Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, unity, and hope as we raise vital funds for communities affected by conflict.
16 May 2025, 7:30pm
Inverleith St Serf’s Church, 280 Ferry Rd, Edinburgh EH5 3NP
Suggested Donations: £15 (at the door)
Featuring breathtaking performances from Songbirds, Lothian Gaelic Choir, The Newhaven Community Choir, and The Ukrainian Choir, this event—organized by the Rotary Club of Leith—is a call for peace through the power of song.
Together, we can make a meaningful impact. Share, invite, and stand in solidarity through music!
A recruitment process has begun for a new head teacher at Fettes College in Edinburgh, with the current Head Helen Harrison announcing her retirement from the role next year. The school has commissioned a specialist firm to help identify candidates, with applications due by 15 May.
Named after its founder, Sir William Fettes, the school opened in 1870 and has around 720 students with over 300 staff. It is the only school in Scotland to offer the option of A-Levels or International Baccalaureate in the Sixth Form and a top ten IB School in the UK. Although it currently serves young people aged 7 – 18, from next academic year it will also open a Pre-Prep and offer places to children from age five.
The Rt Hon Lady Morag Wise, Chair of the Governors, said: “Helen has selflessly devoted herself to Fettes for over 30 years – 19 in a senior leadership role and latterly seven as Head.
“She has made a significant contribution to the success of this place and her vision for Fettes has steered a path that ensures our students leave Fettes knowing themselves, looking out for others and ready to make a positive mark on their rapidly changing world.
“We are now beginning the work of securing a new Head in partnership with Perrett Laver to ensure we have someone worthy of leading this great school. The Governing Body is seeking a visionary educationalist who will bring energy and experience to the role of Head from September 2026.
“This is a rare and career-defining opportunity for an outstanding leader.”
Helen Harrison said: “This place; the students and our staff mean the world to me, and it will always be the honour of my life to have led Fettes College and this community.
“I am immensely proud of our achievements, of seeing my vision for Fettes come to life, ground-breaking facilities under construction; and most importantly our students fulfilling their potential.
“However, by Founder’s Day next year it will be the right time to pass on this privilege to the next Head. Until that time it is business as usual and I will continue to give this job my absolute all.”
The world-famous parade celebrating the USA’s links with Scotland will feature Fettes College’s pipe band for the first time in a generation.
28 members of the pipe band and their instructors will be performing in New York’s annual Tartan Day parade on 5 April along Sixth Avenue. Old Fettesians (OFs) living in the city have also been invited to join them, together with others from the Fettes community making the journey to New York.
The pipers and drummers taking part in the parade are aged between 13 and 18. They are members of the Fettes College pipe band which is made up of students across its senior and prep schools and currently holds the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships Junior A Trophy.
Cameron Drummond, Master in Charge of Piping and Drumming at Fettes College, said:“Each year our pipe band performs in a number of prestigious locations including Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace and it is a great honour for our band to also perform in New York and showcase Scotland’s musical heritage.
“We have been practising tirelessly, so we’re all set for this once-in-a-lifetime experience for our students.”
Helen Harrison, Head of Fettes College, who is in New York with the Pipe Band, said:“Fettes has a strong tradition of piping and drumming, and the Fettes pipe band’s performance at Tartan Day highlights their skills and dedication.
“It will be a special moment to join the students in the parade, and a great opportunity for the Fettes community to show its support. Fettes is a proudly Scottish school that brings together international perspectives, empowering our students to be successful on a global platform.”
The students will be playing a set of well-loved US tunes, including America the Beautiful, The Marines Hymn and When the Saints go Marching In. Prior to the parade, the pipe band will perform for OFs and others in Bryant Park.
Last year Fettes became the only school in the world to have two piping instructors that took part in the prestigious Glenfiddich Piping Championships.
To find out more about Piping and Drumming at Fettes College visit:
Our Teacher vs Student football fundraiser will be happening on Wednesday the 19th of February, on the astroturf pitch from 3:30-4:30. We are raising money for a Red Cross appeal which donates towards the humanitarian crises in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan and Ukraine.
You can either bring in a donation that will be collected in buckets on the pitches before the game, or donate on ParentPay, so please donate generously.
You will be able to find out the student and teacher teams on your house Teams page soon!
Hot chocolate will also be available during the match.
Vladimirs Kruus, Executive Chef at Edinburgh’s Fettes College, has been named School Chef of the Year at the Scottish School Food Awards.
The awards were held at Glasgow Academy on 6 February 2025.
Chef Vlad beat stiff competition from the chefs at the Highland Council, Gordonstoun School, Barrhead High School and Dollar Academy.
Vlad joined Fettes College as Executive Chef in November 2023 and has since refreshed the school’s menu with dishes like teriyaki salmon and sushi platters, which have been a hit among students and staff. One standout favourite is his chicken katsu curry, served with jasmine rice and chili-garlic pak choi—a dish that has quickly become a dining hall staple.
Vladimirs Kruus, Executive Chef at Fettes College, said:“Being nominated was an honour in itself, but to be named Scotland’s best school chef is truly incredible.
“I love seeing the excitement from students and staff as they try new flavours and rediscover old favourites. It’s a privilege to create menus that are fresh, seasonal, and nutritious while introducing diverse ingredients and global cuisines.”
Vlad spent a season as Head Chef at the famous five-star Balmoral Hotel before taking up his post at the school. As part of his culinary career, Vlad also worked as Head Chef at Apex Hotels and Sous Chef at Radisson Blu.
John Hutchison, Catering Manager at Fettes College, said:“In the short time I have known Vlad I have been incredibly impressed by his deep culinary knowledge, cooking and menu skills.
“His years of experience are clear and evident in every dish and menu he creates, balancing flavours with precision; and consistently delivering high quality food on the plate every time.
“Beyond his technical abilities, Vlad’s leadership skills in the kitchen are truly inspiring. He handles pressure with ease, mentors his team with care, passion and patience and brings a level of professionalism that elevates the whole catering department, which also make him very approachable with staff and students alike.”
The catering team runs regular theme days to celebrate different countries and cultures and introduce new foods to the students. The team always aims to cook nutritional food and have a well-stocked salad bar to ensure balance.
Dedicated to sustainability and quality, Vlad and the catering team prioritise locally sourced ingredients, with over 80% of the school’s food coming from Scottish suppliers. They also champion sustainable practices by consolidating orders from each supplier to minimise their carbon footprint.
BOTANICS’ TALLEST TREE IS AMONG 15 LOST – 27 MORE DAMAGED
Botanics staff reported:
‘We’re sad to announce that #StormÉowyn has caused severe damage across our Gardens.
‘At #Edinburgh, 15 trees have been lost – either uprooted or damaged beyond recovery. This includes the Garden’s tallest tree, the 29-metre Cedrus deodara, planted in 1859.
‘A further 27 trees have been heavily damaged, and more than 100 panes of glass have been lost from our glasshouses.’
The Botanics team has initiated a major clearup programme and, despite considerable damage across the site, the popular Gardens reopened yesterday.
As New Year approaches, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh encourages visitors to make the most of the festive season by taking a trip to this year’s magical Christmas at the Botanics.
Running over 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 December, the trail offers a ‘Twixmas’ treat for family and friends looking to fill the festive gap between Christmas and New Year.
Transforming the Garden with new installations and spectacular illuminations, the trail has been designed and assembled to complement the Botanics’ existing landscape, with nearly 95% of the lights on the trail being LED.
With the return of Christmas classics, this is the last chance for visitors to snap a picture in the iconic Christmas Cathedral or catch a glimpse of Santa before he sets off for the North Pole to prepare for next year’s festivities.
The magical after-dark event is not only an unmissable winter activity for families and friends but also allows visitors to support the Garden’s wider work to address biodiversity loss and the climate crisis.
Ticket sales help fund the Botanics’ international plant research, conservation work and education programmes, strengthening their commitment to building a positive future for plants, people and the planet.
Raoul Curtis-Machin, Director of Horticulture and Visitor Experience at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “The days between Christmas and New Year can often feel like a tricky gap to fill for families looking to keep the kids entertained during the holidays.
“Christmas at the Botanics offers the perfect way to make the most of this time with a chance to see the Garden illuminated like never before and support the important conservation work we do.
“Every ticket sold helps us address global challenges like biodiversity loss and climate change, making it a meaningful and memorable way to end the year.”
As many manage the costs of the holidays, the event offers a low-priced off-peak ticket as well as reduced-pricing family tickets, making this the most affordable, accessible and inclusive trail yet.
Tickets for this year’s show are still on sale with visitors encouraged to book in advance to guarantee their preferred timeslot. For further ticket information, pricing, and timings, please click here.
Christmas at the Botanics is one of 14 illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter RG Live, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.
For more details visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.
Fettes College has been named Scottish Independent School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2025 (GCSE/A level) in the Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide 2025.
Fettes College, the only school in Scotland offering pupils the choice between A Levels and the International Baccalaureate (IB), has received recognition for academic excellence for its GCSE and A Level curriculum and results.
The school is also recognised as the Top IB School in Scotland and a Top Ten IB School in the UK.
Schools are ranked based on the average points achieved in the International Baccalaureate examinations and the percentage of A*, A, and B grades across all A-Level entries in summer 2024.
Helen Harrison, Head of Fettes College, said:“This achievement is largely down to the hard work of our students, who are always striving for the best and who dedicate the time to their education and individual growth.
“However, it wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support of all of our teaching staff, who commit their days to bringing the best out of our students and providing them with a quality education that sets them up for life outside of school.
“The quality of education we deliver goes beyond achieving impressive academic results at GCSE, A Levels, and the IB. Our curriculum, including our bespoke Middle School Diploma, is designed to stretch and challenge students beyond the confines of the exam specification and encourages students to achieve excellent outcomes and to aim high.
“We want to empower our students to work independently and to think critically, encouraging innovation and creativity and setting them up for success in the Sixth Form and beyond. It’s fantastic to receive this recognition.”
82% of Fettes’ recent leavers secured places at their first-choice universities, both in the UK and internationally.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh sparkles like never before as Christmas at the Botanics kicks off the festive season in style. Visitors are invited to witness the Garden transformed by new installations and enchanting illuminations, bringing the beauty of plants to life.
Running for 35 nights on selected evenings from 21 November to 30 December, the trail has been designed and assembled to complement the Botanics’ existing landscape, with nearly 95% of the lights on the trail being LED.
With the return of Christmas classics, visitors can look forward to a stroll through the mesmerising Christmas Cathedral, the backdrop for many happy memories, and look out for Santa along the way.
With 80% of the trail revised for a fresh perspective of the Garden, new installations for 2024 include:
Sea of Light (Root Network): A large-scale installation covering the ground with thousands of individually controlled LED lights, reminiscent of the roots of trees and plants that twist and turn under the ground.
Robins: A sparkling flock of red, gold, bronze and orange robins evoke festive cheer as their sequined feathers shimmer in the breeze.
Pealit Tree: Thousands of tiny bright LED lights illuminate the Turner oak, Quercus turneri Pseudoturneri, one of the Garden’s mightiest trees and a country champion in Scotland for its remarkable girth.
Firework Trees: Vibrant bursts of light shoot through the tree branches, bringing the air to colourful life and all set to an atmospheric winter soundtrack.
The magical after-dark trail is not only an unmissable winter activity for families and friends but also allows visitors to support the Garden’s wider work to tackle the biodiversity crisis and climate emergency.
Ticket sales help fund the Botanics’ international plant research, conservation work and education programmes, strengthening its commitment to building a positive future for plants, people and the planet.
Sarah Cathcart, Director of Learning and Engagement at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, says: “It’s my first Christmas at the Botanics as Director of Learning and Engagement, and I’m excited to share the experience with the public to bring to light the amazing stories about the Garden’s diverse collection of plants.
“The trail offers a unique opportunity for visitors to connect with the important conservation work we do year-round. Each installation depicts a story about the inspiration taken from the natural world, encouraging visitors of all ages to think more deeply about protecting our planet.”
As many prepare for rising festive costs, the event offers an off-peak ticket as well as reduced-priced family tickets, making this the most affordable, accessible and inclusive trail yet.
Tickets for this year’s show are on sale now with visitors encouraged to book in advance to guarantee their preferred timeslot.
For further ticket information, pricing, and timings, please click here.
Christmas at the Botanics is one of 14 illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter RG Live, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.
For more details visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.
16 May 2025, 7:30pm
Inverleith St Serf’s Church, 280 Ferry Rd, Edinburgh EH5 3NP
Suggested Donations: £15 (at the door)
