This prestigious competition will be hosted in Edinburgh for the first time
Nearly 1000 pipers are calling visitors to the UK Pipe Band Championships this month for what promises to be a spectacular day of piping, drumming and traditional Scottish music fun for all the family.
Taking place for the first time at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, on July 12, the event will showcase musical talent and celebrate cultural heritage, thrilling audiences with performances, workshops and world-class bands.
1,556 pipers and drummers of all ages will be taking part in the competition, which will be held at the Royal Highland Centre, Scotland’s largest indoor and outdoor venue. Three of the 62 competing bands are from outwith the UK, with PLC Pipe Band from Melbourne traveling 10,542 miles to take part in the competition.
The family friendly event is expected to attract 7,500 spectators with children under five able to go free. Plenty of delicious food and drink stalls will also be on offer, to make it a full day out for everyone. Car parking is available, but those travelling locally are urged to consider taking the Tram or dedicated 98 Lothian Bus service.
Five ‘did you know’ facts about the UK Pipe Band Championships include:
18 kilometers of tartan will be on show at the competition – equivalent to the length of Lake Windermere, Mississippi!
934 bagpipes will be played, as well as 326 snare drums, 234 tenor drums, 62 bass drums and 1,244 drumsticks!
The three most popular tunes played are: Lord Alexander Kennedy, Mrs John MacColl and The Argyllshire Gathering
Dollar Academy has won the ‘Top Juvenile Band’ for the last four years
St Laurence O’Toole band from Eire scooped the Winning Band accolade in 2024
Mark Currie, Director of Venue, Royal Highland Centre, said: “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with the RSPBA on this prestigious event for the first time.
“From the first march to the final flourish, this event brings together incredible talent, proud tradition, and an unbeatable atmosphere for audiences of all ages.
“Royal Highland Centre has always been dedicated to providing a platform to homegrown organisations, like The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, for example, and so we couldn’t be prouder to be hosting their UK Championships.”
Colin Mulhern, Chief Executive of the RSPBA said, “The UK Pipe Band Championships are a true celebration of musical excellence, tradition and community spirit.
“Every year we are proud to welcome some of the best pipe bands from across the country and beyond, and this year we are very much looking forward to being in our new venue, the Royal Highland Centre.
“It’s an unforgettable day of powerful performances, vibrant culture and world-class talent. Tickets are on sale now!”
For more information and to purchase tickets please see here.
More work is needed if the Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill proceeds to the next stage of the legislative process. This is the recommendation in a new report issued by Holyrood’s Rural Affairs & Islands Committee.
Publishing its Stage 1 report, the Committee says that it supports the general principles of the Bill. However, should the Bill progress to the next stage, the Committee sets out areas for reconsideration and development.
The Committee says that, although the creation of a specific statutory offence of dog theft would recognise that dogs are sentient beings and reflect the impact on animal welfare, there is no clear evidence to suggest that a statutory offence would be used more in practice than the existing common law.
In addition, without a dedicated budget for raising awareness of the statutory offence, and with similar penalties as are currently available for the existing offence, the Committee say it is unlikely to act as a strong deterrent.
The report also says that making the theft of an assistance dog an aggravated crime does not seem a ‘proportionate provision’. To date, no instances of dog theft have been reported, and the court system can already consider the impact of any theft, if a case does come to court.
The Committee recommends however that, if the proposed aggravation proceeds to Stage 2, a broader definition for dogs providing support and assistance, for example working farm dogs, should be included.
The Committee says that it does not support allowing victims of dog theft to make victim statements to the court.
During scrutiny, stakeholders said that courts already consider the impact of crimes on victims and that providing this opportunity to victims of dog theft, would create an anomaly with other crimes which do not allow victim support statements.
Instead, the Committee asks the Scottish Government to include dog theft within its broader commitment to expand the range of offences where victim statements are allowed.
Committee Convener, Finlay Carson MSP, said;“This is a well-intentioned Bill which merits our support at this stage in the legislative process. We agree that dog theft is a terrible crime, and that appropriate legislation should be in place to reflect this.
