POLICE were made aware of a collision involving a car and a seven-year-old male pedestrian which happened on Ferry Road in Wester Drylaw shortly after 6.35pm this evening (Friday, 30 May, 2025).
The wee boy has been taken to the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People for treatment. His injuries are serious but not described as life threatening.
Enquiries are ongoing and the slip road in Wester Drylaw is currently closed.
Police remain in attendance.
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BBC ALBA is set to air the latest League A UEFA Women’s Nations League fixture as Scotland Women’s National Team (SWNT) continue their campaign against Austria at Hampden tonight (Friday 30 May).
Broadcasting live on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer from 7.25pm ahead of kick off at 7.35pm, fans can join BBC Spòrs reporter and UEFA Scotland correspondent Alex O’Henley to watch the action unfold in this latest meeting between the two international sides. English commentary from Stuart Mitchell and Grant Scott will also be accessible via the ‘Red Button’.
Fiona MacKenzie, BBC ALBA commissioning editor, said: “BBC ALBA has been supporting SWNT’s Nations League campaign since the tournament kicked off earlier this year.
“We – along with so many others across the country – have followed the highs and lows of the international competition, and we’re excited to see how they perform in the penultimate league match against Austria this week.”
Following a 1-0 away defeat against the Austrian side in February, this highly anticipated rematch comes ahead of Scotland’s final second-leg battle against the Netherlands on 3 June at Tilburg.
Watch live or on demand on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer:
Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh has been crowned Higher Education Institute of the Year at the prestigious Herald Higher Education Awards 2025, held in Glasgow on 29th May.
Coming in QMU’s 150th anniversary year, this accolade celebrates the institution’s enduring commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, inclusion, innovation and student support.
The university impressed judges with its outstanding achievements across multiple categories, securing wins for ‘Outstanding Contribution from a Staff Member’ – honouring podiatry lecturer Evelyn Weir for her decades-long service to Scotland’s homeless community – and ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community’ for its pioneering Wooden Spoon Frame Running Equipment Hub, the first of its kind in Scotland.
QMU was also shortlisted in four additional categories, reflecting the University’s innovative approach to education, inclusivity, and public service. The judging panel praised in particular the University’s holistic impact.
Queen Margaret University’s Principal, Sir Paul Grice, said: “We are over the moon to be awarded Higher Education Institute of the Year – particularly in the year that we celebrate our 150th anniversary.
“This accolade is a testament to the passion and dedication of our staff, students, and partners, and reflects our mission to make a real difference in the world, enabling people and communities to flourish.”
Sir Paul continued: “It was particularly pleasing to see Evelyn Weir, Senior Lecturer in Podiatry, recognised for her outstanding contribution. Evelyn has dedicated 30 years of her life to supporting the homeless community and has encouraged our students and graduates to work alongside her in the running of specialist foot clinics for people living on the streets.
“She is also a staff member who goes “above and beyond” – particularly for our care experienced students. She has never wavered in her personalised support of students – providing the extra care, encouragement and financial guidance required to ensure students have a transformative university experience, reaching their potential during their time at QMU and beyond graduation.
“She epitomises the values of QMU in her education and support of students, and in her drive to be a force for good within the university, the wider community and the podiatry profession.”
QMU’s pioneering role in advancing Frame Running for disabled athletes was formally recognised with the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community Award. Frame Running, a sport that utilises specially designed three-wheeled frames, empowers individuals with limited or no walking ability to experience the freedom of independent movement.
The Wooden Spoon Frame Running Equipment Hub, based at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, is the first of its kind in Scotland – and is believed to be the first dedicated facility of its kind anywhere in the world.
This ground-breaking initiative has been made possible by support from the Wooden Spoon charity, and is the result of a collaborative partnership between QMU, Neil’s Wheel Charity, Frame Running Scotland, and ACE Frame Running, in conjunction with Scottish Athletics and Scottish Disability Sport.
The Hub forms part of QMU’s wider commitment to shaping the future of Frame Running. Through its research into athlete classification for para sport, the University is helping to build the foundations for fairer, more inclusive competition. The creation of the Hub reflects this broader ambition – translating academic insight into real-world impact for athletes and communities.
Sir Paul concluded: “In such a special year, we are delighted that a record number of our entries made it into the finals of the Herald Higher Education Awards.
“The Award of Higher Education Institute of the Year allows us to honour our past, celebrate our present, and continue to lead with purpose – demonstrating that education can be a powerful force for good.
“Our thanks go to the Herald Scotland, and all of the college and university award winners, who together showcase so much of what is good about the education sector.”
#ChildMaintenance is a vital tool to support children on low incomes. But the system isn’t working for too many households. We can make it better.
Read the Poverty Alliance research with@FifeGingerbread and others – supported by the @RobertsonTrust:
https://povertyalliance.org/child-maintenance/
Should schools be recording and reporting on the use of restraint and seclusion? This is just one of the questions a Scottish Parliament committee is asking as it considers a new Bill.
The Education, Children and Young People Committee will be considering the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill, which has been introduced by Daniel Johnson MSP.
The Bill aims to minimise the use of restraint and seclusion in schools, as well as stating that schools would need to inform the parent of a child or young person subjected to restraint or seclusion about the incident and annually report on the use of either approach.
Restraint and seclusion have been used in schools to manage children’s behaviours, but there have been serious concerns about both practices for several years, with campaigners calling for change.
If the Bill is passed, schools would need to be issued with detailed guidance about the use of restraint and seclusion. Schools would also need to inform parents of when restraint and seclusion have been used and maintain a report on the use of these approaches.
The Committee would like to understand whether the measures outlined in the Bill are appropriate.
The Committee’s call for views is open to responses until 11 July 2025. It is then due to take evidence on the proposals in the Bill in the autumn.
Douglas Ross, Convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee, (who knows a fair bit about bad behaviour! – Ed.) said: “The use of restraint and seclusion has been controversial for many years.
“This Bill aims to minimise the use of restraint and seclusion and we want to understand the implications of adopting this approach on children and young people, parents and professionals.
“The Committee is keen to hear from people who have views on the use of restraint and seclusion in schools. We’re also interested in hearing from teachers, school leaders and specialists to give us a broad perspective of views on the proposals in this Bill.”
The call for views will be available here:
https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/restraint-and-seclusion-in-schools-scotland-bill
More information about the Bill can be found here:
https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/s6/restraint-and-seclusion-in-schools-scotland-bill
Nationwide returned a record £2.8 billion in value to members last year, including £1 billion in direct payments to eligible members. It also delivered £1.8 billion in better than average rates and incentives, with deposit rates over 30 per cent higher.
Britain’s biggest building society today announced outstanding full year results with record growth in retail deposits and net mortgage lending, including help for more first-time buyers than any other lender in the UK. Statutory profit before tax rose to a record £2.3 billion, even after returning £1 billion directly back to members through last year’s Fairer Share Payment and The Big Nationwide Thank You.
Nationwide announced a new Fairer Share Payment today, with over four million members receiving £100 each. The payment goes to eligible members choosing Nationwide for their everyday banking, in addition to holding a qualifying savings or mortgage product. It will be paid directly into their Nationwide current account between 18 June and 4 July.
It is also launching a market-leading 5% Member Exclusive Bond and a £200 member-only switching incentive.
Debbie Crosbie, Nationwide’s Chief Executive, said: “Nationwide has had an outstanding twelve months.
“We returned a record £2.8 billion in value to our members and recorded our highest ever year for growth in mortgage lending and retail deposit balances, and we remain first for customer service.”
The Member Exclusive Bond is available from today to all 16 million existing members and can be opened in branch, online or via the Banking App. Members saving the maximum £10,000 would receive £762.50 in interest after 18 months – over £150 more than they would receive over the same period in our next highest-rate bond (4% 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond).
Members who didn’t have their main current account with Nationwide on 31 March can benefit from a £200 Member Exclusive Current Account Online Switch Offerfrom today.
Nationwide remained first for customer service for the 13th year running, and increased its year-end lead to the highest it has been for eight years. It was also named as the Which? Banking Brand of the Year last week.
Nationwide has a unique Branch Promise and 5.7 million customers visited its branches last year – a year-on-year increase of four per cent. Over 30 per cent of new current accounts and 40 per cent of ISAs were opened in branch last year.
Nationwide also continued to invest in digital channels – providing members choice in how they bank.
The Society saw an 11 percent increase in app usage last year. It added over 30 new features to the Nationwide and Virgin Money apps last year; other innovations included an automated income verification and valuation tool that enable mortgage borrowers to receive an offer within just 20 minutes from application.
Nationwide’s products are now drawing younger people. It attracted more than a quarter of the student current account market and helped more first-time buyers than any other UK lender.
Following rainfall at the beginning of the week, some parts of Scotland have seen temporary improvements in water conditions. However, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is warning that parts of the country, particularly in the east, remain under pressure.
Most of the East Coast from Moray and Aberdeenshire down to the Borders remains at Moderate Scarcity.
The rain has improved ground conditions and permitted widespread recovery in the west. In the south-west, the river catchments of the Almond, Annan, Nith, Dee (Galloway) and Cree have recovered from Moderate Scarcity to Alert. It has also caused a similar recovery in the Almond catchment further east.
To the north, the Leven (Dunbartonshire), Loch Fyne, the Argyll coast, Loch Linnhe, the Lochy (Invernessshire), Loch Shiel, Loch Alsh and Loch Maree have all recovered and are now in Early Warning alongside the Inner and Outer Hebrides. The Awe and Etive area has recovered from Alert to Normal Conditions, due to the heaviest rain falling here.
The rest of Scotland remains at Alert.
Scotland experienced a drier than average autumn, winter and spring, leaving many rivers and aquifers struggling to recharge. Even with recent rain, groundwater remains low in many places.
The UK Climate Projections 2018 (UKCP18) forecast we would see hotter drier summers, heavier but more unpredictable rainfall and growing pressure on water resources. This is part of a long-term shift, and Scotland is already seeing the changes the climate models predicted.
Kenny Boag, Head of Environmental Performance (National) from SEPA said: “We’ve had rain in some areas but not widespread recovery. There has been some relief in parts of the West, for many river catchments the long-term deficit remains. It’s a complex picture, and while we welcome signs of recovery in some areas, most of the East Coast continues to experience water stress.
“Many catchments remain under significant pressure and the water environment is still in a vulnerable state. More rain is forecast over the next few days, but we need sustained rainfall in the right places over weeks, not just days, to make a real difference.
“SEPA continue to work closely with abstractors and sectors using water from our environment in the areas facing sustained water scarcity.
“Clear, early communication is being provided so no one is caught off guard. We know how important water is to the Scottish economy, particularly sectors like farming, food and drink, and energy – but we also know that without a healthy water environment those sectors cannot thrive.
“Balancing economic and environmental needs is at the heart of our role as a regulator. If restrictions are put in place, they will be proportionate and in place for a short time as possible. But we will act where necessary to protect the water environment because it underpins Scotland’s economy, communities and way of life.”
SEPA continues to urge everyone from farmers and producers to industry and manufacturers to continue using water efficiently and manage this shared resource responsibly. Advice is available on SEPA’s website, as well as from SEPA staff contacting abstractors with licences in areas at risk.
Festivities have been in full swing at Strachan House Care Home, as one of its residents celebrates his 97th birthday in style.
Reg Lacon was joined by staff, relatives, friends and other residents as he was piped in to celebrate his birthday. A buffet and beverages were available to all celebrating with Reg at Strachan House, and guests enjoyed a special birthday cake made by the home’s chefs Ross and Paul.
Reg, looked the part as he dressed to impress, proudly wearing his Northern Lighthouse Board uniform. Reg, served with The NLB for many years. He had an adventurous career, with great memories. Staying in service as long as he could before retiring, Reg moved into Strachan house Care Home in August 2024, where he is enjoying a new chapter of his life, making new memories with friends.
The birthday boy said: ‘I have had a truly wonderful day, it’s been wonderful to see everyone and to have such a great piper was exceptional!’
Fran Fisher, General Manager of Barchester Strachan House, added: “We’re delighted to be celebrating Reg’s birthday. He is such a popular resident, who always has an interesting tale to tell about his travels and his career with the Lighthouse board.”
Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides Residential, Nursing and Dementia care for short and long term stays.
ASH Scotland has welcomed the unanimous vote by MSPs in the Scottish Parliament yesterday (Thursday 29 May 2025) to pass the Scottish Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill Legislative Consent Motion (LCM).
The health charity believes this will be a positive step towards the opportunity of bringing in strong measures to drive down the use of tobacco as well as addictive, health harming nicotine products in the next generation.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “In supporting the World Health Organization’s 2025 World No Tobacco Day campaign in Scotland, the predatory tobacco and nicotine industry’s marketing tactics must be stopped to prevent a new wave of addiction and today’s vote sends a signal that our elected representatives are rising to that challenge.
“We welcome the cross party support for the proposed robust measures in the UK Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill and the Scottish Government’s LCM to restrict the advertising and promotions of nicotine pouches and vapes to reduce their visibility and availability and protect the health of children now and of future generations.”
