Annual electricity network winter safety leaflet dropping through millions of doors
SP Energy Networks is reminding its millions of customers how to prepare for potential power cuts as winter approaches.
With shorter days and stormier weather on the horizon as the seasons change, the electricity network operator is sending out winter advice leaflets to more than 3.5 million homes and businesses across central & southern Scotland, Cheshire, Merseyside, North & Mid Wales and North Shropshire.
The leaflet is designed to put key information and advice directly into the hands of customers so they are prepared in case the lights go out. It contains top tips for all customers as well as specialist information for those who may rely on medical equipment or be eligible to join the Priority Service Register and get extra support.
Kendal Morris, Customer Services Director at SP Energy Networks, said:“While power cuts don’t happen often, we know that winter brings in windier weather and seasonal storms that can affect our network and impact power supplies, so it’s vital we ensure our customers are prepared for what may come.
A few simple steps – as set out in our leaflet – really can make all the difference to help our customers stay safe and know where to get the support they need if the power goes out. Look out for your leaflet dropping through your door.
“It’s also vital customers ensure we have their correct and up-to-date contact details so we can keep in touch as needed and also have the right information if compensation becomes due under our Guaranteed Standards of Service, with payments then processed automatically, so make sure you let us know if you move house or change your phone number.”
The winter advice leaflets are being delivered in phases throughout October, with all customers set to receive theirs by the end of the month.
SP Energy Networks top tips for preparing for potential power cuts are:
Save the 105 power cut number in your phone or somewhere easy to find.
Keep a torch and new batteries nearby.
Charge your phone and any power packs.
Have warm clothes or extra blankets ready.
Fill a flask with hot water.
Use a battery-powered radio for updates
The electricity network operator is also encouraging eligible customers who may need additional support in the event of a power cut to sign up for its free Priority Services Register.
The service is available to anyone who would benefit from additional assistance including people who rely on medical equipment at home, customers aged 60 and over, households with children under five, people with long-term health needs, or anyone who feels they may need extra help.
Registered customers receive tailored support and proactive updates if there is a power cut in their area, as well as access to a dedicated 24/7 helpline. Further information on how to register is detailed in the customer leaflet or on the SP Energy Networks website.
For more information and guidance on how to prepare for a power cut, visit:
Scotland’s basketball team, Caledonia Gladiators, and global sports brand Reebok have launched a new campaign celebrating the transatlantic connection between basketball’s American roots and the rapidly growing game in Scotland.
Building a Basketball Nation marks the official kit launch for the 2026/27 season, bringing together professional players with young people from the local community to explore how a game born in America has found a home in Scotland.
The campaign comes as Boston and Glasgow prepare to become sister cities, strengthening a long-standing connection between the two cities and their shared sporting and cultural heritage.
Shot within Caledonia Gladiators’ home arena and Glasgow Life’s basketball court in Victoria Park, the film sees the next generation of Scottish players take to the court alongside American and Scottish professional players. It celebrates the moments that make basketball more than just a sport – from the sound of a ball hitting concrete to the squeak of trainers on the court, and the voices of friends, families and teammates coming together.
At the heart of the campaign is a simple message: while basketball was built in America, Scotland is building its own basketball nation.
Bringing together players from different backgrounds, ages and stages of their basketball journeys, the film highlights the role of the game in connecting communities and inspiring the next generation.
The partnership also marks the continued relationship between Reebok and Caledonia Gladiators, united by a shared belief in the power of sport, community and culture to bring people together.
Caledonia Gladiators are celebrating their growing fanbase for the 2026/27 season so far, with a sellout game at the men’s first home game on 21st September and a 128% increase in the women’s season opener from 2025/26.
Tony McDaid, CEO of Caledonia Gladiators, said: “Ultimately, we’re focused on building a basketball nation in Scotland.
“Basketball is one of the country’s most-played sports, from schools and community courts to games in gardens across the country.
“We know American professional basketball is something many people watch and enjoy, but we’re bringing that live basketball experience to our communities here in East Kilbride, Glasgow and further afield.
