Luxury Italian gelato brand Amorino has opened in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. After much anticipation, the new venue opened its doors on 17 July at 27 North Bridge, just steps away from the city’s iconic Royal Mile.
The launch marks a significant milestone for the brand’s continued UK expansion, bringing its internationally renowned gelato experience to Scotland for the first time.
The Edinburgh opening is expected to attract a high level of interest, reflecting the brand’s growing popularity as it continues its expansion across major regional destinations including London, Birmingham, Bristol and Newcastle.
The Edinburgh launch marks Amorino’s 360th site worldwide and its 45th in the UK since entering the market in 2009.
Renowned for its iconic, handcrafted flower-shaped ‘petal gelato’, the Edinburgh venue will serve the brand’s full menu, featuring popular flavours including tiramisú, cremino, stracciatella and amarena, alongside a wider rotating selection of seasonal offerings. The store will operate seven days a week, offering both takeaway and on-the-go gelato hand-crafted to order.
Leandro Crolla, Director of Vittoria Hospitality Group said: “Bringing Amorino to Scotland marks a really exciting new chapter for us as a family.
“We’re really looking forward to introducing the people of Edinburgh to authentic Italian gelato this summer, and creating a space that locals and visitors alike can enjoy.”
The Edinburgh opening forms part of the Vittoria Hospitality Group’s wider portfolio, led by the Crolla family, which includes Divino, Vittoria on the Walk, Vittoria on the Bridge, Taste of Italy, Brunswick Book Club, Bertie’s Proper Fish & Chips, and Landy’s, reinforcing its long-standing presence in Scotland’s hospitality sector.
Amorino will be open 7 days a week from 11am until midnight Sunday to Thursday, and until 2am Fridays and Saturdays.
SKERRYVORE, SKIPINNISH AND TIDE LINES FEATURE ON BESPOKE TRACK
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo brings iconic Scottish bands Skerryvore, Skipinnish and Tide Lines together for a brand-new song created for the 2026 Show, A Call To Gather.
In a fitting celebration of contemporary Scottish music, the three bands collaborate on a bespoke track, combining some of their most popular songs – featuring Skerryvore’s Live Forever, followed by Skipinnish’s Alive and then Tide Lines’ Heroes.
Everything Worth Fighting For has been arranged by the Tattoo’s resident composer, Tom Hodge, and will be performed by Tattoo Orchestra lead by Nick Grace, uplifting and inspiring audiences on the castle esplanade this summer.
Lead vocalists from the bands gathered at Glasgow’s Assumption Studios to record the vocals for the track, lending their talents to a truly unique element of this year’s Show.
Alan Lane, Creative Director at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “The Contemporary Scottish Traditional Music scene is the most exciting cultural movement in Scotland at the moment.And these bands are at the forefront of that movement.
“We’ve worked with these artists before and some of the highlights of recent tattoos have been our collaborations. It’s a key part of the company’s creative direction and long may these friendships continue.”
Alec Dalglish, Skerryvore, said:“It’s amazing to be a part of this collaboration. Lots of the bands are also our friends, so that means a lot to us.
“It’s good to be involved in a project with them, as we don’t get to see each other all that much, so it was cool getting to be in the studio.”
Angus MacPhail, Skipinnish, said:“We loved having our song Eagle’s Wing performed by the fantastic community choir, Sing in the City in the Show last year.
“It’s really special to be involved again this year and, not only that, but to be featured alongside friends from some of our favourite bands.”
Robert Robertson, Tide Lines, said: “It genuinely is a pinch-me moment to look out and see the Massed Bands playing something that was written in my bedroom in my flat in Glasgow!”
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo returns for their 2026 Show, A Call to Gather from 7 – 29 August.
Leading veterinary charity PDSA welcomed Labour MP for Edinburgh South West, Dr Scott Arthur, to its Edinburgh Pet Hospital last week.
During the visit, Dr Arthur met with PDSA Regional Manager John Faulkner and saw first-hand the vital veterinary care being provided to pets and owners across the local community. The Pet Hospital employs more than 30 people from the local area and last year alone treated more than 10,500 pets.
The visit included a tour of the Hospital, as well as the opportunity to meet the veterinary team and learn more about growing pressures on veterinary services, as well as the increasing challenges facing pet owners.
