Day: April 3, 2022

‘The Famous Blacksmiths Gretna Green Experience’ launches following £1.5m refurbishment

●      The Famous Blacksmiths Shop to be transformed into an immersive, storytelling experience at the heart of the iconic Gretna Green destination

●      UK’s first attraction dedicated to love and marriage will open in late April 2022

●      Visitors to embark on a journey of the ‘World’s Greatest Love Story’ 

Gretna Green, The Home of Romance, rebellion, and runaway marriages, has given its iconic Famous Blacksmiths Shop – the jewel in the crown of Gretna Green since 1754 – an impressive £1.5 million transformation to create a modern and immersive new experience that tells the fascinating story of this world-famous destination.

At the heart of the scenic village, and fondly nicknamed the ‘land of love’, the famous wedding destination and tourist attraction oozes history and tales of love and marriage dating back many generations. The aptly named ‘Gateway to Scotland’ has been operating for over 250 years and has hosted thousands of weddings since its very first ceremony back in 1754. 

Now, at the heart of Gretna Green, the Famous Blacksmiths Shop is set to become the UK’s first immersive visitor attraction dedicated to love and marriage.

The newly transformed ‘The Famous Blacksmiths Gretna Green Experience’ will open on 28thApril allowing customers far and wide to be a part of The World’s Greatest Love Story. The renovation has seen a full internalbuilding makeover, including the brand new museum experience, as well as the launch of a new wedding room, named The Forge.

The creation of The Famous Blacksmiths Gretna Green Experience will future-proof many more love stories. As part of the new attraction, guests will be taken on a magical journey of true love.

From showcases of historic weddings, to explorations of what it means to get married today and getting the chance to add their own love story to the wedding wall. They can even experience a ‘sneak peek’ of a wedding in action!

Historically, the prestigious Scottish landmark was a popular hotspot for eloping couples due to its location on the Scottish border and the strict Marriage Act in place in England, resulting in couples travelling across into the neighbouring country to tie the knot.

Originally and traditionally known for shoeing horses, Gretna Green blacksmith Joseph Paisley quickly realised he could make more money marrying star crossed lovers escaping the marriage act in England and reinvented himself as an ‘anvil priest’.

With marriages being deemed official solely by declaration up until 1940, the self-declared ‘anvil priests’ at the Blacksmiths shop had stumbled on a new line of business. 

Over the years the venue has developed and grown dramatically, drawing in customers from every corner of the globe and becoming a five-star award-winning visitor attraction. 

Today, Gretna Green houses a luxury retail shopping experience, restaurant, a food hall, three hotels – Smiths, Gretna Hall in Gretna Green and Greens at Gretna – an award-winning online retail business that ships to 55 countries worldwide, and at the heart of the destination remains the historic Famous Blacksmiths Shop.

A family-run attraction established in 1885, the business has been handed down through four generations and remains family-run to this day. The investment into the attraction will enable future generations to continue to enjoy the magical experience already discovered by so many. 

Isabel Rhodes, CEO of the Gretna Green family estate, said: “We are the home of runaway love – what could be more romantic?

“We wanted to fully tell the fascinating story of our destination and the recent investment is our way of paying tribute to that.”

Susan Houston, family director of the Gretna Green family estate, commented: “Since the family took on the estate in 1885, we have built a successful visitor attraction whilst maintaining the compelling appeal of forbidden love and romance.

“We offer something very unique with the abundance of history.”

Lucy Houston, family director, added: “The Famous Blacksmiths Gretna Green Experience is a huge milestone in our history and we are excited to welcome everyone so that they too can experience the World’s Greatest Love Story.”

Capital’s Bright Bus Tours on hunt for family to give ‘through the key hole’ Edinburgh experience in world’s first

Edinburgh’s Bright Bus Tours is launching a search for a local family to come on board and give access to their home to tourists, as part of its drive to give visitors the ‘real Edinburgh experience’.

The not-boring bus tour is on the hunt for a household to join its Edinburgh City Tour to bring a real life ‘through the keyhole’ encounter to its city trips, in a move believed to be a world first.

According to a study carried out by leading Scottish research company, Amadan Giblean*, more than 80 per cent of tourists are looking for an authentic Edinburgh experience on their holiday.

Bright Bus Tours is seeking to become the New-haven in this market by offering out-of-towners a genuine insight into the everyday experiences of life in Scotland’s capital city.

Bright Bus Tours is calling on families to apply to become the newest stop on this year’s City Tour route. A shortlist of the strongest applicants will be created based on a series of agreed criteria. Following a full briefing by Bright Bus Tours, the family is expected to be settled into their new role in time for an exciting summer season.

Families interested in applying for this unique opportunity must have lived in the city for at least 10 years. They should also have a minimum of two members of the household present in the home between the hours of 10am-6pm.

Tony Stewart, City Tours Manager at Bright Bus Tours, said: “We are looking for a family that represents the ‘true’ Edinburgh.

“To ensure a unique and authentic tourist experience, we’re keen to hear from applicants who are comfortable going about their daily lives as usual, as tourists hop off the bus and visit their home.

“So, whether that’s doing the dishes, washing the dog in the bath, exercising or watching reruns of Rebus, our winners will be able to offer a unique slice of capital life to visitors.

“We are confident this is a world first for the tour bus industry, so we’re understandably excited about bringing this new experience to life over the coming months. We look forward to meeting families across the city as we set about finding the best fit for the role.”

Pic Greg Macvean 27/05/2021 – Grayling Bright Bus Tours staff photographs

Bright Bus Tour’s original City Tour takes in the sights of Edinburgh Castle, the historic royal mile, the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Palace and offers a chance to soak up the culture of Edinburgh’s Grassmarket.

Those interested in bringing a little Sunshine on Leith to our tourists, should come Forth with their applications to: info@brightbus.co.uk

Bright Bus Tours operate every 15 minutes from 9am with the last tour departing St Andrew’s Square at 4pm. 

To book tickets, or to find out more about Bright Bus, check out our website: 

www.BrightBusTours.com

Peter Vardy Group “stands in solidarity” with the people of Ukraine

Peter Vardy Group, the Scotland-wide automotive businesses, has raised more than £200,000 for the people of Ukraine. The family-run company, which is headquartered in Motherwell, is donating 10 per cent of its profits in March 2022 to Ukraine.

So far this has seen Peter Vardy Group give £200,000 to The Big Give, a matched donations platform where funds are raised for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella group of 15 UK aid charities which coordinates and launches emergency fundraising appeals.

Peter Vardy, chief executive of Peter Vardy Group, said the business “stands in solidarity” with the people of Ukraine. “We believe every life is worthy and we are shocked and saddened by the recent events in Ukraine.

“As a Group, we are committed to help support the people affected by the invasion of Ukraine and have redirected our current Giving Back programme to support humanitarian projects there.”

Peter Vardy Group donates 10 per cent of its annual profits to good causes across the UK and internationally, with funds being distributed through the Group’s charity foundation, The Peter Vardy Foundation.

Giving Back is the Group’s community giving programme, with employees from across its 15 dealerships and two offices taking part in regular fund raising and volunteering activities to support the communities within which each operates.

To further support the people of Ukraine, Peter Vardy Group is dedicating its ‘One Child’ programme to the Ukraine appeal for the month of March 2022. For every car sold, Peter Vardy Group donates £15 to One Child and asks customers to match their donation. On average, 7 out of 10 customers match the Peter Vardy donation.

Peter Vardy Group operates across Scotland, with locations in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kirkcaldy, Motherwell, and Perth all of which are hosting drop-off points for physical donations which will then be transported to the logistics network taking goods to Ukraine. The dealerships also ran onsite fundraising activities throughout the month of March.

Mr Vardy said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine.”

Compassion in World Farming: Dame Joanna Lumley delivers Peter Roberts Memorial Lecture

“We must listen to our hearts, not our heads,” reveals Dame Joanna Lumley in lecture on compassion honouring charity’s late founder

We should include all life in our circle of compassion and we must listen to our hearts, not our heads. That was the clear message from Compassion in World Farming patron, Dame Joanna Lumley, as she delivered a lecture on compassion to a packed theatre yesterday (2 April) in honour of the charity’s late founder, Peter Roberts MBE.

The BAFTA-winning actress, TV presenter and longstanding champion for animal welfare shared her thoughts on the true meaning of compassion at Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre this afternoon.

She said: “I was taught that compassion doesn’t have limits … we need to include all life in our circle of compassion. We have to listen to what our hearts say, not our heads.

“What has happened to us? We have become a kind of virus eating too much meat for our own health. Eighty billion farm animals are slaughtered every year and 70% are reared in factory farms.

“Peter Roberts taught me that it’s not enough not to harm something. You have to fight to do the right thing. By engaging with like-minded spirits, it really helps us to be stronger together.”

