Month: February 2022

Edinburgh film-makers shortlisted in FilmG Gaelic Short Film Competition

Filmmakers taking part in this year’s prestigious Gaelic short film competition FilmG 2022 have been inspired by nature, environmental issues and the great outdoors – with many of the shortlisted films exploring these topics.

Many films followed this year’s competition theme Lorg, which means search, find or trace, it could even be interpreted as footsteps, with some shortlisted films exploring the outdoors, getting closer to nature and appreciating and protecting the environment.

Nominees have now been confirmed across 17 categories and all the shortlisted films are available to watch on the FilmG website.  

The competition received 91 entries this year, which covered various different stories and current events, and the judges had a tough job whittling down the entries over multiple days.

On the environmental theme, eponymous Uilleam Uaine (Green William) is in Staffin to help the pupils to make the right choices for the environment, in a film of the same name which was written and produced by pupils at Staffin Primary School on the Isle of Skye. It has been shortlisted as the Best Production (Under 12).

And a film by pupils at Sgoil Bhagh a’ Chaisteil on the Isle of Barra called ‘Cosgais A Churaim’, (The Cost of Caring) which looks into the effects of disposable face masks on our environment, has been nominated for Best Documentary. 

Dihaoinean airson Teachd (Fridays of the Future) tells the story of a scientist who wants to save the world with a potion she has invented to create an Eco Superhero. However, the wrong people keep drinking it! 

Made by pupils at Craighill Primary School in Tain, this film has also been shortlisted as the Best Production (Under 12).


Gaelic Medium pupils at Oban High School have been nominated for ‘GOP 26’, which is about an environmental conference GOP26 taking place in Glasgow with leaders from all over the world making speeches, but one of the speakers mysteriously goes missing. The film was shortlisted for the quality of the spoken Gaelic throughout.

Several films explore the great outdoors including a film about hillwalking and scrambling as a way to get a new perspective on the world from beyond the cold, dark glens and high above the clouds. 

Called ‘Thar Nan Sgòth – Beinn Eighe’ (Above the Clouds – Beinn Eighe) this film, made by Anndra Cuimeanach from Gairloch, has been nominated for Best Documentary and Best Young Filmmaker in the Youth Category (12-17).

Also in the Youth Category a film by Emma Rose Passmore from Harris called ‘Falaichte Ann an Roghdal’ (Hidden in Rodal) which looks at the secret history of Roghdal in Harris, has been nominated for Best Documentary and Best Young Filmmaker.

In the Open category a short documentary called ‘A’ Mhuir’ (The Sea) about wild swimming and the students at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in the Isle of Skye who take part in the sport, has been nominated for Best Film, Film Duthchais, Best Performance (Somhairle MacIain), Best Student Film and Best Director (Anna Garvin).

‘Am Buaile Dubh’ by Eòghan Stiùbhart from Inverness, which takes a look around Am Buaile Dubh on the outskirts of Inverness, has been nominated for Best Film, Film Duthchais (which translates as best heritage or community film), Best Performance (Eòghan Stiùbhart), Best Director and Best Script.

While a spoof of outdoor programmes called ‘Rachamaid’ by Ross Young from Inverurie has been shortlisted for Best Performance (Ross Young) and Best Student Film.

And ‘Eilean Lois’ (Lois’s Island) by Somhairle MacIain from Glasgow, which follows him and his girlfriend, Lois, as they cycled the Hebridean Way in the summer and he teaches her to speak Gaelic on the trip, has been shortlisted for Best Student Film.

This is just a few of an array of fantastic films by talented filmmakers, schools and community groups from across Scotland that have made it to the shortlists for the FilmG 2022 Short Film Competition. 

Karen Elder, a journalist for An Là is a Scottish Gaelic-language news programme broadcast on the Gaelic-language channel, BBC ALBA, was one of the judges this year.She said: “It was a privilege to once again be a part of the judging panel for FilmG. There was a wide variety of films entered, from strong documentaries to comedy. It was no small task.” 

You can watch shortlisted films on the FilmG website. FilmG is the Gaelic short film competition, funded by MG ALBA and delivered by Cànan Graphics Studio on the Isle of Skye.

