HOUSE hunters are prioritising green areas and more space over traditional city centre dwellings in the latest market review by property experts, Rettie & Co.
According to Rettie & Co’s. Scottish Housing Market Summer Review, demand for East Lothian homes is on the rise, while homes brought to the market in the region last year fell by 28% against 2019 figures.
The property specialists believe the change in attitudes can be attributed to a greater acceptance of the hybrid working model.
With more companies offering the flexibility of working from home, potential buyers are opting for more value for money by seeking properties out with Edinburgh.
It comes after the firm’s latest 140 home development in Musselburgh, The Wireworks, in partnership with property developer Dundas Estates, has received 600 enquiries in just 3 months.
Marketing Account Manager at Rettie & Co., Ross Matheson, said: “We are seeing a greater number of potential buyers enquiring about homes out with the major cities across Scotland.
“This can be attributed to the changing attitudes to the working environment post-pandemic. With a greater acceptance of working from home, we are finding buyers are willing to live further from large cities in search of more spacious homes and greater green space.”
According to statistics from Rettie & Co. the average price of a house in Edinburgh stood at around £282,420 last year, while the average property price was close to £10,000 cheaper in East Lothian at around £272,268.
Ross, said: “Musselburgh is proving to be a very popular destination for potential buyers. We have recently had a spate of enquiries in and around the area.
“Being a commuter town just outside of Edinburgh, Musselburgh offers the best of both worlds; city convenience with an abundance of green space and amenities such as the River Esk, nearby beaches and the Musselburgh Racecourse, as well as the renowned Luca’s Ice Cream parlour.”
Head of Sales & Marketing at Dundas Estates, Craig Fairfoull, said: “It is important that we meet the demand for housing in what is becoming an ever-popular destination in the east of Scotland.
“With that in mind, we are investing heavily in the local community over the course of construction; we are delighted to be working alongside Rettie & Co.”
Dundas Estates, through a partnership with Tesco, East Lothian Council and NHS Lothian, acquired The Wireworks site after receiving planning permission to regenerate the former Brunton Wireworks site and neighbouring land in 2008.
The development will have the capacity to store 140 bicycles in internal and external bikes stores. Electric car charging facilities will be available throughout the development. Private gardens and balconies will also be available at various apartments.
The Livingston-based firm is committing, through Section 75 payments, to contribute up to £400,000 along with the other partners which will be invested into local schooling and infrastructure.
To learn more about Dundas Estates’ Wireworks development, call 0131 243 3858 or email: thewireworks@rettie.co.uk
On the weekend of 26th September, people of varying ages and abilities from Scotland got involved with this year’s Learn to Play Day event.
Organised by the charity Music for All, people across the UK travelled to music stores and community centres, to take advantage of a range of free music lessons. For the first time, those who could not attend in person were able to join in the fun by learning through tutorials on Music for All’s YouTube channel.
These featured the likes of the band Skunk Anansie, David Tench the musical director of The Voice UK, Rob Rolfe of Enter Shikari, Vasko Vassilev and Hetty Snell of the Royal Opera House, and more.
In Scotland, Kenny’s Music store in Aberdeen and Glasgow and The National Piping Centre gave people the chance to try a variety of musical instruments.
The purpose of the annual Learn to Play Day weekend – supported by Music for All’s patron, Jools Holland OBE – was to give everyone the opportunity to pick up and play a musical instrument. While some of the attendees had never played before, others hadn’t since childhood so were rediscovering the joys of playing.
The instruments featured in the online videos include guitar, drums, violin, cello, clarinet, keyboard, ukulele, piano, trombone, bagpipes and beat boxing on a flute!
A venue spokesperson said: “Due to the pandemic, last year’s annual event sadly didn’t take place, so we were delighted to get involved this year and give people a chance to pick up and play an instrument.
“The music industry is such an incredible community, and we are happy to be so involved in helping it grow across Scotland.”