The event, part of the 25th Oxford Literary Festival, saw Dame Joanna interviewed on stage by Compassion’s Global CEO, Philip Lymbery.

Among the many topics discussed were how she developed empathy for animals as a young girl, her admiration for Her Majesty the Queen, and what made her become such a dedicated supporter of the international farm animal welfare charity.

Philip, who is also the best-selling author of books Farmageddon and Dead Zone – Where the Wild Things Were, said: “I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to discuss the true meaning of compassion with our dear friend Joanna Lumley today, particularly at a time when there is so much conflict in the world.

“These are dark days for humanity and for animals, and it is more important than ever to counter this darkness with the light and hope for a more just, peaceful, and compassionate world. We all need to be kinder, not just to ourselves but to one another, to animals and to all life on this planet.

“Factory farming remains the biggest cause of cruelty on the planet. But there is a better way, based on compassion and kindness – ending all cages and letting animals experience the joy of living.

“We are enormously thankful to Joanna for all she does to support our work to make that a reality and for providing such a wonderful lecture today in memory of Compassion’s founder, Peter Roberts.”

Peter Roberts and his wife, Anna, established Compassion in World Farming in 1967 from the kitchen table of their Hampshire dairy farm after they became horrified at the development of intensive factory farming.

They took up the cause of farm animal welfare and the disconnect between food production and nature at a time when few others shared their concern.

They would be proud that, today, Compassion is a powerful global movement, with offices in 12 countries, achieving profound and enduring advancements in farm animal welfare and highlighting the impacts of factory farming on animals, people and the planet.

For further information about Compassion in World Farming visit www.ciwf.org

Edinburgh Local Community Grants

There are only SIX DAYS LEFT to apply for a University of Edinburgh Community Grant of up to £5,000.

Community Grants support charities and other groups to make a difference to people across the region, and increase engagement between the University and local communities.

Apply here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/local/community-grants

Who can apply?

Applications are welcome for projects which could benefit people living in the City of Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife, and should show how they could grow relationships between local communities and the University.

If you’re thinking of applying and don’t currently have a relationship with the University, the University’s Community Team is happy to try and put you in touch with members of the University who might be interested in your work. We have some specific drop-in sessions, or just email us to arrange a discussion.

The deadline to submit your application is 5pm onFriday 8 April 2022.

How much funding can I get?

Applications for up to £5,000 are welcome. However, if you require £500 or less, you may also be interested in the University’s Micro-grant scheme.

Since the University launched its Community Grants scheme in 2017, it has awarded almost £500,000 to more than 100 fantastic local organisations.

Apply here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/local/community-grants

Learning for Life: Students celebrate success at Johnnie Walker Princes Street graduation ceremony

Nine students have celebrated their graduation at the Johnnie Walker Princes Street Learning for Life Academy in a special ceremony hosted within the new visitor experience to toast their success.

The students have completed the six-week bartending and hospitality course which offers young people entry level training in bartending and hospitality, including work experience in local pubs, bars and restaurants.

All participants of this cohort have been offered the opportunity to interview for a role at Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh, which is due to open in spring 2022 in a major move which will see the iconic brand expand beyond the Perthshire hills for the first time in its almost 100-year history.

Congratulating the students on their graduation, Gleneagles’ Director of People & Culture, Emma Simpson, said: “Hospitality is an industry like no other.  Dynamic, exciting and rewarding in equal measure, there are very few career paths that present the same breadth of roles and opportunities for continuous professional development and progression.

“It’s wonderful to see so many young people kickstarting their hospitality careers through this programme which is helping to nurture the next generation of talent here in Edinburgh.  We’re thrilled for the graduates and look forward to following and supporting them as they progress in their careers.”

Diageo Learning for Life is an award-winning bartender training programme, through which the company invests £1m-per-year in offering opportunities to young unemployed people in the UK to get into hospitality careers.

Since launch in Scotland in 2014, over 4,000 people have graduated from the programme with 88% going on to sustained employment and a further 6% going on to further education.

Ewan Ritchie, from Midlothian, is celebrating his graduation from the course which has recently completed in Edinburgh, only the second course to be held in the new Learning for Life Academy at Johnnie Walker Princes Street.

The new Johnnie Walker Princes Street visitor experience has a dedicated bar for the Learning for Life programme, giving students access to world class training. The academy provides ample space for presentations, tutorials and lessons as well as a large, open bar area where people can learn and hone the skills they learn.

Ewan, said: “The last six weeks have been absolutely fantastic and I am so grateful to have been able to work with such a wonderful team to kickstart my career in hospitality.

