Month: August 2022

Cubes of Perpetual Light coming to Edinburgh

The Cubes of Perpetual Light will play new music commissions inspired by the themes of sustainability and growth during the Festival of Politics and Edinburgh International Book Festival

Specially designed ‘Cubes of Perpetual Light’ will come together in the Capital this summer to create a striking music installation featuring programmable light and quadraphonic sound.

The unique installation will appear in the iconic surroundings of the Parliament Garden in the Scottish Parliament, open to the public during the Festival of Politics, August 11-13 and Edinburgh International Culture Summit August 26-28.

A second installation will be installed during Edinburgh International Book Festival, 13–29 August.

The installation forms part of Dandelion, a major creative programme demonstrating the power of collective action through an ambitious ‘grow your own’ initiative that aims to reach communities across Scotland this summer.

Commissioned by EventScotland and funded by the Scottish Government,  Dandelion is Scotland’s contribution to UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK.

At the centre of Dandelion, is a meeting of art and science through the creation of hundreds of unique miniature ‘growing cubes’, called the ‘Cubes of Perpetual Light’. The 1m x 1m cubes are designed to foster accelerated plant growing and have been developed to grow hundreds of seedlings under LED light, combining design craft, traditional horticultural expertise and technological innovation.

The Cubes aren’t just miniature growing laboratories however, they’re also the inspiration for new music which people are being invited to experience at festivals and venues across Scotland this summer, now arriving in Edinburgh.

The special installations are each unique, featuring a collection of cubes, with immersive lighting integrated with stunning quadraphonic speaker systems designed to best showcase the new music compositions playing ‘from’ the cubes. This is the only opportunity to hear these unique compositions in their entirety.

For those unable to visit the cube installations in Edinburgh, they will also be visiting Inverness Botanic Gardens, 15–29 August, and on display at V&A Dundee until 30 August. This activity forms part of a summer-long programme of art, music, food and science for everyone to enjoy.

Leading musicians from Scotland and beyond have created 13 new music commissions for the Cubes of Perpetual Light, all inspired by themes of nature and sustainability.

The aim of the commissions, which can only be heard at the installations, is to encourage listeners to think more deeply about how, where and why plants grow. Each new music piece is commissioned by Dandelion with additional support for international work from British Council Scotland.

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The Edinburgh installation includes 13 tracks of new music from artists:

  • amiina & Kathleen MacInnes: A gorgeous collaboration bridging the mighty North Atlantic, from the Outer Hebrides to Iceland. South Uist native Kathleen MacInnes, one of Scotland’s finest Gaelic folk singers comes together with amiina, from Reykjavik – a strings-and-electronica quartet whose packed portfolio includes many collaborations with Sigur Rós. This unique recording for Dandelion features Gaelic lullabies Crodh Chailein, Dhachaidh along with amiina composition blauwber’.
  • Arooj Aftab & Maeve Gilchrist: Arooj Aftab’s music is a breath-taking blend of Sufi mysticism, contemporary classical, jazz, ambient and much more – and this year, she became the first Pakistani woman to win a Grammy. Her stunning new album Vulture Prince features Edinburgh-born harper, composer and producer Maeve Gilchrist, and the pair are teaming up again to create new music for Dandelion.
  • Claire M Singer: Claire M Singer is an acclaimed Scottish composer and performer whose acoustic and electronic music draws inspiration from the dramatic landscapes of her native country. The Director of Organ Reframed, a festival of new music that reimagines the epic sound of the organ, she’s created a new multi-channel work featuring organs recorded in Aberdeenshire, Inverness, Stonehaven and Glasgow.
  • Vedanth Bharadwaj : Vedanth is a vocalist and composer born in Mumbai, India who trained in Classical music around the age of four, under Neyveli Santhanagopalan. He recorded two beautiful songs for Dandelion featuring himself on vocals, banjo and guitar along with Gurupriya Atreya on vocals. ‘Vrukshan Se Mati Le’ is a song written by Surdas (an Indian mystic poet from the 16th century). He writes about how one ought to learn compassion from trees. Trees neither love you more when you water them, nor do they hate you if you cut them down. It provides us shade, while bearing all the heat from the sun on its own head. If you throw a stone at it, it gives you a fruit! Lucky are we, to live in a world among trees. Surdas pleads to us to learn compassion from trees, or at least, from the indigenous people.
  • Craig Armstrong & Steve Jones: Craig Armstrong is a BAFTA, Golden Globe and Grammy-winning Scottish born composer.  Through his orchestral writing, electronic music and wide-ranging artistic collaborations in classical and film music, Craig Armstrong’s distinct compositional voice has received worldwide acclaim. For Dandelion he created ‘Endless (Study 1)’ with guitarist Steve Jones along with School of Scottish Studies field recordings from the 1960s to create a sense of limitless space and time for the listener.
  • Fergus McCreadie: Fergus McCreadie is one of the UK’s most exciting jazz musicians. Combining vital jazz sounds with influences drawn from Scottish traditional music, his brilliant third album Forest Floor came out in April to universal acclaim and has been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. His specially recorded Dandelion work ‘Life Cycle’ features piano and strings from Seonaid Aitken, Emma Pantel, Sarah Leonard & Juliette Lemoine.
  • Jason Singh: Jason Singh is a remarkable sound artist, beatboxer, producer and performer whose music is inspired by the natural world. Nicknamed “The Human Sampler” by Cerys Matthews, he’s worked with everyone from Sir David Attenborough to Talvin Singh. His composition for Dandelion, Droop, is a lament in response to our climate crisis. It is a collaboration between plant, humans and technology and has been created by converting the electrical signals generated by the Camellia plant into musical notes played through analogue and digital synthesisers.
  • Maya Youssef: Syria’s Maya Youssef is the ‘Queen of the Qanun’, an extraordinary 78-stringed Middle Eastern plucked zither. Her life-affirming music is rooted in the Arabic classical tradition but forges into jazz, Western classical and Latin music – as heard at the BBC Proms, WOMAD and now here on this special work for Dandelion: Back to Earth, Barley Blessing & Eastern Wind featuring Maya with Scottish musicians Innes White, Catriona Price, Craig Baxter, Alice Allen, Ciorstaidh Beaton and Arabic Nay player Moslem Rahal
  • Ravi Bandhu: Hailing from Sri Lanka, this acclaimed drummer, dancer and choreographer has taken his magnificent drum ensemble to stages as far afield as WOMAD in Reading and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.
  • Trio Da Kali: In a unique African / Scots collaboration Trio Da Kali brings together Hawa Kassé Mady Diabaté, Lassana Diabaté and Mamadou Kouyaté – three of the best new griot musicians from the Mandé culture of Mali – along with award winning Scots vocalist Kim Carnie & piper Ross Ainslie – to bring a fresh creative vibe to ancient traditions. These songs continue with the long-time folk culture of telling old stories from the past that pay tribute to the people who do good things for the community and talk about the importance of living in the present and enjoying what happens now.
  • Brian d’Souza: An award-winning sound artist aka Auntie Flo, DJ, producer and performer from Glasgow via Goa, Brian makes magic from a blend of electronic sounds and influences from around the globe. Winner of the 2019 Scottish Album of the Year Award for Radio Highlife, he recently debuted immersive installation The Soniferous Forest and for Dandelion has composed ’Spring Symphony (Sage, Basil, Mint and Lavender)’ – a biophilic soundscape that harnesses the power of nature through sound. It was created by using a Plant Wave device to pick up electromagnetic activity from the different plants which translated each into MIDI notes. These notes then literally ‘played’ samples of various traditional instruments from the Hebrides – including Clarsarch, Whistle, Flute, Pipes and Fiddle.”I then let the plants play… totally naturally to produce a kind of ‘acoustic ecology”.
  • Manu Delago: There’s no sound in music quite like the hang, a melodic percussion instrument invented only 20 years ago – and there’s no better exponent of it than Manu Delago, who’s performed with the likes of Björk, the Cinematic Orchestra, Ólafur Arnalds, Nitin Sawhney and Anoushka Shankar while making a succession of brilliant solo records.
  • Pàdruig Morrison: Accordionist Pàdruig Morrison was brought up surrounded by the culture, the music and the language of the Gaels. After bedding in the first Cube of Perpetual Light on the remote Hebridean island of Heisgeir, where his grandparents set up a pioneering experiment in sustainable living, Pàdruig is now making new music to help them grow.

This follows Dandelion’s latest project taking the Cubes of Perpetual Light on tour across Scotland throughout the month of August, traveling on specially designed electric cargo bikes.

The tour visits schools, parks, venues and Dandelion Unexpected Gardens where the commissioned music can be heard.

Music Director for Dandelion, Donald Shaw said: “Just as plants can grow from tiny seeds, great music can grow from small ideas that we nourish till they bloom into full art forms. 

“The cubes can demonstrate accelerated growing in a wide range of settings, both the expected and unexpected. Placed in a particular environment they create a micro-world within a world, allowing musicians and listeners to imagine a sonic landscape that surrounds us, providing a space for contemplation and for us to imagine a future where we sow, grow and share differently.”

The Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament said: “The Festival of Politics is all about opening the doors of the Scottish Parliament to people across the country with a variety of things on offer – from debate and discussion to exhibitions and music.

“The cubes of perpetual light is an example of how sustainability and art can come together to grab people’s attention and make people stop and think. I hope many people will take the opportunity to join us.”  

Marie Christie, Head of Development, Events Industry at VisitScotland said: “It’s fantastic to see so many incredible artists create new music inspired by Dandelion’s urgent themes of sustainability and our connection to the natural world.

“By fusing new music and new technologies, the cubes create unique ways for audiences to engage and connect with these issues. It’s wonderful to see the cubes travel to Edinburgh to be part of the city’s world-leading festivals, where audiences from Scotland and all over the world can experience them.”

Martin Green, Chief Creative Officer, UNBOXED said: “Dandelion is a brilliant coming together of artists, designers, technologists and scientists to make something special and important about what we eat, how it grows and how everyone can get involved in growing, wherever they live.

“Through the growing cubes, music and many opportunities to participate in growing initiatives, Dandelion is designed to inspire people to create a sustainable future. Dandelion is one of five UNBOXED projects taking place in Scotland this year as part UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK – a year-long celebration of creativity across the four nations.”

Dandelion is a joyous Scotland-wide celebration of sowing, growing and sharing. Commissioned by EventScotland and funded by the Scottish Government it is part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK. Dandelion reimagines our relationship with food and the planet and the way we celebrate it together. 