Tony Followell, Chair of Trustees at Music for All, said: “Being able to offer free access to music lessons for one weekend meant we could help to encourage people to try a musical instrument for what might have been their first time.
“There is so much pleasure to be had and proven health, happiness and wellbeing benefits associated with making music. We hope that those who took part continue to learn. Those who weren’t able to join in still can by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Thanks to all venues and people that took part.”
Learn to Play ’21 is generously supported by the NAMM Foundation and partners include Music Industries Association, Musicians Union, Making Music and Music Mark.
Tranent-based thermal energy storage firm Sunamp has been awarded over £396,000 from SP Energy Networks’ Green Economy Fund to deliver innovative micro-district heating networks, which will reduce heating bills for fuel-poor and vulnerable people while also decreasing carbon emissions in Edinburgh.
The funding from SP Energy Networks’ Green Economy Fund has enabled Sunamp to provide five, micro-district heating networks that will produce low carbon heating for more than 50 Edinburgh residents.
The pioneering micro-district heating system aims to save over 75% on carbon emissions compared to gas boilers as well as providing the opportunity to recover heat from buildings with large occupancy and high passive heat gains in order to transfer it to the Edinburgh properties requiring heat.
Sunamp is being funded as part of SP Energy Networks’ £20 million Green Economy Fund, which supports the UK and Scottish Government’s ambitious plans to meet climate change targets. The fund also aims to boost local economic growth, improve air quality across the country and deliver a better future, quicker for all.
SP Energy Networks is part of the ScottishPower group, a Principal Partner for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) to be held in Glasgow in November.
It is developing an energy model that will play a significant role towards reaching the UK’s world-leading climate change targets and is investing a total of £10 billion in the clean energy generation and networks infrastructure needed to help the UK decarbonise and reach Net Zero emissions.
Frank Mitchell, CEO at SP Energy Networks, said: “Our Green Economy Fund is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind on the road to net zero emissions and this project provides critical support to local communities that are affected by fuel poverty.
“We know that Sunamp micro-district heating systems will make a significant difference to vulnerable residents in Edinburgh by making homes more energy efficient and bringing costs down so residents can keep their homes warm ahead of the winter months.
“We’re very proud to be funding this innovative project and supporting energy projects focused on tackling the decarbonisation of heat.”
Andrew Bissell, Sunamp Chief Executive:“SP Energy Networks and Sunamp share a vision of a world powered by affordable and sustainable energy. We couldn’t be more grateful for the support we’ve received from the Green Economy Fund as the new micro-district heating networks will provide heat to some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland’s capital.
“Sunamp is passionate about making buildings more energy efficient, sustainable and self-sufficient, whilst also reducing carbon emissions and SP Energy Networks’ funding has supported us in transforming how we heat and cool our buildings going forward”.
So far, 35 projects have been awarded funding from SP Energy Networks across Central and Southern Scotland.
HMRC urges small motor businesses and car enthusiasts to be aware of post-Brexit changes and prepare themselves ahead of January 2022
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging small businesses and enthusiasts in the automotive sector to be aware of post-Brexit rules when sending and receiving parts from Europe or travelling across Europe to attend events, to ensure they don’t get caught out.
New rules have been in place since January this year and while larger VAT-registered businesses will have familiarised themselves with the changes already, smaller businesses such as independent garages and specialist parts retailers may not be fully aware of the changes to import and export rules and how they apply.
Likewise, for motor hobbyists who may want to order a specialist part from the EU to restore a classic car, or wish to travel across Europe to a rally, many would not have had to navigate the changes until recently.
With rallies, classic car exhibitions and festivals in full swing, including the upcoming Classic Motor Show in Birmingham and then, further afield, the Auto e Moto D’Epoca in Italy, enthusiasts are being encouraged to check they understand the new requirements.
HMRC has produced guidance to help people identify the best way to navigate the changes.
There is also an Online Trader Tool to ensure small businesses don’t get caught out by unexpected charges or unnecessary delays, as well as highlighting processes they can follow.
The guidance also provides information needed to ensure small businesses are prepared ahead of next January when full customs declarations and controls will be introduced.
If small businesses are also moving parts or equipment between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, they can register with the free Trader Support Service.
https://youtu.be/OZ6or0d6Cxk
Katherine Green and Sophie Dean, Directors General, Borders and Trade, HMRC, said: “With the lifting of travel restrictions and more events being held, we want auto enthusiasts to be able to continue to enjoy their cars, motorbikes and campervans like they always have.
“However, we know that many people would not have anticipated that the changes introduced at the beginning of the year would impact them, which is why we urge them to make sure they understand the new obligations by using the guidance available to them – on Gov.UK, from one of our YouTube videos or through our customer forums. Getting used to the new processes now will stand them in good stead ahead of January.”
This year marks 100 years of the Poppy as the national symbol of Remembrance, and to celebrate the important milestone, Poppyscotland are encouraging landmarks, tourist destinations and business properties across Edinburgh and the Lothians to ‘Light Up Red’.
The charity is calling for mass involvement from schools, universities, council buildings, monuments, statues and other attractions during the period leading up to Remembrance Sunday from 22nd October to 14th November.
Any building with external lighting can take part simply by adding red gel filters to the flood or up-lights to help Poppyscotland commemorate the centenary of the Poppy. Previous participants include Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Airport.
Three million Poppies, which are all handmade by veterans at the Lady Haig Poppy Factory in Edinburgh, began their journey to cities, towns and villages across the country last month, ahead of the 2021 Scottish Poppy Appeal. To celebrate the 100-year milestone, around half a million special-edition centenary Poppies have also been produced.
The Scottish Poppy Appeal is the largest annual charity street collection in Scotland and raises more than £2 million each year. The money raised from the Poppy Appeal and year-round fundraising enables Poppyscotland to support members of the Armed Forces community in Scotland by providing services in advice, employment, housing, mental health, and mobility.
With last year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal being badly impacted by the pandemic, the centenary of the Appeal takes on an even greater significance.
Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising and Learning at Poppyscotland, said: “The last 18 months have been a very difficult time for us as a charity, and even more so for the Armed Forces community we support.
“The pandemic halted all our major fundraising events and we had to drastically change the way in which we reached out to the public for donations. Despite this we have still provided our vital, life-changing support uninterrupted throughout the pandemic.
“The support of local businesses and national landmarks has been fantastic over many years, and we’re eager to hear from other locations that would like to join us in paying tribute to Scotland’s Armed Forces community. To see the country light up red during the Remembrance period will be even more poignant as, 100 years on, the Poppy Appeal remains as important now as it ever has been.”
New UK-wide programme launched to help people experiencing homelessness into employment
Social Bite has launched a pioneering initiative to help revolutionise the access people who have experienced homelessness have to job opportunities across the UK.
Through its new Jobs First programme, Social Bite will work directly with some of the UK’s biggest employers to help breakdown the barriers people who have been homeless face on their route to employment
To date, businesses including BaxterStorey, Mitchells & Butlers, Andron FM, have signed up with a plan to help create a target of 60 employment opportunities for people experiencing homelessness. The program is being part funded through a grant from the Oak Foundation.
The initiative, which guarantees living wage employment for each person, will provide wrap around support for both the employer and employee.
Each Jobs First employee will be allocated a support worker from Social Bite who will assist them throughout the programme and their employment contract, meeting weekly to offer practical support on bills and forms, as well as emotional guidance and confidence building to adapt to working life.
Social Bite will provide training to each employer to help them appropriately guide the employee while the support worker will help facilitate appraisal processes and employee progress.
As measures put in place in response to COVID-19 are wound down, it is feared that more people will experience homelessness with latest statistics released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) showing that many of these measures helped to reduce and prevent homelessness.
