Day: October 14, 2023

• Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is hosting not one, but two unmissable Halloween events on 28^th October   
• From 12pm, guests can enjoy a drag villain brunch with appearances from iconic fairytale villains before being entranced by a spooky but fabulous Rocky Horror drag show, 9pm til late 

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is set to get Edinburgh trembling through two Halloween events on Saturday, 28^th October. 

Starting from 12pm, Virgin Hotel’s all-day dining destination, Eve, will set the stage for a Halloween brunch like no other.

Hosted by DJ Zac from Bolton and Mystica Glamoor, guests can sink their fangs into brunch favourites including mouthwatering crispy chicken burgers and fluffy pancakes all whilst enjoying a spellbinding drag performance from Mystica, who will be channelling looks of some of the most iconic fairytale villains. 

The spooktacular drag villain brunch is free to attend, with guests only required to book a table to enjoy the experience in the fabulous surroundings of Eve. 

And that’s just the beginning! Those who dare to stay out after the sun goes down can enjoy a spine-chilling drag rendition of the iconic Rocky Horror show from 9pm til late. Hosted by Klarity Productions, theatre diva, Krystal Klear and DJ Jasper Noir will be welcoming star-studded guests onto the stage, including resident performer at Kabaret KweerDaddy Delight, who are ready to infuse this Halloween classic with an extra dose of glitz and glamour.  

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s expert team of mixologists will also be serving specially curated Halloween-themed cocktails all day for guests to enjoy. Those looking for some nibbles before The Rocky Horror drag show can tuck into some delicious small plates off the new Autumn menu in Eve, including Scottish farm buffalo mozzarella with pumpkin seeds as well as mouthwatering chicken thighs. 

Mafalda Albuquerque, General Manager of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, said: “We are bringing a Halloween extravaganza to Eve this year with two fabulous drag events.  Starting with the drag villain brunch through to an iconic Rocky Horror drag show, guests will be in for an experience like no other on offer in the city this Hallo-weekend.  

“With our expertly curated Halloween-themed cocktails through to our delicious bites, there won’t be a need to step foot outside Virgin Hotels Edinburgh all day. So, join us on Saturday 28^th October for a Halloween party you won’t forget!” 

For more information and to reserve a table for the drag villain brunch please visit: https://virginhotels.com/edinburgh/eat-drink/eve/ 

To join Edinburgh’s very own Rocky Horror drag show from 9pm til late, tickets can be booked here. 

This Halloween spooktacular is just one of many events hosted at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh. To stay up to date with the latest news and events, follow along on social media here:  

• Instagram @eveedinburgh @virginhotelsedi 
• Twitter @virginhotelsedi 

Cairngorm Brewery’s Black Gold (4.4% ABV) has been crowned the best beer in Scotland after winning the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) prestigious Champion Beer of Scotland competition. 

The session stout was described by judges as having a roast malt which dominates throughout, with a slight smoky aroma which led into liquorice and blackcurrant flavours for a subtle sweetness. The sweet background flavour is complemented by a very long, dry bitter finish. No less than four colours of malt are used to make the grist.

Cairngorm Brewery are no stranger to awards, as Black Gold also won a gold award in the Cask Session Dark Beers category of SIBA’s (Society of Independent Brewers) recent Scottish competition, and a silver in SIBA’s Overall Champion Scottish Cask Beer final. The beer was awarded gold in CAMRA’s Winter Beer of Britain 2012 competition in the Stouts category. 

The Champion Beer of Scotland competition was held at the Ayrshire Real Ale Festival on 6th October. 

CAMRA’s Scotland Director Stuart McMahon said “Cairngorm Brewery, which is based in Aviemore, is making some great beers at present. Black Gold was a very worthy winner, despite the strong competition from the other category winners. It is a very good example of a rich stout, with the strong roast and burnt malts to the fore, but with a lovely smooth, bitter but sweet aftertaste.” 

Runners up in the Scottish competition were silver prize winner Loch Lomond Brewery’s Bravehop IPA and bronze winner Swannay Brewery’s Dark Munro.

A formal presentation to Cairngorm Brewery will be arranged in due course.

Pictured is Ayrshire & Wigtownshire CAMRA member and festival volunteer Fiona McIsaac with a pint of the winning beer. 

Scottish Building Society, the world’s oldest remaining building society, celebrated its new Edinburgh Relationship Centre with a special event for members and a few surprise guests. 

Although the Society’s Head Office remains at 193 Dalry Road, its Edinburgh Relationship Centre moved to its new location on 20 Frederick Street earlier this summer.  

The site, which was previously occupied by opticians, Black & Lizars, is in a prime location for workers, residents and visitors in Edinburgh to use the facilities and chat to Scottish Building Society’s friendly and experienced team about their financial plans. 

Members and colleagues were joined by Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland international rugby players Glen Young and Scott Steele who talked about their times in the Scotland camp and the chances of the team at the World Cup, along with their aspirations for the upcoming 2023/24 BKT United Rugby Championship season. 

New Senior Coach of Edinburgh Rugby Sean Everitt also joined members to discuss his coaching career and aims for the team.  

The day was topped off with whisky aficionado David Iain Grant from The Jar, who led members through a whisky tasting experience and catering from social enterprise Social Bite.  

Scottish Building Society relocated from its original Edinburgh Relationship Centre with a view to creating a venue which would better serve new and existing members, providing financial assistance, in a friendly and supportive way. 

Helping local communities is a key focus for Scottish Building Society moving forward as it launched the Scottish Building Society Foundation in partnership with Foundation Scotland, to invest in good causes and help build stronger communities. 

Launched in May 2023 to align with the organisation’s 175^th anniversary, an incredible £175,000 will be granted to local charities, causes and organisations across Scotland.  

From the first round of award funding, Edinburgh Tool Library recently received £4,985 to further develop its Cycle Kitchen, an initiative designed to promote bicycle tool proficiency, and fostering self-reliance across the city. 

Relationship Centre Manager, Lisa McKay said: “At Scottish Building Society, a core value is putting people and communities at the heart of what we do, and our Frederick Street Relationship Centre is another example of our commitment to Scotland’s High Streets.  

“Having only recently started with the Society,  it has been so inspiring to meet colleagues, and we’re looking forward to helping our members throughout 2023 and beyond.” 

Sean Everitt, the new Edinburgh Rugby Senior Coach said: “Scottish Building Society is our Main Club Partner, and their support has been fantastic since I joined the club.

“Meeting members and Edinburgh Rugby fans in the new Relationship Centre was a great way to introduce myself and listen to fans old and new.” 

Following steep increases, drivers are now paying a record-breaking £738, on average

• It’s not just over the past year that we’ve seen the biggest increase. Prices have also increased by £114 (18%), on average, in the past 3 months alone.
• All of Scotland is seeing the highest prices ever recorded, but it’s drivers in Central Scotland who are likely to be paying the most. Following a £315 (62%) annual increase, prices are now £820, on average. The Scottish Borders is the cheapest, despite increasing by £211 (54%) in just 12 months. Prices are now £602, on average.
• Glasgow is the most expensive area in Scotland overall, with prices now £908, on average. That’s as prices increased by £344 (61%) in 12 months. And despite prices rising by £187 (51%) in 12 months, Hebrides is the cheapest, with average prices now £555.
• It’s a similar picture across the UK as all regions are seeing the highest prices ever recorded on the Confused.com car insurance price index. And with financially challenging times ahead, there millions of drivers risk becoming priced off the road.
• Although prices are becoming more expensive, drivers who recently shopped around were able to save £88(1), on average. Motor expert, Louise Thomas at Confused.com car insurance explains why prices are increasing and offers ways drivers can save money.

The cost of car insurance in Scotland is up £275 (59%) in just 12 months. That means drivers in Scotland are now paying a record-breaking £738, on average, for their car insurance.

That’s according to the latest (Q3 2023) Confused.com car insurance price index, powered by WTW. Based on more than 6 million quotes over the quarter, it’s the most comprehensive car insurance price index for comprehensive policies.

And it’s not just annual figures that have seen the biggest increase. In the past 3 months alone, prices in Scotland have grown £114 (18%), on average. That’s the second consecutive quarter prices have increased so substantially, meaning prices are the highest recorded since the index began in 2006.

Prices are on the rise across the whole of Scotland, but Central Scotland is the most expensive region overall. Prices have increased by £315 (62%) compared to this time last year, making the average price of car insurance now £820.