The winners of this year’s prestigious Gaelic Short Film Competition FilmG will be revealed on BBC ALBA from 9pm on Friday, February 25 via a new, specially created, awards programme broadcast from Stornoway.

The show will be hosted by FilmG and BBC ALBA stalwarts Fiona MacKenzie and Niall Iain MacDonald.

For more information, www.filmg.co.uk 

Shortlists:

Youth (Under 12) Category

FilmmakerLocationFilmCategoryLink to FilmDescription 
Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghleann Dail (Glendale Primary School)GlasgowDeiseil neo aindeiseil?Best Film (Under 12)https://youtu.be/JXLuSzXW0lkThings go wrong when a group of pupils try and play a game of hide and seek instead of learning about it. Where did Penelope go?!
Bun-sgoil Achadh na Creige (Rockfield Primary School)ObanLorden Bino agus NedBest Film (Under 12)https://youtu.be/axhZ-LBu_ywLorden, Bino and Ned have told the dinner ladies at Rockfield Primary School that their food is not good enough and they will make school dinners better.
Sgoil Staffainn (Staffin Primary School)Isle of SkyeTearlach san EileanBest Film (Under 12)https://youtu.be/eWOxlGeXD5EPrince Charles visits Staffin
Bun-sgoil Dun Bheagan (Dunvegan Primary School)Isle of SkyeAir Chall ‘s Air LorgBest Film (Under 12)https://youtu.be/J_eMMxhCzrcWill one young girl’s conscience help her do the right thing?
Bun-sgoil Thaigh A’ Chladaich (Sandbank Primary School)DunoonCoignear Air ChallBest Production (Under 12)https://youtu.be/U2xnw4qEA5UFive Children go to Kilmun on Halloween. Did they get away safely? They met a strange family – the Adams Family!
Sgoil Staffainn (Staffin Primary School)Isle of SkyeUilleam UaineBest Production (Under 12)https://youtu.be/s4wPduOWU04Uilleam Uaine is in Staffin to help the pupils make the right choices for the environment
Bun-sgoil Cnoc na Creige (Craighill Primary School)TainDihaoinean airson TeachdBest Production (Under 12)https://youtu.be/MDHwFPaTmVMA Scientist wants to save the world with a potion she has invented – to create an Eco Superhero. However, the wrong people keep drinking it!
Bun-sgoil Ghlinn Urchadain (Glenurquhart Primary School)DrumnadrochitAn Iuchair DraoidheilBest Production (Under 12)https://youtu.be/iQm8t4qOMGMA student finds a magic key and brings it into class