Discussions focused on the findings of PDSA’s Pet Health Inequality Report, including the impact of rising pet ownership costs and the wider cost-of-living pressures affecting owners’ ability to access veterinary care.
PDSA Regional Manager John Faulkner said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Dr Scott Arthur to our Edinburgh Pet Hospital and show him the work our dedicated team carries out every day to support pets and owners in the local community who need us most.”
PDSA’s mission is to keep people and pets together by providing support for owners who cannot afford the cost of treatment. In the last year, the charity treated over 422,000 pets and supported more than 339,000 clients across its network of over 40 Pet Hospitals.
The Edinburgh PDSA Pet Hospital provides fully funded and low-cost veterinary services to eligible people across central and coastal Edinburgh east to Musselburgh and Tranent, south to Penicuik and Gorebridge, west through the airport corridor to South Queensferry, Livingston, Bathgate and Bo’ness, covering almost the entire Edinburgh commuter belt.
Reflecting on the visit, Dr Scott Arthur MP said: “It was a privilege to visit the Edinburgh Pet Hospital and see first-hand the invaluable work the team does. PDSA really is an indispensable lifeline for vulnerable pet owners across Edinburgh, ensuring that financial hardship is never a barrier to accessing essential veterinary care.
“It was helpful to hear about the pressures facing both pet owners and veterinary professionals, particularly as the rising cost of living continues to affect households. Seeing how busy the hospital is and learning more about the charity’s work, including the support it provides to eligible pet owners, really highlighted the growing demand for these essential services.
“I was also pleased to hear about the ways PDSA helps improve pet wellbeing through resources such as the Pet Health Hub.
“I am grateful to the team for taking the time to share their experiences and for the essential service they provide to our community.”
John Faulkner added: “Pets are cherished members of the family, and no owner should have to choose between caring for themselves and caring for their pet.
“Visits like this are an important opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges facing pet owners, as well as the vital role PDSA plays in supporting communities across the UK.”
PICTURES L-R: Senior Veterinary Surgeon at PDSA Andrew Hogg, Labour MP for Edinburgh South West Dr Scott Arthur, PDSA Regional Manager John Faulkner and PDSA Education Lead Anna Baggott
• Grand Départ Trophy passed from Barcelona to Great Britain on the Champs-Élysées following the final stage of the 2026 Tour de France
• Lizzie Deignan MBE and Sir Mark Cavendish receive the trophy on behalf of Great Britain, ahead of the 2027 Grands Départs
• Applications remain open for volunteer roles at next year’s race, with applications closing 1 September 2026
Great Britain has officially become the next host of the Tour de France, after the Grand Départ Trophy was presented in Paris following the final stage of this year’s race. The handover from Barcelona, host in 2026, confirms Britain as the next hosts of both the men’s and women’s Grands Départs in 2027 – the first time both have started from the same country outside France.
The trophy was presented on the Tour de France final podium on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, from this year’s Grand Départ hosts Barcelona, by Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona, and received by British cycling greats Lizzie Deignan MBE and Sir Mark Cavendish, with just under a year to go until Britain hosts what is set to be the largest free-to-watch sporting event in the nation’s history.
From Edinburgh to Cardiff, and Leeds to London, communities across the country are already preparing to welcome the world’s best riders, with millions of spectators expected to line the routes of the six stages in summer 2027.
The handover follows the recent confirmation of a free-to-air broadcast deal for the UK stages via Channel 5, meaning fans will be able to follow every moment from home as well as at the roadside.
It also comes as recruitment continues for the thousands of volunteers needed to deliver the 2027 Grands Départs. Applications are open now until 1 September, for anyone aged 16 and over, from all backgrounds and levels of experience, at letourgb.com/volunteer
Picture by Matt Smith/British Cycling via SWpix.com – 26/07/2026
Mark Cavendish said: “I built my whole career around Le Tour de France. It’s not simply a bike race, it’s an event that captivates everyone that both participates and spectates. A street party over many kilometres of colour, noise and speed.
“Having raced in 2007 and 2014 in the UK, I know first hand how amazing the British public are at Le Tour and can’t wait to see it on an even bigger scale with both races next year. Taking this trophy back to Britain tonight means a lot.”
Lizzie Deignan said: “Being on that podium in Paris and being handed that trophy was a really special moment.