“Our new campaign celebrates the real shift we’ve seen in basketball in Scotland over the last few years. Our fanbase has grown significantly, we’re engaging with more young people than ever before, and we regularly see fans out in the community wearing our Reebok kit. That’s something we’re incredibly proud of.
“It’s fantastic to continue our longstanding partnership with Reebok. Together, we’re helping to grow the game, connect communities and build a basketball nation.”
John Carden, Managing Director of Sports Hub Brands, teamwear partner of Reebok, said: “Basketball has always been about more than what happens on the court. It creates connections, inspires communities and brings people together through a shared love of the game.
“Building a Basketball Nation captures that perfectly, celebrating the sport’s American heritage while recognising the exciting growth of basketball in Scotland.
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with Caledonia Gladiators and support their ambition to grow the game, inspire the next generation and build a basketball culture that can continue to grow for years to come.”
As they strive to build a basketball nation, Caledonia Gladiators work closely with Basketball Scotland to build momentum for the sport across the county.
David Fallon, Chief Executive Officer of Basketball Scotland, said:“The continued growth of basketball in Scotland depends on all parts of the game working together, from our clubs and community programmes through to the professional game.
“We’ve been pleased to work closely with Caledonia Gladiators to help raise the profile of basketball, inspire more young people to pick up a ball and strengthen the connection between grassroots participation and the opportunities people can see at the highest level of the game.
“There is real momentum around basketball in Scotland, and showcasing the sport in our communities and giving young people visible role models can play an important part in turning that interest into lasting participation.”
The 2026/27 Reebok x Caledonia Gladiators kit is now available to purchase within the merchandise shop open on gamedays at Caledonia Gladiators’ home arena at Playsport, as well as online at www.caledoniagladiators.com.
Caledonia Gladiators are Scotland’s professional basketball team, playing at the highest level of basketball within the UK’s Super League Basketball. Tickets start from just £5 for men’s and women’s fixtures. To find out more and book your seat, visit www.caledoniagladiators.com.
To view the full Building a Basketball Nation film, fans can watch via:
With the National Health Service under intense financial pressure, leading healthcare directors and academics debate over whether access to medical care should depend on personal lifestyle choices.
TONIGHT – Monday, 12th of October, the Edinburgh Union will host its next debate of the term on one of Britain’s most urgent healthcare and ethical questions with the motion: This House Would Prioritise NHS Patients With Healthy Lifestyles.
Under increasing financial strain, the National Health Service faces pressure concerning resource allocation. The proposition that patients should take accountability for their health, such as losing weight or quitting smoking, has raised concerns over medical ethics.
However, the widening gaps in health outcomes and equality make the question of healthcare rationing and patient responsibility more urgent than ever.
The debate brings together a panel of healthcare leaders and academic experts.
Arguing for the proposition to prioritise patients with healthy lifestyles is Dr Shaun O’Connell, Former Joint Medical Director at the Vale of York CCG, who implemented a controversial 2016 policy asking obese patients and smokers to lose weight or quit cigarettes at the risk of delays to routine operations.
On the opposition, he will face Jonathan Pugh, Deputy Director of the Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics at the University of Oxford, and Richard Cookson Professor for the Centre for Health Economics at the University of York.
This event will take place in Rainy Hall at New College, with doors opening at 6:30 pm and the debate commencing at 7 pm. Continuing with Edinburgh Union tradition, audience members will have the opportunity to challenge guest speakers and deliver speeches during the debate.
Euan Morgan, President of the Edinburgh Union, said:“The question of NHS resource allocation is central to the future of the United Kingdom’s healthcare system.
“By bringing the architect of one of the UK’s most controversial health policies face-to-face with medical ethicists, we are providing the rigorous debate the Edinburgh Union was built for.
“We are pleased to offer students the floor to challenge these experts in order to engage with a policy issue that impacts every citizen.”
New research from Make It Scotch reveals over half (52%) of adults in Scotland have experienced or suspect they have experienced low iron.
With almost half (49%) of Scots taking on – or planning to take on – a new fitness challenge, there’s no better time to get the nation talking about iron.
To mark World Iron Awareness Week (12-18 October), the brand is teaming up with Saltire Tides, Scotland’s only all-female crew taking on this year’s World’s Toughest Row, to get the nation talking about iron, energy and diet.
