Category: North Edinburgh News

Omaze launches first ever house draw in Scotland with spectacular £3.5m property + £100k cash  

  • Omaze launches first ever house draw in Scotland with spectacular £3,500,00 six-bedroom home in Gleneagles – as well as £100,000 in cash
  • Campaign will raise crucial funds for Breast Cancer Now
  • Draw launched by Breast Cancer Now Ambassador and Scottish Broadcaster, Kaye Adams

One lucky person is guaranteed to win a spectacular six-bedroom home in Scotland overlooking Gleneagles golf course, worth over £3,500,000, along with £100,000 in cash, as part of a new campaign raising money and awareness for Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity during Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October).

The winner of the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw, the first ever to be held in Scotland, will get the keys to an exquisitely designed property complete with its own entertainment room, leisure suite, cinema room, guest annexe and even a golf simulator – ideal for the winner to practise their swing as the house overlooks the third fairway of one of the world’s most famous golf courses.

The elegant six-bedroom (all en suite) property offers a breathtaking backdrop of the Ochil Hills and includes a one-bedroom guest annexe. It comes mortgage free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered. 

The winner is also given £100,000 in cash and can decide to either live in the house, rent it out for a supplementary income or sell it to become a cash multi-millionaire. 

If the winner decides to rent it out, local estate agents estimate that the property could achieve a long-term annual rental value of around £7,500 per month. 

The design of the contemporary property provides exceptional entertainment spaces and is set within over half an acre of mature gardens and grounds.

The heart of the home is an ornate open plan kitchen and dining area that opens onto the south-facing garden with sliding doors. The room is further complimented by a cosy lounge space, connected to the dining area by a double sided fireplace. 

The kitchen features a central island with breakfast bar, as well as granite worktops and high-spec integrated appliances including oven, induction hob, steam oven, fridge, freezer, coffee machine, microwave and ice machine. 

Adjacent to the kitchen is a cinema room, with a built-in state-of-the-art audio visual system and blackout blinds.

The ground floor also offers two studies, both of which have potential for use as additional bedrooms. This level also features a utility room, with a pantry and door to the garden.

There is also a boot room and a vaulted cellar with brick alcoves. Additionally, there’s an adjacent plant room in the basement.

The leisure suite can be accessed through double doors beyond the kitchen or from the front courtyard. It includes a gym with a vaulted ceiling, steam room, shower room, changing room, integrated Sonos speakers, mounted flatscreen TV, full-length windows overlooking the courtyard, and sliding doors to the garden patio featuring a hot tub. 

The first floor features a guest annexe, accessed from the front courtyard through a side door.

The apartment has a bedroom with en suite bathroom, open-plan kitchen, dining and living room with a south-facing balcony. 

One of the highlights of the property is the entertainment room on the first floor. It features timber beams with a double-width stove with a stone surround, and floor to ceiling south-facing windows.

A minstrels’ gallery interior balcony from the second floor overlooks the room, with a bespoke stone-topped bar at one end and a south-facing balcony at the other, offering views of The Queen’s Course and Ochil Hills.

The luxurious main bedroom on this floor has a south-facing balcony, vaulted ceiling, two dressing rooms, and an en suite bathroom with twin basins and a separate shower.

Additionally, there are three further double bedrooms, all with en suite bathrooms. Two of these bedrooms have dressing areas, while the third has a balcony.

The top floor serves as a peaceful retreat, featuring a snug with its own balcony and fireplace.

There are two more double bedrooms on this floor, one with an en suite bathroom and separate shower, the other with an en suite dressing room and shower room. 

An external staircase leads to a virtual golf room situated above the garage. The golf simulator allows players to choose from various courses, including Gleneagles, making it an excellent option for indoor entertainment.

There is a front lawn, with stocked borders and flower beds, and the main gardens are located at the rear.

A paved terrace features standing stones that provide a perfect setting for alfresco dining and outdoor entertaining. Towards the east end of the garden is a hot tub and decking area, complete with sun-loungers and direct access to the leisure suite.

