Join us for our next Poetry Across the Seasons event on Wednesday 20th May, from 2-3pm.
This workshop is part of Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief Demystifying Death Week and Creativity and Wellbeing Week. This is an opportunity to explore themes of mortality, grief and life through poetry. This session offers a supportive space for reflection, expression and creative wellbeing.
You are invited to join us in writing, sharing your own poems or simply listening to others. No experience is needed; all are welcome to participate in this guided experience.
This is a free but ticketed event, facilitated by our dramatherapist, Sally McRae. Light refreshments will be provided. To register please visit our website https://bit.ly/413Wo5Q.
This is part of our Poetry Across the Seasons series which will be running throughout 2026 in Edinburgh and North Berwick. Each gathering will explore a different theme – from reflection and remembrance to celebration, change, and creativity
WACL (Women in Advertising & Communications Leadership) brought together some of the UK’s and Scotland’s most influential female leaders last week as the WACL Festival of Talent arrived in Edinburgh for the first time.
The event comes at a pivotal moment for gender equality in business. The mean gender pay gap in Scotland rose to 10% in 2025, up from 8.3% in 2024 and 6.4% in 2023. Female owned businesses already contribute an estimated £8.8bn annually to the Scottish economy, yet the proportion of women led employer businesses has fallen from 23% in 2021 to just 16% today, according to Women’s Enterprise Scotland.
Research also shows female CEO representation across the UK has dropped sharply from 28% in 2022/23 to 19% in 2024, highlighting growing concern around the progression and retention of women in senior leadership roles.
Against this backdrop, the WACL Festival of Talent, taking place at The Hoxton, Edinburgh, brought together senior leaders, entrepreneurs and creatives for a one day leadership accelerator focused on helping women build confidence, resilience, influence and stronger professional networks in a rapidly changing business environment.
Part of WACL’s largest ever national programme marking the Festival’s 30th anniversary, events will take place simultaneously across London, Manchester, Edinburgh and online, with the ambition of engaging more than 650 women nationwide.
The expansion marks a formal commitment from WACL to grow its presence beyond London into Scotland and the North of England for the first time in its 102 year history, reflecting the organisation’s ambition to build stronger regional leadership networks and support female talent across the UK.
Speakers in Edinburgh included Claire Sadler, President of WACL and Chief Marketing Officer at the British Heart Foundation; Corinne Hutton, author and entrepreneur; Sheryl Findlay, international coach; Nishma Patel Robb, Founder and CEO of Glittersphere; Sharon Lloyd Barnes, Head of Commercial Operations at the Advertising Association; Sophie Devonshire, CEO of The Marketing Society; Stef Sword Williams, author; Gemma Atkinson, Chief People Officer; Zoe Howarth, Non Executive Director; Rania Robinson, Co Founder and Partner at Quiet Storm; Emma Isaac, former CMO of Virgin Money; Sam Baker, editor and broadcaster; Melissa Robertson, Non Executive Director; and Georgie Jones, poet.
The Edinburgh event also included speed mentoring sessions with WACL members and senior female leaders, alongside networking opportunities designed to help attendees build meaningful professional connections.
Juliet Simpson, Chair WACL Scotland said: “The reality is that progress for women in leadership is not guaranteed and in several areas we’re seeing signs of regression rather than acceleration.
“Our first WACL Scotland Festival of Talent reflects the changing nature of leadership today, less linear, more complex, and increasingly shaped by influence, relationships and values led decision making.
“It’s about equipping women with the relationships, confidence, language and practical tools that help power and influence compound over time to ultimately drive change.”
Claire Sadler, WACL President added: “Thirty years after the Festival of Talent first launched, the need for spaces that actively support women’s progression remains incredibly urgent.The data shows there is still significant work to do to achieve genuine equality in leadership, particularly at senior levels.
“We are delighted to be bringing the Festival to Edinburgh for the first time as part of WACL’s commitment to growing our influence and support networks beyond London into Scotland and are thrilled with the response we’ve had.
“The Festival exists to help women build confidence, skills and networks at every stage of their careers and to remind the industry that diverse leadership is better for business, innovation and economic growth.”
Clear majority of Scottish voters backed pro-EU parties at Scottish Parliament elections
“Westminster must listen to Scotland’s voters and move towards Single Market membership,” says European Movement in Scotland.
Scottish voters at the Holyrood Parliament elections on 7th May overwhelmingly cast their ballots for political parties that favour much closer ties with the European Union. 100 of the 129 MSPs are from pro-EU parties.
The pro-Europe campaigning organisation, the European Movement in Scotland (EMiS), says the polling is a warning to the Labour Government in London that voters expect action on closer ties with the EU, and quickly.
Chair of EMiS, David Clarke, says: “Scotland’s voters have given a resounding endorsement for Scotland and the UK fully re-engaging with the EU. Pro-union and pro-independence voters backed closer ties with Europe.
“This election shows dumping Brexit is the democratic will of Scotland. Westminster must listen to Scotland’s voters.”
The UK Labour government is currently in talks to repair some of the economic damage Britain suffered from the Withdrawal Agreement signed by the previous Conservative government.
However, the government has said it will not breach its “red lines” by rejoining the single market of the European customs union.
David Clarke says: “The whole of the UK knows Brexit has been a total failure. It’s been made worse by recent global events.Rejoining the European single market would be a huge boost to the economy and in business confidence.
“It’s the right thing for business, for jobs, for exports and the nation.”
The number of MSPs for each pro-Europe party at the Holyrood elections on 7th May was: Scottish National Party (58), Scottish Labour (17), Scottish Liberal Democrats (10) and the Scottish Greens (15).
We are pleased to announce our community walk for all the family on Friday afternoons, 2.30-3.45pm, monthly, starting on 22nd May (fourth Friday of the month).
We will walk, play, do an art activity related to local history, and learn about nature too.
Starting and ending at the Granton Hub / Madelvic House.
All welcome. Please wear sensible shoes and warm clothes / sun hat plus suncream if appropriate, and bring water and snacks for yourselves.
Tamsin Grainger is Paths for All trained, and has a DBS certificate. All children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult or an older sibling.
So sorry to learn of the death of Scottish rugby star Scott Hastings yesterday. Scott was 61, and passed away on his beloved late wife Jenny’s birthday.
Among those paying tribute to a special man was First Minister John Swinney, who said: ‘I am terribly saddened to hear the news that Scott Hastings has died.
“One of Scotland’s finest rugby players, Scott was an example to all of outstanding sportsmanship. I always felt such joy when I met him at Murrayfield.
“My deepest sympathy to his family.”
Scottish Rugby has published a moving tribute to a fine man:
Scott Hastings won 65 caps for Scotland over 11 years (a record at that time), represented the British & Irish Lions on 12 occasions on two tours and played 13 games for the Barbarians. A proud Watsonian, he also wore the Edinburgh jersey with such distinction.
He remains the most-capped Scotland male centre of all-time.
But those stellar stats tell far from the whole story.
Sir Ian McGeechan, former Scotland and Lions head coach said: “My association with Scott and his brother Gavin was always special for me because we came into the Scotland set-up, myself as coach, and Scott and Gavin as players, at the same time. We came in together and we grew together.
“I remember Scott on the Lions tours taking an absolute lead. He was so single-minded and determined about winning.
“He was very much your right-hand man, given what he did on the field. I still remember the Grand Slam game against England in 1990. There was his Lions team-mate from the previous year, Jerry Guscott, in the England team, but Scott gave nothing away to him whatsoever.
“Whatever jersey Scott wore, he just made it better.”
Current Scotland Head Coach, Gregor Townsend, said: “In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Scott was an iconic figure for Scottish rugby.
“His defensive display in the 1990 Grand Slam victory over England was crucial to that day’s success and he epitomised what it meant to play for Scotland – combining passion, confidence and aggression, whenever he wore the navy blue jersey.
“Like many other schoolboys throughout Scotland at the time, I wanted to emulate Scott’s approach to the game and how he took the game to the opposition.
“A few years later, I was fortunate to play alongside him on a number of occasions for Scotland, as he became our most-capped player.
“His influence on his team-mates was still very strong towards the end of his career as he helped us come very close to winning another Grand Slam game against England at Murrayfield in 1996.
“Scott always brought positivity and energy into everything he did from his playing career then into the past couple of decades as a widely travelled and respected commentator.
“His passing is a huge loss for Scottish rugby, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and close friends. Rest in peace, Scott.”
Another of Scott’s former international team-mates, Kenny Logan, worked closely with Scott when the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation was established, following Doddie Weir’s diagnosis with motor neurone disease.
Kenny said: “Scott was one of those guys who you could rely on to always put his hand up. His energy was incredible. I worked with him while he was chair of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and Scott’s role wasn’t just about generating PR. He was very knowledgeable and would never hesitate to do his bit.”
Scott was first capped against France in 1986 and his last was away to England in 1997. He toured with the Lions in the series-winning trip to Australia in 1989 and again to New Zealand in 1993, playing in two Tests against the Wallabies.
As Ian McGeechan noted, Scott was fiercely competitive and his attitude meant he was very much at home when the game became professional in 1995.
Yet Scott’s passion for the game and zest for life meant that fun was never far from the surface.
First meeting Scott as a young reporter on the Edinburgh Evening News, he was a joy to work with. Blessed with scalding acceleration and pulverising in the tackle – and that was evident from his days in school rugby at George Watson’s College, where he benefited from the tutelage of another Scotland cap, the late Donald Scott – Scott loved a bit of good-natured mischief.
Whether it was inadvertently launching a tomato which caught an SRU sponsor flush on the coupon at an international post-match dinner, or having to amend some 2,000 printed T-shirts with a marker pen to A S Haley, after a committee man took umbrage at the positioning of a “mystery buftie”, A S Hole, alongside his name. Scott could sail close to the wind, but, it was never malicious.
Born in Edinburgh on 4 December 1964, Scott progressed from school rugby via Watsonians and Newcastle Northern and made his debut for the Edinburgh District team against North & Midlands on November 1985.
A couple of months later, alongside brother Gavin, he had his Scotland debut in a win against France and followed it that February with a try in a record-breaking win against England.
In all, Scott scored ten tries for Scotland in those 65 caps – against England and Romania in 1986; France in 1987; Ireland in 1988 and 1991; Japan and Zimbabwe at the 1991 Rugby World Cup; Tonga and New Zealand in the 1995 RWC; and Wales in 1997.
Scott was inducted to the Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame last October and his unwavering love for the game in his acceptance speech left the audience utterly spellbound.
He loved the seven-a-side game, and he was incredibly proud of capturing a coveted Melrose Sevens winners medal with Watsonians in 1996.
After beginning work in marketing and PR in rugby’s amateur days, it was no surprise that Scott became a broadcaster – a stint that started alongside the legendary Bill McLaren during the inaugural Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 1987. Scott was equally adept as expert summariser or main commentator.
The sheer undiluted joy in his voice as Scotland won their first title on the HSBC 7s circuit at Twickenham some ten years ago this weekend, will live long in the memory, as will his descriptions of subsequent Calcutta Cup triumphs in the XV-a-side game.
Scott was so generous in his support of multiple charities, many alongside his late wife, Jenny, who died in 2024.
The role they played together during the Covid pandemic of providing both a physical and mental well-being boost to their neighbours in the Warriston area of Edinburgh through daily gentle outdoor exercise was the perfect fillip in difficult times.
Scott had previously fought off non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, but it returned, though typical of the man, he always sought to maintain a positive outlook.
In a statement this afternoon, his son, Corey, and daughter, Kerry-Anne, said: “We are saddened to inform you that Scott passed away peacefully surrounded by family on the morning of Sunday 17 May.This also marked his late wife Jenny’s birthday which speaks louder than words that he is safe and with his beloved Jenny.
“Scott was undergoing cancer treatment and due to complications deteriorated extremely quickly. Despite every effort by the incredible team at the Western General ICU, he passed away peacefully and pain free.
“At this time, the family ask everyone to give them space to process and manage their energies and ask for their privacy to be respected.
“More information will be shared in due course to celebrate Scott’s incredible life.”
Scottish Rugby extends its heartfelt sympathies to Corey, Kerry-Anne, and Scott’s wider family, led by brothers Graeme, Gavin and Ewan and all his many friends.
The flag will fly at half-mast at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in tribute to one of Scotland’s finest sons.
We will share details of the funeral service once these are finalised.
A spokesperson for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation said: “We are so sad to hear the news about Scott Hastings.
“Scott was our first chair at My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and an incredible man, who was passionate about everything he did. He supported a huge number of important causes, and always did so with boundless energy and a smile.”
World Rugby said: World Rugby is deeply saddened by the passing of Scotland great Scott Hastings.
One of the defining players of his generation, Hastings represented Scotland across 65 test matches and played a pivotal role in the nation’s historic 1990 Grand Slam triumph.
A British & Irish Lion and an iconic figure in the game, he was respected throughout world rugby for his leadership, passion and unwavering commitment on the field. Following his playing career, Hastings remained a valued voice within the sport, continuing to contribute to rugby through broadcasting and advocacy with the same authenticity and love for the game that defined his career.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, former teammates and the entire Scottish rugby community at this incredibly difficult time. Rest in peace, Scott Hastings.
