Month: July 2025

Dinosaurs roar to life in a Jurassic takeover at Livingston Designer Outlet

Livingston Designer Outlet goes Jurassic crazy this July with lifelike dinosaurs, ranger training and endless photo opportunities for the whole family to enjoy. From Monday 7th to Sunday 20th July, guests can enjoy a host of dinosaur-themed events, making it the ultimate day out to remember.

Dinosaur discovery trail

  • Trail: 7-20 July
  • Roaming dinosaurs: 9-11 July & 16-18 July, from 11am – 5pm*
  • Location: Livingston Designer Outlet

Guests can embark on a journey through time as they explore six dinosaur themed zones located throughout the outlet, featuring animatronic dinosaurs, a jungle environment and exciting sound-effects. Between 9th–11th and 16th–18th July, the experience will become even more immersive as roaming encounters with raptors and a T-Rex will make unexpected appearances throughout the day.

Exclusive dinosaur appearances

  • Noisy Norman: 7-11 July & 16-20 July
  • Giant T-Rex: 12-15 July
  • Location: Grand Staircase

Throughout the event, two life-size dinosaurs will be taking over the Grand Staircase – Noisy Norman an animatronic model and a static Giant T-Rex. Standing at almost 2 metres tall and 3 metres long, Noisy Norman towers over guests and roars into life for those who are brave enough to get close. Watch out for his swinging tale and razor-sharp teeth. A Giant T-Rex will take Norman’s place from 12th-15th July, ready to wow visitors with equally great prehistoric power.

Ranger training & baby dinosaur experience

  • 9-11 July & 16-18 July, from 11am – 5pm*
  • Location: Grand Staircase

Budding explorers can sign up for Ranger Training at Dino Basecamp, where two expert safari rangers will guide guests through a 15-minute session covering essential dinosaur survival skills! At the end of each session, newly qualified rangers will get the chance to meet a baby dinosaur.

Michelle Whitelaw, Centre Manager at Livingston Designer Outlet, said: “We are always looking for ways to deliver memorable experiences alongside brilliant shopping, and bringing the Jurassic era to Livingston Designer Outlet is not one to be missed this summer.

“Whether it’s meeting Noisy Norman, taking part in ranger training or getting amazing photos throughout the whole outlet, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”

Livingston Designer Outlet is Scotland’s largest outlet shopping destination, offering over 80 brands, restaurants and cafés under one roof.

*Detailed breakdown of timings can be found on the @livingstondesigneroutlet Instagram, or event page at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/roar-and-explore-at-livingston-designer-outlet-tickets-1454879516799?aff=oddtdtcreator

Craigroyston Community High School: School uniform information

💙💛 UNIFORM 💙💛

Many of you have been asking about uniform!

Here are main things you need to know: 😊

✅ Plain Black and White – NO brands/logos or other colours!

✅ If required, blazers and ties can be purchased in school or from the websites below. Cash only if purchasing in school. We have a variety of sizes to try in school if you need assistance with this 👍

✅ If required, school jumpers are available online

✅ Black jeans are acceptable as long as they are not faded or ripped

✅ We have a stock of pre-loved uniform available to all pupils free of charge in school (donations continually welcome!)

✅ Please send us a DM if we can help with any issue – financial or otherwise! We’re here to help! 💙💛

https://www.logoxpres-schoolwear.co.uk/Craigroyston-CHS

https://www.border-embroideries.co.uk/…/craigroyston…

Banning purchase of sex ‘won’t reduce sexual exploitation’

  • Official Scottish Government research finds banning purchase of sex would have “limited impact” on stopping trafficking and sexual exploitation
  • Ministers warned of “notable evidence gaps” behind Ash Regan’s claims that tackling demand for sex would reduce harm
  • Victims Minister Siobhian Brown says evidence raises “significant questions and concerns” about Regan’s Nordic Model Bill

Ash Regan’s proposals to outlaw the purchase of sex have been dealt a hammer blow after the Scottish Government admitted that the measures would have “limited impact” on stopping trafficking and exploitation, according to national sex worker group Ugly Mugs.

Official Scottish Government research, published last week, acknowledges that there are “notable evidence gaps” behind claims by supporters of Ms Regan’s Bill that prosecuting sex buyers would reduce exploitation in Scotland.

Civil servants spent months trawling international evidence on tackling trafficking and sexual exploitation.

In their conclusions, published last week, they write: “Much of the literature reviewed focuses on criminal justice interventions. This tends to focus on the effectiveness of preventative measures which aim to reduce demand for prostitution (e.g. via deterrence). The evidence reviewed suggests that such measures may have limited impact on preventing trafficking and sexual exploitation.”

