Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

King to lead nation in silence on Remembrance Sunday

  • Members of The Royal Family and senior politicians will lay wreaths at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London
  • 10,000 veterans will pay tribute as part of The Royal British Legion’s March Past the Cenotaph

His Majesty The King will lead the UK in the annual two-minute silence to remember those who have fallen and suffered in conflict at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph this morning.

The King will be joined by members of The Royal Family, the Prime Minister, senior politicians and faith representatives to mark the Armistice of the First World War and all other conflicts involving British and Commonwealth forces. 

Approximately 10,000 veterans will take part in the Royal British Legion’s March Past, with over 300 different Armed Forces and civilian organisations represented. People of all ages will be among those marching – from bereaved children and military cadets, through to some of the last surviving veterans of the Second World War.

There will be a huge range of participants, with the youngest person marching being aged only seven years old through to veterans aged over 100 years old. Veterans will also have travelled from far and wide to join the March Past, with some coming from as far as Canada and Australia to participate.

Approximately 10,000 members of the public are expected to line Whitehall in London to watch the March Past and take part in the annual two-minute silence.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “I’m incredibly proud to be honouring those whose sacrifice continues to protect our way of life to this day. 

“Remembrance Sunday gives us an opportunity, not only to mark that sacrifice and offer our gratitude, but also to reflect on its significance. To reflect on the selflessness and courage it takes to commit your life to protecting others.

I” want to offer my personal thanks to those who served and those who continue to serve in our Armed Forces communities to this day.”

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “This Remembrance Sunday, we come together to reflect and honour the sacrifices that our Armed Forces made all those years ago in the First and Second World Wars and continue to make today. 

“It is our duty to ensure that the immense courage of those who have served our country is never forgotten. They went to war to give us 80 years of peace. 

“We are about to raise the first generation for whom fighting a war really is part of history. Our future generations must know the significance of those who served in our national story, that they forged a path for friendship and cooperation that meant no one in our country has had to fight a war since.

“Today, we remember them, in grief and in gratitude, mindful that their legacy lives on in the freedom we enjoy today.”

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting MP said: “I grew up with my grandfather and great-grandfather’s war medals proudly on display in our living room. Defence runs in my blood and I feel intently the importance of Remembrance to those who have served and their families.

“This weekend is a moment to pause and reflect on the enormous debt we owe to our Armed Forces, to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedoms, and to thank the personnel keeping us safe tonight.

“We have a moral duty to stand by our veterans and the military families who sacrifice so much. They are the best of us, and we owe them our support as well as our gratitude and admiration.”

Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton said: “Today we honour the courage of all those who have served and died in conflict.

“For the Armed Forces community, remembrance is a deeply personal time during which we reflect on the service of our predecessors and remember the colleagues we have lost.

“That same spirit of service continues to drive the men and women who serve today.”

Mark Atkinson, Director General, Royal British Legion: “As we come together on Remembrance Sunday, we pay tribute to all those who have served and sacrificed, from generations past to those still serving today.

“This year we have paid tribute to those who served in more recent conflicts, including the challenging operations in Bosnia, the Iraq War and the first Gulf War, and recognised the families who continue to live with the impact of that service.

“From risking their lives in war zones, providing support during emergencies and humanitarian disasters, and spending time away from loved ones, we owe those who serve in the Armed Forces, and the families who stand alongside them, our gratitude. We encourage the nation to pause, reflect and remember their service and sacrifice.”

As the 15th anniversary of the end of the Iraq War was marked earlier this year, many veterans will be reflecting on their experiences and the lasting impact of conflict.

RAF veteran Steve Hooper, 43, served as a Mechanical Transport Driver during the Iraq War. He will be marching with the Invictus Games Alumni group. He said: “I saw a lot of trauma in Iraq as an ambulance driver, and when I came back, I was struggling with sleep and having flashbacks. If it wasn’t for the support I received from the Royal British Legion through the Invictus Games, I don’t know where I’d be today.

“I am proud to be marching alongside my fellow team members as we reflect on our recovery journeys and remember all those who weren’t as lucky. I’ll also be thinking about the families who still live with the impact of service and conflict. For me, it’s a time to pause, acknowledge and remember.”

While the country gathers for Remembrance Sunday, 6,500 UK Armed Forces personnel will remain deployed on operations and at overseas bases.

Personnel are currently supporting NATO allies in Eastern Europe, maintaining the continuous at-sea deterrent, and operating across the globe to deter aggression and defend our national interests. This year-round presence ensures the UK is ready to respond to emerging threats.

For those unable to travel to London for the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph or to their local Remembrance Sunday service, the national event will be broadcast live on the BBC, ITV and Sky News.  

FIRST Minister John Swinney will lead Scotland’s tributes at The Stone of Remembrance at Edinburgh’s City Chambers this morning.

Campaigners unite to ‘Stop Dirty Data Centres’

75 ORGANISATIONS BACK MARCH AGAINST AI DATA CENTRES IN EDINBURGH

Campaigners have announced that 75 organisations and groups across sectors including trade unions, anti-war groups, and housing campaigners are backing the Stop AI Data Centres march in Edinburgh next Saturday 14th November.

Thousands are expected to join the rally down the Royal Mile in the capital which is part of a Europe wide wave of protests to “Stop Dirty Data Centres”, with over 70 demonstrations taking place in 15 countries this month.

Groups supporting the march are bringing a wide variety of different concerns around AI data centres, in addition to highly publicised environmental impacts.

Anti-war groups highlight the growing use of AI in military settings, while housing and anti-poverty groups are concerned about the impact a proliferation of data centres could have on household energy bills. Trade unions are highlighting that rather than provide jobs, AI growth is actually making working conditions more insecure.

At least 23 proposals for huge AI data centres have been submitted by big tech developers in Scotland, with many grassroots community campaigns opposing them formed in response. The March will escalate pressure on the Scottish Government, who campaigners feel have not done enough to mitigate the potential harms of the data centres.

Charities are demanding that the Scottish Government publicly consult on these plans for AI data centres before making decisions to approve them, in a ‘national conversation’ where people across Scotland can have their say.

The march is being organised by a coalition of groups including Friends of the Earth Scotland, Action to Protect Rural Scotland and numerous local campaign groups protesting data centres, including in Dumfries & Galloway, Edinburgh, Larbert and more.

Claire Robertson from Edinburgh Trades Union Council said: “The Edinburgh Trades Union Council stands in solidarity with community campaigners marching against the unchecked expansion of artificial intelligence data centres.

“They demand massive public infrastructure and resource support, yet return virtually no secure, permanent, or unionised jobs for the local communities forced to host them.

“As representatives of working people across Edinburgh, we recognise that the physical infrastructure of Big Tech cannot be separated from the broader economic, human, and environmental exploitation taking place in our communities and workplaces.

“We demand that public resources are protected under democratic control. Technological progress must serve the collective good, and the massive wealth generated by automated systems must be fairly redistributed to the society that builds it, rather than hoarded by a handful of tech billionaires.”

Gordon Maloney, Chair of tenants’ union Living Rent Edinburgh said: “Rather than build homes and invest in public infrastructure, this government is imposing data centres on communities with no thought for what people want.

“We cannot allow this to happen in Scotland. Data centres are fuelling the explosion of AI, driving up the profits of big tech and mega corporations and dismantling the working conditions of ordinary people.

“Not only that but the energy consumption of these centres is fuelling the rise in energy bills and pushing people further into poverty.

“Our politicians are supposed to protect the interests of the people, not big corporations. We need our politicians to stand up for the people who live in Scotland and stop AI data centres being built across the country.”

Coll McCail, representing the Stop the War Coalition in Scotland said: “The rise of AI and the growing power of the tech oligarchy are intimately tied to the military-industrial complex.

“The Pentagon, for example, has already adopted an “AI first” approach to warfare, spending $9 billion on data centres.

“Closer to home, Peter Theil’s Palantir has embedded itself within the Ministry of Defence, and the UK Government has contracted Raytheon to train 60,000 soldiers in military AI every year.

“Scotland’s proposed data centres may yet be put in service for such aims, without sufficient public debate or discussion. That’s why Stop the War Coalition has significant concerns about these developments and why we’re demanding a change in approach.”

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Kim Pratt commented: “The movement against AI data centres is growing day by day as people realise the threats they pose to our land, our energy and our environment.

“It is heartening to see so many diverse and respected organisations coming together to speak out and to join the March.”

Digital Veteran Card passes 23,000 downloads as veterans encouraged to discover its benefits

More than 23,000 digital Veteran Cards have been downloaded since launch in October 2025, helping veterans access discounts and prove their service using their phone

  • Veterans encouraged to find out how the digital Veteran Card can help them access discounts and support
  • More than 23,000 digital Veteran Cards downloaded since launch in October 2025
  • Veterans can apply for the digital version through the GOV.UK One Login app once their physical card has been fully processed and dispatched

As the nation prepares to remember and honour those who have served on Remembrance Sunday, veterans are being encouraged to discover the benefits of the digital Veteran Card.

More than 23,000 digital cards have been downloaded since the service launched last October, giving veterans a convenient way to keep proof of their service on their phone.

The digital card can help veterans access discounts at participating shops, restaurants and attractions. It can also help them demonstrate their veteran status when accessing services such as GP registration and relevant health support.

Stephanie Peacock, Minister for Digital Government, said: “Remembrance Sunday is when our whole country comes together to honour the courage, service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces community. We must never forget those who have served our country, or the debt of gratitude we owe them.

“Our veterans deserve recognition not just on Remembrance Sunday, but throughout the year. The digital Veteran Card is a practical way to do that, making it easier for veterans to prove their service, keep their card close at hand and access discounts at participating shops, restaurants and attractions.

“More than 23,000 digital Veteran Cards have now been downloaded. I want more veterans to know about the benefits their card can offer and have the choice to carry proof of their service wherever they go.”

Veterans Minister Calvin Bailey MP, who served in the Royal Air Force and has a digital Veteran Card, said: We’re determined to make it easier for veterans to access the support and entitlements they deserve. The digital Veteran Card makes it easy to get specialised health services or claim discounts on everyday shopping.

“I’d encourage all my fellow veterans to sign up for their Veteran Card – either physical or digital – this remembrance time.”

How to get a digital Veteran Card

Veterans must first apply for a physical Veteran Card. Once their application has been fully processed and their physical card dispatched, they can apply for and download the digital version through the GOV.UK One Login app.

The digital version is optional, and veterans can continue to use their physical card if they prefer. Offers and acceptance vary by organisation, so veterans should check before visiting.

Julie Kotecha, a British Army veteran said: “I always ask when I’m out shopping or using services whether there’s a discount for veterans. I’ve found my Veteran Card useful, and people are often impressed by it – it can be a good conversation starter, too.

“I’m looking forward to using the digital version because it’ll be much easier to have it on my phone than carry extra cards around. I encourage other veterans to get their card, ask about discounts wherever you go, and make the most of what’s available to you. The team at the Veterans UK office are so helpful and are always happy to help.”

Funding boost for Tap Into IT

Edinburgh based charity Tap Into IT have secured an unrestricted grant totalling £40,000 over 2 years from Bank of Scotland Foundation’s funding programme, Energise. 

Started in 2012, Tap into IT exists to enable within Edinburgh older people and those with disabilities to stay socially connected and involved by providing patient, person-centred and accessible digital support that reduces anxiety and builds confidence in using modern technology.

We target the estimated 21,000 adults over 75 in Edinburgh who remain offline and the high proportion of those online who have limited digital skills and confidence. We support those who are, or at risk of becoming isolated due to limited mobility, cognitive impairments such as dementia and the risk of exclusion as essential services move exclusively online.

We deliver our services ‘where people are’, familiar community locations or their own homes, removing barriers to access and of anxiety. 

Through a blend of small-group sessions and one-to-one home visits, we build the skills and confidence and provide the support necessary to navigate the modern world. As part of our support, we help individuals customise their technology—such as utilising voice-activated services—to bypass physical or cognitive barriers. The impact is transformative. 

Mike Ellis, the Executive Director at Tap Into IT said “This generous grant from the Bank of Scotland will enable us to better pursue our existing growth strategy and help bridge the ‘digital divide’ which can exclude older people from online services.

“The need for this is growing and increasingly access to the digital domain is a necessity, not just a convenience. We are encouraged that the Bank of Scotland has recognised the value of our work, and the potential we have.” 

Donald MacKechnie, Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees said, “We are delighted to award Tap Into IT with £40,000 of funding.

“The cost-of-living crisis means many charities are struggling with increasing expenditure, at a time when the demand for their services is as great as ever. Our grant awards will help charities through the challenging months ahead.” 

Since 2010, the Bank of Scotland Foundation through their Grant Programmes and Matched Giving Programme for Lloyds Banking Group colleagues in Scotland, have provided over £50 million to more than 2,900 charities, supporting a wide ecosystem of charities delivering vital local services, advice and personal support.

Together, these charities provide help at significant scale – supporting people at different points in their lives, often through more than one service. 

Over time, this collective and sustained support has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands, demonstrating both the breadth and depth of impact made possible through their funding

For more information about Bank of Scotland Foundation and its grant programmes, please visit www.bankofscotlandfoundation.org

Minister visits Heriot-Watt as University opens new routes into town planning

A ministerial visit to Heriot-Watt University has highlighted the importance of developing Scotland’s future planners, as the University creates new routes into town planning to help tackle skills shortages and build the workforce needed to shape the country’s communities and places.

Together with Scottish Government, employers and professional partners, the University is widening access to the profession and helping to meet growing demand for planners across the country. Its work includes a new Graduate Apprenticeship pathway, specialist pathways in areas such as Digital Twin and Infrastructure Planning, and student placements with the Planning Improvement Service.

This work was showcased on Thursday 5 November, ahead of World Town Planning Day (Sunday 8 November 2026), when Scotland’s Minister for Public Finance, Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP, visited the university’s Edinburgh campus to meet planning students and staff, including Dr Sacha Hasan, Head of Discipline for Planning and Real Estate.

Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP, Minister for Public Finance, said: “It has been fantastic meeting future planners and staff at Heriot-Watt University. I truly believe that planning is a frontline service. There is nothing more important than the places we call home and the places and spaces that we spend most of our time in.

“Our planners have a hugely important role in shaping and creating how Scotland looks and how our places and homes feel and it’s vital that we engage with future planners to understand how exactly we can give support and visibility to the planning profession across Scotland going forward.”

The Minister also heard from recent recipients of scholarships funded by the Scottish Government’s Future Planners Bursary, which aims to attract and support the next generation of planning professionals, with awards available to eligible students at Heriot-Watt and other Scottish universities.

The discussions focused on the growing demand for planners and the importance of creating new routes into the profession. The visit also highlighted Heriot-Watt’s recently launched Graduate Apprenticeship pathway in planning, which offers a flexible learning approach for individuals seeking to enter or progress within the sector while continuing to work.

In addition, students and recent scholarship recipients had the opportunity to share their experiences of studying planning and pursuing careers which will shape the future of Scotland’s communities and places.

Dr Sacha Hasan, Head of Discipline for Planning and Real Estate at Heriot-Watt University, said: “Planning plays a critical role in Scotland’s future, from supporting sustainable development and economic growth to helping communities adapt to changing social and environmental needs.

“It was a pleasure to welcome Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP to Heriot-Watt and discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the profession. By working closely with government and industry, we can help develop the skilled planning workforce Scotland needs and create accessible pathways for people from a wide range of backgrounds to enter the profession.

These efforts are closely aligned with Heriot-Watt Strategy 2035, which builds on our long-standing commitment to widening access to higher education while continuing to deliver excellence and innovation in planning education.”

Alex MacLaren, Associate Professor of Architecture at Heriot-Watt University, said: “Universities have a vital role to play in developing the talent, knowledge and innovation needed to support Scotland’s future workforce.

“We are proud to work alongside the Scottish Government and industry partners to help address skills challenges in the planning profession. Through initiatives such as our new Graduate Apprenticeship pathway, we are creating new opportunities for learners while helping to meet the needs of employers and communities across Scotland.”

The visit comes ahead of World Town Planning Day on 8 November, an annual opportunity to recognise the vital role planners play in creating sustainable, inclusive and prosperous places.

Heriot-Watt currently offers postgraduate planning education and, through its close collaboration with industry, local authorities, professional partners and communities, continues to innovate in both the content and delivery of its planning programmes to meet the evolving needs of the profession.

Recent developments include specialist pathways in areas such as Digital Twin and Infrastructure Planning, as well as working alongside the Planning Improvement Service to provide placement opportunities for students as part of their programme.

Find out more about planning courses and careers.

Council Leader reflects on Bonfire Night

The Council Leader has thanked residents and partners for their efforts in keeping communities safe during Bonfire Night celebrations:

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “While it’s encouraging to see that Bonfire Night was broadly a peaceful evening across the city, I was angry and disappointed to see isolated incidents of disorder, with a small minority seemingly intent on causing fear and alarm in our communities.

“We cannot and must not accept this type of mindless behaviour, in particular the targeting of our emergency services, and I hope those responsible are caught and brought to justice as soon as possible.

“For all that, I’m pleased that the majority of our residents were able to enjoy the celebrations in the way we would expect – with friends and loved ones at community-led displays – and that bus services were able to run as normal.

 “Months of planning and close partnership working have gone into preparing for this period, and I’d like to thank our council teams, Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Lothian Buses, community organisations and our other partners for all their efforts.

“Our approach has focused on prevention as well as enforcement, from Firework Control Zones to engaging with young people and providing positive alternative activities. The organised events across the city also went well, offering families and communities the opportunity to come together. I’m grateful to everyone who has played their part in making these efforts count.

“I’d like to reiterate my thanks to residents for acting responsibly, looking out for one another and helping to keep their neighbourhoods safe – and hope that they will remember Bonfire Night for all the right reasons.”

Students go behind the scenes at Royal High School restoration

The University has agreed a new partnership with the Royal High School Preservation Trust 

Engineering students from Edinburgh Napier University went behind the scenes at the £70 million project to restore Edinburgh’s former Royal High School, as part of a new partnership with the Royal High School Preservation Trust (RHSPT).

Twenty students visited the historic Calton Hill building to see first-hand the scale and complexity of the restoration project to preserve and restore Thomas Hamilton’s neo-classical masterpiece and transform it into Scotland’s new National Centre for Music.

On the day, the students were able to see first-hand some of the unique challenges facing engineers and construction teams as they work to restore and adapt the building, including the need to work with and around the ancient bedrock of Calton Hill into which Hamilton’s original design was built.

The new partnership between Edinburgh Napier University and RHSPT is also supported by a legacy gift made through the Edinburgh Napier University Development Trust. 

The gift comes from the legacy of the late philanthropist Dr Ian Tomlin, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University in 1995 and was known for his love of music and his support for musicians in the early stages of their careers.

Kate Smith, Chief Executive and Development Director of the Royal High School Preservation Trust, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome students from Edinburgh Napier to the site to see the progress being made and hear about the innovative approaches being taken to preserve and restore this extraordinary building.

“The students were able to learn about challenges involved in a project of this scale and complexity and how this building will be transformed into a new National Centre for Music.

“We are also delighted to receive this legacy gift through our new partnership with Edinburgh Napier University, a university known for its strong, industry-focused music programme, breadth of specialisms and strong links to Scotland’s professional music scene.”

Thanking the RHSPT and Robertson Group for the visit, Professor Zack Moir, Professor of Music at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “This is a really exciting project for us because it allows us to work with the Royal High School Preservation Trust and the National Centre of Music, and be part of such an exciting venture for the city. 

“We have been able to do this through the bequest of Dr Ian Tomlin, to support performance and ongoing music education for students at Edinburgh Napier – in addition to the support he offered throughout his life. 

“It really gives our students the opportunity to be part of the cultural fabric of Edinburgh.”

The group of Civil Engineering students also found the opportunity ‘priceless’, as they gained insight into a unique project which poses a range of unique challenges.

Riona Sorianosos (20) said: “When I heard we were doing a site visit I thought we would be viewing things from afar, but to actually get down amongst the works and see what they are doing up close was really valuable.

“So was hearing about the way they have had to adapt to the building and the landscape, bringing in mini-excavators and equipment that can fit through the doors and how all of this equipment runs electrically on site.”

Kyle Forgan (20) continued: “I have never been to a site this big before and to see it in-depth was really quite breathtaking.

“It was really interesting to talk through the challenges of working on a listed, protected building of this size and scale and hear the roadblocks that have appeared on the way and how efficiently they have been handled.”

Julia Krzeszewska (21) added: “Hearing about how they have adapted during the course of the build was very valuable, as was seeing the excavations up close.

“It is one thing hearing about something in a lecture or learning about it in a book but actually seeing it, especially in a unique design like this, one that they have had to work around, has been really special.”

Edinburgh Library Service recognised at National Awards

EXPERIENCES OF RAIN INTERCULTURAL PROJECT WINS AWARD

SLIC awards , Stirling 2026 – Pics by Alan Peebles

The National Library of Scotland has been recognised at the 2026 Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) Awards for demonstrating the innovation and impact of library services through its intercultural project exploring shared heritage through creativity.

The Edinburgh based service was presented with the Project Excellence Award for Experiences of Rain at the SLIC showcase and AGM at The Barracks in Stirling yesterday (Friday 6 November).

The annual awards, judged by an independent panel led by SLIC Chair Alan Clarke, alongside guest judges Garrett Baylor Stell, a journalist with The Herald’s specialist education team, and Susan Calcluth, Scotland Lead for the National Year of Reading 2026, celebrate library teams and projects that have enhanced learning, wellbeing and community engagement through pioneering staff-driven initiatives.

The National Library of Scotland’s project brought together seven people with lived experience of migration to explore personal memories and cultural connections to rain, drawing on the Library’s collections and creating a sound installation for its 2026 exhibition.

Through creative workshops led by poet and storyteller Dr Tawona Sitholé and sound artist Ros Fraser, participants shared stories, music and perspectives from different cultures, building connections with one another and the Library. The installation became a central part of the Rain exhibition, which attracted a record 28,531 visitors in its first two months.

Judge Susan Calcluth praised the project, saying: “A distinctive and moving example of co-creation, Experiences of Rain explores both the connections we share and the different meanings rain holds across cultures.

“It demonstrates the power of creativity and shared experience to bring people together.”

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow was highly commended in the category for Maximising Audubon’s The Birds of America, a project combining conservation, digitisation and public engagement to bring one of Scotland’s rare library treasures to wider audiences.

The work contributed to a threefold increase in enquiries and a rise in visitors from 351 to 1,478 within four months.

Midlothian Library Service was named Team of the Year for its whole-service approach to developing libraries as community hubs, while South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Libraries won the inaugural Jacqueline Geekie Award for Excellence in Digital Innovation for an imaginative digital resource bringing the library experience into classrooms, while

For more information, visit scottishlibraries.org/funding/the-slic-awards/