Do you know the Best Cocktail Bar in Edinburgh or perhaps an amazing Dog Friendly Pub that treats your pooch like a princess? If so, why not get voting for them in this year’s Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2024?
Last year the standard of entrants was at an all-time high and Edinburgh knocked it out of the park with winners including Hey Palu who won Cocktail Bar of the Year, Black Ivy who were voted Best Outside Area and Colin Hinds of the Tipsy Midgie who took home both Whisky Bar of the Year and the Whisky Guru gongs!
So, this year organisers can’t wait to hear about your Edinburgh favourites!
Voting has just opened, and the organisers are looking for a host of fine establishments including new bars on the block, the best whisky bars for a dram, Irish bars with all the craic and even stunning outside areas!
In fact, they want to hear about all about bars that are the talk of the town, the legendary locals and even the magnificent mixologists across the country!
It’s not just all about pubs though. They also want to know about the real characters that make the licensed trade shine in Scotland such as whisky gurus, up and coming entrepreneurs and the bar managers that are taking the industry by storm.
Schweppes are even looking for a ‘Bartender of the Year’ – someone who stands out from the crowd and goes that extra mile for their customers. Bobby the Barman need not apply!
They have to be in it to win it, and you can give them that chance!
This is the 29th year for Scotland’s longest running licensed trade awards and judges will be travelling the length and breadth of Scotland on mystery visits. So, if you know somewhere or someone that deserves a big pat on the back, it’s time to get voting for them!
Voting is easy, just go to www.scottishbarandpubawards.com/awards/ and you can vote in as many different categories as you like. Voting closes on the 16th of June, finalists will be announced shortly after, and the winners will be crowned at the glittering award ceremony in Glasgow on the 27th of August.
You can also find a full list of all categories here including Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year, Brugal 1888 Cocktail Bar of The Year, Cold Town Craft Beer Bar of The Year, Jameson Best Irish Bar, Kopparberg New Bar of the Year, Molinari Hotel Bar of the Year, Sims Automatics Sports Bar of The Year and the Staropramen Award for Outstanding Quality.
Deadline for Nominations – 16th June 2024
For a full list of this years categories and to vote please go to:
Edinburgh International Film Festival will open with the UK premiere of Nora Fingscheidt’s Orkney-set drama The Outrun starring Saoirse Ronan
The Festival also announces its shorts competition will be titled The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence with the legendary film editor in attendance
The relaunched Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has today announced that this year’s 77th edition of the Festival will open with Nora Fingscheidt’s adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s best-selling memoir, The Outrun.
The Outrun stars Saoirse Ronan (Ladybird, Brooklyn) as a young woman who finds herself washed up back home on the Scottish islands of Orkney as she battles to rebuild her life after a decade of addiction.
Ronan, who also co-produced the film, will join filmmaker Nora Fingscheidt (System Crasher) in attendance at this year’s EIFF, alongside writer Amy Liptrot and the film’s producers Sarah Brocklehurst and Dominic Norris.
The film had its world premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, and will be released by STUDIOCANAL in the UK and Ireland on September 27, 2024.
The Outrun was developed and produced by Sarah Brocklehurst of Brock Media, Dominic Norris of Arcade Pictures, Saoirse Ronan and Jack Lowden, with the support of BBC Film and Screen Scotland.
Executive Producers on The Outrun are Protagonist Pictures, BBC Film, Screen Scotland and MBK Productions.
EIFF has also revealed the name of its short film competition as The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence.
Thelma Schoonmaker is celebrated for her iconic work as an editor on landmark moments in cinema history and for her legendary collaborations with Martin Scorsese, including Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Wolf of Wall Street and Killers of the Flower Moon. Thelma will be in attendance at this year’s festival. The award comes with a cash prize of £15,000.
The short film competition runs alongside four additional shorts programmes, 10 world-premiere feature films competing for The Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence and programming strands including Out of Competition – which includes international premieres, UK premieres and additional world premieres, a Midnight Madness strand showcasing the best in genre cinema from around the world and a retrospective strand honouring film history.
Industry activity will run across the first weekend of the Festival with announcements around guests and activities to follow in the next weeks. Industry delegates will experience the wealth of the film programme and also access all that is on show in the wider festivals month via new collaborations with partners including Screen Fringe.
EIFF honours 70+ years of film festival history, showcasing the very best talent in filmmaking in a format rooted in a local Scottish context whilst embracing the international diversity of creative expression.