The research was published on the same day that Siobhian Brown, the Victims and Community Safety Minister, told MSPs scrutinising Ms Regan’s Bill that she had “significant questions and concerns” about the proposed legislation.

In a letter to the Criminal Justice Committee, Ms Brown cited “challenges experienced internationally” in implementing similar legislation, and said she had “concerns about the accuracy” of Ms Regan’s cost estimates of implementing the Bill.

The minister wrote: “There remain significant questions and concerns regarding the measures within the Bill and how they would work in practice, the extent to which they would deliver on the policy intent, and the associated financial implications.”

Sex worker groups, led by National Ugly Mugs, the UK’s national sex worker safety charity, have repeatedly warned that criminalising clients has no impact on stopping exploitation and would only make life more difficult and dangerous for sex workers, by pushing the industry underground.

Lynsey Walton, chief executive of National Ugly Mugs, said: “Sex worker groups, alongside leading NGOs like Amnesty and the World Health Organisation, have long warned that criminalising the purchase of sex only serves to make life more difficult and dangerous for sex workers, while having no impact on trafficking and exploitation.

“We are pleased that the Scottish Government has now accepted that the international evidence backs this up. MSPs now need to pull the plug on Ms Regan’s misguided and dangerous legislation, and focus on supporting sex workers’ rights to work safely and free from stigma.”

The Scottish Government research comes after independent reviews carried out for the Irish and Northern Irish governments – which have both criminalised the purchase of sex – found that the Nordic Model had not reduced the demand for sexual services in each country.

The Northern Irish review found that there was “no evidence that the offence of purchasing sexual services has produced a downward pressure on the demand for, or supply of, sexual services”. It also found that “the legislation has contributed to a climate whereby sex workers feel further marginalised and stigmatised”.

The Irish Government’s review, published earlier this year, found that after seven years of the legislation being in force, just 15 men had been convicted for purchasing sex. Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said: “Regrettably, the review highlights that despite the criminalisation of the purchase of sexual services, demand has not decreased.”

Dynamic Earth: Dive into fun at Ocean Commotion Soft Play!

Dynamic Earth launches its Toddler Tidal and Deep-Sea Discovery Zones for little ones across the Capital

This summer Dynamic Earth is encouraging wee ones from across Edinburgh, and surrounding regions, to set sail on a magical underwater adventure at the city’s leading Science Centre and Planetarium.

With the launch of Ocean Commotion Soft Play on June 23rd, the venue aims to provide accessible, stimulating and interactive engagement opportunities for little ones needing to let off some steam and spark their curiosity in our planet.

For just £4, kids aged 0-6 can expect to explore, climb, splash (not literally!), and play away in the ocean-themed interactive costal escape. No booking required for this fun, interactive soft play.

With every corner of Ocean Commotion designed to boost your child’s development through play, whether they’re learning to crawl, climb, or conquer new challenges, kids are sure to have some fintastic fun beneath the waves!

  • Sea Turtle Sanctuary – Allow your littlest adventurers to safely drift, crawl and discover Dynamic Earth’s serene ocean cove.
  • Toddler Tidal Zone – Let wee ones (recommended 12 months plus) build, slide and grow their confidence as they explore the world around them.
  • Junior Deep-Sea Discovery Zone – Bigger adventures for your budding explorers. Take the training wheels off and scale Dynamic Earth’s rock-climbing reef, before taking part in interactive activities that fuel both skill and imagination

Parents who want to let their little star(fishes) have fun in the venue’s brand-new interactive ocean escape can pay-on-the-day, with £4 granting their wee ones *unlimited access to Dynamic Earth’s world beneath the waves.

Ts & Cs

*During busy periods your little one’s adventure will be capped to 90 minutes.

100ml liquid rule lifted at Edinburgh Airport

The 100ml liquids rule for airport security has been lifted at Edinburgh Airport for the first time since it was introduced in 2006 following the installation of top-of-the-range security x-ray technology.

It means passengers will be able to keep liquids in their bags when going through security, and those liquid containers can now be up to two litres each.

Edinburgh Airport, now part of the VINCI Airports network, is the first airport in Scotland to lift the rule.

It comes after eight new X-rays were installed as part of a £24 million investment to transform the security process at Scotland’s busiest airport. Large electricals, such as tablets and laptops, can remain in bags, and liquids in containers up to two litres can now also be kept inside.

Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport said: “This is a big day for our passengers and the airport team – we are delighted to be able to lift this rule and really transform the whole security process, making it easier for everyone.

“A whole generation of travellers have only known the 100ml rule to be the case, so it really is a momentous day as we become the first airport in Scotland to lift the rule since it was introduced in 2006.

“The change allows more flexibility for passengers to take liquids through security, all while maintaining and improving our high safety levels through the use of 3D technology. But it is important that passengers continue to check with the situation at their return airport as not all airports will be moving away from 100ml just yet.”

Pints of Views

CAMRA Summer issue available now

The latest issue of our CAMRA branch magazine “Pints of View” (issue 84, Summer 2025) is now being distributed around pubs in SE Scotland.

It contains news of pubs and breweries in Edinburgh and South East Scotland along with general articles that may be of interest to yourself or your organisation.

The magazine is available online as a PDF (19MB) from:

https://edinburgh.camra.org.uk/dl.php?id=261674

Pensions Bill: Workers in line for £29,000 boost

Bill to ‘transform pensions landscape for years to come’

  • Pension Schemes Bill could boost returns to pension saving by thousands of pounds
  • Changes will also make it easier for savers to access and manage their pensions

Working people on an average salary who save into a pension pot over their career, could benefit by up to £29,000 by the time they retire thanks to major Government reforms that will consolidate small pension pots, ensure schemes are value for money, and create larger pension schemes.

The figure was revealed as the Pension Schemes Bill returns to Parliament for its second reading today.

Reforms in the Bill, which have received wide-spread support from the pensions industry and consumer groups, will support 20 million pension savers to get more from their pension pots and be better prepared for retirement.

The Bill will bring together small pension pots worth £1,000 or less into one pension scheme that is certified as delivering good value to savers, making pension saving less hassle and more rewarding. At present many people struggle to keep track of multiple small pensions as they move jobs and can pay high fees as a result.

In future pension schemes will also need to prove they are value for money, helping savers understand whether their scheme is giving them good returns and protecting them from getting stuck in underperforming schemes for years on end.

These measures will lay the foundation for the upcoming Pensions Review to examine how we get to a fair and sustainable pensions system, supporting growth and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change by putting more money into people’s pockets.

Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: “We’re ramping up the pace of pension reform, to ensure that people’s pension savings works as hard for them as they worked to save.

“The measures in our Pension Schemes Bill will drive costs down and returns up on workers’ retirement savings – putting more money in people’s pockets to the tune of up to £29,000 for an average earner and delivering on our Plan for Change.”

Other measures include:

  • New rules creating multi-employer DC scheme “megafunds” of at least £25 billion, so that bigger and better pension schemes can drive down costs and invest in a wider range of assets.
  • Simplifying retirement choices, with all pension schemes offering default routes to an income in retirement.
  • Increased flexibility for Defined Benefit (DB) pension schemes to safely release surplus worth collectively £160 billion, to support employers’ investment plans and to benefit scheme members.

The reforms will also unlock long-term investment in the UK economy by removing barriers to growth, strengthening the security and governance of pension schemes and ultimately delivering better returns for people saving for their retirement.

The pace of pension reform has ramped up with measures in the Bill set to revolutionise the pensions landscape in the coming years. While the benefits of the Bill are clear, significant challenges still remains with these benefits varied for different workers and different groups.

This is why the upcoming Pensions Review will examine challenges such as pension adequacy to ensure underserved groups do not miss out on the benefits arising from these measures.

Reforms announced as part of the Bill will also future proof the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) by leading to the consolidation of all £400 billion of assets into a small number of expert asset pools which can invest in local areas infrastructure, housing and clean energy.

Minister for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon OBE said: “This Bill will ensure the Local Government Pension Scheme is fit for the future and harness its full potential, with assets due to reach £1 trillion by 2040, and will strengthen investment in local communities to accelerate growth as part of our Plan for Change.

Zoe Alexander, Director of Policy and Advocacy for PLSA: “The introduction of the Pension Schemes Bill is a significant milestone, bringing forward necessary legislation to enact important reforms that have the full backing of the pensions industry.

“This includes small pots consolidation, the Value for Money regime, decumulation options and changes to give DB funds more options for securing member benefits over the long-term.

“Once fully implemented, these measures should reduce the cost of administering pensions, remove complexity for savers and help ensure schemes are maximising the value they provide members.”

Membership of Edinburgh’s Visitor Levy Advisory Forum announced

Newly appointed Chair Julie Ashworth has selected 12 Edinburgh individuals to form the city’s first Visitor Levy Advisory Forum.

Bringing experience from the third sector to academia, the hotels industry to local communities, the Forum met for the first time to receive a briefing on the Edinburgh Visitor Levy.

