Month: October 2020

More emergency funding for Capital Theatres

Flagship venues are to receive funding as part of the ongoing emergency coronavirus (COVID-19) support for cultural and heritage organisations. The news comes as Scotland is allocated £97 million from the UK Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.

Capital Theatres – which operates the Festival Theatre, the King’s Theatre and The Studio in Edinburgh – will receive £500,000 in addition to £250,000 already awarded through the Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund to help weather the effects of the pandemic.

The Burrell Renaissance Project in Glasgow has been awarded £750,000 to help cover increased project costs caused by the COVID-19 crisis and V&A Dundee will receive £1 million of support.

The funding is part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to support culture and heritage sectors as they recover from the impacts of COVID-19. So far almost £98 million of emergency funding has been allocated. 

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Culture is vitally important to all of our lives, and the Scottish Government is determined to do everything within our powers to see the sector through this crisis. This includes providing financial support to our flagship cultural venues, as well as the work already underway to help smaller organisations and individuals within the culture sector.

“This latest funding announcement brings the Scottish Government’s total COVID-19 support package for our culture and heritage sectors to just under £98 million. We know further support will still be needed, and the major issues presented by the pandemic are not going away, which is why we will continue to work in partnership with the sector to support them to not only survive the pandemic but to thrive in future.”

CEO of Capital Theatres Fiona Gibson said: “Today’s emergency funding announcement from the Scottish Government for Capital Theatres is greatly appreciated. It is the short-term financial lifeline that we have campaigned tirelessly for in recent months. 

“We would very much like to thank the Scottish Government for their support and recognition, acknowledging the crucial contribution our theatres provide to the local, national and cultural sector economies. This will enable us to continue supporting our core staff, freelancers and communities alike.”

Scottish Government emergency COVID-19 funding for cultural and heritage sectors also includes:

  • £12.5 million for Performing Arts Events Venues Relief Fund
  • £2.2 million for Grassroots Music Venues
  • £4 million for Museums Recovery and Resilience Fund
  • £10 million for the Events sector
  • £3.8 million for National Trust for Scotland to protect jobs
  • £15 million for a Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund
  • £5 million to address hardship faced by creative freelancers
  • £5 million to support artists developing new creative work that will make a significant contribution to Scotland’s recovery from COVID-19
  • £3.5 million for independent cinemas
  • £3 million for youth arts, including the Youth Music Initiative
  • £21.3 million for Historic Environment Scotland
  • £5.9 million to support heritage organisations through committed grants
  • £270,000 for the New Lanark Trust World Heritage site
  • £4 million for historic environment recovery
  • £1 million for Scotland’s Science Centres

And in England, 35 of the country’s leading cultural organisations and venues will be the first to receive grants between £1 and £3 million from the UK Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden announced this morning.

£75 million will protect some of the nation’s most significant stages, from the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe and the internationally renowned Sadler’s Wells to major theatres like the Old Vic, Sheffield Crucible, Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre, the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the Theatre Royal Plymouth.

These famous organisations have been essential stepping stones for some of the UK’s brightest stars including Adrian Lester, Abi Morgan, Mark Rylance and David Tennant.

More than £500 million has now been allocated from the Culture Recovery Fund to nearly 2,500 cultural organisations and venues of all sizes, including cinemas, heritage sites, museums, circuses, festivals and comedy clubs across the country, to help them plan for reopening and restarting performances and programmes.

The certainty and security provided by these grants will also help to support organisations as they plan for the future and create opportunities for freelancers.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “As part of our unprecedented £1.57 billion rescue fund, today we’re saving British cultural icons with large grants of up to £3 million – from Shakespeare’s Globe to the Sheffield Crucible.

“These places and organisations are irreplaceable parts of our heritage and what make us the cultural superpower we are. This vital funding will secure their future and protect jobs right away.”

All four nations are benefiting from the UK Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, with £188 million barnetted to the Devolved Administrations to run their own process – £97 million for Scotland (see above), £59 million for Wales and £33 million for Northern Ireland.

This funding will enable them to increase the support already available to the arts and cultural sectors in each nation.

More tiers: Scotland’s strategic framework unveiled

Five level plan to vary rules for rapid but proportionate response to COVID-19.

