St James Quarter celebrates a milestone moment in Edinburgh history as construction workers secure the final flourish on the highest point of the W Edinburgh – the new centrepiece of the £1bn city centre development.
The topping out of the 1.7 million sq ft development in the heart of the Scottish capital signals the most significant transformation Edinburgh has seen in a generation. Set to open in phases, the shopping, dining and leisure elements will open in spring 2021 and the W Edinburgh will mark the final completion in 2022.
Set to employ 3,000 people, St James Quarter will be a destination like no other – bringing together brands from global to local, and convenience to luxury.
It features a shopping galleria with 80 different brands, 30 restaurants, Scotland’s first W Edinburgh hotel, a boutique Everyman Cinema, a Roomzzz Aparthotel, residential apartments and an unrivalled guest experience providing customers with an enviable events programme in a range of new and attractive public spaces.
Heriot’s Blues Women players have been attending Stewart’s Melville RFC Lioness weekend training sessions as guest coaches.
About 15 players, aged from 8 to 15 recently took part in the hour-long practice held by Catriona Syme and Pearl Kellie, which involved fun games to develop passing and contact skills.
Both Blues Women players were part of the team to win the 2019 National League Division 1 title, with Catriona, the first Captain of the side after it was established in 2018.
As work continues at Heriot’s Rugby Club to establish a strong pathway for girls into senior rugby and the partnership with Stewart’s Melville RFC continues to remain important in developing talent.
‘‘Cat, myself and a number of other Heriot’s Blues Women players have volunteered to help develop and grow rugby for girls,’’ Pearl said.
‘‘The pathway at Heriot’s is still in the development phase and we have been working to increase the attendance numbers by reaching out to schools and linking up with other girl’s rugby programmes in North Edinburgh.’’
Catriona, a George Heriot’s School alumni, started playing the sport at Goldenacre with the Heriot’s Rugby Club mini rugby programme. ‘‘First and foremost, it’s just so great to see girls having a fun time and enjoying rugby training,’’ she said.
‘‘We would like to see Heriot’s Blues Women become one the best teams in Scotland, and aim to bring more silverware back to Goldenacre and maintain a very high standard. Developing younger players who will play for us in the future is a big part of that vision.’’
Both players believe that rugby develops younger players on and off the pitch.
‘‘It’s an exciting and fun game, which will improve fitness and confidence. It encourages teamwork, trust in your fellow players and the teammates you play with will become some of your best friends,’’ Catriona said.
‘‘What I love most about rugby and what I think separates it from other team sports is how it celebrates all different sizes and abilities. No matter your size, shape or ability there is a role in the game that you can excel at,’’ Pearl said.
The 2nd Scottish Parliament Diwali was celebrated on Fri (13th Nov), virtually, on the auspicious day of Dhanteras (1st day of the 5 days of Diwali festival).
Puneet Dwivedi, Vice President Hindu Forum Britain (HFB) Scotland Chapter, took the lead in organising the Diwali event, which was co- chaired by multi party MSPs including Rachael Hamilton (Scottish Conservative), Sandra White(SNP) and Alex Cole-Hamilton (Scottish Lib Dem).
Last year Diwali was celebrated for the first time in Scottish Parliament – it was a first of its kind of celebration ever, in Scottish parliament, to bring the rich & diverse Hindu culture to the distinguished attendees.
The reception held in the Parliament last year brought the Scottish Hindu community members at the heart of the most important political establishment giving a platform for leaders to share their experiences and views on Scottish integration and cohesion.
A much bigger Diwali event was planned at Scottish parliament this year. However, due to the COVID crisis and Government restrictions The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) decided to cancel all events, including the Member Sponsored event.
Diwali is a festival of Light and Hope, and at this time of difficulty, the need for such festivals that brings light into our world has never been more important.
The Scottish team HFB led by Puneet with the help of volunteers from Edinburgh and Aberdeen including – Sumit Gupta, Mithun Sarkar, Madhu Vasumathy, Bably Sinoj worked really hard to collect videos, messages putting, editing and production. Dr Richa Singh, another volunteer from Glasgow helped in planning the event and running order.
Representatives from all the major temples (Edinburgh Hindu Mandir, Glasgow Hindu Mandir, ISKCON Scotland, Dundee Temple as well our newest member Aberdeen Hindu temple), Armed forces officers, along with other interfaith community members celebrated the lunar festival, Diwali, from home using Zoom, the event was also streamed on Hindu Forum Britain’s Facebook page.
The hour and half long programme combined the important religious elements of the festival with an exciting package of entertainment, featuring local artists and performers.
Puneet Dwivedi, in his opening remarks said that during these unprecedented times we are unable to meet in person or conduct the Diwali Event at Scottish Parliament. However, as someone once said “the show must go on, if we can’t visit the Parliament – Parliamentarians and ministers can visit us (virtually). Thanks to technology, this year Diwali will be from home.”
The event was kick started by Deep Prajwalan (lightning of the lamps) and Live Vedic chanting by Edinburgh Hindu temple’s Priest Pandit Harsharan ji.
The most beautiful part of the event was when everyone lit the diyas, lamps, candles, tea lights from their home and showed them in front of their zoom camera. In Hindu culture, lighting a lamp denotes dispelling away darkness. Light and brightness represent the positive, the good, and and the highest knowledge of the Divine.
There were Indian Cultural dance performances from Shaswati from Aberdeen and Kirsten Newell of COSMIC Dance Academy, Edinburgh. ISKCON Scotland recorded a divine Kirtan music which was enjoyed by everyone.
Devotional Music band from ISKCON Scotland, Leshmahagow (Lanarkshire )
Interfaith organisations including Shia Muslim Organisation – The Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society (SABS) member Mr Asif Sheikh and Director of Interfaith Scotland Dr Maureen Sier were Live and shared whereas the pre-recorded Diwali messages from Humanist Society Chair – Maggie Kinloch and Scottish Jewish Council Chair Alan Kay were played during the live event.
Rachael Hamilton the 1st Co-chair in her speech highlighted the contribution of Indian and British community in the field of Art, culture, enterprise and sports.
She said: ‘Tonight celebrating Diwali would be a different experience, despite Pandemic, I thank Puneet for organising this fabulous virtual Diwali Celebration, for being so resourceful ensuring we can still celebrate virtually.’
She further added to celebrate the bond of the UK, the oldest democracy and India, the world’s largest democracy. She stated her admiration for the value of Hinduism and how Hindus celebrate the goals of life that we all aspire to, and this is so important that we instil these values to our next generation.
Rachael said that looking at the Holyrood election next election 2021, it’s important that Scotland is represented equally, for this reason we need a more diverse and inclusive parliament. She finished with Diwali wishes for everyone watching and mentioned now more than ever in these challenging time, we need the source of light more than ever and there is no doubt it, we are living through dark days
Mrs Trupti Patel, President of Hindu Forum Britain, did Namaste and welcomed Scottish parliamentarians, she mentioned that this Diwali would be different, no fireworks together, no colourful celebration in groups but thanks to technology of webinar and streaming the world is connected together.
She mentioned that Diwali is such a wonderful celebration of light and positivity, should be celebrated in all parliaments of the world So that the world knows we respect others, the Hindus are tolerant and respect and welcome everyone.
She encouraged more young Hindu people to participate in local council, at Scottish Government level and some MSPs from Hindu background, which could bring a whole system of Hindu values of co-existing and being together.
She also mentioned what can be a better way to celebrate Diwali on interfaith week, we all faith are one, we respect all faith and do Namaste – and bow down to the divine within you. She congratulated Puneet and the Scottish HFB team for putting together so much effort in organising the event.
Next Speaker to speak was Co-chair MSP Alex Cole Hamilton – who started with chanting “Jai Shri Ram” which made other participants thrilled to shout back Jai Shri Ram.
Alex mentioned that during this pandemic he attended many zoom meetings however this one was the most enjoyable zoom meeting with dance and song and other cultural elements into it.
He mentioned Diwali is a spiritual triumph of light over darkness. 2020 has darkness which many of us have never seen in our lifetime for all the reasons we know.
However, it feels like darkness is dispelled and the light of hope rising with change in America to hope for Scottish Football with Scotland first qualification in a major tournament that certainly brings light to many, also most importantly the vaccine is just around the corner we will be together again.
Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government Ms Aileen Campbell started her speech by showing her colourful Indian dupatta (Wrap) presented to her last Diwali at Scottish Parliament.
In her speech she mentioned this is the perfect opportunity to recognise, celebrate and learn the contribution of faith communities in Scotland, including the Hindu community especially as this is interfaith week and also International Day of Kindness, Aileen mentioned how these dates aligned to amplify the celebration.
She mentioned 2020 is really a year where we need more light and lot of hope and that’s Diwali key message to have hope and light prevails over darkness. Diwali is also time for reflection and contemplation to think about people who are less fortunate and COVID 19 has bought these to limelight and she was thankful to Hindu community for their selfless Sewa (services) to mankind during this pandemic.
She mentioned that Hindu Forum Britain would continue to play a key role as a voice for the Hindu community is heard not only during a pandemic but in normal times, for Scottish Government would look forward to building this relationship.
She said that this was her last celebration of Diwali as Cabinet Secretary however it won’t be her last one beyond her life of politics. Although she is not standing for next year’s election, she wanted to encourage young people of multicultural diverse backgrounds to participate and add to the vibrancy of the parliament.
She also mentioned that Scottish Government has announced a £470k fund for a leadership development program for minority to ethnic young people. Although she had arguments with Alex, Rachael and other political opponents in parliament, all of them are united at this message to bring diversity and equality in parliament.
MSP Sandra White, who was the main sponsor of last year’s Diwali at parliament said she has experienced the colour and vibrancy of Diwali last year.
Sandra who is also stepping down for next Holyrood election, has been involved in frontline politics for the majority of her life and one of the longest serving MSP in Holyrood. She emphasised that everyone who lives in the community has rights to be represented and she is pleased that her Constituency (Glasgow Kelvin) put forward BAME female candidate Ms Kaukab Stewart.
In her closing remark she encouraged youngsters: “If I can do, you can do and it will stand true till date” and mentioned being happy to chat over phone or zoom to anyone from Hindu community if they want to be part of active politics.
Mrs Manjulika Singh, MBE said the Vote of Thanks and program ended with Live Aarti and peace prayer from Glasgow Hindu temple, where Acharya ji Mishra invited NHS Doctors to light the lamps as a way to show gratitude for their hard work during this crisis.
The preparations for this event started a few weeks ago and intensified in the few days with so many tasks being coordinated and completed. It was this tremendous team spirit that resulted in resounding success of Diwali celebrated in this unusual way for the first time. Diwali’s message is a timely reminder of the light at the end of the dark tunnel and the collective strength of unity.
HFB takes this opportunity to thank you for your participation and contribution to the event and look forward to welcoming you back to parliament next year.
Botanics calls for support from Edinburgh residents
The organisers of Christmas at the Botanics have announced a rescheduled opening date of Edinburgh’s festive illuminated trail. Due to begin on 26 November, the trail will now start on 2 December 2020 and continue for 28 nights on selected evenings until 3 January 2021.
The decision to delay the opening of Christmas at the Botanics has been made to enable additional refinements to the trail’s health and safety guidance in line with Scotland’s new Covid-19 local protection levels which are being regularly reviewed and updated by the Scottish Government.
Jonathan Marks, Chief Development Director at Raymond Gubbay, a division of Sony Music, which promotes the trail, commented: “The health and safety of visitors and our trail staff remain a top priority and we will continue to monitor and respond to Scottish Government guidelines as they are reviewed and amended.
“In this ever-changing situation, delays have been inevitable. This has impacted on the time required to build the trail. It takes hours of precision and expertise to install, and for the artists and production team to create an amazing light experience. The teams are working tremendously hard to facilitate the opening of the trail without further delay, created with safety in mind.”
This year, now more than ever before, the trail’s success is dependent on support from the residents of the City of Edinburgh local authority area.
Simon Milne MBE, Regius Keeper of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh said: “We are calling on the people of Edinburgh to show their support by visiting Christmas at the Botanics.
“By coming to the trail not only will visitors enjoy a wonderful festive experience but also help us and our work enormously. Profits from the trail go to help finance our important and innovative plant research and conservation programmes in Scotland and around the world. Never has our work been more crucial as we face the interrelated challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, biodiversity loss and climate change.
“This has been a hugely difficult year for us all. At the Botanics, we want to end the year by creating something very special for the City and we hope everyone will come and enjoy some festive fun.”
The website also contains information for those people who held tickets between 26 November and 1 December with an option to transfer a ticket to another date, request a refund or option to donate the cost of the ticket to the Botanics which will help to support the vital research and conservation that the charity provides.
Eleven local authorities are to move into the highest protection level as efforts continue to suppress the incidence of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the weeks up to Christmas.
Speaking in parliament this afternoon, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also announced that travel restrictions will be put into law to prevent people who live in a Level 3 or Level 4 local authority area from travelling outside their local authority except for an essential purpose – such as work or caring responsibilities.
The regulations also non-essential travel into a Level 3 or 4 local authority area, except for the same reasons.
The changes to protection levels will come into effect at 6pm on Friday (20 November) and will remain in place for three weeks until Friday 11 December.
The City of Glasgow, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Stirling and West Lothian will move from Level 3 – where they have been since the new levels system was announced – to Level 4.
The City of Edinburgh, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, Dundee, Fife, Perth & Kinross and Angus will all remain at Level 3.
Restrictions around outdoor socialising for those in Level 1 are to be extended to allow eight people from three households to meet outdoors. Previously only six people from two households were permitted to meet outdoors.
The First Minister said: “In the seven days up to Friday, Scotland as a whole had just over 140 new cases of COVID per 100,000 people. All of the areas moving to Level 4 were above that level – ranging from West Lothian, with a rate of 158 cases per 100,000, to Glasgow with 277.
“We simply do not have the assurance we need that hospital and ICU services will be able to cope as we go deeper into winter. Pressure on hospitals in these areas – and on those who work in them – is already severe and with the additional pressure that the coming weeks may bring, it could easily become intolerable.
“At these levels we would not have the flexibility we need to ease restrictions over Christmas – which, in common with the other UK nations, we so desperately want to do.
“The clear advice of our public health experts is that we must drive infection rates down further in these areas. They are not confident that Level 3 restrictions will do this to the extent necessary.
“That is why, albeit reluctantly, we have taken the decision to place these areas into Level 4 for three weeks. I know people are frustrated that other restrictions have remained in place longer than planned but Level 4 is intended to be short and sharp. And in this situation, it is specifically intended to have an impact in advance of Christmas and the most winter challenging period.
“Our objective in taking this action now is to protect the NHS, open the possibility of seeing some loved ones at Christmas and complete the journey to next spring with as few restrictions as possible and with the minimum impact on life and health.”
Following the announcement from the First Minister that the majority of Local Authority areas within the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area have been placed in Level 4 and additional protective measures will come into effect from 20 November, NHSGGC Chief Executive, Jane Grant said: “We understand that for many the increased COVID measures that have been announced today will be disappointing.
“However, given the increased pressures on our essential services and the rising number of people in our hospitals with COVID, we are hopeful that these measures will help to drive the number of cases in our area down and help to protect our local communities.
“We currently have more than 700 people in our hospitals with COVID, this number has been increasing steadily for a number of weeks. Our staff and services are under the same levels of pressure as they were at the peak of the first COVID wave so we hope these new measures will help us to continue to provide vital services and support to our staff, patients and their loved ones.”
Responding to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, the SLTA’s managing director, Colin Wilkinson, said: “This is the worst possible news for the licensed hospitality industry and there will be many operators who will now be seriously considering if their businesses have a future at all – that’s how serious the situation is.
“Many operators in levels two and three areas have already taken the reluctant decision to close down their businesses as it is simply unviable to operate with the current restrictions on the sale of alcohol and the operating times that are currently in place. Even hotels and restaurants serving food feel defeated by these unnecessarily complex and ever-changing guidelines.
“Moving into level four suggests that the closing of pubs and bars in October in five health board areas, prior to the introduction of the tier system, has done little to bring down the rate of Covid-19 infections,” said Mr Wilkinson. “And yet again, there has been no meaningful engagement with our industry and there has been no evidence to prove that the virus is being spread within the licensed hospitality sector.
“We reiterate that we support the goal of suppressing the virus – of course we do,” he continued. “But we also reiterate that we are a sector in crisis with hundreds of businesses facing permanent closure and thousands of jobs hanging in the balance. Sadly, for some, the damage is already irreparable.”
Meanwhile, an SLTA survey of 600 on-trade premises highlighted that within the pub and bar sector, 50,000 jobs could go. The trade body estimates that two-thirds of hospitality businesses could be mothballed or go under in the coming weeks.
Over 50% of jobs in the pub and bar sector could also be lost which will have a particularly deep impact on the employment of young people as over 45% of staff employed are under the age of 25.
Mr Wilkinson added:“Closing these businesses also brings additional immediate financial costs for operators with the cost of actually closing a small wet pub around £2,000, a medium food pub around £6,000 and a large pub between £8,000 and £10,000.
“There are also the ongoing costs while closed which fall far short of support grants currently in place.An SLTA survey revealed that the average fixed costs over a wide range of licensed hospitality business types came to over £11,000 per month.”
Responding to the announcement that 11 council areas will move into Tier 4 restrictions from Friday, CAMRA Scotland’s Director Joe Crawford said: “Pubs in all tiers across the country have been feeling the devastating effects of restrictions on their businesses. Being moved up to Tier 4 will be a devastating blow for pubs in these 11 council areas.
“Many publicans are understandably worried about how and when these restrictions will end and whether they will be able to survive the tough weeks and months ahead.
“We urgently need a long-term, sector- specific support package to help our locals – and the breweries that serve them – survive the winter.
“Lockdowns and restrictions across all tiers has decimated trade and knocked long-term consumer confidence in pubs as a safe, Covid-secure place to meet. Entering the highest tier is putting more local pubs in an untenable position to make it through this crisis.
“Simply put, without greater financial support, we risk seeing hindreds of Scottish pubs and breweries close their doors for good.”
POLICE SCOTLAND are asking the public to comply with the restrictions announced today by The Scottish Government to stop the spread of #Coronavirus.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “We are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to protect the NHS and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.
“As we have consistently said throughout the pandemic, the vast majority of the public have been complying with the regulations.
“People have been exceptionally quick to act when new restrictions are introduced. The mandatory wearing of face coverings in shops is evidence of this. Scotland is, generally, a law-abiding nation and I fully expect that public support to continue as these new measures are introduced.
“Therefore, the policing approach we adopted from the outset of the pandemic will not change. Our officers will continue to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance, and encourage compliance.
“We will use enforcement as a last resort where there is a clear breach of the legislation.
“The Chief Constable has said publicly on numerous occasions that we will not be routinely stopping vehicles or setting up road blocks, and that will not change as a result of travel restrictions now being in law.
“However, officers may in the course of their duties come across people who are travelling from one local authority area to another. In areas where travel restrictions apply, officers will continue to use the common sense, discretion and excellent judgement that they have applied since the crisis began.”
Updated travel guidance will be published ahead of the travel regulations being introduced on Friday 20 November.
From 6pm Friday 20 November, the level allocations will be:
Level 1: Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar Highland Moray Orkney Shetland
Level 2: Aberdeen City Aberdeenshire Argyll and Bute Borders Dumfries and Galloway
Level 3: Angus Clackmannanshire Dundee City Edinburgh Falkirk Fife Inverclyde North Ayrshire Perth and Kinross
East Lothian and Midlothian will remain in Level 3 until Tuesday 24 November when they will move to Level 2.
Level 4: East Ayrshire East Dunbartonshire East Renfrewshire Glasgow North Lanarkshire Renfrewshire South Ayrshire South Lanarkshire Stirling West Dunbartonshire West Lothian
The assessment of what level of protection should be applied to each local authority is broadly based on an analysis of five key indicators:
number of positive COVID-19 cases per hundred thousand people over the last week
percentage of positive tests
forecast for new cases in the weeks ahead
capacity of local hospitals
capacity of local intensive care facilities
These factors are assessed alongside the advice and recommendations of local public health officials, National Incident Management Team, the Scottish Government’s chief clinical and policy advisors, and consideration of local circumstances, such as: specific COVID-19 outbreaks; travel and work patterns; and the extent to which health services are provided by neighbouring health boards. Final decisions are based on all of these factors.
Alongside a table setting out the levels, a detailed analysis paper has also been published setting out the Scottish Government’s assessment and overall decision for each local authority.
The five-level strategic framework aims to tackle COVID-19 with measures strong enough to reduce virus prevalence while proportionate to the scale of the problem in different parts of the country – and in a way that minimises, as far as possible, the other harms caused by the pandemic.
The UK Government yesterday opened a new walk-through coronavirus testing centre at Thimblerow Car Park (PH1 5QT), in Perth. The centre is easily accessible for people without a car.
The new facility is being provided by the UK Government as part of a UK-wide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing for local communities. It is operated by Mitie on behalf of the UK Government.
The test centre is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history. In Scotland, this comprises of 6 drive through sites, 13 walk through sites, 21 mobile units, plus the Glasgow Lighthouse Lab which is working round the clock to process samples.
A new Scottish megalab has also been announced – this will provide capacity to process an extra 300,000 tests a day, create thousands of jobs and play a key part of the UK’s national infrastructure response.
In Scotland, the UK Government is providing all Covid testing and test processing outside of the NHS. Around two thirds of all daily tests are provided by the UK Government, in support of Scotland’s health services.
Tests must be booked in advance at NHS Inform or by calling 0800 028 2816. People should only book at test if they have coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature, a new and continuous cough, or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste).
Health Minister Lord Bethell said: “To respond to the coronavirus, we have built a major testing and tracing system from scratch. We are constantly working to expand and improve it with new technologies and innovations so everyone with symptoms can get a test.
“New walk-in sites like this one makes it even easier to get a test no matter where you live. If you have symptoms of coronavirus, I urge you to book a test today and follow the advice of NHS Test and Protect if you are contacted to protect others and stop the spread of the virus.”
Baroness Dido Harding, Interim Executive Chair of the National Institute for Health Protection, said: “Walk through sites offer communities better access to coronavirus testing, so everyone with symptoms can get a test.
“This new site is part of our ongoing work to expand our testing network across the UK which is now has the capacity to process more than 500,000 tests a day. We will continue to expand capacity to improve test turnaround times and push forward testing innovations to make sure anyone who needs a test can get one.
Please book a test if you have coronavirus symptoms: a new continuous cough, a high temperature and a loss or change in sense of smell or taste, and follow the advice of NHS Test and Protect if you are contacted.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland, Iain Stewart, said: The UK Government is helping all parts of the UK fight the coronavirus pandemic.
“Testing is vital, helping to manage local outbreaks and protecting people’s livelihoods. The UK Government is providing the bulk of Covid testing in Scotland, and this new walk-through centre is just the latest in our extensive testing network.
“We are pleased to be working with local and commercial partners. These sites are not possible without the hard work of many people. I would like to thank everyone involved for their incredible efforts for the good of the country at this difficult time.”
Dr Emma Fletcher, Director of Public Health for NHS Tayside said: “This new walk through testing centre is very welcome and provides an additional opportunity for people to access testing in the Tayside area.
“People are reminded that if they show any symptoms of COVID-19 they should isolate, along with their household, and seek testing immediately.
Simon Venn, Mitie Chief Government & Strategy Officer, said: Our priority during the pandemic is to support the nation’s efforts to fight COVID-19 and help keep the country running.
“Testing is a critical part of the UK’s strategy to combat coronavirus and we’re proud to support the UK Government with this vital task. A big thank you to all the NHS staff, Mitie employees and other frontline heroes in Perth, who are working tirelessly to keep us all safe.”
Drive-through testing sites
Testing under the UK programme in Scotland is currently conducted in drive-through sites operating at:
Glasgow Airport
Edinburgh Airport
Aberdeen Airport
Prestwick Airport
Inverness – University of the Highlands and Islands campus
Dundee – Dudhope Castle
There are also a number of mobile testing units which will be located in towns across Scotland for short periods each time.
Walk-through testing sites
You may be able to access testing via a walk-through testing site. You should walk or cycle to this site and avoid travelling by public transport or taxi.
You can book an appointment via the usual booking process. We have walk-through test sites in:
The Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee has launched an inquiry into the impact COVID-19 restrictions on sports clubs and leisure venues have had on local communities across Scotland.
The Committee’s inquiry is seeking to quantify the various societal benefits that sporting clubs and leisure venues provide their communities. They are asking sport and leisure organisations what support they require to ensure these community services can be maintained.
The inquiry will then examine impacts on individuals and their communities from the reduction or cessation of sporting events, and community-based activities undertaken by sporting organisations. This will include investigating the impact on the mental and physical health of individuals.
Lewis Macdonald MSP, Convener of the Health and Sport Committee, said: “Our sporting and leisure clubs are woven into the fabric of our communities providing a wealth of benefits to our society which so many people rely on.
“But with a ban on mass gatherings since March and with leisure centres closed for much of this time, the Covid-19 pandemic has hit this sector particularly hard. In many cases threatening their very existence and their ability to provide vital community services.
“Our inquiry wants to hear from sporting clubs, organisations and leisure venues on the unprecedented financial challenges they are facing and the support they require to come through this pandemic.
“We are also keen to hear how individuals across Scotland who engage with these institutions and the various community services they provide have been impacted.”
To help inform the inquiry, last week the Committee wrote to the Scottish Government seeking detail on when more fans will be allowed back into football grounds and on the financial challenges facing Scotland’s football clubs.
National charity Heart Research UK has raised £53,000 with their ‘anonymous heART project’, auctioning unique anonymous artworks by a host of internationally acclaimed artists and celebrities.
Almost 500 pieces of original A5 artwork, created by huge names including Robert Smith (The Cure), Ralph Steadman, Pejac, Joe Lycett and Ashley Jackson were auctioned on eBay between the 6th – 15th November.
All of the pieces were sold anonymously, and though a full list of contributors was available, the artist of each piece has been kept a secret, only being revealed to winning bidders now the auction is over.
When the virtual hammer came down, all 497 of the pieces found new homes, raising tens of thousands of pounds for Heart Research UK’s life-saving work.
The bestselling piece (pictured, top) was an original painting by Robert Smith, iconic rock star and frontman of The Cure, which commanded a stunning £5,100 in the online auction.
The piece, entitled “I will kiss you forever…” featured the lyrics “on nights like this”, taken from The Cure’s hit song ‘The same deep water as you.’
The second highest seller was by internationally-acclaimed Spanish painter Pejac. The piece, titled ‘Bottomless pit’ (above) fetched a whopping £1,793.
Now in its third year, the anonymous heART project has seen over 1,300 artworks sold, raising over £110,000 for Heart Research UK’s pioneering research in to the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.
Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said:“The dust has finally started to settle from 2020’s anonymous heART project, and what a journey it has been. Every year, we are blown away by the generosity of the artists and the people bidding.
“We’ve smashed our fundraising target, so we would all like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated their time and efforts to the campaign.
“At Heart Research UK, we’re always looking for fun and interesting ways to raise money. The anonymous heART project allows people to support ground-breaking medical research but also get a little something back, owning their own mini-masterpieces.
“What makes this project so special is that everyone has the chance to own a piece of iconic art. It really is making high class art available to all, and we’re thrilled all 497 pieces have found a new home!”
The Leith Collective leads the way in making 2021 the year of going green
As far as New Year’s resolutions go, to become the UK’s first ever plastic-free shop of its kind is quite an ambitious one. But local business owner, Sara Thomson, is determined to kick off 2021 in the most environmentally friendly way possible, and she’s hoping other businesses will be inspired to follow suit.
Sara is the founder of The Leith Collective which showcases the work of more than 120 artists and makers from all over Scotland, brought together by a common aim to reuse, recycle, reclaim, and resell items that may otherwise have been destined for landfill. As of 1st January 2021, The Leith Collective will ban all new plastic in its Edinburgh store.
