Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing, has announced the sixth cohort of Ignite Fellows, a prestigious award which supports established writers working on a significant project. The 2024 Fellows include Edinburgh-based writer Alycia Pirmohamed.
Ignite Fellows receive a £2,000 bursary and creative support tailored to suit their individual projects. Kris Haddow, based in Glasgow, and Gaelic writer Calum L MacLeòid, based in the Highlands, have also been awarded Ignite Fellowships this year.
Alycia Pirmohamed is a Canadian-born poet based in Edinburgh. She is the author of Another Way to Split Water among others, and is the co-founder of the Scottish BPOC Writers Network.
She also co-organises the Ledbury Poetry Critics Program, and she currently teaches creative writing at the University of Cambridge.
Alycia has held post-doctoral positions at IASH, University Edinburgh and at the University of Liverpool, and she received an MFA from the University of Oregon and a PhD from the University of Edinburgh. Her awards include the 2019 CBC Poetry Prize, a Pushcart Prize, and the 2020 Edwin Morgan Poetry Award.
Alycia Pirmohamed said: ‘It’s such a wonderful honour to be awarded the Ignite Fellowship this year as I work on a new project in creative nonfiction.
“I know how lucky I am to have this time and these resources to develop my writing and I’m so grateful to the Scottish Book Trust for this opportunity.’
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘Congratulations to our three new Ignite Fellows, who are very deserving of this award.
“The Ignite Fellowship provides writers with essential mentoring, financial assistance and practical support that will help them reach new heights in their careers. We’re thrilled to support these writers on their next chapters, and look forward to seeing how their projects progress.’
Exciting career opportunities are available at the much-anticipated Forest Nursery and Junior School
Merchiston Castle School is holding a recruitment event for its highly anticipated Forest Nursery and Junior School, scheduled to open in September 2024.
Taking place on 27 January between 9:30am-11:30am in Merchiston’s picturesque grounds, the event will serve as an opportunity for prospective candidates to hear more about the Forest Nursery and Junior School the rewarding career prospects available.
Enthusiastic early-years practitioners and primary teachers with a passion for outdoor learning and holistic development are encouraged to sign up for the recruitment morning to discover all The Forest at Merchiston has to offer.
Attendees will be taken on a guided tour of the stunning 100-acre wooded campus, discover The Forest’s innovative, child centred curriculum, and hear from Headteacher Davina Bowers, about the unparalleled educational offering The Forest Nursery and Junior School will deliver.
The Forest at Merchiston is looking to fill a number of positions, with full-time and part-time roles available. The recruitment morning is a chance for eager applicants to learn more about this promising career opportunity and gain an insight into Edinburgh’s most exciting early years and primary provision. Interested individuals will later be required to submit a formal application, with interviews scheduled for March 2024.
Davina Bowers, Head of The Forest at Merchiston, said of the event: “This is the ideal opportunity for interested applicants to explore our unique educational provision and gain an understanding of the curriculum, our progressive approach and ambitions for the Forest Nursery and Junior School.
“The event promises to be a wonderful gathering of like-minded practitioners, all passionate about combining academic subjects with the power of outdoor education and child-centred learning.
“I am looking forward to meeting the inspiring and dedicated teachers and practitioners who will make up our future team of educators.”
Those interested in attending the recruitment event on 27 January are asked to register their interest by submitting a form on the website here.
Scottish households are being urged to tag their stop tap this winter as part of the Met Office’s WeatherReady campaign.
As households up and down the country are getting ready for Christmas, they are being encouraged to write the details of a WaterSafe-approved emergency plumber on a spare Christmas gift tag and attach it to their property’s stop tap.
Knowing where your stop tap is and how to turn your water supplies off could help prevent flooding and damage if a pipe freezes or bursts and having the number of a qualified and insured plumber to hand could save the day in an emergency.
Only 34 per cent of Scottish households currently know how to find and use their stop tap to turn the water off in case of a burst pipe, according to research by the national register of approved plumbers WaterSafe. It’s often found under the kitchen sink, but could also be in a kitchen cupboard, bathroom, or garage.
Julie Spinks, Director at WaterSafe, said: “Our research shows that not only do only just over a third of Scottish residents know how to find and use their stop tap, but 16 per cent of residents have had a burst pipe in the past, so it’s a real risk in wintry weather.
“Pipes freezing and bursting can cause extensive damage to homes and businesses, but taking simple steps such as knowing where your stop tap is can limit any damage.
“Writing the details of a local WaterSafe-approved plumber on a gift tag and attaching it to the stop tap means people will be able to isolate their water supply and know who to contact should they experience a problem with their property’s plumbing.
“We’d also encourage people to insulate outside pipes and taps, as well as any pipes in unheated areas of the home such as the loft.”
Met Office Head of Warnings Chris Walsh said: “Winters in the UK usually include a wide variety of weather and this winter looks likely to be no exception.
“There are simple and cost-effective things everyone can do to prepare for any severe winter weather. Including plenty of useful and creative weather hacks out there that can help people to avoid disruption and make the most of winter weather.”
For further advice on winter-proofing your plumbing, or to find an approved plumber, visit www.watersafe.org.uk/winter.
