Month: March 2026

Doors reopening to historic sites across Edinburgh and the Lothians for the summer season

Iconic heritage attractions prepare to welcome visitors once again 

Cairnpapple Hill, Seton Collegiate Church, Torphichen Preceptory and Trinity House will reopen to visitors from Wednesday 1 April, as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) kicks off the start of its spring/summer season. 

Cairnpapple Hill is one of Scotland’s best-known prehistoric sites, with evidence of human activity on the hill dating back over 5,500 years. The site will be open from 10am to 4.30pm  until Wednesday 30 September. 

Seton Collegiate Church was a private place of worship in the 15th and 16th centuries for the local landowning Seaton family and was raided by English forces during Henry VIII’s wars of Rough Wooing against the Scots. 

The site will be open from 10am to 4.30pm until Wednesday 30 September. 

Founded in the 12th century, Torphichen Preceptory was the Scottish headquarters for Knights Hospitaller. In 1298, it was occupied by William Wallace during the Wars of Independence, which forced the order to withdraw from Scotland for a short period. The site will be open from 1pm to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday 4 April until Sunday 27 September. 

Trinity House is an elegant Georgian building and was once the headquarters of the Incorporation of Mariners and Shipmasters. It is home to a collection of maritime treasures, including a Sir Henry Raeburn masterpiece painting of Admiral Adam Duncan. The site will be open for guided tours every Friday at 11am and 1pm from Friday 3 April. 

Visitors will also benefit from increased access at Hailes Castle following the completion of essential conservation work, including being able to explore its Great Hall. Hailes is one of Scotland’s oldest stone castles, dating from the early 1200s. 

Roger Curtis, Interim Director of Operations at HES, said: “It’s always exciting to welcome visitors to our wonderful historic sites over the spring and summer months. Whether revisiting a favourite spot or experiencing a new place for the first time, warmer weather offers a fantastic opportunity to get outside and explore Scotland’s historic environment. 

“With many of our sites set within some of Scotland’s most stunning landscapes, our properties offer incredibly beautiful nature experiences too. From dramatic viewpoints to peaceful grounds, there is something for everyone to enjoy.” 

Visitors can find out more about sites reopening in their area and plan their visit at historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place. Please check the website for the latest information before travelling.

Entry to sites and daytime events is free for Historic Scotland members. Members can also collect History Hunt Cards, a series of seven cards looking at the various types of sites including fortresses, settlements, and towers, when they visit staffed sites. A full set can be exchanged for a pin badge only available through the Hunt.

For further information or to become a member visit: alittlehistory.scot. 

Scottish Bakers announces shortlist for the 2026 Scottish Baker of the Year Awards 

Scottish Bakers has unveiled the shortlist for the 2026 Scottish Baker of the Year Awards, with bakeries from across the country competing for the industry’s most prestigious title.

This year, eight Edinburgh bakeries have been shortlisted. The shortlisted bakeries from Edinburgh include Babyfaced Baker, Company Bakery, Linzer Bakery, Mademoiselle Macaron, Mimi’s Bakehouse, Saltire Pattisserie, Selkie Bakery and WALKERS BONBON 1 LIMITED. 

The competition has already attracted national attention following its launch earlier this year, when bakers took on the challenge of creating the world’s largest empire biscuit. Highland bakery Harry Gow set the unofficial world record with an impressive 78-inch creation. 

The competition has now reached the judging stage, with 500 products from over 60 bakeries across Scotland arriving at Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline for the official judging day. 

More than 50 industry experts and media personalities came together to assess entries across 11 categories: Biscuits, Bread, Sweet Treats, Scone, Morning Roll, Morning Goods, Doughnuts, Celebration Cakes, Better For You/Free From, Multiple Retailer Product and Innovation. 

To compete for the overall title of Scottish Baker of the Year, bakeries must also enter The Baker’s Den, the business focused stage of the awards. From this, judges will choose one winner of Scottish Baker Local Hero of the Year and one winner of Scottish Baker Icon of the Year, before selecting the overall Scottish Baker of the Year from those two finalists. 