In the East and North East, average prices are now £675 following an annual increase of £244 (57%). And in the Highlands and Islands, prices are £654, on average, following an increase of £234 (56%) in 12 months. But the Scottish Borders is the cheapest region, despite an annual increase of £211 (54%). That means prices are now around £602.

When looking at specific areas that could impact drivers the most, Glasgow has the most expensive car insurance prices in the whole country. Following an annual increase of £344 (61%), drivers could now expect to pay £908, on average.

And for the cheapest car insurance prices, it’s drivers in the Hebrides who will benefit the most. Despite an annual increase of £187 (51%), prices are still the cheapest in all of Scotland. Prices in this area are now around £555, on average.

Here’s a full overview of how prices currently stand in Scotland:

Borders:
Postcode area	Avg £	YOY %	YOY £	Q %	Q £
Dumfries	£597	+52%	+£205	+17%	+£87
Galashiels	£608	+56%	+£218	+18%	+£94

Central :
Postcode area	Avg £	YOY %	YOY £	Q %	Q £
Edinburgh	£733	+63%	+£284	+17%	+£107
Glasgow	£908	+61%	+£344	+20%	+£151
Kilmarnock	£714	+63%	+£277	+16%	+£101
Motherwell	£833	+65%	+£328	+19%	+£134

East and North East:
Postcode area	Avg £	YOY %	YOY £	Q %	Q £
Aberdeen	£675	+56%	+£241	+18%	+£104
Dundee	£701	+59%	+£259	+19%	+£114
Kirkcaldy	£658	+57%	+£239	+18%	+£101

Highlands and Islands:
Postcode area	Avg £	YOY %	YOY £	Q %	Q £
Falkirk	£667	+59%	+£247	+16%	+£94
Hebrides	£555	+51%	+£187	+19%	+£91
Inverness	£591	+50%	+£196	+14%	+£72
Kirkwall	£565	+54%	+£197	+23%	+£104
Paisley	£737	+58%	+£270	+18%	+£112
Perth	£616	+55%	+£218	+18%	+£92
Shetland	£702	+64%	+£275	+10%	+£61

And it’s not just in Scotland where drivers can expect to pay the highest prices on record. Across the UK, all regions are seeing prices soar, proving just how volatile the car insurance market currently is.

And with a cost-of-living crisis still at the forefront of conversation, the rate of inflation for car insurance prices could be damaging for many. The latest data shows how millions of drivers risk being priced off the road if prices continue to rise as quickly as they currently are.

Why are prices increasing?

There are many reasons why car insurance prices are increasing so rapidly and drivers may feel they’re being penalised unfairly. Especially as the FCA introduced the General Insurance Pricing Practices (GIPP)(2) to ensure pricing was fairer. But adjusting to life after the pandemic and recent industry changes have both had a huge knock-on effect on how much drivers are paying.

The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to grow in popularity, especially due to the government’s ambitious Net Zero plans. Some manufacturers have even announced that they’ll only manufacture EVs going forward. But EVs often come with a hefty price tag and not all drivers can afford them. They often come with enhanced technology features as standard, so can cost the insurer more to repair or replace. But the pandemic has impacted its supply chain, meaning there are often backlogs for drivers. EVs also generally have quicker acceleration speed than other vehicles, so could appear riskier to insurers.

And because EVs aren’t affordable for everyone, second-hand vehicles are also keeping their value for longer, especially since the pandemic. But if a driver has an accident and their vehicle is a write off, this now costs insurers more to pay out. There are also lots more drivers returning to normal driving habits since the pandemic, so naturally there are more drivers on the road. This means claims frequency is increasing, so insurers are paying out more than they have in recent years. All of this plays into the overall risk factor linked with insurance, which is why drivers are likely to see an increase.

How much are UK drivers paying elsewhere?

All regions in the UK are seeing the highest prices on record, but it’s drivers in London that are paying the most expensive rates overall. Inner London is the steepest, with the cost of car insurance now £1,503, on average. That means prices have increased by £567 (61%) in just 12 months.

Outside of London, drivers in Manchester and Merseyside are seeing annual increases of around £417 (57%). That makes average prices £1,154. And in the West Midlands, the cost of car insurance is £1,139, on average, following a £442 (63%) increase.

