Category: North Edinburgh News

Scottish Opera brings Pop-Up Opera to communities and schools across Scotland this summer

Scottish Opera’s much-loved Pop-up Opera tours to audiences all over the country from 31 May, with performances of Gilbert & Sullivan’s celebrated comic operas A Little Bit of The Gondoliers and A Little Bit of The Pirates of Penzance, and children’s opera, Puffy MacPuffer and the Crabbit Canals.

The Company has joined forces with Scottish Canals to bring public Pop-up performances to the Union Canal, Edinburgh, The Falkirk Wheel, Caledonian Canal Centre in Fort Augustus, The Egg Shed at Crinan Canal, on board a barge in partnership with Forth & Clyde Canal Society, and Stockingfield Bridge in Glasgow, in partnership with North United Communities.  

There will be additional performances in communities at Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival in Sanquhar, Moniaive, Musselburgh, Cupar, Charlestown, Milngavie, Coatbridge (at Monkland Canal), Lochcarron, Cruden Bay, Kirriemuir, Ayr and East Kilbride.

There will also be free schools performances in Dumfries & Galloway, West Lothian, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, Strathcarron, Fort Augustus, Perth, Dundee and Aberdeenshire.

In addition, Scottish Opera will be offering illustration workshops to local primary schools in some venues so they can meet and draw the characters from Puffy MacPuffer & the Crabbit Canals before coming along to see the show.

Scottish Opera’s productions use ten specially created illustrations to help the performers — storytellers Allan Dunn and Katie Barnett, along with singers Jessica Leary, Holly Teague, Colin Murray and Paul Grant, cellist Andrew Drummond Huggan and guitarists Sasha Savaloni and Luke Anderson — present the story.

Scottish Opera’sDirector of Outreach & Education, Jane Davidson MBE said: ‘This year we are once again delighted to bring our miniature musical tales to locations across the country.

‘Gilbert & Sullivan’s topsy-turvy nautical adventures will be navigating the waterways from Penzance to Venice, and we will be stopping at some of Scotland’s most beautiful canalside spots.’

Scottish Canals CEO John Paterson said: ‘We are delighted to be able to bring opera to our canalside locations this summer.

‘Partnering with Scottish Opera allows us to both deliver a truly unique, entertaining, and accessible experience for all.

‘I would encourage everyone to get out and about this summer, and enjoy some canal magic as our canal corridors become the perfect stage for these performances’

Cleverlyre-scored by Scottish Opera’s former Head of Music, Derek Clark, in A Little Bit of The Pirates of Penzance, a young man bound by an overactive sense of duty, a soft-hearted pirate king with a hopeless band of rogues at his side, a beautiful young girl, a very modern major-general and an ineffectual bevy of policemen add to a plot hinging on the technicalities of having a birthday on the 29th of February. What could possibly go wrong? 

A Little Bit of The Gondoliers satirises the ruling classes and their position within society, with the tale of two happy-go-lucky gondoliers who discover that one of them is the heir to the throne of a distant kingdom. In a show packed full of fun, the gondoliers set off to rule with an idealistic – if somewhat chaotic – plan.

Created specifically for five to eight year olds, with music and words by Marion Christie, PuffyMacPuffer & The Crabbit Canals is a tale of the five waterways that link Scotland from the North Sea to the Atlantic. Like most families, each one is different: Caledonian – the longest; Crinan – the most beautiful; hard-working Monkland; Union – the fastest; wise old Forth & Clyde. Each one thinks they’re the best. Can an ordinary little puffer boat make them think again?

These 30-minute shows take opera out of the theatre into unexpected places, and are ideal for anyone new to the artform.

Pop-up Opera was originally inspired by the ancient Japanese art of Kamishibai (which roughly translates as ‘paper story’), a form of entertainment where itinerant storytellers travelled between small communities, telling traditional folk tales using a set of small paintings to accompany the narrative.

Pop-up Opera is supported by Friends of Scottish Opera.

Tickets are on sale now at www.scottishopera.org.uk/pop-up-opera-2025/

www.scottishopera.org.uk

You can follow Scottish Opera on Bluesky, Facebook, Tik-Tok, You Tube and Instagram @ScottishOpera

Cast

Storytellers Allan Dunn & Katie Barnett

Sopranos  Jessica Leary &Holly Teague

Baritones   Colin Murray & Paul Grant

CelloAndrew Drummond Huggan  

Guitar Sasha Savaloni & Luke Anderson

With illustrations by Iain Piercy & Otto von Beach

Performance Diary

Public performances

A’ the Airts, Sanquhar 

31 May, 1pm & 3pm

Glencairn Memorial Institute, Moniaive

1 June, 1pm & 3pm

North Esk Parish Church, Musselburgh

5 June, 7pm (double bill performance)

Cupar Corn Exchange

6 June, 7pm (double bill performance)

Queen’s Hall, Charlestown, Dunfermline

7 June, 1pm & 3pm

Lochrin Basin, Edinburgh (Union Canal)

8 June, 1pm & 3pm (free outdoor performances)

Milngavie Town Hall

13 June, 2pm & 4pm

Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, Coatbridge (Monkland Canal)

14 June, 3pm (free performance), 7pm (ticketed double bill)

The Falkirk Wheel

15 June, 1pm & 3pm (free outdoor performances)

The Lochcarron Centre, Strathcarron

18 June, 7pm (double bill performance)

Caledonian Canal Centre, Fort Augustus

20 June, 7pm (double bill performance)

The Egg Shed, Lochgilphead (Crinan Canal)

22 June, 12pm, 1.30pm & 4pm (plus illustration workshop at 11am)

Port Errol Public Hall, Cruden Bay

28 June, 2pm & 4pm

Kirriemuir Town Hall

29 June, 2pm & 4pm

The Cutty Sark Centre, Ayr

2 July, 12pm, 1.30pm & 4pm (plus illustration workshop at The Grain Exchange at 11am)

Forth & Clyde Canal Society

3 July, 1pm & 3pm, Kirkintilloch Southbank Marina to Hillhead Basin (30 minute circuit)

Forth & Clyde Canal Society

4 July 1pm & 3pm, Glasgow Canal House, Applecross Street to Firhill Basin (30 minute circuit)

Stockingfield Bridge, near Brassey Street, Glasgow

5 July, 1pm & 3pm (free outdoor performances)

East Kilbride Arts Centre

6 July, 1pm & 3pm (free outdoor performances)

Young people invited to design permenant garden for Scotmid’s head office in Edinburgh

Scotmid is calling on creative young minds to showcase their design talents in a special competition celebrating the International Year of Co-operatives. This exciting challenge invites youth establishments to design a stunning garden that will become a permanent feature at Scotmid’s Head Office in Edinburgh.

Inspired by the way bees work together as a co-operative, entrants are encouraged to create a design that reflects the spirit of co-operation and community while supporting our essential pollinators.

“We’re thrilled to offer young people the chance to bring their garden designs to life,” said Lynne Peacock, Membership & Communities Manager at Scotmid.

“This competition not only highlights the importance of creativity but also fosters a sense of community and environmental responsibility. We look forward to seeing how young designers express the power of working together through their garden ideas.”

The competition is open to all young people, and the winning entry will see their garden design brought to life. The winner will also receive a framed print of their design, £200 of fundraising vouchers for their school or youth group, and a special goody bag featuring exclusive merchandise.

Budding designers can send their creations via email to:

competition@scotmid.co.uk 

or by post to Garden Competition, Scotmid Co-op, Hillwood House, Newbridge, EH28 8QJ.

Full competition details, including terms and conditions, are available at: 

https://scotmid.coop/gardencompetition/

Entries are welcome until Friday 16th May.

Fort Kinnaird announces Easter weekend opening hours

HOLIDAY FUN FOR FAMILIES

Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its opening hours for the upcoming Easter bank holiday weekend and is inviting families to enjoy a packed programme of fun, food and entertainment throughout the school holidays.

Whether you’re looking to stock up on Easter crafting supplies, treating the kids to a special meal out, or sampling some limited-edition Easter sweet treats, there is something for everyone looking to make the most of the long weekend and beyond.  

The centre’s opening hours over the Easter weekend will be:

  • Good Friday (Friday 18th April): 9am – 9pm 
  • Easter Saturday (Saturday 19th April): 9am – 6pm 
  • Easter Sunday (Sunday 20th April): 9am – 6pm
  • Easter Monday (Monday 21st April): 9am – 9pm 

Opening times at individual retailers may vary, so visitors are encouraged to check with specific venues ahead of their trip.

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We know the Easter break is a cherished time for families to relax, reconnect and make lasting memories.

“That’s why we’re delighted to be hosting a wide range of exciting Easter activities and deals all in one destination, from offers on Easter crafts to discounts at some of our most popular restaurants.”

