Limited time £10,000 incentives bundle available on new apartments
Five-star Scottish housebuilder Cruden Homes has released more homes for sale at its multi-award-winning Longniddry Village development in East Lothian with prices from £290,000.
The latest release is across five plots, namely three two-bedroom apartments, available to move in from November and two four-bedroom properties which will be complete by early 2026.
To further entice buyers, Cruden is offering a limited-time package of huge savings on the apartments with £5,000 cashback and a further £5,000 options voucher to make a new house at Longniddry a dream home.
Longniddry Village takes inspiration from the characterful architecture and appeal of quaint East Lothian villages and towns. Its local vernacular and carefully considered landscape design seamlessly extends into the existing vibrant village community.
The traditionally inspired architecture includes period-style features such as sash windows, chimneys and high ceilings.
Meanwhile, the interior accommodation is spacious and airy, complete with high-quality fixtures and fittings that include designer German kitchens with integrated Siemens appliances, built-in wardrobes, stylish bathrooms and fibre broadband.
When complete, the development will include several features for residents to enjoy, including a play park, sports pitch, restored mill pond and wildflower meadow.
New owners will also benefit from the neighbouring steadings restoration, which will be a hub for several amenities including an independent coffee outlet, a luxury convenience store and salon.
Hazel Davies, Sales and Marketing Director of Cruden Homes, said: “It’s great to extend the new home options available to discerning buyers at our Longniddry Village development, whether they’re taking their first step on the property ladder or looking for more space to grow.
“The added incentives for our range of apartments make now the perfect time to move.
“This has been an incredibly popular development, with previous launches selling out ahead of plan. We would advise potential home buyers to book a viewing as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”
With thousands of students across Scotland receiving their exam results next week, MFMac, one of Scotland’s “big four” independent law firms, is launching a new initiative to support young people considering a future in law.
The MFMac Career Helpline, running from 4 – 8th August, will provide live career advice for students during Scotland’s exam results week.
The initiative is designed to break down barriers and offer practical guidance for aspiring lawyers, particularly those without industry connections or mentors, and help parents navigate their children’s career options.
Through the Helpline, students and parents will have the opportunity to speak directly with the firm’s current trainees and members of the People team, gaining insight into legal pathways, university decisions and what a career in law can look like beyond the traditional routes.
Martin Glover, Chief People Officer at MFMac, said: “Getting your exam results can be daunting, particularly for those without access to career advice or legal role models.
“Through this Helpline, we want to give students and parents a clear starting point: someone to speak to, questions answered and honest advice about what’s possible. It reflects our broader mission to make legal careers more accessible, inclusive and achievable for all.”
Jamie Stewart, a Senior Solicitor in MFMac’s Commercial team, said:“When I got my exam results, I felt completely unsure about what to do next or how to progress into my career.
“I had no close contacts in law, and I didn’t know who to ask for advice. This Helpline offers students something I didn’t have – a chance to speak to someone who understands your concerns.
“I’m proud to be part of something that helps you see there’s always a way forward. Remember, your results don’t define your future – there’s always a path ahead.”
Students and parents can call The MFMac Career Helpline on 0131 247 1060. The line is open between 9am – 7pm Monday 4th – 8th August.
Its with great pleasure, that I can announce the official opening of our long-awaited new clubrooms.
Saturday 16th August @ 10am.
It would be great to have as many for you there as possible. Remember this faciality is for the everyone not just the kids but the coaches, parents and supporters as well.
Please share this far and wide and lets have a cracking start to our new life, in our new home!
A tribute to heroism, culture, history and the people who have helped shape the Tattoo over the last 75 years
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is back for its landmark 75th edition, honouring the heroes who have shaped its remarkable legacy. This year’s Show, The Heroes Who Made Us, blends military precision, cultural heritage, and artistic brilliance to celebrate the selflessness and dedication of those who have contributed to the Tattoo over the past seven decades.
Ahead of opening night on 1 August, the Cast performed their final dress rehearsal on the iconic Edinburgh Castle Esplanade in front of an eager preview audience. This special anniversary performance pays tribute to the Tattoo’s rich history while embracing its thrilling future.
The British Army takes the Lead Service role this year, joined by a diverse international cast and anchored by the world-class Tattoo performers. With over 900 performers from across the globe, audiences will be treated to an extraordinary journey through time and tradition, featuring talent from the Poland, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Ukraine, and the United States of America.
Blending pageantry with theatrical flair, the 2025 Tattoo reaffirms its position as a unique highlight of the world-renowned Edinburgh festivals. Celebrating values of connection, community, and shared heritage, this year’s performance reflects the enduring spirit that has defined the Tattoo for 75 years – while looking forward to its exciting future.
First across the drawbridge, as is tradition every year, The Massed Pipes and Drums once again fill the hallowed stage of the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade. Comprised of military and civilian pipe bands from across the globe, they set the tone for a performance unlike any other in the world.
In a year dedicated to honouring heroes, The Orchestra of Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, have travelled to Edinburgh, leaving Ukraine for the first time since 2018, due to the challenges of Covid and war to perform an unforgettable set for Tattoo audiences.
Making their Tattoo debut, the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps will bring a slice of American history to Edinburgh with their iconic uniforms and stirring music. Also from America, the United States Air Force Honor Guard returns to showcase their unmatched precision and dedication. Adding further international flair, the Representative Band of the Polish Border Guard will grace the Esplanade for the first time in 15 years.
With a 270 strong choir due to take the stage every night, Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools (ESMS) Choir, Sing in the City and Ukrainian Community Choirs will join forces to uplift spirits with their powerful harmonies.
A perennial fan favourite, Switzerland’s renowned Top Secret Drum Corps, will once again captivate audiences with their dazzling fusion of Basel drumming and visual spectacle.
Adding something extra special this year, narration returns in the form of evocative storytelling performed by actor Terence Rae. Audiences will be taken on a journey through the rich history of this iconic event, tracing its roots all the way back to its beginnings in 1950.
This 75th Tattoo celebrates cherished traditions while embracing modern elements of light and showmanship, promising an unforgettable experience that will leave audiences in awe.
Alan Lane, Creative Director at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said:“We don’t talk about heroes enough in this country. Whether this is military service or volunteers within our society, it is these people that help make life tick along that little bit more smoothly and that deserves to be honoured and celebrated.
“We are in such a unique position that we get to do performances as grand as the Tattoo and that’s why this year, we’re embracing our position at the top of the Castle (quite literally) during the Edinburgh festivals. The Heroes Who Made Us, is a testimony to the artistic nature of the Tattoo and will come with all the bells and whistles that people know us for.
“We cannot wait to welcome back audiences to witness a Show that really lives up to the momentous occasion.”
Jason Barrett, Chief Executive of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo added:“When Alan and I began to conceptualise the theme for 2025 we quickly arrived to something around salute to service and a tribute to our history.
“From that, ‘The Heroes Who Made Us’ was formed. We wanted to honour the heroes who made the Tattoo what it is today, those who serve this wonderful country and those who serve their communities.
“As we do every year, the Show features inspiring acts from around the world. This year we are especially privileged to welcome The Naval Orchestra of Ukraine, the first time they will have left their country since 2018.
“We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate our 75th, honouring our past while imagining our future. Early in 2026 we take the Show to Brisbane and Auckland – Tattoo 75 on tour bringing The Heroes Who Made Us halfway around the world.”
The full line up for 2025 includes: The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, British Army Band Catterick, British Army Band Tidworth, British Army Band Colchester, The Band of the Prince of Wales, Countess of Wessex Strings, Pipes and Drums of 1st Battalion Scots Guards, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, The Pipes And Drums Of The Royal Corps Of Signals, Combined Universities Officer Training Corps Pipes and Drums, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Pipes and Drums, Crossed Swords Pipes & Drums, Paris Port Dover Pipes & Drums, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dancers, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Fiddlers, Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools Choir, Ukrainian Children’s Choir, Sing in the City Choir , Top Secret Drum Corps, US Old Guard Fifes and Drum Corps, United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team, Ukraine Naval Forces Orchestra and The Representative Band of The Polish Border Guard.
Tickets for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s 75th anniversary Show are now on sale and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone, 0131 225 1188. The Show will run from 1-23 August 2025.
The 2025 Edinburgh International Festival begins today with the first of more than 133 performances: the ultimate destination to experience world-class artists across music, theatre, opera and dance in creative and unconventional ways in Edinburgh this August.
Exploring the theme The Truth We Seek, more than 2,000 internationally renowned artists from across 42 nations, including a third of artists based in Scotland, will perform.
