Riding off-road bikes illegally in public green spaces can cause serious injury to other people.
Know who’s riding an off-road bike in parks or recreation grounds? You can tell independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously about who’s involved and where it happens.
You can also get more info on how you can report to local partners and where you can legally and safely ride an off-road vehicle.
Speak up directly to us on 101 or visit our partner website https://orlo.uk/oryx2
RETAILER GOES BACK TO IT’S ROOTS
Get your baskets at the ready! Yesterday (Thursday 17 July), leading Scottish convenience retailer Scotmid officially opened the doors to its brand-new store in Fountainbridge – metres from the original headquarters of the former St Cuthbert’s Co-operative.
Located at 112 Dundee Street (EH11 1FQ), the 4,000 sq ft store marks a return to the heart of a community where Scotmid’s journey began more than 165 years ago.
The new store has created 26 new jobs for the local area and offers an enhanced customer experience with a wide range of fresh and frozen products, everyday essentials, and locally sourced Scottish produce, reinforcing Scotmid’s continued commitment to supporting Scotland’s food and drink industry.
Scotmid’s much-loved food-to-go offering has been expanded for this location:
The opening forms part of Scotmid’s commitment to bringing high-quality convenience shopping and food-to-go options to local communities across Scotland.
Opening day festivities included goodie bags for the first 50 customers and three hidden golden tickets offering special prizes. Scotmid also hosted an event in partnership with Re-Union Canal Boats, a local social enterprise.
Guests enjoyed a relaxing canal cruise through Fountainbridge, celebrating Scotmid’s past and future in the area. Re-Union reinvests all profits into local community initiatives that improve the area for everyone.
Karen Scott, Scotmid Chief Executive, said: “This new store marks a milestone for Scotmid. Not only does it serve the needs of a vibrant community but also reconnects Scotmid with its roots as Fountainbridge was where we originated in 1859.
“We’re delighted to invest in Fountainbridge and offer fresh choice, value, and convenience.”
The store is open seven days a week, including extended evening hours for commuters and local shoppers.
This summer, Party at the Palace is hitting a high note for the planet. Thanks to renewable energy pioneers GreenFox, the festival will host Scotland’s first solar-powered festival stage, the GreenFox Energy Breakthrough Stage, twinning clean energy and the joy of live music.
Over 7,000 music lovers will head to Bonnytoun Farm in Linlithgow on Saturday, 2, and Sunday, 3 August and, for the first time, a large part of the festival will be sun-powered.
The new solar setup will supply sound, lighting, and equipment using a combination of solar panels and battery storage. The battery will be fully charged with green energy generated in the days before the event.
The system is expected to produce up to 100 kilowatt-hours of clean energy over the weekend. This is enough to power an average UK home for about 10 days and will prevent around 20 kilograms of CO₂ emissions.
“Festivals are full of energy – and now we’re bringing the renewable kind too,” said Eddie Curran, co-founder of GreenFox Energy.
“It’s brilliant to now be part of the action and help power a festival that’s such a big part of the local community.”
In a world where most festivals still rely on diesel generators, the GreenFox initiative proves solar power is a viable, vibrant alternative and a great fit for a family-friendly, future-focused event like Party at the Palace.
Eddie added, “It’s a small step with a big message: at Party at the Palace alone, switching to solar saves around 20 kg of CO₂ and that’s just one stage, at one festival.
“If every festival across the UK did the same, we could save over 12.8 tonnes of emissions each year. It shows how small changes, delivered at scale, start to really add up.
“This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to explore even more ways to make Party at the Palace a leader in sustainable, low-impact events in the future.”
Now in its 11th year, Party at the Palace continues to grow and so does its commitment to doing things differently.
“We’re always looking for ways to make the festival better, not just for the fans, but for the planet too,” said John Richardson, director of Party at the Palace.
“We’re very much a family festival so it’s important to us to help create a better future for the next generation. We are passionate about leading by example, both through our work in the local community and encouraging people to make more eco-friendly choices.
“That’s why bringing in solar power with GreenFox Energy is such a proud moment. It’s a simple idea to use the sun’s power to drive our second stage but one that shows small changes can make a big difference – and it’s fine to start with what is doable now, with the goal to build on it in the future.”
Headliners for this year’s festival include Boney M and Squeeze, alongside a vibrant lineup on the GreenFox Energy Stage with standout performances from Laurie Wright, Forgetting the Future, and Pistol Daisys.
Festival goers can also plug into the movement by showing their Party at the Palace ticket to get 15% off solar installations with GreenFox Energy*.
For more information visit: Solar Energy Company UK | GreenFox Energy
EDINBURGH INTERFAITH ASSOCIATION EXHIBITION
Visit Edinburgh Interfaith Association’s #Edinburgh900 exhibition “Stories of Belief: Celebrating 900 Years of Faith Communities in Edinburgh” at the St James Quarter from 16 – 23 July.
For more information visit tinyurl/storiesofbelief
With the summer festivals season fast approaching, the city council is making temporary changes to the way some of our city centre streets operate between Thursday 24 July and Sunday 7 September 2025.
During this busy period the population of our city effectively doubles, which brings challenges for residents, businesses and visitors.
These temporary changes, which include removing or restricting vehicle traffic, are designed to make our streets easier and safer to walk around.
George Street and several streets in the Old Town will be impacted. A full list of streets along with further information is available on our website.
There is also specific advice for blue badge holders, home deliveries, loading and services for businesses, places of worship and special arrangements.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “As we prepare to welcome the world to Edinburgh for our summer festivals, we’re making sure that these higher visitor numbers are managed safely and properly.
“We’ve made temporary changes to our city centre streets successfully during this period for many years and I’m sure that this summer will be no different.
“I’d like to thank our residents and businesses for their understanding and patience as we get ready to showcase and enjoy our city’s unparalleled cultural offering once again.”
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) is pleased to welcome legendary British filmmaker Ken Loach and his longtime creative collaborators, writer Paul Laverty and producer Rebecca O’Brien, for a special In Conversation event at this year’s Festival.
The trio will discuss the acclaimed films they have created together over the years including Palme D’Or Winners The Wind That Shakes The Barley (2006) and I, Daniel Blake (2016). The event takes place on Wednesday 20 August at 11am at Tollcross Central Hall.
This event will then be followed by a special retrospective screening of the filmmakers’ 2006 Palme D’Or winning film The Wind That Shakes The Barley. Starring Cillian Murphy, the film is a heartfelt and stirring epic exploring the rift that emerges between two brothers who find themselves fighting against one another in the conflict over Irish independence in the early 1920s.
Presented from a 35mm print, this screening will be preceded by a special introduction by the filmmakers. The event takes place on Wednesday 20 August at 1.30pm in Filmhouse Screen 1.
Tickets are now on sale for both events via the EIFF website.
EIFF’s In Conversation strand also features a range of other major filmmaking talent who will discuss their creative careers to date including director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland, Touching the Void, One to One: John & Yoko) speaking with his brother, producerAndrew Macdonald (Trainspotting, Civil War, 28 Years Later), in a wide ranging conversation about filmmaking and their respective careers. Kevin will also present a screening of The Cranes are Flying (1957), a film which has heavily influenced his work.
Trailblazing filmmaker Nia Da Costa will discuss her acclaimed work which spans independent film, horror sequels and major studio comic book adaptations including The Marvels, Candyman and upcoming film 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Nia will also present a special 4K restoration of Doug Liman’s 90s black comedy Go, a film that was a source of early inspiration for her.
From breakout horror thriller Kill List to EIFF Midnight Madness Opening Film Bulk, via hilarious black comedy Sightseers and many more, filmmaker Ben Wheatley and long time producing partner Andy Starke will discuss their collaborations and their working dynamic.
Award-winning writer and director Andrea Arnold is one of the UK’s most outstanding filmmakers. She will discuss her searing debut feature Red Road (2006), also screening at EIFF this year, which won the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut, along with her critically acclaimed work such as Fish Tank, American Honey, Cow and, most recently, Bird.
Legendary producer Jeremy Thomas (Eureka, 13 Assassins, Sexy Beast) will discuss his long and varied career, which includes collaborations with Nicolas Roeg, Takeshi Miike and Jonathan Glazer, in a conversation with filmmaker Mark Cousins (A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things, The Story of Film, The Storms of Jeremy Thomas). Jeremy Thomas will also introduce a special 35mm screening of Nicolas Roeg’s Bad Timing (1980), one of his earliest films.
Edinburgh International Film Festival will run from 14-20 August 2025. Building on EIFF’s reinvigorated vision under new leadership from CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the Festival will continue to accelerate the discovery of new film talent and engage with audiences, industry members and local, national and international media.
The Festival team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent. Ridd is supported by the EIFF Board, led by Chair Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting; and Vice Chair Amy Jackson, producer of BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun; as well as Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; Teresa Moneo, Former Director of UK Film, Netflix; Isla Macgillivray, Partner at Saffrey; and Romana Ramzan, Producer at No Code Studio.
Paul Ridd, CEO & Festival Director, said: “It is a great honour for us to welcome Ken Loach, Paul Laverty and Rebecca O’Brien for what promises to be a lively and fascinating discussion of their work together, with two Palme D’Ors to their names and a body of work that includes ferociously powerful films produced across decades.
“We are also delighted to be presenting one of their major films THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY from a 35mm print. It is a genuine thrill to be able to add this formidable trio to a roster of speakers at EIFF in a programme of In Conversation events which already includes Jeremy Thomas, Nia Da Costa, Andrew and Kevin Macdonald, Andrea Arnold and Ben Wheatley.”
EIFF 2025 is supported by Screen Scotland.
BLACKHALL PRIMARY SCHOOL TO RECEIVE SUPPORT FOR THEIR GREEN SPACE FROM DOBBIES GARDEN CENTRES
Dobbies Garden Centres has announced the local charities and community organisations set to benefit from its support this year, helping them to create, enhance, or revitalise their indoor and outdoor green spaces — including schools, nurseries, care homes, allotments and community gardens.
Blackhall Primary School has been selected by the Edinburgh store to receive donations and support as part of Dobbies Community Gardens.
The school has outdoor learning classes during the week and would love to start growing their own fruit and vegetables from scratch.
Dobbies’ support will give the school the guidance, tools and seeds needed to bring this grow your own project to life.
Over 600 groups applied to Dobbies Community Gardens when it opened in March. Each Dobbies’ store selected a local project to support from the nominations that were made.
The winning school will now receive a one-on-one session with Dobbies’ Green Team at the Edinburgh store to kick-start the activity.
The team will support Blackhall Primary School throughout their project with products, tools and plants, along with volunteer hours to help bring the green space to life and keep it thriving.
Jenna Bavidge Dobbies’ Edinburgh store General Manager, said: “We are really pleased to have had so many community groups in Edinburgh reach out looking for support with their green spaces.
“We’re committed to supporting the local communities around our Edinburgh store, and the mix of winners showcases the many ways people and communities can benefit from garden living.
“Congratulations to Blackhall Primary School who have been successful in receiving our support this year. We’re looking forward to supporting this school and are excited to see their space flourish.”
To find out more about Dobbies Community Gardens and see this year’s winners, visit www.dobbies.com/community-gardens.
Young people in the capital can call a dedicated helpline offering expert advice to anyone receiving their full Higher, National, and Advanced results on Tuesday, 5 August 2025.
The pupils and students- along with their parents and carers – will be able to get support with their results through Skills Development Scotland’s (SDS) Results Helpline, which opens from 8am on results day.
The SDS Results Helpline will once again be staffed by expert careers advisers to assist anybody that needs help with their options and next steps, providing impartial career information, advice, and guidance.
The team of qualified advisers from Scotland’s national skills agency will be at the end of the phone line to offer guidance on colleges and universities, UCAS Confirmation and Clearing, apprenticeships, jobs and other training, volunteering, or staying on at school.
The number for the 2025 SDS Results Helpline is 0808 100 8000 and will be open:
Dave McCallum, Head of Career Information, Advice and Guidance Operations at SDS said: “Our message for young people and their parents and carers as their results arrive is not to panic. Everything might seem overwhelming right now but remember that this is just one step on their journey.
“Our experienced advisers are here to provide expert support and guidance, offering information on a wide range of options and opportunities. They are also trained to help young people recognise that they are more than their exam results, giving them the confidence to see their strengths and abilities beyond qualifications.”
Local SDS Careers Adviser Gillian Ross is part of the Results Helpline team who will be taking calls from young people, parents and carers from across the country. Gillian said: “Whether a young person didn’t receive the results they were hoping for, or they exceeded their expectations, we are here to help them navigate the next steps and make the best decisions for their future.”
The SDS Results Helpline has been going for 33 years and has helped tens of thousands of young Scots.
There’s also an SDS careers adviser linked to every secondary school in Scotland, with almost a quarter of a million school pupils from P7 to S6 receiving careers information, advice and guidance each year*.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “Young people have so many different ways to achieve their qualifications, with many eagerly anticipating their results coming through next month. It is important that no matter how they do, young people and their families have access to trusted and reliable information on potential next steps. That is what the advisers at the Skills Development Scotland helpline provide.
“I would encourage everyone looking for impartial and expert advice on the options available, whether that is in work, training or further study, to consider contacting the helpline.”
Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) helps young people get ready for the world of work by connecting them with employers and supporting them to explore a wide range of career pathways. DYW Co-ordinators are based in secondary schools across Scotland, working alongside SDS careers advisers to support pupils with their next steps.
Michelle Fenwick, Director – DYW National Projects, said: “As results are released, it’s important that young people know there are many routes to success and that support is there for them.
“Through our #NoWrongPath campaign, and in partnership with SDS, we’re helping young people understand that the world of work is full of opportunity.
“Whether a young person is going into further or higher education, training, employment or still considering their options – the Results Helpline is a great way to get guidance, reassurance, and a sense of direction.”
In addition to the dedicated SDS Results Helpline, young people and their parents or carers can also speak to an SDS adviser at a SDS centre or community venue (find out what’s close to you by visiting the Contact Us area of the SDS website), visit Scotland’s career information and advice website, My World of Work, or speak to directly to an SDS school-based careers adviser for year-round support.
MENU FOR FRIDAY 18th JULY 
We are excited to share a delicious community meal with you tomorrow. We do our best to have a variety of options, including vegetarian and often a delicious pudding. What’s on the menu today:
Lentil and root veg soup
Fish and chips with herby peas
Veggie chestnut sausages rolls
Apple crumble with custard and garden berry compote
Please check the board or ask our volunteers about allergens. And just a heads-up, our food is served until it runs out!
Do come along and enjoy. Thank you!
This year, we’re not just launching a survey — we’re launching a nationwide rescue mission, and we need everyone to get involved.
Last summer, Britain’s butterflies sent an urgent SOS through Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count.
The wildlife charity declared a Butterfly Emergency after results revealed a marked and deeply concerning decline in butterfly numbers, which were the lowest in the Count’s history.
The 2024 figures followed a pattern of long-term decline as butterflies struggle against a backdrop of habitat degradation, climate breakdown and pesticide use.
That’s why this year, we’re not just launching a survey — we’re launching a nationwide rescue mission, and we need everyone to get involved.
No lab coats. No science degrees. Just 15 minutes of your time.
Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count 2025 begins on Friday 18 July, and we’re calling on thousands of everyday heroes, from schoolkids to grandparents, dog walkers, hikers, even office workers on their lunch break, to take part.
Worryingly, 80% of butterflies have declined since the 1970s. These delicate icons of summer respond quickly to environmental change, making their decline a powerful warning sign of a planet in peril.
The good news? There is hope. With just 15 minutes of your time, you can help protect UK butterfly species for future generations.
️ The mission?
Spend 15 minutes in any outdoor space and count the butterflies and day-flying moths you see and submit your sightings to help build our interactive map.
That’s it. One small action that contributes to a much bigger effort to help save butterfly species and the ecosystems they support.
“This is a chance to turn curiosity into conservation and make a real contribution to protecting butterflies in the UK for generations to come,” said Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation. “Butterflies are beautiful, yes — but they’re also incredibly important bioindicators. This means that as they continue to disappear, as they have over recent decades, it indicates something is going seriously wrong in our natural world. We need to heed that warning and take action before it’s too late.
“If we lose butterflies, we lose more than beauty — we lose balance in our ecosystems and that will have serious repercussions for wildlife in the UK. Taking part in the Big Butterfly Count only takes 15 minutes and it’s something everybody can do. If you do one thing for nature this year, get out for the Count this summer! – Every count really does make a difference.”
Whether you see a Red Admiral, a Common Blue, or an entire kaleidoscope of Meadow Browns, your sightings provide vital data that help scientists understand where butterflies are thriving, struggling, or shifting due to habitat loss or restoration.
And by taking part, you’re doing more than logging data — you’re standing up for nature. Your observations will help create a live map of UK biodiversity, visible in real-time through the Big Butterfly Count website and free app.
Why It Matters
With over 80% of UK butterfly species in decline, every single sighting counts.
Butterflies are early warning signs of environmental collapse — when they struggle, so do birds, bees, and entire ecosystems.
Together, we can reverse the trend by learning where and why butterflies are struggling and taking action to save them.
What’s the problem?
Butterflies are struggling because their habitat is being destroyed and the climate they thrive in is changing and becoming more unpredictable.
Populations may also be declining as a result of pesticide use, both commercially and in gardens. Even insecticides and pesticides labelled “pollinator friendly” can harm butterflies and other pollinating insects.
Employing more nature friendly gardening methods, such as companion planting and allowing wild spaces to flourish within our gardens are two of the best ways to help butterflies thrive at home.
How to Take Part
This summer, step outside, slow down, and reconnect with the natural world on your doorstep.
Become a citizen scientist. Be part of the comeback. Help bring butterflies and wild spaces across the UK back to life.