The Film Festival encourages general audiences, film fans and industry professionals to make the trip this summer to Edinburgh, which is universally recognised as a place of beauty, history, discovery and adventure.
The full EIFF programme will be launched on Thursday 4 July when tickets will also go on sale.
EIFF Director, Paul Ridd said: “The Outrun is a truly special film. Powered by an electric and fearless central performance by Saoirse Ronan, this is lyrical, momentous cinema of real rigour and intelligence, and exactly the kind of bold work we want to champion with our relaunched festival.
“I have been a fan of Nora Fingscheidt’s uncompromising, emotional filmmaking ever since her debut System Crasher and I can think of no more fitting combination of announcements than this wonderful film as our opening with the confirmation of the legendary Thelma Schoonmaker’s gracious support for our Shorts Prize. We are honoured to be working with such phenomenal women of cinema.”
Isabel Davis, Executive Director of Screen Scotlandsaid: “It’s great to see Paul set out his ambition for the relaunched EIFF with such a significant title for Scotland. Orkney’s primal beauty and unique natural landscape is at the heart of things, not only as the setting but as the source of redemption, courage and healing.
“Nora’s exceptional talent, combined with Amy Liptrot’s raw, imaginative writing and Saoirse Ronan’s breathtaking performance make for a compelling and emotional ride. And it seems fitting, for a festival that intends to work with its creative partners across the Fringe, Book, TV and International Festivals that this hugely successful creative collaboration should take centre stage.”
From August 15 to August 21 2024, the 77th edition of EIFF will take place at unique venues in Edinburgh, including Summerhall and the historic Cameo cinema, allowing audiences to seamlessly experience the best of the Fringe along with the world-class programme of cinema at EIFF.
Submissions to EIFF have now closed with more information being found atwww.edfilmfest.org.
Helmed by Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent. Former Acquisitions Executive Ridd is supported by an expanding Board, including Chair Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting; Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; and Amy Jackson, producer of last year’s BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun. EIFF 2024 is supported by Screen Scotland.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop joined Edinburgh’s Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Scott Arthur yesterday to launch 72 new electric charging bays installed by the Council.
Transport Scotland has provided the Council with funding for the new bays to be used by the local authority’s current car club provider, Enterprise Car Club. The first phase of 20 chargers (40 charging bays) has been installed with the rest due to be rolled out by the end of this year allowing Enterprise Car Club to provide in Edinburgh, their biggest electric car club fleet for a single local borough or council in the UK.
As well as benefiting existing members, the new car club chargers and electric vehicles provide opportunities for new users to try out and use electric vehicles without needing to own their own vehicle. This offers significant cost savings to users, as well as helping to improve congestion and air quality within Edinburgh, with car club vehicles compliant within the Low Emission Zone which will be enforced from June 2024.
The Council has delivered over 100 electric vehicle chargers since 2022 with funding from Transport Scotland and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles. This roll-out is designed to encourage and support the take-up of cleaner, low emission electric vehicles.
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “It’s great to see that we have extended the network of electric vehicle chargers across Edinburgh to include car club users in the city.
“Residents now have access to this modernised, cleaner and even more environmentally friendly form of cost-effective electric mobility. Motor transport contributes significantly to carbon emissions, and the switch to more sustainable transport is essential to achieving the city’s Net Zero target.
“The new chargers and vehicles also align with our City Mobility Plan to improve our transport system to make it cleaner and more sustainable, and create safe, attractive, and healthy streets and spaces for people to walk, wheel, cycle in and enjoy.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “I’m pleased that Scottish Government funding continues to support real alternatives to car ownership for people and communities.
“By supporting EV car clubs, people can experience the benefits of modern zero emission vehicles at a fraction of the cost required to purchase or lease their own vehicle.
“This helps those who only need a car occasionally, which is valuable in terms of encouraging a more sustainable transport network and reducing overall car use – improving air quality and road safety, all while reducing emissions and congestion.”
FM John Swinney chairs Cabinet before visits focused on jobs, NHS and transport
First Minister John Swinney will chair his first Cabinet meeting at Bute House, Edinburgh, this morning, ahead of a series of visits in the afternoon.
Mr Swinney was officially sworn in as Scotland’s seventh First Minister and appointed his Cabinet on Wednesday.
Later today he will meet health staff at St John’s Hospital, Livingston, see near completed works on the Levenmouth Rail Link in Fife, and visit IGS, a highly successful international vertical farm company in Dundee.
