Join us for a Family History Fair at Central Library on Friday 24 October 2025, between 10am and 4pm!
Come along to talk to experts from the following organisations who will be on hand to introduce their collections and answer questions about using materials to search for missing details in your family history.
There will also be a series of presentations held throughout the day. Both the day and talks are free to attend, but the talks should be booked in advance via TicketSource.
Over 115 local primary school students aged between five and 11 years old are due to take part in a competition run by Fort Kinnaird to design a label for the jars of honey produced by its resident beehives.
The centre has teamed up with Niddrie Mill Primary School to host the contest, with pupils tasked with creating a label for the 100 jars of honey created by the beehives located in the service area.
Students are encouraged to put their creativity to the test, with the winner set to win a £100 voucher to spend at Fort Kinnaird and a £20 gift card for five runners up.
The competition follows pupils from Niddrie Mill visiting the beehives at Fort Kinnaird back in June, during which they learned all about the world of bees – including how they are essential to the local environment, how hives function, and what it takes to care for bees first-hand.
Fort Kinnaird runs the beehives in partnership with Colin Mackie, a local beekeeper who has tended to the beehives since they were established in May 2024.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “Since our beehives were installed back in May 2024, they’ve provided fun and educational opportunities for our community and nearby schools like Niddrie Mill, while the centre’s wildflower areas support biodiversity by creating habitat for pollinators.
“We’re pleased to be continuing this with the competition and can’t wait to see all the designs the pupils of Niddrie Mill create – bringing to life the importance and impact of bees on our local environment.”
For more details and to plan your day at Fort Kinnaird, please visit:
One in two people with arthritis said their condition impacted their ability to work. Of these, four in ten people have stopped work due to their arthritis
Millions of people with arthritis are not receiving timely diagnoses or adequate treatment and left to face avoidable pain and often unable to work, according to a report by the charity Arthritis UK (formerly Versus Arthritis).
Arthritis affects one in three people across Scotland and is a leading cause of disability, yet the condition remains largely misunderstood and many with the condition are not receiving the care and support they urgently need.
As a result, people with arthritis are living with levels of pain, fatigue, mental health challenges and financial strain, according to the report that publishes today.
Arthritis UK, which was previously known as Versus Arthritis, has worked with YouGov to survey almost 8,000* people representative of the population affected by this condition, of which 1,021 are from Scotland.
It has revealed that of the people surveyed in Scotland, more thanone in two (56%) said that arthritis had impacted their ability to work. Of these, four in ten people (40%) have stopped work due to their arthritis and over a third of retired people (38%) said arthritis played a part in their decision to retire.
Left Waiting, Left Behind: The Reality of Living with Arthritis presents the reality of living with the condition through lived experiences and personal stories, and also shows that the impact of arthritis is unequal with people from lower social grades reporting worse experiences from all areas of life.
It concludes that people with arthritis face widespread challenges in accessing effective treatment and support, long delays to secure a diagnosis and lack of treatment options once a diagnosis is made.
More investment, improved services and better training for frontline healthcare professionals are urgently needed to avoid further adversely impacting the lives, relationships and work opportunities of this large group.
Lauren Bennie, Arthritis UK’s Head of Scotland, said: “More than 1,000 Scots have bravely shared their experiences of living with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions in Scotland with Arthritis UK. As the leading charity for people with arthritis, we know the reality facing our nation’s workforce.
“Far too many people in Scotland are being pushed out of work because of arthritis.
“This includes one in three people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis on day one of the Scottish Parliament who will have left the workplace by the end of that same Parliament. What kind of legacy is that for any party in government?
“This is a public health issue that demands urgent action. As the Scottish Government selects which health conditions will receive dedicated action plans within the upcoming Long Term Conditions Framework, Ministers and civil servants alike, must recognise arthritis as a major public health challenge and act now to prevent further avoidable harm.
“With a dedicated action plan, we can ensure every Scot has the right to live the life they choose in a future Scotland free from arthritis.”
The report’s other key findings include:
one in three people (33%) surveyed say arthritis severely or very severely impacted their life in the past year.
six in ten people (62%) are living in pain most or all the time due to their arthritis.
Nearly four in ten people (37%) surveyed felt their condition was not well managed.
nearly one in two people (49%) felt their symptoms were not taken seriously or were underplayed by a frontline healthcare professional when they were trying to identify their arthritis.
nearly one in two people (45%) reported their ability to exercise was affected severely or very severely by their arthritis symptoms – even though being active can be important in preventing other long-term conditions.
Nearly 7 in 10 people (69%) said that waiting for treatment had an impact on their mental health
People in lower social grades, younger adults and those with autoimmune inflammatory conditions are disproportionately impacted by arthritis, facing greater challenges across all areas of life and more frequent barriers, the report identifies.
Across the UK, the survey found of those who reported arthritis having an impact on their ability to work 28% of those in higher social grades reported stopping work due to arthritis compared to nearly half (49%) of respondents from lower social grades.
People with arthritis are being financially squeezed as the condition can increase the personal cost of living, while impacting the ability to earn. Arthritis affects every aspect of life, from physical health to relationships and mental health, with barriers to effective care are preventing people from living the lives they want to lead, the report concludes.
Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Arthritis UK, said: “Too many of the 10 million people in the UK living with arthritis are being left unsupported and left to face daily pain, without timely diagnosis and adequate treatment.
“This erodes their quality of life and damages the prospect of economic growth. This report shows us that huge numbers of people with arthritis are falling out of work and risk being pushed into poverty. The further tragedy is that much of this is avoidable.
“Arthritis is grossly misunderstood, with diagnoses too often delayed or absent. We must tackle the misconception that arthritis is an inevitable part of ageing and improve the diagnosis rates and the treatment available, especially as the number of people with arthritis increases*. We are sitting on a ticking timebomb of costs that the country will struggle with if it is not properly identified as a major risk to public health.”
One of the many reasons arthritis must be considered a major risk to public health is it is a gateway condition, increasing the risk of other serious diseases like cardiovascular disease and depression. We cannot afford to miss or mistreat arthritis as it can be a warning sign that patients could accumulate other conditions, and with more rapid progression, Ms Alsina added.
Arthritis UK has called for improved training for frontline healthcare professionals to enable more timely diagnosis and to improve support for people with arthritis. Children and young people all too frequently experience delays in diagnosis, in particular.
It has also concluded government must prioritise arthritis and muscular skeletal conditions. To this end it would like to see the Scottish Government create a dedicated action plan for arthritis within the Long Term Conditions Framework, which is currently being reviewed, alongside multi-year investment in orthopaedic surgery to reduce waiting times.
Arthritis UK was previously known as Versus Arthritis and has changed its name and look (Tuesday 14 October) following consultation with people with the condition.
This research showed that the new name would improve visibility and ensure more people are aware of the information and support that Arthritis UK offers, which will lead to more people with arthritis being supported to live the lives they want to live.
Arthritis UK provides hands-on support services and advice, trains healthcare professionals throughout the NHS, and is the largest dedicated funder of arthritis research globally.
Arthritis UK’s new website and support tools can be found at www.arthritis-uk.org.
Cullross Living launches – Scotland’s first dedicated Build-to-Rent (BTR) business, fully rolling out in 2026.
Newcraighall expansion: 220 new homes, including 57 BTR units and 163 affordable homes in partnership with Hillcrest Homes.
Backed by Shawbrook – specialist funding enabling Cullross Living to put Build-to-Rent at the heart of Scotland’s housing future.
Sustainable living: fossil fuel-free, energy-efficient homes with solar PV panels, designed around a 20-minute neighbourhood.
Scottish-based housing specialists Cullross Ltd have launched a further expansion to its Newcraighall site as part of a dedicated new business arm, Cullross Living.
Cullross Living will focus exclusively on delivering Build-to-Rent (BTR) communities across Scotland, helping to grow this fast-emerging sector.
At Newcraighall, 57 homes, around 25% of the development, have been designated for BTR, offering a diverse mix of one-bedroom flats through to spacious four-bedroom townhouses. Unlike traditional schemes built for sale, BTR homes are designed from the outset for long-term renting, providing professionally managed, high-quality housing that meets the changing needs of modern tenants.
The project is backed by funding from Shawbrook Bank, enabling Cullross Living to position Build-to-Rent at the forefront of Scotland’s housing future.
The Newcraighall development, approved by the City of Edinburgh Council in 2023, will deliver 220 new homes east of Glennie Road. The scheme includes a mix of flats, colony flats, and townhouses, with 163 affordable homes (74%) provided in partnership with Hillcrest Homes and the remainder for private rent. Works are well underway on site, with the first units being completed in Q3 2026.
