Opened in 1994, the organisation has grown to become Scotland’s leading arts engagement charity, impacting hundreds of thousands of people of all ages through inspiring, creative projects
Impact Arts makes a call for people who have been part of its work over the last 30 years to get in touch to share their stories and memories
On 22 August, the team at Impact Arts will raise a glass to three decades of life-changing work, as Scotland’s leading creative engagement charity prepares to mark its 30th anniversary.
Since it was established by Susan Aktemel in 1994, Impact Arts has embarked on a mission to tackle social inequality using creativity and art, improving the lives of some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people in communities all over the country.
Over the years the charity has been behind hundreds of projects, from large-scale public art to music projects with the likes of Amy Macdonald and Hector Bizerk, live theatre to pop-up cafes, and interior design workshops to creative learning with those in the criminal justice system.
Since 1994 more than 300,000 people have been engaged in or supported by their work, with projects winning numerous awards and accolades.
Early projects included the creation of the Woodlands Mosaic Bollards in Glasgow’s West End in 1997, which continue to bring colour and vibrancy to the area today. Other community artworks have included the Linkes Mosaic Mural in Knightswood, first created in 2005, and local young people creating stained glass windows to brighten the Pineview Housing Association homes in Drumchapel.
In 2003 Impact Arts launched Fab Pad, which supported hundreds of people at risk of or experiencing homelessness to sustain their tenancies through creative interior design workshops.
The project was delivered right across central Scotland, including at one point taking over a whole floor of the Red Road flats in North Glasgow with a “showroom” and workshop, helping many tenants to transform their homes on a budget while learning valuable new skills.
The project ran until 2015, and continues today as Make It Your Own, supporting vulnerable tenants to help transform their home lives.
Today Impact Arts continues to push boundaries with its life-changing charity work from its bases in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Irvine.
It continues to welcome older communities struggling with social isolation, improving the wellbeing and attainment of children via art therapy, and empowering teens and young adults through employability programmes such as Creative Pathways, and CashBack to the Future, which is currently running with groups in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and North Ayrshire.
Since 2023 Impact Arts has been based at The Boardwalk in the heart of Glasgow’s Merchant City, transforming the building into a purpose-built creative and accessible events venue, boasting a 180-capacity theatre, seven studios and meeting rooms capable of hosting everything from dance rehearsals and creative workshops to corporate events and conferences.
The Boardwalk is proving a popular choice for businesses and public bodies looking to support the broad work of the charity when booking event space.
As well as being home to many of Impact Arts’s own projects, The Boardwalk also hosts many of the country’s leading creative organisations, from permanent theatrical tenants like Solar Bear and Birds of Paradise, to dance studios brought to life by the likes of S-MB Company and The Work Room, and transformative creative engagement charities like Playlist for Life and Inspiring Scotland.
On 22 August The Boardwalk will host a special 30th anniversary celebration, with stakeholders, former participants, and friends of Impact Arts invited to relive highlights from past projects and see recent work by a range of groups including some of the work created as part of this year’s Cashback Summer programmes.
The charity has launched its call for those who have been impacted by their work to get in touch and share their stories which it will incorporate in its August celebrations.
Fiona Doring, Chief Executive Officer of Impact Arts, said: “Impact Arts was born out of the recognition that taking part in arts and creative activities can be life changing.
“For 30 years we have built on this philosophy to support the people and communities across Scotland, who are least likely to have access to the arts, to tackle the big issues preventing them from achieving their potential.
“Impact Arts has been at the heart of positive change for thousands of people’s lives and, as we turn 30, we are taking time to reflect upon and celebrate the stories of all of these individual people for whom engaging in arts projects has been transformational.”
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, is celebrating National Allotment Week (12-18 August) by inviting gardening enthusiasts along to its Edinburgh store for a series of free Grow How workshops throughout the month, focusing on allotment gardening.
The sessions are designed for both seasoned allotment pros and those just starting out, gaining valuable skills and knowledge to make plots flourish, taking place on the first Saturday of the month, then every Wednesday throughout August at 10.30am and 3.30pm at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store.
Dobbies’ Grow How sessions will equip gardeners on the best late-summer crops to sow in August for a flourishing harvest later in the season, how to prune your summer fruits to maximise its yield and ways you can ready the allotment for any upcoming holidays with watering techniques.
For the month of August, guests attending Grow How sessions in the Edinburgh store will have the chance to donate to the Stroke Association, to mark National Allotment Week. Dobbies has supported Stroke Association for several years. Gardening is known to have a positive impact on both the physical and emotional recovery of stroke survivors and the charity supports several groups with allotments across the UK.
Dobbies’ Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton, is looking forward to welcoming people along to August’s sessions in Edinburgh. He said: “Growing your own produce is something that we’re really passionate about at Dobbies.
“It is also growing in popularity, as many gardeners recognise the benefits of growing fresh produce in both the taste and the positive impact it can have on physical and mental health.
