FRIDAY 22nd AUGUST at SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT – FREE EVENT
There are still some free tickets available for Friday’s ‘Give Me Some Credit’ exhibition at @ScotParl#FestivalofPolitics.
https://festivalofpolitics.citizenticket.co.uk/events/festival-of-politics/give-me-some-credit/
Officers in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a number of a calls regarding the dangerous use of dirt bikes in Edinburgh.
Over the course of Sunday, 17 August, 2025, multiple reports were received of the bikes being ridden in a reckless and in an anti-social manner in the areas of Calders, Juniper Green, Lanark Road, Broomhouse and Sighthill.
Sergeant Gillian Watson said: “The reckless use of dirt bikes not only endangers those riding them, but also members of the public.
“We have already seized four bikes and our enquiries are ongoing. We are keen to trace all of those who were riding in this dangerous manner.
“I would appeal to anyone who may have private CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage, or who knows where these bikes are being stored, to contact us as soon as possible.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2699 of Sunday, 17 August, 2025.
Monday 18th August 6.30pm – 8.30pm at Pilton Community Health Project
Karen and the gang will be with us this evening for MClub, chatting all things #menopause related.
Scotland’s largest construction trade association, SELECT, has urged the public to always check identification before allowing tradespeople into their home following the jailing of a serial fraudster who posed as an electrician to target the elderly.
The campaigning body issued the reminder after 64-year-old Robert Markward was last week sentenced to nine years in prison for a string of crimes across Ayrshire between December 2022 and March 2023, including tricking vulnerable victims into letting him into their homes.
Markward, who has more than 100 offences on his record dating back to the 1980s, was found guilty of defrauding and stealing from nine victims, some in their nineties, by pretending to be a nurse, handyman and electrician.
Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, said: “Sadly, there are criminals who will use any disguise to gain access to people’s homes – including pretending to be qualified electricians.
“We would remind householders to always check that visitors are who they say they are, particularly if they claim to be a tradesperson. Ask to see their ECS Grade Card or similar official form of identification that proves they are a qualified electrician.
“A genuine and fully qualified electrotechnical professional will never object to showing you their credentials – in fact, they’ll be proud to do so.”
The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) is the electrotechnical industry’s official ID and competence card scheme, covering those working in the sector across the UK. Overseen by the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) in Scotland, it confirms the holder’s identity, qualifications and current status to work in the trade.
SELECT, which is currently celebrating its 125th anniversary, represents more than 1,200 firms across Scotland. All members meet strict criteria, are accredited in at least one technical discipline and employ skilled and apprentice electricians working to the highest standards.
Mr Wilson added: “Our message is simple – don’t be rushed, don’t be embarrassed to ask and don’t open your door unless you’re satisfied the person is legitimate.
“It could protect you or someone you love from becoming a victim.”
SELECT advice on choosing an electrician
We’re on the lookout for some bits and pieces that could be reused at the centre 
Large cardboard tubes (like the ones from inside carpets or lino, even bigger is great!)
Any black material, curtains, bedding, fabric you no longer need
Old pool noodles or foam tubes
Wooden pallets, large bits of wood, or strong plastic piping
Lots of old newspapers 
Please don’t go out your way to buy anything – second-hand or spare items are perfect and very much appreciated!
To arrange drop-off, give us a call on 0131 467 3578.
Thank you so much for your support! 
THURSDAY 21st AUGUST 10am – 12.30pm
THIS Thursday, meet local politicians and council staff for a walk round the area, with a drink afterwards to discuss things you would like to see improve.
COALITION LEADERS TO ACCOMPANY ZELENSKYY TO CRUCIAL TRUMP MEETING
President Macron and Prime Minister Starmer yesterday co-chaired a virtual meeting of a grouping of ‘Coalition of the Willing’ Leaders with the participation of President Zelenskyy.
Leaders convened to discuss support for Ukraine and next steps in peace negotiations following President Trump’s meeting with President Putin in Alaska.
The Leaders reaffirmed their continued support to Ukraine, and praised President Zelenskyy’s desire for a just and lasting peace as he prepares for further consultations with President Trump in Washington DC.
The leaders also commended President Trump’s commitment to providing security guarantees to Ukraine, in which the Coalition of the Willing will play a vital role through the Multinational Force Ukraine, among other measures.
They re-emphasised the readiness to deploy a reassurance force once hostilities have ceased, and to help secure Ukraine’s skies and seas and regenerate Ukraine’s armed forces.
The President and Prime Minister also informed leaders that they would travel to Washington DC today for a meeting with President Trump, alongside President Zelenskyy.
YESTERDAY (Saturday 16 August 2025) The Royal Scots Regimental Association led a memorial service at The Royal Scots Memorial Garden at Lauriston Castle, Edinburgh, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Victory over Japan which marked the end of the Second World War (VJ Day, 15 August 1945).
Those on parade included descendants of those who fought in the Far East between 1941 and 1945, former Royal Scots and their families as well as representatives of other services and arms that were involved in the various campaigns.
Having formed up in front of Lauriston Castle, they marched the short distance to the Royal Scots Memorial Garden behind the Royal Scots Association Pipe Band and their Association Standards.
A short service was conducted by Reverend Dr Iain May, Chaplain to The Royal Scots Regimental Association. The wreath laying was led by Brigadier George Lowder, President of The Royal Scots Regimental Association.
The Royal Scots, recruited predominantly from Edinburgh, the Lothians and Peeblesshire, were involved from the first day to the last of this bitterly fought campaign.
Their 2nd Battalion fought in defence of Hong Kong from 8 December 1941 and 144 of those who survived were among the 828 prisoners who perished when their ship, the Lisbon Maru, was torpedoed in October 1942; the remainder, if they survived, endured four years of captivity.
The Regiment’s 1st Battalion fought through the later campaign in Burma, including the Battles of Kohima and Aradura which marked the turning point in the war against Japan and led to the final victory on VJ Day, 15 August 1945.
Malcolm Warrack, son of Lt Col Morren Warrack who fought at Kohima with the regiment, said: “A group of Royal Scots Veterans felt very strongly about the lack of some form of local memorial specifically for their fellow soldiers who did not come back from the Burma Campaign and Kohima in particular.
“George Rogers, Ian Henderson and Morren Warrack co-ordinated the preparation and creation of this Memorial Garden; they spoke often about the “Forgotten Army” in the Far East so it is particularly fitting that 80 years after VJ Day we remember them.”
Gerry Borg, son of Lisbon Maru survivor John Borg, said: “We can never fully appreciate the suffering and pain endured by the brave men who were Prisoners of War in Japan.
“From a very young age we were taught that the word ‘starving’ was forbidden in our house. Dad would remind us that we never had, and hopefully never would, experience true starvation.
“On the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, it is right that we remember the sacrifice made on our behalf. We must preserve the history of the events and, honour those involved.”
Brigadier Lowder added: “Having had the privilege as a young officer to meet some of the survivors of the 1st and 2nd Battalions and hear first hand their accounts of their experiences in the Far East, Hong Kong and in captivity, this 80th Anniversary of the end of the war against Japan was particularly poignant.
“The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) will never forget their service and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Renowned director/designer team Renaud Doucet and André Barbe return to Scottish Opera this autumn with their acclaimed production of Giacomo Puccini’s ravishing classic, La bohème.
Opening on 11 October at Theatre Royal Glasgow, the production tours to Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh and features an innovative dual-time concept that moves between the flea markets of 1920s Paris and the modern-day French capital.
It takes inspiration from the Jazz Age of Josephine Baker, the American dancer, singer, actress, spy and civil rights activist.
This Barbe & Doucet show is full of their trademark colour, character and style, and tells the story of four struggling bohemians, reimagined as part of the ‘Lost Generation’, the collection of writers and artists drawn to Paris after World War I, whose lives are changed when they meet a seamstress called Mimì.
A blossoming romance becomes short-lived when they discover that Mimì is ill. Struggling to survive in the lavish yet unforgiving city, these charismatic characters are met with the harsh realities of poverty and fortune.
The design emphasises the contrast between the colourful carnival atmosphere and the starving artists’ lives, creating a production that balances sentimentality with the bustling energy of Paris across different eras.
Scottish Opera Music Director, Stuart Stratford, who is celebrating ten years with the Company, conducts Hye-Youn Lee (pictured) (La traviata 2024)as Mimì, a role she originated in the 2017 production of La bohème.
Also in the cast are Mario Chang as Rodolfo in his Scottish Opera debut, Roland Wood (The Strauss Collection 2025) as Marcello, Rhian Lois (The Merry Widow 2025) as Musetta, Callum Thorpe (Oedipus Rex 2024) as Colline, Emerging Artist Edward Jowle (Trial by Jury & A Matter of Misconduct! 2025) as Schaunard and Jamie MacDougall (Trial by Jury & A Matter of Misconduct! 2025) as Alcindoro / Benoît.
Barbe & Doucet, who last worked with Scottish Opera on the 2024 production of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale said: ‘The story of La bohème is one we can all relate to.
“It seemed important to us to explore the theme of illness since, as a society, we are all under the weather at the moment and in need of healing. The flea market setting represents a little bit of what we are up against today – we seem to live life too fast, and, through antiques, people get a sense of going back to a less hectic time.
“This opera is not about nostalgia –La bohème is not a museum piece – the story is timeless. Along with meeting new artists, we look forward very much to revisiting the production with Hye-Youn Lee with whom we had so much pleasure collaborating on the original staging.”
With tickets starting from just £23 – £26.50, and 40% of all seats priced under £50, Scottish Opera ensures world-class opera remains accessible to everyone across Scotland.
In addition, £15 tickets are available for under-26s and students at every performance. Over 800 free tickets have been provided to schools since 2022, often introducing pupils to live opera for the first time, and over 1,600 free tickets have been distributed to New Scots communities across Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh.
Free tickets are also available for schools, colleges, and community groups, with travel subsidies where needed.
To bring even more opera to Scottish audiences, La bohème is presented alongside the double bill of Maurice Ravel’s L’heure espagnole and William Walton’s The Bear. These concert stagings of two caustic comedies of infidelity are performed on the La bohème set and conducted by French opera expert Alexandra Cravero (Thérèse 2022). The director is Jacopo Spirei, and designs are by Kenneth MacLeod.
Opening on 18 October in Glasgow before touring to Edinburgh, these shows feature a cast that includes current and former Emerging Artists.
Specially created Access performances of La bohème run alongside the mainstage productions in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
With Dementia Friendly values at their core, Afternoon Access performances are for those who enjoy a more relaxed opera experience. Tickets are priced at just £12.50 (free for carers), and these performances are open to all, including those who may be living with dementia or Long COVID, more comfortable at a shorter show, struggling to get to evening performances, or would simply benefit from the more relaxed atmosphere.
Those who wish to discover more about how La bohème was created can attendPre-show Talks in all four cities on the tour, which delve into the detail of the opera. Tickets are free but should be booked in advance.
Audience members with a visual impairment can enjoy the full opera experience at Audio-described performances, which have a live commentary describing the action on stage without compromising the music.
At these performances, there are also free Touch Tours of the set, and a live audio introduction before the start of the performance.
La bohème is supported by The Scottish Opera Syndicate.
You can follow Scottish Opera on BlueSky, Instagram, Facebook, Tik-Tok and You Tube @ScottishOpera
Creative team
Conductor Stuart Stratford & Toby Hession
Stage Direction, Sets & Costumes Barbe & Doucet
Lighting Designer Guy Simard
Cast
Mimì Hye-Youn Lee
Rodolfo Mario Chang
Marcello Roland Wood
Musetta Rhian Lois
Colline Callum Thorpe
Schaunard Edward Jowle
Alcindoro / Benoît Jamie MacDougall
Performance Diary
Theatre Royal Glasgow
11 • 15 • 21 • 23 • 25 October 7.15pm
19 October 3pm
Relaxed Access performance 24 October 3pm
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
30 October 7.15pm
1 November 3pm
Eden Court, Inverness
6 November, 7.15pm
8 November, 5pm
Festival Theatre Edinburgh
14 • 18 • 20 • 22 November 7.15pm
16 November 3pm
Relaxed Access performance 21 November 3pm
Pre-show talks
23 October, 1 November, 8 November, 20 November
Audio description / Touch Tours
19 October, 1 November, 8 November, 16 November
