Samhain/Halloween on 31 October, 1-3 pm at Granton Castle Walled Garden
Join Mycobee and discover the power of functional mushrooms and their benefits for our well-being. Explore, learn, and try some mushroom tea.
Each of Mycobee’s Functional Fungi events is themed around a different festive occasion. What does a Fungi Halloween party look like? Take part and find out!
All events are free to join. To book your place, email Mycobee stating the date and time of the event you would like to book: info@mycobee.org.
Edinburgh’s latest arts venue has announced a brand new programme of autumn events ranging from a weekly comedy night, theatre, sketch shows, music, magic and more.
The Gilded Saloon, which opened in August, will host a vibrant programme of live events in the heart of the city’s Old Town at Bristo Square. With upcoming shows featuring Scotland’s top comedians like Stephen Buchanan, Marjolein Robertson, Mark Nelson, Stuart McPherson and more, The Gilded Saloon is the capital’s latest addition to its arts scene.
As joint venue operators (with Kelburn Arts and Paradise Palms), Gilded Balloon presents a new weekly night of mixed bill stand-up comedy with the best comedians from across the UK, as well as local rising talent, performing every Friday night at ‘The Comedy Show’.
Resident comperes will kick off the 8pm Friday show, with upcoming line-ups featuring some of Scotland’s most successful comics including: Chris Forbes, Stephen Buchanan, Marjolein Robertson, Mark Nelson, Stuart McPherson, Krystal Evans, Sam Lake, Eleanor Morton, Billy Kirkwood, Kate Hammer, Kathleen Hughes and more.
Featuring a brand new line-up each week, comedy fans can kick their weekend off by adding a meal from The Gilded Saloon’s hearty pub kitchen on to their ticket.
The Comedy Show – 8pm every Friday night
£10 show only, £18 ‘meal and show’ ticket
24th October – Chris Forbes, Scott Agnew, Julia Sutherland, Amanda Hursy,Rosie Hess
7th Nov – Stephen Buchanan, Billy Kirkwood, Amelia Bayler, Kathleen Hughes, Michael Welch
14th Nov – Marjolein Robertson, Chris Thorburn, Eva Peroni, Sophie Rose McCabe, Scott Agnew
21st Nov – Mark Nelson, Eleanor Morton, Sam Lake, Kate Hammer, Alan Ritchie
5th Dec – Chris Thorburn, Giulia Galastro, Robin Grainger, Ifrah Qureshi, Oro Rose
20th Dec – Stuart McPherson, Sam Lake, Kathleen Hughes, Alana Jackson, Sean Chalmers
Plus, comedy fans can round their weekend off at ‘Hot Comedy’ every other Sunday – a bold inclusive comedy compilation show hosted by Nicholas Elliot and Eva Peroni.
Welcoming a new line-up every fortnight, the show features queer, POC, disabled, female, non-binary performers, (and even straight white men!), for a comedy show that doesn’t target or exclude audiences or performers.
Expect the next generation of comedy talent combined with top headliners from across the Scottish scene.
A new monthly event at Gilded Saloon with free tickets on offer, ‘Story Platform’ will welcome Scottish writers and performers to take on a night of stand-up, sketch comedy, music and more.
A changing group of writers and performers devise and workshop the show over the course of four days, combining a unique creative energy with unpredictable live shows. Previous stars include Kim Blythe, Amanda Dwyer, Amelia Bayler, Chris Weir and many more, creating brand new hilarious sketches at each show. First come, first serve for limited free tickets.
The Gilded Saloon will also host one-off shows spanning Fringe big hitters, new comedy sketch nights, music and more. Scotland’s favourite live Dungeons & Dragons show ‘Tartan Tabletop’ returns after a sold out Fringe run, with a charity Halloween special show with all proceeds donated to the charity Mermaids and starring drag queen Ruth Canal.
Plus, Fringe’s top magicians reunite for a show with a Halloween twist as stars of the show ‘1 Hour of Insane Magic’ present a night of fast-paced fearless magic for adults where fans can find out whether the night holds a trick, a treat or both.
And for those looking to relive their youth, ‘Brick & Sip’ is an afternoon of lego building and bonus drinks rounds that ends in the ultimate inner toddler tantrum – destroying your own creation!