“It still doesn’t feel real that in twelve months the Tour de France returns to Britain, with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift racing on the roads I grew up riding in Yorkshire. It’ll be a big moment for the whole country, and I hope people come out to line those roads and experience the world’s biggest bike races in any way they can.”
Paul Bush, Managing Director, Grand Départ GB 2027, said: “As of now, Great Britain formally steps forward as the next host of the Tour de France – and we couldn’t be more excited and proud. Barcelona has set a brilliant standard this year, and now it’s our turn.
“For the first time in the race’s history, both the men’s and women’s Grands Départs will start in the same country outside of France, and that country is Britain. We are determined to make 2027 a moment the whole nation can be proud of.”
For more information on all of the stages, the JOY social impact programme, and to sign up for the Grand Départ GB newsletter for all of the latest news, visit letourgb.com
A 21-year-old man has been sentenced today, Monday, 27 July, 2026, to five years in prison for the rape of a teenage girl in Edinburgh in May last year.He was also given an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR).
Aaron Strachan pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday, 4 December, 2025.
The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday, 25 May, 2025 in the city centre.
The court previously heard how Strachan walked the girl at knife point from Princes Street to a basement on York Place, where he subjected her to a violent and terrifying attack.
He also pleaded guilty to an assault to severe injury which took place in the South Bridge area on the same date, as well as an assault to severe injury and endangerment of life which took place in the High Riggs area on Wednesday, 28 May, 2025.
Detective Inspector Gillian Wells, from Edinburgh’s Sex Offender Policing Unit, said: “This was a particularly harrowing attack which was carried out in the busy city centre area and had a profound effect on the young victim.
“I hope this sentence brings her some sense of closure.
“The other assaults also demonstrate what a violent individual Strachan is, with no consideration of the consequences of his actions.
“I would like to thank local officers for their excellent work which ensured Strachan was quickly identified and arrested.
“Police Scotland remains committed to tackling sexual crimes and bringing those responsible to justice. I’d encourage anyone who has been a victim of such crimes to come forward and report it to us.
“We’ll thoroughly investigate and have specially trained officers and partner agencies to support you throughout.”
No one should leave their place of worship fearing they may not make it home safely (writes FOYSOL CHOUDHURYMBE). Yet that is the reality members of Edinburgh’s Muslim community faced following the recent series of appalling attacks that left innocent people injured simply because of their faith.
These attacks were not only an assault on those individuals. They were an attack on the values that define Edinburgh and Scotland: respect, equality, freedom of religion and the belief that everyone should be able to live their lives without fear.
They also serve as a reminder that racism, religious hatred and prejudice have not disappeared. Across the United Kingdom, we have seen a worrying rise in hate crime directed at people because of their race, religion, ethnicity or background.
We must never become complacent. Every act of hatred, regardless of who it targets, is an attack on the values of fairness, equality and mutual respect that bind our society together.
My thoughts remain with those who were injured, their families and everyone who has felt fear, anxiety and uncertainty as a result of these deeply disturbing events. I also commend the courage of those who came forward to assist the victims and support the police investigation.
During my five years in the Scottish Parliament, I made community safety, equality and tackling hatred central to my work. I consistently raised issues relating to policing, hate crime, racism, Islamophobia, protecting vulnerable communities and ensuring that our emergency services had the resources they needed to keep people safe. I questioned ministers on community safety, challenged the rise in racism and anti-Muslim hatred, and consistently argued that prevention, engagement and visible policing are essential to building safer communities.
In March 2025, I raised the issue of rising Islamophobia directly with the First Minister following reports that anti-Muslim hate incidents had reached record levels across the United Kingdom. During Ramadan, I reminded Parliament that it is a month of peace, compassion and reflection, and I asked what further action could be taken to ensure that Muslim communities across Scotland felt safe and protected. Sadly, those concerns remain just as relevant today.
My work did not stop inside Parliament. Before, during and after my time as an MSP, I worked closely with the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC), Police Scotland, local authorities, faith leaders and community organisations to tackle racism, promote equality, strengthen community cohesion and encourage dialogue between people of different faiths and backgrounds.
Through ELREC and many other partnerships, I have supported initiatives that bring communities together, challenge discrimination and build trust between public services and the people they serve.