The property is accessed through electric double gates that lead to the parking courtyard at the front.

The property includes a triple garage and a storage area for bicycles and golf equipment. 

The house offers excellent transport links to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both cities have international airports. There are also rail links from Gleneagles, Perth and Stirling, as well as Dunblane.

As well as making its Grand Prize Winner a multi-millionaire, the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Scotland, will support Breast Cancer Now – raising vital funds to help the charity continue its life-changing research and support for people affected by breast cancer. 

Every year, 55,000 women and 400 men hear the devastating news that they have breast cancer, and this breast cancer awareness month alone, 5,000 more people will be diagnosed with the disease.

1 in 7 women in the UK will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. And more people are being diagnosed than ever before. 

Breast Cancer Now is working to create a future where if you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, you’ll live. And you’ll be supported to live well.

By entering the Million Pound House draw, you can help make that future happen. Omaze has guaranteed a minimum donation of £100,000 and has a target of at least £1,000,000.

The draw has been launched by Scottish Broadcaster and Breast Cancer Now Ambassador, Kaye Adams, who has been involved with the charity since 2007.

Kaye said:“I’m absolutely delighted that Omaze have come to my beloved Scotland for the first time ever for its latest house draw. What’s even better is that money raised will help Breast Cancer Now to continue its world-class research and life-changing support. 

“Breast Cancer Now is a charity which is incredibly close to my heart. I’ve had many friends and colleagues affected by breast cancer. Your support for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw will help Breast Cancer Now to continue to be there for anyone affected by breast cancer.”

James Oakes, Chief International Officer at Omaze, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Breast Cancer Now for our first ever house draw in Scotland. By offering this stunning property, along with £100,000 in cash, we’re giving people the choice to either live in an incredible house, rent it out for a supplementary income or simply sell up and become multi-millionaires.

“At the same time we’re raising money and awareness for charities by introducing them to large, brand new audiences. 

“We’re immensely proud that the Omaze community has already raised £18,750,000 for good causes across the UK.”

In addition to winning the Grand Prize house – people who enter by midnight on Sunday 15th October will also be in with the chance to win a brand-new Porsche Macan GTS worth over £80,000.

Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Scotland are available now at omaze.co.uk The draw closes on Sunday 29th October for online entries and Tuesday 31st October for postal entries.

Entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Devon are also available now at www.omaze.co.uk. The draw closes on Saturday 30th September 2023 for online entries and Tuesday 3rd October 2023 for postal entries.

For full terms and conditions, see www.omaze.co.uk. No purchase necessary to enter. Over 18s and UK residents only.

Understanding the impact of the transition to net zero on low paid jobs

Discussions about the necessities and trade-offs around the transition to net zero are back on the news agenda this week (write Fraser of Allander Institute’s EMMA CONGREVER and CIARA CRUMMEY).

The changes required to meet net zero targets are complex and challenging yet the risks of not doing enough are immense.  Inherent in this are trade-offs but also opportunities. An ordered transition where businesses and households have certainty over what they will need to do is the best way to minimise harm to incomes and to maximise the benefits that can be realised.

For many businesses and households, the costs associated transition to net zero will be manageable, and perhaps even cost effective in the long run. But for some, the upfront costs will be difficult to manage.

Whilst there is a general awareness of the direct costs that will fall on households from, for example the phasing out of gas boilers (a devolved policy, so not affected by the UK Prime Minister’s recent announcement) there is also the impact in livelihoods due to changes in the structure of the economy.

At the moment, all the attention is on the ‘just transition’ for workers in carbon-intensive industries, in the North East in particular. But the impact on jobs could be far wider than this.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation asked us, along with colleagues in the Strathclyde Business School, to look into the potential for disruption to jobs in the wider Scottish economy, particularly in relation to low paid jobs. Our assessment of the available literature and various Scottish Government plans, reports and action plans didn’t provide much to go on, so we embarked on some experimental mapping and modelling of the potential intersection of net zero and low pay.