“A thriving allotment isn’t just about delicious homegrown produce – it’s about getting your hands dirty, enjoying the outdoors and feeling a sense of accomplishment.
“We’re thrilled to be working alongside our friends at the Stroke Association to encourage gardeners of all abilities to learn valuable skills and discover how allotments can benefit wellbeing at our Grow How sessions in the Edinburgh store.”
Saul Heselden, Head of Corporate Partnerships at the Stroke Association, said: “Recovering from a stroke can bring lots of challenges, but finding joy in the simple pleasures of nature can make a real difference.
“Gardening can provide a much-needed boost to both your physical and mental health, and allotments provide an affordable way for people to experience the benefits of gardening, while also growing their own produce.
“Right now, the Stroke Association can only reach one-third of the survivors who most need support. We want to reach all those in need, but we can only do this with the generosity of our supporters like Dobbies. We’re incredibly grateful they have chosen to fundraise through the Grow How workshops at the Edinburgh store to raise vital funds for people affected by stroke.”
Dobbies is also a sponsor of the Stroke Association’s Strength in Bloom virtual garden, where visitors are invited to donate by planting symbolic flowers and trees, or selecting a plaque to dedicate to an individual affected by stroke.
A group of abuse survivors have raised £48,106 for child protection charity the NSPCC by scaling Mount Everest.
Giles Moffatt (51), who suffered abuse as a young boy at Edinburgh Academy, brought together the 11-strong group of men and women, many of them also child abuse survivors, to form ‘Team Uprising’ and travel to Nepal to trek at ultra-high altitude in the Himalayas.
The wider group reached Everest Base Camp on April 12 and Giles, his climbing companion Andrew Leslie and three guides continued further up the mountain in a bid to reach the summit by the end of May.
Mid expedition Giles became unwell with High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), which is when fluid collects in the lungs and if left untreated can be fatal.
Following treatment, he returned to the mountain for three more weeks and made a further attempt to get up the notorious Khumbu Icefall, the route to the higher camps. Struck by a different illness a second time, he was forced to turn back.
Despite not reaching the summit, Giles has achieved what he set out to do – raising awareness of the impact of child abuse and bringing in much needed funds for the NSPCC to help keep children safe.
Giles, who lives in Rye, East Sussex, said: “A year ago, the members of Team Uprising were strangers, now we are friends for life.
“Eleven of us made it to base camp and one of us made it to the summit with support from our Sherpa guides. Most importantly, everyone made it back safely. Out of evil, much good has come.”
Andrew (37) made it to the summit of Everest on May 21, with three Sherpa guides and colleagues – PK Sherpa, Mingma Sherpa, and Sonam Sherpa. Andy, who grew up in Helensburgh but now lives in Portland, Oregon, said he was thrilled to complete his lifelong ambition of getting to the top of Everest.
He said: “It was really special to climb with Giles and this group of survivors. We were all brought together by a passion for mountains and the transformation they are capable of creating, but there was a much deeper purpose to this expedition.
“Many men in the group had a shared traumatic experience in childhood, so our climb aimed to raise awareness of the impact of this kind of abuse. With everyone reaching Base Camp and some of us going on to climb Everest, we took a terrible childhood experience and turned it into something really positive which we hope will help prevent abuse happening to children.
“The money raised for the NSPCC will be used to help keep children safe.
“This journey pushed me to my physical and mental limits more than I ever thought possible, and the perspectives gained together with this group will last a lifetime. It’s a journey that has left me changed for the better.”
The funds raised by ‘Team Uprising’ will go towards supporting NSPCC services. These include Childline, the charity’s free counselling service for children, the adult Helpline for reporting concerns about a child and the charity’s educational programmes, such as Talk PANTS and Speak Out Stay Safe, which aim to help prevent child abuse and neglect.
Other members of the group included: Neil Russell, Neil MacDonald, Frazer Macdonald, Graeme Sneddon, Adrian Blakemore, Niall Mackinlay, and friends and family Cat Bolten, Rachel Leslie, Andrea Christensen, Jacob Christensen.
They were supported by OONI Pizza Ovens, Tiso, Thermos, Tunnocks, The Altitude Centre in London, Lindores Abbey Distillery and Taking the Pea snacks.
Young people looking for support can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.
Any adult concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing help@NSPCC.org.uk. But should call the police on 999 straight away if they think a child is in immediate danger.
An Edinburgh academic who set up Scotland’s first free ‘tax clinic’ for people on low incomes has won a place on a US-UK exchange programme.
Dr Amy Lawton’s Scottish Tax Clinic has helped vulnerable people overturn tax debts of more than £100,000. She hopes to learn from the US, where the tax clinics have been in operation for many years.
Dr Lawton’s free advice service is open to anyone in Scotland who has run into problems with their tax returns and who cannot afford to pay for professional advice. She helps around 100 people per year, sometimes cancelling penalties of thousands of pounds.
Her pioneering clinic at the University of Edinburgh works in partnership with the tax charity TaxAid UK, and is staffed by local, professional volunteers and law students at Edinburgh Law School where she is a senior lecturer. It allows law students to put theory into practice with real-life cases whilst also helping those who have nowhere else to turn.
Dr Lawton said: “My Scottish Tax Clinic is the only free, dedicated tax clinic in the UK, but tax clinics are a much bigger thing in the US where it is much easier to get pro bono tax advice if you are on a low income.
“Tax has a reputation for being a rich person’s problem but people on all levels of income get into trouble with HMRC.
“Often they’ve forgotten to fill out their tax return due to severe personal circumstances or they are juggling multiple jobs without the correct tax code. Some of the penalties involved mean they can soon stack up thousands of pounds of debt.”
Dr Lawton has won an All Disciplines Scholar Award from the US-UK Fulbright Commission and will spend a term at Villanova Law School, the home of one of the oldest tax clinics in the United States.
The Villanova Federal Tax Clinic represents, litigates for and provides a voice for low-income taxpayers. It plays a crucial role in making sure the US tax system is fair for individuals who may otherwise not have a voice.
The US was Dr Lawton’s inspiration when she established the UK’s very first tax clinic whilst teaching at Lancaster University.
When she moved to the University of Edinburgh the clinic moved with her, and it remains the oldest one in operation in the UK, and the only one solely devoted to tax support.
Dr Lawton added: “Citizens Advice Bureau won’t provide advice on tax, so there are very limited options for professional advice unless you have the money to pay for it.
“The tax charities (such as TaxAid UK) and the Scottish Tax Clinic provide a vital service for those with nowhere else to turn. Not everyone needs a lot of help, but some people have tax debts of thousands of pounds.
“A lot of that debt is usually penalties for late filing. If you are more than a year overdue with your tax return there is a fine of £1,600, even if you don’t owe a penny in tax. The Scottish Tax Clinic has been successful at appealing these kinds of crippling debts, which can be life changing for those involved and can avoid them having to file for bankruptcy.
“I realised that the US has so much experience in this field that we can really learn from here in the UK. My tax clinic is successful, but it is still a very isolated resource. The US started with just one clinic and now there is a network of government funded clinics, allowing people all over the country to access independent advice.
“I’m hoping that, following my Fulbright Commission exchange, I’ll be able to make that strong argument that tax clinics should be more present in the UK.”
The US-UK Fulbright Commission was established in the aftermath of the Second World War to foster better understanding between the US and the UK, and promote the empathy gained from cultural immersion.
Active in 150 countries, the Fulbright programme is the largest international education exchange in the world: more than 370,000 people have participated in it globally since it began, and over 25,000 have received US-UK Fulbright awards.
Sixty-two Fulbright alumni have won Nobel Prizes; 88 have won Pulitzer Prizes and 40 have served as head of state or government.
Maria Balinska, Executive Director of the US-UK Fulbright Commission, said: “Our vision is a world where there are no obstacles to learning, understanding and collaboration.
“Today there are many global challenges to overcome, and the world needs compassionate leaders to tackle them.
“This year’s cohort of awardees will be placing cultural engagement at the heart of their experiences as they undertake ambitious study and research programmes in the US: I am filled with hope for the wonderful collaborations that will ensue.”
Dr Lawton will join a cohort of 31 Fulbrighters heading to the USA from the UK for 2024-25.
Beyond learning from the Villanova clinic, Dr Amy Lawton’s Fulbright project seeks to explore the impact of legal representation in the tax court in both the US and the UK.
As a Fulbright Scholar, she is keen to learn how her clinic can grow, by immersing herself in one of the most experienced tax clinic countries in the world: the United States of America.
Workplace expert, Acas, has issued top tips today to help employers prepare for potential issues that could arise during the 2024 Olympics Games in Paris that start on Friday.
Paris 2024 will take place between Friday 26 July and Sunday 11 August 2024. Acas advises employers and small businesses to have agreements in place that cover requests for time off, sickness absence, website use during working hours or watching TV during this period.
Relais de la flamme des Jeux Olympiques de Paris 2024, Val-de-Marne
Acas Chief Executive, Susan Clews, said: “Paris 2024 will be an exciting event for many sports fans but staff should avoid getting disqualified for unreasonable demands or behaviour in the workplace during this period.
“For many businesses, maintaining a certain staffing level is critical in order to survive and sprint to that finish line. Employers should have a set of simple workplace agreements in place before the starting gun goes off for the Olympic Games. These agreements can help ensure businesses remain productive while keeping staff happy too, which are key ingredients for a gold medal winning team line up.
“Our top tips can help managers get the best from their team athletes by planning for potential hurdles, arranging team relay handovers if necessary and avoiding unnecessary false starts.”
Acas offers some top tips for employers to consider for the 2024 Olympic Games:
Time Off – Employers may wish to look at being a little more flexible when allowing employees time off during this period and employees should remember that it may not always be possible to book a holiday. The key is for both parties to try and come to an agreement. All requests for leave should be considered fairly. A consistent approach should be applied for holiday requests for other major sporting events too.
Sickness absence – Employers may want to remind staff that their sickness and attendance policies will still apply during the Olympics. Any unauthorised absence, patterns of absence or late attendance are likely to be investigated and could result in formal proceedings.
Flexibility – One possible option is to have a more flexible working day. Employees could come in a little later or finish sooner and then agree when this time can be made up.
Allowing staff to listen to the radio or watch the TV may be another possible option. Employers could also allow staff to take a break during popular events. Another option is to look at allowing staff to swap shifts with their manager’s permission.
It is important for employers to be fair and consistent with all staff if they allow additional benefits during the Olympics. Any change in hours or flexibility in working hours should be approved before the event.
Use of social media and websites – there may be an increase in the use of social media or websites covering Paris 2024. Employers may wish to remind staff of any policies on the use of social media and websites during working hours. The policies should be clear on what is and is not acceptable web use.
Professor Lord Darzi appointed to establish the state of the nation’s health service
Report will provide ‘raw and honest assessment’ of issues facing health service
Work will be led by Rt Hon Professor Lord Darzi, OM, KBE, a lifelong surgeon and innovator, independent peer and former health minister
Findings will feed into government’s 10-year plan to radically reform the nation’s health service
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, has ordered a full and independent investigation into the state of the NHS, to uncover the extent of the issues facing the nation’s health service.
Mr Streeting says he wants a ‘raw and honest’ assessment that will deliver ‘the hard truths’. He has appointed Professor Lord Darzi, a lifelong surgeon and innovator, independent peer and former health minister, to lead the rapid assessment, which will be delivered in September.
Its findings will provide the basis for the government’s 10-year plan to radically reform the NHS and build a health service that is fit for the future.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said: “Anyone who works in or uses the NHS can see it is broken. This government will be honest about the challenges facing the health service, and serious about tackling them.
“This investigation will uncover hard truths and I’ve asked for nothing to be held back. I trust Lord Darzi will leave no stone unturned and have told him to speak truth to power.
“I want a raw and frank assessment of the state of the NHS. This is the necessary first step on the road to recovery for our National Health Service, so it can be there for us when we need it, once again.”
Professor Lord Darzi said: “As every clinician and every patient knows, the first step to addressing any health problem is a proper diagnosis.
“My work will analyse the evidence to understand where we are today – and how we got to here – so that the health service can move forward.
“This is an important step to re-establishing quality of care as the organising principle of the NHS.”
Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive, said: “Frontline NHS staff are doing an incredible job, despite the huge pressures they face, to deliver care to over a million people every day, but we know that they face huge struggles and patients are not always getting the timely, high quality care they need.
“We will work closely with the government, independent experts and NHS staff to take a detailed look at the scale of the challenges and set out plans to address them – this comprehensive analysis will be an important step in helping us to build an NHS fit for the future.”
The Health and Social Care Secretary’s promise to fix the broken NHS was backed by action last week when he met with key figures across the health service.
This included meetings with junior doctors to discuss ending the strikes, and talks with the British Dental Association about rebuilding NHS dentistry.
He also visited a GP surgery in north London to see first-hand how the practice is delivering a patient-led service providing continuity of care – a key pillar of the government’s ambition to improve primary care.
Mr Streeting also set out his wider commitment to support the government’s growth mission by improving the health of the nation.
The aims are based on 3 key steps:
cutting waiting times to get people back to work
making the UK a life sciences and medical technology superpower
creating training and job opportunities through the NHS to deliver growth up and down the country.
Parents heading on road trips with their kids during summer holidays are being urged to take extra precautions on the road to help keep everyone safe and avoid fines.
Motoring experts from Quotezone.co.uk are reminding parents of common driving issues when travelling with children.
Photo credit: Pexels.com
As families prepare for summer holidays, the team at Quotezone have compiled a safety checklist to help parents setting off on road trips
Some of the most common safety issues involve not using the car seat correctly and not fitting it securely.
It’s important to make sure to use an appropriate car seat or seat belt for the child’s age, height, and weight, while also ensuring it is properly installed and compatible with the vehicle – parents could be hit with a fine of up to £500 and points on their licence if the requirements aren’t up to scratch.
Before heading on a road trip it’s also crucial to make the call on whether or not drivers are too tired – driving in a tired state can hamper drivers’ abilities to concentrate, react and navigate the roads.
If too tired, drivers need to seek out alternative transport, invite other drivers or delay the trip.
Other common issues include leaving loose items in the car, multitasking behind the wheel and forgetting to turn on the child lock.
Quotezone.co.uk car and travel insurance expert Catherine Boyd said: “The summer holidays can be a particularly stressful time for parents, heading off on holidays, juggling childcare and trying to keep children entertained with various road trips.