Each member has been interviewed by the Chair and joins the Forum as an individual who is able to bring a broad range of personal expertise and background to the group, rather than a representative for their current organisation.

It is expected that the Forum will meet at least twice a year. They will advise advise Councillors as they agree final details of how the proceeds of the scheme will be invested before it launches next summer.

Forum members will also discuss and provide feedback on the efficiency of the scheme and advise the Council on any recommended modifications when it is reviewed after three years.

The appointments to the Visitor Levy Advisory Forum are:

  • Lori Anderson, Director of Festivals Edinburgh
  • Kat Brogan, Managing Director of Mercat Tours and Co-chair of Edinburgh’s Living Wage Action Group
  • Garry Clark, Development Manager, East of Scotland for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and member of the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group
  • Audrey Cumberford, Principal and Chief Executive of Edinburgh College
  • Fran van Dijk, B-Corp Ambassador for B Lab UK and Advisory Board member of Green Element 
  • Neil Ellis, Chair of Edinburgh Hotels Association and member of the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group
  • Euan Hamilton, Equality and Rights Network Development Worker for Volunteer Edinburgh
  • Terry Levinthal, Director of the Cockburn Association
  • Graeme Smith, Regional Industrial Officer, Unite the Union
  • Douglas Tharby, Deputy Chair of the Edinburgh Association of Community Councils
  • Kirsten Urquhart, Chief Executive of Young Scot
  • Alex Williamson, Chief Executive of Scottish Rugby.

Julie Ashworth, Chair of the Visitor Levy Advisory Forum, said: “Edinburgh’s visitor levy scheme has been shaped by years of debate and views from all sectors and communities, and it is in this spirit I’ve appointed a group of people with fantastic experience and expertise from different fields and from civic life. I’m confident we have a really strong Forum in place and we’re excited to get to work.

“Our introductory meeting focussed on ensuring that all members are up to speed with the Edinburgh Visitor Levy scheme, and the requirements of the group itself. Now that Forum members are familiar with this, the real work of advising the Council on levy matters can begin.

“With just over a year to go until the levy is launched, it will be our job to fairly and accurately represent the views of the city, and to encourage the Council at all stages to take these views into account. I’m grateful to every member for coming on board.

Council Leader Jane Meagher added: “I’m delighted that mere weeks after her appointment as Chair, Julie has established a full Visitor Levy Advisory Forum.

“Edinburgh’s upcoming levy will provide us with a once in a lifetime opportunity for raising much needed funds for the city. Important decisions will need to be taken on how this money is spent so that visitors and residents can benefit, so I’m pleased to see a balanced and broad range of views represented on the Advisory Forum.

“These are individuals with great knowledge about their industries and the city, and I understand they’ve had a productive first meeting. I look forward to their input as we prepare to launch Scotland’s first visitor levy next summer.”

College future secured until 2027

£1.4 million in funding for continued pilot

Scotland’s first dedicated complex needs college will receive up to £1.4 million to secure its future for the next two years.

Since launching in 2022, the Corseford College pilot has received over £1 million from the Scottish Government, which has helped to provide 35 students with complex and additional needs an opportunity for further learning beyond school.

An independent evaluation found the pilot provided valuable support to young people with complex needs. It also included key recommendations for the future model of provision in Scotland which the Government will be considering in the months ahead.

The College has now received additional funding to continue the pilot for two more years. A total of 41 young people will benefit from specialist support in the 2025-26 academic year starting in August.

Further Education Minister Graeme Dey said: “Corseford College has delivered vital support to many young people with complex additional needs since its launch three years ago. This has been recognised in an independent evaluation of the model, which is why we are securing the College’s future for another two years to ensure that its students can continue to be supported.

“We are keen to explore a sustainable approach for specialist provision going forward, and the continued pilot at Corseford will help inform this. The evaluation provided a number of important insights and recommendations which we will be reflecting on and will allow us to evolve the best possible model for the future.

“We are determined to support Scotland’s young people with complex additional needs and disabilities. Last month, we published our first national strategy that ensures young disabled people can access the help they need as they transition to adulthood. Our continued funding for Corseford will support this work.”

Capability Scotland Chief Executive, Brian Logan, said: “The Scottish Government’s funding decision following the independent evaluation is a vital endorsement of Corseford College’s pioneering approach to specialist post-school education.

“We would like to thank Minister Graeme Dey and his team for their cooperation and unwavering commitment in making this possible.

“This success reflects the dedication of the college’s staff, whose work is transforming the lives of young people with complex needs. The funding secures Corseford College’s future, but also marks a key step towards a national solution for those young people living with complex needs across the country.”

The Scottish Government published its National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy for Young People in June 2025.