A Blairhall man who works at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline has been nominated for a national award thanks to his outstanding efforts supporting the local community.
Oliver Forizs, who works at Amazon in Dunfermline as a sustainability ambassador, was nominated for a national Amazon Stars award by his colleagues at the fulfilment centre.
Amazon Stars, now in its fourth year, is a UK-wide Amazon campaign that recognises and rewards Amazon employees who go above and beyond for their local community by using their skills, time and passion to help others.
Oliver Forizs, who joined Amazon in 2020, is a passionate supporter of the Dunfermline community, taking part in many fundraising and volunteering campaigns in his spare time over the last three years. It’s this passion for making a positive impact in his community that has seen Oliver nominated in this year’s Amazon Stars awards.
Oliver’s support of his community means he is in with a chance of winning one of two Dream Boxes, the top prize awarded as part of the Amazon Stars campaign. A Dream Box, worth £1,500, is a personalised prize to honour Amazon’s top two community heroes in the UK.
Dream Boxes won by previous Amazon Stars include community donations, music equipment, holiday vouchers and family tickets for Disneyland Paris. Oliver will find out if he has won a Dream Box in December.
Oliver was nominated for the award by his colleagues for his passion for environmental and sustainability change.
Oliver Forizs is a sustainability ambassador at Amazon in Dunfermline and lives in Blairhall with his seven-year-old daughter.
Before joining Amazon two years ago, Oliver worked in the music industry as a tour manager and as a security supervisor at an international airport. A friend told him about a job opening at Amazon, and a week after applying he was hired.
As a single father, Oliver praises Amazon’s flexible working patterns. He said: “One of the best things about working at Amazon is the flexible hours – something of great benefit to me as a single father. Amazon also offers so many different opportunities that make your daily work very colourful.”
Oliver was nominated for an Amazon Stars award due to his passion for environmental and sustainability change. He recently held an event in conjunction with his favourite environmentalist charity, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
He explained: “As a sustainability ambassador, I try to find ways to extend our work to the community around us. Having organised several events, I proposed establishing a partnership with WWF, an organisation I deeply admire for its incredible environmental efforts.
“My managers were enthusiastic about the idea and encouraged me to reach out to the charity, which shared our enthusiasm. Together, we successfully forged a partnership and brought the collaboration to life.
“The event took place at the end of September, with a Wear it Wild dress up theme and half hour movie with the WWF’s own footage about the marine environment around the UK. There was also fundraising in the canteen, with raffle tickets available for a £25 voucher prize. It was all for WWF’s great cause to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature. The event raised almost £1,000 and engaged more than 150 Amazon employees.”
“The day was a tremendous success, and our team couldn’t be more thrilled. We not only hit our target but exceeded it, raising more funds than we initially hoped. The event was filled with enthusiasm, inspiring speakers, and wonderful people who are as passionate about the cause as we are. The support from our colleagues at Amazon was great and everyone was really interested and engaged.”
Oliver explained why sustainability is so important to him. He said: “The easiest explanation I can give for why I care so much about the environment comes straight from the definition of sustainability.
“We must arrange our daily life to keep in mind future generations. My present is my daughter’s future, and I want to extend this idea to a bigger scale. My daughter Elizabeth inspires me to make the world a better place, and I am passionate about showing people around me that sustainability is not just about us, it is about future generations.”
Alongside his passion for the environment, Oliver also enjoys painting, golfing and travel.
Amazon General Manager, Jamie Strain, added: “At Amazon, we’re passionate about positively impacting the communities we serve, and Oliver embodies that ethos.
“Amazon Stars is one of the ways that we shine a light on the achievements of our team, giving us an opportunity to celebrate the positive contribution that our employees make to local communities around the UK. Oliver goes above and beyond to support our community and everyone at Amazon in Dunfermline is proud that he has been nominated for this fantastic award.”
Last year, the winners of the Amazon Stars awards included a community music mentor from Dartford, a pilot from Birmingham who provides aviation experiences for people from disadvantaged backgrounds and an animal rescue volunteer from Wakefield. Find out more here.
Amazon provides community donations and employee volunteering opportunities for its employees to support community organisations.
These are two of the ways Amazon supports the communities in and around its operating locations across the UK. Amazon provides students, teachers and parents with free computer science and STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and has teamed up with charity partner Magic Breakfast to deliver more than seven million healthy breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in disadvantaged areas of the country.
Earlier this year, Amazon partnered with Comic Relief to become the official home of the Red Nose. Amazon employees across the UK hosted fundraising activities and together with their customers and partners, raised £2.7 million to support those going through the toughest time of their lives.
MagicFest set to start – with top performers including Kevin Quantum
Future Magicians introduces tomorrow’s stars of stage magic today
A multitude of magicians are putting the final touches to a vast array of mind-boggling tricks and illusions as they prepare to gather in Edinburgh for MagicFest.
They range from established stars like the city’s own Kevin Quantum to new generation of teenage performers ready to baffle and delight audiences in the Future Magicians show.
Back following a successful 2023 debut, the show is a great addition to the annual Edinburgh International Magic Festival, which runs from 20-31 December and is now in its 14th year.