“However, evidence provided to us during our scrutiny suggests that many of the Bill provisions are already available within the current court system and procedures. It’s important to ensure legislation and enforcement procedures do not create untended consequences or further bureaucratic burdens.
“It’s now for the Scottish Parliament to consider the reservations we have set out in our report and to decide the best route forward.”
Fundraiser brightens future for Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home
Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home has successfully installed 21 solar panels at its seaside cattery, marking a major milestone in its journey towards cutting costs, ensuring for a more sustainable future and even higher animal welfare standards.
The community backed crowdfunder was supported by 329 generous donors who helped raise £14,687 as part of the “Light up Our Home” campaign.
The newly installed solar panels, powering electricity for the cattery and clinic, are already helping to reduce the shelter’s environmental impact and are expected to save the Home over £2,600 each year on electricity bills.
These savings will go directly back into caring for the hundreds of animals and families supported by the Home each year.
In addition to generating clean, green energy, the panels also serve a unique welfare purpose offering the cats a safer and more comfortable play area with protection from falling bird droppings, which can carry giardia, a highly infectious parasite.
Lynsey McGreavey, Facilities Managerat Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home said; “Rising energy prices have been one of the Home’s most pressing challenges in recent years. This milestone simply wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible generosity of the public, from Edinburgh and beyond.
“In these difficult times, every single donation, whether big or small, helps turn our vision into reality. This fundraiser has not only helped us take a big step towards becoming more ego conscious but has made a direct impact on the safety and wellbeing of the animals in our care.”
A consultation on Firework Control Zones (FCZ) for autumn 2025 in Edinburgh is now underway.
Earlier this year interested communities were invited to apply for their area to become a FCZ. Consultation participants will now be able to give feedback on nine potential FCZs in:
Niddrie
Sighthill/Broomhouse
Gracemount
Moredun
Calton Hill
Seafield
Balerno
Corstorphine
Longstone
Consultation responses will help form plans for future FCZs, which will be reported to Culture and Communities Committee in August.
Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “We want people to be able to enjoy Bonfire Night safely and responsibly, and introducing FCZs is one way we can support communities to do that.
“As well as drawing on experience from last year’s FCZs, this consultation will help us to better understand the impact on residents as we approach autumn 2025.
“I would encourage all those who are interested to take part in the consultation to help us shape plans for Bonfire Night.”
FCZs were first introduced to support the safe use of fireworks in Edinburgh in 2024, based on assessments from Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and Council data.
These covered Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie and Seafield and lessons learned from their operation will be considered in the introduction of future FCZs.
The current consultation will run until 29 July. Take part online.
£4 million programme to encourage new approaches and collaboration across the museum sector
Museums are being encouraged to sign up for a new partnership programme to strengthen and sustain their role as the stewards of Scotland’s cultural heritage.
Developed in partnership by the Scottish Government, Museums Galleries Scotland and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the £4 million Museum Futures programme will offer funding and support to transform how museums and galleries operate by enabling them to collaborate and test new ways of working. The funding was announced by First Minister John Swinney ahead of a visit to the Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh.
Museums will be able to access two funding channels – an open fund focused on building leadership capacity and organisational change, and a targeted fund that will support the testing of collaborative and place-based approaches, focused on the needs of communities, as well as organisations with common issues who would benefit from working together.
Beyond financial support, participating museums will also benefit from skills development, professional mentoring and specialist advice delivered by trusted partners across Scotland.
This includes a new Organisational Health Check tool, developed by Museums Galleries Scotland, to help museums identify their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities and allow them to make informed decisions regarding priorities and funding.
The First Minister said: “Museums are the stewards of our cultural heritage, preserving the objects and artworks that have shaped Scotland, from its earliest beginnings to the latest trends.
“Local museums in particular are responsible for bringing the stories behind their communities to life, and the Museum Futures programme aims to give them a solid foundation to build on by helping organisations innovate, collaborate and adapt.
I know some are already early adopters of new ways of working and this programme will encourage more of that through the sharing of ideas, practical advice and funding to enable them to test new approaches that will stand the test of time.
