Scottish Book Trust opens voting for the 2018 Scottish Teenage Book Prize as shortlist is announced.
Scottish teenagers posed with a ballot box at the Scottish Parliament yesterday to launch the poll to find Scotland’s favourite teen book of the year. Continue reading 2018 Scottish Teenage Book Prize shortlist revealed
A local man has appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court following the recent hit and run collision near Drylaw Police Station.
Conor Whalen faces 12 charges including causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop and report a collision and theft of a motorbike. The 20-year-old made no plea or declaration during the private hearing. He was remanded in custody and will appear at a later date. Continue reading Two arrested and charged over Ferry Road hit and run
Demand for the Queensferry Crossing has been ‘unprecedented’ since it came into operation in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The new bridge became fully open to traffic just before 3am, when Police Scotland redirected the first drivers from the Forth Road Bridge. Early indications are that traffic will be just as heavy today so drivers are being urged to allow adequate time for their journeys.
As predicted, given the novelty of the bridge, traffic was exceptionally busy with many people looking to experience it for the first time. Peak traffic began earlier than usual yesterday from around 6am and continued throughout the day, with drivers experiencing lengthy delays..
Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: “With the opening of the Queensferry Crossing, we are seeing the culmination of the biggest infrastructure project that Scotland has seen for a generation.
“The Scottish people have been so engaged with it at every step of its development. It is a fantastic structure and the weather this morning proved a perfect backdrop for all those who wanted to be a part of this historic day. This is leading to large volumes of traffic on the approaches which is causing some delays.
“People are very excited about this opportunity and we appreciate the patience that they are showing when waiting to cross. We would ask drivers wishing to use the new Crossing to leave plenty of time for their journeys and to check the Traffic Scotland Twitter feed and website for the latest information on journey times before they set-off.”
Speaking yesterday afternoon, Traffic Scotland Operator Manager Stein Connelly said: “It has been a busy day at The National Traffic Control Centre with the opening of the new crossing and drivers experiencing the road layout for the first time.
“The bridge itself is free flowing but there are delays on the approach roads – mainly down to the volume of traffic looking to cross the new bridge. We expect this to continue into the evening and would strongly urge people to check the latest travel situation before they set off on their journey and to leave plenty of extra time.
“We are looking forward to a really busy time with the celebratory events in the next few days. We are encouraging people to really think about their travel plans and to avoid the area if they can at the weekend and at the beginning of next week. Traffic will switch back onto the Forth Road Bridge on Friday for the these opening events and road users should check The Forth Bridges website for all of the details.”
All road traffic will use the Queensferry Crossing again today with the Forth Road Bridge open to cyclists and pedestrians only.
All traffic will use the Forth Bridge from tomorrow (Friday 1st September) until Wednesday 6 September to allow for the Queensferry Crossing opening celebrations. The new Queensferry Crossing will re-open to all traffic on 7 Septembe, and from this date the Forth Road Bridge will remain open to cyclists and pedestrians only, while roadworks to the north are completed.
Delays are already being reported on the approaches to the Queensferry Crossing this morning, and motorists are advised to allow plenty of time for their journeys.
A young local pipe band are doing their bit to bring Scottish traditional music to a wider audience by releasing their own version of Ed Sheeran’s Castle on the Hill. Davidson’s Mains & District Pipe Band first played the chart-topping hit in the freestyle category of the Scottish Schools Championship – and the performance attracted so many hits on Facebook that the band decided, with Sheeran’s approval, to record his song in the studio and raise money for charity. Continue reading D Mains Pipe Band charity single makes castle rock!
Grease is the word! The original West End production of the electrifying musical, Grease, lights up the UK once again and visits the Edinburgh Playhouse from 11 – 16 September. The cast will be led by international pop star Tom Parker (The Wanted) in his first ever theatrical role, heart-throb Danny Zuko. Continue reading Edinburgh to welcome Grease The Musical
URLAR ART EXHIBITION EDINBURGH SKI CLUB, 2 HOWE ST.
2nd – 14th Sept 2017
Visit us: https://www.facebook.com/UrlarArtExhibition/
‘Ùrlar’ begins this Saturday the 2nd – 14th Sept at the Edinburgh Ski Club, 2 Howe St. New paintings by artists Jan Coventry from Portobello and Susan Dawson from the Isle of Skye. Ùrlar is Gaelic for ‘ground’ or ‘returning to a theme’.
Susan and Jan draw inspiration from the Scottish landscape near Edinburgh and in the West Highlands, continuously examining the themes of land and sea. They last exhibited together in Edinburgh in 1997 at the Patriothall Gallery, Stockbridge, so this is a special event which demonstrates the maturing of two artists, both working outdoors against the backdrop of the land and seascapes of Scotland, during the first decades of the 21st century.
A groundbreaking initiative which helps people overcome their addictions has celebrated helping its 600th graduate. Edinburgh resident Angie Dunn is the latest person to complete the Lothian and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme (LEAP), and she joined staff and NHS Lothian Chair Brian Houston to mark the event. Continue reading LEAP of joy: pioneering programme celebrates 600th success story
City council publishes £165.2 million business case to extend tram line to Leith and Newhaven
The Outline Business Case (OBC) for taking Edinburgh’s tram service down to Leith and Newhaven has been published. The news will not be met with unrestrained joy: the proposed tram line extension would see Leith Walk cut down to just ONE LANE for eighteen months if the £165.2 million project is approved. Continue reading Taking the tram to Newhaven?
Increasing number of potential victims being identified in Scotland
Human trafficking may be closer than most Scots think, a new awareness campaign has revealed. For the first time, the locations where victims of human trafficking have been identified over the last five years have been pinpointed to challenge perceptions that the crime is confined to Scotland’s major towns and cities. Continue reading Modern slavery: it could be closer than you think …
Continue reading Fringe organisers reflect on ‘very special year’