As the trade association representing Scotland’s bakery sector, Scottish Bakers has introduced a refreshed format for 2026. The new structure is designed to shine a spotlight on the industry’s Local Heroes and Icons, celebrating the breadth of talent across the country and the qualities that make Scottish baking unique.

This year will also see a new look awards ceremony, with the full event taking place across one action packed day. 

Lesley Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Bakers, said: “We are delighted to return this year with a brand new format for Scottish Baker of the Year.

“We want to celebrate what makes each bakery across Scotland special, while recognising the two key groups helping the industry thrive, our Local Heroes and Icons. 

“With fairer, stronger judging, the competition will be more consistent and transparent than ever before, and we look forward to giving entrants valuable feedback to support growth across the industry. 

“We have already shown our ambition to go bigger and better in 2026 with our unofficial world record for the largest empire biscuit at the competition launch in January. That same ambition was clear again today in the outstanding range of products judged by our expert panel.” 

The overall winner of Scottish Baker of the Year, along with all Best in Category winners, will be announced at the awards on 16 May 2026 at the Glasgow Hilton Hotel. 

Since 2012, Scottish Baker of the Year has celebrated skill and excellence in Scottish baking, creating opportunities for bakeries of all sizes to showcase and strengthen their work. 

Scottish Baker of the Year is made possible with the support of Awards Partner BAKO Group, Icon Sponsor Rondo, Local Heroes Sponsor Carr’s Flour, and valued category sponsors Dawn Foods, National Food & Drink Training, Fleming Howden, Reiser, Andrew Ingredients, DMD (2000) Ltd and Puratos. 

For more information, visit bakeroftheyear.scot. 

Improved access to social care

New fund will ensure people have a say

  • New funding for independent advocates will help people in need navigate the social care system

New funding for independent advocates will help people in need navigate the social care system. The £500,000 Scottish Government Independent Advocacy Social Care Fund will ensure people can have a say in their care and advocate for their rights.

Twelve new projects will support people with, for instance, chronic health conditions or disabilities, neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, or older people in residential care and unpaid carers.

A new National Care Service Charter of Rights will help people better understand existing rights, including being treated without discrimination and protection from harm when accessing social care.

Anne’s Law, which comes into force on 31 March, will enshrine the right of care home residents to contact with family and friends.

This includes choosing at least one person who can act as an essential care supporter, with a legal presumption that suspending their visits is likely to seriously harm the health and wellbeing of a person in a care home.

Social Care Minister Tom Arthur visited Partners in Advocacy in Edinburgh to meet staff, carers and advocates. He said: “We are proud to support people across Scotland through this new fund and Charter to access the right support and have their voices heard.

“We know the system can sometimes be complex and difficult to navigate so this is about ensuring there is someone to advocate for some of the most vulnerable people in our community. They deserve to have their voices heard and their wishes acted upon.

“The charter strengthens this commitment by clearly setting out people’s rights and expectations for social care, social work and community health.”

Partners in Advocacy Chief Executive Officer Jess Wade said: “We are delighted to be part of the Independent Advocacy Social Care Fund, which will ensure more people can access independent advocacy, better understand their rights and have their voices heard.”

A code of practice to support implementation of Anne’s Law regulations was published this week, developed in collaboration with those with lived experience and care homes:

Anne’s Law Code of Practice The Care Home Services (Visits to and by Care Home

HMRC names takeaways, convenience stores and a vape shop in latest deliberate tax defaulters list

INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES NAMED AND SHAMED

About 140 individuals and businesses penalised for deliberately defaulting on tax exceeding £25,000 have today (26 March) been named by HMRC. 

The latest update includes several takeaways, convenience stores, a vape importer and a vape shop. In every case, those named failed to make a full disclosure when HMRC began its investigation – a step that would have kept their details off the list. 

The list covers civil penalties only and does not include criminal convictions for tax fraud. Details remain published for 12 months. 

