Month: June 2022

Last Orders! Nominate your favourite in Scottish Bar & Pub Awards

Does your favourite bar go above and beyond for the community? Does it have a gin-credible drinks selection? Or has it shaken up an innovative cocktail? Well, you only have until the end of TODAY to share their successes and help crown them top of the Scots. 

It is your last chance to enter Scotland’s longest running licensed trade awards – dubbed the ‘hospitality Oscars’ – the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022.

Back bigger and better this year, the prestigious annual event is looking for establishments from John O’Groats to the Mull of Galloway who deserve to be recognised for their offerings.  

Have you been wowed by the views from a special rooftop bar? Has a brand-new chic lounge caressed your tastebuds with a cocktail offering? Or have the charming surroundings of your local welcomed both you and your pooch through the door? Well now is your chance to shout about it!

At the 27th annual event, category sponsors are looking to hear from staff, customers and community members who would like to see their much-loved establishment take home a coveted accolade across one of the nineteen specialised categories.

Nominations are open until 30 June and establishments have the chance to be shortlisted for recognition as Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year, the Molinari Casual Dining Award or the Pernod Ricard Best Late Night Venue. 

Stolichnaya are on the hunt for a bar, restaurant or hotel that operates with a sustainable business model – from recycled bottles to reducing plastic waste. If that is you, they want to hear from you.

Meanwhile, Hungrrr are looking for an establishment that is forward-thinking and has embraced technology to keep their business driving forward.

Antos are also looking to find the best Dog Friendly Pub of the Year, The Busker is seeking out the Innovative Cocktail Bar of the Year and Hi-Spirits want to find the Best Live Music Venue.

The prestigious awards also look to celebrate rising stars in the industry, community-minded establishments and overall give a much-needed boost to those championing the late-night economy. 

New for 2022, The Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the year award will look to recognise operators that offer something special for their locals or are full of exceptional teams that make the industry so vibrant and fresh. 

Organiser, Susan Young said: “Scotland has the best people and our awards are here to commend those charismatic individuals and their incredible venues that make up Scotland’s unparalleled hospitality landscape.  But they need your help to vote for them. Reward the efforts of your favourite pub or bar and vote now on The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards website.”

To enter your local bar into this year’s awards, simply vote online to cast your nomination. Every vote counts as the ten competitors with the most votes from each category will receive a visit from ‘mystery shoppers’ before the finalists are revealed.

Following a judging process, the winners will then be announced at a glittering award ceremony on 30th August 2022 at The Doubletree by Hilton Glasgow Central.

Nominations are now open across Scotland for The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022. Voting closes on the 30th June 2022. 

For more information, head to https://scottishbarandpubawards.com

Follow online:

https://www.instagram.com/scottishbarpubawards/
https://twitter.com/scotbarpubaward 

CATEGORIES AND CRITERIA

Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year 

Obviously a pub that welcomes dogs… with great facilities and perhaps even treats for their four-legged customers. 

ARO Procurement Customer Service Award
Judges will be looking for a pub, restaurant or hotel which fully embraces the customer service ethos.

Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year
Gordon & MacPhail, one of Scotland’s premiere whisky companies, is looking for a whisky bar that excels and has a great range.

Buzzworks and Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year
Buzzworks and Montpeliers, two of Scotland’s premiere hospitality businesses, are seeking an up and coming entrepreneur. The prize is a year’s mentoring…

Deanston Whisky Guru of the Year
This category is for people who not only have a great knowledge of whisky.

DRAM Community Pub of the Year
Judges here will be looking for a special pub, which is not only part of the community but supports it too.

DRAM Independent Pub Group of the Year
The DRAM is on the look-out for Scotland’s top Independent Pub Group.

Hi-Spirits Best Live Music Venue 2022
Live music is very much part of a vibrant night life, aand judes are looking for Scotland’s best.

Hungrrr Technology Adopter of The Year
Hospitality operators that embrace technology to keep their business on track and driving them forward.

Inverarity Morton Restaurant of the Year
A memorable meal in a memorable restaurant – where have you been that has impressed?

Kopparberg New Bar of the Year
Is there a great new bar near you that deserves an award?  

Molinari Casual Dining Award 2022
Recongised relaxed atmosphere venues that  serve good value quality food.