Cullross Living’s move into Build-to-Rent underlines its commitment to tackling Scotland’s housing emergency, with Cullross Living set to launch fully in 2026 as the first dedicated BTR business of its kind in the country. With both the Scottish Government and 13 local authorities declaring housing emergencies, the need for high-quality new homes has never been greater.
Newcraighall will form part of a sustainable 20-minute neighbourhood, offering schools, green spaces, play parks and a railway station within easy reach, alongside active travel connections to retail and education hubs.
The homes themselves will be spacious, energy-efficient and fossil fuel-free, featuring high-quality finishes and solar PV panels to help reduce bills and boost performance. Designed with both tenants and the environment in mind, the development blends modern living with long-term sustainability.
The development will also feature a linear park and community allotments, creating welcoming outdoor spaces for both residents and the wider community. These green features will enhance local ecology and biodiversity, providing a richer habitat for wildlife. A new active travel route will connect directly to Musselburgh Train Station and the adjacent cycle network, improving accessibility and encouraging sustainable travel.
Mark Beaton, Director at Cullross Living, said: “It’s become fashionable for everyone, including the Scottish Government, to decry a housing emergency but not follow up with how to tackle Scotland’s chronic undersupply of homes.
“BTR represents a fast-paced, exciting, and pioneering solution to get homes to people and families who need them. BTR are homes exclusively made to rent, meaning dedicated housing stock that provides a faster, energised and adaptive solution to the issues keenly felt today.
“Cullross Living is dedicated to pioneering BTR as a solution. Our sites will offer tenants higher-quality, purpose-built homes with professional management, secure long-term tenancies and predictable rents, promoting a better living experience and a sense of community.
“We are delighted to be launching Cullross Living in 2026, and happier still that we can expand on the exceptional work delivering for Edinburgh with our Newcraighall site.
“The housing emergency is not going to be resolved overnight, and we continue to work with our stakeholders, partners, and supply chain to continue to deliver new homes and play our part in addressing this. We have further opportunities in the pipeline and will provide more details in the coming months.”
Douglas Spowart, Relationship Director at Shawbrook Bank, said:“We are delighted to support Cullross Living with their Newcraighall development.
“With demand for housing far outstripping supply, Build-to-Rent has a vital role to play in tackling the shortage by delivering high-quality homes at pace.
“At Shawbrook, we are committed to backing innovative developers like Cullross, and this partnership reflects our broader focus on sustainable housing projects that deliver not only much-needed homes, but also vibrant, resilient communities.”
A veterans support fund is open for applications to help improve the lives of former service personnel and their families.
The Scottish Veterans Fund is awarded to projects improving the lives of veterans and their families including with financial support, mental and physical health challenges and employment.
Next year the fund will, for the first time, be split into two funding streams. One will welcome bids for projects for up to three years which focus on supporting veterans and their families, and the other will prioritise small-scale, one year projects, particularly those which bring together veterans and serving communities.
Since the Scottish Government created the Fund in 2008 over 220 individual projects have been supported, receiving more than £2.8 million. This year 14 organisations across Scotland have shared £460,000 in funding.
Veterans Minister Graeme Dey said: “Scottish veterans have provided a valuable service to their country and returning to civilian life can be challenging for many, impacting families in ways that can be difficult to navigate alone.
“The Scottish Veterans Fund has supported thousands of veterans and their families since its launch in 2008. Next year’s fund will continue to provide much-needed targeted support for our Armed Forces and veterans community, prioritising projects that address recommendations made by the Scottish Veterans Commissioner and bring together both veterans and serving communities.
Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton, who chairs the independent panel that assesses bids for the Fund, said: “For those veterans and families who face challenges, effective support can make a profound difference, and I welcome the continuation of the Scottish Veterans Fund in providing that assistance.
“I hope to see many of the commendable projects delivering that expert help come forward for funding.”
NHSGGC offers advice on getting the best out of healthcare
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) has listed its top tips to help patients get the most out of their healthcare this Health Literacy Month.
This October, NHSGGC is supporting Health Literacy Month by sharing practical tips from NHS Inform’s It’s Okay to Ask campaign.
Health Literacy is about making sure people can access, understand and follow health advice – and feel confident enough to ask questions when they don’t.
More than one in four adults in Scotland experience daily challenges due to their lack of literacy skills, which can impact their ability to access and receive healthcare information and support. Others are unsure of where to look, are digitally excluded, or simply lack confidence in discussing their healthcare.
It’s Okay to Ask encourages patients to ask:
What are the Benefits of my treatment? What are the Risks of my treatment? Any Alternative treatments I can try? What if I do Nothing?
Using the BRAN structure can help patients become more involved and able to make better decisions about their own care and treatment.
Patients are also able to access Health and Wellbeing Hubs in their local library, where trained library staff can help patients find reliable and trusted health information and guidance, including support from third sector organisations.
Dr Emilia Crighton, Director of Public Health at NHSGGC, said: “Empowering patients to be more in charge of their care and more involved in the decisions about their support and treatment is one of the Board’s priorities.
“Our staff are trained in ways to support patient understanding but we also want patients to be part of the conversation, and knowing the right questions to ask is a large part of that.
“Using the BRAN questions can help, while our website, NHS Inform, and your local Council library can also guide you to finding the right information in the right way for you.”
Patients across Greater Glasgow and Clyde can access:
Council-run libraries in their community for help finding trusted health care information and advice
The Near Me video consulting service, supporting attendance at appointments digitally via local libraries
The Realistic Medicine app which can support patients in making decisions about their healthcare.
Dr Malcolm Watson, Consultant Anaesthetist and Clinical Lead for Realistic Medicine at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in secondary care, said: “Health literacy is part of the work to move patients from being a passive recipient of care to being active participants in their care.
“We don’t want people to just sit there and think ‘Doctor knows best,’ we want them to ask questions and be engaged.
“We encourage patients to ask the BRAN questions, and we want healthcare advocates to encourage patients to ask these questions. Once you know the BRAN about any health and care intervention, you really know all you need to know.”
Major reforms would require vet businesses to make ‘fundamental changes’ to the way they support pet owners
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today published the provisional decision in its market investigation into the UK’s £6.3 billion veterinary services market.
Proposals to transform consumer experience will lead to more choice and savings.
Twenty-one measures proposed, including better information on prices, treatments, medicines and ownership, a price cap on written prescriptions and a new comprehensive price comparison website.
Current regulatory system not fit for purpose and must be modernised to keep pace with commercial practice and ensure pet owners are protected.
CMA Provisional Finding
The market investigation – which is principally into vet businesses, not individual vets – identifies concerns, including that pet owners:
are often unaware of the prices of commonly used services and whether their local practices are part of large national chains
have no effective way of comparing vet prices when they get a pet or move areas
may be paying twice as much for commonly prescribed medicines from vet practices than they could pay online, amounting to hundreds of pounds more than they need to pay
often receive no written estimate for courses of treatment running to hundreds – or even thousands – of pounds
are often unable to tell if they are getting good value for money from pet care plans
may be overpaying for individual cremations often have no effective means of complaining when things go wrong
These factors are market wide and mean consumers do not benefit from strong competition between vet businesses. Average vet prices across the market rose by 63% between 2016 and 2023 – well above the rate of inflation.
The CMA also found that pet owners pay 16.6% more on average at large vet groups than at independent vets. For at least 3 of those large groups, average prices increased faster at practices they bought than at practices that remained independent. For a substantial part of the market as a whole, profits are much higher than they should be if competition was working well.
In addition, the CMA has found that the current regulatory system is not fit for purpose. It only regulates individual veterinary professionals and not vet businesses, despite the majority of practices being part of a large corporate group.
Given its market-wide concerns, the CMA’s independent expert inquiry group has provisionally decided that a far-reaching package of 21 measures is required to address the above concerns and reinvigorate competition in this market.
Martin Coleman, Chair of the Inquiry Group, said: “Pet owners are often left in the dark, not knowing whether their practice is independent or part of a chain or what a fair price looks like.
“They are sometimes committing to expensive treatment without understanding the price in advance. And they do not always feel confident asking for a prescription or buying medicine online – even when it could save them hundreds of pounds.
“Even where pet owners could access some of this information, it is difficult for them to compare prices and services – despite the fact that, in most of the country, there are several local practices they could choose between.
“We are proposing major reforms aimed at bringing about a transformation in the experience of pet owners and empowering them to make the best choices for their circumstances.
