Either our one day course or the 5 week course can help you develop confidence to go out walking in the hills with a better grasp of map reading and navigation abilities. You will learn the fundamentals of interpreting contours and scales and ways of keeping a track of where you are, so you are able to keep found.
Effective use of a compass will also be reviewed, with guidance on pacing and timings and route planning. Developing these talents could make all the difference to enjoyment and safety whilst out and about with family and friends and the course is fun.
Learn to navigate safety through Scotland’s hills, mountains, forests and glens competently, confidently in an enjoyable setting with a friendly tutor either as a one day course overview or in more depth over 5 weeks.
Staying Found – Introduction to Navigation – All – (26/2) – OUT60387F
Sunday mornings from 10am-12 noon 5 weeks from 26th February
Fees £43.50 standard fee – £21.75 for senior citizens/ students – £17.25 for benefits.
Valentine’s Day is just round the corner and whether you’re treating a partner or celebrating Palentine’s with a much-loved friend, Fort Kinnaird has rounded up a selection of ideas to help make the search for the perfect gift or date night easier.
From fashion to jewellery, and restaurants to the cinema, there is something for everyone.
Can’t-go-wrong Valentine’s gifts
Visitors can gift their loved ones a new signature scent with Chanel, Dior and other favourites available at Superdrug, Boots and The Perfume Shop – where you can also find the newly launched Marc Jacobs’ Perfect scent.
For indulgent bathing and pampering hampers, try TK Maxx and Next, while Hotel Chocolat has a new ‘Made with Love’ selection of 30 heart-shaped chocolates – plus their popular ‘Chocolate & Fizz’ collections, which can include a bottle of prosecco.
M&SM&S also has an abundance of bouquets of flowers, including spring tulips and red roses.
Luxury gifts
Fort Kinnaird is home to Beaverbrooks, Goldsmiths, Swarovski, and Pandora, the perfect places to pick up personalised charms, watches and jewellery that will last a lifetime.
Romantic meals at home
For wine and prosecco, delicious sharing menus and decadent desserts, M&S has a huge selection of Valentine’s ideas to plan the perfect night in. With mix and match offers on mains and sides alongside specially created limited edition buys, there’s something for everyone.
And ProCook has all the kitchenware you need to create a romantic meal at home.
Dining out and activities
For a romantic date night with other halves or friends, head to Tony Macaroni for freshly made risotto, Italian wine and dessert, or Wagamama, Pizza Express or Bread Meats Bread for a laidback meal, before heading to the cinema to catch one of the latest releases. This includes M. Night Shyamalan’s new thriller, Knock at the Cabin, or Steven Spielberg’s newest multi-Oscar nominated biopic, The Fabelmans.
And throughout February, Fridays has the sweet Pink Punk Cosmo, the fruity MidWest Martini and the limited-edition Heart Cracker cocktails all for £6 each Monday to Thursday, while Frankie & Benny’s has an exclusive pink ‘My Beloved Burger’ as well as a fun Jammy Dodger ice cream shake to try.
Fort Kinnaird is open 9am – 9pm on weekdays and 9am – 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information about planning a trip to Fort Kinnaird, please visit www.fortkinnaird.com.
One in ten consumers in Scotland are skipping meals, new Which? research suggests, as the consumer champion calls on essential businesses to do more to support people through the cost of living crisis.
The consumer champion carried out extensive research with more than 1,000 people representative of the Scottish population to understand how the cost of living crisis is affecting Scottish consumers.
Which? research found financial pressures are leading consumers in Scotland to make choices that could be harmful to their health. One in ten (11%) are skipping meals due to rising food costs – with parents hit particularly hard by this.
One in five (22%) of more than 250 parents in the Scottish survey are prioritising feeding other family members over eating themselves – compared to 8 per cent of the population overall.
One 55-year-old woman said: “We are having to skip meals, not have the heating on and not going out due to fuel costs”.
Nearly eight in 10 (77%) said they had been putting the heating on less due to energy price rises – compared to just under half (46%) last year. 15 per cent of Scottish consumers had been eating fewer cooked meals to save on energy costs and 2 per cent had used a food bank.