“Our list of safety tips will hopefully act as a helpful reminder of key checks that need done within the car before setting off on the next adventure.
“Children can also grow a lot over the holidays so it’s important to double check the safety measures in the car are still appropriate for the child’s age, weight and height – cleaning and refitting them regularly to make sure they are working properly.
“Quite a dangerous example, which maybe isn’t as commonly known, is the effect of keeping loose items in the body of the car itself. During a sudden manoeuvre or incident on the road, these items can become projectiles, injuring passengers, so keeping bottles of water or electronic devices stored safely in specific holders will help reduce the risk of issues.”
Here are Quotezone.co.uk’s top safety tips when driving with children:
Car seat double check
The Highway Code states that children need to be in car seats until they reach the age of 12 or are at least 135 centimetres tall. For babies younger than 15 months, it’s essential to place them in a rear-facing car seat, as this is the safest position for them. It’s important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s manual for installation or seek professional assistance, and carry out regular checks to make sure the seat is not loose.
Driving when tired
Fatigue significantly slows reaction times and impairs judgement, which makes it very dangerous to get behind the wheel if you haven’t had enough rest. It’s a difficult but important decision to make if you’re too tired to drive – opting instead for public transport or inviting other drivers on the trip.
Loose items
Whether it’s toys, water bottles, tablets or phones, loose items should be secured in the car to prevent serious injuries in the event of a sudden stop or collision – loose items can increase their weight by up to forty times at just 30mph. Make sure to store loose items in specialist holders or use the boot or glovebox compartments, place phones in a mount and use drink holders for any beverages.
Phones
It’s illegal to hold and use a phone while driving, if you need to make calls you need the appropriate hands-free equipment. If not needed it’s sensible to store your phone in the boot to avoid temptation.
Child locks
It is important to always activate the child lock when driving with children in the car, children love to press buttons and might accidentally open the car door while the vehicle is moving, it also gives the driver time to open the door when it is safe to do so, avoiding issues when parking on busy roads or car parks. Failing to activate the child lock can be considered careless driving and may lead to fines and points on your driver’s licence.
Multitasking
Children’s behaviour in the car can sometimes be demanding, it’s important to try and remain calm and wait for a safe spot to pull over and address the children’s needs or any issues.
The BIG LIST of places to take the kids is updated for 2024 and bigger and better than ever!
With the school summer holidays upon us, we’ve been busy updating our list of must-visit places in Scotland! We’ve removed closed venues, added exciting new spots, and updated prices to keep you informed.
Before you head out, remember to double-check the venues’ or events’ social media pages for the latest updates, as things can change quickly.
If you’re planning to visit multiple places marked as National Trust or Historic Scotland (especially Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, and Culzean Castle) then a yearly membership of these organisations may save you money.
If you’re eligible for a Young Scot card (free for 11-26 year olds) then applying for one (at “www.young.scot”) will also save you money on some entrance fees.
We hope this helps keep your little ones entertained over the holidays! Have a fantastic summer exploring all that Scotland has to offer!
Above Adventure, Kilmarnock. Indoor climbing & bouldering. From £6
Adventure Golf Island, Dunfermline £5-£9
Adventure Planet softplay centres, Cumbernauld and Paisley, £7.95 – £9.95
Aerial Adventures soft play, Livingston. £2 – £8
Agnew Park, Stranraer. Play park, mini railway, boats, putting, go karts. FREE entry. Mini railway £1.20 children £1.95 adults, Mini cars £1.20, Boats £4-£5.25, Go-karts £3.10.
Airthrill, East Kilbride. Trampoline & inflatable park. From £12.95
Almond Valley farm park, Livingston. Outdoor play, indoor play, animals, picnic, soft play, walks. £10 – £12
Almondell & Calderwood country park, Broxburn FREE
Amazonia @ M&Ds, Motherwell, £5.20 – £6.80
Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum (& gardens), Dunfermline. FREE
Codona’s, Aberdeen. Indoor and outdoor play, go karts, mini golf. From £4
Colourplay CIC, Kirkintilloch. Messy play and art activities £
Colzium Estate, Kilsyth – visitor centre, cafe, play area etc. FREE
Conifox Adventure Park, Kirkliston. Outdoor play £3.50 – £9.50 (under 1s free) Indoor soft play £2.75 – £13.95 (under 1s free). 30% discount on indoor+outdoor tickets
Cowan Park, Barrhead. Large play area, walks, trim trail with gym equipment, tennis courts (April-Sept, free to use, free coaching sessions in summer). FREE
Craft Daft on a Raft, Kirkintilloch. Studio fee £4.50, pottery to paint from £8. £15 minimum spend per table.
Crafty Workshops, Jedburgh. Age 3+. £
Craigend Nursery – indoor sandpit, Cumbernauld £4
Craigie’s Farm Shop, Edinburgh. Play area and pick your own fruit. From £5
Craigtoun Country Park, St. Andrews. Free entry, £10 wristband for attractions.
