50,000 sustainably British grown, quality trees land in garden centres across the UK
Dobbies Garden Centres is marking the official start of the 2024 festive season with its delivery of 50,000 real Christmas trees, available at Edinburgh and other stores across the UK now.
With a wide selection of 1-9ft trees to choose from, including pot-grown and freshly cut varieties, customers will be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding their perfect real Christmas tree, and can take one home for as little as £20.
Dobbies’ pot-grown range includes the Nordmann Fir, Blue Spruce, Serbian Spruce, Noble Fir and Norway Spruce. Freshly cut trees are available in Nordmann Fir and Fraser Fir varieties, with slim options available to suit smaller spaces.
All of Dobbies’ real Christmas trees are sustainably grown in partnership with real tree grower, Needlefresh, in environmentally managed fields across Scotland.
Each tree is grown from specially selected seeds at the Needlefresh farms, taken from hand-picked cones which have been left to dry and nurtured into seedlings.
Specialist pruning techniques are used to create a bushy, uniform shape with emphasis on each individual tree’s features, and the work is done by hand to keep any impact on surrounding wildlife to a minimum.
Dobbies’ Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton talks through some tips on what to look out for where choosing your real Christmas tree, and how to keep it looking its best for longer.
Nigel says: “Before you come to Dobbies to pick your real tree, make sure to measure the height, depth and width of your ideal Christmas tree space, and bring a tape measure to the store to double check the dimensions.
“However, don’t worry if your tree is a little too big when you get it home as you can always trim it to fit the space.
“Once you get your tree home, keep it outside in a sheltered area, cut 1 inch off the base of the trunk and stand in a bucket of water until you are ready to bring it indoors – this will help reduce needle drop.
“Once you bring your tree inside, position it in its water holding stand and ensure the water reservoir is topped up on a regular basis to make it last throughout the season. Ideally, you’ll want to position your tree away from any radiators or heat sources as this can cause the needles to dry out faster.”
For more advice, and to explore Dobbies’ range of Christmas trees for 2024, visit www.dobbies.com
Edinburgh-based Paralympic medallist backs ‘See My Ability’ campaign
A NATIONAL campaign is championing inclusive swimming across Scotland by breaking down barriers and creating multiple pathways into the sport.
The team behind the Learn to Swim National Framework, have launched the annual ‘See My Ability’ campaign which sets out to highlight that swimming is for everyone and aims to break down barriers for individuals with disabilities.
This year the campaign is celebrating Edinburgh based former para-swimmer and swim teacher Scott Quin, a Paralympic silver medallist and inspiring advocate, who is championing inclusive, mainstream swimming lessons for children with disabilities.
The Learn to Swim Framework is open to everyone regardless of age, ability or skill levels, with the partnership committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all.
Launched in 2019, the See My Ability campaign forms part of wider efforts to remove barriers to swimming across Scotland and is showcasing the vital role that swim teachers like Scott play in inspiring others and helping to make swimming more accessible for people in all life stages.
His journey from elite athlete to swim teacher at Edinburgh Leisure’s Leith Victoria Swim Centre has inspired many, positioning him as a local hero and mentor for aspiring swimmers of all abilities.
Scott is now a dedicated swim teacher to over 120 people a week from ages three and a half to adults. He said: “I am beyond grateful for the support I’ve received throughout my Paralympic career, and I’m thrilled to give back through teaching.
“Watching people learn and enjoy the water reminds me of the joy swimming has brought me, and I want everyone to experience that – whatever their ability.
“It takes a whole community to make swimming possible – from lifeguards to facility staff. Every person contributes to a supportive environment, and I am honoured to be part of that. My mission now is to help others experience the magic of swimming, just as I have.”
Scott was born with Crouzon Syndrome, a condition requiring multiple surgeries throughout his youth. Despite these challenges, he achieved success as a swimmer, proudly representing Scotland on the world stage. Now, as a swim teacher, he is an inspiration to others, using his platform to encourage young athletes with disabilities to embrace swimming as a lifelong passion.
His journey from athlete to swim teacher has been bolstered by Edinburgh Leisure’s inclusive support, which allowed him to seamlessly transition into a new role.
The organisation, one of 38 providers of the Learn to Swim Framework – a partnership between Scottish Water and Scottish Swimming – is dedicated to creating inclusive, supportive and quality environments where Scott and other enthusiastic Learn to Swim teachers like him across Scotland can thrive.
Marie Kneeshaw, Aquatics Development Officer, from Edinburgh Leisure commented: “Scott’s commitment to fostering an inclusive swimming environment aligns perfectly with our mission.
“His journey from competitive swimming to teaching is an inspiring testament to the power of sport to unite, and we’re proud to support his role in promoting equality in swimming.”
Euan Lowe, CEO of Scottish Swimming said: “Learning to swim should be accessible to everyone and anyone. The Learn to Swim programme provides a setting to allow children, no matter their ability, to learn the skill with their peers.
“The framework has been specially designed so that the lessons can be adapted for all levels and abilities, to help increase the accessibility and inclusion of swim lessons to all children.
“Not only is swimming a vital life skill but it is proven to have a positive impact on social development.”
Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, said: “Learning to swim is such a vital life skill, especially in Scotland where we have so many miles of rivers, reservoirs, lochs and coastline.
“It’s great to hear about inspiring swim teachers like Scott, who exemplify the values of Learn to Swim in helping to build inclusive and supportive environments where individuals of all ages and abilities can thrive, get active and learn and enjoy swimming in a safe way.
“It is so important to provide supportive, inclusive environments where everyone – no matter their ability, skill level or age – can learn to swim and the gain basic water safety knowledge and skills to help them feel safer in, on and around water. Plus, they’ll also get to experience the other health and social benefits that swimming can offer.”
The ‘See My Ability’ campaign has championed inclusivity since its inception in 2019, and recent results highlight its success.
The approach promoted for disability swimming is to assess, allocate and review. This encourages swimming lesson providers to create the best environment available, and if appropriate adapt lessons, to ensure children develop and progress.
In some cases this might require smaller group sessions, one-to-one or additional support, however where possible “See My Ability” encourages providers to include children with disabilities in mainstream lessons to learn with their peers.
The programme has seen a rise in mainstream participation, with 66% of children with disabilities on the Learn to Swim Framework now enrolled in mainstream lessons compared to 54% in 2020. The campaign encourages children of all abilities to take part in swimming lessons in a safe and supportive environment. Around 81,000 children and adults are learning to swim each week through the national framework.
The Learn to Swim Framework is focused on reaching an additional 100,000 children by 2025. This programme is already making a significant impact, helping thousands of young people stay safe and thrive in the water.
For more information about Edinburgh Leisure, visit:
A new report from Traverse Theatre reveals the transformative impact of the first Class Act on Tour – reaching over 400 young people from diverse backgrounds across Aberdeenshire, Ayrshire, Edinburgh, Inverness, Mull and Dumfries & Galloway.
Class Act supports integration of arts-based approaches in classrooms across Scotland through 257 workshops in 33 schools.
The Jotter is an ongoing digital pack of tasks set by some of Scotland’s most exciting artists in text and video format.
Tickets now available for the Class Act Winter Showcase 2024, presenting original work by young people with the help of professional theatre makers, actors and directors. Thurs 12 & Fri 13 December at the Traverse Theatre.
Scotland’s youth step boldly into the spotlight as Class Act’s transformation of arts education and accessibility across the country uncovers brilliant, raw, insightful and funny story telling.
Funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, this programme takes the Traverse’s flagship engagement programme on tour, engaging over 400 young people from diverse backgrounds, particularly those from areas of high deprivation and rural isolation. The project opens up access to creativity through writing plays, songs, and short films and is shown to significantly enhance literacy, communication, and creative thinking skills with an evidenced lasting legacy in many contexts.
By embedding arts-based learning within the school curriculum, Class Act on Tour empowers students through workshops that foster creative writing and performance skills, leading to exceptional results.
Teachers reported that 94% of participants gained confidence in creative writing and 97% felt more knowledgeable about theatre.
Alongside student workshops, Class Act on Tour supports educators to integrate arts-based approaches into their classrooms with digital training sessions, resources and professional development opportunities. This commitment resulted in 257 workshops being delivered across 33 schools, reaching nearly 400 students over two years.
To sustain this huge impact and legacy, Class Act on Tour created a digital resource library accessible to teachers and students alike, ensuring that this creative momentum can continue to flourish across Scotland.
Called The Jotter, this resource is the culmination of three years of work, gathering tasks from some of Scotland’s most exciting artists in both video and text format.
Collaborations with local venues such as Aberdeen Arts Centre, Ayr Gaiety Theatre and various local councils are also set to continue ensuring the lasting impact, seeking to continue attendance and participation in creative activity and theatre.
In addition to the touring work, Class Act’s recent Class Act: Ukraine in Scotland was recently praised in Parliament as an “excellent example” of art and culture’s power to “unlock creativity and potential”.
Showcasing the immense success of Class Act in Edinburgh, young people from Firrhill High School, Trinity Academy, Tynecastle High School, and Intercultural Youth Scotland see their work on the stage of the Traverse theatre on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 December, brought to life by a team of professional theatre-makers, directors, actors and musicians.
Gareth Nicolls Artistic Director of Traverse Theatre who directs the upcoming showcase said: “Class Act has been such a vital part of the Traverse’s work in Edinburgh, unlocking the immense creativity in our young people and opening up opportunities to them to build their confidence and have their voices heard.
“Being able to take this out across Scotland for the first time has been a hugely rewarding and inspiring exercise, and we very much hope and believe that we have left many people working with young people of all backgrounds, now more confident and skilled to inspire and build and maintain creativity across the country.”
Class Act is supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the Hugh Fraser Foundation, the Cruden Foundation, the David Summers Trust and the Enterprise Arts Trust.
Energy consumption has plummeted at one of Edinburgh’s biggest hostels as the result of a pilot programme designed to keep costs down for visitors while improving sustainability.
After the success of the innovative energy saving programme at Edinburgh Central Hostel, Hostelling Scotland is now exploring how to roll out the energy saving programme across their portfolio of larger hostels which are open all year round.
The ‘Eyes on the Energy’ trial came after Hostelling Scotland was introduced to energy monitoring solutions company, Energy Saving Bear through Royal Bank of Scotland.
The partnership saw the hostel install high-tech sensors to measure electricity usage throughout the premises, allowing the team to pinpoint exactly where and how much energy was being consumed or wasted and providing a clear foundation for developing effective energy-saving solutions.
The project, which is on track to achieve a return on investment in less than six months, has already resulted in a 19% drop in consumption in just four months.
Margo Paterson, CEO of Hostelling Scotland, said: “The results of this trial could be transformative for our Edinburgh Central Hostel – and hostels across Scotland.
“With energy prices affecting the sector, we are on a mission to make travelling in Scotland accessible and affordable to visitors. The beauty of hostelling is how it provides opportunities to a wider group of people to explore more of what our beautiful country has to offer.
“As an organisation, we are always experimenting with ways to make sure we give people the chance to travel while reducing their impact on the environment. We’re very pleased to see this trial showed significant energy savings and reduced carbon emissions.”
Located at the top of Leith Walk, Edinburgh Central Hostel is in a prime city centre location and is visited by travellers from across the globe looking for a budget stay, as well as being a place for carers and Parent Network Scotland to use for respite breaks. It also enables youth programmes to give disadvantaged young people the opportunity to see part of the country they might not have been able to.
Kevin Havelock, Head of Commercial Mid Markets at Royal Bank of Scotland, added: “By introducing Hostelling Scotland, our long-standing customer, to Jamie and the team at Energy Saving Bear, we empowered them to harness smart technology and innovative solutions.
“This collaborative effort led to a deeper understanding of energy consumption patterns and inspired a cultural shift towards sustainable practices.
“The early success of this partnership is a testament to the strength of collaboration. By uniting efforts and sharing a common purpose, we have achieved significant results.”
To find out more about the support Royal Bank of Scotland provides to businesses to grow and scale, click here.
PUPILS at a primary school north of Edinburgh will benefit from bookshelves filled with works by the biggest children’s authors, after a generous donation by developers.
Dalmeny Primary School has taken delivery of £750 worth of books from the nearby Craigiehall Meadows development, where 78 former army homes are undergoing a transformation.
To ensure the biggest possible benefit, pupils – some as young as four – helped to build the list of titles, which include works from David Walliams, Julia Donaldson and Enid Blyton.
Headteacher at Dalmeny Primary School, Gail Middlemiss said: “We’re always juggling tight budgets and so it is incredibly welcome to have been approached by the team at Craigiehall Meadows offering to support the school.
“Our pupils are over the moon, there’s something for everyone, from the little ones loving The Colour Monster to the older kids diving into the Wimpy Kid series.
“What made it extra special was that we had the opportunity to ask the pupils to choose the books themselves, so every title is something they really wanted. Seeing their excitement has been amazing—it’s a gift that will be treasured for a long time.”
Tzana Webster, Head of Estate Agency at Ralph Sayer, which manages the development, said: “I was fortunate enough to visit the school and was incredibly moved by the warm and enthusiastic response from both the children and staff after receiving the books.
“Their joy and excitement were absolutely contagious—it was a privilege to witness firsthand just how much this donation meant to them.
“The team and I are thrilled to know that these books have given the schools library a refresh and we hope it will enrich their learning and imagination for years to come.”
Nestled on the northwest edge of Edinburgh, Craigiehall Meadows brings new life to a community of homes, set amidst mature woodlands, rolling farmland, and serene nature trails.
The development, which has recently opened its first show homes, offers a rural feel while being just a short distance from prime neighbourhoods such as Barnton, Cramond and Cammo.
Surrounded by mature trees and adjacent to farmland, the development offers a peaceful, rural atmosphere while maintaining excellent connectivity to Edinburgh city centre, major motorways, and Edinburgh Airport.
Funding to help practices retain and recruit key staff
An additional £13.6 million will be invested in General Practice this financial year to support GPs to retain and recruit key staff, Health Secretary Neil Gray has announced.
Speaking at the annual conference of BMA Scotland’s Local Medical Committees, Mr Gray confirmed the immediate funding for 2024-25 will address known financial pressures, support staff costs and enable GPs to take on partners and salaried GP staff.
Mr Gray said: “I recognise the significant financial and workload challenges facing both the NHS as a whole and General Practice, especially during this period of high demand, and understand the significant strain this places on GPs.
“My focus remains firmly on finding ways to recruit more GPs, even within the constraints of the current financial climate, and that is why I am allocating an additional £13.6 million for General Practice this financial year to support staff costs. This additional funding will help GPs to underpin business decisions and provide high-quality patient care.
“Sustainable reform of the NHS means we must look to shift more care to primary and community care with a relentless focus on better outcomes for people.
The Scottish Government reform programme will develop the means to credibly restore, and further increase GP and wider primary care spend, within the overall health budget.
“This will be a long-term endeavour but this strategic shift is crucial. Our reform plans over the next period will look to explore this in partnership with key stakeholders including the GP profession.”
Addressing the separate issue of next year’s UK National Insurance contribution increases, Mr Gray added: “The UK Government’s decision to increase national insurance contributions will have a major financial impact on GPs.
“I have been very clear that this is completely unacceptable and the UK Government must fully cover the costs. Scotland’s GPs should not be paying the price for UK Government decisions.”
The Scottish Budget for 2025-26 will be published on 4 December.
According to the Scottish Third Sector Tracker, the percentage of organisations identifying financial challenges as one of their top three concerns has risen dramatically, from 47% in August 2021 to 77% in Spring 2024 [1]. Add to this rising service demands and escalating operating costs, and Edinburgh charities are likely to experience significant strain.
Ansvar Insurance, the expert provider of insurance for the charity, not-for-profit, faith and care sectors, has identified the five risks charities are expected to face in 2025, and is providing expert advice on how organisations can protect themselves.
Adam Tier, Head of Underwriting at Ansvar, commented: “In 2025, charities will have to deal with rising operational costs, growing service demand, and monetary donations continuing to be affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
The impact on the sector has been significant, particularly for smaller, local charities, where resources are already stretched.”
1. Financial instability
Charities are struggling with declining donations and rising costs, including increased utility bills and the upcoming living wage increase to £12.21 per hour. To maintain financial sustainability, charities must prioritise financial planning and seek alternative funding sources like corporate partnerships and grants.
2. Increased demand for services
Whether it’s foodbanks, hospices or mental health support, charities across Edinburgh are on the front line. While government funding for social care and healthcare is expected to help, local impact will take time. Strategic partnerships with local authorities and other charities are key to managing demand effectively.
3. Declining income from donations
Changes in Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax in the recent budget may encourage legacy giving. Therefore, charities should invest in donor engagement strategies to address any ongoing decline in donations.
4. Cybersecurity threats
Cybercrime is on the rise in the charity sector, with a third of charities that responded to the Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024 [2] reporting they have fallen victim to an attack. Charities need to implement strong cybersecurity measures, educate staff on safe online practices and ensure they have insurance coverage specific to the charity sector that addresses cyber threats.
5. Regulatory and compliance risks
The government has announced that new charity tax regulations will come into effect in April 2026, which is in addition to the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill (DPDI) which may impact data protection, fundraising, and safeguarding. Ansvar urges charities to regularly review compliance strategies to avoid financial and reputational risks from regulatory breaches.
(Charities also face a hike in employers’ National Insurance contributions – Ed.)
Adam Tier added: “It’s vital that charities take proactive steps to ensure their resilience, from reviewing their financial strategies to securing adequate insurance cover to protect against emerging risks.
We’re committed to helping charities understand the hazards they face and take the proactive steps needed to protect themselves, so they can continue making a difference in their communities.”
Ansvar is part of the Benefact Group, a charity-owned specialist financial services organisation. The Benefact Group is the UK’s third-largest corporate donor, underscoring Ansvar’s dedication to supporting the wider charitable community.
Is your cupboard full of “one-day-I’ll-use-this” gifts? This Christmas, why not turn them into joy for someone else?
We’re collecting new, unopened items for our Christmas Tombola—a festive fundraiser to support our community. It’s the perfect chance to donate those unused presents and spread holiday cheer!
What we need:
– Toys, games, and puzzles
– Beauty sets or toiletries
– Kitchen gadgets, candles, and home goods
– Anything unopened and giftable!
Drop-offs welcome until: Thursday 19th December
Bring your donations to: Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre
Your generosity helps us make this season brighter for everyone!
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has formally opened the new Wallyford Learning Campus in East Lothian, marking completion of another high school to be funded through the £2 billion Scottish Government Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP).
The Wallyford Learning Campus features the new state of the art Rosehill High School, in addition to:
facilities for pupils with additional support needs (ASN), including a hydrotherapy pool and a specialist provision hub for adults with complex needs
Wallyford Community Centre, Margaret Oliphant Community Library and a grab and go coffee shop
community sports facilities including a fitness suite and sports pitches
The £47.2 million campus is a joint initiative between the Scottish Government and East Lothian Council, with Scottish Government investment totalling around £22.1 million. The high school was a ‘population growth’ priority project for the Council, and will help respond to significant new house building in East Lothian.
The completion of the high school comes as figures show the proportion of schools in “good” or “satisfactory” condition across Scotland has increased from 62.7% in April 2007 to 91.7 % in April 2024.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “The Wallyford Learning Campus is a prime example of the Scottish Government delivering for communities through our £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme. It is fantastic to see the Campus come to life, and I am very pleased to officially open the facilities today.
“The new campus was needed as a result of significant population growth in this area, and through our investment 91% of schools in Scotland are in ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ condition, a marked increase from 62.7% in 2007.”
East Lothian Council’s Cabinet member for Education and Children’s and Family Services Councillor Fiona Dugdale said: “We are delighted to welcome Ms Gilruth to Wallyford Learning Campus today along with so many people involved in the development and running of this fantastic building.
“This has been an ambitious project bringing together a range of facilities under one roof, improving connections and offering a range of opportunities to the widest community.
“It is a testament to partnership working using Scottish Government funding, East Lothian Council investment and officers’ skills, our construction partners’ expertise, and community involvement. The results of this careful collaboration are evident in the quality of the spaces and the benefits that are already being successfully delivered.”
Rosehill High School Headteacher Gail Preston said: “After an incredible year one as Headteacher of Rosehill High School on the Wallyford Learning Campus, we are delighted to have been able to hold our Official Opening Ceremony and to have the Cabinet Secretary join us in our growing, thriving local community.
“Projects like this are a huge learning curve for everyone involved, and relentless hard work, but seeing the positive impact that the learning spaces have on the young people makes it all worthwhile. We are very proud of all that has been achieved so far and excited about the future of both the school and the campus as whole.”
Later this week the Prime Minister will set out ambitious milestones for change that will deliver ‘real, tangible improvement to the lives of working people across the country’
PM to galvanise action across government and beyond with radical next phase of Mission delivery
Measurable milestones will be set out in new Plan for Change, that will put working people’s priorities first
Relentless prioritisation will ensure that the government delivers for working people this Parliament
The Prime Minister will set out ambitious milestones for change that will deliver real, tangible improvement to the lives of working people across the country in this Parliament, later this week.
The Plan for Change will mark the next phase of Mission-led government, as the PM continues to take an unrelenting approach to delivering on the priorities of working people.
The Missions – growing the economy, an NHS fit for the future, safer streets, secure power through clean energy and opportunity for all – are part of a decade of national renewal, built on the foundations of a stable economy, national security and secure borders.
The government has already made significant progress on its Missions since July; fixing the foundations of the country and kicking off the first steps to deliver real change. This has included stabilising the economy, establishing a new Border Security Command that will smash the gangs and tackle small boat crossings, and investing an extra £22bn building an NHS fit for the future including an extra 40,000 appointments.
This action has all taken place having inherited the unprecedented twin challenges of crumbling public services and crippled public finances. The government has had to make difficult decisions, including reforming agricultural property relief and targeting the winter fuel allowance.
Having taken action to fix the foundations and kick off the First Steps, the Plan for Change will set out ambitious but achievable milestones on the Missions that will be reached by the end of the Parliament, driving real improvements in the lives of working people.
Achieving them will demand that the attention and resources of government are relentlessly focused on making sure the Missions are delivering on what matters most to working people in every corner of the UK.
The milestones are part of the Prime Minister’s drive to do government radically differently, and will reflect the priorities of working people, allowing them to hold government to account on its progress.
Work to deliver them will be underpinned by innovation and reform, alongside close working with partners across business, civil society, and local government.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “This Plan for Change is the most ambitious yet honest programme for government in a generation.
“Mission-led government does not mean picking milestones because they are easy or will happen anyway. It means relentlessly driving real improvements in the lives of working people.
“We are already fixing the foundations and have kicked-started our first steps for change, stabilising the economy, setting up a new Border Security Command, and investing £22bn in an NHS that is fit for the future.
“Our Plan for Change is the next phase of delivering this government’s mission. Some may oppose what we are doing and no doubt there will be obstacles along the way, but this government was elected on mandate of change and our plan reflects the priorities of working people.
“Given the unprecedented challenges we have inherited we will not achieved this by simply doing more of the same which is why investment comes alongside a programme of innovation and reform.”
The relentless prioritisation will be at the heart of the choices made in the next Spending Review – which will look at every pound the government spends, line by line, taking a zero-based approach to how departments are funded.
The milestones will be underpinned by an ‘ambitious programme of public sector reform’, building on the reform work already started on planning, national infrastructure, pensions, industrial strategy, and the labour market.
As part of this work, the Prime Minister will also charge the new Cabinet Secretary and all Cabinet Ministers to reform Whitehall so that it is geared to Mission delivery rather than working in the traditional silos that focus on fiefdoms not outcomes.
Clear Out and Give Back! 
What we need:
Drop-offs welcome until: Thursday 19th December
Bring your donations to: Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre
