Free-to-enter global competition launches as new PISA results reignite focus on numeracy and attainment
Youngsters aged 4 to 14 are being invited to put their mathematical skills to the test as part of Maths Week Scotland 2026, with entries now open for the 10th International Maths Olympiad Challenge.
Organised by Glasgow-based educational technology provider British Youth International College (BYITC), the free-to-enter challenge will run during Maths Week Scotland from 21 to 27 September, giving young learners from around the world the opportunity to compete alongside their peers in a global celebration of mathematics.
The launch comes as the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results highlight the growing importance of raising attainment and engagement in mathematics. The international study, published this week, showed England improving its position in maths, reading and science, while Scotland and Wales recorded lower rankings, reinforcing calls across the education sector for continued investment and innovation to support numeracy and learning outcomes.
Since its launch, participation in the International Maths Olympiad Challenge has grown significantly, with numbers increasing by approximately 60 per cent since 2015 and thousands of students from more than 50 countries now taking part each year.
Notably, around 90 per cent of Olympiad winners to date have come from the UK, demonstrating the strong mathematical talent being developed across the country while also highlighting the opportunity for young people to benchmark their abilities against peers from around the world.
Dr Rashmi Mantri OBE, Founder and CEO of BYITC Supermaths, said: “Reaching the 10th International Maths Olympiad Challenge is a proud milestone for everyone involved with BYITC.
“The latest PISA results have once again sparked important discussions about educational standards and attainment. Opportunities that encourage children to engage positively with mathematics, build confidence and challenge themselves beyond the classroom have never been more important.
“Through the Olympiad, children can experience the excitement of competing on a global stage while strengthening logical thinking, problem-solving abilities and numeracy skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.”
The competition has been designed to encourage children to challenge themselves, improve their speed and accuracy, and develop a positive relationship with mathematics. Open to all children aged 4 to 14, the Olympiad allows participants to test their abilities against age-appropriate challenges in a supportive and competitive environment.
A key feature of the competition is the technology that enables thousands of participants from different locations to take part in a common challenge. BYITC Supermaths has developed sophisticated digital infrastructure to support the online delivery of the Olympiad, including assessment, results processing and participant management at scale.
Dr Mantri added: “One of the most valuable aspects of the Olympiad is the opportunity for children to measure themselves against international peers.
“While UK participants have historically achieved remarkable success, winning around 90 per cent of awards over the years, the competition also exposes children to a truly global learning environment that broadens horizons and inspires ambition.
“Technology has played a vital role in the growth of the Olympiad over the past decade. It allows us to connect children from different countries, provide a seamless competition experience and celebrate mathematical achievement on a global scale.
“Most importantly, the Olympiad demonstrates that mathematics can be exciting, rewarding and accessible to every child.
“As we celebrate Maths Week Scotland, we are encouraging families, schools and young learners to get involved and experience the challenge for themselves.”
Participants will compete for a range of awards, with trophies and certificates presented to winners across the various categories.
The 10th International Maths Olympiad Challenge is free to enter and open to children aged 4 to 14 worldwide.
The William Syson Foundation Travel Fundwas launched in 2024 as a two-year pilot with a £120,000 grant commitment to encourage and support Scottish school pupils to visit, study and learn about art in Scotland’s world-class galleries and museums – and evidence and evaluation demonstrate that the Travel Fund has been a major success.
Over the two academic years of the fund, during which, the William Syson Foundation funded the programme, 150 schools and 5,400 school students visited a gallery and received a guided tour and high-quality art workshop directly tied to the curriculum at no cost to the school or the art gallery/museum.
The programme successfully removed barriers to art education and fostered a connection between schools and the galleries/museums, with a significant number of young people visiting a gallery or museum for the very first time.
• The rationale for creating theWilliam Syson Foundation Travel Fund:
Post-pandemic, the Foundation recognised a concerning and growing trend of reductions in school visits to art galleries and museums in Scotland. Research demonstrated that decreases in available funding and restricted staff resources for school visits had negatively impacted schools being able to undertake in-person day visits. One of the key findings was that the cost of travel to and from galleries and museums had become prohibitive for schools.
The following were amongst the key findings reported when schools, particularly in areas of multiple deprivation, were asked about factors that would support them wishing to reinstate visits to art galleries and museums:
– 70% of schools responded that free learning activities would encourage out-of school visits to take place and
– 64% responded that support for travel costs would have significant positive impact
• The William Syson Foundation Travel Fund was launched in 2024 to address both the above findings via a specially created grant from the Foundation that would allow schools to bring pupils to galleries and museums at no cost to the school or to the gallery/museum.
The Travel Fund was created initially as a two-year pilot in partnership with three of Scotland’s foremost cultural organisations – Aberdeen Art Gallery, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow and the National Galleries of Scotland and ran from August 2024 until June 2026.
With high demand and clear nation-wide benefits, the fund has recently been extended by the Foundation to cover the next academic year ending June 2027 (taking our total investment to nearly £190,000).
• Results
150 schools and 5,400 school students visited the three partner galleries/museums, who would not otherwise have attended. See Notes to Editors for a selection of schools.
The William Syson Foundation Travel Fund successfully removed barriers to art education and fostered a connection between schools and the galleries/museums, noting that around half of all pupils had never been to the art gallery before.
The funding employed freelance art educators, supported gallery staff, removed the administration burden from schools, provided teachers with practical support for their curriculum lessons, and gave school children a face-to-face, in person experience of engaging with the world-class artworks held in the galleries’/museums’ collections.
The Travel Fund pilot is already an evidence-based success. With costs at only £22 per pupil, the programme has led to a significant increase in school visits to the three partner organisations, thereby embedding art appreciation in the school pupils and encouraging engagement with the national collections.
• The Future
With a successful pilot track record established, The William Syson Foundation is working to embed the Travel Fund as a multi-year programme across other locations in Scotland.
The Foundation is currently recruiting other charitable and third-sector partners whose support will extend and grow this inspiring project into the future.
The next academic year 2026/27 has been fully extended by the Foundation to continue this work.
Today (Tue 15 Sep) with support from the Scottish Government’s Expanded Festivals Fund, Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding and the City of Edinburgh Council, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival launched its 37th festival programme.
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival (21 October to 31 October 2026) organised by TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland), is the world’s largest annual celebration of storytelling, based at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, but reaching out across Scotland each autumn.
Over the 11 days of the festival, in true cèilidh tradition, some of Scotland’s finest storytellers will welcome and share the stage with guest storytellers from Turkiye, Italy, Ireland, Canada and England, exploring the rich relationship between storytelling and the natural world through this year’s theme Bird and Beast.
Highlights include:
● The opening event of the festival Aderyn/Bird, with Ailsa Dixon and Ffion Phillips, whose sell-out show during this year’s Edinburgh Fringe weaves together Welsh and Scots language with magical tales of birds.
● Drut’syla traditional storyteller Shonaleigh collaborating with Turkish storytellers Nazlı Çevik Azazi and Roza Erdem to interweave traditional Anatolian tales with Shonaleigh’s ‘Bubbe’s tales’ that have been passed down through the generations.
● Italian storytellers Paola Balbi and Davide Bardi sharing a poetic and musical tale about the early years of Leonardo Da Vinci.
● Bologna’s Fraternal Compagnia APS, presenting their reinterpretation of the myth of Dedalus and Icarus. This timeless tale of rebellion and power, will be performed in recognition of the centenary of Nobel Prize winner Dario Fo.
● Tony Bonning and Allison Galbraith sharing tales of a fiery Clydesdale and a recounting of Tony’s epic adventure travelling with his horse Chief across Scotland collecting Kelpie tales, in the Year of the Horse.
● The Celtic myth of Mad Sweeney, and the story of Colin MacLeod and the Pollok Free State presented by David Hughes, sharing stories of community and resistance, belonging, masculinity and madness.
● Recently appointed Scots Scriever Claire White sharing music, film and stories from Shetland.
● Lithuanian storyteller Daiva Ivanauskaite-Brown blending folklore, family legacy, and history in Bird of Truth, accompanied by Edinburgh’s Sutartinės Lithuanian folk singers.
● Storyteller Donald Smith leading two epic storytelling sessions each over three hours in length. The first exploring the life of St Columba and the second the legends of Ossian. Each session of Rewilding Scotland’s Epics is presented in collaboration with guest storytellers from across Scotland and Ireland.