Falkirk Wheel £9.50 – £17.50 (other activities separate charge)
Farmer’s Den soft play, Dumfries & Annan. £5
Fife Zoo £4 – £6
Finlaystone Country Park, Port Glasgow. Woodland play areas and walks £4-£6 under 3 free
Firepit & Kiln Carvery & Pottery, Glasgow Quay. £
5 Sisters Zoo, West Calder, £13.95 – £18.95, under 3s FREE
Flanders Moss national nature reserve, nr Kippen, Stirlingshire FREE
Flip Out Trampoline Park, Rutherglen £9.45 – £14.45
Forgotten Worlds, Stewarton. Large retro game shop and arcade. One hour unlimited arcade gaming pass £5
Fossilfield Training Centre, Auchinleck, East Ayrshire. Pony/horse riding social enterprise for children, young people and adults who experience social and economic barriers.
Foxlake Adventures CIC outdoor water park, assault course, segways, Dunbar – various prices starting at £15
Frankie & Lola’s soft play, Inverness. From £1.99
Friockheim Park, Arbroath. Football Pitches, Woodland, Large Children’s Play Areas, BMX Bike Area. FREE
Fun Street, Silverburn, Glasgow. Soft play, mini town, interactive gaming. £1.99 – £15.99
Galleon Centre, Kilmarnock. 25m swimming pool with kids pool and flume, ice rink, squash, sports courts. £
Galloway Activity Centre, Parton (Loch Ken) Water sports, outdoor sports, board/boat/bike hire, laser tag, outdoor water park & water slide. From £20
Garage Bowling, go karting and adventure golf, Kilmarnock. From £5.50
Garrison Funfair, Millport, Cumbrae. Vintage rides, games, inflatables. Easter – September (open all week in school summer holidays, otherwise weekends only). Tokens £2.50
Garscube Playrooms, Glasgow £15 annual membership plus £4 per visit
Gem Rock Museum, Creetown. £6
Glasgow Climbing Centre from £26
Glasgow Green, adventure park, walks. FREE
Glasgow Museum Resource Centre, FREE pre booked tours.
Glasgow Science Centre, £11.50 – £14.75
Glasgow Ski & Snowboard Centre, Bellahouston 6 week ski/snowboard course £90 – £96. Tubing sessions from £12
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust – Bridgeton Bus Garage, Glasgow. Open on selected weekends Spring-Autumn for visits & FREE historic bus rides, guided tours by arrangement in winter.
Gooey Events Limited, Livingston events from £30
Gourock Outdoor Pool £3.70 – £4.50
Grampian Transport Museum, Alford. £5-£13 (under 3s free)
Gravity Trampoline Park, Glasgow Xsite Braehead and Edinburgh Fountain Park. From £4
Hamilton Water Palace. Indoor pool with pirate ship area for under 8s (check times as they vary). Child (4-17) : £2.30
Adult (18+) : £4.70. Under 4s free
Hannahston Alpacas, Drongan. £10-£15 Fri-Mon
Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen. Playground, golf, maze, mini zoo. FREE entry
Heads of Ayr farm park, Ayr – animals & play park indoor/ outdoor £15.50 (under 1 free)
Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore. Open air museum. March-October. FREE (£2 for parking)
Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig. £16.85 – £22.50
HistoryLinks Museum, Dornoch. £
Hollywood Bowl, Springfield Quay & Bargeddie. Kids eat,drink and play from £7.50
Holmwood House, Cathcart £8.50 (National Trust)
Hopetoun House & grounds, South Queensferry. March – Sept. £4 – £13.50 (Young Scot card holders £1) Dogs – grounds only.
Howard Park, Kilmarnock. Large play area, sports courts. FREE
Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery @ Glasgow Uni FREE
Infinity Trampoline Park, Inverness. From £4.99
Inflata Nation, Kinning Park Glasgow. Inflatable park (indoor). £6.99 – £10.99
Innoflate inflatable parks. Glasgow, Livingston, Cumbernauld, Dundee, Aberdeen. From £5.95
Inveraray Jail, from £9.50 – £15.50
Inverness Kart Raceway. From £26.Age 8+
Inverness Museum & Art Gallery. FREE
Irvine Beach Park. Sandy beach, sand dunes, extensive grassy dune area with walking paths and stone dragon sculpture, pond, skate park, toilets, kiosk, free parking. FREE
Jungle Creek Soft Play & Adventure Golf, Glasgow (Soccerworld). Usually a deal available on Groupon. £5-£10
Juniors Play Cafe, Hamilton. £4 per child, include lunch for an extra £2.50. Babies aged 0-12 months go free. £6.00 deposit books your table (redeemable in the centre)
Loch Lomond shores – shops, cafes, sea life centre, water sports, outdoor play park. From FREE
Lochwinnoch RSPB FREE
Lollipop Land soft play, East Kilbride £5.95 – £8.95
Loopy Lou’s soft play, Boddam, nr Peterhead. Indoor soft play with outdoor play area & astro sports pitch. £6-£10 (under 1s free)
Low Park Museum, Hamilton FREE
Lunderston Bay, Gourock, FREE
Lynn Glen, Dalry, Ayrshire. River walk with fairy houses, waterfall. FREE
Mabie Farm Park, Dumfries (Mar-Oct) £10 under 2s FREE
Make Do & Grow, Govan. Free drop in arts and crafts and workshops
M&D’s, Motherwell – funfair All day wristband £21.95. Other packages available
Mariner Leisure Centre, Falkirk £3 – £5.20 (Under 3’s go free)
Mary Queen of Scots Visitor Centre, Jedburgh. FREE
McDiarmid Park, Barrhead. New play park including accessible equipment. FREE
McMoos ice cream parlour and cafe, Boness
Merkinch Nature Reserve, Inverness. FREE
Merlin Cinema, Thurso. £
Milk Barn, Falkirk – ice cream parlour on farm, £
Messy Nessy Playcentre & Ceramic Cafe, Thurso. From £3.50
Millport, Isle of Cumbrae. Catch ferry from Largs (£2 – £15.20) – hire a bike / play on beach £ / FREE
Monty’s Farm Park, Ardardan, Cardross. Outdoor play: adult (13+) £5, child £9.50, age 1-2 £8, under 1 free. Indoor play additional £3.50 for children age 1+ (adults free)
Movement Park, Whiteinch. Parkour, BMX, Skateboarding, urban sports. From £6.50
Mugdock Park, nr Milngavie – muddy walks/ ranger activities / garden centre FREE
Muiravonside Country Park, nr Falkirk, FREE (some events cost)
Muirshiel Country Park, Lochwinnoch, FREE (some events cost)
Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh FREE
Museum of Edinburgh. FREE
Museum of Lead Mining, Wanlockhead. Mine tours and gold panning available. From £6.50
Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage, Edinburgh. Tues-Sat. FREE entry (suggested donation £3)
Museums of the University of St Andrews. FREE
National Museum of Flight, North Berwick, from £8.50 – £13.50, under 5s FREE
National Museum of Rural Life, East Kilbride, £7 – £10, under 5s FREE (National Trust-affiliated)
Rangers football club museum & stadium tour, Glasgow. Museum £11.50 adult, £6.50 child, stadium £20 adult, £12 child. Combined tickets available. Under 3s free
Ravenscraig Activity Centre, Greenock. Learn to climb, soft play from £13.50
Renfrew Museum (within Renfrew town hall). Mon-Fri 10-4. FREE
Ride Right cycling lessons & club, Strathclyde Park & Bellshill, £20 per session
Riverside (transport) Museum & Tall Ship, Glasgow. Museum FREE, Tall ship £4.50 adults, £2.70 children, £12.70 for family of four, under 5s free.
Robert Burns Birthplace, Alloway. Museum, outdoor play area, cafe, sculpture trail.£7 – £12 (National Trust)
RollerStop, Kinning Park. Roller discos/lessons/skating rink from £8
Rothesay Castle, From £4.50 – £7.50, under 7s FREE
Rouken Glen Park, Giffnock FREE
Rouken Glen Pottery, Giffnock. Pieces from £5
Rozelle Park, Ayr. Museum & gallery, woodland walks, sculpture trail, tea room, park run. Outdoor areas FREE
Ruff and Tumble soft play, Glasgow (Pollokshaws) £2-£9.50
Stoneykirk Aviation Museum, nr Stranraer. Most Sundays April – October £3.50 – £6 (under 5s FREE)
Stranraer Museum FREE
Strathaven Park, play park FREE. Miniature train rides (summer weekends only), boating pond, putting, cafe. £
Strathclyde Country Park. Walks, play park. FREE. Water sports & bike hire £
Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, Coatbridge FREE (tram rides small charge)
Sunnyside Garden Centre, Kilmarnock. Cafe with outdoor kids play area. FREE
Surgeons Hall Museums, Edinburgh. Adults – £9.50, Child (5-17)- £5.00, Under 5s – Free
Tantallon Castle, North Berwick £4.50 – £7.50, under 7s FREE
Tentsmuir, Fife – Nature Reserve, Beach, Forest, FREE
The Alpaca Trekking Centre, Thornhill, Stirling from £22
The Ark on the Clyde CIC, Port Glasgow. Animal encounters from £9.95 (entrance charges for Finlaystone Park apply)
The Bubbles Factory soft play, Carluke. £7.99 – £8.99
The Children’s Wood, Glasgow West, from £1
The Craft Pottery, Glasgow City from £5
The Ecology Centre, Burntisland, Fife £
The Experience, Hillington Bookable FREE events
The Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow FREE (some exhibitions £)
The Highlanders Museum, Fort George, near Inverness. Museum FREE. Fort George £9 adult, £5.40 child, under 5s free (Historic Scotland)
The Japanese Garden at Cowden, Clackmannanshire. Walks, gardens, treehouse, activity boardwalk. £9.25 entry
The Kids Village, Saltcoats. Play cafe, gaming room, sensory room. From £5
The Lonely Broomstick, Falkirk. Harry Potter themed shop. Wand and potion experiences £15
The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum. FREE
The Playbarn at Auchrannie, Isle of Arran. £5 – £7.50 (free for hotel guests). Swimming pool also on site £
The Playbarn at Smithstone, Stonehouse South Lanarkshire. Indoor soft play with outdoor play area. 0-6 months: Free, 6 months – 2 years: £4.50, 2 years and above: £6. FREE entry for two adults per booking. £1 entry fee for additional adults.
The Play Barn at Whitekirk Hill, North Berwick. Indoor play area £3-£10 (max height 1.5m), outdoor play park FREE
£1 entry special offer for July 2024
The Secret Garden & Play Barn, Callendar Park, Falkirk. £5 first child, £2 each additional child
The Stewartry Museum, Kirkcudbright. FREE
The Tall Ship, Glasgow Riverside – museum / cafe / teeny under 5 soft play. £4.50 adults, £2.70 children, £12.70 for family of four, under 5 free.
The Wee Play Place & Cafe, Alexandria. £5-£7 (adults £1)
Time Capsule, Coatbridge – fun swim pool £3.55 – £6.85 (under 3 FREE)
Time Twisters, Edinburgh (Sighthill). Soft play, laser tag, build a bear. £
Tir Na Nog, Balfron – holistic centre & shop/cafe £
Tollcross Farm, Glasgow – small animals – FREE
Tots Spot play cafe, East Calder. Open Mon-Fri school hours, Sat morning. Age 0 – 11 months: FREE, 1-3 years old: £5.00, 4 years old+: £6.00, Adults: FREE
Treasure Land soft play, Hawick. £3.50-£3.75
Tree Top Tumble soft play, Mackinnon Mills, Coatbridge. £3 for 60 mins (max height 145cm)
Trimontium Trust & Museum, Melrose. Roman History Museum with VR Roman fort experience. from £6 (under 5s free)
Troon beach, South Ayrshire. Large beach, kiosk, mini golf, fairground, play park. FREE
West of Scotland Padel, Stevenston. Indoor court hire £15/30min (2-4 players)
Whin Park, Inverness. Playground, mini train, walks, mini golf. From FREE
Whitelee Wind Farm, nr Eaglesham. Walks & indoor interactive exhibit. Regular kids activities (science centre affiliated) FREE
Whithorn Story Visitor Centre, Galloway. Includes guided roundhouse tour. March-Oct, Sunday-Friday. £4.50-£7.50 (under 7s FREE) Discount for Historic Scotland members.
Wigtown Museum, Wigtown. FREE
Wild Adventure (soft play), Drumchapel, £2 – £9
Wild Goat Park, Galloway Forest. Free parking, own food required to feed goats.
Wild Shore outdoor water park, Dundee – tickets from £19
A residential development in Shawfair, south of Edinburgh has been rescued from collapsed developer, Stewart Milne to be successfully delivered by independent property developer, Dundas Estates.
Dundas has recently completed the purchase of a site on the well-established Shawfair development six miles south of the city, which boasts excellent road and rail links into the heart of the capital, as well accessibility to the airport and nearby motorway network.
Construction will shortly commence to build 59 homes, the properties will consist of a mix of 3 to 6 bed homes. By stepping into the project, Dundas has committed to delivering high-spec homes that exceed industry standards – with the aim of delivering the first homes by late autumn 2024.
As a new neighbourhood on the edge of the city, Shawfair offers a mix of local retail and community health facilities, as well as 3km of cycle paths that easily connect homeowners to the train station, schools and Park & Ride.
Craig Fairfoull, Sales & Marketing Director at Dundas, said: “We appreciate there may have been unexpected challenges and uncertainties faced by prospective homeowners engaged with the previous developer.
“However, our primary goal is to make the transition as smooth as possible, and we urge those who had reservations with Stewart Milne for one of these plots to contact us immediately.
“We aim to deliver these much-needed homes in the coming months, allowing prospective buyers to finally move into the homes they have been looking forward to.”
The development will see Dundas complete various house types that remain similar in style and specification to the previous developer, including terraced, semi and larger detached homes.
Dundas was supported through the acquisition of the site by solicitors Anderson Strathern.
Dundas Estates are an award-winning and independent Scottish homebuilder, prides itself on crafting homes that enhance the well-being of its valued customers. It emphasises creating inclusive communities and strives to simplify, enrich, and add enjoyment to the home-buying experience.
Dundas is asking potential buyers who may have reserved a plot with the previous developer to contact them at sales@dundas.co.uk to speak to a member of the sales team to discuss options further.
We’ve removed closed venues, added exciting new spots, and updated prices to keep you informed. 
= costs
= free (ie. no admittance fee)
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= dog friendly
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