The First Minister said: “Today, my colleagues and I embark on a new chapter as we collectively work to build a better, brighter future for the people of Scotland.
“It is my greatest honour to lead us forward on that journey – one that will drive economic growth, tackle the climate crisis and eradicate the scourge of child poverty in our country once and for all.
“I know our health service is operating under sustained pressure and I am absolutely committed to working with health boards to improve standards – starting with our recent £30 million investment to drive down waiting times.
“We will also build on our investment and track record on major infrastructure projects.
“I’m pleased to also be able to visit one example of that record – the Levenmouth Rail Link, a line which will reconnect local communities for the first time in 50 years, and make a real contribution to the Government’s net-zero transport ambitions.
“And I pledge that I will stand with Scotland’s businesses, large and small, and do whatever I can to help them to grow, innovate, and boost our economy for the benefit of those who live here.”
Vote for your favourite finalist in the People’s Choice Award!
Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrate the best of Scotland’s voluntary sector.
This year’s shortlist includes 39 individuals and organisations from charities and voluntary groups across the country.
While a judging panel will determine the winners under ten distinct categories, members of the public can have their say by voting for their favourite overall entry in the People’s Choice Award – by visiting scvo.scot/vote – before 5pm on Friday 24 May 2024.
Winners will be announced on 20 June 2024 in a celebratory awards ceremony hosted by broadcaster Sally Magnusson at the Raddison Blu in Glasgow.
Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive, SCVO said: “We’re very excited to bring you the 2024 Scottish Charity Awards. It’s been another record-breaking year with nearly 500 entries, so arriving at the 39 finalists has been really difficult.
“The finalists demonstrate just how essential the voluntary sector is to Scottish society, with dedicated organisations and individuals going above and beyond to make a positive and often life-changing impact in their communities.
“The public has the chance to celebrate each of our finalists through the People’s Choice vote which is now open, so don’t miss your opportunity to get involved and get behind your favourite by voting! I’d like to wish all our finalists the very best of luck and look forward to shining a light on their essential contributions at our awards ceremony in June.”
AND THE SHORTLIST IS:
Campaign of the year
The Yard – Our Kids Won’t Wait
Aberlour Children’s Charity – Cancelling School Meal Debt
Amina Muslim Women’s Resource Centre – Never Allowed
Diabetes Scotland – Diabetes Tech Can’t Wait
Volunteer of the year
Mary Osei-Oppong – African and Caribbean Elders in Scotland
Mary Hepburn – Fife Rape and Sexual Assault Centre
Lauren Boag – Scottish Huntington’s Association
David Corstorphine – RNLI
Partnership of the Year
SOHTIS (Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland) and Simon Community Scotland
Edinburgh Tool Library and LGBT Health and Wellbeing
Larkhall & District Volunteer Group and Heart of Africa
Special Olympics Grampian Area, Special Olympics GB and Inclusive Skating
Employee of the Year
Vicki McGrain Rae – Asthma and Allergy Foundation
Amanda Fleet – Highlands and Islands Students’ Association
Janice Lee – Ardgowan Hospice
Kevin Radzynski – Grassmarket Community Project
Community Impact
Feeling Strong
National Ugly Mugs (NUM)
Fersands and Fountain SCIO
Creatovators CIC
Climate Impact
The Volunteer Tutors Organisation
Forth Rivers Trust
R:evolve Recycle
Trustee of the Year
Ken Brown – Bridge Community Project
Michael Craig – Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans
Jen Hardy – Cancer Card
Michelle Robertson – Fallin Community Voice
Digital Difference
Lead Scotland
The Why Not? Trust
Perth Theatre and Concert Hall
Strathearn Arts
Charity of the Year – turnover under £500k
Dates-n-Mates
Equi-Power Central Scotland RDA
Fischy Music
Playlist for Life
Charity of the Year – turnover over £500k
Edinburgh Women’s Aid
Fife Young Carers
Simba
St Vincent’s Hospice
The public can vote for their favourite finalist to win the People’s Choice Award by casting their vote on the SCVO website: scvo.scot/vote
Avant Homes Scotland will deliver 92 new homes in Tranent after being granted planning permission for a £31m residential development.
Called Thistle Meadows and located off South Glynn Walk, the development will comprise a mix of three-, four- and five-bedroom family homes.
It will feature 10 of Avant Homes’ practically designed, energy-efficient house types including semi-detached and detached homes. Prices for the properties are to be released at a later date.
