For many of us, the news from around the world feels hard to read right now.
If this includes you, and you need to ease how you’re feeling, we’ve got some tips you can try.
Small things like making time for an activity that lifts your spirits, or finding ways to create a positive impact, can help make a difference.
A new seasonal fire byelaw for the Cairngorms National Park will come into force today. From 1 April to 30 September each year, campfires and barbecues will not be permitted in the National Park.
Sandy Bremner, Convener at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: “We want people to keep enjoying all that the National Park offers but we also need everyone to help protect it. We know it only takes one rogue spark to start a wildfire and when there is so much to lose, we can’t take that risk.
“Alongside the new byelaw, we are rolling out a major communications campaign which will focus on the message of ‘Protect our National Park. No flame, no spark.’ Roadside signs, leaflets, social media and local business support will help ensure people know the rules before they arrive. We are also working with councils, estates, community groups and businesses to share information and take a joined-up approach.”
The changing climate means we are experiencing longer, drier spring and summer months and an increased risk of wildfires. Last year, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responded to more than 200 wildfires across Scotland, including a major incident on Dava Moor and at Carrbridge.
Area Commander Robert Lennox, a Local Senior Officer with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Wildfires pose a real risk to people, properties and nature. Each wildfire we respond to can have a significant impact on our resources and these incidents are often in remote locations, which take time to reach.
“Extreme weather events are becoming more common across Scotland, and we know that communities in the Cairngorms have felt this acutely in recent years, with floods, drought and wildfires. This byelaw is an important new tool to tackle wildfire risk and safeguard the National Park.”
Approved by Scottish Government ministers in 2025 following a major consultation – in which 79% of the 1,600 respondents supported the introduction of a seasonal fire byelaw – the measure forms part of a broader package of actions aimed at reducing the growing risk of wildfires across the National Park.
From April 2026, countryside rangers will have the power, through the Procurator Fiscal, to enforce the ban. Failure to comply with the byelaw carries a fine of up to £500, although education and prevention will remain the priority.
The Park Authority is also investing in additional joint patrols with Police Scotland at key hotspots. This will be supported by enhanced ranger training and continued collaboration with partner ranger services.
A record number of countryside rangers will be on patrol this year. Additional weekend rangers have been recruited, a new full-time permanent ranger has joined the team in the Angus Glens and in total, more than 100 rangers – including permanent, seasonal, volunteer, trainee and partner services staff – will be deployed across the National Park this summer.
Grant Moir, Chief Executive Officer of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: “This byelaw is part of our wider work on implementing the Integrated Wildfire Management Plan for the National Park.
“This involves working on fire ponds, estate fire plans, our Climate Adaptation Fund and much more. The byelaw is just one of a range of measures helping us tackle the threat of wildfires in the National Park.”
Julia Duncan, Estate Ranger at Atholl Estates, said: “Rangers are out every day speaking to visitors and helping them enjoy the National Park responsibly.
“This new byelaw gives us an important tool in the box to reduce wildfire risk, protect wildlife and habitats and make sure everyone can continue to enjoy the outdoors safely.”
Members of the public are urged to help by spreading the word that people should not light fires or barbecues outside their own gardens between 1 April and 30 September, follow advice from rangers and local signage, and report any fires immediately by calling 999.
Businesses and community spaces can request a variety of resources, including social media graphics, posters and window stickers, from this dedicated page on the Park Authority website.
For more information on the fire byelaw, go to cairngorms.co.uk/fires.
2 April – 28 June 2026
National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two, Ground Floor Free admission
Joan Eardley | The Nature of Painting | National Galleries of Scotland
Opening this Thursday 2 April, step inside the mind and brushstrokes of much-loved Scottish artist Joan Eardley with a fresh insight into her powerful and expressive paintings in a new, free, two-room exhibition at National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two.
Taking over the ground floor of Modern Two and opening just in time for the Easter weekend, Joan Eardley: The Nature of Painting will explore the artist’s vibrant artworks from a whole new perspective.
Consisting solely of works from Scotland’s national collection, this exhibition will bring together over 30 of Joan Eardley’s artworks, alongside some of the most notable names in the art world including Claude Monet, John Constable, Bet Low, William McTaggart, Jean Dubuffet and Antoni Tàpies.
