*** TONIGHT ***
WEDNESDAY 19th NOVEMBER 6 – 7.30pm
It’s Book Week Scotland and we are all about friendship here at Granton Library (it’s the theme…but also we are very friendly!)
Come and join in our illustration workshop tomorrow if you feel inspired by the theme of friendship (Why not bring a friend…?)
A man has been charged in connection with the distribution of illegal fireworks in Edinburgh.
Prior to Bonfire Night 2025, Edinburgh Division CID conducted local inquiries into individuals linked with possessing and selling fireworks, which intelligence suggested were intended for use in disorder offences.
Over 1200 kilos of illegal fireworks were subsequently seized during this time, including one tonne recovered in Rosyth on 27 October.
Further investigation was carried out jointly with Merseyside Police and yesterday (Tuesday, 18 November) a 28-year-old man was arrested by officers from both Police Scotland and Merseyside Police and was charged with Conspiracy (aid, abet and incite disorder).
Detective Inspector Stevie Dick from Edinburgh CID said: “This arrest is testament to the outstanding collaboration between Police Scotland and Merseyside Police and our joint commitment to removing illicit and harmful items, such as illegal fireworks, from our communities.
“A number of lines of inquiry remain ongoing into offences identified prior to, and during the Bonfire Night period and we will utilise all resources at our disposal, working alongside key partners, to bring offenders to justice.”
Liverpool Local Policing Sergeant Ken Blundell from Merseyside Police said: “It is pleasing to see this investigation progressing, and as always it a pleasure to work alongside our colleagues in Police Scotland.
“When police forces work in partnership, we stand stronger to remove obstacles reduce risks to our communities.”
A record 15 million people experienced a problem with their latest parcel delivery, new research by Citizens Advice has revealed.
From chasing missing parcels, battling arduous complaints systems to even having accessibility requests ignored, Citizens Advice found that more than a third of people (37%) faced issues with their most recent delivery. The research, carried out in a snapshot one month period, reveals the rate of parcel problems remains at the highest levels seen in half a decade.
Now in its fifth year, the parcel league table shows Royal Mail scored the highest this year with an overall score of 3.25 out of 5 stars, while Yodel slip to the bottom with just 2 out of 5 stars – not making any improvement since last year.
The charity’s league table looks at the top five delivery companies by parcel volume and measures their performance against criteria including customer service, delivery problems and how well they meet accessibility needs, such as people needing louder knocking or longer to answer the door.
Stuck in a rut of poor performance
While Citizens Advice’s research shows there have been marginal shifts in scores over the last five years, the overall picture is one of consumers being persistently failed by parcel companies.
The charity found:
The overall scores
| Rank | Company | Delivery | Accessibility | Customer service | Trust | Overall scores | Score change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Mail | 3.2 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 4 | 3.25 out of 5 | |
| 2 | Amazon Logistics | 3.2 | 1.8 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3 out of 5 | |
| 3 = | DPD | 2.4 | 2 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 2.25 out of 5 | |
| 3 = | Evri | 2.4 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 2 | 2.25 out of 5 | |
| 5 | Yodel | 2.4 | 1.4 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 2 out of 5 |
“I’ve had some leave parcels in the recycling bins on recycling day” – Mike’s story
Mike, in his 70s, has muscular dystrophy and uses two walking sticks, making it difficult to move quickly or bend down. He consistently asks parcel companies not to bring deliveries to his front door as he is unable to get there in time. Instead, he asks them to deliver parcels to his back door, which is closer to his home office and easier for him to get to.
But despite repeatedly telling retailers and parcel companies about his accessibility needs, firms still ignore his requests. As a result, parcels are often misdelivered, left exposed to the weather, not put in a designated safe space or with neighbours, or delivered to entirely wrong addresses.
“The biggest problem is just getting companies to deliver according to my instructions,” Mike says.
“If nobody is in, delivery drivers are supposed to leave my parcels in a designated safe space. I chose that spot because it’s dry, out of the way, and I don’t have to bend down to pick anything up. But parcels rarely get left there. Instead, they just leave them outside, whether it’s raining, dry or otherwise. I’ve had some leave parcels in the recycling bins on recycling day.
“It makes you awfully frustrated, and it makes you really fed up, to the point that I’m beginning to stop buying from retailers that use certain delivery companies.
“I actually had one delivery agent chuck a parcel over the back gate onto the concrete floor, who said he’d handed it to the resident. I had the video showing him throwing it over the back gate then taking a picture saying he’d delivered it.”
Passing the parcel of responsibility
Ofcom introduced guidance on complaints and accessibility in 2023, but Citizens Advice says its research and Ofcom’s own findings show many parcel firms are still ignoring the rules. This isn’t a guidance problem – it’s a compliance one, and the charity is calling on Ofcom to monitor performance and fine the worst offenders.
Five years of league table analysis also shows repeated failures across the sector. Royal Mail, subject to stricter regulation, consistently performs well overall in the league table but the company offers consumers access to an independent dispute scheme (ADR) unlike other parcel providers. Citizens Advice says all consumers should have the same right to redress, no matter who delivers their parcel.
Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said: “Ofcom has passed the parcel of responsibility for long enough.
“We’ve been doing the work of the regulator for five years now by holding parcel companies to account and speaking up for consumers who are bearing the brunt of persistently poor service.
“Our league table has tracked parcel problems from warehouse to doorstep. We continue to see millions of people chasing lost parcels, having their accessibility needs ignored and hitting a brick wall when they try to complain.
“The question now is whether the regulator will take tougher action to improve the parcel market once and for all.”
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre SCIO’s AGM will be held on Monday 1st December at 6pm. All are welcome.
We are looking for new trustees especially if you are:
*Sizzling with social media
*A finance wizard
*Great with admin.
If you are passionate about your community we need you!
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has published the 2026 bathing water classifications, showing the national picture across Scotland’s coasts and inland waters. The majority of designated bathing waters continue to meet high environmental standards, with 47 rated Excellent and 26 rated Good for the year ahead.
A further 13 bathing waters are classified as Sufficient, and three coastal locations remain Poor. In total, 82% bathing waters achieve Good or Excellent, and 97% meet required standards, reflecting the progress delivered through regulation, investment and sustained partnership working since classifications were first introduced in 2015.
As Scotland’s environmental regulator, SEPA monitor water quality across all 89 designated bathing waters during the summer months from 15 May to 15 September, working with Scottish Water, local authorities, land managers and communities to identify issues and support action. Classifications are based on a four-year rolling dataset, meaning both long-term improvements and isolated high results can influence year-to-year changes.
These results reflect that pattern. Several bathing waters have improved their classification and consistently strong results across the dataset reflect on the ground improvements. Others have moved down a category where one or more elevated results affected the four-year picture. Where necessary, SEPA will continue to focus improvement work at these locations to support recovery and long-term resilience.
For the 2026 season, Kinghorn Harbour and Lower Largo in Fife and Fisherrow Sands in East Lothian remain classified as Poor. Each location is supported by a tailored improvement plan which can involve SEPA, Scottish Water, local authorities and land managers as appropriate.
This work can include targeted investigations into pressures on local drainage and wastewater networks, action to tackle diffuse pollution, misconnection tracing and enhanced monitoring at key points in the catchment. SEPA will provide updates on progress at these sites ahead of the 2026 bathing season.
Dr Ruth Stidson, Principal Scientist for Bathing Waters at SEPA, said: “Scotland’s bathing waters continue to perform well overall, with most achieving Good or Excellent status for the year ahead. The progress made over the past decade reflects significant investment and strong partnership working across the country.
“As we look to the future, our priority is driving improvement at the most impacted locations and building resilience across the wider water environment.
“With changing weather patterns and increasing pressures on drainage and wastewater systems, ongoing regulation is essential – alongside collaboration with Scottish Water, local authorities, land managers and communities.
“We are committed to reducing pollution at source, protecting public health, and providing clear, accessible information for everyone who enjoys Scotland’s waters.”
Specsavers, the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner of the Scottish FA, brought Scotland icon Rose Reilly and current star Lee Gibson together to reflect on how far the women’s game has come.
Approaching the anniversary of the first Scotland-England women’s international football match, Rose and Lee compared their careers and explored how modern ways have changed the experiences of women and girls involved in football.
Scotland and England faced off for the first time in the women’s game at Ravenscraig Stadium in Greenock, back in November 1972.
Exactly 53 years on, much has changed since the Auld Enemy ran out 3-2 winners against the Scots, and no one is better placed to discuss it than Scottish trailblazer, Rose Reilly.
Rose Reilly, 70, played in the game and scored Scotland’s second as a fresh faced 17-year-old.
In pursuit of more opportunities to play the beautiful game, Reilly headed to Italy where she played most of her club career for the likes of AC Milan, Napoli and Bari whilst making 14 appearances for the Italian National team.
Nowadays, Glasgow City goalkeeper Lee Gibson is Scotland’s No 1 as the women’s game continues to grow in scale and popularity across the country.
The 34-year-old has seen the game progress in her near-20 years as a professional and she sat down to pick Rose Reilly’s brains on how far things have really come in over five decades.
Rose Reilly says: ‘Wearing a Scotland shirt for the first time, a wee bit homemade but it was a Scotland strip, getting piped out, that’s when your heart beats really fast.
‘We never took no for an answer and that was essential for the growth of the game in Scotland, but we’ve got here and I’m proud of the girls playing nowadays.
‘I’m just the spokesperson for the other ladies playing in that game and the whole league at the time. A lot of them aren’t with us anymore so great credit to the other women of Scotland.’
Rose adds: ‘The biggest change is that you’re professional footballers now. I had to change my country and go to Italy to become a professional footballer.
‘That was my dream, so I first went off to play for Stade de Reims in France and then AC Milan playing in the majestic San Siro.
‘It was massive for me, but I just closed my eyes and said, ‘Rose it’s only two goal posts and a ball just like back in Stewarton’.’
Rose Reilly flipped the script and asked Lee Gibson what it’s like to be a Scotland player in the modern age.
Lee says: ‘It’s a joy. I’ve been really fortunate to be involved now for quite a number of years.
‘It’s the biggest honour and it’s always something that, as soon as you get the phone call, you’re just delighted to come away, and I’ve been really fortunate to play with some of my close friends. We’ve almost grown up together.
‘It’s changed a lot even for me growing up, I was born in the 90s and you played mostly with boys because we didn’t have the same opportunities, but we do now.
‘It’s certainly changed days, you go to games and it’s Caroline Weir and Erin Cuthbert on the back of tops and it’s really special to see that.
‘Even in my era growing up, I didn’t expect to see things like that and see how the game has grown, and we want to continue to do that and be the best role models possible for young girls.’
Specsavers announced in 2024 that it was renewing its’ sponsorship deal, becoming the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner of the Scottish FA, marking 24 years of support and beyond for the partnership – one of the longest agreements of its kind in sport.
The deal sees the partnership not only helping with the training and development of referees but also supporting the growth of Scottish football in both the men’s and women’s game.
As the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner of the Scottish FA, Specsavers is here to change lives through better sight and hearing, by making expert care accessible and affordable for all.
Visit www.specsavers.co.uk or go in store to book an appointment with one of our hear care experts.
What if the day after Black Friday was all about culture, kindness and community? 
On 29 November, we’re joining Fair Saturday Scotland – a global movement celebrating creativity and social good.
Granton Castle Walled Garden will be open to visitors between 1-3 pm, with MycoBee Mushrooms CIC hosting Living Fungi: The Art & Science of Cultivating Mushrooms. Learn why mushrooms are so important for us and our planet.
Let’s celebrate creativity and community together! 
Find out what else is on as part of Fair Saturday: https://f.mtr.cool/tyjclrimkf
An international team of scientists, including a senior researcher at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, has uncovered new evidence of ancient wildfires that reshapes our understanding of Earth’s turbulent Early Triassic epoch, about 250 million years ago.
The findings, reported in Communications Earth & Environment, published by Nature Portfolio under the title Wildfire, ecosystem and climate interactions in the Early Triassic, challenge the long-standing belief in a global “charcoal gap”, a time interval with little or no evidence of fire following the world’s greatest mass extinction.
Traces in the dirt
For decades, the absence of charcoal in the geologic record led scientists to assume that wildfires had all but disappeared after the Permian–Triassic extinction, also known as the “Great Dying”. This was the most severe mass extinction in Earth’s history, resulting in the loss of up to 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrate species, primarily caused by massive volcanic eruptions.
This latest study sheds new light on this period, revealing microscopic chemical traces of charred vegetation preserved in sediments.
The team tested 30 sediment samples retrieved from Svalbard, the Norwegian Arctic archipelago better known today as home to the Global Seed Vault. Despite the harsh conditions, the island’s ancient rocks offered pristine material that had remained undisturbed for hundreds of millions of years.
Fire without charcoal
Instead of relying on visible pieces of charcoal, the team searched for molecular fingerprints of combustion known as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These compounds form during the incomplete burning of plant matter and can persist in sediments long after more visible evidence disappears.
Dr Clayton Magill (above) is Associate Professor of Biogeochemistry at the Lyell Centre at Heriot-Watt University and a senior author of the study. “A lot of folks have not found the normal evidence of fire such as charcoal, ash, burnt fossils so the consensus was that fire wasn’t happening,” he said.
“What our colleague Dr Franziska Blattmann’s work showed is that even without the big pieces of evidence, the microscopic signals are still there. You just need to know where to look.”
The analysis revealed widespread PAHs consistent with burning fresh plant matter rather than volcanic coal deposits or contamination. This strongly suggests that wildfires were, in fact, shaping ecosystems during the Early Triassic, even when the fossil charcoal record seemed to say otherwise.
Modelling fire in deep time
The project, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, combined sediment analysis with cutting-edge climate and vegetation modelling.
Using an open-source model by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) named the General Circulation Model (MITgcm), the team successfully reconstructed how shifting climates, ecosystems, and fire regimes interacted in the aftermath of the mass extinction.
“It’s very easy to say, ‘If A occurs, then B will happen,’ but that can be ambiguous,” Dr Magill said. “By using models, we can run our data through theory and test whether it holds up. It doesn’t just say, ‘trust me’ – it shows you the evidence.”
The use of open-source models was especially important, Dr Magill added: “That’s a powerful tool in a world where not everyone has equal access to scientific resources and funding. Open science allows everyone to compete at the highest level.”
The 10-strong team of sedimentologists, palynologists, palaeontologists, physicists and geochemists was led by Dr Franziska Blattmann at the Faculty of Geoscience and Environment at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.
She and her colleagues had worked on the groundbreaking research since 2018 and said: “This study came together through the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team of scientists, working together even amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The research highlights how longstanding scientific questions can be advanced and how unexpected discoveries can emerge when collaboration is open, creative and supportive.”
Beyond filling in a 250-million-year-old puzzle, the research carries urgent lessons for the present. The Early Triassic was a time of extreme climate swings, ecosystem recovery, and environmental stress, all themes with echoes in today’s warming world.
The countdown is on with the spectacular Beyond Monet and Beyond Van Gogh opening in Edinburgh next week.
The pair of unmissable immersive experiences will be staged on different days at the Royal Highland Centre from Saturday, 29 November 2025 to Friday, 2 January 2026. Tickets for both are being sold separately.
It can now be revealed that it will be even easier to enjoy the attraction with a special bus service delivering visitors right to the doorstep of the Ingliston venue each weekend throughout the five-week run.
And along with the 360-degree visual and audio experience in the 10,000sq ft main space, each experience will include the chance to linger in captivating new reflection room which extends the magical world of both artists.
Produced by Annerin Productions and Paquin Entertainment Group, Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience celebrates the groundbreaking work of the ‘Father of Impressionism’ in mesmerising and colourful fashion. Edinburgh is hosting the Scottish premiere of the tribute to the French visionary.
In the immersive impressionist extravaganza, cutting-edge technology breathes new life into more than 400 of the legendary French painter’s canvasses, taking visitors on a spectacular and unforgettable audio-visual journey through his captivating and colourful world.
Beyond Monet brings together some of the artist’s most famous paintings – including Poppies, Impression: Sunrise and his exquisite Water Lilies series – with lesser-known works which all swirl around the space, offering a fresh and exciting new look at much-loved masterpieces and a deeper connection with Monet, his subjects and his innovative technique.
Taking inspiration from Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris, the designated home of Monet’s works, visitors can freely roam the Infinity Room where they are transported inside the paintings themselves to the accompaniment of a moving original score.
Meanwhile, Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience brings together more than 300 of the post-Impressionist icon’s paintings blended with cutting-edge technology and a specially curated musical soundtrack to tell the story of one of history’s most influential artists, with people able to wander through iconic works – including The Starry Night, Sunflowers and Terrace of a Café at Night – as they came alive around them.
The visit is also enhanced by the addition of a new ‘reflection’ room. All art lovers will be able to enjoy walking through Waterlily Alley, an enchanting recreation of Monet’s gardens at Giverny, and a bloom-flanked Sunflower Alley paying tribute to Vincent Van Gogh.
Edinburgh visitors are only the second to experience the new space which received its world premiere in Liverpool this summer.
The residency at the Royal Highland Centre also includes two special Relaxed Sessions, designed with support from Scotland’s We Too! Inclusive events charity, to enable neurodivergent visitors to enjoy both experiences to the full.
The Beyond Monet Relaxed Session will be between 11am and 2pm on Tuesday, 16 December and the Beyond Van Gogh Relaxed Session on Wednesday, 17 December from 2.30-4.30pm.
This is Annerin Productions’ third visit to Scotland following Beyond Van Gogh at Glasgow’s SEC in 2024 – where it won critical acclaim and was seen by 50,000 visitors, and the same experience’s residency at the P&J Live in Aberdeen this summer.
It is the first time the entertainment company has staged anything in Edinburgh.
The Royal Highland Centre is Scotland’s biggest indoor and outdoor venue. Located at Ingliston to the west of Edinburgh city centre, it welcomes more than one million visitors a year and delivers some of the biggest events in Scotland.
It makes it the perfect location for Beyond Monet and Beyond Van Gogh.
The centre is also perfectly positioned with good transport links including the A8, the motorway network and Edinburgh Airport.
Meanwhile the special Lothian Service 98 shuttle will run on Saturdays and Sundays, departing from the Assembly Rooms in George Street, with stops at Shandwick Place and Haymarket and then following the same route as the number 31 bus.
The shuttle will operate every half an hour outbound from 9.15am to 4.45pm, and will make the return journey from 11.10am to 5.40pm. Full details of the exact route and fares are available from www.lothianbuses.com
Anna Parry, UK Business Development at Annerin Productions, said: “I’m really excited to present both these very special immersive experiences in Edinburgh this Christmas and I can’t wait to see the response from art lovers of all ages when they step into the worlds of Monet and Van Gogh later this month.
“Both experiences give visitors the opportunity to engage with these two iconic artists’ wonderful work in a completely different way, as well as learning more about the men who left us this incomparable legacy of visionary masterpieces.
“We’ve had tremendous support from the team at the Royal Highland Centre, and I’m also absolutely delighted that Lothian Buses are also putting on a special weekend shuttle service from the heart of the city centre to make it even easier for ticketholders to enjoy their day out.
“I know both experiences are going to look stunning in the venue’s exhibition space. So whether visitors choose to plunge into the worlds of Van Gogh or Monet, or immerse themselves in both, I can guarantee they will have a memorable time.”
Mark Currie, Director of Venue at Royal Highland Centre, said: “We are now less than two weeks away from opening this extraordinary immersive experience at the Royal Highland Centre, and there’s a real sense of excitement growing across Scotland.
“Showcasing the brilliance of Van Gogh alongside the Scottish premiere of Monet, this exhibition marks a major moment for the nation’s cultural landscape and a significant step forward in what the Royal Highland Centre can now offer.
“As Scotland’s largest indoor and outdoor events venue, we are evolving into a destination for world-class exhibitions – and this is just the beginning. Bringing Van Gogh’s iconic works to life on such a scale is a landmark for us, and we’re proud to offer visitors from Edinburgh and far beyond an experience that blends light, art and technology in a way not previously seen at the Centre.
“This exhibition represents the first of many ambitious cultural experiences we plan to host, and we cannot wait to welcome audiences into the vibrant, immersive world of Van Gogh.”
And Phionna McInnes, Chief Executive of We Too! which empowers families of children with disabilities in North East Scotland, added: “We’re delighted to be supporting Relaxed Van Gogh and Monet in Edinburgh as they demonstrate a clear commitment to making immersive arts experiences more accessible.
“It’s genuinely encouraging to see producers prioritising relaxed formats, particularly for neurodivergent audiences, and recognising the value of creating sensory-considerate environments.
“For us at We Too it’s validating to see this approach become part of national event planning, and we’re thrilled to play a part in helping more people enjoy these iconic exhibitions in ways that feel comfortable and inclusive.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Website – www.beyondvangogh.co.uk
Facebook – Beyond Van Gogh UK | Beyond Monet UK
Instagram – @beyondvangoghuk | @beyondmonetuk
TikTok – @beyondvangoghuk
LISTINGS INFORMATION
BEYOND MONET/ BEYOND VAN GOGH
VENUE: Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Newbridge, EH28 8NB.
DATE: Saturday 29 November – Friday 2 January 2026 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
TIME: Starting from 10am
PRICE: From £23.94 for adults (Concessions are available). VIP entrance from £41.47
Family Ticket and VIP Experience tickets available
Three and under go Free
(Booking fees not included). | Flexible entry ticket types available
Entry is by timed ticket. No change of date or time is permitted unless you have purchased flexible ticket add on. Please arrive 15 minutes before your entrance time.
VIP Experience includes flexibility to arrive at any point until 4pm on your selected date, fast track entry and choice of selected merchandise package.
Tickets can be booked via www.beyondvangogh.co.uk/edinburgh
Relaxed sessions can be booked via https://www.beyondvangogh.co.uk/book-tickets-pages/edinburgh?flow=oJ8GACn9
The city council has been awarded the David Kennedy Excellent People Award at the annual COSLA Awards.
This special award recognises the exceptional people who are at the heart of local government excellence. As a finalist nominated in one of the five overall categories, the Council were selected for their outstanding impact while rising to the challenges of day-to-day service delivery.
The Council’s Construction Skills pathways project was recognised for its work in building brighter futures for young people.
The project is focused on improving outcomes for learners by getting more school leavers into jobs within the construction industry. Not only does this improve attainment through relevant and engaging courses but responds to labour market needs.
The Construction Skills work is raising the attainment of Edinburgh school leavers, with the national benchmarks for school attainment improving across most measures. The number of National Progression Awards achieved by City of Edinburgh School Leavers has increased from 900 in 2023 to 1944 in 2025.
This is achieved through partnership working with Edinburgh College who have expanded their construction courses into school-based sites across Edinburgh, with delivery supported by Kier Construction and Balfour Beatty.
Courses focus on traditional skills, including a National 5 qualification in stonemasonry, matched to local skills shortages. Supported by funding from community benefits and in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland and Scottish Traditional Building Forum, these organisations work alongside teachers to deliver the course. In addition, a partnership with local firm, Compass Roofing, supports delivery of a National 5 roofing qualification.
Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener said: “This award is a fantastic acknowledgement of the innovative and proactive approach we as a Council are taking to improve outcomes for young people in Edinburgh.
“We want to narrow the gap between the most and least disadvantaged learners in Edinburgh, and our construction pathways work is one of the ways we are doing this.
“The attainment outcomes speak for themselves, with over double the number of National Progression Awards achieved by Edinburgh young people since 2023.
“This work is helping even more learners to see the relevance of their learning in relation to real-world career opportunities and supporting them to map out their journey beyond school.”