Work at Thistle Meadows is scheduled to start this month. It is anticipated that the first properties will be released for sale in June and the first residents will move into their new homes in February 2025.
Avant Homes Scotland managing director, Jim Wilkinson, said: “As a business, we are committed to providing quality new homes for everyone in locations where people want to live.
“We now look forward to starting work on Thistle Meadows to provide local residents and people wanting to move to Tranent with a range of practically designed, energy-efficient homes at various price points.
“We have great mix of properties that will appeal to everyone from first-time buyers to second-steppers, families and downsizers.
“This is demonstrated by the significant number of sales enquiries we already have for Thistle Meadows and, now that we have been granted planning, we expect this demand to increase further.”
For more information on the development, search ‘Avant Homes Thistle Meadows’.
Almost 300,000 Self Assessment customers filed their tax return in the first week of the new tax year, almost 10 months ahead of the deadline, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed.
Customers can file their Self Assessment returns for the 2023 to 2024 tax year between 6 April 2024 and 31 January 2025.
Almost 70,000 people filed their return on the opening day this year (6 April) and HMRC is encouraging people to do it early and not to leave it until January.
By filing tax returns early, people can take their time to complete their returns – making sure the information is accurate and avoiding the stress of last-minute filing.
It can also help with budgeting and helping spread the cost of their tax bill. Customers can set up a budget payment plan to make weekly or monthly direct debit payments towards their next Self Assessment tax bill.
Refunds of overpaid tax will be paid as soon as the return has been processed. Customers can also check if they are due a refund in the HMRC app.
In recent years, HMRC has seen more and more customers file their tax returns early. Last year, more than 246,000 people submitted their Self Assessment between 6 and 12 April 2023.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:“Filing your Self Assessment early means people can spend more time growing their business and doing the things they love, rather than worrying about their tax return.
“You too can join the thousands of customers who have already done their tax return for the 2023-24 tax year by searching ‘Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK and get started today.”
Anyone who is new to Self Assessment and thinks they might need to complete a tax return for the 2023 to 2024 tax year can use the Self Assessment online tool to check whether they need to register for Self Assessment and submit a return.
People may need to complete a tax return for the 2023 to 2024 tax year and pay any tax owed if:
· they are a self-employed individual with an income over £1,000
· they have received any untaxed income over £2,500
· they are renting out one or more properties
· they claim Child Benefit and they or their partner have an income above £50,000
· they are a partner in a partnership
· their taxable income earned from savings and investments is more than the £10,000 personal savings allowance
· their taxable income earned from dividends is more than £10,000
· they have paid Capital Gains Tax on assets that were sold for a profit above the Capital Gains threshold
Pensioners are required to pay Income Tax on any taxable income, including their pension income, above their Personal Allowance threshold. There are different ways to pay any tax owed, depending on the individual’s circumstances, including:
· if they already complete a Self Assessment tax return, they will need to report and pay via this route
· if they have a PAYE tax code, HMRC will automatically collect any tax through their tax code
Alternatively, if a pensioner does not already pay tax via Self Assessment or PAYE, HMRC will send them a Simple Assessment summary.
The Simple Assessment will tell them how much Income Tax they need to pay and the deadline – usually by 31 January following the end of the tax year. HMRC produces the Simple Assessment from the information it already holds so people do not need to do anything – there is no form to complete. More information about Simple Assessment is available on GOV.UK.
It is important that customers let HMRC know if there are any changes in details or circumstances such as a new address or name, or if they are no longer self-employed or their business has closed.
They should not assume someone else will update HMRC on their behalf.
Criminals use emails, phone calls and texts to try to steal information and money from taxpayers. Before sharing their personal or financial details, people should search ‘HMRC phishing and scams’ on GOV.UK to check the sender or caller is genuine.
Customers should never share their HMRC sign-in details. Someone could use them to steal from them or claim benefits or a refund in their name.
Muscular Dystrophy UK voices concerns from the muscle wasting and weakening community in Scotland.
Study reveals possible signs of rare and progressive conditions are often missed and not investigated.
Speedy referral is essential due to complex diagnosis process and the urgent need to access vital healthcare and treatments as quickly as possible.
A recent study by Muscular Dystrophy UK reveals that people living with a muscle wasting or weakening condition are often misunderstood by healthcare professionals and are not referred at the earliest opportunity to specialist services.
The leading charity for more than 110,000 children and adults in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions, carried out a survey revealing key insights from the muscle wasting and weakening community.