Today we published a report that we hope provides a rationale and a way forward for government, and others, to consider this issue fully. Whilst we can’t yet confidently put a figure on it, we have found that there is potential for significant disruption to jobs in sectors that employ large numbers of low pay workers, including retail and hospitality.

The mechanisms through which this impact could be felt are varied. Issues we looked at included the knock-on impact from depressed wages in areas where carbon intensive businesses cease trading. We also considered the impact on the viability of businesses with large commercial footprints who may need to invest large amounts to bring buildings up to new energy efficient standards.

There are many unknowns in this type of analysis, including the sufficiency of government policy and the behavioural response from consumers. For example, the Scottish Government is hoping to see car use reduced in Scotland.

Households may also independently decide they wish to reduce car use. It is easy to see how this could impact on the viability of out-of-town shopping centres that rely on customers arriving by car and if there aren’t serious efforts to provide adequate replacement public transport or alternative active travel routes, these large centres of employment may become unviable.

Some of the scenarios that we work through may not lead to jobs disappearing completely, but simply shifting to other places or other sectors. There are two further issues to consider here. Firstly, low paid workers tend to be less flexible on where they can work, due to a variety of factors including available transport and difficulties finding affordable childcare to cover long commuting times.

They also tend have less of a financial buffer to deal with even short periods of unemployment. Secondly, simply moving low paid jobs from one place to another misses a crucial opportunity to maximise the benefits that the transition to net zero could bring by providing career pathways into new, higher paid, growth sectors.

There is an opportunity here to better join up Scottish Government ambitions on tackling poverty and the transition to net zero that is currently missing from both the Just Transition plans and the Fair Work Action Plan. We hope this analysis will be useful in informing the future development of this work.

Car Free Day: We’re reimagining streets for people, says Transport Convener

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, writes about the opportunity to consider green, healthy ways to travel this Car Free Day:

Today we’re marking World Car Free Day, which is an opportunity to think about greener, healthier ways to travel for everyday journeys, and the benefits these can have for our quality of life and our capital.

Here in Edinburgh, we’re celebrating alternative modes of transport with everything from cycle training in Sighthill Park to nature storytelling at Bridgend Farm. In fact, there will be a whole month of events, coinciding with Love to Ride’s biking challenge, Cycle September, helping people to explore the benefits of walking, wheeling, cycling and travel by public transport.

Of course, it takes more than one day, or even a month, to change travel habits, and to make sure people feel safe and able to make the leap to new modes of transport.

In Edinburgh, we’ve committed to supporting safe, sustainable and fair travel as part of the City Mobility Plan to 2030. Transport is the largest producer of carbon emissions in Scotland, so if we are to reach our Net Zero 2030 targets, as well as reducing congestion, improving air quality and helping to encourage healthier lifestyles, we need to improve the way people move around, to and from the city.

Luckily, the wheels are already in motion. Across the city we’re implementing changes, small and large, which will help to deliver attractive, reliable and sustainable transport options.

Perhaps the most high-profile development in recent months has been the landmark completion of the Trams to Newhaven project, which is now providing a high capacity, low emission route to Leith’s densely populated heart.

In fact, our award-winning Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses services are the reason public transport in Edinburgh is so good – indeed, if you are on a bus in Edinburgh look out for Gary Black (Lothian Buses) and Thomas Gilhooley (East Coast Buses) – both won recognition as Scotland’s best bus drivers at the UK Bus Driver of the Year Competition. We want to continue to make these services even better and more reliable through the Public Transport Action Plan.

This is alongside ambitious plans to transform walking, wheeling and cycling routes connecting every corner of the city. Projects like City Centre West to East Link and Roseburn to Union Canal are already well underway and, on the horizon, George Street and First New Town, Meadows to George Street and West Edinburgh Link, amongst other exciting developments, will help boost the city economy and make a truly connected cycling and walking network a reality.

It’s about the way we manage the city too – strategies such as our review of parking will have a real impact on creating walkable streets, while road safety actions are helping people to feel confident to choose travel by foot, wheels or bike.

