Stars of the hit BBC and Netflix TV series Still Game are heading out on tour, visiting the Edinburgh Corn Exchange onThursday 16th October.
Following popular demand and a run of sell-out dates in 2024, Auld Pals: An Evening with the Stars of Still Game is taking to the road again for a limited number of performances.
The production features Jane McCarry, Paul Riley, Mark Cox, Sanjeev Kohli and Gavin Mitchell, who played Isa, Winston, Tam, Navid and Boabby the Barman in the award-winning, hit comedy series.
The talented ensemble cast have been entertaining audiences for years, with unforgettable performances in some of TV’s biggest comedy shows including Chewin’ the Fat, The Karen Dunbar Show and, of course, Still Game.
Now audiences can get up close and personal with the show’s cast members for an evening of laughter, entertainment, and Scottish wit as they share personal stories from their careers in entertainment, including memories from their time on Still Game. Fans will even get an opportunity to ask the stars their own questions about the iconic TV show in a Q&A session.
Ahead of the tour, Lee Newton of promoter Red Shoe Entertainment said:“The cast had a brilliant time on the show last year and were incredibly touched by everyone’s support, not to mention all the full houses they received across the UK.
“Since the last show, we’ve been inundated with messages from fans, asking if we can get the show out again and we thought it would be rude to let them down. So, we are very excited to take this spectacular line-up of comedic talent to Edinburgh this October.
Whether you’re a Still Game superfan, or just looking for a good time, this show is not to be missed!”
Listings
Thursday 16th October
Tickets from £32.50 (Booking fees may apply) – VIP Meet and Greet Tickets Sold Out.
You can book tickets online at: edinburghcornexchange.co.uk
Edinburgh Corn Exchange, 11 New Market Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1RJ
Scotland’s Climate Week is all about working together for a sustainable future. If you are a school or nursery, you can take part in our Live Lessons to learn what’s working and what we can do to move forward together.
Young apprentices at one of capital city’s biggest employers address business-critical environmental issues through partnership with Powering Futures
Twelve young apprentices from the UK’s largest municipal bus company have successfully completed a groundbreaking 14-week innovation programme, where they have presented solutions to some of the most pressing sustainability challenges facing their place of work.
Lothian Buses, a major employer in the Capital with over 2,600 employees, tasked its young workforce with coming up with sustainable solutions to business operations – including recycling across the Lothian Buses sites, and a campaign to encourage more people to take public transport.Â
Designed to complement an apprentice’s working week, the Powering Futures Business Challenge enables participants to use focused time to research the sustainability issue, interview stakeholders, develop a solution, and then present a business case to their company’s senior leadership team.
The bold and creative solutions that were put forward by the Lothian Buses apprentices included behaviour-focused campaigns to boost recycling – like clearer bin signage, visible recycling statistics, and prize incentives – and innovative ideas to encourage public transport use, from eye-catching campaigns on bus rears to AI-driven strategies for showcasing time savings.
Lothian Buses’ support for the Powering Futures programme is now in its second year, with eight apprentices successfully completing the programme in 2024.
Dylan Dastey, Engineering Director at Lothian Buses said: “We are delighted to have worked with Powering Futures to take another 12 of our young apprentices through the Workplace Programme. Our Director team was inspired by the fresh thinking and confident delivery from the participants in their superb presentations.
“Having worked with Powering Futures to deliver the workplace programme for a second year, we are hugely impressed by the coaching which encourages participants to shine and celebrate their own individual strengths. It is a great reminder of the value in investing in early careers.”
Junior Davie (17), Lothian Buses Apprentice and participant in the Powering Futures programme said: “Working together to solve such a big challenge showed me how powerful teamwork can be.
“Once you’ve tackled something like that as a group, you feel more confident taking on whatever challenge comes next.”
The innovation programme was developed and delivered by Powering Futures, a pioneering provider of skills for the future and young workforce. Partnering with businesses to help them solve real-time climate change challenges,
Powering Futures tasks teams of 16-25-year-olds with solving a sustainability problem set by their employer and supports them in coming up with creative solutions through teamwork and climate skills.  Â
Joseph Trodden, Programme Manager at Powering Futures, said:Â “When you give young people the tools and trust to tackle real challenges, they deliver smart, practical solutions.
“I was particularly inspired by the campaign ideas around behaviour change. People often want to do the right thing when it comes to recycling and sustainability, these concepts show how we can make it easy, intuitive and even rewarding to take action.”
Scotland’s iconic night-time fundraising event, The MoonWalk Scotland, lit up Edinburgh for the final time onSaturday (6 September).
Hundreds of women, men and young people wearing brightly decorated bras or colourful “bra t-shirts” set off from Holyrood Park at 10.30pm, to walk a half or full marathon through the capital, to raise money for breast and other cancers.
Glittering light installations showed MoonWalkers the way, with iconic buildings across the Edinburgh skyline also lit up pink in their honour, including: Edinburgh Castle, Camera Obscura, Lloyds on the Mound, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Radisson Blu Hotel, the Balmoral Hotel, and the Stamp Office.
Many walkers also took on a walking challenge virtually, in their own areas.
Organised by breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, Scotland’s MoonWalk has raised an incredible £22 million since it was first staged in 2006.
Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, organisers of The MoonWalk Scotland, said: “It was a night of such mixed emotions.
“The atmosphere in the MoonWalk Arena was absolutely electric – everyone was sparkling and it felt just magical. On the other hand, I know that a lot of people were feeling a little sad, as it was our last MoonWalk in Edinburgh. But as I keep saying, although it was the end of an era, it was also the beginning of something else.
“As well as raising lots of money, I hope that we’ve encouraged lots of people to start walking – we had so many women and men joining us for the first time at The MoonWalk Scotland this year and for them, it will be the start of a brand new adventure”.
Emma Woodhouse, 58, came from St Andrews to take part in her first MoonWalk Scotland, completing the Full Moon (26.2 miles). Emma was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, after a routine mammogram. She said: “Being part of such a diverse group of people united in one endeavour – to raise awareness and funds for such an important cause – was very powerful, inspiring and moving.
“There were some great costumes which really added to the fun atmosphere. I signed up to walk solo, but met up with two other walkers at around mile two. We started to chat and they invited me to join them and so we completed the course together, a lovely and unexpected experience. I wish Walk the Walk huge success wherever the next MoonWalk takes place. You never know, I might just have to do another one.”
Organised by breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, Scotland’s MoonWalk has raised an incredible £22 million since it was first staged in 2006. After 19 years, The MoonWalk will now be going on tour to another city.
Screening could enable earlier treatment and improve life chances
Screening of newborn babies to detect and treat a rare condition which causes progressive muscle wastage will begin early next year.
Scotland will become the first country in the UK to begin national screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) which affects movement, breathing and swallowing.
The Scottish Government and pharmaceutical company Novartis will fund a two-year programme to gather evidence on the test’s effectiveness. On average three to four babies a year are born with SMA.
All parents will be offered SMA screening for their newborn babies through the existing blood spot test at five days old.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said:
“This condition can have devastating impacts for babies and their families and this investment demonstrates our commitment to early detection through our screening programme. I would like to thank SMA UK and all the campaigners across Scotland who have worked so hard to highlight this issue as well as Novartis for their funding.
“By detecting SMA before symptoms develop, screening could allow earlier treatment which could lead to much better life outcomes.
“This investment will contribute towards building the case for making this test permanent and help secure the best possible care and support for babies and families.”
SMA UK charity CEO Giles Lomax said:
“We are absolutely delighted to hear the news that the NHS Scotland will be adding SMA to their newborn screening programme in an evaluative and research capacity, with the aim of the first baby being tested early 2026.
“With clinical pathways already established and disease modifying treatments approved, this means those babies born will be treated pre-symptomatically and can therefore, in many cases, follow normal developmental pathways.
The data generated over a 2-year period from National Health Service in Scotland will complement and help contribute to the UK In-service evaluation ultimately helping towards a positive UK NSC recommendation for SMA to be added to the bloodspot programme permanently.
“This is a hugely positive step forward with Scotland joining other countries around the world who already screen for SMA.”
Novartis UK and Ireland Chief Medical Officer Rob Hastings said:
“This is a landmark decision for families in Scotland, offering hope and an opportunity for early detection and access to care for children born with SMA.
“We welcome this progress and continue to support efforts to expand newborn screening across the UK, to ensure every child has the opportunity to be screened and treated for this rare and devastating condition.”
The tests will be analysed at the Scottish Newborn Screening Laboratory on the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus in Glasgow. Director and Consultant Clinical Scientist Dr Sarah Smith said:
“We are pleased to be supporting this important screening evaluation that will benefit babies and their families across Scotland by allowing babies with this condition to access treatment where it is appropriate more quickly, leading to better outcomes.
“We welcome these plans for SMA to be evaluated as part of our screening programme, allowing for evidence to be gathered on the test’s effectiveness.”
Rounding off Travelling Gallery’s 2025 programme we present In Another Realm a group exhibition developed in collaboration with Sculpture Placement Group (SPG) and featuring the work of artists Laura Aldridge, Nick Evans, Louise Gibson, Aimee Lax, Aniara Omann and Daisy Richardson.
Launching in Edinburgh outside Portobello Town Hall as part of Art Walk Porty on Saturday 13 September from 10am to 4pm, the exhibition will tour to arts venues, community centres, high streets and schools across Scotland including in Edinburgh, West Lothian, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire.
In Another Realm takes inspiration from science fiction’s engagement with the environment and the genre’s value as a tool for thinking critically about climate change. The selection of works on display in the exhibition suggest an imaginary world and landscape, where traces of human existence can be found, but where life is continuing without us.
Throughout 2025, Travelling Gallery has been touring exhibitions themed around the Environment & Climate Emergency. For In Another Realm, we have worked with Sculpture Placement Group (SPG) – an organisation developing creative initiatives and tools for artists and the wider arts sector to address the urgent challenges posed by the Climate Emergency.
The exhibition highlights their Loan Toolkit, an initiative that loans artworks to community groups and organisations. It provides an opportunity for artists to extend the life-cycle of artworks, often languishing in long-term storage, and brings work to new audiences.
This exhibition foregrounds SPG’s vision to provide new display opportunities for existing artworks. It looks to playfully exploit the idea of creating an alternate form of existence for them, one beyond the ordinary and perhaps in parallel to or beyond our current physical world.
All of the works included in the exhibition are a part of SPG’s Loan Toolkit and are available for loan. As part of this project we hope to secure a number of year-long loans supported by the Travelling Gallery.
Organisations are welcome to enquire about works shown within the exhibition or select another one from the artists’ wider body of work or SPG’s online catalogue.
In Another Realm is accompanied by a number of events hosted by Sculpture Placement Group introducing artist’s audiences and communities to their Loan Toolkit.
These events will take the form of Speed Networking events and will take place in a number of venues local to the Travelling Gallery’s tour route including Narture (Ayr), The Stove (Dumfries) and another venue to be confirmed. Details of the events will be made available on SPG’s Social Media Platforms and website.
Louise Briggs, Curator, Travelling Gallery said: “It has been a real pleasure to work with Sculpture Placement Group (SPG) on this exhibition.
“SPG are an organisation whose work I have followed for a long time. They develop unique and interesting projects that whilst addressing the urgency of the Climate Emergency, centre the work of artists and their practice, aiming to retain ambition and creativity whilst thinking sustainably. SPG’s work also aligns with, and compliments, the aims and ambitions of the Travelling Gallery.
“We both look to reduce the barriers to engaging with contemporary art, placing it out in communities and and showing how it can play a vital part of everyday life for everyone.
“This Autumn we’ll visit a number of schools, colleges, community centres and public spaces across Scotland. We hope this playful exploration of climate change through the lens of an alternate world inspired by sci-fi might capture the imaginations and thoughts of those we meet along the route of our tour.”
Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “The Travelling Gallery’s latest exhibition offers a fascinating perspective on the environment, and climate change in particular.
“There’s a real range of talented artists and media on display, thanks to a collaboration with the Sculpture Placement Group, and I’d encourage people to get along to take a look.
“Art should be accessible to everyone, and the Travelling Gallery makes that possible for communities across Edinburgh and Scotland. Through our ongoing support of the gallery, I’m pleased that we’re helping to bring thought-provoking exhibitions into town centres around the city.”
Details of confirmed tour dates and venues can be found at:Â
Edinburgh Leisure is opening the doors of its newest community hub at Currie Community High School today (8 September), a landmark facility that sets a new benchmark for sustainable design and inclusive access to leisure in Scotland.
The new £67 million campus, delivered through the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme, is the first Passivhaus-certified secondary school in Scotland to feature a swimming pool. The new school will support Edinburgh’s aim of net zero emissions by 2030.
Passivhaus is a rigorous energy standard which reduces the amount of energy needed for heating by up to 90%. Designed to reduce energy consumption by up to 70% compared to traditional buildings and minimise carbon emissions, the school and its leisure facilities will serve both students and the wider Currie community for generations to come with daytime learning activities to evening access to shared facilities.
Through Edinburgh Leisure’s management, the school’s leisure facilities provide high-quality fitness and recreational opportunities for the community.
Edinburgh Leisure’s Operations Director, Perrotine Orr said: “We’re thrilled to be managing the leisure facilities at Currie High School, which represent a bold step forward in sustainable community infrastructure.
“The local community will be able to access fitness classes, gym, swim and family fun sessions, out with school operating times. This Passivhaus-designed hub isn’t just about energy efficiency – it’s about creating welcoming, high-quality spaces where people of all ages can stay active, connect, and thrive.”
Facilities available to the public in community time include:
A four-lane Passivhaus swimming pool
Four-court sports hall
Gym hall and fitness suite
Dance studio
3G pitch
Access to fitness classes, family swim sessions, and recreational activities
The building’s Passivhaus design features airtight construction, triple glazing, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, and sustainable materials such as cross-laminated timber in the pool block. These innovations support Edinburgh’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2030.
Currie Community High School also includes a wellness centre and wellbeing hub, STEM and expressive arts zones, and integrated support spaces – ensuring the campus meets the educational, emotional, and recreational needs of its students and community.
The school opened to pupils earlier this term, following a multi-year design and construction process led by Kier North & Scotland. The project also delivered over ÂŁ1.8 million in social value through apprenticeships, SME contracts, and educational outreach.
There will be a No Joining Free from 8th-30th September.
To find out more about memberships and opening times, visit:Â
‘IS OUR SAFETY REALLY A PRICE WORTH PAYING FOR THIS KIND OF GESTURE POLITICS?‘
Scotland Against Antisemitism has delivered an open letter to First Minister John Swinney, warning that the Scottish Government’s recent announcement on Israel risks inflaming antisemitism and further endangering Scotland’s Jewish community.
The letter has already gathered almost 3000 signatures, including lawyers, politicians, educators, clergy, students, and concerned citizens across Scotland and beyond, with numbers continuing to rise.
Scotland’s Jewish community numbers around just 5,000 people — 0.093% of the population — yet were victims of 17% of all religiously motivated hate crimes last year. The letter warns that language from government risks legitimising this hostility, emboldening extremists, and deepening the isolation of Jewish Scots.
Leah Benoz, Founder and Director of Scotland Against Antisemitism, said: “The Scottish Government has no power over foreign policy, and the proposed funding cuts are tiny and will have no effect on events in the Middle East.
“Not one Palestinian life will be saved by these measures, but Jewish life in Scotland will be put further at risk. Our question to Mr Swinney is simple; is our safety really a price worth paying for this kind of gesture politics?”
The letter calls on the government to:
• Retract inflammatory language, particularly around “genocide”
• Engage with the Jewish community in Scotland
• Commit to concrete measures to protect Jewish safety
THE LETTER READS:
Dear First Minister Swinney,
We at Scotland Against Antisemitism write with grave concern following yesterday’s announcement from the Scottish Government regarding Israel.
As you are no doubt aware, our small and increasingly vulnerable community is living in an extraordinarily hostile environment, one that has only worsened since October 7th. We number around 5,000 people, just 0.093% of Scotland’s population, yet we were the victims of approximately 17% of all religiously motivated hate crimes last year. That figure alone should be a matter of national shame.
The human suffering in Gaza is real and cannot be understated, nor is it our intention to do so. But we must be absolutely clear with you about the real-world impact of the measures your government has announced.
The accusation of genocide is one of the gravest under international law. It requires an exceptional standard of proof that can only be met in a court of law by producing irrefutable evidence of intent. Neither viral propaganda nor the claims of discredited UN figures such as Francesca Albanese, who denies proven sexual atrocities and is accused of misrepresenting her legal credentials, or Tom Fletcher, author of the immediately debunked “14,000 dead babies” allegation, are sufficient. For the Scottish Government to endorse this modern-day blood libel will not save a single innocent life in Gaza, but it will embolden those who now use the language of genocide to justify the harassment and intimidation of Jews here in Scotland.
The Scottish Government holds no power over foreign policy and no meaningful influence over the State of Israel. The decision to pull a tiny amount of funding from a handful of commercial projects will not impact the Israeli government or change the course of the war. In short, the only people this announcement will materially affect are Scottish Jews who are already under siege.
We believe, with sorrow and outrage, that this decision was made to appease a small, extremist, and increasingly aggressive fringe of the activist class,a group whose support is being courted for political reasons. It appears the government has calculated that the cost of alienating Scotland’s Jews will be outweighed by electoral rewards.
But in the very week that yet more members of our community are leaving Scotland for Israel out of fear, we ask you plainly:
Is our safety really a price worth paying?
We call on the Scottish Government to retract its inflammatory language and meet with the Jewish community to discuss how the government plans to protect us — not just in words, but in action.
Got the voice of an angel? The soul of a disco diva? Or the raw energy of a rock god? Or perhaps you see yourself more as a Simon Cowell figure, wielding the power of the red button and letting your friends know exactly what you think of their singing!
Whatever kind of music you’re into, the brand-new interactive karaoke room at Marco’s is the place for uninhibited singing, selfies and self-expression.Â
Described as a bold, immersive, musical playground, this private room features hand-painted cityscape murals, quirky lighting and interactive props — all designed to make revellers feel like they’ve snuck into a rooftop party above the city.
Visitors can choose their top tunes, set the mood with their choice of lighting effects, then take to the stage. The audience can show just how impressed (or unimpressed!) they are by the performance by pressing buttons that play hilarious snippets and soundbites of praise and put-downs from well-known celebrities.
Those wanting to wet their whistle while they wait for their time in the limelight can choose from a huge selection of craft beers and cocktails, as well as more than 50 gins – and order them via a retro phone booth. And if belting out hit after hit works up an appetite, they can order fresh, stone-baked pizzas and have them delivered straight to the room.
This fully immersive, interactive karaoke room is unlike any other, continuing Marco’s legacy as entertainment trailblazers.
Speaking ahead of the launch, owner Paul Demarco commented; “Marco’s was the first ever big screen karaoke venue of its kind in the country, kickstarting the karaoke craze in Scotland.
“Back in the 1980s, more than 500 people would flock to Marco’s karaoke per night at the weekend to sing their hearts out. And now this extensive redesign has taken karaoke at Marco’s to the next level. It’s a unique and creative setting that’s perfect for showcasing talent, making memories and capturing it all on social media.”Â
The unveiling of the interactive karaoke room is just the latest development at Marco’s as it continues to challenge preconceptions of a traditional pool hall. From the edgy, graffitied walls and life-size subway carriage art installation, to the retro video games and fun interactive dartboards – Marco’s has upped its game and cemented its position as one of Edinburgh’s most creative entertainment venues.
The interactive karaoke room at Marco’s is available for private hire for groups of 6-16 people, with prices starting at just £30 per hour. It’s perfect for keeping the whole family entertained during the day, and will no doubt also prove popular with corporate, stag and hen parties in the evening.
Last weekend, Edinburgh welcomed delegates from across the globe for the 18th International Fair Trade Towns Conference, a three-day event dedicated to strengthening the international movement for fair and sustainable trade.Â
The event opened on Friday 30 August with a reception at the City Chambers, chaired by Rachel Farey of the Edinburgh City Fair Trade Group. Among the speakers were Foysol Choudhury MSP, Labour’s spokesperson for Culture, Europe and International Development; Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron; Thembisile Mnisi from Drakenstein Municipality in South Africa; and Louise Davies from the Scottish Fair Trade Forum.
Delegates also visited the Scottish Parliament, where they joined a Q&A session with Foysol Choudhury MSP and Sarah Boyack MSP.
The visit set the tone for the week, with Mr Choudhury opening the programme by reflecting on Scotland’s achievements: “In 2023, Scotland marked 10 years as a Fair Trade Nation, a milestone reflecting the dedication of communities, campaigners, and businesses working to make trade fair, just, and sustainable.
“Today, we continue to champion Fair Trade with pride, and I am delighted that Edinburgh is at the heart of that journey.”Â
This year’s conference theme, “Your Town, Our World: Fair Trade Communities & Local Action to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”, framed discussions on how local initiatives can contribute to global system change. Delegates took part in interactive workshops on climate action, wellbeing economies, youth engagement, digitalisation and the power of storytelling in driving social change.Â
Closing the weekend, Mr Choudhury added: “Fair Trade has always shown us that local action can drive global change, and the stories we are hearing here in Edinburgh prove just that.
“I am proud that Scotland is hosting this conversation, and I look forward to seeing the collaborations and commitments that emerge from this weekend.”Â