“My favourite part of the course was learning practical skills and gaining product knowledge from inspirational trainers and Ambassadors within the Industry]. I really look forward to starting my full time front of house role within the new Gleneagles Townhouse.”

Gillian Dalziel, Learning for Life Programme Manager in the UK said:  “Congratulations to all the students that have graduated today. It has been great to see all their hard work come to fruition.

“At Diageo we aim to promote sustainable growth through inclusive programmes and Learning for Life plays an important role in giving young people the opportunity to kickstart a career in such a vibrant industry.”

The Learning for Life course in Edinburgh was delivered by Diageo partner The Springboard Charity, who works closely with Diageo to ensure the highest quality training and experience is delivered to Learning for Life students.

Chris Gamm, CEO of Springboard, said: “This has been another hugely successful course, delivered to a group of engaged and enthusiastic individuals in Scotland.

“We couldn’t be more proud of the graduates and are delighted that they have all been offered interviews at Gleneagles Townhouse. The Learning for Life Academy at Johnnie Walker Princes Street is already proving itself as a vital training centre, making a positive impact on improving the hospitality talent pipeline in Edinburgh.”

To find out more about Diageo Learning for Life and how to apply, please visit: 

https://www.diageo.com/en/society-2030/champion-inclusion-and-diversity/inclusive-communities/skills-empowerment/

Princess Royal opens new Sea Cadets Boat Station at Port Edgar Marina

Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal has officially inaugurated the new Sea Cadets Port Edgar Boat Station in Edinburgh’s picturesque Port Edgar Marina on Friday (1 April 2022).

As Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, the event provided the opportunity for The Princess Royal to meet with cadets and watch them as they paraded and got out on the water, enjoying boating, sailing, rowing and paddlesports activities.

“We are delighted to have welcomed HRH The Princess Royal to the opening of Port Edgar Boat Station and we see it as the first of many occasions our Admiral will be able to engage with cadets and support the valuable work taking place within the charity to launch young people for life, whatever their background,” said the CEO of Sea Cadets, Martin Coles CBE.

“Sea Cadets works with 14,000 young people across 400 units to broaden their horizons and create possibilities, helping young people to develop into resilient, confident young people.”

“In the current climate of global conflict and economic strife, not to mention the impact of the pandemic, our young people are facing more challenges than ever before, so investing in their future has never been more crucial.

“Our new residential boat station will provide ample opportunities for even more young people to enjoy boating and water sports, earn qualifications and take part in courses such as first aid, navigation and meteorology held on site.”

More than 80 cadets, including royal marines cadets and junior cadets from across Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England participated in the opening event.

Twelve cadets were able to represent the ‘Cadet Voice’ and discussed with their Admiral the issues most important to them.

Guests attending included Brigadier John Thomson QVRM TD PhD DL (Deputy Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh), Captain Neil Downing (Captain Sea Cadets) and Admiral Sir Philip Jones GCB DL (President of the Marine Society and Sea Cadets), as well as representatives of the Royal Navy, youth, education and maritime sectors.

The Princess Royal has been an active supporter of the youth charity for many years, commissioning both the former and current Sea Cadets flagship, the TS Royalist.

The new Sea Cadets boat station in Port Edgar Marina is well located to serve young people across the region with good transport links and offers superb facilities both on and off the water.

£25 million funding for drugs services

A total of 77 initiatives working with people affected by drug use are to receive awards totalling more than £25 million over the next five years.

Grants of more than £6 million in total have been allocated to 16 organisations providing residential rehabilitation and pre and post rehabilitation support to enable them to further enhance their services.

The charity Teen Challenge UK, which supports young people with drug and alcohol addictions is among the recipients. An award of almost £800,000 will be used to improve and increase capacity at their Sunnybrae and Benaiah rehabilitation centres in Aberdeenshire by increasing staffing and carrying out refurbishment work.

A further 38 awards totalling more than £10 million have been made to organisations who support people through recovery including WRASAC (Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre) Dundee & Angus Ltd.

The money will be spent on establishing a women’s hub in Dundee to support women with substance dependency and additional complex needs.

In addition, 23 projects working with children and families have received funding of almost £9.5 million.

Drugs Policy Minister Angela Constance said: “I am pleased that so many organisations doing valuable work around the country are to benefit from this latest round of funding from our Improvement Fund and Children and Families Fund.

“The grants awarded will enable services to increase and improve the support available for people suffering from addiction and of course, their families.

“Getting more people into the treatment which works for them is central to our National Mission and we continue to embed the new Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards which reinforce a rights-based approach for people who use drugs and the treatment they should expect regardless of their circumstances.

“We aim to increase the number of publicly funded residential rehabilitation placements by more than 300 per cent over the lifetime of this Parliament and I recently announced a treatment target to increase the number of people with problematic opiate drug use accessing community treatments.

 “I am determined that the £250 million we are investing in tackling this public health emergency will make a difference and we will continue to prioritise our efforts to turn this crisis around.”

Teen Challenge North East Scotland Area Manager Gordon Cruden said: “We are extremely grateful to have been awarded this funding for our work at Teen Challenge North East Scotland.

“We are passionate about seeing people set free from addiction and this funding will help us support more men and women to freedom.

“The grant has been specifically awarded to improve, expand and increase the capacity of our two residential centres – our men’s centre, Sunnybrae, and women’s centre, Benaiah – through increased staffing, improvements to equipment and minor refurbishments.

“A main aim of ours is to see each resident progress on with positive personal life goals in the areas of home, career, financial stability and social network and this funding will help us to support people to achieve just that.”

Information on the national mission

Corra Foundation

Teen Challenge UK

Corstorphine Community Centre looking for new home

Corstorphine Community Centre have issued a statement about the end of lease at 191 St John’s Road – they are currently looking for alternative premises for the shop and activities.

Please get in touch if you have any ideas – email admin@ccchub.online

Which? reveals UK’s Favourite Walks

A magical walk in Yorkshire taking in Malham Cove and Gordale Scar has been rated the best in the UK, as Which? reveals the nation’s favourite 51 routes.

The Lake District proved the most popular region for high quality walks, claiming six spots in the table. The Peak District, Cornwall and Northumberland each boast three of the best walks, while Dorset, Snowdonia, London, Surrey and the North York Moors have two each.

Malham Cove and Gordale Scar achieved a superb 89 per cent walk score in the Which? survey of more than 1,800 people. Visitors were impressed by the cove’s amphitheatre-shaped cliffs which lead up to a limestone pavement, where a scene from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was filmed.

Its second striking geological feature, Gordale Scar, is a narrow ravine enclosed by sheer walls 100 metres high. The 7.5-mile walk scored the full five stars for scenery and places of interest. It was rated four out of five for difficulty – where one is easy and five is suitable for experienced walkers only – meaning it is a route for more regular ramblers.

The joint second best walks were both in Cornwall and scored 88 per cent. The tiny Botallack Mine Walk scored five stars for peace and quiet, and scenery; at one-mile long it is the joint shortest walk among the top 51 alongside Brimham Rocks in North Yorkshire.

The more challenging seven-mile Lizard Peninsula Circuit around the most southerly tip of mainland Britain gained five stars for places of interest, scenery and wildlife, with rare red-billed chough birds as well as basking sharks and seals calling it their home. In the Which? survey results, only two other routes – Solva to St Davids and Blakeney Point – equalled this mark for wildlife.

Rhossili Headland retained its record as the best walk in Wales with an overall score of 86 per cent. The undemanding 3.5-mile trail in the Gower received top marks for scenery and five other four-star scores in the Which? survey, making it an excellent all-rounder. Walkers pass a former Iron Age fort and can see the remains of a shipwreck poking out of the sparkling sea at low tide.

Anstruther to Crail on the Fife Coastal Path was rated Scotland’s best route with an 83 per cent walk score.

The easily navigable four-mile route knits together a string of fishing villages whose stone houses have provided a subject for numerous painters. At 13 miles, Scotland’s second best route, Loch Katrine in the Trossachs National Park, was the longest walk featured, which can all easily be completed in a day. Walkers can keep an eye out for silver birch, oak and rowan woodland as they pass through waterfalls on this gentle lakeside stroll.

The only walks rated five out of five by Which? for difficulty – Helvellyn, Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowden’s Llanberis Path – involve climbs of at least 950m.

For the very best of the most challenging routes, head to Helvellyn in the Lake District, which finished fourth overall in the survey with a score of 87 per cent.

This 9.5-mile hike with stunning views from the Striding Edge Ridge scored five stars for scenery, but with limited visitor facilities, hikers need to make sure they come prepared.

 Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: “The UK has an amazing variety of walks and with its magical connection, the most popular route in our survey was a worthy winner. 

“From breathtaking rolling hills and lake loops to historic hikes, clifftop paths and the shingle beaches below, there is a route for every taste and ability.”