57, lives in North Edinburgh and joined the Octopus trial after it launched in the city. She was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS about 20 years ago and now lives with the secondary progressive form of the condition. Her symptoms include fatigue, spasms, sensory pain, and mobility issues, and she uses crutches to help her walk.
After finding out she would be continuing on the trial, Margaret said: “It makes me feel optimistic for the future knowing there’s research like the Octopus trial happening. There must have been some good signs with the drug they’ve carried on so there’s hope there.
“I heard about the trial from my neurologist, and I wanted to take part because us patients have to do our bit as well. It might not benefit me but if it can benefit people with MS in the future then I’ll do anything I can. You don’t know whether you’re on a drug or a placebo but it’s a chance worth taking.”
When asked what she would say to someone living with MS who was considering registering their interest in Octopus or another research trial, Margaret added: “I’m being very, very well looked after and cared for on this trial. I would tell people not to be afraid of signing up.
“The more of us that can take part in research the better, and the more the researchers will learn. And hopefully, as well as finding new treatments, one day there’ll be a cure for MS.”
Dr Peter Foley is Principal Investigator for Octopus at the Edinburgh trial site, based at the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic at the University of Edinburgh.He said: “The team at the Anne Rowling Clinic has been encouraged to hear of the latest developments in the Octopus trial.
“While of course it’s disappointing in some ways that metformin won’t progress to the next stage of the trial, it’s positive that Octopus is already helping to work out what treatments might be helpful.
“Building on these early results, alpha-lipoic acid will continue to be tested as a potential future treatment for progressive MS. We’re happy to be able to support delivering this important trial in Scotland, and are very grateful to all the trial participants who have committed so much time and effort.
“We hope that the success of the innovative Octopus trial design so far is a positive step towards developing effective therapies for people affected by progressive MS.”
Octopus is being led by leading UCL neurologist Professor Jeremy Chataway, whose vision to rethink trials for progressive MS was born over a decade ago.He says: “This is very exciting and proves not only that the Octopus trial design works, but that a new way of protecting nerves could be on the horizon.
“Of course, learning that metformin will be discontinued is disappointing. But finding treatments for progressive MS is extremely difficult, and we’re so pleased to be taking alpha-lipoic acid into the second stage of the trial.
“We’re now looking forward not only to seeing what the final results are, but also to adding in new ‘arms’ to Octopus next year.
“In the meantime, we do need to remind people with MS to not try to source unproven drugs outside the safety of a clinical trial.”
Dr Emma Gray, Director of Research at the MS Society,says: “We are so proud to be funding the first ever MAMs trial for people with progressive MS. It’s been a privilege to be part of the team and to have united the MS research community and worked with people living with MS to make this happen.
“MS can be debilitating, exhausting and unpredictable but today’s results are a huge step forward and show treatments to slow or stop MS progression have never been more within our reach. Octopus was made possible entirely by public donations and our Stop MS Appeal.
“We’re continuing to seek funding from our generous supporters for the future delivery of the trial to build a future where no one needs to worry about MS getting worse.”
Professor Max Parmar is Professor of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology and Director of the Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology at UCL. His underpinning work was key to the launch of the STAMPEDE trial for prostate cancer in 2005 – the world’s first MAMS Platform trial for any condition and the inspiration behind Octopus.
He says:”The MAMS platform design has transformed how we test new treatments in prostate cancer through the STAMPEDE trial, dramatically accelerating the evaluation of promising therapies and delivering benefits to patients years, and in some cases decades, sooner than would have been possible with conventional approaches.
“It has fundamentally changed the pace at which we can make progress. It is therefore tremendously encouraging to see these interim results from Octopus, demonstrating for the first time that this innovative approach can be successfully applied in multiple sclerosis. The potential to evaluate treatments more efficiently and accelerate progress for people living with MS is incredibly exciting.
“Reaching this stage is a remarkable achievement and reflects the vision, dedication and collaboration of the entire MS research community, as well as the commitment of the participants who have made the trial possible. I am excited to see how Octopus develops and the impact it could have on the future of MS treatment research.”
Anyone who has primary or secondary progressive MS and is aged between 25 and 70 in the UK can register their interest via the UK MS Register to take part in stage 2 of the Octopus trial.
Please note there is a waiting list for the trial.