A 42-year-old respondent said: “I’m heating the house to a maximum of 15 Degrees… Eating cold things like sandwiches etc. instead of using the cooker”.
Almost nine in 10 consumers said they were worried about energy prices (89%), while concern around food and housing costs have increased sharply compared to the previous year.
The proportion of people worried about food prices increased by 10 percentage points to almost nine in 10 (87%) in December 2022, compared to eight in 10 (77%) in 2021 and six in 10 (63%) in 2020.
Which?’s research shows how justified these concerns about price rises are. The consumer champion estimates that if consumers in Scotland tried to maintain the same spending habits they would need to spend an additional £40 per week – or around £2,080 a year – on food, energy and fuel in December 2022 compared with December 2021. That would mean almost a third (29%) of their household expenditure would be spent on just these essential goods.
This has led many households to make adjustments to cover essential spending. Nearly six in 10 (56%) consumers in Scotland said their household had made at least one adjustment to cover essential spending in the last month, up from nearly half (48%) in 2021 and nearly four in 10 (37%) in 2020. The most common adjustment was cutting back on essentials – which increased to four in 10 (39%) from a quarter (25%) in 2021.
Which?’s research also found that some household types are being hit harder than others by the cost of living crisis. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of parents in Scotland surveyed had to make adjustments to cover essential spending, compared to just over a third (35%) of pensioners.
Only four in 10 (37%) working-age parents surveyed in Scotland say that they are living comfortably or doing alright – compared to half (50%) of Scottish consumers overall.
These financial pressures are causing widespread emotional harm among Scottish consumers. Nearly half (45%) of consumers in Scotland said that concerns around the cost of living have left them feeling anxious and more than a fifth (22%) said they were struggling to sleep due to worries about the cost of living.
A 34-year-old woman said: “I’m severely depressed and worried all the time about being able to pay my bills and have enough money to feed and clothe my kids as well as electricity and gas to heat my home.
“It’s having a massive effect on my mental health, I feel anxious and stressed out all the time”.
A 54-year-old man said: “I’m having sleepless nights worrying what else is rising in price”.
With the UK heading into recession, mortgages and rent costs rising and the energy price guarantee becoming less generous from April, Scottish consumers will only face further financial pressures in 2023.
Which? recently launched a campaign calling on essential businesses – energy firms, broadband providers and supermarkets – to do more to help consumers struggling to make ends meet. For example, supermarkets must ensure that budget line items are widely available, make pricing and offers more transparent and provide targeted promotions to support people that are struggling most with access to affordable food.
Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: “It’s hugely concerning that people in Scotland are losing sleep, skipping meals and sitting in the cold due to rising prices.
“As the cost of living crisis puts huge pressure on household finances, we are calling on businesses in essential sectors like food, energy and broadband providers to do more to help customers get a good deal and avoid unnecessary or unfair costs and charges during this crisis.”
A Westminster committee has found that BBC Chair Richard Sharp made ‘significant errors of judgement’ when failing to declare his role in the facilitation of a loan to the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson and should reflect on the potential damage caused to trust in the corporation.
In a report published today, the Committee says that his omissions denied MPs the opportunity to fulfil their scrutiny role, as they were left without the full facts to make a judgement on his suitability when he appeared before the Committee for a pre-appointment hearing in January 2021.
The report calls on Mr Sharp to now consider the impact his actions will have on the trust in him, the BBC and the public appointment process and for the Government and all those involved to ensure future processes are not clouded by partial disclosure.
The Committee also notes that the issue of why the Cabinet Secretary believed Mr Sharp had been giving financial advice to Mr Johnson, which Mr Sharp denies, remains unresolved. The Cabinet Office should clear up the confusion immediately.
Digital Culture Media and Sports Committee Acting Chair, Damian Green MP, said: “The public appointments process can only work effectively if everyone is open and transparent, yet Richard Sharp chose not to tell either the appointment panel or our Committee about his involvement in the facilitation of a loan to Boris Johnson.
Such a significant error of judgment meant we were not in the full possession of the facts when we were required to rule on his suitability for the role of BBC Chair.”
Neither the BBC nor Richard Sharp have so far responded to the report.
The lingering stress of the cost-of-living crisis weighs heavily on the shoulders of many, and with temperatures dropping, food prices skyrocketing, and New Year credit card bills dropping through letter boxes it is bound to have an added impact on the stresses of everyday life, so people up and down the country are looking for tips to ease and eliminate as much stress as possible.
CBD experts Simply CBD have revealed some tips that will help encourage stress relaxation and a stress-free routine that you can implement into your weekly routine.
New analysis reveals that searches in the UK for ‘reducestress’ increased 216% over the past month, proving just how desperate Brits are to find solutions for feelings of overwhelming stress.
In fact, searches for ‘is stress normal’ has seen a huge 635% increase over the past month in the UK, showing just how concerned people are about stress levels and how they can impact their health.
Self-care
Being mindful of your own needs is essential and focusing on self-care will help reduce stress and anxiety tremendously. Some forms of self-care include maintaining a balanced diet and sustaining a healthy sleep schedule but indulging in pampering is often overlooked.
Pampering doesn’t have to break the bank. Forget spa days or trips away; you can easily indulge in pampering at home:
Take a hot bath or shower.
Pop on a face mask and read your favourite book – time away from blue light from your phone also helps relax the mind.
Light some candles and listen to a meditation podcast.
Treat yourself to your favourite home-cooked meal (or take away if you prefer!).
Exercise
Although the thought of exercise can sometimes be exhausting, with long workdays feeling tiring enough, finding the time to get a good workout in can often be the release from a lot of pent-up stress.
Sometimes getting past the mental barrier of doing physical activity is the only thing holding you back from releasing tension and endorphins, aka the body’s natural painkillers.
The exercise doesn’t necessarily need to be intense, and there are many options when it comes to fitting in an hour of increased heart rate:
Go on a walk – Whether with friends, family or just by yourself, getting out for some fresh air and moving your body will work wonders.
Take part in a local exercise class – there are many different options, such as low intensity Yoga and Pilates, which are great options if you don’t want to do an intense workout.
Take part in an online exercise class! – if physically leaving the house to exercise fills you with dread, you will be pleased to know there are thousands of online classes and pre-recorded free videos of workouts that you can do in the comfort of your own home.
Listen to music
Listening to music gives the brain a total workout, and we all know how vital brain health is. By listening to music, you can:
Reduce blood pressure.
Improve memory.
Reduce anxiety.
Improve sleep quality.
Not only can it reduce stress, but it can elevate moods and clear the way for emotional expression; this is why it is great that there are so many genres of music to choose from; just pick whatever gets you out of a funk and makes you feel good!
Experiment with hobbies
By experimenting with hobbies that you might have put on the back burner, you are allowing your body to remind itself of something you enjoy and take pride in. Hobbies are a great distraction and can be the perfect way to relax and forget about the stresses of everyday life.
If you’re struggling to think of a hobby, it’s never too late to find one! By making a list of all the hobbies you would love to try, you are already one step closer to expanding your knowledge, widening your range of skills, keeping your brain working and mind off all things stressful.
Turn the phone off and stay off social media
In a world dominated by technology, we have everything at the push of a button, making it hard to imagine life without it, but keeping so up-to-date and caught up on social media can sometimes be exhausting and lead to unhealthy comparisons.
By turning off your phone or limiting the time spent on social media, you can shut off the constant updates and remain solely focused on other things that might bring you joy. Instead of getting distracted by technology, you could be reading your favourite books, spending time with family and friends, giving yourself a well-deserved pamper or just taking a nap, whatever relieves stress from your day!
Enjoy our one day course in learning how to get the most from your camera.
This course is an introduction to photography and to offer technical and creative skills for each student to progress either as a total beginner or for those who would like to build confidence on skills that students already have.
The emphasis is on fun learning and suited to help students achieve their own goals. The tutor is very experienced and helpful.
The course will look at camera handling, composition, downloading images, file management and simple digital manipulation, within the time constraint of a one day course.
Standard fee £23.88 and reduced/ concession fee is £19.28.
Popular discount supermarket Aldi Scotland has launched Al-date, an exclusive dating service that helps lovebirds find romance this Valentine’s Day.
Testing the theory that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, Al-Date is designed to encourage users to understand their love-type and help them bag a date on the most romantic day of the year.
Inspired by Aldi’s exceptional range of Valentine’s Day products, which includes everything shoppers need for a romance packed day, from its popular Love Heart Shaped Lorne Sausage (£1.29, 150g) to Specially Selected Sirloin Steak (£4.75, 227g), Scottish Vintage Cheddar Cheese (£1.69, 200g) and Specially Selected Chocolate Mini Cupcakes (£2.19, 9 pack), users will be asked a series of questions which gets to the crux of their dating habits.
They will then be served personalised advice and chat up lines, especially curated for use in the real world or on dating apps.
Launching on Friday 10 February, the online service will have hearts melting across the country. The service can be accessed at https://al-date.com/
Olive Yew, a spokesperson for Aldi Scotland, said: “Dating can be as tough as an overcooked steak, but on the most romantic day of the year, everyone deserves a wingman to help them in love.
“Whether you are looking to spice things up with a long-term partner, turn up the heat on a new relationship or simply make that initial approach, our Aldi-inspired chat up lines are an easy way to break the ice.
“Food plays such an important role in modern dating, and once again we have an exceptional range of special Valentine’s Day products on sale at everyday amazing Aldi prices.
“Our ever popular Love Heart Lorne Sausage – the perfect addition to breakfast in bed – will be back on sale from 9 February, and our Scotch Sirloin Steak is sure to get things sizzling over a candle-lit dinner. For your sweetheart with a sweet tooth, we have our beautiful Mini Cupcakes, while those looking for something a little more cheesy can finish off the meal with Scottish Vintage Cheddar Cheese and biscuits.
“What’s more, most of our Valentine’s Day products are created right here in Scotland from our fantastically talented local producers. Aldi Scotland works with over 90 Scottish suppliers who use the highest quality ingredients and produce from the country’s rich larder, and we bring them to shoppers’ plates at unbeatable prices.”
NHS Lothian will move to Stage 2 of NHS Scotland’s national performance framework for paediatric audiology following improvements.
The health board has made significant progress, completing almost 81% of the recommendations outlined by the British Academy of Audiology (BAA) following an independent review of services in 2021. This includes improvements in governance and culture.
As part of the Stage 2 escalation level, robust measures will remain in place, ensuring that Scottish Government officials continue to provide direct support to NHS Lothian.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The de-escalation of NHS Lothian to Stage 2 for paediatric audiology is a positive step forward and highlights the significant progress the board has made towards the BAA’s recommendations.
“I would like to thank all staff at the board for their hard work to implement robust and sustainable changes, to continue to improve the service and to deliver high quality patient care. I want to ensure families across Scotland are assured their child is getting the best possible audiology support.
“We will work closely with and support the board over the coming months as it continues to provide high quality services. A wider Independent review of audiology services in Scotland is on-going and due to report to the Scottish Government this Spring.”
NHS Lothian was moved to escalation Stage 3 in December 2021 on the NHS Board Performance Escalation Framework for Paediatric Audiology.
An independent audit and governance review into the Paediatric Audiology service at NHS Lothian was established following the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Investigative report into Child A’s audiology care at the health board. Following that publication, the BAA was commissioned by NHS Lothian to help fulfil recommendations from that report.
The decision on a board’s Stage 3 Escalated position sits with the Director General for Health and Social Care.
A boy who called 999 for his unconscious mother when he was just two years old is among members of the public, police officers and police staff recognised in the Chief Constable’s Bravery and Excellence Awards.
Hanlon Stevenson (got to be a Hibs fan? – Ed.) called emergency services after mum Lisa became unwell at their home in Stirling. Hanlon told call handlers, “Mummy is sleeping and I can’t wake her”, and ambulance staff attended to treat Lisa.
Others recognised in Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone’s Bravery and Excellence Awards include officers who arrested a violent man who was brandishing knives in East Kilbride; constables who rescued a man from a burning flat in Dundee; and the logistics team who supported Police Scotland’s operation for COP26.
