A third-generation Leith hair salon that has stood in the same Ferry Road premises since 1960 has been named Best Hair Salon at the 2026 Scottish Hair & Beauty Awards.
Muse Hair, a family-run salon with 66 years of history in the area, took home the title at the 15th annual SHABA awards in Glasgow, beating competition from salons across Scotland.
For Muse, the win is less a sudden arrival than the latest chapter in a story that began more than six decades ago.
Three generations of the same family have worked from the Ferry Road premises, through extraordinary changes in hairdressing, fashion, business and in Leith itself.
Owner Scott Finnigan said: “Winning Best Hair Salon means a huge amount to us. You’re in a room with some of the best people in the industry, from every part of Scotland, so hearing Muse called out was genuinely a bit surreal.
“But what makes it really special is the history behind it. We’re third generation. We’ve been working from the same premises on Ferry Road since 1960.
“Leith has changed beyond recognition. Hairdressing has changed beyond recognition. Somehow, through all of that, we’re still here.”
The Scottish Hair & Beauty Awards bring together leading salons, stylists, colourists, barbers and beauty professionals from across the country.
Muse reached the final alongside 15 other salons, while members of its team were also recognised individually, with Amanda Stanton shortlisted for Best Female Stylist and Best Female Colourist, and Mac Torrance shortlisted for Best Hair Extensionist.
Scott said the award reflected far more than what clients see from the chair. “There’s a version of running a salon that looks quite simple from the outside. You make the place look good, open the doors and cut hair.
“The reality is years of training people, building a culture, maintaining standards, fixing mistakes, adapting, listening, developing young stylists and constantly asking whether you can do things better.
“That part is invisible to most people, but it’s the part that matters.”
Muse has built its reputation around combining serious technical standards with an intentionally relaxed, unpretentious approach.
“We’ve never wanted Muse to feel corporate or overly polished,” Scott said. “We want people to walk in and immediately feel at ease. We take the work seriously, but not ourselves.
“There should be good conversation, good music, a bit of chaos, a lot of laughter — and, at the end of it, really good hair.
“To be recognised at this level while still feeling completely like us is probably the best thing about it.”
For a business with roots stretching back to 1960, the award also comes at a time when independent high-street businesses face unprecedented pressure.
For Muse, however, longevity has never meant standing still.
The salon continues to invest in education, emerging talent and the development of the next generation of hairdressers, while remaining independent and family-run.
Sixty-six years after the first generation opened the doors on Ferry Road, those doors are still open.
And now, above them, sits one more accolade:Best Hair Salon in Scotland.
Friday 2nd October 2026 Gates open: 1:00pm Kick-off: 1:30pm Entry: £5 per person
The event is raising money for Therapet, a charity that is particularly important to us.
We have four therapy dogs who regularly support young people at the Alternative School, and we get so much from the time we spend with them. They provide companionship, support and positive experiences for many of us, so this year we wanted to give something back to a service that has given so much to us.
The afternoon will be family-friendly, with lots happening alongside the football:
🧁 Bake sale 🎟️ Raffle 🎉 Tombola 🍦 Ice cream 🐶 Therapy dogs 🎤 Half-time performer – to be announced ⚽ Students vs Staff football match …and much more!
All money raised will go to Therapet.
What makes this event particularly special is that it has been planned, organised and will be delivered by us — the young people.
For the past six years, as part of our Art sessions and social enterprise work, we have organised a wide range of events, including art exhibitions at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall, art pop-up shops, DJ events and previous charity football matches.
Through these events, we have raised approximately £8,000 for a variety of charities and community causes.
With support from our Art Teacher, we take responsibility for the different parts of our projects — from coming up with ideas and planning, to promotion, fundraising, activities and helping to run the events themselves.
This year, we really want to open the event up to our local community and invite the people of North Edinburgh to come along, have some fun and get behind the young people.
For us, this isn’t just about football or fundraising. It’s about young people coming together, developing skills, creating something positive and finding ways to give something back to the community that we are part of.
You can also follow our social enterprise journey and see some of the work we have been doing through our Art Offenders Instagram page:
Glasgow City Council has agreed to pause the process of dismissing and re-engaging staff following constructive discussions with the Scottish Government and trade unions yesterday.
Workforce convener Cllr Allan Casey said:”I’m pleased that we’ve reached a position following a meeting with the Scottish Government and the three unions where a pause has been agreed, allowing the ACAS package to be put back on the table and creating the space for further intensive negotiations with the joint trade unions.
“Our goal remains clear: to secure collective agreement on a new pay and grading scheme that is free from discrimination and can be put to the workforce in a ballot.
“Both I and the wider Council leadership remain fully committed to working with trade unions and staff to deliver a fairer and more sustainable pay structure for the future.”
In a statement on behalf of UNITE, UNISON and GMB trade unions, an STUC Spokesperson said: We are pleased at the lifting of the threat of fire and rehire and that meaningful negotiations will take place next week.
“We also welcome the Scottish Government’s clear statement that the practice of fire and rehire’ does not align with the principles and expected practice of Fair Work.”
Equal pay talks between GLasgow Council and trade unions broke down on Thursday.
In a statement then, the council said: “Recent intensive talks between Glasgow City Council and the Joint Trade Unions have broken down without agreement.
There is now no agreed way forward between the council and the joint trade unions. This means that in order to lawfully bring our discriminatory pay and grading structure to an end and replace it with a non-discriminatory scheme we will have to dismiss all of our non teaching staff and issue new contracts. Letters will be sent to staff next week and the new contracts will take effect on January 1st.
“In the last week the Council put forward an offer which would have seen a substantial injection of cash to fund additional back pay and take the possibility of dismissals off the table.
The Council offer was dependant on all three TU’s balloting their members to let them determine whether the offer was acceptable – GMB and UNITE agreed to ballot members and avoid dismissal letters being issued but Unison regrettably withdrew their support on Wed Sept 23. They have made it clear that they are not prepared to ballot their members. They provided no substantive reason for this.
Director of Communications and Corporate Governance Colin Edgar said: “The council has gone as far as it can. The new pay and grading scheme removes unequal pay and sees pay rise or stay the same for 90% of staff – the council’s total pay bill will be substantially higher.
“For those staff who are in detriment our Joint Trade Unions negotiated an increase in pay protection from 6 months to 12 months. Additionally, some Trade Unions are devoting energy to local consultations to mitigate the impact on those colleagues in detriment – focussing on providing specific solutions.
“We acknowledge the joint statement made by GMB and Unite unions earlier today. Officials had hoped to have further talks with UNISON this afternoon to understand why they are not willing to consult their members, but they did not attend a scheduled meeting.
“The offer which has been unilaterally rejected by UNISON would have taken dismissals off the table and seen additional cash for those members of staff, and members of all unions, who are due back pay.
“It beggars belief that they would betray their own members in this way.
“If the Joint Trade Unions ballot their members on these enhanced terms and make a collective agreement we will of course withdraw these notices. If they are unable to do that then staff will be reengaged on the terms set out in the recently agreed City Administration Committee report which do not include the enhancements.
“We understand that issue of dismissal notices, regardless of how much we reassure people that we intend to re-engage, will cause significant concern to our staff which is why we have worked so hard to avoid this necessity. We value our staff and we want their service with us to continue. This is purely precautionary, but it could and should have been avoided.”
FOLLOWING the shock announcement that Edinburgh College of Art will be closing the remainder of its undergraduate degrees in craft disciplines, Craft Scotland have released an open letter calling for their reinstatement.
Craft organisations and leaders across the sector have co-signed the letter which you can read in full on our website: https://buff.ly/3jIYlOX
Jewellery and Silversmithing, Textiles and Performance Costume are closing to new admissions in 2027 and will be taught out over the next four years.
“Each year we see work of the highest quality emerge from the ECA degree courses… we know that many of these graduates progress to very successful careers in craft, and make a valuable contribution to the wider cultural sector in Scotland and internationally.
“Collectively, these graduate cohorts are ranked amongst the best in the UK. Makers working in jewellery and textiles have directly helped to establish the reputation of Scottish craft internationally and contribute to cutting edge research in materiality and design.
“International visitors, collectors, curators and academics tell us that Scotland punches above its weight in terms of its contemporary craft culture. This shortsighted decision will have a disproportionate impact on the craft sector as well as significant impact on Scotland’s future creative success.”
– Craft Scotland Director, Irene Kernan
Co-signed by: Applied Arts Scotland, Fife Contemporary, Design Nation, Visual Arts Scotland, Scottish Textiles Showcase, Heritage Crafts, TRACS
With support from: Crafts Council, Goldsmiths’ (Company, Centre, Foundation), QEST, European Craft Alliance, Art Jewellery Forum and more.
Due to the strength of public response to this open letter, we have launched a petition to evidence the support for these highly successful craft and design courses.
We plan to share this petition with Scottish Government and politicians, and university decision makers to help fuel a reversal of this descision.
>>> SIGN AND SHARE THE PETITIONto help save these vital strands of Scotland’s craft and design education ecosystem.
Image 1: Honor Dodd, ECA Jewellery and Silversmithing graduate / Photography by the artist
THE LETTER IN FULL:
Craft Scotland and the other craft support organisations signing this statement are shocked to hear about the proposed closure of the undergraduate Jewellery and Silversmithing, Textiles and Performance Costume courses at Edinburgh College of Art. This will devastate educational opportunities for future generations of professional makers and designers.
We call on University of Edinburgh Principal, Sir Peter Mathieson, Edinburgh College of Art Principal, Professor Juan Cruz, and Vice-Principal, Professor Sarah Prescott, to reverse these planned closures immediately.
Each year we see work of the highest quality emerge from the ECA degree courses. In our role we monitor the success of makers and we know that many of these graduates progress to very successful careers in craft, and make a valuable contribution to the wider cultural sector in Scotland and internationally.
Collectively, these graduate cohorts are ranked amongst the best in the UK. Makers working in jewellery and textiles have directly helped to establish the reputation of Scottish craft internationally and contribute to cutting edge research in materiality and design.
Edinburgh College of Art Jewellery and Silversmithing alumni have had their masterpieces acquired by some of the world’s most important museum collections and by private collectors.
Alumni from ECA’s Performance Costume course land prestigious roles working across stage and screen, as well as contributing to Scotland’s fashion and textile industries.
Makers working in textiles have built successful careers in industry and design as well as through establishing individual craft businesses. Textiles at ECA ranks consistently high in the Guardian University Guide, maintaining a position within the Top 6 for Textiles for the last 9 years. Number 2 in the UK and Number 1 in Scotland in 2026.
These courses are a unique and irreplaceable part of Edinburgh’s cultural history. A decision to close these courses will have consequences for Scottish culture that are almost impossible to mitigate and would be an enormous loss for the UK’s cultural landscape.
The reputation of craft and making by hand is on the rise. In an increasingly digital world, the value of craft is being recognised even more widely for its educational benefits, cultural impact and employment opportunities.
International visitors, collectors, curators and academics tell us that Scotland punches above its weight in terms of its contemporary craft culture. This shortsighted decision will have a disproportionate impact on the craft sector as well as significant impact on Scotland’s future creative success.
Craft Scotland Director, Irene Kernan
>>> SIGN AND SHARE THE PETITION to help save these vital strands of Scotland’s craft and design education ecosystem.
Council leaders have urged caution around Scottish Government’s plans to reform Local Government and called for strong evidence to underpin any significant changes.
Following a meeting of COSLA Leaders yesterday, Cllr Shona Morrison said: “The Scottish Government’s proposals leave more questions than answers.
“It is vital that reforms are based on sound evidence and that meaningful engagement takes place. For that reason, COSLA will participate fully in this period of dialogue to shape the future of local democracy in Scotland.
“If local government is to be reformed, it must be about bringing decisions closer to communities, improving local democracy and delivering better outcomes for all. Significant changes like this must be agreed between Scottish Government and local government and not imposed from the top down.
“Communities must be at the heart of reform. COSLA Leaders are clear that communities and vital staff delivering services day-in-day out must meaningfully inform the future of local services.
“While we all agree on the need for reform, this will not work if it is imposed on councils and the communities they serve so we are calling for Ministers to commit that any changes will be implemented only through agreement with existing local authorities. This will be an important message to send ahead of next year’s local council elections.
“As councils continue to deliver vital services it is vital Scottish Government works with COSLA to bring clarity to these questions and act on sound evidence.”
The Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative is bringing its prostate cancer testing programme to Royal Bank of Scotland’s Gogarburn campus in Edinburgh this weekend.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting in men in Scotland*. To help promote early detection, members of the public and employees of the bank are being offered the opportunity to take a free Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests which can help identify potential signs of the disease.
Royal Bank of Scotland offered colleagues the opportunity for testing yesterday (Friday, September 25) and then open its doors to the public on Saturday, September 26 for a day of testing at its Scottish HQ.
Launched in March by Sir Chris Hoy, Kenny Logan, Professor Sir Chris Evans and Sir Tom Hunter, the Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative was established to improve the early detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer.
The programme, providing free PSA tests to men aged between 40 and 80, also explores how existing pathways for detecting and treating prostate cancer can be improved.
Since testing began in March, the Initiative has provided free PSA tests to more than 17,000 men across Scotland. Demand for appointments has consistently exceeded expectations, with most testing events becoming fully booked within days of being announced, demonstrating the strong public appetite for accessible prostate cancer testing and greater awareness of men’s health.
Participants provide a simple blood sample to measure PSA levels and, in selected cases, additional samples to support advanced diagnostic research aimed at improving understanding of genetic risk factors and other biomarkers associated with prostate cancer.
Professor Sir Chris Evans, founder and Chief Scientific Officer of EDX Medical, the diagnostics company which is delivering the Initiative, said: “The response to the Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative has been extraordinary. Prostate cancer can develop silently, often without symptoms in its early stages which is why early diagnosis is so important.
“I would like to thank Royal Bank of Scotland for hosting these testing sessions at Gogarburn and for their support of the Initiative. By helping us bring free PSA testing to both employees and the wider community, they are playing an important role in raising awareness and helping more men take control of their health.”
Judith Cruickshank, Chair, Scotland Board, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “Directly or indirectly, prostate cancer is an issue that impacts the lives of so many of our colleagues and customers across the country.
“We are delighted to be working with the Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative to offer free PSA testing here at Gogarburn. Royal Bank plays an important role in the lives of the customers and the communities which we serve and this is an opportunity to make it easier for the public to get themselves tested and guard themselves one of the most common form of cancers here in Scotland.
“We are proud to support an Initiative that can make a positive difference to men’s health across Scotland.”
The Initiative is delivered by EDX Medical in conjunction with the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust.
Testing takes place at Gogarburn TODAY Saturday 26 September from 0930 – 1700.
Details of other upcoming testing events can be found at:
Chief Constable Jo Farrell yesterday (Thursday, 24 September) praised partners and officers who supported the largest and most co-ordinated human trafficking operation in Scotland.
During a public meeting of the Scottish Police Authority Board in Glasgow, Chief Constable Farrell thanked those involved in deployments which led to 36 arrests and the discovery of cannabis farms with an estimated value of around £3m.
Over the last 36 hours, around 300 officers have been carrying out co-ordinated intelligence led enforcement action targeting those suspected of being involved in human trafficking and exploitation.
We deployed simultaneously yesterday across a number of towns and cities across the country, targeting a number of addresses. We’ve made to date 36 arrests, seized 14 cannabis farms and number of pieces of evidence – digital devices, cash and identity documents which have all been recovered and will be examined.
Alongside the enforcement that has been carried out we worked with Justice and Care who are a third sector agency that support victims of exploitation and trafficking. Their collective focus with Police Scotland is in relation to safeguarding vulnerable people.
The action that has been taken is the biggest and most coordinated human trafficking operation Police Scotland has ever had. It followed close joint working by our Human Trafficking Unit and with partners including the Home Office, National Crime Agency and HMRC, supported by local policing officers and Operational Support Division, among others, and in close consultation with colleagues at the Crown.
This was a carefully planned and important operation to disrupt and tackle an international concern which impacts communities right across Scotland.
Criminal justice proceedings are now active, and we will continue to work with Crown colleagues and others in relation to this important area. I will just finish that section by thanking Detective Chief Superintendent Sarah Taylor, and Superintendent Stevie Bertram and all our teams and partners who played their parts in this significant operation.
Moving on to my report, and I note that the busy summer period for policing was highlighted by the operation to support a safe and secure Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Under the Operational name Lannair, this was part of a professional and planned multi-agency approach which enabled us to deliver this important international event that brought thousands of visitors to Scotland.
Policing has an ongoing key role in supporting cohesive and resilient communities which stand together and enable people and businesses to thrive and flourish and our officers, staff, and volunteers work every day to improve lives, prevent crime and keep people safe.
I have been clear previously and I will reiterate that individuals who bring hate, disorder, violence and criminality to Glasgow and other communities across Scotland are to be condemned, identified, and held to account for offending.
My report outlines progress in relation to ongoing investigations into violence and disorder in Glasgow on 25 July, with a total of 30 arrests, and in relation to disorder following Celtic’s Premiership title win in May, with a total of 50 arrests so far.