Globally renowned events, world-famous attractions and a host of tourism businesses have been crowned winners at a top regional tourism and events award ceremony.
A total of nine local businesses and events took home awards at the Central and East Thistle Awards regional final, held on Thursday at the city’s Assembly Rooms.
For over 30 years, the Scottish Thistle Awards have showcased individual businesses, people and partnership working. They have become an annual celebration of excellence, collaboration and innovation within one of the country’s most important sectors. Past winners credit the awards with boosting their business, increasing enquiries and inspiring staff.
Winners from across the Capital include:
28 York Place which took home two prizes, winning Employer of the Year and Best Accommodation or Unique Stay.
Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town, 28 York Place is a beautifully restored Georgian townhouse offering boutique accommodation, stylish event spaces and exceptional hospitality. Judges were particularly impressed by the combination of arts and culture, partnership working, operational sustainability and investment in future talent.
Gordon Wilson, General Manager of 28 York Place said: “To win is a huge honour. From the character of the building to the thoughtful touches that shape each guest’s stay, we work hard to make every visit feel personal and memorable.
“Being recognised among Scotland’s best is wonderful validation of the care our whole team puts in.”
The Best Eating Experience title was awarded to Amber Restaurant at The Scotch Whisky Experience with judges noting both the restaurant’s impressive sustainability credentials and it’s dining experience centred on storytelling and showcasing Scotland’s regions through provenance-led dishes.
Julie Trevisan-Hunter, Marketing Director at The Scotch Whisky Experience, said:“Being recognised at the Thistle Awards during Amber’s 25th anniversary is an incredible milestone for our entire team.
“For a quarter-century, we have pioneered immersive food and whisky dining on the Royal Mile, proudly showcasing Scotland’s larder and creating lasting memories through exceptional food and drink, bringing the stories behind them to light.”
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh on Victoria Street was named Best Hotel, sponsored by Fishers. Judges were impressed by the hotel’s extremely high-quality visitor experience and a clear passion for local partnerships.
Mafalda Albuquerque, General Manager at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh said: “Winning Best Hotel at the Scottish Thistle Awards is an incredible honour and a proud moment for everyone at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh.
“This recognition belongs to our exceptional team, whose passion, warmth and commitment create unforgettable stays every day. We’re delighted to celebrate this achievement alongside our guests, partners and the Edinburgh community who inspire us to keep raising the bar.”
While A Wee Pedal, earned the title of Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience, sponsored by GetYourGuide. The family-run business helps visitors discover a different side of Edinburgh through guided bike and e-bike experiences and judges commended the forward-thinking and progressive approach while firmly remaining centred around people.
Leanne Farmer, Owner of A Wee Pedal said: “Winning the Scottish Thistle Award is a tremendous honour, recognising the passion, dedication and innovation that underpins everything we do.
It celebrates our incredible team, strengthens our reputation, inspires confidence among visitors and partners, and showcases how tourism can successfully combine outstanding visitor experiences with meaningful community impact and sustainability.”
There was further success for Edinburgh Zoo following its Climate Action award win at last year’s national ceremony. The popular attraction took home the Inclusion Award, sponsored by AccessAble, for its work including the development of employment pathways with Down’s Syndrome Scotland, extensive youth employability and significant investment into community engagement programmes.
Ben Supple, Deputy Chief Executive at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland said:“Making nature more inclusive is at the very heart of our work at Edinburgh Zoo and across the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.
“We passionately believe that nature is for everyone which is why we are determined to make the zoo as accessible as possible.”
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo won the award for Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival,sponsored bySTV.
Every year, the spectacular showcase at Edinburgh Castle brings together military bands, musicians and performers from around the world. This international appeal alongside the iconic venue and the event’s success in showcasing Scotland’s culture and heritage were key reasons the event took home the trophy.
Jason Barrett, Chief Executive of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo said: “This award celebrates the passion and vision that drives The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and we are honoured to be recognised for the power of our performance to connect, inspire and uplift.
“We are proud to share in Scotland’s rich cultural story with the world, and this achievement reflects the exceptional efforts of our team, partners, and global cast.”
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Edinburgh’s oldest visitor attraction, earned the title of Best Visitor Attraction. Judges commended the attractions groundbreaking approach to the visitor experience with innovation evident in every area of the organisation.
Andrew Johnson, General Manager said:“We are absolutely thrilled to win this award.
“It is a powerful recognition of the creativity, commitment and care shown by our entire team, and of our ongoing ambition to make Camera Obscura & World of Illusions an inspiring, welcoming and forward-thinking place to visit, work and enjoy.”
The Climate ActionAward,sponsored by Historic Scotland,was won by Edinburgh International Festival. The world-renowned event earned the judges’ favour through initiatives like their carbon foot printing process and strong staff engagement and training.
Francesca Hegyi, Edinburgh International Festival’s Chief Executive said:“We’re delighted to accept this Climate Action Award from the Scottish Thistle Awards.
“Climate action is built into how we plan, programme and deliver the Festival, and this award is a real encouragement to keep pushing further and lead by example within Scotland’s cultural sector”.
Finally, Helen McVey of Highland Experience Tours was named the winner of the Rising Star award, sponsored by HIT Scotland.
Since joining Highland Experience Tours in 2023 Helen has progressed into the leading role of developing the company’s sustainability, operational improvements and ethical strategy. She took the lead in the company’s application to become a certified B Corp business that has helped embed value-led practices across the whole business.
Helen said:“Winning the Rising Star Award is an incredible honour. I feel so incredibly lucky to have grown with Highland Experience, a team that believes tourism can be a force for good.
“Leading our B Corp journey has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career, allowing me to help turn those values into action.”
Delivered by VisitScotland with headline sponsors Abbey: The Destination Experts – part of the Abbey Group, a collection of travel companies specialising in inbound tourism to the UK & Ireland, in September. The Scottish Thistle Awards combines five regional awards and a national final.
Neil Christison, VisitScotland Regional Director, said:“Congratulations to all nine Edinburgh businesses and events recognised at this year’s Scottish Thistle Awards regional final. Their success reflects the innovation, dedication and passion that continue to make Edinburgh one of the world’s most inspiring visitor destinations.
“From outstanding visitor experiences and exceptional hospitality to internationally renowned events and attractions, these winners showcase the very best of Scotland’s tourism and events industry. They play a vital role in supporting jobs, communities and local economies while delivering memorable experiences for visitors from near and far.
“The Scottish Thistle Awards celebrate excellence across our sector, and this recognition is a testament to the hard work of the teams behind each business and event. I wish all of our winners the very best as they go on to represent Edinburgh at the national final later this year.”
Responsible tourism is at the heart of the Scottish Thistle Awards, supporting the aim for Scotland to be recognised globally as a leader in this field.
Regional winners for Central and East were announced at a ceremony hosted by radio DJ Grant Stott and delivered by VisitScotland, with headline sponsors Abbey: The Destination Experts – part of the Abbey Group, a collection of travel companies specialising in inbound tourism to the UK & Ireland.
Winners from all five regional awards, which also include the West of Scotland, Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards (HITA), the Aberdeen City and Shire Thistle Awards (ACSTA) and the South of Scotland Thistle Awards (delivered by the South of Scotland Destination Alliance and supported by South of Scotland Enterprise) go on to compete at the Scottish Thistle Award national ceremony in November.
This year’s sponsors also include AccessAble, Fishers, GetYourGuide, Historic Scotland, HIT Scotland, Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA), STV, The Times Scotland and the Scottish Sun.
An Army veteran from who suffered life-changing injuries in Afghanistan before going on to win gold in the Paris Paralympics is championing one of Scotland’s toughest charity challenges.
Gregg Stevenson MBE was serving as a Royal Engineer Commando in Afghanistan in 2009, when he stepped on an IED, becoming a double amputee. Determined to move forward with his life despite the challenges of his rehabilitation, Gregg embarked on a remarkable journey to academic and sporting success, with the support of the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF).
Now Gregg is calling on people around the UK to support the charity by taking on the ABF’s gruelling 24-hour hike in the foothills of the Cairngorms. The former soldier has been unveiled as the new ambassador for 2027 Cateran Yomp at a reception this week on 17th September in Edinburgh Castle to officially launch the ABF’s flagship event.
The 2027 Cateran Yomp will once again challenge civilians, veterans and serving soldiers to walk 22 (bronze), 36 (silver) or 54 miles (gold), non-stop for 24 hours from Blairgowrie, Perthshire.
Based on the infamous long-distance military training march, this annual event is taking place from 5th to 6th June 2027, the anniversary of D Day. Serving soldiers in teams of four that complete 54 miles in under 24 hours earn the prestigious Gold Distinction Award, and there is also a relay option.