Upcoming highlights include: the world premiere of theatre blockbuster Make It Happen from James Graham, monumental 8-hour choral work The Veil of the Temple, an Australian reimagining of opera Orpheus and Eurydice featuring acrobatics, and the Scottish premiere of Nederlands Dans Theater, Simon McBurney and Crystal Pite’sFigures in Extinction.
To ensure that cost isn’t a barrier to cultural discovery, half the tickets for the 2025 International Festival will be sold at £30 or less, and £10 tickets have been made available for every performance across the programme. Tickets can be purchased from www.eif.co.uk.
THE CURTAIN rises today on the 2025 Edinburgh International Festival, welcoming over 2000 artists from 42 countries to Edinburgh for a 24-day global celebration of world-class performing arts.
The third year under Festival Director and celebrated Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti, this year’s International Festival welcomes audiences to explore opera, music, theatre and dance through the lens of the theme The Truth We Seek, a journey into the elusive nature of truth in our personal and public lives.
This year’s programme invites audiences to experience bold, thought-provoking performances in fresh and unconventional ways. The opening weekend features large-scale participatory events The Big Singalong and The Ceilidh Sessions, celebrating the collective joy of singing and dancing outdoors in Princes Street Gardens, set against the iconic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Elsewhere, the historic Old College Quad becomes the stage for the world premiere of Dance People, an outdoor dance performance, and a classic opera is reimagined with a twist in Orpheus and Eurydice, bringing together world-class musicians and performers with breathtaking acrobatics from Australia’s Circa.
The 2025 programme also opens up barriers to cultural discovery: more than 50,000 tickets are priced at £30 or less, £10 Affordable Tickets have been made available to all performances, and wide-reaching initiatives offer free tickets to NHS workers, young people and community groups to a range of Festival performances.
Stand-out performances across the International Festival include:
Make It Happen(1–9 August, Festival Theatre) The world premiere of a gripping new drama by James Graham, tackling the 2008 financial crisis in Edinburgh. Starring Brian Cox as Adam Smith and Sandy Grierson as Fred Goodwin, this timely co-production with the National Theatre of Scotland and Dundee Rep reframes the collapse of global markets through a distinctly Scottish lens.
Opening Concert: The Veil of the Temple(2 August, Usher Hall) A spiritual epic: over 250 singers from the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, Monteverdi Choir and National Youth Choir of Scotland perform John Tavener’s The Veil of the Temple in its complete eight-hour form with the audience seated on beanbags. This year also marks the first performance in the Festival Chorus’s 60th anniversary year.
Dance People(7–10 August, Old College Quad) Lebanese choreographer Omar Rajeh and Maqamat company present an open-air activation of dance, movement and activism. Performed outdoors in the heart of the city, it dissolves the lines between performance and real life.
Orpheus and Eurydice(13-16 August, Edinburgh Playhouse) A highlight of the 2025 Festival’s opera programme, a fully staged Australian reimagining of Gluck’s Orpheus and Eurydice fuses together circus, acrobatics and world-class opera, in its European premiere.
Figures in Extinction (22-24 August, Festival Theatre) Nederlands Dans Theater present the Scottish Premiere of Figures in Extinction in collaboration with Crystal Pite and Simon McBurney, confronting the hard truths about humanity’s impact on the world and art’s meaning in the face of mass destruction.
The Hub, the International Festival’s headquarters on the Royal Mile, brings together a hand-picked variety of global musical styles and traditions, experienced up close in an intimate and informal performance space, including Up Late gigs from Alabaster DePlume(8 August) and Kathryn Joseph (9 August), and an interactive concert from Hanni Liang(7 August) inviting audience members to share their dreams, with a live response created on the piano.
Residencies bring London Symphony Orchestra, Poland’s NFM Leopoldinum and Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra 2 to Edinburgh for an extended, more sustainable stay that features multiple performances and community engagement. Highlight performances include NYO2’s Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony, NFM with Bizet’s Carmen Suite andBeethoven and Shostakovichfrom the LSO, presented with insight from Sir Antonio Pappano and Festival Director Nicola Benedetti.
Edinburgh International Festival Director, Nicola Benedetti said: “This year’s International Festival is a bold invitation to question the world around us – to seek, challenge and reflect on truth through the extraordinary lens of live performance.
“We’re honoured to welcome artists and audiences from across the globe to Edinburgh, and we remain deeply committed to making that experience more accessible than ever. Whether you’re here for an intimate recital, a powerful play, a mass singalong or an eight-hour choral epic, you’ll encounter connection, curiosity, and the power of great art to shift perspectives.
“This year’s Festival offers the possibility of truly transformational encounters and I look forward to sharing this with you.”
Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener said: “Each year the International Festival offers a real variety of innovative and striking art and performance. 2025 is no different, with the programme encouraging Deep Thinkers, Social Butterflies, The Curious and Romantics.
“The range, from outdoor ceilidhs to epic opera, means there is truly something for everyone, bringing together world class performers from around the globe and here in Scotland. There are several different price options that will let even more people discover the magic of the International Festival too. These include Young Musician’s Pass, Tickets for Good and substantial discounts for art workers and under 30s.”
Multi-Artform Manager at Creative Scotland, Lorna Duguid, said: “The Edinburgh International Festival continues to be a beacon for artistic excellence and cultural exchange, bringing the world to Scotland and showcasing Scotland to the world.
“This year’s theme, The Truth We Seek, speaks powerfully to the times we live in- inviting artists and audiences alike to explore, question and connect through extraordinary performances.
“With a third of this year’s programme featuring artists based in Scotland and an unwavering commitment to accessibility, the International Festival exemplifies how world-class culture can be both globally relevant and locally rooted.”
Tickets to world-class performances across a hand-picked programme of music, theatre, opera and dance at the Edinburgh International Festival in August 2025 are available at www.eif.co.uk.
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Monkeys: Our Primate Family Until 30 Nov 10:00-17:00 Ticketed
See some of the rarest and most endangered primates on Earth in Monkeys: Our Primate Family at the National Museum of Scotland. This exhibition explores the remarkable lives of our primate relatives and demonstrates how they have adapted to survive in different habitats. The exhibition brings together more than 50 species of monkeys, apes, lemurs and lorises.
Cold War Scotland Until 4 Jan 2026 10:00 – 17:00 Free
Scotland’s unique geography and topography provided a useful base for Allied military preparations and research during the Cold War, a 40-year nuclear stand-off between the USA and the Soviet Union following the end of the Second World War.
Cold War Scotland is an output of Materialising the Cold War, a collaborative research project between National Museums Scotland and the University of Stirling. The project explores how the Cold War heritage is represented and how museums can adapt to tell this story in future. The exhibition will explore both the visible and invisible legacies of the war in Scotland.
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Museum Late: Festival Ceilidh 1 & 8 Aug 19:30-22:30 Tickets from £24
Our sell out museum ceilidh makes its festival debut. Grab your pals for a night of reels and revelry and join the party in Scottish style. Set in the museum’s majestic Grand Gallery, all dances are suitable for beginners with no previous experience necessary – our caller will guide you through the steps on the night. Between dances enjoy drinks, food, activities and explore a selection of the museum galleries at night.
Join us on Mondays and Fridays for a range of exciting, drop-in activities for the whole family. Each week, we will be exploring a new theme – from Scottish stories to around-the-world adventures, there will be something new to discover.
Relaxed Morning 3 Aug 10:00-12:00 (quiet space open until 12:30) Free admission, drop-in
Join us for our monthly Relaxed Morning for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. This session is primarily for, but not limited to, families with autistic children; autistic young people and adults; adults living with dementia; adults and children with mental health problems and any other visitors with sensory needs or who may prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers. Friendly staff will be there to give you a warm welcome and support your visit, as you explore some areas of the museum without noisy interactives and videos to give a more relaxed environment.
Morning Curator Tour: Monkeys: Our Primate Family 13 & 15 Aug 09:15-10:00 Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 £15, £13 Members & Concessions
Join us before normal opening hours to explore this special exhibition with its curator, Dr Andrew Kitchener. The tour will bring you face to face with some of the rarest and most endangered primate species on Earth. Explore their remarkable lives and discover how primates have adapted to survive in different habitats.
Okolo: Artwork by Nkem Okwechime 13-22 Aug 11:00-16:00 Learning Centre Foyer, Level 4 Free
Informed by his research of the museum’s African collection, ‘Okolo’ by Scottish-Nigerian artist and printmaker Nkem Okwechime explores the intersection of European and West African identity.
This installation features artwork based on observations and inspiration from visits to the National Museums Collection Centre. This installation is featured as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival.