As Chair of the Cross Party Group on Challenging Racial and Religious Prejudice, I brought together Police Scotland, equality organisations, academics, faith representatives and community leaders to address racism, religious hatred and discrimination. Those discussions reinforced my belief that tackling hatred requires long term commitment, education, partnership and leadership.
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Throughout my time in Parliament, I also argued that Police Scotland should be properly funded. Our officers are expected to deal with increasingly complex challenges, including terrorism, organised crime, hate crime, cybercrime, violence against women and girls and the protection of vulnerable people. They cannot continue to be asked to do more with fewer resources. Proper investment in policing is an investment in safer communities.
The professionalism shown by Police Scotland throughout this investigation deserves the highest praise. Officers responded swiftly, carried out a thorough investigation and worked tirelessly to identify and arrest a suspect.
The involvement of specialist counter terrorism officers demonstrated that every available resource would be used to investigate these serious allegations thoroughly. Their dedication and professionalism should give reassurance to every community across Edinburgh and Scotland.
I know from my own experience working alongside Police Scotland over many years that officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep the public safe. They deserve our gratitude, our respect and the resources necessary to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
I would like to thank every officer involved in this investigation for their commitment, professionalism and compassion during what has been an extremely difficult time for those affected.
What has also given me hope is the response from the people of Edinburgh.
In the days following these attacks, faith leaders, community organisations, charities, volunteers, elected representatives and residents from every background stood alongside the victims and their families. They demonstrated that the values of compassion, respect and solidarity are stronger than hatred.
This is the true character of Edinburgh. We are a city built on diversity, where people from different cultures, faiths and backgrounds live, work, study and contribute together. The Muslim community has made an enormous contribution to our city’s success through business, healthcare, education, public service, charity and civic life. An attack on one community is an attack on us all.
We must continue to challenge racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, anti Sikh hatred, anti Hindu hatred, prejudice against Christians and every other form of discrimination wherever it appears.
Hatred does not begin with violence. It often begins with harmful language, stereotypes and intolerance. If we are serious about building a safer Scotland, we must challenge prejudice at every stage before it escalates into acts of violence.
Education, community engagement and early intervention are just as important as strong law enforcement. Building trust between communities and public institutions is one of the most effective ways of preventing hatred from taking root.
Throughout my public life, whether serving in the Scottish Parliament or working with organisations such as ELREC, I have believed that diversity is one of Scotland’s greatest strengths. We must never allow those who spread hatred to undermine the progress we have made in building a fairer, more inclusive and more compassionate nation.
Scotland has earned an international reputation as an open, welcoming and inclusive nation. We must never take that reputation for granted. It requires continued leadership, properly funded public services, strong policing, active community organisations and a collective determination to protect the values that unite us.
Hatred seeks to divide. Edinburgh chose unity.
Violence seeks to create fear. Our communities responded with compassion.
Extremism seeks to isolate people because of their faith. Scotland responded with resilience.
I commend Police Scotland for their professionalism, determination and reassurance throughout this investigation. I remain convinced that they must continue to receive the funding, officers and specialist resources they need to protect every community across our country. Supporting our police is not simply about law enforcement. It is about safeguarding the values of justice, equality and security that define Scotland.
The true measure of a society is not whether hatred exists, but how people respond when it appears. Edinburgh’s response has shown the very best of our city. Our police, our community organisations, our faith leaders and our residents stood together. They refused to allow hatred to divide our city.
That is the Edinburgh I have always worked to serve.
That is the Scotland I believe in.
Foysol Choudhury MBE
Former Member of the Scottish Parliament & Shadow Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development.
If you’re looking for something different to do in the centre of Edinburgh this summer, then look no further than Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy (EFDA).
Whether you’re visiting Scotland’s capital on holiday, or live nearby and need some new ideas for a date night or day out with friends, EFDA offers something for everyone.
From whisky and food pairing, to behind-the-scenes conversations with Formula 1 experts and comedy cook-alongs, EFDA has you covered this summer season:
A taste of Scotland – whisky and food pairing event
Interested in learning more about Scottish whisky, or discovering how to pair it beautifully with food? Master of the Quaich, Annabel Meikle, is hosting dedicated whisky and food pairing events at Edinburgh Food and Drink Academy throughout the summer – perfect for those new to Scotch or looking to deepen their appreciation.