Brand new research released to mark World Iron Awareness Week (12-18 October) reveals that more than half of adults in Scotland have experienced, or suspect they have experienced, low iron at some point in their lives. Almost a third (29%) have received a formal diagnosis of iron deficiency, while 14% say they are currently living with low iron levels.
The findings expose a knowledge gap. While most people know iron helps reduce fatigue (67%), fewer realise it also contributes to the normal function of your immune system (46%) and even mental function (43%).
Confusion runs deeper when it comes to food sources: over half (56%) of Scots know beef is a source of iron, yet barely one in seven (15%) realise that lamb and pork contribute to the improvement of iron absorption when eaten with other foods containing iron such as green vegetables and beans.
With almost a third (29%) of Scots having taken on a new fitness challenge in the past two years, and a fifth (20%) planning to within the next 12 months, Make It Scotch is determined to close this gap. The brand is teaming up with Saltire Tides, Scotland’s only all-female crew taking on the World’s Toughest Row across the Atlantic this December, to raise awareness of just how much iron matters, and where to get it.
Ellen Clark, Jenna Volpert and Lauren Wilde-Arnold are about to put their own iron levels to the ultimate test when they take on one of the most extreme endurance tests on the planet.
Setting off in December from La Gomera in the Canary Islands, the trio will row more than 3,000 nautical miles completely unsupported, all the way to Antigua.
All working as healthcare professionals, the Scottish women are aiming to cross in under 40 days, which would break the current record for a female trio on this route. To do it, they’ll row in shifts around the clock, surviving on minimal sleep while battling 40ft waves, salt sores and total physical exhaustion for weeks at sea.
During the row, the crew expect to burn through around 5,000 calories a day just to keep going, while juggling hydration, recovery, protein, carbs – and iron, which becomes even harder to maintain under that level of sustained physical stress.
Jenna Volpert, a trainee paediatric surgeon and Saltire Tides team member said:“We’re going to be asking a lot of our bodies out there – rowing in shifts around the clock with barely any sleep, for weeks on end – so getting our iron levels right isn’t optional for us. It’s essential.
“I’ve actually had my own experience with iron deficiency in the past, and I know first-hand how much it can impact fitness and training.
“That’s why we’ve made a huge effort to ensure we’re fuelling our bodies with the highest quality produce and the best nutrients we can find. Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Prime Scottish Pork are a big part of that plan, especially in the final weeks before we set off.”
Emma Health, Director of Marketing at Quality Meat Scotland added:“What’s brilliant about teaming up with Saltire Tides is that they’re not just talking about the importance of iron in everyday life and fitness, they’re living it.
“Every stroke they take during their training and every mile they row on the Atlantic is powered by how well they’ve fuelled their bodies, and that’s the most honest demonstration of why iron matters that we could ask for.
“Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Prime Scottish Pork are sitting in supermarket fridges and on butchers’ counters across the country, and most people have no idea that pairing them with other foods as part of a healthy balanced diet helps your body absorb even more iron. We hope this partnership will change that.”
For recipe inspiration to support your overall health and wellbeing or more information on Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb or Prime Scottish Pork, please visit Make it Scotch.
COMMUNITY groups, charities, social enterprises and other mission-driven organisations across Edinburgh are being asked to help shape the future of an important conference venue serving the city’s third sector.
Norton Park has launched a new survey as it explores investment in, improvements to and potential changes to its conference facilities, with the aim of ensuring the space continues to meet organisations’ needs beyond 2026.
The research will help inform a business case and future plans for the building, with a focus on creating affordable, useful and impactful space for organisations working to make a positive difference in their communities.
Keith Robertson, Chief Executive of Norton Park, said: “Norton Park has a long history of supporting Edinburgh’s third sector and community organisations.
“As needs evolve, it is important that our facilities evolve too. We want to hear directly from the organisations that use these kinds of spaces so we can ensure any future investment is shaped by demand, delivers genuine value and creates lasting impact for the sector.”
The study is being supported by Community Enterprise and Fraser Livingstone Architects, which have been commissioned to undertake research and develop a business plan for the venue’s future.
