Aged 16 – 25yrs and not in education, employment or training and looking to kick start your career in sport and physical activity?
Join us for 8 weeks of free training. Open days 16th and 23rd Jan.
Contact eddiemalone@spartanscf.com
New research from The Vegan Society reveals that 2% of people in Scotland now identify as vegan or follow a plant-based diet, compared to the national average of 3%. This marks a notable gap, as Britain’s evolving dietary habits reflect the growing appeal of ethical and sustainable food choices.
Across Great Britain, 10% of the population are now reducing or eliminating animal products from their diets, spanning vegans, vegetarians, pescatarians, and other plant-forward lifestyles. This includes approximately 2 million people (3% of the population) who follow vegan or plant-based diets, and an additional 4% who identify as vegetarian, indicating a broad, collective movement toward more mindful and sustainable eating habits.
The research reveals regional variations in the adoption of vegan and plant-based diets across the UK. London, the North East, and the South West emerge as hotspots, with 4% of their populations identifying as either vegan or plant-based, above the national average of 3%. In contrast, regions such as Scotland, Wales and the East Midlands report the lowest levels, with only 2% of residents following these diets.
The data also highlights key demographic trends. Younger generations are at the forefront of this shift, with those aged 16-44 being twice as likely to follow a vegan lifestyle as older age groups, signaling a strong momentum for continued growth in this lifestyle. Women are more likely than men to adopt vegan or plant-based diets, with 3.60% of women identifying as such compared to 1.98% of men.
Commenting on the findings, Claire Ogley, Head of Campaigns, Policy and Research at The Vegan Society, said: “These results reveal a remarkable transformation in attitudes toward veganism and plant-based living across Britain.
“It’s inspiring to see younger generations leading the way, with a growing number of people adopting more sustainable and compassionate lifestyles for a variety of reasons, from health to the environment to animal welfare.”
The Vegan Society’s research underscores a commitment shared by millions to reducing the impact of human consumption on animals and the planet. As awareness grows, regions including Scotland will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of food and lifestyle choices in the UK.
For more information on veganism, visit The Vegan Society’s website.
Join us to explore and elevate your portrait drawing skills in this engaging and supportive class!
Price: £96.60 for 10 sessions (two hours each)
Course Overview:
Open to anyone aged 16 and above, this Portrait Drawing class focuses on capturing faces from life. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, you’ll receive expert guidance to build confidence in your artistic style.
Participants will learn essential techniques, including facial proportions, capturing expressions, and understanding the nuances of posture and emotion.
Register for Portrait Drawing: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/portrait-drawing-all…
Police Scotland has launched the second phase of a national advertising campaign with TV, radio and digital advertising to recruit police officers across Scotland.
The campaign encourages potential candidates to consider the transferable skills they can bring to the role of police officer and explains why policing is a job like no other.
The first phase of the national recruitment campaign, which launched in September 2024, featured social media video adverts with real officers telling the story of their journey into the policing.
In November 2024 Police Scotland officer numbers increased to 16,603. Continued recruitment will help the Service to maintain this number.
The latest campaign messaging focuses on the transferable skills prospective candidates can bring to policing with the key message: the skills you need to be a police officer might be the ones you already have.
If you want to learn more about the job of a police officer, visit our jobs webpages, or if you’re ready for a job like no other, apply now.
The UK’s cold snap will continue this week, with low pressure remaining in charge bringing below-average temperatures and the potential for disruption in places.
National Severe Weather Warnings for snow and ice are currently in place and are likely to be updated through the week.
Last night, the UK experienced its coldest night of winter so far, with -13.3°C recorded in Loch Glascarnoch in Scotland. Southeast England was much milder though, with temperatures remaining in double figures in places.
That mild air has now been swept away by a cold northwesterly flow, which will allow further very low overnight temperatures to occur at times this week, especially where there is snow cover. But even away from snow cover, there will be widespread night frost and below average temperatures by day.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Frank Saunders, said: “Hail, sleet or snow showers are expected to affect parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, spreading to Wales and parts of northwest England this evening, before moving into part of southwest England, the Midlands and southern England during the early hours of Tuesday. Rain or hail is more likely towards some western coasts.
“Icy stretches which develop overnight as a result of these showers, or the recent wet conditions, could bring some disruption to travel. In addition to the ice, we could see snow accumulations of a few cm above 200 metres, with a chance of greater than 5 cm above 200 metres in Wales.
“The heaviest snow showers may also produce temporary accumulations of 0-2 cm at low levels. It is not possible to say exactly where this snow might fall, so it’s important that people are prepared.”
Further ahead
Things look to turn more settled towards the end of the week, although further weak fronts may push in from the west on Friday and into the weekend, which may possibly bring a little more snow to some parts.
You can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.
Join us for our annual wassailing celebrations in the Granton Castle Walled Garden orchard on 19 January from 1-3 pm.
The wassailing, or blessing of the fruit trees, involves drinking and singing to the health of the trees in the hope that they will provide a bountiful harvest in the autumn.
We love this tradition and are delighted to have Penny Stone join us for the afternoon. Penny will be leading us in traditional and contemporary Wassailing songs.
Apple-based food and drinks will be available by donation. No need to book, just turn up. All welcome.
The revitalised Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced that its 78th edition will run from 14 to 20 August 2025. Submissions for the 2025 edition of the Festival open today (6 January 2025) via the Festival website.
Building on EIFF’s invigorated vision under new leadership from CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the Festival will continue to accelerate the discovery of new film talent and engage with audiences, industry members and local, national and international media.
Further details on the 2025 Festival will be announced in the next few months.
Helmed by CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd, the Festival team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent. Ridd is supported by an expanding Board, including Teresa Moneo, Director of UK Film, Netflix; Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; Isla Macgillivray, Partner at Saffrey; and Romana Ramzan, Producer at No Code Studio; Chair Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting; and Vice Chair Amy Jackson, producer of BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun.
EIFF CEO and Festival Director, Paul Ridd said: “Our reborn Film Festival is now a major part of the excitement of August in Edinburgh when the city hosts the biggest and best Arts Festival in the world.
“We are delighted to announce our next edition in August 2025 and cannot wait to see the submissions that will come our way for potential selection in the new year.
“For my team there is no feeling greater than discovering something truly great for audiences, and knowing so many of our 2024 films have had lives well beyond our Festival is truly invigorating. Bring it on again!”
Criteria for submitting films to the Festival can be found via the Festival website at https://www.edfilmfest.org/submissions/ with submissions to open on 6 January 2025. More information will be released on the shape of the 2025 Festival, venues and key strategic partners in the coming months.
EIFF 2025 is supported by Screen Scotland.
ACT on IICSA responds to recent press coverage on Child Sexual Abuse.
For anyone affected by this or any other story on this subject, you are not alone.
Visit www.thesurvivorstrust.org or call our free, confidential helpline: 0808 801
0818 or text 07860 022 956
TOMORROW (Tuesday 7 January), the International Development Committee will question Anneliese Dodds, Minister for Development, on her priorities in office.
Upon being appointed, the Minister said she aimed to make the world a safer, more prosperous place and to unlock opportunity for everyone. The FCDO’s development mission would be to “create a world free from poverty on a liveable planet”.
Members are likely to ask the Minister how the Government will meet its ambitions with a reduced foreign aid budget, and whether concrete plans are yet in place to reduce spending foreign aid on refugees within the UK.
Members may also question the Minister on the UK’s humanitarian response to the conflicts in Gaza and Sudan. The UK’s foreign aid spending to support women and girls, and adaption and mitigations for climate change, may also be discussed.
Prior to the Minister’s appearance, MPs will also hear from the FCDO’s two Permanent Under-Secretaries, Sir Philip Barton and Nick Dyer, on the department’s accounts.
At 2.00pm in the Wilson Room, Portcullis House
From 2.00pm
From 3.15pm
We hope that you have all had a great festive period!
It’s back to normal now at Corstorphine library so have a look at what we’ve got on this coming week.
We hope to see you soon!
