Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans have unveiled an ambitious new three-year strategy, aiming to transform the lives of people with sight loss across Scotland. The strategy focuses on building an inclusive future where people of all visual abilities can thrive.
With over 180,000 people in Scotland impacted by vision impairment, the charities are determined to extend their reach, support, and influence to ensure no one faces sight loss alone.
Craig Spalding, Chief Executive of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, said: “We’ve been supporting people affected by visual impairment for over two centuries, but we know we can do more.
“Our new strategy is about building on our proud history to make sure we are ready for the future. Our vision is an inclusive Scotland where everyone, regardless of their sight, has the opportunity to thrive.
“By focusing on prevention, support, research, and campaigning, we will deliver real change for people impacted by sight loss, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met.”
Over the next three years, Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans will focus on five key areas:
Investing in impactful support that will prioritise initiatives that make the biggest difference to people living with vision impairment while securing the organisation’s long-term sustainability.
Putting its community at the heart of what it does by listening to and empowering people with lived experience of sight loss.
Campaigning for positive change. The charity will raise awareness of sight loss at both political and local levels, pushing for meaningful societal change.
Accelerating prevention and treatment by advocating for more investment to prevent avoidable sight loss and improve treatments.
Fostering a collaborative culture of innovation by investing in its workforce and fostering collaboration, the organisation will drive innovation and maximise its impact.
Craig Spalding continued: “We owe it to future generations to continue evolving. We want to reach more people, champion their needs, and invest in research that can transform lives.
“This strategy is our commitment to doing just that.”
Around 330,000 tonnes of edible food is wasted or fed to animals each year before leaving farms
Thousands of tonnes of food, including festive favourites like brussels sprouts and potatoes, that might otherwise go to waste will be delivered to those who need it most, thanks to a new £15 million UK government fund.
An estimated 330,000 tonnes of edible food is either wasted or repurposed as animal feed before leaving farm gates every year. While farmers would prefer for this to be destined for people’s plates, charities that redistribute food often lack the means to collect food from farms and get it to those who need it.
To strengthen the links between farms and charities and help solve the problem of farm food waste, a new scheme will see grants starting from £20,000 made available to the not-for-profit food redistribution sector in England. Throughout the year but especially over Christmas, the season of goodwill, this will help organisations like homeless shelters, food banks and charities fight hunger.
It will help British farmers to deliver good food for those that need it and reduce the costs they face when dealing with waste, while also increasing the capacity and capability of the redistribution sector to take on farm surplus.
UK Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said: “With families gathering to celebrate Christmas and the New Year, it’s important to remember those in our communities who may be going hungry this festive period.
“Nobody wants to see good food go to waste – especially farmers who work hard to put food on family tables across the country.
“Our new fund will help the charitable sector to work more closely with farmers, helping to find new opportunities to get their world-leading produce to those most in need within our communities.”
In a joint statement, Charlotte Hill, CEO of The Felix Project, and Kris Gibbon-Walsh, CEO of FareShare, said: “After years of campaigning by food redistribution charities, we are thrilled to see this fund come to fruition.
“We are pleased that the government has recognised that too much food goes to waste on our farms, and that it should be redistributed to feed people who need it.
“We look forward to acting quickly with the government, the charity sector, and farmers to maximise the impact of this initiative during British growing season, ensuring surplus food reaches as many people as possible.
“We have a proven model which funds farmers to redistribute their unsold food, which means that together, we can take meaningful steps toward achieving a zero-waste Britain.”
Harriet Lamb, CEO of global environmental NGO WRAP, said: “This is welcome support for farmers and redistribution organisations ensuring more quality food is rescued and can support more people and communities, while reducing the environmental impact of food waste on climate change.
“It gives a flying start to the New Year, ensuring that food charities and the farming sector can both make a difference immediately and can develop long term solutions. Every year, the amount of surplus food being redistributed is going up, but sadly the need is also increasing so this gives a much-needed boost.
“Last year, 191,000 tonnes of food from retailers, food manufacturers, the hospitality sector and UK farms – worth £764 million – was redistributed with the potential to make 450 million meals.”
The funding could go towards enabling successful applicants to buy new equipment, such as balers or hoppers, to allow bulky food items to be collected or processed into parcels, and technology to help donors and food redistribution charities work more closely. Money could also help provide more training to staff, to enhance their IT and food safety skills.
Information on when the fund opens and full eligibility criteria for applications will be confirmed in the New Year.
As set out in the Plan for Change, the government says it is delivering growth and economic stability for communities across the country. ‘We are supporting farmers to help grow the rural economy, while paving the way to a circular economy, where waste is reduced and growth is accelerated.’
To help end the throwaway society, the UK Government has formed a Circular Economy Taskforce, comprising of members from industry, academia, and civil society across the UK. They will lead on the development of a Circular Economy Strategy for England, which will be published next year outlining how individual sectors can contribute to ambitions in this area.
This is alongside continued support for the Courtauld Commitment 2030, managed by environmental NGO WRAP, which looks to deliver a more sustainable supply chain and reduce food waste in the home – tackling food waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water usage.
Three people have been arrested in connection with pyrotechnics offences following incidents in Edinburgh yesterday (Boxing Day).
A 17-year-old and a 28-year-old man have been arrested and charged in connection with being in possession of pyrotechnics in the Haymarket area prior to the Hearts vs Hibernian match on Thursday, 26 December, 2024.
They are due to appear in court at a later date.
A 39-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with setting off pyrotechnics in Russell Road. He too is due to appear in court at a later date.
Enquiries are ongoing in relation to four pyrotechnic smoke devices discharged within Tynecastle stadium during the Hearts vs Hibernian match on Thursday, 26 December, 2024.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: “Setting off pyrotechnics in the street or within a sporting stadium is a criminal offence. I would ask people to think of the impact it could have on those around you, particularly people with medical conditions, young children and elderly.
“We will continue to work in partnership with football clubs to prevent fans from taking pyrotechnics into grounds and to pursue those who put other fans’ safety at risk.
“Anyone with information regarding persons using or being in possession of pyrotechnics is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101.”
Hibs came out on top in the Boxing Day derby match, beating their old rivals 2-1.
Edinburgh Airport, part of the VINCI Airports network, has welcomed a record 15 million passengers in a single year, a milestone achieved for the first time ever at a Scottish airport.
The milestone was reached earlier this month at Scotland’s busiest airport, marking the first time any airport in Scotland has recorded such numbers.
Edinburgh Airport is among the first airports in the UK to achieve growth in both passenger numbers and connectivity options following Covid.
The record-breaking year comes as the airport introduced new routes in 2024 and facilitated travel for major events. Key highlights include:
Emirates returning to Edinburgh with a daily service to Dubai.
JetBlue entering the Scottish market with daily flights to New York during the summer.
WestJet expanding its presence by adding Toronto and Halifax to its Calgary service.
Increasing frequency into and connections to Germany as the Tartan Army went to cheer on Scotland at Euro 2024.
Taylor Swift fans flying in from all over the world to attend her concerts at Murrayfield.
The airport has already announced new routes and airlines for 2025, such as the return of American Airlines and its Philadelphia route, JetBlue adding Boston to its options, and Austrian Airlines entering the Scottish market with its seasonal route to Vienna.
Work is also underway to improve facilities for passengers at the airport with an expansion to its check-in hall, and a range of new food and drink options being introduced in the coming months.
Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport said: “It’s great to hit this major passenger milestone that shows the clear interest that people have in tourism and travel, both to and from Scotland.
“Whether it was supporting Scotland at the Euros, being a Swiftie and singing your heart out at Murrayfield or travelling to a bucket list destination for that special holiday, we’ve been able to facilitate more than 15 million journeys this year at Scotland’s busiest airport.
“That’s an achievement that reflects the incredible spirit of our team, the excitement of our passengers to see the world, and the growing connections we’re proud to foster across Scotland and beyond. We’re already planning for 2025 and what it will bring, and we look forward to seeing even more people next year.”
Edinburgh-based renewable energy company donates £20,000 and time to local charity as applications for help reach record numbers
Red Rock Renewables and its Edinburgh-based team are proud to support Cash for Kids’ ‘Mission Christmas’ campaign for a second year running.
In addition to a £20,000 donation to the cause – funding enough gifts for around 800 children across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife & Falkirk – a group of employees also collected a huge haul of gifts and spent the day volunteering at the charity’s Mission Headquarters.
In the City of Edinburgh alone, 17,907 children are living in poverty (20.4 per cent of local children) – almost enough to fill Tynecastle football stadium.
Cash for Kids works to tackle child poverty all year round and is currently holding its annual Mission Christmas campaign to provide presents for local children who have been identified as being at risk of not receiving any gifts to open on Christmas morning.
This year, a record 23,368 local children have been applied for with just 2 days to go to ensure that every one of these applications is fulfilled.
Red Rock Renewables CEO, Xiaomeng Chen, said: “Christmas should be a joyful time for children, and it saddens us to think of those who may not have presents to open or something to look forward to.
“Our Edinburgh team is proud to support Mission Christmas again this year and help the dedicated Cash for Kids team spread joy this festive season.”
Charity Manager, Victoria Hendry added: “We cannot thank Red Rock Renewables enough for such a generous donation to our Mission Christmas campaign.£20,000 will allow us to ensure we have enough gifts to support hundreds of local children who would otherwise wake up to nothing at all for Christmas.
“Families are struggling for all sorts of reasons, whether they are living in poverty, homeless or fleeing domestic abuse and Christmas can increase the pressure they’re already feeling.
“By supporting Mission Christmas you are giving these children and their families more than just a gift, you are giving them special memories that will last a lifetime. They will know they are loved and cared for and that they haven’t been forgotten. Christmas will be a day that they receive a present and share the joy like everyone else.”
For more information on Mission Christmas and how you can support the campaign, visit www.forth1.com/mission
A member of NHS Lothian’s e-Health team is celebrating after winning two awards in a prestigious photography competition.
Thomas Lamont, Microsoft 365 Programme Manager, has scooped the People’s Choice Award in the Drone Category in the British Photography Awards, and has been named Scottish Aerial Photographer of the Year 2024/2025 at the Scotland Prestige Awards.
As a dedicated member of the eHealth team since 2007, Thomas spends his days contributing to the National Programme for the rollout of Office 365. By night, he transforms into “The Kilted Photographer,” capturing stunning images of nearby monuments, mostly with his drone, while proudly wearing his kilt.
The award-winning photograph showcases the National Wallace Monument in Stirling, near Thomas’s home, at sunset, whilst the monument was lit up orange to raise awareness of Battens Disease.
Thomas accepted his award at the prestigious ceremony held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. In line with the awards’ charitable mission, he directed his contribution to the NHS Lothian Charity.
Thomas said: “It’s hard to put into words how I felt winning the award but probably shock, disbelief and happiness all at once. The calibre of other entries was fantastic! To be recognised in one of Britain’s prestigious photography awards for what I would say is my main tool for capturing photographs (drone) is incredible!
“I’ve always had a strong interest in photography, but it truly blossomed through a small camera club we had within eHealth/Digital. Photography has not only become a creative outlet but has also played a significant role in supporting my mental health and managing anxiety.
“Over time, I’ve expanded my knowledge, invested in new equipment, and ventured into drone and 360-degree photography.
“I also obtained my Operational Authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority, which allows me to operate larger, more advanced drones in complex and challenging environments, such as city centres.”
If you want to have a look at more of Thomas’ photos, check:
From New Year’s Day 2025, National Galleries of Scotland is kicking off the 250th birthday of much-loved artist, Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851), with a special celebration.
Visitors to the treasured Turner in January exhibition can marvel at a new selection of over 30 watercolours that have never been seen before in Scotland, in an exchange with the National Gallery of Ireland.
Turner in January: Ireland’s Vaughan Bequest, opens at the Royal Scottish Academy building in Edinburgh at midday on 1 January 2025. The free exhibition includes a watercolour of Edinburgh from 1801 that has never been displayed in the city before.
This once in a lifetime exhibition is a celebratory take on a keenly awaited and much-loved annual tradition that has been taking place since 1901.
Renowned art collector Henry Vaughan owned over 200 drawings, watercolours and prints by Turner, which he divided in his will between galleries in Edinburgh, Dublin and London. 38 of these watercolours were given to the people of Scotland, on the condition that they are only displayed in the month of January, when light levels are at their lowest. Because of this, these works still possess a freshness and an intensity of colour, almost 200 years since they were created.
Now, in an exciting exchange, simultaneous exhibitions will see Ireland’s Vaughan Bequest make a special trip to the National Galleries of Scotland, while Scotland’s Vaughan Bequest will go on display at the National Gallery of Ireland. Those familiar with Turner in Januaryare sure to notice how both collections complement each other. Visitors will be able to marvel in sweeping seascapes, dramatic landscapes and spectacular cities.
The most famous British artist of the 19th Century, Turner’s career spanned over 50 years. He experimented constantly with technique and colour, creating landscapes that still astonish today. In his younger years Turner toured Britain extensively, as war made travel to Europe impossible.
He first travelled abroad in 1802 and from 1819 onwards he undertook sketching tours abroad almost every year, visiting France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Austria and Switzerland.
The panoramic Edinburgh from below Arthur’s Seat (1801) will be on display in the city it depicts for the first time. A moody view of Auld Reekie captured on Turner’s first visit to Edinburgh in the summer of 1801, dark storm clouds loom over Edinburgh Castle, rain pouring on the horizon as cows drink peacefully in the foreground.
When Turner first visited the Alps in 1802, the trip transformed his understanding of landscape, which was reflected in his boundary-pushing depiction of the mountains, rocks and glaciers.
In The Great Fall of the Reichenbach, Switzerland (1802), Turner emphasises the sublime drama and majestic height of the 200-hundred-foot waterfall by including a tiny, ant-like figure on a rocky outcrop to indicate scale.
Both the Scottish and Irish Vaughan Bequests include expressive watercolours painted on Turner’s visit to the Aosta valley in the Alps in 1836, where the artist uses a great variety of watercolour techniques – scratching out, sponging out and working freely in wet watercolour – to depict his beloved mountains.
Venice, city of light and water, held a special fascination for Turner. His third and final visit was in August 1840, when the stormy summer weather inspired a series of tempestuous watercolours recording dramatic atmospheric effects around the city. Storm at the Mouth of the Grand Canal (1840) comes to Edinburgh from Ireland’s Vaughan Bequest.
Also on exhibition will be The Doge’s Palace and Piazzetta, Venice (1840), a golden evening view of gondolas and fishing boats clustered against the backdrop of Venice’s most celebrated buildings.
Ireland’s Vaughan Bequest includes outstanding examples of watercolours created to be engraved and published as a print series. A highlight of the exhibition will be A Ship against the Mewstone, at the Entrance to Plymouth Sound (c.1814), from Picturesque Views on the Southern Coast of England.
A Royal Navy ship is shown labouring in heavy swell at a notorious danger point on the Devon coast. In this series, Turner aimed to record the landscape and working lives of places and people living along the south coast. In Clovelly Bay, North Devon (c.1822), another jewel-like watercolour from the same series, he shows in great detail the work of quarrying limestone.
Also on show will be A Shipwreck off Hastings (c.1825), which was probably produced for Turner’s Ports of England print series.
Turner in January: Ireland’s Vaughan Bequest truly is a first for Scotland, with most displayed in their original frames and even Henry Vaughan’s original display cabinet.
Charlotte Topsfield, exhibition curator at the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “Exchanging Vaughan Bequest Turners is an idea that Edinburgh and Dublin have been discussing for a long time.
“We are so excited to be working together on this historic swap in Turner’s anniversary year.
“It will be such a marvelous celebration for the people of Scotland to enjoy – a real once in a lifetime opportunity to commemorate a very special painter.”
Anne Hodge, exhibition curator at the National Gallery of Ireland said: “I am delighted that in January 2025 visitors to the National Galleries Scotland will be able to see Turner’s wonderfully expressive vision of a rainy Edinburgh along with all 31 watercolours that Henry Vaughan decided to leave to Dublin.
“It is a great privilege for me to have worked so closely with colleagues in Edinburgh to make this project a reality.”
Turner in January: Ireland’s Vaughan Bequest opens at the Royal Scottish Academy building at 12pm on 1 January and is free to visit.
This exhibitionhas been created in partnership with the National Gallery of Ireland. It is supported thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery and Sir Ewan and Lady Christine Brown.
Communities across Scotland are being supported to take climate action, thanks to the realisation of a nationwide network of Climate Action Hubs.
A total of 24 hubs have been set up across Scotland – fulfilling a 2024 Programme for Government commitment.
The Hubs are helping empower people to act in their neighbourhoods and have supported a range of projects including those linked to local energy generation, flood mitigation and food growing.
A total of £5.5 million has been allocated in 2024-25 for Climate Action Hubs alongside a support package for delivery.
Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Tackling climate change is our collective responsibility and requires collaborative action at all levels.
“Communities are uniquely placed to play a key role in sharing and driving forward Scotland’s transition to low carbon and climate resilient living. It is vital that we continue empowering people to take action in their neighbourhoods in a way which is right for them – which is why I am proud of supporting our hugely successful framework of regional climate hubs.
“The national hub network are a way communities to come together and engage in collective grass roots action. Through the hubs we will continue to support people and communities to take action, helping Scotland decarbonise by 2045 and prepare for the impacts of climate change which lie ahead.”
Mel Sutton, Project Delivery Manager from Twechar Community Action, said: “I am delighted that East Dunbartonshire Climate Action Hub will be a part of a national network of community action hubs across Scotland.
“This will be an opportunity for local community groups to benefit from the support of the Hub to develop projects, access funding and enjoy the benefits of being part of a national network.
“Over the next few months, we will be mapping out the current climate action projects in the area and delivering climate emergency awareness events and taster sessions which will help community groups develop new climate projects.
“We will then use these events to launch a seed fund to support local communities in making changes that reduce energy use, waste and carbon emissions – and have the added benefit of improving people’s health, wellbeing and resilience.”
Funding for the climate hubs is allocated as follows:
Organisation
Budget
Angus Climate Hub
£165,000.00
Argyll & Bute Climate Action Network Hub
£145,000.00
Ayrshire Climate Hub (covering North, East and South Ayrshire)
Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes are celebrating a year of giving after their charitable efforts topped more than £378,000 in donations across Scotland.
Each year, the five-star housebuilder supports a wide range of organisations promoting health, employability and care among many other causes. This is done through various charity initiatives, including Barratt’s Community Fund, which donates £1,500 to a deserving local cause in each of its Scottish divisions every month.
Over the last 12 months, Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes East Scotland has provided financial support to a diverse mix of charities throughout the Lothians and Fife – coming at a vital time when many families, individuals and organisations have been affected by rising costs. In total, £82,500 has been donated to good causes in the region.
At the start of the year, the East of Scotland division named Cash for Kids its main charity partner for 2024/2025 and has since raised a whopping £63,000 for the organisation through donations and various fundraising activities.
The charity aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people living locally who are affected by poverty, illness, neglect or have additional needs. The cause also works with grass-roots organisations that aim to make a difference to young lives, directly supporting families who often have nowhere else to go.
In Fife, Fife Gingerbread – a Glenrothes-based charity that provides accessible, approachable and non-judgemental support, advice and information to lone parents – was awarded £1,500 by the housebuilder, as well as nine members of staff volunteering their time over two days at the charity’s allotment project.
Meanwhile, Broxburn-based River Kids received a donation of £1,500 to help support disadvantaged children living in and around the West Lothian community.
Andrew Morrison, Managing Director at Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, said: “We’re proud to support causes that are carrying out essential work in communities throughout Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife. We’re always looking to use our scale for good where and when we can, and our teams have been on hand throughout the year to support this through a mix of volunteering and fundraising, in addition to Community Fund donations.
“There is so much vital work being done throughout the country, and we hope that we can continue to help make a difference in local communities in 2025.”
The newly built 1.2 hectare park has six different zones including three play areas with a wide range of play equipment. For those out to explore the new outdoor space there is an inner ring walk going round the outer edges of the frame with a range of places to sit and relax. An informative outdoor exhibition has also been created which showcases the history of Granton gasworks as well as the restoration process which has just taken place.
Large Hollywood style lettering denoting ‘Gas Holder 1’ can be seen at the entrance, making for a great photo opportunity. In Spring 2025, there will be a celebration to officially open the park when the ‘art zone’ will become home to the winner of the community led art piece, and we will provide more details on the winning artist for that in the New Year.
“I’m really excited we’ve reached this milestone before the year ends and look forward to the official opening of the park next year. It’s now open so I’d encourage local people to go and check out this fantastic new green space for the area as well as ‘Gas Holder 1’, which will light up the sky for everyone to enjoy in time for the festive season.
Investment Minister Tom Arthur said: “This project demonstrates the benefits of regenerating derelict sites into places people can visit and enjoy. The new park will offer a vibrant and accessible space for the local community which will attract more visitors into Granton to support local spend.
“To help communities prosper we have allocated an extra £62.15 million towards regeneration in next year’s draft Budget. This will benefit people throughout Scotland by supporting projects including the revitalisation of green spaces, town centres and derelict sites.”
Graham Brown, Senior Contracts Manager at McLaughlin & Harvey, added: “We’re delighted to have completed this unique restoration project and handed it over to our client, The City of Edinburgh Council.
“In deconstructing the old bell, refurbishing the listed steel structure, and repainting the frame, we have solved complex engineering challenges by using our vast civil engineering experience and successfully collaborating with our client and supply chain partners.
“We are looking forward to joining the official opening celebrations next year.”