It will offer a unique opportunity to look at how the beloved Scottish artist engaged with the world and artists around her.
Joan Eardley: The Nature of Painting will feature 14 of Eardley’s oil paintings from the Scottish national collection alongside a selection of her works on paper and archival materials. Immerse yourself in Eardley’s iconic views of coastal village Catterline, discover never-before-seen objects from her studio in Glasgow and come face to face with the Glaswegian children who inspired many of her works.
The Nature of Painting follows previous National Galleries of Scotland exhibitions dedicated to Eardly’s artwork including Joan Eardley: A Sense of Place at Modern Two in 2017 and Joan Eardley & Catterline at Modern One in 2022.
This new exhibition for 2026 will present a fresh perspective on her artistic practice, inviting visitors to view her paintings amidst a variety of artists and movements, while exploring the possibilities of influence and interest.
Key works on display in Joan Eardley: The Nature of Painting will include the glimmering Summer Fields (about 1961), in which a bright golden cornfield dominates a grey Catterline sky.
This painting comes to life in more ways than one, through both Eardley’s expressive brushstrokes and the inclusion of real blades of grass and wheat from the environment around her, giving insight into her artistic methods. Several other scenes of Catterline will also be displayed including the atmospheric Catterline in Winter (1963) and Hedgerow with Grasses and Flowers (1962-1963), inspired by the wildflower fields behind Eardley’s cottage.
Visitors will also meet sisters Anne and Pat Samson, immortalised in childhood through Children and Chalked Wall 3, (1962-1963). In this portrait, Eardley’s signature bold style captures the essence of Anne and Pat’s endearing smiles, as they huddle together in a moment of sisterly affection.
The girls are surrounded by a collage of newspapers and painted graffiti, as well as silver and gold papers, presumed to be sweet wrappers. This portrait, displayed in the exhibition along with others including Street Kids (1949-1951), tells the stories of real Glasgow children who lived close to Eardley’s studio, and captures their friendliness and community spirit which Eardley admired.
Born in West Sussex in 1921, Eardley moved to Glasgow with her family during the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. She studied at Glasgow School of Art and Hospitalfield House where she was taught by Scottish artists including Hugh Adam Crawford and James Cowie.
It was during this time that she began to shape her preference for painting everyday subjects. Eardley rented a studio in the centre of Glasgow in 1948, and a few years later moved to Townhead, where the local children became her artistic subjects.
In 1954, she bought a cottage in the small fishing village of Catterline, south of Aberdeen. Catterline’s coastal charm and dramatic seascapes formed the subject of many of Eardley’s paintings, providing the perfect setting for her expressive artwork to flourish. After her untimely passing from cancer in 1963, Eardley’s ashes were scattered on the beach at Catterline, creating a lasting bond between the artist and the place which inspired her.
A range of archival and photographic materials from the Scottish national collection will also be displayed in Modern Two’s Keiller Library. Donated to the National Galleries of Scotland in 1987 by Eardley’s sister Patricia, the artist’s archive contains a range of interviews, photographs and personal contents from her studio.
This display will give a glimpse into the artist’s world, painting a picture of the woman behind the artwork, as well as giving context to what she admired most in the work of others.
For the very first time, visitor favourite from the Scottish national collection Grainstacks: Snow Effect (1891) by Claude Monet will go on display alongside Eardley’s artworks. A key founder of the Impressionist movement, Monet was known for finding his source of inspiration in the outdoors, bringing nature to life through abstract brushstrokes and textures, much like Eardley’s paintings of the Catterline landscape.
The gentle gold light across frosty stacks of grain and bold use of paint echoes elements Eardley used in Summer Fields. Bringing these artworks together especially for this exhibition highlights artistic similarities spanning generations, whether intentional or not.
Kerry Gledhill, Senior Librarian and Lead Curator of Joan Eardley: The Nature of Painting at the National Galleries of Scotland said: “Joan Eardley was an artist so completely driven to paint the truth of what she saw around her that she pushed her medium to its very limits.
