Members of the local community are invited to Queen Margaret University’s upcoming Community Forum on Wednesday 18 June 2025, from 6:30pm to 7:45pm, where attendees can learn more about the University’s efforts to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic growth across East Lothian.
Held twice a year, the Community Forum is a valuable opportunity for local residents and East Lothian representatives to engage directly with the University, share ideas, and explore areas of mutual interest.
This summer’s forum will take place at QMU’s Start-Up Studio, a new hub dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurial ambition. The Studio, which combines business support from Business Gateway and the new Bright Red Triangle service, provides expert advice, resources, and funding for students, staff, graduates and the local community to turn ideas into impactful services and ventures.
The evening will feature a short presentation from Carolyn Low, QMU’s Knowledge Exchange Manager, and Angela Lamont, East Lothian Council’s Community Wealth Building Officer.
They will highlight collaborative projects designed to stimulate local innovation and economic development as part of the East Lothian Community Wealth Building Charter – an initiative which aims to harness the collective economic and social influence of key institutions to benefit local communities.
In addition to exploring recent developments at QMU, the event will also include an open discussion where attendees are encouraged to share their perspectives on the University’s role in the community and how these relationships can be strengthened.
Jane Scott, Director of Marketing and Communications at QMU, said: “The Community Forum is an important space for dialogue.
“We’re eager to hear from our neighbours and share updates on some exciting developments at the University that we believe will positively impact the region.”
Queen Margaret University always welcomes new members of the community to join the Forum. Anyone interested in attending the summer Community Forum on 18 June should register by emailing marketing@qmu.ac.uk.
The full schedule for the event can be found in the events section of the QMU website:
Get ready for an unforgettable weekend this August as Edinburgh’s Conifox Adventure Park brings you FoxFest 2025 – and it’s shaping up to be the biggest and best yet!
Mark your calendars for Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd August and prepare for two days packed with live music, top-class entertainment and fun for the whole family.
Calling all Swifties—live out your wildest dreams as the ultimate Taylor Swift tribute act takes the stage on both days. It’s time to shake it off and sing along to all your favourite hits!
Adding even more star power to the line-up, organisers are thrilled to announce a high-energy Robbie Williams tribute will take to the stage on Sunday. With classic anthems like Angels, Rock DJ, and Let Me Entertain You, it’s set to be an unmissable performance for Robbie fans of all ages.
FoxFest 2025 brings together the best in tribute music, live shows, and family entertainment. From massive pop tunes, to mesmerising magic to hands-in-the-air singalongs, don’t miss out on the ultimate summer celebration!
What’s in Store at FoxFest 2025?
Saturday 2nd August
🎤 Totally Taylor – Taylor Swift Tribute 🎤 Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran Tribute
🎤 Sweet like Sabrina – Sabrina Carpenter Tribute 🎤 Steptastic – A tribute to pop icons Steps 🎶 Songs from Musicals Live 🎈 Dizzy O Dare – The Giant Balloon Show 🫧 The World’s Tallest Bubbleologist
Sunday 3rd August
🎤 Totally Taylor – Taylor Swift Tribute
🎤 Liam as Robbie – Robbie Williams Tribute 🎤 A Tribute to Pink 🎤 Little Mix Magic – The ultimate tribute to Little Mix 🎶 Disney Sing-Along – A magical musical journey for all ages
🎈 Dizzy O Dare – The Giant Balloon Show 🎭 Magic Gareth – A spellbinding magical performance
And that’s not all! Festival goers can also enjoy all the exciting activities that Conifox Adventure Park has to offer, including access to the outdoor Adventure Park, delicious food stalls, refreshing drinks, and an onsite funfair with rides and face painting (additional cost applies).
Event Details
📍 Location: Conifox Adventure Park, Kirkliston, Edinburgh 📅 Dates: Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd August ⏰ Doors Open: 9:30 AM 🎤 Hosted by: Mark Martin
Get Ready for an Unmissable Weekend!
Conifox Managing Director James Gammell said: “FoxFest is all about creating unforgettable moments for families. We’re bringing together some of the UK’s best tribute performers, spectacular live acts, and entertainment that everyone can enjoy.
“It’s going to be a fantastic weekend full of music, laughter, and magic, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back!”
General sale ticket prices are £14.95 per adult, £19.95 per child (2-16 years), £11.75 per toddler (12-24 months), babies go free!
For the latest updates, full lineups, and ticket information, visit www.conifox.co.uk.
From the Highlands to the Borders, Scottish people are set to benefit from the UK’s landmark trade deals with India, US and EU announced in recent weeks, says UK Government
Prime Minister visits historic distillery in Glasgow to discuss trade deal benefits for the Scotch Whisky industry
Follows UK hat trick of trade deals with India, US and EU – improving people’s lives across the country
Deals will help drive growth in Scotland and put more money in the pockets of the hardworking Scottish people
From the Highlands to the Borders, Scottish people are set to benefit from the UK’s landmark trade deals with India, US and EU announced in recent weeks, says the Westminster government.
The Prime Minister discussed the huge growth opportunities and benefits for Scotland during a visit Clydeside Distillery in Glasgow today.
Visit comes after Prime Minister visited BAE Govan this morning to announce the Strategic Defence Review, which will see significant investment in Scotland . More than £2 billion a year is already spent by the Ministry of Defence with industry organisations of all sizes in Scotland, supporting over 25,000 skilled jobs in Scotland.
The world-renowned Scotch Whisky industry is set to boom globally – with the Scotch Whisky Association announcing they forecast £1 billion of extra exports in five years, plus 1,200 new jobs thanks to the tariff reductions as part of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.
India is an important market for Scotland, with 457 Scottish businesses exporting a total of £610 million in goods there last year.
Under the India trade deal, tariffs have been cut on a range of iconic Scottish goods, from whisky tariffs halved from 150% to 75% and dropping to 40% after 10 years to salmon reduced from 33% to 0%. Iconic Scottish brands like Irn Bru and Scottish shortbread will also see reduced tariffs.
Scotland’s thriving life sciences and health tech hubs will be strengthened by IP commitments on areas such as trade secrets and copyright, helping companies export to India with confidence.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Our trade deals with India, US and the EU will slash tariffs on key industries and open markets set to help drive growth in Scotland and put money in the pockets of the hardworking Scottish people, delivering on our Plan for Change.
“Scotland is home to some of the most world-renowned products, which can now be enjoyed across the globe – all whilst saving Scottish businesses money.
“That is why we have secured these deals, and why we will continue to go further and faster to improve the lives of everyone in the UK.”
Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said: “Our trio of trade deals shows we are championing Scottish products and businesses on the global stage.
“From our world-renowned whisky distilleries to our cutting-edge green energy sector, Scotland has so much to offer international markets. But more importantly as part of our Plan for Change this means more money in people’s pockets.
“By securing better access to the European Union, United States and India, we’re creating real opportunities for Scottish businesses to grow, supporting jobs in communities from the Highlands to the Borders.”
Mark Kent, Chief Executive Officer of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “As the UK’s largest food and drink export to 180 markets worldwide, Scotch Whisky producers welcome the work being done to reduce trade barriers around the world.
“The landmark UK-India free trade agreement will be transformational for the Scotch Whisky industry over the longer term and has the potential to increase exports to India by £1bn over the next 5 years and creating 1,200 jobs across the UK.
“It’s also constructive to see a potential reduction in the burden on exporters through the UK agreement with the EU.
“We continue to support the UK government’s efforts to address the issue of tariffs with the US and establish a pathway to return to the zero-for-zero tariff arrangement we have had with the US on spirits for more than 30 years.”
The new agreement with the European Union, the UK’s largest trading market, will directly address challenges faced by Scottish exporters since 2019.
The Scottish salmon industry has estimated that between 2019 and 2023, Scottish Salmon export values experienced a net loss of around £75 million. The deal with the EU makes it significantly easier to sell Scottish goods to European markets.
Musselburgh Racecourse is preparing for one of its most competitive race days of the summer season – The Edinburgh Cup in partnership with Edinburgh Gin – on Saturday 7 June.