Just under half of respondents (47%) faced being misdiagnosed at some point, with it taking four or more meetings with healthcare professionals for the majority (55%) of respondents to get a diagnosis. A significant majority of respondents (69%) waited in excess of a year to receive a diagnosis.
The findings highlight the need to improve knowledge and understanding of neuromuscular conditions to ensure people are referred, as early as possible to a specialist neuromuscular team, to receive the right diagnosis and start on an appropriate care pathway to get the support and any available treatment required.
Muscle wasting and weakening conditions are progressive which means they will worsen over time and lead to an increasing level of disability. Care and treatments available will slow progression but there is currently no cure.
The symptoms of muscular dystrophy, and the age at which onset occurs, will be different in each person.
Common symptoms could include muscle stiffness or pain, changes in mobility, such as difficulty walking, difficulty in lifting things and increased number of falls. Some muscle wasting and weakening conditions can affect the heart or the muscles used for breathing and in some severe cases, the condition may have life-threatening complications, and shortened life expectancy.
84% of respondents to the survey highlighted the need to increase understanding and awareness of muscle wasting and weakening conditions among non-specialist neuromuscular healthcare professionals as a key priority. With 56% of respondents highlighting that access to healthcare should be a further area of focus.
Respondents shared some of their diagnosis journey highlighting: “I was 14 when I knew something was wrong.
“At age 35 I was diagnosed. I was told I was lying and making things up.”
Another respondent said: “My first reported symptoms to my GP I was aged 35, then onwards from that, on a regular basis until eventual diagnosis at 65.
“I had in-patient assessments over those years, and no-one thought to look for Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) even though my sister has it and I always disclosed this in my medical history.”
The findings show a lack of understanding of muscle wasting and weakening conditions within non-specialist neuromuscular healthcare professionals, either at the initial stages of a diagnosis or at different touch points throughout the management of the condition.
Muscular Dystrophy UK works with the NHS and the muscle wasting and weakening community to broaden knowledge and understanding of the different conditions and improve access to treatments.
The charity is calling for improvements to be made, so people get a faster diagnosis and are better equipped to access appropriate healthcare sooner.
Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK said: “When you are living with a progressive condition that can affect vital muscles such as the heart and lungs, it is essential that you get a diagnosis quickly.
“We know that neuromuscular conditions cover an incredibly wide range of rare and progressive conditions. The diagnosis journey is complex and it can take multiple appointments. It’s therefore crucial that we improve the understanding and knowledge of non-specialist neuromuscular healthcare professionals to ensure the referral process is quick and efficient to reduce the number of people being misdiagnosed.
People must be able to access the right support, management – and where available, treatment. Allowing people to remain independent, doing the things they enjoy for longer and more easily.”
David Hick was diagnosed with Becker muscular dystrophy in July 2023. Photo credit: Muscular Dystrophy UK
His symptoms progressed, following Covid, and the realisation came when he wasn’t able to continue with his motor trade job, that he had been doing for two decades. He got professional help and was diagnosed. A month after diagnosis, David joined the North Star Programme and is part of a clinical drug trial. David is now looking to move to closer to a specialist neuromuscular centre in Newcastle to ensure he can receive the best possible care.
He said: “Looking back it was apparent that something was wrong, but it was never properly investigated. I was told you’re a fit and healthy person. You’ve got nothing wrong with you. You’re just tall and skinny.
“It affected my mental health when I was in my early twenties, as I questioned why I couldn’t do certain things. Difficulties would come up in everyday life, but I just brushed it off.
“We were renovating our house and I lifted something heavy. As a result, I pulled several muscles, so went to a physio. This was the start of the diagnosis journey. I ended up being diagnosed with a rare and progressive condition. It was like a grenade going off – I’d never heard of muscular dystrophy before.”
Muscular Dystrophy UK provides a range of resources and awareness raising opportunities for non-specialist neuromuscular healthcare professionals, including an e-learning resource for General Practitioners, events, webinars and conferences and connections to local specialist services through its Regional Neuromuscular Networks.
Healthcare professionals who wish to access this support can email:
Around 9am yesterday (Wednesday, 8 May), whilst executing a warrant at an address on Broomhouse Place North, officers from Edinburgh South West Community Policing Team discovered controlled drugs, believed to be cannabis, both herbal and plants, with an estimated street value of £303,000.
A 28-year-old man has been arrested and charged and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, 9 May 2024. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
