Chef Dean Banks launches revamped restaurant at the iconic Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh
Copyright – Grant Anderson / www.grantanderson.me / @grantandersondotme
In response to changing consumer demands, Chef Dean Banks has relaunched his signature restaurant in the historic Caledonian Hotel on Princes Street, launching 1925 at Pompadour which opened its doors on Wednesday (23 July).
The new offering will provide diners with a delicious a la carte menu in the heart of the city that showcases the best of local produce, across land and sea. 1925 at Pompadour opens following a change in consumer desires away from multi-course tasting menus to a more accessible dining option that has flavour and creativity at its heart.
Located in the West End, diners can enjoy the new menu at 1925 at Pompadour while taking in stunning views of Edinburgh Castle and learning all about the local suppliers Chef Dean Banks works with to create his renowned dishes.
Copyright – Grant Anderson / www.grantanderson.me / @grantandersondotme
To celebrate the launch of 1925 at Pompadour, diners will receive 50% off food until Wednesday 30 July, providing an opportunity to sample the new dishes and explore the revamped restaurant.
Featuring fresh, local, produce, seafood lovers can sample Dean’s signature lobster thermidor, Orkney hand dived scallops with vadouvan carrot, or champagne baked market fish. Diners can also enjoy corn fed chicken with king oyster mushrooms, pomme mousseline and a madeira sauce, or smoked ricotta and egg yolk raviolo, served with leeks and lemon butter.
With starters from £15 and mains starting at £26, and a three-course lunch for just £39.50, 1925 at Pompadour aims to provide a premium food offering at an accessible price point in the heart of the city.
Copyright – Grant Anderson / www.grantanderson.me / @grantandersondotme
Commenting on the launch, Chef Dean Banks said: “Consumers are moving away from multi-course tasting menus, instead preferring restaurants where they can enjoy premium dishes at an accessible price point.
“When considering the future of Dean Banks at the Pompadour, it was important to reflect these changing consumer demands while ensuring the high quality offering we pride ourselves on remains.
“1925 at Pompadour perfectly brings this together, all under the iconic setting of Edinburgh Castle, and we look forward to welcoming diners to experience this next chapter in our restaurant’s history.”
The Pompadour restaurant first opened its doors at the Caledonian Hotel, Edinburgh, in 1925, with the new restaurant named as an homage to the venue’s rich history.
For more information on 1925 at Pompadour, or to book your table, visit:
As a son of India who has proudly called Scotland home for decades, and as a former Glasgow South parliamentary candidate deeply invested in our nation’s prosperity, I write to share a watershed moment for Scotland’s economic future.
The newly signed UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is not merely a diplomatic achievement, it is Scotland’s passport to unprecedented growth. This landmark deal strategically positions our whisky distilleries, renewable energy expertise, world-class universities, sustainable fisheries, and advanced manufacturing at the heart of a £25.5 billion bilateral partnership.
Why This Matters to Scotland:
Scotch Whisky Revolution: Decades of punitive tariffs (150%) have finally been shattered. With duties slashed to 75% immediately and 40% over 10 years, iconic brands like Douglas Laing will access India’s 250M+ premium consumers—unlocking £700M in exports and 2,200+ Scottish jobs.
Fisheries & Green Energy: Our salmon gains duty-free entry to India’s £2.8 trillion market, while offshore wind collaborations position Scotland as India’s clean-energy partner.
Automotive Resurgence: Jaguar Land Rover and Rolls-Royce will thrive under reduced tariffs (110% → 10%), revitalising Glasgow’s manufacturing ecosystem.
This is a landmark partnership of equals. India’s gains, including zero tariffs on 99% of its exports, such as textiles and engineering goods, will fuel reciprocal growth. Crucially, 75,000 Indian professionals will contribute to our economy while enjoying social security exemptions, deepening our talent pool.
The road ahead presents challenges, including state-level regulations in India, carbon border taxes, and data policies, all of which require vigilance.
Yet this FTA is a “living bridge” uniting Scottish innovation with India’s dynamism. I urge subnational alliances (e.g., Maharashtra-Scotland green pacts) to accelerate ratification.
Scotland’s distilleries powered the Industrial Revolution. Today, they ignite a partnership redefining 21st-century trade.
With £6B in investments and a £190M GDP boost projected for Scotland, this is our moment to weave tartan and turbans into a shared tapestry of prosperity.
I welcome your coverage to spotlight Scotland’s central role in this historic accord.
Aldi Scotland’s popular Supermarket Sweep challenge recently returned to Edinburgh, and one lucky local winner has raised £310.64 for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) while picking up the same amount in Aldi favourites for herself.
Aldi’s Supermarket Sweep is inspired by the legendary gameshow and arrived in Leith on Sunday 20 July. Lucky shopper Alea Ibrahim, who was chosen as the winner of a competition, took part in the five-minute trolley dash for CHAS.
As well as taking home a trolley full of goodies, Aldi Scotland matched the cash value of Alea’s haul, donating all proceeds to CHAS to help support over 500 babies, children and young people across Scotland with life-shortening conditions and their families. In 2025 every penny raised through the initiative will go directly to CHAS, with £10,000 pledged in support.
Aldi Supermarket Sweep winner, Alea Ibrahim, said:“The Aldi Supermarket Sweep was such a brilliant experience! It’s actually a bit of a family tradition, I’m a second-generation sweeper- my dad won a sweep years ago, so he was ready with some advice (and high expectations!)
“It’s not every day that you get to sprint at full speed into the cheese aisle after closing time. Knowing the funds raised are going to CHAS to support children’s hospices in Scotland made the whole experience even more meaningful. A big thank you to the Aldi team as well who could not have been lovelier and made it such a memorable experience!”
Laura Hart, Senior Charge Nurse at CHAS said:“At CHAS, our priority is to ensure children with life-shortening conditions and their families receive the expert care and support they need, whether that’s in one of our hospices, in hospital or at home.
“We support a number of families in the Midlothian area, providing everything from palliative care and respite to family and bereavement support, helping them make the most of every precious moment together.
“Initiatives like Aldi’s Supermarket Sweep raise vital funds that allow us to continue this work, and we’re so grateful to Aldi and everyone who takes part for making a real difference to local families.”
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland said: “Our annual Supermarket Sweep holds a special place in the Aldi calendar, and we’re so pleased to bring it back for another year.
“Congratulations to Alea who managed to raise a fantastic £310 for CHAS, while snapping up a whole load of Aldi favourites for herself.
“CHAS is an incredible organisation which does invaluable work for families in Scotland. We are committed to raising as much money as possible so the charity can continue to provide vital hospice care to children with life-shortening conditions, and unwavering support to families during the most difficult moments imaginable.”
For more information about CHAS and how to support its work, visit:
PEACEFUL PROTESTS – ONLY FOUR ARRESTS ACROSS SCOTLAND
Police officers took action at demonstrations and protest events across the country yesterday (Saturday, 26 July, 2025).
In Aberdeen, an 18-year-old man was arrested in connection with a number of outstanding warrants and will appear at court at a later date.
A 56-year-old man will be subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal following an alleged assault in Aberdeen city centre.
In Glasgow, a 49-year-old woman was arrested in connection with an alleged obstruction of the police following an incident in George Square. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
A 50-year-old woman was issued with a Recorded Police Warning in connection with alleged threatening behaviour in Regent Terrace, Edinburgh.
Communities and town centres across the UK set to benefit from a wave of new cafes, bars, music venues and outdoor dining options
Government to overhaul planning and licensing rules to make it quicker and easier for new cafes, bars and music venues to open in place of disused shops.
New ‘hospitality zones’ will fast-track permissions for alfresco dining, pubs, bars and street parties.
Reforms will also protect long-standing venues from noise complaints by new developments.
Part of the Small Business Plan, which will show how the Plan for Change will rejuvenate smaller businesses and put more money in people’s pockets.
Communities and town centres across the UK are set to benefit from a wave of new cafes, bars, music venues and outdoor dining options, as the Government slashes red tape to breathe new life into the high street.
The government will introduce a new National Licensing Policy Framework, which will modernise outdated planning and licensing rules—cutting the cost, complexity, and time it takes to open and operate hospitality venues, and helping small businesses grow and communities reconnect.
The reforms will make it easier to convert disused shops into hospitality venues, and protect long-standing pubs, clubs, and music venues from noise complaints by new developments – ensuring the buzz of the high street can thrive without being silenced.
As part of this, the Government will introduce the ‘Agent of Change’ principle into national planning and licensing policy – meaning developers will be responsible for soundproofing their buildings if they choose to build near existing pubs, clubs or music venues.
New dedicated ‘hospitality zones’, will also be introduced where permissions for alfresco dining, street parties and extended opening hours will be fast-tracked – helping to bring vibrancy and footfall back to the high street.
The new National Licensing Policy Framework will streamline and standardise the process for securing planning permission and licences, removing the patchwork of local rules that currently delay or deter small businesses from opening. This means that entrepreneurs looking to turn empty shops into cafes, bars or music venues will face fewer forms, faster decisions, and lower costs.
This transformation is already underway through the High Street Rental Auction Scheme, which gives councils the power to auction off leases for commercial properties that have been vacant for over a year—bringing empty shops back into use and turning them into vibrant community hubs where people can enjoy a meal, drink, or night out.
The plans come ahead of the launch of the UK Government’s Small Business Plan which will deliver on the Plan for Change by setting out further steps to unlock the full potential of the UK’s 5.5 million SMEs – who collectively contribute £2.8 trillion in turnover and provide 60% of all private sector jobs.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “This Government has a plan to replace shuttered up shops with vibrant places to socialise turning them into thriving cafés or busy bars, which supports local jobs and gives people a place to get together and catch up over a beer or a coffee.
“Red tape has stood in the way of people’s business ideas for too long. Today we’re slashing those barriers to giving small business owners the freedom to flourish.
“From faster café openings to easier alfresco dining, our Plan for Change will put the buzz back into our town centres and money back into the pockets of local entrepreneurs, because when small businesses thrive, communities come alive.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “Whether it’s cheering on the Lionesses or catching up with friends, our pubs and bars are at the heart of British life.
“For too long, they’ve been stifled by clunky, outdated rules. We’re binning them – to protect pavement pints, al fresco dining and street parties – not just for the summer, but all year round.
“Through our Plan for Change, we’re backing small businesses and bringing good times back to the high street.”
Craig Beaumont, Executive Director at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “With the Women’s Euros final bringing communities together to watch and enjoy in our pubs, bars, cafes and community venues tonight, this move is a welcome win for small firms.
“By cutting red tape this enables small business to serve more customers outdoors. Let’s hope this is just the kick-off to a bold, long-term small business strategy.”
All these plans, subject to an initial Call for Evidence in due course, will be delivered as soon as possible as part of the Government’s commitment to reduce the administrative costs of regulation by at least 25%.
Ready to explore what people power means in the face of nature breakdown? We’re giving away tickets to a powerful and FREE Fringe show, “A Citizen’s Assembly“!
This ECCAN outing is an opportunity to:
Engage with a unique theatrical experience that puts you at the heart of the climate conversation.
Meet new people
Discover what’s possible when we come together.
“A Citizen’s Assembly” is an immersive experience where we are the citizens, grappling with the climate emergency: What are we doing? What are we not doing?
What more could and should we be doing? Be prepared to join the debate and be part of the story!
Confused about where to go when you or a loved one needs medical help?
It can be tricky to know where to get advice when you are ill or in pain, and choosing the wrong service can mean longer waits, more stress, and extra pressure on our NHS.
Our #RightCareRightPlace guide can help you make the right choice, quickly, safely and as close to home as possible.
The sprightly double bill of Scottish Opera’s new staging of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Trial by Jury and the world premiere of Emma Jenkins and Toby Hession’s A Matter of Misconduct! will be available to watch on OperaVision from 3 August for six months.
The production opened in May at Theatre Royal Glasgow, before touring to Festival Theatre Edinburgh and Opera Holland Park, with Trial by Jury directed by John Savournin, and A Matter of Misconduct! directed by Laura Attridge. Both operas are conducted by Toby Hession, and designs are by takis.
The film of the double bill was produced for the freeview streaming platform OperaVision by Gemma Dixon of Maestro Broadcasting, who also directed the A Matter of Misconduct! film, with Jonathan Haswell directing the film of Trial by Jury. Audio production was by Floating Earth Ltd., and the recording was made at a Festival Theatre Edinburgh performance.
First performed in 1875, Trial by Jury (a co-production by Scottish Opera, D’Oyly Carte Opera and Opera Holland Park), was the first major hit from the partnership of WS Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Set around a classic case of broken vows – the defendant having literally left the claimant at the altar – the trial bubbles over with emotion, humour, and downright chaos, leaving the jury divided. How will they decide between the charming yet swindling defendant and the utterly captivating claimant?
This production, which marks 150 years of Gilbert & Sullivan’s collaboration with D’Oyly Carte Opera, formed upon the first performance of Trial by Jury, has a fabulous comic cast which includes Richard Suart (The Gondoliers & Utopia, Limited 2021), Jamie MacDougall (Albert Herring 2024) and 2024/25 Emerging Artists Kira Kaplan (Opera Highlights 2025), Chloe Harris (Opera Highlights 2025) and Edward Jowle (The Makropulos Affair 2025).
It is performed alongside Emma Jenkins and Toby Hession’sA Matter of Misconduct!, a new co-commission and co-production by Scottish Opera and D’Oyly Carte Opera.
Following the crowd-pleasing political satire In Flagrante, also by Jenkins and Hession, which premiered on the 2023/24 Opera Highlights tour, A Matter of Misconduct! tells the story of how when a scandal threatens to break about the front runner in a bloody leadership campaign, a lawyer is needed to prevent information from reaching the press. Sylvia Lawless from the firm Lawless, Lawless, Lawless and Crook must find the loopholes in this modern take on unsavoury behaviour.
Jamie MacDougallstars in this daring new operetta, alongside 2024/25 Emerging Artists Ross Cumming, Kira Kaplan, Chloe Harris and Edward Jowle.
Launched in 2017, OperaVision – curated by Opera Europa, the European association of opera companies and festivals – streams performances from all over the world, allowing viewers to watch productions from the greatest European opera houses from the comfort of their own home. As well as full-length performances shown with subtitles, it features extracts, interviews and behind the scenes footage.
Scottish Opera General Director Alex Reedijk said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled that our film of Trial by Jury & A Matter of Misconduct! will reach global audiences through OperaVision this summer.
‘We hope viewers all over the world enjoy this brilliant double bill, and it’s a great opportunity to share the exceptional artistry of Toby Hession and Emma Jenkins, and directors John Savournin and Laura Attridge, as well as the talented cast and The Orchestra of Scottish Opera.’
In 2019, in a very important first for Scottish Opera, Stuart MacRae and Louise Welsh’s Anthropocene was featured on the platform, followed in 2023 by the Company’s production of another Gilbert & Sullivan classic, The Gondoliers.
It has been watched more than anything else since Christmas 2023, amassing almost 70,000 views to date.Audiences praised the production calling it ‘magnificent’, ‘truly first rate’ and ‘superb’.
Karen Stone, Opera Europa Executive Director said:‘Scottish Opera is respected internationally for the quality of its productions, its commitment to creating new work and its dedication to serving many communities across Scotland.
“I am delighted that the double-bill of Trial by Jury & A Matter of Misconduct! will find new audiences across the world through Opera Europa’s streaming platform. “We look forward to Scottish Opera becoming a more regular contributor to OperaVision, which showcases all the vibrancy of opera-making in Europe today.’
Executive Producer Gemma Dixon said: ‘Producing the fabulous Trial by Jury & A Matter of Misconduct! double bill for streaming on OperaVision was a real joy.
‘Our job is always to cherish a production and tell the story through the lens, matching the quality of what we see on stage with what we put on the screen.
“The beauty of our work is in capturing the extra details, the story beats, reactions and facial expressions that can be missed in the auditorium when watching from a distance, and they are in abundance here! The quality of both productions and the superb cast and production teams made the job easy for us.
‘Although both productions are brilliant on screen, A Matter of Misconduct! was particularly fun to direct because of the level of detail in the musical score, the witty libretto and the close interplay between the score, libretto and action. I’ve tried to highlight these moments and replicate the energy and comedy of the production in the choice of framing and the timing of camera shots.’
Trial by Jury & A Matter of Misconduct! are available to watch from 6pm BST (7pm CET) on 3 August at https://operavision.eu/en
Trial by Jury is supported by the Michael Bishop Foundation, Lord Glendonbrook and the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust.
A Matter of Misconduct! is supported by Scottish Opera’s New Commissions Circle.
A partnership between the UK’s leading children’s charity and the LEGO Group will continue this summer with the launch of online safety sessions in Scotland.
The NSPCC is working with the LEGO Group to deliver a series of live events to parents and children in Scotland as part of the Build & Talk campaign.
Build & Talk sessions are led by NSPCC local campaigns teams and aim to help parents and carers have open conversations with children about online safety while building with LEGO® bricks. The aim is to help make discussions about online safety natural and normal, sharing good advice and learning while playing.
Carla Malseed, NSPCC Local Campaigns Manager for Scotland, said: “It’s essential that we speak openly and honestly with children about online safety. Linking these discussions to fun, hands-on activities—like building with LEGO® bricks—makes it easier for families to engage and connect.
“Across our local events, we’re sharing important insights about gaming and safe online habits in a way that encourages conversation. These sessions also offer a relaxed space for families to come together, enjoy free activities, chat with our team, and gain practical advice for staying safe online.”
Upcoming Build & Talk events will be held in the following locations:
Edinburgh Zoo Family Day (Scotland), Monday, July 28, 11am-3pm (included with general zoo admission cost)
Fringe by the Sea, North Berwick (Scotland), Tuesday, August 5, 10.30am – 4.30pm.
Play Day East Ayrshire, Kilmarnock (Scotland), Wednesday, August 6, 11am-3pm.
Diana Ringe Krogh, Vice President and Head of Social Responsibility at the LEGO Group, said: “We know many parents and caregivers want to feel more confident supporting their children in the digital world, especially when it comes to gaming.
“That’s why we’re excited to bring our new Build & Talk activities to community spaces across the UK this summer with the NSPCC. These sessions are designed to spark playful, open conversations about online play – helping families have fun, connect, and explore the digital world together.”
To find out more about the LEGO Group’s online safety activities and advice, click here, or to discover tips and guidance from the NSPCC regarding speaking to children about online safety, click here.
Need a bike? Borrow one from the NEA Lending Bike Library! 
Contact us: 07493 876130
Email: bikes@northedinburgharts.co.uk
Engage with a unique theatrical experience that puts you at the heart of the climate conversation.
Check link in our bio for more info