My message is clear. Policing stands with our partners and the citizens we serve to ensure people feel safe and to enable our communities to thrive. Where criminality occurs, we will identify, investigate perpetrators and take appropriate action.
More recent events, including protest and football in Glasgow during the weekend of 12 and 13 September and last weekend passed without significant disruption and we will continue to work with partners and the public to ensure the city is a welcoming and safe environment.
I am grateful to Members for their interest in our policing operations on Sunday in Glasgow, which included a session at the event room in Govan and was a positive opportunity to provide to you a detailed overview of the policing of those events and stakeholder engagement as part of these events.
Engagement and collaboration across broader city stakeholders and partners are key to that, both with local authorities, COPFS, court service colleagues, and British Transport Police and others. They continue to play a significant role in supporting a successful operation and ensuring people are safe.
Returning to my report, and during the busy summer period, policing has been working with partners to prevent harm, and my report illustrates some of this work in relation to violence which affects young people and in relation to motorcyclists, who are killed and injured at a higher rate than other road users.
In August, along with the Scottish Government, Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, Fearless Scotland, and other partners, we had a week-long focus on violence prevention and the work that is delivered right across the country, throughout the year.
Violence Prevention Week was an opportunity to listen to and understand the perspective of young people, reflect on diversionary work at a local level, and hear powerful testimony from Lisa Petrie, whose son John McNab died in September 2025.
Motorcyclists represent less than one per cent of traffic on our roads but account for 18% of all road fatalities in Scotland, and our motorcycle safety campaign, focusing on education, enforcement and communication continues until September.
The devastation of road fatalities and injuries was strongly illustrated by the family of motorcyclist Ian Sloan, who lost his life in a motorcycle collision in June 2024.
I want to thank and pay tribute to people who have shared their stories to support efforts to prevent further harm.
Supporting safe and secure events, protecting the public, investigating criminality, preventing crime, and improving our response to violence against women and girls are made possible by the hard work of committed police officers, staff, and volunteers.
My report outlines last week’s sentencing of two men, each to 17 years’ imprisonment, for the attempted murder of PC Mark Smith, who powerfully described his experiences.
I welcome the sentences, which support an important message that police officers serving their community have a fundamental right to return home unharmed at the end of their shift and that those who meet them with violence are committing a serious crime, will be held to account, and there will be significant consequences.
There is a hero made in policing every day and it is the duty of all police leaders to support and enable our frontline to deliver for the people we serve, whether that is through providing resources, training, equipment, welfare support and aftercare where adverse incidents occur.
At the same time, recognising and respecting our people and their loved ones helps maintain a united policing family and strengthens the relationships that are crucial sources of support.
The Scottish Police Memorial Trust Service of Remembrance earlier this month was an opportunity to bring together some of our policing family and recognise the difficult, and at times dangerous, work of police officers and staff.
This year, that message of support extended to the families, friends, and colleagues of Cleveland Police Constables Tom Clough and Matthew Blades, whose devastating deaths on duty last month resonated across the UK policing family.
I want to thank Christine Fulton MBE for her tireless work leading the Memorial Trust and Scottish Police Authority Chair Alasdair Hay CBE QSFM, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice Neil Gray MSP, His Majesty’s Chief Inspectorate of Constabulary who all supported us at the event earlier in the month.
Lastly, my report outlines an ongoing schedule of engagement across military, Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, local authorities, and criminal justice partners, much of which has been in collaboration with the Scottish Police Authority.
This includes Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton and Chief Superintendent Derek Cree’s evidence on policing’s response to mental health incidents at the Criminal Justice Committee, alongside you Chair last week.
Last week’s parliamentary debate, which followed that evidence session, underlined the growing consensus that too much need in this space is falling upon policing and that a system-wide response is required.
I also wanted to highlight yesterday’s engagement at parliament, including Chief Financial Officer Sarah Roughead’s contribution to the Finance and Public Administration Committee roundtable and ACC Mairs’s evidence to the Criminal Justice Committee in relation to domestic abuse.
Yesterday’s parliamentary engagement alongside SPA and SPA Forensics was also a hugely positive session and I want to thank Fulton MacGregor MSP for sponsoring the event, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice Neil Gray MSP for his support and all MSPs and partners who attended for their interest in policing.
As we develop the next phase of an aligned approach across business priorities, financial and workforce planning, and estates and digital transformation, strong communication and engagement will remain a focus for me and my senior team.
This will help us share progress towards our 2030 vision and being a collaborative partner in our forward planning.
Customers travelling on Lumo’s East and West Coast routes in Scotland were thanked for making a greener travel choice, with thousands of wildflower seeds given away to mark World Car Free Day on Tuesday (22 September 2026).
Lumo surprised customers on selected services with special packets of wildflower seeds; a small gift designed to grow into a lasting reminder of the difference more sustainable travel choices can make.
The initiative marked World Car Free Day and celebrated the contribution customers make every time they choose to travel by rail rather than road or air.
Mike Roberts, Partnerships Manager at Lumo, said:“Every time someone chooses the train instead of taking the car, they’re making a decision that can help leave a lighter footprint. World Car Free Day felt like the perfect opportunity for us simply to say thank you.
“We hope people will take their seeds home, plant them and enjoy watching them grow. We won’t see the flowers today, but that’s rather the point – they’re a small reminder that the choices we make now can make a difference to the future.”
An average journey by train produces nearly five times less carbon emissions than making the equivalent journey by car. Choosing rail also helps reduce the number of cars on Britain’s roads, easing congestion while supporting a more sustainable way to travel.
Independent research commissioned by the Rail Delivery Group found that travelling by rail produces 85% less CO₂ per passenger than the equivalent domestic flight.
Across the routes studied, that means an average saving of 102 kg CO₂e per journey when passengers choose the train. That’s the equivalent of boiling over 20,000 cups of water.
The activity comes as Lumo continues to establish its new West Coast services between London Euston and Stirling, connecting communities including Crewe, Preston and Carlisle.
Lumo has placed sustainability at the heart of its approach to rail travel, encouraging more people to choose the train while working with organisations and communities along the routes it serves.
The World Car Free Day giveaway continues that approach by putting something tangible into customers’ hands – with the potential to leave a greener footprint long after their journey has ended.
Pic Greg Macvean 22/09/2026
The Centre – Walk of Fame Stars and Halloween preview
The Centre, Livingston, which is one of the largest shopping centres in Scotland, has launched its ‘Walk of Fame, 50 Stars for 50 Years’ campaign to mark its golden anniversary celebrations and launch into leisure with the arrival of Hollywood Bowl this winter and raise money for the children’s hospice charity, CHAS.
Shoppers, members of the local community and businesses can buy their own personalised star for a minimum donation of £10 or gift someone special with a star, creating a lasting way to be part of the shopping centre’s 50th anniversary.
The first 25 stars will be released on Monday, 5th October at 2pm at a CHAS pop up, located next to New Look, with all proceeds going to the charity, which provides specialist hospice care for young people with life-shortening conditions and their families.
Each star purchased will form part of the ‘Walk of Fame’, positioned on the floor leading up to the new Hollywood Bowl, which will be in situ for two months. Thereafter, the stars will be part of a ‘Wall of Fame’ display, located across from the History Wall, near Boots.
Everyone who purchases a star will be invited to the unveiling of the ‘Walk of Fame’ on the 7th November and get their very own star as a keepsake.
Zhenya Dove, Community Fundraiser at CHAS, said: “We’re so honoured to be a part of such a special anniversary and celebrations!
“Each star will help us provide care, comfort and moments of joy for families going through the hardest of times. Knowing that their community is alongside them means so much. Thank you to The Centre, Livingston team and to everyone who purchases a star for helping families make the most of their precious time together.”
Tess Sundberg, Marketing Manager at The Centre, Livingston said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating such a significant milestone with our ‘Walk of Fame’ initiative that brings together our 50-year history, our local community and an important cause.
“It’s such a memorable way for people to get involved, whether they choose a star for themselves or as a gift for someone special, while helping us to raise much-needed funds for CHAS.
“It also marks where we’ve come from and the start of a new exciting chapter with the arrival of Hollywood Bowl.”
The second batch of stars will be released on Saturday, 17th October. Check out The Centre, Livingston website for more information including all Terms & Conditions.
Two artists in Edinburgh have co-founded a new co-operative agency with the aim of giving professional actors, writers and directors greater ownership of their careers while building a collaborative community for Scotland’s creative talent. They have launched a call out for members and are encouraging other local artists to apply.
Theatre Maker Sarah Marie Mooney and actor Annabel Logan are two of five performing arts professionals who have co-founded Ignis Artists Agency which will bring together artists from across Scotland under the innovative co-operative model in which members run the agency themselves.
The agency will represent actors, writers and directors, putting its clients forward for professional roles and opportunities while also creating a space in which members can develop new work, strengthen their portfolios, build their industry knowledge and support one another throughout their careers.
They work alongside actors Cieran Low, Myette Godwyn and Elissa Grace. Ignis grew from their shared belief that artists can play a more active role in shaping their own careers and that greater collaboration across creative disciplines can open-up opportunities both for individual artists and for new work.
The five founders met while taking part in Lisa Nicoll’s Creative Hub, facilitated by Perth Theatre. The supportive environment of the Hub allowed artists to share work, keep match-fit through workshops and build creative relationships, and its collaborative ethos became an important influence on the development of Ignis.
Unlike an actor agency focused on a single discipline, Ignis has been created to bring actors, writers and directors together under one banner. The founders believe that connecting these different perspectives can help individual careers to develop while also creating the conditions for new writing, projects and collaborations to emerge through new and well-established contacts within the industry.
Ignis aims to provide its members with professional representation alongside opportunities for continued creative and professional development. The co-operative wants its artists to feel informed and confident about the industry, proactive about their careers and invested in the successes of the wider Ignis community.
Sarah, said:“With the arts and culture sectors changing in recent years, it has become increasingly important for performing artists to take greater control of their careers and collaborate with their peers to create opportunities for themselves.
“The actor cooperative agency model has been around for some time but is less well-known in Scotland. We want to change that by establishing and growing Ignis here, offering casting directors an exciting roster of actors while providing an opportunity for directors and writers to be represented too.
“Collaboration is key to my practice as a theatremaker, so working as part of a cooperative with the other co-founders, and soon our first members, feels like the perfect fit for me, allowing us to build on the networks of contacts we already have with venues, producers and creatives, while also making new and wider connections.”
Annabel said: “As someone who has at times felt isolated in an already challenging career path, the chance to have a community who not only understands this but who is ready to actively champion and lift up their peers, gives those in the performing arts industry a chance to perhaps be braver, brighter and bolder in our art and less afraid and affected by rejection or set backs.
“That is my hope for not only those represented by Ignis Artists Agency but for the wider Scottish professional performing arts community through a collective shift in how we make and find work.
“Personally, I love being a cheerleader for other people’s talents. There’s something incredibly rewarding about helping someone recognise their own potential and celebrating when they succeed.”
NEW MEMBER CALL OUT
Ignis Artist Agency has opened its books to its first new members. It has launched a call-out for applications from interested actors, directors and writers who would like to be represented by a cooperative agency. They are aiming to recruit their first five new members during October and November with auditions and interviews in Perth, Edinburgh and online, with further members joining in the New Year.
Actors
Submissions are now open to actors from across Scotland.
To apply, actors should fill in the following submission form.
The agency’s first auditions will take place at Perth Theatre on the 15th and 16th October, Utilita Energy Hub, Edinburgh on the 6th and 7th November or online.
Directors and Writers
Applications for writers and directors are also open.
To apply, directors and writers should fill in the following submission form.
Interviews will take place online.
If prospective actors, writers and directors wish to apply in a way more accessible to them or have any questions, then they can also email submissions@ignisartists.com.
The deadline for submissions will be the 6th October.
Building Relationships in Theatre, Film and TV
Alongside welcoming approaches from artists, Ignis is keen to establish relationships with casting directors, producers and other industry professionals looking for Scottish talent.
The agency aims to become a point of contact for theatre, film and TV productions casting in Scotland and further afield, connecting industry professionals with its growing roster of actors, writers and directors.
Looking ahead, Sarah and the other founders want Ignis to become more than an agency: a creative home where new writing can be developed, collaborations can begin and artists can continue to learn from and champion one another throughout their careers.
By bringing actors, writers and directors together, Ignis aims to build a community that reflects the collaborative nature of Scotland’s creative industries while giving its members the representation, knowledge, confidence and support they need to develop sustainable careers in Scotland and beyond.
YOUNG PEOPLE’S CHARITY FOOTBALL MATCH
Craft organisations and leaders across the sector have co-signed the letter which you can read in full on our website: 
Co-signed by: Applied Arts Scotland, Fife Contemporary, Design Nation, Visual Arts Scotland, Scottish Textiles Showcase, Heritage Crafts, TRACS