Youth (12-17) Category

FilmmakerLocationFilmCategoryLink to filmDescription
Parker DawesArdnamurchanSpies-R-UsBest Film (Fluent), Best Production, Best Young Filmmaker, Best Performance (Parker Dawes)https://youtu.be/yRN6I9rNduoSeumas McGuffin, the best spy in the world and friend Iain stole a secret file from the most secure facility in Scotland. Here’s what happened.
Àrd-sgoil an Òbain (Oban High School)ObanGOP 26Best Film (Fluent)https://youtu.be/CtVGNy2PsSgGOP26 is taking place in Glasgow and world leaders are making speeches. But one of the speakers has gone missing!
Àrd-sgoil Ghearrloch (Gairloch High School)GairlochAn Sithiche Mu DheireadhBest Film (Fluent)https://youtu.be/zt9k4zzFTfgThe Gille Dubh, has lived in the Gairloch area for centuries.But after the laird had hunted him, he was not seen again … until he appeared in our own day
Finlay agus Calum MorrisonGlasgowAn Taigh-ÒstaBest Film (Fluent), Best Performance (Finlay Morrison)https://youtu.be/ziIP9d-EUg4Iain and Donald McRamsay explore the goings-on in the fictional village of “Ochanish”. There are some interesting characters staying there!
Àrd-sgoil Ile (Islay High School)IslayEasga Bhuidhe na FeidhBest Film (Learners)https://youtu.be/oARMiRNVzyQIs Easga Bhuidhe na Feidh as fearful as legend suggests? A group of Islay teenagers try to find out.
Acadamaidh Pheairt (Perth Academy)PerthAn Amaladh a ChèileBest Film (Learners)https://youtu.be/2QHIWzyBXOQA small group of pupils leaves a classroom and see a poster offering a reward for the capture of an escaped llama.
Àrd-sgoil Tobar Mhoire (Tobermory High School)MullSeumas SnasailBest Film (Learners)https://youtu.be/3gS9zxAlx7IA young girl goes to extreme lengths to meet her idol. Is meeting your heroes ever a good idea?
Acadamaidh Allt a’ Mhuilinn (Millburn Academy)InvernessFlòraidhBest Film (Learners)https://youtu.be/h12m98PjC54Can you ever be sure who you’re talking to when you meet someone online?
Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh (Portree High School)Isle of SkyeCuidhteasBest Production, Best Performance (Iseabail MacRae)https://youtu.be/rcEFfex-0v4Three respectable wives in the Victorian Era plan a way to find independence from their husbands
Àrd-sgoil Loch Abar (Lochaber High School)Fort WilliamGàidsear ChreutaireanBest Production, Best Performance (Calum Stewart)https://youtu.be/nZmPTyQF8IYWhen there’s something strange in your school, who will you phone? Gàidsear Chrutairean (Creature Catcher)!
Àrd-sgoil Aird nam Murchan (Ardnamurchan High School)ArdnamurchanBeatha Iain LomBest Productionhttps://youtu.be/Rfq93GwOv_sFrom birth to death- scenes from the life of one of Scotland’s best known poets.
Anndra CuimeanachGairlochThar Nan Sgòth – Beinn EigheBest Documentary, Best Young Filmmakerhttps://youtu.be/RScxxJ-3WGESometimes we have to leave the cold, dark glens and climb high above each cloud. There we get a new perspective on the world.
Emma Rose PassmoreHarrisFalaichte Ann an RoghdalBest Documentary, Best Young Filmmakerhttps://youtu.be/ejf_w648ZVYA look around the secret history of Roghdal in Harris
Keri NicIainInvernessLatha na DeuchainnBest Young Filmmakerhttps://youtu.be/bnzta6WQjLIIt’s exam day for the Gaelic pupils. This film picks up on the different types of student (and teachers) that you encounter during exams!
Sgoil Bhagh a’ ChaisteilIsle of BarraCosgais A ChuraimBest Documentaryhttps://youtu.be/_0MUTOpstAQA look into the effects of disposable face masks on our environment.
Àrd-sgoil MhicNeacail (Nicolson Institute)Isle of LewisCeannaircBest Documentaryhttps://youtu.be/hzLk-AyZRJQTwenty years after the 9/11 attacks, Nicolson Institute S3 students take a look back at history.
Sgoil Ghàidhlig GhlaschuGlagsowFo BhruidBest Performance (Shreya Saul)https://youtu.be/J99RYIxIQlYA group of friends have to follow a number of clues to find out what has happened to their missing friend.
Sgoil Ghàidhlig GhlaschuGlasgowMurt MatamataigBest Performance (Eylana McCormack)https://youtu.be/GB_UQI3E7PEWhen the maths teacher is murdered, it is up to the class to figure out who amongst them is the murderer.