This time around there will be four young performers (three of them from Edinburgh) taking to the stage.
Each has been working with a leading magician to perfect a 10-minute act to display their skills and help them on the road to becoming a professional performer. They are:
Brooklyn-Ellis Carr from Newcastle, who at 16, has already attracted more than two million social media views for his magic videos, and who has been mentored by Edinburgh’s Elliot Bibby.
Brooklyn-Ellis said: “I’ve always wanted more opportunities to perform on stage and Future Magicians offers exactly that. With Elliot’s help I’ve managed to create a mind-blowing act that I absolutely cannot wait to share. I’m so excited to get out on that stage and give it my all.”
Jack Moodie (stage name Magic Jack) is 17 and already a veteran street magician having gone down a storm while busking during the Edinburgh Fringe.
Jack said: “I did some Fringe street performing for the last two years, which was great. But Future Magicians gives you the chance to be on stage. It’s such great opportunity for young magicians. I took part last year and it’s great to be back again.”
At 15 Jamie Leonard, is the youngest of the group, but performing tricks is nothing new as he fell in love with the art when he was given a magic set aged seven.
He says: “I want to develop my skills and to really make people believe what they are seeing is magic. And I love just getting out on stage and performing for all you people. That’s the best bit.”
They will be joined by Oscar Urwin, who had an even younger start when he was given a magic set by his aunt and uncle aged three.
Describing his love of the art he said: “For me card magic is the most skilful. No relying on props, it’s all on the magician in the moment. I love it.”
Festival organiser, co-founder and performer Kevin Quantum, says the festival offers great entertainment for the festive period. He said: “MagicFest has everything from small-scale children’s shows to big shows for all the family and even something for the over 18s only.
“It’s a brilliant way to get away from everything have a load of fun.
“The range of magicians is superb and includes some of the best in the business. But I’d also really urge people to come along to see Future Magicians.
“These guys may be young but they’re oozing with talent and I’m looking forward to the day when I can sit there and watch their TV specials.”
Kevin himself has a Christmas Special, at Church Hill Theatre, which is full of magic, variety and heaps of audience participation featuring special guests – international illusionist Oliver Tabor and local award-winning magician Fraser Stokes.
There are also new collaborations with Edinburgh Castle’s The Castle of Light, Wonder and Co (the capital’s new magic shop) and The Joker and the Thief pub.
The only event of its kind in the UK, MagicFest offers:
Kevin Quantum’s Christmas Special: Straight from sell-out shows in Edinburgh and Australia, Kevin returns with a high-energy, wonder-packed family show at the Church Hill Theatre.
Future Magicians: A welcome return for this very special MagicFest initiative where you get to see tomorrow’s magicians today. We take a group of would-be young magicians and pair them with professional tutors to prepare a special 15-minute magic act – which they then present on stage for you.
Vincent Gambini: This is not a magic show: What makes magic magic? Is there really a Magic Circle Emergency Hotline for magicians in distress? A critically acclaimed performance of and about sleight-of-hand magic, its invisible mechanics, clichés, and what it tells us about live theatre and make-believe. Vincent Gambini presents astonishing close-up magic that invites us to question how enchantment and wonder are made within a theatrical situation.
Cameron Gibson and Friends: Edinburgh magician Cameron Gibson presents a fast-paced magic and variety show that will knock your proverbial socks off. From classic sleight of hand to mind-reading and comedy, it has something for everyone. Every show features special guests from the world of magic and variety – so you never quite know what wonders await…
Richard Wiseman: Mind Magic: Enter the strange world of illusion, magic, and mystery. How do magicians produce objects from thin air and defy gravity? Does the paranormal exist? Join psychologist, best-selling author, and member of the Inner Magic Circle Professor Richard Wiseman as he explores the limits of the human mind. A fun hour for all the family.
Elliot Bibby: The Best of Bibby: After a complete sell out at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival with the Insane Magic boys, Elliot is back with a solo hour of magic. Bringing the best he has to offer from 10 years of professional shows in this comedy magic extravaganza.
Tricky Ricky: Festive Funtime: After sell-out performances last year, the Trickster returns with more festive fun and lots of his puns in a show starring Jingles the Reindeer and his mischievous rabbit Sonny the Bunny. It’s cabaret for kids and grown-ups.
Gary James: Wonderland: A fast-paced family-friendly show with jaw-dropping magic inspired by wide-eyed childhood memories and a career in entertainment. Gary captures the excitement and mystery from his childhood visits to the legendary Lothian Road store called Wonderland.
Gary Dunn: Jokes & Tricks: One of Scotland’s favourite family entertainers returns to MagicFest for another show filled with mad magic and silly jokes.
Kevin Quantum: Edinburgh Magic: Unlock hidden Edinburgh and enjoy magic that’s fooled the greatest minds associated with the city, from Harry Houdini to King Charles. Amazing moments tied to the secret stories hidden in the cobbles and closes of the capital.Objects float before your eyes, money multiplies, time stands still…
Vincent Gambini: Out of Thin Air: Stories about magicians at magic conventions, an attempt at presenting a show in which nothing happens, and magic poems about you, the spectator. Deft sleight of hand, strange poetry, and low-key spectacle.
Richard Wiseman: The World’s Greatest Card Trick and Other Mysteries: The world’s greatest card trick was invented in 1942. It has been performed by many famous magicians, amazed and astounded millions of people, and made Winston Churchill late for Parliament. In this intimate show, a small group of people join magician Professor Richard Wiseman as he reveals the unknown genius behind the trick and demonstrates other jaw dropping mysteries from the mind of this master magician.
Cameron Gibson: Street Magic Masterclass: Spend a morning with professional magician Cameron Gibson to gain hands-on experience in simple yet mind-blowing magic that you can do. You will master tricks with everyday objects that you can use to entertain and amaze your friends and family.
Close-Up Magic at The Joker & The Thief: Astonishing close-up magic at The Joker & The Thief pub with resident magician Tim Licata, one of Scotland’s most entertaining sleight-of-hand artists.
Tickets now on sale – full line up and times www.magicfest.co.uk.
Prices are down £80 since May, compared to England and Wales which are down £5,500
Transactions are 11% lower than in 2022
Three Local Authority areas still reporting record average house prices
Average Scottish House Price now £223,354, down 0.3% on September, up 0.4% annually
Table 1. Average House Prices in Scotland for the period October 2022 – October 2023
(The prices are end-month smoothed over a 3 month period
Note: The Walker Fraser Steele Acadata House Price Index (Scotland) provides the “average of all prices paid for houses”, including those made with cash.
Scott Jack, Regional Development Director at Walker Fraser Steele, comments:“Our data shows that in October, the average house price in Scotland decreased by around -£650, or -0.3%, to £223,354.
“Scotland’s average house price has actually barely changed over the last five months, hovering in the £223,000 range. To put this in context, we need only compare to Wales and England, where average prices have decreased by £5,500 over the same period of time.
“There were price increases in just 12 Local Authority areas and of particular note is Stirling which saw the largest gain in average prices, and saw a surge in students at the beginning of the academic year, which contributed to an increase in the cost of apartments in the neighbourhood. Fife, by contrast, experienced the largest fall in prices in the month on a weight-adjusted basis, with all property types showing a fall.
“2023 has been a harder year. The rising base rate has adversely impacted property transactions. Although the housing market in 2023 did enjoy the traditional spring bounce in transactions that occurs in March, sales volumes from July 2023 onward have been below all previous years since 2013. Sales over the first ten months of 2023 are down by 11.3% compared to the equivalent period in 2022.
“I’m optimistic that with a stable base rate, lenders are now starting to compete for business with competitive mortgage rates which, with better inflation figures, should encourage transaction levels over and above those we expect from the remortgaging business due in the first quarter of next year.”
Commentary: John Tindale, Acadata Senior Housing Analyst
October’s housing market
Scotland’s average house price fell by some -£650, or -0.3%, in October, and now stands at £223,354. In fact, looking at Table 1 above, it can be seen that for the past five months, from May onwards, Scotland’s average house price has remained in the £223,000s, with only minor fluctuations over the period. This contrasts sharply with England and Wales, where average prices have fallen by £5,500 over the same timescale.
There were only 12 Local Authority areas with price rises during the month of October – but the rises tended to be quite large when expressed in monetary terms. The highest increase in average prices was in Stirling, where the average price increased by £7,700, assisted by the sale of a £1.4 million detached home in Dunblane. In addition, Stirling has also seen an influx of students at the start of the academic year which has helped to boost the price of flats in the area.
At the other end of the scale, Fife has experienced the largest fall in prices in the month on a weight-adjusted basis, with all property types showing a fall in prices – the largest fall being in flats, down from an average £143k in September to £138k one month later. Glasgow City had the second-largest fall in the month, with the largest reduction – on a weight-adjusted basis – also being in flats, with average prices in the month down from £190k to £187k. Fife and Glasgow combined accounted for 30% of the weight-adjusted price falls in the month.
Looking at the movement in average prices compared to twelve months earlier, there has been a gain of some £975, or 0.4%, in Scotland over the year. There were 17 Local Authority Areas with price rises for the twelve months ending October 2023, and 15 with price falls. Taking a weighted average of the top 16 areas by value, the gain in prices over the year amounted to £950, compared to a £25 gain for the bottom 16 areas by value. It can therefore be concluded that it is the higher value areas in Scotland that have experienced the majority of the price gains over the last twelve months.
Figure 1. Scotland’s average house price for the period from March 2020 to October 2023
Figure 1 shows how average house prices in Scotland have changed since the start of the Covid pandemic in March 2020. It can be seen that the average price has barely moved over the last twelve months, although values have risen by £40,350 from March 2020. This increase of 22.1% over the period compares to a figure of 19.9% in the CPIH Index – so in real terms (after allowing for consumer price inflation), the average house price in Scotland since the start of the pandemic has risen by 2.2%.
Local Authority Analysis
Table 2. Average House Prices in Scotland, by local authority area, comparing September 2022, August 2023 and September 2023
Table 2 shows average house prices, calculated on a seasonal- and mix-adjusted basis, by Local Authority Area for October 2022 and September and October 2023, together with the corresponding percentage price changes over the last month and year. The ranking figures are based on average house prices in October 2022 and 2023. Line items are shaded in blue in cases where average house prices in the Local Authority Area have experienced record highs in October 2023
Annual change
The average house price in Scotland in October 2023 has increased by some £975, or 0.4%, over the last twelve months, which is 0.4% lower than the 0.8% growth rate seen in September, one month earlier. This is the lowest annual growth rate since March 2019, nearly five years earlier.
In October, Clackmannanshire saw the highest increase in its annual rate of price growth, at 9.9%, but with only 44 sales in the month, contrasted with Edinburgh’s 612, the movements in average price will be unduly impacted by individual transactions, especially when expressed in percentage terms. Moray is in second place, with a more arithmetically significant 97 sales, with an average price gain of 8.3%. In Moray, all property types have seen prices rise over the year, with the largest increase being in semi-detached properties, up from an average £180k in October 2022 to £200k one year later.
At the other end of the scale, the area on the mainland with the largest percentage fall in prices over the last twelve months, for the second month running, was East Ayrshire, at -6.0%. In East Ayrshire, all property types – except for terraces – saw prices fall over the year, with the largest fall being detached homes, down by an average £20k over the last twelve months. At an average £264k, in October 2023, East Ayrshire is ranked 29th out of the 32 local authority areas in Scotland, by way of its detached property values. Despite the fall in the annual rate, 17 of the 32 local authorities were reporting a positive movement in prices over the previous twelve months, compared with 16 in September. However, Edinburgh had the largest fall in prices over the year when measured on a weight-adjusted basis (which takes into account both the number of sales and the nominal fall in average price), which singlehandedly counteracted some 30% of the positive movement in values in the 17 areas with price gains.
Monthly change
In October 2023, Scotland’s average house price fell by some -£650, or -0.3%, which contrasts with the +£750, or +0.3%, change in prices seen in September. This is the sixth monthly fall of 2023: however, it would appear that prices have been gently oscillating over the last five months, with the average price ranging between £223,000 – £224,000 since May 2023.
In October 2023, 12 of the 32 Local Authority areas in Scotland experienced rising prices in the month, four fewer than in September. The area on the mainland with the largest monthly price increase, for the second month, running was Stirling, up by 2.9%. Both detached properties and flats saw an increase in their average prices over the month, with a higher volume of flat sales being in evidence in Stirling at the start of the academic year.
East Renfrewshire tops Table 2 above for the second month in succession, displacing the City of Edinburgh to second place. Both East Renfrewshire and Edinburgh have been in the top position of having the highest average value for properties in five of the last twelve months, with East Lothian taking this position twice.
By way of interest, the highest-priced home to have been sold in Scotland in October was a £1.95 million five-bedroom detached home in Ravelston, Edinburgh, closely followed by a £1.875 million detached property in Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire. As mentioned last month, Milngavie is probably best known for its reservoirs, which supply Glasgow City with its water.
Peak Prices
In Table 2 above, those areas which have reached a new record in their average house prices are highlighted in light blue. In October 2023, there were 3 such authorities, down from 6 in September, the three areas being Stirling, Moray and Highland. The first two areas are mentioned above – in Highland the achievement of a record average price was assisted by the October sale of a 4-bedroom single story detached home, overlooking the Camusdarach beach, near Arisaig, for £1.1 million.
Transactions analysis
Figure 2 below shows the monthly transaction count for purchases during the period from January 2007 to September 2023, based on Registers of Scotland (RoS) figures for the Date of Entry (except for September 2023, which is based on RoS Application Dates).
As can be seen, the market in 2007 was almost double the size of the levels taking place from 2008 – 2012, a period which was restricted by the credit crisis in the banking industry. From 2013 onwards, sales began to recover, with the average monthly transaction count reaching 7,027 in 2013. The market continued to grow – albeit slowly – reaching a mini-peak of 8,724 sales per month in 2017.
The pattern of sales during the year can be clearly seen in its various forms from 2010 to 2019. Typically, the year starts with two low sales months in January and February – the troughs on the graph – coinciding with the period of restricted daylight hours and the week-long break taken over the Christmas period. March typically sees a “spring bounce” as the market opens back up, with peaks in sales taking place during the summer. There is usually a small dip in sales during the Autumn, followed by a small flurry of activity in December, as buyers look to be in their “new home” before the New Year.
However, it can be seen that in early 2020, at the start of the pandemic and its associated lock-downs, the market slumped in April 2020, to just 2,537 sales. There was then a slow path to recovery during the remainder of 2020; a peak in transactions in March 2021 to 12,241 sales, being the last month of the LBTT tax holiday in Scotland; and the mildly enhanced market of 2022.
Figure 2. The number of sales per month recorded by RoS based on entry date from 2007 – 2023
This brings us to the current year of 2023 – the relatively high bank rate of 3.5% at the start of the year had an adverse effect on property transactions, with only 5,883 sales for January 2023 being recorded to date by the Registers of Scotland – the lowest January total since 2013. Although the housing market in 2023 did enjoy the traditional spring bounce in transactions that occurs in March, sales volumes from July 2023 onward have been below all previous years since 2013. Over the first ten months of 2023, sales are down by 11.3% compared to the equivalent period in 2022.