A key part of the project is understanding what charities, community organisations, social enterprises and other third sector bodies need from conference, meeting, training and event facilities in the years ahead.
The survey is open to charities, voluntary organisations, community groups, social enterprises and other mission-led organisations operating in Edinburgh. Responses will help identify current needs, gaps in provision and opportunities for future development.
It takes just a few minutes to complete and is intended to give organisations across the city an opportunity to influence future decisions about the conference venue.
The research will also help ensure local organisations are at the heart of decisions about how the building and its facilities could develop in future.
Douglas Westwater of Community Enterprise said: “Third sector organisations are facing increasing pressures, from rising costs to changing ways of working.
“This survey is an opportunity for organisations to tell us what they need from affordable conference, meeting and event space in Edinburgh.
“Whether you are a small community group, a growing social enterprise or an established charity, your views will help shape future decisions about the venue.”
Feedback gathered through the research will contribute to the work being undertaken by Community Enterprise and Fraser Livingstone Architects as they consider the business case and future plans for the venue.
Norton Park is renowned as the home of charities in Edinburgh and currently accommodates over 25 third sector organisations.
Award-winning Scottish fashion designer Judy R. Clark saw her work worn by Claudia Winkleman in Friday’s (9 October 2026) episode of The Celebrity Traitors, bringing Scottish fashion to one of the UK’s most talked-about television programmes.
Claudia will continue to wear Clark’s creations throughout the series, with audiences able to look out for further Judy R. Clark designs in future episodes.
Known for her distinctive approach to contemporary tailoring and craftsmanship, Clark joins a wardrobe that has become part of the Traitors phenomenon.
Claudia’s fashion choices regularly generate headlines, trend features and “shop the look” coverage, attracting widespread attention from fashion and consumer media as well as viewers.
For the designer, the placement represents a significant moment for independent Scottish fashion, bringing her work to a mainstream television audience and further raising the profile of contemporary Scottish design.
Judy R. Clark said:“To see my work worn by Claudia feels like an iconic moment, working with her stylist Sinead McKeefry has been such a wonderful process! Claudia has a unique sense of style and a confidence in her fashion choices that people really, genuinely connect with.
“It’s also a privilege to be part of such an iconic television programme and I can’t wait for people to see what else she’ll be wearing.”
Based in Edinburgh, Judy R. Clark is known for hand-tailored womenswear using Harris Tweed, Scottish lace and antique fabrics.
Named by British Vogue as a designer “to watch”, her work has previously been worn by Annie Lennox, Emeli Sandé, Freya Ridings, KT Tunstall and Courtney Love.
Her accolades include Designer of the Year at the Scottish Style Awards and the JOLOMO & PSYBT Award.
Have you ever thought about what a minibus journey can mean to someone?
At PEP, our minibuses help people across North Edinburgh get to their groups, enjoy shopping trips, take part in activities and spend time with others.
But the impact goes far beyond the miles we travel.
It can mean someone getting out of the house, having something to look forward to, making their own choices or enjoying a day they might otherwise have missed.
This week, we’re celebrating the difference community transport makes, the people who make it happen and the opportunities it opens up.
Every journey has a purpose, and every person matters.
Follow us throughout the week on FB to find out more about our transport service and the difference it makes in our community.
Protecting the Past. Securing the Future. Sustaining Scotland’s Cultural Life.
Securing a future for the arts at Summerhall
Summerhall is far more than a building. It is a distinctive cultural and community asset in Edinburgh, a home for artists and audiences, and a place where creativity, innovation and collaboration thrive.
Its contribution to Edinburgh and Scotland’s cultural identity, creative economy and international reputation must be fully understood and recognised in any plans for its future.
Summerhall Arts wants to remain at Summerhall and will support a viable proposal that secures our future and enables us to continue delivering our year-round programme of arts and cultural activity.
Our ambition is to see Summerhall continue as a thriving cultural destination, protecting the building’s unique character while enabling its artistic contribution to grow. We recognise that any future proposal must be financially realistic and operationally sustainable.
For Summerhall Arts, viability also means having sufficient affordable, appropriate and usable space to continue supporting and nurturing the wider community, artists, presenting work and engaging audiences throughout the year.
Why Summerhall Arts matters
Supported by Creative Scotland multi-year funding, Summerhall Arts has established itself as a leading supporter of the arts in Scotland, both locally and nationally. Building on Summerhall’s legacy of diverse performance and exhibitions, Summerhall Arts has developed new and exciting professional artist development opportunities for emerging and established artists.
Our work extends beyond presenting performances and exhibitions. We provide opportunities for artists to develop their practice, support new creative work and contribute to a wider ecosystem of festivals, theatres and cultural organisations across Scotland and beyond.
The 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe showcased Summerhall Arts’ international significance, featuring work from 24 countries and a record-breaking number of award-winning shows and audience numbers. This reflects the importance of Summerhall as a cultural destination that connects Edinburgh with artists, audiences and creative communities from around the world.
The spaces within Summerhall are central to this work. Their individual character, facilities and flexibility enable a diverse programme of artistic activity that would be difficult to replicate elsewhere. Any plans for the future must fully recognise the relationship between the building, its spaces and the cultural activity they make possible.
What does a viable future look like?
We want to work constructively with AMA to help establish a viable, sustainable future for the arts at Summerhall.
For Summerhall Arts, this means securing enough affordable, appropriate and usable space to continue delivering our year-round programme successfully. It means ensuring that the practical needs of artists, performances, exhibitions and professional development are properly understood and reflected in future plans.
We believe there is an opportunity to develop a model that combines appropriate investment in the building with a sustainable programme of arts and cultural activity and community spaces. Achieving this requires a full understanding of the existing spaces, their cultural significance and their role in supporting the site’s activity.
Summerhall Arts is ready to contribute its experience and knowledge to this conversation. We want to be part of a constructive process that recognises the realities of developing a viable proposal while protecting the cultural purpose that makes Summerhall so important.
Repair, not demolish
We are concerned that the current plans appear to earmark some of Summerhall’s most distinctive spaces for demolition. These spaces are not simply parts of a building. They are integral to Summerhall’s identity, character and cultural offer. Their loss would have implications for the arts activity that takes place across the site and for the wider experience of artists, community and audiences.
We believe the potential for repair, renovation and continued cultural use deserves serious consideration as part of the search for a viable long-term solution.
Preserving Summerhall does not mean preventing change. It means recognising what makes the site special, understanding the value of its existing spaces and exploring how they can be maintained, adapted and used sustainably for the future.
Edinburgh’s reputation as the world’s festival city rests in part on distinctive cultural spaces such as Summerhall. Protecting these places helps sustain the city’s cultural identity and its ability to attract artists, audiences and visitors from across the world.
Have your say: help shape Summerhall’s future
The consultation is an important opportunity to ensure that the cultural significance of Summerhall and the needs of Summerhall Arts are properly understood by AMA as it develops its plans.
We encourage artists, audiences, cultural organisations, supporters and everyone who values Summerhall to participate. Please explain what the site means to you, why its spaces matter and why retaining an established thriving arts presence should be central to its future.
Your feedback can help demonstrate that Summerhall’s value extends far beyond the property itself. It is a cultural and community asset that supports artists, engages audiences and contributes to Scotland’s artistic life, locally, nationally and internationally.
We want to be able to count on your support not only during this consultation, but throughout the future stages of the process. A strong collective voice can help ensure that the search for viability fully considers the cultural activity the site supports and the space required to sustain it.
To view the current plans and submit your feedback, visit the consultation website:
We believe Summerhall can continue to be a place where artists create, audiences discover new work and Scotland’s cultural reputation flourishes.
With a shared commitment to finding a workable solution, there is an opportunity to protect the site’s distinctive character while securing its continued contribution to cultural and community life.
Sam Gough, CEO of Summerhall Arts, says: “Whilst our intention is to remain here and work with AMA to continue the provision of arts within Summerhall, the future space needs to be viable, and we are hopeful that the plans will provide that.
“We are encouraging all those who love Summerhall and its spaces to contribute to the consultation, to help the developers understand how important they are to what makes this already thriving arts centre what it is.
