POLICE are continuing to appeal for help from the public after a camper van was stolen from an address in East Lothian.
Between 11.30pm and 11.55pm on Monday, 6 January, 2025, a grey Volkswagen T6 Transporter with the registration WX66 VVP was stolen from outside a property on Arthurs Way in Haddington.
The van was later recovered on Goldcrest Place in Cammo on the morning of Wednesday, 8 January.
Detective Constable Jamie Donaldson said: “We are grateful for the assistance we’ve received so far but are still keen to hear from anyone who could have information that could help with our enquiries.
“In particular, we’re asking residents in the Goldcrest Place area to review any dash-cam, CCTV or doorbell footage they might have for anything unusual or suspicious. We’d also like to hear from anyone else in the Edinburgh or Haddington areas who may have relevant footage or information that could assist with our investigation.
“If you think you can help, please call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1607 of 7 January, 2025. Alternatively, details can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
FRIDAY 7th FEBRUARY from 12 – 4pm at OCEAN TERMINAL
Did you know that you probably have a local heritage group offering a range of activities and opportunities on your doorstep?
Our city is fortunate to have an abundance of local groups and societies that focus on the promotion and preservation of local heritage.
These groups offer a range of activities and opportunities including (but not limited to) walks, talks, tours, exhibitions, performances, memberships, volunteering, and workshops. There are many ways to get involved with your local heritage group and to engage with your local heritage.
The Edinburgh Local Heritage Network Fair is the perfect opportunity to come along, meet with local heritage groups, and learn more about what they have to offer.
The groups that will be available to chat with during this fair include:
Citadel Arts, Portobello Heritage Trust, Edinburgh Printmakers, Living Memory Association, Art & Seat, Heart of Midlothian Football Club, Greater Liberton History Group, Edinburgh Archaeological Field Society, Old Edinburgh Club, Cramond Heritage Trust, Edinburgh Lothian and Border Police Historical Society, Scottish Churches Trust – Edinburgh activities, History of Education Centre (Victorian Schoolroom), Hibernian FC Historical Trust, Southside Heritage Group and Newhaven Heritage.
There will also be plenty of information available at the fair about the other heritage groups and societies within the city.
All of the groups represented at this fair are members of the growing Edinburgh Local Heritage Network. There will be information available about this network at the fair too.
The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh and ELHN Honorary President, Robert Aldridge said: “Edinburgh is a city of rich history, vibrant culture and captivating stories. We’re committed to sharing these as part of our Edinburgh 900 programme and the ELHN has a key role in our celebrations.
“I would encourage everyone to visit the fair and learn more about the various local heritage groups the city boasts, what they can offer and how you can get involved.”
The fair will take place on Friday 7th February from 12pm – 4pm in the Ocean Terminal Market Place, 74 Ocean Drive, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ.
There’s no need to book, it’s informal and drop-in. We look forward to seeing you there!
To celebrate 75 years of the iconic event, the Tattoo donates 75p from every Show ticket sold for 2025
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is proud to announce that St Columba’s Hospice Care has been selected to receive a special one-off charity donation of up to £162,000 in celebration of its 75th Anniversary in 2025.
This donation marks a milestone in Tattoo history and aligns with the ‘Performance with a Purpose’ ethos, underscoring the commitment to giving back to the community by supporting essential projects. With over 50,000 votes cast, the public chose from a selection of non-military charities that all provide vital services across communities in the UK.
This donation, equating to 75p from each ticket sold for the 2025 Show, is in addition to the Tattoo’s usual charitable giving, supporting both military and arts charities in the UK with annual donations from surplus profit. The Tattoo’s annual charitable giving will continue alongside this new initiative, as it aims to build up to pre-Covid donations of £1M a year which is thanks to those who attend the Show each year.
St Columba’s Hospice Care has been a beacon of support for individuals and families for nearly 50 years, providing compassionate care to those facing the profound challenges of palliative and end-of-life care, and leaving a lasting, meaningful impact on countless lives.
The values and community spirit of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo closely align with those of St Columba’s Hospice Care. The funds donated will enable the team to continue their vital work both in the Hospice, and in the community, and ensure that the services remain free and accessible to everyone in need across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
With the theme for next year’s Tattoo, The Heroes Who Made Us, spotlighting the individuals who have shaped and supported the iconic performances over the past 75 years, this additional donation gives the charity the means to pay tribute to their own heroes and continue their essential work.
Jason Barrett, Chief Executive, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo said: “Our 75th Anniversary is a momentous occasion, and we are delighted to celebrate it by supporting local Edinburgh charity, St Columba’s Hospice Care and their team of loyal volunteers, dedicated staff and patients.
“Their dedication to providing comfort, dignity and peace to patients at end of life as well as support for their loved ones is truly inspiring.
“This donation is a testament to our ongoing commitment to giving back to our communities and we are honoured to contribute to the heroic efforts of St Columba’s Hospice Care.”
Jackie Stone, CEO at St Columba’s Hospice Care, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have been chosen to receive this special 75th Anniversary donation from The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
“This incredible support comes at a critical time for hospice care, as we continue to navigate significant funding pressures, with rising costs and growing demand for our services.
“It’s a wonderful start to the new year, and we’re so grateful to everyone who voted and to the Tattoo for their generosity. This donation will make a real difference in helping us provide vital care and support to patients and families across Edinburgh and the Lothians.”
Tickets for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s 75th anniversary Show are now on sale and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone, 0131 225 1188. The Show will run from 1-23 August 2025
Sports performance students at Heriot-Watt University are getting the chance to trade the classroom for the football pitch as part of a new partnership with Falkirk FC.
Both institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) committing to a two-year collaboration to merge academic and professional sport expertise.
This partnership grants Falkirk FC access to Heriot-Watt’s cutting-edge Sport Science Laboratory facilities, where player performance can be analysed using advanced exercise testing and movement analysis techniques, and body composition assessed by gold standard imaging methods.
In return, Heriot-Watt students will gain real-world experience in sport and exercise science, applying their skills to tasks such as player conditioning, match performance analysis, and injury prevention.
A key component of the agreement is to provide placement and research opportunities at the Club for third and fourth-year students studying for a BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science. They will learn directly from coaches, sports scientists, and club staff to understand the strategies and techniques involved in elite performance and player development.
He welcomed the signing of the MoU and is looking forward to optimising the performance levels at Falkirk FC.
Chris said: “Through this exciting partnership with Falkirk FC, our students will gain invaluable, hands-on experience in a real-world sports environment, where they can apply the principles they learn in the classroom directly to player development and performance analysis.
“This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to producing industry-ready graduates, and we’re thrilled to offer our students an opportunity to learn from and contribute to a leading football club.
“By bringing together Heriot-Watt’s academic strengths in sport science with Falkirk FC’s expertise on the field, we’re setting the foundation for a powerful exchange of knowledge that will benefit both our students and the club.”
With Falkirk FC currently topping the Championship and aiming for a Premiership return, this partnership arrives at an opportune time for the club to leverage scientific support for player performance.
The MoU is not the only link between the University and Falkirk FC in recent times. In October, the Club signed a new centre-forward, Barney Stewart, from Heriot-Watt University Football Club. Barney has been loaned back to the University squad until January after which time he will move to Falkirk under contract until June 2027.
Blair Doughty, Head of Physical Performance at Falkirk FC, added: “This partnership has the potential of huge benefit for both Falkirk FC and Heriot-Watt University.
“The University share the same values and vision to help improve performance which is something we look for in a strategic partner. The access to cutting-edge Sport Science Laboratory facilities will be of great value to the performance department as we seek to provide a best-in-class performance services for our players to give them the tools needed to perform at the highest level.
“As well as facilities another benefit of this partnership is the ability to keep up to date with the latest research developments helping inform best practise and also develop our own process and frameworks to push performance both for the First Team and Academy.
“Lastly, this partnership will help Heriot Watt develop their students into industry ready candidates and allows us to shape the practitioners of the future. Through learning and seeing firsthand the work done at Falkirk Football Club”
Free Lifeguard training opens doors for young Edinburgh talent
Edinburgh Leisure, in partnership with The King’s Trust, is offering an exciting opportunity for young people aged 16-30 to launch a career in lifeguarding through a comprehensive free training programme starting in February 2025.
Programme Highlights
The innovative ‘Get into Lifeguarding’ initiative provides a structured pathway to employment, featuring:
A pre-selection day with a swim test
Free 1-week National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) course
One week of work experience at one of Edinburgh Leisure pool venues
Mentorship from experienced staff
Job interview preparation
Up to six months of post-programme support
Reimbursed travel expenses and lunches
Programme Timeline
w/c 3 February 2025: Pre-selection Day
17 – 21 February 2025: NPLQ Course
24 – 28 February 2025: Work Experience at an Edinburgh Leisure venue
Dates TBC: Interview Experience and Celebration Event
Franek Karwacki, 18, from Trinity, is one of the last cohort’s success stories. He’d left Trinity High School in summer 2024 with outstanding A-grade Highers and had been working part-time in a fish and chip shop.
Unlike many of his peers who pursued immediate university education, Franek chose an alternative path. Encouraged by his father, he applied to the ‘Get Into Lifeguarding Course’ offered by the King’s Trust in partnership with Edinburgh Leisure, viewing it as an opportunity for professional development and personal growth.
“Unlike my university-bound friends who are burning through their savings, I’m earning a steady income. The shift work doesn’t bother me, and I quite enjoy the earlies, starting at 5:30am and ending at 2pm, as it gives me time to pursue my passion for basketball,” he says.
The programme has opened a door he hadn’t even considered before: “I hadn’t necessarily thought about lifeguarding as a career path,” Franek admitted, “but now I’ve gained skills that were completely paid for and got a job. The support from both Edinburgh Leisure and the King’s Trust had transformed what could have been an uncertain period into a real opportunity.”
Alyson Coats, Manager at Leith Victoria Swim Centre and responsible for the partnership, emphasised the programme’s broader mission: “”This initiative is a win-win. We’re providing young people with a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and potentially launch a career in the leisure industry.
“For many young people, like Franek, this could be life-changing for them.”
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply by Friday, 24 January 2025:
Changes to the pricing structure at Edinburgh Airport, now part of the VINCI Airports network, will see the cost of picking up and dropping off passengers increase by £1 to encourage more use of public transport.
From January 13, the cost to use the pickup and dropoff area will start at £6 for the first ten minutes at the airport.
The increase will mean that use of the area will be competitively priced against public transport, a mode of transport that 37% of passengers already use. Our Surface Access Strategy seeks to grow that number further while reducing the emissions caused by transport to and from the airport.
Revenue raised will assist in improving passenger experience, growing connectivity and investing in the airport’s infrastructure.
The airport continues to operate a free dropoff and pickup area which has recently been upgraded and moved closer to the terminal, while local residents and users of electric cars will still qualify for a 50% discount for the first ten minutes.
Gail Taylor, Chief Commercial Officer (XAero) at Edinburgh Airport said: “We have just had a record year for passengers at Edinburgh Airport and that number is likely to grow year-on-year, and we want to make sure that people are making more sustainable choices when getting to and from the airport.
“The use of cars is the most polluting mode with four journeys for each passenger compared to just two when using public transport. We want more people to use the robust transport links we have as this both reduces emissions and congestion.
“We have a number of large capacity projects planned over the next few years and reinvestment back into the airport infrastructure will improve the overall experience for passengers.”
More information on drop off and pick up areas, as well as local residents and EV discounts:
Emergency Departments in Scotland are struggling against the combined pressures of extreme weather and a rise in hospital admissions from flu.
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) has described the country’s health service as being “in the depth of a winter crisis” as Scotland braces itself against snow and ice.
Yesterday, after coming under increasing pressure regarding the condition of Emergency Care in Scotland, Health Secretary Neil Gray said A&E demands had been “exacerbated by higher than normal levels of influenza infection in the community”. Data released last week showed hospital admissions caused by flu increased by 12% in a week.
The Health Secretary’s comments come as data released yesterday by Public Health Scotland revealed last November 6,429 patients waited 12 hours or more in Emergency Departments – the highest proportion of 12 hour waits for any November since records began in 2011.
Dr Fiona Hunter, Vice Chair of RCEM Scotland said: “Today’s data, and every previous month’s data, shows just how much pressure Scottish EDs were under coming into this winter.
“The system was already under extreme pressure, and this huge flu surge and cold spell are likely to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
“But it cannot – and must not – be blamed as the sole cause of the crisis we are currently experiencing.
“My colleagues are working flat out in very difficult conditions with some departments nearing 400% capacity- four times as many patients as there are cubicle spaces for. We are running on hard work and goodwill, and our patients are receiving unacceptable, undignified and unsafe care in corridors and in the back of ambulances.
“The main issue is that we can’t move our patients who desperately need admission to a hospital bed in to wards or high dependency units. These wards have the highest level ever known of patients who are ready to be discharged but have no available social support to allow them to do so.
“We are predictably gridlocked, in the depth of a winter crisis, and our patients and staff are the ones suffering.”
“TYPE 1 DIABETES DOES NOT CHANGE ONCE YOU CROSS THE BORDER, WHY SHOULD TYPE 1s IN SCOTLAND MISS OUT AND RECEIVE WORSE CARE BASED ON WHERE THEY LIVE?”
Scottish Labour MSP for Lothian Region, Foysol Choudhury, led the Scottish Parliament’s first Member’s Business of 2025 on one of Scotland’s most pressing healthcare technology issues – access to medical technology for diabetic patients.
This debate comes after much campaigning from both in and outside of parliament, including groups like iPAG (Insulin Pump Awareness Group), Diabetes Scotland, and MSPs like Mr. Choudhury, fellow Lothian MSP Sarah Boyack and Labour’s health spokesperson, Jackie Baillie.
Access to diabetes technology is crucial for people with Type 1 diabetes (T1D), an incurable autoimmune condition that requires lifelong insulin therapy and constant management, including making up to 180 more daily decisions about their health to balance blood glucose levels.
Access to diabetes technologies is essential to reducing the physical and mental burden of type 1 diabetes and preventing serious complications like seizures, heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and death.
The physical and mental toll of T1D is immense, often causing symptoms like lethargy, nausea, and anxiety, as well as diabetes distress, but tailored treatments and access to current technologies are critical to easing this burden and improving quality of life.
This push for access to technology comes not only from campaign groups and politicians but also from those suffering long wait times to access HCL systems, with Scottish Labour figures showing about 3,000 patients waiting across Scottish health boards. Nearly 1,000 are waiting in Lothian alone, with some in Scotland waiting over five years for an insulin pump.
In June 2024, the Scottish Government announced “up to” £8.8 million to improve access to diabetes technology, including pumps and continuous glucose monitors. Yet health boards are still facing significant pressures to fund diabetes technology with the ongoing cost of managing and replacing these devices.
Some have stated that patients outside the identified priority groups will not have access to this technology for the foreseeable future. As of November, NHS Lothian has stated that there has been no additional funding for dieticians, diabetes nursing, and administrative costs from the Scottish Government.
As a result, these constraints are driving a shift toward less suitable options, such as systems that prevent carers from monitoring glucose levels remotely. Families report being offered Freestyle Libre 2+ or Freestyle Libre 3 as standard, with little consideration for individual needs.
This approach poses significant safety risks, particularly for young children and individuals unable to manage their own systems. This goes against SIGN 170, a toolkit published by NHS Health Improvement Scotland and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network.
During the debate, MSP Choudhury emphasised: “Type 1 diabetes does not change once you cross the border, why should type 1s in Scotland miss out and receive worse care based on where they live?
“Diabetes technology is genuinely preventative care which will save the NHS money in the long term.”
Mr. Choudhury concluded: ““I want to finish by asking members to place themselves in the shoes of a type 1. Knowing the technology to change your life is available, but there is no political will to ensure you get it soon. Imagine the frustration you would feel day by day. We cannot just tell people to wait.”
Online activist and T1 diabetic, Lesley Ross, contributed online: “We shouldn’t have to fight for the best possible care when we are struggling to manage our condition.”
Chair of iPAG Scotland, Mary Moody contributed online: “We know that diabetes teams across Scotland want to do the best for their patients but are restricted by administrative and budgetary constraints.
A toolkit to assist decision-making is published by NHS Health Improvement Scotland and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network,
but may be disregarded with people being given equipment that does not meet their exact needs and may put them at risk. This has got to improve. Patient safety has to come first.”
Following the debate, MSP Choudhury concluded: ““I want to thank the campaigners and type 1s who have been advocating and contributing to this discussion and thank them for their hard work.”
Services dealing with ‘extraordinary surge’ in flu cases
Health Secretary Neil Gray underlined the ‘resolve and resilience’ of the NHS as he praised the dedication of Scotland’s health and social care workforce in facing up to an ‘extraordinary surge’ in Influenza A cases.
The number of patients admitted to hospital as an emergency and testing positive for flu has surpassed the recent peak of the winter of 2022/23.
Following the latest in a series of meetings with First Minister John Swinney, health boards, the Scottish Ambulance Service, Public Health Scotland and NHS 24 earlier this week, Mr Gray praised the NHS response to the increased pressures on the system, in a statement to parliament.
He also thanked members of the public for continuing to follow guidance on the best way to access services, and for doing their bit to reduce the spread of infections in the community.
He stated that, as of 15 December, more than 1.2 million adult flu vaccinations have been administered. Those eligible to be vaccinated have until March to do so, with many health boards offering drop-in clinics.
Mr Gray said expert healthcare advice is available without the need for an appointment through the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service, adding that £13.6 million of additional funding has been invested in General Practices to enable the recruitment and retention of staff.
Services such as Discharge to Assess and Hospital at Home are also key to helping health and social care partnerships to reduce delayed discharges, ensuring people who are clinically ready to leave hospital can do so.
Mr Gray said: “The resilience and determination shown by staff in the face of pressures across the health and care sector is inspiring.
“Every part of our health service has gone above and beyond to serve the country during the hardest months of the year.
“I’d like to thank the ambulance service staff for their sacrifice and devotion to their task, staying at work beyond the end of their shift as they wait to turnaround at hospitals.
“I’d also like to thank social care staff doing extra shifts to make up for staff being off sick with flu and GPs working at the weekends to offer appointments and bolster the resilience of the entire system.
“Hospital staff, like the porter I met at St John’s in Livingston on Christmas Eve, are working hard to turnaround beds as quickly as possible.
“This is the reality of public service – relentless, skilled, devoted and dedicated work to serve the people that need it most.
“Thanks to the incredible efforts of NHS staff and sure-handed planning, we are facing this with resilience and resolve.”