A five-level framework which will allow for a refreshed strategic approach to suppressing Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks across Scotland has been published.

The framework indicates different levels of protection that might be needed based on different levels of transmission for the virus. It will allow for rapid but proportionate responses on both a local and national basis using a transparent range of measures and options.

The framework will comprise five protection levels. ‘Level 0’ is effectively the same level of protection as the Route Map Phase 3 measures Scotland reached in August and will act as a baseline, with four levels above that designed to apply increasing protection from the virus in areas according to prevalence, the risk to communities and the need to protect the NHS.

Levels 1, 2 and 3 will be broadly equivalent to the UK Government levels to offer some uniformity with measures south of the border. Levels will be reviewed on a regular basis.

Ongoing financial support is set out in the framework and will be available to businesses which are required to close or which can remain open but will be directly affected by restrictions. The Scottish Government will work with local authorities to ensure grants are made available quickly and efficiently.

In the coming days the Scottish Government will engage with local government, stakeholders, economic groups and other partners, prior to a final version of the strategic framework being debated in parliament next Tuesday (27 October).

Further details on which local authority areas of Scotland will fall under which levels will be announced following discussions with directors of public health and local authorities, taking on board recommendations from the national incident management team, before coming into force on 2 November.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “It has become increasingly clear that we need to update our approach to tackling Coronavirus to adapt to this latest phase of the pandemic. The draft strategic framework we are publishing sets out how we intend to do that.

“It tries to balance different types of harms. But it is worth stressing that if we allow the virus to run out of control then that will exacerbate every other harm.

“In the coming days, we will listen to views from stakeholders on any suggested changes they might have, or how they would like to see it implemented. Although the framework we have published is new, the principles behind it will be familiar.

“I know that when people hear the daily figures it’s easy to feel as though the hard sacrifices we are all living with are not making a difference. But by taking these difficult steps we will help suppress the virus, and that is why I am asking everyone to stick with it.”

Read Scotland’s Strategic Framework.

Missing woman: Can you help?

Police are appealing for information from the public to trace a missing woman from the Edinburgh area.

Alexandra Capone (45), who is also known to use the name Olga or Maria Woonough, was last seen leaving the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh around 8.50am on Thursday, (22 October, 2020).

She is described as white, around 5 ft 9 ins, medium build with short blonde hair and dark roots. Police believe she may be wearing a long beige cardigan, dark leggings or jeans and dark shoes.

Inspector Richard Emerson, of Leith Police Station, said: “Ms Capone is originally from the Brighton and Hove area of Sussex, and we do not believe she has any connections with Edinburgh. She was last seen on Thursday morning.

“It’s not like her to be out of touch with family and friends for this length of time and we are becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare.

“We believe she may be in the Leith area or could possibly have travelled further afield. Officers are keen to hear from anyone who knows where Ms Capone is or anyone she may have been in contact with.

“We are also appealing to Ms Capone herself to get in touch with police to let us know she is okay.”

“Anyone who may have seen Ms Capone or has any information on her whereabouts is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 0847 of 22 October.”

Help for residential outdoor education centres

The Scottish Government will provide £2 million of funding to mitigate the financial challenges facing the residential outdoor education sector as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

The package will include funding to help centres provide safe, impactful outdoor learning experiences to support young people’s education and wellbeing through this challenging period.

Science Minister Richard Lochhead has written to MSPs to outline the package of support. He said: “I met representatives from the sector recently to discuss their concerns and request for funding. I am acutely aware of the challenges the sector has had to face in the wake of the restrictions imposed to supress the spread of COVID-19.

“Outdoor learning is an important aspect of Scotland’s curriculum. It can play a vital role in supporting children’s wellbeing and attainment and we are fully committed to supporting outdoor education providers. I hope this funding, along with third sector and youth work funding streams which are already available, alleviates some of the pressures facing the sector during these challenging times and allows them to offer meaningful experiences to young people.

“Funding on its own will not address all of the challenges that are faced at the current time. We will continue to engage with local authorities to support the important role that outdoor education centres and their staff can play during the period when overnight residential stays are not permitted for public health reasons.”

Discussions on administration of the package of support continue. Details of how to apply will be made available as soon as possible.

Alongside the new fund, the Scottish Government will produce a package of communication and support materials to local authorities and schools in order to publicise the opportunities for outdoor learning experiences in their area.

Guidance for schools and local authorities on the positive contribution made by outdoor education centres, developed by the Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education, was published in August 2020.

Guidance for school visits and trips to outdoor education centres is here

Guidance on the educational value of outdoor education centres (published August 2020, funded by Scottish Government) is here

GMB slams Extinction Rebellion blockade at Ineos Grangemouth

‘Extinction Rebellion claim they want to save the planet but you have to ask what planet they are on when they are intent on causing so much disruption to the lives of hard-working people’ – Gary Smith, GMB Scotland.

  • XR Scotland are taking action today against Ineos, Scotland’s biggest climate polluter as part of their Make the Connections campaign highlighting the collusion between government, fossil fuels and finance on maintaining business as usual in the face of catastrophic climate breakdown
  • According to the Government’s own SEPA, Ineos is Scotland’s biggest climate polluter.
  • Small affinity groups of no more than 6 individuals have locked themselves together at the gates and aim to remain there all day
  • Two boats are being used to block the entrances to the refinery and the headquarters.

This morning, Extinction Rebellion Scotland activists blocked the entrances to Ineos in Grangemouth. Groups of no more than six have locked themselves together and they have parked ‘Amal Gous’,the iconic purple boat named after the activist and tea seller killed by Sudanese troops in 2019 and is painted with the words ‘Act Now: The future you fear is already here‘ at the Bo’ness Rd gate.

Another boat is parked at the Ineos office on Inchyra Road, with more activists locked on, painted with the words “Just Transition”.

This boat has been named ‘Ogoni Nine’ in honour of the activists who opposed Shell’s land grab of the Niger Delta for decades and were eventually executed in 1995 for their efforts. The UK and its fossil fuel driven economy continues to profit from the suffering of others. XR Scotland demands that any just transition away from fossil fuels also redresses injustices both internationally and historically. 

A further demonstration took place outside the Ineos office in London from 8am – 10am.

Covid-19 safety precautions are being taken, including face masks, social distancing, use of hand sanitiser, and participating activists are using a track and trace app.

In official data released by SEPA last week, the petrochemical multinational Ineos is by far the largest climate polluter in Scotland.

The five oil, chemical and power plants owned by the company at Grangemouth spewed 3.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the air during 2019, while Ineos’ owner Jim Ratcliffe, 75th richest man in the world, has recently moved to Monaco to escape paying tax. 

Despite the moratorium on fracking in Scotland, Ineos continues to import and process fracked gas from the United States at its plant at Grangemouth. Fracking was essentially banned in Scotland for being unsafe and a big contributor to climate change.

Yet it is pure hypocrisy to be profiting from the suffering of some of the poorest communities in the States, who are experiencing the horrific and unjust effects of living in a place where fracking happens – terrorised by earthquakes, contaminated water supplies and flaring. 

Ineos is also attempting to resurrect plans to drill for underground gas in central Scotland, intensely lobbying our representatives for their own gain. 

Today’s action has been taken in the spirit of this: Extinction Rebellion Scotland aims to actively cut emissions with our actions today by shutting down the Ineos plant. 

Mark, 46, a care worker from Glasgow, said: “I’m here today as an everyday citizen with Extinction Rebellion Scotland to highlight the fact that Ineos are Scotland’s single biggest polluter driving climate change.

“Controversial fracked gas is imported from the U.S. to be turned into plastics here at Grangemouth, and Ineos recently requested a £550 million bailout of tax-payers money due to losses they claim Covid restrictions caused, all while Jim Ratcliffe the majority owner and CEO of Ineos, the richest (or 3rd richest, depending on source) man in the U.K. has been accused of tax evasion as he recently changed his status to being domiciled in Monaco, a tax haven”. 

Annie Lane, 26 from Glasgow said: “Ineos Grangemouth is Scotland’s largest climate polluter. It is Scotland’s only crude oil refinery. It also stores fracked gas from the States. Given the widely assumed ‘ban’ on fracking in Scotland, for fracked gas which harms communities worldwide to still be processed here is outrageously hypocritical.

