SATURDAY 16 MAY at WEST PILTON PARK
Scruffs Dog Show is back — and we can’t wait to see your four‑legged superstars shine!
From waggiest tail to best male, this is your pup’s moment to steal the spotlight. Bring the family, bring the fun, and let’s celebrate the dogs who make our days brighter.
Join us on the day and get ready for a whole lot of paws, applause, and happy chaos!
Saturday 16th May, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
West Pilton Park
£2 entry fee
We have another delicious menu planned for this Monday’s Community Lunch!
Come along 11:30am – 12:30pm for some baked tatties (different toppings available) and a fancy bread and butter pudding for dessert. You’ll have to come along to find out what makes it fancy!
Our Community Lunch is free for everyone, and you can sit in or take away.
We also have our free breakfast cafe running 9 – 10:30am with hot breakfast rolls and hot drinks too.
A big thank you to everyone who came along to the cafe last week – we fed 26 people! Our busiest day yet!!
Scotland’s build-to-rent (BTR) sector is set for a comeback after a period of uncertainty that resulted in stalled development activity.
New legislation exempting BTR from rent control measures has the potential to unlock nearly 10,000 homes and trigger a wave of renewed investment, according to property consultancy Ryden. The findings form part of Lambert Smith Hampton’s (LSH) “Live & Kicking” Build to Rent Report 2026, which highlights how regulatory change in Scotland could unlock new development.
There are currently no large-scale BTR schemes under construction anywhere in Scotland, despite a significant pipeline of approved developments. This highlights the scale of the slowdown that has gripped the market since 2022.
Development activity effectively came to a halt following the introduction of emergency rent controls during the cost-of-living crisis, which led to a sharp drop in investor confidence and delayed new projects across the country.
However, the introduction of new regulations exempting BTR developments from rent controls has provided long-awaited clarity, prompting a significant shift in sentiment across the sector.
The Private Housing Rent Control (Exempt Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2026, which came into force in April, confirm that qualifying BTR schemes will not be subject to rent control measures, removing a key barrier that has held back delivery for more than three years.
As a result, developers and investors are now returning to the market, with activity expected to focus initially on Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Ryden, part of the LSH Group, led the Scotland-focused analysis within the report.
David Fraser, Partner in Residential Investment & Development, Ryden, said: “The market effectively ground to a halt after 2022, but we’re now seeing a clear turning point. The introduction of rent control exemptions has restored the certainty investors need to commit to new projects.
“Scotland has moved from one of the most uncertain BTR markets in the UK to one of the most compelling investment opportunities. With a substantial consented pipeline of nearly 10,000 units already in place, the opportunity now is to unlock delivery and help address the country’s housing shortfall.”
More than 5,200 BTR homes have been delivered across Scotland to date, with activity heavily concentrated in Glasgow and Edinburgh. However, this remains well below the level seen in comparable UK cities, where BTR has become a key driver of housing supply and city centre regeneration.The attractiveness of the BTR sector is reinforced by strong tenant demand and occupancy levels in the completed schemes.
Industry experts also point to significant untapped potential, with Scotland’s major cities lagging far behind English counterparts in terms of BTR provision, despite strong population growth and a high proportion of young renters.
There has also been a marked increase in interest in the development of co-living and single-family rental (SFR) products in Scotland, both of which are expected to play a growing role in accelerating delivery, particularly as policymakers seek solutions to Scotland’s housing emergency.
Crucially, recent policy changes mean Scotland now offers a more stable and potentially more attractive regulatory environment for BTR investment than England & Wales, opening the door for domestic and international capital to re-enter the market.
With demand continuing to rise and barriers to investment now easing, Ryden believes Scotland is entering a new phase for build-to-rent growth, with long-delayed developments now expected to move forward.
STARMER RECRUITS BROWN AND HARMAN AS CALLS FOR RESIGNATION GROW
Keir Starmer has appointed two old (‘New’?) Labour figures following disastrous election results on Thirsday. The latest in a long line of ‘resets’ will see Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman taking on roles in government.
Keir Starmer appointed Gordon Brown as the Prime Minister’s Special Reviewer on Global Finance and Cooperation yesterday. The former Prime Minister will advise on how global finance cooperation can build a stronger Britain, boosting the country’s security and resilience.
His appointment comes as the UK prepares to hold the Presidency of the G20 next year.
He will be tasked with developing new international finance partnerships that can support defence and security-related investment, including measures that underpin the UK’s relationship with Europe.