“We believe that our proposals would enable pet owners to choose the right vet, the right treatment, and the right way to purchase medicine – without confusion or unnecessary cost.”
CMA’s proposed remedies
The CMA is today proposing a wide-ranging set of remedies to address these issues, including:
Requiring vet businesses to publish comprehensive price lists, be clear if they are part of a large group, and make sure that their policies and processes allow vets to act in the best interests of pets and pet owners. These measures will give pet owners the information they need to choose the right practice and treatment options for them.
Making it easier for pet owners to access cheaper medicines online, including by requiring vets to tell pet owners about savings they make by buying medicines online and, where a medicine is likely to be needed frequently, automatically providing a written prescription to enable the pet owner to purchase the medicine elsewhere (unless the pet owner chooses otherwise), and capping the price of providing prescriptions at £16. These measures will help prompt consumers to consider buying medication online and protect them from having to pay excessive prices for the prescriptions they would need to do so.
Requiring vets to give pet owners clear price information when they are choosing a treatment, with prices in writing for treatments over £500 and itemised bills. This will make it easier for consumers to consider different treatment options and providers.
Requiring the RCVS to enhance its Find a Vet website to include pricing data drawing on the price lists vets will be required to publish; this data can also be used by third party websites and apps. This will allow consumers to compare vet prices much more effectively, for instance when they first get a pet or move areas.
Requiring vets to give clear price information to pet owners arranging a cremation. This is important to allow pet owners to make the best decisions for their circumstances, at an especially emotional time.
Requiring vets to give pricing breakdowns for pet care plans. This will allow pet owners to better decide if these would provide good value for money in their own circumstances.
Recommending that the government urgently prioritises a new Veterinary Surgeons Act and updates regulation to include veterinary businesses, as well as individual vets and nurses, and give the regulator powers to set and enforce requirements and standards for these businesses. Reform is needed to make sure pet owners’ interests are protected and there is an effective complaints handling route if things go wrong.
The main focus of the inquiry is into veterinary businesses, not individual vets. The CMA is concerned to hear that some vets and vet nurses face abuse from frustrated clients – they deserve respect, not hostility.
The proposed remedies would be good for vets, further enhancing trust in the profession and protecting clinical judgment from undue commercial pressure.
Implementation
The CMA’s final decision will be published by March 2026. The reforms would be implemented through a legally binding CMA Order and could see some measures coming into force before the end of 2026. Small vet businesses will be given additional time for implementation.
Vet businesses can make changes that would benefit their customers in the meantime, and the CMA encourages them to consider doing so.
The CMA fully recognises that the proposed changes would require businesses to adapt systems or make other changes which would incur some administrative costs. The CMA’s provisional view is that the benefits to consumers of these measures would far outweigh the costs to businesses.
Next steps
The CMA will now consult on the Provisional Decision. All interested parties are welcome to respond to the provisional conclusions by the deadline of Wednesday 12 November 2025 via our consultation page.
For further information, visit the Veterinary services case page, which includes key statistics and the administrative timetable.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA), which represents more than 19,000 vets across the UK, has responded to the CMA’s ‘provisional decision’ following its market investigation into UK veterinary services for household pets.
The report, published today (Wednesday 15 October), was clear that ‘veterinary professionals work hard, act ethically, and put animal welfare first’.
It also set out 21 measures that it believes will improve ‘information on prices, treatments, medicines and ownership; introduce a price cap on written prescriptions; deliver a new comprehensive price comparison website; and highlights that the current regulatory system is not fit for purpose and must be modernised to keep pace with commercial practice and ensure pet owners are protected.’
Responding to the CMA’s provisional decision, British Veterinary Association President Dr. Rob Williams said: “At first glance, there’s lots of positives in the CMA’s provisional decision that both vets and pet owners will welcome, including greater transparency of pricing and practice ownership; reform of the outdated regulatory framework; and support for our calls for regulation of vet businesses. The CMA also recognises that vets and vet teams are highly professional, and ‘work hard, act ethically, and put animal welfare first’.
“However, we do have concerns that some of the measures outlined will impact how services are delivered.
“In particular, we need clarity on the proposed introduction of comprehensive price lists, because how vet care is delivered is varied and complex and unless the CMA gets this right, it could end up creating greater confusion for consumers, which in turn could have a negative impact on animal welfare.”