● Riikka Palonen sharing tales from the cow sheds of Finland and Satu Lankinen teaching a Nordic cow-call ‘kulning’ and exploring traditional herding songs.
● Freya McCall, Shaneen McGurnaghan and Nina Willms sharing stories and songs exploring historically-inspired stories about women weaving themselves agency, alongside three spinsters who spin fate.
● Ailsa Dixon sharing fascinating historical tales of feral, seaweed eating sheep on the Isle of North Ronaldsay who live within a 13 km area hemmed in by a dry stane dyke
● An anniversary event to mark 20 years of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and 20 years of the National Theatre of Scotland. This event, Culture, Democracy and the Stateless Nationon Fri 23 Oct, includes a special in-conversation with former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and theatre critic Joyce McMillan.
● 20 years of The Man Who Planted Trees with Richard Medrington,Rick Conte, Puppet State’s Elspeth Murray and Dog reminiscing and resharing their favourite bits of the show.
Plus, plenty of classics including Farsi masterpiece The Conference of the Birds retold by storyteller Jumana Moon and Dawud Duncan; The Battle of the Birds darkly reimagined for Samhuinn by storyteller Owen Pilgrim; Peter Chandand Kirsten Milliken sharing tales of nymphs and water; and North East storytellers Sheena Blackhall, Jackie Ross and Arwen Scott sharing some of Traveller storyteller Stanley Robertson’s favourite nature tales.
In addition, Nana Tomova launches her new book Bulgarian Folk Tales; Deaf storyteller Tania Allan and a group of BSL Storytelling Apprentices share stories of birds and beasts; Màiri MacMillan leads a session When the Birds Spoke Gaelic weaving song with bird calls and music; and Traveller storyteller Jess Smith presents the fairy tale Mossycoat, with live harp and dance.
For younger audiences and families there’s a packed programme of events over the October school holidays kicking off on Saturday 10 October, ahead of the festival’s main programme.
Family highlights include a free Family Storytelling Day at the National Museum of Scotland on Saturday 24 October; craft workshops to celebrate Samhuinn; new storytelling sessions at Edinburgh Zoo; an opportunity to celebrate our shared living heritage through a full day of story, crafts, dance, music and song (17 Oct); the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s announcement of this year’s winners of the Words of the Wild nature writing competition.
Plus, there are workshops for young tellers age 7-10 years to learn the art of live storytelling, kicking off with a different Aesop Fable each day; the premiere of Andy Cannon’s new show The Last People on Earth about the Battle for Mons Graupius, almost 2000 years ago; sensory stories; and the return of festival favourites Macastory.
Throughout the festival, audiences can also enjoy relaxed Open Hearth sessions with storytellers and musicians; share their own stories on different themes in Morning Circles and Story Circles; and participate in workshops.
Workshop highlightsinclude tipson live story translation; ghost storytelling with Ines Alvarez Villa and Deaf BSL storyteller Tania Allan; theatrical storytelling skills through improvisation and mask work with Bologna’s famous Fraternal Compagnia APS who are guests at this year’s festival; an introduction to Greek myths Psyche and Eros exploring moments of ancient wisdom and how they resonate with us today; and how to make stories accessible for all audiences particularly those who speak different languages.
Go Local returns this year, with over 100 events taking place in community halls, pubs and parks across Scotland. New voices from East Lothian will be joining storytellers from Shetland to Dumfries throughout October and November, to celebrate Scottish storytelling.
Finally, this year’s festival exhibition Folkloria!, hosted at the Scottish Storytelling Centre will feature prints and illustrations by Morvern Graham whose work is rooted in the realms of folklore, wild places, landscape and history.
Pic Neil Hanna
07702 246823
Culture Cabinet Secretary Màiri McAllansaid: “Over nearly four decades, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival has celebrated our nation’s rich storytelling traditions, bringing together voices from across Scotland and around the world.
“Backed by multi-year funding from Creative Scotland and the Expanded Festivals Fund, the Scottish Government is proud to support this outstanding, globally significant cultural event.
“As we mark 20 years of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, this year’s programme theme, Bird and Beast, captures the deep connection between our stories and the natural world we share. The largest ever Go Local programme underlines the importance the festival places on community, and bringing people together, through events in towns and villages across Scotland.
“I’d encourage everyone to explore this year’s programme and discover storytelling’s power to connect us with each other and the world around us.”
