Two males aged 17 and 18 have been arrested and charged in connection with assault to endangerment of life, breach of the peace and weapons offences following a disturbance in The Jewel area.
Around 4.20pm on Wednesday, 25 February, 2026, officers were called to a report of males with weapons causing a disturbance.
There were no reported injuries.
Chief Inspector Alison Macdonald said: “We are treating this as a targeted attack and extensive enquiries are continuing to trace others involved.
“This type of violence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Officers are committed to tackling crime and antisocial behaviour in the local community. Targeted patrols will continue to deter and detect any criminality.
“Anyone with any concerns should speak to local officers or contact us through 101.”
£1 million boost to deliver lasting legacy for Scotland
A social impact programme will be rolled out to help capture the “once in a generation” benefits of hosting the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ.
National governing body, Scottish Cycling, will work with local authorities and community organisations to deliver a range of projects, funded by £1 million from the Scottish Government.
They will aim to bring long lasting social benefits across communities by helping tackle inactivity, improving mental wellbeing and increasing participation.
Business Minister Richard Lochhead announced the funding during a visit to Rural and Urban Training Scheme in Penicuik, where young people are already experiencing the positive impact of cycling initiatives.
Mr Lochhead said: “Hosting the opening stage of the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ is a once in a generation opportunity. It is the biggest free spectator event in the world and will showcase our country to a global audience.
“But it is about more than just a race. This £1 million investment will ensure communities feel the benefits across Scotland, supporting people to become more active, improving wellbeing and helping local areas to thrive long after the race has left.
“The Tour de France is just one of three upcoming major sporting events – along with this summer’s Commonwealth Games and the UEFA EURO 2028 football championships – that will underline Scotland’s status as a global sporting venue.”
Chief Executive of Scottish Cycling Nick Rennie said: “Today is a huge milestone on the journey towards the 2027 Tour de France Grand Depart and underlines the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensuring this is more than just a bike race, but something that positively impacts the people of Scotland.
“We’re very proud the Scottish Government sees us as a trusted delivery partner and will be doing everything we can to get people from all walks of life on their bikes.”
Champion junior cyclist Daisy Wilkinson, who is on the GB Olympic pathway, said: “It’s amazing to be involved today and to see so many young people enjoying cycling.
“I’ve no doubt the Tour de France will inspire many more people to get on a bike too. I’m already so excited for the Tour de France Grand Depart next summer and will be out on the road cheering on riders.”
The Grand Départ will begin in Edinburgh on 2 July 2027 before travelling through Midlothian, the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway, finishing in Carlisle.
The Holyrood elections are fast approaching. Here’s why all candidates must make tackling rising pensioner poverty a priority.
In Lothian, 22% of older people told us they have skipped a meal, and 65% told us they are cutting back on heating and utilities. Across the region, around 13% of people over State Pension age survive on a very low income of under £15,000. None of us deserve to live our later life like this.
Many older people in Lothian also tell us they are feeling unheard, with 64% revealing that they don’t feel represented by the Scottish Government.
Without action, the number of older people in poverty across Scotland could rise by 20,000 by the end of the next Scottish Parliament. At Independent Age, we’re calling on all candidates to commit to a national pensioner poverty strategy in their 2026 Scottish Election Manifesto.
Not only is it the right thing to do, but it’s backed by the older public, with 83% of all older people in Lothian supporting the Scottish Government in doing this. We also want to see the next Scottish Government help older people feel listened to and represented, by creating an Older People’s Commissioner.
Together, we can make Scotland the best place in the world to grow old.
Debbie Horne,
Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age
Funding to strengthen emergency response and tackle health inequalities
At least a thousand additional defibrillators and targeted support will be rolled out to improve cardiac arrest survival rates in communities with the poorest outcomes.
First Minister John Swinney announced a £2.5 million investment to improve community capacity to respond to cardiac arrests through the purchase of 1,000 – 1,250additional defibrillators over three years.
The funding will also support:
new Cardiac Arrest Rescue (CARe) Zones to strengthen the community response to cardiac arrests, such as increased CPR training in schools. Areas facing the greatest inequalities will be prioritised.
creation of first responder networks that can respond to emergencies quickly in remote areas
promotion and increased uptake of the GoodSAM app, supported by the Scottish Ambulance Service, which alerts registered users to nearby cardiac arrests so they can provide first response.