Molson Coors Scottish Bar Of The Year
This inaugural award is seeking out Scotland’s best bars that have been around for more than a year.

Old Tom Gin 1821 Hotel Bar of the Year
Do you have a hotel that you love to go to relax and enjoy the great outdoors that also has a great bar?

Pernod Ricard Best Late Night Venue
Pernod Ricard, the brand owners with Havana Club, Beefeater, and Chivas in its portfolio, is looking for a late night venue that exemplifies what is good and great about late night socialising.

Sunday Mail Pub of the Year
This year the Sunday Mail Pub of the Year Award will go to the most voted for pub in Scotland at the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards.

Stolichnaya Award for Sustainability

This award is aimed at bars, restaurants or hotels that operate with an effective and sustainability agenda, from reducing plastic waste to conserving energy – it all matters. 

The Busker Innovative Cocktail Bar of the Year
The Busker is an innovative ‘new to the world’ Irish Whiskey which is seeking out Scotland’s most innovative Cocktail Bar. It is looking for a bar which marries traditions with a contemporary look and which empowers bartenders to go beyond their limitations and create flavour-curious (great) cocktails.

William Grant & Sons Bar Apprentice of the Year 2022
The Bar Apprentice is back for with a bespoke programme for this year’s apprentices – an experience you can’t buy!

Iconic Davis Cup trophy visits Edinburgh

The next generation of tennis fans in Edinburgh were served a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see a unique piece of the sport’s history as the famous Davis Cup by Rakuten trophy dropped into Craiglockhart Tennis Centre and The Meadows as part of a national tour to celebrate Scotland’s hosting of the illustrious competition.

Selected as one of four venues to host the Group Stage of the Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals, Glasgow’s Emirates Arena will stage Great Britain’s blockbuster Group D ties against USA, Kazakhstan and Netherlands between 13-18 September. Tickets for the event, priced from £10, will go on sale this Thursday (30th June) at 10am and can be purchased here.

Across an 11-stage tour, the trophy will drop-in at several inspirational locations that are continuing to play a pivotal role in broadening the accessibility of tennis in Scotland, helping to open up the sport to more people and building on record participation figures that have been recorded in recent years, with a 12% increase in players playing once or more a year over the past 12 months.

The trophy tour started in the Scottish Borders on Monday (27th June) at Earlston High School, one of Britain’s many educational establishments which are championing the school element of the LTA Youth programme, designed to attract and retain more children aged 4-18 in tennis.

Moving across Scotland, the trophy visited Craiglockhart Tennis Centre on Tuesday as the venue played host to the Scottish Junior Open, one of the largest Grade 2 tournaments in the country which is catering for 515 participating players who are aiming to follow in the footsteps of the tournament’s former 9 & Under champion, Emma Raducanu.

On Wednesday, the trophy then made the short trip to The Meadows which is the setting for the busiest park tennis site in Scotland, featuring 16 courts and a programme which boats excellent links with the community, local schools and The University of Edinburgh.

The tour aims to shine a spotlight on some of the programmes that are encouraging children to pick up a racket for the very first time, including the LTA Youth programme as well as LTA SERVES which is focussed on making tennis more accessible to children from underserved communities, and the Open Court Programme which enables disabled players to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of tennis.

Tennis Scotland and the LTA have coordinated the trophy tour to build momentum for September’s group stage matches whilst interest in the sport is heightened by the Wimbledon fortnight.

The trophy will now visit several inclusive schools, clubs, and venues as it travels the length of the country to Moray Sports Centre in Elgin; the first venue to benefit from the Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis Fund (TSIT).

Upcoming trophy tour events and locations:

  • 1st July – Clarkston Bowling and Tennis Club, Glasgow (10am-12 noon)
  • 3rd July – Bridge of Allan Tournament, Stirling (10am-1pm)
  • 4th July – Achieve More Scotland, Haghill Park Primary School, Glasgow (10am-12noon)
  • 5th July – Scotstoun Community Tennis Centre, Glasgow (10am-1pm)
  • 7th July – Elgin Tennis Club, Highlands (10am-12noon)
  • 7th July – Moray Sports Centre, Moray (2pm-5pm)
  • 8th July – West End Club, Dundee (12-4pm)

Standing at 110cm tall, the Davis Cup is one of the most recognisable trophies within the sporting world. Following in the lead of past winners including Scotland’s Andy Murray, Jamie Murray and current team captain Leon Smith, individuals across the nation are being handed the opportunity to witness the trophy up close before the ‘men’s world cup of tennis’ heads for Glasgow’s East End.

Following the Davis Cup Group Stage matches, the Emirates Arena will also host the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in November after the International Tennis Federation announced that the ‘women’s world cup of tennis’ will return to Great Britain for the fourth time in its six-decade history.

Blane Dodds, Tennis Scotland Chief Executive, said: “Glasgow’s hosting of Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup matches is a massive boost for tennis in Scotland and comes at a time when interest in the sport has never been greater.

“We’re thrilled to bring two of the most coveted competitions to Scotland with the LTA, which will provide future players and fans of the game with the chance to experience top level tennis on their doorstep.

“The Davis Cup trophy tour provides the perfect opportunity to build momentum for the tournament and showcase the passion for tennis here in Scotland, whilst inspiring the next generation to follow their dreams of representing the nation on the international stage.”

Olly Scadgell, LTA Participation Director, said: “This is the perfect time for young people to pick up a racquet and get on court. We want to use the fact we are hosting the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King cups to bring more children into the sport and boost participation across the country.

“Our LTA Youth programme is designed to be easily accessible for all children, whatever their background or level of experience. Anyone interested in playing for the first time should go online and search for LTA Youth to find a course near them.”

Red Hot Chilli Pipers play to Edinburgh residents to mark Care Home Open Week

Residents, staff and guests at two Edinburgh nursing homes were treated to highly-charged live performances by the Celtic rock band Red Hot Chilli Pipers today as part of the celebrations for Care Home Open Week.

Outdoor events took place on the grounds of the Blenham House and Ashley Court nursing homes in Sighthill and Morningside, which are owned and operated by Randolph Hill Nursing Homes Group.

Dubbed ‘the most famous bagpipe band on the planet,’ the Red Hot Chilli Pipers drew international attention after winning the BBC talent show When Will I Be Famous in 2007. The Scottish-based outfit now travels the globe playing concert tours as far afield as America, Malaysia, India and Saudi Arabia.

Yesterday’s performances in Edinburgh are part of a whirlwind two-day tour by the band, covering all of Randolph Hill’s seven nursing homes across Scotland.

Further live shows are also taking place in North Berwick, Gullane, Livingston, Broxburn and Dunblane to mark Care Home Open Week 2022, which takes place from 27 June to 3 July.

Care Home Open Week aims to connect care homes across the country with their local community. The event provides care homes with the opportunity to showcase their facilities, activities and services.

It also puts a focus on career opportunities and encourages communities to support and build connections with their local service throughout the year.

Peter McCormick, Managing Director of Randolph Hill Nursing Homes Group said: “We were delighted to welcome Red Hot Chilli Pipers to both our homes in Edinburgh today. As you might expect, it was a highly-spirited performance which our residents, staff, and invited guests thoroughly enjoyed.

“We are really pleased to have the band’s support during Care Home Open Week where they are performing at all of our seven nursing homes. It’s an ideal way to mark the occasion, which celebrates the important role of care homes in the communities where they operate.” 

Randolph Hill currently cares for more than 350 residents and employs over 500 members of staff at its seven sites across east and central Scotland.

Bield marks Pride Month with launch of Rainbow Network

Bield Housing and Care, a specialist provider for older people, has launched a new volunteer initiative to bring together its diverse community.

Coinciding with Pride Day, Bield‘s ‘Rainbow Network’ initiative will see tenants invited to join a volunteer-led group focused on inclusivity and fostering a safe and social environment for members of the LGBT community.   

It is hoped that bringing together like-minded tenants will not only create a social space but also actively engage and encourage tenants to share ideas for enhancing inclusivity.  

The group is part of Bield’s efforts to highlight the importance of the nine legally protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Zhan McIntyre, Head of Policy and Customer Standards at Bield, said: “The Rainbow Network has been set up to create an inclusive space for our diverse community to come together.

“We’re delighted to be launching during Pride Month and to host the first meeting on 28th June – Pride Day.  Tenant opinions and feedback form the baseline for our entire business, so we are always looking for ways to improve communication and engagement with our customers.”

One of the tenants already involved in the Rainbow Network said: “The LGBT scene is very oriented around younger folk but many of us older ones have been active and ‘out’ for decades, it’s just as we get older we can become marginalised and lonely.”

Anyone interested in attending the virtual group should contact feedback@bield.co.uk in order to receive a link to the meeting.

The Rainbow Network is one of many initiatives recently introduced to get feedback from the people who know and use Bield’s services.

It comes just days after Bield held its first major customer engagement event since the pandemic, which saw the important annual fixture on hold for more than two years, enabling the organisation’s CEO and Directors to meet face-to-face with customers.

The engagement event gave tenants the opportunity to influence Bield’s strategy for the next five years at a time when the sector faces numerous challenges including soaring energy prices, the introduction of new legislation and climate change.

Bield is a registered charity dedicated to providing flexible housing solutions and support for older people with around 180 developments and over 5000 customers across Scotland.

To find out more about Bield, visit https://www.bield.co.uk/housing-and-other-services or follow on Facebook @bieldhousingandcare and Twitter @BieldScotland.

CCTV appeal following Meuse Lane assault: do you know these men?

Police Scotland has released images of four men they believe may hold information which might assist in relation to a serious assault which left a 20-year-old man unconscious, at Meuse Lane, Edinburgh, around 10.10pm on Saturday, 11 December, 2021.

The first man in the images is described as white, in his mid-40’s, around 5ft 8ins, with short dark hair and of medium build. He was wearing a navy blazer.

The second man is described as white, in his mid-40’s, around 6ft, bald, and of medium build. He was wearing a dark jacket.

The third man is described as white, in his mid-40’s, around 5ft 7ins, bald and of medium build. He was wearing a dark jacket with a blue top underneath.

The fourth man is described white, in his mid-40’s, around 5ft 10ins, and of medium build. He was wearing a dark beanie hat, a dark jacket and blue jeans.

Detective Constable Christopher Docherty of Edinburgh CID, said: “I would urge the men depicted in these images, or anyone who has information relating to them, to make contact with the police.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact CID via 101, quoting incident number 3747 of Saturday, 11 December, 2021. Alternatively, call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be passed on anonymously.”

Growing Up: Baby Box is five!

Revamp ahead of scheme’s milestone

Scotland’s Baby Box has been refreshed in time for its fifth anniversary. The new look box has updated clothing designs and now includes a baby toothbrush to support early oral health.

Every newborn in Scotland is entitled to a Baby Box, with around 222,450 delivered to families since the scheme began in August 2017.

Speaking during a visit to APS (Group) Scotland in Edinburgh, who pack and distribute the box, Children’s Minister Clare Haughey said: “As every parent knows, the costs associated with having a baby are significant.

“Household budgets are under increasing pressure from the rising cost of living, so it is reassuring to know that all families in Scotland, regardless of their circumstances, have access to essential items needed for the first six months of their newborn’s life.

“Uptake for the Baby Box has grown to about 98% since it was introduced in 2017. As we head towards the fifth anniversary, I am proud that the Baby Box continues to support newborns and their families.”

Chief Dental Officer Tom Ferris said: “I am really pleased to see a toothbrush included in the Baby Box for the first time. 

“Good oral habits are essential to achieving excellent mouth health, and this will allow us to support families in achieving this from the very beginning of life.”

Beverley Walsh, Head of Services at APS Group (Scotland), said: ““The Baby Box initiative has created sustainable employment opportunities for local people, where possible supporting targeted groups.

“We work with training organisations, local schools and colleges, with the Baby Box supporting up to four modern apprenticeship positions and work experience placements each year.”

Residents’ help sought to shape the way Edinburgh addresses women’s safety in public places

Edinburgh’s residents are being encouraged to have their say on what makes them feel safe or unsafe when out and about in the Capital and what they think could improve this.

The Women’s Safety in Public Places Community Improvement Partnership (WSPP CIP) has launched a new consultation on what makes Edinburgh residents, especially girls and women and vulnerable people, feel safe or unsafe in Edinburgh’s public spaces.

Recognising that making spaces safer for women, makes them safer for everyone, views are being sought on where people feel safe or unsafe and why, as well as what they think could be done to improve feelings and perception of safety. Findings will inform future plans to make Edinburgh ‘Safer by Design’.

Last year a report on Women’s Safety in Public Places was presented to the Policy and Sustainability Committee (30 November 2021). The report presented information from a number of teams within the Council, including Community Safety, 20-Minute Neighbourhoods and the Equally Safe Edinburgh Committee and proposed a range of actions to support and promote the safety of women and girls across the capital.

One of the first activities to drive forward the actions is a consultation into girls’ and women’s feelings about safety in public spaces in Edinburgh.

The Women’s Safety in Public Places Community Improvement Partnership was assembled in January 2022 consisting of representatives from the Council and Police Scotland and this consultation will now run for 12 weeks.

Councillor Mandy Watt, Depute Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We recognise that some women and girls do not feel safe in public places. We are working to identify what makes particular areas and places feel safe or unsafe and what city partners can do to improve this.

“Women consider personal safety constantly in their everyday lives, from meeting and socialising with friends, to travelling on public transport and walking home. Recent murders of women in public spaces sparked a national conversation about how women feel unsafe and alter their behaviours to keep safe and the partnership is committed to addressing this in the Capital.

“Edinburgh prides itself on being an inclusive, diverse and welcoming city but there is no denying that like other cities in the UK more can be done to make our residents feel safe. This consultation is vital with responses helping to inform the future of how we develop and improve public spaces across the whole of the Edinburgh area, from the design of roads and pathways to the layout of parks and shopping areas and more.

“We have a responsibility to do everything in our power to make residents feel safe in their city. I would encourage everyone to take part in the consultation so that their feedback is at the heart of developing Edinburgh.”

The Partnership will use the findings from the consultation to inform their report and recommendations to bring back to the Council later this year.

Combined with data from Police Scotland, this report will help to inform future place-making and development plans for Edinburgh on how to make the city safer for all.

The online consultation is hosted on the City of Edinburgh Council – Citizen Space. It is open for 12 weeks from Monday 27 June 2022 to 20 September 2022.

Police innvestigate man behaving suspiciously on Portobello promenade

Police are appealing for information following an incident on Portobello Promenade on Sunday, 5 June.

Around 11.30pm, a woman was running along the Promenade when she saw the man who shouted at her. His behaviour alarmed the woman and she reported the matter to police.

The man is described as white, in his late 40s to early 50s. He was wearing a dark coloured jacket, light coloured trousers, a grey coloured flat cap. He had stubble and spoke with a local accent.

Constable Deering said: “We have been reviewing CCTV footage from this and the surrounding area, however, we have been unsuccessful in identifying this man and are asking members of the public to think back and consider if they were in the Promenade area between 11pm and midnight that Sunday.

“If you have any information, please do get in touch with us. Any small detail could assist us in our enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number, 0010 of 6 June 2022.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo announces half-price preview night tickets on sale

As preparations for the spectacular return of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo continue, organisers have pledged to ensure the cultural attraction can be enjoyed by all and announced half-price Preview Night tickets will go on sale from 10am today (Thursday, 30th June).  

Following the challenges presented over the past two years, the Tattoo has recognised that the summer of 2022 marks a welcome opportunity for everyone to get back to enjoying live events, and the half-price tickets are a unique chance for both locals and travelling visitors to witness the sights and sounds of the talented performers from across the world before anyone else. 

The 50% Preview Night tickets have been a regular feature in recent years, but this year it’s just one of the ways in which Tattoo fans can enjoy this year’s performance at a discount.  

The Tattoo is committed to giving back to those who have shown their support to the event in the last few years. Last weekend, both veteran and serving military personnel were able to take advantage of a 25% reduction in price, while there are also plans in place to celebrate NHS heroes and Social Services with activity on 5 July, which will mark 74 years of the NHS. 

This year’s Show “Voices” will be a celebration of expression, giving a stage to performers and acts to share their voice. Voices draws inspiration from people across the globe who, despite physical separation, continue to connect and share their voices creatively through spoken word, song, music, and dance – languages common to all.  

Buster Howes, Chief Executive of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “The Tattoo is a cultural celebration for everyone to enjoy and savour. Our half-price Preview Night tickets are a great way of giving back to everybody who has supported us over the last two years, along with other initiatives in the coming weeks. 