Edinburgh couple conquer Pennine challenge for deaf children

Edinburgh couple Mark Ballard and Heather Stacey completed a week-long Pennine Way walk for the National Deaf Children’s Society on 6 August.

The couple’s adventure started on 30 July, when Mark and Heather set off on a 95-mile walk along the Pennine Way between Horton in Ribblesdale in Yorkshire and Alston in South Tynedale in Cumbria, staying in youth hostels and B&Bs along the way.

A highlight was scaling Cross Fell, which at 2,930 feet is the highest mountain in England outside the Lake District.

The couple have raised over £500 so far for the National Deaf Children’s Society, which supports the UK’s 50,000 deaf children.

Mark is Head of Policy for the National Deaf Children’s Society in Scotland, so has a special connection with the charity. The couple are both huge lovers of the outdoors and devised their challenge to help the charity provide inspiring experiences for deaf children and young people.

Mark and Heather live in Edinburgh with their two teenage children.

Recounting the story of their trek, Mark said: “It was hard work at times, with some steep hill climbs and squelchy bogs, but also some stunning scenery.

“A big part of what kept me going to complete the walk was the support I got from friends and family, who also helped me raise funds for the vital work of the National Deaf Children’s Society.

“I hope this money will enable the National Deaf Children’s Society to support a deaf young person to have a fantastic outdoor adventure like mine.”

Melissa Jones, who supports fundraisers for the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: “I want to say a huge thank you to Mark and Heather for taking on their Pennine challenge for us. It was a lovely idea and we’re so pleased you smashed it, thank you so much.

“The National Deaf Children’s Society is dedicated to supporting the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and their families. The efforts of selfless fundraisers like Mark and Heather will help us to keep on doing our vital work, now and into the future.”

Those wishing to make a donation can still do so by visiting: 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-ballard27

Edinburgh Festivals have arrived at the National Museum of Scotland

NMS LISTINGS

Gilded Balloon at the National Museum of Scotland   
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF  
Until 28 Aug 2022   
Ticketed   

Gilded Balloon are back: bringing Festival fun to the National Museum of Scotland throughout August!  Bringing a colourful line-up: from science for kids to satire for grown-ups, from chat shows to live podcasts.

There’s an influencer, a ventriloquist, assorted Fringe favourites and of course a couple of Britain’s Got Talent winners.   Performers include Scottish treasures Fred MacAulay, Lynn Ferguson and Jack Docherty, alongside Paul Zerdin and assorted puppet pals, Lost Voice Guy, the one and only Chesney Hawkes and even Boris Johnson?!

Plus, our own favourite – Comedy Night at the Museum where top comedians improvise a humorous look at our amazing collection.

  
Find out more on the Gilded Balloon website.  

E.Coli by Luke Jerram    
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF  
Until 31 Aug 2022    
Grand Gallery    
Free entry    

 Part of the Edinburgh Art Festival programme, this 90ft long inflatable sculpture by Bristol-based Luke Jerram will be suspended from the ceiling of the National Museum of Scotland’s Grand Gallery.

The E.coli is 5 million times bigger than the real bacteria. When standing next to it, does the bacteria alter our personal sense of scale? Does it look scary, beautiful, comical or alien? Will people be attracted or repelled by it? 

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Ecoli    

Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF  
Until 30 Oct 2022
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Ticketed, £0-£10

Explore the history of anatomical study, from artistic explorations by Leonardo da Vinci to the Burke and Hare murders. This exhibition looks at the social and medical history surrounding the practice of dissection.

It will trace the relationship between anatomy, its teaching and cultural context and the bodies that were dissected. Looking at Edinburgh’s role as an international centre for medical study, the exhibition will offer insight into the links between science and crime in the early 19th century.

Supported by Baillie Gifford Investment Managers.

Book now nms.ac.uk/anatomy

Japanese Contemporary Design   
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF  
Until 5 Mar 2023    
Exhibition Gallery 3, Level 1   
Free entry
  
From striking statement jewellery to prints and porcelain vases, this new free display considers how Japanese contemporary makers have combined innovative and traditional art, craft and design elements over the past five decades.   

The star object is Hitomi Hosono’s A Large Pine Tree Pool, a sculptural porcelain bowl with complex hand-carving made and acquired in 2019. Further highlights include Junko Mori’s intricate New Pinecone Silver Organism, and colourful body adornments by jeweller Suō Emiko’s adapted from metalworking and engraving techniques traditionally used in the making of Japanese sword fittings.   

Visit nms.ac.uk/JapaneseContemporaryDesign     

Family events   

Bird Bingo   
National Museum of Rural Life, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR   
Until 31 Aug 2022    
10:00-17:00   
A trail around the museum   
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass   

Come and play Bird Bingo at the National Museum of Rural Life! Can you find all the birds hiding around the museum? Using the clues on our family trail sheet, see if you can spot different birds in our museum galleries and learn fun facts about them on your journey.   

This family event is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery   

Find out more nms.ac.uk/birdbingo   

Nature Track Packs  
National Museum of Rural Life, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR   
Until 19 Aug 2022  
10:00 – 17:00  
Borrow from the ticket desk  
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass  

Explore more at the National Museum of Rural Life this summer with our new Nature Track Packs.  Each pack contains fun ideas and activities to encourage children to engage all their senses to explore the countryside on a walk up to the farm. Nature Track Packs are available to borrow on a first come, first served basis over the summer – just ask on arrival at our ticket desk, then return the pack to the desk once your Track Pack adventure is complete.  