Around 3,700 people experience a cardiac arrest outside hospital every year and defibrillators can help restart the heart before emergency services arrive. The additional defibrillators will be placed in areas where data shows they are most needed.
The First Minister met Scottish Ambulance Service staff and cardiac arrest survivor John Sinclair, who received CPR from a responder using the GoodSAM app.
Mr Swinney said: “Surviving a cardiac arrest often depends on what happens in the minutes before an ambulance arrives.
“That is why we are investing £2.5 million to deliver more defibrillators into communities, strengthen local response networks and ensure more people have the skills and confidence to act.
“Survival rates following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest have increased since 2015 thanks to the work of Save a Life partners in training more than one million people in CPR skills and improving defibrillation rates. We can and must, however, do more – and this investment will deliver targeted support in the areas that need it most.
“We will work towards ensuring there is a defibrillator within reach of every incident, using evidence to identify the best locations and modes of delivery. We are determined to build a Scotland where everyone, regardless of where they live, has the best possible chance of surviving a cardiac arrest and can live healthier, longer lives.”
Chair of Save a Life for Scotland Dr Gareth Clegg said: “This £2.5 million investment is a transformative step for communities across Scotland.
“By expanding access to defibrillators in the places they are most needed, we are giving many more people the chance to survive cardiac arrest and return home to their families.
“This funding will allow the University of Edinburgh to work in close partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service, councils, emergency services, schools and third-sector organisations to ensure defibrillators are not only more numerous, but more equitably and strategically deployed in communities that are ready to use them.”
We want to ensure that everyone has the best possible chance of surviving a cardiac arrest.
Our £2.5 million investment will:
• deliver more defibrillators into communities • strengthen local response networks and • ensure more people have the skills and confidence to act pic.twitter.com/oaje6gS4Sn
A number of iconic film adaptations based on the work of children’s author Roald Dahl are returning to the big screen at Vue Edinburgh, offering families the perfect chance to relive their favourite stories the way they were meant to be seen.
Marking its 30th anniversary this year, James & The Giant Peach kickstarts the seasonfrom 28 February. From the director behind classics such as The Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline, this stylishly silly story follows an orphan who, tired of living with his two cruel aunts, befriends a group of anthropomorphic bugs who live inside a giant peach and embarks on a marvellous adventure to the city of New York.
Also marking 30 years since it first began entertaining families, Matilda is heading back to the big screen to cause more mischief and mayhem from 28 March. The film follows a gifted young girl forced to put up with her difficult home and school life, including crude parents and her evil principal, Mrs Trunchbull. But when Matilda discovers she has the power of telekinesis, she begins to fight back against the wicked adults around her, freeing her friends from their grown-up grievances.
Another beloved adaptation returning to the big screen is the iconic Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, featuring Gene Wilder as the titular chocolatier, who invites five children into his mysterious, mad factory of sweet delights. The classic will be returning from 7 March.
Other firm favourites joining the Roald Dahl season at Vue include the stop motion creature crime caper Fantastic Mr Fox, Angelica Huston’s unforgettable performance in the 1990 version of The Witches, and director Steven Spielberg’s heartwarming adaptation of The BFG.
General Manager at Vue in Edinburgh, said: “Author Roald Dahl is behind some of the most recognisable and beloved children’s tales, many of which have inspired incredible big screen adaptations.
“To coincide with the 30th anniversary of two of these iconic films, we’re hugely excited to bring the very best of Dahl’s work back to the big screen for families and first-time viewers to enjoy.”
Now film lovers in Edinburgh can enjoy Vue’s biggest and comfiest seats, Ultra Lux. Strategically positioned to give the best possible view of the big screen, Ultra Lux seating also features an extra-wide armrest, personal table for snacks and beverages and a state-of-the-art wine cooler – the most luxurious way to immerse in a great story.
The Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee has published the findings of its inquiry on options for a legal mechanism for triggering any independence referendum.
The Scottish and UK Governments should negotiate a “clear pathway” allowing Scotland to exercise its democratic right to determine its constitutional future as a matter of urgency, according to a majority of the Constitution Committee.
In a new report, a majority of the Committee’s MSPs (*) found that it is problematic that no established mechanism exists to ensure that, in appropriate circumstances, the wishes of the people of Scotland can be expressed.
This represents a democratic “disjuncture” where the “democratic mechanism may not work”, and as the Committee heard during evidence from Professor Alan Renwick of University College London, “it is the UK electorate that chooses those with the power to trigger a referendum, whereas the electorate whose wishes are to be respected is that of Scotland.”
The majority of the Committee’s view was that this creates a “democratic anomaly”.
The report follows the Committee’s inquiry into options for a legal mechanism for triggering any independence referendum.
Over several weeks, it gathered evidence from academics, lawyers and political science experts as it explored how any future vote could be legally brought.
The report’s conclusions, agreed by a majority of the Committee, set out a number of statutory and non-statutory options that should be considered as part of negotiations between the Scottish and UK Governments.
Clare Adamson, Committee Convener, said: “The majority of the Committee recommends, that steps should be taken to address this democratic anomaly.
“This should include the agreement, regardless of the UK’s political priorities, of a trigger mechanism which would allow the people of Scotland to exercise their democratic right to determine Scotland’s constitutional future if they so wish.”
(*) The report’s conclusions were agreed by Keith Brown MSP, Patrick Harvie MSP, George Adam MSP and Clare Adamson MSP.
Neil Bibby MSP, Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP and Stephen Kerr MSP did not agree to the report’s conclusions.
ENDING THE NEED FOR FOOD BANKS: TRUSSELL ELECTION MANIFESTO
We are calling on the next Govt to ensure holistic, tailored advice is better funded & more accessible & for public debt collection to be reformed to stop households being trapped in poverty.
You can read more in our Trussell Holyrood manifesto here:
The Scottish Bangladeshi Welfare Association (SBWA) recently organised a meaningful and well attended community event to honour the spirit of International Mother Language Day on 21 February, an occasion of profound historical and cultural significance for Bangladeshis around the world.
Held at Bonnyrigg Guide Hall, the programme brought together community members of all ages in a thoughtful celebration that highlighted the importance of language, heritage, and collective wellbeing. The initiative was warmly received and widely praised as a timely and impactful effort to preserve cultural identity while promoting education and health awareness within the diaspora community.
A central focus of the event was educating young people about the Bangla language and the historic legacy of Ekushey February. Attendees commended the organisers for prioritising youth engagement, recognising that such initiatives are vital for expanding knowledge, strengthening cultural awareness, and fostering intellectual growth among future generations.
Many participants expressed appreciation for the careful planning and meaningful content of the programme, noting its importance in preserving heritage abroad.
The educational session was primarily led by Dr Amina, whose dedication and efforts were warmly acknowledged by attendees. Her contribution was described as insightful and inspiring, helping to reinforce the cultural and historical significance of International Mother Language Day.
A key highlight of the programme was an interactive mental health session delivered by Dr Fahad. Addressing members of the Bangladeshi community in clear, simple, and accessible language, he encouraged open dialogue around mental health, an issue often overlooked in community settings.
Participants praised the session as a positive and responsible step towards raising awareness, fostering empathy, and promoting a supportive environment for discussing emotional wellbeing.
The event was honoured by the presence of Member of the Scottish Parliament Foysol Choudhury MBE MSP as Special Guest.
He commended the Scottish Bangladeshi Welfare Association for organising a meaningful and timely initiative, highlighting the vital role of community led programmes in preserving cultural heritage while also promoting health awareness and overall wellbeing.
He noted that such initiatives strengthen community cohesion and provide valuable support for future generations.
The Honorary Consul of Bangladesh in Scotland, Dr Wali Tasar Uddin MBE DBA D.Litt, also attended as Special Guest and remarked that the event successfully spread knowledge and awareness among community members, particularly the younger generation. He emphasised the importance of preserving linguistic heritage while fostering unity and wellbeing within the community.
SBWA President Ziauddin (Sumon) reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to delivering programmes that genuinely benefit the community and expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved. General Secretary Khan Elahi and Event Secretary Nazim likewise extended their thanks to all participants, volunteers, and supporters whose collective efforts made the event a success.
Overall, the programme was widely regarded as an inspiring and impactful gathering, beautifully combining cultural remembrance, education, and community wellbeing, and truly reflecting the spirit of International Mother Language Day.
Edinburgh Tradfest is delighted to announce that Dick Gaughan will appear in conversation with Dr Lori Watson to talk about his life, career and love for Scotland’s big ballads on Sunday 10 May, as part of this year’s Edinburgh Tradfest (1 to 11 May 2026).
Gaughan is a singer of rare quality, a peerless guitar stylist, a charismatic performer and champion of social justice. This legendary musician has also been a huge influence on many of today’s best known folk musicians.
A proud Leither, Dick Gaughan was born in Glasgow in 1948. He moved to Leith at just 18 months old, and began playing in the folk clubs of Edinburgh in the late 60s. In 1970 he turned professional and made his first solo album in 1971. His career saw him recording albums for himself and others, composing music for films and working as an actor and theatre music director.
In the early 80s he worked with 7:84 (Scotland) Theatre Company and released his LP Handful of Earth, widely regarded as a classic and quoted by many artists as a seminal influence on their own work.
Dick’s own songs have been recorded by, among others, Billy Bragg, Mary Black and Capercaille, and he was an early member of Boys of the Lough and Five Hand Reel. In the 1990s he founded Clan Alba, a supergroup also featuring Mary Macmaster, Brian MacNeill, Fred Morrison, Patsy Seddon, Davy Steele, Mike Travis and Dave Tulloch.
More recently, thanks to a campaign by fans and industry professionals, a Kickstarter campaign raised funds to support the release of a 7CD + DVD boxed set R/evolution: 1969-83 in 2025, with more releases planned.
Dick Gaughan: Muckle Sangs is this year’s Rebellious Truth talk presented in partnership with Celtic and Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh. It will also include a special music set by University of Edinburgh Traditional Artist in Residence, in Celtic and Scottish Studies Fraser Fifield.
Dr Lori Watson, Celtic & Scottish Studies, University of Edinburgh said: “Talking of the muckle sangs, Dick Gaughan’s traditional ballads such as Glenlogie or Floo’er o Northumberland are a masterclass in Scots song interpretation.
“There is a deep understanding of the lives, experiences and relationships in the songs as well as the demands of the ballad form. Dick Gaughan is one of the finest, fiercest, and most compassionate storytellers in song that Scotland has seen.”
The event will be presented in person and livestreamed.
Dick Gaughan: Muckle Sangs is just one event in this year’s packed 11 day Edinburgh Tradfest programme, presenting the very best traditional music from Scotland and around the world. Other headliners include: RURA, Kim Carnie, Session A9, and The Furrow Collective.
Edinburgh Tradfest 2026 will run from Friday 1 May – Monday 11 May. Full programme including folk film and storytelling will be announced on Tuesday 17 March 2026 thanks to support from the National Lottery through Creative Scotland and the William Grant Foundation.
£126 million of support confirmed for family members such as grandparents, aunts and uncles who care for relatives’ children in new pilot scheme
Thousands of children living in kinship care are set to benefit from earlier, more consistent support as the government today announces seven new Kinship Zones across England.
Kinship carers are adults who step in to provide a loving and supportive home to children in their family whose parents are unable to care for them full-time for a wide range of reasons. They are often grandparents, aunts, uncles or family friends.
These children have often experienced trauma and might otherwise end up in the care system, where outcomes in areas like education and health are significantly worse.
Currently, kinship carers do not receive consistent financial support, unlike foster carers and adoptive families. This is despite the fact that kinship care is shown to lead to better outcomes the residential care homes, with a 2021 report by University College London showing lower rates of long term illness and higher rates of employment for adults with a history of kinship care compared to those that grew up in foster or residential care
The government is now trialling a financial allowance to eligible kinship carers, backed by £126 million to reach around 5,000 children, recognising the vital role carers play in the lives of their vulnerable children.
This starts with a pilot in the seven local authority area Kinship Zones announced today, with kinship carers to be provided with funding per child, equivalent to what foster carers receive.
Minister for Children and Families, Josh MacAlister, said: “As a country we owe kinship carers our thanks and our support, and the new financial allowance which we’re trialling as part of our plan for change recognises the vital role they play ensuring families can stay together.
“We promised to introduce this scheme to support kinship carers who step up for the children they love and give every child the best possible start in life.
“These Kinship Zones will lead the way in showing the impact for children when we unlock the power of grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives who could care for their kin in the place of the care system.”
Dr Jo Casebourne, Chief Executive of Foundations, said: Kinship carers play a vital role in helping to ensure that children can stay safely looked after in their family networks.
“That’s why we’re pleased to undertake the evaluation of the kinship financial allowances pilot announced today, to help to build the evidence base and shape future support for kinship carers and the children they care for.”