Easter fun to make the most of at Fort Kinnaird includes:

  • Easter crafting essentials from Hobbycraft: Up your Easter craft game this year by making the most of a 50% discount on some supplies. From paint your own ceramics sets to paint by numbers, there’s something to keep all the little ones entertained on a rainy day.
  • Indulge in some Easter goodies at Frankie & Benny’s: Nothing says Easter like Cadbury Crème Eggs and Frankie & Benny’s have combined these with their cookie dough dessert for the ultimate sweet treat this Easter.
  • Free workshops at Pets at Home: The popular My Pet Pals workshops will be returning to Pets at Home this Easter, where children can get involved in some free crafts while learning about pet welfare and how to look after animals – educational and fun!
  • Kids eat free at Pizza Express: When you’re not snacking on chocolate eggs this Easter, treat your family to a meal at Pizza Express, where kids get a free Piccolo meal with every adult main. This includes Dough Balls, pizza, pasta, or salad, a dessert, and a Bambinoccino.

For more information and to plan your Easter trip to Fort Kinnaird, visit https://www.fortkinnaird.com/ 

SPFL announces 2024/25 William Hill Premiership post-split fixtures

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has today published the post-split fixture list for the William Hill Premiership following another dramatic weekend of football.

St Mirren secured their place in the top six with a 3-2 victory over Ross County on Saturday, to join Celtic, Rangers, Hibernian, Dundee United and Aberdeen in the top half of the table.

The schedule for the final five fixture rounds has now been confirmed, with the 30 games to be played across the weekend of April 26/27, the weekend of May 3/4, the weekend of May 10/11, the midweek of May 13/14 and the weekend of May 17/18.

The final top-six fixtures in this season’s William Hill Premiership will take place on Saturday May 17, kick-off 12.30pm, while the bottom six will conclude on Sunday May 18 at 3.00pm.

For the first time since 2017/18 unfortunately it has not been possible to ensure that all clubs will have 19 home games and 19 away games across the season. In the top six, St Mirren will play 20 home fixtures and in the bottom six Motherwell will have 18 home games. Motherwell were the last club to gain a home game when a 19/19 balance could not be achieved in 2017/18, with Heart of Midlothian having only 18 home fixtures on that occasion.

Celtic will have the opportunity to win the title away to Dundee United in the first post-split fixture on Saturday April 26, live on Sky Sports at 12.30pm, while their final meeting of the season with Rangers will be at Ibrox on Sunday May 4, live on Sky Sports at 12 noon.

Sky Sports will also show Rangers v Aberdeen on Sunday May 11, kick-off 12 noon, and Celtic v St Mirren on Saturday May 17, kick-off 12.30pm. Sky may also select a match in due course for live broadcast in fixture round 37.

David Gray’s Hibernian, who are on a 17-game unbeaten run and sit third in the table, begin their postsplit matches away to Aberdeen before hosting Dundee United the following week.

In the bottom half of the table, only a single point separates the clubs in ninth, 10th and 11th position and two of them, Kilmarnock and Ross County, go head to head at Rugby Park in fixture round 34. Dundee, who currently occupy the relegation play-off spot, begin their run-in against Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle.

Calum Beattie, SPFL Chief Operating Officer, said: “It was another hugely exciting weekend of football, with three clubs going into Saturday’s matches separated by only a single point in the battle for the final top-six place and St Mirren making the cut with a late winner.

“I’m pleased to be able to publish the fixtures and TV selections for the remaining five rounds of the William Hill Premiership. There is so much to play for between now and the end of the season, with the title, European qualification and relegation places all on the line. It all gets started with a huge match at Tannadice on Saturday April 26, live on Sky Sports.”

POST-SPLIT MATCHES CONFIRMED FOR LIVE BROADCAST ON SKY SPORTS

Saturday April 26: Dundee United v Celtic (Sky Sports, 12.30pm)
Sunday May 4: Rangers v Celtic (Sky Sports, 12 noon)
Sunday May 11: Rangers v Aberdeen (Sky Sports, 12 noon)
Saturday May 17: Celtic v St Mirren (Sky Sports, 12.30pm)

William Hill Premiership fixture rounds 34-38 announced

TOP-SIX FIXTURES

Saturday April 26
Dundee United v Celtic (Sky Sports, 12.30pm)
Aberdeen v Hibernian (3.00pm)
St Mirren v Rangers (3.00pm)

Saturday May 3
Hibernian v Dundee United (3.00pm)
St Mirren v Aberdeen (3.00pm)

Sunday May 4
Rangers v Celtic (Sky Sports, 12 noon)