“At the moment, I have not seen anything that demonstrates this.
“So many of the beautiful, special parts of Summerhall, such as the historic Anatomy Lecture Theatre, the unique Dissection Room, Tech Cube 0 and the ever-so-wonderful Royal Dick pub, are earmarked for demolition.
Our message is ‘repair, not demolish’. Edinburgh’s name as the world’s festival city rests partly on places like Summerhall. Developers, like arts organisations, are remembered for what they leave behind, and I would much rather AMA be remembered as the owner who protected it.”
Summerhall is an asset to Edinburgh and to Scotland.
We want to work towards a future that protects its cultural and community spaces, sustains the arts, health and wellbeing and enables Summerhall Arts to continue its work for generations to come.
We are delighted to announce the first exhibition of 2026-27! Our Annual show, displaying amazing new work made by our year 1 and 2 CAP HND students at Edinburgh College.
2D6 Celebrates the drawings of a new generation of Comtemporary Artists from the HND Contemporary Art Pratice Course at Edinburgh College.
2D6 is the sixth iteration of the 2D Annual Exhibition of curated drawings by HND Contemporary Art Practice Course participants at Edinburgh College.
The race to crown the World Cup of Stations 2026 champion begins today on Monday 12 October, with Kilmarnock, Saltcoats, Cardross and Stow competing for the public’s support.
Bringing the rail industry together to celebrate “The stations creating connections that matter”, this year’s competition gives people the chance to choose their Station of the Year. The four Scottish contenders are among 20 stations shortlisted across Britain for the difference they make to the people and communities they serve. Scotland has enjoyed success in the competition twice before with Wemyss Bay crowned champion in 2023 and Glasgow Queen Street taking the title in 2020.
Following over 150 nominations from the public, a judging panel selected stations whose stories show how the railway brings people and places together. Now it is over to the public to decide which one deserves the crown.
The shortlisted stations in Scotland area:
Kilmarnock has transformed redundant railway offices into a thriving Community Village of shops, cafés, meeting spaces and an active-travel hub. Its volunteering and training projects help people facing addiction, poor mental health, loneliness and isolation reconnect with opportunity and one another.
Cardross volunteers have turned the station into a vibrant community garden filled with flowers and edible produce. Their care has created more than a beautiful welcome: it has brought neighbours together and built shared pride in the place they call home.
Saltcoats has transformed unused station space into a fully accessible home for new Shibumi Karate Club and the wider community. The flexible facility connects people through sport, meetings and shared activities, giving residents a welcoming place to participate and belong.
Stow has turned its station into a lively community-focused hub where a volunteer-run pub, live music, sports clubs, karaoke and food nights bring people together. It is a social heart for the village, built around shared experiences.
Dan Mann, co-CEO of Rail Delivery Group, said:“This competition is an opportunity to celebrate the wider impact of our railways. The stories behind this year’s shortlisted stations show how rail helps people and communities thrive. Whether opening up opportunities, supporting local projects or bringing people together, each of these stations is making a real difference.
“As we move towards a simpler, more joined-up railway through Great British Railways, these stations highlight the important role our railway plays in connecting people, places and communities.
“This is your chance to celebrate that work. Read the stories, get behind your favourite and help us crown this year’s champion.”
Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said:“We’re delighted to see Kilmarnock, Saltcoats, Cardross, and Stow recognised in this year’s World Cup of Stations.
“Each of these stations show why the railway is about more than just getting people from A to B. They are great examples of how local people have used station spaces to bring communities together, support local projects, and create opportunities for people to connect.
“We’re incredibly proud of all four stations and would encourage everyone across Scotland to get involved and vote for their favourite.”
Last year, Ashington took the title following the return of passenger services after a 60-year absence. This year, Kilmarnock, Saltcoats, Cardross and Stow will be hoping to follow in its footsteps.
On the evening of Wednesday 14 October, the leading station from each regional group will progress to the final stage, leaving five stations in the race for the crown. The station receiving the most votes will be announced as the winner on Tuesday 20 October.
Make your voice heard and help crown the World Cup of Stations 2026 champion!
COMMUNITY TRANSPORT WEEK IS HERE! 
