Scottish Government launches Marine Protected Areas consultation

Supporting sustainable fisheries, coastal communities, habitats and environment

Fishers, coastal communities, marine and environmental groups are being invited to help shape the future management of Scotland’s seas.

A consultation has been published on proposals for fisheries management measures for inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Priority Marine Feature (PMF) management areas in Scottish waters.

The proposed measures aim to protect important habitats and species while supporting sustainable fisheries and the coastal communities that depend on healthy, productive seas.

https://twitter.com/scotgov/status/1137373721843372033/video/1

The consultation covers more than 160 sites and areas across inshore waters and will remain open until 18 January 2027, giving people a longer than usual opportunity to share their views.

There will be 26 in person drop-in events around the coast of Scotland and 17 online events for people to ask questions and provide support in responding to the consultation.

Scotland’s seas support a wealth of marine ecosystems. From ancient maerl beds and flame shell reefs to seagrass meadows and horse mussel beds, these habitats provide vital breeding, nursery and feeding grounds for a variety of marine life, which in turn support sustainable fisheries.

Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands Jim Fairlie said: “Fishing is woven into the identity of so much of Scotland, sustaining families for generations, building local economies, and shaping the rhythm of life in our coastal communities.

“We know that any change to how our seas are managed touches something deeper than policy: it touches people’s homes, their traditions, and their sense of place.

“However, we also know that marine ecosystems across the world face increasing pressures from climate change, ocean warming and habitat loss – and Scotland is not immune to these challenges. That’s why I am determined to protect our oceans in a way that is fair and ensures they remain a source of prosperity for the nation, and especially for our island and coastal communities.

“Our seas are a shared resource, and protecting them properly means looking after fish stocks, habitats and the long-term future of the very industries that rely on healthy marine environments. Healthy seas are not separate from a healthy fishing industry, they are the foundation of it.

“The development of these proposals has been informed by years of engagement, scientific evidence gathering and discussion with representatives from the fishing industry, environmental organisations, coastal communities, local authorities, and other interested parties, meeting with them over 120 times in the last four years.

“I am extremely grateful to them for their contribution and look forward to continuing to work closely with them throughout the consultation period and beyond to ensure that we achieve an appropriate balance between environmental protection and the social and economic wellbeing of our coastal and island communities.

“Given the scale and complexity of the proposals, covering more than 160 sites and areas across Scotland’s inshore waters, the consultation has been extended beyond the standard duration and will run until January next year and I urge everyone with an interest to take part and help shape the future of our marine environment.”

Proposed Fisheries Management Measures in Scottish Inshore Marine Protected Areas and Proposed Priority Marine Features Consultation

FLY Festival: Eight arrests following disorder in city centre

Eight people were arrested following disorder in Edinburgh city centre over the weekend.

Officers policing the FLY Festival music event at Princes Street Gardens on Saturday, 12 and Sunday, 13 September, 2026, were faced with a large number of youths attempting to breach the perimeter fencing, involved in anti-social behaviour, vandalism and assaults.

On Saturday, four males, aged 15, 17, 18 and 27, were arrested and charged in connection with offences including assault, breach of the peace and misuse of drugs.

On Sunday, males, aged 12, 18, 18 and 20, were also arrested in connection with similar offences.

Reports will be submitted to the relevant authorities and enquiries remain ongoing into the disorder.

Superintendent Neil Wilson said: “While the majority of people came along to the event in good spirits and without incident, there were others intent on gaining entry without tickets, involved in disorder and violence, and trespassing on the railway line. Bus transport was also disrupted as officers dealt with various incidents.

“This type of behaviour is unacceptable, dangerous and will not be tolerated. Everyone should be able to attend the city centre without fear of intimidation or harm at the hands of those who cannot conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.

“While there have been eight arrests, further enquiries are ongoing to trace others involved in the disorder. I’d appeal to anyone who has information or footage which could assist us to come forward.”

If you can help, please call 101 quoting reference 1161 of Saturday, 12 September, 2026. Alternatively, you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Community First: Saying Goodbye to our Donald

The North Edinburgh community said goodbye to one of the area’s most recognisable figures on Friday. Donald McDonald was a community stalwart for as long as anyone can remember, and his passing leaves the community a poorer place.