Saturday May 10
Celtic v Hibernian (3.00pm)
Dundee United v St Mirren (3.00pm)

Sunday May 11
Rangers v Aberdeen (Sky Sports, 12 noon)

Wednesday May 14
Aberdeen v Celtic (7.45pm)
Rangers v Dundee United (7.45pm)
St Mirren v Hibernian (7.45pm)

Saturday May 17
Celtic v St Mirren (Sky Sports, 12.30pm)
Dundee United v Aberdeen (12.30pm)
Hibernian v Rangers (12.30pm)

BOTTOM-SIX FIXTURES    

Saturday April 26
Heart of Midlothian v Dundee (3.00pm)
Kilmarnock v Ross County (3.00pm)
Motherwell v St Johnstone (3.00pm)

Saturday May 3
Dundee v Motherwell (3.00pm)
Ross County v Heart of Midlothian (3.00pm)
St Johnstone v Kilmarnock (3.00pm)

Saturday May 10
Heart of Midlothian v Motherwell (3.00pm)
Kilmarnock v Dundee (3.00pm)
St Johnstone v Ross County (3.00pm)

Wednesday May 14
Dundee v Ross County (7.45pm)
Heart of Midlothian v St Johnstone (7.45pm)
Motherwell v Kilmarnock (7.45pm)

Sunday May 18
Kilmarnock v Heart of Midlothian (3.00pm)
Ross County v Motherwell (3.00pm)
St Johnstone v Dundee (3.00pm)

Please note: Sky Sports may select a Round 37 match (midweek of May 14) in due course

Social Security Scotland: Benefit Payment Information

If a client is due a payment between Friday 18 April and Monday 21 April over the Easter bank holiday they will receive it by the end of Thursday 17 April.

All other payment dates will stay the same.

From the science behind sins to the chemistry of Star Wars: Edinburgh Science Festival 2025 continues

Still to come at Edinburgh Science Festival 2025

From the science behind the seven deadly sins to the chemistry of Star Wars, there’s lots still to uncover at Edinburgh Science Festival 2025.

Running until Sunday 20 April, the Festival explores the challenges of living on a planet with finite resources, through the lenses of science fiction and space exploration with the theme Spaceship Earth.

This week’s highlights include:

A Climate of Truth (15 April) 
We have all the technology we need to live better than ever before, and yet humanity is still accelerating into a climate emergency. Sustainability expert, Prof Mike Berners-Lee looks at the challenge from new angles, and reveals how the need for radically higher standards of honesty in our politics, media, and business is the single most critical point of leverage for those seeking change. Berners-Lee shows what all of us can do to be part of the evolution that humanity so urgently needs to deal with the polycrisis.

Seven Deadly Sins (15 April)
Gluttony. Greed. Sloth. Pride. Envy. Lust. Anger. Do these sins really represent moral failings, or are they simply important and useful human functions that aid us? Professor of neurology, Guy Leschziner reveals the hidden science and humanity behind our so-called flaws and follies.

Mission Bake: From Bake Off to Blast Off (18 April)
Are you ready to see some “out-of-this-world” treats? Join scientist and Great British Bake Off finalist Josh Smalley as he showcases the wonders of space through the art of baking, with edible meteorites and macaron planets. Plus, space expert Dhara Patel from the National Space Centre will be bringing real meteorites to the show!
Josh Smalley also joins the Festival for The Easter Baking Show, also on 18 April.

Memory Lane: the Perfectly Imperfect Ways We Remember (18 April)
We often think our impressions of the past remain preserved somewhere inside our brains. In fact, we reconstruct our memories every time we try to recall them. But a faulty memory isn’t always a bad thing…Explore the cutting-edge science of human memory, the ethical implications of memory manipulation and the pitfalls of false recollections. Psychologists Ciara Greene and Gillian Murphy reveal the surprising benefits of a flexible memory system and explain why no two trips down memory lane are ever quite the same.

The Chemistry of Star Wars (20 April)
In a galaxy far, far away, there is a Star Wars universe packed with captivating science, from the biology of alien species to the astrophysics of hyperspace. But what about Chemistry? Join Alex Baker, a chemist from the University of Warwick, as he explores the freezing of Han Solo, the colours of lightsabers, the reactions that power star ships and much more.

DiscoveryLab (Running until 19 April)
Visit the Festival’s reimagined flagship family experience at City Art Centre and explore five floors packed with hands-on activities designed for all the family to get involved in. Children aged 5–11 can also book entry to one premium workshop including Splat-tastic, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and Wild Vets.

To view the full programme, visit: 

https://www.edinburghscience.co.uk/festival/whats-on/

Portobello disturbance: Man arrested and charged

MAN TO APPEAR IN COURT TODAY

A 21-year-old man has been arrested and charged following a disturbance in the Portobello area of Edinburgh.

Around 10.55pm on Saturday, 12 April, 2025, police were called to Bath Street and Mentone Avenue.

Three males, one aged 17 and two aged 18, were taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

The 21-year-old man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today – Tuesday, 15 April, 2025.

A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

Enquiries remain ongoing.

Thank you to those who have assisted with enquiries so far.

UK Government secures raw materials to save British Steel

NATIONALISATION BY ANY OTHER NAME?

The Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is pushing ahead with efforts to safeguard British Steel. Today [Tuesday 15 April] he will travel up to Immingham as the raw materials that have been waiting in the dock are unloaded and transported to the site, following the government settling payment for them.

The materials – which have arrived from the US – are enough to keep the blast furnaces running for the coming weeks, with officials continuing to work at pace to get a steady pipeline of materials to keep the fire burning.

A separate ship which contains yet more coking coal is on the way to the UK from Australia. This cargo was the subject of a legal dispute between British Steel and Jingye over the weekend that has now been resolved. The materials have been paid for using existing DBT budgets.

New legislation passed last weekend, in an unprecedented move, gives Government the power to direct the company’s board and workforce, ensure they get paid, and order the raw materials to keep the blast furnaces running. It also permits the Government to do these things itself if needed. 

The government acted to protect 37,000 jobs in supply chains and ensure we can build the infrastructure needed to deliver growth which is fundamental to the Plan for Change.

On Monday, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirmed the appointment of Allan Bell as interim Chief Executive Officer, and Lisa Coulson as interim Chief Commercial Officer, both with immediate effect – ensuring the right expertise is in place to keep the site running smoothly.

After intensive work over the weekend, the government has secured coke and iron ore pellets for the blast furnaces and is confident there will be enough materials to keep the furnaces burning.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “We will always act in the interest of working people and UK industry. Thanks to the work of those at British Steel, and in my department, we have moved decisively to secure the raw materials we need to help save British Steel.

“Our industries depend on UK steel and – thanks to our Plan for Change – demand is set to shoot up: helping build the 1.5 million homes, railways, schools and hospitals we need to usher in a decade of national renewal.”

Arrest after man seriously assaulted in London Road

A man has been arrested and charged in connection with a serious assault that happened in Edinburgh early this morning (Monday, 14 April, 2025).

At around 6am Police received a report of a 48-year-old man seriously injured in the London Road area.

Emergency services attended and the man was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

A 48-year-old man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow – Tuesday, 15 April, 2025.

Foodbank reports devastating break-in

We are saddened to report that, overnight between April 10th and April 11th 2025, Glasgow South West Foodbank’s Cardonald Foodbank Centre was broken into, burgled and vandalised. 

The premises that we operate our Cardonald Foodbank Centre from, Hillington Park Parish Church, was broken into. Our storage area was burgled and vandalised, leading to the loss of thousands of pounds worth of stock and materials. This is the busiest of the five Foodbank Centres we operate.

Glasgow South West Foodbank is a small, independent, local charity. We already have an Urgent Appeal running to try and raise desperately needed funds to allow us to continue operating in the current challenging climate.

We have seen an increase in people needing our support, while food costs have increased and donations have fallen, so this incident has happened at a particularly unfortunate time for us.

Development Manager, Claire McCunnie, says: “Thankfully, no one was here when the break in occurred, and no one was hurt. But clearing up all the mess left behind was very upsetting as, of course, was the loss of stock. It’s honestly devastating.

“We are a small team who work extremely hard helping people in our community who are unable to afford the essentials we all need to get by, like food, bills and toiletries. To experience a break-in like this is heartbreaking, not just for our team, but for the people we support. 

“We would be extremely grateful for any donations the community can give during this difficult time. You can donate money online to Glasgow South West food bank or food at our warehouse or drop off points in local supermarkets.”

Our team was able to open the food bank as planned on Friday despite this distressing situation, and we are determined to keep the food bank at Cardonald open for the foreseeable future.

Since opening in December 2013, we have provided over three quarters of a million meals to Glaswegians who have been unable to put food on the table. Alongside emergency food parcels, we offer a warm welcome, listening ear, and advice and support through our partner agencies.

The incident has been reported to Police Scotland and anyone with any further information can contact them to assist with their inquiries.