Day: September 29, 2026

27 year-old fly launches major digitisation project in Scotland

As Scotland’s Climate Week gets underway, a 127 year-old hoverfly is among the first insect specimens to be digitised as part of a major new project led in Scotland by National Museums Scotland and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. 

The specimen is a Pine hoverfly (Blera fallax), which entered the Museum’s collection in 1899. Blera fallax became critically endangered in Scotland and almost disappeared from the wild by the 2000 before successful efforts were made to reintroduce it in the wild in the Cairngorms National Park.  

The DiSSCo UK project in Scotland aims to create approximately 700,000 digital records of specimens held in Scotland’s natural science collections. The project in Scotland will initially run for two years and will see more than 250,000 insects from National Museums Scotland and 388,000 herbarium specimens from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh become digitally accessible to all.  

The value of the project in documenting Scotland’s natural history is illustrated by the way in which plant specimens from the same region are also being digitised by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, such as Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris).

The Scots pine of the Caledonian Forest is a key species for the habitat of the Pine hoverfly, with the insects using rot holes in the trees for the development of their larvae. The specimen in the Herbarium of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh was collected in Aviemore in 1975.  

Dr Vladimir Blagoderov, Principal Curator, Invertebrates at National Museums Scotland, said: “It’s very pleasing to have started work on this important work digitally documenting and making accessible this really useful and valuable information about Scotland’s natural environment and how it has changed and will continue to change over time.” 

DiSSCo UK [https://dissco-uk.org/] (Distributed System of Scientific Collections UK), is a £155 million, 10-year national programme to digitise and connect the UK’s natural science collections.

The programme is funded through the UKRI Infrastructure Fund and delivered by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) in partnership with the Natural History Museum and over 100 partners across the UK.     

In addition to material from the Scottish national collections, the project will also see digital records created for 85,000 plant specimens held by Glasgow Life, 1200 insects from The Hunterian, 2400 specimens from Shetland Museum & Archives including plants, algae and fungi as well as 1400 plant, lichen and moss specimens from The James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen. 

It is hoped that future phases will encompass more of the collections of existing participants and also widen in scope to include more of Scotland’s natural science collecting institutions.    

Knife Angel leaves Leith – but Not In Vain campaign goes on

Month-long programme to tackle knife crime makes it’s mark

knife angel

Throughout September, communities across Edinburgh have taken part in activities designed to help people understand the risks associated with carrying knives and explore how to prevent violence.

The 27-foot Knife Angel sculpture, created by artist Alfie Bradley and the British Ironworks Centre from 100,000 confiscated knives and blades, has provided a powerful focal point for conversations about the devastating impact of violence and knife crime.

As part of the programme, 500 pupils were funded to attend Code at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The gritty theatre production explores county lines gangs and violence through rap, parkour and BMX stunts.

The performance prompted important discussions among pupils, teachers and peers about the realities and consequences of violence.

Pupils from 13 high schools also attended Balisong, an educational play about knife crime produced by Strange Town. With support from Forth Ports, the production has toured high schools across Edinburgh, reaching thousands of pupils.

Young people have also played a key role in a creative project which saw 92 pieces of pupils’ artwork selected to form a mosaic on a Lothian bus. The artwork focuses on keeping safe and being kind, providing a positive message that was seen by people across the city.

Police Scotland school engagement officers have worked with schools and young people throughout September as part of ongoing efforts to prevent violence before it starts.

The Local Policing crime prevention team took part in community workshops, while officers have been providing local retailers with advice and guidance around the responsible sale of knives.

The Council held a closing ceremony on Friday to mark the end of the Knife Angel’s time in Edinburgh. The event brought the community together to reflect on the month’s activities and consider how partners can build on this work to continue reducing violence and knife crime across the city.

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “The Knife Angel has provided a powerful opportunity to bring people together and have important conversations about knife crime, violence and how we can make our communities safer.

“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the Knife Angel programme, particularly our schools, young people, community organisations, Police Scotland and our other partners. The creativity and commitment shown throughout the month has helped keep these important conversations going.

“Although the Knife Angel is now leaving Edinburgh, the work does not stop here. The partnerships, conversations and lessons from the past month give us a strong foundation to continue working together to prevent violence and keep our communities safe.”

Chief Inspector Kieran Dougal said: “Edinburgh Division has been proud to have supported the Knife Angel residency alongside Places For People, City of Edinburgh Council and over 100 partners to raise awareness of the devastating consequences of violence crime and the support available to those affected by crimes of this nature.

“There is no place for violence in our society and our officers work daily with our communities and partners to respond to incidents of violence when they arise and support a range of diversionary activities aimed at deterring at risk groups from getting involved in violence.

“During the month of the Knife Angel residency we have helped keep people safe by patrolling the transport network, providing local retailers with advice on the responsible sale of knives, delivering inputs to schools on the dangers of weapon carrying, and, crucially, listening to those impacted by violence across our communities, including children and young people, about their experience of violence. This is all in addition to enforcement activity targeting perpetrators of violence.

“The Knife Angel has provided a platform for discussion reaching millions, united partners to roll out education programs, community engagement events, practitioner events and the sharing of accounts from those impacted by violence. However, the work does not end when the Angel goes, we remain committed to tackling violence in communities.

“If you are a young person who knows information about violent crime, including weapon possession, you can report it 100 percent anonymously via Fearless, the youth service of independent charity Crimestoppers, at fearless.org.

“If you are an adult, you can report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or directly to Police Scotland by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency. Together we can keep Edinburgh a safe place to work, live and visit.”

 The Council will continue to work with partners, schools, and communities to support violence prevention and build on the work inspired by the Knife Angel’s visit.

And for Lisa Petrie, the remarkable wee mum who lost her son John McNab in a stabbing last September, the campaign goes on. The Angel may have moved on, but Lisa’s determination to ensure her terrible loss is Not In Vain remains as strong as ever.

More information about the Knife Angel’s time in Edinburgh and the Book of Remembrance is available on the Council’s website.