Monday 2nd to Friday 6th November: Over 15 Drill Hall based artists and makers taking part in the Makers Amok pop-up.
Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th November: Over 30 studio holders at Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios taking part in the Winter Open Studios.
Out of the Blue are delighted to be supporting local artists and makers this November, with a series of special events, featuring a fantastic selection of handmade goods, all created in Out of the Blue Leith-based studios.
Makers Amok Pop-Up
At the Out of the Blue Drill Hall on Dalmeny Street, over 15 of the artists and makers based there are busy putting together Makers Amok. It’s a unique pop-up shop, showcasing and celebrating local art with all pieces crafted from the studios at the Drill Hall. What better way to make an early start to your Christmas shopping?
You’re invited to come along between Monday 2nd and Friday 6th November (10am – 5pm) and meet a vibrant collective of Edinburgh makers and explore an eclectic showcase of handmade jewellery, artwork, textiles, and original design.
To celebrate, the Drill Hall based artists and makers are hosting a Closing Event on Friday 6th November (3pm – 5pm) – an exciting opportunity to chat to some of the participating artists and find out more about their work.
Winter Open Studios Weekend
Over at Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios (Easter Road) the resident artists are delighted to be opening their doors to the public for another exciting Open Studios Weekend (their second of the year) onSaturday 28th and Sunday 29th November, 12noon – 5pm (free entry).
It’s a great chance to see the creative spaces at Abbeymount, meet the makers and browse a wide range of original artworks and gifts. Everything is handmade by local designers and makers here in their studios in the heart of Edinburgh. It’s the perfect opportunity to get some Christmas shopping done, or perhaps get an extra treat for yourself, while supporting local artists and makers.
With over 30 artists and makers taking part, there really is something for everyone to suit all budgets, from fine art, paintings and illustration to ceramics, textiles and photography.
Participating artists include painter Pippa Brown, textile artist Jen Byrne of Studio Nine plus illustrators like Trista Yen.
Out of the Blue Chief Executive, Rob Hoonsays: “Out of the Blue support artists to help make Edinburgh a thriving hotbed of creativity all year round.
“Providing space for artists to create and sell their work, means they can earn a living, and people get to own the beautiful hand crafted fruits of the artists’ labour! Makers Amok at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall and the Open Studios Weekend at Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios are brilliant showcases of the many participating artists’ talent.”
Scotland’s First Minister officially became the first person in the country to donate to and receive his poppy for the Scottish Poppy Appeal 2026.
John Swinney’s donation on Tuesday came as Poppyscotland officially launched their annual Scottish Poppy Appeal, which is rallying the nation to stand shoulder to shoulder in support of veterans, serving personnel, and their families living across Scotland.
As the country’s largest annual fundraising event, the Scottish Poppy Appeal raises over £2 million each year. These vital funds allow the charity to provide life-changing resources, including custom tailored advice on employment, housing, debt management, and specialised mental health support.
Receiving the first iconic four-petal Scottish poppy of this year’s campaign – traditionally designed without a leaf by Lady Haig in 1926 – the First Minister emphasised the profound importance of the appeal and urged the public to show their generosity.
Following a visit to Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh, First Minister John Swinney said: “It was a privilege to receive the first poppy of the 2026 Scottish Poppy Appeal and hear directly from veterans about the difference the appeal’s support has made to their lives.
“This year is especially significant as we mark 100 years since Lady Haig’s factory began producing poppies in Scotland. As we remember those who gave their lives to protect our freedoms, the poppy remains a powerful symbol of remembrance and Scotland’s enduring respect for those who have served.
“I encourage everyone to support this year’s appeal and join us in honouring the service and sacrifice of our armed forces.”
From now and over the coming weeks a dedicated network of volunteers will be visible on high streets, in shopping centres and train stations distributing around three million poppies across the country.
The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) has written an open letter to the Scottish Greens calling for consensus on securing a long-term fix for short-term let regulation.
It acknowledges that the ASSC and the party had “not always seen eye to eye” on how the sector is regulated but argues both sides now agree the current framework “isn’t fit for purpose”.
In recent days, the Scottish Greens and Living Rent shared data on the number of secondary lettings operating without planning permission in Edinburgh. While disputing the ‘loophole’ characterisation for withdrawn applications trailed in the media, the ASSC commends them for “shining a light” on an issue many assume had been dealt with. The letter repeats the ASSC’s longstanding call for the Scottish Government to separate licensing from planning and to end inconsistent planning decisions.
The ASSC makes clear that industry wants to be regulated. It notes businesses that have invested substantial sums of money following the rules are being undercut by illegal operators who face no consequences. The letter backs councils and Police Scotland using their powers against those rogue operators and calls for online platforms to verify licence details and remove unlawful listings promptly.
The ASSC’s own latest analysis of the Edinburgh Council’s register identifies 1,443 licensed secondary-let properties, representing only 0.5% of Edinburgh’s housing stock. While relatively small in number, these properties provide a vital source of alternative accommodation for visitors and performers during the Festivals, with BiGGAR Economics estimating that self-catering generates £154m per annum in the capital alone.
In Edinburgh, 98% of short-term let planning applications fail which amounts to a de facto ban. Where established operators cannot secure planning permission, the capital risks losing this accommodation while the black market continues unabated.
To address this, the ASSC calls for a dedicated planning category for self-catering through a new Use Class Order – which would require action from the Scottish Government – with fair arrangements for established businesses and a practical route to compliance.
The ASSC has asked to meet with the Scottish Greens to discuss how to break the current impasse between Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government, where there is a difference in opinion as to how it can be tackled, and agree a workable solution to put to Scottish Ministers to finally put the issue to bed.
Fiona Campbell MBE, Chief Executive of the ASSC, commented: ““We haven’t always seen eye to eye with the Scottish Greens, but we agree on this: the system simply isn’t fit for purpose.
“Businesses that have followed the rules are caught between planning and licensing with no certainty all while the black market booms.
“Our sector has been clear that it wants to be regulated but needs rules that are clear, consistent and fair.
“We’d relish the chance to sit down with the Scottish Greens and other stakeholders to finally resolve this issue once and for all.
“Local businesses and communities deserve nothing less.”
A first-of-its-kind clinical trial has launched in the UK, which could cut years from the search for treatments that work for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
The national trial, called AD- SMART (Alzheimer’s disease Systematic Multi-arm Adaptive Randomised Trial), is led by the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) and Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) – in partnership with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the Medical Research Council (MRC) and Health Data Research UK (HDR UK), with ongoing funding committed by UK government to support the trial.
It will test multiple drugs simultaneously, starting with two repurposed medicines already used to treat type 2 diabetes and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Groups of participants will each begin treatment with a different drug.
The study will examine whether these medicines can lessen symptoms such as memory and thinking problems, and help people maintain their quality-of-life as the disease progresses.
Testing drugs that are already approved to treat other conditions and known to be safe means that, if successful, treatments can reach people living with Alzheimer’s much faster than a medicine developed from scratch.
As well as repurposed drugs, the trial is designed to test new potential treatments coming through the research pipeline.
Heather Ransome, 67, from the Isle of Wight, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2024. She said: “Before my diagnosis, my partner and I were going on lots of cruises and coach holidays, enjoying retirement together. We still enjoy life, but I’m worried about my condition getting worse.
“I’m not the sort of person who gets upset, but being told you have Alzheimer’s is quite upsetting. There weren’t many treatment options available, and the one drug I was offered has been around for many years.
“Getting involved with AD-SMART has given me some hope for the future.
“It’s not too taxing, just some extra tablets to take every day. I don’t know whether I’m being given the active treatment, but if it helps me, or helps others in future, that feels positive. I would encourage anyone who thinks they might be eligible to sign up and speak to the team.”
The Prime Minister said:“I know how it feels to lose a loved one to dementia and have seen first-hand the devastating impact this illness has on families.
“That’s why I’m proud to see this trial being launched in the UK, so that cutting edge treatments can reach patients here as soon as possible.
“I have made dementia research a national priority. I want Britain to be the leading nation, making the breakthroughs that change people’s lives.”
Minister of State for Social Care and Mental Health Alison McGovern said:“With an ageing population we need to change the way we look after people with dementia, and we can do this with a plan combining science and a new social care service together.
“Research gives us the tools we need to fight against dementia, and I welcome the launch of this first-of-its-kind innovative trial testing multiple treatments simultaneously and looking to speed up the process. To support more clinical studies, we have invested £33 million into the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Goals programme.
“We will build a National Care Service that will transform social care, including better support for people living with dementia and their families. As recommended by Baroness Casey’s commission on reform of the social care system, we are appointing a National Dementia Tsar to help drive forward that progress, and we are publishing the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia to deliver rapid improvements in quality of care.”
AD-SMART is a type of trial known as a multi-arm, multi-stage platform trial. Several drugs are tested at the same time, and the results compared with one group of participants taking a dummy drug (placebo). This means more people receive an active treatment than would in a traditional trial.
Results are checked at regular stages throughout the trial and any drug that isn’t showing benefit can be dropped quickly, with new drugs added in its place. Overall, this means fewer participants end up receiving ineffective drugs.
Testing several drugs against one shared placebo group means that ̶̶̶compared with a traditional trial, the time to evaluate treatments can be more than halved, which also reduces costs.
The trial is being delivered by a team at Imperial College London, the UCL Innovative Clinical Trials Unit and the MRC Centre of Research Excellence in Clinical Trial Innovation (UCL), the University of Oxford and Dementias Platform UK (DPUK), with support from leading Alzheimer’s experts from across the UK.
Chief Investigator, Prof Paresh Malhotra, Group Leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) Centre for Care Research & Technology at Imperial College London, said:“For too long, Alzheimer’s research has moved at the pace of one drug, one trial, one answer, sometimes taking a decade or more before we know if we’ve found something that works.
“We are applying advances from cancer and other conditions to accelerate testing of treatments for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
“The way AD-SMART is set up means we’re testing several treatments at the same time, and those that don’t show promise can be quickly stopped. Then we can start testing something else. That’s the best way to get effective treatments to patients as quickly as we can.”
The first trial participants have been recruited at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and sites based at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Edinburgh and Southampton are now open.
Up to 20 NHS sites are expected to open across the UK over the next 12-18 months and more than 30 are planned overall. Researchers aim to recruit 1,200 participants across the UK to test these first two drugs.
They expect to finish evaluating the first drugs in 2030, in around four years’ time. During this initial four-year period, the team expect additional drugs to be added into the trial for testing.
AD-SMART is the first trial of this kind for people living with Alzheimer’s, but the model has already proven itself in the UK. MND-SMART, a similar platform trial for motor neuron disease, also led by the UK DRI, concluded that its first drugs tested were ineffective in just over three years – a process that would normally take at least eight. The trial has now moved on to testing other promising drugs.
Professor Siddharthan Chandran, Director of the UK Dementia Research Institute, said:“We already know this model works. The SMART approach, used by MND-SMART, has shown that testing multiple drugs at once, in one smart trial design, can speed up the testing of new treatments for neurodegenerative conditions.
“Now, we’re doing the same for Alzheimer’s. And because of the way SMART trials are designed, biotech and pharmaceutical companies can also bring their drugs straight into the trial. That means more treatments tested more quickly, and for people living with Alzheimer’s, that could make all the difference.”
The two starting drugs were carefully chosen by an international panel of experts, together with people with lived experience of Alzheimer’s, based on evidence from earlier stage studies in patients as well as laboratory research. People with lived experience, working with a team at the University of Cambridge, have shaped the trial throughout – its design, which drugs to test and how success is measured.
People with a confirmed Alzheimer’s diagnosis who would like to take part can register their interest by:
contacting the AD-SMART recruitment co-ordinator at adsmart@psych.ox.ac.uk or on 01865 283806;
To take part in this study and find other opportunities to participate in groundbreaking trials, visit Join Dementia Research.
Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, affecting around 600,000 people in the UK. There are currently no NHS treatments that can slow or stop the underlying disease.
Dr Sheona Scales, Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK said:“For people living with Alzheimer’s disease, time is precious. We urgently need more treatment options that can help people live better for longer and stay connected to the people they love.
“AD-SMART offers a smarter, faster way than conventional trials to find out which treatments could make a real difference. It’s the kind of innovative trial that Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Clinical Accelerator Programme was set up to support; AD SMART is the first trial we’ve funded via the programme.
“We hope this new approach to clinical trials will could help bring a future closer where people affected by Alzheimer’s have more treatment options — and ultimately, a cure.”
Professor Sir Andrew Morris, Director of Health Data Research UK, said:“We urgently need faster ways to test potential treatments for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The AD-SMART trial is a great example of how we can do this by testing several treatments at once and quickly moving on from those that don’t show benefit.
“Through the Dementia Trials Accelerator, led by HDR UK and the UK Dementia Research Institute, we are building the data and trial infrastructure needed to make dementia research faster and more efficient, helping promising treatments reach people sooner.”
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care and CEO of the NIHR, said:“For 20 years, the NIHR has empowered experts to tackle some of the biggest challenges in health and care, ensuring research reaches the people who need it most.
“I am delighted to welcome the launch of AD-SMART, a ground-breaking trial that will accelerate the testing of potential treatments for people affected by Alzheimer’s. It is a prime example of the ambitious, innovative research we need, which is why the NIHR has committed to its ongoing support as it opens more sites across the UK.
“AD-SMART will also play an important role in our ambition to increase participation in dementia clinical trials across the UK, strengthening our ability to test new treatments. Together, our investments aim to bring the benefits of research to people with dementia and their families sooner.”
Science Minister, Chris McDonald MP said:“Dementia has a devastating impact on millions of people, both for those living with the illness and for their friends and families. There is still so much we need to learn about how this disease works so we can then find the best ways to treat it, but this programme can help us bridge the gap.
“AD-SMART will help to uncover potential new treatments faster by exploring how existing drugs might be used to treat dementia, giving hope that we might be able to find ways to improve patients’ quality of life in the future.”
A man has been jailed for 12 years for a series of non-recent sexual and violent offences in Edinburgh.
Ian Whyte, 62, was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh today – Wednesday, 21 October, 2026.
He has also been placed on the sex offenders register.
He had previously been found guilty of the offences, including rape, attempted rape, sexual assault and assault, at the same court on Wednesday, 2 September.
The offences were committed between December 1978 and May 1998, against victims aged from an infant to 15-years-old.
Following an extensive investigation, he was arrested and charged by officers.
Detective Inspector Steph Garnett said: “This was a complex investigation and our thoughts are with the victims. I hope the sentence helps them to come to terms with the abuse they suffered.
“Whyte will now face the consequences of his despicable actions.
“Police Scotland takes all reports of sexual abuse seriously. Regardless of the passage of time, we will investigate and bring those responsible to justice.
“We remain committed to supporting victims of sexual crime and protecting children from harm and abuse.
“I would urge anyone who is a victim of abuse to speak to police in the knowledge you will be listened to, taken seriously and fully supported.”
Around 6.50am this morning (Wednesday, 21 October, 2026) we received a report of a motorbike theft on Darnell Road in Trinity.
A van believed to have been involved in the incident, which had also been reported as stolen, was traced a short time later in the Granton Road area but failed to stop for officers.
A short pursuit followed before being called off. The van was then involved in a collision with a cyclist before being found abandoned on Drumsheugh Gardens.
The cyclist was taken to hospital for treatment. There were no other reports of injuries.
The occupants of the van, males aged 15 and 20, left the scene and were later traced. The 20-year-old was arrested in connection with the incident and the 15-year-old will be reported to relevant authorities. Enquiries are ongoing.
Road Policing Inspector John Easton said: “We understand the circumstances of the incident this morning are concerning for local residents.
“I’d like to reassure the public, our priority is public safety and specially trained officers were deployed alongside divisional resources to ensure a safe conclusion.
“Our enquiries remain ongoing and if you have any information about the incident or have private CCTV, doorbell or dash-cam footage which has captured anything of significance please call 101 quoting incident 0416 of 21 October.”
The BBC has confirmed the closure of BBC Three, BBC Scotland and BBC Radio 4 Extra linear broadcast services in Spring 2027.
The BBC needs to make tough decisions due to the sustained financial pressures facing the organisation and must make savings of £500 million by 2028. Latest changes were announced to staff yesterday. It means:
BBC Three commissions, supported by increased investment in content for younger audiences will be available on BBC iPlayer and on other platforms, including YouTube.
Programmes from Radio 4 Extra will be on BBC Sounds – and The Daily Service will be on BBC Sounds and local radio.
In a note to staff setting out the changes, BBC Director-General Matt Brittin said: “We need to make every pound work harder for audiences as we respond to the immediate cost pressures and reinvent the BBC for a changing world. We all know that means tough choices.”
He added on the closure of linear broadcast services: “Much of the great content they currently carry will still be found where audiences already enjoy it on iPlayer and Sounds. While this follows media speculation, I recognise the confirmation of this news will be hard for audiences and colleagues.”
More changes have also been announced in BBC News. New Director of BBC News, Rachel Jupp will be laying out plans for further savings early next year as part of the longer-term vision for BBC News. Other divisions will confirm savings plans as soon as possible in the coming months.
The decision follows a BBC-wide review of its linear services and reflects the continuing shift in audience consumption from traditional broadcast television to digital platforms. It will ensure BBC Scotland’s wide range of programming across drama, factual, comedy, entertainment and sport remains available to audiences in Scotland and beyond, while also contributing to BBC Scotland’s savings targets.
This decision will require the closure of approximately 10 posts, in addition to the 60 role closures already announced by BBC Scotland earlier this year. A consultation period has begun with impacted teams and unions.
The BBC also confirmed that Reporting Scotland: News at Seven will not move to BBC iPlayer and will cease when the linear channel closes. Audiences will continue to be served by BBC Scotland’s wider news offering across television, audio and digital platforms, including Reporting Scotland; The Sunday Show; Radio Scotland Breakfast; Scotcast and Debate Night.
The BBC Scotland channel brand will continue to be available on BBC iPlayer, where audiences are increasingly choosing to watch content on demand. Audience requests to view BBC Scotland content on iPlayer keep growing, reaching record levels in 25/26. Signed in accounts for BBC Scotland content on BBC iPlayer have grown by 70% over the last 4 years and currently over 1m accounts access BBC Scotland content every week.
As part of the changes, BBC Two in Scotland will be reconfigured to enable the BBC to deliver Scotland-only programming. This will be alongside BBC One Scotland, where Scottish programming already forms an important part of the schedule including Scotland’s Home of the Year; our award-winning investigative series Disclosure; Murder Case; Inside Barlinnie; Scottish Cup Final and Hogmanay.
BBC Two in Scotland will become the new home for the broadcaster’s SPFL Championship on Friday evenings.
Tuesday’s announcement forms part of a broader package of changes across the BBC’s linear portfolio. Full details of the announcement are available here. These changes are part of the BBC’s long-term strategy to focus investment on digital services while maintaining universal access to high-quality public service content.
Commenting on the announcement, Hayley Valentine, BBC Scotland Director, said: “Against the backdrop of significant financial challenges, we must focus our resources where they will have the greatest impact for audiences. The way audiences watch television continues to change at pace and our data tells us that more people are choosing to watch BBC Scotland content on BBC iPlayer now.
“By continuing the channel on BBC iPlayer, we can ensure Scottish content thrives in a digital environment, while BBC Two in Scotland, alongside BBC One Scotland, will maintain a strong and distinctive Scottish presence on linear television.
“It is always sad to see programmes come to an end and I am extremely proud of the News at Seven team and everything they have delivered since launching. Our teams are highly skilled, and we will continue to evolve our news and current affairs offer to reflect the changing way people consume journalism today.”
Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning, BBC Scotland added: “Scotland’s audiences value content that reflects the nation, its communities and its culture.
“Alongside an increased presence on BBC network with titles such as Counsels, Banjo & Ro’s Grand Island Hotel and Two Doors Down, audiences will continue to be able to access BBC Scotland’s programmes on BBC iPlayer and across BBC One Scotland and BBC Two in Scotland.”
The BBC needs to make ‘tough decisions’ due to the sustained financial pressures facing the organisation and must make savings of £500 million by 2028.
SONAS: Sounds of New Artists Scotlandruns 19-28 February 2027 in venues across Scotland.
Created by Tinderbox Collective, the festival celebrates emerging artists and bands aged 14-25.
A wider programme of gigs, showcases, workshops and creative events to be revealed in the coming months.
The festival is hosting a major callout for artists, bands, venues, promoters and youth music organisations across Scotland to get involved.
Tinderbox Collective today launches SONAS: Sounds of New Artists Scotland, announcing a bold new nationwide festival designed to open up more stages, spark new connections and celebrate Scotland’s next wave of emerging musicians.
Running 19–28 February 2027, SONAS will bring gigs, workshops and artist‑led events to communities across Scotland – from major cities to island halls, coastal towns, village venues, record stores, youth centres and unexpected spaces.
The festival is built with partners across the country and aims to create meaningful opportunities for musicians and bands aged 14–25, whether they’re playing their first gig or already building momentum in their careers.
SONAS is issuing a major callout to artists, bands, venues, promoters, youth music organisations and anyone passionate about Scotland’s new music to get involved.
Claire Docherty, Senior Producer at Tinderbox Collective, said: “SONAS is about opening up the map, shining a spotlight on local venues and organisations, connecting communities and celebrating the incredible amount of talent that Scotland’s next generation has to offer.”
SONAS invites young musicians aged 14–25 to apply to play at events in their own area, with applications shared directly with participating venues and promoters. Young people can also organise their own SONAS event, from headline shows to unplugged sets, school gigs, youth centre performances or collaborations with local venues. The festival encourages events of all sizes and styles, as long as they platform and celebrate young and emerging artists.
Scotland’s music community is already rallying behind SONAS, with participating venues and organisations confirmed across the country. Iconic spaces such as Caird Hall (Dundee) The Jazz Bar and Queens Hall in Edinburgh are already involved, alongside a growing network of partners in every region; including Jazz Scotland, Macarts (Galashiels) An Seaomar (Inverness) and An Lanntair (Stornoway), as well as venues in Aberdeen, Dumfries, East Lothian, Fife, the Borders, the Western Isles and Caithness.
SONAS is also working closely with Hen Hoose; the pioneering women and non-binary-led songwriting collective who recently announced Scotland’s first safety certification scheme for the music industry, and Bit Collective; a huge driver in progressive and intersectional structural change in the Scottish folk and traditional music community.
Venues, promoters and music organisations from all across Scotland are being encouraged to get involved.
“We want SONAS to be a national celebration powered by everyone who gets involved,” said Claire Docherty. “Every artist who applies, every promoter who takes a chance on a new act, every organisation that spreads the word – they’re all part of building something new for Scotland’s music scene.”
Alongside the callout, SONAS is announcing its first series of free online artist‑development workshops and open mics, curated in partnership with the Music Education Partnership Group and Graeme Smilie – musician, educator and researcher at the University of Glasgow and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Workshops are designed to support young musicians at every stage of their careers, and online open mics offer a place for young people to share their music with other musicians across the country.
The full programme will be announced in the coming months.
SONAS is the latest project from Tinderbox Collective, an organisation known for bringing young people, music, arts and technology together through projects rooted in creativity, collaboration and community. SONAS continues this mission by creating new routes into live music and making emerging talent easier to discover.
The festival is open to artists, venues, promoters, youth organisations, photographers, filmmakers, designers, educators, community spaces and anyone who wants to help new talent get heard.
Claire said: “Whether you’re playing your first gig or you’re a touring band, whether you’re a rapper, trad musician, jazz artist or indie punk band – there’s a place for you in the SONAS programme.
“Scotland’s next generation has an incredible breadth of musical talent as well as the many organisations who work tirelessly to foster this talent.
“We want to create a festival that celebrates all of it, inviting Scotland’s whole music community to help us do it”
Applications to play, event registration forms and workshop information are available at www.sonascotland.org