Data in London shows that between April and June this year, the number of people sleeping on the streets increased by 25 per cent, making Social Bite’s Jobs First initiative even more timely. Firms across the UK are also sounding the alarm over staff shortages, with Britain’s worst labour shortage in decades putting economic recovery from lockdown at risk.
George Watson kickstarted the programme today, taking on his role with hospitality provider BaxterStorey who supply Royal Bank’s Gogarburn headquarters in Edinburgh where Social Bite recently opened a café.
Josh Littlejohn MBE, CEO and Co-Founder of Social Bite, said:“Social Bite started life nine years ago by offering jobs in a small café to people who had experienced homelessness and over that time we have seen the power of employment to change lives.
“Too often, the response to people experiencing homelessness is to ‘get a job’ – however, it’s not that easy. Proactive employers stepping out of their comfort zone to provide chances for those who would otherwise be excluded and a wraparound support alongside the job are the solutions.
“That’s why the Jobs First programme is so important. We will match people who are excluded from the jobs market with some of the UK’s largest employers.
“The wrap around support we will provide will help both employers and employees enjoy a fruitful working partnership. At a time when the UK is facing a serious labour shortage, we are incredibly proud to be partnering with major employers to deliver a program of scale throughout the UK that can act as a blueprint for how we can provide employment opportunities for homeless and marginalised people.”
Over the past four years, Social Bite has supported 34 people into employment from a background of homelessness and in total, one quarter of its workforce has experienced homelessness.
Of the 34, many have moved into employment roles with other companies, some into higher education and in many cases, they have developed careers within Social Bite. These learnings have formed the basis for rolling out Jobs First across the UK.
Operations Manager, Caroline Bacigalupo at BaxterStorey, said:“Jobs First is a fantastic programme and we’re proud to be working with Social Bite to offer training and employment opportunities to people who were previously homeless.
“We’re all thrilled to welcome George on board and can’t wait to support other Jobs First employees reach their full potential as the programme develops.”
George Watson said: “Social Bite has been like my family for the past seven years. I am really excited to start my job role with BaxterStorey. I am grateful for the Jobs First programme and hope it will help many others into employment.”
Scotland’s expanding network of distinctive water refill stations is set to inspire people to enjoy – and protect – the nation’s great outdoors this Autumn.
Scottish Water’s Top Up Taps (TUTs) are located across cities, towns and rural sites which allow people on-the-go to refill their water bottles for free while also doing their bit to reduce litter.
And now two of Scotland’s best-known walking and outdoors organisations – Paths for All and Ramblers Scotland – have joined the wave by supporting the drive to encourage more walkers, runners and cyclists to seek out the taps on their outings.
The Top up Taps are part of Scottish Water’s Your Water Your Life campaign, which was launched in June 2018 to emphasise the vital role water plays in the lives of people across Scotland.
There are already 60 Top Up Taps situated across Scotland with more to be installed over the rest of the year in town squares, city centres, sea fronts and even iconic landmarks.
And with Scotland’s famed Autumn beauty about to shine, it’s the perfect time to visit some of the existing taps in these locations. Towns boasting taps already include St Andrews, Linlithgow and Perth.
Individuals can also enjoy fresh tap water while taking a trip to the seaside in Irvine and Portobello.
Rona Gibb, Senior Manager at Paths for All, said: “We can all do our bit to protect the environment and Top Up Taps make the choice to carry a refillable bottle when out walking an easy one.
“Here at Paths for All, we’re encouraging everyone to walk for short daily journeys, as it’s not only healthy, but driving less reduces our carbon emissions.
“It is of course important to stay hydrated when walking and that’s why we love to see these taps popping up in our towns and cities across Scotland.
“They make it convenient for everyone to make the small daily changes – like walking and carrying tap water – that will collectively make a big difference to reducing pollution, and helping tackle climate change.”
Brendan Paddy, Ramblers Scotland director, said: “We warmly welcome Scottish Water’s roll-out of free refill taps at popular outdoor locations across the country.