“She was drawn to subjects which tap into a common humanity, a connection to nature or a sense of community and kinship. Like all great artists, her paintings speak to us across the intervening decades.
“The opportunity to show Eardley’s work alongside that of Constable, Monet and Tàpies, to name just a few, gives us a unique insight into the nature of painting, experimentation and creativity.”
Joan Eardley: The Nature of Painting is a free National Galleries of Scotland exhibition opening in the lower galleries of Modern Two on Thursday 2 April 2026.
Edinburgh College recently advanced its Net Zero goals after becoming the first college in Scotland to completely decarbonise one of its campuses.
Working in partnership with renewable energy experts Vital Energi, and funded through the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficiency Grant Scheme 2024/25, the College completed one of its most ambitious energy programmes to date by replacing the existing fossil‑fuel heating system at its Midlothian Campus with a new renewable heating system.
The College’s gas heating system has been replaced by a new 640kW air source heat pump, delivered through the Non-Domestic Energy Efficiency Framework (NDEE), with upgrades being made to the secondary heat system and controls, which will reduce carbon emissions on campus by over 100 tonnes each year.
Edinburgh College Vice Principal Jon Buglass said: “We are delighted to reach this important milestone, with our Midlothian Campus becoming the first college campus in Scotland to be fully decarbonised.
“We’ve completely replaced a fossil‑fuel heating system with a modern, renewable alternative that will cut emissions, reduce long‑term operating costs, and create a more sustainable environment that will benefit our college community for years to come.”
The project is being delivered through the NDEE framework and comes with an energy performance contract, which guarantees certain key performance indicators, such as carbon reduction, will be met, providing the College with certainty that its new heating system will perform as promised.
Vital Energi’s Regional Manager, Kieran Walsh said: “Normally, organisations decarbonise in phases, with several smaller projects, but Edinburgh College has been able to electrify their heating system in one single phase, which is an important achievement, and one which we’re sure will inspire other colleges.”
“The scheme allows them to break away from old, fossil fuelled boilers and embrace the latest technology and, as the grid decarbonises through more green sources, such as wind and solar, those carbon savings will continue to grow.”
In addition to eliminating its reliance on gas in a single phase, the project has an added benefit of being an educational resource for the College’s Engineering, Renewables and Energy Efficiency Training Centre, allowing students to study and learn from the new low-carbon system.
A raft of new measures – coming into force today (1 April 2026) – will see wages go up, bills come down, and more support for those who need it most.
In an uncertain and volatile world, the Prime Minister is continuing to work with allies to push for de-escalation in the Middle East – which is the surest and quickest way to bring down pressures on prices.
On Monday, he hosted a roundtable with energy, insurance, and shipping companies and on Tuesday he chaired a COBR(M) meeting to assess the situation with Cabinet colleagues.
Measures coming into force today include:
– Increasing the National Living wage to £12.71 – a £900 boost for 2.4 million workers
– Increasing the National Minimum Wage to £10.85 – a £1,500 boost for over 200,000 young workers
– Cutting energy bills by an average £117 a year for millions across the UK – locked in until end of June
– The Crisis & Resilience Fund starts running – enabled by £1bn of funding – which helps vulnerable households with things like heating oil
– A freeze on prescription prices – so people aren’t spending more than a tenner on their medicines
This follows an update to the public on 16th March where the Prime Minister set out five steps that were already in place on the cost of living. These were:
1) Cutting the energy price cap until the end of June – thanks to last year’s Budget
2) The Chancellor’s decision to extend the cut in fuel duty until this September
3) £53 million for households that are most exposed to heating oil rises
4) Building Britain’s energy security and independence
5) Ongoing work towards a swift resolution of the situation in the Middle East
The cut to the energy price cap comes on top of the £150 Warm Home Discount that around 6 million families will have received this winter, following its expansion last year – and eligible billpayers will continue to receive this support every winter for the rest of the decade.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “In an uncertain and volatile world, it is my government’s duty to protect the British people at home and abroad.
“I know the public are concerned about the conflict in Iran and what it means for them and their families.
“I want to reassure them that they have a government on their side, working with allies on de-escalation and bearing down on the cost of living.