A thrilling day of top-class horse racing, live entertainment, and premium hospitality is on the cards at the seven-race meeting with prize money of almost £160,000 on offer.
The feature race, the £50,000 Edinburgh Cup, run over 1 mile 1 furlong, is complemented by the equally prestigious £50,000 Edinburgh Gin British EBF Queen of Scots Stakes, which showcases the finest fillies and mares over seven furlongs.
The Queen of Scots event – a Class 1 Listed race – has become a key stepping stone for horses targeting Royal Ascot and the major summer festivals during the flat racing season and this year’s renewal is expected to attract another stellar field.
Musselburgh Racecourse director, Bill Farnsworth, said: “The Edinburgh Cup has established itself as one of the standout fixtures in Scotland’s racing calendar, consistently attracting high-quality fields from leading trainers across the UK, and this year promises to deliver the same exceptional standard of racing that has made this meeting so popular with both racing enthusiasts and social racegoers alike.”
For racing fans keen to keep up with the action at the Betfred Derby, screens around the course will show the world’s greatest Flat race live from Epsom Downs.
Away from the track, Musselburgh’s Main Stage will feature live music entertainment, building up to the legendary After Racing Party hosted by Forth One’s popular Boogie in the Morning, which is open to all racegoers after the final race.
Best dressed racegoer of the day could win a £500 clothing voucher and four Pimm’s Enclosure tickets to Musselburgh’s sell-out Ladies Day on 8 August, courtesy of Slater Menswear, who are the official Men’s Fashion Partner to The Edinburgh Cup Raceday.
Open to both ladies and gents, other prizes include £250 and £150 Slater gift vouchers and admission tickets to the popular Oktoberfest Raceday or Friday Night at the Races events. Head to the Style Standout fashion wall by the Main Stage to enter and the winner will be announced before the final race by radio presenter Boogie.
Food enthusiasts can indulge in offerings from Scotland’s finest street food vendors, with options carefully selected to cater to all dietary requirements and The Edinburgh Gin Botanical Bar will serve refreshing, botanical-inspired cocktails, perfectly complementing the summer racing atmosphere.
“We’ve created an event that appeals to everyone – from serious racing fans who appreciate the quality of our racing, to groups of friends looking for a fantastic day out,” added Bill Farnsworth.
“The combination of top-class sport, excellent food and drink, live entertainment, and our beautiful Links setting makes for an unbeatable experience.”
Gates open at 11.15am, and the first and last races are scheduled for 1.20pm and 4.55pm, respectively.
Visual artist Rhona Taylor will present an exhibition Immersive: Exploring the Commie Pool at the Royal Commonwealth Pool’s café from 6-22 June 2025, as part of the Architecture Fringe festival.
The exhibition showcases original prints that delve into the architectural and social significance of one of Edinburgh’s most iconic public spaces.
Immersive features a collection of original prints by Taylor that explore the Royal Commonwealth Pool’s role as both an architectural landmark and a vital community hub. The exhibition forms part of the artist’s broader research project examining swimming pools as social, public and cultural spaces, with particular focus on their architecture, history, and contemporary uses.
Pic Greg Macvean
Rhona Taylor said: “The prints in Immersive have developed from research into the building, its development, and its changing use since it was built for the 1970 Commonwealth Games.
“I love swimming in the Commie, so it’s been great fun digging into the archives to find out more about some of the things that went on behind the scenes when it was built.”
The exhibition is presented in partnership with Edinburgh Leisure, which operates the Royal Commonwealth Pool. This collaboration highlights the organisation’s commitment to supporting arts and culture within the community spaces they manage.
“We’re delighted to partner with Rhona Taylor for this fascinating exploration of our building and its place in Edinburgh’s cultural landscape,” said Ed Bethune, Operations Manager at the Royal Commonwealth Pool.
“The Royal Commonwealth Pool has been serving our community for over 50 years, and it’s wonderful to see an artist capture both its architectural significance and its ongoing role as a space where people come together for health, recreation, and community connection.”
The Architecture Fringe, running from 6-22 June, celebrates the intersection of architecture, design, and public space across Edinburgh. Ms Taylor’s exhibition fits perfectly within this framework, examining how built environments shape community interaction and social experience.
Rhona Taylor is a visual artist based in Edinburgh whose studio practice encompasses painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and installations.
She is a member at Edinburgh Printmakers, where she creates her screenprints. Her current research focuses on swimming pools as social, public and cultural spaces in Scotland and internationally.
The exhibition is supported by Edinburgh Leisure, Creative Scotland, and the City of Edinburgh Council through the Visual Artist and Craft Makers Awards (VACMA) Edinburgh.
Immersive: Exploring the Commie Pool will be on display at the Royal Commonwealth Pool café throughout the Architecture Fringe period, with the venue located at 21 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh EH16 5BB.
An Edinburgh Napier graphic design student is aiming to break down the gender stigmas around repair skills by encouraging men to pick up a needle and get into mending.
Fourth year Cameron Angus has this week unveiled his Men-ding project at Edinburgh Napier’s Degree Show – its annual celebration of creative talent from its School of Arts and Creative Industries.
Cameron, 22 years-old from Edinburgh, has developed a subscription model that consists of monthly, themed kits that pair a stereotypically masculine concept with a sustainable skill.
Examples of the kits include ‘Pitches and Stitches’ which allows a subscriber to learn the traditional Japanese embroidery technique of sashiko to fix a football kit as well as a gym-themed kit called ‘Muscles and Mending’.
Each kit includes the materials needed to get started, along with a patch to stitch onto a tote bag as a badge of honour.
The visual identity uses bold type, playful language, and a ‘handcrafted’touch to make repair skills feel accessible, achievable, and fun.
To shape the project’s direction, Cameron held a free embroidery workshop with 15, primarily male participants, to learn essential repair skills in a collaborative and creative environment.
Supported by female volunteers from Edinburgh’s Zero Waste Hub, ‘Patch It Up’ saw participants learn a range of embroidery techniques by personalising their own tote bag and being able to stich their name by the end of the session.
Alongside learning techniques, the workshop also focused on bridging gender and age gaps between the participants and the female volunteers to spark conversation on the longstanding stigmas surrounding skills like sewing.
Cameron said: “The idea for my project came to me when I was travelling in Australia last year. I ripped my jeans, and I really wanted to repair them when I was on the trip, but I didn’t really have any mending skills or know of a space to learn where to start.
“I started looking into it and my research found that many boys and young men are missing out on learning basic repair skills like sewing and mending, with them often excluded from these activities at school or home.
“On top of this, persistent gender stigmas suggest the skills are not for men, creating an invisible barrier that stops many from even trying.
“It was my mission with this project to begin to change these perceptions.
“In terms of the kits, I’ve tried to make each part feel fun and inviting, showing how playful design can make learning feel less like a lesson and more like an experience. It incorporates a lot of humour too – I really just wanted to persuade people to get stuck-in!
“The feedback I’ve had from the workshops has been overwhelmingly positive too. I can’t thank the volunteers enough for their help on the day, and places like The Edinburgh Remakery have been so helpful in my own mending journey too.
“I truly believe that Men-ding has real potential to be scaled into schools, youth groups, and community settings. It can encourage lifelong learning, self-sufficiency, and pride in these practical skills.
“It responds directly to the brief by helping start confidence-led learning and stopping the shame that so often blocks engagement, one stitch at a time.
“If there’s demand for a second workshop, then I’d definitely consider keeping them going as my time at Edinburgh Napier comes to an end.”
Cameron’s project – and dozens of others – are now on display at Edinburgh Napier’s Merchiston campus as part of its annual Degree Show.
The excessive workload demands that continue to be placed on Scotland’s teachers have been highlighted in the results of a national survey carried out by the teaching trade union EIS.
Almost 11,000 teachers took part in the survey, providing a clear picture of the issues facing teachers in schools across Scotland. Yesterday, in the first of a series of themed papers based on the survey results, the EIS published its Workload Briefing.
Commenting on the results, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “The results of the EIS national survey paint a stark picture on the matter of teacher workload. It is a story of persistent, excessive workload demands being placed on teachers at all grades and at all stages of their careers.
“This has serious health, safety and wellbeing implications for teachers, and is contributing to a worrying upward trend in stress-related illness throughout the teaching profession. Having teachers who are overworked and stressed is in no-one’s interest, neither teachers themselves or their families, nor the young people learning in our schools.”
Ms Bradley continued, “Our survey returns indicate that almost half of all teachers (44%) work more than 7 hours extra, unpaid, each week just so they can keep on top of their workload. That’s the equivalent of an extra working day, each and every week.
“Even more shocking, more than one teacher in ten (11.5%) is working 15 or more extra hours per week – essentially an additional two working days, unpaid, every week. Of teachers who are considering leaving the profession within the next 5 years, the most commonly cited reason for this is excessive workload, with 48% of teachers considering leaving the profession identifying workload as the main reason.”
Ms Bradley added, “Tackling excessive teacher workload is one of the key aims of the EIS Stand Up for Quality Education campaign, and the EIS will continue to press local authority employers and the Scottish Government on this vital issue.
“73% of survey respondents indicate that their preparation and correction requirements are unachievable within their normal working week, and this was something that the Scottish Government in its last election manifesto pledged to address by reducing teachers’ class contact time by 1.5 hours per week.
“Four years on from that pledge being made, there has been absolutely no tangible progress towards delivering it, and no proposals as to how it will be delivered.
Shopkeepers’ leaders urge people not to buy from black market and pass on details of illicit sellers to police and trading standards
Edinburgh residents are being urged to help shut down supplies of illegal vapes across the region.The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has issued a plea for people who use vaping products not to buy from illicit sellers.
And the city-headquartered convenience store trade body, which represents retailers in Edinburgh and throughout the Lothians, is urging people to share details of those who they suspect are selling goods illegally to pass on concerns to trading standards, police or anonymously via Crimestoppers.
Single-use vapes became outlawed across the United Kingdom on June 1. All stock needed to be immediately removed from shop shelves.
SGF President Graham Watson, himself a community convenience store owner, said: “As an organisation, we have significant concerns that an unintended consequence of the ban will be an increase in the illegal sale of vaping products.
“It is harmful in so many ways for illegal and unregulated products to be circulating.
“Our members work incredibly hard to champion responsible community retailing, within the law. Illicit supplies undermine the great work they do.
“With all of that in mind, we are asking people not to buy from illicit sellers and to share any information they have with those responsible for them to the authorities. If they do not have the information, they cannot act against them.”
A 25-year-old man has been sentenced after being convicted of a serious sexual assault in Edinburgh.
Rowan McKenna attacked a woman at a property in the west of the city in July 2023.
He was jailed for 10 years and six months and placed on the Sex Offenders Register when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday (Monday, 2 June), after being previously convicted for the serious sexual assault and an assault to injury.
Detective Sergeant Craig Donnelly said: “My thoughts are with the woman who showed immense strength in assisting our investigation. I hope this sentencing brings her some form of comfort.
“We are committed to bringing those responsible for sexual abuse to justice. We work with a range of partner agencies to support victims and carry out investigations.
“Anyone with concerns or information should contact Police Scotland through 101, or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Scotland’s bathing water season began on 1st June and 2025 is the 10th anniversary of the first samples taken under the revised Bathing Water Directive, which introduced tougher water quality standards and clearer public information.
This year Scotland starts the season with the highest ever number of bathing waters rated “Excellent” for water quality; 50 compared with 17 a decade ago, with 97% of sites now achieving sufficient or better quality.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have led a science-driven programme of monitoring, collaboration, regulation and investment. As well as environmental monitoring, SEPA have worked with operators and stakeholders across Scotland, including Scottish Government, Scottish Water, local authorities, land managers and communities to improve bathing water quality.
As a result, millions of pounds has been invested in wastewater infrastructure, improved agricultural practices and targeted pollution control.
Ruth Stidson, SEPA’s Principal Scientist for Bathing Waters, said: “Scotland’s bathing waters are a vital part of our natural environment – important for health, wellbeing, tourism and community pride.
“A decade on from the revised directive, we’re seeing more sites rated excellent than ever before, 56% today compared to 20% in 2015.
“This improvement is a real testament to partnerships with local authorities and stakeholders, including communities, to protect our water environment, and targeted investment by Scottish Water, farmers and land managers to reduce pollution.”
Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said: “I am pleased to see a record number of Scotland’s bathing waters rated as ‘excellent’ this year. This is testament to our continued investment in protecting and improving bathing waters across the country and targeted work in priority catchments.
“We want to make sure that as many people as possible can enjoy our bathing waters, which is why we continue to work closely with SEPA, Scottish Water and other public partners to protect and improve water quality.
“We encourage everyone to make use of SEPA’s resources and information to help make an informed decision about where and when to bathe.”
Increased public information
Water quality at all 89 designated bathing waters is routinely analysed during the bathing water season, which runs until 15th September. Most samples show water quality meets required standards, but if results show unexpectedly high bacterial levels precautionary advice against bathing is issued so people can make informed decisions while SEPA investigates.
Like much of life in Scotland, our bathing waters are affected by the weather. Heavy rainfall can wash pollution from fields and streets into rivers and seas, sometimes reducing water quality. Combined sewer overflows, designed to discharge during heavy rain to ease pressure on sewer systems, can also release untreated water. When this happens SEPA advise against bathing between one and three days after heavy rain.
This advice is available daily on SEPA’s website, and on electronic signs at 30 locations. This year, the public can also access Scottish Water’s near real-time sewer overflow map, showing when and where overflows occur. Scottish Water installed over 1,000 monitors in 2024, including all assets within 2 km of amenity waters such as designated bathing waters.
Over the past decade, SEPA have ensured Scottish Water’s investments focus on improving sites that are affecting bathing waters and will continue to do so.
Ruth added: “Scotland’s bathing waters are designated for bathing, but wild swimming is increasingly popular across Scotland.
“When picking a wild swimming spot, risks of illness due to poor water quality can be reduced by selecting locations where there are no local warnings in place advising against swimming. Avoid bathing on higher risk days which follow heavy rainfall and in water with blue-green algal blooms or scums.
“It’s also best to avoid swimming close to known inputs, including watercourses, as these can be sources of pollution. Generally, risks tend to be higher in urban areas or where livestock farming occurs within the catchment as these are the key sources of bacteria for most bathing waters.”
It’s also really important that people know how to stay safe when visiting bathing waters, and what to do in an emergency. Water Safety Scotland was established in 2014 to promote safety and reduce the number of accidental drownings. They have a dedicated page on their website providing advice for a range of water-based activities, including beach safety.
Carlene McAvoy, Founder of Water Safety Scotland, said: “As the bathing season approaches, we want to remind the public to stay safe around water – especially when it’s hot.
“Although the air temperature may be hot, waterways in Scotland are cold and entering them can lead to Cold Water Shock. Water Safety Scotland’s key message is to follow the Water Safety Code which provides lifesaving information.
“We urge the public to learn the code and teach their families and friends about it.”
Continuing to improve Scotland’s bathing waters
SEPA use advanced microbial source tracking analysis to identify pollution sources by analysing the unique genetic fingerprints of bacteria. This helps pinpoint whether pollution comes from humans, ruminants (like cattle, deer and horses), dogs or seabirds. This allows SEPA to target action more effectively.
This work has shown that bacteria from dog fouling and gulls can contribute to poor water quality at some sites. Visitors can help reduce this by picking up after their dogs and avoiding feeding gulls, as human food harms them and encourages problematic behaviour.
SEPA continue to ensure environmental compliance, while supporting improvements across infrastructure, farming and urban environments.
Tackling diffuse pollution, adapting to climate change, and raising public awareness remain central to protecting water quality and human health at Scotland’s bathing waters for the future.
Find more information about Scotland’s bathing waters, including locations, profiles and classifications, on SEPA’s bathing waters pages.