A team driving a public health approach to policing in the Greater Glasgow Division was particularly highlighted for their excellence during a ceremony at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan, yesterday (Friday, 10 February, 2023).
Sir Iain said: “Policing is a relentless but hugely rewarding vocation in which you can help people and change lives for the better.
“These awards illustrate the bravery and professionalism demonstrated by police officers and staff right across Scotland every day. I am grateful for their commitment to public service and dedication to duty.
“Equally, effective policing is enabled and enhanced by our bond with the public and the trust and support of our communities. It is a privilege to recognise the bravery of our fellow citizens who stepped forward with courage when need arose.
“The opportunity to welcome nominees, recipients and their families to Headquarters and offer my personal thanks, regards and congratulations is a pleasure.”
Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans, said: “These awards recognise the outstanding bravery of members of the public as well as police officers and staff committed to keeping us safe.
“All of the nominees deserve our gratitude but especially little Hanlon who contacted the emergency services when his mum became ill – a truly heart-warming example of individual bravery.
“I would like to personally commend each and every one of the nominees for going above and beyond what could be reasonably expected, in order to help others. Their collective acts epitomise and signify the very best values of modern policing and of wider society and demonstrate selflessness when faced with incredibly challenging and dangerous situations.”
Kerry McMahon-White, Head of Partnerships at Police Mutual, who sponsor the awards, said: “Police Mutual is very proud to again be supporting the Chief Constable’s Bravery and Excellence Awards.
“To each nominee, your achievements are extraordinary. You are an inspiration and a credit to the service and I, and all my colleagues at Police Mutual, would like to offer our thanks to those who are nominated as well as congratulations to the winners.”
Not all winners have chosen to be named – those who wish to be named are:
Bravery and Meritorious Awards
Allan MacKay (member of the public)
Constable Andrew Inglis
Constable Clanmorris David Thompson
Constable Derrick McCracken
Constable Euan MacLeod
Constable Gary Drewett
Constable Fraser Van-Dal
Constable Iain O’Donnell
Constable Jonathon Wilkin
Constable Lee Brown
Constable Oliver Siddall
Constable Sharon Bradbury
Fraser Ritchie (member of the public)
Gavin Parker (member of the public)
Hanlon Stevenson (member of the public)
Jonathon and Christopher Easton (members of the public)
Robert Smale (member of the public)
Sergeant John Hampton
Special Constable Stephen Booth
Excellence Awards
Excellence – Greatest Contribution to Policing Priorities
Hospitality businesses will be able to place tables and chairs on the pavement outside their premises without submitting a planning application under measures expected to come into force at the end of next month.
Strong support was expressed in a public consultation for the extension of permitted development rights to enable more cafés, bars and restaurants to offer outdoor eating and drinking. Regulations to implement the measures were laid in the Scottish Parliament on Friday 10 February for approval by MSPs.
Councils will, however, retain powers to prevent and deal with obstructions that make it difficult for people to access pavements safely and effectively, for example people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments, or families with children in pushchairs.
The 12-week consultation also backed the relaxation of planning rules for the conversion of certain premises into cafes, restaurants, or small-scale offices, as well as the installation of larger electric vehicle charging equipment in car parks. If approved by Parliament, all these measures would be allowed under certain circumstances without the need for a planning application.
Planning Minister Tom Arthur said: “These measures will support Scotland’s town and city centre businesses to thrive.
“More flexible use of outdoor space can help the hospitality industry recover from the pandemic and cost crisis, while making city and town centres more attractive and welcoming.
“The important safeguards for councils seek to ensure that no one should be prevented from using pavements and visiting town and city centres safely. A more streamlined approach to changes of use can help businesses respond more rapidly to shifting circumstances, support reuse of vacant premises and encourage the return of workers and shoppers to our town and city centres.
“Simplifying planning rules for electric vehicle chargers will support the roll-out of infrastructure across Scotland as part of our commitment to tackling climate change and making Scotland a Net Zero nation.
“These measures will help deliver our ambition to create a fairer, greener and wealthier Scotland, by making places more attractive for people to live, work and visit.”