“Today, millions of people up and down the country will see energy bills go down by £117, wages go up for the lowest paid, and more support will be available for people who need it most – because of the decisions this government has taken.
“But we must go further to bear down on costs, and that means pushing for de-escalation in the Middle East and a re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz. That is the best way we can bring down the cost of living for families and that is my focus.”
The Scottish Government is supporting households struggling with the rising cost of oil and Liquid Petroleum Gas.
From today – 1 April – households will be able to apply for £300 of support with their bills through our Emergency Heating Oil Scheme.
For more information:
http://gov.scot/news/support-for-households-using-heating-oil-and-lpg
On Monday Living Rent campaigners took action outside Edinburgh City Chambers as the councillors voted to strike off four landlords from the landlord register.
Living Rent said: ‘This is a big win and shows the tide is turning against landlords in the city who thought they were untouchable. But now the council needs to go further and faster if they are going to fully clamp down on the city’s rogue landlords.
‘Across the city, many of Edinburgh’s tenants are being forced to live under the thumb of rogue landlords who force tenants to live in slum-like conditions, with chronic disrepair, force up the rent illegally, threaten and abuse the privacy of tenants and neglect their legal responsibility as a landlord.
‘Everyone should have a safe, warm and affordable home. The council has proven they can take action, now they need to go further and clamp down on all rogue landlords across the city!’
People who are due a payment between Friday 3 April and Monday 6 April over the Easter bank holiday, will receive it by the end of Thursday 2 April.
Best Start Food payments are not affected.
All other payment dates will stay the same.
Cancer Research UK has responded to today’s cancer treatment waiting times statistics published by Public Health Scotland.
Chief executive of Cancer Research UK, Michelle Mitchell, said: “It’s unacceptable that people are waiting too long to start cancer treatment. It’s crucial that cancer is diagnosed early when treatment is more likely to be successful.
“Tackling these delays must be a priority for the incoming government, so that people get the timely diagnosis and treatment they deserve.
“NHS staff are working flat out to deliver services to patients and more needs to be done to support them.
“The solution lies in investing in the NHS workforce and cutting-edge equipment. It will also be essential to introduce innovations that will see more people diagnosed and treated sooner.”
ANALYSIS:
These latest figures show that, during the last quarter for which results are available, from Oct-Dec 2025, around 1,300 (27.4%) patients waited longer than 62 days to start treatment following an urgent suspected cancer referral.
The report shows that only 72.6% of patients on an urgent referral for a suspicion of cancer started treatment within 62 days during this quarter. This is well below the 95% target and is the tenth worst performance on record (since 2012).
More information on how Cancer Research UK believes waiting times can be tackled can be found in:
Longer better lives: a manifesto for cancer research and care in Scotland
The full Public Health Scotland report can be found here:
This historically autonomous port town, whose motto is ‘Persevere’ and whose independence has been contested across its nine centuries, has an incredibly rich heritage, and a distinct modern culture and attitude to life. A vibrant swagger that is modern Leith, and on which a community-led bid aims to shine a spotlight.
The proposal for UK Town of Culture 2028 has been developed from the ground up by a collective of volunteers based in Leith – residents, artists, cultural organisations, schools, community groups and independent businesses who want to celebrate its identity and its creativity, while making sure that more people feel welcome, included and proud of where they live.
Over 70 organisations and public figures including Leith Theatre, Hibs FC, Leith School of Art, Grid Iron Theatre Company, Historic Environment Scotland, Unique Events, Forth Ports, FirstStage Studios, Coburg Studios, Leith Civic Trust, Leith Community Centre, Leith Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, VOCAL, Citadel, EHFM, Leith Academy, The Royal Yacht Britannia, Leith Library and many others have signed up to back the bid, alongside its three community councils, elected officials, and with the backing of City of Edinburgh Council as accountable body.
The bid area spans the community council areas of Leith Central, Leith Harbour & Newhaven, and Leith Links, home to around 50,000 residents and one of the most diverse, densely populated, and fast-changing areas in Scotland.
Leith is internationally recognised for its creative energy, food scene and waterfront – ranked fourth coolest neighbourhood in the world by Time Out in their influential annual list of 2021, and 16th in 2023. The home of The Proclaimers whose “Sunshine on Leith” remains the people’s anthem, Irvine Welsh and Trainspotting, undisputed Lightweight Champion of the World Ken Buchanan, Scottish Colourist JD Fergusson, and pioneering physician and suffragette Grace Ross Cadell; the place where a cure for scurvy was found, the site of the UK’s first vertical whisky distillery, where the first set of rules for golf were written, and where the first ship to cross the Atlantic purely using steam was built. Leith is a place rich with culture, innovation and history.
It is also an area of sharp contrasts where pockets of significant deprivation sit alongside rapid development. The partnership bid seeks to address these tensions, widening opportunity, creating pathways, building skills development and employability in order to protect what makes Leith distinctive while building a stronger future for its communities through a celebration of culture, investment, pride and developed partnerships.
Leith’s Town of Culture plans, designed following a round-table session with interested residents and organisations, include large-scale public moments on the waterfront; a year-round rhythm of community-led festivals and commissions; a £1 million Community Culture Fund empowering grassroots organisations; what the team are calling “Sunshine on Leith”- public-realm legacy improvements; and long-term investment in skills, access and cultural infrastructure.
The events, it proposes, would draw not just pride, but also a reflection on the history that has brought it to this point, a story which included the transatlantic slave trade, industrial decline and an amalgamation into the city of Edinburgh that Leithers voted overwhelmingly against back in 1920.
Participation is central. Should Leith be shortlisted, people of all ages will help shape and curate the programme through participatory forums, youth leadership, and neighbourhood-based activity. Accessibility is embedded from the outset, with a commitment to free and low-cost events, inclusive design, clear access information, and partnerships with local and national access organisations.
The bid also looks forward – positioning Leith as a cultural gateway once again. Building on its working port and growing role in green energy, the programme connects industrial heritage with a sustainable future, supporting local makers, creative businesses and pathways into work across culture, events, hospitality and the screen industries.
If shortlisted, Leith is ready to move quickly into a development phase, formally establishing the partnership as a charitable delivery body and continuing deep engagement with communities to co-design the final programme.
Those behind the bid say the process itself is already having an impact:
“This bid has been built by the people of Leith, for Leith,” said a spokesperson for the partnership.
“It’s about confidence, connection, care for our place, and fun! – and about showing what culture can do when it’s led locally, shared widely, and rooted in everyday life. Leith has never stood still. In 2028, we hope to stand tall as the UK’s first Town of Culture.
“Share your passion and care for Leith by getting behind our bid on social media using the hashtag #Leith2028”
Culture and Communities Convener at City of Edinburgh Council Margaret Graham said: “This bid is about far more than recognition – it’s a celebration of Leith’s creativity, its rich heritage, and, above all, the people who make this community so special.
“From our historic waterfront to our thriving arts scene, this is an opportunity to reaffirm Leith’s place on the international stage.
“Reaching this point has been a true team effort, with incredible support from local organisations, community representatives, and residents. I hope everyone will get behind Leith as we make our case to become the next Town of Culture.”
Bob Last, CEO of FirstStage Studios commented: “The people of Leith are constantly seeking new ways forward built on its rich and complex history, it’s a town, a community, a home to diverse creativity, and crucially Leith is a unique attitude, where better to celebrate culture?”
“Leith is more than a town of culture. Leith is culture.” said Irvine Welsh as he put his name to Leith’s bid for UK Town of Culture 2028.
Hibernian FC Chief Executive, Dan Barnett added his support: “We are extremely proud to be part of the unique culture and heritage of Leith.
“The people and community of this historic port town have helped shape our identity for over 150 years and will continue to do so going forward.”
Lynn Morrison, Chief Executive of Leith Theatre Trust said: “What an incredible opportunity this would be for Leith and for Leithers, old and new.
“It’s a chance to connect all of Leith’s creative spaces, talent and energy, working together to celebrate Leith’s growing culture and creativity in a meaningful and lasting way. Being a Town of Culture would provide a powerful springboard to galvanise the momentum, creating new possibilities and helping shape the next chapter of Leith’s cultural future.”
Andy Thomas, Acting Manager of The Citadel said: “The Citadel has supported generations of young Leithers for over 45 years. We’re proud to be supporting a bid to celebrate Leith’s unique culture and identity, both psst and present.
“The Town of Culture is a fantastic pportunity to bring all Leithers together and ensure that the benefits of cultural development reach everyone in the community.”
Gunnar Groves-Raines, architect and Director of GRAS said: “Leith is a town defined by cultural exchange, creativity and productivity. It is in the midst of an exceptionally exciting period of evolution, with an explosion of ambitious cultural activity matched by a highly engaged audience of residents and visitors.
“Designating Leith as Town of Culture would be a powerful catalyst – recognising this deep-rooted creativity and investing in its future as a civic, inclusive and outward-looking neighbourhood.”
Jed Milroy, Tinderbox Collective, said:“Leith’s strength has always been its people – a community that makes, shares and builds culture together, not just for audiences, but for each other.
“It’s a place where you can arrive as yourself and be welcomed as you are. Community arts education is keeping this spirit alive and nurturing it in the next generation of Leithers.”
Jenny Mungall, volunteer bid mobiliser, and director of JUMP said: “Leith’s got swagger, I call it Big Dock Energy. It’s a vibrant, creative, collaborative community, and we’ve seen all of that at every stage of putting this bid together.
“I hope that the people of Leith get the chance to shape an amazing programme in 2028 as the first UK Town of Culture, but whatever the outcome, we’ve got bags of ideas to celebrate culture and community and we’ll find a way to get some of them off the ground.”
Rod Jones, Idlewild guitarist, record producer and artist manager added: “I first moved to Leith around 20 years ago and was immediately taken by the community spirit and feel.
“Over these last 2 decades there has been a wealth of changes and growth with studios, venues, art spaces opening all over Leith and its become a cultural home to me and many more as well as my actual home. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
Chitra Ramaswamy, author and journalist said: “I moved to Leith almost 20 years ago and have witnessed its many changes. My children were born here, and go to school here, and it’s the diversity, heritage, and open-hearted welcome of the place that has made me so proud to be a Leither.
“Again and again, as a writer, I return to Leith as deep inspiration – my first book opened on the Water of Leith. What has remained, in so many ways, when so much has changed, is the republic’s fiercely independent spirit, its commitment to grassroots community action, protection of its complex industrial heritage, and, above all, its people.”
Stuart Wallace, CEO of Forth Ports commented: “This is an incredibly exciting time for Leith. With the development of the Forth Green Freeport, the film studios, and new industries shaping the future economy, the area is at a pivotal moment – one where culture, industry and innovation go hand in hand.
“Becoming a Town of Culture would amplify that momentum, bringing together heritage and creativity to tell Leith’s story to the world.”
Nick Devison, Principal of Leith School of Art commented: “I have always been inspired by Leith’s independence, energy, and creativity. Leith School of Art stands at the very heart of this vibrant community and this bid is all the more significant for us as we approach our 40th anniversary in 2028.”
Bryony Knox, silversmith said: “Leith is the perfect spot to celebrate culture. I am a silversmith, with a business over 25 years old, based in studios with over 70 artists, right by the Water of Leith.
“I can think of at least 8 other sets of independent studios, with woodworkers, jewellers, ceramicists and painters within a 2 minute walk… Where else could boast that?
“It makes for a strong collaborative creative community, and I have chosen to live, bring up my children and run my silversmithing business from Leith because it’s the best place to be!”
Susie Gray, volunteer bid mobiliser and Executive Director of Premier Scotland, commented: “I am hugely lucky to work with some of the most recognised cultural organisations in the world, and still nothing beats coming home to Leith.
“It wears its heart on its sleeve. It believes in the power of a song. It’s wildly eclectic and endlessly inventive, a place where creativity belongs to everyone and is passionately shared. Having seen up close the impact of City of Culture on Hull, it’s exciting to see the programme broadened out to towns across the UK.
“Leith could do so much with the investment and opportunity that comes with an accolade like UK Town of Culture, it would be spectacular, and more people could discover its magic.”