Work to create and enhance School Travel Plans for every school will address the barriers to children and families making active, healthy journeys. School Travel Plans are key, as I feel good habits start early in life. 

I know that for some people, particularly those with mobility issues, travel by car is the only option and we don’t want to stop that. In fact, many of the measures we’re working to introduce will free up space for those who really need it, while creating welcoming places for people of all abilities.

This Car Free Day, we’ll be joining towns and cities around the world in reimagining our streets for people.

School strikes to go ahead next week

UNISON Scotland has received a message of unwavering solidarity from Andrea Bradley, the General Secretary of the EIS Union.

In this message, she extends heartfelt support to our dedicated UNISON members within the Education sector who have taken a courageous stand for fair pay on behalf of all local government workers.

Highlighting the invaluable contributions of education workers to the growth and development of young minds and our society as a whole, Andrea Bradley emphasises the urgent need to address the undervaluation of their work:

Solidarity from EIS

“The EIS stands in full solidarity with UNISON members within Education who have been forced to take strike action in the just fight for fair pay.

Education is a vital public service within which workers are contributing massively to young people’s learning, care and development for the benefit of our whole society.

Yet we continue to see that work being undervalued by those who hold the purse-strings. All power to your members for their courage in standing up for themselves, their colleagues and their families… and for the future of Scottish Education. All school staff deserve to be paid fairly for the essential work that they do. No ifs, no buts, no maybes. Solidarity from the EIS!”

– Andrea Bradley, EIS General Secretary

COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann responded yesterday: “I am extremely disappointed with the news from UNISON today that not only are they recommending rejection of this half a billion pay package – they are putting our communities, especially our children and young people, through the turmoil and mayhem of strikes next week with their actions.

“We have met every ask of our Trade Union colleagues throughout these negotiations and this best and final offer was made on the basis that strikes would be suspended.

“We absolutely value all our Local Government Workforce and throughout these negotiations Council Leaders have re-iterated the value we place on the Workforce and the work that they do.

“It is totally unacceptable that with such a significant offer on the table that our Trade Union colleagues are putting our communities and our young people through the turmoil of strikes.

“It must be reiterated that we are talking about a pay package worth over £445 million, specifically targeted at the lower end of our workforce.  A pay package which not only compares well to other sectors but recognises the cost-of-living pressures on our workforce and which would mean the lowest paid would see an in-year uplift of over £2000 or just under 10%.  

“This would mean that a pupil support assistant currently earning £22,000 would receive a £2006 pay increase and a new salary of £24.000. This is an additional £748 from the offer in April.”

Your Pay: The Facts PDF (21/09/23)

Research shows avoidable falls in the home can be reduced by 69 per cent

Avoidable falls in the home can be reduced up to 69 per cent with the right information and support in place, that’s according to the launch of a new report released today by Trent & Dove Housing Association and The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

The report analyses a pioneering joint project between the two organisations that investigated the incidence and causes of avoidable falls among housing associations tenants and empowered them with the tools and support to implement personal prevention measures. This was achieved through educational sessions for customers, staff and community groups, and home visits to help people identify and address hazards.

One hundred and sixty-one customers received a home visit from Trent & Dove’s customer health and safety advisor (CHSA) between September 2022 and May 2023. These were to houses, general-needs flats, bungalows, and sheltered scheme flats. 55 per cent of customers visited had had a fall in the 12 months before their home visit, more than the NICE annual national averages. Sixty per cent were reliant on a mobility aid including sticks, scooters, walkers, and crutches.

During visits, the CHSA conducted fall focused home safety checks introduced tenants to RoSPA’s Fall Fighter material and given tailored home safety advice.

After the visit, 90 per cent said they knew more about fall prevention, 91 per cent felt safer at home, 74 per cent took action to avoid a fall at home and 73 per cent felt less likely to have a fall at home. Sixty nine per cent of those in the pilot study experienced a reduction in avoidable falls.

