A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
Well everyone, this is it – the last post of 2024!
It’s been a record year for North Edinburgh News, with more readers visiting the site than at any time in our history. Thanks for dropping by!
I hope you have a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year and that we will all enjoy exciting new adventures in 2025.
Best Wishes,
DAVE PICKERING (Editor)
Your local community pharmacy provides a free stop smoking service.
You can drop in when it suits you to chat to your local pharmacy team. They will explain the nicotine replacement products available to help you quit smoking and advise on the pros and cons of each to help you decide which option is the best for you.
Find your local pharmacy 
www.nhsinform.scot/scotlands-service-directory/pharmacies
This time of year is a chance for us all to look back and reflect, as well as look forward.
Looking back, I think we can all agree that 2024 has been quite a year.
People voted for change. And we are delivering on that with the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.
Since July’s election we have made huge strides. We have taken the difficult decisions so we could fix the foundations of our economy, dealing with the appalling fiscal and industrial inheritance left by the previous administration.
We have made great progress in laying the foundations for delivering on our missions.
We launched the legislation to deliver Great British Energy, which will place Scotland right at the heart of our green energy revolution. We have put in place a £100 million package to support the workers at the Grangemouth refinery and boost the Falkirk and Grangemouth area.
We have published the biggest upgrade of workers’ rights in a generation. And I was very pleased to be able to support the Dad Shift lobby of Parliament for better paternity rights.
We have put more money in people’s pockets by increasing the minimum wage, uprating benefits and increasing pensions with the triple lock. Our Child Poverty Taskforce is working with partners to tackle the scourge of children living in poverty.
I went to Norway and South East Asia to launch Brand Scotland – our campaign to sell Scotland and Scottish businesses around the world.
We are doing politics differently.
We invited MPs and Peers from all parties to come to Dover House to sign White Ribbon Scotland’s pledge to help stop the scourge of violence against women and girls.
We have reset the relationship with the Scottish Government so that we can work constructively together on the issues that matter to people in Scotland.
I was very proud that, working with the Scottish Government, we were able to bring 19 female Afghan medical students to Scotland. They are an incredibly brave and inspirational group of women. Now settled at Scottish Universities, they will be a huge contribution to our NHS when they finish their studies.
And speaking of that important joint working, I want to make a special mention of our Ukrainian friends who have made new homes in Scotland, many of whom I have had the pleasure of meeting in Edinburgh. I have been inspired by their bravery and resilience – and by their overwhelming desire to return home as soon as they can.
We are determined to make life better for everyone living in Scotland. The Chancellor’s Budget delivered an extra £4.9 billion for the Scottish Government, meaning a record £47.7 billion settlement for them next year, as well as £1.4 billion for local growth projects across Scotland – projects which will help create jobs and improve local communities.
That is all good progress, but of course it is not enough.
The UK Government is driving investment and reform to deliver growth. We are rebuilding Britain in a decade of national renewal.
As we look ahead to next year, I and the Scotland Office are focussed on my four priorities – clean energy, economic growth, tackling poverty and rolling out Brand Scotland around the world.
We will get GB Energy, headquartered in Aberdeen, moving. This will drive our green energy revolution and ensure our energy security. We will bring in our new Skills Passport, to ensure our highly skilled oil and gas workers can transition to new green technologies. Project Willow will set out how we can ensure a sustainable future for the Grangemouth site as part of our clean energy future.
I intend to take Brand Scotland to new markets this year, to ensure that we attract inward investment to Scotland and help Scottish businesses export. Not just our fantastic products like whisky and salmon, but energy, financial services, culture, technology and manufacturing.
Our Child Poverty Taskforce – of which I am a member – will publish a comprehensive strategy in the Spring. That will set out how we will work with the Scottish Government and others to make sure that all children and families in Scotland have a decent standard of living and the opportunities they deserve. It will look at how we bring together all different strands of this – including housing, job security, health and education – dealing with the underlying causes of poverty so that children can be lifted out of poverty for good.
I am confident that, by the end of 2025, we will be making real progress in improving living standards and making life better for people in Scotland.
So, as we chomp on our black bun and head towards the Bells, may I wish everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.
COSLA has shared two new documents setting out high-level analysis of the Scottish 2025-26 Budget and what it means for Councils and essential local social care services.
Following the Scottish Budget announcement earlier this month, we shared a short briefing setting out high-level analysis on what the Budget means for Scottish Local Government.
Commenting, COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann, commented: “This Budget is a welcomed step in the right direction for Local Government and provides a small amount of additional uncommitted revenue and capital funding for 2025/26.
“However, due to the unprecedented financial challenges being faced by our councils, this additional funding may not be enough to reverse planned cuts to vital services across our communities.”
Read the ‘What does the 2025-26 Budget Mean for Councils? document here.
Our councils have increased real terms spend on social care by 29% since 2010/11 at the expense of other preventative, non-statutory services. However, rising operational costs, escalating demand for services, and high inflation mean that the need for greater funding is more urgent than ever.
The level of funding provided in the 2025/26 Budget will not resolve the unprecedented challenges being faced in local social care services.
COSLA’s Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Councillor Paul Kelly, added:
“Without additional funding to increase capacity across all of our social care services, there is a very real risk that key services will not be able to transform to the scale that our communities require and deserve.
“COSLA and Local Authorities are ready and willing to work constructively to support improvement and reform in social care that is aligned to local needs and priorities, but this should be backed by the much-needed investment.”
As the festive season brings warmth to many homes, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is calling for a final wave of support for its Winter Appeal to ensure no pet—or person—feels abandoned during these difficult months.
With record demand for its services this year, the Home aims to raise £134,500 through its Winter Appeal to cover the rising costs of care, including £22,000 for heating over the cold months.
Over the past year, the Home has processed 1,635 surrender requests, a figure nearly matching the entire estimated dog population of Edinburgh’s EH1 postcode. The rise in demand this year has brought extraordinary challenges for Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, leaving the home in a position where it has no choice but to turn people away.
Between January and June 2024, the helpline handled an incredible 17,995 calls, exceeding the total of 17,021 calls received in all of 2023.
These calls amounted to 872 hours of support—equivalent to watching all of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films 44 times. From desperate surrender requests to heartfelt pleas for advice on keeping pets during financial struggles, each call highlights the vital role the helpline plays in supporting pet owners through challenging times. More than numbers, the calls represent people in crisis, seeking support and reassurance during some of their darkest days.
Amid these challenges, due to the hard work of the Home, there have been bright moments, too. So far this year, the Home found loving families for 216 cats and dogs and reunited 95 missing pets, proving that even in difficult times, hope and happy endings are possible.
Beyond rehoming animals, the Home provides vital emotional support to pet owners through its helpline. Each call represents a person or family facing tough decisions—seeking guidance, advice, or just a compassionate ear. The team works tirelessly to keep pets in loving homes whenever possible, offering signposting to resources, training tips, and practical advice.
Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine, CEO of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said: “We’ve seen an overwhelming demand for our services this year.
“Each call we take, and each family we support, reminds us why this work is so vital. Our Winter Appeal is about ensuring we can continue being a beacon of hope for pets and their people in the toughest of times.
“Every donation, big or small, makes a real difference.”
Staggering operational costs mean that every penny raised will ensure that the animals of the Home are well cared for this winter and donors can be part of creating more stories like Maple’s—a young dog rescued in desperate need of care who now thrives in her forever home.
Donations of as little as £10 can provide essential vaccinations for a cat, while £150 could keep all the Home’s dogs warm for the day.
Founded in 1883, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home has been a lifeline for the community for over 140 years, relying entirely on public donations to sustain its vital work.
To support the Winter Appeal, visit www.edch.org.uk/winterappeal or text WARMHEARTS to 70085 to donate £10.
More than 1,200 recipients receive honours this year across all sectors, with particular commendation to role models in sport, healthcare, academia and voluntary service.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Each and every day, ordinary people go out and do extraordinary things for their communities.
“They represent the very best of the UK and that core value of service which I put at the centre of everything this government does.
“The New Year Honours List celebrates more of these unsung heroes, and I thank them for their incredible contribution.”
Among those being honoured today is former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate, who receives a Knighthood for services to Association Football. Beyond the pitch, Southgate has been actively involved in charitable work including supporting the Prince’s Trust, a youth charity that helps young people get into education, training, and employment.
The List awards a Companion of Honour, of which there are only 65 recipients at any time, to author and screenwriter Sir Kazuo Ishiguro; and a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire for author Dame Jacqueline Wilson, and a Knight Grand Cross for Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz lately Chair of Cancer Research.
Damehoods are being awarded to Professor Alison Fuller for her work in Higher Education and Ruth Cairnie, Chair of Babcock International. Notable CBE recipients include Alan Titchmarsh, and actors Sarah Lancashire and Carey Mulligan.
The oldest recipient, World War Two Mosquito pilot Colin Bell, is 103 years old and receives a BEM for his charitable fundraising and public speaking about WWII Bomber Command.
The List also features two further centenarians: George Kelly aged 101, who receives an MBE for services to the Royal British Legion and to Royal Air Force Veterans. George had a distinguished career as an RAF navigator and has given over 40 years of selfless voluntary service to the RBL. And Roy Gibson, aged 100, was awarded a BEM for services to space. Roy has had an immeasurable impact on UK and European space policy over his 70-year career as a leader for multiple international space organisations.
The Government is committed to ensuring that honours are awarded to outstanding people from across the whole of the UK and the system reflects the best of society. The List ensures that people from underrepresented communities and a wide variety of types of work are rewarded, to celebrate the fantastic contribution of people throughout the country.
Both of this year’s youngest recipients are aged 18 years old. Mikayla Beames, aged 18, has been awarded a BEM for her charitable fundraising for children with cancer in Oxfordshire.
After being diagnosed with brain cancer at 4 years old, she founded her namesake charity, Team Mikayla in 2014, has supported hundreds of children who are fighting cancer, and distributes thousands of gifts at Christmas and Easter.
She has also helped to raise over £300,000 since 2014. Paralympian William Ellard, aged 18, receives an MBE after winning three medals including gold at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris.
Wendy Ansell, from Swansea, is a specialist midwife who has received an MBE for services to survivors of harmful practices and to women seeking sanctuary for her work supporting survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM) and vulnerable women. She has developed bespoke training programmes for healthcare professionals to enhance their understanding of the needs of women who have undergone FGM or are seeking asylum.
Anyone can nominate someone for an honour. If you know someone who has achieved fantastic things worthy of recognition, go to www.gov.uk/honours to find out more about how you can put them forward.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Rt Hon. Pat McFadden MP, said: “This year’s New Year Honours List celebrates the unsung heroes who contribute selflessly to their communities across the UK. I send them all my congratulations for their achievements.
“Our honours system uniquely recognises the generous contributions of individuals across our nation.
“If you know someone in your community who has done something extraordinary, nominate them for an honour so the nation can recognise their achievements.”
Other recipients include:
Michael Bennion, aged 72, receives an MBE for services to Scouting and to Young People after supporting hundreds of young people during his 54 years as a Scout Leader.
Deirdre Amor has been awarded an MBE for services to the Community in Northern Ireland. She has worked in state education for 45 years, where she developed after-school meetings that brought together staff and parents from across the political divide in Belfast. Upon retirement she voluntarily gave of her time and skills to improve two failing schools.
This year’s youngest recipients are aged 18 years old.
Mikalya Beames, aged 18, has been awarded a BEM for her charitable fundraising for children with cancer in Oxfordshire. After being diagnosed with brain cancer at 4 years old, she founded her namesake charity, Team Mikayla in 2014, which is dedicated to granting the wishes of children who are fighting cancer. As of this year, the charity has granted 220 wishes to children who are fighting cancer, and distributed over 1000 Christmas presents and 1000 Easter Eggs. She has also helped to raise over £300,000 since 2014.
Paralympian William Ellard, aged 18, receives an MBE after winning three medals including gold at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris.
Rebecca Clarke, aged 20 received a BEM for services to Young People with Disabilities and Autism. She champions marginalised young people, particularly focusing on intersectionality. Through her work with NCS, she has also contributed to disability policy, submitting evidence to the disability access youth select committee and speaking about her lived experience to over 400 people.
Stephen Fry receives a Knighthood for his work on mental health awareness. He is an honorary fellow of Royal College of Psychiatrists and President of the mental health charity Mind since 2011. During his time as President of Mind, he has been instrumental in changing the conversation around mental health and has worked tirelessly to change public attitudes in the UK about mental health for the better.
Neil Liam Halford and Nicola Claire Halford receive an MBE for services to Charitable Fundraising for Children with an Illness after co-founding the charity Time is Precious in 2011. The organisation works alongside specialists to purchase equipment and refurbish areas to support not just those sick children and their families. Since 2017, raised over £1.3m using the funds to help provide facilities in a number of hospitals in the area.
Sarah White and Kenneth White both receive a BEM for services to Children and Young People Suffering Paediatric Cancer. Supershoes have donated over 6000 pairs of shoes to children across the UK and raised over £25k to provide children with a unique pair of shoes they can wear with pride.
Receiving an OBE, Helen Glover, one of the most decorated female rowers in the history of British rowing with more than 20 gold medals to her name. She is a two-time Olympic, three-time world and five-time European champion. Glover initially retired from rowing after the 2016 Olympic Games to start a family.
After giving birth to three children, she returned to training in 2021, winning a gold medal at the European Championships that year and a silver medal in the coxless four at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Keely Hodgkinson from Greater Manchester is a two time Olympic Medalist who has been awarded an MBE for services to Athletics after winning an Olympic gold medal in Paris 2024.
Eleanor Aldridge receives an MBE for services to Sailing after becoming the first athlete to ever win a sailing kiteboarding gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Bryony Page of South Yorkshire receives an MBE for services to Trampoline Gymnastics after winning her third Olympic medal at Paris 2024.
Sabrina Fortune receives an MBE after winning a gold medal at Paris 2024 in the F20 shot put, beating her own world record in the process.
Jackson Gibbons, from London who founded City of London Academy Southwark’s Basketball Academy, now one of the UK’s most successful youth basketball programmes, has been awarded a BEM for services to Young People and to Basketball.
Author Dame Jacqueline WILSON DBE has been awarded a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire for services to literature.
First Minister John Swinney has paid tribute to Scotland’s recipients of The King’s New Year’s Honours.
In recognition of exceptional contributions to public life, this year’s awards celebrate recipients that are ‘giving back to the community’ as well as athletes from the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Ken McCallum, Director General of MI5, receives a Knighthood within the Order of the Bath for public service. Artist, Colourist and Master Printmaker Barbara Davis Rae CBE becomes a Dame Commander for services to art.
Among those receiving the CBE are Retired Chief Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Ross Haggart KFSM for services to fire and rescue and charities, Michelle Macleod for services to criminal justice and law enforcement, Laura McIver formerly Chief Pharmacist at Healthcare Improvement Scotland for services to the pharmacy profession and patient safety and Professor Alex McMahon, Retired Chief Nursing Officer for Scotland.
Athlete Sammi Kinghorn MBE and swimmer Duncan Scott MBE have each received an OBE, with football manager David Moyes and William Wright, former chair of Haemophilia Scotland, also receiving OBEs.
MBEs are awarded to cyclists Finlay Graham and Jenny Holl, archer Nathan MacQueen, swimmer Stephen Clegg and boccia player Stephen McGuire. Journalist and presenter Jackie Bird is awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting and charities, alongside David Rickman from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, St Andrews, and Jennifer Craw of Opportunity North East.
BEMs have been awarded to Dr Anne McArthur for services to Scottish Country Dancing and the community in Portsoy, Banffshire, Pipe Major Christopher Armstrong from Glasgow, and Lanark Amateur Swimming Club Head Coach Karen Kelly.
Other BEM recipients are Stephen Mallen founder of the Zero Suicide Alliance, Crieff, Community Volunteer Andrew Nisbet for services to the community in Yell, Shetland and Maureen Morris, a Board Member for Easterhouse Citizens’ Advice Bureau.
Retired Superintendent Shaheen Baber and Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs receive The King’s Police Medal. The King’s Fire Service Medal is awarded to Retired Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Bruce Farquharson and Station Commander Karla Stevenson. The King’s Ambulance Service Medal is awarded to Regional Director for East Region Kenny Freeburn.
The First Minister said: “The King’s New Year’s Honours list recognises exceptional individuals – from unsung heroes to well-known names. Each recipient is worthy of their award and has made a significant difference to their community or excelled in their field.
“My congratulations to our emergency services members awarded The King’s Fire, Police or Ambulance Service Medals. Throughout Scotland people benefit from the skills and expertise of our ‘blue light’ services personnel whose skills and expertise keep our communities and people safe, in often challenging circumstances.
“These honours celebrate the best of Scotland’s courageous spirit and sense of community. Congratulations and my personal thanks to every worthy recipient.”
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued three severe Flood Warnings for the Aviemore and Carrbridge areas with very high river levels forecast for the early hours of Tuesday morning along the River Spey, with a danger to life.
Further warnings are in place over large parts of Scotland with rivers expected to continue to rise, especially across Speyside, the Great Glen and Tayside where impacts are most likely.
A meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) – chaired by Justice Secretary and Minister for Resilience Angela Constance and attended by the First Minister and senior Ministers – was held last night (Monday) to ensure appropriate measures are in place to deal with the severe weather expected.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for rain that covers parts of the southern Highlands and Moray, valid from midnight until 5pm today. A yellow warning for rain and snow covering much of the rest of Scotland remains in place until midnight tonight. There is also a yellow warning for wind across southern Scotland from 7am to 11pm today.
Police Scotland is encouraging road users in the area covered by the amber warning to consider whether they need to travel and are advising people to avoid travelling into the area.
Travel disruption is expected across Scotland, with Transport Scotland making preparations across the trunk road network. Rail, ferry and airport operators are also working to ensure that people can reach their destination over the remainder of the festive period, when it is safe to do so and once the worst of the conditions have passed or expired.
Ms Constance said: “Severe flood warnings with a danger to life are rarely issued and it’s imperative all those in the affected areas play their part to stay safe. I would urge everyone to take action now by staying away from flood water and not taking any unnecessary risks. Please follow the advice of emergency services and first responders on the ground, and where advised to evacuate please do so.
“I would also recommend to keep updated with Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s live flooding updates and consider now any steps needed to be prepared for flooding impacts. With amber and yellow warnings issued for a combination of rain, wind and snow across the country, I have chaired a meeting of SGORR to ensure that we are acting as quickly and safely as possible to mitigate the impacts of the severe weather.
“I know many people will have plans to celebrate Hogmanay with friends and family but with road, rail, air and ferry services all likely to be affected by the conditions, I would urge everyone to please plan ahead to make sure it is safe to travel, and to follow Police and Transport Scotland travel advice on the roads. Anyone planning to travel by rail, air or ferry, should also stay in contact with their operator for the latest service information.
“The Scottish Government’s resilience committee will continue to monitor the situation overnight into Tuesday, and keep Ministers fully updated.
“Advice and information for the public is available at Ready.Scot and the Scottish Government will continue to work with all relevant agencies to closely monitor the storm and its impacts and ensure support is provided to those affected.”
Cordelia Menmuir, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said: “We have issued three severe flood warnings for the Aviemore and Carrbridge areas. As a result of heavy and prolonged rainfall overnight very high river levels are forecast for the early hours of Tuesday morning along the River Spey. There is a danger to life.
“The severe flood warnings are for Sluggan to Dulnain Bridge, Kincraig to Inverdruie, and Aviemore/ Dalfabar. Extensive river flooding is forecast and there will be widespread disruption to transport, infrastructure, and property flooding. Remember to follow the advice of emergency responder and do not walk or drive through flood water.”
Ministers attending last night’s meeting included First Minister John Swinney, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero Gillian Martin and Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) issues flood alerts and warnings for Scotland. View the latest updates on their website.
For trunk road information visit the Traffic Scotland website.
Updates on ScotRail services and road conditions are available online.
Advice on preparing for severe weather can be found on the Ready Scotland website.
Latest weather advice can be found on the Met Office website.
Road users are being advised to expect disruption in the Highland and Moray areas on Tuesday, 31 December, 2024 due to an AMBER warning for rain.
Heavy and persistent rainfall is expected which has the potential to trigger shallow landslides and will cause extensive surface water that could affect the public transport and road network, making driving conditions challenging.
There are a number of flood warnings and alerts in place already across Scotland and we would advise the public to check their area on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) website.
Visit Ready Scotland for information on how to prepare for rain and flooding. Information about public transport is available via Traveline.
Police are encouraging road users in the affected area to consider whether they need to travel and are advising people to avoid travelling into the affected area and to drive to the road conditions.
Superintendent Andy Barclay, deputy head of Road Policing, said: “Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary during the bad weather or if it can be delayed until conditions improve.
“Stopping distances can be at least double on wet roads compared to dry conditions, and spray can reduce driver visibility.
“If you need to travel, please drive to the conditions, be prepared for delays and allow extra time for your journey. Please don’t drive through road closures, the decision to close roads is not taken lightly and is done for public safety.”
General advice for road users
Further details about the weather warning and information on flood alerts are available on the Met Office website.
