Month: May 2026

Duke of Edinburgh attends service for the Kirking of the Scottish Parliament

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was joined by incoming MSPs, the Presiding Officer, and representatives from Scotland’s faith and belief communities at the Kirking for the Seventh Session of the Scottish Parliament in St Giles’ Cathedral last night (Wednesday 13 May).

The service in Edinburgh traditionally takes place on the evening before the first sitting of a new parliamentary term.

The Kirking is a ceremonial tradition that reflects on the responsibilities of leadership in public service, while recognising Scotland’s wide range of religious and non-religious beliefs.

It also provides an opportunity for organisations from across Scotland, including participants from civic society, the diplomatic corps, academia, business, industry and charities, to meet with the newly elected MSPs.

The ecumenical service was led by The Reverend Dr Scott Rennie, The Minister of St Giles’ Cathedral, with the Sermon being delivered by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, The Right Reverend Rosie Frew.

This, together with readings by the Presiding Officer and the Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, is intended to encourage thoughtful reflection on serving others.

The congregation heard performances from the Choir of St Giles’ and the National Youth Choir of Scotland as well as from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland traditional Scottish music duo Stella Rose McIntyre (clàrsach) and Naomi Priestnall (fiddle). Interfaith blessings also featured.

The seventh session of the Scottish Parliament will formally begin today when MSPs will be sworn in by the Presiding Officer in the Holyrood Chamber.

An election will then be held to choose a new Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officers.

PICTURES: Scottish Parliament

Police Scotland: Herbert Protocol survey

We’re seeking your views on the proposed digitalisation of information that helps trace missing people living with dementia.

As part of the Herbert Protocol, families/carers can obtain, print and complete a pro-forma document from the Police Scotland website that is handed to investigating officers whenever someone with dementia goes missing.

The form records a range of useful information which will allow police to respond swiftly during the crucial first hour – rather than spend it gathering information.

At present, families and carers are responsible for owning, updating and providing this document to police.

Read more about the Herbert Protocol and get the link to our consultation survey here:

https://orlo.uk/2t4dd

Norway Paramedic Students visit Edinburgh

The Scottish Ambulance Service welcomed two groups of trainees from the Ambulance Service of the University Hospital of Northern Norway to Edinburgh City Station recently.

The groups were given a tour by Team Leader Donna Edwards and attended presentations from Kevin Scott from the National Risk and Resilience Department (NRRD) and Andrew Nisbet, who spoke about the Advanced Practice in Urgent and Primary Care team.

Social Security Scotland: Young Carer Grant success

As of 31 March, 13,080 young carers had received our Young Carer Grant.

The payment is worth over £400 and can be applied for annually when carers are aged 16, 17, 18 and 19 – a little something for those who give a lot

Read the full publication:

ttps://bit.ly/YoungCarerGrantStatsNov25

Goal Getters at North Edinburgh Arts

Do you want to lose weight, run a marathon, declutter your home, spend less time on your phone, learn to speak a new language or whatever your goal may be, we’re running a new group that will support you with achieving your goals.

Goal Getters is for anyone who wants to build better habits, start something new, and/or see something through. Join the weekly group to stay motivated, connect with others, and achieve together.

When: Fridays, 5.30pm – 6.30pm

Where: North Edinburgh Arts

You are welcome to attend with children/babies.

For more information, please contact: Laurie at Laurence_Bell@proton.me

Sign up to Walk to School Challenge

Welcome to a new year of WOW – the walk to school challenge ⭐

The theme for 2026/27 is Walk the Senses, which celebrates what we hear, see, smell, taste or feel as we walk and wheel to school 🏫

🚶On average, WOW schools see 18% more walking and wheeling to school and 58% fewer car journeys. Plus, it takes only five minutes a day to run!

Join more than 2,000 schools across the UK already taking part.

Start your WOW journey today ➡️https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/wow

Police appeal for witnesses after woman robbed of car

POLICE are appealing for information after a woman was robbed of her car in Edinburgh yesterday (Tuesday, 12 May, 2026).