“We’re all set to return with a bang this year and we’re committed to ensuring that everyone has the chance to see the spectacular Voices Show live. 2022 marks a new era for the Tattoo and I’m proud that we can offer people a first glance of the talented acts that feature in the Show. 

“We are showcasing an exciting new creative direction for our Show, which expertly blends modern performances with the traditional, military elements that we’re known and loved for. I can’t wait to welcome crowds once again and I’d urge people to be quick to snap up these Preview Show tickets as demand will be high.” 

900 performers from across the globe will take part in in this year’s Tattoo, bringing with them extraordinary music, dance, and performance talents. There will be vivid and exciting acts from Mexico, The United States, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, along with homegrown talent from the UK.

Military personnel will continue to play a central role in the performance, with the Army as the lead Service this year. Audiences can expect to hear the skirl of the Massed Pipes and Drums that will echo around the Esplanade as part of Voices, supported by Tattoo Pipes and Drums, Tattoo Dance Company, Tattoo Fiddlers, and musicians from UK Military Regiments.   

Preview performance tickets can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone on 0131 225 1188 from 10am on Thursday 30th June. 

Prices for Preview Night tickets start at £15 plus booking fee. 

£1 Billion more support for Ukraine

The UK has announced an increased contribution to NATO as the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary attend the NATO summit in Madrid.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace MP said: “We have always been clear that our strength and security comes from our alliances, and NATO is at the heart of that.

“The New Force Model and our presence in Estonia will ensure that the Alliance is able to respond at pace, helping to determine stability across Europe in the decades to come.”

RAF Typhoon and F-35B Lightning fighter jets, Royal Navy vessels including Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, and brigade-sized land forces will all be made available to NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) as part of the New Force Model.

NATO has introduced the New Force Model in support of Leaders’ decision to modernise and strengthen the NATO Force Structure for the future. Allies will declare capabilities, equipment and forces available to support SACEUR, ensuring they are in the right place at the right time. This will allow the Alliance’s military command to plan for emerging threats, safe in the knowledge that these assets will be available to take part in the Alliance’s response.

The UK will also contribute to the new Allied Reaction Force: an agile, multi-domain and combat-effective force ready to deploy at very high readiness and to respond to a range of crises.

It comes as the Alliance has agreed a new posture of stronger forward defences to reflect the radically changed security context since Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the UK increased its presence in Estonia to include the temporary deployment of a second battlegroup, doubling the total number of deployed personnel to over 1,600.

The lethality of these deployments will be enhanced with advanced capabilities including helicopters and artillery systems. Meanwhile, the UK’s existing HQ in Tallinn will be expanded. Led by a Brigadier, it will support the rapid deployment of high readiness forces at the brigade level.

The UK will also support Estonia with training and logistics, the development of its first divisional-level HQ, as well as developing new ways of fighting through their joint hosting of the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic European HQ, and supporting innovative dual use start-ups through the NATO Innovation Fund.

In addition to increasing its deployments to Estonia, since the Russian invasion the UK has also deployed hundreds of troops to Poland and sent more aircraft to conduct air policing in Romania. Meanwhile, HMS Prince of Wales has led the Alliance’s Maritime High Readiness Force since January 2022.

Funding of £65 million has been provided by the Scottish Government as part of UK’s military aid for Ukraine.

It will make up part of the £1 billion being provided for state of the art equipment including sophisticated air defence systems and thousands of pieces of vital kit for Ukrainian soldiers.

This follows £4 million in financial aid provided by the Scottish Government for humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, and a further £3 million worth of medical supplies.

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said: “Scotland has been clear from the start that we condemn Russia’s unprovoked, illegal invasion of Ukraine. Scotland stands for democracy, human rights and the rule of law at home and abroad.

“We have become a place of refuge and sanctuary for displaced people from Ukraine, and have done all we can to get help those fleeing the country to escape the violence.

“This further funding is to assist Ukrainian armed forces to fight Russian aggression and the unspeakable brutality being perpetrated.

“We have agreed to providing funding on this occasion given the clear need to maximise the international effort to support Ukraine. However, we are clear that this must not be seen as any kind of precedent which leads to devolved budgets being used to help pay for clearly reserved policy areas.”