The full list can be found at: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/publishing-details-of-deliberate-tax-defaulters-pddd/current-list-of-deliberate-tax-defaulters 

Mayday Announced

A National Theatre of Scotland production  

Mayday

Curated and directed by Cora Bissett and Hannah Lavery

With visuals by Lucas Chi-Peng Kao

A one-night-only response to the times we are living through, presented by a host of leading Scottish artistic talent from the fields of theatre, music, poetry, comedy and dance.

On 1 May at Edinburgh Central Hall at 7pm.

Featuring Comedy:Sanjeev Kohli (Still Game) / Tia Rey; Music: Dala by Heir of the Cursed performed by Djana Gabrielle / Cora Bissett, Kathryn Joseph and Joan Clevillé &  Kassichana  Okene-Jameson of Scottish Dance Theatre/ Kitti / Loud and Proud Choir / Soapbox / Declan Welsh; Poetry: Shasta Hanif Ali / William Letford / Michael Mullen; Theatre & Dance; An artistic response to Talat Yaqoob’s International Women’s Day Speech (2026) – led by Janice Parker / Apphia Campbell / Reuben Joseph / Hannah Lavery / Uma Nada-Rajah / Sara Shaarawi / Dawn Sievewright performing It’s No a Weans Choice

Live band: Isaac Savage (keyboards/vocals) / Adam Scott (bass) / Djana Gabrielle (guitar/vocals) / Signy Jacobsdottir (drums and percussion) / MJ McCarthy (musical direction)

Two of Scotland’s leading artists and theatre-makers, Hannah Lavery and Cora Bissett, join forces to create an urgent multi‐form evening of theatre, music, poetry, comedy, film, dance and collaborative performance at Central Hall, Edinburgh, on 1 May.

Created as a rapid-response theatre project, in direct response to the turbulent social and political climate, they have curated and gathered together a constellation of Scottish artists for a one-night-only flare of short, urgent performances and interventions.

Through new work, unique collaborations and community voices, Mayday meets the “dark times” we are living through with wit, defiance, tenderness and imagination. This collective response honours the theatrical space as a place where audiences can think together, dream together and begin to imagine the futures we are still reaching for.

Co-curators/co-directors Hannah Lavery and Cora Bissett said: “Given the times we are living in—where division is being  fuelled by dangerous and deliberately misinformed rhetoric— we feel deeply and personally connected to this Rapid Response Project.

“We are living through an age of fear: extreme racism and anti-migrant sentiment are being normalised, human rights attacked at every level, climate injustice accelerating, and ordinary people struggling to meet even basic needs. 

“We’re  thrilled to curate an event that will bring together bold, fierce, insightful and creatively galvanising voices from across Scotland – an urgent celebration of our shared humanity that challenges the rising tide of hate, calls upon solidarity, inspires change and imagines a more compassionate future.”  

Highlights include: 

  • Original short sharp plays from playwrights Apphia Campbell (The Official Version), Hannah Lavery (Patriotic Renewal), Uma Nada-Rajah (The Proposal) and Sara Shaarawi (Pandora’s Box) 
  • Sanjeev Kohli delivers a short sketch on the cultural impact of his character Navid from Still Game
  • Live music from Declan Welsh, Soapbox and Djana Gabrielle, who honours Beldina Odenyo’s (Heir of the Cursed) Dala with a powerful, intimate performance that moves between vulnerability and defiance. 
  • Cross-artform collaborations including Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award winner Kathryn Joseph’s powerful new collaboration with dancer Kassichana Okene-Jameson, visuals by Lucas Chi-Peng Kao, choreography by Joan Clevillé, and direction by Cora Bissett. Joseph’s haunting, fragile songs intertwine with movement in a visceral fusion of music and dance. Created in collaboration with Scottish Dance Theatre.
  • Collaborations between professional artists and community groups:
    • An Artistic Response to Talat Yaqoob’s International Women’s Day Speech, Edinburgh, March 2026 led by award-winning choreographer and dance maker Janice Parker.
    • Loud and Proud Choir 
    • Dawn Sievewright (Wild Rose) performs No a Weans Choice, the defiant rallying cry from the Glasgow Girls stage show, composed by Cora Bissett
    • Reuben Joseph (Orphans – NTS, Hamilton the Musical) performs a new version of Robert Burns’ A Man’s a Man.