“We are here to expose the climate destruction that Ineos is causing. We are running out of time, with the climate crisis affecting so many in the global south already. If Scotland really wants to be the “Climate Leaders” they claim to be, we need to see a just transition to a greener and fairer society, led by ordinary people and not corrupt billionaires like Jim Ratcliffe.”

Meg Peyton Jones from Edinburgh said: “We’re ten years on from Scotland’s first Climate Act, and yet plants such as Grangemouth are still being expanded.

“We cannot trust big oil corporations to prioritise the planet and the long term wellbeing of either their workers or the general population above squeezing every last drop of oil and gas out of the North Sea, no matter how much they try to distract us with greenwash about renewables.

“The government, big oil and big finance companies have outwardly promised for decades to reduce our destruction of the climate, whilst continuing to profit from it. We cannot continue to believe they will solve this crisis they created for their own gain: we need a people-led, worker-led solution, made for the people, by the people – not for profit by the profiteers.”

The campaigners’ actions have been criticised by the GMB Scotland trade union.

Responding to today’s blockade of the Grangemouth petrochemical site by Extinction Rebellion, GMB Scotland Secretary Gary Smith said: “Extinction Rebellion look detached from the reality and struggles of working people across Scotland today. We are in the middle of a public health crisis and we are about to be hit by the biggest jobs crisis in a generation.

“This comes in the same week where Scotland has been caught again exporting the jobs of the future in offshore wind manufacturing, while our workhorse industries like energy and aviation are facing decimation. Our economy is in dire straits and no one in Scottish politics has a credible plan for jobs to aid our post-COVID recovery, but they seem willing to indulge Extinction Rebellion.

“Extinction Rebellion claim they want to save the planet but you have to ask what planet they are on when they are intent on causing so much disruption to the lives of hard-working people. They are looking and acting like part of the problem, not the solution.”

Embracing global citizenship

Survey reflects pupils’ positive attitudes and respect for others

focused students doing homework at home
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Pupils in Scotland have higher than average awareness of global issues, according to an international survey.

Data from the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) on ‘global competence’ – the ability to examine global and intercultural issues and understand and appreciate different perspectives – also found pupils in Scotland have very positive attitudes towards immigrants and respect for people from other parts of the world.

The 2018 assessment included a test which measured pupils’ knowledge and understanding of global issues and the world views of others. Only two countries out of 27 who took part scored higher than Scotland.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “One of the core aims of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) is that Scotland’s young people become responsible citizens, with knowledge and understanding of the world and Scotland’s place in it. This survey shows CfE is working – our pupils are highly aware of issues beyond our borders and they are respectful of people from other parts of the world.

“Since this data was collected, a wide-ranging action plan has been published to make it easier for schools to cover important global issues such as climate change and a sustainable economy. This continuing work will help teachers equip our young people with the skills and knowledge to be active global citizens so they can contribute to sustainability goals, flourish in the global economy and contribute to the international community.”

The survey showed:

  • Scotland’s average score in the global competence assessment was 534. It was one of five countries to score at least 50 points above the average
  • Two countries (Singapore and Canada) achieved an average score higher than Scotland, two countries/economies were similar (Hong Kong and Taiwan), and 22 countries were lower
  • Twelve per cent of students in Scotland were at Level 5, the highest level in the assessment, compared to 4.3% of students across all countries. Only two countries had a higher proportion of students assessed at Level 5
  • Based on responses to a Global Competence questionnaire, students in Scotland had an above average respect for people from other countries, including respecting their values and opinions
  • Students in Scotland were among the 10 countries/economies (out of 66) with the most positive attitudes towards immigrants

Read highlights from the Scottish results. 

Morrisons launch ultimate Halloween and Bonfire Night in boxes

With trick or treating and big bonfires off the cards, Morrisons is helping customers celebrate Halloween and Bonfire Night at home this year with the launch of two new food boxes – delivered direct to your door.

Priced at £23 for Halloween and £17 for Bonfire Night, each box includes delivery and is available for pre-sale from today. The limited edition boxes have everything you need to celebrate the spookiest and sparkliest nights of the year at home. 