Jules Robinson, Fall Prevention Lead at RoSPA and former Trent & Dove employee, said: “There are approximately 1,500 housing associations in the UK with a reach of 4.4 million households, so we urge all of those to act and as a starting point, implement fall RoSPA’s Fall Fighters which is free.

“While housing associations can understand the benefits of putting fall prevention at the heart of their strategies, it can seem like a costly exercise. But there is a strong business case to do so – by assessing tenant needs, they may be able to transition to a smaller, more suitable home, and by receiving lifestyle and safety advice, they’re better prepared to look after themselves and the property.”

Anna Hickman, Head of Health and Safety at Trent & Dove, said: “We are buoyed by our research that shows that we can make a difference to tenants’ lives by reducing avoidable falls through taking relatively simple measures to ensure they feel safe and confident in their own homes.

“Until now there has been relatively little data for those in the housing sector about falls in the home, so we hope our work paves the way for other housing associations that are passionate about saving and improving lives.”

To explore falls related resources and learn more about RoSPA’s Fall Fighter training, please see here.

Fall-Prevention-Project-Full-ReportDownload

The Leith Collective launches its winter coat exchange ahead of ‘Christmas crisis’ predictions

Locals urged to donate to those struggling with the cost of living

The soaring cost of living, continuing high inflation and mounting energy bills will culminate in a ‘Christmas crisis’, predicts The Leith Collective. The Edinburgh Community Interest Company has been helping locals via a range of free clothing exchange initiatives throughout 2023, but says the coming season will likely be their toughest challenge yet.

First launched in January 2022, The Leith Collective’s winter coat exchange proved instantly popular, with more than 7,000 good quality coats donated and rehomed over the course of the year. But whilst many had hoped spiralling everyday expenses would settle in 2023, sadly the cost of living has continued to climb. According to The Leith Collective, the result of this is an even bigger number of Edinburgh residents now facing breaking point.

In response, The Leith Collective is now on a mission to distribute more coats than ever before and is appealing to local residents as well as businesses with excess old stock to donate what they can.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the 2023 winter coat exchange, founder Sara Thomson said; “We’ve had countless people telling us that last winter was unbearable. We all hoped that things would change for the better in 2023, but sadly it’s been cut back after cut back, price rise after price rise this year.

“For those people that had hoped to ‘ride out the storm’ last winter, the realisation that things have not improved since then and their struggles are likely to continue into 2024 will hit them hard this Christmas. 

“A warm and comfortable winter coat is a basic necessity, especially now that we’re seeing more and more extreme weather as a result of climate change. But for families that have been continually stretched, a coat yet another essential item that they are having to sacrifice.

“From our experience, the culminative effect of all these ongoing sacrifices can have a hugely detrimental impact on a person’s dignity and on their mental wellbeing.”

The winter coat exchange launches in all three Leith Collective stores on Sunday 1st October. Locals and businesses are being urged to donate good quality winter coats and waterproof jackets suitable for all ages and sizes. The coats will be available for anyone to collect at Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird and St Enoch Centre completely free of charge, no questions asked. 

The winter coat exchange is not only a practical response to the cost of living crisis, but also to the climate crisis – a cause which lies at the heart of The Leith Collective. The winter coat exchange is a sustainable solution that aims to keep quality clothes out of landfill and in use for longer, thus promoting a circular economy and helping to reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry.

As a Community Interest Company, all profits from The Leith Collective go towards supporting the community and promoting sustainability through the arts.

The Leith Collective actively supports individuals with mental health or support needs to grow in confidence and gain experience in the workplace, and offers business mentorship to any members of the Collective.

It is hoped that by hosting the winter coat exchange in accessible locations such as Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird and St Enoch Centre, those currently experiencing difficulties will be able to receive a helping hand.

Coats can be dropped off or collected at The Leith Collective at Ocean Terminal, The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird, and The Clydeside Collective at St Enoch Centre during opening hours.

Students can get free entry to Edinburgh Dungeon this September

BUT HURRY – OFFER CLOSES TOMORROW!

The Dungeons in Edinburgh, York and Blackpool are offering free entry to medical students to celebrate the start or return to university this September. 