Twilight fans can celebrate the cult movie’s 20th anniversary with a special edition of Australian cult comedy sensation ‘Lost in Translation : Twilight’ following a hugely successful August. The film’s script is run through an online language translator a dozen times, before guest stars read the results live on stage in character for a night of live, linguistic chaos.
Plus, ‘Sixties on a Sunday’ takes over The Gilded Saloon once a month, for an afternoon of dancing and drinks with local band Fayne & The Cruisers. Music fans can relive the heady days of iconic 60s tunes with the band playing hits from The Beatles to The Beach Boys, Elves, Ray Orbison and everything in between. A Sunday afternoon party like no other.
The Gilded Saloon is open 7 days a week, supporting the creative and performing arts community across Scotland with gigs, club nights, comedy shows, spoken word, music performance and more. The venue serves up a specially selected menu of local beers, wines and spirits, with a menu of favourite pub dishes created by local chef Tomás Gormley featuring burgers, pies and locally sourced fish.
Glasgow woman’s mission to tell others: ‘Never miss your breast screening appointment
A retired member of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde staff, Liz Thomas (71) from Pollock, has been photographed as part of an exhibition to celebrate the resilience, beauty, and strength of women affected by breast cancer.
Liz and three other women chosen for the photoshoot have recently had or are undergoing treatment for breast cancer. They were chosen to be part of Pink Ribbon Foundation’s BOLD Scotland Exhibition.
This extraordinary project, captured by award-winning photographer Caroline Sikkenk, is currently displayed in Glasgow’s Princes Square by M as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
In addition to taking part in this project, Liz is also using this month to share an important message. She said: “Go for your breast screening when you’re invited.”
In November 2024, Liz attended her routine breast screening appointment at NHSGGC’s Breast Clinic in Nelson Mandela Place. Within a week, she was recalled and asked to bring someone with her.
“I wasn’t expecting good news,” Liz said. “They told me two lumps had been found. I had a biopsy and scans there and then. It turned out I had two Stage 3 tumours.”
Within four weeks, Liz underwent a mastectomy at Gartnavel Hospital, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy in early 2025.
“The treatment was tough, physically and mentally, but I met wonderful people along the way. The staff were incredible. We even managed to laugh during chemo. One time, the nurses joked they had to separate me from the other ladies because we were giggling so much. Laughter got us through.”
Liz credits her daughter Jourdana, also an NHSGGC staff member, as her rock throughout the journey. “I have a good life and a great life ahead. Who knows if I’d have that if I hadn’t gone for screening?”
Now, Liz is on a mission. She said: “I tell everyone, my daughter, my friends, even the girl who does my nails, never miss your breast screening appointment. And if you’re over 70, you won’t automatically get a letter. You need to contact the breast screening centre yourself.”
Women aged between 50 and 70 will be invited for breast screening every three years. Those eligible, will be invited by NHSGGC via letter to the address registered with their GP, and people are advised to ensure this is up to date.
Anyone over the age of 70, can make an appointment for breast screening directly via the breast screening service.
The BOLD Scotland exhibition is on display at Princes Square by M. Entry is free, giving everyone the opportunity to witness this inspiring and empowering project.
Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault and collision involving a coach at South Gyle Access, Edinburgh.
The incident took place around 2.50pm yesterday – Tuesday, 21 October, 2025.
Enquiries have established that a 17-year-old male was approached by two males who had exited the No.22 bus. One of the males chased the victim into the road, where he was hit by a coach travelling in the opposite direction. The victim was then attacked whilst on the ground.
The victim was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious injuries.
The suspect is described as a white male, aged approximately 17, around 5ft 11 and slim build. He was wearing dark clothing and a dark beanie hat.
Detective Sergeant John Dunn said: “This was a violent, unprovoked attack and we are carrying out extensive enquiries to track down the male responsible.
“We believe there were members of the public who will have witnessed the incident and are yet to speak to police, so would encourage anyone with information to please come forward.
“Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident 1855 of 21 October. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon is calling on the UK Government to reconsider its approach to funding allocations in the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund as it is “not a fair settlement for Scotland.”
Ms Gougeon’s letter reads:
To: Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP
From: Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon
Dear Angela,
Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund
Thank you for your letter of Monday 20 October setting out your intention to allocate the Scottish Government just £28 million of the £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund announced by your government earlier this year.
The deal that you have presented on the share of this funding to Scotland is wholly unacceptable. As you will be aware, the Scottish fishing sector accounts for over 60% of the UK’s fishing capacity and over 60% of UK seafood exports.
Moreover, more than 75% of all UK quota species is landed by Scottish vessels. Over the past several months, at both Ministerial and official level, we have set out a clear, rational, and evidence-based case for Scotland’s share of this funding to be representative of the relative size and importance of the Scottish sector, and reflect at least the 46% share Scotland previously received from the EU funding allocated to the UK.
Instead the announced allocation of just 7.78% is a grossly oversimplified approach which does not represent a fair settlement for Scotland, a position supported by key Scottish stakeholders.
It is unjustified and nothing short of insulting to the Scottish fishing industry and our coastal communities. It also disproportionately benefits your own fishing sector in England – for whom you have retained over £300 million, despite landing significantly smaller catches than Scotland.
With the funding being spread over 12 years – and no guarantee that the commitment will even be maintained following this parliamentary term – the deal you have set out means Scotland will have a meagre £2.3 million per annum of additional funding to invest in our marine industries and coastal communities. This is nowhere near enough to support the next generation of fishermen and breathe new life into our coastal communities as your letter sets out.
This announcement is yet another negative consequence of Brexit which the people of Scotland did not vote for, but for which our businesses and communities are paying the price.
However, more than that, it demonstrates a clear misunderstanding of, and lack of care for, the Scottish fishing industry and our coastal communities by the UK Government.
The fact that this announcement was made within hours of you writing to me and my counterparts in the devolved governments in Wales and Northern Ireland, with no opportunity for discussion, also demonstrates a disappointing departure from your government’s commitment to resetting and renewing the devolution relationship and effective intergovernmental working.
This comes on the back of a similar lack of engagement on the EU deal in relation to fisheries, which will hit the Scottish sector hard. At the same time we are still assessing the likely implications of the scientific advice on mackerel and cod – which are expected to have serious negative impacts for the fishing industry in Scotland.
I strongly urge you to reconsider this approach, and enter into discussions at the earliest possible opportunity with myself, and our colleagues in Wales and Northern Ireland, to agree an alternative approach which treats each of our respective industries and communities with the respect they deserve.
I have copied this letter to Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies and Minister Andrew Muir for awareness of the Scottish Government’s position.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Mairi Gougeon
The Scottish fishing industry has condemned the UK Government’s “grossly unfair” allocation of funding from its £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund.
Having lived at National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two since the early 2000’s, a triumphant effort has seen the sculpture travel through the city to its new location at the National.
Dr Patricia Allerston, Deputy Director & Chief Curator of European & Scottish Art, National Galleries of Scotland said: ‘We wanted to bring the art outdoors and into the gardens at the National to spotlight that we are a gallery from the moment people arrive in the gardens.
“We wanted it to welcome people in and to show a snapshot of the incredible Scottish art on offer inside. Paolozzi seemed like a perfect choice for this spot, he was very much an artist who looked to the past as well as to the future, which is very much what we are about at the National Galleries of Scotland.
“He was also from Edinburgh, which seemed very fitting as he will now be looking out over the city and facing towards his hometown of Leith.’
Taking two days and extensive pre-planning to move the impressive one tonne sculpture, it called on expertise inside and outside the gallery to make it possible. Requiring the skills of curators, conservators, collections management, specialist movers with specialist kit including a crane and gimble to get the statue in position.
Master of the Universe is based on a famous drawing by William Blake, which shows the scientist Isaac Newton. Paolozzi used the same pose as in the Blake drawing but has mechanised the figure.
The artist also fashioned it to put himself in the picture, creating himself as the sculpture. Interested in the relationship between nature, science and the man made, Paolozzi brought all of this together to create Master of the Universe.
Visit National Galleries Scotland: National to see Master of the Universe and lots of other free art, including the greatest collection of Scottish art in the world.
Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh has launched an innovative BA (Hons) Digital and Graphic Design course, which is set to welcome its first cohort of undergraduate students in September 2026.
Created in consultation with leading design companies, the course will ensure that QMU graduates have the contemporary skills, experience and attributes that employers value most.
This exciting new course has been designed to meet the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the creative industries and other industry organisations, blending artistic expression with advanced digital technologies.
Students will gain hands-on experience in visual communication, branding, web design, motion graphics, and strategic storytelling, preparing them for exciting dynamic careers in design studios, advertising agencies, media companies and freelance practice.
Dr Dave Wood, Programme Leader for the new BA (Hons) Digital and Graphic Design, brings decades of experience in design education and industry to the role. He explained: “There has never been a more exciting time to work in digital and graphic design, particularly when the development of AI is allowing designers to take their creative work to a whole new level.
“It’s a growing and exhilarating area to work in, and with all sectors requiring graphic and design specialists, graduates can follow their passion by developing their careers in their chosen field – whether that be in business, healthcare, public sector, education, the creative industries or the charitable sector – in the UK or internationally.
“Our industry colleagues across Scotland and the UK have been incredibly supportive about the development of this course. We’ve worked hard to build a curriculum that responds to the evolving needs of the creative sector, with input from leading design companies across Scotland and the UK.
“We are excited about empowering students to become confident, thoughtful designers who can shape the visual culture of tomorrow.”
The course will be a creative, fun and exhilarating experience for students who will have the chance to develop their skills in visual storytelling, visual strategy and innovation, which will allow them to create their own unique design voice.
The programme will be delivered by the Division of Media, Communication and Performing Arts and draws on QMU’s strong reputation in media and creative industries. Students will benefit from real-world projects, industry-standard software, and opportunities to collaborate with professionals through industry workshops, guest lectures, and work-based learning.
There will be lots of practical experience so that graduates will be able to hit the ground running when they enter the world of work. This includes the opportunity to work on live briefs and the chance to build a professional portfolio during the four years of study at QMU.
And with a strong emphasis on industry engagement and career readiness, the course includes networking opportunities and insights from experienced designers and creative agencies, ensuring that graduates understand and are equipped for roles such as UX/UI designer, motion graphics artist, digital brand strategist, and more.
Dr Wood added: “Designers don’t just make things look good – they shape how we communicate, interact, and understand the world.
“This course encourages students to think critically and creatively, using design as a tool for meaningful change and to bring stories to life!”
Prospective students are invited to attend QMU’s upcoming Undergraduate Open Day on 25 October 2025, where they can meet staff, explore facilities, and learn more about the course. It’s also a great opportunity for students to learn about the different industries and roles that might be available to them following graduation.
Applications for the BA (Hons) Digital and Graphic Design are now open via UCAS for 2026 entry. For more information, visit QMU’s course page.
Proposals aimed at creating new jobs and driving economic growth by keeping materials and goods in use for as long as possible have been published for consultation.
The draft Circular Economy Strategy sets out plans to increasing reuse, repair and recycling rates, for example by:
increasing the reuse of construction materials
supporting sustainable alternatives to fast-fashion
increasing EV battery re-purposing, recycling and material reprocessing
exploring ways to cut food waste
The draft Strategy will develop sector specific road-maps for four of the five sectors with the greatest potential for increasing reuse, repair and recycling rates in Scotland – the built environment, net zero energy infrastructure, textiles and food. Actions for the fifth sector, transport, will be included in the forthcoming draft Climate Change Plan.
Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Reducing, reusing and recycling materials has a huge role to play in Scotland’s response to tackling the climate crisis.
“It also brings huge benefits to households and communities – from lowering the costs of items and creating new jobs to cutting the amount of litter on our streets, helping to improve our local environment and protect wildlife.
“By supporting Scotland to move towards a culture where keeping materials and goods in use for as long as possible is the norm, we will also be able to drive economic growth by increasing the resilience of our supply-chains and encouraging innovation.
“This consultation outlines priority sectors key to cutting waste and capitalising on the economic opportunities that a circular economy presents to businesses. I urge everyone to take part.”
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