“This programme and the £4 million funding behind it reflects the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensure our museums flourish, having heard the sector’s voices on the challenges they are currently facing loud and clear.
“I would strongly encourage anyone who might be eligible to consider how they could secure their part of Scotland’s story with this funding and support.”
Lucy Casot, Chief Executive of Museums Galleries Scotland said: “Museum Futures takes a progressive new approach to sector investment and development allowing us to imagine and test what a strong museum sector could look like.
“It provides capacity to explore how the sector can adapt to meet current and future challenges while removing some of the risks of trying something new. It gives museums a chance to plan for long term sustainability instead of just getting through another year.
“Museum Futures recognises the hard journey that our sector has had and seeks to offer a positive way to address barriers and support change.
“This is a momentous opportunity for Scotland’s museums and I would like to thank our partners and sector colleagues who have shaped and will continue to develop this new programme.”
Imaginate Family Day_National Museum of Scotland_24th May 2025
Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland said: “Since the launch of the Heritage Fund some thirty years ago we have worked closely with Scotland’s museum sector and thanks to National Lottery players we have supported museums of every size and style in every part of the country.
“As the largest funder for the UK’s heritage our knowledge and experience has helped shape the Museum Futures programme. We now look forward to supporting it in delivery and continuing to be a key funder, project partner and supporter for a resilient, creative and collaborative museum sector in Scotland.”
Edinburgh Leisure is once again launching its popular Under 5s summer promotion to help families get a head start on the new school year while enjoying added value through free access to soft play facilities.
From 2 July to 27 July 2025, any customer who joins the Under 5s coaching programme will receive one month of free Soft Play membership at any of Edinburgh Leisure’s three soft play venues, valid from 1 to 31 August 2025. Existing Soft Play members who enrol in the coaching programme during this period will have their August Direct Debit payment waived.
The offer applies to all Under 5s coaching classes, subject to availability, including:
To take advantage of the offer, customers simply need to sign up online for one of the qualifying classes. An upfront payment will be taken for the remainder of August, with the first Direct Debit collected in September.
Edinburgh Leisure has three soft play venues across the city at Tumbles at Portobello – which has recently undergone an exciting refurbishment, Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool and Scrambles at Edinburgh’s International Climbing Arena.
With designated baby, toddler, and junior zones, each soft play ensures fun and adventure for kids and a café for tasty treats and snacks for the adults and children.
Eligible customers will automatically receive their free Soft Play membership and will be notified via text message on 31 July. Soft Play cards can be collected on the first visit to Clambers, Tumbles, or Scrambles Soft Plays.
Terms and conditions apply and customers who have left the coaching programme after 31 May 2025 are not eligible for this promotion. Due to limited availability in classes for entry stages in the Junior programme, this soft play offer is only available for Under 5s.
Partnership with libraries through access to books and cultural experiences
Innovative programme in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council will enhance the role of five local libraries as thriving cultural hubs as literacy crisis deepens across the UK
Paper Trails is a five-year library partnership project and was launched at the official opening of Ratho Library by Her Majesty The Queen today, Tuesday 1 July 2025
Part of the Book Festival’s year-round Communities Programme, Paper Trails is a partnership with City of Edinburgh Council and five libraries: Muirhouse Library, Ratho Hub Library, Liberton High School Library, Streetreads, and the Mobile Library
Paper Trails will tackle social isolation, especially among older adults, by encouraging library use and developing creative skills; highlight libraries as spaces for creativity and community gathering; build partnerships that create cultural ecosystems in under-served areas of the city; support young people’s creative development and career pathways
The Edinburgh International Book Festival has launched its innovative Paper Trails libraries project, part of its year-round Communities Programme, at the official reopening of Ratho Hub Library by Her Majesty the Queen.
As recent statistics reveal that more than 1 in 4 older adults experience loneliness each week, only 1 in 5 young people read daily, and literacy rates across all ages countrywide have been declining since 2005, this five-year initiative is designed to tackle social isolation and literary inequality through creative community programming.
The Paper Trails project represents one of the most ambitious community literature initiatives in Scotland, working in partnership with five libraries: Muirhouse Library (housed in the new Macmillan Hub building), Ratho Hub Library, Liberton High School Library (opening in 2026), Streetreads (a charity-run library for people experiencing homelessness), and the Mobile Library service.
Using University of Edinburgh Cultural Mapping research, these libraries were chosen as locations where cultural provision could be enhanced and where little or no other festival activity currently takes place.
The programme will co-create literary experiences with local communities, addressing specific neighbourhood needs while building sustainable capacity that extends beyond the Book Festival’s direct involvement.
Noelle Cobden, Director of Communities and Equality at Edinburgh International Book Festival, said:“Paper Trails represents our commitment to ensuring that literature and creative expression remain accessible to all communities.
“This isn’t just about bringing authors to libraries – it’s about listening to local people to tell their own stories and strengthening the vital role libraries play in community life.”
The initiative has received significant backing from celebrated crime writer Sir Ian Rankin and his wife Miranda Harvey.
Paper Trails is also funded by the Ettrick Charitable Trust, Cruden Foundation, and National Lottery Awards for All.
Jenny Niven, Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival, said:“We couldn’t be more excited to announce this hugely ambitious project that cements existing, and generates new, creative relationships across the sector, and that has the potential to impact the lives of thousands of people from in and around the city.
“We’re delighted to begin the first phase of this a far reaching partnership and look forward to speaking with other organisations who are interested in supporting the work further and as we roll it out across our libraries.”
Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I’m delighted to have been part of the official opening of Ratho Library by Her Majesty the Queen. The development of this library hub had the community at its heart and I’m so pleased that residents can now enjoy all that’s on offer there.
“Paper Trails is a wonderful initiative which harnesses the positive impact our libraries can have.”
Her Majesty The Queen’s official opening of the newly rebuilt Ratho Library today highlights the vital importance of library services to local communities. The Ratho community had been without a permanent library since the COVID-19 pandemic, relying instead on weekly mobile library visits.
Paper Trails will work with diverse groups including young people, older adults, and those facing homelessness, using storytelling and creative writing to build connections and support personal growth.
The programme specifically aims to tackle social isolation by encouraging library use, developing creative skills, and highlighting libraries as essential spaces for creativity and community gathering.
Paper Trails offers a model of how cultural organisations can work in partnership with local authorities to revitalise these essential community resources.
Each participating library will develop programming tailored to their community’s specific needs, from supporting young writers’ career development to creating intergenerational storytelling circles and providing creative outlets for marginalised communities. For example, the project’s Skills Pathways will give young people in Liberton the opportunity to learn about how festivals are produced, widening their understanding and engagement with the literary sector beyond simply access to books.
The Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Communities Programme, of which Paper Trails forms a central part, works year-round with partners including schools, libraries, prisons, and hospitals to foster lifelong love of reading and develop engaged audiences of all backgrounds and ages.
As the charity prepares for its August festival (9-24 August 2025), Paper Trails demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to ensuring the transformative power of literature reaches every corner of Edinburgh’s diverse communities.
Additional funding to build on progress in clearing longest waits
Health Secretary Neil Gray has welcomed progress in reducing waiting lists at NHS Lothian as he confirmed the health board will be allocated an additional £22 million for the year ahead – as part of a £106 million investment across the NHS to tackle the longest waits.
Latest figures show a 14% decrease last year in inpatient/daycase waits for all specialties at NHS Lothian – down from 26,462 at 31 March 2024 to 22,762 at 31 March 2025.
The reduction in ongoing waits was driven by reductions in:
General surgery -19.6%
Gynaecology -20.6%
Orthopaedics -17.9%
Urology -27.9%
On a visit to the Day Surgery Unit at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, the Health Secretary met with staff and patients and saw first-hand the positive impact Scottish Government investment is having on waits. The Day Surgery Unit carries out 30 – 40 scheduled procedures every day – this helps allow patients to leave for home from 2pm onwards with a focus on same day discharge.