It is expected to attract hundreds of participants from across Scotland and the rest of the UK and as far afield as Ukraine, Australia and the US, raising funds for the ABF, the Army’s national charity, and its lifetime support for soldiers, veterans and their families.
The event receives strong support from participants from Scotland including teams from Dundee, Falkirk, Edinburgh and Glasgow and serving soldiers from 2 SCOTS, as well as locally-based companies including Castle Water, a longstanding sponsor whose employees take part every year and which helps provide drinking water throughout the route, ensuring Yompers can stay hydrated.
Gregg Stevenson, the 2027 Cateran Yomp ambassador, joined the Army at age 19. In 2009, while on patrol in Afghanistan, Gregg detonated an IED and became a double amputee as a result.
He says: “When the explosion happened, I felt helpless, confused and had difficulties breathing– I couldn’t take care of myself. But hearing the familiar voices of people who had been through difficult times with me, saying – you’re going to be okay – helped bring me back to reality. I thought, I’m still here, I’m still alive, now what’s the next part? ”
During his lengthy rehabilitation, Gregg learned about the ABF’s financial support for the Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund and received the charity’s help to study for a BSc in Sports, Fitness and Coaching at the Open University. Alongside his studies, the father of two, 41, from Foulridge in East Lancashire, took up competitive rowing, progressing to international success and ultimately securing Gold in the Paris Paralympics 2024.
Gregg is currently working as the Armed Forces Covenant Project Manager for Lancashire and researching a PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University, focusing on reducing health inequalities and enhancing rehabilitation services.
He credits the ABF with helping him access education and opportunities that have transformed his life. Now Gregg is sharing his story to inspire others to test themselves and to develop their resilience by signing up for the ABF’s Cateran Yomp.
Gregg says: “I’m thrilled to be heading to Scotland in June as the 2027 Cateran Yomp ambassador and I’d urge as many people as possible to sign up for the event. It’s been a journey since my injury, but with the ABF’s support, I’ve been able to get the best out of myself and I couldn’t be more thankful.
“What I’ve learned from my time as a commando and in elite sport is that reaching the finish when you’re facing a serious challenge requires cheerfulness, a sense of adversity, and teamwork. The Yomp is a great opportunity to come together to raise money, to truly test your resilience and have some great stories to tell afterwards.”
Peter Monteith, Chief Operations Officer, Army Benevolent Fund says: “We are grateful to Gregg for sharing his journey from injury to recovery and excellence in sport, academia and employment.
“We hope that his example will inspire others to take up the challenge of the Cateran Yomp and look forward to welcoming even more participants to the event in June. Every step taken will support our mission – to be there for soldiers, veterans and families, for life.”
Since 2011, Yomp participants and sponsors have raised over £6m for the ABF and next year’s event is set to be the biggest yet, with more than 1,100 expected over the start line, including more than 350 serving personnel.
The ABF is here to support the Army community through life’s challenges – such as bereavement, getting back to work, elderly care, and much more besides. Last year, the ABF supported over 74,000 veterans, soldiers and their families in the UK and 51 countries around the world through its grants to individuals and other charities.
The Cateran Yomp 2027 was officially launched at a reception in Edinburgh Castle on 17th September 2026, with guests including Scottish business leaders, military personnel, veterans and other ABF supporters.
Scotland’s NHS is about to undergo one of the biggest structural changes in its history (writes FOYSOL CHOUDHURY).
The Scottish Government has announced plans to radically reshape the way NHS Scotland is organised, including replacing the existing 14 territorial health boards with two strategic boards as part of a wider programme of public service reform.
The Government says the reforms will reduce bureaucracy, improve services and deliver better outcomes for patients.
Those ambitions should be welcomed.
But there is a question that must not be lost amid the discussion about structures, savings and management: Where does tackling racism and health inequality fit into the future of our NHS?
This is not a question I raise simply because I have recently left the Scottish Parliament. It is an issue I raised repeatedly during my time as an MSP.
Throughout my five years representing Lothian, I used my position at Holyrood to raise concerns about health inequalities, access to treatment, poverty and racism.
I asked ministers about the inequalities faced by communities across Scotland and highlighted the stark differences in health outcomes between areas of deprivation and more affluent communities.
I raised concerns about access to NHS services and the pressures facing services such as NHS 24.
I also raised the need to ensure that staff are properly trained and supported, including questions about safeguarding training for NHS staff who interact with members of the public.
These may appear to be separate issues, but they are connected by one fundamental principle: A health service cannot truly be fair unless it works fairly for everyone. That includes the people who work in it.
In April 2024, I chaired a meeting of campaigners and business representatives on anti-racism in the workplace. What concerned me most was hearing how many people working in businesses and public organisations felt unable to report racial abuse.
I took that directly to the First Minister in Parliament and asked what the Scottish Government was doing to empower people to report racism at work.
This matters enormously to the NHS.
Our NHS depends on people from every community. Thousands of staff from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds make an enormous contribution to Scotland’s health service every single day.
They deserve to feel safe, respected and valued at work. Patients deserve the same.
And we should never accept a situation where someone is less likely to receive the care they need, less likely to be listened to, or less likely to feel comfortable speaking to a healthcare professional because of their ethnicity, religion or background.
During my time in Parliament, I also raised specific concerns about health inequalities affecting minority ethnic communities.
I asked the Scottish Government about access to kidney disease services among BAME communities following research highlighting inequalities in kidney health.
I raised wider issues around poverty-driven health inequalities and questioned ministers about what more could be done to close the gap in health outcomes.
I also spoke about access to medical technology for people living with diabetes, because advances in healthcare mean very little if the people who could benefit from them cannot access them.
These questions were never about creating a hierarchy of disadvantage.
They were about recognising that inequality has many causes, poverty, geography, disability, ethnicity, age and other circumstances, and that our NHS must be equipped to understand and respond to them.
That is why the Government’s proposed NHS reforms must be about much more than moving responsibilities from one organisation to another.
If we are genuinely going to build a better NHS, we need to ask whether the reforms will improve the experience of the patient who currently struggles to access care.
Will they reduce health inequalities?
Will they improve outcomes for communities that have historically experienced poorer health?
Will they give staff the confidence to report racism and discrimination?
Will they ensure that equality and anti-racism are embedded in leadership, recruitment, training and accountability?
And importantly, will communities themselves have a meaningful voice in shaping the new NHS?
These questions are particularly important in Edinburgh and Lothian, where we have diverse communities with very different experiences of health and public services.
Reorganisation cannot become an excuse to lose local knowledge.
Centralisation must not mean that decisions are made further away from the people affected by them.
And efficiency must never be allowed to become a substitute for equality.
I have spent many years working with communities through my work with the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) and other organisations, long before entering Parliament.
That experience taught me something very important: people often know where systems are failing them.
We need to listen to them.
The NHS is one of Scotland’s greatest institutions. It belongs to all of us.
That means reform must be judged not simply by how many boards there are, how much administration is removed or how much money is saved.
It should be judged by whether patients receive better care, whether staff feel safer and more valued, and whether the gap between those who experience the best health outcomes and those who experience the worst is finally narrowed.
Scotland has an opportunity here.
The Government can make anti-racism and tackling health inequalities a central part of NHS reform rather than something added afterwards.
I hope it does.
Because when we talk about building the NHS of the future, we should be clear about what that future must look like:
An NHS where everyone is treated with dignity.
An NHS where every patient is heard.
An NHS where every member of staff can work without fear of racism or discrimination.
And an NHS where your background, postcode or circumstances do not determine the quality of healthcare you receive.
That is the NHS Scotland I believe we should be building.
And that is why, as Scotland embarks on its biggest NHS reform in decades, tackling racism and inequality must be at the very heart of the conversation.
Foysol Choudhury MBE is a former member of the Scottish Parliament & Shadow Minister for Culture Europe and International Development.
Indepen-dance exhibition event at The National Portrait Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh with fine art photographer Flannery O’Kafka.
Photographer and dancer Dylan Lombard with fine art photographer Flannery O’Kafka’s who has mentored him.
Over 20 inspiring photographs by artist Flannery O’kafka representing Scotland’s disabled community have been acquired for the nation. Made in collaboration with Glasgow-based Indepen-dance over several months these photographs capture the vibrant energy of Indepen-dance and the personalities of the individual dancers.
A selection of 10 photographs by O’kafka are now on show in the Modern Portrait rooms at the National Galleries Scotland: Portrait in a free-to-visit display. Indepen-dance visited their proudly displayed photographs for the first time at a special event this week at the Portrait gallery in Edinburgh.
National Galleries of Scotland commissioned the work after recognising a lack of representation of the disabled community in the nation’s photography collection. Inspired by statistics from Scotland’s census, the photographs aim to explore the notion of identity.
What do we have in common, and what makes us unique?
With support from Art Fund, O’kafka spent months with Indepen-dance to create the Same Dance, Different Song series. She got to know the dancers, hearing their stories and dancing with them, ensuring she could authentically capture and celebrate who they are in their portraits.
The result is 21 vibrant and playful photographs, capturing each dancer’s individuality and fearlessness in dancing. The remaining 11 from the series will be swapped at a later date, allowing visitors the opportunity to experience the full collection of photographs.
Indepen-dance exhibition event at The National Portrait Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh with fine art photographer Flannery O’Kafka.
The final selection of photographs acquired by the National Galleries of Scotland was made in collaboration with Indepen-dance staff and dancers. Seeing their portrait for the first time one dancer said “Photographs have really helped me to see myself as a beautiful person”. Another said “I think they look amazing, I like them all, I can’t pick one.”
Indepen-dance is an award-winning inclusive dance company for disabled and non-disabled people to enjoy, express, and fulfil their potential through dance. Marking Indepen-dance’s 30th anniversary, this project is a visual representation of the positive impact they have had on providing opportunities for disabled and non-disabled dancers.
Flannery O’kafka is an artist living and working in Glasgow. Their work is mostly photographic and often autobiographical, with a focus on examining how disability is pictured. Central to O’kafka’s practice is offering agency to bodies which have historically been marginalised by photography.
During their time with Indepen-dance O’kafka mentored a young photographer Dylan Lombard who was also part of the Indepen-dance group. With a passion for photography and dance, Dylan had the opportunity to collaborate with O’kafka and develop his own skills as a photographer through the project.
Indepen-dance exhibition event at The National Portrait Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh with fine art photographer Flannery O’Kafka.
Speaking on the positive impact photography has had on him, he said: “Photography gives me so much joy. Photography has changed me and helped me to become more positive about myself and about life.”
Dylan’s own photographs are also available to view for free at the Portrait gallery, with a dedicated display in the Connections gallery on the ground floor.
Indepen-dance exhibition event at The National Portrait Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh with fine art photographer Flannery O’Kafka.
Karen Anderson MBE, founder of Indepen-dance said: “Seeing our dancers represented in the National Galleries of Scotland is a really special moment for Indepen-dance, particularly as we celebrate 30 years of the organisation.
“These photographs are about so much more than dance or disability they are about people, personality, identity and the freedom to be seen for who you are.
“For me, this project is also about changing the way disabled people are seen and represented. Our dancers should be part of Scotland’s cultural story, not on the edges of it. To have these photographs acquired for the national collection and displayed for everyone to see is an important recognition of that.
“I’m incredibly proud of our dancers and Dylan, and grateful to Flannery and the National Galleries of Scotland for creating something that celebrates them so authentically. It is wonderful to see their images taking their place in our national collection.”
Indepen-dance exhibition event at The National Portrait Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh with fine art photographer Flannery O’Kafka.
Photographer and dancer Dylan Lombard with fine art photographer Flannery O’Kafka’s who has mentored him.
Louise Pearson, Curator (Photography) and Ailbhe Turley, Outreach Coordinator said: “It has been brilliant to collaborate with the dancers and staff of Indepen-dance and artists Flannery O’kafka and Dylan Lombard on this project.
“Their generosity in sharing their knowledge and experiences has transformed how we think about access and inclusivity when collecting and commissioning artworks at the National Galleries of Scotland.
“We would also like to thank Art Fund for their generous support which has allowed us the time and resources to create this important body of work.”
Following an independent investigation into allegations of misconduct, The Spartans FC Head Coach Douglas Samuel has left the club.
Out of respect for the privacy of the individuals involved, and in accordance with our confidentiality policies, we will make no further comment on the specific details of the investigation or its findings
Paul Thomson will continue as our Interim Head Coach for the foreseeable future, we really appreciate the commitment of our coaching, medical and support teams plus our players through this busy spell with another game on Tuesday.
Speak to your local politicians!
30th September | 10:30am–2pm
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23rd September | 1–2pm | Online