Open Category

FilmmakerLocationFilmShortlisted for  
Alina BrustEdinburghAn Taigh SolaisBest Film, Best Student Film, Best Director (Alina Brust)https://youtu.be/EYN7y0ih9vYA shepherd and her sheep are trapped in a strange lighthouse.
Innes MacLeodIsle of LewisCudaigBest Film, Film Duthchais, Best Director (Innes MacLeod)https://youtu.be/BNe8wEbmbIsCudaig’s life as a Coastguard volunteer.
Cursa TBh Sabhal Mòr OstaigIsle of SkyeA’ MhuirBest Film, Film Duthchais, Best Performance (Somhairle MacIain), Best Student Film, Best Director (Anna Garvin)https://youtu.be/0VAitEe_uVEA short documentary about wild swimming and the students at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig who take part in the sport.
Eòghan StiùbhartInvernessAm Buaile DubhBest Film, Film Duthchais, Best Performance (Eòghan Stiùbhart), Best Director, Best Scripthttps://youtu.be/yeKqd4ak_0kA look around Am Buaile Dubh on the outskirts of Inverness
Ross YoungInverurieRachamaidBest Performance (Ross Young), Best Student Filmhttps://youtu.be/oxjOk9mSy6IA spoof of outdoor programmes.
Somhairle MacIainGlasgowEilean LoisBest Student Filmhttps://youtu.be/JLQZtS7A9QUIn the summer me and my girlfriend, Lois, cycled the Hebridean Way. Lois does not speak Gaelic but I try to teach her some on our trip
Comunn na GaidhligNationwideLorgan Caluim CilleFilm Duthchaishttps://youtu.be/aJkvxxkSOlAIt is the 1,500th anniversary of the birth of St Columba. The Comunn na Gàidhlig team works throughout Scotland and seven of our Iomairtean Cànain (language initiatives) looked for local links with Colmcille
Marcas Mac An TuairneirEdinburghCrò-naomhBest Performance (Marcas Mac An Tuairneir)https://youtu.be/bfDLBEPTG3IA film-poem by Marcas Mac an Tuairneir with the poem’Crò-naomh’ (‘Sacred Heart’)
Robbie MacLeodEdinburghLorganBest Performance (Robbie MacLeod), Best Scripthttps://youtu.be/iqY422knVegA film poem examining the things that go out of view, and the traces they leave behind them.
Clas Gàidhlig ChamelonFalkirkLàrach eucoir anns a’ GhearasdanBest Performance (Julia Gull), Best Scripthttps://youtu.be/R8xJpTJtuxoA crime was committed in Fort William and the neighbours are shocked. A police officer narrows down the suspects to four people and interviews them.
Cheryl Heggie School of Dance + Sìne na ScreenInvernessThòisich e le Sreothart!Best Scripthttps://youtu.be/IQ4yRWtaqbYIt started with a sneeze! The entries for the Highland dancers scatter everywhere and they end up in the wrong competitions at the Highland games

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A ‘bold new vision’ for Scottish justice

A vision to transform Scotland’s justice sector through the COVID-19 recovery period and beyond has been published.

The new strategy will enshrine key priorities – making sure victims voices are heard, placing women and children at the heart of service delivery and reassessing the role that prisons and the use of imprisonment should play.

Specifically:

  • Victims will take a more prominent role in cases, experience fewer delays and be supported in their recovery. A Victims’ Commissioner will be appointed and there will be increased use of pre-recorded evidence. Restorative Justice services will also be made available across Scotland by 2023.
  • As well as an ambition to prevent Violence Against Women and Girls by tackling societal attitudes of misogyny and gender inequality, the vision prioritises systemic changes to improve the experiences of women and children building on the recommendations of Lady Dorrian’s report on the Management of Sexual Offences and ensuring access to Bairns’ Hoose for every child victim or witness who needs it.
  • Prison will always be needed for the most serious offences to ensure safety, but with evidence demonstrating community interventions are more effective than short prison sentences at reducing reoffending, the strategy seeks to reduce the need for imprisonment through early intervention and providing greater access to community justice alternatives. 

The vision will be underpinned by a requirement for the whole sector to ensure people are treated with empathy and kindness, for example by avoiding additional trauma by having to retell their stories.

The plan also enshrines the need for collaborative work across public services to improve outcomes for individuals, focussing on prevention and early intervention.

Justice Secretary Keith Brown said: “This bold new vision will deliver a just, safe, and resilient sector with the needs of victims very firmly at its centre.

“Transforming the way we view and deliver justice in Scotland will ensure we properly support the most vulnerable in our society, creating a fair system that fulfils and meets the human rights of all who use it.

“This strategic blueprint sets out key priority areas including improving the experience of women and girls in a justice system historically designed by men, taking forward reform to address inequalities. It also stresses the need for a fresh look at the use of custody and firmly puts victims and the needs of victims at its centre.

“Underpinning this, the vision makes clear the need for services to be person centred and trauma informed to avoid re-traumatising people as they journey through the system. And, fundamentally, it stresses the importance of holistic early interventions that leverage the whole of government and public services to reduce offending and the causes of offending at the outset.

“I am determined to drive change and deliver better outcomes through our public services and this new framework envisions the best way to do that. We can and will deliver justice services which meet the needs of modern Scottish society.”

vision-justice-scotland-2022Download

Letters: Barcoded Stamps

Dear Editor,

Your readers will have seen that our ‘every day’ stamps are changing. We are adding unique barcodes to stamps to pave the way for innovative services for our customers and to enhance the security of the postal service.

We are encouraging customers to find and use-up any non-barcoded stamps before 31 January 2023. However, if customers are unable to use them up by then, we will exchange them for barcoded stamps completely free of charge.

Our ‘Swap Out’ scheme will open on 31 March 2022. Customers will be able to print out a form from our website, call our Customer Experience team to ask for one or pick one up from their local Delivery Office’s Customer Service Point. 

More details about our ‘Swap Out’ scheme will be announced soon, but in the meantime please be assured that all existing stamps remain valid for postage in the usual way.

Yours faithfully,

Nick Landon,

Chief Commercial Officer, Royal Mail

Police seek information about Nissan Note and Silverknowes break-in

Enquiries are continuing following a housebreaking in Silverknowes on Monday evening (7 February, 2022).

Around 8pm, police received a report of a house in Silverknowes Gardens being broken into. Officers attended and the rear door to the property had been smashed. No-one was within the house at the time and an assessment of what has been taken is under way. 

Enquiries carried out so far have revealed that following the break-in the suspect(s) got into a beige or gold coloured Nissan Note car.  The registration of the car is GF60 XZH but it is possible the registration plate has been changed.  

The Nissan Note was stolen from the Davidson Mains area last month and officers are appealing to anyone who may have seen it to contact them.

Door-to-door enquiries are being carried out and officers are gathering and reviewing relevant CCTV footage for any further information on the suspect(s) and the Nissan Note.

Detective Sergeant Steven Dick said: “It appears the Nissan Note is being used by the suspect(s) to leave the scene and transport any stolen items.

“We should all feel protected in our homes, and know that our personal items and objects are safe from thieves. I am asking for the public’s help in trying to locate this vehicle. If anyone has seen it or noticed it parked up somewhere then please do get in touch with us.

“Your information could help us trace whoever is responsible and allow us to return any stolen items to their rightful owners.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3026 of 7 February, 2022. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where you can give information anonymously.

Holyrood report spotlights mental health of expectant and new mothers and expresses concern over access to support services

The mental health of pregnant women, new mothers and their families, including those affected by miscarriage, stillbirth and the death of an infant, has been highlighted by a Scottish Parliament Committee.

The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee’s inquiry into women’s mental health experiences before, during and after the birth of a child (otherwise referred to as the perinatal period) highlights a number of issues faced by new mothers over the support they have received, particularly during the pandemic.

In particular, the inquiry found there was a sharp rise in birth trauma incidences reported since the pandemic began. The Committee calls on the Scottish Government and NHS Boards to redouble their focus on delivering services that directly address birth trauma.

The Committee also looked into the of support for those suffering from miscarriage, stillbirth or death of an infant. During its inquiry, the Committee received evidence of some women affected by baby loss who reported being treated close to women giving birth to healthy babies, causing additional trauma to the women affected.

The report calls for accelerated action to establish specialist baby loss units and, in the meantime, for new national protocols to be set up “that ensure families affected by baby loss are consistently treated with respect and compassion and in a trauma-informed way”.

Alongside a focus on community care, the Committee also examined access to specialist Mother and Baby Units (MBUs), of which there are currently two in Scotland. The Committee emphasises the benefits of providing wider access to MBUs for new mothers with complex needs and they express support for the creation of a new MBU serving the north of Scotland. 

Gillian Martin MSP, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, said: “Up to 20% of women in Scotland experience negative mental health impacts before, during and after giving birth and the aim of our inquiry was to shine a spotlight on this important issue and to see what more should be done to support these women.

“We heard of concerns in certain health board areas with the support structure in place for parents and families impacted by miscarriage, still birth and the death of an infant, and feel more action is needed to give them appropriate support.

“We had discussions with some new parents affected by baby loss who felt they didn’t receive the standard of care they are entitled to expect. That is why we are calling for every effort to be made to accelerate the establishment of specialist baby loss units

“The evidence we received suggests that during the pandemic, there was a sharp rise in incidences of birth trauma. In many instances this was a direct result of COVID-related restrictions, which limited the support women were able to receive from partners and families before, during and after giving birth.