Jahnine Davies, National Kinship Care Ambassador, said : “The launch of the Kinship Zones pilot marks an important milestone for kinship carers and the children they care for. For the first time, we have a government‑led initiative that will not only examine how best to provide financial support for kinship families but will also encourage local authorities to look holistically at the support they offer and adopt a genuine ‘think family’ approach.
“Alongside this, my report, also published today, sets out key learning in this area, and I hope it will be a valuable resource for all local authorities as they review and strengthen their approach to kinship care.
“I look forward to working with the Kinship Zones and celebrating the launch of this vital pilot.”
Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said : “Kinship carers provide stability and love during moments of significant upheaval in a child’s life – their value often goes under-acknowledged, but the commitment they offer can be transformative.
“The overwhelming majority of children in kinship care who I have spoken to as Children’s Commissioner tell me they feel loved and cared for, a true testament to the unique bonds formed during kinship care.
“I have called for kinship carers to be given a financial allowance that supports the transition into these new living arrangements – so I am grateful to the government for listening and taking this important first step.”
Cathy Ashley OBE, Chief Executive of Family Rights Group said: “All children should be raised safely in their family wherever possible. Kinship carers step in, often at a moment’s notice, to make that happen.
“They often save the state thousands in care costs but many face real financial hardship in doing so. The pilot is taking a groundbreaking step which will make a difference to 4,500 children and their families in seven areas.
“In the meantime, as all local authorities develop their kinship local offer, this is a critical moment for national and local government to go further to build a fair, effective support system for all kinship families.”
James Bury, Head of Policy, Research and Development at CoramBAAF, said: “This is an encouraging and positive important announcement for kinship carers and CoramBAAF welcomes the launch of the financial allowances pilot.
“This important initiative will provide much needed financial support to kinship families in seven local authorities.
“Through our work supporting practice and hearing directly from families, we know the challenges that kinship carers can face, as well as the challenges facing local authorities in providing consistent and fair financial support.
“We look forward to seeing the impact of the pilots and look forward to this potentially leading to a wider roll-out to enable families across the country to benefit.”
Lucy Peake, Chief Executive of Kinship said: “Today’s announcement is an important first step towards ensuring kinship families have the financial support they need to provide children with stable, loving homes.
“A guaranteed allowance equal to the foster care allowance will be life‑changing for kinship carers in the local authority areas where this is being piloted, many of whom struggle to afford the basics for the children they have unexpectedly stepped in to raise.
“Following years of campaigning alongside kinship carers, we’re pleased the government has recognised the current system is inequitable and is putting a huge strain on kinship families, pushing many into poverty. Providing financial support to kinship families and investing in family networks will help children stay safely with those who love them, and reduce the need for more costly options in the care system.
“Kinship carers hold our care system together, and they deserve the right support to continue doing so.”
This ambitious pilot programme – the largest government investment in kinship care of its kind to date – will support around 5,000 kinship children, backed by over £126 million of new funding confirmed for the first two years with further funding to be confirmed in the next Spending Review period.
The pilot will run for up to three and a half years, with further expansion to be confirmed after evaluation.
The seven confirmed Kinship Zone local authorities are:
Bexley (Greater London)
Bolton (North West)
Newcastle (North East)
North East Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Medway (South East)
Thurrock (East of England)
Wiltshire (South West)
Each Kinship Zone will receive a package of funding and support, enabling local authorities to tailor delivery to local needs. Money saved by local authorities thanks to central government pilot funding will be redirected to other support schemes for family networks.
The seven local authority areas were chosen following a selection process last June. Together, they offer a useful mix of geography, demographics, and service models. This was intentional: the pilot is designed to test what works at scale in varied local contexts, so robust learning can be generated for future decisions.
Some councils offer support to kinship carers, but it can vary greatly. The Kinship Zones programme will enable the DfE and participating councils to work out how best to deliver financial support to kinship carers across the country and how it should be delivered in future.
The ultimate goal is to support more children to grow up within their family networks, avoiding care. The children’s care organisation Foundations, working in partnership with consultancy Alma Economics, will track outcomes for carers and children throughout the pilot to inform future decisions.
The Department for Education will publish findings from the programme to ensure transparency about what works and how support can be strengthened nationwide.
The Kinship Zones programme marks a significant step forward in ensuring they receive the right help at the right time, while building a strong evidence base to shape future national policy.