And once again, younger drivers are taking the brunt of the most expensive prices. But it’s those aged 18 who continue to pay the most, with average prices now £2,995. That’s increased by 89% (£1,414) in the past 12 months and by 25% (£591) in the last 3 months, on average.

But 17-year-olds might have the biggest surprise of all. That’s as their insurance prices have almost doubled in the past 12 months. Their car insurance prices have increased by £1,262 (93%), on average, meaning prices are now £2,613. Data also shows that drivers aged 38 and under aren’t paying less than £1,000, on average, for their car insurance.

And although insurers can’t price by gender, males still see the most expensive prices(3). The average price for men is now £987, following an annual increase of £359 (57%). And for women, prices have increased by £304 (59%). That makes average prices for them £820.

Further research by Confused.com of 2,000 UK drivers(1) also found that the majority were feeling the pinch. Around 3 in 5 (63%) drivers who renewed in the past 3 months (July to September) had a more expensive price of around £87 more. That’s despite 1 in 4 (26%) saying they had a clean licence and almost 1 in 3 (28%) saying they had 1 or more year’s no claims. Almost a third (28%) also said that they weren’t sure why prices were on the rise.

How can drivers keep costs down?

With all of this to factor in, it’s understandable that drivers may feel frustrated. Especially as prices seem to be going up in all areas of everyday life right now. But drivers can still make savings, even if the initial price is more expensive than first anticipated.

Data shows how drivers with a more expensive renewal between July to September 2023 were able to save around £88 when using a price comparison site. And even though 9% of drivers said they had a cheaper renewal quote, they still saved around £64 by switching. So that proves how drivers can still save money when switching at renewal, whether prices are higher or lower than before.

And although one size doesn’t fit all, there are also some tips drivers can try to keep costs down when it comes to renewal.

Use a price comparison site – If you’ve had a higher renewal quote, the best thing you can do is compare prices. That way you can ensure you’re getting the best deal to suit your needs and not paying more than you need to. And it’s likely that you can make a saving.

Pay for your car insurance annually – If you can afford it, paying for your insurance in one go rather than monthly is one way to get cheaper car insurance. That’s because insurance companies often charge interest for spreading the cost of your cover over the year.

Increase your voluntary excess – Increasing your voluntary excess can help you get cheaper car insurance. But you need to make sure you can afford to pay it, if you need to claim.

Be accurate with your mileage – Generally, the more miles you drive, the more likely you are to have an accident and make a claim. This means the higher your mileage, the more you pay for your car insurance. So, driving fewer miles can be a great way to save money on your car insurance policy. But don’t assume that a low mileage always means low prices. If you barely drive at all, your insurance company could see that as a risk as well.

Enhance your car security – The harder it is to steal your car, the less of a risk it is. This usually means cheaper car insurance.

There are several ways to improve your car security including:

• Installing a Thatcham-approved car alarm or immobiliser, if it doesn’t already have one
• Adding secondary levels of security like a steering lock.
• Parking overnight in a secure, well-lit car park, or at home in a garage or driveway, if possible.

For more advice on how to reduce costs, visit Confused.com’s guide on how to get cheaper car insurance.

Louise Thomas, motor expert at Confused.com car insurance comments, “For another consecutive quarter, we’ve seen some of the highest inflation rates when it comes to car insurance.

“With prices up on average £148 (19%) in just 3 months, and £338 (58%) in 12 months, drivers are likely to be paying more than ever. So those who haven’t yet been affected should be wary of how pricing may affect them at their next renewal.

“But there are deals around and drivers can still save money, even if they’ve noticed their renewal has gone up. And in a time of financial uncertainty, this can be really helpful if you need to watch your money more closely than before.

“So if you’re due to renew, consider ways in which you can keep costs down. Whether it’s reducing your mileage or improving your car security, these can certainly help. But remember to always be truthful to your insurer, otherwise you risk invalidating your policy.

“Our aim is to keep helping customers save money, especially in the current climate. That’s why switching and saving has never been more crucial, and we guarantee savings can be made.

“We’re so certain that we offer a guarantee to beat your renewal, or pay you the difference, plus £20(4). In this scenario, you not only get the best price, but you also get more cash. So there’s nothing to lose and lots to be gained.”