Scotland transactions of £750k or higher
Table 3. The number of transactions by month in Scotland greater than or equal to £750k, January 2015 – October 2023
Table 3 shows the number of transactions per month in Scotland which are equal to or greater than £750k. The threshold of £750k has been selected as it is the breakpoint at which the highest rate of LBTT becomes payable.
There were 77 such transactions recorded by RoS during the month relating to October 2023. Currently, this is the fourth-highest October total recorded to date, but with RoS processing further data for the month, it may possibly rise to third place in the yearly rankings. October 2020 had the second-highest monthly total of sales over £750k, arising from the “the race for space” which became popular during the latter part of 2020, as buyers searched for larger properties to enable comfortable “working from home”.
Looking at the number of high-value properties sold in the first ten months of each year in Table 3, 2022 is ranked first with 1,030 high-value sales. In second place is 2021- when sales were boosted in March, by the annual “spring-bounce” – with 922 sales in the ten-month period, while 2023, with 847 sales in the ten months, is ranked in third place.
However, there is a clear trend, in that the totals in each of the first ten months of 2023 are lower than a year earlier. In aggregate, the high-value 2023 transactions are currently down on their 2022 equivalent by 18%, compared to a 11% downturn in sales volumes in the market as a whole, indicating that last year’s enthusiasm for the purchase of high-value homes has dissipated.
Edinburgh accounts for 378 of the 847 high-value sales (45%) that have been recorded to date by RoS in 2023, compared to 48% in 2022. Glasgow is in second place with 61 such sales, East Lothian is in third place with 54, six ahead of Fife with 48, East Renfrewshire has 44 and East Dunbartonshire 43.
Heat Map
The heat map below shows the rate of house price growth for the 12 months ending October 2023. As reported above, 17 of the 32 Local Authority Areas in Scotland have seen a rise in their average property values over the last year. The highest rise over the year was seen in Clackmannanshire, at 9.9 growth, with the largest fall in the year in the Orkney Islands at -14.5%.
How Scotland Compares
Figure 3. Scotland house prices, compared with England and Wales, North East and North West for the period January 2005-October 2023
Figure 4. A comparison of the annual change in house prices in Scotland, England and Wales, North East and North West for the period January 2020–October 2023
Scotland’s Eight Cities
Figure 5. Average house prices for Scotland’s eight cities from August 2022–October 2023
Figure 6. Average house prices for Scotland’s eight cities October 2023
Boris and Sergey are foot-high puppets.Fringe Festival favourites, they are known as the infamous Balkan Bad-Boys of puppetry.
They are hosting a Christmas celebration like no other with an exceptional cast of cabaret delinquents at the Assembly Roxy util 21st December
Here they are exploring the Edinburgh Christmas Market:
Bunraku puppetry for discerningly twisted adult audiences
“An unexpected masterpiece”
Broadway Baby ««««« (For Boris & Sergey’s Vaudevillian Adventure)
“Profanely hilarious…shows this excellent don’t stay secret for long”
Fest Magazine ««««« (For Boris & Sergey’s Vaudevillian Adventure)
“You have to marvel at the incredible technical choreography that allows a team of six to manipulate two tiny leather puppets, at breakneck speed … and it is absolutely hilarious”
TheScotsman – «««« (for Boris & Sergey’s One Man Extravaganza)
“With Boris and Sergey, you are guaranteed something unique… what really makes the audience scream with laughter is the physics-defying slapstick comedy of which they are capable.”
EdFringe Review ««««« (For Boris & Sergey’s Preposterous Improvisation Experiment)
Award-winning darlings of the Fringe and recipients of 18 five star reviews, Boris & Sergey take to Assembly Roxy to present for your viewing pleasure, Boris & Sergey’s Christmas Cabaret’. Flabbergast Theatre’s very unique take on A Christmas Carol; as dark as it is fun.
This December the infamous Balkan Bad-Boys of puppetry, host a Christmas celebration like no other; as our foot-tall cult favourites put their leathery heads together to come up with an exceptional cast of cabaret delinquents, which they can’t wait to unleash upon their unsuspecting audiences over the festive season.
Joining these charming little faceless puppets and their loyal puppeteers, are other Flabbergast creations old and new, including hilarious, absurd and often magical silent clown; Tatterdemalion(“A beautiful and hilarious experience that will stay with you – you know you’re watching a master of physical theatre; clowning has never been so enchanting or absorbing”. ««««« ThreeWeeks,) and maybe a little of The Swell Mob who invite audiences to submerge themselves in the delights of `19th century debauchery and to dance, sing, gamble, & cheat alongside the performers(“So intriguing and intoxicating” «««« The Scotsman).
Headlining the show is Dublin-based acrobatic performerSahsa Khron, who performs a beautiful aerial straps act which blends ground and aerial acrobatics performed with effortless grace. In this, the most stripped back of aerial disciplines, the beauty of his work is an elegant body in motion.
All this will be held together by Boris and Sergey as they present A Christmas Carol – although the two may be slightly at odds with regards to the morals and focus of the definitive Dickens’ tale.
Suitable for anyone in the mood for some twisted festive cheer – be that Sergey’s pretentious and worthy take on the Christmas classic, with lashings of Victoriana – God bless us! Every one! And equally suitable for those who prefer their carols immersed in chaos, as Boris approaches celebrations with only the most tenuous link to that well known Christmas story.
So for those with a preference for anarchic festive cheer, there is nowhere better to celebrate in style than Boris & Sergey’s Christmas Cabaret’.
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Rising Tide: Art and Environment in Oceania Until 14 Apr 2024 Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3 Free
Delve into the most important and pressing issue of our time, humanity’s damaging relationship with planet Earth. This urgent issue is felt especially deeply in Australia and the Pacific Islands where sea levels are rising due to climate change and the oceans are filling with plastic.
Rising Tide considers our relationship to the natural environment through contemporary artistic responses to climate change and plastic waste by Indigenous Australian and Pacific Islander artists.
Uniquely Scottish Silver Until 26 May 2024 Grand Gallery Free
Uniquely Scottish Silver brings together five distinct Scottish silver object designs: mazers, quaichs, thistle cups, ovoid urns and heart brooches. Discover some of the earliest and rarest survivals within the Scottish silver smiths’ craft.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 20 Jan – 6 May 2024 Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3 Ticketed
In this world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, see exceptional images which capture fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world.
Game On 29 Jun – 3 Nov 2024 Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3 Tickets on sale spring 2024
Get set for Game On – the largest interactive exhibition of the history and the culture of video games. Game On, an exhibition conceived and curated by Barbican Immersive, examines the creative and technological advances that have established a new medium and artform.
From Sonic the Hedgehog to Mario, explore gaming’s rich history through over 100 playable games from the last five decades.
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Drawn Together at the Museum 27 – 29 Dec 10:30-16:30 Grand Gallery, Level 1 Free, drop-in
Escape to the museum during the holidays and enjoy sketching around our galleries. Join us for this calming, creative activity in the heart of the busy holiday season. Meet our artist-in-residence then pick up a pencil and paper and explore the galleries.
Sprogmanay 1 Jan 2024 14:00-17:00 Grand Gallery, Level 1 Free, drop in
Enjoy a warm welcome to 2024 with music and fun for all the family. Join us for lively performances and vibrant musical activities from the incredible Unicorn Dance Party and Sprog Rock.
Families can drop into this free, unticketed afternoon event to enjoy a programme of live music and fun, and then explore the museum’s galleries packed with fascinating, family-friendly exhibits.
Museum Late: Big Burns Ceilidh 26 Jan 2024 19:30-22:30 £16-£22 (including exhibition entry) Strictly 18+
Welcoming back the fantastic Jacobites Ceilidh Band, the Grand Gallery will be brought to life for an evening of music and dancing. The band will have late goers twirling and birling as they’re guided through Strip the Willow, Dashing White Sergeant and other traditional dances. Between the sets guests can enjoy drinks, food, activities and a chance to enjoy the museum galleries at night, plus our exhibition Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition will be free entry.
Voices of the Sea: From Orkney to Oceania 3 Feb 2024 10:30- 12:00 Auditorium, Level 1
Ticketed, various pricing
Join us at the National Museum of Scotland for a selection of film screenings followed by a reflective panel discussion. Inspired by our current exhibition, Rising Tide: Art and Environment in Oceania, learn how the sea is a crucial source of ecology, economy and cultural heritage.
Curiosity Club Until 24 Feb 2024 10:30 – 12:00 £10 (Members and Concessions £9)
Unleash your creativity and curiosity topic each month, we’ve captured some of the museum’s most exciting and child friendly collections and themes, for kids to explore through games, activities, and visits to some of our most interactive galleries.
Friday Friends Until 28 Jun 2024 Selected Friday afternoons 14:00 – 16:00 Free, pre-booking required
Our Friday Friends programme offers a welcoming space for visually impaired and D/deaf children and their families. The groups meet monthly and explore the themes of the museum through objects, music, art and activities.
National Museum of Flight East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
Second World War East Fortune 10 – 11 Feb 2024 11:00-15:00 Concorde Hangar Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Discover the history of one of Britain’s best-preserved Second World War airfields. Our costumed interpreter will take you through Air Raid Precautions and talk about the shelters on site, explaining what it was like to use them. Handle genuine military flying clothing from the period and discover what was good and bad about it.
The government has signed the Hillsborough Charter, pledging to learn the lessons and make sure no family suffers the same injustices
Bereaved families will be better supported in the aftermath of major incidents, as the government commits to making sure the experiences of the Hillsborough families are learnt from and not lost.
In response to Bishop James Jones’ report, The Patronising Disposition of Unaccountable Power, published on Wednesday 6 December, the government set a series of expectations for how public bodies should act in the aftermath of a major incident.
This comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has repeated the government’s apology to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster and their families, who have endured harrowing injustices for over thirty years.
Committing to Bishop Jones’ first recommendation – a Charter for Families Bereaved through Public Tragedy, or as it will be known, the Hillsborough Charter – the Deputy Prime Minister has signed the pledge and written to all departments to make sure everyone in government is aware of what it this means for the way they work.
By signing this Charter, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to a culture of honesty and transparency in public service and reminding all in government why these values are so important.
A duty of candour for policing will also be required by law, holding policing to the highest standards. Chief Constables must ensure their officers act with openness, and speak up on behalf of victims. This builds on existing requirements for individual officers to cooperate with official investigations and inquiries.
Anyone who fails to cooperate with a statutory inquiry could face criminal sanctions under the Inquiries Act and police officers found to have committed a serious breach of professional standards, including failing to cooperate with an inquiry, can face dismissal. Last week’s announcement follows the commitment made to create a permanent Independent Public Advocate.
The testimony of the Hillsborough Families made clear how the difficulties following a major disaster can be compounded by having no single person to turn to for support and advice. The Independent Public Advocate will help victims and families navigate the justice system in the wake of a public disaster, ensure that they know their rights, and that their needs are supported.
By making this a permanent position, the Public Advocate will be ready to be deployed immediately in the aftermath of any crisis.
The government will also take action in response to concerns raised by Bishop James that families should have legal representation at inquests.
A consultation will soon be launched to expand legal aid for families bereaved through public disaster where an Independent Public Advocate is engaged, or in the aftermath of a terrorist incident.
New guidance will also lead to greater transparency around how much is spent on lawyers representing central government public bodies’ at inquests. This will set a clear expectation that they should not hire more lawyers than are necessary and spend on legal representation should be published.
Speaking when the government published its response on Wednesday 6 December, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “The Hillsborough families have suffered multiple injustices and more than thirty-four years later, there can never be too many apologies for what they have been through. And I want to repeat that apology today, and thank the Hillsborough families for their tenacity, patience and courage.
“Today, the government will publish its response to Bishop James Jones’ report on the experiences of these families, setting out how we will improve support for the bereaved in the aftermath of a public disaster and how we expect public bodies to act – which is with honesty, transparency and candour.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “The 97 lives taken by the Hillsborough disaster will never be forgotten. So many people were touched by this national tragedy and the Hillsborough families were badly let down.
“Police dishonesty, lack of accountability and obstruction were all prevalent. That is why we promised the Hillsborough families that we would honour the legacy of their campaigning and deliver lasting change.
“By signing the Hillsborough Charter and introducing a duty of candour for policing, this government will deliver that change and protect others from similar experiences in the future.”
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk KC MP said: “For far too long, but with great dignity, the Hillsborough families battled to get justice. Too many others have faced similar obstructions and it must end.
“The Independent Public Advocate we are creating, as well as the free legal advice and representation we are offering will prevent other families facing these injustices and get them the help they deserve.”
Bishop James’ report was published in 2017 and made 25 recommendations for government, the police and the Chief Coroner.
Since then, the need to avoid risk of prejudice to ongoing legal proceedings for much of that time regrettably delayed the government’s response from being published. The government has been in contact with the Hillsborough families throughout the preparation of this response, and some of the families were in Liverpool on Wednesday 6 December to read the response in advance of its publication.
In their meeting with some of the Hillsborough families earlier in the year, the Lord Chancellor and former Home Secretary apologised for the time it had taken to publish the government’s full response.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing published the police’s response to Bishop James’ report earlier this year.
The Chief Coroner also published his own independent response on Wednesday 6 December.
Changes could add £30 million to Scotland’s economy annually
Allowing asylum seekers the right to work could help them settle into communities better while boosting Scotland’s economy and workforce.
Research by the Scottish Government’s independent Expert Advisory Group on Migration and Population sets out how enabling asylum seekers to gain employment could improve health and wellbeing and reduce the risk of exploitation.
Changes could also benefit the Scottish economy, help fill gaps in the workforce and see increased council tax paid directly to local authorities which host asylum seekers.
The report will underpin the development of proposals for a Scottish Asylum Right to Work pilot, to be submitted for consideration to the Home Office in 2024.
Migration Minister Emma Roddick said: “Scotland provides a welcoming home to many people seeking asylum, with policies underpinned by dignity, respect and compassion.
“This independent report shows how enabling asylum seekers to find work could reduce anxiety and improve the wellbeing of vulnerable people, while supporting Scotland’s economy by helping fill skills shortages and addressing population challenges.
“As the UK Government continues to pursue repugnant policies on asylum and immigration, we are developing mitigations as far as possible within our devolved powers and budget, including through our New Scots refugee integration strategy.
“The Scottish Government will now use this report to design a proposal to work within the current devolution settlement, but only independence would give us power to implement a full Scottish asylum system rooted in respect for human rights.”
Chair of the Scottish Government’s independent Expert Advisory Group on Migration and Population Rebecca Kay said: “Our report shows strong international evidence that strict restrictions on the right to work have negative consequences for asylum seekers’ material and emotional well-being, and for long-term integration outcomes.
“We also find substantial evidence of the considerable barriers which people seeking asylum are likely to face on entering the labour force. These will require careful consideration by Scottish Government, and deliberate remedy, when designing a pilot proposal.
“Wider measures to provide adequate reception, settlement and integration services will be required in order to realise the full benefits of a right to work policy for asylum seekers.”