“We’re sure that they will prove very popular with thirsty walkers, while also helping to reduce plastic waste and protect the environments in which we all love to walk.”
Brian Lironi, Director of Corporate Affairs at Scottish Water, said: “Our Top up Taps mean people out and about can stay hydrated by filling up for free with our top quality tap water – this is ‘your’ water after all, so we want to make sure you can enjoy it as easy and often as possible.
“Topping up with fresh, great-tasting tap water brings so many benefits – it’s good for the pocket, it’s good for the planet and great for your health too.
“And as we’re set to once more enjoy Scotland’s amazing Autumn scenery and beauty, while ‘leaving only footprints’, having your own water bottle and ready supply of water in so many locations makes that so much more easier to achieve.
“We’d encourage people to keep an eye out for our eye-catching blue taps on their travels.”
Each of the distinctive, high-tech water stations is plumbed directly into the public water supply and each has digital tracking technology which logs how much water is being used and how much plastic potentially saved.
A woman who performed CPR on her husband has sent a heartfelt thanks to the call handler who saved his life after giving instructions over the phone.
Karen Galloway, 42, of Cambuslang, Glasgow, has praised call handler, Sarah Mark, and said her husband would not be alive today if not for her actions on September 28, 2021.
She said: “Sarah saved my husband’s life and because of that our sons still have their Dad and I can’t thank her enough. She was amazing; she was not only my husband’s guardian angel that night but our family’s.”
Describing the “terrifying” incident, Karen said she was at home with Alan, 46, and sons, Cameron and Nathan. Alan had “gone about his day and evening as normal”, before she noticed part of his speech sounded “slurred”.
She added: “He said he felt fine and he looked fine. He then went into kitchen but as our son Cameron was at the top of the stairs he heard a noise, he ran down then he called for me.
“By the time I got downstairs, he had stopped physically seizing but his mouth was clamped shut and his limbs and hands ridged. His eyes were open. I asked him if he was ok; he made a noise and squeezed my hand. He then closed his eyes and went into what we thought was a sleep. I put him in the recovery position.”
Karen said she called for an ambulance, as Alan was having “more frequent seizures”, and his breathing was not normal. Sarah, a call handler based at The Scottish Ambulance Service’s East Ambulance Control Centre in South Queensferry, answered.
Karen added: “Sarah was fantastic; she was very calm, reassuring me I was doing a good job and I was doing everything ok. She then asked me to let her know every time Alan took a breath in and out. I knew his breathing wasn’t right; it was getting longer between breaths and longer exhaling.
“She told me an ambulance was on its way with blue lights and siren. I was terrified on the inside as our two sons could see Alan was struggling.”
Karen was asked by Sarah to start giving instructions for CPR over the phone.
She added: “I was petrified because I knew what was coming next. She asked me to get him on to his back and tilt his head back to open airway. She asked me again to count his breaths in and out. I knew she was going to say he needs help and needs CPR but never in a million years did I think it would be me doing it.
“Sarah said ‘I need you to listen to me as you need to start CPR, count with me 1,2,3,4.’
Our two sons where hysterical at this point and I had to say to our oldest son Cameron ‘I need you to stay calm, go see your brother. I need to be able to hear the instructions from Sarah loud and clear to help your Dad’.”
After telling Sarah she was ready, Karen started to give CPR. She added: “With each chest compression, I kept saying to myself ‘please God don’t take him from me, not yet’, and by the grace of God he started breathing normally and came round. I have never felt so sick, relieved all at once.”
Just as he had come round the ambulance crew – Amanda Clark, Paramedic and Audrey Gillies, Paramedic, both of Hamilton Station, along with Melanie Mcdevitt, Paramedic of Springburn Station, arrived after being dispatched by Mandy Brogan.
Karen said: “I have never been so relieved to see an ambulance crew in all my life. The ambulance crew were amazing. They came in, took over, and were continually telling Alan and I what they were doing.
