Jet2 has announced extra availability to Reus and Halkidiki from Edinburgh Airport for Summer 27
Jet2 has expanded its Summer 27 programme from Edinburgh Airport, giving Scottish holidaymakers even more options when booking flights to popular sunshine destinations.
From today, additional seats are available to Reus, Spain and Halkidiki, Greece, which are both exclusive routes to Jet2, offering greater flexibility outside of the peak summer season for customers planning a trip from Edinburgh Airport.
Whether they’re looking to explore the impressive Modernist architecture of Reus or discover the vibrant food and nightlife scene of Halkidiki, the expanded programme gives holidaymakers even more choice for Summer 27.
Customers can enjoy an extended season through exclusive Jet2routes to Reus, with weekly Tuesday services from 6th – 27th April. In addition, the season to Halkidiki, has been extended from 21st – 28th October, with weekly Thursday services.
This comes as part of Jet2’s wider Summer 27 expansion, with more capacity and choice available across 22 of Jet2’s routes from nine of its UK bases.
David Hills, Chief Customer Officer of Jet2 and Jet2holidays, said: “We know how much our customers are looking forward to planning their summer holidays next year, and we are seeing continued demand for holidays earlier and later in the summer season as well as during the peak.
“By adding more seats from Edinburgh Airport to fantastic destinations including Reus and Halkidiki, we’re giving Scottish holidaymakers even more opportunity to book early, plan with confidence and choose the options that suit them.”
The UK Government has now released £14.09m to Edinburgh and South East Scotland Regional Partnership after signing off on its locally designed three-year Local Growth Fund investment plan, which targets areas with the lowest household incomes to create jobs and boost living standards.
Funding for Years 2 and 3 will be rolled out as the region progresses through its plans.
A partnership between the four regional colleges of Borders, Edinburgh, Fife, and West Lothian plans to train over 20,000 new entrants across the region over the coming decade as well as upskill existing workers.
South East Scotland is the fastest growing region in Scotland, with some of the highest housing demand for now and into the future. The new training hubs will be strategically important in the delivery of 40,000 new homes across the region’s seven strategic housing sites.
The training centre in the south of Scotland will also benefit from Scottish Government funding through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.
Audrey Cumberford, Principal of Edinburgh College, said:“This is a great example of colleges coming together and taking a proactive approach to meet the skills needs of the region that we serve.
“The construction sector is going to be hugely significant to Edinburgh and the Lothians over the coming years, and these training hubs will ensure it has the workforce it needs to flourish.
“Projects like this emphasise the potential that colleges have to work hand in hand with key employers to provide a pipeline of skilled labour for future employment opportunities.”
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “(Today) the UK Government is releasing more than £14 million to Edinburgh and South East Scotland partners who know their communities best.
“These funds will be crucial for addressing skills shortages, driving green innovation and removing barriers to local employment and infrastructure development.
“The UK Government is committed to empowering local communities by spreading power throughout the country.
“These funds will support local leaders throughout Scotland to create skilled jobs, help start up businesses and revive our local high streets.”
City of Edinburgh Council Leader Cllr Jane Meagher, said:“This investment in new training hubs will give thousands of local people the chance to gain new skills and build rewarding careers in construction and green technology.
“With strong demand for new homes together with our work to reach net zero, having a skilled local workforce will be essential.”
According to a report undertaken by the University of Edinburgh and West Lothian College, the region has a construction workforce of 57,000, of which 21,000 (34%) commute for work into the region from other parts of Scotland daily.
The study identified that the region requires an additional 20,000 new entrants, upskilling roles and replacement construction workforce over the next 10 years.
Children with life-shortening conditions from across Scotland and their families enjoyed a day to remember at Glasgow Airport on Saturday, taking to the skies for a spectacular scenic flight over Scotland’s west coast, courtesy of the UK’s leading regional airline, Loganair, and its charity partner, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
Six families received VIP treatment onboard one of Loganair’s ATR 72-600s, which flew under flight number LM1996, marking the year CHAS’s children’s hospice, Rachel House, opened its doors.
Before take-off, families enjoyed a morning of fun in Glasgow Airport’s Campsie Lounge, with character meet-and-greets, singalongs and soft play. Even Police Scotland joined in the fun, making a beeline for the ball pit.
There was plenty of magic on board too. With support from Glasgow-based Wish Upon a Star Kingdom, Princess Merida and Spider-Gwen joined the families for the round trip across the Highlands and Islands to the delight of the young flyers, before the aircraft returned home to Glasgow Airport.
After the aerial adventure over Scotland’s west coast, the flight was then welcomed back in style with a water cannon salute from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Among the excited flyers was four-year-old Isla Johnstone from Glasgow. Isla lives with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and she and her family have been supported by Robin House and CHAS at Home service for the past year.
Isla’s mum, Georgeta, said:“This flight was so special for us as Isla hasn’t been on a plane since she was a baby and she was always asking me when she can fly again, but because of her condition, it just hasn’t been possible until now.
“Isla was so excited flying over all the islands and loved every single minute of this wonderful experience. We are incredibly thankful to Loganair and CHAS for making Isla’s dream come true.”
Isla said: “My favourite thing about the flight was being up in the air and flying! I also loved meeting Merida and Spider-Gwen.”
Luke Farajallah, chief executive officer at Loganair, said:“This flight has become one of the moments we look forward to most each year.
“Connecting Scotland’s communities is at the heart of what we do every day, but there is something especially meaningful about using our aircraft to create happy memories for children and families who are facing incredibly difficult circumstances.
“CHAS is there for families when they need support most, and the generosity of the businesses and people across Glasgow Airport is what makes days like this possible. Five years into our partnership, our commitment to CHAS has never been stronger.
“We’re incredibly proud to play our part, and we’ll continue to find new ways to raise vital funds, support the charity and, most importantly, help families make memories together.”
The flight marked the fifth year of the partnership between Loganair and CHAS, supported by AGS, ground handling team Menzies, ABM, Wish Upon a Star Kingdom and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
In 2024, Loganair added a voluntary £2 donation option to online bookings, raising further funds for CHAS, and the airline also supports CHAS at Home, the charity’s outreach service that flies nurses to families in remote island communities. The service made 1476 visits in the last year. Since 2021, Loganair has raised over £100,000 for CHAS, supporting its work with families across Scotland.
Aimee Russell, senior partnership executive at CHAS said: “For many families supported by CHAS, it is often difficult to fly or use other forms of transport because of their child’s complex needs. Our important partnership with Loganair means we can bring smiles to children and help create special memories for families to always treasure.
“Experiences like this mean so much to the families we support, and we would like to say a huge thank you to Loganair and their partner organisations for making this incredible flight possible once again.”
Loganair operates more than 70 routes across the UK and Europe, proudly serving communities across Scotland and further afield for over 60 years with initiatives including its GreenSkies Community Fund, which has seen Loganair donate over £120,000 to sustainable projects since its inception in 2021.
On 7 October 2026, people across Scotland will come together for one shared moment to celebrate the joy of reading and the positive difference it can make to our wellbeing, learning and everyday lives.
POLICE have recovered drugs with an estimated street value of over £1.4 million in Edinburgh and Uphall.
On Tuesday, 1 September, 2026, officers executed warrants at addresses in the Leith, Granton and the Uphall areas where cannabis, cocaine and a six-figure sum of cash were seized.
Two men aged 37 and 62 were arrested and charged in connection with this recovery. They are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.
A 52-year-old man was arrested and released pending further investigation.
Detective Inspector Gavin Howat said: “This significant recovery highlights our commitment to tackling dangerous and illegal drugs in our communities.
“We are determined to protect the public from this harmful criminality by disrupting the drugs trade and preventing them being circulated on the streets of Scotland.
“This operation underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.
“Information from the public is crucial. Anyone with information or concerns about drugs should contact Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Scotland’s most ambitious businesses are set to gain direct access to funders, investors and expert advisers when the national FUEL roadshow arrives in Edinburgh this September, building on the success of the first two events which have already generated a funding pipeline of more than £10 million for UK businesses.
On Thursday 24th September, hundreds of ambitious business owners will descend on Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium for a day of pre-arranged meetings with lenders, investors and business advisers, giving the nation’s SMEs the opportunity to explore funding options, receive expert guidance and build the relationships needed to accelerate growth.
The roadshow follows successful events in the North East and Yorkshire, where businesses took part in hundreds of one-to-one meetings with finance providers. Many of those conversations have already resulted in significant investment potential, with more than £10 million in funding now expected to flow into businesses across the two regions.
Rather than a traditional exhibition, FUEL has been designed as a practical event that removes many of the barrier’s businesses face when raising finance. Every attendee is triaged, and if appropriate, matched with relevant funders and advisers before the event, ensuring each meeting is tailored to their ambitions and funding requirements.
For business leaders that are unsure of which funding option is right for them or are not yet ready to seek finance, workshops are also available throughout the day which are designed to build confidence, develop investor and finance readiness and connect them to advisers who can help them on their journey.
Businesses attending FUEL Scotland will have the opportunity to meet representatives from a broad mix of funding organisations, from high street banks and specialist commercial lenders to alternative finance providers and investors.
Confirmed organisations include Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland, Allica Bank, Scottish Enterprise, Creative UK, Maven, DSL Business Finance, The FSE Group and more, offering delegates the chance to explore funding options tailored to businesses at every stage of growth.
Delivered by business support and funding specialists, UMi, FUEL builds on almost two decades of helping businesses navigate funding, unlock investment and access expert advice. Since 2007, UMi has helped businesses secure more than £1 billion in grants, loans and private investment.
Nicki Clark OBE, CEO of UMi, said: “The response to FUEL has exceeded our expectations. Businesses have told us they value being able to speak directly with the people making funding decisions, while funders have welcomed the opportunity to meet ambitious companies that are ready to grow.
“With more than £10 million expected to be unlocked through our first two events, we’re excited to bring that momentum to Scotland, whether a business is looking to invest in innovation, expand its workforce or overcome cashflow challenges, FUEL is designed to make accessing finance, simpler, faster and far less daunting.”
Cameron Gordon, Accelerator Community Manager, Royal Bank of Scotland said: “As the UK’s biggest bank for business, we know that access to the right support is crucial for businesses to succeed.
For time-poor business owners, however, knowing what help is out there and what is best for their circumstances is not always clear. Through our Accelerator, we support a growing community of more than 30,000 entrepreneurs across the UK, and I am pleased that the Royal Bank of Scotland is supporting UMi’s FUEL roadshows, building on this work to champion small businesses and help them find the right support at the right time.”
Small Business Minister Lord Leong said: “One of the biggest challenges facing small businesses in Scotland is securing the right finance at the right time to invest, expand and create the good jobs local people deserve.
“That is why we are proud to support roadshows such as FUEL, which bring practical advice, specialist expertise and potential funding partners directly to founder-led and owner-managed businesses. By helping entrepreneurs understand their options, become investment-ready and access finance suited to their ambitions, FUEL helps turn growth plans into reality.
“Alongside this, we are working with the British Business Bank to increase the supply of finance across every region and nation of the UK. Our message to ambitious business owners is clear: wherever you are based and whatever your background, we want to help you overcome the barriers to growth, fulfil your potential and build the successful businesses and good jobs of the future.”
FUEL roadshows will be taking place throughout the UK at the following locations:
Edinburgh – Thursday 24 September – Murrayfield Stadium
London – December – Excel
Birmingham – TBC
Manchester – TBC
Cardiff – TBC
Business owners interested in attending any of the events above can book tickets, or register their interest in future events, via the website: www.fuelroadshow.co.uk.
Spartans Alternative School are organising a charity event we for the local community:
On Friday 2nd October 2026, we are hosting a charity football match at Spartans, with students taking on staff, and we would love to see families, young people and community groups from across North Edinburgh come along and support us.
YOUNG PEOPLE’S CHARITY FOOTBALL MATCH
Friday 2nd October 2026 Gates open: 1:00pm Kick-off: 1:30pm Entry: £5 per person
The event is raising money for Therapet, a charity that is particularly important to us.
We have four therapy dogs who regularly support young people at the Alternative School, and we get so much from the time we spend with them.
They provide companionship, support and positive experiences for many of us, so this year we wanted to give something back to a service that has given so much to us.
The afternoon will be family-friendly, with lots happening alongside the football:
Bake sale Raffle Tombola Ice cream Therapy dogs Half-time performer – to be announced Students vs Staff football match …and much more!
All money raised will go to Therapet.
What makes this event particularly special is that it has beenplanned, organised and will be delivered by us — the young people.
For the past six years, as part of our Art sessions and social enterprise work, we have organised a wide range of events, including art exhibitions at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall, art pop-up shops, DJ events and previous charity football matches.
Through these events, we have raised approximately £8,000 for a variety of charities and community causes.
With support from our Art Teacher, we take responsibility for the different parts of our projects — from coming up with ideas and planning, to promotion, fundraising, activities and helping to run the events themselves.
This year, we really want to open the event up to our local community and invite the people ofNorth Edinburgh to come along, have some fun and get behind the young people.
For us, this isn’t just about football or fundraising. It’s about young people coming together, developing skills, creating something positive and finding ways to give something back to the community that we are part of.
You can follow our social enterprise journey and see some of the work we have been doing through ourArt Offenders Instagram page:
#NEST (City) Special Constables and their coordinator have been out conducting routine transport safety patrols across Edinburgh last night.
• The team traced two females, aged 13 and 14, in connection with an assault and vandalism incident in St Andrew Square. Both have been charged and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
• The team also located two vulnerable people and ensured they were safely conveyed to appropriate care and health settings.
• Patrols were also conducted in support of policing colleagues at Edinburgh Airport.
• Community Engagement – Our dayshift team members also attended a community fun day at Norton Park, joining colleagues from other emergency services and helping to support a fantastic event for the local community.
• Throughout our shift, support was also provided to community and response teams across the city, assisting colleagues wherever we could.
A busy day focused on keeping people safe, supporting vulnerable members of our community, and collaborating with partners across Edinburgh.
Autumn season is getting closer, and it means start of our cosy indoor activities where you can relax, meet new people and get creative!
We are excited to invite you for the first of our Winter Creative Writing workshops organised together with Open Book and lead by local writer Amy Moreno who will be using existing stories and poems to help you develop your own writing skills in a relaxed and informal setting. In these sessions we will hear a selection of different stories and poems, and will also have an opportunity to try our strengths in creative writing focusing on nature related topics.
You’ll have the opportunity to share and hear what others have written in a supportive and encouraging space.
Date: 8th September (Tuesday) 2026 Time: 11am-1pm Location: ELREC, 14 Forth St, Edinburgh EH1 3LH Language: English
Granton & District Community Council hassent an open letter to members of the Council’s Transport and Environment Committee (TEC), who will discuss the future of proposed tram extensions at their meeting on 10 September.
We believe that future construction of the Granton section is vital in bringing much-needed economic, social and environmental benefits to the communities of North Edinburgh.
Our part of the city faces significant socio-economic challenges, along with imminent population growth resulting from the Granton Waterfront development.
Development of a rapid transport link is essential to improving quality of life for those already living here, and ensuring that the new Granton Waterfront precinct becomes a thriving, sustainable community, rather than an isolated ghetto at the northern edge of the city.
Both the current route options for the Granton leg have their merits and drawbacks. However, we fear that the complexities and public controversies around both have led to a position where it may seem easiest for Councillors simply to ‘kick the can down the road’ and de-prioritise the Granton leg in principle – without due consideration of the socio-economic impact on present and future communities here in North Edinburgh and reneging on two decades of promises.
NEN COMMENT
THE change in priority from delivering the North Edinburgh section first may indeed have been caused by the ongoing stushie over the best route (i.e Orchard Brae vs Roseburn Path); yes, it’s divisive and there are council elections next year!
But whatever route councillors do eventually decide for North Edinburgh (and assuming that a robust business case can be made), there is a strong argument that the tram remains a key element, economically and socially, in the ongoing regeneration of the waterfront and wider North Edinburgh.
Failure to deliver this section (AGAIN!) would be seriously detrimental to progress which has been stop/start for years already; for it to happen again now is hardly a vote of confidence in what remains one of the UK’s biggest regeneration projects and sends out the wrong message both to both potential investors and communities that have been let down too often before – Ed.
YOUNG PEOPLE’S CHARITY FOOTBALL MATCH
Bake sale
Raffle
Tombola
Ice cream
Therapy dogs
Half-time performer – to be announced