However, it is a task that has proved to be more difficult than first expected according to Sara: ‘There is plastic in so many everyday things – things you would never have imagined contain plastic; it can be incredibly deceptive. So we’ve had our work cut out for us researching and sourcing alternatives.’
From re-imagining their visual displays and finding upcycled and biodegradable packaging, right down to the finer details such as switching to non-plastic sticky tape and barcode stickers, they’ve thought of everything.
Describing how it all started, Sara explained; ‘The idea came to me during Lockdown. It was amazing going for a walk each day and seeing nature flourish untouched, right before my eyes. Then came the stark contrast, seeing just how quickly single-use masks and plastic gloves were being discarded on beaches and roadsides, causing untold damage. I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing, I had to take action.’
Sara’s biggest hope is that other businesses will learn from her example and adopt a similar approach. ‘It’s not easy to find accurate plastic usage statistics because generally businesses don’t want to broadcast the fact they have a huge plastic waste problem. However, we just hope our pledge to become a plastic-free shop inspires other businesses to think about their own environmental impact and what steps they too can take to minimise their effect on the world around us.’
With this in mind, The Leith Collective is inviting local business owners to visit their store or get in touch via phone, email or social media where Sara will be happy to pass on any information that might help them in their own quest to go green – from ideas on how to avoid plastic and reduce waste, to tips on where to find the best alternatives.
Ultimately, Sara’s hope is that her New Year’s resolution inspires a new plastic ban revolution.
The Leith Collective can be found at RU65, Ocean Terminal, Ocean Drive, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ. Opening hours are Monday – Saturday 11am – 6pm, and Sunday 11am – 5pm.
YourScreen is a partnership of local, independent exhibitors and was created to stream new films and films unavailable on other digital platforms into the homes of audiences around the country. These are films that might normally play in their local cinema.
Local cinemas promote YourScreen films on their web site and social media, directing audiences to YourScreen where they are able to purchase “virtual” tickets to watch award-winning international films. Revenue is shared between YourScreen and each local film exhibitor.
Films on YourScreen are available for up to 28 days which distinguishes it from a streaming platform like Netflix where films reside for many months and longer.
Every two months, YourScreen uploads a new programme of films on to its platform.
The first season which concludes on 20th December has a programme of eight films; from Canadian coming of age drama, Kuessipan, through to docu-comedy/drama, Lessons of Love, the tale of a Polish woman going her own way after 45 years of marriage to an abusive husband and the popular German film, System Crasher(above).
The genesis of YourScreen can be traced to Cheltenham International Film Festival (CIFF) which streamed its festival online in 2020 and inspired positive feedback from audiences who were locked down and often did not have the opportunity to visit independent cinemas or watch the latest films from around the world.
Commenting on YourScreen, one of the partnership’s founders, Leslie Montgomery Sheldon, also CIFF Director, said: “These are difficult times with cinemas in lockdown.
“But, film exhibitors must maintain their business. In the event they have decided to partner with YourScreen to stream new films, uninterrupted by lockdown, to their audiences.”
But while YourScreen is a short-term solution it is also a long-term opportunity for exhibitors to grow their business.
“YourScreen is in business for the long-term to turn independent cinemas into multi-screen cinemas; allowing exhibitors to complement their in-venue screenings with an online programme; to attract new and different audiences, boost ticket sales and generate an extra revenue stream without the overheads” said Sheldon.
The full programme for the first two-month season (26 October – 20 December):
• The Best of Dorien B.: Belgian comedy-drama.
• Lillian: Austrian, true-life drama of a young Russian woman who walks across American to find her way home to Russia.
• System Crasher: By popular demand, the third film to open our season is this acclaimed German film.
• Beyond The Horizon: French coming-of-age film with Clémence Poésy.
• Kuessipan: Award-winning Canadian film.
• Lessons of Love: Polish docu-comedy/drama which features a woman of 69 who is not too old to begin life again.
• Northern Wind: French film, explores the impact on two families in different countries linked by the same circumstances.