Donald was born in Pilton Crescent and lived there for almost all of his life.

He lost his mother at a young age and was brought up by his father and grandmother. Young Donald and his dad were inseparable and went everywhere together.

A shy boy, Donald did not excel at school but loved music, and the bond with his Ainslie Park music teachers Mr and Mrs McIntosh endured for many years after Donald left the local school.

He went on to work with Scottish Ominibuses, later SMT and Eastern Scottish and it was there he developed a deep love for transport, particularly buses and ferries.

He was made redundant during the Thatcher years and never worked again, but put his energy and enthusiasm to good use as a volunteer across his beloved North Edinburgh.

Donald served on a wide range of boards and management committees across North Edinburgh over many years, showing a rare commitment.

During the week, Donald would call in to visit many of his favourite projects, spending time talking to staff. He was a diligent board member, too, often turning up hours early for his own wee pre-meeeting session!

Invariably Donald would be carrying his trademark shopping bag, which was filled with a cornucopia of papers, articles, photographs and a wealth of material he was always keen to share. Sometimes during meetings he would delve into his bag and produce an item of interest; often interesting, certainly, although not always relevant to that particular meeting!

As well as being a North Edinburgh Edinburgh News board member Donald also distributed the free newspaper every month, and he often went far and beyond his own patch to share the NEN.

Weekends would see Donald attending his local Granton Parish Church, where he was a faithful member of the congregation all of his life, and also touring the length and breadth of the country, using public transport to visit far flung places to attend exhibitions, displays and shows.

Dunoon, Arbroath, Melrose, Stirling … Donald visited them all, and he made sure the North Edinburgh News was distributed in some places far outwith the Greater Pilton borders!

I remember fondly, too, his unlikely partnership with another local legend, ‘salty sea dog’ George Scammell. For some years the pair were a double act; North Edinburgh’s own Little and Large. They were doughty supporters of the campaign to save the SS Explorer, which languished, rusting and unloved, in a quite corner of Leith Docks. It took many years, but the campaign was ultimately successful,

Donald would be involved in so many campaigns and could be always be counted on to support his community when it mattered. Deputations, protests, public meetings, Donald would be there. For Donald, it was always community first.

He was an active member of many groups over the years: Granton History Group and Pilton Environment Group (PEG) are just two and in more recent years he enjoyed the debate, discussion and visits with Royston Wardieburn’s Spring Chickens and Power to the People groups.

Despite his years of commitment and dedication to his community it was absolutely no surprise that Donald was aghast when Royston Wardieburn’s management committee proposed to name a community room in his honour. Donald didn’t want any fuss, didn’t want to be in the limelight: community first.

I for one am very happy that Donald finally relented, and a plaque now bears his name in the Centre where he played such an active role and participated in so many activities over the years. I hope he was quietly proud.

Goodbye, then, dear Donald. You will be fondly remembered with great affection by all who knew you across our community.

ENQUIRE: Untangling ASL

Scottish advice service for additional support for learning

We want to empower young people to better understand their support needs, the rights related to support in school and where to get further infomation, advice and support.

In these free downloads, we signpost to Reach, Enquire’s website for children and young people, whilst two posters from our Know your Rights Series explain more about the right to support and the right to have views heard in decisions relating to support.

Find these posters – and more – in the ‘For Young People’ area of the Untangling ASL section of our website.

Download here:

https://enquire.org.uk/untangling-asl

#untanglingasl

#childrensrights

#UNCRC

#education

#supportforlearning

#learningsupport

#ASL

#additionalsupportneeds

#ASN

Men jailed for 17 years each for attempted murder of police officer

A POLICE officer has spoken about the lasting impact of a horror attack which left him fighting for his life in hospital.

Constable Mark Smith, 35, was on duty on Friday, 30 August, 2024 when he approached Douglas Mills Jnr and Douglas Mills Snr in a stationary vehicle on Low Waters Road, Hamilton.

When he attempted to engage with them the vehicle drove off at speed, dragging PC Smith along the road, before leaving him lying seriously injured on the ground.

He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where he received treatment for extensive injuries including a fractured skull and a significant traumatic brain injury.

Two years on, he is still waiting on reconstructive surgery to his ankle.

Douglas Mills Jnr, 32, and Douglas Mills Snr, 58, were both jailed for 17 years when they returned for sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow today (Monday, 14 September).

Cardiff Agreement signed

Scottish and Welsh Governments to collaborate on matters of shared interest

The Scottish and Welsh Governments have agreed to improve how they work together on areas of shared interest to strengthen democracy and deliver better outcomes for people in Scotland and Wales.

The Cardiff Agreement, which was signed by First Ministers John Swinney and Rhun ap Iorwerth, covers areas of common interest including:

  • tackling child poverty and improving outcomes for children and families
  • the cost of living and improving living standards
  • sustainable and inclusive economic growth
  • climate change and strengthening climate resilience
  • international engagement, including with the EU
  • recognising the importance of language, culture, media and sport

The Agreement will support more evidence sharing, partnership working on policy development and engagement at both ministerial and official levels.

First Minister John Swinney said: “The signing of the Cardiff Agreement is an important moment in the history of devolution. It will improve the way the Scottish and Welsh Governments work together on our shared priorities so we can deliver better outcomes for the people we serve.

“The Agreement reflects a relationship built on trust and mutual respect. Distinct approaches will still be necessary, but we share common goals and a commitment to learn from each other.

“The new era of co-operation represented by the signing of this Agreement will be underpinned by a shared belief that the people of Scotland and Wales are best placed to decide their own constitutional future and should not be held back by a UK system that does not work for our nations.”

First Minister of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “Today’s agreement sets out areas of shared interest on which we as First Ministers and our respective governments will collaborate in the coming years, to strengthen democracy and improve outcomes for the people of Wales and Scotland.  

“While Wales and Scotland are on different constitutional journeys, we both share a commitment to strong, accountable devolved government, and to a relationship between the governments of these islands built on trust and mutual respect.

“We share a belief that our people should decide their own future, and that the Union isn’t working fairly for either nation. We will use every opportunity available to us to press the case for greater fairness for Wales and Scotland and for powers over our constitutional futures.”

The Cardiff Agreement is available to read on the Scottish Government’s website.

Granton Harvest Festival

HARVEST FESTIVAL 2026:

Sat 26th September 3-5.30pm at the community garden (10 Wardieburn Road).

With Ama-zing Harmonies, Granton Garden Bakery, and others!

We’re looking forward to celebrating, and you’re all invited! Free event.

Contact us if you’d like to help out, or to contribute a song or other performance..

All apple dessert entries should be delivered by 3.30pm. We can provide local apples on the two Wednesday afternoons before, come to the garden to collect. First prize is a £20 gift voucher for Granton Garden Bakery.

Callum set to take on Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra Marathon

Scot set to take on Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra Marathon this year in support of motor neuron disease charity 

Callum Steell, 34, will take on the Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra Marathon on 10 October  2026 in support of MND Scotland, and for his mother, Karen, who is living with motor  neuron disease. 

Callum lives with his wife, Clare, and works in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, for Charles  Tennant – a leading independent chemical manufacturer. 

In June 2024, Callum’s mother, Karen, was diagnosed with motor neuron disease  (MND).  

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal neurological illness, which stops signals from the  brain reaching the muscles. This causes muscle weakness and wasting. MND can rob  someone of the ability to walk, talk, swallow, and breathe.  

Speaking about his mother’s diagnosis, Callum said, “My mum had been struggling with  her speech and mobility for some time. It took about two and a half years of tests, and  various hospital and doctor appointments before they could get to the bottom of it.” 

MND affects everyone differently. A person may not develop all the symptoms, and  their symptoms may progress at a different rate to someone else with MND. 

Following her MND diagnosis, Karen made adaptations to her home, including her bed room and bathroom, to make things a bit easier going forward. She’s also had a recliner  installed at home, has been reviewing wheelchair options, and banked her voice. 

Callum said, “My mum is still able to get out and about and do plenty, which we are ex tremely grateful for, because we know others aren’t as fortunate. But we know how  quickly things can change.”  

In support of his mum and other families affected by MND, Callum will take on the GB  Ultra Marathon event from Glasgow to Edinburgh on 10 October to help raise funds for  MND Scotland.  

He said, “It starts at the Riverside Museum in Glasgow, just along from the West End,  and then heads out the canal roads and finishes at Saughton Sports Complex in Edinburgh.”

Callum has been following a vigorous training routine to help prepare for the challenge,  “I’m trying to build up the distance as much as possible each week. I’m currently running between 60km per week and at my peak the week out from the race, that will be up  to nearly 85km all in.

“This involves not only long-distance runs, but also strength sessions to keep the mus cles as strong as possible. Recovery also fits into that too, all the while balancing a busy  work and family life.” 

Callum will take in a total of 57miles (92km) and an elevation of 231m as part of the  challenge.  

Some of Callum’s friends from the gym he attends took part in the Ultra Marathon last  year in the hope of completing a personal challenge. This gave him the idea to take part  for his mum and to help raise vital funds for MND Scotland to help other families af fected by the disease and to support MND research. 

This isn’t the first time Callum has raised funds for MND Scotland. In 2025, he partici pated in and completed the Manchester Marathon and helped to raise £2,000 for MND  Scotland.  

Callum said, “I have had a personal trainer for the last couple of years now. I’ve always  been quite competitive, so I want to try and complete it in as best a time as possible. 

“My mum is always so proud that I’m taking on the challenge, which is so nice to hear.” 

MND Scotland would like to thank Callum for his support in the upcoming Glasgow to  Edinburgh Ultra Marathon and wish him the best of luck in his training. 

If you would like to support his challenge by donating, please visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/callum-steell-2

To make time count for families affected by MND by taking on your own challenge and  help raise funds, please visit www.mndscotland.org.uk or email:

fundraising@mnscotland.org.uk for more information.

Edinburgh’s EICC to welcome world’s cycling elite in 2027 for first ever Tour de France start in Scotland

Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), has revealed that it will play a significant role in the operational delivery of the Tour de France 2027 when the world’s biggest cycling race arrives in the UK next year.

Marking the first time in the event’s history that the race has started in Scotland, the Grand Départ will begin in Edinburgh on 2 July 2027 and cover 184km to Carlisle, showcasing Edinburgh and Scotland to millions of spectators worldwide.

Working closely with the Grand Départ GB team, Edinburgh City Council and partners across Edinburgh, the EICC will host the race headquarters and official international press centre for the duration of the Grand Départ in July, while the team presentation will take place at Edinburgh Castle on 30 June.

Adept at delivering complex, high-profile international events at scale, The Tour de France Grand Départ selected the EICC as its race and media hub because of its proven operational expertise, unmatched technical infrastructure and highly experienced team.

The landmark international venue, centrally located in Edinburgh’s Exchange District, has connected people, ideas and industries for over 30 years, welcoming more than 2.2 million delegates across over 5,000 events.

Chair of the EICC board, Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron, said: “The Tour de France Grand Départ in Edinburgh is a historic moment and a huge honour for the city, cementing Edinburgh’s reputation as a world-class events destination, with EICC at its heart.

“We are immensely proud that EICC has been trusted with a significant part of the operational delivery of this most prestigious sporting event, becoming the nerve centre for the race and international media for the duration of the Grand Départ.

“All eyes will be on Edinburgh and the EICC during this time, and the event’s legacy will benefit the city and Scotland’s wider events industry. Bringing this to fruition was a complex collaborative effort between the Grand Départ GB team, the City of Edinburgh Council and our partners across Edinburgh, highlighting the city and EICC’s collective approach to delivering events of this scale and complexity.”

Paul Bush, Managing Director of Grand Départ GB, said: “We are delighted to be working with the EICC’s expert team and to have their world-class facilities to host the race headquarters and press centre ahead of next year’s historic Grand Départ.

“These facilities will be the focus of much of the build-up ahead of stage one beginning in Edinburgh, and there is nowhere better to be at the heart of the city than with the EICC.”

EICC’s infrastructure, technical capability and team will support hundreds of accredited international journalists, photographers and broadcasters for the duration of the Grand Départ, with the press centre’s official launch on Tuesday 29 June 2027.

For more information on the Grand Départ and the route please visit:

https://www.letourgb.com/