Listings information

Friday 1 May 2026, Central Halls, Edinburgh, 7pm (doors from 6.30pm)

2 West Tollcross, Edinburgh, EH3 9BP

Pricing: Pay What You Can

Full info and Box office: https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/mayday

Running time: 2 hours 50 mins approx. with interval

Edinburgh International Children’s Festival programme announced

Edinburgh International Children’s Festival has announced its 2026 programme, and it’s a brilliant one!

Presented by new Festival Director Adjjima Na Patalung, this year’s 36th edition brings together 15 productions from 9 countries, spanning circus, dance, music, puppetry and theatre, with themes ranging from identity and friendship to grief, the environment and the sheer joy of finding your place in the world.

Highlights include:

🎭

 Boys Don’t Dance – a poignant new dance theatre show from award-winning disabled choreographer Marc Brew of the Marc Brew Company, reflecting on his journey as a boy who defied expectations to embrace his love of dance

✍️

 Cringe – a brilliantly funny new play from disabled writer and theatre maker Ross MacKay about surviving the minefield of growing up

🎪

 The Fabulous Tale of BasarKus – a joyful circus show for little ones exploring identity, cooperation and the wonder of growing up

👶

 Island – an intimate performance from Starcatchers celebrating the precious bond between babies and their grown-ups

🎧

 Toto Kerblammo! – Tim Crouch’s powerful new play, experienced through binaural audio technology, about listening, friendship and finding hope

The Festival opens with a Free Family Day of pop-up performances at the National Museums Scotland on Saturday 30 May, before the full programme runs across Edinburgh until Sunday 7 June 

🎊

Tickets are on sale now!

childrens26publicprogrammefinalDownload
📸

 Image by Tom Duffin

Monday’s Holyrood Hustings event at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre is FULLY BOOKED

🎉SOLD OUT🎉

👋 Hi Drylaw, Telford and Edinburgh Northern Constituents,

Thank you to everyone that has shown an interest, and to those of you who have your tickets booked, we look forward to welcoming you to our event on Monday evening!

If you have a ticket booked, but can no longer attend, please cancel your ticket, contact us at hustings@drylawtelfordcc.org.uk or message the FB page as we do have a waiting list of people that would also like to attend.

For those that have received a waiting list spot, we will contact you if a ticket becomes available.

ALL those in attendance, must have a valid ticket due to fire regulations.

Thank you for all your support.

Have a great weekend!

Super Saturday in North Edinburgh!

THREE MAJOR COMMUNITY EVENTS ACROSS THE NEIGHBOURHOOD TODAY

  • North Edinburgh Film Festival continues at North Edinburgh Arts
  • Do You Recognise? event at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
  • North Edinburgh Community Festival launch at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre

Operation Portaledge: Three convicted of wilful fire-raising offences

Three men have been convicted of wilful fire-raising offences linked to Operation Portaledge.

At the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday, 26 March, 2026, Marshall O’Hara, 21, and Fraser Stewart, 22, pleaded guilty to four wilful fire-raising offences. Aiden McLaughlin (pictured above), 21, pleaded guilty to one wilful fire-raising offence.

All three pleaded guilty in relation to a wilful fire-raising at a premises on Wellington Road in Bishopbriggs on Tuesday, 8 April, 2025.

O’Hara and Stewart were also convicted in relation to wilful fire-raisings at a property on Ashgill Road, Glasgow and a property on Meadow Court, Stepps, on Monday, 7 April, as well as a property on Colston Drive, Bishopbriggs on Monday, 14 April.

They are all due to be sentenced at the same court on Wednesday, 13 May.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “These were worrying incidents for the local community and now those responsible will face the consequences of their actions.

“We will continue to bring those intent in being involved in serious and organised crime to justice.

“These convictions are further examples of Police Scotland’s commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.”

Operation Portaledge is the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.