Edinburgh New Town Cookery School (ENTCS) has been shortlisted in the UK Cookery School of the Year category in the 2023 Food and Travel Magazine Reader Awards.
The school needs your vote to put Scotland and ENTCS on the map! Facing stiff competition from English-based other schools, the winners are those voted for by the public.
Principal, Fiona Burrell comments: “We are just completely thrilled to be shortlisted for this award, particularly as we are up against great schools from all over the UK. Please vote for our school and team after their hard work over the last year and help to bring this award home to Scotland.
“For over ten years we have trained professional chefs, chalet cooks and keen amateurs and we employ a hugely talented team of teachers. This award would be the icing on the cake for 2023.”
ENTCS is a professional cookery school based in Edinburgh’s New Town. The school was founded by Fiona Burrell, formerly Principal of Leith’s School of Food and Wine. She began her career in Edinburgh and has been teaching professional cookery courses for over thirty years.
With courses on offer from one day tasters for amateurs, to six month professional courses, many graduates have gone on to work in some the UK’s top kitchens.
Almost 430,000 18-21 year olds with an unclaimed Child Trust Fund, worth an average of £2,000, are being urged by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to claim their cash as part of UK Savings Week (18 to 24 September 2023).
Child Trust Funds are long-term, tax-free savings accounts and were set up for every child born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, with the UK Government contributing an initial deposit of at least £250. Funds can be withdrawn once the account matures when the child turns 18.
A recent student survey, conducted by UCAS, asked first and second year university students about Child Trust Funds and the results showed that they were most interested to know how much money was in their account (43%) and how to claim it (32%). The survey also revealed 60% of students got their information about Child Trust Funds from their parents.
Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Second Permanent Secretary and Deputy Chief Executive, said:“Many 18-21 year olds are starting out in first jobs or apprenticeships, starting university or moving into their first home and their Child Trust Fund is a pot of money with their name on.
“I would encourage young people to use the online tool to track it down or, for parents of teenagers, to speak to them to ensure they’re aware of their Child Trust Fund. It could make a real difference to their future plans.”
There are currently 5.3 million open Child Trust Fund accounts. Young people aged 16 or over can take control of their own Child Trust Fund, although the funds can only be withdrawn once they turn 18. More than 500,000 matured Child Trust Fund accounts have been claimed or transferred into an ISA since the oldest children on the scheme turned 18 in September 2020.
Families can continue to pay in up to £9,000 a year tax-free into a Child Trust Fund until the account matures. The money stays in the account until the child withdraws or reinvests it into another account.
The UCAS survey revealed that 74% of respondents were aware of Child Trust Funds.
Further findings include:
more men (75%) were aware of Child Trust Funds compared to 73% of women
78% of 19 year olds were aware of Child Trust funds compared to 71% of 20 to 21 years olds
of the people who had not yet claimed their Child Trust Fund, 76% of respondents were likely to take steps to learn more about how to withdraw it.
Sharon Davies, CEO of Young Enterprise, said: “We would encourage all young people to investigate if they have money which is unclaimed in a Child Trust Fund and to use it wisely.
“A disproportionate amount of the money is unclaimed by young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who are the very people who would benefit most from these funds. The investment could be placed into an adult ISA or put towards driving lessons, education or starting a business.
“The money in a Child Trust Fund has the potential to be life changing and the lack of knowledge about them shows the importance of financial education and financial planning from a young age”.
The UK Government is offering help for households. Check GOV.UK to find out what cost of living support you could be eligible for.
Three former EDA pupils return to Edinburgh for UK tour of Romeo and Juliet
Three aspiring Edinburgh dancers who landed dream roles with the internationally-renowned New Adventures Dance Company are back in the capital this week as cast members of the group’s production of Romeo & Juliet.
The local performers, Rory McLeod, Carla Contini, and Leonardo McCorkindale, all former pupils of leading dance school Edinburgh Dance Academy (EDA), are performing in the Scottish capital this week as part of the show’s international tour.
The Scottish trio have all been recruited by the iconic and ground-breaking New Adventures, set up by one of Britian’s most innovative choreographers, Sir Matthew Bourne.
22-year-old Rory joined the company in 2021 after attending Laine Theatre Arts dance school in Surrey and made his cameo appearance in New Adventure’s Nutcracker! in April last year.
Meanwhile, Leonardo, aged 20, and Carla (19) were taken on by the company earlier this year after graduating from Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Hertfordshire. Their performance in Romeo and Juliet, which is currently on a UK tour before moving on to Europe and the US early next year, marks their New Adventures debut.
New Adventures has received numerous international awards and has won six Olivier Awards which recognise excellence in London’s professional theatre circuit. The company’s repertoire has inspired and thrilled millions of people worldwide.
During their five-day at the Festival Theatre, the three Edinburgh dancers were reunited with EDA’s Julie Mitchell and Jenny Inglis, both of whom were former dance teachers to the trio while they were growing up in the city.
Julie Mitchell said: “We are so delighted with the progress of our three former pupils, who are now part of this international production being staged by one of the world’s leading dance companies.
“While Rory, Carla, and Leonardo all developed their dance talent as youngsters, it has been their drive and commitment that has led them to becoming part of Matthew Bourne’s prestigious New Adventures company.
“We’ve very proud of all three and we wish them every success with their careers going forward.”
Omaze launches first ever house draw in Scotland with spectacular £3,500,00 six-bedroom home in Gleneagles – as well as £100,000 in cash
Campaign will raise crucial funds for Breast Cancer Now
Draw launched by Breast Cancer Now Ambassador and Scottish Broadcaster, Kaye Adams
One lucky person is guaranteed to win a spectacular six-bedroom home in Scotland overlooking Gleneagles golf course, worth over £3,500,000, along with £100,000 in cash, as part of a new campaign raising money and awareness for Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity during Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October).
The winner of the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw, the first ever to be held in Scotland, will get the keys to an exquisitely designed property complete with its own entertainment room, leisure suite, cinema room, guest annexe and even a golf simulator – ideal for the winner to practise their swing as the house overlooks the third fairway of one of the world’s most famous golf courses.
The elegant six-bedroom (all en suite) property offers a breathtaking backdrop of the Ochil Hills and includes a one-bedroom guest annexe. It comes mortgage free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered.
The winner is also given £100,000 in cash and can decide to either live in the house, rent it out for a supplementary income or sell it to become a cash multi-millionaire.
If the winner decides to rent it out, local estate agents estimate that the property could achieve a long-term annual rental value of around £7,500 per month.
The design of the contemporary property provides exceptional entertainment spaces and is set within over half an acre of mature gardens and grounds.
The heart of the home is an ornate open plan kitchen and dining area that opens onto the south-facing garden with sliding doors. The room is further complimented by a cosy lounge space, connected to the dining area by a double sided fireplace.
The kitchen features a central island with breakfast bar, as well as granite worktops and high-spec integrated appliances including oven, induction hob, steam oven, fridge, freezer, coffee machine, microwave and ice machine.
Adjacent to the kitchen is a cinema room, with a built-in state-of-the-art audio visual system and blackout blinds.
The ground floor also offers two studies, both of which have potential for use as additional bedrooms. This level also features a utility room, with a pantry and door to the garden.
There is also a boot room and a vaulted cellar with brick alcoves. Additionally, there’s an adjacent plant room in the basement.
The leisure suite can be accessed through double doors beyond the kitchen or from the front courtyard. It includes a gym with a vaulted ceiling, steam room, shower room, changing room, integrated Sonos speakers, mounted flatscreen TV, full-length windows overlooking the courtyard, and sliding doors to the garden patio featuring a hot tub.
The first floor features a guest annexe, accessed from the front courtyard through a side door.
The apartment has a bedroom with en suite bathroom, open-plan kitchen, dining and living room with a south-facing balcony.
One of the highlights of the property is the entertainment room on the first floor. It features timber beams with a double-width stove with a stone surround, and floor to ceiling south-facing windows.
A minstrels’ gallery interior balcony from the second floor overlooks the room, with a bespoke stone-topped bar at one end and a south-facing balcony at the other, offering views of The Queen’s Course and Ochil Hills.
The luxurious main bedroom on this floor has a south-facing balcony, vaulted ceiling, two dressing rooms, and an en suite bathroom with twin basins and a separate shower.
Additionally, there are three further double bedrooms, all with en suite bathrooms. Two of these bedrooms have dressing areas, while the third has a balcony.
The top floor serves as a peaceful retreat, featuring a snug with its own balcony and fireplace.
There are two more double bedrooms on this floor, one with an en suite bathroom and separate shower, the other with an en suite dressing room and shower room.
An external staircase leads to a virtual golf room situated above the garage. The golf simulator allows players to choose from various courses, including Gleneagles, making it an excellent option for indoor entertainment.
There is a front lawn, with stocked borders and flower beds, and the main gardens are located at the rear.
A paved terrace features standing stones that provide a perfect setting for alfresco dining and outdoor entertaining. Towards the east end of the garden is a hot tub and decking area, complete with sun-loungers and direct access to the leisure suite.
The property is accessed through electric double gates that lead to the parking courtyard at the front.
The property includes a triple garage and a storage area for bicycles and golf equipment.
The house offers excellent transport links to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both cities have international airports. There are also rail links from Gleneagles, Perth and Stirling, as well as Dunblane.
As well as making its Grand Prize Winner a multi-millionaire, the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Scotland, will support Breast Cancer Now – raising vital funds to help the charity continue its life-changing research and support for people affected by breast cancer.
Every year, 55,000 women and 400 men hear the devastating news that they have breast cancer, and this breast cancer awareness month alone, 5,000 more people will be diagnosed with the disease.
1 in 7 women in the UK will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. And more people are being diagnosed than ever before.
Breast Cancer Now is working to create a future where if you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, you’ll live. And you’ll be supported to live well.
By entering the Million Pound House draw, you can help make that future happen. Omaze has guaranteed a minimum donation of £100,000 and has a target of at least £1,000,000.
The draw has been launched by Scottish Broadcaster and Breast Cancer Now Ambassador, Kaye Adams, who has been involved with the charity since 2007.
Kaye said:“I’m absolutely delighted that Omaze have come to my beloved Scotland for the first time ever for its latest house draw. What’s even better is that money raised will help Breast Cancer Now to continue its world-class research and life-changing support.
“Breast Cancer Now is a charity which is incredibly close to my heart. I’ve had many friends and colleagues affected by breast cancer. Your support for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw will help Breast Cancer Now to continue to be there for anyone affected by breast cancer.”
James Oakes, Chief International Officer at Omaze, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Breast Cancer Now for our first ever house draw in Scotland. By offering this stunning property, along with £100,000 in cash, we’re giving people the choice to either live in an incredible house, rent it out for a supplementary income or simply sell up and become multi-millionaires.
“At the same time we’re raising money and awareness for charities by introducing them to large, brand new audiences.
“We’re immensely proud that the Omaze community has already raised £18,750,000 for good causes across the UK.”
In addition to winning the Grand Prize house – people who enter by midnight on Sunday 15th October will also be in with the chance to win a brand-new Porsche Macan GTS worth over £80,000.
Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Scotland are available now at omaze.co.uk The draw closes on Sunday 29th October for online entries and Tuesday 31st October for postal entries.
Entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Devon are also available now at www.omaze.co.uk. The draw closes on Saturday 30th September 2023 for online entries and Tuesday 3rd October 2023 for postal entries.
For full terms and conditions, see www.omaze.co.uk. No purchase necessary to enter. Over 18s and UK residents only.
Discussions about the necessities and trade-offs around the transition to net zero are back on the news agenda this week (write Fraser of Allander Institute’s EMMA CONGREVER and CIARA CRUMMEY).
The changes required to meet net zero targets are complex and challenging yet the risks of not doing enough are immense. Inherent in this are trade-offs but also opportunities. An ordered transition where businesses and households have certainty over what they will need to do is the best way to minimise harm to incomes and to maximise the benefits that can be realised.
For many businesses and households, the costs associated transition to net zero will be manageable, and perhaps even cost effective in the long run. But for some, the upfront costs will be difficult to manage.
Whilst there is a general awareness of the direct costs that will fall on households from, for example the phasing out of gas boilers (a devolved policy, so not affected by the UK Prime Minister’s recent announcement) there is also the impact in livelihoods due to changes in the structure of the economy.
At the moment, all the attention is on the ‘just transition’ for workers in carbon-intensive industries, in the North East in particular. But the impact on jobs could be far wider than this.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation asked us, along with colleagues in the Strathclyde Business School, to look into the potential for disruption to jobs in the wider Scottish economy, particularly in relation to low paid jobs. Our assessment of the available literature and various Scottish Government plans, reports and action plans didn’t provide much to go on, so we embarked on some experimental mapping and modelling of the potential intersection of net zero and low pay.
Today we published a report that we hope provides a rationale and a way forward for government, and others, to consider this issue fully. Whilst we can’t yet confidently put a figure on it, we have found that there is potential for significant disruption to jobs in sectors that employ large numbers of low pay workers, including retail and hospitality.
The mechanisms through which this impact could be felt are varied. Issues we looked at included the knock-on impact from depressed wages in areas where carbon intensive businesses cease trading. We also considered the impact on the viability of businesses with large commercial footprints who may need to invest large amounts to bring buildings up to new energy efficient standards.
There are many unknowns in this type of analysis, including the sufficiency of government policy and the behavioural response from consumers. For example, the Scottish Government is hoping to see car use reduced in Scotland.
Households may also independently decide they wish to reduce car use. It is easy to see how this could impact on the viability of out-of-town shopping centres that rely on customers arriving by car and if there aren’t serious efforts to provide adequate replacement public transport or alternative active travel routes, these large centres of employment may become unviable.
Some of the scenarios that we work through may not lead to jobs disappearing completely, but simply shifting to other places or other sectors. There are two further issues to consider here. Firstly, low paid workers tend to be less flexible on where they can work, due to a variety of factors including available transport and difficulties finding affordable childcare to cover long commuting times.
They also tend have less of a financial buffer to deal with even short periods of unemployment. Secondly, simply moving low paid jobs from one place to another misses a crucial opportunity to maximise the benefits that the transition to net zero could bring by providing career pathways into new, higher paid, growth sectors.
There is an opportunity here to better join up Scottish Government ambitions on tackling poverty and the transition to net zero that is currently missing from both the Just Transition plans and the Fair Work Action Plan. We hope this analysis will be useful in informing the future development of this work.
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, writes about the opportunity to consider green, healthy ways to travel this Car Free Day:
Today we’re marking World Car Free Day, which is an opportunity to think about greener, healthier ways to travel for everyday journeys, and the benefits these can have for our quality of life and our capital.
Here in Edinburgh, we’re celebrating alternative modes of transport with everything from cycle training in Sighthill Park to nature storytelling at Bridgend Farm. In fact, there will be a whole month of events, coinciding with Love to Ride’s biking challenge, Cycle September, helping people to explore the benefits of walking, wheeling, cycling and travel by public transport.
Of course, it takes more than one day, or even a month, to change travel habits, and to make sure people feel safe and able to make the leap to new modes of transport.
In Edinburgh, we’ve committed to supporting safe, sustainable and fair travel as part of the City Mobility Plan to 2030. Transport is the largest producer of carbon emissions in Scotland, so if we are to reach our Net Zero 2030 targets, as well as reducing congestion, improving air quality and helping to encourage healthier lifestyles, we need to improve the way people move around, to and from the city.
Luckily, the wheels are already in motion. Across the city we’re implementing changes, small and large, which will help to deliver attractive, reliable and sustainable transport options.
Perhaps the most high-profile development in recent months has been the landmark completion of the Trams to Newhaven project, which is now providing a high capacity, low emission route to Leith’s densely populated heart.
In fact, our award-winning Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses services are the reason public transport in Edinburgh is so good – indeed, if you are on a bus in Edinburgh look out for Gary Black (Lothian Buses) and Thomas Gilhooley (East Coast Buses) – both won recognition as Scotland’s best bus drivers at the UK Bus Driver of the Year Competition. We want to continue to make these services even better and more reliable through the Public Transport Action Plan.
It’s about the way we manage the city too – strategies such as our review of parking will have a real impact on creating walkable streets, while road safety actions are helping people to feel confident to choose travel by foot, wheels or bike.
Work to create and enhance School Travel Plans for every school will address the barriers to children and families making active, healthy journeys. School Travel Plans are key, as I feel good habits start early in life.
I know that for some people, particularly those with mobility issues, travel by car is the only option and we don’t want to stop that. In fact, many of the measures we’re working to introduce will free up space for those who really need it, while creating welcoming places for people of all abilities.
This Car Free Day, we’ll be joining towns and cities around the world in reimagining our streets for people.
UNISON Scotland has received a message of unwavering solidarity from Andrea Bradley, the General Secretary of the EIS Union.
In this message, she extends heartfelt support to our dedicated UNISON members within the Education sector who have taken a courageous stand for fair pay on behalf of all local government workers.
Highlighting the invaluable contributions of education workers to the growth and development of young minds and our society as a whole, Andrea Bradley emphasises the urgent need to address the undervaluation of their work:
Solidarity from EIS
“The EIS stands in full solidarity with UNISON members within Education who have been forced to take strike action in the just fight for fair pay.
Education is a vital public service within which workers are contributing massively to young people’s learning, care and development for the benefit of our whole society.
Yet we continue to see that work being undervalued by those who hold the purse-strings. All power to your members for their courage in standing up for themselves, their colleagues and their families… and for the future of Scottish Education. All school staff deserve to be paid fairly for the essential work that they do. No ifs, no buts, no maybes. Solidarity from the EIS!”
– Andrea Bradley, EIS General Secretary
COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann responded yesterday: “I am extremely disappointed with the news from UNISON today that not only are they recommending rejection of this half a billion pay package – they are putting our communities, especially our children and young people, through the turmoil and mayhem of strikes next week with their actions.
“We have met every ask of our Trade Union colleagues throughout these negotiations and this best and final offer was made on the basis that strikes would be suspended.
“We absolutely value all our Local Government Workforce and throughout these negotiations Council Leaders have re-iterated the value we place on the Workforce and the work that they do.
“It is totally unacceptable that with such a significant offer on the table that our Trade Union colleagues are putting our communities and our young people through the turmoil of strikes.
“It must be reiterated that we are talking about a pay package worth over £445 million, specifically targeted at the lower end of our workforce. A pay package which not only compares well to other sectors but recognises the cost-of-living pressures on our workforce and which would mean the lowest paid would see an in-year uplift of over £2000 or just under 10%.
“This would mean that a pupil support assistant currently earning £22,000 would receive a £2006 pay increase and a new salary of £24.000. This is an additional £748 from the offer in April.”
Avoidable falls in the home can be reduced up to 69 per cent with the right information and support in place, that’s according to the launch of a new report released today by Trent & Dove Housing Association and The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).
The report analyses a pioneering joint project between the two organisations that investigated the incidence and causes of avoidable falls among housing associations tenants and empowered them with the tools and support to implement personal prevention measures. This was achieved through educational sessions for customers, staff and community groups, and home visits to help people identify and address hazards.
One hundred and sixty-one customers received a home visit from Trent & Dove’s customer health and safety advisor (CHSA) between September 2022 and May 2023. These were to houses, general-needs flats, bungalows, and sheltered scheme flats. 55 per cent of customers visited had had a fall in the 12 months before their home visit, more than the NICE annual national averages. Sixty per cent were reliant on a mobility aid including sticks, scooters, walkers, and crutches.
During visits, the CHSA conducted fall focused home safety checks introduced tenants to RoSPA’s Fall Fighter material and given tailored home safety advice.
After the visit, 90 per cent said they knew more about fall prevention, 91 per cent felt safer at home, 74 per cent took action to avoid a fall at home and 73 per cent felt less likely to have a fall at home. Sixty nine per cent of those in the pilot study experienced a reduction in avoidable falls.
Jules Robinson, Fall Prevention Lead at RoSPA and former Trent & Dove employee,said: “There are approximately 1,500 housing associations in the UK with a reach of 4.4 million households, so we urge all of those to act and as a starting point, implement fall RoSPA’s Fall Fighters which is free.
“While housing associations can understand the benefits of putting fall prevention at the heart of their strategies, it can seem like a costly exercise. But there is a strong business case to do so – by assessing tenant needs, they may be able to transition to a smaller, more suitable home, and by receiving lifestyle and safety advice, they’re better prepared to look after themselves and the property.”
Anna Hickman, Head of Health and Safety at Trent & Dove,said: “We are buoyed by our research that shows that we can make a difference to tenants’ lives by reducing avoidable falls through taking relatively simple measures to ensure they feel safe and confident in their own homes.
“Until now there has been relatively little data for those in the housing sector about falls in the home, so we hope our work paves the way for other housing associations that are passionate about saving and improving lives.”
To explore falls related resources and learn more about RoSPA’s Fall Fighter training, please see here.
Locals urged to donate to those struggling with the cost of living
The soaring cost of living, continuing high inflation and mounting energy bills will culminate in a ‘Christmas crisis’, predicts The Leith Collective. The Edinburgh Community Interest Company has been helping locals via a range of free clothing exchange initiatives throughout 2023, but says the coming season will likely be their toughest challenge yet.
First launched in January 2022, The Leith Collective’s winter coat exchange proved instantly popular, with more than 7,000 good quality coats donated and rehomed over the course of the year. But whilst many had hoped spiralling everyday expenses would settle in 2023, sadly the cost of living has continued to climb. According to The Leith Collective, the result of this is an even bigger number of Edinburgh residents now facing breaking point.
In response, The Leith Collective is now on a mission to distribute more coats than ever before and is appealing to local residents as well as businesses with excess old stock to donate what they can.
Speaking ahead of the launch of the 2023 winter coat exchange, founder Sara Thomson said; “We’ve had countless people telling us that last winter was unbearable. We all hoped that things would change for the better in 2023, but sadly it’s been cut back after cut back, price rise after price rise this year.
“For those people that had hoped to ‘ride out the storm’ last winter, the realisation that things have not improved since then and their struggles are likely to continue into 2024 will hit them hard this Christmas.
“A warm and comfortable winter coat is a basic necessity, especially now that we’re seeing more and more extreme weather as a result of climate change. But for families that have been continually stretched, a coat yet another essential item that they are having to sacrifice.
“From our experience, the culminative effect of all these ongoing sacrifices can have a hugely detrimental impact on a person’s dignity and on their mental wellbeing.”
The winter coat exchange launches in all three Leith Collective stores on Sunday 1st October. Locals and businesses are being urged to donate good quality winter coats and waterproof jackets suitable for all ages and sizes. The coats will be available for anyone to collect at Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird and St Enoch Centre completely free of charge, no questions asked.
The winter coat exchange is not only a practical response to the cost of living crisis, but also to the climate crisis – a cause which lies at the heart of The Leith Collective. The winter coat exchange is a sustainable solution that aims to keep quality clothes out of landfill and in use for longer, thus promoting a circular economy and helping to reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry.
As a Community Interest Company, all profits from The Leith Collective go towards supporting the community and promoting sustainability through the arts.
The Leith Collective actively supports individuals with mental health or support needs to grow in confidence and gain experience in the workplace, and offers business mentorship to any members of the Collective.
It is hoped that by hosting the winter coat exchange in accessible locations such as Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird and St Enoch Centre, those currently experiencing difficulties will be able to receive a helping hand.
Coats can be dropped off or collected at The Leith Collective at Ocean Terminal, The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird, and The Clydeside Collective at St Enoch Centre during opening hours.
Over £3 million has been distributed to nature projects across Scotland to help them scale up their conservation work and ensure the benefits are shared with local communities.
The Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland (FIRNS) is co-funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with the Scottish Government and NatureScot. It aims to help create a pipeline of market-ready projects to help attract responsible private investment in Scotland’s nature.
27 diverse projects will share over £3.6 million this year; approximately £1.8 million from public funds and another £1.8 million matched by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The funded projects are spread across Scotland: from the Solway Firth to Shetland, Fife, across central Scotland, and the Hebrides.
Examples include using private finance to restore river catchments to improve water quality and reduce flood risk, while creating community assets such as growing spaces and improved greenspace.
Environment Minister Gillian Martin visited the Water of Leith Catchment in Inverleith Park – one of the projects to benefit from the new funding. She said:“The Scottish Government is already investing in nature at scale – with £65 million in the nature restoration fund and £250 million peatland restoration alone.
“However, given the scale of the challenges we face, public investment alone will not be sufficient to meet our ambitious climate change and nature targets. That is why both public and responsible private investment in Scotland’s natural environment will be essential.
“As set out in our new Programme for Government, we are committed to taking forward our distinctive market vision in Scotland – that is a market for responsible investment that contributes to a just transition by benefitting the environment and supporting communities.
“The Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland will support a diverse range of projects – from those seeking to restore coastal saltmarshes, to iconic Atlantic rainforests, peatlands, rivers, lochs, farmland biodiversity and green spaces for nature and people. Encouraging responsible private investment will help ensure these projects can continue to grow and thrive.”
NatureScot Chief Executive Francesca Osowska said: “As we tackle the climate-nature crisis with a growing urgency, everyone has the responsibility to get us to net zero.
“These first-round FIRNS grants offer communities, companies, charities and individuals across Scotland the opportunity to develop bold business cases and financial models which will attract the investment required to restore nature.
“I’m inspired by the creativity and ambition these projects show us as we scale up our efforts to halt biodiversity loss and create a nature-rich country for us all. A thriving natural capital market that benefits the restoration of our coasts, rainforests, peatlands, farmlands and urban greenspaces is great for communities and great for nature.”
The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland Caroline Clark said:
“FIRNS is an exciting opportunity to explore new ideas on how we attract vital investment to support the restoration of nature in Scotland. We are funding over £1.8 million in grants to develop investment models that are good for nature, good for communities and good for the economy.
“At The National Lottery Heritage Fund we are passionate about communities being at the heart of what we fund, and community involvement is vital to these projects. It is thanks to National Lottery Players that we can support this innovative work.”