As part of the role he will engage with international leaders and finance institutions as well as private finance partners to establish multilateral finance mechanisms.
Gordon Brown was Britain’s longest-serving modern Chancellor of the Exchequer.
As Prime Minister, he worked with international counterparts as they responded to the worldwide financial crisis.
In April 2009, he hosted the G20 Summit in London where world leaders pledged to make an additional $1.1 trillion available to help the world economy through the crisis and restore credit, growth and jobs.
Gordon Brown will report directly to the to the Prime Minister. This is an unpaid part-time role.
Keir Starmer also appointed Harriet Harman as the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Women and Girls.
Baroness Harman will advise the PM on how to galvanise Government to deliver for women and girls.
She will work with ministers across Government to drive an impactful agenda focusing on tackling violence against women and girls, unlocking economic opportunity, and improving representation.
The role will see her draw on work with women across Parliament to identify action needed to tackle misogyny and deliver greater opportunity for women in parliamentary and public life.
As part of the appointment, she will also work with the Cabinet Secretary to drive a shift in culture across the Civil Service and Ministerial offices, enhancing opportunity for women and enhancing government delivery for women.
Throughout her career, Baroness Harman has been a vocal advocate for women and girls, including on issues such as women’s political representation, maternity rights, and tackling violence against women and girls.
In her previous role as Solicitor General, Harriet led a successful drive within government to make tackling domestic violence a priority.
The campaign led to the introduction of a new law – the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act – to ensure more effective prosecutions for domestic violence and a new network of 60 specialist domestic violence courts.
Her appointment underlines the Government’s commitment to empowering women and girls.
For the first time, this government has declared the scale of violence and abuse suffered by women and girls in this country is a national emergency.
The landmark Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy sets out how we will achieve our pledge to halve these vile crimes in a decade – stopping violence before it starts, relentlessly pursuing perpetrators and better supporting victims and survivors.
Baroness Harman will report directly to the to the Prime Minister. This is an unpaid part-time role.
The appointments come after a dreadful set of election results across the country on Thursday, brought about by increasing criticism of the Prime Minister’s decision-making.
The appointments smack of desperation as Starmer tries to shore up his position – incredible given the scale of his majority just two years ago.
Some (doubtless unwanted) words of advice from another Labour Party leader:
Growing anger within the Labour movement has now seen one backbench MP threaten to challenge Starmer’s leadership if no-one in the cabinet is willing to do so.
Catherine West has given her colleagues until tomorrow (Monday) to put up or shut up. Doubtless some telephones will be red hot over this weekend.
Following a poor Holyrood result that saw Labour sharing a distant second place with Reform, there’s a call for change at the top of Scottish Labour, too.
Campaign for Socialsim said: “Anas Sarwar and Jackie Baillie have failed to convince working class voters that we are on their side.
“They must now resign with grace and pass on the torch to those who can.”
Campaign aims to make gardens safer for threatened native species
HOMEOWNERS across Edinburgh and the Lothians are being encouraged to make their gardens safer for one of the UK’s most loved native species as part of a new campaign launched for Hedgehog Awareness Week.
Timed to coincide with the national awareness week running from 3–9 May, the initiative will see homebuyers and sellers offered guidance on how to create “hedgehog-friendly homes” through simple changes to gardens and outdoor spaces.
Ralph Sayer has launched the campaign in partnership with Midlothian Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation, positioning itself as what is believed to be the first estate agency in the UK to actively champion hedgehog-friendly homes within the property sector.
The campaign includes a practical checklist for buyers and sellers, designed to help households support hedgehogs through small but meaningful actions such as creating garden access points, avoiding harmful chemicals and maintaining wildlife-friendly planting.
By incorporating wildlife-conscious advice into the home-moving process, Ralph Sayer hopes to raise awareness among homeowners at a key moment when they are already thinking about their property and outdoor space.
Tzana Webster, Head of Estate Agency at Ralph Sayer, said: “Buying or selling a home is often about imagining the life you want to build there and for many people that includes creating a welcoming outdoor space.
“Gardens do not just belong to us. They are vital habitats for wildlife, and hedgehogs in particular rely heavily on connected, accessible green spaces to survive.
“We saw an opportunity to do something genuinely positive that had not really been explored in the property market before and use our position to encourage people to think differently about their gardens.
“If simple changes made during a house move can help protect local wildlife, then that is something worth championing.”
The initiative forms part of Ralph Sayer’s broader commitment to supporting community causes across Edinburgh and the Lothians, with the firm continuing to back local charities, organisations and projects that deliver practical benefit beyond the property sector.
Hedgehog populations in the UK have declined significantly in recent decades, with habitat loss, urban development and inaccessible gardens all contributing to falling numbers.
Conservation groups have repeatedly highlighted the importance of connected residential gardens in helping hedgehogs travel safely between feeding and nesting sites.
Ann Morrison of Midlothian Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation, said: “One of the biggest issues hedgehogs face in urban and suburban areas is fragmented habitats.
“People often do not realise that something as simple as a fence with no gap underneath can cut off vital access routes and make it much harder for hedgehogs to forage, nest and survive.
“It is brilliant to see a business in the property sector taking the lead and using its platform to help raise awareness.”
The “Hedgehog Heroes” campaign will be promoted across Ralph Sayer’s offices and digital channels throughout Hedgehog Awareness Week, with educational content and advice aimed at helping homeowners better understand how they can support local wildlife.
The campaign has also prompted discussion within Ralph Sayer’s private client team around the growing number of people seeking to reflect environmental values in their estate planning. That includes clients increasingly exploring ways to leave charitable gifts to conservation organisations in their wills or make provisions aimed at protecting green space and wildlife for future generations.
Ralph Sayer believes the campaign reflects growing public interest in sustainability and biodiversity, particularly among buyers and families placing greater emphasis on environmentally conscious living.
The firm hopes the initiative will help spark broader discussion across the property sector about the role homes and gardens can play in supporting wildlife, while encouraging other businesses to consider how their industries can contribute to practical conservation efforts.
To find out more about Ralph Sayer and their services, please visit:
To find out more about Midlothian Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation, please visit:
Housebuilder proves spring cleaning isn’t just for the home
Volunteers from Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, part of the UK’s largest housebuilder Barratt Redrow, have dedicated their time to cleaning up in locations around Edinburgh.
The litter-pick formed part of the wider Barratt Redrow CleanUp, now in its third year, organised by the housebuilder’s charitable arm, The Barratt Redrow Foundation in partnership with CleanupUK.
A team of volunteers from Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland division set out to litter pick at West Craigs and Union Canal, which is popular with dog walkers, runners and families.
The team of 47 volunteers cleared nearly 100 bags of discarded waste, which included products that are known to be damaging to the environment and local wildlife and take a long time to break down, such as disposable vapes, wipes, batteries and cigarette butts.
The team sifted through greenery to remove waste, helping create a cleaner and safer environment for children, animals and tourists heading into the summer months.
Initiatives like this are important for amplifying the impact of litter-picking and community tidying efforts in the areas where the housebuilder operates and links closely to its ethos.
Barratt and David Wilson Homes are focused on building quality homes and creating vibrant new communities with open green spaces that enhance biodiversity and wellbeing, creating greener, healthier and more sustainable living environments for homeowners and wildlife alike.
Andrew Morrison, Managing Director for Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, said: “In Scotland, we’re lucky to have such picturesque green spaces on our doorstep, so we all have a responsibility to ensure this landscape continues to thrive.
“As the UK’s largest housebuilder, we place great emphasis on leaving communities better than we found them, whether that’s by alleviating housing shortages, improving infrastructure or like in this instance, protecting the environment.
“Our employee volunteers did a great job clearing spots around Edinburgh which are enjoyed by residents across our West Craigs and West Craigs Quarter developments.”
CleanupUK, which helped with the organisation of the litter pick, is a nationwide charity that unites volunteers to form community-led litter picking initiatives in their local areas.
Edinburgh City Council provided the volunteers with the necessary equipment and will lead on disposing of the collected waste.
In total, over 60 clean-up events are taking place across the UK this spring, with hundreds of Barratt Redrow staff taking part.
To explore homes currently available in Edinburgh, visit Barratt @ West Craigs and David Wilson Homes West Craigs Quarter.
Calling all community groups and businesses! 
Applications to join Corstorphine Fair 2026 will be closing soon, so if you’d like to be involved, now’s the time to get in touch!
Our small team is working hard behind the scenes to work through a huge number of enquiries, thank you for your patience and support 
Community groups or registered charities:
Apply here 
https://forms.gle/nmgAWC3SXgdiKTHQ8
Businesses interested in taking part:
Please email corsfair@hotmail.com
Please note: We are now no longer accepting applications for craft stalls.
We’ve had a fantastic response so far, but we’d still love to give more groups, organisations and businesses the opportunity to be part of this year’s fair.
Corstorphine Fair is dedicated to supporting the local community, so why not get involved? 
Looking for more information? Visit: www.CorstorphineFair.org.uk
6th June
11am – 4pm
St Margaret’s Park, Edinburgh
30 days to go!
• Last year, the campaign raised a record £57.4 million in one week
• More than 1,500 charities took part in last year’s campaign
• Applications are now open to charities across all sectors
Big Give has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 Christmas Challenge. Charities of all sizes are invited to apply to take part in the week long initiative, which continues to grow year on year and offers organisations the opportunity to double donations during the festive giving season.
Applications for the 2026 Christmas Challenge open on 11th May 2026 and close on 3rd July 2026 at 5pm, giving charities a limited window to secure their place in the campaign.
The Christmas Challenge, which takes place in early December to coincide with Giving Tuesday, enables charities to secure match funding from Big Give’s network of Champion funders, including philanthropists, foundations and corporate partners. This model allows public donations to be doubled, significantly increasing the impact of each contribution.
Confirmed Champions in 2026 include The Reed Foundation, The Childhood Trust, The Reed Educational Trust, The Monday Charitable Trust, The Hospital Saturday Fund amongst many others. Big Give is also delighted to announce a new partnership with the St. James’s Place Foundation, which will ring‑fence its Champion funding specifically for the hospice sector.
The campaign builds on strong momentum from previous years. In 2025, more than 1,500 charities participated, raising a record £57.4 million with the support of over 150,000 donors. The initiative has become a vital fundraising moment for the sector, particularly as charities continue to navigate rising costs and increasing demand for services.
Through the Christmas Challenge, participating organisations also gain access to a range of support, including training, campaign tools and marketing guidance, helping them to strengthen their digital fundraising capabilities and engage new audiences.
Last year, charities estimated that almost a third of all of the donations they received in the campaign were from new supporters. In addition, 92% of the charities reported increased confidence in digital fundraising and 98% of the charities would recommend the campaign to another charity.
Alongside flagship campaigns like the Christmas Challenge, Big Give also delivers targeted initiatives such as Small Charity Week, which focuses on supporting smaller organisations to build resilience and grow their fundraising potential.
Alex Day, Managing Director, Big Give, said: “Following another record-breaking year for the Christmas Challenge, which raised an incredible £57.4 million in just one week, we’re delighted to open applications for 2026 and welcome charities from across the sector to be part of this growing movement.
“The campaign continues to demonstrate the power of collective giving, bringing together Champion funders, charities and the public to achieve extraordinary impact. As demand for charitable services rises, the Christmas Challenge remains a vital opportunity for organisations to amplify their fundraising and reach new supporters, doubling donations at a time when generosity is at its peak.”
Applications are now open, with charities encouraged to apply early to take advantage of one of the most significant fundraising opportunities in the UK calendar.
For more information and to apply, please visit Big Give’s Christmas Challenge page
An acclaimed painting by renowned artist JMW Turner is now on display at the National in Edinburgh. Norham Castle, Sunrise is one of the artist’s most celebrated late works and a highlight of the Turner Bequest at Tate.
Its arrival offers visitors a unique opportunity to see this iconic painting, which is on display in Scotland for the first time and free to visit until 4 October 2026.
Norham Castle, Sunrise is one of Turner’s most hauntingly beautiful and intriguing paintings. With its loose, watercolour-like brushwork and glowing colours, it shows Turner’s work at its most experimental, pushing his exploration of sunlight on landscape to extremes.
Unknown in the artist’s lifetime, Norham Castle, Sunrise was one of over 300 oil paintings left in his studio at the time of his death. It is often regarded as emblematic of the expressive, free style of painting now most associated with Turner.
The most famous British artist of the 19th century, Turner was born in London in 1775. His combination of exceptional talent, intellectual curiosity and relentless hard work resulted in paintings which capture the sublime beauty of nature and encourage us to look again at the world around us.
In a career spanning 50 years, he developed new ways of painting. Experimenting with an array of techniques and colour, Turner created works which continue to captivate and excite audiences today.
Norham Castle is situated on the River Tweed, six miles from Berwick-upon-Tweed and at a point where the river forms the border between England and Scotland.
Set on a high mound on the English side and commanding a vital crossing point, the 12th-century castle was one of the most important Border strongholds and was besieged at least 9 times.
It remained a site of military significance until the union of the English and Scottish crowns in 1603 and is integral to Borders history and legend, inspiring Sir Walter Scott’s influential long-form poem Marmion (1808).
Turner felt enormous affection for Norham Castle. He first visited in 1797, aged 22, returning in 1801 as part of his first extended tour of Scotland, and again in 1831, when he was staying with Scott at Abbotsford, near Melrose in the Borders.
Captivated by the vision of the great tower silhouetted against the sky, he sketched the castle from different viewpoints and studied the site under different light conditions, constantly finding something new.
Norham was a rich source of inspiration for him, generating showpiece watercolours and landscape prints. Such was the importance of Norham to Turner’s career that on his final visit in 1831, he is said to have bowed and doffed his hat to the mighty ruins.
Norham Castle, Sunrise comes from a group of light-filled oil paintings from the 1840s, in which Turner revisited favourite subjects from earlier in his career, basing his compositions on his Liber Studiorum prints – a series of 71 engravings intended to demonstrate the power and importance of landscape art.
Drawing upon memory and imagination, Turner captures the essence of this much-loved landscape and shows it transformed by the power of light.
Charlotte Topsfield, Senior Curator European & Scottish Art, said: “We are so excited to have Norham Castle, Sunrise on display in Scotland for the first time and free for everyone to see.
“One of Turner’s best loved paintings, it is an astonishing exploration of light, landscape and the power of memory. We are very grateful to Tate for this special loan, allowing us to share this wonderful picture with our visitors.”
Norham Castle, Sunrise can be found on display at National Galleries Scotland: National, with works from Scotland’s national art collection including another oil by Turner, Somer Hill, Tonbridge by Joseph Mallord William Turner | National Galleries of Scotland and a later painting of Norham Castle from the collection by Scottish artist George Reid, Norham Castle by Sir George Reid | National Galleries of Scotland.
Scotland’s spring blossom is in full bloom across the country – and online – with petal-powered posts and searches rising sharply this season.
According to national tourism and events organisation, VisitScotland, online search terms such as “cherry blossom season Scotland” and “when do cherry blossoms bloom in Scotland” have doubled year-on-year, while entirely new searches like “where to see cherry blossoms in Scotland” have emerged for the first time.
Specific searches for “cherry blossom Edinburgh” have risen by over 400%. Although the blossoms are fleeting – most displays lose their bloom by the end of May – parks and tree-lined avenues continue to attract both visitors and locals.
The rise reflects a growing appetite for seasonal experiences, with Scotland’s towns, cities and countryside offering a rich variety of spring blossom – from ornamental cherry trees to apple, plum and hawthorn lining streets, parks and green spaces.
This growing interest is also reflected across VisitScotland’s own social media channels, where blossom content has seen strong engagement this spring. Vibrant videos shared across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube have gained over half a million views. Featuring everything from city-centre displays to scenic rural spots, the clips show audiences are increasingly interacting with and sharing seasonal imagery, highlighting the widespread appeal of Scotland in bloom.
Across the UK, interest in blossom is also on the rise. Total monthly searches for cherry blossom-related terms now exceed 352,000, while “cherry blossom near me” has seen a significant increase (+3,967%) as people seek out local places to enjoy the season.
The data reflects a growing awareness of global traditions. Terms such as “sakura” and “hanami”, associated with Japanese blossom viewing, continue to see consistent UK search interest, suggesting a broader cultural appreciation of the season.
In Japan, the hanami cherry blossom season has long been a tourism driver. It attracts millions of visitors and is estimated to generate £7-9million for the economy each year.
Jill Walker, VisitScotland Director of Marketing, said: “Spring is one of the most special times of year to experience Scotland, and the growing interest in blossom shows just how much people value these seasonal moments.
“From cherry blossom in our cities to the wider mix of flowering trees across parks, gardens and rural areas, these displays are proving a social media hit and helping to inspire more people to seek them out – often right on their doorstep.
“With only a short window to see the blossoms before the petals fall, their fleeting nature may make them even more appealing to experience and share.
“Extending the visitor season is a core part of our work to grow the value of the visitor economy, and these latest figures show that spring blossom is becoming an increasingly noticeable feature in Scotland’s tourism calendar, with exciting opportunities for attractions and communities alike.”
Find out what Scotland has to offer this Spring here:
