04/06/2025 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

A big opportunity to feel small: Colossal creatures descending on UK in giant exhibition

Immersive showcase of giant prehistoric animals opens at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on 2 August before moving to Scotland in January 2026
Visitors will encounter awe-inspiring creatures that roamed the Earth after the extinction of the dinosaurs
Exhibition also highlights need to protect current natural giants such as elephants and whales.

To coincide with World Environment Day, Birmingham Museums and National Museums Scotland are delighted to announce the UK debut of Giants, a spectacular touring exhibition developed by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and toured by Nomad Exhibitions.

This immersive showcase of giant prehistoric animals will open at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on 2 August 2025, before travelling to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh in January 2026.

Giants invites visitors on a journey through time, from 66 million years ago to the present day, to encounter the awe-inspiring creatures that roamed the Earth after the extinction of the dinosaurs.

The exhibition features life-sized 3D models and nearly complete skeletons, including the formidable Otodus megalodon, the mightiest shark of all time, the Mammuthus primigenius or woolly mammoth, weighing in at between six and eight tons with long thick fur and imposing tusks and Gigantopithecus blacki, an Asian primate comparable in size to three orangutans.

Interactive elements allow visitors of all ages to step into the shoes of palaeontologists and biologists, engaging with the scientific processes behind fossil discovery and reconstruction.

Immersive projections transport audiences into the natural habitats of these colossal beings, providing context to their existence and eventual extinction.

New giants have emerged since, such as elephants, rhinoceroses and whales, but they are now too under threat of extinction.

The exhibition also serves as a poignant reminder of nature’s fragility and the urgent need to protect these animals for future generations.

The announcement of the exhibition’s arrival coincides with World Environment Day on 5 June, which this year is focused on ending plastic pollution.

Zak Mensah and Sara Wajid, co-chief executives of Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Giants exhibition to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. This inspiring installation not only captures the imagination with its monumental scale but also delivers a vital message about sustainability and our shared responsibility to protect the planet.

“Birmingham Museums is committed to using storytelling to engage communities with the challenges of our time and Giants does exactly that in a powerful and accessible way.”

Dr Nick Fraser, Keeper of Natural Sciences at National Museums Scotland, said: “We’re really looking forward to bringing Giants to Scotland next year. Popular attention on prehistoric life tends to focus either on dinosaurs or on our own earliest human ancestors, which leaves a relatively neglected gap of around 60 million years of natural history.

“Giants is a striking invitation to us all to think about that period, to see how nature adapts over time, and also to reflect on the ways in which current human activity is denying that time to today’s endangered giants.”

Exhibition details:

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery: Opening August 2025

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh: 31 January – 14 September 2026

Step Into Two Hidden Worlds Beneath Edinburgh: A New Dual Underground Experience Launches This Summer

– The Real Mary King’s Close and The Lost Close partner for the first time to reveal a forgotten side of Edinburgh’s rich history –

This summer, Edinburgh visitors and locals can delve beneath the city’s streets and explore not one, but two of its best-kept secrets thanks to a new underground experience that unites The Real Mary King’s Close and The Lost Close for the very first time.

Launching on Thursday 19th June and running every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 30th August, this exclusive dual-site tour invites guests to journey through two unique underground closes.

The experience begins at The Lost Close, where guests gather at the historic John’s Coffee House – once a vibrant meeting place for Scottish Enlightenment thinkers like Adam Smith and David Hume.

From there, guests will descend into underground vaults and a close sealed off for nearly 200 years following Edinburgh’s Great Fire, only rediscovered in 2019. Guided by an expert storyteller, learn about the fascinating journey of coffee in Scotland, from its early trade roots to the rise of the city’s first coffeehouses and their enduring influence today.

During the tour, guests will enjoy a cup of specialty coffee from local roaster, Common Coffee, before encountering one of the most extraordinary industrial discoveries in recent Scottish history: the world’s second-oldest surviving Crossley four-stroke engine. Originally installed at the Royal Aquarium and later used to ventilate the city’s police chambers, this rare Victorian relic offers a remarkable glimpse into Edinburgh’s innovative past.