“Our inquiry heard about the benefits of Mother and Baby Units for women who have complex mental health issues in the perinatal period and the Committee would like to see a concerted effort to widen access to these units in conjunction with the community care offer.

“We think there is a strong case to set up a new Mother and Baby Unit serving the north of Scotland but we also need to focus on issues around staffing, resources and general awareness to maximise the positive impact of perinatal mental health services and third sector organisations who support mothers.”

The Convener added:

“The extensive evidence we have gathered during the course of this inquiry has shown the importance of a preventative and community based approach to perinatal mental health. It is clear that only through accessible, joined up care across both the third sector and statutory services, women and families can get the care they need at this critical time.

“We’d like to put on record our thanks to all of the women who spoke with us and shared their stories.”

Other findings in the report include:

• concern that many women and families are currently having to wait longer than 6 weeks to access perinatal mental health support;

• the increased barriers faced by women and families from minority ethnic backgrounds, or for whom English is not their first language, and those from particularly vulnerable or at risk groups, to access perinatal mental health services;

•  the critical role that stigma plays in perinatal mental health and the resulting reluctance for individuals to fully engage with healthcare professionals;

• a call for the Scottish Government to ensure further education institutions deliver perinatal mental health training as core training for all midwifery and nursing students as a priority.

HSCS062022R3Download

Have you got room in your heart for these loved up sisters?

Sisters ad best pals Thelma and Louise are hoping to melt someone’s heart this Valentine’s Day as they search for their forever home together.

The playful, one year old greyhounds have been in Dogs Trust care at the charity’s West Calder Rehoming Centre since October last year.  Originally coming from Ireland, not much else is known about their past, except that everything they have gone through in life, they have experienced together. 

Like most siblings they have different personality traits, but their strong bond is clear for all to see.  Excitable and energetic Louise is more outgoing, enjoying running and playing. Thelma is more laid-back and loves a snooze with her sister. 

Centre Manager Susan Tonner said: “It was never in any doubt that Thelma and Louise had to be rehomed together as they are best friends. The super sweet girls are polite and friendly with everyone they meet, whether human or canine.

“The sisters’ confidence has blossomed since arriving at West Calder. They have become more adventurous, enjoying trips to the beach and showing their happy, playful natures. Whether playing with toys or snuggling up in a cosy bed for their afternoon nap, Thelma and Louise always stick together. They quickly form attachments to human friends too, making them very loving companions.”

In their forever home Thelma and Louise could live with children, aged 10 and over, and with another dog, but no cats or small animals due to their desire to chase.  They walk well on the lead and are happy wearing a muzzle.  A secure garden is required so they can play.

Anyone interested in rehoming the gorgeous greyhounds can call West Calder Rehoming Centre on 01506 873 459.

Construction begins on £19.4 million walking and cycling route

Work got underway yesterday on the £19.4m  City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL), a major new cycling and walking route linking the east and the west of the Capital.

Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes was joined in Roseburn by Patrick Harvie, Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights, and Karen McGregor, Portfolio Director for Sustrans were joined by children from Roseburn Primary School and project managers to mark the occasion.

The project is funded by the Scottish Government via Sustrans.

When complete, the scheme will connect Roseburn to Leith Walk via Haymarket and the West End with a safe and direct cycle route, as well as significantly enhancing streets for those walking, wheeling and spending time there.

This will tie into a new George Street cycling thoroughfare delivered as part of the George Street and First New Town project.

The project, overseen by contractors Balfour Beatty, is leading the way in sustainable construction, with measures to cut carbon emissions. Site compounds will utilise ‘EcoSense’ cabins in conjunction with an ECONET power management system, which significantly reduces energy consumption and water usage.

Project officers will also use e-bikes rather than cars to travel between the site compound and works areas wherever possible, and cycle training has been provided as part of this.

Construction is expected to last around 18 months, with full details of plans available on the dedicated CCWEL website. In the first phase of the section between Roseburn and West Coates there will be some lane closures and changes to parking and bus stops, though traffic will be maintained in both directions.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: I’m thrilled that we’re now delivering the CCWEL, one of the largest pieces of safe walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure the Capital has seen yet.

“It’s been really exciting to visit the site and see work get underway – before long, this route will benefit so many people walking, wheeling and cycling to and from the city.

“The CCWEL project is just one of a range of bold initiatives to transform the way we travel around Edinburgh. We are committed to becoming a net zero city by 2030 and a key element of this is encouraging and supporting clean and sustainable modes of transport through projects like this.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “CCWEL has been years in the making, so today marks a real milestone for Edinburgh. Once complete it will provide an essential link between key parts of our existing cycle network to and through the city centre, as well as significantly improving the streetscape along the way.

“Not only will the project impact on the surrounding environment, reducing traffic, air pollution and noise, but it will help benefit people’s health and wellbeing through active travel and relaxed surroundings to spend time in.”

Minister for Active Travel Patrick Harvie said: “I’m pleased to see Scottish Government funding enable the construction of the City Centre West to East Link. It’s a vital connection which will help people to walk, wheel and cycle in Edinburgh as the natural choice, leading to better health, less congestion and a better environment. 

“I want to see many more schemes similar to this in communities across Scotland. That’s why we’re nearly tripling what Scotland invests in active travel over the next three years to at least £320 million a year.

“I’m committed to making sure those record levels of investment lead to real change in our cities, towns and neighbourhoods, delivering safe, attractive places for many more people to walk, wheel and cycle.”

Portfolio Director for Sustrans, Karen McGregor, said: “The City Centre West to East Link is a major breakthrough for active travel in Edinburgh. Not only will this deliver safe and accessible walking, wheeling and cycling routes for anyone travelling through the heart of our Scottish capital, it will play an important part in connecting communities in the city’s western and northern suburbs to make their everyday lives healthier and easier.

“The route will also link to several other ambitious projects Sustrans is working on with City of Edinburgh Council. These include the George Street and First New Town project and the Meadows to George Street scheme, which we believe will set the standard for active travel in Scotland going forward.”

Scott Ritchie, Senior Project Manager, Balfour Beatty, said: “We are pleased to be working with the City of Edinburgh Council to deliver this incredibly important scheme which will transform the way people travel, moving from a reliance on cars to active travel.

“The City Centre West to East Link route will reimagine our public spaces in Edinburgh; positively impacting local communities and residents by reducing traffic congestion and air pollution in the city centre and driving down carbon emissions.”

The route, which will be delivered in three sections, will include two-way segregated cycleways from Roseburn to Haymarket connecting via quiet streets to one-way segregated cycleways on each side of Melville Street.

Two-way cycleways connecting George Street with Picardy Place via St David Street, Queen Street and York Place will also be introduced. There will be significant improvements to public spaces along the route, as well as new pedestrian crossings, enhanced pavements and street trees.

By supporting people to travel by foot, bike and wheel, the CCWEL project aligns with our City Mobility Plan 2030, which envisions a clean, connected and net zero carbon future.

It links into several other schemes to overhaul travel to and through the city centre, including the George Street and First New Town project and Meadows to George Street, both to be delivered as part of Edinburgh City Centre Transformation.

The £19.4m CCWEL project, which includes a £13m construction contract with Balfour Beatty, will be principally funded by Transport Scotland through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme, with additional funding from the Scottish Government and the Council’s transport budget.

To minimise disruption, the programmed resurfacing of the A8 will be carried out alongside CCWEL construction, funded separately by the Council.

Find out more on the City Centre West to East Link website.

£2 million support for Scotland’s international festivals

Expo fund recipients announced

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Scotland’s major festivals are to benefit from a share of the Scottish Government’s £2m Festivals Expo Fund.

The funding has been awarded for events that run across the year including Edinburgh’s international, book, film and fringe festivals as well as Glasgow International Festival and Celtic Connections.

Since the annual fund was set up in 2008 it has given out over £30 million to support the development of Scottish-based artists and practitioners to create a legacy of important new work for a range of Scotland’s international festivals.

Funding this year will also support festival resilience plans following the Covid-19 restrictions.

Culture Minister Neil Gray said: “As many of our world-class festivals return to full operation following the pandemic, the Festivals Expo Fund plays an important role in building innovation across the sector.

“This helps to maximise the opportunities both nationally and internationally for emerging and established creative artists to showcase and tour their work at home and abroad.”

Sorcha Carey, Chair of Festivals Edinburgh said: “The welcome news today from the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund opens up a world of opportunity for our country’s artists and thinkers, by helping us invest in their talent and showcase their work on our ​world-renowned platforms.

“After two years of event restrictions and financial hardship for artists, freelancers and cultural organisations, including our festivals, this Expo investment lays a solid foundation for revival in our 75th anniversary year and speaks strongly of Scotland as a creative, outward-looking nation.”

Lorna Duguid, Multi-artform Manager at Creative Scotland said: “The support from the Scottish Government Expo fund is invaluable to Scottish artists and companies in enabling them to present work to international audiences and promoters.

“As Scotland begins to recover from the pandemic this opportunity to reconnect with audiences around the world is more important than ever as part of the recovery for the arts and creative sectors.

“The funding will enable the festivals to extend their reach and provide ambitious and innovative programmes for audiences at home and abroad.”

The 2022-23 Festival Expo Fund has a budget of £2 million. The fund is managed by Creative Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Details of the 2022-23 allocations are as follows:

Operator(s)                                                         Funding Awarded
Glasgow International Festival£140,000                       
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues£120,000
Edinburgh International Film Festival                         £110,000
Edinburgh Art Festival                                                £140,000
Edinburgh International Festival                                 £110,000
Edinburgh International Book Festival                       £110,000
Scottish International Storytelling Festival                  £140,000
Celtic Connections                                                      £110,000
Imaginate  £110,000
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society                               £550,000
Festivals Edinburgh                                                    £200,000                                            
Edinburgh Science Festival                                         £130,000
Hogmanay     £  30,000

World’s first gold platinum sovereigns sell out as royal fans rush to own piece of Jubilee history

The world’s first gold sovereign coins to be minted using a gold and platinum alloy – created to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – have sold out in record time.

Created by leading coin experts Hattons of London to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s incredible 70 year reign, the coins feature celebratory portraits of the Queen at landmark moments throughout her seven-decade reign.

And after selling out despite being launched less than three weeks ago, the collection has gone down as the fastest-ever selling product in Hattons of London’s history.

Minted with an exclusive blend of 22 carat gold enriched with 2 carats of platinum, the sovereigns were a world first.

Hattons of London MD, Simon Mellinger, said: “The Platinum Jubilee is a momentous occasion and by using an exclusive blend of 22 carat gold enriched with 2 carats of platinum, we have created a fitting tribute to the Queen’s 70 years of service to our country, that like Her Majesty, will stand the test of time.

“The demand for the product we’ve had has been phenomenal, and has far outstripped supply.

“We expected a lot of interest in the coins, but the speed at which the collection has sold out has been unbelievable. It seems that collectors have recognised the significance of this year’s Platinum Jubilee and have been keen to add a special piece of memorabilia to their collections.

“What’s been particularly interesting is that demand hasn’t just been from coin collectors – there’s been a much wider appeal from the general public, who also want them as a commemoration of this important, and maybe never-to-be repeated, Royal anniversary.”

The coins feature portraits of Her Majesty which had never before featured on sovereign coins, including images of the Queen’s 1952 Coronation, her Silver and Diamond Jubilees, as well as a portrait of Her Majesty around the time of her becoming our longest reigning monarch in 2015.

The design on the smallest denomination in the range, the one-eighth sovereign, features the royal cypher of Elizabeth II with a celebratory garland of roses, thistles, leeks and shamrocks to represent the nations of the United Kingdom. This garlanded-cypher also features on each of the other coins in the series.

Mr Mellinger said there were plans for an additional Platinum Jubilee collection later this year. 

“We normally only bring out one limited collection to celebrate a milestone event or anniversary, but given the interest and the significance of the occasion, we’re currently considering adding to our Platinum Jubilee range with a new collection this year,” he added.

Hattons of London is a leading expert in rare and exclusive coins with a vast collection which includes the Queen Victoria 200th anniversary range, featuring the first 24 carat gold twenty pound sovereign.