BSL Tour of Monkeys: Our Primate Family 14 Aug 15:00-16:00 Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 £10
Join BSL guide Babs Brown for a guided tour of our exhibition, Monkeys: Our Primate Family.
The tour will last approximately one hour with the chance to explore the exhibition independently afterwards. This event is aimed at D/deaf community BSL visitors, and is most suitable for those ages 14+.
Barkcloth Making from Niue – An ancient practice from the South Pacific 16-17 Aug 10:00 and 14:00 Learning Centre, Level 4 Free, booking required
Join artist Cora-Allan to learn about hiapo (barkcloth) from the island of Niue in the South Pacific, and hear how her work bridges historic and contemporary art practice.
Jacobites Curator Tour 20 Aug 10:30 – 11:30, 12:00 – 13:00, and 14:30 – 15:30 Scotland galleries £12, £10 Members and Concessions
Join Georgia Vullinghs, Curator of Renaissance and Early Modern History, for a gallery tour to explore the history and legacy of the Jacobite risings in Scotland.
View a century of objects relating to the overthrow of James VII and the subsequent effort of his descendants to reclaim their crowns.
Audio Descriptive Tour: Monkeys: Our Primate Family 3 September Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3 17:30-19:00
Join our tour guide for an audio descriptive tour of Monkeys: Our Primate Family, with accompanying sensory resources and a chance to explore the exhibition after hours.
This tour is aimed at blind, partially sighted and visually impaired visitors. It is most suitable for those ages 14+.
National Museum of Rural Life Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Nature Track Packs Until 31 Aug 10:00-17:00 Free with museum admission
Our free Nature Track Packs are great tools for children on the walk to the farm. Each Nature Track Pack contains fun ideas, activities and challenges to inspire and engage all of the senses.
Dog and Duck Day 13 Sep 10:30 –15:30 Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Join us for a fun-filled day of working dog displays, crafts and family storytelling at the National Museum of Rural Life. See clever canines at work in outdoor displays from the Drakes of Hazard sheepdog and duck team and specialist dog trainers, Mordor Gundogs.
This full-day workshop with natural dyer and textile artist Elisabeth Viguie-Culshaw is suitable for both beginners and those with some natural dyeing or eco printing experience.
Relaxed Afternoon: National Museum of Rural Life 30 Sep 14:30-17:00 Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Join us for our monthly Relaxed Afternoon for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. This session is primarily for, but not limited to, families with neurodivergent children; neurodivergent young people and adults; adults living with dementia; adults and children with mental health problems; and any other visitors with sensory needs or who may prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers.
Second World War Puzzle Room Until 15 Aug 12:00-15:00 Free with museum admission
Work together as a family in our puzzle room and see if you can come up with the answers. Only by solving four different challenges will you know if you’ve got what it takes to decipher codes, diffuse a bomb and work out flight paths.
360 Fest 6 Sept 10:00-17:00 Tickets from £13.50, book in advance to save
Go full circle at our big family event at the National Museum of Flight. You’ll be on a roll this September with our all round family fun event. From stunt shows and pedal-powered activities to interactive sessions and STEM science, there’s something to set everyone’s head spinning.
Conservation Hangar Talks Until 29 Mar 2026 14:00-15:00 Free and available as an add-on to your general admission ticket. Booking required.
Join a member of our Visitor Experience team for a behind-the-scenes look in our Conservation hangar on a free daily talk at 14:00. Find out about objects from the collection that aren’t normally on display and have the chance to see conservators at work.
For over three months, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have been closely monitoring and supporting Scotland through a prolonged period of water scarcity.
Despite recent rainfall easing conditions in some areas, six catchments remain at Moderate Scarcity, with a further four at Alert and 11 at Early Warning. This week Shetland has moved to Early Warning. The Conon catchment has improved to normal conditions. Elsewhere conditions remain unchanged.
Since the first warning about the increasing risk of water scarcity back in March, SEPA have been working to support abstraction licence holders, ensuring they have the information and guidance needed to adapt.
While public attention may shift with the weather, the underlying risks remain. Extended periods of dry weather, like those seen twice already this spring and summer, have made recovery difficult and remind us that water scarcity is a long-term challenge.
SEPA’s ongoing monitoring has enabled the agency to anticipate risks and engage early with abstracters, ensuring that any next to restrictions on water abstraction were implemented only when absolutely required. This proactive approach meant that, despite coming very close twice so far this year, no unnecessary restrictions have been imposed safeguarding both water users and the environment.
Catrin Thomas, Senior Scientist in SEPA’s Water Resources Unit, said: “Water scarcity isn’t just a one-off event – it’s a long-term challenge, and we’re here for Scotland throughout.
“Our staff have been monitoring conditions, sharing updates weekly and engaging directly with those who rely on our water resources. Twice this year we’ve experienced spells of prolonged dry weather, and due to the dry autumn and winter, that has made it harder for catchments to recover. Another period of warm dry weather could quickly push some areas back into more serious levels of scarcity.
“We understand the pressures that come with managing water, and our role is to provide timely reliable information so no one is caught off guard. As the weather shifts, we urge all abstractors to continue using water efficiently, especially those in at risk areas, and keep informed through our website and reports. We’ll continue providing timely information and expert advice to help manage Scotland’s water resources sustainably.”
SEPA’s water scarcity situation reports are published weekly. The network of Drought Risk Assessment Tool (DRAT) stations is also available for people to track the areas that are most at risk.
One of the world’s largest offshore wind farms has been granted consent by the Scottish Government.
Located approximately 38km from the Scottish Borders coastline at St Abbs, Berwick Bank wind farm will have an estimated capacity of 4.1 gigawatts (GW) which, with current technology, could generate enough electricity each year to power every household in Scotland around twice over.
In recognition that the site of the development is also considered a highly important area for wildlife, consent for the construction and operation of the wind farm is subject to the developer, SSE Renewables, producing a detailed sea bird compensation plan outlining how adverse impacts on seabirds will be compensated for.
This plan will need to be approved by Scottish Ministers ahead of Berwick Bank proceeding.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Ministers have given the Berwick Bank wind farm application extremely careful consideration.
“The decision to grant consent to Berwick Bank is a major step in Scotland’s progress towards achieving net zero and tackling the climate crisis, as well as supporting national energy security and growing our green economy.
“It is also an important decision for Scotland’s renewables sector, and this investment will be further built upon through the delivery of Scotland’s significant future pipeline of offshore wind projects under the ScotWind and the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing rounds.
“We will continue to work closely with the developer and key stakeholders, including those working in fishing and conservation – to minimise the impact of the development on the marine environment and other marine users – and balance the needs of people and nature.”
Berwick Bank will have an estimated capacity of 4.1GW which, with current technology, could generate up to 11.2 TWh of electricity annually – enough to power around 17% of UK households – or enough to meet Scotland’s needs TWICE over.
A DARK DAY FOR SCOTLAND’S SEABIRDS
RSPB Scotland commented: “A dark day for Scotland’s seabirds. We’re incredibly concerned @Scotgov have granted consent for the Berwick Bank windfarm, which could catapult some of our most vulnerable species toward extinction.
The Scottish Government have granted consent for SSE Renewables proposed Berwick Bank offshore windfarm. RSPB Scotland, together with partners, had called for plans for the mega offshore windfarm to be refused to protect our globally important seabirds.
The development is close to iconic colonies like the Bass Rock – home to the world’s largest colony of Northern Gannets. It’s estimated that the windfarm will kill tens of thousands of seabirds over its lifetime, including Kittiwakes, Puffins and Gannets.
Although Scottish Ministers require the developers to demonstrate that “sufficient” seabird compensation will be put in place before the project can start, it is not clear how the thousands of seabirds predicted to be killed can be compensated for.
Puffins are under threat
Devasting decision
Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland, said: “This is a very dark day for seabirds. It is a terrible decision on a really bad development.
“Berwick Bank would be catastrophic for Scotland’s globally important seabirds which are already facing alarming declines. In addition, its impacts are so damaging they will make the relative impacts of other windfarms significantly higher. This one windfarm is going to make it really challenging to accelerate renewable projects across Scottish seas. We are incredibly concerned that Scottish Government have granted consent for a project which could catapult some of Scotland’s most-loved seabird species towards extinction.
Anne McCall
“RSPB Scotland recognises climate change is one of the biggest threats to seabirds, but there needs to be seabirds left to save. We support nature-positive offshore wind, in the right locations with minimised impacts on wildlife, and measures to restore and protect seabird populations. But this is predicted to be one of the most damaging windfarms for birds we are aware of anywhere on the planet.
“We will be carefully scrutinising the details of the consent documents over the coming hours and days and considering what further steps we will take.”
Date change: 31st August 2025
Support for Families 