For customers looking to create their own spook-fest, the Morrisons Halloween Box includes terrifyingly tasty treats to tuck into like Cadburys Goo Heads or a slime cupcake kit for the kids to enjoy and for that haunted house at home there’s spooky bunting and balloons.

And for those looking to celebrate Bonfire Night with a bang, Morrisons is launching the ultimate Bonfire Night Box – packed with 5th November classics from hot chocolate, marshmallows and cinder toffee to bangers and pork pies.

What’s in the boxes?

Morrisons Spooky Halloween Box – £23 Including DeliveryPreorder 8th October – Delivery 24th – 30th OctoberMorrisons Cheese balls 150gHaribo Starmix 176gCadbury Goo Heads 89gMr Kipling Fiendish Fancies 8 PackCadbury Family Treat Size Pack  222gSlime Cupcake Kit 295gMorrisons Sweet Popcorn 100g Halloween Party Pack includes:Paper Napkins 20pkSpider Paper Straws 20 PackSpider Web Cups 10 PackSpider Web Plates 10 PackHappy Halloween Banner 2mSpider Garland 2mSpider Printed Confetti Balloons 5 PackTattoosMorrisons The Ultimate Bonfire Box – £17 Including DeliveryPreorder 8th October – Delivery 30th October – 5th NovemberMcvitie’s Jamaica Ginger CakeMorrisons Snack Pork Pies 2pk x3Morrisons The Best Pork Sausages 400gMorrisons Lighter Dairy Spray Cream 250gCadburys Drinking Choc 250gMorrisons Marshmallows 200gParrs Cinder Toffee Crunchy Handmade Pieces 150gMorrisons Chip Shop Mushy Peas 400g x2Morrisons Finger Rolls 6 pack

Aidan Buckley, Food to Order Director at Morrisons said: “We know this year is like no other for customers and many may feel Halloween and Bonfire night are off the cards.

“These boxes provide a stress-free way to still enjoy a little magic at this time of year.”

For More information on Morrisons Food Boxes visit www.morrisons.com/food-boxes

Going The Extra Mile

Delight for mental health charity Penumbra and partners as Milestone Edinburgh is recognised in prestigious awards

Penumbra Milestone in Edinburgh has been awarded a prestigious health award in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Awards. Milestone won the award for most innovative mental health service with judges describing the team as “going the extra mile with excellent outcomes”.

Penumbra Milestone is an alcohol-free 10-bed step-down residential facility which provides short-term care for people with ARBD (Alcohol Related Brain Damage) who no longer require medical intervention, but who are not ready to go directly home.

The service is a partnership between mental health charity Penumbra, NHS Lothian, City of Edinburgh Health&Social Care Partnership, Midlothian H&SCP, West Lothian H&SCP, East Lothian H&SCP, and Waverley Care.

Through the provision of intensive, multidisciplinary support Penumbra Milestone improves outcomes for people with ARBD and reduces the number of days they spend in an acute hospital settings despite no longer requiring acute medical care.

ARBD is the term that is used to describe a range of symptoms which occur following a prolonged period of heavy drinking, such as: difficulty remembering, difficulty concentrating, feeling confused, irritated, or having difficulty making choices and decisions. With the right care, support and treatment people with ARBD can make a significant recovery.

Penumbra Milestone Service Manager Lesley Forbes said: “We’re delighted to win this award for Milestone. The team and I are all feeling very proud that our work has been recognised in this way.

“Awards like this are a chance to raise awareness of ARBD and it also shines a light on the innovative work we undertake with the inspirational people who access our service here at Milestone.

“The wellbeing outcomes for people accessing Milestone who are at risk of slipping through the net are quite astounding. But we know that the more we recognise and understand ARBD and with the right support, people can and do make a significant recovery.”

East Lothian IJB Chair Councillor Fiona O’Donnell said: “Penumbra’s Milestone Project richly deserves the Innovative Interventions Award. I know that it has made a real and positive difference in the lives of the people who use its services.

“Congratulations to our partners at Milestone – your work and approach is outstanding and makes a lasting contribution to the recovery of people with ARDB.’’

Fiona Hume, Assistant Programme Manager, NHS Lothian said: “I am delighted that the ARBD Unit at Penumbra Milestone has been recognised for their innovative approach to supporting the mental health and well being of people with ARBD.

“The team’s hard work. skill and dedication to working with this vulnerable group of patients is truly inspiring and even more so in the challenging times of Covid.  This service and all the staff involved are a great example of what can be achieved through partnership working  and delivering a person centred care service.”

Auld Reekie Retold

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh officially launch Auld Reekie Retold, the largest collections inventory project ever undertaken in the organisation’s history.

Over the course of three years, the ambitious project will see the recording and cataloguing of the collection of over 200,000 objects which are housed in stores and venues across the City, in preparation for a move to a new store where those objects can be safely stored and effectively managed.  

Auld Reekie Retold isn’t solely based on collection management. It will also connect objects in the collection, which has been growing steadily since the 1870’s, with people and places in the City, uncovering new stories from Edinburgh and its residents.

The project will harness that public and professional knowledge about objects in the collection to share it with visitors, both in person at the museums and digitally throughout the project.

That gathered knowledge and data will also be used to develop exhibitions and displays in the future – with all work designed to consolidate Museums & Galleries Edinburgh’s position as a leading Scottish cultural institution and to help better serve the people of Edinburgh and visitors from across the world.

Earlier this year, Museums & Galleries Edinburgh stood in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement and pledged to play an active role in standing up to racism. Auld Reekie Retold is an important opportunity for greater understanding of the origins of the collections and the way they have been catalogued.

Throughout the lifecycle of the project, the impact of Colonialism will be highlighted, seeking to educate and bring new perspectives and hidden stories to light. Future phases of the project will involve working with diverse communities across Edinburgh to record objects in new ways that better reflect today’s world.

Permanent museum staff have been joined for the project by three dedicated Collections Assistants whose work focuses on matching objects with any existing records, updating the information currently held and carrying out research.

Prior to Covid-19 restrictions being in place, work was underway in object stores across the city and although some of this work is now paused, team members are very much continuing to work through digital records.

Below are a few examples of some fascinating stories and objects that have already come to light, as part of work carried out prior to lockdown, with many more future stories and news of new discoveries and calls for public input being shared across the duration of the project:

Consider for instance a tiny round metal stamp used for impressing on to wax, with the name and Trinity address of William Flockhart. Flockhart and his partner Duncan were surgeon apothecaries who produced a number of drugs and medicines in the 1840s. Among the customers on their books were James Young Simpson, the inventor of anaesthetics, and Florence Nightingale.

Or a playbill printed on a 100,000 Deutschmark note for a play at the Lyceum Theatre entitled “Tons of Money”, staged in 1925, a time when hyper-inflation in Germany had reached a point where money was no longer worth the paper it was printed on. While people were paying for loaves of bread with wheelbarrows of cash, in Edinburgh, the bank note was used to advertise the ironically titled play.

The project will create a web of connections across the collections held by Museums & Galleries Edinburgh, from archaeology to social history. An example of this is the rediscovery of a small silver pendant of the Six Feet Club from the 1830s.

There were a surprising number of secret and not-so-secret societies in Edinburgh at this time, each with its own particular niche interest or membership rule. This club was dedicated to athleticism, and to be a member you had to be a man and oddly enough six foot tall. Sir Walter Scott was made an honorary member despite not being six-foot-tall and left with a limp by a bout of childhood polio.

Sometimes the finds are a little closer to home, like the Ronson Escort 2000 Hairdryer.

A “portable” hairdryer from the 1970’s, designed to be used at home and worn like a satchel with a tube that connected to a shower cap style hood which would allow you to go about your day as you dried and set your hair; as long as your day was only two feet from a plug. This was aimed at the modern women leaving her hands free to get on with her day, but from anecdotes from users it seems to imply it had varying results.

Once lockdown restrictions have eased and the museums reopen, Auld Reekie Retold will continue at pace.

There will be a series of exhibitions hosted across the collection including Museum of Edinburgh, The Writers’ Museum and the Museum of Childhood, allowing visitors the opportunity to learn more about the various processes involved in maintaining the collection and to connect with objects, bringing them to life in the process.

Thanks to a grant from Museums Galleries Scotland Museums Development Fund, the project will also feature a programme of public events and tours to enable visitors and special interest groups to engage with the collection and to share in the discoveries made.

While restrictions are in place, these events will be online, but when visitors are welcomed back in to the museums, they will be able to see and handle real objects themselves.

Information will also be made available digitally with regular updates, news and behind the scenes blogs and podcasts shared via www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk, 

www.capitalcollections.org.uk and through social media using the hashtag #AuldReekieRetold. 

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh’s collections belong to the City, and Auld Reekie Retold aims to give every citizen of Edinburgh a sense of ownership of and connection to its objects and their stories as the organisation moves into a new dynamic phase of museums development with people, past and present at its heart.

Project Manager Nico Tyack said: “Auld Reekie Retold is a truly unique opportunity for Museums & Galleries Edinburgh to catch all the stories our collections can tell us about Edinburgh.

“From Jacobite muskets to life in tenements, Edinburgh Rock to Pride, medieval St. Giles to the Festival Fringe, we hope to spark conversations about our amazing collections and their hidden histories, gathering new insights for future generations to enjoy.”

Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “Our world class collections are a powerful record of our journey to the present day as well as a window to the past where we can discover links to the Edinburgh and Scotland of yesterday.

“We are lucky as a city to have this resource but at the moment much of it is hidden and inaccessible. This is very important behind the scenes work as we review how we currently meet the needs of our citizens and how we can better use our collections. 

“I have long believed there is untapped potential in our collections and Auld Reekie Retold is allowing us to develop and gain a fuller understanding of what we have. By recording and cataloguing the collection of over 200,000 objects, it will also highlight those items that can be used for online resources and future exhibitions”. 

Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture and Communities Vice Convenor, added: “This project will help to broaden participation with our Museums & Galleries and ensure their long-term relevance.

“This is the story of our city and it needs to be told. It is only by understanding how we got to where we are now that we can know where we want to go in the future.”

Light Fantastic: Wondrous Woods open at Hopetoun House

SCOTLAND’S FIRST LIGHTING TRAIL OF 2020 OPENS AT HOPETOUN HOUSE

October 21st – November 15th

Designed and produced by the team at 21CC Group and set in the magnificent grounds of Hopetoun House, Scotland’s finest stately home, the gates opened for Scotland’s first lighting trail of the year on Tuesday, welcoming guests to enjoy what has since been described as an ‘unforgettable sound, lighting and effects extravaganza’.

Starting and finishing at the House, the beautifully lit 2km woodland trail begins through the enchanting wrought iron gates to the north, leading visitors to unique and unseen areas of the grounds of Hopetoun.

The track winds through hidden pathways amongst ancient woodlands, clearings and past the old summerhouse before leading visitors back via the Lime Avenue, but not before seeing the magnificent Hopetoun House lit up in all its glory; all with some special, jaw dropping views along the way. 

Along with the creative lighting, there are a number of sound and special effects, movement and installations, all of which enhance the nature and natural beauty that is the Wondrous Woods of Hopetoun House.

Geoff Crow, Director of 21CC Group says, “The Hopetoun trails offer us a spectacular environment, really like no other, with a fantastic amount of ground space which allows us to safely deliver this creative lighting journey, ensuring that we are adhering to the strictest of safety guidelines.

“It has been an absolute joy to work with one of Scotland’s best known visitor attractions to bring our vision to life and create something truly special for our guests.”

21CC Group have worked extensively with the Hopetoun team for many years, collaborating with them for the delivery of the highly successful Hopetoun Fireworks & Bonfire event, as well as the delivery of multiple large scale corporate events both within the House and the grounds.

The Earl of Hopetoun comments: “We are delighted to be the venue for the inaugural Wondrous Woods; it is thrilling for me to see the grounds come to life after dark with all the creative lighting and effects that are planned.

“This is the first time we have hosted such an ambitious event at night and it’s hugely exciting, following such a difficult year for us all, to develop something so different for Hopetoun. We look forward to welcoming you back here to see something unique.”

21CC Group are a Scottish based events group based outside Edinburgh, established in 1999. They produce events around the country for corporate groups, festivals, local authorities, and private clients.

Tickets on sale now at See Tickets:

https://wondrouswoods.seetickets.com/tour/wondrous-woods

Event website:https://www.wondrouswoods.com/

Pictures: Rankine Photography