Visit nms.ac.uk/trackpacks  

Summer Satchels  
National Museum of Flight, East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF   
Until 4 Sep 2022  
10:00 – 17:00  
Free with museum admission  
Just ask at the desk in the Concorde Hangar  

See the National Museum of Flight in a different way this summer with our new family activity satchels. Each satchel contains all the equipment and simple instructions for five playful activities to help children explore the museum from a different perspective. The activities are designed to use outside on our spacious site.  

Visit nms.ac.uk/summersatchels  

Tractor Tots
National Museum of Rural Life, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR 
30 Sep – 11 Nov 2022
10:15 – 10:55
Ticketed

Running in blocks of three Friday morning sessions, Tractor Tots offers a fun, focused experience for our younger visitors, introducing them to the museum and farm, and bringing it to life through interactive creative play. Each session will take place in a different location at the museum and working farm, and will feature handling objects from our learning boxes, singing, storytelling, rhymes, actions and sensory play to learn all about life in the countryside.

Book now nms.ac.uk/tractor-tots

Exhibitions & Displays    

National Museum of Scotland     
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF    
Open 10:00–17:00 daily   

The Typewriter Revolution   
Until 11 Sep 2022   
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3   
Free entry   

The typewriter’s social and technological influence is revealed in this exhibition and looks at its role in society, arts, and popular culture. It traces the effect and evolution of typewriters across more than 100 years, from weighty early machines to modern style icons.  

The impact of the typewriter has been much wider than simply speeding up the way we write. It helped revolutionise the world of work and change the lives of working women in particular. Typewriters helped them launch their own businesses at a time when female employers were rare and became a vital weapon in the fight for the vote.    
  

Visit nms.ac.uk/Typewriters   
   

Inspiring Walter Scott   

Until 8 Jan 2023   
Exhibition Gallery 4, Level 1   
Free entry     
Following the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s birth, experience his novels through objects that inspired him. In this small exhibition we show how Scott drew upon real historical objects for inspiration, placing objects alongside Scott’s words, and the stories in which they feature.

While you view these fascinating objects, you can listen to an actor reading extracts from these tales. In association with Walter Scott 250: Celebrating 250 Years of Scotland’s Greatest Storyteller and supporting Year of Stories 2022.   
  

Visit nms.ac.uk/WalterScottExhibition   
    

Bernat Klein: Design in Colour     
5 Nov 2022 – 23 Apr 2023     
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3    
Free entry    

Marking the centenary of his birth, Bernat Klein: Design in Colour will celebrate the work of the influential émigré textile designer. Visitors will be able to explore Klein’s creative process and varied career, from providing couture fabrics for fashion designers to his influence on modernist architecture and interior design in the UK and Scandinavia.   

Visit nms.ac.uk/BernatKlein     

   
Events   
  

National Museum of Scotland    
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF   
Open 10:00–17:00 daily   

BSL Access Evening: Anatomy
Special Exhibition Gallery 1
16 Aug 2022
17:30 – 19:00
Ticketed
£7.50 (free accompanying carer ticket available if needed)

Explore our fascinating Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life exhibition supported by a Deaf-led BSL tour of key objects. As part of the Edinburgh Deaf Festival, join us for a D/deaf friendly after-hours event featuring a Deaf-led BSL tour of some of the key objects in Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life.

Explore the history of anatomical study, from artistic explorations by Leonardo da Vinci to the Burke and Hare murders. The tour will last around 30 minutes with time to view the exhibition independently afterwards. This event is particularly for BSL users but we also welcome other members of the D/deaf community and family and friends.

Book now nms.ac.uk/bsl-access-evening

Museum Socials  
19 Aug 2022  
Third Friday of the month, 10:30–12:00  
Free   

Our Museum Socials events are created for anyone affected by Dementia and their relatives, friends and supporters. Museum Socials create a friendly environment where everyone is welcome and all contributions are valued. They are suitable for first-time visitors and for those who might not regularly come to the museum, as well as people who have always loved visiting.  

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.  

Visit nms.ac.uk/museumsocials  

Audio-Described Access Evening: Anatomy
Special Exhibition Gallery 1
30 Aug 2022
17:30-19:00
£7.50 (free accompanying carer ticket available if needed)

Explore our fascinating Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life exhibition supported by an audio-described tour of key objects for those who are blind or visually impaired. Join us after-hours for an audio-described tour of Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life led by artist Juliana Capes.

Explore the history of anatomical study, from artistic explorations by Leonardo da Vinci to the Burke and Hare murders. The tour will last around 45 minutes with time to explore the exhibition independently afterwards. This event is particularly aimed at those who are blind or visually impaired.

Book now nms.ac.uk/audio-described

Hoarding Histories: Beyond the Galloway Hoard   
10 Sep 2022   
14:00 -16:30   
Aged 14+ event   
Ticketed   

Join our expert panel as they discuss the process of hoarding across time and cultures.  From assembling and burying, to curating and displaying, our panel will give diverse perspectives on this fascinating practice. The keynote address will be delivered by Professor Richard Bradley, Emeritus Professor of Archaeology at the University of Reading.  

Find out more nms.ac.uk/hoarding-histories   

Relaxed Access Evening: Anatomy
13 Sept 2022
Special Exhibition Gallery 1
17:30 – 19:00
£7.50 (free accompanying carer ticket available if needed)

Join us for a relaxed after-hours visit to Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life for anyone who would prefer a calmer visit to the exhibition. During this opening of Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life, sounds will be lowered and light levels adjusted wherever possible to provide a more relaxed experience. A quiet break-out space will also be available.

A visual welcome guide will be provided in advance to help you prepare for your visit. This session is primarily for, but not limited to, autistic young people and adults, adults living with dementia, adults with learning difficulties or mental health challenges or any other visitors with sensory needs or who may prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers. 

Book now nms.ac.uk/relaxed-access-evening

Silent Teachers: The Story of Modern Body Donation  
13 Sep 2022  
19:30 – 20:30  
Free, with optional donation  
Online event  

Inspired by our current exhibition, Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life, our expert panel will discuss the modern approach to anatomical study and body donation in this online event.  
  
In the 18th century, Edinburgh was Britain’s leading centre for medical teaching. As anatomists sought to understand the human body, the demand for bodies to dissect and study vastly outstripped legitimate supply.

As a result, grave robbing became common practice. Since then, legislation has ensured bodies used today are acquired, with proper consent, through donation.  

From their perspectives as exhibition curator, professor, medical student and living donor, our expert panel will discuss the modern approach to body donation and contrast the ethics, practices and beliefs of today with those from two centuries ago.   

Book now nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events  

National Museum of Flight     
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF     
Open daily 10:00 – 16:00   
  

Operation Sabotage  
Until 14 Aug (except 9 Aug)  
Age 14+ event  
Ticketed  

The year is 1942 and you are stationed at the RAF base at East Fortune. There has been an act of sabotage and one of the aircraft is unknowingly carrying live ordnance with instructions to bomb the town. Solve a series of fiendish puzzles to call off the flight and save North Berwick!

Operation Sabotage is an escape room experience for 4-8 people that lasts up to an hour. Working together as a team, you must race against the clock in two Second World War-themed rooms to decipher the identity of the saboteur before it’s too late. 

Book now nms.ac.uk/operation-sabotage  

Behind the Scenes Tours    
Until 26 Oct 2022    
11:00–12:00 & 14:00–15:00   
Object Store   
Free with museum admission   
Booking required   

Find out about our collection of aero-engines and propellers on a curator-led tour of our Object Store. Join Aviation Curator Ian Brown for one of our regular guided tours of the museum’s Object Store. Explore some of the collections not normally on public view and discover the fascinating stories behind them.   

Find out more nms.ac.uk/behind-the-scenes-tours    


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For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789 

Scotland facing a ‘monumental but essential task’ on eco housing, says Patrick Harvie

Scotland faces a “monumental but essential task” if it is to overhaul its aged housing stock and find practical solutions to reduce emissions and address the climate emergency.

That was the message from Patrick Harvie yesterday as he officially opened the first-ever Green Home Festival as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights was the keynote speaker at the launch of the five-day renewables event, which has been organised by the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV).

Speaking to delegates at the Scottish headquarters of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Mr Harvie outlined the scale of the challenge and some of the measures the Scottish Government was taking to try and tackle today’s environmental issues.

The Scottish Greens co-leader said: “Our homes and workplaces account for around a fifth of Scotland’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Our statutory target for 2030 means that we need to reduce emissions from heating buildings by 68% below their level in 2020.

“This is a monumental but essential task. Our building stock is relatively old, and wasn’t always built to high energy standards. This legacy of poor energy efficiency has contributed to emissions and fuel poverty, so we need to start drastically improving that standard.

“By 2030, we want to see a large majority of homes achieving a level of energy efficiency at least equivalent to an EPC C – with all homes meeting that standard by 2033, where feasible and cost effective. This will reduce emissions from our buildings, but it will also help make our energy more affordable, by removing poor energy efficiency as a driver of fuel poverty.”

Mr Harvie, who is a list MSP for the Glasgow region, also warned that, as well as improving energy efficiency, Scotland needs to switch to zero direct emissions heating.

He said: “Meeting our 2030 target means that we need over a million homes and the equivalent of 50,000 non-domestic buildings to switch from fossil fuels. This is a huge transition, affecting communities, businesses and homes across Scotland.

“Getting there will need a much faster installation rate for these zero direct emissions heating systems. In recent years that rate has been around 3,000 homes annually, but we need to reach around 200,000 each year in the latter part of this decade.”

Mr Harvie also said that the cost of living crisis and unprecedented surges in energy prices make the challenge even harder and the government can’t foot the bill on its own.

He said: “Our funding will make a huge difference to the heat transition. But the cost of transforming our building stock – around £33 billion to 2045 – can’t be met by government alone.

“Our Green Heat Finance Task Force is now working on innovative solutions to maximise private sector investment, and to find new ways to help spread the upfront cost of making properties warmer, greener and more energy efficient.”

Mr Harvie concluded: “We know there will be more issues to resolve and we intend to tackle these collaboratively, drawing on the best knowledge and ideas from across society.

“The climate emergency is already here. But if we adopt many of the actions and ideas being discussed at this week-long Green Home Festival, they will stand us in good stead to mitigate its worst consequences.”

Mr Harvie was guest of honour at the event at 10 Charlotte Square in central Edinburgh, where delegates gathered to kick of a week-long series of events delivering practical assistance and advice to help Scotland become a net zero nation.

Other speakers at the launch included Green Home Festival co-organiser Gordon Nelson, Scotland Director of the Federation of Master Builders, and Sandra Cummings, a Director at Faithful+Gould and Vice Chair of the RICS Scotland Board.

Mr Nelson said: “We were grateful to Mr Harvie for opening the Festival and we share his view that the time for waiting is over and urgent action is needed now.

“It is more important than ever that the construction industry and government work together to find practical solutions that help us build the net zero nation needed for future generations.”

The Green Home Festival will deliver 12 in-person and virtual presentations on green topics, targeting homeowners, construction professionals, housing associations and local authorities.

With contributions from organisations including SEPA, Home Energy Scotland, SELECT, SNIPEF, Gardiner & Theobald LLP and Atelier Ten, the range of topics will include:

·          Protecting from flood risk

·          Using sustainable materials

·          Demystifying heat pumps

·          Retrofitting tenements

·          Building sustainable neighbourhoods

·          An introduction to electric vehicles (EVs).

One online session, Taking the Swedish View, will see a presentation by award-winning Swedish construction company, Botkyrkabyggen, who use solar panels, windmills, artificial intelligence and district heating to improve energy efficiency.

In another event, Living Safely in the Future, experts from Electrical Safety First will outline what householders can do to ensure their homes are protected properly when installing the innovation and technology that is already becoming a part of everyday life.

Full details, including how to book tickets for each event, are available on the Festival’s website at greenhomefestival.co.uk.

The festival is the latest in a string of practical and constructive initiatives launched by the CICV since its creation at the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Made up of 29 trade associations, professional services bodies and companies, it has maintained a steady supply of information and practical advice to the sector as well as carrying out surveys, producing animations and posters, hosting webinars and maintaining close dialogue with Scottish Government ministers.

£10 million boost to tackle cancer waiting times in Scotland

Cancer patients are set for faster access to treatment as an additional £10 million has been allocated to help improve waiting times.

The new money, to be shared among the health boards, will boost the number of operations available, creating extra clinics, and upskilling new staff to speed up the delivery of endoscopy, radiology and chemotherapy treatment to get patients the care they need as quickly as possible.

This builds on the Scottish Government’s £114.5 million National Cancer Plan, to support patients and deliver equal access to care across the country that means anyone can access the best standard of care despite their location or background.

This extra cash is on top of the £10 million that was allocated to Health Boards last year (2020-21) to support the running of cancer services in the face of the pandemic. This delivered new healthcare staff, additional weekend clinics and operations for the areas that need it most and helped create a brand new Urological Diagnostic Hub in NHS Highland that is already showing signs of improved waiting times.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf announced the fund while visiting NHS Forth Valley’s Breast Cancer One-Stop Clinic, which has been funded by this scheme.

This modernised service, provided  diagnostics for more than 5,000 additional breast patients from out-with NHS Forth Valley during the pandemic and continues to see and treat 80-100 new patient referrals each week from the local area. 

Mr Yousaf said: “Despite the challenges of the pandemic, NHS Scotland has consistently met the 31-day standard for starting cancer treatment with an average wait of four days once a decision to treat has been made – that’s testament to the relentless efforts of our fantastic healthcare staff across the country. However we must to more to improve our 62-day performance.

“Covid has not gone away and pressures remain, which is why we are providing health boards with a £10 million cash boost to drive down waiting times so that cancer patients can receive the best care as early as possible.”

2022-06-28-cwt-summary-finalDownload

Commenting on the Scottish Government’s announcement of £10 million funding to tackle cancer waiting times, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “Any additional funding for cancer treatment is welcome, but the Scottish Government’s announcement of an additional £10 million to address cancer waiting lists is scarcely adequate to deal with the scale of the crisis in cancer waiting times in Scotland.

“The latest figures show that only 76.9 per cent of cancer patients are being seen within 62 days, a new record low and well short of the 95 per cent target. The Scottish Government cannot blame this entirely on the pandemic as it has not met this standard since 2012.

“Only recently, I sadly lost a constituent who contacted me about appalling delays in their cancer diagnosis and treatment. That constituent asked that I do everything in my power to ensure that nobody else goes through the same ordeal. I will continue to raise this issue until Scotland sees an improvement in outcomes, not just more hollow promises.

“Earlier this year I raised with the First Minister the fact that almost two fifths of cancers in Scotland are only being diagnosed at A&E, which is a sad indictment of the state of primary care under the SNP. But ever more are now waiting far too long for diagnostic tests and treatment for cancer.

“In spite of the heroic efforts of NHS staff, the cumulative failures in the running of the health service over the last decade are leaving patients frustrated and let down. In cases of cancer, this can mean the difference between life and death.

“I implore the Scottish Government to get a grip of this crisis. Those waiting for cancer treatment cannot afford further delay.”

There are two waiting time standards for cancer in Scotland. The 62-day standard is the time taken from receipt of urgent suspicion of cancer (USC) referral to start of first treatment for newly diagnosed primary cancers .

Patients can be urgently referred by a primary care clinician or general dental physician;  referred through a national cancer screening programme; direct referral to hospital where the signs and symptoms are consistent with the cancer diagnosed in line with the Scottish Referral Guidelines for example self-referral to A&E.

The 31-day standard is from the decision to treat to start of first treatment for newly diagnosed primary cancers, regardless of route of referral.

Latest published Cancer Waiting Times

The National Cancer Plan details how cancer services will be redesigned to benefit patients and increase resilience to future rises in COVID-19 prevalence.

Posties set for strike action

In a statement issued yesterday, Royal Mail said: ‘The CWU has informed Royal Mail that they will call upon their members to undertake strike action on the following dates: 26 and 31 August and 8 and 9 September 2022.

‘Royal Mail believes there are no grounds for industrial action. Royal Mail is ready to talk further with the CWU to try to avert damaging industrial action but it must be about both change and pay.

‘We have contingency plans in place, and will be working hard to minimise disruption and get our services back to normal as soon as we can to keep people, businesses and the country connected. Meanwhile you can continue to send your parcels and letters and we would encourage you to post early in advance of these dates.’

CWU Scotland no2 Branch Secretary Gary Clark said: “I have said a lot about our dispute with Royal Mail and the reasons for strike action but it really comes down to greedy management and shareholders who want to drive our membership into the ground.

“Some of our members are already using food banks but it’s even further that the physical nature of the job now it will mean many members will suffer in the years to come and in retirement too.

“We must fight like we have never fought before for now but also for the future

“This will be a constant battle and we must now also fight for renationalisation and take the greed of capitalism out of our business – only then can we go forward and property look after the long term future of all our members.”

Letters: New UK-wide helpline and website for victims of hate

Dear Editor

The outbreak of Covid-19 saw a dramatic increase and intensification in racist incidents directed towards East and Southeast Asian communities in the UK. Until now, there hasn’t been a dedicated, culturally competent service to support them following such incidents and to accurately record the scale of the problem.

But now that will change, with the launch of On Your Side, a helpline and website offering specialist advisors and new reporting options to anyone from East or Southeast Asian communities who has experienced racism or any form of hate because of an aspect of their identity or perceived identity.

Set up by a coalition of 15 national and community-based groups with expertise in hate crime prevention and supporting East and Southeast Asian communities, it offers a nationwide 24/7 telephone helpline and website providing advice and support from trained staff.

We know there are many barriers stopping people from reporting, but we are offering a safe, trauma-informed service which they can access to talk and seek support. We can listen, advise and help.

Furthermore, it will help build a more accurate understanding of the levels of racism and other forms of hate faced by East and Southeast Asian communities in the UK, giving policy makers, civil society and community groups insights to shape better prevention and justice approaches.

Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and supported.

The service goes live on 9 August 2022 and can be accessed at www.onyoursideuk.org or by calling free on 0808 801 0393.

Your sincerely,

Andrea Martinez, Director, Kanlungan Filipino Consortium

Andy Fearn, Co-Executive Director, Protection Approaches

Anna Yim, Chief Executive, Chinese Community Centre Birmingham 

Hau-Yu Tam, Head of Campaigns, End Violence and Racism Against ESEA Communities

Jabez Lam, Centre Manager, Hackney Chinese Community Services

Kimi Jolly, Executive Director, East and Southeast Asian Scotland

Mariko Hayashi, Executive Director, Southeast and East Asian Centre

Nathan Law Kwun Chung, Chair, Hong Kong Umbrella Community

Quynh Nguyen, Chief Executive, Vietnamese Family Partnership

Rosa Hui, Chief Executive Officer, Chinese Community Wellbeing Society

Rose Simkins, Chief Executive, Stop Hate UK

Shirley Au-Yeung, Chief Executive, Chinese in Wales Association

Simon Cheng, Chair, Hongkongers in Britain

Circle Steele, Chief Executive Officer, Wai Yin Society

The Economy: Don’t Panic But Do Worry

This year has not seen the return to normality that many businesses hoped for. Supply chain disruption, rising prices, hiring difficulties, interest rate increases, and lack of confidence are taking their toll (writes Fraser of Allander Fellow JAMES BLACK).

Many economic organisations are now forecasting potential slowdowns in the UK and globally, but significant uncertainty remains around forecast business conditions.

One of the challenges in predicting slowdowns is the timing. Robust data often takes months to collect, so we often do not know if the economy has started slowing until months after it begins.

It’s helpful to step back and look at the significant economic drivers in times of such uncertainty. Survey snapshots, such as our recently published Scottish Business Monitor sponsored by Addleshaw Goddard, can provide some hints. So, what are businesses saying about their current performance and expectations for the coming year?

Starting with the positives, more businesses reported an increase in sales volume in the year’s second quarter than a fall, resulting in a net balance of +15%. This net figure is reasonably high, and this level hasn’t been seen in our survey since 2014. Employment, new business, and capital investment indicators also remained positive for the second quarter.

On the face of it, businesses have been remarkably resilient. Few people predicted emerging from one of the greatest human health crises in over a century with unemployment rates near record lows. Scottish onshore GDP grew by 0.6% in May, now 1.1% above February 2020 levels of output.

But concerns are now starting to emerge in the data. The net balance of the sales volume is still positive but has weakened since the start of the year. Looking ahead to expectations over the next six months, the positive but weakening finding is consistent across many indicators such as business volume, new business, and employment.