Over the course of the event, Annabel will lead guests through a nosing and tasting of three whiskies from Wemyss Malts. Further elevating the sensory experience, each whisky will be paired with premium charcuterie and cheese from I.J. Mellis, and artisan chocolate from Edinburgh-based Quirky Chocolate.
Attendees will learn how to nose and taste whisky, identify key flavour notes, and gain the confidence to create the perfect pairings at home. Tickets cost just £45 p/p with events taking place on Friday 24 July, Friday 14 August and Thursday 27 August.
Insights from the Formula 1 Pit Lane
Get your pit-lane pass with Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy this August during an exclusive conversation with Bernie Collins, former Head of Race Strategy at Aston Martin F1 and current Sky Sports F1 analyst, and Ryan McGarva, former Mercedes-AMG Petronas pit crew member and mechanic to seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton.
During the hour-long conversation, Bernie and Ryan will share behind-the-scenes insights from life in the pit lane, reflect on their careers working alongside some of the biggest names in motorsport, and discuss the split-second strategy and teamwork that shapes every race weekend – from the nutritional prep to the winners podium.
An exclusive cook and dine session with Bernie and Ryan will follow, allowing just 14 guests to make fresh ricotta-filled tortellini (inspired by the forthcoming Italian Grand Prix) alongside EFDA’s professional chefs.
Taking place on Saturday 15 August, tickets cost £95.00 for the Insights from the F1 Pit Lane conversation session or £180 for both the conversation and the cook and dine session.
Laughter on the menu: Comedy Cook Offs with The Stand Comedy Club
Combine your love of comedy with delicious food by attending a Comedy Cook Off at Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy this August.
Throughout the month, comedians will challenge each other to cook dishes live in the EFDA Demonstration Kitchen while trading their best jokes. Audience members will then get to sample the finished dishes and vote on who they think deserves to be crowned the culinary champion.
In partnership with The Stand Comedy Club, the events, hosted by Bruce Devlin, take place throughout the month of August with tickets costing just £20 per person.
For more information or to book your summer experience, visit www.efda.co.uk.
From plot to plate with EFDA & Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
This summer, Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) are partnering for a series of Gardener and Chef events, showing attendees how to make the most of home-grown garden produce.
With a shared passion for showcasing Scotland’s natural larder, the programme brings together the best of the culinary and botanical worlds. Equipping attendees with practical kitchen skills alongside a deeper understanding of seasonal planting, the events will run from 10am and combine hands-on time in the RBGE kitchen garden with live cookery demonstrations.
With dedicated sessions on both fermenting and pickling and seasonal summer cooking, attendees will leave with the skills and knowledge to create nutritious, vibrant meals and snacks at home.
Running until the end of September the events will take place at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, with tickets ranging from £126 p/p to £137 p/p. More information can be found at www.rbge.org.uk.
Master the art of Scottish shortbread
Whether you’re a local resident or simply visiting Edinburgh, why not take the time this summer to master the art of Scottish shortbread?
Throughout the summer, Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy will be hosting The Wee Walk-in Shortbread Workshops, a 90-minute session offering a concise and authentic introduction to Scotland’s most iconic bake.
Create your very own Shortbread Petticoat Tails on select Thursdays during the summer period for just £50 per person.
Last but certainly not least, looking to use your summer to kick-start a new career?
Whether you’re interested in becoming a professional chef, a food and drink entrepreneur, want to learn more about the different career opportunities in the food and drink industry, or use your summer to upskill and embark on paid holidays working in ski chalets and on board private yachts, EFDA offers something for everyone.
Edinburgh Food and Drink Academy launch event
From the five-day Seasonal Chef Host Course to the 12-week Diploma in Professional Cookery, including a new evening-only class, use this summer to sign up to transform your life and embark on a culinary adventure.
NHS Rich List finds that 574 senior NHS managers had higher salaries than the prime minister, an increase of 12 per cent in a single year.
1,758 senior managers received more than £100,000 in total remuneration in 2024-25. This is an increase of 3.8 per cent from 2023-24.
The number of NHS senior managers receiving at least £300,000 in total remuneration more than doubled to 292 people. An increase of 134 per cent in a single year.
TaxPayers’ Alliance research presents senior salaries alongside A&E waiting times, revealing failing hospital bosses taking pay rises in defiance of Labour pledge to link pay and performance.