Following the 35-minute Coffee Tour at The Lost Close, the journey continues just a few steps away at The Real Mary King’s Close, one of Scotland’s most celebrated heritage attractions. Voted the UK’s best tourist attraction in the Tripadvisor® Travellers’ Choice® Awards – Best of the Best for 2024, the award-winning experience invites guests to step directly into 17th-century Edinburgh.

Led by character guides, guests explore a perfectly preserved warren of underground streets, homes and passageways that once bustled with life above ground. As the Close was gradually buried under the foundations of the Royal Exchange, its stories were sealed in time.

On the immersive one-hour tour, guests will uncover tales of plague, poverty, politics and the perseverance of residents who once called the Close home. Rich in historical detail and theatrical storytelling, The Real Mary King’s Close offers an unfiltered look at Edinburgh’s hidden past and the people who shaped its future.

Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with The Lost Close to offer a fresh and unique way to experience Edinburgh’s hidden history.

“This joint ticket gives our visitors a rare chance to explore two underground closes in one morning, each with its own powerful story. From coffee culture and Enlightenment thinking to industrial innovation and everyday life, it’s a journey through the layers that have shaped the city we know today.

“We expect this to be a highly popular experience and anticipate that tickets will sell out quickly.”

James Armandary, Tourism Development Lead at The Lost Close, added: “This partnership with The Real Mary King’s Close is an exciting first for us at The Lost Close.

“With one ticket, guests can explore two very different underground closes and uncover the rich, hidden history they share – from the story of coffee in Scotland to the everyday lives of people who once walked these streets. It’s a unique way to experience Edinburgh’s past from two fascinating perspectives.”

Tours last approximately 1 hour 45 mins. Tickets are priced at £40, including access to both tours and a cup of coffee, making it the perfect experience to start your day. With a maximum of 12 guests per session, availability is limited, and early booking is advised.

Tour Schedule:

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 19th June – 30th August.

09:15 – 09:50: Coffee Tour at The Lost Close

10:00 – 11:00: Guided tour at The Real Mary King’s Close

To book, please visit: https://www.realmarykingsclose.com/event/closes-coffee/

RCEM: Government must address elective care waits AND long ED stays

Both must be political priorities, says Royal College of Emergency Medicine

Following the Scottish Health Minister stating he is ‘determined’ to cut elective waiting times the Royal College of Emergency Medicine has warned this cannot be the Government’s only focus.

New data detailing A&E performance in Scotland reveals that long waiting times in the country’s Emergency Departments and the issue of delayed discharges – where people remain in hospital wards despite being well enough to leave – remain significant issues.

Published by Public Health Scotland and covering April 2025, the figures reveal that:

117,827 people visited a major A&E Department (Type 1) in Scotland.
Of these, almost one in three (32.9%) waited four hours or more to been treated, admitted or discharged; more than one in every 10 people (10.3%) waited eight hours or more, and 4.2% waited 12 hours or longer.
Each day an average of 1,854 beds were occupied by people who were considered well enough to not need to be in hospital – this is the second highest for any April since guidelines changed in 2016.
Longer waits are now far more common than they were seven years ago. In April 2018, fewer than one in every 50 patients (1.3%) would have endured a wait of more than eight hours, with 12-hour plus waits being extremely rare (0.3%).

The concerning data comes just a day after Health Secretary Neil Gray MSP said he was ‘determined’ to reduce long waits for elective care pledging £106m to fund an extra 150,000 appointments and procedures this year.

But the Minister made no reference to addressing long stays in Emergency Departments.

Responding, Dr Fiona Hunter, RCEM Vice President Scotland, said: “The Scottish Government is clearly focusing on improving health care with £200m pledged to support the NHS.

“But while reducing waits for elective care is important – it is not a panacea, and will not address the very serious issues happening elsewhere in the system.

“Issues that I, and my members, see every day such as patients stranded in corridors for hours, and a lack of available ward beds.