All suffering students studying medicine will be able to claim free entry to the dark depths of the Dungeons during the 18th and 22nd of September, where they will come face to mask with the Plague Doctor, who will share their terrifying top tips to help them survive the year. 

Whether it’s fighting the dreaded freshers’ flu or battling the spine-chilling workload, the (in)famous Plague Doctor has all the answers to ensure students are imperfectly prepped for another year of sickening studies. 

The Dungeons is renowned for taking guests deep into the dark depths of each attractions’ local history, whether that be walking alongside notorious grave robbers Burke and Hare in Edinburgh, stepping inside Dick Turpin’s darkened carriage in York, or warding off the Pendle Witches in Blackpool. 

Mark Mattinson, General Manager at The York Dungeons, said: “Going to university can be one of the scariest things in a young adult’s life, and we’re here to make it even worse for them, with our truly terrifying and devilish dark experiences within our attractions. 

“There’s nothing a degree can teach you that the Plague Doctor can’t, so we thought we’d let medical students come and listen to our own in-house expert, they may even get treated for that freshers’ flu that plagues the university halls.”

To receive free entry to The Dungeons, medical students can visit their local attraction between 18th and 22nd of September and show proof of their university course when purchasing tickets. T&Cs apply*.

Not a medical student? Don’t fear! All students can get over 30% discounted tickets to the Dungeons. Students in York and Edinburgh can book directly through the Dunegons website, whereas students in Blackpool can book via Student Beans: https://www.studentbeans.com/student-discount/uk/the-blackpool-tower-dungeon

For further information and to book a visit to The Dungeons, please visit the website here: https://www.thedungeons.com/

Harvest celebration at Lauriston Agroecology Farm

Join us for our 2nd annual Harvest Celebration at Lauriston Agroecology Farm from 2pm – 5.30pm on Saturday the 30th September!

Line up as follows…

2pm – 3pm : “Arise” Storytelling Show from The Breadagogues – this show is free, but seats are limited, so please book to guarantee a reservation for the show. Unreserved standing places will also be available on the day.

Register on Eventbrite

2pm – 3pm : Soil Explorations in the field & under the microscope with Lauriston Soil Lab

2pm – 4pm : Apple Pressing with Lauriston Farm’s Orchard Group

2.30pm – 3.15pm : Herbal Walk with Grass Roots Remedies

3.00pm onwards : Food from Scran Academy

3 – 3.10pm : Spoken Word from Vicky Nyanga-Ndiaye

3.10pm – 4.10pm : Shunpike Social Club – Cumbia, Brazilian and Cuban music with big band flair

3.15pm – 4pm : Writing Workshop with Vicky Nyanga-Ndiaye

3.30pm – 5pm : Herbal Tea Bag Making with Grass Roots Remedies

4pm – 5.30pm : Grain Processing with a pedal powered mill (TBC)

4.10pm – 4.20pm : Spoken Word from Ayden Brouwers

4.20pm – 4.30pm : “Soil Health = Community Health” Cranky Theatre Show

4.30pm – 5.30pm : Open Music Session hosted by Shea Martin and Omar Afif – feel free to play or just listen to the audible pleasures. You can bring your own instrument or borrow one.

+ Veg, bread and herbal market stalls, face painting, games & crafts throughout!

#Harvest

#NorthEdinburgh

#Edinburgh

#UrbanFarm

#Agroecology

Scottish Ensemble are joined by Jasdeep Singh Degun for latest ambitious cross-genre collaboration

  • Scottish Ensemble are joined by Jasdeep Singh Degun for their latest ambitious cross-genre collaboration.
  • Scottish Ensemble partner with composer and sitarist Jasdeep Singh Degun, for a collaborative tour across Scotland this October.
  • Jasdeep is one of Britain’s leading voices in the Indian Classical Music tradition, and this tour will see him performing for the first time in Scotland.
  • The performance will feature the premier of a new composition by Jasdeep forsitar, tabla and strings, written specifically to be performed alongside Scottish Ensemble’s musicians.
  • Touring to Dundee, Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow and Manchester, this performance promises to spin a music tale of mesmerising melody, not to be missed!

“Showcases the classical music of the subcontinent but also mixes, melds and
modernises it.” – Financial Times, on Jasdeep’s debut album Anomaly

Scottish Ensemble kick off the first collaboration of their 2023/24 season performing alongside Leeds-born sitarist and composer, Jasdeep Singh Degun. Jasdeep has earned a reputation as one of the UK’s leading voices in the Indian Classical Music tradition.

He has performed at a wide range of prestigious and high-profile venues across the UK and abroad, including performing for Prince Harry as part of BBC Documentary Goldies Band; at the UN opening of the Amphitheatre in Doha, Qatar in 2012 in a concert led by composer Vangelis; accompanying Donovan at the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool; and in a sell-outperformance of his album Anomaly at the Southbank Centre’s Purcell Room.

Partnering with Scottish Ensemble, Jasdeep will be bringing his unique approach to Indian classical composition to Scottish audiences for the first time. Scottish Ensemble and Jasdeep will tour to Dundee, Edinburgh, Inverness and Glasgow, with an additional afternoon performance at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Jasdeep began work with Scottish Ensemble in July, when a quintet of string musicians to joined him and tabla player Harkiret Singh Bahra to begin developing this performance.

Together they began to bring together the complex and contrasting traditions of Indian and Western classical music. Scottish Ensemble took this opportunity to get to grips with the uber-tight rhythms and the beautiful balance of structure and freedom at the heart of the Indian classical music.

Scottish Ensemble are well-known for their innovative and ambitious cross-genre and crossartform collaborations. They strive to create exhilarating musical experiences through working with musicians from a wide array of genres and musical traditions. The development of this work has tested their musicians’ skills and challenged how they think about music and performance.

These moments are where collaboration flourishes, pushing the boundaries of form and genre, and challenging conventional musical labels or categorisation.

This performance will feature a number of compositions by Jasdeep Singh Degun, including works from his album Anomaly, alongside work by medieval German composer Hildegard von Bingen, and American contemporary composer Terry Riley.

These pieces of western repertoire are rooted in minimalism, drones, and improvisation, and were selected to complement and enhance the experience of Jasdeep’s compositions.

Hildegard von Bingen was a 12th-century abbess and polymath and is one of the most well known and most recorded composers of sacred monophony – Christian religious music which follows a single melodic line.

Drawing a contrast with this ancient music, is Terry Riley’s Sunrise of the
Planetary Dream Collector written for the Kronos Quartet in 1980.

This work allows its performers to “co-compose” a version of the piece. It is composed of 24 repeating modules designed to be combined, juxtaposed, and overlapped freely by the musicians in performance.

A highlight of the concert will come with the world premiere of a new work by Jasdeep, commissioned by Scottish Ensemble specifically for this tour.

This new work, composed for sitar, tabla, and string quintet, draws upon the creative collaboration between Jasdeep and Scottish Ensemble’s players from their initial rehearsals. Jasdeep spent two days with Scottish Ensemble’s musicians, sharing knowledge and experience, rehearsing arrangements of Jasdeep’s work and the western repertoire.

This experience and exchange of knowledge has built the foundation for Jasdeep’s new work, which is written specifically to be performed with Scottish Ensemble’s quintet of musicians.

Join Scottish Ensemble and Jasdeep Singh Degun this October for a musical tale, driven by the beautiful spontaneity of the Indian Classical tradition, transporting you through layers of mesmerising melody.

Listings Details

Dundee – Wed 4 October, 8pm – Marryat Hall
Edinburgh – Thu 5 October, 8pm – The Queen’s Hall
Inverness – Fri 6 October, 8pm – Eden Court
Glasgow – Sat 7 October, 8pm – Adelaide Place
Manchester – Sun 8 October, 4pm– Royal Northern College of Music

Tickets – https://scottishensemble.co.uk/programme/2023-24/jasdeep-singh-degun/