Day: October 28, 2025

Tuck into Santa’s Breakfast at Dobbies

Kick off the festivities at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and tuck into a tasty breakfast with Santa and his elves at the ever-popular Santa’s Breakfast this winter. 

Families can enjoy a morning full of Christmas magic at Santa’s Breakfast, taking place in the Edinburgh store from 29 November to 24 December. Each child will get the chance to meet Santa and build their very own collectable soft toy to name, personalise, and take home to cherish for years to come. 

The event starts with a cooked breakfast in the Dobbies’ restaurant, with vegetarian and continental breakfast options also available. Then children will get to meet Santa to share their Christmas wishes, before getting the opportunity to take part in family-friendly games, festive activities, and the toy-making workshop with the help of Santa’s elves. 

Tickets are priced from £18- £20 per child, depending on the date, with adult tickets from £9. While the build-a-buddy activity is not suitable for children under three years old, a pre-made version of the toy will be provided for the younger children to decorate and take part in the festive fun.

Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, is looking forward to welcoming families to Santa’s Breakfast at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store.

She said: “Our Santa’s Breakfast event is extremely popular with families looking for a magical morning that everyone can enjoy.

“With festive fun and games, and a special meet and greet with Santa and a hands-on build-a-buddy activity with his elves, this event is great fun for the kids and a perfect way to start the countdown to Christmas.”

Families are now encouraged to purchase their tickets for the Santa’s Breakfast event at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store before they sell out. For a limited time only, customers can get 10% off the price of Santa’s Breakfast tickets using the code SB10 when booking online at www.dobbies.com/events  

Tickets for all events and experiences are on sale now with an option to make a donation during your purchase to Dobbies’ National Charity Partner, Alzheimer’s Research UK. To learn more about the Christmas events and make a booking, visit dobbies.com/events

Acclaimed TV historian David Olusoga adds 2026 tour dates for new live show ‘A Gun Through Time’

David Olusoga: A Gun Through Time UK Tour

ALL DATES ON SALE NOW HERE

Have you ever considered how a single weapon could change the course of history? What stories lie behind the guns that shaped empires, wars, and even criminal underworlds? How did these firearms influence not just battles, but entire societies?

Acclaimed TV historian David Olusoga, known for his powerful BBC series A House Through Time and Black and British: A Forgotten History, has announced 2026 dates for his A Gun Through Time show.

As he is currently appearing on Celebrity Traitors, and fresh from interviewing Barack Obama on stage at The O2 in London, David is preparing to take this brand-new show on tour for the first time through November, asking the question of how a single weapon can change history.

Further dates have been added throughout April & May 2026, with tickets for all shows on-sale now via www.fane.co.uk/david-olusoga.

In A Gun Through Time, David takes audiences on a gripping journey into the hidden stories behind three firearms that changed the world. Each gun carries a complex legacy, entwining conquest, survival, and social upheaval.

This show couldn’t be timelier. With Europe witnessing the return of mechanised warfare, the echoes of past conflicts feel all too present. Young Ukrainians are now fighting in trenches eerily like those from a century ago, and here in Britain, politicians discuss rearmament and a potential expansion of the military—history, it seems, may be poised to repeat itself.

David explains his fascination: “My first passions as a boy—when I first got into history—were the First and Second World Wars. But I was always much more interested in the experiences of ordinary people caught up in those great events than I was in the speeches and strategies of politicians and generals.

“So this is not a show about guns and how they work technically, nor is it about the tactics of battle. It’s about the cultures that emerged from the millions of people for whom these weapons became part of their lives.”

Why now? David continues: “I come from a generation that, unlike our ancestors, has had little contact with firearms. This makes us incredibly fortunate and unique, living in a rare era of peace.

“In the last century, two generations were conscripted into massive armies, with millions bearing arms in wars. Today, most of us have never even seen a gun, thanks to strict gun laws and a smaller military.

“This show explores how guns were once integral to life, shaping our history and culture. Yet, as conflicts re-emerge, the peace we’ve known feels fragile, with echoes of the past returning to modern battlefields and a renewed call for defence readiness in Britain”.

David will bring four legendary firearms onto the stage, each with its own world-changing story: the Thompson Sub-Machine Gun, which transformed from a WWI “wonder weapon” to the notorious “Tommy Gun” of Prohibition-era America; the Maxim Gun, used to subdue African territories and later causing unimaginable devastation on the Western Front – a weapon still seen on today’s battlefields in Ukraine.

The Lee-Enfield Rifle, the soldier’s companion in both World Wars and a legacy passed through two generations of British families. And going back to the 18th and 19th Centuries the British Brown Bess flintlock musket – the weapon British soldiers took to Waterloo and that American rebels used to win independence for the United States.

In this powerful live experience, you’ll get to see these historic artifacts up close, understand their hidden social histories, and ask David your own questions about the stories behind them.

Don’t miss this chance to experience history like never before, one weapon, one story at a time.

TOUR DATES 2025

2 November               Beacon Hall Bristol
3 November               Barbican Hall, London
4 November               Theatre Severn, Shropshire
7 November               Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
9 November               Storyhouse, Chester
10 November             Lyric Theatre, Lowry, Salford
13 November             The Apex, Bury St Edmunds
15 November             Corn Exchange, Cambridge
16 November             Norwich Theatre Royal
20 November             Tyne Theatre and Opera House, Newcastle
22 November             Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh (Matinee)
22 November             Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh

*NEWLY ANNOUNCED 2026 DATES

14 April                       Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells
16 April                       Charter Hall, Colchester
19 April                       Leeds Grand Theatre
20 April                       Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow
21 April                       Town Hall, Birmingham
22 April                       Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham
26 April                       Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
27 April                       G Live, Guildford
28 April                       Anvil Arts, Basingstoke
5 May                          Derngate Theatre, Northampton
7 May                          Richmond Theatre, Richmond
11 May                        Cadogan Hall, London
12 May                        The Alban Arena, St Albans
15 May                        Grand Opera House, York
18 May                        Hall for Cornwall, Truro
19 May                        New Theatre, Cardiff.

Social Security Scotland: Supporting pensioners to heat their homes

People of State Pension age will receive Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from Social Security Scotland this winter.

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment has replaced the Winter Fuel Payment for people in Scotland. Eligible people will receive a payment of between £101.70 and £305.10

Payments will start from November this year and will be made into the same bank account as someone’s State Pension or Social Security Scotland benefit. 

Most people will receive the payment automatically – no action is needed.  

Pensioners with a taxable annual income over £35,000 will have the payment taken back through their tax code or Self Assessment Tax return by HMRC.   

Shareable resources are available for those who support people of pension age. 

Ho Ho Ho! Festive line-up announced for Lost Shore Surf Resort

Featuring visits from Mrs Claus and the return of the festive cinema

Europe’s largest inland surf resort, Lost Shore, has unveiled its 2025 festive line-up, complete with a special visit from Mrs Claus, the return of the resort’s much-loved festive cinema, and glittering Christmas party nights perfect for groups of all sizes.

Just 25 minutes from Edinburgh’s city centre, the resort is set to sparkle this season with a packed calendar of festive fun for families, friends, and colleagues alike.

Lost Shore will welcome Mrs Mary Claus, Santa’s better half, for an immersive theatrical experience on 6, 7 and 22 December. Guests will be treated to enchanting stories from Lapland, learning all about the Christmas preparations and discovering why kindness is the real magic of the season. Tickets start from £15, suitable for children aged 0 through to 7+.

Building on last year’s success, Lost Shore is bringing back its festive favourites cinema, screening beloved Christmas classics including How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Frozen, The Polar Express, Home Alone, The Holiday and Love Actually.

The cosy setup will feature rugs and beanbags for children, a wood-fired stove in the resort’s on-site restaurant, Canteen, and plenty of mulled drinks, hot chocolates, and delicious festive food to enjoy by the fire.

Looking for the perfect festive night out for your team or friend group? Lost Shore’s shared Christmas party nights promise a celebration like no other, combining great drinks, a buzzing party atmosphere, and an unlimited pizza buffet catered by Civerinos.

Whether you’re a group of friends, family or even a business looking to take your annual night out to the next level, these party nights are designed to be fun, relaxed, and guaranteed to get everyone into the festive spirit.

The resort will be beautifully dressed in festive décor, created in partnership with Rogue Village, and set against the stunning backdrop of Lost Shore’s iconic wave pool,  creating the most unique Christmas party setting in Edinburgh.

Each ticket includes a welcome glass of fizz or mulled wine on arrival, followed by an unlimited festive pizza buffet served from 7:30–9:00 pm. Guests will also enjoy two drinks tokens (redeemable for beer, wine, or soft drinks), access to an open bar serving beer, wine, softs and festive cocktails, and DJ entertainment with dancing until late.

Party nights run on 30 November and 4, 5, 11 & 12 December, with individual tickets priced at £45. Private party nights are also available for those looking for a more exclusive celebration, with the ability to host groups of 90 Monday-Friday throughout December.

Guests can also pick up a real Christmas tree from the resort’s car park throughout December. 

Still searching for the perfect Christmas gift? Lost Shore offers monetary vouchers redeemable across the resort, including surf, stay, Canteen, and spa experiences. Visitors can also choose from surf bundles, Lost Shore Surf Club memberships, and a range of unique gifts in the on-site surf shop.

For more information about Lost Shore Surf Resort’s festive calendar, please visit: www.lostshore.com

Family History – Getting Started

Want to trace your family tree, but not sure where to start?

Come along to our beginners’ #FamilyHistory session Edinburgh Central Library to find out about the free resources that can help you with your research.

We’ll guide you through the basics and show you how to navigate Ancestry and British Newspaper Archive, two brilliant resources for family history and both free to use in all Edinburgh Libraries.

The session ends with a short tour of the physical genealogical resources held in the Edinburgh and Scottish Collection.

The next session is on Thursday 30 October at 2pm.

Book your place by emailing informationdigital@edinburgh.gov.uk

Police Scotland: Dispersal Zones in Edinburgh

From 31 October – 5 November 2025, dispersal zones will be enforceable to help prevent anti-social behaviour and keep our communities safe.

Additional officers will be on patrol and have powers to take action where needed.

👉 Stay safe and enjoy Bonfire Night responsibly by attending organised events only:

https://orlo.uk/iQ6cx

📖 Legislation says:

Where a constable has reasonable grounds for believing that the presence or behaviour of a group of two or more persons in any public place in the relevant locality is causing or likely to cause alarm or distress to any members of the public, the constable may give:

1. A direction requiring the persons in the group to disperse

2. A direction requiring any of those persons whose place of residence is not within the relevant locality to leave the relevant locality or any part of the relevant locality

3. A direction prohibiting any of those persons whose place of residence is not within the relevant locality from returning to the relevant locality or any part of the relevant locality during such period (not exceeding 24 hours) from the giving of the direction as the constable may specify

⚠️ ANY PERSON WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE WHO KNOWINGLY CONTRAVENES A DIRECTION GIVEN TO THEM UNDER THIS ACT SHALL BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE AND WILL BE ARRESTED WITHOUT WARRANT ⚠️

At time of writing there are NO organised public displays in Edinburgh – Ed.

#TomorrowWeStillLiveHere

#KeepingPeopleSafe

#PoliceScotland

Coming Home: Share Your Views

A Coming Home Working Group has been set up to drive progress towards the Coming Home vision and mission for people with learning disabilities and complex needs and behaviours that challenge.

The group are developing an action plan, building on the recommendations in the Coming Home Implementation Report.

One of the workstreams is focusing on developing strategic approaches to skill up and strengthen community services (including integrated community teams, social care providers, school settings) and family carers to improve support for people with learning disabilities and complex support needs. 

This is with a particular emphasis on preventing service breakdown and building resilience in community services for people with complex needs and behaviours that challenge. Specialist skills are required across agencies to achieve complex and sustainable return to local community settings for those in hospital or out of areas, and also to prevent support breakdown.

The group would like your views on the knowledge and specialist skills that are needed by those providing support, both direct care and as organisations and services. In addition, information about access to training in these areas is requested.

The short survey closes on Thursday 30 October. This information will help develop recommendations in the next Coming Home action plan – so this is your chance to have your say! 

Edinburgh 900: Salty Seas

EDINBURGH MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL

CORNERSTONE at ST JOHN’S CHURCH PRINCES STREET

FRIDAY 31st OCTOBER from 12 – 12.45pm

As Black History Month UK is coming to an end we invite to a musical storytelling event at Cornerstone Centre Edinburgh at St John’s Episcopal Church Edinburgh on 31 October.

Join us to reflect on the courage, sacrifice and unwavering spirit of humanity as we share stories of John Edmondstone, Joseph Knight and Ann Thompson, Malvina Wells and Jack Gladstone whose lives were marked by the Slave Trade and fight for freedom while discovering the darker side of the Scottish Enlightenment.

Reserve your free tickets, supported by The City of Edinburgh Council Edinburgh 900 Civic Fund, ahead of the Friday event at:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/salty-seas-series-of…

@followersAfrican Connections CIC

Local community invited to QMU’s online forum

Local residents and community representatives are warmly invited to Queen Margaret University’s online Community Forum on Tuesday 18 November 2025 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm. 

This twice-yearly event offers a unique chance to hear University updates, explore partnership opportunities, and share ideas about how QMU can best serve and collaborate with its surrounding communities.

This autumn’s Forum will take place on Microsoft Teams and will feature a presentation from Ann Turner, Senior Lecturer and Programme Lead in QMU’s Media Communication and Performing Arts Division.

Ann will showcase ways that local organisations can benefit from working with QMU students and share examples of impactful projects delivered in partnership with community groups and businesses.

In particular, she will highlight opportunities for collaboration with undergraduate and postgraduate students in marketing and communications, who can support organisations by:

  • Developing promotional strategies to reach target audiences;
  • Designing digital assets such as social media content;
  • And creating short promotional films or podcasts.

The event will also provide space for open discussion, inviting attendees to share their perspectives on QMU’s role in the community and explore how relationships can be deepened for mutual benefit.

Jane Scott, Director of Marketing and Communications at QMU, said: “The Community Forum is a chance for us to listen as much as we share.

“We want to hear directly from our neighbours, learn about their priorities, and explore how QMU can work alongside the community to make a positive difference in East Lothian and beyond.

“By working together, we can strengthen relationships, support local organisations, create opportunities and ensure that QMU continues to play an active role in the life of our community.”

QMU welcomes both regular participants and new members of the community to join the Forum. To attend, please register by emailing marketing@qmu.ac.uk. A Microsoft Teams link will then be sent to you, giving access to the meeting on the day.

New opportunity for local groups to lease windfarm sites

Sharing the gains of clean energy

Local communities are to get new opportunities to benefit from renewable energy developments under a pilot scheme announced by the Scottish Government.

Community groups, from South Lanarkshire to the Highlands, will be given the chance to lease one of 10 publicly-owned Forestry Land and Scotland (FLS) sites with windfarms as they approach repowering.

The pilot, which makes changes to the Community Asset Transfer Scheme (CATS), will provide a protected window for local groups to make an asset transfer request to lease FLS sites to extend the operational life of the windfarms.

The new approach, developed with FLS, will help strengthen the community asset transfer process which enables communities to request to buy or lease publicly owned land they feel they could make better use of.

Other changes to CATS will see community groups given: 

  • advance notification of upcoming lease opportunities, so they have time to prepare asset transfer requests before sites go to market 
  • dedicated guidance for repowering projects, including support on financing projects, evaluation and governance  
  • targeted support through the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), including help to develop proposals

Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Ownership and control of land is a powerful tool for communities to drive change and can help to develop local economies, provide activities and services, and boost community identity.  

“These new measures will make it easier for groups across Scotland to reap the rewards from renewable energy projects on Forestry Land Scotland sites with the potential to deliver real benefits to a local area.  

“It is yet another way that we are ensuring that communities can benefit from Scotland’s transition to renewable energy and that we are helping provide a just transition to net zero for people across the country.” 

Community Energy Scotland CEO Zoe Holliday said: “We have seen time and time again the transformation impact of land ownership and ownership of energy assets on communities across Scotland. 

“Right now, repowering of private developments represents one of the biggest opportunities to upscale the community energy sector at pace and meet the Scottish Government’s community energy targets; community energy groups are increasingly ambitious but gaining grid access continues to be a challenge, which is why taking on existing sites has so much potential. 

“Today’s announcement is a promising first step by the Scottish Government in starting to open up the public estate for large community energy projects and we look forward to working with them to continue to unlock opportunities for the community energy sector going forward.”

Updates to the Community Asset Transfer Scheme will be implemented by the end of the year, following further engagement with stakeholders, including Community Energy Scotland, community groups and developers. 

These measures will apply to projects with a maximum generation capacity of 50MW, reflecting the current scale of community energy initiatives.

The ten sites approaching the need for repowering are:

Scheme NameIndicative Repowering yearLA
Black Law2032South Lanarkshire
An Suidhe2033Argyll & Bute
Camster2035Highland
Myres Hill2036East Renfrewshire
Stroupster2038Highland
Burn of Whilk2038Highland
Clashindarroch2041Aberdeenshire
A’ Chruach2043Argyll & Bute
Beinn An Tuirc 32047Argyll & Bute
West Benhar2048North Lanarkshire