“The Government must make addressing these a political priority too.

“We have to be able to get people out of ambulances and into out department as quickly as we can, to be able to find patients a ward bed when they need one and then get them home again as soon as they don’t.

“Without this flow through the hospital these dangerous and degrading long ED stays will go on, and patients will continue to be put at risk.”

Graphic visualisations of the data compiled by RCEM can be found here.

Murrayburn Assault and Attempted Robbery: Do You Know This Man?

Police Scotland has released CCTV images of a man officers believe may be able to assist with an ongoing investigation into an attempted robbery and serious assault in Edinburgh.

The incident happened at around 10.35am on Sunday, 13 April, 2025, at Murrayburn Place.

The man officers wish to speak to is described as South Asian in appearance, 25 to 30 years old, between 5ft 7ins and 5ft 9ins with black hair and a black beard. He was wearing a black Puffa-style jacket, cream trousers and black footwear.

Detective Constable Beverley Burnside said: “We would appeal to the man in the images, or anyone who recognises him, to contact us as soon as possible.

“Anyone who has information that may assist is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1097 of Sunday, 13 April, 2025, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

SCOTS soldiers help Edinburgh school students to develop essential skills though new project

A group of people standing in a park

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Students from Beeslack High School, Penicuik, had the unique opportunity to interview soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Scotland, working together to create content for the Museum of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, at Edinburgh Castle.

Marking a first of its kind, a group of 25 students across S2-S6 took part in this special project, working in partnership with the museum and soldiers from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS).

The content they produced will be featured on the museum’s online learning hub, offering future students’ valuable insights into life within The Royal Regiment of Scotland and the history of Glencorse barracks.

This collaboration was made possible through Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), a Scotland-wide network that helps young people prepare for the world of work. The project was designed to be accessible to students from various backgrounds and abilities, with the aim of helping them develop essential skills like communication and teamwork.

Over six weeks, soldiers from 2 SCOTS and museum representatives worked closely with the students to improve their interview skills, help them develop thoughtful questions to ask the soldiers and enhance their overall communication abilities and confidence.

Joshua S, 15, a student from Beeslack High School, commented on the opportunity: “I was really excited to take part in this course because I’m in the cadets, but I wanted to learn more about the barracks, which is just up the road from our school.

“The course has been really fun, and I’ve had the chance to ask real-life soldiers questions that me and my mates have always wanted to know, like what’s deployment really like, what’s your favourite military vehicle and who famous have you met. I can even use some of the content I’ve helped film in my college application portfolio!”

Major Joe Willden, Regimental Administration Officer who is attached to 2 SCOTS said: “This has been a great opportunity – the students came prepared, asked us thoughtful questions and really took an interest in what life in the Regiment is actually like.

“It’s not often that we get the chance to support this kind of creative learning, and we were genuinely impressed by the level of enthusiasm they brought to the project.”

Allison Spark, Curator of Museum of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, said: “It’s been brilliant working with the students – helping them build key life skills while also exploring how the modern Royal Regiment of Scotland operates in a way that goes beyond the classroom.

“It’s especially exciting that the content they’ve created will actually be used to teach their peers on our learning hub and will remain a valuable resource for years to come.”

Supporting Gaelic’s growth

Funding for schools and cultural projects

A new Gaelic primary school is set to open in Glasgow next year after a £2 million investment from the Scottish Government.

The funding will complete the refurbishment and extension of the former St James’ Primary School building to establish Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Challtainn (Calton Gaelic Primary School) which will become the city’s fourth Gaelic language primary.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes announced the investment as part of a £2.4 million package to support Gaelic schools and cultural initiatives across Scotland.

The funding will also support:

the construction of a second classroom at West Primary School in Paisley
the expansion of two Gaelic cultural centres in the Highlands
cultural events through An Comunn Gàidhealach who will host this year’s Royal National Mòd in Lochaber

On a visit to the site of the new school, Ms Forbes said: “This school will build on the encouraging surge we have seen in the number of Gaelic speakers and learners in Glasgow and support the language’s growth into the future.

“Gaelic medium education enriches communities and offers good value for money by providing better grade averages across all qualification levels despite costs being no greater than average.

“To support Gaelic’s growth across Scotland, we are providing an additional £5.7 million for Gaelic initiatives this year. We are also progressing the Scottish Languages Bill which, if passed by MSPs, will introduce measures to strengthen the provision of Gaelic education.”

The new school, with space for 416 pupils, will be managed by Glasgow City Council. It meets a growing demand for Gaelic primary education in the city. Census figures published last year show a 45% increase in the number of people with some Gaelic skills in Glasgow compared to 2011.

Alison Richardson, headteacher of Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Challtainn, said: “With Gaelic medium education continuing to flourish in Glasgow, our pupils and parents are excited and proud to be moving Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Challtainn into its very own repurposed school located in the East End.

“We look forward to supporting Gaelic’s growth in the Calton area, where many spoke it in the past, and for the school to become a real focal point and asset to the local community.”

Projects benefiting from Scottish Government Gaelic Capital Fund allocations for 2024-25 are listed below:

Project	Capital allocated	Summary
Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Challtainn (Calton Gaelic Primary School)	£2,000,000.00	Refurbishment and extension of the former St James’ Primary School building.
West Primary School, Paisley	£43,000.00	Construction of a second classroom.
Broadford Primary School, Skye	£60,630.00	Upgrade to Games Hall.
Calder Glen High School, East Kilbride	£51,935.00	Construction of a bothy with computing, cooking and gardening space and provision of laptops, speakers, desks and other equipment.
Greenfaulds High School, Cumbernauld	£38,772.50	Equipment to allow more children from across North Lanarkshire to attend classes virtually.
Whitehills Primary School, Forfar	£5,748.36	Chromebooks, tablet cases and a replacement smartboard.
Inverclyde Academy, Greenock	£2907.00	Installation of bilingual signage throughout the school.
Feasibility study on establishing a Gaelic secondary school in Stornoway	£30,800.00	Study to explore the feasibility of establishing Gaelic secondary provision.
An Comunn Gàidhealach	£65,600.00	Delivery of this year’s Royal National Mòd.
The University of Edinburgh’s Opening the Well Crowdsourcing Gaelic Transcription project	£17,305.00	Transcription of Gaelic audio recordings, which will be added to a free online archive of Gaelic folklore and historical materials.
Ionad Thròndairnis (The Trotternish Centre)	£75,000.00	Extension of a Gaelic cultural centre in Skye.
Co-Chomann Dualchas Shrath Naruinn (Strathnairn Heritage Association	£40,000.00	Establishment of a Gaelic heritage centre in the former Dunlichity Church building.
Fèis Ghasaigh	£36,469.00	Delivery of a two-day Gaelic music event in South Uist.

Glasgow is home to the third largest number of children and young people in Gaelic Medium Education in Scotland with 740 primary pupils in 2023. Census statistics show that 17,380 people in Glasgow had some Gaelic skills 2022, an increase of 7,911 people from 2011.

Glasgow City Council has provided £17.6 million towards works at Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Challtainn, within an overall project budget of £23.8 million. The works are supported by the Scottish Government’s £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme which is delivered in partnership with local authorities. Nine school projects included in the programme will open in 2025-26.

Scottish Braille Press proofreaders retire after remarkable 82 years combined service

This month, Suzie and Brian Lewis will retire from the Scottish Braille Press after a remarkable combined 82 years of service.

Suzie, who has a vision impairment, joined the Braille Press in 1979, while Brian followed a decade later, starting on 19 June 1989, coincidentally Suzie’s birthday. The couple, who married in 1996, who are from Edinburgh, have worked alongside one another in various capacities over the years, providing invaluable contributions to accessibility in Scotland.

The Scottish Braille Press, part of the charity Sight Scotland, is a national leader in producing accessible formats including braille, large print, and audio. Its services ensure that blind and partially sighted people across the UK can access personal and essential information, including bank statements, benefit letters, exam papers and insurance documents. The Scottish Braille Press currently supports around 50,000 people and works with some of the UK’s largest organisations.

Reflecting on their careers, Suzie, and Brian shared memories of how much the industry has changed and how their roles evolved over time.

Suzie explains: “When I started, it was all manual. We hand-collated huge Braille documents, some up to 2,300 pages, and stitched them before dispatch. It was physical, team-based work, and we did it all by hand. I did that for about 14 years until technology changed things and demand for Braille reduced.”

Suzie transitioned into proofreading, a role she embraced thanks to her love of books: “It started with a couple of hours helping out, then became a full-time job. I’ve mainly focused on large print proofreading ever since. It’s incredibly detailed work, but so rewarding knowing how important it is for people to receive their information in a format they can access.”

Brian adds: “When I started, we were still using zinc plates to produce Braille, there were very few computers. A few years later we began investing in technology to meet growing demand for financial documents and mailing lists.

“We mostly check financial letters, bank, and pension statements. You must check every detail, even envelopes, to make sure the right person gets the right information. It’s about maintaining trust, privacy, and accuracy.”

Suzie and Brian have also provided unique support to each other throughout their working lives. Suzie shares: “We helped each other, as it should be. Sometimes we worked on the same job, reading different versions of a document. I’m registered blind and Brian has epilepsy, so being in the same space meant we could look out for one another.”

“I’m very proud of the work we’ve done. It’s changed so much over the years. With modern technology, new systems, but at its heart, the mission has stayed the same; to make sure people with sight loss can live independently and confidently.”

Brian continues: “We thought about working a bit longer, but we’re in a good position to retire now and enjoy the time together. It’s the right moment. We are looking forward to a cruise and stay in the Mediterranean in September, then we’re going to Canada in May next year.

“It’s been an amazing time working at the Scottish Braille Press, and I am sure Suzie will agree, I am the best birthday present she has ever had!”

Colin Hilditch, Head of Enterprise at Sight Scotland, said: “Suzie and Brian’s dedication has made a real difference to the lives of thousands of people.

“Their attention to detail, professionalism and teamwork have helped ensure the highest standards in accessible communication. We are hugely grateful for their service and wish them all the very best for a happy retirement.”

For more information visit sightscotland.org.uk.

LAST CALL: Social Security Scotland survey

SURVEY CLOSES AT 6pm TONIGHT

There’s still time to take part in our survey about your experience with Social Security Scotland over the last year. The survey will close at 6pm on Wednesday 4 June. It takes around 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

If you have already taken part please ignore this email and accept a huge thank you from us for your help.

If you haven’t yet done so, you can take part in the survey online.

A dark mode-friendly version of the survey is also available.

Who can take part?

The survey is open to everyone who works with our clients or works in partnership with Social Security Scotland.

We would like to hear from as many people as possible. Please feel free to share the survey with others who deal with Social Security Scotland or work with our clients.

Confidentiality

Taking part is voluntary and your responses will be confidential. No one will be able to identify you in any of the reported results. Only people working in the research team will be able to see your responses.

What do we do with the results?

Your views are very important to us. They help us to understand if we are delivering the commitments of Our Charter and what improvements we can make. After the survey closes, researchers will analyse the results and publish a research report. We also survey our clients and our colleagues and all of this contributes to the Charter Measurement Framework results that we publish annually.

Further questions?

If there’s more we can do to help you take part, please let us know. You can contact us by emailing research@socialsecurity.gov.scot or you can phone our research helpline for free on 0800 029 4974, Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm.

Yours sincerely,

Charter Measurement and Client Panels Team

Social Security Scotland

Holyrood Committee finishes Stage 2 scrutiny of Housing (Scotland) Bill

Amendments passed to strengthen protection for tenants

Legislation to improve tenants’ rights and introduce homelessness prevention measures has completed Stage 2 scrutiny by a cross-party committee of MSPs.