Daniel Abercrombie, Scottish International Storytelling Festival Director said: “We are delighted to present this special moment in Scotland’s storytelling calendar which showcases this wonderful oral tradition across the whole of Scotland.
“The Scottish International Storytelling Festival is a place where creative opportunities are nurtured and where creative risks can be taken, where the tradition is safeguarded and the contemporary is encouraged.
“Our Bird and Beast theme this year allows us a chance to enjoy and explore stories which carry a message about the way humans can understand and respect the planet we share with animals and nature.
“We look forward to welcoming old and new friends this autumn, to celebrate with a programme full of imagination, opportunity and generosity, led with great skill and enthusiasm by our storytellers, for it’s through them that we continue to celebrate and be proud of our storytelling scene in Scotland.”
Catriona Hawksworth, Traditional Arts Officer at Creative Scotland, said: “Storytelling is a vital part of Scotland’s cultural life- connecting us to our heritage while creating space for new voices, new ideas and international exchange.
This year’s festival will weave these strands together in a programme that celebrates Scotland’s rich storytelling traditions while opening them up to audiences and artists from around the world and making storytelling accessible to communities and audiences across Scotland.”
BBC Radio 4’s long-running drama ‘The Archers’ celebrates its 75th anniversary with a brand new live theatrical experience, invitingGlasgow and Edinburgh audiences to experience the village of Ambridge as they’ve never seen – or indeed heard – it before.
Touring from June to November 2026, this brand-new live production brings the beloved iconic radio drama out of the studio and onto stages across the UK. Hosted by award-winning comedian and Archers devotee Angela Barnes, each performance features a cast of four actors alongside Vanessa Nuttall, The Archers’ live sound-effects specialist.
Joining the tour are eight of Ambridge’s most beloved voices and appearing in both Scottish cities will be Tim Bentinck (David Archer), Annabelle Dowler (Kirsty Miller), Charlotte Martin (Susan Carter) and Ben Norris (Ben Archer) known collectively as the tours “Flower Cast”.
(Other dates will include the “Produce Cast” of Charles Collingwood (Brian Aldridge), Ryan Kelly (Jazzer McCreary), Susie Riddell (Tracy Horrobin) and Sunny Ormonde (Lilian Bellamy).
L-R: Tim Bentinck, Charlotte Martin, Annabelle Dowler, Ben Norris
First broadcast on 1st January 1951, The Archers is the world’s longest-running radio drama. Broadcasting six times a week to millions of listeners, the programme follows the everyday lives, loves, and dramas of the residents of the fictional village of Ambridge, deep in the heart of the English countryside.
Over the course of more than 20,000 episodes, the show has chronicled significant social and cultural changes in Britain, dealing with complex contemporary issues alongside the traditional rhythms of rural life, earning its place as a cornerstone of the British cultural landscape.
Today, it remains one of the BBC’s most popular programmes and is currently the top on-demand show for listeners of all ages – as well as regularly topping the list of most popular on-demand programmes for listeners under 35 – on BBC Sounds.
Set within a playful reimagining of the Ambridge Flower & Produce Show, The Archers: Live at 75 blends theatricality, nostalgia, comedy and behind-the-scenes insight.
The evening will include on-stage interviews, insider stories and gossip,live performances with live foley sound effects of specially written scenes created exclusively for the tour, archive treasures spanning seven decades from the BBC vaults, fascinating demonstrations of the sound-effects artistry that brings the fields, kitchens and barns of Ambridge so vividly to life, audience questions, an interactive pub quiz straight out of The Bull and of course, a sing-along to the programme’s famous theme tune.
This is a theatrical, one-of-a-kind celebration of, and a unique insight into, the people, stories and distinctive production craft that have cemented The Archers as a beloved British institution for three generations.
The tour offers newcomers an accessible introduction to the drama’s world, while giving long-time listeners a rare look into how Ambridge is created – revealing the artistry behind the character work, development of storylines, and the unmistakable soundscape that define the series.
Charlotte Martin (Susan Carter) says: “I’m so thrilled to be part of The Archers tour – bringing 75 magical years of Ambridge to the stage is an absolute dream come true!
“I can’t wait to share the laughter, tears and heart of Ambridge with fans everywhere!”
Timothy Bentinck (David Archer) says:“I’m so excited to be part of the upcoming The Archers national tour of the UK. We’ll be on stage but the show will be very interactive, and Archers listeners and fans will be just as much a part of it as us.
“So come and join us at the Flower and Produce Show, and as an added treat get to see how the clever sound effects are achieved. Hint, it’s all done with yoghurt and ironing boards!”
Angela Barnes (host)says: “I am not just an Archers superfan, I am obsessed with all things Ambridge. So to be asked to host The Archers: Live at 75 is like winning a prize at the Flower and Produce Show and being cast as the lead in a Lynda Snell production, all rolled into one.
“I can’t wait to hang out with all of my favourite characters and really immerse myself in Borsetshire life.”
Alison Hindell, Drama and Fiction Commissioner, BBC Radio 4, says: “The Archers is one of the BBC’s most-loved programmes and we are tremendously proud of it as it reaches its 75th year.
“We hope that the live show will give fans even more of what they love, joining in the celebrations with an extra slice of Ambridge life.”
Lost Shore Surf Resort has won the Surf Park Community Impact Award at the 2026 Surf Park Summit in Virginia Beach, USA, securing international recognition for its work to make surfing more accessible and use the sport as a force for positive social change.
The award recognises surf parks creating meaningful, lasting change in their communities through areas including youth programmes, regional partnerships, inclusive participation, workforce development and surf therapy.
Since opening near Edinburgh in November 2024, Lost Shore has made community impact a central part of the resort, working with organisations including The Wave Project and Inclusive Surfing Scotland to open up the benefits of surfing to people who might otherwise struggle to access them.
The Wave Project is the UK’s surf therapy charity, using surfing and one-to-one volunteer mentoring to support children and young people experiencing mental health challenges, helping them build confidence, resilience and self-esteem.
In 2025, it delivered its six-week Surf Therapy programme at Lost Shore to 62 young people aged eight to 18 from across Fife, Edinburgh, Lanarkshire, the Lothians and Glasgow, with every participant receiving one-to-one support. Weekly Surf Club sessions provided more than 400 hours of continuing support.
Lost Shore’s inland location has also enabled The Wave Project to accept referrals from Glasgow, Lanarkshire, West Lothian and parts of inner-city Edinburgh that it previously could not reach.
Inclusive Surfing Scotland provides adaptive surfing for children and adults with disabilities, breaking down barriers to the sport through tailored equipment and professional support in safe, inclusive environments. At Lost Shore, consistent and customisable waves, accessible changing facilities and adapted water access allow the charity to support everyone from first-time adaptive surfers to experienced para surfers.
In 2025, Inclusive Surfing Scotland delivered 76 sessions supporting 79 surfers, with all surveyed participants reporting that surfing made them feel more confident and happier and improved their mental health.
Andy Hadden, founder of Lost Shore Surf Resort, said: “This award means an enormous amount because community impact was never something we intended to bolt onto Lost Shore after we opened. It was part of the reason for building it in the first place.
“What makes me proudest is seeing young people find confidence in the water, disabled surfers catch waves with Inclusive Surfing Scotland, and our facility used to support emergency service workers.
“To have that work recognised internationally is incredibly special. It shows that a surf park can be much more than somewhere to catch waves. Our ambition now is to keep widening access and show that commercial success and meaningful social impact can go hand in hand.”
Ruaridh Farquharson of The Wave Project said: “Lost Shore has changed who we can reach. A young person in Glasgow, Lanarkshire or inner-city Edinburgh should not be excluded from the benefits of surf therapy simply because they live too far from the sea.
“At Lost Shore we have a safe, predictable environment and, crucially, the community of trained volunteers that makes surf therapy work. “Our evaluation data consistently shows positive improvements in the wellbeing of the young people who take part, and research shows that every £1 invested to our Surf Therapy courses returns £2 in social value. We see these benefits every day in the water.”
“Iain Donaldson of Inclusive Surfing Scotland said: “For many disabled people, the barriers to surfing start long before they ever reach the water.
“Having accessible changing facilities, smooth water access, and customisable waves at Lost Shore completely changes what’s possible. Supported by our specially trained coaches and volunteers, we’re seeing people who never imagined they could surf discover the total freedom and joy of riding a wave.
“Our impact evaluations have shown that surfing not only builds physical fitness, but positively impacts our surfers’ mental health and resilience. Recognition like this sends a vital message to the global surf industry: accessibility must be built into the future of the sport.”
Lost Shore’s wider community work includes Surfwell Blue Light CIC, which has brought trauma-informed surf therapy for frontline emergency service workers to Scotland, as well as a curriculum-linked Surf and STEM programme for schools and The Surf Lab, its research partnership with Edinburgh Napier University exploring surfing, performance, health and wellbeing.
The Community Impact Award follows Lost Shore’s Innovation Award win at the 2025 Surf Park Awards, giving the Edinburgh resort back-to-back international recognition.
Supporting sustainable fisheries, coastal communities, habitats and environment
Fishers, coastal communities, marine and environmental groups are being invited to help shape the future management of Scotland’s seas.
A consultation has been published on proposals for fisheries management measures for inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Priority Marine Feature (PMF) management areas in Scottish waters.
The proposed measures aim to protect important habitats and species while supporting sustainable fisheries and the coastal communities that depend on healthy, productive seas.
The consultation covers more than 160 sites and areas across inshore waters and will remain open until 18 January 2027, giving people a longer than usual opportunity to share their views.
There will be 26 in person drop-in events around the coast of Scotland and 17 online events for people to ask questions and provide support in responding to the consultation.
Scotland’s seas support a wealth of marine ecosystems. From ancient maerl beds and flame shell reefs to seagrass meadows and horse mussel beds, these habitats provide vital breeding, nursery and feeding grounds for a variety of marine life, which in turn support sustainable fisheries.
Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands Jim Fairlie said: “Fishing is woven into the identity of so much of Scotland, sustaining families for generations, building local economies, and shaping the rhythm of life in our coastal communities.
“We know that any change to how our seas are managed touches something deeper than policy: it touches people’s homes, their traditions, and their sense of place.
“However, we also know that marine ecosystems across the world face increasing pressures from climate change, ocean warming and habitat loss – and Scotland is not immune to these challenges. That’s why I am determined to protect our oceans in a way that is fair and ensures they remain a source of prosperity for the nation, and especially for our island and coastal communities.
“Our seas are a shared resource, and protecting them properly means looking after fish stocks, habitats and the long-term future of the very industries that rely on healthy marine environments. Healthy seas are not separate from a healthy fishing industry, they are the foundation of it.
“The development of these proposals has been informed by years of engagement, scientific evidence gathering and discussion with representatives from the fishing industry, environmental organisations, coastal communities, local authorities, and other interested parties, meeting with them over 120 times in the last four years.
“I am extremely grateful to them for their contribution and look forward to continuing to work closely with them throughout the consultation period and beyond to ensure that we achieve an appropriate balance between environmental protection and the social and economic wellbeing of our coastal and island communities.
“Given the scale and complexity of the proposals, covering more than 160 sites and areas across Scotland’s inshore waters, the consultation has been extended beyond the standard duration and will run until January next year and I urge everyone with an interest to take part and help shape the future of our marine environment.”
Eight people were arrested following disorder in Edinburgh city centre over the weekend.
Officers policing the FLY Festival music event at Princes Street Gardens on Saturday, 12 and Sunday, 13 September, 2026, were faced with a large number of youths attempting to breach the perimeter fencing, involved in anti-social behaviour, vandalism and assaults.
On Saturday, four males, aged 15, 17, 18 and 27, were arrested and charged in connection with offences including assault, breach of the peace and misuse of drugs.
On Sunday, males, aged 12, 18, 18 and 20, were also arrested in connection with similar offences.
Reports will be submitted to the relevant authorities and enquiries remain ongoing into the disorder.
Superintendent Neil Wilson said: “While the majority of people came along to the event in good spirits and without incident, there were others intent on gaining entry without tickets, involved in disorder and violence, and trespassing on the railway line. Bus transport was also disrupted as officers dealt with various incidents.
“This type of behaviour is unacceptable, dangerous and will not be tolerated. Everyone should be able to attend the city centre without fear of intimidation or harm at the hands of those who cannot conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.
“While there have been eight arrests, further enquiries are ongoing to trace others involved in the disorder. I’d appeal to anyone who has information or footage which could assist us to come forward.”
If you can help, please call 101 quoting reference 1161 of Saturday, 12 September, 2026. Alternatively, you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The North Edinburgh community said goodbye to one of the area’s most recognisable figures on Friday. Donald McDonald was a community stalwart for as long as anyone can remember, and his passing leaves the community a poorer place.
Donald was born in Pilton Crescent and lived there for almost all of his life.
He lost his mother at a young age and was brought up by his father and grandmother. Young Donald and his dad were inseparable and went everywhere together.
A shy boy, Donald did not excel at school but loved music, and the bond with his Ainslie Park music teachers Mr and Mrs McIntosh endured for many years after Donald left the local school.
He went on to work with Scottish Ominibuses, later SMT and Eastern Scottish and it was there he developed a deep love for transport, particularly buses and ferries.
He was made redundant during the Thatcher years and never worked again, but put his energy and enthusiasm to good use as a volunteer across his beloved North Edinburgh.
Donald served on a wide range of boards and management committees across North Edinburgh over many years, showing a rare commitment.
During the week, Donald would call in to visit many of his favourite projects, spending time talking to staff. He was a diligent board member, too, often turning up hours early for his own wee pre-meeeting session!
Invariably Donald would be carrying his trademark shopping bag, which was filled with a cornucopia of papers, articles, photographs and a wealth of material he was always keen to share. Sometimes during meetings he would delve into his bag and produce an item of interest; often interesting, certainly, although not always relevant to that particular meeting!
As well as being a North Edinburgh Edinburgh News board member Donald also distributed the free newspaper every month, and he often went far and beyond his own patch to share the NEN.
Weekends would see Donald attending his local Granton Parish Church, where he was a faithful member of the congregation all of his life, and also touring the length and breadth of the country, using public transport to visit far flung places to attend exhibitions, displays and shows.
Dunoon, Arbroath, Melrose, Stirling … Donald visited them all, and he made sure the North Edinburgh News was distributed in some places far outwith the Greater Pilton borders!
I remember fondly, too, his unlikely partnership with another local legend, ‘salty sea dog’ George Scammell. For some years the pair were a double act; North Edinburgh’s own Little and Large. They were doughty supporters of the campaign to save the SS Explorer, which languished, rusting and unloved, in a quite corner of Leith Docks. It took many years, but the campaign was ultimately successful,
Donald would be involved in so many campaigns and could be always be counted on to support his community when it mattered. Deputations, protests, public meetings, Donald would be there. For Donald, it was always community first.
He was an active member of many groups over the years: Granton History Group and Pilton Environment Group (PEG) are just two and in more recent years he enjoyed the debate, discussion and visits with Royston Wardieburn’s Spring Chickens and Power to the People groups.
Despite his years of commitment and dedication to his community it was absolutely no surprise that Donald was aghast when Royston Wardieburn’s management committee proposed to name a community room in his honour. Donald didn’t want any fuss, didn’t want to be in the limelight: community first.
I for one am very happy that Donald finally relented, and a plaque now bears his name in the Centre where he played such an active role and participated in so many activities over the years. I hope he was quietly proud.
Goodbye, then, dear Donald. You will be fondly remembered with great affection by all who knew you across our community.
Scottish advice service for additional support for learning
We want to empower young people to better understand their support needs, the rights related to support in school and where to get further infomation, advice and support.
In these free downloads, we signpost to Reach, Enquire’s website for children and young people, whilst two posters from our Know your Rights Series explain more about the right to support and the right to have views heard in decisions relating to support.
Find these posters – and more – in the ‘For Young People’ area of the Untangling ASL section of our website.
A POLICE officer has spoken about the lasting impact of a horror attack which left him fighting for his life in hospital.
Constable Mark Smith, 35, was on duty on Friday, 30 August, 2024 when he approached Douglas Mills Jnr and Douglas Mills Snr in a stationary vehicle on Low Waters Road, Hamilton.
When he attempted to engage with them the vehicle drove off at speed, dragging PC Smith along the road, before leaving him lying seriously injured on the ground.
He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where he received treatment for extensive injuries including a fractured skull and a significant traumatic brain injury.
Two years on, he is still waiting on reconstructive surgery to his ankle.
Douglas Mills Jnr, 32, and Douglas Mills Snr, 58, were both jailed for 17 years when they returned for sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow today (Monday, 14 September).