A huge variety of procedures are performed with patients from a mix of five specialties, including gynaecology, general surgery, vascular, neurosurgery and orthopaedics. Last year, around 4,500 procedures were carried out by the Unit.
Mr Gray said: “This government is focussed on taking the action needed to cut waiting lists and we are determined to make it easier, faster and fairer for patients to get access to the treatment they need.
“I was pleased to meet the team at the Royal Infirmary’s Day Surgery Unit who are carrying out fantastic work to help target long waits and making significant progress. We want to build on this success and drive that improvement across Scotland – our additional investment of £106 million support this work across all health boards.
“Figures published today show monthly A&E performance at its best since July 2023 and delayed discharge at its lowest since October 2023. Our plan to improve our NHS is working and we will build on this progress by increasing capacity and investing to tackle the longest waits to ensure patients get faster access to care.”
Six men have been convicted following a number of serious and organised crime incidents in Edinburgh and Midlothian.
Michael Heeps, Lee Ridgway, John Murray, Dale Bauld, Damien Mullen and Ryan McGovern were found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, Tuesday, 1 July, 2025, following a trial which lasted seven weeks.
They were convicted of numerous offences including attempted murder, wilful fire-raising and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger said: “The violence involved in each of these cases is completely unacceptable.
“Although these were all targeted attacks, those involved showed absolutely no regard for the communities affected.
“These incidents could have had much more serious consequences, and I want to make it clear this behaviour will not be tolerated.
“Each of these incidents formed part of a long and incredibly complex investigation.
“Detectives, working alongside specialist officers from across the country, were meticulous in going through every detail and ultimately bringing these six men to justice.
“I would like to thank them, as well as our partners in forensic services and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal services, for their work. I would also like to thank the public for their support throughout the investigation.
“These convictions show Police Scotland’s commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.
“I want to make it clear to those intent on being involved in serious and organised crime that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice.”
MPs voted by 335 votes to 260 to give the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill their initial backing last night after rebel Labour MPs forced further concessions from the government.
The Government, gearing a humiliating defeat, said it would pause changes to PIP until a review has been carried out.
Despite the concessions, 49 Labour MPs, including local North and Leith MP Tracy Gilbert, voted against their government.
Ms Gilbert was one of only three Scottish Labour MPs to oppose the Bill.
It was chaotic, but campaigners today forced the govt to postpone PIP cuts from their welfare bill.
— Andy McDonald MP for Middlesbrough & Thornaby East (@AndyMcDonaldMP) July 1, 2025
45 MPs – 18 of these Labour – abstained or did not vote.
Labour Campaign for Socialism issued a statement after the vote:
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “This is an utter capitulation.Labour’s welfare bill is now a TOTAL waste of time. It effectively saves £0, helps no one into work, and does NOT control spending. It’s pointless.”
Ms Badenoch said that the Starmer government should ‘ditch the bill, do their homework, and come back with something serious’.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said: “Labour’s behaviour towards people with disabilities is appalling.
“The chaos that Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have presided over has shown total contempt for the vulnerable. And Anas Sarwar has supported them all the way. Westminster is failing. Scotland deserves better.”
Anti-poverty campaign group Trussell said: ‘The government’s bill to cut disabled people’s social security is still proceeding, but with all cuts to PIP now set to be REMOVED. We applaud the power of disabled people, MPs, and community organisations like food banks who have tirelessly raised their voices and stood up for future of disabled people
‘The improvements to the bill agreed in recent days are the right thing to do and will protect hundreds of thousands of disabled people from being forced into severe hardship.
‘This bill should never have come before MPs. This was a chaotic and upsetting process that could have been avoided had this government stuck to its commitments to disabled people.
‘Deep cuts to Universal Credit still stand, and when MPs look at the amended Bill, they must ensure disabled people are protected from severe hardship ahead of their final vote next week. More than three quarters of people claiming Universal Credit and disability benefits have gone without essentials in the last six months.
‘We now have an opportunity to work together to build a more compassionate, effective, and fair system of social security for disabled people, and move towards a future without the need for food banks.’