Following the appointment of Yvette Cooper as the new health secretary, the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) today reveals there were 574 senior managers in the NHS on a higher salary than the prime minister last year.
The NHS Rich List shows that across the 220 NHS Trusts, 1,758 senior managers received over £100,000 in total remuneration, with the number of NHS senior managers receiving at least £300,000 in total remuneration more than doubling to 292.
While few would disagree with paying doctors and nurses properly, the NHS Rich List shows that managers in hospitals with poor A&E performance and long waiting times from referral to treatment (RTT) are still picking up handsome remuneration packages at taxpayers’ expense.
Total remuneration includes salary, expenses, benefits, bonuses and pension contributions. Looking at salaries alone, 1,603 managers had salary entitlements of at least £100,000, including 319 receiving between £200,000 and £300,000, and 17 who received over £300,000.
After the previous health secretary Wes Streeting announced that NHS leaders would face a new carrot and stick performance drive, the TPA is calling on the new health secretary Yvette Cooper to follow through with these plans and properly link performance to pay inside the NHS.
The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals had the senior manager with the highest salary in 2024-25, with chief executive, J Mackey, receiving £377,500, including up to £94,000 moonlighting in other NHS jobs. The trust was ranked 41 out of 140 in England for A&E waiting times.
The worst performing trust for A&E waiting times was East Cheshire for the second consecutive year. The chief executive officer, G J Murphy, had a total remuneration package of £377,500 in 2024-25, rising from £172,500 in 2023-24 despite the persistent poor A&E waiting times. The trust had 7 senior managers who received over £100,000 in total remuneration overall.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough had the worst referral to treatment waiting time of 149 trusts, ranking last for the second consecutive year. The chief medical director, Catherine Walsh, had total remuneration of £322,500 in 2024-25.
In 2024-25, there were 1,758 senior managers receiving £100,000 or more in total remuneration (comprising salary, expenses, benefits, bonuses and pension benefits) across 220 NHS trusts, an increase of 3.8 per cent from 2023-24.
Of these, 1,603 had a salary of £100,000 or more, comprising:
17 who had salaries over £300,000
319 who had salaries between £200,000 and £300,000
1,267 who had salaries between £100,000 and £200,000
574 senior managers had a salary greater than the prime minister’s £172,153 salary entitlement in 2024-25, up from 512 in 2023-24, an increase of 12 per cent.
574 senior managers had a salary greater than the prime minister’s £172,153 salary entitlement in 2024-25, up from 512 in 2023-24, an increase of 12 per cent.
The number of NHS senior managers receiving at least £300,000 in total remuneration increased by 134 per cent in a single year, rising from 125 in 2023-24 to 292 in 2024-25.
Highest salary
The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals had the senior manager with the highest salary in 2024-25, with chief executive, J Mackey, receiving £377,500 (£382,500 total remuneration). The trust was ranked 41 out of 140 in England for A&E waiting time.
This was followed by West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals, where chief medical officer, M Van Der Watt, received £372,500 in 2024-25 (£372,500 total remuneration).
Next was Guy’s and St Thomas’, where chief executive, I Abbs, received a salary of £337,500 in 2024-25 (£347,500 total remuneration).
Highest salary in Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish NHS organisations
Crawford McGuffie, medical director at NHS Ayrshire and Arran, was the senior manager with the highest salary in Scotland in 2024-25, at £247,500. The trust was ranked 11 of 14 for A&E waiting times in Scotland.
C Shillabeer, chief executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, had the highest salary of any senior manager in Wales in 2024-25 at £262,500. The health board was ranked 6 of 7 for RTT waiting time and 7 of 7 for A&E waiting time in Wales.
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust had the senior manager with the highest salary in Northern Ireland in 2024-25, with medical director, C Martyn, receiving £242,500.
Notable individuals
Nottingham University Hospitals was ranked 133 of 149 for RTT waiting times and 131 of 140 for A&E waiting times in England. Their chief nurse, T Pilcher, had total remuneration of £712,500 in 2024-25.
Chesterfield Royal Hospital was ranked 136 of 149 for RTT waiting times and 124 of 140for A&E waiting times in England. Their medical director, Kevin Sargen, had a total remuneration of £542,500 in 2024-25.
