With bowel cancer cases rising among under 50’s in Scotland, extending bowel cancer screening could save more lives.
Public Health Minister @MareeToddMSP has asked the UK National Screening Committee to consider reviewing the recommended age for bowel cancer screening.
SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT – 27 & 28th AUGUST
From trust in public institutions to the impact of social media, democracy is facing new challenges and raising important questions about how we communicate and make decisions together.
This year’s Festival of Politics will bring together leading voices to explore some of the issues shaping public life today, including:
‘Brexit – ten years on’ – A look back at a decade of political and economic change, and where the UK’s relationship with Europe stands today.
‘Trust in public institutions’ – How can confidence be rebuilt after major public scandals?
‘Why social media abuse towards women in politics is damaging democracy’ – Exploring how online abuse and misinformation can affect political participation and representation.
‘When does free speech become hate speech?’ – Where should the line be drawn, and what role do social media platforms play?
‘The evolution of devolution’ – How has devolution changed decision-making across the UK, and what impact has it had over the years?
‘In conversation with Brenda Hale, Baroness Hale of Richmond’ – Hear from one of the UK’s most influential legal figures as she reflects on her career and discusses her latest book, With the Law on Our Side.
Come along and join the conversation!
27-28 August
Browse the full programme and book tickets: https://ow.ly/oM8e50ZlaMr
Childline is anticipating a summer spike in children seeking support for body image issues and eating disorders.
New data from the NSPCC service reveals it delivered 3,364 counselling sessions to young people from April 2025 to March 2026 about these problems.
Support from Childline about body image issues and eating disorders peaked over the summer months last year, with the service delivering almost 1,000 counselling sessions across June, July and August.
The summer months leading into the school holidays can be a particularly challenging time for children and young people struggling with their body image or their relationship with food.
They speak to Childline about their fears of wearing certain clothes, including swimsuits, and how they feel under pressure to look a certain way.
Children and young people also mention comparing themselves to influencers they see online. Some spoke to Childline about watching what I eat in a day and calorie counting videos, which often promote unhealthy habits such as extreme calorie restriction.
Last year, social media platform, TikTok, banned the hashtag #SkinnyTok in an effort to prevent young people being exposed to dangerous eating disorder content. In spite of this, Childline is still hearing from young people who are watching these types of videos on TikTok and other platforms.
29-year-old Lauren* from Scotland, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, said: “I had body image insecurities from the age of five. I would look at different parts of my body and think they weren’t good enough or try to measure the size of my stomach.
“At secondary school my eating disorder habits started, and I found restricting my food intake was a way of staying in control. I was trying to be as secretive about it as possible. I felt more accepted as I lost weight and if I got praise for being slimmer, it just confirmed to me that I was doing the right thing.
“Eventually I found a treatment that worked better for me, and I’ve gone from having certain beliefs and thoughts around food, weight and calories that I genuinely no longer believe.
“I know how to protect myself now and I am much better than I ever thought I would be. I’m not fully recovered yet, but I would say I am 90% of the way there.”
A 17-year-old from Scotland told Childline: “I’ve had an eating disorder for years and I’m just stuck in a cycle. I get treatment for a while, hit a healthy weight, get discharged, then spiral back into restricting.
“This time I tried to get help when I knew it was starting to happen again, but they wouldn’t see me because my BMI was still ok. I don’t want to live like this, but I don’t know how to do it without support.”
Shaun Friel, Childline Director, said: “With the warm weather continuing and families planning their summer holidays, young people might be finding themselves in positions where they feel anxious about their body.
“To cope, some young people are taking drastic measures, such as restricting their food intake or, in some instances, developing disordered eating behaviours. Children are also telling us that unrealistic beauty standards are affecting their wellbeing and self-worth, with many comparing themselves to others, particularly influencers on social media.
“Childline wants every young person to know that whatever they’re going through our trained counsellors are here to listen without judgment. Seeking help is always a sign of strength, not weakness.”
Advice for parents on encouraging healthy body image in children:
All children can speak to a trained counsellor over the phone on 0800 1111, via email or on a 121 chat on the Childline website.
Children can also visit the website to find more advice on any concerns or questions they may have on body image and eating disorders.
A local cancer charity which harnesses the support of the Edinburgh business community is seeking to surpass the one-million-pound mark at an annual fund-raising event being staged in the capital later this summer.
Business Beats Cancer Edinburgh has raised over £900,000 for vital life-saving cancer research since its inception in 2019. The charity is now inviting people to take part in its sponsored walk of the city’s Seven Hills on 28 August where it hopes to take its level of fund-raising into seven figures.
The Seven Hills Challenge is a 14-mile charity walk covering the seven iconic peaks surrounding Edinburgh —Arthur’s Seat, Castle Rock, Calton Hill, Corstorphine Hill, Craiglockhart Hill, Braid Hill, and Blackford Hill. The event is one of the major annual fundraisers championed by Business Beats Cancer Edinburgh in support of Cancer Research UK.
Participants raise money to fund vital clinical trials and scientific research to fight cancer. Individuals, teams, and corporate groups are invited to get involved in the Challenge by signing up directly through the official Cancer Research UK website.
Among those who will be walking the Seven Hills will be Andrew Walker and his wife Debby from Bo’ness. Their daughter Anna died in March 2025, aged 25, after battling a rare cancer of the adrenal gland. Last year’s event, which attracted more than 200 people, raising over £60,000 for locally-focused cancer research, was dedicated to her memory.
Andrew said: “The 2025 challenge was completed in memory of Anna who herself took part in the event in 2023. It was an amazing day, emotionally and physically, when so many people came together to help make a difference – we felt Anna with us every mile of the route.
“We want to continue to support Cancer Research inspired by Anna so that others may benefit from future improvements in our understanding of the cause of cancer and breakthroughs in preventative treatment. Every step forward across the Seven Hills is a step towards realising that ambition.”
Lou Kiddier, chair of Business Beats Cancer Edinburgh, said: “Business Beats Cancer Edinburgh is the UK leader in its fundraising efforts for cancer research and at this summer’s Seven Hills Challenge we aim to hit a new high by surpassing the £1m mark.
“To ensure we can achieve this ambitious target, we are calling on people across Edinburgh to come forward and take part in this event by signing up, either as an individual or part of a team.
“While it is a tough pursuit, the Seven Hills Challenge covers a beautiful route and, more importantly, it raises crucial funds that will help bring us closer to a world where everybody can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”
More details about how to register for this year’s Seven Hills Challenge can be found here
A LEADING Edinburgh audiology team has launched a new partnership with charity Deaf Action after witnessing the challenges many people face as a result of changes to their hearing.
Jonathan Bell, audiology director at Specsavers Morningside, sought out the partnership after seeing first-hand the wider impact that changes in hearing can have on people’s lives.
After speaking with a customer who had withdrawn from social activities because conversations became increasingly difficult to follow, Mr Bell recognised that many people need support that extends beyond hearing devices alone.
The new initiative will enable Specsavers Morningside to connect customers directly with Deaf Action’s specialist services, ensuring those who need additional support can access practical advice, communication training, assistive technology and community resources.
After identifying a growing need among customers for wider support, Mr Bell approached Deaf Action’s digital inclusion officer, Suzie Bryant, to explore how the organisations could work together to provide more comprehensive support for local people.
Through the partnership, audiologists at Specsavers Morningside will be able to identify customers who may benefit from additional support and connect them directly with Deaf Action’s services.
Services include digital and communication skills training, advice on assistive technology and opportunities to engage with local support networks.
Mr Bell says: ‘Every day, I meet people whose lives have been affected by changes to their hearing. Many are becoming socially isolated, losing confidence or struggling to stay connected with the people and activities they love.
‘As hearing experts, we wanted to ensure our customers could also access the wider support needed to maintain their independence and quality of life.
‘That’s why I reached out to Deaf Action. They are a highly respected organisation with an outstanding reputation for supporting deaf and hard of hearing people across Scotland.
‘I knew that by working together we could make a real difference to the lives of local people. .
‘This partnership is about ensuring nobody feels they have to face these challenges alone.’
Customers referred through the pathway will receive access to Deaf Action’s services, including tailored sessions designed to restore independence, dedicated workshops helping individuals learn digital communication tools and local peer groups offering guidance and support.
Deaf Action can also provide advice on specialist equipment such as loop systems, flashing alarm clocks and deaf-friendly smoke alarms.
Suzie Bryant, digital inclusion officer at Deaf Action, says:
‘This partnership with Specsavers Morningside reflects a shared commitment to helping deaf and hard of hearing people access the support they need. By facilitating a direct referral channel, together we can intervene early and deliver digital skills training.’
The partnership reflects the team’s commitment to ensuring customers receive support that extends beyond clinical hearing care.
By connecting customers with Deaf Action’s specialist services, Specsavers Morningside is helping to address the wider challenges associated with changes to hearing, including isolation, reduced confidence and difficulties accessing essential communication tools.
Together, Specsavers Morningside and Deaf Action aim to ensure more people across Edinburgh can access practical support that helps them stay independent and connected to their communities.
To book a hearing appointment or speak to a member of the hearing care team at Specsavers Morningside, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/morningside or call 0131 446 9960.
Shoppers turned up in their droves at The Centre, Livingston for the opening of Scotland’s largest JD Sports store on Thursday (9th July).
The retailer, known as the ‘King of Trainers’, which has over 350 stores across the UK, relocated in the shopping centre due to customer demand.
The store opened with a celebratory launch which included a Spin the Wheel competition, running from Friday until Sunday, goody bags and a DJ.
Larissa Fleming from Livingston said: “The new store looks amazing – it is really bright with a lovely layout and has a fantastic selection of trainers and clothing.
I just had to treat myself to a new pair of On Cloud trainers which I’ve had my eye on for a while.”
Tammy Wilson, who was shopping with her son Rory, said: “It was great to pop into the new-look JD Sports store this morning, which my son is a big fan of.
“He picked out a really nice pair of Montirex shorts and t-shirt, but I have a feeling we’ll be back again very soon – we loved it!”
Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston said: “The new larger JD Sports store looks fantastic and really enhances our overall offering at The Centre, Livingston – we are very confident it will be a big hit with our shoppers!”
Dear Editor,
The heat is on and it’s that time of year when parents have to dig deep to find ways to entertain their kids for the long summer holidays. This can be a daunting task, but what better way to spark children’s imaginations and keep them amused than to get them stuck into some fantastic books.
Here at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) we know there are 25,000 children aged 0 to 16 across the UK who are living with a vision impairment which can make reading that bit more challenging;
We’re determined to make sure these children can spend the summer with their favourite book characters in the same way sighted children can.
That’s why we’ve got more than 5,000 children’s books in braille and audio formats that children can read in RNIB’s completely free online Library.
Our fantastic collection of awe-inspiring audio books can be downloaded directly from the RNIB Library on smart devices like tablets and phones, or via voice commands on Alexa-enabled devices.
Specialised Daisy CDs designed for easy, structured navigation, can be delivered to your door as can USB memory sticks with up to three books on each. Printed braille books can be ordered on-demand and electronic braille can be downloaded to read on braille displays.
Children can use all these brilliant books to take part in the annual Summer Reading Challenge – a summer readathon run by The Reading Agency which encourages children aged 4-11 to read six books and provides incentives for completion.
To get started with RNIB’s Talking Books go online to https://readingservices.rnib.org.uk
For braille visit https://www.rniblibrary.com
To help your children join the Summer Reading Challenge, visit: https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk
Enjoy your summer reading, wherever it may take you!
Lara Marshall,
Library Engagement Manager, RNIB
As charity Salvesen Mindroom Centre (Mindroom) marks its 25th anniversary, founder Sophie Dow launches the English edition of her internationally acclaimed memoir, with proceeds from the limited 1,000-copy run helping ensure “No Mind Is Left Behind.”
What happens when a Mother refuses to accept a broken system? For journalist, writer and Mum Sophie Dow, the answer was to change it.
Now, twenty-five years after co-founding Scottish neurodiversity charity Mindroom following the birth of her daughter Annie, Dow is publishing the first English-language edition of her acclaimed memoir, “When Life Doesn’t Follow the Script”, an extraordinary true story of love, resilience and one family’s determination to create a better future for neurodivergent people.
Inspired by Annie, who lives with a unique and rare chromosome deletion now informally known as “Annie’s syndrome”, the book tells the deeply personal story behind a decision that has gone on to transform the lives of thousands and thousands of families.
The book was officially launched at an intimate soft launch on Wednesday, 9 July, as part of Mindroom’s 25th anniversary celebrations. In a special limited-edition print run of just 1,000 copies, every penny of proceeds will support the charity’s work with neurodivergent children, young people and families across Scotland.
Originally published in Sweden in 2018 as “När livet inte följer manus”, the memoir received widespread critical acclaim and has now been updated and translated into English by Sophie and her husband Robin for the first time.
At the heart of both the charity and the book is a simple belief: society should stop focusing on what neurodivergent people cannot do and instead recognise what they can.
‘When Life Doesn’t Follow the Script’ is an inspiring, personal detective drama written with humour, passion and a determined focus on the question: Why aren’t all minds valued equally?
Each chapter is illustrated with artwork created by Annie herself, making the book not only a memoir but also a celebration of creativity, individuality and the many ways people experience the world.
Author Sophie Dow says: “When Annie was born, everything changed. We found ourselves navigating systems that often focused on limitations rather than possibilities. I found that totally unacceptable.
“We are certainly not alone. There are thousands of other families out there in the same situation. This is a public health issue that needs to be addressed. So, Salvesen Mindroom Centre was founded 25 years ago to ensure that no mind is left behind.”
That vision has flourished into an influential organisation with a trusted reputation for advice, advocacy and practical support for neurodivergent children, young people, families and people in the workplace across Scotland and beyond, whether or not they have a formal diagnosis.
Alan Thornburrow, CEO for Mindroom, continues: “In 2025 alone, Mindroom supported 2,172 families. We received 1,801 NEW enquiries over the course of this year alone and trained 3,546 delegates. Since 2020, we have experienced a 309% increase in the number of families seeking support.
“Sophie and Robin’s story is one I recognise, and I know so many other parents and carers will too. Every day, families tell us about the challenges of navigating fragmented systems while trying to secure the understanding and support their children need.
“That’s why we work so hard to help parents, carers, children and young people – as well as employers and employees – find a path through those barriers and access the support that enables everyone to feel valued and thrive.”
As Mindroom celebrates 25 years, the publication represents both a reflection on how far understanding of neurodiversity has come and a call for much more to be done.
Every copy sold will help fund the charity’s continuing work to ensure neurodivergent children, young people and neurodivergent people in the workplace have equal opportunities to thrive.
As demand for its services continues to grow, Mindroom also works alongside leading researchers to deepen understanding of neurodiversity and help drive lasting change.
To purchase the book, please visit: “When Life Doesn’t Follow the Script – Buy the book”
For more information about Sophie’s work, please visit www.sophie-dow.com.
To find out more about Mindroom and the support it provides, visit: www.mindroom.org.
Through the Shortbread Tin – Photo credit Eoin Carey
National Theatre of Scotland in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland presents
Through the Shortbread Tin
Written and performed by Martin O’Connor
Remount directed by Joanna Bowman
Original production directed by Lu Kemp
With Josie Duncan, Iona Mairead and Mairi McGillivray
Musical Director and Composer – Oliver Searle, Sound and Video Designer – Rob Willoughby, Set and Costume designed by Emma Bailey and Rachel O’Neill, Lighting Designer – Michaella Fee, Gaelic Consultant – Alasdair Whyte
At the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026 at the Scottish Storytelling Centre from 7 to 31 August at 4:45pm, with a preview performance on 6 August 2026.
Touring to Glasgow Cathedral, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle (Visitor Centre) in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland from Thursday 3 September to Saturday 19 September 2026.
Opening press performance at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Friday 7 August 2026 at 4:45pm.
Part of the Made in Scotland Showcase.
The story of the greatest literary hoax of all time.
