The 2018 fringe is underway and less than a week until Barnardo’s Scotland’s bumper two-hour Big Comedy Benefit taking place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Venue 150 on Wednesday 8th August at 8.30pm. Continue reading Barnardo’s Big Comedy Benefit: One show, eight acts, raise thousands for children’s charity
The popular Parliament House: The Hidden Gem exhibition returns for the Festival season, opening today (Friday 3 August, 2018). Continue reading Come and discover a Hidden Gem
The year is 1941 and rehearsals for Henry V are underway … Continue reading Fringe date for ‘Shakespearean’ play penned during low period of mental health
Survey results reveal the secrets to creating a hedgehog’s perfect home ….
School’s still out for the summer, and for those now at home what better way to spend a sunny afternoon than by creating your own hedgehog house, to help the nation’s favourite mammal from further decline, especially during the current heatwave. Continue reading Give hedgehogs a home
Did you know that the average UK worker only takes around 20 minutes of their lunch break due to feeling that they won’t be able to complete all of the tasks they need to during the day?
While it’s important to stay on top of work, not taking time to eat, rest and recoup can be damaging and leave us feeling even more stressed.
In response to this The Spa at Charlotte Square is inviting busy Edinburgh professionals to reclaim their lunch breaks and indulge is a well earnt 25 minute express spa treatment during their lunch break. Perfect after a stressful morning or an extended Friday lunch- employees deserve to take their full lunch break and have some time to relax!
The SFRS search and rescue dog will tell followers how he works and trains to keep communities safe
And it is expected the Springer Spaniel will further assist the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to reach out to followers with safety advice.
Diesel’s expertise is also called upon at major disasters around the world where he has used his outstanding urban search and rescue skills to locate casualties in collapsed buildings.
Deputy Chief Officer Iain Bushell said: “There is no doubt whatsoever that Diesel is the hottest looking search and rescue dog in Scotland with his doggles and his booties.
“But these pieces of equipment are absolutely vital to protect this outstanding and highly valued member of our team.
“They enable Diesel to enter some of the most hostile environments, not only reaching casualties but helping protect his firefighter colleagues as they work in risk zones.
“It is crucial that we have this capability as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service enhances wherever possible its response to major incident and also seeks to transform to meet modern risks such as terror attack.”
He added: “It is clear that Diesel is held in the very highest regard not only by ourselves but by the Scottish public – he is indeed a very good boy.
“I am therefore delighted that he is being given a platform to outline his fantastic work, key safety advice and even a picture with his beloved play ball – the only reward he ever asks in return … although I think he’ll now be looking for a follow on twitter too.”
Diesel is a vital member of the SFRS Urban Search and Rescue’s (USAR) National Response and is deployed anywhere across Scotland with his dedicated handler, Gary Carroll.
The pair are also part of a specialised UK International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) team which can be mobilised across the world at a moments’ notice.
They assisted at the devastating Nepal earthquake which sadly claimed the lives of thousands of people and injured countless others.
It is therefore vital that Diesel – who can travel by helicopter to carry out search and rescue missions across Scotland or abroad – is kitted out with protective equipment.
The doggles help to shield his eyes from dust and debris thrown up by landing and hovering aircraft while the special booties protect his paws from rubble and glass as he searches collapsed buildings.
SFRS K9 handler Gary is a Crew Manager based at Portlethen, Aberdeenshire. He said: “We are a single service providing an unrestricted response to emergencies occurring anywhere in Scotland – and beyond – if requested to assist.
“Diesel and I have worked together for many years in some of the most challenging environments, and there is no doubt whatsoever that he is integral to that response.
“We have an incredible bond and he is a very special wee dog – and to the point where we think he really does deserve his own dedicated online account.
“It will provide everyone with a real insight into not only how he is trained and his serious capability but also how he likes to spend some down time playing with his ball.”
Follow Diesel on twitter by searching @SFRSdog
The Saltire Society will host a series of free events celebrating Scottish music and poetry during this year’s Edinburgh Festival. Continue reading Celebrate the words and music of Scotland this August with The Saltire Society
A tweet issued by the Home Office s yesterday caused outrage amongst the travelling public yesterday. https://twitter.com/
The tweet alerts travellers to bring birth or adoption certificates to the airport or ferry terminal if they children have a different surname to the adults they are travelling with. Continue reading Home Office travel tweet causes outrage
Pups put their best paw forward for charity
A pack of eager pooches gathered at Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens to encourage owners and their canine companions to put their best foot – and paw – forward for charity.
Among them were one-year old Miniature Schnauzer Peter, one year old Labrador Retriever Nuggle, three year old Maltese cross Issey and five year old Lhasa Apso Ziggy, who along with their owners want others to join them at the Edinburgh Kiltwalk in aid of the charity ENABLE Scotland, the largest charity in Scotland that’s working towards an equal society for every person who has a disability.
The capital’s Kiltwalk is due to take place on 16th September and will be attended by thousands of walkers, including TV presenter Hazel Irvine who is returning to lend her support to ENABLE Scotland.
Registration for dogs is not required, although their owners are invited to sign up via ENABLE Scotland’s website where the charity are offering free registration to all walkers as an extra incentive to walk with #TeamENABLE.
Walkers can choose from three routes of varying distances. The 24-mile Mighty Stride sets off from Holyrood Park, the 15.5-mile Big Stroll leaves from Pinkie Playing Fields and the five-mile Wee Wander, ideal for families, will set off from Gypsy Brae.
Debbie Mooney, Head of Fundraising at ENABLE Scotland, said: “We are excited to welcome our supporters to the Edinburgh Kiltwalk and are in awe of their continued generosity.
“If you haven’t signed up already, I invite you to join us for free and help us break down the barriers to an equal society for every person who has a learning disability. We look forward to walking alongside all Team Enable supporters on what is set to be another fantastic Kiltwalk for everyone taking part.”
Last year, 830 walkers took part in a Kiltwalk on behalf of ENABLE Scotland and raised £98,122 for children and adults who have a learning disability.
As in previous years, for every pound raised by walkers, £1.40 goes to charity, with Sir Tom Hunter and The Hunter Foundation pledging a 40% top up for all funds raised.
Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times during the Kiltwalk, and those with dogs must take care to be considerate of other walkers and clean up any mess.
For more information about the Kiltwalk visit www.thekiltwalk.co.uk
To register for the Kiltwalk visit www.enable.org.uk
Pictures: Phil Wilkinson
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) supports the universal provision of baby boxes across the UK. Continue reading RCM recommends universal provision of Baby Boxes in UK
