Month: April 2026

Swinney: Scotland fans must not be priced out of the World Cup

John Swinney has called on FIFA to end dynamic pricing for World Cup tickets after supporters were hit with eye-watering costs to follow Scotland this summer.

The First Minister has written to FIFA President Gianni Infantino urging him to introduce a fairer ticketing model, warning that too many members of the Tartan Army risk being priced out of Scotland’s first men’s World Cup since 1998.

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said: “The Tartan Army are the greatest supporters in the world, and have waited almost 30 years for the World Cup. They should not be priced out by dynamic ticket pricing.

“I’ve written to FIFA to urge fairer and more affordable prices. Football should be about fans, not finances.”

Full letter from the First Minister to FIFA President Gianni Infantino:

Dear Gianni Infantino,

As you will know, this summer Scotland will return to the men’s World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Our victory against Denmark led to the most remarkable scenes as people across Scotland celebrated one of the proudest moments in our recent sporting memory.

Steve Clarke and the team have instilled a sense of confidence and pride in our country that only our national game can bring.

That incredible moment for our nation will live long in the memory and in just a few months’ time thousands will embark on a trip to America to follow Scotland in our games against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil and, with a bit of magic from the boys, beyond that too.

Our Tartan Army has the chance to see our men’s national team at a World Cup for the first time in decades, but our historic return has been marred by FIFA’s dynamic pricing model that has made the trip simply unaffordable for so many loyal supporters.

This model has made this the most expensive World Cup in history and it is the opposite of what football, and indeed the biggest sporting occasion on the planet, should be about.

Scotland fans, travelling across the globe, are entirely justified in calling for you to put an end to this pricing model, particularly during a cost of living crisis when people are really struggling. I am urging you to act to introduce a fair, affordable ticketing model for fans going forward.

Scotland gave birth to our beautiful game and its management has been entrusted to you. But as you know football belongs to fans. It is now imperative you take responsibility to ensure that remains the case.

Yours sincerely,

John Swinney

First Minister of Scotland

Major new £1.5m Scottish project to focus on “sabotaging” cancer cells

SABOTAGING CANCER COULD OPEN DOOR TO NEW TREATMENTS

RESEARCHERS IN EDINBURGH AIM TO ‘TRICK’ BOWEL CANCER

SCIENTISTS in Edinburgh are launching a £1.5 million Cancer Research UK-funded study to find a way to ‘sabotage’ bowel cancer cells.

Cancer cells can often disguise themselves, preventing the immune system from recognising them as a threat and destroying them. The team, at the Institute of Genetics and Cancer (IGC) at the University of Edinburgh, aims to disrupt cancer’s DNA messaging system, causing errors that make the cells visible to immune defences.

Exploring how to trigger this vulnerability, the study’s long-term goal is to identify new treatments to tackle bowel cancer more effectively.

Project leader Dr Kevin Myant, of the Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre and IGC, said: “Around 85 per cent of patients with bowel cancer find immunotherapy isn’t effective for them. Our new project aims to explore why and find new ways to make bowel cancer more responsive to this type of treatment.

“Immunotherapy is exciting as it has the potential to be curative, not just manage the disease, and has the benefit of reducing side effects to patients.

“We hope this project will find a way to shine a light on bowel cancer cells so they are no longer invisible to our immune system, by disrupting the messages telling cancer cells to grow.”

Bowel cancer kills 16,800 people in the UK (1,700 in Scotland) every year and is increasingly being diagnosed in younger people.

A recent study by the American Cancer Society published in The Lancet Oncology showed early-onset bowel cancer rates in adults aged 25-49 are rising in 27 of 50 countries studied and at a faster rate in young women in Scotland and England than in young men.

Often, in cancer, the immune system doesn’t see cancer cells as a threat as they are generated from inside the body.

This research will focus on the body’s messaging system, RNA, which takes information from DNA and tells cells when to grow and where.

The team aims to sabotage this system, through a process called RNA splicing, to disrupt these messages and introduce errors which will effectively “light up” bowel cancer cells to the immune system so it can destroy them.

Cancer Research UK Director of Research, Dr Catherine Elliott, said: “Immunotherapies, where a patient’s own immune system is harnessed to tackle cancer, are a key area of cancer research and for some patients, they are providing transformational improvements but not all patients respond to them.

“Being able to use the power of our own immune system to tackle cancer could offer more effective treatments and lead to the kind of breakthroughs which can revolutionise cancer treatment and care.

“We need more research to understand the differences in patient responses to therapies and how to improve these, and Cancer Research UK is delighted to fund this innovative and potentially transformative research.”

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the UK. Despite this, treatment options remain limited, particularly for patients who are diagnosed at later stages of the disease.

Scotland is disproportionately affected by the disease with around 4,000 people diagnosed each year.

NHS 24: Easter Weekend advice

Important info below, please share ⤵️⚠️

You can save yourself time on the way to feeling better by using NHS inform to get the right care in the right place.

Depending on your situation, you might not have to phone 111.

Quick links:

💻 symptom checkers: https://nhs24.info/symptom-checkers

💊 accessing medicines: https://nhs24.info/accessing-medicines

🏥 Scotland’s Service Directory: https://nhs24.info/servicedirectory

💙 urgent mental health help: https://nhs24.info/urgent-mental-health

Thank you 💙

Archerfield Walled Garden invests £50k in new solar panels

Archerfield Walled Garden, the hospitality, retail and leisure destination based in East Lothian invests £50k on 200 solar panels which will save 14 tonnes in annual Co2 emissions and has also installed four EV chargers, as part of its ongoing Green Initiatives Programme.

In 2022 the company commissioned the eco-management consultancy, Green Element, to develop a bespoke programme, which is delivered by their ‘Green Team’, made up of six members of staff across all areas of the business, with a focus on making environmental changes in areas including energy, waste and training.

In addition to installing 200 solar panels, carried out by Gensource, Archerfield Walled Garden partnered with the energy specialists to install four EV chargers, following funding secured through the Rural and Island Infrastructure Fund, administered by the Energy Saving Trust on behalf of Scottish Ministers and Transport Scotland.

Various other initiatives at Archerfield Walled Garden include regeneratively farming all 30 hectares of the surrounding fields to help improve soil health and increase biodiversity and running the building on biomass using locally sourced wood pellets, which provides all heating, including underfloor, and hot water.

In addition, self-closing taps have been installed in washrooms to reduce water waste, motion-sensitive lights are used indoors, external lights run on a timer that adjusts with the seasons and coffee grounds from the café are combined with garden clippings to make compost, which is then used in the gardens. All compost which is sold is also peat-free.

The ‘Green Team’ will continue to drive forward the programme this year and incorporate their plans into the proposed play trail, Eldbotle Wood. The woodland adventure, elements-themed trail has been designed by the award-winning company, CAP.CO, who received a Royal Warrant of Appointment from King Charles in 2025, in recognition of their strong commitment to sustainability.

Elly Douglas-Hamilton, Chief Executive of Archerfield Estates Limited said: “Our very passionate and dedicated Green Team have made some fantastic progress in our mission be even more sustainable which will continue for the long-term across all areas of the business.

“It has been great to be able to partner with eco companies like Green Element and Gensource to help us to achieve our green goals, with even more initiatives and partnerships in the pipeline.”

Robert Wilson, Gensource commercial and operations director said: “It has been great to partner with such a local, motivated and supportive client.

“It is clear Archerfield Walled Garden is committed to operating sustainably through its investment and eagerness to develop multiple phases of sustainable energy projects.

“We look forward to supporting Archerfield Walled Garden as they continue on their sustainability journey.”

Dobbies’ Alzheimer’s Research UK partnership raises £235,000 in first year

Dobbies Garden Centres has raised £235,000 during the first year of its national charity partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK (© Stewart Attwood)

Dobbies Garden Centres has announced the outstanding success of the first year of its national charity partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK, having raised £235,000 – more than triple the original fundraising target.

Launched in March 2025, the charity was chosen for its strong resonance with Dobbies’ communities, customers and colleagues. The partnership also supports Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Think Brain Health campaign, highlighting the benefits of gardening and garden living for brain health.

Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading dementia research charity, dedicated to ending the heartbreak of dementia by speeding up progress towards a cure.

David Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of Dobbies, said: “I’m incredibly proud of what our colleagues and customers have achieved in our first year partnering with Alzheimer’s Research UK. Surpassing our original fundraising target shows just how strongly this cause resonates with our communities.

“Together, that support could fund over 5,500 hours of vital dementia research, and we’re looking forward to building on this even further in our second year of partnership.”

Dr Sheona Scales, Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, added:
“Almost one million people are living with dementia in the UK, and this number is predicted to reach 1.4 million by 2040.

“Alzheimer’s Research UK exists to change that. It is more urgent than ever that we revolutionise the way dementia is treated, diagnosed and prevented.

“We are incredibly proud to work with Dobbies. This partnership is helping us share the message of brain health while raising vital funds to help end the heartbreak of dementia.”

Dobbies customers and colleagues raised the £235,000 through a range of initiatives, including an exclusive bulb pack developed in partnership with Taylors Bulbs, a dedicated Christmas Shopping Night, online event donations, and colleague fundraising challenges including marathons. 

During World Alzheimer’s Month in September, Dobbies also launched a nationwide programme in partnership with micro-donation charity, Pennies. This enables customers to choose to give a 25p donation when paying by card at the garden centre tills – which has so far raised over £69,000 in donations.

This year will see a series of new fundraising initiatives including sponsorship of Edinburgh’s Walk for a Cure, donations from special plant purchases, as well as in-store events and colleague challenges. 

Edinburgh restaurant Divino expands to 7-day trading 

Edinburgh’s popular city-centre restaurant Divino will expand its opening hours to seven days a week, following sustained growth in customer demand and strong trading performance over the past year.

The move comes as the restaurant reports 35% revenue growth the past financial year, alongside a significant increase in weekly guests. Average covers have grown from 350 to more than 600 each week, with Divino now operating at or near capacity across its existing five trading days. The additional opening hours will allow the team to meet increasing demand while continuing to develop its events programming and private dining offering.

While weekend demand remains strong, the restaurant has also seen notable midweek growth, driven in part by regular programming like live Jazz Wednesdays and increasing demand for corporate dinners. Sunday trading has also gained momentum, with the restaurant’s complimentary wine tasting experiences, led by Head Sommelier Troy Sides, proving particularly popular with guests.

To support continued growth, Divino has increased its workforce by 20%, creating additional roles and expanding team hours to strengthen service during busy weekends and peak seasonal periods.

The restaurant has also recently invested £30,000 into upgrading its Divino Suite, a fully enclosed and heated terrace space designed for private dining, events, and special occasions. The refurbishment enhances the space to align with Divino’s main dining room while offering flexibility, including a retractable roof for warmer days.

Alberto Crolla, Director of the Vittoria Group, said: “In the current climate, we’re very aware that many hospitality businesses are facing difficult conditions, so we don’t take this growth for granted.

“The decision to extend our opening hours has really been driven by demand from our guests and the hard work of the team behind the scenes.

“Managing that demand sustainably allows us to continue investing in our team and the overall guest experience. We’re looking forward to welcoming even more guests through our doors.”

Tucked away in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, Divino is a hidden gem, offering a unique twist on contemporary Italian dining. Chef Simone Libanore’s menu is a love letter to Italian comfort food, featuring dishes like traditional Roman carbonara and merlot-braised beef cheek.

With one of Scotland’s most extensive wine lists and a unique self-serve wine machine, Divino invites guests to sip and savour their way through a truly enchanting dining experience.

For more information, or to book a table, please visit www.divinoedinburgh.com

New screening for rare condition in newborns

Test could enable earlier treatment and improve life chances

Scotland is now the first part of the UK to screen newborn babies for a rare condition which causes progressive muscle wastage.

The test for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), which can affect movement, breathing and swallowing, began this week. Previously, people affected will have been tested once they displayed symptoms.

The Scottish Government and pharmaceutical company Novartis are funding a two-year evaluation to assess how well SMA screening can detect the condition earlier, allowing babies to receive treatment as soon as possible.

On average, three to four babies per year are born with SMA in Scotland.

All parents are now offered SMA screening for their newborns through the existing blood spot test, which is taken around day four after birth.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Scotland is the first country in the UK to start the evaluation of SMA screening.

“SMA can have devastating implications for babies and their families, and this investment demonstrates our commitment to early detection through our screening programme.

“I thank SMA UK and local campaigners who have worked so hard to highlight this issue and Novartis for its funding. By detecting SMA before symptoms develop, screening could allow earlier treatment which could be life-changing and help secure the best possible care and support for babies and families.”

SMA UK charity CEO Giles Lomax said: “This milestone represents an important step forward for the SMA community.

“With all three treatments now routinely available through NHS Scotland alongside newborn screening, the future for anyone diagnosed with SMA is very different compared to their peers who were diagnosed symptomatically.

“These babies will now have the opportunity to grow up without life-long health care needs and the complexity and challenges of living with SMA.

“I would like to thank the Scottish Government, the numerous clinicians and the Scottish Muscle Network as well as Novartis for their on-going support to drive change.”

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Consultant Clinical Scientist and Director of the screening laboratory Dr Sarah Smith said: “We are working closely with the UK National Screening Committee and other UK laboratories to assess the screen in a real‑life setting.

“Our staff have worked tirelessly to begin screening as quickly as possible so we can start to understand the impact that earlier treatment may have on babies born with this condition.” 

UK and Ireland Chief Medical Officer at Novartis Rob Hastings said: “We are delighted that Scotland has become the first nation in the UK to introduce newborn screening for SMA, helping ensure families benefit from timely diagnosis.

“This programme marks a significant step forward in early detection and intervention, giving babies the chance to receive the care they need as soon as possible.

“Early identification of SMA can make a meaningful difference to children and their families, and we are confident Scotland’s participation will provide the evidence needed to make SMA a long term screening programme.”

Scottish Director of Screening Dr Tasmin Sommerfield said: “I am delighted that Scotland is following the advice of the UK National Screening Committee and commencing this in-service evaluation of SMA screening.

“It will allow babies with SMA to receive the best care and treatment as soon as possible.”

The Scottish Government provided funding of £95,000 towards the SMA screening evaluation, with Novartis providing £435,400.