Returning to venues across Scotland following a critically acclaimed and award-nominated Scotland-wide tour in 2025, Martin O’Connor’s Through the Shortbread Tin is a poetic, poignant and playful show, performed in Scots with Gaelic songs, which explores Scottish culture, myths, history and identity.
“Fierce, Funny and Challenging” The Scotsman ★★★★
“an entertaining and intelligent investigation into the illusions and inconsistencies of Scottish history, culture and identity.” The Stage ★★★★
Through the Shortbread Tin will open in Edinburgh at the Scottish Storytelling Centre as part of the Made in Scotland Programme at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe on Friday 7 August 2026.
The show will then undergo a special tour to historic settings in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland. Touring to Glasgow Cathedral, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle (Visitor Centre) in September 2026, these performances will connect Martin O’Connor’s unique dive into Scotland’s history with the resonant surrounds of some of Scotland’s landmark sited locations.
Twenty years since the internationally acclaimed production of Black Watch premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Through the Shortbread Tin marks National Theatre of Scotland’s 42nd production at the Edinburgh festivals, including last year’s Edinburgh International Festival sell out success, Make It Happen.
Through the Shortbread Tin is directed for this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe and tour by Joanna Bowman, whose previous productions include the award-winning Tron Theatre Company production of Escaped Alone, Doubt: A Parable (Dundee Rep) and most recently, Sweat (Citizens Theatre and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh). Joanna won the 2024 CATS Award for Best Director.
In 1760 Scottish poet James Macpherson set the world ablaze with stories of the third-century Scottish bard, Ossian. This tartan-trimmed tale of Highland history spread far and wide, capturing the imagination of thousands– but was it built on a deception?
In 2026 Scottish poet Martin O’Connor decides to revisit Macpherson’s epic and begins to question his own relationship with Scottish culture. The sporrans, the stags, the shortbread – do these ‘gift-shop’ images of Scotland hold us back or bring us forward? What does it mean to be authentic, and is the truth sometimes better told in a lie?
Imagine that ye didnae ignore the myths.
Imagine ye were telt yer history.
Imagine ye could hod onto the stories.
Imagine ye could create yer ain truth.
“A tartan wrapped gift of a show” The Herald
Martin will be joined on stage by Josie Duncan, Iona Mairead and Mairi McGillivray, three distinctive Gaelic choral singers, singing original songs composed by Oliver Searle.
Audiences are invited to join Martin and Macpherson on an oral odyssey spanning centuries of Scottish history, exploring the myths we tell each other and the stories we tell ourselves.
Through the Shortbread Tin was nominated for Best New Play in both the Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland 2025 and the UK Theatre Awards 2025.
Through the Shortbread Tin is part of the National Theatre of Scotland’s 20th birthday programme, marking twenty years of game-changing theatre. National Theatre of Scotland is delighted to be part of the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s 20th anniversary celebrations, as well by being part of their specially curated Festival Fringe programme, the centre piece of their year’s anniversary offering.
BACKGROUND TO OSSIAN
In 1760 Highlander Macpherson published Fragments of Ancient Poetry to great critical and commercial acclaim.
The poems were collected from oral sources around Scotland and were presented as the work of a third century bard, Ossian, soon dubbed The Homer of the North. There soon followed two other publications, Fingal and Temora, and together they set the Scottish and European literary world alight.
The ‘Ossian effect’ soon saw a rise in interest in Scottish and Highland ways of life and an increase in tourism and cultural interest. The impact of Ossian was immediate and permanent, even if the individual poems eventually fell out of fashion. But soon after publication, debates over Ossian’s aesthetic and moral ‘legitimacy’ surfaced, which plagued the writer and the impact and legacy of the work.
Martin O’Connor is an award-winning theatre-maker, performer and poet from Glasgow. He is interested in exploring ideas of voice and identity through theatre and poetry, with particular interest in Scots, Gaelic and verbatim. Martin won Scots Performer of the Year Award at the Scots Language Awards 2024.
He was granted a Gavin Wallace Fellowship in 2018, hosted by Playwrights’ Studio Scotland and the Lyceum Theatre, marking the first stage in his research into James Macpherson and Ossian.
He makes work for solo performance as well as with, and for, other people. He was the National Theatre of Scotland Writer in Residence in 2020. Previous projects include Turntable (MJ McCarthy/Red Bridge Arts), Mark of the Beast (Martin O’Connor/Platform), Togail Nàisean/ Building a Nation (Glasgow Life).
This remount of Through the Shortbread Tin is directed by Joanna Bowman. Joanna has directed for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Citizens Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre, Tron Theatre, Dundee Rep Theatre, Perth Theatre, and Òran Mór.
Previous productions include the award-winning Tron Theatre Company production of Escaped Alone, Doubt:A Parable (Dundee Rep) and most recently, Sweat (Citizens Theatre and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh). She was Associate Director of the Tron Theatre between 2022 and 2025 and is Associate Artist with the Citizens Theatre. Joanna won the 2024 CATS Award for Best Director.
The original production of Through the Shortbread Tin was directed by Lu Kemp, a theatre director and dramaturg with a distinctive reputation for her work in new writing. Lu was Artistic Director of Perth Theatre between 2016 to 2023.
Her tenure was notable for supporting the creation of new work by Scottish artists and community engaged productions. As a freelance director, Lu has worked for The Citizens, The Royal Lyceum Theatre, National Theatre of Scotland, Artangel, London, The Tricycle, Almeida and The Royal Shakespeare Company.
Josie Duncan is a folk-inspired songwriter and award-winning singer from the Isle of Lewis. Her songs have been showcased worldwide from the Hebridean Celtic Festival Opening Concert to the National Celtic Festival Australia. Josie’s music features in National Theatre of Scotland’s Carry Me Home – A Ferry Tale, an award-winning short film directed by Seth Hardwick, and she reprises her role from the original production of Through the Shortbread Tin in 2025.
Iona Mairead is a Gàidhlig singer from the village of Bravas on the west coast of Lewis. Iona joined the line-up of An Lanntair’s Hebridean Women 2023 concert when she was just eighteen and returned to the HebCelt stage with her first solo slot last summer. She recently competed at Mòd Lochabar 2025, reaching the finals for the Traditional Gold Medal.
Her debut EP, “Tog do Ghuth” (2024) pairs traditional elements of Gàidhlig song with dreamy, electronic arrangements, creating a fresh and easy listen. Iona is driven by her passion to keep the Gàidhlig language and its poetry alive, but also the potential to explore new possibilities and boundaries for contemporary Gàidhlig music.
Mairi McGillivray is a Gaelic singer from the island of Islay off the west coast of Scotland.
Mairi has performed at various venues and festivals across the UK and Europe including, Celtic Connections, The Reeling, Jura Music Festival, EDF and Under Canvas. Mairi graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2020 and has since won a prestigious Danny Kyle Award in January 2021 and was a finalist in BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2023. Mairi’s debut album, Mo Thìr will be released in July 2026 with grounding in songs from and about her native Islay. Joined by host of acclaimed musicians and produced by John Lowrie, it is set to bring old and new songs to life with their captivating style.
Through the Shortbread Tin at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre
Dates at Edinburgh Festival Fringe: Thursday 6 August (Preview); Friday 7 August to Monday 31 August (no shows on Wed 12, Sat 15, Wed 19, Wed 26 August)
Time: 4.45pm
Touring to Glasgow Cathedral (Thurs 3 September to Sat 5 September); Stirling Castle (Fri 11 September to Sun 13 September) and Urquhart Castle (Visitor Centre) (Thurs 17 September to Sat 19 September).
New Date for our Sponsored Walk
Saturday 29th August
Our Youth Committee are taking on an exciting sponsored challenge to raise vital funds for PYCP. This time they’re pushing themselves even further by climbing a Munro, Ben Chonzie in Perthshire, as part of a sponsored walk!
This challenge is a fantastic opportunity for our young people to:
Build confidence
Work as a team
Get outdoors
Raise funds to support children and young people in our community
To sponsor the group and support the young people as they take on this challenge you can do it two ways:
• JustGiving – https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/pyhighlands
• CAF Donate – https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/28035#!/DonationDetails
Every contribution, big or small makes a real difference to the work we do.