University Hospitals Sussex was ranked 144 of 149 for RTT waiting times and 122 of 140 for A&E waiting times in England. Their chief executive, George Findley, received £492,500 in total remuneration in 2024-25, including £32,500 in performance pay.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board was ranked last (7 of 7) for RTT waiting times and 5 of 7 for A&E waiting times in Wales. Executive director of therapies and health science, Emma Cooke, received £367,500 in total remuneration in 2024-25.
NHS Lanarkshire ranked 14 of 14 for A&E waiting times in Scotland. Their medical director, C Deighan, received £462,500 in total remuneration in 2024-25.
Best and worst performing trusts by A&E waiting time (England)
Humber Teaching had the best A&E waiting time of 140 trusts. Six senior managers received over £100,000 in remuneration. The senior manager with the highest total remuneration in the trust was medical director, Kwame Opoku-Fofie, at £272,500 in 2024-25.
East Cheshire remained the worst performing trust for A&E waiting times for the second consecutive year, ranking last in both 2023-24 and 2024-25. The chief executive officer, G J Murphy, had total remuneration of £377,500 in 2024-25, rising from £172,500 in 2023-24 despite the persistent poor A&E waiting times.
Best and worst performing trusts by RTT waiting time (England)
Mersey Care had the best RTT waiting time of 149 trusts. The senior manager with the highest total remuneration in the trust was chief nurse and director of infection, prevention and control, Jenny Hurst, at £297,500 in 2024-25.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough had the worst RTT waiting time of 149 trusts, ranking last for the second consecutive year. The chief medical director, Catherine Walsh, had total remuneration of £322,500 in 2024-25.
Highest salary by function
Digital: Neil Darvill, chief digital information officer shared between North Bristol and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston, had the highest salary within this function at £195,000 in 2024-25.
HR: Ajit Abraham, group director of inclusion and equity at Barts Health, had the highest salary within this function at £232,500 in 2024-25.
Strategy: Shane Gordon, director of strategy, research and innovation at East Suffolk and North Essex, had the highest salary within this function at £247,500 in 2024-25.
Finance: Roy Clarke, chief financial officer at King’s College Hospital, had the highest salary within this function at £267,500 in 2024-25.
Responding to the findings, Rt. Hon Stuart Andrew MP, Shadow Health Secretary, said:“Running the NHS is a demanding job and managers should be rewarded for delivering results. But paying managers large bonuses while patients receive poor care is not good value for taxpayers or fair on NHS frontline staff.
“Labour is handing out bonuses while patients bear the brunt of long waits and poor performance. Funding should be focused on frontline services and better patient care, not bigger payouts for managers.
“The Conservatives know the NHS needs serious reform. Every pound should deliver better care for patients and better value for taxpayers.”
Anne Strickland, researcher at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said:“Taxpayers will be appalled that NHS executive pay is soaring while patients are still left waiting for care.
“Andy Burnham’s new government has an early opportunity to show taxpayers that it will get a grip on this culture of rewarding failure.
“Ministers must keep their promise to link performance to pay, so that failing NHS bosses are held accountable and money goes into patients’ care not managers’ pockets. ”
A huge thank you to the amazing young people from PYCP Youth Committee and the local Police Community Officers from Police Scotland Edinburgh for giving up their time to help clean up the basketball court at Ferry Road Drive.
This was our third community clean-up and once again the team worked incredibly hard to make a difference.
Sadly, we found large amounts of waste including beds, furniture, gas cylinders, general rubbish, and far too much dog fouling. While it’s disappointing to see it’s also a reminder of why these clean-ups are so important.
Our goal is to make this court a safe, welcoming space where young people can play, be active and enjoy their community. We also want to encourage local residents to take pride in and care for this valuable community asset.
We’re also in the process of setting up a local tenant working group so that ownership, upkeep and maintenance of the space can be shared across the community so If you’re interested in getting involved in future clean-ups, we’d love to hear from you, please get in touch with us.
Why cancer-triggering damage, like smoking, may cause disease in some people but not others
Scottish researchers funded by Cancer Research UK help answer a long-standing mystery of cancer – why some people get the disease while others don’t.
An international team of leading scientists has discovered that inherited genetic differences play a crucial role in shaping how cancers develop and evolve after DNA damage to the body occurs.