This weakening is mirrored across several other surveys. The June RBS Purchasing Managers’ Index showed the weakest expansion in Scotland’s business activity since January. Only 13% of UK businesses in the ONS’ Business Insights and Conditions Survey reported an increase in turnover in June compared to 24% reporting a decrease, and expectations for August are negative.

The most commonly reported challenge impacting these turnover figures is the cost of materials. Our survey has been asking Scottish businesses to report on their business costs since 1998 and provides a useful reference for the scale of this challenge.

The past four quarters have shown cost increases across the board. Costs for energy, employees, inputs, imported goods and services, distribution, and credit are all increasing or already very high. Compared to the 23 years of surveyed total business costs between 1998 and 2020, each of the past four quarters is a record breaker.

The knock-on impact of these price rises continues to filter through to the economy. An ONS survey states that 44% of UK firms have reported absorbing costs, while 26% passed on price increases to consumers. Two in five Scottish firms we surveyed said they expect to reduce their operations due to energy prices.

Concerns exist around how these supply-side issues could lead to significant demand-side impacts and contribute to a slowdown. So, what does the evidence show on how the major drivers of demand – consumer spending, export demand, government spending, and investment – have been affected?

Household spending accounts for almost two-thirds of Scotland’s GDP, but many people have seen their costs increase while their wages have failed to keep up. The likely impact is people dipping into savings, borrowing, buying fewer goods and services, or substituting for cheaper goods and services.

On savings, aggregate data up to May on net household deposits to UK banks has so far remained relatively stable over the year. If consumers, as an aggregate, start dipping into savings, this would be worrying not just for living standards but also for a potential reckoning down the road as these savings eventually run out. Credit card borrowing does appear to have increased, but total borrowing is still moderate compared to the past decade.

However, UK Retail Sales data up to June shows rising sales values and falling sales volumes. Inflation has driven what is now a significant wedge between these trends. Sales volumes have fallen close to levels seen in June 2019. Perhaps not yet concerningly low, but the trend is worrying both in terms of living standards and the consequential impact on businesses and their supply chains.

For now, the data primarily points to reductions in delayable purchases such as furniture. Mostly anecdotal evidence suggests that consumers are opting for cheaper options in supermarkets and switching to budget retailers.

If domestic demand appears to be showing initial signs of slowing, will exporting come to the rescue? Most Scottish businesses in our survey say no. Pessimism exists about export performance over the next six months, and a global slowdown in 2023 appears increasingly likely.

Government spending in Scotland was projected to barely increase in real terms between 2022/23 and 2025/26, and inflation expectations have since worsened. The cost-of-living payment and £400 energy rebate will likely partially offset but not reverse expected negative consumer trends. However, it remains to be seen how UK policy may change under new leadership.

According to the Bank of England, investment intentions are still positive, and firms are increasingly looking toward energy-saving investments. But some firms are reassessing investment plans as the economic outlook worsens.

The challenges this year result from a perfect storm of supply chain issues. This included several surprises on the downside. An optimist may hope for the possibility of surprises on the upside too. Any signs of improved energy supply and production levels in China deserve attention over the coming months.

For now, the message for businesses is don’t panic but do worry. But for many people, there is increasing evidence that we are leaving a health crisis only to enter a crisis of living standards.

Stay safe in the sun – summer health advice from NHS 24

With more hot weather forecast this week, NHS 24 are offering advice on how to stay safe in the sun as part of their summer health campaign ‘Hello Summer.’

Dr Laura Ryan, a GP and NHS 24’s Medical Director said: ‘We’ve had a few really hot and sunny days in Scotland this summer, which is brilliant for everyone to spend a lot of time outdoors.

‘Unfortunately, the hot weather isn’t good news for everyone, and it’s really important we follow some simple rules to ensure we avoid becoming unwell.

‘When it comes to being safe in the sun, prevention is definitely better than cure. It is best to avoid being in the sun between 12 noon and 3pm if possible. If you need to be outdoors, we advise that everyone, uses a high factor sun protection cream. The best quality lotions block both UVA and UVB rays. Also wear loose-fitting, light-weight clothing that covers your body.

‘If you’re unfortunate to become sunburnt, there’s simple steps to take to lessen the discomfort. The most obvious piece of advice is to avoid being in the sun at all until the redness subsides and don’t burst any blisters. Cool showers or applying cool towels to your body can provide some relief, using moisturiser which contains aloe vera after your shower, or taking painkillers can help with any painful or tight skin. However please check that pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen is safe for you to take.

‘Another weather-related condition which I wish to draw attention to is heat exhaustion or heat stroke.’

Signs or symptoms of heat stroke can include headache, feeling confused or dizzy, rapid pulse or fast breathing, body cramps (in the arms, legs and stomach), sick or vomiting, feeling dehydrated or thirsty, pale, sweaty or clammy skin, a high temperature of 38C or above.

Dr Laura Ryan continued: ‘If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion, they need to be shaded from the sun and cooled down. Heat exhaustion is not normally serious if the person is treated within 30 minutes and symptoms begin to improve.

‘If there is no improvement in the person’s condition, but they are conscious, alert and responding normally call your local GP during opening hours for further advice. If your GP is closed, call NHS 24 on 111. If you feel their condition is in any way life-threatening, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance.

‘I really encourage everyone to visit NHS inform as it has some great advice on how to stay safe in the sun. By being prepared and following these simple tips, I hope more people will be happy and healthy this summer.’