The Scottish Government introduced the Housing (Scotland) Bill to the Scottish Parliament last year to help tackle poverty by improving the experience of renters and introducing a range of new duties to prevent homelessness.

The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee approved a number of Scottish Government amendments to the Bill at Stage 2, including powers to implement Awaab’s Law that would give social tenants greater protection against damp and mould, and measures to set out how rents could be capped in rent control areas.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The Housing Bill will play an important role in our efforts to tackle poverty by keeping rent affordable and ensuring people can stay in their homes by securing tenancies.

“Our amendments on rent control not only provide certainty for tenants but also provide more clarity to the housing sector on what our rent control proposals will look like, giving investors confidence to continue to support housebuilding in Scotland.

“We have also introduced plans to implement Awaab’s Law which will mean everyone can have the right to live in a warm, safe and secure home free from disrepair.

“Scotland has led the way in protecting tenants and providing rights for people threatened with homelessness. The Housing Bill will provide even greater protection, so I am pleased the Committee has completed its Stage 2 scrutiny and I look forward to working with Members across the chamber as the legislation goes through the final Stage 3 process.”

Housing (Scotland) Bill | Scottish Parliament Website

RTS Electicity Meter? ACT NOW!

The technology that supports RTS electricity meters will switch off from 30 June 2025. Without the technology to tell RTS meters when to swap between peak and off-peak rates, they may no longer work properly, and it may mean that a consumer’s heating and hot water supply stops functioning as normal.

If you have an RTS meter, your electricity supplier will get in touch to arrange an upgrade to a smart meter before this deadline.

They must make sure you have a suitable meter installed, and that your service is not disrupted.

OFGEM expect electricity suppliers to replace all RTS meters before the Radio Teleswitch Service technology ends.

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly explains how you can identify if you have a Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meter and what action you should take to upgrade your meter.

Support to upgrade RTS electricity meters

We are working with energy suppliers, distribution network operators, consumer groups and others as part of the RTS Taskforce to support people with an RTS meter. Read more information about the RTS Taskforce.

If you have an RTS meter your electricity supplier will contact you to arrange an appointment to upgrade your electricity meter. You should arrange an upgrade of your meter to avoid losing heating or hot water after 30 June 2025.

Find out if you have an RTS meter

You may have an RTS meter if:

your home has a separate switch box near your meter with a Radio Teleswitch label on it
your home is heated using electricity or storage heaters
there is no gas supply to your area, including households in rural areas and high-rise flats
you get cheaper energy at different times of day, for example, you might be on an Economy 7, Economy 10, or Total Heat Total Control tariff

Get in touch with your electricity supplier if you’re still not sure which meter is in your home.

If you do not know who your supplier is, follow the steps on our find your energy supplier page.

Contact your electricity supplier to upgrade your RTS meter

If you have an RTS meter in your home, view details on your electricity supplier’s website to upgrade your meter.

If you run a business that has an RTS meter, view details on your electricity supplier’s website to upgrade your meter.

If you do not know who your supplier is, follow the steps on our find your energy supplier page.

Upgrading to a smart meter

A smart meter will give you a similar service to your RTS meter. You’ll also get other benefits, including:

electricity readings submitted automatically
access to ‘smart meter only’ tariffs
the ability to monitor your energy usage
accurate bills based on the electricity you’ve used, not estimates

Find out more about getting a smart meter.

If you’re not able to upgrade

In some instances, your supplier may not be able to offer you a smart meter at the moment.

If this is the case, they must make sure you have a suitable meter installed, and that your service is not disrupted.

You should contact your supplier to understand the options available to you.

If you do not want a smart meter

Upgrading to a smart meter is the best option for RTS customers. If you choose not to upgrade:

your heating and hot water may be left continually on or off
your electric storage heaters may charge at the wrong time of day, possibly leading to higher bills
your supplier may be unable confirm your electricity usage during peak or off-peak times, and your electricity costs may be higher than before
you’ll have a more limited choice of tariffs.

Talk to your supplier for more information

If you live in Scotland, you can get advice and information on energyadvice.scot.