Around 3.20pm, the 22-year-old woman was parking her white Peugeot 208 at the rear of the Scotmid store at Morvenside Close, Wester Hailes. As she was sitting in her car, a man approached, threatened her with a knife and demanded her keys.

A member of the public came to assist the woman as she got out the car. The suspect managed to enter the car and another man who had been standing nearby got into the passenger side. They drove off.

The two suspects are described as white and of gaunt appearance. One was aged 30-40 years with a scruffy blonde beard. He was wearing a black tracksuit and baseball cap. The second man was wearing a navy tracksuit and a black balaclava.

Detective Inspector Robert Wallace said: “This was a very frightening experience for this woman who was simply trying to go to the shops when she was targeted. Thankfully, she was uninjured.

“We are continuing significant enquiries to trace the two men responsible. This includes gathering and viewing CCTV footage from in and around the area.

“This is a busy area and I am confident that there were people nearby who haven’t yet spoken to police. I urge them to please get in touch.

“I also ask anyone with personal footage or dash-cam to review their footage and come forward if it holds anything relevant.”

Information should be passed to Police Scotland through 101 quoting incident number 2051 of Tuesday, 12 May, 2026.

QMU’s Community Open Day returns this May

SATURDAY 30th MAY 12 – 3pm

Queen Margaret University (QMU) will welcome local residents and the wider public to its annual Community Open Day on Saturday 30 May, inviting people to explore the campus, enjoy its facilities and take part in a fun, family-friendly afternoon.

Running from 12 noon to 3pm, the free event will feature a wide range of activities for all ages, including drumming workshops, bug hunting, den building, Therapets, face painting, and creative sessions celebrating books and music. Attractions such as a bouncy castle and the Cycling Without Age group from Musselburgh will add to a lively programme designed to offer something for everyone.

This year, the University is also delighted to host a landscape art competition run by Musselburgh Creates. Artists of all ages are invited to capture the University’s distinctive campus setting.

Taking place across the grounds from 11am – 3pm the competition offers a lovely, creative focal point for the day, with participants encouraged to respond to QMU’s architecture, landscaped gardens and natural surroundings. Anyone who would like to participate in the competition should register at 10am and bring their own materials and equipment (no need to book in advance).

Beyond the activities, the Community Open Day aims to showcase the facilities and services QMU makes available to the local community. While children enjoy the entertainment on offer, adults can explore the University’s range of spaces for hire, including meeting rooms, conference facilities, the Sports and Fitness Centre, and Maggie’s Bar and Café.

In addition to its specialist teaching facilities, QMU offers a wide variety of spaces suitable for community events and meetings. These range from small meeting rooms to an attractive conference suite with break-out spaces overlooking the pond, as well as a large lecture theatre seating up to 250 people. The University is keen for local residents, community groups and organisations to benefit from its flexible learning and social spaces.

Lynn Barclay Commercial Manager at Queen Margaret University, said: “Our gardens, Sports and Fitness Centre and Students’ Union bar are already well used by the community, but we want to ensure more people are aware of the full range of spaces and facilities available to local groups and organisations.

“We can support anything from seminars and conferences to voluntary group meetings, AGMs and corporate dinners. With everything from small classrooms and a piano bar to a conference suite overlooking the pond and large lecture theatres accommodating 150 to 250 people, we have something to suit almost every need.

QMU’s Community Open Day takes place on Saturday 30 May, from 12 noon to 3pm. Booking is not required for this free event.

Organisations involved in delivering activities on the day include: Cycling Without Age Musselburgh; Mansfield School of Music; Therapets East Lothian; Scottish Book Trust; Bouncy Castle Man; Event Buddies Scotland; East Lothian Council Arts Service; Seeds of Disruption SCIO; and Musselburgh Creates.

See more details on the landscape art competition by Musselburgh Creates at landscape event.