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.
Everyone at the Club congratulates Martin, our players and all our staff on delivering the club’s 56th Scottish league title and a thrilling climax to the season backed by a magnificent support.
We thank Celtic fans for everything they have done to help the team over the line.
The Club regrets that our victory over Hearts was followed by a number of individuals entering the field of play.
We again emphasise that there is no justification for this behaviour which, for the vast majority of Celtic supporters, only detracts from the joy of such occasions.
Celtic will co-operate fully with any investigation and with the SPFL in their own processes.
We also apologise to Hearts for the situation encountered by their players and staff at the conclusion of the game, and for the fact that these events prevented them from saluting their own supporters at the end of an enthralling campaign, to which they have contributed so much.
Rural charm, horse power and big entertainment make a return to the Royal Highland Show
● Children aged 15 and under go FREE, making it one of the country’s biggest family days out
● The Reeling to bring a star-studded contemporary trad line-up to the Show for a special one-day edition
● Tickets selling fast as organisers urge visitors to plan ahead
The countdown is officially on until the Royal Highland Show returns to Edinburgh, with Scotland’s largest outdoor event now just one month away.
More than 200,000 visitors are expected to descend on the Royal Highland Centre for four days celebrating the very best of food, farming, entertainment and family fun, as the Show returns from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026. As the principal fundraising event for RHASS (Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland), the Show plays a vital role in supporting Scottish agriculture and rural communities.
To mark the milestone, organisers staged a playful photo opportunity at Ingliston bringing together some of the Show’s most recognisable – and unexpected – attractions, including a horse in traditional side saddle dress, a hobbyhorse, Shetland sheep, a tractor, a piper and several of the event’s coveted trophies, offering a glimpse of the scale and spectacle visitors can expect this June.
This year’s programme will once again showcase the best of rural Scotland alongside crowd-drawing displays, from traditional sheep shearing, farrier contests and pole climbing to BMX stunt riders, axe throwing and chainsaw carving displays.
Families can also enjoy a packed programme of hands-on activities, including mini Land Rovers, RHET’s education hub – where visitors can milk Mabel the Cow, plant peas and sample Scottish cheese – alongside donkeys, horses and more than 6,000 livestock animals across the site.
Children aged 15 and under can attend free when accompanied by a paying adult, reinforcing the Show’s position as one of Scotland’s biggest and best-value family days out. Sunday 21 June will once again be dedicated to families, featuring live milking and shearing demonstrations, interactive activities and, for the first time, the chance to try hobby horsing. Sunday family tickets can currently be purchased for £70 for two adults and up to six children. Adult tickets are priced at £45 each.
David Tennant, Head of Show for RHASS, said: “The Royal Highland Show is just one month away and we’re incredibly excited to welcome visitors back for what promises to be one of the biggest and best events of the summer.
“The Show is a true celebration of Scotland, from our food and farming industries to music, entertainment, innovation and rural life, and there really is something for everyone to enjoy.
“One minute you can be watching world-class livestock judging or sparks flying in the farrier arena, and the next you’re seeing BMX stunts, enjoying incredible Scottish food or dancing along to live music. There’s nowhere else quite like it.”
Adding to the excitement, the Royal Highland Show has partnered with The Reeling for a special one-day festival on Saturday 20 June. The Royal Highland Show Presents The Reeling will celebrate Scotland’s contemporary folk scene with performances from Breabach, Dlù, Dougie MacLean, Elephant Sessions, Kinnaris Quintet and Skippinish, bringing a festival atmosphere to Ingliston on the Saturday evening.
Across the weekend, principal beer partner Innis & Gunn will host live music and entertainment across the Show’s 24 bars, helping keep the atmosphere going long after the competitions finish.
Spanning 197 hectares, roughly the size of 180 football pitches, the Royal Highland Centre transforms during Show week into a bustling hub of livestock, competition, music, food and entertainment. For four days, Ingliston effectively becomes Scotland’s sixth-largest populated area, temporarily larger than both Paisley and Dunfermline as exhibitors, competitors and visitors travel from across the country and beyond.
David continued:“We’re also seeing strong ticket sales already, and with up to 55,000 people expected onsite each day, we’d encourage visitors to book early and consider using public transport where possible.”
Tickets for the Royal Highland Show and The Reeling are available now at:Royal Highland Show. Children aged 15 and under go free when accompanied by a paying adult, although tickets are still required. Maximum three children per paying adult.
Aldi Scotland is claiming that a simple supermarket staple could help fuel runners through one of the country’s toughest endurance challenges, as excitement builds for the return of the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.
With just over a week to go until Scotland’s largest marathon event, the retailer has teamed up with Edinburgh Running Network to inspire runners in a very unusual way, turning the streets of the capital into a giant carrot-shaped running route using Strava. The playful campaign is designed to spotlight the benefits of the humble vegetable as a natural training fuel.
Fronted by its iconic mascot, Kevin the Carrot, Aldi is promoting the unexpected benefits of carrots for runners preparing to go the distance.
While high-performance gels and protein bars often dominate marathon training plans, Aldi Scotland is championing a more natural option, highlighting its Scottish-grown supply chain and the farmers behind it.
The retailer sources its carrots from Benzies, a fourth-generation family-run farm in Aberdeenshire operated by Philip Benzie alongside his wife Hazel and stepson Charles.
Philip Benzie, owner, Benzies, said:“Carrots might not be the first things runners reach for, but they offer a surprising mix of benefits.
“They provide a gentle, steady source of energy thanks to natural sugars, while their high water content helps support hydration. They also contain potassium for muscle function and beta-carotene, which supports recovery and immune health, which are all important for anyone training consistently.”
Producing between 20,000 and 30,000 tonnes of Scottish carrots every year, Benzies also noted that carrots are easy to digest, particularly when cooked, making them a practical option for pre and post run meals, or as a light snack during busy training days.
Lynne Cowden, coach co-ordinator and run leader, Edinburgh Running Network, said:“We loved the idea of turning Edinburgh’s streets into something a bit more playful in the run-up to the marathon.
“The carrot Strava art was a fun challenge for our community and a great way to keep motivation high as race day approaches.”
Benzies’ range of carrots is available across Aldi’s 113 Scottish stores.
A group of 20 veterans attended the stunning Bemersyde residence in the Scottish Borders this week, to recreate a historic photograph linked to their place of work.
The team from Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh travelled to the 16th century country house set above the River Tweed, near Melrose, as part of the factory’s centenary year celebrations. The visit saw them pose for the same shot at the exact same location as 60 ex-servicemen who worked for the factory, some 90-plus years ago in the early 1930s.
Bemersyde House has been the ancestral home of the Haig family for over 800 years. After WWI, Field Marshall Earl Haig, the commander of British forces during the war, returned to the estate.
Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory was founded in 1926 by Countess Dorothy Haig, the wife of Field Marshall Haig. She established the Edinburgh-based factory to produce poppies exclusively for Scotland, whilst also providing meaningful and dignified work for men disabled as a result of their service.
To this day a team of 40 veterans all with supported needs, continue to manufacture thousands of handmade wreaths and other remembrance symbols from purpose-built premises on the capital’s Warriston Road. The factory also produces over 2.1 million poppies for the Scottish Poppy Appeal, organised annually by Poppyscotland in October and November.
During their visit to Bemersyde, the veterans were given a tour of the property by Countess Jane Haig, the wife of 3rd Earl Haig, Alexander Douglas Derrick, taking in the stunning views of the Borders countryside from the 16th century peel tower, before then recreating the historic photograph in front of the sundial in the grounds of the home.
Lady Haig said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the veterans from Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory to Bemersyde, and wonderful to be able to capture the same photograph almost 100 years later.
“We are proud to maintain the relationship between the Haig family and the factory to this day, and we wish them a very successful centenary.”
Major Charlie Pelling (Retd), Factory Manager added: “We are extremely grateful to Earl and Lady Haig for welcoming us to their private Bemersyde estate, to mark another milestone in our centenary by recreating the old image taken back in the early 1930’s.
“The team very much enjoyed the tour of the house, and hearing all about its history throughout the generations of the Haig family. The beautiful home has certainly seen a lot over the decades.”
To learn more about the factory’s history, or to book a tour of Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory, please visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk
