There is still time to enter this year’s Green Pencil Award.
The theme is Scotland’s weather! Whether it’s a story about a magical mist rolling through the Highlands, a poem capturing the drama of a stormy seaside, or a sunny adventure (rare as that may be!), we want to hear how Scotland’s ever-changing skies inspire you.
Come along and browse Drumbrae Library’s display for inspiration!
Open to Primary 4 to S3 students
Entries can be poetry, prose or story, all we ask is that the writing is the author’s own work and is no longer than one side of A4 paper.
The competition started on 1 October and the closing date is 28 November 2025.
Ask for an entry form at the library desk or follow the link below:
More than 600 students were celebrated as part of Edinburgh College’s Class of 2025 graduation ceremony at McEwan Hall on Thursday 6 November.
Students were joined by over 1,500 proud family members and friends who watched as their loved ones crossed the McEwan Hall stage to receive their certificates of achievement.
Graduates from across the College’s curriculum areas were honoured during three ceremonies throughout the day, graduating in subjects across each of the College’s faculties: Health, Wellbeing and Social Science; Tourism, Hospitality and Business; Engineering and Construction; and Creative Industries, as well as Professional Learning and Qualifications.
Across the three ceremonies, the College’s best-performing students were also commended by Principal Audrey Cumberford, receiving awards for academic excellence. Prizes were also awarded on behalf of the Edinburgh College Board of Management to students who have exceeded expectations throughout their College journey.
In addition, Marshall Dallas was presented with an Honorary Edinburgh College Ambassador Award in recognition of his direct involvement with the College and sustained impact on the student experience.
Members of College teaching staff were also presented with professional development awards during the ceremonies – celebrating the wealth of CPD opportunities available to staff to support them in their role of educating more than 28,000 students each year.
Edinburgh College Principal Audrey Cumberford said: “Graduation is a special occasion that celebrates the hard work, resilience, and growth that each student has shown throughout their college journey.
“The skills and knowledge they’ve gained during their time at Edinburgh College will serve as a strong foundation for whatever comes next and I have no doubt that they will go on to do great things.
“On behalf of the College’s leadership, faculty, and support teams, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of our students. Whether they’re continuing their studies, stepping into a new career, or chasing bold dreams, we wish them every success. Here’s to the Class of 2025!”
In collaboration with Public Health Scotland, Nesta, an innovation agency for social good, has today published two key publications which explore how Scotland’s planning system can be used to create healthier food environments and support efforts to reduce obesity and health inequalities.
The two publications are:
‘Planning for Healthier Communities – Opportunities in the Scottish Planning System’ (research report)
‘The role of Local Development Plans (LDPs) in shaping healthier food environments across Scotland’ (supporting briefing)
These resources draw on research, stakeholder engagement, and lessons learned to recommend practical steps for integrating food environment policies into the local planning system.
Around two thirds of adults in Scotland are living with overweight or obesity, and one in three children starting primary 1 are at risk of overweight or obesity, with rates significantly higher in more deprived areas.
Recent modelling also projects substantial increases in overweight by 2040. The need for change is evident and reducing overweight and obesity is a key priority in Scotland’s Population Health Framework.
Historically, planning policies in Scotland have rarely addressed food environments or obesity directly. But now, the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and Local Development Plans (LDPs) provide an opportunity to change that. LDPs are currently in preparation stage, with decisions taken over the next two to three years shaping Scotland’s food environment for the next decade.
Many organisations, including local authorities and health boards, play a key role in the planning process. These new publications outline key stages and priority areas where public health professionals can contribute and influence the development of plans, such as:
providing local health data and expertise to support the case for food environment policies
focussing on health inequalities and areas where unhealthy food environments and obesity rates are highest
building stronger collaborations between planning and public health to gather evidence and advocate for change
Claire Hislop RNutr (Public Health), Organisational Lead – Food and Physical Activity, Public Health Scotland, said: “Scotland’s current food environment often fails to support healthy eating. This is particularly evident in communities with higher deprivation and where access to affordable, nutritious food can be limited.
“Improving Scotland’s food environment requires a package of measures; utilising the planning process as part of this is both necessary and possible.
“In particular, Local Development Plan preparation offers a unique, but time limited, opportunity to contribute to creating communities that enable and promote healthier food options – for years to come.”
Frances Bain, Mission Manager, Nesta, added: “Nesta were delighted to partner with Public Health Scotland on this research which was carried out through a residency placement and explored the potential to use the planning system to influence healthier food environments.
“Thanks to all the local and national stakeholders who participated in the research and in particular Dr Meadhbh Maguire for leading the work.
“We have been able to outline the opportunities and challenges that exist when considering new planning policies relating to the food environment and highlight the role that local development plans can play in supporting public health.”
SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald is encouraging people across Edinburgh to get their flu vaccine as the SNP Scottish Government announced £20 million to strengthen social care and ease pressure on the NHS this winter.
Mr Macdonald has warned of an early and potentially difficult flu season and is encouraging everyone eligible, especially children, young people, and vulnerable groups, to take up the free vaccine.
The SNP’s £20 million investment announced by Health Secretary Neil Gray will boost local care capacity, reduce pressure on hospitals, and support hardworking NHS staff this winter, while Labour continues to talk Scotland down and offer no real plan for the NHS.
The SNP Government is also recruiting 290 new frontline Scottish Ambulance Service staff and investing £5 million in NHS 24’s digital systems to help people access care more quickly.
Commenting, Gordon Macdonald said: “Flu can be serious, especially for older people and those with underlying conditions. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and our NHS.
“I’d also particularly encourage parents and carers across the city to make sure children and young people get their free flu jag, and for everyone eligible to take up the offer. It’s quick, easy, and helps keep our whole community healthy this winter.
“This latest £20 million investment shows once again that the SNP is taking real, practical action to support our NHS and our social care services.”
The revitalised Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced today that its 79th edition will run from 13 – 19 August 2026. Submissions will open in January 2026 for the 2026 edition of the Festival via the Festival website.
EIFF’s invigorated vision under leadership from CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa continues to accelerate the discovery of new film talent and engage with audiences, industry members and local, national and international media.
This year’s Festival saw 194 screenings and 34 Industry and panel events take place, welcoming over 300 filmmakers, producers and distributors to present their films with over 250 industry delegates and over 170 press delegates taking part in the Festival.
The Festival presented the World Premieres of new shortform work from the inaugural NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab and celebrated the World Premiere of Abdolreza Kahani’s Mortician winning The Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence and Joanna Vymeris’s Mother Goose picking up The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence. Across feature and short film screenings, the Festival screened 39 World Premieres and 48 UK Premieres.
More information will be released on the shape of the 2026 Festival, venues and key strategic partners in the coming months.
The EIFF team continues to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent.
The Festival is supported by a Board chaired by Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting, including Vice Chair Amy Jackson, producer of BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun; Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; Teresa Moneo, producer and former Director of UK Film, Netflix; Isla Macgillivray, Partner at Saffrey; and Romana Ramzan, Producer at Screen Burn Interactive.
EIFF CEO and Festival Director, Paul Ridd has said: “As we head into our third year and our third edition, we are thrilled to once again position our Festival at the very heart of festivals season in Edinburgh in August and alongside the Fringe.
“I am immensely proud of all the work we have done so far as a team to honour decades of Festival history and bring EIFF into a new era, and I cannot wait to get started on putting together another terrific edition for August 2026.”
Following an assessment of the building informed by public consultation, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has concluded that the Brunton Hall civic centre complex in Musselburgh is of special interest for listing, but that development proposals are too far advanced to list the site.
When deciding whether to designate a site while there are ongoing development proposals, HES considers the impact that designation would have on these plans; the effect of the proposed development on the significance of the site and the extent to which plans have already been developed.
East Lothian Council is currently considering the future of the building due to the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in its roof.
As part of the assessment of the site, HES carried out research and a public consultation to gather evidence about the significance of the site. Over 300 people from Musselburgh and across Scotland, as well as from further afield, took part in the consultation, providing valuable information to inform the decision.
Dara Parsons, Head of Designations at HES, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took part in our consultation and gave their views on the building.
“When making decisions about designations, we consider the individual circumstances of each case. Because of the advanced development proposals for Brunton Hall, we decided not to proceed with listing at this time. Although we have decided not to list the site, we hope that our report setting out the special interest of the building will inform the decisions that are made about the site.”
More information about the consultation and the decision can be found on CitizenSpace.
4 out of 5 Students Give Grief Support a Failing Grade – Young Local Calls for Change with New Ask Me Campaign
Edinburgh studentMiranda Kidman (19) is sharing her story of grief to help launch a groundbreaking new campaign, Ask Me: Education, a new initiative which seeks to place bereaved students at the heart of the decisions surrounding what support they need to make a success of their school experience.
Members of the Winston’s Wish Youth Team will be launching Ask Me: Education today (17th November), at the start of National Children’s Grief Awareness Week.
The campaign calls on education settings and professionals throughout the UK to sign the Ask Me Education Manifesto, implement the new bereavement plan, and most importantly, give bereaved students the right to be asked how they would like to be supported after the death of someone important to them.
Surprisingly, despite estimates highlighting that there is a bereaved pupil in every classroom, there is no mandatory bereavement training for education professionals. Where bereavement policies do exist, often they foster a one-size-fits-all all approach which doesn’t allow for the student’s individual needs and requirements.
Miranda’s father passed away in the summer between Year 12 and Year 13, when she was just 17. Returning to school after his death, a school where her dad had also worked as assistant headteacher, was an especially emotional challenge.
“On my first day back, I felt extremely vulnerable. The whole school knew that my Dad had died, so I felt like all eyes were on me,” said Miranda.
“I was extremely fortunate to have many wonderful teachers, one in particular who had looked after me for years even though that wasn’t her official job title, and she allowed me to wait in her office until the assemblies mentioning my Dad’s death were over.
“Throughout the day and the weeks and months following, she was always available when I needed someone to talk to, and was not afraid to listen to me and have open and honest conversations about grief.
“My Dad’s funeral was the same week that I returned to school, and a lot of my teachers attended the funeral – my whole family have been very fortunate to have a very loving and supportive school community who tried their best to help when it was hard for me to complete schoolwork or manage during the school day.”
Miranda, who is from Harrogate, and her family first came across Winston’s Wish through resources provided by her mum’s local hospice.
Miranda has since become a Youth Ambassador for the charity. As part of this role, she contributed to the creation of Ask Me: Education, helping to shape the campaign’s message and ensure that the voices of bereaved young people are at its heart.
“Creating Ask Me: Education has been incredibly rewarding,” Miranda explains. “I was shocked to learn how many other bereaved young people didn’t get the same support I did.
“Hearing their stories made me realise how vital it is that every student has the chance to be listened to and asked what would help them.”
Miranda, who is now a student in Edinburgh, highlights the importance of individualised support. “Every young person grieves differently,” she comments. “Teachers and staff shouldn’t make assumptions about what a bereaved student needs. The most important thing is to ask, to have open, honest conversations that give the student control over how they’re supported.
“I really hope that people could benefit from an open conversation about their own needs – others I know, for example, would not have liked such an official meeting, and therefore it can be really harmful to make assumptions about what a young person needs.
“I think it’s very important to check in with them and ask and be specific about what they need, without skirting around the topic of grief. I also hope that trigger warnings can be made readily available for all students in classes discussing death.”
The Ask Me: Education campaign aims to change the culture of grief support in schools, colleges, and universities by empowering educators with practical guidance and encouraging them to implement bereavement support plans for every student affected by grief.
“My life would look very different if I hadn’t had such patient, understanding teachers,” Miranda added. “Everyone deserves to be listened to like I was. That’s what Ask Me: Education is all about.”
Winston’s Wish is encouraging education settings and professionals to find out more about the Ask Me: Education and sign the manifesto and implement the bereavement plan to support bereaved students.
For further information about the Ask Me: Education please visit:
winstonswish.org/askme
About Ask Me: Education
Why is it important?
In a recent survey of over 300 bereaved students (aged 8 to 25):
72% said they did not feel adequately supported during education
79% rated the support they received as 5 or less out of 10
72% said they were never asked what support they needed
Ask Me: Education is a new campaign created by the Winston’s Wish Youth Team, it will launch during Children’s Grief Awareness Week 2025. The campaign invites education settings and professionals to:
Sign the Ask Me Education Manifesto to commit to improving bereavement support.
Implement the bereavement plan to give each bereaved student a voice in how they would like to be supported.
Give bereaved students the space to be asked how they would like to be supported.
Nature is not a “blocker” to delivering new housing, but rather a necessity for building resilient towns and neighbourhoods, MPs argue in a new report.
In its report on ‘Environmental sustainability and housing growth’, Westminster’s cross-party Environmental Audit Committee challenges the “lazy narrative” that nature is a blocker or an inconvenience to delivering housing.
The Committee finds that the measures contained in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, passing through final stages in Parliament, are not enough to allow the Government to meet its targets on both the environment and housing.
MPs also find that without further action, severe skills shortages in ecology, planning and construction will make it impossible for the Government to deliver on its housebuilding ambitions.
A full summary of the Committee’s conclusions and recommendations is included below.
Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee Toby Perkins MP said: “The Government’s target to build 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament is incredibly ambitious.
“Achieving it alongside our existing targets on climate and sustainability – which are set in law – will require effort on a scale not seen before.
“That certainly will not be achieved by scapegoating nature, claiming that it is a “blocker” to housing delivery. We are clear in our report: a healthy environment is essential to building resilient towns and cities. It must not be sidelined.
“There are certainly issues standing in the way of meeting both our housebuilding and environmental targets.
“For instance, the skills we need in construction, planning and ecology simply do not exist at the scale we need right now. The Government has made welcome investments in construction skills, but it may not be enough, and staff at local authorities and regulators are already stretched to their limit.
“We also need much better incentives for people to construct and live in carbon-friendly homes, or to retrofit existing ones. That’s why this report suggests innovative approaches to boost manufacturing viability of climate friendly construction products and alter the tax burden in favour of climate friendly homes.
“It is possible to build the homes we need while protecting a resilient and healthy environment and allowing nature to thrive. Some major changes might be needed, but nature is not the enemy.”
Nature must not be a “scapegoat” for housebuilding issues
While the Committee acknowledges and welcomes the Government’s amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill (PIB) it says these changes are not enough on their own to ensure the Government can meet its environmental targets alongside housing targets.
“The Government must not veer down the path of viewing nature as an inconvenience or blocker to housebuilding,” the Committee says. “At worst, this approach could lead to the degradation of the natural world, preventing the achievement of legally binding climate and nature targets, upon which our society and economy depend.”
Skills shortages put targets in question
The Committee finds that local planning authorities are severely under-resourced in ecological skills. It heard evidence that staff at Natural England are “stretched to their limits”, that the skills needed to deliver the ecological aspects of planning reforms “simply do not exist at the scale, quality or capacity that is needed”.
The Committee recommends the Government establish a pilot programme for local ecological resource hubs, available to local authorities facing acute resources challenges, by July 2026.
It also recommends that the Government set out a realistic analysis of the construction workforce required to deliver housing targets and the skills that will be needed, and to clearly lay out how Natural England will operate amid staffing cuts and the additional responsibilities that will apply when the Planning and Infrastructure Bill is enacted.
Planning rule changes prioritise growth over the environment
Throughout its inquiry, the Committee heard repeated concerns that the Government’s changes to the presumption in favour of sustainable development, made in the 2024 review of the National Planning Policy Framework, would lead to the environment being “sidelined”.
The Committee finds that the present form of the presumption could result in unsustainable and speculative development. The Committee recommends that the Government amend the current definition of the presumption, to give greater weight to sustainability. It should also strengthen safeguards against environmentally unsustainable, unplanned and speculative development.
More incentives for greener homes
The Committee concludes that the Government must accelerate policies to decrease the carbon emissions of the built environment. MPs recommend the Government should consider steps it could take to incentivise homeowners, housebuilders, landlords and tenants to favour homes with lower levels of embodied carbon.
The Committee also recommends the Government review tax policies such as Council Tax and Stamp Duty to consider the merit of offering lower bands of taxation for homes with lower levels of embodied carbon.
Biodiversity net gain needs more time to succeed
The Committee offers support for the government’s Biodiversity net gain policy. It says it is too early to assess the overall success of BNG but warns against introducing new wide-ranging exemptions to BNG. Whilst accepting minor alterations to the policy, MPs say the Government should not exempt all small sites to ensure that the effectiveness of the policy is maintained.
The Committee also recommends that the Government should:
Incentivise the use of sustainable building materials such as timber or hemp, e.g. by introducing eco-labelling to identify materials with lower embodied carbon and offer support to further expansion of manufacturers in these fields.
Consult on incentives to develop houses with lower full lifecycle carbon, such as a levy on new build properties containing higher levels of lifecycle carbon.
Prioritise retrofitting over demolition by reducing VAT on retrofit projects from 20% and confirm that a property brought back into use would count towards housebuilding targets.
