Following over 140 nominations from across the city’s creative community, 32 individuals, organisations and projects have made the shortlist across eight categories, and tickets to celebrate with them at the 15th anniversary ceremony are now on sale.
Thinking about this year’s milestone Ola Wojtkiewicz, Executive Director at Creative Edinburgh, said: “As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Creative Edinburgh Awards, we’re proud of their role in building the city’s creative legacy – recognising local talent, amplifying ambitious projects and celebrating the people and places making a lasting difference to their communities.
“The Awards are about more than recognition; they bring together artists, communities, organisations and funders, strengthening the connections that help creativity thrive.
“This reflects our commitment to supporting creative entrepreneurship and contributing to Edinburgh’s Culture and Wellbeing Strategy.
“We’re equally proud of the longstanding partnerships that make the Awards possible – a testament to the power of a connected, collaborative city.”
Meet the finalists
Community Award
Pianodrome
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Screen Education
Summerhall Arts
Inclusion Award
Edinburgh Community Performing Arts
HIV Aloud: Raise the Curtain with Edinburgh Playhouse and Waverley Care
Out of Sight Out of Mind Exhibition
Screen Education Edinburgh
Collaboration Award
Dementia-Friendly Workshops with Space Beacon Club and Edinburgh International Festival
HIV Aloud: Raise the Curtain with Edinburgh Playhouse and Waverley Care
Manipulate Arts & WHALE Arts – Ocho Project
Starcatchers Productions Ltd
Development Award
Darren Wilkie
Fiona Linton
Hannah Ayre
Rachel Barlow
Festivals Award – Sponsored by The List
Edinburgh Arts Festival
Hidden Door
Manipulate Festival
Summerhall Arts
Innovation Award
Heads on Crooked
The Pend
Trevor Jones
Where Are The Disabled Photographers?
Leadership Award – Sponsored by Screen Scotland
Jess Abrams – Lecturer in Community Music at Edinburgh College
Kat Brooks – Leader of The Phoenix Choir
Susie Gray – Executive Director of Premier Scotland
Suzanne Lofthus – Artistic Director of Cutting Edge Theatre
The evening will be opened with a welcome speech from Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic, before we crown this year’s winners and celebrate fifteen years of creativity and innovation in the city. Our MC for the evening will be Katie Ailes of I Am Loud CIC, a talented spoken word artist.
When asked to give comment Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic, said: “Congratulations to all the finalists of this year’s Creative Edinburgh Awards. Reaching the shortlist from over 140 nominations is a real achievement and reflects the depth of talent and ambition within Edinburgh’s creative community.
“For fifteen years, these Awards have celebrated the individuals, organisations and projects that bring culture and creativity to life in our capital, and the partnerships that help that creativity flourish. I’m delighted to join the celebrations this November, and I wish every finalist the very best of luck.”
Tinderbox Orchestra have been commissioned, through a partnership with the National Centre for Music & Dunard Centre, to do two special performances on the night. Tinderbox Collective is a community of young people, musicians, artists and youth workers supporting their members to build confidence, skills, self-esteem, and professional experience. We’re thrilled to have them with us on the night.
The winners’ trophies have once again been designed by students at Edinburgh College who are ongoing collaborators of the Creative Edinburgh Awards. The students’ talent and work ethic never fail to impress, their designs are sure to look fantastic in the hands of this year’s winners.
Ticket holders will also enjoy benefits from our wonderful in-kind sponsors, Dishoom and Thistly Cross Cider.
Dishoom, the much-loved Indian restaurant and bar inspired by the Irani cafés of Bombay, will be serving a selection of mocktails alongside light sweet bites, while Scotland’s leading independent craft cider producer, Thistly Cross, will have options straight from the East Lothian coast.
Together they are making every ticket go further, with complimentary drinks that let guests toast the finalists, the winners and fifteen years of Edinburgh creativity without reaching for their wallets.
Hungry? Food will be available to buy from Grassmarket Community Project, who catered last year’s Awards and went down a treat with the community.
Get your tickets
Whether you’re cheering on a finalist, catching up with the city’s creative community or joining us for the first time to find out what’s happening in the city, we’d love to see you there. Tickets are limited, so don’t miss out and purchase yours today. We have kept the ticket price unchanged over the last three years to make sure that they are affordable for all.
Brian Donaldson, Editor of The List, our Media Partner, said: “Within the vibrant cultural hub of Edinburgh, the Creative Edinburgh Awards play a vital role in highlighting the city’s talent and helping them make a breakthrough in their chosen field.