The findings could help explain why some people exposed to major cancer risks, such as smoking, never develop disease while others do.
The research, published in Nature, carried out in mice by researchers at Edinburgh, Cambridge, Heidelberg and Yale universities, shows that genetic ancestry can directly influence how cancer-causing mutations behave and how the resulting cancers grow and interact within the body.
Study co-lead Professor Martin Taylor, of the Institute of Genetics and Cancer at the University of Edinburgh, said:“Cancer doesn’t develop in a vacuum. Our research has shown that inherited genetics can fundamentally shape how tumours grow and evolve.
“Understanding this interaction between an individual’s inherited genetics and new cancer-driving mutations caused by DNA damage brings us a step closer to truly personalised cancer care.”
Personalised medicine is a growing area of cancer research which aims to tailor treatment to a specific patient but more information, such as this study, is needed to understand why and how cancer behaves in different people.
In the UK, more than 403,000* people are diagnosed with cancer each year (34,800 in Scotland***) with around 170,000** people (16,400 in Scotland****) dying from the disease annually, so finding new ways to tackle the disease is vital.
DNA damage through normal ageing and environmental exposures like sunlight, tobacco smoke or processed meat can lead to cancer however, the process is far from predictable.
Many smokers, for example, never develop lung cancer, while some people who have never smoked do. The reasons for this are not fully understood as studies of human cancers are limited by the complexity of real life such as differences in lifestyle, environment, and the role genetics plays.
To understand the role genetics plays, the research team recreated cancer development under controlled conditions.
Using four genetically distinct groups of mice, representing levels of genetic variation similar to those in human populations, the team exposed each group to the same DNA-damaging chemical comparable to those found in some processed meats.
They then tracked how tumours developed in remarkable detail, analysing whole genomes, gene activity, and tumour structure.
Despite identical exposure, the cancers that emerged followed strikingly different paths depending on genetic background.
The study found that most tumours shared a common feature: disruption of a key cancer-driving pathway known as MAPK. However, how this disruption occurred and what happened next, varied widely.
Researchers observed differences in which genes were mutated, how tumours grew, the number of additional cancer-driving mutations and whether entire genomes were duplicated – a major step in cancer progression.
Even more striking, the same cancer-causing mutation could have different effects depending on genetic background, influencing critical pathways such as the body’s key tumour suppressor system.
Study co-lead, clinician scientist pathologist Dr Sarah Aitken, Assistant Professor at the Centre of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Yale University, said:“Our findings have important implications for cancer screening, diagnosis, and prognostication as well as profound implications for precision medicine.
“Even when tumours arise from the same type of damage and look nearly identical under the microscope, they can acquire distinct molecular changes depending on inherited genetics which shape how the cancer behaves.
“Treatments are often designed to target specific mutations (identified by genomic pathology tests) but this research suggests that patients with the same mutation may respond differently depending on their genetic background.”
By better understanding how inherited DNA influences cancer evolution, future approaches could improve prediction of cancer risk, allow medics to tailor treatments more effectively to individuals and help address disparities in cancer outcomes across populations.
Senior author Professor Duncan Odom, who led the research while at the Cancer Research UK Institute and the University of Cambridge, now based at the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ)in Heidelberg, Germany, said:“Cancer does not arise entirely by chance. Although tumours often reach the same biological endpoint, the path to that endpoint is determined by an individual’s genetic background.
“We’ve been able to show for the first time the extent to which genetic background influences both the mutation processes and the pathways leading to tumour development.”
The study is the result of years of international collaboration between the Universities of Edinburgh, Yale and Cambridge and forms part of the Liver Cancer Evolution consortium led by Professor Duncan Odom, Dr Sarah Aitken and Professor Martin Taylor.
Along the way, the team uncovered unexpected patterns in how DNA damage is processed; insights that ultimately enabled them to track cancer development with unprecedented precision.
Cancer Research UK research information lead, Dr Sam Godfrey, said:“This study gives us a fascinating hint that our inherited genes might have a big influence on the way that cancers develop after DNA damage.
“We still need to see more research before we can understand what this means in humans, but this finding could change our understanding of how cancer starts, and lead to more powerful and precise ways of tackling cancer.”
By releasing this dataset to the wider scientific community, the researchers hope to accelerate discoveries in cancer evolution and treatment.