“Members of our family had arrived and one ambulance crew member went out and spoke to all the family, reassuring them he was okay and what they were doing and where they would take him.
“The service from the call handler to the ambulance crew was amazing, I can’t fault them. Thank you just doesn’t seem enough. To all the ambulance crew and Sarah a million thank yous. This has shown us just how precious life is and not take it for granted. ”
Frontline health and social care workers and those aged 70+ are currently being invited forward for the COVID-19 Vaccine Booster to provide longer protection against coronavirus.
Others who are eligible for the vaccine will be invited forward soon.
Programme launch celebrates 10-year milestone with Denise Mina
2021 marks ten years of Book Week Scotland, and Scottish Book Trust has today (12 October) launched a programme of events around the theme of ‘Celebration’.
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, has worked closely with partners to provide both online and in person events.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said:“2021 marks a decade of Book Week Scotland, a massive milestone that all of us at Scottish Book Trust are extremely proud of.
“Last year alone, we reached 292,000 people through free Book Week Scotland events. Book Week Scotland would not be possible without the many libraries, bookshops, community groups and schools that take part.
“Over the last ten years, Book Week Scotland has become a highlight of Scotland’s literary calendar, the national event where a huge range of partners celebrate the connective power of reading and writing.
“It is where communities all over Scotland gather together to have conversations with writers and other readers, and where individuals all over the country share their love of books and the books they love.
“We look forward to celebrating ten years of Book Week Scotland with a fantastic line-up, with events both online and in person.”
Alan Bett, Head of Literature and Publishing at Creative Scotland, said:“For a decade now, Book Week Scotland has provided the perfect opportunity for readers across the nation to come together in community groups, bookshops, libraries and at home to share and explore a love of reading.
“With an exciting and diverse line-up of emergent and established names and forms of writing, from live poetry to comics, the centenary year programme is a true celebration of literature.”
Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive of The Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC) said: ““Libraries will be hosting events from Shetland to the Borders, connecting communities and ensuring everyone across the country can meet likeminded individuals, and enjoy all that the week has to offer.
“We will also be celebrating Mobile Libraries Day as part of Book Week Scotland, which allows us to recognise the vital role that our mobile libraries play in some of the remotest parts of Scotland, as well as for those who are not able to visit their own local library.
“Reading is Scotland’s favourite pastime, and we look forward to sharing in the country’s love of books.”
Book Week Scotland is the country’s biggest celebration of reading and writing and it returns on Monday 15 November to Sunday 21 November.
Award-winning author Denise Mina kicks off the celebrations at Glasgow Women’s Library, where she filmed a new documentary: The Women Writers of Garnethill with tour guide Melody House.The film explores the contribution women writers have made to the area, and the city of Glasgow. It will premiere on YouTube on Monday 15 November at 12.30pm.
Book Week Scotland will also launch a social media campaign, #ILoveMyLibrary, on Monday 15 November, encouraging the public to join in and share their memories of their favourite or local library. Top authors in Scotland will also join the campaign, celebrating the library they most treasure.
On Monday evening, for those who wish to join Book Week Scotland from the comfort of their own homes, there will be a downloadable role-playing game written by visual artist Adrian Barber. A star-studded line-up will play through the game, featuring: Marvel comic writer Kieron Gillen; bestselling author Val McDermid; DC Comics writer Ram V; Marvel comic writer and bestselling novelist Marjorie Liu; and award-winning comic artist and author Hari Conner.
On Tuesday 16 November at 11am, there will be a Book Week Scotland special Authors Live event with Patience Agbabi. The event will jump into the world of her time-travel adventure stories, The Infinite and The Time Thief. Patience will be talking about the climate change themes that inspired the novel, and she will also share her love of wordplay and poetry.
On Wednesday 17 November at 12.30pm, Book Week Scotland will premiere a new documentary with former Makar Jackie Kay on her debut novel, Trumpet. The film will offer exclusive insight to the inspiration and writing of the bestselling book.
On Thursday 18 November at 11am, there will be another Authors Live event: a panel on Young Scottish Voices featuring Nadine Aisha Jassat, Chris McQueer and Cat Hepburn. They will showcase their writing and share how young people can use their own voices and experiences in writing and storytelling.
On Thursday evening, the Damian Barr Literary Salon will team up with Book Week Scotland to bring an unmissable event starring Baggage author Alan Cumming in conversation with Damian Barr, and poetry performances from the ascendant talents of Lennie Pennie and Courtney Stoddart. The event will run online Thursday 18 November at 7pm and tickets are available to buy here.
In the year of Scottish coastlines and waterways, Harry Josephine Giles, Evie Wyld and Raman Mundair will join Book Week Scotland for a Celebrating Island Literature panel, chaired by Pàdraig MacAoidh. The event will premiere on Saturday 20 November at 4pm on YouTube.
Libraries and community groups across Scotland are also taking part in Book Week Scotland, some who have been partners of the programme for a decade, including Glasgow Women’s Library, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Scottish Union Learning, Uist Art Association and Wigtown Book Festival.
50,000 free copies of the Celebration book, which includes real life stories from people around the country, will be available from libraries and other community venues during Book Week Scotland. The book includes 22 stories selected by a panel, plus commissioned pieces from Courtney Stoddart, Elle McNicoll, Eòghan Stewart, Mòrag Law and Ross Sayers.
The full Book Week Scotland 2021 programme will be live from Tuesday 12 October.
Highlights from Book Week Scotland 2021 programme:
Monday 15 November
Ullaverse: this year, Book Week Scotland will be celebrated in Ullapool with Ullaverse, a poetry trail around the village featuring work by some of the most exciting poets writing in Scotland today, many of whom have appeared at Ullapool Book Festival. There will also be a few old favourites included as well as work created especially for the event. The poems will be displayed in windows around the village. Most will be big and bold with a few little gems hidden along the way. Free, unticketed event: https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland/events/2021/ullaverse
The Art of Wild Swimming: photographer Anna Deacon and writer Vicky Allan will talk about their newly published book The Art of Wild Swimming: Scotland and Taking the Plunge: The Healing Power of Wild Swimming for the Mind, Body and Soul. Anna and Vicky will discuss their favourite outdoor wild swimming spots and asking them for their top tips. Join in with the audience Q&A and find out how to be the safest, most joyous and invigorated wild swimmer you can be. Online event hosted by Stirling Libraries, 7pm. Tickets: https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland/events/2021/the-art-of-wild-swimming
Tuesday 16 November
Poetry and pals: An evening with Nadine Aisha Jassat and Andrés N. Ordorica. Join Nadine Aisha Jassat and Andrés N. Ordorica, two exciting and brilliant poets, in conversation as they discuss their first poetry collections, their own poetic process, dive deeper into one another’s work, and take your questions. Nadine’s Let Me Tell You This takes readers on a journey exploring heritage, connection, and speaking out, her poems demonstrating the power of heart and voice. At Least This I Know, the upcoming debut by Andrés works through belonging both in a physical sense and emotional, be it the belonging of immigrant bodies in new countries, or the belonging of the queer self within found families and safe spaces. The event is free and will be livestreamed on YouYube at 7pm: https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland/events/2021/poetry-and-pals-an-evening-with-nadine-aisha-jassat-and-andres-n-ordorica
Checkpoint with Joe Donnelly. Video games power up minds, kick ass and save lives. Author Joe Donnelly, author of Checkpoint, games writer and mental health advocate, will be livestreaming gameplay on Twitch.tv as he takes viewers on a journey through the lesser-known side of game Grand Theft Auto V, showing how it can be a vehicle for mental health support in the most unlikely of ways. The event is free, and will be livestreamed on Twitch at 7pm. Tickets: https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland/events/2021/checkpoint-with-joe-donnelly
Bold Types: Creative Writing Showcase: from 6.30pm, shortlisted writers read out their stories and poems on this year’s theme – CELEBRATION. Glasgow Women’s Library panel of judges includes: poet and filmmaker Sunnah Khan, member of 4 BROWN GIRLS WHO WRITE poetry collective; writer Noren Haq, whose short story features in the recent anthology A made in heaven: Muslim women write about love and desire; and GWL’s own Librarian, Wendy Kirk. Free, online event. Tickets: https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland/events/2021/bold-types-creative-writing-showcase
Talk by one of Scotland’s most gifted authors James Robertson. Kinross-shire Local Events Organisation presents a talk by one of Scotland’s most gifted authors, James Robertson. Ever since the acclaimed And the Land Lay Still, readers have been waiting for another novel that would articulate the changing spirit and soul of Scotland. News of the Dead is that book. Featuring three characters, hundreds of years apart, the novel is set in the Braes of Angus, where the fictional Glen Conach is the home of fables and folklore gathered over the centuries. Milnathort Town Hall on Thursday 18 November at 7.30pm. Free event, tickets: https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland/events/2021/talk-by-one-of-scotland-s-most-gifted-authors-james-robertson
Friday 19 November
Interactive Event with Donna Ashworth: as part of Book Week Scotland, the Fife Women’s Tent Facebook Group will host Donna Ashworth, author and poet. The night will begin with Donna introducing herself, followed by readings and then opening up for Q&A and discussions with the participants. Free, online event from 6.30pm: https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland/events/2021/interactive-event-with-donna-ashworth
No Stone Unturned: Celebrate the reunion of poet Tom Pow with The Crichton Writers in this Book Week Scotland event organised by The Bakehouse Community Arts. The Crichton Writers is the writing group formed following a creative writing course led by Pow in 2003. Many Crichton Writers have gone on to be published and win prizes. Their recent anthology No Stone Unturned – stories of stone caving in Dumfries and Galloway is a tribute to their versatility and skill. The Bakehouse, 44 High Street, 7.30pm. Tickets: https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland/events/2021/no-stone-unturned
Saturday 20 November
Writing crime set in St Andrews: Marion Todd is a crime fiction novelist, currently working on the 6th book in the DI Clare Mackay series, set in St Andrews. A native of Dundee, early success saw her winning first prize in Family Circle magazine’s short story competition and she began experimenting with a variety of genres before settling on crime fiction. Marion will introduce her crime series and speak about the process of creating, researching and writing crime fiction based in a town we all know so well. St David’s Centre, St Andrews at 10.30am. Free, unticketed event: https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland/events/2021/writing-crime-set-in-st-andrews
Celebrating Our Community and Our Coast with Christopher Trotter. Join author Christopher Trotter on a virtual journey along the Fife Coastal Path at Leven. Christopher will showcase fish and shellfish caught in the waters local to Leven and produce grown in the local area using photos, videos and stories. He will then cook a selection of recipes from his new book, Coasts and Waters: The British Seafood Cookbook, in real-time for people to try at home. This event will celebrate community and the bounty of the local Leven area through the joy of cooking and eating together. 2pm, Largo Library and Community Hub, 7 Lundin Square. Tickets: https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland/events/2021/celebrating-our-community-and-our-coast-with-christopher-trotter
Sunday 21 November
Mayflies: An Evening with Andrew O’Hagan. Craig Smillie will lead the conversation, paying particular attention to O’Hagan’s latest book, Mayflies; an incredible story that charts a weekend of youthful excess in 1980’s Manchester and the aftermath thirty years later. There will also be an opportunity for our audience to ask questions and engage in the discussion. The Glad Café, 1006a Pollokshaws Road, 7pm. Tickets: https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland/events/2021/mayflies-an-evening-with-andrew-o-hagan