“The List is delighted to partner with the awards as they mark 15 years of celebrating Edinburgh’s grassroots projects and local artists.”
The response to the ongoing impact of Storm Boelo was discussed by Ministers at a meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) yesterday afternoon.
Strong winds and heavy rain affected much of the country over the weekend and weather warnings remained in force for most of Scotland until nine o’clock last night. Ministers were told that while conditions may ease later today (Sunday), there is potential for adverse weather to return early this week.
Power cuts are affecting some parts of the country. Electricity suppliers say a total of around 40,000 customers are currently without supply but approximately 26,000 customers have had their power restored. The ongoing winds are hampering repair efforts but they will continue as soon as it is safe to do so.
Flooding has affected several properties in Largs and Saltcoats and caused damage to some transport routes. A number of roads are blocked by fallen trees. The conditions have caused disruption to rail, air and ferry services. Ministers are urging the public to check official channels for the latest information in their areas.
Sunday’s meeting was attended by the First Minister John Swinney, Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, Economy, Tourism and Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn, Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands Jim Fairlie and Minister for Victims and Community Safety Kirsten Oswald. The Met Office, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Transport Scotland, blue light services and several other agencies involved in the response also joined.
Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “As we experience a third consecutive day of weather warnings with continued strong winds forecast until later today, it is important that people keep up to date on the impact the conditions are having in their local area.
“Disruption to travel is likely to continue into tomorrow and I strongly recommend people check official sources such as the Met Office, Traffic Scotland, transport operators and local authority channels before setting out.
“While we expect some respite from the adverse weather during the day on Monday, there is a possibility of more severe weather conditions early on in the week and we urge everyone to continue to follow advice and heed any warnings.
“If anyone is isolated or needs help or assistance, they should not hesitate to seek help from the appropriate authorities.
“We continue to monitor the situation and work closely with partners to respond quickly and try to mitigate the effects of Storm Boelo as far as possible.”
Stuart Wilson of Transport Scotland said: “The weekend of storms has brought challenges across the transport network and, in some cases, there will be significant recovery work required before we have the network back to normal.
“Our operating companies are working around the clock to restore parts of the trunk road network that have been impacted. The Traffic Scotland website and X account have regular updates on trunk road conditions, so I’d continue to urge drivers to plan their journey before setting off, particularly ahead of the return to work on Monday morning.
“The conditions have also impacted rail, ferry and air networks, so it’s vital travellers check with operators to see if their services have been affected.”
Two people were killed by falling trees during the storm, including a man in Dumfries and Galloway.
GLASGOW-based brain injury charity Headway Clyde has launched its ‘lifesaving’ ID cards nationally, thanks to a donation from Irwin Mitchell Scotland LLP.
The serious injury specialist law firm donated a card printing machine to sponsor Headway Clyde’s production of uniquely personalised ABI (acquired brain injury) cards for individuals with brain injuries.
Headway Clyde is an independent Scottish charity and part of a UK-wide network of voluntary sector charities and groups supporting people with ABIs and their families.
This new national ABI ID card is a vital lifesaver for people with brain injuries, featuring the ways in which each person’s ABI affects them, personal details and the all-important emergency contact information.
This means that urgent help and assistance is more quickly and easily available. An Acquired Brain Injury can be caused by an event after birth such as stroke, brain haemorrhage, infection, or cancer, but the main causes in Scotland are due to falls, accidents and assault, accounting for 62% of the total number of ABIs.
Often, others can assume that someone affected by an ABI is drunk, aggressive or deliberately confusing matters – this new ABI ID Card provides that person with a means to prove that they are none of these things. This can make all the difference when using things like public transport and taxis or doing tasks like shopping.
Headway Clyde’s range of services cover Glasgow, the West and Central Scotland, covering a population of over 1.5 million people across nine local authorities and three NHS regions.
Now this hugely important, personalised ABI ID Card is being offered across Scotland.
For Bob Bogle, Chief Executive at Headway Clyde, the personalised cards are a ‘gamechanger’ and says they have been created and offered due to a very real and vocal demand for them from ABI-affected individuals and families.
Bob said: “Within just a few weeks of rolling out the cards in March, there have been situations where these cards have already been used and helped individuals. They’re a real gamechanger.
“At times, they can quite literally be lifesaving, and we cannot thank our long-standing partners at Irwin Mitchell enough for their wonderful support over the years. Thanks also to the family of life-long campaigner for ABI awareness, Irene Morrice, for her legacy which means we can continue to offer these cards completely free of charge.
“It takes just over £130,000 to run Headway Clyde per year and we really rely on donations and our corporate sponsors to continue this vital free service. We no longer receive any funding from the NHS or government, but are expected to provide lifelong essential community support for thousands of individuals and families. In Glasgow City, 70% of those people we support live in the 10% poorest areas, so we have to continue to offer all our services free of charge.
“We are now rolling these uniquely personalised ABI cards out across Scotland to ensure equal access to this vital resource for all individuals with acquired brain injuries all around the country. These really make a difference on the front line.”
Kim Leslie, Personal Injury Partner at Irwin Mitchell Scotland, added: “What I really like about this initiative is its simplicity. It responds to an everyday challenge faced by people living with a brain injury and gives them something practical that can make life a little easier.
“Knowing the cards are already helping people is fantastic, and Headway Clyde deserve huge credit for making the idea happen.
“We see how important organisations like Headway Clyde are to people and families across Scotland, so supporting their work feels both important and very worthwhile.”
Amy Gannon, Serious Injury Partner at Irwin Mitchell Scotland, added: “As specialists supporting people affected by brain injury, we know how important it is that individuals have practical tools which help them feel safer and better understood in everyday situations.
“These cards are a simple but powerful way of reducing misunderstanding and ensuring the right support can be accessed quickly when it is needed most.”
The charity canvassed opinions from those who have been using the card, and feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Cardholders felt it helped to challenge misconceptions; explain issues like poor balance, forgetfulness, slower reaction times or problems with memory to those who may not understand their condition; and the presence of emergency contact details on the cards provided additional reassurance.
One current ABI ID Card user, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “I’ve used the card a lot since I got it, and it has been so good. There have been occasions when I’ve fainted, and those who have come to my aid or helped me at the hospital have been able to phone my contact to alert them.
“It also helps prevent misunderstandings. When my mobility and balance are affected, people can often assume I’ve been drinking, but the card gives me confidence to know they won’t now jump to the wrong conclusion.”
Another said: “It helps my family and people I meet understand if I’m confused, anxious and not communicating in a relatable way.”
Every year, 20,000 people in Scotland will acquire a brain injury with over 400,000 individuals now living with an ABI across Scotland – 6% of the population.
If you or someone you know has an Acquired Brain Injury and would like one of these personalised ID cards then contact Headway Clyde directly on 0141 332 8878 or click on https://idcard.headwayclyde.org/ to access the confidential online application process.
The Self Assessment tax return deadline for 2025 to 2026 tax year is 31 January 2027.
People can file their tax returns via GOV.UK and beat the January rush.
Support and guidance are available on GOV.UK for those need it.
With 100 days to go until the deadline, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging millions of Self Assessment customers to get ahead of the January rush and not put off completing their tax return for the 2025 to 2026 tax year.
Around 12 million people are expected to submit a tax return by 31 January 2027 and submitting tax returns early means customers can:
find out how much tax they owe before the deadline
give themselves more time to budget
get a refund quicker if they have paid too much tax
avoid penalties
Customers can complete and file their tax return for the 2025 to 2026 year on GOV.UK. If anyone is unsure about whether they need to complete Self Assessment, they can use the GOV.UK checker tool.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said on Friday:“The Self Assessment deadline is 100 days away so now is the ideal time to get ahead and file your tax return early.
“Guidance and support are available on GOV.UK to help you file your tax return. Just search ‘file my Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK to start yours today.”
People who are new to Self Assessment must first register to receive their Unique Taxpayer Reference, which they will need when they complete and file their return. And anyone who needs to tell HMRC that they no longer need to submit a tax return can do so on GOV.UK.
Self Assessment customers can also ask a tax agent, friend or family member, or a voluntary organisation to help them.
Those signed up to Making Tax Digital for Income Tax still need to submit their Self Assessment tax return in their usual way and pay any taxed owed by the 31 January 2027.
Self Assessment customers with a PAYE income can file online before 30 December and have any tax owed collected via their tax code.
Criminals often impersonate HMRC to steal money or personal information in someone else’s name.
People should always take time to stop and think if the request is genuine before sharing personal information, never click on links in unexpected messages or share their HMRC sign-in details. Genuine HMRC contact details and advice on spotting scams can be found on GOV.UK by searching for ‘HMRC phishing and scams’.
Nature recovery projects, including work to restore areas of the Cairngorms damaged by this summer’s wildfires, will receive more than £1 million in Scottish Government funding.
The package will support habitat, species and river restoration, control of invasive non-native species and deer management across Scotland.
This includes £150,100 for recovery and nature restoration work following the Abernethy wildfire in the Cairngorms, to restore damaged habitats, help wildlife recover and reduce the risk of future wildfires.
Further funding will be provided to a range of other projects, including:
river restoration,
support for species restoration, including native oyster restoration at various sites and habitat restoration on Islay for chough – rare members of the crow family,
habitat restoration in four National Nature Reserves,
additional support for deer management
The funding announcement was made by Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin during her address at the 9th Summit for Subnational Governments and Cities at COP17 in Armenia.
Ms Martin said: “Nature underpins our health, wellbeing, economy and way of life, which is why restoring and protecting it is so important. This funding will support practical action, from improving habitats and rivers to tackling invasive species and supporting sustainable land management.
“It will also help recovery efforts in the Cairngorms following one of the most significant wildfire events in recent years, strengthening the resilience of these landscapes for the future.
“Being here in Armenia alongside subnational governments and cities from around the world is a reminder that nature recovery is a shared global challenge. Scotland is committed to turning its ambitions for nature and climate into action, both at home and on the international stage, and this investment will help deliver real benefits for our environment, wildlife and communities.”
Grant Moir, Chief Executive of the Cairngorms National Park Authority said: “The wildfire in Glenmore and Abernethy was devastating for nature and wildlife in the area, for neighbouring communities, and all of us who love this place.
“The funding announced today by Ms Martin is a very welcome boost that will help us to kickstart nature recovery in the area. This includes funding work to restore damaged habitats, help wildlife recover and reduce the risk of future wildfires by exploring nature-based solutions.
“From replacing wildlife monitoring cameras that were damaged in the blaze to restoring a section of the Duack burn that was impacted by the emergency firebreaks, this funding will allow us to step up our work with our partners and enable swift action where it’s most needed.”
Stuart MacQuarrie, NatureScot Director of Nature and Climate Change, said: “This vital funding supports more people across Scotland to take action for nature. From helping to manage land for chough on Islay to supporting the restoration of native oysters and creating meadows for wildlife in our towns and cities, these local efforts combine to create a national drive to save nature.
“And by working to restore biodiverse habitats, manage deer sustainably and tackle the invasive species that threaten our native animal and plant life, we can look forward with hope, to a future where Scotland’s nature is healthy and thriving.”
EPIC by Vue has arrived in Scotland as the first phase of plans to bring the next generation of big screen entertainment to Vue Livingston is completed.
EPIC By Vue is Vue Livingston’s biggest screen and features world-leading HDR by Barco laser projection and advanced light steering technology to deliver up to six times the brightness of a standard cinema screen.
And with up to 64-channel Dolby Atmos sound, EPIC creates a fully immersive audio experience that surrounds the audience and brings every scene to life, EPIC is the best way to experience the big screen at Vue.
Customers will be able to see current releases Verity, Resident Evil, Other Mummy and Hadestown: The Musical on the EPIC screen.
The EPIC screen also includes Lux and Ultra Lux seating. Ultra Lux is Vue’s biggest and comfiest seat which is strategically positioned to give the best possible view of the big screen. It includes an extra-wide armrest, back and leg rests that recline independently, personal table for snacks and drinks and a state-of-the-art beverage cooler.
Upon completion of the refurbishment, Vue Your Way will also be available for customers to experience for the first time in Scotland.
Vue Your Way is a cutting-edge retail space which allows customers to scan their ticket before moving freely around the food and drink area to build their big screen snacks how they wish. It offers a quicker and more seamless way to purchase snacks before watching a film, without having to queue.
The venue’s Vue Your Way will include a new hot food range of delicious mains, sides and desserts, including signature hot dogs, stone baked pizza slices, chicken tenders and popcorn chicken, as well as mouthwatering mini doughnuts and mini pancakes desserts, offering even more choice to enhance customers’ Big Screen experience.
Andrew Dykes, General Manager of Vue Livingston, said: “Reaching this milestone in our refurbishment means that customers now have the chance to take a first look at some of the exciting features we are bringing to the venue.
“They will be able to test out our luxurious new seating options and watch films on our biggest screen, EPIC, which is the very first to arrive in Scotland. It is truly the best way to watch a film and we look forward to bringing some fantastic upcoming releases to our EPIC screen including Dune: Part Three and Avengers Doomsday in December.”
Tickets for EPIC by Vue are available to book at myvue.com and on the Club Vue app where members can take advantage of rewards.
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